CT enteroclysis and CT enterography — new approaches to assessing pathology of the small intestine

Enteroklyza i enterografia tomografii komputerowej są nowoczesnymi metodami diagnostycznymi pozwalającymi na dokładną ocenę patologii ściany jelita cienkiego z jednoczesną oceną zmian pozajelitowych i pełną oceną pozostałych narządów jamy brzusznej oraz miednicy mniejszej. Podstawowa różnica w metodyce badania między enterografią a enteroklyzą polega na odmiennym sposobie podania kontrastu, w przypadku enteroklyzy odbywa się to przez sondę założoną do pętli jelita cienkiego, a w czasie enterografii kontrast podawany jest doustnie. Rolą enteroklyzy/enterografii jest rozpoznanie chorób zapalnych jelita cienkiego, dalsze monitorowanie aktywności tych chorób oraz ocena ich powikłań, ocena jelita cienkiego w przypadku podejrzenia choroby nowotworowej tego fragmentu przewodu pokarmowego, a także identyfikacja źródła krwawienia z jelita cienkiego. Kluczową kwestią dla poprawnej interpretacji wykonanego badania jest należyte przygotowanie pacjenta — wypełnienie pętli jelitowych roztworem negatywnego środka kontrastowego oraz dobór odpowiedniej techniki badania w zależności od danych zawartych w skierowaniu. Niezmiennie ważną role odgrywa doświadczenie radiologa interpretującego badanie. Pełna ocena badania obejmuje ocenę toposcanu, obrazów poprzecznych, traktowanych zawsze jako obrazy referencyjne, oraz ocenę rekonstrukcji wielopłaszczyznowych i 3D. Szczególnie enterografia w opcji tomografii komputerowej jest bezpieczną i dobrze tolerowaną przez pacjentów metodą diagnostyczną pozwalającą na zdiagnozowanie oraz monitorowanie chorób zapalnych, nowotworów i malformacji naczyniowych jelita cienkiego.CT enteroclysis and CT enterography are modern diagnostic methods that allow a detailed assessment of the small intestine wall combined with an evaluation of extraintestinal lesions and a full examination of the remaining organs in the abdominal cavity and the pelvis. A major difference in examination methodology between enterography and enteroclysis is the different way in which a contrast medium is administered; in enteroclysis this is done through a catheter inserted into the small intestine, whereas in enterography the contrast medium is given orally. The purpose of enteroclysis/enterography is to identify inflammatory diseases of the small intestine, follow up on the progression of such diseases and assess their complications, evaluate the small intestine if this part of the gastrointestinal tract is supposed to be affected by a cancerous growth, as well as find the source of bleeding from the small intestine. A key issue for the correct interpretation that should follow the examination is to prepare the patient properly: fill intestinal loops with negative contrast medium solution and choose the right examination technique depending on the information contained in the referral. An invariably crucial role is played by the experience of the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the examination. A full evaluation of the examination involves assessing a topographic scan, axial images, which are always treated as reference, and multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. In particular, CT enterography is a safe and well-tolerated diagnostic method that allows the diagnosing and monitoring of inflammatory diseases, neoplasia and vascular malformations of the small intestine

Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) Applied to Female Cervids Adapted from Domestic Ruminants

There are about 150 Cervidae species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Only a small part is counted among farm animals, and most of them are free roaming. The universality and large numbers of representatives of cervids such as red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) may predispose these species to be used as models for research on reintroduction or assisted reproduction of deer at risk of extinction. We outlined the historical fluctuation of cervids in Europe and the process of domestication, which led to breeding management. Consequently, the reproductive techniques used in domestic ruminants were adapted for use in female deer which we reviewed based on our results and other available results. We focused on stress susceptibility in cervids depending on habitat and antropopression and proposed copeptin as a novel diagnostic parameter suitable for stress determination. Some reproductive biotechniques have been adopted for female cervids with satisfactory results, e.g., in vitro fertilization, while others still require methodological refinement, e.g., cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos

Influence of Farming Conditions on the Rumen of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

The red deer is an intermediate feeder, showing a marked degree of forage selectivity, with seasonal morphological adaptations due to changes in food quality and availability. In captivity, deer have a limited choice of habitat and food, and we hypothesize that this condition affects the rumen environment. Rumen samples were collected from 20 farmed and 11 wild red deer in autumn 2018 in Poland, and analyzed for chemical composition, food residues, microbial population, and rumen papillation. Farmed deer had the highest Campylobacter spp., and total anaerobic bacteria, but lower Clostridium spp. Moreover, they showed a decrease in Diplodininae protozoa, and the presence of holotrichs that were absent in the wild animals. The rumen digesta of farmed animals had lower dry matter and acid detergent fiber than the wild ones. The analysis of food residues underlined the poor variety of the diet for animals in the farm. This apparently affected the papillation of the rumen, with animals of the farm having the shortest papillae of the Atrium ruminis. Overall, results suggest that red deer kept in farms, with a diet based mainly on grass, tree leaves, and some concentrate supplements, undergo a small modification of the rumen compared to the wild conspecifics

Development of fetal Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber)

Mammals are categorized along an altricial-precocial spectrum based on degrees of neonatal development. Altricial neonates are immature at birth and dependent on care, whereas precocial neonates are relatively well developed and independent post-partum. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a large, semiaquatic, relatively precocial mammal in the order Rodentia. However, the extended care of kits in burrows begs the question of why beavers have precocial characteristics. A study of fetal development might enable understanding of the traits that are significant for neonatal survival. The present study examined external morphological characteristics, external biometry and the development of internal organs in 80 Eurasian beaver fetuses (crown-rump length [CRL], 2.5–19.3 cm) derived from 33 wild pregnant females hunted in Norway (33 gestational age). We also created equations to predict fetal ages from biometric parameters based on a linear relationship between biometric parameters and fetal ages estimated from fetal weight. Fetal features appeared in the following chronological order; eyelid bulbs and tactile hairs (CRL ≥ 7.3 cm), outer ears, claws, skin differentiation (CRL ≥ 8.9 cm), and hair coverage and tooth eruption (CRL ≥ 9.4 cm). All biometric parameters increased linearly and positively as the CRL increased and did not tend to stabilize. Notably, slopes of hindfoot parameters were higher than those of forefeet, suggesting that the hindfeet of beavers grow faster than forefeet, as they do in other semi-aquatic mammals. Our calculations revealed that dorsal length, CRL, thoracic and abdominal circumferences were candidate predictors of fetal age due to a high coefficient of determination (≥ 0.95) and broad range (≥ 10 cm). Our findings revealed that beaver growth was precocial in terms of differentiated skin, hair coverage, and tooth eruption, but not fully completed, as none of the fetuses had open eyes. The rapid growth of the hindfoot and some precocial traits (skin and hair differentiation) may be involved with the ability of neonatal beavers to move in water

The effect of psychrotrophic bacteria isolated from the root zone of winter wheat on selected biotic and abiotic factors

The roots of winter wheat plants, cv. Mikon, grown in 45-year monoculture, were analysed in the study. Twenty-two bacterial isolates obtained from the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and endorhizosphere that were capable of growth at 8°C and at 28°C, were selected for further analysis. The isolated psychrotrophs accounted for 25% of all bacteria present in the wheat rhizosphere and capable of growth at 8°C. Psychrotrophic bacteria were analysed at a temperature of 10°C and 28°C to determine their ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi, solubilise mineral phosphates, and to determine their ability to degrade chitin and cellulose. Similarity between the isolates was determined by Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus – Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) and Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR). The majority of isolated psychrotrophs inhibited the growth of pathogenic fungi and solubilised mineral phosphates at both incubation temperatures. Psychrotrophic bacteria exerted a two-fold stronger inhibitory effect on mycelial growth at 10°C than at 28°C. The growth of Fusarium culmorum and F. oxysporum was inhibited to the highest extent at 10°C and at 28°C, respectively. Phosphate solubilisation rates were higher at 28°C, particularly in the rhizosphere. Regardless of temperature, the bacteria exhibited low chitin-degrading potential, and none of the isolates was capable of degrading cellulose. A high similarity between the selected psychrotrophs was revealed by ERIC-PCR and RAPD- -PCR analyses. Based on RAPD-PCR, the analysed population was divided into a group of isolates obtained from the rhizosphere, and two groups comprising representatives of both the rhizoplane and the endorhizosphere. Due to their ability to grow over a wide temperature range and increase phosphorus availability to plants, and their antagonism against pathogens, psychrotrophic bacteria can be used to improve the growth and yield of cereal crops

Benefits of Usage of Immobilized Silver Nanoparticles as <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Antibiofilm Factors

The aim of this study was to assess the beneficial inhibitory effect of silver nanoparticles immobilized on SiO2 or TiO2 on biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa—one of the most dangerous pathogens isolated from urine and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Pure and silver doped nanoparticles of SiO2 and TiO2 were prepared using a novel modified sol-gel method. Ten clinical strains of P. aeruginosa and the reference PAO1 strain were used. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution method. The minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and biofilm formation were assessed by colorimetric assay. Bacterial enumeration was used to assess the viability of bacteria in the biofilm. Silver nanoparticles immobilized on the SiO2 and TiO2 indicated high antibacterial efficacy against P. aeruginosa planktonic and biofilm cultures. TiO2/Ag0 showed a better bactericidal effect than SiO2/Ag0. Our results indicate that the inorganic compounds (SiO2, TiO2) after nanotechnological modification may be successfully used as antibacterial agents against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains

Characterization of bovine immortalized luteal endothelial cells: action of cytokines on production and content of arachidonic acid metabolites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The interactions between luteal, vascular endothelial, immune cells and its products: steroids, peptide hormones, prostaglandins (PGs), growth factors and cytokines play a pivotal role in the regulation of corpus luteum (CL) function. Luteal endothelial cells undergo many dynamic morphological changes and their action is regulated by cytokines. The aims are: (1) to establish <it>in vitro </it>model for bovine luteal endothelial cells examination; (2) to study the effect of cytokines: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) on cell viability, leukotrienes (LTs) and PG synthases, and endothelin-1 (EDN-1) mRNA, protein expression and their secretion in bovine immortalized luteal endothelial (EnCL-1) cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The primary cultures of bovine luteal endothelial cells were immortalized by transfection with vector carrying the Simian virus 40 T-antigen (SV40 T-ag) sequence. Expression of SV40 T-ag gene in EnCL-1 cells was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining showed the presence of endothelial cell markers: VE-cadherin and von Willebrand factor. EnCL-1 cells were stimulated by TNFalpha with IFNgamma (50 ng/ml each) for 24 h. Cell viability, mRNA expression (<it>real time RT-PCR</it>), protein expression (<it>western blotting</it>) for LTC4 synthase (LTC4S), LTA4 hydrolase (LTA4H), PGE2 and PGF2alpha synthases and endothelin-1 (EDN-1), and levels of LTs (B4 and C4) and PGs (E2 and F2alpha) and EDN-1 in the medium (<it>EIA</it>) were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We received immortalized luteal endothelial cell line (EnCL-1). Cytokines did not change EnCL-1 cell viability but increased mRNA expression of LTC4S, LTA4H, PGE2 and PGF2alpha synthases and EDN-1. EDN-1/2/3, LTC4 and PGF2alpha synthases protein expression were elevated in the presence of TNFalpha/IFNgamma, and accompanied by increased EDN-1, LTC4 and PGF2alpha secretion. Cytokines had no effect on PGES and LTA4H protein expression, and PGE2 and LTB4 release.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TNFalpha and IFNgamma modulate EnCL-1 cell function. Moreover, established EnCL-1 cell line appears to be a good model for investigating the molecular mechanisms related to cytokines action and aa metabolites production in cattle.</p