Estimating prevalence of endometritis in smallholder zero-grazed dairy cows in Rwanda

Endometritis is a postpartum uterine disease of cows that interrupts reproductive cycles resulting in suboptimal fertility, reduced performance and profitability of the dairy herd. The objective of the study was to estimate the perceived and observed prevalence of endometritis among zero-grazed dairy cows in smallholder farms in Rwanda. A snowball sampling method was applied in cross-sectional survey to obtain data from 370 farms on 466 cows within their 21–60 days postpartum (dpp). The survey, conducted from September 2018 to March 2019, simultaneously examined cows using the Metricheck Device (MED) to determine the presence and type of vaginal mucus (VMC) based on a score scale of 0 to 3. Cows scoring VMC ≥ 1 were recorded as clinical endometritis (CLE)–positive. Cytotape (CYT) was used to determine the percentages of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in endometrial cytology sample. Cows with ≥ 5% PMN were recorded subclinical endometritis (SCLE)–positive, whereas cows with VMC-0 and < 5% PMN were considered healthy cows. At cow-level, endometritis prevalence was 70.2% with 67.2% CLE and 31.8% SCLE while at the herd-level, prevalence was 71.1% with 68.1% CLE and 34.4% SCLE. The differences between the diagnostic performance of the MED and CYT were significant (p < 0.001). Perceived prevalence by farmers was much lower (3.2%) and without agreement with the observed prevalence (kappa = − 0.02, p > 0.05). The highly observed prevalence and farmer underestimation of endometritis prevalence indicate knowledge gaps about endometritis. The extension service therefore needs to increase awareness and education among smallholder farmers about detection and management of endometritis.

     

Biocontrol of soil diseases and soil profile associated with rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa Subsp. Japonica) growing paddy fields in Kansai region,Japan

ABSTRACT

This research focused on in vitro and in vivo biocontrol of two major rice diseases, Bacterial Leaf Blight caused by Xanthomonus oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo) and Sheath Blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Furthermore, the soil of paddy fields in Kansai region, Japan was analysed for the presence of these pathogens, and their microbial communities were evaluated according to the location and management systems. For biocontrol, the rhizospheric bacteria were isolated and molecularly identified. The results indicated that DAR17225040 and DAR17225017 were 99% similar to Bacillus aryabhattai and Bacillus megaterium. The isolated bacteria were able to suppress Bacterial Leaf Blight and Sheath Blight disease 78% and 86% respectively, under greenhouse conditions. The 16S amplicon sequencing (Illumina MiSeq 250bp) was used to analyse the bacterial community in paddy fields of soil taken from five locations under conventional and organic systems. Xoo and R. solani were detected in sampled soil, however, no clear difference was noted, regarding systems. From amplicon sequencing data, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes were the dominant phyla of rice soil in Kansai region. The phylum Kazan-3B-28 was found more in organic system than conventional. The bacterial community was more affected by location and soil type than by management systems.     

Laparoscopic-assisted colopexy and sterilization in male dogs: short-term results and physiologic consequences

Objective: To describe laparoscopic‐assisted colopexy and sterilization, and evaluate outcome and effects in healthy male dogs. Study Design: Experimental study. Animals: Male Beagle dogs (n=7). Methods: A laparoscopic‐assisted, extracorporeally sutured colopexy, and sterilization by ligation and section of the testicular vessels and ductus deferens were evaluated 11 weeks after surgery. Ex vivo tensile tests were performed on the colopexy sites and loss of testicular function was assessed by monitoring serum testosterone, and by ultrasonographic and histologic examinations of the testes. Systemic inflammation and potential iatrogenic colonic functional disorders were investigated by monitoring serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) in the perioperative period and from a sulfapyridine (SP) kinetic profile obtained before and 10 weeks after surgery. Results: No intraoperative complications were recorded and clinical outcome was considered fair in all dogs. A mean tensile force of 42 N was required to disrupt colopexies. No relevant postoperative increase in CRP concentrations or changes in SP kinetics were observed. Testicular function was lost. Conclusions: Laparoscopic‐assisted colopexy achieved adhesion of the colon to the abdominal wall and testicular endocrine function and spermatogenesis were eliminated by laparoscopic castration.     

Cloning and characterization of 2S albumin, Car i 1, a major allergen in pecan

Although pecans are associated with IgE-mediated food allergies, the allergens responsible remain to be identified and characterized. The 2S albumin gene was amplified from the pecan cDNA library. Dot-blots were used to screen the recombinant protein with pecan allergic patients' serum. The affinity purified native protein was analyzed by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. Cross-reactivity with walnut was determined by inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sequential epitopes were determined by probing the overlapping peptides with three different patients' serum pool. The 3-dimensional homology model was generated, and the locations of the pecan epitopes were compared with those of known sequential epitopes on other allergenic tree nut homologues. Of 28 patients tested by dot-blot, 22 (79%) bound to 2S albumin, designated as Car i 1. Edman sequencing and the MS/MS sequencing of native 2S albumin confirmed the identity of recombinant (r) Car i 1. Both pecan and walnut protein extracts inhibited the IgE-binding to rCar i 1. Sequential epitope mapping indicated weak, moderate, and strong reactivity against 12, 7, and 5 peptides, respectively. Of the 11 peptides recognized by all serum pools, 5 peptides were strongly reactive and located in 3 discrete regions of the Car i 1 (amino acids 43-57, 67-78, and 106-120). Three-dimensional modeling revealed IgE-reactive epitopes to be solvent accessible and share significant homology with other tree nuts providing a possible basis for previously observed cross-reactivity.     

Canopy level fog occurrence in a tropical lowland forest of French Guiana as a prerequisite for high epiphyte diversity

Fog frequency and the meteorological processes leading to fog formation have never been studied in depth in tropical lowland forest areas. This study provides detailed evidence of frequent fog occurrence in lowland valleys of central French Guiana. Fog frequency showed a clear diurnal course, with a maximum before sunrise; average fog duration was 4.6 h. The diurnal course of visibility was positively correlated with the diurnal course of humidity in the above-canopy air. Fog persistence correlated significantly with atmospheric parameters during the dry season, but not during the rainy season. The main trigger of fog development in the lowland forest seemed to be precipitation, leading to higher soil moisture, greater evapotranspiration and, thus, higher water content of air. An increasing temperature difference between valley and hill sites after sunset, together with more frequent down-slope winds during nights with long fog periods, points at some influence of katabatic flows. The frequent occurrence of fog in the valleys correlated with significantly higher epiphyte diversities in valley forests as compared to hill forests, and supported the occurrence of the hitherto undescribed, epiphyte-rich “tropical lowland cloud forest” (LCF) in the valleys. The higher epiphyte diversity in LCF coincided with significantly higher relative air humidity in LCF than in hill forest. The ecological benefits of fog for the epiphytes in LCF are surplus of moisture and delayed onset of the stress period, particularly in the dry season.     

Predicting potential habitat and population size for reintroduction of the Far Eastern leopards in the Russian Far East

The Far Eastern Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis; Schlegel, 1857) is perhaps the world’s most endangered large felid subspecies occurring in a single population of ?30 adults, and faces immediate risk of extinction unless additional populations can be established within its historical range in the Russian Far East. We used locations of leopard tracks (and their ungulate prey) collected from snow track surveys from 1997 to 2007 to develop resource selection functions (RSF) to identify potential habitat for reintroduction. We compared models that include prey versus those based on landscape covariates, and also included covariates related to human-induced mortality. To estimate potential population size, we used a habitat-based population estimate based on the ratio of population size and RSF value of occupied range. Far Eastern leopards selected for areas with high ungulate density, lower-elevation Korean pine forests on southwest facing slopes, and in areas far from human activity. Using this RSF model, we identified a total of 10,648 km² in eight patches >500 km² of potential Far Eastern leopard habitat that could harbor a potential population of 105.3 (57.9–147.2) adults. In combination with the existing population, successful reintroductions could result in a total of 139.2 (76.5–194.6) adult leopards, a 3–4-fold increase in population size. Our habitat models assist the reintroduction planning process by identifying factors that predict presence and potential suitable habitat. Identifying the highest quality, most connected patches, in combination with appropriate selection and training of released animals, is recommended for successfully reintroducing Far Eastern leopards, and potentially other endangered carnivores into the wild.     

Assessment of the posterior segment of the cat eye by optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for examining the cat ocular fundus, to provide normative data on retinal thickness in different fundus regions, and to demonstrate selected surgically induced vitreoretinal pathologies in the cat. ANIMAL STUDIED: Forty-five eyes of 28 healthy domestic cats and two eyes of domestic cats that had undergone subretinal implantation surgery for a visual prosthesis were examined. PROCEDURES: An optical coherence tomograph (Zeiss-Humphrey) was used to examine the anesthetized animals. At least five vertical and five horizontal scans in regular distribution were recorded for each cat including (1) the peripapillary region, (2) the area centralis, and (3) the peripheral retina. Thickness was measured manually at five locations in each scan. Retinal thickness was compared in the three above-mentioned fundus regions, between eyes and between vertical and horizontal scans. OCT was additionally performed in animals with retinal detachment and a subretinal visual prosthesis. RESULTS: OCT measurements required only minimal adjustments of human settings and yielded high quality images. In comparison to humans intraretinal layers were more difficult to differentiate. Retinal thickness was highest in the peripapillary region (245 +/- 21 microm), followed by the peripheral retina (204 +/- 11 microm) and the area centralis (182 +/- 11 microm; all P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between right and left eye or between vertical and horizontal scans. OCT demonstrated retinal detachment, an iatrogenic break and a subretinal prosthetic device in high detail. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal thickness was measurable with high precision; values compare well to older histologic studies. OCT bears significant advantages over histology in enabling one to repeat measurements in living animals and thus allowing longitudinal studies. Various vitreoretinal pathologies common in feline eyes are detectable and quantifiable by OCT.     

Comparison of noninvasive cardiac output measured by use of partial carbon dioxide rebreathing or the lithium dilution method in anesthetized foals

OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiac output (CO) measured by use of the partial carbon dioxide rebreathing method (NICO) or lithium dilution method (LiDCO) in anesthetized foals. SAMPLE POPULATION: Data reported in 2 other studies for 18 neonatal foals that weighed 32 to 61 kg. PROCEDURES: Foals were anesthetized and instrumented to measure direct blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, end-tidal isoflurane and carbon dioxide concentrations, and CO. Various COs were achieved by administration of dobutamine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, phenylephrine, and isoflurane to allow comparisons between LiDCO and NICO methods. Measurements were obtained in duplicate or triplicate. We allowed 2 minutes between measurements for LiDCO and 3 minutes for NICO after achieving a stable hemodynamic plane for at least 10 to 15 minutes at each CO. RESULTS: 217 comparisons were made. Correlation (r = 0.77) was good between the 2 methods for all determinations. Mean +/- SD measurements of cardiac index for all comparisons with the LiDCO and NICO methods were 138 +/- 62 mL/kg/min (range, 40 to 381 mL/kg/min) and 154 +/- 55 mL/kg/min (range, 54 to 358 mL/kg/min), respectively. Mean difference (bias) between LiDCO and NICO measurements was -17.3 mL/kg/min with a precision (1.96 x SD) of 114 mL/kg/min (range, -131.3 to 96.7). Mean of the differences of LiDCO and NICO measurements was 4.37 + (0.87 x NICO value). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The NICO method is a viable, noninvasive method for determination of CO in neonatal foals with normal respiratory function. It compares well with the more invasive LiDCO method.     

Crystal structure of a photolyase bound to a CPD-like DNA lesion after in situ repair

DNA photolyases use light energy to repair DNA that comprises ultraviolet-induced lesions such as the cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Here we report the crystal structure of a DNA photolyase bound to duplex DNA that is bent by 50 degrees and comprises a synthetic CPD lesion. This CPD lesion is flipped into the active site and split there into two thymines by synchrotron radiation at 100 K. Although photolyases catalyze blue light-driven CPD cleavage only above 200 K, this structure apparently mimics a structural substate during light-driven DNA repair in which back-flipping of the thymines into duplex DNA has not yet taken place.