Accidental entrapment of cats in front-loading washing machines

Two clinical cases of accidental entrapment of cats in front-loading washing machines are described. One cat died the day after presentation as a result of aspiration pneumonia and head trauma, despite supportive care. The second cat survived with supportive treatment, but developed dermatologic complications 10 d later.     

Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma (brucei) evansi in small East African goats

Trypanosoma evansi is the cause of surra, a camel disease which is the most important single cause of economic losses in camel rearing areas. Sheep and goats herded with camels are the most likely hosts for T evansi. Upon intravenous infections goats developed erratic parasitaemia, lost weight and their packed cell volume dropped significantly (P<0–001). Trypanosomes were demonstrated by direct microscopy in extravascular locations such as synovial, peritoneal and cerebrospinal fluids and also in lymph by subinoculations into mice. The carcases were emaciated and pale. Histologically there was lymphatic tissue hyperplasia, muscular atrophy and nephrotic changes. Two animals had necrotic foci in the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, spleen and lungs and also bronchopneumonia. Histologically there was depopulation of lymphocytes in lymphatic tissues, destruction of hepatocytes in the liver with infiltration by inflammatory cells in the liver, lymph nodes, spleen and the kidneys.     

American trypanosomiasis infection in fattening pigs from the south-east of Mexico

American Trypanosomiasis (AT) is an infectious parasitic disease produced by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Infection is acquired by vectorial via but can also be transmitted congenitally, by ingestion of an infected host, by transfusion with contaminated blood or transplant of organs from an infected donor. Currently, AT is widely distributed from the South of the United States to South America. In Mexico, the presence of the parasite has been reported throughout the country where several reservoirs such as dogs, opossums, rats and cats have been identified. Yucatan is in the south-east of Mexico where AT is endemic and has been reported since 1940s. There is little information about the role of pigs as reservoirs of T. cruzi. The frequency of specific antibodies against T. cruzi was determined in fattening pigs from Yucatan, Mexico. After sampling in the 3 main areas of pig production in the state, IgG ELISA and Western blot were performed to identify seropositive cases. Association of farm size, farm area and production system with infected pigs was evaluated. From 273 sampled pigs, 5.4% (n = 15) positive cases were found. No association with evaluated factors and infected pigs was found. Pigs are also reservoirs of T. cruzi in the studied area. These findings are considered important to improve vectorial control in the area in order to avoid the parasite infection in animal populations destined for human consumption and avoid further transmission to humans.     

南阳牛IGF2基因第2外显子多态性及其与生长发育相关性研究

以126头纯种南阳黄牛为研究材料，利用PCR-RFLPs技术对胰岛素样生长因子2（IGF2）第2外显子的多态性及其与生长发育的相关性进行了分析。结果表明：南阳牛在该位点的遗传多态性丰富。检测到2种等位基因A和B，频率分别为0．6865和0．3135，A等位基因在群体中是优势等位基因；BB型个体的6、12、18、24月龄体斜长和胸围，12、18和24月龄的坐骨端宽，初生、6月龄和24月龄体重等体征性状显著地优于AA型；6月龄体斜长、12月龄的胸围、18月龄和24月龄坐骨端宽也显著优于杂合型。初步推断JGF2基因是非常有价值的辅助选择标记，可为南阳牛肉用型方向选择提供理论依据。     

The potential contribution of separation technologies to the management of livestock manure

Separation processes have a distinct role in the management of livestock slurries, but it is important to recognise their limitations. Such technology can direct certain manure components into a small volume of a concentrated stream which is useful for the production of organic products in subsequent processes. Equipment generally falls into systems based either on mechanical screening (which can produce a fibrous and seemingly dry product), filtration processes (producing a cake), or sedimentation leading to a sludge product. Although physical separation can remove up to 80% of the total solids content from livestock manures, this will only include a relatively small part of the soluble nutrient and of the reactive organic matter; this is particularly so where separation is based on screens. The complete removal of all suspended matter (total clarification) of an effluent is theoretically possible by settling — a decanter centrifuge will accelerate the process. This can remove most of the phosphorous, especially if coupled with chemical pre-treatment to raise the pH. However, the clarified stream still retains a significant polluting potential in terms of the residual nitrogen content (as ammonia) and potassium. Only membrane separation can greatly reduce the potassium concentration, but such technology is rarely suitable for the farm situation.     

Antiapoptotic activity of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein

Viruses have evolved different strategies to interfere with apoptotic pathways in order to halt cellular responses to infection. One previous study showed that transient transfection of bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) UL14 protein is efficient in protecting Madin Darby kidney (MDBK) and human chronic myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells from sorbitol-induced apoptosis. This protein corresponds to a putative protein of BHV-1, which shares aminoacid sequence with a part of the peptide-binding domain conserved in human heat shock protein (HSP70) family. The pBK-CMV-UL14 plasmid transfected MDBK cells treated with sorbitol did not show caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation with respect to non-transfected MDBK cells (UL14 negative). Furthermore, we report that the expression of the full length sequence of BHV-1 UL14 is evident after 7 h of infection of BHV-1 on MDBK cells which were then treated with sorbitol. These results indicate that UL14 gene product has important implications to enhance cell survival in response to apoptotic stimuli.     

Pharmacokinetics of ruminally dosed sodium [36Cl]chlorate in beef cattle

The recently recognized potential of sodium chlorate as a possible preharvest food safety tool for pathogen reduction in meat animals has spurred interest in the pharmacokinetics of intraruminally dosed chlorate. Six Loala cattle were assigned (one heifer and one steer per treatment) to one of three intraruminal doses of radiolabeled sodium [36Cl]chlorate (21, 42, or 63 mg/kg body weight) administered in four equal aliquots over a 24-h period. Blood and serum were collected (29 samples in 48 h). Total radioactive residues were measured and the radioactive moieties were speciated. Chlorate appeared rapidly in blood and serum after dosing. For animals administered a dose of 42 or 63 mg/kg, the half-life of absorption was estimated at 0.6-0.9 h. Serum chlorate concentrations progressively increased with aliquot administration until peaking at 6-21 parts per million at 26 h. Between aliquot administrations, serum chlorate levels typically peaked in 3.5 h or less. The half-life of chlorate elimination ranged between 6.9 and 11 h, depending on the dose. Ultimately, absorption of chlorate removes it from its desired site of action, the lower gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing its efficacy. Further research is needed to develop a chlorate formulation that will allow passage to the lower gastrointestinal tract.