GOODS AND SERVICES TAX UPDATE

The following article updates the implementation of GST. It is prepared for the benefit of members by Mr Douglas Wood, FCA, a partner of the Australian Veterinary Association's auditor, Foster Raffan. It has been decided that this update service be provided to assist all AVA members.     

Tailored risk management guide for veterinary practices

AVA members enjoy a wide range of benefits in the financial area, including discounts and access to special deals, as well as a variety of credit, loan, financial planning and advice facilities. In this issue of AVJ we highlight the most recent benefits introduced by three very AVA-friendly organisations: Guild Insurance and Financial Services, Commonwealth Bank, and Diners Club.     

Veterinary practitioners in rural Australia: a national survey

OBJECTIVES: To assess the attitudes of Australian veterinarians to issues related to rural veterinary practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by 1367 AVA members, and the data were analysed using the SAS System for Windows 7.0. RESULTS: The country lifestyle and the type of work were seen as major advantages for rural practitioners, and long working hours and after hours demands coupled with sexist attitudes in the case of women, were seen as the main disadvantages. Remuneration, the tiring and often dangerous nature of the work, and social and professional isolation were also seen as major disadvantages. Personal qualities, including the ability to relate to rural people and to fit into rural communities were seen as the most important qualities for a veterinarian in rural practice. The future of rural practitioners was seen to be closely linked to their ability to contribute to the financial viability of the whole animal enterprise and to the fortunes of the rural industries. Companion animals were also seen as a key part of the future work of rural practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: Rural practitioners are characterised by a strong commitment to rural life and work, and they will increasingly be required to contribute to the financial viability of the whole animal enterprise. The full range of professional skills required are likely to be beyond the scope of the undergraduate veterinary course, but the internet and other modern forms of distance education should help practitioners to acquire relevant skills.     

Taskforce investigates fatal bat virus

The equine morbillivirus, responsible for two Queensland incidents of disease and death in horses and humans, has recently been found to be a common paramyxovirus infecting flying foxes. A new lyssavirus, also isolated from flying foxes, last month recorded its first human fatality. An AVA fact sheet outlining the implications of lyssavirus and procedures for handling flying foxes was sent to all veterinarians last month. The fact sheet is accessible also via the AVA web site at http://www.ava.com.au . If you didn't receive the information sheet and would like a copy, please contact the AVA national office. A full report on lyssavirus will be in the Exotic Diseases Bulletin in next month's AVJ.     

Towards consensus: history of the Australian Veterinary Association to 2000

From its earliest beginnings in Australia in the latter part of the 19th century, the veterinary profession has striven to achieve a national voice. Well‐known veterinarians were involved in the eventual establishment of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) in 1921. Today, all states are represented and the AVA has close contact with state and federal governments, and producer organisations. With the growth in the number of special interest groups, the AVA more than ever provides unity in diversity in order to fulfil its mission to promote the profession for the benefit of animals, the environment and the community.     

Establishment of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and the current status of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe

After 5 years of development, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was formally recognized and approved on July 4, 2007 by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), the European regulatory body that oversees specialization in veterinary medicine and which has approved 23 colleges. The objectives, committees, basis for membership, constitution, bylaws, information brochure and certifying examination of the ECVCP have remained unchanged during this time except as directed by EBVS. The ECVCP declared full functionality based on the following criteria: 1) a critical mass of 65 members: 15 original diplomates approved by the EBVS to establish the ECVCP, 37 de facto diplomates, 7 diplomates certified by examination, and 5 elected honorary members; 2) the development and certification of training programs, laboratories, and qualified supervisors for residents; currently there are 18 resident training programs in Europe; 3) administration of 3 annual board-certifying examinations thus far, with an overall pass rate of 70%; 4) European consensus criteria for assessing the continuing education of specialists every 5 years; 5) organization of 8 annual scientific congresses and a joint journal (with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology) for communication of scientific research and information; the College also maintains a website, a joint listserv, and a newsletter; 6) collaboration in training and continuing education with relevant colleges in medicine and pathology; 7) development and strict adherence to a constitution and bylaws compliant with the EBVS; and 8) demonstration of compelling rationale, supporting data, and the support of members and other colleges for independence as a specialty college. Formal EBVS recognition of ECVCP as the regulatory body for the science and practice of veterinary clinical pathology in Europe will facilitate growth and development of the discipline and compliance of academic, commercial diagnostic, and industry laboratories in veterinary clinical pathology. Future needs are in developing sponsorship for resident positions, increasing employment opportunities, increasing compliance with laboratory, training, and continuing education standards, and advancing relevant science and technology.     

Developing a working partnership for animal health and welfare

The Animal Health and Welfare Board for England was established last year to act as the main source of advice to Defra ministers on animal health and welfare policy. Its recommendations will affect the health and welfare of all kept animals, including farm animals, horses and pets. Board member Mark Tufnell, whose responsibilities include liaising with the veterinary profession, describes its objectives and way of working.     

AVA Annual Conference Perth: 25–30 June 2000

The venue for the AVA Conference in June 2000, is Rendezvous Observation City, located on the foreshores of Scarborough Beach in Perth. At this stage 15 Special Interest Groups have nominated to hold sessions during the week-long Conference. Tuesday and Wednesday are the most popular days, with 11 concurrent sessions running in the venue (plus two external field trips on Wednesday and one on Thursday).     

Vibrio anguillarum: prevalence of typical and atypical strains in marine recipients with special reference to carbohydrate pollution

Primary isolates of Vibrio anguillarum-like organisms could be separated into typical V. anguillarum (VA) and atypical V. anguillarum (AVA) by biochemical tests. The prevalence of the fish pathogenic V. anguillarum was highly influenced by carbohydrate pollution as compared to the AVA. Water an sediment counts of VA generally increased at the polluted sites during April-May and persisted at a level of approx. 100/ml water and 1,000/g sediment until October-November. A further increase in VA counts could be registered locally at the time when the sugar beet processing season started (September-October). At the control site VA counts increased during June-July to a level of 10/ml persisting until August, while the only increase in sediment counts occurred in September (100/g). The maximum counts in water and sediment were at the control site 10/ml and 100/g and the polluted sites 100,000/ml and 50,000/g, respectively.     

Public attitudes in New Zealand towards the use of animals for research, testing and teaching purposes

AIM: To investigate the awareness of and interest in the use of animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT) purposes, the levels of support and attitudes towards this use of animals, and the awareness of and opinions on regulations governing it within the public in New Zealand. METHODS: An independent telephone survey was used to collect information including demographics, awareness and interest in the use of animals for RTT, attitudes towards the use of animals for RTT, and awareness of the regulation of the use of animals in RTT and the degree of confidence held in such regulation. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 750 respondents throughout New Zealand. The rim-weighting efficiency figure was 90%, indicating that the sample collected closely matched the population demographics for New Zealand. Overall, 33% of respondents expressed an interest in the issue generally, 39% were interested in the area of animals used for research and testing purposes, and 21% for teaching purposes. A majority of respondents agreed that the use of animals for teaching (72%) and research and testing (68%) purposes was acceptable as long as there was no unnecessary suffering by the animals. Respondents felt animal research was most justified for research into life-threatening and debilitating diseases, and least justified for safety-testing of cosmetics and household chemicals. Only 8% of respondents knew a fair amount (or more) about the legislation pertaining to the use of animals in RTT. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of New Zealanders were neither interested nor concerned about the use of animals in RTT. The largest proportion of respondents fell into a category of accepting this use of animals with conditions such as where there is no unnecessary suffering by the animals or where the research is for a serious disease. However, the responses also indicated that attitudes towards the use of animals in RTT as a general issue may change when that use is given a specific context. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The understanding of public opinion with regard to the use of animals in RTT is an important tool for New Zealand Veterinary Association nominees on animal ethics committees (AECs), for these veterinarians, as well as acting as assessors of the welfare of the animals involved, are also independent of the institutions using animals, so that, along with the other 'external' members, they provide a societal perspective to the deliberations of AECs.     

Recent veterinary graduates over the last five decades: recollections and perceptions

OBJECTIVE: To describe the attitudes of veterinary graduates over the last 50 years to their experiences as recent graduates DESIGN: A questionnaire, sent by mail. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire seeking information on experiences as a recent graduate was sent to about 100 veterinarians who graduated in or about 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000, and 68% responded. Data were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed with the SAS System 8 for Windows. RESULTS: Most veterinarians who graduated in 1970 and earlier were generally satisfied with their conditions, even though these were often taxing. In the 1970s the cattle industry faltered and rural practice suffered a downturn. Veterinary positions became scarce, and there were few opportunities for graduates to move on from an unsatisfactory workplace--as many were at that time. By 1980 many recent graduates were questioning their decision to study veterinary science. Many of them, working long hours under often stressful conditions, felt that that they were not receiving adequate help or support--or remuneration--from their employers, or respect from their clients. This also afflicted many who graduated in 1990, but by 2000 graduates were reporting an improvement. Their hours of work and the expectations placed on them were more manageable, and the level of help and support, and remuneration, were more acceptable. As a result they found their first year much more enjoyable than had those who had graduated since about 1970. Many of the factors contributing to this improvement resulted from changes in society generally. Specifically, both graduates and employers have become more conscious of what might reasonably be expected, an Award specified minimum levels, the AVA started accrediting New Graduate Friendly Practices, publishing a most informative New Graduate Guide, and helping in other ways. Remuneration, especially when compared with comparable professions, continues to be a source of discontent. Furthermore, despite improved conditions on average, many graduates still suffer under substandard conditions, and these can have an adverse effect on their health and their attitude to their career in veterinary science. CONCLUSIONS: Average conditions of employment of recent veterinary graduates have improved somewhat after a nadir in the 1970s and 1980s, but they are still substandard for some. Remuneration remains the greatest source of dissatisfaction for recent graduates.     

Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants

Consensus Statements of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) provide veterinarians with guidelines regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, or treatment of animal diseases. The foundation of the Consensus Statement is evidence-based medicine, but if such evidence is conflicting or lacking, the panel provides interpretive recommendations on the basis of their collective expertise. The Consensus Statement is intended to be a guide for veterinarians, but it is not a statement of standard of care or a substitute for clinical judgment. Topics of statements and panel members to draft the statements are selected by the Board of Regents with input from the general membership. A draft prepared and input from Diplomates is solicited at the Forum and via the ACVIM Web site and incorporated in a final version. This Consensus Statement was approved by the Board of Regents of the ACVIM before publication.     

Guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats

Consensus Statements of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) provide veterinarians with guidelines regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, or treatment of animal diseases. The foundation of the Consensus Statement is evidence-based medicine, but if such evidence is conflicting or lacking, the panel provides interpretive recommendations on the basis of their collective expertise. The Consensus Statement is intended to be a guide for veterinarians, but it is not a statement of standard of care or a substitute for clinical judgment. Topics of statements and panel members to draft the statements are selected by the Board of Regents with input from the general membership. A draft prepared and input from Diplomates is solicited at the ACVIM Forum and via the ACVIM Web site and incorporated in a final version. This Consensus Statement was approved by the Board of Regents of the ACVIM before publication.     

藜麦WRKY基因的进化与多胁迫条件下的转录应答

WRKY转录因子参与调控植物生长发育和多种胁迫应答,是一类非常重要的植物转录因子。为解析藜麦WRKY基因的进化特征及挖掘响应胁迫的WRKY基因,本研究利用系统的生物信息学方法在全基因组水平对WRKY基因进行了鉴定,并对其染色体定位、分组、系统进化、共线性分析以及多胁迫条件下的表达模式进行了分析。藜麦基因组中鉴定得到90个WRKY基因;划分为3组:Ⅰ组(18个)、Ⅱ组(46个)和Ⅲ组(12个),其中Ⅱ组成员进一步被划分为5个亚组:Ⅱ-a(9个),Ⅱ-b(4个),Ⅱ-c(13个),Ⅱ-d(10个)和Ⅱ-e(10个)。另外,14个WRKY成员因为WRKYGQK短肽的缺失,以及锌指结构变异较大而未划分到任何分组。本研究分组与藜麦WRKY基因进化树中家族成员的聚类结果完全一致,进一步支持了成员分组的可靠性。此外,不同分组的WRKY成员的蛋白序列呈现出小组特异的氨基酸保守域组成。藜麦和祖先二倍体苍白茎藜、瑞典藜的同源基因组模块分析表明,藜麦WRKY基因数目的增加主要来自全基因组倍增。在干旱、高温、盐、低磷胁迫和花生褪绿扇形斑病毒(GCFSV)侵染下,大量WRKY基因的表达水平被显著性诱导或抑制,说...     

家蚕热休克蛋白70家族基因的染色体定位及表达特征

热休克蛋白70家族(Hsp70)是非常保守的蛋白家族,每个物种的Hsp70家族都有多个成员,每个成员都可能具有特殊的功能。为了能够对家蚕Hsp70家族各成员进行科学命名和了解其特有的功能,分析家蚕Hsp70家族成员的编码基因及其在染色体上的定位,并通过实时荧光定量PCR方法检测这些基因在5龄第3天幼虫中肠、脂肪体和丝腺组织中的转录表达情况。家蚕诱导型Hsp70家族成员Bmhsp70A和Bmhsp70B的编码基因集中分布在第27号染色体上,有多个拷贝;组成型Bmhsp70家族成员的编码基因则分布在不同的染色体上,一般仅有1个拷贝。家蚕Hsp70家族基因中有10个能转录并翻译蛋白质产物的成员,还有1个能正常转录但不能正确翻译的假基因。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明:在常温(25℃)条件下,组成型Bmhsp70家族基因Bmhsc70-4和Bmhsc70-3的表达水平较高,而其它基因成员的表达水平则相对较低,诱导型Bmhsp70家族基因成员在常温下也有一定程度的基础表达;40℃热激2 h后,Bmhsp70家族所有基因的表达水平都有所升高,其中诱导型Bmhsp70家族基因Bmhsp70B和Bmhsp68的转录表达上升水平远高于组成型Bmhsp70家族基因Bmhsc70-3和Bmhsc70-4。不同表达类型的家蚕Hsp70家族基因成员在5龄幼虫中肠、丝腺和脂肪体中的表达情况不同,热激2 h后的表达变化规律也不完全相同,提示家蚕Hsp70家族成员具有各自特殊的功能。     

Retinal Photoreceptor Fine Structure in the American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

The morphology of the light-adapted retinal photoreceptors of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) has been investigated by light and electron microscopy. They consist of rods, single cones and double (unequal) cones present in a ratio of about 4:3:3 respectively. The rods are stout cells with a long inner segment and an outer segment that reaches to the RPE cell body. In the light-adapted state, the pigment-laden apical processes of the RPE cells surround cell photoreceptor types for most of their length. The rod inner segment displays an ellipsoid of mitochondria, a large hyperboloid of glycogen, much RER, numerous polysomes, Golgi zones and autophagic vacuoles. Single cones show a slightly tapered outer segment, a large and usually heterogeneous oil droplet and an ellipsoid of mitochondria at the apex of the inner segment. Double cones consist of a longer, stouter chief member which displays a more homogeneous oil droplet and a prominent paraboloid of glycogen and a slightly shorter and thinner accessory member with no oil droplet or paraboloid. Both members of the double cone as well as the single cones show a prominent ellipsoid and plentiful polysomes, RER and Golgi zones in the inner segment. Along the length of the contiguous membranes of the two members of the double cone are presumed interreceptor junctions. All cone photoreceptors are relatively small in diameter and hence are tightly packed. Judging by their morphology in the light-adapted state neither rods nor cones are felt to undergo photomechanical movements in this species. Rods and cones (both types) display both invaginated (ribbon) synapses as well as numerous flat (conventional) synaptic sites.     

Optimal contribution selection applied to the Norwegian and the North‐Swedish cold‐blooded trotter – a feasibility study

The aim of this study was to examine how to apply optimal contribution selection (OCS) in the Norwegian and the North‐Swedish cold‐blooded trotter and give practical recommendations for the future. OCS was implemented using the software Gencont with overlapping generations and selected a few, but young sires, as these turn over the generations faster and thus is less related to the mare candidates. In addition, a number of Swedish sires were selected as they were less related to the selection candidates. We concluded that implementing OCS is feasible to select sires (there is no selection on mares), and we recommend the number of available sire candidates to be continuously updated because of amongst others deaths and geldings. In addition, only considering sire candidates with phenotype above average within a year class would allow selection candidates from many year classes to be included and circumvent current limitation on number of selection candidates in Gencont (approx. 3000). The results showed that mare candidates can well be those being mated the previous year. OCS will, dynamically, recruit young stallions and manage the culling or renewal of annual breeding permits for stallions that had been previously approved. For the annual mating proportion per sire, a constraint in accordance with the maximum that a sire can mate naturally is recommended.     

New host and geographical records of siphonostomatoid copepods associated with elasmobranchs off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa

The Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) consists of 40 families comprised mainly of symbiotic members. Representatives of 12 families occur in symbiosis with elasmobranchs. Only eight families, 19 genera and 35 species have been reported from 37 elasmobranchs off the coast of South Africa. Elasmobranchs caught in the nets of the Natal Sharks Board and by fishermen of the Meer-en-See Boat Club, KwaZulu-Natal Province were examined for symbiotic siphonostomatoids. Additional to previous families reported, members of Cecropidae and Sphyriidae are being reported. Genera for the first time reported from South African waters include Entepherus, Carnifossorius, Eudactylina, Eudactylinodes, Kroeyerina, Pannosus, Phyllothyreus and Paeon. Therefore, currently ten siphonostomatoid families are reported from 49 species of elasmobranchs including 27 genera and 58 species.     

News from the Scientific Organising Committee Learning new tricks to treat old dogs

Treating elderly pets and maximising your practice returns will be in focus at this year's AVA Annual Conference. The Scientific Organising Committee is delighted that such distinguished international and local speakers have agreed to give presentations in the Small Animal (Geriatric Medicine and Surgery) and Practice Management streams at the conference.
The AVA Conference will be at Hobart's Wrest Point Conference Centre from May 21–26, 2006. To see the full program and to register online visit www.ava.com.au/avaconference.