Paraclinical Changes Occurring in Dairy Cows with Spontaneous Subacute Ruminal Acidosis under Field Conditions

This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in the blood and milk biochemical parameters found in naturally occurring and long-lasting spontaneous subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), with the aim of identifying the patterns of paraclinical changes and providing valuable data for more accurately identifying SARA in cows under field conditions. The study was conducted on a dairy herd with a history of the occurrence of SARA-associated clinical signs. Twelve cows, between 20 and 150 days in milk, were randomly selected and subsequently subjected to venous blood, milk, and ruminal fluid collection. The mean pH value of the ruminal fluid was 5.56 ± 0.32, and 58% (7/12) of the tested cows were SARA positive (ruminal pH ≤ 5.5). The albumin, calcium, and phosphorus serum concentration values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the SARA group than in the group of healthy cows. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity were significantly higher in the SARA cows (p < 0.05) than in the group of healthy cows. The mean values of milk fat, milk protein content, and milk fat-to-protein ratio were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the tested cows of the SARA group than in the healthy group of cows. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that long-term SARA triggered by a high-concentrate diet is associated with clinically significant changes in both the blood composition (hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and increased serum AST and GLDH activity) and the milk composition (decreased fat and protein percentage and milk fat-to-protein ratio). Altogether, the obtained results provide a more reliable pattern of paraclinical changes and useful insights for detecting SARA in dairy cows under field conditions

Restructuring of coal mining in Romania between the climate crisis and the energy transition

The Romanian energy market is dependent on about a third of total production on the use of fossil fuels, hard coal and lignite and natural gas, especially in the winter months or dry summers, coal still being of strategic importance in producing electricity and ensuring energetic security. However, the sharp changes in climate in recent years have led to the conclusion of environmental agreements, with objectives aimed at long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and which clearly require a reduction in the capacity to produce one kilowatt of thermal energy and identify solutions for transition to clean energy. Where will the Hunedoara Energy Complex and the Oltenia Energy Complex be located in this context? This paper aims to analyze the process of restructuring coal mining, the competitiveness of coal in the electricity mix and possibly the future prospects of restructured mining areas

Occurrence, Pathogenic Potential and Antimicrobial Resistance of <i>Escherichia coli</i> Isolated from Raw Milk Cheese Commercialized in Banat Region, Romania

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence, pathogenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli isolated from raw milk cheese, traditionally produced by farmers and marketed directly to the consumer in Banat region, Romania. A total of 81.1% (43/53) of the processed samples expressed positive results for E. coli, with a distribution of 83.8% (31/37), and 75.0% (12/16) in the cow- and sheep-milk-origin assortments, respectively. Overall, 69.8% (30/43) of the specimens had a contamination level ≤10 CFU/g. Molecular tests showed that, from the total number of E. coli isolates, 9.3% (4/43) harbored the stx2, and 2.3% (1/43), the stx1 virulence genes. The E. coli O157 (including H7) biovariety was identified in 7% (3/43) of the samples by the Vidas equipment. From the 27 antimicrobials tested with the Vitek2 automated system, the E. coli isolates displayed resistance to enrofloxacin (100%, 15 out of 15 tested isolates), ampicillin (39.5%, 17/43), norfloxacin (28.6%, 8/28), fosfomycin (25%, 7/28), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (23.3%, 10/43), cefalexin (20%, 3/15), cefalotin (13.3%, 2/15), tetracycline (13.3%, 2/15), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (9.3%, 4/43), piperacillin-tazobactam (7.1%, 2/28), cefotaxime (7.1%, 2/28), cefepime (7.1%, 2/28), ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (6.7%, 1/15), florfenicol (6.7%, 1/15), ceftazidime (3.6%, 1/28), and ertapenem (3.6%, 1/28). Ten (23.3%) strains were multidrug-resistant. The obtained preliminary results indicated hygienic–sanitary deficiencies throughout the cheese production process, and demonstrated that these products can harbor virulent and multidrug-resistant E. coli strains, which constitute a public health risk. However, future investigations, processing a higher number of samples, are still necessary to draw comprehensive conclusions

The Use of Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus L.) and Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The present study emphasize the effect of R. crispus and L. barbarum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The rats were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of R. crispus, L. barbarum  or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The better results were obtained in case of L. barbatum (goji) extract administration followed by the R. crispus (yellow dock) extract. The combination of the two extracts has proven to have a weaker effect than the extracts given separately

The Use of Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus L.) and Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The present study emphasize the effect of R. crispus and L. barbarum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes in rats. The rats were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of R. crispus, L. barbarum or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The better results were obtained in case of L. barbatum (goji) extract administration followed by the R. crispus (yellow dock) extract. The combination of the two extracts proven to have a weaker effect than the extracts given separately

The Use of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The study emphasize the effect of H. rhamnoides and S. marianum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The rats (200g and 3 months age) were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of H. rhamnoides, S. marianum or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The stronger effect was obtained in case of H. rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) extract administration followed by the S. marianum (Milk thistle) extract. The combination of the two extracts proven to have a stronger effect than the extracts given separately

Occurrence of <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. and Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> in Slaughtered Broiler Chickens in North-Western Romania

Campylobacteriosis is recognized as one of the most common food-borne zoonoses, with worldwide distribution, having undercooked poultry meat and other cross-contaminated foodstuffs as the main sources of human infections. The current study aimed to provide data on the occurrence of the thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in seven broiler chicken flocks, from three north-western Transylvanian counties of Romania, as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated C. jejuni strains. A total of 324 fresh cecal samples were collected during the slaughtering process, and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp., using routine microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools. Overall, 85.2% (276/324; 95% CI 80.9–88.6) of the tested samples expressed positive results for Campylobacter spp., with dominant occurrence of C. coli towards C. jejuni (63.4% vs. 36.6%). From the six tested antimicrobials, the 101 isolated C. jejuni strains were resistant against ciprofloxacin (79.2%), nalidixic acid (78.2%), tetracycline (49.5%), and streptomycin (7.9%), but total susceptibility was noticed against erythromycin and gentamicin. Seven (6.9%) isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The study results emphasize the role of broiler chicken as reservoir of Campylobacter infections for humans, as well as strengthen the necessity of the prudent using of antimicrobials in the poultry industry

The Use of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The study emphasize the effect of H. rhamnoides and S. marianum 6% aqueous extract on blood sugar level in Alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The rats (200g and 3 months age) were divided in five groups: one non-diabetic control and four experimental groups with induced diabetes mellitus after 40 mg/kg b.w. intravenous administration of 2% Alloxan. One group was kept as diabetic control and in the other three groups was administered 6% aqueous extracts of H. rhamnoides, S. marianum or a combination of the extracts during seven weeks. The stronger effect was obtained in case of H. rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) extract administration followed by the S. marianum (Milk thistle) extract. The combination of the two extracts proven to have a stronger effect than the extracts given separately