Surgery with or without the addition of radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Fractionated radiotherapy alone is also effective in the long-term ...control of the disease, however coarse fractionated radiotherapy (CF-RT) for gingival SCC has not been extensively reported. The aim of this study was to describe side effects, clinical response, and median survival time (MST) of dogs with gingival SCC treated with CF-RT in the palliative and adjuvant setting. Twenty-one cases from two referral centres in the UK treated with CF-RT for gingival SCC between July 2013 and June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 21 dogs, 11 developed mild acute adverse effects. Oral mucositis was the most common radiation induced toxicity. Three dogs developed chronic severe adverse effects (oro-nasal fistula, bone necrosis and gum recession). Overall clinical response rate was 77% in dogs receiving palliative treatment with MST of 365 days (60–1,095 days). MST was not reached for dogs treated in the adjuvant setting with a mean of 466 days (121–730 days). In cases of advanced gross disease CF-RT might have a role in short term palliation of clinical signs. However, it carries a significant risk of late toxicity for cases with unexpectedly long survival times and further investigations are required to identify an optimal CF-RT protocol. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the role of CF-RT as adjuvant treatment of incompletely resected gingival SCC.
Diabetes-driven retinal neurodegeneration has recently been shown to be involved in the initial phases of diabetic retinopathy, raising the possibility of setting up a preventive strategy based on ...early retinal neuroprotection. To make this possible, it is crucial to identify a biomarker for early retinal neurodegeneration. To this end, in this study, we verified and confirmed that, in the Akita mouse model of diabetes, the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer/ganglion cell layer (the RNFL/GCL—the layer that contains the retinal ganglion cells) precedes the death of these same cells, suggesting that this dysfunction is a possible biomarker of retinal neurodegeneration. We then confirmed the validity of this assumption by starting a neuroprotective treatment (based on nerve growth factor eye drops) in concert with the first demonstration of RNFL/GCL thinning. In this way, it was possible not only to avoid the loss of retinal ganglion cells but also to prevent the subsequent development of the microvascular stage of diabetic retinopathy. In conclusion, in the case of diabetes, the thinning of the RNFL/GCL appears to be both a valid biomarker and a pharmacological target of diabetic retinopathy; it precedes the development of vascular dysfunctions and represents the ideal starting point for prevention.
Aedes koreicus is a mosquito species native to East Asia which has recently invaded several countries in Europe. In Italy, this mosquito was first detected in the North-East in 2011 and is now widely ...distributed in the entire northern part of the country. The development of specific genetic markers, such as microsatellites, is necessary to uncover the dispersal routes of this mosquito from its native areas and, eventually, to plan future control interventions.
Available raw sequences of genomic DNA of Ae. koreicus were screened in silico using BLASTn to identify possible microsatellite-containing sequences. Specific primer pairs were then designed, and their efficiency was determined through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 32 individuals of Ae. koreicus collected in Italy. PCR conditions were optimised in three multiplex reactions. Genotyping of individual mosquitoes was performed on both single and multiplex PCR reactions. Finally, analysis of intra-population variation was performed to assess the level of polymorphism of the markers.
Mosquito genotyping provided consistent results in both single and multiplex reactions. Out of the 31 microsatellite markers identified in the Ae. koreicus genome raw sequences, 11 were polymorphic in the examined mosquito samples.
The results show that the 11 microsatellite markers developed here hold potential for investigating the genetic structure of Ae. koreicus populations. These markers could thus represent a novel and useful tool to infer the routes of invasion of this mosquito species into Europe and other non-native areas.
Case summary
A 2-year-old neutered female feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)-negative domestic shorthair cat was referred with an acute onset of vestibular signs. A clinical examination identified ...evidence of otitis externa of the right ear and enlargement of the right mandibular lymph node. MRI revealed predominantly T2 and FLAIR hyperintense and contrast-enhancing lesions affecting the right external ear canal, tympanic bulla and nasopharyngeal regions with intracranial extension. Cytology and culture and sensitivity samples collected from the middle ear via myringotomy revealed a population of intermediate to large lymphocytes consistent with lymphoma and mixed Staphylococcus chromogenes and Pasteurella species infection. PCR for antigen receptor rearrangements on the ear cytology was consistent with a B-cell rearrangement. A primary extranodal B-cell lymphoma affecting the tympanic bulla and other sites with secondary septic otitis media and interna was diagnosed. After the improvement of clinical conditions after corticosteroid, antibiotic and chemotherapy treatment, the cat was alive 22 months after diagnosis without recurrence of clinical signs.
Relevance and novel information
This is the first report of a primary extranodal B-cell lymphoma affecting the tympanic bulla with suspected involvement of the nasopharynx and cranial vault treated with chemotherapy alone in the veterinary literature. Although very rare, B-cell lymphoma should be included in the differentials for diseases affecting the inner and/or middle ear and extending intracranially in cats. Chemotherapy represents a non-invasive treatment modality with a survival of up to 22 months appearing possible.
The IFCC Reference Measurement System for hemoglobin (Hb)A(1c) (IFCC-RM) has been developed within the framework of metrologic traceability and is embedded in a network of 14 reference laboratories. ...This paper describes the outcome of 12 intercomparison studies (periodic evaluations to control essential elements of the IFCC-RM).
Each study included: unknown samples (to test individual network laboratories); known samples (controls); recently manufactured calibrators (to check calculated assigned value); stored calibrators (to test stability) and a calibration-set (to calibrate the IFCC-RM). The unknown samples are measured by use of the IFCC-RM and the designated comparison methods DCMs; the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) in the US, Japanese Diabetes Society/Japanese Society for Clinical Chemistry (JDS/JSCC) in Japan, and Mono-S in Sweden are used to investigate the stability of the Master Equation (ME), the relationship between IFCC-RM and DCMs.
A total of 105 IFCC-RM data sets were evaluated: 95 were approved, 5 were not, and for 5 no data were submitted. Trend analysis of the MEs, expressed as change in percentage HbA(1c) per year, revealed 0.000% (NGSP, not significant), -0.030%, (JDS/JSCC; significant) and -0.016% (Mono-S; not significant). Evaluation of long-term performance revealed no systematic change over time; 2 laboratories showed significant bias, 1 poor reproducibility. The mean HbA(1c) determined by laboratories performing mass spectrometry (MS) was the same as the mean determined by laboratories using capillary electrophoresis (CE), but the reproducibility at laboratories using CE was better. One batch of new calibrators was not approved. All stored calibrators were stable.
A sound reference system is in place to ensure continuity and stability of the analytical anchor for HbA(1c).
The correct identification of mosquito vectors is often hampered by the presence of morphologically indiscernible sibling species. The Maculipennis complex is one of these groups that include both ...malaria vectors of primary importance and species of low/negligible epidemiological relevance, of which distribution data in Italy are outdated. Our study was aimed at providing an updated distribution of Maculipennis complex in Northern Italy through the sampling and morphological/molecular identification of specimens from five regions. The most abundant species was Anopheles messeae (2032), followed by Anopheles maculipennis s.s. (418), Anopheles atroparvus (28) and Anopheles melanoon (13). Taking advantage of ITS2 barcoding, we were able to finely characterize tested mosquitoes, classifying all the Anopheles messeae specimens as Anopheles daciae, a taxon with debated rank to which we referred as species inquirenda (sp. inq.). The distribution of species was characterized by Ecological Niche Models (ENMs), fed by recorded points of presence. ENMs provided clues on the ecological preferences of the detected species, with An. daciae sp. inq. linked to stable breeding sites and An. maculipennis s.s. more associated to ephemeral breeding sites. We demonstrate that historical Anopheles malaria vectors are still present in Northern Italy.
Prof. Renzo Galanello, a worldwide expert in thalassemic syndromes, died in Cagliari after a few months of a severe illness on 13 May 2013, at the age of 65 ...
Specific and effective preventive treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is presently unavailable, mostly because the early stages of the complication have been, until recently, poorly understood. ...The recent demonstration that the vascular phase of DR is preceded and possibly caused by the neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells suggests that DR could, at least theoretically, be prevented through an early neuroprotective approach. The aims of our study were to clarify the natural history of diabetes-driven retinal neurodegeneration and to verify the possibility to prevent DR using topical nerve growth factor (NGF). The results of the study show that retinal neurodegeneration, characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells represents a relatively early phenomenon of diabetes (between 5 and 16 weeks of age), which tends to be self-limiting in the long run. Neurodegeneration is followed by the development of DR-related vascular dysfunctions, as confirmed by the development of acellular capillaries and the loss of retinal pericytes. Both retinal neurodegeneration and subsequent vascular dysfunction can be successfully prevented by topical NGF administration. These findings suggest that: 1) The first stage of DR consists in a self-limiting retinal neurodegeneration 2) The demonstrated effectiveness of topical NGF in the prevention of DR could be rapidly translated into clinical practice.
The national programs for the harmonization of hemoglobin (Hb)A(1c) measurements in the US National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP), Japan Japanese Diabetes Society (JDS)/Japanese ...Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC), and Sweden are based on different designated comparison methods (DCMs). The future basis for international standardization will be the reference system developed by the IFCC Working Group on HbA(1c) Standardization. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationships between the IFCC Reference Method (RM) and the DCMs.
Four method-comparison studies were performed in 2001-2003. In each study five to eight pooled blood samples were measured by 11 reference laboratories of the IFCC Network of Reference Laboratories, 9 Secondary Reference Laboratories of the NGSP, 3 reference laboratories of the JDS/JSCC program, and a Swedish reference laboratory. Regression equations were determined for the relationship between the IFCC RM and each of the DCMs.
Significant differences were observed between the HbA(1c) results of the IFCC RM and those of the DCMs. Significant differences were also demonstrated between the three DCMs. However, in all cases the relationship of the DCMs with the RM were linear. There were no statistically significant differences between the regression equations calculated for each of the four studies; therefore, the results could be combined. The relationship is described by the following regression equations: NGSP-HbA(1c) = 0.915(IFCC-HbA(1c)) + 2.15% (r(2) = 0.998); JDS/JSCC-HbA(1c) = 0.927(IFCC-HbA(1c)) + 1.73% (r(2) = 0.997); Swedish-HbA(1c) = 0.989(IFCC-HbA(1c)) + 0.88% (r(2) = 0.996).
There is a firm and reproducible link between the IFCC RM and DCM HbA(1c) values.
BACKGROUND: West Nile Virus (WNV) is an emerging global health threat. Transmission risk is strongly related to the abundance of mosquito vectors, typically Culex pipiens in Europe. Early-warning ...predictors of mosquito population dynamics would therefore help guide entomological surveillance and thereby facilitate early warnings of transmission risk. METHODS: We analysed an 11-year time series (2001 to 2011) of Cx. pipiens mosquito captures from the Piedmont region of north-western Italy to determine the principal drivers of mosquito population dynamics. Linear mixed models were implemented to examine the relationship between Cx. pipiens population dynamics and environmental predictors including temperature, precipitation, Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and the proximity of mosquito traps to urban areas and rice fields. RESULTS: Warm temperatures early in the year were associated with an earlier start to the mosquito season and increased season length, and later in the year, with decreased abundance. Early precipitation delayed the start and shortened the length of the mosquito season, but increased total abundance. Conversely, precipitation later in the year was associated with a longer season. Finally, higher NDWI early in the year was associated with an earlier start to the season and increased season length, but was not associated with abundance. Proximity to rice fields predicted higher total abundance when included in some models, but was not a significant predictor of phenology. Proximity to urban areas was not a significant predictor in any of our models. Predicted variations in start of the season and season length ranged from one to three weeks, across the measured range of variables. Predicted mosquito abundance was highly variable, with numbers in excess of 1000 per trap per year when late season temperatures were low (average 21°C) to only 150 when late season temperatures were high (average 30°C). CONCLUSIONS: Climate data collected early in the year, in conjunction with local land use, can be used to provide early warning of both the timing and magnitude of mosquito outbreaks. This potentially allows targeted mosquito control measures to be implemented, with implications for prevention and control of West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne diseases.
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