Climate and the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematode infections of sheep in Europe

The free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematode parasites of sheep are strongly affected by climate. Thus, extreme heat and cold are detrimental to development and survival, while, within tolerable limits, increasing temperatures generally accelerate development but increase mortality. Moisture is needed for development and translation of larvae from faeces to pasture, and so rainfall is a limiting factor for transmission. Together, these factors underpin seasonal patterns of infection in sheep, as well as geographic variation in the epidemiology and relative importance of different species within Europe. Local knowledge and experience enable treatment to be targeted appropriately to prevent dangerous levels of infection. This traditional know-how can be supplemented by predictive epidemiological models, built on thorough understanding of the influence of climate on larval availability. However, management also has a dominant role in determining patterns of infection, and is itself influenced by climate. Current geographic variation in nematode epidemiology across Europe, and knowledge of systems from outside Europe, can provide only limited perspectives on the likely effects of climate change on disease in future. This is because disease arises from complex interaction between host and parasite factors, and the implementation of optimal control strategies to meet new challenges will be slowed by the inertia of current systems. Approaches to nematode control must therefore take account not only of parasite biology, but also the forces that shape sheep farming systems and management decisions.     

Equine sarcoids: Bovine Papillomavirus type 1 transformed fibroblasts are sensitive to cisplatin and UVB induced apoptosis and show aberrant expression of p53

Bovine papillomavirus type 1 infects not only cattle but also equids and is a causative factor in the pathogenesis of commonly occurring equine sarcoid tumours. Whilst treatment of sarcoids is notoriously difficult, cisplatin has been shown to be one of the most effective treatment strategies for sarcoids. In this study we show that in equine fibroblasts, BPV-1 sensitises cells to cisplatin-induced and UVB-induced apoptosis, a known cofactor for papillomavirus associated disease, however BPV-1 transformed fibroblasts show increased clonogenic survival, which may potentially limit the therapeutic effects of repeated cisplatin treatment. Furthermore we show that BPV-1 increases p53 expression in sarcoid cell lines and p53 expression can be either nuclear or cytoplasmic. The mechanism and clinical significance of increase/abnormal p53 expression remains to be established.     

Mineral Nitrogen in a Crested Wheatgrass Stand: Implications for Suppression of Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is an exotic annual grass causing ecosystem degradation in western US rangelands. We investigated potential mechanisms by which crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn., Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. {Ex Link} Scult.]) suppresses the growth and invasibility of cheatgrass. Research focused on monthly mineral soil N availability and the proportional concentration of NH₄⁺-N in a crested wheatgrass community by microsite (crested wheatgrass, unvegetated interspace, shrub subcanopy) and soil depth (0–15, 15–30 cm) over a 1-yr period. Mineral soil N in crested wheatgrass microsites ranged from 0.24 to 1.66 mmol · kg^-1 and was not appreciably lower than the other microsites or other ecosystems we have measured in the Great Basin. The molar proportion of NH₄⁺-N in the mineral N pool of crested wheatgrass averaged over 85% for the year and is significantly higher than the other microsites and far greater than other plant communities we have measured in the Great Basin. We conclude that crested wheatgrass does not suppress cheatgrass by controlling mineral N below a threshold level; rather, we hypothesize that it may limit nitrification and thereby reduce NO₃^--N availability to the nitrophile cheatgrass.     

Clinical Technique: Digital Radiography in Exotic Pets—Important Practical Differences Compared with Traditional Radiography

The future of radiography will be digital. In exotic pet radiography, where some of the animals have a very low body weight and anatomic structures can be small, detail rendition plays an important feature in image quality. Veterinarians should be familiar with the technical principles, image quality criteria, and radiation exposure issues associated with the various types of digital systems currently available. This article discusses basic principles of digital radiography, technical solutions, and selected parameters characterizing detectors, processing, and monitors. An overview of reported experiences is given, and results from experimental clinical studies are reviewed to evaluate the current options and limitations in applying digital radiography to exotic pet medicine.     

Reshaping forest management in southern Patagonia: a qualitative assessment

Abstract

The intensive forest use has caused a significant transformation around the world. Sustainable forest management (SFM) has emerged as an alternative to address concerns regarding resource use, conservation, and socioeconomic benefits. Evidence suggests that its application remains inconsistent. In Argentina, the national government passed a law addressing management aiming to provide guidelines and incentives to steer practices into a sustainable framework. The objectives were: (a) understand what the concept of SFM means to participants in Tierra del Fuego; (b) identify and assess how different factors influence the adoption of SFM; (c) review the stakeholder perceptions on recent regulatory changes; and (d) identify the steps required for improving management. We conducted 52 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and parties at the national level. New regulatory arrangements were implemented for a short-time before this research was undertaken, and we could not evaluate the success of reform. The study provided deep insight into the policy-making process, and the views held by different stakeholders. The historical mismanagement of the resource, together with an unfavorable past relationship with authorities, has promoted short-term perspectives which resulted in behaviors inconsistent with SFM. Moreover, the characteristic demographic composition brings a social component not identified in the broader literature as relevant for SFM adoption.     

A simulation model for predicting the voluntary feed intake of a growing pig

Abstract

The main goal of this simulator is to predict voluntary feed intake based on the effects of temperature and stocking density. The model indicates the limiting factors relative to diet (protein, energy or ash), housing environmental conditions and stocking density. The concepts of compensatory protein growth, correction of lipid growth, the desired feed intake to meet energy, protein and ash requirements, and influences of stocking density, genotype and sex are also introduced in this model. This study draws a flow chart and steps to predict feed intake of a growing pig to make it clear how the model works. The model simulates the outcomes of feed intake, energy and protein requirements for maintenance, the energy cost for cold thermogenesis, and protein and lipid retention on a daily basis until slaughter weight. This model was also validated by comparison with published experiments.     

Cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of herpesvirus and papillomavirus in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

CASE HISTORY A 21-year-old male sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) was presented following the sudden appearance of blood associated with the passage of faeces and urates.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: There was fresh blood-staining of the feathers around the vent. The dorsal mucosal wall of the proctodeum was erythematous and roughened in appearance. An endoscopic biopsy was performed, and histological examination revealed multiple fronds of epithelium; the mucosa varied from simple to pseudostratified columnar epithelium, with diffuse hyperplasia of goblet cells. The underlying connective tissue stroma was well vascularised and was infiltrated with mixed inflammatory cells, comprising granulocytic cells and macrophages. PCR testing for both herpesvirus and papillomavirus, using consensus primers, was negative.

DIAGNOSIS: Cloacal papillomatosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case manifested typical clinical signs and histological lesions of cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of demonstrable herpesvirus or papillomavirus. Veterinarians need to consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of blood in the droppings of parrots and cockatoos even in countries where psittacine herpesviruses are exotic diseases.     

Evaluation of Methods to Determine Sperm Density for the European eel,Anguilla anguilla

European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is a target species for future captive breeding, yet best methodology to estimate sperm density for application in in vitro fertilization is not established. Thus, our objectives were to evaluate methods to estimate European eel sperm density including spermatocrit, computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry (FCM), using Neubauer Improved haemocytometer as benchmark. Initially, relationships between spermatocrit, haemocytometer counts and sperm motility were analysed, as well as the effect of sperm dilution on haemocytometer counts. Furthermore, accuracy and precision of spermatocrit, applying a range of G‐forces, were tested and the best G‐force used in method comparisons. We found no effect of dilution on haemocytometer sperm density estimates, whereas motility associated positively with haemocytometer counts, but not with spermatocrit. Results from all techniques, spermatocrit, CASA and FCM, showed significant positive correlations with haemocytometer counts. The best correlation between spermatocrit and haemocytometer counts was obtained at 6000 ×  g (r = 0.68). Of two CASA variants, one or three photographic fields (CASA‐1 and CASA‐2), CASA‐2 showed a very high accuracy to haemocytometer counts (r  =  0.93), but low precision (CV: CASA‐2 = 28.4%). FCM was tested with and without microfluorospheres (FCM‐1 and FCM‐2), and relationships to haemocytometer counts were highly accurate (FCM‐1: r  =  0.94; FCM‐2: r  =  0.88) and precise (CV: FCM‐1 = 2.5; FCM‐2 = 2.7%). Overall, CASA‐2 and FCM‐1 feature reliable methods for quantification of European eel sperm, but FCM‐1 has a clear advantage featuring highest precision and accuracy. Together, these results provide a useful basis for gamete management in fertilization protocols.