Procjena kritičnih točaka lezija papaka u mliječnih krava: preliminarno istraživanje novog sustava bodovanja

Lameness is a serious animal welfare and production issue in the modern dairy herds. The development of a scoring system that is able to categorize the farm on the basis of its hazard risk level may help clinicians and farmers to identify potential issues and to reduce costs caused by lameness. The aim of this study was to develop an easy and fast score for evaluation of the structural and managerial factors potentially involved in the pathogenesis of foot lesions, and categorization of dairy farms. A total of six free-stall dairy farms were evaluated during a 3 month-period. The score developed in this study was composed of evaluation of the housing system, flooring, the farm design, the use of footbaths, the frequency of hoof trimming, and the continuing education of the employers. For each parameter, a score of 0 to 2 was assigned where the score 0 meant the least appropriate condition, the score 2 represented the best. The Farm Score showed a significant correlation with foot lesion prevalence (P = 0.0011, R2 0.94) and with the theoretical assessment of additional cost per animal (P = 0.001, R2 0.95). The significant correlation between the Farm Score, the foot lesion prevalence and the theoretical assessment of additional costs per animal may underline the potential usefulness of the score designed in this study. The Farm Score may be considered as a cheap and fast way to evaluate the hazard risk level for claw health on a dairy farm.U mliječnim je stadima hromost danas važno pitanje dobrobiti i proizvodnje životinja. Razvoj sustava bodovanja za kategorizaciju farmi na temelju razine rizika od hromosti može pomoći kliničarima, odnosno stočarima, pri utvrđivanju potencijalnih problema i smanjenju troškova uzrokovanih tom bolešću. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je razviti jednostavan i brz sustav za procjenu strukturnih i upravljačkih čimbenika u proizvodnji koji bi mogli biti uključeni u patogenezu lezija papaka i poslužiti za kategorizaciju mliječnih farmi. Tijekom tri mjeseca istraživano je ukupno šest mliječnih farmi sa slobodnim načinom držanja. Sustav bodovanja farmi uspostavljen u ovom istraživanju uključivao je nastambe za životinje, podove, organizaciju farme, upotrebu kupki za papke, učestalost obrade papaka i kontinuiranom edukaciju zaposlenika. Svakom je pokazatelju dodijeljen bod od 0 do 2, pri čemu 0 označuje najmanje prikladno stanje, a 2 najbolje stanje. Sustav bodovanja na farmi pokazao je znakovit odnos sa prevalencijom lezija papaka (P = 0,0011, R2 0,94) kao i sa teoretskom procjenom dodatnih troškova po životinji (P = 0,001, R2 0,95). Navedeno naglašava potencijalnu korist sustava bodovanja uspostavljenog u ovom istraživanju kao jeftinog i brzog načina procjene razine rizika za zdravlje papaka na mliječnim farmama

Expression Profiling of a Genetic Animal Model of Depression Reveals Novel Molecular Pathways Underlying Depressive-Like Behaviours

The Flinders model is a validated genetic rat model of depression that exhibits a number of behavioural, neurochemical and pharmacological features consistent with those observed in human depression.In this study we have used genome-wide microarray expression profiling of the hippocampus and prefrontal/frontal cortex of Flinders Depression Sensitive (FSL) and control Flinders Depression Resistant (FRL) lines to understand molecular basis for the differences between the two lines. We profiled two independent cohorts of Flinders animals derived from the same colony six months apart, each cohort statistically powered to allow independent as well as combined analysis. Using this approach, we were able to validate using real-time-PCR a core set of gene expression differences that showed statistical significance in each of the temporally distinct cohorts, representing consistently maintained features of the model. Small but statistically significant increases were confirmed for cholinergic (chrm2, chrna7) and serotonergic receptors (Htr1a, Htr2a) in FSL rats consistent with known neurochemical changes in the model. Much larger gene changes were validated in a number of novel genes as exemplified by TMEM176A, which showed 35-fold enrichment in the cortex and 30-fold enrichment in hippocampus of FRL animals relative to FSL.These data provide significant insights into the molecular differences underlying the Flinders model, and have potential relevance to broader depression research

Valutazione dell'efficacia di un fitoterapico reperibile in commercio e dell'Ivermectina per il trattamento delle infestazioni da strongili intestinali nell'asino

Lo scopo della nostra ricerca è stato duplice: a) valutare l’efficacia di un antelmintico fitoterapico disponibile in commercio per il controllo delle strongilosi intestinali di asini naturalmente infestati e, successivamente, b) determinare, nella stessa popolazione asinina, l’efficacia e il periodo di ricomparsa delle uova (ERP) dopo trattamento con Ivermectina. L’indagine ha coinvolto un totale di 14 asini adulti di razza Amiatina, di età compresa tra 7 e 13 anni e naturalmente infestati da strongili intestinali. Per la prima indagine gli asini sono stati assegnati a due gruppi: gruppo trattato con fitoterapico (n=8), secondo le raccomandazioni del produttore, e gruppo di controllo non trattato (n=6). I campioni fecali sono stati prelevati da ciascun animale nei giorni F0 (giorno del trattamento), F14, F21 (giorno del secondo trattamento aggiuntivo), F35 e F42. I test di riduzione del conteggio delle uova fecali (FECRT) hanno mostrato una riduzione molto trascurabile o nulla del numero di uova di strongili negli asini del gruppo trattato con fitoterapico rispetto al gruppo di controllo. Per la seconda indagine, gli animali sono stati riassegnati a due gruppi: gruppo trattato con Ivermecina in pasta orale alla dose di 200 mcg/kg di peso corporeo (n=10) e gruppo di controllo (n=4). I singoli campioni fecali sono stati prelevati nei giorni I0, I14 post-trattamento e successivamente ad intervalli settimanali per altre 11 settimane. I campioni fecali sono stati quindi esaminati tramite FECRT il giorno 14 post-trattamento e successivamente ad intervalli settimanali fino al 93° giorno. Il 14° giorno post-trattamento è stato evidenziato un FECRT del 100% mentre l’ERP, definito come la settimana in cui il FECRT medio è sceso al di sotto del 90% di efficacia, è stato stimato essere di 11 settimane. Questa ricerca ha dimostrato che l’Ivermectina utilizzata allo stesso dosaggio raccomandato per i cavalli è risultata efficace e sicura anche per il trattamento della strongilosi intestinale negli asini

Evaluation of a marketed polyerbal dewormer against intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available polyherbal dewormer to control intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys. The animals were allotted to two groups: treated with the herbal dewormer (n=8) according to manufacturer recommendations and untreated control group (n=6). Fecal samples were taken from each animal on days 0 (day of treatment), 14, 21 (day of second additional treatment), 35, and 42. Faecal egg count reduction tests showed very negligible or no reduction in number of strongyle eggs for donkeys in the phytotherapeutic treatment group compared to those in the control group. Thus, the herbal dewormer was mostly ineffective in reducing fecal egg counts in donkeys infected with intestinal strongyles. These findings can make equine practitioners aware of possible disadvantages of herbal dewormers

Can Procalcitonin Be Dosed in Bovine Milk Using a Commercial ELISA Kit?

The aim was to evaluate the use of a bovine procalcitonin (PCT) ELISA kit (Cusabio, China) for assessing PCT in bovine milk samples. Validation was performed by using 10 plasma and corresponding milk samples from mastitic cows. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated. The coefficient of variation (CV%) of the readings of five plasma samples measured five times in the same plate (intra-assay) and the CV% of the same five samples read five times in three separate plates was evaluated. Parallelism was determined by serial twofold dilutions of five plasma and corresponding milk samples. Milk samples were analyzed with and without centrifugation. Regarding plasma PCT, the method presented an inter- and intra-CV < 23.7% and parallelism had very good recovery values. The ELISA kit studied can measure bovine plasma PCT concentrations. The kit antibodies fail in binding PCT in milk samples because all centrifuged milk samples showed a lower LOD than blank samples. Only three uncentrifuged milk samples showed measurable PCT concentrations. Due to these results, the commercial ELISA kit investigated could not be employed for the detection of PCT in milk samples

Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of HCV infection in HIV/HCV coinfected patients: a clinical experience.

Background HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection has an unfavourable influence on the natural history of HCV, resulting in an increased rate of progression to cirrhosis, HCC and end stage liver disease. Although direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have proven to be effective in eradicating HCV infection in coinfected individuals, few data on cost effectiveness in clinical practice are available to date. Purpose This prospective study aims to assess efficacy and costs of DAAs in an outpatient population of HIV/HCV coinfected subjects. Material and methods A database for DAA prescription monitoring was created, including information on the overall cost of the anti-­‐HCV regimen for each patient. Patients were treated according to the local prescription regulations. Virologic response to DAAs was assessed at weeks 4, 12 and 24 after treatment initiation. Additional clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the medical records. Results 35 subjects were studied (males 80%, mean age 51 years), 23 undergoing a 12 week treatment course and 12 a 24 week course. Prior to initiation, 74% of patients had HIV plasma viral load below the detection limit. 80% changed at least one HIV medication to minimise the risk of drug-­‐drug interactions; eventually, 71% switched to an integrase inhibitor based regimen. 87% of patients undergoing a 12 week DAA regimen had HCV genotype 1 infection whereas 67% of patients on a 24 week regimen had genotype 3. An interferon free regimen was chosen for 91% of patients. Ribavirin was used in combination with DAAs in 57% of subjects. Preferred combinations were simeprevir/sofosbuvir for the treatment of genotype 1 and sofosbuvir/ribavirin or daclatasvir/sofosbuvir for genotype 3. Other combinations were paritaprevir/dasabuvir/ombitasvir/ritonavir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. 55% of patients showed undetectable HCV viraemia at week 4 and 86% at week 12. To date, 22 patients have completed the full treatment course (19 patients 12 weeks, 3 patients 24 weeks), all showing undetectable HCV viraemia. Among these, 23% experienced mild side effects, all related to ribavirin co-­administration (anaemia, fatigue). Mean treatment cost was approximately 55,000€ per patient. Conclusion This prospective study shows the effectiveness and safety of DAA therapy in HIV/HCV coinfected individuals in the clinical setting, despite the high cost. Data collection on sustained virologic response after treatment discontinuation is still ongoing

Antiretroviral therapy management and rationalisation of available resources

The treatment of HIV disease has led to a new division of management costs by shifting most of the necessary resources from inpatient treatment to outpatient management. Among the initiatives aimed at rationalising the resources available, we compared efficacy, tolerability and pharmacoeconomic impact of different regimes of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The survey covered the first 50 patients, clinically stable and with good viro-immunological response, who switched in June 2012 from an ART based on the triple combination of tenofovir (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC) and a protease inhibitor boosted with ritonavir (PI/r) or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), to a treatment based on abacavir (ABC), lamivudine (3TC) and a PI/r or NNRTI. Of the 50 patients who operated the switch, 39 replaced a PI with nevirapine (NVP), for which the largest group of patients was treated with ABC + 3TC + NVP. On 31 May 2015, all patients completed the observation period of 96 weeks, with a mean observation period of 132 weeks and clinical-laboratory checks every four months. Laboratory analysis revealed an optimal maintenance of viral suppression and absolute and relative number of CD4 + lymphocytes and improving trend of creatinine, proteinuria, serum phosphate and bone alkaline phosphatase. There was a variable effect on lipids, with a drop in triglycerides associated with a modest increase in total cholesterol. Much of the HIV-positive population reporting to our hospitals (>50%) comprises individuals who have for years been in stable viraemic suppression, making a satisfactory immune recovery while in good overall clinical condition. This type of patient was the target of the present survey. At the end of 96 weeks of observation the new regimes were well tolerated and did not lead to viro-immunological or clinical deterioration. Pharmacoeconomic analysis showed better containment of the overall costs. No patient needed to be hospitalised during the observation period

Airway management in anesthesia for thoracic surgery: a "real life" observational study

Background: One-lung ventilation (OLV) in thoracic anesthesia is required to provide good surgical exposure. OLV is commonly achieved through a double lumen tube (DLT) or a bronchial blocker (BB). Malposition is a relevant issue related to these devices use. No prospective studies with adequately large sample size have been performed to evaluate the malposition rate of DLTS and BBs.Methods: A total of 2,127 patients requiring OLV during thoracic surgery were enrolled. The aim of this multicenter prospective observational study performed across 26 academic and community hospitals is to evaluate intraoperative malposition rate of DLTs and BBs. We also aim to assess: which device is the most used to achieve OLV, the frequency of bronchoscope (BRO) use, the incidence rate of desaturation during OLV and the role of other factors that can correlate to this event, and incidence of difficult airway.Results: Malposition rate for DLTs was 14%, for BBs 33%. DLTs were used in 95% of patients and BBs in 5%. Mean positioning time was shorter for DLT than BB (156 +/- 230 vs. 321 +/- 290 s). BRO was used in 54% of patients to check the correct positioning of the DLT. Desaturation occurred in 20% of all cases during OLV achieved through a DLT. Predicting factors of desaturation were dislocation (OR 2.03) and big size of DLT (OR 1.15). BRO use (OR 0.69) and left surgical side (OR 0.41) proved to be protective factors. Difficult airway prevalence was 16%; 10.8% predicted and 5.2% unpredicted.Conclusions: DLT has a low malpositioning rate and is the preferred device to achieve OLV. BRO use recorded was unexpectedly low. The possibility of encountering a difficult airway is frequent, with an overall prevalence of 16%. Risk factors of desaturation are malposition and increased size of DLT. Left procedures and BRO use could lead to fewer episodes of desaturation