Os tumores de origem melanocítica representam as mais frequentes neoplasias intra-oculares diagnosticadas nos cães. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo realizar estudo retrospectivo das neoplasias melanocíticas da úvea do cão analisando suas características morfológicas e epidemiológicas. Foi estudado um total de 29 casos; destas, 51,7 % foram diagnosticadas como melanocitoma, enquanto que 48,3 % como melanoma. As raças mais acometidas foram SRD (sem raça definida), Cocker Spaniel Inglês e Labrador Retriver, porém não houve predominância racial significativa. A faixa etária foi de 6 a 15 anos, com média de 10,3 anos. Os tumores acometeram igualmente machos e fêmeas. A úvea anterior foi a localização mais comum, representando 96,5 % de todos os tumores, enquanto a úvea posterior representou 3,5 %, sendo o último, um melanoma. Em 5 casos, o tumor ocupava todo espaço intra-ocular, sendo todos melanomas. Os melanocitomas apresentaram predominância de células grandes, redondas ou poliédricas, densamente pigmentadas e núcleo pequeno. Os melanomas apresentaram 2 padrões celulares distintos. Dos 14 melanomas, 8 (57,2 %) eram compostos por células epitelióides, 2 (14,3 %) por células fusiformes, e 4 (28,5%) apresentaram padrão misto. Em 7 melanomas observou-se áreas de melanocitoma, sugerindo transformação maligna. / Melanocytic tumors are the most common intraocular neoplasia in dogs. The aim of the present work was to perform a retrospective study of the canine uveal melanocytic neoplasias analyzing the morphologic and epidemiologic features. It was 29 cases in total; 51,7 % was diagnosed as melanocitoma, while 48,3 % was diagnosed as melanoma. The most common breed was mixed breed dogs, English Cocker Spaniel and Labrador, but there was no significant racial predominance. The age range was 6 to 15 years old, with mean of 10,3 years old. The tumors affected equally males and females. The anterior uvea was the most common site, representing 95,5 % of all tumors and the posterior uvea represented 3,5 %, the latter, was a melanoma. In five cases (17,2%), the tumor occupied the entire intraocular space, all of them melanomas. The melanocitomas presented predominance of round or poliedric, plump cells, densely pigmented with small nucleus. The melanomas presented two distinct patterns. Of the 14 melanomas, eight (57,2 %) was composed of epithelioid cells, two (14,3 %) of spindle cells, and four (28,5 %) presented mixed pattern. There were 7 melanomas that presented melanocitoma areas, suggesting malignant transformation.

Foram realizadas dissecações seriadas desde as raízes nervosas e suas respectivas inervações viscerais, concernentes ao Sistema Nervoso autônomo, simpático e parassimpático, em cadáveres, a fresco, de cãe, sem raça definida, de diferentes tamanhos e pesos, ao longo dos espaços lombossacrais, iniciando-se a dissecação em L1 e finalizando em S2. Os aspectos levados em consideração para a análise morfofuncional destas inervações visaram a orientação para o emprego da anestesia local espinhal peridural, tão empregada em anestesiologia veterinária especialmente em se visando pacientes toxêmicos, gestantes ou de alto risco ao se utilizar esta anestesia efetuada por injeção utilizando-se agulha de Twoy, através do espaço lombossacral, manobra esta fácil mas que conta ainda com certas restrições pela falta de prática. / Serial dissections were accomplished from the nervous roots and their respective visceral innervations, concerning to the Autonomous Nervous System, sympathetic and parasympathetic, in corpses, to fresh, of dogs, without defined race, of different sizes and weights, along the lumbossacral spaces, beginning the dissection in L-1 and concluding this, in S-2. The aspects taken into account for the morfofunctional analysis of these innervations to certify the orientation to apply the local spinal peridural anesthesia, that so help in veterinary anesthesiology, especially in toxemic, pregnant or high risk patients, when the use this anesthesia, made by injection using Twoy needles, through the lumbossacral space, an easy procedure, but that still exist restrictions because the unpractice.

Knowledge of the deeper meanings of attachment to companion animals is limited, particularly in terms of older adults. This study employed a modified grounded theory method, a phenomenological lens and a life course perspective to gather and analyze data garnered from individual interviews and panel discussions in order to investigate the multiple dimensions of older adult men’s relationships with their companion animal dogs. Individual audio-recorded in-depth interviews and repeated panel discussions with a sub-group of the participants, convened as a panel over a three-month period, explored behavioral and emotional manifestations of attachment and the emotional bond to their companion animal dogs and the changing nature of that attachment and bond over their life span. Analysis involved open, axial and selective coding of transcripts to reveal underlying patterns within the data. Outcomes included movement toward a theory of companion animal attachment for older adult men as well as insight into the role of dogs in development of older adult men’s identities. This dissertation offers insight into the deeper understanding of the human-animal bond resulting in enhancing quality of life for both older adult male pet owners and their companion animal dogs.

Pedigree dog breeds are genetically isolated and inbred populations with characteristics specific to each breed. Some breeds carry genetic diseases which affect the health of the animals, but may also serve as a valuable model to identify genes involved in human disease. In the Border Collie breed in Australia, the identification of two disease genes would enable breeders to DNA test their animals and prevent future cases. Over 530 samples were collected to identify the genes responsible for these diseases through linkage mapping and candidate gene approaches. Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) defines a group of symptoms that cause the incorrect development of different regions within the eye, and may also result in the detachment of the retina. The presence of the disease in different breeds of collies suggests that the disease originated before the differentiation of the collie breeds. The CEA gene was mapped to a region of CFA37, but the disease gene was identified by another research group. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects Border Collie dogs from approximately 16 months of age. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and affected animals display a range of physiological and behavioural symptoms that include loss of muscular control, nervousness and sometimes aggression. Due to the debilitating nature of the disease, dogs rarely survive beyond 28 months of age. Microsatellite markers were used to exclude the Border Collie NCL gene from the region of the English Setter NCL gene (homolog of human NCL gene CLN8). Further work mapped the disease gene to CFA22, in a region containing the homolog for CLN5, one of the identified human disease genes for NCL. Subsequent sequencing of canine CLN5 revealed a nonsense mutation (c.619C>T, Q206X) that co-segregated with NCL in Border Collie pedigrees. This truncation mutation resulted in a protein product of similar size to some mutations identified in human CLN5 and therefore the Border Collie may make a good model for future NCL studies. With DNA testing now available, breeders of Border Collies can now ensure that no animal will die of NCL.

Proper immune function is indispensable, as failure to mount an immune response against a pathogen can lead to serious complications or even death. T cells act by enhancing the activation of phagocytic cells as well as the activation of B cells. Their widespread influence on an immune response makes optimal T cell activation vital. Maximal T cell proliferation and survival is accomplished by stimulation with antigen, a costimulatory signal, and an adjuvant. However, excessive T cell activation can lead to chronic B cell activation and the production of autoantibodies, a hallmark of autoimmune disease. In this thesis, optimal T cell stimulation was studied using an in vivo adoptive transfer model. Results showed that antigen stimulation of T cells along with ligation of the costimulatory molecule OX40 led to an accumulation of antigen-specific cells. OX40 ligation allowed the antigen specific cells to proceed through more cell cycles than cells stimulated with antigen alone. The addition of the adjuvant lipopolysaceharide (LPS) to this system allowed for increased cell survival. However, the continual presence of an adjuvant may also have injurious effects. This was highlighted with the appearance of "Toxic Oil Syndrome" (TOS) in which an adulterated rapeseed oil, an oil with known adjuvant activity, was sold for human consumption. People developed an autoimmune condition characterized by polyclonal B cell activation and autoantibody production. A genetic predisposition was implicated with TOS and was further investigated in this thesis. Although the A. SW mouse has the genetically susceptible genotype, these mice did not develop TOS following exposure to "toxic oil" indicating that other factors may be important in TOS susceptibility. Extending the techniques used in these studies and applying them to the canine immune system was the final topic investigated in this series of studies. Understanding immune pathways of the mammalian immune system is particularly important for comparative studies when dogs are used as models to investigate human immune system disorders. These studies combined will allow for a better understanding of the balance between an optimal immune response and an imbalance leading to hypersensitivity or immunosuppression, as well as interspecies relationships. / Graduation date: 2002

Nictitans glands obtained from mongrel dogs were studied grossly and by regular histological and electron microscopic methods. Special stains including Periodic Acid-Schiff and Sudan Black B were used for the identification of specific macromolecular components.The nictitans gland is a compound tubulo--alveolar gland of apocrine type, although holocrine type of secretory activity is exhibitedby a portion of the gland. Two kinds of secretory materials were secreted by two different types of acinar cells in this gland.The main function of this gland is to secrete lubricant and to keep the eyes in a healthy state. It is thus considered as a supplementary structure to the lacrimal gland.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Humans and dogs have lived among each other in mutually beneficial relationships for thousands of years. In recent years, this human-animal bond has emerged as a catalyst for animal-assisted activities and therapies that may benefit those with disabilities, including children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ASD are characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction and communication and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The nonverbal and nonjudgmental nature of dogs may be non-threatening and easier for children with ASD to decode, which may decrease anxiety and facilitate social bonding. Further, with their roles as social lubricants/transitional objects and natural foci of interest, dogs may facilitate social interaction between children with ASD and other people. Using a single case, multiple baseline design across participants, this study investigated whether multiple semi-structured interactions with dogs would increase social and communicative behaviors and decrease restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior in children. Although only two had statistically significant results, all three participants showed responses to intervention in the hypothesized directions. This study supports the position that children with ASD may benefit from participating in animal-assisted activities with dogs.

The physiological responses to exercise depend on intensity, duration, and type of exercise. The muscles in the body have complex regulation responses in order to create a certain resistance and adaptation to the exercise demands without fatigue. In the following study, we used the model of Alaskan sled dogs in order to analyze changes in gene expression within muscle tissue. Gene expression allows us to look more in depth into temporal or long term biological changes that take place in order for the muscle to adapt and maintain homeostasis. Eight dogs were used for the study; four biopsies from the femoris biceps were taken from each at different time points. Time point 1 (Tp1) untrained dogs, time point 2 (Tp2) after mid training, time point 3 (Tp3) fully trained and time point 4 (Tp4) were taken after dogs had completed a 400 mile run in 4 consecutive days. Time point one was used as a control ratio for the other three time points for analysis one, for the second analysis Tp1 was eliminated as a control. Analysis, one compared Tp2-Tp3 and Tp3-Tp4; the subsequent analysis looked at Tp1-Tp3. For Mid trained animals compared to fully trained, we looked at a total of 25 differentially expressed genes, for fully trained compared against acute exercise performance, we looked at total of 52 differentially expressed genes (based on a ≤0.01 p-value and fold change of ≥3), and untrained was compared to fully trained where we looked at a total of 26 differentially expressed genes. Known transcriptional regulators were mapped from these differentially expressed genes, such as exocyst complex, lysyl oxidase, protein tyrosine phosphatase, protein kinase C, creatine kinase, HSP40, cytochrome P450, ACSL6 gene responsible for Acyl-CoA synthesis, myosin chain, ATP binding, and ubiquitin, among others. These transcripts were linked to important biological pathways, and functional analysis of these pathways demonstrated that changes found in gene expression are responsible for muscle tissue remodeling, energy storage and metabolism changes, cardiovascular enhancement, and activation of elements that regulate metabolism via the nervous system. The following study of transcriptional regulation mechanisms helped identify specific responses to exercise stimuli in the organism that allow the athletes to adapt to the demands of exercise.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2008. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mark Taper. Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2009. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.