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Összefoglalás. Célkitűzés: Miosztatin (MSTN) genotípusok összefüggés-vizsgálata izomfejlődéssel és cardiovascularis paraméterekkel angol telivérekben. Módszer: Három, MSTN-genotipizált csoportban echokardiográfiát és izomultrahangot végeztünk. Adatainkat SPSS 15.0 szoftverrel elemeztük. Eredmények: A C/C csoport mért izomvastagságai 22,08 (p = 0,004) és 12,24 (p < 0,001) %-kal; a cardiovascularis rendszeré 6,33 (p = 0,015), 6,03 (p = 0,011) és 6,72 (p = 0,014) %-kal magasabb volt, mint a T/T genotípusnál. Pearson-féle R: anconeus pólyahossz r = 0,460; triceps r = 0,590; aorta Valsalva-öböl diasztolé r = 0,423, szisztolé r = 0,450, billentyűk síkjában szisztolé r = 0,462. Következtetések: Az eredmények hozzájárulnak a galopplovak hatékony tréningmódszereinek kidolgozásához, így jelentősen befolyásolható eredményességük. Summary. Background: The myostatin gene (MSTN; g.66493737) C/T polymorphism has great influence on the development of the muscles and the rates between the types of muscle fibers as well as cardiovascular performance in thoroughbred horses. Consequently MSTN gene decisively determines the optimal race distance and racing ability in thoroughbreds through the muscle development regulation. A more detailed understanding of these genetic attributions and their associations leads us to be able to maximise the athletic potential of thoroughbreds. Objective: In this paper the relationships were investigated between the MSTN genotypes and muscle development or the main cardiovascular parameters which affect or define the cardiac performance of thoroughbreds. Methods: Ultrasonography and echocardiography was performed on each individual selected for our study. Sixty-six thoroughbreds were applied in each measurement (22 of each genotype, C/C, C/T and T/T). All of them participated at different races or were trained at the same time in Hungary. A portable MyLab™ ultrasound system (Alfa-Vet, Animal Healthcare Ltd.) was used for the measurements. To investigate the development of the candidate muscles the size of the anconaeous and triceps brachii muscles were used as indicators. The length of the mentioned muscles was given by the size of the total length of the muscle fascia (m. fasciae anconeus and m. fasciae triceps brachii). Thickness was measured at the largest anatomical diameter of the muscles. To characterize the cardiovascular system, the diameter of the Valsalva sinus of the aorta was measured at the end of diastole and systole, respectively, as well as the diameter of the aorta in the plane of the semilunar valves. The data were analyzed with the SPSS 15.0 for Windows software. Homogeneity of variance between groups was checked with Levene’s test and multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine the correlations between the measured variables and the myostatin genotypes. Results According to our measurements relationship was detected between individual myostatin genotypes, muscular development and cardiovascular parameters of the thoroughbreds. The muscle thickness and fascicle length of group C/C of MSTN showed significant differences compared to group T/T. Aortic diameter at the sinus of Valsalva (end-diastole and end-systole) and aortic diameter at the valve (end-systole) also indicated significant differences between C/C and T/T genotypes too. The thickness of the two muscles (anconaeous and triceps brachii) in the group C/C was 2.08 (p=0.004) and 12.24 (p Conclusions: The results contribute to a better understanding of the effects of MSTN genetic variations on phenotypes, which help to develop new, effective training methods for racehorses in order to prepare them for their best race distance according to their genotypes. Thus, the competitive performance and racing ability of thoroughbreds can be improved significantly.

To provide a cost-efficient parentage testing kit for red deer (Cervus elaphus), a 63 SNP set has been developed from a high-density Illumina BovineHD BeadChip containing 777 962 SNPs after filtering of genotypes of 50 stags. The successful genotyping rate was 38.6 % on the chip. The ratio of polymorphic loci among effectively genotyped loci was 6.5 %. The selected 63 SNPs have been applied to 960 animals to perform parentage control. Thirty SNPs out of the 63 had worked on the OpenArray platform. Their combined value of the probability of identity and exclusion probability was 4.9×10-11 and 0.99803, respectively. A search for loci linked with antler quality was also performed on the genotypes of the above-mentioned stags. Association studies revealed 14 SNPs associated with antler quality, where low-quality antlers with short and thin main beam antlers had values from 1 to 2, while high-quality antlers with long and strong main beams had values between 4 and 5. The chance for a stag to be correctly identified as having high-value antlers is expected to be over 88 %.

To provide a cost-efficient parentage testing kit for red deer (

When using artificial insemination in porcine reproduction, one of the most important requirements is the suitable quality of semen regarding its total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) is an appropriate method to analyse the quality of semen. Recently a portable instrument has been developed to help specialists in their everyday field work. In our study, semen quality was measured simultaneously by the portable device (Ongo) and a laboratory CASA system (Microptic) to compare TM and PM values obtained by these appliances at a concentration of 50 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. Agreement between measurements was evaluated with a Bland-Altman plot. Strong correlation was found between the investigated instruments for all the three parameters, i.e. sperm concentration, TM and PM. However, a few measurements fell outside the defined range of acceptance.

Thoroughbreds have been selected for speed and stamina since the 1700s. This selection resulted in structural and functional system-wide adaptations that enhanced physiological characteristics for outstanding speed of 61–71 kph (38–44 mph) between 1,000 and 3,200 m (5 furlongs – 2 miles). At present, horseracing is still an economically important industrial sector, therefore intensive research is underway to explore genes that allow the utilisation of genetic abilities and are significant in breeding and training. This study aims to provide an overview of genetic research and its applicability related to Thoroughbreds.

According to the latest studies, the prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is around 20% in early and mid- lactation dairy cows, generating annual losses in the United States of approximately USD 500 million to 1 billion. The diagnosis of SARA is still difficult due to lack of pathognomonic clues and the delayed appearance of certain clinical signs. Therefore, SARA remains neglected or even unrecognized in many dairy herds. SARA is characterized by daily episodes of low ruminal pH, when the pH remains in the range of 5.2 to 6 for a prolonged period due to the accumulation of short-chain fatty acids and insufficient rumen buffering. The causes of SARA are related to high-grain diets, such as feeding excessive amounts of non-structural carbohydrates and highly fermentable forages, and insufficient dietary coarse fibre. SARA is associated with the inflammation of several organs and tissues in dairy cows, and its main long-term health and economic consequences are the fluctuation of feed intake, reduced fibre digestion, depression of milk yield and milk fat content, gastrointestinal damage, diarrhoea, laminitis, liver abscesses, and lameness. The aim of this review is to summarize the information available on the physiological aspects, risk factors, prevalence and possible indicators of SARA in dairy cattle. Basedon the existing literature, rumenocentesis and the use of an oral stomach tube are reliable field techniques to detect SARA. Nowadays, improved field techniques allowing the continuous measurement of reticuloruminal pH are also available for better diagnosis of SARA. Wireless indwelling pH probes may become important tools for the continuous measurement of ruminal pH in the coming years., Prema najnovijim istraživanjima, pojavnost subakutne acidoze buraga (SARA) je oko 20 % u mliječnih krava u ranoj i srednjoj laktaciji, a prouzroči gubitke od približno 500 milijuna do 1 milijarde američkih dolara godišnje u SAD. Dijagnostika SARA je još uvijek problematična zbog nedostatka patognomoničnih karakteristika te kašnjenja pojavnosti određenih kliničkih znakova. Stoga je SARA i dalje zanemarena pa čak i neprepoznata u mnogim stadima mliječnih krava. SARA karakteriziraju dnevne epizode niskog pH buraga, kada se pH vrijednost kreće u rasponu od 5,2 do 6,0 kroz duže vrijeme, zbog nakupljanja nižih masnih kiselina i nedovoljnog puferiranja sadržaja buraga. Uzroci SARA povezani su s obrocima bogatim koncentratima, kao što je pretjerano davanje nestrukturnih ugljikohidrata i visoko probavljive voluminozne krme s nedovoljno grube voluminoze. SARA je povezana i s upalom različitih tkiva i organa u mliječnih krava, a njezine dugotrajne posljedice uključuju promjenjiv unos hrane, smanjenu probavu vlakana, smanjenu proizvodnju mlijeka i mliječne masti, oštećenja probavnog sustava, proljeva, laminitis, apscesi na jetri i šepavost. Cilj ovog preglednog rada je sažeti trenutno dostupne podatke o fiziološkim aspektima, činiteljima rizika, pojavnosti i potencijalnim indikatorima SARA u mliječnih krava. Prema trenutnoj literaturi jedine terenske metode za dijagnostiku SARA uključuju ruminocentezu i korištenje sonde buraga. Danas postoje poboljšane terenske dijagnostičke metode za kontinuirano mjerenje retikoruminalnog pH i lakšu dijagnostiku SARA. Bežične sonde koje kontinuirano mjere pH sadržaja buraga trebale bi postati sve značajnija dijagnostička metoda u skorijoj budućnosti.

The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the total number of piglets born (TNB), the litter weight born alive (LWA), the number of piglets born dead (NBD), the average litter weight on the 21st day (M21D) and the interval between litters (IBL). Genotypes were determined on a high-density Illumina Porcine SNP 60K BeadChip. Data screening and data identification were performed by a multi-locus mixed-model. Statistical analyses were carried out to find associations between individual genotypes of 290 Hungarian Large White sows and the investigated reproduction parameters. According to the analysis outcome, three SNPs were identified to be associated with TNB. These loci are located on chromosomes 1, 6 and 13 (−log10P = 6.0, 7.86 and 6.22, the frequencies of their minor alleles, MAF, were 0.298, 0.299 and 0.364, respectively). Two loci showed considerable association (−log10P = 10.35 and 10.46) with LWA on chromosomes 5 and X, the MAF were 0.425 and 0.446, respectively. Seven loci were found to be associated with NBD. These loci are located on chromosomes 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 (−log10P = 10.95, 5.43, 8.29, 6.72, 6.81, 5.90, and 5.15, respectively). One locus showed association (−log10P = 5.62) with M21D on chromosome 1 (the MAF was 0.461). Another locus was found to be associated with IBL on chromosome 8 (−log10P = 7.56; the MAF was 0.438). The above-mentioned loci provide a straightforward possibility to assist selection by molecular tools and, consequently, to improve the competitiveness of the Hungarian Large White (HLW) breed.

Objective To estimate effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms on the intramuscular fat content (IMF) of Hungarian Simmental bulls. Methods Genotypes were determined on high-density Illumina Bovine DNA Chip. After slaughtering of animals, chemical percentage of intramuscular fat was determined from longissimus dorsi muscle. A multi-locus mixed-model was applied for statistical analyses. Results Analyses revealed four loci (rs43284251, rs109210955, rs41630030, and rs41642251) to be highly associated (-log10P>12) with IMF located on chromosome 1, 6, 13, and 17, respectively. The frequency of their minor alleles was 0.426, 0.221, 0.162, and 0.106. Conclusion The loci above can be useful in selection programs and gives the possibility to assist selection by molecular tools.

The aim was to elucidate whether aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced vasospasm induces changes of regional glucose uptake in surgically treated, asymptomatic cases.(18)FDG uptake (standardized uptake value, SUV) was analysed with PET in eight surgically treated aneurismal patients with a mean middle cerebral artery flow velocity120 cm/seconds measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Data were compared with a healthy control group using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM99b).Six of the eight patients had no focal neurological signs. The inhomogeneous bilateral increase in SUV (p0.0001) was asymmetrical, with an almost 70% larger volume on the operated side. Reduced glucose uptake was found in the frontal and temporobasal regions of the two patients with neurological deficits (p0.0001); the affected volume was 40% larger on the operated side.SAH-induced vasospasm results in widespread increase of glucose uptake-probably reflecting increased glycolysis. This was earlier than neurological focal signs appear. Decreased glucose uptake can be detected in severe cases of vasospasm reflected by neurological deficit. Although the changes are more prominent where surgery had taken place our results suggest that not only the surgery, but also subarachnoid blood might have resulted in our findings.

Background and Purpose Vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage results in proliferative vasculopathy. Systemic hypertension also causes vascular hypertrophy. Both of these histological changes can lead to rigidity of the cerebrovascular system, reducing its autoregulatory capacity. Methods Blood flow velocity (BFV) in the middle cerebral artery at rest and cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CVRC) (percent rise in BFV after acetazolamide stimulation) measured by means of transcranial Doppler sonography were studied many years after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with proven cerebral vasospasm (mean BFV >160 cm/s). The BFV under resting conditions and the CVRC values of the ipsilateral and the contralateral hemispheres were measured in 29 patients (mean age, 43 years; mean follow-up, 4.6 years) and compared with those of control subjects. Results Persistent high BFV (>120 cm/s) was found in three patients in the peripheral branch of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery. In the main trunks of the arteries of the anterior circle of Willis, BFV was normal in all cases. CVRC was normal in all patients (ipsilateral, 52±21%; contralateral, 56±17%); values did not differ significantly from each other or from the control value (45±18%). The higher value of CVRC on the contralateral side was found to be statistically significant in selected groups (hypertensive patients and patients with residual infarct on late CT). Conclusions Proliferative vasculopathy developed at the time of vasospasm must have resolved and did not reduce late vasoreactivity. Comorbidity with hypertension also did not seem to influence the late vasoreactivity toward normalization.

The authors report a case of Hippel's angiomatosis successfully treated with contact beta irradiation. The area of the multiplex retinal angioma and the accompanying retinal detachment was irradiated with a 106Ru/106Rh radioactive applicator. Hemodynamic changes due to irradiation were followed up in the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery with transcranial Doppler sonography. Scarring was also demonstrated by fluorescein angiography and A- and B-scan ultrasonography. Irradiation caused the narrowing and later the occlusion of the precapillaries and capillaries (i.e. the resistance vessels) and that of the shunts inside the angioma; consequently, vascular resistance increased. Transcranial Doppler sonographic recordings showed a decrease in blood flow velocity as compared to pathologically increased blood flow velocity in angiomas, and a gradual increase in vascular resistance which was lower before treatment.

Ruptured aneurysms cause subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH) that may or may not result in neurological sequelae. Acute SAH has been shown to reduce cerebral blood flow and metabolism. An important question is whether or not the SAH induced vasospasm without clinical symptoms leads to cerebral ischemia? Using postoperative [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with vasospasm diagnosed by transcranial Doppler without clinical changes, hypermetabolism was detected as an indicator of diffuse compensated ischemia in 6 cases. In 2 patients with neurological deficit reduced glucose metabolism was observed in the frontal and temporal-basal cortex.

In this retrospective study of 67 aneurysmal patients, the predictive role of central conduction time (CCT) on vasospasm occurrence evaluated by means of transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and the correlation of CCT to blood flow velocity measured simultaneously in postoperative course were studied. Data about the clinical state of patients at the time of admission (Hunt Hess scale), severity of subarachnoidal hemorrhage on initial CT scan (Fisher grade), timing of surgery (acute or delayed), outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale), severity of vasospasm graded by highest mean blood flow velocity (BFV) during the entire clinical course and CCT values measured at admission (preoperatively), then postoperatively (one day after surgery) and simultaneously with later TCD investigations were collected from the files. Interhemispheric difference of CCT was also calculated. The results showed that CCT at admission was not predictive for vasospasm. CCT measured either at admission or on the first postoperative day did not differ significantly in the different grades of vasospasm. Similar results were obtained in the acute and in the late operated group of patients. The results also suggest that increased CCT and interhemispheric difference at the time of admission indicate a worse prognosis, but this can be related to higher surgical risk rather than to a higher incidence of late ischemic deterioration. Simultaneous CCT and TCD examinations demonstrated that coincident and statistically significant (p0.01) increase of actual CCT (6.7 msec) was found only in the severe grade of vasospasm (BFV 200 cm/s). The authors discuss the role of CCT and TCD monitoring in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

54 head injured patients were monitored by means of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography. The diffuse brain swelling was evaluated by CT (15 mild, 9 moderate, 28 severe), 2 patients had only focal laesions. We assessed the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) by admission and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). The flow velocity (FV) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was monitored by admission and repeatedly depending on clinical state.

Some intracranial diseases may also influence orbital blood circulation. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TDS) is a simple, noninvasive method for the follow up of these hemodynamic changes [1–3].

Two-hundred and fifty-two computerized tomography (CT) scans of 107 patients with head injuries were analyzed. The most frequent consequence of trauma was a diffuse swelling of the brain in 91% of the cases. The severity of brain swelling and its course can be estimated by the compression of (or absence of) the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid space. These observations may be of prognostic value as well. By measurement of the Hounsfield units (HU) in 52 cases the blood or water content in the brain tissues was assessed. An increase in blood content of the tissues (hyperaemia) can account for an increase in Hounsfield values. A decrease in HU suggests brain edema. The density measurements showed that in the first hours and days following head injury, the diffuse brain swelling was caused by severe cerebrovascular congestion in the majority (53%) of the cases. Immediate brain edema without a preceding hyperaemic phase occurs less frequently (32%). Between the 1st and 4th day after injury, edema started to prevail, and between the 5th and 8th day the edematous type of brain swelling was present almost exclusively.