Effect of a Potential Probiotic Candidate Enterococcus faecalis-1 on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota, and Immune Response of Commercial Broiler Chickens.

The probiotic effect of Enterococcus faecalis-1 (isolated from healthy chickens) on growth performance, immune response, and modulation of the intestinal microbiota of broilers was assessed with a total of 100-day-old commercial Cobb chicks. The chicks were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group received a basal diet, while the test group received a basal diet and was orally supplied with E. faecalis at a dose of 108 CFU/bird/day. Results showed that E. faecalis-1 supplement significantly (P < 0.05) improved the body weight and feed conversion ratio of treated broilers compared with the control ones. The mortality percentage was reduced in E. faecalis-1-supplemented group. The total IgY serum level was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in broilers receiving E. faecalis-1 supplement (7.1 ± 0.39) compared with the control group (5.8 ± 0.3), while the serum avidin level was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in E. faecalis-1-supplemented broilers (76 ± 11.1). There was no significant change in the immune response towards avian influenza and Newcastle vaccines in both groups. The total Lactobacillus and Enterococcus counts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the cecal contents of broilers given E. faecalis-1 than those that received the control treatment. E. faecalis-1 supplement enhanced the enzyme activities, antioxidant system, and liver functions of treated broilers compared with those in the control group. Collectively, these results showed that E. faecalis-1 could promote growth performance and immunological status and convey beneficial modulation of the cecal microbiota in broilers.

Is downer cow syndrome related to chronic botulism?

The present work was directed to investigate the relationship between Downer cow syndrome (DCS) and chronic botulism in dairy cattle. For this purpose, a total of 52 fresh calving downer cows and 206 apparently healthy cows at 14 dairy farms were investigated for Clostridium botulinum ABE and CD antibody levels, C. botulinum and botulinum neurotoxin in rumen fluids as well as in faeces. Results indicated that the downer cows had higher IgG titers for C. botulinum ABE and CD than the healthy cows. All tested rumen fluids were negative for BoNT and C. botulinum. BoNT/D, however, and C. botulinum type D spores were detected in faecal samples of healthy and downer cows in the selected farms. In conclusion, the presence of a significantly higher C. botulinum ABE and CD antibody levels in DCS cows than in the healthy animals suggests that chronic C. botulinum toxico-infection could be a predisposing factor for DCS.

Treating canine atopic dermatitis with unsaturated fatty acids: the role of mast cells and potential mechanisms of action.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by pruritus and associated cutaneous changes. Treatment interventions include allergen avoidance, allergen-specific immunotherapy as well as a symptomatic therapy using glucocorticoids and antihistamines. In addition, a dietary intervention using polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to alleviate symptoms in some dogs. Although the beneficial effects of PUFA in the treatment of CAD have been known for several years, their mode of action remains unclear. This review discusses the evidential basis of the therapeutic use of dietary PUFA in the treatment of CAD. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of cutaneous mast cells. In addition, recent evidence from in vitro studies on the regulation of mast cell exocytosis will be used to build a mechanistic model of the active principle of PUFA. It is proposed that dietary PUFA are integrated into mast cell membranes resulting in a reorganization of membrane microdomains. This may then be accompanied by functional changes of membrane-associated proteins such as the phospholipases D (PLD), enzymes having an important impact on mast cell exocytosis processes.

Venovenous malformation: a common finding after Kawashima operation.

OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that systemic venovenous malformation (VVM) can develop in patients with interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) and univentricular type of congenital heart disease who undergo superior vena cava to pulmonary artery connection (Kawashima operation). These malformations can lead to profound systemic desaturation postoperatively. However, there have been few reports that characterise the prevalence, anatomic details and clinical correlations of these systemic VVM arising after Kawashima operation. In this study, we describe our experience with VVM after Kawashima operation, and discuss issues regarding their evaluation and postoperative management. METHODS: Eight patients with median age 19 months (range: 5-238) who underwent Kawashima operation were subjected to postoperative angiography, prospectively. Sites of VVM origin and entry, as well as their course, were documented. The presence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) was also documented. RESULTS: At median follow-up of 31 months (range: 16-72 months), a total of 14 VVM were found in different supra- and infra-diaphragmatic sites in six patients (75%); four of them had concomitant pulmonary AVM while the remaining two patients had only pulmonary AVM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that systemic VVM can occur frequently after Kawashima operation and can produce significant desaturation postoperatively, and hence we support hepatic incorporation. Performing detailed angiographic studies of the supra- and infra-diaphragmatic systemic veins in routine assessment of patients before Kawashima operation is, probably, warranted.

Hemolytic anemia: an unusual presentation of cor triatriatum sinistrum.

Cor triatriatum is a congenital malformation of the heart which is usually presented with heart failure. We have dealt with an unusual presentation of a two-month-old child with cor triatriatum presented with hemolytic anemia.

Propranolol: a new indication for an old drug in preventing postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a major cause of postoperative morbidity after complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Propranolol is a known medication used in patients with TOF to prevent and control hypercyanotic spells. Despite this, there is little information regarding the relation between preoperative use of propranolol and the incidence of postoperative JET. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of preoperative use of propranolol on the incidence of postoperative JET after full surgical repair of TOF. A retrospective analysis of 109 patients in whom 57 patients received preoperative propranolol (propranolol group) was compared with 52 patients who did not receive propranolol preoperatively (control group). The incidence of postoperative JET was significantly higher in the control group (38%) than the propranolol group (21%) P=0.042. The propranolol group had significantly less mechanical ventilation time, less ICU stay and less total hospital stay than the control group (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that the preoperative use of propranolol may decrease the incidence of JET after full surgical repair of TOF. A prospective randomized study may help to elucidate the exact relationship between the preoperative use of propranolol and the incidence of postoperative JET.

Effect of modified ultrafiltration on pulmonary function after cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary dysfunction is one of the most common manifestations of inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). OBJECTIVE: This prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a modified ultrafiltration (MUF) technique on pulmonary function after CPB in children. METHODS: Forty patients weighing from 5 to 10 kg with congenital heart disease who required CPB for primary biventricular operative repair were prospectively randomized into two groups. The control group received conventional ultrafiltration (CUF) during CPB, and the study group received CUF and MUF. Pulmonary compliance (static and dynamic) and gas exchange capacity of the lung expressed as oxygen index, respiratory index, ventilation index, and alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference were measured after intubation (baseline), at the termination of CPB, at the end of MUF, on admission to the ICU, and 6 h postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in lung compliance and gas exchange between the two groups before CPB. CPB produced a significant decrease in static and dynamic lung compliance in both groups. In the control group, static and dynamic lung compliance decreased from 1.0 +/- 0.3 to 0.90 +/- 0.3 mL/cm/kg and 0.87 +/- 0.2 to 0.71 +/- 0.1 mL/cm/kg (+/- SE) [p = 0.0002 and p = 0.002, respectively]. In the study group, static and dynamic lung compliance decreased from 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 0.89 +/- 0.03 mL/cm/kg and 0.94 +/- 0.2 to 0.77 +/- 0.1 mL/cm/kg (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference in the decrease in static (p = 0.9) or dynamic lung compliance (p = 0.3) between the two groups. MUF produced a significant immediate improvement in both static lung compliance (0.89 +/- 0.2 to 0.98 +/- 0.2 mL/cm/kg, p = 0.03) and dynamic lung compliance (0.77 +/- 0.1 to 0.93 +/- 0.2 mL/cm/kg, p = 0.007). The same was observed regarding the gas exchange capacity. CPB produced a significant decrease in lung gas exchange capacity, and MUF produced a significant immediate improvement in lung gas exchange capacity. The effect of MUF on lung compliance and gas exchange capacity was not sustained after admission to the ICU nor 6 h later postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the time of extubation between the two groups (12 +/- 3 h and 13 +/- 2 h, p = 0.4), the length of ICU stay, or the total hospital stay postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MUF after CPB can produce an immediate improvement in lung compliance and gas exchange capacity, which may effectively minimize pulmonary dysfunction postbiventricular repair of congenital heart disease. However, these improvements are not sustained for the first 6 h postoperatively and do not reduce the duration of postoperative intubation, ICU stay, or total hospital stay.