Intrauterine growth restriction defined by increased brain-to-liver weight ratio affects postnatal growth and protein efficiency in pigs.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to impaired foetal growth during gestation, resulting in permanent stunting effects on the offspring. This study aimed to investigate the effects of IUGR on growth performance, body composition, blood metabolites, and meat quality of pigs from birth (n = 268) to slaughter (n = 93). IUGR piglets have prioritised brain development as a foetal adaptive reaction to placental insufficiency. This survival mechanism results in a higher brain-to-liver weight ratio (BrW/LW). One day (±1) after birth, computed tomography (CT) was performed on each piglet to assess their brain and liver weights. A threshold value of 0.78 (mean + SD) was chosen to divide the piglets into two categories - NORM (BrW/LW < 0.78) and IUGR (BrW/LW > 0.78). Moreover, each piglet was classified as either normal (score 1), mild IUGR (score 2), or severe IUGR (score 3) based on the head morphology. BW was recorded weekly, and average daily gain (ADG) was calculated for lactation, starter, grower, and finisher periods. Body composition was assessed after weaning (29.6 ± 0.7 d), at 20 kg (64 ± 7.2 d), 100 kg (165 ± 12.3 d), and on the carcasses using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Content and deposition rates of single nutrients, as well as energy and CP efficiency, were measured at 20 and 100 kg. Feed intake was recorded from 20 kg to slaughter. Meat quality was assessed on the carcasses. A total of 70% of the piglets assigned a score of 3 were NORM according to their BrW/LW. The IUGR category showed a lower ADG in the lactation (P < 0.01), starter (P = 0.07), and grower phases (P < 0.05) and a reduced CP efficiency in the grower-finisher period (P < 0.01) compared to the NORM group. IUGR pigs had a lower gain-to-feed ratio in the finisher period (P = 0.01) despite similar average daily feed intake, and they required more days (P < 0.01) to reach the slaughter weight. Additionally, their meat was darker (P = 0.01) than that of NORM pigs. The BrW/LW was inversely proportional to the ADG from birth to slaughter and negatively correlated with the CP deposition rate and efficiency in the grower-finisher period (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the higher the BrW/LW, the longer it took the pigs to reach the slaughter weight (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the identification of IUGR piglets based on the head morphology does not always agree with an increased BrW/LW. IUGR affects growth performance from birth to slaughter, CP efficiency in the grower-finisher period and meat quality.

Potential of a rumen bolus containing 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 glycosides for the prevention of hypocalcaemia in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows.

Periparturient hypocalcaemia is a widespread metabolic disorder in dairy cows. Clinical and subclinical cases occur primarily in multiparous (Multi) cows, but subclinical cases have also been reported in primiparous (Primi) cows. A preventive strategy was investigated by administering the physiologically active vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25(OH)2D3) as a rumen bolus. The bolus contained tablets of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside extract from Solanum glaucophyllum (SGE), releasing SGE over several days. The aim was to study the effect of a bolus containing 0 (C) or 500 µg (SGE) of 1,25(OH)2D3 on 1,25(OH)2D3 and mineral status in periparturient cows up to three weeks into lactation and on colostrum, milk and calves' blood mineral contents. The bolus was administered three to four days prior to expected calving to Primi and Multi cows fed a herbage-based diet (dietary cation-anion difference of +522 mEq/kg DM). One C or SGE bolus was applied to 12 Primi and 12 Multi cows. Blood was regularly sampled (and selected a posteriori for antepartum samples) in regard to the actual calving day (d0), immediately prior to bolus application and at day -2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22. Additional samples included urine (at bolus application, d0.5 and d2), colostrum, milk samples (weekly) and calves' blood (d2). Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 increased between d0.5 and d2 in Primi-SGE, but remained unchanged in Primi-C, as did parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Ca in all Primi. Urinary Ca of Primi-SGE was increased on d2, indicating regulation of Ca excess. Three Multi-C cows with confirmed clinical hypocalcaemia needed treatment and thus were excluded from the dataset and replaced. Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH increased while Ca dropped by 40% between d0.5 and d2 in Multi-C, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and PTH remained unchanged in Multi-SGE. Blood serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen was higher in Primi than in Multi and increased with time, except in Primi-C. Mineral contents in colostrum, milk and blood serum of calves were not influenced to a relevant degree. In conclusion, Primi-C did not, in contrast to Multi-C, develop subclinical hypocalcaemia (<2.0 mmol Ca/l). Prevention of hypocalcaemia with one SGE bolus applied three to four days prior to expected calving was successful in maintaining blood Ca within normal range in Multi over the critical first two days and up to the first three weeks of lactation, without any observed detrimental effects on cows or calves.

Pharmacokinetics of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 glycosides from Solanum glaucophyllum extract given in a rumen bolus on blood mineral profiles in dry pregnant dairy cows.

Providing tablets of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D3, in a rumen bolus may be used as prevention for periparturient hypocalcemia in dairy cows. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycosides extracted from Solanum glaucophyllum (SGE) on blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca, P and Mg response in dry pregnant dairy cows. Boluses contained tablets of SGE which differed in their release properties (rapid release, slow release and combination) and galenics (200 µg uncoated, 300 µg and 500 µg uncoated or coated, 2 × 500 µg uncoated). Nineteen blood samples were collected from 29 cows between 96 h before and 336 h after bolus administration. Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and P increased between 12 h and 120 h, 12 h and 264 h and 24 h and 264 h, respectively. Highest values were reached at 30 h, 72 h and 120 h for 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and P, respectively. Baseline values were then reached at 216 h for 1,25(OH)2D3 and 336 h for Ca and P. Concentration of Mg decreased between 24 h and 216 h, before reaching values comparable to baseline at 264 h. Highest Ca values were obtained with the combined rapid and slow release properties (500 µg) and there was no effect from coating on pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, the antepartum oral SGE bolus administration may be suitable for the prevention of periparturient hypocalcemia.

Study of the sustained speed of kill of the combination of fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene and the combination of imidacloprid/permethrin against Dermacentor reticulatus, the European dog tick.

The sustained speed of kill against Dermacentor reticulatus of two topical combinations, one containing fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene and the other, imidacloprid/permethrin, was evaluated in dogs. Two treated groups and one untreated control group of eight adult Beagle dogs each were randomly formed based on pre-infestation rates and bodyweight. Each treatment was administered topically once on Day 0, according to the recommended label dose and instructions for use. All dogs were infested with 50 adult unfed D. reticulatus starting on Day 1, then weekly, for a total of five weeks. While most studies determine tick efficacy at 48 hours (h), in this study, all remaining ticks were counted and categorized 24 h following each infestation. The numbers of ticks (living or dead) that remained attached on treated dogs were compared to those on the control animals. The percent reduction of attached ticks (disruption of attachment) at 24 h on dogs treated with fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene remained above 92% for four weeks. The reduction of attached ticks at 24 h on dogs treated with imidacloprid/permethrin did not reach 80% during the entire study. The number of ticks attached at 24 h was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene group than in the imidacloprid/permethrin group in assessments on Days 2, 15, 22, 29 and 36. When assessing efficacy based upon live ticks on treated versus control dogs, fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene 24 h efficacy was above 95% for four weeks, decreasing to 77.8% at Day 36. The 24 h efficacy of imidacloprid/permethrin ranged from 56.2% to 86.7% through Day 29, never achieving 90% throughout the study. The 24-hour efficacy of fipronil/amitraz/(S)-methoprene was significantly (p<0.05) higher than imidacloprid/permethrin at all time points, including Day 36.

A new hypo/oligodontia syndrome: Carvajal/Naxos syndrome secondary to desmoplakin-dominant mutations.

Dental agenesis is either syndromic or non-syndromic. Here, we describe a familial case with Carvajal/Naxos syndrome associating woolly hair, palmoplantar keratoderma, and biventricular dilated cardiomyopathy. In addition to these signs, all three affected family members had hypo/oligodontia ranging from absence of the lower left second molar to 15 missing teeth, the typical pattern of oligodontia being absent 2nd premolars and absent 2nd and 3rd molars. Mutation screening in the desmoplakin gene (DSP) revealed a de novo missense mutation (c.1790 C>T, p.Ser597Leu) changing a serine residue conserved in all vertebrates. In addition, this variation was absent from 100 control DNA samples. There were no mutations in the plakoglobin gene. This familial case report and two other previous reports demonstrate that autosomal-dominant mutations in the DSP gene are associated with hypo/oligodontia in the setting of Carvajal/Naxos syndrome. This study suggests that dentists discovering oligo/hypodontia should screen for woolly hair and palmoplantar keratoderma because of the probable cardiac involvement with an inherent high risk of severe cardiomyopathy. In addition, this study reveals the role of desmosomes in the development of teeth and suggests that other genes encoding proteins of the desmosome could be involved in oligo/hypodontia.

[Benign metastatic ameloblastoma. A case report and review of the literature]. / Améloblastome bénin métastatique. Présentation d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

A 78 year old woman with a history of maxillary ameloblastoma from age of 38 years was found on routine examination to have a pulmonary image of the balloon release type. The lesion was atypical with respect to its clinical tolerance and slow progression. Pathology of several nodules removed by surgical lung biopsy confirmed the benign nature and identity of the maxillary and pulmonary lesions. The diagnosis was therefore pulmonary metastases from a benign ameloblastoma. The age of the patient and slow course of the lesion, combined with the absence of any functional disorder, was the basis for the decision not to operate on the pulmonary lesion. The concept of benign metastatic ameloblastoma is analyzed and findings compared with data in the literature.

[Bronchoalveolar lavage data in localized pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Données du lavage broncho-alvéolaire dans la tuberculose pulmonaire localisée.

Twenty-two patients with radiologically localised pulmonary tuberculosis underwent one or more broncho-alveolar lavages: 10 patients had a single lavage in the disease area, 11 had two lavages (1 in a healthy zone and 1 in the affected zone) and 1 patient had a triple lavage. The laboratory analysis of the fluid revealed that the tuberculosis was accompanied by an elevation of the various proteins assayed and by an alteration in the cytology (lymphocytosis, neutrophilia or mixed) in the radiologically involved zone. In contrast,the healthy zone revealed normal values except in 2 cases which presented a lymphocytosis. The type of cytological abnormality does not appear to have any prognostic value, but is probably related to different pathophysiological mechanisms.

[Pulmonary metastasis of an ameloblastoma]. / Métastases pulmonaires d'un améloblastome.

We report the observation of a 78 year old patient who had a plexiform ameloblastoma since the age of 38. A systematic pulmonary radiographic examination revealed multiple dense nodules like "cannon ball secondaries". However the histology of these pulmonary nodules, obtained by open lung biopsy, was identical with the primary tumour and showed no evidence of malignancy. The dispersion to the lungs was probably explained by inhalation of tumour cells, itself favoured by 8 surgical curettages. The progress of these pulmonary lesions was as slow as the primary tumour. No therapeutic trial was attempted on the grounds of age, perfect clinical tolerance and the absence of any known therapeutic protocol which would be active.

[Healthy subjects with malignant cells in their sputum. Apropos of 60 cases]. / Les cracheurs sains de cellules malignes. A propos de 60 cas.

Sixty cases of occult carcinoma of the lung are described. A distinction is made between "revealed cases" (23 cases) in which the carcinoma revealed itself within 5 months after the first cytological findings, and true occult carcinomas (37 cases) in which lesions developed within 5 months to 8 years after the first positive cytology. Mean survival in the "revealed cases" was 13 months. It was 51 months for true occult lung carcinomas and 68.5 months for occult carcinomas treated by chemotherapy starting at the time of discovery of malignant cells in the sputum. The method of choice is selective bronchial aspirates and brushings after repeated sputum cytology which allows for localization of the lesion and early surgery.

[Post-therapeutic development of small cell epitheliomas to malpighian epitheliomas, or initially composite forms? Apropos of 3 cases, review of the literature]. / Evolution post-thérapeutique d'épithéliomas à petites cellules en épithéliomas malpighiens, ou formes composites d'emblée? A propos de 3 cas, revue de la littérature.

Three cases of transformation of small cell carcinomas into squamous cell cancer after chemotherapy are reported. A review of the literature shows that about 7% of small cell carcinomas are associated to different histological types of cancer before treatment. Such an association is found in about 25% of the cases after chemotherapy. Recent biochemical and ultrastructural approaches have led to new concepts concerning the histogenesis of lung cancer. The unicyst theory suggested by some authors could explain the therapy-induced maturation of undifferentiated small cell carcinoma.