Parturition induction in ewes by a progesterone receptor blocker, aglepristone, and subsequent neonatal survival: Preliminary results.

The clinical effects of aglepristone treatment to induce parturition in ewes and their newborns were reported. Three experimental groups were defined: group AG5 (n = 5), group AG10 (n = 5), and group CG (n = 5) in which ewes were injected twice with 5, 10 mg/kg of aglepristone, and saline solution of ewes, respectively. Different parameters associated with parturition in ewes and their newborns were investigated. Serum progesterone, oxytocin, and free and conjugated total estrogens were measured after treatments until parturition. No statistical difference was found from first aglepristone administration to onset of lambing between AG5 and AG10 (23.90 ± 6.20, 40.00 ± 6.71 hours). Parturition induction in two groups shortened the gestational length significantly compared with the control group (P = 0.003). Dystocia was observed in two ewes in group AG10. The placental weight showed statistically significant difference only between the AG10 and CG (P = 0.039), but no difference was observed in the placental expulsion period between the groups. Decrease in food consumption 24 to 36 hours after parturition in all ewes and skin necrosis in an ewe in group AG5 were observed. Progesterone concentration was significantly lower in AG5 than that in ewes in group AG10 and CG (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in concentrations of free total estrogens and oxytocin between groups. The body temperature of lambs was significantly different between AG10 and CG groups both right after (P = 0.011) and 12 hours after parturition (P = 0.014). The lambs in CG had the highest mean birth weight (4.29 ± 0.28 kg), which was significantly different from the induced groups. No significant difference of blood pH and blood gases values between groups was identified both at birth and 12 hours after parturition for lambs. Significant differences could clearly be observed in total protein and blood urea nitrogen and total protein findings 12 hours after parturition (P < 0.05), whereas no difference was found in blood glucose, albumin, inorganic phosphor, triglyceride, or total cholesterol parameters. The results of this study show that the administration of aglepristone to induce parturition can precisely control lambing time without any side effects in either mothers or lambs.

Effects of juniper essential oil on growth performance, some rumen protozoa, rumen fermentation and antioxidant blood enzyme parameters of growing Saanen kids.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of juniper essential oil on the growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen protozoa population, blood antioxidant enzyme parameters and faecal content in growing Saanen kids. Thirty-six male Saanen kids (36 ± 14 days of age) were used in the study. Each group consisted of 9 kids. The control group (G1) was fed with a diet that consisted of the above concentrated feed and oat hay, whereas the experimental groups consumed the same diet but with the concentrated feed uniformly sprayed with juniper essential oil 0.4 ml/kg (G2), 0.8 ml/kg (G3) or 2 ml/kg (G4). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in live weight, live weight gain or feed consumption between the control and experimental groups. There was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in feed efficiency in the G3 group. There were no differences in the rumen pH, rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile or faecal pH of the control and experimental groups. The rumen NH3 N values were similar at the middle and end of the experiment, but at the start of the experiment, the rumen NH3 N values differed between the control and experimental groups (p < 0.05). The faecal score value was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the experimental groups. The addition of juniper essential oil supplementation to the rations caused significant effects on the kids' antioxidant blood parameters. Although the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase values were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the experimental groups (G2, G3 and G4), especially group G4, the blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) value significantly decreased in the experimental groups. The results of this study suggest that supplementation of juniper oil is more effective on antioxidant parameters than on performance parameters and may be used as a natural antioxidant product.

Prevalence of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease in patients with asthma in Turkey: A cross-sectional survey

Background: There are no country-based data focused on aspirin (ASA)-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) in Turkey. Objective: To assess the prevalence of AERD in adult patients with asthma. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interview by a specialist in pulmonology/allergy at seven centres across Turkey. Results: A total of 1344 asthma patients (F/M: 1081/263: 80.5%/19.5%, mean age: 45.7±14.2 years) were enrolled. Atopy rate was 47%. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis, and nasal polyposis (NP) were 49%, 69% and 20%, respectively. Of 270 patients with NP, 171 (63.3%) reported previous nasal polypectomy and 40 (25%) had a history of more than three nasal polypectomies. Aspirin hypersensitivity was diagnosed in 180 (13.6%) asthmatic patients, with a reliable history in 145 (80.5%), and oral ASA provocation test in 35(19.5%) patients. Clinical presentations of ASA hypersensitivity were respiratory in 76% (n = 137), respiratory/cutaneous in 15% (n = 27), and systemic in 9% (n = 16) of the patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that a family history of ASA hypersensitivity (p: 0.001, OR: 3.746,95% CI: 1.769-7.929), history of chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (p: 0.025, OR: 1.713, 95% CI:1.069- 2.746) and presence of NP (p < 0.001, OR: 7.036, 95% CI: 4.831---10.247) were independent predictors for AERD(AU)

Effects of inulin supplementation on selected faecal characteristics and health of neonatal Saanen kids sucking milk from their dams.

Fifty newborn Saanen kids were used to study the effects of inulin supplementation on faecal score, faecal pH, selected faecal bacterial population, BW, body temperature, haematological traits, selected health parameters and the incidence of diarrhoea. Kids were sorted by parity of their dams and multiple birth (twin or triplet) and assigned to one of the two groups (control: CG, and experimental: EG) at birth. Each group consisted of 25 kids. The groups were similar with regard to sex and birth weight. All kids were fed colostrum for the first 3 days after birth, and then the kids in EG were adapted to inulin supplementation by an increased dosage from day 4 to 7. Each kid in EG was supplemented with 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g and 0.6 g inulin on day 4, 5, 6, 7 and from day 8 to 28, respectively, whereas the kids in CG did not receive inulin. Faecal score and faecal bacterial population were not affected by inulin supplementation (P > 0.05). There were differences in faecal pH on day 14 (P = 0.01) and 28 (P<0.05), whereas no difference in faecal pH on day 21 (P > 0.05) was detected between groups. No differences (P > 0.05) in BW and haematological traits were found between groups. Body temperature did not differ on day 14 and 21 (P > 0.05), whereas there was a difference in body temperature on day 28 (P = 0.01) between groups. The numbers of kids with pneumonia and kids treated for pneumonia and diarrhoea were similar for CG and EG. Kid losses during the study were the same for CG and EG. The incidence of diarrhoea was not affected by inulin supplementation (P > 0.05). Inulin supplemented to kids did not adversely affect faecal score. The effect of inulin on faecal pH was not consistent. The results of our study suggested that daily dose (0.6 g) of inulin might not be enough to observe effects of it. Our data will be useful to determine the dose and timing of inulin supplementation in future studies investigating the effects of inulin on the parameters associated with performance and health status in kids and other young ruminants.

Determination of acute oral toxicity of flumethrin in honey bees.

Flumethrin is one of many pesticides used for the control and treatment of varroatosis in honey bees and for the control of mosquitoes and ticks in the environment. For the control of varroatosis, flumethrin is applied to hives formulated as a plastic strip for several weeks. During this time, honey bees are treated topically with flumethrin, and hive products may accumulate the pesticide. Honey bees may indirectly ingest flumethrin through hygienic behaviors during the application period and receive low doses of flumethrin through comb wax remodeling after the application period. The goal of our study was to determine the acute oral toxicity of flumethrin and observe the acute effects on motor coordination in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatoliaca). Six doses (between 0.125 and 4.000 microg per bee) in a geometric series were studied. The acute oral LD50 of flumethrin was determined to be 0.527 and 0.178 microg per bee (n = 210, 95% CI) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Orally administered flumethrin is highly toxic to honey bees. Oral flumethrin disrupted the motor coordination of honey bees. Honey bees that ingested flumethrin exhibited convulsions in the antennae, legs, and wings at low doses. At higher doses, partial and total paralysis in the antennae, legs, wings, proboscises, bodies, and twitches in the antennae and legs were observed.

Prevalence of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease in patients with asthma in Turkey: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: There are no country-based data focused on aspirin (ASA)-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) in Turkey. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of AERD in adult patients with asthma. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interview by a specialist in pulmonology/allergy at seven centres across Turkey. RESULTS: A total of 1344 asthma patients (F/M: 1081/263: 80.5%/19.5%, mean age: 45.7 ± 14.2 years) were enrolled. Atopy rate was 47%. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis, and nasal polyposis (NP) were 49%, 69% and 20%, respectively. Of 270 patients with NP, 171 (63.3%) reported previous nasal polypectomy and 40 (25%) had a history of more than three nasal polypectomies. Aspirin hypersensitivity was diagnosed in 180 (13.6%) asthmatic patients, with a reliable history in 145 (80.5%), and oral ASA provocation test in 35 (19.5%) patients. Clinical presentations of ASA hypersensitivity were respiratory in 76% (n=137), respiratory/cutaneous in 15% (n=27), and systemic in 9% (n=16) of the patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that a family history of ASA hypersensitivity (p: 0.001, OR: 3.746, 95% CI: 1.769-7.929), history of chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (p: 0.025, OR: 1.713, 95% CI: 1.069-2.746) and presence of NP (p<0.001, OR: 7.036, 95% CI: 4.831-10.247) were independent predictors for AERD. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional survey showed that AERD is highly prevalent among adult asthmatics and its prevalence seems to be affected by family history of ASA hypersensitivity, history of rhinosinusitis and presence of NP.

The assessment of carcass traits of Awassi lambs by real-time ultrasound at different body weights and sexes.

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography to measure subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and LM traits (area, depth, and width) in live Awassi lambs of different sexes, predict actual SFT and LM traits without damage to the carcass, and improve carcass classification. Data were obtained from ultrasound scans of 20 female and 10 male lambs. Female lambs were randomly divided into light (FL; n = 10) and heavy (FH; n = 10) finishing groups. Slaughter weights of lambs in FL were 30 kg and for FH and male groups were 40 kg. Subcutaneous fat thickness and LM traits, cross-sectional area between the 12th and 13th rib were measured using real-time ultrasound in vivo and on the carcass after slaughter. All ultrasound and carcass measurements were different (P > 0.05) except carcass yield and carcass LM width in female lambs (FL and FH). Between different sex groups, all ultrasound and carcass measurements were the same except ultrasound SFT (USFT; P = 0.04) and carcass SFT (CSFT; P = 0.03). Significant correlation coefficients were between USFT and CSFT (0.93, P < 0.01; 0.76, P = 0.02), ultrasound LM depth (ULMD) and carcass LM depth (CLMD; 0.64, P = 0.05; 0.77, P < 0.01), and ultrasound LM area (ULMA) and carcass LM area (CLMA; 0.88, 0.84; P < 0.01) for female lambs in FL and FH groups. Also, similar correlations were determined significantly between USFT and CSFT (0.84, P < 0.01; 0.76, P = 0.02), ULMD and CLMD (0.69, P = 0.03; 0.77, P < 0.01), and ULMA and CLMA (0.88, 0.84; P < 0.01) for male lambs in male and FH groups. The introduction of USFT and ULMA as independent variables in addition to BW in the multiple regression equations further improved the variations for CSFT (88, 75, and 81%) and CLMA (78, 90, and 80%) for lambs in FL, FH, and male groups, respectively, whereas no improvement was observed for cold carcass weight with the exception of the FH group and carcass yield. These results indicate that in vivo USFT and ULMA in association with BW could be used to estimate CSFT, CLMA, and cold carcass weight ultrasound findings about LM, and SFT can be included to the selection programs for different BW and sex of Awassi lambs.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis with dry-powdered fluticasone propionate: 500 microg/day versus 200 microg/day.

We aimed to determine the frequency of oropharyngeal candidiasis and its clinical correlates in the asthmatic patients who use fluticasone propionate (FP) as a dry powdered inhaler. We selected four groups of patients: 62 asthmatic patients who were taking 200 microg/d FP, 122 asthmatics who were taking 500 microg/d FP, 50 asthmatic patients who had not been on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment and 40 normal non-asthmatic subjects. The frequency of positive swabs for Candida colonization was higher in 500 microg/d FP group than asthmatics without ICS use (chi2 = 6.8, p < 0.05) and normal controls (chi2 = 4.9, p < 0.05), whereas it wasn't different in the 200 microg/day FP group when compared to controls. When we considered patients who used ICS, the most effective variables affecting the occurrence of Candida colonization were washing of the throat by the patients (OR = 9.4, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 3.9-22.7, p < 0.0001) and duration of ICS use more than 12 months (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.1-2.6, p < 0.05). The present study showed that in the patients who use ICS, the most important determinants on colonization were not washing the throat regularly and duration of ICS use for more than 12 months.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis with dry-powdered fluticasone propionate: 500 mg/day versus 200 mg/day

We aimed to determine the frequency of oropharyngeal candidiasis and its clinical correlates in the asthmatic patients who use fluticasone propionate (FP) as a dry powdered inhaler. We selected four groups of patients: 62 asthmatic patients who were taking 200 ìg/d FP, 122 asthmatics who were taking 500 ìg/d FP, 50 asthmatic patients who had not been on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment and 40 normal non-asthmatic subjects. The frequency of positive swabs for Candida colonization was higher in 500 ìg/d FP group than asthmatics without ICS use (÷2 = 6.8, p < 0.05) and normal controls (÷2 = 4.9, p < 0.05), whereas it wasn't different in the 200 ìg/day FP group when compared to controls. When we considered patients who used ICS, the most effective variables affecting the occurrence of Candida colonization were washing of the throat by the patients (OR = 9.4, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 3.9-22.7, p < 0.0001) and duration of ICS use more than 12 months (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.1-2.6, p < 0.05). The present study showed that in the patients who use ICS, the most important determinants on colonization were not washing the throat regularly and duration of ICS use for more than 12 months

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Relationship between hypoxic hepatitis and cor pulmonale in patients treated in the respiratory ICU.

To determine independent risk factors associated with the pathogenesis hypoxic hepatitis (HH) in hypoxemic patients. The prospective study, multivariate analysis, between January 1999 and March 2003 was conducted at University hospital, intensive care unit, Department of Chest Diseases. A total of 445 consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients who were not hypoxemic (PaO(2) > 80 mmHg) were excluded from analysis. The total number of those found eligible for the study was 297. Patients with a >20-fold increase in liver enzyme levels were diagnosed as HH (study group). The other patients were defined as control group. There were no interventions. Mean age was 62, and 191 were males. Twenty-two patients were diagnosed as HH (study group; 7.41%). Cor pulmonale (CP) was 77.3% in the study group and 36.7% in the control group. The need for mechanical ventilation and hospital mortality were 63.6 and 54.5% in the study group and 32 and 28.7% in the control group, respectively. On multivariate analysis, the presence of CP (p = 0.007; OR: 4.418; CI: 1.492-13.083), high-serum BUN level (>37 mg/dl; p = 0.0001; OR: 1.029; CI: 1.015-1.044) and low PaO(2) level (<46 mmHg; p = 0.008; OR: 0.945; CI: 0.906-0.985) were found to be significantly different between the two groups. Patients with severe hypoxemia, CP and higher BUN level have higher risk levels for HH, the most important risk factor being CP.

Physicians' approach to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Afyon, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physicians' approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Afyon, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire on tuberculosis was filled out by 208 physicians (46 specialists and 162 general practitioners). RESULTS: Bacteriology was the preferred method of diagnosis among 75% (n = 156) of the physicians. For treatment of newly diagnosed tuberculosis, 64.4% prescribed a three-drug and 30.8% a four-drug combination. The combination most often selected was HRE (36.5%). Preferred treatment durations were 9 (38.5%) and 6 (34.6%) months. For patients with treatment failure, 20.2% of the physicians would add a new drug to the existing regimen, while 65.4% would refer the patient to a specialised tuberculosis unit. For the treatment of childhood tuberculosis, 38.5% of the physicians thought a two-drug treatment was adequate. For tuberculosis during pregnancy, 9.7% of the physicians offered treatment after the pregnancy, while 11.5% offered treatment after abortion. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of the physicians about the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis was deemed insufficient. Additional educational resources for physicians may contribute to improvements in tuberculosis control.

Allergic rhinitis in Rosa domescena cultivators: a novel type of occupational allergy?

After the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis due to Rosa domescena was suspected in one subject with skin prick and nasal provocation tests, we recruited all other workers employed in rose cultivation in Yakaören village, Isparta. From May 2000 to July 2000 (exposure period 'time of rose handling'), we studied 600 individuals employed in rose cultivation. A questionnaire was administered by a physician, and skin testing was done by a nurse on 75 individuals suffering from asthma and/or rhinitis. Sera from these 75 subjects were available for immunologic testing. The diagnosis of atopy against rose was based on the presence of work-related symptoms, positive skin prick test (SPT) with rose extracts, and positive RAST. While no subject reported asthmatic symptoms, twenty of them reported either rhino-conjunctivitis, rhinitis or both on exposure to Rosa domescena. Fourteen of these subjects had increased specific IgE levels to Rosa domescena. Eleven (78.5%) also had a positive skin reaction to Rosa domescena. Out of the six negative sera with normal specific IgE levels to rose, only two (33.3%) had positive skin reactivity. No subject had significant daily peak expiratoy flow rate (PEFR) variations. We conclude that exposure to Rosa domescena may represent a risk for allergic rhinitis. The possibility of an occupational rose allergy should therefore be taken into consideration in the subjects working in rose cultivation.

Nonprogressive cerebellar disorder with mental retardation and autosomal recessive inheritance in Hutterites.

We report a nonprogressive neurological disorder in at least 11 Hutterites with healthy but consanguineous parents. In several of the affected, hypotonia was noted at birth. Retarded motor and mental development became apparent during the first year of life. The age of unsupported walking varied from 5-21 years. Consistent signs were unsteady, broadly based gait and stance, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes mainly in the lower limbs, and mild to moderate mental retardation. Variable signs were extensor plantar reflexes (9/11), short stature (-2SD in 8/11), strabismus (7/11), small muscle mass (6/11), mild intention tremor (3/11), cataracts (1/11), and epilepsy (1/11). CAT scans in two affected sisters showed slight enlargement of the fourth ventricle in one and hypoplasia of the cerebellum in both. The disorder is probably the same as that described earlier under the heading, dysequilibrium syndrome.