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Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease that can be prevented by vaccination. In the last decade, we have encountered repeated outbreaks of mumps in highly vaccinated populations, which call into question the effectiveness of available vaccines. Animal models are crucial for understanding virus-host interactions, and viruses such as mumps virus (MuV), whose only natural host is the human, pose a particular challenge. In our study, we examined the interaction between MuV and the guinea pig. Our results present the first evidence that guinea pigs of the Hartley strain can be infected in vivo after intranasal and intratesticular inoculation. We observed a significant viral replication in infected tissues up to 5 days following infection and induction of cellular and humoral immune responses as well as histopathological changes in infected lungs and testicles, without clinical signs of disease. Transmission of the infection through direct contact between animals was not possible. Our results demonstrate that guinea pigs and guinea pig primary cell cultures represent a promising model for immunological and pathogenetic studies of the complex MuV infection.

10 Pag., Guinea pig in vitro fertilization (IVF) are poorly developed due to the limited accessibility to oocytes and the lack of an efficient method of sperm capacitation. Thus, we aimed to evaluate different capacitation protocols that we validated through sperm analysis and using heterologous (He) IVF with zona-intact bovine oocytes. Spermatozoa of guinea pigs were collected and processed separately by 4 different protocols: A) Spermatozoa were obtained by flushing the lumen of one cauda epididymis and incubated in a minimal culture medium (MCM); B) One epididymis was placed in a prewarmed of M2 medium and gently minced with fine scissors. Spermatozoa were incubated in a modified human tubal fluid medium (HTF). In both protocols, the spermatozoa were capacitated at 37 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. In the protocols C and D, the spermatozoa were collected by flushing the lumen of the cauda epididymis and selected by commercial density gradient Bovipure® (Nidacon Laboratories AB, Göthenborg, Sweden), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then for Protocol C) spermatozoa were incubated in MCM medium supplemented with 10 mg/mL heparin (MCM-Hep); while for Protocol D) spermatozoa were incubated in FERT medium supplemented 10 mg/mL heparin (FERT-Hep). Incubation of C and D protocols were performed at 38.5 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. Capacitation protocols C and D showed a higher percentage of viability, total and hyperactive-like motility, and acrosome reaction compared to protocols A and B. For this reason, protocols C and D were used for further He-IVF analysis. Guinea pig sperm and matured zona-intact bovine oocytes were co-incubated at 5% CO2 and 38.5 °C. Sperm-oocyte interaction was assessed at 2.5 h post-insemination (hpi) and pronuclear formation (PrF) were evaluated at 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 hpi, while the cleavage rate was evaluated at 48 hpi. In protocol D, PrF was significantly higher than in protocol C (P ≤ 0.05) at every time point evaluated. Also, the cleavage rate at 48 hpi was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in He-IVF protocol D (69.8 ± 1.7%) compared to He-IVF protocol C (49.1 ± 1.1%). In conclusion, we determined the most adequate sperm capacitation conditions for guinea pig that allow zona-intact bovine oocyte penetration and lead to hybrid embryo formation, suggesting that these conditions could be optimal to develop IVF in guinea pigs., This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-111641RB-I00 to DR, and RTI2018-093548-B I00 to AGA); YN Cajas-Suarez was supported by a predoctoral fellowship from the Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENESCYT-Ecuador). Special thanks are extended to the: slaughterhouses (Transformacion Ganadera de Leganes SA; Matadero de Madrid Norte, San Agustín de Guadalix; and Carnica Colmenar SC, in Madrid, Spain) for provided access for us to collect the biological material (ovaries bovine) used in the present study.

Numerous studies are based on the use of animal models; however, in bipedal and tetrapedal organisms there are significant differences in the biomechanics of the spinal column, which can significantly impair the quality and applicability of the results obtained. The aim of this study is to obtain basic data on the morphometric parameters of guinea pig lumbar vertebrae, the analysis of which will indicate the location of the biggest mechanical load. The lumbar vertebra morphometry test was performed by means of X-ray imageing obtained from 12 guinea pigs, with equal numbers of males and females. The results of investigations show that guinea pig lumbar vertebrae have an irregular trapezoid geometry and that the measured body lengths of L4 and L5 are the largest. The height parameters determined in the medial level showed that L4 had the most concave body. Moreover, L4 had the greatest depth of the spinal canal at the same measurement level. Consequently, in guinea pigs, the greatest load is in the L4 region, unlike in humans, where, due to the axial load of the spinal column, the highest pressure is exerted on the last lumbar vertebrae.

Background Germinal vesicle (GV) chromatin configurations of oocytes are proposed to be related to oocyte competence and may reflect the quality of oocyte. Currently, a limited number of published studies investigated the GV chromatin configurations of guinea pig oocytes. Objective In this study on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of guinea pig oocytes, we examined the changes in their GV chromatin configurations during meiotic progression. Methods Based on the degree of chromatin compaction, the GV chromatin configurations of guinea pig oocytes could be divided into three categories depending on whether the nucleolus‐like body (NLB) was surrounded or partly surrounded by compacted chromatin, namely the uncondensed (NSN), the intermediate type (SN‐1) and the compacted type (SN‐2). Results The percentage of cells displaying the SN‐2 configuration increased with the growth of guinea pig oocytes, suggesting that this configuration presents the potential for maturation in oocytes. Oocytes derived from larger follicle exhibited increased meiotic potential. Serum starvation affected the GV chromatin configurations of guinea pig oocytes. Conclusions Collectively, these results suggest that the SN‐2 type might be a more mature form of configuration in guinea pig oocyte, whose proportion was associated with the follicle size and susceptible to the environment (e.g. serum concentration)., According to the degree of chromatin compaction and the visibility of nucleoli and nuclear membranes, the GV chromatin configurations of guinea pig oocytes were divided into three types, the uncondensed type (NSN‐type), the intermediate type (SN‐1‐type), and the compacted type (SN‐2‐type). The NSN‐types exhibited chromatin that did not surround the nucleolus and was instead dispersed throughout the nucleoplasmic region. The SN‐1‐type oocytes showed that a part of chromatin was condensed around the nucleolus, and some chromatin dispersed in the nucleoplasm. The SN‐2‐type oocytes showed that almost all chromatin was condensed around the nucleolus.

The current work aimed to study the anatomical features of the guinea pig's head by two medical imaging techniques: computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and their correlation with the anatomical cross-sectional images. Six adult healthy guinea pigs were used in the present study. Two heads were imaged by CT scanner and then by MRI. The examined heads were cut sagittally and transversely, and two skulls were macerated. The anatomical features were identified on the anatomical sections and compared with the tomographic and MRI images obtained. Data were presented as three-dimensional reconstructed images of the head. In addition, representative combinations of the sagittal and transverse anatomical sections and the corresponding CT scans and MRI images were also presented. Reconstruction of CT images enabled the visualization of different bony structures and airways of the guinea pig head. In addition, skull bones were easily visualized on CT scans, while different parts of the brain were identified on MRI images. Air cavities could be identified by their different contrast on the CT scans and their low intensity on MRI images. The study showed that guinea pig had poorly developed paranasal sinus system represented by rostral and caudal maxillary sinuses. On the contrary, the guinea pig had two tympanic bullae: a small dorsal and a large ventral bulla. In conclusion, this study provides one of the first investigations that uses the multislice CT scans and MRI to study the guinea pig's head and their correlation with the corresponding anatomical sections.

Yuyu Huang,1,2,&ast; Haoran Yu,3,&ast; Min Liang,1,2 Shule Hou,1,2 Junmin Chen,1,2 Fan Zhang,1,2 Xiayu Sun,1,2 Huan Jia,2,4,5 Jun Yang1,2,5 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People’s Republic of China; 2Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases (14DZ2260300), Shanghai, 200125, People’s Republic of China; 3ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of China; 5Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun YangENT Ward of Xinhua Hospital, Floor 18, Building 8, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13764981808Email yangjun@xinhuamed.com.cnHuan JiaENT Ward of Ninth People’s Hospital, Floor 2, Building 1, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13601797481Email huan_jia_orl@163.comObjective: To investigate the hearing protection outcomes of different drug-eluting analog electrode arrays implanted into guinea pig cochleae.Methods: Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a negative control group and five experimental groups implanted separately with blank (drug carrier), dexamethasone (DXM), aracytine (Ara-C), Ara-C+DXM, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) eluting analog electrode arrays. Micro CT was used to supervise the surgical procedure. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds of the guinea pigs were measured and analyzed.Results and Conclusions: Compared with the negative control, all other groups showed a significant increase in ABR threshold (p< 0.001) after surgery. Among them, there was no obvious difference between the blank (0 vs 90 days: 59.70± 10.57 vs 64.60± 9.47 dB SPL) and the NAD+ group (0 vs 90 days: 59.90± 9.87 vs 64.70± 8.65 dB SPL). On the other hand, the ABR thresholds in the DXM (0 days: 58.10± 10.73 dB SPL; 90 days: 51.70± 9.07 dB SPL) and the Ara-C group (0 days: 59.00± 10.05 dB SPL; 90 days: 51.60± 8.48 dB SPL) decreased significantly compared with the former two groups (p< 0.001). However, the Ara-C+DXM group showed no further benefit (p> 0.05). In addition, a significantly higher survival rate of spiral ganglion neurons in cochleae was observed in the Ara-C and/or DXM groups.Keywords: guinea pig, cochlear implant, drug-eluting electrode, hearing protection

Mammary carcinomas are common malignant tumors encompassing the main diagnostic mammary gland tumor cause in female dogs and cats. Few reports in wild animals are, however, available. In this context, this study aimed to characterize the clinical and histological aspects of a mammary tubular carcinoma case in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). A four-year-old non-spayed female guinea pig was seen at a veterinary clinic in the municipality of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Upon clinical examination, the animal was active, with a normal body condition, weighing 660 grams, hydrated, and presenting normal-colored mucous membranes. Increased left breast volume was observed, about 3.5 cm in diameter, non-adherent and with an ulcerated surface located medially to the mammary papilla, about 1.8 cm in diameter. The observed clinical findings indicated a presumptive neoplastic lesion diagnosis. A unilateral mastectomy was performed (left breast) and breast tissue fragments were histologically evaluated, confirming the tubular mammary carcinoma diagnosis. The surgical procedure and post-surgical treatment recommended in this report were proven efficient. Knowledge of diseases that affect non-conventional pets, such as the tubular mammary carcinoma reported herein, is paramount in improving the quality of life of these animals.

The histology and histochemistry of the testis of guinea pig of various postnatal age groups was conducted. A total of 24 guinea pigs of four different postnatal ages with six male animals each were collected from the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai as per the Ethical committee approval. After collection, animals were euthanized as per CPCSEA norms and testis was dissected out and was cut into small pieces, fixed and processed for paraffin embedding. Sections of 4–5 µm thickness were cut and used for the routine and special histological and histochemical staining techniques. Testes wereencapsulated by tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea. Septa from the capsule divided the testicular parenchyma into lobules. Each lobule consisted of seminiferous tubules which consisted of spermatogenic cells in stratified layers and sertoli cells. Pre-weaning and weaning group of guinea pigs seminiferous tubules showed wide lumen with only type 1 and type 2 spermatogonia and sertoli cells. Young and adult animals seminiferous tubules showed narrow lumen with type 1 and type 2 spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes in various stages of differentiation, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids (early and late) and sertoli cells. Sertoli cells were large oval shaped cells with lightly stained irregular shaped nucleus. Interstitial tissue contained leydig cells in all ages.Leydig cells appeared as varied in shape. In all the age groups studied, PAS activity was noticed in the capsule and basement membrane. The micrometrical parameters increased as age advanced in both right and left testis.

Acupuncture is being increasingly used in veterinary medicine in the management of wound healing and chronic pain. In this case study, a guinea pig responded to chronic back pain caused by fractures to multiple thoracic vertebral spinous processes and subsequent vertebral luxation, with severe compulsive self-injurious behaviour. This resulted in a large, full thickness skin wound. Wound healing was managed with a combination of support dressings, multi-model analgesia and manual acupuncture. The underlying back pain was initially managed with manual acupuncture and multimodal analgesia, then subsequently successfully managed long term with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and electroacupuncture.

Cardiac problems are highly fetal diseases among exotic animals, not only in the rabbit which is prone to such diseases but also in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). In rodents, imaging studies such as thoracic radiography are more practical and easier to perform than echocardiography. Cardiac size is primarily evaluated using vertebral heart size (VHS) as reported in ferrets and rabbits. We therefore attempted to determine standard cardiac dimensions in the guinea pig by thoracic radiography using VHS. The purpose of this research was getting an indicator of the normal range of male and female, mature and apparently healthy guinea pigs heart. Standard radiographs of the thorax in lateral and ventro-dorsal (VD) views were taken and interpreted. In our study to determine VHS in VD view conventional method was used. In addition to conventional VHS method, two other measurement methods were performed in lateral view. Statistical analyses were performed with a SPSS Software and Mann-Whitney U test to compare results. Mean and standard deviation were also calculated. According to the results, the total average of VHS in lateral view by the first method was 7.80 ± 0.12, by the second method was 7.80 ± 0.16, by the third method was 7.60 ± 0.15 and the total of average of VHS in VD view was 9.20 ± 0.23. According to present research findings, gender had no meaningful effect on the measuring of the heart size. More researches on the same age and the same species guinea pigs are needed for more accurate evaluation.

Yuyu Huang,1,2,&ast; Haoran Yu,3,&ast; Min Liang,1,2 Shule Hou,1,2 Junmin Chen,1,2 Fan Zhang,1,2 Xiayu Sun,1,2 Huan Jia,2,4,5 Jun Yang1,2,5 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People’s Republic of China; 2Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases (14DZ2260300), Shanghai, 200125, People’s Republic of China; 3ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of China; 5Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun YangENT Ward of Xinhua Hospital, Floor 18, Building 8, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200092, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13764981808Email yangjun@xinhuamed.com.cnHuan JiaENT Ward of Ninth People’s Hospital, Floor 2, Building 1, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13601797481Email huan_jia_orl@163.comObjective: To investigate the hearing protection outcomes of different drug-eluting analog electrode arrays implanted into guinea pig cochleae.Methods: Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a negative control group and five experimental groups implanted separately with blank (drug carrier), dexamethasone (DXM), aracytine (Ara-C), Ara-C+DXM, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) eluting analog electrode arrays. Micro CT was used to supervise the surgical procedure. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds of the guinea pigs were measured and analyzed.Results and Conclusions: Compared with the negative control, all other groups showed a significant increase in ABR threshold (p< 0.001) after surgery. Among them, there was no obvious difference between the blank (0 vs 90 days: 59.70± 10.57 vs 64.60± 9.47 dB SPL) and the NAD+ group (0 vs 90 days: 59.90± 9.87 vs 64.70± 8.65 dB SPL). On the other hand, the ABR thresholds in the DXM (0 days: 58.10± 10.73 dB SPL; 90 days: 51.70± 9.07 dB SPL) and the Ara-C group (0 days: 59.00± 10.05 dB SPL; 90 days: 51.60± 8.48 dB SPL) decreased significantly compared with the former two groups (p< 0.001). However, the Ara-C+DXM group showed no further benefit (p> 0.05). In addition, a significantly higher survival rate of spiral ganglion neurons in cochleae was observed in the Ara-C and/or DXM groups.Keywords: guinea pig, cochlear implant, drug-eluting electrode, hearing protection

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Congenital infection in humans and animals may lead to severe symptoms in the offspring, especially in the brain. A suitable animal model for human congenital toxoplasmosis is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to establish and validate the guinea pig as a model for human congenital toxoplasmosis by investigating the impact of the T. gondii infection dose, the duration of infection and the gestational stage at infection on the seroconversion, survival rate of dams, fate of the offspring, T. gondii DNA loads in various offspring tissues and organs and the integrity of the offspring brain. Methods Pregnant guinea pigs were infected with three different doses (10, 100, 500 oocysts) of T. gondii strain ME49 at three different time points during gestation (15, 30, 48 days post-conception). Serum of dams was tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using immunoblotting. T. gondii DNA levels in the dam and offspring were determined by qPCR. Offspring brains were examined histologically. Results We found the survival rate of dams and fate of the offspring to be highly dependent on the T. gondii infection dose with an inoculation of 500 oocysts ending lethally for all respective offspring. Moreover, both parameters differ depending on the gestational stage at infection with infection in the first and third trimester of gestation resulting in a high offspring mortality rate. The duration of infection was found to substantially impact the seroconversion rate of dams with the probability of seroconversion exceeding 50% after day 20 post-infection. Furthermore, the infection duration of dams influenced the T. gondii DNA loads in the offspring and the integrity of offspring brain. Highest DNA levels were found in the offspring brain of dams infected for ≥ 34 days. Conclusion This study contributes to establishing the guinea pig as a suitable model for human congenital toxoplasmosis and thus lays the foundation for using the guinea pig as a suitable animal model to study scientific questions of high topicality and clinical significance, which address the pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Graphical abstract

Objectives: Cleistanthins A and B are the active compounds isolated from Cleistanthus collinus leaves. The hypotensive activity of both cleistanthins A and B and the leaf extract has been previously demonstrated, but the exact mechanism of action is not clear. So, this study was designed to test the vasorelaxant property of cleistanthins A and B and delineate its mechanism of action. Methods: Variable force transducers were used to record the force of contraction from the aortic rings of 24 male guinea pigs. The effect of cleistanthin A, cleistanthin B, prazosin and vehicle on the phenylephrine-induced contractions and potassium chloride-induced contractions was demonstrated and compared. Results: Cleistanthin B inhibited the phenylephrine-induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner and demonstrated potency (pIC50 = 6.8 ± 1.06) comparable to prazosin (pIC50 = 5.7 ± 0.7). Cleistanthin A potency could not be calculated. Both cleistanthin A (4 μg) and cleistanthin B (40 μg) caused a reduction of the maximal response of phenylephrine demonstrating irreversible blockade. They did not affect the potassium chloride-induced contractions. This illustrates that cleistanthins A and B are noncompetitive α1 adrenergic blockers and the potency of cleistanthin B is comparable to prazosin. Conclusion: Both cleistanthins A and B have vasodilatory action on guinea pig aorta. The action is through non-competitive α1 adrenergic receptor inhibition and calcium channel blockade does not contribute to the inhibition. Key words: α1 adrenergic antagonist, Cleistanthin A, Cleistanthin B, Cleistanthus collinus, Guinea pig, Isolated aortic rings.

Purpose：The effect of 5-HT2B receptor-selective agonist BW723C86 was investigated on the outflow of 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT）from isolated muscle layer-free mucosal preparations of guinea-pig colon.Methods：The mucosal preparations were incubated in vitro and the outflow of 5-HT from these preparations was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.Results：BW723C86（1-10 μM）produced a sustained increase in the outflow of 5-HT from the mucosal preparations. The BW723C86-evoked 5-HT outflow was inhibited by the two different 5-HT2B receptor antagonists, olanzapine（100 nM）and RS127445（100 nM）. The neuropeptide Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304（300 nM）markedly inhibited the BW723C86-evoked 5-HT outflow.Conclusion：We found that 5-HT2B receptor-triggered 5-HT release from guinea-pig colonic mucosa is mediated by the activation of 5-HT2B receptors located at endocrine cells and that the 5-HT2B receptortriggered 5-HT release is mediated by endogenously released peptide YY, acting via Y1 receptors. Given that both 5-HT and peptide YY are well-known mediators of nausea and vomiting, the 5-HT2B receptors located at endocrine cells may play a role in the generation of nausea and vomiting.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome of hypermetabolism involving the skeletal muscle. It is triggered in susceptible individuals primarily by volatile inhalational anesthetic agents and the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. MH affects humans, certain pig breeds, dogs, horses, and probably other animals. The classic signs of MH include A dramatic rise in body temperature, rigid or painful muscles, especially in the jaw, flushed skin, sweating, an abnormally rapid or irregular heartbeat, rapid breathing or uncomfortable breathing, brown or cola-colored urine, very low blood pressure (shock), confusion and muscle weakness or swelling after the event. The syndrome is likely to be fatal if untreated. This study therefore assessed the effects of sevoflurane gas on the vital signs of Cavia porcellus with malignant hyperthermia. For the determination of malignant hyperthermia, 50, 15 day-old weaned kits of Peru breed were placed in an anesthesia chamber for 5 minutes and subjected to a mixture of air with 3% sevoflurane gas. Only 6% of them reacted positively, while most of them, 94%, were negative. The average body temperature of the positive kits was 38.9ºC, oscillating between 38.7 and 39.1 ° C, while the negative ones averaged 37.9 ° C. The positive kits had an average of 142.3 breaths per minute compared to the negative ones, which was determined to be 83.7. The number of heart beats per minute in the kits with a positive reaction to sevoflurane averaged 205 and the negative ones 119.5. Muscle tremors were observed throughout the body during exposure of the positive kits to sevoflurane gas. It is concluded that for every 16 guinea pigs, 1 will react to the sevoflurane gas exposure positive due to the result obtained from the vital sign. Only the positive ones presented muscle tremors. L'hyperthermie maligne (HM) est un syndrome clinique d'hypermétabolisme mettant en jeu le pronostic vital impliquant le muscle squelettique. Elle est déclenchée chez les individus sensibles principalement par des agents anesthésiques volatils par inhalation et le relaxant musculaire succinylcholine. MH affecte les humains, certaines races de porcs, les chiens, les chevaux et probablement d'autres animaux. Les signes classiques de MH comprennent une augmentation spectaculaire de la température corporelle, des muscles rigides ou douloureux, en particulier dans la mâchoire, une peau rougeoyante, une transpiration, un rythme cardiaque anormalement rapide ou irrégulier, une respiration rapide ou une respiration inconfortable, une urine brune ou de couleur cola, très faible tension artérielle (choc), confusion et faiblesse ou gonflement musculaire après l'événement. Le syndrome estsusceptible d'être fatal s'il n'est pas traité. Cette étude a donc évalué les effets du gaz sévoflurane sur les signes vitaux de Cavia porcellus avec hyperthermie maligne. Pour la détermination de l'hyperthermie maligne, 50 chatons sevrés de 15 jours de race Pérou ont été placés dans une chambre d'anesthésie pendant 5 minutes et soumis à un mélange d'air avec 3% de sévoflurane. Seuls 6 % d'entre eux ont réagi positivement, alors que la plupart d'entre eux, 94 %, ont été négatifs. La température corporelle moyenne des kits positifs était de 38,9 ° C, oscillant entre 38,7 et 39,1 ° C, tandis que les kits négatifs étaient en moyenne de 37,9 ° C. Les kits positifs avaient une moyenne de 142,3 respirations par minute par rapport aux négatifs, ce qui a été déterminé à être 83,7. Le nombre de battements cardiaques par minute dans les kits avec une réaction positive au sévoflurane était en moyenne de 205 et ceux négatifs de 119,5. Des tremblements musculaires ont été observés dans tout le corps pendant l'exposition des kits positifs au sévoflurane. Il est conclu que pour 16 cobayes, 1 réagira positivement à l'exposition au gaz sévoflurane en raison du résultat obtenu à partir du signe vital. Seuls les positifs présentaient des tremblements musculaires.

Despite numerous studies on the enteric nervous system (ENS), we lack fundamental knowledge on neuronal densities or total neuron numbers in different species. There are more anecdotal than actual figures on nerve counts.We used standardized preparation techniques and immunohistochemistry with validated panneuronal markers (human or mouse anti-HuD/C) to determine neuronal densities in specimen from the entire gastrointestinal tract of mice, guinea pig, and humans. In parallel, we measured the dimensions of the gastrointestinal regions in mouse and guinea pig. For humans, we had to rely on literature data.The average neuronal densities along the gastrointestinal tract were 35,011 ± 25,017 1/cmThis study reports the first comprehensive nerve cell count in mice, guinea pig, and human ENS. Neuronal densities were comparable between the three species and the differences in the total numbers of enteric neurons are likely due to body size and intestinal length. The number of enteric neurons is comparable to the number of neurons in the spinal cord for all three species.

Fungal dermatitis is classified into superficial, cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses. However, the incidence of fungal dermatitis in small mammals is relatively low. Among rodents guinea pig the most affected specie, however it usually has an asymptomatic pattern. The present text reports an unusual case of fungal dermatitis in Caviaporcelluscaused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. The animal was received with complaint of alteration of coat around the neck, as well as report of incorrect feeding management. During the physical examination the presence of a dry and crusty dermatitis, negative on fluorescence test of wood. Samples of blood, skin, scabs and hair were collected for parasitic and mycological analysis. The hematological evaluation showed only a discrete eosinophilia; no ectoparasites were observed, but it was noticed the presence of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. The animal underwent terbinafine and griseofulvin protocol, with total regression of the lesions after 30 days. S. brevicaulis is an unusual geophilic fungus causing animal mycosis, presenting more pathological reports in human mycoses, thus, representing a zoonotic potential. According to the clinical findings and results obtained from mycology assay, it was diagnosed dermatitis by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, secondary to nutritional deficiency. The combined use of topical terbinafine with systemic griseofulvin was efficient in the treatment. Finally, it was recommended a dietary correction.

The immunopotentiating properties of BCG vaccine strain antigen conjugated with betulin derivatives have been evaluated. The experiments were carried out on agouti guinea pigs (n = 20). The animals of the experimental groups (n = 5) were immunized with the following antituberculosis drugs: group 1, with antigens of the BCG vaccine strain conjugated with betulinic acid; group 2, with BCG antigens conjugated with betulonic acid; and group 3, with the BCG vaccine. The animals of the control group (n = 5) were injected with a saline solution. All the animals were infected with a virulent culture of Mycobacterium bovis (strain 8) on day 30 after the administration of antituberculosis drugs. The blood sampling for the assessment of the immune status was conducted on day 30 after the administration of drugs and day 30 after the infection with M. bovis. The designed conjugates were found to display immunopotentiating activity characterized by a 1.7–3.8-fold increase in the number of immunocompetent cells and an increase in the neutrophil functional activity observed to a greater degree in the guinea pig group 2. After infection with M. bovis some key parameters of the immune system, such as a T-lymphocyte count and the activity of enzymatic (myeloperoxidase) and nonenzymatic (cationic proteins) bactericidal systems of neutrophilic granulocytes significantly increased in groups 2 and 3, which implied the highest antituberculosis activity of the agents administered to these animals. The guinea pigs were euthanized 45 days after the infection with M. bovis. The next pathoanatomical experiments proved that the vaccine strain conjugates with betulonic acid and the BCG vaccine induced marked resistance against the pathogenic mycobacteria. The protection indexes for these agents were approximately the same and achieved 66 and 71%, respectively.

While deep hypothermia is well known to lead to cardiac malfunction up to circulatory arrest, mild hypothermia can prevent hypoxic damage to the heart. Importantly, a large body of research on deep hypothermia was carried out on rats and mice whose myocardium is significantly different from the human. In the present work, we investigated the effect of deep hypothermia on rhythmoinotropic phenomena in the guinea pig (GP) whose myocardium is more alike the human. The force––frequency relationship (FFR), effect of post-rest potentiation, and frequency-dependent acceleration of relaxation (FDAR) were studied in GP right ventricular papillary muscles (PM) within a range of 0.1–3.0 Hz at temperatures of 30, 20 and 10°C. It was shown that a positive FFR, mediated mainly by the inward Ca2+ current through the L-type Ca2+ channel, persists when cooling to 10°C, suggesting that this mechanism retains its activity even under deep hypothermia. The effect of post-rest potentiation persists down to 20°C, while further cooling replaces potentiation by depression. This may indicate that at 10°C, the functioning of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is impaired, as manifested in the rest-induced inversion of the post-rest potentiation effect. The effect of frequency-dependent acceleration of the kinetics of muscular contraction also persists down to 20°C, supporting the suggestion that this effect in the GP myocardium relies on the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus, we found that among the studied frequency-dependent effects, there are those affected by deep hypothermia (post-rest potentiation effect, FDAR) and those resistant to this exposure (FFR), which may reflect the differences in thermal sensitivity of the underlying mechanisms of Ca2 + transport.

The tongue is one of the important organs of vertebrates, as it plays an important role in the process of food intake, absorption and swallowing, It varies the morphological according to the organism, the habitat, and the nature of the food for it. The aim of the study is to reveal the histologist structure of the tongue of the guinea pig(Cavia porcellus), where we took three samples of adult males, and crosses the tongue similar to rodents, except for some differences in terms of the epithelial layers, mucosa, the muscular layer, the number of tongue layers and the spread of papillae on the tongue, which is, differences due to adaptation to the habitat and their diet.

This paper reports on the emotional experiences of first year students as they prepared to start their higher education online because of Covid-19 public health precautions. Emotion research holds important insights for the development of pedagogical and institutional strategies to support students adapt to the increased focus on online learning both now and into the future. Students’ responses to a survey embedded at the beginning of an online learning preparatory MOOC were analysed to identify (a) the anticipatory emotions they were experiencing towards online learning, and (b) what they perceived to be the sources of those emotions. Findings revealed that anxiety was the prevailing emotion, although positive emotions, such as excitement and hope, were also reported. A thematic analysis identified seven over-arching sources of those emotions as described by the students. This paper concludes by briefly discussing the implications for educators.

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Jiemin decoction (YJD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) model in guinea pigs. YJD significantly decreased infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the nasal mucosa of AR model guinea pigs. YJD also increased expression of TGF-β in the nasal mucosa, restored the balance of Th1/Th2 immune cell responses, and decreased serum levels of various pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine (HA), neuropeptide Y (NPY), acetylcholine (ACH), norepinephrine and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Metabolic analyses using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that YJD improved cellular metabolism in AR model guinea pigs and increased serum levels of glycocholic acid while decreasing levels 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidic acid. RNA-sequencing analysis identified BPIFB2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for AR. Functional enrichment analyses showed that YJD significantly inhibited cytokine secretion pathways in AR model guinea pigs. These findings demonstrate that YJD protects against OVA-induced AR in guinea pigs by suppressing inflammation in the nasal mucosa, restoring Th1/Th2 balance, and improving cellular metabolism.

This work was carried out to evaluation the Reno-protective effect and anti-inflammatory activity of rutin in guinea pigs. Twenty four male guinea pigs categorized into 4 groups, six pigs in each group. Group one as a normal control given (2ml/kg)distilled water. Second group as non-treated control were given 5% of carboxymethyl cellulose orally. Third group, animals were received Rutin (20mg/kg). The fourth group were given aqueous suspensions of Indomethacin (10mg/kg) in 5% Polysorbate 80 orally once daily for seven days. For model of chronic inflammation each pig were anesthetized by light ether and then after thirty minutes a sterile cotton pellet weighing (50 mg±1) was implanted under the skin on both sides for the scapular region. All pigs were anaesthetized by using chloroform on the 8th day then the blood collected. They were dissected kidney and put it in 10% formalin for histological test. Then isolated the cotton pellets from each, dried at 60Co and estimated the dry weight. Administration of rutin (20mg/kg body weight) for seven days showed significant(P

Background A new candidate vector vaccine against human brucellosis based on recombinant influenza viral vectors (rIVV) subtypes H5N1 expressing Brucella outer membrane protein (Omp) 16, L7/L12, Omp19 or Cu–Zn SOD proteins has been developed. This paper presents the results of the study of protection of the vaccine using on guinea pigs, including various options of administering, dose and frequency. Provided data of the novel vaccine candidate will contribute to its further movement into the preclinical stage study. Methods General states of guinea pigs was assessed based on behavior and dynamics of a guinea pig weight-gain test. The effectiveness of the new anti-brucellosis vector vaccine was determined by studying its protective effect after conjunctival, intranasal and sublingual administration in doses 105 EID50, 106 EID50 and 107 EID50 during prime and boost vaccinations of animals, followed by challenge with a virulent strain of B. melitensis 16 M infection. For sake of comparison, the commercial B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine was used as a control. The protective properties of vaccines were assessed by quantitation of Brucella colonization in organs and tissues of infected animals and compared to the control groups. Results It was observed a gradual increase in body weight of guinea pigs after prime and booster immunization with the vaccine using conjunctival, intranasal and sublingual routes of administration, as well as after using various doses of vaccine. The most optimal way of using the vaccine has been established: double intranasal immunization of guinea pigs at a dose of 106 EID50, which provides 80% protection of guinea pigs from B. melitensis 16 M infection (P B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine. Conclusions We developed effective human vaccine candidate against brucellosis and developed its immunization protocol in guinea pig model. We believe that because of these studies, the proposed vaccine has achieved the best level of protection, which in turn provides a basis for its further promotion.

Trichophyton benhamiae is a zoophilic dermatophyte mainly transmitted to humans from guinea pigs. This zoophilic species can also cause dermatophytosis as reported by human contact with other animals, such as rabbit, cat, and fox. Here, we report the tinea faciei and tinea corporis cases: a 12-year-old girl and her 53-year-old father, with no history of immunodeficiency and underlying disease, caused by T. benhamiae transmitted from a guinea pig in Iran. Dermatological examination revealed several erythematous, round, scaly, and approximately 1-4-cm-diameter lesions in both patients. The girl had seven skin lesions, and her father presented two skin lesions on the front side of his neck. The girl's lesions had started 3 weeks before and her father's lesions appeared 7 days after the first clinical appearance of the lesions in the daughter. The girl had daily close contact with a guinea pig, while her father did not have any direct exposure to the pet. Examination of the lesions scraping with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH 10%) revealed hyaline septate hyphae and arthroconidia. The dermatophyte isolated in culture was identified as T. benhamiae using molecular analysis. The patients were successfully treated using topical sertaconazole nitrate 2% cream twice a day for 4 weeks.

Bladder afferents play a pivotal role in bladder function such as urine storage and micturition as well as conscious sensations such as urgency and pain. Endocannabinoids are ligands of cannabinoid 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) receptors but can influence the activity of a variety of G protein-coupled receptors as well as ligand-gated and voltage-gated channels. It is still not known which classes of bladder afferents are influenced by CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists. This study aimed to determine the role of CB2 receptors in two major classes of afferents in the guinea pig bladder: mucosal and muscular-mucosal. The mechanosensitivity of these two classes was determined by an ex vivo extracellular electrophysiological recording technique. A stable analog of endocannabinoid anandamide, methanandamide (mAEA), potentiated the mechanosensitivity of mucosal bladder afferents in response to stroking. In the presence of a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonist (capsazepine), the effect of mAEA switched from excitatory to inhibitory. A selective CB2 receptor agonist, 4-quinolone-3-carboxyamide (4Q3C), significantly inhibited the mechanosensitivity of mucosal bladder afferents to stroking. In the presence of a CB2 receptor antagonist, the inhibitory effect of 4Q3C was lost. mAEA and 4Q3C did not affect responses to stretch and/or mucosal stroking of muscular-mucosal afferents. Our findings revealed that agonists of CB2 receptors selectively inhibited the mechanosensitivity of capsaicin-sensitive mucosal bladder afferents but not muscular-mucosal afferents. This may have important implications for understanding of the role of endocannabinoids in modulating bladder function and sensation in health and diseases.

Members of the genus Rickettsia range from nonpathogenic endosymbionts to virulent pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Many rickettsiae are considered nonpathogenic because they have been isolated from ticks but not vertebrate hosts. We assessed the ability of three presumed endosymbionts: Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii, and Rickettsia montanensis, to infect a guinea pig animal model. These species were chosen because of their high prevalence in respective tick vectors or published reports suggestive of human or animal pathogenicity. Following intraperitoneal (IP) inoculation of cell culture suspensions of R. rickettsii, R. amblyommatis, R. bellii, or R. montanensis into guinea pigs, animals were monitored for signs of clinical illness for 13 days. Ear biopsies and blood samples were taken at 2- to 3-day intervals for detection of rickettsial DNA by PCR. Animals were necropsied and internal organ samples were also tested using PCR assays. Among the six guinea pigs inoculated with R. amblyommatis, fever, orchitis, and dermatitis were observed in one, one, and three animals respectively. In R. bellii-exposed animals, we noted fever in one of six animals, orchitis in one, and dermatitis in two. No PCR-positive tissues were present in either the R. amblyommatis- or R. bellii-exposed groups. In the R. montanensis-exposed group, two of six animals became febrile, two had orchitis, and three developed dermatitis in ears or footpads. R. montanensis DNA was detected in ear skin biopsies collected on multiple days from three animals. Also, a liver specimen from one animal and spleen specimens of two animals were PCR positive. The course and severity of disease in the three experimental groups were significantly milder than that of R. rickettsii. This study suggests that the three rickettsiae considered nonpathogenic can cause either subclinical or mild infections in guinea pigs when introduced via IP inoculation.

The mammalian preoptic area (POA) has large populations of calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) neurons, but phenotypes of these cells are unknown. Therefore, the question is whether neurons expressing CB, CR, and/or PV are GABAergic or glutamatergic. Double-immunofluorescence staining followed by epifluorescence and confocal microscopy was used to determine the coexpression patterns of CB, CR and PV expressing neurons with vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT) as specific markers of GABAergic neurons and vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT 2) as specific markers of glutamatergic neurons. The guinea pig was adopted as, like humans, it has a reproductive cycle with a true luteal phase and a long gestation period. The results demonstrated that in the guinea pig POA of both sexes, ~80% of CB+ and ~90% of CR+ neurons coexpress VGAT; however, one-fifth of CB+ neurons and one-third of CR+ cells coexpress VGLUT. About two-thirds of PV+ neurons express VGAT, and similar proportion of them coexpress VGLUT. Thus, many CB+, CR+ and PV+ neurons may be exclusively GABAergic (VGAT-expressing cells) or glutamatergic (VGLUT-expressing cells); however, at least a small fraction of CR+ cells and at least one-third of PV+ cells are likely neurons with a dual GABA/glutamate phenotype that may coexpress both transporters.

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological and morphometric characteristics of guinea pig sperm (Cavia porcellus), using an image analysis system. Semen from collected from five type 1 guinea pigs, four months old (1.19 ± 0.15 kg) by electroejaculation method, between 3 and 5 times for each animal, making a total of 22 adequate collections. The volume, pH, sperm concentration, total motility and percentage of live sperm were determined. The samples for the analysis of sperm morphology and morphometry were stained with Spermac® and analyzed using the Motic Image Plus® software. The morphology was analyzed according to the dynamics of its acrosomal reaction, distinguishing 4 classes. The length, width, area, perimeter, ellipticity, elongation, regularity and rugosity of the head of the guinea pig sperm were determined, as well as the midpiece length and the tail of the spermatozoa. Guinea pig sperm morphology was analyzed with a complete random design, and the morphometric parameters by random blocks, using Duncan's test to compare means in both cases. In relation to morphology, significant differences (P

The auditory phantom sensation of tinnitus is associated with neural hyperactivity. Modulating this hyperactivity using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown beneficial effects in human studies. Previously, we investigated rTMS in a tinnitus animal model and showed that rTMS over prefrontal cortex (PFC) attenuated tinnitus soon after treatment, likely via indirect effects on auditory pathways. Here, we explored the duration of these beneficial effects. Acoustic trauma was used to induce hearing loss and tinnitus in guinea pigs. Once tinnitus developed, high-frequency (20 Hz), high-intensity rTMS was applied over PFC for two weeks (weekdays only; 10 min/day). Behavioral signs of tinnitus were monitored for 6 weeks after treatment ended. Tinnitus developed in 77% of animals between 13 and 60 days post-trauma. rTMS treatment significantly reduced the signs of tinnitus at 1 week on a group level, but individual responses varied greatly at week 2 until week 6. Three (33%) of the animals showed the attenuation of tinnitus for the full 6 weeks, 45% for 1–4 weeks and 22% were non-responders. This study provides further support for the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive stimulation over the PFC as a therapeutic tool for tinnitus, but also highlights individual variation observed in human studies.

Some medicinal plants with antioxidant properties have protective effects on reproductive parameters and neutralize the harmful effects of hazardous. Spirulina possesses high concentration of nutrients responsible of their biological activities and nutritional properties. The present study aimed at assessing the protective effect of aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (AESP) in alleviating the lead-induced impairment of reproductive function in female guinea pig. For this purpose, Sixty (60) sexually mature females were divided into six groups of ten (10) animals each. The first batch served as neutral control, receiving distilled water, the second as negative control, receiving lead acetate at a dose of 12 mg/kg body weight (bw) while the third set, the positive control, was given 12 mg of lead acetate/kg bw and 100 mg of vitamin C; the groups 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 12 mg/kg bw of lead acetate and thereafter received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of AESP respectively. Lead acetate was administered for 30 days and then after the curative substances were given for 60 days. All the administrations were done through oral route. The reproductive and biochemical parameters were studied. Results revealed that lead acetate induced significant (p

The urolithiasis is characterized by the presence of calculi in some fraction of the urinary tract which frequently affects guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Despite the physiopathogenesis of this disease is not completely understood, it is known that a diet rich in calcium can be a predisposing factor. Urolithiasis surgical removal associated with proper food and water management are recommended to animal treatment, however, the surgical technique is complex with some complications due to patient size. The aim of the study was to report the clinical case of urolith in a 5-year-old male guinea pig, uncastrated, weighing 1.142 kg. The animal presented urolith in the left ureter with dilation of the renal pelvis and right renal cyst. Due to animal physiological status without important clinical signs and the risk of compromising the contralateral kidney by a cyst, it was decided to monitor the patient and did not perform the surgical treatment. The patient was clinically monitored and underwent a clinical dietary treatment with complementary imaging tests (ultrasonography and radiography) and laboratory tests of renal function, showing no alterations for 10 months. Clinical monitoring of the animal can be a viable option in face of surgical intervention, especially for patients who have contraindications and without important clinical signs

The work presents a proposal for the monitoring of a species of medium size South American rodent – Montane Guinea Pig. The population of this species is not constantly monitored, so it is impossible to determine exactly how many individuals are in the wild. In recent years, the area of its habitat has been significantly reduced. Therefore, it was necessary to develop methods of its monitoring. Monitoring has been proposed in several areas of its occurrence: the province of the Lima district – Cercado de Lima, the Junín National Reserve, and the province of the city of Ambo. The main aim of the article is to define population status indicators, habitat quality indicators, and to establish examples of dates and frequency of tests.

Repeated low-level exposure to sarin results to hippocampus dysfunction. Metabonomics involves a holistic analysis of a set of metabolites in an organism in the search for a relationship between these metabolites and physiological or pathological changes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of repeated exposure to low-level sarin on the metabonomics in hippocampus of a guinea pig model. Guinea pigs were divided randomly into control and sarin treated groups (n = 14). Guinea pigs in the control group received saline; while the sarin-treated group received 0.4×LD50 (16.8 μg/kg) sarin. Daily injections (a total of 14 days) were administered sc between the shoulder blades in a volume of 1.0 ml/kg body weight. At the end of the final injection, 6 animals in each group were chosen for Morris water maze test. The rest guinea pigs (n = 8 for each group) were sacrificed by decapitation, and hippocampus were dissected for analysis. Compared with the control-group, the escape latency in sarin-group was significantly (p

A 2-year-old male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) presented with a pea-sized swelling on his right labium. The tumour was excised and reconstructive surgery was performed using a single pedicle advancement flap, leaving the bottom of the lip intact on account of it being essential for food apprehension and manipulation. Two parallel skin incisions were made in the rostrocaudal direction for almost half the length of the head and the resulting skin flap was carefully undermined, to avoid damaging the follicles and the muscles of the whiskers. The flap was carefully sutured over the excisional defect and at 1.5 months post-surgery, only a small residual scar remains. The lips are intact, the surgical site is covered with fur and many of the whiskers have regrown. Histopathology showed the excised mass to be a grade 1 soft tissue sarcoma, most likely a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour.

Background and Objectives: Dermatophytosis induced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a major human and animal fun- gal contamination. Antifungals like terbinafine and fluconazole are widely used to treat dermatophytosis; nevertheless, the prevalence of drug resistance has increased. Hence, novel curative strategies are needed. In the present study, we compared the efficacies of conventional and nanoform of antifungals agents in guinea pig model of dermatophytosis. Materials and Methods: Guinea pigs (n=36) were injected (the posterior dorsal portion) with Trichophyton mentagrophytes conidia. The guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups (positive control, negative control, fluconazole 0.5% treated group, na- no-fluconazole treated group, terbinafine 1% treated group, and nano-terbinafine treated group), then were scored both clin- ically (redness and lesion intensity) and mycologically (microscopy and culture) until day 40 of inoculation. The treatment started 5 days after the inoculation and continued until day 40 of inoculation. Results: Assessment of the mean score of clinical lesions in groups treated with nano-drug forms of fluconazole and terbin- afine on the first day of treatment showed a score of 3 (significant redness with large scaling) and for the conventional form of terbinafine and fluconazole had a score of 4 (ulcer and scar). The decrease in lesion score in nano-drug treated groups was observed between days 15 and 20 and continued until day 40. On day 40, all groups had zero scores except the positive control group. Conclusion: This study indicated that nano-drugs are more suitable for the treatment of dermatophytosis and could be con- sidered as future alternatives for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important risk factor associated with the progression of glaucoma and the research on animal models is constantly evolving. Rebound tonometry has been shown to be useful for the evaluation of IOP, not only for the human patient but also for the animal patient. The aim of the paper is to assess intraocular pressure in guinea pigs in order to establish reference values. IOP was measured for three days, at different time intervals, in 40 guinea pigs, using the iCare Tonovet TV01 tonometer. The mean values obtained in coloured guinea pigs were 13.82 mmHg ± 1.64 mmHg in the right eye, 14.11 mmHg ± 1.68 mmHg in the left eye, and in white guinea pigs 12.56 mmHg ± 0.95 mmHg in the right eye, 13.02 mmHg ± 1.29 mmHg for the left eye. The values obtained from this study it can be concluded that the strain of coloured, records the highest values in the morning, which remain linear during the day, and decrease in the evening compared to the white strain which has a constant evolution during the day, and in the evening increases.

We evaluated the effects of unripe mandarin orange (Citrus unshiu) extract powder (unripe mandarin extract powder [UMEP]) treated with subcritical water on allergic diseases by using animal models. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that subcritical water is a more effective solvent than alcohol and hot water, as it quickly extracted approximately 90% of the functional compounds narirutin (1) and hesperidin (2) from whole fruits. Repeated oral administration of UMEP significantly reversed the peripheral blood flow decline observed during the promotion of allergies after sensitization with the antigen, hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL). UMEP also significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in HEL-sensitized mice, which are more sensitive to itching stimuli than are normal mice, without suppressing locomotor activity. In addition, repeated oral administration of UMEP in ovalbumin-challenged guinea pigs significantly suppressed the late phase of nasal airway resistance. This study provides evidence that the subcritical water extract powder of unripe C. unshiu fruit is an effective anti-allergic functional food.

Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a promising micro-livestock which though is indigenous to South America, is also well adapted to Nigerian ecosystem. The meat is nutritious, with a protein content of 21%, which is higher than that of poultry, pork, mutton or beef. About 65% of its meat is edible with a low fat content and low cholesterol, making it the ideal meat in an increasingly health-conscious population. The animal has a short gestation period of (58-72 days), low cost of production, matures early, easy to manage and requires relatively little capital to set up. Nigerians are among the least consumers of animal protein in Africa, consuming less than World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 67 g per day. The commonly conventional livestock species reared cannot meet the protein deficiency because their multiplication rate is not commensurate with the rapid increase in human population. In Nigeria, if the challenges of availability of quality concentrate feeds, problem of numerous pests and diseases, problem of excessive heat and problem of obtaining fast growing species of pups can be overcome, then guinea pigs farming has the potential of bridging the present protein deficiency gap in Nigeria

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar el sistema de producción cavícola en el cantón Mocha, Ecuador. El estudio se hizo con base a encuestas a los 124 productores del cantón. Se encontró una población de 14 165 ± 130 cuyes, de los cuales, el 85.5% son líneas comerciales y el 14.5% son nativos. El sistema de crianza más utilizado es el Familiar-Comercial (hasta 100 cuyes) con 50.8%, seguido del sistema Comercial (más de 100 cuyes) con 37.9% y el sistema Familiar (hasta 25 cuyes) con 11.3%. La crianza se realiza mayormente por las mujeres (76.6%). El 83.1% de los productores han recibido cursos de capacitación sobre la crianza de cuyes. Las instalaciones en pozas son las más utilizadas (54.8%), seguido de jaulas (31.5%) y mixtas (13.7%). Las instalaciones se limpian mensualmente (67.8%), quincenalmente (28.2%) o semanalmente (4.0%). Los cuyes se comercializan mayormente en forma quincenal (66.1%) en el mercado local. Las patologías más frecuentes son la salmonelosis (63.7%) y los piojos (83.1%). ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to characterize the guinea pig production system in the Mocha canton, Ecuador. All 124 producers in the canton were surveyed. A population of 14 165 ± 130 guinea pigs was found, of which 85.5% are commercial lines and 14.5% are native. The most widely used breeding system was the Family-Commercial (up to 100 guinea pigs) with 50.8% of the producers, followed by the Commercial system (more than 100 guinea pigs) with 37.9%, and the Family system (up to 25 guinea pigs) with 11.3%. Breeding is done mostly by women (76.6%). The survey showed that 83.1% of the producers have received training courses on raising guinea pigs. The facilities in ponds are the most used (54.8%), followed by cages (31.5%) and mixed (13.7%). The facilities are cleaned monthly (67.8%), biweekly (28.2%) or weekly (4.0%). Guinea pigs are mostly marketed biweekly (66.1%) in the local market. The most frequent pathologies are salmonellosis (63.7%) and lice (83.1%).

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) employ an array of strategies designed to interfere with host defence responses against pathogens. Studies on such evasion mechanisms are important for understanding the pathogenesis of CMV diseases. Although guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) provides a useful animal model for congenital CMV infection, its evasion strategies are not fully elucidated. Here, we analysed a genome locus that may encode gene products for the GPCMV evasion mechanisms and found the following. (1) RACE analyses identified five transcripts in the GP38-gp38.4 locus, one of which was a spliced product encoding gp38.1. Similarities in the splicing pattern and gene position of gp38.1 to human CMV UL37 and its exon 1 encoding vMIA (viral mitochondria-localized inhibitor of apoptosis) suggest that the gp38.1 gene encodes an apoptosis inhibitor. (2) In a transient transfection assay, gp38.1 localized in the mitochondria and relocated BAX from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, although its co-localization with BAK was not evident. Further, the expression of gp38.1 partially reduced staurosporine-induced apoptosis. (3) GPCMV defective in the gp38.1 ORF (Δ38.1) and the virus that rescues the defect (r38.1) were generated. Guinea pig fibroblast cells infected with Δ38.1 died earlier than r38.1-infected cells, which resulted in the lower yields of Δ38.1. (4) In animals, viral loads in the spleens of r38.1-infected guinea pigs were higher than those in the spleens of Δ38.1-infected animals. In conclusion, although GPCMV gp38.1 exerts a vMIA-like function, its inhibitory effect was not robust, suggesting the presence of additional inhibitory molecule(s), such as a BAK-specific inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is the main factor causing the aberrant melanin pigments leading to skin hyperpigmentation. Retinoic acid and hydroquinone are the primary preference for the skin whitening agents in preventing hyperpigmentation. However, these treatments could induce slight-to-severe irritation leading to skin cancer. Mangosteen peel possesses α-mangostin, the primary constituent of xanthones in mangosteen peel that has potency as an anti-tyrosinase for treating issues of skin hyperpigmentation. AIM: This study aims to demonstrate the capacity of mangosteen peel ethyl acetate extract-based cream in inhibiting the UVB radiation-induced skin hyperpigmentation in guinea pig. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 female guinea pigs were used to produce UVB-irradiated skin hyperpigmentation model. Guinea pig skins were treated with 12% mangosteen ethyl acetate extract-based cream. Mushroom tyrosinase inhibitor activity was used to evaluate the capacity of mangosteen extract in inhibiting tyrosinase activity in vitro. The melanin index in guinea pig skin after treatments was analyzed using a mexameter. The percentage of epidermal melanin-contained keratinocytes of skin tissues were analyzed using masson fontana. Pmel17 expression in cell surface was determined using immunohistochemistry. The level of tyrosinase in tissue homogenates was analyzed using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Mangosteen peel ethyl acetate extract showed potent inhibitory activity against the mushroom tyrosinase. Its-based cream decreased melanin index, epidermal melanin, Pmel17 expression, and tyrosinase level in hyperpigmentation skin tissues. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study demonstrates the capacity of mangosteen peel ethyl acetate extract-based cream in inhibiting the UVB radiation-induced skin hyperpigmentation in guinea pig.

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism are thought to involve an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for these disorders, with IUGR onset occurring during critical periods of neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of IUGR on excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the fetal neocortex and hippocampus. Fetal brains (n = 2) were first collected from an unoperated pregnant guinea pig at mid-gestation (32 days of gestation [dg]; term ∼67 dg) to visualize excitatory (Ctip2) and inhibitory (calretinin [CR] and somatostatin [SST]) neurons via immunohistochemistry. Chronic placental insufficiency (CPI) was then induced via radial artery ablation at 30 dg in another cohort of pregnant guinea pigs (n = 8) to generate IUGR fetuses (52 dg; n = 8); control fetuses (52 dg; n = 7) were from sham surgeries with no radial artery ablation. At 32 dg, Ctip2- and CR-immunoreactive (IR) cells had populated the cerebral cortex, whereas SST-IR cells had not, suggesting these neurons were yet to complete migration. At 52 dg, in IUGR versus control fetuses, there was a reduction in SST-IR cell density in the cerebral cortex (p = .0175) and hilus of the dentate gyrus (p = .0035) but not the striatum (p .05). There was no difference between groups in the density of Ctip2-IR (cortex) or CR-IR (cortex, hippocampus) neurons (p 0.05). Thus, we propose that an imbalance in inhibitory (SST-IR) and excitatory (Ctip2-IR) neurons in the IUGR fetal guinea pig brain could lead to excitatory/inhibitory dysfunction commonly seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

Background: Photo aging is the superimposition of photodamage on intrinsically aged skin generally bringing about premature aging due to chronic and multiple exposure of the skin to UV light. Routinely used retinoids have many disadvantages. Phyto-estrogens present in plants have gained recent popularity as anti-photo aging compounds. Isoflavonoids such as soy compounds can provide good photoprotection of human skin. We intended to study efficacy of topical preparation of isoflavones in guineapigs for treatment and prophylaxis of photoaging. Materials and Methods: Three groups of guinea pigs were formed with 3 in each. Group II was pretreated with isoflavonoid. All the groups received irradiation with UV-B for 8 weeks. After irradiation Group I was treated with isoflavonoid and group II with tretinoin for 4 weeks. Erythema was scored with erythema scale before and treatment. Results: Group II pre treated with isoflavonoid developed erythema only after 4 weeks where as other two groups developed in first week of irradiation. After treatment with isoflavonoids for 4 weeks, Group I guinea pigs recorded complete reduction in erythema from 3to 0. Group III which were treated with tretinoin recorded decline in erythema from 3 to 0.6. Guinea pigs of Group II had erythema score of 1 which persisted up to 8th week. Conclusion: Isoflavonoid very well prevented erythema in guinea pig skin after UV-B irradiation. Topical isoflavonoid nullified erythema fully in phototoxicity. Efficacy of isoflavonoid is comparable to that of tretinoin. Keywords; Photoaging, UVB radiation, Isoflavonoid, Erythema scale, Guinea pig, Tretinoin.

Regeda M. S., Olekshij P. V. The state of individual components of humoral immunity of guinea pig blood in the dynamics of the formation of experimental periodontitis and immobilization stress and correction of their disorders by thiocetam. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2022;12(10): 208-213. eISSN 2391-8306. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/40617 https://zenodo.org/record/7250188 The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of December 1, 2021. No. 32343. Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical Culture Sciences (Field of Medical sciences and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences). Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 1 grudnia 2021 r. Lp. 32343. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159. Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe:Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu). © The Authors 2022; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 03.10.2022. Revised: 12.10.2022. Accepted: 25.10.2022. UDC: 616.311.2-002+616.314.17-008.6):612.014.484:616.155.37]-092.9 The state of individual components of humoral immunity of guinea pig blood in the dynamics of the formation of experimental periodontitis and immobilization stress and correction of their disorders by thiocetam M. S. Regeda, P. V. Olekshij Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University Lviv Medical Institute Abstract The research found a rapid increase in the level of immunoglobulin M, starting from the 3 rd day of the experiment in comparison with the control values, which clearly indicates its activation in particular, and stimulation of humoral immunity in general. In the later stages (on the 5 th and 15 th days) of the formation of experimental periodontitis (EP) and immobilization stress (IS), an increase of this indicator by 93.5% and 94.2% was found, respectively, against group I guinea pigs (p≤0, 05). Regarding the content of immunoglobulin G in the blood, the highest growth rates were recorded in the fourth group of guinea pigs with EP and IS (on the 15 th day), which indicates a direct dependence of the duration of damaging factors on the level of these indicators and the body's ability to the protective response. The results of the treatment showed the effect and the reduction of the activity of the studied classes of immunoglobulins. Thus, the use of thiocetam led to a significant decrease in the content of Ig M and G in the blood, respectively, by 33.8% (p1≤0.05) and 41.7% (p1≤0.05) in EP and IS compared with the group of animals were not exposed to this drug, which indicates the immunocorrective effect of this drug on the studied tests. Key words: periodontitis; stress; immunoglobulins M, G; thiocetam