Intoxication by Senna occidentalis seeds in pregnant goats: Prenatal and postnatal evaluation

Senna occidentalis is a weed toxic to different animal species. Very little is known about the effects of prolonged exposure to low doses of S. occidentalis on developmental toxicology. Thus, the present study proposes an approach to evaluate the perinatal toxicity of S. occidentalis seeds in goats. Twenty-one pregnant goats were fed rations containing 0% (control), 1% (Sol group), 2% (So2 group) and 4% (So4 group) mature S. occidentalis seeds from pregnancy detection on day 27 after mating until parturition; weight gains and serum biochemistry were evaluated. Fetuses were evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements; neonates were evaluated by body morphometry, weight gains, and serum biochemistry. Fetal resorption occurred in 2 So4 dams and one dam died. Only a few minor alterations in serum biochemistry occurred in dams and kids; even so one So4 group dam had tissue lesions as vacuolations in hepatocytes and kidneys; necrosis in skeletal and cardiac muscles and for the first time lesions were observed in sciatic nerve cells. No relevant alterations in body morphometry were observed. This study suggests that 4% S. occidentalis seeds is toxic for pregnant goats, but levels of seeds less than 4% have little impact on fetal and post birth body development. (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of intestinal innervation in dogs with and without intussusception

Objective-To assess viability of innervation in bowel segments appearing macroscopically viable from dogs with intussusception. Animals-7 dogs without gastrointestinal dysfunction that had been euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study (control dogs) and 13 dogs with intussusception that underwent enterectomy and intestinal anastomosis (affected dogs). Procedures-A total of 31 samples of intestinal tissue were obtained from the control dogs; 28 samples were obtained from affected dogs during surgery. Samples were histologically and immunohistochemically prepared and subjectively scored for degree of vacuolization and staining, respectively. Other data collected included mean muscle cell density of circular and longitudinal muscular layers, ratio between areas of muscular layers, mean number of myenteric plexuses, mean ganglion cell density of myenteric plexuses, and degree of degeneration in neuronal plexuses as estimated through synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunoreactivity. Results-Mean muscle cell density of longitudinal muscular layers, ratio between areas of muscular layers, and synaptophysin immunoreactivity did not differ significantly between affected and control dogs; values of all other variables did. Correlations were evident between mean ganglion cell density in myenteric plexuses and mean muscle cell density in circular muscular layers, degree of neuronal degeneration in myenteric plexuses and NSE immunoreactivity, and degree of neuronal degeneration in myenteric plexuses and mean ganglion cell density of myenteric plexuses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Innervation may be impaired in bowel segments that appear macroscopically viable. Therefore, careful evaluation of preserved surgical margins during enterectomy and enteroanastomosis and monitoring of digestive function after surgery are important. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:636-642)

Evaluation of DNA damage by the alkaline comet assay of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia of dogs from the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Animals kept as pets may be considered sentinels for environmental factors to which humans could be exposed. Olfactory and respiratory epithelia are directly subjected to airborne factors, which could cause DNA lesions, and the alkaline comet assay is considered a reliable tool for the assessment of DNA damage. The objective of this work is to evaluate the extent of DNA damage by the comet assay of the olfactory and respiratory epithelia of dogs from different regions of the city of sao Paulo, Brazil. Thirty-three clinically healthy dogs, aged 5 years or more, were used in the study, with 7 from the North region of Sao Paulo, 7 from the South region, 3 dogs from the East region, and 16 dogs from the West city region. Three dogs younger than 6 months were used as controls. DNA damage was analyzed by the alkaline comet assay. We observed no difference in histopathological analysis of olfactory and respiratory epithelia between dogs from different regions of Sao Paulo. Dogs older than 5 years presented significantly higher comet length in both olfactory and respiratory epithelia, when compared with controls, indicating DNA damage. When separated by regions, olfactory and respiratory epithelia presented similar DNA damage in dogs from different regions of Sao Paulo, corroborating with similar levels of particulate matter index (PM10) in all regions of the city. In this study, we report for the first time that the comet assay can be used to quantify the extent of DNA damage in dog olfactory and respiratory epithelia, and that comet length (DNA damage) increases with age, probably due to environmental factors. Air pollution, as measured by PM 10, can be responsible for this DNA damage. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Collection and evaluation of semen from the three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)

Sloths (Bradypus sp.) are extremely sensitive animals that suffer with the destruction and fragmentation of forests. They present a low population growth rate and need to be further studied for the preservation of the specie. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish an efficient semen collection protocol as well as characterize sperm concentration, motility and morphology in order to contribute with information about the reproductive traits of this specie, which has never been described in the literature before. For that, nine Bradypus tridactylus males were captured during the wet season and six during the dry season, in Manaus (AM), located in the north region of Brazil, semen was collected by electroejaculation with shocks given in sequences of progressive intensities (minimum 20 mA and maximum 60 mA). All animals ejaculated small volumes of semen and in some of them, the volume ejaculated was not enough for a complete spermiogram. Physical characteristics observed on the collections of the wet season were different from those seen in the specimen collected in the dry season. Motility an vigor was very low and did not show forward progression, only oscillatory movement. After Spermac stain, spermatozoa presented a wide variety of defects; however, the differences in morphology were not significant between seasons. The morphology assessed by scanning electron microscopy shows that the head in both groups could be elongated, short or could have a base narrower than the apex and the midpiece narrowed abruptly, forming a nip in its transition to the tail. Although further studies are necessary to verify our preliminary findings concerning seasonal variation in sperm quality, these results demonstrate that semen can be safely collected from sloths by electroejaculation and provide the first reports of semen characteristics in this species. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physical, epidemiological, and molecular evaluation of infection by Cryptosporidium galli in Passeriformes

Due to the scarcity of information related to the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infection in passerine birds, this study aimed to determine the periodicity of fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, after natural infection, and its clinical signs, mortality, and molecular characterization. Four hundred eighty fecal samples were collected from 40 birds, including 372 samples from 31 adult birds and 108 samples from nine young birds (up to 12 months old), housed in five aviaries, monthly from September 2007 to September 2008, with the exception of April. The birds originated from aviaries in which the following species were raised: great-billed seed-finch (Oryzoborus maximiliani), lesser seed-finch (Oryzoborus angolensis), ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanocompsa brissonii), and rusty-collared seedeater (Sporophila collaris). The samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate at 4A degrees C until processing. The oocysts were purified by centrifugal flotation in Sheather`s solution, followed by genomic DNA extraction and molecular characterization of oocysts using the nested polymerase chain reaction for amplification of fragments of the 18S subunit of rRNA gene. Intermittent shedding of oocysts was observed by positive amplification for Cryptosporidium spp. in 91 (24.5%) samples of adult birds and 14 (13%) of young birds. The sequencing of the amplified fragments enabled the identification of Cryptosporidium galli. Although all the aviaries had birds positive for C. galli, morbidity or mortality was observed in only one aviary and was associated with concomitant infection with Escherichia coli and Isospora sp.

Evaluation of albuminuria and its relationship with blood pressure in dogs with chronic kidney disease

Background Microalbuminuria and hypertension have long been associated with a guarded prognosis in human patients with a variety of diseases. In veterinary medicine, tests for microalbuminuria have been used for detecting early kidney damage, but there is little information regarding its association with high blood pressure in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate albuminuria and its association with arterial hypertension in dogs with CKD. Methods Urinary albumin:creatinine (UAC) ratio, urinary protein:creatinine (UPC) ratio, and systolic blood pressure were determined in 39 clinically healthy dogs and 40 dogs with CKD. Results UAC in dogs with CKD (range, 0.002-7.99; median, 0.38) was statistically different from that of control dogs (range, 0.0005-0.01; median, 0.002). Microalbuminuria (UAC 0.03-0.3) and macroalbuminuria (UAC > 0.3) were detected in 32.5% and 50% of dogs with CKD, respectively. Sixty percent (24/40) of dogs with CKD had systolic pressure >= 180 mmHg; in these dogs, UAC ratio (range, 0.006-7.99; median, 1.72) was significantly higher than in dogs with CKD and systolic pressure < 180 mmHg (range, 0.002-4.83; median, 0.10). Of hypertensive dogs with CKD, those with UPC > 1.0 usually had macroalbuminuria, those with UPC 0.5-1.0 usually had microalbuminuria, and those with UPC < 0.5 usually lacked albuminuria. Conclusions UAC ratio was higher in hypertensive than in normotensive dogs with CKD. Tests designed to detect microalbuminuria may be useful for hypertensive dogs with CKD and a UPC < 1.0 to detect the onset and magnitude of albuminuria. Once macroalbuminuria is overt, the UPC ratio itself can be used for the same purpose.

Evaluation of somatic cell count thresholds to detect subclinical mastitis in Gyr cows

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of somatic cell count (SCC) thresholds to identify subclinical mastitis in Gyr cows caused by major and minor pathogens; (2) to study the effects of month of sampling, rear or front mammary quarters, herd, intramammary infection (IMI), and bacterial species on SCC at quarter level; and (3) to describe the prevalence of IMI in Gyr cows in commercial dairy herds. In total, 221 lactating Gyr cows from 3 commercial dairy farms were selected. Milk samples were collected from individual quarters once a month for 1 yr from all lactating cows for SCC and bacteriological analysis. Mammary quarters were considered the experimental units and the SCC results were log(10)-transformed. Four SCC thresholds (100, 200, 300 and 400 x 10(3) cells/mL) were used to determine Se and Sp to identify infected mammary quarters. The overall prevalence of IMI in quarter milk samples of Gyr cows was 49.8%, and the prevalence of minor pathogens was higher (31.9%) than that of major pathogens (17.8%). Quarter samples with microbial isolation presented higher SCC compared with negative samples. Sensitivity and Sp of selected SCC thresholds varied according to the group of pathogen (major and minor) involved in the IMI definition. Sensitivity increased and Sp decreased when mammary quarters with only major pathogens isolation were considered positive. The use of a single SCC analysis to classify quarters as uninfected or infected in Gyr cows may not be a useful test for this breed because Se and Sp of SCC at the studied thresholds were low. The occurrence of IMI and the bacterial species are the main factors responsible for SCC variation in mammary quarters of Gyr cows. Milk samples with major pathogens isolation elicited higher SCC than those with minor pathogens.

Neonatal Clinical Evaluation, Blood Gas and Radiographic Assessment After Normal Birth, Vaginal Dystocia or Caesarean Section in Dogs

This study aimed to standardize signs and diagnostic criteria of respiratory function in newborn puppies delivered normally or after dystocia and caesarean operation. A total of 48 neonates were allocated into groups: eutocia (n = 20), dystocia (n = 8), caesarean (c)-section (n = 20). Neonatal health was assessed using the Apgar score and body temperature was determined at 0, 5 and 60 min after delivery. Venous blood gases (pO(2) and SO(2)) was measured immediately and 60 min after delivery, and a thoracic radiograph was made between 0 and 5 min of life. The c-section group had significantly lower Apgar scores at birth and 5 min. Hypothermia was present at 5 min in the eutocia and c-section groups, and at 60 min in all groups. The eutocia group had an irregular respiratory pattern in 78% of puppies at birth, 27.7% at 5 min and 21% at 60 min compared with 87.5%, 62.5% and 12.5% of the pups in the dystocia group where there was irregular respiratory rhythm, moderate to intense respiratory sounds with agonic episodes. The c-section group had respiratory alterations in 70%, 45% and 16% of puppies at 0, 5 and 60 min, respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 17% of the pups in the eutocia group, 25% of the pups in the dystocia group and 30% of the pups in the c-section group, respectively. The c-section group had significantly lower SO(2) values at 60 min than at birth. All puppies had hypoxaemia, but a significant decrease was observed in the c-section group. Newborn puppies had tissue hypoxia and irregular respiratory pattern at birth. Caesarean-section puppies had lower vitality; however, all developed satisfactory Apgar scores at 5 min of life, regardless of the obstetric condition.

Evaluation of Trypsin Treatment on the Inactivation of Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 on In Vitro Produced Pre-implantation Embryos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of trypsin treatment on the inactivation of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) on in vitro produced by fertilization and artificially infected bovine embryos. Bovine embryos on day 7 were exposed with 10 mu l of BoHV-1, Los Angeles strain 10(7.5) TCID. These embryos and control embryos were divided in two groups: submitted to the sequential washes or to the trypsin treatment according to the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) guidelines. The embryos and the last washing drop of each group were used as inoculum to infect Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and submitted to nested PCR reaction using the primer that encodes the gene conserved region of virus glycoprotein gB. The data have shown that the control embryos and their last washing drop were negative. The exposed embryos that were treated with trypsin have shown positive results on the n-PCR and MDBK culture, and their last washing drop were negative. Our data have demonstrated that the trypsin treatment was not able to eliminate the BHV-1 of the embryos, suggesting an interaction between virus and embryo.

Evaluation of cortisol and glycemia levels of dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane and premedicated with either butorphanol or phetidine

The objective of this study was to compare the influence of butorphanol and phetidine as part of the preanesthetic medication, in 20 healthy dogs submitted to experimental orthopedic surgery. Dogs were randomly allocated in two groups: GI, acepromazine and butorphanol (0,05 mg.kg(-1) and 0,4 mg.kg(-1), respectively, i.m.) and, GII, acepromazine and phetidine (0,05 mg.kg(-1) and 4 mg.kg(-1), respectively, i.m.). Anesthesia was induced by administration of propofol (5 mg.kg-1) and maintained by the use of sevoflurane delivered in a 100% oxygen circuit. Plasma concentrations of cortisol and glucose were measured during several surgical procedures: T0, before preanesthetic medication; T1, 20 minutes after preanesthetic medication; T2, at skin incision; T3, at periostal stimulation; and, T4, at skin suture. Concentrations of plasma glucose were not significantly different between the surgical procedures and between the two groups evaluated. Concentrations of plasma cortisol were significantly higher in dogs administered with butorphanol between the surgical procedures of T0 and T3, compared with values for dogs administered with phetidine. These results suggest that phetidine is more adequate to control plasma cortisol in dogs submitted to orthopedic surgery than anesthesia with sevoflurane.

Evaluation of colostral immunity in swine with commercial anti-leptospira polyvalent whole-bacteria vaccine

The intensity and duration of passive immunity against swine leptospirosis were investigated by the microscopic agglutination test and in vitro leptospira growth inhibition. Twenty-one females at first parturition were divided into three groups: Group A (n = 08): received two doses with 30 days interval of the commercial anti-leptospira bacterin A. Group B (n = 06) received two doses with 30 days interval of the commercial anti-leptospira bacterin B and Group C (n = 07) was the control. In all groups the colostrums were collected. Blood collection of piglets was performed in four different ages. Agglutinin antibodies were equally detected in sera and colostrums for serovars Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pomona (Group A) and Canicola, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Hardjo (Group 13). Mean neutralizing antibodies titers were low. Passive immunity was low duration. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the Possibility of Removing Staining by Repolishing Composite Resins Submitted to Artificial Aging

This in vitro research verified the possibility of eliminating staining caused by coffee and red wine in five composite resins, after being submitted to thermal cycling. Thirty-six specimens were prepared and immersed in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. After polishing, specimen color was measured in a spectrophotometer Cintra 10 UV (Visible Spectrometer, GBC, Braeside, VIC, Australia). All specimens were submitted to thermal cycling at temperatures of 5 and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 1 minute, for 1,000 cycles in a 75% ethanol/water solution. After thermal cycling, the specimens were immersed in water at 37 degrees C until 7 days had elapsed from the time the specimens were prepared. All specimens were then taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. The specimens were divided into three groups (N = 12): distilled water (control), coffee, and red wine. For the staining process to occur on only one surface, all the sides, except one, of the surfaces were isolated with white wax. The specimens were immersed in one of the solutions at 37 degrees C for 14 days. The specimens were dried and taken to the spectrophotometer for color measurement. After this, the specimens were submitted to 20 mu m wear three times, and the color was measured after each one of the wear procedures. Calculation of the color difference was made using CIEDE2000 formula. According to the methodology used in this research, it was concluded that the staining caused by coffee and red wine was superficial and one wear of 20 mu m was sufficient to remove the discoloration.

Evaluation of three different adhesive systems using a bacterial method to develop secondary caries in vitro

Purpose: To assess the effects of three different dental adhesive systems on the formation of secondary root caries, in vitro, with a standardized interfacial gap in a filled cavity model. Methods: 40 sound human molars were selected and randomly assigned to four experimental groups: Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB), Xeno III (X-III), Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus (SBMP) and negative control (NC) without an adhesive system. After the standardized Class V cavity preparations on the buccal and lingual surfaces, restorations were placed with resin composite (Filtek Z250) using a standardized interfacial gap, using a 3 x 2 mm piece of 50 mu m metal matrix. The teeth were sterilized with gamma irradiation and exposed to a cariogenic challenge using a bacterial system with Streptococcus mutans. Depth and extension of wall lesions formed and the depth of outer lesions were measured by software coupled with light microscopy. Results: For wall lesion extension the ANOVA test showed differences between groups except between X-HI and SBMP (P= 0.294). The Tukey`s test of confidence intervals indicated smaller values for the CSEB group than for the others. For wall lesion depth the CSEB group also presented the smallest mean values of wall lesion depth when compared to the others (P< 0.0001) for all comparisons using Tukey`s test. Regarding outer lesion depth, all adhesives showed statistically similar behavior. SEM evaluation of the morphologic appearance of caries lesions confirmed the statistical results showing small caries lesion development for cavities restored with CSEB adhesive system, which may suggest that this adhesive system interdiffusion zone promoted a good interaction with subjacent dentin protecting the dental tissues from recurrent caries. (Am J Dent 2010;23:93-97).

In vitro evaluation of erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser-treated enamel demineralization

This study evaluated the effect of different parameters of erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation on enamel mineral loss in a simulated caries model. Forty-five enamel samples obtained from third molar teeth (3 mmx 3 mm) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 9): G1-Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 0.25 W, 20 Hz, 2.8 J/cm(2); G2-Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 0.50 W, 20 Hz, 5.7 J/cm(2); G3-Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 0.75 W, 20 Hz, 8.5 J/cm(2); G4-sodium fluoride (NaF) dentifrice (positive control); G5-no treatment (negative control). After irradiation, the samples were submitted to 2 weeks of pH cycling. After the acid challenge, the samples were assessed by cross-sectional microhardness at different depths from the enamel surface. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student-Newman-Keuls tests were performed (alpha = 5%). The percentage of lesion inhibition for each group was: G1 37%; G2 38%; G3 64%, and G4 50.5%. Regarding the relative mineral loss values (micrometers x volume percent), groups G1 (1,392 +/- 522) and G2 (1,292 +/- 657) did not differ significantly from each other, but both had higher values than group G3 (753 +/- 287); the groups irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser did not differ from group G4. Although the findings of the study revealed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation at 8.5 J/cm(2) can be an alternative for the enhancement of the enamel`s resistance to acid, lower energy densities also produced a cariostatic potential comparable to the use of fluoride dentifrice.

Comparison of different irrigants on calcium hydroxide medication removal: microscopic cleanliness evaluation

Calcium hydroxide dressing residuals can compromise endodontic sealing. This study evaluated the cleaning efficacy of different endodontic irrigants in removing calcium hydroxide by SEM image analysis. Fifty-four single-rooted mandibular premolars were instrumented to a master apical file #60 and dressed with calcium hydroxide. After 36 hours, the teeth were reopened and Ca(OH)(2) medication was removed by 5 different experimental groups: 0.5% NaOCl (G1), EDTA-C (G2), citric acid (G3), EDTA-T (G4), and re-instrumentation with MAF using NaOCl and lubrificant, followed by EDTA-T (G5). The roots were split in the buccal-lingual direction and prepared for SEM analysis in cervical, middle, and apical thirds (9, 6, and 3 mm from the apex). Five blinded examiners evaluated the wall cleanliness using a scale from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis at 5% level of significance. Group G5 had the best results in all thirds, with significant statistical differences compared to all other groups in the middle and coronal third, and to G1 in the apical third. On the other hand, G1, only flushed with NaOCl, had the worst results, with statistical differences in all thirds compared to the other groups. The best cleanliness was achieved by G4 and G5 groups. The recapitulation of MAF in combination with irrigants improved the removal of calcium hydroxide medication better than an irrigant flush alone. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 107: 580-584)