Due to its debilitating character pneumonectomy this is last-resort procedure. Preoperative results of the 6-min walking test (6MWT) help to identify high risk of postoperative complications and ...increased mortality in patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. The aim of the study was to validate the value of 500 m in 6MWT as an indicator, which differentiates risk of complications in patients undergoing pneumonectomy. 125 patients who underwent pneumonectomy at Thoracic Surgery Department between 2009 and 2018. On the day preceding the surgery, patients underwent 6MWT. The patients were in median age of 63 years. The cut-off value of 500 m identified patients with increased 90-day mortality 17.9% vs. 3.5%, odds ratio (OR) 6.271, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.528-25.739, first-year mortality (30.7% vs. 11.6%, OR 3.378, 95%CI 1.310-8.709), and overall survival (
= 0.02). Patients who covered a distance ≤ 500 m had an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (35.9% vs. 16.3%, OR 2.880, 95%CI 1.207-6.870) and cardiac complications (38.4% vs. 19.8%, OR 2.537, 95%CI 1.100-5.849). Patients unable to reach 500 m in 6MWT are in a high risk of postoperative death after pneumonectomy, what may be a result of increased frequency of postoperative cardiac complications. Poor result of 6MWT is a predictor of worse overall survival.
Local breeds are the main reservoir of biodiversity of farm animals. According to FAO, they account for 87% of all described breeds in the world. To ensure that they are adequately protected, they ...should be continually monitored for genetic variation. Another crucial factor is reproduction, which is the most important guarantee of population growth. In the present study, genetic variation in 372 Polish White-Backed cows was determined using DNA microsatellite sequences, taking into account their parentage. Reproductive parameters were analysed as well, based on data from 3658 lactations of 1128 Polish White-Backed cows. The results indicate that despite the small initial population and the implementation of a moderate selection of animals, the existing population of Polish White-Backed cattle has a high level of genetic variation, reflected in the degree of heterozygosity (0.761). Regarding reproductive traits, despite their late age at first calving, Polish White-Backed cows were shown to be distinguished by very good fertility parameters in comparison to other breeds raised in Poland. These findings not only confirm the value of protecting local cattle breeds around the world but may also be of importance in developing selection indices for highly productive breeds, in which reproductive functioning should be one of the most important factors considered.
The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple method of identifying patients with a high risk of postoperative complications. In this study, we internally validated the previously obtained threshold value ...of 500 m in the 6MWT as differentiating populations with a high and a low risk of postoperative complications after a lobectomy. Between November 2011 and November 2016, 624 patients who underwent a lobectomy and performed the 6MWT preoperatively entered this study. We compared the complication rates of two groups of patients-those who walked more than and those who walked less than 500 m. The patients who did not reach the distance of 500 m in the 6MWT were older (70 vs. 63 years
< 0.001), had worse pulmonary function tests (FEV1% 84 vs. 88
= 0.041) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (
< 0.001). The patients who had a worse result in the 6MWT had a higher complication rate (52% vs. 42%
= 0.019; OR: 1.501 95% CI: 1.066-2.114) and a longer median postoperative hospital stay (7 vs. 6 days
= 0.010). In a multivariate analysis, the result of the 6MWT and pack-years proved to independently influence the risk of postoperative complications. This internal validation study confirms that 500 m is a result of the 6MWT which differentiates patients with a higher risk of postoperative complications and a prolonged hospital stay after a lobectomy.
Most European grasslands are semi-natural and require proper management to preserve their high natural value. They are habitats for many rare and endangered species of plants and animals. The aim of ...the study was to determine patterns of changes in the flora of grasslands induced by the introduction of extensive mowing and grazing treatments and to answer the following questions: (1) Do species richness and the number and occurrence of ecological groups plants differ depending on management schemes? (2) Is grazing or mowing more beneficial for the conservation of plant diversity? (3) Is the duration of land management a determinant of flora characteristics? The study was carried out in permanent grasslands located in the buffer zone of Polesie National Park in 2015–2018. The flora comprised 189 vascular plant species representing six ecological groups. The most numerous groups were meadow species (M) – 85, grassland species (G) – 35, and segetal species (S) – 31. Trees and shrubs (T) – 10 made up the smallest share of the flora, followed by ruderal (R) – 13 and aquatic (W) – 17 vegetation. The study showed that extensive grazing and mowing induced quantitative and qualitative changes in the flora of the research plots and were the key determinants of the flora dynamics. The first two years of use were crucial for the dynamics of the flora present in the plots. During that time a significant increase in species richness and the emergence of ecological groups was noted. Stabilization of the features analysed was noted in subsequent years. Significant differences were noted in species richness (SR) and the number of meadow (M), grassland (G), segetal (S), ruderal (R), water (W) and tree and shrub (T) species in favour of the managed plots compared with the abandoned sites. Grazing significantly decreased the number of emerging trees and shrubs, while mowing facilitated the preservation and regeneration of water and waterside vegetation. The use of local cattle breeds for grazing in valuable nature areas protects meadow habitats, prevents succession of trees and shrubs, and preserves and protects farm animal genetic resources.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the oxyhumolite supplementation in the feed of cows on the profile and the nutritional indices of fatty acids (FA) in milk and cheese. To ...the diet of 30 cows, a 100 g/per cow/per day humic-mineral supplement with 65% humic acids was included. Milk was sampled three times: control (0 day, before the dietary modification) and on days 30 and 60 after the introduction of the supplement. For chemical analyses, samples from each cow and for cheese manufacture samples of bulk milk were taken. Fat content in the milk and the cheese, and partial sums of fatty acids profile, nutritional fatty acid ratios and indices were determined. The indicated changes in milk fat quality are difficult to unequivocally assess from a dietary point of view. Negative changes were found in the increase in the proportion of hypercholesterolemic acids (HSFA), atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices, and a decrease in the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio, the proportion of desired (DFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) FA over time of supplementation. Positive changes were also found: the increase in polyunsaturated (PUFA), branched-chain (BCFA), short- and medium-chain (SCSFA) and long-chain (LCSFA) FA percentages, and also content was reported. The cheese (30 and 60 d) showed an increase in the content (mg/100 g) of SFA (including SCFA and LCSFA), OCFA (odd-chain FA), BCFA, MUFA, and DFA. Adverse changes were observed with an increase in PUFA n6, the n6/n3 ratio, and HSFA and TI. No significant differences were found for the AI index. The preliminary results obtained are promising, although further research is needed.
There are many genes responsible for the appearance of different coat colours, among which the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (
) plays an important role. The aim of the study was to characterize ...genetic variation in Central European cattle breeds based on polymorphism of the
gene and factors determining their coat colour. The study was conducted on 290 individuals of the following breeds: Polish White-Backed (PW), Lithuanian White-Backed (LW), Polish Red (PR), Lithuanian Red (LR), Carpathian Brown (CB), Ukrainian Grey (UG), and Slovak Pinzgau (SP). Polymorphism at the
gene locus was analysed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using two restriction enzymes:
and
. The proportions of alleles and genotypes in the
locus indicates a strong relationship between polymorphism and the coat colour of cattle: The E
allele proved to be characteristic for the breeds with a white-backed coat (PW and LW), while the dominant allele in the red breeds (PR and LR) was E
. It is noteworthy that coat colour in the SP population was determined only by the recessive e allele, which resulted in the formation of a separate clade in the phylogenetic tree.
The natural form of feeding for all herbivorous species is grazing. Primarily local breeds should be grazed on natural grasslands, as they are resistant to adverse weather conditions, are likely to ...get nutritional requirements fulfilled on the grazing, and are highly resistant to disease. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the means and intensity of use of permanent grasslands on vegetation and its nutritional value in the context of animal welfare. We hypothesized that natural grazing of animals contributes to the preservation of high floristic diversity in areas of natural value. The research was conducted in 2016 in a mountainous region (500–600 m above sea level) directly adjacent to Magura National Park (Southern Poland, DMS: 49º31′47.944" N 21º30′25.747" E) and constituting its buffer zone. Extensive grazing of local livestock (sheep and cattle) was shown to have a positive impact on their welfare and on the biodiversity of grassland ecosystems by preventing secondary forest succession, and it can be used in areas of natural value for active nature conservation.
•Hay meadows communities (Arrhenatherion alliance) as Natura 2000 habitats are threatened with extinction, therefore, it is necessary to promote grazing of native breeds of animals or mowing•Grazing affects the development of different plant communities than on meadows or abandoned grasslands•The highest biodiversity is found in communities with extensive grazing of sheep and cattle where no agrotechnical procedures are carried out•Extensive grazing of livestock (sheep and cattle) was shown to have a positive impact on the biodiversity of grassland ecosystems by preventing secondary forest succession, and it can be used in areas of natural value for active nature conservation
As many European cattle breeds are considered to be threatened with extinction, and existing genetic variability is increasingly at risk of being irretrievably lost, its assessment is crucial. The ...aim of the study was to assess the genetic variability of seven breeds of cattle in Central Europe on the basis of polymorphism at the loci of functional genes, encoding β-lactoglobulin (LGB), leptin (LEP), prolactin (PRL), oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and growth hormone receptor (GHR). The research was carried out on 290 individuals – 50 Polish White-backed (PW), 50 Lithuanian White-backed (LWB), 50 Polish Red (PR), 50 Lithuanian Red (LR), 22 Carpathian Brown (CB), 18 Ukrainian Grey (UG) and 50 Slovak Pinzgauer (PG). Gene polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP. The statistical indicators estimated, i.e. the frequency of alleles and genotypes, observed and expected heterozygosity (HO and HE), F-statistics, gene flow (Nm), and genetic distances, were used to characterize the genetic structure of these cattle breeds. The research demonstrated that the populations analysed have undergone a bottleneck process as a consequence of the rapid decline in the size of individual populations. Owing to the introduction of genetic resources conservation programmes, endangered populations can slowly be restored to a state of genetic balance. Keywords: Genetic variability, Functional genes, Central European cattle breeds, Gene polymorphism, Population genetic structure
The video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach has become a standard for the treatment of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently published meta-analyses proved the benefit ...of VATS versus thoracotomy for overall survival (OS) and reduction of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes, long-term survival and rate of postoperative complications of the VATS approach versus thoracotomy.
In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed 982 individuals who underwent surgical resection for Stage I-IIA NSCLC between 2007 and 2015. Thirty- and 90-day mortality rates, length of hospital stay, rate of complications and OS were assessed. Propensity score matching was performed to compare 2 groups of patients. Two hundred and twenty-five individuals from the thoracotomy group and 225 patients from the VATS group were matched regarding pTNM, sex, the Charlson comorbidity index, type of resection and histological diagnosis.
In the propensity score-matched patient group, the VATS approach was associated with a significant benefit regarding OS (P = 0.042). Although no significant difference was observed (P = 0.14) in the 3-year survival rate of patients who had a thoracotomy versus VATS, the 5-year survival rate among patients with VATS increased significantly (61% vs 78%, P = 0.0081). The adjusted VATS-related hazard ratio for pTNM, sex and age was 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.40-0.98). The VATS surgical approach also reduced both the rate of postoperative atelectasis (4% for VATS vs 10% for open thoracotomy; P = 0.0052) and the need for blood transfusions (4% vs 12% respectively, P = 0.0054) and significantly shortened the postoperative length of stay (mean 7.25 vs 9.34 days, P < 0.0001). No significant differences in the 30-day mortality (1% vs 1%, P = 0.66) and 90-day mortality (1% vs 1%, P = 0.48) rates were observed.
Patients with early-stage NSCLC operated on with VATS had fewer complications, shorter postoperative length of stay and better OS compared to those who were operated on by thoracotomy.
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