Abdominal ultrasound features and reference values in healthy guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the ultrasonographic features and reference values of the abdominal anatomy in guinea pigs. METHODS: A complete abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in 20 adults and 20 young guinea pigs. The thickness of the wall of the gallbladder, stomach, duodenum, caecum, colon and urinary bladder (UB) was measured. Also, the adrenal glands (AGs) (width of the cranial and caudal poles, length), kidneys (length, width, height), ovaries (length, width), testes (length, width), uterus (width) and seminal glands (width) and the thickness of the spleen and pancreas were measured. All the measurements were compared between age groups and sexes. RESULTS: The liver, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, UB, AGs and great vessels were clearly visualised in all the guinea pigs. No significant statistical differences were found between the sexes, but there were statistically significant differences in the size of the kidneys, AGs, pancreas, spleen and reproductive organs between age groups. No significant differences in the wall thickness of the digestive system, gallbladder and UB were observed between groups. LIMITATIONS: The main limitation of this study is the lack of gross anatomical or histological correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in guinea pigs and provide reference values for the abdominal organs of this species.

Anatomía Comparada del Bazo de la Rata Blanca (Rattus norvegicus albinus), Una Revisión de la Literatura / Comparative Anatomy of the Spleen of the White Rat, (Rattus norvegicus albinus) a Literature Review

El bazo es el órgano linfático intraperitoneal más grande del organismo, presentando dos funciones principales: defensiva, mediante respuesta inmunitaria y filtración sanguínea. El objetivo de la presente revisión, fue obtener información actualizada sobre la anatomía del bazo de la rata albina (Rattus norvegicus albinus) y comparativa con la anatomía del bazo humano, perro, gato y cerdo, al representar las principales especies de importancia en la medicina, medicina veterinaria y en las ciencias biomédicas. Se realizó una búsqueda de material bibliográfico actualizado en diferentes sitios web científicos. Es así como, se revisaron 71 fuentes bibliográficas, en su gran mayoría artículos científicos (31), libros de anatomía humana y veterinaria (17), artículos especializados (17) y tesis (6). En general existe consenso, sobre la descripción anatómica del bazo, el cual se sitúa en la región hipocondriaca izquierda del abdomen, entre el fondo del estómago y el diafragma, irrigado por la arteria y vena esplénica. Se evidenció que existen similitudes en aspectos macroscópicos, al comparar el bazo de la rata blanca, con el bazo de otras especies (funcionalidad, peso relativo, ubicación topográfica). En aspectos microscópicos, el bazo en humanos y otros mamíferos se compone de estroma, además de parénquima, constituido a su vez por pulpa blanca y roja. En particular, existen diferencias entre el bazo de rata, humano, gato, perro y cerdo, en formas, tamaños y aspectos microscópicos, relacionados con la microcirculación e inmunidad. Mientras que existen semejanzas en procesos patológicos y respuestas a tratamientos farmacológicos y clínicos. Por lo anteriormente expuesto, se concluye que la rata albina constituye un buen modelo biológico, específicamente en aspectos anatómicos microscópicos del bazo de tipo inmunológico. Mientras que el bazo de cerdo es mejor comparativamente, en estudios anatómicos macroscópicos de tipo quirúrgicos, resultando ambos extrapolables, especialmente a la medicina humana.

SUMMARY: The spleen is the largest intraperitoneal lymphatic organ of the body, presenting two main functions: defensive, through immune response and blood filtration. The objective of the present review was to obtain updated information on the anatomy of the spleen of the albino rat (Rattus norvegicus albinus) and to compare it with the anatomy of the human, dog, cat and pig spleen, representing the main species of importance in medicine, veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. A search for updated bibliographic material was carried out in different scientific websites. Thus, 71 bibliographic sources were reviewed, mostly scientific articles (31), human and veterinary anatomy books (17), specialized articles (17) and theses (6). In general, there is consensus on the anatomical description of the spleen, which is located in the left hypochondriac region of the abdomen between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm, irrigated by the splenic artery and vein. It was evidenced that there are similarities in macroscopic aspects when comparing the spleen of the white rat with the spleen of other species (functionality, relative weight, topographic location). In microscopic aspects, the spleen in humans and other mammals is composed of stroma, in addition to parenchyma, constituted in turn by white and red pulp. In particular, there are differences between rat, human, cat, dog and pig spleens in shapes, sizes and microscopic aspects related to microcirculation and immunity. While there are similarities in pathological processes and responses to pharmacological and clinical treatments. For the above mentioned, it is concluded that the albino rat constitutes a good biological model, specifically in microscopic anatomical aspects of the spleen of immunological type. While the pig spleen is comparatively better in macroscopic anatomical studies of surgical type, both are extrapolable especially to human medicine.

Methods of Ultrasound Spleen Morphometry.

This article presents a review of the methods of determining spleen size in sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The review aims to summarize the data on the methods of estimating the linear dimensions of the spleen and splenic volume and describe the physiological variability of spleen size depending on sex, age, and different physiological conditions. We systematized the methods used for measuring the spleen and presented them in the form of a table, analyzed the results of previous studies, and compared the accuracy of different methods of calculating the splenic volume using a variety of diagnostic methods.

Morphometric assessment of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: The spleen is a vital lymphoid soft organ that demands constant attention from the clinical point of view. It is a multi-dimensional organ that enlarges in its all dimensions during some disease condition. The detection of the spleen by palpation is not an indicator of an enlarged spleen because normal spleen may be palpable. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the morphometry of spleen dimensions and its determinants among individuals living in Arba Minch town by sonographic examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch town from February 1 to March 30, 2020. Seven hundred and eight study participants were selected using a multi-stage systematic random sampling technique. Data were checked for completeness, edited, coded and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA software version 16 for analysis. RESULT: The mean splenic length, width, thickness and volume were 10.24 cm, 4.79 cm, 3.93 cm, and 109.34 cm3, respectively. The mean spleen length, width, thickness and volumes among males were 10.64 cm, 4.92 cm, 4.05 cm and 119.81 cm3 and among females were 9.75 cm, 4.63 cm, 3.78 cm and 96.50 cm3 respectively. As age increased by one year the mean spleen length, width, thickness and volume was decreased by 0.032 cm, 0.018 cm 0.004 cm and 0.012 cm respectively. As height increased by 1 cm the mean spleen width and volume were increased by 0.096 cm and 0.052 cm respectively. As we go from male to female the mean spleen length decreased by 0.294 cm. CONCLUSION: The spleen dimensions were higher in males than females. Splenic length was determined by age & sex, the spleen width was determined by age & height, the spleen volume was determined by age & height and the spleen thickness was determined by age.

Validation of 2d ultrasound and volume estimation formulae for volume assessment of kidneys and spleens: an in-vitro study / alidación de la fórmula de estimación de volumen y ultrasonido 2D para la evaluación del volumen de los riñones y el bazo: un estudio in vitro

The accuracy of internal organ volume estimation done with ultrasound (US) was found to be multifactorial. Hence, we aimed to describe and validate the volume assessment of ultrasound and standard volume estimation formulae for different shaped intra-abdominal organs using spleens and kidneys.Dissected cadaveric kidneys (n=25) and spleens (n=29) were scanned to obtain linear measurements and ultrasound auto-generated volumes (USV). Linear measurements were used to calculate the volumes manually with ellipsoid, prolate, and Lambert volume estimating formulae. The actual volumes (AV) of organs were obtained by the water displacement method. Volume assessment accuracy of USV and different formulae were compared by comparing bias, precision and Bland-Altman plot analysis. The US linear and volume measurement procedure was reliable with high inter and intra-observer agreements (linear: Chronbach's α=0.983 to 0.934; volumes: Chronbach's α=0.989). USV estimates were accurate with a high correlation to AV and low estimation bias (-5.9%). Also, prolate (bias=-0.75%) and ellipsoid formulae (bias=-3.75%) were reliable with a negligible bias in estimated volumes. Contrary, the Lambert formula was unreliable due to a high bias (41.6%). For all evaluated methods, the estimation error found to be related to the organ size (T=3.483; p=0.001), mainly when the assessed organ is larger than 50 ml. Also, the shape related estimation error found to be related to the volume estimation formula used.This study has validated the USV for kidney and splenic volume assessments while describing volume-calculating formula employed, organ size and shape as significant contributors for volume estimation accuracy.

Se encontró que la precisión de la estimación del volumen de órganos internos realizada con ultrasonido (US) es multifactorial. El objetivo fue describir y validar la evaluación de volumen mediante ecografía y las fórmulas estándar de estimación de volumen para órganos intraabdominales de diferentes formas utilizando bazos y riñones.Se evaluaron riñones cadavéricos disecados (n = 25) y bazos (n = 29) para obtener medidas lineales y volúmenes autogenerados por ultrasonido (USV). Se utilizaron medidas lineales para calcular los volúmenes manualmente con fórmulas de estimación de volumen elipsoide, prolate y Lambert. Los volúmenes reales (AV) de los órganos se obtuvieron mediante el método de desplazamiento de agua. Se comparó la precisión de la evaluación del volumen de USV y diferentes fórmulas comparando el sesgo, la precisión y el análisis de la gráfica de Bland-Altman. El procedimiento de medición lineal y de volumen mediante US fue confiable con alta concordancia inter e intraobservadores (lineal: α de Chronbach = 0,983 a 0,934; volúmenes: α de Chronbach = 0,989). Las estimaciones de USV fueron precisas con una alta correlación con AV y un bajo sesgo de estimación (-5,9%). Además, las fórmulas prolate (sesgo= -0,75%) y elipsoide (sesgo = -3,75%) fueron confiables con un sesgo insignificante en los volúmenes estimados. Por el contrario, la fórmula de Lambert no fue confiable debido a un alto sesgo (41,6%). Para todos los métodos evaluados, se encontró que el error de estimación estaba relacionado con el tamaño del órgano (T = 3.483; p = 0.001), principalmente cuando el órgano evaluado es mayor de 50 ml. Además, se encontró que el error de estimación de forma está relacionado con la fórmula de estimación de volumen utilizada.Este estudio ha validado el USV para evaluaciones de volumen renal y esplénico al mismo tiempo que describe la fórmula de cálculo de volumen empleada, el tamaño y la forma de los órganos como contribuyentes significativos de la precisión de la estimación de volumen.

Effect of 2-year caloric restriction on organ and tissue size in nonobese 21- to 50-year-old adults in a randomized clinical trial: the CALERIE study.

BACKGROUND: Sustained calorie restriction (CR) promises to extend the lifespan. The effect of CR on changes in body mass across tissues and organs is unclear. OBJECTIVES: We used whole-body MRI to evaluate the effect of 2 y of CR on changes in body composition. METHODS: In an ancillary study of the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial, 43 healthy adults [25-50 y; BMI (kg/m2): 22-28] randomly assigned to 25% CR (n = 28) or ad libitum (AL) eating (n = 15) underwent whole-body MRI at baseline and month 24 to measure adipose tissue in subcutaneous, visceral, and intermuscular depots (SAT, VAT, and IMAT, respectively); skeletal muscle; and organs including brain, liver, spleen, and kidneys but not heart. RESULTS: The CR group lost more adipose tissue and lean tissue than controls (P < 0.05). In the CR group, at baseline, total tissue volume comprised 32.1%, 1.9%, and 1.0% of SAT, VAT, and IMAT, respectively. The loss of total tissue volume over 24 mo comprised 68.4%, 7.4%, and 2.2% of SAT, VAT, and IMAT, respectively, demonstrating preferential loss of fat vs. lean tissue. Although there is more muscle loss in CR than AL (P < 0.05), the loss of muscle over 24 mo in the CR group comprised only 17.2% of the loss of total tissue volume. Changes in organ volumes were not different between CR and AL. The degree of CR (% decrease in energy intake vs. baseline) significantly (P < 0.05) affected changes in VAT, IMAT, muscle, and liver volume (standardized regression coefficient ± standard error of estimates: 0.43 ± 0.15 L, 0.40 ± 0.19 L, 0.55 ± 0.17 L, and 0.45 ± 0.18 L, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four months of CR (intended, 25%; actual, 13.7%) in young individuals without obesity had effects on body composition, including a preferential loss of adipose tissue, especially VAT, over the loss of muscle and organ tissue. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02695511.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract improves growth, intestinal histomorphometry, immunity, antioxidant status and modulates transcription of cytokine genes in hapa-reared Oreochromis niloticus.

This study was designed to evaluate the impacts of dietary supplementation with Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBL) on the growth, intestinal histomorphometry, immunity, antioxidant status, and expression of cytokine genes in Nile tilapia reared in the hapas. A control diet was enriched with different GBL levels (0.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0 g/kg) to form 4 experimental diets and were fed to Nile tilapia for 8 weeks. The findings illustrated that dietary GBL significantly enhanced the growth and feed utilization indices compared to those reared in the control group. A dose-dependent increase of hepatic catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities alongside a decline of hepatic malondialdehyde levels were recorded in GBL groups compared with the control. Serum lysozyme activity, complement C3, and immunoglobulin M levels were significantly increased in GBL groups compared with the control group. Moreover, dietary GBL maintained the normal intestinal and hepatopancreatic histological structures with a significant increase of some histomorphometric measurements of proximal, middle, and distal intestinal parts of the treated fish. Interestingly, dietary GBL supplementation significantly increased the mRNA expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (INF-γ) genes in the splenic tissues of treated fish over the control group. To conclude, it could be recommended to use GBL as a functional phytogenic feed additive to improve the growth, hepatic and intestinal health status, hepatic antioxidant status, and immunity of treated Nile tilapia. Besides, the second order polynomial regression revealed that 7.50 g GBL/kg diet is the optimal inclusion level to improve growth with no negative impacts on the overall health condition of treated Nile tilapia.

ultrasonography of kidney and spleen in clinically healthy llamas and alpacas.

BACKGROUND: The ultrasonographic examination technique is a well-established, non-invasive diagnostic tool for diverse conditions in humans and different animal species. The purpose of our study was to describe ultrasonographic localisation, sonographic appearance and dimensions of the kidneys and spleen of clinically healthy llamas and alpacas. Differences between llamas and alpacas and the influence of sex and ages were investigated. Results of this study may aid veterinarians performing ultrasonography in diseased animals and the technique can be used for routine protocol screening. RESULTS: Ultrasonography was performed in 135 clinically healthy, non-sedated llamas and alpacas. Screening was performed with a 6.6 MHz curve linear transducer with only alcohol as contact medium between the probe and unclipped skin. The kidneys could be imaged from the paralumbar region. The right kidney only was visualized when scanning from the right and the left kidney only from the left. While the left kidney appeared in sagittal view as an oval shape in most llamas and alpacas, in one third of animals the left kidney had a triangular shape. The L-shaped base of the spleen, with its homogeneous, echoic pattern, could be seen craniolateral to the left kidney. Anechoic areas displaying vessels inside the spleen and a thin echoic capsule surrounding the splenic tissue could be differentiated. While sonographic appearances of the examined organs showed no differences between llamas and alpacas, selected dimensions of both of kidney and spleen showed significant differences between species. In terms of age and sex, significant differences in respect of kidney size could be found only in alpacas. Sex seemed to have no influence on kidney and spleen sizes in llamas. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides species-specific information on ultrasonographic appearance and reference values for kidney and spleen dimensions of clinically healthy llamas and alpacas. Results show differences in organ sizes between llamas and alpacas and in alpacas of different sex and age. The results of this study can be used as references for veterinarians performing ultrasound examinations in diseased animals.

Safety of natural anthraquinone emodin: an assessment in mice.

BACKGROUND: Emodin, a natural anthraquinone, has shown potential as an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of many diseases including cancer. However, its clinical development is hindered by uncertainties surrounding its potential toxicity. The primary purpose of this study was to uncover any potential toxic properties of emodin in mice at doses that have been shown to have efficacy in our cancer studies. In addition, we sought to assess the time course of emodin clearance when administered both intraperitoneally (I.P.) and orally (P.O.) in order to begin to establish effective dosing intervals. METHODS: We performed a subchronic (12 week) toxicity study using 3 different doses of emodin (~ 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg) infused into the AIN-76A diet of male and female C57BL/6 mice (n = 5/group/sex). Body weight and composition were assessed following the 12-week feeding regime. Tissues were harvested and assessed for gross pathological changes and blood was collected for a complete blood count and evaluation of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and creatinine. For the pharmacokinetic study, emodin was delivered intraperitoneally I.P. or P.O. at 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg doses to male and female mice (n = 4/group/sex/time-point) and circulating levels of emodin were determined at 1, 4 and 12 h following administration via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. RESULTS: We found that 12 weeks of low (20 mg/kg), medium (40 mg/kg), or high (80 mg/kg) emodin feeding did not cause pathophysiological perturbations in major organs. We also found that glucuronidated emodin peaks at 1 h for both I.P. and P.O. administered emodin and is eliminated by 12 h. Interestingly, female mice appear to metabolize emodin at a faster rate than male mice as evidenced by greater levels of glucuronidated emodin at the 1 h time-point (40 mg/kg for both I.P. and P.O. and 20 mg/kg I.P.) and the 4-h time-point (20 mg/kg I.P.). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our studies establish that 1) emodin is safe for use in both male and female mice when given at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg doses for 12 weeks and 2) sex differences should be considered when establishing dosing intervals for emodin treatment.

Anatomy of teleost fish immune structures and organs.

The function of a tissue is determined by its construction and cellular composition. The action of different genes can thus only be understood properly when seen in the context of the environment in which they are expressed and function. We now experience a renaissance in morphological research in fish, not only because, surprisingly enough, large structures have remained un-described until recently, but also because improved methods for studying morphological characteristics in combination with expression analysis are at hand. In this review, we address anatomical features of teleost immune tissues. There are approximately 30,000 known teleost fish species and only a minor portion of them have been studied. We aim our review at the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and other salmonids, but when applicable, we also present information from other species. Our focus is the anatomy of the kidney, thymus, spleen, the interbranchial lymphoid tissue (ILT), the newly discovered salmonid cloacal bursa and the naso-pharynx associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).

[Intraoperative anatomical observation of mesentery morphology of colonic splenic flexure].

Objective: At present, surgeons do not know enough about the mesenteric morphology of the colonic splenic flexure, resulting in many problems in the complete mesenteric resection of cancer around the splenic flexure. In this study, the morphology of the mesentery during the mobilization of the colonic splenic flexure was continuously observed in vivo, and from the embryological point of view, the unique mesenteric morphology of the colonic splenic flexure was reconstructed in three dimensions to help surgeons further understand the mesangial structure of the region. Methods: A total of 9 patients with left colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical resection with splenic flexure mobilization by the same group of surgeons in Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2018 to June 2019 were enrolled. The splenic flexure was mobilized using a "three-way approach" strategy based on a middle-lateral approach. During the process of splenic flexure mobilization, the morphology of the transverse mesocolon and descending mesocolon were observed and reconstructed from the embryological point of view. The lower margin of the pancreas was set as the axis, and 4 pictures for each patient (section 1-section 4) were taken during middle-lateral mobilization. Results: The median operation time of the splenic flexure mobilization procedure was 31 (12-55) minutes, and the median bleeding volume was 5 (2-30) ml. One patient suffered from lower splenic vessel injury during the operation and the bleeding was stopped successfully after hemostasis with an ultrasound scalpel. The transverse mesocolon root was observed in all 9 (100%) patients, locating under pancreas, whose inner side was more obvious and tough, and the structure gradually disappeared in the tail of the pancreatic body, replaced by smooth inter-transitional mesocolon and dorsal lobes of the descending colon. The mesenteric morphology of the splenic flexure was reconstructed by intraoperative observation. The transverse mesocolon was continuous with a fan-shaped descending mesocolon. During the embryonic stage, the medial part (section 1-section 2) of the transverse mesocolon and the descending mesocolon were pulled and folded by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Then, the transverse mesocolon root was formed by compression of the pancreas on the folding area of the transverse mesocolon and the descending mesocolon. The lateral side of the transverse mesocolon root (section 3-section 4) was distant from the mechanical traction of the SMA, and the corresponding folding area was not compressed by the tail of the pancreas. The posterior mesangial lobe of the transverse mesocolon and the descending mesocolon were continuous with each other, forming a smooth lobe. This smooth lobe laid flat on the corresponding membrane bed composed of the tail of pancreas, Gerota's fascia and inferior pole of the spleen. Conclusions: From an embryological point of view, this study reconstructs the mesenteric morphology of the splenic flexure and proposes a transverse mesocolon root structure that can be observed consistently intraopertively. Cutting the transverse mesocolon root at the level of Gerota's fascia can ensure the complete resection of the mesentery of the transverse colon.

Spleen-left kidney ratio and liver-right kidney ratio: novel measures of normal liver, spleen, and kidney dimensions in Southwestern Nigerian children.

PURPOSE: Figures can sometimes be difficult to handle when considering whether the ultrasound dimensions of the liver, spleen, and kidneys of children are within normal limits in a typical clinical setting. Therefore, it is imperative to think of a simple measure that can be easily adopted when the question of whether these organs are enlarged or reduced in size is to be answered by a sonologist. We hypothesize that the liver-right kidney ratio and spleen-left kidney ratio are constant, regardless of age and sex among children, provided that the reference organ is not diseased. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study was carried out in public primary schools in the Ogbomoso metropolis. A total of 1000 apparently healthy children aged 5-13 were subjected to abdominal sonography from July 2016 to December 2016. The length of the liver, spleen, and both kidneys as well as the anthropometric parameters of each subject were obtained and correlated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The SPL:LKL (spleen to left kidney length) ratio varies with age, and this is statistically significant in female subjects (p = 0.042), but not in males (p = 0.360). The RLL:RKL (right lobe of the liver to right kidney length) ratio of 1.19 ± 0.18 does not significantly vary with age or sex (p = 0.337). CONCLUSION: The SPL:LKL ratio of 1.11 ± 0.18 can be only used as a measure of normality of organ dimensions in males. On the contrary, the RLL:RKL of 1.19 ± 0.18 can be used in all children, regardless of sex, provided that the reference organ is normal.

Ultrasound assessment of normal liver, spleen, and kidney dimensions in southwest Nigerian children: a bedside formula for sonologists.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the normal sizes of the liver, spleen, and kidneys is important to radiologists when assessing for pathology using ultrasound scan. The need for a local determination of a easy-to-use formula for estimating the expected normal sonographic dimensions of these organs in children in order to serve as baseline when assessing them for pathology cannot be over emphasized. PURPOSE: To determine ultrasonographic sizes of the liver, spleen, and kidneys among primary school children in southwestern Nigeria and correlate these with anthropometric measures to provide local reference data and an easy-to-use formula for assessing these organs for pathology in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional study using 1000 public primary school children in Ogbomoso. Sonographic dimensions of their liver, spleen, and both kidneys with anthropometric parameters were obtained and correlated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The liver span was higher in boys than in girls (P = 0.048) while the left lobe of the liver was higher in girls than in boys (P = 0.003). The spleen length was higher in boys than in girls (P = 0.011). There was no gender difference in kidney dimensions (P > 0.05). All anthropometric measures correlated significantly (P < 0.001) with organ dimensions. Body surface area is the strongest predictor of the liver and kidney sizes (P < 0.001) and height for spleen size (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nomograms for the liver, spleen, and kidneys and regression equations for estimating the dimensions of these organs were formulated based on the best multivariate correlates.

Quantification of clinically applicable stimulation parameters for precision near-organ neuromodulation of human splenic nerves.

Neuromodulation is a new therapeutic pathway to treat inflammatory conditions by modulating the electrical signalling pattern of the autonomic connections to the spleen. However, targeting this sub-division of the nervous system presents specific challenges in translating nerve stimulation parameters. Firstly, autonomic nerves are typically embedded non-uniformly among visceral and connective tissues with complex interfacing requirements. Secondly, these nerves contain axons with populations of varying phenotypes leading to complexities for axon engagement and activation. Thirdly, clinical translational of methodologies attained using preclinical animal models are limited due to heterogeneity of the intra- and inter-species comparative anatomy and physiology. Here we demonstrate how this can be accomplished by the use of in silico modelling of target anatomy, and validation of these estimations through ex vivo human tissue electrophysiology studies. Neuroelectrical models are developed to address the challenges in translation of parameters, which provides strong input criteria for device design and dose selection prior to a first-in-human trial.

Effects of dietary supplementation with herbal extract mixture on growth performance, organ weight and intestinal morphology in weaning piglets.

BACKGROUND: Many countries are increasingly prohibiting the addition of antibiotics in livestock diets. Therefore, herb extracts have gradually drawn attention to substitute antibiotics. Our present study aimed to determine the effects of herbal extract mixture (HEM) in dietary on growth performance, organ weight, intestinal morphology and intestinal nutrient transporters in weaned pigs. METHODS: 27 piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]; Body Weight (BW) = 5.99 ± 0.13 kg) were weaned at day 21 and randomly divided into three groups (n = 9 piglets/group). All piglets received a basal diet containing similar amounts of nutrients for 14 days. The three groups were the control (no additive), the antibiotics (375 mg/kg chlortetracycline, 20%, 500 mg/kg enramycin, 4%, 1,500 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium, 50%) and the HEM group (1000 mg/kg extract mixture of golden-and-silver honeysuckle, huangqi, duzhong leaves and dangshen). After 14 d of treatment, we collected tissue samples to measure organ weight, intestinal parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal mRNA expression of nutrient transporters. RESULTS: The HEM group had no effects on growth performance and organ weight of weaned pigs. But compared with the control group, both HEM and antibiotics improved intestinal morphology, and HEM elevated the expression of nutrient transporters in ileum (SLC6A9, SLC15A1, and SLC5A1). HEM significantly decreased the activities of maltase in ileum and the ratio of small intestinal weight to BW than control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate benefit effects of the supplementation of HEM in diet, including modulating intestinal morphology and increasing the mRNA expression of nutrients transporters. These findings suggest that HEM provides novel insights into a variety of herbal extract mixtures to replace antibiotics in animal production.

Effects of beak trimming on the performance, beak length, behavior, and carcass traits of a local broiler breed reared in battery cages.

This study investigated the effects of beak trimming on a local broiler breed. A total of 648 one-day-old birds were randomly allocated into three treatments: no trimming (NBT), infrared beak trimming (IRBT), and hot-blade beak trimming (HBBT). The performance, beak length, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality were inspected. The body weight (BW) from 7 to 35 days in the IRBT group was significantly lower than that in the NBT group, and the BW from 7 to 49 days was lower than that in the HBBT group (p < .05). Compared with untrimmed birds, birds in the IRBT group had lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) from 15 to 21 days, and higher heart percentage and L* value in the breast muscle. The upper beak length at 28 and 49 days of age were longest in untrimmed birds, intermediate in birds in the HBBT group, and shortest in the IRBT groups (p <.05). No evidence was found that HBBT caused changes in performance, behavior, carcass traits, organ percentages, and meat quality except for lower change in spleen percentage. Taken together, IRBT had more influence at inhibiting early BW, ADFI, and upper beak length than HBBT in the local broiler breed.

Presencia y biometría de bazo accesorio en individuos chilenos: estudio por tomografía computarizada / Presence and biometry of accessory spleen in Chilean individuals: study by computerized tomography

El bazo se localiza en el cuadrante superior izquierdo del abdomen, relacionándose posteriormente con la 9a a 11a costilla, de las que se separa por el diafragma y el receso costodiafragmático, se localiza por detrás del estómago y lateralmente al riñón izquierdo. Por alteraciones en su desarrollo pueden generarse bazos accesorios (BA), considerándose un tejido ectópico del bazo. Se consideran tejido normal, con los mismos procesos fisiológicos que el bazo principal. Con el propósito de localizar y determinar aspectos biométricos de los mismos, se realizó un estudio de corte transversal y de carácter descriptivo, sobre una muestra de 220 exámenes de TC pertenecientes a pacientes mayores de 18 años del Hospital Regional Hernán Henríquez Aravena, Temuco, Chile. Para este estudio se excluyeron toda aquellas TC con antecedentes de esplenectomía y lesiones de Bazo o peri-esplénicas. El análisis de los datos mostró una prevalencia de 32,3 % de BA, pudiendo ser de una única presencia, dos e incluso tres BA por paciente.De un total de 71 personas que tienen al menos un BA, 34 (47,89 %) fueron de sexo femenino y 37 (52,11 %) de sexo masculino. Hubo 56 pacientes (78,9 %) con un BA, 29 (40,85 %) del sexo femenino y 27 (38,03 %) del masculino; 15 (21,1 %) presentaron más de un BA, 5 (7,04 %) de sexo femenino y 10 (14,08 %) de sexo masculino, si bien se puede observar variación en la cantidad de BA según sexo, no existe una relación estadísticamente significativa entre dichas variables. La ubicación más frecuente encontrada en el plano axial fue la zona antero-medial con 59 casos (66,29 %); asimismo, en el plano sagital, la localización más frecuente fue en el polo inferior con 40 casos (44,44 %). Datos biométricos de estos BA son mostrados en Tablas. Esta información será de gran valor morfológico y médico debido a la escasa literatura existente sobre esta materia en individuos chilenos.

The spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, subsequently related to the 9th to 11th rib, from which it is separated by the diaphragm and the cost-diaphragmatic recess, it is located behind the stomach and laterally to the left kidney. Due to alterations in its development, accessory spleens (AS) can be generated, being considered an ectopic tissue of the spleen. The AS are considered normal tissue, with the same physiological processes as the main spleen. With the purpose of locating and determining biometric aspects of them, a cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out on a sample of 220 CT scans belonging to patients over 18 years of age at the Hernán Henríquez Aravena Regional Hospital, Temuco, Chile. For this study, all CT scans with a history of splenectomy and spleen or peri-splenic lesions were excluded. The analysis of the data showed a prevalence of 32.3 % of AS, being able to be of a single presence, two and even three AS per patient. Of a total of 71 people who have at least one AS, 34 (47.89 %) were female and 37 (52.11 %) male. There were 56 patients (78.9 %) with a one AS, 29 (40.85 %) of the female sex and 27 (38.03 %) of the male; 15 (21.1 %) presented more than one AS, 5 (7.04 %) female and 10 (14.08 %) male, although variation in the amount of AS according to sex can be observed, no there is a statistically significant relationship between these variables. The most frequent location found in the axial plane was the anteromedial zone with 59 cases (66.29 %); also, in the sagittal plane, the most frequent location was in the lower pole with 40 cases (44.44 %). Biometric data of these AS are shown in tables. This information will be of great morphological and medical value due to the limited existing literature on this subject in Chilean individuals.

Measurement method of optical properties of ex vivo biological tissues of rats in the near-infrared range.

An optical fiber-based supercontinuum setup and a custom-made spectrophotometer that can measure spectra from 1100 to 2300 nm, are used to describe attenuation properties from different ex vivo rat tissues. Our method is able to differentiate between scattering and absorption coefficients in biological tissues. Theoretical assumptions combined with experimental measurements demonstrate that, in this infrared range, tissue attenuation and absorption can be accurately measured, and scattering can be described as the difference between both magnitudes. Attenuation, absorption, and scattering spectral coefficients of heart, brain, spleen, retina, and kidney are given by applying these theoretical and experimental methods. Light through these tissues is affected by high scattering, resulting in multiple absorption events, and longer wavelengths should be used to obtain lower attenuation values. It can be observed that the absorption coefficient has a similar behavior in the samples under study, with two main zones of absorption due to the water absorption bands at 1450 and 1950 nm, and with different absolute absorption values depending on the constituents of each tissue. The scattering coefficient can be determined, showing slight differences between retina and brain samples, and among heart, spleen and kidney tissues.