Pyrantel resistance in two herds of donkey in the UK

Resistance to currently available anthelmintics is a serious phenomenon which is prevalent globally. Cyathostomins are one of the major parasites, and are of primary concern in donkeys. There have been reports of emerging resistance to pyrantel, but the status of pyrantel resistance in donkey populations in the UK is largely unknown. This report investigates pyrantel resistance in two geographically isolated donkey herds in the South West of England. The first herd had suspected pyrantel resistance, with already established resistance to other anthelmintics. In the second herd the efficacy of pyrantel was not suspected at the time the study took place. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) was carried out, revealing large scale resistance. Eighty one percent of the first herd and 73% of the second herd had a FEC of less than 95% after treatment, and anthelmintic resistance was confirmed using the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology guidelines. These findings indicate that anthelmintic resistance to pyrantel exists in both tested donkey populations and illustrate the continuing development of resistance through different classes of chemotherapeutics.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of canine pyoderma isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius for biofilm formation

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.     

The effects of replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch on the fermentation quality,chemical composition and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage in Tibet

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch on the fermentation quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage in Tibet. Four TMR that varied in the forage sources on dry matter basis were used: (i) 52% whole‐plant corn (Control); (ii) 43% oat + 12% common vetch (OC3.6); (iii) 38% oat + 18% common vetch (OC2.2); and (iv) 33% oat + 23% common vetch (OC1.5). Silos were opened on day 45 and then subjected to an aerobic stability test for 12 days. The results showed that all silages were well preserved with low pH and NH₃‐N, and high lactic acid and V‐scores. With the increasing proportion of common vetch, crude protein, ether extract increased (P < 0.05), and neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased (P < 0.05). Under aerobic conditions, treated silages were more stable than the control silage as indicated by lower (P < 0.05) pH and yeast population. It was concluded that replacement of whole‐plant corn with oat and common vetch had no unfavorable effects on the fermentation quality and improved crude protein content and aerobic stability of TMR silage. OC2.2 silage was the best among three treated TMR silages.     

Influence of race and crossbreeding on casein micelles size

Casein (CN) micelles are colloidal aggregates of protein dispersed in milk, the importance of which in the dairy industry is related to functionality and yield in dairy products. The objective of this work was to investigate the correlation of milk CN micelles diameter from Holstein and Zebu crossbreds with milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, total and nonfat solids and milk urea nitrogen), somatic cell count (SCC), age, lactation stage and production. Average casein micelles diameters of milk samples obtained from 200 cows were measured using photon correlation spectroscopy and multiple regression analysis was used to find relationship between variables. CN micelle diameter, SCC and nonfat solids were different between animals with different Holstein crossbreed ratios, which suggests influence of genetic factors, mammary gland health and milk composition. Overall, results indicate the potential use of CN micelle diameter as a tool to select animals to produce milk more suitable to cheese production.     

Fire-resistant performance of a laminated veneer lumber joint with metal plate connectors protected with graphite phenolic sphere sheeting

Creep under fire of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) joined with metal connectors was studied. The fire-resistant performance of LVL butt joints connected with metal plates protected with graphite phenolic sphere (GPS) sheeting was discussed. The GPS sheeting was overlaid on the joint in different sizes and locations. The joint was exposed to a burner with a top flame temperature of 800°C and loaded with a load of 200 N to test for creep under fire. The results showed that the fire-resistant performance of the joint was markedly improved by the sheeting. The size and location of the GPS sheet significantly affected the time to rupture of the specimen, which was six times longer than that without GPS. Temperature measurements at the joint showed that the GPS sheeting distributed the heat along the surface and delayed failure. Thermographic images and analyses clarified the improvement in fire-resistant properties due to GPS.     

Screening method for wood extractives: direct cellulose thin-layer chromatography plate

A method for screening wood extractives was developed using cellulose thin-layer chromatography plate (Cell-TLC) separation and was directly applied to bioassays. Wood meal (60 mesh) from nangka (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk) heartwood was extracted with hot methanol. The crude extract was separated using a Cell-TLC plate (50 × 50mm). Two broad bands with R_f values of 0.46 and 0.96 were found, and the bands showed completely different effects against the pest termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and the decay fungus Fomitopsis palustris. The band with R_f 0.46 was preferentially consumed by workers of C. formosanus, and it did not show any growth inhibition against F. palustris when the Cell-TLC plate was directly exposed to the organism. In contrast, the band with R_f 0.96 appeared to repel strongly the feeding by C. formosanus and inhibited the growth of F. palustris. It was concluded that the Cell-TLC system was applicable for screening wood extracts consisting of many compounds.     

简易装卸设备

本文介绍如何拆下集材拖拉机搭载板，安装架杆，利用绞盘机、钢索及架杆滑轮装卸货物。此装卸设备对缓解当前伐区众多分散小型山楞原木装车的困难局面，具有实际指导意义。     

复合菌剂及酸化剂对玉米秸秆青贮有氧暴露后的影响

为探讨复合菌剂和酸化剂对玉米秸秆青贮有氧稳定性及有氧暴露期间微生物数量、pH值、粗蛋白、干物质量的影响,以玉米秸秆为青贮原料,设置3个处理:对照组、复合菌剂组、复合菌剂+酸化剂组。青贮90 d。有氧暴露1、3、7、11 d分别取样测定微生物数量、pH值、粗蛋白、干物质量。结果显示,与对照组相比,复合菌剂组、复合菌剂+酸化剂组均能提高青贮品质,显著减少有氧暴露期间粗蛋白、干物质损失(P<0.05)。与复合菌剂组相比,复合菌剂+酸化剂组有效抑制酵母菌繁殖,显著提升青贮有氧稳定性(P<0.05)。     

C/N比对好氧堆肥中NH3挥发损失和含氮有机物转化的影响

利用牛粪和不同比例玉米秸秆的混合,设置5个不同C/N比处理(T1=15、T2=20、T3=25、T4=30、T5=35),研究其对条垛式好氧堆肥过程中的NH_3挥发损失和含氮有机物转化的影响。结果表明:在肥堆前24 d有11.1%～23.1%的总氮损失,堆体C/N比越低,总氮损失率越高。堆肥结束时,T1～T5处理的总氮损失率为10.1%～24.1%,其中由NH_3挥发造成的氮损失占总氮损失的30.9%～40.5%。堆肥过程的NH_3挥发主要发生在升温期和高温期,此期的NH_3挥发量占总挥发量的95%以上,是总氮损失的主要途径。堆肥前6 d各处理堆体铵态氮积累并达到最高值,导致pH值迅速升高,是造成堆肥NH_3挥发的直接原因。堆体C/N比越低,pH值越高,NH_3挥发量越大,由此造成的氮损失占总氮损失的比例越大。堆肥材料总氮的90%以上为有机氮,其降解主要发生在堆肥前24 d,堆体初始C/N比越低,有机氮矿化越快。不同有机氮组分的降解速率不同,以氨基酸态氮和酰胺态氮的降解为主。当堆体初始C/N比低于25时,堆肥材料中氨基酸态氮和酰胺态氮等有机态氮快速降解产生大量的铵态氮,由此导致堆体pH值的迅速升高,是导致堆肥过程中大量NH_3挥发和氮素损失的主要原因。