Multivariate relationships between epidemiologic risk factors and zoonotic infections among military personnel in the country of Georgia: A non‐linear canonical correlation analysis

Zoonotic diseases are endemic in the country of Georgia. Using the non‐linear canonical correlation (NCC) method, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between thirteen epidemiological risk factors and seropositivity to five zoonotic infections (anthrax, Q fever, tularemia, leptospirosis, and Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF]) among Georgian military recruits during 2014–2016. According to this multivariate statistical technique, which is suitable for the analysis of two or more sets of qualitative variables simultaneously, two canonical variables were identified. These variables accounted for 68% of the variation between the two sets of categorical variables (“risk factors” and “zoonotic infections”). For the first canonical variable, there was a relationship among CCHF (canonical loading, which is interpreted in the same way as the Pearson's correlation coefficient, [cl] = 0.715), tick bites (cl = 0.418) and slaughter of animals (cl = 0.351). As for the second canonical variable, Q fever (cl = ?0.604) and leptospirosis (cl = ?0.486) were related to rodents inside and outside home (cl = ?0.346) and sweeping in or around home (cl = ?0.317). The NCC method allows researchers to obtain additional insights into the complex relationship between epidemiological risk factors and multiple zoonotic infections.     

Genetic diversity of Bangladeshi native chickens based on complete sequence of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of this study was to explore genetic diversity and possible origin of Bangladeshi (BD) native chickens. The complete mtDNA D-loop region was sequenced in 60 chickens representing five populations; naked neck, full feathered, Aseel, Hilly and autosomal dwarf. The 61 reference sequences representing different domestic chicken clades in China, India, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, and other Eurasian regions were included. The mtDNA D-loop sequence polymorphism and maternal origin of five BD populations were analysed.

2. A total of 35 polymorphic sites, and 21 haplotypes were detected in 60 mtDNA D-loop sequences. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of the five populations were 0.921 ± 0.018 and 0.0061 ± 0.0019, respectively. Both mtDNA network and phylogenetic analysis indicated four clades (four haplogroups) in BD populations (21 haplotypes) along with 61 reference haplotypes. Clade E contained the most individuals (20) and haplotypes (11) of BD chickens, followed by clade D (17, 6), clade C (12, 2) and clade F (11, 2), respectively.

3. The higher number of unique haplotypes found in Yunnan, China, suggested that the origin of BD chickens was in this region. The haplotypes from different haplogroups were introduced in Bangladeshi chickens from India, China and Myanmar. The phylogenetic tree showed a close relationship of BD chickens with the clusters from India, China, Myanmar and Laos, and indicated the dispersion of BD chickens from these sources. The phylogenetic information revealed high genetic diversity of BD chickens because of their origin from different lineages with high genetic variation and distance, which was determined from four cluster and neighbour-joining trees.

4. In conclusion, BD populations had high genetic diversity. The mtDNA network profiles and phylogenetic trees showed multiple maternal origins of BD chickens from India, China, Myanmar and Laos.     

Investigation into intraoral approach for nerve block injection at the mental foramen in the horse

Invasive dental procedures performed in the standing, sedated horse are facilitated by local and regional anaesthesia. The traditional transcutaneous approach to the mental foramen is used to desensitise the incisive region including the mandibular incisors, but is not well tolerated by many sedated patients. In this study, a new, intraoral needle insertion technique for nerve block at the mental foramen was investigated. In 15 equine cadaver heads and two live horses, computed tomography (CT) was used to verify Tuohy needle placement into each mental foramen using an intraoral technique. Varying volumes of contrast medium (3, 6, 10 mL) were injected into the mandibular canal with and without digital occlusion of the mental foramen. The distance of retrograde flow was measured. Additionally, measurements were taken to determine the position of the mental foramen within the interdental space. Correct placement of Tuohy needles and injection of contrast medium into the mandibular canal using an intraoral approach at the mental foramen was achieved in all injections. Retrograde flow of contrast medium was accomplished with all volumes, regardless of occlusion. Although not statistically significant, the 10 mL group appeared to have a greater distance of flow. The needle insertion technique described here appears to be a potential alternative to traditional transcutaneous approaches to mental nerve block for procedures involving the incisive region. In addition, it was found that 79% of the mandibular canals injected with 10 mL of contrast medium had retrograde flow to the position of PM4, suggesting this method may be a useful alternative technique for nerve block for the more rostrally located cheek teeth. The location of the mental foramen was consistently found in the distal third of the interdental space (approximately 60–80% of the distance between the distal aspect of the lateral corner incisor and the mesial aspect of the second premolar).     

Chronic metabolic acid load induced by changes in dietary electrolyte balance increased chloride retention but did not compromise bone in growing swine

The effects of chronic dietary acid loads on shifts in bone mineral reserves and physiological concentrations of cations and anions in extracellular fluids were assessed in growing swine. Four trials were conducted with a total of 38 (8.16 +/- 0.30 kg, mean +/- SEM) Large White x Landrace x Duroc pigs randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Semipurified diets, fed for 13 to 17 d, provided an analyzed dietary electrolyte balance (dEB, meq/kg diet = Na+ + K+ - Cl-) of -35, 112, and 212 for the acidogenic, control, and alkalinogenic diets, respectively. Growth performance, arterial blood gas, serum chemistry, urine pH, mineral balance, bone mineral content gain, bone-breaking strength, bone ash, and percentage of bone ash were determined. Dietary treatments created a range of metabolic acid loads without affecting (P > 0.10) growth or feed intake. Urine pH was 5.71, 6.02, and 7.65 +/- 0.48 (mean +/- SEM) and arterial blood pH was 7.478, 7.485, and 7.526 +/- 0.006 for pigs fed acidogenic, control, and alkalinogenic treatments, respectively. A lower dEB resulted in an increased (P < 0.001) apparent Cl- retention (106.6, 55.4, and 41.2 +/- 6.3 meq/d), of which only 1.6% was accounted for by expansion of the extracellular fluid Cl- pool as calculated from serum Cl- (105.5, 103.4, 101.6 +/- 0.94 meq/L (mean +/- SEM) for pigs fed acidogenic, control, and alkalinogenic treatments, respectively. A lower dEB did not decrease (P > 0.10) bone mineral content gain, bone-breaking strength, bone ash, percentage of bone ash, or calcium and phosphate balance. In conclusion, bone mineral (phosphate) was not depleted to buffer the dietary acid load in growing pigs over a 3-wk period.     

Expression of MHC-I and -II in Uterine Tissue from Early Pregnant Bitches

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and -II in uterine tissues from pregnant and non-pregnant bitches, taken at different time periods after mating. The pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized during the pre-implantation (group 1, n = 4), implantation (group 2, n = 7) and placentation stage (group 3, n = 7). Non-pregnant animals in diestrus served as controls (group 4, n = 7). The expression of MHC- I and -II in salpinx, apex, middle horn, corpus uteri and at implantation sites was investigated by immunohistochemistry as well as qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR; MHC-I mRNA was detected in all tissues and with quantitative RT-PCR, and no significant changes were detected until placentation. Immunohistologically, at the apex and corpus site, the average number of MHC-II positive cells increased from the pre-implantation to the post-implantation stage (apex: 1.54 ± 1.21 to 3.82 ± 2.93; corpus: 1.62 ± 1.9 to 5.04 ± 4.95; p < 0.05). The greatest numbers of MHC-II positive cells were observed at placentation sites (6.64 ± 5.9). In parallel, a marked increase in the relative mRNA expression of MHC-II in uterine tissues was assessed from the pre-implantation to the placentation stage (relative to Glycerinaldehyd-3-phosphate-Dehydrogenase (GAPDH): 6.9 ± 9.5, 8.4 ± 5.8, p > 0.05). Immunohistologically, in the salpinx, significantly greater numbers of MHC-II positive cells were found in the tissues of pregnant animals than in the control group (p < 0.05). It is proposed that the increase in MHC-II is pregnancy-related, even though the impact on maintenance of canine pregnancy is still unclear.     

Unusually rapid growth and adult stature in an American hairless terrier puppy

A puppy was evaluated for rapid growth and large stature. Extensive diagnostic evaluation suggested a growth hormone independent disorder. As the sole detected abnormality was elevated leptin concentration, an obesity syndrome causing leptin resistance was speculated to explain the puppy's condition but was not confirmed. Except for large body size, the puppy remained clinically normal.