The influence of different treatments causing emigration of nitidulid beetles

Experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of different modified atmospheres, low pressures alone, methyl bromide (MB) alone, and MB in combination with CO₂ or low pressure, in causing nitidulid beetles to emigrate from infested dried fruit for which dates served as a model. All the treatments at 4 h and 16 h exposure and at 26°C, had a marked influence in causing insects to abandon the infested fruit. The most effective treatments at the two exposures were pressures of 50 mm Hg, and 1.4% O₂ in air, both of which caused over 87% of the initial insect populations to emigrate from the fruit. At 4 h exposure, 2.8% O₂ was less effective than 100 mm Hg or MB. At 16 h exposure, MB+CO₂ was third in effectiveness and 100 mm Hg was one of the least effective treatments.     

Radiographic assessment of cattle hoofs (ungulae) of the Nellore breed: Reference standards

The purpose of this work was to determine a radiographic standard of normality for lateral and medial ungulae in 3‐year‐old bovine females of the Nellore breed. Twenty‐six cows underwent radiographic exposure of the medial and lateral ungulae of the hindlimbs and forelimbs; abaxioaxial projections were used. The images were analyzed; distances were measured between the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx and the surface of the hoof capsule. The two angles formed, i.e., an angle between the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx and a line parallel to the sole (inner), and an angle between the dorsal surface of the hoof and a line parallel to the sole (outer), were also recorded. The results suggested a standard of normality for the proximal, middle and distal distances of the ungulae of the forelimbs: 0.96 ± 0.12 cm. For the measurement of hindlimbs, except for the distal distances of the side ungulae, the suggested value was 1.02 ± 0.14 cm; for the distal measurement of the lateral ungulae of the hindlimbs, the value was 1.09 ± 0.12 cm. For inner and outer angles, the values were 36.45° ± 4.4° for the medial ungulae of the forelimbs and 42.50° ± 3.8° for other ungulae of the forelimbs and hindlimbs (standard deviations of the values suggested for the angles should be used as variations between different animals, limbs and ungulae; they should not be used between angles of the same ungula).     

Variance component estimations for race performance of thoroughbred horses in Brazil by random regression model

A total of 306,698 racing performance data recorded between 1992 and 2002 from 25495 Brazilian Thoroughbred horses was analyzed to estimate the variance components using the Random Regression Model (RRM) compared to the Classical Repeatability Animal Model (CRAM). The performance was evaluated using the race time (in seconds) to run distances of 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 or 1600 meters. The pedigree of each horse was extended as far as possible, with a total of 36,659 animals. The simple correlation between Breeding Value (BV) for the race time estimated by both procedures was high (r = 0.963) when the data were expressed at the mean level of all distances. However, with the RRM it was possible to estimate the genetic parameters and the BV of all animals at the trajectory of each one of the seven distances. Also, results clearly showed that a single BV estimated by CRAM, is neither an adequate nor a sufficient indicator for the selection of the best horses throughout the trajectory of distance performance. We concluded that the RRM procedure is highly recommended for the evaluation of racehorse performance.     

Epidemiological investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> in horses in the municipality of Sinop—MT,Brazil

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main etiological agent of Lyme disease (LD) in the USA. In Brazil, it is believed that a similar spirochete is the causal agent of the Baggio–Yoshinari syndrome (BYS), a zoonosis also transmitted by ticks, whose clinical manifestations are similar to those of LD. Despite the epidemiological importance, there are no studies reporting the presence and the prevalence of B. burgdorferi among horses in Mato Grosso State. The aim of this study was to detect and measure the frequency of IgG antibodies anti-B. burgdorferi American strain G39/40 in horses in the municipality of Sinop, MT—Brazil, using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis. Blood samples from 367 horses were collected in 81 farms. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied during the visits to obtain information related to the animals and the farms. From the 367 horses, 214 were positive for B. burgdorferi sensu stricto according to the results of the ELISA test, representing an apparent prevalence of 54.04% [CI?=?0.4548051–0.6237234]. Concomitantly, 89 blood samples were taken for molecular analysis by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). According to the PCR test results, none of the samples were reactive, although 53 of these samples were reactive according to ELISA. Seventy five farms (92.59%) had at least one reactive horse for B. burgdorferi. Our results support the hypothesis of the presence of anti-Borrelia spp. antibodies in horses in Mato Grosso, reaching a high animal prevalence. Besides that, leisure/sport purposes proved to be a risk factor, with an odds ratio of 3.16. These findings clearly indicate the need of borreliosis control in Sinop and make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the disease in Mato Grosso.     

Interactive effects of dietary fishmeal level and plant essential oils supplementation on European sea bass,Dicentrarchus labrax: Growth performance,nutrient utilization,and immunological response

The inclusion of phytogenics in fish feed is a promising strategy to compensate for the negative performance effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with vegetable sources. The present work assessed the interactive effects of different dietary FM levels (22.5 and 10% of formulation) and the supplementation of a commercial blend of anise, citrus, and oregano essential oils (Digestarom PEP M.G.E 150) on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut morphology, antioxidant status, and immunological response over a 60‐day growth trial. Results showed decreased growth and protein efficiency ratio and increased feed conversion ratio with a low dietary FM level. In contrast, supplementation of the phytogenic product demonstrated improved performance and nutrient utilization together with increased protein and energy retention. Supplementation with the plant essential oils fully compensated for the negative intestinal changes observed in sea bass fed a low‐FM diet but showed little improvement in fish immunological response, except for the 30% increase in lysozyme activity observed in fish fed the low FM‐supplemented diet compared to those fed the standard high‐FM diet. Overall, this study supports the use of this phytogenic product in low‐FM diets as a possible tool to decrease feed costs associated with FM without compromising fish performance, nutrient utilization, and health.     

The Efficacy of a Novel Microbial 6‐Phytase Expressed in Aspergillus oryzae on the Performance and Phosphorus Utilization of Cold‐ and Warm‐Water Fish: Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,and Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

The efficacy and tolerance of a novel microbial 6‐phytase were investigated in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Reference diets were sufficient in available phosphorus (P). The test diet limiting in available P was supplemented with phytase at 500, 1000, or 2000 phytase units/kg feed. The enzyme was effective in increasing total P apparent digestibility coefficient in relation to increasing the dose of phytase in rainbow trout and Nile tilapia. Zinc apparent digestibility improved in relation to phytase supplementation in rainbow trout. P release due to phytase supplementation ranged from 0.06 to 0.18% P/kg feed in rainbow trout and from 0.13 to 0.26% P/kg feed in Nile tilapia. A 58‐d performance trial was conducted to evaluate tolerance of fish to phytase supplementation. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet without phytase or supplemented with 2000 and 200,000 phytase units/kg feed. Results indicate that this novel microbial 6‐phytase is well tolerated by fish. Significant improvements for growth as well as feed conversion ratio were observed when the phytase was fed at 2000 phytase units/kg feed. This phytase is proven efficient in releasing P from phytate and could be added when plants are used for fish meal replacement in diets for salmonid and omnivorous fish.     

Performance of dual and triple fungicide premixes for managing soybean rust across years and regions in Brazil: A meta-analysis

Soybean rust in Brazil is currently controlled with several commercial fungicide premixes composed of demethylation inhibitors (EPOXiconazole, CYPRoconazole, PROThioconazole, TEBUconazole), quinone-outside inhibitors (AZOXystrobin, TriFLoXystrobin, PYRAclostrobin, PICOxystrobin), and succinate demethylation inhibitors (BENZovindiflupyr, BIXaFen, FLUXapyroxad). Here, we summarize the performance of eight premixes evaluated in 177 cooperative trials conducted in 46 locations across 10 states from 2015 to 2020. All fungicide treatments were sprayed three times starting at R1/R2. Percentage control (, %), from back-transforming meta-analytic estimates of the log of the ratio, ranged from 56.2% (PICO + CYPR) to 76.8% (BIXF + TFLX + PROT). Estimates of mean yield difference (, kg/ha) between fungicide-treated and untreated plots were greatest for BIXF + TFLX + PROT (1,080) followed by PICO + BENZ (1,010), PYRA + EPOX + FLUX (981.5), AZOX + BENZ (910), TFLX + PROT (891), PICO +TEBU (682), TFLX + CYPR (646), and PICO + CYPR (600). Significant declines in both and in as little as 4 years were detected for AZOX + BENZ (35.3%; 550 kg/ha) and PICO + BENZ (15.5%; 359.8 kg/ha). Variance in was reduced by the inclusion of baseline severity as covariate. In trials where baseline disease was ≥70%, yield was 250 kg/ha greater compared to areas with low baseline disease. Disease control and yield response were generally greater in the south-east, where the frequency of profitable scenarios was 30% higher on average than in the north-west. Results of this meta-analysis are critical for supporting decisions during planning of fungicide programmes.     

Evaluation of the ELISA test for the antibody detection in cattle naturally and experimentally infected with Cysticerccus bovis

The ELISA test was evaluated for the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis using heterologous antigens from the larvae of T. solium and T. crassiceps, by using different types of positive and negative control sera, to allow a broader analysis of the results. The ELISA test showed low sensitivity under natural conditions of bovine cysticercosis manifestation, but high rates (up to 90%) under experimental conditions. The high specificity of the test (81-100%) made evident its capacity to differentiate cysticercosis from other bovine diseases. No difference in performance was found among the antigens studied. It was concluded that the ELISA test has deficiencies in detecting anti-cysticercosis antibodies of animals at slaughterhouse. However, it can be useful in detecting experimentally infected animals and differentiating cysticercosis from other bovine diseases.