Search

This study explores how age and seasonal changes impact semen characteristics and reproductive behavior in Carpatina breed bucks. Males were divided into three age groups: young (14–23 months; L14), adult (3–4 years; L34), and older (5–6 years; L56). Scrotal biometry was determined using a measuring tape, and testicular volume was evaluated by fully submerging the testes in a water-filled container and measuring the displaced water. Semen analysis was conducted on samples collected each season, with volume, color, and acidity being assessed. The evaluation of specific semen characteristics (motility, sperm concentration, normal spermatozoa) was conducted using a Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system, and testosterone levels were measured in blood samples collected at the start of each season. Behavior and sexual reflexes were evaluated based on mating desire and the bucks’ reaction to the presence of females. Key findings indicate that testicular volume varies significantly with both age and season, with the most pronounced differences between younger bucks and the older groups, especially during autumn. Semen quality parameters such as ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and motility also showed seasonal fluctuations, with younger bucks having lower sperm concentrations. Testosterone levels were observed to increase with age, peaking in autumn. Behavioral observations revealed that younger bucks exhibited less intense sexual activity, although this improved during autumn. Additionally, a significant correlation was identified between body weight and testicular volume in adult bucks (R = 0.942, p-value = 0.016 for L34; R = 0.797, p-value = 0.022 for L56), suggesting that age plays a crucial role in reproductive potential. Our findings highlight that, while bucks are capable of year-round reproduction, autumn provides optimal conditions for semen quality and reproductive performance. This research has valuable implications for optimizing breeding programs, contributing to genetic advancement, and improving management strategies in goat farming, especially within temperate continental climates.

The study aims to evaluate the corrosion behaviour of two steels: BL245 and S235JR, produced at Liberty Steel Galati. BL245 is an alloy used in the oil and gas industry to manufacture pipes for pipeline transportation systems. S235JR is used to make hot finished hollow sections for construction. Gasoline, diesel and a 3.5% sodium chloride solution were chosen as corrosion environments for this study, considering the field of use of the two alloys (oil and construction). Corrosion assessment was analysed using the gravimetric method, which is based on weighing the samples before and after they were immersed for 7, 14, and 35 days in the above-mentioned corrosion environments. Based on the initial weighing and those recorded after the immersion periods, the mass variation of the samples was determined, and the corrosion rate and penetration index were calculated.

This study aims to analyze the influence of an improved diet with vitamins and minerals (VM) on the live weight, body condition, quality of sperm, behavior, and fertility of rams. The biological material comprised two groups of rams (L1—control and L2—VM supplemented), each consisting of 15 individuals. After a complete one-year cycle, they received different dietary treatments at the beginning of the preparation for the reproduction period. Although in the onset of the mounting period (SM), no significant differences were observed for live weight (p > 0.05), providing supplemental feeding of a VM complex allowed a better capitalization of body reserves, and, consequently, the rams’ groups differed significantly by the end of mating season (FM), for live weight (+4.1%; p < 0.001) and body condition score (+15.9%; p < 0.05). Adding vitamins and minerals to the L2 diet also improved sperm color (p < 0.001), sperm concentration (+11.8%; p < 0.01), live spermatozoa (+2.6%; p < 0.001), and decreased abnormal spermatozoa proportion (−7.0%; p < 0.01). The increase in the scrotum circumference in L2 (+4.57%) suggests that VM supplements improved testosterone secretion, spermatogenesis, and ejaculate volume (+10.20%; (p < 0.001), with a positive impact (p < 0.001) on mating behavior, on the gestation installation (+11.2%) and on the number of obtained lambs (+14.0%), as well as on the key economic indicators (+13.8% incomes per ram).

The main purpose of the conducted research was to evaluate as correctly as possible the potential that the Tigaie breed, situated in different raceways from the east part of Romania, regarding meat production. This way, knowing the level of expression of the main features on which meat production depends, positive premises are created fo developing a technical frame to facilitate change in the desired direction, of the genetic potential for this production for the sheep of this breed situated in the plateau area of Moldavia. The biological material was represented by the young sheep, males and females, of Tigaie breed derived from the agricultural holdings situated in Bacau, Vaslui and Vrancea counties. The study of the obtained values shows that the best performances were made by the lambs from the Vrancea County. So, while for the lots from Vaslui and Bacau the determined daily average increase registered average values of 132 g and 156 g, the lot composed of lambs brought from the livestock units from Vrancea the indicator was of 180 g, exceeding with 12.77% the daily average of the fattened population. Also, during the entire fattening period, the lot formed by lambs from Vrancea has exceeded with 24.61% and 11.13% the total increase determined for the lots from Vaslui and Bacau.

The objective of our study was to determine the maximal non-reactive concentrations for midazolam and ketamine in healthy volunteers using both prick and intradermal skin tests. Twenty-one healthy Caucasian volunteers were tested for midazolam and ketamine using more clustered concentrations (identical for both prick and intradermal tests) than those resulting from decimal dilutions. The criteria for positivity were based on dilutions of drugs that cause wheal and flare reactions in subjects without history of allergy. For the prick method, the concentrations that did not produce wheal and flare were 1 mg/ml for midazolam and 10 mg/ml for ketamine. For intradermal tests, using serial dilutions, we found that the highest concentration for which the subjects did not pass the positivity criteria was 0.25 mg/ml for both drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 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).

The curl’s form and type has always been an important objective of improving the Karakul of Botoşani sheep because some traits such as length, degree of closure, width and height are reflected in an original way over the general aspect of the pelt, influencing the aesthetic and commercial value of them. In pelt’s performance-specific control activities, for quality analysis is insisted mainly on the main traits that influence the expression with a certain type or curl form. In order to create conditions for genetic expression of the desired curl shape, it is necessary to follow the improvement of the following parameters: length, height, width, degree of closure, circumferential direction, contour and layout of the pelt surface curls. The used method in the assessment of the objectives was based on the technical norms specified in Section 1.4 and 1.5 of the MADR Order no. 22 / 20.01.2006, and the statistical processing of the data was based on the use of S.A.V.C. The assessment of the type of curls in long and medium tubes shows a considerable improvement in this character since the type was identified in 65.11% of cases in 2005 and increased to 66.66% in 2015. On the respective interval, the proportion of the desired lambs increased by more than 1.5%, the difference being statistically significant for p

Biological material subjected to research was represented by females belonging to Ţigaie breed which are in different lactations. Research has been expanded to six consecutive lactations, period in which the followed objectives were represented by: quantity of milk sucked by lambs during lactation, the quantity of milk produced in each lactation period when the flock is located in the milking situation exclusively and the total quantity of milk obtained in each controlled lactation. The work methods used are accepted by experimental practice. During the period of lactation was used the control coefficient method; exclusively for milking period was applied the AT4 method respecting the technical specifications specified by the International Committee for Animal Recording. Also, to eliminate the influence of environment, age, nourishment and maintenance conditions, in each season the period was the same (May-September) and had the same conditions of nourishment, maintenance, sheltering etc. Statistical processing of obtained data at the end of evaluation of milk quantity consumed by lambs show that in first 28 days of suckling, Ţigaie breed sheep furnish around 42% from the total milk quantity consumed by lambs during suckling period. Based on this observation we could say that application of selection at sheep on the basis of lambs’ corporal weight at age of 28 days is more indicated and efficient. In case of appreciation of milk quantity gathered by milking could be observed the fact that face to maximum level reached in first lactation the total estimated quantity was higher with 29.29% in second lactation and after that gradually decrease and record negative values in the last controlled lactation. Effectuation of a rate between milk quantity consumed by lambs and milk quantity obtained after their weaning show the existence of a close rate, with the exception of first lactation when sucked milk quantity was higher with 15.8% face to level of milk production gathered by milking. Statistical processing of information highlighting that between the amounts of milk consumed by lambs in the suckling period, there have been significant differences for P0.05. During the six controlled lactations the maximum milk production was recorded in the second lactation and was of 139.67 kg of milk, superior with 29.29% than level obtained in the first lactation and with 5.29% lower to the total estimated production for the third lactation.

Ovine rearing represents a domain being in a full development process in Romania. At the base of this tendency are the solicitation of local and external markets for basic production, respectively meat and milk. To record favourable economical results farmers wants to apply the most optimal technologies so, economical efficiency to reach a maximum level for each female which is part of the livestock (Pascal, 2015, Daraban 2006 ). One of those technologies refers also at precocious utilisation at reproduction of a female youth. So, the aim of effectuated research was represented by studying of possibilities for utilization at reproduction of female youth at an age still from the first year of life.Biologic material was represented by domestic ovine, from Ţigaie breed, reared in different farms situated in the North-East part of Romania. Experimental batches were formed by females with different ages, but all of them being utilized for the first time at mating. Respecting those demands were formed three batches differentially by age between them, which had, at the moment of utilization for reproduction, 9 months (L1), 18 months (L2) and 22 months (L3). Control batch was formed by adult females belonging to the same breed (LM). In the current research were tracked more aspects, the most important being the ones in which were analyzed the influence of sheep’ age on specific indexes of reproduction function, on the total duration of gestation and on further corporal development of youth females. The obtained data were statistically processed using ANOVA software, and for determination of differences and their signification were utilized Fisher and Tukey tests. The obtained results allow us to enlightened the fact that even, in case of batches formed by female youth, the mean values for studied parameters were very close to the ones specific to adult sheep, differences are significant in majority of situations for p >0.01.

Abstract This paper introduces a method to identify damages in beam-like structures by analyzing the natural frequency changes of the first six transversal vibration modes. A correlation between the damage location and frequency change is established for each mode separately, by considering the modal strain energy stored in that location. The mathematical relation describing this correlation is used to characterize the dynamic behavior of a beam with a damage of known position and to derive its Damage Location Indicator (DLI) as a six-term vector. The method consists in comparing the vectors describing the damage at any possible location along the beam with the Damage Signature (DS), which is achieved from the measurements that compare the beam's frequencies in healthy and damaged state. A modified Kullback-Leibler Divergence is used to assess the damage location. In order to permit early damage assessment, an improved frequency evaluation algorithm was developed. It is based on signal truncation and consequent spectral lines rearrangement, in order to accurately find the strongest spectral components. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by simulations and experiments.

Background: Several different criteria for the positivity of the flow-assisted Basophil Activation Test (BAT) for the diagnosis of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBA) hypersensitivity reactions have been used in past studies. Our aims were to determine the threshold for BAT positivity expressed as the stimulation index (SI, calculated as the percentage of activated basophils after stimulation with NMBA divided by the number of basophils with no NMBA stimulation) and as the percentage of activated basophils, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of BAT for NMBAs., Methods: 22 consenting adult patients with previous intraanaesthetic NMBAs-related hypersensitivity reactions were tested for the culprit drug. 34 controls who tolerated NMBAs were similarly tested. BAT was performed using Flow2Cast technique and the up-regulation of the CD63 marker on the basophils was measured using Cell Quest programme (FACSCalibur Becton Dickinson, USA). Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis was performed., Results: ROC curve analysis for BAT results versus history yields a stimulation index of 1.76 as the optimal threshold, with an AUC of 0.81 (CI 95% 0.69-0.93, p < 0.01) and a percentage of activated basophils > 5.01%, with an AUC of 0.84 (CI 95% 0.72-0.95, p < 0.01). Considering both thresholds (the SI ≥ 1.76 together with the percentage of activated basophils > 5%) as diagnostic criteria, 15 patients had positive BAT, the overall BAT sensitivity being 68.18% (CI 95% 45.11-82.26%). None of the controls fulfilled both criteria and the specificity of the test was 100% (CI 95% 87.35-100%)., Conclusions: With a stimulation index ≥ 1.76 and a percentage of activated basophils > 5.01% as threshold, the performance of BAT for NMBAs yields 68.18% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Presence of ectopic lipid droplets (LDs) in cardiac muscle is associated to lipotoxicity and tissue dysfunction. However, presence of LDs in heart is also observed in physiological conditions, such as when cellular energy needs and energy production from mitochondria fatty acid β-oxidation are high (fasting). This suggests that development of tissue lipotoxicity and dysfunction is not simply due to the presence of LDs in cardiac muscle but due at least in part to alterations in LD function. To examine the function of cardiac LDs, we obtained transgenic mice with heart-specific perilipin 5 (Plin5) overexpression (MHC-Plin5), a member of the perilipin protein family. Hearts from MHC-Plin5 mice expressed at least 4-fold higher levels of plin5 and exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in triglyceride content versus nontransgenic littermates. Chronic cardiac excess of LDs was found to result in mild heart dysfunction with decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α target genes, decreased mitochondria function, and left ventricular concentric hypertrophia. Lack of more severe heart function complications may have been prevented by a strong increased expression of oxidative-induced genes via NF-E2-related factor 2 antioxidative pathway. Perilipin 5 regulates the formation and stabilization of cardiac LDs, and it promotes cardiac steatosis without major heart function impairment.

Aims: International recommendations stipulate not performing screening skin tests to a drug in the absence of a clinical history consistent with that specific drug allergy. Nevertheless, two publications showed that a positive history of non-anaesthetic drug allergy was the only predictive factor for a positive skin test when screening for allergy to anaesthetic drugs was done. We selected from a surgical population 40 volunteers with a prior history of allergy to non-anaesthetic drugs in order to analyse the prevalence of positive allergy tests to anaesthetics., Methods: The selected adult patients were tested for 11 anaesthetic drugs using in vivo tests: skin prick (SPT) and intradermal (IDT) tests and in vitro tests: the basophil activation test (BAT) and detection of drug-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)., Results: The prevalence for the positive SPT and IDT was 1.6% and 5.8% respectively. The result of flow cytometry agreed with the SPT in five out of seven positive SPT (71%). IgEs confirmed two positive SPT with corresponding positive BAT. Ten per cent of the patients had a positive prick test to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA). For midazolam none of the SPT was positive, but 11 patients had positive IDT nonconfirmed by BAT., Conclusion: The prevalence of positive in vivo and in vitro allergy tests to NMBAs is higher in our study population. This could be an argument for pre-operative SPT to NMBAs for the surgical population with reported non-anaesthetic drug allergies. A larger prospective study is needed to validate changes in clinical practice., (© 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.)