Expression and localization of insulin-like growth factor gene family members in the caprine ovarian and uterine tissues during different pregnancy stages.

Goats are of significant economic importance, yet our knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in their pregnancy remains limited. This study aims to investigate the role of IGFs in uterine and ovarian cellular events during pregnancy in goats. Forty-two Hair Goats were examined, including four pregnancy groups representing embryo-positive (G1, n=7), early (G2, n=7), mid (G3, n=7), and late pregnancy (G4, n=7), as well as two luteal stage groups representing early (G5, n=7) and late (G6, n=7) phases. Uterine and ovarian tissues were collected, and RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate IGF expression. The results showed that IGF1 and IGF2 expressions were significantly higher in G1 than in other pregnancy and control groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, IGFBP1 expression was higher in G2 than in G1 and G4 (p < 0.05), and IGFBP3 expression was higher in G4 than in any other pregnancy stage (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the expression levels of IGFBP4 and IGFBP6 between any of the groups. Finally, IGFBP5 expression was significantly higher in G1, G3, and G4 compared to G2 (p < 0.05). Overall, the dynamic changes observed in the expression of the IGF gene family during different stages of pregnancy highlight the crucial role of IGFs in regulating pregnancy in goats.

Expression of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) gene family in feline uterus during pregnancy.

Members of the IGF gene family participate in cell differentiation and proliferation during pregnancy. We used 35 cats assigned to experimental groups (G) based on pregnancy stages: G1, pre-implantation; G2, implantation; G3, early pregnancy; G4, mid-pregnancy; G5, nonpregnant. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of the IGF gene family. During pregnancy, expression of IGF-1 gene was significantly greater at implantation sites in the G1 and G2 groups than at placentation sites in G3 and G4 groups. IGF-2 expression was greater in the G2, G3 and G4 groups than in G1. Expression of the IGF-1R gene was significantly greater at placental sites in G3 than in G1 and G4. IGF-2R genes were expressed in all groups. Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) were expressed at intensities that depended on the stage of pregnancy; they were detected in different cell types and at different sites in the uterus. We found that members of the IGF gene family were expressed differentially in the endometrium during pregnancy. Our findings suggest that the IGF family may be a regulatory factor for pregnancy in cats.

Some descriptive characteristics of a new goat breed called Honamli in Turkey.

This study has been carried out in the Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey on seven different Honamli goat flocks. The aim of this study was to determine the growth characters, survival rate (till weaning, 105th day), some reproductive characteristics and marketable milk yield. The data were collected from 516 does and 210 kids (125 buckling and 85 doelings). The results indicate that the numbers of multiple birth and litter size were 32.8 % and 1.35 respectively. Survival rates of kids at the 30th, 90th, and 105th days were 98.5, 97.2, and 97.2 %, respectively. The average birth weight for the buckling and doelings was 4.1 and 3.7 kg, respectively. The average weaning weights for buckling and doelings were 26.9 and 23.4 kg, respectively. The effects of dams' age, on sex and birth type on the growth of Honamli kids were statistically significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001). While the diameters of erythrocytes of Honamli goats are smaller, the density of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes is more than Asian, Indian, and American caprine breeds. The average lactation length and marketable milk yield was assessed to be at 210.3 days and was 89 L, respectively. The growth characteristics of Honamli kids at weaning age were assessed to be higher than most of the other goat breeds in Turkey. The results further indicated that there is a significant variation in the production traits among the different Honamli goat flocks. Production traits of Honamli goats at different breeding conditions should further be investigated to come to a definite conclusion.

Introducing the Karayaka sheep breed with its traits and influencing factors.

This study was planned to express the detailed traits of Karayaka sheep reared in Tokat province, also influencing factors on the traits were evaluated. While year effect was significant on 8 weeks weight, scanning weight, fat depth and muscle area, all the evaluated traits including birth weight and muscle depth were significantly affected by season (p < 0.05). Dam age was significant on birth weight (p < 0.05). Birth weight and 8 week weight were significantly affected by sex and birth type. Sex effect has been appeared on muscle depth while birth type effect has been detected on scanning weight (p < 0.05). While the strongest phenotypic correlation coefficient was detected between muscle depth and muscle area, the weakest ones were found between birth weight and scanning traits.

Actinomycosis in the etiology of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy: answer from a histopathologic point of view.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histopathologic profile and clinical presentation of tonsillar disease in the presence of Actinomycetes in children. DESIGN: A qualitative and quantitative histopathologic analysis of the palatine tonsil was performed. SETTING: Tonsillectomy specimens from patients who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy were searched for Actinomycetes. METHODS: Histologic evaluation of the specimens was done on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides as blinded to patients' clinical category for disease groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Four histologic compartments of the tonsil, including the surface epithelium, reticulated crypt epithelium (lymphoepithelium), lymphoid tissue, and interfollicular region, were examined. RESULTS: Actinomycetes was more prevalent in patients with obstructive symptoms treated with adenotonsillectomy. The number of subjectively quantitated total lymphoid follicles and small and medium-sized lymphoid follicles of the palatine tonsil were significantly increased in patients demonstrating "sulphur granules" in their crypts. Highly thick squamous metaplasia of the lymphoepithelium and dilatation of crypts were more prevalent in tonsil tissue revealing Actinomycetes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Actinomycetes in tonsillectomy specimens does not indicate active tissue infection. However, the histopathologic outcome may indicate the possible etiologic role of Actinomycetes in the development of prominent lymphoid hyperplasia and hypertrophy and, in turn, obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy.

Genetic relationships among Turkish sheep.

Genetic relationships among Turkish sheep breeds were analysed on the basis of 30 microsatellite markers. Phylogenetic analyses based on the estimation of genetic distances revealed the closest relationships for the Akkaraman, Morkaraman and Tuj breeds, which were clearly differentiated from the others in the dendrogram. Our pattern was completely confirmed by results from the Factorial Correspondence Analysis. All the results described analysing either population parameters or individuals revealed a clear separation between the fat-tailed group and the others. These results, based on nuclear DNA, are discussed along with those already reported for these breeds through the investigation of mitochondrial DNA, which had revealed the invaluable significance of the genetic background of these Turkish sheep.

Vasculitis and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between clinical symptoms and the grade of histopathological damage and expression of adhesion molecules in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: We studied untreated and recently diagnosed patients with primary (n =20) and secondary SS [10 with SS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 10 with SS and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)] and 3 healthy controls. Salivary gland biopsies were performed in patients and controls and clinical data were obtained. Salivary gland biopsies were assessed for lymphocyte focus score and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. In serum, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies, anti-alpha-fodrin IgA and IgG antibodies, and gamma-globulin concentrations were measured. RESULTS: In salivary gland samples, ICAM-1 was expressed on vascular endothelial cells and lymphocyte foci, while VCAM-1 was expressed on vascular endothelial cells and follicular dendritic reticulin cells. There was a positive correlation between lymphocyte focus score and ICAM-1 expression (p < 0.05). We detected correlation between expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and the expression of VCAM-1 was significantly related to vasculitis (p < 0.05). The areas of E-selectin expression and the dispersion and severity of staining were not correlated with the focus score or with patients' clinical features (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between the staining and autoantibody positivity and gamma-globulin levels. CONCLUSION: ICAM-1 may be important for lymphocyte recruitment and glandular damage and VCAM-1 may be important for the development of vasculitis in patients with SS.

[Monitoring the efficacy of immunotherapy by symptom scores and the skin prick test in patients with allergic rhinitis]. / Alerjik rinitte immünterapi etkinliginin izlenmesinde semptom skoru ve deri testi.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the role of the skin prick test, symptom scores, and total and specific IgE levels in monitoring the efficacy of immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with allergic rhinitis were assigned to two treatment groups depending on their preferences and their conditions to comply with follow-ups. Thus, 20 patients (12 females, 8 males; mean age 26 years; range 12 to 40 years) and 10 controls (6 females, 4 males; mean age 28 years; range 16 to 48 years) received immunotherapy and medical treatment, respectively. All the patients were evaluated by skin prick tests, symptom scores, and total and specific IgE levels before, and after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of, the treatment. RESULTS: Symptom scores and skin test results differed significantly after treatment in the immunotherapy group (p<0.01), whereas similar results were obtained in the control group. These two parameters also differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the total IgE and specific IgE results. Immunotherapy-associated adverse events were few, and none required discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Skin prick tests and symptom scores can be used in monitoring the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.