Classical coprological methods allow for inexpensive, quick and reliable detection of parasitic elements. However, the detection of these parasitic elements may be insufficient and quantification of the parasitic burden may be required. As such, faecal egg counts can play a crucial role in providing these extra data. Herewith we describe the McMaster method, one of the most used faecal egg count methods described.

Diagnosis of parasitic infections in animals is an interesting task that can be developed by veterinary nurses. To perform direct identification of parasites, particularly ova present in faeces, it is possible to use faecal smears, flotation and sedimentation tests. Faecal flotation is fast and inexpensive, and can be quickly implemented as a measure for infection control. Herewith we describe the Willis method, one of the most used flotation methods.

Diagnosis of parasitic larval forms is typically associated with complex, costly methods. As such, simple, low-cost diagnostic tools for larvae identification are of the utmost importance in diagnostic parasitology in the veterinary clinic. Herewith we describe the Baermann technique, one of the most used larvae identification methods.

Incretin-based therapies, the most recent therapeutic options for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, can modify various elements of the disease, including hypersecretion of glucagon, abnormal gastric emptying, postprandial hyperglycaemia, and, possibly, pancreatic β cell dysfunction. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (gliptins) increase glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) availability and correct the “incretin defect” seen in T2DM patients. Clinical studies have shown good glycaemic control with minimal risk of hypoglycaemia or any other adverse effects, despite the reports of pancreatitis, whose association remains to be proved. Recent studies have been focusing on the putative ability of DPP-4 inhibitors to preserve pancreas function, in particular due to the inhibition of apoptotic pathways and stimulation of β cell proliferation. In addition, other cytoprotective effects on other organs/tissues that are involved in serious T2DM complications, including the heart, kidney, and retina, have been increasingly reported. This review outlines the therapeutic potential of DPP-4 inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM, focusing on their main features, clinical applications, and risks, and discusses the major challenges for the future, in particular the possibility of becoming the preferred therapy for T2DM due to their ability to modify the natural history of the disease and ameliorate nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications.

retrograde into Bowman's space without mixing between compartments.Vacuum-assisted seeding improved cell delivery into vasculature and collecting systems: For the former, by demonstrating appropriate cells in the glomerular and peritubular capillary vasculature (e.g.GFP+).For the latter, by showing pancreatic islet cells in Bowman's space and tubules (e.g.insulin+).Conclusions: We have successfully developed protocols to transition from our rat model to pig kidneys for decellularization, sterilization and cell seeding.We selectively deployed cells antegrade through the vasculature into glomerular tufts, and retrograde up tubules into Bowman's space.Pancreatic islet cells successfully grew in the collecting system and demonstrated insulin production.This approach is very promising for tissue engineering a pig kidney trans-organ using a patient's iPSCs, and thereby crafting a vascularized pancreas xenotransplant.

1Department of Veterinary Science, Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, ECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal 2Department of Zootecnia, Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, ECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal 3Renal and Cardiovascular Physiopathology Unit, Reina Sofía Institute for Renal Research, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain 4Department of Animal Science, Rural Engineering and Veterinary Science, Agrarian Superior School of Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Viseu, Portugal

Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and Center for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an epidemic, paralleling the increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes, which are risk factors. In this review, we present the current pre-clinical evidence showing that GLP-1 analogues and DPP4 inhibitors can improve hepatic steatosis. Although some of the effects could be due to overall improvement in metabolic parameters, there are data to support improvements independent of weight loss, as well as direct effects on the hepatocyte in vitro. Multiple hepatocyte signal transduction pathways appear to be activated by GLP-1 and its analogues, with both AMP-activated protein kinase and Akt proposed to be key players in improving hepatic steatosis. However, it is controversial as to whether the pancreatic-type GLP-1 receptor is present or responsible for conferring the GLP-1 signal in the hepatocyte. In total, the data support the need for more rigorous prospective clinical trials to further investigate the potential of incretin therapies for treatment of NAFLD.