The Impact of Wood Ash and Green Liquor Dregs Application on Ca, Cu, Zn and Cd Contents in Bark and Wood of Norway Spruce

To counteract nutrient depletion and acidification of forest soils, recycling of waste products from the forest industry has been suggested. Spreading of these waste products will probably change the concentration and availability of Ca and heavy metals in forest soils and thereby the contents of these metals in trees. This field study aimed at examining the influence of pellets of wood ash (ash) or a mixture of wood ash and green liquor dregs (ash+GLD) on the contents of Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn in wood and bark of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. The waste products were spread in an amount of 3000 kg ha^?1 in 1996 at a felling site in Sweden and in 1999 and 2002 young spruce trees, planted in 1995, were collected and wood and bark were analysed for Ca, Cd, Cu and Zn with AAS. Changes in the metal content of wood and bark of young spruce trees were found 3 and 6 years after spreading pellets of ash or ash+GLD compared with the control. The effect of the treatments on the metal contents of bark and wood differed and was larger after 3 years than after 6 years. Treatment with ash+GLD tended to have less effect on the metal contents of bark and wood than treatment with only ash. An increase in the contents of Cu and Zn in bark or wood, compared with the control, was only found for the ash treatment and only 3 years after application. Both the ash and ash+GLD treatment decreased the Cd content of the wood and/or bark after 3 years, and after 6 years it still was, or tended to be, lower than the control.     

Effects of photoperiod on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relation between salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) release and photoperiod in goats. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL was given to adult female goats under short (8 h light, 16 h dark) or long (16 h light, 8 h dark) photoperiod conditions at two different ambient temperatures (20°C or 5°C), and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared to that of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist, sulpiride. SAL, as well as TRH or sulpiride, stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both 8‐ and 16‐h daily photoperiods at 20°C (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve (AUC) of PRL for the 60‐min period after injections of saline (controls), SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the 16‐h daily photoperiod group was greater than each corresponding value in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the AUC of PRL among the values produced after the injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in 16‐h daily photoperiod group; however, the values produced after the injection of TRH were smallest among the three in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). The PRL‐releasing responses to SAL, TRH and sulpiride under a short and long photoperiod condition at 5°C resembled those at 20°C. These results show that a long photoperiod highly enhances the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH or sulpiride in either medium or low ambient temperature in goats.     

Effect of temperature and time on mechanical and electrical properties of HDPE/glass fiber composites

In recent years, composites based on glass fiber reinforced polymer have been widely used in order to meet increasing durability and safety regulations, particularly in the power cable, automotive and plane industry. In this paper, mechanical and electrical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE containing glass fiber polymer composites were investigated and compared at different temperatures. Composite materials were prepared with the hot pressing method. Tensile strength, % elongation and the modulus of elasticity (or Young’s modulus) were determined for each sample at different temperatures. In addition to this, at different temperatures τ _σ and τ _E have mechanical and electrical lifetime respectively, corresponding to mechanical tension (σ) and electrical strength (E), and this was investigated for each sample. As compared to the mechanical and electrical properties of neat HDPE, HDPE/0.5 % glass fiber composites have been found to have better mechanical and electrical durability.     

Prevalence of subclinical mastitis and isolated udder pathogens in dairy cows in Southern Vietnam

Dairy production is not traditional in Vietnam. The farmers have little practical knowledge and udder health control is generally lacking. In order to give the farmers appropriate advice, knowledge about the distribution of udder pathogens is crucial. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis and to identify udder pathogens isolated from smallholder dairy herds in Southern Vietnam. Twenty farms with a herd somatic cell count (SCC) ranging from low (≤400?×?10³?cells/mL) to high (>400?×?10³?cells/mL) were randomly selected. Milk samples were collected from 458 quarters of 115 clinically healthy cows. SCC was analyzed on farm by a portable cell counter. Bacteriological samples were taken using Mastistrip^© cassettes and sent to Sweden for examination. For all herds the mean herd SCC was 632?×?10³/mL milk. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis at quarter SCC basis was 63.2 % and at cow basis 88.6 %. Only 40 % of all cows were bacteriologically negative in all quarters. Streptococcus agalactiae was the most commonly found bacteria species, isolated from 96 of the 458 quarter samples, in 13 of the 20 farms. The results indicate pronounced subclinical mastitis problems among the dairy cows in this region mainly due to infections with S. agalactiae. The high prevalence of this highly contagious pathogen is probably attributable to the generally poor milking hygiene and low awareness of proper measures to prevent occurrence and spread of udder infections. A strict, targeted action program for the herds in this area is required in order to lower the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.     

Aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in the Friesian horse: Characterisation of the clinical and gross post mortem findings in 24 cases

Reasons for performing study: In horses, aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysms or tears in the aortic root are well‐recognised conditions in breeding stallions, often leading to sudden death. A more uncommon form of aortic rupture, located proximal to the ligamentum arteriosum has been reported in 3 Friesian horses. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to phenotypically characterise aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in Friesian horses in terms of clinical and post mortem data based on 24 cases. Methods: Friesian horses that were diagnosed with aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation over a period of 13 years (1997–2010) at the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University (n = 15) and Wolvega Equine Hospital (n = 9), were included in this study. Case history, results of clinical examination and gross post mortem findings were screened and analysed. Results: Some cases were found dead without prior symptoms, but in several cases signs such as recurrent colic, peripheral oedema and sustained tachycardia were present for several weeks prior to cardiac failure. Clinical examination during hospitalisation revealed increased rectal temperature, peripheral oedema and increased jugular pulse with a bounding arterial pulse. In the majority of horses an aortic rupture of the aortic arch near the ligamentum arteriosum, concurrent with a circumferential cuff of perivascular haemorrhage and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation, was found at post mortem examination. Conclusions: Aorto‐pulmonary fistulation in conjunction with aortic rupture is more common in Friesians than previously estimated. In some cases findings demonstrate a progressive pathology rather than acute cardiac failure and sudden death. An appropriate approach is necessary during post mortem examination of the heart in order not to overlook the diagnosis. Potential relevance: Equine practitioners should realise that in Friesian horses presented with a history of recurrent false colic, coughing, sustained tachycardia and/or peripheral oedema, aortic rupture and aorto‐pulmonary fistulation should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre-existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

In the veterinary profession, the body condition score (BCS) plays an important role in the assessment of patients. It is a subjective, tactile method of evaluating body fat and muscle mass and is used in numerous species. Recognizing obesity (or the contrary, emaciation) is important for veterinarians treating reptiles and could be facilitated by a BCS. An existing form of body condition assessment already used is the body condition index (BCI), where the residuals from a regression of body mass on body length are calculated. Therefore, the goal of this study was to provide practitioners with a BCS system for corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and to test it against the BCI. A total of 22 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), stationed at the “Auffangstation für Reptilien” in Munich (reptile rescue centre, RRC), were subject of this study. Each had the following measurements taken: body weight (BW), snout–tail tip length (STL), snout–vent length (SVL) and circumference in the middle (C). Manual palpation of spine, area between vertebral spinous and transverse process, ribs and neck of each snake was performed by three veterinarians and assigned to specific scores by each examiner. A BCS (mean of examiners’ scores) was given to each snake according to manual palpation. The BCS system was chosen to be out of 5 in 0.5-point steps with 2.5 considered as ideal BCS. In the studied snakes, the BCS ranged from 1.5 to 3.5, with a median of 2.5. The median BW was 309 g (75–967 g), the median STL was 123 cm (79–153 cm), the median SVL was 104 cm (73–133 cm) and the median C was 7.5 cm (4.3–11 cm). BCS and BCI were positively correlated. A BCS includes a manual palpation of the animal and thus gives the examiner additional information to the objectively measured/calculated index.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CANINE OPTIC NERVE

We describe the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging aspects of normal canine optic nerve, the diameter of the optic nerve as measured on MR images, and optimal MR sequences for the evaluation of the optic nerve using a 0.2 T MR unit. Three millimeter contiguous slides of the normal canine orbital region were acquired in transverse and dorsal oblique planes using a variety of tissue weighting sequences. It was apparent that detailed anatomic assessment of the optic nerve can be performed with low‐field MR imaging, but none of the sequences provided unequivocal superior image quality of the optic nerve. The mean diameter of the optic nerve sheath complex was 3.7 mm and of the optic nerve 1.7 mm. The intraorbital and intracanalicular parts of the optic nerve are consistently visible and differentiation between the optic nerve and optic nerve sheath complex is possible using low‐field MR systems.     

Diprosopus, craniorachischisis, arthrogryposis, and other associated anomalies in a stillborn lamb

Congenital malformations with multiple anomalies have been described infrequently in the veterinary literature. A stillborn male crossbred lamb with diprosopus, craniorachischisis, and arthrogryposis was examined macroscopically and histopathologically in this study. The left head was smaller than the right head. Micrencephaly, agnathia, and a rudimentary tongue, which was adherent to the palate, were present in the left head. Micrencephaly, brachygnathia superior, and cleft palate were present in the right head. Cerebellar agenesis and spinal cord hypoplasia were observed. The cerebrums and the spinal cord were covered with a tapering membranous structure. Neural and dermal tissues were noted to intervene upon microscopic examination of this structure. Disorganization of neurons was observed in both cerebrums, though it was more severe in the left one. This case demonstrates many congenital defects occurring together in a lamb.     

The effects of the conjunctival Brucella vaccine on some biochemical parameters in sheep

The genus Brucella causes significant economic losses due to infertility, abortion, stillbirth or weak calves, and neonatal mortality in livestock. Brucellosis is still a zoonosis of public health importance worldwide. In the past, vaccination was administered subcutaneously and nowadays, the conjunctival vaccine is administered. There is no definite information about the changes of the biochemical parameters and antibody response after conjunctival vaccination. In this study, the investigation of the changes in the levels of some biochemical parameters due to the conjunctival vaccination for brucellosis was aimed. Thirty sheep were used as an animal material. The vaccine was done single dose against Brucella melitensis and the blood was drawled from Vena jugularis during 4 months. Antibody levels were determined by serum tube agglutination test. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, total protein, and albumin levels were measured using commercial autoanalyzer in sera. The antibody titers (p?<?0.001) increased significantly at first month compared to the pre-vaccination, but at the second month began to fall. There was no statistically significant changes in glucose, AST, ALT activity after vaccination (p?>?0.005). The significant amount of total protein and ALP decreased after vaccination (p?<?0.005). LDH levels and total protein levels were significantly increased (p?<?0.005). In conclusion, conjunctival vaccine was considered to be used as a safe to protect the sheep from brucellosis and the results of the study may be used to improve the efficiency of brucellosis eradication programs within livestock management.