Jadranka Foršek

Effects of Sex, Age, Body Mass, and Capturing Method on Hematologic Values of Brown Bears in Croatia

Effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on 17 hematologic values from 56 brown bears (Ursus arctos) sampled in Croatia from 1981 to 2005 were evaluated. Differences between female and male bears were detected for number of erythrocytes, sedimentation rate after 30 min, and number of leukocytes and segmented neutrophils. Significant differences between free-living vs. captive and snared vs. not snared bears were detected for the same three parameters: leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, and eosinophils. It was concluded that the physical exertion of bears snared by leg, rather than their free-living status, influenced differences of results among these groups. The obtained mean values are useful reference values for the species.

MOLECULAR EVIDENCE OF NATURAL INFECTION WITH BABESIA CANIS CANIS IN CROATIA

The aim of the present study was to detect and characterise the species and subspecies of Babesia spp. that cause canine babesiosis in Croatia. Twenty-eight dogs with typical signs of babesiosis (lethargy, anorexia, fever, dark urine and thrombocytopenia) were included in this study. Their blood smears showed the presence of Babesia canis . The results showed the detection of one subspecies, namely Babesia canis canis using PCR, and subsequent sequence analysis demonstrated portions of the nss rRNA gene in 27 out of 28 samples. Sequence analysis of the isolates showed 100% identity in 11 samples, 99.7% identity (one nucleotide difference) in 11 samples and 99.4% identity (two nucleotides difference) in 5 samples with B. canis canis . The results of this study confirm the presence of B. canis canis in infected dogs in Croatia and demonstrate a slightly new genetic variant of Babesia subspecies.

Impact of L-arginine (a nitric oxide synthesis precursor), and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine- methyl-ester (L-NAME) (a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) Chronic, Subchronic, and Acute Toxicity-Induced Lesions on Ascites– Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome Development in Broiler Chickens

Experiment A. Chronic toxicity. 140 one day-old male broiler chicks divided in four groups. Every other day: intraperitoneal (ip) L-NAME (LN, 10 mg/kg BW) ; L-arginine (LA, 100 mg/kg BW), L-arginine and a L-NAME combination (100 and 10 mg/kg BW, respectively), and physiological saline (0.90% w/v ; 0.5 mL/kg BW). Seven birds were euthanized weekly during their first five weeks of life. Experiment B. Subchronic toxicity. Equal doses of the same substances: ip every eight hours into 38 day- old birds over 36 hours. Experiment C. Acute toxicity. Thirty day-old birds: one ip dose of various concentrations of L-NAME (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg BW) ; L-arginine (100 mg/kg BW) and saline (0.5 ml/kg BW). All the birds were euthanized after six hours. The end of experiment A: the gross finding of ascites- pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) confirmed vasoconstrictory effect of L-NAME in five birds (LN). Toward the end of experiment A ; in experiment C: histopathological findings (myocardial/pulmonary oedema /LN/ ; congestion/ haemorrhages /LA/) the most prominent (higher LN-doses /100 and 150 mg/kg BW/). Irreversible myocardiolysis and hepatocellulolysis: confirmed in all three experiments (LN). Focal myocardial degeneration solely: in the L- NAME/L-arginine simultaneously treated group. Haematological and blood chemistry values ; stress index value ; and relative organ weights agreed with well-known literature data on PHS. Experiments A and C. The severity of LN- provoked hypoxic changes and plentiful haemorrhages (LA) - dose and time dependent. Mild changes in L-NAME/L-arginine group confirmed a protective role of LA.T defensive behaviors of a group of freshly-caught central Asiatic cobras, Naja oxiana, were evoked by the proximity of an experimenter. The cobras responded by hooding and holding 13-22% of their total body length in an elevated or vertical posture. From this vertical posture the cobras would launch defensive sham (closed-mouth) strikes; these strikes were typically associated with a short “burst”-like hiss and were more frequent in the smaller specimens studied. The presence of the experimenter provoked an increase in the cobra’s ventilatory rib movements as well as the tongue flick rates; the latter metric was strongly correlated with the height of vertical posturing, strike frequency and hissing frequency. Most of the observed behaviors’ results from the cobras’ visual perception are interpreted as a visual display intended as a deterrent. This interpretation raises interesting and previously unexplored, questions about intra and interspecific variation of these displays (within both Naja and the Hemibungarini), as well as the relationship between these defensive behaviors and (repeatedly evolved) ability to “spit” venom.Rūta Budreckienė Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Department of Biochemistry Ruta.Budreckiene@lsmuni.lt www.lsmuni.lt Phone +370 611 57980 Contact There is visible positive influence of all three shampoos in the photos of hairs cross-section: keratin flakes of hair surface became straighter. In the photos of hair cross-section before bathing (Fig.2) keratin flakes are detached from hair surface. The maximum visible changes are conditioned after bathing with X3 shampoo (Fig 3). As expected, the influence of shampoos for ridge‘s and breast‘s hair was different: ridge‘s hair cross-section diameter of all three dogs has increased after bathing with all exploratory shampoos, except labrador retriever (his ridge‘s hairs cross-section diameter reduced after bathing with shampoos X1 and X2). Specific characteristics of breed it can influence. There were expected to reduce breast‘s hair cross. In most cases, breast‘s hair cross-section diameter of dogs reduced after bathing, except german jagdterrier: his hair‘s cross-section diameter increased after bathing with X1 shampoo. Raito of convolution is the difference of straight and convoluted speciments, expressed percentage by straight speciment lenght. It was expected increase in ratio of convolution just for german jagdterrier ridge‘s hair because coat of this breed liable to curl. Breast‘s hair is less wavy and curly because it is thin and flexible, so their ratio of convolution reduced. All forecasts in german jagdterriers breed case have proved with each shampoo (Table 1). Labrador retriever and german shepherd ridge‘s hair ratio of convolution reduced after bathing with every shampoo, because their coat is thick, hair is resilient, disobedient. However, breast‘s hair ratio of convolution increased after bathing with shampoo XBackground Natural honey (honey) is considered as a part of traditional medicine all over the world. It has both antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, useful in stimulation of wounds and burns healing and gastric ulcers treatment. The aim of this study, for the first time, was to investigate the antioxidant properties and protective role of honey against carcinogen chemical aflatoxin (AF) exposure in rats, which were evaluated by histopathological changes in liver and kidney, measuring level of serum marker enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamil transpeptidase (GGT)], antioxidant defense systems [Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)], and lipid peroxidation content in liver, erythrocyte, brain, kidney, heart and lungs.