The optimization of sample preparation on zebrafish larvae in vibrational spectroscopy imaging.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae are widely used in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and ecotoxicological studies. Their transparency and translational potential make them particularly valuable for fluorescence imaging. In addition to fluorescence imaging, microspectroscopy, which combines vibrational spectroscopy: Raman or Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) with microscopy, allows the collection of spatially resolved, label-free information.

Feline sarcoptic mange in Poland: A case series of three cats.

Background: Sarcoptic mange is rare in cats. The main symptoms reported in cases of feline sarcoptic mange include crusty lesions and pruritus, although these may vary in severity among individuals.

Objectives: This report describes three cats infested with Sarcoptes scabiei, all presenting with pruritus and excoriation.

Effectiveness of the production of tissue-engineered living bone graft: a comparative study using perfusion and rotating bioreactor systems.

Bioreactor systems are very precious tools to generate living bone grafts in vitro. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of rotating and perfusion bioreactor in the production of a living bone construct. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDSCs) were seeded on the surfaces of hydroxyapatite-based scaffolds and cultured for 21 days in three different conditions: (1) static 3D culture, (2) 3D culture in a perfusion bioreactor, and (3) dynamic 3D culture in a rotating bioreactor.

Characteristics of Hybrid Bioglass-Chitosan Coatings on the Plasma Activated PEEK Polymer.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a biocompatible, chemically and physically stable radiolucent polymer that exhibits a similar elastic modulus to the normal human bone, making it an attractive orthopedic implant material. However, PEEK is biologically inert, preventing strong enough bonding with the surrounding bone tissue when implanted in vivo. Surface modification and composite preparation are the two main strategies for the improvement of the bioactivity of PEEK.

Application of Vibrational Spectroscopic Techniques in the Study of the Natural Polysaccharides and Their Cross-Linking Process.

Polysaccharides are one of the most abundant natural polymers and their molecular structure influences many crucial characteristics-inter alia hydrophobicity, mechanical, and physicochemical properties. Vibrational spectroscopic techniques, such as infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies are excellent tools to study their arrangement during polymerization and cross-linking processes. This review paper summarizes the application of the above-mentioned analytical methods to track the structure of natural polysaccharides, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, glucan, starch, chitosan, dextran, and their derivatives, which affects their industrial and medical use.

The application of videodermoscopic examination in assessing the skin and its products in pure Arabian horses in the summer and winter seasons.

Videodermoscopic examinations have only recently started to be used in veterinary medicine and usually involve a small group of animals. The aim of this study was to compare specific dermoscopic parameters in selected areas of the body of Arabian horses in the summer and winter seasons. The research was conducted between 2018-2019.

Osteoclast-mediated acidic hydrolysis of thermally gelled curdlan component of the bone scaffolds: Is it possible?

Many biomaterials for bone regeneration have recently been produced using thermally gelled curdlan (1,3-β-d-glucan) as a binder for bioceramics. As the human organism does not produce enzymes having the ability to degrade curdlan, it is not clear what is the fate of curdlan gel after its implantation in the bone. To clarify this point, in this research osteoclasts were cultured on the curdlan gel to show its degradation by acidic hydrolysis.

Developing Benign Ni/g-CN Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation: Activity and Toxicity Study.

This research discusses the CO valorization via hydrogenation over the non-noble metal clusters of Ni and Cu supported on graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN). The Ni and Cu catalysts were characterized by conventional techniques including XRD, AFM, ATR, Raman imaging, and TPR and were tested via the hydrogenation of CO at 1 bar. The transition-metal-based catalyst designed with atom-economy principles presents stable activity and good conversions for the studied processes.

Surface Chemical and Morphological Analysis of Chitosan/1,3-β-d-Glucan Polysaccharide Films Cross-Linked at 90 °C.

The cross-linking temperature of polymers may affect the surface characteristics and molecular arrangement, which are responsible for their mechanical and physico-chemical properties. The aim of this research was to determine and explain in detail the mechanism of unit interlinkage of two-component chitosan/1,3-β-d-glucan matrices gelled at 90 °C. This required identifying functional groups interacting with each other and assessing surface topography providing material chemical composition.

Evaluation of a hydrolysed salmon and pea hypoallergenic diet application in dogs and cats with cutaneous adverse food reaction.

Cutaneous adverse food reaction (CAFR) is a common disease, affecting about 1-2% of dogs and cats. Diagnosis of the CAFR is made through elimination diet coupled with diet challenge, as methods like skin tests, patch tests, basophil degranulation tests and assessment of IgG and IgE serum levels are not sensitive enough. A partially hydrolysed salmon and pea hypoallergenic diet was evaluated in the diagnosis and treatment of CAFR in dogs and cats.

A Reprieve from US wildlife mortality on roads during the COVID-19 pandemic.

High traffic volume is one of the main contributors to wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) and wildlife mortality on roads. Government shelter-in-place (SIP) orders have been used to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, resulting in unprecedented reductions in global traffic volumes. Using traffic and collision data from four US states (California, Idaho, Maine, and Washington), we investigated changes in total WVC, following the state and local SIP orders.

Non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in a European shorthair cat: A case report.

The current case report presents a case of non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in an 8-year-old European Shorthair female cat. The animal displayed extensive alopecia and excessive peeling of the epidermis. There were no other apparent disorders, except for the skin lesions.

Molecular Structure of Cefuroxime Axetil Complexes with α-, β-, γ-, and 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrins: Molecular Simulations and Raman Spectroscopic and Imaging Studies.

The formation of cefuroxime axetil+cyclodextrin (CA+CD) complexes increases the aqueous solubility of CA, improves its physico-chemical properties, and facilitates a biomembrane-mediated drug delivery process. In CD-based tablet formulations, it is crucial to investigate the molecular details of complexes in final pharmaceutical preparation. In this study, Raman spectroscopy and mapping were applied for the detection and identification of chemical groups involved in α-, β-, γ-, and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (2-HP- β-CD)+CA complexation process.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Remote Monitoring - COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences and Future Perspectives.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a well-established form of the treatment for heart failure (HF) in patients with left ventricle contraction dyssynchrony. Apart from typical in-office management, remote monitoring enables constant surveillance on both the patient's and the device's condition. This way, in case of any problems, clinical decisions could be made earlier leading to better outcome of CRT patients.

Serum tT4, fT4 and TSH concentrations in German Shepherd dogs depending on age and type of work.

Serum concentration of thyroid hormones in healthy dogs varies according to age, sex, breed or professional activity. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of both age and dogs' work involvement on TSH and thyroid hormones values. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (tT4) and free thyroxine (fT4) were tested in the serum of 57 healthy, German Shepherd dogs.

Vibrational Spectroscopic Analyses and Imaging of the Early Middle Ages Hemp Bast Fibres Recovered from Lake Sediments.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and imaging combined with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to analyse biochemical properties of Early Middle Ages hemp ( L.) bast fibres collected from lake bottom sediment of lake Słone. The examined plant macrofossil material constitutes residues of the hemp retting process that took place in the 7th-8th century.

Pilot Videodermoscopic Examination of Hair and Skin in Arabian Mare Horses During the Winter Season.

Videodermoscopy is a novel, noninvasive technique used to examine the appearance of skin and its adnexa. The aim of this study was to assess specific dermoscopic parameters in Arabian purebred mares in particular areas of the body during the winter season. The study was performed in the winter season.

Physicochemical changes of the chitosan/β-1,3-glucan/hydroxyapatite biocomposite caused by mesenchymal stem cells cultured on its surface in vitro.

In the present study structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of tri-component biomaterial (consisting of chitosan, β-1,3-glucan and hydroxyapatite) seeded with mesenchymal stem cells were investigated with the use of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study we use non-conventional approach of DRIFT spectroscopy for investigating biomaterial changes under simulated physiological conditions. Particular cell-induced changes were intended to be properly evaluated with analytical methods.

Application of Raman Spectroscopic Imaging to Assess the Structural Changes at Cell-Scaffold Interface.

Raman spectroscopic imaging and mapping were applied to characterise three-compound ceramic composite biomaterial consisting of chitosan, β-1,3-d-glucan (curdlan) and hydroxyapatite (HA) developed as a bone tissue engineering product (TEP). In this rapidly advancing domain of medical science, the urge for quick, reliable and specific method for products evaluation and tissue-implant interaction, in this case bone formation process, is constantly present. Two types of stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs), were cultured on composite surface.

Collagen maturity and mineralization in mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the hydroxyapatite-based bone scaffold analyzed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging.

Modern bone tissue engineering is based on the use of implants in the form of biomaterials, which are used as scaffolds for osteoprogenitor or stem cells. The task of the scaffolds is to temporarily sustain the function, proliferation and differentiation of bone tissue to enable its regeneration. The aim of this work is to use the macro ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging for analysis of the ceramic-based biomaterial (chitosan/β-1,3-glucan/hydroxyapatite).

Effect of Gelation Temperature on the Molecular Structure and Physicochemical Properties of the Curdlan Matrix: Spectroscopic and Microscopic Analyses.

In order to determine the effect of different gelation temperatures (80 °C and 90 °C) on the structural arrangements in 1,3-β-d-glucan (curdlan) matrices, spectroscopic and microscopic approaches were chosen. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy are well-established techniques that enable the identification of functional groups in organic molecules based on their vibration modes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a quantitative analytical method utilized in the surface study, which provided information about the elemental and chemical composition with high surface sensitivity.

Spectroscopic studies on the temperature-dependent molecular arrangements in hybrid chitosan/1,3-β-D-glucan polymeric matrices.

Chitosan/1,3-β-D-glucan matrices have been recently used in various biomedical applications. Within this study, the structural changes in hybrid polysaccharide chitosan/1,3-β-D-glucan matrices cross-linked at 70 °C and 80 °C were detected with Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy enabled thorough insights into molecular structure of studied biomaterials, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) provided their surface characteristics with confirmation of their effective and non-destructive properties. There are temperature-dependent differences in the chemical interactions between 1,3-β-D-glucan units and N-glucosamine in chitosan, resulting in surface polarity changes.

Adropin, nesfatin-1 and angiotensin II receptor expression in the abdominal aorta in ovariectomized rats after nesfatin-1 treatment.

The aim of the research was to assess the effect of nesfatin-1 on the structure, flexibility parameters, and expression of adropin, nesfatin-1, and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) in the abdominal aorta in ovariectomized rats. Fragments of aortas were collected after euthanasia of female sham-operated (CONT) and ovariectomized Wistar rats (EXP), which were administered intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline (CONT, n = 7; EXP-O, n = 7) or nesfatin-1 (EXP-N, n = 7) in an amount of 2 μg/kg b.w.

Transepidermal water loss and skin hydration in healthy cats and cats with non-flea non-food hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFHD).

Allergic skin diseases in cats are amongst the most prevalent dermatological conditions in this species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate different types of skin barrier measurements in healthy cats and cats with non-flea non-food hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFHD). 24 clinically healthy and 19 NFNFHD cats were included in this clinical trial.