Assessment of the cardiotoxicity of tulathromycin in rabbits

The aim of this study was to determine the cardiotoxic potency of tulathromycin. Tulathromycin (10 mg/kg, SC) was administered to ten adult male rabbits, and blood samples were obtained before and after drug administration (0 and 6 hours). Serum cardiac damage markers (troponin I, creatine kinase-MB, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase), routine serum biochemical values (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, amylase, total protein, albumin, glucose, calcium, ionised calcium, sodium, potassium), white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, arterial blood gas parameters (pH, partial carbon dioxide pressure, partial oxygen pressure, actual bicarbonate, standard bicarbonate, total carbon dioxide, base excess in vivo, base excess in vitro, oxygen saturation, packed cell volume, haemoglobin) and serum oxidative status (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, retinol, β-carotene) were measured. Increased levels of troponin I, creatine kinase-MB and creatinine, and decreased WBC counts, ionised calcium and potassium levels were observed after drug administration. Tulathromycin treatment may cause cardiotoxicity, but its effects may be less dramatic than those of other macrolide antibiotics frequently used in veterinary medicine.     

Characterization of the key aroma compounds in cooked grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) by application of aroma extract dilution analysis

Aroma and aroma-active compounds of wild grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). According to sensory analysis, the aromatic extract obtained by simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) was representative of grey mullet odor. A total of 50 aroma compounds were identified and quantified in grey mullet. Aldehydes were qualitatively and quantitatively the most dominant volatiles in grey mullet. Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) was used for the determination of aroma-active compounds of fish sample. A total of 29 aroma-active compounds were detected in aromatic extract of grey mullet, of which 24 were identified. On the basis of the flavor dilution (FD) factor, the most powerful aroma active compounds identified in the extract were (Z)-4-heptenal and nonanal, which were described as the strong cooked fish and green-fruity odor, respectively.     

Efficacy of vitamin E + selenium and vitamin A + D + E combinations on oxidative stress induced by long-term transportation in Holstein dairy cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress response to long-term transportation and to analyze the effects of vitamin A + D + E and vitamin E + selenium administrations on oxidative stress induced by long-term transportation in Holstein dairy cows. Control group (n = 10) received 0.9% saline (placebo), Group I (n = 10) received vitamin A + D + E, and Group II (n = 10) received vitamin E + selenium. After the transport, adrenaline levels were high in all groups (P < 0.05). Noradrenaline level was low in Group I (P < 0.05) and tended to be low in Group II. Mean levels of serum cortisol decreased significantly in all groups (P < 0.05) when comparing pre-transport data with post-transport data. Glucose levels increased in Control group (P < 0.05) and in Groups I and II (P < 0.01). The malondialdehyde level significantly increased in the Control group (P < 0.05) after the transport and the levels were lower in Group I (P = 0.076) and Group II (P < 0.05) than in the Control group. As a result, vitamin E + selenium and vitamin A + D + E have been determined to prevent lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, associated with long-term transportation stress in cattle.     

Effect of irrigation frequency and amount on water use efficiency and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under field conditions

The water-use characteristics of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were studied in the field under furrow irrigation. Irrigation water quantities were based on pan evaporation (E_pan) from a screened class-A pan. Treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (I₁: 7 days; I₂: 14 days, I₃: 21 days), and four pan coefficients (K_cp 1: 0.60; K_cp 2: 0.80, K_cp 3: 1.00 and K_cp 4: 1.20). Average irrigation values for each treatment varied from 467 to 857 mm in 2003 and 398 to 654 mm in 2004. The highest seasonal evapotranspiration was obtained from the I₃K_cp 4 treatment in 2004 (1019 mm); the lowest value was observed in the I₁K_cp 1 treatment in the same year (598.0 mm). Data collected in 2003 and 2004 showed that the amount of irrigation water applied significantly the affected seed yield. However, the effects of irrigation interval on yield were not significant. On average, the K_cp 3 treatment gave the highest seed yield (1.915 t ha⁻¹), whereas K_cp 1 treatment gave the lowest (1.538 t ha⁻¹). Seasonal yield response factors (k_y) were 1.01 and 0.54 in 2003 and 2004, respectively. ET/E_pan ratios for each treatment varied from 0.3 to 1.3 in 2003 and from 0.1 to 1.1 in 2004. In conclusion, the K_cp 3 plant-pan coefficient is recommended for sesame grown under field conditions in order to maximise yield.     

IMPROVEMENT IN YIELD AND QUALITY OF KINNOW (CITRUS DELICIOSA X CITRUS NOBILIS) BY POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION

Citrus, especially Kinnow, fruit yield and quality in Pakistan is not competitive with other countries, which could be mainly attributed to a lack of good nutrient management for citrus orchards. Many of the soils under these orchards have been reported as deficient in potassium (K). Therefore, work was initiated for improving citrus fruit yield, size, and quality through K nutrition management. Experiments were conducted in four districts of Punjab including Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Sargodha and four rates of potash, i.e., 0, 50, 75 and 100 kg dipotassium oxide (K₂O) ha^?1 were applied using sulfate of potash (SOP) along with recommended rates of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Soils of all the selected sites were clay loam or sandy clay loam and deficient in K. The leaf analysis also showed that all the selected orchards were deficient in K. Application of K increased the fruit yield and quality but K at100 kg K₂O ha^?1 was more effective in increasing the fruit weight and size, and peel thickness than other K rates in all the selected orchards. Juice volume and percentage significantly increased when K was applied at 75 kg K₂O ha^?1 at all sites. Nutrient uptake like K, P, and N enhanced with the increase in K application rate, however, the highest calcium (Ca)+ magnesium (Mg) was recorded at 50 kg K₂O ha^?1. The results indicated that all rates of K application improved the fruit yield and quality and reduced fruit dropping, however, 75 kg K₂O ha^?1 rate was more effective as juice volume and percentage, total soluble solid (TSS)/acid ratio and nutrient uptake showed significant improvement.     

Molecular detection of Theileria and Babesia infections in cattle

This study was carried out to determine the presence and distribution of tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites (Theileria and Babesia) in apparently healthy cattle in the East Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 389 blood samples were collected from the animals of various ages in six provinces in the region. Prevalence of infection was determined by reverse line blot (RLB) assay. The hypervariable V4 region of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers for members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products were hybridized onto a membrane to which generic- and species-specific oligonucleotide probes were covalently linked. RLB hybridization identified infection in 16.19% of the samples. Blood smears were also examined microscopically for Theileria and/or Babesia spp. and 5.14% were positive. All samples shown to be positive by microscopy also tested positive with RLB assay. Two Theileria (T. annulata and T. buffeli/orientalis) and three Babesia (B. bigemina, B. major and Babesia sp.) species or genotypes were identified in the region. Babesia sp. genotype shared 99% similarity with the previously reported sequences of Babesia sp. Kashi 1, Babesia sp. Kashi 2 and Babesia sp. Kayseri 1. The most frequently found species was T. buffeli/orientalis, present in 11.56% of the samples. T. annulata was identified in five samples (1.28%). Babesia infections were less frequently detected: B. bigemina was found in three samples (0.77%), B. major in two samples (0.51%) and Babesia sp. in five samples (1.28%). A single animal infected with T. buffeli/orientalis was also infected with B. bigemina.     

The effects of topical tripeptide copper complex and helium-neon laser on wound healing in rabbits

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and histopathological effects of tripeptide copper complex (TCC) and two different doses of laser application (helium-neon laser, 1 and 3 J cm(-2)) on wound healing with untreated control wounds. Experimental wounds were created on a total of 24 New Zealand white rabbits and topical TCC or laser was applied for 28 days. The wounds were observed daily, and planimetry was performed on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 to measure the unhealed wound area and percentage of total wound healing. Biopsies were taken weekly to evaluate the inflammatory response and the level of neovascularization. The median time for the first observable granulation tissue was shorter (P < 0.05) in the low and high dose laser groups than in the control group (3 and 2.66 vs. 4.5 days), but was not different between the TCC and control groups (4.16 vs. 4.5 days). Filling of the open wound to skin level with granulation tissue was faster (P < 0.05) in the TCC and high dose laser groups than in the control group (14 and 16 vs. 25 days), but was not different between the low dose laser and control groups (23 vs. 25 days). The average time for healing was shorter (P < 0.05) in the TCC and high dose laser groups (29.8 and 30.2 vs. 34.6 days), but was not different between the low dose laser and control groups (33.8 vs. 34.6 days). Histopathologically, wound healing was characterized by a decrease in the neutrophil counts and an increase in neovascularization. The TCC and high dose laser groups had greater neutrophil and vessel counts than in the control group, suggesting a more beneficial effect for wound healing.     

Cerebellum progesterone concentration decreased in canine distemper virus infection

Progesterone has neuroprotective effects including augmentation of myelination in the central and peripheral nervous system. This study was designed to determine if demyelinating lesions in the cerebellum resulting from canine distemper virus (CDV) infection are associated with progesterone levels. Progesterone was measured using radioimmunoassay in samples of the cerebellum, corpus callosum, medulla oblongata, parietal, frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma collected from ten CDV infected and six non-infected dogs. The cerebellum progesterone level was significantly different between CDV infected (0.66+/-0.09 ng/g) and control dogs (1.14+/-0.09 ng/g) (p<0.001); however, no difference was observed for the other CNS regions, plasma and CSF (p>0.05). The cerebellum progesterone level was also significantly different between acute (0.71+/-0.0 5 ng/g) and chronic cases (0.61+/-0.09 ng/g) (p<0.05). The CDV infected cerebella were also categorized histopathologically according to the severity of demyelinating lesions as mild (n=5), moderate (n=2), or severe (n=3) among which the cerebellum progesterone level was significantly different (p<0.05). Progesterone concentration was 0.71+/-0.05 ng/g in mild, 0.65+/-0.10 ng/g in moderate, and 0.56+/-0.07 ng/g in severe cases. In conclusion, progesterone concentration decreases in the cerebellum in CDV infection and the severity of demyelinating lesions is the greatest in cerebella with the lowest progesterone concentrations. The results suggest that local impairment of progesterone metabolism may be associated with the initiation and progression of cerebellar lesions in CDV infection.     

Characterization of high-level deoxynivalenol producer Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum isolates caused head blight and crown rot diseases in Turkey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In vitro and in planta determination and quantification of deoxynivalenol (DON) are a crucial step in food safety. tri13 amplicons of 282&nbsp;bp and...     

Effect of NaCl-induced saline sodicity on the interpretation of soil potassium dynamics

Excess of exchangeable sodium (Na) in salt-affected soils causes ion toxicity and decrease in nutrient uptake by plants, particularly potassium (K). A number of studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of K-fertilization on plant growth under sodic and saline-sodic conditions but the results are much diverse to process for concrete recommendations. To explore the possible reasons, it was hypothesized that Na applied as NaCl to produce salinity/sodicity in the soil may release non-exchangeable K, minimizing the effect of K-fertilization. Incubation studies were conducted for 2, 4 and 6 days in the light (sandy loam) and heavy (clay loam) textured soils producing two saline/sodic levels, i.e. 20 and 30 sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) along with control (SAR 3). Potassium fertilizer applied was calculated according to 40 (general recommendations based on soil-nutrient status), 80 and 160 kg K ha^?1. Interestingly, it was observed that addition of NaCl possibly released non-exchangeable K from the soil minerals and increased the K concentration in soil solution. Total K release was more in heavy textured soil but initial release was more in light textured soil. This release may eliminate the effect of K-fertilization applied under salt stress induced by NaCl. Therefore, it is suggested that while studying Na–K interaction in salt-affected soils, NaCl should be avoided to produce salinity, and naturally occurring saline-sodic soils may be used. Soil Na–K interaction studies including ameliorating effect of K under sodic or saline-sodic conditions should be conducted carefully considering the above-stated argument.