Oxidation of diazinon and malathion by myeloperoxidase

The aim of the work was to investigate the in vitro oxidation of diazinon and malathion, organophosphorous pesticides (OPs) containing phosphorthioate group, catalyzed by enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). The oxidation was performed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The products were identified as oxon derivatives (phosphates), where the sulfur atom from thioate group was substituted by an oxygen atom. No hydrolysis products were detected after enzyme - induced oxidation. The oxidation efficiency was controlled using acethylcholinesterase (AChE) bioassay for determination of oxon derivatives concentration. The influence of OPs concentration, incubation time of OPs with MPO, as well as MPO concentration on the yield of oxo forms was investigated. Kinetic constants of MPO in oxidation of malathion and diazinon were estimated. The maximum concentration of oxo forms was achieved after 10 min incubation of OPs in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) with 100 nM MPO.     

The dynamics of introduction of alien scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) into Croatia

In recent years, several species of alien scale insects have arrived and spread rapidly through European and Mediterranean countries. One hundred and twenty‐nine species of alien scale insects have so far been recorded in Europe. This paper presents a list of alien scale insect species for Croatia, comprising 56 species from 8 different families. Four of them are new records for Croatia: Aonidiella taxus Leonardi, 1906, Ichnaspis longirostris (Signoret, 1882), Phoenicococcus marlatii (Cockerell, 1899) and Spilococcus mammillariae (Bouche, 1844). The majority of species recorded belong to the following families: Diaspididae (28 species), Coccidae (12 species), Pseudococcidae (10 species), Eriococcidae (two species). The scale insect families Dactylopidae, Margarodidae, Ortheziidae and Pheniococcidae comprised only one recorded alien species each. During the time frame covered in the review (from the beginning of the 20th century until 2015), the majority of alien scale insect species (23) were registered in the period from 2000 to 2015. Data on the origin of introduced alien scale insects shows that the majority of the species originate from Asia (22 species), followed by North America (6 species), Africa, Australia and Central America (5 species each) and South America (4 species), with 9 species being of unknown origin.     

Oxidant/antioxidant properties of Croatian native propolis

Native propolis was defined as propolis powder collected from the continental part of Croatia and prepared according to a patented process that preserves all the propolis natural nutritional and organoleptic qualities. Nine phenolic compounds (out of thirteen tested) in propolis sample were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Among them chrysin was the most abundant (2478.5 microg/g propolis). Contrary to moderate antioxidant activity of propolis examined in vitro (ferric reduction antioxidant power; FRAP-assay), propolis as a food supplement modulated antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and significantly decreased lipid peroxidation processes (LPO) in plasma, liver, lungs, and brain of mice. The effect was dose- and tissue-dependent. The lower dose (100 mg/kg bw) protected plasma from oxidation, whereas the higher dose (300 mg/kg bw) was pro-oxidative. Hyperoxia (long-term normobaric 100% oxygen) increased LPO in all three organs tested. The highest vulnerability to oxidative stress was observed in lungs where hyperoxia was not associated with augmentation of AOE. Propolis protected lungs from hyperoxia by increased catalase (CAT) activity. This is of special importance for lungs since lungs of adult animals are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress because of their inability to augment AOE activity. Because of its strong antioxidant and scavenging abilities, native propolis might be used as a strong plant-based antioxidant effective not only in physiological conditions but also in cases that require prolonged high concentration of oxygen.     

Human guanylate-binding protein 1 as a model system investigated by several surface techniques

In medical technologies concerning the surface immobilization of proteins in a defined orientation, maintaining their activity is a critical aspect. Therefore, in this study, the authors have investigated the activity of an elongated protein attached to a self-assembled monolayer supported streptavidin layer for different relative orientations of the protein with regard to the surface. Several mutants of this protein, human guanylate-binding protein 1 (hGBP1) showing GTPase catalytic activity, have been furnished with either one or two biotin anchors. Various independent methods that are based on different biophysical properties such as surface plasmon resonance, atomic force microscopy, and quartz crystal microbalance have been used to determine the orientation of the hGBP1 variants after anchoring them via a streptavidin-linker to a biotinylated surface. The activity of guanosine-triphosphate hydrolysis of hGBP1 monomers bound on the surface is found to depend on their orientation relative to the substrate, relating to their ability to form dimers with other neighboring anchored mutants; the maximum activity is lower than that observed in solutions, as might be expected from diffusion limitations at the solid/liquid interface on the one hand and prevention from homodimer formation due to immobilization on the other hand.     

Transesophageal monitoring of aortic blood flow during nonemergent canine surgeries

Objective: To establish baseline values for descending thoracic aortic blood flow parameters as determined with a transesophageal combined M‐mode and pulsed Doppler ultrasound‐based monitoring method. Design: Preliminary observational study. Setting: University small animal teaching hospital. Animals: The study population consisted of anesthetized canine patients undergoing nonemergent surgeries. Prospectively set criteria for inclusion were adequate body size for placement of the esophageal probe and a nonemergent reason for surgery. The criterion for exclusion was recent trauma. Interventions: Placement of the transesophageal probe. Measurements and main results: Data was collected during 15 surgeries. Data from three dogs was excluded from data analysis (two recently hit by motor vehicles, one recently having undergone a total hip replacement). Each parameter was stable across time within each individual dog. The ranges of the descending thoracic aortic parameters across the 12 nonemergent cases were as follows: blood flow, 0.038–0.085 L min^?1 kg^?1; blood flow per beat, 0.31–0.84 mL kg^?1; blood acceleration, 6–29 m s^2?1; blood peak velocity, 38–105 m s^?1; left ventricular ejection time interval 331–492 ms; and diameter, 0.30–0.93 mm kg^?1. Conclusions: The range of descending thoracic aortic blood flow parameters encountered in this small group of dogs during nonemergent surgeries was broad; however, each parameter was quite stable across time with little change occurring in any dog during monitoring.     

Molecular detection of Theileria sp. in ticks and naturally infected sheep

Seven healthy sheep and 10 sheep diagnosed with piroplasmosis based on clinical signs were tested for the presence of babesiae and theileriae. Using the molecular techniques, two species of theileriae were detected and characterized. Theileria ovis was present mostly in healthy sheep and in Rhipicephalus ticks collected from infected sheep. Theileria sp. OT3 parasite was detected mostly in ill animals which represent additional evidence to the possible pathogenic nature of Theileria sp. OT3. The presence of babesiae in sheep or in ticks was not determined. The results of this study showed that ovine piroplasmosis due to Theileria is present in Southern Croatia. It was concluded that clinical diagnosis of ovine piroplasmosis should be confirmed by molecular analysis in order to identify the species of piroplasm, to select the appropriate treatment and to exclude the threat for public health.     

Transthoracic echocardiographic measurement of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) size and morphology influence the selection of the kind and the size of the embolization device used to effect shunt closure. HYPOTHESIS: That echocardiographic measurement of PDA in dogs is accurate. ANIMALS: Forty-five client-owned dogs with PDA. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Echocardiographic and angiographic data were compared. RESULTS: Measurement of the ductus in color Doppler echocardiography (CD-E) and 2-dimensional echocardiography (2D-E) was achieved from left parasternal views in 43 of 45 unsedated dogs (96%). In these 43 dogs, the angiographic minimal PDA diameter was 3.72 +/- 1.59 mm, and the diameter of the PDA ampulla was 8.46 +/- 3.01 mm. The CD-E minimal PDA diameter ranged from 2.3 to 9.5 mm (median, 4.0 mm). There was a significant mean difference to the angiographic measurements (1.15 +/- 0.95 mm; P < .0001). An agreement in a 1-mm range was found in 21 of 43 dogs (48%). The 2D-E minimal PDA diameter was 3.73 +/- 1.78 mm, and the mean difference to the angiographic measurements was not significant (0.00 +/- 0.72 mm; P = .98). An agreement in a 1-mm range was found in 31 of 43 dogs (72%). The 2D-E measurement of the PDA ampulla revealed a significant mean difference to the angiographic data (1.95 +/- 2.43 mm, P < .0001). An agreement in a 2-mm range was found in 21 of 43 dogs (49%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The 2D-E from the left cranial parasternal view is an excellent noninvasive method to estimate the PDA minimal diameter before doing catheter intervention.     

An outbreak of tick paralysis in free-ranging mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon)

During November 2006, two live and one dead mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) were presented with a history of weakness, tremors, and paralysis. After a detailed gross and histologic examination and a bacteriologic, parasitologic, and rabies evaluation, a preliminary diagnosis of tick paralysis was established. A thorough field search revealed 13 affected mouflons found in the open hunting ground "Sveti Juraj" near the town of Senj (Croatia), along with an additional 35 mouflon carcasses. All 13 mouflons were placed in a quiet, semidark stable. All detectable ticks were removed manually, and the animals were topically treated with 250 ppm of Amitraz water emulsion (Taktic 12.5% EC, Intervet International, 5830 Boxmeer, Netherlands). The collected ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis punctata. In the following 24 hr, all treated animals recovered fully. This report describes a naturally occurring outbreak of tick paralysis in free-ranging mouflons from a karst habitat.