The dynamics of biochemical parameters in blood of clinically healthy holstein cows from day 5 before to day 60 after calving

The peripartal period in Holstein dairy cows is critical, due to the transition from pregnancy to lactation. We have studied the dynamics of biochemical parameters from day 5 before to day 60 after calving. The study included 10 multiparous Holstein cows, examined at days -5, 5, 10, 30 and 60 relative to calving. Blood samples were taken from vena jugularis. Analyzed biochemical parameters were glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, urea, NEFA and BHBA. Milk production and body condition score were also estimated. Obtained results showed that cows were exposed to mild to marked metabolic distress. Energy status was changed due to increased values of NEFA and BHBA and decreased value of glucose after calving. Protein concentrations were increased at day 10 after calving, despite the decrease of the level of albumin. Urea concentrations before and after calving were within physiological range indicating an optimal protein diet. Increased values of total bilirubin at day 5 after calving indicated liver increased activity. Lipid status presented by triglycerides and total cholesterol revealed no differences in blood concentrations. Milk production was highest at day 30 after calving. BCS were highest in dry cows, thereafter they declined and recovered at day 60 after calving. In conclusion, biochemical parameters can be used as relevant indicators of metabolic distress in cows around calving with milk and BCS recording as aside parameters. Changes in some biochemical parameters indicate liver increased activity and metabolic stress, that could lead to decreased milk production, impaired reproductive performance and, finally, to illness

Influence of the season on the metabolic profile in chios sheep

Chios is a breed of sheep selected for milk production, with metabolic features typical for a dairy sheep breed. The energy requirements of pregnant sheep is increase in the last weeks of gestation. Metabolic imbalance in the late pregnancy in sheep, usually cause a metabolic disorder known as pregnancy toxemia. Additionally, a pregnant sheep exposed to low environmental temperatures has increased energy demands, due to its adaptation to undesirable environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic profile of Chios sheep exposed to different environmental conditions. Two groups of ewes were instigated. First group included 8 pregnant ewes with clinical signs of pregnancy toxemia exposed to cold stress during the winter season. The second group included 8 non-pregnant, clinically healthy ewes, that were examined during the non-breeding period, in the spring season. Blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutirate (BHBA), total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, triglyceride and cholesterol, as well as activity of AST and ALP were determined. Pregnant ewes exposed to cold stress had significantly lower levels of glucose and total protein, and significantly higher levels of BHBA, albumin and AST in the serum compared to non-pregnant ewes that were in optimal environmental conditions. There was no significant difference between the serum levels of urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and ALP among the groups. In conclusion, low environmental temperature and poor feeding during the winter season caused metabolic distress in pregnant ewes during the early winter season

Profiling Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Infection in Commercial Pig Farms Using Serology and Lung Lesions Assessment

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) is primary pathogen involved in porcine respiratory diseases complex (PRDC). The objective of this study was to evaluate Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) infection in five commercial pig farms by using serology and lung lesion scoring at slaughter. Five Macedonian pig herds with a history of respiratory diseases were included in the study. Blood samples were taken from pigs at 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 weeks of age. Ten animals per age group from each farm were sampled and tested for antibodies to Mhyo. At abattoir, 50 lungs per farm were scored for lesions associated with enzootic pneumonia (EP). All farms were seropositive to Mhyo. Higher seroprevalence to Mhyo was observed in grower and finisher pigs, while significant difference (p<0.001) was detected among farms in 10-, 14-, and 22-week-old pigs. Enzootic pneumonia-like lesions were detected in 91.2% of all tested lungs with range of 82 to 98% on farm level. Mean lung lesion score (LLS) obtained for all farms was 11.5 (8.04–14.4). Significant difference for LLS and significantly higher percentage of severe LLS grade (>10) were found among some of the farms (p<0.001). In conclusion, high seroprevalence to Mhyo in finishing pigs in most of the farms was most likely due to vaccination. Farms with higher seroprevalence to Mhyo obtained lower LLS. Serology monitoring of different pig categories and lung assessment at slaughterhouse is a practical tool for assessing vaccine efficacy of Mhyo in pig farms

Dacryocystography in rabbits

Dacryocystography is a specific method of radiological examination of the nasolacrimal apparatus based on the use of a positive contrast agent, which allows the assessment of its morphology and patency. Pathological conditions of the nasolacrimal apparatus in rabbits are very common in clinical practice, and the disturbance of its patency is usually a consequence of dental diseases or respiratory infections. The aim of this article is to present the most common pathological conditions that can affect the patency of the nasolacrimal apparatus in rabbits, a detailed anatomical description of the nasolacrimal apparatus in these animals, and the technique for performing dacriyocystography

Serological profile and pleurisy lesions associated with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pig farms in North Macedonia

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) is one of the most important swine respiratory pathogens that causes porcine pleuropneumonia and massive financial losses in pig industry. The objective of this study was to investigate App infection in five pig herds from North Macedonia experiencing clinical respiratory infections by serological testing and a slaughterhouse pleurisy evaluation system (SPES). In total, 250 blood samples were taken from pigs aged 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 weeks. Ten animals per age category from each farm were sampled and analyzed for presence of antibodies against App. At the slaughterhouse, 50 lungs per herd from slaughtered age pigs were scored by the SPES for the presence of lesions associated with chronic pleurisy. The overall seroprevalence to App was 65.6%, ranging from 34% to 98% at the farm level. The highest seroprevalence was found in 6-week-old pigs in all farms, while significant differences were observed between farms in the 10-, 14-, 18-, and 22-week-old pig groups. Pleurisy associated with App was found in 26.4% of all examined lungs, with the mean SPES score being 0.75 (0.14 - 1.10). The percentage of SPES scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in all lungs were 73.4%, 1.6%, 8.8%, 8.4%, and 7.6% respectively. A significant difference in mean SPES score was obtained between two farms. High seroprevalences of App detected on the tested farms were probably due to constant natural infection. The highest seroprevalences, measured in the youngest pigs, could be due to maternallyderived antibodies. Higher seroprevalence against App and lower SPES scores in some farms suggests immunity resulting from infection by corresponding field serotypes

Stereotipno ponašanje na farmama visokomlečnih krava - 'igra jezika'

The objective of this work was to determine if there was a connection between stereotypical behaviour of high yielding dairy cows breeds and values of biochemical blood parameters. The investigation was carried out in august at loose-housing type of farms, in 30 heads of cattle from four groups: drying (15 to 7 days before calving), puerperium (up to 40 days after calving, early lactation (up to 120 days after calving) and late lactation (200 to 300 days after calving). Assessment of stereotypical behaviour (tongue rolling) was carried out by the method of careful observation of all the tested animals 2 to 4 hours after morning feeding. Blood samples were taken by puncture of jugular vein from 8 cows out of each animal group. In these blood samples there was determined the concentration of glucose, beta hydroxy-butyric acid (BHBA), total protein (TP), albumin, urea, total bilirubin (TBI), Ca, P, and Mg as well as AST and ALT activities. During the period up to 40 days after calving (puerperium), behavioral disorder in the form of 'tongue rolling' was found out in 4 out of 30 observed animals (13.33%). Average concentrations of all the tested blood parameters during the drying period as well as in early and late lactation were within physiological values for cattle. During puerperium there were found significantly lower values of glycaemia, proteinemia, albuminemia, uremia and magnesiemia in regard to antepartal values (p lt 0.05), where the values of glycaemia and magnesiemia were below the physiological limit. A the same time, in this group of cows the values of TBI and AST activities were higher than physiological values. Frequent appearance of 'tongue rolling' phenomenon only among cows in the group with deviation of biochemical parameters values, points out to a possible connection between the stereotypical behaviour and biochemical composition of blood. It seems that hypomagnesiemia could be a significant etiopathogenetic factor causing the change in behaviour of cows in intensive livestock production.Cilj ovog rada je bio da se utvrdi da li postoji veza između stereotipnog ponašanja visoko-mlečnih rasa krava i vrednosti biohemijskih parametara krvi. Ispitivanje je izvršeno tokom avgusta na farmi visokomleč nih krava slobodnog tipa držanja na po 30 jedinki iz četiri grupe: zasušenja (između 15 i 7 dana pre teljenja), puerperijuma (do 40 dana posle teljenja), rane laktacije (do 120 dana posle teljenja) i kasne laktacije (200 do 300 dana posle teljenja). Procena stereotipnog ponašanja ('igra jezika') izvršena je metodom pažljivog posmatranja svih ispitivanih životinja 2 do 4 časa nakon jutarnjeg hranjenja. Uzorci krvi uzeti su punkcijom vene jugularis od po 8 krava iz svake grupe. U uzorcima krvi određivana je koncentracija glukoze, beta-hidroksibuterne kiseline (BHBA), ukupnih proteina (UP), albumina, uree, ukupnog bilirubina (UB), Ca, P, Mg i aktivnosti AST i ALT. U periodu do 40 dana posle teljenja (puerperijum) poremećaji u ponašanju u vidu 'igre jezika' su ustanovljeni kod 4 od 30 posmatranih životinja iz tog perioda (13,33%). Prosečne koncentracije svih ispitivanih parametara krvi u periodu zasušenja, ranoj i kasnoj laktaciji nalazile su se u granicama fizioloških vrednosti za goveda. U puerperijumu su ustanovljene značajno niže vrednosti glikemije, proteinemije, albuminemije, uremije i magnezijemije u odnosu na antepartalne vrednosti (p lt 0.05), pri čemu su vrednosti glikemije i magnezijemije bile ispod fiziološke granice. Istovremeno, kod ove grupe krava, vrednosti koncentracije UB i aktivnosti AST bile su veće od fizioloških vrednosti. Učestala pojava 'igre jezika' samo u grupi krava u kojoj je ustanovljeno odstupanje vrednosti biohemijskih parametara ukazuje na moguće postojanje povezanosti ispitivanog stereotipnog ponašanja i biohemijskog sastava krvi. Čini se da bi hipomagnezijemija mogla da bude značajan etiopatogenetski činilac u promeni ponašanja krava u intenzivnim uslovima proizvodnje

HER2 Positive Gastric Carcinomas and Their Clinico-Pathological Characteristics

BACKGROUND: HER2 protein expression in gastric carcinoma, in correlation with existing, acknowledged prognostic factors which include the parameters that determine the TNM stage of the disease, could become the basis for ongoing research in the field of molecular targeted and personalised therapy.AIM: To determine the expression of the HER2 protein in gastric carcinoma and to correlate the expression of a HER2 protein with clinicopathological characteristics of the disease.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of HER2 protein expression and the parameters of the TNM classification were obtained from the histopathological reports of the Institute of Pathology in Skopje, and for the clinical stage we used patient’s files from the University Clinic for Abdominal Surgery in Skopje.RESULTS: The analysis of the correlation of HER2 protein expression and TNM classification parameters pointed out a significant correlation between HER2 protein expression and intragastric localisation of gastric carcinoma (P = 0.005), and the tumour grade of differentiation (P = 0.034). There was also a positive correlation between HER2 protein expression pattern and positive lymph nodes in patients with gastric carcinoma (P = 0.03). The expression pattern of HER2 +++ was significantly more common registered in patients with positive lymph nodes (P = 0.03)CONCLUSION: The expression of HER2 protein could represent a biological marker with prognostic and predictive value in patients with gastric carcinoma. Considering the high mortality rate in patients with gastric carcinoma and lack of international standardised therapeutic approach, research of the role and significance of HER2 overexpression and Trastuzumab therapy may prove useful in the development of new therapeutic strategies

EBV Positive Gastric Carcinomas and Their Clinicopathological Characteristics

BACKGROUND: The understanding of the etiopathogenesis of gastric carcinoma (GC) can be a base for development of new therapeutic methods to reduce mortality and to increase survival in patients with GC. The percentage of Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) positive gastric carcinomas is uncertain, and the etiologic importance of EBV in the pathogenesis of GC has still not been elucidated. AIM: This study aimed to determine the percentage of EBV associated GC as well as to determine their clinicopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 80 patients with GC who were analysed for ethnicity, local growth of a tumour (T status), the presence of nodal metastases (N), the presence of distant metastases (M), stage of the disease and degree of carcinoma differentiation. For detection of EBV, immunostainings were performed on tumour tissue and the peripheral non-tumour gastric mucosa. RESULTS: Positive immunostaining with an antibody against EBV was found in 19 (23.75%) of the 80 patients with gastric carcinomas. EBV immunostainings were significantly different in patients with or without metastasis and between patients of Macedonian and Albanian ethnicity (p &lt; 0.0001, p &lt; 0.009, respectively). EBV immunoexpression was significantly associated with the presence of distant metastases and with patients of Albanian ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Association of EBV immunostainings with distant metastasis in patients with GC suggests the influence of EBV infection on the progression of gastric carcinoma. Due to scarce and doubtful literature data on EBV associated GC, further studies are necessary to determine the role of EBV regarding aetiology, treatment and prognosis in patients with EBV associated gastric carcinoma

Next Generation Mobile Networks Architecture

Abstract— In this paper we define device-based functional architecture for next generation mobile networks. The proposed architecture is based on user-centric mobile concept in a heterogeneous wireless environment. The implementation of the proposed architecture is performed regarding the Next Generation Networks approach in the service stratum, while the radio access technologies belong to the transport stratum. In the proposed architecture we define a possibility to change the Radio Access Technology - RAT by mobile terminal using certain user-side criteria. For the purpose of transparent change of the RATs by the mobile terminal, we introduce so-called Policy-Router as a new node in the core network, with main propose to establish IP tunnels to the mobile terminal via different available RATs

5G Mobile Networks: the User-side Approach

Abstract: In this paper we propose new design for network and protocols architectures of future 5G mobile networks. The proposed design is based on user-centric mobile environment with heterogeneous radio access technologies. In the proposed design the user terminal has possibility to change the Radio Access Technology - RAT based on certain criteria. For that purpose we split the network layer on two network sub-layers, lower and upper one. The lower one is network IP layer, providing identification of the wireless interface to the given mobile network, so there are different IP addresses for different RAT interfaces. The upper IP layer, so-called here virtual network layer provides identification of the network layer towards the applications in the mobile terminals, and there is only one IP address, so tunneling is used over different RATs towards the central tunnel endpoint called Policy Router, which establishes IP tunnels to the mobile terminal via different available RATs to the terminal. The selection of the RAT is performed by the mobile terminal using the proposed user agent for multi-criteria decision making based on the experience from the performance measurements of different RATs performed by the mobile terminal in the given time window in the past. We present results of simulation analysis of the proposed intelligent Mobile RAT selection algorithm on the user-side for scenario with two RAT technologies, one Wireless WAN and one Wireless LAN. The obtained results showed that the proposed algorithm is significantly better compared to the traditional approaches for RAT selection. Also, the proposed solution in fact provide possibility for throughput aggregation on the network layer, where we already have carrier aggregation on Layer 2 in 4G technologies such as LTE-Advanced