In vitro characteristics of X- and Y-bearing ram spermatozoa sorted by bovine serum albumin (BSA) column and TLR7/8 ligand R848

The quality of the separated fractions in sex-sorted semen is very important for the success of the artificial insemination. This study aimed to evaluate some in vitro characteristics (DNA quantity, kinematic parameters and enzymes activity) of X- and Y-bearing ram spermatozoa sorted by bovine serum albumin (BSA) column and toll-like receptors (TLR)7/8 ligand R848. The ejaculates from six rams were collected by artificial vagina and subjected to a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Total motility and percentage of the sperms with rapid and medium progressivity or non-progressivity in whole ejaculates and in X and Y fractions were analyzed. Activity of the enzymes ALP, GGT, CK, LDH and accumulation of lactate in the seminal plasma of ejaculates and in the environmental fluid of sexed spermatozoa were measured by biochemical analyzer. DNA was isolated from precipitated spermatozoa, and its quantity was measured. For both protocols the DNA mass from X-bearing fractions was higher, than from Y-bearing fractions. The high total motility of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa as well as greater percent sperms with progressive motility were observed after use of BSA protocol. The application of TLR7/8 ligand R848 protocol led to reducing of Y-sperm motility and enhancement of non-progressivity in both fractions, which corresponded to the determined high amount of the extracellular lactate. For both methods, the significantly reduced activity of enzymes in the X and Y spermatozoa environmental fluids was established. Both protocols produce X- and Y-sperm fractions with satisfactory quality (over 80% total motility and over 50% rapid and medium progressive spermatozoa in each fraction).

Clinical retrospective study of vaginal hyperplasia in the bitch (2012-2022)

A retrospective study was used to analyse canine vaginal hyperplasia ambulatory cases in Small animal clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria between 2012 and 2022. The study was done to investigate the morbidity of vaginal hyperplasia in the bitch and its relationship with the breed, body weight, age, stage of the oestrous cycle, parity of dogs and grade of the condition. Grade II and grade III vaginal hyperplasia were observed in 3.11% of all female dog genital pathological cases. Twenty-eight canine breeds were affected and the largest number were Central Asian Shepherds (30.47%). Most frequently the dogs were between 2 and 3 years old (29.68%), above 40 kg body weight (58.59%) and during follicular phase (proestrus and oestrus) of the oestrous cycle (82.02%). All the affected bitches were non-spayed (100%) and nulliparous were 70.31% of them. Grade III vaginal hyperplasia was more frequently observed (53.13%) than grade II of the condition. High correlation was found between age of the bitches and grade of the vaginal hyperplasia (R2  = .551; SEE = 0.053), body weight and grade of the condition (R2  = .820; SEE = 0.054), and age of the animals and their body weight (R2  = .820; SEE = 1.27).

Effect of Ovarian Status on Reproductive Performance in Dairy Heifers Inseminated with Sexed Semen

Background: The intensive reproductive management in the dairy farms requires inclusion of a large group of replacement heifers in the breeding program for a shorter period. In this aspect, a creation of effective estrus synchronization protocols with timed artificial insemination (TAI) by sexed semen and optimization of the current ones have a crucial role for obtaining high pregnancy rate. These protocols are beneficial, because they led to reduced interval to first AI, lack of need for estrus detection, and allow obtaining a large group of female calves for on time. Because of limited fertilizing potential of sexed spermatozoa this type of semen is applied mainly for heifers, as fertility is higher compared to lactating cows. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ovarian status on the reproductive performance in dairy heifers subjected to estrus synchronization and timed artificial insemination with sexed semen. Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-eight Holstein healthy heifers separated in 2 groups were subjected to PGF2α-GnRH pre-treatment and Ovsynch or PRID-5-day estrus synchronization protocol and timed artificial insemination (TAI) with sex-sorted semen, staring 6 days after end of the hormonal pre-treatment. The ovarian status (presence of follicles with or not a corpus luteum) of the heifers at the begin of the treatment, on day of TAI and pregnancy rate in different groups were determined and compared. Additionally, the ovarian status at the begin of the treatment, ovarian status and size of preovulatory follicle (PF) on day of TAI and total values for both groups according to reproductive performance (pregnant or non-pregnant) were also analyzed. On day of TAI the animals with PF and a lack of corpus luteum (CL) in both groups were more that those with PF and CL (39.3% and 30% vs. 60.7 % and 70%), with significant (P < 0.05) difference in PRID-5-day group. The pregnancy rate tended to be higher in PRID-5 day than Ovsynch treatment (65% vs. 35.7%). A higher percentage (100% and 67.9%) of the pregnant animals in both treatments had not CL on day of TAI, and the size of the PF (1.58 ± 0.12 cm and 1.64 ± 0.13 cm) was increased (P < 0.05). Similar effects of the ovarian status on reproductive performance were obtained after a comparison of the total values between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. The percentage of heifers with observed PF without CL on day of TAI was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in pregnant compared to non-pregnant group (91.3% vs. 40%). The opposite dependence was determined for the parameter presence of follicles and corpus luteum (8.7% vs. 60%; P < 0.05).  Furthermore, the size of the PF measured immediately before TAI was increased in animals became pregnant (1.60 ± 0.12 cm vs. 1.34 ± 0.17 cm; P < 0.05). Discussion: The analysis of the obtained results showed that the ovarian status on day of TAI affects the reproductive performance in dairy heifers subjected to estrus synchronization and timed artificial insemination with sexed semen. Hormonal pre-treatment with onset of PRID-5-day protocol 6 days later and TAI with sex-sorted semen ensure acceptable pregnancy rate. The greater preovulatory follicle and a lack of corpus luteum before insemination provide significantly (P < 0.05) more pregnant animals, compared to the cases when CL is presented. Ultrasound determination of the ovarian function before insemination can be used in selection of heifers for TAI with sex-sorted semen.                   Keywords: heifers; estrus synchronization; sexed semen, pregnancy.

Attenuation of 7-ketocholesterol- and 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced oxiapoptophagy by nutrients, synthetic molecules and oils: Potential for the prevention of age-related diseases

Age-related diseases for which there are no effective treatments include cardiovascular diseases; neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease; eye disorders such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration; and, more recently, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). These diseases are associated with plasma and/or tissue increases in cholesterol derivatives mainly formed by auto-oxidation: 7-ketocholesterol, also known as 7-oxo-cholesterol, and 7β-hydroxycholesterol. The formation of these oxysterols can be considered as a consequence of mitochondrial and peroxisomal dysfunction, leading to increased in oxidative stress, which is accentuated with age. 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol cause a specific form of cytotoxic activity defined as oxiapoptophagy, including oxidative stress and induction of death by apoptosis associated with autophagic criteria. Oxiaptophagy is associated with organelle dysfunction and in particular with mitochondrial and peroxisomal alterations involved in the induction of cell death and in the rupture of redox balance. As the criteria characterizing 7-ketocholesterol- and 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced cytotoxicity are often simultaneously observed in major age-related diseases (cardiovascular diseases, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease) the involvement of these oxysterols in the pathophysiology of the latter seems increasingly likely. It is therefore important to better understand the signalling pathways associated with the toxicity of 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol in order to identify pharmacological targets, nutrients and synthetic molecules attenuating or inhibiting the cytotoxic activities of these oxysterols. Numerous natural cytoprotective compounds have been identified: vitamins, fatty acids, polyphenols, terpenes, vegetal pigments, antioxidants, mixtures of compounds (oils, plant extracts) and bacterial enzymes. However, few synthetic molecules are able to prevent 7-ketocholesterol- and/or 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced cytotoxicity: dimethyl fumarate, monomethyl fumarate, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG126, memantine, simvastatine, Trolox, dimethylsufoxide, mangafodipir and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) inhibitors. The effectiveness of these compounds, several of which are already in use in humans, makes it possible to consider using them for the treatment of certain age-related diseases associated with increased plasma and/or tissue levels of 7-ketocholesterol and/or 7β-hydroxycholesterol.

Dominant follicles development and estradiol-17β concentrations in non-ovulating and ovulating post-partum Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes

This study was designed to evaluate the dominant follicles development and the estradiol-17β concentrations in non-ovulating and ovulating post-partum buffaloes. Sixteen Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes were submitted to transrectal ultrasonographic examination from the 1st post-partum day until day 50, 3 days apart. The follicular diameter of the different categories of follicles and the ovulations was recorded. The animals were allocated into two groups: I (n = 6) non-ovulating and II (n = 10) ovulating buffaloes. Serum estradiol-17β concentrations on the days for dominant follicle registration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were statistically processed by analysis of variance, non-parametric and correlation analysis. The mean intervals between calving and first dominant follicle detection differed significantly (p < .05) among the groups (19.5 ± 6.2 vs. 13.8 ± 5.1 days), while the mean intervals between registered dominant follicles from two successive waves were comparable. The mean follicular diameters for the same category follicles in both groups were similar. Different estradiol-17β concentrations (p < .05) for the first dominant follicle between non-ovulating (23.5 ± 7.0 pg/ml) and ovulating (33.3 ± 8.4 pg/ml) buffaloes were determined. The cumulative percentages of buffaloes with firstly detected dominant follicle and ovulating animals correlated positively (r ≥ .84; p < .05) to post-partum days. In conclusion, non-ovulating and ovulating post-partum Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes showed differences in the development of the first dominant follicle and estradiol-17β concentrations during the time of dominant follicles detection.

Anti-Platelet Fraction Isolated from Galega Officinalis

A fraction from crude extract of Galega officinalis has been purified by column chromatography on Sephadex G-25, Sepharose 4B, DEAE-Cellulose and Sephadex G-100. The final purification factor of the fraction is 120. The peak in elution profile after Sephadex G-150 shows a molecular weight of 100-140 kDa. The isolated fraction appears to have 74% polysaccharides and 23% of proteins. No loss of activity of the final fraction is observed after storage for several months at 4°C and in lyophilized condition. The fraction compounds inhibit platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and thrombin.

Treatment with Suprelorin in a pregnant cat

Suppression of oestrus is of major interest in feral cat populations, but also in breeding queens temporarily not intended for breeding. Slow release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist implants are a new off-label approach for reproduction control in cats. However, initially, oestrus induction may occur and no data exist regarding what happens if previously mated queens are treated. This case report presents a queen mismated 9 and 8 days before treatment with a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant. The queen delivered four healthy kittens 66 days after mismating, but showed no interest in the kittens and lactation was not adequate. Progesterone and oestradiol concentrations were monitored and the queen was followed until the return of oestrus and subsequent breeding. The next oestrus was observed 498 days after treatment and the queen was mated in the second oestrus afterwards, became pregnant and delivered two healthy kittens, both of which were raised successfully by the queen. This case report clearly shows that pregnancy following a GnRH-agonist implant may go to term, but maternal care might be influenced owing to hormonal changes induced by treatment. In addition, this is the first report demonstrating reversibility of effects induced by long-term treatment with a deslorelin implant (return to oestrus, fertility and normal maternal care).

[Intoxication syndrome in acute cholecystitis in elderly and old people]

Acute cholecystitis in elderly and old patients is characterized by quickly developing intoxication syndrome. The aim of this survey is to assess the intoxication syndrome in 46 patients, suffering from acute cholecystitis--17 men and 29 women. Clinical signs/ present status, temperature, pulse, respiration, as well as laboratory results/leucocytes, blood count, leucocyte index of intoxication-- LII / are used. The value of LII correspond with the clinical status of the patient and histological findings.

[Surgical diseases of thyroid gland]

Medical reports of 8,768 patients with various diseases of thyroid gland were analyzed. There were 1,563 (17.8) male and 7,201 (82.2%) female patients aged 6 to 86 years. One-nodular goiter was diagnosed at 13.85% patients, multinodular goiter - at 67.2%, diffuse toxic goiter - at 5.85%, thyreotoxic adenoma - at 4.91%, Hashimoto's thyroiditis - at 8.16% patients. Thyroid cancer was revealed at 1.56 patients with nodular goiter, at 8.45% - with multinodular goiter, at 2.72% - with diffuse toxic goiter, at 3.71% - with thyreotoxic adenoma, and at 27.09% patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Totally thyroid cancer was diagnosed at 741 (8.45%) patients including 71.12% papillary cancer, 26.47% follicular cancer and 2.42% medullar (anablastic) cancer. Some patients had metastases. It is concluded that all the patients with goiter should be operated. At diffuse toxic goiter the surgical treatment is indicated at the patients with recurrences or after 6 - 12 months of conservative treatment without clinical improvement.

[Surgical diseases of the thyroid gland]

7264 patients with different thyreopathies have been analysed, as follows: Basedov's disease (446 = 6.13%), thyreotoxic adenoma (Plummer's disease - 974 = 14.4%), nodular struma (1077 - 14.82%), polynodular struma (3291 = 45.3%), Hashimoto's thyreoiditis (1476 = 20.31%). 2879 of them have been having indications of thyreotoxicosis 39.63%). Carcinoma has been found in 908 patients = 12.5%. In the different forms, carcinoma has been found in 5.15% of the cases of Basedov's disease, 5.03% of the cases of thyreotoxic adenoma, in 8.91% of the cases of nodular struma, in 12.57% of the patients with polynodular struma, and in 32.21% of the cases of Hashimoto's thyreoiditis. The relatively high percentage of carcinoma in Hashomoto's thyreoiditis turns the disease into precancerocis. The positions of the authors are ... concerning the operative treatment of each thyreopathy.

[To the surgical tactics in complicated colorectal carcinoma in patients with increased operative risk]

For the period comprised between 1995 and 2005, 247 patients have been under our scrutiny, all of them accepted under emergency due to a complicated colorectal carcinoma, aged between 50 and 89 years, of which 55 women, or 22.26%, and 192 men, or 79.35%. The objective of this study is to show the risk factors for the outcome of this disease, complicated by the following factors: the age factor, concommittant diseases, late diagnosis, high operative risk, as well as the results from the treatment of the patients. It that radical and relatively radical operations are achieved at least in 73 patients (29.56%), the operative mortality nearing 10%, while the 5-year survival time does not excede 32% at a minimum survival rate for this country as a whole of 60% in non-complicated colorectal operable carcinoma.

[Thymectomy for myastenia gravis: 25-year experience]

OBJECTIVE

Thymectomy is considered an effective therapeutic option for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). We reviewed our 25-years experience with surgical treatment of MG with respect to long-term results and factors affecting outcome.

METHODS

Between 1978 and 2002, we performed 232 thymectomies for MG. Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up; the remaining 217 form the object of our study. 32 patients (28.4%) had thymoma. Myasthenia was graded according to a modified Osserman classification: 51 patients (23.5%) were in class I, 81 (37.3%) in class IIA, 52 (24%) in class IIB, 26 (12%) in class III and seven (3.2%) in class IV. Mean duration of symptoms before the operation was 14 +/- 10 months. Fifty-eight thymectomies for thymoma were performed through a median sternotomy and four through a clamshell incision. Forty-six thymectomies for non-thymomatous MG were performed through a standard cervicotomy, 155 procedures through a partial upper sternal-splitting incision and eight through a complete median sternotomy.

RESULTS

Operative mortality was 0.92% (two patients). After a mean follow-up of 119 months, 77% of all patients improved their clinical status (26% without medications and asymptomatic; 45% with a reduction of medications and/or clinically improved); 39 (18%) have a stable disease with no clinical modifications; 12 (5%) presented a deterioration of their clinical status with worse symptoms, required more medications, or both. Thirteen patients (6%) died because of MG (mean survival 34.3 +/- 3.6 months). The presence of a thymoma negatively influenced the prognosis. Younger patients showed a more favorable outcome as well as patients with a shorter duration of symptoms before the operation; patients with lower classes of myasthenia showed a higher rate of remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Thymectomy is effective in the management of patients with MG at all stages with low morbidity. Patients with thymoma present a less favorable outcome.

[Sectio ceasarea isthmicolongitudinalis--a forgotten beginning and/or groundless fear?]

A retrospective analysis of the frequency, indications, intra- and postoperative complications in isthmicotansverse (ITS) and isthmicolongitudinal (ILS) cesarean section has been conducted with a view to justifying the wider application of ISL in modern obstetrics. For a five-year period (1996-2000) at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of St. Ann Hospital-Sofia a total of 522 cesarean section were performed of which 348 (66.7%) with isthmicotansverse incision and 174 (33.3%) with isthmicolongitudinal incision. The data show that ILS were ith less blood loss and with less intra- and postoperative complications and it was applied in all types of obstetric indications and urgent cases. Having in mind the good results and the fact that ILS is a technique which could be performed by every obstetrician familiar with ITS, The authors are convinced that isthmicolongitudinal cesarean section can find a wider application in everyday obstetric practice.

Ultrasound follow-up study of arthroscoped patients with gonitis

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate by ultrasound methods and carry out a one-year follow-up study of synovial proliferation in the knee joint of patients with rheumatoid arthritis prior to and after arthroscopy and arthroscopic (AS) synovectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

24 patients with a proven rheumatoid arthritis and affected knee joints were recruited for the study. Arthroscopic synovectomy of one of the affected joints was performed in all of them. The synovitis was evaluated clinically and ultrasonographically in 24 knee joints prior to the AS synovectomy and 7 days, and 3, 6 and 12 months after it.

RESULTS

Either synovial thickening or villonodular proliferation in the knee joints were the findings in the examined patients using arthrosonography. All patient showed improvement of the disease activity index after the arthroscopic synovectomy and weakening of the baseline ultrasound evidence for synovial thickening and villonodular proliferation (p < 0.001). During the 12-month follow up study two patients were found at ultrasonography to have (without any clinical evidence for that) recurrence of the synovial thickening three months after arthroscopy. Ten patients had synovial thickening or villonodular proliferation recurrence during the 12 months of follow up with clinical evidence of gonitis; one case showed ultrasonographic evidence of hydrops. There was a complete consistency between the ultrasound and arthroscopic protocols with respect to the presence of synovial proliferation and intra-articular effusion.

CONCLUSION

Arthosonography is an easy, safe, low-cost, non-invasive modality for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis prior to and after arthroscopic synovectomy and for assessment of the clinical prognosis in such patients.

Postnatal follow-up of the oxygenation index, arterial to alveolar oxygen tension ratio and alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference values in neonates with the respiratory distress syndrome treated with conventional ventilatory support

Recent development of sophisticated intensive care technique for use in newborn infants with the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has resulted in changes in the therapeutic strategies and moved the problem of neonatal survival into the realm of new therapeutic realities. At present, the mechanical ventilation methods form an integral part of the intensive care strategy of infants with RDS. They have come to the forefront of infant care because of their successful use in ventilatory support and children survival where other therapeutic modalities have failed. The present prospective observational longitudinal study was designed to assess the real-time convenience, reliability and accuracy of the changes in the oxygenation index (OI), arterial-to-alveolar oxygen tension ratio (a/A PO2) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-a)DO2 in ventilator-dependent neonates with RDS, to analyze their feasibility and potential information yield in oxygen inhalation therapy as well as their prognostic implications and predictive value. Twenty neonates with RDS, heralded by respiratory failure which necessitated the initiation of oxygen inhalation therapy and ventilatory support within 24 hours of birth, were enrolled in the study. Ten of the infants survived and the remaining ten died. OI, (a/A PO2) and (A-a)DO2 were followed up sequentially and thoroughly analyzed as the primary outcome measures of the study. The indices were calculated on the basis of the complete monitoring of the ventilatory equipment parameters and acid-base status carried out on an hourly basis. Our results show that: 1. The combination of three indexes (OI, (a/A)PO2 and (A-a)DO2 we propose is a useful discriminating predictor of neonatal lung maturity reflecting arterial blood gas status in ventilator-dependent neonates with RDS. 2. The indices detect the efficacy of the modern conventional ventilatory support with real-time convenience and reliable accuracy forming the cornerstone of clinical decision-making in RDS neonatal intensive care and allowing timely corrections of the ventilatory equipment parameters. 3. The prospective follow-up of these indices improves the predictive value as compared to any single test of neonatal lung maturity and has important prognostic implications in the management of neonates with RDS.

Embryotoxicity and fertility study with halothane subanesthetic concentration in rats

The effect of 9 ppm halothane, a subanesthetic concentration, was studied on the reproductive ability and pregnancy outcome in white rats. Pregnant females were exposed for 4 h per day during the whole gestation period. Male animals were subjected to halothane inhalation for 4 h daily, 5 days per week for 6 or 8 months. In the exposed females higher rates were established for early interruption of pregnancy (all implants dead) and for embryonic death in the later periods of intrauterine life compared to controls. Deciduomata were found in 22.22% (P less than 0.05) of pregnant treated females. Control females mated to exposed males showed a higher incidence of preimplantation loss (36.36% (P less than 0.05) of those mated with males exposed for 6 months had deciduomata). Decreased fertility in males, expressed particularly in the 8-month treated group, was also demonstrated (13.33% inseminated females, compared to 35% in the control group).

[Acute appendicitis in young children]

Ninety two children aged up to 3 years and operated upon for acute appendicitis were observed. The clinical picture of appendicitis is described, and some diagnostic difficulties are noted. The mortality due to appendicitis in this group of patients was 15.2%.