Surgical treatment of a mammary gland comedocarcinoma in an Arabian mare: Post-operative management,and histopathological and immunohistochemical features

A lactating 20-year-old, brown, Arabian mare, weighing about 300 kg, presented for bleeding from one teat and severe swelling of the entire mammary gland. The mare had untreated mastitis 10 months before. Consequently, a gangrenous teat developed after chronic bloody and purulent discharges. The teat was removed surgically by the field veterinarian. At that time, the mammary gland increased in size. Bloody and purulent discharges restarted 10 days previously. Under general anaesthesia, the entire mammary gland was removed. Comedocarcinoma was diagnosed by histopathological assessment. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for pan-cytokeratin and vimentin. Microscopic examination of immunohistochemical stained slides revealed expression of pan-cytokeratin. In conclusion, this report describes clinical, macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of comedocarcinoma that did not metastasise to regional lymph nodes. Reports in the field of equine oncology contribute to improved general knowledge in equine medicine, contributing to better diagnosis and treatment.     

Polymorphism of P53‐Ets/AP1 transactivation region of MDM2 oncogene and its immunohistochemical analysis in canine tumours

Mouse Double Minute‐2 (MDM2) is an ubiquitin ligase which is overexpressed or its promoter polymorphism has been reported in different tumours. The objective of this study was to examine the MDM2 protein expression and its promoter polymorphism in some canine tumours. Twenty specimens were collected from 20 dogs with 15 mammary gland carcinomas, 3 lymphomas, 1 transmissible venereal tumour and 1 trichoblastoma. Samples were analysed immunohistochemically using human antibody against MDM2 protein. PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out to identify MDM2 promoter polymorphism. MDM2 gene was expressed in 13 of 20 samples including 11 mammary carcinomas, 1 lymphoma and 1 trichoblastoma. We found 94% homology between canine and human sequences. Four mutations including G169C, A177G, G291T and A177G were identified in different types of breast carcinomas. An extra p53 response element was found in a mixed mammary carcinoma.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma in a Silver Carp

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a primitive neoplasm that originates from skeletal muscle progenitor cells. In a routine inspection of a cyprinid farm in southwestern Iran, an approximately 2-year-old female Silver Carp was observed to have a raised mass located on the dorsolateral surface just caudal to the head. Macroscopic examination revealed a firm irregular fleshy pink mass (5 × 4 cm, depth = 3 cm) that appeared to arise from the subcutaneous musculature. Histologic sections were prepared using routine methods and separate sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Massons’ trichrome. Microscopically, the tumor mass was composed of spindle cells that were densely packed and arranged in long interwoven bundles. The nuclei were vesicular and oval to elongated or cigar-shaped. Nuclear pleomorphism and multinucleate tumor giant cells were clearly evident. The neoplastic cell cytoplasm was eosinophilic with indistinct cell margins, and clear cross striations were observed in fibrils. The striated fibrils stained diffusely red with Masson’s trichrome. This account represents the first reported occurrence of rhabdomyosarcoma in Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix.

Received July 10, 2015; accepted February 4, 2016     

Estimating aboveground biomass in forest and oil palm plantation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo using ALOS PALSAR data

Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation’s REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129 ha of research and inventory plots were used at different spatial scales to discriminate forest biomass across degradation levels. Field data was integrated with ALOS PALSAR (Advanced Land-Observing Satellite Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery to both discriminate oil palm plantation from forest stands, with an accuracy of 97.0% (κ = 0.64) and predict AGB using regression analysis of HV-polarized PALSAR data (R² = 0.63, p < .001). Direct estimation of AGB from simple regression models was sensitive to both environmental conditions and forest structure. Precipitation effect on the backscatter data changed the HV prediction of AGB significantly (R² = 0.21, p < .001), and scattering from large leaves of mature palm trees significantly impeded the use of a single HV-based model for predicting AGB in palm oil plantations. Multi-temporal SAR data and algorithms based on forest types are suggested to improve the ability of a sensor similar to ALOS PALSAR for accurately mapping and monitoring forest biomass, now that the ALOS PALSAR sensor is no longer operational.     

Extracellular production of silver nanoparticles by using three common species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis

Background: To develop a new green approach for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, myconanotechnology has been represented as a novel field of study in nanotechnology. In this study, we have reported the extracellular synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles using three species of dermatophytes: Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. Methods: Clinical strains of these species were grown in a liquid medium containing mineral salt and incubated at 25°C for 5-7 days. The cell-free filtrate of each culture was obtained and subjected to synthesize silver nanoparticles in the presence of 1 mM AgNO₃. Results: The reduction of Ag+ ions in metal nanoparticles was investigated virtually by tracing the solution color which was switched into reddish-light brown after 72 h. For T. mentagrophytes, a UV-visible spectra demonstrating a strong, quite narrow peak located between 422 and 425 nm was obtained. For M. canis, a fairly wide peak centering at 441 nm and for T. rubrum, a weak spectrum to decipher were observed. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results, fairly uniform, spherical, and small in size with almost less than 50 nm particles were forms in case of T. mentagrophytes. For the other two species, TEM images showed existence of small spherical nanosilvers but not as small as nanoparticles synthesized by T. mentagrophytes. Conclusion: We observed that species belong to a single genus of the fungi have variable ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles extracellulary with different efficiency. Furthermore, the extracellular synthesis may make the process simpler and easier for following processes.Key Words: Nanoparticles, Dermatophytes, Extracellular biosynthesis     

Molecular characterization of a Squalene epoxidase gene in dermatophyte pathogen Trichophyton tonsurans

BACKGROUND: Trichophyton tonsurans is one of the dermatophyte fungi which invades the skin and hair of human. Several properties of this fungus have been investigated so far. However a few studies were carried out in the field of molecular biology of this fungus. In the present study, we tried to identify the Squalene epoxidase gene which is related to synthesis of ergosterol in this fungus. METHODS: Pairs of 23 and 24 nucleotides primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the similar genes in other fungi. Mentioned primers were utilized in PCR by using isolated genomic DNA of T. tonsurans whereas the PCR fragments were then sequenced. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Nucleotides (n = 558) have been sequenced from this new gene which encodes a polypeptide with 186 amino acids. Sequences comparison in gene data banks (NCBI, NIH) for this part of DNA and its deduced amino acid revealed significant homology with members of the eukaryotic Squalene epoxidase.     

Designing an in‐house ELISA to detect antibody against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus using recombinant N protein in Iranian farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) is one of the most important viral diseases in rainbow trout that has caused great losses to Iranian rainbow trout aquaculture industry in the last 3 years. Therefore, rapid and reliable diagnosis of VHS virus infections is of great importance. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was performed to study serum antibodies against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) using recombinant fragments of their N protein. For this purpose, the virus was first isolated from an infected farm. A part of the nucleocapsid (1–505 bp) gene was amplified by RT‐PCR using specific primers. The amplified fragment was ligated to pMALc2x vector and transferred to DH5α strain of Escherichia coli. Then, recombinant plasmids were tested for protein expression in E. coli Rosetta strain. SDS‐PAGE analysis indicated the production of a recombinant protein with an expected molecular weight of 61 KDa. Analysis of trout serum samples from seven previously infected farms and two VHS free farms showed that the designed ELISA method was effective in diagnosing the infected fish. The results revealed that the developed serological assay using designed ELISA based on recombinant protein (N) has the potential to be used in monitoring studies and to determine the prevalence of VHS in rainbow trout farms. The present data allow evaluating the levels of nonneutralizing antibodies without crude virus preparations.     

Antibacterial,UV protective and ammonia sensing functionalized polyester fabric through <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles

In this research, a facile and cost effective method is presented for in-situ synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles on polyester fabric along with surface modification by using one pot wet chemical method at boil. Copper sulfate (CuSO₄), sodium hypophosphite (SHP) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as precursor, reducing agent and stabilizer, respectively. Further, monoethanolamine (MEA) was used as pH adjustment and also modifier of polyester surface introduced amide and hydroxyl functional groups on the fabric. The images of FESEM, mapping, patterns of EDX, UV-visible absorbance spectrum, FTIR analysis and X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the successful processing. The treated samples showed excellent antibacterial properties (100 %) toward both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli pathogen bacteria. Also, the results of cytotoxicity test proved no harmful effects on the human dermal fibroblasts for the treated sample with the lower concentration of the materials having white color with good antibacterial activities. The treated samples also indicated very good UV protection properties as well as improved wettability and mechanical properties. They are also sensitive to ammonia through immediate color change when contacted with ammonia solution. The above mentioned processing method can be used for production of polyester fabric with multifunctional properties for using in the various textile industries.