Thyroid evaluation in suspicious hypothyroid adult dogs before and after treatment.

The purpose of this study was to measure circulating TSH, T4 and fT4 concentrations in dogs submitted to a clinical visit for general symptoms (weight gain, polyuria and polydipsia, changes in hair coat). Twenty-eight dogs, 14 cross-breed and 14 purebreds (Golden Retriever, Labrador, Doberman), of both sexes (14 males and 14 females), aged 8 to 14 years, were assessed. No significant differences of circulating TSH, T4 , fT4 concentrations between the baseline and after therapeutic treatment nor between intact and neutered females were observed. Compared to baseline values, intact males showed higher TSH concentrations (p⟨0.01), and castrated males lower TSH concentrations (p⟨0.01) after therapeutic treatment. Compared to intact males, castrated males showed baseline TSH concentrations higher (p⟨0.01), but lower (p⟨0.01) after therapeutic treatment. No significant differences of T4 and fT4 concentrations between baseline conditions and after therapeutic treatment, nor between intact and castrated males, were observed. The experimental sample considered in this study falls within that casuistry involving elevated TSH concentrations but low serum T4 and fT4 concentrations or close to the minimum physiological cut-off, in which the common clinical signs suggestive of hypothyroidism was, essentially, overweight and neglected appearance of the hair.

Effect of surgery, delivery device and head position on sinus irrigant penetration in a cadaver model.

OBJECTIVE: The extent of surgery, the type of device used and head position may influence nasal irrigation. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of topical irrigant delivery to the paranasal sinuses according to these factors. METHOD: Four cadaveric heads underwent four stepwise endoscopic dissections. Irrigations were evaluated after every stage using different delivery devices (squeeze-bottle, gravity-dependent device and syringe) in two head positions (nose-to-sink and vertex down). Irrigant penetration into each sinus was estimated using a four-point scale. RESULTS: A significant positive effect of surgery was demonstrated for each sinus as well as for the delivery device. High-volume irrigant devices are more effective, and the head position plays a significant role in irrigant distribution to the frontal sinus. CONCLUSION: This study further confirms the efficacy of high-volume irrigant devices. A vertex down position during the irrigation could improve delivery to the frontal sinus, and the widening of the ostia increases irrigant access to the sinuses.

Bio-hybrid gold nanoparticles as SERS probe for rapid bacteria cell identification.

This study reports the utilization of engineered molecular networks between bacteriophage (or phage) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared ablating a high purity gold target in water by nanosecond laser source. Gold colloids are assembled with P9b phage clone, displaying the specific peptide (QRKLAAKLT), able to bind P. aeruginosa. The single components and assembled systems were characterized by spectroscopic and electronic techniques, such as the conventional optical absorption and micro-Raman spectroscopies as well as the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) techniques. The performance of the AuNPs-phage assembly as substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was tested against the detection of the characteristics Raman vibrational features of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Solitonic waveguide reflection at an electric interface.

A refractive index interface is dynamically induced in a bulk photorefractive material by biasing two adjacent regions with different electric fields, thus building up an electric wall. Effects of this interface on reflection, refraction and breathing of bright photorefractive solitons and their associated waveguides are numerically and experimentally studied as a function of the induced purely electric field gradient. Reflection and refraction efficiency depends on the amplitude and sign of the applied voltages that affect both the self-confining beam and the signals propagating inside the waveguide. Experimental tests are performed in nominally undoped lithium niobate samples.

The Stokes-Einstein relation in water/methanol solutions.

The hydrogen bonding ability of both water and methanol, together with the occurrence of hydrophobic interactions, makes their solutions nonideal. This nonideality is reflected in both dynamic and thermodynamic quantities at different extent depending on temperature and concentration. The thermal behavior in terms of transport quantities is investigated for different methanol molar fractions by using the concepts of the Stokes-Einstein relation. Starting from the pure compounds, we compare self-diffusion and viscosity data as a function of the temperature for methanol molar fractions XMeOH = 0.22, 0.5, and 0.7. The results are interpreted within the scenario of the mode coupling theory and show that the Stokes-Einstein relation is violated in a different way depending on the solution concentration.

Temporal relationships of GH, IGF-I and fructosamine concentrations in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares: A substantial contribution from the hormonal standpoint.

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) exert essential functions to maintain an adequate metabolic activity for correct placental and fetal development. Although fructosamine (FRUCT) is used in clinical evaluation to assess the glycaemic state, the relationships between GH, IGF-I and FRUCT remain unknown in the mare. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships among these parameters in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares, with an age range of 9.33 ±â€¯3.31 years, were studied during the 11 months of gestation. Serum concentrations of GH, IGF-I and FRUCT were analyzed by EIA, competition ELISA and spectrophotometry, respectively. GH showed a biphasic pattern, the first occurred during 4th and 5th month and the second which was higher than the 1st one during the 7th, 8th and 9th month (P < 0.05). Compared to the 1st month, the IGF-I concentrations increased in the 2nd month (P < 0.05), decreased in the 3rd and 4th month and increased to reach the maximum average value in the 5th month (P < 0.05); after slight oscillations between the 6th and 8th month, IGF-I concentrations increased in the 9th month (P < 0.05), decreasing until the end of gestation. FRUCT increased progressively and significantly from the 6th month of gestation, reaching the maximum values in the last month of gestation (P < 0.05). These results suggest that alternative mechanisms other than GH and IGF-I could be involved in the regulation of glycaemic metabolism in pregnant mare.

Sequential concentrations of placental growth factor and haptoglobin, and their relation to oestrone sulphate and progesterone in pregnant Spanish Purebred mare.

The objectives of this study were to establish reference values for serum concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF) and haptoglobin (Hp), and to analyze whether the levels of oestrone sulphate (E1S) and progesterone (P4) are physiologically involved in the dynamic modifications of the above parameters in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares ranging in age 9.33 ±â€¯3.31 years were studied during the 11 months of gestation. Serum concentrations of PlGF were detected by EIA, Hp using commercial Phase Haptoglobin assay and E1S and P4 levels through RIA. The serum concentrations of PlGF ranged between 31.70 and 223.60 ng/mL, with a mean value of 57.64 ±â€¯18.05 ng/mL. Serum PlGF levels increased significantly during the 1st and 2nd months, reaching the maximum value in the 3rd month and the minimum value in the 10th month. Hp concentrations increased progressively and significantly from the 5th until the 10th month of gestation (P < 0.05), decreasing in the 11th month of pregnancy. E1S increased significantly from the 3rd until the 7th month, decreasing progressively towards the end of gestation. P4 increased significantly in the 3rd and 4th month and decreased significantly in the 6th and 7th (P < 0.05), with variable oscillations during last months of pregnancy. PlGF and Hp were significantly and negatively correlated (r = -0.27; P < 0.05). In the healthy mare, PlGF and Hp act asynchronously and independent of steroid E1S and P4.

ß-Bi2O3 reduction by laser irradiation in a liquid environment.

This study reports the structural and stoichiometric modifications of bismuth oxide nanoparticles in the ß phase (ß-Bi2O3) by UV pulsed laser irradiation in water or ethanol solutions. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the synthesized nanomaterials. The various analyses demonstrate that the laser irradiation of ß-Bi2O3 nanospheres is a green, fast and effective method to produce Bi2O2CO3 nanosheets or metallic Bi nanoparticles depending on the liquid environment used. Bi subcarbonate is obtained by laser irradiation in water, whereas metallic Bi is produced by laser irradiation in ethanol, and in particular the relative amount of metallic Bi is found to depend on the laser fluence. These typologies of materials find application in several fields, such as photocatalytic processes, light filters and environmental sensors.

All-Optical Reinforcement Learning In Solitonic X-Junctions.

Ethology has shown that animal groups or colonies can perform complex calculation distributing simple decision-making processes to the group members. For example ant colonies can optimize the trajectories towards the food by performing both a reinforcement (or a cancellation) of the pheromone traces and a switch from one path to another with stronger pheromone. Such ant's processes can be implemented in a photonic hardware to reproduce stigmergic signal processing. We present innovative, completely integrated X-junctions realized using solitonic waveguides which can provide both ant's decision-making processes. The proposed X-junctions can switch from symmetric (50/50) to asymmetric behaviors (80/20) using optical feedbacks, vanishing unused output channels or reinforcing the used ones.

Postoperative long-term morbidity of extended endoscopic maxillectomy for inverted papilloma.

BACKGROUND: Extended endoscopic maxillectomy (Sturmann-Canfield procedure) allows full visualization of the maxillary sinus by sectioning the lacrimal duct and removing the medial part of the anterior maxillary wall. The aim of this study is to evaluate the morbidity of Sturmann-Canfield procedure in patients treated for inverted papilloma. METHODOLOGY: The clinical records of all patients treated with a Sturmann-Canfield procedure for inverted papilloma from October 2000 to September 2015 at two teaching hospitals were reviewed. All patients were evaluated by nasal endoscopy and lacrimal system patency was assessed. Pre-maxillary cutaneous sensitivity was tested with a Semmes-Weinstein aesthesiometer and thermic stimulation. The SNOT-22 questionnaire was administered. Patients were also asked to report any other post-surgical complaints. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were identified. Mean follow-up after surgery was 66.3 months. Mean SNOT-22 score was 5.94 (range 0-20); the majority of patients (86%) had a SNOT-22 symptom score of 3 or lower. Mucocoele occurred in 3 (5%) cases. Lacrimal pathway obstruction was observed in 7 (12%) patients. Fourteen (24%) patients complained of paraesthesia in the malar area; hypoesthesia was present in only 5 (8%) cases. Hypoesthesia in the region innervated by the anterior superior alveolar nerve was detected in 17 (29%) patients. One patient reported a slight depression of paralateronasal soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Although nasal function outcomes and the results from SNOT-22 questionnaires were favourable, a high rate of neurologic and lacrimal complications was observed. Potential morbidity of the intervention, including the possibility of negative aesthetic sequelae, should be discussed during preoperative counselling.

Influence of training and competitive sessions on peripheral ß-endorphin levels in training show jumping horses.

AIM: To investigate the effects of training sessions on circulating ß-endorphin changes in sport horses before and after competition and to ascertain whether competition would affect this response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 trained jumping horses were randomly assigned to one of two training groups: Group A (competing) and Group B (not competing). To determined plasma ß-endorphin concentrations, two pre- and post-competition training weeks at aerobic workout and two competitive show jumping event days at anaerobic workout were measured before, 5 and 30 min after exercise. Exercise intensity is described using lactate concentrations and heart rate. The circuit design, intensity, and duration of training sessions were the same for both groups. RESULTS: In Group A, one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures (RM-ANOVA) showed significant effects of exercise on ß-endorphin changes (F=14.41; p<0.001), only in the post-competition training sessions, while in Group B showed no significant effects. Two-way RM-ANOVA showed, after post-competition training sessions, a significant difference between Group A and Group B (F=6.235; p=0.023), with higher ß-endorphin changes in Group A, compared to Group B. During the competitive show jumping sessions, one-way RM ANOVA showed significant effects of exercise on ß-endorphin changes (F=51.10; p<0.001). The statistical analysis, in Group A, showed a significant difference between post-competition training and competitive exercise (F=6.32; p=0.024) with higher ß-endorphin values in competitive sessions compared to those of post-competition training. CONCLUSION: Lactate concentrations seem to be the main factors being correlated with the raise of ß-endorphin during anaerobic exercise of competitive events. Exercise of low intensity, as well as that one of training sessions, does not appear to stimulate a significant increased release of ß-endorphin and it may depend on the duration of the exercise program. Moreover, the responses during exercise in the course of post-competition training sessions seem to be significantly different from those the pre-competition training. These data show that the preliminary competitive stress induced additional significant changes of ß-endorphin pattern. It would reflect the need of a long-lasting modulation of fatigue and pain perception related to the effect of an additional physical and mental effort for the consecutive competitive and training sessions.

The stress response of Ragusano donkey (Equus asinus) to different semen collection techniques.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the stress response of donkeys to different semen collection techniques, comparing the physiological patterns of hormonal (adrenocorticotropic hormone: ACTH, cortisol) and biochemical variables (creatinine, total protein, urea, aspartate aminotransferase: AST, alanine aminotransferase: ALT), and routine seminal parameters and sexual behaviour. Twenty two healthy Ragusano donkeys were used and were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups based on different semen collection techniques. Group A was designated as the experimental group and included 16 donkeys submitted to semen collection by an artificial vagina (AV) "on the ground"; group B was designated as the control group, and included 6 donkeys submitted to semen collection by AV during the mount. The semen collection was performed in October, once a day for 10 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected in baseline conditions, before the onset of the treatments and within 30 min after, from the jugular vein of each subject. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of semen collection technique and time points in group A for ACTH (p=0.0084), cortisol (p=0.0004) and creatinine (p=0.0131), with lower values after semen collection than before. A significant effect of semen collection technique and time points in group B for ACTH (p<0.0001) and cortisol (p<0.0001) was observed, with higher values after semen collection than before. The comparison between groups A and B values over different time points showed a significant effect after semen collection for ACTH (p<0.0001), cortisol (p<0.0001) and creatinine (p<0.0001), with the highest values in group B. This study provides the physiological evidence that semen collection on the ground in healthy donkeys could be used as an alternative strategy to induce a positive animal approach and economical advantages.

Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions.

AIM: The changes of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis response to a long distance transportation results in increase of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels. The purpose of the study was to quantify the level of short-term road transport stress on circulating ACTH and cortisol concentrations, related to the effect of previous handling and transport experience of horses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 56 healthy horses after short-term road transport of 30 km. The horses were divided into four groups, Groups A, B, C, and D, with respect to the handling quality: Good (Groups A and B), bad (Group D), and minimal handling (Group C) conditions. According to the previous transport, experience horses were divided as follows: Horses of Groups A and D had been experienced long-distance transportation before; horses of Groups B and C had been limited experience of transportation. RESULTS: One-way RM-ANOVA showed significant effects of transport on ACTH changes in Groups B and C and on cortisol changes in both Groups A and B. Groups A and B showed lower baseline ACTH and cortisol values than Groups C and D; Groups A and B showed lower post-transport ACTH values than Groups C and D. Groups A, B, and C showed lower post-transport cortisol values than Group D. Only Groups A and B horses have shown an adequate capacity of stress response to transportation. CONCLUSION: The previous transport experience and quality of handling could influence the HPA axis physiological responses of horses after short-term road transport.

The outcome of the first stages of pregnancy on mares' bloodstream thyroid hormones.

The objective of this study was to compare in detail the total and free iodothyronines' pattern of mares from the first ovulation of the year over an extended period of 12 weeks. A total of 20 mares were used in the study. The mares were classified into two groups: mares mated at the ovulation (n = 10) used as observational group and mares unmated at the ovulation (n = 10) used as control group. Serum total and free triiodothyronine (T3, fT3) and thyroxine (T4, fT4) levels were measured in baseline conditions at the first ovulation of year and once a week until 12 weeks later. For the experimental group, the first week of postovulation mating was considered as the first week of gestation. One-way analysis of variance showed a significant effect of time over 12 weeks for T3 (F = 2.44; P = 0.007) in pregnant mares, with the higher levels at the seventh and 12th weeks (P < 0.05) than baseline values, and for fT3 (F = 2.36; P = 0.009), with the higher levels at the 11th week (P < 0.05) than baseline values. Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant pregnancy effect compared with nonpregnancy stage for T3 (F = 15.82; P = 0.009), with the higher levels at the seventh and 12th weeks (P < 0.05) of pregnancy than that in nonpregnant values. Thus, it appears that, under similar environment, management and nutritional regime, the first trimester of pregnancy plays a dynamic role on the thyroid patterns by their anabolic activity; therefore, significant effects of time points on the T3 and fT3 concentrations probably may contribute to the control of early embryonic growth and development, before the onset of fetal thyroid activity. Considerable additional research, outwith the aim of this study, will be required to elucidate the mechanisms by which gestational age affects the physiological thyroid function in mares and/or fetus ratio in the first pregnancy stage.

Engineering of carbon based nanomaterials by ring-opening reactions of a reactive azlactone graphene platform.

A reactive azlactone-based graphene nanoplatform was successfully synthesized by the ligation of azido-azlactone with alkyne-terminated graphene via Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition. The reactive azlactone rings, grafted on graphene sheets, were subjected to highly efficient ring-opening reactions with functionalized primary amine derivatives incorporating an aminosilane coupling agent or a biological fragment.

Release of ß-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in response to machine milking of dairy cows.

AIM: The present study was undertaken with the objective to obtain insight into the dynamics of the release of ß-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in response to machine milking in dairy cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 healthy multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows were used in the study. Animals were at the 4(th)-5(th) month of pregnancy and were submitted to machine milking 2 times daily. Blood samples were collected in the morning: In baseline conditions, immediately before milking and after milking; and in the early afternoon: In baseline conditions, before milking and after milking, for 2 consecutive days. Endocrine variables were measured in duplicate, using a commercial radioimmunoassay for circulating ß-endorphin and ACTH concentrations and a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay for cortisol concentration. RESULTS: Data obtained showed a similar biphasic cortisol secretion of lactating dairy cows, with a significant increase of cortisol concentration after morning machine milking, at both the 1(st) and the 2(nd) day (p<0.05), and a decrease after afternoon machine milking at the 2(nd) day (p<0.01). One-way RM ANOVA showed significant effects of the machine milking on the cortisol changes, at both morning (f=22.96; p<0.001) and afternoon (f=15.10; p<0.01) milking, respectively. Two-way RM ANOVA showed a significant interaction between cortisol changes at the 1(st) and the 2(nd) day (f=7.94; p<0.0002), and between the sampling times (f=6.09; p<0.001). Conversely, no significant effects of the machine milking were observed on ß-endorphin and ACTH changes, but only a moderate positive correlation (r=0.94; p<0.06) after milking stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: A wide range of cortisol concentrations reported in this study showed the complex dynamic patterns of the homeostatic mechanisms involved during machine milking in dairy cows, suggesting that ß-endorphin and ACTH were not the main factors that caused the adrenocortical response to milking stimuli.

Laser light triggered smart release of silibinin from a PEGylated-PLGA gold nanocomposite.

In this work a new remotely-triggered drug delivery system based on PEG-PLGA_Au nanocomposite is proposed. Due to the optical properties of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), the nanovector allows on-demand control of the dose, the timing and the duration of the drug release, upon irradiation with red laser light. The Au NPs are synthesized by laser ablation and subsequently embedded into the PEG-PLGA copolymer via a modified emulsion-diffusion method, devised in such a way that both Au NPs and silibinin (SLB), a flavonolignan with promising anti-neoplastic effects, can be co-loaded into the polymeric system in a single step procedure. A combination of analytical techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS, DLS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning/transmission electron microscopies (SEM/STEM/TEM), have been used to study the structural and morphological properties of the nanocomposite. The loading efficiency and the drug content, evaluated by UV-vis absorption optical spectroscopy, are 89% and 8.8%, respectively. Upon laser irradiation the system releases the encapsulated drug with a higher efficiency (∼10%) than that without irradiation. This behaviour indicates that our nanoplatform is responsive to light and it could be considered a promising new type of light-activated drug delivery carrier applicable to the biomedical field.