Treatment Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Posterior Circulation Stroke.

Objective The benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute posterior circulation stroke remain unclear. Currently, there is no evidence from randomized control trials to show the safety and effectiveness of MT in patients with posterior circulation stroke. This study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of MT in posterior circulation stroke patients enrolling in our hospital during 2010 to 2020. Materials and Methods Between January 2010 and December 2020, 66 patients with acute posterior circulation stroke underwent MT. Data collected and analyzed included demographics, comorbidity, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), procedure time, site of occlusion, presence of posterior communicating artery (PCoA), endovascular technique, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Good clinical outcome was defined by mRS at 2 or less at 90 days after MT. Statistical Analysis Variables with normal distribution were reported with mean ± standard deviation, meanwhile those with nonnormal distribution were demonstrated with median and range. Fisher's exact test for categorical variables or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with binary logistic regression method was used analyze the association between the prognosis factor and good outcome. Statistical significance was defined when p -value less than 0.05. Results The mean age of patients was 65.2 years with male predominance. The median NIHSS was 18.5. Successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3) was achieved in 61/66 cases (92.42%) and postprocedure symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 5/66 cases (7.60%). Successful recanalization with good clinical outcome was obtained from 30 of 61 cases (49.18%); it was also associated with distal basilar artery occlusion ( p = 0.035) and PCoA patency presence ( p = 0.024). Our study showed the correlation between good treatment outcomes with initial NIHSS less than 20, intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, pre-MT magnetic resonance imaging Q5 brain, and contact aspiration MT technique. Conclusion MT is beneficial to patients with posterior circulation stroke. A good clinical outcome was significantly associated with distal basilar artery occlusion and PCoA patency presence within a group of successful recanalization.

Fetal mortality associated with backfat thickness at first mating and first farrowing of the primiparous sows raised in a commercial herd in Thailand.

This study aimed to investigate the fetal mortality, including stillborn piglets (SB) and mummified fetuses (MM), in relation to backfat thickness both at first mating (MBF) and at first farrowing (FBF) in 200 primiparous sows accommodated in a commercial breeding herd in Thailand. Backfat thickness of all pigs was measured at P2 position using an A-mode ultrasonography. Based on MBF, the gilts were classified into four groups: MBF1 (≤12.0 mm), MBF2 (>12.0-15.0 mm), MBF3 (>15.0-18.0 mm), and MBF4 (>18.0 mm). According to FBF, the primiparous sows were categorized into four classes: FBF1 (≤15.0 mm), FBF2 (>15.0-18.0 mm), FBF3 (>18.0-21.0 mm), and FBF4 (>21.0 mm). At farrowing, 174 litters were examined for percentage of SB and MM. The results indicated that mean MBF and FBF were 16.7 ± 0.3 mm and 19.6 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. Based on MBF, the pigs in MBF1 significantly possessed higher percentage of MM (13.8 ± 4.5%) than others; meanwhile, SB percentage was not different among groups (P > 0.05). According to FBF, the pigs in FBF4 farrowed the highest percentage of SB (9.1 ± 3.2%) than others, whereas MM percentage was not different among classes (P > 0.05). In summary, backfat thickness of the gilts should be one of the parameters to pay more attention since it is related to fetal mortality of the primiparous sows. The farmers should monitor the backfat thickness not only at the first mating time, but also along the gestation period in order to minimize fetal mortality in the primiparous sows.

Expressions of cytochrome P450 aromatase and anti-Müllerian hormone in testes of fattening pigs by the timing of the first vaccination for immunocastration.

In practice, two injections of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine are recommended for pig immunocastration for effective outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the expressions of cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom ) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in testes, testicular length and testicular histomorphometry of the fattening pigs receiving the first injection of GnRH vaccine 6 weeks earlier than the standard protocol. Based on vaccination protocol, 24 pigs were equally divided into three groups: T1 was vaccinated at 15 and 19 weeks of age, T2 received vaccine at 9 and 19 weeks of age and C remained intact. P450arom and AMH expressions were analysed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results revealed that testicular length was highest in C pigs, but not different between T1 and T2 groups (6.5 ± 0.2 versus 6.9 ± 0.3 cm, p = .538). Histomorphometry demonstrated that the height of spermatogenic epithelia, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of seminiferous tubules between T1 and T2 groups were not different (p > .05). For P450arom , immunohistochemistry revealed that H-score of C group was significantly higher than that of both T1 and T2 groups. Western blot analysis showed that C group possessed the densest protein band. Moreover, H-score between T1 and T2 groups was not significantly different. Protein band intensity between both groups was not apparently different. As for AMH, C pigs had significantly lower H-score than both T1 and T2 pigs. Furthermore, T2 pigs possessed significantly higher H-score than T1 pigs. Western blot analysis showed that the most intense protein band was found in T2 group. In summary, GnRH vaccine affected testicular development and functions. The first injection could be performed either at 9 or 15 weeks of age since both protocols contributed to comparable results in aspect of testicular length, histomorphometry and expressions of P450arom and AMH.

Expressions of miR-155 and miR-181 and predictions of their structures and targets in pigs (Sus scrofa).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are responsible for gene expression control at the post-transcription level in many species. Several miRNAs are required in the regulation of immune responses, such as B-cell differentiation, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, CD4+ T cell selection, and so on. Studies on miRNAs have been extensively conducted in humans and mice; however, reports relevant to miRNAs, especially miR-155 and miR-181, in pigs are limited. Consequently, the present study aimed to investigate the structures, target genes, and expressions of miR-155 and miR-181 in various porcine cells and tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy male pigs from a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-negative farm were studied. Before slaughter, blood samples were collected for peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation. After slaughter, samples of spleen, lymph nodes, and forelimb muscles were collected. Both miR-155 and miR-181 were investigated for their structures with RNAfold web server, for their target genes from three online web servers, and for their expressions using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The structures of miR-155 and miR-181 contained hairpins with free energies of -35.27 and -35.29 kcal/mole, respectively. Target gene prediction revealed that miR-155 had perfect complementarity with Socs1 and Mapk3k14, while miR-181 had perfect complementarity with Ddx3x, Nfat5, Foxp1, and Mpp5. PCR showed that both miRNAs were detectable from all investigated cells and tissues. Moreover, the highest expression of both miRNAs was found from the lymph node of the pigs. CONCLUSION: Both miR-155 and miR-181 might be involved with the regulation of porcine immune functions as both miRNAs were detected in several cells and tissues of the pigs. In addition, they had very high complementarities with the seed regions of several immune-related genes.

An application of sublingual mucosa to establish a new urination passage in male cats with complications after urethrostomy.

This is the first study of using sublingual mucosae to establish a new urination passage in male cats suffering from complications from prior urethrostomy. In total, five domestic male cats afflicted with various complications, such as urethra stricture, scalding dermatitis, and urinary tract infection, after urethrostomy were included in the study. Sublingual mucosa was harvested to graft with abdominal muscles and further made into a tube connecting with the remaining urethra of the bladder at the cranial end and with the prepuce at the caudal end, serving as a new passage for urination. Postoperatively, all cats were alive and well recovered with no complications both in the oral cavity and at the surgical site. Radiography with contrast medium at two weeks and six months after surgery showed no leakage, stricture, or abnormality of the new urination passage. Moreover, all cats were able to urinate from the prepuce without any difficulties or signs of discomfort.

Immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 protein, androgen receptor, and estrogen receptor beta in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated with different times of GnRH vaccination.

This study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki-67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERß) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac™, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H-score of AR (r = -0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki-67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki-67 index and mean H-scores of AR and ERß of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki-67 index and mean AR H-scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki-67, AR, and ERß in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki-67 protein, AR, and ERß immunoexpressions.

Amenorative effects of exogenous gonadotropins on reproductive profiles of replacement gilts with delayed puberty in a farm in Thailand.

This study was to investigate the effect of gonadotropins on reproductive profiles of replacement gilts with delayed puberty. Totally, 136 Landrace X Yorkshire crossbred gilts, were categorized into control (n = 58) and treatment (n = 78) groups. Gonadotropins (400 U eCG plus 200 IU hCG) were administered in treatment group only. The results revealed that gilts in treatment group had higher number of gilts with estrus (92.3 vs 25.9%, P < 0.001), shorter onset to estrus (4.7 ± 0.3 vs 9.0 ± 0.8 d, P < 0.001), higher number of dominant follicles (18.0 ± 0.2 vs 13.2 ± 0.3 follicles, P < 0.001), and higher farrowing rate (87.5 vs 53.3%, P = 0.002) than those in control group. In conclusion, gonadotropins containing 400 IU eCG plus 200 IU hCG could improve reproductive profiles in replacement gilts with delayed puberty.

Influence of growth rate and onset of boar contact on puberty attainment of replacement gilts raised in Thailand.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of growth rate and onset of boar contact on age at first observed estrus of the replacement gilts raised in Thailand. In total, 766 gilts were measured for body weight and backfat thickness prior to insemination. Body weight was further calculated for growth rate. Estrus detection was performed twice a day by back pressure test with an existence of mature boars with high libido. The first date of boar exposure and that of first observed estrus were individually recorded. Due to growth rate, they were classified into three groups: high (>700 g/day), moderate (600-700 g/day), and low (<600 g/day). According to onset of boar contact, the gilts were grouped into two categories: early (<150 days) and late (≥150 days). The results revealed that the gilts expressed first observed estrus, averagely, at age 205.1 ± 34.1 days, had a growth rate of 615.5 ± 57.6 g/day, and first contact with boars at 160.7 ± 19.9 days of age. The gilts with low growth rate expressed first estrus later than those with moderate (208.6 ± 2.0 vs 198.0 ± 3.2 days, P = 0.033) and high growth rate (208.6 ± 2.0 vs 193.9 ± 6.7 days, P = 0.005) groups. Together with the influence of boar exposure, the gilts contacted boar earlier with high growth rate showed first estrus at age 180.3 ± 10.1 days, whereas those with later boar contact with low growth rate showed first estrus at age 197.9 ± 3.2 days. In summary, the replacement gilts should have high growth rate and contact boar early to attain puberty faster and possess decent subsequent reproductive performance.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the endometrium of gilts with different stages of endometritis.

The present study determined the association among the expression of COX-2, stages of endometritis, and types and number of local immune cells infiltrating into the gilts' endometrium. The uterine tissues from 24 Landrace x Yorkshire gilts identified as acute endometritis (n = 7), chronic endometritis (n = 7), and normal endometrium (n = 10) were included. The tissues were prepared for both histological and immunohistochemical investigations. The immunoexpression of COX-2 in every layer of the gilts' endometria was appraised by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method via image analysis; and was reported as percentage of positive area and staining index. The results revealed that the immunoexpression of COX-2 was found only in the surface epithelial layer. The gilts with acute endometritis possessed higher both percentage of positive area (68.99% versus 4.50% and 3.43%, P < 0.001) and staining index (1.13 versus 0.05 and 0.04, P < 0.001) than those with chronic endometritis and normal endometrium, respectively. Positive correlations between the number of surface epithelial neutrophils and percentage of COX-2 positive area (r = 0.47, P = 0.022), as well as mean staining index (r = 0.44, P = 0.032) were observed. In conclusion, the immunoexpression of COX-2 was found strongest in the gilts with acute endometritis, meanwhile it was not different between those with chronic endometritis and normal endometrium. This suggested that the expression of COX-2 might be dependent not only on the infiltration of local immune cells in the endometrium, but also on the duration of exposure with inflammatory agents.