Animal Soft Tissue Research Articles

Acoustic Properties of Small Animal Soft Tissue in the Frequency Range 12–32 MHz

Quality assurance phantoms are made of tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) the acoustic properties of which mimic those of soft tissue. However, the acoustic properties of many soft tissue types have not been measured at ultrasonic frequencies >9 MHz. With the increasing use of high-frequency ultrasound for both clinical and pre-clinical applications, it is of increasing interest to ensure that TMMs accurately reflect the acoustic properties of soft tissue at these higher frequencies. In this study, the acoustic properties of ex vivo brain, liver and kidney samples from 50 mice were assessed in the frequency range 12–32 MHz. Measurements were performed within 6 min of euthanasia in a phosphate-buffered saline solution maintained at 37.2 ± 0.2 °C. The measured mean values for the speed of sound for all organs were found to be higher than the International Electrotechnical Commission guideline recommended value for TMMs. The attenuation coefficients measured for brain, liver and kidney samples were compared with the results of previous studies at lower frequencies. Only the measured kidney attenuation coefficient was found to be in good agreement with the International Electrotechnical Commission guideline. The information provided in this study can be used as a baseline on which to manufacture a TMM suitable for high-frequency applications.

Bactericidal Activity and Synergy Studies of Peptide AP-CECT7121 Against Multi-resistant Bacteria Isolated from Human and Animal Soft Tissue Infections.

AP-CECT7121 is an antimicrobial peptide, produced by Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121, with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal activity of AP-CECT7121, alone and with gentamicin, against multi-resistant bacteria isolated from human and animals with soft tissue infections. During the period 2014-2015, bacterial strains producing human and animal soft tissue infections were studied. Samples from patients attended at a general hospital and cattle from four dairies in the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) were included. Twenty-two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (11, human blood samples; 11, cow milk) and five vancomycin-resistant Ent. faecium strains isolated from four mastitic dairy cows were tested. AP-CECT7121 (12mg/L) potency was assessed by time-kill curves alone or with sub-inhibitory concentrations of gentamicin. All staphylococcal strains were susceptible to gentamicin; enterococci did not show high-level gentamicin resistance. Colony counts were carried out at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24h of incubation. AP-CECT7121 showed bactericidal activity against all the enterococcal strains. In addition, AP-CECT7121 had a bactericidal effect on most staphylococci (16/22). Early AP-CECT7121/gentamicin synergy (4-8h) for all staphylococci was detected. At 24h, synergy (19/22) and indifference (3/22) were observed. Synergy with gentamicin was detected for staphylococci. AP-CECT7121 constitutes an attractive candidate for its use as a natural therapeutic tool for the treatment of infections produced by multi-resistant Staph. aureus and vancomycin-resistant Ent. faecium isolated from humans and animals.

Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus spreading by water.

Staphylococcus aureus is known to spread rapidly and form giant colonies on the surface of soft agar and animal tissues by a process called colony spreading. So far, the mechanisms underlying spreading remain poorly understood. This study investigated the spreading phenomenon by culturing S. aureus and its mutant derivatives on Tryptic Soy Agarose (TSA) medium. We found that S. aureus extracts water from the medium and floats on water at 2.5 h after inoculation, which could be observed using phase contrast microscopy. The floating of the bacteria on water could be verified by confocal microscopy using an S. aureus strain that constitutively expresses green fluorescence protein. This study also found that as the density of bacterial colony increases, a quorum sensing response is triggered, resulting in the synthesis of the biosurfactants, phenolic-soluble modulins (PSMs), which weakens water surface tension, causing water to flood the medium surface to allow the bacteria to spread rapidly. This study reveals a mechanism that explains how an organism lacking a flagellar motor is capable of spreading rapidly on a medium surface, which is important to the understanding of how S. aureus spreads in human tissues to cause infections.

Palaeoloxodon exploitation at the Middle Pleistocene site of La Polledrara di Cecanibbio (Rome, Italy)

The site of La Polledrara di Cecanibbio (Rome, Central Italy) clearly documents a close connection between elephant remains and the subsistence strategies of human beings. A carcass of a straight-tusked elephant was recently discovered in sediments that represent the edge of a former swampy area. Some limbs are still in anatomical connection and the skeleton is associated with a lithic industry that, according to taphonomic data, was produced in situ. The spatial distribution of elephant bones, exceptionally well preserved because of the characteristics of the sediment, allows hypothesizing the dynamics of death and burial. The almost complete articulated skeleton lies gently bent on its left side, though the anterior and posterior limbs maintain a nearly standing position. The forelimbs are pointing slightly downward. The left hind limb is stretched, while the knee of the right one is bent downward with the foot sole facing up. The anatomical connection of the bones association excludes any fluvial transport, even though some skeletal elements, such as vertebrae, ribs, pelvis, and scapulae are missing. The carcass belongs to an adult Palaeoloxodon antiquus as suggested by the morphological and biometric characteristics of molariform teeth and long bones. A large quantity of lithic tools was recovered around the carcass, mainly along its right side. The presence of more than six hundred lithic implements (cores, tools, flakes, and working debris), some of them presenting wear traces indicating their use on soft animal tissues (meat and hide) and associated with the elephant skeleton, documents human activity related to the exploitation of the carcass by scavenging. The lithic industry, on small flint pebbles, was produced at the site as indicated by the refitting and by the presence of working debris, and indicates very simple chaînes opératoires. Traces of intentional fracturing on the femurs, evidence the exploitation on the elephant carcass by humans. A marrow extraction and the procurement of raw material for the production of bone tools are also documented by various remains found in sediments deposited during both fluvial and palustrine phases.

Interpreting melanin-based coloration through deep time: a critical review.

Colour, derived primarily from melanin and/or carotenoid pigments, is integral to many aspects of behaviour in living vertebrates, including social signalling, sexual display and crypsis. Thus, identifying biochromes in extinct animals can shed light on the acquisition and evolution of these biological traits. Both eumelanin and melanin-containing cellular organelles (melanosomes) are preserved in fossils, but recognizing traces of ancient melanin-based coloration is fraught with interpretative ambiguity, especially when observations are based on morphological evidence alone. Assigning microbodies (or, more often reported, their 'mouldic impressions') as melanosome traces without adequately excluding a bacterial origin is also problematic because microbes are pervasive and intimately involved in organismal degradation. Additionally, some forms synthesize melanin. In this review, we survey both vertebrate and microbial melanization, and explore the conflicts influencing assessment of microbodies preserved in association with ancient animal soft tissues. We discuss the types of data used to interpret fossil melanosomes and evaluate whether these are sufficient for definitive diagnosis. Finally, we outline an integrated morphological and geochemical approach for detecting endogenous pigment remains and associated microstructures in multimillion-year-old fossils.

SU-E-I-44: Some Preliminary Analysis of Angular Distribution of X-Ray Scattered On Soft Tissues

Purpose: The angular distribution of x-radiation scattered at small angles (up to 16 degrees) from several different animal soft tissue (skin, fat, muscle, retina, etc) were measured using standard equipment devoted to study of crystal structure which provides excellent geometry conditions of measurements. showed measurable differences for different tissues. In the simplest possible case when measured samples do not differ in structure (different concentration solutions) it can be seen that intensity of scattered radiation is decreasing function of the concentration and the peak of the maximum of scattering distribution depends on the concentration as well. Methods: An x-ray scattering profile usually consists of sharp diffraction peak; however some properties of the spatial profiles of scattered radiation as intensity, the peak position, height, area, FWHM, the ratio of peak heights, etc. Results: The data contained measurable differences for different tissues. In the simplest possible case when measured samples do not differ in structure (different concentration solutions) it can be seen that intensity of scattered radiation is decreasing function of the concentration and the peak of the maximum of scattering distribution depends on the concentration as well. Measurements of different samples in the very preliminary phase showed that simple biological material usedmore » in study showed slightly different scattering pattern, especially at higher angles (around 10degrees). Intensity of radiation scattered from same tissue type is very dependent on water content and several more parameters. Conclusion: This preliminary study using animal soft tissues on the angular distributions of scattered x-rays suggests that angular distributions of X-rays scattered off of soft tissues might be useful in distinguishing healthy tissue from malignant soft tissue.« less

Use of immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma skin in bovines

Use of immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of fibrosarcoma skin in bovines

Magnetic sensor for configurable measurement of tension or elasticity with validation in animal soft tissues.

This paper presents a novel Hall-effect-based magnetic sensor for handheld measurement of either elasticity or tension in soft tissues. A theoretical model is developed for the mechanical interaction of the sensor with the tissue, and conditions are established under which the separate effects of tension or elasticity can be measured. A model of the magnetic field within the sensor is developed and a technique to estimate the sensor response in the presence of multiple magnets is established. This paper then provides analytical sensor responses and compares them with experimental results obtained on synthetic materials. It is found that the sensor can measure tension values upto 100N with a resolution of 10N in handheld operation and elasticity of upto 0.87 MPa with a resolution of 0.02 MPa. Significant experimental characterization and statistical analysis of sensor repeatability is performed. The viability of this sensor to make tension and elasticity measurements with biological tissues is then demonstrated using turkey tendons and fresh swine tissues.

Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery ‐ Edited by Eric Monnet

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 55, Issue 1 p. E2-E3 BOOK REVIEW Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery - Edited by Eric Monnet Robert N White BSc (Hons) BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS, Robert N White BSc (Hons) BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVSSearch for more papers by this author Robert N White BSc (Hons) BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS, Robert N White BSc (Hons) BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVSSearch for more papers by this author First published: 06 January 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12045Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume55, Issue1January 2014Pages E2-E3 RelatedInformation

Apoptosis: an underlying factor for accelerated periodontal disease associated with diabetes in rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is well-established risk factor for periodontal disease. DM can also lead to changes in the number of apoptotic cells in periodontal tissues. The goal of this study was to evaluate apoptosis, depending on DM, in healthy and diseased periodontal soft tissues. A total of 43 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Experimental periodontitis was created by placing silk ligatures around the cervices of the first mandibular molars. Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of the diabetogenic agent streptozotocin (STZ). Following the induction of both experimental diseases, the animals were divided into four groups: (1) The healthy group (H) (n = 10); (2) The diabetes group (D) (n = 10); (3) The periodontitis group (P) (n = 11); and (4) The diabetes and periodontitis group (DP) (n = 12). Apoptotic cells were determined by immunohistochemistry, and the frequency of apoptotic cells was evaluated by apoptotic index score. It was observed that there was less apoptosis in both the epithelial and gingival connective tissue cells of healthy diabetic tissues than in healthy tissues without diabetes. When periodontal disease existed, apoptosis increased in both the epithelial and gingival connective tissues of diabetic and non-diabetic animals. There may be differences in the apoptotic mechanisms in the periodontal soft tissues of diabetic and non-diabetic animals. Apoptosis may be one of the underlying factors in increased risk for periodontal disease that is associated with diabetes.

Intensity-Based Ultrasound Visual Servoing: Modeling and Validation With 2-D and 3-D Probes

In this paper, we present an ultrasound (US) visual servoing to control a robotic system equipped with a US probe. To avoid the difficult and time-consuming image segmentation process, we develop a new approach taking as visual input directly the intensity of the image pixels. The analytic form of the interaction matrix that relates the variation of the intensity features to the motion of the probe is established and used to control the six degrees of freedom (dof) of the robotic system. Our approach is applied with a 2-D and a 3-D US probe, and the results that are obtained with both sensors are compared in simulation. The 2-D probe shows good performances for tracking tasks and the 3-D one, which ensures a larger domain of convergence, is more particularly used for positioning tasks. The intensity-based approach is validated through experimental results performed with a realistic abdominal phantom and with animal soft tissue.

Complications after thoracic surgery: don't (necessarily) blame it on the approach

Complications after thoracic surgery: don't (necessarily) blame it on the approach

Wet Adhesion of Buckypaper Produced from Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Soft Animal Tissue

Buckypaper (BP) is the general definition of a macroscopic assembly of entangled carbon nanotubes. In this paper, a new property of a BP film produced from oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes was investigated. In particular, BP shows to be able to promptly and strongly adhere to animal internal soft and wet tissues, as evaluated by peeling and shear tests. BP adhesion strength is higher than that recorded for a commercial prosthetic fabric (sealed to the tissue by fibrin glue) and comparable with that of other reported optimized nanopatterned surfaces. In order to give an interpretation of the observed behavior, the BP composition, morphology, porosity, water wettability, and mechanical properties were analyzed by AFM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, wicking tests, contact angle, and stress-strain measurements. Although further investigations are needed to assess the biocompatibility and safety of the BP film used in this work, the obtained results pave the way for a possible future use of buckypaper as adhesive tape in abdominal prosthetic surgery. This would allow the substitution of conventional sealants or the reduction in the use of perforating fixation.

Manual of Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery ‐ by Karen M. Tobias

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 54, Issue 3 p. 165-165 BOOK REVIEW Manual of Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery - by Karen M. Tobias Rachel Hattersley, Rachel HattersleySearch for more papers by this author Rachel Hattersley, Rachel HattersleySearch for more papers by this author First published: 04 March 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2013.01276.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume54, Issue3March 2013Pages 165-165 RelatedInformation

Observation methods of hard and soft animal tissues by grinding specimens impregnated with resin

Observation methods of hard and soft animal tissues by grinding specimens impregnated with resin

Three dimensional quantification of biological samples using micro-computer aided tomography (microCT)

MicroCT is increasingly being used to observe soft animal and plant tissues. Conventional electron and light microscope staining protocols used to enhance the contrast of soft tissues have the potential to be adapted for use in microCT. This would increase the versatility of the microCT beyond improving qualitative observations to facilitating quantitative analysis of soft tissues. This paper describes the development of a culture system and staining protocol which has successfully been used to obtain three dimensional (3-D) quantitative data of filamentous and zoosporic soil fungi. The fungi were grown in an artificial matrix that was developed to simulate the particulate nature of soil. The combination of high contrast staining protocol and use of an X-ray translucent matrix allowed for 3-D qualitative and quantitative analysis of fungal growth. A salient point raised by this study is that the effectiveness of a protocol is reliant on the tissue or cell culture system which includes the composition of the sample, the sampling vessel, the depth of a sample and the combination of stains used. The potential use of this method extends to other fields where distribution and growth patterns in 3-D need to be quantified.

Utilization of selenium compounds in nutrition of lambs

The level of mineral utilization depends on many factors related to animals as well as to the chemical form of given nutrients. It has been experimentally demonstrated that animals utilize inorganic forms of minerals less efficiently than organic ones. Hence, an attempt has been made to evaluate the bioavailability of selenium bound in different compounds to lambs. Selenium supplementation in fodder mixtures was another aspect included in our tests. Thus, an experiment was conducted on 48 growing lambs, testing the level and chemical forms of selenium in fodder mixtures for animals. In group I (the control) lambs received fodder mixture without any selenium supplement. In the experimental groups, selenium was supplemented as sodium selenite in the amount 0.2 mg Se kg-1 d.m. feeds (II), or selenium enriched yeast (Se-yeast) in the amounts of 0.1 and 0.2 mg Se kg -1 d.m. of feed groups III and IV, respectively. At the end of the experiment, when animals had reached 35 kilos of weight, blood samples were taken. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was estimated in heparinized blood samples. Eight lambs were chosen from each group and killed to collect samples of soft tissues (liver, kidney, brain, muscle). The content of selenium was determined in the tissue samples. Supplementation of feeds for lambs with selenium, both inorganic (sodium selenite) and organic (Se-yeast), increased the content of the element in soft tissues of animals. The highest level of the element was found in the liver and kidneys: 4.65 and 4.90 and 2.10 and 2.30 mg kg -1 fresh tissue, of the lambs receiving sodium selenine and Se-yeast in the amount 0.2 mg Se kg-1 D.M. of feed (groups II and IV), respectively. Selenium compounds added to feeds given to lambs significantly (P£0.01) increased activity of GSH-Px in blood, especially in the case of animals which received yeast enriched with selenium. In blood of the lambs which received feeds with Se-yeast in the amount 0.2 mg Se kg -1 d.m. of feed (group IV), the activity of glutathione peroxidase was by 129.71 U gHb-1 higher, and of the animals which received Se-yeast in the amount 0.1 mg kg-1 d.m. or sodium selenite, the activity of the enzyme was higher by 86.33 and 86.35 U gHb -1 , respectively, than the activity of this enzyme in blood of animals from the control group. Supplementation of lambs’ rations with Se in

Small animal soft tissue surgery edited by DAYool. CABI Publishing, Oxfordshire, 2012. 394 pages. Price US$99.95. ISBN 978 1 84593 821 5.

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 90, Issue 9 p. 369-369 BOOK REVIEW Small animal soft tissue surgery edited by DA Yool. CABI Publishing, Oxfordshire, 2012. 394 pages. Price US$99.95. ISBN 978 1 84593 821 5. John Culvenor, John CulvenorSearch for more papers by this author John Culvenor, John CulvenorSearch for more papers by this author First published: 28 August 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00965.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume90, Issue9September 2012Pages 369-369 RelatedInformation

An experimental study on the combination of chondroitin sulfate with glycerin for the cryopreservation of corneal graft

Background Chondroitin sulfate(CS) is a highly viscous and elastic acid mucopolysaccharide extracted from animal soft tissues,with a wide range of biological activity for use in clinical ophthalmology.Interim preservation solution containing CS has a significant protective effect on corneal endothelial cells (CECs).However,the protective effect played by CS in long-term glycerol cryopreservation of CECs remains to be studied. Objective This study is mainly attempted to investigate the protective effect of CS on graft CECs after cryopreservation by glycerin,and to compare the preserving outcome with that of sodium hyaluronate (SH). Methods One hundred and four eyes of fifty-two female Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly.The cornea grafts were evenly anointed on the surface of the endothelium by 3％ CS and 1％ SH,respectively,and then cryopreserved in glycerol in the 3％ CS group and 1％ SH group,and the corneas cryopreserved only in glycerin were assigned to the glycerin only group.The fresh corneas of matched rats were used as the normal control group.Ninety-six female SD rats were appointed as recipients to receive allogeneic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) 2 months after the graft cryopreservation.The viability of CECs on the corneas cryopreserved for 20 days and grafts of 14 days following surgery was assessed using trypan blue & alizarin red stain.The ultrastructure of cryopreserved corneas was examined under a transmission electron microscope.The rejection index (RI) and graft survival time were evaluated by inflammatory scoring under the slit lamp 1 day after operation,and regular pathological examination was performed after 7,14 or 30 days.The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1 ) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1 ) in corneas and grafts were detected by immunochemistry. Results CECs morphology was normal in fresh cornea in normal control group,presenting no blue stained cells after trypan blue staining.In the 3％ CS group,few blue-stained cells were seen:however,the number of blue-stained cells noticeably increased in the 1％ SH group and glycerin only group.The viability and density of CECs were significantly lower in the 1％ SH group and glycerin only group,compared with the 3％ CS group (P＜0.05).Edema of the endoplasmic reticulum,inflammatory infiltration and neovascularization were more severe in the 1％ SH group and glycerin only group than the 3％ CS group 14 days after PKP.Compared with the 1％ SH group and glycerin only group,the R1 of the 3％ CS group was significantly reduced and the CECs survival time was delayed after PKP ( P＜0.05 ).Immunochemistry revealed that the expression of TGF-β1 in grafts (A value)was up-regulated and that of ICAM-1 was down-regulated in the 3％ CS group,compared with the 1％ SH group and glycerin only group ( P＜0.05). Conclusions The combination of 3％ CS with glycerol to cryopreserve corneal donor can maintain the viability of CECs for a longer duration and improve the effectiveness of PKP. Key words: Chondroitin sulfate; Penetrating keratoplasty; Graft cryopreservation; Corneal endothelial cell; Glycerin; Sodium hyaluronate

Metallothionein is up-regulated in molluscan responses to cadmium, but not aluminum, exposure

Metallothionein (MTs) is a family of low molecular weight peptides with high cysteine content. In aquatic invertebrates, MTs play an important role in the detoxification of metals and they are often cited as useful biomarkers for toxic metal stress. The change in concentrations of metallothionein in response to aluminum and cadmium exposure was investigated in the soft tissues of two freshwater molluscs: Lymnaea stagnalis and Dreissena polymorpha that have contrasting feeding behavior and therefore metal accumulation profiles. The majority of added Al had precipitated in the bottom of tanks within 24h, with an average of only 15.4% and 26.2% remaining in the water column of tanks containing snails and mussels, respectively. In contrast, most of the Cd did not precipitate but remained in solution (81.1% and 82.7%, respectively) between water changes. Both metals accumulated in the soft tissues of both animals, but only cadmium exposure led to an increase in metallothionein concentrations in the soft tissues. However, no significant difference was observed in the level of total protein in both tested molluscs upon exposure to Al and Cd compared to the corresponding control. Therefore, care should be taken in the use of metallothioneins as biomarkers for metal stress, since not all metallic stressors induce their expression.