Effect of beta, beta'-tetramethyl-substituted hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16) on laying hen performance and egg yolk lipid composition.

1. beta, beta'-tetramethyl-substituted hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16), an inhibitor of hepatic cholesterogenesis and lipogenesis in rats, was orally administered to 24-week-old White Leghorn hens for a period of 16 d. Hens were fed maize-soya-bean meal diets containing 0, 1.5, or 3.0 g MEDICA 16/kg. 2. Although MEDICA 16 did not affect egg weight, yolk weight, egg cholesterol content, or the efficiency of food utilisation, egg production was significantly reduced in birds fed 3.0 g MEDICA 16/kg compared to those fed the other two diets. 3. Total yolk monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in eggs of hens fed both inclusion rates of MEDICA 16 compared to those of the control birds. In contrast, egg yolk total polyunsaturated fatty acid content and the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids were both inversely related to the dietary content of MEDICA 16. 4. These results suggest that MEDICA 16 primarily altered hepatic fatty acid metabolism, but not cholesterol synthesis, in laying hens.     

Photolysis of fluotrimazole

The major product identified in the photochemical degradation of fluotrimazole, in aqueous suspension, as a thin film on glass, and sprayed on barley leaves, was 3-(trifluoromethyl)triphenylmethanol. This was also detected after photolysis in methanol, although methyl 3-trifluoromethyltrityl ether was the major product. Moreover, under all these conditions, 3-(trifluoromethyl)triphenylmethane was also present. 3-Trifluoromethylbenzophenone was produced only by irradiation of an aqueous suspension. The photolysis products, in contrast to fluotrimazole, were inactive at 1 mmol against barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis).     

Healing of surgically created defects in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon: effects of pulsing electromagnetic field therapy on collagen-type transformation and tissue morphologic reorganization

The effect of pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on the healing of surgically created defects in equine superficial digital flexor tendons was evaluated. Defects were created in both front superficial digital flexor tendons of 20 horses. The defect in 1 limb was exposed to a PEMF for 2 hours daily. The other limb served as a control. Histologic and immunofluorescent evaluations were done in horse killed at postsurgical weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24. Therapy with the PEMF significantly (P less than 0.05) delayed the maturation of the tissue formed within the defect at postsurgical weeks 8 and 12, as determined by histologic examination. The collagen-type transformation was also delayed by the PEMF therapy, but to a degree that was not significant.     

Effect of antimicrobial solution lavage on the palmar digital tendon sheath in horses

Sixteen horses were allotted to 4 groups of 4 horses each to evaluate the effect of tendon sheath lavage with 4 solutions (balanced electrolyte solution, 0.1% povidone-iodine, 0.5% povidone-iodine, and 0.5% chlorhexidine). The synovitis caused by 0.1% povidone-iodine lavage was not appreciably worse than that caused by balanced electrolyte solution lavage, but the 0.5% povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine lavages caused severe synovitis, and, therefore, should not be used for tendon sheath lavage.     

Effects of feeding aspirin and soybean oil to weanling pigs

Three trials were conducted with 216 Yorkshire x Duroc x Hampshire crossbred pigs (equal males and females) weaned at 3 to 4 wk of age (avg 7.4 kg initially) to determine the effectiveness of aspirin in an 18% CP corn-soybean meal starter diet (with and without soybean oil in Trial III) for improving postweaning performance and reducing scours. When aspirin levels common to all trials (0, 250 ppm) or common to Trials II and III (0, 125 and 250 ppm) were compared, improvements in ADG (P less than .10) and daily feed intake (P less than .05) were observed with no effect on efficiency of feed utilization. There was a quadratic effect of aspirin (P less than .10) in Trials II and III, the trend suggesting that the response to 125 ppm was as effective as the response to 250 ppm aspirin. The addition of soybean oil in Trial III did not enhance the response. In all trials, scouring was reduced (P less than .05) when pigs were fed 125 or 250 ppm aspirin; the improvement was greatest for 125 ppm aspirin after 5 d on test. Pooled data suggested no effect (P greater than .10) of aspirin on hemoglobin concentrations and blood clotting times; slightly higher (P less than .10) hematocrit values and DM content of colon digesta occurred in pigs fed 125 ppm aspirin vs controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Leaching of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen under cotton farming systems in a Vertisol

Leaching with deep drainage is one of the loss pathways of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in cropping fields. However, field studies in irrigated row cropping systems are sparse. A 3‐year investigation on C and N leaching associated with deep drainage was overlaid on a long‐term experiment on tillage practices and crop rotations in Australia. The treatments included cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) monoculture and cotton–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or maize (Zea maize L.) rotations with maximum or minimum tillage. The deep drainage C and N concentrations at 0.6 and 1.2 m depth were measured after furrow irrigation with ceramic cup samplers during the 2014–15, 2015–16 and 2016–17 cotton seasons. Pre‐planting dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in soil at 0.6–1.2 m depth during 2016–17 was 64 mg kg^?1 for maximum tilled cotton monoculture, 36 mg kg^?1 for minimum tilled cotton monoculture and 39 mg kg^?1 for cotton–wheat, and in maize and cotton subplots 51 and 41 mg kg^?1, respectively. Post‐harvest DOC values in soil were similar in all treatments (average of 32 mg DOC kg^?1). Total organic carbon (TOC) losses in deep drainage were equal to 2%–30% of TOC gained in irrigation water. Oxidized N losses in deep drainage ranged from 0.7% to 12% of applied N (260 kg ha^?1). NOx‐N concentrations in leachate under maize systems (20 mg L^?1) were up to 73% lower than those in cotton systems (75 mg L^?1). Maize sown in rotation with cotton can improve cotton yield, reduce N leaching and improve N use efficiency of subsequent cotton.     

Harvesting and postharvest handling practices and characteristics of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.) fruits: a survey of roadside markets in Malawi

Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.), a highly valued indigenous fruit species, is being domesticated to increase its utilization in southern Africa. Vendors, who were also the fruit gatherers, that were selling U. kirkiana fruits at roadside markets in Dedza, Malawi, were interviewed on four occasions during the marketing season (October 2003–January 2004) and fruit samples were concurrently sampled from each vendor. Information was obtained on when and how the fruits had been harvested and handled. Timing of fruit harvest was based on experience, aided by indicators such as occurrence of first heavy rains, natural abscission, size and color changes. Harvesting by knocking down unripe fruits from trees was practiced throughout the␣season, but naturally abscised fruits were also gathered in December and January. Fruits harvested when mature but unripe required incubation in soil, plain and woven plastic bags or clay-pots. The incubation method changed and the duration of incubation decreased between October (3–4 days) and January (≤2 days). Fruit samples were evaluated for damage, color and soluble solids concentration (SSC). Fruit SSC and color lightness/brightness (L*) increased from 10.1 to 16.4% (P<0.01) and from 45.7 to 50.5 units, (P<0.01), respectively. Higher SSC values were generally associated (R ²=0.68, P<0.001) with increasing pulp color intensity. Cracking, at 48%, constituted the most common form of damage in sampled fruits. On average, fruits were saleable for only 3–4 days, this being attributed to inherent fruit characteristics combined with immaturity at harvest, and damage during harvesting and storage in hot dry conditions. Lack of appropriate harvesting and handling techniques were associated with fruit darkening, drying, rotting and other postharvest problems.     

Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis using a combination plate-screw technique in 53 horses (1994-2003)

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: A method for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint) arthrodesis that provides a stable fixation and minimal duration of cast support is evaluated retrospectively. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the clinical use of a combined plate-screw method for PIP joint arthrodesis in a large number of horses. METHODS: The records of 53 horses undergoing PIP joint arthrodesis were reviewed. Arthrodesis was performed with a dorsally placed 3-, 4- or 5-hole narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP) with 2 transarticular cortex screws placed in lag fashion either side of the plate. Subject details, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, surgical technique, post operative treatment and complications were recorded. Long-term follow up (mean 3 years) was obtained for 46 horses. RESULTS: Arthrodesis procedures (n = 58) were performed on 53 horses with a DCP in combination with transarticular cortex screws placed in lag fashion. Conditions treated were osteoarthritis (OA) of the PIP joint, fracture of middle phalanx, PIP joint subluxation, subchondral cystic lesions and degenerative joint disease secondary to sepsis. Time of post operative cast application was 14 days. Overall 40/46 (87%) horses could be used as intended including 20/25 (81%) forelimb and 20/21 (95%) hindlimb arthrodeses. Twenty-three of 27 (85%) horses used for performance had successful outcomes. Complications included implant infection, cast sores and partial implant failure. CONCLUSIONS: PIP joint arthrodesis using a DCP and transarticular cortex screws placed in lag fashion provides a stable construct and short casting period with minimal complications. The prognosis for return to performance was excellent for horses treated with hindlimb PIP joint arthrodesis and good for forelimb arthrodesis. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Use of a combination technique for PIP joint arthrodesis allows a high proportion of horses with pastern joint disease to be returned to their athletic potential.