Ocular melanosis in the adult Cairn Terrier population within the United Kingdom.

PURPOSE: Prospective investigation to determine the prevalence of ocular melanosis in adult Cairn Terriers within the United Kingdom using a previously established staging scheme. METHODS: Ophthalmic assessment was performed on adult Cairn Terriers, recruited from various geographic locations within the United Kingdom. Examination included gonioscopy, rebound tonometry, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy, performed by one examiner (AM). RESULTS: A total of 93 dogs were examined, including 52 females and 41 males, aged between 15 months and 16 years 4 months. Sixty of 93 dogs (64.5%) were >7 years of age. Nine of 93 dogs (9.6%) demonstrated changes consistent with ocular melanosis. Four of 9 (44.4%) had Stage 1 disease and 5 of 9 (55.6%), Stage 2. Stages 3 or 4 were not identified in any dogs. Mean intraocular pressures in affected and unaffected dogs were 14.7 mmHg (range 12-17 mmHg) and 12.8 mmHg (range 5-21 mmHg), respectively. Incomplete pupil dilation was noted in affected dogs following pharmacologic mydriasis. CONCLUSION: Ocular melanosis was identified in approximately 10% of examined dogs, over half were dogs of breeding age (<7 years of age). It is possible that Grade 1 disease could go undetected, prior to obvious scleral pigment accumulation (Grade 2 disease). It is therefore recommended that dogs undergoing pre-breeding screens have pre-dilation assessment of the anterior segment using slit lamp biomicroscopy with subsequent gonioscopy to clearly assess for circumferential thickening of the iris base that might otherwise go undetected. Additionally, regular reassessment of breeding dogs is advised as disease progression could be rapid.

Cannabis sativa L. essential oil: chemical characterisation and antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Cannabis sativa L. essential oil has attracted the interest of the scientific community thanks to its numerous biological activities. Several studies have evaluated EOs as alternative therapeutic approaches to limit the use of antibiotics; the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and inflorescences of two hemp genotypes against twenty-one multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains isolated from canine clinical samples. Both EOs were mainly represented by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with a prevalence of ß-caryophyllene and α-humulene. However, different relative amounts of phytocannabinoids were also detected. Microbiological results evidenced better outcomes for the EO characterised by the highest content of phytocannabinoids, which in turn showed no differences among the tested strains. Nevertheless, both the EOs showed better inhibitory and bactericidal activities than their main constituent, ß-caryophyllene, tested individually, highlighting the presence of synergistic effects among the EO compounds.

The C-terminal amino acid motifs of NS1 protein affect the replication and virulence of naturally NS-truncated H1N1 canine influenza virus.

AbstractThe vast majority of data obtained from sequence analysis of influenza A viruses (IAVs) have revealed that nonstructural 1 (NS1) proteins from H1N1 swine, H3N8 equine, H3N2 avian and the correspondent subtypes from dogs have a conserved four C-terminal amino acid motif when independent cross-species transmission occurs between these species. To test the influence of the C-terminal amino acid motifs of NS1 protein on the replication and virulence of IAVs, we systematically generated 7 recombinants, which carried naturally truncated NS1 proteins, and their last four C-terminal residues were replaced with PEQK and SEQK (for H1N1), EPEV and KPEI (for H3N8) and ESEV and ESEI (for H3N2) IAVs. Another recombinant was generated by removing the C-terminal residues by reverse genetics. Remarkably, the ESEI and KPEI motifs circulating in canines largely contributed efficient replication in cultured cells and these had enhanced virulence. In contrast, the avian ESEV motif was only responsible for high pathogenicity in mice. We examined the effects of these motifs upon interferon (IFN) induction. The 7 mutant viruses replicated in vitro in an IFN-independent manner, and the canine SEQK motif was able to induced higher levels of IFN-ß in human cell lines. These findings shed further new light on the role of the four C-terminal residues in replication and virulence of IAVs and suggest that these motifs can modulate viral replication in a species-specific manner.

Population-based anti-Müllerian hormone reference intervals help define gonadal status in the bitch.

OBJECTIVE: To establish statistically valid, population-based reference intervals (RIs) for canine anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and define changes in AMH and inhibin-B in bitches during breeding cycles. METHODS: A homologous canine ELISA was used to measure AMH in serum samples (collected between May 2019 and July 2024) from 102 intact and 78 reportedly ovariohysterectomized (OVH) bitches and 8 bitches before and after ovariohysterectomy, and in longitudinal samples from 24 bitches undergoing breeding management. Established 95% RIs were used in a retrospective assessment of 3,193 clinical submissions. Cyclic variation of AMH and inhibin-B (heterologous ELISA) were regressed with time and normalized to the rise in progesterone in samples from breeding bitches. RESULTS: Intact and OVH RIs for AMH were calculated with and without inclusion of 7 samples from reportedly OVH bitches that had AMH concentrations in the intact RI. Anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin-B were positively correlated, and AMH was 3 times higher in proestrus than in estrus. Retrospectively, of 3,193 samples submitted for clinical AMH testing, 41% to 56% were in or above the intact AMH interval, 37% to 44% were within the OVH interval, and < 10% were inconclusive, depending on how RIs were defined. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically valid, population-based RIs establish a sound basis for interpreting results of clinical submissions requesting AMH to assess gonadal status in the bitch. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Confirmation of cyclic variation in AMH (and, for the first time, inhibin-B) reaffirms proestrus as the optimum time to draw samples, and ≤ 10% of samples submitted for determination of gonadal status are expected to fall in an inconclusive AMH RI.

Osteogenic potentials in canine mesenchymal stem cells: unraveling the efficacy of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds in veterinary bone regeneration.

BACKGROUND: The integration of stem cells, signaling molecules, and biomaterial scaffolds is fundamental for the successful engineering of functional bone tissue. Currently, the development of composite scaffolds has emerged as an attractive approach to meet the criteria of ideal scaffolds utilized in bone tissue engineering (BTE) for facilitating bone regeneration in bone defects. Recently, the incorporation of polycaprolactone (PCL) with hydroxyapatite (HA) has been developed as one of the suitable substitutes for BTE applications owing to their promising osteogenic properties. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold composed of PCL integrated with HA (PCL/HA) was prepared and assessed for its ability to support osteogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, this scaffold was evaluated explicitly for its efficacy in promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cBM-MSCs) to fill the knowledge gap regarding the use of composite scaffolds for BTE in the veterinary orthopedics field. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the PCL/HA scaffolds substantially supported the proliferation of cBM-MSCs. Notably, the group subjected to osteogenic induction exhibited a markedly upregulated expression of the osteogenic gene osterix (OSX) compared to the control group. Additionally, the construction of 3D scaffold constructs with differentiated cells and an extracellular matrix (ECM) was successfully imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Elemental analysis using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed that these constructs possessed the mineral content of bone-like compositions, particularly the presence of calcium and phosphorus. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the synergistic potential of PCL/HA scaffolds in concert with cBM-MSCs, presenting a multidisciplinary approach to scaffold fabrication that effectively regulates cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Future in vivo studies focusing on the repair and regeneration of bone defects are warranted to further explore the regenerative capacity of these constructs, with the ultimate goal of assessing their potential in veterinary clinical applications.

Screening canine sources for novel antimicrobials reveals the circular broad-spectrum bacteriocin, caledonicin, produced by Staphylococcus caledonicus.

Introduction: Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens present an ongoing threat to human and animal health, with deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) predicted to increase annually. While the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans undoubtedly contribute to this escalation, antibiotic use in the veterinary field, including companion animals, also plays a contributing role. Pet owners' desire to improve the quality of life of their pets is likely to support antibiotic use in this field. Consequently, there is a need for antibiotic alternatives to treat bacterial infections. This study set out to screen for antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins from bacterial isolates of aerobic/microaerophilic environments of canine sources and determine their potential as antibiotic alternatives against clinically relevant pathogens. Methods: Following a laboratory-based protocol, 22 bacterial isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a total of 14 putative novel bacteriocins were identified from both class I and II bacteriocin classes. One particular bacteriocin, herein named caledonicin, was identified via in silico analysis from a Staphylococcus caledonicus strain and partially purified for further in vitro evaluation. Results: Caledonicin is a 64-amino acid (IAANLGVSSGTAYS MANALNNISNVATA LTIIGTFTGVGTIGSGIA ATILAILKKKGVAAAAAF) novel circular bacteriocin most closely related to enterocin_NKR-5-3B based on core peptide alignment (39.1%), with a molecular weight of 6077.1 Da. Caledonicin exhibits a broad-spectrum of activity against a range of pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), and Listeria monocytogenes; and the gut-related bacterium associated with Crohn's disease, Mediterraneibacter gnavus ATCC 29149 (previously Ruminococcus gnavus ATCC 29149). Discussion: This represents the first bacteriocin screening study involving bacteria from canine sources and confirms this is a rich environment for bacteriocin-producing strains. This study also identifies and characterises the first novel bacteriocin from the staphylococcal species, Staphylococcus caledonicus.

Suspected paroxysmal dyskinesia in four small-breed dogs: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and prognosis.

This case report details the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and prognosis of paroxysmal dyskinesia (PD) in four small-breed dogs, each weighing under 6 kg: A 7-year-old spayed female Pomeranian, an 8-year-old female mixed breed, a 1-year-old female Pomeranian and a 9-year-old castrated male Poodle. These dogs were referred to our hospital due to movement disorders. Diagnosis was facilitated by video recordings of the episodes, assessing motor activity, consciousness, episode duration, any pre- or post-episodic behaviour as well as the presence of autonomic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging conducted on two of the dogs returned unremarkable results. Treatment trials included a gluten-free diet for all four dogs, with two also receiving acetazolamide. This intervention led to a decrease in the frequency of abnormal movement in all patients. Our findings suggest that PD in dogs can be effectively diagnosed through detailed symptom description using videos and questionnaires. Furthermore, once diagnosed, a combination of nutritional and medical management can be beneficial.

Supplementation with heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila EB-AMDK19 counteracts diet-induced overweight in beagles.

Obesity is a major health problem in dogs and is strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases. The microaerophilic human gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila has been proposed as a potential preventive and therapeutic agent against obesity in both humans and mice; however, the protective effects of human-derived A. muciniphila against canine obesity remain unstudied. We previously demonstrated that the heat-killed A. muciniphila strain EB-AMDK19 (AMDK19-HK) isolated from the faeces of a healthy Korean exerts similar protective effects as the live bacterium in mice with high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Here, we evaluated the effects of AMDK19-HK on body weight, body fat mass, haematological and biochemical parameters, and faecal microbiota composition in beagles fed an HFD for 12 weeks. AMDK19-HK supplementation effectively suppressed body weight increase, body fat deposition and serum triglyceride increase in the canine model; however, no significant changes in the overall haematological and biochemical parameters were observed, reflecting the direct anti-obesity effect of AMDK19-HK. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AMDK19-HK supplementation induced significant changes in the faecal bacterial community, with an increased abundance of Firmicutes and a decreased abundance of Bacteroidota. These results suggest that AMDK19-HK can be used as a dietary supplement to counteract diet-induced overweight in dogs.

Reference intervals for urinary metanephrines to creatinine ratios in dogs in Japan.

The urinary normetanephrine to creatinine ratio (uNMN/Cr) and urinary metanephrine to creatinine ratio (uMN/Cr) are commonly evaluated for the diagnosis of pheochromocytomas (PCC) in dogs. This study aimed to establish reference intervals for uNMN/Cr and uMN/Cr in 56 healthy dogs in Japan and to investigate the effect of urine collection methods on these measurements in 15 non-PCC dogs. The upper limits of reference intervals for uNMN/Cr and uMN/Cr were 124.4 nmol/mmol (90% confidence interval [CI] 107.7-137.0) and 121.1 nmol/mmol (90% CI 102.8-145.1), respectively. Both uNMN/Cr and uMN/Cr were significantly higher when urine was collected in the hospital compared to at home. Several factors, including the method of urine collection, should be considered when utilizing these reference intervals.

Quantification of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in control dogs and in dogs with various severity classes of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

INTRODUCTION: Loss of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a negative prognostic factor in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The aim of this study was to calculate the percentage (%) of RSA in healthy dogs and dogs in various MMVD classes. ANIMALS: Control and MMVD dogs were prospectively included in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was calculated from a dual channel electrocardiography and breathing curve recording using the peak-to-trough method, in percent of the average heart rate. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine dogs were studied, including 24 control and 125 MMVD dogs of different severity classes. An overall %RSA decrease was documented with increasing disease severity up to the Ca class along with a relative %RSA increase in the Cc class. The %RSA magnitude differed between B2 and Ca (P<0.001), and between Ca and Cc (P = 0.001) groups, respectively. The %RSA showed a medium negative correlation with the La:Ao ratio (r2 = -0.568, P<0.001) and with the E-wave velocity (r2 = -0.561, P<0.001). DISCUSSIONS: A decrease in %RSA was shown with increased disease severity up to acute congestive heart failure (CHF). Dogs receiving cardiac therapy leading to stabilized CHF might restore their ability to exhibit RSA, often revealing a higher %RSA compared to those in acute CHF. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Low number of respiratory cycles for analysis. Therapy effect not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can serve as the basis for future risk stratification and carry the potential of proving an additional clinical marker for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions making when managing MMVD dogs.

Comparison of Fine-Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy for the Pre-Operative Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Mammary Gland Tumours.

Mammary gland tumours are common neoplasms that affect female dogs and cats. We compared the accuracy of pre-surgical fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) diagnosing feline (n = 64) and canine (n = 83) mammary gland tumours with excisional histopathology as the gold standard for the definitive diagnosis. We also explored the impact of CNB needle sizes (18G and 16G). FNA, 18G CNB and 16G CNB demonstrated similar accuracy regarding the diagnosis of feline mammary tumours, ranging from 90% to 97.7% (p > 0.05). However, these techniques displayed lower diagnostic accuracy for canine mammary gland tumours: 46.7%-50.9% for FNA, 63.3% for 18G CNB and 73.6% for 16G CNB. In conclusion, FNA and CNB can be used optionally as pre-surgical diagnostic methods for feline and canine mammary gland tumours. However, factors that affect diagnostic accuracy, such as species and diagnostic techniques, should be considered.

Flow cytometric-based detection of CD80 is a useful diagnostic marker of acute myeloid leukemia in dogs.

Introduction: CD80, a co-stimulatory molecule required for optimal T cell activation, is expressed on antigen-presenting cells, including monocytes and dendritic cells, in dogs and humans. We hypothesized that CD80 would be expressed on tumor cells in dogs from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but not dogs with lymphoid neoplasms. Methods and results: We first evaluated the cellular staining pattern of a hamster anti-murine CD80 antibody (clone 16-10A1, ThermoFisher Scientific Cat# 17-0801-82, RRID: AB_469417) in blood and bone marrow aspirates from healthy dogs. Using flow cytometric analysis and examination of modified Wright's-stained cytologic smears of unsorted and flow cytometric or immunomagnetic bead-sorted leukocytes, we show that the antibody binds to mature and immature neutrophils and monocytes, but not lymphocytes or eosinophils, in blood and bone marrow. We then added the antibody to routine flow cytometric panels for immunophenotyping hematopoietic neoplasms in dogs. We found that the antibody labeled tumor cells in 72% of 39 dogs with AML and 36% of 11 dogs with acute leukemia expressing lymphoid and myeloid markers ("mixed lineage") but none of the dogs with B (n = 37) or T (n = 35) lymphoid neoplasms. A higher proportion of tumor cells in dogs with AML were labeled with the anti-CD80 antibody vs antibodies against other myeloid-associated antigens, including CD4 (36%, p = 0.003), CD11b (44%), CD11c (46%), CD14 (38%, p = 0.006) and CD18 (59%, clone YFC118). In contrast, antibodies against CD11b and CD11c bound to tumor cells in 8-32% of the lymphoid neoplasms. Discussion: We show that CD80, as detected by antibody clone 16-10A1, is a sensitive and specific marker for AML and would be useful to include in flow cytometric immunophenotyping panels in dogs.

Evaluation of a whole blood point-of-care coagulation analyzer in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of a point-of-care coagulation analyzer (POCCA) with a reference laboratory coagulation analyzer (LabCA) and to evaluate for confounding factors that could alter the performance of the POCCA. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Two university veterinary teaching hospitals. ANIMALS: Forty-three client-owned dogs undergoing coagulation testing between April 2020 and June 2021. METHODS: Samples were obtained from dogs undergoing coagulation testing as part of a diagnostic workup. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were measured on the POCCA and on the LabCA. PCV, platelet count, total plasma protein, hyperbilirubinemia, hemolysis, lipemia, and autoagglutination were recorded. RESULTS: Moderate correlation was seen for PT and strong correlation was seen for aPTT between the POCCA and the LabCA (PT: 0.59, P < 0.0001; aPTT: 0.71, P < 0.0001). The POCCA results were consistent with normal or hypocoagulable samples for 30 of 38 PT and 33 of 37 aPTT results, as identified by the LabCA. Samples with PCV of 30%-55% were moderately correlated (PT: 0.63, P = 0.0004; aPTT: 0.63, P = 0.0003), but those outside that range were more likely to register an error message on the POCCA or provide disparate results. When hemolysis was present, there was a weak correlation between the POCCA and the LabCA for PT (rho: 0.38 [95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.76], P = 0.18) and a strong correlation for aPTT (rho: 0.86 [95% confidence interval: 0.62-0.95], P < 0.0001). Samples with hyperbilirubinemia were strongly correlated for PT (0.97, P = 0.002) but not for aPTT. Lipemia and autoagglutination were not observed. CONCLUSION: There was an acceptable correlation in patients with PCV within the manufacturer's recommended reference range; however, measurements on samples with PCV outside the reference range were inconsistent with the LabCA. Caution should be used when using the POCCA in patients with coagulopathy and anemia or other potential confounders.

Prevalence of co-infections with Ehrlichia spp. or Theileria spp. in dogs naturally infected with babesiosis in the Eastern Cape province.

BACKGROUND: Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are tick-borne infections of great significance in South Africa. Theileriosis in dogs in South Africa is still poorly understood. Co-infection with multiple tick-borne diseases has been documented and is perceived as a common occurrence in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infections with Ehrlichia canis or Theileria equi in dogs with babesiosis in the Eastern Cape province. There is a lack of data on canine tick-borne disease distribution in this region. Possible associations of population characteristics and haematological and biochemistry measures with a co-infection of E. canis or T. equi in these dogs were also investigated. METHOD: The study population included 150 dogs naturally infected with babesiosis that presented to the Mdantsane State Veterinary Clinic between January 2021 and November 2021. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the Babesia spp. that the dogs were infected with and to identify co-infections. Association with co-infection for the following parameters were evaluated: sex, breed, age, duration of illness, leukocyte count, band neutrophil count, monocyte count, platelet count, ARC, and serum globulin concentration. Positive and negative predictive values of monocytosis, leukopenia, band neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia, and non-regenerative absolute reticulocyte count for co-infection were also calculated. RESULTS: Babesia rossi was identified in 149/150 samples and B. vogeli in only 1/150 samples. A co-infection prevalence of 2.0% (3/149; 95% CI: 0.4-5.7) with B. rossi and E. canis was found. No other co-infections were reported. No investigated variables showed significant associations with co-infections. Monocytosis, in particular, was not associated with co-infection. CONCLUSION: Co-infection with other tick-borne diseases in dogs with babesiosis is uncommon in the Eastern Cape province. These findings raise the possibility that B. rossi may have a protective effect against other tick-borne diseases.

Evaluation of SOX-10 immunohistochemical expression in canine melanoma and non-melanocytic tumors by tissue microarray.

Melanoma is the most common malignant oral tumor in dogs. It frequently presents a diagnostic challenge as many melanomas lack or contain scant melanin and may have a variable microscopic phenotype. Previous studies evaluating immunohistochemical markers for diagnosing melanoma have shown limited sensitivity and/or specificity for S-100, PNL2, melan A, TRP-1, TRP-2, and HMB-45. Sry-related HMG-box gene 10 (SOX-10) is a transcription factor associated with melanocytic, peripheral neural crest, and peripheral nervous system development. In humans, SOX-10 expression has been demonstrated in melanoma, breast carcinoma, glioma, and schwannoma, but has only recently been explored in veterinary species. In this study, 198 tumors comprised of 147 melanocytic neoplasms and 51 non-melanocytic neoplasms were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray for SOX-10, PNL2, melan A, TRP-1, and TRP-2 expressions. The SOX-10 had the highest diagnostic sensitivity (96.7%) in melanomas. In addition, SOX-10 had the highest percentage (91.5%; 130/142) of melanomas label at least 75% of neoplastic cells. Of the 51 selected non-melanocytic tumors examined, SOX-10 labeling was observed in mammary carcinomas (6/6), gliomas (4/4), and oral soft tissue sarcomas (4/18). Of the 41 non-melanocytic oral neoplasms evaluated, SOX-10 had a specificity of 92.7%. Therefore, SOX-10 represents a useful immunohistochemical screening marker for the diagnosis of canine melanoma given its extremely high sensitivity and robust labeling intensity. The SOX-10 may have utility in diagnosing some non-melanocytic neoplasms in the dog, although this requires further investigation.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of bilateral multiloculated extraneural ganglion cysts of the occipito-atlanto-axial joint causing hypoglossal nerve paralysis in a dog.

A 14-year-old spayed female Miniature Pinscher presented with tongue curling, dysphagia, hypersalivation, and sublingual gland swelling. Comprehensive evaluation, including neurologic and musculoskeletal examinations, blood work, and urinalysis, revealed no abnormalities other than tongue-related signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multilobed cystic structure in the occipito-atlanto-axial joint, compressing the right hypoglossal canal. The lesion appeared cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-like on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, and hyperintense compared with CSF on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery T2-weighted images. The scans suggested mucinous content with enhanced peripheral areas on contrast-enhanced images. Surgical removal and drainage of this cyst were performed, and clinical signs improved markedly. The dorsal cyst was tentatively diagnosed as a ganglion cyst based on histopathologic and imaging findings. Ganglion cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with similar MRI findings and neurologic signs.

Immunotherapeutic allogeneic dendritic cell and autologous tumor cell fusion vaccine alone or combined with radiotherapy in canine oral malignant melanoma is safe and potentially effective.

Introduction: Immunotherapy represents a promising breakthrough in cancer management and is being explored in canine melanomas. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in priming T-cell-mediated immune reactions through the antigen-presenting function. Combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy may generate more substantial anti-cancer efficacy through immunomodulation. Objectives: Our research reported a preliminary result of the safety and outcome of a kind of immunotherapy, the allogeneic dendritic cell and autologous tumor cell fusion vaccine, alone or in combination with hypofractionated radiation therapy, in canine oral malignant melanoma. Methods: Two groups of dogs with histopathological diagnoses of oral malignant melanoma were recruited. In group 1 (DCRT), dogs received a combination of DC fusion vaccine and radiotherapy. In group 2 (DC), dogs received DC fusion vaccine alone. DC vaccination was given once every 2 weeks for four doses. Radiotherapy was performed weekly for five fractions. Dogs that received carboplatin were retrospectively collected as a control group (group 3). Results: Five dogs were included in group 1 (two stage II, three stage III), 11 in group 2 (three stage I/II, eight stage III/IV), and eight (two stage I/II, six stage III/IV) in the control group. Both DC and DCRT were well-tolerated, with only mild adverse events reported, including mucositis, gastrointestinal discomfort, and injection site reactions. The median progression-free intervals in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 214 (95% CI, NA, due to insufficient data), 100 (95% CI, 27-237), and 42 days (95% CI, NA-170), respectively, which were not significantly different. The 1-year survival rates were 20, 54.5, and 12.5% in groups 1, 2, and 3. Dogs in the DCRT group exhibited significantly higher TGF-ß signals than the DC group throughout the treatment course, indicating a possible higher degree of immunosuppression. Conclusion: The manuscript demonstrated the safety of dendritic cell/tumor cell fusion vaccine immunotherapy, alone or in combination with radiotherapy. The results support further expansion of this immunotherapy, modification of combination treatment and protocols, and investigation of combining DC vaccine with other treatment modalities. Clinical trial registration: Preclinical Trials, PCTE0000475.

Evaluation of nasal septal deviation and maxillary bone and nasal airway dimensions and volumes using cone-beam computed tomography in patients with unilateral palatal canine displacement: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To detect any association between palatally displaced canine (PDC) and nasal septal deviation (NSD), palatal bone thickness and volume, and nasal airway dimensions and volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 92 patients were included and subdivided into two groups: group 1, unilateral PDCs (44 patients), and group 2, normally erupted canines (NDCs) (48 subjects). The following variables were measured using cone-beam computed tomography: presence and type of NSD, nasal width, inferior conchae, hard palate and nasal septum thickness, maxillary bone and nasal airway volumes. RESULTS: NSD was detected in 77% and 50% of PDC and NDC subjects, respectively. Within the PDC subjects, significant differences between the displaced and nondisplaced sides were detected. Palate thickness was increased in the canine region and reduced in the molar region. Compared with the control group, PDC subjects had reduced palate thickness and lower nasal airway volume. Two predictors were significant for predicting the odds of PDC occurrence: NSD and maxillary bone volume. CONCLUSIONS: NSD is more frequent in PDC subjects. PDC subjects have reduced palate thickness and decreased nasal airway volume. In the presence of NSD, the odds of developing PDC increase by 3.35 times, and for each one-unit increase in the maxillary bone volume, the odds of developing PDC decrease by 20%.

Do erupting maxillary canines resorb adjacent teeth? A study focusing both on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides among individuals with unilaterally impacted canines.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of root resorption of teeth adjacent to permanent maxillary canines on both sides, by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), in pretreatment adolescent subjects with unilaterally impacted maxillary canines, and to define predictive factors for the root resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective sample included 76 adolescents (38 boys, 38 girls, mean age 12.3 ± 2.1 years; range 8-17 years) who had CBCT after detection of a unilateral impacted maxillary canine before any active orthodontic treatment. Both ipsilateral and contralateral sides were examined, and 14 qualitative and quantitative variables were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple logistic regression was used to predict root resorption. RESULTS: On the impaction side, 57.9% of canines resorbed at least one adjacent tooth compared with 13.2% on the contralateral side (P < .001). On the impaction side, resorption was slight in 59.6%, moderate in 5.8%, and severe in 34.6% of the cases. On the contralateral side, resorption was slight in 91.7%, moderate in 0%, and severe in 8.3% of the cases. On both sides, upper lateral incisors were the teeth most frequently resorbed, followed by the upper first premolars and upper central incisors. The presence of contact between the canine and the adjacent roots was the only statistically significant risk factor for resorption for both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontists should look for root resorption on both sides in cases of unilaterally impacted maxillary canines.

Trichohyalin gene expression is negatively correlated with the severity of dermatitis in a canine atopic dermatitis model.

Introduction: Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) closely mimics human AD and is recognized as a beneficial animal model. House dust mites (HDM) are a common allergen for both species. The effects of chronic exposure to HDM on the skin have not been studied in this animal model, and it is not known how changes in gene expression correlate to the severity of dermatitis. Methods: We used an established canine model of AD and took biopsies before HDM exposure (D0) and five times during repeated allergen challenges (on Days 1, 2, 8, 15, and 29, hereafter referred to as D1, D2, D8, D15, and D29). The severity of dermatitis was scored on the same days. Results: Trichohyalin (TCHH) gene expression decreased the most (15-fold decrease on D29 vs. D0) and negatively correlated with the severity of dermatitis. Gap-junction protein gene expression increased over 3-fold on D1, D8, and D29 and positively correlated with the severity of dermatitis. Compared to D0, IL-31 gene expression significantly increased on D8 (p = 0.0098), D15 (p = 0.0068), and D29 (p = 0.0187), but the correlation with the severity of dermatitis did not reach significance. Discussion: This is the first report on trichohyalin, a protein belonging to the S100 family, and gap-junction protein gene expression in the context of the clinical severity of AD. We propose that these proteins should be further investigated to better understand their role in this complex disease.