Antibacterial Bilayered Skin Patches Made of HPMA and Quaternary Poly(4-vinyl pyridine)

This study aimed to produce poly(4-vinyl pyridine) and hydroxypropyl methacrylamide (HPMA)-based bilayer wound dressings materials enhancing healing mechanism for the wounds which have self-healing problem and high infection risk. These materials were designed to protect wound from secondary traumas caused microorganism invasion and do not have toxic substance release problem. Synthesis of quaternary poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (poly(Q4-VP)) which is the antibacterial layer of wound dressing material was carried out in two stages. At first stage, poly(4-vinyl pyridine) polymer was synthesized from 4-vinyl pyridine monomer by free radical polymerization. Then, poly(Q4-VP) was synthesized from poly(4-VP) by alkylation reaction with 6-bromocaproic acid. Resulted polymer was structurally characterized by FT-IR. The macroporous spongy structure, as the lower layer of wound dressing material, was prepared by cryogelation of HPMA. Then, the antibacterial polymer was electrospun onto the cryogel structure and bilayered material was obtained. Cryogel structure, fiber morphology and layer integration was examined by SEM. In order to enhance wound healing process, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was loaded to cryogel layer and release was followed by spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties of the materials were examined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. According to the results, bilayered, antibacterial and antifungal against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, temporary wound dressings which can stimulate wound healing and have high swelling capacity were obtained successfully.     

Variability in the Echinococcus granulosus cytochrome C oxidase 1 mitochondrial gene sequence from livestock in Turkey and a re-appraisal of the G1-3 genotype cluster

Investigations into the genetic strains of Echinococcus granulosus parasites occurring in sheep and cattle in Turkey were undertaken. A total of 112 hydatid cysts were investigated from sheep (100 isolates) derived from widely distributed sites within Turkey as well as from cattle (12 isolates) from the Turkish province of Kars. The parasite genotypes in these isolates were determined by DNA sequencing of part of the mitochondrial Cytochrome C oxidase 1 (cox1) gene. Haplotypes were identified which corresponded clearly to the previously described strain G1 in a total of 107 isolates, including 98 isolates from sheep and 9 isolates from cattle. Five isolates, including 2 sheep and 3 cattle, were determined to belong to the G3 genotype. Parasites of the G3 genotype were identified only in isolates derived from animals in the eastern regions of Turkey. While the majority of the isolates described here had haplotypes corresponding to the G1 genotype, none matched exactly the G1 sequence that was defined in previous studies. Analysis of all GenBank entries for E. granulosus cox1 sequences representing G1, G2 and G3 genotypes identified substantial microsequence variability. G1 and G3 could be distinguished as separate strains, however, the existence of G2 as a separate strain could not be supported. Rather, this can be regarded as a microsequence variation of G3.     

Generalized tuberculosis in a 45 day-old calf.

The objectives of the present study were to describe pathomorphological and immunohistochemical features of generalized natural tuberculosis in a 45 day-old female calf. The characteristic lesion of tuberculosis was productive type which was located in the lung, liver, and especially in the lymph nodes (mediastinal, bronchial, mesenterial, portal, prescapular, renal and caudal sternal lymph nodes). Mycobacterium bovis antigens were seen generally in the cytoplasma and around the macrophages, rarely in necrotic areas and Langhans giant cells by avidin-biotin complex peroxidase method.     

Immunohistochemical and histopathological studies of fixed rabies virus in goats

The purpose of this study was to systematically demonstrate and compare the pathological and immunohistochemical changes in goats which were infected by a fixed rabies virus that was used in vaccine production. In the histopathological examinations, varying degrees of inflammatory, degenerative and necrotic changes were detected in the central nervous system. In the preparations stained by the immunoperoxidase (IP) method, intra- and/or extracellular viral antigens were observed on the cerebellum, cornu ammonis, thalamus, pons, nucleus caudatus, spinal cord, medulla oblongata, Gasserian ganglion, eye and retropharyngeal lymph nodes. In the preparations stained by the immunofluorescence (IF) method, intra- and/or extracellular viral antigens were seen in the same locations with the exception of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. It was also observed that the antigens were qualitatively and quantitatively well stained with both methods. However, the visibility of antigens in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes and eye, and the facilities of applying made the IP method much more advantageous than the IF method.     

The effect of GnRH on the pregnancy ratio in low-yielding local race cows: comparison of different injection times

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this article was to investigate the efficiency of GnRH administrations at different time points after induced luteolysis on pregnancy rates...     

Extraction of light hydrocarbons from soil

The recovery of light hydrocarbon constituents from three soils using three kinds of extraction methods, conducted in duplicates, was evaluated. Higher molecular weight compounds were recovered at greater than 80% whereas the recoveries of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were generally less than 50%. Using the most efficient extraction procedure, the average recovery of light hydrocarbon from a soil, was 78%. Increased soil moisture content decreased the extent of recovery. Methanol and 2-propanol showed similar extracting potential for light hydrocarbon from soil. The rate of hydrocarbon removal was faster when methanol was used as a solvent, but its efficiency was similar to 2-propanol. The batch and column extraction methods gave very similar results for both solvents. However, column extraction offered an advantage over the soxhlet and batch procedures by reaching equilibrium faster.     

Significance of furosine as heat-induced marker in cookies

The effects of recipe formulation in terms of leavening agents (ammonium and sodium bicarbonates), sugars (sucrose and glucose), initial moisture content, and baking conditions (temperature and time) on furosine formation in cookies were studied. The cookies were baked at different temperatures for different times to monitor the progress of the early stage of the Maillard reaction. Change in furosine levels as an indicator of the Amadori products showed a typical kinetic behavior with a rapid increase to an apparent maximum followed by exponential decrease during baking. Initial water activity of cookie dough had no remarkable effect on the apparent maximum, but lowering the water activity decreased the time required to attain it. In addition, levels of furosine in the final product are highly correlated to the initial water content of dough at the same baking conditions. The levels of furosine attained were significantly lower in cookies composed of sucrose than in cookies composed of glucose. Early stage of the MR is rapidly overcome during baking as the Amadori product degraded in the advanced stage. Among the leavening agents, ammonium bicarbonate was the most effective for the progress of the Maillard reaction in cookies during baking.     

Effect of pentoxifylline on endotoxin-induced haemostatic disturbances in rabbits

Pentoxifylline (PTX, a methylxanthine derivative) has been found to interrupt early gene activation for tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tissue factor production and to improve survival from experimental sepsis. During endotoxaemia, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) and proinflammatory cytokines trigger the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) via the tissue factor-dependent pathway of coagulation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether pentoxifylline could prevent coagulation disturbances in LPS-treated rabbits. Endotoxaemia was induced with E. coli lipopolysaccharide in New Zealand White rabbits. Forty rabbits were used and divided into four equal groups. Group 1 served as a control group; Group 2: lipopolysaccharide was injected intravenously, Group 3: pentoxifylline was injected intraperitoneally, Group 4: lipopolysaccharide and pentoxifylline were injected simultaneously. Blood samples were collected 6 h after the treatments. In rabbits with endotoxin-induced DIC, platelet count, leukocyte count, percentage of differential leukocyte values, fibrinogen level, antithrombin III (AT-III) and protein C (PC) activity were decreased. Moreover, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were prolonged when compared to the control group. In conclusion, haemostatic disturbances associated with endotoxin-induced DIC were moderately suppressed by the administration of PTX.     

Imaging and surgical outcomes of spinal tumors in 18 dogs and one cat

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, histological appearances and surgical outcomes of 18 dogs and one cat with spinal tumors are presented. Medical records of the cases admitted for spinal disorders were reviewed, and cases of spinal tumors that were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by histological examination were included in this study. T1 weighted, T2 weighted and contrast enhanced T1 weighted images were taken and interpreted to evaluate the spinal tumors. The tumors were diagnosed as: meningioma (n = 6), ependymoma (n = 1), nerve sheath tumor (n = 4), metastatic spinal tumor (n = 3), osteosarcoma (n = 2), osteoma (n = 1), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and nephroblastoma (n = 1). Thirteen cases underwent surgical operation and the remaining six cases were euthanized at the request of the owners. The neurological status of the surgical cases did not deteriorate, except for one dog that showed ependymoma in the early period after the operation. These results indicate the potential for surgical gross total tumor removal of vertebral tumors to provide better quality of life and surgical collection of histological specimens for definitive diagnosis. For effective case management, dedicated MRI examination is important to accurate evaluation of the spinal tumors, and surgical treatment is useful for extradural and intradural-extramedullary spinal tumors.