No abstract

The expression of Ki67, BCL-2, and COX-2 was investigated in 53 canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to evaluate their prognostic significance and the association with the histologic grading and the mitotic index (MI). MCTs were graded according to the Patnaik grading system and the novel 2-tier grading system proposed by Kiupel. The numbers of mitotic figures/10 high-power fields (MI) were counted. Both grading systems were significantly associated with prognosis. The Patnaik grading was of limited prognostic value for grade 2 MCTs, with 23% being associated with mortality. The concordance among pathologists was strongly improved by the application of the 2-tier grading system, and 71% of high-grade MCTs were associated with a high mortality rate. MI and Ki67 protein expression were significantly associated with grading and survival. No significant association between BCL-2 protein expression and either grading system or health status was observed. BCL-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in grade 2 than in grade 1 MCTs, while no statistically significant differences were detected between low- and high-grade MCTs. The increased BCL-2 mRNA level was significantly associated with increased mortality rate. The COX-2 protein expression was detected in 78% of the MCTs investigated. However, neither association with the tumor grade nor with the health status was observed. COX-2 mRNA was significantly up-regulated in MCTs compared to surgical margins and control skin tissue, but it was neither associated with tumor grade nor with survival.

No abstract

In Italy a nation-wide monitoring network was established in 2009 in response to significant honey bee colony mortality reported during 2008. The network comprised of approximately 100 apiaries located across Italy. Colonies were sampled four times per year, in order to assess the health status and to collect samples for pathogen, chemical and pollen analyses. The prevalence of Nosema ceranae ranged, on average, from 47–69% in 2009 and from 30–60% in 2010, with strong seasonal variation. Virus prevalence was higher in 2010 than in 2009. The most widespread viruses were BQCV, DWV and SBV. The most frequent pesticides in all hive contents were organophosphates and pyrethroids such as coumaphos and tau-fluvalinate. Beeswax was the most frequently contaminated hive product, with 40% of samples positive and 13% having multiple residues, while 27% of bee-bread and 12% of honey bee samples were contaminated. Colony losses in 2009/10 were on average 19%, with no major differences between regions of Italy. In 2009, the presence of DWV in autumn was positively correlated with colony losses. Similarly, hive mortality was higher in BQCV infected colonies in the first and second visits of the year. In 2010, colony losses were significantly related to the presence of pesticides in honey bees during the second sampling period. Honey bee exposure to poisons in spring could have a negative impact at the colony level, contributing to increase colony mortality during the beekeeping season. In both 2009 and 2010, colony mortality rates were positively related to the percentage of agricultural land surrounding apiaries, supporting the importance of land use for honey bee health.

Interest in cholangiocyte physiology and pathophysiology recovery was recorded even after stimulation with has been stimulated by the observation that the biliary epiagents raising intracellular cyclic adenosine monophos-thelium is the primary target in several chronic cholestatic phate (cAMP) concentrations. In the presence of liver disorders, including primary biliary cirrhosis, primary HCO 0 3 , recovery from an intracellular acid load required sclerosing cholangitis, and liver allograft rejection. 1-5 InterNa / , but was only partly inhibited by amiloride. In these estingly, in cystic fibrosis, a disease of ion transporting epiconditions H / extrusion was inhibited by 4,4,-diisothio-thelia, hepatobiliary complications occur in approximately cyan atostilben-2,2,-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and by intra-30% of cases 6 and ultrastructural bile duct cell damage can cellular Cl 0 depletion. Acute removal of extracellular Cl 0 be shown well before hepatocellular damage. 7 In this condiinduced a pHi alkalinization that was inhibited by DIDS. tion, low rates of ductular HCO 0 3 and Cl 0 secretion may lead pHi recovery from an intracellular alkaline load (isohy-to increased viscosity of bile and ''ductular'' cholestasis. 7,8 dric CO 2 changes) was Cl 0 -dependent and DIDS-inhibitHepatocellular bile is, in fact, extensively modified while flowing through the biliary tree. The epithelial cells lining the intrahepatic bile ducts (cholangiocytes) modulate bile fluidity 25, 1996; accepted December 16, 1996. HCO 0 3 exchange, whereas HCO 0 3 entry through the basolatSponsored by grant 94.02908.CT04 and ''Progetto Nazionale Invecchiamento'' from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy) and by ''Centro per lo studio dell'invecchiamento'',