Evaluation of VEGF-A and CCL2 in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome or canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and in normocephalic dogs.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) of West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs) often cause intermittent or chronic hypoxemia. Our objective was to evaluate serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentrations of hypoxemia-related proinflammatory mediators vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and chemokine (CC motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in brachycephalic dogs (BDs) and WHWTs with and without CIPF. Additionally, effects of BOAS severity and ageing on these mediators were assessed. 114 BDs (28 English Bulldogs (EBs), 37 French Bulldogs, 49 Pugs), 16 WHWTs with CIPF, 26 healthy WHWTs, and 39 normocephalic control dogs were included. Fifty-four BDs were re-examined after two to three years. Bead-based immunoassay was used for proinflammatory mediator measurements. Compared with controls, significantly higher serum concentrations of VEGF-A were seen in EBs (P = 0.009) and of CCL2 in CIPF and healthy WHWTs (P < 0.001; P = 0.002). BALF samples were available from controls, EBs, and WHWTs. VEGF-A was significantly lower in EBs (P < 0.001) and in CIPF and healthy WHWTs (P = 0.006; P = 0.007) and CCL2 was higher in CIPF WHWTs (P = 0.01) compared with controls. Between visits, only serum VEGF-A significantly decreased in BDs (P < 0.001), but breed, BOAS severity, or its change had no significant effect. In conclusion, in EBs with BOAS proinflammatory changes in VEGF-A were detected in both serum and BALF. Ageing reduced serum VEGF-A in BDs. In WHWTs, our results confirmed earlier findings of CCL2 as an important biomarker for CIPF.

MRI whirpool sign in midgut volvulus with malrotation in pregnancy.

Midgut volvulus is a rare complication of pregnancy with high morbidity and mortality rates. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult in pregnant women. Ionizing radiation imaging modalities are not advised. Ultrasonography (US) is safer but sometimes is unable to reveal the characteristic whirlpool sign of midgut volvulus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contributed to confirm diagnosis in our case. We present here a case of 34-year-old pregnant woman at 14 weeks of gestation who presented with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. US was not conclusive. MRI revealed the typical whirlpool sign of midgut volvulus.

Biofilm and siderophore effects on secondary waste water disinfection.

The efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection of wastewater effluent using a large-scale pilot system was studied. The relationship between biofilm and siderophore production and UV doses received by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 15442 was determined. UV decreased pyoverdine production and enhanced biofilm production. Consequently external factors conditioned by both pyoverdine and biofilm may affect the UV effect on bacterial disinfection.

[Transverse fracture of the sacrum: value of imaging. A case report]. / Fracture transversale du sacrum: place de l'imagerie. A propos d'un cas.

Transverse fractures of the sacrum with major displacement are rare and often misdiagnosed. A case of transverse fracture of the sacrum with cauda equina injury is reported. The diagnosis was not recognized initially. Conventional radiographs of the pelvis failed to demonstrate the fracture. True lateral sacral views and CT scan with reconstructions allowed analysis of the different sagittal fracture lines to facilitate surgical planning. These examinations should be considered in all patients with history of high energy trauma and clinical signs indicating lumbosacral injury.

[Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant Tunisian women and validation of a clinical algorithm proposed by WHO for the management of sexually transmitted diseases]. / Etude de la prévalence des MST chez les femmes tunisiennes enceintes et validation de l'algorithme clinique proposé par l'OMS pour la prise en charge des MST.

The objectives of our study are to assess the prevalence of STD agents in Tunisia and to validate the WHO algorithm of STD management. The most frequent STD agents are Trichomonas vaginalis and Chlamydiae trachomatis, respectively with a prevalence of 5.6% and 1.7%. The assessment of the syndromic approach shows that the sensitivity and specificity of the WHO algorithm can be improved by the introduction of risk factors. The training of health care service providers and the use of an algorithm including risk factors can improve this approach, which is useful when laboratories services are not available.