Occurrence and Surgical Reconstruction of Perineal Lacerations and Rectovaginal Fistulae in Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to throw light on the occurrence and surgical repair of perineal laceration (PL) and rectovaginal fistula (RVF) in dairy cows. A report of  10 Holstein–Frasian and Holstein dairy cattle, suffering a PL of second degree (2nd PL; n=1) and third degree (3rd PL; n= 6) as well as RVF (n=3). Surgical repair of the 2nd PL and 3rd PL was performed by a one-stage Goetz technique. While the repair of RVFs was performed either through a one-stage repair or vaginal approach. Healing of wounds, recovery and complications were recorded. 3rd PL in 4 cows (67%) healed by first intention. Three of these cows subsequently became pregnant, while the fourth cow was culled. The laceration of the other two cows (33%) healed except for a small RVF in one cow. The other cow had a first degree perineal laceration (1st PL) that healed without surgical intervention. Two fistulae healed completely and the affected cows became pregnant 2 months after surgery. The third cow with fistula showed persisted a 5-6 mm diameter rectovestibular fistula. Complete healing of  the case of 2nd PL was occurring without complications. It could be concluded that, PL can occur mostly in primiparous cows with difficult assisted deliveries and that one stage repair of PL in cows substantially improves the perineal conformation. The RVF in cows could be corrected either through vaginal approach or a one-stage surgical repair. Breeding after surgical treatment of PL and RVF in dairy cows is advisable

Comparative Morphological Studies on Lyssa in Carnivores and Camels with Special Reference to Its Surgical Resection

The lyssa is a morphologically supporting structure situated along the median plan on the ventral surface of the apex of the tongue in some animals. The present study aimed to describe the morphological differences of the lyssa in carnivores (dog and cat) and camel using conformist macroscopic and microscopic methods as well as evaluation of its surgical resection in the dog and cat. The lyssa is a rod-shaped in dog, strip like structure in cat and ridge-like structure in camel. It showed straight course in dog and helical appearance in cat. In the studied species, the lyssa was formed from adipose tissue intermingled with irregular connective tissue. However, dense striated muscles fibers were seen in the caudal half of the lyssa in dog. Besides, few bundles of longitudinally running muscle fibers were observed in cat and camel. In dog, the lyssa was defined by a coarse sheath of connective tissue, this capsule was ill-defined in cat and absent in camel. In cat, a pyramidal extension of the adipose tissue of the lyssa was attached to intrinsic striated muscle of the tongue. Full function of the tongue could be achieved after surgical resection of lyssa in dogs and cats

Procjena kritičnih točaka lezija papaka u mliječnih krava: preliminarno istraživanje novog sustava bodovanja

Lameness is a serious animal welfare and production issue in the modern dairy herds. The development of a scoring system that is able to categorize the farm on the basis of its hazard risk level may help clinicians and farmers to identify potential issues and to reduce costs caused by lameness. The aim of this study was to develop an easy and fast score for evaluation of the structural and managerial factors potentially involved in the pathogenesis of foot lesions, and categorization of dairy farms. A total of six free-stall dairy farms were evaluated during a 3 month-period. The score developed in this study was composed of evaluation of the housing system, flooring, the farm design, the use of footbaths, the frequency of hoof trimming, and the continuing education of the employers. For each parameter, a score of 0 to 2 was assigned where the score 0 meant the least appropriate condition, the score 2 represented the best. The Farm Score showed a significant correlation with foot lesion prevalence (P = 0.0011, R2 0.94) and with the theoretical assessment of additional cost per animal (P = 0.001, R2 0.95). The significant correlation between the Farm Score, the foot lesion prevalence and the theoretical assessment of additional costs per animal may underline the potential usefulness of the score designed in this study. The Farm Score may be considered as a cheap and fast way to evaluate the hazard risk level for claw health on a dairy farm.U mliječnim je stadima hromost danas važno pitanje dobrobiti i proizvodnje životinja. Razvoj sustava bodovanja za kategorizaciju farmi na temelju razine rizika od hromosti može pomoći kliničarima, odnosno stočarima, pri utvrđivanju potencijalnih problema i smanjenju troškova uzrokovanih tom bolešću. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je razviti jednostavan i brz sustav za procjenu strukturnih i upravljačkih čimbenika u proizvodnji koji bi mogli biti uključeni u patogenezu lezija papaka i poslužiti za kategorizaciju mliječnih farmi. Tijekom tri mjeseca istraživano je ukupno šest mliječnih farmi sa slobodnim načinom držanja. Sustav bodovanja farmi uspostavljen u ovom istraživanju uključivao je nastambe za životinje, podove, organizaciju farme, upotrebu kupki za papke, učestalost obrade papaka i kontinuiranom edukaciju zaposlenika. Svakom je pokazatelju dodijeljen bod od 0 do 2, pri čemu 0 označuje najmanje prikladno stanje, a 2 najbolje stanje. Sustav bodovanja na farmi pokazao je znakovit odnos sa prevalencijom lezija papaka (P = 0,0011, R2 0,94) kao i sa teoretskom procjenom dodatnih troškova po životinji (P = 0,001, R2 0,95). Navedeno naglašava potencijalnu korist sustava bodovanja uspostavljenog u ovom istraživanju kao jeftinog i brzog načina procjene razine rizika za zdravlje papaka na mliječnim farmama

Sedation With Xylazine Hydrochloride Decreases the Stress Response in Merino Meat Sheep During Routine Hoof Trimming in a Tilt Table

We hypothesized that the hoof trimming in sheep in dorsal recumbency implicates a short but intensive stress situation and that the sedation with xylazine causes a decrease in the stress response in this situation. Ten healthy female merino meat sheep were randomly divided into two groups receiving either xylazine hydrochloride (0.1 mg/kg body mass (BM) applied intramuscularly) or a placebo treatment with 0.9% NaCl. Routine hoof trimming was performed in a tilt table and vital signs (rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR)), 33 different behavioral traits and blood cortisol concentrations were recorded throughout the experiment at six different time points (total of 55min). The procedure itself elicited a clear stress response (increase in the RR, RT, defensive movements, lip twitching, swallowing, and flight behavior). Parallelly, the blood cortisol concentrations were increased, reaching their maximum with 81.5 ng/ml in the control group when the sheep were tilted back into a standing position. In the sedated sheep, no increase in the RR and RT and a decrease in the HR were observed. In addition, the behavioral signs showed a decrease in flight, defensive, and general stress behavior (decrease in licking,movement of head and legs, and sitting on knees), complemented by the serum cortisol concentrations showing 2.28 times reduced concentration at the end of the procedure, compared to the control sheep. The results confirm our hypothesis and support the conduction of future trials investigating the feasibility and benefit of a sedation of sheep prior to routine hoof trimming under practical circumstances

Derivative spectrophotometric analysis of benzophenone (as an impurity) in phenytoin

Three simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods were developed for detection and trace determination of benzophenone (the main impurity) in phenytoin bulk powder and pharmaceutical formulations. The first method, zero-crossing first derivative spectrophotometry, depends on measuring the first derivative trough values at 257.6 nm for benzophenone. The second method, zero-crossing third derivative spectrophotometry, depends on measuring the third derivative peak values at 263.2 nm. The third method, ratio first derivative spectrophotometry, depends on measuring the peak amplitudes of the first derivative of the ratio spectra (the spectra of benzophenone divided by the spectrum of 5.0 μg/mL phenytoin solution) at 272 nm. The calibration graphs were linear over the range of 1-10 μg/mL. The detection limits of the first and the third derivative methods were found to be 0.04 μg/mL and 0.11 μg/mL and the quantitation limits were 0.13 μg/mL and 0.34 μg/mL, respectively, while for the ratio derivative method, the detection limit was 0.06 μg/mL and the quantitation limit was 0.18 μg/mL. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the assay of the studied drug in phenytoin bulk powder and certain pharmaceutical preparations. The results were statistically compared to those obtained using a polarographic method and were found to be in good agreement

Context-led capacity building in time of crisis: fostering non-communicable diseases (NCD) research skills in the Mediterranean Middle East and North Africa.

BACKGROUND: This paper examines one EC-funded multinational project (RESCAP-MED), with a focus on research capacity building (RCB) concerning non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Mediterranean Middle East and North Africa. By the project's end (2015), the entire region was engulfed in crisis. OBJECTIVE: Designed before this crisis developed in 2011, the primary purpose of RESCAP-MED was to foster methodological skills needed to conduct multi-disciplinary research on NCDs and their social determinants. RESCAP-MED also sought to consolidate regional networks for future collaboration, and to boost existing regional policy engagement in the region on the NCD challenge. This analysis examines the scope and sustainability of RCB conducted in a context of intensifying political turmoil. METHODS: RESCAP-MED linked two sets of activities. The first was a framework for training early- and mid-career researchers through discipline-based and writing workshops, plus short fellowships for sustained mentoring. The second integrated public-facing activities designed to raise the profile of the NCD burden in the region, and its implications for policymakers at national level. Key to this were two conferences to showcase regional research on NCDs, and the development of an e-learning resource (NETPH). RESULTS: Seven discipline-based workshops (with 113 participants) and 6 workshops to develop writing skills (84 participants) were held, with 18 fellowship visits. The 2 symposia in Istanbul and Beirut attracted 280 participants. Yet the developing political crisis tagged each activity with a series of logistical challenges, none of which was initially envisaged. The immediacy of the crisis inevitably deflected from policy attention to the challenges of NCDs. CONCLUSIONS: This programme to strengthen research capacity for one priority area of global public health took place as a narrow window of political opportunity was closing. The key lessons concern issues of sustainability and the paramount importance of responsively shaping a context-driven RCB

Ozonated saline intradermal injection: promising therapy for accelerated cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats

IntroductionThe use of ozonized water is gaining importance in medicine due to its effects on hyperglycemia and wound healing mechanisms.MethodsThis experiment was conducted to assess the impacts of intradermal administration of ozonated water on acute skin wound healing in a diabetic rat model. Sixty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: an ozonated water group (O3W) and a control group (CG). Experimental diabetes was chemically induced in the rats by the intraperitoneal administration of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. One week later, full-thickness skin surgical wounds (1 cm2) were created between the two shoulders of the rats under general anesthesia. The wounds were then daily irrigated with normal saline (CG) or intradermally injected with 1 mL of ozonated water at 10 mg/L O3W. Wound healing was evaluated through macroscopic analysis, measuring wound size, diameter, and percentage of contraction rate before wounding and at 3, 7, 9, 12, 14, 18, 21, 24, and 28 days post-wounding. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after induction of the wounds, the body weights and blood glucose levels of rats (8 per group) were measured before the rats were euthanized. Moreover, the morphological structure of the tissue, vascular endothelial and transforming growth factor (VEGF and TGF) affinity and gene expression were examined.ResultsThe O3W group had significantly lower blood glucose levels and wound size and gained body weight. Additionally, epithelial vascularization, stromal edema, TGF, and VEGF gene expression significantly improved in the O3W group.DiscussionTherefore, ozonated water has the potential to enhance and promote cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats

The sorption of ammonia on brown coal

© 1978 Dr. Awad Rizk OussaThis thesis is a report of an investigation carried out by the author between 1st April 1969 to 31st October 1973 on a full time basis and from 1st December 1975 to 31st July 1978 on a part time basis. The research project was conducted by the author in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne, and on the premises of Australian Char Pty. Ltd., Morwell. The project was based on the premise that useful information on the brown coal-ammonia system can be obtained from sorption isotherms. The author designed and assembled the apparatus with this in mind, and developed a method of obtaining a self-consistent and meaningful interpretation of the sorption isotherms. Thermodynamic data for the ammonia sorption process was derived and used to develop a preliminary model for the ammonia-brown coal system. No separate literature review has been presented in the thesis, though frequent reference to the literature has been made in the discussions in each chapter. Finally, the experimental details have been included in the appendices at the end of the thesis