Pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, some biochemical parameters and hematology in bovine respiratory disease complex.

Abstract. Background: Infectious bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the world's major livestock problems. Aims: The study aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, clinical biochemistry, and hematological parameters in infectious BRDC. Methods: Animals in this study were Simmental breed, 1-7 years old, untreated, and healthy and BRDC cattle (40 cattle with BRDC in the disease group, and 10 healthy cattle in the control group). Clinical findings such as general posture, respiratory rate per minute, rectal temperature, heart rate per minute, and mental posture of the diseased cattle were recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein only once from all cattle. Complete blood count from blood samples was measured in an automatic complete blood count device, biochemical parameters in an autoanalyzer, and pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA method. Results: Rectal temperature, respiratory and pulse rates per minute, total leukocyte count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, urea, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 concentrations were found to be statistically higher in BRDC group than those in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in the BRDC group compared to the control group. As a result, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were found to be diagnostically important in cattle diagnosed with BRDC.

The evaluation of morphology of renal pelvicalyceal system's and infundibulopelvic anatomy of kidney's lower pole in post-mortem series.

BACKGROUND: Urinary system stones are frequently encountered in the community. Together with technological developments, introduction of new treatment procedures such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery has further reduced morbidity, mortality and hospitalisation time of patients. In order to maximise success and to reduce complications of these procedures, it is necessary to evaluate anatomy and morphological differences of kidney collector system before the procedure. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the morphology of the kidney collector system and the negative anatomic factors of the lower pole in autopsy cases performed in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty two kidney units obtained from 41 autopsy cases conducted in Faculty of Medicine Department of Forensic Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University between September 2017 and September 2018 were included in the study. Percentages were found as 78% for intrarenal pelvis, 13.4% for borderline pelvis, 6.1% for extrarenal pelvis and 2.4% for pelvic nonexistence. When pelvicalyceal anatomy was evaluated, percentages were found as 32.9% for bicalyceal, 26.8% for tricalyceal, 20.7% for multicalyceal, and 19.5% for unclassified calyceality. When it was evaluated according to opening of calyces into the renal pelvis based on Sampaio classification, percentages were found as 30.5% for AI, 17.1% for type II, 28% for BI, 18.3% for BII, and 6.1% for unevaluated part. Infundibular lengths of kidney's lower pole were detected as under 3 cm in 39% and over 3 cm in 61% of all cases. Infundibulopelvic angles of kidney's lower pole were measured as under 70o in 42.7% and over 70o in 57.3% of all cases. RESULTS: In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between the right and left kidneys in terms of collecting system morphology and lower pole's negative anatomical factors. Only infundibular length which is one of the collecting system morphology and lower pole's negative anatomical factors were statistically shorter in females than males. There was no difference in terms of other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the findings of this study are largely consistent with the results of similar studies. This reveals that renal collecting system morphology and negative anatomic factors in the lower pole collecting system in human are roughly similar. In clinical practice, pre-treatment computed tomography and, if necessary, magnetic resonance urography evaluation of the lower pole negative anatomic factors may contribute to gain preliminary information about both the clearance of stone fragments especially after shock wave lithotripsy and retrograde intrarenal surgery procedures and perioperative complications proactively.

Baseline electrolyte abnormalities would be related to poor prognosis in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Electrolyte abnormalities are not uncommon in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several studies have suggested that various electrolyte imbalances seem to have an impact on disease prognosis. However, no study has primarily focused on the effect of baseline electrolyte abnormalities on disease outcome. In this study, we assessed the validity of the hypothesis that baseline electrolyte imbalances may be related to unfavourable outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Design of the study was retrospective and observational. We included 408 hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 over 18 years old. Baseline levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride were assessed and the effects of abnormalities in these electrolytes on requirement for intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation, hospitalization duration and treatment outcome were evaluated. Patients were clustered based on electrolyte levels and clusters were compared according to outcome variables. Frequency of other severe disease indices was compared between the clusters. Lastly, we evaluated the independent factors related to COVID-19-associated deaths with multivariate analyses. In all, 228 (55.8%) of the patients had at least one electrolyte imbalance at baseline. Hyponatraemia was the most frequent electrolyte abnormality. Patients with hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia or hypocalcaemia had, respectively, more frequent requirement for intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation, higher mortality rate and longer hospitalization. The clusters associated with electrolyte abnormalities had unfavourable outcomes. Also, Clinical and laboratory features associated with severe disease were detected more often in those clusters. Hyponatraemia was an independent factor related to death from COVID-19 (OR 10.33; 95% CI 1.62-65.62; p 0.01). Furthermore, baseline electrolyte imbalances, primarily hyponatraemia, were related to poor prognosis in COVID-19 and baseline electrolyte assessment would be beneficial for evaluating the risk of severe COVID-19.

Investigation of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and some biochemical parameters in calves with omphalitis.

AIM: In this study, it was aimed to determine the concentration of some important acute phase proteins (APPs) and some biochemical parameters pre-operative and post-operative in calves with omphalitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 calves were used in the study and they consist of 10 clinically healthy calves that were used as a control and 10 calves with omphalitis were used as the treatment group. Blood samples were collected from Vena jugularis of animals to tubes with anticoagulant (sodium citrate) and without anticoagulants, pre-operative (day 0), and post-operative (day 7). Samples were used to determine the concentration of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), fibrinogen, glucose, total protein, albumin, urea, total bilirubin, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations. RESULTS: While the Hp, SAA, Cp, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, ALP, and GGT concentrations were statistically and significantly increasing rather than the control group during the pre-operative period for calves with omphalitis, they decreased to the post-operative period. Moreover, an insignificant increase in the glucose, total protein, and AST concentrations and an insignificant decrease in the albumin, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were statistically determined. CONCLUSION: We have the opinion that the assessment of biochemical parameters and especially APP levels in calves with the omphalitis together with the clinical findings may be important in terms of the treatment and prognosis.

Alterations in lipid profile in neonatal calves affected by diarrhea.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the alterations in the lipid profile, plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, total and direct bilirubin levels of neonatal calves with diarrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 calves with diarrhea as experimental group and 10 healthy calves as control group, 1-30 days old, were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein in tubes with anticoagulant agent to evaluate the concentration of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), ALP, total and direct bilirubin. Very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were calculated according to the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: Significant increases in the plasma levels of ALP (p<0.05), total and direct bilirubin, triglycerides, and VLDL-C (p<0.01) were determined, whereas significant decreases in the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C (p<0.01) were observed in neonatal calves with diarrhea. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, liver functions impaired and, therefore, lipid profile is affected negatively in neonatal calves with diarrhea.

The effect of single dose of brimonidine-purite 0.15％ on choroidal thickness in healthy volunteers / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To evaluate the potential posterior segment effects of topical application of brimonidine-purite 0.15％ through measurement of choroidal thickness (CT) in healthy eyes using enhanced depth imaging spectraldomain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT).METHODS:Thirty-two eyes of 32 healthy subjects were included in this prospective,placebo controlled interventional clinical trial.They received one drop of topical preservative-free artificial tears as placebo for the first day and one drop of brimonidine-purite 0.15％ for the second day.Intraocular pressure,ocular perfusion pressure (OPP),and EDI-SD-OCT were performed at baseline,at 1,3 and 5h after the treatments.RESULTS:Compared to the measurements obtained at baseline,the CT measurements obtained after the topical application of brimonidine-purite 0.15％ significantly increased at the sub-fovea (P=0.001),at temporal 1500 μm to the fovea (P=0.003) and at nasal 1500 μm to the fovea (P=0.003).Choroidal thickness was unchanged in placebo group during the study (P ＞0.05).There was no significant reduction in the OPP in both groups (P ＞0.05).There were no adverse events during the study.CONCLUSIONS:Contrary to expectations,topical administration of brimonidine-purite 0.15％ resulted with thickening of sub-foveal,temporal and nasal CT.This might be related to altered auto-regulation mechanisms in choroidal vessels.

Macular injury resulting from a high-powered tank laser telemetry device.

A high-powered laser is an essential part of a modern military rangefinder; however, this paper presents three cases with macular injury resulting from a high-powered tank laser telemetry device. All injuries occurred when another user deliberately pointed the telemetry target unit at the patient's eyes. The devastating effect of this high-powered laser resulted in a permanent foveal scar in the second patient and a macular hole formation in the third patient. This report emphasises that education plays a primary role in preventing accidental laser injuries. Using general guidelines and safety regulations will prevent accidental macular injuries.

Ergothioneine produces relaxation in isolated rat aorta by inactivating superoxide anion.

OBJECTIVE: Ergothioneine (EGT) is a ubiquitous, sulphur-containing derivative of amino acid histidine, acquired by higher order plants and animals solely through dietary means. The antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of ergothioneine have been demonstrated by in vitro studies, but its physiological role remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of ergothioneine (EGT) on basal and acetylcholine-stimulated activity of nitric oxide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of EGT on basal and acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated activity of nitric oxide (NO) were tested in isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta. In parallel experiments, relaxant responses to ACh were evaluated following incubation with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA) and superoxide anion generating system hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO). Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aortic rings was measured by means of lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, in the presence and in the absence of EGT. RESULTS: EGT (1-200 µM) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings which was abolished by endothelial denudation or NO synthase inhibition. Impaired response to ACh in DETCA and HX/XO treated rings was recovered by EGT treatment. This recovery by EGT was characterized by a significant decrease in the production of superoxide anion. CONCLUSIONS: Ergothioneine, at levels normally present in blood, may protect NO from destruction by superoxide anion and play a physiologically important role in preserving NO-dependent endothelial function.

Comparison of anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of bulb and leaf extracts of Sternbergia candida Mathew & T. Baytop.

Studies on Alzheimer's disease have been highlighted due to increasing prevalence of this disease. Oldest hypothesis about the pathophysiology strengthens the research of cholinesterase inhibitors for treatment. Amaryllidaceae plants are well known for alkaloids showing cholinesterase inhibiting activity. Among them, Sternbergia species gained attention as a source of metabolites of these alkaloid contents. Studies have focused mainly on the bulbs of these plants. In this study the potential acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of endemic Sternbergia candida Mathew & T. Baytop (Sc) species was evaluated in both bulbs and leaves in comparison with lycorine. We report for the first time that methanol and chloroform leaf extracts of the plant show AChE inhibitory (AChEI) activity. Among the leaf extracts methanolic extract was much more potent than chloroform extract by means of AChE inhibition. Although IC50 values for methanolic extract was found to be lower than reference drug lycorine; this value of inhibition did not reach to a statistically significant level. Future studies aiming at investigation of the AChE inhibitory activity could be considered using leaves of the plant.

Thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative pain management in percutaneous nephrolithotomy patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) on pain control and morphine consumption in percutaneous nephrolithotomy operations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical study was performed on 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy with approval of the ethical committee and written consent of the patients. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: group P had 4 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine injected at each of the T10, T11, and T12 paravertebral spaces and a standard PVB, and group C received 4 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution. All patients were given standard general anesthesia. The follow-up of saturation, heart rate, peripheral oxygen, and blood pressure values was recorded before induction, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. At postoperative 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h, the visual analog scale (VAS), Ramsey sedation score, respiratory rate, and 24-hour total morphine consumption were recorded. In addition, side effects and satisfaction of patients were recorded. RESULTS: VAS scores and total morphine consumption were lower in group P than in group C: 2.3 vs. 4.3 and 22.3 vs. 43.2 mg, respectively (p < 0.05). The level of satisfaction was higher in group P than group C. Differences between groups in other parameters were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic PVB with levobupivacaine provided a good postoperative analgesia and increased patient satisfaction for those who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Quechers methodologies as an alternative to solid phase extraction (SPE) for the determination and characterization of residues of cephalosporins in beef muscle using LC-MS/MS.

This work was focused on the comparison of two clean-up methods to be used for the simultaneous determination of seven cephalosporins in cow muscle. In particular, the performance of novel dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) procedures based on QuEChERS methodologies was assessed and compared with conventional SPE. The separation and detection of the analytes using both methods was carried out by LC-MS/MS to reach enough sensitivity to be compatible with the detection of the maximum residue limits (MRL) of cephalosporins as regulated by EU directives. The optimization of the clean-up step relied on experimental design in order to find the most suitable conditions with a reduced number of assays. Besides, multi-objective responses were used to reach an overall compromise in the recovery of all analytes simultaneously. The validation of the two methods was done according to the Directive 2002/657/EC. Linearity, decision limit, detection capability, detection and quantification limits (4-50 µg kg⁻¹), precision (RSD less than 15% except for PIR) and recoveries were determined and adequate results with comparable values using QuEChERS and SPE methodologies. LOQ were better for SPE method (0.1-10 µg kg⁻¹) but both methods show LOQ below MRL values. Precision was slightly better for the QuEChERS method, that also presents better recoveries, higher than 85% except for cephalexin.

Taurine suppresses oxidative stress-potentiated expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor and restenosis in balloon-injured rabbit iliac artery.

1. In endothelial cells, the major receptor for the binding and internalization of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of taurine on intimal thickening and LOX-1 expression under normal and oxidative conditions. 2. The iliac artery of rabbits were subjected to balloon injury and oxidative stress was induced by 14 days treatment of rabbits with 75 mg/kg, s.c., buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis. Taurine was administered in drinking water (1%, w/v) for 14 days in the presence (BSO + Taurine group) and in the absence of BSO treatment (Taurine group). In taurine and placebo groups, rabbits were injected with 4 mL, s.c., 0.9% NaCl (vehicle for BSO) for 14 days. 3. Taurine (1% in drinking water, w/v) preserved plasma levels of anti-oxidants and lowered the increased blood pressure induced by BSO. The stenosis rate of 29.92% in the placebo group increased to 72.20% in the BSO group, which was significantly reduced to 42.21% by taurine (P < 0.001; n = 5). Localization of LOX-1 to the intima and media of the iliac artery was demonstrated in the present study. Taurine treatment reduced the BSO-induced increase in LOX-1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). 4. The results demonstrate that the stenosis rate and LOX-1 expression correlate well with oxidative status. Manipulation of LOX-1 expression by taurine may have therapeutic benefits in preventing restenosis.

Ocular injuries from improvised explosive devices.

PURPOSE: To document the characteristics, treatments, and anatomical and functional outcomes of patients with ocular trauma from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). METHODS: Retrospective review of ocular injuries caused by IEDs, admitted to our tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: In total, sixty-one eyes of the 39 patients with an average age of 24 years (range, 20-42 years) were included in the study. In total, 49 (80%) eyes of the patients had open-globe and 12 (20%) had closed-globe injury. In eyes with open-globe injury, intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injury was the most frequently encountered type of injury, observed in 76% of eyes. Evisceration or enucleation was required as a primary surgical intervention in 17 (28%) of the eyes. Twenty-two (36%) eyes had no light perception at presentation. Patients were followed up for an average of 6 months (range, 4-34 months). At the last follow-up, 26 (43%) of 61 eyes had no light perception. Postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) developed in 12 (50%) of the 24 eyes that underwent vitreoretinal surgery, and four of these eyes became phthisical. There were no cases of endophthalmitis. The presence of open-globe injury and presenting visual acuity worse than 5/200 were significantly associated with poor visual outcome (<5/200, P<0.05). In eyes with open-globe injury, the presence of an IOFB was not associated with poor visual outcome (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Ocular injuries from IEDs are highly associated with severe ocular damage requiring extensive surgical repair or evisceration/enucleation. Postoperative PVR is a common cause of poor anatomical and visual outcome.

Telomeric restriction analysis of vascular smooth muscle cells following balloon angioplasty in rabbits

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Intimal hyperplasia due to smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration has been reported to be responsible for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis, manifested following balloon angioplasty. In this study, we employed the balloon angioplasty model to study telomere length regulation in proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells. Our results showed that balloon angioplasty in iliac arteries resulted in intimal hyperplasia due to proliferation of the smooth muscle cells and small size telomeric restrictional fragments were evident in injured arteries (AU)

Telomeric restriction analysis of vascular smooth muscle cells following balloon angioplasty in rabbits.

Intimal hyperplasia due to smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration has been reported to be responsible for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis, manifested following balloon angioplasty. In this study, we employed the balloon angioplasty model to study telomere length regulation in proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells. Our results showed that balloon angioplasty in iliac arteries resulted in intimal hyperplasia due to proliferation of the smooth muscle cells and small size telomeric restrictional fragments were evident in injured arteries.

Efficacy of combined anticholinergic treatment and behavioral modification as a first line treatment for nonneurogenic and nonanatomical voiding dysfunction in children: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized blinded clinical study was designed to compare the efficacy of tolterodine treatment combined with behavioral modification, behavioral modification alone and behavioral modification plus placebo in children with nonneurogenic, nonanatomical voiding dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 children meeting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. One group received tolterodine (1 mg twice daily) along with behavioral modification, 1 received behavioral modification only and 1 received placebo with behavioral modification. A dysfunctional voiding scoring system questionnaire was completed for all patients at the beginning of the study, and at 1 and 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were evaluated. The groups did not differ with respect to age, gender and symptom score before study enrollment (p >0.05). Repeated calculations of symptom scores at 1 month of the treatment revealed a significant decrease in symptoms in all 3 groups, with a significant decrease in patients receiving tolterodine. In addition, at month 3 the symptom score of the tolterodine group was significantly lower compared to month 1, while scores remained steady in the behavioral modification and behavioral modification plus placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Tolterodine combined with behavioral modification for voiding dysfunction in children without neurological or anatomical abnormality can be recommended as a first line treatment before invasive evaluation.

Alterations in coagulation profiles and biochemical and haematological parameters in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

This study was designed to investigate alterations in coagulation, and in biochemical and haematological parameters in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). In the study, 28 dairy cattle with TRP and 10 clinically healthy cattle (control) of different ages and breeds were used. Cattle with TRP had prolonged prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Erythrocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and hyperfibrinogenaemia were detected in animals with TRP. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of total protein, globulin and total bilirubin, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were also high in cattle with TRP compared to those of the control group. The serum concentrations of calcium were significantly low in the TRP group. The results of this study, therefore, indicate that TRP causes significant coagulation abnormalities and biochemical and haematological alterations in dairy cattle.