Seminoma in an adult striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba: tomographic, macroscopical, histological and immunohistochemical study

Testicular neoplasms have been extensively described and characterized in domestic animals, but reports in wildlife species, including marine mammals, are scarce. This case report describes a testicular seminoma in an adult striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the coasts of the Canary Islands. Post-mortem computerized tomography (CT) showed a prominent enlargement of the cranial pole of the right testicle, displacing the intestinal loops. Necropsy gross findings confirmed the presence of a testicular mass, bulging at the cut surface, with multiple well-delimitated whitish nodular lesions. Histologically, intratubular and diffuse neoplastic germinative cell proliferation was described. Complementary immunohistochemical assessments for vimentin and CD117 antibodies were negative. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first seminoma described in a S. coeruleoalba. We suggest that post-mortem (PM) pre-necropsy CT in dolphins is a useful tool for anatomic-guided pathology in such cases.

Synthesis of Ruthenium-Doped TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Terasil Blue Dye

The oxidation of terasil blue dye (TB) has been achieved by photocatalysis under UV light using well organized nanotubes of Ti/TiO₂ doped with ruthenium (Ru/Ti/TiO₂). Ru/Ti/TiO₂ were fabricated by Ti anodization followed by impregnation with 0.04, 0.08 and 0.16 wt% of RuCl₃ · xH2O or KRuO₄ as precursor salts. Ti foil anodization was carried out in non-aqueous solutions and in aqueous solutions at pH 7 and pH 12.6. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a morphology of well-defined, organized nanotubes of Ti/TiO₂ and Ru/Ti/TiO₂. The ruthenium was evenly distributed over Ti/TiO₂ surface. Cluster formation was also observed for 0.16 wt% Ru loading. The X-ray diffraction spectra showed anatase and rutile phase in pure Ti/TiO₂ and Ru/Ti/TiO₂ nanotubes. Therefore, ruthenium doping did not modify the crystalline phase of Ti/TiO₂. Raman spectra did not reveal the rutile phase of TiO₂ in the composites which is attributed to the laser characteristics used. The optical band gap energies of the Ti/TiO₂ and Ru/Ti/TiO₂ nanotube arrays showed that ruthenium-doping on Ti/TiO₂ had slight effect on the band-gap energy. A decrease in the band gap energy of pure Ti/TiO₂ (E_g 2.88 eV) was observed by Ru loading of 0.04 wt% in the Ti/TiO₂ nanotube arrays (E_g 2.60 eV). The kinetic rate constant of the photocatalytic oxidation of TB, using 0.08 wt% Ru load, was 1.56 and 1.39 times of that on Ti/TiO₂ composite (0.01 min^-1) synthetized at pH 12.6 impregnated in RuCl₃ (0.0156 min^-1) and KRuO₄ (0.0139 min^-1) solutions, respectively. Nevertheless, the highest rate constant value of TB degradation (87.8%) was 0.0172 min^-1 using 0.16 wt% Ru loading on Ti/TiO₂ composite synthetized at pH 7 impregnated in RuCl₃; this represents 1.15 times of that on Ti/TiO₂ composite (0.0150 min^-1; 81.4% color removal) synthetized under the same conditions.

Water remediation contaminated with MTBE using a catalytic oxidation process in batch reactor: influence of the cerium loading on the activity and CO2 selectivity

Destruction of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in liquid phase and in a batch reactor was studied using ruthenium catalysts over alumina support, modified with different cerium loadings. Ce loading increment causes an increase in the particle size from 1.26 nm to 2.3 nm, enhancing the MTBE oxidation (at 150 °C), and the selectivity toward CO_2. The high catalytic activity of Ru/ACe10 is attributed to the species Ce⁴⁺-O^2--M that could favor the oxygen transfer between the catalyst surface and the adsorbed species by a redox mechanism. Thus, CeOx plays an important role in both enhancing the affinity between MTBE and catalyst during MTBE adsorption and promoting the catalytic activity for MTBE oxidation.

Muscle Pathology in Free-Ranging Stranded Cetaceans

Despite the profound impact that skeletal muscle disorders may pose for the daily activities of wild terrestrial and marine mammals, such conditions have been rarely described in cetaceans. In this study, the authors aimed to determine the nature and prevalence of skeletal muscle lesions in small and large odontocetes and mysticetes ( n = 153) from 19 different species. A macroscopic evaluation of the epaxial muscle mass and a histologic examination of the longissimus dorsi muscle were performed in all cases. The only macroscopically evident change was variable degrees of atrophy of the epaxial muscles ( longissimus dorsi, multifidus, spinalis) in emaciated specimens. The histopathological study revealed single or combined morphological changes in 91.5% of the cases. These changes included the following: degenerative lesions (75.2%), muscle atrophy (37.9%), chronic myopathic changes (25.5%), parasitic infestation (9.2%), and myositis (1.9%). The skeletal muscle is easily sampled during a necropsy and provides essential microscopic information that reflects both local and systemic conditions. Thus, skeletal muscle should be systematically sampled, processed, and examined in all stranded cetaceans.

Multicentric Benign Epithelial Inclusions in a Free-ranging Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

This report describes the histological and immunohistochemical features of multicentric, benign, epithelial inclusions (BEIs) in a free-ranging, adult, female Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus). The differential diagnoses included ectopic hamartomatous epithelial inclusions, non-Müllerian choristoma, Müllerian choristoma and low-grade metastatic carcinoma/mesothelioma. The most likely diagnosis of such BEIs was multicentric, embolic, reactive mesothelium, as suggested by cytomorphological and immunophenotypical features of the BEIs, the occurrence of focal pleural rupture and the immunophenotype of the pleural mesothelium. The former represents a pathological condition not previously reported in a marine mammal species, rarely described in animals, and relatively infrequently recognized in man.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in pigs infected experimentally with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Porcine enzootic pneumonia, primarily caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh), is a contagious disease characterized by catarrhal bronchointerstitial pneumonia. Previous studies have evaluated immunohistochemically the distribution of Mh, different cellular populations and cytokines during Mh-induced pneumonia. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is overexpressed during inflammatory responses by different cell types in the lung. The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible role of COX-2 in the pathogenesis of porcine enzootic pneumonia. COX-2 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded lung tissues from 10 pigs infected experimentally with Mh. Ten pigs were inoculated intranasally with Mh and killed in pairs weekly from 1 to 5 weeks post inoculation. Three Mh-free pigs were taken as controls. Bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells, bronchial submucosal glands and a small number of macrophages in the bronchoalveolar exudate expressed COX-2. COX-2 protein was always associated with areas of pneumonia and expression was minimal in lungs from control pigs. These results suggest that COX-2 plays a role in the pathogenesis of Mh-infection.

Surgical treatment of giant anal condyloma in HIV patients: unanswered questions

We are writing to comment on the article by Uribe et al., "Management on giant anal condyloma by wide local excision and anoplasty". [1] Anogenital warts are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases seen in surgical practice, they are found in up to 1.7% of the general population, but in HIV population, they range from 3 to 24.9%. It is important to realise that 78% of patients with external anogenital warts have internal lesions as well although they are unlikely to be proximal to the dentate line. [2] This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Adrenohepatic fusion in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

We describe two cases of adrenohepatic fusion (AHF) in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). This condition is defined as the union of hepatic tissue with the adrenal gland with close fusion of the respective parenchymal cells and lack of a fibrous capsule between the two cell populations. AHF is believed to be a congenital anomaly caused by failure of retroperitoneal mesenchyme to stimulate capsule formation, promoting the fusion of the structures. Two male domestic ferrets had a mass adherent to the liver, comprising adrenal gland with areas of fusion between the liver parenchyma and adrenal cortex. There was no evidence of a capsule separating the hepatic and adrenal cell populations. Clinical signs related to either the liver or adrenal gland were not observed, so this was considered to be an incidental finding.

Use of CD10 as a marker of canine mammary myoepithelial cells

CD10 is an important cell marker in the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and of breast myoepithelial (ME) cells in humans. The objective of this study was to assess the value of CD10 as a marker of canine ME cells using immunohistochemistry on routinely processed normal, dysplastic and neoplastic mammary tissue. Five different CD10 positive cell types were identified on the basis of cell morphology, pattern of immunoreactivity, and on the co-expression of additional cell lineage-specific markers. Type 1 cells were typical fusiform cells with a ME cell phenotype (calponin- and cytokeratin [CK] 14-positive, CK8/18-negative). Type 2 cells were typical or atypical polyhedral cells with a luminal epithelial (LE) cell phenotype (calponin- and CK14-negative, CK8/18-positive). Type 3 cells had a type 1 phenotype with variable morphology, and type 4 were atypical neoplastic cells with a mixed ME/LE phenotype. Type 5 cells were typical fusiform cells with a stromal phenotype. Type 1 cells were considered normal ME cells and were found in all sample types; type 2 cells were considered normal or neoplastic LE cells and were also found in all sample types; types 3 and 4 cells were restricted to tumour samples and to malignant tumours, respectively, and type 5 cells were found in all sample types, although predominantly in neoplastic tissue. The findings indicate that the CD10 antigen is a sensitive (although not specific) marker of canine ME cells in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic mammary tissue. Differences in the distribution and staining intensity of CD10-positive cells suggest a number of potential roles for this protein in the pathogenesis of canine mammary neoplasia.

Mixed testicular neoplasia in a short beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis

A diagnosis of mixed testicular neoplasia in a short beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis involving a Sertoli cell tumor, an interstitial (Leydig) cell tumor and a seminoma is presented. Lymphatic spread of the Sertoli cell tumor to an adjacent retroperitoneal lymph node was observed. Testicular neoplasms have been infrequently reported in marine mammals. Demonstration of clinical signs and further health implications is extremely challenging when dealing with non accessible wildlife species, such as dolphins. However, metastatic potential for these neoplastic conditions should be considered.

Congenital biventricular cardiac diverticula in a dog

Multiple diverticula of the right and left cardiac ventricular walls were incidental findings at necropsy in a juvenile, male, mixed-breed dog with no clinical history of heart disease. Each saccular diverticulum had a narrow communication into the corresponding ventricular chamber. Histologically, the diverticular walls consisted mainly of collagen without elastin fibers and atrophic cardiomyocytes. No inflammation or other lesions were associated with the diverticula or the rest of the myocardium. Based on the history and pathologic findings, a diagnosis of congenital biventricular fibrous diverticula was made.

Glycerophosphorylcholine phosphocholine phosphodiesterase activity in cultured oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and central nervous tissue of dysmyelinating rodent mutants

The levels of GPC phosphocholine phosphodiesterase, pNP phosphocholine phosphodiesterase, CNPase, and UDP galactose: ceramide galactosyltransferase activities were estimated with pure cultures of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes; mixed primary glial cells cultures; C-6 cells; and CNS tissue of the dysmyelinating md rat, the jimpy mouse, and the quaking mouse. The highest activity of GPC and pNP phosphocholine phosphodiesterases as with CNPase and C gal T was found in the pure cultured oligodendrocytes. C-6 cells had very low or undetectable activities for these two phosphodiesterases but possessed very high CNPase activity. The activity of GPC phosphocholine phosphodiesterase was significantly decreased in the CNS tissue of the md rat and the jimpy and the quaking mouse. Similar reductions were observed for the pNP phosphocholine phosphodiesterase, CNPase, and C gal T activities. The selective cellular enrichment in oligodendrocytes of the GPC phosphocholine phosphodiesterase activity and decreases of its activity in three dysmyelinating mutants in the same ratio as for CNPase and C gal T suggest that GPC phosphocholine phosphodiesterase is a myelin marker enzyme and it may reflect the quantity of myelin and oligodendrocyte present.