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The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using rabbit bladder as a model for experimental detrusor electrostimulation research. In a study of urinary bladder activity induced through electrostimulation of the ventral roots, the functional and morphological parameters of the rabbit detrusor were investigated. Under general anaesthesia, open electrostimulation of ventral spinal roots leading towards the detrusor (usually S2, S3) was performed in 20 rabbits. Detrusor response was recorded by repeated electromyography and cystometry in two groups: animals with naturally concentrated urine content (Group A, eight rabbits) and animals after flushing and filling the bladder with saline (Group B, 12 rabbits). Histological examination of bladder wall was performed in both groups. The measured values were compared to one another as well as with data from the veterinary and human literature. The histological specimens were compared with histological specimens of human bladder. The reaction of detrusor fibres was detectable by electromyography in all cases. Elevation of intravesical pressure as a consequence of detrusor contraction was more difficult to detect, as this depends more on the density of the intravesical content. The pressure rise in Group B had a higher amplitude - up to 15 cm H2O versus 5 cm H2O in the first group (P = 0.00046). Histological examination of bladder wall from the two groups of rabbits showed no differences. In comparison with the bladder wall in humans, the only differences found were significantly thinner detrusor layers relative to the overall thickness of bladder wall. It is possible to use rabbit bladder for research into experimentally electrostimulation-induced activity of the detrusor or for experimental detrusor reinnervation research. It is necessary, however, to take into account certain limits - the lower contractility of the bladder wall and the need for qualitative control of bladder content. The present results also suggest that the physiological micturition of rabbits is probably more dependent on abdominal pressure than in humans.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of starter diet containing 10% of treated rape cake (TRC) with a reduced glucosinolate content on calf growth, development and health. The experiment included 45 calves allocated into 3 groups. After the colostrum period (5 days) the calves were fed 4 l of pooled fresh milk per calf/day and one of the starters ad libitum. The control group (S) was fed Standard starter with components with a standard nutrient content including fibre. Comparative group T was fed Telstar starter, which contained whole maize kernels and protein pellets. Experimental group G was fed Grant starter containing 10% of treated rape cake. The calves were fed hay ad libitum from 10 weeks of age. The average starter consumption (calf/day) over a 90-day feeding period was 1.34, 1.72 and 1.45 kg of the Standard, Telstar and Grant diet, respectively. An insignificantly higher body weight of calves was recorded for the Grant group at the end of the experimental period. When the calculated indices were compared, it was obvious that the weight gains obtained with experimental starters Grant and comparative Telstar were by 4.0% higher and by 5.4% lower, respectively, than in the control group Standard. No significant changes in the parameters of nitrogen, energy, lipid and mineral metabolism, health status, hepatic parenchyma and thyroid function were observed throughout the experimental period. The diet based on experimental starter Grant had no adverse effect on the ruminal fermentation in calves. It may therefore be concluded that the starter diet with 10% content of treated rape cake had no adverse effect on calf growth and performance.

The effect of a single oral dose of iodinated fatty acid esters (IFAE) on iodine levels in colostrum and milk of goats was tested. In experimental goats that received a single oral dose of IFAE before delivery, significantly higher iodine levels in milk were recorded 60 days after the delivery. In the following period since day 75 after the delivery iodine levels decreased, however, remained higher compared to the control, e.g. on day 152 the levels were twice as high as in the controls. Based on these results, the effect of a single oral and parenteral application of IFAE was tested on dairy cows. The results of the experiment showed that a single oral application of IFAE increases milk iodine levels for a shorter period. Intramuscular application resulted in a significantly higher milk iodine levels during the whole experimental period compared to both untreated controls and cows with oral application of IFAE.

Wound healing is a process regulated by a complex interaction of multiple growth factors including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Although FGF2 appears in several tissue engineered studies, its applications are limited due to its low stability both in vitro and in vivo. Here, this shortcoming is overcome by a unique nine-point mutant of the low molecular weight isoform FGF2 retaining full biological activity even after twenty days at 37 °C. Crosslinked freeze-dried 3D porous collagen/chitosan scaffolds enriched with this hyper stable recombinant human protein named FGF2-STAB ® were tested for in vitro biocompatibility and cytotoxicity using murine 3T3-A31 fibroblasts, for angiogenic potential using an ex ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay and for wound healing in vivo with 3-month old white New Zealand rabbits. Metabolic activity assays indicated the positive effect of FGF2-STAB ® already at very low concentrations (0.01 µg/mL). The angiogenic properties examined ex ovo showed enhanced vascularization of the tested scaffolds. Histological evaluation and gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR proved newly formed granulation tissue at the place of a previous skin defect without significant inflammation infiltration in vivo. This work highlights the safety and biocompatibility of newly developed crosslinked collagen/chitosan scaffolds involving FGF2-STAB ® protein. Moreover, these sponges could be used as scaffolds for growing cells for dermis replacement, where neovascularization is a crucial parameter for successful skin regeneration.

Yersiniosis belongs to the common foodborne diseases around the world, and frequently manifests as diarrhea that can be treated with probiotics. Colicin F Y is an antibacterial agent produced by bacteria and it is capable of specific growth inhibition of Yersinia enterocolitica, the causative agent of gastrointestinal yersiniosis. In this study, recombinant E. coli producing colicin F Y were constructed, using both known probiotic strains EcH22 and EcColinfant, and the newly isolated murine strains Ec1127 and Ec1145. All E. coli strains producing colicin F Y inhibited growth of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica during co-cultivation in vitro. In dysbiotic mice treated with streptomycin, E. coli strains producing colicin F Y inhibited progression of Y. enterocolitica infections. This growth inhibition was not observed in mice with normal gut microflora, likely due to insufficient colonization capacity of E. coli strains and/or due to spatial differences in intestinal niches. Isogenic Y. enterocolitica producing colicin F Y was constructed and shown to inhibit pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in mice with normal microflora. Evidence of in vivo antimicrobial activity of colicin F Y may have utility in the treatment of Y. enterocolitica infections.

In the current study, the results of an intradermal tuberculin test and a gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assay were compared. IFN-γ release assay is based on the detection of IFN-γ production after in vitro stimulation with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium-specific antigen for the discrimination of pigs naturally infected with M. avium subsp. hominissuis. Fifty-five clinically healthy pigs were used in the study. Three of these were proven by culture and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to be infected with M. avium subsp. hominissuis (2 animals) and Mycobacterium xenopi (1 animal). No animals were positive by the tuberculin test. Both M. avium subsp. hominissuis-positive pigs were evaluated as positive by the IFN-γ release assay. Bacteriologically negative and M. xenopi-positive pigs were unresponsive in the IFN-γ release assay, indicating the specificity of the method. The results suggest that the IFN-γ release assay has a higher sensitivity than the tuberculin test and that the assay can be used for diagnosis of M. avium infections in live, naturally infected pigs.

The N200 amplitude of the motion-onset VEP evoked by a parafoveal grating of variable contrast (0.5-64%), constant speed (2 degrees/s), direction (horizontally rightward), and spatial frequency (2 cpd) was studied before and after adaptation to a stationary or drifting grating (1, 2, or 4 degrees/s rightward or leftward). These results are compared to those for the pattern-appearance VEP. Psychophysical measurements were made simultaneously of the perceived speed. While iso-directional (rightward) adaptation leads to a mean amplitude reduction of 39%, the decrease after counter-directional adaptation has a size of 20%. The post-adaptation matches of perceived speed differ in dependence on the iso-directional adapting speed and decrease on average to 98%, 85%, and 69% of the pre-adapt perceived speed after 1, 2, and 4 degrees/s adapting speeds, respectively. The perceived speed is moderately reduced (83% of the pre-adapt value) after counter-directional adaptation nearly independently of the adapting speed. A model of velocity processing is presented, which enables us to predict the trends of the experimental motion VEP and perceived speed data.

The N200 amplitude of the motion-onset VEP evoked by a parafoveal grating of variable speed (0.25-13.5 degrees/s), constant spatial frequency (2 cpd), contrast (4%), and direction (horizontally rightward) was studied before and after adaptation to a stationary or drifting grating (1 or 4 degrees/s). Psychophysical measurements were made simultaneously of the perceived speed. In the unadapted condition the slope of the N200 amplitude versus speed function is positive, but lower for high compared to low speeds. The N200 amplitude increases slightly after stationary adaptation. An increase in perceived speed is also evident after stationary adaptation. This increase is more pronounced for low compared to high speeds. Motion adaptation reduces N200 amplitudes over the entire speed range, whereas perceived speeds change from under-estimation to over-estimation when the speed exceeds 1.8 degrees/s after 1 degree/s adaptation and 4.5 degrees/s after 4 degrees/s adaptation. The simultaneous evaluation of motion VEP and psychophysical results supports the view that the neurons generating the N200 component are also involved in speed perception. The data suggest the existence of a limited number (three or more) speed channels.

Background: Right upper abdominal pain may often be caused by biliary dyskinesia. Choleretica and cholekinetica are widely used for medical treatment of complaints due to biliary dyskinesia despite of a lack of randomized clinical trials which may prove their efficacy and potency., Patients and Methods: The present prospective multicenter pilot study analyzes the effects of Cholagogum F Nattermann (dried extracts from Schöllkraut and Curcuma) in comparison with placebo in patients with dumpy or colicky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant due to biliary dyskinesia. Cholagogum was given in 39 patients and placebo in 37 patients for 3 weeks, respectively., Results: The reduction of dumpy and colicky pain was more rapid during the first treatment week in patients who received Cholagogum F when compared to those who received placebo. The reduction of other complaints (feeling of being filled up, food intolerance, nausea, vomiting, meteorism) (secondary variables) was similar in patients who received Cholagogum F versus placebo during the whole treatment period. The were no side-effects in patients who received Cholagogum., Conclusions: The study presents the first solid indication that extracts from Schöllkraut/Curcuma (Cholagogum F Nattermann) which have widely been used in daily practice for many decades have beneficial effects on pain due to biliary dyskinesia.

Background/aims: Polyunsaturated phospatidyl-choline (PPC) has been shown to reduce serum aminotransferases in experimental hepatitis. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of PPC in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C in combination with interferon alpha 2a or 2b. The diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis was based on an abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value (more than twice the upper value of normal), viral replication and chronic hepatitis found on liver biopsy., Methodology: Patients received 5 million I.U. (Hepatitis B) and 3 million I.U. (hepatitis C) interferon s.c. thrice weekly for 24 weeks, respectively, and were randomly assigned to additional oral medication with either 6 capsules of PPC (total daily dose: 1.8 g) or 6 capsules of placebo per day for 24 weeks. Biochemical response to therapy was defined as a reduction of ALT by more than 50% of pre-treatment values. The responders were treated for further 24 weeks after cessation of interferon therapy with either PPC or placebo., Results: 176 patients completed the study protocol (per-protocol population: 92 in the PPC and 84 in the placebo group). A biochemical response (> 50% ALT reduction) was seen in 71% of patients who were treated with PPC, but only in 56% of patients who received placebo (p < 0.05). PPC increased the response rate in particular in patients with hepatitis C: 71% of those patients responded in the PPC group versus 51% in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Prolonged PPC therapy given to responders beyond the cessation of interferon therapy tended to increase the rate of sustained responders at week 48 in patients with hepatitis C (41% versus 15% in the control group; p = 0.064). In contrast, PPC did not alter the biochemical response to interferon in patients with hepatitis B. PPC did not accelerate elimination of HBV-DNA, HBeAg and HCV-RNA., Conclusions: In conclusion, PPC may be recommended in patients with chronic hepatitis C in combination with interferon and after termination of interferon in order to reduce the high relapse rate. PPC may not be recommended for patients with chronic hepatitis B. In contrast to IFN and other antiviral agents PPC does not carry major risks and is tolerated very well.

The dependency of the N200 amplitude of the motion-onset VEP evoked by a parafoveal grating of variable speed (0.25-13.5 deg/s, corresponding to 0.5-27 Hz) and constant contrast (4%) was studied. Additional measurements were made with parafoveally presented gratings of constant speed (2 deg/s, corresponding to 4 Hz) and a variable contrast (0.5-64%) before and after adaptation to a stationary or drifting grating. In this latter experiment, simultaneous psychophysical measurements were made of the perceived speed. The amplitude of the N200 wave increased with increasing stimulus speed within the slow speed range up to 1.5 deg/s (corresponding to 3 Hz). Adaptation to a stationary grating had no significant effect on the relationship between the N200 amplitude and stimulus contrast. Contrary to this, adaptation to a slowly drifting grating (1 deg/s, corresponding to 2 Hz) or to a rapidly drifting grating (4 deg/s, corresponding to 8 Hz) reduced the N200 amplitude significantly. Adaptation to a stationary grating slightly reduced the perceived speed of subsequently viewed gratings. Adaptation to a slowly drifting grating increased the perceived speed of the subsequently viewed gratings, whereas adaptation to a rapidly drifting grating decreased the perceived speed. The findings can be best explained by a two-channel model of speed perception. While the motion VEP reflects the sum of both channel activities, the psychophysical measures point to the antagonistic encoding of low and high velocities.

The contrast response functions (CRF) of pattern-appearance and motion-onset VEPs for periodic stimuli (gratings) were compared. The CRF for pattern-appearance is accelerative for the P100 component and compressive for the N200 component. Contrary to these results, the CRF for motion-onset shows an almost negligible slope for both components within the contrast range tested (0.5-64%). To better isolate the neural contributions to these different VEP components, we studied the effects of prior adaptation to stationary and moving gratings. Adaptation to stationary gratings has no effect on both VEP components for motion-onset and the P100 component for pattern-appearance, but did reduce the amplitude of the N200 for pattern-appearance. Adaptation to slow (1 deg/s) and fast (4 deg/s) gratings left the P100 amplitudes unaltered, while it significantly reduced the N200 amplitudes for both pattern-appearance and motion-onset. These results suggest that the N200 component of the motion-onset VEP is generated by motion-dependent neurons, whereas the same component for pattern-appearance arises from contrast-dependent neurons. The observed differences between P100 and N200 components appear to reflect the activity of both transient and sustained neural mechanisms.

The known proportional increase in the amplitude of the pattern reversal visually evoked potential (VEP) with increasing stimulus area does not occur for the motion-onset VEP. When the stimulus area of the total field (6 degrees x 6 degrees) is compared to that of the half-field (6 degrees x 3 degrees), the N200 amplitude of the motion-onset VEP is not changed proportionally but remains almost constant. Reducing the pattern contrast beyond the saturation value for the motion-VEP yields essentially the same results. Contrary to the pattern reversal VEP, the amplitudes of the motion-onset VEP are found to be more pronounced for the nasal than for the temporal hemiretina. Our results support the notion of a genuine difference between the pattern- and the motion-analyzing visual system.

A 'motion onset VEP' was elicited by the onset of a pattern drift. The amplitude of the most distinct wave (AN200) was determined on the following stimulation conditions: eccentricity, 0 to 23 deg; velocity. 1.5 to 16 deg/s; spatial frequency, 0.19 to 2.1 c/deg; and stimulation field size, 0.2 to 160 deg2, AN200 remained constant at any degree of eccentricity if stimulation field size, velocity, and spatial frequency were M-scaled according to Rovamo-Virsu's M-equations. AN200 decreased as a function of eccentricity if field size and velocity were kept constant (spatial frequency had minimal effect). The size of the cortical representation field (Sc) in this case varied with change in eccentricity (stimulation field size constant). In another experiment, it varied by change in stimulation field size (eccentricity constant). For both conditions, AN200 was proportional to log Sc.

We studied amplitude of the wave N200 of the motion-onset VEP by varying the side length of a square stimulation field between 0.5 and 7 degrees. A significant increase in amplitude was obtained between 0.5 and 1 degree of side length in central stimulation and between 0.5 and 5 degrees in 10-degree peripheral stimulation. Variations of spatial frequency between 0.34 and 6.8c/deg did not modify the amplitude size, ie, no tuning effect could be found. The results of simultaneous and separate stimulation of foveal and parafoveal regions support the observation that the stimulation field size is a minor influence. Features of motion-sensitive cortical neurons, such as those found in monkeys, could account for this behavior.