Administration of an Immune Stimulant during the Transition Period Improved Lipid Metabolism and Rumination without Affecting Inflammatory Status

Omnigen-AF (OAF) increases leukocyte functions in immunosuppressed animal models and reduces incidence of infectious diseases in early lactating dairy cows, although its mode of action is still unclear. This study aims to provide a wider perspective of the metabolic eect of OAF to test its potential as a strategy to address metabolic disorders of the transition period. A group of 10 Holstein dairy cows were divided into 2 groups: The treated group (IMS; 5 cows) received 32.5 g of OAF twice a day (65 g d1) as top-dress in the morning and afternoon feeds from 55 to 42 days from calving (DFC), whereas the control group (CTR; 5 cows) received no supplementation. From 62 to 42 DFC, body condition score, body weight, dry matter intake, rumination time and milk yield were measured; blood samples were collected weekly to assess a wide hematochemical profile and to test white blood cell functions by ex-vivo challenge assays. At 30 DFC, rumen fluid was collected and analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acids composition, urea nitrogen, and lactate contents. Data were submitted to ANOVA using a mixed model for repeated measures, including treatment, time, and their interaction as fixed eects. OAF decreased blood nonesterified fatty acids and beta hydroxybutyrate concentrations and increased rumination time in early lactation. Leukocytes from IMS cows had lower lactate production and lower glucose consumption after ex-vivo stimulation. OAF did not reduce the acute phase response indicators and reduced the blood concentrations of albumin and antioxidants after calving, suggesting impairment of hepatic functions related to protein synthesis and antioxidant management. Nevertheless, the lack of eect on bilirubin and liver enzymes refutes the possibility of severe liver damage occurring with OAF supplementation. Positive eects in reducing mobilization of body fats and ketogenesis and in increasing rumination time after calving suggest OAF eectiveness in preventing metabolic disorders of the transition period

Fundus autofluorescence applications in retinal imaging

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a relatively new imaging technique that can be used to study retinal diseases. It provides information on retinal metabolism and health. Several different pathologies can be detected. Peculiar AF alterations can help the clinician to monitor disease progression and to better understand its pathogenesis. In the present article, we review FAF principles and clinical applications

Recent Advances of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases

With the rapid development of stem cell research in modern times, stem cell-based therapy has opened a new era of tissue regeneration, becoming one of the most promising strategies for currently untreatable retinal diseases. Among the various sources of stem cells, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality due to their characteristics and multiple functions, which include immunoregulation, anti-apoptosis of neurons, cytokine and growth factor secretion, and antioxidative activities. Studies have shown that ADSCs can facilitate the replacement of dying cells, promote tissue remodeling and regeneration, and support the survival and growth of retinal cells. Recent studies in this field have provided numerous experiments using different preclinical models. The aim of our review is to provide an overview of the therapeutic strategies, modern-day clinical trials, experimental models, and potential clinical use of this fascinating class of cells in addressing retinal disorders and diseases

Age and isolation influence steroids release and chemical signaling in male mice.

Social interactions in mice involve olfactory signals, which convey information about the emitter. In turn, the mouse social and physiological status may modify the release of chemical cues. In this study, the influences of age and social isolation on the endocrine response and the release of chemical signals were investigated in male CD1 mice, allocated into four groups: Young Isolated (from weaning till 60 days; N = 6), Adult Isolated (till 180 days; N = 6), Young Grouped (6 mice/cage; till 60 days; N = 18), Adult Grouped (6 mice/cage; till 180 days; N = 18). Mice were transferred in a clean cage to observe the micturition pattern and then sacrificed. Body and organs weights, serum testosterone, dehydroepiandros- terone, corticosterone and the ratio Major Urinary Protein/creatinine were measured. Urinary volatile molecules potentially involved in pheromonal communication were identified. Androgen secretion was greater in isolated mice (P < 0.05), suggesting a greater reactivity of the Hypothalamic\u2013Pituitary\u2013Gonadal axis. Grouped mice presented a higher degree of adrenal activity, and young mice showed a higher serum corticosterone (P < 0.05) suggesting a greater stimulation of the Hypothalamic\u2013Pituitary\u2013Adrenal axis. The micturition pattern typical of dominant male, consisting in voiding numerous droplets, was observed in Young Isolated mice only, which showed a higher protein/creatinine ratio (P < 0.05). Urinary 2-s-butyl- thiazoline was higher in both Young and Adult Isolated mice (P < 0.005). Young Isolated mice showed the most prominent difference in both micturition pattern and potentially active substance emission, while long term isolation resulted in a less extreme phenotype; therefore social isolation had a higher impact on young mice hormone and pheromone release

360&deg; Ab-Interno Schlemm&rsquo;s Canal Viscodilation with OMNI Viscosurgical Systems for Open-Angle Glaucoma&mdash;Midterm Results

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of ab-interno microcatheterization and 360&deg; viscodilation of Schlemm&rsquo;s canal (SC) performed with OMNI viscosurgical system in open angle glaucoma (OAG) together or not with phacoemulsification. Setting: Two surgical sites. Design: Retrospective, observational. Methods: Eighty eyes from 73 patients with mild to moderate OAG underwent ab- interno SC viscodilation performed with OMNI system. Fifty eyes (Group 1) underwent only SC viscodilation, while 30 eyes (Group 2) underwent glaucoma surgery + cataract extraction. Primary success endpoint at 12 months was an intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction higher than 25% from baseline with an absolute value of 18 mmHg or lower, either on the same number or fewer ocular hypotensive medications, without further interventions. Secondary effectiveness endpoints included mean IOP, number of medications and comparison of outcomes between groups. Safety endpoints consisted of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), adverse events (AEs), and subsequent surgical procedures. Results: Primary success was achieved in 40.0% and 67.9% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean IOP at 12-month follow-up showed a significant reduction in both groups (from 23.0 to 15.6 mmHg, p &lt; 0.001, and from 21.5 to 14.1, p &lt; 0.001, in Groups 1 and 2, respectively). Mean medication number decreased in both groups (from 3.0 to 2.0, p &lt; 0.001 and from 3.4 to 1.9, p &lt; 0.001, in Groups 1 and 2, respectively). AEs included hyphema (2 eyes), mild hypotony (4 eyes), IOP spikes one month after surgery (1 eye). Twelve eyes (15.0%) required subsequent surgical procedures. No BCVA reduction was observed. Conclusions: Viscodilation of SC using OMNI viscosurgical systems is safe and relatively effective in reducing IOP in adult patients with OAG

Social and hormonal status influence the emission of urinary molecules in the mouse

In male mice, several behavioural traits and physiological characteristics were in the past attributed to social and/or hormonal status. Analysis of the literature showed that most of these reported associations were obtained in studies that compared male mice with castrated mice, assuming the latter as a model for non-dominant, submissive mice. We aimed at obtaining a more precise correlation, by analyzing in adult male mice (Mus musculus) their dominance behaviour, hormonal levels and quantity of molecules emitted with urine, potentially involved in pheromonal communication. Mice were kept either isolated (n=6) or 6 per cage (n=18) since weaning. At 2 months of age, the grouped mice were tested for dominance within each cage. The day after, all mice were put singly in a small cage. Their first micturition was collected, the number of urine drops and fecal pellet released were counted. Immediately afterwards, mice were sacrificed, their blood and urine residual volume collected and frozen. The internal organs were weighed. GC/MS and GC/FID were performed on urine to identify and quantify volatile molecules. Major Urinary Protein (MUP) and creatinine were quantified spectrophotometrically in urine. In plasma, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and corticosterone were detected by radioimmunoassay. Isolated mice voided a lower volume of urine, with a higher number of urine droplets. The spleen and adrenal glands were smaller in isolated mice, that also had a larger thymus. No difference was present in the other organs, in the corticosterone levels and in creatinine. Testosterone levels tended to be higher in isolated and were positively correlated with MUP, 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole and brevicomin excreted in urine. 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole and 4-ethylphenol were significantly more in the urine of isolated males. Isolated mice showed a peculiar micturition pattern, with a great number of small drops, possibly intended to mark the territory, while grouped mice voided a larger volume in a single spot. While behavioural data on dominance were variably related to hormonal levels, several molecules involved in pheromonal communication showed a positive correlation with testosterone levels. This work was supported by the University of Padov