Short communication: Bovine milk sampling efficiency for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) detection test

Two experiments were conducted to verify whether the time of day at which a milk sample is collected and the possible carryover in the milking system may affect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results in dairy cows. In experiment one, we evaluated the effect of time of day at which the milk sample is collected from 51 cows. In experiment two, which evaluated the possible occurrence of carryover in the milk meter milking system, milk samples from 94 cows belonging to two different farms were used. The samples were subjected to pregnancy test using ELISA methodology to measure PAG concentrations and to classify the samples as positive (pregnant), negative (nonpregnant), or suspicious (recheck). We found that the time of milking did not affect the PAG levels. As to the occurrence of carryover in the milk meter, the PAG levels of the samples collected from Farm-2 were heavily influenced by a carryover effect compared with the samples from Farm-1. Thus, milk samples submitted to a pregnancy test can be collected during the morning or the evening milking. When the sample is collected from the milk meters, periodic equipment maintenance should be noted, including whether the milk meter is totally drained between different animals’ milking and equipment cleaning between milking is performed correctly to minimize the occurrence of carryover, thereby avoiding the effect on PAG levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results. Therefore, a single milk sample can be used for both milk quality tests and pregnancy test

Molecular epidemiology and extended-spectrum β-lactamases production of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from three dairy herds

The objectives of this study were to isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae from different sources in three dairy cattle herds, to use the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to measure genotypic similarities between isolates within a dairy herd, to verify the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) by the double-disk synergy test (DDST), and to use the PCR to detect the main ESBLs subgroups genes. Three dairy farms were selected based on previous mastitis outbreaks caused by K. pneumoniae. Milk samples were collected from lactating cows and from the bulk tank. Swabs were performed in different locations, including milking parlors, waiting room, soil, animal's hind limbs and rectum. K. pneumoniae was isolated from 27 cases of intramammary infections (IMI) and from 41 swabs. For farm A isolates from IMI and bulk tank were considered of the same PGFE subtype. One isolate from a bulk tank, three from IMI cases and four from environmental samples were positive in the DDST test. All eight DDST positive isolates harbored the bla shv gene, one harbored the bla tem gene, and three harbored the bla ctx-m gene, including the bulk tank isolate. Our study confirms that ESBL producing bacteria is present in different locations in dairy farms, and may be responsible for IMI. The detection of ESBLs on dairy herds could be a major concern for both public and animal health

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

From degrader to producer: reversing the gallic acid metabolism of Pseudomonas putida KT2440

Data de publicació electrònica: 11-11-2022Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant with multiple therapeutic applications, usually obtained from the acidic hydrolysis of tannins produced by many plants. As this process generates a considerable amount of toxic waste, the use of tannases or tannase-producing microorganisms has become a greener alternative over the last years. However, their high costs still impose some barriers for industrial scalability, requiring solutions that could be both greener and cost-effective. Since Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a powerful degrader of gallic acid, its metabolism offers pathways that can be engineered to produce it from cheap and renewable carbon sources, such as the crude glycerol generated in biodiesel units. In this study, a synthetic operon with the heterologous genes aroG4, quiC and pobA* was developed and expressed in P. putida, based on an in silico analysis of possible metabolic routes, resulting in no production. Then, the sequences pcaHG and galTAPR were deleted from the genome of this strain to avoid the degradation of gallic acid and its main intermediate, the protocatechuic acid. This mutant was transformed with the vector containing the synthetic operon and was finally able to convert glycerol into gallic acid. Production assays in shaker showed a final concentration of 346.7 ± 0.004 mg L-1 gallic acid after 72 h

Effects of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Dogs with Neurological Sequels of Distemper Virus

Background : Acupuncture (AP) has been empirically used to relieve post-canine distemper virus (CDV) infection neurological signs in veterinary clinics. Objectives: This clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of AP combined with electroacupuncture (EA) on neurological function in dogs infected by CDV. Methods : Twenty-four CDV-infected dogs with neurological sequelae were recruited to receive weekly AP/EA sections for 24 weeks. Neurological improvements were assessed before each AP/EA session using a modified scoring system. Data were analyzed using the McNemar test, Friedman test, Fisher's exact test, and Kaplan-Meier curves (p < 0.05). Results : Neurological scores improved from seven to 24 weeks after AP/EA treatment compared with pretreatment scores (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were recorded over time for functional limb recovery, cranial nerve deficits, mental status (p = 0.025 - 0.014), and urinary function (p < 0.001). Myoclonus was improved and entirely reversed in 75% and 25% of the dogs, respectively. At the end of treatment, the proportion of dogs with normal proprioception, posture, hopping (p < 0.001), and superficial pain sensation responses (p = 0.004) was greater than pretreatment values. Conclusion : AP/EA therapy promoted significant neurological recovery in CDV-infected dogs and may be considered within the chronic phase of the disease to improve motor and sensory rehabilitation. However, these results are preliminary and must be confirmed by further investigations

Short communication: Bovine milk sampling efficiency for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) detection test

Two experiments were conducted to verify whether the time of day at which a milk sample is collected and the possible carryover in the milking system may affect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results in dairy cows. In experiment one, we evaluated the effect of time of day at which the milk sample is collected from 51 cows. In experiment two, which evaluated the possible occurrence of carryover in the milk meter milking system, milk samples from 94 cows belonging to two different farms were used. The samples were subjected to pregnancy test using ELISA methodology to measure PAG concentrations and to classify the samples as positive (pregnant), negative (nonpregnant), or suspicious (recheck). We found that the time of milking did not affect the PAG levels. As to the occurrence of carryover in the milk meter, the PAG levels of the samples collected from Farm-2 were heavily influenced by a carryover effect compared with the samples from Farm-1. Thus, milk samples submitted to a pregnancy test can be collected during the morning or the evening milking. When the sample is collected from the milk meters, periodic equipment maintenance should be noted, including whether the milk meter is totally drained between different animals’ milking and equipment cleaning between milking is performed correctly to minimize the occurrence of carryover, thereby avoiding the effect on PAG levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results. Therefore, a single milk sample can be used for both milk quality tests and pregnancy test

Bovine milk sampling efficiency for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) detection test

Two experiments were conducted to verify whether the time of day at which a milk sample is collected and the possible carryover in the milking system may affect pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results in dairy cows. In experiment one, we evaluated the effect of time of day at which the milk sample is collected from 51 cows. In experiment two, which evaluated the possible occurrence of carryover in the milk meter milking system, milk samples from 94 cows belonging to two different farms were used. The samples were subjected to pregnancy test using ELISA methodology to measure PAG concentrations and to classify the samples as positive (pregnant), negative (nonpregnant), or suspicious (recheck). We found that the time of milking did not affect the PAG levels. As to the occurrence of carryover in the milk meter, the PAG levels of the samples collected from Farm-2 were heavily influenced by a carryover effect compared with the samples from Farm-1. Thus, milk samples submitted to a pregnancy test can be collected during the morning or the evening milking. When the sample is collected from the milk meters, periodic equipment maintenance should be noted, including whether the milk meter is totally drained between different animals’ milking and equipment cleaning between milking is performed correctly to minimize the occurrence of carryover, thereby avoiding the effect on PAG levels and, consequently, the pregnancy test results. Therefore, a single milk sample can be used for both milk quality tests and pregnancy test

Experience report of the implementation of competisoft on five Colombian MSMEs

Las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas desarrolladoras de software conforman uno de los sectores más representativos de la economía mundial. Por esta razón, obtener resultados concretos en el contexto real sobre la utilización de métodos y modelos propuestos para apoyar la calidad del software es un aporte importante para el sector de la industria del software. En este sentido, este artículo presenta la aplicación de los modelos propuestos por Competisoft (un proyecto iberoamericano orientado a incrementar la competitividad de las pequeñas empresas mediante la estrategia de mejora de procesos) en pro de conducir el mejoramiento de algunos procesos de software en cinco pequeñas y medianas empresas colombianas desarrolladoras de software. Además, este artículo también muestra el comportamiento de la aplicación de Competisoft desde la perspectiva de: (i) determinar qué tan productivo resulta ser para una empresa adoptar esta estrategia de mejora en términos del esfuerzo y progreso alcanzado; y (ii) refinar, validar y mejorar los modelos de Competisoft con base en los resultados obtenidos en los reportes de experiencia.Micro, small and medium-sized software development enterprises are one of the most representative sectors of the global economy. For this reason, obtaining concrete results in the actual context through the methods and models proposed to support software quality is an important contribution to the field of the software industry. In this sense, this paper presents the application of the models proposed by Competisoft (an Iberoamerican project focused on increasing the competitiveness of small enterprises through the process improvement strategy), in order to drive the improvement of some software processes into five Colombian small and medium-sized software development companies. Additionally, this paper also shows the behavior of the application of Competisoft from two approaches: (i) determine, for a company, how productive is adoption of this improvement strategy, in terms of effort and progress, and (ii) refine, validate, and improve models of Competisoft based on the results in reports of experience

Supplementary corpora lutea monitoring allows progestin treatment interruption on day 70 of pregnancy in non-cyclic recipient mares

The present study evaluated the effect of altrenogest treatment during 70 or 120 days of gestation on pregnancy maintenance in non-cyclic recipient mares and correlated the hormonal interruption findings with number, supplementary corpora lutea (SCL) formation period, and plasma progesterone (P4). Twenty five mares were used as recipients during anestrus, transitional or ovulatory phase and were assigned into groups according to altrenogest treatment period (70ALT, 120ALT or Control groups) or reproductive status at beginning of treatment (Anestrus, Transition or Cyclic/Control groups). Mares were evaluated by ultrasonography and quantification of plasma progesterone to monitor pregnancy status, SCL formation and P4 profile. After hormonal withdrawal, abortion was only observed on group 70ALT. The days of first SCL formation were similar (p = 0.32) in the 70ALT and 120ALT groups and greater (p < 0.01) than the Control group. In addition, the first SCL formation period occurred later during gestation in the anestrus group than in the transitional or cyclic mares. Progesterone synthesis in non-cyclic mares occurred in more advanced gestational period and showed lower concentration during the 120 days in relation to cyclic mares. It is suggested that progestin treatment interruption in non-cyclic recipient mares at 70 days of gestation allows pregnancy maintenance when SCL are observed and at 120 days enables maintenance in all recipient mares. In addition, the first SCL development period occurs in different gestational phases during pregnancy among anestrus, transitional and cyclic mares. This study improves the understanding of pregnancy physiology and enables progestins treatment interruption on day 70 of pregnancy in non-cyclic pregnant recipient mares. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP