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Background: Paramphistomosis, a parasitic condition caused by Calicophoron microbothrioides in domestic ruminants, has garnered limited attention among cattle breeders in the Cajamarca Valley, Peru. Despite its status as an endemic affliction with considerable risk, scant investigations have been conducted on this parasite within this region. Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation between the population of adult parasites (referred to as “number of adult parasites” or NAP) in rumen and reticulum of naturally infected cows and the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Methods: A sample of twenty-two cattle harboring adult parasites in their rumen and reticulum was selected for analysis. Fecal samples were collected from these animals to establish a correlation between NAP and EPG. Data analysis included linear regression, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Results: The study revealed a remarkably strong and directly proportional association between the number of adult parasites in rumen and reticulum and the coproparazitologic EPG (r = 0.971). Conclusion: According to the linear model (NAP = 60.381 ± 3.37; EPG - 22.979) increasing EPG by one lead to an increase by 60 NAP in rumen and reticulum (p<0.01).

Noninvasive genetic methods can be used to estimate animal abundances and offer several advantages over conventional methods. Few attempts have been made, however, to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the estimates. We compared four methods of estimating population size based on fecal sampling. Two methods used rarefaction indices and two were based on capture-mark-recapture (CMR) estimators, one combining genetic and field data. Volunteer hunters and others collected 1904 fecal samples over 2 consecutive years in a large area containing a well-studied population of brown bears (Ursus arctos). On our$49, \\!000\\!\\!-\\!\\!km^2$study area in south-central Sweden, population size estimates ranged from 378 to 572 bears in 2001 and 273 to 433 bears in 2002, depending on the method of estimation used. The estimates from the best model in the program MARK appeared to be the most accurate, based on the minimum population size estimate from radio-marked bears in a subsection of our sampling area. In addition, MARK models included heterogeneity and temporal variation in detection probabilities, which appeared to be present in our samples. All methods, though, incorrectly suggested a biased sex ratio, probably because of sex differences in detection probabilities and low overall detection probabilities. The population size of elusive animals can be estimated reliably over large areas with noninvasive genetic methods, but we stress the importance of an adequate and well-distributed sampling effort. In cases of biased sampling, calibration with independent estimates may be necessary. We recommend that this noninvasive genetic approach, using the MARK models, be used in the future in areas where sufficient numbers of volunteers can be mobilized.

This research was conducted at the Farm Santa Inés, belonging to the Technical University of Machala, using 160 bred broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus ), stayed the same as trying to meet the highest standards of management and health, however to cause challenges no vaccines or antibiotic treatment within the farm. The aim was to determine the efficacy of vinegar and infusion of oreganón Plectranthus amboinicus in acriollados bred broilers. The research lasted 42 days, 16 were randomized groups of 10 chickens each, considering 4 treatments (T1 = vinegar, T2 = vinegar + oreganón infusion, T3 = oreganón infusion, T4 = control) with 4 replicates each. Balanced administered free of antibiotics, food consumption data and daily treated water were performed, the weights of the birds weekly; stool samples were collected at the start, middle and end of the assay. In conclusion, the field variables did not obtain statistically significant differences in treatment, but in the Microbiology, the T1, T2 and T3 showed efficiencies decrease when compared to T4, but T3 at the end of the research differed from the T1, T2, and T4. Assuming oreganón Plectranthus amboinicus infusion induces a reduction in the number of CFU in both Total Flora and coliforms.

The southern Norwegian wolverine (Gulo gulo) population was considered functionally extinct in the 1960s but has partly recovered in recent years. Proper management of this population is highly dependent on reliable estimates of critical population parameters such as population size, sex ratio, immigration rate, and reproductive contribution from immigrants. We report on a large-scale population monitoring project assessing these parameters through genetic tagging of individuals, with feces as the source of DNA. Sixty-eight different individuals were detected among 147 successfully genotyped samples collected in 2000 and 2001. Sixty of these individuals were represented in the 2001 sample, which may be considered a minimum estimate of the population size. Almost 50% of these animals were sampled only once, however, indicating that the true population size may be markedly higher. Accordingly, a capture-recapture estimate based on the observed resampling rates suggested a population size of 89 wolverines (95% confidence interval [CI] = 74-104), which is approximately 35% higher than an estimate of 64 obtained from the number of active natal dens (95% CI = 46-95; p = 0.08). Indirect estimates of dispersal distances inferred from mother-offspring relationships suggested that wolverine males have the ability to disperse up to 500 km, a distance exceeding anything previously reported in the literature. Dispersal distances of more than 100 km were detected for females. Bayesian clustering analysis and subsequent assessment of individual relationships suggest that immigrants from northern Scandinavia have contributed and still contribute to the southern Norwegian gene pool, counteracting genetic erosion and reducing the risk of inbreeding depression. Additional sampling efforts will be undertaken during the coming years to allow for observations of population trends, immigration rate, and reproductive variance among individuals. Such data will provide an important basis for the design of an appropriate conservation plan for this small and vulnerable population.

A total of 142 human and 88 calf bifidobacteria were isolated and identified; about 12% of all isolated strains exhibited auto-aggregation (Agg) phenotype (Agg+). Properties considered to be predicting for their adhesion to intestine, i.e. auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity were determined by xylene extraction in 18 human and 8 calf origin bifidobacteria. Co-aggregation of 8 human bifidobacteria with 8 clostridia was also evaluated. Agg varied between 16.3 and 96.4%, hydrophobicity values ranged from 0 to 82.8%. The strongest Agg and hydrophobicity were observed in B. bifidum and B. merycicum isolates. However, there were no statistically significant correlations between these two properties. Variability in the percentage of Agg and hydrophobicity was observed after cultivation of bifidobacteria on different carbon sources. All bifidobacteria showed co-aggregation ability with clostridia tested but there were remarkable differences depending on specific combinations of strains. The bifidobacterial strains with the highest ability to co-aggregate with clostridia were B. bifidum I4 and B. longum I10 isolated from infants; these strains gave also high values of Agg. Agg properties together with co-aggregation ability with potential pathogen can be used for preliminary selection of probiotic bacteria.

Follicular dynamics were studied in Alpine goats during their natural estrous cycle in Brazil. Seven multiparous Alpine goats were used (2 to 5 years of age; 35-42 kg body weight). The experimental period started one day before ovulation (day zero). Data were taken daily by transrectal ultrasonography (7.5 MHz). Progesterone was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The SAS program (release 6.12) was used for the analysis of variance. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. According to the results, there are three growth waves in each cycle. The first, second and third waves emerged in days 0.5 ± 0.6, 7.5 ± 0.6, and 12 ± 0.6, respectively (ovulation = Day 0). In the three-wave cycles, the dominant follicle of the third wave (5.6 ± 0.5 mm) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than the follicle of the first (4.8 ± 0.5 mm) and second waves (4.3 ± 0.5 mm). The amount of small follicles was lower (p<0,05) in the first follicular wave (4.20 ± 0.2 follicles) when compared to the second (6.2 ± 0.2 follicles) and third wave (7.5 ± 0.1 follicles). Significant differences (p<0.0001) were found in plasma P4 concentrations during the estrous cycle. The results show that goats during the natural estrous cycle present three waves of follicular growth, and the number of waves per cycle is associated with the luteal phase and the cycle length. Estudou-se a dinâmica folicular em cabras Alpinas durante o ciclo estral natural no Brasil. Foram utilizadas sete cabras Alpinas multíparas (2-5 anos de idade) com peso corporal entre 35 e 42 kg. O período experimental iniciouse um dia antes da ovulação (dia zero) até a seguinte ovulação. Os dados foram tomados diariamente utilizando ecografia transretal (7,5 MHz). A determinação de progesterona realizou-se por médio de radioimunoensaio (RIE). Para o analise de variância utilizou-se SAS version 6.12.Todos os dados foram apresentados como media ± DP. Os resultados indicaram a presença de três ondas de crescimento em cada ciclo. A primeira, segunda e terceira onda emergiram nos dias 0,5 ± 0,6; 7,5 ± 0,6 e 12 ± 0,6, respectivamente (ovulação= dia 0). Nos ciclos de três ondas, o folículo dominante da terceira onda (5,6 ± 0,5 mm) foi significativamente maior (p<0,01) que o folículo da primeira (4,8 ± 0,5 mm) e segunda onda (4,3 ± 0,5 mm). A quantidade de folículos pequenos foi menor (p<0,05) na primeira onda folicular (4,20 ± 0,2 folículos) quando comparada com a segunda (6,2 ± 0,2 folículos) e terceira onda (7,5 ± 0,1 folículos). Houve diferenças significativas (p<0,0001) nas concentrações plasmáticas de P4 durante os dias do ciclo estral. Os resultados refletiram que as cabras durante o ciclo estral natural apresentaram três ondas de crescimento folicular e a quantidade de ondas em cada ciclo estão associadas com a fase lútea e duração do ciclo estral.Cabras, ecografia, folículos, progesterona, reprodução. Se estudió la dinámica folicular en cabras Alpinas durante el ciclo estral natural en Brasil. Fueron utilizadas siete cabras Alpinas multíparas (2-5 años de edad) con peso corporal entre 35 a 42 kg. El período experimental se inició un día antes de la ovulación (día cero) hasta la siguiente. Los datos fueron tomados diariamente por medio de ecografía transrectal (7,5 MHz). La determinación de progesterona se realizó por medio de radioinmunoanálisis (RIA). Para el análisis de varianza se utilizó SAS versión 6.12. Todos los datos fueron presentados como promedio ± DS. Los resultados indicaron la presencia de tres ondas de crecimiento en cada ciclo. La primera, segunda y tercera ondas emergieron en los días 0,5 ± 0,6; 7,5 ± 0,6 y 12 ± 0,6, respectivamente (ovulación=día 0). En los ciclos de tres ondas, el folículo dominante de la tercera onda (5,6 ± 0,5 mm) fue significativamente mayor (p<0,01) que el folículo de la primera (4,8 ± 0,5 mm) y segunda onda (4,3 ± 0,5 mm). La cantidad de folículos pequeños fue menor (p<0,05) en la primera onda folicular (4,20 ± 0,2 folículos) cuando comparada con la segunda (6,2 ± 0,2 folículos) y tercera onda (7,5 ± 0,1 folículos). Hubo diferencias significativas (p<0,0001) en las concentraciones plasmáticas de P4 durante los días del ciclo estral. Los resultados mostraron que, las cabras durante el ciclo estral natural presentaron tres ondas de crecimiento folicular y la cantidad de ondas en cada ciclo están asociadas con la fase luteal y duración del ciclo estral.

Wood samples of apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorua) and ilang-ilang (Ilang-Ilang C. dadloyi) and feces of termites [Cryptotermes brevis (Walker)] fed on these woods were collected from University of the Philippines, Los Baňos. Lignin of each sample was isolated by Björkman’s procedure. There was no significant difference in 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra or in the methoxyl content between Björkman lignins from original woods and termite feces. Differences were detected in the contents of aliphatic and unconjugated phenolic hydroxyl groups, suggesting minor structural changes of lignin during digestion by termites. In addition, the ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl nuclei of Björkman lignin from termite feces determined by 1H NMR spectra was higher than those from the original woods. The molar ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl nuclei of termite feces was higher than those from the original woods as determined by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation. These results suggest that the structural changes of lignin in the termite gut are due to the insignificant formation of C-C linkages in guaiacyl nuclei. It was concluded that there were minor changes in the structural features of lignin under mostly anaerobic conditions, in contrast to the significant changes that occur through biological modification under aerobic conditions.

Al-Ḥurūf al-Muqaṭṭaʿa, which are at the beginnings of the 29 sūrahs of the Qurʾān and consist of 14 letters, have been a subject of curiosity since the time of the Successors. About al-Ḥurūf al-Muqaṭṭaʿa, as they appear with a non-existent usage in Arabic language - at least within our knowledge of the language so far - more than twenty interpretations have been made. Islamic scholars who thought that they could not understand these letters, have included them in the category of Mutashābihāt, which has been beyond our limit of comprehension and have treated these letters as they were, without interpretation. These letters, which are included in the research field of linguistics, indeed have caused a problem of coherence since they have been under the same heading with the transcendental subjects of Mutashābihāt such as the attributes of God, knowledge of the future, Heaven, Hell, Angels. On the one hand, this problem has forced the commentators to interpret al-Ḥurūf al-Muqaṭṭaʿa out of their usual way which cannot be explained comparing their general interpretation styles. On the other hand, these letters have taken their place among the indispensable subjects of Orientalist Qur'anic studies that highlight their mysterious qualities.

Background. In developing countries the duration and severity of diarrheal illnesses are greatest among infants and young children with malnutrition and impaired immune status, both factors that may be associated with zinc deficiency. In children with severe zinc deficiency, diarrhea is common and responds quickly to zinc supplementation. Methods. To evaluate the effects of daily supplementation with 20 mg of elemental zinc on the duration and severity of acute diarrhea, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 937 children, 6 to 35 months of age, in New Delhi, India. All the children also received oral rehydration therapy and vitamin supplements. Results. Among the children who received zinc supplementation, there was a 23 percent reduction (95 percent confidence interval, 12 percent to 32 percent) in the risk of continued diarrhea. Estimates of the likelihood of recovery according to the day of zinc supplementation revealed a reduction of 7 percent (95 percent confidence interval, -9 percent to +22 percent) in the risk of continued diarrhea during days 1 through 3 and a reduction of 38 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 27 percent to 48 percent) after day 3. When zinc supplementation was initiated within three days of the onset of diarrhea, there was a 39 percent reduction (95 percent confidence interval, 7 percent to 61 percent) in the proportion of episodes lasting more than seven days. In the zinc-supplementation group there was a decrease of 39 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 6 percent to 70 percent) in the mean number of watery stools per day (P=0.02) and a decrease of 21 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 10 percent to 31 percent) in the number of days with watery diarrhea. The reductions in the duration and severity of diarrhea were greater in children with stunted growth than in those with normal growth