Development of a depuration protocol for commercially important edible bivalve molluscs of India: Ensuring microbiological safety.

We investigated the effect of depuration of three naturally contaminated commercially important tropical edible bivalve molluscs by varying temperature, salinity and body-size of animals harvested from Ashtamudi and Vembanad estuaries, India using a static depuration system to ensure microbiological food safety. Before depuration, the levels of faecal indicators and pathogens were above the acceptable limits for live consumption. The depuration water temperature had a significant effect on bacterial elimination. Log reduction of faecal coliforms (FC) and E. coli varied between room-temperature (RTDS) and low-temperature depuration system (LTDS) and it was in the range of 1.39-2.44 and 1.88-2.82 log MPN, respectively under RTDS and LTDS. The elimination of bacterial pathogens such as Vibrio and Salmonella spp. was rapid in RTDS compared to LTDS. The highest elimination of FC and E. coli (2.39 and 2.92 log) was at 35 psµ depuration and the lowest (0.87 and 1.65 log) at 15 psµ depuration. The reduction of FC and E. coli was higher in the medium-sized animals compared to the small animals. Based on the results it is recommended that depuration using the static system under room-temperature (30 ± 1 °C); a salinity range of (25-35 psµ) and using medium-size bivalves (clam>30 mm; mussel >45 mm, and oyster >65 mm length) as optimum conditions for producing microbiologically safe bivalves for live consumption within 36 h.

Temperature, salinity and body-size influences depuration of heavy metals in commercially important edible bivalve molluscs of India.

The effect of temperature, salinity and body-size on depuration of naturally accumulated heavy metals in clams, mussels and oysters harvested from Ashtamudi and Vembanad estuaries of Kerala, India were investigated using a static depuration system. Before depuration, the concentrations of heavy metals such as Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Zn were analysed and it was found that the Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb contents in all the three bivalve molluscs were above the prescribed limit which poses a significant health risk to bivalve consumers. To protect consumer food safety, depuration experiments were conducted at varying temperatures, salinities and body-sizes. The clams, mussels and oysters depurated under the room temperature depuration system (RTDS) showed a better reduction of heavy metals compared with low-temperature depuration system (LTDS). ANOVA showed clams and mussels depurated at RTDS significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the heavy metals than LTDS. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in oysters between RTDS and LTDS. Further, clams and mussels depurated at low salinity (15-psµ) showed high resistance against Pb reduction. But, all the heavy metals, particularly, Pb, Fe, Zn and Cu were effectively removed at higher salinity depuration (25-psµ and 35-psµ). Moreover, irrespective of the body-size of clams, mussels and oysters used for depuration, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in all metals (Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cu) was observed. Relatively, the medium-size bivalves showed higher reductions compared to small-size bivalves. Based on the experiments conducted, we recommend 48 h depuration using the static system under room temperature (30 ±â€¯1 °C) with a salinity range of (25-35 psµ) using medium-size bivalves (clam>30 mm; mussel >45 mm, and oyster >65 mm length) as optimum conditions for producing safe bivalves for consumption in the tropics.

Development of a perceived exertion scale for dogs using selected physiologic parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a perceived exertion scale for dogs exercising on a treadmill and to assess intra- and inter-observer variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy client-owned dogs participated in paired exercise trials. Measurements of lactate, glucose, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and regional tissue oximetry were obtained before, during and after exercise. Perceived exertion scale scores were recorded during exercise and using video recordings to evaluate inter-observer variability. Correlations were evaluated using the Spearman's non-parametric method. RESULTS: Thirteen dogs completed both trials. Dogs walked or trotted on the treadmill with an average perceived exertion score of 2 in both trials. Holter heart rate was positively correlated with perceived exertion scale scores from all observers for both trials. In trial 1, plasma glucose decreased in association with increase in perceived exertion and, in trial 2, cutaneous oximetry decreased, respiratory rate increased and temperature increased with increases on the perceived exertion scale. Inter-observer perceived exertion scale scores were positively correlated in both trials. There was no intra-observer variability between trials. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The perceived exertion scale correlated with the measured physiologic parameters in dogs exercising at mild to moderate intensity. The perceived exertion scale was consistent and repeatable but larger study numbers and further validation are needed before it can be widely applied.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous clindamycin phosphate in captive Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus).

This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic, in Bennett's wallabies. The pharmacokinetic properties of a single intravenous (IV) dose of clindamycin were determined in six wallabies. A single 20-min IV infusion of 20 mg/kg of clindamycin was administered, followed by blood collection prior to, and up to 12 hr after clindamycin administration. Plasma clindamycin concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. Pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using a two-compartment model with first order elimination which best fit the data. The mean volume of distribution at steady-state, distribution half-life, and elimination half-life were 898.25 ml/kg, 0.16 hr, 1.79 hr, respectively. No adverse effects were noted after IV administration.

Risk of failure of adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in obese pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric obesity is a leading risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition commonly treated with adenotonsillectomy (T&A). It has been hypothesized that obesity increases a child's risk of failing T&A for OSA, however this relationship has not yet been quantified. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity as measured by perioperative Body Mass Index (BMI) and persistent OSA following T&A as measured by polysomnography (PSG). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Pediatric patients who underwent T&A between Jan. 2004 and Jan. 2016 were included. We recruited both obese and non-obese patients to compare caregiver/self reported improvement. Obese patients were recruited from a weight management clinic and included if they had a BMI z-score >1.65 and had pre- and post-operative polysomnograms (PSGs). Control patients included those undergoing T&A for OSA at our institution with BMI <1.65. These patients were age matched to the obese patient population. Age, gender, perioperative BMI z-score, caregiver/self reported improvement, total Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), and O2 saturation nadir were collected where available. Univariate linear regressions were calculated between perioperative BMI z-score and PSG data. RESULTS: 26 obese study and 47 control subjects were identified for analysis. T&A resulted in statistically significant improvements in total AHI (p = 0.030) and nadir O2 saturation (p = 0.013) in obese subjects. There was no significant difference between the rate of caregiver/self reported improvement in the two groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between perioperative BMI z-score and the change in total AHI (p = 0.049). Within our population, for every increase by 0.1 in perioperative BMI z-score, the improvement in total AHI post-operatively decreased by 1.63 events/hr. Further, patients with BMI more than 3 standard deviations away from the age-derived normative mean received essentially no benefit from T&A alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study established an inverse linear relationship between perioperative BMI z-score and improvement in total AHI with essentially no improvement in patients with BMI z-scores >3. Further studies are required to further elucidate this relationship and investigate the role of additional procedures in the initial management of OSA in obese children.

Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time using a point-of-care analyser (Abaxis VSpro®) in Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus).

There are few reports of coagulation times in marsupial species. Blood samples collected from 14 Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) under anaesthesia during routine health assessments were analysed for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) using a point-of-care analyser (POC) (Abaxis VSPro®). The wallabies had an aPTT mean of 78.09 s and median of 78.1 s. The PT for all wallabies was greater than 35 s, exceeding the longest time measured on the POC. Although PT was significantly longer, aPTT was similar to the manufacturer's domestic canine reference range.

Initial Case Reports of Cancer in Naked Mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber).

Naked mole-rats (NMRs;Heterocephalus glaber) are highly adapted, eusocial rodents renowned for their extreme longevity and resistance to cancer. Because cancer has not been formally described in this species, NMRs have been increasingly utilized as an animal model in aging and cancer research. We previously reported the occurrence of several age-related diseases, including putative pre-neoplastic lesions, in zoo-housed NMR colonies. Here, we report for the first time 2 cases of cancer in zoo-housed NMRs. In Case No. 1, we observed a subcutaneous mass in the axillary region of a 22-year-old male NMR, with histologic, immunohistochemical (pancytokeratin positive, rare p63 immunolabeling, and smooth muscle actin negative), and ultrastructural characteristics of an adenocarcinoma possibly of mammary or salivary origin. In Case No. 2, we observed a densely cellular, poorly demarcated gastric mass of polygonal cells arranged in nests with positive immunolabeling for synaptophysin and chromogranin indicative of a neuroendocrine carcinoma in an approximately 20-year-old male NMR. We also include a brief discussion of other proliferative growths and pre-cancerous lesions diagnosed in 1 zoo colony. Although these case reports do not alter the longstanding observation of cancer resistance, they do raise questions about the scope of cancer resistance and the interpretation of biomedical studies in this model. These reports also highlight the benefit of long-term disease investigations in zoo-housed populations to better understand naturally occurring disease processes in species used as models in biomedical research.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in commercially important marine fishes from Mumbai Harbor, India.

Seventeen commercially important marine fish species were caught in Mumbai Harbor using a trawl net and evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and ICP-OES. It was found that certain species of fish contained lower levels of all metals tested. J. elongatus and C. dussumieri had the highest levels of all 8 metals tested. The heavy metal concentrations were significantly varied within and between the studied fishes (p<0.05). However, a significant correlation among heavy metals was observed. This investigation indicated that various levels of heavy metals exist in the fish species sampled, but those concentrations are within the maximum residual levels recommended by the European Union and FAO/WHO. Therefore, fish caught in Mumbai Harbor can be considered safe for human consumption.

Meloxicam pharmacokinetics using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling in ferrets after single subcutaneous administration.

This study was designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam, an oxicam class, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in ferrets. We determined the pharmacokinetic properties of a single subcutaneous dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) in nine male and nine female ferrets. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture of the cranial vena cava into heparinized syringes. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to take advantage of the population-based sampling scheme and to minimize sample volume collected per animal. Maximum plasma concentration, volume of distribution per absorption, and elimination half-life were 0.663 µg/mL, 0.21 L, and 11.4 h, respectively, for females and 0.920 µg/mL, 0.35 L, and 17.8 h, respectively, for males. Significant differences were found in each of the above parameters between male and female ferrets. Systemic clearance per absorption was not affected by gender and was 13.4 mL/h. Analgesic efficacy was not evaluated, but plasma meloxicam concentrations achieved in these animals are considered effective in other species. Sex differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior of meloxicam should be taken into consideration when treating ferrets.

Relationship between gastrointestinal transit time and anesthetic fasting protocols in the captive chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes.

BACKGROUND: Lengthy social separation and prolonged fasting time contribute to increased risks associated with anesthesia in captive primates. This study is an initial attempt to identify a safe pre-anesthetic fasting procedure by identifying gastric emptying time (GET) and gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) of captive chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes. METHODS: Seven adult chimpanzees at the North Carolina Zoo immobilized for annual physical examinations were fed barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres to measure GET. Eleven animals were individually fed a color dye marker and fecal passage was observed to determine GTT. RESULTS: Gastric emptying time (GET) was approximated to be >3 hours but <16 hours. The mean GTT was 16.5 hours. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a fasting time of 3 hours would allow for complete gastric emptying and could potentially replace the current overnight fast (≥16 hour) to help minimize complications associated with pre-anesthetic fasting in captive primates.

Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in an alpaca.

An adult alpaca was presented because of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction. The putative diagnosis at surgery was an intestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis and intra-abdominal adhesions. The cause of the inflammation was not determined at that time. The alpaca died soon after surgery from post-surgical complications and a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia that was not diagnosed until necropsy.

Modeling of fugitive dust emission and control measures in stone crushing industry.

Stone crushing in India is a small scale industry, where most of the operations are performed manually. A cluster of 72 stone crushing units located at Trisoolam in Chennai is a source of high levels of dust generation in the vicinity of the crushers and in the communities surrounding them. An ambient air quality monitoring network was designed and operated over 3 months (June-August, 2006) at 17 sites across the Trisoolam area. Wind speed and direction were monitored continuously every 1 hour to determine the upwind and downwind directions for the air quality monitoring program. The TSPM concentration at the source varied 1268-4108 microg/m(3) with a mean of 2759 microg/m(3), whereas in ambient air varied 65-417 microg/m(3) with a mean of 190 microg/m(3). The percentage of particulate fractions PM(2.5), PM(10), PM(15), and PM(30) was 14.3, 36.6, 45 and 73.5% of the total dust respectively. The settleable particulate matter was found to be 45% and the maximum percent of particles is in the range of 3-5 microm (8 %). Both ambient dust concentration and occupational exposure level exceeded Indian National Standards at most of the locations. Mathematical models viz., FDM, ISCST3 and AERMOD were employed for prediction of dust emission from stone crushers on the surrounding areas. The impact zone for measured concentration varied 211-1350 m with a mean of 784 m. The impact zone for predicted concentrations of FDM, ISCST3 and AERMOD varied 153-2650 m, 143-1056 m, 135-1225 m with a mean of 1335 m, 501 m and 679 m respectively. The control measures adopted at these stone crushing units are not sufficient enough to bring down the concentration within the stipulated limits. There is a scope for further improvement of control measures at these stone crushing units.

Microbiology of the external ear canal in six African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

Samples collected from both external ear canals of six adult female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) were cultured for fungi, yeasts and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. All the samples produced heavy growths of several aerobic bacteria, but anaerobic bacteria were rare and no fungi or yeasts were isolated. The most common bacterium isolated was Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was cultured from 11 of the 12 ears. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus lwoffi, alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus and Corynebacterium species, and Aeromonas caviae were all isolated from at least six of the 12 ears.

Physical mapping of a large-plaque mutation of adenovirus type 2.

We have developed a simple method based on cotransfection of overlapping DNA restriction fragments for construction of recombinants of adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) and Ad5. When Ad2 DNA digested with restriction endonuclease EcoRI was cotransfected with Ad5 DNA digested with SalI, recombination occurred between Ad2 EcoRI-A (map position 0 to 59) and Ad5 SalI-A (map position 45 to 100). Analysis of the recombinant DNAs by digestion with EcoRI or BamHI restriction endonucleases indicated that, as expected, recombination had occurred in overlapping sequences (map position 45 to 59) between the Ad2 EcoRI-A fragment and the Ad5 SalI-A fragment. By using this method, several recombinants were constructed between a large-plaque (lp) mutant of Ad2 and wild-type Ad5. Cleavage of the recombinant genomes with restriction endonucleases BamHI, EcoRI, and HindIII revealed that the lp mutation is located within the left 41% of Ad2 genome.

Enhanced infectivity of adenovirus type 2 DNA and a DNA-protein complex.

The infectivity of adenovirus type 2 DNA and a DNA-protein complex was studied in 293 cells, a human embryonic kidney cell line transformed by sheared adenovirus type 5 DNA, and in human KB cells. Adenovirus type 2 DNA was more infectious (up to about 40-fold) in 293 cells than in KB cells, whereas a DNA-protein complex (prepared by a rapid procedure) had about the same infectivity in both cell lines. These data may mean that a factor present in 293 cells (perhaps a viral-coded protein) enhances the infectivity of free viral DNA. The infectivity of DNA and the DNA-protein complex was increased up to fivefold by brief treatment of cell monolayers with 25% dimethyl sulfoxide after transfection. Under these conditions, (i) the infectivity of native adenovirus type 2 DNA ranged from 400 to 1,300 PFU/microgram of DNA in 293 cells and from about 9 to 14 PFU/microgram of DNA in KB cells, and (ii) the infectivity of the DNA-protein complex was 6 X 10(3)to 2 X 10(4) PFU/microgram in 293 cells and 1.4 X 10(4) to 1.6 X 10(4) PFU/microgram in KB cells.