Influence of exposure to microbial ligands, immunosuppressive drugs and chronic kidney disease on endogenous immunomodulatory gene expression in feline adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Objectives: Feline autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for immunomodulatory activity, but the functional impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD), concurrent immunosuppressive drug administration or infection is unknown. The study objectives compare endogenous cytokine gene expression (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-18 and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-β]) in adipose-derived MSCs (aMSCs) from cats with and without CKD, following in vitro exposure to microbial ligands and treatment with common immunosuppressive drugs.

Methods: Previously obtained aMSCs, phenotype CD44, CD90, CD105 and MHCII, from cats with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) CKD were compared via real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for immunomodulatory gene expression.

Identification of serum microRNAs with differential expression between dogs with splenic masses and healthy dogs with histologically normal spleens.

Objective: To identify differential microRNA (miRNA) expression in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma, splenic hematoma, and histologically normal spleens.

Animals: Dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma (n = 10), splenic hematoma (n = 5), and histologically normal spleens (n = 5).

Procedures: Splenic tissue and serum samples were collected from dogs with splenic masses (ie, hemangiosarcoma or hematoma samples) and healthy control dogs (ie, control samples), and total RNA was extracted.

A Simulated Tumor for Teaching Principles of Surgical Oncology for Biopsy and Excision of Skin and Subcutaneous Masses to Veterinary Students.

Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissues are commonly encountered in primary care practice. The most common of these tumors are mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, for which the primary treatment is most often surgical excision. Understanding surgical margins, particularly the deep fascial plane, can be difficult for veterinary students.

Antisperm antibodies and sperm function in bulls undergoing scrotal insulation.

Bovine antisperm antibodies (ASAs) have been associated with teratospermia and asthenospermia. It was hypothesized here that scrotal insulation induces the formation of ASAs and deterioration of sperm function. Scrotal insulation bags were placed in 10 bulls for 8 days.