In vitro antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Klebsiella pneumoniae on Bavarian dairy farms between 2014 and 2022.

The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiellapneumoniae, and Serratiamarcescens from quarter milk samples submitted to the udder health laboratory of the Bavarian Animal Health Services (TGD) in Southern Germany between 2014 and 2022. All samples were tested with the California Mastitis Test and analyzed with a standard microbroth dilution to determine the MIC. The antimicrobials tested were amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefazoline, kanamycin/cefalexin, cefoperazone, cefquinome, and marbofloxacin.

Antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus canis in quarter milk samples from Bavaria, Southern Germany, between 2012 and 2022.

The objective of this study was to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Streptococcusdysgalactiae, Strep. agalactiae, and Strep. canis over a 10-yr period from 2012 to 2022 against the most commonly used antimicrobial agents.

Changes in antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in bovine quarter milk samples from southern Germany between 2012 and 2022.

The objective of this study was to describe the in vitro resistance of Staphylococcus aureus from bovine quarter milk samples obtained by the udder health laboratory of the Bavarian Animal Health Services between 2012 and 2022. All S. aureus samples were tested for β-lactamase production and only forwarded to further microbroth susceptibility testing either if the β-lactamase result was positive or upon explicit request by the submitter.

Influence of safety glasses, body height and magnification on the occupational eye lens dose during pelvic vascular interventions: a phantom study.

Objective: By simulating a fluoroscopic-guided vascular intervention, two differently designed radiation safety glasses were compared. The impacts of changing viewing directions and body heights on the eye lens dose were evaluated. Additionally, the effect of variable magnification levels on the arising scattered radiation was determined.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Properties of non-O1, non-O139 Isolates Recovered from Domestic Ducks in Germany.

non-O1, non-O139 bacteria are natural inhabitants of aquatic ecosystems and have been sporadically associated with human infections. They mostly lack the two major virulence factors of toxigenic serogroups O1 and O139 strains, which are the causative agent of cholera. Non-O1, non-O139 strains are found in water bodies, sediments, and in association with other aquatic organisms.

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli from pigs from birth to slaughter and its association with antibiotic treatment.

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to describe the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in faecal Escherichia coli isolated from pigs between birth and slaughter and its association with antibiotic treatment. Four objectives were addressed: comparison of antibiotic resistance in isolates from a) treated vs. non-treated pigs, b) follow-up vs.

Multiple cases of methicillin-resistant CC130 Staphylococcus aureus harboring mecC in milk and swab samples from a Bavarian dairy herd.

The discovery of a new mecA homolog, mecC, necessitates a modification of diagnostic procedures for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as most assays used for the genotypic and phenotypic mecA detection cannot currently recognize mecC. Although the prevalence, distribution, and importance of mecC are not yet completely understood, an exchange of mecC-MRSA between humans and animals seems possible. All previously reported observations of mecC-positive strains have been sporadic.

The impact of Q fever-phase-specific milk serology for the diagnosis of puerperal and chronic milk shedding of C. burnetii in dairy cows.

C. burnetii infection might be associated with puerperal shedding; additionally, the chronic shedding of this pathogen in milk has been observed in individual animals. A longitudinal survey was performed in an endemically infected dairy cow herd with 100 cows in order to compare phase-specific milk-serology with pathogen shedding.

Insights into the dynamics of endemic Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle by application of phase-specific ELISAs in an infected dairy herd.

Serological diagnosis of acute and chronic Q fever in humans relies on detection of antibodies to phase I (PhI) and II (PhII) antigens of Coxiella (C.) burnetii. Although phase-specific antigens are available, they are not yet used in ruminants as they are in humans.

Portal pressure predicts outcome and safety of antiviral therapy in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Background & Aims: There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, particularly on the impact of portal hypertension.

Methods: We assessed hepatovenous pressure gradient (HVPG), liver stiffness (transient elastography), and interleukin (IL)-28B polymorphisms (rs12979860) in 90 cirrhotic patients with HCV infection (82% genotype 1 or 4) before antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Efficacy and safety were evaluated.

Long-term outcome in patients with ulcerative colitis treated with intravenous cyclosporine A is determined by previous exposure to thiopurines.

Background And Aim: Rescue therapy with intravenous cyclosporine A (CsA) helps to avoid colectomy in a substantial proportion of patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) but the impact on long-term outcome remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to define predictive factors for colectomy in patients treated with intravenous CsA for severely active UC.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center study with a minimum follow-up of 18 months was performed.

Effect of virtual endoscopy simulator training on performance of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Skills in gastrointestinal endoscopy mainly depend on experience and practice. Patients upon whom trainees perform their first endoscopic examinations are likely to suffer more discomfort and prolonged procedures. Training on endoscopy simulators may reduce the time required to reach competency in patient endoscopy.

von Willebrand factor antigen: a novel on-treatment predictor of response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C genotypes 1 and 4.

Background: Levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF-Ag) increase during combination antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The present study investigates the association between these changes in vWF-Ag levels and response to treatment.

Methods: Changes in levels of vWF-Ag on antiviral combination treatment in 184 patients with CHC genotype 1 or 4 infections were measured prospectively and effect on response was studied.

Hospitalization, frequency of interventions, and quality of life after endoscopic, surgical, or conservative treatment in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Objective: Patients with chronic pancreatitis usually have a long and debilitating history of disease with frequent hospital admissions, episodes of intractable pain and multiple interventions. The sequences of treatment at initial presentation, endoscopy, surgery, or conservative treatment may affect the time course and admissions needed for disease control, thereby determining quality of life and overall outcome.

Methods: A total of 292 patients with initial endoscopic, surgical, or conservative pharmacological treatment were retrospectively analyzed regarding frequency of interventions, days in hospital, symptom-free intervals, morbidity, and mortality.

Mitochondrial toxicity is associated with virological response in patients with HIV and hepatitis C virus coinfection treated with ribavirin and highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The combination of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) plus ribavirin (RBV) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection has been reported to cause mitochondrial toxicity (MT). Sixty-four patients with HIV-HCV coinfection who were receiving antiviral therapy were evaluated for MT. Patients with concomitant HAART showed greater increases in lactate levels than did patients without HAART, and this difference was more pronounced in patients who received higher dosages of RBV.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous L-ornithine-L-aspartate on postural control in patients with cirrhosis.

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complication of liver disease. Several treatments have been introduced but only L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) shows proven efficacy. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effect of LOLA on postural control in cirrhotics.

Computer-aided classification of zoom-endoscopical images using Fourier filters.

This paper describes an application of machine learning techniques and evolutionary algorithms to colon cancer diagnosis. We propose an automated classification system for endoscopical images, which is supposed to support physicians in making correct decisions. Classification is done according to the pit-pattern scheme, which defines two/six different classes based on the occurrence of patterns on the mucosa.

Bone marrow depletion with haemorrhagic diathesis in calves in Germany: characterization of the disease and preliminary investigations on its aetiology.

Since 2007 a new fatal haemorrhagic diathesis in calves has been observed in all areas of Germany. Analysis of 56 cases submitted for necropsy allowed its characterization. Calves fell ill within the first month of life independent of breed and sex.

HIV-HCV co-infected patients with low CD4+ cell nadirs are at risk for faster fibrosis progression and portal hypertension.

Patients co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are fraught with a rapid fibrosis progression rate and with complications of portal hypertension (PHT) We aimed to assess the influence of immune function [Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stage] on development of PHT and disease progression in HIV-HCV co-infection. Data of 74 interferon-naïve HIV-HCV co-infected patients undergoing liver biopsy, measurement of portal pressure and of liver stiffness and routine laboratory tests (including CD4+ cell count, HIV and HCV viral load) were analysed. Time of initial exposure (risk behaviour) was used to assess fibrosis progression.

Sorafenib attenuates the portal hypertensive syndrome in partial portal vein ligated rats.

Background/aims: Angiogenesis plays a key role in development of portal hypertension (PHT) and represents a potential therapeutic target. We aimed to evaluate the molecular effects of sorafenib, a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on splanchnic hemodynamics in rats with partial portal vein ligation (PPVL).

Methods: The following four groups of rats were treated orally with sorafenib (10mg/kg per day; SORA group) or placebo (PLAC group) for 7 days, beginning at the day of PPVL or sham operation (SO): (1) PPVL-SORA, (2) PPVL-PLAC, (3) SO-SORA and (4) SO-PLAC.

Public awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: A national survey.

Background And Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are lifelong inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) progressing over time. Lack of public awareness may contribute to tardy consultation of primary care physicians, late diagnosis and development of potentially preventable complications of disease. A public opinion poll has been performed to assess the awareness of CD and UC in the Austrian population.

Postural control in patients with liver cirrhosis: a posturographic study.

Background: Ataxia has been suggested in the literature to be a symptom of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but so far has not been objectively quantified. In this study, we wanted to objectively quantify ataxia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: One hundred and seven patients with liver cirrhosis were tested for postural control using posturography and compared with 25 controls.

IP-10 correlates with hepatitis C viral load, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and predicts hepatitis C virus relapse or non-response in HIV-HCV coinfection.

Background: Interferon (IFN)-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is increased in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfection, correlates with hepatic inflammation and predicts non-response (NR) to antiviral therapy. We aimed to clarify the role of IP-10 in HIV-HCV coinfection.

Methods: Serum IP-10 levels of 30 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated (PEG)-IFN-alpha2a (180 microg/week) and ribavirin (800-1,200 mg/day) were measured at baseline and 24 h after first IFN dose.

Improving pit-pattern classification of endoscopy images by a combination of experts.

The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is usually supported by a staging system, such as the Duke or TNM system. In this work we discuss computer-aided pit-pattern classification of surface structures observed during high-magnification colonoscopy in order to support dignity assessment of colonic polyps. This is considered a quite promising approach because it allows in vivo staging of colorectal lesions.