Reversible and washing resistant textile-based optical pH sensors by dyeing fabrics with curcuma

Curcuma powder was used to dye cotton and polyamide 6,6 fabrics in order to produce textile-based optical pH sensors. Both fabrics showed a bright yellow color after dyeing and demonstrated color changes (towards red) when contacted with basic solutions. Color change and sensitivity differ for cotton and for polyamide. Curcuma-dyed cotton shows color changes in particular in the range of pH between 6.5 and 8.5, whilst curcuma-dyed polyamide shows a wider pH range: from 8.5 to 13.0. The stability of pH sensing to washing was evaluated. Three different kinds of washing agents were used in order to simulate the real life conditions of a garment or a cloth. Standard test methods were used when available for washing tests. The pH sensing of the curcuma-dyed fabrics demonstrated an excellent fastness to all kinds of washing. Ionic strength of the solution does not affect the color changes. Moreover, color reversibility of the fabrics was proven, too. Color change and reversibility of the fabrics was assessed by an UV-visible spectrophotometer. Spectral changes were observed at 540 nm for curcuma-dyed cotton, and at 487 and 574 nm for polyamide.     

Farm management practices associated with macrocyclic lactone resistance on sheep farms in New Zealand

AIM: To identify farm practices associated with the presence of resistance to a macrocyclic lactone (ML) anthelmintic on sheep farms in New Zealand.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to test for associations between the presence of resistance to an ML anthelmintic (ivermectin) and management practices on sheep farms in New Zealand. Selection of farms was both random (n=80) and purposive (n=32; being farms with a history of suspected ML resistance). Resistance was inferred from faecal nematode egg count (FEC) reduction (FECR) tests (FECRTs) when there was <95% reduction in FEC 7–10 days after treatment with a half dose of ivermectin (0.1 mg/kg). A logistic regression model was built to identify farm-level factors that were associated with the presence or absence of ML resistance.

RESULTS: Of the 112 flock managers that were approached for interview, 103 (92%) returned useable questionnaires. The odds of ML resistance were increased: on farms that had used long-acting ML products in ewes as a pre-lambing treatment for ≥3 of the previous 5 years (odds ratio (OR) = 7.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7–30.3); on farms where <70% of the total stock units mid-winter were from sheep (OR=6.5; 95% CI=1.6–25.6); on farms which over the year purchased ≥10% of the number of sheep present mid-winter (OR=7.1; 95% CI=1.5–34.7); and on farms where the average wool diameter of the main flock was <37 (OR=4.1; 95% CI=1.1–14.7) microns. The model provided a good fit to the data (pseudo R²=0.64; Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic = 0.38).

CONCLUSIONS: Explanatory factors identified as associated with the presence of ML (ivermectin) resistance on farms included the use of long-acting anthelmintic formulations in ewes pre-lambing, sources of refugia of unselected parasites on the farm, breed of sheep and their requirements for anthelmintic treatments, and the importing of resistant parasites with purchased stock. The study provides support for controls that aim to provide refugia of susceptible worms and that minimise the risk of introduction of resistance through effective quarantine-drenching.     

Production of a high percentage of male offspring in growth-enhanced transgenic tilapia using Oreochromis aureus ZZ selected pseudofemales

Gene transfer has offered a new tool for the development of improved fish strains for aquaculture. Monosex fish populations could minimize the impact of genetically modified organisms in the environment. In Oreochromis aureus, the use of pseudofemale spawners (sex-reversed male with a female phenotype) is an alternative technique for producing genetically male tilapia offspring. O. aureus fry were treated with 17β-estradiol at 100 mg/kg of food for 45 days. We obtained 77.1% females and 45.9% in the control group. Females randomly taken from the treated group were crossed with normal males. Fry from pseudofemales producing more than 90% male progenies were submitted to 17 β-estradiol treatment to obtain F₂ pseudofemales. The results of the sex-reversal were low and variable ranging between 66.0 and 84.3% females. F₂ pseudofemales were crossed with transgenic males from the F70 line (O. aureus × O. urolepis hornorum) and non-transgenic (O. aureus) males. The sex ratio of progeny of F₂ pseudofemale deviated significantly (P < 0.01) in favor of males in the crosses with transgenic (90.2%) and non-transgenic (89.3%) males compared to the results observed with normal females (51.0 and 52.3%, respectively). The mean fry production with pseudofemales (per m²/day) was similar to the normal females in the crosses with transgenic and non-transgenic males. To our knowledge this is the first report on the production of a near monosex population in genetically modified fish.     

Thermal tolerance and compatibility zones as a tool to establish the optimum culture condition of the halibut Paralichthys californicus (Ayres, 1859)

California halibut, Paralichthys californicus (Ayres, 1859) juveniles were studied to ascertain the thermal tolerance and the compatibility zone where these species can be cultivated. Juvenile halibut acclimated at 15, 18, 21 and 24 °C preferred temperatures of 15.1, 18.2, 18.5 and 24.7 °C respectively. The final preferendum (FP) was 18.4 °C, equivalent to the temperature where the physiological processes are more efficient and the optimum growth temperature of 18.02 °C was calculated using the Jobling (1981) equation. The maximum average weekly temperature that must not be exceeded in a juvenile cultivation system is 22.6 °C. Juveniles avoided temperatures of 10.8 and 29.1 °C if they were acclimated between 15 and 24 °C. The thermal tolerance range of the juvenile halibut, having low and high lethal temperatures of 5.0 and 31 °C, characterizes it as a eurythermic organism. The tolerance of the halibut did not increase with the acclimation temperature corresponding to the ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature of 31 °C that differed by only 0.83 °C to the value calculated using the Jobling (1981) equation. The thermal tolerance and compatibility zone for the California halibut were 242.8 and 121.5 (°C)², respectively; they characterize the thermal niche that includes the FP supporting an optimal growth of juveniles.     

CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL REVIEW: Acute lameness associated with osseous metastasis of a peri-renal carcinoma in a horse

We present a case of aggressive metastatic carcinoma in a horse that was initially presented for shoulder lameness. Although radiography and scintigraphy were useful for localising a lesion in the proximal humerus, subsequent development of non-specific signs of systemic disease prompted further evaluation. Haematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis and ultrasonography were all instrumental in identifying renal involvement. A diagnosis of a peri-renal mass causing secondary renal failure prompted euthanasia of the horse because of the poor prognosis. Antemortem findings were supported by necropsy, with secondary lesions also identified in the spleen, liver, 8th left rib and proximal humerus. Histological examination yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma.     

Carbon replacement and stability changes in short-term silvo-pastoral experiments in Colombian Amazonia

There is little information on the effects of land use change on soil Carbon stocks in Colombian Amazonia. Such information would be needed to assess the impact of this area on the global C cycle and the sustainability of agricultural systems that are replacing native forest. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil carbon stocks and changes after the clearing of the native forest, the establishment of pastures and the reclamation of the degraded pasture, in Caquetá, Colombia.We compared the contents of Total C, Oxidizable C and Non-Oxidizable (stable) C in four different land use systems, namely Monoculture (Brachiaria grassland), Association (Brachiaria + Arachis pintoi), Forage Bank (a mixture of forage tree species), and Natural Regeneration of the pasture in both a flat area and a sloping one. The Degraded Pasture was the reference.Results showed that in the sloping area all treatments have higher Total Carbon stocks than the Degraded Pasture, while three of the treatments significantly increased the stocks of Non-Oxidizable C.In the flat landscape, only the Association significantly increased Total C stocks. Plowing and fertilization cause significant increases in Oxidizable carbon and decreases in Non-Oxidizable carbon. This effect needs further research, as C stability will influence equilibrium stocks.In the sloping area, improved pastures and fodder bank rapidly increased Total Carbon contents and stocks, with increases as large as10 ton.ha^?1 yr^?1. In the Traditional Fodder Bank, which showed the largest increase, this is partially due to the application of organic manure. Surprisingly, also C stocks under Natural Regeneration were significantly higher than under the original Degraded Grassland. This increase was fully due to Non-Oxidizable Carbon, which is difficult to explain.Stable isotope analysis indicated that under improved grassland, especially Brachiaria monoculture, up to 40% of the original C in the upper 10 cm was replaced in 3.3 years.     

Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on 62 beef cattle farms in the North Island of New Zealand

AIM: To establish the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes on a random sample of beef cattle herds in the North Island of New Zealand.

METHODS: A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted using a standardised faecal nematode egg count (FEC) reduction (FECR) test (FECRT) for ivermectin, levamisole and albendazole on 60 calves on each of 62 farms in the North Island chosen at random from farms that conformed with the selection criteria. Resistance to an anthelmintic was inferred when there was <95% reduction in FEC 7-10 days after treatment. Larval cultures were performed for all control groups and for treated groups for which resistance was evident.

RESULTS: Of the farms that completed the FECRT, 4/61 (7%) showed ≥95% reduction in FEC for all anthelmintics tested. Resistance to ivermectin was evident on 56/61 (92%) farms, to albendazole on 47/62 (76%) farms, and to both ivermectin and albendazole on 45/61 (74%) farms. Resistance to levamisole was evident on only 4/62 (6%) farms. The parasites most prevalent in resistant populations cultured were Cooperia spp. On 45/61 (74%) farms where Cooperia spp were present in suffi cient numbers, resistance to both ivermectin and albendazole was evident. No cases of levamisole-resistant Cooperia spp were detected. Resistance of Ostertagia spp to ivermectin was evident on 4/45 (9%) farms, to albendazole on 15/46 (35%) farms, and to levamisole on 4/46 (9%) farms.

CONCLUSION: Anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes of cattle is common in the North Island of New Zealand. Beef farmers need to be aware of the risks posed by anthelmintic resistance, and routine FECR testing is recommended to ensure optimal productivity and to guide decision-making when purchasing anthelmintics to be used on-farm.     

Severe calcinosis cutis associated with treatment of hypoparathyroidism in a dog.

A 6-month-old, female border collie was referred for evaluation of hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, fever, and painful ventral abdominal skin. She had recently been treated intravenously and subcutaneously (SC) with a diluted 10% calcium gluconate solution. The medical evaluation supported the diagnosis of primary hypoparathyroidism, but the subsequent hospital course was complicated by severe calcinosis cutis, which caused extensive skin necrosis and marked debilitation. This patient illustrates that administration of a calcium gluconate solution SC can be associated with extensive morbidity when administered to hyperphosphatemic patients.     

Field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar identification by electrophoregrams of cotyledon storage proteins

Summary Electrophoretic procedures were developed for seed proteins which can discriminate cultivars of field beans. Proteins were extracted from seven varieties and the extracts were analysed using acid and SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Electrophoregrams are presented to illustrate the results that can be obtained with the methods described. Results indicate that sufficient variation is present among the seven cultivars examined to afford unambiguous discrimation and identification of the cultivars. Banding patterns were stable for each genotype.Joint publication of the Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba (No. 747) and Centro Internacional de Agricultural Tropical-CIAT.     

Plant odor analysis of apple: antennal response of codling moth females to apple volatiles during phenological development

Volatile compounds were collected from apple branches (Malus domestica) at different developmental stages, and the antennal response of codling moth females (Cydia pomonella) to these compounds was recorded by electroantennography coupled to gas chromatography. Presence of a range of terpenoid compounds, many of which had antennal activity, was characteristic for volatile collections from branches with leaves, and from small green apples. Nine compounds from branches with leaves and green fruit consistently elicited an antennal response: methyl salicylate, (E)-beta-farnesene, beta-caryophyllene, 4,8-dimethyl-1,3(E),7-nonatriene, (Z)3-hexenol, (Z,E)-alpha-farnesene, linalool, germacrene D, and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene. The bouquet emitted from flowering branches contained in addition several benzenoid compounds which were not found after bloom. Small green apples, which are the main target of codling moth oviposition during the first seasonal flight period, released very few esters. In comparison, fully grown apples released a large number of esters, but fewer terpenoids. The study of apple volatiles eliciting an antennal response, together with a survey of the seasonal change in the release of these compounds, is the first step toward the identification of volatiles mediating host-finding and oviposition in codling moth females.