Clinical Trial: Marine Lipid Suppositories as Laxatives

Cod-liver oil and other marine products containing polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects and may be useful in the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious diseases. We developed suppositories and ointment with 30% free fatty acid (FFA) extract from omega-3 fish oil. Our purpose was to evaluate the safety of marine lipid suppositories and ointment in healthy volunteers and to explore the laxative effect of the suppositories. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomized either to a study group administrating 30% FFA suppositories and applying 30% FFA ointment to the perianal region twice per day for two weeks, or to a control group using placebo suppositories and ointment in a double blinded manner. Results: No serious toxic effects or irritation were observed. In the study group 93% felt the urge to defecate after administration of the suppositories as compared to 37% in the control group (P = 0.001). Subsequently 90% in the study group defecated, compared to 33% in the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The marine lipid suppositories and ointment were well tolerated with no significant toxic side effects observed during the study period. The suppositories have a distinct laxative effect and we aim to explore this effect in further clinical trials.     

Faba bean in cropping systems

The grain legume (pulse) faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is grown world-wide as a protein source for food and feed. At the same time faba bean offers ecosystem services such as renewable inputs of nitrogen (N) into crops and soil via biological N₂ fixation, and a diversification of cropping systems. Even though the global average grain yield has almost doubled during the past 50 years the total area sown to faba beans has declined by 56% over the same period. The season-to-season fluctuations in grain yield of faba bean and the progressive replacement of traditional farming systems, which utilized legumes to provide N to maintain soil N fertility, with industrialized, largely cereal-based systems that are heavily reliant upon fossil fuels (=N fertilizers, heavy mechanization) are some of the explanations for this decline in importance. Past studies of faba bean in cropping systems have tended to focus on the effect of faba bean as a pre-crop in mainly cereal intensive rotations, whereas similar information on the effect of preceding crops on faba bean is lacking. Faba bean has the highest average reliance on N₂ fixation for growth of the major cool season grain legumes. As a consequence the N benefit for following crops is often high, and several studies have demonstrated substantial savings (up to 100–200 kg N ha⁻¹) in the amount of N fertilizer required to maximize the yield of crops grown after faba bean. There is, however, a requirement to evaluate the potential risks of losses of N from the plant–soil system associated with faba bean cropping via nitrate leaching or emissions of N₂O to the atmosphere as a consequence of the rapid mineralization of N from its N-rich residues. It is important to develop improved preventive measures, such as catch crops, intercropping, or no-till technologies, in order to provide farmers with strategies to minimize any possible undesirable effects on the environment that might result from their inclusion of faba bean in cropping system. This needs to be combined with research that can lead to a reduction in the current extent of yield variability, so that faba bean may prove to be a key component of future arable cropping systems where declining supplies and high prices of fossil energy are likely to constrain the affordability and use of fertilizers. This will help address the increasing demand by consumers and governments for agriculture to reduce its impact on the environment and climate through new, more sustainable approaches to food production. The aims of this paper are to review the role of faba bean in global plant production systems, the requirements for optimal faba bean production and to highlight the beneficial effects of faba bean in cropping systems.     

A simulation study to assess statistical methods for binary repeated measures data

Binary repeated measures data are commonly encountered in both experimental and observational veterinary studies. Among the wide range of statistical methods and software applicable to such data one major distinction is between marginal and random effects procedures. The objective of the study was to review and assess the performance of marginal and random effects estimation procedures for the analysis of binary repeated measures data. Two simulation studies were carried out, using relatively small, balanced, two-level (time within subjects) datasets. The first study was based on data generated from a marginal model with first order autocorrelation, the second on a random effects model with autocorrelated random effects within subjects. Three versions of the models were considered in which a dichotomous treatment was modelled additively, either between or within subjects, or modelled by a time interaction. Among the studied statistical procedures were: generalized estimating equations (GEE), Marginal Quasi Likelihood, likelihood based on numerical integration, penalized quasi-likelihood, restricted pseudo likelihood and Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Results for data generated by the marginal model showed autoregressive GEE to be highly efficient when treatment was within subjects, even with strongly correlated responses. For treatment between subjects, random effects procedures also performed well in some situations; however, a relatively small number of subjects with a short time series proved a challenge for both marginal and random effects procedures. Results for data generated by the random effects model showed bias in estimates from random effects procedures when autocorrelation was present in the data, while the marginal procedures generally gave estimates close to the marginal parameters.     

Evaluating the performance of automated bay irrigation

Previous evaluations of bay (or border check) irrigation in northern Victoria have shown that higher irrigation flows offer very much improved (volumetric) application efficiencies, well above those currently achieved. However, having the correct irrigation duration (or time to cut-off) is critical in reaching those efficiencies. Automation of bay irrigation provides the needed precision in managing the shorter irrigation durations that result from the higher flows. Hence, the objective of the study was to demonstrate the application efficiencies achievable through the use of automated, high-flow bay irrigation. Nine existing automated farms were selected for the trial that together represent the range of soils, bay geometries, irrigation management, and crops typical of the region. A total of 46 irrigations across the various sites were evaluated. Analysis of each event included calibration of the surface irrigation hydraulic simulation model SISCO from the measured flow rate, advance and depth data, and simulation of each event using SISCO to give the required performance parameters. The results from the evaluations demonstrate that application efficiencies in excess of 90 % are indeed achievable and being achieved through correct and precise management of automated surface irrigation. The prime reason for lower efficiency on some farms was incorrect choice of irrigation duration, resulting in significant losses to tail-water run-off. For those farms, strategies to improve performance have been suggested.     

Capacity of model biobeds to retain and degrade mecoprop and isoproturon

Biobeds are used to increase the adsorption and degradation of pesticide spillage on sites used for mixing and loading and for cleaning of sprayers. The adsorption and the rate of degradation of 14C-labelled isoproturon and mecoprop (MCPP) at concentrations from 0.0005 to 25 000 mgkg(-1) were determined in biobed soil. Further leaching of the two herbicides was determined in a model biobed with a surface area of 2 m2. The biobed material showed enhanced ability to adsorb the two herbicides. Kd was 5.2 litre kg(-1) for isoproturon and 1.6 litre kg(-1) for MCPP in biobed material, which is higher than in natural soil. In different experiments with natural soil, Kd ranges from 0.07 to 0.6 litrekg(-1) for MCPP and from 1.5 to 4.6 litre kg(-1) for isoproturon in soils with varying organic carbon content. Degradation of MCPP was rapid at concentrations from 0.0005 to 500 mg kg(-1), delayed at 5000 mg kg(-1), and very slow at 25 000 mg kg(-1). For isoproturon, the relative degradation was most rapid at the lowest concentration and decreasing with increasing concentrations. After 120 days, between 55% and 8% 14C was evolved as 14CO2 at concentrations between 0.0005 and 25 000 mg kg(-1). The rate of evolution of 14CO2 indicated that degradation rates at low concentrations were of first-order and at higher concentrations of zero-order. Leaching of MCPP and isoproturon was determined in a newly established model biobed during a 2-year period. About 13% of applied MCPP and 1.4% of applied isoproturon leached out during the winter following the first autumn application (worst-case scenario). Leaching was completely prevented when the biobed had a well-developed grass cover and was covered during the winter.     

An investigation of bulk tank milk selenium levels in the San Joaquin Valley of California

We evaluated selenium determination of bulk milk tank samples as an alternative to testing blood selenium for evaluating herd selenium status in DHIA dairy herds in the San Joaquin Valley of California. A method of determining milk selenium levels using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry is described. Mean bulk tank milk selenium levels were 0.0224 mg/L (Range 0.0126-0.0418 mg/L). No statistically significant relationships were found between bulk tank milk selenium levels of a herd and calving interval, days open or log somatic cell counts. Mean herd blood and milk levels were directly proportional to bulk tank milk selenium levels. Within a herd milk selenium levels of a cow were directly proportional to the cow's blood selenium level. Herd selenium levels were not significantly related to soil selenium levels. Determination of bulk tank milk selenium levels has the potential to be a low cost, non-invasive means of evaluating herd selenium levels in order to determine selenium deficiency. Further studies with this technique in areas which are deficient in selenium may provide estimates of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of bulk milk tank selenium for determining selenium deficiency in dairy herds.     

Observer agreement on pen level prevalence of clinical signs in finishing pigs

Four observers performed a standard clinical examination of finisher pigs in two commercial finisher herds. In herd 1, 600 finisher pigs in 44 pens were examined. The observers assessed clinical signs of lameness, umbilical hernia and tail bite according to a standardized procedure. The prevalence of the clinical signs was estimated at the pen level. The procedure was repeated after 3 months in another herd, where 730 finisher pigs in 69 pens were examined. The agreement between observer pairs was assessed using prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) and proportionate-agreement estimates (P_pos and P_neg).

Observer bias was present despite training and standardization of the participating observers. The highest pen level agreement for the observer pairs was found for pens that had one or more pigs with tail bite (PABAK = 0.82–1.00) and umbilical hernia (PABAK = 0.77–1.00). The agreement was fair-to-moderate for identification of pens holding one or more lame pigs (PABAK = 0.27–0.71). In general, the average agreement of observer pairs on absence of clinical signs (P_neg) was higher than for presence (P_pos). The observer bias varied between observer pairs and with the clinical signs.     

Susceptibility of different bacterial species isolated from food animals to copper sulphate, zinc chloride and antimicrobial substances used for disinfection

A total of 569 different bacterial isolates (156 Salmonella, 202 E. coli, 43 S. aureus, 38 S. hyicus, 52 E. faecalis, 78 E. faecium) were tested for susceptibility to copper sulphate, benzalkonium chloride, hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine using MIC determinations. A total of 442 isolates were also tested for susceptibility to formaldehyde and 177 isolates for susceptibility to zinc chloride. Enterococcal isolates formed a bimodal distribution of MICs to copper sulphate, whereas the other bacterial species formed one large population. Otherwise the isolates formed one large population of susceptibilities to the different antimicrobial agents. Large variations were observed in the susceptibility of the different bacterial species to the different compounds. Staphylococci were in general very susceptible to all antimicrobial compounds tested. The Salmonella isolates were in general less susceptible to copper sulphate, benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine followed by E. coli and the Gram-positive species. The opposite was the case for zinc chloride. All isolates were very susceptible to H(2)O(2) with MICs ranging from 0.002 to 0.016%, and to formaldehyde with MICs at 0.003 and 0.006%. This study showed that Danish bacterial isolates from livestock so far have not or have only to a limited degree developed resistance to antimicrobial compounds commonly used for disinfection. Acquired copper resistance was only found in enterococci. There were large differences in the intrinsic susceptibility of the different bacterial species to these compounds, and Salmonella especially seems intrinsically less susceptible than the other bacterial species, which might have human health implications.     

Revised definition of Actinobacillus sensu stricto isolated from animals. A review with special emphasis on diagnosis

The taxonomy of the members of the genus Actinobacillus associated with animals has been reviewed with focus on classification and identification including molecular based characterization, typing and identification. Out of the 22 species or species like taxa reported as Actinobacillus, 19 are associated with animals. When classified on the basis of 16S rRNA sequence based phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridizations and phenotypic analysis, Actinobacillus sensu stricto is restricted to include A. lignieresii, A. pleuropneumoniae, A. equuli subsp. equuli, A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus (taxon 11 of Bisgaard), A. hominis, A. suis, A. ureae, A. arthritidis (taxon 9 of Bisgaard), Actinobacillus genomospecies 1 and 2 and the taxa 8 and 26 of Bisgaard. The remaining 11 species of Actinobacillus are unrelated to A. sensu stricto and should consequently be grouped with other genera or be renamed as new genera depending on new data. Identification of members of Actinobacillus at species level is possible through phenotypic characterization combined with information on host of isolation. PCR tests are available for specific detection of A. pleuropneumoniae. Only A. pleuropneumoniae is presently considered as a primary pathogen. Based on different types of RTX genes it is possible to PCR type A. pleuropneumoniae to serotype level. PCR might also be used for the specific detection of A. equuli subsp. haemolyticus. Epidemiological investigations and surveillance have so far included serotyping, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE), ribotyping and restriction fragment length profiling.     

Allometric scaling of M-mode cardiac measurements in normal adult dogs

Indices for M-mode measurements in dogs usually have been based on the assumption that a linear relationship exists between these measurements and body weight (BW) or body surface area (BSA). The relationships between the geometry of 3-dimensional objects do not support this assumption. The purposes of this study were to retrospectively examine M-mode data from a large number of dogs of varying sizes and breeds that were examined by a large number of ultrasonographers, to use the allometric equation to determine the appropriate BW exponent required to predict these cardiac dimensions, and to determine normal mean values and prediction intervals for common M-mode variables. Linear regression analyses of data from 494 dogs (2.2-95 kg) revealed a good correlation between M-mode measurements and BW after logarithmic transformation of the data (r2 = .55-.88). Most variables were most closely related to an index of body length, BW(1/3), although the exponent that best predicted diastolic and systolic left ventricular wall thicknesses was closer to 0.25. No variable indexed well to BW or BSA. With these data, appropriate mean values and prediction intervals were calculated for normal dogs, allowing veterinarians to correctly and appropriately index M-mode values. The equations developed from this study appear to be applicable to adult dogs of most breeds.