High-resolution ultrasonography of xenografted domestic cat ovarian cortex

Transplantation of ovarian tissue has high potential for female gamete conservation. However, optimal timing of oocyte recovery for in vitro maturation and fertilization is still critical. Therefore the aim of the present study was to use high-resolution transcutaneous ultrasonography to monitor follicular development within xenografted ovarian tissue. Ovarian cortex fragments (n=44) from domestic cats were transplanted into athymic nude rats (n=12). Graft development in the animals was assessed weekly by high frequency ultrasound (10-22 MHz) under two different FSH regimes. Blood collection for serum estradiol determination and vaginal smears were performed simultaneously. The xenografts were removed at different time points according to the ultrasound findings. The survival rate of the transplants 4 weeks after surgery was 54.5% and antral follicular growth was observed within 10 grafts from 5 different hosts (8.6 +/- 6.43 follicles per graft). Early follicle antrums could be detected from 0.4 mm onwards. The growth rate of the antral cavity was calculated from weekly measurements (0.56 +/- 0.44 mm per week). Although vaginal cells and estradiol levels followed a cyclic pattern, no correlation was found between follicular diameter, estradiol and keratinized vaginal cells. We recovered 5, 1 and 4 cumulus oocyte complexes from three different individuals during weeks 19, 21, and 23 respectively. Extrusion of a polar body (1 oocyte) and germinal vesicle break down (7 oocytes) indicated progression of maturation after in vitro culture. We conclude that ultrasonography und provided a reliable method to examine xenograft survival and follicular development within the grafts. Furthermore, this technique is suitable for assessment of the efficiency of hormonal treatment and narrowing of the optimal time frame for oocyte retrieval. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the in vivo development of early antral follicles in mammalian species.     

St. John’s Wort Herbal Teas – Biological Potential and Chemometric Approach to Quality Control

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - St. John’s wort has been used for centuries in traditional medicine of many cultures, and nowadays it is well-known as a clinically important antidepressant...     

The influence of nitrogen fertilisation on bacterial activity in the rhizosphere of barley

The effect of nitrogen addition on the activity of rhizosphere bacteria was studied using barley seedlings. Three different nitrogen sources were added to the soil (nitrate, ammonium and ammonium+nitrate) at four different concentrations (0, 100, 300 and 500 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) and the plants were allowed to grow for 6 weeks. The bacterial activity was estimated by measuring thymidine and leucine incorporation into bacteria extracted using homogenisation-centrifugation. Bulk soil bacterial activity was low compared with that of rhizosphere bacteria. Nitrogen addition did not affect the activity of the bulk soil bacteria, indicating that the activity was not nitrogen limited. The thymidine and leucine incorporation rates of rhizosphere bacteria decreased when ammonium or ammonium+nitrate was applied compared with the non-amended controls. No effect on bacterial activity was found following nitrate addition. There was a significant positive correlation between rhizosphere bacterial activity and rhizosphere pH. Shoot length following ammonium treatment was significant lower than in the non-amended control, while nitrate and ammonium+nitrate addition had no effect. This indicates that the varying effects due to nitrogen sources on rhizosphere bacterial activity were not due to effects on plant growth.     

Postoperative integrity of veterinary surgical gloves

A multicenter, prospective study was performed to document the incidence of defective gloves postoperatively in veterinary surgery and to correlate defects with a variety of influencing factors. Gloves were collected after surgical procedures performed by the small animal clinical services at two veterinary teaching hospitals and one institution's student surgery laboratories. Gloves were evaluated for defects using electrical resistance testing. The overall incidence of glove defects was 23.3%. Significantly more defects occurred in gloves used for nonsoft-tissue procedures and in gloves worn on the nondominant hand. Eighty-four percent of all defects occurred in procedures lasting >60 minutes. No differences were detected in the brands of gloves used nor among surgeons of different experience levels. The individuals performing the surgery were not able to accurately predict the presence of a defect in their gloves. Surgeons should remain alert for possible glove defects and consider measures such as changing gloves every 60 minutes or double-gloving to minimize potential complications.     

Surgical education: attitudes toward animal use in teaching surgery at Louisiana State University

Concerns over the use of animals in teaching have lead to a reduction in the number of live animal laboratories. A survey of 275 students and faculty was conducted to characterize their attitude toward the use of animals in teaching surgery. Respondents favored live animal use. They believed that model laboratories were helpful in learning aseptic technique and suturing skills but less helpful in learning tissue handling, dissection, hemostasis, or anesthesia.     

Ceramide triggers budding of exosome vesicles into multivesicular endosomes

Intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular endosomes are either sorted for cargo degradation into lysosomes or secreted as exosomes into the extracellular milieu. The mechanisms underlying the sorting of membrane into the different populations of intraluminal vesicles are unknown. Here, we find that cargo is segregated into distinct subdomains on the endosomal membrane and that the transfer of exosome-associated domains into the lumen of the endosome did not depend on the function of the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) machinery, but required the sphingolipid ceramide. Purified exosomes were enriched in ceramide, and the release of exosomes was reduced after the inhibition of neutral sphingomyelinases. These results establish a pathway in intraendosomal membrane transport and exosome formation.     

Trace Element Concentrations in the Tissues of Proteus Anguinus (Amphibia,Caudata) and the Surrounding Environment

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - The concentrations of some essential (Cu, Zn, Se) and some toxicelements (Hg, As) were determined in tissues (liver, kidneys, integument, and muscle) of the...     

Use of ultrasonography to diagnose Sertoli cell neoplasia and cryptorchidism in a dog

Unilateral cryptorchidism and Sertoli cell tumor in the descended testis were provisionally diagnosed by use of ultrasonography in a 7-year-old Keeshond. The left testis was thought to have degenerated, but ultrasonography of the scrotum did not reveal evidence of testicular or epididymal tissue. The contralateral testis contained a hypoechoic mass believed to be a testicular tumor. Surgery and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis. Ultrasonography of the scrotum and its contents should be considered for use in animals with suspected testicular neoplasia and/or degeneration.