Nlin Arya

Feline mammary carcinomas (FMCs) are heterogeneous neoplasms often comprising multiple histological patterns within a single case. The current practice of focusing on a prominent subtype hinders prognostic accuracy and potentially produces suboptimal therapeutic decisions. This retrospective study proposed criteria for grouping these mixed patterns and evaluated their prognostic significance in FMCs. The criteria were based on the tubular carcinoma composition and adopted from those of human breast cancer. Eighty-seven cats with FMCs were divided into groups according to tubular carcinoma composition: pure tubular carcinoma (PTC, n = 34), tubular carcinoma mixed with other subtypes (TMC, n = 16), and nontubular carcinoma (NTC, n = 37). Prognostic factors and overall survival (OS) were compared among the groups. The PTC and TMC groups were significantly associated with early-stage FMCs ( P = .03) and low argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region values ( P = .02). Conversely, NTCs had the poorest prognosis ( P = .03) and were associated with incomplete surgical margins ( P = .004), advanced clinical stage ( P < .001), and high histological grade ( P < .001) on multivariable analysis. Median OS for the PTC, TMC, and NTC groups was 221, 242, and 147 days, respectively. Considering individual histological subtypes, cats with adenosquamous carcinoma had a shorter OS (60 days) than those with comedocarcinoma (147 days) and tubular carcinoma (240 days, P < .001). These criteria were associated with FMC outcome in this cohort, providing a potentially useful framework for prognosis. However, further validation through prospective studies is needed to fully establish their clinical utility.

Mammary carcinomas are aggressive neoplasms and a significant cause of mortality in female cats. Despite surgical removal, feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) often recurs or metastasizes. Specific tumour biomarkers are necessary for early detection, prognosis and therapy selection. This study aims to identify candidate biomarkers for FMC by comparing tissue proteomic profiles among grades of 31 FMC cats and six normal mammary tissues (control) using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Candidate proteins identified by LC–MS/MS were validated by Western blotting and LC–MS/MS. Prognostic values of candidate proteins were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and survival analysis. Protein‐chemotherapy drug interaction networks were also evaluated. Among the 268 differential proteins observed, dermatopontin (DPT) expression was significantly downregulated, while sorting nexin 5 (SNX5) expression was elevated in cancerous tissues compared to controls ( p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry results revealed a significant association of DPT and SNX5 with stages (DPT, p < 0.0001; SNX5, p = 0.046) and grades of FMC (DPT, p < 0.0001; SNX5, p = 0.04). Low DPT expression was associated with poor overall survival ( p = 0.02), along with Stage 4 FMC ( p = 0.0001), high mitotic count ( p = 0.003) and the presence of lymphovascular invasion ( p = 0.003). Moreover, protein‐chemotherapy drug interaction showed a relationship of DPT with doxorubicin, lapatinib and neratinib. This study identified DPT and SNX5 as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for FMC, with DPT emerging as a promising prognostic biomarker.

Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is the most prevalent reproductive tumor in queens and is characterized by aggressive metastatic progression and short survival. Protein phosphorylation is a crucial process in cell regulation, with dysregulation linked to cancer progression, including human breast cancer. Although phosphoproteins have emerged as diagnostic and predictive markers in human breast cancer, knowledge remains limited on their role in FMC. In this study, the phosphoproteomic profiles of specimens for FMC grades 1 (n = 6), grade 2 (n = 11), grade 3 (n = 14), and normal controls (n = 6) were compared by phosphoprotein enrichment coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Seventeen downregulated phosphoproteins were identified across all FMC grades, many of which have established roles in human breast cancer pathogenesis and prognosis. Serine/threonine–protein phosphatase was identified as a potential growth promoter and therapeutic target, while acid phosphatase, prostate, and ribonuclease L were identified as tumor suppressors. Furthermore, the ABC-type glutathione-S-conjugate transporter was associated with multidrug resistance. Protein kinase AMP-activated noncatalytic subunit gamma 3 was associated with increased breast cancer risk. In this study, it was also found to be associated with Ki-67 expression in FMC (p = 0.03). These phosphoproteins interacted with various proteins, immune checkpoint molecules, and chemotherapy drugs associated with mammary cancer in both human and feline species. Furthermore, proteins, such as butyrophilin subfamily 1 member A1, keratin, type I cytoskeletal 10, HECT domain E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 3, nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 3, and stomatin-like 2, were identified and implicated in cancer progression and prognosis. This study is the first phosphoproteomic investigation of FMC, highlighting the interactions of relevant phosphoproteins with other proteins and chemotherapy drugs associated with both feline and human mammary cancers. The findings provide valuable insights for the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in cats with mammary carcinoma.

A 2-year-old intact female Scottish fold cat was presented to the Prasu-Arthorn Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, for a right nephrectomy because a renal mass was suspected. During the physical examination, the animal had an intra-abdominal mass with abdominal discomfort. No history of vomiting and diarrhea was reported. The blood chemistry and hematology revealed a markedly low albumin/globulin ratio and mild anemia with normal leukogram. The abdominal ultrasonographic examination and CT scan revealed an intestinal mass at the ileocecocolic junction. The mass was surgically excised, and jejuno-colic anastomosis was performed. Grossly, the mass was firm, very well circumscribed, measured 6×7×5 cm in diameter, and had fairly discrete central areas of tan to white discoloration. Microscopically, the wall of the large intestine was regionally extensively expanded by abundant, dense, thick bands of fibroplasia with associated dense infiltrates of predominant eosinophils, fewer lymphocytes and plasma cells, and multifocal areas of necrosis. Special staining for toluidine blue, Masson’s trichrome, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), and Grocott Gomori methenamine silver stain (GMS) along with immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD20, and KIT was performed to rule out the possibility of infectious disease and other potential neoplasms such as mast cell tumor, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Taken together, the observed findings were most consistent with feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF). The immunosuppressive drugs were administered: prednisolone 2 mg/kg, orally every 24 hours, and cyclosporine 4.8 mg/kg, orally every 24 hours. The prednisolone dosage was tapered down by 25% every six weeks. There was no evidence of local recurrence detected in 172 days post-operation. In this case, a successful combination of surgical and medical treatment protocols and diagnostic techniques of the FGESF case was presented. A 2-year-old intact female Scottish fold cat was presented to the Prasu-Arthorn Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, for a right nephrectomy because a renal mass was suspected. During the physical examination, the animal had an intra-abdominal mass with abdominal discomfort. No history of vomiting and diarrhea was reported. The blood chemistry and hematology revealed a markedly low albumin/globulin ratio and mild anemia with normal leukogram. The abdominal ultrasonographic examination and CT scan revealed an intestinal mass at the ileocecocolic junction. The mass was surgically excised, and jejuno-colic anastomosis was performed. Grossly, the mass was firm, very well circumscribed, measured 6×7×5 cm in diameter, and had fairly discrete central areas of tan to white discoloration. Microscopically, the wall of the large intestine was regionally extensively expanded by abundant, dense, thick bands of fibroplasia with associated dense infiltrates of predominant eosinophils, fewer lymphocytes, and plasma cells, and multifocal areas of necrosis. Special staining for toluidine blue, Masson’sMasson’s trichrome, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), and Grocott Gomori methenamine silver stain (GMS) along with immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD20, and KIT was performed to rule out the possibility of infectious disease and other potential neoplasms such as mast cell tumor, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Taken together, the observed findings were most consistent with feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF). The immunosuppressive drugs were administered: prednisolone 2 mg/kg, orally every 24 hours, and cyclosporine 4.8 mg/kg, orally every 24 hours. The prednisolone dosage was tapered down by 25% every six weeks. There was no evidence of local recurrence detected in 172 days post-operationpost operation. In this case, a successful combination of surgical and medical treatment protocols and diagnostic techniques of the FGESF case was presented.

Background: Although Chlamydia sp. causes widespread disease outbreaks in juvenile crocodiles in Thailand, data regarding the epidemiology, and risk factors of such infections are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors associated with Chlamydia sp. infections on Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) farms in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2019. Samples were collected from 40 farms across six regions in Thailand. Conjunctival, pharyngeal, and cloacal swab samples were analyzed for Chlamydiaceae nucleic acids using semi-nested PCR followed by phylogenetic analysis based on the ompA gene fragment. Risk factors of infection were analyzed using chi-square and univariate regression to calculate odds ratios. Results: The prevalence of Chlamydia sp. infection across all regions was 65%. The ompA phylogenetic analysis showed that Chlamydia sp. detected in this study was genetically closely related to Chlamydia crocodili and Chlamydia caviae. The risk factors for infection were water source, reusing treated wastewater from the treatment pond, not disposing of leftover food, low frequency of water replacement in the enclosure of juvenile crocodiles, and lack of water replacement after the death of a crocodile. Conclusion: The prevalence of Chlamydia sp. infection in farmed crocodiles in Thailand was 65% during the study period. Cloacal swabs were superior to conjunctival and pharyngeal swabs due to their higher sensitivity in detecting Chlamydia sp., as well as their lower invasiveness. Good management and biosecurity in crocodile farming can reduce the risk of Chlamydia sp. infection.

Background and Aim: For a decade, chlamydial and herpesvirus infections have caused significant morbidity and mortality in farmed crocodiles. In September 2017, a total of 160 juvenile freshwater Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) with conjunctivitis/pharyngitis lesions were admitted at the Veterinary Aquatic Animal Research Health Care Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University. All crocodiles did not respond well to antibiotics or supportive treatments and died. This study aimed to detect and identify the causative agents associated with conjunctivitis/pharyngitis and fatal outcomes in juvenile farmed Siamese crocodiles. Materials and Methods: A total of 138 pharyngeal and conjunctival swabs and conjunctival scrapes were collected from live crocodiles. All swab and scrape samples were DNA-extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Chlamydiaceae- and herpesvirus-specific primers. Tissue samples (brain, lung, liver, heart, spleen, and intestine) were collected from two representative postmortem animals. All tissue samples were processed for molecular and pathological analyses. Results: PCR examinations identified chlamydial and herpesvirus DNA in 92% (126/138) and 100% (138/138), respectively, of the tested swab and scrape samples. Of those positive samples, 79% (26/33), 67% (4/6), and 98% (97/99) of the pharyngeal swabs, conjunctival swabs, and conjunctival scrapes, respectively, were positive for both chlamydial and herpesvirus DNA. Histopathological examination indicated necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver, kidney, and intestine of the affected animals. The intracytoplasmic accumulation of Chlamydia was randomly observed in the examined tissue sample. Moreover, the presence of chlamydial and herpesvirus DNA was also detected in the tissue samples, including the heart, intestine, brain, lung, liver, and spleen, of the affected animals by PCR. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Chlamydia spp. detected in the juvenile Siamese crocodiles was notably different from other known species in the Chlamydia genus, while the herpesvirus detected in the crocodiles was closely related to crocodyline herpesvirus 1. Conclusion: Based on histopathological and molecular examinations, this report provided the first evidence of coinfection of Chlamydia spp. and crocodyline herpesvirus 1 in juvenile Siamese crocodiles in Thailand.

Hippotherapy in patients with neuromuscular dysfunction creates high focal pressure on the pony’s back due to bareback riding and an asymmetrical riding position. This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of asymmetrical bareback riding on the pony’s spinal kinematics, blood lactate, serum creatine kinase, heart rate, and temperament score. Eight ponies were selected, and they were walked on a treadmill for 45 min on each experimental day, including warm-up (5 min), weight-loading by mannequin (30 min), and cool-down (10 min) sessions. During the weight-loading session, three different weight distributions on the pony’s back were applied between the left and right side: 50:50 (treatment M), 70:30 (treatment L), and 30:70 (treatment R) on the first, second, and third day of the experiment, respectively. The spinal kinematics at the end of the weight-loading session revealed a slight reduction in range of motion in both flexion-extension and lateral bending during treatment R. Stride length and stride duration showed no differences between treatments. The levels of blood lactate and serum creatine kinase and results of a back examination were normal. Heart rates and temperament scores revealed that all ponies were calm throughout loading of the mannequin. This information suggests that asymmetrical bareback riding did not cause acute or serious back injury, which indicates good equine welfare in ponies used for hippotherapy.