Canine oral melanoma (COM) is a promising target for immunomodulatory therapies aimed at enhancing the immune system’s antitumor response. Given that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties through cytokine release, we hypothesized that co-culturing Ad-MSCs and canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could stimulate interleukin (IL) production against melanoma cell lines (MCCLs) and help identify therapeutic targets. This study evaluated IL-2, IL-8, and IL-12 expressions in co-culture with MCCL, Ad-MSCs, and PBMCs and assessed the relationship between gene expression, cell viability, and migration. Using four experimental groups in a Transwell insert system to separate cell types, we found that Ad-MSCs can reduce MCCL migration and viability, though the effect may vary depending on each cell line’s susceptibility. Furthermore, Ad-MSCs modified IL expression profiles in co-cultured cells. Our findings suggest that Ad-MSCs could have therapeutic potential for COM by inhibiting cell migration and reducing viability. However, deeper insights into Ad-MSC interactions with the tumor microenvironment and melanoma-specific factors will be essential to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Background and Aim: Biobanks represent organized repositories of biological samples linked to associated data, designed for long-term scientific, clinical, and forensic utilization. In veterinary medicine, animal biobanks facilitate biomedical research, genetic resource preservation, species conservation, and forensic investigations. The present systematic review aimed to synthesize advances, persistent challenges, and practical applications of biobanks in veterinary forensic medicine, with particular emphasis on their contribution to detection, investigation, and suppression of wildlife trafficking. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across Periódicos Capes, PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases, covering publications from 2013 to 2023. Search strings combined terms such as “animal biobank”, “animal biorepository”, “wildlife forensic”, “wildlife trafficking”, and “forensic veterinary” (English), together with Portuguese equivalents. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English or Portuguese that explicitly addressed biobanks in veterinary forensic contexts or wildlife crime were included. The review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Screening involved title/abstract evaluation followed by full-text assessment. Data were narratively synthesized. Results: Of 1,495 records identified, 15 studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria after exclusion of 1,460 irrelevant or non-qualifying publications. No eligible articles appeared between 2013 and 2014. From 2015 onward, publications demonstrated progressive refinement, transitioning from molecular barcoding for species identification toward integrated applications in geographic origin assignment, chain-of-custody documentation, and evidentiary support in judicial proceedings. Key materials included DNA from muscle, scales, claws, and feathers; cryopreserved gonadal tissues; and somatic cells derived from minimally invasive sources (e.g., feather follicles) or roadkill specimens. Studies highlighted particular utility in identifying fraudulently labeled fishery products, counterfeit mammalian derivatives (e.g., fake tiger claws), and confiscated pangolin scales, as well as in tracing trafficking routes in high biodiversity regions. Conclusion: Veterinary forensic biobanks offer substantial potential for accurate species and geographic provenance determination, thereby strengthening enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. Nevertheless, implementation remains constrained by absent standardized operating procedures, limited practitioner awareness, fragmented reference databases, inadequate inter-institutional connectivity, and elevated logistic/financial demands. Regionalized biobanks integrated with wildlife screening centers (CETAS), harmonized chain-of-custody protocols, and artificial intelligence-supported data curation are proposed as priority strategies to translate existing scientific advances into routine forensic and conservation practice. Keywords: artificial intelligence, biodiversity conservation, biobank, conservation genetics, DNA barcoding, forensic applications, genetic resource preservation, illegal trade monitoring, One Health, species identification, veterinary forensic medicine, wildlife screening centers, wildlife trafficking.

As doenças transmitidas por alimentos (DTAs) são definidas como enfermidades infecciosas ou tóxicas causadas pelo consumo de alimentos ou água contaminados. Na atualidade, são consideradas um dos maiores problemas mundiais de saúde pública. Dentro do contexto das DTAs, a higiene pessoal e a manipulação inadequada de alimentos no ambiente doméstico têm sido apontadas como importantes fatores de risco para a ocorrência de surtos. Baseado nestas considerações, o presente projeto de extensão universitária foi desenvolvido no intuito de instruir crianças em idade escolar sobre a importância da higiene pessoal e da manipulação adequada de alimentos, de modo que estas disseminem a informação a seus pais e familiares. O projeto foi instituido em uma escola pública do município de Botucatu-SP e atingiu 491 crianças de 5 a 11 anos. As atividades foram aplicadas em três ações prioritárias, sendo elas: 1) Palestra introdutória lúdica e interativa; 2) Gincana com brincadeiras e atividades formativas práticas e; 3) Entrega de certificados de participação e uma cartilha contendo informações e jogos com enfoque nos assuntos abordados, de modo a possibilitar a disseminação das informações para os familiares e amigos dos participantes. Os alunos demonstraram grande interesse pelo assunto, enfatizando a importância dessa abordagem nas escolas. Foi possível promover, portando, educação em saúde de forma prazerosa, de modo a evitar doenças relacionadas à precária higiene pessoal e à manipulação incorreta de alimentos.

Platelets contribute to cancer progression, and thrombocytosis is a recognized poor prognostic factor in human oncology; however, its significance in veterinary medicine remains underexplored. We retrospectively analyzed 166 dogs diagnosed with neoplasia and thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥ 430,000/μL) to assess the relationship between thrombocytosis intensity and survival. Survival analyses revealed that compared with dogs with mild thrombocytosis, those with moderate‐to‐severe thrombocytosis had significantly shorter survival times. With respect to specific diagnoses, dogs with mammary carcinoma and moderate‐to‐severe thrombocytosis had a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 3.4; p = 0.02). A similar trend was observed in patients with mast cell tumors, where the risk of death was 7.39 times higher, although this finding reached only borderline statistical significance ( p = 0.05). Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate thrombocytosis as a prognostic biomarker and to elucidate its role in tumor biology and clinical outcomes in veterinary oncology.

Diffuse immunoexpression of Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) is an ancillary diagnostic tool for distinguishing human melanoma from melanocytic nevi. Canine melanocytic neoplasms are common in veterinary diagnostic practice; however, no established immunohistochemical biomarkers of malignancy are currently available. This case series study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of the anti-PRAME (EPR20330) antibody in canine melanocytic tumors. Two cutaneous melanocytomas and six melanomas from distinct anatomical sites (haired skin, oral cavity and feet) were submitted to immunohistochemistry protocol with anti-PRAME antibody (clone EPR20330, dilution 1:100, Abcam) overnight at 4°C. Nuclear immunolabeling was scored on a 5-point scale based on the percentage of positive tumor cells (0: none; 1: 1–25%; 2: 26–50%; 3: 51–75%; 4/diffuse: ≥76%). The two evaluated melanocytomas were PRAME-negative. All melanomas were PRAME-positive and diffuse nuclear immunolabeling was observed in 4/6 cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the immunohistochemical expression of the anti-PRAME antibody (clone EPR20330) in canine melanomas. Our preliminary findings, based on a limited sample size, suggest that PRAME may represent a promising ancillary diagnostic marker for these tumors, similar to its use in human samples. However, further studies with larger cohorts are needed to better characterize its labeling patterns in canine melanocytic neoplasms and to confirm its diagnostic value in veterinary pathology.