Enhanced recovery of avian influenza virus isolates by a combination of chicken embryo inoculation methods.

Since 1993, 14 cases of avian influenza from four different states in the U.S.A. have been diagnosed by virus isolation from eight avian species. Only 11 of the 14 avian influenza virus (AIV) primary isolations would have been successful if only the standard protocol for AIV isolation, i.e., inoculation of specific-pathogen-free embryonating chicken eggs (ECEs) by the chorioallantoic sac (CAS) route, had been followed. Primary isolation attempts were negative for AIV in three cases in which ECEs were inoculated by the CAS route; AIV could not be detected by hemagglutinating activity, agar gel immunodiffusion test or negative stain electron microscopy. However, in these three cases, primary isolations of AIV were achieved by inoculation of ECEs into either the yolk sac or onto the chorioallantoic membrane.     

Analysis of the Impact of Alfalfa Forage Production under Summer Water-Limiting Circumstances on Productivity, Agricultural and Growers Returns and Plant Stand

The trade-off between summer water conservation from alfalfa production and the effects on plant growth, agricultural crop value, and grower returns in the low desert area (Imperial, Palo Verde, Parker and Yuma Valleys of California and Arizona) was analysed using an experimental plot in the Palo Verde Valley. The purpose was to provide a basis for evaluating water conservation decisions and policies. Four summer dry-down periods (withdrawing water for a predetermined period) of 0 days (control), 35 days, 70 days, and 105 days were analysed. Our results show that whereas the various dry-down periods would provide water conservation ranging from 254 to 944 million m³, the region would experience agricultural income decline by US $16 to US $73 million. For growers, benefits of dry-down would be effective only if the water price exceeds US $0.045 m⁻³ in California and US $0.036 m⁻³ in Arizona. Also dry-down would have possible adverse effects in the following areas including declines in plant stand density, long-term productivity, service industry sales, employment and biological benefits of soil fertility and organic matter that is attributed by the alfalfa plant in which case agriculture's and growers monetary losses could increase.     

P‐20 Clinical,cytopathological and histopathological evaluation of sporotrichosis in experimentally infected cats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological aspects of experimental sporotrichosis in cats and compare the sensitivity of cytopathology, histopathology and culture as diagnostic tools in different phases of the infection. Twenty adult, mixed‐breed cats (10 males and 10 females) were inoculated subcutaneously with 10⁶ fungal microorganisms. Clinical examination was performed weekly. Cytopathologic, histopathologic and culture examinations were performed at 15, 30 and 60 days postinoculation. Culture of multiple organs was performed after euthanasia at 30 (10 cats) and 60 (10 cats) days postinoculation. Friedman parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis were applied to the results. The nodular, tumoral and necrotic lesionsprogressed significantly until day 30 postinoculation, and partial spontaneous regression occurred at day 60, particularly in males. An intense inflammatory pyogranulatomous and lymphocytic infiltrate with rare giant cells and sparse fibrosis associated with numerous, pleomorphic, intra‐ and extracellular fungal cells were observed on day 30. These findings gradually decreased by day 60. Despite the inflammatory granuloma associated with feline sporotrichosis, a tendency for dissemination was observed, with fungal isolation in the lymph nodes, spleen and liver at the 30 and 60 days postinoculation. No significant differences were observed between cytopathology, histopathology and fungal culture during the different phases of the disease. Therefore, cytological examination was considered a simple, rapid and inexpensive diagnostic method at all stages of this disease. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Evaluation of Five Most Commonly Grown Cotton Cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Under Mediterranean Conditions: Productivity and Fibre Quality

Studies were conducted in four regions of central Greece (Larisa, Karditsa, Livadia, Thiva), to evaluate the productivity and fibre properties (fibre strength and fibre length) of the five most commonly grown cotton cultivars in these regions. The experiments lasted for 6 years (1995–2000). All the characteristics tested were strongly influenced by the factors ‘year’, ‘cultivar’ and ‘region’. Significant cultivar × region, year × cultivar, region × year and cultivar × region × year interactions occurred for all the characteristics studied. The cultivar Alegria had the highest seed‐cotton and lint yield, while Aria had the lowest ones. Both cultivars gave the highest mean lint percentage but the lowest mean boll weight (MBW). Alegria had the lowest fibre strength, while Aria had the highest. The Acala‐type cultivars, Acala SJ2 and Zeta 2, had intermediate seed‐cotton and lint yield, while Vered 171 had high seed‐cotton and satisfactory lint yield. The three cultivars mentioned above had the highest MBW and very good fibre strength. Positive correlation was observed between fibre strength and length. In spite of the fact that mean fibre length was statistically the same in all cultivars, it was influenced by the factor ‘year’, as a result of different weather conditions. The year 1996 was the most unfavourable one for seed‐cotton yield and MBW, because it was characterized by lower than average air temperatures and rather dry conditions for all study sites. The factor ‘region’, a combination of different climatic conditions and cultural practices, influenced significantly all the parameters studied.     

关于促进瘦肉生长的饲喂方法

随着瘦肉生长率的提高 ,猪对氨基酸的需要量也增加了。能影响生产水平的一切因素都能影响猪对氨基酸的需要量 ,比如遗传、健康、温度 ,等等。在确定氨基酸需要量的时候对这些因素都应加以考虑。     

Quantitative analysis of canine plasma lipoproteins

A combined ultracentrifugationl/precipitation method for the measurement of lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations was developed and validated for use with canine plasma. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were isolated by flotation ultracentrifugation and low density lipoproteins (LDL) separated from high density lipoproteins (HDL) by precipitation with heparin-manganese chloride. Effective separation of these classes was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis of native lipoproteins and by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of their apolipoprotein distributions. There was trace contamination of the LDL precipitate with HDL, but this represented less than 4 and 9 per cent of the total plasma HDL in normo- and hypercholesterolaemic dogs, respectively. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation for LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were between 3·3 and 6·9 per cent, and 7·2 and 9·0 per cent, respectively, for plasma cholesterol concentrations between 2·67 and 8·14 mmoll/litre. The intra-assay coefficient of variation for VLDL-cholesterol was 53·8 and 18·4 per cent at plasma cholesterol concentrations of 2·67 and 8·14 mmol/litre, respectively. The interassay coefficient of variation for VLDL was 22·5 per cent. Storage of plasma at -20°C for between two and eight weeks did not affect VLDL-cholesterol concentrations, but led to an increase in LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol concentrations of approximately 10 per cent. The method described is appropriate for the measurement of lipoprotein concentrations in plasma from normo- and hypercholesterolaemic dogs, but samples should not be subjected to prolonged storage before analysis.     

Radiographic interpretation of normal skeletal variations and pseudolesions in the equine foot.

Effective radiographic interpretation requires a veterinarian who is knowledgeable of equine limb anatomy and the various principles that affect the resulting image. The normal and its variations must be recognized and understood before the abnormal can be confidently identified as pathologic. Proper patient positioning and sound radiographic technique are mandatory if reliable diagnostic radiographs are to be produced. This review emphasizes equine foot radiographic variations of normal and pseudolesions that occur with commonly used radiographic views performed in equine practice.     

Application of Airway Pressure Therapy in Veterinary Critical Care: Part II: Airway Pressure Therapy

As the specialties of emergency medicine and critical care have grown and evolved in both human and veterinary medicine, so has the need for more advanced care of patients with primary lung disease. Treatment of acute respiratory failure has been the focus of several articles in the human medical literature of the past few years.^1,8 This paper deals with airway pressure therapy and its application in cases of acute respiratory failure in veterinary medicine. The reader is referred to part I of this paper for a reveiw of respiratory mechanics and hypoxemia as they apply to respiratory therapy.