Examination of critical factors influencing ruminant disease dynamics in the Black Sea Basin

Introduction

Ruminant production in the Black Sea basin (BSB) is critical for national economies and the subsistence of rural populations. Yet, zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are limiting and threatening the sector. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, this study characterizes key aspects of the ruminant sector in nine countries of the BSB, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

Methods

We selected six priority ruminant diseases (anthrax, brucellosis, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD), and peste des petits ruminants (PPR)) that are present or threaten to emerge in the region. Standardized questionnaires were completed by a network of focal points and supplemented with external sources. We examined country and ruminant-specific data such as demographics, economic importance, and value chains in each country. For disease-specific data, we analysed the sanitary status, management strategies, and temporal trends of the selected diseases.

Results and discussion

The shift from a centrally planned to a market economy, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, restructured the ruminant sector. This sector played a critical role in rural livelihoods within the BSB. Yet, it faced significant challenges such as the low sustainability of pastoralism, technological limitations, and unregistered farms. Additionally, ruminant health was hindered by informal animal trade as a result of economic factors, insufficient support for the development of formal trade, and socio-cultural drivers. In the Caucasus and Türkiye, where diseases were present, improvements to ruminant health were driven by access to trading opportunities. Conversely, European countries, mostly disease-free, prioritized preventing disease incursion to avoid a high economic burden. While international initiatives for disease management are underway in the BSB, there is still a need for more effective local resource allocation and international partnerships to strengthen veterinary health capacity, protect animal health and improve ruminant production.

Comparison of growth curve models in partridge

This study was conducted in order to determine the goodness of fit of Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, and von Bertalanffy growth curve models in partridge (Alectoris chukar). The growth curve parameters A (upper asymptote or mature weight parameter), B (scale parameter related to initial weight), and K (instantaneous growth rate parameter) were determined as 623.4, 1.05, and 0.075 for females and 723.8, 1.06, and 0.073 for males in the Brody model, respectively, 472.9, 3.47, and 0.207 for females and 565.3, 3.59, and 0.192 for males in the Gompertz model, respectively, 440.2, 12.89, and 0.332 for females and 517.0, 14.13, and 0.319 for males in the Logistic model, respectively, and 498.9, 0.77, and 0.164 for females and 608.8, 0.79, and 0.150 for males in the von Bertalanffy model, respectively. While determining which growth curve model presented the better fit, the coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted the coefficient of determination (adj.R2), mean square predicted error (MSPE), Durbin-Watson value, correlation between estimated live weight and residual values (RESC), Akaike's information criteria (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used. As a consequence of the study, it was determined that the Gompertz model yields a better fit to the data for the partridge, as its coefficient of determination and adjusted coefficient of determination are high, its values of MSPE, RESC, AIC, BIC are low and there is not an autocorrelation between the residual values. As a result, the Gompertz model presented a better fit with the partridge data.

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on oxidant and anti-oxidant status of liver and serum in a rat model with acute methanol intoxication

BACKGROUND

Methanol toxicity is one of the major public health problems because it can cause severe morbidity and mortality. Methanol intoxication causes changes in the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant capacity.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the total oxidant status, total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) parameters of the liver and the serum in a rat model of acute methanol intoxication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) Methotrexate (MTX) for 7 days. On the 8th day, i.p. Methanol was administered in the methanol, ethanol and CAPE groups. Four hours after methanol treatment, ethanol was injected i.p. in the ethanol group; CAPE (i.p.) in the CAPE group; serum physiologic i.p. in other groups. After 8 hours, rats were killed and the serum and the liver samples were obtained for biochemical analyses.

RESULTS

The OSI value was significantly higher in the methanol group compared to the ethanol and CAPE groups. Serum TAS levels of the methanol group were significantly different compared to the control group, but not compared to the MTX group. The amelioration of oxidative stress was greater in the CAPE group compared to the ethanol group but was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that CAPE treatment ameliorates oxidative stress in the serum and liver in a rat model of acute methanol intoxication.

Assisted reproductive treatment applications in men with normal phenotype but 45,X/46,XY mosaic karyotype: clinical and genetic perspectives

OBJECTIVE

The 45,X/46,XY mosaic karyotype is expressed by a spectrum of genital phenotypes, ranging from normal males through to ambiguous genitalia and to normal females.

CASE REPORTS

We present three cases of men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia, and a 45,X/46,XY mosaic karyotype and two with a Y-chromosome microdeletion. Phenotypically, they appeared as normal males, with normal penis, scrotum and secondary sex characteristics. Testicular sperm extraction and aspiration were applied to patients, and couples were prepared for assisted reproductive therapy. All men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were evaluated for karyotype and Y-chromosome microdeletion even if they had normal phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

Possibilities for finding sperm and the biologic paternity in subjects with 45,X/46,XY karyotype should be considered. Furthermore, the increased risk for testicular neoplasia with mosaic karyotypes should be taken into consideration.

Fitness of four different mathematical models to the lactation curve of Brown Swiss cows in Konya Province of Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate the fitness of Incomplete Gamma (WD), Exponential (WIL), Mixed Log (MIL) and Polynomial Regression (AS) models to the lactation curve of Brown Swiss Cows. Data were collected from 143 Brown Swiss cows raised on the Alt?nova State Farm in Konya Province, Turkey. Milk yield was recorded monthly, and milk records were started at the third week of lactation (mean = 16.9 day, SD = 0.7). Total milk yields estimated by the four models were very close to real total milk yield. The models were found to be adequate for estimation of milk yield. The MIL model underestimated the peak yield significantly. The differences between peak yields of the models and real peak yields were not significant and ranged from 27.70 to 29.01 L. All models forecasted peak time earlier than real peak time. The differences for the persistency values of the four models were significant. The AS model's persistency value was nearly equal to the real persistency value (77.56 vs. 77.59%). R2 values of the models changed from 86.05 to 97.95%. The AS model gave the best R2 and the least MSPE values. Consequently, the AS model showed the best fit to the lactation data of Brown Swiss cows and allowed a suitable definition of the lactation curve.Key words: Brown Swiss, cows, lactation curve, milk yield, mathematical model

Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study we aimed to assess the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for treating patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Of the 71 patients, 37 were allocated to the HBO group and 34 to the control (normal air) group. Both groups received 15 therapy sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. Pain, oedema and range of motion (ROM) of the wrist were evaluated before treatment, after the 15th treatment session and on day 45. In the HBO group there was a significant decrease in pain and oedema and a significant increase in the ROM of the wrist. When we compared the two groups, the HBO group had significantly better results with the exception of wrist extension. In conclusion, HBO is an effective and well-tolerated method for decreasing pain and oedema and increasing the ROM in patients with CRPS.

A New Treatment Modality for Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by longstanding multifocal pain with generalized allodynia/hyperalgesia. There are several treatment methods but none has been specifically approved for this application. We conducted a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in FMS (HBO group: n = 26; control group: n = 24). Tender points and pain threshold were assessed before, and after the first and fifteenth sessions of therapy. Pain was also scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS). There was a significant reduction in tender points and VAS scores and a significant increase in pain threshold of the HBO group after the first and fifteenth therapy sessions. There was also a significant difference between the HBO and control groups for all parameters except the VAS scores after the first session. We conclude that HBO therapy has an important role in managing FMS.