Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with visceral metastases in a White Carneau pigeon and literature review

Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors of smooth muscle origin and are reported occasionally in avian species. A 14-y-old male laboratory White Carneau pigeon (Columba livia) was presented for surgical excision of a cervical soft tissue mass. Ultrasonography with color flow Doppler imaging revealed multiple cavitations of mixed echogenicity within the mass and vascularization. Histologically, the dermis and subcutis were expanded by a densely cellular multinodular mass comprised of fusiform cells forming haphazardly arranged broad streams and short interwoven bundles, often surrounding blood vessels and variably sized cavitations. Neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for desmin and α–smooth muscle actin, and negative for pancytokeratin, S100, and von Willebrand factor. Based on histopathology and IHC findings, the cutaneous mass was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The pigeon died 312 d post-operatively. Postmortem examination revealed masses infiltrating the left and right pulmonary airways and one hepatic nodule, but no regrowth at the surgical site. Histologic and IHC evaluation of the pulmonary and hepatic masses were consistent with LMS, representing metastatic foci from the primary cutaneous LMS. Our case highlights the malignant behavior and histomorphologic features of cutaneous LMS in an avian species.     

肌肉发生相关长链非编码RNA研究进展

肌肉参与机体的运动、协调和体温调节等一系列生命活动,同时畜禽肌肉是人类重要的蛋白质来源。肌肉发生过程中的不同调控机制可引起肌肉发育的阶段性差异,而整个肌肉发育主要以两个时期（胚胎期和出生后）的发育状态体现。长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）是一类不具有蛋白编码能力且长度>200 nt的RNA分子。近年来,随着基因组学和分子生物学技术的高速发展,发现lncRNA广泛参与到肌肉发育的各个阶段,以多种作用机制调控肌肉的发育过程。作者介绍了肌肉的发育过程,综述了目前发现的与肌肉发育相关的lncRNAs及其作用机制,并阐述其在肌肉发育的不同阶段发挥的重要作用,为进一步研究肌肉发育相关lncRNAs提供了参考。     

MSTN基因对牛肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路的影响

为探究肌肉生长抑制素（myostatin,MSTN）对牛骨骼肌生长发育的作用机制,本研究前期利用定量蛋白质组学与磷酸化蛋白质组学分析野生型蒙古牛（MG.WT）和MSTN^+/-蒙古牛（MG.MSTN^+/-）腿臀肌肌肉组织中蛋白质水平和磷酸化修饰水平的差异变化,使用已建立的牛骨骼肌卫星细胞体外诱导成肌分化模型,检测设计合成的MSTN siRNA （si-MSTN）干扰效果;采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting方法检测转染si-MSTN的增殖期（GM）和分化第3天（DM3）牛骨骼肌卫星细胞中肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路相关基因的mRNA和蛋白水平的表达变化,研究敲低MSTN表达对肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路的影响。结果显示,在MSTN^+/-蒙古牛肌肉组织中共鉴定到16个肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路相关基因表达丰度上调;转染si-MSTN细胞中的MSTN表达水平极显著降低（P<0.01）;在转染si-MSTN的GM期牛骨骼肌卫星细胞中,肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路相关基因ENAH、ACTN4和Cdc42的mRNA水平均显著升高（P<0.05）,PFN1、RhoA和ACTN4的蛋白水平均显著或极显著升高（P<0.05;P<0.01）;在转染si-MSTN的DM3牛骨骼肌卫星细胞中,ENAH、CFL1、SCIN和Cdc42基因mRNA水平均显著升高（P<0.05）,RhoA基因mRNA水平极显著升高（P<0.01）,PFN1和ACTN4的蛋白水平均显著升高（P<0.05）。结果表明,干扰MSTN可以促进肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路相关基因的表达,探明了MSTN可能通过介导肌动蛋白细胞骨架调节通路影响牛骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖和成肌分化的分子机制,为进一步研究MSTN对牛成肌分化的调控机制提供参考。     

Expression Analysis of THBS3 Gene in Different Tissues and Skeletal Muscles at Different Periods from Landrace and Tongcheng Pigs

To study the expression pattern of THBS3 gene in different tissues and during skeletal muscle development, the THBS3 gene expression in different tissues and skeletal muscles during prenatal periods (33, 45, 65, 70 and 90 d) and postnatal periods (0, 9, 30, 60, 120 and 160 d) from Landrace and Tongcheng pigs were detected by Real-time quantification PCR.The results showed that THBS3 gene widely expressed in all tissues examined, exhibiting similar spatial expression patterns with expression peaks in lung in both pig breeds except in stomach and intestine.Moreover, although THBS3 gene showed a significant higher expression level in gestation than after birth in Landrace and Tongcheng pigs (P<0.05), it exhibited different expression patterns between Landrace and Tongcheng pigs, the expression peak was detected at gestation day 45 in Landrace pig, while was detected at gestation day 65 in Tongcheng pig.The results suggested that THBS3 gene involved in skeletal muscle growth and development in pigs, as well as the regulation of asynchronization of skeletal muscle development in different pig breeds.     

Leiomyoma of the third eyelid in a dog

A 14‐year‐old neutered male Dachshund presented for the evaluation of oculus dexter (OD) third eyelid elevation ongoing for approximately 2 months. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed a large, nonpainful, well‐demarcated, soft mass at the base of the right third eyelid causing elevation and mild hyperemia. The mass was freely moveable with the third eyelid, and no right globe deviation was noted. No other abnormalities were noted on physical examination, routine blood chemistry, complete blood count, serum T4, urinalysis, or urine cortisol/creatinine ratio. Ocular B‐mode ultrasonography showed an anechoic, well‐demarcated, homogenous, soft tissue mass at the base of the third eyelid with no orbital extension. A leiomyoma was diagnosed after multiple punch biopsies were obtained from the palpebral surface of the mass. The right third eyelid was excised surgically. Histopathology confirmed a completely excised, nodular, unencapsulated, expansile mass within the third eyelid. Positive smooth muscle actin and negative S‐100 immunohistochemistry confirmed a leiomyoma. Bundles of normal smooth muscle were also present adjacent to the mass. The mass was compressing the adjacent lacrimal gland and associated with moderate dacryoadenitis. Twelve months postoperatively, the right globe position and motility remain normal with no evidence of mass regrowth. To the author's knowledge, this is the first reported case of a leiomyoma of the third eyelid in any species. In this case, the mass was completely excised and no regrowth has occurred twelve months after surgery. This case along with independently reviewed canine third eyelids clearly demonstrates the presence of smooth muscle within the canine third eyelid.     

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and their effect on growth and carcass muscle traits in New Zealand Romney sheep

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development in mammals, and variation in ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) has been demonstrated to be associated with variation in the muscularity of sheep. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) was used to look for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 304‐bp amplicon from the promoter region of ovine MSTN. Sequence analyses revealed two previously identified SNPs (c.?2449G/C and c. ?2379T/C) that resulted in three haplotypes (H₁ (c.[?2449G; ?2379C]), H₂ (c.[?2449C; ?2379C]) and H₃ (c.[?2449G; ?2379T]). The effect of these SNPs on growth and carcass traits was investigated in 357 NZ Romney lambs. General linear mixed‐effect models revealed that sheep with the genotype c.?2449GC had a higher loin meat yield (p = 0.032) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.028), than those with the genotype c.?2449GG. The genotype c.?2379CC was associated with an increase in three weight traits: birthweight (p = 0.003), tailing weight (p = 0.009) and weaning weight (p = 0.028), when compared with the genotype c.?2379TC, but it was not found to have an association with growth rate. This suggests that c.?2379T/C has an effect that originates at, or before birth. Haplotype H₃ was associated with a decrease in birthweight (p = 0.002), tailing weight (p = 0.003) and weaning weight (p = 0.011). Haplotype H₂ was associated with increased loin yield (p = 0.012) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.002). The SNPs may have value as genetic markers for improved Romney breeding.     

Treatment of a metallic foreign body in the cranial cervical region of a horse

Ingestion of foreign bodies is uncommon in horses when compared with indiscriminate grazers such as cattle. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess in a Thoroughbred racehorse thought to be associated with ingestion of wire. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination provided a diagnosis, and conservative treatment of the lesion with antimicrobials initially allowed the lesion to localise closer to the skin for safer surgical exploration. Intra-operative ultrasonographic imaging facilitated surgical access, removal of the foreign body, and drainage. While surgical treatment is usually necessary to resolve an abscess, initially conservative therapy may help to improve the prognosis by simplifying surgical access and reducing the risk of surgical complications.     

早期限饲对肉鸡肌肉生长及生产性能的长期影响

本研究旨在比较不同生长阶段隔日限饲(早期限饲:1~14日龄限饲,后期限饲:50~63日龄限饲)对肉鸡肌肉生长及相关激素水平的影响,并探讨早期限饲对肉鸡肌肉生长的程序化作用。试验结果:1)早期限饲组整个试验阶段体重均极显著低于对照组,后期限饲组限饲一周后体重显著低于对照组并于63日龄实现完全补偿生长;2)早期限饲组14日龄和63日龄胸肌、腓肠肌重均显著低于对照组;后期限饲组63日龄胸肌、腓肠肌重均显著低于对照组,且二者与早期限饲组均差异不显著;3)早期限饲显著降低了14日龄肉鸡肌肉中DNA、RNA和蛋白含量,63日龄恢复至正常水平,且核酸、蛋白水平在胸肌和腓肠肌内的趋势表现不一致;4)早期限饲组14日龄血清中T3、T4水平均显著低于对照组,63日龄血清T3水平仍显著低于对照组;后期限饲组63日龄血清T3水平显著低于对照组,T4水平与对照组差异不显著。结果表明:1)限饲可显著阻碍肉鸡肌肉的生长;2)不同部位的肌肉对限饲的敏感度不同;3)早期营养因子对肉鸡肌肉的生长具有"程序化"作用,甲状腺激素可能参与这些过程的调节。     

Morphometric analysis of the spinal cord of the Sus scrofa (large white and landrace crossbreed)

The incidence of spinal cord (SC) injury in developed and undeveloped countries is alarming. The pig (Sus scrofa) has been recommended as a suitable research model for translational studies because of its morphophysiological similarities of organ systems with humans. There is a dearth of information on the SC anatomy of the large white and landrace crossbreed (LW-LC) pigs. We therefore aim to describe the gross morphology and morphometry of its SC. Twelve juvenile LW-LC pigs (six males and six females) were used. The skin and epaxial muscles were dissected to expose the vertebral column. The SC was carefully harvested by laminectomy, and 13 gross SC morphometric parameters were evaluated. Thirty-three spinal nerves were seen emanating from either side of the SC by means of dorsal and ventral spinal roots. The overall average of SC length and weight was 36.23 ± 1.01 cm and 16.60 ± 0.58 g, respectively. However, the mean SC length and weight were higher in females compared with males, with SC weight being statistically significant. A positive relationship between SC length and weight was significant for males (p = 0.0435) but not for females (p = 0.42). Likewise, the strength of the relationship between SC length and weight was significant in males (r = 0.82) but not significant in females (r = 0.41). Baseline data for the morphometric features of the spinal cord in the LW-LC pigs were generated, which will contribute to the knowledge of this species anatomy and useful information on regional anaesthesia that should further strengthen the drive in adopting the pig as a suitable research model for biomedical research.