The effects of equine plasma transfusion on markers of inflammation in healthy neonatal foals

Very few studies in veterinary medicine have investigated the immunologic changes and inflammatory markers associated with transfusion of fresh frozen plasma in neonatal foals. Plasma transfusion is routinely used in the equine neonate for several reasons ranging from prophylaxis of disease to complementary treatment of ongoing conditions. Previous studies in hospitalized sick neonatal foals have reported a transfusion reaction rate close to 10% (Hardefeldt, 2010). In this prospective study, we examined the immunological impact of intravenous (IV) fresh frozen plasma administration in healthy newborn foals, using a three-fold approach. Systemic, plasma-invoked immune and inflammatory responses were assessed by measuring 1) peripheral blood leukocytes cell cytokine gene expression, 2) circulating cytokine concentration (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin- 1β [IL-1 β], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF- α], interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-10 [IL-10] and interleukin-8 [IL-8], interleukin-4 [IL-4], interleukin-17 [IL-17]), and 3) changes in acute phase protein (fibrinogen [FIB] and serum amyloid A [SAA]) production. A total of 35 healthy, neonatal foals (mean ± SD age 34 ± 5 hours) were randomly allocated into one of two groups, and given either hyperimmune, fresh frozen plasma (treatment) or crystalloids (control) by IV administration through a preplaced jugular catheter. Blood samples were collected before (hour 0) treatment and at 2, 6 and 24 hours after transfusion. Serum cytokines concentrations were measured with either bead based multiplex technology (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, IL-10) or with commercial ELISA kits (IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β, TNF- α, IL-10). Peripheral blood leukocyte gene expression was performed with qRT-PCR. Serum amyloid A [SAA] was measured with turbidometric immunoassay and fibrinogen concentration [FIB] was determined with the method of Clauss. Comparisons between groups were made using a Kruskal Wallis test, and changes overtime within groups were analyzed with Friedman’s test followed by Mann Whitney U. Parametric data was analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA with LSD correction. Plasma administration was associated with a significant decrease in TNF-α gene expression between 6 and 24 hours (p= 0.007) and IL-1ß gene expression at 24hrs. Crystalloid administration was associated with a significant decrease in IL-1ß (p<0.005) and IL-10 (p=0.003) gene expression at 24hrs. In foals receiving plasma a significant increase from time 0 in serum [TNF- α] at 2, 6 and 24 hours (p<0.001) and in [IL-8] at 2 hours (p=0.001) was noticed. [IL-6] in plasma group was greater compared to the crystalloid group at 6 hours (p=0.051) and 24 hours (p=0.044). No significant overtime differences or between group variations were noticed for the other cytokines. A greater number of foals in the plasma group demonstrated an increase in [TNF- α], [IL-8] and [IL-6] compared to control group. On the contrary more foals in the control group demonstrated an increase over time of [IL-17] and [IL-4]. [FIB] was significantly different (p=0.048) between plasma and crystalloid groups at 6 hours, while [SAA] was different at 24 hours between groups (p=0.0125). In foals receiving plasma, [FIB] was significantly increased at 2, 6 and 24 hours (p<0.001) compared to baseline. We concluded that plasma transfusion in healthy foals leads to quantifiable changes in concentrations of these cytokines and that commercially available plasma may influence foals [FIB] soon after transfusion. Inflammation was also found in the foals receiving crystalloids and an effect of catheterization and fluid shear force was hypothesized. In combination, these results indicate that IV crystalloid and plasma administration are associated with a significant, but clinically undetectable, systemic inflammatory response. The nature of this immunological response was qualitatively different and quantitatively greater in foals receiving IV plasma. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism and significance of this transfusion- associated systemic immune response, and to determine how this might be different in sick or compromised individuals

All-Inorganic Cesium-Based Hybrid Perovskites for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells and Modules

AbstractIn the last ten years, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have been skyrocketing the field of innovative photovoltaics (PVs) and now represent one of the most promising solution for next‐generation PVs. Within the family of halide perovskites, increasing attention has been focused on the so‐called all‐inorganic group, where the organic cation is replaced by cesium, as in the case of CsPbI3. This subclass of halide perovskites features desirable optoelectronic properties such as easily tunable bandgap, strong defect tolerance, and improved thermal stability compared to the hybrid systems. When integrated in PV cells, they exhibit high power conversion efficiency (PCE) with record values of 19.03%. However, all‐inorganic perovskite solar cells (PCSs) face several challenges such as i) instability of the CsPbI3 photoactive phase in ambient conditions, ii) inhomogeneous film morphology, and iii) high surface defect density. This work focuses on the mentioned challenges with a special attention on discussing the Cs–Pb–X system (X = I, Br). Then, the most recent and effective approaches for increasing both the PCE and the stability of devices are reviewed, which include material doping, interface engineering, and device optimization. Finally, the first efforts toward the upscaling of Cs‐based PSCs, and predicted methods for enabling large‐scale production, are discussed

Foal and Mare Behavior Changes during Repeated Human-Animal Interactions in the First Two Weeks after Foaling

This study is important to the equine research field to demonstrate if handling neonatal foals and mares who recently foaled is invasive and may change how the foals and mares will behave around humans. The data show the effects of repeated blood draws and frequent handling on the foals and mares. The behavior of the foals and mares were documented over two weeks post foaling to determine if a behavior change has occurred due the handling. Results show no significant statistical difference in the behavior of the foals or mares throughout the study. Frequent handling of foals and mares for a research project in the period after foaling did not seem to be detrimental to their behavior.Ope

Suspected pulmonary oedema development in a pig following general anaesthesia and the associated complications encountered during a subsequent general anaesthetic

Abstract: An 85‐kg, 6‐year‐old pig presenting with stranguria was anaesthetised for computed tomography and cystotomy. During this anaesthetic, bradyarrhythmias occurred twice, both responding to medical intervention. A cystotomy tube was placed but the removal of one urethrolith was not possible. Recovery from anaesthesia was uneventful. During hospitalisation, the animal's respiratory rate and effort increased, with crackles on thoracic auscultation. As this responded to antibiotics and a reduction in intravenous fluid therapy, the pig underwent a second anaesthetic for a percutaneous cystolithotomy to remove the urethrolith. On induction of anaesthesia, clear fluid was visible in the oropharynx. This was removed by suction but after intubation large volumes flowed from the respiratory tract via the endotracheal tube. The pig's condition was stabilised during the anaesthetic with intravenous furosemide and intermittent positive‐pressure ventilation. Surgery was completed and the animal recovered from anaesthesia. Postoperatively the pig developed severe dyspnoea and cardiopulmonary arrest

Use of antimicrobial impregnated calcium sulphate beads in the surgical management of mandibular osteomyelitis in an 8‐year‐old huacaya alpaca

Abstract: An 8‐year‐old, male huacaya alpaca presented for a left mandibular swelling that was not responsive to antimicrobial treatment. A computed tomography scan was obtained, confirming the presence of a lytic bone destruction and primary mandibular osteomyelitis. Surgical debridement of the area was performed and the surgical site was packed with antibiotic‐loaded calcium sulphate beads to provide local antibiotic delivery and support new bone formation. The surgical intervention and implantation of the beads were well tolerated, and no postsurgical issues were reported over the following 12 months. A follow‐up computed tomography scan was performed 14 months after surgery and this revealed near‐complete restoration of bone architecture and no evidence of active bone destruction. A combination of surgical debridement and antibiotic‐loaded calcium sulphate beads is a viable and cost‐reasonable option for the treatment of osteomyelitis in camelids

Graphene thermal infrared emitters integrated into silicon photonic waveguides

Cost-efficient and easily integrable broadband mid-infrared (mid-IR) sources would significantly enhance the application space of photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Thermal incandescent sources are superior to other common mid-IR emitters based on semiconductor materials in terms of PIC compatibility, manufacturing costs, and bandwidth. Ideal thermal emitters would radiate directly into the desired modes of the PIC waveguides via near-field coupling and would be stable at very high temperatures. Graphene is a semi-metallic two-dimensional material with comparable emissivity to thin metallic thermal emitters. It allows maximum coupling into waveguides by placing it directly into their evanescent fields. Here, we demonstrate graphene mid-IR emitters integrated with photonic waveguides that couple directly into the fundamental mode of silicon waveguides designed for a wavelength of 4,2 {\mu}m relevant for CO${_2}$ sensing. High broadband emission intensity is observed at the waveguide-integrated graphene emitter. The emission at the output grating couplers confirms successful coupling into the waveguide mode. Thermal simulations predict emitter temperatures up to 1000{\deg}C, where the blackbody radiation covers the mid-IR region. A coupling efficiency {\eta}, defined as the light emitted into the waveguide divided by the total emission, of up to 68% is estimated, superior to data published for other waveguide-integrated emitters.Comment: 24 page

InternationaL cross-sectIonAl and longItudinal assessment on aSthma cONtrol in European adult patients : the LIAISON study protocol

The study is funded by Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, ItalyPeer reviewedPublisher PD

In the Murine and Bovine Maternal Mammary Gland Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 is Activated in Clusters of Epithelial Cells around the Day of Birth

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins regulate mammary development. Here we investigate the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in the mouse and cow around the day of birth. We present localised colocation analysis, applicable to other mammary studies requiring identification of spatially congregated events. We demonstrate that pSTAT3-positive events are multifocally clustered in a non-random and statistically significant fashion. Arginase-1 expressing cells, consistent with macrophages, exhibit distinct clustering within the periparturient mammary gland. These findings represent a new facet of mammary STAT3 biology, and point to the presence of mammary sub-microenvironments.</p