Proximal interphalangeal joint ankylosis in an early medieval horse from Wroclaw Cathedral Island, Poland

Animal remains that are unearthed during archaeological excavations often provide useful information about socio-cultural context, including human habits, beliefs, and ancestral relationships. In this report, we present pathologically altered equine first and second phalanges from an 11th century specimen that was excavated at Wroclaw Cathedral Island, Poland

Cynophagia in the Puchov (Celtic) Culture Settlement at Liptovska Mara, Northern Slovakia

This paper deals with the remains of butchered dogs from the La Tene and Early Roman sites in northern Slovakia. A large settlement revealed at Liptovska Mara was inhabited by the Celtic tribe of Cotini, representing the so-called Puchov culture. The long-term excavation of the site has yielded one of the largest collections from that time in Slovakia. During archaeozoological analysis, the skeletal remains of dogs were identified. Interestingly, a large portion of the specimens represent the cranial skeleton, and the majority of mandibles bear distinctive marks of butchery. On the basis of their placement and similar characteristics, the authors conclude that they resulted from tongue-removal procedures. Moreover, their frequent occurrence clearly supports the idea of the use of dog flesh at the site. The authors argue that cynophagia occurred mainly for economic reasons; however, it might also have been part of the rituals documented in the sanctuary of Liptovska Mara. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Volume calculation of the cattle (Bos taurus L.) and the water buffalo (Bos bubalis L.) metapodia with stereologic method

In this study, stereological volume estimations using 26 cattle metapodia (26 metacarpal and 26 metatarsal bones) and 8 water buffalo metapodia (8 metacarpal and 8 metatarsal bones) were made. For this purpose metapodia were parallel sectioned at 1 cm intervals according to Cavalieri principle. Grids with 0.4 cm probe intervals were superimposed on top of these sections and the matching points were counted. All of the bone structures and medullar cavity volumes were calculated with the data obtained from a formulation (V = t x a(p) x Sigma P) as a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel (R) Windows XP. In addition, percent ratio of this volume to whole bone volume was calculated. The mean ratio of bone marrow space to whole bone structure volume equals 15% in all of the cattle and buffalos. The difference between whole bone volumes of cattle and water buffalo was significant (p < 0.05) while the difference in volume of medullary cavity (cavum medullare) was not significantly different between the two investigated species. The aim of current study is to present a new method that can be used for the volumes calculation of whole bones and medullary cavity in metapodial bones and their percentages

Volume calculation of the cattle (Bos taurus L.) and the water buffalo (Bos bubalis L.) metapodia with stereologic method

In this study, stereological volume estimations using 26 cattle metapodia (26 metacarpal and 26 metatarsal bones) and 8 water buffalo metapodia (8 metacarpal and 8 metatarsal bones) were made. For this purpose metapodia were parallel sectioned at 1 cm intervals according to Cavalieri principle. Grids with 0.4 cm probe intervals were superimposed on top of these sections and the matching points were counted. All of the bone structures and medullar cavity volumes were calculated with the data obtained from a formulation (V = t x a(p) x Sigma P) as a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel (R) Windows XP. In addition, percent ratio of this volume to whole bone volume was calculated. The mean ratio of bone marrow space to whole bone structure volume equals 15% in all of the cattle and buffalos. The difference between whole bone volumes of cattle and water buffalo was significant (p < 0.05) while the difference in volume of medullary cavity (cavum medullare) was not significantly different between the two investigated species. The aim of current study is to present a new method that can be used for the volumes calculation of whole bones and medullary cavity in metapodial bones and their percentages

Mast Cell Morphological Heterogeneity: An Indicator of Skin Immune System Activation in Horses Affected with Summer Eczema

Thirteen, 7 months old thoroughbred horses with no clinical signs of insect bite hypersensitivity, commonly exposed to culicoides bites were studied. Allergic individuals were determined by a positive intradermal skin test, performed with culicoides allergen. Animals with negative skin test served as a control. In horses serum levels of IgG were examined. From horses with positive skin test results, skin biopsies were examined by means of light and electron microscopy. Positive reaction against culicoides allergens confirmed that IgG even in absence of IgE can mediate allergic response in <1 year old horses. Ultrastructural skin studies showed marked activation within mast cells population in allergic horses even though they exhibited no clinical symptoms of summer eczema. There was marked domination of piece meal type of degranulation observed which indicated persistent inflammatory process within skin of asymptomatic animals. Moreover, skin mast cells of allergic horses whose IgG serum levels were relatively high besides piece meal often manifested anaphylactic and mixed type of degranulation

Effect of Dietary Zinc (II) Chelate Complex and Zinc (II) Enriched Soybean Meal on Selected Parameters of in vivo Caecal Fermentation in Laying Hens (Lohman Brown)

The study was conducted on 18 laying hens from Lohman Brown at 23 weeks of age. There were two research groups and one control group with six animals each. In the last four weeks of age, the animals were fed follows: Control group (Group C) complete diet; Group I diet containing zinc added via the biosorption process and; Group II: diet containing zinc as an organic chelate complex. The levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, butyrate, iso-valeriate and valeriate were determined. It was observed that using a diet with additives obtained via biosorption does not have a negative influence on fermentation processes in the hen's caecum

Vertebral disease in excavated canine in Lower Silesia, Poland

A mostly complete canine skeleton was excavated during rescue archaeological explorations in Domaslaw (Lower Silesia, Poland). The archaeozoological analysis revealed loss of several left maxillary incisors. Discospondylitis was observed in two adjacent lumbar vertebrae. Potential causes of the vertebral pathology are discussed. The cause of death is unknown, but sepsis should be considered. No other pathological changes or evidence of human manipulation to the skeleton were identified. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc