Hyperosmotic Stress Induces the Expression of Organic Osmolyte Transporters in Porcine Intestinal Cells and Betaine Exerts a Protective Effect on the Barrier Function.

The porcine intestinal epithelium plays a fundamental role as a defence interface against pathogens. Its alteration can cause severe inflammatory conditions and diseases. Hyperosmotic stress under physiological conditions and upon pathogen challenge can cause malabsorption.

Vulvo-vaginal epithelial tumors in mares: A preliminary investigation on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor-immune microenvironment.

Vulvo-vaginal epithelial tumors are uncommon in mares, and data on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) are still lacking. This is a study investigating the equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection state as well as the EMT process and the tumor microenvironment in vulvo-vaginal preneoplastic/ benign (8/22) or malignant (14/22) epithelial lesions in mares. To do this, histopathological, immunohistochemical, transcriptomic, hybridization, and correlation analyses were carried out.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in an EcPV2-positive vulvar squamous cell carcinoma of a mare.

Background: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) has been recently associated with Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection. Still, few reports concerning this disease are present in the literature.

Objective: To describe a case of naturally occurring EcPV2-induced VSCC, by investigating tumour ability in undergoing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Metaplastic Ossification of a Giant Paraprostatic Cyst in a Dog: A Case Report.

A 7-year-old male Caucasian shepherd presented with a 3 month history of intermittent hematuria, penile discharge, and abdominal pain and distension. The dog had a history of prostatic hyperplasia with multiple cysts, diagnosed by the referring clinician two years prior to the case presentation. Two oral courses of antibiotics and antiandrogens were administered by the treating veterinarian without resolution.

Investigation of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Process in Equine Papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2)-Positive Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Equine penile squamous cell carcinoma (epSCC) is the most frequent tumor of the external male genitalia, representing 67.5% of equine genital cancers. epSCC is associated with papilloma virus (PV) infection and has been recently proposed as a model for human PV-induced squamous cell carcinomas.

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors Resembling Human Atypical Neurofibroma in Goldfish (, Linnaeus, 1758).

Skin spindle cell tumors (SSTs) frequently occur in fishes, with peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) being the most commonly reported neoplasms in goldfish. However, distinguishing PNSTs from other SCTs is not always possible when relying exclusively on routine cytological and histopathological findings. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize six skin nodules, resembling atypical neurofibromas in humans, found in six cohabiting goldfish (), and to determine a minimal subset of special stains required to correctly identify PNSTs in this species.

PD-L1/PD-1 and CTLA-4 Expression in Equine Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

In horses, penile squamous cell carcinomas (epSCCs) are among the most common cutaneous neoplastic lesions. These tumors usually arise in benign lesions such as viral plaques and papillomas frequently induced by papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection. In the last decade, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for the treatment of human cancers has demonstrated promising results.

Cultured Horse Articular Chondrocytes in 3D-Printed Chitosan Scaffold With Hyaluronic Acid and Platelet Lysate.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained popularity in tissue engineering and in the field of cartilage regeneration. This is due to its potential to generate scaffolds with spatial variation of cell distribution or mechanical properties, built with a variety of materials that can mimic complex tissue architecture. In the present study, horse articular chondrocytes were cultured for 2 and 4 weeks in 3D-printed chitosan (CH)-based scaffolds prepared with or without hyaluronic acid and in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or platelet lysate (PL).

Equine Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with EcPV2 Infection: RANKL Pathway Correlated to Inflammation and Wnt Signaling Activation.

Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) are among the most common equine tumors after sarcoids, severely impairing animal health and welfare. papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is often related to these tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with EcPV2 infection, investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling in NF-kB pathway, together with the Wnt and IL17 signaling pathways.

First report of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato genotype G6/G7 in domestic pigs from mainland Italy.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE; Echinococcus spp.) is widespread in many domestic animal species in Italy, with the G1-G3 genotype predominating. The G7 genotype ("pig strain"), which is much less common, has only been reported in pigs and wild boar from the island of Sardinia and in wild boars from southern mainland Italy.

Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in a Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of a Horse: Future Perspectives.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most frequent tumors of skin and muco-cutaneous junctions in the horse. Equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) has been detected in equine SCC of the oral tract and genitals, and recently also in the larynx. As human squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCCL), it is strongly etiologically associated with high-risk papillomavirus (h-HPV) infection.

Equine Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas as a Model for Human Disease: A Preliminary Investigation on Tumor Immune Microenvironment.

Penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are common tumors in older horses, with poor prognosis mostly due to local invasion and recurrence. These tumors are thought to be mainly caused by papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2). The aim of this study is to characterize the tumor immune environment (TIME) in equine penile tumors.

Platelet lysate reduces the chondrocyte dedifferentiation during in vitro expansion: Implications for cartilage tissue engineering.

In vitro studies have demonstrated that platelet lysate (PL) can serve as an alternative to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to sustain chondrocyte proliferation and production of extracellular matrix components in chondrocytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the direct effects of PL on equine articular chondrocytes in vitro in order to provide a rationale for in vivo use of PL. An in vitro cell proliferation and de-differentiation model was used: primary articular chondrocytes isolated from horse articular cartilage were cultured at low density under adherent conditions to promote cell proliferation.

An engineered anti-idiotypic antibody-derived killer peptide (KP) early activates swine inflammatory monocytes, CD3CD16 natural killer T cells and CD4CD8α double positive CD8β cytotoxic T lymphocytes associated with TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion.

This study evaluated the early modulation of the phenotype and cytokine secretion in swine immune cells treated with an engineered killer peptide (KP) based on an anti-idiotypic antibody functionally mimicking a yeast killer toxin. The influence of KP on specific immunity was investigated using porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) as ex vivo antigens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy pigs were stimulated with KP and with a scramble peptide for 20 min, 1, 4 and 20 h or kept unstimulated.

Exposure to amitraz, fipronil and permethrin affects cell viability and ABC transporter gene expression in an Ixodes ricinus cell line.

Background: Over-expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins has been implicated in resistance of ticks to acaricides. Tick cell lines are useful for investigating resistance mechanisms, as development of an in vitro model for the study of acaricide resistance would contribute to improving knowledge of the molecular basis behind drug processing and exclusion in ticks. In the present study, cultures of the Ixodes ricinus-derived cell line IRE/CTVM19 were treated with the acaricides amitraz, permethrin or fipronil to determine modulation of ABC transporter gene expression.

Phenotypic characterization of a highly pathogenic Italian porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) type 1 subtype 1 isolate in experimentally infected pigs.

Highly pathogenic (HP) isolates of the PRRS virus started emerging in North America and Asia in the late 1990s. More recently, they have emerged in Europe. These isolates are characterized by high viral loads, severe general clinical signs and high mortality, in sows, weaners and growers.

The in vitro biocompatibility of d-(+) raffinose modified chitosan: Two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems for culturing of horse articular chondrocytes.

The present study investigated the biocompatibility of chitosan films and scaffolds modified with d-(+)raffinose and their capability to support the growth and maintenance of the differentiation of articular chondrocytes in vitro. Primary equine articular chondrocytes were cultured on films and scaffolds of modified d-(+) raffinose chitosan. Their behavior was compared to that of chondrocytes grown in conventional bi- and three-dimensional culture systems, such as micromasses and alginate beads.

Effects of histamine H4 receptor ligands in a mouse model of gastric ulceration.

Aim: In the present study we examined whether histamine H(4) receptors (H(4)Rs) have a role in gastric ulcerogenesis using a mouse model of gastric damage.

Methods: The H(4)R antagonist JNJ7777120 and the H(4)R agonists VUF8430 and VUF10460 were investigated in fasted CD-1 mice against the ulcerogenic effect induced by co-administration of indomethacin(IND, 30 mg/kg s.c.

Clinical, genetic, and pathological features of male pseudohermaphroditism in dog.

Male pseudohermaphroditism is a sex differentiation disorder in which the gonads are testes and the genital ducts are incompletely masculinized. An 8 years old dog with normal male karyotype was referred for examination of external genitalia abnormalities. Adjacent to the vulva subcutaneous undescended testes were observed.

Diazoxide attenuates indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage in the rat.

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel openers have been shown to protect against cellular damage in neurons, cardiac muscle, and kidney and to effectively reduce nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric damage in rats. We investigated the effects of K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide on small intestinal injury induced in rats by indomethacin administration. The effect of glibenclamide, a K(ATP) channel blocker, was also evaluated.