Development Of Clinical Signs Research Articles

Free Flap Monitoring Using Infrared Thermography: An Objective Adjunct to Clinical Monitoring.

Background Early detection of free flap compromise is critical for salvage of the flap. Various methods of free flap monitoring have been described, but clinical assessment is the standard method for among all. In this study, role of infrared thermography is evaluated for free flap monitoring. Materials and Methods In patients undergoing free flap surgery, monitoring was done using standard clinical parameters and infrared thermography as per our institutional protocol. Mean temperature difference (∆T) between the flap and the surrounding skin was calculated using the temperature readings from the thermal images intra- and postoperatively. The accuracy of infrared thermography in flap monitoring was assessed in comparison to the standard clinical protocol. Results Forty-one flaps were included in the analysis, out of which five flaps got compromised. It was observed that the mean temperature difference was higher (mean ∆T 0.20-0.59 vs. 2.38-3.32) when there was a flap compromise, and this temperature difference was evident even before the development of clinical signs. The temperature difference in venous thrombosis (mean ∆T 1.0-2.7) was found to be slightly lower than in arterial insufficiency (mean ∆T 2.1-4.4). For a ∆T cutoff value of 2°C, the thermal camera had a sensitivity of 88.6%, specificity of 98.9%, positive predictive value of 93.9%, and negative predictive value of 97.7%. Conclusion Infrared thermography is a valuable and noninvasive objective tool in free flap monitoring, which can detect flap compromise (increasing value of ∆T) even before it becomes clinically evident.

Successful Clinical Management and Molecular Investigation of Trypanosomosis in a Wild Captured Leopard

Background: Trypanosoma evansi is a widely prevalent trypanosomes of the Indian subcontinent and is widely documented in species like cattle, buffalo, horses, camel etc. In the wild, an array of animals like deers, jaguar, tigers, leopards, lions, foxes etc can be infected by the trypanosome. Trypanotolerance is an innate mechanism by which the wild animals harbour moderate infection without the development of clinical signs. Methods: The current report highlights the clinical management and molecular investigation of Trypanosomosis in a wild captured leopard. An adult male leopard, was found to exhibit partial inappetence with no other deviation from normal. Blood, serum and faecal investigations were carried out. A Polymerase Chain Reaction was carried out to gain molecular insights. The amplicon was purified and sequenced. The sequenced was submitted to NCBI after BLASTn analysis. Result: The blood smear revealed trypanosomosis while faecal examination revealed heavy infestation with Spirometra which was treated rationally. The animal showed an uneventful recovery after the treatment. The causative agent was identified to Trypanosoma evansi and was found to be identical to similar sequences reported from India and abroad by the phylogenetic analysis.

Disease phenotype of classical sheep scrapie is changed upon experimental passage through white-tailed deer.

Prion agents occur in strains that are encoded by the structure of the misfolded prion protein (PrPSc). Prion strains can influence disease phenotype and the potential for interspecies transmission. Little is known about the potential transmission of prions between sheep and deer. Previously, the classical US scrapie isolate (No.13-7) had a 100% attack rate in white-tailed deer after oronasal challenge. The purpose of this study was to test the susceptibility of sheep to challenge with the scrapie agent after passage through white-tailed deer (WTD scrapie). Lambs of various prion protein genotypes were oronasally challenged with WTD scrapie. Sheep were euthanized and necropsied upon development of clinical signs or at the end of the experiment (72 months post-inoculation). Enzyme immunoassay, western blot, and immunohistochemistry demonstrated PrPSc in 4 of 10 sheep with the fastest incubation occurring in VRQ/VRQ sheep, which contrasts the original No.13-7 inoculum with a faster incubation in ARQ/ARQ sheep. Shorter incubation periods in VRQ/VRQ sheep than ARQ/ARQ sheep after passage through deer was suggestive of a phenotype change, so comparisons were made in ovinized mice and with sheep with known strains of classical sheep scrapie: No. 13-7 and x-124 (that has a more rapid incubation in VRQ/VRQ sheep). After mouse bioassay, the WTD scrapie and x-124 isolates have similar incubation periods and PrPSc conformational stability that are markedly different than the original No. 13-7 inoculum. Furthermore, brain tissues of sheep with WTD scrapie and x-124 scrapie have similar patterns of immunoreactivity that are distinct from sheep with No. 13-7 scrapie. Multiple lines of evidence suggest a phenotype switch when No. 13-7 scrapie prions are passaged through deer. This represents one example of interspecies transmission of prions resulting in the emergence or selection of new strain properties that could confound disease eradication and control efforts.

Integrative metabolomics science in Alzheimer's disease: Relevance and future perspectives.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is determined by various pathophysiological mechanisms starting 10-25 years before the onset of clinical symptoms. As multiple functionally interconnected molecular/cellular pathways appear disrupted in AD, the exploitation of high-throughput unbiased omics sciences is critical to elucidating the precise pathogenesis of AD. Among different omics, metabolomics is a fast-growing discipline allowing for the simultaneous detection and quantification of hundreds/thousands of perturbed metabolites in tissues or biofluids, reproducing the fluctuations of multiple networks affected by a disease. Here, we seek to critically depict the main metabolomics methodologies with the aim of identifying new potential AD biomarkers and further elucidating AD pathophysiological mechanisms. From a systems biology perspective, as metabolic alterations can occur before the development of clinical signs, metabolomics - coupled with existing accessible biomarkers used for AD screening and diagnosis - can support early disease diagnosis and help develop individualized treatment plans. Presently, the majority of metabolomic analyses emphasized that lipid metabolism is the most consistently altered pathway in AD pathogenesis. The possibility that metabolomics may reveal crucial steps in AD pathogenesis is undermined by the difficulty in discriminating between the causal or epiphenomenal or compensatory nature of metabolic findings.

A biological and a mathematical model of SLE treated by mesenchymal stem cells covering all the stages of the disease

In this study, we proposed a biological model explaining the progress of autoimmune activation along different stages of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For any upcoming stage of SLE, any new component is introduced, when it is added to the model. Particularly, the interaction of mesenchymal stem cells, with the components of the model, is specified in a way that both the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions of these cells would be covered. The biological model is then recapitulated to a model with less complexity that explains the main features of the problem. Later, a 7th-order mathematical model for SLE is proposed, based on this simplified model. Finally, the range of validity of the proposed mathematical model was assessed. For this purpose, we simulated the model and analyzed the simulation results in case of some known behaviors of the disease, such as tolerance breach, the appearance of systemic inflammation, development of clinical signs, and occurrence of flares and improvements. The model was able to reproduce these events, qualitatively.

The multiple facets of acetyl-CoA metabolism: Energetics, biosynthesis, regulation, acylation and inborn errors.

Acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) is a core metabolite with essential roles throughout cell physiology. These functions can be classified into energetics, biosynthesis, regulation and acetylation of large and small molecules. Ac-CoA is essential for oxidative metabolism of glucose, fatty acids, most amino acids, ethanol, and of free acetate generated by endogenous metabolism or by gut bacteria. Ac-CoA cannot cross lipid bilayers, but acetyl groups from Ac-CoA can shuttle across membranes as part of carrier molecules like citrate or acetylcarnitine, or as free acetate or ketone bodies. Ac-CoA is the basic unit of lipid biosynthesis, providing essentially all of the carbon for the synthesis of fatty acids and of isoprenoid-derived compounds including cholesterol, coenzyme Q and dolichols. High levels of Ac-CoA in hepatocytes stimulate lipid biosynthesis, ketone body production and the diversion of pyruvate metabolism towards gluconeogenesis and away from oxidation; low levels exert opposite effects. Acetylation changes the properties of molecules. Acetylation is necessary for the synthesis of acetylcholine, acetylglutamate, acetylaspartate and N-acetyl amino sugars, and to metabolize/eliminate some xenobiotics. Acetylation is a major post-translational modification of proteins. Different types of protein acetylation occur. The most-studied form occurs at the epsilon nitrogen of lysine residues. In histones, lysine acetylation can alter gene transcription. Acetylation of other proteins has diverse, often incompletely-documented effects. Inborn errors related to Ac-CoA feature a broad spectrum of metabolic, neurological and other features. To date, a small number of studies of animals with inborn errors of CoA thioesters has included direct measurement of acyl-CoAs. These studies have shown that low levels of tissue Ac-CoA correlate with the development of clinical signs, hinting that shortage of Ac-CoA may be a recurrent theme in these conditions. Low levels of Ac-CoA could potentially disrupt any of its roles.

Criminality in Huntington Disease.

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative condition associated with varying degrees of motor, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities. Although aggression, irritability, lack of insight, and poor impulse are well-recognized nonmotor manifestations of the disease, very little is known about their association with criminality, which is broadly defined as acts that are punishable by law. We explored the prevalence of criminality in patients with HD seen between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021, within a large academic medical center in the state of Illinois. To determine rates of criminality, we examined "criminal behavior" (defined as illegal actions that do not necessarily lead to criminal prosecution) through a retrospective medical record review of keywords or phrases related to criminality. We also examined "crime" (defined as the presence of a criminal record) in this same sample of patients through a search of official publicly available online databases from the state of Illinois and the federal government. Of the 210 patients included, 97 (46.2%) had criminal behavior documented in their medical records. Based on public database information, 89 patients (42.4%) had a criminal record and 26 patients (12.4%) had been arrested. Traffic violations were committed by 94.4% of the cohort and were the most common infractions. Most of these violations were petty offenses and only punishable by fines. Physical aggression toward caregivers was the most common criminal behavior identified in medical records. This tended to occur in advance stages of the disease and rarely led to criminal charges. Crime occurred at any point in the disease course of HD, including before and after the development of clinical signs and the formal diagnosis of HD. The presence of criminality was not infrequent in our cohort, but rarely did this result in criminal charges and rarely did these charges result in arrests or incarcerations. Discussions surrounding driving safety and management of physical aggression toward caregivers should be part of regular outpatient visits with patients with HD. Ultimately, it is unknown whether criminality is a common feature of HD, and assessments need to be developed to determine its true prevalence.

Rapid application of long-acting ceftiofur can prevent death losses associated with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus in pigs

Objective: Introduction of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus strains into naive populations results in field mortality rates of 30% to 50% over 5 to 10 days. Because of the rapid disease progression, our goal was to determine whether antibiotic intervention could control S zooepidemicus disease in a group of animals following development of clinical signs. Materials and methods: Thirty-two pigs were challenged with S equi subsp zooepidemicus. Following the development of clinical signs, 16 were treated with long-acting, injectable ceftiofur. Seven unchallenged pigs served as controls. Clinical signs were monitored following challenge and survival was compared between groups. Antibody titers were measured on day 0 and day 30 post challenge. On day 30 post challenge, 3 contact pigs were commingled with 2 treated animals to evaluate S equi subsp zooepidemicus transmission. Results: Ceftiofur treatment eliminated clinical signs in 15 of 16 animals. However, multiple treatments were required to control disease in treated animals (2-3 doses providing 12-18 days of coverage). Antibody titers to S equi subsp zooepidemicus increased in challenged animals treated with ceftiofur, indicating sufficient exposure for immune stimulation. No contact pigs developed clinical signs of S equi subsp zooepidemicus following exposure. Implication: Rapid application of injectable antibiotics is a viable method to reduce losses due to the introduction of S equi subsp zooepidemicus into a naive group of pigs and may help prevent transmission to contact animals following recovery.

English

BACKGROUND Hypoglycaemia is one of the most common metabolic problems seen in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Most cases of neonatal hypoglycaemia are transient and respond readily to treatment and are associated with excellent prognosis. Development of clinical signs and symptoms may be a late sign of hypoglycaemia. Persistent hypoglycaemia may result in possible neurologic sequelae. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical pattern of hypoglycaemia in neonates admitted in special newborn care unit in Government General hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana and to also assess the influence of gestational age, birth weight, various comorbid conditions on blood glucose levels. METHODS This is an observational hospital-based study done in Government General Hospital, Mahabubnagar from June 2020 to May 2021. Neonates with hypoglycaemia (blood glucose < 45 mg/dl) at the time of admission are included in our study. Blood glucose values were monitored 2nd hourly on 1st day and 6th hourly thereafter. Following the detection of hypoglycaemia, the neonates were treated as per institutional protocol. Clinical features, laboratory parameters are studied and analysed. RESULTS Among the 99 neonates studied, 68 (68.7 %) were males and 31 (31.3 %) females; Term babies were 75 (75.7 %) and pre term babies were 24 (24.2 %). Low birth weight newborns (51.5 %) were more affected with hypoglycaemia compared to normal weight newborns (38.4 %). Among the 99 neonates studied, 96.9 % were treated and discharged. Average duration of stay was around 05 to 07 days. CONCLUSIONS Hypoglycaemia is most common condition in neonates. Routine screening should be done to all newborns at the time of admission. Timely intervention reduces long term neurological sequelae. Neonates presenting with dull activity, refusal to feed, vomiting, jitteriness, seizures must routinely undergo regular glucose monitoring. As the study shows, most hypoglycaemic neonates presented with those symptoms. Among the various comorbidities, hypoglycaemia occurred more in birth asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome. So, it should be made mandatory to do glucose monitoring in these cases. Glucose monitoring should be made as a common screening method to prevent morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units. KEYWORDS Hypoglycaemia, Pre-Term, Term, Low Birth Weight, Special New Born Care Unit, Small for Gestational Age, Large for Gestational Age

English

BACKGROUND World Health Organization (WHO) clinically defines a stroke as ‘the rapid development of clinical signs and symptoms of a focal neurological disturbance lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than vascular origin’. Hypo magnesia (ionized form) leads to neuromuscular hyperirritability, tremors, increased vascular resistance, coronary vasospasm and hypertension. Magnesium deficiency triggers vasoconstriction enhancing vascular endothelial injury and hence leads to atherosclerosis. In the present study, we wanted to evaluate serum magnesium levels in ischemic cerebral stroke patients and correlate its severity with the neurological disability using modified Rankin scale (mRS) and Canadian neurological scale. METHODS It was a longitudinal observational study, undertaken in the Department of Medicine in Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sri Amritsar from December 2018 to June 2020. 60 patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. 5 ml venous sample for serum magnesium level was taken within 24 hours and on day 5 of admission. Presence or absence of hypomagnesemia in patients after acute cerebral ischemic stroke was recorded during the hospital stay of patients, receiving standard management protocol of ischemic stroke. The correlation co-efficient of serum magnesium level with modified Rankin scale and Canadian neurological scale was calculated. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 61.6 ± 1.6 years, 42 (70 %) patients were male and 18 (30 %) were females and there was male preponderance. The mean serum magnesium level was measured as 1.78 ± 0.2 mg/dL, it was observed that the mean value for mRS was 3.93 ± 0.75 and Canadian neurological scale was 7.11 ± 2.01 within 24 hours and on the 5th day the mean value for mRS was 3.5 ± 1.09 and Canadian neurological scale was 8.02 ± 2.97. The present study observed a statistically significant correlation between mRS score and serum magnesium level as well as Canadian neurological scale and serum magnesium levels. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded through the results of this study that low levels of magnesium in the body can cause more severe stroke. KEYWORDS Stroke, Serum Magnesium, Hypomagnesemia, Modified Rankin Scale, Canadian Neurological Scale

Concentrations of canine prostate specific esterase, CPSE, at baseline are associated with the relative size of the prostate at three-year follow-up

BackgroundEnlargement of the prostate is associated with prostatic diseases in dogs, and an estimation of prostatic size is a central part in the diagnostic workup. Ultrasonography is often the method of choice, but biomarkers constitute an alternative. Canine prostate specific esterase (CPSE) shares many characteristics with human prostate specific antigen (PSA) and is related to prostate size. In men with clinical symptoms of prostatic disease, PSA concentrations are related to prostate growth. The aims of the present follow-up study were to evaluate if the concentration of CPSE is associated with future growth of the prostate, and if analysis of a panel of 16 steroids gives further information on prostatic growth. Owners of dogs included in a previous study were 3 years later contacted for a follow-up study that included an interview and a clinical examination. The prostate was examined by ultrasonography. Serum concentrations of CPSE were measured, as was a panel of steroids.ResultsOf the 79 dogs included at baseline, owners of 77 dogs (97%) were reached for an interview, and 22 were available for a follow-up examination. Six of the 79 dogs had clinical signs of prostatic disease at baseline, and eight of the remaining 73 dogs (11%) developed clinical signs between baseline and follow-up, information was lacking for two dogs. Development of clinical signs was significantly more common in dogs with a relative prostate size of ≥2.5 at baseline (n = 20) than in dogs with smaller prostates (n = 51). Serum concentrations of CPSE at baseline were not associated with the change in prostatic size between baseline and follow-up. Serum concentrations of CPSE at baseline and at follow-up were positively associated with the relative prostatic size (Srel) at follow-up. Concentrations of corticosterone (P = 0.024), and the class corticosteroids (P = 0.0035) were positively associated with the difference in Srel between baseline and follow-up.ConclusionsThe results support the use of CPSE for estimating present and future prostatic size in dogs ≥4 years, and the clinical usefulness of prostatic size for predicting development of clinical signs of prostatic disease in the dog. The association between corticosteroids and prostate growth warrants further investigation.

T-wave peak-end interval and ratio of T-wave peak-end and QT intervals: novel arrhythmogenic and survival markers for dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

Introduction/objectivesIn the past few years, novel markers such as the interval between the peak and the end of T-wave (Tpte) and Tpte/QT ratio have been shown to have high sensitivity for ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. We analyzed these and other parameters of ventricular repolarization, such as QT interval, QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc), and QT dispersion (QTd) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Additionally, we investigated their relationship with the progression of the disease, echocardiographic parameters, and ventricular arrhythmias and assessed their prognostic value with development of clinical signs or mortality as the final outcome. Animals, materials and methodsEpidemiological, clinical, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic data were obtained from 236 dogs with MMVD and 15 healthy dogs. Prognostic and survival information was also recorded for the MMVD group. All ventricular repolarization indices were measured in 10 lead electrocardiographic recordings. ResultsWith the exception of the QT interval, most repolarization markers increased along with the frequency of arrhythmias and with the progression of MMVD. The parameters that best identified ventricular arrhythmias (AUC > 0.7) were Tpte (aVR, rV2, average rV2–V10, average rV2–V4) and Tpte/QT (II, aVR, rV2). In survival analysis, statistically significant markers with the highest differences in median survival were Tpte (maximum of any lead, maximum rV2–V10), QTc aVR, and Tpte rV2. ConclusionTpte and Tpte/QT are good non-invasive markers for clinical risk stratification in dogs with MMVD.

SARS-CoV-2 in animals: From potential hosts to animal models.

Within only one year after the first detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), nearly 100 million infections were reported in the human population globally, with more than two million fatal cases. While SARS-CoV-2 most likely originated from a natural wildlife reservoir, neither the immediate viral precursor nor the reservoir or intermediate hosts have been identified conclusively. Due to its zoonotic origin, SARS-CoV-2 may also be relevant to animals. Thus, to evaluate the host range of the virus and to assess the risk to act as potential animal reservoir, a large number of different animal species were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2 or monitored in the field in the last months. In this review, we provide an update on studies describing permissive and resistant animal species. Using a scoring system based on viral genome detection subsequent to SARS-CoV-2 inoculation, seroconversion, the development of clinical signs and transmission to conspecifics or humans, the susceptibility of diverse animal species was classified on a semi-quantitative scale. While major livestock species such as pigs, cattle and poultry are mostly resistant, companion animals appear moderately susceptible, while several model animal species used in research, including several Cricetidae species and non-human primates, are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. By natural infections, it became obvious that American minks (Neovison vison) in fur farms, e.g., in the Netherlands and Denmark are highly susceptible resulting in local epidemics in these animals.

Assessment of quality of life of patients with dermatological pathology, doctors, medical students under quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic

For almost a year now, the society has been living in the severely stressful conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering that for many months people have been under serious information-driven expectations of the appearance and further development of clinical signs of this pathology in them, it is quite logical to assume that their level of anxiety will increase and their self-assessment of the quality of their lives (QoL) will lower.Objective — to conduct a study of the dependence of quality of life indicators in outpatient dermatological patients and people who work in medical service on the level of their neurotization, anxiety, emotional burnout against the background of the negative influence of the basic chronic stress situation — many months of quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and metods. Patients were questioned to assess the QoL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36).Results and discussion. A pilot complex study of the dependence of the QoL indicators of outpatients and medical workers (doctors, students) conducted mainly at the initiative of the recipients themselves at 6 months of quarantine revealed certain correlations (conditioning) not so much with age and sex, but mainly with professional aspects. It turned out that QoL self-esteem against the background of the dominant negative influence of a chronic stressful situation — months of quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic — is quite dependent on the severity of neurotization, anxiety, and emo­tional burnout of the tested person. The problem of interpreting correlations between personality traits and emotional burnout, levels of anxiety, stress resistance, neurotization, subjective control, and self-esteem of QoL needs further in-depth development on big and statistically sufficient material. It is especially important to develop professional recommendations and methods of psychocorrective influence not so much for patients with somatic (dermatological) pathology, but for physicians who, at their workplace, have to personally and directly contact many potentially infected patients on a daily basis.Conclusions. With regard to interpersonal communication, many months of quarantine, as expected, led to a noticeable deterioration in the self-esteem of QoL in all surveyed.

Oral versus Injectable Antibiotics in Asymptomatic Neonates Born to Mothers with Risk Factors for Sepsis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

To compare oral co-amoxiclav with injectable ampicillin and amikacin for the management of asymptomatic neonates born to mothers with risk factors for infection. This open label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital on neonates of gestational age ≥ 34 wk with maternal risk factors for infection, who were asymptomatic at birth and accepting breastfeeds. Newborns were randomized to receive either oral co-amoxiclav or injectable ampicillin and amikacin within 1-3h after birth. Primary outcome variable was the development of clinical signs of sepsis with or without a positive blood culture by 72h of life. Secondary outcome variables were development of sepsis with or without a positive blood culture by 7 d of life and adverse effects of drug therapy. One hundred twenty-six newborns were randomized to receive either oral co-amoxyclav (n = 63) or injectable ampicillin and amikacin (n = 63). Data were analyzed on intention to treat basis. Both groups were comparable with respect to maternal and neonatal characteristics. Incidence of clinical sepsis within three days of age was similar between the groups [2 (3.2%) vs. 1 (1.6%) in injectable and oral groups, respectively; RR (95% CI) 0.500 (0.047-5.373); p = 0.567]. No significant difference was noted for the development of sepsis by 1 wk [1 (1.6%) vs. 0 in injectable and oral groups, respectively; RR (95% CI) 0.333 (0.014-8.03100); p = 0.499]. Adverse drug reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea and skin rash were infrequent and comparable in two groups. Oral co-amoxyclav is as effective as injectable ampicillin and amikacin for management of asymptomatic neonates born to mothers with risk factors for infection.

Differential susceptibility and immune response in chicken and Japanese quail towards Avibacterium paragallinarum

ABSTRACT This study was designed to assess variation in the development of clinical signs, the associated pathological changes and immune activation following experimental Avibacterium paragallinarum (Av. paragallinarum) infection in chicken and Japanese quail. Thirty-three, 4-week-old chicken and Japanese quail were divided into 3 groups, namely (1) naïve control (unhandled) containing 3 birds in each, (2) ‘sham-inoculated (sterile PBS inoculated) group’ with 9 birds in each and (3) ‘infected group (Av. pargallinarum infected) with 19 birds in each. Birds were inoculated with 1.8 × 108 CFU/mL of Av. paragallinarum, while sham inoculated received sterile PBS without Av. paragallinarum. Daily clinical monitoring; blood and tissue samples were collected on 0, 3, 5 and 12 days post-infection. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and serum oxidative index were measured to assess immune activation. Nasal discharges constituted prominent clinical signs in chicken. Japanese quail elaborated quicker, slightly higher seroconversion in the HI test. The observed immunoprotection mediated via oxidative changes (systemic malondialdehyde (MDA) level) indicated an unusual way of protection provided by inflammatory leukocytes. Trans-epithelial migration of KUL01+ cells following the putative release of chemo-attractants by turbinates epithelium was evident. Action by reduced glutathione levels (neutralizing MDA) in chicken, not in Japanese quail, suggests species-specific differences of innate immunity against infection.

Assessment of immunogenic activity of the cloned human rotavirus A WA strain.

Rotovirus infection (RVI) caused by the dsRNA-containing virus from genus Rotavirus, Reoviridae family, belonging to group A (RVA), is the cause of severe diarrhea in human and other mammalian species. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of RVI. At present, the effectiveness of using gnotobiotic piglets as a universal model for reproducing human rotavirus infection and assessing the quality of RVI vaccine preparations has been experimentally proven. Evaluation of immunogenic activity of the cloned RVA Wa strain in the new-born Vietnamese potbellied piglets trial. Development of viral preparations of the cloned human Wa strain PBA, development of human RVA rVP6, ELISA, polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription, immunization and experimental infection of newborn piglets. The article presents the results of the experiment on double immunization of newborn piglets with native virus preparations with the infection activity 5.5 lg TCID50/ml, 3 cm3 per dose, HRV with adjuvant 500 µg per dose and mock preparation (control group) followed with experimental inoculation of all animals with virulent virus strain Wa G1P[8] human RVA with infectious activity of 5.5 lg TCID50/ml in 5 cm3 dose. Development of clinical signs of disease and animal death were observed only in control group. RT-PCR system to detect RVA RNA in rectal swabs, samples of small intestine and peripheral lymph nodes was developed. ELISA based on obtained human RVA rVP6 was developed and results on RVA-specific IgG-antibodies in serum samples of experimental piglets are presented. In the course of the research, a high immunogenic activity of the native and purified virus of the cloned Wa RVA strain Wa was established and the possibility of its use as the main component of the RVI vaccine was confirmed. The possibility of using conventional newborn pigs instead of gnotobiotic piglets as an experimental model was demonstrated.

Оценка риска влияния «фактора питания» на развитие клинических признаков микронутриентной недостаточности

Оценка риска влияния «фактора питания» на развитие клинических признаков микронутриентной недостаточности

Pylorogastric intussusception in a puppy with a congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt – a case report

A sixteen-week-old female Akita-inu puppy was presented for investigation of acute vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal distension. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a single congenital right-sided intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and pylorogastric intussusception, which spontaneously resolved during the next three days after initial examination. Owners elected for euthanasia due to the clinical deterioration of the patient that reflected in development of clinical signs associated with liver insufficiency, guarded prognosis and financial concerns for transjugular coil embolisation.

Accelerated accumulation of retinal α-synuclein (pSer129) and tau, neuroinflammation, and autophagic dysregulation in a seeded mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein within the central nervous system (CNS). Visual problems in PD patients are common, although retinal pathology associated with PD is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate retinal pathology in a transgenic mouse model (TgM83) expressing the human A53T α-synuclein mutation and assess the effect of α-synuclein “seeding” on the development of retinal pathology. Two-month-old TgM83 mice were intracerebrally inoculated with brain homogenate from old (12–18 months) TgM83 mice. Retinas were then analyzed at 5 months of age. We analyzed retinas from 5-month-old and 8-month-old uninoculated healthy TgM83 mice, and old (12–18 months) mice that were euthanized following the development of clinical signs. Retinas of B6C3H mice (genetic background of the TgM83 mouse) served as control. We used immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis to detect accumulation of α-synuclein, pTauThr231, inflammation, changes in macroautophagy, and cell death. Raman spectroscopy was used to test the potential to differentiate between retinal tissues of healthy mice and diseased mice. This work demonstrates retinal changes associated with the A53T mutation. Retinas of non-inoculated TgM83 mice had accumulation of α-synuclein, “pre-tangle” tau, activation of retinal glial cells, and photoreceptor cell loss by 8 months of age. The development of these changes is accelerated by inoculation with brain homogenate from clinically ill TgM83 mice. Compared to non-inoculated 5-month-old TgM83 mice, retinas of inoculated 5-month-old mice had increased accumulation of α-synuclein (pSer129) and pTauThr231 proteins, upregulated microglial activation, and dysregulated macroautophagy. Raman spectroscopic analysis was able to discriminate between healthy and diseased mice. This study describes retinal pathology resulting from the A53T mutation. We show that seeding with brain homogenates from old TgM83 mice accelerates retinal pathology. We demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy can be used to accurately identify a diseased retina based on its biochemical profile, and that α-synuclein accumulation may contribute to accumulation of pTauThr231 proteins, neuroinflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and photoreceptor cell death. Our work provides insight into retinal changes associated with Parkinson's disease, and may contribute to a better understanding of visual symptoms experienced by patients.