Jugular versus Mammary Vein Acid-Base Balance, Blood Gases, Hematobiochemical Profiles and Inflammation Biomarkers in Goats with Acute Mastitis
The objectives of this study was to investigate the acid-base balance, blood gases, hematobiochemical profiles and the inflammation biomarkers fibrinogen, serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) in the mammary and jugular veins of goats with mastitis. Blood samples were collected from the jugular and mammary veins from 26 goats with mastitis and from 10 healthy lactating goats. In diseased goats, the affected quarter had a remarkable degree of swelling, hard and sore to touch; the milk was bloody. In the jugular vein of diseased goats, the values of PCO2, PO2, base excess (BE), HCO3 and TCO2 were significantly lower than in the jugular vein of controls. In the mammary vein, the pH was significantly lower than in controls and the values of PCO2, BE, HCO3 and TCO2 were significantly lower than in the controls. In contrast, the PO2, lactic acid and anion gap values were significantly higher in the mammary vein than in controls. The RBCs was significantly lower in the jugular and mammary veins than in controls. In the jugular and mammary veins, albumin concentration was significantly lower than controls. The serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower in the jugular vein than controls. The serum concentration of fibrinogen did not differ significantly in the jugular and mammary veins compared to healthy controls. In the jugular and mammary veins, the serum concentrations of SAA and Hp were significantly higher than controls. In diseased animals, the serum concentrations of SAA were significantly higher in the mammary veins than in jugular vein. In conclusion, the blood gases, acid-base, hematobiochemical profiles and inflammation biomarkers in the mammary vein goats with acute mastitis could be used as by veterinarians and researchers as reference values for investigation of goats with mastitis and healthy lactating goats.
Dystocia in dromedary camels: Prevalence, forms, risks and hematobiochemical changes.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dystocia in camel herds, its forms in primi- and multipara, the risks to fetus and dam, and the associated hematobiochemical changes. A total of 1890 calvings were surveyed for the prevalence of dystocia. Cases with dystocia (n=107) were examined for causes and treated with traction, fetotomy or Cesarean section. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors. The dependent variables were the fetal and maternal mortality, while the independent variables were parity, duration of dystocia, causes of dystocia, and method of treatment. Blood samples were collected from all dystocia camels and six controls for hematology and concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), estradiol-17β (E2), progesterone (P4), total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The overall prevalence of dystocia was 8.6%. Risk of dystocia was higher in camels managed in an intensive system than in those in a free system (Odds ratio=1.9, P=0.0003) and higher in primipara than in multipara (Odds ratio 1.7, P=0.005). Abnormal posture was the most important cause of dystocia (51.4%). Uterine torsion was the second most important cause (23.4%) and was mainly observed in multipara (P=0.0006). Dystocia was linked to high fetal mortality (87.9%). A significant relationship was found between fetal death and duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=8.04, P=0.005). The percentage of dam mortality was 17.8%. Significant associations were detected between dam mortality rate and the duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=4.74, P=0.03) and fetal viability (Odds ratio=5.82, P=0.02). Increasing duration of dystocia was associated with significant increases in SAA, Hp, BUN and AST, but with decreases in E2 (P<0.05). After a transient period of elevation, the white blood cell and neutrophil counts decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, abnormal posture and uterine torsion were found to be the common causes of dystocia in dromedary camels, and fetal and maternal deaths were mainly associated with the duration of dystocia.
The Impact of EU Unfair Contract Terms Law on U.S. Business-to-Consumer Internet Merchants
When the Court of Appeals for Versailles issued its decision in AOL France v. UFC Que Choisir2 in September 2005, it sent the message to U.S. Internet businesses that even contractual boilerplate localized for European markets may be invalid in European consumer transactions. In that case, a French consumer advocacy group challenged the terms AOL offered its French customers after AOL had made extensive revisions to its standard form contracts to respond to the concerns regarding those terms expressed in an advisory opinion by a French consumer protection agency. In 2004, a trial court invalidated nearly every term in the revised agreement; the appeals court affirmed on all counts. Subsequently, in July 2006 following concerns raised by the Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”), a United Kingdom government agency charged with “making sure markets work well for consumers,”3 Dell Corporation Limited changed its online terms and conditions to make them fairer to consumers.4 European consumer contract law had an impact in both cases. At issue for AOL France and Dell Corporation Limited was the application of France’s and the UK’s consumer contract law which is based on the Unfair Contract Terms Directive of 19945 and calls into question the validity of many of the terms that U.S. courts routinely enforce in transactions involving American consumers and merchants.