Knowledge,attitudes and practices towards <Emphasis Type="Italic">cystic echinococcosis</Emphasis> in livestock among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda

A cross-sectional study was done from March 2013 to May 2014 to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to 381 respondents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to find the relationship between knowledge about CE and factors such as age, sex, and level of education across all regions. The odds ratio and confidence interval were used to determine the difference in responses across regions. It was shown that age above 36 years was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with awareness about CE in livestock. Likewise, uneducated (p < 0.0001) and agro-pastoralists (p = 0.01) were significantly less knowledgeable than the educated and pastoralists across all regions. The overall knowledge towards CE in livestock was low 17.8% (95% CI = 14.0–21.6). Dog ownership was high and they never dewormed their freely roaming dogs. Dogs shared water with livestock. In conclusion, knowledge about CE in livestock was low across all regions. Therefore, public health education and formulation of policies towards its control by the relevant stakeholders should be done. Also, the true prevalence of CE in livestock needs to be done so that the magnitude and its public health significance are elucidated.     

Bush cover and range condition assessments in relation to landscape and grazing in southern Ethiopia

Progressive growth of bush cover in dry savannahs is responsible for declines in range conditions. In southern Ethiopia, the Booran pastoralists assisted our understanding of spatial patterns of bush cover and range conditions in 54 landscape patch types grouped into six landscape units within an area of 30000 km². The size of landscape patches sampled was 625 m². We assessed the relationships between bush cover, grass cover and bare soil and grazing pressure and soil erosion and changes in range condition. Externally, political conflicts and internally, break down of land use, and official bans on the use of fire promoted bush cover and the decline in range conditions. Bush cover was negatively correlated with grass cover, and positively correlated with bare soil. Grass cover was negatively correlated with bare soil and grazing pressure in most landscape patch types. Grazing pressure was not significantly correlated with bush cover or bare soil, while soil erosion was directly related to bare soil. Soil erosion was absent in 64% of the landscape patch types, and seemingly not a threat to the rangelands. The relationship between bush cover, grass cover, bare soil and soil erosion is complex and related to climate, landscape geology, and patterns of land use. Main threats to range conditions are bush climax, loss of grass cover and unpalatable forbs. Currently, >70% of the landscape patch types are in poor to fair range conditions. Decline in range conditions, unless reversed, will jeopardise the pastoral production system in southern Ethiopia.     

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2�� analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2α analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, IM (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone <1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows.     

Lipid distribution in branching coral Montipora digitata

>ABSTRACT: The lipid profile was studied along the branch length, from the top, middle to base portion, of coral Montipora digitata to gain more insight into the physiological significance of lipids in the coral energy budget. The lipids of M. digitata consisted of seven major lipid classes: polar lipid, sterol, free fatty acid, unknown lipids 1 and 2, triacylglycerol (TG), and wax ester. The concentration of storage lipids, TG, and wax ester showed a top–base gradient along the length, whereas the levels of free fatty acid and unknown lipids showed a base–top gradient. The proportions of polar lipid and sterol in the top portion of the branch were slightly higher than those in the base portion. This observation appeared to be compatible with the view that the increased energy expenditure for proliferation enhanced the mobilization of the storage fuel lipids of wax ester and TG rather than the structure lipids of polar lipids and sterols at the top portion of the branch. Compositions of fatty acid also showed a length-wise diversity. The top portion had a lower proportion of palmitic acid (16   :   0) in all lipid classes of fatty acid ester, suggesting that this fatty acid was preferentially mobilized at the top portion, probably for the growth of coral cells.     

Measurements of auditory sensitivity in common carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> by the auditory brainstem response technique and cardiac conditioning method

ABSTRACT:   Recently, the non-invasive auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique has been applied to the determination of hearing sensitivity in fish. The technique has some advantages over, and methodological differences from, the classical techniques. The auditory thresholds of common carp were measured by the ABR technique. The classical method was applied to measure cardiac response by electrocardiogram (ECG) after conditioning with electric shock. The most sensitive frequency obtained by ABR was 505 Hz, and by ECG, 1000 Hz. The shapes of the audiogram obtained by ABR and ECG were similar, though threshold levels in both audiograms differed from each other. Furthermore, audiograms obtained by using behavioral techniques were compared with those taken by the ABR and ECG techniques to assess the validity of the ABR technique for testing fish hearing sensitivity. The measured threshold levels increased in the order of behavioral, ABR, and ECG techniques, in the range below 1000 Hz.     

Effect of bleaching on lipid content and composition of Okinawan corals

Lipid contents and compositions of the bleached Okinawan corals were analyzed for the first time. Bleached corals collected at Sesoko Okinawa, Japan (26°38′N, 127°52′E), after the 1998 bleaching event showed decreased lipid content with a concomitant decline of wax in the lipid composition. The reductionin the lipid content of corals showed diversity depending on their colony morphology. On the whole, corals of massive morphology were relatively rich in lipid even after the bleaching event, and hence lesser reduction in the lipid content compared with the cases for those of branching morphology. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between lipid content and zooxanthellae density in the bleached corals, suggesting again the importance of symbiont for the supply of lipid to the host cells, and hence for the survival of the bleaching event.     

Lipid biosynthesis from [14C]-glucose in the coral Montipora digitata

ABSTRACT:     Glucose has been implicated in functioning as a form of carbon translocated from symbiont zooxanthellae to the host coral cell. The present paper describes the lipid biosynthesis from [¹⁴C]-glucose in the coral tissue. To study the incorporation of [¹⁴C]-glucose into lipids, the branch tips of the coral Montipora digitata were incubated with [¹⁴C]-glucose or another radiolabeled substrates. The lipid biosynthesis from [¹⁴C]-glucose was dependent on light, and was decreased by dark conditions or by photosystem II inhibitor, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Of the lipid classes, the light dependency was more pronounced with the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols (TG) and wax compared with phospholipids. Examination of [¹⁴C]-label distribution in the glycerolipids suggested that [¹⁴C]-glucose supplied mainly the fatty acid moiety of newly synthesized TG, while [¹⁴C]-glucose provided evenly the fatty acid moiety and the glycerol skeleton of phospholipids. The comparison of [¹⁴C]-labeling of lipid from host coral tissue and symbiont zooxanthellae suggested that [¹⁴C]-glucose entered the coral cell and was processed in parallel in the zooxanthellae and host cells. Furthermore, the coral cells used various [¹⁴C]-labeled sugars for lipid synthesis with similar lipid labeling profile as was the case for glucose. The current study thus supports the view that the low-molecular-weight compound, sugars and amino acids, once translocated from zooxanthellae to host cell were metabolized toward lipogenesis as well as glycerol.     

Fecal and urinary lignans, intrafollicular estradiol, and endometrial receptors in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with hydrogenated animal fat, flaxseed or sunflower seed

We hypothesized that the inclusion of flaxseed in the diets of lactating dairy cows will increase urinary and fecal concentrations of the lignans, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), enterolactone and enterodiol, reduce intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I and estradiol, and subsequently reduce estradiol and oxytocin receptor expression in the endometrium. To test this hypothesis, 27 cycling, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 1 of 3 diets supplemented with saturated fatty acids (SAT), flax (FLX), or sunflower (SUN) seed. Rations were formulated to provide 750 g supplemental fat/cow/d in all dietary groups. Ovulation (Day 0) was synchronized, and 5 d later, follicles>8 mm were ablated by an ultrasound-guided procedure in all cows. Samples of blood (Days 0 to 14), follicular fluid (Day 5 and 15), endometrium (Day 15), as well as urine and feces were collected in a subset of the animals. The fecal concentrations of SDG and enterodiol were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX than in those fed SAT or SUN. Enterodiol increased (P<0.05) in urine samples of cows fed FLX, compared to those of cows fed SUN. However, follicular estradiol concentrations on Day 5 and 15 and endometrial concentrations of estradiol and oxytocin receptors on Day 15 did not differ among the dietary groups. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in cows fed FLX and SUN than in those fed SAT. In summary, a diet supplemented with flaxseed increased the concentrations of SDG and enterodiol in feces, as hypothesized, but did not alter intrafollicular concentrations of IGF-I or estradiol, or endometrial populations of oxytocin or estrogen receptors in lactating dairy cows.     

Effects of ammonia load on glucose metabolism by isolated ovine duodenal mucosa

To determine the effects of ammonia load on glucose metabolism in ruminant small intestinal tissues, duodenal mucosal cells (DMC) were isolated from growing female sheep (n = 10; 46. 0 +/- 0. 8 kg of BW) fed diets differing in CP content: high (19. 4%) vs. low (13. 1%). Ammonia concentration in the duodenal digesta fluid was greater for sheep fed a high CP diet compared with those fed a low CP diet (16. 4 +/- 1. 0 vs. 9. 1 +/- 1. 8 mM). The isolated primary mucosal cells were incubated for 90 min with [2-(13)C] glucose (3 mM) and ammonium chloride (0, 0. 1, 1, 5, 10, 20, or 50 mM) in Krebs-Ringer HEPES buffer. It was hypothesized that DMC would increase glucose carbon utilization for the synthesis of nonessential AA when the ammonia concentration in the incubation media increased. However, utilization of glucose carbon for alanine synthesis decreased linearly (P = 0. 03) as the ammonia concentration in the incubation media increased. Furthermore, glucose disappearance and utilization of glucose carbon for aspartate synthesis were not affected (P > 0. 47) by the ammonia concentration. Contrarily, in vitro glucose disappearance was greater (P = 0. 03) for DMC isolated from sheep fed a low CP diet vs. a high CP diet [14. 6 +/- 1. 6 vs. 8. 6 +/- 1. 3 nmol.(10(6) cells)(-1).(90 min) (-1)], and hexokinase activity was greater (P = 0. 01) in the mucosa of sheep fed a low CP diet compared with a high CP diet (1. 22 +/- 0. 05 vs. 1. 04 +/- 0. 02 mUnit/mg of protein). These observations indicate that ammonia load does not affect the extent of glucose utilization by DMC, and that glucose carbon may not play a significant role for the synthesis of alanine, aspartate, or glutamate when DMC are exposed to increased concentrations of ammonia.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Receptors for Oestrogen and Progesterone in Endometrial Glands and Stroma during the Oestrous Cycle in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) Cows

The aim of the present study was to monitor endometrial distribution and concentrations of oestrogen receptors α (ERα) and progesterone receptors (PR) by immunohistochemistry in Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus) during the oestrous cycle. Blood samples were collected for progesterone measurement and endometrial samples were taken from the uterine horn contra lateral to the corpus luteum in 16 cows at days 0 (ovulation), 5, 9, 13 and 19 of the oestrous cycle. Immunostaining evaluation for ERα and PR in the glandular epithelium and uterine stroma was performed by two methods: positive nuclei counting and staining intensity of the nuclei. Specific positive staining reactions for both receptors were limited to cell nuclei and they were not identified in the cytoplasm. The proportion of ERα positive nuclei had a temporal variation throughout the oestrous cycle in both cell types evaluated and was higher in uterine stroma than the glandular epithelium (p < 0.05). The greatest proportion of ERα stained nuclei was observed at oestrus and during the initial and mid luteal phase (days 5, 9 and 13) (p < 0.05) in the glandular epithelium and at days 0, 5 and 9 in the uterine stroma (p < 0.01). The proportion of PR positive nuclei remained constant throughout the entire oestrous cycle for both cell types evaluated (p > 0.05). A higher proportion of PR positive nuclei was measured in the uterine stroma compared with the glandular epithelium (p < 0.05). Intensity of staining for ERα and PR varied throughout the oestrous cycle (p < 0.01). There was a higher staining intensity at days 0 and 5 in the stroma for ERα (p < 0.01) and PR (p < 0.01) and in the glandular epithelium at days 0, 5, 9 and 13 for ERα (p < 0.01) and at days 0, 5 and 9 for PR (p < 0.01) when compared with the other evaluated days. These data demonstrate that ERα and PR expression varied throughout the oestrous cycle in Nelore cows, in general with highest concentrations at oestrus and the lowest during the luteal phase. This is similar to patterns observed in Bos taurus taurus.