Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the proximal caecum and caecal tonsils of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The proximal caecum in quails consists of lymphoid and non‐lymphoid structures. The caecal tonsils in the proximal part of the caecum are units of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue in poultry. This study aimed to examine the histological characteristics of the proximal caecum, as well as compositions of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in the caecal tonsil of quails. Tissue sections were stained with Crossman's triple, periodic acid–Schiff, Gordon and Sweet's silver, Congo red and methyl green‐pyronin dyes, as well as immunohistochemically by the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method. Caecal lymphoid tissue was located in the lamina propria and submucosa. Germinative centres were observed within the lymphoid tissue. Reticular fibres were mainly distributed in the border area of the germinal centre with only a few fibres scattered in the centre. Plasma cells were observed in the subepithelial region and germinal centres. Eosinophil granulocytes were prevalent in the lymphoid tissue. Additionally, CD83‐immunoreactive DCs and MHC class II immunoreactive APCs were present in the subepithelial area and diffuse lymphoid tissue. While DCs were seen in the germinal centres of tonsillar units, APCs were rarely present in the germinal centres, but they were noticed around the germinal centres. In conclusion, the histological structure of the proximal caecum in quails and the distributions of some immunological cells in the caecal tonsils were revealed. Therefore, the defensive role of the caecal tonsils in the digestive system may be better understood, and comparative studies may be carried out.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and danofloxacin in premature calves

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of enrofloxacin (ENR) and danofloxacin (DNX) following intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administrations in premature calves. The study was performed on twenty‐four calves that were determined to be premature by anamnesis and general clinical examination. Premature calves were randomly divided into four groups (six premature calves/group) according to a parallel pharmacokinetic (PK) design as follows: ENR‐IV (10 mg/kg, IV), ENR‐IM (10 mg/kg, IM), DNX‐IV (8 mg/kg, IV), and DNX‐IM (8 mg/kg, IM). Plasma samples were collected for the determination of tested drugs by high‐pressure liquid chromatography with UV detector and analyzed by noncompartmental methods. Mean PK parameters of ENR and DNX following IV administration were as follows: elimination half‐life (t_1/2λz) 11.16 and 17.47 hr, area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC_0‐48) 139.75 and 38.90 hr*µg/ml, and volume of distribution at steady‐state 1.06 and 4.45 L/kg, respectively. Total body clearance of ENR and DNX was 0.07 and 0.18 L hr^?1 kg^?1, respectively. The PK parameters of ENR and DNX following IM injection were t_1/2λz 21.10 and 28.41 hr, AUC_0‐48 164.34 and 48.32 hr*µg/ml, respectively. The bioavailability (F) of ENR and DNX was determined to be 118% and 124%, respectively. The mean AUC_0‐48CPR/AUC_0‐48ENR ratio was 0.20 and 0.16 after IV and IM administration, respectively, in premature calves. The results showed that ENR (10 mg/kg) and DNX (8 mg/kg) following IV and IM administration produced sufficient plasma concentration for AUC_0‐24/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and maximum concentration (C_max)/MIC ratios for susceptible bacteria, with the MIC₉₀ of 0.5 and 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. These findings may be helpful in planning the dosage regimen for ENR and DNX, but there is a need for further study in naturally infected premature calves.     

Biochemical changes and sensory assessment on tissues of carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>, Linnaeus 1758) during sale conditions

In this study, some biochemical changes of carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758) tissues were investigated. Studies have been carried out on carp which have regional economical importance. Storage temperature and time are the most important factors that affect the quality of fish during sales. It was observed that the temperature varied between 9 and 12°C in sale conditions. In addition, we assumed the arrival time of the fish at the fish market to be 0 (zero) h. Biochemical analyses [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase activity] of carp tissues (muscle, liver, heart, spleen, brain) were carried out on fish which were held for 24 and 48 h, as well as on fresh fish (0 h). In addition, sensory analysis was conducted by a panel consisting of experienced judges of sensory evaluation. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases in MDA levels were found in liver, muscle, brain and spleen tissues when comparing the 0- and 24-h groups. But there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) increase in MDA level in heart tissue of carp after 24 h. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in MDA levels in muscle, spleen and heart tissues when comparing the 24- and 48-h groups. In the group examined at 24 h, it was observed that there were statistically significant differences from the 0 h group values (P < 0.05) for catalase (CAT) activity in muscle, brain, spleen and heart tissues. The decreases in CAT activity in liver and spleen tissues were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) between the group examined at 24 h compared with the group examined at 48 h. Carp maintained good quality during the selling conditions up to 24 h. This experiment deals with the effects of post-slaughter time and storage temperature on carp tissues. It is concluded that by considering the storage temperature (9–12°C) and storage time (post-slaughter) the product maintained acceptable quality up to 24 h. There was significant deterioration of sensory quality, as a result of changes in chemical constituents.     

Soil disinfestation options in Aydın province,Turkey, strawberry cultivation

Two field experiments were conducted in the two successive seasons of 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 in strawberry-growing areas of Aydin province of Turkey to (a) compare soil solarization and metam sodium (MS) combinations with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF); and (b) evaluate strawberry fruit yield, soilborne disease and weed control efficacy. Disinfestation treatments were as follows: (i) raised bed solarization for about 6 weeks, (ii) raised bed solarization for 3 weeks, (iii) raised bed solarization for 2 weeks + MS (50 ml m^-2), (iv) MS (50 ml m^-2) with LPDE (v) MS (100 ml m^-2) with LDPE, (vi) MS (50 ml m^-2) with VIF, (vii) MS (100 ml m^-2) with VIF. Results indicated that Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium spp. were the major fungal pathogens isolated from the crown of dead or dying plants in both cropping seasons. MS treatment (100 ml m^-2) through the drip irrigation system under LDPE sheet or VIF reduced soilborne diseases significantly while reduced dosage of MS (50 ml m^-2) under LDPE or VIF and in combination with 2-week soil solarization controlled the soilborne diseases to a greater extent than soil solarization treatments. All treatments controlled the following weed species: Portulaca oleracea, Amaranthus spp., Poa annua, Alopecurus myosuroides, Matricaria chamomilla, Digitaria sanguinalis, Raphanus raphanistrum, Seteria verticillata, Chenopodium album, Stelleria media, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Echinochloa cruss-galli, Veronica hederifolia, Lamium amplexicaule and Silybum marianum. None of the treatments provided acceptable control of horseweed (Conyza canadensis). Metam sodium application (100 ml m^-2) significantly increased yields by 18.5% and 14.5% in the 2005/2006 and 21.6% and 18.5% in the 2006/2007 season under LDPE and VIF, respectively, while marketable fruit yield was not significantly increased by soil solarization treatments in either trial. There was no significant difference between MS applications under LDPE and VIF for the weed and disease control, and marketable fruit yield.     

Screening for bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency,deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase,complex vertebral malformation,bovine citrullinaemia,and factor XI deficiency in Holstein cows reared in Turkey

Background

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), complex vertebral malformation (CVM), bovine citrullinaemia (BC) and factor XI deficiency (FXID) are autosomal recessive hereditary disorders, which have had significant economic impact on dairy cattle breeding worldwide. In this study, 350 Holstein cows reared in Turkey were screened for BLAD, DUMPS, CVM, BC and FXID genotypes to obtain an indication on the importance of these defects in Turkish Holsteins.

Methods

Genomic DNA was obtained from blood and the amplicons of BLAD, DUMPS, CVM, BC and FXID were obtained by using PCR. PCR products were digested with TaqI, AvaI and AvaII restriction enzymes for BLAD, DUMPS, and BC, respectively. These digested products and PCR product of FXID were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. CVM genotypes were detected by DNA sequencing. Additionally, all genotypes were confirmed by DNA sequencing to determine whether there was a mutant allele or not.

Results

Fourteen BLAD, twelve CVM and four FXID carriers were found among the 350 Holstein cows examined, while carriers of DUMPS and BC were not detected. The mutant allele frequencies were calculated as 0.02, 0.017, and 0.006 for BLAD, CVM and FXID, respectively with corresponding carrier prevalence of 4.0% (BLAD), 3.4% (CVM) and 1.2% (FXID).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that carriers of BLAD, CVM and FXID are present in the Turkish Holstein population, although at a low frequency. The actual number of clinical cases is unknown, but sporadic cases may appear. As artificial insemination is widely used in dairy cattle breeding, carriers of BLAD, CVM and FXID are likely present within the population of breeding sires. It is recommended to screen breeding sires for these defective genes in order to avoid an unwanted spread within the population.     

The effect of feeding system on fattening performance,slaughter, and carcass characteristics of Norduz male kids

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding systems on fattening performance, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male Norduz kids. In the study, 20 male Norduz kids weaned at 2.5 months of age were divided into two groups after weaning. The first group was reared under semi-intensive conditions (SI) on a mixture of pasture and concentrate, and the second group was reared under extensive conditions (E) on pasture only. SI group had higher final weight (35.30 kg versus 32.81 kg), daily weight gain (153.10 g versus 132.14 g), and warm carcass yield (44.84% versus 46.55%) compared to the E group although there were no significant differences. Body organs, carcass parts, prime cuts, and chemical composition of the chop area did not also differ in two groups significantly. As a conclusion, this study showed that semi-intensive feeding systems improved kid fattening performance and carcass characteristics.     

Five-year effects of cutting and herbicide treatments on control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron flavum</Emphasis> Don., and macronutrient pools in eastern beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus orientalis</Emphasis> Lipsky) forests of Turkey

This experiment was carried out in a mature (>100-year-old) eastern beech forest in the Eastern Black Sea Region (BSR) of Turkey. The effects of experimental practices to control the woody plant Rhododendron flavum Don., including grubbing, manual cutting, and foliar and cut-stump spraying with imazapyr and triclopyr, were assessed on understory and forest floor biomass and nutrients, as well as soil bulk density and nutrient content. The cut plots had 5, 15, and 38 times greater competing vegetation biomass than did the plots treated with triclopyr, grubbing, and imazapyr, respectively. Because of the increased biomass, the amount of understory N, P, Ca, K, S, and Mg content on the cut plots was also substantially higher when compared to the grubbed, imazapyr-treated, and triclopyr-treated plots. Triclopyr and imazapyr applications brought about two- and threefold greater dead organic matter on the forest floor than did cutting and grubbing, respectively. As a result, forest floor macronutrient contents on the imazapyr- and triclopyr-treated plots were significantly greater than on the cut plots. Five years after treatments, soil bulk density at the 10–20 cm depth on the imazapyr-sprayed plots was about 14% higher than that on other treatments. Herbicides, especially imazapyr and grubbing were effective in controlling rhododendron. Macronutrients stored in the rhododendron were released to the forest floor after vegetation was controlled with herbicides.     

Alteration in blood gases in cats naturally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Four cats were presented with respiratory signs and first-stage larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were found in faecal samples. Anthelmintic treatment was given to the infected cats and venous blood gases were analysed during the treatment period. Blood gas analysis suggested hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis in infected cats. Hypoventilation may be the result of airway obstruction by adults and larvae in respiratory bronchioles and the alveolar canals. The blood gas values had returned close to the physiological range by two months after treatment. Assessment of respiratory acidosis may aid development of additional treatment methods in cats infected with A. abstrusus.     

Pharmacokinetics of pentoxifylline and its 5-hydroxyhexyl metabolite following intravenous administration in cattle

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of pentoxifylline (PTX) and its 5-hydroxyhexyl metabolite (M-I) after single-dose intravenous (IV) administration (10 mg/kg) of PTX in six healthy cattle. The safety of PTX was evaluated by clinical observation and biochemical analysis. Plasma concentrations of PTX and M-I were simultaneously determined by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental methods. Salivation and discomfort were observed for 2 h following the drug administration. Serum direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, and phosphorus levels at 24 h following the drug administration were significantly different from the control values (0 h) (P?<?0.05). Pharmacokinetic variables of PTX were characterized by a short terminal elimination half-life (1.05?±?0.19 h), a large volume of distribution (6.30?±?1.76 L/kg), and high total body clearance (5.31?±?1.27 L/h/kg). The mean ratio between the area under the concentration-time curves of M-I and PTX was 1.34. These results indicate that single-dose administration of PTX at 10 mg/kg IV in cattle resulted in therapeutic concentrations similar to those observed in humans and horse. However, further studies are necessary to determine the safety and pharmacokinetics following repeated administrations of PTX.

     

Effects of vegetation control on nutrient removal and Fagus orientalis, Lipsky regeneration in the western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Dense Rhododendron ponticum (L.) understories of eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands in the Black Sea Region (BSR) of Turkey create challenging forest vegetation management problems relative to beech regeneration. Rhododendron traditionally is controlled in Turkish forests with grubbing and bulldozing. The effects of these practices on nutrient removal and natural beech regeneration have not been quantitatively studied. Two woody vegetation control treatments (bulldozing and hand-grubbing) were installed during late summer, 2002 in three mature beech stands with dense rhododendron understories in the Düzce Forest Management Directorate, in the Turkish western BSR. Aboveground biomass of each vegetation component, total aboveground vegetation biomass, nutrient concentrations, organic matter (OM) removal, and total amount of OM nutrients were determined for each woody vegetation control treatment. Soil bulk density and nutrient content, and beech seedling biomass, nutrient content, and natural regeneration also were studied. One year after treatment, the machine site preparation by bulldozing (MSP) that removed understory vegetation and attached roots, reduced mean forest floor OM content by about 84%, when compared to hand-grubbing. Mean soil C, N, K and Mg concentrations on the bulldozed sites were 36, 27, 50 and 55% less, respectively, than those on the grubbed sites. Total C and Mg amounts at the 5–10 cm soil depth were 24 and 47% lower, respectively, for mechanical site preparation (MSP) sites, when compared to grubbed sites. Overall, soil bulk density did not differ significantly between the grubbing and MSP treatments. Frequent passes on designated transects on MSP sites resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) one-third increase in bulk density of the first 20 cm soil depth, when compared to grubbed sites. No natural beech regeneration occurred on untreated control sites. Mineral soil exposure on the MSP sites increased beech seedling germination substantially. One year after treatment, the mean number of naturally regenerated seedlings for MSP sites was 2.5 times greater than for grubbed sites. Woody control treatments had significant effects upon beech seedling chemistry, with N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations averaging 35, 47, 12, 33 and 25% lower, respectively, for MSP sites, when compared to grubbed sites. However, mean seedling biomass and nutrient content were significantly greater (P < 0.05) on MSP sites. Long-term effects from windrowing on MSP site residues, associated topsoil and nutrients need to be evaluated.