BSE in the Netherlands: an update

Up to 2006, there have been 82 cases of BSE in cattle born in the Netherlands. This article reviews the current situation regarding BSE in the Netherlands and summarizes the clinical symptoms of the disease. Data from the Netherlands show that a passive surveillance system, by which farmers and veterinarians have to report suspect clinical cases, has a low sensitivity. The epidemiology of, and risk factors for, BSE are discussed. All the Dutch cases of BSE can be attributed to cross-contamination of feed with meat-and-bone meal. On the basis of information about the epidemic and the cases reported to date, it is anticipated that the number of cases of BSE will continue to decline in the Netherlands and Europe. The European Commission has presented a road map that describes how the European BSE policy can be changed in the short and long term if the current favourable trend in BSE cases continues. It is time for a new phase in the management of BSE but with continued protection of the public's health and eradication of BSE.     

Induction of estrus in greyhound bitches with prolonged idiopathic anestrus or with suppression of estrus after testosterone administration

Twelve anestrous adult Greyhound bitches were used to study a regimen for induction of estrus. Once daily, 7 bitches were given diethylstilbestrol (DES; 5 mg, PO) until sanguineous vaginal discharge and vulvar edema were observed (designated as day 1 of proestrus) and for 2 days thereafter. If no response was elicited after 7 days, a doubled DES dose was given for up to an additional 7 days. Luteinizing hormone (5 mg, IM) was given on day 5 of proestrus, and follicle-stimulating hormone (10 mg, IM) was given on days 9 and 11 of proestrus. Bitches were bred once on day 13. Five bitches were used as a control group; they were given candy tablets for 7 days (first day on tablets, treatment day 1) and 0.9% NaCl (1.0 ml, IM) on treatment days 12, 16, and 18. The 7 bitches treated with DES had a mean proestrus period of 7.7 days and a mean estrus period of 5.7 days up to the day of mating. After mating, they had a mean gestation interval of 64 days and delivered a mean of 4 pups/litter. In 5 bitches, initial treatment with 5 mg of DES/day induced proestrus within 7 days; however, in 2 bitches, additional treatment with 10 mg of DES/day was needed for 5 and 6 days, respectively. Serum estradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations remained at base line during the period of DES treatment. Concentrations of both hormones increased after injection with luteinizing hormone and remained high for the next 4 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Assessment of defined antigens for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in skin test-reactor cattle

The continued use of purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin is considered to be the main factor which limits the specificity of diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (TB). This study evaluated a whole blood interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay and compared the diagnostic potential of PPD with two tuberculosis-specific antigens, ESAT-6 and MPB70. To provide estimates of sensitivity and specificity, responses were measured in 180 skin test-reacting cattle, of which 131 were confirmed as tuberculous, and in 128 cattle from TB-free herds. For the skin test reactors, there was a positive correlation between the IFN-gamma responses to PPD from Mycobacterium bovis (PPDB) and PPD from Mycobacterium avium (PPDA), indicating cross-reactivity between these complex antigens which are the basis of the skin test. In comparisons of the ESAT-6 IFN-gamma test with a PPD IFN-gamma test (using PPDB compared with PPDA), there was a decrease in sensitivity (76.3 per cent vs 89.3 per cent), but a clear increase in specificity (99.2 per cent vs 92.2 per cent). The provision of high specificity, even with lower sensitivity, offers major benefits for testing in areas with a low incidence of TB.     

Using 3D animations to teach intracellular signal transduction mechanisms: taking the arrows out of cells

Traditional methods of teaching intracellular biological processes and pathways use figures or flowcharts with the names of molecules linked with arrows. Many veterinary students, presented with such material, simply memorize the names or chemical structures of the molecules and are then likely to forget the material once the examination is completed. To address this problem, the authors designed, created, and field-tested new teaching media that incorporate realistic three-dimensional (3D) animations depicting the dynamic changes that occur in intracellular molecules during cellular activation. Testing found that veterinary students taught using traditional teaching media (e.g., lectures, handouts, textbooks) are proficient in memorizing the names and order of intracellular molecules but unable to appreciate the interactions between these elements or their spatial relationships within cells. In contrast, more than 90% of veterinary students taught using 3D animations not only recall the facts about the intracellular elements but also develop accurate mental images of the interactions among these molecules and their spatial relationships. These findings strongly suggest that the comprehension of complex biological processes by veterinary students can be enhanced by the use of dynamic 3D depictions of these processes in the classroom.     

Studies on colchicine induced tetraploids of jute

Summary Colchicine induced tetraploid jute plants were shorter than their diploid counterparts. C₂ tetraploid plants became taller than C₁ plants. Leaves were larger in size and with higher breadth/length ratios compared to those of diploids. Stomata were bigger than those in diploid leaves but their frequency was less in tetraploid leaves. Tetraploid flowers were bigger than the diploids and bore a reduced number of stamens. Tetraploid pollen grains were larger but the percentage of sterility in them was more than that of the diploids. Fewer fruits with a reduced number of seeds were formed in tetraploid plants. They usually were shorter but wider than diploid fruits. Tetraploid seeds were larger and heavier. C₂ tetraploid plants bore more fruits with an increased number of seeds than C₁ plants. Breadth of individual fibres increased but length remained unchanged.The paper was read at the Eighth Pakistan Science Conference held at Dacca, 1956.     

Factors affecting the adoption of agroforestry practices by farmers in Cameroon

This paper presents empirical evidence on the impact of socio-economic factors on the adoption of agroforestry practices in Cameroon. The analysis uses primary farm-level data collected from June to December 1996. Three major provinces of the country were covered, namely Centre, Southwest and Northwest Several agroforestry technologies have been promoted among farmers in the zone, including alley farming, improved fallow, live fencing, cut-and-carry fodder and apiculture. The status of adoption of each agroforestry practice is described and factors that affect adoption identified. These are gender of farmer, household family size, level of education, farmer’s experience, membership within farmers’ associations, contact with research and extension, security of land tenure, agroecological zone, distance of the village from nearest town, village accessibility and income from livestock. Research findings indicate that since factors affecting farmers’ adoption of agroforestry practices differ across techniques, generalisation is to be avoided.     

La chromatographie sur couche mince: Principes et possibilités

Résumé Après un bref rappel des avantages de la chromatographie de surface sur la chromatographie sur colonne, on compare les avantages et les inconvénients respectifs de la chromatographie sur couche mince et de la chromatographie sur papier. Les méthodes générales de la chromatographie sur couche mince (CCM) sont présentées (préparation des couches, types de couches, dépot des échantillons à analyser, CCM analytique, CCM préparative, moyens de développement des chromatogrammes). Les principes généraux des divers types de chromatographie (adsorption, partage direct, partage inversé, relargage, exclusion-diffusion, échange d'ions, spécifique) qui peuvent être mis en oeuvre sont rappelés et des exemples concrets sont donnés dans chaque cas. Les problèmes de l'électrophorése et de la chromato-electrophorése sur couche mince sont également évoqués. Bien que cette méthode analytique soit le plus simple et le puissant moyen de séparation des corps en mélange, il est nécessaire de rappeler que bien des erreurs de conception sont à la base de son manque de développement dans certains domaines (chromatographie des substances hydrosolubles par exemple). A titre d'exemple on rappelle que la première chromatographie de relargage et la première chromato-electrophorése basse tension n'ont été réalisées que tout récemment.

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Summary After a brief summary of the advantages of surface chromatography compared to column chromatography, the respective advantages and inconveniences of thin-layer and paper chromatography are compared. The general methods of thin-layer chromatography are presented (preparation of the layers, types of layers, deposition of the samples to be analyzed, analytical TLC, preparative TLC, methods for developing the chromatograms). The general principles of the various types of chromatography (adsorption, direct partition, reverse partition, salting out, exclusion-diffusion, ion-exchange, specific chromatography) that may be used are reminded of, and concrete examples given in each case. The problems of electrophoresis and thin layer chromato-electrophoresis are also treated. Though this analytical method be the simplest and most powerful means for the isolation of components in mixtures, it is necessary to remind that quite a number of errors in the conception are responsible for its lack of development in certain fields (water soluble substances chromatography, for instance). As an example one might remember that the first salting-out chromatography, and the first low-tension chromatoelectrophoresis have been developed only very recently.

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Zusammenfassung Die Vorzüge der Oberflächen-Chromatographie gegenüber der Säulen-Chromatographie wurden kurz aufgezählt und die Besonderheiten der Dünnschicht- und der Papier-Chromatographie verglichen. Die Grundlagen der DC werden erklärt (Vorbereitung der Schicht, Arten der Schicht, Auftragen der Proben, analytische DC, vorbereitende DC, Entwicklungsverfahren der Chromatogramme). Anschließend werden die grundsätzlichen Verfahren der verschiedenen Typen von Chromatographie erörtert (Adsorption, direkte Trennung, inversierte Trennung, Aussalzen, Diffusion, Ionenaustausch, spezifische Verfahren), die praktisch infrage kommen. Für jeden Typ werden Beispiele gegeben. Die Probleme der Elektrophorese und der Elektrophorese-DC werden ebenfalls behandelt. Obwohl diese Analysenmethode das einfachste und stärkste Trennverfahren für Stoffgemische ist, so muß daran erinnert werden, daß ihre Entwicklung in gewissen Gebieten durch Fehler in der Auffassung gehemmt worden ist, zum Beispiel ihre Anwendung für wasserlösliche Stoffe. Verfasser weist darauf hin, daß die erste Aussalz-DC und die erste Niederspannungs-Chromato-Elektrophorese erst ganz kürzlich realisiert wurden.

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Avec la collaboration technique de MademoiselleCh. Thommegay et de MademoiselleA.-M. Drapier.