Advancing equality and equity in society is creating positive change, and the time has come to critically evaluate veterinary medicine, which, by all metrics, lacks diversity. To keep pace with increasingly diverse demographics and recent surges in pet ownership among all racial/ethnic groups, significant efforts to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) must occur in veterinary colleges and the profession. Recruiting more underrepresented students, building pipelines for diverse faculty/staff, and creating inclusive, welcoming environments where all can thrive are critical steps toward enhancing DEIB within our organizations and profession. Our goal is to share experiences and lessons learned from our intentional commitment to strengthen DEIB, with the hope that our journey will be helpful to others. Increasing diversity in the veterinary profession will be facilitated through removing barriers, creating inclusive work environments where all people feel they belong, and ensuring fair and equitable hiring and personnel management practices. These steps should in turn improve access and quality of veterinary care, ensure we are more representative of the communities we serve, increase revenue, and preserve the human-animal bond. "You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself belonging to it, and responsible for changing it." - Grace Lee Boggs.

"BE WELL: Changing the culture of a college of veterinary medicine using a comprehensive and integrated approach to promote health and well-being" published on 01 May 2022 by American Veterinary Medical Association.

BACKGROUND:Flow cytometry (FC) is used increasingly in veterinary medicine for further characterization of hematolymphoid cells. Guidelines for optimizing assay performance and interpretation of results are limited, and concordance of results across laboratories is unknown.OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to determine inter-investigator agreement on the interpretation of FC results from split samples analyzed in different laboratories using various protocols, cytometers, and software; and on the interpretation of archived FC standard (FCS) data files contributed by the different investigators.METHODS:This was a multicenter observational cross-sectional study. Anticoagulated blood or lymph node aspirate samples from nine client-owned dogs were aliquoted and shipped to participating laboratories. Samples were analyzed with individual laboratory-developed protocols. In addition, FCS files from a set of separate samples from 11 client-owned dogs were analyzed by participating investigators. A person not associated with the study tabulated the results and interpretations. Agreement of interpretations was assessed with Fleiss' kappa statistic.RESULTS:Prolonged transit times affected sample quality for some laboratories. Overall agreement among investigators regarding the FC sample interpretation was strong (κ = 0.86 ± 0.19, P < .001), and for specific categories, ranged from moderate to perfect. Agreement of the lymphoproliferation or other leukocyte sample category from the analysis of the FCS files was weak (κ = 0.58 ± 0.05, P < .001).CONCLUSIONS:Lymphoproliferations were readily identified by FC, but identification of the categories of hematolymphoid neoplasia in fresh samples or archived files was variable. There is a need for a more standardized approach to maximize the enormous potential of FC in veterinary medicine.

Nondestructive, sublethal, and sensitive health monitoring tools are needed to assess the health of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae). Recent developments to standardize hemocyte characterization have assisted in the hematologic assessment of wild and captive freshwater mussels. In this study, preliminary baseline hematological reference ranges were established for wild mapleleaf mussels Quadrula quadrula (n = 14) and threeridge mussels Amblema plicata (n = 20) collected from the Muskingum River in Devola, Ohio. Mussels were collected from the wild, and hemolymph was sampled from each mussel in the field upon capture (baseline sample). They were then transported live to a propagation facility. Subsequent hemolymph samples were collected at 2 and 4 weeks and quarterly thereafter for 11 months following translocation. Hemocyte counts, hemocyte morphology, and hemolymph chemistry (Na+ , Cl- , Mg2+ , P3- , K+ , Ca2+ , glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase]) were measured from each sample on each sampling occasion. Hemocyte counts were consistently greater in Q. quadrula than in A. plicata following transfer to captivity. Baseline hemocyte morphology and hemolymph chemistry varied between species. This study provides a foundation of reference ranges for hemocyte characterization for Q. quadrula, and A. plicata and a preliminary understanding of how hemocyte character might be expected to change when wild mussels are translocated into captivity, and thus be a useful technique for monitoring the health of freshwater mussels.

An 8-year-old, 6-kg, male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was presented to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center (OSU-VMC) for difficulty breathing. Physical examination and thoracic radiographs indicated pneumonia, a soft-tissue mass in the left caudal lung lobe, and diffuse pleural effusion. The effusion was classified as modified transudate. Rare extracellular elongated (~5-7 μm × 1-2 μm) zoites with a central round to oval-shaped purple to deep purple vesicular nucleus with coarsely stippled chromatin and light blue cytoplasm were seen on a peripheral blood smear. Serum IgG and IgM were positive for Sarcocystis sp. antibodies and negative for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, suggesting that the infection was acute rather than a recrudescence of prior infection. This organism was most consistent with either Sarcocystis neurona or Sarcocystis dasypi based on DNA sequence analysis of PCR products using COC ssRNA, ITS-1, snSAG2, and JNB25/JD396 primer sets. This is the first report to visualize by light microscopy circulating Sarcocystis sp. merozoites in the peripheral blood of a domestic cat. Therefore, Sarcocystis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats with suspected systemic protozoal infection.

OBJECTIVE To compare platelet function and viscoelastic test results between healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to assess whether dogs with CKD have platelet dysfunction and altered blood coagulation. ANIMALS 10 healthy control dogs and 11 dogs with naturally occurring CKD. PROCEDURES Blood and urine were collected once from each dog for a CBC, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, and determination of the urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, plasma fibrinogen concentration, and antithrombin activity. Closure time was determined by use of a platelet function analyzer and a collagen-ADP platelet agonist. Thromboelastography (TEG) variables (reaction time, clotting time, α angle, maximum amplitude, and global clot strength [G value]) were determined by use of recalcified nonactivated TEG. Platelet expression of glycoprotein Ib (GPIb; receptor for von Willebrand factor), integrin αIIbβ3 (αIIbβ3; receptor for fibrinogen), and P-selectin (marker for platelet activation) was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with healthy control dogs, the median closure time was prolonged, the median maximum amplitude and G value were increased, and the median clotting time was decreased for dogs with CKD. Platelet expression of both αIIbβ3 and P-selectin was also significantly increased for dogs with CKD, compared with that for control dogs. Platelet expression of GPIb, αIIbβ3, and P-selectin was not correlated with closure time or any TEG variable. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that dogs with CKD frequently had evidence of platelet dysfunction and hypercoagulability that were not totally attributable to alterations in platelet surface expression of GPIb, αIIbβ3, and P-selectin.

"Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings" published on 15 Sep 2016 by American Veterinary Medical Association.

This article summarizes and compares the various assays available to aid in the diagnosis and characterization of lymphoma in small animal patients. These techniques include cytology, histopathology, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry, immunophenotyping by flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction for clonal antigen receptor gene rearrangement.

An 11-year-old male castrated mixed-breed dog was presented for exercise intolerance, tetraparesis, and persistent hypoglycemia. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed 2 nodules within the right limb of the pancreas. Cytology from one nodule was consistent with a carcinoma of neuroendocrine origin, with a primary differential diagnosis of insulinoma. Histologic evaluation and immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin and insulin confirmed the diagnosis of insulinoma. Additionally, there was a solitary nodule of mineralized compact bone composing approximately 60% of the mass. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of osseous metaplasia within an insulinoma (islet cell carcinoma).

There is no study evaluating the use of glycated albumin (GA) for the detection of post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in kidney transplant recipients. We evaluated the overall accuracy of GA at four months after kidney transplantation.Diagnostic test accuracy study including 134 kidney transplant recipients without pre-existing diabetes. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and area under the curve (AUC) for GA, considering oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and/or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as reference criteria.Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with PTDM by OGTT and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. GA showed moderate accuracy to detect PTDM [AUC 0.673 (95% CI 0.557–0.789, p < 0.01)]. The use of OGTT and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.2% increased the number of PTDM cases from 33 to 38, and AUC was 0.713 (95% CI 0.608–0.819, p < 0.01). GA ≥ 17% showed specificity close to 90% when OGTT and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% were used as reference tests.GA showed low diagnostic accuracy for the detection of PTDM at the fourth month after transplantation. The use of a single GA point is not enough for the screening and diagnosis of PTDM; however, GA ≥ 17% presented high specificity to rule in the disease after kidney transplantation.

Background: Several lines of research suggest that exposure to cellular material can alter the susceptibility to infection by HIV-1. Because sexual contact often includes exposure to cellular material, we hypothesized that repeated mucosal exposure to heterologous cells would induce an immune response that would alter the susceptibility to mucosal infection. Using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model of HIV-1 mucosal transmission, the cervicovaginal mucosa was exposed once weekly for 12 weeks to 5,000 heterologous cells or media (control) and then cats were vaginally challenged with cell-associated or cell-free FIV.Results: Exposure to heterologous cells decreased the percentage of lymphocytes in the mucosal and systemic lymph nodes (LN) expressing L-selectin as well as the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ T cells. These shifts were associated with enhanced ex-vivo proliferative responses to heterologous cells. Following mucosal challenge with cell-associated, but not cell-free, FIV, proviral burden was reduced by 64% in cats previously exposed to heterologous cells as compared to media exposed controls.Conclusions: The pathogenesis and/or the threshold for mucosal infection by infected cells (but not cell-free virus) can be modulated by mucosal exposure to uninfected heterologous cells.

Das Forschungsprojekt hatte zum Ziel: - Den Stand der Technik der Simulation in der Gueterverkehrs- und Transportplanung mit den zugrunde liegenden Simulationsgrundlagen und den verschiedenen Simulationsansaetzen aufzuzeigen; - die relevanten Problemstellungen in der Logistik, Gueterverkehrs- und Transportplanung zu identifizieren und das Beitragspotenzial der Simulation zu klaeren; - eine Typisierung und Strukturierung der wichtigsten verfuegbaren Simulationsinstrumente in Verkehr und Logistik zu erstellen; - Anwendungsmoeglichkeiten, -grenzen sowie Kosten und Nutzen von Simulationsanwendungen zu vertiefen; - einen Leitfaden fuer Planer und Entscheidungstraeger mit Hinweisen zum Einsatz von Simulationswerkzeugen und zur Durchfuehrung von Simulationsstudien zu erstellen. Die Resultate, Erkenntnisse, Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen wurden auf der Basis von Literaturrecherchen, von Produktbeschreibungen, einer Evaluation von Simulationsprojekten, von Experteninterviews und einem Expertenworkshop erarbeitet und verifiziert. Das Projekt liefert wichtige Erkenntnisse ueber Simulationsanwendungen in der Gueterverkehrs- und Transportplanung. Diese sollten bei der Bearbeitung von infrastrukturellen und betrieblichen Massnahmen durch die involvierten Akteure beruecksichtigt werden. Der erarbeite Leitfaden liefert wichtige Hinweise zum Thema Simulation, in welchen Faellen Simulationen sinnvoll sind, welche Kriterien fuer die Wahl der Simulationswerkzeuge relevant sind und wie bei einer Simulationsstudie vorzugehen und was zu beachten ist.

BACKGROUND:Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered taxa in North America and minimally invasive techniques to evaluate their health are needed.OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to develop a standardized approach for identifying and enumerating the cellular components of freshwater mussel hemolymph.METHODS:Hemocyte clumping, total hemocyte count, and hemocyte morphology were compared in untreated hemolymph or hemolymph treated with formalin, sodium citrate, sodium heparin, EDTA, water, or l-cysteine. Morphology was then used to categorize hemocytes and perform a 100-cell differential.RESULTS:Treatment with formalin or >25 mg/mL l-cysteine reduced hemocyte clumping, although only formalin significantly increased the total hemocyte count. However, formalin also induced crenation that impaired hemocyte identification. Both EDTA and sodium citrate-induced hemocyte degranulation while sodium citrate and >40 mg/mL l-cysteine-induced cell lysis. Hemocytes could be categorized into 2 groups of granulocytes (eosinophilic or basophilic) and 2 groups of agranulocytes (large or small) for performing a cytologic differential. The differential was not significantly altered by anticoagulant treatments providing cell morphology was adequate for obtaining a differential. Eosinophilic granulocytes predominated (59%) with fewer large agranulocytes (27%) and basophilic granulocytes (13%). Small agranulocytes comprised 2% of the total population.CONCLUSIONS:No single treatment provided an optimal method to evaluate freshwater mussel hemolymph. Maximal hemocyte counts were obtained following formalin treatment. l-cysteine reduced clumping and maintained hemocyte morphology for performing a cytologic differential. These techniques provide a standardized approach for the hematologic evaluation of freshwater mussels.

A 10-year-old male Labrador Retriever was presented for a 6-week history of polyuria, polydipsia, rear limb weakness, and ocular discharge. The dog had marked hyperproteinemia with an IgM monoclonal gammopathy, as determined by serum protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Cytologic findings in a lymph node aspirate were suggestive for lymphoma, which was confirmed and identified as B cell lineage by immunophenotyping and PCR antigen receptor rearrangement. In the CBC results, marked discrepancy was observed in the hemoglobin (HGB) concentration and MCHC obtained on a CELL-DYN 3500 analyzer (HGB 13.3 g/dL, MCHC 61.4 g/dL) as compared with an IDEXX LaserCyte analyzer (HGB 7.0 g/dL, MCHC 39.2 g/dL). To investigate this discrepancy, plasma was removed from an EDTA-anticoagulated blood sample from the patient, replaced with an equal volume of CELL-DYN diluent, and analyzed on the CELL-DYN. The resulting HGB (6.72 g/dL) and MCHC (33.5 g/dL) results were similar to those obtained initially on the LaserCyte. We concluded that precipitation of IgM paraprotein by the CELL-DYN lyzing reagent, which contains quaternary ammonium salts, falsely increased the spectrophotometric measurement of HGB on the CELL-DYN. The high MCHC was attributed to the false increase in HGB concentration. No interference with HGB measurement occurred with the LaserCyte, which uses a hypotonic solution to lyse RBCs before HGB determination. Paraprotein interference should be considered in veterinary patients with monoclonal gammopathy and unexpectedly high HGB and MCHC values.

An 11-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred to The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (OSU-VTH) for evaluation of a 6 x 4 x 3.5 cm mass in the left midcervical region causing increased respiratory sounds and lateral deviation of the trachea. A fine needle aspirate of the mass was obtained before referral and the cytology results were compatible with a reactive lymph node. Immunocytochemistry showed increased numbers of CD3+ T lymphocytes and small numbers of CD20+ and CD79a+ medium to large lymphocytes. Differential diagnoses from the referral pathologist were T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma and feline Hodgkin's-like lymphoma. A subsequent fine needle aspirate performed at the OSU-VTH showed similar results. On flow cytometry the majority of cells were CD3+ T lymphocytes that were double positive for CD4 and CD8 (73%), compatible with either a double-positive (CD4+CD8+) T-cell lymphoma or lymphocytes from ectopic thymic tissue. The mass was surgically removed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the mass revealed a predominant population of CD3+ small lymphocytes and small numbers of medium to large lymphocytes with moderate anisocytosis and anysokaryosis. A population of cytokeratin-positive epithelial cells surrounded small microcystic structures filled with eosinophilic material and structures interpreted as Hassall's corpuscles. These findings were consistent with thymic tissue and a diagnosis of ectopic thymoma was made. PCR results for lymphocyte antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) were negative. The cat had no evidence of disease 16 months after removal of the mass. To our knowledge this is the first report of an ectopic cervical thymoma in a cat. The clinical and diagnostic features of this unusual case will be useful in helping veterinarians and pathologists obtain a presurgical diagnosis and establish a prognosis for similar lesions.

The majority of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections occur via mucosal transmission through contact with genital secretions containing cell-associated and cell-free virus. However, few studies have assessed whether exposure to cells, HIV-1 infected or uninfected, plays a role in the sexual transmission of HIV-1. This study examined phenotypic changes in mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissue 24 hr after vaginal exposure to in vitro equilibrated infectious doses of cell-associated or cell-free feline immunodeficiency virus, uninfected heterologous cells, or medium alone. We found that even at this early time-point, mucosal exposure to virus induced substantial alterations in the phenotype and distribution of leucocytes, particularly in the tissues of the mucosal immune system. Second, we found that the type of virus inoculum directly influenced the phenotypic changes seen. Vaginal exposure to cell-free virus tended to induce more generalized phenotypic changes, typically in the peripheral immune system (blood and systemic lymph nodes). In contrast, exposure to cell-associated virus was primarily associated with phenotypic shifts in the mucosal immune system (gut and mucosal/draining lymph nodes). In addition, we found that exposure to uninfected heterologous cells also induced alterations in the mucosal immune system. These data suggest that significant immune changes occur within the first 24 hr of virus exposure, well before substantial replication would be anticipated. As the mucosal immune system, and particularly the gut, is an early and persistent target for lentiviral replication, these findings have substantial implications for HIV-1 pathogenesis and vaccine development.

A novel canine lymphoma cell line, OSW, was established from the malignant pleural effusion of a dog with peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The immunoprofile as determined by flow cytometry was as follows: positive for CD45, CD49d, CD18, CD11a; weakly positive for CD11b, CD11c, CD11d; and negative for CD45RA, CD1a, CD1c, CD3, TCRαβ, TCRγδ, CD4, CD5, CD8a, CD8b, CD90(Thy1), CD21, MHCII, CD14(TUK4), CD34, and MPO. Immunocytochemistry of cytospin preparations was negative for cytoplasmic CD3, CD79a, and MPO, but was positive for CD20. The cell line had an oligoclonal T-cell receptor gamma (TCRγ) gene rearrangement. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and single locus probe (SLP) analysis showed that there were copy number increases of loci on dog chromosome 13 (CFA 13), and copy number decreases were evident for regions of CFA 11, 22, 26, 30 and 32, which include several of the more common chromosomal aberrations reported previously in canine lymphoma. The OSW cell line grows rapidly in vitro and is tumorigenic as a xenograft in SCID/NOD mice. OSW represents one of only a few reported canine lymphoma cell lines and is the most thoroughly characterized. This cell line and xenograft represent significant in vitro and in vivo models, respectively, for comparative and translational lymphoma research.