The pneumatisation of anterior clinoid process is not associated with any predictors that might be recognised preoperatively

The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is usually removed during surgeries of proximalinternal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. However, some ACPs presentwith air cells originating from the sphenoid or/and ethmoid sinus. In surgeriescontaining a clinoidectomy of a pneumatised process, up to 40% of patients experience cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea. The aim of this study wasto explore the potential predictors of pneumatisation of the ACP, as well asto compare the occurrence of CSF rhinorrhoea between total and partialanterior clinoidectomies. This study comprised 2 different groups, with 2 differentanalyses. Firstly, the pneumatisation of the ACP was evaluated in 496 ACPs and was based on 248 computer tomography exams (CT). The c2 testand ROC curve comparisons were utilised in conjunction, to explore possiblepredictors of air cell accumulation in the ACP. The overall pneumatisation ratewas 9.7%, unilateral and bilateral aerial ACP was found in 4.4% and 2.6% of all patients respectively, while at least one pneumatised ACP was found in 14.1% of examined patients. The route of pneumatisation was establishedin 87.5% of cases. The side of the ACP, gender, and patient age were notsignificantly associated with both pneumatisation of ACP or route of pneumatisation.Secondly, a clinical group of 23 patients after operative securingof an ICA aneurysm were retrospectively assessed with regards to the extentof anterior clinoidectomy and the occurrence of CSF rhinorrhoea. A total of23 ACPs were removed, 17 ACPs were totally resected, and 6 underwent partialresection. CSF rhinorrhoea was not noted in any patients, thus the comparison between clinical groups was not valid. Moreover, we described a novelmethod of partial removal of the lateral aspect of ACP, which was applied in6 patients treated for an ICA — ophthalmic artery junction aneurysm

Acute phase response in the primiparous dairy cows after repeated percutaneous liver biopsy during the transition period

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute phase response of dairy cows to repeated liver biopsy in order to estimate the safety of this procedure during the transition period. Liver biopsies (up to 1000 mg of liver tissue) were conducted twice a day, 7 days before expected parturition and 3 days after calving. The number of needle insertions for each biopsy was recorded and was dependent on the amount of obtained tissue. Blood samples were taken on day 7 before expected parturition, then on days 3, 4, 7 and 14 after calving. Body temperature was measured daily in all 30 cows from day 3 until day 14 after calving. The concentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen and interleukin-6 were determined in serum and plasma. In 16.7% of cows, the rectal body temperature rose by ≥ 0.5oC on the day after liver biopsy. Although the concentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and fibrinogen increased significantly after calving (p<0.01), there was no influence of the number of biopsies on the acute phase reaction and repeated biopsy during the transition period had no effect on body temperature. Therefore, the procedure may be regarded as safe for cows during the transition period

Why are dairy cows not able to cope with the subacute ruminal acidosis?

One of the largest challenges for the dairy industry is to provide cows with a diet which is highly energetic but does not negatively affect their rumens’ functions. In highly productive dairy cows, feeding diets rich in readily fermentable carbohydrates provides energy precursors needed for maximum milk production, but simultaneously decreases ruminal pH, leading to a widespread prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis. Maximizing milk production without triggering rumen acidosis still challenges dairy farmers, who try to prevent prolonged bouts of low ruminal pH mainly by proper nutrition and management practices. The animals try to avoid overeating fermentable feeds, as it causes negative consequences by disturbing digestive processes. The results of several experiments show that ruminants, including sheep and beef cattle, are able to modify some aspects of feeding behaviour in order to adjust nutrient intake to their needs and simultaneously prevent physiological disturbances. Particularly, such changes (e.g., increased preference for fibrous feeds, reduced intake of concentrates) were observed in animals, which were trying to prevent the excessive drop of rumen fluid pH. Thanks to a specific mechanism called “the postingestive feedback”, animals should be able to work out such a balance in intake, so they do not suffer either from hunger or from negative effects of over-ingesting the fermentable carbohydrates. This way, an acidosis should not be a frequent problem in ruminants. However, prolonged periods of excessively decreased rumen pH are still a concern in dairy cows. It raises a question, why the regulation of feed intake by postingestive feedback does not help to maintain stable rumen environment in dairy cows