Effect of litter type and perches on footpad dermatitis and hock burn in broilers housed at different stocking densities

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of litter type and environmental enrichment on the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns in broilers housed at low and high stocking densities. Chopped straw and sand were used as litter, and perches as environmental enrichment. Low and high stocking density implied 12 chickens/m2 and 20 chickens/m2, respectively. The study sample was divided into four groups of 50 birds, which were observed during a six-week fattening period. A significantly higher rate of severe footpad dermatitis was recorded in the group of chickens raised on sand at high stocking density, compared with low stocking density, whereas no significant difference was found between the groups of chickens raised on straw at different stocking densities. The rate of footpad dermatitis was also significantly higher in the group of chickens raised on sand at high stocking density, compared with chickens raised on straw at the same stocking density. There were no group differences in the occurrences of hock burns and perching. However, a significant negative correlation was recorded between perching and the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns. According to the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns, the study results suggested that chopped straw and sand were equally acceptable as litter for broilers, yet sand should be avoided at high stocking densities. There was no effect of stocking density and litter type on perching, but perches as a form of environmental enrichment proved efficient in reducing the rate of footpad dermatitis and hock burns.Keywords: chickens, contact dermatitis, environmental enrichment, housing, san

Cytogenetic findings in Serbian patients with Turner's syndrome stigmata

Cytogenetic findings are reported for 31 female patients with Turner's syndrome. Chromosome studies were made from lymphocyte cultures. Non-mosaicism 45, X was demonstrated in 15 of these patients, whereas only three were apparently mosaic. Eight patients showed non-mosaic and four patients showed mosaic structural aberrations of the X-chromosome. One non-mosaic case displayed a karyotype containing a small marker chromosome. Conventional cytogenetics was supplemented by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an X-specific probe to identify the chromosomal origin of the ring and a 1q12-specific DNA probe to identify de novo balanced translocation (1;9) in one patient. To our knowledge, this is the first finding of karyotype 45,X,t(1;9) (cen;cen)/46,X,r(X),t(1;9)(cen;cen) in Turner's syndrome. The same X-specific probe was also used to identify a derivative chromosome in one patient

Kvalitativna procjena eliminacije TCP-a i TAMORF-a iz organizma štakora metodom GC-MS

Nerve agents are highly toxic organophosphorus (OP) compounds. They inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that hydrolyses acetycholine (ACh) in the nervous system. Pathophysiological changes caused by OP poisonings are primarily the consequence of surplus ACh on cholinergic receptors and in the central nervous system. Standard treatment of OP poisoning includes combined administration of carbamates, atropine, oximes and anticonvulsants. In order to improve therapy, new compounds have been synthesised and tested. Tenocyclidine (TCP) and its adamantane derivative 1-[2-(2-thienyl)-2-adamantyl] morpholine (TAMORF) have shown interesting properties against soman poisoning. In this study, we developed a qualitative GC-MS method to measure elimination of TCP and TAMORF through rat urine in order to learn more about the mechanisms through which TCP protects an organism from OP poisoning and to determine the duration of this protective effect. GC-MS showed that six hours after treatment with TCP, rat urine contained only its metabolite 1-thienylcyclohexene, while urine of rats treated with TAMORF contained both TAMORF and its metabolites.Živčani bojni otrovi po strukturi su organofosforni (OP) spojevi, čija je zajednička značajka ireverzibilna inhibicija acetilkolinesteraze (AChE), enzima koji hidrolizira acetilkolin (ACh) u živčanom sustavu. Patofi ziološka zbivanja koja nastaju pri otrovanju OP-spojevima primarno su posljedica akumuliranog ACh na kolinergičkim receptorima i u središnjem živčanom sustavu. Još uvijek nesavršen, standardni tretman liječenja otrovanja OP-spojevima uključuje kombiniranu primjenu estera karbamata, atropina, oksima i antikonvulziva. Kako bi se unaprijedila uobičajena terapija, osobito kod otrovanja somanom, ispituju se antidotski učinci mnogih spojeva. Tenociklidin (TCP) i njegov adamantanski derivat TAMORF pokazali su zanimljiva svojstva pomoćne terapije pri otrovanju somanom. Kako bi se proširile dosadašnje spoznaje o načinu na koji tenociklidini štite organizam od trovanja OP-spojevima te također o trajanju njihova antidotskog učinka, u ovom radu razvijena je GC-MS-metoda za praćenje eliminacije TCP-a i TAMORF-a iz organizma. Rezultati GC-MS-analize pokazali su da šest sati nakon tretiranja štakora TCP-om mokraće sadržavaju metabolit TCP-a 1-tienilcikloheksen, dok šest sati nakon tretiranja štakora TAMORF-om mokraće sadržavaju i TAMORF i njegove metabolite. Drugim riječima, šest sati nakon tretmana TCP se potpuno metabolizira, dok se TAMORF metabolizira djelomično, a djelomično ostaje nepromijenjen

Reproductive potential of the functionally female native Croatian grapevine 'Grk bijeli'

A native Croatian grapevine 'Grk bijeli', sharing a parent-offspring relationships with 'Tribidrag' (aka 'Zinfandel'), is grown exclusively on the Adriatic island of Korčula. It is one of the grape cultivars with female-only functional flowers, causing reduced fertilisation and leads to problems in grape production and wine quality. A typical cluster of 'Grk bijeli' at maturity contains fully developed seeded berries, in addition to a highly variable proportion of undersized seedless berries. The aim of this study was to identify the cause of the reduced reproduction potential of 'Grk bijeli' in order to establish a better growing environment for improved yield and grape quality. 'Grk bijeli' female gametophyte develops normaly and at maturity contains both egg and central cell, together with two synergid cells and three antipodal cells. On the other hand, 'Grk bijeli' pollen grains show developmental deviations. Specifically, most of the pollen grains undergo the first pollen mitosis and contain one vegetative cell and one generative cell, while 20 % of ungerminating grains also accomplish the second pollen mitosis, giving rise to two sperm cells and one vegetative cell. Morover, 'Grk bijeli' pollen has acolporate morphology, which prevents germination and contributes to reduced reproduction. Furthermore, fertilisation after pollination with other varieties results in various degrees of ovule abortion depending on the pollinator, revealing Croatian cultivars 'Plavac mali crni' and 'Pošip bijeli' as favourable varieties. Although this study describes a highly valuable cultivar of local importance, it also contributes to fundamental knowledge of grapevine reproductive biology and offers a strategy for improvement of wine production and oenological performance of semi-fertile varieties in general

Odnos strukture i aktivnosti u reaktivaciji tabunom fosforilirane ljudske acetilkolinesteraze bispiridinijevim para-aldoksimima

We investigated interactions of bispyridinium para-aldoximes N,N’-(propano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl) pyridinium bromide (TMB-4), N,N’-(ethano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium methanosulphonate (DMB-4), and N,N’-(methano)bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl)pyridinium chloride (MMB-4) with human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase phosphorylated by tabun. We analysed aldoxime conformations to determine the flexibility of aldoxime as an important feature for binding to the acetylcholinesterase active site. Tabun-inhibited human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase was completely reactivated only by the most flexible bispyridinium aldoxime - TMB-4 with a propylene chain between two rings. Shorter linkers than propylene (methylene or ethylene) as in MMB-4 and DMB-4 did not allow appropriate orientation in the active site, and MMB-4 and DMB-4 were not efficient reactivators of tabun-phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase. Since aldoximes are also reversible inhibitors of native acetylcholinesterase, we determined dissociation constants and their protective index against acetylcholinesterase inactivation by tabun.Proučavali smo interakcije bispiridinijevih para-oksima N,N’-(propano)bis(4-hidroksiiminometil)piridinijeva bromida (TMB-4), N,N’-(etanano)bis(4-hidroksiiminometil)piridinijeva metanosulfonata (DMB-4) i N,N’- (metano)bis(4-hidroksiiminometil)piridinijeva klorida (MMB-4) s ljudskom eritrocitnom acetilkolinesterazom fosforiliranom tabunom. Da bismo odredili fleksibilnosti aldoksima, što je važna osobina kod njihova vezanja u aktivno mjesto acetilkolinesteraze, analizirali smo i konformacijske odlike aldoksima. Ljudska acetilkolinesteraza inhibirana tabunom bila je potpuno reaktivirana samo najfleksibilnijim bispiridinijevim aldoksimom – TMB-4. Aldoksimi MMB-4 i DMB-4 nisu bili efikasni reaktivatori acetilkolinesteraze fosforilirane tabunom jer je kod tih spojeva lanac koji povezuje dva prstena kraći od propilena (metilen u MMB-4 i etilen u DMB-4), što ne dopušta povoljnu orijentaciju tih aldoksima unutar aktivnog mjesta enzima. S obzirom na to da su aldoksimi i reverzibilni inhibitori nativne acetilkolinesteraze, odredili smo njihove disocijacijske konstante, kao i zaštitu acetilkolinesteraze od inhibiranja tabunom reverzibilnim vezanjem aldoksima

Mehanizam toksičnosti i detoksikacije organofosfornih spojeva s naglaskom na istraživanja u Hrvatskoj

This review comprises studies on the mechanisms of toxicity and detoxication of organophosphorus (OP) compounds done in Croatia in different research areas. One area is the synthesis of antidotes against OP poisoning and their in vivo testing in experimental animals. In vitro studies included in this review focus on the mechanisms of reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), protection of cholinesterases from inhibition by OPs, and reactivation of phosphylated cholinesterases. The third area comprises distribution profiles of BChE and paraoxonase (PON) phenotypes in selected population groups and the detection of OPs and metabolites in humans. Finally, methods are described for the detection of OP compounds in human blood and other media by means of cholinesterase inhibitionPrikazana su istraživanja vođena u Hrvatskoj na različitim područjima mehanizma toksičnosti i detoksikacije organofosfornih (OP) spojeva. Jedno je područje sinteza antidota protiv otrovanja OP spojevima i testiranje in vivo antidota na eksperimentalnim životinjama. Istraživanja in vitro odnose se na mehanizam reverzibilne inhibicije acetilkolinesteraze (AChE) i buturilkolinesteraze (BChE), zaštitu kolinesteraza od inhibicije OP spojevima te reaktivaciju fosfiliranih kolinesteraza. Treće je područje distribucija fenotipova BChE i paraoksonaze (PON) u odabranim populacijama te detekcija OP spojeva i njihovih metabolita u ljudima. Na kraju su opisane metode detekcije OP spojeva u ljudskoj krvi i drugim medijima koje se osnivaju na inhibiciji kolinesteraza

SEASONAL CHANGES OF THE CONDITION INDICES AND HAEMOCYTE COUNTS OF THE AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS TORRENTIUM POPULATION IN KRALJEVEC STREAM, CROATIA

The stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) is one of the four native European crayfish living in Croatian freshwaters. Kraljevec Stream is situated on the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain (north-west Croatia) at 400 m above sea level. Our research was carried out for one year, from May 2003 to April 2004. During the study period water temperature varied between 2 to 17.2°C, alkalinity between 100 and 200 mg CaCO3/L, the mean oxygen concentration and pH was 12.1 mg/L and 8.3, respectively. Crayfish were trapped by baited hand made traps, which were secured in a stream current with the stones and roots of the surrounding trees. We caught 100 crayfishes, 68 males and 32 females. Hemolymph was sampled 10 to 15 min after the catch. EDTA anticoagulant was used to prevent hemolymph coagulation and 10% formalin was used to fix haemocyte for differential counts. Each month five or six specimens of each sex, if possible, were sacrificed and hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic and muscle indices were measured. We found statistically significant differences in hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices between months and between sexes. Muscle indices were significantly different between males and females. The average total haemocyte counts were 7.6 × 105 cells/ ml and 6.5 × 105 cells/ml hemolymph for males and females, respectively. The average hyalinocyte, granulocyte and semigranulocyte ratio was 77: 14.5: 8.5%. There were no statistically significant differences in total haemocyte counts between months and between sexes

SEASONAL CHANGES OF THE CONDITION INDICES AND HAEMOCYTE COUNTS OF THE AUSTROPOTAMOBIUS TORRENTIUM POPULATION IN KRALJEVEC STREAM, CROATIA

The stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium (Schrank, 1803) is one of the four native European crayfish living in Croatian freshwaters. Kraljevec Stream is situated on the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain (north-west Croatia) at 400 m above sea level. Our research was carried out for one year, from May 2003 to April 2004. During the study period water temperature varied between 2 to 17.2°C, alkalinity between 100 and 200 mg CaCO3/L, the mean oxygen concentration and pH was 12.1 mg/L and 8.3, respectively. Crayfish were trapped by baited hand made traps, which were secured in a stream current with the stones and roots of the surrounding trees. We caught 100 crayfishes, 68 males and 32 females. Hemolymph was sampled 10 to 15 min after the catch. EDTA anticoagulant was used to prevent hemolymph coagulation and 10% formalin was used to fix haemocyte for differential counts. Each month five or six specimens of each sex, if possible, were sacrificed and hepatosomatic, gonadosomatic and muscle indices were measured. We found statistically significant differences in hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices between months and between sexes. Muscle indices were significantly different between males and females. The average total haemocyte counts were 7.6 × 105 cells/ ml and 6.5 × 105 cells/ml hemolymph for males and females, respectively. The average hyalinocyte, granulocyte and semigranulocyte ratio was 77: 14.5: 8.5%. There were no statistically significant differences in total haemocyte counts between months and between sexes