Ultrasound-guided block of the feline sciatic nerve

This study was conducted to validate an ultrasound-guided technique to block the sciatic nerve in cats. An anatomical study was first carried out in four feline cadavers to evaluate the feasibility of the glutea (cranial and caudal), femoris and poplitea ultrasonographical approaches for the sciatic nerve block. The results showed that the femoris approach was optimal because the region was free of vascular and bony structures, and the needle was easily visualised in-plane. Then, the efficacy of the femoris ultrasonographical approach to block the sciatic nerve was tested in six healthy adult experimental cats. A dose of 2 mg/kg lidocaine 2% diluted in saline to a final volume of 1 ml was administered in all cats. The blockade was successful in all cases and the cats recovered uneventfully. This study shows the usefulness of the femoris approach in performing an ultrasound-guided blockade of the sciatic nerve in cats.     

Ventral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve in the dog

This prospective study assessed a ventral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve (FN) in dogs. The anatomical features of the FN were evaluated in four canine cadavers. In another five cadavers, the FN was located by ultrasound-guidance and the accuracy of this technique was evaluated by injection of black ink and posterior evaluation of the degree of staining of the nerves. In five live dogs, the FN was blocked with 2% lidocaine. The distribution of lidocaine around the nerve and the presence of motor deficit were evaluated. The FN was easily located and accurately blocked in all cases. This new ultrasound-guided approach was reliable for blocking the FN and might be a suitable alternative to the traditional approaches described to block the FN in the dog.     

Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae in sheep

Tuberculosis was diagnosed in three flocks of sheep in Galicia, Spain, in 2009 and 2010. Two flocks were infected with Mycobacterium bovis and one flock was infected with Mycobacterium caprae. Infection was confirmed by the comparative intradermal tuberculin test, bacteriology, molecular analysis and histopathology. Sheep have the potential to act as a reservoir for tuberculosis.     

Assessment of serotonin in serum,plasma, and platelets of aggressive dogs

Canine aggression is the most common reason for the referral of dogs to behavior practices. In addition, dog bites represent an important problem for public health and animal welfare. The serotonergic system is believed to play an important role in modulating aggression. The aim of the present study was (1) to assess the suitability of different types of blood samples for measuring circulating serotonin in canine clinical studies, and (2) to investigate the relationship between the serotonergic system and canine aggression. The assessment of serotonin was simultaneously carried out in serum, plasma, and platelets of 28 aggressive and 10 nonaggressive dogs with an enzyme immunoassay technique. The mean serotonin concentration in aggressive dogs was significantly lower than in nonaggressive dogs in all the assayed samples. These findings suggest an inverse relationship between the activity of the serotonergic system and canine aggression. Considering the simplicity of the methodology, the authors propose sampling serum as the most suitable method for measuring circulating serotonin in dogs.     

Mummified Fetus in the Thoracic Cavity of a Domestic Short-haired Cat

This short communication describes the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course of a domestic short-haired cat with diaphragmatic hernia in which the herniated structure in the thoracic cavity contained a mummified fetus. The cat was pregnant when rescued from the street and, days later, gave birth without abnormalities. Some months later, during an ovariohysterectomy, an abnormal localization of the uterus was observed, and at that time the case was referred to our center. A thoracic radiograph showed an abnormal thoracic mass cranial to the heart. The main suspicion was the presence of a thoracic hernia with the uterus herniated and containing a mummified fetus. A thoracotomy was performed to confirm the nature of the mass and reduce the diaphragmatic hernia. Although this clinical case is quite rare, a mummified fetus can be observed in thoracic hernias.     

Response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> cell cultures to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeomoniella chlamydospora</Emphasis>: changes in phenolic production,oxidative state and expression of defence-related genes

Cell suspension cultures of Vitis vinifera cv. Vinhão (Vv) were used to study the putative response of V. vinifera to Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pc), a fungus frequently associated with esca and grapevine decline. Cells were elicited with a Pc autoclaved biomass extract and methyl jasmonate (MeJ). Phenolic production was evaluated by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS. Phenolic production of Vv cells significantly changes after elicitation. Compared to control, Vv cells elicited by Pc extract increase their stilbene production 20-fold and those elicited by MeJ increase stilbenic production 9-fold. In both cases, there is de novo production of viniferin type compounds. We also analyzed the oxidative burst of Vv cells after elicitation with Pc extract and MeJ, using the probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Adding Pc extract induces an oxidative burst that shows a biphasic pattern in Vv cells. Moreover, the induction of 7 defence-related genes expression in Vv cell cultures upon Pc extract elicitation was investigated employing semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Elicitation increases the expression of class 6 and class 10 pathogenesis-related proteins, β-1,3-glucanase, class III chitinase, lipoxygenase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and stilbene synthase. Therefore, Vv in vitro cell cultures could be an important tool to study esca disease, since they offer a simple, rapid and selective way to evaluate plant/fungus interactions.     

Heterogeneity of linear forest formations: differing potential for biodiversity conservation. A case study in Italy

Trees outside forests (TOF) are important elements of the landscape and they supply goods and environmental services such as commercial production of timber and fibre, domestic production of food and firewood, carbon sequestration, conservation of habitats and species (plants and animals), erosion control and soil and water quality improvement. TOF include different types of landscape elements: small woodlands, trees along linear features such as property boundaries, roads, railways, rivers and canals, hedgerows or linear forest formations, groups of trees and isolated scattered trees, which have also different ecological functions. The article focuses on the importance and role of linear forest formations (LFF) in the rural context, with special reference to the biodiversity conservation function. It presents the results of research done in the Veneto region, north-eastern Italy. The authors have designed a sampling scheme for LFF based on the Italian National Forest Inventory and tested an indicator system in order to evaluate the quality and biodiversity of the LFF. The indicators used are: LFF type and tree species composition, vertical structure and canopy cover, naturalness, introduced species and deadwood (standing and lying). The main advantages and limitations of the applied method are discussed.     

Evidence of the concurrent circulation of H1N2, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in densely populated pig areas in Spain

This paper reports on a serological and virological survey for swine influenza virus (SIV) in densely populated pig areas in Spain. The survey was undertaken to examine whether the H1N2 SIV subtype circulates in pigs in these areas, as in other European regions. Six hundred sow sera from 100 unvaccinated breeding herds across Northern and Eastern Spain were examined using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests against H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2 SIV subtypes. Additionally, 225 lung samples from pigs with respiratory problems were examined for the presence of SIV by virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and by a commercial membrane immunoassay. The virus isolates were further identified by HI and RT-PCR followed by partial cDNA sequencing. The HI test on sera revealed the presence of antibodies against at least one of the SIV subtypes in 83% of the herds and in 76.3% of the animals studied. Of the 600 sow sera tested, 109 (18.2%), 60 (10%) and 41 (6.8%) had SIV antibodies to subtype H1N2 alone, H3N2 alone and H1N1 alone, respectively. Twelve H3N2 viruses, 9 H1N1 viruses and 1 H1N2 virus were isolated from the lungs of pigs with respiratory problems. The analysis of a 436 nucleotide sequence of the neuraminidase gene from the H1N2 strain isolated further confirmed its identity. Demonstrably, swine influenza is still endemic in the studied swine population and a new subtype, the H1N2, may be becoming established and involved in clinical outbreaks of the disease in Spain.     

Effect of dichlorvos on cholinesterase activity of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In this study, the acute toxicity of the organophosphorous pesticide (OP) dichlorvos and both in vitro and in vivo effects of dichlorvos on cholinesterase (ChE) activity of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were investigated. The characterisation of ChE and the “normal” range of activity in brain and muscle of non-exposed fish were determined in a first phase of the study. Acetylthiocholine was the substrate preferred of both brain and muscle ChE. Eserine sulphate and BW284C51 significantly inhibited the brain and muscle enzyme activity at low concentrations (μM range). Iso-OMPA had a significant effect in muscle, but not in brain tissue. These results suggest that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the predominant ChE form in brain tissue. In contrast, both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase seem to exist in muscle. Using acetylthiocholine as substrate, the “normal” range of fingerling head and muscle ChE were 58.05±2.11 and 118.03±8.67 U/mg protein, respectively. Corresponding values for juveniles were 43.32±4.42 and 19.44±2.44 U/mg protein for brain and muscle, respectively. Dichlorvos significantly inhibited the activity of ChE in the selected tissues, both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Differences in ChE sensitivity were found in relation to the age of the fish and the tissue analysed. The present study also showed that fingerlings of the European sea bass are relatively resistant to in vivo acute (96 h) dichlorvos exposure to concentrations between 0.125 and 1 mg/L, being able to tolerate high percentages of head ChE inhibition (37% and 76%) without lethal effects.