The effect of an antioxidant on the hematological profile of birds

The research is devoted to the study of the influence of the modern antioxidant of the flavonoid group ‘Dihydroquercetin’ as part of the feed combination on the hematological profile and biochemical parameters of the blood of broiler chickens of the KOBB-500 cross. The content of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood of broilers receiving dihydroquercetin increased, which indicates an increase in the intensity of redox processes in the body. The number of leukocytes in all groups was normal, but in the experimental groups their decrease was noted, which indicates the therapeutic and immunostimulating effect of the drug. Evaluation of protein metabolism by the content of total protein and the fraction of albumin in the blood serum showed its positive dynamics within the normal physiological values, which characterizes an increase in the intensity of assimilation processes in the bird’s body. The metabolism of carbohydrates was assessed by the content of glucose in it, and a decrease in its level indicates its increased consumption as an energy component for metabolic processes associated with intensive growth of chickens. An increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase by 1.3-1.8 times is associated with the active growth of chickens.

THE INCREASE OF PORK QUALITY WITH THE HELP OF SYMBIOTIC DRUG «STIMUL 2+»

The article presents the results of the use of the symbiotic drug "Stimulus 2+" to increase productivity in pigs of different age groups. It has been experimentally substantiated and proved that the symbiotic drug "Stimulus 2+" provides increased productivity, improved metabolic and immune processes in pigs, without taking them beyond the limits of physiological values.

Composition of Stallion Seminal Plasma and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress Markers and Spermatozoa Quality

The composition of seminal plasma of individual sires varies and so does the fertilizing ability. Micro and macro elements along with seminal enzymes, hormones, proteins, and lipids contained in seminal plasma are essential for the proper physiological function of spermatozoa. However, elevated levels against the normal physiological values, especially in the case of trace metals, result in the production of reactive oxygen species. The deficiency of antioxidants in the seminal plasma that could scavenge free radicals causes an impairment of spermatozoa quality. Ejaculates were obtained from 19 stallions. The fresh semen was analyzed to evaluate qualitative parameters of spermatozoa in terms of the motility, viability, and integrity of DNA. Separated seminal plasma underwent the assessment of the chemical and biochemical composition and RedOx markers. Based on the obtained concentrations of individual chemical elements, the correlation analysis suggested a negative impact of Cu in seminal plasma on the SOD, GPx, and LPO. Contrary, positive correlation was detected between FRAP and motility features. While Cu negatively correlated with sperm motion parameters, the adverse effect on viability was suggested for Cd. Our data suggest that seminal plasma has a potential due to its availability to become the potential biomarker of the reproductive health of farm animals.

Thoroughly Calibrated Modular Agent-Based Model of the Human Cardiovascular and Renal Systems for Blood Pressure Regulation in Health and Disease

Here we present a modular agent-based mathematical model of the human cardiovascular and renal systems. It integrates the previous models primarily developed by A. C. Guyton, F. Karaaslan, K. M. Hallow, and Y. V. Solodyannikov. We performed the model calibration to find an equilibrium state within the normal vital sign ranges for a healthy adult. We verified the model’s abilities to reproduce equilibrium states with abnormal physiological values related to different combinations of cardiovascular diseases (such as systemic hypertension, chronic heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, etc.). For the model creation and validation, we involved over 200 scientific studies covering known models of the human cardiovascular and renal functions, biosimulation platforms, and clinical measurements of physiological quantities in normal and pathological conditions. We compiled detailed documentation describing all equations, parameters and variables of the model with justification of all formulas and values. The model is implemented in BioUML and available in the web-version of the software.

Albumin Substitution in Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis: Don’t Forget Zinc

Decompensated liver cirrhosis has a dismal prognosis, with patients surviving on average for 2–4 years after the first diagnosis of ascites. Albumin is an important tool in the therapy of cirrhotic ascites. By virtue of its oncotic properties, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction after paracentesis. Treatment with albumin also counteracts the development of hepatorenal syndrome and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. More recently, the positive impact of long-term albumin supplementation in liver disease, based on its pleiotropic non-oncotic activities, has been recognized. These include transport of endo- and exogenous substances, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, and stabilizing effects on the endothelium. Besides the growing recognition that effective albumin therapy requires adjustment of the plasma level to normal physiological values, the search for substances with adjuvant activities is becoming increasingly important. More than 75% of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis do not only present with hypoalbuminemia but also with zinc deficiency. There is a close relationship between albumin and the essential trace element zinc. First and foremost, albumin is the main carrier of zinc in plasma, and is hence critical for systemic distribution of zinc. In this review, we discuss important functions of albumin in the context of metabolic, immunological, oxidative, transport, and distribution processes, alongside crucial functions and effects of zinc and their mutual dependencies. In particular, we focus on the major role of chronic inflammatory processes in pathogenesis and progression of liver cirrhosis and how albumin therapy and zinc supplementation may affect these processes.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in clinical practice

The review is dedicated to the use of the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in clinical practice. Main modes of CPET, most popular protocols and testing methods are discussed in details. Ample space is dedicated to main parameters measuring during CPET, their physiological values and changes in different pathological states. Main indications for CPET are presented and special attention is given to the use of CPET in chronic heart failure, apnea, lung diseases, skeletal muscle fiber and mitochondrial myopathy, rehabilitation. Emerging applications of CPET like congenital heart disease, pulmonary resection and several other are also discussed.

Restoring the balance of Candida albicans and the productivity of geese with the development of candidiasis of the digestive tract

The purpose of the research was to develop a scientific concept for the prevention of the development of candidiasis of the digestive tract, taking into account the dynamics of the reproduction of Candida albicans in different parts of the digestive tract and to propose an effective scheme for restoring the balance of candida and productivity of geese using the enzyme preparation lithiase with adaptogens. The research has been carried out in the laboratories of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev, in poultry farms, republican and district veterinary laboratories of the Republics of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan on geese of Linda 7 breed at the age of 150 days. The experiments were carried out in different years in three repetitions per 350 heads in each. The geese were divided into 7 groups according to the principle of analogues. Healthy geese were included in the 1st control group, and patients with candidiasis were included in experimental groups 2–7. It has been found that a significant decrease in the level of candide in the digestive tract of geese with candidiasis was recorded under the influence of the enzyme preparation lithiase (group 4) and especially lithiase with probiotic and lithiase with propolis (groups 5 and 6). The complete restoration of the level of Candida albicans in the candidiasis of the digestive tract has been noted only against the background of complex enzyme-probiotic-propolis therapy (group 7). The complex use of the enzyme with adaptogens against the background of developing candidiasis of the digestive tract contributed to the restoration of functionally determined changes in the microbiocenosis, characterized by a decrease in the physiological values of the content of Candida albicans in the goiter by 11,9, in the muscular part of the stomach by 16,5, in the glandular part by 17,8, in the small intestine by 20,7, in the thick by 12,7 times. Against the background of the restoration of the natural microbiocenosis of the digestive tract, normalization of the level of Candida albicans, the increase and improvement in the meat productivity of geese has been observed. All indicators of anatomical cutting of the carcass of geese in the 7th group exceeded the data of the control and all experimental groups. There was the improvement in the indicators of anatomical cutting of carcasses such as the increase in the weight of the gutted carcass of males by 1,56, muscles by 1,61, skin with subcutaneous fat by 1,80, internal fat by 2,05, edible parts by 1,66, bones by 1,18 times. In the meat of geese of the 7th group the moisture content was 1,45 times lower than in the meat of geese of the 2nd group, and the protein level was 1,81 times higher, fat by 1,34, ash by 1,42 times. The livability of the geese increased by 2,56 times.

Epidemiological aspects, haematological and biochemical alterations in some gastrointestinal parasitic diseases of carnivores

Gastrointestinal parasites are widespread pathogenic agents and one of the main causes for mortality in young dogs and cats. Many of these zoonotic parasites are relevant in terms of public health. The presence of parasites in the animal organism causes local and general modifications in the various organs they parasitize or transit throughout their life cycle. The present study aimed to identify the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and cats and to monitor the alterations that occur in terms of haematological and biochemical parameters. The studied animals, 25 dogs and three cats from Timiș and Caraș Severin counties, were brought to the On-call room of the University Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Timișoara. The laboratory methods that were used were the Willis flotation method, the Baerman larvoscopic method and the Lugol method. The haematological methods, namely flow cytometry, cytochemistry and spectrophotometry, were performed at Bioclinica Laboratories, on whole blood samples that were collected in EDTA or simple tubes. The studied animals were positive for Giardia, Cystoisospora, Dipylidium, Ancylostoma, Toxocara and Trichocephalus. The positivity rate was 57.14%, with prevalence rates according to the parasitic species ranging from 3.57% to 21.42%, with multiparasitism in 32.14%, and monoparasitism in 17.85%. The values recorded for red blood cells, haemoglobin and hematocrit followed the same trendmost of the animals being situated within physiological values, except for three dogs, that recorded values below the minimal level. In the case of MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) and MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) the values recorded for most dogs were within physiological limits, except for three dogs which overpassed the maximum level. Eosinophils were high in all dogs, which is a characteristic feature of parasitism. The serum urea concentrations revealed the fact that all for dogs that were taken into study had values above the maximum limit.

Graphene Nanoplatelets Render Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) a Suitable Scaffold to Promote Neuronal Network Development

The use of composite biomaterials as innovative bio-friendly neuronal interfaces has been poorly developed so far. Smart strategies to target neuro-pathologies are currently exploiting the mixed and complementary characteristics of composite materials to better design future neural interfaces. Here we present a polymer-based scaffold that has been rendered suitable for primary neurons by embedding graphene nanoplatelets (GnP). In particular, the growth, network formation, and functionality of primary neurons on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] polymer supports functionalized with various concentrations of GnP were explored. After growing primary cortical neurons onto the supports for 14 days, all specimens were found to be biocompatible, revealing physiological growth and maturation of the neuronal network. When network functionality was investigated by whole patch-clamp measurements, pure P(3HB) led to changes in the action potential waveform and reduction in firing frequency, resulting in decreased neuronal excitability. However, the addition of GnP to the polymer matrix restored the electrophysiological parameters to physiological values. Interestingly, a low concentration of graphene was able to promote firing activity at a low level of injected current. The results indicate that the P(3HB)/GnP composites show great potential for electrical interfacing with primary neurons to eventually target central nervous system disorders.