Associations between feed efficiency,sexual maturity and fertility-related measures in young beef bulls

The beef industry has emphasized the improvement of feed utilization, as measured by modeling feed intake through performance traits to calculate residual feed intake (RFI). Evidence supports an inverse relationship between feed efficiency and reproductive function. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of reproductive assessments and RFI unadjusted (RFI_Koch) or adjusted for body composition (RFI_us) and the relationship among fertility-related parameters. In total, 34 crossbred bulls were housed together for 112 days of performance evaluation, followed by assessment of scrotum IR imaging, scrotal circumference, testes ultrasonography and semen quality parameters at 377±33.4 days of age. Bulls were slaughtered at 389±34.0 days of age, and analyses of carcass composition, biometrics and histomorphometry of the testis and epididymis were conducted. Bulls were grouped into two subpopulations based on divergence of RFI, and within each RFI model either by including 50% of the population (Halves, high and low RFI, n=17) or 20.6% extremes of the population (Tails, high and low RFI, n=7). The means of productive performance and fertility-related measures were compared through these categories. Pearson’s correlation was calculated among fertility-related measures. In the Halves subpopulation of the RFI_us, sperm of low-RFI bulls had decreased progressive motility (47.30% v. 59.90%) and higher abundance of tail abnormalities (4.30% v. 1.80%) than that of high-RFI bulls. In the Tails subpopulation of the RFI_Koch, low RFI displayed less variation in the scrotum surface temperature (0.62°C v. 1.16°C), decreased testis echogenicity (175.50 v 198.00 pixels) and larger (60.90 v. 56.80 mm²) but less-developed seminiferous tubules than high-RFI bulls. The evaluation of fertility-related parameters indicated that a higher percentage of immature seminiferous tubules was correlated with occurrence of sperm with distal droplets (r=0.59), a larger temperature variation at the top of the scrotum was correlated with improved sperm progressive motility (r=0.38), a lower occurrence of sperm loose head abnormalities was correlated with larger temperature variation at the lower part of the scrotum (r=−0.43), and a lower minimum testis echogenicity (r=−0.59) and smaller scrotal circumference (r=0.72) were correlated with age. The adjustment for body composition (RFI determination) enabled distinct biological inferences about reproduction and feed efficiency when compared with the non-adjusted model. However, both RFI models and the correlation analysis supported the hypothesis that feed-efficient bulls have features of delayed sexual maturity. Overall, the assessment of fertility-related measurements is important to avoid the improvement of feed efficiency at the expense of reproductive function in young bulls.     

磁共振体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像在肺癌所致肺不张影像诊断中的初步应用

目的:探讨磁共振体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像(intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted MR Imaging,IVIM-DWI)在肺癌所致肺不张的影像诊断中的初步应用。方法:选取独立肺段肺不张病变患者43例,其中肺癌致肺不张31例(肺癌组),局部炎症致肺不张12例(炎症组)。所有患者在药物治疗或手术前均行3.0T磁共振IVIM-DWI检查,b值取0、50、100、200、400、600、800、1000 s/mm~2,分别测量灌注分数(perfusion fraction,f)、真实扩散系数(diffusion coefficient,D)以及关注相关扩散系数(diffusion coefficient from the perfused compartment,D*),对上述参数值进行相关统计学分析,并依据受试者工作特征曲线(Receiver Operating Characteristic,ROC)对各参数的评价效能进行分析。结果:肺癌组的D值、D*值以及f值分别为(0.64±0.16)×10~(-3)mm~2/s、(19.77±6.16)×10~(-3)mm~2/s以及(29.62±9.74)%,而炎症组的D值、D*值以及f值分别为(0.67±0.14)×10~(-3) mm~2/s、(21.14±8.32)×10~(-3)mm~2/s以及(47.62±11.46)%;经比较,肺癌组D值、D*值与炎症组无统计学差异(P0.05),而二者f值差异显著,有统计学意义(P0.01)。f值最佳阈值为38.42%,此时曲线下面积(Area Under Curve,AUC)为0.94,诊断肺癌的特异度为0.89,敏感度为0.93,阳性预测值为0.92,阴性预测值为0.89。结论:磁共振IVIM-DWI技术在肺癌所致肺不张的影像诊断中具有一定的应用价值。     

肾静态显像诊断上尿路感染的临床研究

目的:探究肾静态显像(99m Tc-DMSA)在上尿路感染诊断工作中的应用意义。方法:选取2012年7月至2015年2月我院收治的60例上尿路感染患儿为研究对象,均行肾静态显像检查,并与B超检查结果进行对比分析。结果:肾静态显像提示:60例上尿路感染患儿中,肾脏损害占90.00%,其中8例肾疤痕形成,46例急性肾盂肾炎改变,6例正常;在肾脏病变范围上,≤2岁年龄组患儿较2岁年龄组患儿更为广泛,且前者程度更为严重。B超提示肾脏损害占26.67%,其中18例尿路感染反复发作;16例(26.67%)伴有急性肾盂肾炎改变,未检出肾疤痕。B超诊断上尿路感染的阳性率达26.67%,肾静态显像检查诊断上尿路感染的阳性率为90.00%,两者比较差异有显著性(P0.05)。结论:99mTc-DMSA在上尿路感染诊断工作中具有重要的应用意义,可明确病变性质、程度及范围,并可随访病变转归,指导临床治疗,属于上尿路感染的实验室补充性指标,值得临床积极推广。     

螺旋CT扫描及三维重建技术在股骨颈骨折分型及治疗中的应用

目的:探讨螺旋CT扫描及三维重建技术在股骨颈骨折分型及治疗中的应用价值。方法:选择2010年5月~2013年5月期间我院收治的股骨颈骨折患者237例为研究对象,根据患者扫描检查方式的不同将其分为对照组(112例)和观察组(125例),对照组患者行髋关节X线正位扫描,观察组行髋关节正位64排螺旋CT扫描,两组均根据扫描结果进行分型并制定相应的治疗方案,比较两组患者骨折内固定手术后2年的股骨头坏死率及骨折不愈合率。结果:两组行骨折内固定手术比例比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后2年,对照组股骨头坏死5例(22.73%),骨不连6例(27.27%);观察组股骨头坏死1例(3.70%),骨不连1例(3.70%),观察组患者股骨头坏死率及骨折不愈合率均显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:螺旋CT扫描及三维重建成像能够全面、准确显示股骨颈骨折的损伤情况,有助于骨折的正确分型和治疗方法的选择,改善预后。     

Transmission in near‐infrared optical windows for deep brain imaging

Near‐infrared (NIR) radiation has been employed using one‐ and two‐photon excitation of fluorescence imaging at wavelengths 650–950 nm (optical window I) for deep brain imaging; however, longer wavelengths in NIR have been overlooked due to a lack of suitable NIR‐low band gap semiconductor imaging detectors and/or femtosecond laser sources. This research introduces three new optical windows in NIR and demonstrates their potential for deep brain tissue imaging. The transmittances are measured in rat brain tissue in the second (II, 1,100–1,350 nm), third (III, 1,600–1,870 nm), and fourth (IV, centered at 2,200 nm) NIR optical tissue windows. The relationship between transmission and tissue thickness is measured and compared with the theory. Due to a reduction in scattering and minimal absorption, window III is shown to be the best for deep brain imaging, and windows II and IV show similar but better potential for deep imaging than window I.

     

Volumetric hand‐held optoacoustic angiography as a tool for real‐time screening of dense breast

Existing mammographic screening solutions are generally associated with several major drawbacks, such as exposure to ionizing radiation or insufficient sensitivity in younger populations with radiographically‐dense breast. Even when combined with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, X‐Ray mammography may still attain unspecific or false positive results. Thus, development of new breast imaging tools represents a timely medical challenge. We report on a new approach to high‐resolution functional and anatomical breast angiography using volumetric hand‐held optoacoustic tomography, which employs light intensities safe for human use. Experiments in young healthy volunteers with fibroglandular‐dominated dense breasts revealed the feasibility of rendering three‐dimensional images representing vascular anatomy and functional blood oxygenation parameters at video rate. Sufficient contrast was achieved at depths beyond 2 cm within dense breasts without compromising the real‐time imaging performance. The suggested solution may thus find applicability as a standalone or supplemental screening tool for early detection and follow‐up of carcinomas in radiographically‐dense breasts.

Volumetric handheld optoacoustic tomography scanner uses safe pulses of near‐infrared light to render three‐dimensional images of deep vascular anatomy, blood oxygenation and breast parenchyma at video rate.     

The influence of right ventricular stimulation on acute response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy

Background

The contribution of right ventricular (RV) stimulation to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) remains controversial. RV stimulation might be associated with adverse haemodynamic effects, dependent on intrinsic right bundle branch conduction, presence of scar, RV function and other factors which may partly explain non-response to CRT. This study investigates to what degree RV stimulation modulates response to biventricular (BiV) stimulation in CRT candidates and which baseline factors, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, determine this modulation.

Methods and results

Forty-one patients (24 (59 %) males, 67 ± 10 years, QRS 153 ± 22 ms, 21 (51 %) ischaemic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 25 ± 7 %), who successfully underwent temporary stimulation with pacing leads in the RV apex (RV_apex) and left ventricular posterolateral (PL) wall were included. Stroke work, assessed by a conductance catheter, was used to assess acute haemodynamic response during baseline conditions and RV_apex, PL (LV) and PL+RV_apex (BiV) stimulation.Compared with baseline, stroke work improved similarly during LV and BiV stimulation (∆+ 51 ± 42 % and ∆+ 48 ± 47 %, both p < 0.001), but individual response showed substantial differences between LV and BiV stimulation. Multivariate analysis revealed that RV ejection fraction (β = 1.01, p = 0.02) was an independent predictor for stroke work response during LV stimulation, but not for BiV stimulation. Other parameters, including atrioventricular delay and scar presence and localisation, did not predict stroke work response in CRT.

Conclusion

The haemodynamic effect of addition of RV_apex stimulation to LV stimulation differs widely among patients receiving CRT. Poor RV function is associated with poor response to LV but not BiV stimulation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12471-015-0770-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure,Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography

The use of Micro-Computed Tomography (MicroCT) for in vivo studies of small animals as models of human disease has risen tremendously due to the fact that MicroCT provides quantitative high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) anatomical data non-destructively and longitudinally. Most importantly, with the development of a novel preclinical iodinated contrast agent called eXIA160, functional and metabolic assessment of the heart became possible. However, prior to the advent of commercial MicroCT scanners equipped with X-ray flat-panel detector technology and easy-to-use cardio-respiratory gating, preclinical studies of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in small animals required a MicroCT technologist with advanced skills, and thus were impractical for widespread implementation. The goal of this work is to provide a practical guide to the use of the high-speed Quantum FX MicroCT system for comprehensive determination of myocardial global and regional function along with assessment of myocardial perfusion, metabolism and viability in healthy mice and in a cardiac ischemia mouse model induced by permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD).     

Imaging Membrane Potential with Two Types of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Voltage Sensors

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have improved to the point where they are beginning to be useful for in vivo recordings. While the ultimate goal is to image neuronal activity in vivo, one must be able to image activity of a single cell to ensure successful in vivo preparations. This procedure will describe how to image membrane potential in a single cell to provide a foundation to eventually image in vivo. Here we describe methods for imaging GEVIs consisting of a voltage-sensing domain fused to either a single fluorescent protein (FP) or two fluorescent proteins capable of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in vitro. Using an image splitter enables the projection of images created by two different wavelengths onto the same charge-coupled device (CCD) camera simultaneously. The image splitter positions a second filter cube in the light path. This second filter cube consists of a dichroic and two emission filters to separate the donor and acceptor fluorescent wavelengths depending on the FPs of the GEVI. This setup enables the simultaneous recording of both the acceptor and donor fluorescent partners while the membrane potential is manipulated via whole cell patch clamp configuration. When using a GEVI consisting of a single FP, the second filter cube can be removed allowing the mirrors in the image splitter to project a single image onto the CCD camera.