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Radiation cystitis, a long-term bladder defect due to pelvic radiation therapy, results in lower urinary tract symptoms, such as urinary frequency and nocturia, suggestive of compromised bladder compliance. The goal of this study was to identify alterations to the mechanical behavior of the urinary bladder extracellular matrix of a murine model of radiation cystitis, at 3 and 6 months after radiation exposure. The results of this study demonstrated that the extracellular matrix of irradiated bladders was significantly less distensible when compared to age matching controls. These findings coincided with functional bladder changes, including increased number of voids and decreased voided volume. Both mechanical and functional changes were apparent at 3 months post-irradiation and were statistically significant at 6 months, demonstrating the progressive nature of radiation cystitis. Overall, the results of this study indicate that irradiation exposure changes both the mechanical and physiological properties of the bladder. In humans, radiation cystitis results in lower urinary tract symptoms, such as urinary frequency and nocturia, suggestive of compromised bladder compliance. This pathology can significantly affect recovery and quality of life for cancer survivors. Gaining knowledge about how alterations to the mechanical behavior of the urinary bladder extracellular matrix can affect urinary function will have a significant impact on this population. The results of this study demonstrated that the extracellular matrix of irradiated bladders was significantly less distensible when compared to age matching controls, in a mouse model of radiation cystitis. These findings were accompanied by functional voiding changes, including increased number of voids and decreased voided volume. The results of this study uncovered that irradiation exposure changes the mechanical and physiological properties of the bladder. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of the urinary bladder to maintain low intravesical pressures while storing urine is key in ensuring proper organ function and highlights the key role that tissue mechanics plays in the lower urinary tract. Loss of supraspinal neuronal connections to the bladder after spinal cord injury can lead to remodeling of the structure of the bladder wall, which may alter its mechanical characteristics. In this study, we investigate if the morphology and mechanical properties of the bladder extracellular matrix are altered in rats 16 weeks after spinal cord injury as compared to animals who underwent sham surgery. We measured and quantified the changes in bladder geometry and mechanical behavior using histological analysis, tensile testing, and constitutive modeling. Our results suggest bladder compliance is increased in paraplegic animals 16 weeks post-injury. Furthermore, constitutive modeling showed that increased distensibility was driven by an increase in collagen fiber waviness, which altered the distribution of fiber recruitment during loading. The ability of the urinary bladder to store urine under low pressure is key in ensuring proper organ function. This highlights the important role that mechanics plays in the lower urinary tract. Loss of control of neurologic connection to the bladder from spinal cord injury can lead to changes of the structure of the bladder wall, resulting in altered mechanical characteristics. We found that the bladder wall's microstructure in rats 16 weeks after spinal cord injury is more compliant than in healthy animals. This is significant since it is the longest time post-injury analyzed, to date. Understanding the extreme remodeling capabilities of the bladder in pathological conditions is key to inform new possible therapies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous candidiasis is usually related to immunosuppressive diseases and/or therapies as predisposing factors. In humans, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is observed with thymoma and thymectomy. In this case report we describe the clinical and pathological findings, laboratory analysis, treatment, and follow-up of a thymectomized dog with cutaneous and mucocutaneous generalized candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nodal lymphomas are less common in cats than in dogs and, consequently, no specific studies have been published. Cytology is the first step in the diagnosis of nodal lymphoma but is highly subjective. Morphological features have been introduced for the cytological classification of canine lymphomas but not for cats. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate interobserver agreement on various cytological features of feline nodal lymphomas and to investigate the accuracy in predicting B or T immunophenotypes. Four veterinary cytologists examined 25 feline nodal and mediastinal lymphoma cytological samples by adapting the criteria used for the evaluation of canine lymphomas and setting histopathology and immunohistochemistry as the gold standard. High interobserver variability was found in the evaluation of most features except for the presence or absence of cytoplasmic vacuoles, which were more common in B-cell lymphomas. Cytology training centre was the major factor influencing the extent of agreement among evaluators. Diagnostic accuracy in predicting lymphoma immunophenotype varied from 35% to 75% and did not appear to be correlated with the experience of the evaluators. We conclude that cytological criteria, commonly used to describe canine lymphomas, are not adaptable to the counterpart feline neoplasms. Cytology-based immunophenotyping of feline lymphomas from different laboratories, and different cytologists within the same laboratory, differ substantially and should not be considered reliable. Specific cytological criteria are needed to describe feline lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerative medicine has gained a strong interest in reptile practice, with transposition of techniques widely used in human and mammal medicine. Specifically, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and derived products have shown to be safe and promising tools to improve soft and bone tissue healing in this class. Hereby we present two cases of oral cavity disorders treated with heterologous Thrombocyte-Leukocyte Rich Plasma (TLRP). In the first case, TLRP was used on one ball python (Python regius) with chronic facial cellulitis, to adjuvate post-surgical wound healing. In the second case, it was the elected therapy to treat one veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) with severe maxillary osteolysis secondary to chronic periodontal disease. Repeated CT scans were performed to evaluate healing progression. In both cases, single administration of TLRP was able to stop bone lysis progression, but was not enough to promote new bone formation. Our experience suggests that the use of thrombocyte-derived products, thanks to their regenerative and antimicrobial properties, could represent a useful tool to adjuvate traditional therapies in reptile reconstructive medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a rare condition characterized by abnormal bone production in soft tissue. Very few cases of HO have been reported in animals (e.g., dogs and horses) and this disease process is often a consequence of a traumatic incident. A 5-year-old, male European ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) was referred for anorexia, generalized weakness, and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed multiple abdominal masses. An explorative laparotomy identified omental, white/tan, nodular to coalescing hard lesions. The omentum and spleen were surgically removed during the surgical procedure, with both subsequently submitted for histopathologic evaluation. Microscopically, the omental masses were composed of a meshwork of lamellar and woven bone admixed with islands of cartilage and lacunae containing either blood, fat, and/or bone marrow. Multifocal mineralization and bone lamellae were also present in the grossly normal omentum. The finding of multiple bone nodules containing bone marrow and/or adipose tissue, with no Harversian system, and minimal intratrabecular connective tissue favored a diagnosis of HO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of the urinary bladder to perform its physiological function depends largely on its mechanical characteristics. Understanding the mechanics of this tissue is crucial to the development of accurate models of not just this specific organ, but of the pelvic floor overall. In this study, we tested porcine bladder to identify variations in the tissue's viscoelastic characteristics associated with anatomical locations and swelling. We investigated this relationship using a series of stress-relaxation experiments as well as a modified Maxwell-Wiechert model to aid in the interpretation of the experimental data. Our results highlight that tissue located near the neck of the bladder presents significantly different viscoelastic characteristics than the body of the organ. This supports what was previously observed and is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the location-specific properties of the bladder. We also tested the effect of swelling, revealing that the bladder's viscoelastic behavior is mostly independent of solution osmolarity in hypoosmotic solutions, but the use of a hyperosmotic solution can significantly affect its behavior. This is significant, since several urinary tract pathologies can lead to chronic inflammation and disrupt the urothelial barrier causing increased urothelial permeability, thus subjecting the bladder wall to non-physiologic osmotic challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There has been a growing awareness over the past decade that stiffening of the aorta, and its attendant effects on hemodynamics, is both an indicator and initiator of diverse cardiovascular, neurovascular, and renovascular diseases. Although different clinical metrics of arterial stiffness have been proposed and found useful in particular situations, there remains a need to understand better the complex interactions between evolving aortic stiffness and the hemodynamics. Computational fluid–solid-interaction (FSI) models are amongst the most promising means to understand such interactions for one can parametrically examine effects of regional variations in material properties and arterial geometry on local and systemic blood pressure and flow. Such models will not only increase our understanding, they will also serve as important steps towards the development of fluid–solid-growth (FSG) models that can further examine interactions between the evolving wall mechanics and hemodynamics that lead to arterial adaptations or disease progression over long periods. In this paper, we present a consistent quantification and comparison of regional nonlinear biaxial mechanical properties of the human aorta based on 19 data sets available in the literature and we calculate associated values of linearized stiffness over the cardiac cycle that are useful for initial large-scale FSI and FSG simulations. It is shown, however, that there is considerable variability amongst the available data and consequently that there is a pressing need for more standardized biaxial testing of the human aorta to collect data as a function of both location and age, particularly for young healthy individuals who serve as essential controls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: An 8-year-old crossbred dog was presented with a one-month history of progressive weakness, respiratory impairment and abdominal distension. Surgical exploration revealed the presence of a splenic mass that infiltrated the mesentery and was adherent to the stomach and pancreas. The mass was composed of highly cellular areas of spindle-shaped cells arranged in interlacing bundles, streams, whorls and storiform patterns (Antoni A pattern) and less cellular areas with more loosely arranged spindle to oval cells (Antoni B pattern). The majority of neoplastic cells expressed vimentin, S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but did not express desmin, α-smooth muscle actin or factor VIII. These morphological and immunohistochemical findings characterized the lesion as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (PNST). Primary splenic PNST has not been documented previously in the dog. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The characteristics of a feline homologue of the αE integrin (CD103), defined by two murine monoclonal antibodies, Fe7.1B8 (IgG1) and Fe7.2D8 (IgG1), are described. These antibodies recognized 75% of intra-epithelial (range 59–88%) and 40% of lamina proprial (range 28–46%) T cells of the intestinal mucosal tissue of the small intestine in contrast with approximately 2% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Both antibodies immunoprecipitated a 180 kDa protein from biotinylated feline intra-epithelial mucosal leukocytes consistent with the αE integrin subunit in conjunction with a 120 kDa protein consistent with the β7 subunit. The nucleotide sequence of feline αE integrin, generated from molecular cloning of the feline αE encoding cDNA, is also reported. This feline molecule shares 72% sequence homology with human and 69% homology with murine and rat counterparts. Homology includes the presence of an X (extra) domain, that appears unique to αE molecules as described for human, rat and mouse, as well as areas of homology common to other α integrins. Of note is a typical I (inserted) domain, the presence of seven repeat regions, and highly conserved sequences in the cytoplasmic tail. Transfection studies demonstrated that both antibodies recognized an extracellular component which encompassed the X and I domains of the cloned αE integrin subunit. These studies demonstrate that the pattern of tissue distribution, biochemical characteristics, and cDNA sequence of the feline αE integrin subunit are largely similar to that described for other species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Forty percent of patients with a spinal cord injury acquire a pressure ulcer during rehabilitation, and sixty percent of individuals in elderly care facilities have at least one pressure ulcer upon admittance. A commonality between those populations is the increased amount of time they spend in the seated position. The loading on the buttocks and thighs while in the seated position has been cited as a risk factor for pressure ulcer formation, especially for wheelchair users. Finite element models provide a tool with which to evaluate the internal tissue stresses, but they are reliant upon accurate material properties for the soft tissue. Thus the goals of this research were to determine and compare the material properties of the soft tissue in the thigh and buttock regions in the seated, quadruped (a universally accessible position with the knee and hip articulations similar to the seated position), and prone positions. A custom indenter was designed to collect force and deflection data for the buttocks/proximal thigh, middle thigh, and distal thigh regions of twenty able-bodied individuals. The force and deflection data were converted into stress and stretch data, which were used to obtain parameters from an Ogden material model. Our results indicated that the prone position yielded significantly stiffer tissue properties than in the seated and quadruped positions for both males and females, meaning that position should be taken into account when obtaining material properties that are input into finite element models. Realistic material properties of the soft tissue will lead to better understanding of tissue injury risk. Image 1 • Continuous thigh and buttock force/deflection data were obtained in three positions. • The three positions were the seated, quadruped, and prone positions. • Hip and knee joint articulations affected thigh and buttock tissue properties. • The seated and quadruped positions had similar properties, while the prone differed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Store-Operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is recognized as a key mechanism in muscle physiology necessary to refill intracellular Ca2+ stores during sustained muscle activity. For many years the cell structures expected to mediate SOCE in skeletal muscle fibres remained unknown. Recently, the identification of Ca2+ Entry Units (CEUs) in exercised muscle fibres opened new insights into the role of extracellular Ca2+ in muscle contraction and, more generally, in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Accordingly, intracellular Ca2+ unbalance due to alterations in SOCE strictly correlates with muscle disfunction and disease. Mutations in proteins involved in SOCE (STIM1, ORAI1, and CASQ1) have been linked to tubular aggregate myopathy (TAM), a disease that causes muscle weakness and myalgia and is characterized by a typical accumulation of highly ordered and packed membrane tubules originated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Achieving a full understanding of the molecular pathways activated by alterations in Ca2+ entry mechanisms is a necessary step to design effective therapies for human SOCE-related disorders. • Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an important pathway in skeletal muscle. • SOCE refills intracellular Ca2+ stores and supports muscle contractility. • SOCE occurs at Calcium Entry Units, assembled from SR-stacks and T-tubules. • Alterations in SOCE cause muscle disfunction and myopathy in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract On average, people are sedentary for 70% of the day, either seated or lying down. Of particular interest for this work is the seated posture; while seated the buttocks and thigh tissues experience loading for prolonged periods of time. When modeling human body interactions with seating devices and in the design of these devices, it is necessary to appropriately model the material characteristics of the soft tissue in the thigh and buttock areas. Thus, there is a pressing need for in vivo , experimentally measured data that describe the mechanical behavior of the soft tissue within the buttocks and thigh regions of humans in the seated posture. We developed an innovative experimental set-up to gather in vivo force–deflection data for both men and women in six regions located along the buttocks and thighs. Then, using anatomical measures, cadaver measures, and reported literature on regional tissue thickness, the data were converted to normal stress and strain curves. Next, these curves were described using the Mooney–Rivlin material model. Finally, best-fit mechanical parameters were reported, along with the original force–deflection data. Results indicated that, in general, the male tissue differed from female tissue, and that the mechanical properties differed between regions. Thus, when developing computer models that represent the human body, different material properties should be considered for men and women. Furthermore, appropriate properties should be used for the body region being evaluated. These data are unique in that they are quantified in vivo , represent the seated body position, and include multiple regions for both men and women. The material properties presented in this work will lead to improved numerical models, and consequently improved device design. Highlights • We report in vivo mechanical data on the buttocks and thighs in seated subjects. • Six body regions were evaluated from the back of the buttocks to distal thigh. • A Mooney–Rivlin material model was used to estimate mechanical parameters. • Male and female soft tissues present statistical differences in several regions. • Statistical differences are also present between several regions within each sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction La crise rénale sclérodermique (CRS) est une complication rare de la sclérodermie systémique (SSc) survenant dans 2–15 % des cas [1] et caractérisée par la survenue brutale d’une hypertension artérielle associée à une insuffisance rénale aiguë et/ou une oligurie. Une microangiopathie thrombotique accompagne environ 50 % des CRS. Les principaux facteurs de risque de CRS sont les SSc diffuses, une durée de la pathologie inférieure à 4 ans ainsi que la présence d’anticorps anti-RNA polymérase [1,2] . Nous décrivons ici une courte série monocentrique de quatre patients ayant présenté une crise rénale sclérodermique avec des caractéristiques cliniques et biologiques atypiques apparues presque simultanément sur une période de 3 mois. Observation Notre série comportait 1 homme et 3 femmes, d’âge moyen de 55 ans (34–80). Les 4 CRS sont survenues entre octobre et décembre 2016. L’ensemble des patients présentait une sclérodermie diffuse avec présence d’anticorps anti-Ssl-70 chez 1 patient sur 4. La durée d’évolution de la maladie était inférieure à 4 ans pour 3 patients sur 4. Une corticothérapie précédait la CRS chez 2 patients. Aucun des 4 patients n’était traité par un IEC/ARAII au moment de la survenue de la CRS. Les anticorps anti-RNA polymérase III ont été recherchés chez 3 patients et positifs chez 1 seul d’entre eux. Trois patients sur 4 étaient suivis en service de pneumologie pour une atteinte pulmonaire secondaire à la sclérodermie. Trois présentaient une pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse (PID), 2 une HTAP. Pour 1 patient, l’HTAP était associée à la sclérodermie. Pour l’autre, l’HTAP était secondaire à une évolution prolongée d’une fibrose pulmonaire. La présentation de la CRS était une HTA maligne pour 2 patients. Une microangiopathie thrombotique (MAT) était présente chez 75 % des cas. Les 4 patients présentaient une insuffisance rénale aiguë oligurique avec nécessité de dialyse. Une biopsie rénale était effectuée chez 3 patients, révélant dans les 3 cas la présence de lésions de MAT à la fois vasculaire et glomérulaire. Des lésions de nécroses tubulaires aiguës étaient retrouvées sur l’une des biopsies. Pour les 4 patients, la tension artérielle était contrôlée en moins de 24 heures avec l’utilisation d’anticalciques injectables. Aucun des 4 patients n’a pu être sevré de la dialyse à 6 mois de la CRS. Deux patients sont décédés. Discussion L’âge moyen est concordant avec les études cliniques retrouvant selon les cohortes des âges moyens de 50 à 53 ans [2] . Concernant les facteurs de risque de CRS, de manière similaire à la cohorte de Guillevin et al. [3] , une majorité des patients présente une évolution de la maladie inférieure à 4 ans (75 % contre 79 % [3] ), une forme diffuse de sclérodermie (100 % contre 86 % [3] ) ou une corticothérapie précédant la CRS (50 % contre 70,3 % [3] ). Les anticorps anti-RNA polymérase sont un facteur de risque de CRS. Seul 3 des 4 patients ont bénéficié d’une recherche de ces anticorps. Un seul patient a des anticorps positifs ce qui est concordant avec les pourcentages aux alentours de 30 % rapportés dans la littérature [2] . Dans les études, ces anticorps étaient indépendamment associés à l’absence de fibrose pulmonaire 2 et ainsi de manière attendue, la seule patiente avec anticorps positifs est celle sans atteinte pulmonaire. De manière surprenante, 3 des 4 cas sont suivis pour une PID associée à la sclérodermie. Deux patients présentent également une HTAP. La survenue d’une CRS chez des patients avec une PID et/ou HTAP n’est pas classique. Guillevin et al., rapporte seulement 4,4 % (4/91) des patients atteints de CRS étaient également atteints d’une HTAP [3] . Les 4 cas de CRS, survenus de manière extrêmement rapprochée, sont marqués par une présentation sévère. Les 4 patients ont présenté une insuffisance rénale aigüe oligurique nécessitant une dialyse de manière définitive. Dans la cohorte française, l’insuffisance rénale oligurique est retrouvée chez seulement 28,6 % (26/91) des cas. La dialyse était nécessaire chez seulement 53,5 % (49/91) des patients [3] . Une MAT est retrouvée chez 3 patients sur 4 contre 56 % dans la cohorte de Guillevin [3] . Devant l’association étonnante entre la présence d’une atteinte pulmonaire de la sclérodermie et la survenue de la CRS, une enquête médicamenteuse est réalisée. Parmi les 3 patients atteints de PID et/ou HTAP, 1 patient est traité par un agoniste des récepteurs à la prostacycline et 1 par un analogue de la prostacycline. Aucun autre lien n’a pu être établi entre ces 3 patients. Conclusion Nous rapportons 4 cas de CRS sévères survenues de manière rapprochée en 3 mois avec une fréquence élevée de la nécessité de dialyse. L’association de la CRS à une atteinte pulmonaire de la sclérodermie est inhabituelle. L’enquête autour de nos 4 cas n’a pas permis de mettre en évidence d’explication à cette association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • PTX3 nucleotide sequence is highly conserved among the species. • PTX3 is mainly expressed in goat bone marrow mammary gland aorta rectum pancreas skin. • The infected udder influences the inflammation in the contralateral healthy one. • Staphylococcus aureus intra-mammary infection causes systemic and local PTX3 modulation. Abstract Pentraxin 3 is the prototypic long pentraxin and is produced by different cell populations (dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts) after pro-inflammatory stimulation. Different studies demonstrated the up-regulation of PTX3 during mastitis in ruminants, but its role is still unknown. We first investigated the conservation of PTX3 sequence among different species and its pattern of expression in a wide panel of organs from healthy goats. We studied the modulation of PTX3 during natural and experimental mammary infection, comparing its expression in blood, milk and mammary tissues from healthy and Staphylococcus aureus infected animals. We confirmed the high conservation of the molecule among different species. Goat PTX3 was expressed at high levels in bone marrow, mammary gland, aorta, rectum, pancreas, skin and lungs. PTX3 was up-regulated in epithelial mammary cells and in milk cells after S. aureus infection, suggesting that it represents a first line of defense in goat udder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]