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This study provides information on HEV occurrence in pigs at the slaughterhouse, confirming that muscles are rarely contaminated by HEV-RNA compared to liver, which is the most frequently positive for HEV.Allium sativum L. (garlic bulbs) and Allium fistulosum L. (Welsh onion leaves) showed quantitative differences of identified compounds allicin and alliin (380 µg/mL and 1410 µg/mL in garlic; 20 µg/mL and 145 µg/mL in Welsh onion), and the phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gentisic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, kaempferol, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin, and rutin). The chemical composition determined the inhibitory activity of Allium extracts in a dose-dependent manner, on human normal cells (BJ-IC50 0.8841% garlic/0.2433% Welsh onion and HaCaT-IC50 1.086% garlic/0.6197% Welsh onion) and tumor cells (DLD-1-IC50 5.482%/2.124%; MDA-MB-231-IC50 6.375%/2.464%; MCF-7-IC50 6.131%/3.353%; and SK-MES-1-IC50 4.651%/5.819%). At high concentrations, the cytotoxic activity of each extract, on normal cells, was confirmed by the 50% of the growth inhibition concentration (IC50) value, the cell death induced by necrosis, and biochemical determination of LDH, catalase, and Caspase-3. The four tumor cell lines treated with high concentrations (10%, 5%, 2.5%, and 1.25%) of garlic extract showed different sensibility, appreciated on the base of IC50 value for the most sensitive cell line (SK-MES-1), and the less sensitive (MDA-MB-231) cell line. The high concentrations of Welsh onion extract (5%, 2.5%, and 1.25%) induced pH changes in the culture medium and SK-MES-1 being the less sensitive cell line.Wild birds may host and spread pathogens, integrating the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Particularly, Larus spp. have been described as responsible for the spread of many enteric diseases, primarily because of their large populations at landfill sites. The aim of this study was to examine the role of yellow-legged gulls as a source of enteropathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Yersinia spp., with particular attention to antibiotic-resistant strains. Enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from 93/225 yellow-legged gulls examined from April to July, during a four-year period (2016-2019). Specifically, Campylobacter spp. was isolated from 60/225 samples (26.7%), and identified as C. coli (36/60) and as C. jejuni (24/60). Salmonella spp. was isolated from 3/225 samples (1.3%), and identified as Salmonella arizonae. Shiga toxin-producing E. CX4945 coli were isolated from 30/225 samples (13.3%) samples, and serotyped as E. coli O128 (12/30) O26 (9/30), O157 (6/30) and O11 (3/30); Yersinia spp. was never detected. Isolated strains exhibited multidrug resistance, including vitally important antibiotics for human medicine (i.e., fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines). Our study emphasizes the importance of yellow-legged gulls as potential reservoirs of pathogenic and resistant strains and their involvement in the dissemination of these bacteria across different environments, with resulting public health concerns.Ornamental feather coloration is usually a reflection of male quality and plays an important role during courtship, whereas the essence of male quality at the genetic level is not well understood. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-based mate choice has been observed in various vertebrates. Here, we investigated the relationship between the coloration of cape feathers and the MHC genotypes in golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus). We found that feather coloration differed sharply among different individuals (brightness 1827.20 ± 759.43, chroma 1241.90 ± 468.21, hue 0.46 ± 0.06). Heterozygous individuals at the most polymorphic MHC locus (IA2) had brighter feathers than homozygous individuals (Z = -2.853, p = 0.004) and were more saturated in color (Z = -2.853, p = 0.004). However, feather coloration was not related to other MHC loci or to overall genetic heterozygosity (p > 0.050). Our study suggested that coloration of cape feathers might signal IA2 genotypes in golden pheasants.Congestive heart failure (CHF) has been associated with depleted myocardial coenzyme Q10 (Q10) concentrations in human patients. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between myocardial Q10 concentrations and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) severity in dogs. Furthermore, citrate synthase (CS) activity was analysed to determine if a reduction in myocardial Q10 was associated with mitochondrial depletion in the myocardium. Thirty Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS) in MMVD stages B1 (n = 11), B2 (n = 5) and C (n = 14) according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines and 10 control (CON) dogs of other breeds were included. Myocardial Q10 concentration was analysed in left ventricular tissue samples using HPLC-ECD. CKCS with congestive heart failure (CHF; group C) had significantly reduced Q10 concentrations (median, 1.54 µg/mg; IQR, 1.36-1.94), compared to B1 (2.76 µg/mg; 2.10-4.81, p less then 0.0018), B2 (3.85 µg/mg; 3.13-4.46, p less then 0.0054) and CON dogs (2.8 µg/mg; 1.64-4.88, p less then 0.0089). CS activity was comparable between disease groups. In conclusion, dogs with CHF due to MMVD had reduced myocardial Q10 concentrations. Studies evaluating antioxidant defense mechanisms as a therapeutic target for treatment of CHF in dogs are warranted.

To analyze objective and subjective visual quality differences between descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and ultra-thin descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) with a paired contralateral-eye design.

A cross-sectional, comparative, and observational case series study between DMEK and UT-DSAEK were presented. Visual acuity, refractive status and corneal quality assessment were compared between both endothelial keratoplasty techniques. The sample consisted of 20 eyes (10 patients) diagnosed with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. All measurements were performed preoperatively and at six months after surgery. Analyzed data included the measurement of objective scattering index, modulation transfer function, Strehl ratio, and optical quality assessment (OQAS) values. Contrast sensitivity, subjective patient satisfaction, visual acuity, tomography, pachymetry, endothelial cell count, and refraction status were also analyzed.

Objective and subjective visual quality variables had similar results among UT-DSAEK and DMEK procedures.