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Animal teeth are a common model in studies on dentin adhesive materials. The aim of this study was to compare microstructural parameters (density and diameter of dentinal tubules (DT), peritubular dentin (PTD) thickness, PTD and intertubular dentin (ITD) surface area) and chemical characteristics of canine, porcine, equine, and human root dentin. The middle layers of dentin were harvested just below a cemento-enamel junction from incisors and investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). SEM evaluation of the specimens revealed, that porcine dentin shared most similarities with human dentin. When comparing the density of DTs, canine dentin was also found to be similar to human dentin. Elemental composition of the root dentin did not differ significantly in porcine, equine and human dentin, but in canine dentin higher magnesium value in PTD compared to ITD was found. It is known that microstructural and chemical characteristics affect the strength of the adhesive bonds created among restorative materials and dentin. According to the results of this study, porcine dentin seems to be the most appropriate model to study dental materials to be used in human restorative dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study aimed at investigating the effects of dialysis prior to cooling and storing on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxidation status in sperm during liquid preservation in dialyzed boar semen. Findings reveal that increased levels of SOD in dialyzed semen cannot counterbalance reduced levels of TAC and prevent oxidative injures to the spermatozoal sperm membrane.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in seminal plasma were evaluated on the basis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis as predictors for distinguishing satisfactory from unsatisfactory boar semen samples after storage. SOD on day 0 correlated significantly with progressive motility (r = -0.686; P < 0.05) and viability (r = -0.513; P < 0.05) after storage; TBARS correlated only with motility (r = -0.480; P < 0.05). Semen samples that, after 3 days of storage, fulfilled all criteria for semen characteristics (viability > 85%, motility > 70%, progressive motility > 25%, and normal morphology > 50%) had significantly lower SOD levels on the day 0 than those with at least one criterion not fulfilled (P < 0.05) following storage. SOD levels of less than 1.05 U/mL predicted with 87.5% accuracy that fresh semen will suit the requirements for satisfactory semen characteristics after storage, while semen with SOD levels higher than 1.05 U/mL will not fulfill with 100% accuracy at least one semen characteristic after storage. These results support the proposal that SOD in fresh boar semen can be used as a predictor of semen quality after storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). It states that serologic allergy testing, and microscopic examination of skin swabs and skin scrabs of dogs were conducted to eliminate secondary infections, skin diseases, and Flea allergy dermatitis. Results show that common allergens including local erythema, itching, and conjunctivitis were identified during ASIT.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two off-label protocols for the treatment of bovine mastitis with regard to antibiotic residues in milk and length of withdrawal periods. Forty-eight udder quarters infected with Staphylococcus aureus, from 19 dairy cows were included in the study. The animals were divided into two groups (A and B); Group A received intramammary and systemic intramuscular treatment with amoxicillin while Group B received intra-mammary treatment only. The impact of the treatment regime on antibiotic concentrations in milk was evaluated. All cows received six intra-mammary injections with cattle-labelled injectors in 12-h intervals, whereas cows in Group A were additionally treated intra-muscularly twice in 24-h intervals. Milk samples were taken in 12-h intervals up to 120 hours after the beginning of treatment, which was considered to be a cut-off value for the withdrawal period. Amoxicillin concentrations were measured using a Waters Xevo Triple Quad mass spectrometer (QQQ) and a Waters UPLC. Amoxicillin concentrations were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B in all measured intervals. Antibiotic concentrations significantly decreased at 72 h (Group B) and 84 h (Group A) afterthe beginning of treatment. At theend of the producer-suggested withdrawal period, concentrations of amoxicillin were above MRL in 65% of udder quarters in Group B and in 40% of udder quarters in Group A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate pregnancy rates of 232 dairy cows in relation to fat to protein ratio (FPR) in milk, using survival analysis. Pregnancy rates of cows inseminated within 90 and 120 days postpartum in a group of clinically healthy cows were 38 and 68 %, respectively. Lower pregnancy rates are observed in groups of cows with ketosis and reproductive disorders, 44 and 28 % for pregnancy rate within 120 days. The highest correlation between FPR and calving to conception interval (CC) was observed between 30 and 60 days postpartum (r = 0.411, P < 0.001). Diagnostic evaluation of FPR using ROC (receiver operating characteristics) analysis showed that FPR at 1.37 discriminates cows with CC below and above 120 days with an accuracy of 71 %. Survival curves for the subgroups of animals with FPR below or above 1.37 differed significantly in the case of clinically healthy cows, where CC in subgroups were 87± 28 and 122 ±42 days, respectively. Although survival curves for subgroups for cows with diseases did not differ significantly we observed longer CC in all subgroups with FPR > 1.37 than in subgroups with FPR < 1.37. In all groups pregnancy rates within 90 and 120 days were lower in subgroups with FPR > 1.37 than in subgroups with FPR < 1.37. Therefore, FPR can be used by bovine practitioners to predict fertility problems in dairy herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cows in negative energy balance exhibit reduced fertility, mediated by metabolic signals that influence the reproductive system. Measurement of IGF-1 contributes to the diagnosis of negative energy balance. The aim of this study was to investigate possible variations in IGF-1 levels in samples taken at different times of the day. Equine IGF-1 ELISA was used for measuring IGF-1 in bovine samples. Statistical analysis was applied to the results. Using scatter diagrams fitted with Deming regression lines, we established that paired measurements on samples obtained at different times were close to the line of equality. 90% of the absolute differences were less than the reproducibility coefficient, confirming that the level of agreement between the IGF-1 levels at different times of the day was satisfactory. IGF-1 levels in bovine samples were independent of the time of day at which samples were taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]