Delayed brain abscess as a complication of cerebral infarction: A rare case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic infections are a common complication of cerebral stroke, while the development of a cerebral abscess on the background of infarcted brain tissue is an extremely rare occurrence. Here, we present a new case alongside a literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 37-year-old man presented with sudden right-sided weakness and speech difficulties, progressing to complete aphasia. Initial tests showed no abnormalities, but subsequent CT scans revealed left basal ganglia infarction. Despite treatment and improvement, three months later, his condition worsened, leading to surgical intervention to excision of a cerebral abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Following successful surgery and treatment, the patient showed improvement and was discharged for regular follow-up care. DISCUSSION: The convergence of stroke and brain abscess poses serious clinical challenges, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to mitigate catastrophic consequences. Brain abscess, stemming from cerebral infection, may arise from various sources, including contiguous spread, hematogenous dissemination, or traumatic injury. Diagnosis is complicated by nonspecific radiological findings, which often lead to misdiagnosis. Risk factors include age, immunocompromised states, and certain medical conditions. Despite challenges, early detection and appropriate management, involving surgical drainage and antimicrobial therapy, are crucial for favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cerebral abscess following cerebral infarction is rare but should be suspected in patients with prior stroke or hemorrhage, experiencing worsening focal deficits and consciousness. Advanced age and comorbidities increase clinical suspicion.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lapatinib, in dogs and cats following single oral administration.

Lapatinib is an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -overexpressing breast cancers in humans. Recently, the potential of lapatinib treatment against canine urothelial carcinoma or feline mammary tumor was investigated. However, the pharmacokinetic studies of lapatinib in dogs and cats are not well-defined. In the present study, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of lapatinib in both cats and dogs after a single oral administration at a dose of 25 mg/kg were compared with each other. Lapatinib was administered orally to four female laboratory cats and four female beagle dogs. Blood samples were collected over time, and the plasma lapatinib concentrations were analyzed by HPLC. Following a single dose of 25 mg/kg, the averaged maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of lapatinib in cats was 0.47 µg/mL and achieved at 7.1 hr post-administration, while the Cmax in dogs was 1.63 µg/mL and achieved at 9.5 hr post-administration. The mean elimination half-life was 6.5 hr in cats and 7.8 hr in dogs. The average area under the plasma concentration-time curve of dogs (37.2 hr·µg/mL) was significantly higher than that of cats (7.97 hr·µg/mL). These results exhibited slow absorptions of lapatinib in both animals after oral administration. The Cmax observed in cats was significantly lower and the half-life was shorter than those observed in dogs. Based on these results, a larger dose or shorter dosing intervals might be recommended in cats to achieve similar plasma concentration as dogs.

Adult Animal Stem Cell-Derived Organoids in Biomedical Research and the One Health Paradigm.

Preclinical biomedical research is limited by the predictiveness of in vivo and in vitro models. While in vivo models offer the most complex system for experimentation, they are also limited by ethical, financial, and experimental constraints. In vitro models are simplified models that do not offer the same complexity as living animals but do offer financial affordability and more experimental freedom; therefore, they are commonly used. Traditional 2D cell lines cannot fully simulate the complexity of the epithelium of healthy organs and limit scientific progress. The One Health Initiative was established to consolidate human, animal, and environmental health while also tackling complex and multifactorial medical problems. Reverse translational research allows for the sharing of knowledge between clinical research in veterinary and human medicine. Recently, organoid technology has been developed to mimic the original organ's epithelial microstructure and function more reliably. While human and murine organoids are available, numerous other organoids have been derived from traditional veterinary animals and exotic species in the last decade. With these additional organoid models, species previously excluded from in vitro research are becoming accessible, therefore unlocking potential translational and reverse translational applications of animals with unique adaptations that overcome common problems in veterinary and human medicine.

Dissemination of mcr-1 and ß-lactamase genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular characterization of MDR strains in broiler chicks and dead-in-shell chicks infections.

OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most serious pathogens implicated in antimicrobial resistance, and it has been identified as an ESKAPE along with other extremely significant multidrug resistance pathogens. The present study was carried out to explore prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility phenotypes, virulence-associated genes, integron (int1), colistin (mcr-1), and ß-lactamase resistance' genes (ESBls), as well as biofilm profiling of P. aeruginosa isolated from broiler chicks and dead in-shell chicks. DESIGN: A total of 300 samples from broiler chicks (n = 200) and dead in-shell chicks (n = 100) collected from different farms and hatcheries located at Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt were included in this study. Bacteriological examination was performed by cultivation of the samples on the surface of both Cetrimide and MacConkey's agar. Presumptive colonies were then subjected to biochemical tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting 16S rRNA. The recovered isolates were tested for the presence of three selected virulence-associated genes (lasB, toxA, and exoS). Furthermore, the retrieved isolates were subjected to phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as well as phenotypic detection of ESBLs by both Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) and the Phenotypic Confirmatory Disc Diffusion Test (PCDDT). P. aeruginosa isolates were then tested for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs): int1, mcr-1, and ESBL genes (OXA-10, OXA-2, VEB-1, SHV, TEM, and CTX-M). Additionally, biofilm production was examined by the Tube Adherent method (TA) and Microtiter Plate assay (MTP). RESULTS: Fifty -five isolates were confirmed to be P. aeruginosa, including 35 isolates from broiler chicks and 20 isolates from dead in-shell chicks. The three tested virulence genes (lasB, toxA, and exoS) were detected in all isolates. Antibiogram results showed complete resistance against penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, streptomycin, erythromycin, spectinomycin, and doxycycline, while a higher sensitivity was observed against meropenem, imipenem, colistin sulfate, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin. ESBL production was confirmed in 12 (21.8%) and 15 (27.3%) isolates by DDST and PCDDT, respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs): int1, mcr-1, and ESBL genes (OXA-10, SHV, TEM, and CTX-M), were detected in 87.3%, 18.2%, 16.4%, 69.1%, 72.7%, and 54.5% of the examined isolates respectively, whereas no isolate harbored the OXA-2 or VEB-1 genes. Based on the results of both methods used for detection of biofilm formation, Kappa statistics [kappa 0.324] revealed a poor agreement between both methods. CONCLUSIONS: the emergence of mcr-1 and its coexistence with other resistance genes such as ß-lactamase genes, particularly blaOXA-10, for the first time in P. aeruginosa from young broiler chicks and dead in-shell chicks in Egypt pose a risk not only to the poultry industry but also to public health.

Chemosensitivity of three patient-derived primary cultures of canine pericardial mesothelioma by single-agent and combination treatment.

Introduction: Canine mesothelioma is a rare malignant tumor that mostly affects body cavities, such as the pericardial and pleural cavities. Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of canine mesotheliomas. We aimed to compare the antitumor effects of single-agent and combination chemotherapeutic agents on patient-derived primary cultures of canine pericardial mesothelioma established in this study. We planned to generate xenograft models for future studies. Material and methods: Effusion samples were collected from three dogs with histologically diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma and used for primary culture. Cultured cells were characterized by immunostaining for pan-cytokeratin AE1/AE3, vimentin, Wilms' tumor suppressor gene 1 (WT1), and cytokeratin 5 (CK5). To assess the tumorigenic properties of cells in the effusion and generate a xenograft model, the cell suspension was injected into a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse either subcutaneously (SC) or intraperitoneally (IP). Lastly, chemosensitivity of established primary cultures against four drugs, doxorubicin, vinorelbine, carboplatin, and gemcitabine, by single-agent treatment as well as combination treatment of carboplatin at a fixed concentration, either 10 or 100 µM, and gemcitabine at different concentrations ranging from 0-1000 µM was assessed by cell viability assay. Results: Primary cultures were successfully generated and characterized by dual positivity for AE1/AE3 and vimentin and positive staining for WT-1 and CK5, confirming the mesothelial origin of the cells. In the xenograft models, SC mouse developed a subcutaneous mass, whereas IP mouse developed multiple intraperitoneal nodules. The masses were histopathologically consistent with mesotheliomas. The chemosensitivity assay revealed that carboplatin had the highest anti-tumor effects among the four tested single-agent treatments. Furthermore, carboplatin at 100 µM combined with gemcitabine at clinically relevant doses demonstrated the augmented anti-tumor effects compared to single-agent treatment. Discussion and conclusion: Primary cultures and xenograft models generated in this study could be useful tools for in vitro and in vivo studies of canine mesothelioma. Carboplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent against canine mesothelioma when used as a sole agent and in combination with gemcitabine.

Evaluation of the efficacy of mitochondrial fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1) using non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) liver organoids.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is known to progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in some patients. Although NASH is associated with abnormal mitochondrial function related to lipid metabolism, mechanisms for the development and effective treatments are still unclear. Therefore, new approaches to elucidate the pathophysiology are needed. In the previous study, we generated liver organoids from different stages of NASH model mice that could recapitulate the part of NASH pathology. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial function and NASH disease by comparing NASH liver organoids (NLO) and control liver organoids (CLO). Compared with CLO, mitochondrial and organoid morphology was abnormal in NLO, with increased expression of mitochondrial mitogen protein, DRP1, and mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Treatment of NLO with a DPR1 inhibitor, Mdivi-1 resulted in the improvement of morphology and the decreased expression of fibrosis-related markers, Col1a1 and Acta2. In addition, treatment of NASH model mice with Mdivi-1 showed a decrease in fatty liver. Mdivi-1 treatment also prevented fibrosis and ROS production in the liver. These results indicate that NLO undergoes enhanced metabolism and abnormal mitochondrial morphology compared with CLO. It was also suggested that Mdivi-1 may be useful as a therapeutic agent to ameliorate NASH pathology.

Is quadratus lumborum block combined with low dose-spinal anesthesia an effective alternative to general anesthesia in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia in high-risk patients has many complications and needs long preoperative preparations and postoperative intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined low-dose spinal anesthesia with quadratus lumborum block (QLB) as an alternative to general anesthesia for patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at the urology department of Al-Azhar University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, from January 2021 to January 2022. The study included 60 patients of ASA ll-lll scheduled for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. All patients received low-dose spinal anesthesia (5 mg bupivacaine) and QLB (QL1-QL2-QL3) approaches. The primary observation parameter was the efficacy of this technique as an alternative to general anesthesia. The secondary parameters measured were evaluation of need for intraoperative narcotics, postoperative pain score (VAS), and patients satisfaction as assessed using a 5-point Likert Scale. RESULTS: None of the patients was given general anesthesia, and intraoperative sedation was given to nineteen patients (32.2%). No hemodynamic changes were observed in all patients. There was a significant correlation between the use of intraoperative sedation and stone site, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay. Pain intensity on VAS at rest and movement was low until the 24th postoperative hour. Patient satisfaction score was 3, 4, and 5 in 1 (1.7%), 4 (6.7%), and 55 (91.6%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined low-dose spinal anesthesia with quadratus lumborum block is an effective alternative to general anesthesia in patients undergoing PCNL procedures with good postoperative analgesia. Patients with lower calyceal punctures have a lower incidence of intraoperative sedation requirements.

Biliary excretion and pharmacokinetics of several fluoroquinolones after intravenous injection in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of enrofloxacin (ERFX) and other fluoroquinolones; orbifloxacin (OBFX), marbofloxacin (MBFX), and ofloxacin (OFLX) in the plasma and bile of rabbits after a single intravenous (IV) injection. Twenty male rabbits were divided into four groups and given each drug by IV injection into the ear vein at a dose of 5.0 mg/kg BW. The concentration of ERFX, ciprofloxacin (CPFX), OBFX, MBFX and OFLX in plasma and bile were determined by HPLC. CPFX, metabolite of ERFX, was also measured by HPLC in plasma and bile of rabbits receiving ERFX. Several pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma were calculated and biliary clearance (CLbile) was calculated from extent of biliary excretion and accumulation of AUC of each drug. After IV injection, elimination half-life (t1/2ß) was 4.13, 3.68, 6.60, 5.14 hr; volume of distribution at a steady state (Vdss) was 1.24, 0.503, 0.771, 1.02 L/kg; and total body clearance (CLtot) was 1.05, 0.418, 0.271, 0.453 L/kg/hr, respectively. The values for CLbile for ERFX, OBFX, MBFX, and OFLX were 0.0048, 0.0050, 0.0057, and 0.0094 L/kg/hr, respectively. These values represent 0.48%, 1.2%, 2.1%, and 2.3% of the total body clearance (CLtot) of each drug, respectively. The biliary clearance of CPFX was also measured and found to be 0.0199 L/kg/hr with ERFX administration. The results showed that ERFX, OBFX, MBFX, and OFLX were not excreted into the bile to a significant extent, making them safe drugs to use in rabbits.

Comparison of Bovine- and Porcine-Derived Decellularized Biomaterials: Promising Platforms for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Animal-derived xenogeneic biomaterials utilized in different surgeries are promising for various applications in tissue engineering. However, tissue decellularization is necessary to attain a bioactive extracellular matrix (ECM) that can be safely transplanted. The main objective of the present study is to assess the structural integrity, biocompatibility, and potential use of various acellular biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Hence, a bovine pericardium (BP), porcine pericardium (PP), and porcine tunica vaginalis (PTV) were decellularized using a Trypsin, Triton X (TX), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (Trypsin + TX + SDS) protocol. The results reveal effective elimination of the cellular antigens with preservation of the ECM integrity confirmed via staining and electron microscopy. The elasticity of the decellularized PP (DPP) was markedly (p < 0.0001) increased. The tensile strength of DBP, and DPP was not affected after decellularization. All decellularized tissues were biocompatible with persistent growth of the adipose stem cells over 30 days. The staining confirmed cell adherence either to the peripheries of the materials or within their matrices. Moreover, the in vivo investigation confirmed the biocompatibility and degradability of the decellularized scaffolds. Conclusively, Trypsin + TX + SDS is a successful new protocol for tissue decellularization. Moreover, decellularized pericardia and tunica vaginalis are promising scaffolds for the engineering of different tissues with higher potential for the use of DPP in cardiovascular applications and DBP and DPTV in the reconstruction of higher-stress-bearing abdominal walls.

Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic potency of allicin and lycopene against methotrexate-induced cardiac injury in rats.

This study aimed to explore whether allicin (ALC) and lycopene (LP) could offer protection against the harmful effects of methotrexate (MTX), a type of chemotherapy drug known for its severe side effects, on the heart of rats. In this experiment, seven groups of rats (n = 7) were used. The first group was given saline as a control vehicle, the second group was given ALC at a dosage of 20 mg/kg orally, the third group was given LP at a dosage of 10 mg/kg orally, and the fourth group was given MTX at a dosage of 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the 15th day of the experiment. The remaining three groups received treatments, including ALC + MTX, LP + MTX, and ALC + LP + MTX. After the administration of MTX, the concentrations of serum cardiac biomarkers, such as Creatine kinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase-myoglobin binding (CK-MB) were found to increase. Also, MTX caused a notable rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significant declines in the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the heart tissues of rats. In addition, MTX caused alterations in the cardiac histopathology and enhanced the caspase-3 expression in the cardiac tissues, indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of ALC and/or LP were effectively reduced cardiac toxicity and apoptosis induced by MTX. The administration of ALC and/or LP was found to alleviate these effects caused by MTX.

Derivation of a new model of lung adenocarcinoma using canine lung cancer organoids for translational research in pulmonary medicine.

Canine primary lung cancer (cPLC) is a rare malignant tumor in dogs, and exhibits poor prognosis. Effective therapeutic drugs against cPLC have not been established yet. Also, cPLC resembles human lung cancer in histopathological characteristics and gene expression profiles and thus could be an important research model for this disease. Three-dimensional organoid culture is known to recapitulate the tissue dynamics in vivo. We, therefore, tried to generate cPLC organoids (cPLCO) for analyzing the profiles of cPLC. After samples from cPLC and the corresponding normal lung tissue were collected, cPLCO were successfully generated, which recapitulated the tissue architecture of cPLC, expressed lung adenocarcinoma marker (TTF1), and exhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. The sensitivity of cPLCO to anti-cancer drugs was different among strains. RNA-sequencing analysis showed significantly upregulated 11 genes in cPLCO compared with canine normal lung organoids (cNLO). Moreover, cPLCO were enriched with the MEK-signaling pathway compared with cNLO. The MEK inhibitor, trametinib decreased the viability of several strains of cPLCO and inhibited the growth of cPLC xenografts. Collectively, our established cPLCO model might be a useful tool for identifying novel biomarkers for cPLC and a new research model for dog and human lung cancer.

Anti-cancer activity of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) against dog bladder cancer organoids.

Despite its disadvantages, chemotherapy is still commonly used for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Developing natural supplements that can target cancer stem cells (CSCs) which cause drug resistance and distant metastasis is necessary. Chaga mushrooms are popular to have several health-promoting and anti-cancer potentials. Organoid culture can recapitulate tumor heterogeneity, epithelial environment, and genetic and molecular imprints of the original tissues. In the previous study, we generated dog bladder cancer organoids (DBCO) as a novel experimental model of muscle-invasive BCO. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the anti-tumor potentials of Chaga mushroom extract (Chaga) against DBCO. Four strains of DBCO were used in the present study. Treatment with Chaga inhibited the cell viability of DBCO in a concentration-dependent way. Treatment of DBCO with Chaga has significantly arrested its cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Expression of bladder CSC markers, CD44, C-MYC, SOX2, and YAP1, declined in the Chaga-treated DBCO. Also, Chaga inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK in DBCO. Expression of downstream signals of ERK, C-MYC, and Cyclins (Cyclin-A2, Cyclin-D1, Cyclin-E1, and CDK4) was also inhibited by Chaga in DBCO. Interestingly, the combinational treatment of DBCO with Chaga and anti-cancer drugs, vinblastine, mitoxantrone, or carboplatin, showed a potentiating activity. In vivo, Chaga administration decreased tumor growth and weight of DBCO-derived xenograft in mice with the induction of necrotic lesions. In conclusion, Chaga diminished the cell viability of DBCO by inhibiting proliferation-related signals and stemness conditions as well as by arresting the cell cycle. Collectively, these data suggest the value of Chaga as a promising natural supplement that could potentiate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy, lower its adverse effects, and thus, limit the recurrence and metastasis of BC.

Oral pharmacokinetics of sulfadiazine and sulfamonomethoxine in female Holstein milking cows.

The efficacy of orally administered drugs in cattle is thought to be slow because of the anatomical and physiological features of their forestomach. Thus, parenteral routes are mainly preferred to administer drugs. However, the effect of some drugs with unique physicochemical properties was promptly obtained even after oral administration in clinically ill cattle. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate pharmacokinetically the usefulness of the oral route in cattle by comparing the oral pharmacokinetic properties of two sulfonamides with different physicochemical properties. Sulfadiazine (SDZ) and sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) were administered by intravenous and oral route to four female Holstein cows with a 4-weeks washout period. Blood samples were collected over time, and SDZ and SMM concentrations in plasma were analyzed by HPLC. Data obtained from the same animal after intravenous and oral administration were simultaneously analyzed with the one compartment model, and kinetic parameters were calculated. The Tmax (mean ± SD) of SMM (2.75 ± 0.96 hr) was significantly achieved earlier than that of SDZ (5.00 ± 1.15 hr). Further, the mean absorption time of SMM (5.24 ± 0.69 hr) was significantly shorter than that of SDZ (5.92 ± 1.11 hr). Also, the half-life of absorption of SMM (3.91 ± 0.51 hr) was significantly shorter than that of SDZ (4.51 ± 0.82 hr). These data suggest that the absorption rates of highly unionized drugs (such as SMM) from the forestomach of cattle may be markedly higher than less unionized ones (such as SDZ).

Establishment of an experimental model of canine malignant mesothelioma organoid culture using a three-dimensional culture method.

Canine malignant mesothelioma (cMM) is a rare and drug-resistant malignant tumor. Due to few patients and experimental models, there have not been enough studies to demonstrate the pathogenesis of the disease and novel effective treatment for cMM. Since cMM resembles human MM (hMM) in histopathological characteristics, it is also considered a promising research model of hMM. Compared with conventional 2-dimensional (2D) culture methods, 3-dimensional (3D) organoid culture can recapitulate the properties of original tumor tissues. However, cMM organoids have never been developed. In the present study, we for the first time generated cMM organoids using the pleural effusion samples. Organoids from individual MM dogs were successfully generated. They exhibited the characteristics of MM and expressed mesothelial cell markers, such as WT-1 and mesothelin. The sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs was different in each strain of cMM organoids. RNA sequencing analysis showed cell adhesion molecule pathways were specifically upregulated in cMM organoids compared with their corresponding 2D cultured cells. Among these genes, the expression level of E-cadherin was drastically higher in the organoids than that in the 2D cells. In conclusion, our established cMM organoids might become a new experimental tool to provide new insights into canine and human MM therapy.

Determination of Virulence-Associated Genes and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles in Brucella Isolates Recovered from Humans and Animals in Iran Using NGS Technology.

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease in Iran. Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Brucella isolates have been reported from different developing countries, posing an imminent health hazard. The objective of this study was to evaluate AMR and virulence-associated factors in Brucella isolates recovered from humans and animals in different regions of Iran using classical phenotyping and next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Our findings revealed that B. melitensis is the most common species in bovines, small ruminants and camels. B. abortus was isolated only from one human case. Probable intermediate or resistant phenotype patterns for rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin-sulbactam and colistin were found. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified mprF, bepG, bepF, bepC, bepE, and bepD in all isolates but failed to determine other classical AMR genes. Forty-three genes associated with five virulence factors were identified in the genomes of all Brucella isolates, and no difference in the distribution of virulence-associated genes was found. Of them, 27 genes were associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 12 genes were related to a type IV secretion system (virB1-B12), two were associated with the toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing proteins (btpA, btpB), one gene encoded the Rab2 interacting conserved protein A (ricA) and one was associated with the production of cyclic ß-1,2 glucans (cgs). This is the first investigation reporting the molecular-based AMR and virulence factors in brucellae isolated from different animal hosts and humans in Iran. Iranian B. abortus and B. melitensis isolates are still in vitro susceptible to the majority of antibiotics used for the treatment of human brucellosis. WGS failed to determine classical AMR genes and no difference was found in the distribution of virulence-associated genes in all isolates. Still, the absence of classical AMR genes in genomes of resistant strains is puzzling, and investigation of phenotypic resistance mechanisms at the proteomic and transcriptomic levels is needed.

An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals.

In all organs, control of blood flow is important but might be particularly critical for testicular functions. This is because of the very low oxygen concentration and high metabolic rate of the seminiferous tubules, the physiological temperature of the testis, and its location outside the abdominal cavity. Many factors affect the characteristics of TBF in farm and companion animals, such as environment (thermal and seasonal effects) and physiological (species, breeds, age, body weight, and sexual maturity). Thermal environment stress has detrimental effects on spermatogenesis and consequently has more serious impacts on both human and animal fertility. Numerous studies have been performed to assess TBF in different animal species including bulls, rams, bucks, alpacas, stallions, and dogs with varied results. Hence, assessment of TBF by Doppler ultrasonography is of great importance to estimate the effect of high environment temperature on testicular functions. Also, differences observed in the TBF may result from different technical aspects such as the identification of the segment of the testicular artery to be examined. In the current review, we focused on the imperative roles of TBF in various animal species. Besides, we discussed in detail various factors that could affect TBF. These factors can significantly modify the TBF and thus should be considered when establishing reference values in farm animals for better clinical diagnosis. The information provided in this review is valuable for researchers and veterinarians to help them a better understanding of testicular hemodynamics for the proper evaluation of breeding soundness examination in males.

Novel color M-mode echocardiography for non-invasive assessment of the intraventricular pressure in goats: Feasibility, repeatability, and the effect of sedation.

Background: The intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) and intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG), estimated from color M-mode echocardiography (CMME) of the transmitral flow, have been introduced as novel indices for the evaluation of heart functions. Until now, no study demonstrated the feasibility of the CMME approach to measure IVPD and IVPG in any farm animals. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and repeatability of CMME-derived IVPD and IVPG variables in goats and explore the effect of sedation on the measured variables. Materials and methods: Sixteen male Shiba goats were included in this study and underwent conventional echocardiography. Eight goats were used in the repeatability of IVPD/IVPG variables. Another eight goats were used to evaluate the effect of sedation by xylazine on IVPD/IVPG measurements. CMME between the base and the apex of the left ventricle was carried out. The IVPD and IVPG were analyzed using in-house code software. The IVPD and IVPG were expressed as total, basal, mid-to-apical, mid, and apical segments. Data analysis including the imaging quality score (IQS), repeatability, variability, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), as well as the effect size of sedation on the measured variables was calculated. Results: IVPD and IVPG variables from CMME were feasible in all goats. Low to moderate variability of IVPD and IVPG variables was observed (CV 95% <25%) except for the apical IVPD and apical IVPG. The IVPD/IVPG measurements were repeatable without a significant effect of animal or time on the obtained measurements. The overall ICC was higher than 0.75 in all variables except for the apical segment. Xylazine administration reduced the total, basal, and mid parts of IVPD and IVPG with a large effect size (biserial ranked correlation; rc > 0.8). Conclusion: We reported, for the first time, IVPD and IVPG measurements by CMME in goats. The assessment of IVPD and IVPG by CMME is feasible in goats which can be evaluated in further cardiovascular or pharmacological studies in this species.

Migration of Distal End of VP Shunt into the Scrotum: A Management Review.

Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt is the typical and most common procedure for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Many complications have been associated with VP shunts, migration of the distal end of the VP tube into the scrotum is a rare one. We report the presentation and management of a case of 3 month age infant who had scrotal swelling primarily diagnosed as hydrocele. Investigations proved the presence of shunt migration. The possibility of shunt migration should be considered. Early diagnosis and management of such complications is easy and can prevent subsequent serious sequelae.

Phylotypic Profiling, Distribution of Pathogenicity Island Markers, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Isolated from Retail Chicken Meat and Humans.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) found in retail chicken meat could be causing a wide range of infections in humans and constitute a potential risk. This study aimed to evaluate 60 E. coli isolates from retail chicken meat (n = 34) and human urinary tract infections (UTIs, n = 26) for phylogenetic diversity, presence of pathogenicity island (PAI) markers, antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes, and antimicrobial resistance genes, and to evaluate their biofilm formation capacity. In that context, confirmed E.coli isolates were subjected to phylogrouping analysis using triplex PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method; PAI distribution was investigated by using two multiplex PCRs. Most of the chicken isolates (22/34, 64.7%) were identified as commensal E. coli (A and B1), while 12 isolates (35.3%) were classified as pathogenic virulent E. coli (B2 and D). Similarly, the commensal group dominated in human isolates. Overall, 23 PAIs were detected in the chicken isolates; among them, 39.1% (9/23) were assigned to group B1, 34.8% (8/23) to group A, 4.34% (1/23) to group B2, and 21.7% (5/23) to group D. However, 25 PAIs were identified from the human isolates. PAI IV536 was the most prevalent (55.9%, 69.2%) PAI detected in both sources. In total, 37 (61.7%) isolates of the chicken and human isolates were biofilm producers. Noticeably, 100% of E. coli isolates were resistant to penicillin and rifamycin. Markedly, all E. coli isolates displayed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotypes, and the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) among E. coli isolates ranged between 0.5 and 1. Several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were identified by a PCR assay; the sul2 gene was the most prevalent (38/60, 63.3%) from both sources. Interestingly, a significant positive association (r = 0.31) between biofilm production and resistance to quinolones by the qnr gene was found by the correlation analysis. These findings were suggestive of the transmission of PAI markers and antibiotic resistance genes from poultry to humans or humans to humans through the food chain. To avoid the spread of virulent and multidrug-resistant E. coli, intensive surveillance of retail chicken meat markets is required.