Use of a local anaesthetic and antiseptic wound formulation for the treatment of lambs naturally infected with Orf virus.

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a worldwide highly contagious zoonotic viral skin disease of sheep and goats. Treatment for Orf virus (ORFV) infection usually involves topical and oral antibiotics. An anaesthetic and antiseptic topical gel (Multisolfen® or Tri-Solfen®; MS®, Medical Ethics, Australia) has been documented as an efficacious therapy for lesions from mucosal and epithelial viral infections in ruminants.

Nuclear DNA Fragmentation in Boar Spermatozoa: Measurement Methods and Reproductive Performance Implications.

The aim of this research was to compare the different techniques to measure sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation (sDF) and to check its relations to boar reproductive value, classical spermiogram parameters, and reproductive results of the doses in sows. Sperm chromatin stability assay (SCSA), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD, Halomax) results were compared, finding a statistically significant correlation only between SCSA and TUNEL results. The fertility direct boar effect (DBE) index, calculated from the whole productive life of the boar, was not correlated ( > 0.

Periodontal and Dental Status in Packs of Spanish Dogs.

While periodontal disease (PD) is the most common canine oral pathology, its prevalence varies according to diagnosis methodology, breed, and age. We intended to increase understanding of canine PD by studying dogs that are managed in a specific way: pack dogs in Spain. They received a mixed diet (home-prepared food, commercial dry food, stale bread and bones).

Seasonal Changes of Nuclear DNA Fragmentation in Boar Spermatozoa in Spain.

There are numerous cases when conventional spermiogram parameters are all within an acceptable range but boar subfertility persists. The total sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation index (tDFI) is a trait related to fertility and prolificacy problems that is not routinely evaluated in commercial AI boars. The aim of this research was to study the effect of the photoperiod, season and reproductive age of the boar on tDFI (measured by SCSA) of 1279 ejaculates from 372 different boars belonging to 6 different breeds located in 6 AI studs in Spain.

Immuno-castration of female and male pigs with anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine: Morphometric, histopathological and functional studies of the reproductive system.

Immuno-castration is increasingly recommended in pigs due to welfare reasons; however, there are few studies in females compared to males. This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of immuno-castration in female and male pigs. The weight, the morphometric and microscopic characteristics of the reproductive organs, and the hormone concentrations were studied in 12 immunocastrated females (IF) and 12 immunocastrated males (IM) and compared with control animals (C).

Influence of Sex and Age on Posterior Semicircular Canal Thickness.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether sex and age influence posterior semicircular canal (PSC) thickness.

Methods: This observational study was conducted in 3 tertiary hospitals. The minimal distance between the PSC and the posterior cranial fossa (PSC thickness) was estimated by thin-section multidetector row computed axial tomography (CAT) scan of the temporal bones.

The p.Leu167del Mutation in APOE Gene Causes Autosomal Dominant Hypercholesterolemia by Down-regulation of LDL Receptor Expression in Hepatocytes.

Context: The p.Leu167del mutation in the APOE gene has been associated with hyperlipidemia.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine the frequency of p.

The apolipoprotein E polymorphism rs7412 associates with body fatness independently of plasma lipids in middle aged men.

Background: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is polymorphic, encoding one of 3 common alleles (ε2, ε3, ε4) produced from combinations of 2 non-synonymous SNPs (rs429358 and rs7412). APOE plays an important role controlling plasma lipids but its association with adipocyte functionality and body fatness remains to be determined.

Methods: We analyzed fasting plasma lipids and genotyped the two main APOE-SNPs (rs429358 and rs7412), both located in the fourth exon of the APOE, in 4660 Caucasian middle-aged men free of cardiovascular disease.

New contributions to the study of common double mutants in the human LDL receptor gene.

Variations in the gene encoding the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) can cause familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), one of the most common inherited metabolic disorders in humans. The functional effects of the p.Gln92Glu and p.

Mitochondrial DNA diversity in Francolinus pondicerianus interpositus (grey francolin, Galliformes) from Pakistan.

Francolinus pondicerianus interpositus (grey francolin, Galliformes) is the only francolin present in the Suleiman Range (central Pakistan), one of the poorest and least developed areas in Pakistan. As a game bird, the francolin is an important income source for the region, but no demographic data are available. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the polymorphism pattern of the Control Region gene (mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA), in order to obtain some initial information about genetic diversity, possible structure and demographic dynamics in this population.

Characterization of the c.(-203)A>G variant in the glucocerebrosidase gene and its association with phenotype in Gaucher disease.

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused mainly by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene. Great phenotypic variability has been observed among patients with the same genotype, suggesting other factors, such as polymorphic variants, might influence GD phenotypes. We previously reported the c.

Malformations of the epididymis, incomplete regression of the mesonephric tubules and hyperplasia of Leydig cells in canine persistence of Müllerian duct syndrome.

Persistence of the Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare form of pseudohermaphroditism characterized by the presence of uterus and oviducts in otherwise normally differentiated SRY-positive 78 XY canine males. Undescended testicles are also common. We report a case of a male PMDS dog with a uterus and bilateral cryptorchidism.

A 17 bp deletion in the Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) gene is associated to increased prolificacy in the Rasa Aragonesa sheep breed.

Different mutations in the Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) and the Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) genes cause increased ovulation rate and infertility in a dosage-sensitive manner in sheep. They cause increased ovulation rate and twin and triplet births in heterozygotes, and complete primary ovarian failure in homozygotes resulting in total infertility. We are here presenting a novel mutation in the second exon of the ovine BMP15 gene, found in the Spanish breed Rasa Aragonesa.

Introgression of Alectoris chukar genes into a Spanish wild Alectoris rufa population.

In order to detect introgression of other Alectoris genus species into wild populations of Spanish Alectoris rufa, we studied a sample of 93 red-legged partridges (supposed to be A. rufa) captured in the island of Majorca. A set of 31 chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) from Cyprus and 33 red-legged partridges (A.

Reliable low-density DNA array based on allele-specific probes for detection of 118 mutations causing familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have a high risk of premature cardiovascular disease (PCVD). Mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene and the R3500Q mutation in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene are known to cause FH, but lack of high-throughput methods makes routine genetic diagnosis difficult. The objective of this work was to develop a DNA array for large-scale identification of mutant LDLR alleles.

Mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from canine infections.

Chronic otitis externa in dogs is often associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Fluoroquinolones are often used for treating such infections. Fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms were characterized in 10 strains of P.