Study of the influence of tributyrin-supplemented diets on the gut bacterial communities of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Dietary supplementation with triglyceride tributyrin (TBT), a butyrate precursor, has been associated with beneficial effects on fish health and improvements in the ability of carnivorous fish to tolerate higher levels of plant-based protein. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a plant-based diet supplemented with TBT on the structural diversity and putative function of the digesta-associated bacterial communities of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In addition to this, we also assessed the response of fish gut digestive enzyme activities and chyme metabolic profile in response to TBT supplementation. Our results indicated that TBT had no significant effects on the overall fish gut bacterial communities, digestive enzyme activities or metabolic profile when compared with non-supplemented controls. However, a more in-depth analysis into the most abundant taxa showed that diets at the highest TBT concentrations (0.2% and 0.4%) selectively inhibited members of the Enterobacterales order and reduced the relative abundance of a bacterial population related to Klebsiella pneumoniae, a potential fish pathogen. Furthermore, the predicted functional analysis of the bacterial communities indicated that increased levels of TBT were associated with depleted KEGG pathways related to pathogenesis. The specific effects of TBT on gut bacterial communities observed here are intriguing and encourage further studies to investigate the potential of this triglyceride to promote pathogen suppression in the fish gut environment, namely in the context of aquaculture.

A Controlled Clinical Study of Intensive Neurorehabilitation in Post-Surgical Dogs with Severe Acute Intervertebral Disc Extrusion

Simple Summary

This study explores the potential intensive neurorehabilitation plasticity effects in post-surgical paraplegic dogs with severe acute intervertebral disc extrusion aiming to achieve ambulatory status. The intensive neurorehabilitation protocol translated in 99.4% (167/168) of recovery in deep pain perception-positive dogs and 58.5% (55/94) in deep pain perception-negative dogs. There was 37.3% (22/59) spinal reflex locomotion, obtained within a maximum period of 3 months. Thus, intensive neurorehabilitation may be a useful approach for this population of dogs, avoiding future euthanasia and promoting an estimated time window of 3 months to recover.

Abstract

This retrospective controlled clinical study aimed to verify if intensive neurorehabilitation (INR) could improve ambulation faster than spontaneous recovery or conventional physiotherapy and provide a possible therapeutic approach in post-surgical paraplegic deep pain perception-positive (DPP⁺) (with absent/decreased flexor reflex) and DPP-negative (DDP⁻) dogs, with acute intervertebral disc extrusion. A large cohort of T10-L3 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) dogs (n = 367) were divided into a study group (SG) (n = 262) and a control group (CG) (n = 105). The SG was based on prospective clinical cases, and the CG was created by retrospective medical records. All SG dogs performed an INR protocol by the hospitalization regime based on locomotor training, electrical stimulation, and, for DPP⁻, a combination with pharmacological management. All were monitored throughout the process, and measuring the outcome for DPP⁺ was performed by OFS and, for the DPP⁻, by the new Functional Neurorehabilitation Scale (FNRS-DPP⁻). In the SG, DPP⁺ dogs had an ambulation rate of 99.4% (n = 167) and, in DPP⁻, of 58.5% (n = 55). Moreover, in DPP⁺, there was a strong statistically significant difference between groups regarding ambulation (p < 0.001). The same significant difference was verified in the DPP^– dogs (p = 0.007). Furthermore, a tendency toward a significant statistical difference (p = 0.058) regarding DPP recovery was demonstrated between groups. Of the 59 dogs that did not recover DPP, 22 dogs achieved spinal reflex locomotion (SRL), 37.2% within a maximum of 3 months. The progressive myelomalacia cases were 14.9% (14/94). Therefore, although it is difficult to assess the contribution of INR for recovery, the results suggested that ambulation success may be improved, mainly regarding time.

A Comparison Between Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training and Conventional Over-Ground Training in Dogs With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

In human medicine there was no evidence registered of a significant difference in recovery between body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and conventional over-ground (COGI). There isn't any similar study in veterinary medicine. Thus, this study aimed to compare the locomotor recovery obtained in incomplete SCI (T11–L3 Hansen type I) post-surgical dogs following BWSTT or COGI protocols, describing their evolution during 7 weeks in regard to OFS classifications. At admission, dogs were blindly randomized in two groups but all were subjected to the same protocol (underwater treadmill training) for the first 2 weeks. After, they were divided in the BWSTT group (n = 10) and the COGI group (n = 10) for the next 2 weeks, where they performed different training. In both groups locomotor training was accompanied by functional electrical stimulation (FES) protocols. Results reported statistically significant differences between all OFS evaluations time-points (p < 0.001) and between the two groups (p < 0.001). In particular with focus on T1 to T3 a two-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed and similar results were obtained (p = 0.007). Functional recovery was achieved in 90% (17/19) of all dogs and 100% recovered bladder function. The BWSTT group showed 100% (10/10) recovery within a mean time of 4.6 weeks, while the COGI group had 78% (7/9) within 6.1 weeks. Therefore, BWSTT leads to a faster recovery with a better outcome in general.

IsomiR_Window: a system for analyzing small-RNA-seq data in an integrative and user-friendly manner

BACKGROUND

IsomiRs are miRNA variants that vary in length and/or sequence when compared to their canonical forms. These variants display differences in length and/or sequence, including additions or deletions of one or more nucleotides (nts) at the 5' and/or 3' end, internal editings or untemplated 3' end additions. Most available tools for small RNA-seq data analysis do not allow the identification of isomiRs and often require advanced knowledge of bioinformatics. To overcome this, we have developed IsomiR Window, a platform that supports the systematic identification, quantification and functional exploration of isomiR expression in small RNA-seq datasets, accessible to users with no computational skills.

METHODS

IsomiR Window enables the discovery of isomiRs and identification of all annotated non-coding RNAs in RNA-seq datasets from animals and plants. It comprises two main components: the IsomiR Window pipeline for data processing; and the IsomiR Window Browser interface. It integrates over ten third-party softwares for the analysis of small-RNA-seq data and holds a new algorithm that allows the detection of all possible types of isomiRs. These include 3' and 5'end isomiRs, 3' end tailings, isomiRs with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or potential RNA editings, as well as all possible fuzzy combinations. IsomiR Window includes all required databases for analysis and annotation, and is freely distributed as a Linux virtual machine, including all required software.

RESULTS

IsomiR Window processes several datasets in an automated manner, without restrictions of input file size. It generates high quality interactive figures and tables which can be exported into different formats. The performance of isomiR detection and quantification was assessed using simulated small-RNA-seq data. For correctly mapped reads, it identified different types of isomiRs with high confidence and 100% accuracy. The analysis of a small RNA-seq data from Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) using isomiR Window confirmed that miR-183-5p is up-regulated in Nodular BCCs, but revealed that this effect was predominantly due to a novel 5'end variant. This variant displays a different seed region motif and 1756 isoform-exclusive mRNA targets that are significantly associated with disease pathways, underscoring the biological relevance of isomiR-focused analysis. IsomiR Window is available at https://isomir.fc.ul.pt/ .

Corrigendum to 'Dental pathology of the wild Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus): the study of a 20th century Portuguese museum collection': Veterinary and animal science 9 (2020) 100100

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2020.100100.].

Effect of glycerol feed-supplementation on seabass metabolism and gut microbiota

Dietary glycerol supplementation in aquaculture feed is seen as an alternative and inexpensive way to fuel fish metabolism, attenuate metabolic utilization of dietary proteins and, subsequently, reduce nitrogen excretion. In this study, we evaluated the impact of dietary glycerol supplementation on nitrogen excretion of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and its effects on metabolite profile and bacterial community composition of gut digesta. These effects were evaluated in a 60-day trial with fish fed diets supplemented with 2.5% or 5% (w/w) refined glycerol and without glycerol supplementation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to characterize the effects of glycerol supplementation on digesta metabolite and bacterial community composition of 6-h postprandial fish. Our results showed that ammonia excretion was not altered by dietary glycerol supplementation, and the highest glycerol dosage was associated with significant increases in amino acids and a decrease of ergogenic creatine in digesta metabolome. Concomitantly, significant decreases in putative amino acid degradation pathways were detected in the predicted metagenome analysis, suggesting a metabolic shift. Taxon-specific analysis revealed significant increases in abundance of some specific genera (e.g., Burkholderia and Vibrio) and bacterial diversity. Overall, our results indicate glycerol supplementation may decrease amino acid catabolism without adversely affecting fish gut bacterial communities.Key points• Glycerol can be an inexpensive and energetic alternative in fish feed formulations.• Glycerol did not affect nitrogen excretion and gut bacteriome composition.• Glycerol reduced uptake of amino acids and increased uptake of ergogenic creatine.• Glycerol reduced putative amino acid degradation pathways in predicted metagenome.

Utility assessment of an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of subclinical cases of caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminant flocks

The actual prevalence of CLA (caseous lymphadenitis) in small ruminant flocks is underestimated in many countries, and because it is not a notifiable disease, it will continue to spread without data and information about its real economic impact. The difficulty in the accurate identification of the causative agent in internal subclinical cases allows the disease to spread within and between flocks. This research intends to assess the utility of an ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) test in the detection of internal subclinical cases of CLA in farms and to simultaneously add data on the seroprevalence of the disease in Portugal. Sera from 756 small ruminants, 70% sheep (528/756) and 30% goats (228/756) were screened for antibodies against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis using the ELISA technique based on a recombinant phospholipase D (ELITEST CLA # CK105A^®). The animals showing internal lesions (n ꞊ 58) were sampled for the identification of the aetiological agent. In this investigation, the prevalence of CLA was 34% (258/756), with the ELISA test showing a low specificity (78%) and high sensitivity (100%). The proof was able to detect 57% (13/23) of subclinical cases of CLA confirmed by postmortem examination and conventional PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The results also reveal that goats have a higher propensity for the disease, and dairy farms and non‐extensive production units appear to be more susceptible to CLA. This research clarifies an actual problem and pointed out the importance of CLA in small ruminant herds in Portugal. Finally seems to demonstrate that the ELISA test is a good diagnostic tool for use in CLA eradication programmes.

Dental pathology of the wild Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus): The study of a 20th century Portuguese museum collection

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Dental pathology of wild Iberian wolf was studied in 61 complete skulls and 4 mandibles from a museum collection.

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Museum collections can provide crucial information about wild elusive species.

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The most frequent observed abnormalities were tooth wear, periodontitis and tooth fractures.

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Dental radiography is of a great importance for the diagnose and classification of the dental and periodontal conditions.

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Dental radiography can be useful for the age estimation of archaeological Canis.

For some wild canids, such as the Iberian wolf, there is a lack of in-depth knowledge about dental pathology. We aimed to evaluate it, in a standardized manner, in specimens from a Portuguese museum collection.

Sixty-five deceased specimens of wild Iberian wolves, 61 complete skulls and 4 mandibles, collected in Portugal between 1977 and 1995, were analyzed. Sample comprised 18 females, 24 males and 23 individuals of undetermined sex. Teeth were evaluated by visual observation and dental radiography for tooth wear, periodontitis, fractures and other dental lesions.

We have found several causes for teeth absence: artefactual, secondary to periodontitis and agenesia. About 30% of the teeth showed signs of wear. Only a small (<13%) fraction of maxillary and mandibular teeth did not show periodontitis. The tooth 308 showed periodontitis in all males (p = 0.017) and the tooth 104 was significantly affected by this condition in females (p = 0.020). A significant relationship was found between females and tooth wear in three teeth. Periodontitis showed a significant association with tooth wear (p < 0.001) and fractures (p = 0.027). Tooth fractures were more frequent in the maxilla than in the mandible. Seven periapical lesions, seven root fusions and three specimens with malocclusion were identified in the collection. Results are discussed integrating information from diet, habitat, genetic and spatial behavior.

Dental radiography is here proposed as an approach for the age estimation in archaeological canids. This research contributes to the knowledge of the dental disease in the largest wolf population in Western Europe, a target subspecies of multiple conservation measures.

Feline oral cavity lesions diagnosed by histopathology: a 6-year retrospective study in Portugal

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of oral cavity lesions in cats, their anatomical location and histological diagnosis, and the effect of life stage, breed and sex on different diagnoses.

METHODS

For this purpose, a retrospective study comprising 297 feline oral cavity lesions was performed over a 6-year period between 2010 and 2015. Histopathological records from the DNAtech Pathology Laboratory (Lisbon, Portugal) were analysed.

RESULTS

The incidence of oral disease was higher in male cats (n = 173; 58.4%), mature adults (ranging from 7 to 10 years old [n = 88; 33.0%]) and in the European Shorthair breed (n = 206; 73.6%). The gingiva was the site where oral lesions were most commonly found, with 128 samples (43.1%). Incisional biopsies were used to obtain the majority of samples (n = 256; 86.2%), while excisional biopsies and punch biopsies were performed in 36 (12.1%) and five (1.7%) cases, respectively. Inflammatory and neoplastic lesions accounted for 187 (63%) and 110 (37%) of the studied cases, respectively. Malignancies were found in >80% of neoplastic cases. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis was the most common histological diagnosis (n = 116; 39.1%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n = 49; 16.5%) and eosinophilic granuloma complex (n = 33; 11.1%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The present work, involving a large series of samples of feline oral cavity lesions, from numerous geographically scattered practices and all examined at a reference veterinary pathology laboratory, adds important new understanding of the epidemiology of feline oral disease.

Determination of urokinase-type plasminogen activator serum levels in healthy and oncologic cats

The urokinase plasminogen activator system (uPAS) has been poorly investigated in veterinary oncology. The aim of this study was to determine uPA serum concentrations in healthy and oncologic cats to understand the potential value of uPA as a cancer biomarker. Serum samples were collected from 19 healthy cats and 18 cats with spontaneous malignant neoplasms and uPA was measured through a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The differences between uPA values and their relation with intrinsic factors and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test. The average serum concentration of uPA in cancerous cats (0.54 ± 0.22 ng/mL) differed from that of healthy cats (1.10 ± 1.16 ng/mL) but was not significantly influenced by cats' clinicopathological parameters or by the presence of metastases. This study describes, for the first time, the serum concentrations of uPA in cats and proposes directions for future studies to uncover the relevance of uPAS in feline carcinogenesis.

Serum levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in healthy dogs and oncologic canine patients

Aim:

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) has been scarcely studied in veterinary oncology. The aim of this study was to determine the uPA serum concentrations in healthy and oncologic canine patients and to investigate its potential value as a tumor biomarker.

Materials and Methods:

Serum uPA concentrations of healthy and oncologic canine patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Their relationships with the dogs’ health status and tumor characteristics were analyzed through ANOVA and independent t-test.

Results:

There were no significant differences between mean serum values (±standard deviation) of healthy dogs (0.19±0.13 ng/ml) and oncologic canine patients (0.22±0.33 ng/ml), or between dogs with benign or malignant tumors, and with or without metastases, although the latter tended to show higher uPA serum levels.

Conclusion:

This is the first study describing the uPA serum levels in dogs. Although its results do not support uPA as a tumor biomarker, higher uPA levels in dogs with metastatic neoplasms may reflect the role of the enzyme in tumor progression.

Induction of lipogenesis in white fat during cold exposure in mice: link to lean phenotype

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Futile substrate cycling based on lipolytic release of fatty acids (FA) from intracellular triacylglycerols (TAG) and their re-esterification (TAG/FA cycling), as well as de novo FA synthesis (de novo lipogenesis (DNL)), represent the core energy-consuming biochemical activities of white adipose tissue (WAT). We aimed to characterize their roles in cold-induced thermogenesis and energy homeostasis.

METHODS

Male obesity-resistant A/J and obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice maintained at 30 °C were exposed to 6 °C for 2 or 7 days. In epididymal WAT (eWAT), TAG synthesis and DNL were determined using in vivo ²H incorporation from ²H₂O into tissue TAG and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Quantitative real-time-PCR and/or immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to determine the expression of selected genes and proteins in WAT and liver.

RESULTS

The mass of WAT depots declined during cold exposure (CE). Plasma levels of TAG and non-esterified FA were decreased by day 2 but tended to normalize by day 7 of CE. TAG synthesis (reflecting TAG/FA cycle activity) gradually increased during CE. DNL decreased by day 2 of CE but increased several fold over the control values by day 7. Expression of genes involved in lipolysis, glyceroneogenesis, FA re-esterification, FA oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis in eWAT was induced during CE. All these changes were more pronounced in obesity-resistant A/J than in B6 mice and occurred in the absence of uncoupling protein 1 in eWAT. Expression of markers of glyceroneogenesis in eWAT correlated negatively with hepatic FA synthesis by day 7 in both strains. Leptin and fibroblast growth factor 21 plasma levels were differentially affected by CE in the two mouse strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate integrated involvement of (i) TAG/FA cycling and DNL in WAT, and (ii) hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein-TAG synthesis in the control of blood lipid levels and provision of FA fuels for thermogenesis in cold. They suggest that lipogenesis in WAT contributes to a lean phenotype.

Assessing estuarine environmental quality using fish-based indices: performance evaluation under climatic instability

The seasonal variation of five selected multimetric indices for the determination of the Ecological Quality Status (EQS) of transitional waters was evaluated, as well as the indices' responses to an extreme drought event that occurred in 2005. The database used regards the Mondego River estuary, which was sampled from June 2003 to August 2006 on a monthly basis. Among the selected indices (EBI-Deegan et al. [Deegan, L., Finn, J.T., Ayvazlan, S.G., Ryder-Kieffer, C.A., Buonaccoesi, J., 1997. Development and validation of an Estuarine Biotic Integrity Index. Estuaries 30(3), 601-617], EDI-Borja et al. [Borja, A., Franco, J., Valencia, V., Bald, J., Muxika, I., Belzunce, M.J., Solaun, O., 2004. Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive from the Basque Country (northern Spain): a methodological approach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 48(3-4), 209-218], EFCI-Harrison and Whitfield [Harrison, T.D., Whitfield, A.K., 2004. A multi-metric fish index to assess the environmental condition of estuaries. Journal of Fish Biology 65, 683-710], EBI-Breine et al. [Breine, J.J., Maes, J., Quataert, P., Van den Bergh, E., Simoens, I., Van Thuyne, G., Belpaire, C., 2007. A fish-based assessment tool for the ecological quality of the brackish Scheldt estuary in Flanders (Belgium). Hydrobiologia 575, 141-159] and TFCI - Coates et al. [Coates, S., Waugh, A., Anwar, A., Robson, M., 2007. Efficacy of a multi-metric fish index as an analysis tool for the transitional fish component of the Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55, 225-240]), the EBI by Breine et al. (2007) was the only that evidenced clear interannual and seasonal variations. The EQS by the several indices ranged from "Low" to "High", depending on the index considered, evidencing the high level of mismatch between indices. The results are discussed in the scope of the EU Water Framework Directive, regarding monitoring strategies, application of indices and EQS assessment.

[Job satisfaction in physicians with a career in general clinical medicine]

An inquiry was sent to Portuguese G.P.s all over the country, in order to characterize their professional satisfaction. Through 41 questions, divided into 11 different areas, several factors of satisfaction concerning their work in Health Centers were analyzed, such as working conditions and the professional team work relationship, as well as salaries. According to the results, we may conclude that there is a general deep dissatisfaction among these G.P.s, and a great percentage of them declared they would even change their career if circumstances allowed them.