Effects of excess maternal thyroxin on the bones of rat offspring from birth to the post-weaning period.

Objective To evaluate, in rat offspring, bone changes induced by excess maternal thyroxin during pregnancy and lactation, and to assess the reversibility of these changes after weaning. Material and methods Twenty Wistar rats were distributed in two groups, hyperthyroid and control, that were treated daily with L-thyroxin (50 mcg/animal) and placebo, respectively. The treatment was initiated seven days before mating and continued throughout pregnancy and lactation.

Osteogenic potential of osteoblasts from neonatal rats born to mothers treated with caffeine throughout pregnancy.

Background: Caffeine is an active alkaloid that can cause damage to bones in formation during prenatal life into adulthood. This compound can pass across the placenta and into the mother's milk, causing a reduction in bone formation, growth and mass. The objective of this study was to examine the osteogenic potential of osteoblasts extracted from neonatal rats born to mothers treated with caffeine throughout pregnancy.

Williams syndrome: ophthalmological examination and review of systemic manifestations.

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency and severity of ophthalmic manifestations and associated diseases, as well as the epidemiological data in patients with Williams syndrome.

Methods: The authors prospectively studied 30 patients clinically diagnosed as having Williams syndrome as confirmed by the fluorescence in situ hybridization test. Patient history included gender, age, race, education level, previous illnesses, and surgeries.

Versican expression in myoepithelial cells from carcinomas in canine mixed mammary tumors.

The matrix of canine mixed mammary tumors (CMMTs) consists of proliferating spindle cells of possible myoepithelial origin, as well as myxomatous tissue, cartilage matrix and/or bone. Among the multiple components of this tumor extracellular matrix, versican probably plays a prominent role due to its importance in tumor progression, cell proliferation and differentiation. However, there are few data related to a possible association between versican expression and the state of myoepithelial cell differentiation in CMMTs.

Versican expression in canine carcinomas in benign mixed tumours: is there an association with clinical pathological factors, invasion and overall survival?

Background: Components of the extracellular matrix have been studied in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the biological behaviour of tumours. The presence of the proteoglycan versican has been strongly associated with cancer development and progression. However, relationship between versican expression and clinical pathological factors and overall survival has not been previously studied in veterinary medicine.

Understanding of the immunological heterogeneity of canine mammary carcinomas to provide immunophenotypic features of circulating leukocytes as clinically relevant prognostic biomarkers.

We have evaluated the phenotypic features of peripheral blood leukocytes as putative novel biomarkers with prognostic values to monitor canine mammary carcinomas. Female dogs were categorized into distinct groups, referred as mammary carcinoma in benign mixed tumor-MC-BMT and mammary carcinoma-MC. Our findings demonstrate that decreased percentage of B-cells along with increased frequency of NK-cells, CD8(+)T-cells, and CD8(+)CD5(Low+)T-cells beside higher T/B-cells and lower CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were the hallmarks of MC-BMT.