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Serum ascorbic acid and calcidiol status in dogs with graded periodontitis
Get PDFThe relationship between oral health and vitamins has recently attracted much attention from a dental perspective. In human dentistry, certain vitamins are well-known as the essential component in the preservation of periodontal tissue integrity and deficient conditions can predispose individuals to periodontitis. However, similar studies in veterinary medicine are scarce. The main objective of our study was an evaluation of serum levels of ascorbic acid and calcidiol in healthy dogs and those with periodontitis. Sixty healthy adult dogs were divided into 3 groups based on the depth of the periodontal pocket: periodontally healthy (pocket depth less than 2 mm), moderate periodontitis (pocket depth between 3 and 5 mm) and severe periodontitis (pocket depth more than 5 mm). Serum ascorbic acid levels in dogs with severe periodontitis were significantly lower than periodontally healthy dogs and those with moderate periodontitis (1.86±0.40, 3.93±0.84 and 3.52±0.66 respectively). Serum calcidiol levels in periodontally healthy dogs were significantly higher than groups with periodontitis (33.49±18.43, 18.08±10.05 and 13.81±6.87 respectively). The results of this research clarified that the grade of periodontitis, gingivitis and plaque indices and the age of dogs are inversely associated with the serum levels of ascorbic acid and calcidiol. It can be considered that maintaining adequate levels of serum ascorbic acid and calcidiol may be beneficial in preventing the progression of gingivitis to periodontitis and managing periodontitis in dogs. 
Varying Feeding Parameters of a Plant Based Feed Affect Growth and Blood Chemistry of Catla catla Fingerlings
Get PDFCatla catla is one of the important and fast growing species of current fish culture which is practiced in most of the countries till date. It’s breeding and harvesting is a difficult job. Some of the important and critical parameters which should be kept in mind are ration size, feeding frequency and adequate stocking density. This study was carried out to optimize these critical parameters. Two hundred juvenile stock was collected from local market and was randomly divided into four groups and the groups were replicated. Artificial feed, having 30% protein, were used for assessing ration size, feed frequency and stocking density. In 1st trial, four different ration i.e. 5, 7, 9 and 11% were given while in second trial fish were offered at a frequency of 2, 4, 6 and 8 times a day. Similarly, in third trial, fish were stocked @ 10, 15, 20 and 25 fingerlings per tank. The results showed that, in trial one, with increase in feeding percentage, there was a gradual increase in weight gain until 11% of feeding, growth increase suddenly stopped. However, white blood cells and hormones level were maintained during increase feeding rate. Contradictory to increasing amount of feeding, feeding frequency deviated from feeding ration increase. A gradual increase in weight was observed from feeding twice up to feeding 6 times a day, but when feeding frequency was increased to 8th times a day, growth was suddenly declined. White blood cells and hormones remained stable up to 6th time feeding but their level dropped when feeding frequency was increased to 8th time/day. In third trial, 15 fish/tank showed optimum growth and performance. RBCs, WBCs and hormones were on the rise up to 20 fish/tank but they declined immediately when stocking density was increased. It is concluded from the above trials that 9% is the best feeding ration, 6 times is the best feeding frequency and 15 fish/tank is the best stocking density (12x4x3 feet fiberglass tank) for optimum growth and performance
Determination of nitrofuran residues in milk by LC/MS/MS and assessment of human health risks in Ankara region, Turkey
Get PDFNitrofurans (NFs) are commonly used medicines for bacteria and parasites in animal diseases. Their residues in food products have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects on humans. In this study, we investigated the presence of NF metabolites which are 3 amino 2 oxazolidinone (AOZ), semicarbazide (SEM), 5 methylemorpholino 3 amino 2 oxazolidinone (AMOZ), and 1 aminohydantoin (AHD) in raw cow milk and assessment of human health risks in the region of Ankara, Turkey. End of the result showed that the linearity, recovery, and other validation parameters obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analyzing milk samples were at the required levels for the analysis. Also, cow raw milk instances were taken from farms in Ankara province and were analyzed by LC/MS/MS. End of the sample analyses, NFs were not found in cow raw milk instances. In conclusion, NF metabolites were good determined in milk by LC/MS/MS and milk offered for consumption does not pose a risk to consumer health for NFs
Yoghurt Acid Whey Marination - The Case of Lamb and Beef Meat
Get PDFYoghurt acid whey (YAW) is an effluent of yoghurt production and is related with enhanced risk of environmental pollution due to its great organic matter levels, which elicit an increased bio-logical oxygen demand. During the previous decades a great effort has been exerted in finding sustainable applications of YAW. Therefore, YAW utilization in meat processing industry could be considered as a feasible option, since immersion of meat in marinades made of natural compounds is a process that is in constant advance due to its beneficial implications on meat organoleptic characteristics. In the present study, several quality traits and oxidation status of beef and sheep meat were evaluated after their marination into YAW. Forty samples for each meat type were assigned at random to one of five following treatments: CON, in the absence of marination; T1 and T3, where meat was immersed into YAW for 15 and 10 h at 4℃ (pH of 4.5), respectively, or T2 and T4, where samples were treated as in the T1 and T3 group, respectively, while carvacrol was also incorporated at 0.5 g/L. As shown, meat shear force value was decreased as a result of YAW marination for 15 h in beef and sheep meat samples, while the other quality characteristics (pH, color, cooking loss) were not dramatically influenced. On the other hand, meat oxidative stability was also improved in both meat types. As it can be pointed out, beef and sheep meat soaking into YAW for 15 h improves tenderness, however this is not evident in case of 10 h of immersion. At the same time, oxidative stability was also improved as a consequence of YAW marination especially in beef meat and lower MDA values of lamb meat were observed in carvacrol supplemented groups
Detection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin, Methicillin-Resistant, Panton- Valentine Leukocidin Genes and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Staphylococci and Current Bacteria Associated with Subclinical Mastitis in Cattle
Get PDFBovine mastitis is a significant infectious disease affecting dairy animals, resulting in substantial economic losses. Staphylococci are the predominant causative agents of mastitis. This study aimed to identify the bacteria isolated from cow's milk with subclinical mastitis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, assess their antibiotic susceptibility, and examine the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin, pvl (Panton-Valentine Leukocidin), and mecA genes in Staphylococcus spp. Out of 301 milk samples, 73 isolates were identified as bacteria, with 40 (54.8%) being Staphylococci. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus spp. was as follows: benzylpenicillin 57.5% (n:23), tigecycline 37.5% (n:15), tetracycline 22.5% (n:9), erythromycin 17.5% (n:7), gentamicin 12.5% (n:5), cefoxitin 10.0% (n:4), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 5.0% (n:2), ciprofloxacin 2.5% (n:1), and rifampicin 2.5% (n:1). Among the Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolates, 5 (11.62%) carried the mecA gene, and interestingly, 3 of these were phenotypically sensitive to cefoxitin despite harboring the mecA gene. However, none of the isolates carried the enterotoxin and pvl genes. This study was emphasized that antibiotic resistance of staphylococci isolated from subclinical with mastitis cows raised but these isolates were absent staphylococcal enterotoxin and pvl genes
The impacts of distinct light spectra on the growth properties and maternal productivity of rats
Get PDFThe study aimed to determine how the complete visible light spectrum and white light affected the growth characteristics of rat puppies, oxidative stress measures, and mother fertility. For the purposes of the study, a total of 56 female and 28 male breeding rats (Sprague Dawley) were mated, with 8 female and 4 male rats per group. Growth characteristics were followed until the 63rd day. At the end of the research, 4 female and 4 male rats from each group were euthanized under anesthesia. Oxidative stress parameters were determined in their blood samples. The group that received green lighting had the highest puppy yield and weaning rate. The blue lighting group had the highest live weight and live weight gain during the suckling period. The groups that were red and green had the highest pubertal weights. The highest feed consumption was obtained in the green lighting group. Feed utilization and water consumption were found to be similar among the lighting groups. The white lighting group had the highest total antioxidant level (TAS), while the red lighting group had the lowest. The highest total oxidant (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were found in the red group. These results suggest that rats were affected differently by the light spectrum at varying physiological periods
Life in a Greek refugee camp: A personal account on being a nurse volunteer
Get PDFIntroduction: In 2016, a rising migration wave swept the Mediterranean area with numerous overcrowded makeshift transport boats crossing the Aegean Sea, with most arriving in Greece and thus, certain European countries started to close their borders. As a result, many refugees became trapped in northern Greece, unable to continue via the Balkan route to countries further north. With rising criticisms on camp operations, the lived experiences of volunteers working in the camps are essentially needed as a deep informative basis for further analysis and actions to be taken.
Aim: The purpose of this reflective position paper is to elaborate on the testimony of a nurse volunteer who has been working with immigrants and holds extensive personal experience in living and interacting in refugee host camps and related structures in Greece.
Methods: This case study is based on a personal narration of what a volunteer reported during the deployment of a face-to-face unscripted interview and in a reflection of her lived experience. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was employed, aiming to understand deeply moving individual experiences by examining how the volunteer interprets and makes sense of those experiences within their unique contexts.
Analysis: In an analysis of the original interview content, the following critical reflective points were deployed as key elements of the subject’s narration within the context of the study as follows: Information dispersion; Recognition of support; Extreme behavior; Religious fanaticism; Perceived racial or cultural prejudice; Aftermath and Risk awareness.
Conclusions: Key elements of the workers’ experiences in refugee camps can be a very constructive basis for everyone involved, therefore informing employees, future volunteers and the wider public
Knowledge and attitudes of nurses regarding pain in adults' intensive care units
Get PDFBackground: Pain is a significant aggravating factor in the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Bibliographically it is usually mentioned as the fifth vital point. Pain in ICUs is difficult to assess due to the health status of the patients admitted to it.
Material and Method: In the present survey a total sample of 63 nursing staff was received by the method of interview. To collect data, an anonymous questionnaire that captures the basic demographics and the questionnaire "Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain" of Ferrell and McCaffery were used. Also, a consent form for participation in the research was distributed as well.
Results: The knowledge score ranged from 27.6 to 82.8 points with a mean of 50.2 points. It appeared to be a statistically significant finding between knowledge of nursing staff and their marital status (p = 0.043) and basic nursing education (p = 0.010). Singles and those with a university degree turned out to have higher knowledge scores.
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge of the nursing staff regarding pharmacology was found. Data gathered in the present study may be useful for the reorientation of
educational programs at undergraduate level and to provide feedback for lifelong programs of employed nurses
Redefining Learning Outcomes in Higher Education through Centers for Teaching and Learning
Get PDFThis paper critically examines the role of Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) in enhancing learning outcomes within higher education institutions. CTLs are pivotal in fostering effective teaching environments, enhancing faculty capabilities, and ultimately improving student learning outcomes. The paper delves into the theoretical underpinnings that inform CTL practices, highlighting the influence of adult learning theories, transformative learning, and critical pedagogy on faculty development initiatives. It assesses CTLs' strategies in course design and student assessment, discussing the practical challenges such as funding limitations and resistance to pedagogical shifts. Moreover, it explores the broader implications of CTLs on institutional policies and the integration of technology in teaching. The paper proposes strategic enhancements for CTLs, including increased funding, policy reform, and leveraging international collaborations to enrich teaching practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of CTLs' impact on learning outcomes, the paper underscores their indispensable role in the continuous evolution of higher education
