Phaidra - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
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Impact of platelet lysate on immunoregulatory characteristics of equine mesenchymal stromal cells
No full textMultipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) play an increasing role in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases and inflammatory processes. They regulate immune cells via cell-cell contacts and by secreting various anti-inflammatory molecules but are in turn influenced by many factors such as cytokines. For MSC culture, platelet lysate (PL), which contains a variety of cytokines, is a promising alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS). We aimed to analyze if PL with its cytokines improves MSC immunoregulatory characteristics, with the perspective that PL could be useful for priming the MSC prior to therapeutic application. MSC, activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and indirect co-cultures of both were cultivated in media supplemented with either PL, FBS, FBS+INF-? or FBS+IL-10. After incubation, cytokine concentrations were measured in supernatants and control media. MSC were analyzed regarding their expression of immunoregulatory genes and PBMC regarding their proliferation and percentage of FoxP3+ cells. Cytokines, particularly IFN-? and IL-10, remained at high levels in PL control medium without cells
but decreased in cytokine-supplemented control FBS media without cells during incubation. PBMC released IFN-? and IL-10 in various culture conditions. MSC alone only released IFN-? and overall, cytokine levels in media were lowest when MSC were cultured alone. Stimulation of MSC either by PBMC or by PL resulted in an altered expression of immunoregulatory genes. In co-culture with PBMC, the MSC gene expression of COX2, TNFAIP6, IDO1, CXCR4 and MHC2 was upregulated and VCAM1 was downregulated. In the presence of PL, COX2, TNFAIP6, VCAM1, CXCR4 and HIF1A were upregulated. Functionally, while no consistent changes were found regarding the percentage of FoxP3+ cells, MSC decreased PBMC proliferation in all media, with the strongest effect in FBS media supplemented with IL-10 or IFN-?. This study provides further evidence that PL supports MSC functionality, including their immunoregulatory mechanisms. The results justify to investigate functional effects of MSC cultured in PL-supplemented medium on different types of immune cells in more detail
Evaluation of sensor-based health monitoring in dairy cows: Exploiting rumination times for health alerts around parturition
No full textThe use of sensor-based measures of rumination time as a parameter for early disease detection has received a lot of attention in scientific research. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of health alerts triggered by a sensor-based accelerometer system within 2 different management strategies on a commercial dairy farm. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled during the dry-off period and randomly allocated to conventional (CON) or sensor-based (SEN) management groups at calving. All cows were monitored for disorders for a minimum of 10 DIM following standardized operating procedures (SOP). The CON group (n = 199) followed an established monitoring protocol on the farm. The health alerts of this group were not available during the study but were later included in the analysis. The SEN group (n = 197) was only investigated when the sensor system triggered a health alert, and a more intensive monitoring approach was implemented according to the SOP. To analyze the efficiency of the health alerts in detecting disorders, the sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of health alerts were determined for the CON group. In
addition, all cows were divided into 3 subgroups based on their health status and the status of the health alerts in order to retrospectively compare the course of rumination time. Most health alerts (87%, n = 217) occurred on DIM 1. For the confirmation of diagnoses, health alerts showed SE and SP levels of 71% and 47% for CON cows. In SEN cows, SE of 71% and 75% and SP of 48% and 43% were found for the detection of ketosis and hypocalcemia, respectively. The rumination time of the subgroups was affected by DIM and the interaction between DIM and the status of health alert and health condition
Expression of somatostatin receptors in canine and feline meningioma
No full textThe standard treatment for canine and feline meningiomas includes radiotherapy, surgical excision or combined therapy. However, new therapeutic approaches are required due to the possible recurrence or progression of meningiomas despite initial therapy. Adjunctive therapy with synthetic long-acting somatostatin (SST) analogues has been described in humans with SST-expressing tumours. The expression of SST receptors (SSTRs) by feline meningiomas is currently unknown, and there are little data about canine meningiomas. We hypothesized that SSTR is expressed by canine and feline meningiomas (S1).Seven canines and 11 felines with histologically confirmed meningiomas underwent STTR screening. RNA expressions of SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR3 and SSTR5 (canine) and SSTR1-SSTR 5 (feline) in fresh frozen and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were investigated using real-time (RT)-qPCR. The expression of SSTR1 and SSTR2 in FFPE samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The specificity of applied antibodies for canine and feline species was confirmed by western blotting.In canine meningiomas (n = 7), RNA expression of SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR5 was detected in all samples; SSTR3 RNA expression was detected in only 33% of samples. In feline meningiomas (n = 12), RNA expression of SSTR1, SSTR4, SSTR5 and SSTR2 was detected in 91%, 46%, 46% and 36% of samples, respectively; SSTR3 was not expressed. Overall, the detection rate was lower in FFPE samples. IHC revealed the expression of SSTR1 and SSTR2 in all samples from both species. However, it is important to exercise caution when interpreting IHC results due to the presence of diffuse background staining.SSTRs are widely expressed in canine and feline meningiomas, thereby encouraging further studies investigating SSTR expression to conduct trials about the effect of adjunctive therapy with long-acting SST-analogues
Wooden tongue depressors as oviposition substrate for the detection of container-breeding Aedes species in ovitraps – Do we miss something?
No full textDuring dental scaling in dogs under general anaesthesia, contamination of the peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) is unavoidable due to splatter and the generated aerosol. Bacterial contamination was compared between two commonly used PIVC placement sites. Thirty-nine client-owned dogs with a minimum length from their nose to their tail base of 50 cm were randomly assigned to receive a PIVC in either their cephalic or saphenous vein. Irrespective of the PIVC placement site, brain heart infusion agar dishes were placed in the cephalic and saphenous vein areas. Their lids were closed 0, 5, and 10 min into the procedure. Contamination was measured by counting the colony-forming units after incubation on different substrates. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and ANCOVA (p< 0.05). The cephalic vein area showed a significantly higher bacterial load than the saphenous vein area (p ≈ 0.0) regardless of the length of the dog. Furthermore, the dorsal PIVC injection ports were sampled before and after scaling, and the colonies isolated were counted and subjected to MALDI-TOF-MS for identification. The bacteria mainly belonged to the genera Staphylococcus, Neisseria, and Bacillus. Our results suggest that for dental scaling in dogs, the PIVC should be placed in the pelvic limb whenever possible to reduce the potential risk of contamination
Listeria monocytogenes colonises established multispecies biofilms and resides within them without altering biofilm composition or gene expression
No full textListeria (L.) monocytogenes can survive for extended periods in the food producing environment. Here, biofilms possibly provide a niche for long-term survival due to their protective nature against environmental fluctuations and disinfectants. This study examined the behaviour of a L. monocytogenes ST121 isolate in a multispecies biofilm composed of Pseudomonas (P.) fragi, Brochothrix (B.) thermosphacta, and Carnobacterium (C.) maltaromaticum, previously isolated from a meat processing facility. The composition of the biofilm community and matrix, and transcriptional activity were analysed. L. monocytogenes colonised the multispecies biofilm, accounting for 6.4?% of all total biofilm cells after six hours. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 127 significantly up-regulated L. monocytogenes genes compared to the inoculum, including motility, chemotaxis, iron, and protein transport related genes. When comparing the differentially expressed transcripts within the multispecies biofilm with and without L. monocytogenes, only a cadmium/zinc exporting ATPase gene in C. maltaromaticum was significantly upregulated, while the other 9313 genes in the biofilm community showed no significant differential expression. We further monitored biofilm development over time (6, 24?hours and 7 days). P. fragi remained the dominant species, while L. monocytogenes was able to survive in the multispecies biofilm accounting for 2.4?% of total biofilm cells after 7 days, without any significant changes in its abundance. The presence of L. monocytogenes did neither alter the biofilm community nor its matrix composition (amount of extracellular DNA, carbohydrates, and protein). Our data indicate that L. monocytogenes resides in multispecies biofilms, potentially increasing survival against cleaning and disinfection in food processing environments, supporting persistence
Exclusion of Superinfection or Enhancement of Superinfection in Pestiviruses-APPV Infection Is Not Dependent on ADAM17
No full textSome viruses can suppress superinfections of their host cells by related or different virus species. The phenomenon of superinfection exclusion can be caused by inhibiting virus attachment, receptor binding and entry, by replication interference, or competition for host cell resources. Blocking attachment and entry not only prevents unproductive double infections but also stops newly produced virions from re-entering the cell post-exocytosis. In this study, we investigated the exclusion of superinfections between the different pestivirus species. Bovine and porcine cells pre-infected with non-cytopathogenic pestivirus strains were evaluated for susceptibility to subsequent superinfection using comparative titrations. Our findings revealed significant variation in exclusion potency depending on the pre- and superinfecting virus species, as well as the host cell species. Despite this variability, all tested classical pestivirus species reduced host cell susceptibility to subsequent infections, indicating a conserved entry mechanism. Unexpectedly, pre-infection with atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) increased host cell susceptibility to classical pestiviruses. Further analysis showed that APPV can infect SK-6 cells independently of ADAM17, a critical attachment factor for the classical pestiviruses. These results indicate that APPV uses different binding and entry mechanisms than the other pestiviruses. The observed increase in the susceptibility of cells post-APPV infection warrants further investigation and could have practical implications, such as aiding challenging pestivirus isolation from diagnostic samples
Hidden Causes of Variation in Offspring Reproductive Value: Negative Effects of Maternal Breeding Age on Offspring Telomere Length Persist Undiminished Across Multiple Generations
No full textOffspring of older breeders frequently show reduced longevity, which has been linked to shorter offspring telomere length. It is currently unknown whether such telomere reduction persists beyond a single generation, as would be the case if germline transmission is involved. In a within-grandmother, multi-generational study using zebra finches, we show that the shorter telomeres observed in F1 offspring of older mothers are still present in the F2 generation even when the breeding age of their F1 mothers is young. The effect was substantial: 43% shorter telomeres in grandoffspring from the \u27grandmother old at breeding\u27 line compared with those from the \u27grandmother young at breeding\u27 line. Shorter telomeres at fledging in this species are associated with a reduction in lifespan. Our data demonstrate the need to look beyond a single generation to explain inter-individual variation in ageing rates and thereby variation in optimal allocation of age-specific reproductive effort
Diet diversity, individual heterozygosity and habitat heterogeneity influence health parameters in Eurasian Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus)
No full textThe loss of habitat heterogeneity due to agricultural intensification has led to a global decline in farmland birds. Among them is the Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, which occupies high trophic levels and may be adversely affected by reduced food quantity or quality and consequent health impacts. In this study, we investigate the effects of habitat heterogeneity, individual heterozygosity and diet diversity on five different health indices (integument coloration, dietary antioxidants, haematocrit, body condition and parasite infection). The study was conducted in farmland areas of western Finland during a year of exceptionally low vole abundance. We found no obvious relationship between diet diversity and habitat heterogeneity. An interaction between diet diversity and individual heterozygosity in females suggested that diet specialists were able to maintain more intensely coloured integuments only if they had higher genetic diversity. In addition, more heterozygous females were less likely to be infected with Haemoproteus than females with lower individual genetic diversity. Finally, specialist males with lower diet diversity had higher body condition than males with a more generalist diet. Our results suggest that variation in individual quality and foraging ecology should be considered in conjunction with spatial variation in habitat heterogeneity to understand sex-specific variation in kestrel health. These findings add to a better understanding of the mechanisms linking land-use change to health indices in a common avian predator, which can be used as a health sentinel in European agroecosystems
Multilocus Sequence Typing and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Foods Surveyed in Kosovo
No full textIn the absence of data on the reporting of L. monocytogenes resistance to antibiotics, we sought to determine which clonal complexes (CCs)/sequence types (STs) circulate in the food chain in Kosovo and to determine their antibiogram profiles to a panel of 18 antibiotics. From a total of 114 isolates, 21 different typical STs were identified by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Each isolate derived from the food categories was subjected to tests to verify its susceptibility to the selected antibiotics according to the designed Sensititre GPN3F panel. Among the different STs that were identified, CC9-ST9 was more abundant in meat products (38.75%) while CC29-ST29 was more abundant (24.0%) in dairy products. Moreover, these isolates showed marked resistance against levofloxacin (22.8%), gentamicin and rifampicin (17.5%), quinupristin/dalfopristin (14.9%), erythromycin (11.4%), penicillin (7.89%), tetracycline (1.75%), and streptomycin (0.88%). A total of 27 multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) phenotypes were observed amongst the isolates, which ranged from 3 to 12. The ARI of the food category including meat and meat products (MMP, 0.22) and fish meat products (FMP, 0.26) were >0.2, the permissible Krumperman threshold. The number of strains with MAR values >0.2 was 34, (29.8%). The identification of typical multidrug-resistant STs among L. monocytogenes isolates in Kosovo constitutes a potential threat to food safety and public health, which requires a continuous and expanded surveillance system to prevent the further spread of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) isolates
Ist der Index nach Allberg und Miles für die Bestimmung der proximodistalen Patellalage beim Hund geeignet?
No full textDiplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2024Messungen der proximodistalen Patellalage werden bei Hunden mit Patellaluxation empfohlen. Bei abnormen Werten sollte eine chirurgische Korrektur in Betracht gezogen werden. In dieser Studie wurde eine validierte Winkelmessmethode, Tibia-Plateau-Patella- Winkel (TPPA), mit einer Neuen, A-M-Index, verglichen. Dabei wurden für beide Messungen zwei Methoden mit unterschiedlichen Knochenpunkten verglichen und der Einfluss von Beobachter:innen beziehungsweise Kniegelenkstellung auf den Messwert statistisch untersucht. Es wurden 50 seitliche Röntgenbilder des Hundes mittels offenem Winkelwerkzeug von zwei Beobachterinnen vermessen. Für den TPPA P1 und P2 wurde der Scheitelpunkt an zwei verschiedenen Tibia-Stellen festgelegt. Beim A-M-Index M1 und M2 wurden unterschiedliche Knochenpunkte an Tibia und Patella festgelegt. Bei jedem Fall wurde ebenfalls die Kniegelenkstellung bestimmt. Mittels statistischer Verfahren wurde die Reproduzierbarkeit der Messmethoden geprüft. Außerdem wurde eine lineare Regressionsanalyse durchgeführt, um den Zusammenhang von Kniegelenkstellung und entsprechender Winkelmessmethode zu überprüfen. Der TPPA hat eine höhere Reproduzierbarkeit als der A-M-Index: ICC(P1)= 0,895 und ICC(P2)= 0,833 im Vergleich zu ICC(M1)=0,576 und ICC(M2)=0,686. Die Kniegelenkstellung beeinflusst den TPPA indirekt proportional. Der A-M-Index ist von der Kniegelenkstellung unabhängig. Der Winkel P1 hat die höchste Reproduzierbarkeit (ICC(P1)= 0,895) und die geringste Standardabweichung (SD=3,404) in Bezug auf beide Beobachterinnen. Der Winkel M2 hat eine höhere Reproduzierbarkeit (ICC(M2)=0,686) und Standardabweichung (SD=5,648) als der Winkel M1. Der A-M-Index ist zwar von der Kniegelenkstellung unabhängig, weist aber im Vergleich zum TPPA eine niedrigere Reproduzierbarkeit im Vergleich unerfahrener und erfahrener Beobachter:innen auf. Zukünftige Studien könnten die Weiterentwicklung des A-M-Index hinsichtlich besser erkennbarer Knochenpunkte zum Ziel haben, um ein Messinstrument zu entwickeln, das gut reproduzierbar und von der Kniegelenkstellung unabhängig ist.Measurements of the proximodistal patellar-placement are recommended for the diagnosis of dogs with patella luxation. If there are abnormal scores a surgical correction should be considered. In this study a validated method of angular measurement, Tibia-Plateau-Patellar- Angle (TPPA), is compared with a new method of angular measurement. For both measurements two methods with different landmarks are compared. The impact of the observer or the stifle angle position was statistically examined. Fifty medio-lateral radiographs of dogs were measured with open angle tool. The vertex of the angle for TPPA P1 and P2 is compiled at two different landmarks of the tibiae. Whereas the A-M-Index M1 and M2 had different landmarks at patella and tibia. In each case the angle of the stifle was measured. With statistical methods the reproducibility of the methods was analyzed. A linear regression analysis was done to test the correlation of stifle angle position and the corresponding method. TPPA had a higher reproducibility than the A-M-Index: ICC(P1)= 0,895 and ICC(P2)= 0,833 in contrast to ICC(M1)=0,576 and ICC(M2)=0,686. The stifle angle position influences the TPPA indirect proportional. The A-M-Index was found to be independent from the angle of the stifle. The angle P1 had the highest reproducibility (ICC(P1)= 0,895) and lowest standard deviation (SD=3,404) in the study in relation to both observers tetsted. The angle M2 had a higher reproducibility (ICC(M2)=0,686) and standard deviation (SD=5,648) than angle M1. Results of this study demonstrate that the A-M-Index is independent from the stifle angle position and the TPPA has a lower reproducibility in comparison of experienced and inexperienced observer. Future studies could be done to improve the A-M-Index and find better recognizable landmarks to develop a method that has a good reproducibility and still be independent of the stifle angle position