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Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is linked to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) neurotoxicity in solid organ transplant recipients. We will discuss CNI avoidance with belatacept, a co-stimulation blocker, in a heart transplant (HT) recipient with PRES in this case report. A 21-year-old, African American male with a medical history of osteosarcoma of the right tibia, right below the knee amputation, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy due to anthracycline, and childhood seizure disorder underwent an orthotopic HT in October 2021. Mycophenolate 500 mg IV twice daily and a steroid taper were initiated on the day of transplant. Within 24 hours post HT, the decision was made to induce with a total of 4.5 mg/kg of rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) for increased immunologic risk (young age, ethnicity) and mild postoperative left/right ventricular dysfunction. Tacrolimus (TAC) 1mg oral twice daily was started 48 hours post HT. Approximately 96 hours post HT, he complained of headache and, subsequently, was observed seizing. Despite a negative workup with computed tomography of the head and electroencephalogram, the patient was started on antiepileptics. The patient was stable for 36 hours until he had a total of 5 tonic clonic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of PRES, which was thought to be related to TAC despite a maximum trough level of 8.3 ng/mL. TAC was discontinued and mental status improved. Five days later, a CNI rechallenge was attempted with cyclosporine to a maximum trough level of 205 ng/mL over the next 48 hours. There remained a concern for PRES related to CNI; thus, cyclosporine was discontinued. Belatacept (BTC) was initiated as a CNI alternative at 10 mg/kg IV infusion on days 1, 5, 14, 28, week 8, week 12, followed by 5 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Dose adjustments were made if the weight changed by more than 10%. He remains on BTC 5 mg/kg infusions every 4 weeks, mycophenolic acid 1080mg twice daily and steroids. He is tolerating the therapy without neurological compromise. He experienced one grade 2 cellular rejection episode during his first postoperative month, but has been rejection free since. There is a paucity of data surrounding the use of BTC in transplant recipients with CNI related PRES. Previous studies have reported improvement of PRES with the use of BTC in lung (Iasella et al., 2018) and HT recipients (Launay et al., 2020). This case highlights the use of BTC as an alternative maintenance immunosuppression regimen in HT recipients with PRES related to CNI. Further studies are warranted to investigate the efficacy and safety of BTC for CNI related PRES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study was conducted to assess the catalytic electrode surface adsorption and capture properties of different metal chitosan derivatives in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7.3). Early, recent work showed that the response of Iron chitosan complex with R = -CH 3 on the periphery, over blood red cells in presence of sphingomyelinase C was protected. The effect of others substituent (R = -Br, -Cl, -F, NO 2 , -OCH 3 , -H) on the periphery of the Schiff base ligand did not show correlation with the oxidation of sphingomyelinase C and its biological response. For this reason, various adsorbed metal (M = Fe of recent work, Cu, Ni and Co) complexes of chitosan and Schiff bases on glassy carbon electrode for the oxidation of sphingomyelinase C were investigated and compared, each one with -CH 3 group on the periphery of the Schiff base. UV–Vis and IR-TF spectroscopies, electrochemistry and microscopy assay were performed; then, the metal effect underlying. For the Schiff base, cobalt and copper complexes did not proved to be a remarkable cellular protector in presence of the enzyme, but the nickel complex showed to be a cellular protector at short time, this conclusion help to proposal a reaction mechanism for the electrochemical and biological studies. Highlights • The inhibition of Sphingomyelinase C by metal chitosan complexes was examined. • Metal chitosan complexes were active for the oxidation of SMASE. • NiChi-CH 3 protected to erythrocytes exposed to Sphingomyelinase C at short times. • Reactions for SMASE oxidation by MChi-CH 3 were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the impact of an algorithm targeting antimicrobial therapy of diarrhoeic calves on the incidence of diarrhoea, antimicrobial treatment rates, overall mortality, mortality of diarrhoeic calves and changes in the faecal microbiota. The algorithm was designed to target antimicrobial therapy in systemically ill calves from on two dairy farms. Retrospective (farm 1: 529 calves; farm 2: 639 calves) and prospective (farm 1: 639 calves; farm 2: 842 calves) cohorts were examined for 12 months before and after implementation of the algorithm. The Mantel–Haenszel test and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to assess the cumulative incidence risk (CIR) and time to development of each outcome before and after implementation of the algorithm. The CIR of antimicrobial treatment rates was 80% lower after implementation of the algorithm on both farms (CIR 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.21). There was no difference in the CIR of overall mortality, but the CRI for mortality of diarrhoeic calves was lower in the period after implementation of the algorithm on one farm. The faecal microbiota of 15 healthy calves from both farms at each time period were characterised using a sequencing platform targeting the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. On both farms, there were significant differences in community membership and structure (parsimony P < 0.001). Use of the algorithm for treatment of diarrhoeic calves reduced antimicrobial treatment rates without a negative impact on the health of calves. However, the experimental design did not take into account the potential confounding effects of dietary changes between the study periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The navigation behavior of catheters within the equine pulmonary artery (PA) was investigated using en bloc heart and lung preparations for the purpose of developing a method of blind catheter placement. An equine ex vivo heart and lung perfusion system with controlled perfusate pulsatile flow, pressure, and temperature was used to evaluate a blind navigation technique for placement of balloon-tipped catheters into the distal main stem of the PA. Catheter performance was observed with an intravascular endoscope. Three balloon catheters were selected for navigation trials: a 4 mm diameter × 1.2 cm, 2.7Fr, 142 cm angioplasty catheter (C4mm); a 10 mm diameter × 4 cm, 5Fr, 150-cm angioplasty catheter (C10mm); and a 16-mm diameter, 7Fr, 200-cm pancreatic duct sphincteroplasty catheter (C16mm). Successful catheter placement was defined as insertion within a left or right main stem of the PA to a distance greater than 20 cm beyond the bifurcation. A method of blind catheter placement into the distal main stem of the equine PA using balloon-tipped catheters was successfully developed. The 16-mm catheter was superior with an average proportion of successful insertions (PSIavg) of 93.6%; an average insertion distance in the main stem (IDMavg) of 30.1 ± 5.7 cm; and an average insertion distance anywhere in the PA (IDAavg) of 29.3 ± 6.4 cm versus the 10 mm (PSIavg 25%, IDMavg 39.3 ± 11.4 cm, IDAavg 19.3 ± 15.1 cm) and 4 mm (PSIavg 11%, IDMavg 40.0 ± 11.0 cm, IDAavg 12.8 ± 13.2 cm), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theiler's disease (TD) is a (sub-)acute hepatitis in adult horses and one of the most common causes of acute hepatic failure. Recent findings indicate that equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) likely causes TD and that its transmission occurs via iatrogenic and/or natural routes. Following the death of an EqPV-H positive mare with TD, close-contact mares and foals in the same paddock were monitored to evaluate if there was any evidence of EqPV-H. For this purpose, the serum of close contact horses was examined 6 and 42 days after the mare's death for the presence of EqPV-H DNA and changes in liver-associated serum biochemical parameters. The foals had higher EqPV-H viral loads than the mares. Apart from the mare that was euthanized, none of the horses included in this study showed signs of severe disease and nor did they have particularly elevated liver enzymes. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed no major differences between the viral DNA detected in the serum of the dead mare and any of the in-contact horses. In conclusion, our data confirmed previous findings that horizontal transmission of EqPV-H may occur through close contact between horses. • Horizontal transmission of EqPV-H to close contact horses. • Foals display higher viral loads compared to mares. • None of the horses showed signs of severe disease with elevated liver enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environment and management practices shape the equine gastrointestinal microbiota • Horses sharing the same environment have similar gastrointestinal microbiota • Gastrointestinal microbiota studies can be affected by the control group used • Farm and management conditions should be considered when choosing control groups The objective of this study was to compare the fecal microbiota of two healthy teaching horse herds with that of client-owned horses from the same geographic areas. The fecal microbiota of client-owned horses from Ontario Canada (n = 15) and Florida, USA (n = 11) was compared with that teaching horses from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (n = 10) and the University of Florida, Florida, USA (n = 15). The fecal microbiota was characterized by sequencing of bacterial DNA using the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The diversity (inverse Simpson index) of the fecal microbiota was significantly higher in teaching than client owned horses from the same geographical area (P <.05). The community membership (Jaccard Index) and structure (Yue and Clayton index) of teaching horses was also significantly different from that of client owned horses from the same geographical area (AMOVA P <.001). The bacterial membership and structure of the fecal microbiota of Ontario and Florida teaching horses were significantly different, while the bacterial membership, but not the structure of Ontario and Florida client owned horses was significantly different (AMOVA P <.001). In all four groups of healthy horses, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidales, Clostridiales, and Treponema were detected in high relative abundance. The fecal microbiota of healthy horses from teaching herds kept in the same environment with identical management practices differs significantly from that of horses housed in different facilities with dissimilar management practices. Our results suggest an effect of the environment and management practices on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Researchers should attempt to include healthy horses from the same farm with similar management as control groups when comparing with diseased horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Streptococcus equi is present in horses in Colombia, with a high culture positive in guttural pouches, suggesting endemicity of the disease. • The S. equi culture prevalence in the GP found was 15%; 13.5 % for S. equi subsp. equi and 1.5% for S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus • Younger horses and horses with recent history of travelling had higher odds of testing positive for S. equi in swabs of the GP. • S. equi colonies were susceptible to TMS and B-lactam antimicrobial drugs, but resistant to enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of S. equi in a horse population in Colombia, to determine the risk factors associated with its detection in the guttural pouches and to report the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Fifteen farms and 137 horses >6 months of age were enrolled. Sampling was randomly, stratified and proportional to the population size of each farm. The guttural pouch (GP) was swabbed via endoscopic guidance and culture was performed. DNA extraction and conventional PCR were performed in colonies compatibles with S. equi , the PCR products were sequenced and subjected to BLAST analysis. Antimicrobial drug sensitivity was assessed using an antimicrobial disc diffusion assay including penicillin, ceftiofur, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole (TMS), enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline. A mixed logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate risk factors associated with the presence of S. equi. The S. equi culture prevalence in the GP was 15%; 13.5 % for S. equi subsp. equi and 1.5% for S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. History of travel was associated with the presence of S. equi , whereas every 1-year increase in age decreased the risk for S. equi detection in the GP. All isolates were susceptible to TMS, ceftiofur and penicillin, but resistant to enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline. S. equi is present in horses in Colombia, with a high prevalence and appear to be endemic in the tested population. Younger horses and horses with recent history of travelling had higher odds of testing positive for S. equi in swabs of the GP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Calcification of the pulmonary artery has been found in a large number of racing horses. The majority of calcified lesions are found immediately distal to the primary arterial bifurcation. Increased arterial wall stress levels have been previously demonstrated at these locations, with the wall stress levels increasing under intra-luminal pressures associated with exercise. We hypothesize therefore that the formation of calcified lesions is mediated by transient and repeated increases in pulmonary artery intra-luminal pressure. The presence of calcified lesions would likely further exacerbate the levels of wall stress, leading to growth of the lesions. A level of wall stress may exist above which calcified lesions form, and a second level may exist above which the calcified lesions grow at an increased rate. A computer model of pulmonary artery wall stress with calcified lesions was created, and wall stress levels were found to be greatest at the periphery of the calcified lesions. Osteo/chondrocyte-like cells have also been found at the periphery of the calcified lesions and could be responsible for collagen deposition and lesion growth, mediated by local wall stress levels. These increased levels of wall stress could place racehorses at a greater risk of acute pulmonary arterial rupture at the site of the calcified lesions, due to the high levels of intra-luminal pressure within the pulmonary artery during exercise. The hypothesis may also have implications in the etiology of human vascular diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple, rapid and sensitive method was developed for the routine analysis of trace elements on sediments and soils by UV-ns-LA-ICP-MS. The homogenization procedure that reduces the particle size of the samples to less than 1 µm diameter was found to be a key factor to allow for a representative sampling of the bulk soil at the micro-scale and to improve reproducibility and cohesion of the sample without requiring the use of any binder. The elimination of binders simplified the sample preparation and avoided any undesirable dilution of the sample. SEM/EDX analyses were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of laser to sample interaction. Matrix effects and different quantitation strategies were employed to demonstrate the utility of the analytical technique. Sixteen elements were analyzed on soil and sediment samples and certified reference materials. Analytical results obtained by LA-ICP-MS were comparable to solution ICP-MS analysis in terms of accuracy, precision and limits of detection. Two independent proficiency tests for trace metals in soils were conducted to compare the performance of the method versus conventional digestion ICP and AA methods, obtaining z scores ≤3 for all elements measured by LA-ICP-MS. An overall bias between 8 and 15% was found, depending on the sample while the overall precision was found to be better than 5% RSD for all samples. Limits of detection were as low as 0.01 mg kg−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The chemical and biological properties of compost made from yard trimmings (YT) composted alone or mixed with slaughterhouse wastes (SHW) were evaluated in seven phases. Mixtures were weighed in a 2:1 proportion (YT:SHW) and placed in composting bins (0.91m2). Temperature was recorded to determine the time (d) needed to reach the first (1HC) and second heat cycles (2HC). Composting characteristics were measured at 0 d, at the peak of the 1HC and 2HC, and at maturation (0, 20, 50 and 70 d). During 1HC, bacterial isolates were cultivated in both treatments and identified using the Biolog® System. Chemical composition was statistically analyzed using a 2 (layers of SHW)× 7 (composting phases) factorial arrangement of treatments with the ANOVA procedure of SAS. The pH was neutral for YT and ranged from 7.41 to 6.82 for SHW throughout the process. There was a decrease in organic matter (OM) and carbon (C), and a relative increase in nitrogen (N) in both treatments. At 70 d of maturation, C:N values were similar between treatments, but lower (P >0.05) than the initial values. Final N concentration was higher (P >0.05) for the treatment with SHW. Only the SHW treatment exhibited thermophilic temperatures. At the 1HC in both treatments, different populations of bacteria responsible for the breakdown of OM were identified showing an active heterogeneous population. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms was not detected in treatments containing SHW. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Clostridium difficile is an important cause of diarrhea in horses, causing sporadic and epidemic disease of varying severity. This study evaluated the molecular characteristics of 48 C. difficile isolates recovered from diarrheic horses admitted to a veterinary hospital by using PCR-ribotyping and toxin gene profile. Additionally, feces were tested for the presence of C. difficile toxin A/B via enzyme immunosorbant assay (EIA) in 38 horses. The toxin genes tcdA, tcdB and cdtB were present in 27 (56.25%), 35 (72.91%) and 2 (4.1%) strains, respectively. Eight isolates (16.6%) were A−B+ variants. Thirteen of forty-eight isolates (27.0%) did not posses any toxin genes (A−B−CDT−). A positive EIA result was reported in 17 (44%) of the cases. There was no association between the presence of different ribotypes or strains and toxin gene(s) profiles and the clinical outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The identification of counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging is a complex problem that often requires multiple physical or chemical analyses. In this study, LIBS and ATR-FTIR were used as fast and non-invasive methods to classify pharmaceutical paperboard packaging sample into an authentic group or belonging to one of five counterfeit counterpart packaging sources. The collection set consisted of 124 external pharmaceutical packages, originating from 6 authentic sources (n = 12 packages) and 3 to 5 counterfeit sources per product (n = 112 packages). Orthogonal methods, such as LIBS and ATR-FTIR, were especially advantageous for classification purposes because they reveal chemical information of the organic and inorganic components of the package ink. Different ink colors from the logo, text, barcodes, and images were tested; additionally, the paperboard sample substrate was analyzed with ATR-FTIR. After data reduction via Principal Component Analysis, two supervised machine learning classification techniques were used for classification: k -Nearest Neighbors, and Linear Discriminant Analysis. A random 60:40 split of the data was used for training and testing the algorithms. Across all analyzed ink types, correct classification rates above 70% (LIBS) and 85% (ATR-FTIR) were observed. Data fusion of the two complementary methods improved the results, providing correct classifications ranging from 90 to 100% depending on the classifier and the pharmaceutical package. The results demonstrate that the elemental information obtained by LIBS and the chemical composition by ATR-FTIR are complementary and provide practical alternatives for fast screening of counterfeit secondary packaging. Unlabelled Image • LIBS and ATR-FTIR spectral profiles differentiated authentic versus counterfeit ink packaging. • Data fusion of LIBS and IR yielded more accurate classifications (>90%) • LIBS and ATR-FTIR are quick approaches for direct and non-invasive screening of counterfeit packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gunshot residue (GSR) is one of the few forensic disciplines that lack accurate screening techniques. This study proposes using a mobile LIBS instrument to detect inorganic GSR and compares performance to a previously validated laboratory instrument. The mobile LIBS is designed with advanced configurations specifically for on-site GSR analysis, including a CMOS detector and a sampling chamber that holds up to six typical GSR collection devices with separate gas flow ports to prevent cross-contamination. A significant novelty of the portable instrument is its image magnification, which allows quick searching and visualization of GSR particle morphology. The single-particle imaging and elemental composition capability is one of a kind and offers superior confirmatory features for GSR. The mobile LIBS performance was evaluated for residues collected from the hands of shooters (100 samples) and non-shooters (200 background samples), analyzed sequentially by the mobile instrument and then the laboratory instrument. Accuracies better than 98.8% were obtained by both instruments, demonstrating their suitability for trace IGSR detection from skin specimens. Implementation of this methodology is anticipated to drastically speed up response times (i.e., from several hours per sample by standard SEM-EDS practice to a few minutes by LIBS). The screening methods can be easily incorporated into workflows to improve decision-making processes at the crime scene and laboratory settings, reduce backlogs, and improve case management. [Display omitted] • Evolution of laboratory LIBS analysis to in-field GSR LIBS analysis. • Improved magnification allowed novel micron-GSR searching on mobile LIBS. • Instrument performances tested on 300 authentic shooter GSR hand specimens. • Over 98% accuracy for both instruments, increasing validity of field LIBS screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of hospital- and antimicrobial-associated diarrhea in hospitalized humans however the role of C. difficile in diarrhea in dogs has not been defined. A prospective study of C. difficile colonization in dogs and cats was conducted in a veterinary teaching hospital intensive care unit (ICU). Rectal swabs were taken from patients upon admission to the ICU and every third day of hospitalization until discharge or death. C. difficile was isolated from 73/402 (18%) animals; 69% of isolates were toxigenic. Community-associated colonization was identified in 39/366 (11%) of animals that were sampled at the time of admission, while C. difficile was subsequently isolated from 27 of the remaining 327 (8.3%) animals that had a negative admission swab. C. difficile was isolated from seven other dogs during hospitalization, but the origin was unclear because the admission swab was not collected. Administration of antimicrobials prior to admission and administration of immunosuppressive drugs during hospitalization were risk factors for hospital-associated colonization (P =0.006, OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.4–10.8). Acquisition of C. difficile during hospitalization in the ICU was associated with the development of diarrhea (P =0.004). Two ribotypes, one toxigenic and one non-toxigenic, predominated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Prior retrospective studies have suggested that tacrolimus monotherapy is an option associated with excellent outcomes and reduced toxicities. Method: We conducted a prospective, randomized, 2-center study of tacrolimus combination therapy vs monotherapy. From April 16, 2004, to September 15, 2005, 58 adult heart transplant patients were studied. All received oral tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. Patients were then randomized to a group where mycophenolate was maintained (COMBO) or to a group where it was discontinued (MONO) 14 days post-transplant. Corticosteroids were rapidly withdrawn in both groups between 8 and 12 weeks. Result: The primary end point (mean 6-month International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation biopsy score) was 0.44 ± 0.04 in the MONO group and 0.60 ± 0.05 in the COMBO group (p = 0.013, unpaired Student’s t-test). The freedom from rejection grade of 2R or higher at 6 and 12 months was 93.3% with MONO and 92.9% with COMBO (p = NS). Conclusion: Tacrolimus monotherapy appears to be safe and efficacious in heart transplant recipients and is not associated with excess rejection in the first year post-transplant. Further studies of this approach are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To assess cardiopulmonary function in sedated and anesthetized dogs administered intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine and subsequently administered IV lidocaine to treat dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia. Prospective, randomized, crossover experimental trial. A total of six purpose-bred female Beagle dogs, weighing 9.1 ± 0.6 kg (mean ± standard deviation). Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: dexmedetomidine (10 μg kg–1 IV) administered to conscious (treatments SED1 and SED2) or isoflurane-anesthetized dogs (end-tidal isoflurane concentration 1.19 ± 0.04%; treatment ISO). After 30 minutes, a lidocaine bolus (2 mg kg–1) IV was administered in treatments SED1 and ISO, followed 20 minutes later by a second bolus (2 mg kg–1) and a 30 minute lidocaine constant rate infusion (L-CRI) at 50 (SED1) or 100 μg kg–1 minute–1 (ISO). In SED2, lidocaine bolus and L-CRI (50 μg kg–1 minute–1) were administered 5 minutes after dexmedetomidine. Cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained after dexmedetomidine, after lidocaine bolus, during L-CRI and 30 minutes after discontinuing L-CRI. A mixed linear model was used for comparisons within treatments (p < 0.05). When administered after a bolus of dexmedetomidine, lidocaine bolus and L-CRI significantly increased heart rate and cardiac index, decreased mean blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance index and oxygen extraction ratio, and did not affect stroke volume index in all treatments. Lidocaine was an effective treatment for dexmedetomidine-induced bradycardia in healthy research dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multiple cases of non-biologic-associated Theiler's disease occurred on a farm in Ontario, Canada in 2005. • Retrospective analysis of serum showed the presence of EqPV-H DNA in horses with a confirmed histological diagnosis of Theiler's disease. • First report of the association of EqPV-H with Theiler's disease in Canada. • The highest EqPV-H DNA viral load was detected in a clinically normal animal • Phylogenetic analysis of EqPV-H showed high similarity to previous published sequences. Theiler's disease was confirmed within a group horses located on a farm in southwestern Ontario during the summer and autumn of 2005. Five sudden deaths occurred between 3 July and 21 August, 2005, none of which were necropsied, however two of the horses showed clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy prior to death. No horse on the farm had received a biologic product of equine blood origin in the preceding six months. The only biologics used on the property were the administration of killed vaccines for rabies, tetanus and West Nile Virus to all horses 30 days prior to the onset of the first sudden death. Between 22 August, 2005 and 21 October, 2005, a further four horses died suddenly or were euthanized with all having a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of acute hepatic necrosis. Serum was collected from all horses on the farm on 30 September, 2005 and this was repeated on 29 October, 2005. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) DNA was detected by quantitative-PCR in the serum of 61.8% (34/55) of the horses on the farm on either one or both sampling dates with viral loads ranging from <3.75 × 103 copies/mL to 3.64 × 107 copies/mL. EqPV-H DNA was present in serum samples of three horses with a confirmed diagnosis of Theiler's disease, five horses with subclinical liver disease, and in clinically normal in-contact horses. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis based on partial NS1 of EqPV-H revealed not only high similarity on nucleotide level within the sequenced samples but also within other previously published sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterocloster bolteae (formerly known as Clostridium bolteae) is a gastro-intestinal pathogenic bacterium often detected in the fecal microbiome of children in the autism spectrum. E. bolteae excretes metabolites that are thought to act as neurotoxins. This study is an update of our first E. bolteae investigation that discovered an immunogenic polysaccharide. Through a combination of chemical derivatizations/degradations, spectrometry and spectroscopy techniques, a polysaccharide composed of disaccharide repeating blocks comprised of 3-linked β- d -ribofuranose and 4-linked α- l -rhamnopyranose, [→3)-β-D-Rib f -(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1→] n , was identified. To confirm the structure, and to provide material for subsequent investigations, the chemical synthesis of a corresponding linker-equipped tetrasaccharide, β-D-Rib f -(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1 → 3)-β-D-Rib f -(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1→O(CH 2) 8 N 3 , is also described. Research tools based on this immunogenic glycan structure can form the foundation for serotype classification, diagnostic/vaccine targets and clinical studies into the hypothesized role of E. bolteae in the onset/augmentation of autism related conditions in children. [Display omitted] • A polysaccharide formed by [.→3)-β-D-Rib f -(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1→] disaccharide repeats was isolated from the gut pathogen, Enterocloster bolteae (formerly Clostridium bolteae). • The chemical synthesis of a linker-equipped tetrasaccharide containing two repeating blocks, β-D-Rib f -(1. → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1 → 3)-β-D-Rib f -(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha p -(1→O(CH2)8N3, was achieved. • This work rectifies a previous proposed polysaccharide structure of Clostridium bolteae strain 16351. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Synthesis of Clostridium difficile PSI pentasaccharide repeating unit. [•] Synthesis of a dual C. difficile PSI–ToxB conjugate. [•] Discovery of anti-C. difficile PSI IgG antibodies in serum from healthy horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Karenia brevis, the harmful alga associated with red tide, produces brevetoxins (PbTxs). Exposure to these toxins can have a negative impact on marine wildlife and serious human health consequences. The elimination of PbTxs is critical to protect the marine environment and human health. TiO2 photocatalysis under 350nm and solar irradiation leads to significant degradation of PbTxs via first order kinetics. ELISA results demonstrate TiO2 photocatalysis leads to a significant decrease in the bioactivity of PbTxs as a function of treatment time. Experiments conducted in the presence of synthetic seawater, humic material and a hydroxyl scavenger showed decreased degradation. PbTxs are highly hydrophobic and partition to organic microlayer on the ocean surface. Acetonitrile was employed to probe the influence of an organic media on the TiO2 photocatalysis of PbTxs. Our results indicate TiO2 photocatalysis may be applicable for the degradation of PbTxs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Observations A 26-year-old male white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum), weighing approximately 2000 kg was anesthetized for an exploratory celiotomy. Sedation was achieved with intramuscular butorphanol (0.04 mg kg−1) and detomidine (0.025 mg kg−1) and induction of anesthesia with intravenous glyceryl guaiacolate (50 g) and three intravenous boluses of ketamine (200 mg, each); the trachea was then intubated and anesthesia maintained with isoflurane in oxygen using a circle breathing system. Positioning in dorsal recumbency for the surgery and later in sternal recumbency for the recovery represented challenges that added to the prolonged anesthesia time and surgical approach to partially correct an impaction. The rhinoceros recovered uneventfully after 10.4 hours of recumbency. Conclusions Anesthetic management for an exploratory celiotomy with a midline approach is possible in rhinoceroses, although planning and extensive staff support is necessary to adequately position the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are increasingly used to support critically ill heart failure patients awaiting transplantation. Previous work has focused on the Thoratec Heartmate VE device, use of which is associated with pre-formed antibody production. We reviewed our cumulative experience with the Worldheart Novacor VAD as a bridge to transplantation (BTT). Methods: From January 1989 through October 2002, 39 patients required a VAD bridge, with 26 of 39 surviving to transplantation. Antibody levels were assessed by complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay at routine intervals and expressed as panel reactive antibody (PRA) levels. Post-transplant allograft rejection, coronary vasculopathy, and survival were compared between Novacor-supported patients and non-VAD transplant recipients. Results: PRA values did not significantly change after VAD implantation (12.4% ± 11.2% vs 14.8% ± 12.3%, p = 0.28). Survival for the BTT patients was 80.4%, 75.7%, 64.0%, 64.0%, and 64.0%, respectively, for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years post-transplant, with similar results for non-BTT patients. The freedom from coronary vasculopathy was 90.2%, 90.2%, 72.2%, and 72.2%, respectively, at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years post-transplant. Conclusions: First, to our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the incidence of allosensitization after Novacor implant in detail. In contrast with previous results of work with other VAD systems, as assessed by PRA levels, Novacor patients did not become sensitized. Second, compared with 220 non-BTT patients who received transplants during a similar time frame, Novacor BTT patients had equivalent rejection profiles and survival. Finally, the incidence of transplant-associated coronary artery disease was lower than in previous reports. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cardiac transplant recipients are often given prophylactic treatments to prevent opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis carinii. Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis is commonly prescribed for transplant recipients who have not been exposed to this disease but receive a heart from an exposed donor. We reviewed the collective 28-year experience at two urban transplant programs with 596 patients, and found no cases of toxoplasmosis, but all patients received trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia. We conclude that specific anti-toxoplasmosis prophylaxis is unnecessary in heart transplant recipients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]