Incorporating hydrology into climate suitability models changes projections of malaria transmission in Africa.

Continental-scale models of malaria climate suitability typically couple well-established temperature-response models with basic estimates of vector habitat availability using rainfall as a proxy. Here we show that across continental Africa, the estimated geographic range of climatic suitability for malaria transmission is more sensitive to the precipitation threshold than the thermal response curve applied. To address this problem we use downscaled daily climate predictions from seven GCMs to run a continental-scale hydrological model for a process-based representation of mosquito breeding habitat availability. A more complex pattern of malaria suitability emerges as water is routed through drainage networks and river corridors serve as year-round transmission foci. The estimated hydro-climatically suitable area for stable malaria transmission is smaller than previous models suggest and shows only a very small increase in state-of-the-art future climate scenarios. However, bigger geographical shifts are observed than with most rainfall threshold models and the pattern of that shift is very different when using a hydrological model to estimate surface water availability for vector breeding.

Erythrocyte glutathione transferase: a general probe for chemical contaminations in mammals.

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are enzymes devoted to the protection of cells against many different toxins. In erythrocytes, the isoenzyme (e-GST) mainly present is GSTP1-1, which is overexpressed in humans in case of increased blood toxicity, as it occurs in nephrophatic patients or in healthy subjects living in polluted areas. The present study explores the possibility that e-GST may be used as an innovative and highly sensitive biomarker of blood toxicity also for other mammals. All distinct e-GSTs from humans, Bos taurus (cow), Sus scrofa (pig), Capra hircus (goat), Equus caballus (horse), Equus asinus (donkey) and Ovis aries (sheep), show very similar amino acid sequences, identical kinetics and stability properties. Reference values for e-GST in all these mammals reared in controlled farms span from 3.5±0.2 U/gHb in the pig to 17.0±0.9 U/gHb in goat; such activity levels can easily be determined with high precision using only a few microliters of whole blood and a simple spectrophotometric assay. Possibly disturbing factors have been examined to avoid artifact determinations. This study provides the basis for future screening studies to verify if animals have been exposed to toxicologic insults. Preliminary data on cows reared in polluted areas show increased expression of e-GST, which parallels the results found for humans.

Behavioural and physiological indicators of shelter dogs' welfare: reflections on the no-kill policy on free-ranging dogs in Italy revisited on the basis of 15 years of implementation.

The Italian National Law 281 of 1991 forbids the euthanatization of free-ranging dogs, unless they have an incurable illness or are proved to be dangerous. Without neglecting the undeniable benefits of the "no-kill" policy, nevertheless it has brought about a chronic overpopulation in shelters and, as a result, higher costs of management and welfare problems since some dogs remain in the shelter for life. In 2004-2008, the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of the Lazio and Tuscany regions carried out a survey in the Lazio Region to verify the effects of the Italian National Law 281/91 on free-ranging dog management following 15 years from its implementation. One of the aims of the study was an assessment of the welfare of dogs in a shelter sample (8 shelters out of 47 censused in the Lazio Region). 97 mixed-breed dogs were selected, their behaviour was studied and a blood sample was taken for each dog in order to determine the individual blood concentration of cortisol and the amount of oxidative damage (level of dRoms), as well as the amount of antioxidants to cope with it. Moreover, the total leukocyte count (leukogram) was accomplished. We ran general backward stepwise regression models using "level of antioxidant", "level of dRoms" and "level of serum cortisol" as dependent variables respectively. The results showed that the most important variable that improved the level of welfare of dogs consisted in having the opportunity to regularly go out of the cage for a walk, whereas other variables like gender, size of the cage (small, medium, large), being alone in the cage, and being neutered/entire, had no significant effect on the physiological indicators of welfare. Dogs that enjoyed the regular walk had a higher total antioxidant capacity, and performed a lower frequency of displacing activities and stereotyped behaviour. Moreover, oxidative stress parameters seem to be indicators well matched with behavioural indicators of stress. Thus, for the first time, markers of oxidative status are utilised for the welfare evaluation in the domestic dog. Furthermore, the results of this paper give some suggestion about how small steps can help to improve shelters and, furthermore, this paper intends to solicit the debate on the no-kill policy.

Changes in physiological and immunological parameters during the peripartum period in Zerasca sheep.

The aim of this study was to provide the picture of the dynamics of some blood parameters in the native Zerasca sheep breed during the peripartum period. Blood samples were collected from peripheral blood of 14 ewes at different times: from 21 d before lambing to 42 d after. Physiological and immunological parameters were evaluated: aspartate-aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, non-esterified fatty acids, total protein, total antioxidant capacity, free radicals, serum bactericidal activity and serum lysozyme. One-way repeated measures ANOVA test was performed. Results showed a significant influence of the peripartum and the deviation from the normal range on many parameters.

[Spontaneous ectopic contralateral pregnancy with unicornuate uterus. A case report]. / Gravidanza ectopica spontanea controlaterale ad utero unicorne. Caso clinico.

A case is reported of spontaneous ectopic pregnancy in a non patent fallopian tube of a patient with a contralateral unicornuate uterus without rudimentary horn. A hemoperitoneum, due to the rupture of the tube, occurred with a HCG level of 48 I.U./l. A laparoscopy was therefore performed and the fallopian tube removed.

Estetrol and utero-placental flow after progesterone load.

On the basis of recent demonstration in animals of the effect of some hormones on uteroplacental flow, the Authors examined the response of plasmatic Estetrol (15 alpha-hydroxy-estriol) after the administration of progesterone to pregnant women with low Estrogen values. The increase of this compound was related to an improvement of placental function, probably dependent on an increase of available O2, and therefore on uterine blood flow. This can justify a progesterone treatment in such pregnancies.

Unconjugated estetrol in normal pregnancy.

The Authors studied the levels of Estetrol (15 alpha-hydroxyestriol) in the amniotic fluid, in maternal and foetal plasma, by the RIA method, in near-term pregnancies. Higher concentrations of this steroid were found in the foetal plasma and in amniotic fluid than in the maternal plasma. These data, even though of little clinical importance, confirm the foetal origin of this compound and suggest further studies, especially in the amniotic compartment.

[C(16)-substituted steroids in umbilical cord blood during normal and pathological pregnancies]. / Steroidi C(16) sostituiti nel plasma del funicolo nel corso di gravidanze normali e patologiche.

In this study the levels of Estriol and their precursors C(16) substituted in cord plasma are examined. The values found during normal pregnancies are compared with those of pregnancies complicated by different pathology. These compounds can be considered as a good index of feto-placental wellbeing.

[C(16)-substituted steroids in the urine of newborn infants at birth]. / Steroidi C(16) sostituiti nelle urine del neonato alla nascita.

Neonatal urinary excretion of Estriol and their C(16) substituted precursors are considered in this study in fetus at birth. Besides the prognostic significance of different ormonal levels, we have examined the role played by these valuation in order to explain the data achieved during the pregnancy.

Pharmacological properties of the anti-inflammatory agent pyridyl-biphenylyl-acetamide (diphenpyramide).

Pyridyl-biphenylyl-acetamide (diphenpyramide, Z-876) is a new bisphenylalcanoic derivative with marked anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and uricosuric properties. It is more active than phenylbutazone in the adjuvant polyarthritis in the rat when given prophylactically or therapeutically. It is thrice as active as phenylbutazone and ten times as active as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the carrageenin-induced edema of the hind-paw. Diphenpyramide is characterized by low acute toxicity and by weak ulcerogenic activity. On the carrageenin-induced edema the therapeutic index of diphenpyramide is 30 times higher than that of indometacin and the ratio between the ED50 and the UD50 (ulcerogenic dose in 50% of the treated rats) is 39 times higher than that of ASA.