Responsiveness of pituitary to galanin throughout the reproductive cycle of male European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The neuropeptide galanin (Gal) is a putative factor regulating puberty onset and reproduction through its actions on the pituitary. The present study investigated the pituitary responsiveness to galanin and the patterns of galanin receptors (Galrs) expression throughout the reproductive cycle of two years old male European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), an important aquaculture species. Quantitative analysis of pituitary and hypothalamus transcript expression of four galr subtypes revealed differential regulation according to the testicular developmental stage, with an overall decrease in expression from the immature stage to the mid-recrudescence stage. Incubation of pituitary cells with mammalian 1-29Gal peptide induced significant changes in cAMP concentration, with sensitivities that varied according to the testicular development stages. Furthermore 1-29Gal was able to stimulate both follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) release from pituitary cell suspensions. The magnitude of the effects and effective concentrations varied according to reproductive stage, with generalized induction of Fsh and Lh release in animals sampled in January (full spermiation). The differential expression of galrs in pituitary and hypothalamus across the reproductive season, together with the differential effects of Gal on gonadotropins release in vitro strongly suggests the involvement of the galaninergic system in the regulation the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of male sea bass. This is to our knowledge the first clear evidence for the involvement of galanin in the regulation of reproduction in non-mammalian vertebrates.

Olfactory transduction pathways in the Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis.

This study tested whether differences in sensitivity between the upper and lower olfactory epithelia of Solea senegalensis are associated with different odorant receptors and transduction pathways, using the electro-olfactogram. Receptor mechanisms were assessed by cross-adaptation with amino acids (L-cysteine, L-phenylalanine and 1-methyl-L-tryptophan) and bile acids (taurocholic acid and cholic acid). This suggested that relatively specific receptors exist for 1-methyl-L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine (food-related odorants) in the lower epithelium, and for taurocholic acid (conspecific-derived odorant) in the upper. Inhibition by U73122 [a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor] suggested that olfactory responses to amino acids were mediated mostly, but not entirely, by PLC-mediated transduction (IC50 ; 15-55 nM), whereas bile acid responses were mediated by both PLC and adenylate cyclase-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AC-cAMP) (using SQ-22536; an AC inhibitor). Simultaneous application of both drugs rarely inhibited responses completely, suggesting possible involvement of non-PLC and non-AC mediated mechanisms. For aromatic amino acids and bile acids, there were differences in the contribution of each transduction pathway (PLC, AC and non-PLC and non-AC) between the two epithelia. These results suggest that differences in sensitivity of the two epithelia are associated with differences in odorant receptors and transduction mechanisms.

Molecular screening of ovine mastitis in different breeds.

Clinical and subclinical mastitis directly affect mammary gland function and have a great economic impact on the sheep and goat dairy industries. The present study explores molecular diagnosis of ovine subclinical mastitis as a faster and more precise screening method compared with microbiology and biochemical techniques to assess the molecular and chemical properties of raw milk samples from healthy animals from 3 breeds of sheep raised in Portugal. Based on 16S ribosomal RNA screening by PCR, milk samples from all sheep were categorized as contaminated (n=123) or noncontaminated (n=104). For contaminated milk, different specific primers were used for pathogen identification (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis). Streptococcus agalactiae was identified as the most frequent agent. We further assessed whether contaminated versus noncontaminated samples were chemically different in terms of fat, protein, lactose, pH, and solids-not-fat. This molecular screening method allowed rapid and efficient identification of contaminated raw sheep milk, including pathogen identification, before significant alterations in milk chemical properties could be detected. This methodology may lead to a specific and efficient animal treatment and consequently less expensive flock management.

Comparison of Viscoped and PORON for painful submetatarsal hyperkeratotic lesions.

A clinical study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the Viscoped Insole as compared with an 1/8-inch PORON medical materials insole in the treatment of lesser submetatarsal hyperkeratotic callosities. Thirty-five patients, ranging in age from 23 through 61 years (average 42 years) were randomly divided into three groups. All three groups initially had debridement of their submetatarsal callosities. In addition to the debridement, the first group (16 patients) wore a Viscoped Insole for 4 weeks. The patients in the second group wore a PORON insole for 4 weeks. The third group did not receive an insole after their debridement and served as the control. There was a significant improvement in the Viscoped group and the PORON group versus the control group (x2 = 40; p < 0.01) as measured by the foot function index. Insole therapy combined with debridement for submetatarsal hyperkeratoses is more effective than debridement alone.

Evaluation of magnetic foil and PPT Insoles in the treatment of heel pain.

The effect of a magnetic foil placed in the PPT/Rx Firm Molded Insole on the relief of heel pain was determined using the foot function index. Nineteen patients wore the PPT/Rx Firm Molded Insoles with the magnetic foil for 4 weeks and 15 patients wore the same PPT/Rx Firm Molded Insole with no magnetic foil for the same time. Approximately 60% of patients in both groups reported improvement. There was also no significant difference in the improvement between the magnetic foil group and the PPT/Rx Firm Molded Insole group in their scores on the post-treatment foot function index. These results suggest that the PPT/Rx Firm Molded Insole alone was effective in treating heel pain after only 4 weeks. The magnetic foil offered no advantage over the plain insole.

Effect of persistent toe walking on ankle equinus. Analysis of 60 idiopathic toe walkers.

Sixty idiopathic toe walkers (age range 1 to 15 years) were evaluated to determine the natural history of toe-to-toe gait and the relationship between the range of ankle dorsiflexion and increasing age. The majority of toe walkers had a normal birth weight (average 7.06 pounds), walked on time (average 11.14 months), began toe walking immediately (87%), stood plantigrade (90%), were able to demonstrate a heel-toe gait (88%), and toe walked intermittently (68%). Forty-six percent of all toe walkers were found to have 0 degree or less of passive ankle dorsiflexion. Equinus toe walkers (mean dorsiflexion -5.2 degrees) had significantly less dorsiflexion than the remaining toe walkers (mean dorsiflexion 16.9 degrees; p < 0.01). An average of 12 degrees of dorsiflexion was resent in the 1-to 2-year age group, which gradually diminished to -4 degrees in the 6- to 15-year age group. It appears that there may be a relationship between persistent toe walking and the development of ankle equinus in some children and therefore interventions should be considered to inhibit the toe walking progression.

Surgical correction of adult neglected clubfoot: three case histories.

Surgical correction of the neglected, and severely deformed clubfoot in the adult is necessary to achieve plantigrade, pain free, and cosmetically acceptable feet. Also, it is important that the patient is able to wear shoes and participate in a more active and normal life. Three adult immigrants with neglected clubfoot underwent surgical correction for the first time. Posterior medial plantar soft tissue release and a double arthrodesis involving calcaneal cuboid wedge resection with talonavicular fusion have been effective in removing rearfoot varus, providing minimal shortening, and restoring the foot to a normal plantigrade position.

Combined technique for surgical correction of pediatric severe flexible flatfoot.

Ten patients with 12 symptomatic severe flatfeet were treated with a combined surgical technique. Patients 10 years or older were treated with Evan's calcaneal osteotomy, Young tenosuspension, and tendo achillis lengthening. Patients under age 10 were treated with modified Young tenosuspension, talonavicular desmoplasty and subtalar arthroereisis. Eight of the 10 patients had marked relief in pain and fatigue and were able to perform all physical activities. Radiographic criteria showed improvement for all patients in all categories.