Polyomavirus Infection in Gouldian Finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and Other Pet Birds of the Family Estrildidae.

A syndrome characterized by apathy, diarrhoea and high mortality of nestlings was observed in a flock of pet birds of the family Estrildidae. Enlargement of the liver, pulmonary congestion and urate accretions in the kidney were observed. Microscopically, there was glomerular atrophy, oedema and congestion of the lungs and necrosis and fibrosis of the liver. Cowdry type B intranuclear inclusion bodies were detected in the tissues. Polyomavirus was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The entire genome of the virus was amplified and sequenced, revealing 99 % identity to the sequence of finch polyomavirus isolated from the Eurasian bullfinch (family Fringillidae).

Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Italy Associated with Frozen Redcurrants Imported from Poland: A Case Study.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in a batch of imported non-packaged frozen redcurrants purchased in a Bari grocery. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed the HAV strain clustered tightly with the HAV strain from the 2013 Italian epidemic, providing additional evidence that frozen redcurrants were the main vehicle of the HAV outbreak.

A severe dual infection by feline panleukopenia virus and feline calicivirus in an adult cat.

A dual infection by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) in a 7 month-old cat is described. The animal developed a severe illness with depression, anorexia, fever, leucopoenia, nasal and ocular discharge and oral ulcers. Both FPV and FCV were isolated in cell cultures from a rectal swab and the presence of FCV was confimed by polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies to both the viruses were detected in the serum. The severity of the disease induced by the mixed viral infection highlights the need for intensifying FPV vaccination in cats.

Virological and histological findings in goats infected by caprine herpesvirus 1.

Two adult goats seropositive to caprine herpesvirus 1 were treated with dexamethasone for 6 days to reactivate the virus. The goats shed the virus by the nasal and the vaginal routes. After necropsy, the histologic examinations on vaginal and nasal mucosa and ganglia showed general degenerative and flogistic lesions of the tissues. The findings confirm the respiratory and especially genital tropism of the virus.

Serological analysis and identification of feline calicivirus strains isolated in Sicily.

The isolation and characterization of calicivirus strains from symptomatic cats are reported. The correlations between the feline calicivirus strains isolated and the vaccinal strain FCV F9 were investigated by a virus-neutralization test, suggesting a strong antigenic variability.

Characterization of a canine parvovirus strain isolated from an adult dog.

A CPV-2b strain was detected from an adult vaccinated dog, affected with severe gastroenteritis. The faeces of the dog were positive to canine parvovirus by a hemagglutination assay and gave a CPV-2b-like pattern by a hemagglutination inhibition test using monoclonal antibodies. In vitro-cultivation of the virus was difficult and after a few passages on canine and feline cells, the presence of the virus was detectable only by an immunofluorescence assay on the feline cells, since hemagglutinating activity had disappeared. Characterization of the virus, by an indirect immunofluorescence assay with monoclonal antibodies, confirmed the antigenic CPV-2b-like pattern of the nonhemagglutinating virus.

Active transport of CO(2) and bicarbonate is induced in response to external CO(2) concentration in the green alga Chlorella kessleri.

The time-course of induction of CO(2) and HCO(3)- transport has been investigated during the acclimation of high CO(2)-grown Chlorella kessleri cells to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)-limited conditions. The rate of photosynthesis of the cells in excess of the uncatalysed supply rate of CO(2) from HCO(3)- was taken as an indicator of HCO(3)- transport, while a stimulation of photosynthesis on the addition of bovine carbonic anhydrase was used as an indicator of CO(2) transport. The maximum rate of photosynthesis (Pmax) was similar for high CO(2)-grown and low CO(2)-grown cells, but the apparent whole cell affinity for DIC and CO(2) of high CO(2)-grown cells was found to be about 30-fold greater than in air-grown cells, which indicates a lower affinity for DIC and CO(2). It was found that HCO(3)- and CO(2) transport were induced in 5.5 h in cells acclimating to air in the light and in the presence and absence of 21% O(2), which indicates that a change in the CO(2)/O(2) ratio in the acclimating medium does not trigger induction of DIC transport. No active DIC transport was detected in high CO(2)-grown cells maintained on high CO(2) for 5.5 h in the presence of 5 mM aminooxyacetate, an aminotransferase inhibitor. These results indicate no involvement of photorespiration in triggering induction. Active DIC transport induction was inhibited in cells treated with 5 microgram ml(-1) cycloheximide, but was unaffected by chloramphenicol treatment, indicating that the induction process requires de novo cytoplasmic protein synthesis. The total DIC concentration eliciting the induction and repression of CO(2) and HCO(3)- transport was higher at pH 7.5 than at pH 6.6. The concentrations of external CO(2) required for the induction and repression of DIC transport were 0 and 120 microM, respectively, and was independent of the pH of the acclimation medium. Prolonged exposure to a critical external CO(2) concentration elicits the induction of DIC transport in C. kessleri.

[Development and validation of a survey for evaluation of the satisfaction of patients with medical consultation in primary care clinics]. / Desarrollo y validación de una encuesta para evaluar la satisfacción de los pacientes con la consulta médica en consultorios de atención primaria.

The aim of this work was to devise, and assess the reliability, of an instrument to measure satisfaction with medical consultation of primary care urban patients at public outpatient clinics. A model was elaborated, based on data collected from the literature and from focal groups of patients and physicians, and an enquiry was developed and applied at four outpatient clinics. Fifty enquiries were obtained and analyzed to discard questions of difficult understanding. Next, a second self administered questionnaire and with fewer questions was devised. Its reliability was assessed in 53 enquiries, obtaining a Cronbach's a of 0.904. Questions that decreased consistency were discarded, finally obtaining a self administered instrument with 22 questions. This enquiry was used in 174 patients. Results were subjected to factorial analysis with varimax rotation, which separated three factors that explain 64% of the variance. It is concluded that a valid and reliable instrument was obtained.

Vestibular projections to hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei.

The effects of electrical stimulation of the eighth nerve and caloric stimulation of the labyrinth were tested on the spontaneous or evoked electrical activity of single neurons located in the hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei. It was found that these neurons responded to both kinds of stimulation. In particular, the neurons of the SON showed a predominant response pattern characterized by a sequence of excitation-inhibition, whereas the neurons of the PVN showed different patterns of response with various combinations of inhibition and excitation sequences. The latencies of these neuronal responses to the electrically induced eight nerve volleys were compatible only with a polysynaptic connection. The possible pathways involved in this vestibulo-hypothalamic relation as well as their functional role are discussed.

Prenatal management of twin gestation. Experience with a new protocol.

We carried out a prospective cohort study to evaluate the usefulness of a specific protocol of prenatal management of twin pregnancy to decrease the incidence of prematurity in the population. The protocol particularly stressed the importance of early recognition of uterine contractile activity and early work leave (from 28 weeks' gestation). The outcome of 39 consecutive twin pregnancies that used the protocol over a five-year period was compared with the outcome of 76 twin pregnancies followed by private practitioners and delivered at our department. The two groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, parity, gestational age at diagnosis, socioeconomic level and educational level. The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Even more significant was the difference in the incidence of severe prematurity (less than 34 weeks' gestation) between the two groups. The use of a protocol like ours, which does not include prolonged hospitalization, home bed rest or tocolytic treatment, is recommended.

[The sleep-wake rhythm of the fetus]. / Le rythme sommeil-veille du foetus.

Our work refers to a body of studies carried out by Sonargram observation, which allowed us to study fetal movements in real time. These fetuses were studied not only as parameters of correct neurobiological maturity but also from the psychological interest which looks for the beginning of thinking based on the question: When and how does the thought process begin in biological matter? The study comparing the movement of fetuses and new-born babies to psychoanalytical research (which have been described in other works) led us to formulate the following hypothesis: motor and sense experiences can only become "mental" after separation from the mother; it can only come about by birth which effectively forces a confrontation on biological grounds: it prepares the thinking process without yet having it. There is a debate between these positions and psychoanalytical schools of thought in which thinking could precede the birth of the human fetus; there might be a stage of sleep (REM) that corresponds to adult dreaming.

Validity and limitations of ultrasonography in monitoring therapeutic response in ovarian carcinoma.

The effectiveness of ultrasound in the follow-up of tumor masses during chemotherapy was investigated over a period of 3 years in 74 patients with proven ovarian cancer. 47 had stage 3 disease, and 22 showed recurrence. Two or more examinations were performed in 65% of the patient. A correlation with surgical second look showed a correct diagnosis in 67.6%. The results of ultrasonographic follow-up when compared with clinical monitoring showed 75% concordant judgments on the therapeutical tumor response. The validity and limitations of this technique are discussed.