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Hydrogels are currently used as interesting constructs for the delivery of proteins. In this study, a novel polyvinyl alcohol-dextran (PVA-Dex) blend hydrogel was used for controlled delivery of basic-fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). These biocompatible constructs were sutured to the epicardium as patches on the heart surface to provide slow release of bFGF to the infarcted site in an ovine model of myocardial infarction (MI). Eighteen sheep were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6 each), including group I (control without any patch and bFGF), group II (patch without bFGF) and group III (patch incorporating 100 µg bFGF). They were subjected to coronary artery ligation after lateral thoracotomy, and then in groups II and III the patches were implanted 20-30 min after MI. Cardiac function was assessed by both echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2 months after implantation. Then the animals were sacrificed and the hearts subjected to histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Heart lysates were subject to protein expression analysis through western blotting. The results showed that sustained release of bFGF using PVA-Dex blend hydrogel strongly stimulated angiogenesis and increased wall thickness index in the infarcted myocardium. The patch also significantly attenuated the increase in left ventricular end-systolic diameter, but it did not improve cardiac function within 2 months of myocardial infarction. In conclusion, PVA-Dex gel incorporating bFGF can be used as a sustained release construct for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischaemic heart disease.

BackgroundThe human “Elston and Ellis grading method” was utilized in dogs with mammary tumor to examine its relation to prognosis in this species, based on a 2-year follow-up period. Although cytopathology is widely used for early diagnosis of human neoplasms, it is not commonly performed in veterinary medicine. Our objectives in this study were to identify cytopathology criteria of malignancy for canine mammary tumors and the frequency of different types of mammary lesions and their relationship with histologic grade was investigated. Another aim of this study was to differentiate the simple and adenocarcinoma tumors from the complex or mixed tumor described by Elston and Ellis grading method.MethodsThe study was performed in 15 pure or mixed-breed female dogs submitted to surgical resections of mammary tumours. The mammary tumours were excised by simple mastectomy or regional mastectomy, with or without the superficial inguinal lymph nodes. Female dogs were mainly terriers (9 dogs) or mixed (3 dogs), the 3 other animals were a German shepherd, Dachshund and Pekingese. Before surgical excision of the tumour, FNAC was performed using a 0.6 mm diameter needle attached to a 10 ml syringe held in a standard metal syringe holder. The cytological sample was smeared onto a glass slide and either air-dried for May-Grünwald-stain, or ethanol-fixed for Papanicolaou stain and masses were surgically removed, the tumours were grossly examined and tissue samples were fixed in 10%-buffered-formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections 4 μm thick were obtained from each sample and H&E stained.ResultsWe obtained a correct cytohistological correlation in 14/15 cases (93.3%) when all cytopathological examinations were considered. Of the 15 cases examined, 2(13.3%) had well-differentiated (grade I), 6(40%) had moderately differentiated (grade II) and 7(46.7%) had poorly differentiated (grade III) tumours. Classification of all canine mammary gland lesions revealed 13(86.7%) malignant and 2(13.3%) benign tumors. The histological examination showed that the most common tumor types of mammary glands in bitches were: complex carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, malignant mixed tumour, benign mixed tumour, simple carcinoma– (5/15; 33.3%), (3/15; 20%), (3/15; 20%) and (2/15;13.3%), respectively. Simple carcinoma and cystic hyperplasia were less common - (1/15; 6.7%), and (1/15; 6.7%), respectively. Moreover, the most often tumors occur in inguinal mammary (60%) and abdominal (27%) glands.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that, because of the similarity of the cytohistopathological findings in the human and canine mammary gland tumours, it is possible to use the same cytopathological criteria applied in human pathology for the diagnosis of canine mammary gland tumours. Furthemoer, routine use of this human grading method would help the clinician to make a more accurate prognosis in the interests of post-surgical management in dogs with mammary carcinomas. Furthermore, this research will allow a more discriminating classification of mammary tumors a...

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The study of canine haemoglobin (Hb) components can help to forecast Hb changes during many pathological and physiological processes such as responsive anaemia. The aims of our study were to show canine Hb electrophoretic pattern on cellulose acetate and identify Hb types similar to the human Hb pattern. Blood samples from 78 different canine breeds were randomly collected in tubes containing anticoagulant EDTA. Animals were brought to the Small Animal Teaching Centre for a check-up and vaccination. All blood samples underwent electrophoresis on cellulose acetate paper strips to determine Hb types. Haematocrit and Hb were measured simultaneously. The Hb electrophoresis results showed that Hb A1 was assigned to most of Hb components on cellulose acetate paper. Also, in some blood samples, Hb A2 was detected at the cathode end of cellulose acetate paper similar to human Hb A2, by densitometer. Small amounts of Hb F were detected in some dogs which was not significant. According to our study, Hb A1 composes most of the total Hb percent in canine blood. Two types of Hb, A2 and F, were detected in a few animals, but the majority did not possess Hb F. It seems that Hb F is not significant in these animals. We concluded that one or two Hb types could be seen in dogs. There is no difference in electrophoretic pattern between male and female dogs.

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Background Three feline hemoplasma species are recognized: Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’. These species can cause anemia in cats and have a worldwide distribution. Objectives There was no previous information on hemotropic mycoplasma spp in cats in Iran and the Middle East. Accordingly, we investigated the molecular presence, and clinical signs and hematological profile in cats infected with these microorganisms in Iranian cats. Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and cytology were performed on 100 blood samples collected from Iranian Shorthair cats. ACBC and case history were also collected for each sample. Results By PCR, 22 (22%; 14–30%, 95% CI) samples were positive. The prevalence of M haemofelis, ‘Ca M haemominutum’, and ‘Ca M turicensis’ was 63.63% (14/22), 54.54% (12/22), and 18.18% (4/22), respectively. Some double and triple co‐infections were also found. Using PCR as the reference method, cytology had poor sensitivity (27%) and reasonable specificity (89.74%). Male cats were at a higher risk of infection (P = .001). Cats older than 8 years were more frequently infected than the younger cats (P = .0018). Lower HCT (P = .018), RBC count (P = .028) and HGB concentration (P = .003) were also associated with hemoplasma PCR‐positive status. Conclusions Based on this study, the most prevalent feline hemoplasma species in Iranian cats was M haemofelis, but double and triple co‐infections are also documented. Age and sex, as well as reduced RBC parameters, were predisposing factors for hemoplasma infection.

BackgroundThe diagnosis of breast lesions is usually confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or histological biopsy. Although there is increasing literature regarding the advantages and limitations of both modalities, there is no literature regarding the accuracy of these modalities for diagnosing breast lesions in high-risk patients, who usually have lesions detected by screening. Moreover, few studies have been published regarding the cytopathology of mammary tumors in cats despite widespread use of the animal model for breast cancer formation and inhibition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic interest of cytological and histopathological analysis in feline mammary tumours (FMTs), in order to evaluate its possible value as an animal model.MethodsThe study was performed in 3 female cats submitted to surgical resections of mammary tumours. The mammary tumours were excised by simple mastectomy or regional mastectomy, with or without the superficial inguinal lymph nodes. Female cats were of different breeds (1 siamese and 2 persians). Before surgical excision of the tumour, FNA cytology was performed using a 0.4 mm diameter needle attached to a 8 ml syringe held in a standard metal syringe holder. The cytological sample was smeared onto a glass slide and either air-dried for May-Grünwald-stain and masses were surgically removed, the tumours were grossly examined and tissue samples were fixed in 10%-buffered-formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections 4 μm thick were obtained from each sample and H&E stained.ResultsCytologically, atypical epithelial cells coupled to giant nucleus, chromatin anomalies, mitotic figures, spindle shape cells, anisocytosis with anisokaryosis and hyperchromasia were found. Histologically, these tumors are characterized by pleomorphic and polygonal cell population together with mitotic figures, necrotic foci and various numbers inflammatory foci. Also, spindle shaped cells, haemorrhage localized in the different regions, local invasiveness and enlarged nuclei were observed. The samples included 3 tumors of mammary glands mammary tumors were complex carcinomas (n = 2) and adenocarcinoma (n = 1). The histological grades of the 3 cases were as follows: grade II, (1/3); grade III, (2/3) with high mitotic index. The preferential localization of mammary neoplasms was in the inguinal lobe (1/3 case) and abdominal lobes (2/3 cases). Furthermore, 1case of the inguinal mass affected the left caudo-inguinal lobe and 2cases right cranio and caudo abdominal lobes.ConclusionThe study concluded that cytology could be used as a quick, rapid, field diagnostic technique in combination with histopathology for the diagnosis of feline mammary tumors (FMTs). Our findings in feline MTs indicate that FMTs could be useful as an animal model of human breast cancer. Moreover, because of the similarity of the cytohistopathological findings in the human and feline mammary gland tumours, it is possible to use the same cytopathological criteria applied in human pathology for th...