Abattoir condemnation of pigs and its economic implications in Singapore

Losses due to mortality and rejection of carcases and viscera in a population of 2,959,607 pigs admitted for slaughter in Singapore abattoirs between 1984 and 1986 were studied. Mortality losses were 2822 pigs (9.5 per 10,000 admissions) while 3039 whole carcases (10.3 per 10,000 admissions) were condemned at post-mortem examination. The main reason for rejection of carcases was pyaemia (30.3%). Kidneys and livers were the two main organs of economic value rejected. Rejection of kidneys was primarily due to nephritis (54.8%) while liver condemnation was mainly due to cirrhosis (38.6%). The financial loss from abattoir rejection was S$5.27 millions or S$1.78 per pig admitted. The value of abattoir condemnation data as a tool in preventive medicine is discussed.     

Use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) in the detection of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), antibodies to Edwardsiella ictaluri

Abstract. The use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( elisa ) for the detection of channel catfish antibody to Edwardsiella ictaluri is described. Changes in agglutination titre in fish immunized with Edwardsiella ictaluri heat killed whole bacterins or lipopolysaccharides were reflected by corresponding changes in elisa readings. Relatively high correlations were observed among elisa OD readings, computed elisa titres and corresponding agglutination titres.     

Host immune response to northern fowl mite: immunoblot and lectin blot identification of mite antigens

White leghorn hens were experimentally infested with northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and antibody responses to mite immunogens were monitored over 12 weeks. Mite burdens increased during the early phase of infestation and declined over the latter weeks of the study. Antigen was prepared from homogenized whole mites, which were then sonicated and extracted with non-ionic detergent. Antigen extract was fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and antibody-reactive polypeptides were identified by immunoblotting. At the start of infestation, hens had natural, pre-existing antibodies that reacted with several mite-extract components. Individual hens had different natural antibody reactivities; however, all birds had immunoglobulins reactive with extract polypeptides of 117,000, 77,000 and 36,000 molecular weight. A variety of mite extract components reacted with hen antibodies generated in response to experimental infestation. The number of antibody-reactive mite polypeptides increased through week 8 of infestation and then decreased by week 12. Fifteen polypeptides of northern fowl mite extract were reactive with antibodies developed by the majority of infested birds. These commonly reactive polypeptides had molecular weights ranging from 40,000 to 160,000. Glycoconjugates of fractionated mite extract were identified by blotting with lectins that have different carbohydrate binding specificities. Also identified were lectins that bound extract components with the same molecular weights as those moieties complexed by immunoglobulins of infested birds.     

Plasma digoxin concentration in dogs with mitral regurgitation.

Fifteen and eight mature beagles, without (normal group) and with experimental mitral regurgitation (MR group), respectively, were given 0.02 mg/kg/day digoxin powder for 10 days orally. The optimum time for sample collection after administration of digoxin was observed to be 8-18 hr and 10-22 hr in the normal and MR groups, respectively. In both groups, a stable concentration was reached after 3-5 days of treatment. No differences in plasma level were observed between sexes. The optimum concentration of digoxin was attained at an earlier stage than has been previously reported for both dogs and humans.     

Seasonal changes in serum total thyroxine, free thyroxine, and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone in clinically healthy beagles in Hokkaido.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal influences on thyroid hormone levels of healthy outdoor dogs in Hokkaido. We surveyed serum basal total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) levels, and tT4 levels after administration of TSH for a year. Basal tT4 levels decreased in January, and increased in August and September. fT4 levels increased in January and November. No significant seasonal variation was found in cTSH. tT4 levels after administration of TSH in August and November increased. These results suggested that the thyroid gland may have been activated in November. We should take seasonal variation into consideration when thyroid function is tested.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Grain Growth, Starch Synthesis and Protein Synthesis in Grains of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Differing in Grain Weight Stability

The effect of heat stress on the components of grain weight was analysed in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) varieties differing in grain weight stability. The wheat varieties PBW154, Sonalika and Hindi62 were raised in the field (New Delhi, India; 77°12' E, 28°40' N, 228.6 m a.s.l.) at three dates of sowing: 19 November 1992 (DOS I), 14 December 1992 (DOS II) and 18 January 1993 (DOS III). The late-sown crop (DOS III) experienced 6–8 °C warmer temperatures during grain development than the crop sown at the normal time (DOS I). The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed that grain weight was less susceptible to heat in Sonalika and PBW154 than in Hindi62. Heat stress reduced both the grain growth duration (GGD) and the grain growth rate (GGR). The grain weight reduction in PBW154 and Sonalika was mainly due to a reduction in GGR, while that of Hindi62 was due to a reduction in GGD. In vivo studies on starch and protein synthesis in excised endosperm at 15, 25 and 35 °C revealed that both processes were more thermotolerant in Hindi62 than in PBW154. The grain starch content was stable in Hindi62 while that in PBW154 was significantly reduced under heat stress. The grain nitrogen content at maturity increased in both varieties under heat stress. It was concluded that the heat susceptibility of grain weight in Hindi62 was mainly due to a reduction in GGD, although GGR, starch and protein synthesis were more thermotolerant in developing grains of Hindi62 than in those of PBW154.     

樟子松枯梢病的防治研究

樟子松移植苗枯梢病Sphaeropsis sapinea可以通过药剂有效地进行防治。移植前以50％多菌灵wp500倍液浸苗；在人工林中，内吸性杀菌剂－甲基托布津、多菌灵为首选药剂；在树木新梢生长停止期和展叶中期（辽西北为6月初和6月中旬），70％甲基托布津wp 1000倍液或50％多菌灵wp 500倍液防治2次。保护性杀菌剂－百菌清效果不佳。适时的卫生伐对该病有明显的抑制作用。