Blood concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) and correlation with biochemical and hematological parameters in dogs from thrace region, Turkey

Environmental exposure to potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) leads to health problems in animals as well as in humans. Dogs can be used as bioindicators for health status of both environment, animals and humans. The study material consisted of a total of 140 dogs from Thrace region in Turkey. Essential (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) PTEs concentrations of blood samples were determined by ICP-MS. In addition, hemogram (RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, HCT, WBC, HGB, PLT) and biochemical parameters (Glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol, BUN, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT) levels were determined. The possible correlations between PTEs and blood parameters were investigated. The results were compared according to gender, age (<2, 2-5, >5 years), sampled location with hemogram and biochemistry data. Essential element concentrations (ppb) were sorted as Zn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Co, and non-essentials were As > Ni > Pb > Hg > Cd. There were statistically important negative or positive correlations between elements and hematological (except Fe and Cd), and biochemical parameters (except Ni) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). It was determined that Pb concentrations (9.34-23.30 ng ml^-1) were below the concentrations considered to be toxic in all locations, Cu concentrations (475.35-521.98 ng ml^-1) were within the normal reference range, Zn (3229.65-4.265.00 ng ml^-1) were higher than the reference values in all locations. Since the concentrations of elements and correlations between hematological, biochemical parameters as well as gender, age, and location in an area with heavy urban and industrial activity; indicate that the situation may be similar for other living things in the region, it constitutes a starting point for studies to be carried out in this direction.

The Effects of L-Carnitine in Budd-Chiari Syndrome in a Domestic Cat

This paper describes a thrombosis in the vena cava caudalis of a 15 year-old cat with ascites. Trauma and eventually feline enteric corona virus infection in the cat were not detected. In the intrahepatic region, a blockage of vena cava caudalis was brought to light by ultrasonographic imaging. An aspirate of abdominal fluid revealed modified transudate. Liver enzyme levels were increased in the serum sample of the cat. The levels of total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were elevated in the peritoneal fluid. Liver protection diet with L-carnitine, diuretic therapy and antimicrobial drugs were administrated for treatment of the cat. During the continuous treatment, the amount of abdominal fluid decreased, but never completely absorbed. L-carnitine was administered to the cat during the time of treatment, and subsequently the levels of liver enzymes decreased. However, the cat died because of recurrent ascites and persistent thrombosis. In conclusion, ultrasonographic examination was very reliable, non-invasive and highly useful diagnostic method for BCS and L-carnitine has crucial effects on the quality of life, energy metabolism and liver enzyme levels. However, the blockage of the vena cava caudalis could not completely respond to medical treatment and thrombosis should be eliminated by surgical intervention.

Socioeconomic implications of biosecurity practices in small-scale dairy farms

BACKGROUND

Biosecurity plays a crucial role in preventing contagious diseases and in increasing farm productivity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine technical and economic biosecurity scores of farms, and to examine the associations between biosecurity practices (BP) and producers' socioeconomic characteristics.

METHODS

The study was conducted on a total of 50 small-scale dairy farms that were randomly selected in Hatay, Turkey. A checklist consisting of 19 biosecurity practices was addressed to the farms. The technical and economic scoring systems were developed by the authors according to presence and cost of the each of the biosecurity practices.

RESULTS

The mean of the technical and economic scores were found to be 9.30 and 17.04, respectively. 'Treatment of sick animals' (98%), 'vaccination against the most common contagious diseases' (90%), and 'barn lime' (86%) were found to be the most commonly used applications. 'Testing for the most common contagious diseases before buying' (10%) was used at the lowest rate. Significant differences were found among the groups regarding education level (<.05), income class (<.05), and herd size (<.01). Biosecurity scores were significantly positively correlated with herd size (<.05) and producers' education level (<.01). There were statistically significant associations between the producers' socioeconomic characteristics and some of the biosecurity practices.

CONCLUSION

Training programs should be arranged to change the attitudes and perception of small-scale producers concerning poor biosecurity practices. In order to encourage producers to increase biosecurity scores, regulations regarding financial support and penalties could be quite useful at both the regional and national levels.

Determination of adenosine deaminase activity in cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata

The purpose of this study was to determine serum ADA activity in cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata. In this study, a total of 37 cross-bred cattle which 27 of it showing clinical signs of theileriosis constituted infected group and 10 healthy cattle as control group were used as animal materials. Infected group divided into three groups according to their PCV values. Cattle with PCV > or = 25 were put on group I (n = 9), those with PCV 13-24 were put on group II (n = 11) and those with PCV < or = 12 were put on group III (n = 7). Microscopical diagnosis of the disease was also made. Hematological parameters, serum enzyme activities (ADA, AST, ALT and ALP) were determined in all cattle. Hematological results revealed that significant progressive decreases in HGB, PLT, PBML counts and ratios from group I onwards to group III, whereas the WBC, PBPL counts and ratios showed an increase from group I onwards to group III. The serum ADA, AST, ALT and ALP activity increased significantly in all infected groups compared to control group. However, these parameters were also observed to decrease progressively from group I to group III. Furthermore, the highest increase in enzyme activities observed in the infected group I. But, these enzyme's activities started to decrease in infected group II and III in parallel with PBML and PLT counts. Eventhough, this decrease did not reach to the values obtained from control group. On the contrary, PBPL counts and ratios increased in infected group II and III in contrast to decrease in PCV. As a result, increased serum ADA activity in tropical theileriosis may reflect the involvement of the cellular immune responses.

Preparation and evaluation of bromocryptine mesylate-polydimethylsiloxane matrices

The aims of the present study were to characterize the compatibility of silicone polymers with bromocryptine mesylate and excipients and to investigate the in vitro release characteristics of the drug from polydimethylsiloxane matrices. Silicon elastomers, MDX-4-4210 and A-2186, were chosen as polymer materials. Compatibility studies of polymers with drug and various liquid and solid excipients such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitan monolaurat, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, polyvinylpyrrolidone, citric acid, lactose, sodium chloride and low-molecular-weight gelatin were carried out. After the macroscopic examination of the excipient-polymer formulations, sorbitan monolaurat, propylene glycol, lactose, sodium chloride, citric acid and low molecular weight gelatin were chosen for investigation of the effect of these materials on drug release. Cylinder-shaped drug polymer matrices were prepared for the drug release studies. The best release profile was obtained with the formulation containing MDX-4-4210, 10% of propylene glycol and a kneading mixture of drug: low-molecular-weight gelatine in a ratio of 1:3.

Relation of mass/volume ratio to ECG abnormalities and symptoms in children with aortic stenosis/insufficiency

In this study, to determine whether symptoms and ECG abnormalities relate to left ventricular (LV) mass, volume, and mass/volume (M/V) ratio in children with aortic stenosis (AS) and/or insufficiency (AI), the authors examined 23 patients with echocardiography. LV volumes and mass were calculated with echocardiography. Also, the peak and mean gradients across the aortic valve and left ventricular meridional wall stress (ESWS) were determined by use of echo Doppler techniques. Fourteen patients (mean age 5.84+/-3.49 years) had AS alone. Of these, 14 had symptoms and seven had abnormal-appearing ECGs. Nine patients (mean age 6.91+/-4.35 years) had AS/AI. Of these nine, four had symptoms and two had ECG abnormalities. The authors observed that the incidences of symptoms and ECG abnormalities were higher in the patients with AS than in those with AS/AI. There was no significant correlation between symptoms and ECG abnormalities with peak gradient, mean gradient, valve area, LV mass, volume, and mass/volume ratio in patients with AS/AI. However, significant correlation was found between symptoms and ECG abnormalities and ESWS in AS/AI patients. In conclusion, ECG abnormalities and symptoms do not always indicate the severity of AS and AS/AI.

Congenital isolated apical ventricular septal defects

The diagnosis of apical ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is difficult and the ratio of spontaneous closure is not well known. At the Ankara University Pediatric Cardiology Department, between the years 1992 and 1997, 33 patients were identified by color-flow Doppler (CFD) imaging as having a small defect at the apical portion of the ventricular septum. The age range was 1 day to 13 years. All patients were asymptomatic with normal telecardiograms and electrocardiograms. There were grade 2-3/6, pansystolic murmurs at the apex or closer to the apex in 19 patients. In 30 patients, narrow and short colored jets were seen at the apex of the heart, distal to the moderator band. The jets were wide in three patients. These defects were difficult to image and required specific angulation of the transducer. Of the 23 patients who had follow-up examinations, at 3 months to 3.5 years, there was spontaneous closure in ten (43.5%). To the authors' knowledge, this report is the largest series of isolated apical trabecular ventricular septal defects (t-VSDs). In their experience, color-flow imaging is more sensitive in detecting a small apical VSD. They conclude that although the closure of apical VSD is not the rule, the prognosis is excellent.