Inbreeding and Reproduction in Endangered Ungulates: Preservation of Genetic Variation through the Organization of Genetic Resource Banks

There is a constant increase in the number of species suffering marked reductions in population size. This reduction in size and the lack of genetic flow may lead to a decrease in genetic variability and to matings between close relatives (i.e. inbreeding) with an ensuing reduction in fitness. It is thus important to understand the mechanism underlying the deleterious effects of inbreeding and to develop reproductive biotechnologies that will allow the reduction of inbreeding depression by facilitating gene exchange between populations. The study of three endangered species of gazelles, Cuvier's gazelle (Gazella cuvieri), Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr) and dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta) has revealed that inbreeding negatively affects several semen parameters (motility, sperm morphology, acrosome integrity). Semen cryopreservation has been achieved in the three species but success varies depending on the diluent employed and the level of inbreeding. Artificial insemination of Mohor gazelles have led to the birth of the first gazelle born using frozen-thawed semen but improvements are needed before this technology can be applied on a routine basis for the genetic management of the populations. Collection of oocytes after ovarian stimulation, followed by in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture has met with some initial success in the Mohor gazelle. These, together with other reproductive technologies, will offer an invaluable help in preserving the maximum of genetic diversity of these and related endangered ungulate species.

Epidemiological features of rotavirus infection in Caracas, Venezuela: implications for rotavirus immunization programs

The epidemiological features of rotavirus infection may be quite relevant for evaluation of the performance of a rotavirus vaccine in different settings, as well as for monitoring its impact during vaccination under routine conditions. This article describes some important issues regarding rotavirus epidemiology in Venezuela, where major field trials of rotavirus vaccine have been carried out. Rotaviruses was significantly more frequently observed in inpatient (43%) than in outpatient (21%) consultations for diarrhea in infants and young children. There was a high prevalence of rotavirus illness, regardless of socioeconomic conditions, but the risk of dehydration was greater among the lower socioeconomic groups. Rotavirus disease occurs year-round, with a slight seasonal pattern. Eighty-five percent of rotavirus-positive diarrheal episodes, as well as 86% of cases of dehydration due to rotavirus, occurred during the first year of life. However, rotavirus illnesses occur less commonly during the first months of life (0-2 months), which may be a result of protection by transplacental antibodies. The pattern of acquisition of rotavirus antibody was consistent with this age distribution of disease and with optimal age for vaccination. Thus, regional epidemiological characteristics of rotavirus infection may affect optimal performance of rotavirus vaccine.

Long-term results of artificial urinary sphincters in children are independent of age at implantation

PURPOSE

The long-term success and efficacy of the artificial urinary sphincter for the management of neurogenic incontinence have been well documented. We evaluated if long-term results were affected by patient age at the time of sphincter placement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement and had minimum of 10 years of followup was conducted. All patients with an intact sphincter were interviewed to assess current results. Patients were stratified into groups 1 and 2 if the sphincter was implanted before or after age 11 years, respectively, and the results were compared statistically.

RESULTS

An artificial urinary sphincter was placed in 45 children at Children's Hospital of Michigan between October 1978 and August 1986, and medical records and followup were available for 32. Mean followup was 15.4 years. Of the 21 group 1 patients 12 (57%) have an intact sphincter after 26 revisions, and all are dry and 9 (75%) require intermittent catheterization. Of the 11 group 2 patients 7 (64%) have an intact sphincter, and 6 (86%) are dry, 3 (43%) perform intermittent catheterization and 6 required 8 revisions. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of artificial urinary sphincter removals, continence, revision rate, bladder augmentations, complications or upper tract changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The artificial urinary sphincter is a successful and durable option for the surgical management of neurogenic incontinence. The long-term results appear independent of patient age at the time of sphincter placement.

A naturally occurring basically charged human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) variant inhibits FSH-induced androgen aromatization and tissue-type plasminogen activator enzyme activity in vitro

It is well known that deglycosylation of gonadotropins by enzymatic or chemical procedures or by deletion of sites for N-linked glycosylation produces antagonistic analogs which are able to interact strongly with the receptor and to inhibit binding of the wild-type hormone. In the present study, we analyzed the antagonistic properties of a naturally occurring basic follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) charge isoform obtained after high-resolution chromatofocusing of human anterior pituitary glycoprotein extracts. Coincubation of increasing amounts of this isoform with a highly purified human pituitary FSH preparation or with recombinant human FSH at doses equivalent to their corresponding ED50 for estradiol and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) production, inhibited FSH-induced estrogen production and tPA enzyme activity by cultured rat granulosa cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects were apparently exerted at steps following 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation and did not involve activation of the protein kinase C pathway since: (a) at low doses, this basic FSH isoform moderately increased FSH-induced cAMP production by cultured rat granulosa cells; (b) coincubation of the antagonist isoform with dibutyryl cAMP completely inhibited the effects of this cAMP analog on estrogen and tPA production; (c) the isoform was able to stimulate production of cAMP in a human fetal cell line expressing the recombinant human FSH receptor, and (d) the inhibitory effects of the isoform were not affected by staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. The effects of this isoform upon dibutyryl cAMP-induced estrogen and tPA production were blocked by the addition of a highly specific antibody directed against human FSH, further demonstrating that the antagonistic effects observed were due to FSH-like molecules. In contrast to the inhibitory effects exhibited by this basic FSH isoform, a more acidic FSH charge variant consistently acted as an agonist of pituitary and recombinant FSH on both estrogen production and induction of tPA enzyme activity. These results indicate that the anterior pituitary gland normally produces FSH isoforms which act as either agonists or antagonists of FSH at the target cell level.

Increased orocecal transit time in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (IBO) has been suggested to play a pathogenic role in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Delayed intestinal transit may contribute to IBO development. Ten nondiabetic patients with NAFLD and abnormal liver enzymes were recruited. Ten healthy individuals, matched by sex, age, and body mass index, were used as controls. Orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by the lactulose breath test. Anti-endotoxin core antibodies (EndoCAb) were determined. The effect of oral norfloxacin (400 mg BID during 2 weeks) on liver enzymes, lactulose breath test, and EndoCAb was also studied. NAFLD patients had higher basal breathed H2 and prolonged OCTT compared to controls (127 +/- 61 vs. 57 +/- 23 min, respectively; P = 0.0037). EndoCAb titers were similar in NAFLD patients and controls. Norfloxacin administration had no effect on ALT levels, lactulose breath test, or EndoCAb titers in patients with NAFLD. The present data show evidence of deranged intestinal motility in nondiabetic patients with NAFLD and support the hypothesis that NAFLD could be linked to endotoxin-induced liver damage of intestinal origin.

Modes of operation and pH control as enhancement factors for partial nitrification with oxygen transport limitation

Sequencing batch (SBR) and continuous operation modes were applied using different pH control strategies to enhance partial nitrification in a biofilm rotating disk reactor. The pH control strategies were supervisory control in the range of 7.5-8.6 and fixed pH at 7.5 and 8.5, at dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the range of 0.6-5.0 mg O(2)/L. Supervisory pH control enabled operation at a free ammonia concentration inhibitory to the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and an optimum for the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). The results indicate that both operation modes were simultaneously controlled by oxygen transport and micro-kinetics (influenced by pH and NH(3)). The SBR mode with supervisory pH control presented more stable partial nitrification-nitrite accumulation >80% for 249 days than continuous operation. Molecular analyses showed that the SBR operation with supervisory pH control at low DO concentrations contributed to the enrichment of the AOB (>95%) over the NOB (<5%) populations. Therefore, it can be stated that a suitable pH control strategy can act as an enhancement factor of partial nitrification even under oxygen-transport-limiting conditions.

C-phycocyanin protects cerebellar granule cells from low potassium/serum deprivation-induced apoptosis

We tested the potential cytoprotective role of C-phycocyanin in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures. Cell death was induced by potassium and serum (K/S) withdrawal. Cell viability was studied using the neutral red assay and laser scanning cytometry with propidium iodide as fluorochrome. C-phycocyanin (1-3 mg/ml) showed a neuroprotective effect against 24 h of K/S deprivation in cerebellar granule cells. After 4 h K/S deprivation this compound (3 mg/ml) inhibited formation of reactive oxygen species, measured as 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, showing its scavenger capability. Pre-treatment with C-phycocyanin reduced thymidine incorporation into DNA below control values and reduced dramatically apoptotic bodies as visualized by propidium iodide, indicating inhibition of apoptosis induced by K/S deprivation. Flow cytometry studies, using propidium iodide in TritonX100 permeabilized cells, indicated that 24 h K/S deprivation acts as a proliferative signal for cerebellar granule cells, which show an increase in S-phase percentage and cells progressed into the apoptotic pathway. C-phycocyanin protected cerebellar granule cells from the apoptosis induced by deprivation. These results suggest that C-phycocyanin prevents apoptosis in cerebellar granule cells probably through the antioxidant activity. It is proposed that K/S deprivation-induced apoptosis could be due, in part, to an alteration in the cell cycle mediated by an oxidative stress mechanism.

Antibiotic resistance of Salmonella spp. from animal sources in Spain in 1996 and 2000

Emergence of resistant and multiresistant bacteria has become an important worldwide sanitary problem. International agencies recommend improving resistance surveillance studies in not only human but also animal origin strains. Because of its ubiquitous characteristics and zoonotic agent consideration, Salmonella spp. can be used as a good indicator microorganism for resistance surveillance studies. Salmonella spp. strains from animal sources isolated in 1996 (107) and 2000 (474) in Spain were tested against 12 different antimicrobials agents, using the disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted following the NCCLS criteria. Data showed that Salmonella spp. strains (61.7% in 1996 and 81.5% in 2000) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Pig-related strains were considerably more resistant than strains from other sources. Enteritidis serotype was less resistant than other serotypes, except for ampicillin in 1996 (50% resistant) and nalidixic acid in 2000 (65.1% resistant). An emergent monophasic serotype, 4,5,12:i:-, first detected in 1997 in Spain was 100% resistant and 90% multiresistant. Typhimurium serotype was the most common Salmonella serotype from animal sources in both years. It was widely distributed among animals and was among the serotypes with a higher degree of resistance. The ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, streptomycin, and tetracycline resistance pattern, commonly associated with Salmonella serotype Typhimurium DT 104, had spread among other Typhimurium phage types and other Salmonella serotypes. Salmonella spp. strains isolated from feeding stuffs were considerably more susceptible than animal source strains, suggesting that the high Salmonella spp. resistance percentage was probably due to the use of antibiotics in animal farms rather than the consumption of contaminated feeding stuffs.

Animal models for endoscopic training: do we really need them?

Gastrointestinal endoscopy currently includes many therapeutic methods that are technically challenging and frequently associated with a significant risk of complications. Several issues such as the limited number of clinical cases and practice in emergency situations, and technical difficulty may limit the opportunity for training, and increased exposure in more relaxed situations would be desirable. Moreover, providing the patient with the best possible standard of care is a must. Animal models are the most easily available simulators. Training in these models has been recommended for several complex techniques, among which hemostasis, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic submucosal dissection are reviewed here. Ex vivo models are much easier to set up and, from an ethical standpoint, they should be used for the initial step in training whenever possible before moving on to in vivo models. Although simulation with animal models has been the subject of a good number of studies, very few of them have evaluated the impact on clinical outcomes, and clearly more studies are needed. Nevertheless, available evidence does suggest that practicing on animal models has an influence on the learning curve and facilitates the acquisition of skills in the complex endoscopic techniques reviewed.

Cloning, sequence analysis and yeast expression of the egl1 gene from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

A gene (egl1) encoding an endoglucanase (EGL1) from Trichoderma longibrachiatum has been cloned and sequenced. This gene, homologous to the T. reesei egl1 gene, differs from it in the length of the introns (particularly the first one) and encoded protein. A cDNA fragment obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends method, which takes advantage of the polymerase chain reaction, has been expressed in yeast under control of the cyc-gal inducible promoter and yeast clones able to secrete active enzyme have been obtained.

Breed effect between Mos rooster (Galician indigenous breed) and Sasso T-44 line and finishing feed effect of commercial fodder or corn

The aim of this research was to study the Mos rooster breed growth performance, carcass, and meat quality. The breed effect (Mos vs. Sasso T-44) and finishing feed in the last month (fodder vs. corn) on animal growth, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty and amino acid profiles were studied using a randomized block design with initial weight as covariance. In total, 80 roosters (n = 30 of Sasso T-44 line and n = 50 of Mos breed) were used. They were separated by breed and allocated to 2 feeding treatment groups (concentrate and corn). Each feeding treatment group consisted of 15 and 25 roosters, for Sasso T-44 line and Mos breed, respectively. Finishing feeding did not affect growth parameters in the 2 genotypes of rooster tested (P > 0.05). Nonetheless, the comparison between both types of roosters led to significant differences in growth parameters (P < 0.05). Regarding carcass characteristics, no significant influences of finishing feeding treatment (P > 0.05) were found, and as expected, carcass weight clearly differed between genotypes due to the lower growth rate of Mos roosters. However, drumstick, thigh, and wing percentages were greater in the Mos breed than in the hybrid line. In color instrumental traits, roosters feeding with corn showed breast meat with significantly (P < 0.001) higher a* and b* values than those of cocks feeding with commercial fodder. Values of shear force were less than 2 kg for both genotypes, thus it can be classified as very tender meat. Finishing with corn significantly increased (P < 0.001) the polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the breast; the Mos breed had a polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio of 0.73. The amino acid profile of the indigenous breed was not similar to that of the commercial strain. Finishing feeding treatment had a greater influence than breed effect on amino acid profile.

Therapy with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir is effective and safe for the treatment of genotypes 1 and 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with severe renal impairment: A multicentre experience

Limited data are available on direct-acting antivirals for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with severe renal impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r) ± dasabuvir (DSV) ± ribavirin (RBV) in patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HCV genotype 1 or 4 infection in real clinical practice, and to investigate pharmacological interactions. This retrospective study included patients treated with OBV/PTV/r+DSV±RBV or OBV/PTV/r+RBV with CKD stage 4 (eGFR: 15-29 mL/min/1.73m² ) or 5 (eGFR<15 mL/min/1.73m² or requiring dialysis) and HCV infection by genotypes 1 and 4 between April 2015 and October 2015 in nine Spanish centres. Sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) was assessed, and clinical and laboratory data, fibrosis stage, adverse events and pharmacological interactions were reported. Forty-six patients were included: 10 (21.7%) had CKD stage 4 and 36 (78.2%) CKD stage 5. Seventeen (36.9%) had cirrhosis. SVR12 rate in the intention-to-treat population was 95.7%. Twenty-one (45.6%) received RBV, which was discontinued in two (9.5%) patients. Anaemia (haemoglobin <10 g/dl) occurred in 12 patients (57.1%) with RBV vs 10 (40.0%) without RBV (P=.246). Renal function remained stable during antiviral therapy. Nine patients (19.5%) experienced serious adverse events unrelated to antiviral therapy. Concomitant medication was discontinued or modified in 41.3% of patients. In conclusion, the effectiveness of OBV/PTV/r±DSV±RBV in patients with CKD 4-5 was similar to that observed in those with normal renal function and was not associated with severe adverse events.

Choosing sheep (Ovis aries) as animal model for temporomandibular joint research: Morphological, histological and biomechanical characterization of the joint disc

Preclinical trials are essential to the development of scientific technologies. Remarkable molecular and cellular research has been done using small animal models. However, significant differences exist regarding the articular behavior between these models and humans. Thus, large animal models may be more appropriate to perform trials involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The aim of this work was to make a morphological (anatomic dissection and white light 3D scanning system), histological (TMJ in bloc was removed for histologic analysis) and biomechanical characterization (tension and compression tests) of sheep TMJ comparing the obtained results with human data. Results showed that sheep processus condylaris and fossa mandibularis are anatomically similar to the same human structures. TMJ disc has an elliptical perimeter, thinner in the center than in periphery. Peripheral area acts as a ring structure supporting the central zone. The disc cells display both fibroblast and chondrocyte-like morphology. Marginal area is formed by loose connective tissue, with some chondrocyte-like cells and collagen fibers in diverse orientations. Discs obtained a tensile modulus of 3.97±0.73MPa and 9.39±1.67MPa, for anteroposterior and mediolateral assessment. The TMJ discs presented a compressive modulus (E) of 446.41±5.16MPa and their maximum stress value (σmax) was 18.87±1.33MPa. Obtained results suggest that these animals should be considered as a prime model for TMJ research and procedural training. Further investigations in the field of oromaxillofacial surgery involving TMJ should consider sheep as a good animal model due to its resemblance of the same joint in humans.

Lack of morbidity from urodynamic studies in children with asymptomatic bacteriuria

OBJECTIVES

Patients on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) have a high rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Although prophylactic antibiotics for routine surgical procedures in patients with bacteriuria is common practice, the role of prophylaxis for invasive diagnostic procedures remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the morbidity associated with urodynamic evaluation in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria.

METHODS

Routine urodynamic evaluation was performed in 69 pediatric patients (mean age 10 years). Ninety-six percent had a neurogenic bladder, and most were on CIC. Routine urine cultures were obtained at the time of the cystometrogram. Forty-six patients had positive urine cultures, and 23 patients with sterile urine served as a comparison. Patients were evaluated subjectively for symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) within 1 week of the procedure. The results of the cystometrograms were compared between the patients with and without bacteriuria.

RESULTS

No patient developed symptomatic UTI after the urodynamic studies. Overall, 65% of the patients with and 52% of the patients without bacteriuria had adequate capacity and compliance, and there was no difference in the urodynamic findings between the patients with and without bacteriuria (P = 0.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Urodynamic studies were performed safely in the presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the present study. Therefore, routine use of urine cultures or prophylactic antibiotics before urodynamic studies in pediatric patients with a neurogenic bladder does not appear to be indicated.

Further experience with seromuscular colocystoplasty lined with urothelium

PURPOSE

We report our continuing experience with seromuscular colocystoplasty lined with urothelium. This procedure is designed to preserve the urothelium and potentially decrease the incidence of complications associated with standard bladder augmentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 32 patients who underwent seromuscular colocystoplasty lined with urothelium between April 1994 and July 1999. Data were collected on patient demographics, surgical indications, previous and adjunctive surgical procedures, preoperative and postoperative urinary continence, upper urinary tract changes, urodynamic parameters, surgical complications and histological findings.

RESULTS

Mean patient age at surgery plus or minus standard deviation was 11.1 +/- 4.8 years. Mean followup was 1.6 +/- 1 years. A mean of 1.5 +/- 0.9 years postoperatively urodynamic studies available in 28 cases showed that total and safe bladder capacity increased by 1.8 and 2.4-fold, respectively. Continence was achieved in 71% of patients after the initial procedure, increasing to 81% after secondary procedures. Hourglass deformity developed in 7 cases (22%), augmentation failed in 4 (12.5%) and there were bladder calculi in 2 (6%). New onset or increased hydronephrosis and reflux were present in 6 of 62 (10%) and 9 of 60 (15%) evaluated renal units, respectively. Of the 7 interpretable biopsies 5 revealed various degrees of repeat colonic mucosal growth. There was no bladder perforation or metabolic abnormalities, and mucous production was not clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Seromuscular colocystoplasty lined with urothelium is a viable alternative to standard bladder augmentation. The 2 procedures have a similar overall complication rate. Comparatively there appears to be a low incidence of bladder calculi, mucous production has not been clinically significant, metabolic disturbances have not developed and perforation has not occurred during short-term followup. We are enthusiastic about this technique and continue to apply it in select patients.

Effect of endothelin on total and regional coronary resistance and on myocardial contractility

Endothelin is a 21-amino acid peptide produced by the endothelium and has a potent vasoconstrictor effect. Because of the importance of the endothelium on vasomotor regulation, we studied the effect of endothelin on total and regional coronary vascular resistance and on myocardial contractility in the intact heart of anesthetized dogs. Intracoronary administration of 2 to 80 pmol/kg of endothelin produced a dose-dependent increase in coronary resistance, ischaemic decrease in myocardial contractility and atrium-ventricular blockade. The increase in resistance was greater towards the outer layer of the left ventricular wall. When the coronaries were perfused at a constant rate and vasoconstriction was prevented with adenosine or nitroglycerine, endothelin did not produce inotropic changes. These results show that endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor of the resistance coronary vessels, producing a redistribution of transmural blood flow and a decrease in myocardial contractility secondary to ischaemia.

Disturbances of colonic ion secretion in inflammation: role of the enteric nervous system and cAMP

We used the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) rat model of experimental colitis to study the alterations in electrogenic ion transport in the inflamed distal colon. The distal colon exhibited decreased basal transport and reduced short-circuit current responses to carbachol and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). The concentration/response curve for IBMX was also shifted to the right. Ion substitution experiments indicated that electrogenic transport was attributable chiefly to Cl(-) secretion. The mucosal layer of the inflamed distal colon (devoid of the submucosa) exhibited normal maximal responses to carbachol and IBMX, although the concentration/response curve for the latter was again shifted to the right. Tetrodotoxin markedly increased the response of the normal distal colon to both secretagogues and nullified the inhibition of the response to carbachol, but not that to IBMX, in the inflamed colon. The response of the mucosal preparation to 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate was similar in the normal and inflamed intestine, while the G protein activator NaF had a greater effect in the latter. The expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), as assessed by Northern blotting, was unchanged. cAMP levels in isolated colonocytes were markedly reduced by inflammation. We conclude that colonic inflammation produces disturbances of the enteric nervous system resulting in defective mucosal cAMP production and inhibition of ionic secretion.