43 results on '"Michela Pugliese"'
Search Results
2. Back Fat Layer Measurements by Ultrasonography in Camels - A Tool for Measuring the General Health Status
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Asim Faraz, Syeda Maryam Hussain2, Annamaria Passantino, and Michela Pugliese
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General Medicine - Published
- 2022
3. Effect of Methionine Supplemented Feed on Nili-Ravi Buffalo Milk Yield and Composition
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Nasir Ali Tauqir, Asim Faraz, Abdul Waheed, Ayman Balla Mustafa, Irfan Shahzad Sheikh, Michela Pugliese, and Shahid Nazir
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Animal Science and Zoology - Published
- 2023
4. Changes to intraocular pressure and systemic blood pressure in dogs during moderate treadmill exercise - a short communication
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P. P. Niutta, Monica Ragusa, Michela Pugliese, Rocky La Maestra, Angela Alibrandi, Massimo De Majo, and Annamaria Passantino
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Intraocular pressure ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,arterial blood pressure ,Systemic blood pressure ,Treadmill exercise ,Physical exercise ,eye ,ocular variable ,Blood pressure ,physical exercise ,dog ,Internal medicine ,Cardiology ,medicine ,sense organs ,business - Abstract
Physical exercise in humans induces changes in intraocular pressure, relating to the type and intensity of the workload. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the variations in intraocular pressure and arterial blood pressure in dogs that underwent physical exercise on a treadmill. Thirty dogs were submitted to physical exercise consisting of walking (15 minutes), trotting (20 minutes), and walking (10 minutes). The intraocular pressure, blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded for each dog before starting the treadmill exercise, immediately after it ended, and after 20 minutes of passive recovery. Two-way repeated analysis of variance measurement showed the significant effect of treadmill exercise (P≤0.01) on intraocular pressure, pulse rate and diastolic blood pressure. No significant changes were observed to systolic blood pressure. Intraocular pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly during the passive recovery, and were strongly related. The pulse rate was significantly lower during the passive recovery. Although the mechanism determining the reduction in intraocular pressure during exercise remains not fully understood, our results suggest that it is strongly related to variations in arterial blood pressure.
- Published
- 2021
5. Hepatitis E Virus seroprevalence among cows in a rural area of southern Italy
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Annalisa Guercio, S. Vullo, Michela Pugliese, P. P. Niutta, Rocky La Maestra, Giuseppa Purpari, and Santina Di Bella
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Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,Hepatitis E virus ,viruses ,Zoonosis ,medicine ,virus diseases ,Seroprevalence ,Rural area ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,medicine.disease ,digestive system diseases - Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered to be an emerging zoonotic disease, which causes numerous cases of hepatitis and deaths worldwide each year. Pigs are a host reservoir of HEV, but numerous other wild and domestic species can be infected. The aim of this study was to carry out serological screening of anti-HEV antibodies in cattle in the Sicily region (Southern Italy). Between April and December 2018, 231 serum samples were collected from cows and analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for detection of HEV antibodies (IgG). The overall prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 36.36% (84/231; 95% CI 30-43). There were statistically significant differences in the HEV seroprevalence in animals of different ages (12 months: 39.30%; >24 months: 54.10%) (P0.05). This study shows that further investigation of HEV in cattle is required to understand better the epidemiology in farm animals and the potential zoonotic risks for humans. This is the first report of HEV seroprevalence for cows in Italy, which provides baseline data for further studies and for control of HEV infection in cattle.
- Published
- 2021
6. Oxidative Stress and High-Mobility Group Box 1 Assay in Dogs with Gastrointestinal Parasites
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Michela Pugliese, Ettore Napoli, Salvatore Monti, Vito Biondi, Elena Zema, and Annamaria Passantino
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Physiology ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Cell Biology ,gastrointestinal nematodes ,reactive oxidative metabolites ,antioxidant barrier ,thiol groups of plasma compounds ,high-mobility group box 1 ,dogs ,Molecular Biology ,Biochemistry - Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of reactive oxidative metabolites, the antioxidant barrier, thiol groups of plasma compounds, and high-mobility group box 1 in shelter dogs naturally infected with helminths. In addition, the correlation between clinical signs and oxidative stress was investigated. Sixty-six (41 male and 25 female) adult mixed-breed dogs housed in a shelter with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes (i.e., Ancylostoma spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, or Trichuris vulpis) were enrolled in Group 1 (G1) and twenty healthy adult dogs were included in Group 2 (G2), which served as the control. A clinical assessment was performed using a physician-based scoring system. Oxidative stress variables and high-mobility group box 1 were assessed and compared by the means of unpaired t-tests (p < 0.05). Spearman’s rank correlation was performed to calculate the correlation between oxidative stress variables, high-mobility group box 1, hematological parameters, and clinical signs. The results showed statistically significant values for reactive oxidative metabolites, thiol groups of plasma compounds, and high-mobility group box 1 in G1. Negative correlations between thiol groups and the number of red cells and hemoglobin were recorded. These preliminary results support the potential role of oxidative stress and HGMB-1 in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in dogs.
- Published
- 2022
7. Clinical, Radiological, and Echocardiographic Findings in Cats Infected by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
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Ettore Napoli, Michela Pugliese, Angelo Basile, Annamaria Passantino, and Emanuele Brianti
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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus ,Microbiology (medical) ,Infectious Diseases ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,pulmonary hypertension ,cat ,Immunology and Allergy ,cat lungworm ,clinical signs ,Molecular Biology - Abstract
Cats infected by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus may show a plethora of clinical signs, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) seems to be one of the possible alterations induced by the infection; however, data on this association are scant and contradictory. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the association between aelurostrongylosis and PH and to evaluate the correlation between the number of A. abstrusus larvae expelled in the faeces and the clinical, echocardiographic, and radiological alterations. Fifteen cats (i.e., eight males and seven females) older than 3 months and naturally infected by A. abstrusus with different parasitic loads, expressed as larvae per grams of faeces (l.p.g.), were enrolled in the study. Each animal underwent clinical, echocardiographic, and radiographic examinations. Most cats (i.e., 10/15) showed pathological patterns on thoracic radiograms; particularly, the alveolar pattern (four cats), interstitial-nodular pattern (five cats), and bronchial pattern (one cat). No significant echocardiographic findings of PH were detected. No correlation between the number of l.p.g. and the severity of clinical signs was observed, but a significant correlation with activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), radiographic alterations (interstitial nodular pattern), and ultrasonographic findings (RIVIDs) were noticed. These findings suggest that other factors such as animal age and health status, as well as comorbidity, may influence the presentation of the disease or the clinical manifestation and severity of the disease.
- Published
- 2023
8. Analysis of normal electrocardiographic patterns in mandarin ducks (
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Rocky La, Maestra, Michela, Pugliese, Annamaria, Passantino, and Filippo, Spadola
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Male ,Avian ,Mandarin ducks ,ECG ,Body Weight ,Heart ,Aix galericulata ,Electrocardiogram ,Electrocardiography ,Ducks ,Animals ,Female ,cardiovascular diseases ,Original Research - Abstract
Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) examination in birds is considered an inexpensive and noninvasive diagnostic aid for the recognition of infectious and metabolic diseases. Contrary to other bird species, studies describing normal ECG patterns for mandarin ducks (Aix galericulata) are lacking. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate normal ECG patterns in A. galericulata. Methods: Ten clinically healthy mandarin ducks of both sexes, aged between 1 and 2 years and with body weight between 0.8 and 1.2 kg were included. Electrocardiograms were performed in a quiet room with animals conscious and manually restrained. All electrocardiographic parameters were recorded using standard (I, II, and III) and augmented (aVR, aVL, and aVF) limb leads. The paper speed was set at 50 mm/second. The amplitude was 1 mV = 20 mm. Morphological patterns of P, QRS, and T deflections were evaluated in all limb leads. The amplitude and the duration of waves and, their intervals were determined in lead II. The mean electrical axis (MEA) in the frontal plane was calculated using the Bailey hexaxial system. Results: In all birds examined, a regular sinus rhythm was observed. P waves were mainly positive in I, II, III, and aVF. A negative P wave was identified in aVR, while in aVL a great variability was present. The QRS complex was mainly isoelectric in lead I, while it was negative with rS or QS morphology in leads II, III, and aVF. A positive polarity of QRS was detected in aVL with R pattern, while it was negative or positive with QS or R morphology, respectively, in aVF. T waves were mostly positive in leads II, III, and aVF and, isoelectric in lead I. ST slurring and Ta wave were observed in 2/10 and 8/10, respectively. The mean heart rate was 246 ± 90 beats per minute and the MEA was −88.8° ± 9.57°. Conclusion: The ECG tracings of mandarin ducks show similarities and some differences with other avian species. The electrocardiographic values provided here can be used to assist in the interpretation of ECG in A. galericulata.
- Published
- 2021
9. Case study on Canine Atopic Dermatitis from a medico-legal viewpoint: A takeaway of knowledge for practicing veterinary clinicians
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Michela Pugliese, Rocky Maestra, Annalisa Previti, Annastella Falcone, and Annamaria Passantino
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Dogs ,General Veterinary ,Animals ,Humans ,Dog Diseases ,Dermatitis, Atopic ,Veterinarians - Abstract
Despite pets are sentient beings, they are legally considered and regulated as objects in sales contracts. Therefore, the buyer is protected by law if the purchased animal should be affected by defects such as an illness or a congenital / hereditary condition that depreciates its value. In the sale of animals, a disease is legally considered a defect if it is hidden, severe, and pre-existing at the time of purchase. Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) having these three requirements can, therefore, legally be considered a defect. To acquire his legal rights, the buyer must obtain a certification from the veterinarian reporting that the animal was unfit for buying within a certain time frame.This paper analyzes the legal choices that owners of dogs affected with CAD can make to help practicing veterinary clinicians comprehend and recognize this disease and because it may be considered a defect.Thirteen cases of CAD are reported and analyzed from a medico-legal point of view.In cases n. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 owners of dogs affected with CAD partial or full reimbursement from the seller obtained. In cases n. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, dog owners could not take any legal action because the diagnosis of CAD was made beyond the time limits required by law. In cases n. 1, 6, and 8, the owners decided not to take any legal action.The veterinarian practitioner is a key professional figure not only for diagnosing the disease within the legal time limits, but also for support the owner in medico-legal disputes. A basic medico-legal background for all veterinarians and greater involvement of them in the sale of animals as a guarantee for the buyer is recommended.
- Published
- 2021
10. European Regulations on Camel Germplasm Movement within the European Union: A Current Framework Based on Safety
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Elena Zema, Salvatore Monti, Vito Biondi, Asim Faraz, Michela Pugliese, Gabriele Marino, and Annamaria Passantino
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General Veterinary ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
With the aim of developing livestock breeding, the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/686 (hereafter referred to as Reg. 686) has taken steps to define traceability and animal health for the movement of germ material within the European Union (EU), including that of camelid species. Despite the economic importance of the camel market and the efforts of the EU to regulate their movements, there are considerable difficulties in the collection of semen and its freezing, limiting the use of artificial insemination in this species. If, on the one hand, there is little diffusion of the camel breeding and, consequently, limited diffusion of animals and germplasm, there will probably be a significant increase over the years. To avoid the spread of emerging diseases—or even those no longer present in Europe—the entry of genetic material from non-EU countries must be strictly monitored. Camels are rarely clinically compliant, but can transfer even fatal diseases to domestic ungulate farms in the EU. Based on these considerations, we conducted a narrative review of the European regulations on this issue, focusing on aspects related to their application in camels.
- Published
- 2022
11. Natural Products against Sand Fly Vectors of Leishmaniosis: A Systematic Review
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Michela Pugliese, Ettore Napoli, Gabriella Gaglio, Emanuele Brianti, and Annamaria Passantino
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0301 basic medicine ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Fly control ,natural products ,Veterinary medicine ,030231 tropical medicine ,fungi ,repellence ,vector borne diseases ,Biology ,plant-based products ,Biotechnology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Human health ,Natural products ,Plant-based products ,Repellence ,Sand fly ,Vector borne diseases ,Vectors ,030104 developmental biology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Literature research ,vectors ,SF600-1100 ,Systematic Review ,sand fly ,business - Abstract
Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of blood-sucking phlebotomine sand flies. These small insects play a crucial role in the diffusion of the disease. To date, the sole strategy recognized for the prevention of leishmaniosis is the use of topical repellent compounds against sand fly bites. Several synthetic insecticides and repellents have been developed; however, the wide and unprejudiced use of these formulations have led to the loss of their effectiveness and the development of resistance phenomena. Moreover, some of these synthetic repellents have severe detrimental effects on the environment and could represent a serious threat to both animal and human health. Recently, an increased interest in the research on alternative approaches to sand fly control has been expressed. In this study, we systematically reviewed the efforts of the scientific community to individuate a phytochemical alternative for the control of sand fly species recognized as vectors of Leishmania spp. Based on literature research using different electronic databases, a total of 527 potentially relevant studies were screened and narrowed down to a final 14 eligible scientific reports. Our analysis suggests that although there is a rapidly growing body of literature dedicated to botanical insecticides and repellents against sand fly vectors of Leishmania spp., much of this literature is limited to in vitro studies conducted in laboratory conditions, and only a few of them investigated the repellency of plant-based products. These studies highlighted that natural compounds display a really short period of action and this significantly limits the use of these products as an alternative to chemical-based repellents.
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- 2021
12. Welfare assessment in intensive and semi‐intensive dairy cattle management system in Sicily
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Gabriele Marino, A. Zanghì, Angela Alibrandi, F. Conte, Vito Biondi, Annamaria Passantino, Francesca Licitra, and Michela Pugliese
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intensive ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Manger ,Animal Welfare ,Milking ,Agricultural science ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Animal Husbandry ,Sicily ,Dairy cattle ,media_common ,Intensive farming ,dairy cow ,General Medicine ,Animal husbandry ,production system ,Housing, Animal ,Health indicator ,Ventilation ,pasture ,Dairying ,Geography ,Cattle ,Female ,animal welfare, dairy cow, pasture, intensive, production system ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences ,Welfare - Abstract
The present study aimed to compare the welfare of dairy cows kept in two traditional husbandry systems (semi-intensive and intensive farming) in south-eastern Sicily. A total of 18 dairy farms (nine semi-intensive and nine intensive) were evaluated with a multicriteria system adapted for Sicilian conditions and obtained simplifying the model of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Values of welfare measures, collected by inspections of the farms (general well-being indicators, ventilation system, resting areas [cubicles or bedding], flooring, milking parlours and waiting area, manger and watering equipment), and those of health categories (cases of abortions, hypocalcemia, displacement of abomasum, acidosis/ketosis, enteritis, hoof problems, and mastitis) obtained through the farm records, were compared using Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared tests, respectively. Data showed significant differences (p ≤ .05) about the variables related to welfare categories such as housing ventilation system, resting area, manger, and water equipment that were better in the semi-intensive system than the intensive system. No significant differences were observed about the variables related to health indicators. The results demonstrated that in Sicily the semi-intensive farm is better than the intensive to satisfy the conditions of animal welfare.
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- 2021
13. Normal Electrocardiographic Pattern in Conscious Healthy Domestic Geese (
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Michela, Pugliese, Rocky La, Maestra, Manuel, Morici, Massimo, De Majo, and Filippo, Spadola
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Male ,Electrocardiography ,Heart Rate ,Reference Values ,Geese ,Animals ,Female - Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the reference intervals of electrocardiographic patterns and values in conscious healthy domestic geese (
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- 2020
14. Normal Electrocardiographic Pattern in Conscious Healthy Domestic Geese (Anser anser)
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Filippo Spadola, Massimo De Majo, Rocky La Maestra, Michela Pugliese, and Manuel Morici
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medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,electrocardiography ,Anser anser ,0403 veterinary science ,QRS complex ,Internal medicine ,Heart rate ,medicine ,cardiovascular diseases ,PR interval ,Small Animals ,domestic geese ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,avian ,business.industry ,Augmented Vector Foot ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Coronal plane ,Augmented Vector Right ,Cardiology ,business ,Electrocardiography - Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the reference intervals of electrocardiographic patterns and values in conscious healthy domestic geese (Anser anser). Standard bipolar and augmented unipolar limb lead electrocardiograms with a direct writing electrocardiograph were recorded in 14 domestic geese. The durations of PR interval, QRS complex, ST and QT intervals, the net of the QRS complex, and the P and T amplitudes were determined at 50 mm/s and at 1 cm = 1 mV. The polarity waveform was examined. The mean electrical axis in the frontal plane was determined in leads II and III. Data are expressed as means and standard deviations. The mean (SD) heart rate was 153.8 (22.4) beats/min. The QRS complex was mainly negative in leads II and III; it was positive in the augmented vector right, augmented vector left, and augmented vector foot leads. The T wave was positive in leads II, III, and the augmented vector foot lead and was negative in the augmented vector right and left leads. The mean electrical axis ranged between -30° to -140°. Electrocardiogram recordings were well tolerated by the geese. The reference intervals provided here can be used to assist in the interpretation of electrocardiographic patterns in geese.
- Published
- 2020
15. Animal Welfare Considerations and Ethical Dilemmas Inherent in the Euthanasia of Blind Canine Patients
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Vito Biondi, Michela Pugliese, Eva Voslarova, Alessandra Landi, and Annamaria Passantino
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genetic structures ,General Veterinary ,ocular disease ,blindness ,good death ,well-being ,veterinary ethics ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
In dogs, several primary or secondary diseases affecting the ocular structures may cause blindness. In cases where the visual impairment is not associated with severe systemic involvement and the animal can still have, predictably, a good “long-term” quality of life, the veterinarian should inform the owner about the differences between humans and animals, concerning the type of visual perception. In the light of the daily findings in veterinary clinic practice, the Authors report four different scenarios with conflicting views between veterinarians and owners about the euthanasia request for a blind dog. They underline how the diagnosis of incipient or already established blindness in dogs can sometimes lead to an inappropriate request for euthanasia.
- Published
- 2022
16. Electrocardiographic Findings in Bitches Affected by Closed Cervix Pyometra
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S. Cristarella, Marco Quartuccio, Annamaria Passantino, Michela Pugliese, Massimo De Majo, Vito Biondi, and Rocky La Maestra
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Sinus tachycardia ,Sinus bradycardia ,electrocardiogram ,QT interval ,bitch ,Article ,Sepsis ,Bitch ,Electrocardiogram ,Myocardial injury ,Pyometra ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,myocardial injury ,cardiovascular diseases ,pyometra ,ST depression ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Electrocardiographic Finding ,Cardiology ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Atrioventricular block - Abstract
Pyometra is considered the most common disease in intact bitches, being associated with potentially life-threatening disorders. Myocardial damage is a potentially life-threatening consequence of pyometra. The aim of this study was to describe the electrocardiographic patterns in bitches affected by closed cervix pyometra, to assess the clinical relevance of electrocardiographic changes with the occurrence of pyometra, and to relate their severity with laboratory and clinical findings. A total of 39 bitches with closed cervix pyometra and 10 healthy female dogs were included in this study. During the hospitalization, bitches underwent a complete physical examination. An electrocardiographic examination before the ovariohysterectomy was performed. Blood samples for biochemical and hematological analysis were also evaluated. Bitches suffering pyometra at least one arrhythmia 31/39 (79.4%), sinus tachycardia (22/39, 56.4%), ventricular premature complexes (9/39, 23%), increased amplitude of T wave (7/39, 17.9%), ST depression (4/39, 10.2%), second-degree atrioventricular block (2/39, 5.1%), increase of QT interval (2/39, 5.1%), sinus bradycardia (2/39, 5.1%), and first-degree atrioventricular block (1/39, 2.5%). Some bitches were also detected with low wave amplitude (17/39, 43.5%). Cardiac arrhythmias associated with canine pyometra are frequent events. These data suggest that arrhythmias may be the consequence of one or more factors that can occur during pyometra, such as myocardial damage, electrolyte/metabolic disorders, and/or sepsis.
- Published
- 2020
17. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of testicular interstitial cell tumours in conscious non-sedated dogs
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Marco Quartuccio, Francesco Macrì, Maria Rizzo, S. Cristarella, S. Di Pietro, M. De Majo, Cyndi Mangano, Giuseppe Mazzullo, and Michela Pugliese
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Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Veterinary ,040301 veterinary sciences ,business.industry ,dog ,canine ,ultrasonography ,contrast agents ,testicular tumour ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Interstitial cell ,030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,business ,Contrast-enhanced ultrasound - Published
- 2018
18. Daily rhythm of some haematological parameters in Holstein bovine maintained under natural conditions in southern hemisfere
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Giuseppe Piccione, María Cristina Scaglione, Michela Pugliese, Francesca Arfuso, Maria Rizzo, and Raúl Delmar Cerutti
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bovine ,Circadian rhythm ,gender ,haematological parameters ,seasonal variation ,Physiology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Physiology (medical) ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Normal values ,Seasonality ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,040201 dairy & animal science ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Animal science ,Rhythm ,Air temperature ,medicine ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Dairy cattle - Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the daily rhythms of haematological responses in bovines under different environmental conditions and to investigate the differences between bulls and cows. Tw...
- Published
- 2018
19. D-Penicillamine: The State of the Art in Humans and in Dogs from a Pharmacological and Regulatory Perspective
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Patrizia Licata, Annamaria Passantino, Vito Biondi, Rosalia Crupi, Enrico Gugliandolo, Alessio Filippo Peritore, and Michela Pugliese
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Microbiology (medical) ,Drug ,medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,RM1-950 ,Review ,Disease ,Copper‐associated hepatitis ,Dog ,D‐penicillamine ,Humans ,Prescription ,Biochemistry ,Microbiology ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Medicine ,Pharmacology (medical) ,General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics ,Medical prescription ,humans ,Intensive care medicine ,Clinical scenario ,media_common ,Hepatitis ,prescription ,business.industry ,D-penicillamine ,Perspective (graphical) ,Penicillamine ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,dog ,copper-associated hepatitis ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Chelant agents are the mainstay of treatment in copper-associated hepatitis in humans, where D-penicillamine is the chelant agent of first choice. In veterinary medicine, the use of D-penicillamine has increased with the recent recognition of copper-associated hepatopathies that occur in several breeds of dogs. Although the different regulatory authorities in the world (United States Food and Drugs Administration—U.S. FDA, European Medicines Agency—EMEA, etc.) do not approve D-penicillamine for use in dogs, it has been used to treat copper-associated hepatitis in dogs since the 1970s, and is prescribed legally by veterinarians as an extra-label drug to treat this disease and alleviate suffering. The present study aims to: (a) address the pharmacological features; (b) outline the clinical scenario underlying the increased interest in D-penicillamine by overviewing the evolution of its main therapeutic goals in humans and dogs; and finally, (c) provide a discussion on its use and prescription in veterinary medicine from a regulatory perspective.
- Published
- 2021
20. Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart diseases in buying and selling of pets
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V. Quartarone, Bartolomeo Guercio, Annamaria Passantino, Michela Pugliese, Roberto Bussadori, and Natalia Russo
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0301 basic medicine ,Medico legal ,redhibitory defect ,Heart disease ,veterinary (all) ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Veterinary medicine ,Legislation ,Physical examination ,SF1-1100 ,purchase ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,congenital defects ,Intervention (counseling) ,SF600-1100 ,companion animals ,medicine ,health care economics and organizations ,Reimbursement ,heart diseases ,General Veterinary ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Medical record ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,Animal culture ,030104 developmental biology ,Action (philosophy) ,companion animals, congenital defects, heart diseases, purchase, redhibitory defect, veterinary (all) ,Medical emergency ,business ,Research Article - Abstract
Aim The veterinarian should be able to assess congenital and inherited malformations such as heart defects because they may be object of legal disputes. In this study, the authors report some cases of congenital heart defects in pets (dogs and cats) to clarify whether or not they may be considered a redhibitory defect. Materials and methods A total of 28 medical records of pets referred with suspected congenital heart disease were examined. All patients aged between 3 and 24 months underwent clinical examination, chest X-ray examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography and angiocardiography when necessary. Results Congenital heart diseases or associated cardiac malformations were confirmed. Considering the above congenital diseases as redhibitory defect and the rights of the owners from a strictly legal viewpoint, 9 owners demanded an estimatory action and 11 a redhibitory action; 1 owner decided to demand the reimbursement of veterinary expenses because the animal died; 7 owners took no legal action but requested surgical intervention. Conclusions Until more appropriate and detailed legislation on the buying and selling of pet animals is put in place; the authors propose to include in the contract a temporal extension of the guarantee relating to congenital heart disease, which can often become evident later.
- Published
- 2017
21. Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessment of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) in canine spleen
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Francesco Macrì, Nicola Maria Iannelli, Massimo De Majo, Cyndi Mangano, Giuseppe Mazzullo, Michela Pugliese, Simona Di Pietro, Rosalia Crupi, and Silvia Santoro
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Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia ,Sulfur Hexafluoride ,Spleen ,Qontrast ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,Dogs ,Cytology ,Dog ,medicine ,Animals ,Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ,Dog Diseases ,Prospective Studies ,Lymphatic Diseases ,Phospholipids ,Splenic Diseases ,Ultrasonography ,030304 developmental biology ,Dog, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, diagnostic ultrasound, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, spleen, sonovue, qontrast ,0303 health sciences ,Hyperplasia ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,Sonovue ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Histology ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,Contrast medium ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Female ,Diagnostic ultrasound ,business ,Perfusion ,Mechanical index ,Research Article ,Contrast-enhanced ultrasound - Abstract
Background Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) is one of the most common non-neoplastic splenic lesions in dogs, especially in old ones, showing a splenic enlargement. More recent studies have been focused on Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) analysis of the spleen for establishing normal perfusion patterns and blood pool phase peculiarities of focal lesions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative CEUS analysis of the canine splenic NLH, characterizing the CEUS pattern of this pathology on 20 clinical cases. Results A prospective, observational study was performed using a system equipped with contrast-tuned imaging technology. Mechanical Index was set from 0.08 to 0.11; the contrast medium was a second generation contrast medium composed of sulphur hexafluoride encapsulated of a shell of phospholipids (SonoVue®). Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the enhancement pattern of splenic NLH were performed. Cytology and histology identified 20 splenic NLH. All of the benign hyperplastic lesions assessed were isoechoic with a homogeneous pattern than the surrounding normal spleen, during the wash-in phase (10–20 s) of the CEUS exam. Before finishing the wash-in phase, 20–45 s from the contrast medium inoculation, 19/20 benign nodules became markedly hypoechoic to the adjacent spleen. Sensitivity of hypoechoic pattern for NLH was 95%. Conclusions These findings should prove useful in the evaluation of focal splenic masses in dogs. Since enhancement and perfusion patterns of NLH seem to coincide with some neoplastic lesions of the spleen previously reported, in clinical practice attention must be paid to the final diagnosis of canine splenic lesions using only the CEUS exam.
- Published
- 2019
22. Humane Slaughter of Edible Decapod Crustaceans
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Robert W. Elwood, F. Conte, Michela Pugliese, Annamaria Passantino, Vladimir Vecerek, Paolo Coluccio, and Eva Voslarova
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,animal structures ,Decapoda ,stunning ,slaughtering techniques ,welfare ,legislation ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Legislation ,Welfare ,Review ,Slaughtering techniques ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,Aquaculture ,lcsh:Zoology ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,media_common ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,biology ,business.industry ,fungi ,Stunning ,biology.organism_classification ,veterinary(all) ,Crustacean ,Fishery ,030104 developmental biology ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business - Abstract
Simple Summary Decapods respond to noxious stimuli in ways that are consistent with the experience of pain; thus, we accept the need to provide a legal framework for their protection when they are used for human food. We review the main methods used to slaughter the major decapod crustaceans, highlighting problems posed by each method for animal welfare. The aim is to identify methods that are the least likely to cause suffering. These methods can then be recommended, whereas other methods that are more likely to cause suffering may be banned. We thus request changes in the legal status of this group of animals, to protect them from slaughter techniques that are not viewed as being acceptable. Abstract Vast numbers of crustaceans are produced by aquaculture and caught in fisheries to meet the increasing demand for seafood and freshwater crustaceans. Simultaneously, the public is increasingly concerned about current methods employed in their handling and killing. Recent evidence has shown that decapod crustaceans probably have the capacity to suffer because they show responses consistent with pain and have a relatively complex cognitive capacity. For these reasons, they should receive protection. Despite the large numbers of crustaceans transported and slaughtered, legislation protecting their welfare, by using agreed, standardized methods, is lacking. We review various stunning and killing systems proposed for crustaceans, and assess welfare concerns. We suggest the use of methods least likely to cause suffering and call for the implementation of welfare guidelines covering the slaughter of these economically important animals.
- Published
- 2021
23. Use of GnRH Agonist in Dogs Affected with Leishmaniosis
- Author
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Vito Biondi, S. Cristarella, Michela Pugliese, Marco Quartuccio, Annamaria Passantino, Gabriele Marino, Luigi Liotta, and Giovanni Emmanuele
- Subjects
Agonist ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.drug_class ,Meglumine antimoniate ,030231 tropical medicine ,Allopurinol ,canine leishmaniosis ,deslorelin acetate ,testosterone ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Internal medicine ,lcsh:Zoology ,medicine ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,Direct fluorescent antibody ,Testosterone ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Titer ,Endocrinology ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Implant ,business ,medicine.drug ,Hormone - Abstract
Sex-associated hormones such as testosterone have been demonstrated to modulate immune responses, which can result in different disease outcomes. The present study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH agonist implant as deslorelin acetate in association with meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol in dogs with canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Twenty-two dogs with CanL confirmed by clinical findings and laboratory tests were included in the study. Dogs were randomized into two groups. A control group (CTR, n = 12) was treated with meglumine antimoniate 50 mg/kg SC q 12 h for 28 days plus allopurinol at 10 mg/kg PO q 12 h for the whole study period (six months). An experimental group was treated with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate, plus an implant of 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate (DES, n = 10). The animals were observed for three months, during which clinical evaluation, indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) titre and testosterone assay were performed on time at day (D)0, 90 and 180. A significantly lower clinical score was recorded in DES than in CTR (p <, 0.01) at D90 and D180 (p <, 0.01). After 180 days of treatment (D180), a significant reduction of mean levels of IFAT was observed in the DES group (p = 0.03). A highly significant reduction of testosterone (p = 0.01) was observed in the DES group during the study. No statistical correlation between clinical scores, IFAT titres and testosterone within two groups was observed. Data suggested that the agonist of GnRH may be useful in the treatment of CanL.
- Published
- 2021
24. Effects of an extract of Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl twigs on human colon cancer cell cultures
- Author
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Silvana Mastrojeni, Luca Vanella, Claudia Di Giacomo, Carlo Genovese, Monica Ragusa, Barbara Tomasello, Andrea Amodeo, Rosaria Acquaviva, Rosa Santangelo, Michela Pugliese, Giuseppe Antonio Malfa, Valeria Sorrenti, and Venera Cardile
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Ulmaceae ,Cancer Research ,Cell ,Celtis aetnensis ,Apoptosis ,colorectal cancer ,Pharmacology ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Antioxidants ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase ,medicine ,Humans ,oxidative stress ,Viability assay ,Colorectal cancer, oxidative stress, celtis aetnensis, heme oxygenase-1, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase ,Cell damage ,Oncogene ,Plant Extracts ,heme oxygenase-1 ,Cancer ,General Medicine ,Cell cycle ,medicine.disease ,Neoplasm Proteins ,Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Colonic Neoplasms ,Immunology ,Caco-2 Cells ,Reactive Oxygen Species ,Carcinogenesis - Abstract
Cancers of the digestive tract, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC), are among those most responsive to dietary modification. Research has shown that approximately 75% of all sporadic cases of CRC are directly influenced by diet. Many natural compounds have been investigated for their potential usefulness as cancer chemopreventive agents as they have been thought to suppress carcinogenesis mainly during the initiation phase due to their radical scavenger activity. Since there is an increasing interest in the in vivo protective effects of natural compounds contained in plants against oxidative damage involved in several human diseases such as cancer, the aim of the present research was to test the effects of a Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl twig extract on a human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco2). In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of this extract, LDH release, GSH content, ROS levels, caspase-3 and γ-GCS expression were also evaluated. The results revealed that the Celtis aetnensis extract reduced the cell viability of the Caco2 cells inducing apoptosis at the lowest concentration and necrosis at higher dosages. In addition, this extract caused an increase in the levels of ROS, a decrease in RSH levels and in the expression of HO-1. The expression of γ-GCS was not modified in the Celtis aetnensis-treated Caco-2 cells. These results suggest an interference of this extract on the oxidant/antioxidant cell balance with consequent cell damage. The present study supports the growing body of data suggesting the bioactivities of Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl and its potential impact on cancer therapy and on human health.
- Published
- 2016
25. Ultrasonographic measurements of abdominal lymph nodes in growing puppies
- Author
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Francesco Macrì, A. La Pietra, A. Palumbo Piccionello, M. De Majo, Luigi Liotta, and Michela Pugliese
- Subjects
Abdominal lymph nodes ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Puppies ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Radiography ,Measurements ,Jejunum ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Size ,medicine ,Abdominal lymph nodes, Measurements, Puppies, Size, Ultrasonography ,Radiology ,Ultrasonography ,business - Published
- 2016
26. Seroprevalence and occupational risk survey for Coxiella burnetii among exposed workers in Sicily, Southern Italy
- Author
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Annamaria De Luca, Daniela Lo Giudice, Angela Alibrandi, Concettina Fenga, Francesca Licitra, S. Calimeri, Michela Pugliese, Chiara Costa, and Silvia Gangemi
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,health surveillance ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Medical surveillance ,lcsh:Medicine ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Q fever ,Risk Assessment ,Occupational safety and health ,Veterinarians ,Serology ,prevention ,Risk Factors ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Occupational Exposure ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Environmental health ,Epidemiology ,Prevalence ,Coxiella burnetii, anthropozoonosis, health surveillance, occupational hazard, prevention, seroprevalence ,Animals ,Humans ,Medicine ,Seroprevalence ,Sicily ,Aged ,seroprevalence ,biology ,business.industry ,lcsh:R ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,bacterial infections and mycoses ,medicine.disease ,Coxiella burnetii ,biology.organism_classification ,Antibodies, Bacterial ,occupational hazard ,Occupational Diseases ,Vaccination ,anthropozoonosis ,bacteria ,Female ,Q Fever ,business - Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this survey was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in subjects at risk of exposure in Sicily, Southern Italy. Material and Methods: Prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. burnetii phase II antigens was evaluated by ELISA in a group of 140 workers at risk of exposure (38 veterinarians, 38 slaughterhouse workers, 44 livestock handlers, 20 laboratory and technical personnel) included in a medical surveillance program and in 42 control subjects. Positive samples were classified as suggestive of prior exposure to C. burnetii. Results: Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 88 out of 140 (62.9%) exposed workers and in 6 out of 42 (14.3%) subjects of the control group. The variables evaluated did not seem to have a significant effect on seropositivity to Coxiella with the exception of symptoms in the last 6 months preceding the survey. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the group of exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed subjects of the control group. Clinical illness appears to be rare; nevertheless, physicians should consider Q fever in patients with compatible symptoms and occupational exposure to animals and their products. As aerosols represent the main route of infection in animals and humans, these workers are strongly advised to wear respiratory masks. In addition, occupational physicians should consider routine serologic evaluation and vaccination of occupationally exposed workers.
- Published
- 2015
27. Biological Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Herb Astragalus membranaceus on Treatment of Diabetes: A Systematic Review
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Annamaria Passantino, Michela Pugliese, A. Pugliese, and Kai Zhang
- Subjects
food.ingredient ,astragalus flavonoids ,Disease ,Pharmacology ,food ,Insulin resistance ,Polysaccharides ,Pancreatic beta Cells ,Diabetes mellitus ,Drug Discovery ,Animals ,Humans ,Medicine ,astragaloside ,astragalus membranaceus, diabetes mellitus, astragalus polysaccharides, astragalus saponins, astragalus flavonoids, astragaloside ,Flavonoids ,Active ingredient ,biology ,Traditional medicine ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Astragalus propinquus ,Saponins ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,astragalus membranaceus ,Pharmacological action ,Astragalus ,astragalus polysaccharides ,Herb ,diabetes mellitus ,astragalus saponins ,business ,Drugs, Chinese Herbal - Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic metabolic disease which disease afflicting at present now afflicts approximately 4% of world population worldwide. Nowadays, the need for more potent and safe drugs to supply the present anti-diabetic and treated drugs has become an imperative. Astragalus membranaceus, the most common Chinese herb and key-component of many Chinese herbal anti-diabetic formulas, is rich in anti-diabetic compounds: polysaccharides (APS), saponins (ASS), and flavonoids (ASF) etc. Because of its various biological activities, especially its antidiabetic properties, that continuously arouse different studies. Recent studies focused on type 1 and type 2 treatment, respectively caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance and deficient glucose metabolism. Its total polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids fractions and several isolated compounds have been the most studied. This paper discusses diabetic treatment and pharmacological action of the biological ingredients in relation to diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications.
- Published
- 2015
28. Axiomatic Design to Improve PRM Airport Assistance
- Author
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Alessandro Giorgetti, Michela Pugliese, Gabriele Arcidiacono, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Alessandro Giorgetti, Paolo Citti, Dominik Matt, Nam P. Suh, Arcidiacono, G., Giorgetti, A., and Pugliese, M.
- Subjects
Engineering ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Process (engineering) ,Axiomatic Design ,PRM ,Population ,Axiomatic design ,Transport engineering ,Competition (economics) ,Terminal (electronics) ,airport assistance ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Market share ,business ,education ,Management process ,Tourism ,General Environmental Science - Abstract
Competition in the air transport market in recent years has prompted companies to search for products and services increasingly innovative and, at the same time, the decrease in development timing and the creation of resources devoted to the study of original technical solutions. One emerging important issue is to facilitate air travel for people with disabilities, elder and dependent people, setting the primary objective of preventing the emergence and spread of new barriers. This aspect is important both for the introduction of several mandatory requirements (rules, laws and regulations) and the increasing market share of this people category due to the aging of population. In this paper it is analyzed the study of the flow of PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) departing, arriving and transiting through an airport terminal. The specific case study is based on the management process of passengers with special assistance for a major Italian tourist airport. The Axiomatic Design method is used to link the customers needs with all the process elements and boundaries: the infrastructure aspects, the limits imposed by security and the availability of appropriate resources (personnel and equipment). Finally some improvement suggestions are made to optimize the passage through the terminal and to ensure full accessibility of the considered environments.
- Published
- 2015
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29. Comparative Analysis of the Treatment of Chronic Antipsychotic Drugs on Epileptic Susceptibility in Genetically Epilepsy-prone Rats
- Author
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Michela Pugliese, Emilio Russo, Antonio Leo, Giovambattista De Sarro, Rossana Aiello, and Rita Citraro
- Subjects
Olanzapine ,medicine.medical_treatment ,olanzapine ,Pharmacology ,haloperidol ,Benzodiazepines ,Quetiapine Fumarate ,Epilepsy ,aripiprazole ,Seizures ,medicine ,Haloperidol ,Animals ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Antipsychotic ,Clozapine ,clozapine ,business.industry ,Mental Disorders ,quetiapine ,Risperidone ,Audiogenic seizures ,medicine.disease ,Rats ,Disease Models, Animal ,Anticonvulsant ,Audiogenic seizures, clozapine, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, haloperidol ,Anesthesia ,Quetiapine ,Original Article ,Aripiprazole ,Neurology (clinical) ,business ,Antipsychotic Agents ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs (APs) are of great benefit in several psychiatric disorders, but they can be associated with various adverse effects, including seizures. To investigate the effects of chronic antipsychotic treatment on seizure susceptibility in genetically epilepsy-prone rats, some APs were administered for 7 weeks, and seizure susceptibility (audiogenic seizures) was evaluated once a week during treatment and for 5 weeks after drug withdrawal. Furthermore, acute and subchronic (5-day treatment) effects were also measured. Rats received haloperidol (0.2-1.0 mg/kg), clozapine (1-5 mg/kg), risperidone (0.03-0.50 mg/kg), quetiapine (2-10 mg/kg), aripriprazole (0.2-1.0 mg/kg), and olanzapine (0.13-0.66 mg/kg), and tested according to treatment duration. Acute administration of APs had no effect on seizures, whereas, after regular treatment, aripiprazole reduced seizure severity; haloperidol had no effects and all other APs increased seizure severity. In chronically treated rats, clozapine showed the most marked proconvulsant effects, followed by risperidone and olanzapine. Quetiapine and haloperidol had only modest effects, and aripiprazole was anticonvulsant. Finally, the proconvulsant effects lasted at least 2-3 weeks after treatment suspension; for aripiprazole, a proconvulsant rebound effect was observed. Taken together, these results indicate and confirm that APs might have the potential to increase the severity of audiogenic seizures but that aripiprazole may exert anticonvulsant effects. The use of APs in patients, particularly in patients with epilepsy, should be monitored for seizure occurrence, including during the time after cessation of therapy. Further studies will determine whether aripiprazole really has a potential as an anticonvulsant drug and might also be clinically relevant for epileptic patients with psychiatric comorbidities.
- Published
- 2014
30. Cardioprotection of Sheng Mai Yin a classic formula on adriamycin induced myocardial injury in Wistar rats
- Author
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Annamaria Passantino, Li Jianxi, Wang Xurong, Lei Wang, Michela Pugliese, Kai Zhang, and Jingyan Zhang
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Captopril ,Cardiotonic Agents ,Pharmaceutical Science ,Traditional Chinese medicine ,Chronic heart failure (CHF) ,interleukin-6 (IL-6) ,Pharmacology ,Schisandrin ,matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) ,Proinflammatory cytokine ,03 medical and health sciences ,Drug Discovery ,Medicine ,Animals ,Rats, Wistar ,Cardioprotection ,Heart Failure ,business.industry ,Interleukin-6 ,Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ,Myocardium ,medicine.disease ,Matrix Metalloproteinases ,Drug Combinations ,030104 developmental biology ,Complementary and alternative medicine ,Sheng Mai Yin (SMY) ,Doxorubicin ,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ,Heart failure ,Immunology ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Molecular Medicine ,Immunohistochemistry ,Chronic heart failure (CHF), Sheng Mai Yin (SMY), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) ,Myocardial fibrosis ,Female ,business ,Cardiomyopathies ,medicine.drug ,Drugs, Chinese Herbal - Abstract
Sheng Mai Yin (SMY), a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used to treat cardiac diseases characterized by the deficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome in China. SMY-based treatment has been derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), officially recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.We aimed to clarify whether SMY attenuates myocardial injury induced by adriamycin in Wistar rats with chronic heart failure (CHF).To quantify ginsenoside Rg1, ophiopogonin D, ophiopogonin D', schisandrin by HPLC. To establish CHF animal model, adriamycin was intraperitoneally injected in Wistar rats for 7 weeks at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. Overall, 180 rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, CHF model, captopril (positive control), high dose (HSMY), medium dose (MSMY), and low dose (LSMY). Experimental rats were fed 0.625 mg/kg captopril and 90 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg, and 22.5 mg/kg SMY, respectively, over 7 weeks. The inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were measured using ELISA. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were identified using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Both IHC and RT-PCR were used for quantification of COL-IV expression levels in the heart tissues. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the visualization of myocardium morphology.The concentration of ginsenoside Rg1, ophiopogonin D, ophiopogonin D' and schisandrin in SMY was found to be 25.63 ± 3.42 mg, 11.00 ± 1.17 mg, 7.02 ± 0.51 mg, and 25.31 ± 4.28 mg per gram of SMY, respectively. Compared with CHF model group, TNF-α levels were significantly lower (p .01) in the four drug-administered groups. Moreover, except in the SYM low dose group, IL-6 levels in the other 3 drug-administered groups were also significantly reduced (p .01). COL-IV expression was also significantly reduced on treatment with high SYM dose (p .05). IHC results confirmed that SMY and captopril significantly reduced MMPs expression in the heart.SMY could control or slow CHF progression by suppressing pathological changes in the myocardium in CHF models. This could be attributed at least partly to the downregulation of IL-6 and TNF-α and inhibition of overexpression of MMPs and COL-IV, which significantly relieved the cardiac-linked pathologies, decreased the risk of myocardial fibrosis, and inhibited cardiac remodeling. These findings suggested that SMY and captopril have similar efficacy for the treatment of adriamycin-induced myocardial injury. In addition, Chinese herbal preparation SMY may play a role in the treatment of cardiac diseases.
- Published
- 2016
31. Hypericum perforatum : Pharmacokinetic, Mechanism of Action, Tolerability, and Clinical Drug-Drug Interactions
- Author
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Maria Mammì, Stefania Esposito, Serafina Chimirri, Benjamin J. Whalley, Emilio Russo, Francesca Scicchitano, Michela Pugliese, Marinella Patanè, Miriam Ciriaco, Giovambattista De Sarro, Roy Upton, Carmela Mazzitello, and Caterina Palleria
- Subjects
Pharmacology ,Drug ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Hypericum perforatum ,Hypericin ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Hyperforin ,Mechanism of action ,Tolerability ,chemistry ,medicine ,Antidepressant ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Mode of action ,media_common - Abstract
Hypericum perforatum (HP) belongs to the Hypericaceae family and is one of the oldest used and most extensively investigated medicinal herbs. The medicinal form comprises the leaves and flowering tops of which the primary ingredients of interest are naphthodianthrones, xanthones, flavonoids, phloroglucinols (e.g. hyperforin), and hypericin. Although several constituents elicit pharmacological effects that are consistent with HP's antidepressant activity, no single mechanism of action underlying these effects has thus far been found. Various clinical trials have shown that HP has a comparable antidepressant efficacy as some currently used antidepressant drugs in the treatment of mild/moderate depression. Interestingly, low-hyperforin-content preparations are effective in the treatment of depression. Moreover, HP is also used to treat certain forms of anxiety. However, HP can induce various cytochrome P450s isozymes and/or P-glycoprotein, of which many drugs are substrates and which are the main origin of HP–drug interactions. Here, we analyse the existing evidence describing the clinical consequence of HP–drug interactions. Although some of the reported interactions are based on findings from in vitro studies, the clinical importance of which remain to be demonstrated, others are based on case reports where causality can, in some cases, be determined to reveal clinically significant interactions that suggest caution, consideration, and disclosure of potential interactions prior to informed use of HP. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Published
- 2013
32. Effects of size and location of regions of interest examined by use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography on renal perfusion variables of dogs
- Author
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Massimo De Majo, Simona Di Pietro, Angela Palumbo Piccionello, Luigi Liotta, Michela Pugliese, and Francesco Macrì
- Subjects
Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Renal cortex ,Sulfur Hexafluoride ,Hemodynamics ,Contrast Media ,Body weight ,Kidney ,030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging ,0403 veterinary science ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Bolus (medicine) ,Dogs ,mental disorders ,Medicine ,Animals ,Renal perfusion ,Ultrasonography ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,General Medicine ,Blood flow ,nervous system diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,nervous system ,Regional Blood Flow ,Female ,Animals,contrast media dogs, female, kidney, male, regional blood flow, sulfur hexafluoride, ultrasonography ,business ,Nuclear medicine ,Perfusion ,psychological phenomena and processes - Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine effects of the size and location of regions of interest (ROIs) in the renal cortex of unsedated dogs on renal perfusion variables determined by use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). ANIMALS 12 client-owned adult (1.5 to 2 years old) Labrador Retrievers (8 males and 4 females; mean ± SD body weight, 27 ± 1.6 kg). PROCEDURES Each dog received 2 bolus injections of sulfur hexafluoride during CEUS. Three small oval ROIs (area of each ROI, 0.11 cm2) located in a row with a distance of 1 mm between adjacent ROIs and 1 large oval ROI (area, 1 cm2) that encompassed the 3 smaller ROIs were manually drawn in the renal cortex. The ROIs were located at a depth of 1.5 to 2.0 cm in the near field of the renal cortex. Software analysis of time-intensity curves within each ROI was used to identify peak enhancement, time to peak enhancement, regional blood flow, and mean transit time. RESULTS The location and size of the ROIs of unsedated dogs did not cause significant differences in the mean values of the renal perfusion variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The development of CEUS has provided a unique means for visually examining and quantifying tissue perfusion. Results of this study indicated that it was possible to use small or large ROIs during renal CEUS to evaluate renal perfusion in dogs.
- Published
- 2016
33. Recognition of fungal RNA by TLR7 has a nonredundant role in host defense against experimental candidiasis
- Author
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Giacomo Signorino, Angelina Midiri, Giuseppe Mancuso, Michela Pugliese, Antonio Malara, Carmelo Biondo, Concetta Beninati, Alessandro Costa, Francesco Cardile, Salvatore Papasergi, Maria Domina, Giuseppe Teti, and Roberta Galbo
- Subjects
biology ,Phagocytosis ,Immunology ,RNA ,TLR7 ,biology.organism_classification ,Cell biology ,Microbiology ,IRF1 ,Immunology and Allergy ,Tumor necrosis factor alpha ,Secretion ,Candida albicans ,Transcription factor - Abstract
Despite convincing evidence for involvement of members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family in fungal recognition, little is known of the functional role of individual TLRs in antifungal defenses. We found here that TLR7 was partially required for the induction of IL-12 (IL-12p70) by Candida albicans or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, the IL-12p70 response was completely abrogated in cells from 3d mice, which are unable to mobilize TLRs to endosomal compartments, as well as in cells from mice lacking either the TLR adaptor MyD88 or the IRF1 transcription factor. Notably, purified fungal RNA recapitulated IL-12p70 induction by whole yeast. Although RNA could also induce moderate TLR7-dependent IL-23 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion, TLR7 and other endosomal TLRs were redundant for IL-23 or TNF-α induction by whole fungi. Importantly, mice lacking TLR7 or IRF1 were hypersusceptible to systemic C. albicans infection. Our data suggest that IRF1 is downstream of a novel, nonredundant fungal recognition pathway that has RNA as a major target and requires phagosomal recruitment of intracellular TLRs. This pathway differs from those involved in IL-23 or TNF-α responses, which we show here to be independent from translocation of intracellular TLRs, phagocytosis, or phagosomal acidification.
- Published
- 2012
34. The isolation of Brucella spp. from sheep and goat farms in Sicily
- Author
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Sandra Marineo, D. Nifosì, Domenico Vicari, Vittoria Currò, Alessandra Torina, Paola Galluzzo, Santo Caracappa, Lucia Galuppo, Antonella Migliazzo, and Michela Pugliese
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,business.industry ,Brucellosis ,Brucella ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Isolation (microbiology) ,Zoonotic disease ,Food Animals ,Agriculture ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business - Abstract
Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease. The role of sheep and goats is particularly important as they are considered reservoir animals. Although it has been eradicated in some countries, it continues to be an important disease in many farming areas of the Mediterranean region. The study reports the results of field and microbiological examinations carried out at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia over the three year period 2007–2009.
- Published
- 2012
35. [Endemic zoonosis in Mediterranean area]
- Author
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Concettina, Fenga and Michela, Pugliese
- Subjects
Endemic Diseases ,Mediterranean Region ,Zoonoses ,Animals ,Humans - Abstract
The Mediterranean is historically considered an area of high concentration of zoonoses. Mediterranean countries socio-economic features have favoured, over time, the onset of different types of zoonosis. Many of these may affect many occupational categories, first of all farmers, people working in abattoirs and processing products of animal origin. New farming activities and technologies have generated new occupational and zoonotic risks. These changes have influenced zoonosis epidemiology and have led to a gradual decrease in the number of diseases and to a reduction of some biological risks. However, brucellosis, Q fever, bovine tuberculosis cystic echinococcosis remain a strong example of zoonosis and a real risk, in the Mediterranean area especially. Therefore, an interdisciplinary collaboration between Veterinary Service, Public Health and Occupational medicine is necessary in order to plan territorial prevention.
- Published
- 2013
36. Comparison of effects of topical levobunolol to a combination of timolol-dorzolamide on intraocular pressure and pulse rate of healthy dogs
- Author
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A. Pugliese, P. P. Niutta, A. Scardillo, and Michela Pugliese
- Subjects
Male ,Intraocular pressure ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Administration, Topical ,Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ,Levobunolol ,Timolol ,Glaucoma ,Thiophenes ,Dogs ,Dorzolamide ,Heart Rate ,Ophthalmology ,Timolol dorzolamide ,Animals ,Medicine ,Intraocular Pressure ,Sulfonamides ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Drug Combinations ,Pulse rate ,Female ,business ,medicine.drug - Published
- 2009
37. Cytokine mRNA quantification in gastro-intestinal biopsies of dogs with idiopathic chronic enteropathies by Real Time RT-PCR: preliminary results
- Author
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M.T. Fera, S. Galia, Michela Pugliese, E. La Camera, M. De Majo, and Giuseppe Mazzullo
- Subjects
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ,Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,interleukin 4 ,messenger RNA ,Canis familiaris ,Inflammatory bowel disease ,Biopsy ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Interferon-gamma ,Dogs ,medicine ,Animals ,Dog Diseases ,RNA, Messenger ,General Veterinary ,Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ,business.industry ,General Medicine ,Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ,medicine.disease ,Cytokine ,Real-time polymerase chain reaction ,Immunology ,Cytokines ,Female ,Cytokine mrna ,Interleukin-4 ,business ,Gastro intestinal - Abstract
Cytokine mRNA quantification in gastro-intestinal biopsies of dogs with idiopathic chronic enteropathies by Real Time RT-PCR: preliminary results M. De Majo & M. Pugliese & S. Galia & G. Mazzullo & E. La Camera & M. T. Fera # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008
- Published
- 2008
38. Impact of Physical Exercise on Release of Cardiac Troponins: Evaluation in Healthy and Cardiopathic Dogs
- Author
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M. De Majo, P. P. Niutta, A. La Pietra, A. Seminara, and Michela Pugliese
- Subjects
Cardiac troponin ,business.industry ,exercise test ,heart failure ,Physical exercise ,medicine.disease ,Asymptomatic ,New york heart association ,cardiac troponins ,Troponin complex ,Anesthesia ,Heart failure ,Troponin I ,medicine ,Treadmill ,medicine.symptom ,business - Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on the release of cardiac troponins (cTn). Sixteen dogs were evaluated: 8 clinically healthy (group A) and 8 (group B) with valve disease in the asymptomatic stage (class I, New York Heart Association). All dogs, after a complete cardiac evaluation, were forced to exercise on a motorized treadmill at three different speeds: 1.8 km/h (low speed), 3.6 km/h (medium speed), and 5.4 km/h (high speed) lasting 6 min. Each test was performed on different days. Plasma samples were refrigerated at −20°. cTnI and cTnT were measured just before the running test, after a recovery period of 20 min, and then 2, 4, and 6 h later. cTnI concentrations increased in group A only at the highest speed, while cTnT did not change. These results suggest that exercise may induce myocardial suffering.
- Published
- 2013
39. Canine Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations on 19 Cases
- Author
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Michela Pugliese, M. De Majo, G. Garufi, Giuseppe Mazzullo, and A. La Pietra
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Metronidazole ,Prednisone ,business.industry ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ,Hypoalbuminemia ,medicine.disease ,business ,Inflammatory bowel disease ,Gastroenterology ,medicine.drug - Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic features and to search correlations between clinical, endoscopic, and histological scoring in 19 dogs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, these parameters were evaluated in dogs with normo-albuminemia versus hypoalbuminemic dogs. Therapy and 6-month follow-up data were reported. No differences were found between clinical, endoscopic, and histological scores in normo-albuminemic and hypoalbuminemic dogs. The cornerstone of therapy was prednisone associated with metronidazole. In subjects unresponsive to steroids, treatment with other immunosuppressive drugs must be considered.
- Published
- 2011
40. Effects of topical 0.5% levobunolol alone or in association with 2% dorzolamide compared with a fixed combination of 0.5% timolol and 2% dorzolamide on intraocular pressure and heart rate in dogs without glaucoma
- Author
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Alessio, Scardillo, Michela, Pugliese, Massimo, De Majo, Pietro P, Niutta, and Antonio, Pugliese
- Subjects
Male ,Sulfonamides ,Cross-Over Studies ,Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ,Glaucoma ,Thiophenes ,Drug Combinations ,Dogs ,Heart Rate ,Levobunolol ,Timolol ,Animals ,Drug Therapy, Combination ,Female ,Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ,Intraocular Pressure - Abstract
The goal of glaucoma management is to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and maintain it at a level compatible with the health of the optic nerve. New therapies are constantly being sought. Topical instillation of levobunolol 0.5%, alone or with dorzolamide 2%, has a hypotensive effect on the IOP in healthy dogs, and levobunolol combined with dorzolamide produces a stronger hypotensive effect than the combination of timolol and dorzolamide. All animals tolerate these topical medications well with no signs of discomfort, and no ocular side effects have been observed. Levobunolol, alone or in combination with dorzolamide, induces bradycardia, as does timolol with dorzolamide.
- Published
- 2010
41. Serologic investigation of the prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in occupationally-exposed subjects in eastern Sicily
- Author
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Concettina, Fenga, Anna, Cacciola, Carmelina, Di Nola, Sebastiano, Calimeri, Daniela, Lo Giudice, Michela, Pugliese, Pietro Paolo, Niutta, and Lucia Barbaro, Martino
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Inhalation Exposure ,Fluorescent Antibody Technique ,Middle Aged ,Psittacosis ,Antibodies, Bacterial ,Immunoglobulin A ,Chlamydophila psittaci ,Immunoglobulin M ,Italy ,Risk Factors ,Seroepidemiologic Studies ,Case-Control Studies ,Immunoglobulin G ,Occupational Exposure ,Humans - Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of serum antibodies to C. psittaci in workers at 8 stock farms located in a rural area of eastern Sicily. Serum samples from 188 workers and 160 controls were tested for immunoglobulin IgA, IgG and IgM direct against C. psittaci by microimmunofluorescent test (MIF). Seropositive subjects were defined as those with IgG titres of 1:16-1:256, and seronegative subjects as those whose titre was1:16. To rule out the presence of cross reactive antibodies, testing was also performed for C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. A total of 28 (14.9%) subjects studied met the criteria for seropositivity to C. psittaci. Two of the 188 (1.06%) had an IgG titre of 1:32, 16 (8.51%) an IgG titre of 1: 64, 6 (3.19%) an IgG titre of 1:128 and 4 subjects (2.12%) demonstrated an antibody titre of 1:256. The high prevalence rate of C. psittaci antibodies among farmers suggests that this infection is spread in those subjects living in areas with an high percentage employed in rearing activities. The authors stress the importance of carrying out health surveillance in subjects working in close contact with animals receptive to infection, and confirm the need to adopt a serological test, such as MIF as a preventive measure for activities at risk.
- Published
- 2007
42. Bovine ocular squamous cellular carcinoma: A report of cases from the Caltagirone area, Italy | Skvamocelularni karcinom oka u goveda: Prikaz slučajeva u okolici grada Caltagirone u Italiji
- Author
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Michela PUGLIESE, Mazzullo, G., Niutta, P. P., and Passantino, A.
43. Endemic zoonosis in mediterranean area | Antropozoonosi endemiche nel bacino del mediterraneo
- Author
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Fenga, C. and Michela PUGLIESE
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