Cross-sectional anatomy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).

Computed tomography (CT) and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to scan seven by-caught dolphin cadavers, belonging to two species: four common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and three striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). CT and MRI were obtained with the animals in ventral recumbency. After the imaging procedures, six dolphins were frozen at -20°C and sliced in the same position they were examined. Not only CT and MRI scans, but also cross sections of the heads were obtained in three body planes: transverse (slices of 1 cm thickness) in three dolphins, sagittal (5 cm thickness) in two dolphins and dorsal (5 cm thickness) in two dolphins. Relevant anatomical structures were identified and labelled on each cross section, obtaining a comprehensive bi-dimensional topographical anatomy guide of the main features of the common and the striped dolphin head. Furthermore, the anatomical cross sections were compared with their corresponding CT and MRI images, allowing an imaging identification of most of the anatomical features. CT scans produced an excellent definition of the bony and air-filled structures, while MRI allowed us to successfully identify most of the soft tissue structures in the dolphin's head. This paper provides a detailed anatomical description of the head structures of common and striped dolphins and compares anatomical cross sections with CT and MRI scans, becoming a reference guide for the interpretation of imaging studies.

Cross-sectional anatomy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic region of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).

The aim of this study was to provide a detailed anatomical description of the thoracic region features in normal common (Delphinus delphis) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and to compare anatomical cross-sections with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. CT and MRI were used to scan 7 very fresh by-caught dolphin cadavers: four common and three striped dolphins. Diagnostic images were obtained from dolphins in ventral recumbency, and after the examinations, six dolphins were frozen (-20°C) and sliced in the same position. As well as CT and MRI scans, cross-sections were obtained in the three body planes: transverse (slices of 1 cm thickness), sagittal (5 cm thickness) and dorsal (5 cm thickness). Relevant anatomical features of the thoracic region were identified and labelled on each section, obtaining a complete bi-dimensional atlas. Furthermore, we compared CT and MRI scans with anatomical cross-sections, and results provided a complete reference guide for the interpretation of imaging studies of common and striped dolphin's thoracic structures.

Evolución radiográfica del implante de células mesenquimales de tejido adiposo diferenciadas a osteoblastos en la reparación de defectos óseos. Estudio experimental en ovejas / Implant of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells differentiated to osteoblasts in the repair of bone defects. Experimental study in sheep

Objetivo: Examinar la evolución radiográfica del implante de células mesenquimales derivadas de la grasa y diferenciadas a osteoblastos en defectos cavitarios del fémur ovino. Material y metodología: Se realizó un defecto cavitario en el cóndilo medial femoral bilateral en 22 ovejas de raza Asaaf, de 3-5 años. Se implantaron células troncales mesenquimales obtenidas del tejido graso diferenciadas a osteoblastos, plasma rico en plaquetas y heteroinjerto de hueso liofilizado. Se realizaron controles radiográficos a las 4 y 12 semanas, evaluando el crecimiento óseo según la escala de Lane y Shandu. Resultados: En ninguno de los grupos hubo formación o crecimiento óseo mayor del 25%. Se observó un mayor crecimiento óseo a las 12 semanas que a las 4 semanas no encontrando diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. Conclusiones: El control radiográfico de la evolución de defectos óseos cavitarios tratados con células troncales diferenciadas a osteoblastos no es un método fiable ni a las 4 ni a las 12 semanas del implante (AU)

Objetive: To investigate the radiographic progress of the implant of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells differentiated to osteoblasts in cavitary defects of sheep femur. Patients and methods: A cavitary defect was performed in the bilateral medial femoral condyle in 22 Asaaf sheep aged 3-5 years. Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from adipose tissue, differentiated into osteoblasts, platelet-rich plasma and lyophilised bone heterograft, were implanted. Radiographic controls were performed at 4 and 12 weeks, evaluating bone growth according to the Lane and Shandu scale. Results: Bone formation or growth were not greater than 25% in any of the groups. A greater bone growth was seen at 12 weeks than at 4 weeks, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: Radiographic control of the progression of cavitary bone defects treated with stem cells differentiated to osteoblasts is not a reliable method at 4 or at 12 weeks of implantation (AU)

Diagnostic imaging in sheep hepatic fascioliasis: ultrasound, computer tomography and magnetic resonance findings.

Radiological features and biochemical changes were investigated during the parenchymal and ductal phases of chronic Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep. The activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), plasma levels of IgG anti- F. hepatica and serial ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were studied in eight sheep infected with 150 F. hepatica metacercariae. Experimental fluke infection provoked an increase in plasma level of IgG directed against F. hepatica and in plasma LDH and AST activities from 4 weeks after infection. Enzyme activities did not significantly differ from the baseline after 15 and 12 weeks for LDH and AST, respectively. GGT activity increased from 9 weeks postinfection and still remained significantly elevated at 18 weeks. In the parenchymal phase, both CT and MRI showed nodular lesions in five animals and MRI could also detect early tracks in the subcapsular area in three sheep. Ultrasound findings were nonspecific in this phase. Ductal dilatation was shown by ultrasound, CT and MRI in almost all animals, although MRI was inferior to CT in depicting a mild ductal dilatation. Moving echogenic forms in the dilated bile ducts were observed by ultrasound from 9 weeks postinfection in seven of the eight sheep. Moving worms were only demonstrated in four sheep at CT and in a single sheep at MRI. This study shows that radiological findings may be useful in studies of fluke-induced liver damage.

Liver blood flow changes during laparoscopic surgery in pigs. A study of hepatic indocyanine green removal.

BACKGROUND: Physiological effects caused by abdominal insufflation in the course of laparoscopic surgery are partially unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine if indocyanine green (ICG) pharmacokinetic parameters, as an index of hepatic blood flow, change during laparoscopic surgery in the presence of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum. This effect could cause important alterations in the kinetics of anesthetic drugs. METHODS: Eighteen female pigs were anaesthetized under constant ventilation and randomly assigned to three groups undergoing insufflation with CO2 (I), laparoscopic oophorectomy with CO2 pneumoperitoneum (LS), or oophorectomy by open surgery (OS). CO2 pneumoperitoneum was performed at 14 mmHg. ICG (1 mg/kg) was injected into a marginal vein on two separate occasions: 30 min before and 30 min after the start of insufflation or surgery. Blood was sampled from the carotid artery at time intervals after the injection of ICG and after pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by a computer program. RESULTS: The area under the curve (AUC0-infinity) indicated important dysfunctions in ICG availability in all three groups of animals, with significant increases of 104%, 82%, and 48% for groups I, LS, and OS, respectively. The ICG apparent half-life did not significantly change in group OS, but it rose in groups I (+17%) and LS (+28%). ICG clearance was significantly reduced by 32% in group OS and to a larger extent in groups I and LS (-45% and -46%, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the contribution of CO2 pneumoperitoneum to decreased liver blood flow during laparoscopic surgery.

The effects of subclinical fasciolosis on hepatic secretory function in sheep.

The effects of subclinical fasciolosis at various stages of its development on bile flow and bile acid secretion and on the hepatobiliary transport of bilirubin were investigated in experimentally infected sheep. Bile flow was significantly reduced by weeks 6-14 postinfection. This was accompanied by a decrease in bile acid secretion by weeks 6-8. Serum AST and GLDH activities and serum bile acid concentration were significantly elevated from weeks 6 to 14. Total serum bilirubin was maximally increased at 6 weeks postinfection and remained elevated at weeks 8 and 14. Increases corresponded to both unconjugated and conjugated fractions, although the conjugated/total bilirubin ratio was enhanced in all infected animals. Biliary bilirubin secretion declined from weeks 6 to 14. No alteration was detected in either uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase activity, cytochrome P-450 concentration, or hematological markers of hemolysis. This study shows that the migration of immature flukes in the course of ovine fasciolosis causes a cholestatic phenomenon responsible for changes in serum and biliary bilirubin levels.