Which came first: The disease or the pest? Is there a host mediated spread of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) by invasive palm pests?

The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is threatening the palm family worldwide, causing important economic losses. Current tactics to manage the weevil are largely based on chemical control, although the use of pesticides is hampered by several environmental constraints. Since the first introduction of RPW in Spain in 1996 and during its progressive spread around the Mediterranean basin, the number of reports of natural infection of RPW populations by entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) has been rising for 15 years, and this rise could support a pest-mediated EPF spread. To challenge this hypothesis, we assessed the usefulness of the region of elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), Bloc nuclear intergenic region (Bloc) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, alone or in combination, to infer the relationships among Mediterranean Beauveria and Metarhizium strains isolated from the RPW. Second, the effect of abiotic factors, such as temperature, humidity and UV-B radiation, on the germination and growth of these EPFs strains as a function of their genealogy and geographic origin were determined. Finally, the pathogenicity of strains from different genetic clades was evaluated against larvae and adults of R. ferrugineus. The phylogenetic analysis based on the EF-1α gene identified eight different sequences among 24 fungal isolates of four fungal species. Similar clades were clustered when Bloc and ISSR analyses were performed. The results showed that strains of different origins were clustered in the same clade, and this outcome could be explained by an RPW-mediated EPF spread that was also influenced by time, geographical and other RPW related factors. Neither the response to abiotic factors nor virulence to RPW larvae and adults were related to the sequence type, with all B. bassiana strains well adapted to Mediterraneam climatic conditions. Taken together, these findings may help to select the best strain for RPW management.

Assessment of the orbit morphometry on West Anatolian dry skulls.

The orbit is very frequently damaged by traumas which result in not only bone deficits, but also functional deformities if reconstruction is not appropriate. Anatomical exposure of the bony orbit is of importance for both anatomists and surgeons who perform operation on this area. The current study evaluated the group of morphometrical parameters on 74 adult West Anatolian dry skulls and stereological surface area on the dry skull orbits while describing the clinical importance. Surface areas on the orbital base of the skulls were also evaluated using stereological method, bilaterally. Anthropological assessment of orbital base (in terms of width and height) revealed no significant difference between right and left sides. Both width and height of the optic foramen were significantly higher on the right side compared to left. The distances between the margins (medial, lateral, superior, inferior) of the orbital base and the optic foramen were longer on the right side compared to left, except the distances between the lateral margins. There was no significant difference among the subjects between right and left sides with respect to the orbital base in terms of stereological area calculation. The results are significant because there are no recorded anatomical data on West Anatolian skulls at previous researches. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 105-109).

Volumetric evaluation of temporal bone structures in the cases with bilateral tinnitus: clinical and morphometrical study.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is the recognition of sound in the absence of any external auditory stimulus to the noise of ringing in the ears. Middle ear aeration carries important role for ossicular coupling and normal hearing. There is restricted morphometric data on the cases with bilateral tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we evaluated hearing findings of 18 cases with subjective nonpulsatile bilateral tinnitus and also morphometry and volumetry of temporal bone substructures on the computed tomography images using stereological method compared with the gender and age matched 12 healthy subjects. Duration of tinnitus, exposing acoustic trauma or/and high level noise levels, evaluation of middle ear volume, jugular bulb levels, distances between jugular bulb and both oval window and middle ear were evaluated. RESULTS: Both males and females with tinnitus showed worse hearing thresholds through bone and air conductions than healthy subjects but it was not statistically significant. Pure tone thresholds through bone and air conductions were not statistically different in both sexes with bilateral tinnitus. Right middle ear volume of the cases with bilateral tinnitus was mean 5.57 cm3 for males and 5.64 cm3 for females; and also the left middle ear volume of the cases with bilateral tinnitus was mean 5.87 cm3 for males and 5.65 cm3 for females. There were no significant differences between the cases with bilateral tinnitus and the control subjects according to the side of the body. CONCLUSIONS: The data on the hearing findings and morphometrical evaluation of the cases with bilateral tinnitus may be important for anatomists and clinicians. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 57-64).

Vascular anatomical features of the medial thigh flap in human cadavers of Caucasian origin.

BACKGROUND: Medial fasciocutaneous flaps, which are based on the femoral artery from the thigh region, are used for wide inguinal, scrotal, vaginal, perineal, leg, head and neck defect reconstructions in injured human patients. Within this regard, anatomical knowledge about perforating and cutaneous branches of the femoral artery is important for the surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, vascular pedicles of the medial thigh perforator flap based on the femoral artery were investigated according to anatomical and surgical landmarks. Human Caucasian preserved cadavers of 15 adults (13 males, 2 females; age range 55-82 years: 30 sides, bilaterally) that were previously formalin fixed were subjected to our analytical examinations. Micro dissections were performed under 4× loop magnification while representing the perforating branches of the femoral artery after filling by coloured latex injection via the external iliac artery. RESULTS: The size and length parameters of these branches which appeared around the apex of the femoral triangle were evaluated. The mean size of the perforating branch at the point of origin was 0.14 cm and the mean size of the cutaneous branch at the point of origin was 0.09 cm, the mean length of the pedicle was 4.74 cm and the mean length of the cutaneous branch was 3.30 cm, respectively. Location of the perforating and the cutaneous branches were also determined according to the surgical landmarks such as the anterior superior iliac spine, inguinal ligament, pubic tubercle and interepicondylar line. CONCLUSIONS: The pedicle of the medial flap should locate up to 25 cm from the anterior superior iliac spine so as to preserve the vascular structures. Exact location of this artery helps the surgeons to perform anastomosis in an easier and safer manner during surgical operations.

Suprascapular foramen: a rare variation caused by ossified suprascapular ligaments.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the suprascapular foramen in West Anatolian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one dried human scapulae of West Anatolian people of unknown ages and gender belonging to the Anatomy Department Laboratory of Dokuz Eylul University Medical School were examined macroscopically. The vertical and transverse diameters of the suprascapular foramen and central thickness of the ossified ligaments were measured with calliper in millimetres and digital calliper, respectively. RESULTS: We observed the suprascapular foramen due to ossification of the suprascapular ligament only in 2 of 81 (2.47%) scapulae. The vertical and transverse diameters of the suprascapular foramen and central thickness of the ossified ligaments (No. 1 and No. 2) were measured as 8.0 mm vs. 4.0 mm, 3.6 mm vs. 2.0 mm and 4.0 mm vs. 1.4 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The suprascapular foramen caused by ossified suprascapular ligament is rarely observed variation in West Anatolian population.

Anatomy of the anteromedial thigh flap based on the oblique branch of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

Anteromedial thigh (AMT) flaps based on lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) have characteristics which make them favourable for use in reconstruction of extensive thigh, head, neck and leg defects. AMT flap which is elevated on the artery has the advantages of low donor site morbidity and preservation of main arteries. Due to inconstant anatomy of the pedicle, the flap is mostly not preferable. Hence, we aimed to describe the anatomical features of the unnamed branch of the descending branch of the LCFA harvesting AMT flap. For this purpose, the external iliac artery was displayed bilaterally on 15 adult (13 males and 2 females; age range 55-82 years) preserved cadavers using latex injection. The perforator branch of the descending branch from the LCFA was microdissected under 4× loupe magnification. The perforator branch was located 28.53 (20.20-34.20) cm distal to the anterior superior iliac spine, 22.12 (13.40-28.00) cm distal to the pubic tubercle, and 13.20 (10.80-16.20) cm proximal to the interepicondylar line. At the level of origin point the mean diameter of the perforating branch was 0.17 cm and the mean diameter of its cutaneous branch was 0.14 cm. The mean length of the pedicle was 5.71 (3.70-9.00) cm. We conclude that our findings contribute to the literature in terms of anatomical knowledge for surgical safety.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to Spanish ICU: A prospective observational study from the ENVIN-HELICS registry (2006-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the case-mix of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain during the period 2006-2011 and to assess changes in ICU mortality according to severity level. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data obtained from the ENVN-HELICS registry. Observational prospective study. SETTING: Spanish ICU. PATIENTS: Patients admitted for over 24h. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES: Data for each of the participating hospitals and ICUs were recorded, as well as data that allowed to knowing the case-mix and the individual outcome of each patient. The study period was divided into two intervals, from 2006 to 2008 (period 1) and from 2009 to 2011 (period 2). Multilevel and multivariate models were used for the analysis of mortality and were performed in each stratum of severity level. RESULTS: The study population included 142,859 patients admitted to 188 adult ICUs. There was an increase in the mean age of the patients and in the percentage of patients >79 years (11.2% vs. 12.7%, P<0.001). Also, the mean APACHE II score increased from 14.35±8.29 to 14.72±8.43 (P<0.001). The crude overall intra-UCI mortality remained unchanged (11.4%) but adjusted mortality rate in patients with APACHE II score between 11 and 25 decreased modestly in recent years (12.3% vs. 11.6%, odds ratio=0.931, 95% CI 0.883-0.982; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: This study provides observational longitudinal data on case-mix of patients admitted to Spanish ICUs. A slight reduction in ICU mortality rate was observed among patients with intermediate severity level.

[Comparative analysis of patients admitted to Spanish Intensive Care Units due to medical and surgical disease]. / Análisis comparativo de pacientes ingresados en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos españolas por causa médica y quirúrgica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of the patients case-mix admitted to ICUs due to medical and surgical disease, and to compare both groups. DESIGN: Analysis of data covering the period 2006-2011 in the ENVIN-HELICS registry. An observational, prospective, multicenter and voluntary participation study. SETTING: A total of 188 Spanish ICUs. PATIENTS: All patients admitted for more than 24 hours. MAIN VARIABLES: Demographic data, cause of admission, severity scores, length of stay, mortality. RESULTS: A total of 138,999 patients were analyzed. Of these, 65,467 (47.1%) were admitted due to a non-coronary medical cause, 27,785 (20,0%) due to coronary-related illness, 28,044 (20,2%) after elective surgery and 17,613 (12.7%) after urgent surgery. Use of devices, nosocomial infections and isolation of multirresistant organisms were more prevalent in urgent surgery patients. Longer length of stay (median 5 days; interquartile range 2-11) as well as higher severity scale values (APACHE II and SAPS II) corresponded to this same group of patients. Mortality was higher in non-coronay medical patients. On categorizing the patients according to the APACHE II score, mortality was seen to be higher in urgent surgery cases than in elective surgery patients in all groups. The largest difference was observed in the APACHE II score 6-10 group (3% vs. 0.9%) (OR: 2.14, 95% CI 1.825-2.513; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate is higher in non-coronary medical patients, though resource use per patient is greater in the urgent surgery cases. The APACHE II scale underestimates mortality in emergency surgery patients.

The arterial anatomy of the saphenous flap: a cadaveric study.

The saphenous flap is a fasciocutaneous flap generally used for knee and upper third of the leg coverage. Due to various descriptions of the saphenous flap, such as venous, sensory, and free flap, the origin and distributing characteristics of the saphenous artery are important for plastic surgeons. The aim of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the anatomical features of the saphenous flap. The pedicles of the saphenous flap were dissected under 4 x loop magnification in thirty-two legs of 16 formalin-fixed adult cadavers. The findings of this anatomic study were as follows: Descending genicular artery originated from the femoral artery in all of the cases. The first musculoarticular branch, which arose from descending genicular, to the vastus medialis muscle existed in all dissections. The second branch was the saphenous artery which separately originated from the descending genicular artery in all of the cases. At the level of origin the mean diameter of the saphenous artery was found to be 1.61 mm. The muscular branches to the anterior or posterior sides of the sartorious muscle existed in all of the dissections. Two vena comitantes and a saphenous nerve were accompanying the saphenous artery in all cadavers. The mean distance between the origin of the artery and interepicondylar line of tibia was 115 mm. The muscular branches of the saphenous artery to the gracilis muscle were encountered 6.66% of the cases. The cutaneous branches numbered between one and four, and arose 3.5 to 9.5 cm from the site of origin of the saphenous artery. The distal end of the saphenous artery reached approximately 122 mm distally to the knee joint in all cases. Due to variations of the arterial anatomy and limited number of anatomic studies of the saphenous flap, we studied the topography and anatomy of the saphenous artery for increasing reliability of the saphenous flap.

Estimation of Purkinje cell quantification and volumetry in the cerebellum using a stereological technique.

Systematic sampling using the Cavalier's principle provides accurate, efficient, cheap, and simple quantitative estimates of objects within neuroanatomical structures like the cerebellum. We identified and isolated the Purkinje cell layer and used this information to extrapolate the stereological technique to estimate the total number of Purkinje cells and volume on light microscope in rabbits' cerebella. Volumes of the cell populations in the cerebellum have not been estimated previously. Using this method, we counted the Purkinje cells in the two right and three left hemicerebella of five male healthy rabbits and found the total number of Purkinje cells to have a mean of 671,597. The mean volume of the Purkinje cell was estimated at 2207 µm(3) for the entire cerebella. The contribution of the stereological method to cell quantification and volumetry was emphasised by the neuroanatomical experimental animal study. The method proved to be an excellent tool for evaluating the Purkinje cell numbers and volumes in the rabbits. The data may also support the significance of considering anatomical data when evaluating pathological changes in cerebella.

Volumetric evaluation of hemicerebellar changes in migraine patients without aura.

Brain balance changes have been recognised in migraine, but cerebellar function between or during attacks has been assessed only in a few studies. Previous studies have indicated that migraine affects cerebellar function. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the hemicerebellar volume changes of patients with migraine without aura (MWoA). Volumetric changes of cerebellar hemispheres were evaluated in terms of asymmetry using stereological methods on magnetic resonance images (MRI) retrospectively. Nineteen patients with MWoA and 18 age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in the study. MRIs were analysed by using the point-counting approach of stereological methods by Cavalier's principle. There was no statistically significant cerebellar atrophy or hemicerebellar asymmetry between the MWoA and control subjects. There was no cerebellar atrophy or asymmetry between the MWoA and age-matched control group. The stereological evaluation of cerebellar asymmetry and atrophy in humans is important for both clinicians and anatomists. The technique is simple, inexpensive, and reliable.

The relationship of the parotid duct to the buccal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve; an anatomical study with parameters of clinical interest.

There have been studies concerning the protection of the facial nerve during plastic surgery intended for the parotid gland. The close relationship between the parotid duct and the buccal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve is studied here. The dissections were performed on 10 fixed cadavers at the Anatomy Dissection Laboratory of Ankara University in 2004. The reference points used for surgery of this region were taken into consideration as the landmarks for morphometric measurements. In 7 of the cases the zygomatic branch was double and in 3 it was single. In 4 of the 7 cases with a double zygomatic branch both superior and inferior branches crossed the parotid duct. In the remaining 3 cases the superior branches of the zygomatic nerve coursed through the zygomatic major and minor muscles. In 9 of all the cases the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve crossed the duct anteriorly and in one it did so posteriorly (case 10). The buccal branch was single in 4 of the cases and double in 6. Among these one of the most precise measurements was the distance between the lateral canthus and the intersection point of the zygomatic branch and the duct with a coefficient of variation of 9.9%. With the use of this reliable measurement the intersection point of the zygomatic branch and the duct may be estimated to be within 5.16+/-1.01 centimetres of the lateral canthus. Facial nerve paralysis is the most important complication of superficial face surgery and the anatomy of this region must thus be taken into detailed consideration by surgeons.

An unusual course of the radial artery.

Radial artery variations are of importance for clinicians, whether in angiographic examinations or surgical approaches. The high origin radial artery is the most frequent arterial variation observed in the upper limb, showing an incidence of 14.27% in dissection material and 9.75% in angiographic examination. In the present study an unusual course of the radial artery and its relation with the median nerve has been evaluated. During embryological development the radial artery sprouts from two arterial buds arising from the lateral side of the brachial artery and coalescing with each other. The artery lies in the forearm and is overlapped by the brachioradial muscle. In this particular case the radial artery originated from the medial side of the brachial artery and crossed the median nerve twice in an unusual manner 8 cm below the point at which the deep brachial artery arose and 12 cm above the intercondylar line. These results will enhance anatomical knowledge of the region and reduce complication in surgical approaches.

Differential photoperiodic control of seasonal variations in pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in long-day (ferret) and short-day (mink) mammals.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the pituitary adjustments implicated in photoperiodic control of reproduction in two mammalian species, the ferret and the mink. In the ferret, which displays renewed testicular activity when the days lengthen, we observed a stimulation of the pulsatile liberation of luteinizing hormone (LH) reflecting the pulsatile activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system when daylight was equal to or in excess of LD 8:16. This photoperiod coincides precisely with the phase of photosensitivity known to be essential for gonadal stimulation in this species. In the mink, which displays renewed testicular activity when the days shorten, pituitary stimulation was activated when daylight was reduced to LD 11:13, and gonadal stimulation occurred only when daylight was further reduced to LD 10:14. In addition to requiring different photoperiodic stimuli to trigger the seasonal reproductive process, the two species display variations in the "timing" of pituitary control of renewed gonadal activity.

Control of annual endocrine rhythms in the edible dormouse: nonprimary effect of photoperiod.

We investigated the extent to which photoperiodic fluctuations synchronize annual thyroid and gonadal rhythmicity in edible dormice. The effects of different daylength manipulations (LD 4:20, LD 6:18, LD 18:6, LD 20:4) were examined during the two critical ascending and regressive phases of the annual plasma testosterone and thyroxine cycles that correspond to naturally increasing or decreasing photoperiod variations. The data failed to demonstrate any essential photoperiodic contribution to control systems that generate these two annual biological rhythms in dormice.

Penetration of meropenem and cefepim into pancreatic tissue during the course of experimental acute pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Recent data from experimental and clinical studies suggest that the antibiotics showing good penetration into the pancreas may reduce mortality by preventing pancreatic infection, which is the most important prognostic factor in acute pancreatitis. AIM: To determine and compare pancreatic tissue concentrations of meropenem and cefepime at different stages of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in an animal model that has been shown to closely mimic severe human pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in rats by a standardized intraductal infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid and intravenous cerulein. Six hours (n = 30) and 48 hours (n = 30) after induction of pancreatitis, the rats were randomized to receive an intravenous 20 mg/kg injection of either meropenem or cefepime. Blood and the head of the pancreas were collected for determining antibiotic concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Meropenem concentrations in the pancreas at 6 hours of acute pancreatitis increased significantly and decreased at 48 hours of the disease, but were still higher than that in controls. Concentrations of cefepime in necrotic pancreatic tissue were significantly low either during the initial or later phase, but lower in latter, in which the necrosis was more evident. Tissue/serum concentration ratios of meropenem were significantly higher than those of cefepime. However, tissue concentrations of both antibiotics are much higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration values for the common microorganisms involved in pancreatic infections. CONCLUSION: Although both antibiotics penetrate into the necrotic tissue in sufficient therapeutic concentrations, penetration of meropenem is much better than cefepime. However, good tissue penetration may not solely indicate efficacy of that antibiotic. Therefore, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to determine the therapeutic and prognostic efficacy of these agents.

Balance between opposite effects of short day stimulation and testicular steroid feedback inhibition on pituitary pulsatile LH release in male mink, Mustela vison.

This study explores changes in pituitary pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone (LH) secretion in intact and castrated male mink, either previously photogonadostimulated by short day treatment (LD 4:20), or maintained in a state of sexual quiescence by long day treatment (LD 20:4). Artificial photoperiodic treatment of intact mink significantly increases plasma LH level and pulse frequency, following transfer from inhibiting long-to stimulating short-days. This photoperiodic control mimics two important phases of the annual reproductive cycle: seasonal maximum gonadal activity and sexual quiescence. Furthermore, pulsatile secretion of LH is investigated 48 hours after castration. When mink castrated during long day treatment are compared against control intact mink, no change in their low LH secretion parameters are observed. This result indicates that gonadal steroids on long days are not suppressing LH secretion, which is controlled by photoperiodic inhibition alone. When mink are castrated at the onset of short day induced gonadal growth, mean plasma LH level and amplitude of LH pulses are increased over that found in stimulated intact mink. This result indicates that, during the phase of resumption of gonadal activity on short days, testicular steroid feedback partially controls the pituitary activity.

Seasonal variations of pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in the mink (Mustela vison).

The pulsatile secretion of the hypophyseal luteinizing hormone (LH) is induced by the pulsatile secretion of the hypothalamic neurons secreting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Seasonal variations in the pulsatility of LH were studied in the adult male mink (Mustela vison), reared under natural environmental conditions. Twenty-one animals were studied according to five critical phases in the breeding season: (1) the terminal phase of sexual quiescence, which precedes renewal of gonadal activity (October-November); (2) renewal of gonadal activity (December); (3) maximum gonadal activity at the height of the breeding season (February); (4) reduction of testicular activity (April); and (5) the initial phase of testicular quiescence (June). Levels of gonadal growth and activity were used to define each phase. A second animal group was studied after being reared for 2 months in an experimental gonado-inhibitory photoperiod, which, necessarily for the mink, was of the "long-day" type: 20L:4D regimen in the present study. Results, obtained with fully conscious animals, provide evidence for the pulsatile secretion of gonadotrophic hormone in this species. In spite of inter-individual differences in pulse patterns, particularly in phases 1 and 2, the pulsatile character of LH secretion is seen to vary markedly as a function of gonadal activity. The variations reflect an increase of hypophyseal activity as early as the preparative phase to the breeding season, and a decrease of activity during the testicular regression phase, which is followed by the onset of gonadotrophic quiescence in June. The main parameter affected statistically by these seasonal fluctuations is pulse frequency; variations in pulse frequency correlated with variations in mean plasma concentrations of LH. In the experimental gonado-inhibitory photoperiod, which led to a severe reduction in gonadal activity, all hormonal pulsatility parameters were statistically reduced; this confirms the importance of photoperiodic control of reproduction in Mustela vison. Several possible mechanisms are proposed for photoperiodic control.

A comparative study of pseudorabies virus (PRV) strains with defects in thymidine kinase and glycoprotein genes.

In the course of two experiments, an examination was made of the virulence and neuroinvasiveness for pigs of two pseudorabies virus mutants (strain 6C2TK(-), with a defect in thymidine kinase (TK) function; and strain 6C2TK(-), gI(-)/gE(-), with defects in TK and glycoproteins I and E) and of the wild-type parent strain (86/27V). At various times after intranasal inoculation, pigs were killed and samples of tonsil, lung and different levels of the trigeminal and olfactory nervous pathways were examined by methods that included viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction assay and immunohistochemistry. Both mutant viruses were of reduced virulence, as indicated by no more than moderate clinical signs and lesions, and only sporadic isolation of virus; moreover, unlike the wild-type parent strain, the mutant viruses were not reactivated from the latent state by corticosteroid treatment. In addition, migration of the mutant strains to the central nervous system (olfactory and trigeminal nervous pathways) was reduced as compared with that of the wild-type strain. Thus, mutations in the genes encoding the TK enzyme and the gI/gE complex were associated with reduced virulence, reduced replication in peripheral target tissues, and reduced migration to the olfactory and trigeminal pathways.

Effects of cimetidine on broiler fattening and on stress-induced gizzard erosion in chicken.

The work describes the effects of cimetidine on stress-induced gizzard erosions (Experiment A) and the influence of the long-term application (42 days) of the same drug on weight gain and feed consumption during broiler fattening (Experiment B). For Experiment A, 60 male, three-day-old chicks were divided into two groups: C (n = 30)--control chicks treated with 0.5 ml saline; CIM (n = 30)--chicks treated with cimetidine in a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight (b. w.) intragastrically. All chicks were stressed using a modified water-immersion stress method according to which the chicks, after 24 h of feed deprivation, were immersed in tap water (17 degrees C) for a few seconds. Under chloroform anaesthesia ten chicks from each group were killed 1, 2 and 3 h after the stressing. The morphometric analysis of gizzard erosion (GE) and histopathological examinations of gizzards were performed for each chick. In Experiment B, 32 one-day-old broilers of both sexes were used. The control group was untreated (n = 16) while the CIM group (n = 16) was fed the same diet supplemented with 10 mg of cimetidine per kilogram of feed throughout the fattening period (42 days). The results of Experiment A showed decreased mean length of the GE in the cimetidine-treated birds as compared with the GE lesions of the controls. In Experiment B, the treated chicks had reduced liveweight (1835.1 g), carcass weight (1474.6 g) and increased feed consumption (2115 g of feed per kilogram of weight gain) compared to the controls in which the same parameters were 1898.5 g, 1574.2 g and 1797 g, respectively. The results show that while stress-induced GE of chicks can be medicated pharmacologically, long-term application of the same substance impairs the results of fattening.