This article presents the accurate and current state of knowledge regarding the process of angiogenesis in neoplastic cells and its importance for tumour development. It provides a detailed review of the different types of angiogenesis with a brief discussion of individual angiogenic factors. Pathological angiogenesis in tumour tissues and the production of angiogenic factors have been recognised as key features responsible for cancerous development and distant metastasis formation since 1971. A phenomenon known as an angiogenic switch allows neoplasm to transform from an avascular to a vascular phase. The emerging new network of blood vessels allows cancer cells to efficiently exchange gases, provide nutrients and eliminate metabolic waste products. The main factors stimulating the angiogenesis process are VEGF, FGF, EGF, PDGF, and TGF-β1. To date, the most specific, strongest and most widely studied factor is VEGF. It is regarded as the main mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, stimulating their proliferation, and it is therefore referred to as a survival factor for cancer cells. Several mechanisms of new blood-vessel formation in cancerous tissue have also been identified. The three dominant processes include vascular sprouting, intussusceptive angiogenesis and vessel co-option. Angiogenesis in cancer tissues remains a subject of numerous scientific studies. A thorough understanding of the mechanism of oncogenesis and tumour expansion appears to be the starting point for future research aimed at finding effective anti-cancer therapy.

The behaviour of oestrous mares is well-known in horse breeding. However, alterations in their physiological and behavioural indices during the whole oestrous cycle are scarcely known. The objective of the study was to analyse changes in cardiac activity variables, rectal and superficial temperatures, behaviour towards humans and conspecifics, and the time of standing and locomotor activity in mares during their oestrous cycle. Fifteen adult mares in oestrus were examined in the morning and evening (six successive days) and in dioestrus (five days—once every third day). The oscillation of physiological and behavioural variables accompanies changes in mares’ sexual behaviour. Most physiological variables studied in oestrus indicate the elevated activity of the adrenergic nervous system and, opposite to that, both behaviour towards humans and conspecifics and the time of standing relate to a relaxed state. The end of oestrus, manifested by a rapid decrease in most of the physiological variables studied, is followed by changes of behavioural variables at the beginning of dioestrus. The time of locomotor activity arises at the end of oestrus. The outcomes may contribute to the knowledge of, among others, mare owners who evaluate the oestrus by mares’ sexual behaviours without regarding other rhythmically changing variables.

Aim: To evaluate the utility of a novel nanocomposite biomaterial consisting of poly-L/D-lactide, and hydroxyapatite bioceramics, enriched with sodium alginate in articular cartilage defect treatment. Materials and Methods: The biomaterial was prepared using the method of solvent casting and particle leaching. The study was conducted on 20 New Zealand White rabbits. Experimental osteochondral defects were created in the femoral trochlear grooves and filled with biomaterials. In control groups, the defects were left to spontaneously heal. The quality of newly-formed tissue was evaluated on the basis of macroscopic and histological assessment. Additionally the level of osteogenic and cartilage degradation markers were measured. Results: The majority of the defects from the treatment group were covered with tissue similar in structure and colour to healthy cartilage, whereas in the control group, tissue was uneven, and not integrated into the surrounding cartilage. Conclusion: The results obtained validate the choice of biomaterial used in this study as well as the method of its application

Copper has been shown to plays an important role in immune functions. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of inorganic and organic forms of copper on the concentrations of cytokines, acute phase proteins and prostanoids in the peripheral blood and liver of poultry. The concentration of copper in serum and tissues was also determined. A total of 900 1-day-old Ross 308 male chickens were used. The rearing period was 42 days. The material for analysis comprised samples of peripheral blood, liver, intestine and muscle of experimental chickens. The obtained results indicate that the supplementation of broilers feed with copper chelates promotes secretion of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Increased synthesis of the immunoregulatory serum amyloid A (SAA) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α-AGP) and prostanoids following the administration of copper-glycine chelates in the diet indicates the stimulatory effect of copper on cellular and humoral immune mechanisms.

Heart and kidney diseases are among the most frequent medical conditions diagnosed in small animals. Due to the functional interconnection between these organs, the concept of the cardio–renal axis has been developed. In this context, renal disease or dysfunction often occurs secondary to heart diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is the most common cardiomyopathy and a leading cause of mortality in large-breed dogs. Traditional biomarkers like creatinine or symmetric dimethylarginine concentration are not always effective, especially in the early stages of the disease, underscoring the need for more sensitive markers of renal impairment during heart failure (HF). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selected biomarkers as indicators for early kidney damage in dogs with stage B2 DCM. We measured serum concentrations of cystatin C, KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1), and NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) and their ratios to creatinine, analyzing their diagnostic values. Cystatin C was quantified using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay, while KIM-1 and NGAL were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits designed for canine diagnostics. The concentrations were indexed against serum creatinine. The study included 26 dogs: 9 with HF and 17 healthy controls. The mean ± standard deviation for healthy dogs for cystatin C, cystatin C/creatinine ratio, KIM-1, KIM-1/creatinine ratio, NGAL, and NGAL/creatinine ratio were 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.26 ± 0.07, 0.61 ± 0.07, 0.67 ± 0.13, 2.76 ± 1.8, and 2.79 ± 1.81, respectively. For DCM dogs, these values were 0.27 ± 0.1, 0.32 ± 0.12, 0.61 ± 0.08, 0.69 ± 0.17, 6.46 ± 5.22 (p = 0.02), and 7.99 ± 6.53 (p = 0.04). This study’s findings suggest that during the asymptomatic phase of DCM, only NGAL concentration and the NGAL/creatinine ratio may serve as diagnostic markers for early-stage kidney injury.

Introduction: The main adaptive immune cells are T and B lymphocytes and they play key roles in the induction of immune responses against canine mammary tumours. Investigating these cell subpopulations may lead to more precise diagnosis of these malignancies. Material and Methods: The percentages of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and of CD21⁺ B cells in the peripheral blood of bitches with malignant mammary tumours were compared with those in the blood of healthy animals. The phenotypic features of peripheral blood leukocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean percentages of CD3⁺ lymphocytes between healthy (66.7%) and metastatic dogs (46.1%), and between tumour-bearing non-metastatic (66.6%) and metastatic dogs. There was also a significant difference in CD4⁺ T helper cell percentages between healthy dogs (40.4%) and dogs with metastases (23.2%), and between the latter and dogs without them (35.5%). In the case of CD21⁺ lymphocyte subsets, a significant difference was noted between healthy animals (10.9%) and those with metastases (20.1%), and between the latter and patients without metastases (8.5%). There were also significant differences in CD3⁺/CD21⁺ ratios between the group with metastases (3.0), the healthy group (7.8), and the group without metastases (8.5). Similarly, a significant difference was noted in CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios between animals with metastases (1.4), bitches in the control group (2.2), and dogs without metastases (1.9). Conclusion: Peripheral blood leukocyte phenotypic characteristics are putative novel biomarkers. These findings may be useful in future studies improving mammary tumour diagnostic procedures, especially in metastasis detection.