Nutritional composition and cooking characteristics of tepary bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus acutifolius</Emphasis> Gray) in comparison with common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Tepary bean is a highly abiotic stress tolerant orphan crop for which there has been limited research on its nutritional value and cooking characteristics. These are key aspects when considering the potential for broader adoption of tepary bean. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate a large set of seed composition and cooking traits related to human nutrition using both landraces and breeding lines of domesticated tepary bean from replicated field trials and to compare the traits in tepary with those in common bean. Tepary bean showed reduced fat and ash concentration and higher sucrose concentration as compared to common bean. Of the twelve amino acids evaluated, only proline in one of the two trials was statistically different between the two species. There were statistically significant differences between tepary and common bean for the concentration of some elements in this study; however, the elemental concentrations fell within the range of those found for common bean in previous studies. The majority of tepary bean lines showed consistently short cooking times and a high percentage of seeds showed measurable water uptake, while some showed a hardshell trait (low water uptake) and longer cooking times. Principal component analysis on a subset of traits showed a distinct group of common beans and two tepary bean groups that were divided on the basis of several agronomic, cooking, and elemental composition traits. Tepary bean, as with other pulses, is a highly nutritious crop with the range of composition and cooking characteristics similar to those of common bean. The variability for seed composition and cooking traits found within tepary bean can be exploited for its improvement.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on common blight disease of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Summary Although common blight disease is serious in many dry bean production areas, there is only limited information on the influence of photoperiod on the disease. Experiments were conducted in growth chambers and in the field (Nebraska, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) to investigate the influence of photoperiod × temperature and photoperiod, respectively, on the reaction of cultivars/lines to the causal bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli. A split-plot design was used in all experiments except in the DR experiment where cultivars/lines were replicated within each photoperiod treatment. The disease reactions were more severe on cultivars/lines under short photoperiod and under higher temperature than under longer photoperiod and lower temperature in the growth chamber. Disease reactions were also more severe under the short photoperiod in the field experiments. No interactions were detected among these factors. These results have important implications for plant breeders in the evaluation of common blight disease reactions in different latitudes.     

Preliminary evidence for biologic activity of toceranib phosphate (Palladia(®)) in solid tumours

The purpose of this study was to provide an initial assessment of the potential biologic activity of toceranib phosphate (Palladia?, Pfizer Animal Health, Madison, NJ, USA) in select solid tumours in dogs. Cases in which toceranib was used to treat dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA), metastatic osteosarcoma (OSA), thyroid carcinoma, head and neck carcinoma and nasal carcinoma were included. Clinical benefit (CB) was observed in 63/85 (74%) dogs including 28/32 AGASACA [8 partial response (PR), 20 stable disease (SD)], 11/23 OSAs (1 PR and 10 SD), 12/15 thyroid carcinomas (4 PR and 8 SD), 7/8 head and neck carcinomas [1 complete response (CR), 5 PR and 1 SD] and 5/7 (1 CR and 4 SD) nasal carcinomas. For dogs experiencing CB, the median dose of toceranib was 2.8 mg kg(-1) , 36/63 (58.7%) were dosed on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday basis and 47/63 (74.6%) were treated 4 months or longer. Although these data provide preliminary evidence that toceranib exhibits CB in dogs with certain solid tumours, future prospective studies are necessary to define its true activity.     

Intestinal volvulus and stricture associated with a leiomyoma in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

A previously stranded 30-kg female green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida following a 2-mo history of anorexia, intermittent regurgitation, decreased fecal production, and positive buoyancy of the right side. Radiographs confirmed gaseous distension of bowel loops suggestive of intestinal obstruction. The coelom was surgically approached through a plastron osteotomy, and a 540 degrees volvulus of the small intestine was identified and derotated. An intestinal stricture was present at the site of the volvulus, and segments of bowel orad to the stricture were greatly distended. Following resection of abnormal bowel, the osteotomy was stabilized using self-tapping screws and figure-eight wire, and the defect was sealed with fiberglass cloth and fast-drying epoxy resin. A leiomyoma associated with the focal stricture was identified by histology. Appetite and defecation returned to normal. Six months after surgery, the turtle had regained normal buoyancy and showed no further clinical signs of gastrointestinal obstruction.     

Fractious cats and feline aggression

Despite variation in terminology it is clear that the context in which feline aggression occurs is important for classification, prevention and treatment. Many of the aggressions discussed can be considered variants of normal feline behavior, so client education is particularly important. Educated clients will know when their cat can benefit from veterinary intervention, and when closing a door may be sufficient. The goals of treating all feline aggressions should be safety for all concerned, and quality of their living environment for the cats. The greater our knowledge, the more likely we are to achieve these goals.     

Methyl-methacrylate and bone screw repair of seventh lumbar vertebral fracture-luxations in dogs

Fracture-luxations of the seventh lumbar vertebrae in two large dogs were stabilised with bone screws and methylmethacrylate. Screws inserted bilaterally into the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae and ilial wings were left protruding by about 2 cm, and embedded in methylmethacrylate bone cement. Implant failure occurred in one dog six days after surgery, necessitating a revision of the fixation. Fracture healing and return of normal ambulation ocurred in both dogs. Implants were removed in one dog because of screw loosening and discomfort.     

Comparison of an ELISA-based screening test with liquid chromatography for the determination of aflatoxins in corn.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening test (CITE PROBE) was compared to liquid chromatography (LC) for the determination of aflatoxins in naturally contaminated corn samples. The CITE PROBE, with a positive/negative cutoff of 5 ng/g aflatoxin B1, was correct (based on LC results) on 47 of 51 samples. Two of the incorrect responses by the CITE PROBE were false positives on samples containing 4.4 ng/g and 4.1 ng/g aflatoxins by LC. Another incorrect response was a false negative on a sample containing 5.5 ng/g aflatoxins by LC. The fourth incorrect response was a false positive on a sample containing 1.9 ng/g aflatoxins by LC. On the basis of these results, the CITE PROBE was determined to be a reliable screening method for the detection of greater than or equal to 5 ng/g aflatoxins in corn.