STAN FIZJOLOGICZNY KRÓW ORAZ LICZBA KOMÓREK SOMATYCZNYCH W MLEKU A POZIOM MALONYLODIALDEHYDU W OSOCZU KRWI

The research involved 80 cows being in 2 physiological states: near the end of lactation (approximately 2 months before delivery) (N=40), and one month after calving. In plasma was established MDA level (malonylodialdehyde) and in milk SCC (Somatic Cells Count). The MDA level in plasma in groups of calved and non-calved cows remained at a similar level. It was found that a statistically signifi cant MDA level (p≤0,05) was present in milk from non-calved cows – with somatic cells count below 400,000 per ml during test milking, as compared to cows producing milk with somatic cells count of over 400,000 per ml.Badaniami objęto 80 krów w dwóch stanach fi zjologicznych: około 2 miesiące przed porodem i miesiąc po wycieleniu. W osoczu krwi krów oznaczono poziom malonylodialdehydu (MDA) a w mleku dojonych krów- liczbę komórek somatycznych (LKS). Nie odnotowano istotnej statystycznie różnicy w poziomie MDA między grupami krów w odmiennych stanach fi zjologicznych. Natomiast stwierdzono, że krowy nie wycielone, o liczbie komórek somatycznych w mleku powyżej 400 tys./ml, średnio charakteryzował niższy poziom MDA w osoczu w stosunku do krów o liczbie komórek somatycznych w mleku poniżej 400 tys./ml włącznie, przy czym różnica ta była istotna statystycznie (p≤0.05)

PORÓWNANIE DZIENNEJ WYDAJNOŚCI MLEKA ORAZ JEGO SKŁADU CHEMICZNEGO MIĘDZY KROWAMI WYBRANYCH GRUP GENETYCZNYCH W ZAKRESIE GENÓW BETA-LAKTOGLOBULINY I KAPPA-KAZEINY

The objective of the research was to analyse the influence of selected genetic groups on the daily milk yield and its chemical composition in black and white Holstein-Friesian cows. The genotyping of beta-lactoglobulin and kappa-casein genes was conducted by means of the PCR-RFLP technique. The collected numeric data were analysed statistically with the covariance analysis. The joint effects of beta-lactoglobulin and kappa-casein genotypes were estimated. The greatest amount of milk was obtained from the genotype combination AAAB, whereas the milk of the genotype combination AABB was characterized with the greatest fat content. The smallest number of samples was collected from cows with genes that are preferred in terms of technological processing, combination BBBB. During test milking, the BBBB genotype combination was characterised by high milk yield and protein content, but also the highest content of somatic cells in milk samples under analysis.Celem badań była analiza wpływu wybranych grup genetycznych genów beta-laktoglobuliny (LGB) i kappa-kazeiny (CSN3) na dzienną wydajność i skład chemiczny mleka krów rasy holsztyńsko-fryzyjskiej odmiany czarno-białej utrzymywanych w jednym ze stad województwa kujawsko-pomorskiego. Genotypowanie genów LGB i CSN3 przeprowadzono za pomocą techniki PCR-RFLP z użyciem enzymów, odpowiednio: HaeIII i HinfI. Zebrane dane liczbowe opracowano statystycznie za pomocą analizy kowariancji, do porównań między grupami wykorzystano analizę kontrastów (ANOVA/MANOVA STATISTICA 8.0). Został zbadany łączny efekt genów beta-laktoglobuliny i kappa-kazeiny. Najwięcej mleka otrzymano od krów o kombinacji genotypów AAAB, natomiast mleko zwierząt o kombinacji genotypów AABB charakteryzowało się najwyższą procentową zawartością tłuszczu. Najmniejszą ilość prób zgromadzono od krów o preferowanym pod względem technologicznego przetwórstwa układzie genów BBBB. Podczas próbnych udojów, grupa krów o kombinacji genotypów BBBB charakteryzowała się wysoką wydajnością mleka i zawartością białka, ale jednocześnie najwyższą zawartością komórek somatycznych w ocenianych próbach mleka

OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY CATTLE BREEDERS ON HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONS AND THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH ANIMALS ARE KEPT

The survey included 69 Polish farmers running private farms which focus on cattle breeding. Based on the survey results, and answers given by dairy and beef cattle breeders, it was found that the majority of respondents present the right attitude towards animals, and that they understand the influence of the person being in charge of a herd on the behaviour of animals and production results. The majority of the surveyed breeders continue to keep their cattle in stall barns, with more than 70% believing that this system provides good conditions for animals, and approximately 10% believe this is the best system possible. Approximately 80% of breeders is of the opinion that the animal housing system used has an effect on the condition of animals’ legs. The majority of breeders say that their animals are kept in either good or very good environmental conditions

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH PARAMETERS OF BEEF AND MILK CATTLE MEASURED WITH THE USE OF SURVEYS

The objective of the study was to determine parameters related to cattle’s health and the environment in which they live in cowsheds oriented at beef and milk production. The study included 70 cattle breeders from the pilskie county, Wielkopolskie province. Twenty of the surveyed farmers produced milk, 31 beef, and 19 produced both. The majority of the surveyed farmers worked on family run farms: taking up the area of up to 50 ha and the with up to 50 animals. Approximately 70% of the surveyed farmers kept their animals tethered. Only more or less 40% declared they owned a designated isolation area. Automatic drinkers were, unsurprisingly, present mostly at farms where either milk or both milk and beef were produced (over 60%). Deworming was significantly more frequent on farms producing only beef (68.97%). Measurements of the intensity of harmful gases, airflow speed, humidity, and lighting intensity were conducted in only few cowsheds (up to 9% of the analysed). The results of our study point to greater need of education among farmers, and improving environmental conditions in which cattle are maintained

PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF DAIRY CATTLE AND SOMATIC CELLS COUNT CLASS VERSUS LEVEL OF PLASMA MALONYLODIALDEHYDE

The research involved 80 cows being in 2 physiological states: near the end of lactation (approximately 2 months before delivery) (N=40), and one month after calving. In plasma was established MDA level (malonylodialdehyde) and in milk SCC (Somatic Cells Count). The MDA level in plasma in groups of calved and non-calved cows remained at a similar level. It was found that a statistically signifi cant MDA level (p≤0,05) was present in milk from non-calved cows – with somatic cells count below 400,000 per ml during test milking, as compared to cows producing milk with somatic cells count of over 400,000 per ml

The Evaluation of Vitiligous lesions Repigmentation after the Administration of Atorvastatin calcium salt and Simvastatin-acid sodium salt in patients with active vitiligo (EVRAAS), a pilot study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder presenting with depigmentation, the pathogenesis of which is complex but the autoimmune theory is now preferred. Multiple immunologic processes, including stimulation of the T-helper (Th)1 response, formation of autoreactive melanocyte-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes, a decrease in the blood concentration of T regulatory (Treg) cells, and an increase in interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN) concentration, have been shown to contribute to vitiligo progression and maintenance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of simvastatin and atorvastatin on vitiligous lesions in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). According to available data, statins act through several immunological pathways, potentially reversing undesirable phenomena underlying autoimmune vitiligo pathogenesis. Methods/design A study has been designed as a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study with the enrollment of at least 24 active NSV patients presenting with vitiligous lesions on both upper and lower limbs. The clinical effects of ointments containing 1% simvastatin-acid sodium salt or 1% atorvastatin calcium salt applied on a preselected limb will be assessed in comparison with vehicle ointment applied on the opposite limb. All study participants will undergo clinical evaluation using body surface area (BSA) and Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) scales at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 time points. A precise assessment of skin lesions will be performed using photographic documentation obtained during each study visit and processed with NIS-Elements software. Discussion Currently available vitiligo topical therapeutic approaches including calcineurin inhibitors and corticosteroids remain poorly effective and are associated with either relatively high cost or potentially dangerous adverse effects. The clinical application of orally administrated statins, widely used as systemic cholesterol-lowering agents, in vitiligous patients has only been tested in two clinical trials; however, data on their potential usefulness is scarce. Moreover, due to a high risk of clinically significant toxicity, topical administration was recommended by researchers. This study is the first to evaluate safety and efficacy of the topical use of statins in patients presenting with NSV. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03247400. Registered on 05 August 2017

Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of rosuvastatin against melanoma cells

Introduction : Statins are considered potential candidate agents for melanoma chemoprevention. Statin-induced mevalonate pathway inhibition leads to reduction of cholesterol synthesis and also to decreased cellular levels of non-steroidal isoprenoids, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate. This results in the impairment of protein prenylation which affects carcinogenesis. Aim : To analyze anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of rosuvastatin against melanoma cells. Material and methods : Melanoma cell lines (A375 and WM1552C) and normal fibroblasts (BJ) were used as the primary research material. Cells were treated with rosuvastatin at concentrations ranging from 0.01 µM to 10 µM. Cell viability was analyzed with the use of an MTT assay. Expression of proliferation marker Ki67 was assessed on the basis of immunofluorescence staining. Results: Rosuvastatin reduced A375 and BJ cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After 72 h incubation, the IC 50 , half maximal inhibitory concentration, was 2.3 µM for melanoma cells and 7.4 µM for normal fibroblasts. In turn, rosuvastatin exhibited relatively lower activity against WM1552C cells. A significant reduction of Ki67 expression was also noted for BJ fibroblasts after prolonged incubation with the tested drug. Conclusions : The results indicate that the anti-melanoma properties of rosuvastatin are highly dependent on the tumor cell line assessed. However, the concentrations required to decrease melanoma cell viability in vitro exceed the plasma concentrations reached in patients treated with rosuvastatin at well-tolerated doses. What is more disturbing, reduction of proliferation and viability observed in BJ fibroblasts indicated that rosuvastatin at high doses may be toxic for normal cells

The activity of cathepsin D and alpha-1 antitrypsin in hip and knee osteoarthritis

The progress of cartilage decay during joint degeneration is not well monitored with biochemical methods. The role of cathepsin D (CAT-D) in articular cartilage deterioration remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the activity of CAT-D and alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in blood in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. The activity of CAT-D and AAT in blood serum of 40 women and 21 men with hip or knee osteoarthritis was determined before total joint replacement, on the tenth day after surgery, and once in 54 healthy patients. The preoperative activity of CAT-D in patients with osteoarthritis was lower by 53.6% (11.00 ± 4.54 10-2 nM released tyrosine/mg protein/min, P < 0.001) and after surgery by 55.0% (10.67 ± 4.64 10-2 nM released tyrosine/mg protein/min, P < 0.001) when compared to its activity in healthy patients. There was no significant statistical difference between CAT-D activity before the surgery and its activity on the tenth day after it in the analyzed group (P< 0.496). Simultaneously, the preoperative activity of AAT in the OA (osteoarthritis) patients was by 25.5% (0.93 ± 0.32 mg inhibited trypsin/ml blood serum, P < 0.001) and postoperative was by 44.9% higher (1.26 ± 0.36 mg inhibited trypsin/ml blood serum, P < 0.001) than in healthy patients. The low CAT-D activity in osteoarthritis of big joints is associated with a decrease of cartilage cells during the degenerative process. The higher activity of acute phase protein AAT in OA patients' blood serum confirms the inflammatory component in the osteoarthritis process