Cystoscopy in cattle--a valuable additional tool for clinical examination

Based on the findings of physical examination and on laboratory findings the urinary bladder of 23 cows was examined endoscopically in order to investigate the application of cystoscopy in cattle. The endoscopic findings of all examined cows were compared with the findings of physical examination and the results of macroscopic and microscopic urinalysis and the bacteriological culture of the urine. By physical examination only 3 cows were diagnosed to have urinary tract disease, whereas all other cows were suspected of having an urinary tract disease. Bacteriological culture of the urine revealed Corynebacterium renale and Escherichia coli infection in 18 cows, while the remaining 5 cows were negative. By cystoscopy catarrhal cystitis was diagnosed in 2 cases, haemorrhagic cystitis in 5 cases, and fibrinous-purulent and fibrinous-haemorrhagic cystitis in 13 cases. Three cows showed no pathological changes of the urinary bladder mucosa by endoscopic examination. Cystoscopy facilitates diagnosis through the direct visualisation of mucosal lesions and makes it possible to give a more accurate prognosis based upon the findings.     

Additional Information Pertaining to Salmonella Types Found in the Mesenteric Lymph Nodes of Stray Dogs

A number of different Salmonella types were found in the mesenteric lymph nodes of stray dogs although none were isolated from the feces of these same animals.     

CORRELATION OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS MADE WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING,MAGNETIC RESONANCE ARTHROGRAPHY,AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY WITH GROSS ARTICULAR CARTILAGE THICKNESS IN THE EQUINE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT

Osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint is common cause of lameness in equine athletes, and is hallmarked by articular cartilage damage. An accurate, noninvasive method for measuring cartilage thickness would be beneficial to screen for cartilage injury and allow for prompt initiation of interventional therapy. The objective of this methods comparison study was to compare computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) measurements of articular cartilage thickness with gross measurements in the metacarpophalangeal joint of Thoroughbred horses. Fourteen cadaveric, equine thoracic limbs were included. Limbs were excluded from the study if pathology of the metacarpophalangeal articular cartilage was observed with any imaging modality. Articular cartilage thickness was measured in nine regions of the third metacarpal bone and proximal phalanx on sagittal plane MRI sequences. After intra‐articular contrast administration, the measurements were repeated on sagittal plane MRA and sagittal CTA reformations. In an effort to increase cartilage conspicuity, the volume of intra‐articular contrast was increased from 14.5 ml, to maximal distention for the second set of seven limbs. Mean and standard deviation values were calculated, and linear regression analysis was used to determine correlations between gross and imaging measurements of cartilage thickness. This study failed to identify one imaging test that consistently yielded measurements correlating with gross cartilage thickness. Even with the use of intra‐articular contrast, cartilage surfaces were difficult to differentiate in regions where the cartilage surfaces of the proximal phalanx and third metacarpal bone were in close contact with each other.     

Auswirkungeh einer frosfspannerbekämpfung auf die bodenfauna eines elchertwaldes

Studies were made in 1998 and 1999 In an oak forest (“Meuenburger Holz”) in Northern Germany for the purpose of testing the effect of some insecticides on the soil fauna. The preparations “Fastac” (active agent:a-Cypermeth-rin) and “Foray 48 B” (active agent:Bacillus thuringiensis var.kurstaki) were used for the control of winter moths (Operopbthera brumata). The insects and spiders were caught using the following methods: soil samples, pitfalls and net sweeps. There were differences In the spectrum of species and In the density of individuals between the three experimental areas, but these did not depend on effects of the used insecticides.     

Pesticide residues in imported, organic, and "suspect" fruits and vegetables

Consumers are frequently urged to avoid imported foods as well as specific fruits and vegetables due to health concerns from pesticide residues and are often encouraged to choose organic fruits and vegetables rather than conventional forms. Studies have demonstrated that while organic fruits and vegetables have lower levels of pesticide residues than do conventional fruits and vegetables, pesticide residues are still frequently detected on organic fruits and vegetables; typical dietary consumer exposure to pesticide residues from conventional fruits and vegetables does not appear to be of health significance. Similarly, research does not demonstrate that imported fruits and vegetables pose greater risks from pesticide residues than do domestic fruits and vegetables or that specific fruits and vegetables singled out as being the most highly contaminated by pesticides should be avoided in their conventional forms.     

Occurrence and distribution of viruses infecting tomato and pepper in Alibori in northern Benin

In surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012 to identify the viruses causing diseases on pepper and tomato in the department of Alibori in northern Benin, 451 samples of pepper and tomato were analyzed by ELISA using 11 specific antibodies. The highest virus incidence among the surveyed districts was recorded on pepper in Malanville (56.18%), followed by Karimama (39.32%). The most frequently found viruses were Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Potato virus Y-necrotic (PVY-n), accounting respectively for 22.39%, 21.73% and 15.96% of the collected samples. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was detected in only 2.43% of the samples, whereas Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were not detected in any of the samples tested. Double and triple infections involving different virus combinations were found, respectively, in 14.86% and 4% of the samples. Five plant species (Euphorbia hirta Linnaeus, Moringa oleifera Lam, Leucas martinicencis (Jacquin) R. Brown, Combretum micranthum G. Don, Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.) out of 30 samples belonging to 13 botanical families, collected within or nearby tomato and pepper fields, were found infected with PVMV, PVY-n, and CMV. Control measures to reduce the impact of viruses on pepper and tomato production are discussed. This is the first report of viruses infecting pepper and tomato in Benin.     

Differences in the tissue tropism to chicken oviduct epithelial cells between avian coronavirus IBV strains QX and B1648 are not related to the sialic acid binding properties of their spike proteins

The avian coronavirus (AvCoV) infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a major poultry pathogen. A characteristic feature of IBV is the occurrence of many different strains belonging to different serotypes, which makes a complete control of the disease by vaccinations a challenging task. Reasons for differences in the tissue tropism and pathogenicity between IBV strains, e.g. a predilection for the kidneys or the oviduct are still an open question. Strains of the QX genotype have been major pathogens in poultry flocks in Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. They are the cause of severe problems with kidney disease and reproductive tract disorders. We analysed infectivity and binding properties of the QX strain and compared them with those of the nephropathogenic strain B1648. As most IBV strains do not infect permanent cell lines and show infection only in primary chicken cells of the target organs, we developed a culture system for chicken oviduct explants. The epithelial cells of the oviduct showed a high susceptibility to infection by the QX strain and were almost resistant to infection by the nephropathogenic B1648 strain. Binding tests with isolated primary oviduct epithelial cells and soluble S1 proteins revealed that S1 proteins of two IBV strains bound with the same efficiency to oviduct epithelial cells. This attachment was sialic acid dependent, indicating that the sugar binding property of IBV spike proteins is not the limiting factor for differences in infection efficiency for the oviduct of the corresponding viruses.     

Geographical isolation of native sheep breeds in the UK—Evidence of endemism as a risk factor to genetic resources

This study addresses the potential risk to the genetic resources of UK sheep breeds from endemism. Twelve native breeds are analysed that exist in significant numbers and continue to be commercially farmed livestock. The breeds were selected to represent regions of the British Isles: North of England hill breeds (Herdwick, Rough Fell, Lonk, Dalesbred), South of England breeds (Southdown, Romney, Devon Closewool, Exmoor Horn), Scottish breed (South Country Cheviot) and Welsh/Welsh border breeds (Welsh Hill Speckled Face, South Wales Mountain (Nelson), Clun Forest).For each breed, numerical data were collected in collaboration with breed society members and analysed in terms of population size and structure together with the extent of their geographical range. The number of flocks per breed proved to be highly variable, questioning the assumption that has been made that the number of breeding units can be disregarded in the calculations of endangerment. The data also indicated that an average flock size for a breed cannot be estimated to gain an insight of the population structure, since this parameter was found to vary considerably within and between breeds. The endemism was best illustrated in the breed maps which clearly highlighted the degree to which each breed was associated with a distinct geographical area. From the maps, ten of the twelve breeds analysed were concentrated, but the flocks of two breeds were visually more dispersed. In numerical terms, the ten breeds were found to have up to 95% of their breed numbers concentrated within a radius of 65 km from the mean centre of each breed.The study provides a valuable foundation for future research into genetic diversity within and between the sheep breeds analysed, a baseline of information to enable population trends to be examined and a robust evidence-base for policy decisions on Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).