Acute and Subacute Metabolic and Endocrine Effects of Clenbuterol in Female Pigs

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between acute and subacute metabolic and endocrine effects after intravenous administration of the ₂-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol in a growth-promoting dose to female pigs. Acute metabolic and endocrine effects were assessed by measuring the blood glucose, serum insulin and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations during 300 min after a single administration of clenbuterol. Significantly higher serum insulin and NEFA concentrations (19.90±2.50 U/ml, p<0.01, and 0.69±0.04 mmol/L, p<0.001, respectively) were measured 30 min after the preprandial administration of clenbuterol in female pigs. Over the same period, the levels of blood glucose (4.42±0.30 mmol/L) showed no difference from those of control pigs. The postprandial serum NEFA concentration decreased moderately during 210 min after feeding. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations increased and reached maximal levels 120 min after clenbuterol administration (10.91±0.60 mmol/L and 85.22±7.24 U/ml, respectively), and returned to basal levels at 300 min (4.20±0.21 mmol/L and 7.75±1.60 U/ml, respectively) after the administration of clenbuterol. Subacute metabolic and endocrine effects were assessed by measuring the blood glucose, serum insulin and NEFA concentrations for 21 days after the repeated doses of clenbuterol. In addition, the influence of clenbuterol administration on the endocrine regulation of the onset of the next expected oestrus in female pigs was assessed by measuring their serum 17-oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. Blood glucose, serum insulin and NEFA concentrations after the last administration of clenbuterol did not differ significantly from those in control animals. The onset of the next expected oestrus occurred regularly without any significant difference in serum 17-oestradiol or progesterone concentrations between the treated (9.83±2.60 pg/ml and 0.15±0.03 ng/ml) and control pigs (8.52±2.70 pg/ml and 0.25±0.06 ng/ml). The study results suggest the duration of intravenous administration of clenbuterol in a growth-promoting dose necessary to influence the metabolic and endocrine activities in female pigs.     

Aeromonas hydrophila Isolated from Wild Freshwater Fish in Croatia

Aeromonas hydrophila was recovered from fish living in lake Vrana on the Croatian island of Cres. The occurrence of the bacterium in the fish was assessed and related to gross signs of disease and findings at necropsy as a potential health hazard for fish. Isolated bacteria were subjected to morphological, physiological, biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility tests. A total of 26 A. hydrophila isolates were obtained. There was a clear seasonality, as no isolates were recovered in the summer months. Most of the isolates were sensitive to all the antimicrobials used in the study except novobiocin and penicillin G. Affected fish manifested haemorrhages over the skin, in the liver, kidney and swim bladder, spleen infarcts, fatty liver, ascitic fluid and swollen haemopoietic tissues. A. hydrophila does not appear to pose a major threat for the fish in the lake at present but under unfavourable and stressful conditions it could seriously compromise fish health.     

Defence Responses Against TNV Infection Induced by Galactoglucomannan-derived Oligosaccharides in Cucumber Cells

Galactoglucomannan-derived oligosaccharides (GGMOs) showing biological activity in growth, morphogenesis and cell viability were tested in a host pathogen interaction. As a model system, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Laura) reacting hypersensitively to tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) was used. The defence reactions were dependent on the degree of polymerisation and concentration of oligosaccharides, as well as on the time of application of virus to plant cotyledons. Disease symptoms were inhibited by 60–75%. The average number of lesions per cotyledon was significantly decreased when oligosaccharides were used simultaneously or 24h prior to virus inoculation. Significant changes in peroxidase, beta-glucanase and chitinase activities accompanied the defence reaction. It can be concluded that oligosaccharides derived from spruce galactoglucomannan induce non-specific resistance to local viral infection in plants. GGMOs probably act as inhibitors of the virus infection, rather than inhibitors of direct virus multiplication.     

A study of Bovid herpesvirus 2 infection in calves inoculated intradermally or intranasally

Bovid herpesvirus 2 infection was studied in calves exposed to the virus by intradermal inoculation of the skin of the left cheek or by nasal spray.

In either case a localised infection developed and virus replication was shown to occur mostly in the tissues of its primary localisation, i.e. the skin of the left cheek or the nasal mucosa. There were neither secondary lesions, except at the site of virus injection, nor any serious systemic involvement on the part of the animals.

The virus was also recovered from some areas of the skin (right cheek, perineum and scrotum) that were free of macroscopic lesions; moreover, intranuclear inclusions were found in several tissues of the nervous system (brain, superior cervical, stellate and Gasserian ganglia) which did not show any signs of inflammatory or degenerative changes. These findings suggest that the skin and the nervous system play an important role in the naturally-occurring disease since they could be the sites where the virus is maintained latently in the host.     

Vogelflöhe als Feinde von Singvogelbruten in Vogelnistkästen

The broods of singing birds often are reduced by fleas particularly poultry-fleas. The fleas are easily transferred by the birds and are very resistant to cold winter. They reach maximal density in second bird's nests built by the second generation on the top of the first nest. Up to 2576 individuals of fleas per nest box have been counted. Therefore it is necessary to clean the box immediately after the young birds have left the nest. In forests the density of fleas decreased considerable in last years as firstly the old wooden nest boxes (with their hiding-places favourable to flea larvae) were substituted by boxes consisting of wooden concrete, and secondly the boxes are sprayed with insecticides regularly.     

Correlations between shape index and shell deformation of hens’ eggs over a laying year

The egg shape index and shell deformation of 2466 pullet and 2214 hen eggs have been studied each week over a period of 45 weeks. The weekly and 5‐week averages were utilised for correlation analysis.

A pronounced negative correlation between shape index and shell deformation variations was found for both pullet and hen eggs. The pullet egg correlation coefficient, determined on the basis of the weekly and 5‐week averages, was ‐0.605 and ‐0.885, respectively; while the corresponding values for hen eggs were ‐0.433 and ‐0.510.

It has been pointed out that although a correlated variation of shape index and shell deformation with time might be due to specific conditions, it is reasonable to assume that if the time‐dependent changes of the relevant properties were taken into account in the investigations, an improved correlation might be expected.     

Influence of genotype,year and type of fruiting branches on the productive behaviour of almond

The effect of the type of fruiting branch was studied over 2 years in nine almond selections in order to investigate its relationship with bloom density, fruit set, the level of the subsequent crop, and the physical traits of the fruits. The effect of the fruiting branch, defined by the presence of spurs, was found to be highly significant for bloom density, productivity and fruit size, but not for fruit shape, showing that nut and kernel shapes are cultivar traits. Bloom density and its components, as well as fruit set, fruit density and productivity were highly genotype and year dependent, but the interaction genotype × year was less important or even non-significant, stressing the special behaviour of each genotype as well as the effect of the year, probably linked to the climatic conditions and to the physiological status of the trees.     

Functional analysis of vegetation on alpine treeline ecotone in the Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps in Slovenia

Our study focused on the functional aspects of plant species and vegetation at the transition from larch (Larix decidua Mill.) forest to mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) stands on the alpine treeline ecotone. With increasing elevation, living conditions grow harsher, which is reflected in the plant species and functional trait composition of plant communities. At four different localities in the Slovenian Alps, relevés along an altitudinal gradient and according to vegetation type were made (European larch forests, larch trees-mountain pine shrubs, mountain pine shrubs), using standard Central European phytocoenological method. In the upper mountain pine belt, few differential species were found, since most species represented in mountain pine stands also occurred in the lower two vegetation belts, while there were many differential species in the lower forest belt. Species with considerable competitive ability and moderate stress tolerance dominated the upper treeline ecotone, whereas ruderality is poorly expressed. The importance of stress tolerance in plant strategies increased slightly in the mountain pine belt. Changes in the representation of some functional traits attributes were detected by vegetation belts, but complete species turnover did not occur. Changes in dominant life form involved greater cover of chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes in the upper mountain pine belt. Species with evergreen leaves dominated mountain pine stands and deciduous forest stands. The share of species with scleromorphic leaves increased in the direction of the mountain pine belt while the share of species with mesomorphic and hygromorphic leaves declined. Mountain pine stands create good conditions for the regeneration of tree species and colonisation by ecologically more demanding forest species while species of alpine grasslands withdraw on open areas. Since today’s treeline is lowered due to past human activity, an upward shift is expected. Also, considering the great importance of competition strategy, current conditions in mountain pine stands are favourable for future forest succession.     

Impact of the Carpathians on the genetic structure of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus

The Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly 1,500 km long across Central and Eastern Europe. They are an important area for biodiversity and belong to one of the major refuges of the last ice ages for many organisms. The forests of the Carpathians are dominated by spruce, which have suffered continuous outbreaks of the eight spined spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, in recent decades. The phylogeography of this spruce pest is well documented, however, little is known on small scale, i.e., the Carpathians. Here we applied a mitochondrial marker and studied the genetic variation and structure of Carpathian populations and compared data with published one from other European populations. Twelve haplotypes were characterized and 42 % of those were not detected in other European populations. Despite a slight genetic structure, differences were observed in the haplotype distribution and diversity between the Western/Southern Carpathians and the Eastern Carpathians reflecting at least two potential refugial areas for I. typographus within the Carpathian mountain system. Further data show that the Eastern Beskidian Mountains of the Carpathians could act as barrier for several European haplotypes. This small-scale analysis reveals that the Carpathians have been an important glacial and post-glacial refuge for I. typographus. This information is important for a preventive and reactive forest management.     

Transnasal endoscopic treatment of equine sinus disease in 14 clinical cases

Transnasal endoscopic sinus treatment was used in four horses diagnosed with primary sinusitis and 10 horses with dental sinusitis. Pre-existing (n = 5) or surgically created (n = 9) sinonasal fistulae were used as portals for transnasal endoscopic exploration, debridement and lavage of the inflamed sinus cavities. Endoscopic sinonasal fistulation was performed using either trans-endoscopic diode laser fibre (four cases) or an electrocautery instrument under endoscopic control (five cases). All procedures were performed on standing sedated horses with the use of local anaesthesia. In six cases, the ventral concha was fenestrated in order to gain a portal into the ventral conchal and rostral maxillary sinus. In two cases the dorsal concha was fenestrated to access the caudal group of the paranasal sinuses. One case required fenestration of the ventral conchal bulla due to its empyema. Post-operative bleeding was controlled with a nasal cavity tamponade for 24 h. Endoscopic lavage and debridement of the inflamed sinuses were performed every 2–3 days. Medical treatment consisted of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the cases of dental sinusitis, the underlying dental pathology was addressed. Median hospitalisation time was 10 days (range 5–25 days) and the median number of endoscopic procedures (including the initial procedure) was 4 (range 3–7). Cases were followed-up by telephone consultations with their owners. Intervals between discharge and last follow-up ranged from 4 to 22 months (median 9.5 months). Complete recovery was reported in 10 cases, clinical improvement (occasional nonpurulent discharge) in two cases. Two cases were readmitted due to recurrence of the purulent nasal discharge; both subsequently underwent trephination of the affected sinuses and made a full recovery after removal of the remaining pathological sinus content.