Evaluating the effects of Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii on performance and rumen and fecal measures in lactating dairy cows.

Two experiments evaluated the effect of supplementation with a bacterial direct-fed microbial on performance and apparent total-tract nutrient digestion of dairy cows. In experiment 1, 30 multiparous cows (75 ± 32 d in milk) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments fed for 10 wk. All cows were fed a diet containing 23.8% starch. Treatments were top dressed to rations twice daily and consisted of a combination of Lactobacillus animalis (1 × 109 cfu/d) and Propionibacterium freudenreichii (2 × 109 cfu/d; LAPF) or carrier alone (CON). In experiment 2, 6 ruminally cannulated cows (123 ± 129 d in milk) were randomly assigned to a crossover design with two 6-wk periods. Cows received the same CON or LAPF treatment as in experiment 1. Cows were fed the same 23.8% starch diet as experiment 1 during wk 1 through 5 of each period, and then cows were abruptly switched to a 31.1% starch diet for wk 6. For both experiments, intake and milk yield were measured daily, and milk samples were collected weekly. In experiment 1, fecal grab samples were collected every 6 h on d 7 of experimental wk 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Fecal consistency was scored, and fecal starch was measured in daily composite samples. Fecal composites from a subset of 7 cows per treatment were used to measure apparent total-tract nutrient digestion. In experiment 2, rumen pH was continuously recorded during wk 5 and 6. On d 7 of wk 5 (the final day of feeding the 23.8% starch ration), d 1 of wk 6 (the day of diet transition), and d 7 of wk 6 (the final day of feeding the 31.1% starch ration), rumen in situ digestion was determined. Samples of rumen fluid and feces were collected every 6 h on those days for measurement of fecal starch (composited by cow within day), rumen volatile fatty acids, and fecal pH. Rumen and fecal samples were collected at one time point on those days for microbiota assessment. In experiment 1, treatment did not affect intake, milk yield, milk composition, or fecal score. The LAPF treatment decreased fecal starch percentage and tended to increase starch digestion compared with CON, but the differences were very small (0.59 vs. 0.78% and 98.74 vs. 98.46%, respectively). Digestion of other nutrients was unaffected. In experiment 2, LAPF increased rumen pH following the abrupt switch to the high-starch diet, but milk yield was lower for LAPF compared with CON (35.7 vs. 33.2 kg/d). Contrary to the decrease in fecal starch with LAPF observed in experiment 1, fecal starch tended to be increased by LAPF following the abrupt ration change in experiment 2 (2.97 vs. 2.15%). Few effects of treatment on rumen and fecal microbial populations were detectable. Under the conditions used in our experiments, addition of the bacterial direct-fed microbials did not have a marked effect on animal performance, ruminal measures, or total-tract nutrient digestion.

The effects of air stress during storage and low packing density on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri 40788.

We determined if a microbial inoculant could improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage subjected to various challenges during storage that included an air stress challenge and low packing density. In Experiment 1, whole-plant corn was untreated (CTR) or treated (INO, Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and Pediococcus pentosaceus 12455. Five individually replicated 7.5-L silos, at a density of 240 kg of dry matter (DM)/m3, for each treatment were kept sealed (NAS) for 19 wk, air stressed early (ES, 3 h/wk for wk 1-9), or air stressed late during storage (LS, 3 h/wk for wk 10-19). Inoculation increased the number of agar-culturable lactic acid bacteria regardless of air stress status, but it did not affect the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Early, but not late air stress, resulted in silages with a higher relative abundance of Acetobacter when compared with NAS. Silages treated with INO had greater concentrations of acetic acid than CTR. Numbers of yeasts were lowest for INO regardless of air stress and CTR-LS had the most yeasts among all treatments. Silages that were not air stressed had a higher relative abundance of Candida tropicalis than air stressed silages. Monascus purpureus was detected in ES and LS but not in NAS, and its relative abundance was numerically higher in CTR-ES than in INO-ES and statistically higher in CTR-LS compared with INO-LS. Early air stress numerically reduced aerobic stability compared with NAS, and there was a statistical tendency for lower stability in LS compared with NAS. Inoculation improved aerobic stability regardless of when the air stress occurred. In Experiment 2, corn silage was prepared with the same primary treatments of CTR and INO but was packed at a low (LD; 180 kg of DM/m3) or a normal (ND; 240 kg of DM/m3) density and sealed (NAS) or air stressed (AS; 24 h on d 28, 42, and 89) for 92 d of storage. The concentration of acetic acid was greater in INO compared with CTR and in AS compared with NAS. Numbers of yeasts were lower in NAS compared with AS regardless of inoculation and they were lower in INO-AS compared with CTR-AS. Treatment with INO improved aerobic stability but the improvement was better in NAS versus AS and better in ND versus LD. Overall, our experiments corroborate past findings showing that INO markedly improves the aerobic stability of corn silage but they are the first to show that improvement can be sustained even when the silage was exposed to regular air stresses and when packed at a low density.

Skeletal Metastasis of Canine Urothelial Carcinoma: Pathologic and Computed Tomographic Features.

Invasive urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma (UC) is the most common cancer in the canine urinary tract. Prolonged survival of dogs with UC due to better management of the primary tumor and prevention of urethral obstruction might have contributed to an apparent increase in distant metastasis. Metastasis to bone is particularly concerning because the ensuing pain often leads to euthanasia; however, little is known of the frequency, site, or nature of UC skeletal metastasis. In a retrospective analysis, 17 (9%) of 188 canine UC cases had histologically confirmed skeletal metastasis, mainly to the vertebrae. In a prospective analysis of 21 dogs with UC that underwent total body computed tomography (CT) at euthanasia followed by a standardized pathologic examination, skeletal lesions detected on CT were suspected to be metastatic in 4 dogs and were confirmed as metastatic UC histologically in 3 (14%) dogs. In all 3 cases, skeletal metastasis had been suspected based on history and physical examination; however, 1 dog had additional CT-detected skeletal metastases in a clinically unsuspected location, and 2 dogs had histologically confirmed skeletal metastases that corresponded to nonspecific osseous lesions on CT. These findings suggest that total body CT could be helpful in detecting skeletal metastasis as a cause of bone pain in dogs with UC as well as in identifying clinically "silent" sites of skeletal metastasis.

What's New in Old Horses? Postmortem Diagnoses in Mature and Aged Equids.

Postmortem findings in 241 equids admitted to a teaching hospital that were at least 15 years old at autopsy were reviewed (1) to determine disease prevalence, (2) to compare the cause of death (or euthanasia) in equids 15 to 19 years of age (n = 116) with that in equids ≥20 years of age (n = 125), and (3) to catalog coexisting lesions in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Breed and sex were evenly distributed between the age groups. Death or euthanasia was attributed to disease of the digestive system (41.5%), pituitary gland (12.9%), locomotor system (10.0%), nervous system (7.9%), cardiovascular system (4.6%), urinary system (4.6%), reproductive system (4.2%), respiratory system (4.2%), integumentary system (4.2%), lymphoid system (2.5%), liver (2.5%), or systemic neoplasia (1.2%). Nervous system disease was more common in the 15- to 19-year group; urinary tract disease was more common in the ≥20-year group. Neoplastic disease, regardless of systemic location, was the basis for death or euthanasia in 18.7% of all equids. Squamous cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma were the most common malignant neoplasms. PPID was the most common specific diagnosis, based on the postmortem presence of hyperplasia or adenoma, and was the reason for euthanasia in 47.7% of 65 equids with PPID. The most common nonpituitary causes for death or euthanasia in equids with PPID were colic, lameness, cancer, and spinal cord disease. Coexisting conditions in equids with PPID that were not considered the basis for euthanasia included neoplasms, infections, lameness, and recurrent airway obstruction.

Pharmacokinetic indices for cefovecin after single-dose administration to adult sea otters (Enhydra lutris).

Seven sea otters received a single subcutaneous dose of cefovecin at 8 mg/kg body weight. Plasma samples were collected at predetermined time points and assayed for total cefovecin concentrations using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The mean (±SD) noncompartmental pharmacokinetic indices were as follows: CMax (obs) 70.6 ± 14.6 µg/mL, TMax (obs) 2.9 ± 1.5 h, elimination rate constant (kel ) 0.017 ± 0.002/h, elimination half-life (t1/2kel) 41.6 ± 4.7 h, area under the plasma concentration-vs.-time curve to last sample (AUClast) 3438.7 ± 437.7 h·µg/mL and AUC extrapolated to infinity (AUC0→∞ ) 3447.8 ± 439.0 h·µg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for select isolates were determined and used to suggest possible dosing intervals of 10 days, 5 days, and 2.5 days for gram-positive, gram-negative, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacterial species, respectively. This study found a single subcutaneous dose of cefovecin sodium in sea otters to be clinically safe and a viable option for long-acting antimicrobial therapy.

Comparisons of spot vs 24-h urine samples for estimating population salt intake: validation study in two independent samples of adults in Britain and Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of estimations of group mean 24-h urinary sodium (Na) excretion through timed spot urines compared to 24 h urinary Na output in two independent cross-sectional population samples including men and women and different ethnic groups. METHODS AND RESULTS: Study 1 was carried out in Britain and included 915 untreated 40-59 yrs male and female participants (297 white, 326 of black African origin and 292 South Asian). Study 2 was carried out in Italy and included 148 white men (mean age 58.3 yrs). All participants provided both a 24-h urine collection and a timed urine sample as part of population surveys. Na, creatinine (Cr) and volume (V) were measured in all samples. Age, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. We compared the daily Na excretion through 24-h urine (gold standard) with its estimate from timed urine samples with two methods: Tanaka's predictions and Arithmetic extrapolations, and assessed them with correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman plot, prediction of quintile position and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Areas Under the Curve (AUC) for a cut-off of <100 mmol of Na/day. In Study 1 (discovery study) with the Tanaka method there were poor correlations between predicted and measured 24-h Na excretions in different ethnic groups and genders (r Spearman from 0.055 [R(2) = 0.003] in black women to 0.330 [R(2) = 0.11] in white women). The Bland-Altman plots indicated consistent bias with overestimate for low and underestimate for high intakes. ROC AUCs varied from 0.521 to 0.652 with good sensitivity (95-100%) but very poor specificity (0-9%). With the Arithmetic extrapolations correlations varied from 0.116 [R(2) = 0.01] to 0.367 [R(2) = 0.13]. Bias was detected with both Bland-Altman plots and through quintile analyses (underestimate at low levels and overestimate at high levels). Finally, ROC AUCs varied from 0.514 to 0.640 with moderate sensitivity (64-70%) but low specificity (20-53%). In Study 2 (validation study) results were consistent with the discovery phase in white men. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, 24-h urinary collection for the measurement of Na excretion remains the preferred tool for assessing salt intake when compared with reported methods based on timed spot urine samples.

When tissue antigens and antibodies get along: revisiting the technical aspects of immunohistochemistry--the red, brown, and blue technique.

Once focused mainly on the characterization of neoplasms, immunohistochemistry (IHC) today is used in the investigation of a broad range of disease processes with applications in diagnosis, prognostication, therapeutic decisions to tailor treatment to an individual patient, and investigations into the pathogenesis of disease. This review addresses the technical aspects of immunohistochemistry (and, to a lesser extent, immunocytochemistry) with attention to the antigen-antibody reaction, optimal fixation techniques, tissue processing considerations, antigen retrieval methods, detection systems, selection and use of an autostainer, standardization and validation of IHC tests, preparation of proper tissue and reagent controls, tissue microarrays and other high-throughput systems, quality assurance/quality control measures, interpretation of the IHC reaction, and reporting of results. It is now more important than ever, with these sophisticated applications, to standardize the entire IHC process from tissue collection through interpretation and reporting to minimize variability among laboratories and to facilitate quantification and interlaboratory comparison of IHC results.

Immunohistochemical expression of melanocytic antigen PNL2, Melan A, S100, and PGP 9.5 in equine melanocytic neoplasms.

The immunoreactivity of PNL2, Melan A, and protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 was compared with that of S100 protein in 50 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded equine melanocytic neoplasms. PNL2, PGP 9.5, and S100 protein were detected in all 50 neoplasms; none expressed Melan A. PNL2 was not expressed in 62 nonmelanocytic tumors (equine sarcoids, schwannomas, carcinomas, sarcomas, endocrine tumors, sex-cord stromal tumors, germ cell tumors, and leukocytic tumors) or in normal tissues other than epidermis. In summary, antibody PNL2 is a sensitive marker of equine melanocytic neoplasms and is more specific than S100 protein or PGP 9.5. In contrast, the monoclonal antibody to Melan A did not react with any of the equine melanomas.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of the effects of paraffin section storage on biomarker stability.

Environmental stresses can alter immunoreactivity of biomarkers in stored tissue sections. The effect of temperature and lighting on 49 cellular or microbial antigens was evaluated in 4 serial paraffin sections, cut 12 months, 10 months, 8 months, 5 months, 3 months, 1 month, 3 days, and 1 day before immunohistochemistry. Slides were stored at room temperature (RT) in the dark, at 4°C in the dark, at RT under fluorescent light, or at RT with windowpane exposure to sunlight. Immunohistochemistry was performed simultaneously in an automated immunostainer. Immunoreactivity was compared with that in the corresponding 1-day-old section and scored as 4 (<10% reduction), 3 (10%-25% reduction), 2 (26%-60% reduction), 1(>60% reduction), or 0 (no reactivity). Any loss of immunoreactivity was proportional to the tissue section age and was least in sections stored in the dark. Immunoreactivity was only completely lost in light-exposed sections and as early as 1 month for CD45. Other markers with complete loss of immunoreactivity were bovine viral diarrhea virus, CD18 (only with fluorescent light), CD31, CD68, canine parvovirus, chromogranins, and thyroid transcription factor-1. Markers with complete loss after light exposure also had reduced immunoreactivity when stored in the dark, as early as day 3. Eight markers (Bartonella spp, CD11d, high molecular weight cytokeratins, feline coronavirus, GATA-4, insulin, p63, progesterone receptor) had minimal decrease in immunoreactivity, regardless of treatment. In conclusion, light-induced antigen decay (tissue section aging) is antigen dependent and could explain unexpectedly weak or negative immunohistochemical reactions in stored paraffin sections.

Canine mammary tumors: a review and consensus of standard guidelines on epithelial and myoepithelial phenotype markers, HER2, and hormone receptor assessment using immunohistochemistry.

Although there have been several studies on the use of immunohistochemical biomarkers of canine mammary tumors (CMTs), the results are difficult to compare. This article provides guidelines on the most useful immunohistochemical markers to standardize their use and understand how outcomes are measured, thus ensuring reproducibility of results. We have reviewed the biomarkers of canine mammary epithelial and myoepithelial cells and identified those biomarkers that are most useful and those biomarkers for invasion and lymph node micrometastatic disease. A 10% threshold for positive reaction for most of these markers is recommended. Guidelines on immunolabeling for HER2, estrogen receptors (ERs), and progesterone receptors (PRs) are provided along with the specific recommendations for interpretation of the results for each of these biomarkers in CMTs. Only 3+ HER2-positive tumors should be considered positive, as found in human breast cancer. The lack of any known response to adjuvant endocrine therapy of ER- and PR-positive CMTs prevents the use of the biological positive/negative threshold used in human breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry results of ER and PR in CMTs should be reported as the sum of the percentage of positive cells and the intensity of immunolabeling (Allred score). Incorporation of these recommendations in future studies, either prospective or retrospective, will provide a mechanism for the direct comparison of studies and will help to determine whether these biomarkers have prognostic significance. Finally, these biomarkers may ascertain the most appropriate treatment(s) for canine malignant mammary neoplasms.

Cutaneous metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma in 12 dogs.

In humans, cutaneous metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has been attributed to direct extension, lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination, or surgical implantation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and histologic features of cutaneous TCC metastasis, confirmed by uroplakin-III immunohistochemistry, in dogs. The 12 cases were 9 spayed female and 3 neutered male dogs, 6 to 14 years old (mean, 11 years). Four dogs had a history of urinary incontinence. Three had undergone abdominal surgery for TCC diagnosis or treatment. The primary neoplasms were 7 papillary infiltrating and 5 nonpapillary infiltrating TCC. Cutaneous lesions were detected at a mean of 123 days (median, 38 days) after diagnosis of the primary TCC and appeared as plaques, papules, or nodules in, with 1 exception, perineal, inguinal, or ventral abdominal dermis or subcutis. Of 8 dogs with dermal TCC, 5 had epidermal erosion or ulceration. In 10 dogs, TCC was detected in cutaneous lymphatic vessels, identified by endothelial immunoreactivity for Prox1. Metastases were also detected in lymph nodes in all dogs and at distant noncutaneous sites, usually the lungs, in 10 dogs. Mean survival after diagnosis was 162 days (median, 90 days). Despite medical treatment of 10 dogs after the development of cutaneous metastasis, remission was not achieved; 4 dogs had stable disease. Although TCC could have spread to skin by direct extension or lymphatic or vascular dissemination, the proximity of most cutaneous metastases to the vulva or prepuce raises the additional possibility of transepidermal spread through urine-scalded skin.

An exploration of spatial patterns of seasonal diarrhoeal morbidity in Thailand.

Studies of temporal and spatial patterns of diarrhoeal disease can suggest putative aetiological agents and environmental or socioeconomic drivers. Here, the seasonal patterns of monthly acute diarrhoeal morbidity in Thailand, where diarrhoeal morbidity is increasing, are explored. Climatic data (2003-2006) and Thai Ministry of Health annual reports (2003-2009) were used to construct a spatially weighted panel regression model. Seasonal patterns of diarrhoeal disease were generally bimodal with aetiological agents peaking at different times of the year. There is a strong association between daily mean temperature and precipitation and the incidence of hospitalization due to acute diarrhoea in Thailand leading to a distinct spatial pattern in the seasonal pattern of diarrhoea. Model performance varied across the country in relation to per capita GDP and population density. While climatic factors are likely to drive the general pattern of diarrhoeal disease in Thailand, the seasonality of diarrhoeal disease is dampened in affluent urban populations.

Spatio-temporal patterns of diarrhoeal mortality in Mexico.

Diarrhoeal mortality rates in Mexican children dramatically declined during the 1980s and 1990s, concomitant with a temporal shift in peak deaths from summer to autumn-winter. The spatial dynamics of these patterns have not previously been studied. We first describe the seasonal features of paediatric diarrhoeal mortality in Mexico as a whole, then across individual states. While no geographical gradients in the magnitude of diarrhoeal mortality rates have been detected in recent years, we identified a distinct spatial pattern in the timing of peak mortality rate. In the 1980s the summer peak mortality was earliest around Mexico's capital and later in states to the southeast and northwest. Our results suggest that the direction and timing of those annual waves are related to the mean monthly precipitation and mean daily temperature. This pattern has disintegrated in recent years as the summer peak has diminished.

Hyperleptinemia is associated with hypertension, systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in overweight but not in normal weight men.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: High leptin (LPT) is associated with high blood pressure (BP), insulin resistance and systemic inflammation but also excess body weight and adiposity. To disentangle these multiple relations, we analyzed BP, HOMA and circulating C-reactive protein concentration (hs-CRP) in white male adults with different LPT levels but similar age, body mass index (BMI) and body fat distribution. The novel aspect is the different statistical approach used to investigate the relation between LPT and the other alterations present in obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS: 972 Olivetti Heart Study participants were stratified according to the median LPT distribution (2.97 ng/ml) into low LPT (l-LPT) and high LPT (h-LPT). The two groups were then carefully matched for age and BMI. We identified two groups of 207 h-LPT and 207 l-LPT individuals with overlapping age, BMI and waist/hip ratio. The two groups had different BP (132.9 ± 16.2/85.7 ± 9.0 vs 128.7 ± 18.2/82.8 ± 9.8 mmHg, p = 0.014 for SBP and p = 0.002 for DBP) and prevalence of hypertension (57% vs 43%, p = 0.027). Upon separate evaluation of untreated individuals with BMI < 25 or BMI ≥ 25, within the latter subgroup h-LPT compared with l-LPT participants (n = 133 each group) had higher BP (p = 0.0001), HOMA index (p = 0.013), hs-CRP (p = 0.002) and heart rate (p = 0.008) despite similar age and BMI. By contrast, within the normal weight subgroup, h-LPT individuals did not differ from l-LPT (n = 37 each) for any of these variables. CONCLUSIONS: High LPT is associated with higher BP, HR, hs-CRP and HOMA index independently of BMI and fat distribution but only among overweight individuals.

Tunneling conductivity in composites of attractive colloids.

In conductor-insulator nanocomposites in which conducting fillers are dispersed in an insulating matrix, the electrical connectedness is established by inter-particle tunneling or hopping processes. These systems are intrinsically non-percolative and a coherent description of the functional dependence of the conductivity σ on the filler properties, and in particular of the conductor-insulator transition, requires going beyond the usual continuum percolation approach by relaxing the constraint of a fixed connectivity distance. In this article, we consider dispersions of conducting spherical particles which are connected to all others by tunneling conductances and which are subjected to an effective attractive square-well potential. We show that the conductor-insulator transition at low contents φ of the conducting fillers does not determine the behavior of σ at larger concentrations, in striking contrast to what is predicted by percolation theory. In particular, we find that at low φ the conductivity is governed almost entirely by the stickiness of the attraction, while at larger φ values σ depends mainly on the depth of the potential well. As a consequence, by varying the range and depth of the potential while keeping the stickiness fixed, composites with similar conductor-insulator transitions may display conductivity variations of several orders of magnitude at intermediate and large φ values. By using a recently developed effective medium theory and the critical path approximation, we explain this behavior in terms of dominant tunneling processes which involve inter-particle distances spanning different regions of the square-well fluid structure as φ is varied. Our predictions could be tested in experiments by changing the potential profile with different depletants in polymer nanocomposites.

Comparison of CD34, CD31, and factor VIII-related antigen immunohistochemical expression in feline vascular neoplasms and CD34 expression in feline nonvascular neoplasms.

The diagnosis of vascular neoplasms is often facilitated by the use of immunohistochemical markers such as factor VIII-related antigen, CD31, and CD34. However, the relative sensitivity and specificity of these markers have not been compared in cat vascular neoplasms. In this study, these 3 immunohistochemical markers were evaluated in 61 endothelial neoplasms (50 hemangiosarcomas and 11 hemangiomas) in 59 cats. All neoplasms were labeled by all 3 markers. CD34 had the highest average immunolabeling intensity in neoplastic endothelial cells. CD31 had the lowest average background labeling, followed by CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen, respectively. CD34 expression was also examined in 130 nonvascular neoplasms of cats; 14 of 62 epithelial neoplasms, 39 of 43 mesenchymal neoplasms, 8 of 23 leukocytic neoplasms, and 2 of 2 melanomas were positive. Given the broad expression of CD34 in mesenchymal neoplasms, this marker has limited diagnostic relevance for vascular neoplasms of cats.

The value of biomedical research training for veterinary anatomic and clinical pathologists.

Veterinary pathologists traditionally have been actively engaged in research as principal investigators and as collaborators. Pathologists frequently obtain advanced training in research; however, it appears that in the last 10 years there has been a reversal of a previous trend toward increasing numbers of pathologists obtaining PhD degrees. This has arisen despite an established shortage of veterinarians engaged in research. This article evaluates the benefits of research training for individual pathologists, including a wide spectrum of professional opportunities and additional skill development beyond that usually provided by diagnostic pathology training alone. Various training models are discussed, including combined and sequential diagnostic residency and research degree training as well as the nondegree research fellowship programs more commonly pursued in human medicine. Best-practice recommendations for program infrastructure, mentorship, time management, and a team approach to research and research training are advocated to facilitate the development of successful programs and to encourage a continued emphasis on integrated training for pathologists as both clinical diagnosticians and experimentalists. This article is intended to help prospective and active pathology trainees, their mentors, and educational administrators optimize opportunities to ensure the future vitality of veterinary pathologists, and their contributions, in basic and applied research.

Comparative proteomic characterization of the sarcoplasmic proteins in the pectoralis major and supracoracoideus breast muscles in 2 chicken genotypes.

The selection processes that have resulted in broiler (meat) and leghorn (eggs) chickens have had very different effects on the pectoralis major and supracoracoideus muscles. The objective of this study, therefore, was to analyze the one-dimensional proteomic profiles of sarcoplasmic protein fractions isolated from the p. major and supracoracoideus muscles collected from 10 chicks from each genotype to compare developmental differences. The sarcoplasmic protein fraction was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The mean band percentages were analyzed using a mixed model, with strain and muscle type as main effects. Six bands were found to be significantly different across the 2 strains. Strain differences in glycogen phosphorylase, enolase, elongation factor 1, creatine kinase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate-dehydrogenase suggest a genotype-specific shift in energy metabolism during breast muscle growth and development.

Deep modeling of plasma and neutral fluctuations from gas puff turbulence imaging.

The role of turbulence in setting boundary plasma conditions is presently a key uncertainty in projecting to fusion energy reactors. To robustly diagnose edge turbulence, we develop and demonstrate a technique to translate brightness measurements of HeI line radiation into local plasma fluctuations via a novel integrated deep learning framework that combines neutral transport physics and collisional radiative theory for the 33D - 23P transition in atomic helium with unbounded correlation constraints between the electron density and temperature. The tenets for experimental validity are reviewed, illustrating that this turbulence analysis for ionized gases is transferable to both magnetized and unmagnetized environments with arbitrary geometries. Based on fast camera data on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, we present the first two-dimensional time-dependent experimental measurements of the turbulent electron density, electron temperature, and neutral density, revealing shadowing effects in a fusion plasma using a single spectral line.

Immunohistochemical identification of canine melanocytic neoplasms with antibodies to melanocytic antigen PNL2 and tyrosinase: comparison with Melan A.

The immunoreactivity of PNL2 and antityrosinase in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine melanocytic neoplasms (n = 101) was compared with that of Melan A. Of the 113 samples overall, 106 were positive for PNL2, 101 for Melan A, and 90 for tyrosinase. Six melanomas that were positive for PNL2 were negative for Melan A; 1 melanoma that was negative for PNL2 was positive for Melan A. Eighty tumors were positive for all 3 markers; 111 reacted with at least 1 the 3 antibodies. Decalcification with formic acid for up to 1 week did not affect immunoreactivity of any of the markers; however, decalcification with HCl for 1 day or 1 week notably decreased or completely abrogated immunoreactivity for Melan A and PNL2. There was only minor loss of immunoreactivity for tyrosinase in tissues decalcified with HCl for 1 week. Prolonged fixation (up to 2 months) did not affect PNL2 or tyrosinase immunoreactivity; however, Melan A immunoreactivity was reduced after 1 month of fixation. PNL2 was not expressed in 120 nonmelanocytic tumors (carcinomas, sarcomas, steroid-producing tumors, and leukocytic tumors). In summary, antibody PNL2 is slightly more sensitive than Melan A and more sensitive than tyrosinase in the identification of canine melanocytic neoplasms. Furthermore, PNL2 does not appear to cross-react with nonmelanocytic neoplasms. PNL2 is resistant to prolonged fixation but sensitive to strong decalcification. Results indicate that PNL2 is an excellent marker in the identification of canine melanomas and that the sensitivity is close to 100% when used in conjunction with Melan A and tyrosinase.