RESPIRATORY RESPONSES TO ACUTE INTERMITTENT HYPOXIA AND HYPERCAPNIA IN AWAKE RATS

This article deals with the recognition of early changes in the breathing pattern, in response to acute intermittent stimuli in awake rats. Two different types of stimuli were given: 9% hypoxia in N 2 and 10% hypercapnia in O 2 . Animals were exposed to 3 consecutive cycles consisting of 3-min stimulus period separated by 8-min normoxic recovery intervals. Features of the breathing pattern, such as respiratory frequency, tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiration and expiration times, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, were measured by whole body plethysmography. The data were analyzed with the use of pattern recognition methods. We conclude that the overall respiratory changes were rather slight. However, computerized analysis using a k-nearest neighbor decision rule (k-NN) allowed for a good recognition of the respiratory responses to the stimuli. The misclassification rate (E r ) varied from 5 to 10%. After feature selection, E r decreased below 1%. The k-NN classifier differentiated correctly also the type of intermittent stimulus. Our experimental results demonstrate usefulness of pattern recognition algorithms in studying respiratory effects in biological models

Pragmatists versus dogmatists: Explaining the failure of power-sharing in Northern Ireland during the 1970s

This article argues that the failure of Northern Ireland’s first power-sharing executive, and subsequent attempts to restore power-sharing during the 1970s, was the result of conflicting attitudes towards devolution among Northern Ireland’s politicians. Traditional ideological divisions between nationalists and unionists were not the primary barrier to creating and sustaining cross-community institutions, as stressed in accounts of this period premised on consociational theory. Drawing extensively from archival sources, it argues that the split between the pragmatists from both communities, who were prepared to compromise their core principles and accept power-sharing devolution within a UK framework, and the dogmatists (both nationalists and unionists) who refused to contemplate any compromise to their core position, prevented a consensual political settlement emerging during the 1970s

Zaburzenia równowagi kwasowo-zasadowej i elektrolitowej oraz zmiany stężenia wskaźników mineralnych surowicy w przebiegu pokarmowej dystrofii mięśni cieląt

Selenium is an essential nutrient, which is crucial for proper body function. Its role is complemented by vitamin E. Nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) is one of the main disorders caused by a selenium deficiency. NMD most often affects calves at the age of 4 to 6 weeks. The study was performed on 40 Holstein-Friesian (HF) calves divided into two groups of 20 animals each. Control group calves were administered an IM injection of selenium and vitamin E on the second day of life. The experimental group comprised calves with symptoms of NMD. Samples of the biceps femoris muscle were collected from six animals in each group for histopathological analyses to confirm changes in muscle parameters. Blood samples were obtained from all animals on three different dates. The following blood parameters were determined in laboratory analyses: pH, pCO 2 , pO 2 , HCO 3 – , BE, O 2 SAT, the concentrations of Na + , K + , Cl – , and Ca and P levels. A drop in pH, an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen, a significant decrease in bicarbonate ion concentrations and hemoglobin oxygen saturation as well as a base deficit were reported in the group of calves demonstrating symptoms of NMD. The above changes point to the development of uncompensated metabolic acidosis due to increased levels of pyruvic acid and lactic acid produced as a result of anaerobic processes that accompany muscle fiber degeneration. Minor fluctuations in sodium and chloride levels were observed throughout the experiment, but their concentrations remained within the norm in animal groups. Potassium levels were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The serum concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and calcium were within the reference range in both groups. In calves, NMD leads to disruptions in the acid-base equilibrium and the electrolyte balance, which are manifested by uncompensated metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia. Significant changes in calcium and phosphorus levels are not observed in the blood serum of calves affected by NMD

Changes in blood acid-base balance parameters and coagulation profile during diarrhea in calves

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible alterations in acid-base balance parameters and the coagulation profile in neonatal diarrheic calves. Twenty neonatal diarrheic and 20 clinically healthy neonatal calves aged between 1 week to 10 days were used. All blood samples were taken on the third day from the onset of diarrhea symptom. Venous blood samples were collected from each animal to determine platelet numbers, pH, pCO₂, pO₂, HCO₃⁻, BE, O₂SAT, ctCO₂ and electrolytes (K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl⁻). Plasma samples were collected from each animal for the measurement of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), the concentrations of fibrinogen, D-dimer and the activity of antithrombin III (AT III). Blood pH (7.19), BE (-10.6 mmol/l), HCO₃⁻ (25.15 mmol/l), pO₂ (3.33 kPa), O₂SAT (24.12 %) were significantly lower and serum concentration of K⁺ (6.55 mmol/l) was significantly higher in diarrheic calves. These changes indicate the state of uncompensated metabolic acidosis with accompanying hyperkalemia. TT (32.05s) and APTT (39.9s) values were more prolonged in calves with diarrhea than in the control group. D-dimer (587.25 μg/l) concentrations were significantly increased while a visible drop in AT III (103.75%) activity and platelets counts (598 x10⁹/l) were observed in diarrheic group of calves. The results suggest that a consumptive type of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed in diarrheic calves

Distribution and chemical coding patterns of cocaine- and amphetaminer-egulated transcript - like immunoreactive (CART - LI) neurons in the enteric nervous system of the porcine stomach cardia

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript-like immunoreactive (CART-LI) neurons and co-localisation of CART with vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (n-NOS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP) and leu-enkephalin (LENK) in the enteric nervous system of the porcine gastric cardia by using a double-labelling immunofluorescence technique. CART-LI neurons were observed in the myenteric plexus (18.2}2.6%). A dense network of CART-LI nerve fibers was mainly observed in the muscular layer. CART showed co-localization mainly with VAChT, n-NOS, VIP and to a lesser degree with LENK and SP. Distribution of CART and its co- ocalization with other neurotransmitters suggest that this peptide plays an important role in gastric motility in the pig

From Mainstream to Minor and Back: The Irish Labour Party 1987-1992

This article charts the Irish Labour Party’s (ILP) journey from a minor to mainstream political party between 1987 and 1992. This is arguably the most turbulent period in the party’s electoral history, when the ILP performed significantly below its average result, before making unprecedented electoral gains. It identifies the factors which led to this fall and rise during the discussed period and reflects on the ILP’s place in the Irish party system arguing that the term ‘mainstream’ or ‘proximal mainstream’ party with regard to the ILP is perhaps more appropriate than the terms ‘major’ or ‘minor’ party, especially in view of its return to its usual level of support following the gains of 1992

Defining the scope of the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance network in Veterinary medicine (EARS-Vet): A bottom-up and One Health approach

Background: Building the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance network in Veterinary medicine (EARS-Vet) was proposed to strengthen the European One Health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance approach. Objectives: To define the combinations of animal species/production types/age categories/bacterial species/specimens/antimicrobials to be monitored in EARS-Vet. Methods: The EARS-Vet scope was defined by consensus between 26 European experts. Decisions were guided by a survey of the combinations that are relevant and feasible to monitor in diseased animals in 13 European countries (bottom-up approach). Experts also considered the One Health approach and the need for EARS-Vet to complement existing European AMR monitoring systems coordinated by the ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Results: EARS-Vet plans to monitor AMR in six animal species [cattle, swine, chickens (broilers and laying hens), turkeys, cats and dogs], for 11 bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus hyicus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus suis). Relevant antimicrobials for their treatment were selected (e.g. tetracyclines) and complemented with antimicrobials of more specific public health interest (e.g. carbapenems). Molecular data detecting the presence of ESBLs, AmpC cephalosporinases and methicillin resistance shall be collected too. Conclusions: A preliminary EARS-Vet scope was defined, with the potential to fill important AMR monitoring gaps in the animal sector in Europe. It should be reviewed and expanded as the epidemiology of AMR changes, more countries participate and national monitoring capacities improve