Effect of in-ovo inoculation of betaine on hatchability, serum antioxidant levels, muscle gene expression and intestinal development of broiler chicks.

This study investigated the effects of in-ovo inoculation of betaine on hatchability, hatching weight, and intestinal development, as well as serum and expression levels of some antioxidants in the posthatched chicks. A total of 350 fertile eggs of Hubbard efficiency plus breeder's flock were incubated at normal incubation temperature (37.5°C) and randomly assembled into 3 groups with 4 replicates, and 25 eggs per each. The experimental groups were allocated as noninjected control group (CN), diluent-injected group (CP, 0.1 mL saline), and betaine-injected group (B, 2.5 mg in 0.1 mL saline). The injections were performed in the air cells of the eggs on the 12th day of the embryonic phase. Hatchability percentage, hatching weight, serum-reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in 7-day-old chicks. Moreover, expression levels of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and SOD were determined in the breast skeletal muscles of chicks. Jejunum histo-morphometric analysis was assessed with computerised morphometric measurements. The results revealed that the hatchability percentage was not influenced by in-ovo injection of betaine or vehicle while betaine significantly increased the hatchling's weight of chicks. Moreover, there were a significant increase in SOD and Nrf2 mRNA expression levels. In-ovo injection of betaine significantly induced positive effects on intestinal morphometry by ameliorating the jejunal villus length, the ratio of villus height to villus width, and absorptive surface area.

Short-Term Outcomes and Risk Factors of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Suffering Acute Mesenteric Ischemia after Cardiac Surgery: Role of Opioids and Lactic Acid.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is associated with poor clinical results after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of AMI on short-term outcomes and all relevant risk factors of in-hospital mortality after cardiac surgery. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the role of opioids and lactic acid in the detection and prevention of AMI. Between August 2011 and September 2015, 176 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal complications after undergoing open-heart surgery were identified and included in this study. All patients were divided into two groups: AMI group (n = 39) and non-AMI group (n = 137). In terms of comorbidities, the groups were fairly equal and showed no significant differences. Dialysis was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients that suffered from AMI. Moreover, gastro-intestinal symptoms such as muscular defense (p = 0.004) and the laparotomy rate (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the AMI group. Likewise, in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with detected AMI. Univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.025) of both groups revealed that lactic acid value >2 mmol/L and present treatment with opioids are independent combined predictors of mesenteric ischemia in patients after undergoing cardiac surgery. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.004), dialysis (p = 0.010), and septic shock (p = 0.003) as relevant predictors of in-hospital mortality. Prolonged analgetic treatment with opioids and sudden increase of lactic acid levels are independent combined predictors of mesenteric ischemia in patients after undergoing cardiac surgery. Furthermore, peripheral vascular disease, dialysis, and septic shock are relevant predictors for in-hospital mortality.

Vein Graft Interposition: A Training Model Using Gradually Thawed Cryopreserved Vessels.

INTRODUCTION: Microsurgical interposition of vein grafts is an extraordinarily filigree surgical technique, which requires both sound theoretical knowledge and solid manual skills. Although there are a large number of training models, the majority of these are either relatively expensive, technically complex, or employ synthetic materials with poor resemblance to human tissue. The authors' model allows training of ex vivo vein graft interposition on gradually thawed cryopreserved vessels and it, therefore, is cost-efficient and readily available when needed. Furthermore, it respects the 3R-principle (Reduce-Refine-Replace), as it is based on rat cadaveric vessels. METHODS: Three trainees with basic microsurgical experience, but without prior performance of vein graft interpositioning, were chosen to perform 20 femoral vein graft (5 mm) interpositions into femoral artery defects. The patency and leakage rate served as qualitative variable and operation time as a quantitative variable for efficiency control. RESULTS: For the first half of trials, the trainees had a patency failure rate of 50% and for the second half a rate of 13.3%. The leakage rate noticeably decreased from 44.4% in the first half of trials to 10% in the second half. Although the trainees needed 60 minutes on average for their first 10 trials, they improved to 51 minutes for their last 10 anastomoses. CONCLUSION: The authors' microsurgical model offers a simple, low-cost simulation training, specifically designed for learning of vein graft interposition into arterial defects. The model is associated with a high learning curve, based on an objective control of the anastomoses by assessment of the patency, leakage, and operation time.

A novel microsurgical anastomosis training model using gradually thawed cryopreserved microvessels of rat cadavers.

In consideration of the 3-R-rule (Refine-Replace-Reduce) as a guideline for promoting ethical use of animals for surgical training, we present a novel training model for microvessel anastomosis. In a rat cadaveric study, we evaluated the surgical anatomy of the common carotid artery (CCA), external jugular vein (EJV) and femoral vessels (FV) which were then used as templates for the present investigation. Anatomical dissection of 30 rat cadavers was performed. Two residents without prior microsurgical experience were included in the study and performed 5 CCA, 5 femoral artery, 5 EJV and 5 femoral vein anastomoses. Patency and leakage served as qualitative variables and operation time as a quantitative variable for efficiency control. The average time improved for arterial and venous anastomoses (45 min-22 and 60 to 32 min, respectively) for both surgeons. While both surgeons experienced patency failure or leakage within the first half of performed arterial and venous anastomoses, they could improve to a 100% patency rate without the occurrence of leakage for the last half of trials. The rat head & neck anatomy presents various characteristics related to the harvest of the vessels of interest. We provide anatomical knowledge about the topography related to the harvest of the CCA, EJV, and FV. Our model is an easily accessible, low-cost microsurgical simulation model, allowing a realistic and instructive performance of anastomoses. Since cadaveric vessels are used, an approval of the local ethics committee is not needed.

Upregulated Expression of Rat Heart Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Angiotensin II- but Not Phenylephrine- Induced Hypertension.

-Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), part of an immunoglobulin-like superfamily of adhesion molecules, is involved in several cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether in vivo angiotensin II (Ang II) increases ICAM-1 in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with vehicle or Ang II (750 µg. kg(-1). d(-1) SC) for 7 days. The contribution of Ang II receptors to ICAM-1 expression was investigated with a nonpeptide Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist losartan (30 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) in drinking water). Systolic blood pressure was elevated in Ang II-treated animals compared with sham-treated controls, and losartan blocked this increase. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (5 µg/kg IP bolus), a prototype inducer of ICAM-1, was administered as a positive control for ICAM-1 expression. After treatment, hearts were frozen in liquid nitrogen; homogenates were subjected to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with an anti-rat ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody. We detected a predominantly high-molecular-weight band in homogenates from non-TNF-alpha-treated rats, which was enhanced by 80+/-5% in TNF-alpha-treated rats. This band measured approximately 200 kDa, which is the molecular weight of ICAM-1 in its native dimer form. The same band was detected in homogenates from sham and Ang II-treated rats, with the latter showing a 150+/-10% increase in ICAM-1 versus sham controls. Immunoprecipitation of rat heart homogenates with anti-rat ICAM-1 antibody resulted in a dominant band of the same molecular weight as samples not treated with antibody. Losartan prevented enhanced expression of ICAM-1 in the presence of Ang II but had no effect on basal ICAM-1 expression. Phenylephrine, an alpha-agonist (3 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) ), was infused for 1 week but had no effect on ICAM-1 expression, even though systolic blood pressure was elevated to the same level as in rats treated with Ang II. Thus, heart ICAM-1 expression is enhanced via AT(1) receptor activation independent of hypertension. Ang II-induced ICAM-1 expression was time and dose dependent, with maximal expression occurring within 5 to 7 days at 100 to 750 µg/kg Ang II. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated markedly increased ICAM-1 levels in the perivascular area in Ang II-infused rats. Monocyte/macrophage accumulation was significantly greater in Ang II-treated rat hearts than in sham-treated hearts (10+/-1; P:<0.001; n=5). Thus during inflammation, overexpression of ICAM-1 may contribute to cardiovascular damage in diseases characterized by increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system.