Isolation and identification of Porphyromonas spp. and other putative pathogens from cats with periodontal disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subgingival microbiota and determine the most prevalent periodontal pathogens implicated in feline periodontal disease and to correlate these findings with the clinical periodontal status. Subgingival microbiological samples were taken under sedation from 50 cats with clinical signs of periodontal disease. Pooled paper point samples from 4 selected subgingival sites were cultured on blood agar and on Dentaid-1 medium. Suspected pathogens were identified, subcultured, and preserved. The association between the microbiological findings and the clinical status was studied using correlation coefficients (CC). In addition, cats were stratified in subgroups according to presence of putative pathogens, and comparisons were carried out using unpaired t-test. Three bacterial species were frequently detected including Porphyromonas gulae (86%), Porphyromonas circumdentaria (70%) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (90%). The mean proportion of total flora was high for P. gulae (32.54%), moderate for P. circundentaria (8.82%), and low for F. nucleatum (3.96%). Among the clinical variables, tooth mobility was correlated (CC > 0.50, p < 0.001) with recession, pocket depth, attachment level, gingival index, and calculus index (CC = 0.29, p = 0.04) as well as with total bacterial counts (CC = 0.38, p = 0.006). Cats with more than 10% of P. gulae showed significantly more mobility (p = 0.014) and recession (p = 0.038), and a tendency for deeper probing pocket depths (p = 0.084) and attachment loss (p = 0.087). The results from this cross-sectional study confirmed that P. gulae is the most relevant pathogen in periodontal disease in cats.

Effect of Silymarin in Pdx-1 expression and the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells in a pancreatectomy model

In type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) there is a destruction of pancreatic β-cells (80-90%) at the time of detection, in DM type 2 these cells are decreased significantly. The Pdx1 transcription factor plays a central role in pancreatic development and in insulin gene expression. Previously, we have demonstrated that Silymarin recovers the normal morphology and endocrine function of damaged pancreatic tissue in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of Silymarin in Pdx1 gene expression and its repercussion on insulin gene expression and β-cell proliferation. 72 Wistar rats were partially pancreatectomized (60%) and divided into 12 groups. Six groups were treated daily with Silymarin (200mg/kg p.o.) for 3, 7, 14, 21, 42 and 63 day periods. Also, an unpancreatectomized control group was performed. At each time interval three animals from each group were administered BrdU 18 h before the sacrifice. Insulin and Pdx-1 gene expression were assessed by RT-PCR assay in total pancreatic RNA. β-Cell proliferation was determined by immunoperoxidase assay. In contrast to the animals that were only pancreatectomized, the Silymarin treatment induced an increase in both Pdx1 and insulin gene expression as well as β-cell proliferation in pancreatic tissue (control=2.6±0.28%; untreated=14.25±0.56%; treated=39.08±4.62%). Consequently, serum insulin levels rose (control=1.01±0.02 ng/ml; untreated=1.18±0.42 ng/ml; treated=4.58±0.58 ng/ml) and serum glucose levels decreased in these animals (control=6.2±0.01 mM; untreated=9.02±0.41 mM; treated=6.41±0.32 mM). These results suggest that Silymarin may induce the proliferation of insulin-producing cells.

Retrospective analysis of the use of G-CSF and its impact on dose response for anthracycline plus taxane-based schedules in early breast cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact on survival of the relative dose intensity (RDI) achieved in patients with early breast cancer receiving anthracycline plus taxane-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with early breast cancer diagnosed from January 1999 through December 2006 were included. Dose intensity was evaluated according to the number of delayed cycles and days and the percentage of RDI.

RESULTS

A total of 231 breast cancer patients were included. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given to 39 % of patients. Few patients delayed chemotherapy administration ≥2 cycles (6 %) and ≥15 days (2 %), and the majority of them received ≥85 % of the RDI (98 %). Overall survival was statistically lower at 5 years in patients who received <85 % of RDI in comparison with those who received ≥85 % of RDI (80 vs. 97 %; p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

With a wide use of G-CSF in patients treated with adjuvant anthracyclines plus taxane-based schedules, 98 % of patients received a RDI ≥85 %. A significant although inconsistent impairment of survival was found in those patients with lower RDI.

Electrochemical reactor with rotating cylinder electrode for optimum electrochemical recovery of nickel from plating rinsing effluents

This study is devoted to analyze the metallic electrochemical recovery of nickel from synthetic solutions simulating plating rinsing discharges, in order to meet the water recycling policies implemented in these industries. These effluents present dilute Ni(II) concentrations (100 and 200 ppm) in chloride and sulfate media without supporting electrolyte (397-4202 μS cm(-1)), which stems poor current distribution, limited mass transfer, ohmic drops and enhancement of parasitic reactions. An electrochemical reactor with rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) and a pH controller were utilized to overcome these problems. The pH control around 4 was crucial to yield high purity nickel, and thus prevent the precipitation of hydroxides and oxides. Macroelectrolysis experiments were systematically conducted to analyze the impacts of the applied current density in the recovery efficiency and energy consumption, particularly for very diluted effluents (100 and 200 ppm Ni(II)), which present major recovery problems. Promising nickel recoveries in the order of 90% were found in the former baths using a current density of -3.08 mA cm(-2), and with overall profits of 9.64 and 14.69 USD kg(-1), respectively. These estimations were based on the international market price for nickel ($18 USD kg(-1)).

[Delayed onset holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity]

We report a case of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency with normal pyruvate carboxylase activity in the lymphocytes of an 8 year-old girl with clinical toxicity without the classic dermatological involvement. The identification of three nucleotide changes in the holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) gene, only one of them described as a pathogenic mutation could be related to a slight variant of the disease that would explain the unusual presentation beyond the age of infant. Treatment with biotin at 40 mg/day with protein controlled diet allows normal physical growth and psychomotor development for their age.

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a childhood illness frequently caused by genotypes belonging to the enterovirus A species, including coxsackievirus (CV)-A16 and enterovirus (EV)-71. Between 2010 and 2012, several outbreaks and sporadic cases of HFMD occurred in different regions of Spain. The objective of the present study was to describe the enterovirus epidemiology associated with HFMD in the country. A total of 80 patients with HFMD or atypical rash were included. Detection and typing of the enteroviruses were performed directly in clinical samples using molecular methods. Enteroviruses were detected in 53 of the patients (66%). CV-A6 was the most frequent genotype, followed by CV-A16 and EV-71, but other minority types were also identified. Interestingly, during almost all of 2010, CV-A16 was the only causative agent of HFMD but by the end of the year and during 2011, CV-A6 became predominant, while CV-A16 was not detected. In 2012, however, both CV-A6 and CV-A16 circulated. EV-71 was associated with HFMD symptoms only in three cases during 2012. All Spanish CV-A6 sequences segregated into one major genetic cluster together with other European and Asian strains isolated between 2008 and 2011, most forming a particular clade. Spanish EV-71 strains belonged to subgenogroup C2, as did most of the European sequences circulated. In conclusion, the recent increase of HFMD cases in Spain and other European countries has been due to a larger incidence of circulating species A enteroviruses, mainly CV-A6 and CV-A16, and the emergence of new genetic variants of these viruses.

Detection of rabbit and hare processed material in compound feeds by TaqMan real-time PCR

Food and feed traceability has become a priority for governments due to consumer demand for comprehensive and integrated safety policies. In the present work, a TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was developed for specific detection of rabbit and hare material in animal feeds and pet foods. The technique is based on the use of three species-specific primer/probe detection systems targeting three 12S rRNA gene fragments: one from rabbit species, another one from hare species and a third fragment common to rabbit and hare (62, 102 and 75 bp length, respectively). A nuclear 18S rRNA PCR system, detecting a 77-bp amplicon, was used as positive amplification control. Assay performance and sensitivity were assessed through the analysis of a batch of laboratory-scale feeds treated at 133°C at 3 bar for 20 min to reproduce feed processing conditions dictated by European regulations. Successful detection of highly degraded rabbit and hare material was achieved at the lowest target concentration assayed (0.1%). Furthermore, the method was applied to 96 processed commercial pet food products to determine whether correct labelling had been used at the market level. The reported real-time PCR technique detected the presence of rabbit tissues in 80 of the 96 samples analysed (83.3%), indicating a possible labelling fraud in some pet foods. The real-time PCR method reported may be a useful tool for traceability purposes within the framework of feed control.

Preliminary outcome of a treatment strategy based on perioperative chemotherapy and surgery in patients with locally advanced colon cancer

AIM

Preoperative chemotherapy followed by radical surgery is an attractive treatment for locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) given the promising results of this approach in other locally advanced tumours. The study evaluates the outcome and treatment-related complications of perioperative oxaliplatin- and capecitabine-based chemotherapy and surgery for clinical Stage III colon cancer.

METHOD

Twenty-two consecutive patients with a CT-staged LACC were included. All were staged at baseline and before surgery. Surgery-related complications and oncological outcome were determined.

RESULTS

Toxicity was manageable, with 19/22 patients completing the planned chemotherapy protocol. The median time from initial diagnosis to surgery was 65.5 days. The median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 22 days. After neoadjuvant treatment, tumour reduction of 69.5% was observed by CT scan and a 59.9% decrease of SUVmax (standard uptake value) was achieved on positron emission tomography/CT. No progressive disease was reported during preoperative chemotherapy and surgery was performed in all 22 patients. Four patients developed postoperative complications. After a median postoperative follow-up of 14.4 months, the actuarial overall and disease-free survival rates were 100 and 90%.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy for LACC is safe without apparent increase of early and medium-term complications.

Combined physical-chemical and aerobic biological treatments of wastewater derived from sauce manufacturing

The viability of an integrated coagulation-flocculation and aerobic treatment for purifying wastewater derived from a sauce manufacturing industry was evaluated. The best coagulation-flocculation results were obtained at alkaline pH, showing the greatest turbidity removal efficiency (greater than 90%) and a total chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of approximately 80%, Additionally, experiments at alkaline pH reduce the reagent requirements (coagulant concentration of 0.4 mL/L and flocculant concentration of 4.0 mL/L) providing a consequent economic benefit as compared to experiments at neutral and acidic pH. Another set of experiments was conducted in a sequencing batch reactor to evaluate the aerobic biodegradability of the remnant dissolved organic matter. The effluent from the physical-chemical pre-treatment at alkaline pH again showed the highest biodegradability (76%), with a global COD total removal of 98%. The results showed that the combination of both techniques could be a viable alternative to efficiently treat wastewater derived from sauce manufacturing.

Sensitive detection of porcine DNA in processed animal proteins using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay

A TaqMan real-time PCR method was developed for specific detection of porcine-prohibited material in industrial feeds. The assay combines the use of a porcine-specific primer pair, which amplifies a 79 bp fragment of the mitochondrial (mt) 12 S rRNA gene, and a locked nucleic acid (LNA) TaqMan probe complementary to a target sequence lying between the porcine-specific primers. The nuclear 18 S rRNA gene system, yielding a 77 bp amplicon, was employed as a positive amplification control to monitor the total content of amplifiable DNA in the samples. The specificity of the porcine primers-probe system was verified against different animal and plant species, including mammals, birds and fish. The applicability of the real-time PCR protocol to detect the presence of porcine mt DNA in feeds was determined through the analysis of 190 industrial feeds (19 known reference and 171 blind samples) subjected to stringent processing treatments. The performance of the method allows qualitative and highly sensitive detection of short fragments from porcine DNA in all the industrial feeds declared to contain porcine material. Although the method has quantitative potential, the real quantitative capability of the assay is limited by the existing variability in terms of composition and processing conditions of the feeds, which affect the amount and quality of amplifiable DNA.