Mortality,progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais adults to wheat from integrated and alternative production systems

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the production systems of wheat from different production systems on the mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The factors tested were production system (integrated [INT], organic [ORG], biodynamic [BD] and control), which differed in plant protection and fertiliser procedures during plant growth and development; exposure interval (7, 14 and 21 d); relative humidity (r.h.) (55% and 75%) and temperature (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Mortality after 7 d increased with the temperature increase and decreased with the increase in r.h. in most of the tested combinations. The mortality of weevils was higher in ORG compared to INT-produced wheat after 7 d. Progeny production was recorded 56 d after removal of parental adults and was higher at 75% r.h. in comparison to 55% r.h. At 55% r.h. and 20°C, progeny was 60.8% higher when S. zeamais were exposed to ORG in comparison to INT-produced wheat. Wheat from different production systems influenced mortality rates which were higher in alternative compared to INT production systems under optimal conditions for wheat storage (low temperature and r.h.). The reverse was recorded for temperature and r.h. increase. Progeny was not affected by wheat from various production systems. Significantly more S. zeamais adults were found in traps containing wheat from BD and control in comparison to INT. An understanding of the agricultural processes, biotic and abiotic factors which alter the post-harvest response of storage pests could be useful for the development of efficient post-harvest strategies for ORG and BD farms and the processing industry.     

Role of Eicosanoids in the Regulation of the Periparturient Period in Cattle

Contents: In this review, the role of eicosanoids in regulation of parturition and the postpartum period was described with special emphasis on the bovine species. The metabolism of arachidonic acid and the production of eicosanoids during the peripartum period was discussed. Prostaglandin E₂ and F_2α (PGE₂, PGF_2α) play an important role in mechanisms controlling parturition. They are involved in luteolysis, uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix. Eicosanoids also seem to influence the loosening processes of the fetal membranes. However, in the literature, conflicting results were found. Many investigations suggested that retained placental membranes could be related to low PGF_2α production and/ or an imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism in the uterus. The possible role of the lipoxygenase pathway metabolite 15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in expulsion of the fetal membranes was also discussed. As far as the postpartum period is concerned, a relationship between postpartum PGF_2α release and the involution of the uterus was found. Cows with undisturbed uterine involution had higher PGF_2α production than cows with delayed involution. In contrast to the positive effect of PGF_2α on uterine involution, PGE₂ seems to delay the involution processes. Further experiments are necessary in order to study the function of eicosanoids in mechanisms regulating parturition, release of the fetal placental membranes and involution of the uterus.     

A comparison of extradural and intravenous methadone on intraoperative isoflurane and postoperative analgesia requirements in dogs

Objective To compare the effects of intravenous (IV) and extradural (ED) methadone on end‐tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe ′ISO) and postoperative analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing femoro‐tibial joint surgery. Study Design Randomized, blinded, clinical study. Animals Twenty‐four healthy client‐owned dogs undergoing surgical repair of ruptured cruciate ligaments. Methods Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups of 12 animals and received either ED or IV methadone (0.3 mg kg^?1 diluted with saline to 0.2 mL kg^?1). Pre‐anaesthetic medication was IV acepromazine (0.05 mg kg^?1). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained initially with an Fe ′ISO of 1.0% delivered in oxygen. Methadone was injected with the dogs in sternal recumbency; the observer was unaware of the administration route. At 10 minutes (stimulation 1) and 20 minutes (stimulation 2) after methadone administration pelvic limb reflexes were tested by digit‐clamping. The time at skin incision (stimulation 3), joint‐capsule incision (stimulation 4), tibial tuberosity drilling (stimulation 5), fabellar suturing (stimulation 6) and extracapsular tightening (stimulation 7) were noted. Changes in heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate and arterial blood pressure associated with surgery were recorded along with the corresponding Fe ′ISO. After 20 minutes of anaesthesia, Fe ′ISO was decreased to the minimum required to maintain stable anaesthesia. Immediately after tracheal extubation, 1, 2, 3 and 6 hours postoperatively and on the morning after surgery, the degree of pain present was assessed using a numerical rating scale. The HR, respiratory rates and blood pressure were also recorded at these times. Serum cortisol and blood glucose concentrations were measured before pre‐anaesthetic medication and at each postoperative pain scoring interval except at 1 and 2 hours. Ketoprofen (2 mg kg^?1), carprofen (4 mg kg^?1) or meloxicam (0.2 mg kg^?1) were given by subcutaneous injection whenever pain scoring indicated moderate discomfort was present. Results Controlled ventilation was required in six dogs which stopped breathing after IV methadone. The median Fe ′ISO at stimulus 5 was 1.0% in the IV and 0.83% in the ED group. At stimulus 6, Fe ′ISO was 1.0% in the IV and 0.8% in the ED group; the difference was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in the duration of postoperative analgesia associated with administration route. Conclusions Extradural methadone significantly reduces the isoflurane requirement compared with IV methadone during femoro‐tibial joint surgery in dogs. Clinical relevance Extradural methadone provides safe and effective pain relief in dogs undergoing cruciate ligament repair.     

Hygienic acceptance of wood in food industry

Food is physically manipulated by other materials during production processes, and therefore, food quality and safety are vital in processes where foods are in contact with various materials. Wooden frames were used for centuries for dried egg pasta trays; however, with the development of different materials, wood was slowly abandoned and replaced by plastic. Nevertheless, there are some hygienic considerations concerning plastic frames in the dried egg pasta making industry. In this study, plastic and wooden trays were analysed by swabbing (n?=?210) and evaluated in regard to total number of aerobic counts (TAC), Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, moulds, yeasts and Staphylococcus aureus using dry medium plates. The aims of the research were to (1) evaluate the total number of microorganisms on wood and plastic material used for pasta trays and (2) make a hygienic evaluation of analysed materials for application in the pasta industry. The research was aimed to answer the question, ‘Does the tray material and/or location of the swab sample influence the colony forming unit (CFU)/20?cm²?’ Results showed a statistical difference in CFU/20?cm² for all bacterial determinations, except for E. coli which was not detected in swabs taken from wooden or plastic trays. This hygiene evaluation study supported the conclusion that the use of wood is appropriate in the food industry from a hygienic and technological point of view.     

Pathogenicity of Eimeria praecox alone or associated with Eimeria acervulina in experimentally infected broiler chickens

Eimeria praecox and Eimeria acervulina are two species of coccidia parasites infecting chickens, which develop in the duodenum. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of E. praecox and to study interactions of this coccidium with E. acervulina. The results showed that the pathogenicity of E. praecox was related to the infective dose, and that its impact on individual weight and weight gain was significant from the lowest administered dose: 5000 oocysts per bird. No morbidity was observed, even with the highest infective dose, but faecal consistency alteration was higher with increasing infective doses. No consistent lesion was observed. When E. praecox was associated with E. acervulina with a low infective dose, performance deterioration seemed to be an additional effect of the two species. However, in the case of heavy infections, signs worsened along with duration of negative impact on growth, compared to a mono-infection.     

The effect of carbon black nanoparticles on some properties of air plasma printed cotton/polyamide 6 fabrics

In this study, cotton/nylon blended fabrics were treated with atmospheric air plasma at various times (30–60 s) and were subsequently printed with pastes containing carbon black nanoparticles. Properties of plasma treated fabrics such as visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) reflectance, water contact angle, air permeability, and color fastness were measured. It was shown that increasing plasma treatment time decreases reflection level of treated fabrics in Vis-NIR region. Plasma treatment also enhanced the hydrophobicity of cotton/nylon fabrics observed by an increase in water contact angle. Plasma treated samples for 60 s demonstrated lower air permeability than those treated for 30 s. Furthermore, printed samples possessed acceptable levels of fastness against washing, light and crocking.     

Cryptosporidium scrofarum n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in domestic pigs (Sus scrofa)

We describe the morphological, biological, and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium pig genotype II and propose the species name Cryptosporidium scrofarum n. sp. to reflect its prevalence in adult pigs worldwide. Oocysts of C. scrofarum are morphologically indistinguishable from C. parvum, measuring 4.81–5.96 μm (mean = 5.16) × 4.23–5.29 μm (mean = 4.83) with a length to width ratio of 1.07 ± 0.06 (n = 400). Oocysts of C. scrofarum obtained from a naturally infected pig were infectious for 8-week-old pigs but not 4-week-old pigs. The prepatent period in 8-week-old Cryptosporidium-naive pigs was 4–6 days and the patent period was longer than 30 days. The infection intensity of C. scrofarum in pigs was generally low, in the range 250–4000 oocysts per gram of feces. Infected pigs showed no clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis and no pathology was detected. Cryptosporidium scrofarum was not infectious for adult SCID mice, adult BALB/c mice, Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), southern multimammate mice (Mastomys coucha), yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), or guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit rRNA, actin, and heat shock protein 70 gene sequences revealed that C. scrofarum is genetically distinct from all known Cryptosporidium species.     

Application of a low-cost camera on a UAV to estimate maize nitrogen-related variables

Precision Agriculture - The development of small unmanned aerial vehicles and advances in sensor technology have made consumer digital cameras suitable for the remote sensing of vegetation. In this...