The impact of compartmentalised housing on direct encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) transmission among pigs; insight from a model.

Although generally considered a rodent virus, pigs sometimes were suggested a potential reservoir host for encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), implying pig-to-pig transmission can cause major outbreaks in a pig population (basic reproduction ratio, R0>1). An earlier experimental study on EMCV transmission among pigs was inconclusive in this respect (R0≈1.24; CI 0.

Oxidative stress and dystrophy Facioscapulohumeral: Effects of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc gluconate and selenomethionine supplementation.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy of specific skeletal muscles. Despite major progress in the understanding of the genetic basis of FSHD, the exact mechanisms that lead to FSHD defects are not completely understood and no curative treatment is available. However, there is growing evidence that oxidative stress may contribute to FSHD pathology.

Unicondylar knee arthroplasty in a patient with poliomyelitis.

Osteoarthritis in patients who have had poliomyelitis creates a significant challenge. The loss, or reduction of power in the quadriceps, combined with recurvatum and often patella baja can cause problems when considering total knee arthroplasty. The authors present the first case report of a unicondylar knee arthroplasty in such a patient.

The detection of patients with 'fragility fractures' in fracture clinic - an audit of practice with reference to recent British Orthopaedic Association guidelines.

Introduction: The British Orthopaedic Association published guidelines on the care of fragility fracture patients in 2003. A section of these guidelines relates to the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures. The objective of this audit was to compare practice in our fracture clinic to these guidelines, and take steps to improve our practice if required.

Factors related to the incidence of clinical encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) infection on Belgian pig farms.

We set up a matched case-control study of potential risk factors for clinical encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in 58 pig farms in West Flanders (Belgium). In total, 29 farms experienced a clinical outbreak of EMCV confirmed by EMC virus isolation. Mortality was seen only among suckling piglets (18 case farms), in piglets and other age-groups (4 case farms), or only among fattening pigs (7 case farms).

Transmission of encephalomyocarditis virus in pigs estimated from field data in Belgium by means of R0.

Transmission of encephalomyocarditis-virus (EMCV) has been estimated in experiments, but never using field data. In this field study, a farm in Belgium was selected where the presence of EMCV was confirmed by necropsy and virus isolation. Serology was used to estimate the transmission parameter R0.

The occurrence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) in European pigs from 1990 to 2001.

The occurrence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) among domestic pigs and wild boar in several European countries is described and discussed. From 1990 to 2001 clinical outbreaks were analysed and serum samples, partly from existing screening programmes, were tested for antibodies against EMCV. Most clinical EMCV outbreaks were reported in Belgium (320), followed by Italy (110), Greece (15) and Cyprus (6).

Transmission and pathogenicity of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) among rats.

Due to the probable role played by rodents as a reservoir for the transmission of the EMC virus to pigs, the experiment reported here was performed in order to assess the transmission rate of EMCV within a rat population. Twenty-five eight-week-old Wistar rats housed in individual plastic cages were experimentally infected either with a Greek myocardial EMCV strain (5 rats with a 0.2 x 10(6) TCID50 dose per rat and 10 rats with a 0.

Transmission of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) among pigs experimentally quantified.

Two types of transmission experiments were performed to estimate the basic reproduction ratio R(0), indicating the level of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) transmission among pigs. In a first experimental set-up with nine separate pairs, one randomly chosen piglet per pair was inoculated with a Belgian (myocardial) EMCV strain (B279/95, 10(3)TCID(50)/ml oronasally) and placed back into the pen. In the second experiment with two separate groups of five piglets, two piglets in each group were inoculated at the start.

Cytochrome P450 inactivation by serum from humans with a viral infection and serum from rabbits with a turpentine-induced inflammation: the role of cytokines.

Serum from humans with an acute upper respiratory viral infection and from rabbits with turpentine-induced inflammation reduce the catalytic activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450). The aim of this study was to identify the serum mediators responsible for the decrease in P450 activity. Rabbit and human sera were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and the fractions tested for their ability to reduce the activity and amount of P450 after 4 h of incubation with hepatocytes from turpentine-treated rabbits (H(INF)).

Role of reactive oxygen intermediates in the decrease of hepatic cytochrome P450 activity by serum of humans and rabbits with an acute inflammatory reaction.

Serum of rabbits with a turpentine-induced acute inflammatory reaction (RS(INFLA)) and serum of humans with a viral infection (HS(INF)) were previously shown to diminish hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) content and activity. To document the role of reactive oxygen intermediates in the serum-mediated decrease in P450 content and activity, hepatocytes of rabbits with an acute inflammatory reaction (H(INFLA)) were incubated with RS(INFLA) and HS(INF) for 4 h, and total P450 content (spectrally measurable P450), P450 activity (assessed by estimating the formation of theophylline metabolites), and amount of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A6 proteins were measured. RS(INFLA) or HS(INF) decreased P450 content and activity without affecting the amount of CYP1A1 and -1A2 H(INFLA).

Spatial and stochastic simulation to evaluate the impact of events and control measures on the 1997-1998 classical swine fever epidemic in The Netherlands. I. Description of simulation model.

The simulation model InterCSF was developed to simulate the Dutch Classical Swine Fever (CSF) epidemic of 1997-98 as closely as possible. InterCSF is a spatial, temporal and stochastic simulation model. The outcomes of the various replications give an estimate of the variation in size and duration of possible CSF-epidemics.

Effect of hypoxia alone or combined with inflammation and 3-methylcholanthrene on hepatic cytochrome P450 in conscious rabbits.

1 To investigate the effect of moderate hypoxia alone or combined with an inflammatory reaction or after 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) pre-treatment on cytochrome P450 (P450), conscious rabbits were exposed for 24 h to a fractional concentration of inspired O2 of 10% (mean PaO2 of 34 mmHg). Hypoxia decreased theophylline metabolic clearance (ClM) from 1.73+/-0.

[Intrathyroid metastasis of kidney cancer. A rare case and diagnostic trap].

We report the discovery of a unique renal-cell carcinoma operated 9 years earlier on a thyroidectomy operative specimen. Intra-thyroid metastasis from kidney cancer is uncommon. The average delay to discovery as a painless thyroid nodule is estimated around 6 years following nephrectomy.

Down-regulation of the hepatic cytochrome P450 by an acute inflammatory reaction: implication of mediators in human and animal serum and in the liver.

1. Infection and inflammation trigger a cascade of mediators that eventually will down-regulate the hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450). The present study aimed to characterize the mediators contained in the serum of rabbits with an acute inflammatory reaction (AIR) induced by the s.

First-pass metabolism of lidocaine in the anesthetized rabbit. Contribution of the small intestine.

It is assumed that, in vivo, the liver is the organ responsible for the first-pass metabolism of lidocaine. To assess in vivo whether the intestine and the lungs contribute with the liver to the first-pass metabolism of lidocaine, groups of anesthetized rabbits (N = 6/group) received lidocaine into the thoracic aorta (10 mg/kg), a jugular vein (10 mg/kg), a mesenteric vein (20 mg/kg), and into the duodenum (20 mg/kg). Serial blood samples were withdrawn from the abdominal aorta.

Lack of presystemic metabolism of nifedipine in the rabbit.

In humans, oral bioavailability of nifedipine has been reported to be around 60%, although the organ(s) contributing to its first-pass metabolism have not been determined. The aim of this study was to determine in vivo, in anesthetized and conscious rabbits the role of the intestine, liver, and lungs in the first-pass metabolism of nifedipine. To assess the extraction of nifedipine by the intestine, liver, and lungs, nifedipine was administered before and after each organ, and serial blood samples were withdrawn from an artery.

Extrahepatic metabolism of frusemide in anaesthetized rabbits.

1. Frusemide is removed from the body by biotransformation and renal secretion, but since frusemide metabolism is not altered in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, the role of the liver may be questioned. The aim of the study was to investigate which organs contribute to the first-pass metabolism and systemic clearance of frusemide.

[Testing area Wehl: study of risks of contacts in behalf of foot-and-mouth disease].

A study on contacts between livestock holdings was conducted in a geographically defined area of 4 by 6 km in the Netherlands. The farmers were asked to record all contact on and off farm during a period of 2 weeks. The number of contacts in the 2 week period was high, on average 91.

Contribution of the small intestine to the first-pass uptake and systemic clearance of propranolol in rabbits.

Epithelial cells of the intestine enclose isozymes able to metabolize propranolol, raising the possibility that the gut contributes with the liver to the first-pass uptake and systemic clearance of propranolol. To assess the role of the liver in the first-pass uptake, propranolol was injected into the jugular vein and a mesenteric vein of anesthetized New Zealand rabbits, and blood samples were drawn from the abdominal aorta, or it was injected into the intestine and samples were drawn simultaneously from the portal vein and the abdominal aorta. Extraction of propranolol by the liver was estimated to be 96-97%.

Thrombo-embolic prophylaxis in total knee replacement. Evaluation of the A-V Impulse System.

We performed a prospective randomised controlled trial of a new mechanical method of prophylaxis for venous thrombo-embolism in 60 patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. The method uses the A-V Impulse System to produce cyclical compression of the venous reservoir of the foot. The overall incidence of deep-vein thrombosis was 68.

Cauda equina lesions following fusion in situ and decompressive laminectomy for severe spondylolisthesis. Four case reports.

The authors report four cases of cauda equina lesions following posterior surgery for severe dysplastic spondylolisthesis: three following fusion in situ, and one following decompressive laminectomy. The patients developed urinary retention, saddle anesthesia, and lax anal tone immediately after surgery. The mechanism of the nerve root damage is thought to be mechanical, occurring during decortication before bone grafting.

Technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate scanning of acute injuries to the lateral ligaments of the ankle.

Technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate scans were performed on 29 consecutive patients with acute ankle ligament injuries. Scanning reliably differentiated a severe from a minor injury. Severe injuries gave a diffuse uptake on the scan and the minor injuries a more localized increase in uptake.