Dimension reduction and outlier detection of 3-D shapes derived from multi-organ CT images.

BACKGROUND: Unsupervised clustering and outlier detection are important in medical research to understand the distributional composition of a collective of patients. A number of clustering methods exist, also for high-dimensional data after dimension reduction. Clustering and outlier detection may, however, become less robust or contradictory if multiple high-dimensional data sets per patient exist. Such a scenario is given when the focus is on 3-D data of multiple organs per patient, and a high-dimensional feature matrix per organ is extracted. METHODS: We use principal component analysis (PCA), t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) and multiple co-inertia analysis (MCIA) combined with bagplots to study the distribution of multi-organ 3-D data taken by computed tomography scans. After point-set registration of multiple organs from two public data sets, multiple hundred shape features are extracted per organ. While PCA and t-SNE can only be applied to each organ individually, MCIA can project the data of all organs into the same low-dimensional space. RESULTS: MCIA is the only approach, here, with which data of all organs can be projected into the same low-dimensional space. We studied how frequently (i.e., by how many organs) a patient was classified to belong to the inner or outer 50% of the population, or as an outlier. Outliers could only be detected with MCIA and PCA. MCIA and t-SNE were more robust in judging the distributional location of a patient in contrast to PCA. CONCLUSIONS: MCIA is more appropriate and robust in judging the distributional location of a patient in the case of multiple high-dimensional data sets per patient. It is still recommendable to apply PCA or t-SNE in parallel to MCIA to study the location of individual organs.

Comparative study on the chemical composition of different bones/parts of bones in growing pigs differently supplied with inorganic phosphorus and phytase.

From the veterinarian point of view, the precise assessment of the phosphorus (P) supply of pigs is of great interest, especially in cases of clinical disorders like 'leg weakness' or lameness when bone mineralisation may be disturbed. Thus, the question arises which bone is most suitable for diagnostic purposes and is reflecting changes in dietary P supply most clearly. Thirty-six growing pigs (BHZP db.Viktoria x Piétrain, about eleven weeks old, mean bw: 28.3 ± 3.44 kg) were allotted to three groups differently supplied with P by receiving a diet either supplemented with inorganic P (iP) and phytase (500 FTU/kg; controls/group C), without iP but phytase added (500 FTU/kg; group 1) or containing only endogenous phytase (group 2). The inclusion of iP resulted in total P contents in diets for group C of 4.76 and 4.23 g/kg as fed from 28 to 57 and >57 kg body weight (bw), respectively. In diets for group 1 and 2, the corresponding P contents were 3.08/2.72 g/kg as fed (group 1) and 3.08/2.88 g/kg as fed (group 2). On days 26, 47 and 82 of the dietary treatment, four pigs of each group were euthanised. Furthermore, four additional pigs were euthanised one day before starting the experiment. Standardised samples of the femur (distal part), tibia/fibula (proximal part) and os metatarsale III (MT III, in toto) were taken during dissection and submitted to chemical analysis. At all time points, pigs of group C had significantly higher ash contents in all types of bone samples compared to pigs from group 1 and 2. Relative differences between means of groups (C = 100%) were less for the ash content in MT III (reduction by up to -9.1%) compared to the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula (reduction by up to -23.2 resp. -22.7%). Variation coefficient (irrespective of group and time point) was lower for ash content in MT III (4.29%) compared to the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula (both: 11.8%). Under the conditions of this study, ash contents of the distal femur and the proximal tibia/fibula reflected the different P supply more pronounced indicating higher sensitivity compared to MT III.

First report on nasal myiasis in an alpaca "Vicugna pacos" - a case report.

BACKGROUND: An infestation of bot fly larvae causes myiasis which is known to cause respiratory symptoms in ruminants. There are reports of bot fly larvae in llamas, but to our knowledge there are no previous reports of nasal myiasis due to bot flies in alpacas ("Vicugna pacos"). CASE PRESENTATION: The following case report describes a neutered male alpaca showing sneezing and mild nasal discharge. Endoscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract revealed bot fly larvae in one nostril. After treatment with doramectin, there was no evidence of living bot fly larvae visible in the nostril. CONCLUSION: Bot fly larvae should be considered as a potential cause of respiratory symptoms in alpacas. In the present case, a treatment with doramectin was successful.

Chemical Composition of Newborn Piglets with Different Weights at Birth in Sows with a High Reproductive Performance.

The present study aimed to quantify and update the data on the body composition (energy nutrients) of newborn piglets of different body weights at the time of birth, as well as of the placenta mass. Data were collected from newborn piglets (n = 25) from modern genetic lines which were stillborn or died within the first 24 h of life after being crushed to death with various body weights at birth (<0.8 kg (n = 5); 0.8-1.2 kg (n = 5); >1.2-1.6 kg (common birth weight, n = 10) and >1.6 kg (n = 5)). The placenta (n = 20) of sows from a conventional breeding farm were collected, too. The body composition of newborns of "normal" (>1.2-1.6 kg) and even lighter (0.8-1.2) weights still indicated a "normal" composition. In the case of a lower body weight of piglets <0.8 kg at birth, the crude ash (24.1%) and crude protein (8.21%) contents were higher, but the crude fat (16.1%), carbohydrate (57.4%), and gross energy (3.60%) contents were lower. The placental composition in comparison to the piglet body composition was characterized by higher crude protein contents (24.3%) and lower crude ash (31.6%), crude fat (9.08%), and carbohydrate (55.6%) contents. In conclusion, the energy and protein accumulation in the total mass of fetuses and placentas increased by 75% and 64%, respectively, in comparison to times in which the litter size varied around 10-12 piglets, essentially as a result of the larger fetal mass and not of a different body composition.

Influence of Feeding Compound Feed Rich in Fibre during Parturition and Lactation on Health and Performance of Sows.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ad libitum access to compound feeds rich in fibre (ante partum (a.p.) and peri partum) on the DM intake, body mass development and performance of sows as well as excretion of Clostridium (C.) perfringens via sows' faeces. From day 109 (d-7) of gestation, 25 of 48 sows (23 considered as control) received access to one of two different high-fibre pellets from d-7 until the second day post partum (p.p.) (d2) (fibre groups (FG) 1 and 2) in additional to a lactation diet. The additional DM intake of the high-fibre pellets a.p. was 2.13 ± 1.15 kg in FG 1 and 3.14 ± 0.68 kg in FG 2. This led to higher DM intake in the first lactation week and significantly lower losses of weight and back fat thickness during lactation. The bacterial counts of C. perfringens in sows' faeces directly p.p. were 10 times lower in FG 1 and 100 times lower in FG 2 compared to the controls. High amounts of fibre led to higher DM intake throughout lactation, which had beneficial effects on sows' body conditions. It seems that high fibre intake influenced the excretion of C. perfringens at parturition, which could improve the health of newborns.

Calcinosis in Alpaca Crias (Vicugna pacos) Due to Vitamin D Intoxication-Clinical, Laboratory and Pathological Findings with a Focus on Kidney Function.

Alpacas kept in Central Europe are often deficient in vitamin D3, which is supplemented orally or by injection by the owners or veterinarians. Vitamin D3 can be specified in two different units (IU and µg), which differ by a factor of 40. By mixing up these units, an overdosage can be induced. In this study, three alpaca crias were examined after vitamin D3 intoxication, with particular reference to kidney function. All three animals developed non-specific clinical alterations 1-2 weeks after a vitamin D3 overdose of approximately 40 times. Plasma of the animals revealed several alterations. The main findings were severe azotemia, hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, 15 days after treatment. Kidney function analysis (endogenous creatinine clearance) in two of the crias revealed severe glomerular damage. All crias died despite intensive treatment within 23 days after vitamin D3 treatment. Necropsy revealed calcification in different organs, mainly the kidneys, lungs and liver. Since nine other crias in the same group were treated with comparable doses of vitamin D3 and no clinical signs were observed in these animals, it is concluded that individual animals show different levels of sensitivity to vitamin D3.

[Practical experience in treating mandibular osteomyelitis ("lumpy jaw") with gamithromycin in a muntjac]. / Praktische Erfahrungen zur Behandlung einer mandibulären Osteomyelitis ("lumpy jaw") mit Gamithromycin bei einem Muntjak.

Mandibular osteomyelitis is common in domestic and wild ruminants. Inflammation of the mandible is not only caused by Actinomyces ssp., but numerous additional bacteria may also lead to this disease. A privately owned muntjac was presented to the clinic due to reluctant food intake and a solid mass on the corpus of the right mandible. Cranial radiography led to the diagnosis mandibular osteomyelitis. The muntjac was treated with gamithromycin (Zactran®) for 50 days, which led to an improvement of food intake as well as a size reduction of the mandibular mass. Radiographic imaging 18 and 28 months after treatment revealed a satisfactory mandibular remodeling, however complete loss of the molar teeth occured. Solitary long-term treatment with gamithromycin may represent a successful method for treating mandibular osteomyelitis in ruminants.

How Long Does a Neutrophil Live?-The Effect of 24 h Whole Blood Storage on Neutrophil Functions in Pigs.

Neutrophils are important effector cells of the innate immune system, traditionally regarded to have a short life span. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the whole blood storage on neutrophil functions, e.g., viability, antimicrobial effect, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and phagocytosis. Therefore, fresh porcine whole blood was compared to whole blood stored for 24 h in the dark at room temperature. Different cell parameters in whole blood and in isolated neutrophils were analyzed. The following parameters were analyzed: cell count, band and segmented neutrophil count, viability, cholesterol content, release of free DNA as a marker for cell death, phagocytic activity in whole blood and in isolated neutrophils, the transmigration rate of neutrophils to IL8 stimulus, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the formation of NETs. It was observed that the number of isolated neutrophils decreased over time, indicating cell death occurs during 24 h of blood storage. However, the surviving neutrophils isolated from stored blood reacted comparably or even showed enhanced antimicrobial activity in the case of phagocytosis of Streptococcus (S.) suis, ROS production, and transmigration. The slightly altered cholesterol level of the harvested neutrophils in stored blood when compared to fresh blood partially explains some of the detected differences.

Validation of a New Resource-Efficient Feeding System for Fattening Pigs Using Increased Crude Fiber Concentrations in Diets: Feed Intake and Ammonia Emissions.

The feeding of fattening pigs and its associated ammonia emissions are current core problems in social debate that affects climate change and sustainability. Feeding methods offer great potential to increase animal welfare and sustainability, and negative impacts on the environment can be reduced. Fattening pigs differ in their performance potential and in their nutrient requirements. A high feed intake capacity can lead to luxury consumption. Diets rich in crude fiber should prevent excess feed intake and cause better nitrogen fixation by microorganisms in the animals' large intestines. In a pig fattening farm, it was investigated whether and how diets rich in crude fiber can influence feed intake and ammonia emissions. The animals were divided into feeding groups according to their presumed performance potential by ultrasound examinations. Therein, body compositions were evaluated, and feed intake capacity and body weight were automatically recorded. The aim of the study was to enable adapted feeding of the animals by regarding their individual differences in body composition and performance potential. Roughage-based diets had significant influence on feed intake and did not increase ammonia emissions. Based on the results of this study a performance-based control of the feed intake should be made possible.

Degraded neutrophil extracellular traps promote the growth of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A.pp) causes severe pneumonia associated with enormous economic loss in pigs. Peracute diseased pigs die in <24 h with pneumonia. Neutrophils are the prominent innate immune cell in this infection that massively infiltrate the infected lung. Here we show that neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as response to A.pp infection. Numerous NET-markers were identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of A.pp-infected piglets in vivo, however, most NET fibers are degraded. Importantly, A.pp is able to enhance its growth rate in the presence of NETs that have been degraded by nucleases efficiently. A.pp itself releases no nuclease, but we identified host nucleases as sources that degrade NETs after A.pp infection. Furthermore, the nucleases of co-infecting pathogens like Streptococcus suis increase growth of A.pp in presence of porcine NETs. Thus, A.pp is not only evading the antimicrobial activity of NETs, A.pp is rather additionally using parts of NETs as growth factor thereby taking advantage of host nucleases as DNase1 or nucleases of co-infecting bacteria, which degrade NETs. This effect can be diminished by inhibiting the bacterial adenosine synthase indicating that degraded NETs serve as a source for NAD, which is required by A.pp for its growth. A similar phenotype was found for the human pathogen Haemophilus (H.) influenzae and its growth in the presence of human neutrophils. H. influenzae benefits from host nucleases in the presence of neutrophils. These data shed light on the detrimental effects of NETs during host immune response against certain bacterial species that require and/or efficiently take advantage of degraded DNA material, which has been provided by host nuclease or nucleases of other co-infecting bacteria, as growth source.

[Volvulus of the spiral colon in a pygmy goat buck]. / Volvulus der Kolonscheibe bei einem Zwergziegenbock.

In small ruminants intestinal volvulus is a rare finding and therefore only scarcely mentioned in the literature. The case report summarizes findings and clinical development of a pygmy goat with a volvulus of the spiral colon. The animal presented with a highly disturbed general condition and clinical signs of shock. It showed a painful abdomen and a balloon-shaped structure in the right dorsal abdomen. Diagnostic laparotomy revealed a rotation of the spiral colon of 360° to the right. Due to cardiovascular failure the animal died during surgery. The cause of the volvulus remains undetermined.

Evaluation of the anaesthetic depth during piglet castration under an automated isoflurane-anaesthesia at farm level.

Piglet castration under isoflurane-anaesthesia could represent an alternative to the practice of castration without anaesthesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate practicality and effectiveness of an automated isoflurane-anaesthesia for castration. A field study on three different farms in Germany (farm A, B: 200 sows; C: 540 sows) was performed. In total, 1429 (1166 anaesthetised and 263 conventionally castrated) male piglets (age: 1-8 days; bodyweight: 0.7-3.7 kg) were monitored. All piglets were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs directly before castration. Castration and anaesthesia were performed by the farm-manager in presence of a veterinarian. All farmers used the PIGNAP Pro® (Agrosystems GmbH, CH) anaesthetic device (5 vol.% isoflurane, 30% oxygen; flow rate: 2 l/min). Vocalisation and defensive movements of 1166 anaesthetised piglets was rated using a scoring system. Presence or absence of the palpebral- and flexor-reflex was noted. Approximately every second piglet was weighed and oxygen-saturation and pulse- frequency of 231 animals were measured during treatment. Rectal temperatures before and after castration of 264 anaesthetised and 263 conventionally castrated piglets were compared. Only 77% of the anaesthetised piglets showed a sufficient anaesthetic depth based on the assessment of reflexes as well as vocalisations and defensive movements. It was found that the probability for a sufficient depth of anaesthesia decreases with increasing age and weight. The measurements of the pulse-frequency and oxygen-saturation showed an average oxygen-saturation of 98% and an average heart rate of 270/min during anaesthesia. The conventionally castrated piglets had significantly higher rectal temperatures in comparison to the anaesthetised (p < 0.0001). The result of 77% sufficiently anaesthetised piglets is not adequate for commercial application of this technology.