Uterine torsion in a full-term pregnant cat

Case summary

A 5-year-old intact female Maine Coon cat presented with a 2 day history of lethargy, anorexia and anaemia. The cat had bred 60 days previously and jumped from a height 3 days earlier, which was followed by a worsening of its condition. Ultrasonography revealed that two fetuses had died and one remained alive. Urgent surgical intervention was deemed necessary, and the cat underwent a blood transfusion and laparotomy. The right uterine horn was dark red in appearance and had rotated 360° in the clockwise direction at its base. Subsequently, an ovariohysterectomy and caesarean section were performed, and the fetus in the left uterine horn initially survived. Although the cat appeared to recover from anaemia and physical injury, the kitten died on postoperative day 1.

Relevance and novel information

In cases involving only one twisted uterine horn, the fetuses located in the contralateral horn could potentially survive; however, many such fetuses do not survive, and only a few reports have described fetal survival in a pregnant cat with uterine torsion. In the present case, early surgical intervention and blood transfusion allowed us to save the cat. Our findings demonstrate the life-saving abilities of initial support treatment and early surgical intervention for both the pregnant cat and fetuses in cases of acute abdomen caused by uterine torsion.

Metformin enhances the cytotoxicity of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy in vitro

The biguanide metformin is a drug widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Metformin enhances the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy by promoting the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) autophagy signaling pathway. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), leads to apoptosis when PpIX accumulates in the mitochondria, and also leads to autophagy through activation of AMPK. In the present study, the effect of metformin in combination with 5-ALA-PDT was evaluated in vitro in KLN205 lung cancer cells. At a fluence of 5 J/cm², 5-ALA-PDT in combination with 5 mM metformin exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity compared with that observed with 0 and 0.1 mM metformin (P=0.0197 and P=0.0423, respectively). The cells treated with 5-ALA-PDT and metformin exhibited condensation of nuclear chromatin and the presence of autophagosomes. These results indicate that apoptosis and autophagy occur in KLN205 cells following combined treatment with 5-ALA-PDT and metformin. The results from the present study are the first to indicate, to the best of our knowledge, that metformin potentiates the efficacy of 5-ALA-PDT.

Establishment of a canine mammary gland tumor cell line and characterization of its miRNA expression

Canine mammary gland tumors (CMGTs), which are the most common neoplasms in sexually intact female dogs, have been suggested as a model for studying human breast cancer because of several similarities, including relative age of onset, risk factors, incidence, histological and molecular features, biological behavior, metastatic pattern, and responses to therapy. In the present study, we established a new cell line, the SNP cell line, from a CMGT. A tumor formed in each NOD.CB17-Prkdc^scid/J mouse at the site of subcutaneous SNP cell injection. SNP cells are characterized by proliferation in a tubulopapillary pattern and are vimentin positive. Moreover, we examined miRNA expression in the cultured cells and found that the expression values of miRNA-143 and miRNA-138a showed the greatest increase and decrease, respectively, of all miRNAs observed, indicating that these miRNAs might play a significant role in the malignancy of SNP cells. Overall, the results of this study indicate that SNP cells might serve as a model for future genetic analysis and clinical treatments of human breast tumors.

Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by a Novel Chlorin Derivative, TONS 501-Na, in EMT6 cells

BACKGROUND

The lipophilic photosensitizer, TONS 501, is a novel porphyrin-derived methyl ester that was developed for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy. This study developed a hydrophilic and anionic porphyrin salt of this compound (TONS 501-Na) for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). This chlorin derivative is synthesized from the protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the in vitro cytotoxic effects of TONS 501-Na-mediated PDT on EMT6 mouse breast cancer cells. EMT6 cells were incubated with 0-100 μg/ml TONS 501-Na for 24 h prior to replacing the culture medium and exposing the cells to 6 mW/cm² diode laser irradiation at 0-13 J/cm² to induce PDT. Morphological changes and cell viability were evaluated 24 h after PDT. The percentages of apoptotic cells were evaluated 4 h and 24 h after PDT.

RESULTS

The concentrations of TONS 501-Na that killed 50% of EMT6 cells after exposure to light doses of 0, 0.4, 3, 6, or 13 J/cm² were 84.6, 33.2, 18, 8.2, and 2.2 μg/ml, respectively. Tumor cells exposed to PDT showed chromatin condensation and fragmentation. The percentages of apoptotic cells increased in a TONS 501-Na concentration-dependent manner in the PDT group, and were significantly higher than those in the control group or in cells treated with TONS 501-Na or laser irradiation alone.

CONCLUSION

TONS 501-Na-mediated PDT induced mouse breast cancer cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Future studies should evaluate the in vivo pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and photodynamic effects of TONS 501-Na.

Artesunate Enhances the Cytotoxicity of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Based Sonodynamic Therapy against Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells In Vitro

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) kills tumor cells through the synergistic effects of ultrasound (US) and a sonosensitizer agent. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been used as a sonodynamic sensitizer for cancer treatment. However, studies have shown that 5-ALA-based SDT has limited efficacy against malignant tumors. In this study, we examined whether artesunate (ART) could enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-ALA-based SDT against mouse mammary tumor (EMT-6) cells in vitro. In the ART, ART + US, ART + 5-ALA, and ART + 5-ALA + US groups, the cell survival rate correlated with ART concentration, and decreased with increasing concentrations of ART. Morphologically, many apoptotic and necrotic cells were observed in the ART + 5-ALA + US group. The percentage of reactive oxygen species-positive cells in the ART + 5-ALA + US group was also significantly higher than that in the 5-ALA group (p = 0.0228), and the cell death induced by ART + 5-ALA + US could be inhibited by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. These results show that ART offers great potential in enhancing the efficacy of 5-ALA-based SDT for the treatment of cancer. However, these results are only based on in vitro studies, and further in vivo studies are required.

Cholecystectomy in a heifer

A 10-month-old female Japanese black heifer presenting with sudden loss of appetite was diagnosed with extreme extension of the gallbladder. Laparotomy reaching from the right part of the 10th rib to the right flank showed an extended gallbladder greater than 50 cm in diameter. Cholecystectomy was performed as follows: 1) complete removal of the gallbladder distally from the base; 2) flushing via a catheter inserted into the common bile duct; and 3) covering of the hole opened in the common bile duct with a double-suturing method using the mucous membrane and muscular layers of the remaining gallbladder structures. Serum levels of total bilirubin gradually decreased from 7.5 mg/dl preoperatively to 4.7 mg/dl, 1.6 mg/dl and 0.6 mg/dl at 3, 8 and 34 days postoperatively, respectively. The heifer showed 1 month of clinical improvements, grew normally and finally became pregnant. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first clinical report to describe cholecystectomy in cattle.

Oral Administration of Surface-Deacetylated Chitin Nanofibers and Chitosan Inhibit 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis in Mice

This study investigated the prophylactic effects of orally administered surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SDACNFs) and chitosan against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis, which is a common side effect of 5-FU chemotherapy. SDACNFs and chitosan abolished histological abnormalities associated with intestinal mucositis and suppressed hypoproliferation and apoptosis of intestinal crypt cells. These results indicate that SDACNF and chitosan are useful agents for preventing mucositis induced by anti-cancer drugs.

Analysis of plasma free amino acid profiles in canine brain tumors

Canine brain tumors are best diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, opportunities of MRI examination are restricted due to its limited availability in veterinary facilities; thus, numerous canine brain tumors are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, development of a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker is required for the early detection of brain tumors. In the present study, plasma free amino acid (PFAA) profiles between dogs with and without brain tumors were compared. A total of 12 dogs with brain tumors, diagnosed based on clinical signs, and on the results of intracranial MRI and/or pathological examination were evaluated. In addition, eight dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy and 16 healthy dogs were also included. A liquid chromatography system with automated pre-column derivatization functionality was used to measure the levels of 20 amino acids. As a result, the levels of three amino acids (alanine, proline and isoleucine) were increased significantly (1.6-, 1.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively) in the plasma of dogs with brain tumors as compared with the levels in control dogs (all P<0.05). Thus, the PFAA levels of dogs with brain tumors differed from those of healthy dogs. The present study demonstrated that analysis of PFAA levels of dogs with brain tumors may serve as a useful biomarker for the early detection of canine brain tumors.

Biomaterials based on freeze dried surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers reinforced with sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin gel in wound dressing applications

A freeze-dried gel composed of surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SDACNFs), reinforced with an anionic cyclodextrin, sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) was evaluated for treating wounds in a rat model, and the results were compared with a SDACNFs gel without SBE-β-CD. The incorporation of prednisolone (PD), a poorly water-soluble drug, in both types of gels and its release from the gels were also compared. In both cases, wound areas were decreased and their effect was higher than that of commercially available wound dressings. The rate of release of PD from the freeze-dried SDACNFs/SBE-β-CD was much faster than that form SDACNFs alone without SBE-β-CD, due to fact that the PD is more soluble in the amorphous SBE-β-CD complex compared to the other preparations. The findings indicate that the freeze-dried SDACNFs/SBE-β-CD gel would be beneficial as a new biomaterial for the treatment of wounds and for preparing homogeneous high-content gels that contain poorly water-soluble drugs.

Nanofibers based on chitin: a new functional food

Chitin (β-(1-4)-poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) is widely distributed in nature. A method for the preparation of chitin nanofibers (CNFs) is reported. CNFs are considered to have several potential applications because they have useful properties such as high specific surface area and porosity. More recently, beneficial effects of CNF as functional foods were reported. First, the anti-inflammatory effect of oral administration of chitin CNFs was demonstrated in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It was found that CNFs improved clinical symptoms and suppressed IBD. CNFs decreased the areas with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) staining in colon tissue. Second, the anti-obesity effects of surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SDACNF) in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity was evaluated. SDACNFs suppressed the increase in body weight produced by the high-fat diet; however, CNFs did not suppress such weight gain. SDACNFs decreased serum levels of leptin. These results suggest that CNF and SDACNF are promising functional foods for patients with IBD or obesity.

Sonodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid enhances the efficacy of bleomycin

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) kills tumor cells through the synergistic effects of ultrasound and a sonosensitizer agent. We examined whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based SDT at 1 or 3 MHz could enhance the cytotoxicity of bleomycin (BLM) toward mouse mammary tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. At 1 MHz, cell viability in the 5-ALA-based SDT group at 1, 2, and 3 W/cm(2) was 34.30%, 50.90%, and 60.16%, respectively. Cell viability in the 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM group at 1, 2, and 3 W/cm(2) was 0.09%, 0.32%, and 0.17%, respectively. In contrast, at 3 MHz, 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM did not show pronounced cytotoxicity. In the in vivo study, 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM was significantly more cytotoxic than 5-ALA-based SDT at 1 MHz and 3 MHz. These findings suggest that the mechanism of tumor shrinkage induced by 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM might involve not only direct cell killing, but also vascular shutdown. Thus, we show here that 5-ALA-based SDT enhances the efficacy of BLM both in vitro and in vivo.

Chitin nanofibrils suppress skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

We evaluated the effect of chitin nanofibril (CNF) application via skin swabs on an experimental atopic dermatitis (AD) model. AD scores were lower, and hypertrophy and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis were suppressed after CNF treatment. Furthermore, inflammatory cell infiltration in both the epidermis and dermis was inhibited. CNFs also attenuated histological scores. The suppressive effects of CNFs were equal to those of corticosteroid application; however, chitin did not show these effects. CNF application might have anti-infllammatory effects via suppression of the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In an early-stage model of experimental AD, CNFs suppressed AD progression to the same extent as corticosteroids. They also suppressed skin inflammation and IgE serum levels. Our findings indicate that CNF application could aid in the prevention or treatment of AD skin lesions.

Nasal tissue-derived hamartoma in the maxillary gingiva of a calf

Background

All of oral hamartomas has been previously found in mandibular gingiva in younger calves, and were histologically diagnosed as a vascular hamartoma. This is the first case report describing a calf with a mass in the maxillary gingiva that was histologically diagnosed as a nasal tissue-derived hamartoma.

Case presentation

A 13-day-old male Holstein calf presented with a horn-like mass in the left rostral maxillary gingiva. Surgical removal revealed that the mass had a dual structure composed of cartilaginous and soft tissues and extended deeply toward the nasal cavity. Excised tissues mainly consisted of two types of mature cells without mitotic figures and atypia: 1) the cartilage-like structures consisted of an island and a meandering massive focus of mature cartilaginous tissues, and 2) tubular structures consisting of stratified ciliated mucosal columnar cells with gland-like structures and aggregated goblet cells. The mass was diagnosed as a nasal tissue-derived hamartoma because these two types of structures were histologically identical to nasal structures. The present case had no recurrence at 1 year after surgery.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first description of the calf with nasal tissue-derived hamartoma in the maxillary gingiva.

Bleomycin enhances the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy using aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), or ultrasound combined with sonosensitization, is a promising approach because it is noninvasive and penetrates deeper than light does in photodynamic therapy. We examined whether bleomycin (BLM) could improve the efficacy of SDT. We performed an in vitro study using Colon-26 cells, which are derived from mouse colon cancer. SDT with BLM was significantly more cytotoxic than SDT alone both in vitro and in vivo. We also observed an ultrasound intensity-dependent cytotoxic effect of SDT with BLM. These findings suggest that SDT with BLM might provide a novel noninvasive treatment for deep-seated tumors.