Definition and clinical evaluation of a recruiting airway pressure based on the specific lung elastance in anesthetized dogs

ObjectiveTo determine the specific lung elastance (SE_L) in anesthetized dogs and to evaluate the efficacy of a SE_L-based recruiting airway pressure (RP_aw) at improving global and regional lung aeration.Study designRetrospective and prospective clinical study.AnimalsA total of 28 adult dogs were included in the retrospective study and six adult dogs in the prospective study.MethodsRetrospective study: SE_L and SE_L-based RP_aw were determined using previously published data. In mechanically ventilated dogs undergoing thoracic computed tomography (CT), SE_L was calculated as ΔP_L/(V_T/EELV), where ΔP_L is the driving transpulmonary pressure, V_T is the tidal volume and EELV is the end-expiratory lung volume. The ratio of lung to respiratory system elastance (E_L/E_rs) was determined. SE_L and E_L/E_rs were used to calculate the SE_L-based RP_aw. Prospective study: dogs underwent thoracic CT at end-expiration and at end-inspiration using the SE_L-based RP_aw, and global and regional aeration was determined. For analysis of regional aeration, lungs were divided into cranial, intermediate and caudal regions. Regional compliance was also calculated. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe SE_L and E_L/E_rs were 12.7 ± 3.1 cmH₂O and 0.54 ± 0.07, respectively. The SE_L-based RP_aw was 29.1 ± 7.6 cmH₂O. In the prospective study, the RP_aw was 28.2 ± 1.3 cmH₂O. During RP_aw, hyperinflation increased (p = 0.0003) whereas poorly aerated (p < 0.0001) and nonaerated (p = 0.01) tissue decreased. Normally aerated tissue did not change (p = 0.265). Regional compliance was higher in the intermediate (p = 0.0003) and caudal (p = 0.034) regions compared with the cranial region. Aeration did not differ between regions (p > 0.05).Conclusions and clinical relevanceAn SE_L-based RP_aw reduces poorly and nonaerated lung tissue in anesthetized dogs. In nonsurgical anesthetized dogs, an RP_aw near 30 cmH₂O is effective at improving lung aeration.     

Testing and statistical analysis of the performance of a pipe drainage system: A case study in north-eastern Italy

A survey program was carried out from June 1988 to august 1989 in North-eastern Italy in a pipe drainage area of 61 ha in order to verify if the year of installation (one part of the system has been installed in 1984 and another one year later) and the cover material of drains (pipes were covered with cocofibre for 2/5 of their length and without envelope for 3/5) could influence the functioning of the system. Collected data of drain discharge and water table depth were subjected to an elaborate statistical analysis.A methodological approach to determine the sample size (how many measurements of discharge and watertable depth are required, in space and time, from a statistical stand-point) in drainage experiment is proposed. For drainage systems similar to the considered one, a sample size of 10–12 drains and 6–8 observation wells can be recommended in order to obtain a standard error lower than 10–15% of the mean.     

Identification of QTLs related to sugar and organic acid composition in melon using near-isogenic lines

The soluble sugar and organic acid composition of melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit flesh has become a major focus of plant breeding worldwide in an attempt to improve taste. Thus, sugar and organic acid profiles were characterized using near-isogenic lines (NILs) derived from the Spanish cultivar Piel de Sapo (PS) and the exotic Korean accession Shongwan Charmi (PI 161375). Fruits were cultivated in only one environment. These data were used to map 60 quantitative trait loci (QTLs): 18 for individual sugars, eight for sucrose equivalents, five for the glucose-to-fructose ratio, seven for the total sugar content and 21 for organic acids. Within the QTLs that were associated with the sugar profile, 27 defined the sugar content: eight for fructose, six for glucose, four for sucrose, and nine for sucrose equivalents. Although increased sweetness of selected NILs compared with the parental PS was achieved by an increased glucose or fructose content, only glucose heritability was above 0.5. A total of 21 QTLs (two with positive effects and nineteen with detrimental effects compared with the PS levels) controlled the organic acid profile: l-glutamic, ascorbic and succinic acids (the principal ones) and fumaric, citric, oxalacetic, and isocitric acids. The levels of sugars imparted by the PI 161375 introgression frequently decreased the score grades given to NILs by consumers. Within the 32 QTLs mapped for sensory traits, 27 were associated with lower scores in taste (nine QTLs), sweetness (eight QTLs) or global quality appreciation (nine QTLs); two with increased fruit sourness or sweetness and three with increased fruit bitterness. The QTLs defined herein may assist breeders to understand the overall organoleptic balance (sweetness, sourness, and umami taste) in melon fruit, particularly those located within linkage groups III, V, VI, and VIII to XI.     

Microarray-based detection of viruses causing vesicular or vesicular-like lesions in livestock animals

Definitive diagnosis of vesicular or vesicular-like lesions in livestock animals presents challenges both for veterinary clinicians and diagnostic laboratories. It is often impossible to diagnose the causative disease agent on a clinical basis alone and difficult to collect ample vesicular epithelium samples. Due to restrictions of time and sample size, once laboratory tests have ruled out foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular stomatitis and swine vesicular disease a definitive diagnosis may remain elusive. With the ability to test a small quantity of sample for a large number of pathogens simultaneously, DNA microarrays represent a potential solution to this problem. This study describes the application of a long oligonucleotide microarray assay to the identification of viruses known to cause vesicular or vesicular-like lesions in livestock animals. Eighteen virus isolates from cell culture were successfully identified to genus level, including representatives of each foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype, two species of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), swine vesicular disease virus, vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV), bovine herpesvirus 1, orf virus, pseudocowpox virus, bluetongue virus serotype 1 and bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1. VSV and VESV were also identified in vesicular epithelium samples, with varying levels of sensitivity. The results indicate that with further development this microarray assay could be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of vesicular and vesicular-like diseases.     

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis derivatives harbouring deletions in rpoS and phoP regulatory genes are attenuated in pigs, and survive and multiply in porcine intestinal macrophages and fibroblasts, respectively

Live attenuated Salmonella enterica strains have been extensively studied as potential vectors for the oral delivery of heterologous antigens. Due to its ability to target immune cells, its specific mechanism for crossing the intestinal barrier, and its swine-restricted tropism, S. enterica subspecies enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) has attracted a great deal of interest for the production of bacterial-based oral carriers specifically adapted to swine. In this study, two mutants of S. Choleraesuis were constructed and their attenuation and intracellular fate analysed with the purpose of engineering new attenuated live strains with improved properties as oral vaccine carriers. Those strains harboured a specific deletion either within the phoP or rpoS genes, which encode virulence-related regulators in S. Typhimurium. In comparison to the wild-type parental S. Choleraesuis, the mutant strains, especially DeltaphoP, were extremely low in virulence in the murine model and in the natural host, the pig. Moreover, when compared with a commercial live vaccine strain, SC-54, the two mutants showed a higher level of attenuation in mice and DeltaphoP also in pigs. In addition, DeltarpoS and DeltaphoP presented a proliferation and survival phenotype within swine intestinal primary fibroblast and macrophage cell cultures, respectively. Collectively, the present results indicate that the DeltarpoS and DeltaphoP strains of S. Choleraesuis gather adequate features to be potential candidates for vaccine vectors for the specific delivery of heterologous antigens adapted to pigs.     

Leishmania-specific isotype levels and their relationship with specific cell-mediated immunity parameters in canine leishmaniasis

In the current retrospective study, Leishmania infantum-specific IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined by ELISA in 106 untreated dogs with clinically-patent leishmaniasis (Sx) and in 171 clinically healthy dogs (Asx) from Spain to investigate the relationship between these Ig isotypes and clinical status. In addition, we studied if different Leishmania-specific humoral pattern exists between Asx dogs with and without cellular mediated immunity (CMI). Fifty-six dogs were assessed by means of lymphoproliferation assay (LPA), interferon production (IFN) and leishmanin skin test (LST), 71 dogs by means of both LPA and IFN and 44 only by LST. Both Sx and Asx dogs produced Leishmania-specific IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies, however the levels and proportion of positive dogs for each Ig isotype were significantly higher in Sx than in Asx ones (P<0.001). Analysis of immunological profiles determined for each cellular technique (positive and negative cellular response for each technique combined with positive or negative specific humoral response) showed that Asx dogs constituted a high heterogeneous group. No correlations were observed between CMI tests and specific IgG or IgM levels. However, a significant inverse correlation was demonstrated between specific IgA levels and LPA response (Spearman's r=-0.220; P=0.035). In general, the low correlation detected between CMI tests and isotype levels might indicate that the immune response is not strongly polarized in the majority of Asx dogs. Additionally, this study suggests that dogs developing T-cell response are probably able to avoid the dissemination of the parasite at least to mucosal surfaces and, as a consequence, to produce low or background specific IgA levels. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between specific IgA and parasite load, especially at mucosal site.     

Salmonella serotypes in wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in northern Italy

Background

Salmonella species (spp.) are zoonotic enteric bacteria able to infect humans, livestock and wildlife.However, little is known about the prevalence and the presence of the different serovars in wildlife. Considering the wide distribution of wild boars and the feeding behaviour (omnivorous scavengers), wild boars may be a good indicator for environmental presence of Salmonella spp. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of Salmonella spp. in hunted wild boars and to determine the serotype the isolated strains.

Findings

Over three hunting seasons, the intestinal contents of 1,313 boars hunted in northern Italy were sampled and cultured. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 326 boars (24.82%). Thirty different serovars belonging to three different S. enterica spp. were found. Twenty-one serovars of S. enterica subsp. Enterica were found including the human pathogens S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. In addition, nine serovars belonging to S.enterica subsp. diarizonae and S. enterica subsp. houtenae were detected.

Conclusions

Considering the widespread occurrence of wild boars in Europe, the epidemiological role of this species in relation to salmonellosis might be relevant and should be further investigated. Wild boars may act as healthy carriers of a wide range of Salmonella serotypes.     

Relationships between agronomic factors and epidemics of Phytophthora branch canker of citrus in southwestern Spain

Phytophthora branch canker, caused by Phytophthora citrophthora, has been an increasing problem in clementine (Citrus reticulata) production in Spain during last years. The disease was particularly severe in the new citrus-growing areas of the southwestern coastal areas in Huelva Province. Recent studies revealed that disease emergence was not related to either genetic drift or host specificity changes in P. citrophthora population. Therefore, the possible association of agronomic factors with the disease was investigated. A total of 110 orchards were selected arbitrarily from the main citrus-growing areas in Huelva Province. The presence of branch cankers together with agronomic factors including soils, cultivars, rootstocks, irrigation, pruning, techniques to improve fruit production, fungicide treatments, presence of brown rot of fruit and frost damage were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect correlations between the agronomic factors studied and disease prevalence. Phytophthora branch canker was significantly associated with mature clementine orchards. Sweet orange and hybrid cultivars as well as young clementine orchards were less affected by the disease. Although disease was less frequent in Salorthid soils, alternative high resolution procedures are required to draw conclusions about the effect of soil properties on disease prevalence. As in other Phytophthora-induced diseases, soil flooding during the rainy season was correlated positively with the prevalence of branch cankers. Improving fruit production by branch scoring showed a strong positive correlation with Phytophthora branch canker. This is the first time that girdling has been associated with Phytophthora disease epidemics on a fruit tree crop, but further research is needed to determine the cause of this relationship. Cultural practices including pruning, regulated deficit irrigation, additional phosphonate sprays, and abiotic and disease factors such as frost damage and presence of brown rot of fruit were not significantly correlated with disease prevalence.