91 research outputs found
Cytomorphological description and intra-observer agreement in whole slide imaging for canine lymphoma
No full textWhole slide imaging (WSI) uses robotic microscopes for computerising entire slides into digital images. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between WSI and optical microscopy for evaluating canine lymphoma cytological samples. Forty-four slides were computerised using a WSI scanner and the digital and glass slides were examined by three observers with different levels of expertise. Morphology and grade of lymphoma were scored on the basis of the updated Kiel classification and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The accuracy of determining the grade of lymphoma with digital and glass slides based on the results of flow cytometry (FC) was established. The overall intra-observer agreement for cytomorphological features was fair to moderate (κ = 0.34-0.52) for the three observers and moderate (κ = 0.44-0.53) for the evaluation of grade of malignancy. The diagnostic agreement between FC and digital slides was slight (κ = 0.16) for the inexperienced observer, fair (κ = 0.32) for the mildly experienced observer and moderate (κ = 0.50) for the very experienced observer. The diagnostic agreement between FC and glass slides was fair (κ = 0.37) for the inexperienced observer, substantial (κ = 0.63) for the mildly experienced observer and moderate (κ = 0.50) for the very experienced observer. These findings underline the importance of observer experience in determining the grade of malignancy, especially if digital slides are used. The study also identifies some technical limitations of the WSI scanner used in this study, mainly linked to image quality, which might affect the morphological evaluation of neoplastic cells
Severe Renal Failure in a Dog Resembling Human Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.
No full textA case of renal disease in a dog resembling human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is presented. A kidney biopsy from this animal showed focal glomerular sclerosis, with variable distribution, affecting the perihilar and peripheral segments of the glomerular tuft. Non-sclerotic glomeruli were markedly enlarged. Interstitial fibrosis in association with tubular atrophy affected approximately 20% of the area of the biopsy. Immunofluorescence labelling showed immunoglobulin M deposits entrapped in segmental sclerotic areas and ultrastructural examination revealed segmental sclerosis and obliteration of capillaries, vacuolation of podocytes and diffuse effacement of foot processes. The dog was humanely destroyed 1 month later. At necropsy examination there was severe end-stage kidney disease with interstitial fibrosis involving more than 60% of the renal tissue. The clinical course and the microscopical, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural findings in this case have similarity to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in man. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Immune-complex glomerulonephritis in cats: A retrospective study based on clinico-pathological data, histopathology and ultrastructural features
No full textBackground
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has typically a non-immune mediated origin in cats and immune-complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN) is scarcely described. Aims of this study were to characterize ICGN by light and electron microscopy and identify associations with clinico-pathological findings. In addition, comparisons between cats with ICGN and non immune-complex glomerulonephritis (non-ICGN) were performed.
Renal samples examined between 2010 and 2019 were considered if both light and electron microscopy were performed. Signalment, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and leukemia virus (FeLV) status, serum creatinine concentration, urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratio, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage were retrieved and used for comparisons.
Results
Sixty-eight client-owned cats were included. Thirty-seven cats (54.4%) had ICGN and 31 (45.6%) non-ICGN. Eighteen (48.6%) with ICGN had membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN), 14 (37.8%) membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), and 5 (13.5%) mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MeGN). Clinico-pathological data were not associated with any type of ICGN. Among cats with non-ICGN, 11 (35.5%) had end-stage CKD, 9 (29%) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 6 (19.4%) global and multifocal mesangiosclerosis, 2 (6.5%) glomerular atrophy, 2 (6.5%) renal dysplasia and 1 (3.1%) amyloidosis. Eight (25.8%) cats with non-ICGN had chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN) grade 1, 13 (41.9%) grade 2 and 10 (32.3%) grade 3; creatinine and UPC ratio increased with CIN grades (p = 0.001, p < 0.001). Cats with ICGN were more frequently FIV or FeLV-infected (OR:11.4; 95%CI:1.4–94.4; p = 0.024), had higher UPC ratio (OR:6.8; 95%CI:2.5–18.2; p < 0.001) and were younger (OR:0.9; 95%CI:0.7–1.0; p = 0.042) than cats with non-ICGN.
Conclusions
MGN and MPGN were the most common morphological diagnoses of ICGN in cats. Unfortunately, none of the investigated findings differentiated ICGN morphological diagnoses. Serum creatinine concentration and UPC ratio were directly associated with grades of CIN (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), confirming previous literature. More ICGN than non-ICGN was observed in cats with retroviral infections, younger cats and higher UPC rati
Impact of simple cheating in application-level multicast.
No full textWe study the impact of cheating nodes in application-level multicast overlay trees. We focus on selfish nodes acting independently, cheating about their distance measurements during the control phase building or maintaining the tree. More precisely, we study, through simulations, the impact of simple cheating strategies in four protocols, representatives of different application-level multicast protocol "families": HBM (a protocol based on a centralized approach), TBCP (a distributed, tree first protocol), NICE (a distributed, tree first protocol based on clustering) and NARADA (a mesh first protocol). We evaluate the impact of cheats on the performance of the overlay trees as perceived by their nodes and the underlying network
European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service: a survey over a 7-year period (2008-2015)
No full textBACKGROUND: The European Veterinary Renal Pathology Service (EVRPS) is the first Web-based registry for canine renal biopsy specimens in Europe.
HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim was to verify whether differences exist between the clinical and laboratory presentation of dogs with nephropathy according to renal pathological findings, as defined by light and electron microscopy of renal biopsy specimens submitted to EVRPS.
ANIMALS: Renal biopsy specimens of dogs were collected from the archive of the service (n = 254). Cases were included if both light and electron microscopy were available (n = 162).
METHODS: Renal biopsy specimens were classified based on the morphological diagnoses. Thereafter, they were grouped into 3 disease categories, including immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN), non-immune-complex-mediated GN (non-ICGN), and renal lesions not otherwise specified (RL-NOS). Differences among morphological diagnoses and among disease categories were investigated for clinical and laboratory variables.
RESULTS: Serum albumin concentration was lower in dogs with ICGN than in those with non-ICGN (P = 0.006) or RL-NOS (P = 0.000), and the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) was significantly higher in ICGN than in the other 2 disease categories. Regarding morphological diagnoses, albumin was significantly lower in amyloidosis (AMY) and membranous (MGN), membranoproliferative (MPGN) or mixed glomerulonephritis (MixGN) than in minimal change disease, primary (FSGS I) or secondary (FSGS II) focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis and juvenile nephropathies (JN). The UPC was higher in MPGN than in FSGS I and FSGS II.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with ICGN, in particular MPGN, had higher protein loss than those with non-ICGN or RL-NOS, leading to more severe hypoalbuminemia. Clinical and laboratory differentiation among dogs with the different morphological diagnoses and among dogs with different disease categories was difficult due to overlapping results
Pheochromocytoma in dogs undergoing adrenalectomy: an exploratory investigation of 24 cases.
No full textPheochromocytoma is relatively common in dogs and carries a guarded prognosis. Outcome of adrenalectomy is the most important predictor of survival, although younger age and absence of vascular invasion may also be associated with a favourable prognosis. Current histological criteria do not predict a malignant behaviour in dogs, similar to humans. In the latter, the characterization of tumors has been refined by the “Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score” (PASS), which includes 12 microscopic features, and by immunohistochemical analysis. The aim of the study was to investigate PASS and several immunohistochemical markers used in human medicine in dogs with pheochromocytoma that underwent adrenalectomy. Pathology records of dogs with pheochromocytomas were reviewed to identify those treated surgically and tumors were collected. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin to apply the PASS and were single-labelled for chromogranin A, proliferation marker Ki-67, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor suppressor gene product p53, proto-oncogene products BCL-2 and c-erbB-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), protein S100. The results of PASS and of immunohistochemistry were compared for surgical outcome, age and frequency of capsular and vascular invasion caused by the tumor. In addition, PASS was assessed in relation to immunohistochemical findings. Twenty-four dogs with pheochromocytomas were included. PASS did not differ based on surgical outcome, age, vascular and capsular invasion. Immunohistochemistry was also not different for any variable. Tumors showing BCL-2 expression in >50% cells had lower PASS than those with lower expression (7±2 vs. 9±2; P=0.011). Tumors positive for S100 had higher PASS than those negative (10±2 vs. 7±2; P=0.001). Associations between immunohistochemical markers were not identified. In conclusion, in dogs with pheochromocytoma, survival, age, vascular and capsular invasion are not linked to the results of PASS and of the selected immunohistochemical markers. The lower PASS in dogs with elevated BCL-2 expression suggests that pheochromocytomas with high anti-apoptotic rate have few morphologic changes. The higher PASS in S100-positive tumors may indicate that pheochromocytomas developing morphologic changes acquire S100 expression. Overall, the use of PASS and of the present immunohistochemical markers is of limited clinical value in dogs with pheochromocytoma
A preliminary investigation of the role of the transcription co-activators YAP/TAZ of the Hippo signalling pathway in canine and feline mammary tumours.
No full textBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Cancer metastases are responsible for the high mortality rate. A small but distinct subset of cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), have the capacity to self-renew, initiate tumour formation, and develop metastases. The CSC content in human breast cancer correlates with the Hippo tumour suppressor signalling pathway. Specifically, the activity of YAP/TAZ, transcription co-activators of the Hippo pathway, sustains the self-renewal and tumour-initiation capacities of CSCs. Little is known about YAP/TAZ in canine and feline mammary tumours, which are very common tumours. The preliminary aim of the study was to investigate the expression of YAP/TAZ in canine and feline mammary tumours by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Increased cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of YAP/TAZ was observed in all carcinomas compared to normal tissues, indicating neoplastic deregulation of the Hippo pathway. Nuclear expression significantly increased in grade III (high grade carcinomas) compared to grade I (low grade carcinomas) tumours, suggesting that YAP/TAZ play a role in the increased aggressiveness of these tumours. Moreover, different scoring systems for immunohistochemical analyses were compared and the H index and the Allred scores were the most significant. In conclusion, YAP/TAZ are expressed in aggressive canine and feline mammary tumours as reported in some human cancers. Further studies might better elucidate the role of the Hippo pathway in prognosis and as a target for new therapies. In addition, tumours in dogs and cats may be a useful model to study this pathway
Collection de pièces de théâtre. TOME XIX
No full textContient : 1 "O laberintho de Créta ou O Mino-Tauro. Drama magico de trez actos, que se repprezentou no theatro nacional do Bairro Alto, com geral aceitaçaõ, composto pelo antigo e vulgarmente denominado Judêo, ampliado por Alexandre Jozé Victor da Costa Sequeira, copiado aos 23 de junho de 1817." ; 2 "O labrêgo enganado ou A criada astuta. Farça composta por hum anónimo, ampliada por Alexandre Jozé Victor da Costa Sequeira, copiada aos 9 de dezembro de 1817." ; 3 "As lágrimas da viuva ou O doutor sollitário. Drama de meio caracter de trez actos, que se repprezentou nos theatros nacional da rua dos Condes e real de S. Carlos, com geral aceitaçaõ. Composto no idioma italiano por Camillo Federici, traduzido no idioma portuguez pelo actor Antonio Jozé de Paula, copiado aos 16 de fevereiro de 1820." ; 4 "Os lances de amor ou Victoriano e Jozuina. Drama sentimental de trez actos, composto por Alexandre Jozé Victor da Costa Sequeira, copiado aos 4 de outubro de 1817." ; 5 "Opera. O libertino." Traduction du D. Juan de Molière ; 6 "O libertino em prova ou O vicio tornado em virtude por meio de tentativas. Drama jocoserio de Mr Destouches, traduzido do idioma francèz em vulgar." ; 7 "Nova farça intitulada : A liçaõ ao pé da letra ou A criada industrioza." ; 8 "Comedia intitulada : Os litigantes."Numérisation effectuée à partir d'un document original
Systematic validation and assessment of immunohistochemical markers for central nervous system pathology in cetaceans, with emphasis on auditory pathways
No full textCetacean neuropathology is a developing field that aims to assess structural and neurochemical changes involved in neurodegenerative, infectious and traumatic processes, however markers used previously in cetaceans have rarely undergone systematic validation. This is a prerequisite to investigating the potential damage inflicted on the cetacean auditory system by anthropogenic noise. In order to assess apoptotic, neuroinflammatory and structural aberrations on a protein level, the baseline expression of biomarker proteins has to be characterized, implementing a systematic approach to validate the use of anti-human and anti-laboratory animal antibodies in dolphin tissues. This approach was taken to study 12 different antibodies associated with hypoxic-ischemic, inflammatory, plastic and excitatory-inhibitory changes implicated in acoustic trauma within the ventral cochlear nuclei and inferior colliculi of 20 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Out of the 12 tested antibodies, pro-apoptotic protease factor 1 (Apaf-1), diacylglycerolkinase-ζ (DGK-ζ), B-cell lymphoma related protein 2 (Bcl-2), amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and neurofilament 200 (NF200) were validated employing Western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results of the validation process indicate specific patterns of immunoreactivity that are comparable to those reported in other mammals, thus suggesting a key panel of IHC biomarkers of pathological processes in the cetacean brain. As a consequence, the antibodies tested in this study may constitute a valid tool for supporting existing diagnostic methods in neurological diseases. The approach of systematic validation of IHC markers in cetaceans is proposed as a standard practice, in order for results to be transparent, reliable and comparable
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