Characterisation of lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the lipid profiles in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. METHODS: Blood was collected before treatment from 30 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for severe sepsis including hypo- or hyperthermia, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and evidences of organ dysfunction. Canine parvovirus was detected by haemagglutination and indirect fluorescence antibody tests in the faeces. Twenty control dogs were also enrolled on the basis of normal physical examination results, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profiles. RESULTS: Tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased serum markers of tissue injury (alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase myocardial isoenzyme [CK-MB], blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) were observed in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower, but serum triglyceride level was higher in dogs with parvoviral enteritis than those in control dogs (P<0.001). Circulating tumour necrosis factor alpha correlated negatively with total cholesterol (r=-0.979; P<0.001) but positively with triglyceride (r=0.953; P<0.001) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in non-survival (n=9) dogs than in survival dogs (n=21, P<0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased, but serum triglyceride level increased in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Low serum total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used as an index of the severity of parvoviral enteritis.     

An abattoir survey on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Turkish cattle in the Marmara region which borders the European Union (EU). For this, cattle brought to abattoirs in Istanbul were analysed. The high risk group were selected and therefore 384 cattle above 2 years old were included in the study. They were primarily examined for the presence of any clinical signs of nervous system and also other clinical disorders. The whole brains were taken and analysed for the presence of vacuolar degeneration and prion protein by PLATELIA BSE test kit. Only 5 cattle were found to be nervous and showed aggressive behaviour. There were no cattle showing incoordination or other neurological disorders. Cysts were observed in 3 brains. Histopathologically, no vacuolar degeneration indicative of BSE was found in any cattle examined. However, in 8 brains, few vacuoles were observed in neurons in sections taken from the brain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata and medulla spinalis. Slight mononuclear cell infiltration in 9 brain, intensed mononuclear cell infiltration in 1 brain, haemorrhages in 5 brains and gliosis in 11 brains were also found. No infective prion was detected by ELISA in samples taken from 384 cattle brain.     

Avian influenza A viruses in birds of the order Psittaciformes: reports on virus isolations, transmission experiments and vaccinations and initial studies on innocuity and efficacy of oseltamivir in ovo

Birds of the order Psittaciformes are - besides chickens, turkeys and other birds - also susceptible to infection with avian influenza A viruses (AIV) and succumb following severe disease within one week. Published data prove that various parakeets, amazons, cockatoos, African grey parrots and budgerigars (genera Barnardius, Psittacula, Cacatua, Eolophus, Amazona, Myiopsitta, Psittacus and Melopsittacus) were found dead following natural infections. Natural infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) of the haemagglutinin subtypes H5 and H7 cause severe disease and high rates of mortality. Experimental transmission studies with AlVs of the subtypes H5 and H7 confirm these data. Viruses of the subtypes H3N8, H4N6, H4N8, H11N6 and H11N8 may cause also clinical signs and occasionally losses in naturally infected psittacine birds. Clinical signs and losses were also noted following experimental infection of budgerigars with a H4N6 virus. In the EU and in other countries, vaccination of exposed exotic and rare birds and poultry is a possible and an acceptable measure to provide protection. Currently, the EU Commission accepts inactivated adjuvanted vaccines whereas in some other countries recently developed vector vaccines are applied. However, birds remain susceptible during the time interval between application of any vaccine and the development of immunity. This critical period can be bridged with antiviral drugs. Our in ovo studies demonstrate that the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir is non-toxic for chicken embryos at concentrations of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg body weight. These dosages prevented entirely the replication of a HPAIV of the subtype H7N1 when this drug is given shortly prior to, simultaneously or soon after inoculation of chicken embryos with this AIV. Thus, we speculate that exposed valuable birds such as psittacines at risk can be successfully treated.     

Distribution of resistance-breaking isolates of beet necrotic yellow vein virus differing in virulence in sugar beet fields in Turkey

Rhizomania, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is one of the most devastating diseases on sugar beet throughout the world. A total of 235 BNYVV-infested soil samples taken from 29 provinces during the growing seasons of 2004–2005 and 2010–2011 were investigated for resistance-breaking properties of BNYVV isolates. BNYVV resistant (Rz1, Rz1?+?R2, Rz1?+?C48?+?minor genes) and susceptible (rz1) sugar beet cultivars were grown in the BNYVV-infested soils by the bait plant technique, and virus infection was evaluated based on disease symptom and DAS-ELISA. Of the soil samples tested, 57.4% produced infection in the roots of sugar beet cultivar (cv.) containing the Rz1 gene, 51.9% in cv. carrying the Rz1?+?Rz2 and 18.9% in cv. carrying the Rz1?+?C48?+?minor genes. Also, the presence of Beet soil-borne virus (BSBV) was evaluated by TAS-ELISA. Additionally, the presence of BNYVV RNA-5 component was investigated by RT–PCR using the primers specific for p26 coding region. Our results revealed that BNYVV isolates compromising resistance genes are highly common and widespread in sugar beet production areas in Turkey, and it seems unlikely that BSBV and/or RNA-5 were directly involved in RB-event.     

The effects of seasonal,sex and size on the digestive enzyme activities in freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823)

The effects of seasonal, sex and size on digestive enzyme activities of Astacus leptodactylus in natural habitat were investigated in the present study. The freshwater crayfish were sampled 584 individual as seasonally from Egirdir Lake. Ten male and 10 female individuals were sampled randomly from caught crayfish in each two different size ranges (4.5–7.0, 7.1–9.9 cm) and each season. The gastrointestinal tract, gastric, intestine and midgut gland were individually dissected on ice for enzyme analysis and stomach contents. At the end of the study, amylase activities were affected by interaction of season × sex × size in intestinal, season × sex in midgut gland. However, any interaction was not determined in amylase activities of the gastric. Lipase activities were affected by interaction of season × sex × size in intestinal and gastric, season × sex in midgut gland. The protease activities in each organ were affected by interaction of season, sex and size (p ? .05). In all organs, amylase and lipase activities were similar. However, the highest protease activity was in stomach while the lowest protease activity was the intestine. The protease activities were higher than amylase and lipase activities. There is a positive correlation between protease enzyme activities in gastric with gonad maturation and active feeding period. It can be said based on data of digestive system and high protease activity that A. leptodactylus is an omnivore species in need high protein. In addition, the reason for the low levels of lipase activity may be A. leptodactylus not prefer high fat foods or not fed high fat foods.     

Antimicrobial activity of plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) was assessed on 102 clinical isolates from both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and four standard strains, including MRSA ATCC 43300, MSSA ATCC 25923, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. coli ATCC 35218. ABS was significantly active against all bacteria investigated.     

Effect of twist level on tyre cord performance

The effect of twist level on the mechanical and thermal properties of nylon 66 and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tyre cords has been studied. Effects of the twist on some critical cord properties such as tensile properties, shrinkage, shrink force, adhesion and fatigue have been evaluated. Breaking strength was decreased between 3.1 and 7.3 twist factor values, whereas breaking elongation was increased, on both nylon 66 and polyester cords. The tensile behaviour of high twist factor PET is similar to that of low twist factor nylon cords. This is an advantage for the possibility to get closer the properties of different materials by adjusting theirs twist factors. The shrinkage values increase with increasing twist factor, whereas shrinks force values decrease for greige nylons and polyester cords. Adhesion and fatigue resistance is increased with increasing twist factors.     

Nutritional quality of amino acid in farmed,farm‐aggregated and wild Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne) with implications to Human Health

This study evaluated the nutritional quality of farmed and wild axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne R., 1827) focusing on amino acid profiles, with regards to possible interactions with wild fish aggregating around the cage facility. Total amino acids (∑AA), essential amino acids (∑EAA), non‐essential amino acids (∑NEAA) and neutral amino acids (∑NAA) in farmed fish were lower than those in the wild individuals (p > .05). Amino acid pattern in cage‐aggregated fish showed a slight decline from the wild populations, but still higher than the farmed fish. Based on the amino acid scores (AAS), lysine and leucine could be underlined as the ‘first limiting amino acids’, but all other AASs were over ‘1’, in accordance with reference amino acid contents of FAO/WHO (>1.00), showing that farmed axillary seabream provides high nutritional quality and can be considered as a favourable protein source. The ratios of ∑EAA/∑AA (44%–46%) and ∑EAA/∑NEAA (79%–86%) exceeded the minimum recommendation of 40% and >60% by FAO/WHO for all three groups. It can be concluded that axillary seabream either farmed, farm‐aggregated or distant wild fish presented high‐quality protein generating a healthy source for human food.     

Antifungal effect of Origanum onites essential oil as an alternative to formalin in the artificial incubation of narrow‐clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823)

As alternative to formalin, the antifungal effect of a plant product [Origanum onites L. (Lamiaceae) oil] was investigated for use in the artificial incubation of narrow‐clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz) eggs. For this purpose, this study was conducted as two experiments. In experiment I, the eggs were artificially incubated for 40 days. In experiment II, juveniles were cultured to determine effects of O. onites oil on juveniles for 30 days. The experimental groups were as follows: formalin (3500 ppm for 15 min), O. onites oil (300 ppm for 15 min, 700 ppm for 2 min and 1000 ppm as a dip treatment 15 split‐second) and a control (no treatment). In the experiment I, the highest hatching rate (86%) and survival rate of stage II juveniles (80%) were observed in 1000 ppm dip group. These results were similar to that of formalin group (85% and 79%) respectively. The control group exhibited the lowest hatching rate (49%) and stage II rate (42%) compared with the 1000 ppm dip group and 3500 ppm formalin treatments. However, other concentrations (300 and 700 ppm) of O. onites showed toxic effects on the eggs and there was no hatching. In the experiment II, the survival rate and growth performance of the crayfish juveniles were similar in all groups. This study indicated that the 1000 ppm O. onites dip treatment could be a good alternative to formalin for improved egg hatchability in the artificial incubation of crayfish eggs.