Parasites in pet reptiles

Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.     

Selenium treatment alters the effects of UV radiation on chemical and production parameters in hybrid buckwheat

Ambient UV radiation is recognised as an important environmental factor in the regulation of plant growth and development, and selenium (Se) as a beneficial nutrient that can increase plant tolerance to different environmental constraints. The effects on hybrid buckwheat plants of full (+UV) and reduced (?UV) ambient UV radiation without (?Se) and with (+Se) foliar Se treatment (10?mg?L^?1 sodium selenate) provided the four conditions of Se?UV–, Se–+UV, +Se?UV and +Se+UV. Plant morphological, biochemical and physiological properties were examined, along with leaf elemental composition and content, efficiency of Se enrichment, and production parameters. Leaf anatomical parameters under all conditions were mainly affected by UV radiation, and less so by Se. +Se+UV plants showed a trade-off between primary and secondary metabolism, which resulted in high levels of protective substances (e.g. anthocyanins, UV absorbing compounds), and low levels of photosynthetic pigments. All +UV plants were significantly shorter in comparison to those under the reduced ?UV, while biomass production was highest for ?Se+UV plants and lowest for +Se+UV plants. +Se plants accumulated ～20-fold greater Se content compared to ?Se plants, and full ambient UV radiation partly reduced this effect. +UV plants showed increased phosphorus content in leaves, independent of Se status, while +Se plants showed increased K content. Si content was increased by Se treatment and decreased by the full UV exposure. Se treatment and the ambient UV radiation, separately have positive effects on growth and production of this hybrid buckwheat, while the combination of the Se treatment and ambient UV resulted in lower yields. However, under these conditions (+Se+UV), the buckwheat plants established good protection against the different environmental constraints that are becoming more and more frequent due to changes to our climate.     

Molecular characterization of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (Newcastle disease) viruses isolated from pigeons between 2000 and 2008 in Slovenia

Fourteen avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1; Newcastle disease) viruses isolated from dead free-living and domestic pigeons in Slovenia between 2000 and 2008 were analyzed by a molecular characterization of a part of the fusion protein gene, which included the region encoding the fusion protein cleavage site. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Slovene pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) viruses do not cluster together but instead are divided into two groups--4bi and 4bii--of sublineage 4b. Nine Slovenian strains were placed in group 4bii. Five other strains clustered together with PPMV-1 from group 4bi. The sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site of all Slovenian strains was typical for pathogenic APMV-1. The 112RRQKRF117 motif was present in the strains from group 4bii, whereas strains from group 4bi displayed the 112GRQKRF117 motif.     

Measurement of total antioxidant capacity in gingival crevicular fluid and serum in dogs with periodontal disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum total antioxidant capacities (TACs) correlate with the degree of severity of periodontal disease in dogs. ANIMALS: 41 Toy and Miniature Poodles. PROCEDURES: After assessment of the degree of severity of naturally occurring periodontitis, GCF samples from both maxillary fourth premolars and a blood sample were collected from each dog. The condition of the periodontium of the entire dentition and at each site of GCF collection was recorded. Clinical parameters assessed included plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth. Radiographic analysis of alveolar bone level was also performed. Total antioxidant capacity was measured in GCF and serum samples by use of a commercial kit. RESULTS: Dogs with gingivitis and minimal periodontitis had significantly higher TAC in GCF than dogs with advanced periodontitis. Bivariate regression analysis revealed significant negative correlations between TAC in GCF and clinical parameters and age. The TAC in serum was significantly negatively correlated with the degree of gingival inflammation but was not significantly correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TAC in GCF is related to the degree of severity of periodontal disease in dogs. This is likely the result of release of reactive oxygen species by activated phagocytes and fibroblasts in the inflamed periodontal tissues. The results of our study suggest that the local delivery of antioxidants may be a useful adjunctive treatment for periodontitis in dogs.     

Cardiac troponin I in dogs anaesthetized with propofol and sevoflurane: the influence of medetomidine premedication and inspired oxygen fraction

Objective

To investigate changes in serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in dogs in which medetomidine was used for sedation or for premedication prior to anaesthesia with propofol and sevoflurane.

Neurotoxicity of intraneural injection of bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension versus bupivacaine hydrochloride in a porcine model

Objective

To test whether neurotoxic effects of a bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension differ from those of a standard formulation of bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCl) after intraneural injection into the sciatic nerves in pigs.

ER cargo properties specify a requirement for COPII coat rigidity mediated by Sec13p

Eukaryotic secretory proteins exit the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via transport vesicles generated by the essential coat protein complex II (COPII) proteins. The outer coat complex, Sec13-Sec31, forms a scaffold that is thought to enforce curvature. By exploiting yeast bypass-of-sec-thirteen (bst) mutants, where Sec13p is dispensable, we probed the relationship between a compromised COPII coat and the cellular context in which it could still function. Genetic and biochemical analyses suggested that Sec13p was required to generate vesicles from membranes that contained asymmetrically distributed cargoes that were likely to confer opposing curvature. Thus, Sec13p may rigidify the COPII cage and increase its membrane-bending capacity; this function could be bypassed when a bst mutation renders the membrane more deformable.     

Carbon tunneling from a single quantum state

We observed ring expansion of 1-methylcyclobutylfluorocarbene at 8 kelvin, a reaction that involves carbon tunneling. The measured rate constants were 4.0 x 10(-6) per second in nitrogen and 4 x 10(-5) per second in argon. Calculations indicated that at this temperature the reaction proceeds from a single quantum state of the reactant so that the computed rate constant has achieved a temperature-independent limit. According to calculations, the tunneling contribution to the rate is 152 orders of magnitude greater than the contribution from passage over the barrier. We discuss environmental effects of the solid-state inert-gas matrix on the reaction rate.     

Comparison of high definition oscillometric and Doppler ultrasound devices with invasive blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs

Objective To use the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) validation criteria to evaluate the performance of high definition oscillometric (HDO) and Doppler blood pressure measurement techniques against invasive blood pressure measurements in anaesthetized dogs. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Twenty client‐owned dogs. Materials and Methods Invasive blood pressure was measured using a catheter inserted into a pedal artery and an electronic transducer. The sites of cuff placement for the HDO measurements were the mid antebrachium or the proximal tail and, for the Doppler technique, the distal tibia. Agreement between invasive and non‐invasive blood pressure measurements was estimated by the Bland–Altman method. Results Only 10% and 34% of Doppler measurements were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive blood pressure values, respectively. The Doppler device failed to meet the ACVIM validation criteria for blood pressure measurement devices. The best agreement between HDO and invasive blood pressure measurement technique was observed for mean arterial blood pressure (MAP); 67% and 95% of readings were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive blood pressure values respectively. In addition, 52% and 87% of diastolic arterial blood pressure (DAP) measurements were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive readings. High definition oscillometric readings did not meet ACVIM recommended limits for SAP. Conclusion and clinical relevance The Doppler technique overestimated and the HDO device showed limited agreement with invasive blood pressure measurement in anaesthetized dogs. High definition oscillometry met most of the ACVIM requirements for MAP and DAP while the Doppler technique did not.