Comparison of medial and lateral ultrasound-guided approaches for periarticular injection of the thoracolumbar intervertebral facet joints in horses

Objective: To compare ultrasound‐guided lateral and medial approaches for periarticular injections of the thoracolumbar intervertebral facet joints (IFJ). Study Design: Experimental cadaveric study. Sample Population: Adult equine cadavers (n=4). Methods: IFJ (T12–T13 to L5–L6) were identified by ultrasound (transducer perpendicular to the spine axis) and insertion of a 13 cm, 18 g spinal needle monitored until bone contact using medial (right side) and lateral (left side) approaches. Number of needle insertions at each site, needle repositioning, and insertion depth were recorded. On bone contact 2 mL latex was injected. Intraarticular deposition, distance of latex from the closest articular margin, and presence of latex in the multifidus muscle were established by dissection. Results: Of 96 attempts, only 1 site require reinsertion of the needle; however, 46% of the injections required needle repositioning. Mean ± SD insertion depth was 8.5 ± 1.1 cm. Most injections (86%) were intraarticular and 96% were at or within 0.5 cm of the closest articular margin. Needle insertion relative to the transducer (lateral, medial) had no effect on the distance from the latex to the closest articular margin and all injections were performed into the multifidus muscle. Conclusions: Ultrasound‐guidance facilitated accurate periarticular injection of thoracolumbar IFJ irrespective of using a medial or lateral approach.     

Functional genomics analysis of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial traits involved in rhizosphere competence

In soil, some specific bacterial populations, called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are able to promote plant growth and/or reduce the incidence of soil-borne diseases. Rhizosphere competence is an important prerequisite for the efficacy of these biocontrol strains. Therefore, over decades, multiple approaches have been combined to understand the molecular basis of bacterial traits involved in rhizosphere competence. This review addresses the bacterial genes expressed during bacterial–plant interactions in the rhizosphere of different plant species. The distribution of these key genes in natural populations of rhizobacteria is also discussed.     

Assessment of age at first parturition by accounting censored data: the example of small ruminants in agropastoral herds in Senegal

Age at first parturition (AFP) is an important reproductive trait when evaluating the herd productivity in tropical small-holder farming systems, particularly for small ruminants with high demographic turnover and commercial utilization. The article reports the AFP probability distributions calculated on goats and sheep herds monitored for more than 10 years in three low-input livestock farming systems located from northern to southern Senegal (Louga, Kaymor, and Kolda) and representing different agroecological conditions and animal phenotypes. The AFP distributions were estimated with the Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analysis accounting for censoring (females lost to follow-up before their first parturition). When measured by the KM estimator of the AFP median, the precocity for both species was almost 4 months later in Louga than in Kaymor and Kolda. In Louga, the precocity was 1.6 months later for sheep than for goats and 2.9 months in Kaymor and Kolda. These estimates were higher than those obtained with the common and crude approach that removes censored data before calculation (relative bias ranged from −12% to −22% for the AFP mean depending on species and site) and those already published in previous studies on the same data sets. In on-farm small ruminant studies focusing on reproductive traits such as AFP distributions, we recommend using survival models (e.g., the KM method) to avoid potential biases due to data censoring.     

Ulnar interlocking intramedullary nail stabilization of a proximal radio-ulnar fracture in a dog

Objective: To report use of an ulnar interlocking intramedullary nail for repair of an open highly comminuted fracture of the proximal third of the antebrachium in a dog, caused by gunshot. Study Design: Case report. Animals: 1.5‐year old, 60 kg, neutered male Mastiff. Methods: An ulnar interlocking intramedullary nail was used to stabilize an open comminuted proximal antebrachial fracture and a cast applied for 4 weeks. Results: Union by secondary bone healing occurred in 8 weeks. At 16 weeks, there was advanced remodeling of the radial and ulnar bony callus and fracture lines were no longer evident. Limb use was normal with normal pain free range of motion of the right elbow. Conclusion: Ulnar interlocking nail is a viable alternative treatment for highly comminuted fracture of the proximal third of the antebrachium in dogs.     

Does moder development along a pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) chronosequence result from changes in litter production or in decomposition rates?

The development of temperate deciduous and conifers forests stands usually results in accumulation of forest floor organic matter and a shift from mull to moder humus forms. It has been suggested that an increase in nutrient uptake by trees during their rapid growth phase leads to topsoil acidification, decrease in earthworm density and thereby a decrease in litter turnover. The focus of this paper was to examine if the mull-moder shift with forest ageing results from higher leaf litter production and/or lower litter decay rates. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) changes in macro-morphological properties of humus forms, leaf litter production, litter decay rates, soil nutrients content and pH along a 130-year pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) chronosequence in Normandy (Northwest France), (2) if humus form varied from mull to moder with increasing stand age, and (3) if a shift from mull to moder resulted from increased litter production, decreased litter decay rates, or both. Annual litter production did not change significantly along the chronosequence (mean 2.41 t ha⁻¹). In contrast, litter decay rates decreased significantly during the rapid growth phase of trees. In consequence, the litter turnover time (1/k) was lower in the youngest stands (20 months) compared to the oldest ones (31 months). Even in the absence of a significant pattern of variation, litter production was positively correlated with the thickness of the OF (Oi) horizon. In contrast, litter decay was strongly negatively correlated with maximum thickness of the OH (Oa) horizon, suggesting that the appearance of the humification layer was mainly due to a decrease in litter decay rate. We did not find significant changes in the main properties of the organo-mineral horizon, suggesting that soil nutrient availability may not directly affect litter dynamics. We concluded that moder development along the chronosequence resulted in decreasing litter decay rates during the aggradation phase while litter production was stable. Further studies are required to identify the ecological factors responsible for moder development along forest ageing.     

Type, density, and location of immune cells within human colorectal tumors predict clinical outcome

The role of the adaptive immune response in controlling the growth and recurrence of human tumors has been controversial. We characterized the tumor-infiltrating immune cells in large cohorts of human colorectal cancers by gene expression profiling and in situ immunohistochemical staining. Collectively, the immunological data (the type, density, and location of immune cells within the tumor samples) were found to be a better predictor of patient survival than the histopathological methods currently used to stage colorectal cancer. The results were validated in two additional patient populations. These data support the hypothesis that the adaptive immune response influences the behavior of human tumors. In situ analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells may therefore be a valuable prognostic tool in the treatment of colorectal cancer and possibly other malignancies.     

Alterins Produced by Oyster-Associated Pseudoalteromonas Are Antibacterial Cyclolipopeptides with LPS-Binding Activity

Discovery after discovery, host-associated microbiota reveal a growing list of positive effects on host homeostasis by contributing to host nutrition, improving hosts’ immune systems and protecting hosts against pathogens. In that context, a collection of oyster associated bacteria producing antibacterial compounds have been established to evaluate their role in non-host-derived immunity. Here, we described alterins; potent anti-Gram negative compounds produced by Pseudoalteromonas hCg-6 and hCg-42 isolated from different healthy oyster hemolymph. The strains hCg-6 and hCg-42 produce a set of at least seven antibacterial compounds, ranging from 926 to 982 Da structurally characterized as cyclolipopeptides (CLPs). Alterins share the same cationic heptapeptidic cycle connected via an amido bond to different hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails. Their MICs disclosed a potent antibacterial activity directed against Gram-negative bacteria including oyster and human pathogens that may confer a beneficial defense mechanism to the host but also represents an untapped source of new antibiotics. The alterins’ mechanisms of action have been deciphered: after binding to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), alterins provoke a membrane depolarization and permeabilization leading to bacterial lysis. As hCg-6 and hCg-42 produced a set of natural derivatives, the structure/activity relationship linked to the carbon tail is clarified. We showed that the hydrocarbon tail determines the LPS-binding properties of alterins and consequently their antibacterial activities. Its length and saturation seem to play a major role in this interaction.     

Lead shot and teal (Anas crecca) in the Camargue, Southern France: Effects of embedded and ingested pellets on survival

The negative consequences of lead shot ingestion have been demonstrated in captive birds, and the prevalence of embedded shot has been measured in wild waterfowl several times. However, the long-term consequences of these two indirect outcomes of hunting on waterfowl survival have merely been investigated. Using data from about 40,000 X-rayed teals (Anas crecca), this study attempts to evaluate these effects. We used multivariate logistic regressions to model the probability of carrying shot in the flesh or in the gizzard while testing for various explanatory variables such as sex, age, time or morphological measures like mass and flattened wing length. Because of technical issues, we used a non-parametric sign test rather than a complete capture-recapture analysis to evaluate the effect of shot on teal survival. This test was applied to the differences in time between ringing and recovery for lead categories (no lead shot, ?1 shot in the flesh but none in the gizzard, ?1 shot in the gizzard but none in the flesh) compared two by two. We show that, overall, males are more likely to carry embedded shot than females whereas the latter are more likely to carry lead pellets in the gizzard. Similarly, adults are more likely to carry shot in the flesh whereas first year individuals are more likely to have pellets in the gizzard. Embedded shot tend to accumulate in the ducks body over time, i.e. with the number of encounters with hunters, with no significant effect on survival. Conversely, the probability of carrying shot in the gizzard decreases over time, because lead-poisoning quickly leads the individual to death. Several possible biological interpretations are put forward to explain those results. This study demonstrates that negative impacts of ingested lead on teal survival arise after only one single pellet is ingested, advocating the ban of lead ammunition.     

Lingual and renal lymphoma in a cat

A domestic shorthair cat presented with a progressive history of polydipsia, lingual swelling and ulceration. The tongue was firm and grossly enlarged with associated regional lymphadenopathy. Surgical biopsies revealed lymphoma of the tongue. Following the procedure, the cat developed respiratory distress and was subsequently euthanased. Necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of lingual lymphoma and also identified lymphoma within the left kidney. This is the first report of lymphoma within the feline tongue in the literature.