3D visualization and printing: An "Anatomical Engineering" trend revealing underlying morphology via innovation and reconstruction towards future of veterinary anatomy.

The amalgamation of veterinary anatomy, technology and innovation has led to development of latest technological advancement in the field of veterinary medicine, i.e., three-dimensional (3D) imaging and reconstruction. 3D visualization technique followed by 3D reconstruction has been proven to enhance non-destructive 3D visualization grossly or microscopically, e.g., skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, ligaments, cartilage, connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, and glands. The core aim of this manuscript is to document non-invasive 3D visualization methods being adopted currently in veterinary anatomy to reveal underlying morphology and to reconstruct them by 3D softwares followed by printing, its applications, current challenges, trends and future opportunities. 3D visualization methods such as MRI, CT scans and micro-CT scans are utilised in revealing volumetric data and underlying morphology at microscopic levels as well. This will pave a way to transform and re-invent the future of teaching in veterinary medicine, in clinical cases as well as in exploring wildlife anatomy. This review provides novel insights into 3D visualization and printing as it is the future of veterinary anatomy, thus making it spread to become the plethora of opportunities for whole veterinary science.

Immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor and vWF-regulating angiogenesis in cyclic corpus luteum of Indian buffalo.

The present study was conducted to localize the immunoexpression of VEGF-A (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in corpora lutea of healthy buffaloes (24) collected from local slaughterhouses. CL collected were categorized into early (stage I, 1-5 days, n = 6), mid (stage II, 6-11 days, n = 6), late luteal phase (stage III, 12 to 16 days, n = 6) and regressing phase (stage IV, 17 to 20 days, n = 6). The percent positive immunostaining for VEGF-A was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in mid-luteal phase than the other three stages of CL. However, it was higher in early luteal phase as well indicated intense angiogenesis in both early and mid-luteal phases. The number of capillary endothelium expressing vWF was significantly (p < 0.05) highest in mid-luteal phase among all the phases. However, in late luteal phase, the percent area positive for VEGF-A immunostaining was reduced but it was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than corpus albicans phase. Thus, in regressing phase or corpus albicans, it was lowest and reduced considerably. However, in late luteal phase, the number of capillaries with vWF immunoexpression reduced significantly (p < 0.05) but it was lowest in corpus albicans phase. Therefore, the immunotaining pattern for VEGF-A and vWF concluded that there was a spositive linear correlation between the two, that is, as the VEGF-A expression was increased, the number of vWF positive capillaries also increased and vice versa. The VEGF-A expressed by the luteal parenchyma in different stages of development and regression of corpus luteum was thus observed to be involved in promoting the angiogenesis and luteal cell proliferation as supported by vWF expressed by endothelium of proliferating capillaries in buffalo corpus luteum throughout the estrous cycle.

Histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study on ontogeny of ileocaecal lymphoglandular complexes in prenatal and postnatal Indian buffalo: An innate mucosal immune barrier.

The present study was conducted on prenatal and postnatal development of lymphoglandular complexes (LGCs) in ileocaecal region of buffalo fetuses (n = 15) ranging from 11.5 cm curved crown rump length (CVRL) (80 days) to 100 cm CVRL (299 days) and neonatal buffalo calves (n = 10). The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their CVRL. LGC formation was not evident in ileocaecal junction up to 32 cm CVRL (145 days). At 35 cm CVRL (152 days), diffuse lymphocytes were scattered around the base of glands that encircled them. At 54 cm CVRL (195 days), lymphoid aggregates were present in submucosa around deep submucosal glands and formed primordia of LGCs in ileocaeccal orifice region. At 100 cm CVRL (299 days), these complexes were completely visible grossly. The distinguished lymphoid nodules in submucosa were invaded by submucosal extensions of overlying mucosal glands to form a large clear complex of glands and lymphoid nodules called as "Lymphoglandular complex" at this stage. It is the first report of prenatal development of LGCs in large intestine of buffaloes. Abundant CD3+ T cells were observed towards periphery of LGC. In neonates, these complexes were uniform, few with demarcation into dark and light zones that is, germinal center formation. Lymphocytes interspersed in lamina propria were mainly CD3+ T lymphocytes. In conclusion, the development of LGCs in ileocaecal region started prenatally in terms of all its cellular components into completely developed and immunocompetent to generate mucosal immunity.

Veterinary anatomy teaching from real to virtual reality: An unprecedented shift during COVID-19 in socially distant era.

Teaching Veterinary Anatomy in a virtual world is an utmost requirement of the ongoing era of COVID-19 pandemic. Due to sudden lockdown, all the educational institutes, professional medical and veterinary colleges were closed (except emergency services) and academic activities were suspended altogether. This situation was challenging as well as thought-provoking for various academicians and professors to rethink about the means to keep the conduit of imparting education unceasing. This review focuses on the virtual reality aids that are being adopted worldwide and the initiatives taken by academicians during this era to impart best practical anatomy lessons yet being in a socially distant world. However, during the lockdown and social distancing, face-to face interactions were not feasible, and therefore, number of distant learning methods were created on virtual platforms for continuing the process of teaching veterinary anatomy closer to reality available at their doorsteps where academic staff was actively involved to reconstruct and renovate resources, upgraded their digital competencies to develop new ways to shift from one on one and merged to remote online teaching, and anatomy teaching was transformed to an abrupt 'virtual mode'. Adopting virtual reality (VR) aids such as 3D animations, software packages, virtual dissections and E-museum serves as a great saviour throughout this unprecedented pandemic in a socially distant world to continue the teaching connexion.

Immunoexpression of cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α suggesting its role in formation and regression of corpus luteum in Indian buffalo.

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine that plays multiple important roles in corpus luteum (CL). Immunolocalization of expression of TNF-α in CL of buffalo was studied in different stages of its development and regression. Corpus luteum of healthy buffaloes (24) was collected from local slaughterhouses and categorized into early (stage I, 1-5 days, n = 6), mid (stage II, 6-11 days, n = 6), late luteal (stage III, 12-16 days, n = 6) and regressing phase (stage IV, 17-20 days, n = 6). In earliest phase of cyclic CL, per cent immunoexpression of TNF-α was significantly (p < .05) lower as compared to all phases with its expression being restricted to few developing luteal cells, usually in neutrophils. A significantly (p < .05) higher number of neutrophils with TNF-α immunoexpression were observed as compared to mid-luteal phase that indicated its role in initiation of angiogenesis at this stage. TNF-α immunoexpression almost doubled in mid-luteal phase, but the number of neutrophils exhibiting TNF-α was significantly (p < .05) lower with respect to all phases of CL. Immunoexpression percentage in late luteal phase increased sharply being significantly (p < .05) higher than earlier two phases of CL. In regressing phase, per cent immunostaining was maximum with highly significant (p < .05) difference as compared to all other stages, observed in all degrading luteal cells, abundant immune cells, that is neutrophils and macrophages which finally led to apoptosis and phagocytosis. Immunoexpression of TNF-α in early luteal phases served its role in initiation of angiogenesis, and its intense expression in regressing phase of CL suggested a shift in its role to apoptosis and structural luteal regression signifying both luteotropic and luteolytic roles in buffalo. This is probably the first study of its kind in buffaloes.

Enzyme histochemistry of cecal lymphoid tissue during prenatal period of buffalo.

AIM: This study was designed to elucidate the histoenzymic distribution of enzymes, i.e., phosphatases, oxidoreductases, dehydrogenases, and diaphorases in cecal lymphoid tissue during its development in the prenatal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on cecum of 15 buffalo fetuses ranging from 16 cm curved crown-rump length (CVRL) (100 days) to 100 cm CVRL (full term). The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their CVRL. RESULTS: In Group I, the distribution of enzymes was uniformly weak in developing villi-like projections in cecum and completely absent from submucosa. In Group II, the enzymes showed a moderate to strong activity in epithelium lining tunica mucosa which progressively decreased as the fetus progresses toward late gestational age. However, the intense activity of enzymes was observed in developing lymphoid tissue in this group. In Group III, distribution of enzymes reduced in tunica mucosa of cecum with advancing age, whereas the intense activity was noticed in the developed lymphoid tissue complex. CONCLUSION: The distribution of enzymes was completely absent from submucosal region in cecum of Group I as there was no lymphoid tissue development at this age. In Group II, the enzymes showed a moderate to strong activity in epithelium lining tunica mucosa which progressively decreased toward late gestational age but an intense activity was observed in developing lymphoid tissue. In Group III, distribution of enzymes reduced in tunica mucosa with advancing age with intense activity noticed in the developed lymphoid tissue complex.

Lymphoglandular complexes in proximal colon of buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) / Complejos linfoglandulares en colon proximal de terneros de buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was conducted on six healthy early neonatal and six prepubertal buffalo calves to study the location, gross morphology, histomorphology and histochemistry of lymphoglandular complexes in proximal colon. In very proximal part of colon of buffalo calves, an irregular oval mucosal lymphoid patch was found grossly as a proximal colon (PC) patch. Histologically, in proximal colon patch of early neonates (3-4 weeks), an extensive invasion of mucosal glands was observed towards lymphoid nodules that were present in submucosa. The structure as a whole thus formed a complex known as lymphoglandular complex (LGC). Large number of such complexes i.e., LGCs were observed in submucosa of proximal colon at this age. At some places, invasion of mucosal glands into lymphoid tissue was restricted to superficial layer of complexes, with the lymphoglandular complexes opening directly into the lumen but some were deep seated. However, by the age of 6 months in buffalo calves i.e., prepubertal period, LGCs were reduced and were present in single layer within the submucosa of the proximal colon. Moreover, some of LGCs were completely encapsulated by their own lamina muscularis mucosae. But some of the complexes still had their mucosal openings into lumen while others had lost their connection with tunica mucosa. Histochemically, the glands that were observed within LGCs contained mucosubstances, glycogen, mucopolysaccharides, and mucin. However, lipids were present around the lymphocytes observed towards the periphery of these LGCs.

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en seis terneros de búfalo neonatos sanos y seis terneros prepuberales para estudiar la ubicación, morfología macroscópica, histomorfología e histoquímica de los complejos linfoglandulares en el colon proximal. Se observó en un área del colon proximal (AP) de los terneros de búfalo un óvalo linfoide de mucosa irregular en la parte más proximal de éste. Histológicamente, en el área proximal del colon de los terneros neonatos (3-4 semanas), se observó una invasión extensa de las glándulas mucosas hacia los nódulos linfáticos presentes en la submucosa. La estructura en su totalidad formaba un complejo conocido como complejo linfoglandular (CLG). A esta edad se observó un gran número de estos complejos es decir, se observaron CLGs en la submucosa del colon proximal. La invasión de las glándulas mucosas en el tejido linfoide, se limita a la capa superficial de los complejos, los complejos linfoglandulares distribuidos directamente en el lumen, sin embargo otros se encontraban arraigados de manera profunda. En búfalo a los 6 meses de edad, es decir en el período prepuberal, se observó un número reducido de CLGs presentes en una sola capa dentro de la submucosa del colon proximal. Por otra parte, algunos de CLGs estaban completamente encapsulados por su propia lamina muscularis mucosae. Algunos de los complejos mantenían abertura de las mucosas en el lumen, mientras que otros habían perdido su conexión con la mucosa. En análisis histoquímico, las glándulas que se observaron dentro del CLGs contenían mucosustancias, glucógeno, mucopolisacáridos y mucina. Sin embargo, se encontraron lípidos presentes alrededor de los linfocitos hacia la periferia de los CLGs.

Ileal and jejunal Peyer's patches in buffalo calves: Histomorphological comparison.

AIM: The present study was aimed to elucidate the histomorphology of ileal and jejunal Peyer's patches in the small intestine of buffalo calves and their structural comparison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on neonatal (n=10) and pre-pubertal (n=10) buffalo calves. The age of the postnatal buffalo calves was estimated by their temporary and permanent dentition. RESULTS: The study revealed that several layers of oval to elongate elliptical lymphoid follicles were observed in submucosa on the anti-mesenteric side in the ileum of early neonatal calves. However, the follicles at this age, in jejunum were of all shapes present within one layer. The interfollicular space was occupied by the interfollicular tissue, which was diffuse and wider around jejunal lymphoid follicles as compared to ileal lymphoid follicles. However, toward the pubertal stage, the number of layers of lymphoid follicles was reduced in ileum due to involution while it remained similar in number in jejunum at this stage. CONCLUSION: The ileal Peyer's patches were found to have started involution more or less around reaching puberty, whereas the jejunal Peyer's patches appear to be functional throughout the lifespan of the animal.