Current Status and Future Prospects to Achieve Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication in South America.

South America has a favourable position with respect to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) compared with other FMD-affected regions due to the elimination of endemic clinical presentation of the disease. South America has reached the final stage of control and aims to eradicate the disease in the region under the provisions of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of FMD 2011-2020 (PHEFA). This programme aims at bringing eradication to completion, thereby eliminating the pool of foot-and-mouth disease genotypes active in South America. This plan includes a regional political agreement that provides strategies and technical guidelines for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease from South America. It incorporates knowledge and experience regarding the disease's history and its connection with the different production systems, animal movement and trade. The Pan American Foot and Mouth Disease Center has led the control and eradication programmes, providing the framework for designing national and subregional programmes that have led to significant progress in controlling the disease in South America. The current situation is the result of several factors, including the proper implementation of a national control programmes, good veterinary infrastructure in most countries and public-private participation in the process of eradicating the disease. Notwithstanding the favourable health status, there are significant challenges for the goal of eradication. At this stage, South American countries should enhance their surveillance strategies particularly through the use of target or risk-based surveys that contribute to increase the degree of sensitivity in the search for viral circulation in the context of absence of clinical occurrence of FMD.

Using Bayesian networks to explore the role of weather as a potential determinant of disease in pigs.

Many pathogens are sensitive to climatic variables and this is reflected in their seasonality of occurrence and transmission. The identification of environmental conditions that influence disease occurrence can be subtle, particularly considering their complex interdependencies in addition to those relationships between climate and disease. Statistical treatment of environmental variables is often dependent on their correlations and thus descriptions of climate are often restricted to means rather than accounting for the more precise aspects (including mean, maximum, minimum, variability). Here we utilize a novel multivariate statistical modelling approach, additive Bayesian network (ABN) analyses, to identify the inter-linkages of different weather variables to better capture short-term environmental conditions that are important drivers of disease. We present a case study that explores weather as a driver of disease in livestock systems. We utilize quality assurance health scheme data on ten major diseases of pigs from 875 finishing pig herds distributed across the United Kingdom over 7 years (2005-2011). We examine the relationship between the occurrence of these pathologies and contemporary weather conditions measured by local meteorological stations. All ten pathologies were associated with at least 2 other pathologies (maximum 6). Three pathologies were associated directly with temperature variables: papular dermatitis, enzootic pneumonia and milk spots. Latitude was strongly associated with multiple pathologies, though associations with longitude were eliminated when clustering for repeated observations of farms was assessed. The identification of relationships between climatic factors and different (potentially related) diseases offers a more comprehensive insight into the complex role of seasonal drivers and herd health status than traditional analytical methods.

Association between covariates and disease occurrence in the presence of diagnostic error.

Identification of covariates associated with disease is a key part of epidemiological research. Yet, while adjustment for imperfect diagnostic accuracy is well established when estimating disease prevalence, similar adjustment when estimating covariate effects is far less common, although of important practical relevance due to the sensitivity of such analyses to misclassification error. Case-study data exploring evidence for seasonal differences in Salmonella prevalence using serological testing is presented, in addition simulated data with known properties are analysed. It is demonstrated that: (i) adjusting for misclassification error in models comprising continuous covariates can have a very substantial impact on the resulting conclusions which can then be drawn from any analyses; and (ii) incorporating prior knowledge through Bayesian estimation can provide potentially more informative assessments of covariates while removing the assumption of perfect diagnostic accuracy. The method presented is widely applicable and easily generalized to many types of epidemiological studies.

The British pig health schemes: integrated systems for large-scale pig abattoir lesion monitoring.

Pig health schemes based on abattoir inspections provide an integrated system to optimise the postmortem detection and the reporting of pathological lesions. In Great Britain, two initiatives have been implemented by the pig industry: Wholesome Pigs Scotland (WPS) and the BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS). These schemes record the presence of a range of pathological lesions detected by means of detailed inspection of the pluck and the skin of the slaughtered pigs. The lesions are those associated with a reduction in performance traits or are indicators of animal welfare problems. This paper aims to provide an overview of the objectives behind the BPHS and their activities, outlining similarities and differences between WPS and BPHS on five main operational topics: the lesions monitored, the administration of the schemes, flow of the information, inspection strategies and the major idiosyncratic characteristics of the schemes. These initiatives inform individual producers and their veterinarians of the occurrence of pathological conditions affecting their pig herds. Additionally, they offer the added value of providing nationwide disease monitoring information and have the potential to be a useful surveillance tool for emerging and enzootic conditions.

¿Estamos tratando bien la enfermedad pilonidal en los niños? Objetivos terapéuticos más allá de prevenir la recidiva / Are we correctly treating pilonidal disease in children? Therapeutic goals beyond preventing recurrence

Introducción. Presentamos un estudio retrospectivo de nuestros pacientes pediátricos afectos de enfermedad pilonidal en los últimos5 años. Pacientes y método. Realizamos una extirpación amplia del tejido pilonidal, sin marcaje con colorantes de los trayectos y un cierre primario sin drenajes. Resultados. Atendimos a 20 adolescentes (15 mujeres y 5 varones)de edades comprendidas entre 12 y 15 años (edad media 13,3 años) e índice de masa corporal comprendido entre 17 y 33 (IMC medio 26,4kg/m2). La estancia media hospitalaria fue de 1,45 días. El 55% recibió antibioterapia preoperatoria con amoxicilina-clavulánico que se prolongó de forma oral durante 7 días. Tuvimos 4 recidivas de la enfermedad (20%) (dos de ellos con doble recidiva) que tratamos con 3 cierres primarios en línea media y tres con puesta a plano. En 2 casos en los que se produjo una dehiscencia parcial de la herida permitimos una cura por segunda intención. En ningún caso se realizaron colgajos o marsupializaciones. En todos ellos el resultado estético obtenido ha sido satisfactorio en nuestra opinión. Conclusiones. Aunque el cierre primario en línea media permite una reincorporación rápida a la actividad normal y el mantenimiento del pliegue interglúteo sin grandes cicatrices (aspectos que no se obtienen con la puesta a plano o el cierre con colgajos), la tasa de reintervenciones es inaceptable. Hemos incluido en nuestro protocolo quirúrgico el marcaje previo de los trayectos fistulosos con agua oxigenada y colorante para reducir las recidivas, junto con el control dietético del posible sobrepeso (AU)

Introduction. We present a retrospective study of our paediatric patients affected by pilonidal disease over the last 5 years. Patients and method. In all cases a broad excision of the pilonidalt issue was made, without colour signing the different incision sites and primary closure of the defect with no drainage. Results. Using this technique we treated 20 adolescents (15girls and 5 boys) of ages between 12 and 15 years (average age13.3 years) and body mass index between 17 and 33 (mean BMI26.4 kg/m2). Mean hospitalisation time was 1.45 days. Preoperative antibiotherapy with Amoxicillin-clavulanic was administered to 55% of patients and continued over the first postoperative week. We had four cases with recurrence of the disease (25%) (two of these with two recurrences), which we treated with three primary closures on the midline and three by flattening the cleft. In 2 cases with dehiscence of the wound we allowed treatment by secondary intention. No flaps or marsupialisation were attempted in any case. In all cases the result was aesthetically satisfactory, with maintenance of the intergluteal fold. Conclusions. In our series we have succeeded in undertaking primary closure of the defect after pilonidal resection without any excessive tension. This treatment enables a rapid return to a normal routine. We considered it important to undertake surgery that maintained the intergluteal fold, especially in patients with a short-term evolution of the disease, reserving flattening the cleft, closure by secondary intention, or primary closure by inserting fl aps only for cases of recurrent disease; those with long-term evolution; or patients with complex lesions prior to surgery. Nutritional support to reduce overweight is very important in many patients (AU)

Determination of haematological reference intervals in healthy adult greyhounds.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish breed-specific reference intervals for haematological measurands in non-racing greyhounds. Suitability of the data for partitioning according to sex was also examined. METHODS: Haematological data were collected from 304 healthy non-racing greyhounds and analysed using non-parametric methods. Results were compared with non-breed-specific canine reference intervals and also with greyhound reference intervals obtained by other investigators. RESULTS: Compared with non-breed-specific reference intervals, the results showed comparable mean and upper limit and higher lower limit for erythrocyte count; higher values for haemoglobin, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume; and lower values for total leucocyte count and absolute concentration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and platelets. Partitioning according to sex was recommended by the statistical analysis for all analytes except haematocrit and total leucocyte count. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this study the reference intervals were derived from a large sample size. The results are in general agreement with previous reports, although higher values for low reference limits have been noted for the erythroid parameters, and lower values for upper reference limits have been observed for the total and different leucocyte counts. Breed-specific reference intervals provide a useful clinical tool for haematological evaluations.

Abattoir-based study investigating the association between gross pathological lesions and serological tests for Salmonella infection in pigs.

Abattoir data collected from three British pig health monitoring schemes were combined to investigate the associations between Salmonella infection and the presence of gross lesions detected in slaughtered pigs. Each set of results was linked back to the farm from which the pigs were submitted, and the Salmonella results and lesions reports were connected at farm level. Salmonella infection was determined through meat juice ELISA (MJE), and the health conditions were assessed by postmortem inspection. The final dataset contained 873 slapmarks, with an average of 215 samples tested by MJE, and 355 pigs that were assessed for health conditions, per slapmark. Each of the health assessment conditions was individually analysed by regression models to investigate associations with the MJE results, accounting for clustering at the slapmark level and also for seasonality. A multivariable model was also used to estimate the strength of association with MJE results when all the health conditions were entered into the model. The results showed positive associations between Salmonella and enzootic pneumonia-like lesions, milk spots, peritonitis and pericarditis.

[Are we correctly treating pilonidal disease in children? therapeutic goals beyond preventing recurrence]. / Estamos tratando bien la enfermedad pilonidal en los niños? Objetivos terapéuticos más allá de prevenir la recidiva.

INTRODUCTION: We present a retrospective study of our paediatric patients affected by pilonidal disease over the last 5 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In all cases a broad excision of the pilonidal tissue was made, without colour signing the different incision sites and primary closure of the defect with no drainage. RESULTS: Using this technique we treated 20 adolescents (15 girls and 5 boys) of ages between 12 and 15 years (average age 13.3 years) and body mass index between 17 and 33 (mean BMI 26.4 kg/m2). Mean hospitalisation time was 1.45 days. Preoperative antibiotherapy with Amoxicillin-clavulanic was administered to 55% of patients and continued over the first postoperative week. We had four cases with recurrence of the disease (25%) (two of these with two recurrences), which we treated with three primary closures on the midline and three by flattening the cleft. In 2 cases with dehiscence of the wound we allowed treatment by secondary intention. No flaps or marsupialisation were attempted in any case. In all cases the result was aesthetically satisfactory, with maintenance of the intergluteal fold. CONCLUSIONS: In our series we have succeeded in undertaking primary closure of the defect after pilonidal resection without any excessive tension. This treatment enables a rapid return to a normal routine. We considered it important to undertake surgery that maintained the intergluteal fold, especially in patients with a short-term evolution of the disease, reserving flattening the cleft, closure by secondary intention, or primary closure by inserting flaps only for cases of recurrent disease; those with long-term evolution; or patients with complex lesions prior to surgery. Nutritional support to reduce overweight is very important in many patients.

Determination of serum biochemistry reference intervals in a large sample of adult greyhounds.

BACKGROUND: As large breed, highly muscled dogs, greyhounds are regarded as physiologically different to other breeds. Biochemistry reference intervals have previously been determined using small numbers of greyhounds or based on the observations from racing dogs. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop statistically defined reference intervals for biochemical analytes in healthy non-racing greyhounds. Partitioning according to gender was also examined. METHODS: Biochemical analytes from a population of non-racing healthy greyhounds, including 269 males, 202 females and 28 dogs where gender had not been recorded, were examined using a non-parametric statistical approach. The dogs were aged between one and nine years old. RESULTS: Total protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine reference intervals differed from generic reference intervals used for dogs. The reference intervals for greyhounds in this study are similar to those obtained by other studies of greyhounds, but often had a narrower range of values, likely reflecting more accurate estimation associated with larger numbers of reference individuals. Recommended methods for assessment of partitioning do not indicate a need to partition according to gender.

Calcium (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate on Echeveria gibbiflora leaves and its effect on sperm cells.

Echeveria gibbiflora is a plant widely used for its contraceptive activity in traditional Mexican medicine. Data on calcium crystals in plants are not outstanding. In the case of the Echeveria gibbiflora leaves, however, its quality, quantity, and salt type are quite surprising; one striking result of its X-ray crystallographic data shows the presence of calcium bis (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate [2(C4H5O(5)1), Ca(1)2+, 6(H2O1)]. This highly soluble compound might explain the rapid shape changes of calcium crystals. Because SEM-EDS analysis shows that calcium malate crystals were obtained in a highly pure state and the immobilization and agglutination pattern that OBACE show on human and bull spermatozoa are not found even when high concentrations of calcium bis (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate salt are present it is not feasible to involucrate molecules as calcium malate as part of the OBACE contraceptive activity.

Transciliary subfrontal craniotomy for anterior skull base lesions. Technical note.

Microsurgical approaches are the procedures of choice for high-risk patients with lesions requiring surgical treatment. The use of a microscope reduces the extent of the surgical invasion, thus minimizing the handling of healthy tissues. The authors present a surgical approach described for the first time in 1981, which has been used for the past 17 years in more than 260 patients with different tumors and vascular lesions of the anterior cranial fossa. The modification set forth in this article makes better exposure possible, allows more space for instrument handling, and improves cosmetic results. This particular report was based on the treatment of 41 patients who were observed for longer than 3 months. All of the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result.

Nucleons, I: A model for studying the mechanism of sperm nucleus swelling in vitro.

The nucleon, a highly organized chromatin structure, was studied to learn if its swelling takes place by the action of heparin/GSH, without the participation of any mechanism provided by sperm membranes, subcellular organelles, or other proteins foreign to the sperm nucleus. Sperm suspensions of guinea pigs and rats were incubated with 9 mM DTT and 1% CTAB. The nucleons obtained from washed epididymal spermatozoa appear under a phase-contrast microscope to preserve their original nucleus shape and to completely lack the acrosome, middle piece, and tail. In an electron microscope, nucleon thin sections show a slight nuclear chromatin decompressed from the periphery toward the center. An outstanding result was that the nucleon swelling pattern by heparin/GSH showed the same classic organization into hub-like nuclear bodies joined by a network of chromatin fibers ranging in thickness from 25 to 1.5 nm. Under the conditions of this study there was no need of any membrane or subcellular structure. At stage IV, all the thick fibers disappear, leaving only thin bead fibers on a string. With respect to nuclear swelling there is no doubt that the sperm chromatin is organized in a special form that decides a specific required pattern of unpacking.

Effects of a purified fraction from Echeveria gibbiflora aqueous crude extract on guinea-pig spermatozoa.

Guinea-pig spermatozoa in the presence of a purified fraction from Echeveria gibbiflora aqueous crude extract suffer a hypotonic-like effect. The phenomena exhibited included a distension of the plasma membrane over the acrosome region, inducing the formation of a huge 'head-bubble'. The agglutination effect was so enhanced that instead of inducing sperm clusters, it produced cane-like 'stalk' structures. The immobilizing activity was induced instantaneously after the addition of the purified fraction. At electron microscope level it was possible to observe a heavy amount of electron dense material of the purified fraction embedded or intercalated along the plasma membrane. It was also possible to corroborate the dispersion of the acrosomal content and the disappearance of the external acrosome membrane. The purified fraction induced loosening of the plasma membrane all along the sperm cell, however, the distension of the membrane was only produced in the apical portion of the sperm head and not in the post equatorial region. The results suggest that the plant may yield a compound suitable for use as a vaginal barrier or male contraceptive agent.

Correlation between sperm membrane destabilization by heparin and aniline blue staining as membrane integrity index.

Acidic aniline blue stain (AAB) was studied in relation to sperm membrane destabilization and nuclei decondensation by heparin. Untreated spermatozoa smears stained with AAB or vital stain shows 28.4% of stained and 71.6% of unstained nuclei. This behavior was also observed when incubation was done in the presence of 5 mM glutathione (GSH) used alone. In the presence of 21.6 microM heparin, staining of sperm cells commenced 10 min after heparin addition and was dependent on the incubation time. During the experiment 12.3% of the total cholesterol content and 20 micrograms protein/10(8) sperm cells were released. In the presence of 21.6 microM heparin-5 mM/GSH, swelling of sperm nuclei reach 95% after 150 min incubation. When this experiment was run along with AAB, the same average (45%) was seen in the first 30 min, which gives plenty of time to trigger the nuclei's decondensation mechanism. The percentage of stained cells was of 71%, indicating that the histone is not completely replaced, and insuring a positive reaction with AAB stain. It would appear that AAB stain can be used as a membrane integrity index to confirm the destabilization effect of heparin on the sperm membrane.

DNA unpacking in guinea pig sperm chromatin by heparin and reduced glutathione.

The kinetics of nuclear decondensation and DNA unpacking induced by the action of a physiological concentration of heparin and glutathione of guinea pig spermatozoa was studied. Sperm (acrosomeless) suspensions were incubated at several different temperatures (37, 40, 43, and 46 degrees C), with a constant concentration of either heparin (50 microM) or reduced glutathione (12.5 mM) and increasing concentrations of the other reagent. Nuclei spermatozoa remained highly condensed when incubated in the medium alone or in either GSH or heparin alone for up to 72 h. Swelling of nuclei spermatozoa was initially observed during the first 20 min of incubation. The sperm nuclei initiate decompaction at the central part of the nuclear structure while at the periphery there remain numerous residues of densely packed chromatin. The swollen chromatin pattern presents the characteristic organization into "hub-like" nuclear bodies that measured 10-100 nm diameter joined by a network of chromatin fibers. At full nuclei decondensation chromatin end fibers are loose, probably meaning that DNA is not organized into loop domains. DNA presence was verified by the use of ethidium bromide and acridine orange.

Effect of heparin-reduced glutathione on hamster sperm DNA unpacking and nuclear swelling.

This study examined the kinetics of sperm nuclear decondensation induced by the action of physiological concentrations of heparin and glutathione in hamster sperm nuclei as a chromatin model that contains protamine P1 and P2. Sperm suspension was incubated at different temperatures (37, 40, 43, and 46 degrees C) in media, keeping constant the concentration of either heparin or GSH and increasing concentrations of the other reagent. Spermatozoa nuclei without any treatment, incubated for 72 h, appear densely condensed. Swelling of hamster spermatozoa nuclei was observed after 30 min of incubation in the presence of efficient concentrations of heparin-GSH. The extent of this time lag was significantly reduced at higher temperatures. DNA presence was verified by the use of ethidium bromide, acridine orange, and Feulgen stain. Phase-contrast microscopy shows that nuclear decondensation begins at the equatorial levels, with DNA highly condensed at the acrosome pole, and the basal pole as the DNA attachment point. Electron microscopy observations showed that hamster sperm nuclei initiates its decompaction at the peripheral regions and this behavior remains until late stages of decondensation, nevertheless, the chromatin is organized into "hub-like" nuclear bodies that measured 10-100 nm in diameter, joined by a network of chromatin fibers with apparent reduction in number. At the decondensation full stage, the network seems to be wide open with a reduced number of hub-like nuclear bodies present in the interlace. DNA is not organized into topologically constrained loop domains and is attached to the basal plate instead of to the nuclear matrix or any other structure.

Differential decondensation of class I (rat) and class II (mouse) spermatozoa nuclei by physiological concentrations of heparin and glutathione.

The kinetics of sperm nuclear decondensation induced by the action of physiological concentrations of heparin and glutathione was studied by comparing two rodents: the rat, with very stable protamine P1 containing chromatin (class I nuclei), and the mouse, with protamine P1 and protamine P2 (class II nuclei). Sperm suspensions were incubated at different temperatures (37, 40, 43, and 46 degrees C) in media while keeping a constant concentration of either heparin or GSH and increasing concentrations of the other reagent. Spermatozoa nuclei without any treatment incubated for 72 h appear densely condensed. Swelling of mouse spermatozoa nuclei was observed after 30 min of incubation in the presence of efficient concentrations of heparin-GSH. The extent of this time lag was significantly reduced at higher temperatures. This behavior was also observable in the rat, but required time lags of 3-4 h. Electron microscopy observations showed that the pattern of nuclear decondensation was different in both animal species. Mice sperm nuclei initiates its decompaction by the peripheral regions and this behavior remains until late stages of decondensation. On the contrary, rat spermatozoa nuclei decondense initially at the central part of the nuclei while the periphery remains condensed, showing numerous residues of densely packed chromatin. In both cases, the chromatin is organized into "hub-like" nuclear bodies joined by a network of chromatin fibers.

Energy metabolism of spermatozoa during pronucleus formation induced in vitro by heparin-reduced glutathione. I. Glucose uptake.

Glycolitic metabolism under basal conditions and its modifications by the combined action of heparin and GSH were studied in human sperm. Respirometric data indicated that the amount of U. L. [14C]-glucose converted to 14CO2 increased with the incubation time, being almost linear for up to 60 min and then leveling off at 120 and 150 min (594 and 620 nmol of [14C]-glucose/10(8) spermatozoa, respectively). When spermatozoa were incubated in the presence of heparin-GSH such behavior completely changed, showing a decrease (approximately 50%) in glucose metabolism with values of 254 and 366 nmol of [14C]-glucose/10(8) spermatozoa at the same incubation times as the basal consumption. When these results were compared with the kinetic of the swollen nuclei it was seen that at 30 min 44% of the spermatozoa have its nuclei swollen with a glucose uptake value of 91 nmol/10(8) spermatozoa, and at 150 min when nearly all the spermatozoa nuclei are swollen (95%) the glucose uptake increases fourfold more than the initial rate at 30 min. Therefore, it is possible to suggest the existence of an energy contribution by the sperm to the male pronuclei formation mechanism.