Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> sp. infection through serological,microbiological, and molecular methods applied to buffaloes in Maranhão State,Brazil

The aim of the current study is to diagnose Brucella spp. infection using methods such as serology, bacterial isolation, and molecular analysis in buffaloes bred in Maranhão State. In order to do so, 390 samples of buffalo serum were subjected to serological tests, to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) combined with slow agglutination test (SAT). Vaginal swabs were collected from seropositive animals and subjected to bacterial isolation and to generic PCR. According to the serological test, 16 animals had a positive reaction to the confirmatory test (2-ME/SAT). As for bacterial isolation, three samples resulted in the isolation of Brucella spp.-characteristic colonies, which were confirmed through PCR. These results confirmed Brucella spp. infection in the buffalo herd from Maranhão State.     

The use of a nerve stimulation test to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats

ObjectiveTo determine if a nerve stimulation test (NST) could act as a monitoring technique to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.Study designProspective experimental trial in a clinical setting.AnimalsTwenty-four adult cats, scheduled for a therapeutic procedure where epidural anesthesia was indicated.MethodsUnder general anesthesia, an insulated needle was inserted through the S₃-Cd₁ intervertebral space guided by the application of a fixed electrical current (0.7 mA) until a motor response was obtained. The NST was considered positive when the epidural nerve stimulation produced a motor response of the muscles of the tail, whereas it was considered negative when no motor response was evoked. In the NST positive cases, 0.3 mL kg⁻¹ of 0.5% bupivacaine was administrated before needle withdrawal. Ten minutes after injection, epidural blockade was confirmed by the loss of perineal (anal), and pelvic limbs reflexes (patellar and withdrawal).ResultsThe use of a fixed electrical stimulation current of 0.7 mA resulted in correct prediction of sacrococcygeal epidural injection, corroborated by post bupivacaine loss of perineal and pelvic limb reflexes, in 95.8% of the cases.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using, in a clinical setting, an electrical stimulation test as an objective and in real-time method to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.     

The effect of erector spinae plane block on perioperative analgesic consumption and complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo compare the perioperative use of analgesics and complication rates in dogs administered an erector spinae plane (ESP) block or a traditional opioid-based (OP) treatment as part of analgesic management during hemilaminectomy.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsMedical records of 114 client-owned dogs.MethodsGeneral data included demographics, duration of procedure, number of laminae fenestrated, perioperative use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Intra- and postoperative analgesics used in 48 hours and complications rates were compared between groups. Opioid use was expressed in morphine equivalents [ME (mg kg^?1)]. Continuous data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and incidence of events with a Fisher's exact tests. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate association between perioperative ME consumption (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Data are presented as median (range). Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsGroup ESP comprised 42 dogs and group OP 72 dogs. No differences were observed in the general data. Intraoperative ME was 0.65 (0.20–3.74) and 0.79 (0.19–5.60) mg kg^?1 in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.03). Intraoperative infusion of lidocaine was administered intravenously (IV) to 23.8% and 68% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p < 0.0001). Intraoperative infusion of ketamine was administered IV to 21% and 40% of groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.04). Regression analysis revealed the ESP block as the only independent variable affecting the perioperative ME consumption. Pharmacological intervention to treat cardiovascular complications was administered to 21.4% and 47.2% of dogs in groups ESP and OP, respectively (p = 0.008). There were no differences in postoperative complication rates.Conclusions and clinical relevanceESP block was associated with reduced perioperative opioid consumption, intraoperative adjuvant analgesic use and incidence of pharmacological interventions to treat cardiovascular complications in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy.     

Quantitation of polyphenols in different apple varieties

Forty-one apple samples, representing eight of the most widely cultivated varieties in western Europe, were collected in Trentino, Italy. Samples were extracted from fresh fruit with a mixture of acetone/water to achieve a good extraction of polyphenols, including proanthocyanidin oligomers which were analyzed by normal-phase HPLC. Up to 20 compounds including catechin, epicatechin, B2 procyanidin, hydroxycinnamates, flavonols, anthocyanins, and dihydrochalcones were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC and LC-MS. Total polyphenol content was independently measured with an optimized Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The mean content of total polyphenols lay between 66.2 and 211.9 mg/100 g of FW depending on the variety. With chromatographic analysis, it was possible to explain the whole amount of total polyphenols measured by the FC assay. Flavanols (catechin and proanthocyanidins) are the major class of apple polyphenols (71-90%), followed by hydroxycinnamates (4-18%), flavonols (1-11%), dihydrochalcones (2-6%), and in red apples anthocyanins (1-3%).     

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies in 5 Holstein calves

Endoscopic removal of esophageal and ruminal foreign bodies was successfully performed in 5 Holstein-Friesian calves under sedation or general anesthesia by using an electrocautery snare or a wire-guided Dormi basket. This report describes the endoscopic manipulations, treatment, and outcomes of esophageal foreign body removal in these calves.     

Some Factors Affecting the Rate of Pregnancy after Embryo Transfer Derived from the Brazilian Jumper Horse Breed

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of certain embryo transfer parameters on the pregnancy rate after equine embryo transfer of the Brazilian Jumper Horse breed. The size, embryonic development stage, embryo quality, and synchronization of ovulation between the donor (n = 120) and recipient (n = 420) were evaluated in 396 embryos. Embryo recovery was performed on Day 6-9 after ovulation (Day 0 = day of ovulation). The recipient mares were chosen on the day of embryo recovery, and the transfers were performed that same day. The embryo size (diameter including envelopes; n = 396) ranged from 150 to 3000 μm; 67.1% measured between 400 and 1199 μm. The embryo size (400-1199 μm vs. ≤399 μm); stage of development (n = 396; blastocyst and expanded blastocyst versus compact morula and early blastocyst); quality (n = 396; grade 1 [excellent]), 2 [good], or 3 [poor]); and synchronization of ovulation between the donor and recipient (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 days versus −1, 5, and 6 days, respectively) all affected pregnancy rate (P < .05). The pregnancy rate did not differ significantly among transfers performed on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. In conclusion, embryos measuring 400-1199 μm produced higher pregnancy rates in recipients than embryos measuring 150-399 μm, and blastocysts and expanded blastocysts produced pregnancy more efficiently than morulae and early blastocysts. The embryo quality also affected the pregnancy rate. Synchronization of donor and recipient ovulation to Days 0-4 improved the efficiency of embryo transplant.     

Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP‐dependent and cGMP‐independent manner

We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L‐arginine (L‐arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp‐8‐Bromo‐β‐phenyl‐1,N²‐ethenoguanosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2‐Phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L‐arg + RP‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase‐contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L‐arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS, L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L‐arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS and L‐arg + Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L‐arg/NO.     

Morphological changes of physeal cartilage and secondary ossification centres in the developing femur of the house mouse (Mus musculus): A micro‐CT based study

In mammals, long bones are formed by ossification of a cartilaginous mould during early stages of development, through the formation of structures called the primary ossification centre, the secondary ossification centres (SOCs) and the physeal cartilages (PCs). The PC is responsible for long bone growth. The morphology of the PC and the SOCs varies during different stages of femoral growth. In this respect, several details involving the process of murine femoral development are lacking. In the present study, a morphological characterization of femur development from the embryonic period to adulthood in mice was studied using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). To achieve this aim, femora were collected at embryonic day (E) 14.5, E16.5 and E18.5 and at postnatal day (P)1, P7, P14, P35, P46 and P52. CT images were obtained using a micro‐CT scanner (X‐SkyScan 1172; Micro Photonics) and analysed using the micro‐CT 3D visualization software Mimics (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium) and NRecon (Micro Photonics). The results of the present study revealed that the femur and its PCs and SOCs undergo morphological changes during different stages of development, including changes in their shape as well as position and thickness. These changes may be due to the response of the femur to mechanical loads imposed by muscle surrounding the bone during these stages of development. The result of the present study is important to improve our knowledge related to ossification and growth patterns of mouse femur during development.