Differential diagnostic relevance of high resolution magnetic resonance in patients with possible multiple system atrophy (MSA) – a case report [Važnost uporabe magnetne rezonancije visoke rezolucije u dijagnostici moguće multiple sistemske atrofije - prikaz slučaja]

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is sporadic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by autonomic dysfunction, Parkinsonism (MSA-P), and cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) in any combination. Parkinsonism is present in the majority of patients (80%). Early in the course of the disease autonomic dysfunctions are present in approximately 40% of patients, while the domination of cerebellar symptoms is present in 20% of all patients1,2. According to second consensus statement on diagnosis of MSA, to make the diagnosis of possible MSA, except Parkinsonism or a cerebellar syndrome, there must be one feature involving autonomic dysfunction plus one other additional that can include findings on history, clinical examination or changes in structural or functional imaging3. We present a case of 60-year old male with Parkinsonism and cerebellar symptoms accompanied with signs of autonomic nervous system involvment. Level of autonomic dysfunction was not the level required for the diagnosis of probable MSA. On initially performed 1.5T MRI, the most prominent neurodegenerative feature of brain stem, cerebellum and basal ganglia was atrophy, however features like »hot-cross bun« sign, »slit-like« putaminal rim and middle cerebellar peduncle hyperintensities were detected only after MR imaging on higher resolution (3T) device4. Our case points to the possibility that some typical structural changes that can help in diagnostic process may not be clearly visible on 1.5 T MRI devices. In such cases we suggest using 3T MRI device, if feasible, in order to demonstrate findings that may help in establishing the diagnosis of possible MSA

EPR study of the production of OH radicals in aqueous solutions of uranium irradiated by ultraviolet light

The aim of the study was to establish whether hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were produced in UV-irradiated aqueous solutions of uranyl salts. The production of •OH was studied in uranyl acetate and nitrate solutions by an EPR spin trap method over a wide pH range, with variation of the uranium concentrations. The production of •OH in uranyl solutions irradiated with UV was unequivocally demonstrated for the first time using the EPR spin-trapping method. The production of •OH can be connected to speciation of uranium species in aqueous solutions, showing a complex dependence on the solution pH. When compared with the results of radiative de-excitation of excited uranyl (*UO22+) by the quenching of its fluorescence, the present results indicate that the generation of hydroxyl radicals plays a major role in the fluorescence decay of *UO22+. The role of the presence of carbonates and counter ions pertinent to environmental conditions in biological systems on the production of hydroxyl radicals was also assessed in an attempt to reveal the mechanism of *UO22+ de-excitation. Various mechanisms, including •OH production, are inferred but the main point is that the generation of •OH in uranium containing solutions must be considered when assessing uranium toxicity

The role of EPR spectroscopy in studies of the oxidative status of biological systems and the antioxidative properties of various compounds

In this era of intense study of free radicals and antioxidants, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is arguably the best-suited technique for such research, particularly when considering biochemical and biological systems. No attempt was made to cover all the topics of EPR application but instead attention was restricted to two areas that are both novel and received less attention in previous reviews. In the first section, the application of EPR in assessing the oxidative status of various biological systems, using endogenous stabile paramagnetic species, such as the ascorbyl radical, semiquinone, melanin, and oxidized pigments, is addressed. The second section covers the use of EPR in the emerging field of antioxidant development, using EPR spin-trapping and spin-probing techniques. In both sections, in addition to giving an overview of the available literature, examples (mostly from the authors' recent work) are also presented in sufficient detail to illustrate how to explore the full potential of EPR. This review aims at encouraging biologists, chemists and pharmacologists interested in the redox metabolism of living systems, free radical chemistry or antioxidative properties of new drugs and natural products to take advantage of this technique for their investigations

Etiologija i preventiva metaboličnih poremećaja u mliječnih krava

The dry period, in particular the transition period, is characterized by dramatic changes in the endocrine status. These changes prepare the cow for lactogenesis and parturition. A dry cow requires nutrients for maintenance, growth of the conceptus, and growth of the dam (heifers). Ration composition and nutrient content may influence prepartum dry mater intake (DMI). Etiology and nutritional prevention of metabolic disorders such as fatty liver, ketosis, udder edema, milk fever, grass tetany, retained placenta, metritis, displacement of the abomasum, rumen acidosis, laminitis and milk fat depression will be discused in our review regarding the author’s USA experience.Za suhostaj, a naročito prijelazni period, karakteristične su velike promjene u endokrinom statusu krave. Ove promjene pripremaju kravu za porođaj i laktaciju. Krave u suhostaju metaboliziraju hranjive tvari za održanje bazalnog metabolizma, za rast i razvoj ploda, te za vlastiti rast i razvoj. Mješavina hrane i sadržaj hranjivih tvari utječu na količinu unosa suhe tvari u organizam u danima prije porođaja. Etiologija i hranidbena preventiva metaboličnih poremećaja kao što su zamašćena jetra, ketoza, edem vimena, mliječna groznica (hipokalcemija), pašna tetanija, zaostala posteljica, upala maternice, dislokacija sirišta, acidoza buraga, laminitis i smanjenje količine mliječne masti u mlijeku ukratko su obrađene u ovom članku

Hygiene and Housing Quality in Mastitis Prevention in Dairy Cows

Da bi se postigla optimalna i kvalitetna proizvodnja mlijeka na mliječnim farmama, potrebno je životinjama omogućiti kvalitetan i udoban smještaj te održavati higijenu i čistoću u staji. U radu je opisan moderan način držanja mliječnih krava u različitim uvjetima (slobodno, na vezu ili pašni način). Također je izložen niz postupaka i novih materijala koji pridonose očuvanju zdravlja krava, smanjuju pojavu mastitisa i poboljšavaju kakvoću mlijeka.In order to achieve optimal and quality milk production on dairy farms we have to provide premium stal design, housing, comfort and hygiene as well as kept the whole farm clean. In this article modern dairy farming was described, from tiestall, freestall to grazing on pasture. Numerous standard procedures and new materials are crucial for cow/herd health, less mastitis incidence and improved milk quality

Notes on the calibration of routine dosimeters in radiation processing

The essential prerequisite of radiation dosimetry is to provide quality assurance and documentation that the irradiation procedure has been carried out according to specifications requirement of the correct calibration of the chosen dosimetry system. In the Radiation Plant at the Vinča Institute, we compared two recommended protocols in calibration of dosimetry systems in radiation processing: (i) by using standardized routine dosimeters (ethanol-chlorobenzene ECB) from the reference laboratory and (ii) by in-plant calibration with the alanine transfer dosimeters. The analysis of results showed that our in-plant calibration is as good as when standardized dosimeters are used, thus validating our irradiation geometry in the irradiation process

An EPR spin-probe and spin-trap study of the free radicals produced by plant plasma membranes

Plant plasma membranes are known to produce superoxide radicals, while the production of hydroxyl radical is thought to occur only in the cell wall. In this work it was demonstrated using combined spin-trap and spin-probe EPR spectroscopic techniques, that plant plasma membranes do produce superoxide and hydroxyl radicals but by kinetically different mechanisms. The results show that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals can be detected by DMPO spin-trap and that the mechanisms and location of their production call be differentiated using the reduction of spin-probes Tempone and 7-DS. It was shown that the mechanism of production of oxygen reactive species is NADH dependent and diphenylene iodonium inhibited. The kinetics of the reduction of Temponc, combined with scavengers or the absence of NADH indicates that hydroxyl radicals are produced by a mechanism independent of that of superoxide production. It was shown that a combination of the spill-probe and spin-trap technique can be used in free radical studies of biological systems, with a number of advantages inherent to them

Differential Diagnostic Relevance of High Resolution Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Possible Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) – A Case Report

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is sporadic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by autonomic dysfunction, Parkinsonism (MSA-P), and cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) in any combination. Parkinsonism is present in the majority of patients (80%). Early in the course of the disease autonomic dysfunctions are present in approximately 40% of patients, while the domination of cerebellar symptoms is present in 20% of all patients1,2. According to second consensus statement on diagnosis of MSA, to make the diagnosis of possible MSA, except Parkinsonism or a cerebellar syndrome, there must be one feature involving autonomic dysfunction plus one other additional that can include findings on history, clinical examination or changes in structural or functional imaging3. We present a case of 60-year old male with Parkinsonism and cerebellar symptoms accompanied with signs of autonomic nervous system involvment. Level of autonomic dysfunction was not the level required for the diagnosis of probable MSA. On initially performed 1.5T MRI, the most prominent neurodegenerative feature of brain stem, cerebellum and basal ganglia was atrophy, however features like »hot-cross bun« sign, »slit-like« putaminal rim and middle cerebellar peduncle hyperintensities were detected only after MR imaging on higher resolution (3T) device4. Our case points to the possibility that some typical structural changes that can help in diagnostic process may not be clearly visible on 1.5 T MRI devices. In such cases we suggest using 3T MRI device, if feasible, in order to demonstrate findings that may help in establishing the diagnosis of possible MSA

Urinary incontinence as consequence of castration in bitches

Najčešći uzrok urinarne inkontinencije kod kuja je kastracija. Uzroci urinarne inkontinencije dijele se na neurološke i ne-neurološke, među koje pripada i kastracija. Brojne studije navode vezu između urinarne inkontinencije i dobi životinje u trenutku kastracije. Rezultati tih istraživanja su različiti, no postoji općenito mišljenje da se rizik od nastanka urinarne inkontinencije kuja povećava ako su kastrirane prije trećeg mjeseca starosti. Starost životinje kod ovarijektomije nema utjecaja na razvoj urinarne inkontinencije ako životinja u odrasloj dobi neće težiti više od 15 kg. Manje pasmine pasa, dakle, imaju manju predispoziciju za nastanak urinarne inkontinencije, pri čemu rizik od razvoja inkontinencije, izgleda, nije povezan s dobi životinje za vrijeme kastracije. U većih pasmina (tjelesne mase odrasle jedinke veće od 15 kg) povećava se rizik od razvoja urinarne inkontinencije. Urinarnu je inkontinenciju lako dijagnosticirati, ali za otkrivanje njezina uzroka potrebna je opsežna dijagnostika. Primarna metoda liječenja je medikamentna terapija u kojoj važnu ulogu imaju α-agonisti. U slučajevima kada medikamentna terapija ne daje željene rezultate, moguće je liječenje intervencijskim i kirurškim metodama.The most common cause of urinary incontinence in bitches is castration. The causes of urinary incontinence can be classified as neurological and non-neurological with castration being one of those. Numerous studies indicate the interrelation of urinary incontinence and the age of the animal at the moment of castration. The results of these studies differ, but there is a general consideration that the risk of urinary incontinence in bitches is higher if the animals are castrated before three months of age. Considering ovariectomy, the age of the animal will not affect the development of urinary incontinence if the weight of an adult does not exceed 15 kg. In smaller dog breeds the risk of developing urinary incontinence is lower and the risk does not seem to correlate with the age when castration is performed. In bigger dog breeds where the expected adult body weight exceeds 15 kilograns the risk of urinary incontinence is higher. Urinary incontinence is easy to diagnose, but determining its exact cause requires extensive diagnostics. The primary method of treatment is through medication in which α-agonists play a major role. In cases where medication therapy fails interventional and surgical methods are used