Effects of barrier perch access and early dietary protein and energy dilution on some welfare parameters, tibiotarsus measurements, fear and mobility level in broiler chickens.

1. This experiment determined the effect of increasing mobility in broiler chickens by placing barrier perches between feeders and drinkers. In addition, the limitation of early weight gain by dietary energy and protein dilution on some welfare parameters, tibiotarsus measurements, fear and mobility level was examined.2. A total of 504 male, one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to four treatments with three replicate pens per treatment and 42 broiler chickens per pen as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments included feeding the basal control diet between 0-42 days or a diet diluted by 10% energy and 20% crude protein fed between 0-21 d, with the control diet fed between 22-42 d. The second factor was the presence or absence of barrier perches. All treatments were allocated as a completely randomised design. Welfare parameters (foot pad dermatitis, hock burn, gait score, feather score, breast blister), tibiotarsus measurements (bone mineral content, bone mineral density, fluctuating asymmetry and relative fluctuating asymmetry), tonic immobility and mobility level were recorded.3. Results showed that access to a barrier perch and the diluted diet increased the mobility in broiler chickens. However, access to a barrier perch had no significant effect on tibiotarsus and welfare parameters. Broiler chickens had better gait scores (P < 0.05) and lower foot pad dermatitis incidence (P < 0.01) in groups fed the diluted diet. The diluted diet had no significant effect on bone mineral density but reduced the tibiotarsus bone mineral content (P < 0.05).4. In conclusion, the diluted diet provided positive effects in terms of leg health due to weight gain limitations in the early period, thus improving broiler chicken welfare.

Survey of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in goat herds in the Thrace region of Turkey.

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) was detected for the first time on the European continent in the Thrace region of Turkey in 2002 following outbreaks of an unusually severe respiratory disease in goats. Mycoplasma capricolums ubspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp), the causative agent, was identified in many infected herds throughout the region by serological, bacteriological and molecular biological techniques. However, as no quantitative data on the prevalence and distribution of the disease have been gathered in the intervening years, the extent of infection is unknown. Consequently, in 2014, a random sample of 2,400 goats was drawn from a population of over 167,000 goats in the region by multistage sampling. Serum samples were collected and tested by a monoclonal antibodybased competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The overall prevalence of CCPP in Thrace was found to be just over 8%. The prevalence in the individual provinces was approximately 18%, 7%, 8% and 6% for Çanakkale, Edirne, K?rklareli and Tekirda?, respectively, while Istanbul province appeared to be CCPP-free. The results showed that CCPP has spread throughout the region and has become endemic, and may pose a potential risk to the neighbouring countries of Greece and Bulgaria. Mccp was regularly detected from lung samples of suspect goats until 2015 but since then there has been no further detection from clinical samples.

La pleuropneumonie contagieuse caprine (PPCC) était détectée pour la première fois sur le continent européen en Thrace orientale (Turquie) en 2002, à la suite de foyers d'une maladie respiratoire particulièrement sévère affectant le cheptel caprin. L'agent causal identifié par diverses méthodes sérologiques, bactériologiques et de biologie moléculaire dans plusieurs troupeaux infectés de la région était Mycoplasma capricolum sous-espèce capripneumoniae (Mccp). Cependant, en l'absence de données quantitatives sur la prévalence et la distribution de la maladie depuis ces foyers, l'extension de l'infection est restée inconnue. Pour y remédier, un échantillonnage stratifié et aléatoire de2 400 chèvres parmi une population de plus de 167 000 chèvres de la région a été réalisé en 2014. L'analyse par la méthode immunoenzymatique de compétition (cELISA) faisant appel à des anticorps monoclonaux des sérums collectés a montré que la prévalence globale pour la Thrace orientale était un peu au-dessus de 8 %. Dans les provinces de Çanakkale, d'Edirne, de K?rklareli et de Tekirda?, la prévalence était respectivement de 18 %, 7 %, 8 % et 6 % tandis qu'Istanbul était indemne de PPCC. Ces résultats montrent que la PPCC est devenue endémique dans l'ensemble de la région et représente un risque potentiel pour les pays avoisinants, c'est-à-dire la Grèce et la Bulgarie. Jusqu'en 2015, Mccp a été régulièrement détectée dans les échantillons de poumon prélevés chez des chèvres suspectées infectées mais depuis cette date aucun échantillon clinique n'a été testé positif.

En 2002 se detectó por primera vez la pleuroneumonía contagiosa caprina en el continente europeo, a raíz de una serie de brotes de enfermedad respiratoria de inusitada gravedad que afectaron a cabras de la región turca de Tracia. Empleando técnicas serológicas, bacteriológicas y de biología molecular, se detectó en muchos rebaños infectados de toda la región la presencia del agente causal, Mycoplasma capricolum subespecie capripneumoniae (Mccp). Sin embargo, se desconoce el alcance de la infección, porque en los años transcurridos desde entonces no se han reunido datos cuantitativos sobre la prevalencia y distribución de la enfermedad. Por consiguiente en 2014, a partir de una población de más de 167.000 cabras de la región, se obtuvo por muestreo multietápico una muestra aleatoria de 2.400 ejemplares, a los que se extrajeron muestras de suero que fueron sometidas a un ensayo inmunoenzimático de competición (ELISAc) con anticuerpos monoclonales. Se calculó que la prevalencia global de pleuroneumonía contagiosa caprina en Tracia era algo superior al 8%. Por provincias, la prevalencia resultó de alrededor de un 18%, un 7%, un 8% y un 6% en las provincias de Çanakkale, Edirne, K?rklareli y Tekirda?, respectivamente, mientras que la provincia de Estambul resultó estar libre de la infección. Estos resultados demostraron que la enfermedad se ha extendido por toda la región, ha cobrado carácter endémico y puede amenazar a los países vecinos, como Grecia y Bulgaria. Hasta 2015 se detectó regularmente la presencia de Mccp en muestras pulmonares de cabras sospechosas, pero desde entonces no se ha vuelto a observar tal cosa en ninguna muestra clínica.

Superficial Siderosis after Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Germinal matrix hemorrhage is a frequent complication of prematurity and can be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome, depending on its severity. In addition to parenchymal damage, intraventricular residues of hemorrhage and hydrocephalus MR imaging findings include superficial siderosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and location of superficial siderosis in patients with a history of germinal matrix hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with a history of germinal matrix hemorrhage who underwent MR imaging in our institution between 2008 and 2016. Imaging was evaluated for the presence and location of superficial siderosis. The presence of subependymal siderosis and evidence of hydrocephalus were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with a history of germinal matrix hemorrhage were included; 86.5% had preterm births. The mean age at the first MR imaging was 386 days (range 2-5140 days). The prevalence of superficial siderosis was 67.6%. Superficial siderosis was detected significantly more often when MR imaging was performed within the first year of life (82.8% versus 12.5%, P < .000). When present, superficial siderosis was located infratentorially in all cases, while additional supratentorial superficial siderosis was detectable in 27%. CONCLUSIONS: Here we report that superficial siderosis is a common MR imaging finding in the first year of life of patients with a history of germinal matrix hemorrhage, but it dissolves and has a low prevalence thereafter. A prospective analysis of its initial severity and speed of dissolution during this first year might add to our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental impairment after germinal matrix hemorrhages.

Sexing of newly-hatched chicks using DNA isolated from chorio-allantoic membrane samples by polymerase chain reaction in Denizli chicken.

1. The aim of the present study was to determine the sex of newly-hatched chicks of Denizli chicken, a local Turkish breed, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using DNA extracted from the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). 2. Fertilised eggs were incubated individually and a total of 20 CAM samples were collected following the hatching process. DNA was isolated from the CAM samples and PCR was performed using W-repeat (W) and 18 S ribosomal gene (R) primers. 3. Screening of the PCR products by agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that males have a single band (256 bp) and females have an extra second band (415 bp) as expected. 4. The present study describes a reliable, rapid, and simple multiplex PCR protocol that can be put into use to sex local breeds of chicken in which phenotypic sexing is impossible, using DNA isolated from the CAM that is discarded and remains attached to the egg shell following the hatching process.

Topoisomerase IIalpha in Wilms' tumour: gene alterations and immunoexpression.

BACKGROUND: Topoisomerase IIalpha (topoIIalpha) is an essential enzyme gene in regulating DNA structure and cell proliferation and is encoded by the TOP2A. Using cDNA microarray analysis, TOP2A has been reported to be one of the top genes overexpressed in Wilms' tumour. AIM: To evaluate the role of TopoIIalpha in Wilms' tumorigenesis and its prognostic value. METHODS: TOP2A gene copy numbers were determined using the fluorescence in situ hybridisation technique, and protein expression levels of TopoIIalpha by immunostaining in 39 samples of primary and 18 samples of metastatic Wilms' tumour. RESULTS: TOP2A gene amplification was detected only in anaplastic Wilms' tumours, and none of the Wilms' tumours showed deletion of the TOP2A gene. TopoIIalpha protein overexpression was detected in 97% of Wilms' tumours, and correlated strongly with proliferation, as measured by Ki-67 (r = 0.85). The high TopoIIalpha expression was associated with the presence of vascular invasion, prominent apoptosis, metastases and adverse clinical outcomes (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that TopoIIalpha overexpression in Wilms' tumours is caused by a change at the transcription level, except for anaplastic Wilms' tumours, in which gene amplification was present. High levels of TopoIIalpha protein are correlated with tumour aggressiveness. The assessment of TopoIIalpha expression in Wilms' tumour may have prognostic value.

Assessment of tissue viability after frostbite injury by technetium-99m-sestamibi scintigraphy in an experimental rabbit model.

Frostbite causes injury to the tissue by direct ice-crystal formation at the cellular level with cellular dehydration and microvascular occlusion. Muscle that initially appears viable on reperfusion may subsequently become necrotic because of microcirculatory collapse. Since muscle is a sensitive tissue in frostbite injury, we used technetium-99m-sestamibi limb scintigraphy to assess tissue viability in an experimental rabbit model. Twelve rabbits were used for this investigation. The right hind limb of the rabbits was immersed to the ankle joint in a container filled with 90% ethanol at -25 degrees C for 10 min. Frostbitten limbs were allowed to thaw in air at room temperature. Imaging and pathological examination of the affected limbs were performed 2 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after freezing. In 2-h images, initial hypoperfusion was seen that corresponded to circulatory collapse. In 24-h images, there was hyperperfusion (so-called period of temporary reperfusion), corresponding to circulatory restoration. In 48-h images, a second hypoperfusion corresponded to viable but ischaemic tissue. In 72-h images, there was non-perfusion of the limb that correlated with the pathologically determined diagnosis of necrosis. All scintigraphic patterns correlated with pathological findings. We suggest that these scintigraphic patterns in soft tissue may be helpful in distinguishing between frank infarction and reversible ischemia and therefore may be useful in selecting early therapeutic or surgical interventions to salvage bone and soft tissue. Further studies are needed to show the usefulness of 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy in clinical frostbite cases.