Sebaceous adenitis in four domestic rabbits (Oryctatagus cuniculus)

Four domestic rabbits were presented with a history of nonpruritic scale. Multiple skin biopsies revealed findings compatible with sebaceous adenitis as reported in other species: inflammation directed at the sebaceous gland, and/or an absence of sebaceous glands, a perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate at the level of the absent sebaceous glands, hyperkeratosis, follicular keratosis, follicular dystrophy, perifollicular fibrosis, and a mural infiltrative lymphocytic folliculitis. Histological changes not consistent with sebaceous adenitis in other species were interface dermatitis and interface folliculitis with single cell necrosis and basal cell hydropic degeneration.     

Carotenoids and retinal levels in captive and wild shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

In farm‐raised marine organisms, the interactions and functions of carotenoid and retinoid micronutrients as free radical scavengers during specific physiological processes, such as gonadic maturation, are not known. Captive and wild female white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were sampled at two maturation stages: II and IV. Total carotenoids, a carotenoid profile, and vitamin A from the digestive gland and ovary were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined in hemolymph. The carotenoid concentration and range of activity were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in wild than in captive shrimp, particularly at maturation stage IV. Activity of SOD in hemolymph of captive shrimp at both stages of maturation was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of wild organisms. In sexually exhausted, level IV captive shrimp, low carotenoid concentrations, mainly in digestive gland and ovary, reflected scavenger action insufficient to neutralize oxidative stress processes, as suggested by SOD activity. Carotenoids are important nutrients associated with the reproductive capacity of shrimp.     

Lymphoma with cutaneous involvement in three domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Three domestic rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) with cutaneous lymphoma are described. Two rabbits were young (7 weeks and 1 years) and were euthanized within 1 week of showing clinical signs. Lymphoma was found in the skin and internal organs. The third rabbit was 9.5 years of age, and lived for more than 1 year after diagnosis. No response was seen to either 2 months of alpha-interferon administration or a 2.5-week course of isotretinoin treatment. After 1 year the rabbit died suddenly; the owner refused necropsy. Immunologic stains of the tumour in all three rabbits showed T cells to be the lymphoma cell type.     

Linear organoid nevus in a dog

A skin lesion classified as linear organoid nevus is reported in a female standard Schnauzer. The dog was brought to the clinic with multiple hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic linear or ovoid plaques on the head, neck, trunk, ears, and limbs. Histological findings included severe orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis and hyperplasia of both the epidermis and the follicular infundibular epithelium, and marked sebaceous hyperplasia. No improvement was noted with systemic retinoid therapy. This is the second linear organoid nevus described in a dog, and the first report of retinoid therapy for this disease.     

Bioactive roles of carotenoids and retinoids in crustaceans

Among the proposed functions of carotenoids in aquaculture have been those of pigmentation, antioxidant functions, as a source of pro-vitamin A, cellular protection from photodynamic damage, enhancement of growth and reproductive potential. However results reported by various authors are often contradictory. Some evidence suggests that these pigments may perform vital roles in growth and reproductive success in Crustaceans. Additional efforts need to be devoted to the understanding of the active forms of the carotenoid derived metabolites, retinoids in crustaceans. Dietary carotenoids are the sole biological precursors of retinoids in crustaceans. The importance of carotenoids as bioactive molecules reside to a large degree on their conversion to retinoids that are involved in the activation of hormonal nuclear receptors. Retinoids play a prominent role in many developmental processes, including embryonic development and differentiation of various cell types. The presence of receptors of retinoic acid in crustaceans and our findings of retinoids in the neuroendocrine complex and in reproductive tissue, as well as the enhancement of the ovarian development in shrimp suggests an important role of these metabolites in shrimp physiology for their successful aquaculture.     

Effects of carotenoids and retinol in oocyte maturation of crayfish Cherax quadrucarinatus

Bioactive additives in food to improve growth, development and reproductive success of crustaceans have received little attention. In the present study, the effects of carotenoid and vitamin A injections were characterized and correlated to the ontogenic development of oocytes in female Cherax quadricarinatus reproducers. During an acclimation period, 250 C. quadricarinatus females were fed a basal diet devoid of carotenoids and retinoids. Four treatments were administered by injection: retinol palmitate (RP), β‐carotene, astaxanthin and vegetable oil as the control treatment. Before the experiment, total gonadic mass of organisms was obtained to determine the gonadosomatic index. Histological techniques were used to evaluate the effects of the different treatments during the primary vitellogenic phase. Retinol palmitate had the greatest inductive effect on the primary vitellogenic phase and on indicators of ontogenic oocyte development. The bioactive and molecular foundations of the action of carotenoids and retinoids that actively participate during the process of nuclear signalling and differentiation of the oocyte are discussed, considering these compounds as essential nutritional additives during gonadic maturation.     

新型类维A酸锡酯的合成、结构表征及其体外抗癌活性

用二正丁基氧化锡和类维生素A酸以摩尔比1∶2和1∶1反应,合成了两个系列的新型类维生素A酸二正丁基锡酯化合物3a~3d和4a~4d,并利用(1H,13C,119Sn)NMR和IR表征了这些化合物的结构,确定了化合物3a~3d是通过单齿配位形式与锡原子结合而成的五配位三角双锥型的配合物化合物,而化合物4a~4d的结构中存在着一个锡氧四元环,分子中的酯基为二齿配体,锡原子都是六配位扭曲八面体构型.生物活性测试表明:该类化合物对宫颈癌细胞(Hela)、肝癌细胞(LCC)、肺癌细胞(A549)等癌细胞都具有较好的抗癌活性.