Rabies outbreak in Greece during 2012-2014: use of Geographical Information System for analysis, risk assessment and control

The objectives of this work were (i) geographical analysis of the 2012–2014 outbreak of rabies in Greece using GIS and (ii) comparative analysis of animal cases with data of potential human exposure to rabies together with environmental data, in order to provide information for risk assessment, effective monitoring and control. Most animal cases (40/48) involved red foxes, while domestic animals were also diagnosed with rabies. Overall, 80% of the cases were diagnosed in central northern Greece; 75% of the cases were diagnosed in low altitudes (<343·5 m), within a distance of 1 km from human settlements. Median distance from livestock farms was 201·25 m. Most people potentially exposed to rabies (889/1060) presented with dog bite injuries. Maximum entropy analysis revealed that distance from farms contributed the highest percentage in defining environmental niche profiles for rabid foxes. Oral vaccination programmes were implemented in 24 administrative units of the country during 2013 and 2014, covering a total surface area of ~60 000 km2. Rabies re-occurrence in Greece emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance in cross-border areas and in areas with intense human activity

Diabetes mellitus and functional sperm characteristics: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Objective Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus (DM) are well defined causes of female infertility. Animal studies present evidence for decreased sperm quality, but conflicting results have been presented in clinically-orientated studies. We sought to evaluate whether DM affects functional sperm characteristics. Study design We searched the Medline, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Results DM seems to decrease the seminal volume (MD − 0.66 ml, 95% CI − 1.10, − 0.22) and the percentage of motile cells (MD − 14.29%, 95% CI − 22.76, − 5.82) and increase the FSH values (MD 0.47 mIU/ml, 95% CI 0.01, 0.93) of men who were screened for infertility. It does not, however, influence the total sperm count (MD 13.16 106 cells, 95% CI − 22.75, 49.07), the percentage of normal sperm morphology (− 3.06%, 95% CI − 6.25, 0.14), or LH (MD 0.65 mIU/ml, 95% CI − 0.84, 2.13 Supp. Fig. 2) and testosterone values (MD − 0.18 ng/ml, 95% CI − 0.60, 0.24). Conclusion Current evidence suggests that the presence of DM seems to influence functional sperm characteristics. Firm results are, however, precluded due to the significant heterogeneity of the included studies. Future prospective studies will clarify whether the DM affects semen quality and IVF outcome. © 2016 Elsevier Inc

Serum visfatin levels in an atherosclerotic animal model treated with rosuvastatin combined with physical exercise

Visfatin is a relatively novel adipokine which gained ground in current research during the last years and the research on its contribution in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is ongoing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined rosuvastatin and exercise treatment on serum visfatin levels and on other biomarkers related to lipid metabolism and inflammation in mice receiving an atherogenic diet. Thirty five C57BL/6 male mice were assigned to four groups, group A: control, group B: atherogenic fed animals, group C: atherogenic animals along with exercise-tiaining on treadmill and group D: rosuvastatin treatment (0.3 mg kg-1 body weight/day per os) along with exercise training. The duration of the study was 12 weeks. Rosuvastatin treatment in combination to physical exercise resulted in improved serum lipid levels and reducedserum visfatin, sirtuin-1, adiponectin and HMW adiponectin levels in comparison to the non-treated animals. Rosuvastatin treatment of mice combined with exercise effectively reduces serum visfatin levels in atherogenic fed mice. This reduction is directly related to a concurrent reduction of serum total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin levels. © Medwell Journals, 2015

Prenatal cocaine exposure and its impact on cognitive functions of offspring: A pathophysiological insight

It is estimated that approximately 0.5%-3% of fetuses are prenatally exposed to cocaine (COC). The neurodevelopmental implications of this exposure are numerous and include motor skill impairments, alterations of social function, predisposition to anxiety, and memory function and attention deficits; these implications are commonly observed in experimental studies and ultimately affect both learning and IQ. According to previous studies, the clinical manifestations of prenatal COC exposure seem to persist at least until adolescence. The pathophysiological cellular processes that underlie these impairments include dysfunctional myelination, disrupted dendritic architecture, and synaptic alterations. On a molecular level, various neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, catecholamines, and γ-Aminobutyric acid seem to participate in this process. Finally, prenatal COC abuse has been also associated with functional changes in the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-Adrenal axis that mediate neuroendocrine responses. The purpose of this review is to summarize the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal COC abuse, to describe the pathophysiological pathways that underlie these consequences, and to provide implications for future research in the field. © 2016 by De Gruyter

The potential effect of biological sealants on colorectal anastomosis healing in experimental research involving severe diabetes

Colorectal anastomoses continuous to pose a significant challenge in current surgical practice. Anastomotic leakage remains one of the most frequent and dramatic complications of colorectal surgery, even in centres of high specialisation. Diabetes is a wellestablished independent factor which results in higher anastomotic leakage rates. Fibrin sealants have been applied in experimental and clinical studies for the prevention of anastomotic dehiscence. However, little is known regarding their impact on diabetic patients. Several fibrin sealants have been proposed as adjunct to standard surgical techniques to prevent leakage from colonic anastomoses following the reversal of temporary colostomies, approved for general haemostasis. This review summarises current advances in colorectal anastomoses and provides evidence that may strengthen the need for tissue sealants in colorectal anastomoses of diabetic patients. We searched Medline (1966-2016) and Scopus (2004-2016) for current evidence in the field. To date, there is no evidence to support the use of fibrin sealants as an adjunct in diabetic patients who undergo colorectal surgery. Experimental animal models with extreme diabetes could be of significant use in the present field and further research is needed prior to application of fibrin sealants in a clinical setting

A Novel Experimental Model of Colorectal Endometriosis

Purpose: Endometriosis is a disease that affects 6–10% of the female population, mainly women of reproductive age, and causes a variety of cyclic symptoms. Deep infiltrating endometriosis and in particular bowel involvement presents a challenge for modern surgery. To date, there are no experimental animal models in this field, demonstrating experimental induction of endometriosis directly attached to surface of the colon imitating human colorectal endometriosis; hence, the implementation of novel pharmaceutical and surgical strategies for the management of colorectal endometriosis is mainly limited to clinical studies. Aim of the study: To investigate whether induction of colorectal endometriotic lesions in is feasible in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty, female, adult, non-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats sustained uterine horn resection, which was then placed around the rectum of the rat with the endometrial surface in direct contact with the bowel serosa and approximated in the serosal surface of the colon with two sutures. Results: Two weeks following, surgery rats were euthanized and the bowel was surgically explored. The presence of a cystic lump at the site of the surgical intervention was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Histopathology documented the presence of cystic endometriosis. The endometriotic focus was adherent to the bowel wall by large fibrous nodules with concomitant replacement of part of the outer longitudinal muscle layer. Conclusions: The findings of our study support that the proposed experimental model of colorectal endometriosis is feasible, easily reproducible and may be implemented in future research in this field. Copyright © 2018 Taylor &amp; Francis Group, LLC

The effect of TISSEEL® on colorectal anastomosis healing process in a diabetic animal experimental model

Background/Aim: Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor of colorectal anastomosis failure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of TISSEEL® in anastomotic healing. Materials and Methods: Forty male, Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Diabetes was induced in half of them by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg. One week after the injection, animals were operated and a 1 cm segment was removed and an end-to-end hand sewn anastomosis was performed. TISSEEL® was applied in each group (diabetic, non-diabetic) following randomization. Results: The pathology analysis revealed improved tissue remodeling in the TISSEEL® group, both for the normoglycemic and the diabetic group. Specifically, the extent of inflammation was decreased (p&lt;0.001), whereas fibroblast and collagen formation were improved (p=0.040 and p=0.008). Neovascularization was also improved (p=0.047). Conclusion: Application of TISSEEL® on colorectal anastomoses improves healing in rats that suffer from severe hyperglycemia. © 2020 International Institute of Anticancer Research. All rights reserved

Pre-treatment with simvastatin prevents the induction of diet-induced atherosclerosis in a rabbit model

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential antiatherosclerotic activities of simvastatin in rabbits. Twenty-two, male, New Zealand rabbits were divided into the following groups: Control group (group C); cholesterol group (group A), in which the rabbits were fed a commercial rabbit chow supplemented with 0.5% w/w cholesterol for 8 weeks and then fed with normal chow for an additional 8 weeks; and a treatment group (group B), in which the rabbits initially received standard commercial rabbit chow along with being administered simvastatin for 8 weeks, following which they consumed a high-cholesterol diet for a further 8 weeks. The rabbits pre-treated with simvastatin presented significantly lower serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels when compared with the non simvastatin-treated cholesterol-fed animals. Furthermore, none of the rabbits in the simvastatin group presented with atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. Thus, simvastatin was demonstrated to exhibit preventive properties against the formation of atherosclerosis in the atherosclerosis model in the current study, predominantly via its hypolipidemic activity. © 2016, Spandidos Publications. All Rights Reserved

Per os colchicine administration in cholesterol fed rabbits: Triglycerides lowering effects without affecting atherosclerosis progress

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is promoted, among others, by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 produced by NLRP 3 inflammasome. Development of atherosclerotic lesions is also affected by leptin. Furthermore, inflammasome&apos;s action is interfered with other inflammatory diseases, like diabetes. On the other hand, colchicine is reported to act as anti-inflammatory agent inhibiting inflammasome&apos;s action and stabilizing atherosclerotic lesions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of per os colchicine on the de novo formation of atherosclerotic lesions and on the levels of IL-18, leptin and insulin in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Methods: Twenty-three male, 2 months old New Zealand White rabbits, were seperated in 3 groups and were fed with different types of diet for 7 weeks: standard, cholesterol 1% w/w and cholesterol 1% w/w plus colchicine 2 mg/kg body weight. Blood was collected for biochemical measurements and conduction of ELISA for leptin, IL-18 and insulin. Histologic examination of stained with eosin and hematoxylin aorta specimens was performed. Aortic intimal thickness was evaluated using image analysis. The statistical analysis included non-parametric tests: a) paired-sample Wilcoxon test, b) Spearman correlation coefficient and c) Kruscal-Wallis test. Results: Triglerycide levels were decreased in cholesterol plus colchicine group in the end of the experiment (p &amp;lt; 0.05), whereas the cholesterol group had increased levels. No statistical differences were observed in the levels of IL-18, leptin and insulin between groups. Likewise, there was neither any correlation between IL-18, leptin and intima thickness nor between IL-18 and glucose and between leptin and weight. In cholesterol and colchicine group there was a strong positive correlation between IL-18 and insulin levels in the 4th week (r s =.66, n = 10, p &amp;lt; 0.05), whereas in the 7th week this correlation became strong negative (r s = -.86, n = 10, p &amp;lt; 0.05). Finally, intima thickness in the ascending and thoracic aorta of the cholesterol and colchicine group was significantly greater than that of the other groups (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Per os administration of colchicine did not influence atherosclerosis progression in cholesterol-fed rabbits, levels of IL-18, insulin and leptin. We encountered the attenuating role of colchicine on TG levels. © 2017 The Author(s)