Increased Mortality in a Colony of Zebra Finches Exposed to Continuous Light

Over a 1-mo period, increased morbidity and mortality occurred in a flock of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Complete postmortem examination was performed on 6 of the affected birds, 4 of which subsequently were diagnosed with the avian gastric yeast previously known as megabacteriosis (Macrorhabdus ornithogaster). The remaining 2 birds were diagnosed with a cloacal abscess and with large bowel perforation and peritonitis. All the birds had been prophylactically treated with amphotericin B for megabacteria 2 mo previously. An environmental assessment revealed that the light cycle had been altered, and the birds were being exposed to constant light. With correction of the light cycle, the health of the birds improved dramatically. The remaining birds were treated again with amphotericin B, and baseline mortality returned to normal. The birds in this report show several similarities to previous reports of sleep deprivation syndrome in mammals.Over a 1-mo period (from late April to late May 2011), a marked increase in morbidity and mortality was noted in a flock of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) at our facility (University of Washington). These birds were involved in a project studying the neural mechanisms of vocal learning. The finches were obtained from Magnolia Bird Farm (Anaheim, CA). In March 2011, a shipment of 50 male birds arrived and was moved into a new space with 2 rooms. One room housed breeding birds in cages containing breeding pairs and offspring; the other room, into which these new arrivals were placed, housed adult male birds in cages of 4 to 9 birds.Birds in the room containing the adult nonbreeders were affected exclusively. Clinical signs consisted of puffed and ruffled feathers, lethargy, increased respiratory effort, and feather loss. These signs were noted in birds that had not undergone experimental manipulation. Several of the birds that died or were euthanized after becoming sick and lethargic were necropsied. Findings on postmortem examination for the majority of cases included emaciated body condition, necrotizing enteritis and colitis and, in individual cases, included bowel perforation and peritonitis and severe pyogranulomatous abscessation. Megabacteriosis (avian gastric yeast; Macrorhabdus ornithogaster) was diagnosed histologically in 4 of the 6 birds evaluated. A light meter was placed in the housing room; results showed that the dark period of the light cycle was absent. The light cycle was corrected, and morbidity and mortality decreased dramatically.     

Study of the intronic polymorphism of the angiotensin 1 converting enzyme among coronary Tunisians

Background

The acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are classified among the major causes of mortality in the industrialized countries. The increased angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACEI) activity related to a genetic polymorphism constitutes a hereditary predisposition to these syndromes.

Aim

Evaluate the ACEI activity in Tunisian patients with coronary heart disease, and investigate the association between this activity and an intronic deletion of 287 pb on the intron 16 of the ACEI gene.

Patients and methods

Seventy-two coronary patients and 34 control subjects are recruited for our study. ACEI activity was measured by kinetic method. The intronic deletion was identified by PCR technique.

Results

An increased activity of ACEI was observed in patients compared with control subjects (84.38 ± 33.83 UI/L vs 59.06 ± 18.2 UI/L, P = 10⁻⁵). The molecular study showed a raised relative frequency of D/D genotype (51.4%) among patients, whereas among the witnesses, I/I genotype prevailed (62%). D/D genotype is always associated with highest ACEI activity for the patients and the control subjects.

Conclusion

The molecular studies and the biochemical investigations of the various parameters of cardiovascular risk (including the ACEI) direct towards a better treatment.     

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis in four diabetics

Mucormycosis is caused by a zygomycetes fungus in a vascular location. This fungus is a saprophytic organism which can become pathogenic in specific conditions, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus. A rhinocerebral localization is common, leading to often fatal devastating sinusitis. Positive diagnosis requires histological proof with characteristic hyphal tissue invasion. Frozen section is essential for diagnosis and management of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report four cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in diabetic patients, two men and two women, mean age 51 years. RESULTS: Histological examination showed characteristic hyphae in a vascular localization. Treatment was systemic antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and debridement of necrotic tissue. Three patients recovered completely. One died. CONCLUSION: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with very poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to report the clinical and pathological features of rhinocerebral mucormycosis and to evaluate the contribution of frozen section for diagnosis and management.     

The effect of 8-weeks proprioceptive exercise program in postural sway and isokinetic strength of ankle sprains of Tunisian athletes

ObjectiveOur objective is to investigate the effects of proprioceptive exercises rehabilitation on isokinetic strength and postural balance in athletes with sprain ankle.Materials and methodsThe ankles of 16 subjects were tested: eight in the functional instability (FI) group and eight non-injured (NI) subjects in the control group. Subjects were asked to take part in a testing session. The test order for the postural stability and isokinetic strength tests was randomized to avoid learning or fatigue effects. The testing session started with a 5-minute warm-up. Subjects were then instructed to perform several lower body flexibility exercises. The test procedure consisted in static assessments, where single-limb (right and left) stance postural stability was assessed. Three practice trials were allowed for each subject. The assessment quantifies postural sway velocity while the athlete stands calmly on one foot on the force plate, for each leg. They were asked to stand as still as possible for 30 s, upper limbs along the body. The subjects were requested to maintain balance with eyes open and then with the eyes closed on the firm surface. The sway velocity (in degrees per second) is given for all trials. Subjects were allowed a 1-minute rest between tests. The regime of isokinetic evaluation of dorsi-plantar flexions is concentric, with three successive speeds: slow (30°/s, reps 5), average (60°/s, reps 10), and fast (120°/s, reps 15), according to the protocol established by European Group for the development and the isokinetic research and the procedural guidelines. Relative moment of strength and times of acceleration and deceleration were calculated for each set of isokinetic testing repetitions per body side, muscle group and testing speed.ResultsThe results of tests–retest and between both groups (injured vs. healthy) show that after eight weeks of proprioceptive work, significant increase of maximal strength, decrease in times of acceleration and deceleration at the level of plantar flexors and better stability of the injured limb at slow and average (P < 0.05). For the healthy limb, improvements varying from 1 to 39% were obtained between test and retest on all the variables. However, these variations were not statistically significant.ConclusionProprioceptive training exercises can effectively stabilize an unstable ankle above for muscular and postural control. However, 8 weeks does not assess whether we have achieved maximum effect. In addition, we do not know to what extent these effects will continue over time. It would be interesting to later re-evaluate the athletes for the effect of this treatment, which is based on a proprioceptive training program on a year or more.     

Molecular analysis of the p.Asn 370 Ser mutation in Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease is one of the most prevalent lysosomal disorders. In this present study, we report a diagnostic strategy of type 1 Gaucher disease. The application of combined methods in molecular biology allowed us to analyse the p.Asn 370 Ser mutation. The affected individual activity is very low. First, we have to used the enzymatic digestion method. Then, we have to identified the mutation by the refractory mutation system technique using specific primers for the p.Asn 370 Ser mutation. These analyses are supplemented by the direct sequencing in order to seek and confirm this mutation. Finally, the absence of the 55 pb deletion in exon 9 among corroborated the presence of the homozygous genotype of this p.Asn 370 Ser in the patient DNA.     

Lidocaïne test for easier and less time consuming assessment of liver function in several hepatic injury models

Purpose

In this study, we developed an ex vivo functional assay to assess liver metabolic capacity adapted from the lidocaïne test in rats.

Methods

Animals used were subjected to different models of liver injury: hypothermic ischemia (H/I, n = 8), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R, n = 8) and CCl₄ induced liver cirrhosis (n = 11), and compared with sham operated rats (n = 5). Livers were then extracted and a fragment of whole tissue was incubated with lidocaïne for 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360, and 720 min at which both lidocaïne and its major metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A histological study and biochemical assays (transaminase levels) were also performed to further evaluate and confirm our data.

Results

Pharmacokinetic profile of lidocaïne metabolism in sham-operated animals revealed that the maximum concentration of MEGX is achieved at 120 min. Both lidocaïne metabolism and MEGX formation levels were significantly altered in all three models of hepatic injury. The extent of hepatic damage was confirmed by increased levels of transaminase levels and alteration of hepatocyte’s structure with areas of necrosis.

Conclusion

Our method provides reliable and reproducible results using only a small portion of liver which allows for a fast and easy assessment of liver metabolic capacity. Moreover, our method presents an alternative to the in vivo technique and seems more feasible in a clinical setting.