Serological Survey of Viral Antibodies in Llamas (Lama glama) in Argentina

This study analysed sera from 390 llamas (Lama glama) from nine farms located in three different Argentine provinces: Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Jujuy. The samples were tested for antibodies against 8 virus known to infect cattle: bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine adenovirus (BAdV III), bovine enterovirus (BEV), bovine rotavirus (BRV), bluetongue virus (BTV), bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), and foot-and-mouth virus (FMDV) by conventional methods such as seroneutralization, immunoperoxidase staining, and agar gel immunodiffusion. The antibody prevalences detected in llamas were: BHV-1 in 0.77 % (3/390), BVDV in 2.05 % (8/390), BAdV III in 5.13 % (20/390), BEV in 4.10 % (16/390), BRV in 87.69 % (342/390). No antibodies against BTV, BLV and VIAA (FMDV infection associated antigen) were detected.     

Polymorphism of waxy proteins in Spanish durum wheats

A collection of 547 durum wheats (103 cultivars and 444 landraces) from Spain was analysed for waxy protein composition. The electrophoretic patterns showed low polymorphism. At the Wx‐A1 locus, 99.8% of the wheats had the Wx‐Ala allele and only one had the null Wx‐Alb allele. The Wx‐Bl locus was more polymorphic and four different alleles were detected: Wx‐Bla (41.3%), Wx‐Blc (42.6%), a new allele, not detected before in bread wheat and named Wx‐Blf (16.0%), and the null Wx‐Blb allele, found for the first time in one durum wheat. Eleven durum wheats with different allelic composition at the Wx‐l loci were analysed for amylose content. Wheats with the Wx‐Bla allele had a lower amylose content than those with Wx‐Blc or Wx‐Blf. The lowest amylase content was found in the only durum wheat having the null Wx‐Blb allele.     

Colour and pulsed Doppler ultrasonographic study of the canine testis

This study was performed to characterize the normal blood flow of the canine testis and to measure the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of testicular arteries weekly during a period of 6 months in five healthy Beagle dogs and to evaluate whether there were any change along this time. The ultrasonographic exams were made with an 11 MHz linear transducer. The vessels of the testes were subdivided into three categories: supratesticular arteries, marginal artery and intratesticular vessels. At the supratesticular arteries, two measurements were recorded at the cranial and the looping parts. No significant differences in any of the parameters studied were observed for the 6 months that the study was performed. The cranial part of the supratesticular artery showed a flow pattern of high-resistive vessel, whereas in the looping part of the supratesticular artery, marginal and intratesticular arteries, the flow showed a low-resistance pattern. PSV, RI and PI values were higher at the cranial part of the supratesticular artery, followed by the looping part of the supratesticular artery, marginal and intratesticular vessels. EDV measurements were higher in the looping part of the supratesticular artery.     

Anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant-rate infusion of alfaxalone in desflurane-anaesthetised sheep

A prospective, randomised, blinded controlled study was performed to determine the anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of a constant-rate infusion (CRI) of alfaxalone in 12?sheep anaesthetised with desflurane, and undergoing experimental orthopaedic surgery. Sheep were sedated with dexmedetomidine (4 μg/kg, intravenously) and butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg, intravenously). Anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone (1 mg/kg/minute to effect, intravenously) and maintained with desflurane in oxygen and?alfaxalone 0.07 mg/kg/minute or saline for 150 minutes (range 150-166 minutes). The anaesthetic induction dose of alfaxalone, the desflurane expiratory fraction required for anaesthetic maintenance, cardiorespiratory measurements and blood-gases were recorded at predetermined intervals. Quality of sedation, anaesthetic induction and recovery were assessed. The alfaxalone induction dose was 1.7 mg/kg (1.2 to 2.6 mg/kg). The desflurane expiratory fraction was lower (22 per cent) in sheep receiving alfaxalone CRI (P?=?0). Also, heart rate (P?=?0), cardiac index (P?=?0.002), stroke index (P?=?0) and contractility (P?=?0) were higher, and systemic vascular resistance (P?=?0.002) was lower. Although respiratory rate tended to be higher with alfaxalone, there was no difference in PCO(2) between the groups. Recovery times were significantly longer in sheep given alfaxalone (25.4 v 9.5 minutes) but recovery quality was similar. Alfaxalone reduced requirements of desflurane and maintained similar cardiorespiratory function, but recovery time was more prolonged.     

The erosion threshold for a sustainable agriculture in cultures of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under conventional tillage and no‐tillage in Northern Nicaragua

Soil erosion by water is one of the main environmental problems of the tropical mountains of Central America. The fragility of these areas, the significant degree of human population pressure exerted and changes in traditional farming systems all contribute to the current state of degradation. In this study, we compare two types of agricultural management (conventional tillage with traditional ploughing and no‐tillage with a digging stick) and analyse the influence of land slope, the management of vegetation cover, and various soil features and properties related to erosion in fields dedicated to the cultivation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to determine the erosion thresholds. The study area was located in the hills around El Cuá, in northern Nicaragua. The results showed the system of no‐tillage (NT) to be more effective at controlling erosion than conventional tillage (CT), such that 28.7% less land was affected by erosion. Erosion in plots under CT did not present any statistically significant relationship with the factors analysed. Conversely, the erosion in the plots under NT was significantly related to the coverage of vegetation residues, and we calculated an erosion threshold of 40% of the level of vegetation coverage, which significantly reduces erosion.     

Movements and activities of white-lipped peccaries in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

The conservation of remnant populations of white-lipped peccaries in Central America depends on adequate documentation of their habitat needs and behavior. Thus, we monitored the activity patterns, local distributions, and home ranges of 36 (25F:11M) radio-marked white-lipped peccaries, all members of a single “super” herd, in part of Corcovado National Park, their largest stronghold in Costa Rica, during 1996-1998. Peccaries were diurnal all year with a period of reduced activity during the middle of the day. They were found more often than expected (vs. random use) in primary forest during February to May, in secondary and coastal forest during June to September, and in herbaceous swamp during October to January, corresponding to relative fruit abundance. Overall, the peccary herd ranged over an area of <40 km², but use of the area shifted seasonally and movements were reduced when fruit was most abundant. Our data agree with the suggestion that peccary density may be higher where the interspersion or close proximity and mix of seasonally important habitats is high, and thus where peccaries do not have to travel as far for food. Habitat interspersion is therefore a significant conservation concern and should be addressed to make certain that peccary populations are not limited.     

Evaluation of the Functionality of Five Different Soybean Proteins in Hot‐Press Wheat Flour Tortillas

Five different soybean protein sources were added to wheat flour to increase the protein content by 15–25%, and the resulting composite flours were optimally processed into hot‐press tortillas in a pilot plant. The rheological properties of composite flours were evaluated with the farinograph, alveograph, and other wheat quality tests. Tortilla‐making qualities of the control and soybean‐fortified flours were evaluated during dough handling, hot pressing, and baking. The resulting tortillas were tested in terms of yield, physical and chemical parameters, sensory properties, color, and objective and subjective texture. The soybean‐fortified tortillas had increased yields because of the higher dough water absorption and enhanced essential amino acid scores. Among the five different soybean proteins, the defatted soybean flour (SBM1) with the lowest fat absorption index and protein dispersibility index (PDI) and the soybean concentrate produced the best fortified tortillas. The protein meals with high PDI and relatively lower water absorption index (SBM3 and SBM4) produced sticky doughs, lower alveograph P/L values, and defective tortillas. All soybean proteins produced higher yields of tortillas with an enhanced protein quality and amount of dietary fiber.     

Functionality and Organoleptic Properties of Maize Tortillas Enriched with Five Different Soybean Proteins

Soybean proteins are ideally suited to enhance the essential amino acid balance of cereal‐based foods. The aim of this investigation was to assess the functionality of different soybean proteins in maize tortillas with yield and with sensorial and textural shelf‐life characteristics as criteria to select the best supplement. Four different defatted soybean flours (SBF1, SBF2, SBF3, and SBF4) and one soybean protein concentrate (SBC) were added to increase protein content of dry masa flour between 25 and 30%. The evaluated soybean ingredients displayed urease activity of 0.1–2.25, water absorption index of 4.02–8.34, protein dispersibility index of 23–75%, and fat absorption index ranging from 2.5 to 3.1. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and rollability were not different among enriched tortillas, but maximum force after five days of storage was higher for SBF1 and lower for SBF 3. The control and SBF1 followed by SBC were the best evaluated overall according to the most relevant parameters for consumers and producers. Correlation analyses displayed a negative association among yield‐related parameters and protein dispersibility index, urease activity, and water solubility, opposite to the relationship for texture‐related properties. The best soybean proteins to be used in maize tortilla supplementation should have, preferably, reduced water solubility, urease activity, and protein dispersibility index.     

Variation in B-LMW glutenin subunits in Einkorn wheats

A collection of 50 Einkorn wheat accessions (26 of T. monococcum, 14 of T. baeoticum and 10 T. urartu) was analyzed for low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin subunit composition. At the B-LMW glutenin region, T. monococcum possessed 1 or 2 subunits, and T. baeoticum and T. urartu from 1 to 3 subunits. Seven different electrophoretical patterns were detected among T. monococcum and six in both T. baeoticum and T. urartu. T. monococcum was shown to be the less polymorphic, followed by T. baeoticum and by T. urartu. The fact that more glutenin genes are expressed in Einkorn wheats than in polyploid cultivated wheats suggests their possible use in breeding for improving bread and durum wheat quality.     

Neurologic, endocrinologic, and pathologic findings associated with large pituitary tumors in dogs: eight cases (1976-1984)

Invasive tumors of the pituitary gland were diagnosed in 8 dogs. Seven of the dogs had been treated for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism before the onset of neurologic signs. All 8 dogs had behavior abnormalities and similar neurologic signs: 6 dogs had rotary nystagmus and 7 dogs had symmetric tetraparesis. Once neurologic signs developed, the clinical course in all 8 dogs had a mean duration of 4.7 +/- 2.0 months before death or euthanasia; 5 dogs had a clinical course of less than or equal to 2 months. Necropsy was performed in 7 dogs. The histologic diagnosis was malignant pituitary adenocarcinoma in 2 dogs and pituitary adenoma in 5 dogs.