Assessing the usefulness of B-mode and colour Doppler sonography, and measurements of circulating progesterone concentrations for determining ovarian responses in superovulated ewes.

The main goal of this study was to assess the usefulness of two imaging modalities, namely the B-mode and colour Doppler sonography, and serum progesterone (P4 ) concentrations for determining the ovarian response in superovulated ewes. Twenty-four sexually mature Santa Inês ewes underwent the superovulatory treatment consisting of eight injections of porcine FSH (total dose of 200 or 133 or 100 mg; n = 8 ewes/total dose) given at 12-hr intervals and initiated 48 hr before CIDR® (Pfizer Inc., Auckland, New Zealand) removal. Six days after natural mating, the ovaries of all donor ewes were visualized and examined with transrectal ultrasonography and then with videolaparoscopy to identify and enumerate corpora lutea (CL) and luteinized unovulated follicles (LUFs). Jugular blood samples were collected just prior to ovarian examinations. The total number of CL (r = .78 and 0.83, p < .0001) and LUFs (r = .74 and 0.90, p < .0001) enumerated using the B-mode and colour Doppler ultrasonographic technique, respectively, were correlated with that ascertained by videolaparoscopy. Circulating concentrations of P4 were related directly to the number of healthy CL (r = .73, p = .0002) and inversely to the number of prematurely regressing CL (r = -.46, p = .03), but the accuracy of predicting the number of short-lived CL with serum P4 concentrations was very poor. The present results indicate that ultrasonographic imaging and serum P4 measurements on the day of embryo recovery are useful indicators of total/normal CL numbers and both ultrasonographic techniques can be used to quantify LUFs in superovulated ewes.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and post-pubertal Dorper rams raised in a subtropical climate.

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare ultrasonographic characteristics of accessory sex glands and spectral Doppler indices of the internal iliac arteries in peri- and post-pubertal rams raised in a subtropical climate. Forty-five Dorper rams were examined (24 rams aged 8-11 months and 21 rams aged 12-24 months). Digital images of all accessory sex glands were subjected to morphometric and echotextural analyses, the latter using commercially available image analytical software Image ProPlus®. Physical and morphological characteristics of semen and serum concentrations of testosterone were also determined. The dimensions of the prostate gland (12.9±1.2 compared with 14.2±2.7mm; mean±standard deviation) and bulbourethral glands (13.7±1.3 compared with 14.7±1.8mm) were greater (P=0.04) in sexually mature compared with peri-pubertal rams. Pixel intensity of vesicular (181.5±20.8 compared with 164.8±26.8, P=0.02) and bulbourethral gland parenchyma (166.9±16.9 compared with 141.8±29.1, P=0.001) was greater in peri-pubertal compared with sexually mature rams. Semen could be collected by ejaculation into the artificial vagina from 38% (8/21) of post-pubertal rams and 21% (5/24) of peri-pubertal animals (P=0.03). Semen volume was positively correlated with peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in the internal iliac arteries (r=0.79, P=0.001 and r=0.67, P=0.01, respectively), while spermatic vigor and progressive motility were inversely related to circulating concentrations of testosterone (r=-0.69, P=0.009 and r=-0.61, P=0.03, respectively). In summary, the attainment of sexual maturity in the rams of the present study was associated with an enlargement of the prostate and bulbourethral glands, and with the shift in echotextural attributes of vesicular and bulbourethral glands. Circulating testosterone concentrations and Doppler blood flow indices of the ram's internal iliac arteries are significant predictors of sperm progressive motility, vigor and the amount of ejaculate.

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography of testicular disorders in dogs: preliminary results / Elastografia acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) de afecções testiculares em cães: resultados iniciais

The aim of this study was to describe the use of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the evaluation of testicular disorders in dogs. Eighteen dogs with testicular disorders (thirty-six testicles) were assessed. Echotexture, size, contours and margins of testes were analysed by ultrasonography. Deformities and tissue stiffness (greyscale and homogenous or heterogeneous) were evaluated by qualitative elastography and shear velocity was determined quantitatively. Subsequent to orchiectomy, testicular samples were collected for histopathology analysis and thirty-six disorders were identified. Qualitative elastography revealed that normal healthy testicular tissues were homogenous and not pliable while the affected testicles had alterations in tissue stiffness and homogeneity. The values obtained for quantitative elastography of the testicular tissues were: normal/healthy - 1.30±0.12 m/s; degenerated - 0.97±0.08 m/s; atrophied - 2.00±0.35 m/s; hypoplastic - 0.82±0.2 m/s; cystic - 1.32±0.18 m/s; orchitis - 2.68±0.42 m/s; interstitial cell tumours - 3.32±0.65 m/s; sertolioma - 2.99±0.07 m/s and leydigoma - 2.73±0.37. ARFI elastography of abnormal testes proved to be an applicable and complementary technique in the diagnosis of testicular disease in dogs.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o uso da elastografia ARFI (acoustic radiation force impulse) para avaliar as afecções testiculares em cães. Dezoito cães com distúrbios testiculares (36 testículos) foram avaliados. Ecotextura, tamanho, contornos e margens dos testículos foram avaliados por meio da ultrassonografia modo-B. A presença de deformidades e a rigidez tecidual (escala de cinza; homogênea ou heterogênea) foram avaliadas pela elastografia qualitativa; e a velocidade de cisalhamento foi determinada pela avaliação quantitativa. Amostras dos tecidos testiculares foram coletadas após orquiectomia para o diagnóstico histopatológico. Após ultrassonografia, orquiectomia e histopatologia, foram identificados 36 distúrbios em tecidos testiculares. Durante a elastografia qualitativa, os tecidos normais apresentaram-se homogêneos e não deformáveis; os testículos alterados demonstraram alterações na rigidez tecidual e de sua homogeneidade. Para a elastografia quantitativa, os valores obtidos foram: tecidos normais - 1,30±0,12m/s; degenerados - 0,97±0,08m/s; atrofiados - 2,00±0,35m/s; hipoplásicos - 0,82±0,2m/s; cistos - 1,32±0,18m/s; orquite - 2,68±0,42m/s; tumores de células intersticiais - 3,32±0,65m/s; sertolioma - 2,99±0,07m/s; e leydigoma - 2,73±0,37m/s. A elastografia ARFI de testículos anormais em cães demonstrou ser uma técnica aplicável e complementar para o diagnóstico de doenças testiculares nessa espécie animal.

Serum Levels of Cardiac Markers NT-proANP and NT-proBNP in Brachycephalic bitches at Different Gestational Stages.

The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of natriuretic peptide precursors (NT-proANP and NT-proBNP) during pregnancy in brachycephalic bitches. Fifteen healthy multiparous bitches were selected for this prospective study. Serum levels of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were measured during anoestrous and at 14, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days (2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th weeks) of pregnancy. Fourteen animals had normal gestations, and one bitch developed single foetus syndrome. The natriuretic peptide levels of this animal were not included in this study; however, it is important to report that its NT-proANP levels were four times greater than those of normal patients. There was no significant difference (p = 0.072) in NT-proBNP levels between anoestrous (0.20 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and the different pregnancy weeks (0.27 ± 0.12 ng/ml). There was a positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between NT-proANP and gestational age, and the levels of this marker increased significantly (p < 0.0001) during the 6th (0.26 ± 0.06 ng/ml), 7th (0.28 ± 0.04 ng/ml) and 8th weeks (0.29 ± 0.05 ng/ml) when compared to anoestrous (0.18 ± 0.02 ng/ml). NT-proANP serum levels are correlated with gestational development and may be indicative of cardiovascular adaptation in canine brachycephalic pregnancy.

Spleen evaluation using contrast enhanced ultrasonography and Doppler in dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis / Ultrassonografia por contraste com microbolhas e Doppler na avaliação do baço de cães com erliquiose subclínica

The aim of this study was to evaluate the splenic parenchyma of dogs with subclinical ehrlichiosis using Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and provide reference values for this organ in affected animals. Seventeen dogs naturally infected with E. canis were selected for this study. Splenic parenchyma echotexture and echogenicity, size and borders were determined by ultrasound scan. The vascular indices of the splenic artery were determined by Doppler. SonoVue, at 0.1mL per animal, was used in microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to determine wash in, wash out and peak enhancement time in the splenic tissue. B-mode ultrasonography revealed splenomegaly with rounded borders, heterogeneous echotexture and mixed echogenicity. The vascular indices of the splenic artery were: systolic velocity of 22.59±8.07cm/s, diastolic velocity of 5.25±4.66cm/s and resistance index of 0.71±0.14; values not yet reported in Veterinary Medicine. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography recorded wash in time of 5.31±0.7s, peak enhancement time of 18.56±2.90s and wash out time of 94.56±35.21s. The combination of conventional ultrasonography of the spleen and hemodynamic evaluation by Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is important for the diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis and could help monitor the clinical evolution of subclinical cases.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o parênquima esplênico de cães com erliquiose na fase subclínica, por meio do Doppler e da ultrassonografia por contraste com microbolhas. Dezessete cães naturalmente infectados por E. canis na fase subclínica foram selecionados para este estudo. Por meio da ultrassonografia, avaliou-se a ecotextura, a ecogenicidade, o tamanho e os bordos do baço e, pelo Doppler, foram determinados os índices vasculares da artéria esplênica dos cães. Para a avaliação por contraste com microbolhas, foi utilizado SonoVue, na dosagem de 0,1mL por animal, e determinou-se o tempo de entrada e saída, bem como o pico de realce no tecido esplênico. Ao exame modo-B, foram observadas esplenomegalia com presença de bordas arredondadas, ecotextura heterogênea e ecogenicidade mista do baço. Ao Doppler, foram encontrados valores para os índices vasculares da artéria esplênica: velocidade sistólica: 22,59±8,07cm/s; velocidade diastólica: 5,25±4,66cm/s; e índice de resistência: 0,71±0,14, valores ainda não descritos em veterinária. Pela ultrassonografia com contraste, observaram-se valores para wash-in de 5,31±0.7s, pico de realce de 18,56±2.90s e wash-out de 94,56±35.21s. A ultrassonografia convencional do baço de cães com erliquiose, associada com a utilização do método Doppler e a ultrassonografia contrastada, é uma importante ferramenta na triagem diagnóstica e pode auxiliar a monitoração e a evolução de animais na fase subclínica.

Doppler and elastography as complementary diagnostic methods for mammary neoplasms in female cats / Doppler e elastografia como métodos diagnósticos complementares de neoplasias mamárias em felinos

Objetivou-se descrever a utilização das técnicas Doppler e elastografia ARFI (acoustic radiation force impulse) na avaliação de neoplasias mamárias de gatas, métodos ainda não utilizados para tal estudo em fêmeas felinas. Após a avaliação física e específica das neoplasias mamárias de duas gatas, foram realizadas as avaliações ultrassonográfica modo-B (ecogenicidade, ecotextura e margeamento), Doppler colorido (característica do fluxo sanguíneo) e espectral (velocidade sistólica/VS; diastólica/VD; e índice de resistência/IR) e a eslatografia ARFI qualitativa (escala de cores) e quantitativa (velocidade de cisalhamento) dos nódulos mamários, avaliando a aplicabilidade destas técnicas para determinar a malignidade dos tumores mamários. Após mastectomia e histopatologia foram diagnosticados: caso 1: carcinoma tubular; e caso 2: carcinoma mamário cribiforme. As características do modo-B foram similares para ambos os casos (heterogeneidade e margens regulares e não invasivas). Ao Doppler verificou-se presença de neovascularização e valores considerados elevados para os índices vasculares (quando comparado com tecidos benignos de outras espécies, como por exemplo caninos) (caso 1 - VS: 23,1cm/s, VD: 8,5cm/s e IR: 0,63; caso 2 - VS: 47,4 e 24,5cm/s; VD: 16,1 e 6,1cm/s e IR: 0,66 e 0,75); assim como os valores da velocidade de cisalhamento dos tecidos (caso 1: 4,07 m/s; caso 2: 4,54 e 6,85 m/s) na elastografia quantitativa; sendo que na avaliação qualitativa observou-se predominante rigidez e não deformidade tecidual, características que podem indicar a malignidade tecidual. Conclui-se que estas técnicas podem auxiliar no estudo de neoplasias mamárias em felinos, sugerindo a implementação destas técnicas de imagem para estudos de tumores mamários em felinos.

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of prostate and testes of healthy dogs: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography to evaluate the prostate and testes in healthy dogs and establish reference values for these organs. METHODS: Thirty dogs were divided into three groups according to their age: juvenile, adult and senior. Echotexture, size, contours and margins of prostate and testes were assessed via ultrasound. The presence of deformities and tissue stiffness (greyscale and homogeneous or heterogeneous) were evaluated by qualitative acoustic radiation force impulse. The shear velocity was evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS: The B mode findings were normal. The qualitative elastography demonstrated that the testes and prostate tissues were hard, homogeneous and not pliable. The shear velocity values were: left testes - juveniles: 1·28 m/s, adults: 1·23 m/s and seniors: 1·23 m/s; right testes - juveniles: 1·28 m/s, adults: 1·28 m/s and seniors: 1·28 m/s; left prostatic lobe - juveniles: 1·74 m/s, adults: 2·03 m/s and seniors: 1·82 m/s; right prostatic lobe - juvenile: 1·62 m/s, adults: 1·87 m/s and seniors: 1·90 m/s with no significant differences between groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of the testes and prostate in dogs was easily implemented. This study provides baseline data for these organs.

Quantity of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, INF-γ, TNF-α and KC-like cytokines in serum of bitches with pyometra in different stages of oestrous cycle and pregnancy.

The occurrence of the pyometra is most common in the first half of the dioestrus when there is decreased cellular immunity associated with increased serum concentration of progesterone in females. The aim of this study was to determine the immunological profile of bitches with pyometra, studying serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ, KC-like and TNF-α and comparing them with those of healthy bitches in anoestrus, dioestrus and pregnant. Forty females were divided into four experimental groups: group 1 (G1): with pyometra (n = 10); group 2 (G2): bitches in the second week of gestation (n = 10); group 3 (G3): in anoestrus (n = 10); and group 4 (G4): in dioestrus (n = 10). The serum levels for IL-2, KC-like, INF-γ and TNF-α were similar for all experimental groups. The values obtained for IL-10 were found increased (p < 0.001) in animals in dioestrus and pyometra compared with females in anoestrus and pregnant, and the levels of IL-4 observed were significantly greater (p < 0.001) in bitches with pyometra when compared with others. The cytokine profile in animals with pyometra is similar to bitches in dioestrus for IL-10 and had increase in IL-4 for bitches with pyometra, which represents an anti-inflammatory these cases. This suggests the presence of an immunosuppressive state in both cases, which may explain the propensity of bitches in dioestrus to be affected by pyometra and the severity of the disease on these animals.

Observed molecular alignment in gaseous streams and possible chiral effects in vortices and in surface scattering.

Extensive work in this laboratory has been devoted to the study of intermolecular interactions from scattering experiments, in order to provide ingredients for modelling forces acting in systems involving hydrocarbons, the components of atmospheres, and water. Our detection of aligned oxygen in gaseous streams and further evidence on simple molecules has been extended to benzene and various hydrocarbons. Chiral effects can be seen in the differential scattering of oriented molecules, in particular from surfaces. It is pointed out that it may be of pre-biotical interest that we focus on possible mechanisms for chiral bio-stereochemistry of oriented reactants, for example when flowing in atmospheres of rotating bodies, specifically the planet earth, as well as in vortex motions of celestial objects. Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental verifications are in progress.

Enhanced optical limiting performance of a nonlinear absorber in a solution containing scattering nanoparticles.

The optical limiting performance of a water-soluble porphyrin derivative is shown to be improved when small-sized (400-nm-diameter) nonabsorbing polystyrene spheres are added to the solution. The optical limiting enhancement is attributed to absorption of diffusive photons that experience longer light pathways than ballistic photons. The effect is demonstrated for nanosecond laser excitation at 532 nm.

Quasi-Resonant Nonlinear Absorption for Optical Power Limiting: solgel-Processed Er(3+)-Doped Multicomponent Silica Glass.

We demonstrate optical power limiting by what we believe to be a new mechanism of nonlinear absorption, which involves a quasi-resonant ground-state absorption that is either phonon assisted or assisted by the presence of defect sites (tail absorption). Such a mechanism provides high transmittance at low intensity yet optical limiting under cw conditions. The sample used was a novel solgel-processed Er(3+)-doped multicomponent silica glass. In this system the nonlinear absorption process is achieved because the resonant excited-state ((4)I(13/2) ? (4)S(3/2)) absorption cross section is larger than the quasi-resonant ground-state ((4)I(15/2) ? (4)I(9/2)) absorption cross section.

Changes in porphyrin nonlinear absorption owing to interaction with bovine serum albumin.

The changes in the nonlinear absorption of meso-tetrakis (p-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS(4)) caused by its binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated in aqueous solutions. The nonlinear absorption depended on the excitation wavelength and pH. It is noteworthy that, for excitation at 640 nm, saturated absorption was observed in a TPPS(4) solution (pH 4.0), whereas reverse saturated absorption occurred for all pH values from 4.0 to 7.0 when BSA was added to TPPS(4). The presence of BSA also initiates an increase in the saturation intensity and a reduction of the nonlinear absorption coefficient. The interpretation of the results based on the binding of TPPS(4) to BSA is corroborated by linear absorption, fluorescence, light scattering, and flash-photolysis data.