First record of Cathaemasia hians (Trematoda: Cathaemasiidae) in a new bird host, the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca).

An injured young individual of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca; Accipitridae) from the Protected Bird Area "Medzibodrozie" in the south-eastern Slovakia was subjected to the complete clinical examination at the Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy. Adult trematodes were isolated from the pharynx of the eagle after oesophagoscopy. The morphological and molecular identification of the flukes confirmed a trematode Cathaemasia hians (Cathaemasiidae), the obligate parasite of black storks (Ciconia nigra) and white storks (Ciconia ciconia). This finding represents the first documented case of C. hians in new bird host species and indicates broader spectrum of definitive hosts of the fluke.

Changes in Haematological Parameters in Wild Ruminants Experimentally Infected with Haemonchus Contortus.

Our study describes changes in haematological parameters in wild ruminants with parasitic infection. Six European mouflons (Ovis musimon), six fallow deer (Dama dama) and six roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were experimentally infected with the resistant strain of the model parasite 8000 L3 Haemonchus contortus. The blood samples were collected on Day 0, 16, 37, 58, 77, and 99 of the experiment. Mild anaemia was observed in mouflons and roe deer while red blood cells increased in red blood counts (total erythrocytes, haematocrit and haemoglobin). As for the white blood cells count, leucopenia with neutrophilia and lymphopenia was recorded in mouflons, in the fallow deer and roe deer leucocytosis with neutropenia and lymphocytosis were observed. Changes in the dynamics of haematological parameters were statistically insignificant.

The effects of demographics, functioning, and perceptions on the relationship between self-reported and objective measures of driving exposure and patterns among older adults.

The exploratory study reported here was intended to examine: how strongly subjectively reported driving avoidance behaviors (commonly referred to as self-regulation) and exposure were related to their objectively measured counterparts and whether it depended on the specific behavior; the extent to which gender and age play a role in the association between subjectively reported driving avoidance behaviors and exposure and their objectively measured counterparts; and the extent to which demographics, health and functioning, driving-related perceptions, and cognition influence the association between subjective and objective driving avoidance behaviors overall. The study used data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study, a multisite, prospective cohort study designed to generate empirical data for understanding the role of medical, behavioral, environmental, and technological factors in driving safety during the process of aging. Objective driving measures were derived from GPS/datalogger data from 2131 LongROAD participants' vehicles. The corresponding subjective measures came from a comprehensive questionnaire administered to participants at baseline that asked them to report on their driving exposure, patterns, and other aspects of driving. Several other variables used in the analyses came from the comprehensive questionnaire and an inperson clinical assessment administered to participants at baseline. A series of simple linear and logistic models were fitted to examine the relationship between the subjective and objective driving measures of interest, and a multivariable analysis was conducted to examine the potential role of selected factors in the relationship between objective and subjective driving avoidance behaviors. Results of the models are presented and overall findings are discussed within the context of the existing research literature.

Radiographic assessment of pulmonary fluid clearance and lung aeration in newborn calves delivered by elective Caesarean section.

The aim of this study was to develop a radiographic standard for the assessment of pulmonary fluid clearance and lung aeration in newborn calves. Caesarean-delivered mature calves (n = 9) underwent lung assessment by thoracic radiography as well as arterial and venous blood gas analysis within the first 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr after birth. The results indicated that newborn calves delivered by elective Caesarean section suffered from a physiological combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis with the dominance of respiratory acidosis, and an improvement in these conditions was recorded within 24 hr after birth. Concerning the radiographic results, clear lung fields, improvement in lung expansion, air content of the lung and absence of lung opacification occurred within 24 hr of birth. Furthermore, the ventral lung quadrant showed an improvement in radiographic opacification and lung expansion earlier than the dorsal lung regions. The findings of this study support the potential role of thoracic radiography in the assessment of pulmonary fluid clearance and lung aeration in newborn calves.

Co-infection with Bovine Herpesvirus 4 and Histophilus somni Significantly Extends the Service Period in Dairy Cattle with Purulent Vaginal Discharge.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Bovine Herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) and Histophilus (H.) somni on fertility rate of cows in a Hungarian Holstein-Friesian dairy herd with purulent vaginal discharge (PVD). Non-pregnant cows (n = 188) with mature corpus luteum were treated with cloprostenol and 3 days later if they did not show oestrus, were examined by rectal palpation. Animals showing PVD (n = 60/31.9%/) and 14 controls with normal vaginal discharge (Score 0) were randomly selected and further examined by ultrasonography and blood samples were collected for detecting BoHV-4 DNA and transcervical guarded swabs were collected from the uterus for bacteriological examination. Although the majority of the examined animals were infected with BoHV-4 and H. somni including the control animals as well, in group of animals with PVD score 3, fewer animals became pregnant and the duration between the first treatment to pregnancy was significantly extended. Based on these clinical and comparative data, our results confirm that these two microorganisms together may impair important reproductive parameters which may cause large economic losses to dairy farms.

Exploitation of Langerhans cells for in vivo DNA vaccine delivery into the lymph nodes.

There is no clinically available cancer immunotherapy that exploits Langerhans cells (LCs), the epidermal precursors of dendritic cells (DCs) that are the natural agent of antigen delivery. We developed a DNA formulation with a polymer and obtained synthetic 'pathogen-like' nanoparticles that preferentially targeted LCs in epidermal cultures. These nanoparticles applied topically under a patch-elicited robust immune responses in human subjects. To demonstrate the mechanism of action of this novel vaccination strategy in live animals, we assembled a high-resolution two-photon laser scanning-microscope. Nanoparticles applied on the native skin poorly penetrated and poorly induced LC motility. The combination of nanoparticle administration and skin treatment was essential both for efficient loading the vaccine into the epidermis and for potent activation of the LCs to migrate into the lymph nodes. LCs in the epidermis picked up nanoparticles and accumulated them in the nuclear region demonstrating an effective nuclear DNA delivery in vivo. Tissue distribution studies revealed that the majority of the DNA was targeted to the lymph nodes. Preclinical toxicity of the LC-targeting DNA vaccine was limited to mild and transient local erythema caused by the skin treatment. This novel, clinically proven LC-targeting DNA vaccine platform technology broadens the options on DC-targeting vaccines to generate therapeutic immunity against cancer.

The effect of supplementation of clove and agrimony or clove and lemon balm on growth performance, antioxidant status and selected indices of lipid profile of broiler chickens.

The study investigated the effects of diet supplementation with 1% clove flower buds powder combined with either 0.2% lemon balm extract or 0.2% agrimony extract (each of the two pulverized extracts supplied through drinking water) on body weight of broilers, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the carcass yield, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, EC 1.11.1.9) in blood, concentration of sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A and E, low-density lipoproteins in the blood plasma, serum cholesterol, total lipids, triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins in broiler chickens at 42 days of age. On the day of hatching, 120 male and female broilers of Cobb 500 were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (1st group) of broilers received a basal diet (BD) without any feed and water additive. Both experimental groups of chicks were fed BD enriched with clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) powder at a dose of 10 g/kg DM for 42 days. Moreover, either lemon balm (Mellisa officinalis L.) extract or agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) extract diluted with drinking water (2:1000) was given to broilers in the 2nd and 3rd group respectively. The results indicated that feeding the diets enriched with selected herbal supplements failed to affect the growth performance of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. In addition, this supplementation had no influence on the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, concentration of vitamin A and selected lipid metabolism indices. On the other hand, we observed beneficial effects on some indices of the antioxidant status (increased concentration of -SH groups and vitamin E, decreased concentration of MDA) in the blood of broilers in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group of chickens (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a slightly better antioxidant capacity was found in the blood of broilers supplied the combination of clove and lemon balm compared to clove and agrimony (vitamin E, 11.26 ± 0.73 vs. 9.73 ± 0.64 µmol/L, p < 0.05 respectively). It could be concluded that supplementation of the diet with clove flower buds powder combined with lemon balm extract or agrimony extract dissolved in drinking water has a potential to increase the antioxidant status but fails to influence either the growth performance or the selected lipid metabolism indices of broilers at the age of 42 days.

The influence of weather and geographical conditions on flight dynamics of WCR adults.

Since the appearance of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte) (Coleoptera: Chrysometidae) in Romania, many researchers have been made, in more or less success. In this study we try to clarify the ecology of the species in order to predict its evolution and its potential area of distribution. In Romania, this species was signalled for the first time in 1996, in western part of country neighbouring with Hungary. This region is an important area for maize production for seed and silage. Together, the climatic conditions, altitude and their influence on species behaviour and distribution have become more apparent. Their habitat and survival strategies are strongly dependent on local weather patents and altitude. In order to investigate the potential impact of weather and altitude on pest populations, a clear understanding of the nature and characterization of pest is required. In general, most pest species are influenced by warm, rainfall and altitude. Taking into consideration our data from the years 2008 and 2009, we can emphasize a very serious influence of air temperature, rainfall and altitude on WCR flight dynamics in adults. Dry and warm conditions generally lead to increasing of insects' number. Our data shown positive correlations between air temperature (daily mean) and adults number captured on pheromone traps (daily mean), but the there are limits from which these become negative. The same trend was recorded in previous research period (2004-2006). The rainfall is an important factor that influences adults' dynamics in maize fields. Excessive rainfall leads to adults' number decreasing. Our daily observations showed a decreasing number of beetles while rainfall increases. Regarding the altitude, we observed a decreasing number of WCR adults at once the attitude increase. For capture of adults we used pheromone traps, in 3 replications (T1, T2 and T3) at difference altitude where maize was grown. Significant relationship of WCR flight dynamic with weather and geographical conditions were found. Activities were carried out under the PN-II-ID-PCE-2007-1/RO project.

Vitamin D Deficiency Predicts Poor Clinical Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves mortality and induces reverse remodeling in heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction and wide QRS. Nonetheless, some patients do not improve despite the optimal medical therapy and right indications for device implantation. Therefore, finding biomarkers suitable for identification of those patients is crucial. Vitamin D plays a classic hormonal role in the regulation of bone metabolism and also has physiological functions in wide range of nonskeletal tissues. Based on recent studies, low levels of vitamin D seem to directly contribute to pathogenesis and worsening of HF. We planned to assess the role of vitamin D levels on clinical outcomes of HF patients undergoing CRT. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 136 HF patients undergoing CRT. Total plasma vitamin D levels were measured at baseline and 6 months later. Primary endpoint was 5-year all-cause mortality; secondary endpoint was lack of good clinical response, defined as less than 15% increase of left ventricular ejection fraction after six months. During follow-up, 58 patients reached the primary, and 45 patients reached the secondary endpoint. Vitamin D levels less than 24.13 ng/mL predicted 5-year mortality (p = 0.045) and poor clinical response (p = 0.03) after adjusting to all significant baseline predictors. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that vitamin D deficiency has a significant impact in heart failure patients; it is an independent predictor of lack of midterm clinical response and long-term mortality in patients undergoing CRT. Therefore, monitoring vitamin D status of heart failure patients could be of clinical significance.

PAC1 receptor localization in a model nervous system: light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry on the earthworm ventral nerve cord ganglia.

The presence and pattern of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I (PAC1) receptors were identified by means of pre- and post-embedding immunocytochemical methods in the ventral nerve cord ganglia (VNC) of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Light and electron microscopic observations revealed the exact anatomical positions of labeled structures suggesting that PACAP mediates the activity of some interneurons, a few small motoneurons and certain sensory fibers that are located in ventrolateral, ventromedial and intermediomedial sensory longitudinal axon bundles of the VNC ganglia. No labeling was located on large interneuronal systems such as dorsal medial and lateral giant axon systems and ventral giant axons. At the ultrastructural level labeling was mainly restricted to endo- and plasma membranes showing characteristic unequal distribution in various neuron parts. An increasing abundance of PAC1 receptors located on both rough endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membranes was seen from perikarya to neural processes, indicating that intracellular membrane traffic might play a crucial role in the transportation of PAC1 receptors. High number of PAC1 receptors was found in both pre- and postsynaptic membranes in addition to extrasynaptic sites suggesting that PACAP acts as neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the earthworm nervous system.

Transseptal Leftventricular Endocardial Pacing is an Alternative Technique in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. One Year Experience in a High Volume Center.

INTRODUCTION: In patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), failure rate to implant the left ventricular (LV) lead by the traditional trans-venous approach is 4-8%. Surgical epicardial implantation is considered as an alternative, but this technique is not without morbidity. Evidence from case documentation and from small trial batches demonstrated the viability of endocardial LV lead implantation where surgical epicardial lead placement is not applicable. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four patients were implanted with endocardial LV lead using the transseptal atrial approach after unsuccessful transvenous implantation. Implantation of an endocardial active fixation LV leads was successful in all patients with stable electrical parameters immediately after implantation and over the follow-up period. All patients received anticoagulation therapy in order to target the international normalized ratio of 2.5-3.5 and have not experienced any thromboembolic, hemorrhagic events, or infection. RESULTS: Follow-up echocardiography indicated significant improvement of LV systolic function (24 + 4.9 to 32 + 5.1 %, P = 0.023) with a notable improvement of the functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Endocardial left ventricular lead implantation can be a valuable and safe alternative technique to enable LV stimulation in high surgical risk patients where standard coronary sinus implant is unsuccessful.

Bronchial papillomas of various origins.

There were five cases of solitary papillomas and three of chronic infectious papillomatosis induced by a foreign body, one caused by broncholithiasis. The five isolated papillomas had verrucous appearances. The common opinion, that the solitary papilloma is likely to be a pedunculary tumor, seems untrue. Squamous or cylindric epithelium covering the same tumor may vary from region to region. We believe that multiple polyps caused by inhalation of hot, burning, and corrosive gases are of inflammatory origin. Once the causative factor (eg, a late diagnosed foreign body) is removed, the inflammatory papillomatosis may resolve spontaneously. After the removal of a benign papilloma, recurrence is usually caused by lack of operative radicality rather than by malignancy. Laser technique and other coagulation methods make it possible to remove most tumors by performing bronchoscopy with only little risk. Papillomas showing the signs of atypia and peribronchial spreading require later surgery.

A neural network based virtual high throughput screening test for the prediction of CNS activity.

A virtual high throughput screening test to identify potentially CNS-active drugs has been developed. Discrimination was based on the knowledge available in databases containing CNS-active (Cipsline from Prous Science) and inactive compounds (Chemical Directory from Sigma-Aldrich). Molecular structures were represented using 2D Unit y fingerprints and a feedforward neural network was trained to classify molecules regarding their CNS activity. The parameterized network was validated by reclassification of the training set elements, by the classification of a test set preselected from the Prous database, and also by the prediction of activity for known CNS drugs not used in the training set but available in the Medchem database (Daylight). These tests revealed that our neural net recognized at least 89% of CNS-active compounds and would be suitable for use in our virtual screening protocol.

Silent Philadelphia chromosome: a distinct developmental stage in a philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloproliferation?

In this paper, a patient is described who presented with peripheral blood and bone marrow features uncharacteristic of chronic granulocytic leukemia, which proved to be Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive by metaphase and interphase cytogenetic analyses but lacked the p210 type of BCR/ABL fusion gene mRNA product by two different sensitive RT-PCR assays. In the course of the 32-month follow-up with a termination into a myeloblastic crisis, molecular investigations were performed four times. They indicated a constantly high rate of Ph positive cells and lack of BCR/ABL mRNA expression, except in the second investigation, when the patient showed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction positivity with b3/a2 type of chimera, fusion gene mRNA expression, and a striking change in the bone marrow histology. Our findings might indicate that the dormant Ph chromosome state may exist not only at the primitive progenitor, but also at the entire peripheral blood cell compartment level.

Cerebral ischaemia produced by homologous blood clot emboli in rabbit.

In 40 rabbits cerebral ischaemia was induced by autologous blood clot emboli injected into the middle cerebral artery. Autologous blood clot formed spontaneously (within 2 h) in a catheter fixed in the internal carotid artery. The effects of embolization were investigated on arterial blood pressure, respiration, local cerebral blood flow, locally available O2 (aO2), steady (DC) potentials and EEG. After embolization the blood pressure and the frequency of respiration decreased transiently. On the embolized side the local cerebral blood flow, aO2, the frequency and amplitude of the EEG diminished markedly and the DC potentials shifted to negative. Similar but less marked and short-lasting changes could be seen on the contralateral side. Pathological examination of the brains revealed extensive infarction with haemorrhagic components. The technique is a promising method for inducing stroke experimentally and offers various ways for its thorough investigation.

Beneficial vascular and metabolic effects of cobalt-ATP in spontaneously hypertensive rabbits with diffuse chronic cerebral ischaemia.

The in vivo effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) have not been investigated in cerebrovascular diseases. The use of the long-acting cobalt-ATP complex (Co-ATP) permits us to observe the effects of ATP without the influence of its metabolites. This study was designed to compare the effects of intravenous Co-ATP on the cerebral blood flow (CBF), polarographically detected oxygen currents (O2a), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate, respiration rate, cerebral electrical activity, arterial blood gases, pH, and glucose in 13 normotensive (NT) rabbits to those in 14 stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (HT) animals. CBF was measured by the hydrogen and heat clearance methods. In response to Co-ATP, MABP decreased and CBF increased significantly in both groups. The decrease in MABP was more marked in HT rabbits, while CBF response was 25% smaller than in NT animals. The ratio of O2a to CBF diminished moderately and simultaneously with the CBF increase in NT rabbits. In HT rabbits, the decrease in O2a/CBF was larger and began when CBF response reached its maximum. We suggest that despite the restricted CBF response, long-acting ATP should still be taken into consideration as a supplementary treatment of hypertensive encephalopathy because of its beneficial effects on cerebral metabolism and hypertension.

Experimental focal cerebral ischaemia in rabbits.

A highly reproducible form of experimental embolization of the intracranial arteries is presented in rabbits. The injection of a silver or gold ball into the internal carotid artery caused occlusion predominantly of the middle cerebral artery and/or its branches. At the moment when embolization took place, the characteristic signs of acute cerebral ischaemia occurred in the electroencephalogram, local cerebral blood flow and steady (DC) potentials. Several hours after the ball had been injected the extent of the focal lesions became recognizable on sections stained for myelin. The procedure is simple, rapid, inexpensive and practically always successful. The extent of the lesion may be influenced by the change of both the ball size and the posture of animals. Moreover, the site of occlusion is easily discernible both on radiographs and to the naked eye.

Carbohydrate metabolites in the blood and CSF of patients with neuromuscular disorders.

The concentrations of glucose, pyruvate and lactate were determined in the blood and lumbar CSF of 63 patients with neuromuscular disorders and 40 controls. The glucose/lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratios were also calculated, in addition to the cytoplasmic NADH/NAD+ (nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide-H/nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide) ratio in the brain. Remarkable deviations from control values were found not only in blood but also in the CSF of patients with different neuromuscular diseases, particularly in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and peroneal muscular atrophy, indicative of disturbance of the carbohydrate metabolism in the central nervous system.

Difference between the cerebrovascular effect of purinergic Co-ATP and that of the cholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine, in vivo.

Development of the cerebrovascular effect of cobalt-ATP was compared to that of physostigmine in 34 anesthetized rabbits. The resting cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) was estimated from the H2 clearance and the CBF changes by the heat clearance method. Systemic blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate and cerebral electrical activity were recorded simultaneously. In addition, we measured arterial glucose concentration, pH, PaO2 and PaCO2. Both drugs were found to induce a significant increase in CBF. However, the degree of the CBF increase induced by Co-ATP was inversely related, while that induced by physostigmine was directly related to both the baseline level of CBF and the value of PaCO2. We conclude that the cerebrovascular effect of ATP depends mainly on vessel tone, while the effect of physostigmine is related to the level of PaCO2.

Effects of dipyridamole in spontaneously hypertensive rabbits with diffuse chronic cerebral ischemia.

The effect of intravenous dipyridamole (0.7 mg/kg) on cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate, respiration rate, cerebral electrical activity, arterial blood gases, pH, and glucose was investigated in 14 normotensive and 14 stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive anesthetized rabbits. CBF was measured by hydrogen and heat clearance. In both groups, MABP decreased (normotensive: -24 mm Hg, hypertensive: -47 mm Hg; ANOVA: P < 0.0001) and CBF increased (normotensive: +59 ml/100 g/min, hypertensive: +72 ml/100 g/min; ANOVA: P < 0.0002). CBF returned to the initial level 21 min later in hypertensive than in normotensive rabbits. Changes in other parameters were insignificant. In additional experiments, 30 mg/kg theophylline entirely prevented the cerebral vasodilator and systemic hypotensive effects of dipyridamole in both normotensive and hypertensive rabbits. We conclude that, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rabbits, the longer-lasting and larger CBF increase in response to dipyridamole may be attributed to reversible functional changes in the cerebral vasculature resulting from hypertension.