Synthesis,characterization and ultrafiltration of reactive dyes. Application by exhaustion and/or ink-jet printing. IV.

Three new bis azo reactive dyes of different metallic salts (Na, K, Li) were synthesized. The synthesis was obtained by diazotization of 4-amino-2:5 di methoxy phenylene-beta hydroxyl ethyl sulphone sulphate ester and coupling with 1-amino-8-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid (H-acid) (moles ratio 2:1). The dyes were purified-concentrated by ultrafiltration technology, characterized and applied on cotton, wool and nylon 6,6 fabric by exhaustion (dyeing) and by ink-jet printing. Fastness properties of the dyeings were measured. Wash fastness was investigated according to international standard methods and was found to be very good to excellent in all cases, while light fastness values were medium to low. Ink-jet ink formulations were prepared using the ultra filtrated reactive blue dyes UF RB(a-c) and their properties pH, conductivity, surface tension and viscosity were monitored over a period of 90 days. The inks were used to print digitally cotton and nylon 6,6 samples and wash- and light fastness properties of the prints were measured. Wash fastness properties were excellent while light fastness values are low Colour measurements of the dyeings and prints were conducted.     

Incisional block with bupivacaine for analgesia after celiotomy in dogs

A blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of preoperative infiltration of the incision site with bupivacaine in dogs undergoing celiotomy. Sixty dogs were randomly allocated into four groups: preoperative bupivacaine, postoperative bupivacaine, preoperative saline, and postoperative saline. All dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and meperidine; then they were anesthetized with thiopentone and isoflurane. Each group received either bupivacaine or normal saline before midline incision or just before skin closure. After surgery, pain scores were assigned using a numerical rating scale. Preoperative bupivacaine was associated with significantly lower pain scores and a significantly lower need for opioid administration. The authors conclude that a preoperative incisional block with bupivacaine seems to be a useful adjunct for controlling pain after celiotomy in dogs.     

Conservative Management of a Distal Epiphyseal Metacarpal Fracture in a Skyros Pony

Epiphyseal fracture, also known as epiphysiolysis, is the loosening or separation, either partial or complete, of an epiphysis from the shaft of a long bone. Distal epiphyseal fractures in foals pose a substantial challenge due to their guarded prognosis. This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis, successful conservative treatment of an 1-month-old, male Skyros pony with an epiphyseal fracture of the right third metacarpal bone (type II Salter-Harris). The owner declined surgical treatment because of financial considerations along with the unfavorable prognosis. Conservative fracture treatment was pursued through external reduction and coaptation. The total duration of the conservative treatment was eighteen weeks and the foal returned to complete health.     

Breed differences of bull frozen‐thawed semen

The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of frozen‐thawed semen from different bull breeds. Commercial frozen‐thawed bull semen samples (26 per breed, 130 totally) of five breeds (Holstein [Η], Brown Swiss [BS], Limousin [L], Belgian Blue [BB], Blonde d' Aquitaine [BA]) were used. After thawing, each semen sample was subjected to thermal resistance test (TR) for 0.5 and 1 hr at 38°C and hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOST) for 1 hr at 150 mOsm at 37°C. Additionally, all samples were evaluated at times 0 hr (thawing), 0.5 hr (TR), 1 hr (TR) for kinetics by CASA [progressive, immotile, rapid, medium, slow moving spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), beat cross‐frequency (BCF), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), wobble (WOB)]. Moreover, directly after thawing, all semen samples were evaluated for morphometry, morphology, viability and DNA fragmentation. Statistical analysis was conducted using a mixed model for repeated measures. The results showed (a) higher VCL after thawing in H, L breeds compared to BB and BA, (b) higher VAP after thawing in L compared to BB, BA, (c) higher values of progressive spermatozoa after TR in H, BS compared to BB, BA, (d) higher values of rapid spermatozoa after thawing and 0.5 hr of TR in H, BS, L compared to BB, BA, (e) lower viability in BA after thawing compared to H, BS, BB, (f) lower morphological abnormalities in H compared to L, BB, (g) higher head length in Η compared to BB. No significant differences were observed in the results from HOST and DNA fragmentation between breeds. In conclusion, quality characteristics of frozen‐thawed bull semen are dependent on the breed. Frozen semen from BB and BA breeds should be handled more carefully after thawing, as it is more sensitive to stress.     

Population age and sex structure of Aphanius fasciatus Nardo, 1827 (Pisces: Cyprinodontidae) in the Mesolongi and Etolikon lagoons (W. Greece)

The population structure of Aphanius fasciatus in the Mesolongi and Etolikon lagoonal system was studied, using 5794 fish. Significant differences were observed in the number of individuals of each sex, the age and size composition and survival. The overall males to females sex ratio was 1:2.44, although there was seasonal variation. During the reproductive period the percentage of males in the population decreased significantly, while after reproduction and during recruitment they increased. The females in each age class were larger than the males (40.33 mm and 36.72 mean total length for females and males, respectively). The survival rate of females was greater than males (0.73 for females and 0.60 for males). The strategy of this species is to invest in female individuals.     

Effect of fishmeal replacement by poultry by‐product meal on growth performance,proximate composition,digestive enzyme activity,haematological parameters and gene expression of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Two feeding trials examined the replacement of fishmeal (FM) with poultry by‐product meal (PBM) in the diet of juvenile Sparus aurata. In Feeding trial I (100 days), three diets were formulated, where FM protein was replaced by 50% (PBM50) and 100% (PBM100) PBM, while in Feeding trial II (110 days), four diets were formulated using the same FM control diet, but FM was replaced at lower levels: 25% (PBM25), and 25% (PBM25 + ) and 50% (PBM50 + ) with the supplementation of lysine and methionine amino acids. PBM protein can successfully replace 50% of FM protein in the diet of S. aurata without adverse effects on survival, feed intake, growth performance and feed utilization, given that the diet is balanced with lysine and methionine. The proximate composition of body and muscle was unaffected by the diet, but the total FM replacement resulted in reduced lipid and energy contents in fish. A fifty per cent FM replacement by PBM did not affect haematological parameters indicating a good fish health. Similarities in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities with FM‐fed fish suggest a high digestibility of PBM. High dietary levels of PBM reduced the liver gene expression of GH/IGF axis and of cathepsin D suppressing fish growth and modulating the protein turnover.     

Histological evaluation of the elimination of Artemia nauplii from larval rearing protocols on the digestive system ontogeny of shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.)

The influence of the absence of Artemia nauplii from larval diet protocols on growth and digestive system ontogeny was studied using histological techniques in the shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa). One group of larvae was reared using the standard intensive rearing protocol, which offers a combination of enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), Artemia spp. nauplii and artificial diet (Std-group). Another group was reared using the same protocol, but without the offering of Artemia nauplii (group No-Artemia). The ontogenesis of the digestive system from hatching to metamorphosis was a very rapid process, and there were no differences between the two feeding regimes in the temporal appearance of the various components of the digestive system. The first organised presence of the hepatic and pancreatic tissue appeared at 2–3 d after hatching (dah), suggesting that these organs function from a very early developmental stage. In the No-Artemia larvae between 13 and 29 dah there was a reduction in the height of enterocytes in the intestinal mucosa, a progressive flattening of the primary intestinal folds in the anterior and posterior intestine and a decrease in lipid stores in the liver, suggesting a period of relative starvation. However, by the end of the study at 41 dah, there were no significant differences in body length, intestinal morphology or liver lipid stores between larvae reared under the two feeding regimes. The study suggests that the diet may influence the maturation and/or function, but not the ontogeny of the digestive system. Furthermore, the rapid differentiation of the digestive system in shi drum and the prompt recovery of the No-Artemia larvae from the symptoms of starvation by 29 dah, indicate a plasticity during ontogenesis and the ability of larvae to adapt to artificial diets at very early developmental stages.     

Reduction in biological efficacy of ethoprophos in a soil from Greece due to enhanced biodegradation: comparing bioassay with laboratory incubation data

Soils were collected from a potato-growing area in Serres, Northern Greece, where the nematicide ethoprophos was reported to have lost its effectiveness against cyst nematodes following 30 years of regular use. Incubation studies with ethoprophos and two bioassays using root-knot nematodes demonstrated that, in this heavily treated soil, the nematicide was degraded rapidly and nematicidal activity persisted only up to 14 days. In soil from an adjacent field with no known history of nematicide use during the preceding 14 years, ethoprophos was degraded more slowly and retained its nematicidal activity for more than 35 days. Ethoprophos efficacy was extended when the soil that had been treated in the field was autoclaved, although the effect was only transitory. The addition of ‘pre-conditioned’ soil from the previously treated field to samples of soil from the previously untreated field resulted in a significant acceleration of ethoprophos degradation compared with that observed in unamended soil from the previously untreated field. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Productivity of two stevia varieties under reduced irrigation and fertilization inputs

A 3-year field study was conducted in central Greece to determine the productivity of two stevia [(Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni] varieties (‘Morita’ and ‘Candy-stevia’) under normal and reduced irrigation (100% and 75% of the evapotranspiration) and fertilization [1:0.8:1.1 or 1:0.4:0.8 N:P:K ratio in the first year and only N fertilization (100% or 74% of the recommended rate) in the second and third years] inputs. Averaged across years, stevia cv. Morita achieved greater dry leaf yield (3.48 t ha^?1) than the cv. Candy-stevia (2.85 t ha^?1). Irrigation and fertilization inputs did not significantly affect stevia cv. Morita dry leaf and steviol glycosides (stevioside plus rebaudioside-A) yields; however, decreasing irrigation and fertilization caused slight reduction of cv. Candy-stevia yields. In cv. Morita leaves, the concentrations of stevioside and rebaudioside-A ranged from 5.97% to 7.78% and 3.73% to 4.79%, respectively, while the corresponding concentrations in cv. Candy-stevia leaves were 8.21–9.36% and 3.89–6.33%. Conclusively, both stevia varieties could achieve satisfactory dry leaf biomass and steviol glycosides yield, even when grown under reduced irrigation (at 75% of evapotranspiration) and reduced N fertilization (74% of the recommended rate). Thus, stevia could represent an alternative crop to tobacco in the Mediterranean conditions.