Therapeutic potential of cristobalite in the treatment of calf diarrhea

Calf diarrhea continues to be the major problem of calves in the neonatal period. The effect of zeolites has been increasingly studied in ruminant health in recent years. In the present study, the efficacy of cristobalite, a zeolite, in neonatal calf diarrhea was studied first time. For this purpose, twenty-five neonatal calves with diarrheas were divided into two groups, and Group 1 (n=12) received conventional treatment and Group 2 (n=13) received cristobalite (Zoosorb 10 mg/kg) orally 3 times a day in addition to conventional treatment. Escherichia coli k99 and CS31a, bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus were isolated from fecal samples at the beginning of the treatment, on the third day and before discharge. It was determined that the recovery period in Group 2 was 0.95 (20.6%) days shorter than in Group 1 (p⟨0.05) while no viral agents were found on the fifth day in Group 2, viral shedding continued in 4 of 5 calves in Group 1. In conclusion, the study revealed that cristobalite speeds the recovery time and possibly decreases viral shedding in neonatal calf diarrhea, demonstrating a remarkable efficiency in the treatment.

Is the fourth port routinely required for laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Our three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy experience

BACKGROUND

There have been many changes in number and place of trocars that have been described, since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), but, in fact, all authors agree that laparoscopic procedure is accepted as gold standard. However, four trocars use in standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it has been argued that the fourth port is not necessary for grasping fundus of gallbladder so as to expose Calot's triangle. The aim of this study is to establish the safety of three-trocar LC in symptomatic gallbladder disease and also to determine the ratio of technical requirements of the fourth trocar.

METHODS

Between August 2010 and January 2016, 291 cases were operated in Kocaeli Derince Education and Research Hospital, department of general surgery for symptomatic gallbladder disease with three-port LC, and their records were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty patients were female (75.6 %) and seventy one (24.4 %) were male. Two hundred and eighteen of two hundred and ninety-one cases (74.92 %) were operated with three- port LC in a secure way. In seventy-three cases (25.08 %), one more port was needed to use. Mean operative time was 33.76 ± 11:18 min. (15-90 min). In these cases, major complications, such as main bile duct injury or bile leakage, that may increase the mortality and morbidity, did not occur. Only in one case (0.34 %) postoperative bleeding was seen from the liver bed, which was required exploration.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that in experienced hand, LC with three ports is safe and feasible technique if it is not endanger the course of the surgery.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of experimental Vagococcus salmoninarum infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792)

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis and histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following experimental vagococcosis. For this purpose, 60 rainbow trout were used. The experimental study used the pathogen Vagococcus salmoninarum. The fish were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with an inoculate containing 0.1 mL of the bacteria, resulting in a dose of 1.2 × 10(9) cfu mL(-1) per fish. For histopathological observations, tissue samples were taken from fish that died during the experiment and fish that survived until the end of the trial (60th day). All the tissue samples were immunohistochemically stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex and immunofluorescence methods using polyclonal antibody to detect V. salmoninarum antigens. In immunoperoxidase staining, positive reactions to bacterial antigens were most commonly seen in the kidney, heart and liver. In the immunofluorescence analysis, the distribution of antigens in the tissue and organs was similar to that observed with the immunoperoxidase staining. The results reveal an important correlation between histochemical and immunohistochemical staining in demonstrating the distribution of V. salmoninarum antigens in the affected tissues.

Characterization of Enterococcus faecalis isolates originating from different sources for their virulence factors and genes, antibiotic resistance patterns, genotypes and biofilm production

In this study, 72 Enterococcus faecalis isolates originating from humans (n=39), dogs (n=26) and cats (n=7) were investigated for some virulence factors, some virulence genes, antibiotic resistance phenotypes, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) patterns and biofilm production. Of the isolates, 31 (43.1%) were positive for gelatinase, 11 (15.3%) for aggregation substance and cytolysine, 38 (52.8%) for gelE and 34 (47.2%) for asa1 genes. All isolates were found to be negative for hyl, esp and cylA genes. All isolates were found to be resistant to nalidixic acid and kanamycin. On the other hand, all isolates were cited for susceptible to amoxicillin. Vancomycin resistance genes (vanA, vanB, vanC1/C2 or vanD) have not been detected in any of the phenotypically vancomycin resistant isolates. Isolates from humans, dogs and cats were grouped into 8, 2 and 4 antibiotypes depending upon susceptibilities to 12 different antibiotics. In all human, dog and cat isolates, 9, 12 and 2 genotypes were determined by RAPD-PCR, respectively. Nine (34.6%) of the dog isolates were found to be positive for biofilm production. This study showed that multiple antibiotic resistance among human isolates is more frequent than in dog and cat isolates.

Up-regulation of inflammatory and thrombotic mediators in lung cancer and their modulation by oral anticoagulantion

7705

Background: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are associated with lung cancer and significantly contributes to the increased mortality in these patients. While the increased prevalence of VTE is fully recognized in lung cancer, its pathogenesis is not fully understood at this time. Even the patients undergoing therapeutic interventions are at high risk to develop VTE. Profiling of surrogate markers of thrombosis and inflammation provides an opportunity to understand the pathogenesis of thrombosis in these patients. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, controlled study patients with inoperable lung cancer (n=100) were randomized to receive chemotherapy, radiation and warfarin (INR 1.5–2.5) or chemotherapy, radiation without warfarin (n=50). Blood samples were drawn prior to and after the second treatment cycle with warfarin. All samples were analyzed for such inflammation markers as the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF a), CD 40 ligand (CD 40L), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, prothrombin fragment F1.2 (F1.2) and thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) were also measured. Results: The results are summarized in the following table . All of the surrogate markers of inflammation showed a decreased trend (13–50%) in the warfarin treated group, whereas the non-warfarin treated group exhibited an increase (18–46%) in all markers except CRP and ADMA. The markers of thrombin generation were down regulated in the warfarin treated group. Conclusions: The levels of various inflammatory markers are upregulated in lung cancer suggesting a pathogenic role of this process in lung cancer. Warfarin down regulated the inflammatory and thrombogenic processes in contrast to the non-warfarin treated group. The clinical relevance of these observations require additional analysis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Table: see text]

High plasma D-dimer level is associated with decreased survival in patients with lung cancer

AIMS

An elevated plasma D-dimer level indicates the activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. In the present study, we investigated the association of pre-treatment haemostatic parameters (D-dimer, fibrinogen and prothrombin fragment 1+2) with clinicopathological parameters and outcome in patients with lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma levels of D-dimer and other parameters were measured in 78 evaluable patients with lung cancer (60 non-small cell lung cancers, 18 small cell lung cancers). At diagnosis, 35 patients (44.9%) were locally advanced stage (IIIA/B) and 43 patients (55.1%) had metastatic disease (IV). Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out using Cox's proportional hazards model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the cut-off values for D-dimer, fibrinogen and prothrombin fragment 1+2.

RESULTS

The median survival for all patients was 264 days (95% confidence interval 200-328 days). A significant association between the plasma levels of D-dimer and the response to chemotherapy was observed (P=0.03). With the univariate analysis, tumour stage, pre-treatment plasma levels of D-dimer, fibrinogen, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase concentration and Karnofsky performance status were predictive for survival. With the multivariate analysis (P< or =0.1), the plasma level of D-dimer (P<0.001), tumour stage (P=0.01) and Karnofsky performance status (P=0.02) were identified as independent predictive factors. The median survival times were 405 days (95% confidence interval 165-644 days) and 207 days (95% confidence interval 146-267 days, P<0.001), respectively, for patients with a low D-dimer level (< or =0.65 microg/ml) and a high D-dimer level (>0.65 microg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated plasma levels of D-dimer in patients with lung cancer are associated with decreased survival and a poor response to treatment. Pre-treatment for the D-dimer level may be useful in the prediction of survival and the response to treatment.

Increased levels of inflammatory mediators in lung cancer and their modulation by oral anticoagulant treatment

17050

Background: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are associated with lung cancer and significantly contributes to the increased mortality in these patients. While the increased prevalence of VTE is fully recognized in lung cancer, its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Even the patients undergoing therapeutic interventions are at high risk to develop VTE. These patients provide a unique clinical setting to investigate the pathogenesis of lung cancer associated thrombosis. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, controlled study patients with inoperable lung cancer (n = 100) were randomized to receive chemotherapy, radiation and warfarin (INR 1.5–2.5) or chemotherapy, radiation without warfarin (n = 50). Blood samples were drawn prior to and after the second treatment cycle with warfarin. All samples were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), CD 40 ligand (CD 40L), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO). Results: Summarized in the table given below. All of the surrogate markers of inflammation showed a decreased trend (13–50%) in the warfarin treated group, whereas the non-warfarin treated group exhibited an increase (18–46%) in all markers except CRP and ADMA. Conclusions: The levels of various inflammatory markers are upregulated in lung cancer suggesting a pathogenic role of this process in lung cancer. Warfarin down regulated the inflammatory process in contrast to the non-warfarin treated group. The clinical relevance of these observations require additional analysis.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Diaphragmatic hydatid disease

Hydatid disease caused by echinococcus granulosus is still a serious problem in both underdeveloped and developing countries. Clinical signs of the disease are not specific. Most patients have no symptom or sign when a hydatid cyst is discovered. Symptoms depend on its complications, location and size. Parasite can settle in every organ and tissue in the human body. We report two cases with diaphragmatic hydatid disease with no other cyst present.