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Body scoring system is a functional method to monitor overall adiposity. However, scorer experience, horse breed, gender, or local fat deposits are confounding factors, primarily in breeds with noticeable phenotype and tendency to subcutaneous fat deposition. Therefore, the ultrasonographic evaluation of subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) could be an objective alternative method to assess fat distribution. The aims of this study were to characterize SFT at seven anatomic locations (over 25%, 50%, and 75% of neck length, behind the shoulder, over the ribs, over the rump, and over the tailhead), to evaluate the relationship between the body condition score (BCS) and SFT and to determine the influence of gender and age on BCS and SFT measurements. A sample of 127 Andalusian horses (78 stallions and 49 barren mares) were included. Body condition score was estimated, and SFT was measured by ultrasonography. The results showed that in the neck area, significant differences in fat accumulation over 25% and 50% of neck length were observed according to the gender and the age; however, regarding the body condition, no significant differences were found. Subcutaneous fat thickness at tailhead was the largest deposit and the most positively correlated parameter with BCS with influence of gender and age. However, SFT at the rump was the only measurement related to the body condition, independent of gender and age. Therefore, the assessment of localized fat deposits by ultrasonography suggests that preferred anatomic sites for fat deposition are evident and BCS systems should be adjusted according to breed-specific criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To describe the use of self-expandable metallic stents to manage malignant colorectal obstructions and to compare the radiation dose between fluoroscopic guidance of stent placement and combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Materials and Methods: From January 1998 to December 2007, 467 oncology patients undergoing colorectal stent placement in a single center were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained in all cases. All procedures were performed with fluoroscopic or combined fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. Inclusion criteria were total or partial colorectal obstruction of neoplastic origin. Exclusion criteria were life expectancy shorter than 1 month, suspicion of perforation, and/or severe colonic neoplastic bleeding. Procedure time and radiation dose were recorded, and technical and clinical success were evaluated. Follow-up was performed by clinical examination and simple abdominal radiographs at 1 day and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Of 467 procedures, technical success was achieved in 432 (92.5%). Thirty-five treatments (7.5%) were technical failures, and the patients were advised to undergo surgery. Significant differences in radiation dose and clinical success were found between the fluoroscopy and combined-technique groups (P < .001). Total decompression was achieved in 372 cases, 29 patients showed remarkable improvement, 11 showed slight improvement, and 20 showed clinical failure. Complications were recorded in 89 patients (19%); the most significant were perforation (2.3%) and stent migration (6.9%). Mean interventional time and radiation dose were 67 minutes and 3,378 dGy·cm2, respectively. Conclusions: Treatment of colonic obstruction with stents requires a long time in the interventional room and considerable radiation dose. Nevertheless, the clinical benefits and improvement in quality of life justify the radiation risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Thirteen LAB strains were isolated from the intestinal microbiota of healthy salmonids. A ∼500-bp region of the highly conserved 16S rRNA gene was PCR-amplified and following this, a portion of the amplicon (272-bp) including the V1 and V2 variable regions was sequenced. The sequence containing both the V1 and V2 region provided strong evidence for the identification of LAB. The LAB strains were identified as Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The method described was found to be a very simple, rapid, specific, and low-cost tool for the identification of unknown strains of LAB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Achieving ambitious reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG) is particularly challenging for transportation due to the technical limitations of replacing oil-based fuels. We apply the integrated assessment model MEDEAS-World to study four global transportation decarbonization strategies for 2050. The results show that a massive replacement of oil-fueled individual vehicles to electric ones alone cannot deliver GHG reductions consistent with climate stabilization and could result in the scarcity of some key minerals, such as lithium and magnesium. In addition, energy-economy feedbacks within an economic growth system create a rebound effect that counters the benefits of substitution. The only strategy that can achieve the objectives globally follows the Degrowth paradigm, combining a quick and radical shift to lighter electric vehicles and non-motorized modes with a drastic reduction in total transportation demand. • Transportation is the sector most difficult to decarbonize. • Technological change alone cannot achieve ambitious GHG reductions. • Transport decarbonization can only be achieved with a strong reduction in demand. • Strategic minerals are a serious limit to the expansion of electric vehicles. • MEDEAS-W model shows the limits and rebound effects of transport electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's decision-makers rely heavily on Integrated Assessment Models to guide the decarbonisation of the energy system. Uncertainty is embedded in the assumptions these models are built upon. Unless those uncertainties are adequately assessed, using Integrated Assessment Models for policy design is unadvised. In this work we run Monte Carlo simulations with the MEDEAS model at European Union scale to assess how the uncertainties on the main drivers of the transition affect key socioeconomic and environmental indicators. In addition, One-at-a-time sensitivity exploration is performed to grade the contribution of a set of model parameters to the uncertainty in the same key indicators. The combination of the uncertainties in the model drivers magnify the uncertainty in the model outputs, which widens over time. Parameters affecting sectorial and households' energy efficiency and households' transport energy use ranked amongst the most impacting ones on simulation results. • Uncertainty assessment is essential for using models for policy-making. • Uncertainties in MEDEAS model are assessed running Monte Carlo simulations. • Parameters contribution to output uncertainties are ranked. • Output uncertainties are large and increase over time. • Households transport, energy efficiency and non-energy uses impact most outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe an ultrasound-guided approach to the dorsal aspect of the quadratus lumborum muscle (D-QL) and to evaluate the spread of methylene blue dye in canine cadavers. Prospective, experimental anatomical study. A total of 12 canine cadavers. The ultrasonographic landmarks and injection technique for the D-QL approach were determined in two cadavers. Correct needle tip position was confirmed by computed tomography. Bilateral ultrasound-guided injections were performed in 10 cadavers between the QL muscle, the vertebral body and the ventrocaudal aspect of the transverse process of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) using two volumes of methylene blue: low volume (LV) 0.3 mL kg–1 or high volume (HV) 0.5 mL kg–1. Staining of the main thoracolumbar trunk, dorsal and ventral branches of the thoracic (T) and lumbar (L) spinal nerves, sympathetic trunk and epidural space were assessed following dissection. Data between groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U test. Data are presented as median (range). The ventral branches of spinal nerves T12, T13, L1, L2, L3 and L4 were stained in 10%, 70%, 100%, 90%, 60%, 0% and 30%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 50% and 30% after LV and HV injections, respectively. Multisegmental spread of the sympathetic trunk was found on 3 (3–4) and 5 (3–6) vertebral spinal levels following LV and HV injections, respectively (p = 0.005). The T13 segment of the sympathetic trunk was stained after all HV injections. Epidural spread was found in 20% and 30% of LV and HV injections, respectively. The injection of HV versus LV dye using the D-QL approach provided more consistent staining of the thoracolumbar nerve structures which innervate the abdominal wall and viscera. Clinical studies are required to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the D-QL block for abdominal procedures in dogs in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To assess whether the presence of an atherosclerotic lesion may alter the deposition kinetics of paclitaxel on the arterial wall after drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty, as well as paclitaxel concentrations in serum and in the recovered balloons. Materials and Methods Three New Zealand White rabbit models were created: an atheroma group (arterial mechanical injury and hyperlipidic diet; group A), a prelesional group (fat arterial infiltration, hyperlipidic diet; group B), and a control healthy group (group C). Forty-five animals underwent DEB angioplasty in the iliac artery. Arteries and serum samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry at 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours (arteries) and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours (serum). Recovered balloons were analyzed by UV chromatography. Histologic and statistical analyses were also performed. Results Group A showed significantly higher arterial paclitaxel concentrations in the first hour after DEB angioplasty (632.05 ng/mg ± 125.75 in group A vs 179.55 ng/mg ± 45.64 and 168.54 ng/mg ± 83.48 in groups B and C, respectively; P < .05). Paclitaxel was undetectable in serum at 24 hours in all groups, but the amount was significantly higher ( P < .05) in group B at 1, 6, and 12 hours. The paclitaxel amount in navigated balloons from group A was significantly lower than in other groups ( P < .05). Conclusions Paclitaxel concentration in an atherosclerotic lesion model immediately after DEB angioplasty is nearly fourfold higher than in a healthy artery. Paclitaxel remains in the bloodstream longer when a universal state of fat arterial infiltration is achieved. These findings could have clinical implications, as studies testing commercial drug-eluting devices on healthy animals may be underestimating paclitaxel arterial uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar power is space-intensive and will contribute to intensify land competition, a factor typically not captured by models. This study uses the Integrated Assessment Model WILIAM which explicitly represents the land use changes driven by solar energy expansion through a hard link of its energy and land modules including net energy restrictions. A Green Growth type transition is simulated for the European Union with a high renewable energy share target in electricity mix by 2050, testing different land use planning policies. The results show that a rapid deployment of solar power in land without land policies can intensify land use conflicts and increase associated land use change emissions. Land-use requirements for solar would be 1–1.4 % of total land (corresponding to 55–75 % of urban land), which could be problematic locally. The implementation of land-use protection and land siting policies could reduce 23 % of total land occupied bv solar photovoltaics panels (with respect to forest and cropland the area occupied could be reduced up to 88 %), and 23–47 % of the land use change associated emissions with respect to a scenario where not policies are applied. These results show the importance of integrating land use and energy planning policies to alleviate the undesired impacts. • Land use changes and emissions of the expansion of solar energy on land in the EU. • Land required for solar would be 1–1.4 % of total land (equal to 55–75 % of urban land). • Integrated land use and energy planning policies is needed to alleviate impacts. • Cropland and forest area occupied can be reduced up to 88 % with land-use policies. • Land use change emissions associated can be reduced up to 47 % with land-use policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We analysed the effect of probiotic supplementation on the control of lactococcosis in rainbow trout. Probiotic strains Leuconostoc mesenteroides CLFP 196 and Lactobacillus plantarum CLFP 238 were administered orally to fish for 30 days at 107 CFUg−1 feed. Thirty days after the start of the probiotic feeding, fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae. Probiotic supplementation reduced fish mortality significantly, from 78% in the control group to 46–54% in the probiotic groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A method is described for the rapid and sensitive assay of phagocytosis that utilizes radioactively labelled bacteria. With this method, we observed that phagocytosis of heat-inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida by leukocytes isolated from gut of rainbow trout fed with different viable probiotics (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus sakei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides) was significantly higher (P<0.05) after 2 weeks of probiotic-feeding than the control group. However, only phagocytosis of live A. salmonicida by the leukocytes isolated from gut of rainbow trout fed with L. lactis subsp. lactis was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum and is transmitted by Phlebotominae vectors. Despite numerous publications on the subject, some essential aspects of the epidemiology are not yet sufficiently clear. We proposed a stochastic model with the aim of identifying some important gaps in the current knowledge of leishmaniasis, such as the frequency of vector infection or a dog’s life expectancy depending on their purpose and their health status. We only found that the purpose was a significant factor. Furthermore, we detected relationships among age, gender and habitat with the dogs’ purposes that can affect the calculation of the overall seroprevalence of the analysed sample. The development of this model will allow us to discard potential confounding factors as gender, age, purpose or habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadaysthe formula to calculate the sample size for estimate a proportion (as prevalence) is based on the Normal distribution, however it would be based on a Binomial distribution which confidence interval was possible to be calculated using the Wilson Score method. By comparing the two formulae (Normal and Binomial distributions), the variation of the amplitude of the confidence intervals is relevant in the tails and the center of the curves. In order to calculate the needed sample size we have simulated an iterative sampling procedure, which shows an underestimation of the sample size for values of prevalence closed to 0 or 1, and also an overestimation for values closed to 0.5. Attending to these results we proposed an algorithm based on Wilson Score method that provides similar values for the sample size than empirically obtained by simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Controlling meat traceability using SNPs is an effective method of ensuring food safety. We have analyzed several SNPs to create a panel for bovine genetic identification and traceability studies. One of these was the transversion g.329C>T (Genbank accession no. AJ496781) on the cytochrome P450 17A1 gene, which has been included in previously published panels. Using minisequencing reactions, we have tested 701 samples belonging to eight Spanish cattle breeds. Surprisingly, an excess of heterozygotes was detected, implying an extreme departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.001). By alignment analysis and sequencing, we detected that the g.329C>T SNP is a false positive polymorphism, which allows us to explain the inflated heterozygotic value. We recommend that this ambiguous SNP, as well as other polymorphisms located in this region, should not be used in identification, traceability or disease association studies. Annotation of these false SNPs should improve association studies and avoid misinterpretations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bacterial Kidney Disease of salmonid is caused by a slow-growing gram-positive bacterium, Renibacterium salmoninarum. This bacterium lives both extra-cellular and intra-cellular in the host. Serological and molecular diagnostic methods to detect the bacterium major surface protein antigen p57 have been developed. In the present work, a newly developed quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-QPCR), using self-quenched fluorescent primer (Lux), a nested PCR (NPCR), a commercial ELISA and recently commercially available Immune-chromatographic strip test(IC-Strip) were compared for their ability to detect BKD in kidney tissue samples obtained from experimentally infected fish. ELISA test resulted to be rapid, simple and indicative for the bacterial load. The IC-Strip test had similar characteristics for bacterial detection. Both tests are a good option for rapid and relatively inexpensive screening studies, despite the one and two log decrease in bacterial detection limits compared to NPCR and RT-QPCR, respectively. The use of Lux primers in the newly developed RT-QPCR revealed to be a cost-effective alternative to other fluorescence-based PCR techniques. The option of generating a melting temperature curve with the real time PCR instrument confirmed the specificity of the PCR product. The RT-QPCR technique had the advantage of detecting low numbers of viable bacterial mRNA which implied a higher capacity of detecting chronically infected animals. For instance, some fish in the group infected by cohabitation had very low bacterial load and were only detected by this technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lactococcus garvieae is the etiological agent of Lactococcosis, an emergent disease which affects many fish species and causes important economic losses both in marine and freshwater aquaculture when water temperature increases over 16°C in summer months. Normally, it causes a hyperacute and haemorrhagic septicemia. This paper presents a state of the art review of fish Lactococcosis including aspects such as pathogen characterization, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and control measures of the disease in farmed fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of vaccines containing aluminum (Al) adjuvants is widespread in ovine production. Al adjuvants induce an effective immune-response but lead to the formation of post-vaccination granulomas from which Al can disseminate. This work aims to study the accumulation of Al in the central nervous system of sheep subcutaneously inoculated with Al-hydroxide containing products. Lumbar spinal cord and parietal lobe from 21 animals inoculated with 19 doses of Vaccine (n = 7), Adjuvant-only (n = 7) or phosphate-buffered saline as Control (n = 7) were analyzed with transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and lumogallion staining for Al analytical measurements and Al tisular localization respectively. In the lumbar spinal cord, Al median content was higher in both the Adjuvant-only and Vaccine group (p =.001) compared with the Control group. Animals of the Adjuvant-only group showed the higher individual measurements in the lumbar spinal cord (14.36 μg/g and 7.83 μg/g). In the parietal lobe, Al median content tended to be higher in the Adjuvant-only group compared with Control group (p =.074). Except for three replicates of the Adjuvant-only group, Al content was always below 1 μg/g. In the lumbar spinal cord, lumogallion-reactive Al deposits were more abundant in the gray matter than in the white matter in both Vaccine (p =.034) and Adjuvant-only groups (p =.017) and Al deposits were mostly associated with glial-like cells (p =.042). In the parietal lobe, few Al deposits, which were sometimes related to blood vessels, were found. In sheep, Al-hydroxide adjuvants inoculated in the subcutaneous tissue selectively accumulate in the lumbar spinal cord. Subcutaneously inoculated aluminum hydroxide containing products triggers the formation of a postvaccination granuloma from where aluminum translocate to the regional lymph node and selectively accumulate in the gray matter of the lumbar spinal cord. Aluminum accumulation is higher with adjuvant only than with aluminum containing vaccines. Unlabelled Image • Aluminum-hydroxide is biodistributed from the subcutis to the central nervous system. • Aluminum is detected quantitatively and qualitatively in the lumbar spinal cord. • Aluminum is mainly found in the gray matter, mostly associated with glial-like cells. • Aluminum accumulation is higher after inoculation of adjuvant only than whole vaccines. • Results help to explain the ovine autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep health management strategies often include the use of aluminum (Al)-containing vaccines. These products were associated with the appearance of the ovine autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome), which included an array of ethological changes in the affected animals. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate cognitive and behavioral changes in sheep subjected to a protocol of repetitive inoculation with Al-containing products. Twenty-one lambs were assigned to three groups (n = 7 each): Control, Adjuvant-only, and Vaccine. Vaccine group was inoculated with commercial Al- hydroxide containing vaccines; Adjuvant-only group received the equivalent dose of Al only (Alhydrogel®), and Control group received Phosphate-buffered saline. Sixteen inoculations were administered within a 349-day period. Ethological changes were studied in late summer (7 inoculations) and mid-winter (16 inoculations). Animals in Vaccine and Adjuvant-only groups exhibited individual and social behavioral changes. Affiliative interactions were significantly reduced, and aggressive interactions and stereotypies increased significantly. They also exhibited a significant increase in excitatory behavior and compulsive eating. There were increased levels of stress biomarkers in these two groups. In general, changes were more pronounced in the Vaccine group than they were in the Adjuvant-only group. Some changes were already significant in summer, after seven inoculations only. This study is the first to describe behavioral changes in sheep after having received repetitive injections of Al-containing products, and may explain some of the clinical signs observed in ovine ASIA syndrome. Three groups of experimental sheep were established: Control (PBS), Adjuvant-only (aluminum hydroxide), Vaccine (vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide). Sixteen inoculations of the corresponding product were performed and two rounds of welfare tests were done. Vaccine and Adjuvant-only animals developed behavioral changes such as increased stereotypies and aggressive interactions. Unlabelled Image • Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) can affect sheep. • Ovine ASIA syndrome is associated with aluminum hydroxide repeated inoculations. • Three repeatedly inoculated groups are compared: vaccine, adjuvant-only, and control. • Vaccine and adjuvant-only groups showed individual and social behavioral changes. • These results may explain some of the clinical signs observed in ovine ASIA syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]