Comparative morphometric study of the mimic facial muscles of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic dogs

Excessive breeding of dogs has led to a disadvantageous morphology in some breeds, for example extreme brachycephaly, which is responsible for many health issues. We hypothesize that alterations of the mimic muscular system are present in brachycephalic dogs and could contribute to behavioural problems due to a restricted mimic display. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to compare the mimic muscular systems of brachycephalic with dolichocephalic dogs. Mimic muscles were measured and set in ratio to measurements of the head and calculated indices. When bringing the length of the muscles m(x) in proportion to the length of the head, highly significant differences (p < .0001) and significant difference (p < .05) were found in all but two of the examined muscles. Calculations of the m(x) divided by the cranial index and the square index showed significant differences for all muscles. For example, the musculus (m.) levator nasolabialis was morphologically different from the one of dolichocephalic dogs. Muscle fibres of the m. levator nasolabialis were localized in the fold over the nasal bridge of brachycephalic dogs. The raphe of the m. orbicularis oris was not always apparent in brachycephalic dogs. The proportions of the muscle lengths and the length of the eye slots to the size of the skull have shifted considerably in brachycephalic dogs. We conclude that many alterations contribute to the strong shift in the proportions of the head of brachycephalic dogs versus that of dolichocephalic dogs. Our findings suggest that brachycephalic dogs have reduced mimic skills that can lead to ambiguous communication.     

Periventricular nodular heterotopia in a Chihuahua

Periventricular nodular heterotopia is a common neuronal malformation in humans, often leading to epilepsy and other neurologic diseases. A 2-month-old female Chihuahua weighing 750 g was examined because of a history of epileptic seizures and abnormalities in gait and behavior. Results of the clinical examination were consistent with a multifocal neurologic disease with localization in the forebrain and spinovestibular system. The magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple bilateral periventricular nodules isointense to gray matter and ventriculomegaly. Histopathological and immunohistological examination of the brain revealed that periventricular nodules consisted of neurons, fewer astrocytes, and some oligodendroglia consistent with periventricular nodular heterotopias.     

Quercetin supports bovine preimplantation embryo development under oxidative stress condition via activation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway

Nrf2 is a master regulator for antioxidant machinery against oxidative stress in bovine preimplantation embryos. The endogenous or exogenous modulation of Nrf2-KEAP1 system in bovine embryos may contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms behind the response of embryos to stress conditions. Therefore, here we aimed to investigate the protective effect of quercetin on bovine preimplantation embryos exposed to higher atmospheric oxygen concentration. For that, blastocysts, which were developed from zygotes cultured in media supplemented with or without quercetin under high oxygen level (20%), were subjected intracellular ROS level and mitochondrial analysis, and determining blastocyst formation rate and total cell number. Moreover, mRNA and protein expression level of Nrf2 and selected downstream antioxidant genes were investigated in the resulting blastocysts. Quercetin supplementation in vitro culture did not affect cleavage and blastocyst rate until day 7. However, quercetin supplementation resulted in higher blastocyst total cell number and reduction of intracellular ROS level accompanied by increasing mitochondrial activity compared with control group in both day 7 and day 8 blastocysts. Moreover, quercetin supplementation induced mRNA and protein of Nrf2 with subsequent increase in the expression of downstream antioxidants namely: NQO1, PRDX1, CAT and SOD1 antioxidants. In conclusion, quercetin protects preimplantation embryos against oxidative stress and improves embryo viability through modulation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway.     

Investigation of the prevalence of swine torque teno virus in Austria

In the present retrospective study, serum samples from a total of 253 pigs of different age groups from 83 farms collected in the year 2008 were included.The sera were analysed for the presence of torque teno virus (TTV) genogroups 1 and 2. Furthermore, the correlation between TTV and PCV-2 was investigated. 62.1% of the pigs were positive for TTV1 and/or TTV2 by PCR. 21.7% of the samples were positive for TTV1 and TTV2, 16.2% only for TTV1 and 23.3% only for TTV2. In 80.7% of the investigated farms at least one animal was TTV positive. In the growing and fattening period significantly more pigs were positive for TTV than in other age classes. A positive association was found between TTV1 and IgM against PCV-2, between TTV2 and PCV-2 results by in situ hybridisation (ISH) as well as TTV1 and TTV2 and PCV-2 results by qPCR. A significant correlation could also be seen between the diagnosis,porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC)" and the detection of TTV, whereas there was none to the diagnosis "porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS)". In the present study, TTV was detected in Austria for the first time.     

Investigations into the use of respiratory masks for reducing the MRSA-exposure of veterinarians visiting regularly pig herds--first experiences

The study presents first experiences on the controlled use of respiratory masks against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a multi-person veterinary pig practice. Seven veterinarians entered the trial (five wearing masks, two wearing no masks) after the veterinarians had performed a decolonisation protocol. The pig herds were visited regularly by the veterinarians during the study period. The five "trial" veterinarians wore gloves and respiratory masks for at least 30 days and 30 farm visits. The two "control" veterinarians wore gloves only. Nasal swabs were collected at a seven day interval. Swabs and ten masks per "trial" veterinarian were bacteriologically tested for MRSA including MLST- and spa-typing. The study showed a high MRSA-exposure for the veterinarians, since 68% of the masks were tested positive for MRSA. However, four vets stayed MRSA-negative while using the masks. Only one of the"trial" veterinarians became positive after two weeks. After the masks were not worn any more, two veterinarians returned to colonisation soon again. The two "control" veterinarians turned positive after 26 and 54 days, respectively. The high finding-rates of MRSA in the masks proof an enormous risk of nasal colonisation during routine work.The results of our study do not proof the potential of respiratory masks to prevent nasal colonisation of veterinarians with MRSA. However, there are no hints, that the proper use of masks could be a risk factor for becoming colonised. Further details of the proper use of masks and the quantification of their protective potential need further studies on a larger scale.     

Glyphosate reduces urediniospore development and Puccinia psidii disease severity on Eucalyptus grandis

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown the effects of glyphosate drift on decreasing rust intensity on Eucalyptus grandis plants. However, the effects of the herbicide on Puccinia psidii initial development are unknown. In this study the systemic action of glyphosate on rust severity was evaluated on Eucalyptus plants maintained under greenhouse conditions. Urediniospore germination and apressorium formation on detached leaves and on water agar medium, previously treated with glyphosate, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Rust severity and the number of urediniospores per leaf area were significantly reduced with increasing glyphosate doses, even on branches not directly treated with the herbicide, indicating a systemic effect of glyphosate on pathogen development. Similarly, higher glyphosate doses also reduced germination and apressorium formation on detached Eucalyptus leaves, regardless of the direct application of the product on the leaf limb or on the petiole base. Puccinia psidii urediniospore germination in water agar medium also decreased with increasing herbicide doses. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in germination and apressorium formation of P. psidii urediniospores with increasing glyphosate dose indicate that a lower severity and intensity of the disease may perhaps be due to blockage of the shikimic acid pathway in the fungal metabolic system. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glacial refugia: hotspots but not melting pots of genetic diversity

Glacial refuge areas are expected to harbor a large fraction of the intraspecific biodiversity of the temperate biota. To test this hypothesis, we studied chloroplast DNA variation in 22 widespread European trees and shrubs sampled in the same forests. Most species had genetically divergent populations in Mediterranean regions, especially those with low seed dispersal abilities. However, the genetically most diverse populations were not located in the south but at intermediate latitudes, a likely consequence of the admixture of divergent lineages colonizing the continent from separate refugia.     

Small mountain reservoirs in the Alps: New habitats for alpine freshwater biodiversity?

1. Today, aquatic biodiversity suffers from many pressures linked to human activities, including climate change, which particularly affects alpine areas. Many alpine freshwater species have shifted their geographical distribution to colder areas, but a reduced availability of suitable habitats is also forecasted. New artificial water bodies could provide habitat enhancement opportunities, including small mountain reservoirs built to overcome a lack of snow during winter.
2. To investigate the role of reservoirs as a habitat for freshwater invertebrates, a case study was conducted on eight reservoirs in the Swiss Alps. The study aimed to compare the water quality and freshwater biodiversity of the reservoirs with those of 39 natural and newly excavated ponds. Data were collected on physico‐chemistry, freshwater habitat structure, and aquatic insects (dragonflies and aquatic beetles).
3. The study showed that the mountain reservoirs investigated did not differ from natural ponds in terms of surface area, conductivity, and trophic level. Similarly to natural ponds, reservoirs showed signs of impairment owing to surface run‐off carrying pollutants linked to ski tourism. They presented a low diversity of mesohabitats, and in particular lacked vegetation. Compared with natural ponds, the species richness in reservoirs was lower for dragonflies but not for beetles. At the regional scale, the community from the reservoirs was a subset of the natural ponds community, supporting 38% of the regional species richness for these two insect groups.
4. The results suggest that mountain reservoirs are likely to be important for biodiversity in alpine areas, both as habitats and as stepping stones for species shifting their geographical range. These water bodies can be enhanced further by some nature‐friendly measures to maximize benefits for biodiversity, including margin revegetation or the creation of adjacent ponds. Ecological engineering needs to be innovative and promote freshwater biodiversity in artificial reservoirs.

     

Analysis of the situation of swine influenza in the districts Upper Bavaria, Swabia, Freiburg and Tübingen based on antibody profiles of piglets from Bavarian breeding farms

A total of 1026 serum samples from 388 pigs from three Bavarian rearing farms in the region of Swabia were investigated in the course of investigations into the development of antibodies against Influenza A virus subtypes H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 by haemagglutination inhibition test during the period from November 2002 to February 2004. There were no signs of respiratory disease during this period. The antibody titres decreased steadily in this period which corresponds to the kinetics of maternally-derived antibodies. Therefore the antibodies reflect the situation of influenza in the farms of origin from which the piglets were purchased. These farms were located in Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg. There was a high activity of H1N1 influenza A viruses in this region whereas the antibody profiles against H1N2 and H3N2 varied between the different farms, which can be attributed to past vaccinations and infections. Thus there was a uniform immunological situation within the regions against H1N1 whereas that against H1N2 and H3N2 differed. The analysis of the antibody profiles allows conclusions to be drawn about the epidemiological situation and means of immunoprophylaxis.