Anaemia in Ruminants Caused by Plant Consumption.

Plant toxicology has affected animals throughout evolution. Plants have adapted themselves to the environment. This adaptation has led to the development of defensive strategies to avoid being consumed. Plants have several chemical compounds, which can cause deleterious effects on people or animals that consume them, causing a wide variety of clinical signs. Plants from various latitudes, both cultivated for human and animal feeding or decorative purpose and even wild growth plants are able to generate anaemia in ruminants. Coumarins or ptaquiloside predispose bleeding and haemorrhages, causing a haemorrhagic disease in affected animals. In this group, some important fodder plants, such sweet clover (Genus Melilotus spp.), or other weeds distributed worldwide, such as bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) of giant fennel (Ferula communis), are included. On the other hand, sulfur-containing chemicals (e.g., n-propyl disulfate and S-propyl cysteine sulfoxides (SMCOs)) may cause severe direct damage to the erythrocyte and their membrane, leading to their destruction and causing haemolytic anaemia in the animal. This review presents the most frequent intoxication by plants causing anaemia in ruminants. Toxic compounds, clinical signs, diagnosis and possible treatments are also presented.

Impact of a Topical Anaesthesia Wound Management Formulation on Pain, Inflammation and Reduction of Secondary Infections after Tail Docking in Lambs.

We examined several procedures for surgical tail docking; with and without general anaesthesia (GA), including the use of a topical wound gel formulation to provide pain relief (PR) and improve healing after surgery, containing local anaesthetics lignocaine and bupivacaine, with cetrimide and adrenalin. Forty-four lambs were recruited into four equal cohorts: Groups A and C, the tail was excised with a scalpel without anaesthesia or stitches; Groups B and D, the tail was surgically excised and stitched under GA; Groups C and D wounds were immediately sprayed with PR. Behavioural observations identified that Groups A and C displayed significantly less pain-related behaviours than Groups B and D shortly after the procedure, especially if treated with PR. Similarly, the mean of days when animals showed no signs of wound infection was longer in the groups not undergoing stitching. Finally, treatment with PR appeared to reduce the cortisol response and avoided the elevation of serum amyloid A in lambs where the tail was excised without general anaesthesia. In conclusion, surgical tail-docking without GA but where wounds are immediately sprayed with PR, appears as an affordable and more welfare-appropriate method for conducting tail docking in lambs.

[Education for health. Nutrition and gastronomy in the Autonomous Cities of Melilla and Ceuta]. / Educación para la salud. Nutrición y gastronomía en las ciudades autónomas de Melilla y Ceuta.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this research was to analyze overweigh and obesity among student population of childhood and primary education levels, in a first stage at the city of Melilla (2005), and two years later in Ceuta. From an administrative point of view both cities depend on the Ministry of Education and Culture, alike the Spanish education centers in foreign countries. This research begun gathering anthropometric measures of students and surveys about gastronomic and dietary habits of their families, with the objective of detecting and modifying those that were not healthy, and foster the adoption of healthy habits among students, who could influence their families through their cooperation and engagement. Once students adopted healthy nutritive behaviors, those were complemented with physical activity. To achieve these aims, the following steps were taken: - Education on health for teachers through CEPs. - Include in the scholar curriculum a new matter: Education for Health and Non-Competitive Physical Exercise, as part of the existing programs Education for Citizenship and Physical Education. - Develop extracurricular activities together with parents and students: cooking workshops and physical exercise. - Implement at the childhood and primary schools a program of Healthy Breakfasts: during a quarter breakfasts composed by fresh fruit, whole meal bread toast with virgin olive oil, and sugar free yoghourt were delivered. Vending machines of juices and industrial baking were forbidden at educational centers. - Analyze and correct the menus delivered at school canteens.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se trató de analizar la situación de sobrepeso y obesidad de la población escolar en el nivel educativo de Infantil y Primaria, primero en la ciudad de Melilla (2005) y, dos años más tarde, en la de Ceuta, dependientes administrativamente, lo mismo que los centros españoles en el extranjero, del Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (MEC). El estudio comenzó con la toma de medidas antropométricas y encuestas sobre los hábitos alimentarios y gastronómicos de los escolares y sus familias con la finalidad de detectar y modificar aquellos que no fuesen saludables y fomentar la adopción de hábitos saludables en los escolares y, a través de ellos, influir en sus familias, buscando su colaboración e implicación en este aprendizaje, complementándolo con la práctica de la actividad física. Para ello se realizaron las siguientes actuaciones: ­ Formación de profesores a través de los CEP en educación para la salud. ­ Introducir en el currículum escolar las materias Educación para la Salud y Ejercicio Físico no Competitivo dentro de los contenidos de las materias de Educación para la Ciudadanía y Educación Física, respectivamente. ­ Desarrollar actividades extraescolares conjuntas con alumnos y padres de talleres de cocina y actividad física. ­ Implantar en los centros educativos de Infantil y Primaria (CEIP) el consumo de desayunos saludables. Se distribuyeron durante un trimestre desayunos en los centros de Infantil y Primaria consistentes en: fruta fresca, tostada de pan integral con aceite de oliva virgen y yogur natural no azucarado. Se prohibieron las máquinas expendedoras de zumos y bollería en los centros educativos. ­ Analizar y corregir los menús de los comedores escolares.

WT1 expression as a potential biomarker of malignancy in canine breast tumor / La expresión de WT1 como un biomarcador potencial maligno en un tumor de mama canino

SUMMARY: Veterinary oncology is very important nowadays to get a better understanding of human carcinogenesis. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor receptor 2 are frequently evaluated by immunohistochemistry (HIC) in human breast tumor. WT1 is an oncogene, its overexpression has been detected in leukemia and diverse solid tumors like breast cancer, lung cancer and mesothelioma in humans. WT1 expression was evaluated in 15 canine breast tumors (CBT) diagnosed by histopathological analysis to find its relationship with neoplasia and malignancy. IHC and RT-PCR were performed in CBT tissues. Fisher´s test was used to analyze WT1 relationship with malignancy. Of the 15 tumors, 9 (60 %) were diagnosed as benign and 6 (40 %) were malignant. With IHC, WT1 expression was positive only in biopsies diagnosed as malignant. Expression of WT1 by RT-PCR was detected in 14 of the 15 tumors (93.33 %) as well as in control healthy mammary gland. Clinical significance: This study describes for the first time a close correlation between CBT and a positive result for WT1 expression with IHC; hence, it can be used as a biomarker for this neoplasia and as an indicator of malignancy. RT-PCR analysis also showed to be good option to detect WT1 expression. These results will be useful to further investigations to elucidate WT1-related signaling pathways in CBT. Also to know molecules that regulate the translation of this protein as a marker for tumor progression.

RESUMEN: La oncología veterinaria es muy importante hoy en día para comprender mejor la carcinogénesis humana. El receptor de estrógeno, el receptor de progesterona y el receptor 2 del factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano se evalúan con frecuencia mediante inmunohistoquímica (HIC) en tumores de mama humanos. WT1 es un oncogén, su sobreexpresión se ha detectado en leucemia y en diversos tumores sólidos como el cáncer de mama, cáncer de pulmón y mesotelioma en humanos. La expresión de WT1 se evaluó en 15 tumores de mama caninos (TCC) diagnosticados mediante análisis histopatológico para encontrar su relación con la neoplasia y la malignidad. IHC y RT-PCR se realizaron en tejidos CBT. La prueba de Fisher se utilizó para analizar la relación de WT1 con la malignidad. De los 15 tumores, 9 (60 %) fueron diagnosticados como benignos y 6 (40 %) fueron malignos. Con IHC, la expresión de WT1 fue positiva solo en biopsias diagnosticadas como malignas. La expresión de WT1 por RT-PCR se detectó en 14 de los 15 tumores (93,33 %), así como en el control de la glándula mamaria sana. Importancia clínica: este estudio describe por primera vez una estrecha correlación entre la TCC y un resultado positivo para la expresión de WT1 con IHC; por lo tanto, se puede utilizar como un biomarcador para esta neoplasia y como un indicador de malignidad. El análisis por RT-PCR también demostró ser una buena opción para detectar la expresión de WT1. Estos resultados serán útiles para futuras investigaciones para dilucidar las vías de señalización relacionadas con WT1 en la TCC. También para conocer moléculas que regulan la traducción de esta proteína como marcador de progresión tumoral.

Carcinoma gástrico grande resecable con linfadenectomía extendida D2: Comparación de las características clínico anatomopatológicas, pronóstico y sobrevida / Large gastric carcinoma resectable with extended lymphenectomy D2: Comparison of anatomopathological clinical characteristics, prognosis and survival

Objetivo: Describir y comparar las características clínico anatomopatológicas, pronóstico y sobrevida a 5 años en carcinoma gástrico resecable con linfadenectomia D2 con diámetro tumoral < 10 cm. (SG1) y >10 cm. grande (Sg2). Material y métodos: Cohorte que analizó a 139 pacientes con carcinoma gástrico avanzado con diámetro tumoral < 10 cm (n = 120) y grande resecable > 10 cm (n = 19) con linfadenectomía D2 atendidos en el Instituto Regional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas del Norte, durante el periodo 2009-2014. Resultados: La edad media en el SG1 fue de 60,91 + 13,06 años, mientras que en SG2, fue de 64,84 + 15,01 años respectivamente. En el SG1 los factores pronósticos asociados a la sobrevida fueron el tumor primario (p = 0.007), estado ganglionar regional (p = 0.0001), estadio clínico (p = 0.0001) y el tipo histológico (p = 0.028). En el SG2 las características anatomopatológicas fueron en mayor frecuencia, localización tumoral en el tercio inferior (52,6%), Borrmann III (31,6%), tumor primario T4a (47,4%), estado ganglionar N3b (36,8%), estadio clínico III (78,9%) y tipo intestinal difuso (47,4%). La tasa de sobrevida global a 5 años para el SG1 y SG2 fue 42% vs 13,6% respectivamente (p = 0,001). Conclusiones: Las características clínicas y anatomopatológicas fueron similares en ambos grupos de estudio independientemente del tamaño del tumor. Sin embargo hay diferencia estadísticamente significativa con relación a la sobrevida a 5 años, por lo que este factor pronóstico importante que debería ser incluido en este sistema para una mejor estratificación y manejo individualizado de pacientes.

Organochlorinated pesticides levels in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population: The Bioambient.es project.

Organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) were measured in a representative sample of Spanish adults within the Bioambient.es project, a nationwide human biomonitoring program promoted by Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The objective of Bioambient.es is to establish reference levels of environmental pollutants in the general population. Participants were recruited in 2009-2010 during their annual medical examination at work. Serum levels of thirteen OCPs were investigated: Aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor-epoxide, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylenes (DDEs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) The highest concentrations were observed for DDE, HCB and ß-HCH. The 95th percentile, in ng/g lipids, were: 717.7 for 4,4-DDE, 160.4 for HCB and 107.2 for ß-HCH, while concentrations of aldrin, endrin, heptachlor, α-HCH, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT and 2,4-DDE were markedly lower and detected in less than 10% of the samples. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found for DDE and HCB and seasonality, gender and age. Analyzing the geographical distribution, participants from the north of Spain had highest levels of HCB while those from the center of Spain had highest levels of 4,4-DDE. Comparing to earlier studies, the results indicated a sharp decline in the OCP concentrations in the Spanish population over time, and today values are in the same range or lower than those reported in similar studies worldwide, except for HCHs and HCB that presented higher levels than in other European countries and much higher than those observed in US and Canada. This study represents the first nationwide survey of exposure to OCPs in Spain and provides a background reference range for exposure to OCPs in the Spanish adult occupied population. These results will allow establishing reference values, observing temporal trends and identifying high exposure groups.

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites levels in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population: The BIOAMBIENT.ES project.

In 2009, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment promoted the BIOAMBIENT.ES project, a Human Biomonitoring program on the national scale to estimate reference levels of environmental pollutants on a representative sample of the Spanish adults. The present study focuses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The urinary metabolites 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-,2-,3-,4- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene were selected as indicators of PAH exposure. Urine samples from 957 subjects (16-65 years old) were collected during year 2009-2010. Geometric mean and 95th percentile for 1-hydroxypyrene in µg g(-1) creatinine were 0.117 (non-smoker: 0.079, smokers: 0.184) and 0.67 µg g(-1) creatinine (non-smokers: 0.31, smokers: 0.69) respectively. GM and 95th percentile for sum of hydroxyphenanthrenes in µg g(-1) creatinine were 0.130 (non-smokers: 0.089, smokers: 0.317) and 1.29 (non-smokers: 0.71, smokers: 1.51) respectively. 3-Hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was below the limit of quantitation (0.05 µg L(-1)) in all cases. Significant differences (p<0.05) regarding smokers and non-smokers, coal and wood heating, body mass index and second hand smoke were found, while other variables like gender, age, or diet showed no significant association. The geographical distribution of the metabolites showed higher levels in people who lived in the north and northwest of Spain. The PAH metabolites levels found were in the same range or lower than those reported from other European countries and they were higher than those found in the U.S. This study represents the first nationwide survey of exposure to PAHs in Spain and provides a background reference range for exposure to PAHs in the Spanish adult occupied population.

Urinary BPA measurements in children and mothers from six European member states: Overall results and determinants of exposure.

For the first time in Europe, both European-wide and country-specific levels of urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) were obtained through a harmonized protocol for participant recruitment, sampling and quality controlled biomarker analysis in the frame of the twin projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES. 674 child-mother pairs were recruited through schools or population registers from six European member states (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). Children (5-12 y) and mothers donated a urine sample. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, life style, dietary habits, and educational level of the parents was provided by mothers. After exclusion of urine samples with creatinine values below 300 mg/L or above 3000 mg/L, 653 children and 639 mothers remained for which BPA was measured. The geometric mean (with 95% confidence intervals) and 90th percentile were calculated for BPA separately in children and in mothers and were named "European reference values". After adjustment for confounders (age and creatinine), average exposure values in each country were compared with the mean of the "European reference values" by means of a weighted analysis of variance. Overall geometric means of all countries (95% CI) adjusted for urinary creatinine, age and gender were 2.04 (1.87-2.24) µg/L and 1.88 (1.71-2.07) µg/L for children (n=653) and mothers (n=639), respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant environmental, geographical, personal or life style related determinants. Consumption of canned food and social class (represented by the highest educational level of the family) were the most important predictors for the urinary levels of BPA in mothers and children. The individual BPA levels in children were significantly correlated with the levels in their mothers (r=0.265, p<0.001), which may suggest a possible common environmental/dietary factor that influences the biomarker level in each pair. Exposure of the general European population was well below the current health-based guidance values and no participant had BPA values higher than the health-based guidance values.

Effect of oral administration of Propionibacterium acnes on growth performance, DTH response and anti-OVA titers in goat kids

Immunostimulants are susbstances that stimuli the response of effector cells to activate the immune response such as antigen uptake, cytokine release or antibody response. These substances can increase resistence to infection by different types of microorganisms, reducing dependence of antibiotics used in livestock animals. Recent reports have demonstrated the positive effect of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) to control animal diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the non-specific immunostimulant P. acnes on immunological functions and growth performance in goat kids. Twenty five goat kids served as control group (A) and another 25 animals received P. acnes being the experimental group (B). Kids were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to assess humoral immunity. To assess in vivo cell immunity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was used, clinical signs and body weight were recorded each week until 9 weeks of age when the experiment ended. Blood samples were obtained to analyze serum proteins fractions and anti-OVA specific antibodies. No clinical signs of disease and no differences (p>0.05) on body weight between groups were recorded (7.32±0.81 kg in group A, 7.13±0.65 kg in group B). Goat kids from group B had more total protein (59.8±5g/l) and albumin levels (32.8±3.3g/l) than goat kids from group A (56.6±5.7 g/l, 29.6±3.9 g/l respectively) (p<0.05). DTH response in goat kids from group B on day 42 was higher (p<0.05) than group A. At day 63, goat kids from group receiving P. acnes had higher percentage (85.4) of anti-OVA IgM titers (p<0.05) than control group (57.7). In conclusion, the results showed that oral administration of P. acnes to goat kids improved some aspects of the immune system of the animals and it could be used to control goat diseases.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina and cervix in sheep - case report.

This report describes the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a squamous cell carcinoma infiltrating the cervix and the vaginal wall, producing reproductive symptoms and subnormal fertility in an adult ewe. Necropsy showed a large (15-cm-long) neoplastic mass infiltrating the vaginal wall and the cervix. Histopathological examination revealed atypical squamous epithelial cords invading the basal membrane and dermis, round anaplastic cells, focal areas of necrosis, keratinisation of isolated cells, and pronounced infiltration by mononuclear cells around the cords. No squamous cell carcinoma of such localisation has been reported from sheep before. In humans, this tumour is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the world.

Descripción de un caso similar a miositis osificante localizada en un perro / A case of myositis ossificans circumscripta-like condition in a dog

A case of myositis ossificans circumscripta in an eight-year-old, male, Weimaraner dog, is described. The animal was originally submitted with presumptive diagnosis of hernia. The lesion was a firm, subcutaneous nodule, 5 cm long by 3 cm width, localized in the right perineum muscles. After the radiologic study the lesion was interpreted as a neoplasm from coccygeal vertebrae. The surgical procedure to eliminate the neoplastic tissue confirmed its hardness. Excision was not complete and the sample was submitted to pathology. The mass was hard, well circumscribed, vascularized and surrounded by muscle tissue. The histopathological study revealed a heterotopic ossification with zones of atrophy, degeneration and muscle necrosis, alternating with zones of trabecular ossification toward the periphery, limited by abundant fibrous connective tissue. These findings are characteristic of myositis ossificans circumscripta. This case represents the first report in a dog in Mexico, of a condition resembling the myositis ossificans circumscripta in humans.

Se describe un caso de miositis osificante localizada en un perro de raza Weimaraner, macho, de ocho años de edad. El animal fue originalmente remitido con diagnóstico presuntivo de hernia. La lesión era un nódulo subcutáneo firme con 5 cm de largo por 3 cm de ancho, localizada en los músculos del perineo derecho. Después del estudio radiológico la lesión fue interpretada como una neoplasia originada de vértebras coccígeas. Su dureza se constató durante el procedimiento quirúrgico para eliminar la neoformación. La lesión se extirpó parcialmente y la muestra se remitió a patología. La masa era dura, bien delimitada, vascularizada y con tejido muscular a su alrededor. El estudio histopatológico reveló osificación heterotópica con zonas de atrofia, degeneración y necrosis muscular, alternando con zonas de osificación trabecular en la periferia, limitadas por abundante tejido conectivo fibroso. Estos hallazgos son característicos de la miositis osificante localizada. Este caso constituye el primer informe de esta condición patológica en un perro en México, similar a la miositis osificante localizada en humanos.

Presencia de animales seropositivos al síndrome reproductivo y respiratorio porcino en Nuevo León / Presence of seropositive animals to the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus in Nuevo Leon

A preliminary study was carried out to obtain serological evidence of the presence of the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus and the risk of infection in different areas and phases of production in five full cycle pig farms in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Sixty blood samples of each farm were obtained (10 for each phase of production: weaning, growing, finishing, pregnancy, lactation and mating-service). The detection of antibodies against the PRRS virus was carried out using a commercial kit. All farms were positives in all phases of production. The highest seroprevalences were found in the growing and finishing phases (36% y 56%, respectively).

Se realizó un estudio preliminar para obtener evidencia serológica de la presencia del virus del síndrome respiratorio y reproductivo porcino (PRRS, por sus siglas en inglés) y del riesgo de infección en las diferentes áreas y etapas de producción en cinco granjas porcinas de ciclo completo en Nuevo León, México. Se obtuvieron 60 muestras de sangre de cada granja (diez para cada etapa de producción: destete, iniciación, finalización, cerdas gestantes, lactando o en monta-servicio). La detección de anticuerpos antivirus del PRRS se realizó utilizando un equipo comercial. Todas las granjas resultaron positivas en las diferentes etapas de producción. La seroprevalencia fue mayor en las etapas de inicio y finalización (36% y 56%, respectivamente).

Hip dysplasia in a 6-year-old Salz ram.

A 6-year old Salz ram was presented with a history of poor body condition, progressive gait abnormalities, pelvic limb lameness, and difficulty with copulation. Based on the history, clinical signs, hip palpation, and radiography, a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, previously unreported in sheep, was made.