Bite Area Research Articles

The prognostic value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with snake bites for clinical outcomes and complications.

IntroductionSnake bites have cardiotoxicity, neurotoxic, myotoxic, nephrotoxic, and hemotoxic features. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) provides valuable information for the determination of the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR with the development of complications and duration of hospital stay in snakebite cases.MethodIn this study, 107 patients with snakebite complaints that applied to a tertiary care university hospital between 2011 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The control group compromised of 107 age-and gender-matched healthy subjects. These patients were examined using their previous laboratory results, bite areas pictures, geographic location, and analysis of complications that developed during the hospitalization.ResultsPatients in our snake bites group (n = 107), included males (64%) and females (36%). When NLR1–NLR2, NLR1–NLR3, and NLR2–NLR3 were compared, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.001). No mortality was observed in our patients. In cases of snakebites, 4.67% of the patients underwent finger amputation. Compartment syndrome occurred in 3.73% of patients. In one case that developed compartment syndrome, a finger amputation was made. When 8 patients with a complication were compared with patients having snakebite but no complication, the initial NLR was found to be higher and statistically significant (p = 0.042). The average length of stay of patients in the hospital was 9 days. In the analysis of the correlation between the duration of hospitalization and NLR, the patients with a high level of NLR were found to have a longer hospital stay compared to lower NLR levels (p = 0.012).ConclusionNLR was significantly increased in patients that developed complications and needed a longer stay in the hospital.

A multidisciplinary approach with hyperbaric oxygen therapy improve outcome in snake bite injuries

Aim:Snakebite injuries are common in tropical India among those who are involved in outdoor activities. These injuries results in cellulitis, gangrene at the bite area, bleeding manifestations, compartment syndrome, regional lymphadenopathy, septicemia, hypotension, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to share our experience of multidisciplinary approach in the management of snakebite injuries of the extremities with various treatment modalities including hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, surgical debridement, and soft tissue reconstruction to provide an effective treatment for snake bite injuries.Methods:The study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, during the period October 2012–December 2014, wherein all the patients who were admitted with snakebite injuries were enrolled and the patients treated in plastic surgery department were included into the study. Out of total 766 patients, there were 323 patients treated with anti snake venom (ASV) and 29 died among the treated patients; 205 patients belonged to pediatric age group.Results:Out of 112 patients referred to Department of Plastic Surgery, 50 cases presented with cellulitis, 24 patients with compartment syndrome, and 38 patients were referred for the management of soft tissue cover over the extremities. Among 112 patients, 77 involved the lower extremity and 35 the upper extremity.Conclusion:Multidisciplinary approach including hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy improves outcome in the management of snakebite injuries of the extremities.

Behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy cows to changes in feeding management: do they follow a predictable pattern?

Research conducted over recent decades to improve understanding of the functional responses among sward characteristics, intake rate and grazing behaviour has been reviewed. The opportunities to modify grazing pattern by changes in feeding management are discussed and the implications for dairy-farm feeding strategies are highlighted. Progress in the understanding of the functional responses between sward characteristics and intake rate and their main components (bite mass, bite area, bite depth and bite rates) has been substantial. However, progress in understanding the factors that mediate the initiation and the end of individual meals has been poorer and requires further study. Much of the research has been conducted using short-term experiments with a limited number of experimental animals and mostly conducted on mono-specific uniform swards. The physiological state of the animal as well as the maintenance energy associated with grazing strategies have received very little, if any, attention. More integrated (sward, animal, management) and long-term basic research is required to improve feeding practices at the farm level and the design of farms for the new generation of grassland-based dairy-production systems.

Diversity of macrofauna from continental shelf off Singarayakonda (southeast coast of India).

The present study was undertaken to study the benthic productivity of shelf region off Krishna River mouth. Standing stock of macrobenthos and its distribution were studied. Sampling was done onboard FORV Sagar Sampada from depths as 30, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 m using Smith-McIntyre grab having a bite area of 0.2 m2. After identification, data were treated using statistical package PRIMER v6. The nature of the sediment was medium sand up to 150 m depth and fine silt at 200 m. The benthic biomass (0.2977-3.1091 mg 0.2 m(-2)), abundance (58-289 nos. 0.2 m(-2) and number of species (12-48) decreased with increase in depth. The total number of species recorded was 69. Species estimators showed the possibility of collecting 129 species (Chao1) with intense sampling. Polychaetes formed the largest group with 40 species followed by molluscs (15 species) and crustaceans (14 species). The Spearman rank correlation (Rho) value (0.513) which was significant at 1.1% showed gradual change in species composition with increase in depth. The Pi value (3.78) comparing the similarity of benthos at 200 m depth with those of other depths (30, 150, 100, 75 and 50 m) showed significant differences (0.6%). Matching of biotic variables with that of environment showed the influence of dissolved oxygen on the distribution of macrobenthos (Rho 0.757). Intense sampling should be done to record all the species as shown by species estimators besides studying shelf productivity off other rivers and relating it with nutrient discharge and other environmental factors including sediment nature.

Lubrication of tube in cold pilgering

A new method of evaluating the lubrication state of a tube in cold pilgering has been studied. A method of calculating the oil film thickness in a bite area on both the outer and inner sides of a tube using the Reynolds equation was proposed. The calculation results revealed that the effects of the tool design, rolling speed, and feed rate on the oil film thickness were significant. Cold pilgering tests were performed on zirconium alloy tubes, including measurement of the oil film thickness using laser equipment and observation of the surface characteristics of tubes. The test results proved the validity of the proposed method. The method is expected to assist the selection of appropriate operation conditions in cold pilgering.

Detection and neutralization of cobra venom using rabbit antiserum in experimental envenomated mice

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect the venom of Indian cobra (Naja naja naja) in various tissues (brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, blood, kidneys, and tissue at the site of injection) of mice after cobra venom injected at different time intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h intervals up to 24 h). Whole venom antiserum or individual venom protein antiserum (14, 29, 65, 72, and 99 kDa) could recognize N. n. naja venom by Western blotting and ELISA, and antibody titer was also assayed by ELISA. Antiserum raised against cobra venom in rabbit significantly neutralized the toxicity of venom-injected mice at different time intervals after treatment. The assay could detect N. n. naja venom levels up to 2.5 ng/ml of tissue homogenate, and the venom was detected up to 24 h after venom injection. Venom was detected in brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, tissue at the bite area, and blood. As observed in mice, tissue at the site of bite area showed the highest concentration of venom and the brain showed the least. Moderate amounts of venoms were found in liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, and lungs. Development of a simple, rapid, and species-specific diagnostic kit based on this ELISA technique useful to clinicians is discussed.

Prairie Rattlesnake Envenomation in 27 New World Camelids

Morbidity and case fatality from rattlesnake envenomation is regionally specific because of variability in relative toxicity of the species of snake encountered. A previous report of rattlesnake envenomation in New World camelids (NWC) from the western coastal United States documented high case fatality rates and guarded prognosis for survival. To describe clinical findings, treatments, and outcome of NWC with prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) envenomation in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Twenty-seven NWC admitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute rattlesnake envenomation between 1992 and 2012. Medical records of NWC evaluated for rattlesnake envenomation as coded by the attending clinician and identified by a database search were reviewed retrospectively. Month of admission, signalment, area of bite, clinical and clinicopathologic data, treatments, and outcome were recorded. Twenty-five llamas and 2 alpacas were admitted for envenomation. Llamas were overrepresented compared to hospital caseload. The face was the most common site of envenomation, observed in 96% of recorded cases. Presenting clinical signs included fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, and respiratory distress. Nine animals required a tracheotomy. Median hospitalization time was 3 days and overall survival rate was 69%. Case fatality rate for prairie rattlesnake envenomation in NWC was lower than that reported in the Western coastal region of the United States and similar to that reported for prairie rattlesnake envenomation in horses.

Diversity of amphipods in the continental shelf sediments of southeast coast of India

The diversity of amphipods in the continental shelf sediments of the southeast coast of India is dealt in the paper. Samples for the study were collected onboard FORV Sagar Sampada during Cruise Nos. 260, 275 and 290 conducted in December 2008, May 2010 and October 2011 respectively. Samples were collected at various depths (30 m, 50 m, 75 m, 100 m, 150 m and 200 m) along 6 transects namely Singarayakonda, Tammenapatanam, Chennai, Cheyyur, Cudallore-Parangipettai and Karaikkal besides Cuddalore-SIPCOT using Smith-McIntyre grab having a bite area of 0.2 m2 . The total number of species of amphipods recorded was 44 belonging to 29 genera and 17 families. The number of species and abundance decreased from the shallower depths to the deeper depths. The abundance varied from 1 to 467 nos./0.2 m2 . The maximum was found in Cheyyur transect at 30 m depth and the minimum in Cheyyur at 150 m and in Cuddalore-SIPCOT at 200 m depth. The number of species at various depths ranged from 1 to 17. While the maximum number of species was found in Cheyyur at 30 m depth, the minimum was found in Cheyyur at 150 m, CuddaloreSIPCOT at 200 m and Cuddalore-Parangipettai at 150 m depths. Ampelisca spp. was found to be dominant in the study area. Species estimators, especially Chao1 showed the chances of recording as many as 142 species of amphipods in the study area with intensive sampling. In view of this fact, further sampling in the study area will throw more light on the amphipod diversity.

Unterwegs in der Schweiz – von Menschen, Mäusen und Zecken

Tick-borne infections are endemic in Switzerland with borreliosis being the most frequent one, followed by the vaccine-preventable tick-borne encephalitis and more rarely by anaplasmosis, rickettsioses and babesiosis. Short characteristics of these infections are presented. The main preventive measures for stays in endemic regions include not leaving forest tracks and wearing closely fitted clothes and shoes, impregnated with an insecticide. Following at-risk activities, clothes as well as the body should be searched for ticks and they have to be removed using a tick removing tool. The body area of the tick bite has to be observed and a physician visit is strongly urged in case of rising fever and/or of erythema migrans. Hantavirus infections: Nephropathia epidemica is a zoonosis caused by the Puumala type of hantavirus and transmission occurs by inhaling aerolized excretions of the bank vole. There is no known human to human transmission. The incidence of this infection varies in a cyclic fashion and typical clinical symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, abdominal and back pain and transient renal impairment with initial oliguria and later polyuria. At-risk activities include camping and cleaning of rodent infestations. In these cases, face masks should be worn and the excretions be moistened before cleaning is started. In Germany, 2 - 3 years-cycles of outbreaks were observed between 2005 and 2012 with regional clusters approaching Switzerland. Therefore, disease awareness of physicians and infection surveillance are essential.

Detection and neutralization of venom of Indian cobra by rabbit antiserum in experimental envenomation using mice

A sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect Indian cobra ( Naja naja naja ) venom in various organs (brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, blood, site of injection and kidneys) as well as tissue at the site of injection of mice, at various time intervals (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h intervals up to 24 h) after venom injection. Antiserum significantly neutralized venom levels in serum and tissue samples. Whole venom antiserum or individual venom protein anti serum (14 kDa, 29 kDa, 65 kDa, 72 kDa and 99 kDa) of venom could recognize Naja naja venom by Western blotting and ELISA, and Naja naja naja venom presented antibody titer when assayed by ELISA. The assay could detect Naja naja naja venom levels up to 2.5 ng/ml of tissue homogenate and the venom was detected up to 24 h after venom injection. A highly sensitive and species-specifc microtitre ELISA was also developed to detect venoms of four medically important Indian snakes ( Naja naja naja ) in autopsy specimens of mice. Venoms were detected in brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, tissue at the bite area and blood. As observed in mice, tissue at the site of bite area showed the highest concentration of venom and the brain showed the least. Moderate amounts of venoms were found in liver, spleen, kidneys, heart and lungs. Development of a simple, rapid and species-specifc diagnostic kit based on this ELISA technique useful to clinicians is discussed.

Klinik Kuduzdan Tam Düzelme

A 17-year-old male had been bitten by his dog. He was given one dose of rabies vac - cine after being bitten. Twenty days after vaccination, he developed complaints of itching and paresthesia at the bite area on his forearm. He was transferred to our department with the pre - liminary diagnosis of rabies due to his complaints of fever, abdominal pain, dysphagia and difficulty of breathing after 3-5 days. Rabies viral nucleic acid was positive by reverse transcriptase poly - meraze chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid and saliva samples, and corneal smear was found positive with fluorescence antibody method. Patient's complaints markedly subsided after hospi - talization and he was discharged on 66th day with complete recovery. In the literature, complete recovery in patients with clinical rabies is limited to a few cases. In this paper, we present the first case recovering from human clinical rabies, whose diagnosis was confirmed by direct diagnostic

Treatment of a 41-year old female patient bitten by a viper conducted at the emergency department – A case report

Abstract Introduction Vipera berus is the only species of venomous viper found in Poland, especially in Bieszczady. Cases of such bites in this country are rare and mortality does not exceed 1%. Most viper bites are dry bites with hardly any symptoms and do not require any hospital treatment; however, viper venom contains a complex mixture of proteolytic enzymes such as hyaluronidase, phospholipase A2, cardiotoxins and presynaptic neurotoxins, which can be very dangerous for the victim. Thus, if symptoms exacerbate in the victim, observation and hospital treatment become a necessity. Aim The aim of this paper was to present the importance and validity of multi-diagnostic procedure and treatment at the Hospital Emergency Department (ED) in the case of viper bite and to describe the effect of viper venom on the human body. The diagnosis, management and care leading to the fast recovery of the patient are discussed. Materials and methods This study presents a case report involving a patient admitted to the ED in the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn, following a viper bite. Results and discussion V. berus bites are rare in Poland, occasionally causing severe complications. Most bites are asymptomatic. Much less likely to develop are wide ranges of symptoms caused by toxins contained in the viper venom, including serious hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, irritation of the central nervous system, heart rhythm disturbances, multiple organ dysfunction, pulmonary edema, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, and anaphylactic shock. A typical viper bite involving extremities results in edema and ischemia of the distal parts of extremities with peripheral nerve damage. Due to a variety of possible complications, for patients with emerging symptoms, hospitalization becomes necessary in order to implement multidisciplinary treatment. The units predisposed to provide adequate care are EDs which ensure proper medical staff as well as diagnostic and monitoring facilities and access to appropriate treatment. Particular importance is given to controlling blood pressure, coagulation function, swelling of the bite area and the peripheral circulation. Specific treatment consists of administering specific antitoxin against viper venom. In symptomatic treatment, besides the use of anticoagulants, corticosteroids, antibiotics and antitetanic anatoxin, surgical procedures are also considered. Conclusions Rapid and well-coordinated medical assistance at the ED helps to avoid complications and facilitates faster recoveries in patients bitten by vipers.

Venomous snakebites in the Croatian North Dalmatia region

The aim of this research project is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory attributes of venomous snakebites and to ascertain the timely and efficient treatment at the location where the incident took place or in varying clinical conditions. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected from people who were bitten by venomous snakes as well as treatments at Zadar General Hospital during a span of eleven years (1999-2009) which were analyzed retrospectively. During that period, 93 people were bitten by venomous snakes of which 57 patients (62%) were male and 36 (38%) were female. In 82 cases (90%), the bite area was localized on the limbs while in the remaining 11 cases the bite area was located elsewhere. At the time of the venomous snakebite, 31 (33%) patients were performing leisure activities and 44 (47.31%) of them were at work. The most common local snakebite signs are swelling and pain at the bite site (93 patients; 100%), hematomas and ecchymoses (87 patients; 89%). Of the affected patients, 8 suffered from compartment syndrome and one person (0.97%) expired. Antivenom treatment for preventing possible allergic reactions should take place at the medical institution where the victim was transported. However, when transport is not immediately available or in cases where the victim shows clear signs of envenomation, antivenom treatment should be used immediately because its effect is weaker if the venom is allowed to run its course.

À propos d’un cas d’envenimation par double morsure d’un serpent à venin neurotrope à l’hôpital national Donka, Conakry (Guinée)

Poisoning by snake bites remains an important cause of death in developing countries and in Africa in particular. Positive diagnosis is mostly easy because of the interrogation of the family and the local reactions that occur in the bite area. However, it is easy to know the type of the snake because the description by the victim is often unclear. We report a case of poisoning due to double bite by an unidentified snake that led to a clinical picture dominated by neurological and respiratory signs, suggestive of a neurotoxin poisoning in a young man living in rural area. Despite the delay in the management due to the ritual traditional treatment, the symptoms improved after the administration of polyvalent anti-venom. This observation raises the delicate problem of identification of snakes from the clinical symptomatology observed, considering their variety.

Clinical and biochemical changes in 53 Swedish dogs bitten by the European adder--Vipera berus.

BackgroundEvery year many dogs in Sweden are bitten by Vipera berus, the only venomous viper in Sweden. This prospective study investigated clinical signs, some biochemical parameters, treatment, and progress of disease after snakebite in 53 dogs. Effects of treatment with and without glucocorticoids were evaluated.MethodsAll fifty-three dogs bitten by Vipera berus were examined the same day the dog was bitten and the next day. Two more examinations during 23 days post snake bite were included. Creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bile acid results were followed through 3 to 4 samplings from 34 of the dogs.ResultsAll dogs had variable severity of local swelling in the bite area and 73 per cent had affected mental status. Initial cardiac auscultation examination was normal in all dogs, but six dogs had cardiac abnormalities at their second examination, including cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac murmurs. All dogs received fluid therapy, 36 dogs were given analgesics, 22 dogs were treated with glucocorticoids, and ten dogs were treated with antibiotics. Evidence of transient muscle damage (increased CK) was seen one day after the snake bite in 15 (54%) of 28 sampled dogs. Moderate changes in hepatic test results occurred in 1 dog and several dogs (22 of 34) had transient, minor increases in one or more hepatic test result. No dog died during the observation period as a consequence of the snake bite.ConclusionsSnake bite caused local swelling in all dogs and mental depression of short duration in most dogs. Some dogs had transient clinical signs that could be indicative of cardiac injury and some other had transient biochemical signs of liver injury. Treatment with glucocorticoids did not have any clear positive or negative effect on clinical signs and mortality.

A Case ofAmblyomma testudinariumTick Bite in a Korean Woman

A case of tick bite was found in the inguinal region of a 74-year-old Korean woman. She was attacked by the tick while working in her vegetable garden in the vicinity of mountain located in Suncheon City, the southern coastal area of the Korean Peninsula. On admission she complained of mild discomfort and itching around the bite area. The causative tick was 23 mm long and had slender pedipalps. The scutum was quite ornate and had eyes at the edge. The genital aperture was located anterior to the level of the coxa II. The spiracular plate was comma-shaped and the anus was surrounded posteriorly by the anal groove. The coxa I had subequal 2 spurs; the external one slightly larger. The spur of coxa IV was slightly longer than those of coxae II and III. The tarsus IV had 2 distinct subapical ventral spurs. It was identified as the fully engorged adult female of Amblyomma testudinarium. This is the first human case of Amblyomma bite in Korea.

The horizontal barrier effect of stems on the foraging behaviour of cattle grazing five tropical grasses

The rate of nutrient intake (RNI) is a primary determinant of animal performance in grazing cattle and depends on both diet quality and instantaneous intake rate (IIR). In turn, diet quality and IIR are a function of the foraging behaviour of the animal (selectivity, bite mass and bite rate) and the characteristics of the sward. In this study we evaluated the effect of the stem density and the tensile resistance of stems on the foraging behaviour of cattle grazing tropical pasture species. The methodology involved the use of small sown microswards offered to tethered cattle. The experiment consisted of a factorial combination of five tropical grasses [ Bothriochloa pertusa (Bp), Chloris barbata (Cb), Chloris gayana (Cg), Cynodon dactylon (Cd) and Heteropogon contortus (Hc)] and three stem densities (0, 400 and 800 stems m − 2 ). Bp and Cd had stems of significantly lower tensile resistance (19 and 15 N respectively) (Group 1) than those of Cb, Cg and Hc (110, 211 and 167 N respectively) (Group 2). The steers avoided stems of Group 2 and thus, reduced bite area, bite mass, IIR and RNI as stem density increased. However, the animals did not avoid stems of Group 1 and there was no effect of stem density on any of the foraging behaviour variables when cattle grazed species in Group 1. These results confirm that RNI and plant part selection is closely associated with the tensile resistance of the stem.

Short-term foraging dynamics of cattle grazing swards with different canopy structures1

The objective of the present experiment was to describe the sward canopy structures of 3 different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pastures and relate them to short-term herbage intake rate and foraging dynamics by steers. Pastures were sampled for leaf and stem fractions at the bottom, middle, and top canopy strata. Sward surface heights and tiller and bulk densities were measured. Herbage was separated into stem and leaf, and leaves were then ranked phenologically. Three steers grazed (grazing sessions) 3 different pastures in a Latin square design. Ruminal contents were emptied and weighed before and after grazing sessions to assess herbage intake rate and bite mass. All grazing sessions were video recorded and analyzed for feeding stations (eating steps demarking the potential area of herbage consumption), bites per feeding station, and feeding stations per minute. Bite depth, bite area, and area grazed per feeding station were calculated. Morphological components and tiller density did not differ (P > 0.05) between the pastures, but sward surface height (P < 0.05) and leaf proportions in the middle and top canopy strata did differ. The herbage intake rate, bite mass, and bite area differed between treatments (P < 0.05). Steers grazing the tallest pasture with the greatest leaf accessibility ate faster, navigated slower, and grazed more efficiently (P < 0.05). The area grazed per feeding station differed between treatments (P < 0.05), being 87% for the tallest pasture with the greatest leaf accessibility and the least, 31%, for the pasture with the least leaf accessibility. Pastures with greater leaf accessibility may lead grazing cattle to reach the same herbage intake amount in less time while grazing more efficiently per unit area. Therefore, it may be logical to reduce the area and time allocations in pastures with taller swards where a leafy upper canopy stratum is found.

Effects of rumen fill on short-term ingestive behavior and circulating concentrations of ghrelin, insulin, and glucose of dairy cows foraging vegetative micro-swards

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in foraging behavior, hunger-related hormones, and metabolites of dairy cows in response to short-term variations in rumen fill (RF). The effect of RF on intake rate, jaw movements, bite rate and dimensions, and concentrations of plasma ghrelin, and serum insulin and glucose were measured in 4 rumen-cannulated lactating dairy cows (612±68kg, empty live weight; 237±29 d in milk) foraging micro-swards of vegetative orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). The treatments compared were the removal of different proportions of total rumen contents: 1.00 (RF0), 0.66 (RF33), 0.33 (RF66), or 0 (RF100). Treatments were randomly applied 2h before foraging sessions in a 4×4 Latin square design. Micro-swards were weighed before and after foraging sessions. Cows were allowed to take a maximum of 15 bites with no time restriction. Eating time, intake rate, total jaw movements, and bite mass, depth, area, and rate were determined. Plasma was analyzed for ghrelin and serum for insulin and glucose immediately before and 2h after the treatments were applied. Intake rate, bite mass, and bite area increased, whereas bite depth decreased as RF decreased. The RF did not affect bite rate or total jaw movements. Decreasing RF resulted in increased plasma concentrations of ghrelin and tended to increase serum insulin, with reduced concentrations of serum glucose. Incremental variation in plasma ghrelin and serum insulin correlated with bite depth and mass, whereas changes in serum glucose correlated with intake rate, bite area, depth and mass, as well as with herbage intake per jaw movement. The present study elucidates some of the underlying endocrine physiology of cattle with short-term temporal variations of RF and their effects on some components of foraging behavior.

Differences in Masticatory Function in Patients with Endodontically Treated Teeth and Single-implant–supported Prostheses: A Pilot Study

Endodontic treatment and dental implants are both viable treatment options to restore a compromised dentition. How these treatments impact patients' ability to chew has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare various parameters of masticatory function in patients with endodontically treated teeth and single-implant supported prostheses. Fifty patients were included in this study. Twenty-five patients had mandibular molar root canals, and 25 had single implant-supported prostheses in the mandibular molar region. The natural tooth contralateral to the treated side served as the internal control. Maximum bite force, chewing efficiency, and areas of occlusal contact and near contact (ACNC) were recorded for each subject, along with a questionnaire to evaluate subjective chewing ability. When compared with contralateral controls, dental implants were found to have significantly lower maximum bite forces, reduced chewing efficiency, and smaller ACNC. Endodontically treated teeth were not statistically different than their contralateral controls. These results indicate that endodontically treated natural teeth may provide more effective occlusal contact during masticatory function compared with implant-supported restorations, leading to more efficient mastication.