Evaluation of Bacterial Composition and Viability of Equine Feces after Processing for Transplantation.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used empirically for decades in equine medicine to treat intestinal dysbiosis but evidence-based information is scarce. This in vitro study aimed at assessing the effect of a commonly used pre-FMT processing method on the bacterial composition and viability of the fecal filtrate. Three samples of fresh equine manure (T0) were processed identically: the initial manure was mixed with 1 L of lukewarm water and chopped using an immersion blender to obtain a mixture (T1), which was left uncovered during 30 min (T2) and percolated through a sieve to obtain a fecal filtrate (T3). Samples were taken throughout the procedure (Tn) and immediately stored at 4 °C until processing. The 16S rDNA amplicon profiling associated with propidium monoazide treatment was performed on each sample to select live bacteria. Analyses of α and ß diversity and main bacterial populations and quantitative (qPCR) analysis were performed and statistically compared (significance p < 0.05) between time points (T0-T3). No significant differences in ecological indices or mean estimated total living bacteria were found in the final fecal filtrate (T3) in regard to the original manure (T0); however, relative abundances of some minor genera (Fibrobacter, WCHB1-41_ge and Akkermansia) were significantly different in the final filtrate. In conclusion, the results support the viability of the major bacterial populations in equine feces when using the described pre-FMT protocol.

Novel plant-frugivore network on Mauritius is unlikely to compensate for the extinction of seed dispersers.

Insular communities are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic extinctions and introductions. Changes in composition of island frugivore communities may affect seed dispersal within the native plant community, risking ecological shifts and ultimately co-extinction cascades. Introduced species could potentially mitigate these risks by replacing ecological functions of extinct species, but conclusive evidence is lacking. Here, we investigate changes in plant-frugivore interactions involving frugivorous birds, mammals and reptiles in Mauritius, an oceanic island with an exceptionally well-specified frugivore community and well-described species introduction history. We demonstrate substantial losses of binary interaction partnerships (at the species level) resulting from native species extinctions, but also gains of equal numbers of novel interactions with introduced species, potentially supporting the idea that non-native species might compensate for lost seed dispersal. However, closer investigation of animal seed handling behaviour reveals that most interactions with seed dispersers are replaced by ecologically different interactions with seed predators. Therefore, restoration of seed dispersal functionality in this novel plant-frugivore community is unlikely.

Association of sex steroid hormones and new bone formation rate after iliac onlay grafting: a prospective clinical pilot study.

PURPOSE: The present prospective study evaluates the association between new bone formation rate in the iliac onlay graft and sex steroid hormone serum levels. METHODS: A total of 15 partially or completely edentulous postmenopausal females and 9 males with less than 5 mm height of the remaining alveolar bone underwent iliac onlay grafting followed by dental implant placement using a two-stage approach. Sex hormone binding globulin and 17ß-estradiol serum levels were investigated by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, while total testosterone level was analyzed using radioimmunoassay. At the time of implant placement, 12 weeks after grafting, bone biopsies were obtained and analyzed histomorphometrically. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Grafting procedure was successfully performed in all patients. The mean new bone formation rate was 32.5% (116 samples). In men the mean new bone formation rate (38.1%) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in women (27.6%). Independent of gender 17ß-estradiol and testosterone were positively associated to overall new bone formation rate, albeit a significant influence was only seen for 17ß-estradiol in men (p = 0.020). Sex hormone binding globulin had no influence on new bone formation rate (p = 0.897). There was no significant association between new bone formation rate and age (p = 0.353) or new bone formation rate and body mass index (p = 0.248). CONCLUSION: Positive association of 17ß-estradiol as well as testosterone with new bone formation rate after iliac onlay grafting indicates a role of sex steroid hormones in alveolar bone regeneration, although the observed influence was only significant for 17ß-estradiol in men.

Economic Impact of the Introduction of Outpatient Medical Specialist Care (ASV) of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients from a German Hospital Management Perspective.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of cancer patients in Germany is characterized by sectoral separation of the in- and outpatient care accompanied by 2 separate reimbursement systems. By introducing the Guideline of Outpatient Medical Specialist Care in accordance with §116b SGB V (ASV) in 2014, the German legislation empowers office-based physicians and hospitals to jointly provide medical care in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: A 1-year period each before and after the introduction of ASV was compared by means of data from the Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne at the University Hospital of Cologne. Only adults with a reliable diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumor (GIT) were considered. RESULTS: Overall, 1,872 cases were considered in the analysis showing significant (p < 0.001) higher median values of revenues across ICD-subgroups for ASV (EUR 427.46) compared to Ambulatory Treatments in Hospitals (EUR 234.21). The exemplary analysis of revenues in neoplasms of the pancreas shows EUR 173.69 on average which are only invoiceable through ASV: flat rate incl. surcharges (EUR 117.79; 68%), structure lump sum (EUR 29.49; 17%), positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT (EUR 13.53; 18%), and ASV consultation hour (EUR 12.89; 7%). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: ASV leads to significant higher revenues across different ICD-subgroups for patients suffering from severe GIT. The collaboration of hospital and office-based physicians ensures patient-centered care with accumulated expertise and avoidance of double examinations. Thus, the inclusion of additional services in the Uniform Value Scale (invoiceable for ASV) is legitimated and enables cost-covering care for the involved parties.

Primeiro relato de Salmonella enterica e Campylobacter spp. isolados de Garibaldi (Chrysomus ruficapillus) e Canário-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola) silvestres / First report on the Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. isolation from wild birds Garibaldi (Chrysomus ruficapillus) and Canário-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola)

Algumas espécies de aves silvestres têm sido identificadas como reservatórios de Campylobacter e Salmonella, as quais atuam como propagadoras desses micro-organismos; entretanto, não há estudo sobre o papel das aves silvestres na transmissão desses agentes patogênicos no Brasil. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi de verificar a presença desses agentes patogênicos em aves silvestres que se alimentam em lavouras orizícolas. Vinte e três Garibaldis (Chrysomus ruficapillus), uma Rolinha-picuí (Columbinapicui) e um Canário-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola) foram capturados com redes de neblina. As amostras de fezes das aves foram coletadas com o uso de zaragatoas e foram processadas para efetuar pesquisa de Campylobacter spp. e Salmonella enterica. Oito (32%) amostras de fezes de C. ruficapillus foram positivas para Campylobacter e seis (24%) foram positivas para Salmonella enterica. Cinco (20%) amostras coletadas de C. ruficapillus e uma de S. flaveola foram positivas para Salmonella. C. ruficapillus e S. flaveola mostraram ser reservatórios de Campylobacter e Salmonella e, consequentemente, podem atuar como potenciais disseminadores destes patógenos. Este é o primeiro registro de isolamento de Campylobacter e Salmonella de amostras de fezes de C. ruficapillus e S. flaveola silvestres...