Search

Background: The proportion of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) in solid‐organ transplant recipients (SOTR) harbouring Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is unknown, as are factors affecting their outcomes. Objective: To describe clinicopathological features of MCC in SOTR, investigate the tumoral MCPyV‐status and identify factors associated with tumour outcomes. Methods: Retrospective, international, cohort‐study. MCPyV‐status was investigated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 30 SOTR and 44 consecutive immunocompetent patients with MCC were enrolled. SOTR were younger at diagnosis (69 vs. 78 years, P < 0.001). Thirty‐three percent of SOTR MCCs were MCPyV‐positive vs. 91% of immunocompetent MCCs (P = 0.001). Solid‐organ transplantation was associated with an increased cumulative incidence of progression (SHR: 3.35 [1.57–7.14], P = 0.002), MCC‐specific mortality (SHR: 2.55 [1.07–6.06], P = 0.034) and overall mortality (HR: 3.26 [1.54–6.9], P = 0.002). MCPyV‐positivity and switching to an mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) after MCC diagnosis were associated with an increased incidence of progression (SHR: 4.3 [1.5–13], P = 0.008 and SHR: 3.6 [1.1–12], P = 0.032 respectively) in SOTR. Limitations: Retrospective design and heterogeneity of SOTR cohort. Conclusions: MCPyV appears to play a less prominent role in the aetiopathogenesis of MCC in SOTR. SOTR have a worse prognosis than their immunocompetent counterparts and switching to an mTORi after the diagnosis of MCC does not improve progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hallux rigidus produces a decrease in the dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and is usually associated with the appearance of osteophytes. Hemiarthroplasty in the first proximal phalanx is a recommended surgical procedure in patients with advanced grade of hallux rigidus. Finite element analysis allows us to understand the biomechanical behavior of the foot. The objective of this work is to evaluate the biomechanical effects of an hemi implant placed in first proximal phalanx. Two models of finite elements are going to be compared, one free of pathologies and the other with a hemiarthroplasty in the first ray of the foot. We detected after inserting the prosthesis in the model that passive windlass mechanism is lost, and the lesser toes become overloaded, which leads to a loss of efficiency in gait as well as being able to cause postsurgical medical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To check how a thermal IR camera can check skin temperature in gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus condition and non‐gastrocnemius‐soleus condition in youth soccer players and thus detect association between the extensibility of the triceps surae (with gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus and non‐gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus) and the muscle temperature pattern. Design: A cross‐sectional study secondary level of care. Methods: Sample from an elite soccer academy in Madrid (Spain) 35 healthy male subjects (youth soccer players) age 12.82 ± 1.07 years, height 158.68 ± 10.79 cm, weight 49.19 ± 9.45 kg, body mass index 19.41 ± 2.25. The exclusion criteria were the presence of musculoskeletal and joint injuries, pelvic pain, ankle sprains, low back pain and use of drugs in the previous week, and scoliosis. Results: Temperature value for gastrocnemius muscles and Achilles tendon were assessed in 35 youth soccer players from an academia before and after training in both 12 gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus and 23 non‐gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus soccer players conditions. State absolute for gastrocnemius soleus condition obtained a 0.34 value (0.19–0.5); we found a significant increase in temperature among these conditions for the gastrocnemius (P = 0.028) and the Achilles tendon (P = 0.007) (confidence interval 95%). The temperature of gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus for gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon was increased more than non‐gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus in youth soccer players. Conclusions: IR imaging captured temperature is associated with muscle pattern activation for lower limb. Based on our findings, we propose that infrared thermography evaluation of the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon is suitable to differ gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus and non‐gastrocnemius‐soleus equinus conditions in youth soccer players. Linked article: This article is commented on by F. Pfab, p. 1838 in this issue. To view this article visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15281 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Mechanical hyperkeratotic lesions (MHL) are common condition amongst population of all ages. Such problems may be associated with pain, reduction in mobility, changes of gait and risk of falls and is believed to affect the quality of life (QoL), general health and optimal foot health. Objective: The main aim of this study was to describe and compare both foot and general health‐related QoL in two groups of participants: (i) with MHL and (ii) healthy controls. Method: A total sample of 150 patients, mean age 49.50 ± 36.50 years, was recruited from an outpatient clinic. Demographic data, medical history and clinical characteristics of overall health were determined, and the obtained values were compared by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ). Results: The FHSQ scores of the sample with MHL showed lower scores than control subjects in sections one and two for footwear, general and foot health, foot pain, foot function and physical activity (P < 0.01), but not for social capacity and vigour (P > 0.01). Conclusions: People with MHL showed a decrease in QoL, based on FHSQ scores, regardless of gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe and compare the impact of foot health and health in general on quality of life in a sample of menopausal women and non-menopausal women with normalized reference values.Methods: A total of 146 participants with a mean age of 50.51 ± 3.977 years came to a health center where self-reported data were registered. Participants were divided into menopausal and non-menopausal groups. Scores obtained were compared by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), which assesses four foot health domains: pain, function, general health and footwear.Results: The menopausal women showed a lower quality of life related to health in general and to foot health specifically. Differences between the two groups were evaluated by means of a t-test for independent samples, showing statistical significance in foot pain, general foot health and social capacity (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Menopausal women had a lower quality of life related to foot health, which appears to be associated with menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Intralesional methotrexate ( MTX-il) has been used as neoadjuvant therapy for keratoacanthoma but has only been utilized in a few isolated cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma as neoadjuvant therapy ( cSCC). Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness in clinical practice of presurgical MTX-il infiltration to reduce the size of the cSCC. Safety and the impact on subsequent reconstructive surgical techniques was also assessment. Methods Single, retrospective, observational study of two historical cohorts differentiated in time. Subjects included were diagnosed with infiltrating cSCC. Patients included in group-A received neoadjuvant MTX-il and patients included in group-B underwent scheduled surgery without prior infiltration. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Group-A patients ( n = 43) showed an average reduction in the tumour area of 0.52 cm2, while in group-B ( n = 43), the area increased by 0.49 cm2. A multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that MTX-il was the only independent variable that significantly reduced the tumour size [mean 42.6% (95% CI: 31.17-54.03)]. Tumours ≥2 cm in size required significantly a lower percentage of complex reconstructions ( P = 0.026). Lower lip tumours showed a higher reduction in group treated with MTX-il ( P = 0.045). The only complication observed was discomfort during methotrexate infiltration (60.47%). Conclusions Neoadjuvant MTX-il reduced the presurgical size of cSCC lesions and could simplify their subsequent surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of this study was to delineate the relationship of the terminal extensor hallucis longus tendon insertion to the proximal limit of the nail matrix of the great toe. Material and methods Fifty fresh-frozen human cadaver great toes with no evidence of trauma (average age, 62.5 years; 29 males and 21 females) were used for this study. Under 25X magnification, the proximal limit of the nail matrix and the terminal bony insertion of the extensor hallucis longus tendons were identified. The distance from the terminal tendon insertion to the nail matrix was ascertained using precision calipers, an optical microscope, and autocad® software for windows. Twenty-five great toes were placed in a neutral formalin solution and further analysed by histological longitudinal-sections. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined microscopically to determine the presence of the extensor hallucis longus tendon along the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx of each great toe. Results The main result we found in great toes was that the extensor tendon is between the matrix and the phalanx and extends dorsally to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx in all, 100%, specimens. The nail matrix of the great toe is not attached to the periosteum of the dorsal aspect of the base of the distal phalanx as is the case for fingers, because the extensor hallucis tendon is plantar or directly underneath the nail matrix and the tendon is dorsal to the bone. Conclusions We have found that the extensor tendon is between the matrix and the phalanx and extends dorsally to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx. The nail matrix of the great toe is not attached to the periosteum of the dorsal aspect of the base of distal phalanx as is the case in fingers, because the extensor hallucis tendon is plantar or directly underneath the nail matrix and the tendon is dorsal to the bone. Our anatomic study demonstrates that the proximal limit of the matrix and nail bed of the human great toe are dorsal and overlapping the terminal extensor hallucis longus tendon until its distal bony insertion in all specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tuberous sclerosis complex ( TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder characterized by the development of multisystem hamartomatous tumours. Topical sirolimus has recently been suggested as a potential treatment for TSC-associated facial angiofibroma ( FA). Aim To validate a reproducible scale created for the assessment of clinical severity and treatment response in these patients. Methods We developed a new tool, the Facial Angiofibroma Severity Index ( FASI) to evaluate the grade of erythema and the size and extent of FAs. In total, 30 different photographs of patients with TSC were shown to 56 dermatologists at each evaluation. Three evaluations using the same photographs but in a different random order were performed 1 week apart. Test and retest reliability and interobserver reproducibility were determined. Results There was good agreement between the investigators. Inter-rater reliability showed strong correlations (> 0.98; range 0.97-0.99) with inter-rater correlation coefficients ( ICCs) for the FASI. The global estimated kappa coefficient for the degree of intra-rater agreement (test-retest) was 0.94 (range 0.91-0.97). Conclusions The FASI is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the clinical severity of TSC-associated FAs, which can be applied in clinical practice to evaluate the response to treatment in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Animal studies have shown that many signs of acute poisoning result from phenol entry into the systemic circulation by absorption or ingestion. While no evidence of systemic complications in patients who have undergone phenol nail matrixectomies have been reported, the safety of phenol vapour inhalation by physicians performing this treatment has yet to be investigated. Objective The goal of this study was to determine whether the levels of phenol to which physicians are exposed to during a phenol-based matrixectomy procedure are within the limits of safe exposure. Methods A continuous prospective study was carried out to measure the urinary phenol concentrations from physicians after performing chemical matrixectomy for ingrown toenails. Results The highest concentration of urinary phenol was measured at almost 10 mg/L within the first 2 h after exposure, and subsequently decreased approximately 1 mg/L every 2 h for the first 10 h post exposure. The levels dropped to 3 mg/L at 72 h post exposure. Conclusions The risk associated with phenol exposure while performing chemical phenol matrixectomy was well below the current safety limits when the physician is exposed to 90% phenol vapour for approximately 20 min. Thus, no further specific safety recommendations are required for physicians performing this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For treatment of ingrown toenails, a phenolization is often chosen. Many reports describe an intra-operative irrigation or lavage of the wound with various types of alcohol to neutralize any residual phenol from this treatment. There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether a true neutralization is required or merely effective removal of excess phenol. The aim of our study was to analyse the suitability and effectiveness of the alcohol lavage step during the treatment of ingrown toenails with a phenolization procedure. We performed an in vitro study using human skin and a diffusion cell apparatus to measure the amount of phenol remaining after various lavage washes. The effect of phenol evaporation was also examined. There was no measurable amount of phenol collected after each experiment, suggesting that diffusion of phenol through the skin does not exist. The open compartment test had significantly less phenol recovered compared with the occluded compartment test, indicating phenol evaporation. None. An alcohol lavage step after the phenolization procedure can be a suitable and effective means of diluting and removing any excess or residual phenol from the exposed area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) causes significant economic loss in salmonid aquaculture. We previously detected genetic variation for BCWD resistance in our rainbow trout population, and a family-based selection program to improve resistance was initiated at the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture (NCCCWA). This study investigated evidence of major trait loci affecting BCWD resistance using only phenotypic data (without using genetic markers) and Bayesian methods of segregation analysis (BMSA). A total of 10,603 juvenile fish from 101 full-sib families corresponding to 3 generations (2005, 2007, and 2009 hatch years) of the NCCCWA population were challenged by intraperitoneal injection with Flavo bacterium psychrophilum, the bacterium that causes BCWD. The results from single- and multiple-QTL models of BMSA suggest that 6 to 10 QTL explaining 83 to 89% of phenotypic variance with either codominant or dominant disease-resistant alleles plus polygenic effects may underlie the genetic architecture of BCWD resistance. This study also highlights the importance of polygenic background effects in the genetic variation of BCWD resistance. The polygenic heritability on the observed scale of survival status (hobserved2 = 0.45) observed is slightly larger than that previously reported for rainbow trout BCWD resistance. These findings provide the basis for designing informative crosses for QTL mapping and carrying out genome scans for QTL affecting BCWD resistance in rainbow trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nail disorders are frequent among the geriatric population and unfortunately, repeat avulsion procedures often result in complications. Objective To utilize a phenol-based total matricectomy technique for permanent nail ablation and evaluate its effectiveness. Methods We performed total nail ablation on 34 toenails of the hallux (30 patients) with a gauze–phenol application technique and evaluated the degree of pain reported by the patient 12 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative stage. Furthermore, we evaluated the patients’ satisfaction with the final cosmetic appearance as well as their satisfaction with the overall procedure. Results All patients reported ‘too much’ or ‘severe’ pain prior to surgery and 94.11% reported ‘no pain’ 12 months post-surgery. A vast majority of the patients (82.35%) felt pleased with the cosmetic results and all patients reported that they were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘strongly satisfied’ with the procedure when interviewed at their 12 month follow-up examination. Limitations There were a limited number of participants in this study across an extensive timeframe. Conclusion Phenol-based total nail ablation with specific gauze application is safe, inexpensive and has a high rate of patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family–based selection program was initiated at the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture in 2005 to improve resistance to bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) in rainbow trout. The objective of this study was to estimate response to 2 generations of selection. A total of 14,841 juvenile fish (BW = 3.1 g; SD = 1.1 g) from 230 full–sib families and 3 randomly mated control lines were challenged intraperitoneally with Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the bacterium that causes BCWD, and mortalities were observed for 21 d. Selection was applied to family EBV derived from a proportional–hazards frailty (animal) model while constfaining rate of inbreeding to ⩽1% per generation. After adjusting for nongenetic effects, survival rate of select–line families increased by 24.6 ± 6.8 and 44.7 ± 6.7 (cumulative) percentage points after 1 and 2 generations of selection, respectively (P < 0.01). Genetic trend, estimated from a linear animal model that fit genetic group effects, was 19.0 ± 4.1 percentage points per generation and approached significance (P = 0.07). Heritability estimates from the proportional–hazards frailty model and linear animal model were similar (0.22 and 0.23, respectively), and family EBV from both models were highly correlated (–0.92). Accuracy of selection, estimated as the correlation between midparent EBV and progeny survival rate, was 0.20 (P < 0.01) for the proportional–hazards frailty model and 0.18 (P = 0.01) for the linear animal model. Accuracy estimates were not different (P = 0.81) between the models. This study demonstrates that selective breeding can be effective for improving resistance to experimental BCWD challenge in rainbow trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a first step toward the genetic mapping of QTL affecting stress response variation in rainbow trout, we performed complex segregation analyses (CSA) fitting mixed inheritance models of plasma cortisol by using Bayesian methods in large full-sib families of rainbow trout. To date, no studies have been conducted to determine the mode of inheritance of stress response as measured by plasma cortisol response when using a crowding stress paradigm and GSA in rainbow trout. The main objective of this study was to determine the mode of inheritance of plasma cortisol after a crowding stress. The results from fitting mixed inheritance models with Bayesian GSA suggest that 1 or more major genes with dominant cortisol-decreasing alleles and small additive genetic effects of a large number of independent genes likely underlie the genetic variation of plasma cortisol in the rainbow trout families evaluated. Plasma cortisol is genetically determined, with heritabilities of 0.22 to 0.39. Furthermore, a major gene with an additive effect of -42 ng/mL (approximately 1.0 genetic SD) is segregating in this rainbow trout broodstock population. These findings provide a basis for designing and executing genome-wide linkage studies to identify QTL for stress response in rainbow trout broodstock and markers for selective breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to estimate the heritabilities for and genetic correlations among resistance to bacterial cold-water disease and growth traits in a population of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Bacterial cold-water disease, a chronic disease of rainbow trout, is caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum. This bacterium also causes acute losses in young fish, known as rainbow trout fry syndrome. Selective breeding for increased disease resistance is a promising strategy that has not been widely used in aquaculture. At the same time, improving growth performance is critical for efficient production. At the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, reducing the negative impact of diseases on rainbow trout culture and improving growth performance are primary objectives. In 2005, when fish averaged 2.4 g, 71 full-sib families were challenged with F. psychrophilum and evaluated for 21 d. Overall survival was 29.3% and family rates of survival varied from 1.5 to 72.5%. Heritability of postchallenge survival, an indicator of disease resistance, was estimated to be 0.35 ± 0.09. Body weights at 9 and 12 mo posthatch and growth rate from 9 to 12 mo were evaluated on siblings of the fish in the disease challenge study. Growth traits were moderately heritable, from 0.32 for growth rate to 0.61 for 12-mo BW. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between growth traits and resistance to bacterial cold-water disease were not different from zero. These results suggest that genetic improvement can be made simultaneously for growth and bacterial cold-water disease resistance in rainbow trout by using selective breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in land use and fire directly affect the physico-chemical properties of the soil. In an eastern Spanish area, we analysed the effects of land-use history and fire frequency prior to fire on soil fertility 9 years after fire. The results showed that long-term cultivation caused decreases in soil organic matter, total nitrogen (N) and C/N. Between 20 and 40 years after cropping ceased, soil organic carbon (C) and total N had generally not recovered values similar to those found in soils that were never cropped. Total phosphorus and available phosphorus contents were larger in the latest abandoned plots than in the earliest abandoned plots and the uncropped ones, which was interpreted as a result of fertilization. Increasing fire frequency from one to two fires generally caused a decrease in soil organic C, total N, C/N, total phosphorus and available phosphorus. We observed that the losses of organic C in the soil caused by fire were larger among the uncropped plots and hypothesized that fuel loads and thus fire intensities were larger in these ecosystems. Our results also suggested that both long-term cultivation and fire would tend to separate C and P cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesometeorological information obtained in several research projects in southern Europe has been used to analyze perceived changes in the western Mediterranean summer storm regime. A procedure was developed to disaggregate daily precipitation data into three main components: frontal precipitation, summer storms, and Mediterranean cyclogenesis. Working hypotheses were derived on the likely processes involved. The results indicate that the precipitation regime in this Mediterranean region is very sensitive to variations in surface airmass temperature and moisture. Land-use perturbations that accumulated over historical time and greatly accelerated in the last 30 yr may have induced changes from an open, monsoon-type regime with frequent summer storms over the mountains inland to one dominated by closed vertical recirculations where feedback mechanisms favor the loss of storms over the coastal mountains and additional heating of the sea surface temperature during summer. This, in turn, favors Mediterranean cyclogenesis and torrential rains in autumn–winter. Because these intense rains and floods can occur anywhere in the basin, perturbations to the hydrological cycle in any part of the basin can propagate to the whole basin and adjacent regions. Furthermore, present levels of air pollutants can produce greenhouse heating, amplifying the perturbations and pushing the system over critical threshold levels. The questions raised are relevant for the new European Union (EU) water policies in southern Europe and for other regions dominated by monsoon-type weather systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the observed heterogeneity in fire severity produced within wildfires, we asked to what extent this heterogeneity might affect post-fire regeneration. For this purpose, we studied the post-fire dynamics of Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Sampling was stratified on the basis of fire severity. We defined three fire severity classes based on the degree of consumption of the pine canopy. The results suggested that there is no clear relationship between seedling density and fire severity; however, mortality was lower and growth (height, shoot biomass and root biomass) was higher in the high severity class. These results can be explained by soil processes: Sites in the high fire severity class may have sustained higher fire intensities, resulting in higher soil organic matter mineralisation and higher ash deposition, and thus in higher post-fire soil fertility. This higher fertility would produce faster growth in pine seedlings. Independent of the severity class, seedling mortality was higher in quadrats (50 × 50 cm) with higher cover of the perennial grass Brachypodium retusum (Poaceae), suggesting a possible competitive effect. For all plots in all 3 severity classes, spatial analysis suggests an aggregate seedlings pattern, but with independence from the position of the adult (source) trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year about 45 000 forest fires occur in Europe, burning half a million hectares of forests and rural lands; between 1995 and 2004, more than 4 million hectares burned in the Mediterranean Region alone. Post-fire management of burned areas has been given much lesser attention than combating or preventing fires. However, important questions raise public concern and call for sound scientific knowledge to undertake appropriate post-fire actions: e.g., how to evaluate fire damages in economical terms? How to manage burned areas? Is it possible to establish, in the long-term, less flammable and more fire resilient forests and landscapes? To address these questions, a network of researchers and practitioners working in the field of fire ecology and forest management from all around Europe has been established in the frame of "COST Action FP0701-Post-Fire Forest Management in Southern Europe", supported by the European Union Research and Technology Development Framework Program. The Action aims to: i) develop and disseminate scientifically based decision criteria for planning post-fire forest management, from the stand to the landscape level; ii) translate this scientific knowledge into management practices; iii) connect scientists and stakeholders for exchanging experiences, evaluating these practices, and putting them into practice. To achieve these objectives the scientific groups involved will a) review and summarize the current scientific knowledge on post-fire management in Europe, by gathering and evaluating the results of previous and ongoing research; b) translate this knowledge into technical recommendations, by producing thematic reports, a book on the state-of-the-art of scientific knowledge on post fire assessment, and an electronic handbook on post-fire restoration; c) disseminate this knowledge to stakeholders, practitioners and decision makers. Besides publications and a project website already active (http://uaeco.biol.uoa.gr/cost/), training schools and one major conference will be organized. Although focused on Southern Europe, the outcomes of this Action will be crucial for central and northern European countries as well, as climate change and land use changes often leading to more homogeneous and expanding forest areas are already increasing fire hazard in those regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: A case report and literature review is presented. OBJECTIVE: To review relevant data for the management of Bertolotti's syndrome and to determine whether the transverse process-ilium articulation may be a pain generator. BACKGROUND: Bertolotti's syndrome is associated with axial low back pain secondary to arthritic changes; the pain generator in the disorder is unclear. METHODS: We present a case report of symptomatic Bertolotti's syndrome managed with intra-articular steroid injections. RESULTS: A patient with Bertolotti's syndrome had significant relief of axial pain after steroid injection of the ilium-transverse process articulation. CONCLUSIONS: Steroid therapy may be a non-surgical alternative for the treatment of symptomatic Bertolotti's syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavobacterium Columnare, the causative agent of columnaris disease (CD), is distributed around the world in fresh water sources, infecting freshwater finfish species. Recently, it has been identified as an emerging problem for the rainbow trout aquaculture industry in the U.S. Two live-attenuated vaccines have been commercialized, but their efficacy in rainbow trout is still not clear. The purpose of this study was to prospect genomic regions that explain large portion of the additive genetic variance of CD resistance in rainbow trout. Two important aquaculture populations were investigated: The National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture (NCCCWA) odd-year line, with resistance to bacterial cold water disease (BCWD), and the Troutlodge, Inc., May odd-year (TLUM) nucleus breeding population, which provided 54,350 and 36,265 pedigree records, in which 8,453 and 3,986 fish had CD resistance phenotype records, respectively. Fish that survived to 21 days post immersion challenge were recorded as resistant (phenotype = 2), and those that did not were rated as susceptible (phenotype = 1). Genotypes for 57k SNP (Affymetrix Axiom ®) were available for 1,185 and 1,137 fish from NCCCWA and TLUM, respectively. The SNP effects and variances were estimated using the weighted single-step genomic BLUP approach for genome-wide association (WssGBLUP), which uses pedigree, genotypes, and phenotypes from genotyped and ungenotyped animals. The weighting strategy accounted for 1 Mb moving SNP-windows. Genomic regions that explained more than 1% of the additive genetic variance were considered associated with CD resistance. A total of 13 windows located on six chromosomes were found to be associated with CD resistance in the NCCCWA population: two windows, located at 59 to 60 Mb and 61 to 62 Mb on chromosome Omy17, explained 12% and 11.33% of the genetic variance for CD resistance, respectively. In the TLUM population, a total of 16 windows located on nine chromosomes were detected. Only three similar windows (located on two chromosomes) were detected in both populations. The results suggest that CD resistance has an oligogenic architecture, and the SNP windows found to be associated with CD are not informative enough for selection decisions across populations. A moderate positive genetic correlation has been previously shown between CD and BCWD resistance in the NCCCWA population. One factor that might have contributed to detecting different QTL for CD resistance in the two populations is the five generations of selective breeding for BCWD resistance applied to the NCCCWA population in contrast to no selection pressure for disease resistance in the TLUM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the effects of tourniquet ischaemia and time safety in toe surgery. Topics covered include the appropriate application time of a toe tourniquet to avoid risk to local tissues, the association of the length of tourniquet time on the development of post-operative wound hypoxia, causing delayed wound healing, and complications related to using any type of peripheral limb tourniquet.

A letter to the editor related to the evaluation of the antiseptic efficacy of intraoperative antiseptic (IA) scrub used after nail avulsion surgery to prevent recontamination is presented.

The article discusses a study which maps the Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes in rainbow trout. It describes the mapping of TLR genes (TLR3, TLR5, TLR22) and the discovery, as well as the mapping of three additional TLR genes with strong sequence similarity to TLR20, TLR22 and TLR23. It shows the chromosome locations of TLR3, TLR5, TLR20 and TLR22 in trout, zebrafish, Tetraodon, and human.

The article presents a study which involves mapping of rainbow trout's genes in a region associated with upper temperature tolerance. Mapping of five genes, which were identified in rainbow trout, to two chromosome regions associated with upper temperature tolerance in salmonids is discussed. Results of the mapping of two functional candidate genes, as well as the expressed sequence tags are offered.