An outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in a mixed-species aviculture unit in Dubai in 2005.

This case describes an outbreak of low pathogenic hemagglutinin 9 neuraminidase 2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in two white-bellied bustards (Eupodotis senegalensis), one stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemius), and a blacksmith plover (Antibyx armatus) in a private zoologic collection in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The four birds showed signs of respiratory disease, and all died as a result of disease or euthanasia. Attention has been paid to the diagnostic process and common differential diagnosis for upper respiratory tract disease in bustards, curlews, and plovers. To the knowledge of the authors, AIV has not been previously described in these species.     

霉菌毒素研究新进展

霉菌毒素研究自20世纪60年代以来一直是个热门课题,世界霉菌毒素研讨会及美国霉菌毒素委员会为我们提供了丰富的资料。在中国,由于实验条件的限制,霉菌毒素研究领域比较落后,饲料业及养殖业对霉菌毒素的了解严重不足,这种认识上不足导致中国市场出现许多低效或无效产品。消费者     

Prognostic variables in canine multicentric lymphosarcoma

This paper presents the results of a prospective study to investigate the prognostic value of clinical staging, histological grading, immunophenotype, mitotic count and average numbers of argyrophilic nucleolar organiser region counts in dogs with multicentric lymphosarcoma treated with a standard chemotherapy protocol comprising vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone. Forty-nine dogs were treated according to the study protocol. Univariate and multivariate analysis with regression modelling was used to evaluate the prognostic importance of patient and tumour variables upon tumour response and relapse-free survival. Thirty-seven dogs (76 per cent) achieved a complete remission, seven (14 per cent) a partial remission and five (10 per cent) failed to respond to treatment. None of the variables examined had a statistically significant effect upon tumour response. Tumour immunophenotype was the only parameter found to have a significant influence on patient survival, the hazard ratio for T-cell versus B-cell immunophenotype was 3.99 with 95 per cent confidence interval from 1.399 to 11.372, P = 0.035.     

Bilateral parotid duct transposition for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a Connemara stallion

A 7‐year‐old Connemara stallion was presented with a 4 month history of blepharospasm, recurrent corneal ulcerations, mucopurulent ocular discharge, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in both eyes unresponsive to medical therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed lackluster corneas, axial corneal scarring and pigmentation with associated neovascularization, and absolute KCS in both eyes. Computed tomography scan and endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway and guttural pouches revealed no structural abnormalities to indicate neurogenic KCS. The stallion was diagnosed with immune‐mediated dacryoadenitis as all other causes of KCS were excluded. Parotid duct transposition (PDT) was performed in the right eye followed by PDT in the left eye 4 weeks later. The right PDT was functional 2 years post‐operatively with significant improvement in ocular comfort and reduced corneal fibrosis and neovascularization. The left PDT developed a salivary‐cutaneous fistula over the left masseter muscle post‐operatively due to avascular necrosis of the distal parotid duct (PD). Surgical reconstruction of the PDT using an expanded‐polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE) tube graft, an e‐PTFE tube graft to autogenous caudal auricular vein graft, and an autogenous saphenous vein graft were all unsuccessful. Tear production in the left eye improved at 1 year post‐surgery as a result of long term lacrostimulant therapy, and a permanent PD‐cutaneous fistula was performed on the left PD at the level of the ventral mandible. Bilateral PDT in the horse is effective in resolving clinical signs associated with KCS; however, morbidity associated with avascular necrosis of the transposed PD may be significant and can result in surgical failure.     

Differences in serotonin serum concentration between aggressive English cocker spaniels and aggressive dogs of other breeds

Aggression is one of the most common behavioral problems in dogs and may have important negative effects on public health, human–animal bond, and animal welfare. There is ample evidence showing a negative correlation between serum serotonin concentration and aggressive behavior in a variety of species, including the domestic dogs. This negative correlation is particularly pronounced in dogs that show impulsive aggression. Data obtained in some previous studies suggest that the English cocker spaniel (ECS) is more likely to show impulsive aggression than other breeds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze possible differences in serum serotonin levels between aggressive ECS and aggressive dogs of other breeds. Nineteen ECSs presented for aggression at the Animal Behavior Service (School of Veterinary Science, Barcelona, Spain) were evaluated and compared with 20 aggressive dogs of other breeds attended at the same center. Serum serotonin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Aggressive ECSs had significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of serum serotonin than aggressive dogs of other breeds (318.6 ± 67.1 and 852.77 ± 100.58 ng/mL, respectively). Variances were not significantly different between ECSs and other breeds (standard deviation = 449.84 ng/mL vs. 292.47 ng/mL, P > 0.05). This finding may explain why ECSs are more likely to show impulsive aggression than other breeds, and suggests that the ECS could be a good model to study the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying impulsive aggression.     

A tree distance-dependent growth and yield model for naturally regenerated pure uneven-aged maritime pine stands in central inland of Portugal

? Context

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) is one of the most important Portuguese species, growing in pure stands ranging from even-aged to multi-aged structures. Current growth and yield models were developed only for even-aged, managed stands and/or for very specific regions of Portugal.

? Aims

This paper focuses on the validation of the existing size-class model PBRAVO, adapted to even-aged stands, and on the subsequent development of a single tree distance-dependent growth and yield model (PBIRROL), both in distance-independent and distance-dependent versions, for uneven-aged stands.

? Methods

The new model is composed of four modules, each with a set of sub-models for: tree variable prediction, tree volume prediction, future tree list prediction and growth projection.

? Results

The evaluation of the PBRAVO and PBIRROL models showed that the new model gives more accurate predictions. Moreover, medium-term simulations provided consistent and logical predictions.

? Conclusion

It was verified that individual tree models are more suited to simulate poorly managed uneven-aged stands than diameter distribution models. No clear superiority of distance-dependent models was found over models using just distance-independent measures of inter-tree competition.     

Evaluation of preservative distribution in thermally modified European aspen and birch boards using computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy

The aim of this experiment was to impregnate thermally modified wood using an easy and cost-effective method. Industrially processed thermally modified European aspen (Populus tremula L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) were collected and secondarily treated at the laboratory scale with the preservatives tung oil, pine tar and Elit Träskydd (Beckers) using a simple and effective method. Preservative uptake and distribution in sample boards were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Preservative uptake and treatability in terms of void volume filled were found the highest in Beckers and the lowest in tung oil-treated samples. Thermally modified samples had lower treatability than their counterpart control samples. More structural changes after thermal modification, especially in birch, significantly reduced the preservative uptake and distribution. The differences of preservatives uptake near the end grain were high and then decreased near the mid position of the samples length as compared with similar type of wood sample. Non-destructive evaluation by CT scanning provided a very useful method to locate the preservative gradients throughout the sample length. SEM analysis enabled the visualization of the preservative deposits in wood cells at the microstructural level.