Consequences of different growth rates in broiler breeder and layer hens on embryogenesis, metabolism and metabolic rate: A review.

Intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens for economically important production traits, which has been carried out for almost a century, resulted in considerable differences in the mechanisms of growth and development and, thus, in avian metabolism, both during embryogenesis and after hatching. Selection for meat production (broiler breeders) and eggs (layer hens) led to increased productivity but also brought about metabolic disorders. That intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens is effective is seen, for example, in the differences in growth and development, metabolism of the yolk sac, hormones and lipids, gas exchange, and thermogenesis. Due to genetic proximity and different developmental mechanisms in broiler breeders and layer hens, avian embryos and chicks serve as excellent models for fundamental scientific research. This review paper discusses the consequences of different growth rates as a result of long-term genetic selection on embryonic development and metabolic rate of broilers and layers. The evidence presented herein indicates that it would be worth comparing these issues in a meta-analysis.

QT dispersion magnitude is related to the respiratory phase in healthy subjects.

Twelve-lead electrocardiograms in 20 healthy volunteers during quiet respiration, maximum inspiration, and maximum expiration were recorded. QT dispersion was statistically significantly shorter both at maximum inspiration and maximum expiration than during quiet breathing.

Effect of the new theophylline derivative on leukocytes migration in vitro.

New theophylline derivative: 7-beta-hydroxy-benzylopiperazinopropyl-theophylline (R6) has been investigated for its influence on spontaneous migration of leukocytes, as well as for their response to calcium ionophore A23187 and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Leukocytes from the peripheral blood of healthy donors were used and migration developed according to the routine capillary method. It has been found that R6 inhibited migration most effectively if the cells have not been treated with other agents. An addition of R6 to media containing A23187 has slightly modified an original action exerted by ionophore itself, the final effect being dependent on calcium concentration in the medium. When R6 was applied simultaneously with PHA its effect on leukocyte migration was negligible, if however R6 was added to leukocytes previously pretreated with PHA--an ultimate increase in migration inhibition was observed. It is suggested that R6 inhibits both spontaneous locomotion of leukocytes and their response to stimulating agents acting via an increase in intracellular cAMP level and/or by hindering the calcium transport across cell membrane.

Effect of the new theophylline derivatives on degranulation of mast cells and phosphodiesterase activity in smooth muscles.

Effect of the new theophylline derivative (beta-hydroxy-benzylopiperazinopropyl-theophylline), designed as R6 on degranulation of the mast cells from rat mesenteries, was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro it was found that R6 significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation induced both by the histamine liberator C 48/80 and by rabbit globulin directed against rat serum proteins. The effect was comparable to that revealed by mepyramine, but much stronger than the effects of DSCG and aminophylline. The influence of R6 on mast cells degranulation was less pronounced in the in vivo systems. It was demonstrated by histochemical methods that R6 did not change activity of lactic and succinic dehydrogenases, neither activity of lysosomal hydrolases. In separate system including small intestine from rat it was shown that R6 inhibited activity of the phosphodeisterase in smooth muscles. It was suggested that the effect of R6 on mast cells degranulation is mediated by an increase in cAMP as well as by indirect influence on Ca++ influx.

Severe anaemia: its CT findings in the cardiovascular system.

Computed tomography of the upper abdomen and of the heart was performed in 21 patients with severe anemia (mean haematocrit value 0.23, mean haemoglobin content 39.6%). Gross morphology of the heart and great vessels (wall thickness, size of the chambers, lumina and walls of the vessels) were visualized in all patients without the use of contrast media. The smallest discernible difference between the normal heart muscle and blood filling its cavities was about 6-8 H and the smallest discernible difference between the aorta and the aortic blood was about 8-10 H (window width 150 H, window level 50 H). There were no CT signs of haemochromatosis of the heart, while CT measurements were highly suggestive of liver haemochromatosis in several cases. Visual evaluation of liver density in comparison to the density of blood in hepatic and portal vessels is misleading.

Association od the DdeI growth hormone gene polymorphism with some performance traits in Polish Large White and Czech Large White x Polish Large White pigs.

The genotypes of growth hormone gene polymorphisms (GH-DdeI, GH-MspI, GH-HaeII, GH-ApaI, GH-CfoI) were determined in 78 pigs [Czech Large White sires (CLWsire line) x Polish Large White (PLW) sows, Polish Large White sires x Polish Large White sows], by the PCR-RFLP method. Preliminary studies found only GH DdeI polymorphism to be associated with performance traits. The associations of this polymorphism with growth and carcass traits were investigated. The linear model included the effects of candidate genes, genetic groups, sex and linear covariables of age at slaughter and body weight at weaning. The DdeI polymorphism of the GH gene showed associations with carcass length (P

A CT evaluation of the intraperitoneal fluid distribution.

The intraperitoneal distribution of fluid and its detectability with a CT scanning were investigated in 13 patients during infusion of dialysate for peritoneal dialysis. An ascending pattern of spread i.e. from the lesser pelvis through the inframesocolic compartment to the supramesocolic compartment prevailed. Accumulation of fluid in the perihepatic space and in Morison's pouch as a function of fluid volume is at best approximated by a parabolic curve. Fifty to two hundred fifty ml. of fluid were detectable with a CT scanning in supine position in the majority of cases within the perihepatic space and Morison's pouch. The lowest amount of fluid detectable in the peritoneal cavity--25 ml. was found between the anterior abdominal wall and bowel loops in right decubitus.

The effect of (-)-4-(2-hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino)-cis-carane on basal and forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in the cerebral cortical slices of the rat.

(-)-4-(2-Hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino)-cis-carane++ +, a local anaesthetic and platelet aggregation inhibitor which is much more potent than lignocaine, facilitated forskolin-induced cyclic (c) AMP accumulation in cerebral cortical slices of the rat. Lignocaine was ineffective in this respect. It is hypothesized that a cAMP-related mechanism may be involved in increased efficacy of the compound.

Intravascular degranulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during hemodialysis. The effects of pretreatment with colchicine.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) counts, plasma activity inducing PMN aggregation, augmenting PMN adherence and chemotactic activity were estimated during hemodialysis (HD) with cuprophane membranes. All these plasma activities are accepted as related to the presence of activated complement (C). The same estimations were made for hemodialyzed patients pretreated with colchicine. The results, especially comparison of plasma activities in blood entering and leaving the dialyzer, indicate that significant amounts of activated C components are generated within the patients vascular bed. The PMN entrapped in the pulmonary microcirculation that undergo subsequent degranulation are most probably the source of these C components. This concept was confirmed by the results for patients pretreated with colchicine, who had significantly less of the activities generated in the patients own circulation.

Cardiopulmonary bypass-induced complement activation. Evidence for C5a participation.

Plasma activity inducing polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) aggregation, augmenting PMN adherence, plasma chemotactic activity as well as peripheral PMN count were estimated in patients during cardiopulmonary bypass. In the course of the surgical procedure the chemotactic activity and the activity inducing PMN aggregation were detected in plasma. The top of these two activities was always followed by the significant fall of the peripheral PMN count. The increase of the activity augmenting PMN adherence was observed in a part of cases, but when noticed, always preceded the maximum of the remaining evaluated activities.

Local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic effect of some imidazolidin-2-one derivatives.

A series of the new derivatives of imidazolidin-2-one was investigated in order to determine their local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic activity. All compounds tested showed strong local anesthetic properties and variable effects on adrenaline-, aconitine- and barium chloride- induced arrhythmia. The results suggest that the antiarrhythmic properties of these compounds is related to their local anesthetic properties.

Propranolol analog with the natural monoterpene structure as a potent antiarrhythmic drug.

Antiarrhythmic effects and intracellular electrophysiological properties of a new antiarrhythmic compound (-)trans-4-[2-hydroxy-3(N-isopropylamino)-propoxyimino]-cis-car ane (9) were studied in several models of arrhythmia and in isolated guinea-pig myocardial preparations. Compound 9 prevented the aconitine-induced arrhythmia, reversed the ouabin-induced arrhythmia depressed the maximum rate depolarization (Vmax), and shortened the action potential duration (ADP) and the effective refractory period (ERP). The data indicate that compound 9 is an effective antiarrhythmic presumably with a class 1 B mechanism of action.

[Hepatoprotective effect of flower pollen lipid extract in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice]. / Hepatoprotekcyjne dzialanie lipidowego ekstraktu pylku kwiatowego w toksycznym uszkodzeniu watroby paracetamolem u myszy.

Hepatoprotective effects of the lipid flower pollen extract (LEPK) in paracetamol intoxication in mice were shown. Normalisation of A1AT and LDH--biochemical indicators of necrotic changes in the hepatic cells, and high protection ultrastructural cell organelle such as mitochondrion substantially testifies to the hepatoprotective effect of investigated lipid flower pollen extract on the hepatic cells.

[The hepatoprotective and hyoplipidemic effect of flower pollen lipid extract in androgenized rats]. / Hepatoprotekcyjne oraz hipolipidemiczne dzialanie lipidowego ekstraktu z pylku kwiatowego u androgenizowanych szczurów.

Hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of the lipid flower pollen extract in subchronically testosterone-androgenized rats were shown. Normalization of AspAT, A1AT and alkaline phosphatase--biochemical indicators of necrotic changes in the hepatic cell--substantially testifies to the hepatoprotective effect of the investigated lipid flower pollen extract on the hepatic cell, and constitutes a premise for further clinical studies.

[Uremic polyneuropathy in patients treated conservatively (nondialyzed) or treated with dialysis]. / Polineuropatia mocznicowa u chorych leczonych zachowawczo (niedializowanych) lub leczonych dializami.

Uremic polyneuropathy is a common complication in dialyzed patients (pts). In 37 end stage renal disease (ESRD) pts the electroneurophysiological (ENF) parameters and serum creatinine (Pcr), guanidino compounds (GC) and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) levels were studied. There were 21 nondialyzed (ND), 10-hemodialyzed (HD) and 6-intermittently peritoneally dialyzed (IPD) pts. The following ENF parameters on both upper extremities, using method described by Buchtal and Rosenfalck, were performed: sensory nerves (nn.) conduction velocity, amplitude of evoked potential, subjective and objective impulse and motor nerve-conduction velocity. Cr level in serum was measured by enzymatic method, GC-by Rosenberg, Ennor, Morison method, modified by Szczepkowska. GSA isolation was performed by column chromatography. The results indicated disturbances in peripheral nn. function in all studied groups of pts and did not correlate with levels of uremic toxins in serum. However, it does not mean, that sum of the accumulated various toxic metabolites in ESRD pts, does not influence the development of polyneuropathy. The degree of impairment of peripheral nn. conduction in ESRD did not differ significantly between ND and HD or IPD pts. We did not notice, any significant differences in the degree of polyneuropathy in HD or IPD pts.

[The effect of cocarboxylase treatment on erythrocyte transketolase and blood thiamine in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis]. / Wplyw leczenia kokarboksylaza na aktywnosc transketolazy w erytrocytach i stezenie tiaminy we krwi u chorych ze schylkowa niewydolnoscia nerek, leczonych powtarzana hemodializa.

The depressed ETKA in ESRD patients is supposed to be caused and/or aggravated by several factors among which the diminished content of thiamine in blood and/or disturbances of thiamine utilization seem to play the major role. This role stems from the fact that thiamine acts as the cofactor of transketolase. In order to check the therapeutic significance of this relationship we introduced the thiamine pyrophosphoric acid ester chloride (Cocarboxylasum-CC) administration in 25 patients (mHD + CC). Immediately after each HD performance CC was given i.v. during 12 weeks in a doses of 5 mg/kg b.w., 3 times a week. The blood for ETKA value, free and total thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes, as well as, the total protein and albumins/globulins index investigation was drawn before, after 6 and 12 weeks of CC administration, and 3 months after cessation of this therapy. In 10 patients, on maintenance HD nontreated by CC (mHD), the blood was drawn at the same time intervals. Normal values we obtained from 15 healthy volunteers. For ETKA evaluation photocolorimetric method was used, thiamine content in blood was estimated by fluorimetric method. At the beginning of the study the mean value of ETKA, in two examined groups, was found statistically decreased (p < 0.01) when compared with normals. Mean values of thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes were lower but did not differ significantly from those in normals. After 6 weeks of CC administration ETKA value increased, but only after 12 weeks it increased significantly (p < 0.01), reaching normal value. On the other hand, striking increase in plasma thiamine and erythrocyte thiamine levels was observed after 6 weeks of CC administration already (p < 0.01). Three months after cessation of CC administration significant decrease in ETKA value and thiamine level in blood was observed (p < 0.01). ETKA returned to lower value than in normals even in the presence of still high thiamine levels in blood. In mHD patients nontreated by CC the ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood did not change significantly during all periods of study. The nutritional status assessed by total protein and albumins/globulins index did not change in both groups through the study. We conclude, the administration of high doses of CC to ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis HD was successful in terms of increasing ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood without any side effects. Thus, supplementation with large doses of CC deserves further study because it promises to be another adjunct in the treatment of potential thiamine deficiency and metabolic disturbances in the course of dialysotherapy.

[Control of fly larvae in a pig farm by oral administration of thuridan to pigs]. / Zwalczanie larw much w chlewni przez stosowanie doustne tucznikom preparatu Thuridan.

The studies were carried out in an experimental pig farm on 402 animals with Thuridan (spore of delta-endotoxin complex of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki). It was applied orally, as feed additive in a concentration of 0.1 and 0.5% for three current days. The efficacy of Thuridan was established with the use of fly-catchers which were hung in the same places--once before and three times after Thuridan had been used. After 3 application of Thuridan the number of flies decreased by 88%.