Machine Learning Approach for Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) Semen Quality Assessment

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive approach for assessing fresh ejaculate from Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) drakes to fulfil the requirements of artificial insemination in farm practices. The approach combines sperm kinetics (CASA) with non-kinetic parameters, such as vitality, enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase (AP), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT)), and total DNA methylation as training features for a set of machine learning (ML) models designed to enhance the predictive capacity of sperm parameters. Samples were classified based on their progressive motility and DNA methylation features, exhibiting significant differences in total and progressive motility, curvilinear velocity (VCL), velocity of the average path (VAP), linear velocity (VSL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat-cross frequency (BCF), and live normal sperm cells in favour of fast motility ones. Additionally, there were significant differences in enzyme activities for AP and CK, with correlations to LDH and GGT levels. Although motility showed no correlation with total DNA methylation, ALH, wobble of the curvilinear trajectory (WOB), and VCL were significantly different in the newly introduced classification for "suggested good quality", where both motility and methylation were high. The performance differences observed while training various ML classifiers using different feature subsets highlight the importance of DNA methylation for achieving more accurate sample quality classification, even though there is no correlation between motility and DNA methylation. The parameters ALH, VCL, triton extracted LDH, and VAP were top-ranking for "suggested good quality" predictions by the neural network and gradient boosting models. In conclusion, integrating non-kinetic parameters into machine-learning-based sample classification offers a promising approach for selecting kinetically and morphologically superior duck sperm samples that might otherwise be hindered by a predominance of lowly methylated cells.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) predict higher risk of serious renal dysfunction in patients with CI-AKI

Introduction

The Neutrophil Gellatinase Associated-Lipocalin (NGAL) as a biomarker for kidney damage is less investigated in terms of risk prediction.

Purpose

The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic power of NGAL in detection of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) and it's role for evaluation of the risk for serious renal dysfunction (SRD).

Methods

The study included high risk patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2 and 3 undergoing coronary angiography and/or angioplasty for stable angina. Blood samples for plasma NGAL and serum creatinine (sCr) were collected baseline at the day before, at 4th and 24th hours after contrast exposure. The original risk scale as validated from Brown was used to calculate SRDcreat based on sCr and modified score was established with calculate SRDngal according to baseline levels of NGAL.

Results

The study enrolled 93 patients divided in control group (n=18/19%), CI-AKI group (n=18/19%), subclinical CI-AKI (n=15/16%), CKD 3a stage (n=33/36%) and CKD 3b stage (n=9/10%). The baseline level of NGAL in control group was 76.40±14.70 ng/ml and didn't change significantly after angiography. In the CI-AKI group NGAL increased early after contrast investigation (at 4th hour 139.59±65.57 ng/ml versus baseline values 121.91±59.37 ng/ml; p=0.003) and maintained this tendency until 24th hour (202.88±225.29 ng/ml; p<0.001). In the subclinical CI-AKI pattern of NGAL was similar to CI-AKI with estimated levels at 4th hour 128.18±99 ng/ml (vs baseline values 76.69±29.32 ng/ml, p=0,002). Groups with CKD showed significantly higher baseline level of NGAL (3a stage – 114.98±29.98 ng/ml and 3b stage – 173.30±47.66 ng/ml, p<0.05). The ROC analysis demonstrated AUC 0.889 (95% CI: 0.768–1.000; p<0.001) for diagnostic power of NGAL at 4th hour to detect CI-AKI and AUC 0.731 (95% CI: 0.539–0.924; p=0.024) at 4th hour to detect subclinical CI-AKI. Estimated risk of SRDcreat was 0.41±0.39% in control group and respectively 0.91±1.53% in CI-AKI group (p=0.20); 0.63±0.54% in subclinical CI-AKI (p=0.18), 1.33±1.29% in CKD 3a stage (p<0.001) and 3.0±2.63% in CKD 3b stage (p<0.001). According to baseline values of NGAL calculated risk of SRDngal were 0.41±0.39% in control group and 2.34±4.05% in CI-AKI group (p=0.02 compared to levels in control patients). In the rest groups SRDngal respectively was 0.99±1.28% for subclinical CI-AKI (p=0.09), 2.01±2.53% for CKD 3a stage (p=0.002), and 4.83±4.12% in CKD 3b stage (p<0.001). Direct comparison of the two scales SRDcreat/SRDngal demonstrated significantly higher levels with measurement of NGAL in CI-AKI group (p=0.03) and CKD 3b stage group (p=0.02).

Conclusions

The NGAL is not only a good predictor for clinical/subclinical CI-AKI but can also predict better the level of risk for SRD in patients with CI-AKI than the risk estimated by measurement of sCr. NGAL incorporated in risk calculator may be applied as useful assessment tool in clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Pan-European Study on the Prevalence of the Feline Leukaemia Virus Infection - Reported by the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD Europe)

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus associated with fatal disease in progressively infected cats. While testing/removal and vaccination led to a decreased prevalence of FeLV, recently, this decrease has reportedly stagnated in some countries. This study aimed to prospectively determine the prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats taken to veterinary facilities in 32 European countries. FeLV viral RNA was semiquantitatively detected in saliva, using RT-qPCR as a measure of viraemia. Risk and protective factors were assessed using an online questionnaire to report geographic, demographic, husbandry, FeLV vaccination, and clinical data. The overall prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats visiting a veterinary facility, of which 10.4% were shelter and rescue cats, was 2.3% (141/6005; 95% CI: 2.0%–2.8%) with the highest prevalences in Portugal, Hungary, and Italy/Malta (5.7%–8.8%). Using multivariate analysis, seven risk factors (Southern Europe, male intact, 1–6 years of age, indoor and outdoor or outdoor-only living, living in a group of ≥5 cats, illness), and three protective factors (Northern Europe, Western Europe, pedigree cats) were identified. Using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, the origin of cats in Europe, pedigree, and access to outdoors were important predictors of FeLV status. FeLV-infected sick cats shed more viral RNA than FeLV-infected healthy cats, and they suffered more frequently from anaemia, anorexia, and gingivitis/stomatitis than uninfected sick cats. Most cats had never been FeLV-vaccinated; vaccination rates were indirectly associated with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In conclusion, we identified countries where FeLV was undetectable, demonstrating that the infection can be eradicated and highlighting those regions where awareness and prevention should be increased.

Effect of the Administration of PGF2α Analogue to Extended Boar Semen on Sperm Motility, Morphology and Kinematic Parameters

The addition of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to boar semen prior to insemination improves the conception and farrowing rates in sows. It is accepted that this is due to increased myometrial contractility, which improves the spermatozoa movement. However, there are limited data about the effect of the exogenous PGF2α analogs on sperm motility parameters and morphology. The aim of the current study was to define if there are changes in motility, morphology and kinematic parameters of spermatozoa on 1st and 24th hour after addition of PGF2α analogue to extended boar semen. A total of 18 ejaculates, obtained from clinically healthy boars were diluted 1:3 in semen extender, and each of them was separate into four aliquots, 50 ml each. PGF2α was added to 3 of them in concentrations of 6, 12 and 25 μg/ml, and the fourth served as untreated control. The motility, kinematic parameters and morphology of spermatozoa were evaluated on 1st and 24th hours after addition of PGF2α. There was no significant difference in sperm morphology, total and progressive motility between the untreated and treated groups. There was however a significant decrease in the rapid velocity and some of the kinematic parameters (VCL, VSL and VAP) in the group treated with 25 μg/ml compared to the control at the 1st hour after PGF2α treatment, which (except for the rapid velocity) persisted to the 24th hour. The results indicate that addition of Oestrophan (Bioveta, CZ) to the extended boar semen did not improve the sperm motility, morphology and kinematic parameters of the spermatozoa.

[A rare case of successfully pregnancyand delivery in a woman with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]

We report a case of a pregnant woman with PNH. She was at 31 w.g. During the pregnancy our patient was hypertransfused and used anticoagulation treatment. The patient developed Preeclampsia, Intra-uterine growth retardation and Oligohydramnion. An induced vaginal delivery was done. A healthy child was delivered. There were no other postpartum complications. She was discharged from hospital in satisfactory condition.

UN/EDIFACT based medical documentation and messages

New documentation and messages conforming to the rules of EDIFACT are created and an attempt is made to follow internationally standardised and wordwide available commercial experience. A set of medical documents, aligned with United Nations Layout Key for trade documents is designed. The approach is to develop a set of paper documents and to standardise the data which are filled in these documents. There is a possibility to fill the data directly in medical documents and to print them from the Clinical Information System in our University Hospital.

Correlation between concentration of cholinesterases and the resistance of animals to organophosphorus compounds

The molar concentrations of the catalytic sites of serum cholinesterase (ChE--EC 3.1.1.8.) and cholinesterases (ChEs-acetylcholinesterase (AChE)--EC 3.1.1.7. and ChE) from brain and perfused liver of male birds, rats, swine and sheep were determined. A positive correlation between the molar concentrations of the catalytic sites of ChEs and the resistance of the animals to some organophosphorus compounds (OPhCs) was found. In addition, the present study also showed that the difference of the molar concentrations of catalytic sites of ChEs in the brain, blood serum and liver can cause varied resistance to some OPhCs.