Transition period is considered from 3 weeks prepartum to 3 weeks postpartum, characterized with dramatic events (endocrine, metabolic, and physiological) leading to occurrence of production diseases ...(negative energy balance/ketosis, milk fever etc). The objectives of our study were to analyze the periodic concentration of serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), glucose and oxidative markers along with identification, and validation of the putative markers of negative energy balance in buffaloes using in-silico and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay.
Out of 20 potential markers of ketosis identified by in-silico analysis, two were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR technique (upregulated; acetyl serotonin o-methyl transferase like and down regulated; guanylate cyclase activator 1B). Additional two sets of genes (carnitine palmotyl transferase A; upregulated and Insulin growth factor; downregulated) that have a role of hepatic fatty acid oxidation to maintain energy demands via gluconeogenesis were also validated. Extracted cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) from the blood of the buffaloes were used for validation of selected genes via qRTPCR. Concentrations of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers were identified with their respective optimized protocols.
The analysis of qRT-PCR gave similar trends as shown by in-silico analysis throughout the transition period. Significant changes (p<0.05) in the levels of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers throughout this period were observed. This study provides validation from in-silico and qRT-PCR assays for potential markers to be used for earliest diagnosis of negative energy balance in buffaloes.
Apart from conventional diagnostic methods, this study improves the understanding of putative biomarkers at the molecular level which helps to unfold their role in normal immune function, fat synthesis/metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Therefore, provides an opportunity to discover more accurate and sensitive diagnostic aids.
This study evaluates the influence of the largest Serbian coal-fired power
plant on radionuclide concentrations in soil profiles up to 50 cm in depth.
Thirty soil profiles were sampled from the plant ...surroundings (up to 10 km
distance) and analyzed using standard methods for soil physicochemical
properties and gamma ray spectrometry for specific activities of natural
radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th). Spatial and vertical distribution of
radionuclides was determined and analyzed to show the relations between the
specific activities in the soil and soil properties and the most influential
factors of natural radionuclide variability were identified. The radiological
indices for surface soil were calculated and radiological risk assessment was
performed. The measured specific activities were similar to values of
background levels for Serbia. The sampling depth did not show any significant
influence on specific activities of natural radionuclides. The strongest
predictor of specific activities of the investigated radionuclides was soil
granulometry. All parameters of radiological risk assessment were below the
recommended values and adopted limits. It appears that the coal-fired power
plant does not have a significant impact on the spatial and vertical
distribution of natural radionuclides in the area of interest, but
technologically enhanced natural radioactivity as a consequence of the plant
operations was identified within the first 1.5 km from the power plant.
Free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS), are involved in various pathologies, injuries related to radiation, ischemia-reperfusion or ageing. Unfortunately, it is virtually ...impossible to directly detect free radicals in vivo, but the redox status of the whole organism or particular organ can be studied in vivo by using magnetic resonance techniques (EPR and MRI) and paramagnetic stable free radicals - nitroxides. Here we review results obtained in vivo following the pharmacokinetics of nitroxides on experimental animals (and a few in humans) under various conditions. The focus was on conditions where the redox status has been altered by induced diseases or harmful agents, clearly demonstrating that various EPR/MRI/nitroxide combinations can reliably detect metabolically induced changes in the redox status of organs. These findings can improve our understanding of oxidative stress and provide a basis for studying the effectiveness of interventions aimed to modulate oxidative stress. Also, we anticipate that the in vivo EPR/MRI approach in studying the redox status can play a vital role in the clinical management of various pathologies in the years to come providing the development of adequate equipment and probes.
The aim of this study was to describe a laparoscopic ovariectomy in a pygmy goat. This minimally invasive surgical technique was performed for the first time on this type of animal at the Clinic for ...Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. The owner requested this surgical procedure because of its advantages, such as the reduction of the incision size, the duration of surgery, the improved visualisation of the surgical site, the minimum extent of the anatomical approach and the reduction in any trauma, pain and postoperative complications including improved cicatrisation.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies differs in many aspects from typical presentation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-positive MG. Myopathy ...and muscle atrophy are observed in MuSK-positive MG patients, unlike AChR-positive patients with MG. That is why the aim of this study was to assess the presence of myopathy and muscle atrophy as well as the tongue lipid composition in our cohort of MuSK-positive MG patients. Clinical examination, electromyography (EMG) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed in 31 MuSK-positive and 28 AChR-positive MG patients. Myopathic EMG was more frequent in MuSK compared to AChR MG patients. In AChR MG patients, myopathic EMG in facial muscles was more frequent after long-term corticosteroid treatment, which was not the case with MuSK-positive MG patients. Facial and/or tongue muscle atrophy was registered in 23 % of MuSK MG patients. Longer disease duration was observed in patients with clinical signs of tongue and/or facial muscle atrophy compared to those with normal tongue muscle. Intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue was present in 85.2 % of MuSK and 20 % of AChR MG patients. Female MuSK MG patients had more frequently electrophysiological signs of myopathy on the facial muscles and signs of intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue, compared to male patients with MuSK-positive MG. Myopathy, muscle atrophy and intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue are more frequent in MuSK-positive compared to AChR-positive MG patients.
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