Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Northern Ireland: epidemiological observations 1988-1990.

This study describes the epidemiological features of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Northern Ireland where the first case occurred in November 1988. They were very similar to those observed in Great Britain except that the annual incidence of BSE in 1990 in Northern Ireland, 2.3 confirmed cases per 10,000 adult cows, was approximately one 10th of that in Great Britain. The findings were also consistent with the current hypothesis that affected cattle had been exposed to a scrapie-like agent via cattle feedstuffs containing ruminant-derived protein. However, a preliminary investigation of the potential sources of infection for cattle in Northern Ireland did not provide any conclusive evidence.     

The surgical treatment of fractures of the olecranon in the horse.

Methods of treating fractures of the olecranon in the horse are reviewed. A further 4 cases are recorded in which the fracture was treated by open reduction and fixation with a heavy duty Venable's plate placed on the caudal aspect of the ulna. Three cases had an oblique fracture through the semilunar notch; this was complicated in one by a fracture of the lateral half of the radial head which resulted in subluxation of the radio-humeral joint. The fracture of the radial head was treated by open reduction and fixation with a lag screw. The fourth case had an oblique fracture of the olecranon just proximal to the semilunar notch, complicated by a fracture of the anconeal process which was removed. The fractures healed within 10 weeks and the plates were removed in all 4 cases. During follow-up periods ranging from 10 to 26 months, all 4 animals became sound.     

Epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2000

Between 1990 and 2000, 317 herds of cattle in Northern Ireland were identified as being seropositive to Brucella abortus, and 68 per cent of them were attributed to transmission from neighbouring herds or to local spread. Of particular significance were three primary outbreaks in 1997, which resulted in significant secondary and tertiary spread. Three spatial clusters were identified, corresponding to two of the primary outbreaks, and the herd density and within-herd spread were highest in the largest cluster. Abortions in an infected herd and the disease-risk status of the disclosure test were positively associated with an increased within-herd prevalence.     

Ozone treatment of spent medium from Auricularia polytricha cultivation for enzymatic saccharification and subsequent ethanol production

We examined the enzymatic saccharification and ethanol fermentation of the spent media (SMs) from Auricularia polytricha cultivation using wood meals of Falcataria moluccana, Shorea sp., and Tectona grandis. Although the hydrolysis weight decrease and reducing sugar yield were higher in SM of F. moluccana, the ethanol yield was higher in SM of Shorea sp. Ozone treatment of SM further increased the hydrolysis weight decrease, reducing sugar, and ethanol yields in Shorea sp. These results indicate that SM of A. polytricha is a suitable biomass material to produce fermentable sugars for ethanol production, and that ozone treatment is a suitable method for increasing the ethanol yield.     

Influence of pH on the toxicity of aluminium and other inorganic contaminants to East Coast striped bass

The toxicity of Al and a mixture of inorganic contaminants to young striped bass Morone saxatilis in soft fresh water was demonstrated to be age- and pH-dependent. Toxicity of the contaminants was increased with decreases of pH of the test waters. The interaction between low pH from acid deposition and inorganic contaminants should be considered as a possible factor contributing to the decline in abundance of east coast striped bass.