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Canine babesiosis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide that affects dogs regardless of age, breed or gender. The aim of this study was to corroborate the clinical signs of canine patients confirmed with babesiosis, the results of paraclinical investigations, as well as the choice of the therapeutic protocol. The present study was performed on 42 dogs referred to the Clinic of Parasitic Diseases from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi with similar symptoms to canine babesiosis. After recording data regarding age, breed and gender of all dogs and the clinical examination of the patients, two peripheral blood samples were collected from each patient for the following investigations: Diff-quick stained blood smears and blood tests (hematological, biochemical, serologic). After analysis of blood smear, all the dogs (42/42) were positive for Babesia spp. and the most common clinical signs identified were: fever - 37/42 (88,1%), pale mucous membrane - 31/42 (73,8%) and hemoglobinuria - 31/42 (73,8%). The results of hematologic tests revealed thrombocythopenia - 40/42 and moderate to severe anemia. Further serological tests detected Babesia gibsoni antibodies in 2/42 blood samples. Depending on the results of the blood tests, the therapeutic dose of imizole was administered in a single dose or divided into two doses, administered within a maximum of 12 hours. In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the importance of paraclinical investigations in order to identify possible co-infections and adjust treatment in infected dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoptic mange in dog is a common parasitic dermatitis, especially in non-controlled, stray dogs that develop evocative clinical signs. The present study includes 48 dogs, with different backgrounds, both privately owned and dogs from shelters. We searched for predisposing factors for contacting sarcoptic mange, such as: age, sex, breed, source of contamination. Their age ranged from 1.15 months to 12 years (with more than a half being under 1 year old), they were mostly common or cross-breed dogs, and the sex ratio was almost equal, with 25 females and 23 males. All dogs were naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, as confirmed by identification on the microscope of skin scrapings from different body areas. Furthermore, we aimed to have a general idea concerning the severity of infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in the dogs we studied. The dogs received a clinical score based on the evaluation of typical signs that appear in sarcoptic mange such as alopecia, erythema, scales/crusts and the extent of mange on the cutaneous surface on different body parts (head, trunk, legs, tail). The most affected body part was the head, followed by the trunk and the most scored sign was the extent of affected skin and alopecia. The treatment consisted in the administration of either afoxolaner (Nexgard®), twice at a monthly interval (2.7-6.9 mg/kg), either sarolaner (Simparica®), twice at a monthly interval (2-4 mg/kg), or doramectin (Dectomax®) 0.2 mg/kg, twice at 14 days interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a veterinary drug, Diminazene aceturate (4,4'-(1-Triazene- 1,3-dyil)-bis-(benzenecarboximidamide), in an inclusion complex with ß-cyclodextrin as a suitable treatment for parasitic diseases caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in farmed carp. The efficacy was determined by the reduction in the infection intensity. The complexes were prepared by the coevaporation method and were characterized by DSC and FTIR. The selected stoichoimetry for the chosen drug was 1:1. Administration of Diminazene aceturate and complex was carried out by including appropriate doses in animal feed. Our studies suggest that the Diminazene-ß-cyclodextrin complex results in a reduction in the infection degree and decrease in the trophont size in the treated fish. The oral treatment of Diminazene aceturate in inclusion complexes may be an alternative to bath treatments in carp farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histophagous ciliate Ichthyophthyrius multifiliis can cause lethality in farmed carp brood (Cyprinus carpio) as well as other representatives. In the present study, an antiparasitic substance (diminazene aceturate) and its complex with a cyclodextrin were tested for its activity against this pathogen in vitro. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the therapeutic potential of diminazene and the enhancement by the ß-cyclodextrin. Of these, the complex proved to be more effective (i.e., killed all parasites in a test period of 6-8 hours). Administration in filtered water suggests that these compounds can not be effective in bathing. In view of these findings, we will discuss the potential utility of chemotherapy as a strategy for controlling ciliatosis in farmed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climatic modifications lead to global warming; favouring the risk of the appearance and development of diseases are considered until now tropical diseases. Another important factor is the workers’ immigration, the economic crisis favouring the passive transmission of new species of culicidae from different areas. Malaria is the disease with the widest distribution in the globe. Millions of people are infected every year in Africa, India, South-East Asia, Middle East, and Central and South America, with more than 41% of the global population under the risk of infestation with malaria. The increase of the number of local cases reported in 2007–2011 indicates that the conditions can favour the high local transmission in the affected areas. In the situation presented, the establishment of the level of risk concerning the reemergence of malaria in Romania becomes a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a mechatronic system programmed and controlled by a PLC and inverter for driving an ac motor. Torque and speed for part of mechatronic systems depends of actuating source for cinematic structure. In our research, mechanical structure consists of an AC motor. A technique for setting and control of speed and torque is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the distribution of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania. Ninety owned dogs were subjected to clinical examination at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi and all detectable ticks (58 ticks from 15 dogs) were collected. Additionally, 124 ticks collected from the coat of other dogs (no. = 23) were included. Three Babesia species were found in dogs: Babesia canis (94.4%), Babesia vogeli (3.3%), and Babesia rossi (2.2%). All the dogs resulted negative for H. canis. The ticks were identified as follows: Ixodes ricinus (64%), Dermacentor reticulatus (33%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (3%). B. canis (Minimum Infection Rate; MIR = 81%), B. vogeli (MIR = 3%), and Babesia microti-like piroplasm (MIR = 1%) were found in ticks. Moreover, 15 ticks were positive for H. canis, 6 were co-infected with B. canis, and 1 with B. microti-like piroplasm. This is the first molecular identification of B. rossi in two symptomatic dogs from Romania, although further studies are needed to investigate the vector competence of other ticks from Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procynoides) are canids indigenous to Eastern Asia considered being one of the most invasive non-native animals in Europe. Due to the lack of natural enemies, the spread of the species into the Europe areal raises the possibility of the spread of some hazardous zoonoses for which is a vector including viruses able to cause fatal encephalitis (e.g., rabies). In this light, from a clinical perspective, objective, quick, cost-effective techniques for investigating the integrity and functionality of the nervous system are needed. Our study investigates for the first time the auditory system function of the raccoon dogs by using brainstem auditory evoked technique. Raccoon dogs share similarities with other species regarding brainstem auditory evoked potentials (responses) (BAER) morphology. The obtained traces where homogenous according to the latencies and amplitudes of the waves and may be used for further studies regarding the nervous system physiology in this species but also to help clinicians to asses any functional impairment of auditory system in this species. Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procynoides) are canids indigenous to Eastern Asia being one of the most invasive non-native animals in Europe and potential vectors for several hazardous parasitic and viral diseases. To present, there is a lack of studies regarding objective techniques used to appreciate the integrity and functionality of the nervous system in this species. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAER) is a cost-effective, quick and noninvasive technique to assess the functionality of nervous system. The aim of the study is to provide reference values and evaluates the reliability of BAER recording with needle electrodes in clinically healthy raccoon dogs. Nine individuals were investigated for BAER under xylazine and ketamine general anesthesia. Four waves (I, II, III and V) were identified and evaluated for latencies, morphologically similarity to those previously reported for other species (dogs, horses, cats, and ferret). Our data can be used in further studies to asses objectively the auditory system function in raccoon dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the election of Emil Constantinescu as president of Romania; The history of Constantinescu as a research scientist; Who voted for him; The challenges facing him as he takes office.