Epidemiology and control of an outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in Switzerland

An outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in the southern part of Switzerland (Canton of Ticino) was investigated after the implementation of control measures in a defined infected area (the risk zone), and in a surrounding surveillance zone (the non-risk zone). After the disease had been detected, hunting was not allowed in the risk zone for over six months, during which the disease was left to run its course, but hunting was continued in the non-risk zone for one month. After seven months, a hunting strategy targeted at young animals was implemented in both zones. Between May 1998 and January 2000,1294 wild boar were shot or found dead, and diagnostic and biological data were collected and analysed. Only one animal from the non-risk zone was found to be seropositive for antibodies to the virus, whereas 179 of 528 wild boar from the risk zone were virus positive and 162 were seropositive. The proportion of virus-positive animals decreased from 62.7 per cent to zero over one year. During the first hunting season, seropositive animals were found in all age groups, but 12 months later only animals more than one year old had antibodies against the virus.     

Mineral Nitrogen in a Crested Wheatgrass Stand: Implications for Suppression of Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is an exotic annual grass causing ecosystem degradation in western US rangelands. We investigated potential mechanisms by which crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn., Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. {Ex Link} Scult.]) suppresses the growth and invasibility of cheatgrass. Research focused on monthly mineral soil N availability and the proportional concentration of NH₄⁺-N in a crested wheatgrass community by microsite (crested wheatgrass, unvegetated interspace, shrub subcanopy) and soil depth (0–15, 15–30 cm) over a 1-yr period. Mineral soil N in crested wheatgrass microsites ranged from 0.24 to 1.66 mmol · kg^-1 and was not appreciably lower than the other microsites or other ecosystems we have measured in the Great Basin. The molar proportion of NH₄⁺-N in the mineral N pool of crested wheatgrass averaged over 85% for the year and is significantly higher than the other microsites and far greater than other plant communities we have measured in the Great Basin. We conclude that crested wheatgrass does not suppress cheatgrass by controlling mineral N below a threshold level; rather, we hypothesize that it may limit nitrification and thereby reduce NO₃^--N availability to the nitrophile cheatgrass.     

Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the testes of pigs

This study examined the expression of three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the testes of pigs. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of nNOS, eNOS and iNOS in interstitial cells, primary spermatocytes and spermatids. Positive immunoreactions for eNOS and iNOS were detected in peritubular myoid cells. Some vascular endothelial cells were positive for nNOS and eNOS. The expression of nitrotyrosine was detected in interstitial cells. In addition, the histochemical study revealed that all the interstitial cells were stained positively for NADPH-diaphorase, although some spermatids and vascular endothelial cells displayed moderate enzymatic activity. These findings suggest that three isoforms of NOS are expressed in the testis of pig and that they play important roles in the biology of interstitial cells that produce testosterone, as well as in spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules.     

Detection of an isoform of alpha(1)-antitrypsin in serum samples from foals with gastric ulcers

The objective of this study was to find serum indicators of gastric ulcers in foals. By using two-dimensional electrophoresis of serum proteins, three distinct spots were detected in samples from foals with gastric ulcers detected endoscopically. One of them appeared with high frequency and was identified by partial digestion with trypsin and subsequent nano-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoesi-ms/ms) analysis as an alpha(1)-antitrypsin. Western blot analysis, using an antibody against human alpha(1)-antitrypsin, revealed at least two bands, of molecular weight 58 kDa and 55 kDa, in the sera. The 55 kDa band was detected in 44 of 47 serum samples from foals with gastric ulcers, but in only three of 22 serum samples from healthy foals.     

The sonographic evaluation of lymph nodes

Ultrasound can be used to detect and evaluate both normal and abnormal lymph nodes, as well as aid in biopsy sampling procedures, an important part of staging procedures in cancer patients. Several parameters can be evaluated using ultrasound; lymph node size, margins, echogenicity, echopattern (echotexture), acoustic transmission, presence and distribution of vascular flow, and vascular flow indices. The most diagnostically helpful include the short/long axis ratio of the lymph node, the pattern of distribution of the blood vessels within the lymph node, and to some extent the resistive and pulsatility indices. This review discusses the use of ultrasound for detecting, evaluating, and sampling peripheral, abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes in small animals.     

Severe alopecia due to demodicosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Belgium

Demodex mites are part of the normal fauna of hair follicles of many, if not all, healthy mammal species. Normally these parasites live in harmony with their host, however in states of putative immunosuppression the acarids undergo excessive proliferation and cause clinical disease, which may be localised or generalised. This paper describes four cases of demodicosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with localised to generalised alopecia.     

Hagberg falling number and the nutritional value of wheat in broiler chicken diets

1. Three experiments were performed to study the effect of Hagberg falling number in wheat on performance, nutrient digestibility and AMEN in broilers. In two experiments, one hard and one soft wheat variety were used to study the interaction between falling number and hardness of wheat with regard to nutritional value. In these experiments, wheat batches with high falling number when harvested under dry conditions were used in broiler diets. 2. Wheat with reduced falling numbers (high, medium and low) was obtained by controlled germination. In the third experiment, wheat with reduced falling numbers were obtained by delayed harvesting times. 3. In each experiment, a total of 4 cereal batches with different falling numbers from each wheat variety were used to produce corresponding experimental diets with wheat as the major ingredient. Each diet was fed to broiler chickens ad libitum from d 1 to d 17 of age. 4. There was no consistent effect of falling number on performance. Low falling number did not improve feed utilisation or AMEN compared to the original wheat, despite a higher AMEN associated with higher starch digestibility. This phenomenon was not observed after reduction of falling number by delayed harvesting. Apparently, natural reduction of falling number resulted in enhanced degradation of arabinoxylans compared to controlled germination.     

A small animal clinician's guide to critical appraisal of the evidence in scientific literature.

There is a tremendous amount of medical literature available to the clinician. The challenge is to identify information that is useful and relevant for the patient population of interest. This article provides an overview of important considerations when critically appraising a report, such as selection of the study population, features of the study design used, potential sources of bias, and evaluation of the statistical evidence.