Genetic basis of sow hyperprolificacy and litter size optimization based on a genome-wide association study

Over the last few decades, there has been a constant increase in sow litter size, the consequences of which include parturition duration extension, an increase in the percentage of stillborn and hypoxic piglets, and increased variation in piglet birth weight, which reduces their vitality. As such, it seems clear that further increasing sow fertility will generate difficulties and costs in rearing numerous litters with low birth weights. Therefore, the current study aimed to analyze the genetic background of sow hyperprolifcacy using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The research included 144 sows in the maternal component, divided into two equal groups. The first group (control) consisted of females giving birth to the optimal number of piglets in their third and fourth litters (14-16), while the second group (cases) included those with excessive litter size (>16). The analyzed sows were genotyped using Illumina's PorcineSNP60v2 BeadChip microarray, comprising 64,232 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Statistical analysis using R included quality control of genotyping data and GWAS analysis based on five logistic regression models (dominant, codominant, overdominant, recessive, and log-additive) with a single SNP marker as the explanatory variable. On this basis, one SNP (SIRI0000069) was identified on chromosome seven within the EFCAB11 (EF-hand calcium binding domain 11) gene that had a statistically significant effect on sow hyperprolificacy. Additionally, ten SNPs (INRA0007631, ALGA0011600, ALGA0043433, ALGA0043428, M1GA0010535 ALGA00443338, ALGA0087116, MARC0056787, ALGA0112928, and ALGA0089047) had a relationship with the analyzed feature at a level close to significance, set at 1-5. These SNPs appear important since they are located on chromosomes on which a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and SNPs associated with reproductive characteristics, including litter size, have been identified.

Identification of SNP markers for canine mammary gland tumours in females based on a genome-wide association study - preliminary results

Introduction

The development of genetic research over recent decades has enabled the discovery of new genetic markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This, as well as the full sequencing of the dog genome, has enabled genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to be used in the search for genetic causes of canine mammary tumours (CMTs).

Material and Methods

Genotypic data containing 175,000 SNPs, which had been obtained using the Illumina CanineHD BeadChip microarray technique, were available for analysis in this study. The data concerned 118 bitches, including 36 animals with CMT, representing various breeds and age groups. Statistical analysis was performed in two steps: quality control of genotyping data and genome-wide association analysis based on dominant, recessive, overdominant, codominant, and log-additive models with the single SNP effects.

Results

A total of 40 different SNPs significantly associated with CMT appearance were detected. Moreover, twelve SNPs showed statistical significance in more than one model. Of all the significant SNPs, two, namely BICF2G630136001 in the overdominant model and TIGRP2P107898_rs9044787 in the log-additive model, reached the 5-8 significance level. The other SNPs were significant to a 1-5 level.

Conclusion

In the group of SNPs indicated as significant in the GWAS analysis, several transpired to be localised within genes that may play an important role in CMT.

General vs Local Anesthesia for Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

It remains unknown whether general anesthesia (GA) or local ± epidural anesthesia (LA) results in superior outcomes with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). The present study sought to examine the impact of anesthesia type on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and complications with PELD.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis examining PELD performed under GA or LA was conducted. Patient-reported outcomes including Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-leg/back, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were collected. Complication, recurrent disc herniation, durotomy, and reoperation rates as well as surgical data were recorded. All outcomes were compared between pooled studies examining GA or LA.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight studies consisting of 5269 patients (724 GA, 4465 LA) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall complication rate was significantly higher in the GA group (9% vs 4%, P = .003). Durotomy rates, length of stay, recurrent disc herniation and reoperation rates were similar between groups. At the first follow-up timepoint, the LA group demonstrated significant improvements in VAS back and ODI scores (P < .05) while the GA group did not (P > .05). At the final follow-up (> 6 months), the percent of patients achieving an excellent McNab score was significantly higher in the GA vs LA group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy with LA may be associated with greater short-term improvement in VAS back pain and ODI scores. General anesthesia may be associated with more durable pain relief but a higher complication rate. Further systematic investigation is necessary to determine what short and long term benefits are associated with PELD performed under LA and GA.

Phagocytosis of latex beads by a human monocytic Mono Mac 6 cell line and effects of low-frequency electromagnetic field interaction

Some studies have shown that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may impact immune response cells and their functions. The first stage of the defense from pathogens is innate immunity encompassing phagocytosis and phagocytosis-related intracellular effects. Our work aimed to determine the influence of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (7 Hz, 30 mT_rms) on the phagocytosis process of latex beads (LBs), the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and viability changes in a human monocytic Mono Mac 6 (MM6) cell line as an experimental model of the phagocytosing cells in in vitro cell culture conditions. For these purposes, cells were firstly activated with infectious agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), or the proliferatory agent phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and then a phagocytosis test was performed. Cell viability and range of phagocytosis of latex beads by MM6 cells were measured by flow cytometry, and the level of ROS was evaluated with the use of a cytochrome C reduction test. The obtained results revealed that applied EMF exposure mainly increased the necrosis parameter of cell death when they were pre-stimulated with SEB as an infectious factor and subsequently phagocytosed LBs (P=0.001). Prestimulation with other agents like LPS or PHA preceding phagocytosis resulted in no statistically significant changes in cell death parameters. The level of ROS depended on the used stimulatory agent, phagocytosis, and/or EMF exposure. The obtained effects for EMF exposure indicated only a slight decrease in the ROS level for cells phagocytosing latex beads and being treated with SEB or PHA, while the opposite effect was observed for LPS pre-stimulated cells (data not statistically significant). The results concerning the viability of phagocytosing cells, the effectiveness of the phagocytosis process, and the level of radical forms might result from applied EMF parameters like signal waveform, frequency, flux density, and especially single EMF exposure.

An effect of large-scale deletions and duplications on transcript expression

Since copy number variants (CNVs) have been recognized as an important source of genetic and transcriptomic variation, we aimed to characterize the impact of CNVs located within coding, intergenic, upstream, and downstream gene regions on the expression of transcripts. Regions in which deletions occurred most often were introns, while duplications in coding regions. The transcript expression was lower for deleted coding (P = 0.008) and intronic regions (P = 1.355 × 10^-10), but it was not changed in the case of upstream and downstream gene regions (P = 0.085). Moreover, the expression was decreased if duplication occurred in the coding region (P = 8.318 × 10^-5). Furthermore, a negative correlation (r =  - 0.27) between transcript length and its expression was observed. The correlation between the percent of deleted/duplicated transcript and transcript expression level was not significant for all concerned genomic regions in five out of six animals. The exceptions were deletions in coding regions (P = 0.004) and duplications in introns (P = 0.01) in one individual. CNVs in coding (deletions, duplications) and intronic (deletions) regions are important modulators of transcripts by reducing their expression level. We hypothesize that deletions imply severe consequences by interrupting genes. The negative correlation between the size of the transcript and its expression level found in this study is consistent with the hypothesis that selection favours shorter introns and a moderate number of exons in highly expressed genes. This may explain the transcript expression reduction by duplications. We did not find the correlation between the size of deletions/duplications and transcript expression level suggesting that expression is modulated by CNVs regardless of their size.

Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems

Food from the sea can make a larger contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, and to addressing hunger and malnutrition, through improvements in production, distribution and equitable access to wild harvest and mariculture resources and products. The supply and consumption of seafood is influenced by a range of 'drivers' including ecosystem change and ocean regulation, the influence of corporations and evolving consumer demand, as well as the growing focus on the importance of seafood for meeting nutritional needs. These drivers need to be examined in a holistic way to develop an informed understanding of the needs, potential impacts and solutions that align seafood production and consumption with relevant 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses an evidence-based narrative approach to examine how the anticipated global trends for seafood might be experienced by people in different social, geographical and economic situations over the next ten years. Key drivers influencing seafood within the global food system are identified and used to construct a future scenario based on our current trajectory (Business-as-usual 2030). Descriptive pathways and actions are then presented for a more sustainable future scenario that strives towards achieving the SDGs as far as technically possible (More sustainable 2030). Prioritising actions that not only sustainably produce more seafood, but consider aspects of access and utilisation, particularly for people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, is an essential part of designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-021-09663-x.

Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems

Food from the sea can make a larger contribution to healthy and sustainable diets, and to addressing hunger and malnutrition, through improvements in production, distribution and equitable access to wild harvest and mariculture resources and products. The supply and consumption of seafood is influenced by a range of 'drivers' including ecosystem change and ocean regulation, the influence of corporations and evolving consumer demand, as well as the growing focus on the importance of seafood for meeting nutritional needs. These drivers need to be examined in a holistic way to develop an informed understanding of the needs, potential impacts and solutions that align seafood production and consumption with relevant 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses an evidence-based narrative approach to examine how the anticipated global trends for seafood might be experienced by people in different social, geographical and economic situations over the next ten years. Key drivers influencing seafood within the global food system are identified and used to construct a future scenario based on our current trajectory (Business-as-usual 2030). Descriptive pathways and actions are then presented for a more sustainable future scenario that strives towards achieving the SDGs as far as technically possible (More sustainable 2030). Prioritising actions that not only sustainably produce more seafood, but consider aspects of access and utilisation, particularly for people affected by food insecurity and malnutrition, is an essential part of designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-021-09663-x.

Decreased layer specific longitudinal strain in myocardial segments supplied by stenosed LAD coronary artery: analysis for baseline, peak and recovery phase of stress echocardiography

Background

Despite wide utility of global longitudinal strain in the assessment of left ventricular function up to now little is known about layer specific quantification of myocardial function during stress tests and its potential for ischemia detection.

Purpose

To investigate diagnostic utility of layer specific LS during stress echocardiography using marker segments in patients with established Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary artery status.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients (mean age 62.5±9.9 years, 62% males) with suspected coronary artery disease, who had performed dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Layer specific speckle tracking LS analyses were performed during rest, maximal stress and recovery. As a marker for LAD (segment most probably supplied by this artery) we used mid-anterior left ventricle segments. LAD status were established with coronary angiography or angioCT and consider as significant if ≥70% stenosis was present.

Results

In our study group 14 patients had significantly stenosed LAD (group 1) and 24 had normal coronaries (group 2). We detected significantly lowered absolute values of strain in endocardial and mid-myocardial layers of segments supplied by stenosed LAD at rest for endocardium −8.6% (group 1) vs −13.4% (group 2); p=0.045; and mid-myocardium −7.3% (group 1) vs −11.2% (group 2); p=0.044. Moreover, we observed similar trend at recovery, however without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusions

Longitudinal strain analysis focused on segments supplied by assessed coronary artery my provide quantitative data confirming ischemia in the settings of rest and stress echocardiography. Our pilot study suggest that for inotropic agents like dobutamine the potential ischemic dysfunction may be however masked at peak stage of the test.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Clipping of a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A case report

Aim of the study

The aim of this study is to present our suggestions for organization, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, work flow of the operating theater, and the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and co-existing neurological disease.

Materials and methods

We present the case of a 70-year-old male who was transferred to our Department because of subarachnoid hemorrhage with ruptured right middle cerebral artery aneurysm and SARS CoV-2 infection. The emergency clipping of the aneurysm and hematoma evacuation was performed. According to the therapeutic committee guidelines, chloroquine was started for COVID-19 treatment.

Results

Postoperatively, the patient is in good condition, with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15, with mild, left hemiparesis, 4+/5 points on the Lovett scale, without symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). No one from the stuff was infected during the treatment.

Conclusions

Managing patients with infectious diseases such as COVID-19 presents many challenges and risks for healthcare personnel. Our experience suggests that by following strict safety protocols of PPE use, donning and doffing, and reducing operation time, the surgery may be safe for both the healthcare personnel and the patient.

Reproduction Indicators Related to Litter Size and Reproduction Cycle Length Among Sows of Breeds Considered Maternal and Paternal Components Kept on Medium-Size Farms

Simple Summary

Pig breeds considered maternal components are bred mainly to improve reproductive traits, while those considered paternal components are bred to improve production traits. These two groups of traits are either negatively or weakly positively correlated. For any breed, however, the key factors affecting the profitability of pig production are a properly conducted reproduction process and proper herd management. This research compared reproduction indicators related to litter size (litter size along with the numbers and percentages of piglets born alive, stillborn, and weaned) and reproduction cycle length (the lengths of gestation, lactation, the weaning-to-conception interval, and the farrowing-to-conception interval) among sows of maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and paternal (Duroc, Hampshire, and Berkshire) breeds. The pigs were raised on three medium-sized farms, of which two were located in Poland and one in the US. The results suggest that Polish Large White and Polish Landrace sows, both considered maternal components, showed much better performance in terms of reproductive indicators than did the other breeds. Sows of all the breeds had short reproductive cycles, an indicator of intensified production, but also of appropriate herd management.

Abstract

The present research aimed to study twelve reproductive indicators related to litter size and the farrowing interval for three maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and three paternal (Duroc, Berkshire, Hampshire) breeds, raised on two farms in Poland and a farm in the United States. The study included 196 sows (45 Polish Large White, 37 Polish Landrace, 26 Berkshire, 33 Duroc, 40 Yorkshire, and 15 Hampshire), which altogether gave birth to 736 litters. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify the influence of the breed on the reproductive traits, with a post-hoc procedure for pairwise comparisons implemented in the pgirmes of R. The adegenet, ade4, and factoextra packages of R were used to conduct multivariate analysis of the traits by means of principal component analysis. The breed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the following traits related to litter size: the total number of piglets born per litter, the number and percentage of piglets born alive per litter, the percentage of stillborn piglets per litter, the number and percentage of weaned piglets per litter; and those related to the farrowing interval: the lengths of gestation, lactation, the farrowing-to-conception interval, and the farrowing interval. The breed did not statistically significantly influence the number of stillborn piglets per litter and the length of the weaning-to-conception interval. Polish Landrace and Polish Large White sows had the highest numbers of born (for both, the mean of 14.0), born alive (12.9 and 12.7), and weaned piglets (11.5 and 10.5), which statistically significantly differed from these parameters in the other breeds. Polish Landrace sows significantly differed from all the other breeds in terms of the percentage of weaned piglets (84.1%), while Berkshire sows in terms of gestation length (118.4 days).

Transformation of a large multi-speciality hospital into a dedicated COVID-19 centre during the coronavirus pandemic

INTRODUCTION

The article describes the process of converting a large multi-specialized hospital into one dedicated to COVID-19 patients, and present established standards of work organization in all the wards and training system of the medical and supporting staff. The several weeks pandemic of the COVID-19 disease has forced the healthcare systems of numerous countries to adjust their resources to the care of the growing number of COVID-19 patients. Managers were presented with the challenge of protecting the healthcare workers from transmission of the disease within medical institutions, and issues concerning the physical and psychological depletion of personnel.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on analyses of the structure and work processes in Central Clinical Hospital (CCH) reconstructive strategic plan was developed. It included: division of existing wards into observation and isolation wards; installing locks; weekly plan for supplying personal protection equipment (PPE); designating new access to the hospital and communication routes; training of medical and supporting staff. The plan was implemented from the first days of conversion of the hospital.

RESULTS

The wards of the CCH were converted for observation and isolation, and each one was fitted with sanitary locks. There was a big improvement in the supply of PPE for the medical staff. Separation of the 'dirty' and 'clean' parts of the CCH were attained, and widespread intensive training not only protected personnel against infections, but also diminished unrest which was discernable at the beginning of conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

The transformation efforts will ultimately be appraised at the end of the epidemic, but the data looks encouraging. Two weeks after conversion, the testing of hospital Staff was started and by the end of April, 459 tests were had been conducted, of which only 11 were positive.

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a retrospective single-center experience of a designated hospital in Poland

INTRODUCTION

Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) in Poland, the worldwide pandemic has spread throughout the country, leading to many hospital admissions. There has been an urgent need to determine clinical characteristics of Polish patients with laboratory‑confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV 2) infection in the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study was to outline characteristics and short‑ term outcomes of SARS‑CoV‑2-positive patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed 169 consecutive patients with laboratory‑ confirmed COVID‑ 19 with regard to their clinical manifestations, radiological findings, treatment, complications, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 169 patients, more than half was aged 65 years or older (88; 52.1%), 51.5% were male, and 78.3% had comorbidities. The majority of patients (106; 62.7%) were transferred from outbreak locations in medical facilities. The most common symptoms on admission were fever (42%), shortness of breath (35%), and fatigue (33%). Twenty seven (15.4%) patients required intensive care unit admission. Overall mortality was 26.3% (n = 46) and was significantly higher in patients transferred from other facilities (38 out of 106; 35.8%), than in patients admitted directly to the hospital (8 out of 63; 12.69%; P <0.001). Seventeen out of 29 patients admitted to the intensive care unit died (mortality, 58.6%), including 30 out of 41 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (73.2% mortality rate).

CONCLUSIONS

Polish patients with COVID‑19 have similar characteristics and risk factors for adverse outcomes to those observed in countries in which outbreaks occurred earlier. Significantly higher mortality in patients transferred from other centers warrants special attention and transfer policy should be verified.

Experimental infection by Yersinia ruckeri O1 biotype 2 induces brain lesions and neurological signs in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Pathological manifestations in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following experimental waterborne infection with Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 2 (strain 07111224) were investigated. Rainbow trout were exposed to 8 × 10⁷  CFU/ml of Y. ruckeri by bath for 6 hr, and mortality was then monitored for 22 days post-infection (dpi). Organs were sampled at 3 dpi and also from moribund fish showing signs of severe systemic infection such as bleeding, exophthalmia or erratic swimming behaviour. Y. ruckeri was observed in the meninges and diencephalon of the brain, and lamina propria of olfactory organ at 3 dpi. At 12 dpi, Y. ruckeri had spread throughout the brain including cranial connective tissues and ventricles and the infection was associated with haemorrhages and an infiltration with leucocytes. Y. ruckeri infection and associated with leucocyte infiltration were observed at 13 dpi. In conclusion, Y. ruckeri strain 07111224 causes encephalitis in the acute phase of infection, which could explain why Y. ruckeri-affected fish show exophthalmia and erratic swimming known as signs of ERM.

Position paper nuclear cardiology: Update 2008

Nuclear cardiology is well established in clinical diagnostic algorithms for many years. This is an update 2008 of the first common position paper of the German Association of Nuclear Medicine and the German Association of Cardiology, Heart and Circulation Research published in 2001 aiming at an overview of state-of-the-art scintigraphic methods.

Optimizing ventilation-perfusion lung scintigraphy: Parting with planar imaging

Aim of the study was to introduce and verify a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) acquisition protocol that incorporates new developments in scintigraphy in order to allow for a more balanced comparison with other diagnostic procedures. Methods: In 103 patients suspect of having pulmonary embolism, V/Q scans were acquired exclusively with SPECT technique. Ventilation was done with ultrafine aerosol. Planar images in eight directions were reconstructed through addition of three consecutive SPECT projections. Three referees examined the scans in regard to type, localization, and extent of V/Q defects. Results: Using this protocol, significantly more defects, especially of subsegmental size, were detected (p <0.Q1). Sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy were also significantly improved (p <0.01) to 0.96, and 0.99, respectively. Furthermore, kappa values were increased up to 0.82 - a relevant enhancement in the ability to precisely localize V/Q defects. Conclusion: In conclusion this protocol provides high-resolution tomographic scans as well as high-quality planar images within a short acquisition time. Due to the significant increase in lesion detection, sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, and anatomical localization of defects, it is a substantial improvement in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism that will put V/Q scintigraphy on a par with other tomographic methods.

Combined image interpretation of computed tomography and hybrid PET in head and neck cancer

Aim: Evaluation of potential synergistic effects of combined image interpretation of FDG PET using a gamma camera modified for coincidence detection (hybrid PET) and computed tomography (CT) and comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of hybrid PET and dedicated PET in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: Forty-two patients with suspected primary or recurrent cancer were included. Twenty-four patients underwent dedicated PET in addition to attenuationcorrected hybrid PET using a one-day protocol. Results: Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detection of primary or recurrent head and neck cancer were 74, 73, and 74% for hybrid PET, 52, 82, and 60% for CT and 77, 82, and 79% for combined reading. With the combination of CT and hybrid PET all cases of recurrent disease were detected. The largest tumour not detected was 1.7 cm in diameter. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of neck sides with lymph node metastases were 69, 88, and 85% for hybrid PET, 62, 88, and 84% for CT, 69, 99, and 94% for combined image interpretation. With combined interpretation four involved neck sides were missed including two cases of microscopic metastases. Hybrid PET revealed concordant results to dedicated PET in all patients with respect to the detection of primary or recurrent tumour and in 45 of 48 neck sides (94%) with the same number of false negative findings. Conclusion: The combination of functional information of hybrid PET and morphological information of CT by the simple approach of combined image interpretation improves the sensitivity for the detection of primary/recurrent head and neck cancer and increases the specificity of lymph node staging compared to CT alone. The accuracy of hybrid PET and dedicated PET was almost identical.

An approach for comparative quantification of myocardial blood flow (0-15-H2O-PET), perfusion (Tc-99m-tetrofosmin-SPECT), and metabolism (F 18-FDG-PET)

Aim: In the present study a new approach has been developed for comparative quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial perfusion, and myocardial metabolism in short-axis slices. Methods: 42 patients with severe CAD, referred for myocardial viability diagnostics, were studied consecutively with 0-15-H2O PET (H2O-PET) (twice), Tc-99m-Tetrofosmin 5PECT (TT-SPECT) and F-18-FDG PET (FDG-PET). All dato sets were reconstructed using attenuation correction and reoriented into short axis slices. Each heart was divided into three representative slices (base, rnidventricular, apex) and 18 ROIs were defined on the FDG PET images and transferred to the corresponding H2O-PET and TT-SPECT slices. TT-SPECT and FDG-PET data were normalized to the ROI showing maximum perfusion. MBF was calculated for all left-ventricular ROIs using a single-compartment-model fitting the dynamic H2O-PET studies. Microsphere equivalent MBF (MBF_micr) was calculated by multiplying MBF and tissue-fraction, a parameter which was obtained by fitting the dynamic H2O-PET studies. To reduce influence of viability only well perfused areas (>70% TT-SPECT) were used for comparative quantification. Results: First and second mean global MBF values were 0.85 ml × min-1 × g-1 and 0.84 ml × min-1 × g1, respectively, with a repeatability coefficient of 0.30 ml ÷ min-1 × gl. After sectorization mean MBF_micr was between 0.58 ml × min1 ÷ ml"1 and 0.68 ml × min-1 × ml"1 in well perfused areas. Corresponding TT-SPECT values ranged from 83 % to 91 %, and FDG-PET values from 91 % to 103%. All procedures yielded higher values for the lateral than the septal regions. Conclusion: Comparative quantification of MBF, MBF_micr, TT-SPECT perfusion and FDG-PET metabolism can be done with the introduced method in short axis slices. The obtained values agree well with experimentally validated values of MBF and MBF_micr.

Characterization of radioiodine therapy failures in Graves’ disease

Aim of this study was a characterization of radioiodine therapy (RIT) failures in Graves’ disease without simultaneous Carbimazole. Method: 226 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Graves’ disease received 686.8 ± 376.4 MBq of iodine-131 orally for thyroid ablation. Target dose was 250 Gy. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Therapy failures were compared with successes regarding possible influencing variables initial thyroid volume, thyroid function, immune activity (TRAb), 1-131 uptake, effective half-life, absorbed energy dose, age and gender. Results: 212 of 226 patients (93.8%) were treated successfully, 14 (6.2%) showed a hyperthyroidism relapse within 6 months which required a second radioiodine therapy. A success rate of 92.5% (62/67) could also be achieved with 67 patients who were hyperthyroid at the time of RIT. Compared to the therapy successes, the 14 failures achieved significantly lower absorbed doses (223.8 ±76.6 Gyvs. 285.2 ±82.1 Gy, ρ <0.005), but with no significant differences regarding age, thyroid volume, function or TRAb (all ρ >0.2). Of the 14 failures, η = 8 reached an absorbed dose <200 Gy and η = 1 a dose <250 Gy, although 5 of the failures reached an absorbed dose of >250 Gy. Stepwise logistic regression revealed only absorbed energy dose as a variable significantly influencing therapy success (p <0.005), but no influence of initial thyroid volume, function, TRAb value, age (all ρ >0.2) or gender (p = 0.13). Two-tailed Fisher’s exact test showed no significant influence of gender on success rates (failures/successes: male 1 /36, female 13/176, ρ = 0.48). Conclusions: Except for the absorbed energy dose, no other significant variable influencing the outcome of radioiodine therapy in Graves’ disease without simultaneous Carbimazole could be found. It should be noted, though, that 5 therapy failures (2.2%) reached an absorbed energy dose of >250 Gy.

Quantification of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction from 16- and rebinned 8-frame gated 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT

Aim: Using 8-frames/cardiac cycle with gated SPECT underestimates end-diastolic volumes (EDV) and ejection fractions (LVEF), and overestimates end-systolic volumes (ESV). However, using 16-frames/cardiac cycle significantly decreases the signal-to-noise-ratio. We analyzed 16-frames and rebinned 8-frame gated SPECT data using common 4D-MSPECT and QGS algorithms. Patients, methods: 120 patients were examined using gated SPECT on a Siemens Multispect 3 (triple-head gamma camera) 60 minutes after intravenous administration at rest of about 450 MBq (two-day protocol) or about 750 MBq (one-day protocol) 99mTc-tetrofosmin. Reoriented short axis slices (16-frames) were summed framewise (1+2,3+4, etc.) yielding 8-frame data sets. EDV, ESV and LVEF were calculated for both data sets using 4D-MSPECT and QGS. Results: QGS succeeded with 119, 4D-MSPECT with 117 patients. For the remaining 116 patients, higher EDV (+0.8ml/+3.8ml) and LVEF (+1.5%/+2.6%; absolute) and lower ESV (–1.7ml/–0.9ml) (4D-MSPECT/QGS) were found for 16-frame runs. Bland-Altman limits were smaller for QGS than 4D-MSPECT [EDV 32/12ml, ESV 21/10ml, LVEF 17/7% (4D-MSPECT/QGS)]. Conclusion: Both algorithms showed the expected effects. Contour finding using QGS failed with only one data set, whereas contour finding using 4D-MSPECT failed with three data sets. Since the effects observed between the 8– and the 16-frame studies are relatively small and quite predictable, 8-frame studies can be employed in clinical routine with hardly any loss at all, plus contour finding appears less susceptible to error.

Stunning in radioiodine therapy of benign thyroid disease

In radioiodine therapy of benign thyroid disease, a reduction of radioiodine uptake is known for consecutive administrations of 131I, which needs to be considered in therapy planning. Aim: Analysis of uptake reduction with regard on the time interval between radioiodine administration and the delivered dose to the thyroid tissue. Patients, methods: 200 patients were enrolled in the study and distributed into two groups (matched for diagnoses), each containing 32 patients with Graves' disease (target dose 250 Gy), 24 with focal (400 Gy), 44 with disseminated thyroid autonomy (150 Gy). In one group, a second fraction of radioiodine was given after 48 h (2d) due to an unexpected low radioiodine uptake or effective half-life, whereas in the other group the second fraction was given after 96 h (4d). Results: There was no significant difference between delivered doses due to the first fraction after four days: 2d: 86 ± 48 Gy (extrapolated) vs. 4d: 87 ± 41 Gy, p > 0.05. In 2d, delivered dose at time of second administration was significantly lower (51 ± 29 Gy) than in 4d (p < 0.01). The radioiodine uptake of the second fraction relative to the initial uptake was significantly lower in the 4d (4d: 63 ± 25% vs. 2d: 82 ± 24%, p < 0.01). In addition, a correlation between uptake reduction and delivered dose and an influence of the time interval between radioiodine administrations could be shown. Conclusions: Relative uptake of subsequent radioiodine fractions decreases with time after first administration and with increasing delivered dose to the thyroid. If a second fraction of 131I is given at an earlier time, the same therapeutic effect can be reached using lower amounts of activity, minimising radiation exposure and increasing efficiency of radioiodine therapy.

Changes in U937 cell viability induced by stress factors - possible role of calmodulin

Current studies were aimed to elucidate influence of magnetic field (MF) stimulation on cell viability and its effect on expression of calmodulin (CaM) and Hsp70 protein which plays a role of cell stress indicator and is a Ca²⁺-dependent CaM-binding protein. For the experimental model we have chosen U937 cell line exposed to chemical- and/or physical stress factors. Puromycin (PMC) was used as a chemical apoptosis inducer. Alternating (AC) (6.5_rms mT, 35 Hz) magnetic field combined with 6 mT static (DC) component, or pulsed electromagnetic field (45 ± 5)mT, 50 Hz (PEMF) acted as physical stressors. Cell viability was assessed by flow cytometry, and the Western blot analysis was carried out for CaM and Hsp70 levels in cytosolic extracts of U937 cells. Cell viability in samples exposed to MF alone did not differ from sham sample, for both types of MF exposure systems. Simultaneous action of MF and PMC influenced cell viability in type of MF stimulation-dependent manner. In contrast to PEMF + PMC stimulated samples, combination of ACDCMF with PMC enhanced cell death compared to PMC control. The observed changes in cell viability were correlated with changes in level of CaM and Hsp70 proteins. Immunoblots have shown, that cytosolic content of both CaM and Hsp70 proteins was enhanced in PMC-treated sample, and further elevated for ACDCMF + PMC. For PEMF + PMC stimulated samples, level of CaM was reduced compared to PMC-treated sample. The results suggest that the changes in expression of CaM and CaM-dependent proteins might modulate effectiveness of cell death under stimulation with MF and/or cytotoxic agents.

Changes in viability of rat adipose-derived stem cells isolated from abdominal/perinuclear adipose tissue stimulated with pulsed electromagnetic field

Previous experiments demonstrated that low-frequency electromagnetic field (LF-EMF) may activate cellular death pathways in proliferating cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that LF-EMF may also influence viability of highly proliferating undifferentiated adipose-derived stem cells. Obesity is classified as a civilization disease; its etiopathogenesis is presumed to include both genetic predisposition and influence of modified environmental factors, such as unbalanced diet with excess calories and/or too low physical activity. Obesity may lead to a number of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (associated with atherosclerosis) related to primary hypertension and ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and other complications. The aim of this study was to verify if LF-EMF alters viability parameters of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) isolated from rats, cultured in vitro and exposed to pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF; 7 Hz, 30 mT). ADSCs were obtained from healthy rats and animals with experimentally-induced obesity, both males and females, pups and adults. The animals were fed with chow with either low (LF diet) or high fat content (HF diet) for 21 days. Then, ADSCs were isolated from extracted adipose tissue and used to establish cell cultures. ADSCs from the first passage were exposed to PEMF three times, 4 hours per exposure, at 24-h intervals (experimentally developed protocol of PEMF stimulation). 24 hours after the last exposure to PEMF, viability parameters of ADSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The study demonstrated that LF diet exerted a protective effect on PEMF-exposed ADSCs, especially in the case of male and female pups. In turn, the proportion of early apoptotic cells in PEMF-treated ADSC cultures from adult female rats maintained on HF diet turned out to be significantly higher than in other experimental groups.

Unique properties of silver and copper silica-based nanocomposites as antimicrobial agents

The paper reports a new route for the fabrication and determination of physicochemical properties and biological activity, of metallic silica-based nanostructure (Ag/SiO₂, Cu/SiO₂).

Thermal and hydrometallurgical recovery methods of heavy metals from municipal solid waste fly ash

Heavy metals in fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators are present in high concentrations. Therefore fly ash must be treated as a hazardous material. On the other hand, it may be a potential source of heavy metals. Zinc, lead, cadmium, and copper can be relatively easily removed during the thermal treatment of fly ash, e.g. in the form of chlorides. In return, wet extraction methods could provide promising results for these elements including chromium and nickel. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare thermal and hydrometallurgical treatment of municipal solid waste fly ash. Thermal treatment of fly ash was performed in a rotary reactor at temperatures between 950 and 1050°C and in a muffle oven at temperatures from 500 to 1200°C. The removal more than 90% was reached by easy volatile heavy metals such as cadmium and lead and also by copper, however at higher temperature in the muffle oven. The alkaline (sodium hydroxide) and acid (sulphuric acid) leaching of the fly ash was carried out while the influence of temperature, time, concentration, and liquid/solid ratio were investigated. The combination of alkaline-acidic leaching enhanced the removal of, namely, zinc, chromium and nickel.

Laser-capture dissection and immunohistochemistry reveals chloride and mucous-cell specific gene expression in gills of seawater acclimated Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Laser-capture microdissection and immunohistochemistry were used to show that gene and protein expression varied in different cell types in the gills of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, with chloride cells found to express high levels of sodium potassium ATPase and mucous cells expressing elevated levels of anterior gradient protein. It is therefore important that studies of gene expression in gill tissue take account of the proportion of the various cell types present.

Culturable microbiota of ranched southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau)

AIMS

The Australian tuna industry is based on the ranching of wild southern bluefin tuna (SBT, Thunnus maccoyii). Within this industry, only opportunistic pathogens have been reported infecting external wounds of fish. This study aimed to identify different culturable bacteria present in three cohorts of SBT and to determine normal bacteria and potential pathogens in isolates from harvest fish and moribund/dead fish. Post-mortem changes in the microbiota were also studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Moribund/dead showed a greater proportion of members from the family Vibrionaceae than harvested fish; the latter presented mainly non-Vibrio species. In harvested fish spleens, Vibrio splendidus I complex was the most commonly identified group among Vibrio isolates, while most groups from the family Vibrionaceae were isolated from gills. For moribund/dead, Vibrio chagasii and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae were common in gill, spleen and kidney samples. Non-Vibrio isolates from gills were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing as Flavobacteriaceae and classes Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, mainly from the genera Winogradskyella and Tenacibaculum. Post-mortem changes showed dynamic shifts in bacterial dominance in gills, with Vibrionaceae and non-Vibrio spp. found in similar proportions initially and types related to Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica prevailing after 27 h. Spleen samples showed little bacterial growth until 5 h post-mortem, while various Vibrio-associated species were isolated 27 h post-mortem.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacterial isolates found include a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria that should be monitored though most of them have yet to be associated with disease in tuna.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study forms a foundation for future research into the bacterial population dynamics under different culture conditions of SBT. An understanding of the bacterial compositions in SBT is necessary to evaluate the effects of some bacterial species on their health.