Comparative morphology of the gas bladder in driftwood catfishes (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae)

The gross morphology of the gas bladder is described and illustrated for representatives of most species and all valid genera of the Auchenipteridae (Siluriformes). Although, a simple cordiform gas bladder is present in some species of the family, others are characterized by their distinctive gas-bladder shape and diverticula disposition. An acute posterior end of the gas bladder characterizes Centromochlus heckelii and C. macracanthus, and is variably present in specimens of Auchenipterus. Tocantinsia piresi and Asterophysus batrachus have distinctive gas bladders differing in number of diverticula (two or many). The two species of Trachycorystes are diagnosed based on their gas bladder morphology: T. menezesi has a simple cordiform bladder, whereas T. trachycorystes has a pair of lateral diverticulum and, usually, a well-developed terminal diverticulum. Species of Auchenipterichthys are characterized by having a secondary bladder with simple chamber. Short or elongate and divergent terminal diverticula are exclusive to most cis-andine species of Trachelyopterus. Tetranematichthys and trans-andine species of Trachelyopterus share a well-developed secondary chamber or terminal diverticula ventrally or dorsally connected to the posterior chambers. The small-sized species of Ageneiosus have well-developed gas bladders with a pair of posterior diverticula, whereas large-sized species have a reduced gas bladder with tunica externa varying from non-, partially, or completely ossified. Eight phylogenetic characters are proposed based on the morphology of the gas bladder and associated structures in species of Auchenipteridae, and the evolution of those characters in the family discussed. J. Morphol., 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of ultrasonography and histopathology for the diagnosis of endometritis in Holstein-Friesian cows

Reproductive diseases are a great barrier to dairy production, as they diminish fertility and cause economic loss. In this context, endometritis plays an important role. Different diagnostic techniques exist for endometritis that vary in sensitivity and specificity. This work aimed to evaluate and compare ultrasonographic and histopathological examinations, and combinations thereof, for the diagnosis of endometritis by determining their sensitivity, specificity, and kappa agreement coefficients using endometrial cytology as the gold standard. We developed an adaptive reading score to perform histological examination of the uterus. In this study, 76 Holstein-Friesian cows, 21 to 47 d postpartum, without vaginal catarrh were submitted to gynecological examinations, including ultrasonographic examination, an endometrial cytology examination, and a uterine biopsy. Our results indicate that ultrasonography is a practical and effective diagnostic method, and a combination of the determination of intrauterine fluid and cervical diameter was the most efficient ultrasonographic method, with 50% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Histopathological examination was a useful diagnostic method that provided rich detail on endometrial inflammation, and allowed evaluation of different components of the tissue such as the epithelium, lamina propria, endometrial glands, and blood vessels; this method had 44% sensitivity and 92% specificity for diagnosis of endometritis.

Bladder expression of CD cell surface antigens and cell-type-specific transcriptomes

Many cell types have no known functional attributes. In the bladder and prostate, basal epithelial and stromal cells appear similar in cytomorphology and share several cell surface markers. Their total gene expression (transcriptome) should provide a clear measure of the extent to which they are alike functionally. Since urologic stromal cells are known to mediate organ-specific tissue formation, these cells in cancers might exhibit aberrant gene expression affecting their function. For transcriptomes, cluster designation (CD) antigens have been identified for cell sorting. The sorted cell populations can be analyzed by DNA microarrays. Various bladder cell types have unique complements of CD molecules. CD9(+) urothelial, CD104(+) basal and CD13(+) stromal cells of the lamina propria were therefore analyzed, as were CD9(+) cancer and CD13(+) cancer-associated stromal cells. The transcriptome datasets were compared by principal components analysis for relatedness between cell types; those with similarity in gene expression indicated similar function. Although bladder and prostate basal cells shared CD markers such as CD104, CD44 and CD49f, they differed in overall gene expression. Basal cells also lacked stem cell gene expression. The bladder luminal and stromal transcriptomes were distinct from their prostate counterparts. In bladder cancer, not only the urothelial but also the stromal cells showed gene expression alteration. The cancer process in both might thus involve defective stromal signaling. These cell-type transcriptomes provide a means to monitor in vitro models in which various CD-isolated cell types can be combined to study bladder differentiation and bladder tumor development based on cell-cell interaction.

Fiber fermentability effects on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fecal traits, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats

Considering the different potential benefits of divergent fiber ingredients, the effect of 3 fiber sources on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses, and colon histology of overweight cats (Felis catus) fed kibble diets was compared. Twenty-four healthy adult cats were assigned in a complete randomized block design to 2 groups of 12 animals, and 3 animals from each group were fed 1 of 4 of the following kibble diets: control (CO; 11.5% dietary fiber), beet pulp (BP; 26% dietary fiber), wheat bran (WB; 24% dietary fiber), and sugarcane fiber (SF; 28% dietary fiber). Digestibility was measured by the total collection of feces. After 16 d of diet adaptation and an overnight period without food, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride postprandial responses were evaluated for 16 h after continued exposure to food. On d 20, colon biopsies of the cats were collected under general anesthesia. Fiber addition reduced food energy and nutrient digestibility. Of all the fiber sources, SF had the least dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05), causing the largest reduction of dietary energy digestibility (P < 0.05). The greater fermentability of BP resulted in reduced fecal DM and pH, greater fecal production [g/(cat x d); as-is], and greater fecal concentration of acetate, propionate, and lactate (P < 0.05). For most fecal variables, WB was intermediate between BP and SF, and SF was similar to the control diet except for an increased fecal DM and firmer feces production for the SF diet (P < 0.05). Postprandial evaluations indicated reduced mean glucose concentration and area under the glucose curve in cats fed the SF diet (P < 0.05). Colon mucosa thickness, crypt area, lamina propria area, goblet cell area, crypt mean size, and crypt in bifurcation did not vary among the diets. According to the fiber solubility and fermentation rates, fiber sources can induce different physiological responses in cats, reduce energy digestibility, and favor glucose metabolism (SF), or improve gut health (BP).

Acute heat stress impairs performance parameters and induces mild intestinal enteritis in broiler chickens: Role of acute hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation

Studies on the environmental consequences of stress are relevant for economic and animal welfare reasons. We recently reported that long-term heat stressors (31 +/- 1 degrees C and 36 +/- 1 degrees C for 10 h/d) applied to broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) from d 35 to 42 of life increased serum corticosterone concentrations, decreased performance variables and the macrophage oxidative burst, and produced mild, multifocal acute enteritis. Being cognizant of the relevance of acute heat stress on tropical and subtropical poultry production, we designed the current experiment to analyze, from a neuroimmune perspective, the effects of an acute heat stress (31 +/- 1 degrees C for 10 h on d 35 of life) on serum corticosterone, performance variables, intestinal histology, and peritoneal macrophage activity in chickens. We demonstrated that the acute heat stress increased serum corticosterone concentrations and mortality and decreased food intake, BW gain, and feed conversion (P < 0.05). We did not find changes in the relative weights of the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius (P > 0.05). Increases in the basal and the Staphylococcus aureus-induced macrophage oxidative bursts and a decrease in the percentage of macrophages performing phagocytosis were also observed. Finally, mild, multifocal acute enteritis, characterized by the increased presence of lymphocytes and plasmocytes within the lamina propria of the jejunum, was also observed. We found that the stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation was responsible for the negative effects observed on chicken performance and immune function as well as for the changes in the intestinal mucosa. The data presented here corroborate with those presented in other studies in the field of neuroimmunomodulation and open new avenues for the improvement of broiler chicken welfare and production performance.

Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Injection and Reinjection on Healing in the Rabbit Vocal Fold

Objectives/Hypothesis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide that plays various roles in embryogenesis and tissue regeneration and exhibits marked antifibrotic activity. The present study sought to assess the effects of HGF injection and reinjection coinciding with its peak of activity on collagen density, vessel density, inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria, and mean epithelial thickness in the injured rabbit vocal fold. Study Design. Prospective, controlled, experimental animal study. Methods. Fourteen rabbits were subdivided into two groups and underwent injury of the vocal folds. Immediately after injury, animals in group 1 received HGF injections into the right vocal fold (RVF), whereas those in group 2 received bilateral HGF injections and a single reinjection into the RVF 10 days after the first, to coincide with the peak of HGF activity. The left vocal folds (LVFs) served as controls in both groups. Histological assessment of laryngeal specimens was performed at 30 and 40 days, respectively. Results. In both groups, collagen density was lower in the right (treated) vocal folds than in the left (control) folds (P = 0.018). Vessel density was higher in the RVFs in group 2 (P = 0.018). Differences were found in mean epithelial thickness and inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. In the scarred rabbit vocal fold, HGF injection is associated with decreased collagen density in the lamina propria, whereas reinjection after 10 days produces decreased collagen density and higher vessel density.