Physiological responses to heat stress in two genetically distinct chicken inbred lines

High ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors negatively impacting poultry production and health. Genetics is an important contributor in mitigating the stress response to heat. Two genetically distinct highly inbred lines of similar body size (Leghorn and Fayoumi) were characterized for phenotypic differences in response to heat. At 14 days of age, birds were exposed to 38°C with 50% humidity for 4 hours, then 35°C until the conclusion of the experiment. Non-treated individuals were kept at 29.4°C for the first week and then 25°C throughout the experiment. Birds in the heat-stress group were inoculated at day (d) 21 with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) La Sota strain to investigate the effects of heat stress and NDV infection. Thirteen blood parameters were measured using the iSTAT blood analyzer at three stages: 4 h, 6 d, and 9 d post heat-stress treatment, representing acute heat (AH) exposure, chronic heat (CH1) exposure, and chronic heat exposure after virus infection (CH2), respectively. Most blood parameters were significantly changed with heat stress in Leghorns at AH and in Fayoumis at CH1 and CH2. The Leghorn line had significant acute responses with disrupted acid-base balance and metabolic disorders. The heat-resilient Fayoumis maintained a relatively well-balanced acid-base balance. The current study provides the comprehensive profile of biomarker signatures in blood associated with heat tolerance and suggests that PO2, TCO2, HCO3, and base excess can be served as potential biomarkers that can be used to genetically improve heat tolerance in poultry.

Utility of ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin type A for muscle imbalance in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy: Description of the procedure and action protocol

INTRODUCTION

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) usually has a favourable prognosis. However, nearly one third of all severe cases have permanent sequelae causing a high level of disability. In this study, we explore the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) and describe the procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We designed a prospective, descriptive study including patients with moderate to severe OBPP who were treated between January 2010 and December 2014. We gathered demographic data, type of OBPP, and progression. Treatment effectiveness was assessed with the Active Movement Scale (AMS), the Mallet classification, and video recordings.

RESULTS

We gathered a total of 14 133 newborns, 15 of whom had OBPP (1.6 per 1000 live births). Forty percent of the cases had severe OBPP (0.4/1000), a dystocic delivery, and APGAR scores < 5; mean weight was 4038g. Mean age at treatment onset was 11.5 months. The muscles most frequently receiving BoNT-A injections were the pronator teres, subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi, and pectoralis major. All the patients who completed the follow-up period (83%) experienced progressive improvements: up to 3 points on the AMS and a mean score of 19.5 points out of 25 on the Mallet classification at 2 years. Treatment improved muscle function and abnormal posture in all cases. Surgery was avoided in 3 patients and delayed in one. Adverse events were mild and self-limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to its safety and effectiveness, BoNT-A may be used off-label as an adjuvant to physical therapy and/or surgery in moderate to severe OBPP. Ultrasound may increase effectiveness and reduce adverse effects.

Association between electroencephalographic modulation, psychotic-like experiences and cognitive performance in the general population

AIM

An association between deficit of electroencephalographic (EEG) modulation during an odd-ball task and psychotic symptoms has been described in clinical samples, in agreement with the proposed role for altered salience in psychosis. To discard the possible influence of medication, the relationship between psychotic-like experiences and EEG modulation in the general population was explored.

METHODS

EEG and psychotic-like experiences were assessed in 194 healthy subjects during a P300 paradigm. EEG modulation was assessed as changes from pre-stimulus to response windows in spectral entropy (SE, a measurement of signal irregularity), median frequency (MF, a quantifier of the frequency distribution of oscillatory activity) and theta, alpha, beta-1, beta-2 and gamma relative power (RP, a summary of the distribution of spectral components).

RESULTS

A significant widespread decrease in SE and MF from baseline to response was found, with a significant increase in RP for theta and a decrease for higher frequency bands, supporting an increase in EEG regularity and a slowing of brain oscillations during the response. Furthermore, a significant association was found between SE modulation and distress of negative psychotic-like experiences, as well as between verbal memory and RP modulation for beta-1. Performance in verbal fluency was associated with the increase in theta RP during the response.

CONCLUSION

EEG irregularity of healthy subjects decreased at the expense of a larger contribution of theta RP and a decreased contribution of fast frequency bands. Subjects with smaller modulation showed poorer cognitive scores and greater distress of negative psychotic-like experiences.

[Relationship between subclinical psychotic symptoms and cognitive performance in the general population]

INTRODUCTION

Subclinical psychotic symptoms are associated to negative life outcomes in the general population, but their relationship with cognitive performance is still not well understood. Assessing the relationship between performance in cognitive domains and subclinical psychotic symptoms in the general population may also help understand the handicap attributed to clinical psychosis, in which these alterations are present.

METHODS

Subclinical and cognitive assessments were obtained in 203 participants from the general population by means of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, the Wechsler Adults Intelligence Scale and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The positive and negative subclinical symptoms and their relationship with age and cognition were examined, followed by assessing the influence of subclinical depression scores on the possible relationships between those subclinical psychotic symptoms and cognitive deficits.

RESULTS

Inverse relationships were found between frequency in the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences positive dimension and motor speed, and frequency and distress in the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences negative dimension and motor speed. A direct relationship was also found between distress scores of the positive dimension and executive functions. Both positive and negative subclinical symptoms were related to depression scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychotic symptoms, similar to those in the clinical population, may be associated with cognitive deficits in the general population.

[Lingual treatment of an anterior open bite case]

One of the benefits of the orthodontic lingual technique is the complete discretion it provides, preserving acceptable facial esthetics throughout treatment. Nevertheless, it is a fact that the treatment of open bites with this technique inevitably poses a challenge for the practitioner. The patient we present in this article displayed a skeletal and dental Class II with anterior open bite. The difficulty with this case was to control the incisal torque during open bite closure, given that this constitutes a critical factor in the lingual technique. Consequently, we will emphasize above all our diagnostic procedures as well as our treatment strategies designed to achieve our objectives while controlling the incisal torque.

Anaerobic granular sludge as a biocatalyst for 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol in continuous bioreactors

1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) was produced from glycerol in three parallel Expanded Granular Sludge Blanket (EGSB) reactors inoculated with granular sludge (control reactor-R1), heat-treated granular sludge (R2) and disrupted granular sludge (R3) at hydraulic retention times (HRT) between 3 and 24h. Maximum 1,3-PDO yield (0.52molmol(-1)) and productivity (57gL(-1)d(-1)) were achieved in R1 at HRTs of 12 and 3h, respectively. DGGE profiling of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments showed that variations in the HRT had a critical impact in the dominant community of microorganisms. However, no appreciable differences in the bacterial population were observed between R2 and R3 at low HRTs. Production of H2 was observed at the beginning of the operation, but no methane production was observed. This study proves the feasibility of 1,3-PDO production in EGSB reactors and represents a novel strategy to valorise glycerol generated in the biodiesel industry.

A case of myopericarditis associated to Campylobacter jejuni infection in the southern hemisphere

Myopericarditis is an infrequent complication of acute diarrheal illness due to Campylobacter jejuni, and it has been mainly reported in developed nations. The first case detected in Chile--an upper-middle income country--that is coincidental with the increasing importance of acute gastroenteritis associated to this pathogen, is described. Recognition of this agent in stools requires special laboratory techniques not widely available, and it was suspected when a young patient presented with acute diarrhea, fever, and chest pain combined with electrocardiogram (EKG) abnormalities and elevated myocardial enzymes. C. jejuni myopericarditis can easily be suspected but its detection requires dedicated laboratory techniques.

[Usage profile of different parenteral support options in acute and chronic care facilities]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of parenteral, enteral, and mixed nutrition in one acute and one chronic hospital.

DESIGN

Retrospective, non-randomised, observational study. STUDY SITES: South Seville Health Area: Acute Hospital (H1) and Chronic Hospital (H2) with 447 and 84 beds, respectively. We analysed all episodes of artificial nutrition administered in a 6-month period. Exclusion criteria included: age <18 years, oral supplements, and peripheral nutrition.

RESULTS

Artificial nutrition was used in a total of 568 episodes: 406 were enteral nutrition, 162 were parenteral nutrition, constituting 4.95%, 3.54% and 1,41% of all hospitalisations, respectively. Enteral nutrition was more common at H2 hospital (n=219, 15.5/100 hospitalisations) and parenteral nutrition was more commonly used at H1 (n=155, 6.96/100 hospitalisations), with the ICU providing the majority of treatments (43.8%). Mixed nutritional support was used in 68 patients (0.59% of all cases), and was most commonly used in the surgery department (n=32, P<.001). The most commonly used enteral formula was the special diabetes diet; 41.2% at H1 and 46.6% at H2. Patient mortality with enteral nutrition was 37% at H1, 63% at H2, and was correlated with age (OR=1.025, 95% CI: 1.006-1.046, P<.05), male sex (OR=1.612, 95% CI: 1.023-2.540, P<.05), and time in ICU (OR=49.379, 95% CI: 11.971-203.675, P<.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Enteral nutrition was more frequently used in both the acute and chronic hospitals. Parenteral nutrition and mixed nutritional support were used almost exclusively at the acute hospital.

“Mental Illness Awareness in Institutionalized Schizophrenics”

Our study aimed to compare the mental illness awareness in institutionalized schizophrenics when compared to non institutionalized schizophrenics.

Diagnoses of Schizophrenia was done following the ICD-10 dignosis criteria. We chose a convenience sample of our patients: 74 patients, 69.9% of institutionalized inpatients and a 31.1% of outpatients.

Specific survey applied by the group of investigators aiming to collect socio-demographical data and clinical data, using the following psychometric scales: Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI).

Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v 15.0, including descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

Differences found among awareness of response to medication and the awareness of social consequences of mental disorders are statistically significant, being higher in the institutionalized group of schizophrenics.

Taxol-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis: dose-response relationship in lung cancer cells of different wild-type p53 status and under isogenic condition

The effective dose, schedule, molecular basis of the cytotoxicity of taxol and their dependence on the genetic background in tumor cells are still not well understood. Here, we examined how the dose-response relationship for taxol varies in lung cancer cells with different p53 status and under isogenic conditions. DNA content analyses in A 549 (p53, +/+) and H 1299 (p53, -/-) cells, showed that taxol progressively induced G2/M arrest in both cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, which was accompanied by a parallel decrease in the G1 population. G2/M arrest, however, occurred at a lower concentration in A 549 cell lines than in H 1299 cells. The S-phase population in A 549 cells was not significantly changed up to 0.025 microM, but dropped by six-fold at 1.0 microM taxol, in contrast to that in H 1299 cells. A sub-G1 apoptotic population was present at 24 h, even at 0.002 microM taxol, when G2/M arrest was not appreciably detected. In both cell lines, the maximum apoptosis of about 28% was achieved at 0.025 microM taxol, implicating that wild-type p53 does not modulate the level of taxol-induced apoptosis. When we examined the role of the wild-type p53 in isogenic cell lines developed in a H 1299 background, the maximum level of apoptosis was in the range of 28-34% at a drug concentration around 0.03 microM, not significantly different from that observed in parental H 1299 cells. We conclude that taxol is effective in inducing apoptosis at very low doses (0.020-0.035 microM), and that the presence or absence of the wild-type p53 does not make a statistically significant difference in the level of apoptotic cell death in these lung cancer cell lines, but the maximum is attained at a lower drug concentration in the presence of p53.

Cluster of MMPI personality profiles in chronic tension-type headache and predictable response to Fluoxetine

A study was made of the personality profiles of a sample of 51 patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTH) employing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Two clusters were obtained by applying multivariate classification techniques: cluster 1 (with elevations on scales Hy, D and Hs only) and cluster 2 (exhibiting elevations on most scales except Pd, Mf and Si). Fifty subjects without chronic pain or known psychiatric disorders, and extracted from the same social setting as the patients, completed the MMPI as a control group. Fluoxetine treatment was started in the CTH group, with follow-up over a 1-year period. Chi-squared analysis correlating the clusters obtained to different pain-related variables and epidemiological parameters revealed a significant association to sex only. There were no differences in therapeutic response between the two clusters. However, the patients belonging to the less perturbed cluster who exhibited profiles analogous to those of the control population showed significant improvement with respect to the global sample and their own cluster.

[Filamentous fungi preservation in distilled water.]

Some methods for keeping the fungal Culture Collection have been used. However, the choice of either one on the basis that must ensure the cultural genetic stability and its phenotipic characteristics. In this work the preservation method in distilled water recognized in the literature as a single, economic and certain method that guarantie the survival of fungus cultures for long periods was used. 26 strains of generus and species: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus candidus, Fusarium sp., Fusarium moniliforme, Mucor griseocyanum, Syncephalastrum sp., Trichoderma sp., Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma koningii were preserved. Enough inoculum from well developed cultures (mainly spores and hyphae) poured in flasks with sterile distilled water warranted a 100% of survival of those microorganisms for two years. At the same time no apparent changes were observed in respect to morphology and macroscopic features.

Transient nonketotic hyperglycinaemia: ultrasound, CT and MRI: case report

We report a case of transient nonketotic hyperglycinaemia in which radiography correlated closely with clinical and biochemical findings. Only 5 patients have been previously described with this transient from of nonketotic hyperglycinaemia. Among the radiographic findings, thinning of the corpus callosum is the most characteristic.

Omeprazole, a specific gastric secretion inhibitor on oxynticopeptic cells, reduces gizzard erosion in broiler chicks fed with toxic fish meals

The relation between gizzard erosion-black vomit (GE-BV) and gastric secretion is not completely understood. A pharmacological approach to reduce the presence of GE-BV in chicks due to fish meal in diets is also unknown. In this study the use of omeprazole, a H+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, and fish meals of different biotoxicological characteristics, showed that: 1) Omeprazole decreased total gastric acid content, GE scores and severe GE (SGE) cases, in a dose-dependent manner. This reduction was significant at levels higher than 20 mg omeprazole/Kg body weight (BW)/day (p < 0.01). The addition of 50 mg omeprazole/kg BW/day almost completely prevented the incidence of SGE cases and reduced in 50% GE score in chicks (p < 0.01). 2) A significant reduction in specific mortality, near 90%, was also seen with all toxic fish meals when omeprazole (50 mg/Kg BW/day) was added to experimental diets in comparison to control groups. However, no mortality was observed when omeprazole was added to diets containing non-toxic fish meals. 3) In chicks fed with toxic fish meals, addition of different amounts of omeprazole to diets changed the relative weight of proventriculus (p < 0.01) and gizzard (p < 0.05). Maximum effect was obtained with omeprazole concentration higher than 50 mg/Kg BW/day. 4) Omeprazole did not change feed intake in chicks fed with toxic fish meal. However, in some fish meal a reduction on weight gain was observed with the addition of omeprazole.

High prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. infection in dogs, associated with endemic focus of human cutaneous larva migrans, in Tacuarembo, Uruguay

A helminthological survey of the intestinal parasites in stray dogs was conducted in urban and suburban area of Tacuarembó, Uruguay, during winter time. Eighty stray dogs captured in the city were necropsied. Seventy nine dogs (98.8%) were positive for helminth infection. Seventy seven (96.3%) were parasitized by hookworms. Two species of hookworms were found: Ancylostoma caninum 96.3% and A. braziliense 49.4%. This is the first report of the prevalence of A. braziliense in Uruguay. Considering that incidences of human cutaneous larva migrans caused by the migration of hookworms larvae were restricted mainly to the northern part of Uruguay and that only A. caninum were reported to be prevalent in the southern part, it is supposed that A. braziliense is the primary causative agent of human cutaneous larva migrans in Uruguay.

Dorsomedial thalamotomy as a treatment for terminal anorexia: a report of two cases

Anorexia nervosa has been considered a compulsive obsessive disorder (OCDS). We present a case report of two patients, male and female, suffering from an extremely severe, chronic and refractory anorectic syndrome. Both patients underwent bilateral stereotactic thalamotomy with involvement of the lamella medialis. Follow-up was 4 year and 2 year, respectively. Both patients have regained weight and improved significantly in terms of their obsessive-compulsive symptoms and in their quality of life. The results suggest that anorexia nervosa may be considered in the OCDS.

Research note: ability of fenthion to increase gizzard erosion in broiler chicks

Fenthion, an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor, was used to study the role of the cholinergic system on the development of gizzard erosion. Fenthion increases the gizzard erosion score in a dose-dependent manner and this effect became significant at levels higher than .1 ppm (p less than .05). An inverse relationship between plasma cholinesterase activity and pesticide concentration was also observed at doses higher than 1 ppm (P less than .05). These results show the necessity to evaluate organophosphate pesticide levels during the selection of fish meals in poultry.

Pseudo-Chédiak-Higashi anomaly

Pseudo-Chédiak-Higashi (PCH) anomaly was seen in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome evolving from pancytopenia with normocellular marrow to a myeloblastic leukemia over a period of 72 months. This case is reported.

Electron microscopic study of the innervation of the renal tubules and urinary bladder epithelium in Rana catesbeiana and Necturus maculosus

The fine structure of the kidney and the bladder of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), the bullfrog tadpole, and the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) were studied with special attention to the innervation of renal tubule cells and bladder epithelial cells. In the bullfrog kidney, nerve terminals and varicosities were frequently associated with the tubule cells, apparently in an increasing order from the proximal tubule to the connecting tubule. Although these terminals and varicosities did not directly contact the tubular cell membrane, an aggregation of synaptic vesicles on the side facing the tubule was considered as morphological evidence that neurotransmitter can be released here and can affect the transport activity of the tubule cells. The association of nerve varicosities with canaliculi cells in the connecting tubule was also demonstrated. In the bullfrog tadpoles, renal tubule cells were occasionally innervated. In the mudpuppy, renal tubule cells were only poorly innervated. The epithelium of the bullfrog bladder was commonly innervated. Nerve terminals with synaptic vesicles were located very near basal cells and even contacted them directly on rare occasions. In the mudpuppy, the innervation of the bladder epithelium was observed infrequently. The bullfrog tadpoles did not possess an apparent bladder. In all materials studied, renal arterioles and bladder smooth muscle cells were innervated.

Transcatheter embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations and meningiomas. Evoked responses correlations

Transcatheter embolization of selective arteries of the carotid and vertebral systems were performed in several patients with brain arteriovenous malformations, angiomas and chemodectomas. All patients were submitted to angiography and electrophysiological examination consisting of a conventional EEG and of visual, auditory and somatosensory evoked responses before and after embolization. Patients with tumors showed a marked decrease of blood flow and tumoral necrosis after embolization, facilitating subsequent surgical procedures. Most patients showed an electrophysiological improvement after embolization, in those regions in which angiography revealed brain decompression resulting from the size reduction of the abnormal tissue. Transcatheter embolization can be very useful in the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations and intracranial tumors, often facilitating surgical procedures.

Isolation of infectious bronchitis virus from broiler chickens in Chile

An infectious-bronchitis-like virus was isolated from 6-week-old broiler chickens unvaccinated with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The isolate produced lesions in embryonating chicken eggs (ECE) and clinical signs in birds characteristic of IBV. Serum-neutralization and agar-gel diffusion tests demonstrated the serological relationship of this isolate to IBV.