Ultrasound measurements of uterine height, horns diameter and presence of intraluminal fluid to investigate uterine involution in lactating sows housed in farrowing crates.

The uterine involution of sows housed in farrowing crates was investigated during lactation using B-mode trans-abdominal ultrasonography. The objectives were to describe uterine involution, detect any delay or uterine disorders and assess possible associations between involution and subsequent reproductive performance. Three parameters were measured: uterine height (H), horns diameter (D) and the percentage of sows with intraluminal fluid (F). During lactation (3-4 weeks), H decreased from 11.0±1.6 the first week to 5.9±1.5 cm the last week (p<0.001), and D from 2.6±0.7 to 1.4±0.2 cm (p<0.001). Between days 1-7, H and D decreased significantly faster, i.e. respectively 0.38 cm (p<0.0001) and 0.20 cm (p<0.0001) per day than between days 22-28, i.e. respectively 0.02 cm (p=0.49) and 0.00 cm (p=0.75) per day. F decreased significantly (p<0.0001) from 78% at the beginning to 16% at the end of lactation. Between days 1-7, F decreased significantly (p<0.001) faster than during the last week of lactation (p=0.41). Between days 22-28, H of sows from parity ≥3 were significantly higher than those of sows from parity 1 and 2 (p=0.007). During that period, F was significantly higher in sows of higher parity. This effect of parity on F was significantly higher during the entire lactation period in sows of parity ≥6. Some sows were monitored after weaning. There was no significant relationship between the 3 parameters measured at the end of lactation and the subsequent performance. A small number of sows was suspected of endometritis (2%) and one case of fœtoplacental retention was detected. In conclusion, B-mode ultrasonography is a suitable tool to monitor uterine involution in lactating sows. When examination is conducted during the last week of lactation, it may help the farmer to verify whether uterine involution is complete, and to decide whether a sow should be either culled or maintained on farm.

Accuracy of a heart rate monitor for calculating heart rate variability parameters in exercising horses.

Heart rate is evaluated in exercising horses to monitor the level of fitness to exercise, and it is usually acquired using heart rate monitors (HRM) or telemetric electrocardiograms (ECG). While HRM are commonly available and easy-to-use for horse's owners, ECG is a more expensive equipment requiring user's experience. Interest for heart rate variability (HRV) in horses is increasing for both research and clinical purposes. HRV is usually calculated from interbeat intervals (IBI) obtained by ECG. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of an HRM to detect IBI for the calculation of HRV in both resting and exercising horses. Simultaneous ECG and HRM recordings were performed on 13 horses and ponies under normal training conditions for at least 45 minutes. IBI from ECG were corrected using a dedicated software. IBI from HRM were exported without correction. Two HRV-parameters were calculated on both recordings for resting and exercising periods: the standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDRR) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). Agreement and concordance between the two systems were determined using Bland-Altman plot and Lin's correlation coefficient, respectively. Effects of variables were consequently assessed. For both HRV-parameters during resting and exercising periods, the means of the differences between the two systems were lower than 0.47 ms with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.999. Height, weight and body condition score had no effect on the results. The studied HRM could be of interest as easy-to-use device for obtaining HRV-parameters SDRR and RMSSD in resting and exercising horses.

Urodynamic and morphometric characteristics of the lower urogenital tract of male Beagle littermates from four months to two years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To describe functional and anatomic changes of the lower urogenital tract of healthy male dogs during the sexually immature period and up to 2 years of age by urodynamic and morphometric assessment. ANIMALS: 6 sexually intact male Beagle littermates. PROCEDURES: Dogs underwent electromyography-coupled urodynamic tests, CT-assisted retrograde urethrography, prostatic washes, and blood sampling monthly from 4 through 12 months of age and then at 3-month intervals. Urodynamic and morphometric variables and serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations were analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: Integrated pressure of the urethra was significantly increased beginning at 8 months of age, compared with earlier time points. Urethral pressure peak amplitudes varied among anatomic regions. During bladder filling, few electromyographic signals were concurrent with urethral pressure peaks; these were most commonly detected in the penile portion of the urethra. Urethral length and prostate gland volume were significantly greater from 7 to 24 months of age than at younger ages. Urethral length was approximately 26 to 27 cm after 9 months, and prostate gland volume was approximately 11 to 12 cm3 after 11 months of age. Serum canine prostate-specific esterase concentrations correlated with prostate gland volume. Urinary bladder threshold volume was significantly increased at 6 months of age, compared with that at 4 months, with a maximum of 197.7 mL at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urethral resistance was acquired at approximately 8 months of age, when growth of the lower urinary tract was incomplete. Electromyographic and integrated pressure measurement results and the distribution and amplitude of urethral pressure peaks highlighted the potential role of the prostate gland and possibly the bulbocavernosus muscles in control of continence.

Application of discrete choice experiment to analyze the demand for village chicken paid vaccination service against Newcastle disease in DR Congo.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect a large number of avian species and cause severe economic loss in many countries. This disease is a major constraint for rural chicken production in most developing countries. In this country, ND is known since the 1940s. It exists in enzootic form in almost all provinces of the country. No systematic long-term control measures have been taken against this devastating disease in village poultry. A discrete choice experiment was carried out to analyze the demand for paid vaccination services, by first identifying the preferences of 320 village chicken keepers from eight sites, four of which had benefitted from such a paid chicken vaccination program against ND and four of which did not. The preference was for a vaccination service carried out following imposed calendar. The public veterinarian was the most preferred professional to ensure the paid vaccination of village chickens. The results led to the design of a profile of paid vaccination service tailored to chicken keepers' expectations. The public veterinarian would supervise vaccination activities, which would be implemented by trained community-based health workers, through collective campaigns at fixed periods in the year. The acceptable price (equivalent to 0.10 US dollar per dose) would allow the service to be set in a sustainable way and might be increased if trust in the delivered service may be built further.

Assessment of the lung microbiota in dogs: influence of the type of breed, living conditions and canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Literature about the lung microbiota (LM) in dogs is sparse. Influence of breed and living conditions on the LM in healthy dogs is currently unknown, as well as the influence of chronic respiratory diseases such as canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) in West highland white terriers (WHWTs). Aims of this study were (1) to assess the characteristics of the healthy LM according to breed and living conditions, and (2) to study LM changes associated with CIPF in WHWTs. Forty-five healthy dogs divided into 5 groups: domestic terriers (n = 10), domestic shepherds (n = 11), domestic brachycephalic dogs (n = 9), domestic WHWTs (n = 6) (H-WHWTs) and experimental beagles (n = 9) and 11 diseased WHWTs affected with CIPF (D-WHWTs) were included in the study to achieve those objectives. RESULTS: In healthy domestic dogs, except in H-WHWTs, the presence of few discriminant genera in each type of breed was the only LM modification. LM of experimental dogs displayed a change in b-diversity and an increased richness compared with domestic dogs. Moreover, Prevotella_7 and Dubosiella genera were more abundant and 19 genera were discriminant in experimental dogs. LM of both H-WHWTs and D-WHWTs revealed increased abundance of 6 genera (Brochothrix, Curvibacter, Pseudarcicella, Flavobacteriaceae genus, Rhodoluna and Limnohabitans) compared with other healthy domestic dogs. Brochothrix and Pseudarcicella were also discriminant in D-WHWTs compared with H-WHWTs and other healthy domestic dogs. CONCLUSIONS: In domestic conditions, except for H-WHWT, the breed appears to have minor influence on the LM. LM modifications were found in experimental compared with domestic living conditions. LM modifications in H-WHWTs and D-WHWTs compared with other healthy domestic dogs were similar and seemed to be linked to the breed. Whether this breed difference might be related with the high susceptibility of WHWTs for CIPF requires further studies.

Productive performance and egg and meat quality of two indigenous poultry breeds in Vietnam, Ho and Dong Tao, fed on commercial feed.

The objective of this work was the evaluation of the meat production and laying performances, and the meat and egg quality of two breeds of Vietnamese broiler chickens, Ho and Dong Tao, fed on a commercial diet. In a survey, we continuously recorded for 28 weeks, the data on the production performance and meat quality of 250 chicks from each breed. We investigated egg laying and egg quality using 36 Ho and 32 Dong Tao hens during 52 weeks of laying. The growth patterns were similar for the two breeds. Feed conversion ratios were also similar, and demonstrated the low efficiency of these two breeds when compared to commercial broilers. Slaughter age proved to affect several carcass yield characteristics, showing that slaughtering between 16 and 20 weeks might be better than at the usual age of 28 weeks. Yield, carcass composition and meat quality differed between the two studied breeds. The eggs production and number of embryonated eggs were low for the two breeds when compared to other breeds, with a lower hatching performance in Ho than in Dong Tao. In summary, the production performances of Ho and Dong Tao chickens were low, even when birds were fed a commercial diet. The study demonstrates the need to find ways to improve the production and reproduction performances of these animals, in order to contribute to the program of conservation and exploitation of these two breeds.

Effect of an antimicrobial drug on lung microbiota in healthy dogs.

Alterations of the lung microbiota (LM) are associated with clinical features in chronic lung diseases (CLDs) with growing evidence that an altered LM contributes to the pathogenesis of such disorders. The common use of antimicrobial drugs in the management of CLDs likely represents a confounding factor in the study of the LM. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of oral administration of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AC) on the LM in healthy dogs (n = 6) at short (immediately after stopping AC [D10]) and medium-term (16 days after stopping AC [D26]). Metagenetic analyses were performed on the V1-V3 hypervariable region of 16S rDNA after extraction of total bacterial DNA from samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). AC did not induce significant changes in BALF cellular counts or in the bacterial load or microbial richness, evenness and α-diversity, while the ß-diversity was clearly modified at D10 compared with D0 (before AC administration) and D26 (P < 0.01). The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased at D10 (P < 0.01) in comparison with D0 and D26 (P < 0.01). The relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased from D0 to D10 (P < 0.01) and increased from D10 to D26 (P < 0.01), but was still lower than at D0 (P < 0.01). The proportion of Actinobacteria increased at D26 compared with D0 and D10 (P < 0.01). Significant differences between timepoints at the level of family, genus or species were not found. In conclusion, in healthy dogs, oral administration of AC induces significant changes in LM at the phyla level and in the ß-diversity. Most changes normalize within 2 weeks after discontinuation of AC.

Belief in memories may be relinquished as often for adulthood as for childhood events, but for different reasons.

The age distribution of nonbelieved memories (NBMs) reported by young and older adults typically reflects a large proportion of events dated to childhood. The present study aimed to further investigate the age of origin of NBMs by using instructions that include an NBM related to adulthood. Participants aged from 40 to 80 years were asked to describe an NBM, to explain why they had stopped believing their memory, and to rate its phenomenal characteristics. Participants also described and rated an age-matched believed memory (BM). The results revealed a similar proportion of nonbelieved events experienced in childhood and adulthood, thus calling into question the hypothesis that NBMs are mainly related to childhood events. We also found that NBMs might emerge for different reasons depending on the time of events. Additional analyses indicated that, overall, the influence of temporal distance on the ratings of phenomenal characteristics was similar for BMs and NBMs.

Interbreed variation of biomarkers of lipid and glucose metabolism in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Markers of lipid and glucose metabolism are used in both clinical practice and research. Detection of abnormal laboratory results often relies on species-specific reference intervals, but interbreed variation can also affect data interpretation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to compare concentrations of selected biochemical variables among different dog breeds. METHODS: We analyzed a database containing information on biochemical variables from 534 dogs belonging to nine different breeds. All dogs were confirmed to be healthy based on history, physical examination, and ancillary tests. Concentrations of glucose, fructosamine, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids, and C-reactive protein were compared using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. RESULTS: All variables tested showed significant interbreed differences, although all breeds remained within the previously established RIs for dogs. Fructosamine, insulin, and cholesterol showed a wide interbreed variation that could affect the interpretation of results. CONCLUSIONS: Breed is an important factor to consider when assessing energy metabolism in dogs, especially for markers like fructosamine, insulin, and cholesterol, which vary considerably among breeds.

Risk factors for tibial damage associated with the modified Maquet technique in 174 stifles.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for tibial damage associated with the modified Maquet technique (MMT) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: One hundred and seventy-four stifles from 147 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with CCL disease and treated with the current version of MMT were reviewed. Dogs were included if immediate postoperative radiographs were available. Cortical hinge fracture or fissure, tibial tuberosity fracture, and diaphyseal fractures of the tibia were recorded. Age, body weight (BW), thickness of the tibial cortical hinge, and angle of opening of the osteotomy were tested as potential risk factors for tibial damage by univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Tibial damage included intraoperative tibial fissures in 37% of MMTs, intraoperative fractures of the cortical hinge in 3.4% of MMTs, postoperative tibial fractures in 14% of MMTs. Risk factors for intraoperative fissure included BW (P = .0153) and thickness of cortical hinge (P = .0006). The angle of opening of the osteotomy was identified as a risk factor for intraoperative cortical hinge fracture (P = .0034), angles below 11° being preventive. No risk factor was identified for postoperative fracture. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, preventive measures against tibial damage associated with MMT should include: a thickness of cortical hinge based on the equation related to the BW; a length of osteotomy adjusted to the amount of TTA with an osteotomy angle below 10°; and slow advancement of the tibial tuberosity.

Recognition of personally familiar faces and functional connectivity in Alzheimer's disease.

Studies have reported that patients in the severe stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience difficulties recognizing their own faces in recent photographs. Two case reports of late-stage AD showed that this loss of self-face recognition was temporally graded: photographs from the remote past were recognized more easily than more recent photographs. Little is known about the neural correlates of own face recognition abilities in AD patients, while neuroimaging studies in healthy adults have related these abilities to a bilateral fronto-parieto-occipital network. In this study, two behavioral experiments (experiments 1 and 2) and one functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment (second part of experiment 2) were conducted to compare mild AD patients (experiment 1) and moderate AD patients (experiment 2) with healthy older participants in a recognition task involving self and familiar faces from different decades of the participants' life. In moderate AD patients, variable performance allowed us to examine correlations between scores and resting-state fMRI in order to link behavioral data to cerebral activity. At the behavioral level, the results revealed that, in mild AD, self and familiar face recognition was preserved. Moreover, mild AD patients and healthy older participants showed an inverse temporal gradient, with faster recognition of self and familiar recent photographs than self and familiar remote photographs. However, in moderate AD, both self and familiar face recognition were affected. fMRI results showed that the higher the connectivity between the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC) and the right superior frontal gyrus (rSFG), the lower the self and familiar face recognition scores in moderate AD patients. Given that previous studies have related the superior frontal region to control processes rather than face recognition processes, these results might reflect less segregation and more interference between brain networks in AD. In other words, impaired face recognition in AD may be related to functional dedifferentiation of specific brain regions.

Impairment of age estimation from faces in Alzheimer's disease.

A prerequisite for any function in social cognition is the perception and processing of social cues. Age estimation is a skill that is used in everyday life and is fundamental in social interactions. This study evaluated whether facial age estimation is impaired in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current age of faces is known to have an impact on age estimation, and therefore stimuli belonging to different age groups (young, middle-aged, and older adults' faces) were used. As expected, an impairment of age estimation from faces was observed in mild to moderate AD patients. However, the profile of impairment depended on the age of faces and stage of the disease. Mild AD patients presented difficulties mainly in assessing the age of middle-aged adults. In moderate disease stage, these difficulties also affected the age estimation of young adult faces. Interestingly, AD patients remained relatively good at estimating the age of older adults' faces, compared to healthy controls.

Evidence for an own-age bias in age estimation from voices in older persons.

Previous studies have investigated the effect of ageing on age estimation from faces as well as the occurrence of an own-age bias in such age estimation from faces. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of an own age effect on age estimation from voices has never been examined earlier using an experimental design in which the age of participants (young vs. old) and the age of voice stimuli (young vs. old) were crossed. Results revealed an own-age bias in older adults only. In comparison with younger adults, older participants showed age estimation abilities that are preserved for voices from their own age group and impaired for younger voices. This own age bias was absent in younger participants.