Propylene glycol energy supplementation during peripartal period in dairy cows and reproduction efficiency parameters

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of two energy supplements based on propylene glycol in dairy cows diet on ovarian and follicular morphology, conception, insemination index and length of service period. A total number of 60 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, parity between 2-8, with an average milk production of 7000 kg/305 days of lactation were divided into three experimental groups (20 dairy cows per group). The first group of dairy cows was supplemented daily with "Energy-plus" (O1 group; 200 mL propylene-glycol supplement) and the second group was supplemented with "Ketal" (O2 group; 160 mL propylene-glycol supplement), two weeks before partus until 30 days post partum. The third experimental group were non supplemented dairy cows (O3, control group). Ultrasound examination of the reproductive system using real time echo camera Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland, B-shaped scan with linear-array endorectal 5-8 MHz probe) was conducted on every animal starting from day 40 postpartum. The diameters of the ovaries (left and right) and of the dominant follicle(s) were recorded. Ultrasound testing was repeated on day 50 and 60 postpartum only in cows which in the meantime were not inseminated. Reproduction efficiency parameters (conception rate, number of inseminations and length of service period) were recorded individually. The statistical significance of the differences between groups was tested using ANOVA with LSD test at the level of significance p<0.05, chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (the length of service period). There was no significant impact of the propylene glycol supplementation on the ovarian and follicular morphology at the first ultrasound examination. At the second ultrasound examination there was a significant difference between left ovarian dominant follicle diameter in the control and supplemented dairy cows (1.67±0.53 vs 1.12±0.29 and 1.11±0.35 cm, p<0.05, O3 vs O1 and O2, respectively). The cumulative percentage of conception after the first and second insemination was 60%, 81% and 25% in groups O1, O2 and O3, respectively (p<0.05, chi-square test). The insemination index was lowest in group O2 and statistically significant differences were found between groups O2 and O3 (1.69±0.79 : 3.38±1.36, respectively, p<0,05). The length of the service period was significantly (p<0.05, LSD test) shorter in the O2 group (100±35 days) compared to groups O1 and O3 (168±59 and 157±52 days, respectively), that was confirmed by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of days open periods. The use of propylene glycol supplement in dairy cows diet during peripartal period induced higher percentage of pregnancy rates after the first and second insemination, significantly shortened the length of the service period and reduced the insemination index

Energetska suplementacija propilen glikolom tokom peripartalnog perioda i parametri efikasnosti reprodukcije kod mlečnih krava

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of two energy supplements based on propylene glycol in dairy cows diet on ovarian and follicular morphology, conception, insemination index and length of service period. A total number of 60 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, parity between 2-8, with an average milk production of 7000 kg/305 days of lactation were divided into three experimental groups (20 dairy cows per group). The first group of dairy cows was supplemented daily with 'Energy-plus' (O1 group; 200 mL propylene-glycol supplement) and the second group was supplemented with 'Ketal' (O2 group; 160 mL propylene-glycol supplement), two weeks before partus until 30 days post partum. The third experimental group were non supplemented dairy cows (O3, control group). Ultrasound examination of the reproductive system using real time echo camera Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland, B-shaped scan with linear-array endorectal 5-8 MHz probe) was conducted on every animal starting from day 40 postpartum. The diameters of the ovaries (left and right) and of the dominant follicle(s) were recorded. Ultrasound testing was repeated on day 50 and 60 postpartum only in cows which in the meantime were not inseminated. Reproduction efficiency parameters (conception rate, number of inseminations and length of service period) were recorded individually. The statistical significance of the differences between groups was tested using ANOVA with LSD test at the level of significance p lt 0.05, chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (the length of service period). There was no significant impact of the propylene glycol supplementation on the ovarian and follicular morphology at the first ultrasound examination. At the second ultrasound examination there was a significant difference between left ovarian dominant follicle diameter in the control and supplemented dairy cows (1.67±0.53 vs 1.12±0.29 and 1.11±0.35 cm, p lt 0.05, O3 vs O1 and O2, respectively). The cumulative percentage of conception after the first and second insemination was 60%, 81% and 25% in groups O1, O2 and O3, respectively (p lt 0.05, chi-square test). The insemination index was lowest in group O2 and statistically significant differences were found between groups O2 and O3 (1.69±0.79 : 3.38±1.36, respectively, p lt 0,05). The length of the service period was significantly (p lt 0.05, LSD test) shorter in the O2 group (100±35 days) compared to groups O1 and O3 (168±59 and 157±52 days, respectively), that was confirmed by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of days open periods. The use of propylene glycol supplement in dairy cows diet during peripartal period induced higher percentage of pregnancy rates after the first and second insemination, significantly shortened the length of the service period and reduced the insemination index.Cilj ovog rada je bio da se ispita uticaj primene dva tipa energetskih dodataka u ishrani mlečnih krava na bazi propilen glikola na morfologiju jajnika i folikula, koncepciju, indeks osemenjavanja i dužinu servis perioda. U ogled je bilo uključeno ukupno 60 krava Holštajn Frizijske rase, u toku 2-8 laktacije, sa prosečnom proizvodnjom mleka od 7000 kg/305 dana laktacije, koje su bile podeljene u tri ogledne grupe (20 krava po grupi). Prva grupa mlečnih krava (O1) je svakodnevno suplementirana peroralnom aplikacijom 200 mL 'Energy-plus', druga grupa krava (O2) suplementirana je sa 160 mL 'Ketal-a', počevši od dve nedelje pre partusa do 30 dana nakon partusa. Treću grupu mlečnih krava (O3, kontrola) su predstavljale netretirane životinje. Ultrazvučni pregled reproduktivnog sistema vršen je sa uređajem Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland), linearnom endorektalnom sondom od 5-8 MHz kod svake životinje najmanje dva puta počevši od 40 dana posle partusa. Ultrazvučni pregled je ponovljen sa 50 i/ili 60 dana posle partusa kod krava koje nisu u međuvremenu osemenjene. U toku svakog pregleda su registrovani prečnik oba jajnika i dominantnog folikula. Kod svake ogledne životinje su određeni parametri efikasnosti reprodukcije: stepen koncepcije, indeks osemenjavanja i servis period. Statistička značajnost razlika srednjih vrednosti dobijenih parametara određivana je ANOVA metodom i LSD testom na nivou značajnosti od p lt 0.05, hi-kvadrat testom i Kaplan-Majerovom analizom (dužina servis perioda). Rezultati prvog ultrazvučnog pregleda su ukazali da nema statistički značajnih razlika u morfologiji jajnika i dominantnog folikula između suplementiranih grupa u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu krava. Rezultati drugog ultrazvučnog pregleda su ukazali da postoji statistički značajna razlika između srednjih vrednosti prečnika dominantnog folikula na levom jajniku kod kontrolne grupe krava u odnosu na suplementirane životinje (1,67±0,53:1,12±0,29 i 1,11±0,35 cm, p lt 0.05, O3:O1 i O2). Zbirne vrednosti procenta koncepcije nakon prvog i drugog osemenjavanja bile su statistički značajno više kod suplementiranih krava u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu životinja (60% : 81% : 25%; O1:O2:O3, p lt 0,05, hi-kvadrat test). Najniža vrednost indeksa osemenjavanja je utvrđena kod ogledne grupe krava suplentirane Ketal-om (1.69±0.79), koja je bila značajno viša u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu krava (3.38±1.36, p lt 0,05). Dužina servis perioda je bila najmanja kod grupe krava suplementiranih Ketal-om (100±35 days) i značajno se razlikovala u odnosu na ostale ogledne grupe (168±59 i 157±52 dana, O1 i O2), što je potvrđeno Kaplan Majerovom analizom. Energetska suplementacija mlečnih krava propilen glikolom tokom peripartalnog perioda može dovesti do povećanja procenta gravidnih krava nakon prvog i drugog osemenjavanja, smanjenja vrednosti indeksa osemenjavanja i skraćenja dužine servis perioda

Association between microRNAs 10b/21/34a and acute toxicity in glioblastoma patients treated with radiotherapy and temozolomide

A personalized approach to chemoradiation is important in reducing its potential side effects and identifying a group of patients prone to toxicity. MicroRNAs have been shown to have a predictive potential for radiotoxicity. The goal of the study was to test if levels of miRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of glioblastoma patients are associated with toxicity and to identify the peak time point for toxicity. MicroRNA-10b/21/34a levels were measured in 43 patients with and without toxicity, at baseline, at the 15th, and at the 30th fraction by Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. MicroRNA-10b/21 levels increased with toxicity grade (p = 0.014; p = 0.013); miR-21/34a levels were significantly different between patients with and without toxicity at the 15th fraction (p = 0.030; p = 0.045), while miR-34a levels significantly changed during treatment (p < 0.001). All three miRNAs showed a significantly high positive correlation with one another. MiR-34a might be considered as a predictive factor for toxicity due to its changes during treatment, and differences between the groups with and without toxicity; miR-10b might be used to predict toxicity; miR-10b/21 might be used for predicting the grade of toxicity in GB patients

Searching for new strategies against biofilm infections: Colistin-AMP combinations against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus single- and double-species biofilms

Antimicrobial research is being pressured to look for more effective therapeutics for the ever-growing antibiotic-resistant infections, and antimicrobial peptides (AMP) and antimicrobial combinations are promising solutions. This work evaluates colistin-AMP combinations against two major pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, encompassing non- and resistant strains. Colistin (CST) combined with the AMP temporin A (TEMP-A), citropin 1.1 (CIT-1.1) and tachyplesin I linear analogue (TP-I-L) was tested against planktonic, single- and double-species biofilm cultures. Overall synergy for planktonic P. aeruginosa and synergy/additiveness for planktonic S. aureus were observed. Biofilm growth prevention was achieved with synergy and additiveness. Pre-established 24 h-old biofilms were harder to eradicate, especially for S. aureus and double-species biofilms; still, some synergy and addictiveness was observed for higher concentrations, including for the biofilms of resistant strains. Different treatment times and growth media did not greatly influence AMP activity. CST revealed low toxicity compared with the other AMP but its combinations were toxic for high concentrations. Overall, combinations reduced effective AMP concentrations, mainly in prevention scenarios. Improvement of effectiveness and toxicity of therapeutic strategies will be further investigated.The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (http://www.fct.pt/), under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/B10/04469/2013 and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684). This study was also supported by FCT and the European Community fund FEDER, through Program COMPETE, and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 -Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. This work was also partially funded by the [14V105] Contract-Programme from the University of Vigo (https://mw.uvigo.gal/ uvigo_en/) and the Agrupamento INBIOMED (http://inbiomed.webs.uvigaes/) from DXPCTSUG-FEDER unha maneira de facer Europa (2012/273) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (http://ec.europleuiregionaL policy/EN/fundingierdf/) under the Operational Programme Innovative Economy (WNP-POIG.01.04.00-22-052/11).). Lipopharm.pl (http://www.lipopharm.p1/) provided support in the form of salaries for authors DG and WK. The authors also acknowledge the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) (https://www.escmid.org/) for the Research Grant 2014 to Anglia Lourenco, and FCT for the PhD Grant of Paula Jorge (grant number SFRH/BD/88192/2012). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clinical-parasitological screening for respiratory capillariosis in cats in urban environments

Respiratory capillariosis is a widely distributed zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the nematode Capillaria aerophila (Trichocephalida, Trichuridae) that commonly infects wild carnivores but also cats and dogs. This retrospective study aims to describe cases of respiratory capillariosis in cats from the city of Belgrade, Serbia. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 155 pet cats with or without respiratory symptoms were submitted to physical examination and parasitological examination of the feces. All cats lived indoor but had free access to outdoor. In suburban settlements, wild carnivores commonly share their living environments with owned cats and dogs. It can be assumed that more intense urbanization spreading into the natural habitats of will carnivores creates the opportunity for closer and more frequent contacts between the population of cats and feral carnivores which might increase the risk of feline contamination. The findings confirm the existence of capillaries in cats in urban areas of the city of Belgrade, contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this nematode and warn that, because of close contacts between cats of pets and humans, capillaries can cause human infection

Dijareje konja izazvane ceftriaksonom

Zbornik radov

The use of the research method in teaching the physical properties of water in introductory science instruction

The research method provides an opportunity for students to be gradually involved in the process of active learning, leading to the development and comprehension of educational content through the asking of questions, information analysis and critical thinking. The paper presents the results of research on the effectiveness of using an instruction model with the applied research method in teaching the physical properties of water in introductory science instruction. The sample comprised 109 primary school students (55 in the experimental group and 54 in the control group) in the town of Sombor and the village of Gajdobra, Serbia. Initial and final knowledge tests were used to measure the quality of students' knowledge of the physical properties of water, and the descriptive, causal and comparative methods were used to analyze the findings. The analysis suggests that the use of the research method results in higher quality knowledge compared to traditional approaches to introductory science teaching

Modification of the rate of aging of diisopropylfluorophosphate-inhibited neuropathy target esterase of hen brain

This study was aimed to investigate the possibility of modifying the rate of aging of diisopropylfluorophosphate-inhibited neuropathy target esterase (NTE) of hen blain. This reaction on NTE occurs with a half-time of 7.4 min. Atropine was effective in decreasing the rate of aging on DFP-inhibited NTE and this effect was time-and concentration-dependent. Atropine was also a weak but progressive inhibitor of NTE activity (I-50 = 80 mM) and this reaction appears to be reversible at lower atropine concentrations. Among compounds containing oxime functional groups only OPAB, having longer methylene chain and being more lipophylic than other oximes usually used in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivation studies, was effective in decreasing the rate of aging on DFP-inhibited NTE. However, when atropine and oximes were used together we have obtained a potentiating and/or synergistic effect which was most significant with combination of atropine and TMB-4 giving up to a 15-fold decrease in the rate of aging reaction. The efficacy of this particular combination was concentration-dependent. We have also discussed similarities and differences in aging reaction occurring on NTE and AChE

Soil and sand contamination with canine intestinal parasite eggs as a risk factor for human health in public parks in Niš (Serbia)

Regarding geographical distribution and clinical relevance, the most common canine geohelminths are Toxocara canis, ancylostomatids, and Trichuris vulpis. Canine intestinal parasites from the soil and sand present an important potential serious human health hazard, especially for the children preschool and school – age. This paper aimed to establish the degree of contamination of soil and sand with zoonotic parasites from the canine feces and the degree of risk they could pose for human health in public places and playgrounds in the city of Niš. Our parasitological study involved 200 soil samples and 50 sand samples from the public parks in the city of Niš in southeastern Serbia (43°19′15″N, 21°53′45″ E). From several locations, about 100 g of soil and sand was collected based on the bioclimatic indices. Parasitological diagnosis was performed using conventional qualitative and quantitative coprological methods, abiding by the recommendations about the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. In 38 – 46 % of soil samples and 40 % of sand samples seven species of endoparasites were diagnosed. In the samples of soil, a medium and high degree of contamination with the ascarid T. canis (14 – 22 %) was detected, as well as a low and medium degree of contamination with ancylostomatids (4 – 12 %), and in the samples of sand, a variable degree of contamination with the helminths T. canis (26 %) and A. alata (16 %) was found. A statistically significant difference was found in the contamination with A. alata eggs between the samples of sand and samples of soil. The studied public surfaces represent the reservoir of zoonotic parasites, which is a public health problem requiring a synergistic action of several factors to be successfully resolved, i.e. the implementation of prevention, surveillance, and control measures