Effects of ring castration with local anesthesia and analgesia in Holstein calves at 3 months of age on welfare indicators

Forty-seven Holstein calves (130 +/- 3.43 kg of BW and 95 +/- 1.5 d of age) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments [intact (INT), n = 23; or castrated (CAS), n = 24] to evaluate the effect of ring castration at 3 mo of age on welfare indicators. Castration was performed with local anesthesia (2% lidocaine, 3 mL in each testis and 2 mL in the scrotum) and analgesia (flunixin meglumine, intramuscularly, 3 mg/kg of BW). No local anesthesia or analgesia was used with INT calves. Serum cortisol concentration was determined at -120, 0, 30, 60, 90, and 180 min with respect to castration. At d 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49, serum haptoglobin concentration was determined, rectal body and scrotal temperatures were measured, lesions at the castration site were scored, and the activity and behavior of 18 calves (9 INT and 9 CAS) were recorded continuously for 24 h. Weekly BW and concentrate and straw DMI were recorded. To evaluate humoral immunity, at 14 d after castration, ovalbumin was injected subcutaneously and serum antibody titers against ovalbumin before the injection and at d 35 were determined. At d 49 after castration, calves were intravenously injected with ACTH, and at 0, 1, 2, and 4 h thereafter, serum cortisol and testosterone concentrations were determined. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) in INT than CAS calves (1.36 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.038 kg/d, respectively). Area under the curve of cortisol at castration day was reduced (P < 0.05) in CAS calves compared with INT calves (18 vs. 33 +/- 5.2 nmol/L per hour, respectively). The main scrotal lesion score observed in CAS calves throughout the study was 0, corresponding to no visible swelling, inflammation, or infection. However, scrotal lesion scores classified as 1 (swelling) were greater (P < 0.01) at 21 and 28 d after castration than at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d. Abnormal standing occurred more frequently (P < 0.001) in CAS than INT calves (2.6 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.03%, respectively) from 3 to 14 d after castration. Head turning tended (P = 0.06) to be greater at d 14 of the study in CAS than INT calves (3.0 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.04%, respectively). At d 49, 100% of CAS calves had no testes and no serum testosterone was detected. In summary, ring castration of Holstein calves performed at 3 mo of age with local anesthesia and analgesia decreased ADG and affected some behavioral traits during the first 14 d after castration. However, intake, serum cortisol and haptoglobin concentrations, rectal temperature, and humoral immunity were not altered.

Prospective study on autoantibodies against apolipoprotein H (beta2GPI) in several clinical parameters from patients with terminal renal failure and functioning renal transplants

Renal transplantation is the best therapeutic option for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, long-term results have not been very encouraging because of patient deaths due to cardiovascular disease and chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN), which includes vascular damage similar to arteriosclerosis injury. Several autoantibodies have been related to vasculopathy in the transplant such as anti-beta2GPI IgA, IgG, and IgM autoantibodies. We analyzed the levels of these autoantibodies among a cohort of 176 transplant recipients and a control group of 80 healthy subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We collected data concerning the cardiovascular status of the patients, such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, biopsy-confirmed CTN, schemic cardiopathy, cholesterol, triglycerides, and renal status by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) clearance and proteinuria. We also selected other characteristics, including hepatitis C virus infection and systolic/diastolic arterial pressures. The proportion of patients with high levels of IgG and IgM anti-beta2GPI autoantibodies did not differ from that observed in the control group, whereas the difference became significant in the case of anti-beta2GPI IgA autoantibodies (19.88% vs 1%). These results for the presence of anti-beta2GPI IgA autoantibodies were related to clinical data through a multivariate analysis, where the only parameter influenced by the presence of these autoantibodies seemed to be proteinuria, which in most cases was due to CTN.

Resource utilization by deep-sea sharks at the Le Danois Bank, Cantabrian Sea, north-east Atlantic Ocean

The feeding habits of birdbeak dogfish Deania calcea, velvet belly lantern shark Etmopterus spinax and blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus at Le Danois Bank, Cantabrian Sea, south Bay of Biscay were studied in relation to their bathymetric distribution. Deep-sea sharks were collected during two multidisciplinary surveys carried out in October 2003 and April 2004 at the Le Danois Bank. Two different habitats were defined: (1) the top of the bank, ranging from 454 to 642 m depth and covered by fine-sand sediments with a low percentage of organic matter, and (2) the inner basin located between the bank and the Cantabrian Sea's continental shelf, at depths of 810-1048 m, which was characterized by a high proportion of silt and organic matter. Deania calcea was not present at the top of the bank but was abundant below 642 m, while E. spinax was abundant in the shallower top of the bank but was not found in the deeper inner basin. There was almost no bathymetric overlap between these two deep-sea shark species. Galeus melastomus was found over the whole depth range. There seemed to be an ontogenetic segregation with depth for this species, however, since 80% of the specimens collected at the top of the bank were < 600 mm total length (L(T)) (mean 510 mm L(T)), whereas larger individuals (mean 620 mm L(T)) inhabited deeper zones. Galeus melastomus exhibited a significantly higher feeding intensity than both E. spinax at the top of the bank and D. calcea in the inner basin. Little dietary overlap between D. calcea and G. melastomus in the inner basin was found, with D. calcea being an ichthyophagous predator while the diet of G. melastomus at these depths was composed of a variety of meso-bathypelagic shrimps (e.g. Acantephyra pelagica, Pasiphaea spp. and Sergia robusta), cephalopods and fishes. The diets of E. spinax and G. melastomus at the top of the bank showed a high dietary overlap of euphausiids, which represented the main prey taxa for both species. Euphausiids declined in abundance with depth which was reflected in the diet of G. melastomus. The cluster analysis of prey affinities among hauls depicted two major groups, corresponding to the two different habitats (top of the bank and inner basin). Redundancy analysis also indicated top-basin segregation, with euphausiids representing the main prey taxa at the top of the bank and bathypelagic shrimps in the inner basin. Euphausiids and Micromesistius poutassou were key prey within the Le Danois Bank ecosystem since they were positively selected by the three deep-sea shark species. These results show that the feeding ecology of these predators in Le Danois Bank ecosystem is highly influenced by depth-related variables, as a result of changes in prey availability. Overall results were analysed in relation to the deep-sea Le Danois ecosystem structure and functioning.

Evaluation of soil biological activity after a diesel fuel spill

Diesel fuel contamination in soils may be toxic to soil microorganisms and plants and acts as a source of groundwater contamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil biological activity and phytotoxicity to garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) in a soil polluted with diesel fuel. For this, a diesel fuel spill was simulated on agricultural soil at dose 1 l m(-2). During the experiment (400 days) the soil was not covered in vegetation and no agricultural tasks were carried out. A stress period of 18 days following the spill led to a decrease in soil biological activity, reflected by the soil microbial biomass and soil enzymatic activities, after which it increased again. The n-C(17)/Pristine and n-C(18)/Phytane ratios were correlated negatively and significantly with the dehydrogenase, arylsulphatase, protease, phosphatase and urease activities and with the soil microbial biomass during the course of the experiment. The beta-glucosidase activity indicated no significant connection with the parameters related with the evolution of hydrocarbons in the soil. Finally, the germination activity of the soil was seen to recover 200 days after the spill.

[Severe child abuse admitted to paediatric ICU]

OBJECTIVE

To describe cases of severe child abuse admitted to PICU.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

It is a retrospective study (2000-2008) in which patients diagnosed with physical child abuse admitted to PICU were included. Other abuse patterns were excluded (severe negligence, sexual abuse or scalding).

RESULTS

There were 8 patients included (3 boys and 5 girls). The median age was 5.2 months, with 6 patients were less than 7 months old. The most frequent sign was neurological symptoms: seizures (4 patients), subdural haematoma (2 patients), traumatic brain injury (1 patient). Other: haemothorax (1 patient) and cardiac arrest of no known aetiology (1 patient). The CT showed a subdural haematoma in 5 patients, 3 of which needed surgical drainage. Child abuse was confirmed using the social history and the presence of inflicted injuries. There were long bones fractures (tibia, ulna and radius, bilateral rib fractures) in 3 patients and 4 patients had retinal haemorrhages. There was one death and 3 had severe neurological after effects.

CONCLUSION

Severely abused children can be falsely diagnosed with a casual neurological disease. The most frequent injury is subdural haematoma with or without another injury associated to child abuse. It very important to diagnose child abuse in order to prevent recurrent injuries.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia: 12-month results

AIMS

To determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia (PM).

METHODS

Prospective, consecutive, non-randomized, interventional case series of 23 eyes of 23 patients with CNV secondary to PM treated with intravitreal ranibizumab as needed, after the first injection (PRN: Pro Re Nata). Patients were followed-up monthly with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

There were 23 eyes of 23 patients, and the mean age was 51.08 (SD=17.40) years. One patient was lost during the follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up, the mean VA improved by 9.53 letters (P<0.05). In all, 69% of patients increased at least one line, and 34.7% increased three or more lines. There were no cases of moderate vision loss (>3 lines) or severe vision loss (>6 lines). Favourable outcomes were obtained in all subgroups. Patients received an average of 1.52 injections. No serious ocular complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The 12-month results of this consecutive series of 23 patients suggests that a small number of injections of intravitreal ranibizumab may be safe and effective for both preventing and restoring visual loss in patients with CNV secondary to PM. Further studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy are justified.

KI67 in breast cancer: Correlation between proliferation cellular and other prognostic factors

e22184

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor in Mexican women between 35 to 50 years old. KI67 is a nuclear antigen considered as a proliferation marker with potential prognostic significance in BC survival. Objective: To determine the correlation between KI67 and prognostic factors in BC patients (pts). Methods: Of 340 consecutive BC pts seen from January 2000 to September 2008, pts with invasive BC that have a complete IHC assay determination were analyzed (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], HER2, p53, KI67). KI67 was determined by monoclonal antibody MIB-1. Patients ´s clinical characteristics and tumor immunohistochemical factors were registered. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to KI67 levels: 1) KI67 < 5%, 2) 6 to 20%, 3) 21 to 50% and 4) > 51%. Descriptive statistical methods and X2, ANOVA tests were used. Results: 154 pts analyzed, mean age 53.5 ± 12 yrs, range 28 -83, median KI67: 25, (0 - 95%). Group 1: 22 pts (14.3%), Group 2: 52 (33.8%); group 3: 49 (31.8%), group 4: 31 pts (20.1%). Median KI67 by group: 5, 15, 30 70%. Among pts with KI67 > 51% we observed: higher proportion of advanced stages (III-IV) [27.3%, 7.7%, 25.6%, 38.7% (p= 0.027)], positive lymph nodes (59%, 25%, 42.8% 70.9%, [p=0.003]), ER negative (27.3%, 5.8%, 28.4%, 51.7% [p= 0.000]), PR negative (36.4%, 26.9%, 22.5%, 61.3%; [p= 0.003]); P53 +ve (9.1%, 71.1%, 73.4%, 77.4%; [p= 0.028]), angiogenesis [> 15 vessels × field] (31.8%, 21.1%, 24.5%, 54.5%; [p=0.006])), triple negative phenotype (4.5%; 3.8%, 10.2%, 41.9%; [p=0.000]). We do not observe correlation among KI67 status age, tumor size and HER2 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: High cellular proliferation through KI 67 (> 51%) was related to poor prognostic factors in BC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Migraine with aura and patent foramen ovale. A different clinical entity]

INTRODUCTION

This work has aimed to evaluate the prevalence of patent foramen ovale in subjects with migraine with aura by transcranial contrast doppler and to describe the clinical and risk profile of these patients.

METHOD

We performed a transcranial contrast doppler in 94 consecutive out-patients with migraine with aura (MWA) in a neurology outpatient clinic. They were divided into two groups according to the presence of patent foramen ovale: MWA_RLsh (with right-to-left shunt) and MWA_RLNsh (without right-to-left shunt). Differences between the groups were analyzed according to endpoints of age, gender, clinical severity, aura type and attacks frequency, comorbility, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), neuroimaging findings, severity of shunt and treatment.

RESULTS

n=94; MWA_RLsh: 47 (54%). MWA_RLNsh: 40 (46%). Age: 33.13; standard desviation (SD): 10.8 vs 33.496; SD: 11.2; p=0.728. Female: 66 vs 72.5%; p=0.511. Visual aura: 73.9% vs 78.9%; p=0.921. There were no significant differences in regards to the risk factors studied or to the comorbid diseases that are associated to migraine. The patients with patent foramen ovale have an odds ratio (OR) of ischemic stroke: 1.189 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.226 to 6.248; p=0.840), OR for subclinical brain lesions in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): 0.589 (95% CI: 0.193 to 1.799; p=0.35) and OR for combined previous ischemic stroke and subclinical brain lesions: 0.745 (95% CI: 0.261 to 2.129; p=0.58). Migraine attack frequency >1 per month: 27.9 vs 36.4; p=0.464. Need for prophylaxis therapy: 44.7 vs 57.7%; p=0.284.

CONCLUSIONS

Both groups are similar regarding their clinical profile. We did not find a greater prevalence of stroke or silent brain lesions in the group with positive shunt..

[Stroke in the very old. Care in neurology units versus others general medical ward]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to compare the diagnosis, management, clinical course and outcome of the very major patients with acute stroke in our sanitary area.

METHOD

Retrospective collection of data from a hospital-based registry, between January 2002 and March 2004, 130 stroke patients aged 84 and older admitted consecutively. We compared the patients admitted to the neurology unit (NU) to those admitted to other services (GWs). Demographic analysis, risk factors, morbidity to hospital admission (dementia, cancer, previous stroke and laboratory variables), neurological deficit measured for Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS) score, diagnostic studies, length of stay, outcomes variables (in-hospital mortality, complications developed during hospitalization and Rankin scale at hospital discharge) and need for institutionalization were analyzed.

RESULTS

from a total of 130 patients, 44 (34,1 %) admitted to NU and 85 (65,9 %) to GWs. No difference was seen in demographic analysis, risk factors, morbidity to hospital admission, neurological deficit and outcomes variables. Length of stay was 8,4 days; 5,5 in the NU and 12,87 days among patients in the GWs (p=0,0001). There are significant differences in diagnostic studies in favor to NU (p < 0,05). Among the patients admitted into GWs the percentage of institutionalization to the discharge was of 28,8 % opposite to 5,6 % in the NU (p=0,006).

CONCLUSIONS

There are not evidences of age discrimination for access to neurological units for demographic, risk factors, morbidity or neurological deficit. The diagnostic process is more rigorous and less costly in the NU than in the GWs.