Simulation models for estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay

This study shows the results of estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay, using spreadsheet simulation models.Fourteen flocks of broiler chicks were kept under observation.Sera were collected from randomly-selected 20 chicks per flock at 1, 4 and 8 days of age, and assayed by a commercial Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to evaluate Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA) titres.Deterministic (an age-based estimation method called the Deventer formula) and stochastic (through inclusion of uncertainty in the parameters) models were developed with the data.In the deterministic models, all the estimated optimal vaccination timings of each flock at the three sampling time points were between 16 and 24 days of age.In the stochastic models, each of the median optimal vaccination timings was estimated later than the corresponding point-estimate timing, generated by the deterministic version.Uniformity of the MDA titre distribution in the flocks was considered in relation to the number of vaccinations required.The ELISA results provide only a rough indication, in the case of deterministic model in particular.A stochastic version of the same model, in conjunction with the use of a concept of uniformity might give a solution to the problem.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Simulation models for estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay

This study shows the results of estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay, using spreadsheet simulation models.Fourteen flocks of broiler chicks were kept under observation.Sera were collected from randomly-selected 20 chicks per flock at 1, 4 and 8 days of age, and assayed by a commercial Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to evaluate Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA) titres.Deterministic (an age-based estimation method called the Deventer formula) and stochastic (through inclusion of uncertainty in the parameters) models were developed with the data.In the deterministic models, all the estimated optimal vaccination timings of each flock at the three sampling time points were between 16 and 24 days of age.In the stochastic models, each of the median optimal vaccination timings was estimated later than the corresponding point-estimate timing, generated by the deterministic version.Uniformity of the MDA titre distribution in the flocks was considered in relation to the number of vaccinations required.The ELISA results provide only a rough indication, in the case of deterministic model in particular.A stochastic version of the same model, in conjunction with the use of a concept of uniformity might give a solution to the problem.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Food Reputation and Food Preferences: Application of the Food Reputation Map (FRM) in Italy, USA, and China

Given the food challenges that society is facing, we draw upon recent developments in the study of how food reputation affects food preferences and food choices, providing here a starting standard point for measuring every aspect of food reputation in different cultural contexts across the world. Specifically, while previous attempts focused either on specific aspects of food or on measures of food features validated in one language only, the present research validates the Food Reputation Map (FRM) in Italian, English and Chinese over 2,250 participants worldwide. Here we successfully measure food reputation across 23 specific indicators, further grouped into six synthetic indicators of food reputation. Critically, results show that: (a) the specific measurement tool of food reputation can vary across cultural contexts, and that (b) people's reputation of food products or categories changes significantly across different cultural contexts. Therefore, in order to understand people's food preferences and consumption, it is important to take into account the repertoire of cultural differences that underlies the contexts of analysis: the three context-specific versions of the FRM presented here effectively deal with this issue and provide reliable context-specific insights on stakeholders' interests, perspectives, attitudes and behaviors related to food perceptions, assessment, and consumption, which can be effectively leveraged to foster food sustainability

Toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbit

Se describe un brote de Toxoplasmosis en conejos domésticos, desde el punto de vista clínico y anatomopatológicos macro y microscópico, el diagnóstico se realizó exclusivamente en base al estudio histopatológico. Se relatan las formas de presentación en otras especies domésticas, ciclo evolutivo y epidemiología del parásito y los antecedentes en veterinaria en nuestro país.An outbreak of Toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbits is described clinically and anatomopathologically.Diagnosis was performed under hlstologlc studies carried out with hematoxylin and eosin stains and other special techniques. Its occurrence in other domestic animals, biological cycle and epidemiology are also described as well as the antecedents in veterinary in our country.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatitis C virus-related portal hypertension after liver transplantation.

hinolfi D, De Simone P, Catalano G, Petruccelli S, Coletti L, Carrai P, Marti J, Tincani G, Cicorelli A, Cioni R, Filipponi F. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatitis C virus-related portal hypertension after liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2011.01595.x. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:  This is a single center retrospective review of 19 consecutive liver transplant (LT) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related graft recurrent hepatitis who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) at a median interval of 21 months (range: 5-50) from LT. Indications were refractory ascites in 11 patients (57.9%), hydrothorax in six (31.6%), and both in two (10.5%). TIPS was successful in 94.7% of cases (18/19) with only one procedure-related mortality (5.3%) owing to sepsis on day 35. At a median follow-up of 23 months (range: one month-nine yr), TIPS allowed for symptoms resolution in 16 patients (84.2%), with ascites resolving in all cases and hydrothorax persisting in 2. Post-TIPS patient survival at six months, one yr, and three yr was 84.2%, 73.7%, and 56.8%, respectively. We compared these results with a control group of 29 patients with HCV recurrence but without unresponsive ascites or hydrothorax. Patients in the control group had better survival than patients undergoing TIPS placement. However, survival of TIPS patients with a MELD score lower than or equal to 12 was similar to that of the control group. We conclude that TIPS may be used to treat complications secondary to HCV

Toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbit

Se describe un brote de Toxoplasmosis en conejos domésticos, desde el punto de vista clínico y anatomopatológicos macro y microscópico, el diagnóstico se realizó exclusivamente en base al estudio histopatológico. Se relatan las formas de presentación en otras especies domésticas, ciclo evolutivo y epidemiología del parásito y los antecedentes en veterinaria en nuestro país.An outbreak of Toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbits is described clinically and anatomopathologically.Diagnosis was performed under hlstologlc studies carried out with hematoxylin and eosin stains and other special techniques. Its occurrence in other domestic animals, biological cycle and epidemiology are also described as well as the antecedents in veterinary in our country.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Isolation of <i>Mycoplasma synoviae</i> from broiler chickens and breeders. First report in Argentina

En sucesivos muestreos realizados sobre 29 pollos parrilleros y 72 gallinas reproductoras pesadas de 2 establecimientos avícolas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, se aislaron 23 cepas de Mycoplasma synoviae (5 de pollos parrilleros y 18 de gallinas reproductoras pesadas). Los parrilleros presentaban signos clínicos de Sinovitis Infecciosa (SI), mientras que los reproductores manifestaban trastornos respiratorios compatibles con la Enfermedad Respiratoria Crónica de las aves (ERC). En ambas categorías de animales se detectó serología positiva a Mycoplasma synoviae (Pruebas de Aglutinación Rápida en Placa e Inhibición de la Hemoaglutinación). La tipificación de las cepas aisladas, se llevó a cabo mediante el estudio de sus propiedades culturales, bioquímicas y serológicas, siendo ésta la primera comunicación de aislamiento de este microorganismo en la República Argentina.Twenty three Mycoplasma synoviae strains (5 from broiler chickens and 18 from broiler breeders) were isolated from 2 farms of broiler chickens and broiler breeders of Buenos Aires province. The broilers presented symptoms of Infectious Synovitis and the breeders showed clinical sings of Chronic Respiratory Disease. Both categories of animals were serologically positive to Mycoplasma synoviae (Rapid Plate Agglutination Test and Hemagglutination Inhibition Test). The isolated strains were characterized as Mycoplasma synoviae on the bases of their cultural, biological and serological properties. This is the first report of isolation of this organism in Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Isolation of <i>Mycoplasma synoviae</i> from broiler chickens and breeders. First report in Argentina

En sucesivos muestreos realizados sobre 29 pollos parrilleros y 72 gallinas reproductoras pesadas de 2 establecimientos avícolas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, se aislaron 23 cepas de Mycoplasma synoviae (5 de pollos parrilleros y 18 de gallinas reproductoras pesadas). Los parrilleros presentaban signos clínicos de Sinovitis Infecciosa (SI), mientras que los reproductores manifestaban trastornos respiratorios compatibles con la Enfermedad Respiratoria Crónica de las aves (ERC). En ambas categorías de animales se detectó serología positiva a Mycoplasma synoviae (Pruebas de Aglutinación Rápida en Placa e Inhibición de la Hemoaglutinación). La tipificación de las cepas aisladas, se llevó a cabo mediante el estudio de sus propiedades culturales, bioquímicas y serológicas, siendo ésta la primera comunicación de aislamiento de este microorganismo en la República Argentina.Twenty three Mycoplasma synoviae strains (5 from broiler chickens and 18 from broiler breeders) were isolated from 2 farms of broiler chickens and broiler breeders of Buenos Aires province. The broilers presented symptoms of Infectious Synovitis and the breeders showed clinical sings of Chronic Respiratory Disease. Both categories of animals were serologically positive to Mycoplasma synoviae (Rapid Plate Agglutination Test and Hemagglutination Inhibition Test). The isolated strains were characterized as Mycoplasma synoviae on the bases of their cultural, biological and serological properties. This is the first report of isolation of this organism in Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Simulation models for estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay

This study shows the results of estimating optimal vaccination timing for infectious bursal disease in broiler chickens in Paraguay, using spreadsheet simulation models.Fourteen flocks of broiler chicks were kept under observation.Sera were collected from randomly-selected 20 chicks per flock at 1, 4 and 8 days of age, and assayed by a commercial Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to evaluate Maternally Derived Antibody (MDA) titres.Deterministic (an age-based estimation method called the Deventer formula) and stochastic (through inclusion of uncertainty in the parameters) models were developed with the data.In the deterministic models, all the estimated optimal vaccination timings of each flock at the three sampling time points were between 16 and 24 days of age.In the stochastic models, each of the median optimal vaccination timings was estimated later than the corresponding point-estimate timing, generated by the deterministic version.Uniformity of the MDA titre distribution in the flocks was considered in relation to the number of vaccinations required.The ELISA results provide only a rough indication, in the case of deterministic model in particular.A stochastic version of the same model, in conjunction with the use of a concept of uniformity might give a solution to the problem.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Quantifying the effects of nature-based solutions in reducing risks from hydrometeorological hazards: Examples from Europe

The combination of climate change and social and ecological factors will increase risks societies face from hydrometeorological hazards (HMH). Reducing these risks is typically achieved through the deployment of engineered (or grey) infrastructure but increasingly, nature-based so-lutions (NBS) are being considered. Most risk assessment frameworks do not allow capturing well the role NBS can play in addressing all components of risk, i.e., the hazard characteristics and the exposure and vulnerability of social-ecological systems. Recently, the Vulnerability and Risk as-sessment framework developed to allow the assessment of risks in the context of NBS implemen-tation (VR-NBS framework) was proposed. Here, we carry out the first implementation of this framework using five case study areas in Europe which are exposed to various HMH. Our results show that we can demonstrate the effect NBS have in terms of risk reduction and that this can be achieved by using a flexible library of indicators that allows to capture the specificities of each case study hazard, social and ecological circumstances. The approach appears to be more effec-tive for larger case study areas, but further testing is required in a broader variety of contexts