Study on cortisol, cortisone and prednisolone presence in urine of Chianina cattle breed.

The Chianina, one of the oldest and most important cattle breeds of Italy, is now reared all over the world. The Chianina has been known and appreciated since ancient times because, from a nutritional point of view, its meat has no proper rivals. To date, studies have been performed to evaluate the genetic profile of the breed, but knowledge about the chemical profile is generally lacking. Due to the increased interest from farmers regarding breeding of the Chianina, this study proposes a preliminary evaluation of main endogenous urinary corticosteroids (cortisol and cortisone) and most commonly used synthetic one (dexamethasone). Moreover, after recent findings regarding the presence of endogenous prednisolone in the urine of more popular breeds, particular attention was given to analysis of the presence of prednisolone and prednisone, as well. For this aim, the urine samples of 12 young cows and 30 young bulls was collected at the farms and analysed using a fit-for-purpose LC-MS/MS method. The preliminary results of this study show that prednisolone was found only in Chianina females (3 out of 12). Cortisol and cortisone were found at concentrations that showed a high inter-individual variability, and that were higher in female urine compared to that of males.

Transverse circular-polarized Bessel beam generation by inward cylindrical aperture distribution.

In this paper the focusing capability of a radiating aperture implementing an inward cylindrical traveling wave tangential electric field distribution directed along a fixed polarization unit vector is investigated. In particular, it is shown that such an aperture distribution generates a non-diffractive Bessel beam whose transverse component (with respect to the normal of the radiating aperture) of the electric field takes the form of a zero-th order Bessel function. As a practical implementation of the theoretical analysis, a circular-polarized Bessel beam launcher, made by a radial parallel plate waveguide loaded with several slot pairs, arranged on a spiral pattern, is designed and optimized. The proposed launcher performance agrees with the theoretical model and exhibits an excellent polarization purity.

Generation of non-diffractive Bessel beams by inward cylindrical traveling wave aperture distributions.

The focusing capabilities of an inward cylindrical traveling wave aperture distribution and the non-diffractive behaviour of its radiated field are analyzed. The wave dynamics of the infinite aperture radiated field is clearly unveiled by means of closed form expressions, based on incomplete Hankel functions, and their ray interpretation. The non-diffractive behaviour is also confirmed for finite apertures up to a defined limited range. A radial waveguide made by metallic gratings over a ground plane and fed by a coaxial feed is used to validate numerically the analytical results. The proposed system and accurate analysis of non-diffractive Bessel beams launched by inward waves opens new opportunities for planar, low profile beam generators at microwaves, Terahertz and optics.

A morphological and quantitative immunohistochemical study of the interstitial cells of Cajal in the normal equine intestinal tracts.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play a key role in the control of intestinal motility and have been implicated in several human gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes, in equine grass sickness and in other intestinal disorders where a significant reduction in ICC density was observed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the density of ICC in clinically normal horses, ICC c-Kit expression was evaluated by image analysis in order to obtain numerical data. METHODS: Intestinal samples from the jejunum to small colon from 5 clinically normal horses were studied. Immunohistochemical labelling of ICC was performed using an anti-c-Kit antibody. Density of ICC was calculated using image analysis software. RESULTS: In the equine intestinal tract 2 types of ICC were observed: intramuscular ICC, i.e. ICC in the internal circular layer (IC-CM) and ICC in the external longitudinal layer (IC-LM), and myenteric ICC (IC-MY). The density of IC-MY was found to be higher throughout the small intestine. IC-MY density in the large intestine appeared to be greatest in the right ventral colon and in the small colon. IC-MY density in the ileocaecal junction showed an intermediate value compared to the small and large intestine. On the other hand, the density of IC-CM was found to be higher in the ileocaecal junction, whereas the caecum, left ventral colon and the left dorsal colon showed the lowest c-Kit immunoreactivity. The ileal tract and the ileocaecal junction showed an appreciable IC-LM density. CONCLUSIONS: Image analysis is a rapid and reproducible method to establish the density of ICC in the normal equine intestinal tract. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study corroborates the findings of previous studies and provides a platform for further future pathological investigations of the equine intestine by supplying usable numerical data as comparative elements.

Simultaneous detection of Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus luchuensis and Lichtheimia sp. in a bovine abortion.

Abortion in dairy cattle may be caused by infectious (viruses, fungi and protozoa) and non-infectious causes mostly related to bad management practices and genetic factors. Recently, the significant contribution of mycotic infection to bovine abortion has been recognized. This report describes an abortion case in a Chianina cow due to Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus luchuensis and Lichtheimia sp. diagnosed by histology, cytology, culture and molecular assays. A mixed infection due to more than one fungus in abortion is rarely demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first case of bovine abortion caused by co-infection with three different moulds.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in canine and feline meningioma.

Fifty-one meningiomas obtained from 28 dogs and 23 cats were selected for this study to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and to compare it to the reverse transcriptase subunit of human-telomerase, progesterone receptor expression, and the proliferative index of the tumors, expressed by Ki67 and proliferating cellular nuclear antigen. Paraffin-embedded tumor tissue was obtained from biopsy samples (28 cases) and at necropsy (23 cases). The most common histotype was malignant in dogs (12/28) and transitional in cats (12/23). Slides immunolabelled for MMPs showed a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern. Twenty-one cases (19 dogs and 2 cats) did not express MMP-2, while only 2 cases were completely negative for MMP-9. The highest values of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were observed in a psammomatous and meningothelial tumor, respectively. On statistical analysis, MMP-2 expression did not show a significant correlation with MMP-9. Moreover, both MMP expressions failed to show significant variance among histologic patterns of the tumor and correlation with the proliferative index. MMP immunolabeling showed an inconstant correlation with progesterone receptor expression. No significant correlation was found between MMP and reverse transcriptase subunit of human-telomerase expression. In feline meningiomas, the MMP-2 value was significantly higher than in canine tumors and the MMP-9 value tended to be low for meningiomas with a follow-up duration from the 23(rd) month to the 44(th) month. In cats, the longer the time from surgery, the lower the proliferative index seemed to be. In dogs, we failed to find a correlation between MMP expression and the follow-up duration.

Pleural loculated empyema masking a CPAM 3 in a newborn infant: A case report with breef literature review.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) are a heterogeneous group of hamartomatous cystic and noncystic lung lesions that result from early airway maldevelopment. Usually they are distinguished according to Stocker's classification in type 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. We present the case of a 2 weeks old baby who was admitted to hospital with RDS symptoms and left pleural effusion: X rays and CT were suggestive for a pulmonary cystic lesion with pleural complications. Because of the persistence of pleural empyema and the development of a pneumothorax the baby underwent surgery. The histological examination revealed a type 3 CPAM associated with pleural loculated empyema. According to this case, in newborns with RDS loculated pleural empyema may mimick pulmonary cystic lesions; a treatment-resistant pleural empyema or pyopneumothorax in a newborn can recognize a CPAM 3 as a probable underlying condition, even in the absence of lung suppurative changes; CPAM 3 involving only two lung segments can have an excellent prognosis after surgical excision.

Effects of two different probiotics on microflora, morphology, and morphometry of gut in organic laying hens.

The current study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis, used as probiotics, on the microflora, morphology, and morphometry of the gut in organic laying hens. The birds (180 Hy-Line laying hens) were divided into 3 homogenous groups and received a pre-deposition diet from 16 to 20 wk of age and a deposition diet for the remaining 7 months of the experiment. The control group ( CTR: ) was fed a corn-soybean cake-based diet, the second group ( L: ) received the same diet supplemented with 0.1% of L. acidophilus while in the third group ( B: ) the basal diet was supplemented with 0.05% of B. subtilis At 18 wk of age ( T1: ) and at 5 ( T2: ) and 7 months ( T3: ) from the beginning of deposition, 9 subjects per group were humanely killed for microbiological, morphological and morphometric analyses of the intestinal tract. The 2 probiotic-supplemented diets increased Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts compared with the CTR diet. The lowest viable counts of E. coli, coliforms and staphylococci were observed in the L group (P < 0.001). Clostridium spp. decreased (P < 0.001) in both L and B subjects. The probiotic supplementation appeared to affect the intestinal microbial population, promoting the presence of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. and reducing potential harmful bacteria such as E. coli, clostridia and staphylococci. Morphological and morphometric analyses did not reveal substantial differences among groups. At T3, the plasma cell infiltrate in the villi of the CTR hens was more severe than that observed in the L and B groups (P = 0.009).

The "Tour Eiffel" double Rush nail in the treatment of fractures of the lower limb.

The authors reviewed 73 patients treated by delayed osteosynthesis with a "Tour Eiffel" double Rush nail. The cases involved fracture of the lower third of the femur in 20 patients, fracture of the proximal third of the tibia in 24 cases, and fracture of the distal third of the tibia in 29. The results indicate the effectiveness of the method, despite the fact that its use was reduced as a result of the introduction of the Grosse-Kempf nail. This is however the method of choice for tibial meta-diaphyseal fractures associated with fracture of the tibial plateaux and complex and comminuted fractures of the distal fourth of the tibia. Moreover, this method must be used three-six weeks after the fracture, when the callus formation is in progress.

The role of magnetic resonance in necrosis of the femoral epiphysis as the sequelae of acetabular fracture (preliminary results).

Eleven patients surgically treated for fracture of the acetabulum were examined postoperatively by MRI in order to reveal any signs of necrosis of the femoral head at an early stage. The means of osteosynthesis used underwent preliminary testing in order to exclude magnetic or thermal phenomena. The study confirmed the usefulness of this test in the early diagnosis of this serious complication. In 3 cases the presence of the means of osteosynthesis obstructed a correct interpretation of the images.

Two-level fractures of the tibia: indications for surgery.

The authors report 35 cases of two-level fracture of the tibia emphasizing the problems related to surgical treatment and local complications. Based on the results obtained, they propose several different methods according to precise indications: 1) for closed fractures or those with grade I exposure: internal fixation; 2) for grade II and III open fractures: external fixation and any necessary complementary surgical procedures.

Anesthesiologic findings in surgery for the treatment of trauma of the pelvis.

The authors discuss the numerical increase in fractures of the acetabulum and the extent of surgical indications for their treatment, emphasizing the modernness and the usefulness of methods used to save blood in this type of surgery, which often involves a considerable loss. Out of 150 operations performed between 1985 and 1990 for trauma of the pelvis, 35% of the patients was not transfused with homologous blood, 25% was transfused with 1 U, 40% with several units (4.7 U on the average). Generally, the average quantity of erythrocytes transfused per patient was 2 U (440 ml).

Complex fractures of the tibial plateau.

Out of 142 consecutive cases of fracture of the tibial plateau 48 cases (34%) of complex fractures are taken into consideration. Surgical treatment is based on two types of osteosynthesis: 1) osteosynthesis "of election" with interfragmentary plates and screws, which was used in most of the cases; 2) minimal osteosynthesis with Barr or lag screws, when there are lesions of the soft tissue and capsuloligamentous lesions. A total of 69% of the results were satisfactory (good and excellent). The most unfavorable prognostic factors are comminution of the fracture and residual widening of the tibial plateau.

Autologous blood pre-deposit in cemented hip arthroplasty.

The authors examine one of the methods used to avoid homologous blood transfusion in patients submitted to cemented hip arthroplasty. Although the series is not a numerous one (25 cases) it does show that even the pre-deposit of single unit of autologous blood is capable of eliminating the need for homologous blood transfusion in 96% of all cases.

Lumbosacral monolateral dislocation.

The authors describe a case of traumatic monolateral dislocation of L5 on S1. It is a very rare lesion which involves serious diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Surgical treatment constituted by reduction and stabilization alone can obtain stable correction of the deformity and complete functional recovery.

Feline cutaneous nerve sheath tumours: histological features and immunohistochemical evaluations.

Feline cutaneous nerve sheath tumours (CNSTs) are uncommonly reported in the skin, since they are underestimated relative to the more common spindle cell tumours of soft tissue. In this study, 26 nerve sheath tumours selected from 337 skin neoplasms of cats were examined. Histologically, they were classified into malignant (MPNSTs) and benign tumours (BPNSTs) based on degree of cellular atypia and polymorphism as well as mitotic rate and diffuse necrosis. CPNSTs were tipically characterised by Antoni A pattern, in some cases associated with Antoni B pattern. In the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) the polymorphism was marked, while it was mild to moderate in the benign forms (BPNSTs). In the MPNSTs the mitotic activity was generally higher than in the BPNSTs. In five cases, including three MPNSTs and two BPNSTs, there were multinucleated giant cells. Necrotic foci occurred in a BPNST and in two MPNSTs, while osseous/chondroid metaplasia was found in two cases. Immunohistochemically, all the tumours showed a marked diffuse vimentin expression. S-100 protein was expressed in 17 cases, including 81.8% of BPNSTs and 57.14% of MPNSTs. Twenty-five tumours expressed NSE and twenty-four cases showed immunoreaction for laminin. Thirteen tumours were positive for GFAP, while five tumours were positive for SMA. PGP 9.5 expression was detected in all cases, except for two MPNSTs. NGFR was expressed in eleven cases, including four MPNSTs and seven BPNSTs. Ki67 was expressed in twenty tumours without any relationship with morphologic malignancy of the neoplasm. In this case series we confirmed neoplastic spindloid cells with wavy cytoplasm arranged in compact areas, with occasional nuclear palisading or whirls, and interchanged with loosely arranged areas, as the morphological features supporting a diagnosis of CPNST. A constant concurrent expression of vimentin, NSE, and laminin might confirm the diagnosis of PNST in the absence of clear S-100 protein positivity, especially in the malignant forms. In this study, conclusive data were not obtained on the diagnostic relevance of NGFR- and PGP 9.5-expression in feline CPNSTs.

Extensive myenteric ganglionitis in a case of equine chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with EHV-1 infection.

A 7-year-old male trotter horse with a history of recurrent colic displayed clinical findings consistent with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP). At laparotomy, an impaction of the descending colon associated with marked atrophy of the right dorsal colon was found. The horse was humanely destroyed and tissues collected at necropsy examination revealed diffuse enteric ganglionitis comprising an infiltrate of CD3(+) T lymphocytes and plasma cells. At all levels of the intestinal tract the number of myenteric ganglia and of normal ganglion cells was decreased significantly. There were chromatolytic or necrotic neurons and the amount of connective tissue surrounding ganglia was increased. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated slightly reduced expression of neuron-specific enolase and a moderate increase in expression of S100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in a sample of right dorsal colon taken during the necropsy examination compared with a biopsy sample taken from the same location. Immunolabelling and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction for equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1 performed on the gut were positive, supporting an aetiological relationship between EHV-1 infection and the enteric ganglionitis.

Thalamic astrocytic hamartoma and associated meningoangiomatosis in a German shepherd dog.

The present paper describes an astrocytic thalamic hamartoma associated with tectal meningoangiomatosis in a 3-month-old female German shepherd dog showing strabismus, opistotonus, circling, and fore limb hypermetria. MR images of the brain showed a well-defined intra-axial mass in the tectal region. The mass was hypointense to gray matter on T2-weighted images and hyperintense to gray matter on precontrast T1-weighted images. Histologically, glial cells arranged in a multinodular pattern characterized the mass. More caudally the lesion merged with subpial abnormal newly formed plaque-like shaped tissue characterized by thick branching bundles of spindle-shaped cells surrounding a central vessel. In the nodules, GFAP and vimentin were diffusely expressed. In the vascular proliferation Factor VIII-positive reaction was limited to endothelial cells while the remaining spindle-shaped cells were diffusely SMA-positive. The glial nodules did not express lysozyme and MAC387, nor neurofilaments and nestin.

Histological and immunohistochemical studies of changes in myenteric plexuses and in interstitial cells of Cajal associated with equine colic.

In this study we investigated the histological changes of the myenteric plexuses and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in gut samples from horses with colic to try to find results useful in the prognostic evaluation of enteric lesions. A morphologic and quantitative study of myenteric ganglia, ganglion cells and neuronal chromatolytic and necrotic changes of 24 horses with colic was performed. For ganglion cells, enteroglial cells and ICC immunolabeling was also performed to identify cell functional disorders. A significant increase of neuronal chromatolysis and necrosis occurred in horses suffering from colic throughout the gut. The neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and synaptophysin immunoreaction quantified with image analysis showed a significant loss of neuronal activity in all intestinal tracts of the animals under study associated with a significant loss of ICC immunoreactivity. The results supports immunohistochemical evaluation of ENS and ICC as a useful tool along with morphometric investigations in the evaluation of gut lesions produced during colic syndrome.

Canine pancreatic clear acinar cell carcinoma showing an unusual mucinous differentiation.

A small solitary pancreatic nodule was identified in a 10-year-old mixed breed male dog. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of neoplastic clear acinar cells with diffuse, marked mucin production. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural investigations confirmed the exocrine acinar origin of the tumour. The tumour was classified as a pancreatic clear acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) showing an unusual mucinous differentiation.