Chronological echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in term and premature neonatal calves.

Echocardiographic studies in human neonatology has demonstrated that prematurity can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction and especially compromises the left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions. As echocardiographic studies have not been performed on cardiovascular dysfunction in premature calves, we echocardiographically evaluated and compared the LV systolic and diastolic function in full-term and premature calves. We followed the hemodynamical changes of LV during first 3 days of life. Twenty premature calves and 10 healthy term calves were enrolled in the study. 2D, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed at days 1, 2 and 3 after birth to evaluate LV systolic and diastolic functions. Our findings demonstrated that not only was there LV diastolic dysfunction (55% premature calves, 10% term calf at day 1; 65% premature calves, 10% term calf at day 2 and, 75% premature calves, 20% term calf at day 3), but also LV systolic dysfunction (55% premature calves, 60% term calf at day 1; 55% premature calves, 50% term calf at day 2, and 45% premature calves, 40% term calf at day 3) deteriorated in both term and premature calves. In conclusion, the present study, which was the first comparative echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic and diastolic functions in term and premature newborn calves, showed that both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions might occur in term and premature calves.

Intravenous metoclopramide versus dexketoprofen trometamol versus metoclopramide+ dexketoprofen trometamol in acute migraine attack in the emergency department: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the analgesic efficacy and safety of intravenous, single-dose metoclopramide versus dexketoprofen trometamol versus metoclopramide+ dexketoprofen trometamol in patients presenting with acute migraine attack to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This single-center, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in a tertiary care ED. Eligible patients met the migraine criteria of the International Headache Society were randomized to receive 10 mg intravenous metoclopramide, 50 mg intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol, or 50 mg dexketoprofen trometamol +10 mg metoclopramide. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain measurement at baseline, after 15 and 30 min. The primary outcome measure was the changes in the VAS scores at the 15th and 30th minutes of treatment. The secondary outcome measures were the presence of adverse effects and the requirement of rescue medicine. RESULTS: Patients (n = 150) were randomized into 3 groups with similar VAS scores at baseline. While there was no significant difference between metoclopramide and dexketoprofen trometamol in reducing pain at the 15th and 30th minute (p = 0.618 and p = 0.862, respectively) and between metoclopramide and metoclopramide + dexketoprofen trometamol at the 15th minute (p = 0.074), metoclopramide + dexketoprofen trometamol was superior to both metoclopramide [mean difference: -13.2 mm (95% CI -23.1 to -3.3)] and dexketoprofen trometamol [mean difference: -11.02 mm (95% CI -20.9 to -1.1)] at the 30th min (p = 0.006 and p = 0.025 respectively). The rescue drug was required by 3 patients (6%) were in metoclopramide group, 4 patients (8%) in dexketoprofen trometamol group and one patient (2%) in the metoclopramide + dexketoprofen trometamol group. No side effects were observed in subjects in three treatment groups. CONCLUSION: No significant difference in VAS was found between three treatment groups at the 15th minute, but metoclopramide + dexketoprofen trometamol was superior to both metoclopramide and dexketoprofen trometamol at the 30th min.

Somatic embryogenesis in apomict Boechera holboellii.

In this study we establish an efficient method for the regeneration for Boechera holboellii via somatic embryogenesis. Immature cotyledons from siliques of 4-6 month-old plants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with plant growth regulators (BA - 6-benzylaminopurine; NAA - alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid; TDZ - 1-phelyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea: 2,4 D-2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid). A high frequency of embryogenic callus was produced after two weeks in culture. The somatic embryos were obtained with a frequency of 10% of explants on MS medium supplemented with 1.34 muM NAA + 8.87 muM BA and 2.68 muM NAA + 17.74 muM BA within 3 weeks in culture. The alternative regime of MS medium supplemented with 1.34 muM NAA + 4.44 muM BA produced somatic embryos at a frequency of 38%.

The studies on the aetiology of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and determination of virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains by multiplex PCR.

The purpose of this study was to determine aetiological agents of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and to investigate virulence gene markers of Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-two diarrhoeic calves and 18 healthy calves were used as subjects. Faeces were taken from the rectums of all the calves and were subjected to bacterial culture. Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli K99 in faeces of all the calves. A multiplex PCR was used to characterize E. coli strains in all the calves. Escherichia coli was isolated from 37 faeces samples, Enterococcus ssp. was isolated from 22 faeces samples and Salmonella was isolated from one faeces sample in diarrhoeic calves. Furthermore, only E. coli was isolated from all 18 faeces samples of healthy calves. Of the 37 E. coli isolated from diarrhoeic calves, K99 (18.9%), F41 (18.9%), heat-stable enterotoxin a (STa) (18.9%), Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1; 13.5%) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2; 5.4%) and intimin (8.1%) genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Of the 18 E. coli isolated from healthy calves, K99 (16.6%) and intimin (55.5%) genes were identified by PCR. A total of 15 rotavirus, 11 coronavirus and 11 E. coli K99 were detected in diarrhoeic calves by the antigen ELISA. As a result, this study shows that rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli and Enterococcus ssp. were determined to play a role in the aetiology of diarrhoea in the neonatal calves. K99, F41, STa, Stx1 and Stx2 were found as the most common virulence gene markers of E. coli strains isolated from calves with diarrhoea. Multiplex PCR may be useful for characterization of E. coli isolated from calves.

The evaluation of coagulation profiles in calves with suspected septic shock.

The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the haemostatic function in calves with suspected septic shock and to reflect the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Twenty-six calves suspected of having septic shock (experimental group) and 10 clinically healthy calves (control group) were used. On admission, the experimental group of calves had been ill for an average of 2 days. Therapy was applied to the experimental group of calves. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were determined. Blood smears for toxic neutrophil and schistocyte intensity were evaluated. For the coagulation profile, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) values were determined. Toxic neutrophils in blood smears were observed in 12 calves of the experimental group. APTT was prolonged in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Fibrinogen concentration was found to be higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total leukocyte counts were higher in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Platelet counts in the experimental group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001). However, when the individual values of coagulation profiles of each calf were evaluated, 8 calves had at least three abnormal coagulation profiles (APTT >72 s, PT >34.5 s, TT >33.7 s, FDPs >5 microg/ml, PLT < or = 150 x 10(3)/mm(3)) and abnormal erythrocyte morphology (schistocytes > or = 1). The most common abnormal tests in the coagulation profile were APTT and PT (7 cases), FDPs (6 cases), thrombocytopenia (4 cases), and schistocytes in blood smears (8 cases) in these 8 calves. The results of this study indicate that DIC might be a significant risk factor for mortality in calves with suspected septic shock.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in cattle with abomasal displacement.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate haemostatic function in cattle with abomasal displacement (AD) and to reflect the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Ten adult cattle with left displacement of abomasum (LDA) (group I), 10 adult cattle with right displacement of abomasum with volvulus (RDA) (group II) and 10 clinically healthy adult cattle (control group) were used as material. Numbers of platelets (PLT) and coagulation tests (activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs), fibrinogen) were measured before the surgical treatment of cattle with LDA and RDA. APTT was prolonged only in group II compared with the control and group I (p<0.05). However, when the individual values of coagulation profiles of each cow were evaluated, two cattle in group I and three cattle in group II had at least three abnormal coagulation profiles, which reflect the occurrence of DIC. These cattle died after surgical treatment. The two cattle with LDA had abnormal APTT, FDPs and PLT values; three cattle with RDA had abnormal APTT, PT, TT, FDPs and PLT values. APTT (5 cases), FDPs (5 cases) and thrombocytopenia (5 cases) were the three most common abnormal tests on coagulation profile in the cattle with LDA and RDA. The results of the study indicate that cattle with AD had a spectrum of haemostatic dysfunction and that DIC was a significant risk factor for mortality.

Plasma gastrin activity and the diagnosis of bleeding abomasal ulcers in cattle.

The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of plasma gastrin determinations as a diagnostic aid and to review the clinical and haematological findings in cattle with bleeding abomasal ulcers. Twenty-nine cows with bleeding abomasal ulcers and six healthy cows were used. Clinical and laboratory examinations, including plasma gastrin levels, were performed. Anorexia, depression, dark-coloured to black faeces, pale mucous membranes, abdominal pain, moderate tachycardia and tachypnoca were the most pronounced clinical symptoms in the cattle with bleeding abomasal ulcers. Plasma gastrin concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the cattle with bleeding abomasal ulcers than in healthy cows. The mean plasma gastrin concentration in healthy cattle was 103.2 pg/ml, while the mean plasma gastrin concentrations in cattle with bleeding abomasal ulcers were found to be 213.6 pg/ml. Haemoglobin levels, packed cell volume, total white blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cows with bleeding abomasal ulcer than in the healthy cattle. The results of this study show that measurement of plasma gastrin can be useful in the diagnosis of bleeding abomasal ulcers in cattle.

Pre- and postprandial total serum bile acid concentration following acute liver damage in dogs.

The importance of preprandial and postprandial total bile acids were investigated in dogs with liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. Six healthy and mature dogs were used. After base-line clinical and biochemical examinations, hepatocellular damage was induced by oral CCl4 administration. Determinations of plasma total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), total and direct bilirubin (TBil, DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) along with histologic examination of the livers 10 days following CCl4 administration were conducted to ensure that hepatic damage was in fact induced by the CCl4 administration. Twelve h fasting preprandial and 2 h postprandial serum total bile acids (PRSBA, POSBA) concentrations were also measured. The median plasma TP, Alb, TBil and DBil concentrations did not show any difference (P > 0.05) during the study. Plasma ALT activities increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) between on the 3rd and 10th days of the experiment. The median serum values of PRSBA and POSBA were significantly different (P < 0.01) on the first day and continued to be different during the experiment. In conclusion, POSBA seemed to be more reliable than PRSBA in the diagnosis of hepatic necrosis.

Beta-glucuronidase and trypsin inhibitor capacity of tracheal lavage fluid as indicators of seasonal airway irritation in the horse.

The health of the respiratory tracts of 19 horses was studied for 11 months. The horses were placed into 3 groups (healthy, periodically diseased and continuously diseased) based on the measurements of blood gases, intrapleural pressure and on neutrophil content of tracheal mucus. Lysosomal enzymes (N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase) and reflectors of the proteolytic system (plasmin, plasminogen, trypsin inhibitor capacity) were determined. beta-glucuronidase appeared to be a good indicator of the presence of disease of the respiratory system. High beta-glucuronidase values were seen in horses with elevated numbers of neutrophils, elevated arterial alveolar and intrapleural differences as well as in diseased horses during the stabling period. Trypsin inhibitor capacity seemed to be lower in the diseased respiratory system, probably due to the increased consumption of trypsin inhibitors.

The highly expressed tapetum-specific A9 gene is not required for male fertility in Brassica napus.

An antisense approach was used to attempt to determine the function of the highly abundant, tapetum-specific A9 transcript in microsporogenesis. A Brassica napus A9 cDNA clone was linked in sense and antisense orientations to the Arabidopsis thaliana A9 promoter and the resulting chimaeric genes introduced into B. napus. A high proportion of the offspring of B. napus antisense A9 plants had very low or undetectable levels of A9 mRNA. However, these plants set seed and had pollen of normal or near normal viability. Therefore, under the conditions studied, the A9 protein appears not to be essential for male fertility in B. napus.

Influence of clenbuterol on mucociliary transport in healthy horses and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The mucociliary tracheal transport rate and clearance index were measured in 16 healthy horses and 16 horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A marker, Indian ink in syrup, was placed in the mucus layer of the interior wall of the trachea, just in front of the carina, and its displacement was measured after 30 and 60 minutes. The same procedure was repeated 30 minutes after the intravenous administration of 0.8 microgram clenbuterol/kg bodyweight. In the diseased horses the mucociliary transport rate was significantly lower than in the healthy horses. After clenbuterol administration there was a significant increase in the transport rate and a similar increase in the clearance index. Sixty and 90 minutes after clenbuterol there was a significant increase of mucus secretion in both the healthy and diseased horses. Measurements in five healthy horses and five diseased horses on two different days gave similar results, showing that the technique provided reproducible data.