Virological Survey in free-ranging wildcats (Felis silvestris) and feral domestic cats in Portugal

To determine the presence of viral pathogens in natural areas a survey was conducted on an opportunistic sample of fifty eight wild (Felis silvestris silvestris) and feral cats (F. s. catus). The biological materials included serum, lung tissue extract and stool. Feline leukemia virus p27 antigen was detected in 13/50 serum/lung tissue extract samples (26%), canine distemper virus antibodies were detected in 2/26 serum/lung tissue extract samples (7.7%), feline coronavirus RNA was present in 6/29 stool samples (20.7%) and feline parvovirus DNA in 2/29 stool samples (6.9%). Canine distemper virus RNA was not detected. Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline coronavirus antibodies were not detected. Evidence of exposure to feline leukemia virus, canine distemper virus, feline coronavirus and feline parvovirus was found in wild and feral cats raising the importance of performing a comprehensive survey to correctly evaluate the potential threat of infectious diseases to endangered species, namely to the wildcat and to the Iberian lynx, which is meant to be reintroduced after 2012 in Portugal.     

Involvement of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels in the peripheral antinociceptive effect induced by ketamine

ObjectiveTo investigate the contribution of K⁺ channels on peripheral antinociception induced by ketamine.Study designProspective experimental study.Animals110 male Wistar rats weighing 160–200 g.MethodsThe paw pressure required to elicit limb flexion was designated as the nociceptive threshold. Hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of prostaglandin E₂. All drugs were administered locally into the right hind paw of rats. Ketamine was administered into the right hind paw 2 hours and 55 minutes after local injection of PGE₂. Tetraethylammonium was administered 30 minutes prior to ketamine and the other K⁺ channel blockers, glibenclamide, dequalinium and paxilline, were administered 5 minutes prior to ketamine.ResultsProstaglandin E₂ (2 μg per paw) induced hyperalgesia. Ketamine (10, 20, 40 and 80 μg per paw) elicited a local peripheral antinociceptive effect that was antagonized by a specific blocker of ATP‐sensitive K⁺ channels, glibenclamide (20, 40 and 80 μg per paw). In another experiment, the non‐selective voltage‐dependent K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (30 μg per paw) and small and large conductance blockers of Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ channels, dequalinium (50 μg per paw) and paxilline (20 μg per paw), were ineffective at blocking the effect of a local ketamine injection.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAnalysis of these results provides evidence that ketamine, may in part, induce peripheral antinociceptive effects by ATP‐sensitive K⁺ channel pathway activation.     

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.     

Increased Inflammatory Mediators in Horses Naturally Infected with Trypanosoma vivax. A Preliminary Study

The aim of this study was to measure the levels of inflammatory mediators in serum from horses naturally infected with Trypanosoma vivax. Banked serum samples collected during a previously reported T. vivax natural infection were used to analyze proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NO_x) levels. We evaluated 12 serum samples from horses from a farm in southern Brazil, four of which had parasitological and molecular diagnoses for T. vivax and presented with clinical signs of disease. Cytokines were assessed by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and NO_x was measured using the modified Griess method. Levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and NO_x were increased in serum of infected animals compared to that in noninfected animals. Therefore, infection with T. vivax caused an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content.     

Geospatial variation of physical attributes and sugarcane productivity in cohesive soils

Precision Agriculture - Sugarcane productivity is highly variable across space, and knowledge about the spatial distribution of soil physical attributes is important to guide management practices...     

Spoligotype diversity of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae animal isolates

The genetic diversity of 283 Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) and 10 Mycobacterium caprae (M. caprae) strains, isolated between 2002 and 2007 from cattle, goat, red deer and wild boar from six different geographical regions of Portugal was investigated by spoligotyping. The technique showed a good discriminatory power (Hunter-Gaston Index, h=0.9) for the strains, revealing 29 different patterns. One pattern (SB0121) was clearly predominant, accounting for 26.3% of the isolates; ten patterns, representing 20.7% of the isolates, had never been reported previously. Multiple spoligotypes were detected in thirteen cattle and one goat herd, most of which were found in beef cattle and extensive management regions, suggesting different infection sources. With the exception of two spoligotypes, those in wildlife species were also found in domestic species.     

Cataracts in Labrador Retriever and Jack Russell Terrier From the United Kingdom: A Two-Year Retrospective Study

Cataracts are among the most common ocular diseases, and are a leading cause of vision loss in humans and dogs. Jack Russell Terriers (JRT) and Labrador Retrievers (LR) are among the most popular canine breeds in the United Kingdom, and also among the most affected by cataracts.This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and the surgical outcome of cataracts in JRT and LR in an ophthalmologic reference Veterinary Hospital in the United Kingdom. For that purpose, medical records from JRT and LR diagnosed with cataracts between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Data related to identification, clinical history, preoperative features, and surgical outcomes were analyzed.Forty-four dogs (81 eyes), including 26 JRT and 18 LR, were enrolled in the study. Mean ages were 10.2 ± 3.2 years in JRT and 8.5 ± 3.7 years in LR. Twenty-eight (63.6%) were females and 16 (36.4%) were males. Most dogs (84.1%) presented with bilateral cataracts. Nuclear and cortical cataracts were the most prevalent type in both breeds (JRT: n?=?30, 61.2%; LR: n?=?16, 50.0%), although subcapsular cataracts were also frequent in LR (n?=?10, 31.3%). Significant differences in cataract location within the lens were detected between the two breeds (P?=?.002).Senile in JRT (n?=?7) and genetic in LR (n?=?7) were the most common etiologies. Concomitant ocular lesions were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages, and included lens (n?=?18; JRT: n?=?15; LR: n?=?3) and retinal alterations (n?=?8; JRT: n?=?2; LR: n?=?6), and glaucoma (n?=?6; JRT: n?=?5; LR: n?=?1). Thirty-three animals (75.0%, 51 eyes) were submitted to phacoemulsification with intraocular lens placement. Of these, 28 eyes (54.9%; JRT: n?=?21; LR: n?=?7) were visual, 19 eyes (37.3%; JRT: n?=?11; LR: n?=?8) presented impaired vision and four eyes (7.8%; JRT: n?=?0; LR: n?=?4) were blind at last clinical record. Postoperative complications were detected in 11 eyes (21.6%), and were more frequent in dogs presented with cataracts in advanced stages.These results and the multifactorial nature of cataracts call for further studies to identify and characterize the variables in a broader assessment, including other breeds and influencing factors.     

Nanoemulsion from essential oil of Pterodon emarginatus (Fabaceae) shows in vitro efficacy against monogeneans of Colossoma macropomum (Pisces: Serrasalmidae)

Outbreaks of diseases pose a major threat to sustainable aquaculture development worldwide. Application of herbal products to combat parasitic diseases provides an alternative approach for sustainable aquaculture. This study investigated the in vitro antiparasitic effects of an oil‐in‐water nanoemulsion prepared using the essential oil from Pterodon emarginatus, against monogeneans infesting Colossoma macropomum. Gill arches from C. macropomum (47.6 ± 14.5 g and 13.5 ± 1.4 cm) that were naturally parasitized by Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis and Mymarothecium boegeri were immersed in different dispersions of the P. emarginatus nanoemulsions (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/L). The major compounds presented in the essential oil of P. emarginatus were β‐elemene, β‐caryophyllene and α‐humulene. Characterization of these nanoemulsions showed that they have a small mean droplet size and low polydispersity index, which is concordant with stable systems. In this in vitro trial, the P. emarginatus nanoemulsion concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/L presented 100% helminthic efficacy against monogeneans of the gills of C. macropomum. The highest two concentrations used (400 and 600 mg/L) were seen to immobilize the parasites after only 15 min. Therefore, it would be worthwhile testing these concentrations in therapeutic baths against monogeneans of C. macropomum.