Canine mammary tumors (CMT) represent the most common cancer in noncastrated female dogs. Interestingly, triple-negative tumors are the most common molecular subtype in female dogs. In this study, we proposed to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and microvascular density (MVD) in a group of metastatic and nonmetastatic triple-negative CMT and compare the expression based on clinical parameters. Twenty-six female dogs with triple-negative mammary tumors were divided into three groups: nonmetastatic tumors (NMT) (n = 11), tumors with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (n = 10), and tumors with lung metastasis (LM) (n = 5). We observed increased VEGFR-2 expression in LNM compared with NMT and a positive correlation between tumor grade and VEGFR-2 expression. A positive correlation was noted between VEGFR-2 and PDGFR expression. Regarding microvascular density (MVD), we identified a higher number of vessels in primary tumors with lymph node metastasis and lung metastasis compared with tumors with no metastasis. The primary tumors with lung metastasis exhibited an increased MVD compared with carcinoma with lymph node metastasis. Overall, our results suggest a deregulation of VEGFR-2 and PDGFR and high MVD in metastatic tumors, indicating a role for angiogenesis in tumor progression.

Brucellosis is one of the most important and widespread bacterial zoonotic diseases worldwide, and it is transmitted to humans from various sources, including direct contact with infected animals and the ingestion of contaminated products, including unpasteurized milk. There are only a few epidemiological studies on said disease in humans in Western Santa Catarina, a region instantiated by agriculture. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the epidemiological aspects of human brucellosis reported in Western Santa Catarina from 2013 to 2018. The data were provided by the Epidemiological Surveillance Board (Diretoria de Vigilancia Epidemiologica). The frequency of the disease in humans and the epidemiological profile of confirmed human cases were evaluated. Cases that were screened positive and those that were confirmed and submitted to the therapeutic protocol were analyzed. During the study period, 3,671 people were tested, of which 12.34% were screened positive (453/ 3,671) and 3.40% were confirmed (125/3,671). The year with the highest number of people testing positive was 2015 (123 cases), and 2018 was the year with the highest number of confirmed cases (39 cases). Confirmed cases predominated in males (48.8%), self-declared white (22.4%), aged 20-59 years old (60%), with incomplete primary education (22.4%), of rural origin (59.2%), with occupational contact with cattle (64.8%), engaged in professions directly linked to agricultural and livestock activities (55.5%), and who reported consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (59.2%). No seasonal variation was observed in case numbers. The results demonstrated that brucellosis is an endemic disease in Western Santa Catarina.

This study aimed to investigate the pro-apoptotic effects of NSAID (Previcox^®) in vitro and in vivo. Two CMT cell lines, one from the primary tumor and one from bone metastasis, were treated with firocoxib and MTT assay was performed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value. The firocoxib IC₅₀ for the cell lines UNESP-CM5 and UNESP-MM1 were 25.21 µM and 27.41 µM, respectively. The cell lines were then treated with the respective firocoxib IC₅₀ concentrations and annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay was performed, to detect the induction of apoptosis in both cells (Annexin+/PI+). We conducted an in vivo study involving female dogs affected by CMT and divided them into control and treatment groups. For both groups, a biopsy was performed on day 0 (D0) and a mastectomy was performed on day 14 (D14). In the treatment group, after biopsy on D0, the patients received Previcox^® 5 mg/kg PO once a day until mastectomy was performed on D14. COX-2/caspase-3 double immunostaining was performed on samples from D0 and D14, revealing no difference in the control group. In contrast, in the treatment group Previcox^® increased the number of COX-2 positive apoptotic cells. Therefore, firocoxib can induce apoptosis in CMT cells in vitro and in vivo, and Previcox^® can be a potential neoadjuvant treatment for patients with mammary cancer.

Primary bladder leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed in a four-year-old, mixed-breed, spayed female cat that presented with lethargy, stranguria, polyuria, hematuria, urinary incontinence and abdominal sensitivity. On abdominal ultrasound, the urinary bladder was observed to have a preserved anatomical position and a hyperechoic mass. The mass measured approximately 1.5 cm, was irregular, and arose from the mucosa of the bladder wall. Due to the evidence of a primary tumor in the urinary bladder, we conducted a partial cystectomy with a 1.0 cm surgical margin and performed histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The histopathology revealed a poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm, characterized by the proliferation of spindle cells with moderate nuclear pleomorphism, suggestive of leiomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the histopathological diagnosis, showing positive staining for vimentin, desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin and negative staining for S100, pan-cytokeratin and MyoD1. We also assessed the proliferative index by Ki67 staining and found that 57% of the neoplastic cells were positive for Ki67. We conducted clinical follow-ups every three months in the first year and every six months thereafter. The patient showed no signs of recurrence after 48 months. The surgery was sufficient to treat the leiomyosarcoma, and adjuvant chemotherapy was not necessary in this case.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant tumor of endothelial cells that affects middle-aged and elderly dogs and is characterized by the formation of new blood vessels, commonly associated with necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. Despite its importance in veterinary medicine, few studies have identified markers with prognostic value for canine HSA. Thus, this study aimed to associate the clinicopathological findings (prostate-specific membrane antigen [PSMA], Claudin-5, and Ki67 gene and protein expression) with overall survival in HSA-affected patients. Fifty-three formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded canine splenic HSA samples, previously diagnosed by histopathological examination, were used in this study. Claudin-5, PSMA, and Ki67 protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Claudin-5 protein overexpression was observed in patients with metastasis (p = 0.0078) and with stage III tumors compared to those with stage I and II tumors (p = 0.0451). In patients treated with surgery alone, low PSMA gene and protein expression (p = 0.05 and p = 0.0355, respectively) were associated with longer survival time. Longer survival time was observed in patients with a low Ki67 index (p = 0.0488). Our results indicate that Claudin-5 protein expression is associated with metastatic status, and PSMA gene and protein expression, and Ki67 index are associated with survival time.

We evaluated the surgical stress response of dogs undergoing three ovariohysterectomy (OVH) techniques. Twenty-nine healthy females were allocated into groups: celiotomy and ligature (CelioSut), celiotomy and bipolar energy (CelioBip), and a video-assisted technique using two portals and bipolar energy (VidBip). Clinical evaluation was performed, and the following blood analyses were determined: acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and haptoglobin), white blood cell counting (WBC), and biomarkers of oxidative status. The VidBip required more time despite a smaller incision, lower heart rate, and earlier feeding and urination. All groups had high white blood cells counts; the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels peaked at 6 and 12 h in all groups and was higher in the CelioBip and VidBip groups compared to CelioSut; haptoglobin concentrations peaked at 48 h in all groups and increased in dogs of the CelioSut group. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing ability of plasma, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, and advanced oxidation protein were not significantly different among the groups or time points. Total thiol concentrations were lower in CelioBip and CelioSut groups. All surgical techniques induced an inflammatory and oxidative stress response, but the video-assisted technique produced early clinical recovery. The bipolar device produces fewer disturbances than suspensory ligament rupture and ligature.