The first finding of a Habitats Directive species Vertigo angustior Jeffreys, 1830 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Vertiginidae) from the Republic of North Macedonia

Five adults and one juvenile specimens of Vertigo angustior Jeffreys, 1830 (narrow-mouthed whorl snail) were found near Dunjska River, Mariovo for the first time in the Republic of North Macedonia. The species is included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, and Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention)

Risk Factors for Hock Lesions Occurrence in Dairy Cows

The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for formation of hock lesions in dairy cattle farms with different housing system. The study included 508 Black‑and‑white Holstein‑type cows from 14 dairy farms in different regions of Bulgaria. On cows a hock lesion assessment (scale 1 to 3) and body condition scoring (scale 1 to 5) were made. From the total number of cows, 231 cows (45.5 %) with score of 2 and 3 were reported, which clinical manifestation was from loss of hairs on the hock joint surface to swellings and wounds. A statistically significant effect of lactation period, body condition scores (BCS) and housing system on the hock assessment score was found. The least square means (LSM) for hock assessment score increased with the advancing of lactation period from 1.22 in cows to 60 days in milk (DIM) to 1.52 in cows after 120 DIM. The percentage of cows with BCS 3 and 3.5 was lower 1.5 to 2 times compared to cows with BCS 1.5. With the lowest mean hock assessment score (1.14), were the cows housed free group on a thick bedding. Tie‑stall housing system occupied an intermediate position with respect to hock assessment, only 1.4 % of cows were with a score of 3. The highest percentage of cows with varying degrees of hock lesions were reported in free‑stall housing system with using of rubber mats for stall floors, 75.5 % of the cows were with hock lesion assessment score 2 and 3. This percentage was slightly lower when small amounts of straw were placed on the rubber mats

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction in Truncus Arteriosus: A 30-Year Two-Center Comparison between Homografts and Bovine Jugular Vein

ABSTRACT Introduction: Homografts and bovine jugular vein are the most commonly used conduits for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction at the time of primary repair of truncus arteriosus. Methods: We reviewed all truncus patients from 1990 to 2020 in two mid-volume centers. Inclusion criteria were primary repair, age under one year, and implantation of either homograft or bovine jugular vein. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate survival, freedom from reoperation on right ventricular outflow tract, and freedom from right ventricular outflow tract reoperation or catheter intervention. Results: Seventy-three patients met the inclusion criteria, homografts were implanted in 31, and bovine jugular vein in 42. There was no difference in preoperative characteristics between the two groups. There were 25/73 (34%) early postoperative deaths and no late deaths. Follow-up for survivals was 17.5 (interquartile range 13.5) years for homograft group, and 11.5 (interquartile range 8.5) years for bovine jugular vein group (P=0.002). Freedom from reoperation on right ventricular outflow tract at one, five, and 10 years in the homograft group were 100%, 83%, and 53%; and in bovine jugular vein group, it was 100%, 85%, and 50% (P=0.79). There was no difference in freedom from reoperation or catheter intervention (P=0.32). Conclusion: Bovine jugular vein was equivalent to homografts up to 10 years in terms of survival and freedom from right ventricular outflow tract reoperation or catheter intervention. The choice of either valved conduit did not influence the durability of the right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit in truncus arteriosus