Response of Ugandan common bean varieties to Pseudocercospora griseola and Angular leaf spot disease development in varietal mixtures

Angular leaf spot (ALS) is one of the most economically important bean diseases in Africa. One promising control option for the disease is the use of mixtures of resistant and susceptible varieties. This research evaluated (1) the reaction of farmer preferred bean varieties to ALS in the screenhouse and on-station and (2) the effect of different spatial arrangements of resistant and susceptible bean varieties on ALS disease development. For the latter, five mixture combinations and two controls were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design having three replicates. Analysis of variance and least significant differences (LSDs) were used to compare disease levels in both studies above. Varietal screening showed significant differences in varietal reaction to ALS. Screenhouse disease scores ranged between 0 and 5, compared to 0.7–3.9 in the field. For the varietal mixture trial, the lowest disease levels and the highest mixture efficiencies were observed for the combination of equal proportions of the susceptible and resistant varieties randomly mixed (even mixture) prior to planting. We conclude that even mixtures reduce the amount of ALS disease that develops in the season.     

Pregnancy Rate in Zebu Cows with Two Different Postpartum Intervals Exposed to a Two-Bull Rotational System

In order to evaluate the reproductive effect of a rotational breeding system, the pregnancy rate of 69 Zebu cows was assessed, 32 late postpartum (211±93 days postpartum, LP) and 37 early postpartum (averaging 63±8 days after calving, EP). In the LP group, 60% (19/32) were cycling before exposure to the bulls but only 38% (14/37) in the EP group. The two groups were dissimilar from the start (p<0.05). The cows were exposed in a rotational breeding system, with six Brahman bulls with previous sexual experience paired off in three groups (A–B, C–D and E–F). The cows were exposed to each pair of bulls for a period of 3 weeks, with one week in between each period, when the females were without the presence of a male. In the LP group, the pair of bulls A–B obtained a pregnancy rate of 72% (23/32), whereas for bulls C–D the pregnancy rate was 33% (3/9) and for bulls E–F the pregnancy rate was 67% (4/6). In contrast, for the EP cows, bulls A–B obtained a pregnancy rate of 32% (12/37), bulls C–D a pregnancy rate of 67% (12/18) and for bulls E–F a pregnancy rate of 55% (6/11). The percentage pregnancy obtained using the pair of bulls A–B differed (p<0.05) between LP and EP, whereas for bulls C–D and E–F it was similar. The pregnancy rate was different (p<0.05) in the first 3 weeks of mating for the LP group, the highest number of cows becoming pregnant during the first 3 weeks of the study. In contrast, the highest number of pregnancies in EP occurred evenly during the last 6 weeks. This study suggests that the reproductive performance of pairs of bulls in a 9-week rotational programme with the overall pregnancy rate is similar (94% in the LP and 81% in the EP). However, the time taken for the females to become pregnant, and hence the performance of the bulls, is related to the average number of days postpartum for the cows.     

A detailed assessment of the pattern of moxidectin tissue distribution after pour-on treatment in calves

The use of topical (pour-on) administration of endectocide drugs in cattle has reached world-wide acceptance. However, only limited information is available on the kinetic behaviour for topically administered moxidectin (MXD). To improve our understanding of the relationship between pharmacokinetics and efficacy for pour-on preparations, MXD concentration profiles were measured in tissues of endo- and ectoparasites location over 35 days postadministration. MXD distribution to the fluid content and mucosal tissue of the abomasum and different intestinal sections (duodenum, ileum, caecum and colon) was assessed. The comparative patterns of MXD distribution to skin and hypodermic tissue from different anatomical sites (backline, rib cage, thigh and face) were also investigated following the pour-on administration. Wide tissue distribution and long residence time characterized the kinetics of topically administered MXD. MXD was recovered between 1 and 35 days post-treatment in all the tissues investigated. The highest MXD availabilities were observed in the skin layers at the site of administration (backline) and in the fat tissue. The fluid contents of different intestinal sections showed MXD concentrations higher than those measured in their respective mucosal tissues, particularly at day 1 post-treatment. MXD concentrations in the skin (epidermis + dermis) were higher than those measured in the hypodermic tissue. Large differences in the availability of MXD in skin from different anatomical regions (backline > rib cage > thigh > face) were observed. The low plasma and the high skin availability indicate the formation of a skin depot of the drug, being released slowly to the plasma and reaching concentrations in systemic tissues (abomasal mucosa, lungs, etc.) similar to those measured after subcutaneous administration. These findings demonstrate that target parasites may be exposed to markedly different drug concentrations according to their location sites, which is particularly relevant for ectoparasites located in different anatomical regions. Knowledge of the tissue distribution of topically administered endectocides contributes to understand the differences observed in efficacy and/or persistence of activity and to optimize their use in cattle.     

Metabolism and residue depletion of albendazole and its metabolites in rainbow trout, tilapia and Atlantic salmon after oral administration

Metabolic and residue depletion profiles of albendazole (ABZ) and its major metabolites in three fish species, rainbow trout, tilapia and Atlantic salmon are reported. Based on these profiles, similarities (or dissimilarities) between species will determine the potential to group fish species. ABZ at 10 mg/kg body weight was incorporated into fish food formulated in a gelatin base or in gel capsule and fed as a single dose to six fish from each species. Rainbow trout were held three each in a partitioned 600-L tank. Tilapia and Atlantic salmon were housed in separate 20-L tanks. Samples of muscle with adhering skin were collected at 8, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postdose from trout kept at 12 degrees C, at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h postdose from tilapia kept at 25 degrees C and at 8, 14, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postdose from Atlantic salmon kept at 15 degrees C. The samples were homogenized in dry ice and subjected to extraction and cleanup procedures. The final extracts were analyzed for parent drug ABZ and its major metabolites, albendazole sulfoxide (ABZ-SO), albendazole sulfone (ABZ-SO2) and albendazole aminosulfone using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. ABZ was depleted by 24 h in trout and tilapia and by 48 h in salmon; ABZ-SO, a pharmacologically active metabolite, was depleted by 48 h in tilapia, by 72 h in rainbow trout and was present until 96 h in salmon; and low levels of ABZ-SO2 and albendazole aminosulfone, both inactive metabolites, were detectable at least till 96 h in all three fish species.     

Using 3D animations to teach intracellular signal transduction mechanisms: taking the arrows out of cells

Traditional methods of teaching intracellular biological processes and pathways use figures or flowcharts with the names of molecules linked with arrows. Many veterinary students, presented with such material, simply memorize the names or chemical structures of the molecules and are then likely to forget the material once the examination is completed. To address this problem, the authors designed, created, and field-tested new teaching media that incorporate realistic three-dimensional (3D) animations depicting the dynamic changes that occur in intracellular molecules during cellular activation. Testing found that veterinary students taught using traditional teaching media (e.g., lectures, handouts, textbooks) are proficient in memorizing the names and order of intracellular molecules but unable to appreciate the interactions between these elements or their spatial relationships within cells. In contrast, more than 90% of veterinary students taught using 3D animations not only recall the facts about the intracellular elements but also develop accurate mental images of the interactions among these molecules and their spatial relationships. These findings strongly suggest that the comprehension of complex biological processes by veterinary students can be enhanced by the use of dynamic 3D depictions of these processes in the classroom.     

Hypoxaemia during anaesthesia in seven horses with colic

Anaesthetic records of horses with colic anaesthetised between June 1987 and May 1989 were reviewed. pH and blood gas analyses were performed during 157 operations from which the horses were allowed to recover. A PaO₂ of 8.0 kPa or less was measured during anaesthesia in seven of these horses. The horses were of different breeds, ages and sexes. Anaesthesia was induced with xylazine, guaifenesin and ketamine in four horses and with xylazine, guaifenesin and thiobarbiturate in three horses. Anaesthesia was maintained with inhalation anaesthetic agent and oxygen: isoflurane in five horses, halothane in one horse, and initially halothane but later isoflurane in one horse. Systolic arterial pressures during anaesthesia ranged from 80 to 150 mmHg, diastolic arterial pressures were between 60 and 128 mmHg, and heart rates were between 28 and 44 beats /min. Controlled ventilation was initiated at the start of anaesthesia. PaCO₂ exceeded 6.7 kPa in three horses but was subsequently decreased by adjustment of the ventilator. PaO₂ of 8.0 kPa or less was measured during early anaesthesia, with one exception, and persisted for the duration of anaesthesia. The horses' inspired air was supplemented with oxygen during recovery from anaesthesia, at which time measurement of blood gases in three horses revealed no increase in PaO₂. Recovery from anaesthesia was uneventful. The surgical problems involved primarily the large intestine in five horses and the small intestine in two horses. Six horses were discharged from the hospital alive; one horse was reanaesthetised later the same day and destroyed without regaining consciousness. We concluded that none of the objective values recorded during the pre-anaesthetic evaluation could have been used to predict the complication of intraoperative hypoxaemia. We observed that once hypoxaemia developed it persisted for the duration of anaesthesia and even into the recovery period when the horses were in lateral recumbency and regaining consciousness. We assume that the altered metabolism from anaesthetic agents and hypothermia combined with adequate peripheral perfusion contributed to the lack of adverse consequences in six of the horses. The contribution of hypoxaemia to the deteriorating condition of the seventh horse is speculative.