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Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) has gain increasing relevance into the companies, which can help in increasing the productivity due to less equipment stoppages. The unavailability of the equipment directly affects the company's performance, which can be measured through the OEE. However, the organization of SMEs is not always properly organized, to have a concrete sense of the losses that can accumulate due to equipment unavailability. This work aimed to develop a framework capable of responding effectively in the beginning of the implementation process of a TPM system. A novel sequence of application of tools was created, both linked to lean and quality, which, when applied in the correct sequence, allow solving some persistent problems in a few steps, resulting in significant gains for companies. The model was applied to a company in the cork industry, and it was possible to verify its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The market globalization and worldwide competition has raised the level of demand in the industrial sector. Due to this aggressive competitiveness, some management strategies and tools needed to start to be applied in the industry. For example, maintenance has become increasingly important in the production planning and strategy of some companies. This work focuses on the implementation of a strategic maintenance plan, applied in an industrial context, namely in a company of Clutches and Hydraulic Controls. The Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodology application was worked on and implemented at two sections, CNC Lathes and CNC Machining Centers, to focus on eliminating losses due to inefficiencies. In this way, the main problems detected in relation to the cells were eliminated. New autonomous maintenance procedures (AM) and preventive maintenance plans with well-defined schedule were also developed. The results obtained were very positive: there was a decrease of 23% in breakdowns in CNC lathes sector and 38% in CNC machining centers sector. In global terms, there was an increase in the availability of the machines and the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of approximately 5%. The implementation procedure and the compromise adopted by the whole company staff and management was the secret to success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The performance of an indirect ELISA test based on Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis recombinant antigen Ssλ20ΔB3 (rec-ELISA), to diagnose pig mange was investigated in 15 experimentally infected and non-infected pigs and 692 commercial pigs from 16 herds in southeast Spain. These latter animals included 6–7 month old fatteners (13 herds), 11–12 month old replacement sows (1 herd) and ≥24 month old breeding sows (7 herds). All pigs were examined for mites in ear skin scrapings and the presence of S. scabiei-associated macroscopic dermatitis; moreover, fatteners were also tested for antibodies against porcine viruses including: Aujeszky disease virus (ADV), swine influenza virus (SIV), type 2 porcine circovirus (PCV2) and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV). S. scabiei and chronic hyperkeratotic dermatitis were detected in breeding sows from 6 herds. Mite prevalence in other pigs was 83% in replacement sows, 0% in 7 fattener's herds and 3–82% in other fattener's herds. All fattener herds had pigs with acute hypersensitivity dermatitis and the percentage of affected pigs and lesion area was significantly greater in S. scabiei infected ones. Rec-ELISA relative optical densities (RODs) were greater in older than in young pigs, as well as in infected compared to non-infected pigs. However, RODs differed significantly between infected individuals, regardless of age and origin (commercial or experimental) and the herd prevalence of S. scabiei. Low repeatability between ELISA microtiter plates, suggesting variable specific antibody binding to antigen, are likely partly responsible for ROD variation. Other potential causes of variation were examined in fatteners using random effects logistic regression analysis, after defining a seropositivity threshold value with receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The logistic model indicated that seropositivity was associated with large dermatitis areas and with the only herd with low PCV2 seroprevalence. Pigs with more extensive dermatitis may have older infections and more rec-ELISA detectable antibodies. The possibility that PCV2, a recognized immunosupressor, depresses antibody production against S. scabiei infection merits further attention. In summary, results indicate some potential of the studied rec-ELISA as a complementary tool for herd-level swine mange diagnosis, and that work to reduce internal and external sources of assay variation is essential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contents This work analyses the effects of a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on in vitro survival of in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos vitrified with the Cryologic Vitrification Method (CVM). Consequences on embryo quality in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation, and levels of embryonic Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp-70) were also examined. Day 7 and 8 bovine in vitro-produced blastocysts were submitted to an HHP treatment (60 MPa, at 32°C for 1 h) and allowed to recover for 1 or 2 h in culture medium. The HHP treatment did not improve blastocyst survival rates after vitrification/warming. Survival (24 h post-warming) and hatching (48 h post-warming) rates were 79.3 ± 4.9 and 51.8 ± 4.2 vs 73.9 ± 4.2 and 44.7 ± 4.1 for untreated controls and HHP-treated embryos, respectively. Total cell numbers measured in fresh embryos were reduced after 1 h at 32°C, with or without HHP treatment, indicating that cell proliferation was stopped as a result of stress. Vitrified HHP-treated embryos that hatched at 48 h after warming showed increased cell numbers in their ICM compared with untreated controls (50.2 ± 3.1 vs 38.8 ± 2.7), indicating higher embryo quality. Treatment of blastocysts with HHP did not alter the level of the Hsp-70 protein. In our conditions, HHP treatment did not affect the cryoresistance of these embryos. However, combination of HHP treatment and vitrification in fibreplugs resulted in an increase in the ICM cell number of hatched embryos 48 h post-warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study collects pathological information concerning sarcoptic mange in sympatric red deer, roe deer, chamois, wolf and red fox from Northern Spain, and discusses reported variations in the response from the different species against Sarcoptes scabiei. Wolf is the only studied species which shows prevalence of the hypersensitivity (alopecic) response to the detriment of the hyperkeratotic form, usually observed in ungulates and fox. The present work shows the use of immunohistochemistry as a valuable tool for the study and diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in those species whose immune response or stage of infestation limits the number of detectable mites, not an unusual difficulty faced when working with sarcoptic mange in wildlife species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of rabbit hemorrhagic disease have occurred recently in young rabbits on farms on the Iberian Peninsula where rabbits were previously vaccinated. Investigation identified a rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus variant genetically related to apathogenic rabbit caliciviruses. Improved antivirus strategies are needed to slow the spread of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study which described the isolation and characterization of a ranavirus responsible for a systemic hemorrhagic disease in tadpoles of the common midwife toad Alytes obstetricians (CMT). It focuses on the virus that caused a mortality rate among tadpoles in the Picas de Europa National Park in Spain. The study shows the molecular characterization of the virus, including sequence analysis of the DNA polymerase and major capsid protein genes. A systemic distribution of the virus in diseased tadpoles is demonstrated, indicating that the isolated virus was the primary pathogen.

RHDVb has become the dominant RHDV on the Iberian Peninsula. A better understanding of its pathogenicity is required to aid control measures. Thus, the clinical course, humoral immune response, viraemia and kinetics of RHDV-N11 (a Spanish RHDVb isolate) infection in different tissues at both viral RNA and protein levels were studied in experimentally infected young and adult rabbits. The case fatality rate differed between the two age groups, with 21% of kits succumbing while no deaths were observed in adults. Fever and viremia were strongly associated with death, which occurred 48 h post infection (PI) too fast for an effective humoral immune response to be mounted. A significant effect on the number of viral RNA copies with regard to the variables age, tissue and time PI (p < 0.0001 in all cases) was detected. Histological lesions in infected rabbits were consistently more frequent and severe in liver and spleen and additionally intestine in kits, these tissues containing the highest levels of viral RNA and protein. Although no adults showed lesions or virus antigen in intestine, both kits and adults maintained steady viral RNA levels from days 1 to 7 PI in this organ. Analysis revealed the fecal route as the main dissemination route of RHDV-N11. Subclinically infected rabbits had detectable viral RNA in their faeces for up to seven days and thus may play an important role spreading the virus. This study allows a better understanding of the transmission of this virus and improvement of the control strategies for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The prevalence and body distribution of Sarcoptes scabiei and associated dermatitis was investigated in sows and boars from four herds with long standing mange. Macroscopic hyperkeratotic dermatitis (crusted mange) was present in 1–6% of herd sows. Mite estimated prevalence (95% CI) in ear scrapings was 11% (6–17%) including 100% (13/13) and 2% (3/134) in sows with and without crusted mange, respectively, and the later had very few mites compared to the former. S. scabiei body distribution and dermatitis were further investigated in 59–64 skin scrapings/sow taken post-mortem from four culled sows including two (sows 1 and 2) with and two (sows 3 and 4) without crusted mange. The proportion of skin samples with eggs, instars or adults was 59% in sow 1, 84% in sow 2, 0% in sow 3 and 3% in sow 4. S. scabiei distribution in sows 1 and 2 ranged from being present in all skin ear and head samples to absent in those from the inner side of the limbs and mammary glands. Crusted lesions were observed in the skin of the ears, neck and lower limbs and contained the largest mite populations. Histopathological analysis of skin samples identified mites, inflammatory cellular infiltrate (mainly lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils) and hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and spongiosis in 78%, 54%, 20% and 25% of samples from sows 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, being lesion severity positively associated to mite presence. The study provides further evidence that in herds with long-standing exposure to S. scabiei, infection becomes highly overdispersed with large mite populations present only in a few pigs and in specific body areas. Although the reasons for mite aggregation have not been identified, it is important controlwise because treating or eliminating a few and easy to identify heavily infected adult pigs, should markedly decrease the herd''s parasite load and reduce the use of acaridal drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This report describes the isolation and characterisation of the common midwife toad virus (CMTV) from juvenile alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris cyreni) and common midwife toad (CMT) tadpoles (Alytes obstetricans) in the Picos de Europa National Park in Northern Spain in August 2008. A comparative pathological and immunohistochemical study was carried out using anti-CMW polyclonal serum. In the kidneys, glomeruli had the most severe histological lesions in CMT tadpoles, while both glomeruli and renal tubular epithelial cells exhibited loci of necrosis in juvenile alpine newts. Viral antigens were detected by immunohistochemical labelling mainly in the kidneys of CMT tadpoles and in ganglia of juvenile alpine newts. This is the first report of ranavirus infection in the alpine newt, the second known species to be affected by CMTV in the past 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]