Bacterial endometritis-induced changes in the endometrial proteome in mares: Potential uterine biomarker for bacterial endometritis.

Equine endometritis is one of the main causes of subfertility in the mare. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in this condition and pinpointing proteins with biomarker potential could be crucial in both diagnosing and treating this condition. This study aimed to identify the endometritis-induced changes in the endometrial proteome in mares and to elucidate potential biological processes in which these proteins may be involved. Secondly, biomarkers related to bacterial endometritis (BE) in mares were identified. Uterine lavage fluid samples were collected from 28 mares (14 healthy: negative cytology and culture, and no clinical signs and 14 mares with endometritis: positive cytology and culture, in addition to clinical signs). Proteomic analysis was performed with a UHPLC-MS/MS system and bioinformatic analysis was carried out using Qlucore Omics Explorer. Gene Ontology enrichment and pathway analysis (PANTHER and KEGG) of the uterine proteome were performed to identify active biological pathways in enriched proteins from each group. Quantitative analysis revealed 38 proteins differentially abundant in endometritis mares when compared to healthy mares (fold changes >4.25, and q-value = 0.002). The proteins upregulated in the secretome of mares with BE were involved in biological processes related to the generation of energy and REDOX regulation and to the defense response to bacterium. A total of 24 biomarkers for BE were identified using the biomarker workbench algorithm. Some of the proteins identified were related to the innate immune system such as isoforms of histones H2A and H2B involvement in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, complement C3a, or gelsolin and profilin, two actin-binding proteins which are essential for dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton during cell migration. The other group of biomarkers were three known antimicrobial peptides (lysosome, equine cathelicidin 2 and myeloperoxidase (MPO)) and two uncharacterized proteins with a high homology with cathelicidin families. Findings in this study provide the first evidence that innate immune cells in the equine endometrium undergo reprogramming of metabolic pathways similar to the Warburg effect during activation. In addition, biomarkers of BE in uterine fluid of mares including the new proteins identified, as well as other antimicrobial peptides already known, offer future lines of research for alternative treatments to antibiotics.

Parada cardiorrespiratoria intrahospitalaria: incidencia, factores pronósticos y resultados / In-hospital cardiac arrest: incidence, prognostic factors and results

Introducción y objetivos: La parada cardiorrespiratoria (PCR) intrahospitalaria es una entidad clínica con elevada morbimortalidad que presentan hasta el 2% de los pacientes ingresados. La PCR supone un importante problema de salud pública a nivel económico, social y sanitario, susceptible de revisión y mejora. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar su incidencia, la recuperación de la circulación espontánea (RCE) y la supervivencia en el Hospital de la Princesa, así como las características clínicas y demográficas de los pacientes que la sufren. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, descriptivo, de tipo registro de casos, durante un periodo de 12 meses, de pacientes por los que se avisó por PCR al equipo de intervención rápida (EIR) compuesto por el servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación. Resultados: Un total de 44 pacientes fueron incluidos en el estudio, de los cuales 22 (50%) eran mujeres. La edad media fue de 75,70 años (±15,78 años). La incidencia obtenida fue de 2,88 PCR por cada 100.000 ingresos hospitalarios; 22 (50%) pacientes consiguieron la RCE y 11 (25%) obtuvieron la supervivencia al alta hospitalaria. La comorbilidad más prevalente en los pacientes con PCR fue la hipertensión arterial (63,64%). No fueron presenciadas el 66,7% de las PCR y solo el 15,9% presentaron un ritmo desfibrilable. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos son similares a los presentados en otros grandes estudios. Por esta razón, recomendamos implementar EIR y dedicar tiempo a la formación del personal hospitalario en torno a la PCR.(AU)

Background and aims: In-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) is a clinical entity with high morbidity and mortality that occurs in up to 2% of hospitalized patients. It is a public health problem with important economic, social, and medical repercussions, and as such its incidence needs to be reviewed and improved. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of in-hospital CA, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and survival rates at Hospital de la Princesa, and to define the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with in-hospital CA. Material and methods: Retrospective observational chart review of patients presenting in-hospital CA and treated by anaesthesiologists from the hospital's rapid intervention team. Data were collected over 1 year. Results: Forty-four patients were included in the study, of which 22 (50%) were women. Mean age was 75.70 years (±15.78 years), and incidence of in-hospital CA was 2.88 per 100,000 hospital admissions. Twenty-two patients (50%) achieved ROSC and 11 patients (25%) survived until discharge home. The most prevalent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (63.64%); 66.7% of cases were not witnessed, and only 15.9% presented a shockable rhythm. Conclusions: These results are similar to those reported in other larger studies. We recommend introducing immediate intervention teams and devoting time to training hospital staff in in-hospital CA.(AU)

Los equivalentes metabólicos estimados no se relacionan con el consumo máximo de oxígeno calculado en pacientes candidatos a cirugía de resección pulmonar / Estimated metabolic equivalents of task do not correlate with the maximal oxygen consumption of patients undergoing lung resection surgery

Antecedentes y objetivo: Los equivalentes metabólicos (MET) son una medida fisiológica que representa el coste metabólico de una actividad de la vida cotidiana. Un MET equivale al consumo metabólico en reposo. Los MET se pueden estimar mediante cuestionarios o calcular a partir de la medida del máximo consumo de oxígeno (VO2máx). El objetivo de este estudio es determinar si existe concordancia entre los MET estimados en la consulta de preanestesia (METSe) con los MET calculados a partir de VO2máx (METVO2). Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes candidatos a cirugía de resección pulmonar. La estimación de los METSe se obtuvo en la consulta de preanestesia de acuerdo a las guías europeas y americanas de valoración cardiovascular preoperatoria en cirugía no cardiaca de 2014. El VO2máx se calculó en el laboratorio de ergometría. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 104 pacientes en el estudio, de los que 25 (24%) eran mujeres. La edad media fue de 65,1 años (±9,8). Veintiséis pacientes (25%) presentaron una clasificación concordante de METSe con METVO2 (κ=−0,107; p=0,02). En el resto de los pacientes, los METSe sobreestimaron la capacidad funcional medida por ergometría (METSe>METVO2). Conclusiones: La valoración subjetiva sobreestima la capacidad funcional y no debe reemplazar la realización de pruebas objetivas en pacientes propuestos para cirugía de resección pulmonar.(AU)

Background and objective: Metabolic equivalent of task (MET) is a physiological measure that represents the metabolic cost of an activity of daily living. One MET is equivalent to the resting metabolic rate. METs can be estimated by questionnaires or calculated by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The aim of this study is to determine whether METs estimated in the pre- consultation (METse) correlates with METs calculated from VO2max (METsVO2). Patients and methods: Retrospective observational study in patients scheduled for lung resection surgery. The estimation of METs was obtained in the pre- consultation according to the 2014 European and American guidelines for preoperative cardiovascular assessment in non-cardiac surgery. VO2max was calculated in the ergometry laboratory. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in the study, of whom 25 (24%) were female. The mean age was 65.1 years (±9.8). In 26 patients (25%), the METse classification correlated with METsVO2 (κ=−0.107; P=0.02). In the remaining patients, METse overestimated functional capacity measured by ergometry (METse>METsVO2). Conclusions: Subjective assessment overestimates functional capacity and should not replace objective testing in patients scheduled for lung resection surgery.(AU)

Estimated metabolic equivalents of task do not correlate with the maximal oxygen consumption of patients undergoing lung resection surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metabolic equivalent of task (MET) is a physiological measure that represents the metabolic cost of an activity of daily living. One MET is equivalent to the resting metabolic rate. METs can be estimated by questionnaires or calculated by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The aim of this study is to determine whether METs estimated in the pre-consultation (METse) correlates with METs calculated from VO2max (METsVO2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study in patients scheduled for lung resection surgery. The estimation of METs was obtained in the pre-consultation according to the 2014 European and American guidelines for preoperative cardiovascular assessment in non-cardiac surgery. VO2max was calculated in the ergometry laboratory. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included in the study, of whom 25 (24%) were female. The mean age was 65.1 years (±9.8). In 26 patients (25%), the METse classification correlated with METsVO2 (κ = -0.107 P = .02). In the remaining patients, METse overestimated functional capacity measured by ergometry (METse > METsVO2). CONCLUSIONS: Subjective assessment overestimates functional capacity and should not replace objective testing in patients scheduled for lung resection surgery.

Carboxymethylcellulose and psyllium effects in sand output of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulation / [Efeitos da carboximetilcelulose e do psyllium sobre a eliminação de areia de cavalos com sablose assintomática]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Psyllium (PSY) and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) administration on fecal elimination of sand in horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations. Eight horses were selected from sandy areas and randomly divided into 2 groups of four animals. The subjects were treated either with CMC or PSY. The presence of intestinal sand was confirmed through radiography and glove sedimentation test. The study was performed in two phases, with a 7-day interval. In phase I, all the animals received 8 liters of warm water; in phase II, the CMC group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of CMC, whereas the PSY group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of PSY. All administrations were performed through nasogastric intubation and fractionated in 2 equal volume administrations with an interval of two hours. General and specific physical examination of the digestive system were performed in conjunction with abdominal ultrasonography before the administrations and after 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours, aiming to evaluate intestinal motility and presence of sand. All the feces eliminated by the animals within the 72 hours following the administrations were quantified, diluted and sedimented in order to calculate the sand output (g/kg of feces). All the animals were also subjected to radiographic examination to quantify sand accumulation prior to phase I and after 72 hours of phases I and II. No adverse effects were observed after the treatments. It was possible to notice higher sand elimination in both groups during the phase I, whereas no difference was observed in sand elimination rates between the groups in phase II. The radiographic scores presented differences between the initial timepoint and 72h in phases I and II for both groups. Based on the sand elimination rates and radiographic score, this study demonstrated that sand output was greater after administration of water alone, compared to CMC and Psyllium, leading to the inference that removal of the sandy environment and prevention of sand re-ingestion are effective measures for the elimination of sand from the colon of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração do psyllium (PSY) e da carboximetilcelulose (CMC) sobre a eliminação fecal de areia em equinos com sablose assintomática. Oito equinos com confirmação radiográfica de sablose assintomática foram divididos em dois grupos (grupo CMC e grupo PSY). O estudo foi realizado em duas fases, com intervalo de sete dias. Na fase 1, todos os animais receberam 8L de água; na fase 2, o grupo CMC recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de CMC e o grupo PSY recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de PSY. Antes da administração de cada solução e após seis, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas, foram realizados exame físico e ultrassonografia abdominal. Todas as fezes eliminadas em 72 horas foram avaliadas para quantificar a eliminação de areia (g/kg de fezes). Antes da fase 1 e após 72 horas das fases 1 e 2, o exame radiográfico foi realizado para quantificar o escore de acúmulo de areia. Houve maior eliminação de areia após a administração de água em comparação com a administração de CMC, e não se observou diferença entre a CMC e o PSY. Uma redução significativa nos escores radiográficos de acúmulo de areia foi observada após a administração de água, bem como a manutenção dos escores após a administração da CMC e do PSY. Com base na produção de areia e no escore radiográfico, este estudo sugere que a remoção do ambiente arenoso, impedindo a reingestão de areia, é uma medida eficaz para a eliminação da areia do cólon de cavalos com acúmulos de areia assintomáticos.(AU)

Effects of magnesium sulfate and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate on fecal hydration, output and systemic hydration in healthy horses / [Efeitos do sulfato de magnésio e do dioctil-sulfossuccinato de sódio na hidratação e eliminação fecal e sobre a hidratação sistêmica de cavalos saudáveis]

Magnesium sulphate (MS) and dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (DSS) are laxative drugs frequently used for the treatment of impactions. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MS and DSS in fecal hydration, output and systemic hydration in healthy horses. Five healthy horses received 3 treatments with a 21-day interval. Treatment 1 was performed with administration of 4 liters of warm water; treatment 2: administration of 4 liters of warm water associated with 1g/kg of MS; and treatment 3: administration of 4 liters of warm water associated with 20mg/kg DSS. General and specific physical examination of the digestive system were performed, alongside with packed cell volume and total plasma protein measurement, abdominal ultrasonography and quantification of the amount and hydration of feces, before and 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after the treatments. No adverse effects were observed. The administration of laxatives promoted greater fecal output and hydration without resulting in systemic dehydration, yet no differences were observed between treatments. The absence of adverse effects of DSS demonstrates the safety of its use as a laxative drug at a dose of 20mg/kg. Studies comparing the effects of the laxative drugs in horses with large colon impaction are needed.(AU)

O sulfato de magnésio (SM) e o dioctil-sulfossuccinato de sódio (DSS) são drogas laxativas frequentemente utilizadas no tratamento da compactação. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos do SM e do DSS na hidratação e eliminação fecal, e na hidratação sistêmica de cavalos saudáveis. Cinco cavalos receberam três tratamentos, com intervalo de 21 dias. O tratamento 1 consistiu na administração de quatro litros de água morna; o tratamento 2: administração de quatro litros de água morna associada a 1g/kg de SM; e o tratamento 3: administração de quatro litros de água morna associada a 20mg/kg de DSS. Foram realizados exames físicos gerais e específicos do trato digestivo, hematócrito e proteína plasmática total, ultrassonografia abdominal e mensuração da quantidade e hidratação das fezes antes e após seis, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas dos tratamentos. Não foram observados efeitos adversos. A administração de ambos os laxantes promoveu maior produção fecal e hidratação, sem resultar em desidratação sistêmica, entretanto não houve diferença entre os tratamentos. A ausência de efeitos adversos do DSS demonstra a segurança de seu uso como medicamento laxante na dose de 20mg/kg. São necessários estudos que comparem o efeito dos laxantes em equinos portadores de compactação de cólon.(AU)

Lung pulse visualized through pleural effusion as a diagnostic sign of complete obstructive atelectasis of the left lung in a critical patient with respiratory failure. / Pulso pulmonar visualizado a través de derrame pleural como signo diagnóstico de atelectasia obstructiva completa del pulmón izquierdo en paciente crítico con insuficiencia respiratoria.

Complete obstructive atelectasis occurs when mucous or a foreign body obstruct one of the main bronchi. Several lung ultrasound signs have been associated with this entity. We describe the case of a patient admitted to the surgical critical care unit in whom lung ultrasound led to a diagnosis of complete obstructive atelectasis, and the presence of pleural effusion provided direct visualization of lung pulse, a sign that has only previously been described by interpreting ultrasound artifacts.

Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to Streptococcus equi infection in an adult horse - case report / Osteomielite vertebral cervical secundária à infecção por Streptococcus equi em um cavalo adulto - relato de caso

A 15-year-old, mixed breed, male horse was attended with a history of multiple abscesses in the cervical region with a three-year evolution. Upon admission, three fistulous tracts with drainage of purulent secretions in the cervical region, low body score, restriction of cervical movements, and painful sensitivity to palpation were observed. The horse was diagnosed with osteomyelitis secondary to Streptococcus equi infection. The initial treatment was antibiotic therapy and local curative. Owing to the lack of response, surgical debridement was performed. An initial favorable response was observed; however, after 4 months, drainage recurred, and the animal was euthanized. A post-mortem computed tomography scan was performed to obtain details of the injury. Cervical osteomyelitis is rare, and its occurrence through hematogenous spread in adult horses and the tomographic findings had not been reported previously. The long period of evolution, difficulty in performing an aggressive debridement, and the presence of multi-drug resistant bacteria contributed to the negative outcome.(AU)

Um equino macho, sem raça definida, de 15 anos de idade, foi atendido com histórico de múltiplos abscessos cervicais com evolução de três anos. Na admissão, foram observados: três trajetos fistulosos com drenagem de material purulento na região cervical; baixo escore corporal; restrição de movimentos cervicais; e sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação da região. Foi diagnosticada osteomielite vertebral cervical secundária à infecção por Streptococcus equi. O tratamento inicial consistiu na administração de antibióticos e curativo local. Na ausência de resposta à terapia, realizou-se o debridamento cirúrgico. Inicialmente, obteve-se uma resposta favorável, entretanto, após quatro meses, houve recidiva da lesão e o animal foi submetido à eutanásia. Realizou-se tomografia computadorizada no post mortem para detalhamento da lesão. A osteomielite vertebral cervical é rara, e sua ocorrência por meio de disseminação hematógena em animais adultos não foi previamente reportada. O longo período de evolução, aliado à dificuldade de realização de um debridamento agressivo, e a característica multirresistente do agente etiológico contribuíram para o desfecho negativo do caso.(AU)

Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy secondary to nerve compression by melanomas - case report / Neuropatia laríngea recorrente secundária à compressão por melanomas - relato de caso

Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) etiology can be acquired, iatrogenic or idiopathic. There are no previous reports of RLN caused by recurrent laryngeal nerve compression by melanomas. This report describes a horse presenting severe dyspnea and progressive weight loss. Physical exam demonstrated tachycardia, tachypnea, inspiratory dyspnea at rest, neck extension and mydriasis. Temporary tracheotomy was performed and videoendoscopic examination diagnosed grade IV laryngeal paralysis. The animal came suddenly to death by suppurative bacterial pneumonia. At necropsy, it was possible to observe multiple melanotic epithelioid melanoma nodules compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve, alongside with lung and parotid metastasis. This finding emphasizes the importance of establishing a differential diagnosis for tumor mass compression in the etiology of RLN, especially melanomas in gray horses, with or without cutaneous manifestations of masses.(AU)

A neuropatia laríngea recorrente (NLR) pode apresentar etiologia adquirida, iatrogênica ou idiopática. Não há relatos prévios da ocorrência da NLR causada pela compressão do nervo laríngeo recorrente por melanomas. Este relato descreve um equino apresentando dispneia grave e perda de peso progressiva. O exame físico demonstrou taquicardia, taquipneia, dispneia inspiratória em repouso, extensão do pescoço e midríase. Foi realizada traqueotomia temporária e exame videoendoscópico, mediante o qual se diagnosticou paralisia laríngea grau IV. O animal veio a óbito por pneumonia bacteriana supurativa. Na necropsia, foi possível observar múltiplos nódulos de melanoma epitelioide amelanótico comprimindo o nervo laríngeo recorrente, juntamente com metástases pulmonares e parotídeas. Este achado enfatiza a importância de estabelecer um diagnóstico diferencial nos casos de NLR, pensando-se na compressão nervosa por massas tumorais, especialmente melanomas em cavalos tordilhos, com ou sem manifestações cutâneas de massas.(AU)

Altered nitrogen metabolism in biocontrol strains of Penicillium rubens.

The importance of the metabolic route of nitrogen in the fungus Penicillium rubens (strain PO212) is studied in relation to its biocontrol activity (BA). PO212 can resist a high concentration of chlorate anion and displays a classical nitrate-deficiency (nit-) phenotype resulting in poor colonial growth when nitrate is used as the main source of nitrogen. Analyses of genes implicated in nitrate assimilation evidenced the strong sequence conservation of PO212 and CH8 genome with penicillin producers such as reference strain P. rubens Wisconsin 54-1255, P2niaD18 and Pc3, however also revealed the presence of mutations. PO212 carries a mutation in the gene coding for zinc-binuclear cluster transcription factor NirA that specifically mediates the regulation of genes involved in nitrate assimilation. The nirA1 mutation causes an early stop of NirA factor, losing 66% of its sequence. The NirA1 mutant form is unable to mediate a nitrate-dependent regulation of nitrate and nitrite reductase coding genes. In this study, we study another isolate, CH8, with potential BA and nit- phenotype. A mutation in the nitrate permease coding gene crnA was found in CH8. An insertion of a guanine in the coding sequence cause a frameshift in CrnA with the loss of the last two transmembrane domains. Analysis of PO212 and CH8 isolates and complementation strains show the importance of NirA regulator in maintaining correct transcriptional levels of nitrate and nitrite reductases and suggest CrnA as the main nitrate transporter. the presence of alternative transporter for chlorate and the existence of a mechanism for preventing nitrite derived toxicity in Penicillum. BA of PO212 is partially altered when nirA1 mutation was complemented. This result and the finding of CH8, a novel biocontrol P. rubens strain with a nit- phenotype, suggest that nitrogen metabolism is a component of biocontrol capacity.

Oxidation mechanisms of amoxicillin and paracetamol in the photo-Fenton solar process.

The present study shows the results of solar photo-Fenton oxidation of paracetamol (PCT) and amoxicillin (AMX). Fe2(SO4)3 was used as the source of iron and EDDS as the iron complexing agent, employing different doses of hydrogen peroxide. Two aqueous matrices, a synthetic wastewater and real wastewater from El Ejido WWTP effluent (Almeria) were used. In all cases, the process was operated under conditions of natural sunlight. Results showed that the degradation of both drugs is favoured when the aqueous matrix presents low concentration of carbonates. Under the conditions studied here, degradation percentages above 90% were obtained in the synthetic wastewater and 80% in the actual effluent. The degradation products were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight analyser. The intermediates detected throughout the oxidative process for both micro-contaminants were mainly products of hydroxylation reactions. The toxicity of the samples was determined using the bacterium Vibrio fischeri. In the acute toxicity test, it was observed that the bacteria did not undergo inhibition in any of the cases. However, chronic toxicity studies showed that the higher the Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) employed in the assays, the higher the bacterial inhibition.

Monitoring pulse pressure variation during lung resection surgery. / Monitorización de la variación de la presión de pulso durante la cirugía de resección pulmonar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although pulse pressure variation (PPV) is an effective dynamic parameter widely used to predict the increase in cardiac output after the administration of fluids in abdominal surgery, its use in thoracic surgery is controversial. A study was designed to describe the behaviour of PPV during lung resection surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted on adult patients scheduled for lung resection surgery. Patients with bleeding greater than 200cc, or those who required vasopressors during data collection, were excluded. The PPV values were collected during different phases: in bipulmonary ventilation (T1), after the start of single lung ventilation, and the opening of the thorax (T2), at the end of the procedure prior to the restoration of the bipulmonary ventilation (T3), and after the closure of the thorax in bipulmonary ventilation (T4). The correlation coefficient of the PPV values at the different times was calculated. RESULTS: The study included 50 consecutive patients. The mean values and standard deviations of PPV in the different phases were: T1, 11.14% (6.67); T2 6.24% (3.21, T3 5.68% (3.19), and T4 7.84% (4.61). The repeated ANOVA measurements found significant differences between the mean values of PPV in the different phases (P<.001). The correlation between the PPV values during T1 and T2 (PPVT1 and PPVT2) was r=0.868 ([P<.001], r2=0.753), while between T3 and T4 (PPVT3 and PPVT4) the correlation was r=0.616 ([P<.001], r2=0.379) between the PPV values in T3 and T4. CONCLUSIONS: PPV presents a predictable behaviour in the course of lung resection surgery, characterised by a decrease of almost half at the beginning of the unipulmonary ventilation and opening of the thorax. It then remains stable throughout the surgery when there are no changes in the intravascular blood volume.

Clinical course and pathogenicity of variant rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in experimentally infected adult and kit rabbits: Significance towards control and spread.

RHDVb has become the dominant RHDV on the Iberian Peninsula. A better understanding of its pathogenicity is required to aid control measures. Thus, the clinical course, humoral immune response, viraemia and kinetics of RHDV-N11 (a Spanish RHDVb isolate) infection in different tissues at both viral RNA and protein levels were studied in experimentally infected young and adult rabbits. The case fatality rate differed between the two age groups, with 21% of kits succumbing while no deaths were observed in adults. Fever and viremia were strongly associated with death, which occurred 48 h post infection (PI) too fast for an effective humoral immune response to be mounted. A significant effect on the number of viral RNA copies with regard to the variables age, tissue and time PI (p < 0.0001 in all cases) was detected. Histological lesions in infected rabbits were consistently more frequent and severe in liver and spleen and additionally intestine in kits, these tissues containing the highest levels of viral RNA and protein. Although no adults showed lesions or virus antigen in intestine, both kits and adults maintained steady viral RNA levels from days 1 to 7 PI in this organ. Analysis revealed the fecal route as the main dissemination route of RHDV-N11. Subclinically infected rabbits had detectable viral RNA in their faeces for up to seven days and thus may play an important role spreading the virus. This study allows a better understanding of the transmission of this virus and improvement of the control strategies for this disease.

Plasma and peritoneal fluid concentrations of ceftriaxone after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration in horses.

Intraperitoneal (IP) use of antimicrobial agents may lead to therapeutic effects with better clinical results than intravenous (IV) administration. The aim of this study was to compare plasma and peritoneal fluid concentrations of ceftriaxone after IP and IV administration in horses, and to evaluate possible adverse effects. One group of five horses received 25mg/kg ceftriaxone diluted in 1L saline solution by IP catheter once daily for 5 days, while a second group of five horses received 25mg/kg ceftriaxone diluted in 250mL saline solution by IV injection once daily for 5days and 1L saline solution by IP catheter once daily for 5 days. Peritoneal fluid and plasma were collected to determine ceftriaxone concentrations after the first and fifth administration. IP administration of ceftriaxone resulted in concentrations above a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1µg/mL for 24h in peritoneal fluid and for 12h in plasma, while IV administration of ceftriaxone resulted in lower peritoneal fluid concentrations, which remained above a MIC of 1µg/mL for 12h in peritoneal fluid and 10h in plasma. No adverse effects were observed. Comparisons of ceftriaxone concentrations, time of occurrence of the maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) concentrations, and the mean residence time (MRT), between the two groups showed that IP administration provided greater availability of cephalosporin in peritoneal fluid. The IP use of ceftriaxone (25mg/kg diluted in 1L saline solution once daily) may be useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of peritonitis in horses.

Collagen IV and laminin-1 expression in embryonic mouse lens using principal components analysis technique.

Immunohistochemistry section staining is not always easy to interpret. Manual quantification of immunohistochemical staining is limited by the observer visual ability to detect changes in level staining. Hence, the quantification of immunostaining by means of digital image analysis allows us to measure accurately protein expression percentages in immunobiological stained tissues and ensures to overcome the visual limitations. We perform an experimental study to analyse the impact of folic acid (FA) deficiency into collagen IV and laminin-1 expression in the embryonic mouse lens. The study starts with microscope images of embryos mouse lens whose mothers fed a diet deficient in FA during 2 and 8 weeks. A principal component analysis (PCA) image processing is used to analyse these images coming from control and FA deficit groups. The method permits to define an index of over- or infraexpression of collagen IV and laminin-1 associated to different spatial organisation structures (PC processes). Additionally, it permits to determine in precise percentage the exact quantity of the overexpression or infraexpression and finally to comprehend molecular regionalisation and expression in both control and deficient groups. The results suggest that even with 2 weeks of deficit of FA the expression and distribution of both molecules is affected.