Performance of electronic and visual ear tags in lambs under extensive conditions in Turkey

Abstract. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic and visual ear tags in animal traceability, and to investigate the effect of placement site on ear-tag retention in Akkaraman lambs under rural conditions. A total of 380 lambs were identified with electronic and visual ear tags. Electronic and visual ear tags displayed 98.9 and 98.7 % readability at the end of 7 months, and 98.0 and 98.0 % readability at the end of the first year after tagging, respectively. Regarding the placement site, it was observed that there was more loss in ear tags placed on the mid-point part of the ear than the first-quarter part from the head side, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Breakages and electronic failures were not recorded during this study. In conclusion, electronic and visual ear tags demonstrated similar on-farm efficiency for the identification of Akkaraman lambs and fulfilled the minimum efficiency of 98 % required by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) for an official animal identification device at the end of the first year after tagging. Based on the findings of the study, placement of the ear tag in a cranial position and near the base of the ear would be advised.

Comparison of multidetector CT and endoscopic ultrasonography in malignant pancreatic mass lesions

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been shown to be superior to conventional CT in detecting and staging pancreatic cancer. We conducted a prospective trial to compare EUS and MDCT, in discriminating benign/malignant, in determining local and vascular invasion of a suspected pancreatic cancer and deciding its resectability.

METHODOLOGY

The study was performed at the Gastroenterology Department of Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, from June 2009 to June 2010, all patients with suspected pancreatic and periampullary tumors referred to our department were enrolled. A total of 56 patients were evaluated at the beginning. Five patients having distal CBD tumor (n=2), gallbladder tumor (n=1) and papillary tumor (n=2) were excluded from the study. Analysis was done for the remaining 51 patients.

RESULTS

For the diagnosis of resectability/unresectability, EUS alone demonstrated a definite role in 4 (9%) of the 43 patients in confirming surgical and pathologic results and MDCT alone demonstrated a definite role in 6 (14%) of the 43 patients in confirming their results. An accurate diagnostic decision regarding resectability/unresectability was accomplished in 27 (63%) patients with EUS and MDCT.

CONCLUSIONS

While MDCT is clinically quite effective, in terms of a correct resectability/unresectability decision, EUS should also be used.