An investigation into the epidemiology of Strongylidae infections in the horse in the Netherlands

Summary

In a four‐year survey, the course of pasture infestation with infective larvae of Strongylidae and the pattern of development of the Strongylidae infection in the host were investigated. In this way it was hoped to obtain epidemiological data which might serve as a basis for the control of strongylidosis in the horse.     

Fascin‐1 expression in canine cutaneous and oral melanocytic tumours

Fascin‐1 expression was examined in 9 cutaneous melanocytomas and 47 oral melanomas. The cases were scored on the basis of extent and intensity of staining, and combined scores were calculated. Fascin‐1 expression was observed in 5/9 (56%) melanocytomas and 46/47 (98%) melanomas. The combined score for fascin‐1 was significantly greater in stage III/IV melanomas than in stage I/II melanomas (P < 0.05). In addition, strong fascin‐1 staining was associated with a significantly shortened survival time (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that fascin‐1 overexpression correlates with the malignancy of canine melanoma and has the potential to be a new immunohistochemical marker to predict the clinical course of canine melanoma. In addition, targeted therapy for fascin‐1 may represent a new strategy for the treatment of canine melanoma.     

Tail-base mass from a "horse of a different color"

A 14-year-old bay Thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation of a mass at the base of the tail. The mass had been present for 1 year, and recently had begun to increase in size. Additional masses were found around the eye and shoulder. A fine-needle aspirate of the tail-base mass revealed highly anaplastic round to polyhedral cells containing dark green to black cytoplasmic granules interpreted to be melanin. Histologically, the mass was composed of pleomorphic, poorly pigmented, round to polyhedral cells interpreted to be neoplastic melanocytes. With immunohistochemistry, the cells were positive for vimentin and S-100, but negative for pancytokeratin and Melan-A. The cytologic and histopathologic diagnoses were amelanotic melanoma. The horse was treated with cimetidine, but the tumor continued to progress. In this report, we describe the cytopathologic features of an aggressive amelanotic melanoma in a non-grey horse and emphasize the unique correlation between cytologic and histologic findings.     

Cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein in equine synovial fluid from healthy and diseased joints

Reasons for performing study: More sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for early detection of changes in the joint cartilage are needed. Cartilage‐derived retinoic acid‐sensitive protein (CD‐RAP) is a potential marker of cartilage synthesis and regeneration. This is the first study on equine CD‐RAP. Objectives: To evaluate the ability of a commercially available human sandwich ELISA assay to detect equine CD‐RAP in synovial fluid from healthy and diseased joints. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected from 28 horses with no signs of joint disease and from 5 with induced inflammatory arthritis. CD‐RAP concentrations were measured using a human CD‐RAP ELISA. Intra‐ and interassay imprecision of the assay were evaluated by multiple measurements on pools of equine synovial fluid. Assay inaccuracy was determined by linearity under dilution. Results: The assay showed moderate to large intra‐ and interassay variation when applied to equine synovial fluid. Equine CD‐RAP was detected in synovial fluid from healthy horses ranged at 8.2–52 ng/ml. Repeated arthrocentesis (after injection of isotonic saline), age, joint or gender did not significantly affect CD‐RAP concentrations. Twelve hours after intra‐articular injection of lipopolysaccharide, concentrations of CD‐RAP were significantly lower than after injection of isotonic saline and remained significantly lower until the end of the study at 144 h. Conclusion and potential relevance: The assay is suitable for longitudinal monitoring of CD‐RAP concentration in individual horses. Disease significantly influenced CD‐RAP levels. Similar to previous results obtained in man, CD‐RAP seems to be a marker of cartilage synthesis and/or regeneration in horses.     

Surgical removal of an intramedullary chopstick fragment penetrating the spinal cord in a cat

A 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented with sudden ataxia. Neurologic examination showed complete loss of proprioception in the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a non-metallic foreign body penetrating the spinal cord. The foreign body was removed by the ventral approach to the atlanto-occipital junction. Mild improvement of proprioception was observed the day after surgery. In a follow-up two months after surgery, the owner reported a complete recovery of the patient, showing a normal gait. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first case report describing successful removal of an intramedullary foreign body penetrating cervical spinal cord by ventral approach in a cat.     

Foxp3表达对黑色素瘤B16细胞增殖的影响

目的通过检测Foxp3在黑色素瘤B16细胞中的表达及其对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响,探讨Foxp3在黑色素瘤细胞中表达的可能作用.方法采用RT-PCR和免疫组化法检测B16细胞中Foxp3在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达;采用VigoFect转染试剂将pcDNA3.1-Foxp3真核表达载体瞬时转染B16细胞,RT-PCR和流式细胞术方法分别检测转染前后Foxp3基因和蛋白的表达;MTT方法检测Foxp3高表达后对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响.结果 B16细胞在mRNA和蛋白水平均表达Foxp3;瞬时转染后Foxp3转染组中Foxp3的表达显著高于空载体组和B16组（P〈0.01）;Foxp3转染组细胞A490 nm值在48 h和72 h与空载体组和B16组相比显著降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.结论黑色素瘤B16细胞Foxp3的表达可抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖.     

Antiproliferative effect of Canavalia brasiliensis lectin on B16F10 cells

Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins with the ability to link to carbohydrates at the cell surface in a specific and reversible manner. Studies have showed that lectins are demonstrate immunomodulatory and antitumor agents. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lectin extracted from the seeds of Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) on murine melanoma B16F10 cells by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis index, cell migration, production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Results showed that ConBr was able to reduce cell viability and thwart apoptosis, which could be observed by decrease in cell migration. ConBr also induced NO and IL-12 synthesis. Altogether, these data demonstrate the potential of ConBr as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.     

Primary sinonasal malignant melanoma with systemic metastasis in a non-gray horse

A 27-y-old Anglo-Arabian gelding with bay coat color was presented with a swelling of the left maxillary region. Fenestration on the left maxilla revealed that the left maxillary sinus was filled with black-red tissue. A portion of the tissue was excised and diagnosed histologically as malignant melanoma. Genotyping of the STX17 gene for gray coat color revealed that the horse did not have the “gray” factor. The horse was euthanized ~3 mo after first presentation. During autopsy, a black-to-gray mass extended from the left nasal cavity to the surrounding paranasal sinus and invaded the hard palate, cribriform plate, and the cranial portion of the left olfactory bulb. Moreover, identical black nodules were present in lymph nodes from the mandible to the larynx, and in the spleen, liver, kidney, and adrenal glands. However, masses were not found in the skin, perineal region, or pelvic cavity. All of the black-to-gray nodules were malignant melanomas that were histologically identical to the initial biopsy; tumor emboli were also found in the kidney. Sinonasal mucosal melanoma is a rare disease in horses.