Water intake of weaned piglets from three to seven weeks old

One hundred and two large white cross landrace piglets weaned at 21 (+/- 1) days old were randomly allocated to one of two commercial early weaning diets for a four week growth trial. The piglets were housed in groups of between six and 10. After initial moderate restriction the piglets were fed ad libitum. Food intakes and weight gains were recorded weekly. Water consumption of individual pens of piglets was recorded daily. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on mean daily feed intake, daily liveweight gain or food conversion ratio. The relationship between water and food intake, piglet weight and daily gain was examined using regression and multiple regression analyses. Water intake was related to all these parameters, with daily feed intake being the best single predictor of water intake. The relationship was described by the equation: water intake (litres/day) = 0.149 + 3.053 feed intake (kg/day).     

Outcomes and complications associated with ventral screws, pins, and polymethyl methacrylate for atlantoaxial instability in 12 dogs

Clinical outcomes and complications of a technique used for atlantoaxial stabilization were evaluated in a group of 12 dogs. At surgery, the atlantoaxial joint was realigned and rigidly fixated using cortical bone screws, K-wire, and polymethyl methacrylate. Results in nine dogs were graded as excellent. Results in two dogs were judged as good. One dog was euthanized 17 months after surgery for recurrent cervical pain. Eight dogs had no postoperative complications. The surgical technique described provided an adaptable method for the correction of atlantoaxial instability.     

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on intake and apparent digestibility in dogs

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) on intake and apparent digestibility of major dietary components were determined using 22 adult Beagles. Trials 1 and 2 used six and eight dogs, respectively, in a switchback design using 10-d periods. Trial 3 used eight dogs in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 15-d periods. The final 5 d of each period were used for measurement of intake and fecal collections. In Trial 1, dry extruded dog food kibbles were coated with 5% tallow, 2% commercial flavor, and 0 or 2% SDAP (as-fed basis). In Trial 2, commercially available dry dog food, previously coated with fat and flavor were coated with 0 or 2% SDAP. In Trial 3, SDAP (0, 1, 2, or 3%) was blended with other ingredients and extruded (as-fed basis). Kibbles were subsequently coated with 5% poultry fat and 1% commercial flavor. Intake, fecal consistency, and apparent digestibility of nutrients were determined. Addition of SDAP did not markedly affect chemical composition of diets and did not affect intake. Digestibility of DM was improved (P < 0.04) an average of 3.2% when 2% SDAP was included in the diet for all trials. Organic matter digestibility was improved (P < 0.01) in Trials 2 and 3 by an average of 2.9%. Also, digestibility of crude fiber (Trials 1 and 2) or total dietary fiber (Trial 3) was increased with addition of SDAP to the diet (P < 0.01). Fecal DM excretion was decreased by an average of 15% across all trials with the addition of SDAP. Spray-dried animal plasma was an acceptable ingredient in dry dog food preparations, resulting in improved digestion and decreased fecal output. Changes in digestion that occurred with addition of SDAP suggested alteration in digestive capacity in dogs.     

Quantitative analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in Theileria annulata-infected cell lines derived from resistant and susceptible cattle

The pathogenic mechanisms involved in tropical theileriosis, caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasite Theileria annulata, are unclear. Pathology is associated with the schizont stage of the parasite, which resides within bovine macrophages. Breed-specific differences in pathology have been observed in cattle, several Bos indicus breeds are relatively resistant to tropical theileriosis whilst Bos taurus cattle are highly susceptible. Infected cells express pro-inflammatory cytokines and it has been hypothesized that these cytokines play a major role in the pathology of the disease. Therefore, using quantitative RT-PCR we investigated the expression of the key candidates, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in T. annulata low passage infected cell lines derived ex vivo from experimental infection of resistant and susceptible cattle. mRNA for each cytokine was detected in all cell lines investigated at levels higher than those observed in resting monocytes. However, the analyses did not identify any breed-specific differences. Therefore, these results are not consistent with the hypothesis that differential regulation of infected cell derived pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) accounts for the breed-related differences in resistance and susceptibility to T. annulata infection. Other, currently unknown mechanisms may be of greater importance.     

Quantitative study of pulmonary endocrine cells in fetal, postnatal and adult sheep

Using light microscopic immunohistochemistry, neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-positive endocrine cells were quantitatively analyzed in the sheep lung during different stages of development from the canalicular stages to adulthood. In all stages, NSE-positive endocrine cells were usually located in the bronchi and bronchioles as solitary cells, although a few NSE-positive cell clusters, the so-called neuroepithelial bodies, were found in some places. The number of NSE-positive endocrine cells decreased with advanced stages of gestation. In the late alveolar stage, the number of NSE-positive endocrine cells reached its bottom during the fetal period. There was a gradual upturn after birth. The overall pattern of growth and differentiation of the endocrine cells is most likely species-related and depends on the state of airway development; the number of the endocrine cells of almost all animals, excluding the sheep, in relation to the size of the lung reaches a peak in the late fetal and early neonatal periods and decreases shortly thereafter. NSE-positive endocrine cells were also predominantly located in the large airways during the early stage of development (canalicular stage), and were found more frequently in the small peripheral airways towards the term. These results show the number of NSE-positive endocrine cells in the sheep to be different from that seen in other species.     

Identification of a dynamic atmosphere at Enceladus with the Cassini magnetometer

The Cassini magnetometer has detected the interaction of the magnetospheric plasma of Saturn with an atmospheric plume at the icy moon Enceladus. This unanticipated finding, made on a distant flyby, was subsequently confirmed during two follow-on flybys, one very close to Enceladus. The magnetometer data are consistent with local outgassing activity via a plume from the surface of the moon near its south pole, as confirmed by other Cassini instruments.     

Growth response of broilers to spray-dried plasma in pelleted or expanded feed processed at high temperature

A series of 4 experiments evaluated effects of mash conditioning temperature from a pellet mill or expander on performance of broilers fed pelleted diets containing spray-dried plasma (SDP). All experiments utilized Ross x Ross 308 male broilers randomly assigned to their respective treatments (6 or 10 broilers/pen and 8 or 10 pens/treatment). Treatments in Exp. 1 consisted of a control (0% SDP), SDP coated postpelleting, or SDP blended into the meal prepelleting. Experiment 2 and 3 included the same 3 treatments as in Exp. 1 but with additional treatments of SDP blended into the meal and conditioned at 90 or 95 degrees C before pelleting. In Exp. 4, treatments consisted of a control (0% SDP) or SDP blended into the meal and pelleted (85 degrees C conditioning temperature) or expanded (149 degrees C final effective temperature) and then pelleted. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were formulated to be equal in lysine and ME in all experiments. Pelleted diets were conditioned for 15 s at 85 degrees C, and expanded diets were conditioned at 95 degrees C, 29.7 MJ/t, 13.95 kg/cm2 cone pressure, exit temperature of 149 degrees C, and then pelleted through a 4 x 32-mm die. In Exp. 1, ADG and feed intake were improved (P < 0.05) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 28 of age, with greater BW at d 42. In Exp. 2, both in early (d 1 to 28 of age) phases, and overall (d 1 to 42 of age), broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain and efficiency. In Exp. 3, ADG, feed intake, efficiency of gain, and BW were improved (P < 0.01) for broilers fed SDP from d 1 to 21 of age, regardless of conditioning temperature. In Exp. 4, broilers fed SDP had improved (P < 0.05) gain, BW, and feed intake regardless of processing method. Overall, the results of all of the experiments demonstrated that pellet conditioning temperature from 85 to 95 degrees C and expander temperatures to 149 degrees C did not impair the positive growth effects of SDP in pelleted or expanded broiler feed.     

Standing surgical repair of propagating metacarpal and metatarsal condylar fractures in racehorses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Repair of spiral and long diaphyseal metacarpal and metatarsal fractures under anaesthesia can be problematic and associated with a high incidence of complications, including fracture propagation necessitating euthanasia. OBJECTIVE: To report on a practical repair technique for which general anaesthesia is not required. METHODS: Thirteen racehorses with a spiral/propagating condylar fracture had the fracture repaired using local anaesthesia and sedation, without the need for general anaesthetic. RESULTS: Ten of the horses returned to training and 8 raced again. Two horses were retired directly to stud. One horse had propagation of the fracture 3 days post surgery, and was subjected to euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Results achieved were comparable to those gained using standard repair techniques under general anaesthesia. The described technique removes the need for general anaesthesia for repair of selected condylar fractures.     

Nanoparticle polymer composites: where two small worlds meet

The mixing of polymers and nanoparticles is opening pathways for engineering flexible composites that exhibit advantageous electrical, optical, or mechanical properties. Recent advances reveal routes to exploit both enthalpic and entropic interactions so as to direct the spatial distribution of nanoparticles and thereby control the macroscopic performance of the material. For example, by tailoring the particle coating and size, researchers have created self-healing materials for improved sustainability and self-corralling rods for photovoltaic applications. A challenge for future studies is to create hierarchically structured composites in which each sublayer contributes a distinct function to yield a mechanically integrated, multifunctional material.