The aim of this retrospective study was to identify risk factors for meconium-aspiration syndrome, and to identify antenatal and intrapartum risk factors which might be preventable. We analyzed maternal and neonatal records of the 210 infants who had meconium-stained liquor and who also developed respiratory distress necessitating admission to the Special Care of Intensive Care Baby Units at National Women's Hospital, Auckland in 1992. Meconium-aspiration syndrome occurred in 6.6% of meconium exposed babies and in 1.3% of total births. Severe meconium-aspiration syndrome developed in 18 infants, moderate in 48, mild in 60 respiratory distress in 84. An association was found between meconium aspiration syndrome and primiparity (p = 0.001) and Pacific Island ethnicity (p = 0.0002). An association was also found between the severity of meconium and low umbilical artery pH (p = 0.0002). Thick meconium and an abnormal cardiotocograph were more common in severe meconium-aspiration syndrome. All deaths and long-term morbidity occurred in babies with abnormal cardiotocographs or in unmonitored infants. Preventable antenatal and intrapartum factors were not identified in this study.

The influence of passage time of the transfer gun through the uterine cervix and body to the embryo insertion site on pregnancy rate was analysed in 248 recipient heifers (mean age: 15-17 months). Embryos (90 fresh and/or 88 and 70 frozen in glycerol and ethylene glycol, respectively, grades 4 and 5, stage 1 or 2) were transferred to the ipsilateral uterine horn on day 7. Two different transfer guns were used in this experiment: a sterilisable steel transfer instrument to be used without sheaths with a removable tip made of gold-plated stainless steel (Wörrlein Minitüb) or a transfer stylet with sheaths with a metal tip and a side opening (Cassou gun, IMV Technologies). The time of passage of the instruments through the uterine cervix and body to the site of embryo deposition in the uterine horn was measured in the study. In order to randomise the risk of errors, all manipulations were carried out by the same experienced operator. The average time needed for the insertion of embryos into the uterus was 50.6 seconds (s) and it was longer for the transfer gun with sheaths than for the metal-tipped transfer gun (60.1 and 40.8 s, respectively) (P < 0.001). The average conception rate was 45.6%. If the time needed to insert embryos into the uterus was 10-60 s, the conception rate was 53.4% (up to 20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50 and 51-60 s - 57.7, 52.5, 50, 51.5 and 50%, respectively). In contrast, if the time needed to insert the embryo in the uterine horn was longer than 60 s, the conception rate was 20.4% (61-80, 80.1-120 and > 120 s - 28.0, 6.0 and 24.9%, respectively). Thus, it cannot be excluded that the type of the applied transfer gun may influence pregnancy rate in recipient cows due to its effect on cervical passage time.

The publication presents the results of monitoring Q fever in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship and three outbreaks disclosed as part of a clinical field practice. In five years (2011 – 2015) of examination in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship, 2,431 serological tests were carried out (1,851 in sheep, 343 in goats and 237 in cattle). Antibodies against Coxiella burneti were found three times. The first positive result in 2011 affected herds of goats and cattle and was confirmed in the reference laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy. A specific DNA sequence for Coxiella burneti by real-time PCR method was found. The farm consisted of 1,494 goats and 397 cattle. Serological tests were carried out to give positive results in 15.3% of the cattle and 5.77% of the goats from the whole herd. Breeding selection and the elimination of seropositive animals and double oxytetracycline treatment reduced the proportion of animals with a positive result to 5.53% in cattle and 0.96% in goats. After more than a year the elimination of seropositive animals and probable natural decline in antibody levels has led to the recognition of an outbreak of Q fever to be eliminated. The second positive result of the monitoring of Q fever was found in 2014 in one cow out of seven respondents, but the serological test was not confirmed in the reference, as a specific DNA sequence for Coxiella burneti was not found. The research conducted in sheep in 2015 showed the presence of antibodies against Coxiella burneti in two samples. The results were confirmed by the detection of genetic material of the pathogen by real-time PCR examination in the National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy. Three outbreaks of Q fever revealed in clinical practice related to bovine herds where clinical disturbances were observed in: reproduction, milk production decrease or increase in internal body temperature and symptoms of the respiratory system. The positive ELISA test results were the reason for the elimination of seropositive animals. Moreover, after the disclosure of infection two herds were vaccinated using an inactivated vaccine Coxevac (CEVA), which caused the improvement of production results and relief of clinical symptoms. It is worth mentioning that in two farms along with cattle there were fallow deer supported by staff cowman. Official monitoring tests of Q fever revealed an outbreak of the disease in a herd of goats and cattle, which lead to taking effective action to protect public health because of the zoonotic nature of this infection and epidemiological risk. In the disclosure of these clinical signs in cattle it is advisable to carry out laboratory tests for Q fever.

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The retrieval of endocervical cells was satisfactory following both large loop excision and laser cone excision. Laser cone excision is recommended with large or more severe lesions.