Krzysztof Wąsowicz

Immunohistochemical Characterization of Sympathetic Chain Ganglia (SChG) Neurons Supplying the Porcine mammary Gland

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical coding of mammary gland‐projecting SChG neurons using double‐labelling immunohistochemistry. Earlier observation showed that after injection of the retrograde tracer fast blue (FB) into the second, right thoracic mamma, FB+ mammary gland‐projecting neurons were found in Th1‐3, Th9‐14 and L1‐4 right SChG. The greatest number of FB+ nerve cell bodies was observed in Th10 (approx. 843) and Th11 (approx. 567). Neurons projecting to the last right abdominal mamma were found in L1‐4 SChG. The greatest number of FB+ neurons was observed in L2 (approx. 1200). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the vast majority of FB+ mammary‐projecting neurons contained immunoreactivities to TH (96.97%) and/or DßH (95.92%). Many TH/DßH‐positive neurons stained for SOM (41.5%) or NPY (33.2%), and less numerous nerve cells expressed VIP (16.9%). This observation strongly corresponds to the results of previous studies concerning the immunohistochemical characterization of nerve fibres supplying the porcine mammary gland.

Changes in the expression of galanin and galanin receptors in the wall of the colon in pigs experimentally infected with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

Abstract The expression of galanin (GAL) and its three receptors (GalR1, GalR2, and GalR3) were studied with real-time PCR in the colonic wall of pigs suffering from experimental colitis caused by the infection with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. The expression was studied in the muscular membrane, mucosa/submucosa layer, and in lymphocytes isolated from mucosa/submucosa. The expression levels were normalized to glyceraldehyde-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression and compared to expression levels in control animals. GAL expression was found in all three studied compartments of the colonic wall. A significant decrease in GAL expression level was found in the mucosa/submucosa and in isolated lymphocytes, whereas the decrease was much less profound in the muscular membrane. In the case of galanin receptors their expression was found in all studied compartments of the colonic wall, however at different levels, as compared to GAPDH expression. The decrease of galanin receptors expression was found in all studied compartments of the colonic wall of the sick animals.

MiRNA-21, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-34a Expression in Canine Mammary Gland Neoplasms

Abstract The expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-34a in malignant and benign tumours and non-neoplastic lesions in canine mammary gland, using real-time PCR with TaqMan probes was determined. The expression in normal tissues was compared to neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions using one-way ANOVA test. Significant changes in miRNA expression in neoplastic tissues, as compared to normal ones, were demonstrated. In all neoplastic tissues, the miRNA-21 expression increased while in non-neoplastic lesions slightly decreased in comparison to normal ones. MiRNA-10b expression in malignant and benign tumours increased in comparison to normal tissues and non-neoplastic lesions. MiRNA-34a expression profile in neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues differed from other examined miRNAs (miRNA-21 and miRNA-10b). In all samples miRNA-34a expression level decreased in comparison to normal tissues.

Research Directions in European Veterinary Pathology in 2010-2016 based on the Congresses of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology and the European College of Veterinary Pathologists

The objective of this paper is to depict the current research directions in veterinary pathology in Europe. The analysis was carried out based on the abstracts and agendas of the annual European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP) congresses organised together with the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) in 2010-2016. In total, 1444 presentations were evaluated, including 41 plenary lectures, 319 short oral presentations, and 1081 posters, and in 2016 also three science slams. It was found that infectious and parasitic diseases (467 presentations, 32.34%) and oncology (450 presentations, 31.16%) were the most commonly discussed topics. Organ pathology was also addressed (327 presentations, 22.65%), with the subsequent places taken by research on different topics (140 presentations, 9.70%) and toxicopathology (67 presentations, 4.64%). Among the most commonly presented issues, there was a substantial number of presentations on neurology (129 speeches, 8.93%) and mammary gland diseases (101 presentations, 6.99%). A downward trend was revealed for infectious and parasitic diseases and for oncology, and a positive trend for organ pathology, the first and the third being statistically significant.