A molecular and haematological study of Theileria equi in Balkan donkeys

Equine piroplasmosis in donkeys has been recognised as a serious problem of major economic importance. The present molecular study is the first investigation of the presence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Balkan donkeys and of the possible haematological alterations related to it. A total of 70 apparently healthy donkeys from Serbia were included in this study. The overall prevalence of T. equi infection in donkeys tested with multiplex PCR was 50%. There was no B. caballi-positive sample. Infections in donkeys included in this study seem to be associated with decreased red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and platelet count, and with increased white blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Altered haematological parameters in donkeys can lead to a decrease in working capacity and production performance. Further molecular research and long-term monitoring of equine piroplasmosis is needed in Serbia and throughout Europe

Early and late outcomes after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass vs. full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

ObjectivesMinimally-invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) is a less-invasive alternative to full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass (FS-OPCAB) revascularization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Some studies suggested that MIDCAB is associated with a greater risk of graft occlusion and repeat revascularization than FS-OPCAB LIMA-to-LAD grafting. Data comparing MIDCAB to FS-OPCAB with regard to long-term follow-up is scarce. We compared short- and long-term results of MIDCAB vs. FS-OPCAB revascularization over a maximum follow-up period of 10 years.Patients and methodsFrom December 2009 to June 2020, 388 elective patients were included in our retrospective study. 229 underwent MIDCAB, and 159 underwent FS-OPCAB LIMA-to-LAD grafting. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for selection bias and to estimate treatment effects on short- and long-term outcomes. IPTW-adjusted Kaplan–Meier estimates by study group were calculated for all-cause mortality, stroke, the risk of repeat revascularization and myocardial infarction up to a maximum follow-up of 10 years.ResultsMIDCAB patients had less rethoracotomies (n = 13/3.6% vs. n = 30/8.0%, p = 0.012), fewer transfusions (0.93 units ± 1.83 vs. 1.61 units ± 2.52, p < 0.001), shorter mechanical ventilation time (7.6 ± 4.7 h vs. 12.1 ± 26.4 h, p = 0.005), and needed less hemofiltration (n = 0/0% vs. n = 8/2.4%, p = 0.004). Thirty-day mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (n = 0/0% vs. n = 3/0.8%, p = 0.25). Long-term outcomes did not differ significantly between study groups. In the FS-OPCAB group, the probability of survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 98.4%, 87.8%, and 71.7%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 98.4%, 87.7%, and 68.7%, respectively (RR1.24, CI0.87–1.86, p = 0.7). In the FS group, the freedom from stroke at 1, 5, and 10 years was 97.0%, 93.0%, and 93.0%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 98.5%, 96.9%, and 94.3%, respectively (RR0.52, CI0.25–1.09, p = 0.06). Freedom from repeat revascularization at 1, 5, and 10 years in the FS-OPCAB group was 92.2%, 84.7%, and 79.5%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 94.8%, 90.2%, and 81.7%, respectively (RR0.73, CI0.47–1.16, p = 0.22).ConclusionMIDCAB is a safe and efficacious technique and offers comparable long-term results regarding mortality, stroke, repeat revascularization, and freedom from myocardial infarction when compared to FS-OPCAB

Entlastung des linken Ventrikels während der extrakorporalen Membranoxygenierung bei Myokardinfarkt mit kardiogenem Schock

Die venoarterielle extrakorporale Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) ist eine etablierte Methode zur kurzfristigen mechanischen Unterstützung bei schwerem, therapierefraktärem kardiogenem Schock. Diese Studie vergleicht die Auswirkungen zweier Entlastungsstrategien des linken Ventrikels (LV) bei ECMO-Patienten mit kardiogenem Schock: die offen-chirurgische Implantation eines LV-Ventkatheters und die perkutan implantierte Impella-Mikroaxialpumpe. Nach 30 Tagen waren die Mortalitätsraten in beiden Gruppen ähnlich (Impella Gruppe: 54%, LV-Vent Gruppe: 63%, P = 0,35). Die Impella-Gruppe zeigte jedoch eine höhere Myokarderholungsrate (24% vs. 7%, P = 0,022) und niedrigere Raten für dauerhafte mechanische Unterstützung (17% vs. 42%, P = 0,012). Komplikationsraten waren vergleichbar. Weitere randomisierte Studien sind erforderlich, um die optimale Entlastungsstrategie und den richtigen Zeitpunkt für den Einsatz zu bestimmen

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOGAS PRODUCTION ON THE AGRICULTURAL FARMS IN VOJVODINA

All countries of the world deal with problems related to the energy provision and the protection of the environment in a lesser or a greater extent. The consequences of current relations between the production and consumption of electric power are permanent increase in price of the electric power, which leads to the ecologically and economically reasonable necessity to include the alternative sources in the global strategy of energetics development. Since the Republic of Serbia can not act as being isolated from the world processes, she undertook the obligations related to energetics under the Athens Memorandum and the Kyoto Protocol, for the protection and improvement of environment, as well as for the fulfillment of standards for the purpose of further integrations. Biogas in Serbia becomes the alternative source of energy on agricultural households in two aspects – the aspect of energetics and the aspect of ecology. In comparison to techniques of electric power production from other renewable and fossil biogenic energy sources, the usage of biogas from the liquid manure is accomplished with a significant decrease in gas emissions which lead to the hothouse effect

Benefits of intra-aortic balloon pump support in patients with postcardiotomy shock requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background: The benefit of the combined use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for postcardiotomy shock remains unclear. We aimed to analyse the potential benefits and safety of combining these two devices. Methods: We enrolled 200 patients treated with either VA-ECMO only or in combination with IABP (ECMO-I group) between January 2012 and January 2021. To adjust the patients’ backgrounds, we used propensity score matching for additional analyses, resulting in 57 pairs. The primary endpoint was 30-day survival. Secondary endpoints included successful weaning and complication rates. We also analysed hemodynamic parameters in both groups. Results: After propensity score matching, 30-day survival was better in the ECMO-I group (log-rank p = 0.004). The ECMO-I and ECMO-only groups differed regarding the secondary endpoints, including successful weaning (50.9% and 26.3%, respectively; p = 0.012) and the need for continuous renal replacement therapy (28.1% and 50.9%, p = 0.021). Complication rates were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Compared to VA-ECMO alone, the combined use of VA-ECMO and IABP is beneficial regarding 30-day survival in selected patients with postcardiotomy shock; successful ECMO weaning and freedom from renal replacement therapy is more common in patients supported with VA-ECMO plus IABP

Evaluation of the effects of two anaesthetic protocols on oxidative status and DNA damage in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) undergoing endoscopic coeliotomy

The aim of this study was to assess how red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) respond to anaesthesia itself and coelioscopy. For that purpose, the turtles were anaesthetised with ketamine–medetomidine or propofol, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry. The possible genotoxic effects of the anaesthetic agents were estimated by comet assay. A total of 24 turtles were included in this study. The animals were divided into four groups according to the anaesthetic protocol and according to whether endoscopy would be performed. Significantly decreased activities of CAT were found only in the propofol group and in turtles undergoing coelioscopy. Both anaesthetic protocols induced significantly increased MDA levels, while no differences were observed after the intervention. A significant increase in GST activity was detected in turtles after both anaesthetic protocols, but after coelioscopy significant changes in GST activity were found only in the propofol group. However, no differences in SOD activity and no DNA damages were detected in either group. These findings suggest that ketamine–medetomidine may be more suitable anaesthetic agents in red-eared sliders than propofol

Evaluation of biological activities of acetone extract of the mushroom leccinum scabrum

Bioactivity of acetone extract of Leccinum scabrum was evaluated. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and determination of total phenolic content. The microdilution plate method was used to detect antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxic activity was tested by MTT assay. Genotoxic potential was evaluated by comet assay. Results showed a stronger free radical scavenging activity, but the reducing power was less pronounced. The total content of phenols in the extract was 14.91 µg PE/mg. The minimum inhibitory concentration related to the tested microorganisms fluctuated in the range 0.039-10 mg/mL. The most sensitive was Bacillus cereus. A strong cytotoxic activity was revealed with IC50 values ranging between 73.64 and 200.00 µg/mL, among which HeLa was the most sensitive. Results showed that the extract was not genotoxic and it decreased the H2O2-induced GDI values in comparison to the positive control. L. scabrum possesses bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, no genotoxic and protective against H2O2, and in the highest tested concentration it showed a synergistic activity

Left Ventricular Unloading in Patients on Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy in Cardiogenic Shock: Prophylactic Versus Bail-Out Strategy

Background: The benefit of prophylactic left ventricular (LV) unloading during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in selected patients at risk of developing LV distension remains unclear. Methods: We enrolled 136 patients treated with Impella pump decompression during VA-ECMO therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock. Patients were stratified by specific indication for LV unloading in the prophylactic vs. bail-out group. The bail-out unloading strategy was utilized to treat LV distension in VA-ECMO afterload-associated complications. The primary endpoint was all-cause 30-day mortality after VA-ECMO implantation. The secondary endpoint was successful myocardial recovery, transition to durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS), or heart transplantation. Results: After propensity score matching, prophylactic unloading was associated with a significantly lower 30-day mortality risk (risk ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.62, and p p = 0.001) compared with the bail-out strategy. Heart transplantation or durable MCS did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Prophylactic unloading compared with the bail-out strategy may improve clinical outcomes in selected patients on VA-ECMO. Nevertheless, randomized trials are needed to validate these results

Early and late outcomes after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass vs. full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

$\bf Objectives:$ Minimally-invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) is a less-invasive alternative to full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass (FS-OPCAB) revascularization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Some studies suggested that MIDCAB is associated with a greater risk of graft occlusion and repeat revascularization than FS-OPCAB LIMA-to-LAD grafting. Data comparing MIDCAB to FS-OPCAB with regard to long-term follow-up is scarce. We compared short- and long-term results of MIDCAB vs. FS-OPCAB revascularization over a maximum follow-up period of 10 years. $\textbf {Patients and methods:}$ From December 2009 to June 2020, 388 elective patients were included in our retrospective study. 229 underwent MIDCAB, and 159 underwent FS-OPCAB LIMA-to-LAD grafting. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for selection bias and to estimate treatment effects on short- and long-term outcomes. IPTW-adjusted Kaplan–Meier estimates by study group were calculated for all-cause mortality, stroke, the risk of repeat revascularization and myocardial infarction up to a maximum follow-up of 10 years. $\bf Results:$ MIDCAB patients had less rethoracotomies ($\it n$ = 13/3.6% vs. $\it n$ = 30/8.0%, $\it p$ = 0.012), fewer transfusions (0.93 units $\pm$ 1.83 vs. 1.61 units $\pm$ 2.52, $\it p$ < 0.001), shorter mechanical ventilation time (7.6 $\pm$ 4.7 h vs. 12.1 $\pm$ 26.4 h,$\it p$p = 0.005), and needed less hemofiltration ($\it n$ = 0/0% vs. $\it n$ = 8/2.4%, $\it p$ = 0.004). Thirty-day mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups ($\it n$ = 0/0% vs. $\it n$ = 3/0.8%, $\it p$ = 0.25). Long-term outcomes did not differ significantly between study groups. In the FS-OPCAB group, the probability of survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 98.4%, 87.8%, and 71.7%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 98.4%, 87.7%, and 68.7%, respectively (RR1.24, CI0.87–1.86, $\it p$ = 0.7). In the FS group, the freedom from stroke at 1, 5, and 10 years was 97.0%, 93.0%, and 93.0%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 98.5%, 96.9%, and 94.3%, respectively (RR0.52, CI0.25–1.09, $\it p$ = 0.06). Freedom from repeat revascularization at 1, 5, and 10 years in the FS-OPCAB group was 92.2%, 84.7%, and 79.5%, respectively. In the MIDCAB group, the corresponding values were 94.8%, 90.2%, and 81.7%, respectively (RR0.73, CI0.47–1.16, $\it p$ = 0.22). $\bf Conclusion:$ MIDCAB is a safe and efficacious technique and offers comparable long-term results regarding mortality, stroke, repeat revascularization, and freedom from myocardial infarction when compared to FS-OPCAB