In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations in a rabbit model of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Twelve healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were used, with eight in the experimental group (PTE group) and four in the control group. After developing the rabbit model of acute PTE, ECG and coronary angiography were performed. HE staining was conducted on the right and left ventricular tissues, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), and Troponin I (TNI) mRNA expression in the myocardium. There were considerable changes in the ST segment of the ECG in the PTE group. Coronary angiography revealed the absence of spasm, stenosis, and occlusion. In the plasma of the PTE group, the levels of D-dimer, BNP, TNF-?, and TNI were significantly elevated, and these changes were statistically significant (P<0.05). PCR analysis of ventricular myocardial tissue indicated significantly higher levels of BNP, TNF-?, and TNI mRNA in the PTE group than in the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The ST-T variations on the ECG of rabbits with acute PTE correlate strongly with the temporary changes in right heart volume caused by acute PTE. Keywords: Animal model of pulmonary embolism, B-type natriuretic peptide, Electrocardiogram, Pulmonary thromboembolism, Troponin I, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

• MeSH
• Acute Disease MeSH
• Electrocardiography * MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain blood   MeSH
• Pulmonary Embolism * physiopathology   blood   MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha blood   metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Troponin I blood   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

We previously reported the multi-system sequelae of fetal growth restriction, induced by placental underperfusion, in near-term born rabbits, in the immediate neonatal period and up to pre-adolescence. Herein, we describe the pulmonary and neurodevelopmental consequences of FGR in rabbits born preterm. We hypothesize that FGR has an additional detrimental effect on prematurity in both pulmonary function and neurodevelopment. FGR was induced at gestational day (GD) 25 by placental underperfusion, accomplished by partial uteroplacental vessel ligation in one uterine horn. Rabbits were delivered by cesarean section at GD 29, and placentas were harvested for histology. Neonates underwent neurobehavioral or pulmonary functional assessment at postnatal day 1, followed by brain or lung harvesting, respectively. The neurodevelopmental assessment included neurobehavioral testing and multiregional quantification of cell density and apoptosis in the brain. Lung assessment included functional testing, alveolar morphometry, and airway histology. FGR was associated with higher perinatal mortality, lower birth and placental weight, and a similar brain-to-body weight ratio compared to controls. Placental underperfusion decreased labyrinth and junction zone volumes in FGR placentas. FGR impaired pulmonary function, depicted by higher parenchymal resistance, damping, and elastance. Alveolar morphometry and airway smooth muscle content were comparable between groups. Neurobehavioral tests showed motoric and sensorial impairment in FGR rabbits. In FGR brains, cell density was globally reduced, with higher apoptosis in selected areas. In conclusion, in preterm-born rabbits, placental underperfusion leads to higher mortality, FGR, and impaired lung and brain development in early assessment. This study complements previous findings of placental, pulmonary, and neurodevelopmental impairment in near-term born rabbits in this model.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The objective of this review is to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of several treatments and therapeutic protocols that have been used for the prevention and treatment of perinatal asphyxia in human neonates and in different animal models. Perinatal asphyxia is one of the main causes of mortality worldwide and is an important factor in triggering physio-metabolic disorders that result in serious neurological consequences and learning disorders not only in human foetuses and neonates, but also in animals. In recent years, the search for new pharmacological protocols to prevent and reverse physio-metabolic disorders and brain damage derived from perinatal asphyxia has been and continues to be the subject of intense research. Currently, within these pharmacological protocols, therapeutic strategies have been evaluated that use respiratory and hormonal stimulants, as well as hypothermic therapies in combination with other putative neuroprotective agents. Similarly, energy supplements have been evaluated with the objective of preventing perinatal asphyxia and treating new-borns with this condition, and to decrease the incidence of neonatal and foetal deaths associated with it. However, despite these promising advances, this pathology has persisted, since the administration of these therapies in low doses may not exert a neuroprotective effect or, in high doses, can trigger adverse effects (such as reduced cardiac contractility, reduced cerebral blood flow, poor perfusion, sympathetic and neuroendocrine stimulation, and increased blood viscosity) in human foetuses and neonates as well as in different animal models (rats, piglets, sheep and rabbits). Therefore, it is important to determine the minimum effective dose with which these therapies exert a neuroprotective effect, as well as the mode of administration, the duration of therapy, etc. Therefore, until a powerful strategy is found to improve the consequences of suffocation, this topic will continue to be the subject of intensive research in the future.

The increasing incidence of trauma in medicine brings with it new demands on the materials used for the surgical treatment of bone fractures. Titanium, its alloys, and steel are used worldwide in the treatment of skeletal injuries. These metallic materials, although inert, are often removed after the injured bone has healed. The second-stage procedure-the removal of the plates and screws-can overwhelm patients and overload healthcare systems. The development of suitable absorbable metallic materials would help us to overcome these issues. In this experimental study, we analyzed an extruded Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr (wt.%) alloy on a rabbit model. From this alloy we developed screws which were implanted into the rabbit tibia. After 120, 240, and 360 days, we tested the toxicity at the site of implantation and also within the vital organs: the liver, kidneys, and brain. The results were compared with a control group, implanted with a Ti-based screw and sacrificed after 360 days. The samples were analyzed using X-ray, micro-CT, and a scanning electron microscope. Chemical analysis revealed only small concentrations of zinc, strontium, and magnesium in the liver, kidneys, and brain. Histologically, the alloy was verified to possess very good biocompatibility after 360 days, without any signs of toxicity at the site of implantation. We did not observe raised levels of Sr, Zn, or Mg in any of the vital organs when compared with the Ti group at 360 days. The material was found to slowly degrade in vivo, forming solid corrosion products on its surface.

• MeSH
• Tibial Fractures * metabolism   surgery   MeSH
• Magnesium chemistry   pharmacokinetics   pharmacology   MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Alloys * chemistry   pharmacokinetics   pharmacology   MeSH
• Strontium chemistry   pharmacokinetics   pharmacology   MeSH
• Materials Testing * MeSH
• Tibia metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Absorbable Implants * MeSH
• Zinc chemistry   pharmacokinetics   pharmacology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Výzkumným cílem tohoto multidisciplinárního projektu bude vývoj pokročilých nanočásticových systémů pro rychlé zobrazení trombů v kardiovaskulárním systému, zejména v mozku (cerebrální iktus), za použití in vivo zobrazovacích techniky MRI. Efektivita těchto systémů bude testována na preklinických animálních modelech potkanů a králíků. Pro rychlé a citlivé zobrazování pomocí MRI budou pro kontrastní látky využity nanoliposomy značené komplexy gadolinia. Cílení k trombu bude dosaženo vazbou specifických ligandů na povrch nanoliposomů pomocí aktivovaných polyetylenglykolových spacerů. Velikost připravených nanoliposomů bude přibližně 80 nm, která zajistí snadné proniknutí nanoliposomů do struktury trombu a sníží pronikání do jater prostřednictvím fenestrací v endoteliální výstelce kapilár jaterního cévního systému. RGD peptidy představují specifické ligandy cílené k aktivovaným krevním destičkám a vláknům fibrinu. Nové ligandy budou představovat proteinové bindery, které specificky rozpoznávají fibrinová vlákna.; The research aim of the multidisciplinary project is to develop advanced nanoparticle systems for rapid imaging of thrombi in the cardiovascular system, especially in the brain (cerebral ictus), using in vivo imaging technique MRI. The efficacy of the system will be tested on preclinical rat and rabbit animal models. Contrast agents are based on nanoliposomes labelled with gadolinium complexes for rapid and sensitive imaging with the use of MRI. Targeting of nanoliposomes to thrombi will be achieved by binding of specific ligands to the nanoliposomal surface by means of activated polyethylene glycol spacers. The size of liposomes will be approximately 80 nm. This will ensure their easy penetration through the clot network structure, and decrease penetration to the liver through fenestrations in the endothelial lining of capillary vessels in the hepatic vascular system. RGD peptides will be targeted by specific ligands to both activated thrombocytes and fibrin fibres. New ligands will be protein binders, specifically recognizing fibrin fibres.

• MeSH
• Stroke MeSH
• Intravital Microscopy MeSH
• Contrast Media MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Liposomes MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods   MeSH
• Magnetite Nanoparticles MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Thrombosis diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Animals MeSH

• NML Publication type
• závěrečné zprávy o řešení grantu AZV MZ ČR

Fakt křížení některých mozkových drah provází mediky a posléze neurology a neurochirurgy po celou dobu jejich studia, resp. po dobu jejich pracovní „dráhy“. Křížení pyramidové dráhy, anterolaterálního, lemniskálního systému a zrakové dráhy bereme jako samozřejmost a popisujeme kontralaterální hemiparézy, hemiplegie, vč. těch alternujících, Brown-Séquardův míšní hemisyndrom a homonymní hemianopsii. Chápeme centrální lézi lícního nervu projevující se pouze kontralaterální parézou koutku úst při zachování schopnosti zavřít oko. Dalšími drahami, které se kříží a u kterých si to často ani neuvědomujeme, jsou např. dráhy dentato-rubro-olivárního (Guillain-Mollaretova) trojúhelníku, lemiscus lateralis (corpus trapezoideum) vedoucí sluch, tractus pontocerebellaris a tractus dentatothalamicus (decussatio pedunculi cerebellaris superioris). Nervus trochlearis, dráha tektospinální (decussatio tegmenti dorsalis) a rubrospinální (decussation tegmenti ventralis) se kříží v mezencefalu, reticulospinální dráhy jsou zkřížené i nezkřížené, a naopak nedochází ke křížení dráhy interstitiospinální z Cajalova jádra a vestibulospinální z Dietersova jádra. Zkusili jsme se nad tímto zamyslet, provedli rešerši dostupné literatury ohledně teorií důvodů křížení drah, přidali mnemotechnickou predátorskou teorii silurského moře a zaměřili se na fylogenetické rozdíly ve stavbě mozku obratlovců disekcí kadaverózního mozku králíka (Oryctolagus cuniculus), kachny (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) a kapra (Cyprinus carpio). Výsledky, byť nemůžeme odpovědět na všechny výše uvedené otázky a další otázky z nich vyvstávající, laskavému čtenáři předkládáme formou minimonografie.

The fact that some brain tracts decussate accompanies medical students and neurologists and neurosurgeons during the whole period of their study, as well as in their work “careers”. We take the decussation of the pyramidal tract, anterolateral, lemniscal systems and visual pathways for granted and we describe contralateral hemipareses, hemiplegia, including alternating ones, Brown-Séquard's spinal cord hemisyndrome and homonymous hemianopsia. We understand the central lesion of the facial nerve, presenting only with contralateral paresis of mouth muscles while the ability to close the eye is preserved. The other tracts which cross and in which we do not often realize this are for example the tracts of the dentate-rubro-olivary (Guillain-Mollaret's) triangle, lemniscus lateralis (corpus trapezoideum) conducting hearing, tractus pontocerebellaris, and tractus dentatothalamicus (decussatio pedunculi cerebellaris superioris). The trochlear nerve, tectospinal tract (decussatio tegmenti dorsalis) and rubrospinal tract (decussation tegmenti ventralis) decussate in the mesencephalon, reticulospinal tracts are both crossed and also uncrossed and on the contrary the crossing of the interstitiospinal tract from the ncl. of Cajal and vestibulospinal tract from the ncl. of. Dieters are not present. We questioned this finding, so we conducted the review of the pertinent literature concerning the theories why the tracts cross, we added the mnemotechnic predator theory of the silur sea, and we concentrated on the phylogenetic differences in the architecture of vertebrate brains, with the help of dissection of brain cadavers from rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). Based on our results, we are not able to answer all of the above-mentioned and further related questions, hence we present them to the reader in the form of a minimonography.

• Keywords
• kortikospinální dráha, chisama opticum,
• MeSH
• Anatomy, Comparative MeSH
• Biological Evolution MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neural Pathways * anatomy & histology   MeSH
• Nervous System anatomy & histology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

This study aimed to design a neural interface that extracts movement commands from the brain to generate appropriate intra-spinal stimulation to restore leg movement. This study comprised four steps: (1) Recording electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals and corresponding leg movements in different trials. (2) Partial laminectomy to induce spinal cord injury (SCI) and detect motor modules in the spinal cord. (3) Delivering appropriate intra-spinal stimulation to the motor modules for restoration of the movements to those documented before SCI. (4) Development of a neural interface created by sparse linear regression (SLiR) model to detect movement commands transmitted from the brain to the modules. Correlation coefficient (CC) and normalized root mean square (NRMS) error was calculated to evaluate the neural interface effectiveness. It was found that by stimulating detected spinal cord modules, joint angle evaluated before SCI was not significantly different from that of post-SCI (P > 0.05). Based on results of SLiR model, overall CC and NRMS values were 0.63 ± 0.14 and 0.34 ± 0.16 (mean ± SD), respectively. These results indicated that ECoG data contained information about intra-spinal stimulations and the developed neural interface could produce intra-spinal stimulation based on ECoG data, for restoration of leg movements after SCI.

• MeSH
• Lower Extremity MeSH
• Electric Stimulation Therapy * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Locomotion MeSH
• Recovery of Function MeSH
• Motor Activity MeSH
• Spinal Cord Injuries therapy   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Evaluation Study MeSH

BACKGROUND: CLARITY is a method of rendering postmortem brain tissue transparent using acrylamide-based hydrogels so that this tissue could be further used for immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, or gross anatomical studies. Published papers using the CLARITY method have included studies on human brains suffering from Alzheimer's disease using mouse spinal cords as animal models for multiple sclerosis. METHODS: We modified the original design of the Chung CLARITY system by altering the electrophoretic flow-through cell, the shape of the platinum electrophoresis electrodes and their positions, as well as the cooling and recirculation system, so that it provided a greater effect and can be used in any laboratory. RESULTS: The adapted CLARITY system is assembled from basic laboratory components, in contrast to the original design. The modified CLARITY system was tested both on rat brain stained with a rabbit polyclonal anti-Iba-1 for microglial cells and on human nucleus accumbens stained with parvalbumin and tyrosine hydroxylase for visualization of specific neurons by confocal laser scanning microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our design has the advantage of simplicity, functional robustness, and minimal requirement for specialized additional items for the construction of the CLARITY apparatus.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Cíl: Vývoj nových léčiv a léčebných postupů se v současnosti bez zvířecích modelů neobejde. Vzhledem k unikátní komplexnosti CMP je počet modelů ji studujících neobvykle široký. Cílem přehledu je popsat a jednoduše analyzovat spektrum používaných experimentálních modelů a běžně používaných živočišných druhů ve výzkumu CMP. Metody: Publikace byly vyhledány v listopadu 2017 v databázích: PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library a Springer Link pomocí kombinace klíčových slov. U každého modelu CMP byl evidován typ modelu, druh zvířete, jeho pohlaví a věk a byla vyhodnocena četnost výskytu v sledovaných publikačních databázích. Vyloučeny byly nerelevantní publikace a duplicity. Výsledky: Z 26 198 článků bylo dohledáno 3 093 relevantních odkazů, které odpovídaly zadání metodologie. Výsledky byly zpracovány v přehledové tabulce. Závěr: Práce mapuje četnost použití animálních modelů a používaných živočišných druhů v problematice výzkumu CMP.

Aim: The development of new drugs and curative treatments without animal models is currently not possible. Due to the unique complexity of stroke, the number of models studying this is unusually extensive. The aim of the overview is to describe and simply analyse used experimental models and commonly used animal species in research in vascular events. Methods: The publications were searched in November 2017 in databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library and Springer Link by using key word combinations. There was the registered type of model, species of animal, its gender and age of the animal for each stroke model, and there was the registered frequency of occurrence in monitored publication databases. Relevant publications and duplications were not excluded. Results: There were 3,093 relevant links from 26,198 articles, which correspond to the specification of the methodology. The results were processed in an overviewed table. Conclusion: The article maps the frequency of use of animal models and used animal species in the field of stroke research.

• MeSH
• Stroke * MeSH
• Gerbillinae MeSH
• Cats MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Sheep MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Primates MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Cats MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Fluid loading and hyperosmolar solutions can modify the cortical brain microcirculation and the endothelial glycocalyx (EG). This study compared the short-term effects of liberal fluid loading with a restrictive fluid intake followed by osmotherapy with hypertonic saline (HTS) on cerebral cortical microcirculation and EG integrity in a rabbit craniotomy model. METHODS: The experimental rabbits were allocated randomly to receive either <2 mL/kg/h (group R, n=14) or 30 mL/kg/h (group L, n=14) of balanced isotonic fluids for 1 hour. Then, the animals were randomized to receive 5 mL/kg intravenous infusion of either 3.2% saline (group HTS, n=14) or 0.9% saline (group normal saline, n=13) in a 20-minute infusion. Microcirculation in the cerebral cortex based on sidestream dark-field imaging, a morphologic index of glycocalyx damage to sublingual and cortical brain microcirculation (the perfused boundary region), and serum syndecan-1 levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Lower cortical brain perfused small vessel density (P=0.0178), perfused vessel density (P=0.0286), and total vessel density (P=0.0447) were observed in group L, compared with group R. No differences were observed between the HTS and normal saline groups after osmotherapy. Cerebral perfused boundary region values (P=0.0692) and hematocrit-corrected serum syndecan-1 levels (P=0.0324) tended to be higher in group L than in group R animals. CONCLUSIONS: Liberal fluid loading was associated with altered cortical cerebral microcirculation and EG integrity parameters. The 3.2% saline treatment did not affect cortical cerebral microcirculation or EG integrity markers.

• MeSH
• Glycocalyx drug effects   MeSH
• Hemodynamics MeSH
• Saline Solution, Hypertonic pharmacology   MeSH
• Infusions, Intravenous MeSH
• Rabbits MeSH
• Craniotomy MeSH
• Microcirculation drug effects   MeSH
• Cerebrovascular Circulation drug effects   MeSH
• Fluid Therapy * MeSH
• Mouth Floor blood supply   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rabbits MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH