OBJECTIVE To analyze the frequency, gender and age distribution, risk factors, and hospital mortality of different types of hospitalized patients with stroke. METHODS In this retrospective study, we analyzed the hospital records of 3864 patients with first-ever stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January 2001 to December 2005. RESULTS Out of the total number of patients, 2833 (73.3%) had ischemic stroke (IS) 612 (15.8%) intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 163 (4.2%) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 256 (6.6%) had unknown stroke. The mean age was 68+/-10 years in females, and 65+/-11 years in males (p=0.000). Overall, there were 2045 (53%) women (p=0.000). Women suffered from cardioembolic stroke more than men (21.7% versus 15.6%, p=0.000), and men were more affected by atherothrombotic stroke (37.4% versus 31.6%, p=0.000). The leading stroke risk factors were hypertension (70%), heart diseases (40%), smoking (28%), and diabetes mellitus (21%). The total hospital mortality was 29.6%, and hospital mortality in patients with IS was 20.6%, ICH 43.8%, and SAH 26.4%. CONCLUSION Women are older than men in all types of stroke. The leading risk factors for both genders are hypertension and heart diseases. The hospital mortality rate is lower than 30%.

Abstract Polymorphisms in sheep PrP (prion protein) gene are known for scrapie susceptibility. We sequenced part of PrP exon 3 gene in 92 autochthonous Istrian (IS) and 38 crossbred sheep (CBS). ARQ, ARR and AHQ alleles were predominant with frequency of 0.674 (0.526), 0.228 (0.132) and 0.082 (0.263) in IS (CBS), respectively, while VRQ (0.011 in IS) and ARH (0.005 in IS and 0.079 in CBS) alleles were rare. We also found non-synonymous mutations at codons 112 (M→T), 127 (G→S) and 143 (H→R), and synonymous mutations at codons 231 (R) and 237 (L). Additional mutations were associated only with AHQ, ARH and ARQ alleles. The polymorphism of PrP gene in IS was not critical with respect to scrapie susceptibility and with some efforts number of “favourable” genotypes can be increased.

Abstract The fatty acid (FA) composition of muscle and adipose tissue was investigated in intensively fed beef cattle. Heifers had more intramuscular fat with higher proportion of monounsaturated FA, while bulls had higher proportion of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). The same was found in adipose tissue accompanied by higher proportion of saturated FA (SFA) in bulls. The PUFA/SFA ratio was close to recommendation for human diet only in bulls’ muscle, while n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios were generally higher than recommended. The observed FA variability between sexes was due to the differences in fatness. To improve the nutritional value, the n-3 PUFA in beef should be increased.

Abstract Commercial crossbred pigs slaughtered at different live weights were used to investigate the effect of G1426A polymorphism in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene on carcass composition and meat quality traits. The significant effect of G/A substitution on backfat thickness (BF; P<0.01) was observed in pigs slaughtered at high live weight (123.0±6.5kg), but not in pigs slaughtered at low live weight (99.1±3.7kg). That was accompanied by tendency of decrease (P<0.10) in estimated lean meat percentage (LMP). The BF was higher and LMP was lower in AA compared to GG genotype (P<0.01). Meat quality traits were not affected by MC4R genotype. These results suggest that GG genotype could be favourable in pigs slaughtered at higher live weights due to lower BF and higher LMP.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the udder morphology and milking characteristics changes throughout lactation during machine milking of the sheep. Additionally, udder morphology was analyzed by using slide ruler and digital picture. Milking characteristics were influenced by milking interval and day of lactation. Udder morphology traits did not change throughout lactation, except for udder width. The repeatability between slide ruler and digital picture measurements was high (r=0.53 to 0.68). Milkability in Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes could be improved if udder traits are incorporated in selection scheme. Digital picture analysis for faster recording of udder morphology measurements in sheep can be used.

Abstract Domestic equidae display polymorphism within ELA-DRA locus which is not characteristic for other species. We characterised sequence polymorphism present at ELA-DRA locus exon 2 and estimated allele frequencies in two autochthonous breeds, Posavina and Croatian Coldblood. In 88 horses, four different alleles were found, one of them not reported before in horses. The new allele shows non-synonymous mutation at position 65 (T→A) causing amino acid change (Phe→Tyr) in antigen binding site and synonymous mutation at position 105 (C→T). Our findings emphasize the importance of DRA polymorphism among equids and some specific DRA frequency pattern potentially specific in draught horses.