Efficacy of amitraz (Taktic 12.5% EC) as a dip for the control of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle

Four groups of cattle infested with Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) were each dipped in a different concentration of amitraz diluted from a 12.5% EC formulation to determine the efficacy and performance of the product in an 11 400 l dipping vat. Except for the period when heifers were dipped, animals were restrained in stanchions placed individually inside 3.3×3.3 m² stalls within an open-sided barn. The amitraz in the vat was stabilized with hydrated lime to maintain a pH of ca. 12. Analyses of vat samples showed that concentrations of amitraz in the vat were 7.6 to 13% lower than the targeted concentrations of 0.010, 0.015, 0.020, and 0.025% active ingredient (AI) for dilutions prepared according to instructions on the manufacturer's label. The large quantity of hydrated lime added to the vat (10 kg/1000 l) interfered with the HPLC analysis of vat samples. Therapeutic efficacy of each of the four observed concentrations (0.0088, 0.0131, 0.0174, and 0.0231% AI) of amitraz was excellent (>99% control). However, the rapid detachment of all ticks from an animal within a few hours after treatment with amitraz, that has been frequently observed, was not pronounced in the present study. Only 47% of the B. microplus detached in the first 4 h post-treatment, and 84% detached within the first 24 h. All of the treatments, except the lowest concentration, provided protection of cattle against re-infestation by B. microplus larvae for 14 days post-treatment. Possibly as a result of the formation of a compact layer of lime and amitraz on the bottom after the vat was undisturbed for six weeks, intense agitation was required to re-suspend the active ingredient.     

Effects of low dose ketamine on haemodynamic and electroencephalographic variables during surgery in isoflurane anaesthetised horses

The dissociative anaesthetic ketamine is reported to provide potent analgesia after administration of subanaesthetic doses in human beings. To evaluate the analgesic effects of ketamine as an adjunct to inhalation anaesthesia in horses, haemodynamic and electroencephalographic changes were recorded for 10 min after injection of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg iv; n=7) or equal volumes of 0.9% NaCl solution (n=5) in surgically stimulated horses anaesthetised at approximately 1.3% end-tidal concentration of isoflurane. Neither the haemodynamic variables (mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate) nor the quantitated EEG variables (theta/delta ratio, alpha/delta ratio, beta/delta ratio, median power frequency) and 80% spectral edge frequency were affected significantly by the ketamine dose used. Comparing data obtained from both groups of horses, our results suggest that iv administration of 0.5 mg/kg bwt of ketamine was ineffective in suppressing haemodynamic and electroencephalographic responses to surgical stimulation.     

Rapid Population Analysis of Magnaporthe grisea by Using rep-PCR and Endogenous Repetitive DNA Sequences

ABSTRACT DNA samples from Magnaporthe grisea isolates were fingerprinted by using repetitive element-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) with two outwardly directed primer sequences from Pot2, an element found in approximately 100 copies in the fungal genome. Variable length fragments, defining the sequences lying between these elements, were generated, and fingerprint patterns specific for individual strains were established. "Long PCR" conditions, including higher pH (9.2) and increased extension time (10 min) were used to amplify DNA fragments ranging from 400 bp to longer than 23 kb. Polymorphisms specific to M. grisea strains were generated, allowing inference of their genetic relationships. Segregation analysis was used to confirm single-locus inheritance for the fragments amplified by rep-PCR. Cluster analysis revealed robust groupings that corresponded to previously determined MGR586 restriction fragment length polymorphism lineages of the rice-infecting strains of the pathogen. We have also demonstrated the utility of rep-PCR to differentiate isolates that infect rice from those that infect nonrice hosts. DNA fingerprinting by Pot2 rep-PCR provides an efficient means to monitor the population dynamics of the blast pathogen. Because of the method's low cost and ease in application, it is now feasible to conduct large-scale population studies to understand the impact of host genotypes on pathogen evolution.     

Bacterial diseases of potatoes: from classical phytobacteriology to molecular pathogenicity

Various bacterial pathogens attack potato plants and tubers. These pathogens includeErwinia, Corynebacterium (Clavibacter), Psuedomonas andStreptomyces. Over the past few years there have been significant advances in the molecular biological analysis of several of these pathogens and this is now helping us to understand the major aspects of virulence mechanisms. However, to date, such information is not sufficiently useful to allow us to intervene rationally in these potato diseases, except by the standard practises of good husbandry.     

Pulmonary hamartoma and multiple cardiac anomalies in a Finn-Dorset cross lamb

A case of pulmonary hamartoma was diagnosed in a neonatal, male, Finn-Dorset cross lamb with concurrent cardiac anomalies and palatoschisis. On gross examination, the lungs were markedly enlarged and spongy. Histologically, pulmonary lobules were composed of severely dilated and hyperplastic terminal bronchioles, separated by an abundant connective tissue stroma. Alveoli were generally absent. Other bronchi were hypoplastic and lacked both cartilage and smooth muscle. Both the cranial and caudal vena cavae and the pulmonary veins entered the right atrium. This anomaly has not been previously reported in lambs.     

Circulation load test and quality of meat in fattening pigs of known genetic origin]

102 fattened pigs with known genetic origin were tested on a conveyor-belt 1--4 days before slaughtering. 64 animals run in the first passage in each case 154 m in a 4 minutes (0.64 m/s), compared to it the 38 animals of the second passage run in each case 770 m in 20 minutes. Measurements of heart frequency and breathing and body temperature were taken before and at intervals until 30 minutes after movement. After slaughtering the values of pH, colour and drip loss of the M. longissimus dorsi were measured. It turned out a difference in the meat quality with a high part of PSE-meat in the first passage (36%), caused by season. The criterion "recovery time of heart action after load" was able to value the stress susceptibility in dependence on meat quality p.m. Animals with a longer recovery time exhibited a lower pH45 value, a lighter colour and a higher drip loss of meat. But only after a certain stress intensity (2. passage) the assertion was given.     

An in vitro biomechanical comparison of a limited-contact dynamic compression plate fixation with a dynamic compression plate fixation of osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones

OBJECTIVES: To compare the monotonic biomechanical properties and fatigue life of a broad, limited contact, dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation with a broad, dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation. ANIMAL POPULATION: Twelve pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. METHODS: Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure testing, (2) 4-point bending cyclic fatigue testing, and (3) torsional single cycle to failure testing. An LC-DCP (8-hole, 4.5 mm) was applied to the dorsal surface of 1 randomly selected bone from each pair. One DCP (8-hole, 4.5 mm broad) was applied dorsally to the contralateral bone from each pair. All plates and screws were applied using standard AO/ASIF techniques to MC3 bones that had mid-diaphyseal osteotomies. Mean test variable values for each method were compared using a paired t-test within each group. Significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS: The mean 4-point bending yield load, yield bending moment, composite rigidity, failure load, and failure bending moment of LC-DCP fixation were significantly greater (P<.01) than those of broad DCP fixation. Mean cycles to failure for 4-point bending was significantly (P<.001) greater for broad DCP fixation compared with broad LC-DCP fixation. Mean yield load, mean composite rigidity, and mean failure load in torsion was significantly (P<.02) greater for broad LC-DCP fixation compared with broad DCP fixation. CONCLUSION: Broad LC-DCP offers increased stability in static overload testing, however, it offers significantly less stability in cyclic fatigue testing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The clinical relevance of the cyclic fatigue data supports the conclusion that the broad DCP fixation is biomechanically superior to the broad LC-DCP fixation in osteotomized equine MC3 bones despite the results of the static overload testing.     

An in vitro evaluation of plate luting using osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones with a limited contact-dynamic compression plate

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of plate luting on the biomechanical properties of a broad limited contact-dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by LC-DCP fixation, with 1 of the pair luted with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). ANIMAL POPULATION: Ten pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. METHODS: Ten pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 2 test groups (5 pairs each) for (1) palmarodorsal 4-point bending single cycle to failure testing and (2) palmarodorsal 4-point bending cyclic fatigue testing. The LC-DCP (8 hole, 4.5 mm) was applied to the dorsal surface of each pair of MC3 bones. All plates and screws were applied using standard AO/ASIF techniques. All MC3 bones had mid-diaphyseal osteotomies. One of the matched pairs of LC-DCP-MC3 constructs were randomly chosen to be luted with PMMA. Mean test variable values for each method were compared using a paired t-test within each group; significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS: Mean palmarodorsal 4-point bending yield bending moment, failure bending moment of the LC-DCP fixation with luting was not significantly different (P>.05) than those of the LC-DCP fixation without luting. Mean cycles to failure for palmarodorsal 4-point bending was significantly (P<.0003) greater, with a 7.2-fold increase, for the LC-DCP fixation with luting compared with the LC-DCP fixation without luting. CONCLUSION: Luting the broad LC-DCP with PMMA in the fixation osteotomized equine MC3 bones increases the fatigue life of cyclic loading for palmarodorsal 4-point bending under the in vitro conditions studied. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The cyclic fatigue data supports the conclusion that luted broad LC-DCP fixation is biomechanically superior to the non-luted broad LC-DCP fixation in osteotomized equine MC3 bones.