Cell therapy for tendinitis,experimental and clinical report

To compare cultured bone marrow mesenchymal cells (cBMSC), bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMMNCs), and placebo to repair collagenase-induced tissue damage in an equine model of experimental tendonitis, 6 Standardbred horses with no signs of previous SDF tendon injury have been recruited. Three weeks after collagenase treatment an average of either 5.5 × 10⁶ cBMSCs or 122.3 × 10⁶ BMMNCs, saline solution (placebo) or fibrin glue were injected intralesionally in random order. Horses were stall rested for 21 weeks, and tendon ultrasound scans performed before and during this period. Horses were euthanized and tendons harvested for histology and immunohistochemistry. Data observed in this study showed effectiveness of cBMSC and BMMNC in regenerating tendon tissue after collagenase -induced tendonitis. Both cBMSC and BMMNC transplantation resulted in qualitatively similar regeneration of tendon extracellular matrix in terms of type I/III collagen ratio, fiber orientation, and COMP expression. After this favourable results, 20 horses were recruited referred for spontaneous lesions of the flexor tendons or the suspensory ligament. Horses were treated with autologous graft of BMMNCs.After treatment the. the exercise program allowed was 8 weeks stall rest, 4 weeks hand walking, 4 weeks trotting, 4 weeks of gradually raising of exercise level then horses were gone back to race. US characteristics of lesions started to improve at T3. CSA-l, FPS and TLS were better in all patients, with an appreciable filling of lesions indicated by a decreasing of CSA-l and increasing of TLS. When horses started the exercise program T8 tendon architecture improved, demonstrated by their longitudinal alignment and length. At T6, and persistently in later follorw-up, no lameness was evident by clinical examination. At time of writing 12 patients (60%) were go back to races, while other 8 (40%) are under controlled exercise program. Re-injury rate was assessed at 25%. All the owners judged good to excellent the outcome in term of athletic success.

     

Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterization of focal splenic lesions.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to study focal and multifocal lesions of the spleen in 26 dogs and two cats affected by 11 benign and 18 malignant splenic diseases. A second-generation microbubble contrast medium (Sonovue) was injected into the cephalic vein and enhancement patterns were subjectively described and time intensity curves calculated. Final diagnosis was obtained by histopathologic examination after splenectomy (n=19) or by needle aspiration and sonographic follow-up after 4 and 8 weeks (n=9). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters, improving the characterization between benign and malignant lesions, were established. The most useful criterion was the hypoechogenicity of the lesion in the wash-out phase combined with the presence of tortuous feeding vessels, which was observed in association with malignancy. All malignant lesions were hypoechoic to the surrounding spleen 30s after starting the contrast medium injection. Lymphosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma had characteristic perfusion patterns. Lymphosarcoma had rapid time to peak and early wash-out phase with a honeycomb pattern during the wash-out. Hemangiosarcomas were large nonperfused masses in all phases surrounded by hypervascular splenic parenchyma. Benign lesions except one hematoma and a benign histiocytoma had the same perfusion pattern as the surrounding spleen. Ultrasonographic and contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings of an accessory spleen are reported. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve the characterization of focal or multifocal lesions of the spleen.     

Immunoblot analysis of IgG antibody response to Sarcoptes scabiei in swine

This study was performed to determine the frequencies and specificities of IgG antibodies binding to component of Sarcoptes scabiei extracts in swine with hypersensitive and chronic mange. The hypersensitive form is characterised by pruritus and the presence of small red papules over the flanks and belly. The chronic form is characterised by crusts, which contain large numbers of mites and are attached to the skin; the lesions are most commonly found on the internal pinna extending into the auditory canal. S. scabiei mite extract was separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with subsequent immunoblotting. IgG-binding proteins were detected with individual sera from 30 hypersensitive and 21 chronically infected pigs; eight "Specific Pathogen Free" pigs were used as negative controls. Seven protein bands with molecular weights ranging from >220 to 30 Kilodalton (KDD) (>220, 218, 110, 80, 66, 52, 36 KDD) strongly bound with IgG antibodies; five out of these seven components (218, 110, 80, 66, 52 KDD) bound also with sera from negative pigs. There is a statistically significant difference in the antigenic recognition spectra between hypersensitive and chronically infected pigs; component of >220 KDD is more frequently recognized by chronically infected pigs (P=0.0006, chi(2)=11.74), in contrast component of 36 KDD is more frequently recognized by hypersensitive pigs (P=0.001, chi(2)=10). Our results clearly indicate there is a difference in the reactivity to antigenic peptides/proteins of S. scabiei mite between hypersensitive and chronically infected pigs, and revealed that only two antigens may be considered S. scabiei-specific and used for diagnostic purposes in swine.     

Identification of a blue photoluminescent composite material from a combinatorial library

A quaternary combinatorial masking strategy was used in conjunction with photolithography to generate compositionally diverse thin-film phosphor libraries containing 1024 different compositions on substrates 2.5 centimeters square. A parallel imaging system and scanning spectrophotometer were used to identify and characterize compositions in the library with interesting luminescent behavior. Optimal compositions were identified with the use of gradient libraries, in which the stoichiometry of a material was varied continuously. This process led to the identification of an efficient blue photoluminescent composite material, Gd3Ga5O12/SiO2. Experimental evidence suggests that luminescence in this material may arise from interfacial effects between SiO2 and Gd3Ga5O12.     

Lunar Fe and Ti abundances: comparison of lunar prospector and clementine data

The Lunar Prospector neutron spectrometer data correlate well with iron and titanium abundances obtained through analysis of Clementine spectral reflectance data. With the iron and titanium dependence removed, the neutron spectrometer data also reveal regions with enhanced amounts of gadolinium and samarium, incompatible rare earth elements that are enriched in the final phases of magma crystallization. These regions are found mainly around the ramparts of the Imbrium impact basin but not around the other basins, including the much larger and deeper South Pole-Aitken basin. This result confirms the compositional uniqueness of the surface and interior of the Imbrium region.     

Detritus accumulation and decomposition in a coastal lake (Acquatina–southern Italy)

• 1. Knowledge about processes and dynamics underlying organic matter accumulation in transitional waters is crucial for the protection of these ecologically important coastal habitats. This study investigated the relationship between large particle accumulation and decomposition in a coastal lake included in a Site of Community Interest (SCI) using sediment trap and litterbag techniques.
• 2. Two sets of sediment traps were deployed at five sites along the longitudinal axis of the lake. One set was emptied once a month for 12 months, and the other twice a year. The contents of the monthly and the 6‐monthly traps and the superficial sediments were then compared to estimate the organic matter accumulation and loss. To determine the mass loss rate of the three major allochthonous sources of detritus (the reed Phragmites australis, the cordgrass Spartina juncea, and the seagrass Posidonia oceanica), litterbags were placed near the sediment traps at three out of the five sites at the beginning of each 6‐month period and retrieved monthly.
• 3. The amount of annual particulate organic matter (POM) deposition in the traps was 1320.2±58.5 g m^?2 y^?1 and consisted of 25% large particles (CPOM). Allochthonous litter comprised an important fraction of CPOM, and its breakdown rate changed with the plant species, site and season. Loss rate of CPOM accumulated at the lake bottom was significantly related with the mass loss rate of reed and cordgrass litter, but not with that of seagrass.
• 4. Due to slow litter breakdown and tidal landward advection, the lake acted as a sediment trap for allochthonous matter, especially from Posidonia. The important role of marine‐derived litter in organic matter sedimentation suggests addressing conservation strategies of the lake functioning towards the selective control of allochthonous CPOM inputs, in particular at the mouth where the incoming tide brings suspended material and salinity decelerates matter flow to the sea and decomposition. This study supports the hypothesis that sedimentation and decomposition dynamics are important factors for coastal lake evolution, and shows litterbag and sediment trap techniques as simple useful investigation tools in management strategies aiming at conserving transitional waters.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dietary β‐carotene improves growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary synthetic β‐carotene on growth performance, haematological and immunological parameters, energy reserves and antioxidant status of juvenile fish Piaractus mesopotamicus. Two hundred and ten fish (12.24 ± 2.98 g) were fed with a control extruded feed (CEF) and the same diet supplemented with β‐carotene (BEF) for 90 days. A higher weight gain and specific growth rate were found in fish fed BEF in comparison with those fed CEF. In addition, BEF‐fed fish showed lower liver somatic index and a higher percentage of eosinophils. No statistical differences were found in energy reserves, except for plasma triglycerides which decreased in fish fed with BEF. Regarding oxidative stress markers, decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes were found in intestine and gills of BEF‐fed fish (SOD and GST, respectively). In the liver, both LPO levels and CAT activity decreased in fish fed with BEF. Additionally, lower brain LPO levels without changes in the antioxidant enzymes were observed in BEF‐fed fish. The inclusion of dietary synthetic β‐carotene improved growth and antioxidant status, and had a plasma triglyceride‐lowering effect in juvenile P. mesopotamicus.