Drivers,challenges and opportunities of forage technology adoption by smallholder cattle households in Cambodia

Forage technology has been successfully introduced into smallholder cattle systems in Cambodia as an alternative feed source to the traditional rice straw and native pastures, improving animal nutrition and reducing labour requirements of feeding cattle. Previous research has highlighted the positive impacts of forage technology including improved growth rates of cattle and household time savings. However, further research is required to understand the drivers, challenges and opportunities of forage technology for smallholder cattle households in Cambodia to facilitate widespread adoption and identify areas for further improvement. A survey of forage-growing households (n = 40) in July–September 2016 examined forage technology adoption experiences, including reasons for forage establishment, use of inputs and labour requirements of forage plot maintenance and use of forages (feeding, fattening, sale of grass or seedlings and silage). Time savings was reported as the main driver of forage adoption with household members spending approximately 1 h per day maintaining forages and feeding it to cattle. Water availability was reported as the main challenge to this activity. A small number of households also reported lack of labour, lack of fencing, competition from natural grasses, cost of irrigation and lack of experience as challenges to forage growing. Cattle fattening and sale of cut forage grass and seedlings was not found to be a widespread activity by interviewed households, with 25 and 10% of households reporting use of forages for these activities, respectively. Currently, opportunities exist for these households to better utilise forages through expansion of forage plots and cattle activities, although assistance is required to support these households in addressing current constraints, particularly availability of water, if the sustainability of this feed technology for smallholder cattle household is to be established in Cambodia.     

Effects of Epidural Ketamine–Xylazine Combination on the Clinicophysiological and Haematobiochemical Parameters of Uraemic and Healthy Goats

Xylazine–ketamine combination was evaluated for its efficacy and safety after epidural administration in uraemic and healthy goats. The combination (xylazine 0.025 mg/kg and ketamine 2.5 mg/kg) was administered to uraemic (n = 6) and healthy (n = 6) animals in the lumbosacral epidural space. The combination was evaluated in terms of clinical, physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters. The onset of analgesia was faster in healthy animals than in uraemic animals. Xylazine and ketamine produced complete analgesia of tail, perineum, inguinal and thigh regions in all animals of both groups. However, healthy animals showed longer duration of complete analgesia than did uraemic animals. Greater ataxia was recorded in healthy animals than in uraemic animals. The heart rate showed a significant decrease in both groups; however, respiratory rate and rectal temperature did not show any significant changes. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total leukocyte count decreased non-significantly in both groups. Total leukocyte count was significantly higher in uraemic animals. A significantly higher value of urea nitrogen and creatinine was recorded in uraemic animals. The blood electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻) and blood gases (P o ₂ and P co ₂) did not show any significant changes in both groups; however, base excess was significantly higher in uraemic animals. The effects produced by the combination on different systems were transient and values normal as the effect of the drugs wore off. The results suggest that the combination when used epidurally in uraemic goats produced effective and safe surgical analgesia.     

南极半岛海洋气候区的土壤Ⅲ.冻-融作用与水分状况

自由水活动在南极海洋性气候区土壤形成与演化过程中发挥极为重要的作用。本文对土壤自由水的来源、冻-融作用、永冻层和活动层动态以及自由水参与下的物质迁移过程等几个方面进行了论述,讨论了上述不同过程的影响因素以及土壤发生学意义,指出以土壤水形态转化和自由水活动为基础的土壤过程具有显著的微域性特点,是决定本区土壤发生类型与分布模式的重要因素之一。     

"Tubules-Within-a-Tubule" Hierarchical Order of Mesoporous Molecular Sieves in MCM-41

The recently discovered mesoporous aluminosilicate MCM-41 consists of hexagonal arrays of nanometer-sized cylindrical pores. It is shown that this material can be synthesized by cooperative condensation of silicate and cylindrical cationic micelles. Careful control of the surfactant-water content and the rate of condensation of silica at high alkalinity resulted in hollow tubules 0.3 to 3 micrometers in diameter. The wall of the tubules consisted of coaxial cylindrical pores, nanometers in size, that are characteristic of those of MCM-41. The formation of this higher order structure may take place through a liquid crystal phase transformation mechanism involving an anisotropic membrane-to-tubule phase change. The hierarchical organization of this "tubules-within-a-tubule" particle texture is similar to that of the frustules of marine diatoms.     

Management of Tibial Fractures Using a Circular External Fixator in Two Calves

Objectives: To report the repair of tibial diaphyseal fractures in 2 calves using a circular external skeletal fixator (CEF). Study Design: Clinical report. Animals: Crossbred calves (n=2; age: 6 months; weight: 55 and 60 kg). Methods: Mid‐diaphyseal tibial fractures were repaired by the use of a 4‐ring CEF (made of aluminum rings with 2 mm K‐wires) alone in 1 calf and in combination with hemicerclage wiring in 1 calf. Results: Both calves had good weight bearing with moderate lameness postoperatively. Fracture healing occurred by day 60 in 1 calf and by day 30 in calf 2. The CEF was well maintained and tolerated by both calves through fracture healing. Joint mobility and limb usage improved gradually after CEF removal. Conclusions: CEF provided a stable fixation of tibial fractures and healing within 60 days and functional recovery within 90 days. Clinical Relevance: CEF can be safely and successfully used for the management of selected tibial fractures in calves.     

Determinants of bone mass,density and growth in growing dogs with normal and osteopenic bones

Survey radiographs of all the growing dogs aged up to 6 months, which were presented to the IVRI polyclinics during the 10 year period were screened to study the determinants of bone mass, density and growth. On the basis of clinical history and radiographic evaluation of long bones, the cases were categorized as normal or osteopenic. The relative cortical density (RCD), cortical index (CI), diameter of bone at the distal metaphysis (DDFM) and the width of the growth plate (WFGP) were determined by taking the femur as a model bone in German shepherd, Doberman and Spitz breeds of dogs at different age groups. The results showed that the RCD was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs in all the breeds. As the age advanced up to 6 months the RCD increased 20–25%, and at 6 months, Spitz and Doberman showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the RCD. In osteopenic bones, RCD remained less (25–50%) than that of normal animals at all age groups, and at 2–6 months of age, RCD in osteopenic bones was significantly lesser than in normal animals in GSD and Spitz breeds. The CI was also the least at 0–2 months of age in normal dogs. The CI increased about 50% at 4–6 months of age in GSD and Spitz. Whereas in Dob., there was no appreciable change in the CI at different age groups, and at 2–6 months it was significantly (P < 0.05) lesser than that of Spitz. In osteopenic bones, the CI was 25–75% lesser than that of normal animals at different age groups, and at 4–6 months there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in GSD and Spitz. The DDFM was the least in 0–2 month old normal growing dogs, and as the age advanced, it increased 10–20% up to 6 months. However, no significant difference in the DDFM was seen between breeds and also between the normal and osteopenic bones at different age groups. In normal animals, the WFGP was highest in the early age, subsequently it reduced 50–75% and at 4–6 months there was significant decrease (P < 0.05) in all the breeds of dogs. And at 4–6 months, there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the WFGP between breeds, it was the least in Spitz and maximum in Dob., suggesting faster growth plate closure in Spitz than in GSD and Dob. breeds. In osteopenic bones, WFGP was generally more than in normal animals, and at 4–6 months (about 3–5 times more) there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the normal and osteopenic bones in all breeds, indicating that physeal closure may be delayed in osteopenic bones. The results indicate that among different breeds Doberman breed has the least bone mass and may be more prone to osteopenia; whereas Spitz has the strongest bone.     

Fractures secondary to nutritional bone disease in dogs: a review of 38 cases

The pattern of bone fractures secondary to nutritional bone disease in 38 dogs was analysed using a radiographic survey. The majority of fractures were either caused by a fall (28.95%) or showed no history of direct trauma (31.58%). Mongrels were more commonly affected by pathological fractures, followed by Dobermanns and German Shepherds. Significantly more (P < 0.05) fractures were found in dogs aged less than 6 months (64.71%). The incidence of such fractures was significantly higher in males than in females (M:F = 2.70:1.00). General radiological signs included a generalized decrease in cortical density, thinning of cortices and widening of metaphyses/epiphyses in most of the animals. Fractures were found significantly more frequently (P < 0.01) in the femur (81.58%) than in any other bone. Of the different types of fracture, complete oblique and incomplete fractures were most common.     

Analgesic, sedative and haemodynamic effects of spinally administered romifidine in female goats

The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic, sedative and haemodynamic effects of spinally administered romifidine in goats. Ten female healthy goats weighing 14-18 kg were randomly divided into two groups, I and II, of five animals each. Romifidine was administered spinally at rates of 50 and 75 microg/kg body weight in the animals of groups I and II, respectively, into the lumbosacral space. The treatments were compared based on their effects on analgesia, sedation, ataxia, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, electrocardiogram and haemato-biochemical parameters. The objective parameters were analysed statistically using paired t-test and Duncan's multiple range test. Depth of analgesia was measured by recording the response to pin prick at different regions and was graded on a scale from 0 to 3. Moderate to complete analgesia was recorded at perineum and flank in both groups. Sedation was moderate in both groups. Ataxia was observed in all the animals but it was more pronounced in group II. Heart rate decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups. A decrease in respiration rate was also recorded in both groups but it was more significant (P < 0.01) and for longer duration in group II as compared to group I. A slight increase in rectal temperature was also observed in both groups. Mean arterial pressure decreased and central venous pressure increased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups but changes were more pronounced in group II. Electrocardiogram changes in group I included bradycardia, increased QT interval and increased or biphasic T wave but in animals of group II, in addition to these changes, occasional sinus dysrhythmia, increased PR interval and second-degree heart block were also recorded. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased non-significantly in both groups. A significant (P < 0.01) increase in blood glucose and non-significant changes in plasma proteins, urea nitrogen and creatinine were recorded in both groups. The results of the study revealed that romifidine at the rate of 50 microg/kg could produce moderate to complete analgesia of perineum and flank after spinal administration into the lumbosacral space in goats. The analgesia could not be enhanced further by increasing the dose of romifidine up to 75 microg/kg, however, ataxia and cardiopulmonary and haemodynamic side-effects became more apparent.     

戊型肝炎病毒研究新进展

戊型肝炎病毒(hepatitis Evirus,HEV)是非甲非乙型急性肝炎的病原体,主要经粪-口途径传播,也有报道可以通过血液传播。戊型肝炎在亚洲、非洲及美洲的墨西哥等发展中国家常呈爆发流行,我国1986-1988年在新疆曾经发生戊型肝炎暴发流行[1],而在包括发达国家在内的世界各地呈散在传     

Detomidine-diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves

Eight buffalo calves (8-12 months, 70-100 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups of four animals each. Animals of group I were given detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), whereas animals of group II received a mixture of detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), diazepam (100 micrograms/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) (DDK) intravenously. Various clinical parameters, such as weak time, down time, pedal and pinprick reflexes, muscle relaxation and extent of sedation, as well as heart and respiratory rates and electrocardiograms were measured before (time 0) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min after treatment. In all the animals of group II (DDK), the pedal reflex was completely abolished (score: 3.00 +/- 0.00) within 5 min, the pinprick response was either very weak or it was completely abolished at this interval. Muscle relaxation and sedation were excellent within 5 min of DDK administration. The depth of sedation and analgesia was maximum from 5 to 15 min postinjection. Detomidine alone, however, failed to produce appropriate depression of the pedal and pinprick reflexes, sedation was mild and muscle relaxation was inadequate. Heart rate showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in group I, but the decrease was non-significant in group II. A more pronounced increase in respiratory rate was observed in group I as compared to group II. Animals of both groups recovered within 90 min without any complication. Minimal changes in the cardiovascular system in the group given the DDK combination were an advantage over the group given detomidine. The results indicated that DDK combination is safe and suitable for 15 min of anaesthesia with excellent muscle relaxation and has only limited cardiorespiratory effects in buffaloes.