Genetic variation for waxy proteins and starch properties in Italian wheat germplasm

Granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) is the primary enzymeresponsible for the synthesis of amylose in amyloplasts of cereal endospermcells. In bread wheat there are three structural genes (Wx-A1, Wx-B1,and Wx-D1) encoding for isoforms of GBSS. The loss of one or moreGBSS isoforms results in the reduction (partial-waxy) or absence (waxy) of amylose in the starch. Waxy wheats may find application inthe production of modified food starch and their flour may be used toextend the shelf life of baked products. In order to breed high qualitywheats able to produce bread with delayed staling, the genetic variabilityfor the waxy trait in our germplasm has been investigated. Weanalysed 288 cultivars of bread wheat, 139 cultivars of durum wheat andabout 200 accessions from other Triticum species. Gel electrophoresisshowed 63 bread wheats deficient in the Wx-B1, one in the Wx-A1 and one in the Wx-D1 protein isoforms, as well as one Triticum dicoccum lacking the Wx-A1 isoform. None of the analysedTriticum monococcum, Triticum durum, Triticum speltaand Triticum timopheevi accessions showed mutations at the Wxloci. The wheat accessions with Wx mutations were evaluated with aRapid Visco Analyser (RVA) to investigate starch properties. All theanalysed cultivars showed Peak Viscosity and Final Viscosity different fromthe normal wheat. Other analyses to evaluate the rheological characteristicsof the partial-waxy genotypes are under way and a breedingprogramme to select new waxy wheat varieties is in progress     

Pharmacokinetics of carprofen and firocoxib for medication control in racing greyhounds

Animals used in sport should be treated as required to ensure animal welfare but any such use of medication should also be controlled to ensure integrity. Pharmacokinetic studies on groups of six greyhounds were performed to measure plasma and urine levels of carprofen and firocoxib to inform medication control advice. Using the standard methodology for medication control the Irrelevant Plasma Concentration was determined as 20 and 2 ng/mL for carprofen and firocoxib, respectively. The Irrelevant Urine Concentration was also determined as 0.3 and 2 ng/mL for carprofen and firocoxib, respectively. These Irrelevant Plasma and Urine Concentrations will allow laboratory Screening Limits, Detection Times and Withdrawal Time advice to be determined and publicised by regulators of greyhound racing. The Screening Limits will also inform Recommended Limits of Detection if meat-containing residues of these medications are fed to greyhounds.     

Residues of endosulfan in the tissues of lactating goats

SUMMARY: The sites of tissue accumulation in lactating goats of the organochlorine insecticide endosulfan were studied. Twelve lactating goats were dosed orally with endosulfan (1 mg/kg body weight per day) for 28 days. Groups of 3 animals were killed on days 1, 8, 15, and 21 after endosulfan treatment ended and their tissues examined for the presence of endosulfan. Total residues of α and β endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate (mg/kg) were detected in kidney (0.29), gastro-intestinal tract (0.20), liver (0.12), brain (0.06), muscle and spleen (0.04), lung and heart (0.01) and milk (0.02) on the flrst sampllng day but within 15 days, concentrations had fallen to < 0.01 mg/kg in all tissues except kidney (0.20). Endosulfan could not be detected in animals 21 days after dosing had ceased. The residue in milk could only be detected on day 1 of sampling. This study indicates that kidney rather than fatty tissue should be used to monitor the presence of endosulfan in animals intended for human consumption.     

Disease-husbandry associations in farmed crocodiles in Queensland and the Northern Territory

SUMMARY To investigate husbandry-disease associations in farmed crocodiles 7 farms in Queensland and the Northern Territory were visited and details of past and present farm design and husbandry practices were recorded. In addition pathological examination of 300 (mostly young) crocodiles was carried out (85 necropsied, one biopsied and 214 examined retrospectively). Mortality rate and occurrence of disease, especially opportunistic infections with bacteria and fungi, were highest during winter months and in farms located at greater latitudes. A difference in the presence and prevalence of disease between the initial establishment phase of Northern Territory crocodile farms (1984–87) and currently (1988–91) was apparent; parasitic infections are now relatively infrequent and bacterial septicaemias and mycoses less common as a result of some provision of artificial heating for juveniles. Gross and microscopic changes observed in visceral and periarticular gout, bacterial hepatitis/septicaemia, deep and superficial mycosis, pentastomiasis and other parasitic infections are described.     

Efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of green sea turtles with spontaneous infection of cardiovascular flukes

Objective To assess the efficacy of praziquantel as a treatment for cardiovascular flukes in turtles.
Procedure Six green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) spontaneously infected with cardiovascular flukes (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) were treated orally with praziquantel, and necropsied 3 or 7 days later to look for flukes in the heart and major blood vessels. Six similar animals were maintained as untreated controls.
Results Absence of flukes in treated, but not control turtles, indicated that a one day course of treatment at a dose rate of 3 times 50 mg/kg body weight is effective.
Conclusion This result should be of value for preventing disease in wild caught green turtles introduced into farms or aquaria.     

The current status and outlook for insecticide,acaricide and anthelmintic resistances across the Australian ruminant livestock industries: assessing the threat these resistances pose to the livestock sector

The Australian ruminant livestock industries are faced with the need to control parasitic infectious diseases that can seriously impact the health of animals. However, increasing levels of resistance to insecticides, anthelmintics and acaricides are substantially reducing the ability to control some of these parasites. Here we review the current situation with regard to chemical resistances in parasites across the various sectors of the Australian ruminant livestock industries and assess the level of threat that these resistances pose to the sustainability of these sectors in the short to long terms. We also look at the extent to which testing for resistance occurs across the various industry sectors, and hence how well-informed these sectors are of the extent of chemical resistance. We examine on-farm management practices, breeding of parasite-resistant animals, and non-chemical therapeutics that may act as short to long term means to reduce the current reliance on chemicals for parasite control. Finally, we look at the balance between the prevalence and magnitude of current resistances and the availability and adoption rates of management, breeding and therapeutic alternatives in order to assess the parasite control outlook for the various industry sectors.     

Influence of pollen feeding on body weight and body size of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari,Phytoseiidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The nutritional quality of pollen was assessed measuring biomass and body size of freshly emerged, 1, 3, and 30 day old adult Amblyseius swirskii...