Evaluation of biofilm production by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa isolates recovered from cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients typically suffer of persistent and recurrent lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that many times possess ability for the biofilm production. Here, biofilm production among P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from sputum of CF and non-CF patients was evaluated. Most isolates were biofilm-producing independently of the patient's condition.

Reproductive performance of ewes mated in the spring when given nutritional supplements to enhance energy levels

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of ewes mated in the spring when given nutritional supplements to enhance energy levels. Ewes were assessed for weight and body condition at the beginning and end of flushing periods. Lambing rates and rates of proliferation were also evaluated. Crossbred woolly ewes (n = 46), 36 ± 2 months of age and rated 3.0 ± 0.1 on a body condition scale that spanned from 1 to 5 were divided into four treatment groups. One group received no feed supplements (NFS), while the others were supplemented for 64 days: 21 days before and 43 days during the mating season. The latter groups were fed soybean hulls at 0.6% (S06), 0.9% (S09) and 1.2% (S12) of their body weight (BW), calculated using dry mass. Ewes were mated for 50 days with four rams by means of natural breeding in October and November, which is spring in Brazil. There was no significant difference among the treatments based on mean BW of the ewes before and after the supplementation period (P > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found in the rates of proliferation (P > 0.05). The S09 treatment presented the highest lambing rate (82%, 9/11), while the NFS treatment correlated with the lowest rate (42%, 5/12; P < 0.05). There was a positive linear effect for body condition score as the supplementation level increased (P < 0.05). We conclude that a supplementation level of 0.9% BW seems to improve lambing rates for ewes that undergo springtime mating.(AU)

Reproductive performance of ewes mated in the spring when given nutritional supplements to enhance energy levels

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of ewes mated in the spring when given nutritional supplements to enhance energy levels. Ewes were assessed for weight and body condition at the beginning and end of flushing periods. Lambing rates and rates of proliferation were also evaluated. Crossbred woolly ewes (n = 46), 36 ± 2 months of age and rated 3.0 ± 0.1 on a body condition scale that spanned from 1 to 5 were divided into four treatment groups. One group received no feed supplements (NFS), while the others were supplemented for 64 days: 21 days before and 43 days during the mating season. The latter groups were fed soybean hulls at 0.6% (S06), 0.9% (S09) and 1.2% (S12) of their body weight (BW), calculated using dry mass. Ewes were mated for 50 days with four rams by means of natural breeding in October and November, which is spring in Brazil. There was no significant difference among the treatments based on mean BW of the ewes before and after the supplementation period (P > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found in the rates of proliferation (P > 0.05). The S09 treatment presented the highest lambing rate (82%, 9/11), while the NFS treatment correlated with the lowest rate (42%, 5/12; P < 0.05). There was a positive linear effect for body condition score as the supplementation level increased (P < 0.05). We conclude that a supplementation level of 0.9% BW seems to improve lambing rates for ewes that undergo springtime mating.

Utilização do óleo de alho e da amoxilina, metronidazol e omeprazol no controle de Helicobacter spp. em cães / Use of garlic oil and amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazol in the control of Helicobacter spp. in dogs

Avaliaram-se a eficácia do óleo de alho e da terapia tripla (amoxicilina, metronidazol e omeprazol) no tratamento de 21 cães infectados por Helicobacter spp., que apresentavam alterações histológicas nas biopsias endoscópicas da mucosa gástrica e reação positiva ao teste de urease. Os animais foram distribuídos, aleatoriamente, em três grupos de sete cães, os quais receberam os seguintes tratamentos: grupo 1 - cápsulas vazias; grupo 2 - 500mg de óleo de alho em cápsulas, diariamente, por um período de 30 dias; grupo 3 - amoxicilina, metronidazol e omeprazol, respectivamente, nas doses de 20mg/kg a cada 12 horas, 25mg/kg e 20mg/kg a cada 24 horas, durante 15 dias. Ao final dos tratamentos, os cães foram submetidos à endoscopia com realização de biopsias da mucosa gástrica. O tratamento com amoxicilina, metronidazol e omeprazol resultou em erradicação de Helicobacter spp. tanto na região fúndica quanto na pilórica. No grupo 2, houve redução da degeneração glandular na região fúndica em dois animais e em outros dois na pilórica. O tratamento com óleo de alho não foi eficaz em erradicar Helicobacter spp., apenas reduziu a sua colonização em quatro dos animais tratados.(AU)

The efficacy of garlic oil and triple therapy (amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazol) were evaluated in the treatment of 21 dogs infected by Helicobacter spp., which presented histological alterations of the gastric mucosa according to endoscopic biopsies and positive reaction to urease test. The animals were randomly distributed into three groups of seven dogs each, and received the following treatment, group 1 - empty capsules; group 2 - 500mg of garlic oil capsules daily for a period of 30 days; and group 3 - amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazol, in doses of 20mg/kg every 12 hours, 25mg/kg and 20mg/kg every 24 hours, respectively, for 15 days. By the end of the treatment, the dogs were subjected to new endoscopic procedure with gastric mucosa biopsies. Treatment with amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazol resulted in eradication of Helicobacter spp. both in fundic and pyloric regions. The garlic oil treatment reduced glandular degeneration in the fundic region in two animals and in the pylorus region in two other animals, and it was inefficient in eradicating Helicobacter spp. in dogs as it only reduced the colonization in some of the treated animals.(AU)

Endoscopia gastroduodenal após administração de nimesulida, monofenilbutazona e meloxicam em cães / Gastroduodenal endoscopy after nimesulide, monophenylbutazone and meloxicam administration in dogs

Avaliaram-se os aspectos da mucosa gastroduodenal em cães tratados experimentalmente com nimesulida, monofenilbutazona e meloxicam. Foram formados quatro grupos com oito cães. Os grupos 1, 2 e 3 receberam, respectivamente, tratamento com nimesulida, monofenilbutazona e meloxicam durante 21 dias, e o grupo 4 foi utilizado como controle. Todos os animais foram avaliados por exames endoscópicos do estômago e duodeno antes do experimento e aos 10 e 21 dias de tratamento. Os cães não manifestaram qualquer alteração clínica ou laboratorial durante o período de estudo. A avaliação endoscópica da mucosa gastroduodenal apresentou apenas lesões consideradas de baixo grau. Esses antiinflamatórios mostraram-se seguros para o trato gastrintestinal de cães clinicamente saudáveis(AU)

The gastroduodenal mucosa in dogs experimentally treated with nimesulide, monophenylbutazone and meloxicam was evaluated. There were four groups with eight dogs in each. Groups one, two and three were given nimesulide, monophenylbutazone and meloxicam, respectively, during 21 days and group four was used as control. All animals were evaluated by gastroduodenoscopy before the study and on the 10th and 21st days. The dogs did not show any clinical or laboratorial changes during the study. The endoscopic evaluation of gastroduodenal mucosa showed only low degree lesions. These anti-inflammatory drugs showed to be safe for the gastrointestinal tract in healthy dogs(AU)

Occurrence of Haplometroides odhneri (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchüdae) infecting Leptotyphlops koppesi (Serpentes, Leptotyphlopidae) / Ocorrência de Haplometroides odhneri (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) parasitando Leptotyphlops koppesi (Serpentes, Leptotyphlopidae)

Descreveu-se a ocorrência de Haplometroides odhneri (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) na traquéia e esôfago de Leptotyphlops koppesi (Serpentes, Leptotyphlopidae) proveniente da Usina Hidrelétrica Corumbá I, município de Caldas Novas, Goiás. Este é o primeiro relato sobre a ocorrência de H. odhneri parasitando L. koppesi.(AU)