Induced Gamma-band Activity Elicited by Visual Representation of Unattended Objects

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Ispitivanje pasivnog imuniteta kod prasadi poreklom od krmača vakcinisanih Kina sojem virusa klasične kuge svinja

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the course of classical swine fever (CSF) infection in piglets originating from sows vaccinated with China strain vaccine. The experiment was carried out on 24 piglets (age 28, 35, 44 and 54 days) from vaccinated sows and on 11 non vaccinated piglets, originated from non CSF vaccinated sows. Two piglets from the each age group originating from vaccinated sows were challenged by intramuscular injection with CSF virus. Four piglets of the same age from vaccinated sows, and two piglets derived from unvaccinated sows were added to the challenged group to determine contact (horizontal) infection. After challenge, clinical examination and blood sampling from every animal was carried out on day 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29. Blood samples were examined for CSF virus specific antibodies by ELISA test, and for viral antigen i. e. viral RNA by RT-PCR technique. After death or sacrifice pathomorphological changes, presence and distribution of CSF virus antigen were detected in piglet tissue samples by ELISA test. On the basis of the obtained results it can be concluded that not all piglets born to vaccinated sows have maternal antibodies at a detectable level, and the issue of the efficiency of passive immunization needs to be evaluated in the future.Ova istraživanja su izvršena u cilju praćenja toka oboljenja nakon infekcije prasadi virusom klasične kuge svinja (KKS) poreklom od krmača vakcinisanih Kina sojem virusa KKS. Ogled je obavljen na 24 praseta (uzrasta 28, 35, 44 i 54 dana) poreklom od vakcinisanih krmača i na 11 nevakcinisane prasadi poreklom od nevakcinisanih krmača. Po dva praseta iz svake starosne grupe, poreklom od vakcinisanih krmača, su veštački inficirana intramuskularnom aplikacijom virusa KKS. U cilju ustanovljavanja kontaktne (horizontalne) infekcije, direktno inficiranim jedinkama su dodata po četiri praseta istog uzrasta poreklom od vakcinisanih krmača i dva praseta poreklom od nevakcinisanih krmača. Nakon veštačke infekcije, vršen je klinički pregled i uzorkovanje krvi od svake životinje 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 i 29 dana ogleda. Uzorci krvi su ispitivani ELISA testom na prisustvo specifičnih antitela protiv virusa KKS, na prisutvo antigena virusa KKS odnosno virusne RNA metodom RT-PCR. Nakon uginuća ili žrtvovanja, vršen je patomorfološki pregled i utvrđivanje prisustva i distribucije antigena virusa u uzorcima tkiva ELISA testom. Na osnovu postignutih rezultata istraživanja može se zaključiti da pojedina prasad, poreklom od vakcinisanih krmača, nemaju detektabilna specifična antitela što nameće razmatranje pitanja efikasnosti pasivne imunizacije

Skin Cancers in Croatia, 2003–2005: Epidemiological Study

This study presents the incidence of major nonmelanoma skin cancers (major NMSCs), other nonmelanoma skin cancers (other NMSCs) and malignant melanoma (MM) in Croatia. The skin cancers recorded between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Until 2003, the incidence of major NMSCs and other NMSCs was not estimated in Croatia. Incident cases of NMSCs were identified by the use of a questionnaire distributed to dermatology departments in Croatia and then collected at the University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, and from the records kept at the National Cancer Registry. Incident cases of MM were extracted from the National Cancer Registry. During the 3-year period, 9,479 cases of major NMSCs are recorded, 4,622 (49%) in male and 4,857 (51%) in female patients. The crude incidence rate was 72.1/100,000 for males and 70.3/100,000 for females. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the most common major NMSC in both sexes. In the total number of major NMSCs, there were 7,244 cases of BCC. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the second most common major NMSC. There were 1,860 SCC cases. The crude incidence rate was 54.9/100,000 for BCC in males, 53.9/100,000 in females, and 14.6/100,000 for SCC in male and 13.4/100,000 in female patients. Other NMSCs were registered in 119 cases (53% male and 47% female). The crude incidence rate was 0.9/100,000 for male and 0.8/100,000 for female patients. MM was registered in 1,427 cases (48% male and 52% female.) The crude incidence rate was 10.7/100,000 for males and females. These results will serve as reference for studying the patterns of descriptive epidemiology of major NMSCs, other NMSCs and MM in Croatia and Europe in the forthcoming years

Isolation and detection of Listeria monocytogenes in poultry meat by standard culture methods and PCR

Listeria is the genus of a bacteria found in soil and water and some animals, including poultry and cattle. It can be present in raw milk and food made from raw milk. It can also live in food processing plants and contaminate a variety of processed meats. Microscopically, Listeria species appear as small, Gram-positive rods, which are sometimes arranged in short chains. In direct smears, they can be coccoid, so they can be mistaken for streptococci. Longer cells can resemble corynebacteria. Flagella are produced at room temperature but not at 37 degrees C. Haemolytic activity on blood agar has been used as a marker to distinguish Listeria monocytogenes among other Listeria species, but it is not an absolutely definitive criterion. Further biochemical characterization is necessary to distinguish between the different Listeria species. The objective of this study was to detect, isolate and identify Listeria monocytogenes from poultry meat. Within a period of six months from January to June 2017, a total of 15 samples were collected. Three samples were positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Biochemical and microbiological tests as well as PCR technique using specific primers were used to confirm L. Monocytogenes in the samples

Anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of magnesium in rats and their effect on general behavioural parameters

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential element that catalyses more than 300 enzyme systems. Its effects on the central nervous system are exhibited through the blocking of activity of N-methyl D-aspartat (NMDA) receptors and potentiating of GABA-ergic neurotransmission. Due to the vast importance of these two neurotransmission systems in the fine regulation of the central integrative function activity, the aim of this research was to test the anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of magnesium, after acute and repeated application, and its influence on general behavioural parameters. In this research Wistar albino rats were treated with increasing doses of Mg chloride 6-hydrate (MgCl 10, 20, 30 mg/kg). In order to determine anxiolytic and antidepressive properties of magnesium two models were used: elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swim test (FST). Behavioural parameters (stillness and mobility) were recorded during acute and repeated administration of the active substance. Results of EPM testing showed no significant difference between groups, p>0.05. After acute application of increasing doses of magnesium chloride hydrate in FST, we showed the statistically significant difference in immobility time between the group of animals treated with Mg and the control group treated with the solvent, p<0.01. The statistically significant difference between groups treated with the lowest and the middle dose of magnesium and the controls was observed already on the first day of examining behavioural parameters (p=0.020, p=0.010). Our research has showed that magnesium, following acute administration, increases locomotor activity, and has an antidepressive but not an anxiolytic effect

Hplc analysis of phenolic acids in mountain germander (Teucrium montanum L) extracts

The methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol and water extracts were obtained by extraction of mountain germander (Teucrium montanum L). The total phenolic content in extracts was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The 1-butanol extract had the highest phenolic content (296.00 mg/g). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to define qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic acids in mountain germander extracts. The largest number of phenolic acids were determined in ethyl acetate and 1-butanol extracts, while these acids were not present in petroleum ether extract. The highest content of phenolic acids (28.619 mg/g) had ethyl acetate extract and gentisic acid (14.432 mg/g) was its major component. Despite of a large number of phenolic acids in 1-butanol extract their content was only 3.740 mg/g

Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a sickness with a high mortality rate. Listeriosis is largely associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. It is well established that foods that pose the greatest risk of foodborne listeriosis are those RTE foods that have intrinsic characteristics such as pH and water activity that support the growth of L. monocytogenes. RTE foods can also become re-contaminated during further processing and handling. Increased handling leads to a higher probability of contamination. Sources of contamination can be food contact surfaces, processing machinery and workers. In our research, L. monocytogenes was detected in a RTE salad. Food safety criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in RTE foods have been applied from 2006 (Commission Regulation (EC) 2073/2005). Still, human invasive listeriosis was reported to increase during 2009-2013 in the European Union and European Economic Area. Time series analysis for the 2008-2015 period in this area showed an increasing trend of the monthly notified incidence rate of confirmed human invasive listeriosis of the over 75 age groups and female age group between 25 and 44 years old (probably related to pregnancies)

Contact Allergy to Special and Standard Allergens in Patients with Venous Ulcers

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of contact sensitivity in patients with leg ulcers, and possible difference in the rate of contact hypersensitivity to standard series of allergens used in patch testing, and to particular topical agents used in local therapy of leg ulcers in special series, patients with and without atopy. The study included 60 patients, 45 female and 15 male, aged 37–85 (mean 68.37 female and 51.13 male), 30 of them with and 30 without allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) of the leg (control group). The mean duration of leg ulceration was 5.62 years. The two groups of patients underwent testing to standard series allergens and target series allergens including mupirocin, bepanthene, silver sulfadiazine, chloramphenicol + clostridiopeptidase, betamethasone dipropionate, hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline, momethasone, alginate, hydrocolloid, lanolin, pyrogallol, Vaseline, permanganate, Rivanol, povidone-iodine, gentamicin, i.e. local agents most frequently used by the patients. Contact allergic hypersensitivity to standard series allergens was demonstrated in 25 patients with a total of 49 positive reactions and a mean of 1.6 reactions per patient. Positive reactions were most commonly recorded to balsam of Peru, fragrance mix and neomycin sulfate. There were 12 positive reactions to target series allergens, mean 0.4 reactions per patient. Forty-five positive reactions, mean 0.1 reactions per patient, were recorded in the control group. Positive reactions were most commonly demonstrated to corticosteroid ointments, lanolin and bepanthene. Study results did not confirm a statistically significantly higher rate of sensitization to particular topical agents frequently used in the treatment of patients with venous ulcers. Patch testing to standard and special series allergens should be performed in case of prolonged leg ulcer epithelization

EFFECT OF SEASON ON VARIATION IN SOMATIC CELL COUNT IN MILK

Broj somatskih stanica u mlijeku pokazatelj je higijenske kvalitete mlijeka i opći indikator zdravlja vimena. Njihov povećan broj je pouzdan znak poremećaja zdravlja krava ili higijensko-sanitarnih uvjeta proizvodnje. U cilju povećanja proizvodnje mlijeka te s obzirom na čitav niz čimbenika koji mogu utjecati na variranje broja somatskih stanica vrlo je važno poznavanje njihovog utjecaja u našim proizvodnim uvjetima. U ovom radu su prikazani rezultati analiza broja somatskih stanica od 395.299 uzoraka mlijeka u razdoblju od 2000. do 2008. godine. Testiran je utjecaj sezone (godišnje doba) na broj somatskih stanica u mlijeku. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju značajno variranje broja somatskih stanica tijekom razdoblja 2000.-2008. godine. S izuzetkom 2003. i 2004. godine može se uočiti trend postepenog smanjenja broja somatskih stanica, koji je najvjerojatnije posljedica donošenja zakonskih propisa koji uređuju to područje (Pravilnika o kakvoći svježeg sirovog mlijeka i Uredbe o ciljnoj cijeni svježeg sirovog mlijeka) odnosno utjecaja broja somatskih stanica na formiranje otkupne cijene mlijeka. Nadalje, utvrđeno je da sezona (godišnje doba) ima značajnog utjecaja na variranje broja somatskih stanica u mlijeku. U našim klimatskim uvjetima povećan broj somatskih stanica uočen je u ljetnim i jesenskim mjesecima, a niži u proljetnim i zimskim mjesecima što je najvjerojatnije posljedica visokih temperatura i vlage u tim razdobljima godine.The number of somatic cells in milk is an indicator of hygienic quality of milk and a general indicator of udder health. The increase in their number is a reliable sign of impaired health or cow health and sanitary conditions of production. In order to increase milk production and with regard to a number of factors that can affect the variation of somatic cells is very important to know their impact in terms of our production conditions. This paper presents the results of the analysis of somatic cell count of 395,299 milk samples in the period from 2000 – 2008. It was tested the effect of season on the number of somatic cells in milk. The study results show a significant variation of somatic cells during period 2000th-2008th year. With the exception of the year 2003 and 2004 the trend can be seen a gradual reduction in the number of somatic cells, which is probably the result of the adoption of legislation governing this area (Ordinance on the quality of fresh raw milk and the Regulation on the target price of the fresh raw milk) and the impact of somatic cells in the formation of the price of milk. Furthermore, it was found that the season has a significant effect on the variation of the number of somatic cells in milk. In our climatic conditions, increased number of somatic cells was observed in the summer and autumn and lower in the spring and winter, it is most likely a result of high temperatures and humidity in those periods of the year