Biological and chemical hazards occurring in fish and fishery products

It is common knowledge that fish are a nutritious component of a human diet, as they constitute a valuable and desired source of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, they are likely to pose a risk to consumer health. The presence of pathogenic bacteria or their toxins, parasites, biogenic amines and toxins or chemical residues may be a causal agent of foodborne illnesses in humans, sometimes even with fatal effect. Usually, infections are a result of insufficient thermal treatment or consumption of raw fish dishes. There are also risk factors that cannot be eliminated by such treatments as cooking, salting or freezing.     

Invited review: Role of livestock in human nutrition and health for poverty reduction in developing countries

Livestock keeping is critical for many of the poor in the developing world, often contributing to multiple livelihood objectives and offering pathways out of poverty. Livestock keeping also affects an indispensable asset of the poor, their human capital, through its impact on their own nutrition and health. This paper outlines the linkages between livestock keeping and the physical well-being of the poor, and examines a number of commonly held beliefs that misrepresent livestock development issues related to these linkages. These beliefs limit the scope of intervention programs to promote livestock and limit their potential contribution to poverty reduction. Recognition of the complexity of the role livestock play in household decision-making and of the opportunities foregone due to these misconceptions can enhance the ability of livestock to contribute to human well-being in the developing world.     

Expression of E‐cadherin in canine anal sac gland carcinoma and its association with survival*

The objective of this study was to determine whether an association could be demonstrated between survival and the expression of the adhesion molecule E‐cadherin by the neoplastic cells in a group of dogs with anal sac gland carcinomas (ASGCs). Archived formalin‐fixed, paraffin wax‐embedded primary tumour specimens were obtained for 36 cases of canine ASGC with known clinical management and survival data. Immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate E‐cadherin expression by the neoplastic cells and data were evaluated for an association between E‐cadherin expression and survival. On univariate analysis, the median survival time for cases with tumours expressing E‐cadherin in more than 75% of cells was significantly greater than that for cases with tumours expressing E‐cadherin in fewer than 75% of cells (1168 versus 448 days, P = 0.0246). Both E‐cadherin expression and presence or absence of distant metastases were significantly associated with survival on multivariate analysis. This study demonstrates that expression of E‐cadherin at the cytoplasmic membrane in canine ASGCs is variable and potentially predictive of survival.     

Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse

A 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness, 2 draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was established based on radiographs and cytology of the exudate. This diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.     

The Incidence of Aeromonas Species in the Feces of Nondiarrheic Horses

Aeromonas species have been isolated from the feces of diarrheic adult horses and foals. However, Aeromonas species have also been isolated from the feces of approximately 5% of clinically normal adult horses outside the United States. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Aeromonas species can be shed in the feces of nondiarrheic adult horses and identify any effects of season of year, transportation, and hospitalization on possible fecal shedding of Aeromonas species. Feces were cultured for Aeromonas and Salmonella species from 138 nondiarrheic adult horses examined in the hospital and by field services for complaints other than gastrointestinal disease. Fecal Aeromonas and Salmonella species were isolated from 6.5% and 2.2% of nondiarrheic horses, respectively. All Aeromonas isolates were identified as A caviae. There were no apparent effects on time of year, hospitalization, or transport on isolation of Aeromonas species from feces. Isolation of Aeromonas species from diarrheic horses in the absence of other possible enteric pathogens indicates intestinal disease as a result of Aeromonas infection, but Aeromonas species can also occur as copathogens with Salmonella infections.     

Approaches towards efficient use of boar semen in the pig industry

The current cervical artificial insemination (CAI) procedure, involving deposition of excessive sperm numbers, is uneconomical for pig industry. The most obvious alternative requires uterine deposition in combination with fixed-time AI, which would reduce the number of sperm required per pregnant sow, thus allowing the best use of valuable boars and, ultimately, the commercial integration of frozen-thawed and sexed sperm. This review depicts possible best ways to implement an efficient use of liquid-stored, frozen-thawed and sexed sperm by the pig industry.     

Prolonged-release hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrix tablets of furosemide for administration to dogs

Furosemide is a problematic drug in a prolonged-release product because its absorption is site specific, taking place mainly in the upper parts of the alimentary tract. The aim of the study reported here was to develop prolonged-release furosemide formulations for dogs. The type of preparation selected was a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix tablet. Evaluation was based on dissolution studies, on in vivo disintegration studies in the canine stomach and on bioavailability studies in Beagle dogs. The variables tested were the viscosity grade of the polymer, the amount of polymer and presence or absence of an alkaline compound (potassium carbonate) in the formulation. When potassium carbonate was included, furosemide was absorbed so slowly that drug administration once daily would give plateau drug plasma concentrations, even though the elimination half-life of furosemide is only about one hour.     

Comparison of Tifton 85 and Coastal bermudagrasses for yield, nutrient traits, intake, and digestion by growing beef steers.

A study was undertaken to compare Tifton 85 (T85) and Coastal (CBG) bermudagrasses for effects of cultivar and age at harvest on yields of DM and digestible DM, in vitro digestion, nutrient content, cell wall composition, in situ digestion kinetics, and feed intake and digestion by growing beef steers. In Exp. 1, T85 and CBG forages staged for growth in May or July of 1993 were harvested at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 wk from subplots. Tifton 85 bermudagrass had 7.1% greater DM yield, 18.2% higher (P < .05) digestible DM yield, and 7.1% greater IVDMD than CBG, and, after 5 wk of forage growth, IVDMD of both T85 and CBG decreased with increased age at harvest (P < .05). In Exp. 2, T85 and CBG forages staged for growth in July 1997 were harvested at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 wk from subplots. Even though T85 had higher concentrations of NDF and ADF than CBG, T85 had 34.1% higher DM yield, 47.9% higher digestible DM, 55.0% higher digestible NDF, 91.7% higher digestible ADF, greater IVDMD, in vitro NDF and ADF disappearances, and higher in situ DM and NDF digestion (P < .05). Coastal bermudagrass had higher concentrations of lignin and lower concentrations of total neutral sugars, arabinose, glucose, and xylose than T85 (P < .05). In vitro digestibilities of DM, NDF, and ADF were lower and concentrations of ADF and lignin were greater for 7- vs 6-wk harvests of both T85 and CBG (P < .05). In Exp. 3, T85 and CBG forages staged for growth in July 1997 were harvested as hay at 3, 5, and 7 wk from .8-ha pastures and fed to 36 individually penned growing beef steers (initial BW = 244 kg) to quantify ad libitum intake without supplementation. Tifton 85 bermudagrass had lower concentrations of lignin and ether-linked ferulic acid and greater concentrations of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose than CBG (P < .05). Steers fed T85 had higher (P < .05) digestion of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose than steers fed CBG. Digestion of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose decreased (P < .05) with increased age at harvest for both cultivars. In conclusion, T85 produced more DM and had more digestible nutrients in vitro, in situ, and in vivo than CBG, and 3 and 5 wk of growth would be recommended ages to harvest either cultivar.     

Drug disposition and dosage determination of once daily administration of gentamicin sulfate in horses after abdominal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pharmacokinetics of once daily i.v. administration of gentamicin sulfate to adult horses that had abdominal surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 28 adult horses that underwent abdominal surgery for colic. PROCEDURE: 14 horses were treated with each dosage of gentamicin (i.e., 6.6 or 4 mg/kg, i.v., q 24 h) and blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. Plasma gentamicin concentrations were measured by use of a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Pharmacokinetic analysis measured the elimination half-life, volume of distribution, and gentamicin total systemic clearance. Treatment outcome, CBC, and serum creatinine concentrations were recorded. RESULTS: 1 horse in the high-dosage group died. All other horses successfully recovered, and did not develop bacterial infection or have evidence of drug toxicosis resulting in renal injury. Mean pharmacokinetic variables for gentamicin administration at a high or low dosage (i.e., 6.6 or 4 mg/kg, i.v., q 24 h) were half-life of 1.47 and 1.61 hours, volume of distribution of 0.17 and 0.17 L/kg, and systemic clearance of 1.27 and 1.2 ml/kg/min, respectively. Mean serum creatinine concentration was 1.74 and 1.71 for the high and low dosages, respectively, and serum creatinine concentration was not correlated with gentamicin clearance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gentamicin administration at a dosage of 4 mg/kg, i.v., every 24 hours, will result in plasma concentrations that are adequate against susceptible bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of < or = 2.0 micrograms/ml. Gentamicin administration at a calculated dosage of 6.8 mg/kg, i.v., every 24 hours will result in optimum plasma concentrations against susceptible bacteria with a MIC of < or = 4.0 micrograms/ml.