The role of head computed tomography in equine practice

This retrospective study describes the computed tomography (CT) findings in 59 horses presented with diseases of the head over 8 years that underwent CT examination of this region, including dental or sinonasal diseases (Group A) (n = 42), osseous and/or articular diseases (Group B) (n = 11) and soft tissue diseases (Group C) (n = 6). For Group A, radiographic and CT findings comparison was possible. Computed tomography had higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96.7%) than radiography in diagnosing dental disease. Compared to CT, radiographic identification of sinus involvement was less sensitive, particularly for ventral conchal and sphenopalatine sinuses and presented an overall sensitivity of 43.5 and 16.7%, respectively. In Group B CT allowed identification of a higher number of bone fragments and fractures in the maxillary, lacrimal, sphenoidal, temporal and zygomatic bones not identified radiographically. Accurate identification of CT changes in the temporomandibular joint and temporohyoid articulation was also possible. Group C included both intra‐ and extra‐cranial disease, retrobulbar masses being the most representative pathology (n = 3). In this group, CT was considered the gold standard for detection of periorbital diseases. We conclude that CT is an imaging technique with high diagnostic value for evaluating the equine head, yielding additional information over multiple radiographic views, which may alter the outcome of the case. Additionally, this paper reports several conditions not previously described using CT.     

Fermentation as a bio-process to obtain functional soybean flours

The effect of fermentation on the antioxidant compounds [vitamins C and E, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and reduced glutathione (GSH)], and antioxidant capacity [superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOD-like activity), peroxyl radical-trapping capacity (PRTC), inhibition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) peroxidation, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)] of soybean (Glycine max cv. Merit) was studied. Fermentation was carried out in solid state in cracked seeds inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus plantarum and in liquid state either in cracked seeds or milled soybean flours fermented naturally by only the microorganisms present in the seeds or by inoculation with L. plantarum. Vitamin C was not detected in the studied samples. Fermentation caused a decrease in vitamin E activity, except when cracked seed was fermented with A. oryzae, R. oryzae, or B. subtilis that increased 31, 30, and 89%, respectively. Fermentation produced an increase in TPC content and did not affect or reduce the GSH content. Fermentation decreased SOD-like activity drastically, while PRTC increased except when it was carried out naturally in cracked seed. TEAC values rose sharply when soybeans were fermented with B. subtilis. Processed soybean extracts inhibited PC peroxidation in comparison with the control assay. On the basis of the results obtained, the relative contributions of vitamin E, TPC, and GSH to antioxidant capacity were calculated and results showed a very high TPC contribution and a low contribution of GSH and vitamin E activity. Optimum results for functional soybean flours were achieved when fermentation was carried out with B. subtilis inoculum.     

Metschnikowia andauensis as a new biocontrol agent of fruit postharvest diseases

Potential antagonists were isolated from the epiphytic flora associated with oranges and pome fruit. A total of 1465 microorganisms were tested in a preliminary screening against blue and green moulds on pome and citrus fruit, respectively. Among them, approximately 3% reduced incidence and severity by more than 50% and 4 microorganisms fulfilled the selection criteria of reduction in severity and incidence by 75%. The most effective was a yeast identified as Metschnikowia andauensis, strain NCYC 3728 (PBC-2), isolated from the surface of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ apple fruit cultivated in North Portugal. The biocontrol activity of M. andauensis PBC-2 was dependent on its applied concentration. At 5 × 10⁶ cfu/mL incidence (% of infected wounds) and severity (lesion diameter) were reduced by 62 and 70%, respectively and at 1 × 10⁷ cfu/mL, the greatest reduction was achieved, 90% of incidence and 95% of severity. The broad spectrum of action of M. andauensis PBC-2 was evaluated with effective control being achieved against Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum and Botritys cinerea, on ‘Rocha’ pears and on different apple cultivars and against Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum on mandarins and oranges. In semi-commercial trials in cold storage, the reduction of blue mould was 90%. Rapid colonization of fresh apple fruit wounds was observed during the first 24 h of cold storage, followed by a significant population increase during the first 15 days of storage and then the population remained stable until the end of storage.     

The fate of arsenic in soils adjacent to an old mine site (Bustarviejo,Spain): mobility and transfer to native flora

Background, aim, and scope  

The mobility of arsenic in soils and its transfer to other environmental components present significant environmental risks. The management of polluted land is determined by the availability, mobility, and transfer of inorganic pollutants to different ecosystem compartments. In this paper, the fate of arsenic at this mining site has been evaluated to determine future management practises to minimise such risk.     

Clinical application of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of cranial nerves in horses in comparison with high resolution imaging standards

Although horses are affected by cranial nerve disease, our understanding of these structures' imaging anatomy is limited, and the optimal modality for imaging of each of these nerves is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging appearance of the equine cranial nerves on high‐resolution 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans of a cadaver head, and with these as standards, examine the utility of MRI and CT performed in clinical cases. High‐resolution MRI and CT images were prospectively acquired of the head of a normal Thoroughbred gelding following euthanasia. Ten clinical cases undergoing high‐field MRI under general anaesthesia and 10 clinical cases undergoing CT in the standing horse under sedation were retrospectively evaluated by three reviewers to assess cranial nerve visibility. On high‐resolution, thin‐slice, MRI scans of the normal cadaver head, each of the 12 cranial nerves and their topographic location could be appreciated. On high‐resolution cadaver CT, cranial nerves II, V and VII were clearly visible, but others were less easily identified; osseous structures were clearly visualised. Clinical MRI and CT allowed for variable visualisation of the cranial nerves, dependent on the sequence and the orientation of scan planes. High‐field MRI allowed excellent visualisation of equine cranial nerves, whereas CT allowed for more detailed visualisation of the osseous canals and foramina. In live horses, the ability to identify all 12 nerves is challenging with either MRI or CT; however, high‐field MRI enables better visualisation of the nerve bundles than CT.     

Evaluation of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Alpinia zerumbet essential oils as biopesticides against Callosobruchus maculatus

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - This study aimed to investigate the effects of the essential oils of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Alpinia zerumbet in the treatment of cowpea [Vigna...     

Doxycycline treatment for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dirofilaria immitis</Emphasis> in dogs: impact on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus</Emphasis> antimicrobial resistance

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that, in addition to the classic antibacterial use, is also prescribed to fight parasitic diseases, like heartworm disease in dogs. Despite the concern that the overuse of this antibiotic may decrease susceptibility of clinically important bacteria, the consequences of the prolonged doxycycline therapy in heartworm-infected dogs have never been studied before. We have analyzed the impact of this therapy on Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus antimicrobial resistance. In this study, 17 heartworm-infected dogs (10 that had completed the doxycycline treatment and 7 dogs that had not yet begun) were included. Twenty-four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were obtained from two locations of each dog. After treatment, 73.3% of isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic but only 22.2% of isolates before treatment. Most of doxycycline resistant isolates were obtained from dogs that have received treatment. Erythromycin resistance or intermediate susceptibility was detected in 45.6% of isolates, most of them from dogs after treatment. For Enterococci, 48 isolates were obtained from fecal samples (25 before treatment and 23 after treatment). Before treatment, 32% of isolates were resistant at least to one antibiotic while after, this data increase up to 65%. Comparing isolates before and after treatment, a clear increase in resistance to doxycycline (12% against 21.74%) and erythromycin (20% against 39.13%) was observed. Although the present work is a preliminary research, the results encourages the development of further studies to determinate the effect of prolonged doxycycline therapy on antimicrobial resistance.     

ENCHONDROMATOSIS IN AN ADULT DOG

A 7‐year‐old crossbreed dog presented for lameness with diffuse soft tissue swelling in the right fore limb. Radiographs identified increased opacity of medullary cavity involving the radius and ulna. Whole‐body computed tomography (CT) revealed mineral attenuation in the medullary cavity of multiple bones. Histopathology of the right distal tibia showed a fibrocartilaginous matrix occupying intertrabecular spaces. The final diagnosis was enchondromatosis. Long‐term favorable progression of the dog's clinical condition further supported the benign histopathologic classification. This is the fifth case of canine enchondromatosis reported so far and the first documentation of further characterization with CT.     

Behavioral and physiological evaluation of sows raised in outdoors systems in the Brazilian semiarid region

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, behavioral, and physiological parameters in pregnant sows of native and improved crossbreeds...