Distribution of alpha‐neoendorphin,ACTH (18–39) and beta‐endorphin (1–27) in the alpaca brainstem

Using an immunocytochemical technique, we have studied in the alpaca brainstem the distribution of immunoreactive structures containing prodynorphin (alpha‐neoendorphin)‐ and pro‐opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotrophin hormone (18–39) (ACTH), beta‐endorphin (1–27))‐derived peptides. No peptidergic‐immunoreactive cell body was observed. Immunoreactive fibres were widely distributed, although in most of the brainstem nuclei the density of the peptidergic fibres was low or very low. In general, the distribution of the immunoreactive fibres containing the peptides studied was very similar. A close anatomical relationship occurred among the fibres containing alpha‐neoendorphin, ACTH or beta‐endorphin (1–27), suggesting a functional interaction among the three peptides in many of the brainstem nuclei. The number of fibres belonging to the prodynorphin system was higher than that of the pro‐opiomelanocortin system. A moderate/low density of immunoreactive fibres was observed in 65.11% (for alpha‐neoendorphin (1–27)), 18.18% (for ACTH) and 13.95% (for beta‐endorphin) of the brainstem nuclei/tracts. In the alpaca brainstem, a high density of immunoreactive fibres was not observed. The neuroanatomical distribution of the immunoreactive fibres suggests that the peptides studied are involved in auditory, motor, gastric, feeding, vigilance, stress, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanisms, taste response, sleep‐waking cycle and the control of pain transmission.     

S‐(+)‐Linalool from Lippia alba: sedative and anesthetic for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

ObjectiveThe present study describes the isolation of linalool from the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, and its anesthetic effect in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) in comparison with essential oil. The potentiation of depressant effects of linalool with a benzodiazepine (BDZ) and the involvement of GABAergic system in its antagonism by flumazenil were also evaluated.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsJuvenile silver catfish unknown sex weighing mean 9.24 ± 2.83 g (n = 6 for each experimental group per experiment).MethodsColumn chromatography was used for the isolation of S-(+)-linalool. Fish (n = 6 for each concentration) were transferred to aquaria with linalool (30, 60, and 180 μL L^?1) or EO of L. alba (50, 100, and 300 μL L^?1) to determine the induction time for anesthesia. After induction, the animals were transferred to anesthetic-free aquaria to assess their recovery time. To observe the potentiation, fish were exposed to linalool (30, 60, and 180 μL L^?1) in the presence or absence of BDZ (diazepam 150 μm). In another experiment, fish exposed to linalool (30 and 180 μL L^?1) or BDZ were transferred to an anesthetic-free aquaria containing flumazenil (5 μm) or water to assess recovery time.ResultsLinalool had a similar sedation profile to the essential oil at a proportional concentration in silver catfish. However, the anesthesia profile was different. Potentiation of linalool effect occurred only when tested at low concentration. Fish exposed to BDZ showed faster anesthesia recovery in water with flumazenil, but the same did not occur with linalool.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe use of linalool as a sedative and anesthetic for silver catfish was effective at 30 and 180 μL L^?1, respectively. The mechanism of action seems not to involve the benzodiazepine site of the GABAergic system.     

Conversion of α‐linolenic acid to long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid derivatives and alterations of HDL density subfractions and plasma lipids with dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in Monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)

The effect of α‐linolenic acid from a flaxseed (FLX)‐enriched diet on plasma lipid and fatty acid metabolism and possible atherosclerosis risk factors was studied in Monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus). Twenty‐four Monk parrots were randomly assigned to diets containing either 10% ground SUNs or 10% ground FLXs. Feed intake was calculated daily. Blood samples, body condition scores and body weights were obtained at ?5 weeks, day 0, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 70. Plasma samples were analysed for total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triacylglycerols and lipoproteins. Phospholipid subfraction fatty acid profiles were determined. By day 70, the FLX group had significantly higher plasma phospholipid fatty acids including 18:3n‐3 (α‐linolenic acid), 20:5n‐3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid). The sunflower group had significantly higher plasma phospholipid levels of 20:4n‐6 (arachidonic acid). By day 70, the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) peak shifted resulting in significantly different HDL peak densities between the two experimental groups (1.097 g/ml FLX group and 1.095 g/ml SUN group, p = 0.028). The plasma fatty acid results indicate that Monk parrots can readily convert α‐linolenic acid to the long‐chain omega‐3 derivatives including docosahexaenoic acid and reduce 20:4n‐6 accumulation in plasma phospholipids. The reason for a shift in the HDL peak density is unknown at this time.     

Outcome and long‐term follow‐up of 20 horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction: A retrospective study (2000–2008)

Reasons for performing study: If untreated, caecal impaction may progress to rupture of the caecum and reports of long‐term outcome for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction are required. Objectives: To describe short‐ and long‐term complication rates for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction in an otherwise life‐threatening gastrointestinal condition. Methods: Case records were reviewed for horses undergoing surgery for caecal impaction. Horses were included in the study if an abnormally large, fluid‐distended or feed‐impacted caecum was the primary diagnosis at surgery and excluded if the caecum had already ruptured upon opening the abdomen, necessitating euthanasia. Short‐term follow‐up data were obtained from clinical records; and included complications, repeat celiotomy and survival to discharge. Long‐term survival was defined as survival for >1 year post operatively. Long‐term follow‐up data were obtained through telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinary surgeons. Survival, occurrence of post operative colic and subsequent use of the horse were recorded. Results: Twenty horses underwent surgery for caecal impaction: 16 horses underwent caecal bypass (typhlotomy and removal of caecal contents, ileal transection followed by ileocolostomy); 3 underwent typhlotomy alone; and one horse underwent typhlotomy followed by a second procedure where caecal bypass was performed. Five horses (25%) were admitted for colic evaluation with primary caecal impactions, in 10/20 (50%) of cases the impaction was secondary to previous orthopaedic surgery and in 5/20 (25%) caecal impaction was identified at repeat celiotomy following a previous colic surgery. Sixty‐five percent (13/20) of horses survived to discharge; 11/13 (85%) of horses discharged survived long term; 100% (3/3) horses that received typhlotomy alone were discharged and survived long term. Conclusions: The prognosis following caecal impaction surgery is fair, if the horse survives to discharge then prognosis for long‐term survival is good. Potential relevance: Surgery for caecal impaction carries a fair prognosis for a potentially life threatening disease, in particular where caecal dysfunction is suspected.     

Changes in the prevalence of Salmonella serovars associated swine production and correlations of avian,bovine and swine‐associated serovars with human‐associated serovars in the United States (1997–2015)

As Salmonella enterica is an important pathogen of food animals, surveillance programmes for S. enterica serovars have existed for many years in the United States. Surveillance programmes serve many purposes, one of which is to evaluate alterations in the prevalence of serovars that may signal changes in the ecology of the target organism. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the proportion of S. enterica serovars isolated from swine over a near 20‐year observation period (1997–2015) using four longitudinal data sets from different food animal species. The secondary aim was to evaluate correlations between changes in S. enterica serovars frequently recovered from food animals and changes in S. enterica serovars associated with disease in humans. We found decreasing proportions of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, serovar Derby and serovar Heidelberg and increasing proportions of S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐, serovar Infantis and serovar Johannesburg in swine over time. We also found positive correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐, serovar Anatum and serovar Johannesburg between swine and human data; in S. enterica Worthington between avian and human data; and in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐ between bovine and human data. We found negative correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:‐ and serovar Johannesburg between avian and human data.     

Attribution of human infections with Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) to livestock sources and identification of source‐specific risk factors,The Netherlands (2010–2014)

Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen of public health concern whose sources and transmission routes are difficult to trace. Using a combined source attribution and case–control analysis, we determined the relative contributions of four putative livestock sources (cattle, small ruminants, pigs, poultry) to human STEC infections and their associated dietary, animal contact, temporal and socio‐econo‐demographic risk factors in the Netherlands in 2010/2011–2014. Dutch source data were supplemented with those from other European countries with similar STEC epidemiology. Human STEC infections were attributed to sources using both the modified Dutch model (mDM) and the modified Hald model (mHM) supplied with the same O‐serotyping data. Cattle accounted for 48.6% (mDM) and 53.1% (mHM) of the 1,183 human cases attributed, followed by small ruminants (mDM: 23.5%; mHM: 25.4%), pigs (mDM: 12.5%; mHM: 5.7%) and poultry (mDM: 2.7%; mHM: 3.1%), whereas the sources of the remaining 12.8% of cases could not be attributed. Of the top five O‐serotypes infecting humans, O157, O26, O91 and O103 were mainly attributed to cattle (61%–75%) and O146 to small ruminants (71%–77%). Significant risk factors for human STEC infection as a whole were the consumption of beef, raw/undercooked meat or cured meat/cold cuts. For cattle‐attributed STEC infections, specific risk factors were consuming raw meat spreads and beef. Consuming raw/undercooked or minced meat were risk factors for STEC infections attributed to small ruminants. For STEC infections attributed to pigs, only consuming raw/undercooked meat was significant. Consuming minced meat, raw/undercooked meat or cured meat/cold cuts were associated with poultry‐attributed STEC infections. Consuming raw vegetables was protective for all STEC infections. We concluded that domestic ruminants account for approximately three‐quarters of reported human STEC infections, whereas pigs and poultry play a minor role and that risk factors for human STEC infection vary according to the attributed source.