Semi-Wild Population of Kulans in the Bukhara Breeding Centre and Their Co-Habitation with Przewalski’s Horses

Asiatic wild asses and Przewalski\u27s horses initially inhabited steppe, semi-desert and desert areas, but Przewalski\u27s horses became extinct in the wild, and kulans are under threat of disappearance. The Bukhara Breeding Centre (Uzbekistan) was created in 1976 for conservation and reintroduction of wild ungulate species. In 1977-1978, five kulans (two males and three females) from Barsa-Kelmes Island on the Aral lake were introduced to the reserve. The group increased to 25-30 animals in 1995-1998, when five Przewalski\u27s horses from Moscow and St. Petersburg zoos were introduced to the same territory. We analyzed the home ranges, preferred habitats and social interactions of these closely related species during 1995-1999 by season and group composition. Horses and kulans each formed a reproductive group and a secondary bachelor group. The home range of the secondary group in both species was larger then that of the reproductive group and seemed to be less dependent on watering places. Kulans and Przewalski\u27s horses demonstrated different strategies of habitat use. They can share one area without serious conflicts, avoiding competition by the temporal differentiation in the usage of key sites

Semi-Wild Population of Kulans in the Bukhara Breeding Centre and Their Co-Habitation with Przewalski’s Horses

Asiatic wild asses and Przewalski\u27s horses initially inhabited steppe, semi-desert and desert areas, but Przewalski\u27s horses became extinct in the wild, and kulans are under threat of disappearance. The Bukhara Breeding Centre (Uzbekistan) was created in 1976 for conservation and reintroduction of wild ungulate species. In 1977-1978, five kulans (two males and three females) from Barsa-Kelmes Island on the Aral lake were introduced to the reserve. The group increased to 25-30 animals in 1995-1998, when five Przewalski\u27s horses from Moscow and St. Petersburg zoos were introduced to the same territory. We analyzed the home ranges, preferred habitats and social interactions of these closely related species during 1995-1999 by season and group composition. Horses and kulans each formed a reproductive group and a secondary bachelor group. The home range of the secondary group in both species was larger then that of the reproductive group and seemed to be less dependent on watering places. Kulans and Przewalski\u27s horses demonstrated different strategies of habitat use. They can share one area without serious conflicts, avoiding competition by the temporal differentiation in the usage of key sites

Effect of an Incremental Interval Endurance Rope-Training Program on Antioxidant Biomarkers and Oxidative Stress in Non-Active Women

Background & Aim: Aerobic exercises are recommended as an important technique to control and prevent cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an incremental interval endurance rope-training program on antioxidant biomarkers and oxidative stress in non-active women. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted on non-active female subjects (overweight and obese) at the age range of 20-30 years. In total, 20 eligible participants were selected via random sampling and divided into two control and intervention groups of 10. The training program included eight weeks (four 45-minute sessions per week) of incremental rope training. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using dependent and independent t-tests at the significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of dependent t-test showed a significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase enzyme, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase, compared to the pre-test state of the subjects (P0.05). Moreover, results of independent t-test demonstrated a non-significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase in subjects of the intervention group, compared to the control group. On the other hand, there was a significant increase and decrease in superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, rope training increased antioxidant defense and decreased oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, it seems that this type of training can prevent cardiovascular diseases in overweight and obese individuals

147: Infective endocarditis in Tunisia: A changing profile?

BackgroundSince the first description of infective endocarditis (IE), the profile of the disease has evolved continuously with stable incidence.ObjectiveTo update information gained on the epidemiology profile of IE in a Tunisian high-volume tertiary care centerPatients and methodsThis was a descriptive retrospective study of patients treated for IE from January 2001 to December 2010. The patients were divided in two groups according to the date of diagnosis of IE: group 1 (from January 2001 to June 2006) and group 2 (from June 2006 to December 2011). These groups were compared for epidemiologic factors and microbiological differences.ResultsA total of 297 patients admitted during the study period met the modified Duke criteria for IE. The comparison of demographic and microbiological characteristics of IE cases over time between the results of the two groups showed that the annual incidence of IE was stable. The sex incidence rates of IE, in particular, incidence among men was relatively stable across the study period and ranged from 60% in 2001-2006 to 58% in 2006-2010, also there was no significant increase in incidence among women (P=ns). Among incident cases, there was a significant increasing age on presentation, with median age increasing from 39.5 years in 2001-2006 to 51.5 years in 2006-2010 (P=0.05). There were no statistically significant decreases in the proportions of cases affecting the aortic valve (P=0.4) and in IE due to oral streptococci (P= ns) over time. Also there was no significant increase in the incidence of Staphylococcus IE. However, the incidence of IE with negative blood culture has remained stable and continues to be high, nearing 50%.The rate of rheumatic heart disease as an underlying heart disease was stable over time. However, the standardized incidence of IE has increased in patients with prosthetic valves (P= ns). Overall in-hospital mortality rate decreased from ((18.6% in 2001-2006 vs 14.6% in 2006-2010.ConclusionThis study has shown that the annual incidence of IE is stable in Tunisia. However, profound changes in the epidemiological profile of this disease have not been noted in our population