65 research outputs found
Asymptomatic unilateral ovarian leiomyoma in a german shepherd bitch
No full textThis report shows for the first time clinical imaging (ultrasound and computed tomography), histological and immunohistochemical findings of an ovarian leiomyoma, coincidentally diagnosed in an asymptomatic unmated nulliparous ten year-old German shepherd bitch concurrently suffering from multiple mammary tumors. A thorough examination allowed the differentiation of ovarian leiomyoma from other spindle cell tumors. An accurate description of the diagnostic procedures useful in the managing of ovarian leiomyoma could provide valuable information to veterinary practitioners. Indeed, despite its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, ovarian leiomyoma may also affect the dog with an unknown potential risk
Data-driven discovery of delay differential equations with discrete delays
No full textThe Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics (SINDy) framework is a robust method for identifying governing equations, successfully applied to ordinary, partial, and stochastic differential equations. In this work we extend SINDy to identify delay differential equations by using an augmented library that includes delayed samples and Bayesian optimization. To identify a possibly unknown delay we minimize the reconstruction error over a set of candidates. The resulting methodology improves the overall performance by remarkably reducing the number of calls to SINDy with respect to a brute force approach. We also address a multivariate setting to identify multiple unknown delays and (non-multiplicative) parameters. Several numerical tests on delay differential equations with different long-term behavior, number of variables, delays, and parameters support the use of Bayesian optimization highlighting both the efficacy of the proposed methodology and its computational advantages. As a consequence, the class of discoverable models is significantly expanded
Neonatal mortality in dogs: Prognostic value of Doppler ductus venosus waveform evaluation - Preliminary results
No full textAim: To define the prognostic value of Doppler ultrasonographic morphology of ductus venosus (DV) waveform on canine neonatal mortality.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-four healthy pregnant bitches underwent fetal ultrasonographic assessment. The DV waveforms were classified as diphasic (dDVw) or triphasic (tDVw) and compared with neonatal mortality.
Results: Ninety-three fetuses were evaluated. Twenty fetuses belonged to litters with neonatal mortality, in which tDVw was observed. Seven fetuses belonged to litters without neonatal mortality, in which tDVw was observed. Fifty-eight fetuses belonged to litters without neonatal mortality, in which only dDVw was observed. Eight fetuses belonged to litters with neonatal mortality, in which only dDVw was observed. The correlation between tDVw and neonatal mortality was statistically significant (odds ratio [OR], 20.7; p<0.0001). Considering only pregnancies with one or two fetuses with the same DV waveform: Two fetuses with tDVw belonged to litters with neonatal mortality; 1 foetus with tDVw belonged to litter without neonatal mortality and 26 fetuses showed dDVw without neonatal mortality. The correlation between tDVw and neonatal mortality even in litters up to two pups was statistically significant (OR, 88.3; p=0.01).
Conclusion: Echo-Doppler assessment of DV is feasible in canine fetuses, and the presence tDVw seems to be related to neonatal mortality
Developing 3D vitrification for cat oocytes: viability, maturation and actin pattern
No full textThree-dimensional (3D) culture systems can improve viability, development and architecture of cultured cells, including oocytes. Cryopreservation of ovarian follicles in 3D has already proved successful, thus we hypothesized its applicability on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) to combine the advantages of 3D preservation and 3D culture. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 3D vitrification of domestic cat oocytes on their viability, maturation ability and actin pattern. Immature grade I COCs were collected from spaying-derived ovaries. Vitrification was performed following a standard Cryotop protocol (equilibration solution (ES) – 15 minutes; vitrification solution (VS) – 90 seconds). Oocytes were vitrified as isolated COCs (2D vitrification) or after encapsulation in 1% alginate dropped into CaCl2 100 mM (3D vitrification). Following unsuccessful trials of 3D vitrification with standard times in ES and VS, these times were increased 2.25 or 2.5-fold (2.25 or 2.5-fold 3D vitrification). After warming, COCs were cultured in in vitro maturation medium, followed by denuding, staining with fluorescein diacetate for viability, ReadyProbesTM Reagent for actin and Hoechst for nuclear status. At least 3 replicates were performed for each. Data were analyzed by chi-square test; p<0.05. Viability (2D: 71%, 2.25-fold 3D: 38%, 2.5-fold 3D: 32%) and normal actin patterns (66%, 25%, 27%) were significantly higher in 2D than in 3D vitrification (n=26-32 COCs/group; p=0.002), with no differences between 2.25 and 2.5-fold. However, maturation rates of viable oocytes were significantly higher in 2.5-fold 3D (72%) than in 2D (41%; p=0.003), with no differences compared to 2.25-fold 3D (53%; p=0.238). In conclusion, although 3D vitrification decreased COCs viability, it allowed a higher proportion of viable oocytes to mature in vitro and thus become fertilizable. Further investigations will warrant information on the improved maturational competence of viable 3D-preserved oocytes and suggest whether embryonic development may benefit from this oocyte preservation technique.
Funding: We acknowledge financial support under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), M4.C2.1.1, Call N. 1409 published on 14.9.2022 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU– Project “Bio3versity” (P2022PRFM7, CUP G53D23007780001)
Conflict of Interest: None to disclose
Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Children with cancer: A survey on the experience of Italian primary care pediatricians
No full textBACKGROUND: Cancer is the second cause of death in children and its diagnosis can be difficult, due to the presence of vague and non-specific symptoms. The primary care pediatrician is often involved in the diagnostic process, but no longer in child care once the treatment started. Care models involving both primary care pediatricians and oncologic referral centre highlighted a higher family satisfaction when they worked together. We conducted a survey on primary care pediatricians involved in childhood cancer in order to describe the actual situation.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective survey enrolling primary care pediatricians from a north-eastern area of Italy. They received a questionnaire that consisted in two parts: the first one aimed to assess the physician's seniority and experience and the second one pertained to each case of cancer and explored the relationship between the pediatrician, the family and the referral centre, and pediatricians degree of satisfaction and emotional impact.
RESULTS: We obtained data from 79 pediatricians who described 150 cancer cases. In 99 cases the primary care pediatrician had visited the child at the onset of symptoms and had referred him to the hospital. In 89 cases, he understood the severity of the disease. In 53.3% of cases the pediatrician was informed by the referral centre. The relationship between the pediatrician and child's family improved in 38% of cases and this was related with their participation to the multidisciplinary meetings on child health.
CONCLUSIONS: Primary pediatricians' sharing in the management of their patients with cancer was not satisfactory. Development of specific protocols targeted to an integrated care is needed to increase primary pediatricians' involvement and families' satisfactions
Cotinine as a Sentinel of Canine Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
No full textThe adverse health effects of both active and passive tobacco smoke have been well-known in humans for a long time. It is presumable that even pets, which intimately share the owner’s lifestyle, may be exposed to the same risks. This study aimed to detect and quantify cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) in the serum and hair of dogs using a specific commercial ELISA immunoassay kit. A total of 32 dogs, 16 exposed and 16 unexposed to the owner’s smoke, were enrolled. The cotinine concentration was higher in the exposed than the unexposed group in both matrices (p p p p < 0.01). The exposure intensity, age, and weight of the dogs did not affect cotinine concentrations. A cut-off value of 2.78 ng/mL and 1.13 ng/mL cotinine concentration in serum and fur, respectively, was estimated to distinguish between the exposed and unexposed dogs. Cotinine was confirmed as a valuable marker of passive smoking also in dogs. Although owners do not perceive secondhand smoke as a risk for their dogs, greater awareness should be advisable, especially in pregnant animals
Phenotypic expression of 19q13.32 microdeletions: Report of a new patient and review of the literature
No full textThe phenotypic manifestations of microdeletions in the 19q13.32 region are still poorly known. In this paper we report a patient who presented with hypotonia, developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, micrognathia, kyphoscoliosis, and buried penis. Chromosomal microarray revealed an interstitial 327 kb de novo microdeletion in the 19q13.32 region comprising eight genes (ARGHAP35, NPAS1, TMEM160, ZC3H4, SAE1, BBC3, MIR3190, and MIR3191). Previously reported cases of microdeletions in the 19q13.32 region were reviewed and compared to our patient, highlighting the common features of a possible 19q13.32 microdeletion syndrome
Barium Alginate capsules for controlled release of boar semen: influence of ejaculate seasonable variability on fertilising ability and technological properties
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In vitro fertilising ability of swine spermatozoa after encapsulation in barium alginate
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