Veterinary e-CPD: a new model for providing online continuing professional development for the veterinary profession

Continuing professional development (CPD) is widely recognized as an important element in effective lifelong learning for veterinary surgeons. Traditional methods of CPD do not suit all learners, as issues such as location, time, cost, and structure sometimes prevent individuals from completing the required number of CPD study hours per year. The rapid development of the Internet, and with it the increasing scope and sophistication of e-learning, provides new opportunities to address some of these constraints on the provision of CPD. This article describes one way in which e-learning has been deployed effectively to support veterinary surgeons in practice. Since 2003, a series of six-week e-CPD courses has been offered by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in an online format, with no face-to-face teaching component. Participants enrolled in courses from May 2006 to January 2007 were found to come from 23 different countries. Analysis of feedback forms indicates a general satisfaction with this new way of studying, with a significant majority of participants stating that they would wish to use this approach again in future. The feedback indicates that e-learning can offer an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face courses and that its popularity is likely to grow in future as veterinarians become increasing familiar with and confident about working online.     

Clinical, histopathological and therapeutic considerations in a flock of sheep with facial staphylococcal-associated dermatitis

In a flock of 290 sheep, a total of 20 ewes (6.9%) with an age range of 1.5-4 years, developed a nonpruritic dermatitis characterized by alopecia/hypotrichosis, erythema, hyperpigmentation, crusting, superficial ulcers, exudation and thickening of the skin that was localized mainly to the peri-ocular area. Frequent and massive feeding of swarming sucking flies on the lesional sites was witnessed. In every instance (n = 6), Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the exudate and the aseptically obtained skin biopsy samples from both recurrent and new cases. The main predisposing factor was the presence of small troughs, which forced the sheep to compete for food. Intramuscular administration of cefalexin for 7 days resulted in the resolution of lesions over a 2-week period. No further cases or recurrences were seen over the 16-month follow-up period. The main histopathological feature of this skin disease was a superficial and deep, perivascular to interstitial eosinophilic and mononuclear dermatitis.     

Lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia in dogs

Lipid metabolism in dogs can be divided into exogenous and endogenous pathways and exhibits some unique characteristics compared to other species. Hyperlipidemia is common in dogs, and can be either primary or secondary to other diseases. Secondary hyperlipidemia is the most common form and can be a result of endocrine disorders, pancreatitis, cholestasis, protein-losing nephropathy, obesity, and high fat diets. Primary hyperlipidemia is less common and usually associated with certain breeds. Hypertriglyceridemia of Miniature Schnauzers is the most common type of primary hyperlipidemia in dogs in the United States, and appears to have a genetic basis although its etiology remains unknown. Possible complications of canine hyperlipidemia include pancreatitis, liver disease, atherosclerosis, ocular disease, and seizures. Management is achieved by administration of low fat diets with or without the administration of lipid-lowering agents such as omega-3 fatty acids, gemfibrozil, and niacin.     

Characterizing NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes of Methylobacterium extorquens and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Elsanta)

The methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens (strain with CABI registration number IMI 369321), which has been isolated from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Elsanta) callus cultures, was grown on a mixture of methanol (0.25% v/v) and 1,2-propanediol (0.75% v/v). The microbial biotransformation of 1,2-propanediol to 2-hydroxypropanal (lactaldehyde) was studied. The bacterial alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymatic activities were assessed, and the optimum pH for ADH activity was found to be pH 6.0. Enzyme assays were carried out for both the bacterial and the strawberry extracts to define the best substrate specificity. For Methylobacterium extorquens, the best substrates were found to be methanol (Km = 0.78 mM) and 1,2-propanediol (Km = 15.84 mM), whereas for strawberries, 1-propanol (Km = 3.54 mM) and ethanol (Km = 6.66 mM) were the best substrates. A wide variety of metals as well as EDTA were shown to decrease the enzymatic activity. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE experiments showed molecular weights of 45.0 and 24.6 kDa for the alcohol dehydrogenases of Methylobacterium extorquens and Fragaria x ananassa, respectively.     

Quantitative bioluminometric method for DNA-based species/varietal identification in food authenticity assessment

A method is reported for species quantification by exploiting single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These single-base changes in DNA are particularly useful because they enable discrimination of closely related species and/or varieties. As a model, quantitative authentication studies were performed on coffee. These involved the determination of the percentage of Arabica and Robusta species based on a SNP in the chloroplastic trnL(UAA)-trnF(GAA) intraspacer region. Following polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the Robusta-specific and Arabica-specific fragments were subjected to 15 min extension reactions by DNA polymerase using species-specific primers carrying oligo(dA) tags. Biotin was incorporated into the extended strands. The products were captured in streptavidin-coated microtiter wells and quantified by using oligo(dT)-conjugated photoprotein aequorin. Aequorin was measured within 3 s via its characteristic flash-type bioluminescent reaction that was triggered by the addition of Ca(2+). Because of the close resemblance between the two DNA fragments, during PCR one species serves as an internal standard for the other. The percentage of the total luminescence signal obtained from a certain species was linearly related to the percent content of the sample with respect to this species. The method is accurate and reproducible. The microtiter well-based assay configuration allows high sample throughput and facilitates greatly the automation.     

Experiments on Water-Sediment Nutrient Partitioning Under Turbulent, Shear and Diffusive Conditions

Cultural eutrophication from excessive input of nutrients is a major problem for many water bodies around the world. Phosphorus and to a lesser degree nitrogen constitute the limiting elements for growth of plankton cells. Mobility, speciation and partition of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems depend on a number of physicochemical parameters. Experiments have been conducted for quantification of nutrient partition between ambient water and cohesive sediments. The experiments included nitrate and soluble phosphorus (superphosphate - 46% P₂O₅ fertilizer) partitioned between tap water and sediment slurries. The slurries involved kaolinite and bentonite as well as natural organic rnud from, Lake Okeechobee, Florida. The nutrient exchange was promoted by sediment resuspension. Resuspension was induced either under homogeneous turbulent conditions in an oscillating-grid tank or by shear flow in a lock-exchange flume. The effects of phosphorus or nitrogen concentration, sediment concentration, water temperature, pH and salinity on nutrient partition were quantified. The results obtained through this study appear to be in agreement with data from other similar laboratory or field studies.     

Seasonal Variation of Phenolic Antioxidant-mediated α-glucosidase Inhibition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascophyllum nodosum</Emphasis>

Ascophyllum nodosum is a brown seaweed that grows abundantly in the US Northeast coastal region. This study examined the seasonal variation of A. nodosum in phenolic contents and subsequent antioxidant, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. A. nodosum was harvested monthly and extracted in hot water and the resulting extracts were spray-dried. The results indicate a clear seasonal variation in terms of phenolic content, with June and July being the highest (36.4 and 37 mg/g, respectively) and May the lowest (21.8 mg/g). The antioxidant activities, in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, correlated with the phenolic contents observed (r = 0.81), with the month of July being the highest (58%) and April the lowest (26%). Similarly in terms of Trolox equivalent, July had the highest activity (15.53 μM) and April and May the lowest (8.40 and 8.27 μM, respectively). α-glucosidase inhibitory activity exhibited a pattern similar to the phenolic contents observed with July having the highest inhibitory activity (IC₇₀ 2.23 μg) and April the lowest (IC₇₀ 26.13 μg), resulting in an inverse correlation between IC₇₀ values and total phenolic content (r = −0.89). Such seasonal variation is believed to be caused by temperature-related stress considering that A. nodosum is a cold water species.     

Production economics of the emerging private fish farming industry in Bulgaria

The production economics of the emerging Bulgarian private carp and trout farming industry were assessed by surveying a representative sample of 20 private and state-controlled farms as well as visiting the National Fresh Water Fish Research Institute, the state-owned fish feed production plant and a fish processing plant.The major constraints for the development of profitable fish farming were found to be the lack of capital and the insecurity of tenure, which nonetheless, do not serve to discourage new entrants into the industry. The expected gross margin per tonne of carp produced in reservoirs or earth ponds is USD 487, while a tonne of trout farmed in concrete raceways shows a gross margin figure of USD 525. State-owned trout farms are only available for outright purchase at auctions, whereas carp farms may be rented, but only for a short term.Fish farmers could benefit from organizing themselves into producer groups in order to improve marketing and secure quality inputs. In particular, there is scope to source quality dry fish diets on both economic and environmental grounds.An extension advisory service is needed to support inexperienced new entrants and researchers should urgently evaluate what seem to be the most cost-effective methods of production.     

Organophosphate resistance in olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, populations in Greece and Cyprus

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most important pest of olives in countries around the Mediterranean basin. Its control has been based mostly on bait sprays with organophosphate insecticides (usually dimethoate or fenthion) for about 40 years. In the present study, the resistance status of olive fruit fly populations to dimethoate was examined in Greece and Cyprus over 2 years. Thirty-one populations from various regions of Greece, nine from Cyprus and one laboratory susceptible strain, which served as a control, were assayed by topical application of dimethoate. Considerable variation in the resistance levels to dimethoate was recorded in the populations of B. oleae, with resistance ratios ranging from 6.3 to 64.4 (ED(50) values 12.5-128.7 ng dimethoate per insect). The highest resistance ratios were found in populations from Crete, and the lowest in those from Cyprus. This variation could be attributed to different selection pressures from insecticidal applications among populations from the various regions. Migration of resistant genotypes, either autonomous or via commerce, may also be involved.     

Storage of olives (Olea europaea L.) under CO2 atmosphere: liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry characterization of indices related to changes in polyphenolic metabolism

Olives (Olea europaea cv. Chondrolia) were stored under a CO2 atmosphere immediately after harvesting for a period of 12 days. Samples obtained at 24-h intervals were analyzed by HPLC to identify components that may reflect changes in the biochemical behavior of the tissue. Four substances were shown to undergo significant fluctuations during storage, while their evolution was found to be different in olives stored under CO2 from those stored under regular atmospheric conditions (control). On the basis of data provided by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, these substances were tentatively identified as hydroxytyrosol glucoside, demethylated ligstroside aglycone, ibotalactone A methyl ester, and verbascoside. The data are discussed in relation to the effect of postharvest treatments of olives for purposes of manipulating their polyphenolic content and plausible development of novel debittering processes.