Development and delivery of evidence-based messages to reduce the risk of zoonoses in Nairobi, Kenya

This paper describes a trans-disciplinary process of co-generating and disseminating evidence-based messages for reducing the risk from cryptosporidiosis and other zoonoses in an urban community in Nairobi. Research findings about disease prevalence, risk factors and observed risky and risk-mitigating practices were analysed by a team comprising researchers, community members and local policy- and decision-makers. Using participatory planning, multiple strategies were developed for disseminating key information. We identified five vulnerable groups at higher risk of exposure to cryptosporidiosis and other cattle zoonoses with similar transmission pathways (women, children, elderly people, immunosuppressed people and male farm workers). For each group, targeted messages were developed. Good practices already in use, as were also practices as practices to improve environmental conditions. These messages were disseminated through printed material, in a workshop, through community campaigners and also an edutainment soap opera episode broadcast on Kenyan television. In conclusion, a participatory and trans-disciplinary process can help transform the findings of research into messages that are targeted, attractive and understandable.     

Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum

The circulation of the deep Atlantic Ocean during the height of the last ice age appears to have been quite different from today. We review observations implying that Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum was neither extremely sluggish nor an enhanced version of present-day circulation. The distribution of the decay products of uranium in sediments is consistent with a residence time for deep waters in the Atlantic only slightly greater than today. However, evidence from multiple water-mass tracers supports a different distribution of deep-water properties, including density, which is dynamically linked to circulation.     

Characterization of Endogenous Ethanol in the Mammal

Ethanol has been isolated from the tissues of several animal species in amounts ranging from 23 to 145 micromole/100 gm of tissue. Intestinal bacterial flora appear to be excluded as a source of this ethanol. Radioactivity from pyruvate-2-C(14) appeared in ethanol after incubation with liver slices; this finding indicates an endogenous synthesis.     

Introduction of the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga hum.,

The entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga was introduced into aL. dispar population situated in South Bulgaria for the first time in Europe. It was found that of all larvae collected in the five experimental plots, 6.3 % contained conidia and resting spores ofE. maimaiga, 14.2 % contained parasitoids and 2.3 % were infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV). The presence of the fungus in cadavers collected from each experimental plots and on five of the six collection dates was observed.     

Competitiveness of beef farming in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

The aim of this study was to typify competitiveness on beef cattle farms from the western border region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sixty-three farmers, each with an individual farm area exceeding 900 ha, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, divided in four sections: technology (TEC), management (MAN), market relationships (MR) and institutional environment (IE). Data were analysed using Cluster and Discriminant analyses. Beef cattle producers were divided into three levels of competitiveness: low (LCL), medium (MCL) and high (HCL). Comparing LCL × MCL, the former group of farmers showed lower levels of pasture and reproduction management than the latter (subfactors within TEC). When LCL × HCL were compared, the main differences were the lower access to technological innovation and low investment with herd genetics of LCL compared with HCL. The lower level of management activities (performance recording, animal handling and calculation of financial parameters) of MCL compared with HCL were the main variables that differ between these farms. Cattle producers interviewed here were, in general, competitive, mainly due to the use of technologies on farm. However, there were limitations in the variables related to management.     

Determination of depletion and statistical distribution of morantel-related residues in bovine milk following administration of morantel tartrate to dairy cows

Residue depletion studies were conducted in dairy cattle to monitor morantel-related residues in milk following oral administration of morantel tartrate (Rumate. Eleven lactating cows of various ages, periods of lactation, and known milk production were orally dosed with the bolus formulation of morantel tartrate with an actual dose range of 8.4-9.8 mg/kg body weight. Representative samples of milk were collected at 10-14 h intervals post-dose, and subsamples were assayed for the major and minor hydrolysis products of morantel-related residues, MAPA and CP-20,107. Residues assayed as precursors of MAPA peaked at the second milking (24 h post-dose) and were below 25 ppb (range: less than 12-24 ppb). Precursors of CP-20,107, which confirm the identity of morantel, also peaked at 24 h post-dose (range: 2.1-3.3 ppb) and declined rapidly thereafter. A statistical model was used to project the level of residues at the upper limit of 99% of the total target animal (i.e., dairy cattle) population with 95% confidence. The calculated peak levels from this model were 50 and 5.0 ppb for morantel-related residues convertible to MAPA and CP-20,107, respectively.     

Short chain fatty acids stimulate feline colonic smooth muscle contraction

The effect of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) on feline colonic smooth muscle contraction was evaluated in vitro. Colonic tissue was obtained from seven healthy male and female adult cats and seven healthy male and female kittens. Longitudinal and circular colonic smooth muscle strips from proximal and distal colon were incubated with SCFA (acetate, butyrate and propionate; 1-100mM). SCFA-induced contractions were compared to responses obtained using maximal concentrations (10(-4)M) of acetylcholine (ACh). The calcium dependence of the SCFA response was investigated by incubating with nifedipine (1 microM) or verapamil (1 microM). Acetate, butyrate and propionate elicited isometric stress responses (0.25-1.98 x 10(4)N/m(2)) in longitudinal, but not circular, smooth muscle from both the proximal and distal colon of adult cats. Maximal responses were attained at 50 and 100mM SCFA. Maximal butyrate and propionate responses were 29 and 19% of the maximal ACh response (10(-4)M), respectively. Acetate was least effective in stimulating contractile responses. Nifedipine and verapamil abolished all responses. Contractile responses in kittens were similar to those observed in adult cats, but were smaller in amplitude.Results of these studies have shown that SCFA stimulate longitudinal colonic smooth muscle contractions in kittens and adult cats in vitro. These SCFA-induced contractions involve activation of calcium influx. These in vitro findings may account for some of the effects of dietary fiber on feline colonic motility in vivo.     

Histopathologic features of canine heartworm microfilarial infection after treatment with ivermectin

Tissues of dogs treated with ivermectin were examined microscopically to learn the fate of microfilariae of canine heartworm that disappear from the peripheral circulation within a few days of treatment. Medicated dogs were killed 18 hours, 3 days, and 6 days after treatment with 0.5 mg of ivermectin/kg of body weight subcutaneously. Ivermectin was dissolved in 60% propylene glycol and 40% glycerol formal. In dogs killed at posttreatment hour 18, the peripheral microfilaremia had decreased by an average of 89%. At this time, a dense mass of RBC, WBC, and macrophages plus many microfilariae was found in pulmonary alveolar septae. Similar reactions were seen in liver, kidney, and spleen. Phagocytosis of microfilarial fragments was evident. In dogs killed at posttreatment day 3, many microfilariae were fragmented and phagocytosis of the fragments was common. In dogs killed at posttreatment day 6, microgranulomas were common, particularly in such vascular organs as lungs, kidney, and liver. Microgranulomas containing microfilariae were also seen in spleen, skeletal and cardiac muscles, diaphragm, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. Small glial nodules were seen in the CNS. Denudation of the atrial epicardium was associated with fragments of microfilariae and granulomatous inflammatory cells. Renal epithelial crescents were observed in treated and nontreated dogs. Plasma cells were conspicuous in treated and nontreated dogs, especially in some livers and kidneys. Before treatment, all dogs were severely microfilaremic. At the end of the experiment, the peripheral microfilaremia was reduced by 98%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of mineral buffers on the rumen flora of sheep fed grain diets

The structure of the microbial population of rumen liquor froom sheep fed diets of roughage and of whole wheat grain with and without mineral buffer additives was studied. Addition of either 2 per cent of a mixture of 1/1/1/1 sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, disodium hydrogen phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphate or of 1 per cent of aluminium hydroxide to grain diets acted to increase microbial concentration, allow persistance of a rumen flora of predominatly Gramnegative staining characteristic, and to increase the proportion of rods. Animals consuming these diets had an improved production performance. In the absence of dietary buffers the microbial population shifted towards a Gram-positive population with no reduction in the proportion of coccal forms.