Squamous Differentiation in the Thyroid: Metaplasia, Neoplasia, or Bystander?

Squamous differentiation within the thyroid is seen in a variety of settings. Squamous epithelium is non-native to the thyroid, and its debated origins span reactive metaplasia and developmental/embryologic remnants. Despite a lack of clarity as to its evolution, squamous epithelium may be associated with both neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes.

Gut commensal bacteria show beneficial properties as wildlife probiotics.

Probiotics are noninvasive, environmentally friendly alternatives for reducing infectious diseases in wildlife species. Our aim in the present study was to evaluate the potential of gut commensals such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as wildlife probiotics. The LAB selected for our analyses were isolated from European badgers (Meles meles), a wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis, and comprised four different genera: Enterococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, and Lactobacillus.