Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycobacteriosis in naturally infected ring-neck doves (Streptopelia risoria): investigation of the association between feather colour and susceptibility to infection, disease and lesions type

Prevalence of infection and disease, the degree of organ involvement and the nature of the lesions were investigated in 11 white and 18 non-white ring-neck doves coming from a flock naturally infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. Lesions were common in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, intestines, ovary and bone marrow. Overall, 18 out of 29 (62%) birds were considered infected with a sequevar of M. avium subsp. avium that contains serotypes 2, 3, 4 and 9. The prevalence of infection in the white doves (36.4%) was significantly lower than in the non-white morphs (77.7%). White doves had on average fewer organs affected (mean =3.1) than the non-white doves (mean =5.9). A diffuse pattern of inflammation in the liver and spleen was observed mainly in non-white doves. Focal or multifocal granulomatous inflammation of the liver and spleen was predominant in white doves. Genetic mechanisms of immunity to mycobacteriosis may be contributing or determining these differences. There are three basic colour morphs in ring-neck doves—dark or wild type, blond and white—and the alleles coding for colour are sex-linked and located on the sex (Z) chromosome. Female's single sexual chromosomed (ZW) and homozygous males (ZZ) can be white if they carry the white alleles. It is very probable that the gene or genes modulating the immune response to M. avium subsp. avium infection in these doves could be associated to these loci or at least located in the same (Z) chromosome, as the association with white colour suggests.
Persistence of Salmonella Senftenberg in poultry production environments and investigation of its resistance to desiccation

Most Salmonella serovars, including Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Senftenberg (S. Senftenberg), are tolerant to desiccation and able to colonize and persist in feed mills. In addition, they may survive cleaning and disinfection procedures used on poultry farms. The present study was conducted to investigate the survival of S. Senftenberg in broiler parent stock farms and broiler farms. The isolates from one of the parent stock farms investigated only differed by a single band in fluorescent amplified fragment-length polymorphism analysis and had identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles, indicating that a S. Senftenberg clone had persisted for more than 2 years, despite cleaning, disinfection, desiccation and depopulation, and was subsequently able to infect Salmonella-free layers. Isolates from the same house on a different broiler parent stock farm were found to be identical by amplified fragment-length polymorphism analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis although the farm tested negative for Salmonella 55 times over a period of 18 months between the two positive samplings. An assay was developed to investigate the survival of 34 S. Senftenberg isolates during desiccation at approximately 38% relative humidity. On average, the viability of S. Senftenberg isolates decreased by 1000-fold over 35 days. The persistent clones were no more resistant to desiccation than the other isolates investigated. However, S. Senftenberg was more resistant to desiccation than an isolate of Pantoea agglomerans commonly found on poultry feed-processing lines. This study demonstrates the risk of persistence of feed-associated serovars such as S. Senftenberg.
Putative cardiotoxic compounds extracted from meat meal as a potential risk factor for the development of heart failure in fast-growing commercial broilers

Thermal processing of meat products generates cardiotoxic compounds capable of inducing heart failure in both humans and laboratory animals. Such compounds may be present in broiler diets because supplements such as meat meal (MM), which are commonly used in broiler rations, are rendered at high temperature. Our objective was to evaluate whether putative cardiotoxic compounds in MM increase the risk of heart failure in broilers. The treatment and control diets were prepared by mixing the condensed MM extract (equivalent to dietary MM inclusion of 25%) or placebo (condensed extraction medium) with commercial broiler feed, and the respective diets were offered to commercial male broilers randomly allocated to either treatment or control groups. Broilers fed a diet spiked with MM extract showed a higher incidence (P<0.05) of chronic heart failure (65.5%) in comparison with the control group (55.4%). Postmortem examination upon termination of the experiment revealed that, in comparison with control broilers, broilers fed diet containing MM extract showed higher incidence of lesions indicative of subclinical heart disease evidenced grossly by ventricular dilation and pericardial effusions, microscopically by changes characteristic of cardiomyocyte degeneration, and ultrastructurally by changes in contractile elements and in mitochondria. Measurements of cardiac high-energy phosphates revealed that broilers fed the diet containing MM extract had lower (P<0.05) levels of cardiac energy reserve as compared with birds fed control diet. We conclude that cardiotoxic factors that can induce patho-physiological changes in the heart are present in MM.
Detection of chicken astrovirus by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

The development of a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for detecting chicken astroviruses (CAstV) is described. Primers, which amplified a fragment of 510 base pairs, were located in conserved regions within the ORF 1b (RNA polymerase) gene. The limit of detection of the test was estimated to be approximately 60 viral copies using a 10-fold dilution series of in vitro transcribed RNA. Positive signals were produced with representative CAstV samples, some of which were not detected by a previously described RT-PCR test for detecting CAstV, but other avian astroviruses including avian nephritis virus and duck hepatitis virus types 2 and 3 tested negative. When applied to gut content samples and swabs from UK and German broiler flocks with growth problems, CAstVs were detected by RT-PCR in 50/52 (96%) samples. CAstVs were detected in between 30% and 72.5% pooled gut content samples from longitudinal surveys of four broiler flocks displaying below-average performances. Whereas all day 0 samples were CAstV-negative, high detection rates were observed when the surveyed birds were aged 4, 5 and 7 days. Based on partial ORF 1b sequences, a phylogenetic analysis of 20 CAstVs indicated the existence of two groups. One group comprised four CAstV isolates, including FP3 and 11672, and two field CAstVs, which shared >94% nucleotide identity. The remaining 14 CAstVs, comprising the first characterized CAstV and 612 isolates and 12 field CAstVs, shared 85% to 99% nucleotide identity and displayed 76% to 79% nucleotide identity with the 11672-like and FP3-like CAstVs.
Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in broiler chickens

Intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli O127:B8 at a dose of 1,500,000 u/kg body weight evoked a hypothermic response followed by a fever phase in 5-week-old broiler chickens. The hypothermic phase coincided with a severe decrease in blood pressure. We assume that this decrease in blood pressure is, at least partly, responsible for the hypothermic phase of the body temperature curve. LPS administration also caused a decrease in circulating white blood cells. The heterophils were predominantly sequestered in the lungs. In LPS-treated chickens, far more apoptotic leukocytes were present in the circulation, compared with control chickens. The molecular players responsible for the LPS-induced inflammatory response could be TL1A, IL-1β and IL-6, since a slight increase in their mRNA levels in white blood cells was already seen 1 h after LPS administration. In accordance with these observations, the levels of secreted IL-6 were maximal 3 h after LPS administration. These parameters characterize this LPS-induced inflammation model in broiler chickens.
Effectiveness of a Polysubstance Dependence Detoxification Protocol for Patients With Co-occurring Disorders

Patients with polysubstance dependence and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders represent a growing population. This study investigates the safety and effectiveness of a single-scale, symptom-triggered protocol for patients undergoing inpatient detoxification from alcohol, opioids, sedatives, or polysubstance dependence. Medical records staff generated a list of all charts containing a principal discharge diagnosis of alcohol, sedative, opioid, or polysubstance dependence between 2002 and 2004, when the Butler Instrument for Withdrawal Assessment protocol was administered. This list was arranged by terminal digits of the medical record numbers to randomize the selection, and staff pulled the first 100 charts for review. De-identified medical data were recorded from the charts to obtain information about medications, length of stay, and adverse events during hospitalization. The main outcome measures were adverse events and length of stay. The average length of stay was 4.2 days (SD = 2.3), rate of discharge against medical advice was 4% (exactly 4 patients out of 100), and no seizures or delirium tremens were reported. The results of this study suggest that a single-scale, symptom-triggered detoxification protocol can facilitate safe and rapid detoxification and stabilization, even for patients with polysubstance dependence and co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Evaluation of the protection induced by avian influenza vaccines containing a 1994 Mexican H5N2 LPAI seed strain against a 2008 Egyptian H5N1 HPAI virus belonging to clade 2.2.1 by means of serological and in vivo tests

Since 2006 Egypt has been facing an extensive epidemic of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) with a huge number of outbreaks both in rural and intensively reared poultry areas. The use of efficacious vaccines in this country has been, and still remains, essential for the control and possible eradication of HPAI. The present study was performed to establish whether the administration of inactivated vaccines containing an H5 virus belonging to a different lineage to the Eurasian H5N1 HPAI viruses guarantees protection from clinical signs, provides significant immune response and is able to achieve a reduction of viral shedding in the face of a challenge with a contemporary H5N1 virus isolated in Egypt. Despite the genetic and antigenic differences between the vaccine strain (H5N2/Mexico) and the challenge strain (H5N1/Egypt), confirmed by molecular and serological (haemagglutination inhibition) tests, it was established that the immune response induced by these conventional vaccines is sufficient to prevent infection in the majority of birds challenged with a contemporary H5N1 Egyptian strain. The data reported in this study also indicate that there may be a low degree of correlation between haemagglutination inhibition titres, clinical protection and reduction of shedding.
Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma in a lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor)

A case of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHCC) in an adult male lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) that was part of a breeding programme at a private facility is reported. Grossly, the liver was markedly enlarged with multifocal, well-circumscribed, pinpoint to 2 cm diameter pale tan nodular masses. Histologically, the hepatic parenchyma was replaced by neoplastic cells that demonstrated hepatocellular and, less frequently, biliary epithelial cell differentiation. Positive pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3/PCK26) immunolabelling of the neoplastic cells forming bile ducts with the scattered immunoreactivity of cells forming glandular structures within the areas of hepatocellular differentiation supported the diagnosis. No metastases were detected. CHCC is a rare neoplasm in mammals and birds. This is the first report where gross, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of CHCC in a bird are described, and the first report of CHCC in a lesser flamingo.
Distribution of serotypes and virulence-associated genes in pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from ducks

The objective of the present study was to investigate the serotypes and virulence-associated genes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from duck colibacillosis cases. Two hundred and fifty-four APEC isolates from duck colibacillosis cases were serotyped and amplified for 12 known virulence-associated genes and the betA gene (encoding choline dehydrogenase) by polymerase chain reaction assays. One hundred and forty-three E. coli isolates from cloacal swabs of healthy ducks were also amplified for the same genes. A total of 53 O-serogroups were found in 254 APEC isolates, among which O93, O78 and O92 were predominant serogroups. Polymerase chain reaction results showed that Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli distributed in only 2.4% of ducks compared with 49.2% of the APEC isolates harbouring the irp2 gene, and 44.9% the fyuA gene, respectively. The ibeA gene was only present in 27 APEC isolates and was not found in healthy ducks. The rfaH gene was detected in 20.5% of APEC isolates, whereas 5.6% was found in healthy ducks. A total 79.5% of APEC isolates harboured the betA gene, which was significantly higher than in healthy ducks (16.1%), suggesting that betA may be associated with virulence.
Large-scale survey of Cryptosporidium spp. in chickens and Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in Henan, China: prevalence and molecular characterization

Few data are available on the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in chickens and ducks in China. In this study, 2579 faecal samples from 46 chicken farms and eight Pekin duck farms in 21 prefectures in Henan Province were examined. The overall infection rate of Cryptosporidium was 10.6% (163/1542) in layer chickens (10 out of 17 farms), 3.4% (16/473) in broilers (five out of 29 farms), and 16.3% (92/564) in Pekin ducks (four out of eight farms), respectively. The highest infection rates were observed in 31-day-old to 60-day-old layer chickens (24.6%) and 11-day-old to 30-day-old Pekin ducks (40.3%). The season of highest prevalence in chickens was spring (15.6%) and the lowest was winter (P<0.01). One hundred and eighty-seven Cryptosporidium-positive samples were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene, and 55 were further analysed by DNA sequencing of the PCR products. Two Cryptosporidium species were identified: Cryptosporidium baileyi (184/187) on 15 chicken farms and four duck farms, and Cryptosporidium meleagridis (3/187) on three layer chicken farms. C. baileyi was the predominant Cryptosporidium species, found in all age groups of chickens and all Cryptosporidium-positive ducks examined, whereas C. meleagridis was only identified in 31-day-old to 120-day-old layer chickens. Considering the large size of the chicken industry and the close contact between chickens and humans, and that C. meleagridis is the third most common Cryptosporidium parasite in humans, then C. meleagridis could potentially become an emerging zoonosis in some areas in China.
Pain Management After Spinal Surgery

One of the most important cause of postoperative morbidity is insufficiently treated pain. Patient undergoing spinal surgery often suffer from severe preoperative pain and may require large doses of analgesic drugs including opioids. Longer-lasting, preoperative or chronic pain of greater intensity, patients with ′failed back syndrome′ have been identified to cause problems towards control of postoperative pain. Because neurologic examination to detect spinal cord complications requiring immediate intervention are based upon patient cooperation and awareness, different modalities for postoperative pain treatment and a choice of drugs from various classes of analgesics may be effective in these circumstances. Overall, moderate to severe postoperative pain has been correlated with an increased risk for the development of persistent, chronic pain states. These problems may be prevented by successful management of postoperative pain. Acute postoperative pain management is a dynamic process. A detailed preoperative assessment should be done at the beginning and the most appropriate pain management should be provided by utilizing the newer drugs and techniques after estimation of risk-benefit status for each patient.
Pathobiology of Heterakis gallinarum mono-infection and co-infection with Histomonas meleagridis in layer chickens

Little is known about the induction and modulation of gut-associated immune reactions after nematode infection in the chicken. The objective of the present study was to compare the pathogenesis, induction of immune reactions and electrophysiological changes of the gut after mono-infection with Heterakis gallinarum and after dual infection with H. gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis in layer chickens. In two experiments 3-week-old chickens were inoculated with embryonated H. gallinarum eggs, which were positive for H. meleagridis. While birds of the first experiment were left untreated, those of the second experiment were treated with dimetridazol to prevent H. meleagridis co-infection. Mild to moderate histological lesions and local immune reactions with a significant increase in CD4+, CD8α+, TCRαβ+ and TCRδγ+ cells in the lamina propria and induction of the T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine interleukin-13 dominated the H. gallinarum immune response at 2 weeks post infection. Co-infection with H. gallinarum and H. meleagridis induced an increase in mRNA expression of the T-helper type 1 (Th1) cytokine interferon-γ, a decrease in splenic CD4+ cells and severe destruction of the caecal mucosa in association with strong T-cell infiltration in the caecal lamina propria. There was no obvious effect on the chloride secretion of the caecal epithelium, which was investigated once the mucosa had almost recovered from the infection, in either experiment. These results suggest that the local T-cell reactions to nematode infections in chickens may be comparable with mammals and may be shifted from a Th2-dominated to a Th1-dominated response when accompanied by a protozoan infection.
Infectious bronchitis virus variants: a review of the history, current situation and control measures

The history, current situation and control measures for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variants are reviewed. A large number of IBV variants exist worldwide; some being unique to a particular area, others having a more general distribution. The possible reasons why some strains spread readily over major parts of the world, whereas other strains stay more localized are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of strain classification by protectotyping, serotyping and genotyping are discussed in relation to in vivo protection. The different vaccination strategies are also considered.
Chronic Health Conditions, Depression, and the Role of Financial Wellbeing: How Middle Age Group (45-64) and Older Adults (65-79) Differ?

This study investigates the association between chronic health conditions (CHD) and depression with a focus on the mediating effect of financial strain. We tested if age makes any difference in the effect of CHD and financial strain on depression. The data comes from the 2006 Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) collected by the Institute of Korean Labor Research. The sample consisted of information from 8,961 individuals ages 45-79. Separate analyses were done for middle-age (45-64) and older-adult groups (65-79). There were significant financial portfolio differences among CHD patients and non-CHD, for both age groups, that may constitute the impact of a health event on financial wellbeing; in addition, the associations of CHD on depressive symptoms were different by age groups. The mediating effect of financial wellbeing on the association between CHD and depressive symptoms was verified; in addition, the role of financial wellbeing on the association was especially strong for the older-adult group. The effect of CHD on depression was contingent on the amount of net assets and annual personal income. Implications are discussed based on the findings.
Xylanase supplementation to a wheat-based diet alleviated the intestinal mucosal barrier impairment of broiler chickens challenged by Clostridium perfringens

The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective effects of xylanase on the intestinal mucosal barrier in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens in a 21-day experiment. A total of 336 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to four treatment groups. A 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a randomized complete block design to study the effects of enzyme addition (with or without xylanase 5500 U/kg wheat-based diet), pathogen challenge (with or without C. perfringens challenge), and their interactions. Most C. perfringens-challenged birds had a congested mucosa and focal haemorrhagic lesions in the jejunum. Xylanase addition tended to reduce (P=0.09) the intestinal lesion score in the challenged birds. C. perfringens challenge resulted in decreased villus height/crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum (P<0.05). Xylanase supplementation significantly increased this ratio in the jejunum (P<0.05) and also had the tendency to decrease crypt depth (P=0.065) and increase this ratio in the ileum (P=0.087). Xylanase addition significantly decreased the plasma endotoxin levels of the birds challenged with C. perfringens (P<0.05). Occludin mRNA expression in the jejunum and ileum was significantly decreased by C. perfringens challenge (P<0.05), but xylanase addition significantly increased its expression in the ileum. Xylanase supplementation also significantly increased MUC2 mRNA expression in the ileum (P<0.05). C. perfringens challenge resulted in a significant increase in apoptotic index in all three intestinal segments (P<0.05), but xylanase supplementation obviously decreased apoptotic index in the ileum (P<0.05). In conclusion, xylanase supplementation could alleviate the impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier induced by C. perfringens challenge.