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Vertebral heart size and vertebral left atrial size reference ranges in healthy Maltese dogs
No full textThe most common cardiac measurements on thoracic radiography in veterinary medicine are vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS). Previously published studies have demonstrated evidence that reference ranges for these measures vary among different dog breeds, however reference ranges for Maltese breed dogs are currently lacking. We hypothesized that VHS and VLAS in healthy Maltese dogs would not be influenced by sex, age, or bodyweight. This retrospective, reference interval study aimed to describe reference intervals for VHS and VLAS in a sample of clinically healthy Maltese dogs and assess the intra- and interobserver variabilities for VLAS and VHS measurements. A total of 81 clinically healthy Maltese dogs were included, with healthy status being based on a complete cardiologic examination. Thoracic radiography in right lateral recumbency was performed for all dogs. The intra- and interobserver variability assessments of VHS and VLAS were based on measurements independently performed by three observers. The mean VHS was 9.53 ± 0.46 vertebrae (v). The median and interquartile range (IQR) for VLAS was 2 v (IQR, 1.8-2.1v). A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was observed between VHS and VLAS (P < .01, r = 0.416). Both VHS and VLAS showed an almost perfect intraobserver agreement. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect for VHS and substantial for VLAS. Findings supported previous studies recommending the use of breed-specific reference values for VHS and VLAS, and provided background data for future radiographic evaluations of Maltese dogs with clinical signs of cardiac disease
The environmental impacts of rural tourism
No full textTourism development in rural areas has drawn attention not only to its economic and social effects, but also to its
ecological impact, being closely related to the quality of the natural and man-made environment. Rural tourism takes
place in areas that usually are sensitive to external pressures and the impact of tourism on the ecological environment is
more visible in rural areas. Tourism can have a useful influence on the rural tourist destination, but it can also be a
detrimental factor. There are various studies claiming that the development of rural tourism can also have both positive
and negative consequences. Between tourism and environment is a very close relationship, environmental degradation
contributing overwhelmingly to the loss of tourist value. Thus, environmental conservation and protection are more
important than some potential economic and social benefits. The negative effects are multiple and their intensity and
origin depend on different elements that influence the sustainability of tourism. In general, it is estimated that the
positive aspects of rural tourism are much more numerous than the negative ones
Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)−2/-7/-9/-14 and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs)−1/-2 in bovine cutaneous fibropapillomas associated with BPV-2 infection
Get PDFIntroduction: Bovine papillomaviruses −1/−2 (BPVs) are small non-enveloped
double-stranded DNA viruses able to infect the skin of bovids and equids,
causing development of neoplastic lesions such as bovine cutaneous
fibropapillomas and equine sarcoid. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a
group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade basal membrane and
extracellularmatrix, whose function is essential in physiological processes such
as tissue remodeling and wound healing. MMPs activity is finely regulated by
a balancing with expression of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), a process
that is impaired during tumour development. BPV infection is associated with
upregulation of MMPs and /or their unbalancing with TIMPs, contributing to
local invasion and impairment of extracellular matrix remodeling in equine
sarcoid; however, studies regarding this topic in bovine fibropapillomas
are lacking.
Methods: The aim of this study was to perform an immunohistochemical and
biochemical analysis on a panel of MMPs and TIMPs in BPV-2 positive bovine
cutaneous fibropapillomas vs. normal skin samples.
Results: Immunohistochemistry revealed a cytoplasmic expression of MMP-
2 (15/19), a cytoplasmic and perinuclear immunoreactivity of MMP-7 (19/19)
and MMP-9 (19/19), along with a cytoplasmic and nuclear pattern of
MMP-14 (16/19), accompanied by a cytoplasmic expression of TIMP-1
(14/19) and TIMP-2 (18/19) in tumour samples; western blotting revealed an
overexpression ofMMP-2 (8/9),MMP-7 (9/9) andMMP-9 (9/9), and a decreased
level of MMP-14 (9/9), TIMP-1 (9/9) and TIMP-2 (9/9) in tumour versus normal
skin samples. Moreover, gelatine zymography confirmed the expression of
pro-active MMP-2 (9/9) and MMP-9 (9/9) and, most importantly, indicated
the presence and increased activity of their active forms (82 and 62 kDa,
respectively) in tumour samples.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 01 frontiersin.org
Daraban Bocaneti et al. 10.3389/fvets.2022.1063580
Discussion: This is the first study describing MMPs and TIMPs in bovine
cutaneous fibropapillomas and our results suggest that their unbalanced
expression in presence of BPV-2 may play a significant role in tumour
development. A further analysis of supplementaryMMPs and TIMPs could bring
new important insights into the papillomavirus induced tumours
Environmental wellbeing in the context of sustainable development: Evidence from post-communist economies
Get PDFConsidering diverse national contexts, there are differences in the capacity of
countries in terms of their ability to attain sustainability in its threemain dimensions.
The present study puts the economic, social, and environmental indicators faceto-
face from 19 post-communist economies across the 2006–2020 period. It
emphasizes the main vulnerabilities at the level of the analyzed countries,
concentrates on these weak points, and offers concrete explanations regarding
the main social and economic factors, exerting a negative influence on them.
Consequently, placing climate and energy, with their major components, i.e.,
energy use, energy savings, greenhouse gases, and renewable energy, at the
center of the analysis, as the major weak points of environmental wellbeing
within the analyzed group of countries, the nature of the influence of human
and economicwellbeing upon each of themis evidenced using panel data-specific
methods (pooled, fixed, and randomeffects). The general results obtained showed
the following: 1) the components of environmental wellbeing registered a different
evolution among post-communist economies; 2) climate and energy components
were the main vulnerabilities in terms of environmental sustainability; 3) these
environmental components were closely linked to both components of economic
and social dimensions; and 4) the determinants of energy use, energy savings,
greenhouse gases, and renewable energy were different in the selected group of
countries. This study draws attention to the fact that the patterns of development
applied in the group of post-communist economies seem to strengthen
sustainable goals, especially with regard to economic and human wellbeing.
Moreover, while directing its focus on the main urgent environmental
vulnerabilities and encouraging their strengthening by not putting the economic
dimension in the center of interest, it supports the theoretical perspective of
sustainable wellbeing, based on sustainability and ecological economic
Influence of Supplemental Feeding on Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance Dynamics in Botosani Karakul Sheep
No full textThe aim of this research was to study the impact of supplementary feeding on reproductive traits in sheep. Two groups, L1 (control) and L2 (experimental treatment), of adult females aged between two and six years belonging to the Botosani Karakul sheep breed were formed. The experimental treatment group (L2) received supplementary feeding 25 days prior to mating. Improvements in body condition and significant increases in live weight occurred by the time of mating in those ewes that had been flushed (L2) (p < 0.01 vs. L1). The number of lambs per individual parturition was influenced by the body condition score (BCS), especially in females with a BCS of 2.0. The total number of weaned lambs in females with a BCS of 2.0 differed in comparison to that of females with a BCS of 2.5 or 3.0. All results highlighted that supplementary feeding applied to ewes prior to mating affected their reproductive and economic performance, translating to an increased live weight of the litter at weaning in the L2 group (p < 0.01 in lambs from BCS 2.0 ewes and p < 0.001 in lambs from BCS 2.5 to 3.5 ewes)
Fabrication of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Chitosan Composite Films Strengthened with Titanium Dioxide and Polyphosphonate Additives for Packaging Applications
No full textEco-innovation through the development of intelligent materials for food packaging is evolving, and it still has huge potential to improve food product safety, quality, and control. The design of such materials by the combination of biodegradable semi-synthetic polymers with natural ones and with some additives, which may improve certain functionalities in the targeted material, is continuing to attract attention of researchers. To fabricate composite films via casting from solution, followed by drying in atmospheric conditions, certain mass ratios of poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan were used as polymeric matrix, whereas TiO2 nanoparticles and a polyphosphonate were used as reinforcing additives. The structural confirmation, surface properties, swelling behavior, and morphology of the xerogel composite films have been studied. The results confirmed the presence of all ingredients in the prepared fabrics, the contact angle of the formulation containing poly(vinyl alcohol), chitosan, and titanium dioxide in its composition exhibited the smallest value (87.67°), whereas the profilometry and scanning electron microscopy enlightened the good dispersion of the ingredients and the quality of all the composite films. Antimicrobial assay established successful antimicrobial potential of the poly(vinyl alcoohol)/chitosan-reinforced composites films against Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity tests have revealed that the studied films are non-toxic, presented good compatibility, and they are attractive candidates for packaging applications
Research on the adaptability of some winter wheat genotypes in a fertilization system in the conditions of A.R.D.S. Secuieni
No full textCommon wheat occupies the largest area of cultivated land in the world due to its many attributes and easy, fully
mechanized cultivation technology. During 2019/2022 at A.R.D.S. Secuieni, the behavior of some genotypes in the
pedoclimatic conditions of Central Moldova was experimented. The yields and quality of the genotypes varied from one
year to another, being influenced by the climatic conditions; the most favorable agricultural year for the winter wheat
crop was 2020/2021, in which the yields of the genotypes were between 10189 kg/ha (Semnal) and 5798 kg/ha (T 42-
17). The yields of the studied genotypes varied between 4527 kg/ha (Ursita variety in the agricultural year 2019/2020)
and 10189 kg/ha (Semnal variety, in the agricultural year 2020/2021). From a qualitative point of view, the highest
protein content was 17,0%, a percentage recorded by the Bezostaia variety in the 2020/2021 agricultural year
Electrospun Copoly(ether imide) Nanofibers Doped with Silver-Loaded Zeolite as Materials for Biomedical Applications
No full textOne of the most versatile techniques to fabricate micro-/nanoscaled nonwoven fibrous materials is represented by electrospinning. Due to its easy availability and versatility, increasing efforts worldwide have focused on the preparation of natural and/or synthetic composite membranes that eventually mimic the artificial extracellular matrix. Electrospun composite membranes based on copoly(ether imide)s derived from Jeffamine, and additionally doped with silver-loaded zeolite L nanoparticles (ze-Ag+), have been successfully produced in the present work via a solution electrospinning process. The morphology of the developed electrospun membranes based on pure copoly(ether imide)s (co-PEI-0) and doped copoly(ether imide)s (co-PEI-0/zeolite or co-PEI-0/silver-containing zeolite L nanoparticles) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the homogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles within the electrospun fibers has been introspected by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Young’s modulus was reduced from 0.677 MPa for pure co-PEI electrospun fibers to 0.221 MPa when silver-loaded zeolite L nanoparticles were attached to the electrospun composite membranes. Antimicrobial activity of the products demonstrated that the samples containing silver-exchanged zeolite L nanoparticles present an inhibitory effect against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) bacteria. Furthermore, a biocompatibility check by studying the cell viability and cell morphology of the developed composite membranes revealed no cytotoxic activity
Importanţa vernalizării la varză (Brassica oleracea) asupra producţiei de seminţe: recenzie
Get PDFThe seed-to-seed method is the most often used process in cabbage seed production. The transition from vegetative phase to generative one requires vernalization in terms of bolting and flowering.
Vernalization is a physiological process that converts vegetative meristem tissue to reproductive tissue. It is a natural adaptation that ensures flowering happens only after the exposure to low positive temperatures for an extended period of time, allowing flowers and seeds to mature under normal conditions. The purpose of this research was to present the vernalization demands of Brassicas, the mechanism of vernalization, molecular changes of vernalization, and the factors influencing flowering, such as environmental factors and plant growth regulators, in cabbage seed production
A lexical approach to the occupational English Test for veterinary science as a means of enhancing accuracy and fluency in English
No full textAttaining native-like accuracy and fluency is the aim of every student that has embarked on the study of a foreign
language. In order to achieve this aim, students are encouraged to perceive and analyse the way English is used in
various contexts, especially in those that are of interest to them in the light of their future careers. The lexical approach
facilitates the mediation of language by means of a purposeful focus on chunks of language, since words do not occur in
isolation but in meaningful combinations that are formulaic (e.g. collocations, idioms, discourse markers, phrasal verbs)
and reveal the speakers’ level of proficiency. Linguists are in favour of teaching chunks as they facilitate the acquisition
of fluency, confer idiomaticity and provide the basis for subsequent language acquisitions. The present study focuses on
the extent to which the Occupational English Test (OET) for Veterinary Science practice tests can be used in order to
expose students to various instances in which chunks of language occur in professional contexts. The practice tests that
assess the receptive (reading and listening) and productive (speaking and writing) language skills rely on a consistent
use of chunks in various healthcare professional settings and can be used to consolidate learners’ linguistic knowledge
and accurate communication skills. Learners can be trained to notice the various linguistic contexts in which chunks
occur, to accurately infer their meaning and the typical structure they are based on, and to confidently build on this
acquired knowledge. Careful consideration is given to specific collocations and formulaic phrases used in the OET
listening and reading materials which can be further transferred to other communicative instances and activated in the
area of productive skills