E-cadherin in canine mast cell tumors: decreased expression and altered subcellular localization in Grade 3 tumors.

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most frequent round cell tumors in dogs and comprise approximately 21% of all canine cutaneous tumors. MCTs are highly invasive and metastatic corresponding to the histological grade. E-cadherin is an adhesion molecule expressed in epithelial cells and although it is an epithelial cellular marker, studies have shown expression of E-cadherin in canine round cell tumors. To better characterize the expression pattern of E-cadherin in several different histological grades of MCTs in dogs, the expression and localization of the adhesion molecule was investigated using immunohistochemistry. For this purpose, 18 cutaneous MCTs were classified into three histological grades, 1, 2 or 3. Clinical history and follow-up data were available for all of the dogs. Cytoplasmic and nuclear expressions of E-cadherin in all three types of tumors were verified by immunostaining using two different antibodies. There was decreased E-cadherin expression in the more aggressive MCTs (Grade 3), suggesting an association between E-cadherin and tumor aggressiveness. Additionally, the loss of E-cadherin expression in either the cytoplasm or nucleus in more aggressive and undifferentiated tumor types confirmed the importance of cellular adhesion in tumor behavior.

Perfil dos constituintes do sangue do puerpério imediato de ovelhas submetidas a cesariana eletiva e de ovelhas com parto normal / Profile of blood components at immediate puerperium of ewes submitted to cesarean section and of those which had normal parturition

Compararam-se os perfis dos constituintes do sangue de ovelhas submetidas a cesariana eletiva (n=21; GI) ou com partos normais (n= 11; GII). Obtiveram-se amostras de sangue em cinco momentos: no dia do parto, antes de sua ocorrência (M1), um (M2), dois (M3), três (M4) e sete (M5) dias pós-parto. Os valores do eritrograma em todos os animais apresentaram-se normais, näo se constituindo em guia para o prognóstico da ocorrência pós-parto. No leucograma do GI observou-se presença de neutrófilos imaturos nos animais que morreram após a cirurgia. Apesar de a contagem de neutrófilos imaturos ter sido sugestiva do efeito da cesariana, nenhuma variável hematológica mensurada constituiu-se em acurado guia para o prognóstico da cesariana