Plasma levels of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL12 in female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumours without and with metastases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL12 in female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumours without and with metastases. The concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL12 were determined in 25 female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumours (15 without metastases and 10 with metastases) and 10 healthy control animals using a specific canine ELISA assay. The mean plasma concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL12 were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the metastatic group compared to the control group. Moreover, the concentrations of these chemokines were markedly higher in the dogs with metastases than in those without metastases; however, a statistically significant difference was not found. The concentrations of both tested chemokines were numerically increased in the dogs with grade 2 and grade 3 carcinomas compared to the dogs with grade 1 carcinomas but the differences did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, the results of our study demonstrate that plasma concentrations of chemokines CCL2 and CXCL12 are significantly increased in the dogs with metastatic malignant mammary gland tumours compared to the healthy dogs and show an upward trend compared to those without metastases. However, clarifying whether the increase of these chemokines is a cause or an effect of metastasis in female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumours as well as their potential role in metastatic process requires further research.

Plasma interleukin-1α and interleukin-8 in female dogs with non-metastatic and metastatic malignant mammary gland tumours.

In this study plasma concentrations of IL-1α and IL-8 in 29 female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumours (19 without metastasis and 10 with metastasis) and in 10 healthy control animals were determined. Concentrations of IL-1α and IL-8 were analysed using a specific canine ELISA assay. Mean plasma concentrations of IL-1α and IL-8 were significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in female dogs with both non-metastatic and metastatic malignant tumours compared to the healthy animals. The concentrations of both tested cytokines were significantly increased (p⟨0.05) in the dogs with metastasis. In female dogs with mammary carcinomas, the plasma concentration of IL-1α was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in the animals with grade 3 tumours compared to the dogs with grade 1 tumours. The concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in the dogs with grade 3 tumours compared to that found in the animals with grade 1 and grade 2 tumours. A moderate correlation (r=0.433) was found between IL-1α and IL-8 concentrations in the female dogs. These findings suggest that increased malignancy and invasiveness of canine mammary tumours is associated with an increased production of IL-1α and IL-8 in the tumour microenvironment, which, in turn, leads to an increase in their circulating levels. This may indicate that circulating levels of the cytokines investigated could be considered as diagnostic and prognostic markers in canine malignant mammary tumours. However, further studies in this fields are needed.

Uterine non-enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms (glutathione, vitamin C, copper and zinc) in diagnosis of canine pyometra.

The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the uterine tissues in diagnosis of canine pyometra. Fourteen samples of uterine tissues from female dogs with pyometra and twelve samples of healthy uteruses (control) were used. The concentrations of GSH and vitamin C were determined in the uterine tissue homogenates using spectrophotometric methods. The concentrations of Cu and Zn were measured using atomic absorption spectrometer. The results obtained showed the significantly lower (p⟨0.05) concentration of GSH and the trend towards lower concentration of vitamin C in the pyometra samples compared to the control. The concentrations of Cu and Zn were similar in the uterine tissues from female dogs with pyometra and those from healthy female dogs. The lower GSH and vitamin C concentrations in the uterine tissues of female dogs with pyometra indicate that the non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms are impaired in the uterus of dogs with pyometra. These findings suggest that the imbalance of oxidative-antioxidative can play an important role in pathogenesis of canine pyometra.

Levels of selected cytokines and acute-phase proteins in the serum of dairy cows with cystic ovarian disease and those in follicular and luteal phases of normal ovarian cycle.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of selected cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNFα], interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10) and acute-phase proteins (APPs; haptoglobin [Hp] and serum amyloid A [SAA]) in the serum of cows with follicular and luteal ovarian cysts and in those in the follicular and luteal phases of a physiological ovarian cycle. The study was conducted on 24 Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows: eight cows in the follicular phase of the cycle; the same cows after 10 days when they were in the luteal phase; eight cows with follicular cysts; and eight cows with luteal cysts. Levels of progesterone, 17ß-estradiol, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, SAA, and Hp were evaluated in the serum of all examined cows. The concentration of the assessed parameters in the serum was determined using commercially available bovine ELISA kits that were specific for each parameter. The results obtained then showed that values of TNF-α and IL-6 were highest in cows with luteal cysts (p < .001), compared to those with other ovarian structures. The highest level of IL-10 was recorded in cows with two types of ovarian cysts. Furthermore, high values of SAA and Hp were found in cows with two types of cysts; however, these values were higher in cows with follicular cysts. The present study shows that an assessment of the levels of cytokines (pro- and anti-inflammatory) and APPs in the serum may be important in the investigation of the processes underlying the formation and differentiation of ovarian cysts in dairy cows.

Evaluation of adenosine deaminase in saliva and serum, and salivary α-amylase, in canine pyometra at diagnosis and after ovariohysterectomy.

An assay for adenosine deaminase (ADA) was validated in serum and saliva in dogs. Changes in ADA and salivary α-amylase activities were analysed in 26 bitches diagnosed with pyometra and compared with activities in 19 healthy bitches. All animals were classified according to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) scoring for physical status. In the validation study, the ADA assay had an imprecision<12% and determination coefficients>0.90 in linearity under dilution experiments, with recoveries of 99.2-114.4%. On the day of presentation, salivary ADA activity was significantly higher in dogs with pyometra than in healthy dogs (median values 7.1IU/L vs. 0.8IU/L, respectively; P<0.01). ADA had a moderate positive correlation with leucocyte and band neutrophil counts, haptoglobin, salivary α-amylase and ASA score, and a low positive correlation with C-reactive protein. There were no significant differences in salivary α-amylase activity between dogs with pyometra and healthy dogs (57.3IU/L vs. 27.4IU/L, respectively). Salivary α-amylase had a low correlation with ASA grade, and leucocyte and band neutrophil counts. In 7/26 bitches with pyometra that were sampled 3 and 10days after ovariohysterectomy, there were no significant changes in α-amylase or ADA activities. These results indicate that ADA activity is increased in the saliva of bitches with pyometra, probably related to systemic inflammation.

Novel spectrometers for environmental dose rate monitoring.

A new generation of dosemeters, based on the scintillators LaBr3, CeBr3 and SrI2, read out with conventional photomultipliers, to be used in the field of environmental gamma-radiation monitoring, was investigated. The main features of these new instruments and especially their outdoor performance, studied by long-term investigations under real weather conditions, are presented. The systems were tested at the reference sites for environmental radiation of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. The measurements are compared with that of well characterized classical dose rate reference instruments to demonstrate the suitability of new spectrometers for environmental dose rate monitoring even in adverse weather conditions. Their potential to replace the (mainly Geiger Müller based) dose rate meters operated in about 5000 European early waning network stations as well as in environmental radiation monitoring in general is shown.

Changes in serum neopterin and C-reactive protein concentrations in female dogs with mammary gland tumours.

The aim of this study was to measure serum neopterin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concen- trations in female dogs with mammary tumours and evaluate the association between the values of these indicators and some clinical characteristics of the tumour. Fifty three female dogs were used for this study, including 43 dogs with mammary gland tumours (10 benign and 33 malignant) and 10 healthy controls. The concentrations of neopterin and CRP were determined using the ELISA technique and commercial ELISA kits. The mean serum neopterin concentration in fe- male dogs with mammary tumours was lower than in healthy dogs, but significant difference was not found. Similarly, there were no significant differences in neopterin concentrations in female dogs based on tumour size, tumour ulceration and metastasis. The mean CRP concentration was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in dogs with malignant tumours compared to dogs with benign tu- mours and control. Furthermore, serum CRP concentration was significantly higher (p⟨0.05) in dogs with metastatic malignant tumours compared to dogs with non-metastatic mammary tu- mours. The CRP concentration was significantly lower (p⟨0.05) in dogs with tumours less than 3 cm compared to those with larger tumours, and significantly higher in dogs with ulcerated tu- mours compared to those without ulceration. Our findings suggest that the neoplastic process in the mammary gland does not cause significant changes in serum neopterin concentrations in dogs. Higher concentrations of serum CRP in dogs with advanced stages of malignant tumours may suggest that CRP could be a potential prognostic marker in canine malignant mammary tu- mours, but this hypothesis needs further study.

Factors responsible for subclinical mastitis in cows caused by Staphylococcus chromogenes and its susceptibility to antibiotics based on bap, fnbA, eno, mecA, tetK, and ermA genes.

The aim of this study was to recognize selected factors of virulence determining the adhesion of Staphylococcus chromogenes to cows' udder tissues in subclinical mastitis and to evaluate the susceptibility of this pathogen to antibiotics. The subjects of the study were 38 isolates of Staph. chromogenes from 335 samples of milk from cows with subclinical coagulase-negative staphylococci mastitis. Somatic cell count ranged between 216,000 and 568,000/mL of milk (average 356,000/mL of milk). We confirmed the ability to produce slime in 24 isolates (63.2%), and the ability to produce protease in 29 isolates (76.3%). In each slime-producing isolate, the bap gene was not found, and the fnbA and eno genes were not detected. In vitro tests showed that ceftiofur had the highest effectiveness against Staph. chromogenes (89.5% of susceptible isolates). Minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 2µg/mL for susceptible isolates. The minimum concentrations required to inhibit growth of 90 and 50% of the isolates for ceftiofur were at or below the cutoffs recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (2 and 0.06µg/mL, respectively). A significant percentage of the isolates were susceptible to other ß-lactam antibiotics: amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (84.2%) and ampicillin (81.6%). The lowest effectiveness among ß-lactams was for penicillin (73.7% of susceptible isolates), and the minimum inhibitory concentration for penicillin ranged from <0.06 to 8µg/mL. None of the examined isolates had the mecA gene, but ß-lactamase was detected in 4 isolates (10.5%). Erythromycin and oxytetracycline exhibited the lowest activity against Staph. chromogenes (71.1 and 63.2% of susceptible isolates, respectively). The genes tetK (6 isolates) and ermA (1 isolate) were also detected.

Experimental studies on the rheology of cubic blue phases.

We report detailed experimental studies on the rheology of cubic blue phases. We observe several flow regimes within each blue phase from rheomicroscopy and small angle light scattering experiments. Both the cubic blue phases exhibit solid-like response while the cholesteric phase shows gel-like behavior. The elastic modulus of BP-I is larger than that of BP-II. The shear induced yield transition occurs at a higher strain in BP-II than BP-I. Both the blue phases show stress relaxation through periodic modulation in step-strain experiments. Our results show that the rheological responses of these two phases are significantly different owing to the distinct networks of defect-disclinations.

Correction: Experimental studies on the rheology of cubic blue phases.

Correction for 'Experimental studies on the rheology of cubic blue phases' by Rasmita Sahoo et al., Soft Matter, 2016, DOI: .

Assessment of lipid and protein peroxidation markers in non-pregnant and pregnant female dogs.

The aim of the study was to investigate oxidative stress during normal pregnancy in female dogs based on an evaluation of plasma markers for lipid and protein peroxidation. Twenty clinically healthy female dogs (10 non-pregnant and 10 pregnant) were used in the study. Blood samples from the pregnant animals were collected at 19-21, 38-40, and 56-58 days of pregnancy. Blood samples from non-pregnant female dogs were obtained between 20 and 35 days after ineffective breeding. As indicators of oxidative stress, we measured the following using spectrophotometric and spectrof- luorimetric methods: thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), radical cations of N,N, diethylparaphenylene diamine (RC-DEPPD), sulfhydryl groups (SH groups), bityrosine and formylkynurenine. The mean plasma TBARS concentration in the pregnant dogs (0.486 ± 0.071-0.581 ± 0.191 µmol/g protein) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that found in the non-pregnant animals (0.274 ± 0.111 µmol/g protein). A marked, although not significant, decrease in SH group content, as well as an increase in bityrosine and formylkynurenine concentration were concurrently observed in the pregnant dogs. No significant differences were found in terms of the studied markers in the pregnant animals when comparing the values obtained during the investigated periods of pregnancy, although there was a progressive decrease in TBARS concentration and a progressive increase in RC-DEPPD, bityrosine and formylkynurenine contents. Our findings suggest that normal pregnancy in female dogs is associated with oxidative stress. Further studies are necessary to establish the physiological ranges of antioxidative/oxidative profiles in pregnant dogs and to explain if and how the intensity of oxidative stress might contribute to the risk of the complications of pregnancy.

Effects of ovariohysterectomy on oxidative stress markers in female dogs.

Numerous studies reported an increase of oxidative stress increases in both women and female laboratory animals after ovariectomy. However, there is little information about the evaluation of antioxidative/oxidative status in ovariectomized dogs. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in oxidative stress markers after ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in female dogs. The study included eighteen healthy mongrel female dogs. Blood samples were collected immediately before surgery and 14 and 30 days after surgery. Following parameters of oxidative stress intensity were determined: the erythrocyte activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), radical cations of N,N, diethylpara-phenylene diamine (RC-DEPPD), sulfhydryl groups (SH groups), bityrosine and formylkynurenine. The activity of GSH-Px increased markedly, although not significantly, 14 days after OHE and then significantly decreased at 30 days after OHE. A significant increase in plasma TBARS, bityrosine and formylkynurenine concentrations and a decrease in SH group content were concurrently noted at 30 days after surgery. Acquired results suggested that a loss of control over ROS production occurred in female dogs after OHE, which could lead to oxidative stress in the late post-operative period. In conclusion, our findings indicated that OHE is related with the risk of oxidative stress in the late period after operations. Given that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases, this may suggest an increased risk of disorders in ovariectomized female dogs; however, further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Rheology of twist-grain-boundary-A liquid crystals.

We report studies on the rheological properties of a liquid crystalline analog of Abrikosov phase in type-II superconductors known as twist-grain-boundary-A (TGB(A)) phase. The TGB(A) phase shows a large apparent yield stress compared to the cholesteric (N*) phase. The storage modulus (G') of the TGB(A) phase is significantly larger than the loss modulus (G''). The dynamic relaxation measurements indicate a solid-like behavior of N*, TGB(A), and smectic-C* phases. The complex shear modulus of the TGB(A) phase exhibits a power-law behavior G*(ω) ∼ ω(α) with α ≃ 0.5. The relative amplitude of G' and G'' at various temperatures indicate that the enhanced elasticity of TGB(A) phase is due to the structural defects.

Phase behavior and dynamics of a cholesteric liquid crystal.

The synthesis, equation of state, phase diagram, and dielectric relaxation properties are reported for a new liquid crystal, 4(')-butyl-4-(2-methylbutoxy)azoxybenzene (4ABO5*), which exhibits a cholesteric phase at ambient temperature. The steepness of the intermolecular potential was characterized from the thermodynamic potential parameter, Γ = 4.3 ± 0.1 and the dynamic scaling exponent, γ = 3.5 ± 0.2. The difference between them is similar to that seen previously for nematic and smectic liquid crystals, with the near equivalence of Γ and γ consistent with the near constancy of the relaxation time of 4ABO5* at the cholesteric to isotropic phase transition (i.e., the clearing line). Thus, chirality does not cause deviations from the general relationship between thermodynamics and dynamics in the ordered phase of liquid crystals. The ionic conductivity of 4ABO5* shows strong coupling to the reorientational dynamics.

Serum neopterin levels in female dogs with malignant mammary tumours.

In this study, we have determined serum neopterin levels in female dogs with primary malignant mammary tumours. The study involved 50 female dogs which had a malignant mammary tumours removed surgically (32 animals with carcinoma, 12 animals with sarcoma and 6 animals with carcinosarcoma) and 10 clinically healthy female dogs. Serum neopterin levels were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. The mean neopterin levels were lower in the malignant tumour groups than in healthy animals but differences were statistically significant only in carcinoma and sarcoma groups. The decrease of neopterin levels in animals with malignant mammary tumours may suggest their decreased cellular immunity. Moreover, it might indicate that decreased activity of cellular mechanisms of the anti-neoplastic response is one of the factors associated with the development and course of malignant mammary tumours in female dogs; however, further studies are necessary.

Ultrabroadband terahertz spectroscopy of a liquid crystal.

Liquid crystals (LCs) are becoming increasingly important for applications in the terahertz frequency range. A detailed understanding of the spectroscopic parameters of these materials over a broad frequency range is crucial in order to design customized LC mixtures for improved performance. We present the frequency dependent index of refraction and the absorption coefficients of the nematic liquid crystal 5CB over a frequency range from 0.3 THz to 15 THz using a dispersion-free THz time-domain spectrometer system based on two-color plasma generation and air biased coherent detection (ABCD). We show that the spectra are dominated by multiple strong spectral features mainly at frequencies above 4 THz, originating from intramolecular vibrational modes of the weakly LC molecules.

Rheological properties of a reentrant nematic liquid crystal.

We report experimental studies on small angle light scattering (SALS), and rheodielectric and electrorheological properties of a binary mixture of octyloxy cyanobiphenyl and hexyloxy cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals. The mixture exhibits nematic (N) to smectic-A (SmA) phase transitions, and then again to a reentrant nematic (N(R)) phase transition. Rapid shear thinning in the quenched samples in the low shear rate region in the N and SmA phases observed from SALS experiments is attributed to the realignment of the director within the domains. The domains are elongated along the shear direction at higher shear rates. The temperature variation of the effective viscosity and static dielectric constant reveals the changes in the director orientation across N-SmA-N(R) phase transitions. At a steady shear rate the effective viscosity increases with the electric field in all the phases and saturates at much higher fields. It also exhibits two anomalous peaks across N-SmA-N(R) phase transitions beyond a particular field. The shear modulus of the SmA phase in an intermediate field is significantly larger than that measured at both low and high fields. This enhanced viscoelasticity of the SmA phase is argued to originate from the increased dislocation density.

Concentration of serum amyloid A and ceruloplasmin activity in milk from cows with subclinical mastitis caused by different pathogens.

The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA) and the activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp) in milk from cows with subclinical mastitis caused by different pathogens. Eighty-four milk samples from cows with subclinical mastitis and fourteen milk samples from healthy cows were examined. SAA concentration was determined using the commercial ELISA kit (Tridelta Development Ltd., Greystones, Wicklow, Ireland). Cp activity was assessed spectrophotometrically, using the Rice method. The results reveal that the concentration of SAA (with exception of CNS) and activity of Cp in cow milk can be regarded as markers of subclinical mastitis, irrespective of the microorganism inducing the disease. In conclusion, measurement of SAA and Cp in milk samples could be a useful method in diagnosing subclinical mastitis in cows, but the method should be adapted for field use.

Cardiovascular assessment of asymptomatic patients with juvenile-onset localized and systemic scleroderma: 10 years prospective observation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was non-invasive evaluation of the cardiovascular system in asymptomatic young adult patients with juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) and juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSS). METHODS: A group of 34 consecutive children with scleroderma were prospectively observed in the study. The control group (CG) consisted of 20 healthy subjects. In each subject 12-lead electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, ECG Holter, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring examinations were performed at the baseline visit and after 10 years. Additionally, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations were measured after 10 years. RESULTS: Examinations were performed in 13 patients with JLS and 15 with JSS at the final visit. Two children had died (one from each group). Four patients were alive but refused the final visit. After 10 years, a higher prevalence of ventricular extrasystoles (p = 0.01) and an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (JLS: p = 0.04, JSS: p = 0.03) were observed in both groups, but in comparison with the controls there was no significant difference at the final visit. In JLS patients more cases of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, hypertension, and sinus tachycardia were diagnosed at the final visit (p ≤ 0.05). More atrioventricular block episodes in both groups of scleroderma patients were observed. Over the 10 years, arterial hypertension was diagnosed in three patients from the JLS group and in two with JSS. There were no significant differences in BNP concentrations at the final visit. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that juvenile scleroderma seems to be more benign than adult-onset disease. This observational study shows subclinical, not severe, cardiac abnormalities in adult patients with juvenile-onset disease.

Effect of electric field on the rheological and dielectric properties of a liquid crystal exhibiting nematic-to-smectic-A phase transition.

We report simultaneous measurements of shear viscosity (η) and dielectric constant (ε) of octyloxy cyanobiphenyl (8OCB) in the nematic (N) and smectic-A (SmA) phases as functions of temperature and electric field. With increasing electric field η increases in the N phase whereas it decreases in the SmA phase and saturates beyond a particular field in both the phases. The flow curves in the intermediate-field range show two Newtonian regimes in the N phase. The temperature-dependent behavior of η and ε at zero or at small electric field suggests the occurrence of several structures that results from precessional motion of the director along the neutral direction as reported in similar other system. We show that the precessional motions are gradually suppressed with increasing electric field and the effective viscosity resembles with the Miesowicz viscosity η1 at high enough electric field. In the intermediate field range the temperature-dependent η exhibits anomalous behavior across the N-SmA phase transition which is attributed to the large contribution of Leslie coefficient α1.