Parafasciolopsosis is a parasitological disease which is caused by the liver fluke Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha. This parasite which belongs to herbivores often causes invasion in elks (Alces alces). The aim of our study was to diagnose the parasite and investigate what kind of histopathological changes it caused in the liver tissue. The study took place in Parasitology. During the study from 2017 to 2018 we collected liver samples and faeces from 46 felled elks of different age and gender, from all over Latvia. Ten grams of faeces were examined for trematode eggs by sedimentation method and a section of liver was examined for the presence of flukes and the histological structure of the liver. In this study Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha were found in 11 samples of liver from 46 elks, with invasion extensity of 24%. The histopathological examination of the liver samples revealed fibrosis, proliferation of bile ducts, pericholangitis, calcerous deposits in bile ducts and other notable histological changes in the liver tissue that can cause hepatic trematodes.

The purpose of using electrosurgical devices in veterinary practice is to reduce bleeding during the cut increasing temperature locally, causing coagulation and apoptosis of proteins. There is a lack of data on the extent and depth of these thermal damages and whether these effects on the different tissues are the same. Because of that, the aim of this study was to investigate which of the different electrosurgical devices causes highest heating effect on the skin tissue of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The research was carried out at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. It included 50 rabbits, on average 2 years old, clinically healthy, with similar weight and condition. We formed five experimental groups: skin tissue cut with CO 2 laser (n=10), an electrocoagulator (n=10), a tissue welding device (n=10), a radiofrequency apparatus (n=10) and a scalpel as control group (n=10). In order to evaluate the thermal effects of electrosurgical instruments on tissues, we performed contactless thermography. There were taken 3 images for each animal, totally 150 skin thermo-gramms. From the obtained results we conclude that the most pronounced thermal effect on rabbit's skin was caused with laser and an electrocoagulator. All electrosurgical devices caused a significantly higher (p<0.01) increase in skin temperature compared to a surgical scalpel at the moment of tissue incision. During the study, it was found that the gentlest electrosurgical devices used on rabbit skin tissue was a radiofrequency device.

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Abstract. This study was done to evaluate the number of gastric mucoid epitheliocytes and parietal cells in relation to the amount of helicobacteria in the fundic gland region of 30 domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Gastric mucosa samples were taken from the fundic gland region in eight strictly determined places to detect helicobacteria in 10 microscopic visual fields by histological examination, to find out the quantity of helicobacteria at the superficial epithelium, in gastric pits, and in fundic glands by classifying it as absent, mild, moderate, and severe, as well as to evaluate the number of mucoid epitheliocytes of the gastric superficial-pit epithelium and of the parietal cells of fundic glands. Out of all examined 2400 microscopic visual fields, mild and moderate amounts of helicobacteria localizing mainly at the superficial epithelium and in gastric pits were detected in 69.0-77.5% of cases, and only in around 20% of cases they were found in different amounts deeper into the fundic glands. The number of mucoid epitheliocytes (199±20 cells in one visual field) was only slightly larger in places with a severe amount of helicobacteria compared to places with no helicobacteria (195±16 mucoid epitheliocytes in one visual field). Also the number of parietal cells in the fundic glands did not differ markedly among the places with different amounts of helicobacteria; however, in places with a severe amount of helicobacteria, parietal cell count tended to decrease to 76±8 cells in one visual field, but in places free from helicobacteria there were 83±9 parietal cells in one visual field.

According to State Forest Service information for the year 2016 birch occupied 30% of whole forest area (3.38 million ha). Although between these two species have dendrological differences, however in forest inventory it is not taken into account. There is also a variety of wood properties which are not respected in the timber market. The aim of this research study is to analyze growth differences between both birch growing in the same conditions. For collecting of empirical data 2 sample plots were created. Selected stands have been regenerated naturally and 2 times repeatedly drained. The forest stand investigated is 65 years old mixed stand dominated by birch which makes up 90 % of total growing stock. In each plot for all the trees have been measured diameter, height and using Pressler borer have been taken core samples. The widths of tree rings have been measured using Lin TAB system microscope and computer software T-Tools Pro. Analyzing the dynamics of diameter and height growth in both sample plots it has been observed that silver birch shows higher values than downy birch (p<0.05). In the last 30 years both birch species show systematic reduction of the annual increment. Decrease of height growth for both birch species in Vacciniosa mel.