Electrophoretic fractionations of lipoproteins in dogs: Intra- and inter-assay imprecision and effects of different storage conditions.

Background: Lipoprotein fractions are reported to be unstable in stored human samples, and there is a paucity of information on the analytical precision of electrophoretic separation of lipoproteins in canine serum samples.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intra- and inter-assay imprecision and of storage conditions on the electrophoretic separation of canine lipoproteins.

Methods: Imprecision was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV) of five replicates of six serum samples run in two sequential runs of agarose gel lipoprotein electrophoresis.

Preclinical pharmacology of patient-derived extracellular vesicles for the intraoperative imaging of tumors.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from the plasma of oncological patients exhibit significant tumor-targeting properties, unlike those from healthy individuals. We have previously shown the feasibility of formulating the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) with patient-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) for selective delivery to neoplastic tissue. This staining protocol holds promise for clinical application in intraoperative tumor margin imaging, enabling precise neoplastic tissue resection.

Exploring the Relationship between Canine Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) Serum Activity and Liver Disease Classified by Clinico-Pathological Evaluation.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), a liver-synthesized enzyme, acts as a negative acute-phase reactant during systemic inflammation in dogs. Given the hepatic synthesis of this enzyme, the presence of liver diseases may influence PON-1, thus affecting its reliability as a biomarker for inflammatory/oxidative systemic diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate PON-1 activity variations among dogs suspected of liver injury or failure, evaluating the influence of hepatic diseases on PON-1 activity.

Assessment of psychological status by a comprehensive approach in thyroid cancer patients undergoing radionuclide therapy: A feasibility study.

This feasibility study evaluated the psychological status of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before, during, and 40 days after administration of I-131 radionuclide therapy (RAI). We investigated the appropriateness of providing patient a comprehensive psychological assessment in an isolation ward. Thirty consecutive patients (Study Group; SG) who received RAI were enrolled.

Challenging Axillary Lymph Nodes on PET/CT in Cancer Patients throughout COVID-19 Vaccination Era.

Background: The unexpected detection of axillary lymphadenopathy (AxL) in cancer patients (pts) represents a real concern during the COVID-19 vaccination era. Benign reactions may take place after vaccine inoculation, which can mislead image interpretation in patients undergoing F-18-FDG, F-18-Choline, and Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT. They may also mimic loco-regional metastases or disease.

Automated hematological cell count using sysmex XN-1000V in Testudo hermanni: Agreement with manual count.

Mediterranean area represents the main habitat of Testudo hermanni. Clinical signs of disease of these tortoises are non-specific, making the hematology results crucial in revealing underlying pathological conditions. However, accurate automated identification of blood cell populations is hampered by the presence of nucleated erythrocytes (NRBC) and thrombocytes (Thr), necessitating manual methods such as counting chambers.

Lipoprotein profiles in Miniature Schnauzer dogs with idiopathic hypertriglyceridemia and hypercortisolism.

Miniature Schnauzer dogs (MSs) are predisposed to both idiopathic hypertriglyceridemia (iHTG) and hypercortisolism (HCort). To our knowledge, the lipoprotein profiles of MSs with iHTG have not been compared to those with HCort. We analyzed cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and lipoprotein fractions in 4 groups of MSs: normotriglyceridemia (NTG) without concurrent disease (Healthy-NTG), HCort and NTG (HCort-NTG), HCort and HTG (HCort-HTG), and iHTG.

Serum Protein Concentration and Serum Protein Fractions in Bottlenose Dolphins under Human Care Using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is the most used and reliable method to determine the percentage of serum protein subfractions. The interpretation of the kinetics of total proteins and albumin and globulin fractions is receiving increased attention in wild animals, as well as in domestic animals, due to the possibility of identifying typical pathologic patterns. However, the interpretation of these data had to be performed in light of an appropriate method-and species- specific reference intervals (RIs).

Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-/AmpC-Producing in Pet and Stray Cats.

Dogs have been reported as potential carriers of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, but the role of cats has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the risk factors associated with the fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC (ESBL/AmpC)-producing () in pet and stray cats. Fecal samples were collected between 2020 and 2022 from healthy and unhealthy cats and screened for ESBL/AmpC-producing using selective media.

Detection and genetic characterization of domestic cat hepadnavirus in cats with cavitary effusions.

After the identification of the novel domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) in 2018, its potential pathogenetic role in feline hepatic diseases has been suggested. Following the detection of DCH in a cat's serum and peritoneal effusion, the aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the presence of DCH in cats with and without cavitary effusions along with DCH presence in effusions. Stored serum and effusion samples from cats with and without effusions admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Lodi (Italy) in 2020-2022 were included based on results of hematobiochemical parameters.

PET Radiomics and Response to Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature concerning the applications of positron emission tomography (PET) radiomics in lung cancer patient candidates or those undergoing immunotherapy.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review was conducted on databases and web sources. English-language original articles were considered.

Ga-68-Edotreotide Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Somatostatin Receptors Tumor Volume Predicts Outcome in Patients With Primary Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Background: We retrospectively aimed to assess the prognostic significance of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SSTR representative tumor volume (RTV) and total lesion SSTR expression (TL) obtained by [Ga]Ga-edotreotide PET/CT ([Ga]Ga-SSTR PET/CT) in patients with primary gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) before surgery.

Material And Methods: We analyzed patients who underwent [Ga]Ga-SSTR PET/CT 3-6 weeks before surgery from February 2020 to April 2022. The mean SUVmax value, the RTV (cm3; 42% threshold) and the TL (g) were registered.

Spurious capillary zone electrophoresis pattern in hypercholesterolemic dogs.

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a relatively new serum protein electrophoresis method with higher resolution than other electrophoretic techniques. Hypercholesterolemic dogs exhibit a peculiar CZE pattern. Specifically, they have a shoulder or peak immediately next to the albumin peak.

Comparison of diagnostic performances of different serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in cats and dogs.

Serosurveillance among animals, including pets, plays an important role in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, because severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in animal populations could result in the establishment of new virus reservoirs. Serological assays that offer the required sensitivity and specificity are essential. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of three different commercially available immunoassays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets, namely two ELISA tests for the detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid [ID Screen SARS CoV-2 double antigen multispecies (Double antigen) and ID Screen® SARS-CoV-2-N IgG indirect ELISA (Indirect)] and one test for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding-domain [surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT)].

Comparison of two injectable anaesthetic protocols in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) undergoing gonadectomy.

Egyptian fruit bats have gained increasing interest being a natural reservoir for emerging zoonotic viruses. Anaesthesia is often required to allow safe handling of bats. We aimed to compare the sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of two balanced anaesthetic protocols in bats undergoing gonadectomy.

Gut Microbiota and Lymphocyte Subsets in Canine Leishmaniasis.

Gut microbiota seems to interact with immune system. Canine leishmaniasis pathogenesis and severity of disease lean on the host immunity, but there is no information in literature about gut microbiota in infected animals. Thus, this study aims to compare the microbiota composition and leukocyte subset of healthy dogs with those of asymptomatic dogs exposed to spp.

Molecular Detection of Feline Coronavirus in Captive Non-Domestic Felids from Zoological Facilities.

Cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease with a high mortality rate caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV), have been reported in non-domestic felids, highlighting the need for surveys of FCoV in these endangered species. With the aim of adding information on FCoV prevalence in captive non-domestic felids, samples (feces or rectal swabs and, when available, oral swabs, blood, and abdominal effusion) collected between 2019 and 2021 from 38 non-domestic felids from three different zoological facilities of Northern Italy were tested for evidence of FCoV infection via RT-qPCR. Three animals were found to be FCoV positive, showing an overall 7.

Prognostic Value of Hybrid PET/MR Imaging in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) is an emerging imaging modality with great potential to provide complementary data acquired at the same time, under the same physiological conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of hybrid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MR in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who underwent total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy for suspicion of disease relapse. Methods: Between November 2015 and February 2017, 55 patients underwent hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MR.

Serum protein electrophoresis in Dirofilaria immitis naturally infected dogs: Latest news and a systematic literature review.

According to the main Guidelines on canine heartworm disease (HWD) by the American and European Societies (i.e., AHS, ESDA, and ESCCAP), a correct diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis infection should include the detection of circulating microfilariae in the whole blood and the adult antigens in serum or plasma sample.

Preliminary study on the effect of season on urinary analytes in healthy Italian dairy cows.

Background: Season is known to affect serum analyte concentrations in dairy cows, and the same can be hypothesized for urinary analytes, but information in this regard is lacking.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of seasonality on urinary variables in healthy dairy cows.

Methods: Twelve Italian Holstein cows were randomly selected from a local herd, and urine specimens were collected once in each season of the year.

Effects of BEMER® physical vascular therapy in horses under training. A randomized, controlled double blind study.

Horses preparation for competition may cause psychological and physical stress. Physical vascular therapy BEMER® is reported to increase vasomotion and microcirculation, supporting body healing. This study aimed at assessing whether BEMER® physical vascular therapy in horses influences recovery rate of hematological and biochemical blood parameters within 1 h after moderate exercise and reduces stress measured by physiological and behavioral indicators.

Analytical Validation of a New Immunoenzymatic Method for the Measurement of Feline Parathyroid Hormone in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease.

The determination of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in cats could be of clinical utility in many metabolic disorders, such as renal diseases, hypercalcemia, or nutritional imbalances. However, the available methods for the measurement of feline PTH are limited, not widely available, and need radioimmunoassays. The aim of this study was to perform the analytical validation of a new immunoenzymatic method for the measurement of feline PTH.

Comparing the Prognostic Value of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging by Conventional and Cadmium-Zinc Telluride Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography through a Machine Learning Approach.

We compared the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by conventional- (C-) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cadmium-zinc-telluride- (CZT-) SPECT in a cohort of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) using machine learning (ML) algorithms. A total of 453 consecutive patients underwent stress MPI by both C-SPECT and CZT-SPECT. The outcome was a composite end point of all-cause death, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization procedures whichever occurred first.

Do Dogs and Cats Passively Carry SARS-CoV-2 on Hair and Pads?

The epidemiological role of domestic animals in the spread and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans has been investigated in recent reports, but some aspects need to be further clarified. To date, only in rare cases have dogs and cats living with COVID-19 patients been found to harbour SARS-CoV-2, with no evidence of pet-to-human transmission. The aim of the present study was to verify whether dogs and cats act as passive mechanical carriers of SARS-CoV-2 when they live in close contact with COVID-19 patients.