Cerebellar disease in an adult cow

This is the report of clinical signs and lesions of a cerebellar disorder in an adult four year old Limousin cow grazing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The most striking histopathological lesion was a marked paucity of Purkinje cells throughout the cerebellum.     

Characterization and Purification of Glutathione S-Transferase from the Liver and Gill Tissues of Ağrı Balık Lake Trout Salmo trutta labrax and the Effects of Heavy Metal Ions on Its Activity

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) from the liver and gill tissues of A?r? Bal?k Lake Trout (also known as Black Sea Trout) Salmo trutta labrax was characterized and purified, and the toxic effects of some heavy metal ions on the enzyme's activity were analyzed. Liver GST was purified 930 times, resulting in 56% yield using glutathione–agarose affinity chromatography and a specific activity of 60.87 endotoxin units (EU)/mg protein. Using the same procedure, gill GST was purified 576 times, resulting in a 60% yield and specific activity of 46.8 EU/mg protein. The purity check of the purified enzymes was determined with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Optimal pH, ionic strength, and stable pH were found for each tissue, and separate K_M and V_max values were determined for reduced glutathione and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene substrates. Heavy metal ions that have toxic effects on living organisms and are known to contribute to environmental pollution were selected, and their in vitro effects on enzyme activity were analyzed. The IC50 values and K_i constants of those metal ions showing an inhibitory effect on GST activity were determined.

Received November 24, 2014; accepted March 11, 2015     

Risk factors for occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84 (11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4–11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4–16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55–5.28, p = 0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05–18.84, p = 0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002–1.02, p = 0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16–9.3, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection.     

Growth, digestibility and nutrient utilization of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed different dietary soybean oil levels

A shortage of marine raw ingredients, such as fish oil, is predicted in the near future. The use of suitable alternative lipid sources, such as vegetable oils, is crucial for sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector. Three isonitrogenous (50% Crude Protein) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g⁻¹) diets, in which fish oil was gradually replaced by soybean oil (0, 25 and 50% of the oil fraction) were tested for 12 weeks, using European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles. No dietary effects (p>0.05) on growth performance, feed conversion, digestibility or body composition were observed with either species. The results obtained suggest the inclusion of soybean oil up to 50% of the dietary lipid is possible, in diets for sea bass and/or rainbow trout juveniles.     

Follicular cysts in sheep

A flock of 188 sheep was surveyed for cutaneous lesions that were noticed 3 days after shearing. On the basis of histologic features of the cyst wall, ie, association with sebaceous glands and lack of follicular structures or rete pegs, the cysts were classified as follicular cysts.     

Genetic variability in Turkmen populations of Pistacia vera L.

Seedlings of Pistacia vera L. developed from seeds of two separate populations in Turkmenistan, Kepele and Agachli, were evaluated for their growth potential and genetic polymorphism. Plant growth rate as well as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed distinct differences between the two populations. In plant height growth rate, 17 Agachli accessions were 1.3 times higher on average than that of 10 accessions of Kepele (significant at p = 0.046) and 1.2 times higher for trunk diameter growth rate (p = 0.062). Cluster analysis divided most accessions into two main genetic groups according to their geographic origin. The Agachli group was further divided into two subgroups. One Kepele accession (K4), was genetically different from the rest and clustered on a separate outgroup. Two Agachli accessions (A12 and A17) were outside the two main populations clusters. Accessions K9 and K10 from Kepele were exceptional and were clustered in each of the two Agachli's subgroups, indicating a close genetic relationship between the two populations. In addition, high similarity values (0.58–1.00) and small genetic distances reflect plausible gene flow between Kepele and Agachli, which are 100 Km apart. Mantel test revealed significant relationship between the RAPD and the morphological traits matrices, pointing to the genetic basis for the measured differences in the growth rate. Growing the accessions on the same plot, under similar conditions enabled the evaluation of genotypic differences. The combination of morphological traits and molecular markers will further assist in preservation of genetic variability and cultivation of useful genotypes of P. vera L.     

Human activities modify soil properties in urban parks: a case study of Tel Aviv-Jaffa

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of visitors’ activities on soil properties in parks of Tel Aviv-Jaffa city, Israel.

Materials and methods

The city was divided into three geographical regions: south, central, and north. This division reflects the course of development of the city from south to north and encompasses various socioeconomic levels of residents. In each region, 9–15 parks were randomly chosen and classified into three groups according to their size (in m²): 2?×?10³ to 10?×?10³, 11?×?10³ to 20?×?10³, and 21?×?10³ to 50?×?10³. In each park soil, 0–2 cm of depth layer was sampled in areas under various levels of visitor pressure from July to August 2011, and organic matter, electrical conductivity, and sodium and chlorine contents were determined. Lawns and path and picnic areas represented low and high visitor pressure, respectively. Observations were conducted to characterize the various land uses of the parks and to estimate the numbers of visitors. Also, questionnaires were used at selected parks to assess visitors’ motivations or reasons for visiting the parks.

Results and discussion

Socioeconomic indicators, such as the number of residents, the apartment areas, and the percentages of family households, differed among the regions. Soil properties differed between the areas of high and low visitor pressure: they were influenced by type of human activity, size of the park, and number of visitors.

Conclusions

Soil properties are affected by variations in the intensity of park use by visitors and by the type of activities enjoyed by these visitors, both of which depend on the socioeconomic status of the park area.

     

Immunohistochemical studies on the splenic lobe of the pancreas in young Japanese quails (Coturnix c. japonica)

The splenic lobe (Lobus splenicus) of the pancreas of young meat-type quails (Coturnix c. japonica) was examined by immunohistochemical and light microscopic methods. The endocrine cells are mainly grouped as alpha, beta and mixed islets. A large region consisting of alpha cells is located in the central region of the splenic lobe whereas numerous beta islets are detected in the periphery of the splenic lobe. Alpha islets are in the majority composed of toluidine blue positive A cells and a few toluidine blue negative D and / or avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) endocrine cells. Beta islets contain only a few toluidine blue negative B and a few D cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the splenic lobe reveal in the centre of beta islets numerous insulin immunoreactive cells and scarcely in alpha islets, exocrine tissue and / or among acinar cells. Somatostatin immune-reactive cells form a circular layer in the periphery of beta islets whereas these cells are uniformly distributed throughout the alpha islet parenchyma and exocrine tissue. In conclusion, the morphology but also the endo- and exocrine functions of the splenic lobe of quails are similar to observations in other avian species such as chicken, duck, goose and pigeon.     

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.