Pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, some biochemical parameters and hematology in bovine respiratory disease complex

Abstract.

Background

Infectious bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the world's major livestock problems.

Aims

The study aimed to determine the diagnostic importance of pentraxin-3, endothelin-1, clinical biochemistry, and hematological parameters in infectious BRDC.

Methods

Animals in this study were Simmental breed, 1-7 years old, untreated, and healthy and BRDC cattle (40 cattle with BRDC in the disease group, and 10 healthy cattle in the control group). Clinical findings such as general posture, respiratory rate per minute, rectal temperature, heart rate per minute, and mental posture of the diseased cattle were recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein only once from all cattle. Complete blood count from blood samples was measured in an automatic complete blood count device, biochemical parameters in an autoanalyzer, and pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA method.

Results

Rectal temperature, respiratory and pulse rates per minute, total leukocyte count, gamma-glutamyl transferase, urea, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 concentrations were found to be statistically higher in BRDC group than those in the control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in the BRDC group compared to the control group. As a result, pentraxin-3 and endothelin-1 were found to be diagnostically important in cattle diagnosed with BRDC.

Effect of initial gestagen treatment on bleeding patterns in postmenopausal women receiving continuous combined hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the association of initial gestagen treatment with future breakthrough bleedings during continuous combined hormone replacement therapy. The predictability of progesterone challenge test on bleeding has also been investigated.

DESIGN

Eighty-six naturally postmenopausal women, of whom 38 received initial gestagen treatment (5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate, twice daily, for 10 days) and 48 did not, were included in this prospective study. Patients were followed for 6 months, and any bleeding occurring during therapy was recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients who received continuous combined hormone replacement therapy without initial gestagen treatment, 23 (48%) had a bleeding episode. Of the 38 patients who received the same therapy with initial gestagen treatment, 13 (34.2%) had bleeding. There was a trend toward decreased breakthrough bleeding in the second group, which did not achieve significance. The mean time before bleeding was 6.76 weeks in the first group and 11.75 weeks in the second group; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Of the 28 patients with a negative progesterone challenge test at the onset of therapy, eight (28.6%) had bleeding during hormone replacement therapy. Of the 10 patients with a positive challenge, five (50%) had bleeding. The difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who receive gestagen treatment before the onset of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy tend to experience breakthrough bleeding less frequently and later during the therapy. The response to progesterone challenge does not predict future bleeding during continuous combined hormone replacement therapy.

Endometrial disease diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound and dilatation and curettage

BACKGROUND

This study is designed to compare endometrial thickness measured by transvaginal ultrasound with endometrial pathology by dilatation and curettage.

METHODS

Fifty-four women with postmenopausal bleeding were evaluated. Endometrial thickness, including both layers of the endometrium, was measured by transvaginal ultrasound after which fractional curettage was performed and samples taken were then dispatched for histologic examination.

RESULTS

Median endometrial thicknesses of 5 mm, 8.5 mm and 6 mm were found for benign, hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium, respectively. Of the eight hyperplastic samples, two cases had 4 mm, and one case had 3mm endometrial thickness. Similarly, of the nine malignant samples, three cases had an endometrial thickness of 3 mm. Three mm has been found to be the best cut off point for endometrial abnormalities in postmenopausal bleeding with 100% sensitivity but low specificity (13%).

CONCLUSION

Fractional curettage seems to be the best method for detecting endometrial abnormalities in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

Relationship between circulating estradiol levels, body mass index, and breakthrough bleeding in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the association of breakthrough bleeding with circulating estradiol levels and obesity in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.

DESIGN

Fifty postmenopausal women receiving 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen with 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate were included in the study. Patients are recalled at 1st, 5th and 9th weeks for the measurements of the serum estradiol levels.

RESULTS

Twenty women (40%) had a bleeding episode within 9 weeks of therapy. Of the 25 women who had a body mass index (BMI) of > 25, 13 (52%) had bleeding. Of the 25 women who had a BMI of < 25, 7 (28%) had bleeding. There was a trend toward a relation between BMI and breakthrough bleeding, although the relation did not achieve significance (p = 0.14). Serum estradiol levels of both bleeders and nonbleeders remained similar throughout the study. Endometrial histology revealed proliferative endometrium in two cases and secretory endometrium in one case at baseline; two cases of proliferative endometrium were found during bleeding. The remaining samples revealed atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

No relation was found between serum estradiol levels and breakthrough bleeding. Nevertheless, increased BMI may have an impact on breakthrough bleeding in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.