Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates From Captive Reptiles

Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents an opportunistic pathogen for animals and humans that is often associated with high disease morbidity and, at times, mortality. Captive reptiles have been shown to be reservoirs of P. aeruginosa strains that can be sources of exposure to humans that come in contact with these animals. In this study, the prevalence of P. aeruginosa among subclinical captive reptile species and the antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial isolates were investigated. Sixty-five oral swabs were collected from captive reptiles belonging to 15 different species in which no overt signs of disease were evident. From this group of animals, 46 (70.8%) isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. All of the P. aeruginosa strains were shown to have a wide range of antibiotic resistance. At present, there is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in various reptile species; therefore, continued scientific investigations are indicated to determine the significance of P. aeruginosa infection as it relates to captive reptile species.     

Determination of sugarbeet herbicides in soil samples by hplc

Determination of sugarbeet herbicides such as chloridazon, metamitron and phenmedipham in soil samples is described. After extraction with acetone, pesticides were determined by HPLC on an RP-18 column using methanol/water as mobile phase. Average recoveries were 82% for chloridazon, 93% for metamitron and 77% for phenmedipham. Quantification limits were 3·5 μg kg^?1 for chloridazon, 6·3 μg kg^?1 for metamitron and 3·6 μg kg^?1 for phenmedipham.     

Radiographic assessment of cattle hoofs (ungulae) of the Nellore breed: Reference standards

The purpose of this work was to determine a radiographic standard of normality for lateral and medial ungulae in 3‐year‐old bovine females of the Nellore breed. Twenty‐six cows underwent radiographic exposure of the medial and lateral ungulae of the hindlimbs and forelimbs; abaxioaxial projections were used. The images were analyzed; distances were measured between the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx and the surface of the hoof capsule. The two angles formed, i.e., an angle between the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx and a line parallel to the sole (inner), and an angle between the dorsal surface of the hoof and a line parallel to the sole (outer), were also recorded. The results suggested a standard of normality for the proximal, middle and distal distances of the ungulae of the forelimbs: 0.96 ± 0.12 cm. For the measurement of hindlimbs, except for the distal distances of the side ungulae, the suggested value was 1.02 ± 0.14 cm; for the distal measurement of the lateral ungulae of the hindlimbs, the value was 1.09 ± 0.12 cm. For inner and outer angles, the values were 36.45° ± 4.4° for the medial ungulae of the forelimbs and 42.50° ± 3.8° for other ungulae of the forelimbs and hindlimbs (standard deviations of the values suggested for the angles should be used as variations between different animals, limbs and ungulae; they should not be used between angles of the same ungula).     

Anatomical study of the ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves in Sapajus apella (Primates: Cebidae)

This study aimed to describe the gross anatomy of the ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves in capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella) and compare with humans and other primate species. Eight specimens, prepared in 10% formalin solution and dissected following routine standard techniques, were used. The animals presented 13–14 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves emerging from the intervertebral foramen and divided into dorsal and ventral rami. The ventral rami of the first 12 or 13 pairs represented intercostal nerves and the latter referred to the subcostal nerve. The intercostal and subcostal nerves gave off muscular and cutaneous branches (lateral and ventral), which promote innervation of muscles and skin associated with the chest and abdominal wall. Atypical anatomy was verified for the 1st, 2nd and 7th to 13th intercostal nerves as well as for the subcostal nerve. The morphological characteristics were similar to those observed in humans and some non‐human primates, especially in the absence of collateral branches.     

Achievements and future perspectives of embryo transfer technology in pigs

Commercial embryo transfer (ET) has unprecedented productive and economic implications for the pig sector. However, pig ET has been considered utopian for decades mainly because of the requirements of surgical techniques for embryo collection and embryo deposition into recipients, alongside challenges to preserve embryos. This situation has drastically changed in the last decade since the current technology allows non‐surgical ET and short‐ and long‐term embryo preservation. Here, we provide a brief review of the improvements in porcine ET achieved by our laboratory in the past 20 years. This review includes several aspects of non‐surgical ET technology and different issues affecting ET programmes and embryo preservation systems. The future perspectives of ET technology are also considered. We will refer only to embryos produced in vivo since they are the only type of embryos with possible short‐term use in pig production.     

Haematological and biochemical analysis of healthy neonatal puppies during the immediate foetal‐to‐neonatal transition

For the neonatal patient, precocity of diagnosis is crucial for effectiveness of medical approach. However, the newborn has its own physiological peculiarities due to ongoing adaptive mechanism for extrauterine life and deserves special attention in order to underline a specific management or clinical approach. The objective of this work was to verify clinical adaptations and biochemical balance of neonates during immediate period, with special reference to haematological, renal and metabolic functions. Neonatal puppies (n = 51) were physically examined for vitality and rectal temperature at birth, 5 and 60 min post‐birth. Blood was collected at birth and 60 min post‐birth for analysis of glucose, sodium, potassium, chlorine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), haematocrit and haemoglobin. Neonatal vitality was lower at birth compared with 5 min and 60 min post‐birth. Progressive decline in rectal temperature (36.5 ± 0.3°C, 34.2 ± 0.2°C, 32.3 ± 0.5°C) was observed at birth, 5 min and 60 min post‐birth, respectively. Puppies presented slight hyponatremia (140.7 ± 0.5 mmol/L) at birth and hypopotassemia (3.5 ± 0.1 mmol/L) and blood urea nitrogen (13.1 ± 0.7 mg/dl) during the first hour, and high haematocrit (45.1 ± 1.0%) and haemoglobin (15.3 ± 0.3 g/dl) concentration. In conclusion, puppies had rapid evolution of vitality. Marked decrease in rectal temperature occurred at 5 min post‐birth. Haematological values of neonates immediately after birth reflected mainly the dam's blood status, not being useful for a blood panel at this time point. The peculiar pattern of BUN, sodium and potassium observed during transition period, suggested that specific reference range should be considered for neonatal puppies.     

Economical and financial analysis of lamb finishing fed with diets formulated according to the NRC (1985) and the NRC (2007)

This study compares both versions of the nutritional requirement system determined by the National Research Council (NRC) version 1985 (NRC85) and NRC version 2007 (NRC07), for finishing lambs in feedlots. Nineteen crossbred lambs were divided in four groups representing four experimental treatments: one diet according to NRC85 and three diets according to NRC07. The diets recommended by NRC07 considers crude protein intake relative to ruminal undegradable protein at 20, 40, and 60 % levels (NRC07/20, NRC07/40, and NRC07/60). Diets were composed of Brazilian semi-arid native grass silage, soybean meal, corn, annatto byproduct, and limestone. Purchases and sales of lambs were done according to average market prices in Brazil. The economic indicators considered pointed that all treatments were viable but NRC07/20 and NRC07/60 were more profitable with similar net present values (NPVs) and internal return rates (IRRs). NRC07/20 was the best option showing an IRR of 17.20 % and a payback period (PP) of 5.07 considering a fixed annual interest rate of 6 %. Sensitivity analysis considering a 10 % raise in variable costs showed negative NPVs, IRRs inferior to the opportunity cost rates adopted and PPs that exceeded the planning horizon of 7 years for both NRC85 and NRC07/40.