Anatomy,Morphometry and Radiography in the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian Huemul Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

The aim of this study was to provide morphometric, anatomic and radiographic data of the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) including a functional interpretation of this, as a reference for clinical use, biomedical research and teaching purposes. Currently, the Patagonian huemul deer is in danger of becoming extinct due to multiple causes. Research carried out for its conservation has focused mainly on its ecology and pathology, leaving gaps in biological knowledge, which is basic and important for its comprehension. This study was conducted to reveal the gross osteology and radiology features of the thoracic limb bones of the Patagonian huemul deer. The osteological findings suggest the presence of powerful flexor muscles in the scapulohumeral and elbow joints, useful to cushion the jumps. Also, the principal nutrient foramen of Patagonian huemul differs in position with respect to domestic ungulates, which may be important to consider during surgical procedures. Finally, the radiographic data can provide new information about the tissue loading conditions in Patagonian huemul, so that this new knowledge can be of great importance for a better understanding of mechanically induced or adaptive changes in bone produced by habitat or other ecological phenomena.     

A comparison of the antinociceptive effects of xylazine, detomidine and romifidine on experimental pain in horses

Objective To study the analgesic potency of the α₂‐agonist romifidine in the horse using both an electrical current and a mechanical pressure model for nociceptive threshold testing. In addition, a comparison was made with doses of detomidine and xylazine that produce equivalent degrees of sedation. Study design Randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded cross‐over study. Animals Six adult Swiss warmblood horses, one mare and five geldings, weighing from 530 to 650 kg and aged 6–15 years. Methods Nociceptive thresholds were measured using an electrical stimulus applied to the coronary band and using a pneumatically operated pin pressing on the cannon bone. Measurements were made immediately before and every 15 minutes for 2 hours after IV injection of the test substances. Lifting of the foot indicated the test end point. Results The three α₂‐agonists caused a temporary increase in nociceptive thresholds with a maximal effect within 15 minutes and a return to baseline levels within 1 hour. Using electrical current testing nociceptive thresholds were significantly different from placebo (mean ± SD) for detomidine at 15 minutes (from control 5.8 ± 0.9 to 23.3 ± 3.9 mA, p = 0.0066) and 30 minutes (from control 6.6 ± 1.1 to 18.8 ± 3.3 mA, p = 0.0091). The difference was significant for romifidine at 15 minutes only (from control 5.8 ± 0.9 to 18.7 ± 3.8 mA, p = 0.0066). With mechanical pressure testing nociceptive thresholds were significantly different from control for detomidine at 15 minutes (from 3.2 ± 0.2 to 6.2 ± 0.5 N, p = 0.00076) and 30 minutes (from 3.2 ± 0.7 to 5.7 ± 0.8 N, p = 0.0167). The difference was significant for xylazine at 15 minutes (from control 3.2 ± 0.2 to 5.6 ± 0.7 N, p = 0.0079). At 15 minutes the order of magnitude of the measured antinociceptive effect was significantly different between the two pain tests for both romifidine and detomidine, but not for xylazine. For romifidine, the increase of mean thresholds compared to placebo was 4.0 ± 1.3 times placebo levels with the electrical current test compared to 1.3 ± 0.3 times for the mechanical pressure test (p = 0.037). For detomidine, the increase of mean thresholds compared to placebo was 5.4 ± 1.7 times control levels with the electrical current test compared to 2.0 ± 0.2 times for the mechanical pressure test (p = 0.040). This represents a 2.7 (romifidine) and 3.4 times (detomidine) greater increase in thresholds using electrical current testing compared to the use of mechanical pressure testing. Conclusion and clinical relevance This study demonstrates the analgesic potential of α₂‐agonists in the horse for somatic pain and that they can have quantitatively different antinociceptive effects according to the antinociceptive test used.     

Nutrient limitations to bacterial and fungal growth during cellulose decomposition in tropical forest soils

Nutrients constrain the soil carbon cycle in tropical forests, but we lack knowledge on how these constraints vary within the soil microbial community. Here, we used in situ fertilization in a montane tropical forest and in two lowland tropical forests on contrasting soil types to test the principal hypothesis that there are different nutrient constraints to different groups of microorganisms during the decomposition of cellulose. We also tested the hypotheses that decomposers shift from nitrogen to phosphorus constraints from montane to lowland forests, respectively, and are further constrained by potassium and sodium deficiency in the western Amazon. Cellulose and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and combined) were added to soils in situ, and microbial growth on cellulose (phospholipid fatty acids and ergosterol) and respiration were measured. Microbial growth on cellulose after single nutrient additions was highest following nitrogen addition for fungi, suggesting nitrogen as the primary limiting nutrient for cellulose decomposition. This was observed at all sites, with no clear shift in nutrient constraints to decomposition between lowland and montane sites. We also observed positive respiration and fungal growth responses to sodium and potassium addition at one of the lowland sites. However, when phosphorus was added, and especially when added in combination with other nutrients, bacterial growth was highest, suggesting that bacteria out-compete fungi for nitrogen where phosphorus is abundant. In summary, nitrogen constrains fungal growth and cellulose decomposition in both lowland and montane tropical forest soils, but additional nutrients may also be of critical importance in determining the balance between fungal and bacterial decomposition of cellulose.     

Peptidases of Trichobilharzia regenti (Schistosomatidae) and its molluscan host Radix peregra S. Lat. (Lymnaeidae): construction and screening of cDNA library from intramolluscan stages of the parasite

Trichobilharzia regenti is a neurotropic bird schistosome,causing cercarial dermatitis in humans. In this study, ZAP cDNA expression library from Radix peregra s. lat. hepatopancreases containing intramolluscan stages of T. regenti was constructed and screened using PCR with specific and degenerate primers, designed according to previously described serine and cysteine peptidases of other parasite species. Full-length sequences of cathepsins B1 and L, and two serine peptidases, named RpSP1 and RpSP2, were obtained.The protein-protein BLAST analysis and parallel control reactions with template from hepatopancreases of T. regenti non-infected snails revealed that only cathepsin B1 was of parasite origin. The remaining sequences were derived from the snail intermediate host, which implies that the initial source of parasite mRNA was contaminated by snail tissue.Regardless of this contamination, the cDNA library remains an excellent molecular tool for detection and identification of bioactive molecules in T. regenti cercariae.     

Effect of red grapes co-winemaking in polyphenols and color of wines

The red grapes co-winemaking effect on phenolic fraction and wine color has been studied for the first time, where Monastrell was comacerated and cofermentated with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Changes in the relative abundance of anthocyanins were observed as well as hyperchromic shifts at 530 and 620 nm; these effects remain constant after aging. Co-winemaking also favored copigmentation, giving way to more stable anthocyanins and facilitating their polymerization. With regard to color evolution, the mixture of Monastrell with Merlot grapes was more appropriate than with Cabernet Sauvignon for aging wines in oak barrels. The extent of copigmentation was more important in young wines than in aged wines. This is mainly due to the self-anthocyanin monomer reactions in the case of young wines, whereas in aged wines copigmentation is mainly due to the reaction between the anthocyanins and other polyphenolic cofactors. Discriminant analysis showed the possibility of differentiating wines according to the aging time and the type of wine, with color parameters (color intensity, OD 620 nm, and OD 520 nm) being the most important discrimination variables in the first case and petunidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside contents in the second case.     

Influence of the Th2 immune response established by Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on the protection offered by different vaccines against Chlamydophila abortus infection

Chlamydophila abortus is the aetiological agent of enzootic abortion in small ruminants in which it infects the placenta to cause abortion during the last trimester of gestation. In a mouse model, a Th1 immune response involving IFN-gamma production and CD8+ T cells is necessary for the infection to be resolved. The authors previously demonstrated that infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a rodent gastrointestinal nematode extensively used in experimental models to induce Th2 responses, alters the specific immune response against C. abortus infection, increasing bacterial multiplication in liver and reducing specific IFN-gamma production. The aim of the present work was to clarify whether a Th2 immune response has any influence on the success of vaccination using both inactivated and attenuated vaccines. The results showed that the Th2 response established prior to vaccination did not influence the induction of protection offered by the vaccines. However, the effectiveness of this protective response can be altered, depending on the adjuvant employed in the inactivated vaccines, when the Th2 response is established after vaccination, just before challenge with C. abortus.     

Field evaluation of a new commercially available ELISA based on a recombinant antigen for diagnosing Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serotype 1) infection

A new commercially available ELISA (ELISAr-Chlamydia) for detecting antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus has been evaluated using sheep field serum samples. The ELISA is based on a recombinant antigen which expresses part of a protein from the 80-90kDa family that is specific to C. abortus. Sera (105) from six flocks with confirmed ovine chlamydial abortion (OEA) outbreaks were used in this study, as well as sera (258) from 18 flocks which had suffered no OEA in the last lambing. The ELISAr-Chlamydia was compared with the complement fixation test (CFT) and with an ELISA using purified C. abortus elementary bodies (ELISA-EB), employing as reference technique a comparative microimmunofluorescence test that differentiates C. abortus infection from Chlamydophila pecorum infection. The results showed that the sensitivity of ELISAr-Chlamydia was 90.9% with a specificity of 85.9%, the sensitivity of CFT was 71.0% with a specificity of 83.6%, while the sensitivity of ELISA-EB was 95.2% and the specificity was 54.2%. Furthermore, ELISAr-Chlamydia was the test with fewer false positives resulting from positive reactivity to C. pecorum, although 15% of the sera positive for C. pecorum but negative for C. abortus antibodies reacted positively. This study demonstrated with field material that ELISAr-Chlamydia provides the most balanced results between sensitivity and specificity, especially in flocks with no clinical OEA but reactivity to C. abortus.