INSEMINATION INDEX AND FERTILIZATION SUCCESS IN HOLSTEIN`S CATTLE RACE AFTER RETENTION OF THE PLACENTA

Reproductive capabilities are significant economic characteristics and they are given special attention and strives to maintain at a satisfactory level or even improve by different zootechnical measures. Reproduction in Holstein cows is an introduction to production and are indirectly linked, and better reproductive characteristics in cows also give positive economic effects. Significant reproductive characteristics are the index of insemination and the success of insemination after calving. The research work was based on proving the effect of residual placenta and its retention on the mentioned reproductive properties. The first group of cows X1 consisted of cows with normal calves and numbered 34 cows, and were characterized by on time plunged placenta, with an average index of insemination of 1.2. The insemination index in the group of cows X2 containing 20 cows with residual placenta, and where reteniting of placenta was up to 30 hours after calving, was 2.1. The largest oscillation index had a group of cows X3 that counted 14 heads, where the placenta retention was made after 30 hours from the calving moment with a 4.86 index. Detailed analysis of the insemination index showed the data for the success rate of insemination, for the group X1 from the first attempt was 79.41% and from the second was 20.59%. Group X2 has an insemination performance for the first attempt of 45.0%, the second attempt was 30.0%, the third 10.0% and the fourth was 15.0%. Cows that have placental retention after 30 hours of calving, X3, the success rate of insemination is very low, and for the first attempt it was 14.3%, the second and the third to 7.15% while for the fourth and subsequent attempts was 50.0%. The best reproductive indicators had a group of cows with normal calves and calves removed on time

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Satureja horvatii Šilić (Lamiaceae)

The present paper describes the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of the endemic species Satureja horvatii Šilić, collected in Montenegro. The essential oil was obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–MS. From the 34 compounds representing 100 % of the oil, the major compound was the phenolic monoterpene thymol (63.37 %). The oil contained smaller amounts of g-terpinene (7.49 %), carvacrol methyl ether (4.92 %), carvacrol (4.67 %), p-cymene (4.52%), a-terpinene (1.81 %), borneol (1.58 %), a-thujene (1.56 %), b-caryophyllene (1.55 %) and b-myrcene (1.44 %). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of S. horvatii was evaluated using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity to varying degrees against all the tested strains. The maximum activity of S. horvatii oil was observed against Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and against the yeast (Candida albicans). The oil exhibited moderate activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and weak activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study confirms that the essential oil of S. horvatii possesses antimicrobial activities in vitro against medically important pathogens

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI)

There is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders

Efekti selenita na metabolizam glutationa kod gljive Phycomyces blakesleeanus

Elementarni selen je najmanje biotoksičan oblik selena u prirodi, dok selen-oksianjoni mogu biti toksični zbog značajne pokretljivosti i rastvorljivosti u vodi. Mikrobiološka redukcija selena +4 (selenit) u elementarni selen je stoga od presudnog značaja za smanjenje bioraspoloživosti ovog elementa.1 Visoka reaktivnost selen-oksianjona sa tiolnim grupama, kao i formiranje kiseoničnih radikala u reakciji sa glutationom implicira da oksidativni stres doprinosi toksičnosti selena.2 Tokom biološke redukcije selenita se proizvodi velika količina peroksida čime se indukuje ekspresija gena koji kodiraju enzime antioksidativnog metabolizma, što uključuje i enzime metabolizma glutationa.1 Micelijum gljive Phycomyces blakesleeanus star 24 sata je tretiran 10 mM rastvorom selenita. Uzorci su nakon određenih vremenskih intervala (1, 5, 10, 30, 60 minuta, 24 i 96 sati) ispirani i homogenizovani, nakon čega je meren sadržaj glutationa i specifična aktivnost enzima: peroksidaza (POD), katalaza (CAT), superoksid dismutaza (SOD), glutation peroksidaze (GPx), glutation-S-transferaze (GST) i glutation reduktaze (GR). Nakon dodavanja selenita utvrđen je pad količine ukupnog glutationa u micelijumu. Aktivnost POD i SOD je rasla do 60 minuta, nakon čega je opadala. Aktivnost CAT opadala je odmah po dodatku selenita. Najizraženija je bila promena aktivnosti GPx gde je zabeležen značajan porast, dok su promene aktivnosti GST i GR bile manje izražen

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES BY MYCELIUM OF FUNGUS PHYCOMYCES BLAKESLEEANUS

In this study, mycelium of fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus was exposed to soluble toxic form of selenium, selenite (Se+4), to examine its ability to reduce it to nanoparticles. Red coloration appeared after only a few hours of incubation with 10 mM Se+4 indicating formation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). SEM-EDS confirmed pure selenium NPs with an average diameter of 57 nm, which indicates to potentially very good medical, optical and photoelectric characteristics. Raman spectroscopy showed several structural forms of SeNPs formed in the extracellular space with a monoclinic Se8 chain as the most represented, and the other observed forms were trigonal Se polymer chain, Se8 ring and Se6 chain structures

SELENITE METABOLISM IN THE MYCELIUM OF THE FUNGUS PHYCOMYCES BLAKESLEEANUS

In this study, mycelium of fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus was exposed to soluble toxic form of selenium, selenite (Se+4), with the aim of determining the flow and products of its biotransformation. Selenite is reduced to Se0 in the form selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Se-2 in the form of methylated volatile selenides. Low concentrations of Se+4 in the mycelium form RSSeSR type compounds, which could be a step in the process of SeNPs formation, or incorporation of Se into metabolites such as Se-amino acids

Thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and severe COVID-19: a study of ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to COVID-19 related poor outcomes, including thrombosis and death, due to the advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and the disease and treatment-related immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, including patients from 79 centers across 22 countries. Data collection was conducted between April and May 2021. The COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for SARS-CoV-2 on nasal or pharyngeal swabs. Severe cases of COVID-19 were defined by hospitalization and the need of oxygen or admission into ICU. Development and type of thrombotic events, presence and severity of bleeding complications were reported during treatment for COVID-19. Bleeding events were classified using ISTH definition. STROBE recommendations were used in order to enhance reporting. RESULTS: A total of 793 patients from 79 centers were included in the study with 593 being hospitalized (74.8%). Among these, 511 were defined as having severe COVID: 162 were admitted to the ICU while 349 received oxygen supplementation outside the ICU. Most patients (90.5%) were receiving thromboprophylaxis. During COVID-19 treatment, 11.1% developed a thromboembolic event, while 5.0% experienced bleeding. Thrombosis developed in 21.6% of patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis, in contrast to 10.6% of patients who were on thromboprophylaxis. Bleeding episodes were more frequent in patients receiving intermediate/therapeutic versus prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LWMH) (8.1% vs. 3.8%, respectively) and in elderly. In multivariate analysis, peak D-dimer level and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio were poor prognostic factors for thrombosis occurrence (OR?=?1.022, 95%CI 1.007?1.038 and OR?=?1.025, 95%CI 1.001?1.051, respectively), while thromboprophylaxis use was protective (OR?=?0.199, 95%CI 0.061?0.645). Age and LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration were prognostic factors in multivariate model for bleeding (OR?=?1.062, 95%CI 1.017-1.109 and OR?=?2.438, 95%CI 1.023-5.813, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19 are at a high risk of thrombosis if thromboprophylaxis is not used, but also at increased risk of bleeding under the LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration