The TiHoCL panel for canine lymphoma: a feasibility study integrating functional genomics and network biology approaches for comparative oncology targeted NGS panel design.

Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables the identification of genomic variants in cancer patients with high sensitivity at relatively low costs, and has thus opened the era to personalized human oncology. Veterinary medicine tends to adopt new technologies at a slower pace compared to human medicine due to lower funding, nonetheless it embraces technological advancements over time. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that targeted NGS will be incorporated into routine veterinary practice in the foreseeable future.

Efficacy and tolerability of a 12-week combination chemotherapy followed by lomustine consolidation treatment in canine B- and T-cell lymphoma.

Background: High-grade lymphoma in dogs is a chemotherapy-responsive neoplasia with remission rates exceeding 80% under combination chemotherapy protocols. Usually these protocols are intensive and 24 + weeks. The objective of the present study was to investigate if a shorter protocol combined with an oral lomustine maintenance treatment (3 × in 8 weeks) would present an acceptable result, both for B- and T-cell lymphomas, and for the different types of lymphomas normally encountered in private veterinary practice.

Kinetic, kinematic, magnetic resonance and owner evaluation of dogs before and after the amputation of a hind limb.

Background: The amputation of a limb is a surgical procedure that is regularly performed in small animal practice. In spite of several clinical reports indicating high owner satisfaction after limb amputation in dogs, an amputation is still very critically seen by the owners, and even by some veterinarians, due to the lack of accurate information about the recovery of amputee patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate, both objectively and subjectively, the recovery outcome of dogs undergoing a hind limb amputation.

Patient perception of postoperative pain after administration of liposomal bupivacaine in plastic surgery.

Background: Since obtaining FDA approval for postsurgical pain management in 2011, a number of well-designed studies have reported favorably on the safety and efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine (LB). However, the literature lacks adequate reports of patient perception of postoperative pain and subjective satisfaction.

Methods: A telephone survey of patients who received LB injection at time of operation at a single institution was contacted.

Assessment of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) in 14 dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment with doxorubicin.

Doxorubicin has been shown to be cardiotoxic at high doses but is an efficacious chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of canine lymphoma. Echocardiographic measurements and serum ultrasensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were obtained before and after doxorubicin administration in 14 dogs diagnosed with lymphoma. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate changes in cTnI concentrations and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) values in dogs with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with doxorubicin.

Splenic and hepatic ultrasound and cytology in canine lymphoma: effects of findings on stage migration and assessment of prognosis.

Stage migration is described in humans and dogs as a sequel of using more sensitive diagnostic methods. One hundred eighty-six dogs with multicentric lymphoma were enrolled with results of conventional staging as well as ultrasonographic and cytological examination of liver and spleen being available. The addition of splenic respective hepatic ultrasound and cytology findings resulted in slightly lower number of dogs classified as having liver and spleen involvement.

HMGA1 and HMGA2 expression and comparative analyses of HMGA2, Lin28 and let-7 miRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Humans and dogs are affected by squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (OSCC) in a considerably high frequency. The high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) protein was found to be highly expressed in human OSCC and its expression was suggested to act as a useful predictive and prognostic tool in clinical management of oral carcinomas. Herein the expression of HMGA2 and its sister gene HMGA1 were analysed within human and canine OSCC samples.

Treatment of feline lymphoma using a 12-week, maintenance-free combination chemotherapy protocol in 26 cats.

The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a short-term, maintenance-free chemotherapy protocol in feline lymphoma. Twenty-six cats with confirmed diagnosis of high-/intermediate-grade lymphoma were treated with a 12-week protocol consisting of cyclic administration of l-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisolone. Complete (CR) and partial remission (PR) rates were 46 and 27%, respectively.

Detection of clonal antigen receptor gene rearrangement in dogs with lymphoma by real-time polymerase chain reaction and melting curve analysis.

Background: Molecular techniques that detect canine lymphoma cells by their clonal antigen receptor gene rearrangement play an increasing role for diagnosis as well as for monitoring minimal residual disease during and after cytostatic therapy. However, the methods currently available are time-consuming and/or cost-intensive thus impeding the use in clinical routine. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with subsequent melting curve analysis (MCA) for the detection of clonally rearranged antigen receptor genes in dogs with B and T cell lymphoma on non formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lymph node samples.

Ocular manifestation of lymphoma in newly diagnosed cats.

Ocular manifestations of lymphoma are described in humans and dogs but rarely in cats. In this prospective study, cats with newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve lymphoma were evaluated concerning clinical stage and ophthalmologic findings. Twenty-six cats were included.

The negative affect repair questionnaire: factor analysis and psychometric evaluation in three samples.

Background: Negative affect and difficulties in its regulation have been connected to several adverse psychological consequences. While several questionnaires exist, it would be important to have a theory-based measure that includes clinically relevant items and shows good psychometric properties in healthy and patient samples. This study aims at developing such a questionnaire, combining the two Gross [1] scales Reappraisal and Suppression with an additional response-focused scale called Externalizing Behavioral Strategies covering clinically relevant items.

[Renal lymphoma in a cat: diagnostics, therapy and survival time. A case report].

The clinical case report describes diagnostics, therapy, response and outcome in a 7-year-old castrated male European Shorthair cat with renal lymphoma. By use of a combination chemotherapy, partial remission was achieved 8 days after induction, with a complete remission after 72 days. During chemotherapy the cat had a good quality of life.

Ventricular fractional shortening in 108 dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with a cyclic combination protocol including doxorubicin.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in the left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) can be detected in dogs with malignant lymphoma undergoing a cyclic combination chemotherapy protocol including doxorubicin.

Hypothesis: Left ventricular fractional shortening as a stand-alone measurement will not show a significant change during the cyclic combination protocol.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective study, the records of dogs with malignant lymphoma treated between April 2001 and October 2010 were reviewed.

Splenic masses in dogs. Part 1: Epidemiologic, clinical characteristics as well as histopathologic diagnosis in 249 cases (2000-2011).

Objective: Splenic masses have a high prevalence and are more common than diffuse splenic enlargement in dogs. It was the aim of the present study to retrospectively describe clinical aspects and histopathologic characteristics of dogs with splenic masses.

Material And Methods: Records of patients with a histologically diagnosed splenic mass between January 2000 and March 2011 were reviewed.

Canine non-hematopoietic gastric neoplasia. Epidemiologic and diagnostic characteristics in 38 dogs with post-surgical outcome of five cases.

Objective: Aim of this study was to investigate epidemiologic and diagnostic characteristics of canine non-hematopoietic gastric neoplasia and to evaluate the surgical outcome of selected cases.

Material And Methods: Patient data of dogs with histologically confirmed non-hematopoietic gastric tumors were reviewed and dogs with surgical intervention were followed up.

Results: 38 dogs were included into the evaluation.

Cytogenetic analysis of CpG-oligonucleotide DSP30 plus Interleukin-2-Stimulated canine B-Cell lymphoma cells reveals the loss of one X Chromosome as the sole abnormality.

Human and canine lymphoid neoplasms are characterized by non-random cytogenetic abnormalities. However, due to the low mitotic activity of the B cells, cytogenetic analyses of B-cell lymphoid proliferations are difficult to perform. In the present study we stimulated canine B-cell lymphoma cells with the immunostimulatory CpG-oligonucleotide DSP30 in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and obtained an adequate number of metaphases.

Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of HMGB1 and RAGE expression in canine disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis).

Background: Disorders of histiocytic origin affecting humans and dogs share various similarities. Canine disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (DHS) (formerly known as malignant histiocytosis) is an aggressive neoplasm of interstitial dendritic cells (DCs). The receptor for glycation end products (RAGE) and the high mobility group box1 protein (HMGB1) have been shown to be required for the maturation and migration of DCs.

Comparison of examination of thoracic radiographs and thoracic computed tomography in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is a highly metastatic tumour in dogs. The aim of the study was to compare thoracic radiographs with thoracic computed tomography (CT) in the staging of canine appendicular OSA. In all, 39 canine patients histologically diagnosed with OSA were reviewed in the retrospective study.

Reoperative mandibular reconstruction.

Ideal reconstruction of the mandible is important for a multitude of reasons and has been and continues to be among the most common surgical challenges for reconstructive surgeons of the head and neck. Historically, pedicle flaps, such as the pectoralis major and deltopectoral myocutaneous flaps, were workhorse flaps for lower facial third head and neck reconstruction. This article outlines the relevant anatomy of the perimandibular region, reconstructive options including second free flaps, relevant workup, and complications pertaining to reoperative mandibular surgery.

High-mobility group B1 (HMGB1) and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) expression in canine lymphoma.

Background: Canine lymphoma is a commonly occurring, spontaneously developing neoplasia similar to human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and, thus, is used as a valuable model for human malignancy. HMGB1 and RAGE are strongly associated with tumour progression and vascularisation. Consequently, deregulated RAGE and HMGB1 may play an important role in the mechanisms involved in lymphoma progression.

Two new cases of polysomy 13 in canine prostate cancer.

Besides man, the dog is the only known mammalian species that spontaneously develops carcinomas of the prostate with considerable frequency. For this reason, the dog is considered to be the only useful animal model for spontaneously occurring prostate malignancies in man. Cytogenetic investigations of human prostate cancers have revealed the frequent occurrence of trisomies 7, 8, and 17.

High-mobility group B1 proteins in canine lymphoma: prognostic value of initial and sequential serum levels in treatment outcome following combination chemotherapy.

Elevated high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels have been demonstrated in different human neoplasias. Information on serum HMGB1 before and during chemotherapy is lacking, as is data pertaining to its prognostic significance. The aim of this study was to characterize serum HMGB1 level in dogs with lymphoma and to assess its influence on the outcome following chemotherapy.

Expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and A2 (HMGA2) genes in canine lymphoma: analysis of 23 cases and comparison to control cases.

Overexpression of high mobility group A (HMGA) genes was described as a prognostic marker in different human malignancies, but its role in canine haematopoietic malignancies was unknown so far. The objective of this study was to analyse HMGA1 and HMGA2 gene expression in lymph nodes of canine lymphoma patients. The expression of HMGA1 and HMGA2 was analysed in lymph node samples of 23 dogs with lymphoma and three control dogs using relative quantitative real-time RT-PCR.