Targeting canine mammary neoplastic epithelial cells with a reengineered anthrax toxin: first study.

Mammary tumors are the most frequent type of neoplasms in intact female dogs. New therapies that target neoplastic cells without affecting normal cells are highly sought. The Bacillus anthracis toxin has been reengineered to target tumor cells that express urokinase plasminogen activators and metalloproteinases.

Determination of urinary lithogenic parameters in murine models orthologous to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic disease caused by mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 genes, is associated with a high prevalence of nephrolithiasis. The underlying mechanisms may encompass structural abnormalities resulting from cyst growth, urinary metabolic abnormalities or both. An increased frequency of hypocitraturia has been described in ADPKD even in the absence of nephrolithiasis, suggesting that metabolic alterations may be associated with ADPKD per se.