Heritability and genetic correlations of rumination time with milk-yield and milking traits in Holstein-Friesian cows using an automated milking system.

Knowledge of the values of genetic parameters is a prerequisite for conducting a breeding program. This is especially important for rumination, which is considered an indicator of cow's health. Exploring the genetic relations between rumination time, milk yield, and milking traits could make it a valuable tool in dairy cattle breeding strategies. The objective of the research was to estimate heritability, repeatability, and genetic and phenotypic correlations of rumination time (RT), as well as traits associated with milk yield and milking of dairy cows of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed kept in herds equipped with an automatic milking system. The research takes into consideration daily results for milking in the first lactation and second lactation, from 1 486 cows of the breed milked between 2013 and 2015 year. Cows were housed in 24 free-stall barns and fed a Partial Mixed Ration feed. The barns had an automated milking system (Astronaut A4 - Lely Industry). The cows received a varied dose of the concentrate, either in the milking robot or the feeding station, depending on the level of their milk yield. Our research has shown that RT was a low heritable trait (0.140 ± 0.039) and had a medium repeatability (0.572 ± 0.007). We detected a positive genetic correlation between RT and milk yield (0.341); however, a statistically significant negative relationship was identified between RT and urea content (-0.418) in milk. Estimations of genetic correlations suggest that selecting for higher RT may correspond to reduced urea content in milk. Investigating the genetics aspect of RT and the relationship with milk yield and milking traits may turn this into one of the useful criterion selections for dairy cattle breeding strategies, but should be used carefully. Further analyses on larger data sets and different populations are necessary.

Brain MRI and MR Spectroscopy Findings in Children with Nutritional Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim in this study was to analyze the findings of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of children with vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: This study included 14 cases. The findings of brain MRI and MRS in all cases were investigated. Four patients had been followed up and mean follow-up time 71.8 (59-85) day. RESULTS: Eight patients of the cases (57 %) had at least one abnormal MRI finding. The most commonly found MRI findings were thinning of the corpus callosum and brain atrophy, respectively. The mean ratio of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were measured in MRS, with values of 1.31 ± 0.17 and 1.04 ± 0.27, respectively. In two of three patients with abnormal MRI studies at presentation, subsequent MRI showed improvement while one patient remained unchanged. An increase in the ratios of metabolites were found in one case with control MRS. There was no lactate peak. CONCLUSION: Brain MRI was abnormal in more than half of the cases of children with vitamin B12 deficiency. Our radiologic findings similar with literature. There was no identifiable lactate peak. B12 deficiency could be the cause of the thinning of the corpus callosum and brain atrophy in the children that were given a brain MRI.

A NEW ISOLATED 20q INTERSTITIAL DUPLICATION CASE AND ITS CLINICAL COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR ISOLATED CASES.

Duplications of 20q are rare. Here we report a 15 years old boy with de novo duplication of 17.1 Mb at chromosome 20q. We made a comparison with the other isolated 20q duplication cases. There are phenotypic similarities between the patients who have the same affected chromosomal regions. We also showed a clinical follow up of the patient. There may be a relationship with Glaucoma and Graves disease between the chromosomal region and these diseases may occur at the other patients when they get older.

Variations of the celiac trunk and hepatic arteries: a study with 64-detector computed tomographic angiography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate variations in celiac trunk and hepatic artery with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Totally 820 patients who underwent angiography of the abdominal aorta were evaluated. Anatomical findings were grouped according to the Michels classification. RESULTS: Several variations and/or anomalies were noted in 33.2% of the patients (n=272). The most common abnormality was Michels type III (10.1%), followed by type V (7.3%), type II (4.7%) and others. Type X was not observed in our series. We have noted additional, previously unclassified variations in 12 cases (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative knowledge of variant anatomy may assist in the selection of treatment options and surgical planning, which in turn facilitates surgical dissection and helps avoiding iatrogenic injury. MDCT angiography allows detailed visualization of the vascular anatomy.

Evaluación mediante PET/TAC con 18FDG de la actividad metabólica hepática en pacientes con hígado graso de origen no alcohólico / Evaluation of hepatic metabolic activity in non-alcoholic fatty livers on 18FDG PET/CT

Objetivo. El hígado se ha usado como órgano de referencia para evaluar la captación anormal de la 18F-fluoro-2-deoxi- d -glucosa (18FDG). Algunos trabajos publicados muestran que la esteatosis hepática modifica la captación hepática de 18FDG, mientras que otros no encuentran modificaciones. Este trabajo ha estudiado si la captación hepática de 18FDG se ve afectada por la infiltración grasa difusa del hígado. Material y métodos. En este estudio se incluyeron 156 casos. Se definieron diferentes grupos de pacientes de acuerdo a las unidades Hounsfield (HU) del hígado. En todos los pacientes, las HU se calcularon a partir de la TAC sin contraste. Además se calculó el SUVmedio y el SUVmáx en el estudio PET con 18FDG. Para ello se dibujaron regiones de interés (ROI) sobre el área hepática. Se realizó una comparación estadística del SUVmedio y SUVmáx medidos en los pacientes con hígado graso y en un grupo control. Resultados. En el grupo de pacientes, los promedios de SUVmedio y SUVmáx fueron 2,58±0,66 y 3,94±1, respectivamente; en el grupo control fueron 2,54±0,57 y 3,7±0,88, respectivamente. Encontramos que los promedios del SUVmedio y SUVmáx en los pacientes con hígado graso no fueron significativamente diferentes a los valores del grupo control (p>0,05). Asimismo, no detectamos correlación estadísticamente significativa entre los valores de la densidad media del hígado, medida en HU, y el promedio de los SUV (p>0,05). Conclusión. La infiltración grasa no parece tener un efecto significativo sobre la captación hepática de 18FDG. Por ello, el hígado se puede usar como órgano de referencia en los estudios PET con 18FDG realizados en pacientes con enfermedad grasa hepática(AU)

Objective. The liver has been used as a reference organ for the assessment of abnormal 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy- d -glucose (18FDG) in the body. Some researchers found that hepatosteatosis significantly changed the hepatic 18FDG uptake, while others did not. This study investigated whether the liver's 18FDG uptake was affected by the diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver. Material and methods. A total of 156 cases were included in this study. Different patient groups were defined according to the liver Hounsfield unit (HU). The HU was calculated from an unenhanced CT, for all patients, and we calculated the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on an 18FDG PET scan. For this purpose, we placed regions of interest (ROIs) on the liver image. We statistically compared the SUVmean and SUVmax measured in the fatty liver patients and the control group. Results. The average SUVmean and SUVmax values were calculated as 2.58±0.66 and 3.94±1, respectively, in the patient group and 2.54±0.57 and 3.7±0.88, respectively, in the control group. We found the average SUVmean and SUVmax values in the fatty liver group and its subsets were not significantly different from the values in the control group (p>0.05). We also did not find any statistically significant correlation between average liver density (HU) and the average SUV values (p>0.05). Conclusion. Fatty infiltration may not have a significant effect on the liver's 18FDG uptake. Thus, the liver may be used as a reference or comparator on 18FDG PET scans in patients with fatty liver disease(AU)

Relationship between placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors in sheep.

The relationship between maternal intrinsic factors and placental traits was investigated on three Southern Mediterranean breed of sheep; Cukurova Assaf (CA), Cukurova (C) and Cukurova Meat Sheep (CMS). The effect of parity and birth type were also considered in the study as a potential influencing factor. Our hypothesis was to show that while differences in placental traits between breed, parity and birth type affected lamb condition and survivability, its correlation to maternal intrinsic behavioral factors may also be a strong indicator. The study found breed related differences of maternal behavioral factors and also showed significant correlation of these behavioral patterns to various placental traits. It confirmed earlier findings that parity played a major role in the refinement of these behavioral patterns. Significant differences in birth weight (P<0.05), placental weight (P<0.05), number of cotyledons (P<0.01) and cotyledon length (P<0.05) was seen between breeds. Cotyledon weight (P<0.05), width (P<0.01) and length (P<0.05) were found to differ by parity. Breed and parity interaction significantly influenced cotyledon quantity. While we detected breed specific differences in relation to maternal intrinsic factors we also noticed significant variance within breeds to these behavioral patterns when linked to placental traits. Further study is required on the correlation between placental traits and postnatal behavior on not just the ewes but also on their lambs. This could have a significant bearing on how producers manage and maximize lamb survivability.

Evaluation of hepatic metabolic activity in non-alcoholic fatty livers on 18FDG PET/CT.

OBJECTIVE: The liver has been used as a reference organ for the assessment of abnormal (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ((18)FDG) in the body. Some researchers found that hepatosteatosis significantly changed the hepatic (18)FDG uptake, while others did not. This study investigated whether the liver's (18)FDG uptake was affected by the diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 156 cases were included in this study. Different patient groups were defined according to the liver Hounsfield unit (HU). The HU was calculated from an unenhanced CT, for all patients, and we calculated the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on an (18)FDG PET scan. For this purpose, we placed regions of interest (ROIs) on the liver image. We statistically compared the SUVmean and SUVmax measured in the fatty liver patients and the control group. RESULTS: The average SUVmean and SUVmax values were calculated as 2.58±0.66 and 3.94±1, respectively, in the patient group and 2.54±0.57 and 3.7±0.88, respectively, in the control group. We found the average SUVmean and SUVmax values in the fatty liver group and its subsets were not significantly different from the values in the control group (p>0.05). We also did not find any statistically significant correlation between average liver density (HU) and the average SUV values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Fatty infiltration may not have a significant effect on the liver's (18)FDG uptake. Thus, the liver may be used as a reference or comparator on (18)FDG PET scans in patients with fatty liver disease.

Placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors affected by parity and breed in goats.

The relationship between placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors of Saanen, German Fawn and Damascus goats was investigated. Data was collected from 93 goats. The results of the study demonstrated that there were positive correlations between placental weight (PW) and cotyledon number (CN) (r=0.498, P<0.01), cotyledon weight (CW) (r=0.880, P<0.01), cotyledon density (CD) (r=0.538, P<0.01), cotyledon width (CWI) (r=0.500, P<0.01) cotyledon length (CL) (r=0.414, P<0.01) and cotyledon density (CD) (r=0.278, P<0.05). CN was negatively correlated with placental efficiency (PE) (r=-0.421, P<0.01) and CD (r=-0.325, P<0.05). While expulsion of placenta, right teat length and cotyledon length were affected by parity of doe (P<0.05) birth weight (BW), CN, right teat diameter (RTD), left teat diameter (LTD), CD, and CL were affected by breed (P<0.01). Breed×parity was found significant both for expulsion time of placenta and left teat length (LTL) (P<0.05). Damascus goats had a significantly longer duration of licking and grooming events than others. Saanen was more likely to require birth assistance compared to the German Fawn.

Evaluation of pulmonary vein variations in the middle pulmonary lobe with 64-slice multidetector computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the multi detector computed tomographic (CT) depiction of middle lobe vein variation of the right pulmonary vein and create a diagram for cardiologist and cardiovascular surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to hospital records, between January 2009 and April 2010, 314 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary CT angiography (CTPA) and coronary CT angiography. The CT films from these patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Under normal conditions, the middle pulmonary vein (MPV) drains into the left atrium either by the "direct" or "indirect" route. Direct (37 patients, 11.8%) drainage means that the MPV does not drain into the upper or lower pulmonary veins but instead drains directly into the right pulmonary vein system. In contrast, indirect (276 patients, 87.9%) drainage occurs when the MPV drains into the upper or lower pulmonary veins. In this study, 12 different variations in drainage patterns were found. CONCLUSION: Increasing the number of patients may have led to the identification of additional variants. However, clinically important variations are rarely seen. Correct mapping of the MPV is very important for cardiologists and for surgeons in order to provide the best treatment and avoid complications.

Comparison of placental traits and their relation to litter size and parity weight in sheep.

The relationships between genotype and placental traits, parity and litter weight (LW), and factors affecting these characteristics were investigated in this study. In total, 112 ewes (Romanov crossbred and local breeds) were utilized. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical comparison, and a Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships between the variables. Significant differences in parity weight within genotype and breed have been determined. A negative correlation was revealed between placental weight (PW) and placental efficiency (r = -0.743, P < 0.01; and r = -0.732, P < 0.01). There was no relationship between litter sex and placental traits. Birth type had a significant effect on PW (P < 0.05), and significant differences within sex-birth type interactions occurred (P < 0.05). The results of the present study have shown a positive correlation between cotyledon density and placental efficiency among all genotypes and breeds that were used in the study. In conclusion, it has been determined that placental traits were affected by LW and Romanov crossbreed ewes had greater PW than local breeds. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship between parity and placental traits in sheep.

Conception of Jersey cattle in Turkey.

To determine the effects of insemination season (IS; dry: May through October and rainy: November through April), lactation number (LN; heifers, primiparous or multiparous) and their interaction on non-return rate (NRR), conception rate (CR) to first-service and pregnancy loss (PL) of Jersey cattle in Turkey, over 1468 lactation records from 510 Jersey dairy cows were used. There was an interaction between LN x IS on NRR, CR to first-service (p < 0.01) and PL (p < 0.05). The NRR and CR to first-service of heifers inseminated during dry season and of primiparous inseminated during rainy season were higher (p < 0.01) than that of multiparous inseminated during both season. The NRR and CR of heifers and primiparous were higher (p < 0.05) than that of multiparous cows. The insemination of heifers during rainy season and of primiparous and multiparous during dry season increased (p < 0.01) the PL compared to the inseminations of heifers during dry season and of primiparous during rainy season. The PL was lower (p < 0.05) in primiparous than multiparous cows. The results demonstrate that the heifers have high fertility than the lactating, especially multiparous and that IS appeared to have a measurable impact on traits relating to conception of Jersey cattle in the each LN.

Blow-Out Fracture due to a Hazel Stick Beat.

The aim of this case report is to demonstrate that blow-out fractures can occur not only by a classical trauma mechanism but also from the consequences of a stick beat. A 66-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of a sudden swelling of his right eyelid after blowing his nose. In his medical history there was the report of a hazel stick beat the previous day. Upon ophthalmological examination, ecchymosis was observed in the right orbital region, and subcutaneous amphisema in addition to a dense subconjunctival hemorrhage were detected. Using computed tomography (CT), the intraorbital air density in the soft tissues and the right maxillary sinus wall fracture possessing fluid density compatible with hemorrhage was observed. The patient was treated conservatively with prednisolone and antibiotics. We conclude that a blow-out fracture may occur in patients who experience orbital trauma, even in cases of low-energy trauma. These patients may be symptomatic after an episode of hard nose-blowing.

Investigation of the effect of exhaust particles on ocular blood flow in highway toll collectors using color Doppler ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of exhaust particles on orbital blood flow velocity of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery by color Doppler ultrasonography in highway toll collectors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak-systolic and end-diastolic flow velocities and resistivity indices of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery in 20 toll collectors and 20 controls. RESULTS: Both the peak-systolic and the end-diastolic flow velocities were decreased in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery, and the resistivity index was increased in the central retinal artery in toll collectors when compared with control groups. Results were considered statistically significant if P<0.05. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the effect of exhaust particles reduced ocular blood flow velocity in toll collectors as measured by color duplex Doppler ultrasonography.

[The relation of coronary artery disease with Doppler flow velocity and resistance index in cases without significant carotid artery stenosis]. / Anlamli karotid arter darligi olmayan olgularda Doppler akim hizlari ve rezistans indekslerinin koroner arter hastaligi ile iliskisi.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis causes functional vasomotor changes as well as well as atheromatous carotid plaques and luminal stenosis resulting in mechanical effect. The relation between functional vasomotor changes in carotid arteries and extent of coronary artery disease is unknown. In our study, the probable relationship between carotid arterial flow velocities and resistance indexes (RI) with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who do not have significant carotid luminal stenosis was evaluated. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients (74 males, mean age 53+/-10 years, range 33-72 years) were studied. All patients underwent color Doppler sonography before coronary angiography. Peak systolic flow velocity, end-diastolic flow velocity and resistance index (RI) of right and left common carotid and internal carotid and internal carotid arteries were measured by color Doppler sonographic technique. Doppler parameters were correlated with the extent of CAD and left ventricular ejection fraction. RESULTS: Patients were classified on the basis of presence of significant CAD and the number of affected coronary arteries. Thirty-three patients did not have (normal group) and 81 patients had significant coronary arterial stenosis (22 patients with one-vessel disease, 27, with two-vessel disease and 32 patients with three-vessel disease). Flow velocities were the highest in normal group but the lowest in CAD patients, especially when 3 coronary arteries were affected. Correlation analysis demonstrated negative relationship of age, ejection fraction and number of affected coronary arteries with end-diastolic flow velocity, but positive and significant correlation with RI value. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first on this object. The results suggest that presence and extent of CAD changes flow velocities and RI values of common and internal carotid arteries. However, further investigations are required before these parameters can be applied as diagnostic criteria.