Evaluation of leukocyte ratios as survival prognostic markers in feline retrovirus infections.

The utility of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as prognostic markers in Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infections has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate these leukocyte ratios in retrovirus-positive cats and to evaluate their prognostic value for survival. This retrospective case-control study included 142 cats, 75 FIV-Antibodies (Ab)-positive, 52 FeLV-Antigen (Ag)-positive, and 15 FIV-Ab+FeLV-Ag-positive, and a control population of 142 retrovirus-negative age-, sex-, and lifestyle-matched cats. Signalment, complete blood count at the time of serological testing, and outcome were recorded. Leukocyte ratios were compared within the same case-control population, among the three retrovirus-seropositive populations, and were related to survival time. No significant difference was found in NLR, MLR, or PLR between FIV-Ab-positive and FIV-Ab+FeLV-Ag-positive cats and their cross-matched controls. In the FeLV-Ag-positive population, MLR was significantly lower than in the control population (0.05 and 0.14, respectively, P=0.0008). No ratio discriminated among the three infectious states. No ratio was significantly different between survivors and non-survivors in the population of FIV-Ab-positive cats. MLR at diagnosis was significantly higher in FeLV-Ag-positive cats that died 1-3 years after diagnosis than in FeLV-Ag-positive cats still alive at 3 years (P=0.0284). None of the three ratios could predict retroviruses-positive cats that would survive to the end of the study. Overall the results indicate that NLR, MLR, and PLR are not significantly different among retrovirus statuses evaluated and had a very limited prognostic value for the survival time in retrovirus-positive cats.

Twinning as a risk factor for neonatal acute intestinal diseases: a case-control study.

Introduction: Acute intestinal diseases (AID), including necrotizing enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation, are a group of conditions that typically present in preterm infants, and are associated with an elevated mortality and morbidity rate. The risk factors for these diseases remain largely unknown. The aim of the study is to identify the correlation between twinning and the development of AID. Methods: A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted. We recruited all infants with a diagnosis of AID, confirmed by anatomopathology, recovered in NICU between 2010 and 2020. Considering the rarity of the outcome, 4 matched controls for each subject were randomly chosen from the overall population of newborns. Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated using a conditional logistic regression model and a multivariate model by the creation of a Directed Acyclic Graph (www.dagitty.net). Results: The study population resulted in 65 cases and 260 controls. The two groups present similar median gestational age and mean birthweight in grams. The cases have a higher frequency of neonatal pathology (defined as at least one of patent ductus arteriosus, early or late sepsis, severe respiratory distress) (84.6% vs. 51.9%), medically assisted procreation (33.8% vs. 18.8%) and periventricular leukomalacia (10.8% vs. 2.7%), and a lower frequency of steroids prophylaxis (67.7% vs. 86.9%). About 50% of cases needed surgery. The OR for the direct effect were difference from one using logistic regression booth without and with repeated measures statements: from 1.14 to 4.21 (p = .019) and from 1.16 to 4.29 (p = .016), respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggests that twinning may be a risk factor for the development of AID. Due to the small number of cases observed, further studies on larger populations are needed.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection and audiological follow-up: electrophysiological auditory threshold before 3 months of age as a predictor of hearing outcome at 3 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether electrophysiological auditory thresholds (EATs) before 3 month of age, as assessed by the auditory brainstem responses (ABR) test and the auditory steady state responses (ASSR) test, can predict hearing outcome at 3 years of age among children born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. STUDY DESIGN: Audiological assessment was performed before 3 months of age, and every 6 months thereafter until 3 years of age, in a population of 63 children (126 ears). EATs before 3 months of age and at 3 years of age were compared. RESULT: No ear with an EAT of ≤30 dBHL (i.e. normal hearing) before 3 months of age showed worsening EATs at 3 years of age. CONCLUSION: An EAT of ≤30 dBHL obtained by ABR and ASSR tests before 3 months of age is predictive of a normal hearing at 3 years of age in children born with cCMV.

Hematological, biochemical and microbiological evaluation of feline whole blood units collected using an open system and stored for 35 days.

Despite the increasing availability of feline blood, which is collected and stored for transfusion purposes, few studies have assessed the effect of storage on feline whole blood (WB) units. The purpose of this study was to investigate selected hematologic and biochemical changes during storage of feline WB units and to determine when they occurred. Data from a quality control program for WB units was used in this study. Twelve feline WB units, collected using an open system, were sampled every 7 days from the point of collection to the end of storage at 35 days (D0, D7, D14, D21, D28, and D35). Measurements at each time point were: (1) hematologic parameters; (2) percentage hemolysis; (3) morphologic index scored at 0-3, based on echinocyte transformation of the erythrocytes; and (4) selected biochemical parameters. Aerobic and anaerobic culture was performed at D0 and D35. Results were compared statistically to D0 (statistical significance set at <0.01). Storage did not result in statistically significant changes in measured hematological parameters. There were statistically significant increases in percentage hemolysis and morphologic index, starting from D21 (P=0.000 and P=0.004, respectively). Glucose decreased significantly from D21 (P=0.003); potassium increased significantly from D7 (P=0.001); and sodium increased significantly, starting from D28 (P=0.009). Bacteria were not isolated. Blood in feline WB units collected using an open system underwent some significant storage changes that were time-dependent. As these changes could affect the quality and the utility of stored WB used in feline transfusion medicine, further study is required to determine their clinical importance.

Frequency of DEA 1 antigen in 1037 mongrel and PUREBREED dogs in ITALY.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA 1) in canine population is approximately 40-60%. Often data are limited to a small number of breeds and/or dogs. The aims of this study were to evaluate frequency of DEA 1 in a large population of purebred and mongrel dogs including Italian native breeds and to recognize a possible association between DEA 1 and breed, sex, and genetic and phenotypical/functional classifications of breeds. Frequencies of DEA 1 blood group collected from screened/enrolled blood donors and from healthy and sick dogs were retrospectively evaluated. The breed and the sex were recorded when available. DEA 1 blood typing was assessed by immunocromatographic test on K3EDTA blood samples. The prevalence of DEA 1 antigen was statistically related to breed, gender, Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and genotypic grouping. RESULTS: Sixty-two per cent dogs resulted DEA 1+ and 38% DEA 1-. DEA 1- was statistically associated with Dogo Argentino, Dobermann, German Shepherd, Boxer, Corso dogs, the molossian dogs, the FCI group 1, 2 and 3 and the genetic groups "working dogs" and "mastiff". DEA 1+ was statistically associated with Rottweiler, Briquet Griffon Vendéen, Bernese mountain dog, Golden Retriever, the hunting breeds, the FCI group 4, 6, 7 and 8 and the genetic groups "scent hounds" and "retrievers". No gender association was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained by this work may be clinically useful to drive blood donor enrollment and selection among different breeds.

Dog erythrocyte antigens (DEA) 1, 4, 7 and suspected naturally occurring anti-DEA 7 antibodies in Italian Corso dogs.

We sought to determine the prevalence of dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1, 4 and 7 and naturally occurring anti-DEA7 antibodies in Italian Corso dogs. In addition, we correlated DEAs with different epidemiologic variables, compared the prevalence of DEAs against other canine populations and assessed the risk of sensitisation and transfusion reactions (TRs) following unmatched transfusion. Blood samples from 100 Corso dogs were evaluated for DEA 1, 4, 7 and naturally occurring anti-DEA 7 antibodies. Seventy-one percent of samples were DEA 1-negative, 100% tested DEA 4-positive, and 95% tested DEA 7-negative. Suspected anti-DEA7 antibodies were found in 32% dogs. The DEA 1 and 7-negative phenotypes were significantly more common than in most canine populations. When a previously tested Italian canine population was considered as blood donors for Corso dogs, the risk of DEA 1 sensitisation using DEA 1 untyped blood was 29%, and of acute haemolytic TRs after a second untyped DEA 1-incompatible transfusion was 8%. The potential for delayed TRs between DEA 7-negative Corso dogs with suspected naturally occurring anti-DEA 7 antibodies receiving untyped DEA 7-positive blood was 11%. Conversely, when Corso dogs were blood donors for the same population, the risk of DEA 1 sensitisation was 17% and the risk of an acute haemolytic TR after a second DEA 1-incompatible blood transfusion was 3%. Corso dogs can be suitable blood donors. Additional studies are needed to clarify whether the high prevalence of naturally occurring anti-DEA 7 antibodies in this breed could increase their risk of delayed TRs when they are blood recipients.

Low-level laser therapy: Case-control study in dogs with sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis.

AIM: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a therapeutic photobiostimulation with properties in reducing swelling, inflammation, and promoting tissue healing. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate LLLT in sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis in five dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In each dog, one lesion was designated as the control (treated with a 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray), and one or more other lesions were treated with a gallium aluminum arsenide-laser, daily for 5 days. Lesions were scored before treatment (D0), at the end (D4), 16 days after the last laser treatment (D20), and after 2 months (D65). RESULTS: Comparing the treated lesion group with the control lesion group, the clinical score was similar at D0, whereas there was a statistically significant difference at D4 and D20; in the treated group over time, there was a statistically significant improvement between D0, D4, and D20. Lesion recurrence was absent in more than 50% of the treated lesions at D65. No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: Given the positive results of this first clinical study, it would be interesting to extend the study to confirm the validity of this type of therapy in sterile pyogranulomatous pododermatitis in the dog.

Reliability, validity and normative data of the Italian version of the Bus Story test.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the reliability and the validity of the Italian version of the Bus Story Test (I-BST), providing normative data in Italian children. METHODS: A total of 552 normally developing children (278 males and 274 females) aged 3; 6 to 9; 0 years, were enrolled. Test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability were analysed on a sample of respectively 145, 178 and 178 children. Normative data were gathered from all the enrolled children and estimate centiles according to the CG-LMS method provided. The children were divided into 11 age classes of six months each; percentile scores and standard error measurement were analysed in children from age class 4; 0-4; 5 years to age class 8; 6-811 years. Age effects on I-BST were analysed. RESULTS: Results showed high test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability scores. A significant age effect on I-BST scores emerged from the ANOVA test analysis; in particular, as age increases, so do I-BST scores. CONCLUSION: The I-BST is a reliable and valid tool. The availability of normative data for Italian speaking children may help clinicians during clinical assessment.

Short communication: Relationship between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and noninfectious pyuria in dogs.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a neutrophil-derived protein whose concentration increases in plasma and urine with ongoing renal damage. Urinary leucocytes can be a potential source of urinary NGAL. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of urinary neutrophil count and other urinary parameters on urinary NGAL values in urine with negative culture. Urinalysis, urine culture, and determination of urinary NGAL were performed on 33 clinically healthy nonproteinuric dogs with negative urinoculture. The median uNGAL concentration in dogs in this study population was 9.74 ng/mL (IQR 1.93-25.43 ng/mL). In samples with WBCs > 5 hpf (mean 15.9, 6-50 leucocytes/hpf), median uNGAL value was significantly higher than that in samples with WBCs < 5 hpf (mean 0.9, 0-3 leucocytes/hpf), (4.96 pg/mL (0.29-11.34) and 23.65 pg/mL (20.04-29.80), resp.; P = 0.0053). The severity of urinary pyuria and the UPC value were correlated with uNGAL concentration. The results of our study show that urinary NGAL concentration is correlated with WBCs number in urinary sediment of dogs with negative urinoculture. The present study suggests that noninfectious pyuria is significantly correlated with urinary NGAL values and might influence uNGAL values.

Effects of storage time on total protein and globulin concentrations in bovine fresh frozen plasma obtained for transfusion.

To evaluate the effects of storage conditions on total protein (TP) and globulin fractions in fresh frozen bovine plasma units prepared and stored for transfusion, TP and globulin fractions were evaluated in fresh plasma and at 1 month and 6 and 12 months after blood collection in plasma stored at -20°C. Significant differences in concentrations were found in the median concentration of total protein (P=0.0336), between 0 months and 1 month (P=0.0108), 0 and 6 months (P=0.0023), and 0 and 12 months (P=0.0027), in mean concentration (g/dL) of albumin (P=0.0394), between 0 months and 1 month (P=0.0131), 0 and 6 months (P=0.0035), and 0 and 12 months (P=0.0038), and beta-2 fraction (P=0.0401), between 0 and 6 months (P=0.0401) and 0 and 12 months (P=0.0230). This study suggests that total gamma globulin concentration in bovine frozen plasma is stable for 12 months at -20°C. Total protein, ALB, and beta-2 fraction have significantly different concentrations (g/dL) when compared to prestorage. This study has shown IgG protein fraction stability in bovine fresh frozen plasma collected for transfusion; therefore, bovine fresh frozen plasma seems to be suitable for the treatment of hypogammaglobulinemia (failure of passive transfer) in calves when stored for 12 months at -20°C.

Exploring copper nanostructures as highly uniform and reproducible substrates for plasmon-enhanced fluorescence.

The unique properties of metallic nanostructures of coinage metals that can sustain localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) put them at the centre of plasmon-enhanced phenomena. The theory of plasmonic phenomena based on LSPR is well-established. However, the fabrication of plasmonic substrates, reproducibly, is still challenging for applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF). In this work we describe well-ordered copper nanostructures (CuNSs), produced by electrodeposition and nanosphere lithography, as active substrates for SEF. After a detailed spectroscopic and microscopic characterization, CuNSs are successfully applied as SEF-active substrates using a well-known perylene derivative as a target molecule. The signal reproducibility from CuNS substrates was established by comparing the results against those obtained from a simply roughened Cu substrate. Under optimal conditions, signal variability is around 4%.

Hepatitis B immunity in teenagers vaccinated as infants: an Italian 17-year follow-up study.

We assessed the persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (anti-HBs) and immune memory in a cohort of 571 teenagers vaccinated against hepatitis B as infants, 17 years earlier. Vaccinees were followed-up in 2003 and in 2010 (i.e. 10 years and 17 years after primary vaccination, respectively). When tested in 2003, 199 vaccinees (group A) had anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL and were boosted, 372 (group B) were not boosted because they had anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL (n = 344) or refused booster (n = 28) despite anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL. In 2010, 72.9% (416/571) of participants had anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL (67.3% in group A vs. 75.8% in group B; p 0.03). The geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were similar in both groups. Between 2003 and 2010, anti-HBs concentrations in previously boosted individuals markedly declined with GMC dropping from 486 to 27.7 mIU/mL (p <0.001). Fifteen vaccinees showed a marked increase of antibody, possibly due to natural booster. In 2010, 96 individuals (37 of group A and 59 of group B) with anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL were boosted; all vaccinees of the former group and all but two of the latter had an anamnestic response. Post-booster GMC was higher in group B (895.6 vs. 492.2 mIU/mL; p 0.039). This finding shows that the immune memory for HBsAg persists beyond the time at which anti-HBs disappears, conferring long-term protection.

A key role for abdominal ultrasound examination in "difficult" diagnoses of celiac disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of abdominal ultrasound examination (US) for the diagnostic workup of cases of suspected CD involving negative serum antibodies and difficult diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 524 consecutive patients with symptoms of suspected CD underwent an extensive diagnostic workup. 76 (14 %) were excluded since they were positive for serum anti-tTG and/or EmA antibodies. 377 were excluded since they were diagnosed with something other than CD or did not have the alleles encoding for HLA DQ 2 or DQ 8. A diagnosis of CD with negative serum antibodies was probable in 71 patients who underwent abdominal US and duodenal biopsy for histology evaluation. RESULTS: Intestinal histology and subsequent clinical and histological follow-up confirmed the CD diagnosis in 12 patients (GROUP 1) and excluded it in 59 subjects (GROUP 2). Abdominal US showed that the presence of dilated bowel loops and a thickened small bowel wall had a sensitivity of 83 % and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95 % in CD diagnosis. Furthermore, in 11 of the 12 CD seronegative patients there was at least one of these two abdominal US signs. Therefore, considering the presence of one of these two signs, abdominal US sensitivity increased to 92 % and NPV to 98 %. CONCLUSION: Abdominal US is useful in the diagnostic workup of patients with a high clinical suspicion of CD but with negative serology.

Postnatal growth of preterm infants: which reference charts?

Preterm Infants' survival has greatly increased in the last few decades thanks to the improvement in obstetrical and neonatal care. These neonates constitute the large majority of the population in neonatal intensive care units. The correct evaluation of postnatal growth of these babies is nowadays of primary concern, although the definition of their optimal postnatal growth pattern is still controversial. Concerns have also been raised about the strategies to monitor their growth,specifically in relation to the charts used. At present the available charts in clinical practice are fetal growth charts, neonatal anthropometric charts and postnatal growth charts for term infants. None of these, for different reasons, is suitable to correctly evaluate preterm infant growth. An international multicentric project has recently started a study aiming at building a prescriptive standard for the evaluation of postnatal growth of preterm infants and it will be available in the next years. At present, while an international longitudinal standard for evaluating preterm infant postnatal growth is lacking, in Italy the best compromise in clinical practice is likely to be as follows: new Italian INeS (Italian Neonatal Study) charts up to term; International longitudinal charts WHO 2006 or CDC 2002 from term to two years; finally, the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (SIEDP) 2006 growth charts could be suitable for monitoring the growth of these infants from two years up to 20 years of age.

Prevalence of adverse food reactions in 130 dogs in Italy with dermatological signs: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of adverse food reactions (AFRs) in dogs with dermatological signs presented to the referral dermatological clinic of the University of Milan. METHODS: The medical records of dogs with dermatological signs were reviewed. Prevalence of AFRs was calculated. Owner and clinician pruritus scores were compared. Breed, sex and age predisposition were statistically tested, as was the association between AFR and selected clinical features. RESULTS: The prevalence of AFRs in dogs with dermatological signs was 12% (16 of 130). AFR was diagnosed in 26% of dogs with allergic disease and 48% of those subjected to a dietary trial. There was a significant association between AFRs and early onset of clinical signs (< 1 year) (OR=3.8; P=0.0221, 95% CI=1.27 to 11.16). There was a significant association between AFRs and both otitis externa (OR=5.9; P=0.0015, 95% CI=2 to 17.9) and perianal fistula (OR=26.1; P=0.0058, 95% CI=2.52 to 269.4), although all dogs with perianal fistulas were German shepherd dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of AFRs in the study population was higher than most reported values. Further studies are warranted to investigate the true prevalence of AFR and its possible association with perianal fistula and other potential markers.

Growth of fetal lean mass and fetal fat mass in gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate growth indicators of fetal lean mass and fat mass in the second half of the gestational period in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in comparison to normal control pregnancies. METHODS: Forty-three control and 171 GDM pregnancies were followed longitudinally by ultrasound examinations, measuring both traditional biometric parameters and six non-traditional parameters for the evaluation of lean and fat mass. A mixed linear model derived from the log-Count function was used to model fetal growth and to make comparisons between groups. Factor analysis was used to evaluate the associations between gestational diabetes and fetal size and fetal fat/lean mass ratios. RESULTS: A total of 506 scans were obtained in the 214 pregnancies, a mean of 2.4 scans per pregnancy (range 2-5). Maternal age, prepregnancy weight and body mass index were significantly higher in GDM pregnancies. Fetuses of GDM pregnancies showed greater growth, at the same gestational age, for each lean and fat non-traditional parameter, having a significantly greater amount of total tissue mass and a higher fat mass/lean mass ratio, independent of gestational age, in comparison to control pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: A non-invasive, repeatable evaluation of fetal body composition in utero could represent a useful method for the early detection of growth abnormalities and for direct estimation of the fetal metabolic status.

Reliability of the bright liver echo pattern in diagnosing steatosis in patients with cryptogenic and HCV-related hypertransaminasaemia.

AIM: To evaluate the reliability of the bright liver (BL) echo pattern on ultrasound to detect histological steatosis in chronic cryptogenic hypertransaminasaemia (CCH) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related forms of hypertransaminasaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients, 54 with CCH and 96 with HCV hypertransaminasaemia (76 genotype 1/2 and 20 genotype 3), were enrolled. Histological steatosis was measured as the percentage of hepatocytes involved. The reliability of the BL sign was estimated using the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Histological steatosis was present in 102/150 patients (68%) divided into 59/96 (62%) in the HCV group and 43/54 (79.6%) in the CCH group (chi(2)=4.4; p=0.035). In a multivariate analysis, the variable associated with the BL echo pattern was steatosis percentage (p=0.0018). Steatosis percentage was higher in CCH group than in the HCV genotype 1/2 and 3 groups (p=0.02). The sensitivity of the BL echo pattern was 88% in the CCH group [confidence interval (CI) 95% 74-95] versus 61% (CI 95% 44-73) in the HCV genotype 1/2 group. The CI indicates that ultrasound can provide evidence for steatosis in a statistically significant way in the CCH versus HCV genotype 1/2 patients. In the genotype 3 group, the sensitivity was high (90%), but the limited number of cases limited the statistical significance due to the high CI. CONCLUSION: In CCH the BL echo pattern has excellent reliability in diagnosing steatosis, better than in HCV hypertransaminasaemia because of the higher prevalence and extent of steatosis.

Direct measurement of current filament structures in a magnetic-confinement fusion device.

Turbulent structures detected in the edge plasma of fusion devices, often described as blobs, are generally believed to be responsible for confinement degradation. Recent experimental evidence and theories have suggested their filamentary electromagnetic nature. In this Letter the first direct experimental measurements of the parallel current density associated with turbulent structures in a fusion experiment are reported. The electromagnetic nature of structures is clearly shown by identifying the current filaments with a vortexlike velocity pattern and the associated pressure perturbation.