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The aim of the paper was to evaluate the possible interaction between the presence of swine infectious diseases and low levels of mycotoxins in swine feed. The material for this research included the samples from three swine farms, where health disorders in different swine categories were detected. The applied research methods included: epidemiological and clinical evaluation, pathological examination, bacteriological and virological laboratory testing and microbiological feed testing, in order to examine the presence of fungi and mycotoxins by the method of thin layer chromatography. Beside this, the molecular diagnostic method, reverse transcripton-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and viral isolation was included. The obtained results support the existance of positive interaction between the mycotoxins and causative agents of bacterial and viral swine infective diseases.

A clinical form of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was caused in order to monitor the concentration of enzymes (alanine aminotransferase - ALT, aspartate aminotransferase - AST, lactate dehydrogenase - LDH, amylase and creatine kinase - CK) in the rat blood. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats, weighing on average 215±25 g. The rats were divided into four groups. In the first three groups (n=28 per group), sepsis was induced by pure culture of Escherichia coli (EC) or Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and mixed culture (MK) of caecum, while the fourth group included 20 control rats who underwent an abdominal incision. Blood was taken in time intervals of 12, 24, 72 and 120 hours. During the experimental protocol, we identified significant changes of all monitored enzymes in the serum of infected rats. After a period of 12 hours there was a significant increase in ALT (all rats with sepsis), AST and LDH (rats in the MK group) levels, while a decrease was noted in the concentration of amylase (EC, SA). Similarly, 24 hours after the CLP procedure, a significant decrease of amylase (MK) and AST (SA) was recorded, while serum LDH level varied significantly from elevated (EC, SA) to reduced (MC) values. Finally, at the time intervals of 72 and 120 hours the concentration of nearly all monitored enzymes has shown a decline, while significance was noted in lowering of ALT (MK), AST (SA, EC) and amylase (SA) levels. Statistical significance could not be observed in the change of CK levels at any of examined time points. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31071 i br. TR 31079]

The possibilities of use of microbial phytase in maize/soybean meal diets for broilers from 21 to 42 days of age with different dietary total and available phosphorus (TP and AP) levels were investigated. A 22-day experiment was carried out on 240 Arbor Acres broilers of both sexes divided into six groups. The broilers were given diets with 0.43%, 0.23% or 0.10% AP, with or without phytase supplementation. During the experiment, health status and mortality, physical, chemical and morphological bone characteristics were investigated. Reduction of the mineral source of P from the diet increased mortality and health problems. Addition of phytase decreased mortality and alleviated negative effects of dicalcium phosphate exclusion. Histological, physical and chemical analysis of broiler tibia indicates that the extent and significance of changes depend on P deficiency and phytase addition. Phytase efficacy was greater in diets with a reduced level of dicalcium phosphate.

The goal of this work was to induce clinical sepsis in rats in order to measure the following biochemical parameters (glucoses, triglycerides, cholesterol, total proteins, albumins and creatinine). The experiments were done on 104 male Wistar rats, body weight 190 to 240 g. The rats were divided in four groups. Treated groups consisted of 28 animals while in the control groups there were 20 animals. Animals were observed and sacrificed at 12, 24, 72 and 120 hours after surgery. In this model of sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture - CLP) with pure and mixed bacterial cultures, significant changes were noticed in all biochemical parameters. Significant hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, decreased concentration of urea and increased concentration of creatinine were found in the first half of the experiment in all groups of rats with sepsis (at 12 and 24 hours). Hyperproteinemia and hypotriglyceridemia reached statistically significant values at 24 h in the groups of rats in which sepsis was induced with pure bacteria culture. In the other half of the experiment significant hypoalbuminemia was found in all rats with sepsis (at 71 and 120 h). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31071]

Quinolone-resistant Salmonella Infantis ( n = 64) isolated from human stool samples, food and poultry during the years 2006-2011 were analysed for their resistance phenotypes, macrorestriction patterns and molecular mechanisms of decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MICs) of nalidixic acid ( NAL) and ciprofloxacin ( CIP) were determined by the agar dilution procedure, and the susceptibility to additional antimicrobial agents was determined by the disc diffusion method. To assess the influence of enhanced efflux activity, MICs were determined in the presence and absence of the inhibitor PAβN. The results of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE) typing revealed that quinolone-resistant S. Infantis in Serbia had similar or indistinguishable PFGE profiles, suggesting a clonal spread. All S. Infantis showed combined resistance to NAL and tetracycline, whereas multiple drug resistance to three or more antibiotic classes was rare (2 isolates of human origin). The MICs ranged between 512 and 1024 μg/ mL for NAL and 0.125-2 μg/ mL for CIP. A single-point mutation in the gene gyrA leading to a Ser83→Tyr exchange was detected in all isolates, and a second exchange (Ser80→Arg) in the gene parC was only present in eight S. Infantis isolates exhibiting slightly higher MICs of CIP (2 μg/ mL). The inhibitor PAβN decreased the MIC values of CIP by two dilution steps and of NAL by at minimum 3-6 dilution steps, indicating that enhanced efflux plays an important role in quinolone resistance in these isolates. The plasmid-mediated genes qnr, aac(6′)-lb-cr and qepA were not detected by PCR assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacteria are widely distributed in domestic and wild animals. Avian species are the most common host of campylobacteria, thus an important source for human infection caused by this organism. Campylobacteriosis in animals frequently proceeds without clinical symptoms, which may be due to the different virulence of the agent, as well as to the immune status of the infected animal. In this trial we investigated the effects of the vaccine against infective bursal disease (IBD) on occurrence and clinical manifestation of campylobacteriosis in conditions of controlled experimental infection with the strain Campylobacter jejuni. The immunosuppressive effects of a live attenuated vaccine against IBD on development of clinically manifest campylobacteriosis in perorally challenged chickens were assessed. The investigation was performed on 90 chickens in experimental conditions. The presence of Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed by reisolation, while identification of the organism was performed on the basis of its morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Specific antibody titer and humoral immune response to C. jejuni specific antibodies were monitored using the complement fixation reaction method. Clinical symptoms of the disease were observed in chickens infected with Campylobacter jejuni and vaccinated against infective bursal disease. Pathomorphological findings revealed changes in the intestines and liver, from which Campylobacter jejuni was isolated. C. jejuni specific antibodies were detected in the infected birds in the third week post infection, with titer values ranging from 1:4 to 1:16. Results of our research strongly imply an immunosuppressive effect of the IBD vaccine on development of campylobacteriosis, which is supported by the clinical and morphological findings, i.e. isolation of the agent and detection of specific antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clinical form of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was caused in order to monitor the concentration of enzymes (alanine aminotransferase - ALT, aspartate aminotransferase - AST, lactate dehydrogenase - LDH, amylase and creatine kinase - CK) in the rat blood. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats, weighing on average 215±25 g. The rats were divided into four groups. In the first three groups (n=28 per group), sepsis was induced by pure culture of Escherichia coli (EC) or Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and mixed culture (MK) of caecum, while the fourth group included 20 control rats who underwent an abdominal incision. Blood was taken in time intervals of 12, 24, 72 and 120 hours. During the experimental protocol, we identified significant changes of all monitored enzymes in the serum of infected rats. After a period of 12 hours there was a significant increase in ALT (all rats with sepsis), AST and LDH (rats in the MK group) levels, while a decrease was noted in the concentration of amylase (EC, SA). Similarly, 24 hours after the CLP procedure, a significant decrease of amylase (MK) and AST (SA) was recorded, while serum LDH level varied significantly from elevated (EC, SA) to reduced (MC) values. Finally, at the time intervals of 72 and 120 hours the concentration of nearly all monitored enzymes has shown a decline, while significance was noted in lowering of ALT (MK), AST (SA, EC) and amylase (SA) levels. Statistical significance could not be observed in the change of CK levels at any of examined time points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibilities of use of microbial phytase in maize/soybean meal diets for broilers from 21 to 42 days of age with different dietary total and available phosphorus (TP and AP) levels were investigated. A 22-day experiment was carried out on 240 Arbor Acres broilers of both sexes divided into six groups. The broilers were given diets with 0.43%, 0.23% or 0.10% AP, with or without phytase supplementation. During the experiment, health status and mortality, physical, chemical and morphological bone characteristics were investigated. Reduction of the mineral source of P from the diet increased mortality and health problems. Addition of phytase decreased mortality and alleviated negative effects of dicalcium phosphate exclusion. Histological, physical and chemical analysis of broiler tibia indicates that the extent and significance of changes depend on P deficiency and phytase addition. Phytase efficacy was greater in diets with a reduced level of dicalcium phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have gained significant attention in the field of image synthesis, particularly in computer vision. GANs consist of a generative model and a discriminative model trained in an adversarial setting to generate realistic and novel data. In the context of image synthesis, the generator produces synthetic images, whereas the discriminator determines their authenticity by comparing them with real examples. Through iterative training, the generator allows the creation of images that are indistinguishable from real ones, leading to high-quality image generation. Considering their success in computer vision, GANs hold great potential for medical diagnostic applications. In the medical field, GANs can generate images of rare diseases, aid in learning, and be used as visualization tools. GANs can leverage unlabeled medical images, which are large in size, numerous in quantity, and challenging to annotate manually. GANs have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in image synthesis and have the potential to significantly impact digital histopathology. This review article focuses on the emerging use of GANs in digital histopathology, examining their applications and potential challenges. Histopathology plays a crucial role in disease diagnosis, and GANs can contribute by generating realistic microscopic images. However, ethical considerations arise because of the reliance on synthetic or pseudogenerated images. Therefore, the manuscript also explores the current limitations and highlights the ethical considerations associated with the use of this technology. In conclusion, digital histopathology has seen an emerging use of GANs for image enhancement, such as color (stain) normalization, virtual staining, and ink/marker removal. GANs offer significant potential in transforming digital pathology when applied to specific and narrow tasks (preprocessing enhancements). Evaluating data quality, addressing biases, protecting privacy, ensuring accountability and transparency, and developing regulation are imperative to ensure the ethical application of GANs., (Copyright © 2023 United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Staphylococci are considered commensal organisms; however, they can also cause diseases in animals. The species Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was originally isolated from the nares and anal mucosa of healthy dogs; nowadays, the incidence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius strains in dogs has increased, and this species has also become the most common cause of canine skin lesions. S. pseudintermedius were tested for their susceptibility to bacteriocins to show the potential of bacteriocins to eliminate/reduce S. pseudintermedius as a causative agent. Material and Methods: In this study, S. pseudintermedius were isolated from skin lesions on dogs of various breeds and ages in the Vojvodina region (Serbia) in the framework of our international co-operation. Results: S. pseudintermedius strains were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the species allocation was confirmed by genotypization and corroborated using phenotyping tests. The strains were multiresistant, involving methicillin-resistance. In addition, the mec A gene was detected in S. pseudintermedius strains, confirming the presence of a genetic feature for methicillin resistance. S. pseudintermedius strains produced large amounts of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase; they were low-grade biofilm forming (0.1 ≤ A 570 < 1.0), except S . pseudintermedius SPs1. All strains were susceptible to gallidermin (inhibition activity up to 204,800 arbitrary unit [AU]/mL); however, they were mostly resistant to enterocins. However, biofilm-forming S. pseudintermedius SPs1 was susceptible to enterocins (200 AU/mL). Conclusion: Establishing the susceptibility of multiresistant and mecA gene-possessing S. pseudintermedius strains to gallidermin is an innovative, original result; it provides a new opportunity for preventing/eliminating infection caused by those agents.

Purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not seen a substantial improvement in patient survival despite therapeutic advances, making accurate detection and characterization of the disease a clinical priority. Here, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the targeted MRI contrast agent MT218 specific to extradomain-B fibronectin (EDB-FN) in the tumor microenvironment for detection and characterization of aggressive OSCC tumors., Procedures: EDB-FN expression was evaluated in human normal tongue and OSCC specimens with immunohistochemistry. Invasiveness of human CAL27, HSC3, and SCC4 OSCC cells was analyzed with spheroid formation and transwell assays. EDB-FN expression in the cells was analyzed with semiquantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and a peptide binding study with confocal microscopy. Contrast-enhanced MRI with MT218 was performed on subcutaneous OSCC mouse models at a dose of 0.04 mmol/kg, using gadoteridol (0.1 mmol/kg) as a control., Results: Strong EDB-FN expression was observed in human untreated primary and metastatic OSCC, reduced expression in treated OSCC, and little expression in normal tongue tissue. SCC4 and HSC3 cell lines demonstrated high invasive potential with high and moderate-EDB-FN expression, respectively, while CAL27 showed little invasive potential and low-EDB-FN expression. In T 1 -weighted MRI, MT218 produced differential contrast enhancement in the subcutaneous tumor models in correlation with EDB-FN expression in the cancer cells. Enhancement in the high-EDB-FN tumors was greater with MT218 at 0.04 mmol/kg than gadoteridol at 0.1 mmol/kg., Conclusions: The results suggest EDB-FN has strong potential as an imageable biomarker for aggressive OSCC. MRMI results demonstrate the effectiveness of MT218 and the potential for differential diagnostic imaging of oral cancer for improving the management of the disease.

Over the past decade, targeted therapies have emerged as promising forms of cancer treatment and are increasingly included in chemotherapeutic regimens for an ever-growing list of human cancers. Targeted therapies are so-named due to their specific targeting of dysregulated signaling pathways in cancer cells. This enhanced discrimination between tumor and normal cells is a more promising and efficacious approach to cancer treatment than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, targeted therapies still have side effects, and some manifest in the oral cavity. Oral adverse events tend to be mild and thus may be overlooked in the context of a patient's overarching diagnosis and management. These oral lesions are often noted during an intraoral examination and identified in the context of the patient's medical history and medication list. It is imperative that the dentist be informed of the oral sequelae of targeted therapies. Many of these side effects can be successfully managed in a palliative manner with conservative therapy. This article discusses the clinical presentations and treatment of intraoral adverse events attributable to the following classes of targeted therapies: epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors, and selected tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

During the hunting season 2013-2014, fecal samples collected from hare, roe deer, deer and wild boars were sent to the bacteriology laboratory for the isolation of Escherichia coli and multidrug resistant isolates were characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Out of 106 fecal samples, E. coli was isolated from 101 samples. Although the majority of isolates belonged to phylogenetic groups A and B1, 14 out of 101 isolates were affiliated to group B2. A multidrug resistance phenotype was determined in 7 isolates, all of which had distinguishable genomic macrorestriction profiles. PCR analysis and sequencing revealed a variety of resistance genes, gene cassettes and cassette arrays in these multidrug resistant isolates. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was found in five E. coli isolates (two from a roe deer, one from a deer and two from a wild boar) and multiple mutations in the chromosomal topoisomerase genes were identified. In an E.coli isolate from a hare, the qnrB19 gene was detected. The same isolate carried an aadA23 gene cassette in class 1 integron. In addition, an extended- spectrum beta-lactamase bla CTX-M-1 gene was detected in an E. coli isolate from a roe deer. The gene was located on a conjugative multi resistance plasmid, which was transferable to a plasmid free E. coli recipient. In conclusion, a number of resistance genes and mobile genetic elements were detected in E. coli isolates from wildlife in Vojvodina, emphasizing the role of environmental pollution in spreading resistant bacteria., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)