Validation of the indirect fluorescent antibody and the complement fixation tests for the diagnosis of Theileria equi

The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for Theileria equi was evaluated to assess test's suitability for the serological diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis, to provide performance parameters for the purpose of test validation, and to compare it with the complement fixation (CF) test. Using a protocol that included Evan's blue, the specificity of the IFA test was estimated at 99.0% for T. equi by the classical method of analysis, and 96.6% by the Bayesian method. The use of Evan's blue in the test protocol increased test specificity and contributed to an excellent test agreement between two collaborating laboratories (kappa = 0.96). Using Bayesian analysis, the sensitivity estimate for the IFA test was 89.2%. The CF test sensitivity and specificity estimates for T. equi were 63.1 and 96.4%, respectively, as determined by Bayesian analysis. The IFA test was more sensitive than the CF test but the specificity estimates were similar.     

Assessing Knowledge Production for Agrosilvopastoral Systems in South America

In recent decades agroforestry has undergone significant development in Latin America. South America generates the most scientific research on the topic in the region. We conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of knowledge production for South American agroforestry that includes livestock grazing, known as agrosilvopastoralism (AS), examining how different sociopolitical factors such as sources of funding, institutional priorities, and international cooperation can bias the direction and objectives of scientific research. We assessed the major attributes of scientific publications on the topic (25 articles per country; overall n = 210) and the potential factors underlying the processes of research and development in the region. The tree component was the most studied, while the livestock component received less attention. Studies were mainly focused on the production of goods and services (monetary or nonmonetary approaches), except in Brazil, where conservation was the major study objective. Stakeholders were involved in more than half of the studies (60%), and they were mostly ranchers and local producers. More than half (70%) of the studies offered recommendations based on their results, and such recommendations were mostly concerned with the management of agrosilvopastoral system components. In general, studies were led just as often by local as foreign first authors and coauthored by more than three people as part of interinstitutional working groups. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile had more frequent cooperation among institutions and countries but mainly used their own funding. In contrast, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru had almost 100% of their studies supported by foreign countries (North America and Europe). Countries with greater internal funding of research generated more long-term studies. Besides this, two clear trends were detected: 1) conservation and social aspects were mainly supported by sources from external countries led by foreign principal investigators, and 2) production issues were supported from sources within countries and supported high levels of cooperation among institutions.     

Cellular localization of Visudyne® as a function of time after local injection in an in vivo model of squamous cell carcinoma: an investigation into tumor cell death

Objective To evaluate the effects of time on cellular localization of Visudyne^® after local injection. Animals Twenty athymic nude mice. Procedures A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line (A‐431) was injected into right and left dorsolumbar subcutaneous tissue of each mouse, representing treatment (T) and control (C) tumors. In experiment 1 (Exp 1; n = 10) and 2 (Exp 2; n = 10), the T tumors received a local injection of Visudyne^® (0.1 mg/cm³), and C tumors received an equal dose of 5% dextrose in water (D5W). Mice were randomly subdivided into two groups (A and B; n = 5 per group). Mice in Exp 1A and B were sacrificed 1 and 30 min after local injection, respectively. Experiment 1A and B tumors were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy to determine drug localization. Experiment 2A and B tumors were exposed to LED illumination 1 and 30 min after injection, respectively, and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine ultrastructural tumor cell damage. Results Fluorescence was detected within the cytoplasm of T tumors in both Exp 1A and B. Significance was detected in fluorescence intensity between T1 min vs. T30 min (P = 0.03) and between T1 min and C1 min tumors (P = 0.01), respectively. Tumors in Exp 2A and B demonstrated evidence of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated higher Visudyne^® concentration within SCC cytoplasm of 1 min compared with 30‐min tumors. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that tumors treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) within 30 min of local injection undergo cellular apoptosis.     

Successful use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog for the treatment of tertiary hypogonadism (GnRH deficiency) in a 5-year-old Belgian Blue bull

A bull was referred for a progressive oligoasthenotheratozoospermia that resulted in a unsuitable seminal quality for the cryopreservation. Breeding soundness evaluation results suggested gonadal dysfunction. Because of the lack of normal ranges for these hormones in the bull, in this study, the hypogonadism and the site of the dysfunction (hypothalamus) were diagnosed by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. The evaluation of pituitary and testicular responsiveness by a GnRH stimulating test revealed a responsiveness of the pituitary and testis, thus a secondary hypogonadism (hypothalamic hypogonadism) was postulated and a therapeutic approach based on the subcutaneous administration of GnRH analog was attempted. An increase in semen volume, concentration and sperm characteristics were detected 9 weeks after the start of the treatment, corroborating the hypothalamic origin of the disease and the useful of the GnRH therapy.     

Artifacts in digital radiography

Digital radiography is becoming more prevalent in veterinary medicine, and with its increased use has come the recognition of a number of artifacts. Artifacts in digital radiography can decrease image quality and mask or mimic pathologic changes. They can be categorized according to the step during which they are created and include preexposure, exposure, postexposure, reading, and workstation artifacts. The recognition and understanding of artifacts in digital radiography facilitates their reduction and decreases misinterpretation. The purpose of this review is to name, describe the appearance, identify the cause, and provide methods of resolution of artifacts in digital radiography.