Phase contrast X-ray imaging of mice and rabbit lungs: a comparative study

The significant degree of X-ray phase contrast created by air-tissue interfaces, coupled with the poor radiographic contrast of conventional chest radiographs, makes the inflated lung an ideal candidate for investigating the potential diagnostic improvement afforded by phase contrast X-ray imaging. In small animals these methods highlight the lung airways and lobe boundaries and reveal the lung tissue as a speckled intensity pattern not seen in other soft tissues. We have compared analyser-based and propagation-based phase contrast imaging modalities, together with conventional radiographic imaging, to ascertain which technique shows the greatest image enhancement for various lung sizes. The conventional radiographic image of a mouse was obtained on a Siemens Nova 3000 mammography system, whilst phase contrast images of mice and rabbit chests were acquired at the medical imaging beamline (20B2) at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation research facility in Japan. For mice aged 1 day, 1 week and 1 month old it was determined that analyser-based imaging showed the greatest overall image contrast, however, for an adult rabbit both techniques yielded excellent contrast. The success of these methods in creating high quality images for rabbit lungs raises the possibility of improving human lung imaging using phase contrast techniques.

Use of synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy to determine protein secondary structures of raw and heat-treated brown and golden flaxseeds: A novel approach

The objectives of the study were to use synchrotron Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (S-FTIR) as a novel approach to: (1) reveal ultra-structural chemical features of protein secondary structures of flaxseed tissues affected by variety (golden and brown) and heat processing (raw and roasted), and (2) quantify protein secondary structures using Gaussian and Lorentzian methods of multi-component peak modeling. By using multi-component peak modeling at protein amide I region of 1700–1620 cm-1, the results showed that the golden flaxseed contained relatively higher percentage of α-helix (47.1 vs. 36.9%), lower percentage of β-sheet (37.2 vs. 46.3%) and higher (P < 0.05) ratio of α-helix to β-sheet than the brown flaxseed (1.3 vs. 0.8). The roasting reduced (P < 0.05) percentage of α-helix (from 47.1 to 36.1%), increased percentage of β-sheet (from 37.2 to 49.8%) and reduced α-helix to β-sheet ratio (1.3 to 0.7) of the golden flaxseed tissues. However, the roasting did not affect percentage and ratio of α-helix and β-sheet in the brown flaxseed tissue. No significant differences were found in quantification of protein secondary structures between Gaussian and Lorentzian methods. These results demonstrate the potential of highly spatially resolved S-FTIR to localize relatively pure protein in the tissue and reveal protein secondary structures at a cellular level. The results indicated relative differences in protein secondary structures between flaxseed varieties and differences in sensitivities of protein secondary structure to the heat processing. Further study is needed to understand the relationship between protein secondary structure and protein digestion and utilization of flaxseed and to investigate whether the changes in the relative amounts of protein secondary structures are primarily responsible for differences in protein availability. Key words: Synchrotron, FTIR microspectrosopy, flaxseeds, intrinsic structural matrix, protein secondary structures, protein nutritive value

Use of synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy to identify chemical differences in barley endosperm tissue in relation to rumen degradation characteristics

Valier (feed-type) and Harrington (malting-type) barley differ in rumen degradation characteristics. Harrington, in contrasts to Valier, exhibits a high rate and extent of rumen degradation, which can lead to metabolic problems such as acidosis and bloat in ruminants. Traditional “wet” chemical analysis cannot detect biological differences between barley varieties due to destruction of endosperm structure during processing. Synchrotron Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-FTIR) is capable of exploring the chemical makeup of intact plant tissue with high signal to noise ratio at spatial resolutions as fine as 3~10 µm. The objective of this study was to use SR-FTIR microspectroscopy to explore and identify chemical differences in the ultra-structural matrix of the endosperm tissue of the two barley varieties as related to differences in rumen degradation characteristics. The results showed that the infrared absorbance intensity (Log 1/R) of the starch and protein varied considerably between the two varieties, but were not statistically significant. Harrington had a wider range of starch to protein IR absorbance intensity ratio (1.406 to 10.119 vs. 1.419 to 4.274), suggesting that it is more heterogeneous than Valier in endosperm chemical makeup. Valier had a lower ratio of starch to protein IR absorbance intensity than Harrington (P < 0.05), which implies that the starch granules in Valier are more closely associated with the protein matrix. This close association may prevent the starch granules from being rapidly degraded in the rumen. This work shows that the chemical makeup of intact plant tissues can be carried out by SR-FTIR microspectroscopy at ultra-spatial resolution (10 × 10 µm). Key words: Synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy, feed chemistry, barley, rumen degradability

Using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to determine selenium oxidation states in animal mineral supplements and feeds

Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is a relatively new technique within the life sciences. XANES has been utilized to identify the location, oxidation state and spatial distribution of heavy metal elements in plants , neurons, blood and DNA, but has not been widely used in the animal sciences. Selenium content in animal feeds is monitored, as both selenium deficiencies and toxicities are associated with physiological disorders. Selenium is available as an animal feed in both inorganic and organic states. The bioavailability of selenium species has been tested in numerous animal trials; however, a simple, non-destructive test for selenium speciation is not available. The objective of this study was to determine whether XANES spectroscopy could be used to determine the selenium oxidation state found in various commercial animal feed products. A comparison of absorption spectra indicated that the animal mineral supplements contained an organoselenium or selenite. The processed animal feeds had a spectral profile similar to that of elemental selenium. Further experiments are necessary to determine the implication of selenium speciation on animal physiology. Key words: Selenium speciation, mineral supplements, ruminants, non-ruminants, synchrotron, XANES, X-ray

Vaccination against follistatin and the effect on ovulation rate in estrus-induced gilts

Primiparous sows were vaccinated against follistatin to determine the effect on ovulation rate following typical commercial estrus induction and synchronization. Seventy-five gilts received four vaccinations against a recombinant porcine follistatin (FS) or a sham vaccine (CTL). At 85 kg, gilts were induced into estrus with a combination of PG600 and hCG and synchronized using PGF2α. At the second estrus, antibody titers ranged from 0 to1:6400 in the FS-vaccinated treatment group and no FS antibodies were detected in the CTL group. Late in the second subsequent luteal phase the reproductive tracts of the gilts that had displayed two estruses were collected. There was no significant difference in the number of corpora lutea (FS = 13.2 ± 0.5, CTL = 14.5 ± 0.7) or corpora albicantia (FS = 12.1 ± 1.9, CTL = 12.3 ± 2.0) between treatments. Follistatin-vaccinated gilts displayed an increased number of luteal structures which resembled corpora hemorrhagica (P = 0.04). This study shows that vaccination of gilts against FS concurrent with estrus induction and synchronization affected ovarian morphology, although an effect on ovulation rate was not apparent. Key words: Swine, follistatin, immunoneutralization, fecundity, ovulation rate

Characterization of a recombinant porcine follistatin in a heat shock expression system

The role of follistatin in ovarian function has yet to be fully elucidated; it is present in low concentration in vivo and it is difficult to obtain suitable quantities of follistatin for characterization. We have cloned porcine follistatin cDNA in an expression system that uses the heat shock protein promoter BoHSP70. Recombinant follistatin with apparent molecular masses of 39, 46, 48, 50 kDa was expressed and secreted into culture medium at concentrations of 400–500 μg × 20 mL-1 × 150 cm-2 flask (4 × 107 cells). In ligand blots, the recombinant follistatin was shown to be immunologically similar to native follistatin and to bind to recombinant activin A. Porcine granulosa cells dissected from 1–3 mm follicles from immature gilts were cultured with recombinant follistatin or with a follistatin monoclonal antibody to examine the activity of the recombinant follistatin. At a physiologically relevant concentration of 1 μg mL-1 the recombinant porcine follistatin suppressed the accumulation of estradiol-17β (P < 0.05). There was a trend for estradiol-17β accumulation in the presence of 10 μg mL-1 of monoclonal anti-follistatin antibody (P = 0.1). This expression system consistently produced large quantities of recombinant porcine follistatin, which is immunologically and biologically similar to follistatin, and is capable of independently inhibiting estratiol-17βproduction in vitro. Key words: Porcine, follistatin, heat shock promoter, glycoprotein, ovary, estradiol

Case study: a unique approach to compliance in a patient with venous ulcers

Lower extremity venous ulcers affect 500,000 to 700,000 Americans, with a 10-week outpatient treatment cost of $1327 to $5289. Recurrence rates are reported as 57% within 10.4 months. Many types of treatments are available, but the most successful treatment continues to be the most basic-elevation and compression. Innovative ideas to increase patient compliance can be the key to successful therapy.

Vaccination against follistatin affects reproductive potential in cycling gilts

Primiparous sows (gilts) were actively vaccinated against follistatin in an attempt to modify litter size. Forty-seven gilts were vaccinated four times against a recombinant porcine follistatin (FS) or a sham vaccine (CTL) and were allowed to mature naturally prior to breeding. At breeding, FS antibody titers ranged from 0 to 1:6400 in the FS vaccinated gilts, and were not detectable in the CTL gilts. Overall, follistatin vaccination did not affect the total number of pigs born live (FS = 10.9 ± 0.5, CTL = 10.3 ± 0.4), stillborn (FS = 0.4 ± 0.1, CTL = 0.4 ± 0.2) or mummified (FS = 0.1 ± 0.1, CTL = 0.3 ± 0.1). However, separation of the FS vaccinated gilts into low (≤1:400, n = 16) and high (>1:400, n = 7) titer groups revealed significant differences in piglets born alive (FS high titer = 12.9 ± 0.9, FS low titer = 10.0 ± 0.5: P = 0.01) and total number of piglets born (FS high titer = 13.0 ± 0.8, FS low titer = 10.8 ± 0.6: P = 0.08). This study shows that vaccination of gilts against follistatin increased litter size in those gilts which achieved a high antibody titer to follistatin. Key words: Swine, follistatin, immunoneutralization, fecundity, litter size

The effect of gadolinium contrast media on radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland

OBJECTIVE

Patients with thyroid cancer may require detailed anatomic imaging before 131I therapy. Imaging by contrast-enhanced CT is contraindicated because it may result in saturation of tissues with iodine, decreasing the avidity of thyroid or thyroid cancer cells to subsequent radioiodine for extended intervals. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI offers an alternative to CT for detailed anatomic imaging. However, it is not known whether gadolinium contrast affects uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland since lanthanides affect ion transport in a variety of ways. The objective of this project was to determine whether the gadolinium MRI contrast injection alters thyroid uptake of radioiodine.

METHODS

Radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland was measured at 6 h and 24 h after the oral administration of 100 microCi 123I-Na-I. Three to seven days later, a standard dose (20 mL) of Magnevist (gadolinium DTPA) was administered intravenously. Another capsule of 100 microCi 123I Na-I immediately was given orally, and 6-h and 24-h radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland was again measured and compared to baseline values.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in uptake of radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland between baseline values and those acquired immediately after the administration of Magnevist.

CONCLUSION

Contrast-enhanced MRI may be safely performed before contemplated determinations of thyroid uptake of radioiodine, 131I therapy for hyperthyroidism, and postsurgical 131I imaging and therapy for well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Active immunization against follistatin and its effect on FSH, follicle development and superovulation in heifers

Ovaries of heifers were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography for one interovulatory interval before initiation of immunizations (control cycle, n = 14), and again after the fifth immunization with a sham-vaccine (Freund's adjuvant only; n = 7) or a recombinant porcine follistatin-vaccine (1 mg per vaccination; n = 7) to study the effect of follistatin on follicle dynamics. After the fifth immunization, 4 heifers had a follistatin antibody titer of > or = 1:3200, while the remaining 3 heifers had a titer of only 1:400. At wave emergence, the total number of follicles and the number of small follicles (3 to 5 mm) were higher (P < 0.05) in the follistatin group than in the control and sham groups. In addition, high-titer heifers had a greater (P < 0.05) number of follicles (total and small) per day than low-titer heifers. Plasma concentration of FSH remained unchanged after sham- or follistatin-immunization. Sham- and follistatin-vaccinated heifers were then given half the standard superovulatory dose of Folltropin (200 mg of FSH) 14 d after the sixth immunization. More ovulations were detected in follistatin- (10.9 +/- 2.4) than sham- (5.0 +/- 0.8) vaccinated heifers (P < 0.05). Moreover, heifers with a high titer had more ovulations (P < 0.02) than heifers with a low titer (15.0 +/- 2.5 vs 5.3 +/- 1.2). The number of ova-embryos classified as fertilized:unfertilized and transferable:discarded, and quality of the embryos were similar between sham and follistatin groups. By 80 d after the last immunization, when antibody titers were undetectable in the follistatin group, there was no difference in superovulatory response between sham (6.7 +/- 1.6) and follistatin (7.6 +/- 1.6) groups. In summary, follistatin immunization was associated with an increase in the number of small follicles at the time of wave emergence and a greater response to superovulatory treatment. The results suggest that effects of follistatin on follicular dynamics were not mediated through changes in pituitary secretion of FSH.

Transcription of a novel mouse semaphorin gene, M-semaH, correlates with the metastatic ability of mouse tumor cell lines

In the attempt to identify genes associated with metastasis, we have compared gene expressions of two metastatic cell lines, 4T1 and 66cl4, and one noninvasive, nonmetastatic cell line, 67NR, which originate from the same mouse mammary adenocarcinoma. Using the technique of differential display, we identified a novel member of the semaphorin/collapsin family in the two metastatic cell lines. We have named it M-semaH. Northern hybridization to a panel of tumor cell lines revealed transcripts in 12 of 12 metastatic cell lines but in only 2 of 6 nonmetastatic cells and none in immortalized mouse fibroblasts. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the expression of a semaphorin gene has been shown to correlate positively with tumor progression. We have characterized two transcripts present in the tumor cells. One transcript, M-semaH-v, is a putative splice variant, which is less abundant in normal tissue and lacks 478 bp in the 3' untranslated region. Both transcripts encode the same 775 amino acids with the features of a secreted glycoprotein. Northern analysis suggests that the M-semaH gene is involved in embryonic development and in situ hybridization locates the M-semaH expression to the developing lungs, to developing skeletal elements, and to the ventral horns of the developing neural tube.

Carotid endarterectomy clinical pathway: a nursing perspective

The changing demands of the health care environment require that more effective treatments be used to lower costs and decrease length of stay. Clinical pathways provide a detailed plan of care and are one method available to achieve these goals. The carotid endarterectomy pathway was selected as the first pathway developed because of the short length of stay and its history of few complications. The process of developing the pathway gave the multidisciplinary team a chance to rethink individual practices and rid themselves of old habits. The results showed a decreased length of stay, lower costs, and maintenance of high patient outcomes. The positive impact also required changes in teaching tools.

Erythromelalgia--a case study

Erythromelalgia is a rare syndrome characterized by pain, redness, and heat involving the lower and, less frequently, the upper extremities. Symptoms occur with local or environmental stimulation and may be mild for years or become disablingly severe. A finding of relief with ice-water immersion helps distinguish erythromelalgia from disorders such as causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Erythromelalgia may be classified in three ways: (1) early-onset, (2) adult-onset aspirin-sensitive, and (3) adult-onset non-aspirin-sensitive. Treatment options, which include medication, sympathetic blocks, and surgery, are determined by classification.

Multiple Fourier transform generation for coherent optical correlators

An interferometrically generated off-axis holographic optical element images a laser diode light source to a 3 x 5 point array through 10 cm of glass. The element also reduces the elliptical beam cross section from 3:1 to 1.5:1.

Fluid therapy with specific mucopolysaccharides. A new approach to control diarrhea

An evaluation is given of the shortcomings of existing oral fluid therapies and their consequences: lack of protection of the intestinal wall and the supply of unabsorbed carbohydrates to the large intestine. The inclusion of specific mucopolysaccharides having a polyxylose backbone and galactose end residues in the side chains seems to offer effective protection of the intestinal wall. A trial conducted in experimentally infected calves (E. coli) shows that this concept of oral fluid therapy limits the number of diarrhea days and induces better growth in calves; a more complete glucose absorption and limitation of the supply of unabsorbed carbohydrates to the large intestine was shown in a trial conducted in human patients with a rotavirus enteritis.

Holographic Doppler imaging of rotating objects

The Doppler frequency shift of coherent light reflected from rotating objects is used to obtain one-dimensional resolution much greater than the classical limit for aperture limited imaging systems. The Doppler information is processed by using the temporal and spatial filtering properties of modulated-referencewave holograms. The holographic reconstruction is a superresolved image. Resolution improvements greater than 200 times the classical limit were obtained at good signal-to-noise ratios.