Evaluation of haematological parameters in haemolytic anaemia caused by tick-borne pathogens in grazing cattle.

BACKGROUND: No tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) causing haemolytic anaemia in cattle have been reported, except Theileria orientalis and complete blood count (CBC) profile is the only haematological parameter to determine the severity of regenerative haemolytic anaemia. OBJECTIVES: To identify the causative agents of TBP-induced haemolytic anaemia and determine haematological parameters that indicate haemolytic anaemia in grazing cattle. METHODS: Eighty-two Korean indigenous cattle (Hanwoo) were divided into two groups: grazing (n = 67) and indoor (n = 15) groups. CBC and serum biochemistry were performed. PCR was conducted using whole blood-extracted DNA to investigate the prevalence of TBPs. RESULTS: TBP-induced haemolytic anaemia was observed in the grazing group. In grazing cattle, co-infection (43.3%, 29/67) was most frequently detected, followed by T. orientalis (37.6%, 25/67) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections (1.5%, 1/67). In indoor cattle, only co-infection (20%, 3/15) was identified. Grazing cattle exhibited regenerative haemolytic anaemia with marked monocytosis, mild neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. According to grazing frequency, the 1st-time grazing group had more severe anaemia than the 2nd-time grazing group. Elevations in indirect bilirubin and L-lactate due to haemolytic anaemia were identified, and correlations with the respective markers were determined in co-infected grazing cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative evaluation of haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and reticulocytes (markers of regenerative haemolytic anaemia in cattle) was performed for the first time. Our results show that, in addition to T. orientalis, A. phagocytophilum is strongly associated with anaemia. The correlation between haemolytic anaemia severity and haematological parameters (indirect bilirubin, reticulocytes, and L-lactate) was confirmed.

Comparison of blood profiles between housed and grazing Korean indigenous cattle (Hanwoo).

The objective of this study was to compare the hematology profiles of Korean indigenous cattle (Hanwoo) raised in a barn (housed) or on pasture (grazing). Our findings showed significant differences in the red blood cell (RBC) profiles of these 2 groups. When compared to cattle raised in a barn, a significant decrease in hematocrit (P = 0.000), hemoglobin (P = 0.000), and red blood cells (RBCs) (P = 0.000) and a significant increase in mean cell volume (P = 0.015) and reticulocytes (P = 0.000) were observed in grazing cattle, which indicate regenerative anemia. Furthermore, indirect bilirubin was significantly higher in grazing cattle, which indicates intravascular hemolysis and neutropenia (P = 0.000), and monocytosis (P = 0.000) was also identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates changes in reticulocyte count and indirect bilirubin levels secondary to regenerative intravascular hemolysis in grazing cattle.

L'objectif de cette étude était de comparer les profils hématologiques de bovins coréens indigènes (Hanwoo) gardés dans une étable ou au pâturage. Nos résultats ont montré des différences significatives dans les profils des globules rouges de ces 2 groupes. Lorsque comparé aux bovins gardés dans l'étable, une réduction significative de l'hématocrite (P = 0,000), de l'hémoglobine (P = 0,000), et des globules rouges (P = 0,000) et une augmentation significative du volume cellulaire moyen (P = 0,015) et des réticulocytes (P = 0,000) ont été observées chez les bovins au pâturage, ce qui indique une anémie régénératrice. Également, la bilirubine indirecte était significativement plus élevée chez les bovins au pâturage, indicatif d'une hémolyse intravasculaire, et une neutropénie (P = 0,000) et une monocytose (P = 0,000) furent également identifiées. Au meilleur de nos connaissances, ceci est la première étude qui démontre des changements dans le dénombrement des réticulocytes et les niveaux de bilirubine indirecte secondaires à une hémolyse intravasculaire régénérative chez des bovins au pâturage.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Hematological differentiation of bladder rupture and complete/partial urethral obstruction in castrated Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) with urolithiasis.

This case report describes the hematological and radiological examination of urinary bladder rupture and complete urethral obstruction. associated with urolithiasis in Hanwoo. Hyponatremia, hypochloremia, azotemia, and hyperglycemia were observed in both urethral obstruction and urinary bladder rupture. However, cattle with urethral obstruction showed hyperkalemia and mild hyperglycemia, whereas cattle with bladder rupture showed marked hyperglycemia and normal potassium levels. In ultrasonography, the urethral obstruction showed a dilated bladder with a thick bladder wall. In contrast to previous literature, in this study, severe electrolyte changes such as severe hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hyperkalemia occurred in a case of complete urethral obstruction.

Successful treatment of idiopathic tetanus using metronidazole, magnesium, and acepromazine in Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) yearling bull.

Bovine tetanus is a serious infectious disease of the central nervous system caused by the exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani and is characterized by persistent tension and spasm of the rhabdomyocytes. Currently, many studies have focused on diagnosing tetanus; however, only a few studies on treatment methods have been conducted. Therefore, cattle with tetanus have been treated using symptomatic therapy. In this case, severe muscle spasticity and spasms were observed in a 9-month-old Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) bull, and aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels were increased in serum biochemical tests. Clinically, bovine tetanus was strongly suspected, and metronidazole was administered orally for 5 days. To treat the intensifying bloat, a temporary rumenostomy was performed on the third day of onset, and the toxin gene (tetanospasmin) of C. tetani was amplified by polymerase chain reaction analysis from the collected ruminal fluid. Magnesium and sedatives (acepromazine) were administered for 7 days to treat muscle spasticity and spasms. Muscle spasticity and spasm markedly improved, and the bull stood up from the lateral recumbent position. On the 17th day after onset, all tetanus-related symptoms resolved and a normal diet was started. Our findings demonstrated that treatment with metronidazole, magnesium, and acepromazine was effective in the bull with tetanus.

Comparison of blood electrolyte and biochemical parameters between single infections of rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrheic Hanwoo calves.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal calf diarrhea is a major problem in the cattle industry worldwide. Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum are the primary causative agents, especially during the first three weeks of the calf's life. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the differences in acid-base, electrolytes, and biochemical parameters of diarrheic calves with infection of either rotavirus or C. parvum. METHODS: A total of 61 Korean native calves (≤ 20 days old) were divided into two groups based on rotavirus or C. parvum infections: rotavirus infection (n = 44) and C. parvum infection (n = 17). The calves with at a specific blood pH range (pH 6.92-7.25) were chosen for comparison. The acid-base, electrolyte, chemistry, and serum proteins were analyzed, Further, fecal examinations were performed. RESULTS: Compared to C. parvum-infected calves, the rotavirus-infected calves showed lower levels of total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate (HCO3-), anion gap, total protein, and albumin/globulin ratio, and significantly lower levels of potassium, globulin, and α2-globulin (p < 0.05). The C. parvum-infected calves (r = 0.749) had stronger correlations between pH and HCO3- than the rotavirus-infected calves (r = 0.598). Compared to rotavirus-infected calves, strong correlations between globulin and α2-globulin, α2-globulin and haptoglobin were identified in C. parvum-infected calves. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to investigate acid-base, electrolyte, and biochemical parameters in calves in response to infections of rotavirus and C. parvum. Although rotavirus and C. parvum cause malabsorptive and secretory diarrhea in similar-aged calves, blood parameters were different. This would help establish the diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Age-related changes in the electrophoresis pattern of serum proteins in Korean indigenous calves.

This study aimed to investigate changes in the serum protein profiles of healthy newborn Korean calves and provide a reference index for these changes during growth. The serum protein composition of 15 healthy bovine calves aged 1 week to 4 months was analyzed using electrophoresis. The albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio increased until calves reached 2 months (1.3 ± 0.2) and then decreased until they reached 4 months (1.1 ± 0.1). Albumin concentrations increased up to month 2 (3.4 ± 0.1) and decreased until month 4 (3.2 ± 0.2). α-1 globulin concentrations decreased up to week 4 (0.4 ± 0.1) and then increased until month 2 (0.6 ± 0.1). γ globulin decreased until month 2 (0.7 ± 0.2) and then increased until month 4 (1.1 ± 0.3). These age-related changes in protein concentrations indicate the importance of considering age in calf blood tests. The γ globulin concentration was at its highest in the first week, due to colostrum intake, and decreased to reach its lowest at 2 months, when passive maternal immunity is also at its lowest. Therefore, provision of sufficient passive immunity through the colostrum in neonatal calves might enable healthy growth.

Cette étude visait à examiner les changements dans les profils de protéines sériques de veaux coréens nouveau-nés et de fournir un index de référence pour ces changements durant la croissance. La composition des protéines sériques de 15 veaux en santé âgés de 1 semaine à 4 mois a été analysée par électrophorèse. Le ratio albumine:globuline (A/G) a augmenté jusqu'à ce que les veaux atteignent l'âge de 2 mois (1,3 ± 0,2) et diminuait par la suite jusqu'à ce qu'ils aient 4 mois (1,1 ± 0,1). Les concentrations d'albumine augmentèrent jusqu'au mois 2 (3,4 ± 0,1) et diminuèrent ensuite jusqu'au mois 4 (3,2 ± 0,2). Les concentrations de α-1 globuline ont diminué jusqu'à la semaine 4 (0,4 ± 0,1) et ont par la suite augmenté jusqu'au mois 2 (0,6 ± 0,1). Les concentrations de γ globuline ont diminué jusqu'au mois 2 (0,7 ± 0,2) et ont par la suite augmenté jusqu'au mois 4 (1,1 ± 0,3). Ces changements dans les concentrations de protéines en fonction de l'âge démontrent l'importance de considérer l'âge lors des tests sanguins chez les veaux. La concentration de γ globuline était à son maximum durant la première semaine, due à l'ingestion de colostrum, et diminua par la suite pour atteindre un minimum à 2 mois, alors que l'immunité maternelle passive est à son plus bas. Ainsi, le fait de fournir suffisamment d'immunité passive via le colostrum chez les veaux nouveau-nés peut permettre une saine croissance.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Determining the Electronic Structure of Paramagnetic Intermediates in membrane proteins: A high-resolution 2D 1H hyperfine sublevel correlation study of the redox-active tyrosines of photosystem II.

The photosynthetic reaction center, photosystem II (PSII), catalyzes one of the most energetically demanding reactions in nature by using light energy to drive water oxidation. The four-electron water oxidation reaction occurs at the tetranuclear manganese­calcium-oxo (Mn4Ca-oxo) cluster that is present in the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of PSII. The water oxidation reaction is facilitated by proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the redox-active tyrosine residue, YZ, in the OEC which is one of the two symmetric tyrosine residues, YZ and YD, in PSII. Although YZ and YD are chemically identical, their redox properties and reaction kinetics are very different. In the present study, we apply high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) 1H hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopy to determine the electronic structure of YZ and YD to understand better the functional tuning of PCET at each tyrosine. Most importantly, the 2D HYSCORE measurements that are described here are applicable for the study of paramagnetic cofactors in a wide variety of membrane-bound proteins.

Outpatient Palliative Care and Aggressiveness of End-of-Life Care in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care in outpatient setting has been shown to promote better symptom management and transition to hospice care among patients with advanced cancer. Nevertheless, specialized palliative care is rarely provided at cancer centers in Korea. Herein, we aimed to assess aggressiveness of end-of-life care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer according to the use of outpatient palliative care (OPC) at a single cancer center in Korea. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical record review for 132 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who died between 2011 and 2014. Fifty patients used OPC (OPC group), while 82 patients did not (non-OPC group). Indicators of aggressiveness of end-of-life care including chemotherapy use, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and utilization of hospice care were analyzed according to the use of OPC. RESULTS: More patients in the OPC group were admitted to hospice than those in the non-OPC group (32% vs 17%, P = .047). The mean of inpatient days within 30 days of death was shorter for the OPC group than the non-OPC group (4.02 days vs 7.77 days, respectively, P = .032). There were no differences in the proportions of patients who received chemotherapy and visited the emergency department within 30 days from death. CONCLUSION: Among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, OPC was associated with shorter inpatient days near death and greater hospice utilization. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the impact of OPC on end-of-life care in Korea.

Considerations for physicians using ketamine for sedation of children in emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: Ketamine use in emergency departments (EDs) for procedural sedation and analgesia is becoming increasingly common. However, few studies have examined patient factors related to adverse events associated with ketamine. This study investigated factors for consideration when using ketamine to sedate pediatric ED patients. METHODS: The study included pediatric patients receiving ketamine for laceration repair in the ED. Before sedation, information was collected about upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, allergy history, and fasting time. Patients received 2 mg/kg ketamine intravenously or 4 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly. The primary outcomes were adverse events due to ketamine. RESULTS: We studied 116 patients aged 8 months to 7 years (2.8±1.5 years). The group with adverse events was significantly younger on average than the group without adverse events (2.5±1.5 vs. 3.1±1.5, P=0.028). Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms were not significant variables affecting ketamine sedation (48.9% vs. 43.7%, P=0.719). There was no significant association between duration of fasting and adverse events (P=0.073 and P=0.897, respectively), or between food type and adverse events (P=0.734). However, the number of attempts to sedate and ketamine dose correlated with adverse events (P<0.001 and P=0.022, respectively). In multiple logistic regression analysis, intravenous injection and ketamine dose were significant factors (odds ratio, 16.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.78 to 498.54; odds ratio, 4.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.59 to 22.9, respectively). CONCLUSION: Emergency medicine physicians should consider injection type and ketamine dose when using ketamine sedation while suturing lacerations.

Acupuncture at HT7 suppresses morphine self-administration at high dose through GABA system.

In the previous study, acupuncture at HT7 has shown to attenuate the self-administration of morphine at a low dose (0.1mg/kg). In this study, it was further investigated whether acupuncture at HT7 could attenuate the morphine self-administration at a high dose (0.5mg/kg). Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-300g were used. After surgery of catheterization, animals were trained to self-administer morphine solution (0.5mg/kg) using daily 1h session under fixed ratio 1 schedule for 3 weeks. Animals that had shown stable morphine-taking (establish baseline: variation less than 20% of the mean of three consecutive days) were subjected to the acupuncture treatment. Bicuculline and SCH 50911 were used to investigate the possible relation between the effect of acupuncture and the GABA receptor system. Acupuncture at HT7, but not at control acupoint, LI5, suppressed spontaneous morphine-taking behavior significantly. In addition, the effect of acupuncture was blocked by both GABA receptor antagonists. The results of this study suggest that acupuncture at HT7 suppresses morphine-taking behavior through the mediation of GABA receptor system.

A morphometric analysis of maxillary central incisor on the basis of facial appearance in Korea.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify a more esthetic width-to-length ratio by analyzing maxillary central incisor of Korean adult population. Information regarding tooth ratio in the Korean population may be useful to clinicians when restoring anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 men and 40 women were included in this study. The NON-MEDIA group included 40 non-celebrities, who were healthy and 25 to 39 years old, with normal dentofacial appearance. The MEDIA group consisted of 40 celebrities selected only on the basis of their soft-tissue facial appearance. The facial photographs of 40 celebrities were collected from the Internet websites. The width and length of the maxillary central incisor were measured using Adobe Photoshop® 7.0, a software for analysis, measurement and edition of photographs. Data were analyzed statistically using the Independent t-test at 5% statistical significance level. RESULTS: The mean ratio for the MEDIA group was 0.77, whereas that of the NON-MEDIA group was 0.88. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. No significant gender differences were found in the width-to-length ratio in MEDIA group. In NON-MEDIA group, however, there were significant differences between female and male. CONCLUSION: After analyzing maxillary anterior teeth of Korean adults, our results were in accordance with the general Western standards of esthetics. A dentist restoring the natural look and beauty of teeth will have to consider those standards.

A Case of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Pneumopericardium in a Patient with Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / 결핵

Background: Spontaneous pneumopericardium is a very rare condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have been reported to be associated with an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, spontaneous pneumopericardium has not yet been reported in association with IPF. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a patient with acute exacerbation of IPF with a review of the relevant literature.