Exposure of four Filipino farmers to parathion-methyl while spraying string beans

Filipino farmers resist wearing protective garments while spraying, preferring to wear long-sleeved cotton polyester shirts and short or long trousers. The exposure of farmers while wearing this attire and spraying was assessed to determine what degree of protection it afforded farmers under tropical conditions. Absorbent pads were placed on the outer and inner wear on various body parts. Applicators sprayed parathion-methyl on fruiting string beans at the recommended rate and residues were analyzed by gas chromatography. Each farmer had a characteristic spraying pattern which resulted in peculiar residue levels in some body parts. Inner exposure did not exceed the tolerable dermal exposure level during warm days while using proper spraying techniques. The use of long-sleeved cotton polyester shirt and thick polyester trousers provides, to a certain degree, protection for farmers during warm days. A change of clothing would be a more acceptable measure for farmers than wearing uncomfortable and impractical protective garments. The following spraying techniques reduced farmer exposure: fully outstretched arm, minimal body twisting and smooth hand movements. The use of thick polyester long trousers, gloves or a suitable substitute and the removal of weeds within the crop area also reduce farmer exposure to insecticides. Re-designing the bottle to include a plastic lip, in order to avoid spillage, is also recommended to reduce exposure during the critical mixing stage. Laundering the shirt immediately after use removes a significant amount of residues (96–97%) and contributes towards the protection of farm workers. These recommendations should provide useful data for incorporation in farmer-training programes on the proper use of pesticides.     

Technical note: utilization of sainfoin by grazing steers and a method for predicting daily gain from small-plot grazing data.

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) is adapted to the calcareous soils of the southern Great Plains and can provide early season forage that does not induce bloating; however, little is known about performance by ruminants grazing sainfoin. Our objective was to determine the effect of plant growth stage and grazing pressures on potential animal production from sainfoin as predicted from energy intake as a multiple of maintenance. Nitrogen-fertilized (100 kg of N/ha) Renumex sainfoin was grown under irrigation on a Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torretic Paleustoll) near Lubbock, TX. Light (L), medium (M), and heavy (H) grazing pressures were applied with steers grazing sainfoin that was at the bud (B), flower (F), and seed shatter (S) stages of growth. The L, M, and H pressures were grazed to remove 50, 75, and 90% of the standing plant height. Across growth stages, L, M, and H grazing pressures averaged 52, 69, and 87% removal of pregrazed herbage mass. Dry matter intake as a percentage of BW of steers averaged 3.9, 2.8, and 1.7 for L, M, and H grazing pressures. Across growth stages, predicted live weight gain for L, M, and H grazing pressures averaged .86, .67, and .03 kg/d. Our findings indicate that the multiple of maintenance method may be useful for evaluating treatments from small-plot grazing experiments.     

Diversity of the coat protein-coding region among Ilarvirus isolates infecting hop in Australia

Coat protein (CP) sequences of 17 Ilarvirus isolates were obtained from hops at three farms in Tasmania, Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences and additional database sequences indicated several Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) isolate clusters distinct from Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV): one containing isolates from apple; one containing a single isolate from almond; a third containing Australian hop isolates of the 'apple' serotype and a German isolate of unknown origin; and a fourth containing Australian hop isolates of the 'intermediate' serotype. Isolates from hop, pear and prune from the Czech Republic either formed a fifth grouping, or were divergent members of the 'intermediate' serotype group. Deduced amino acid (aa) residue differences between the coat proteins of the two hop isolate serotype groups were highlighted as possible regions of serological differentiation. No evidence for coinfection of plants with both serotypes was found. Tests of ApMV-infected hop buds using the Shirofugen flowering cherry assay revealed a possible differentiation of the two strains based on hypersensitivity. Because of serological similarities to PNRSV, these viruses have commonly been reported as strains of PNRSV. However, this study shows ilarviruses from Australian hops are strains of ApMV, but distinct from those infecting Malus spp.     

Pathogenesis of Eutypa lata in grapevine: identification of virulence factors and biochemical characterization of cordon dieback

Eutypa lata is a vascular pathogen of woody plants. In the present study we (i) determined which component(s) of the cell wall polymers were degraded in naturally infected grapevines and in artificially inoculated grape wood blocks; (ii) compared the pattern of wood decay in the tolerant grape cv. Merlot versus the susceptible cv. Cabernet Sauvignon; and (iii) identified secondary metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes expressed by E. lata during wood degradation. Biochemical analyses and a cytochemical study indicated that glucose-rich polymers were primary targets of E. lata. Structural glucose and xylose of the hemicellulose fraction of the plant cell wall and starch were depleted in infected woods identically in both cultivars. Moreover, the more tolerant cv. Merlot always had more lignin in the wood than the susceptible cv. Cabernet Sauvignon, indicating that this polymer may play a role in disease resistance. In vitro assays demonstrated the production by E. lata of oxidases, glycosidases and starch degrading enzymes. Phytotoxic secondary metabolites were also produced but our data suggest that they may bind to the wood. Finally, we demonstrated that free glucose in liquid cultures repressed primary but not secondary metabolism.     

Detection and quantification of Anaplasma marginale DNA in blood samples of cattle by real-time PCR

A TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay was developed for the diagnosis of Anaplasma marginale infection of cattle. The established assay was proven to be highly specific, since no cross-reactions were observed with other Anaplasma species of ruminants, including the closely related Anaplasma centrale, or other haemoparasites of ruminants (Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata and Theileria buffeli). The detection limit was equal to that of nested (n)PCR (10(1) copies of standard DNA and 3 x 10(1) infected erythrocytes ml(-1) of blood). The assay was also reproducible, as shown by satisfactory low intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation. Fifty-four blood samples of ruminants (cattle, n = 51; sheep, n = 2; goats, n = 1), that had been tested previously by reverse line blot (RLB) hybridisation, were subjected to an nPCR assay and the newly established real-time PCR assay. By using real-time PCR, A. marginale DNA was detected in 39/51 bovine samples, with DNA titres ranging from 3.60 x 10(3) to 5.70 x 10(8) copies ml(-1) of blood, whereas sheep and goat samples tested negative. The concordance with nPCR was 100%, whereas a unique sample that had tested negative by RLB gave positive results by nPCR and real-time PCR. The established assay could overcome the limitations of existing diagnostic methods, allowing for simultaneous detection and quantification of the A. marginale DNA in bovine blood, that is essential to support the clinical diagnosis, to assess the carrier status of the animals and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines and antirickettsial drugs.     

Osteomyelitis secondary to trauma involving the proximal end of the radius in horses: five cases (1987-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic abnormalities in and treatment and outcome of horses with trauma-induced osteomyelitis of the proximal aspect of the radius. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 5 horses. PROCEDURE: Data collected from the medical records included signalment; history; horse use; degree of lameness; radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic findings; treatment; and outcome. RESULTS: Duration of lameness prior to referral ranged from 14 to 60 days. Mean severity of lameness was grade 3 of 5, and all horses had a single limb affected. All horses had signs of pain during elbow joint manipulation and digital palpation over the lateral aspect of the proximal end of the radius. Radiographic lesions consisted of periosteal proliferation, osteolysis, and subchondral bone lysis. Scintigraphy in 3 horses revealed intense pharmaceutical uptake diffusely involving the proximal end of the radius. Two horses had sepsis of the elbow joint. All horses were treated with antimicrobials long-term; 1 horse was also treated by local perfusion of the radial medullary cavity through an indwelling cannulated screw. At follow-up, all horses had returned to their previous function. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that osteomyelitis of the proximal end of the radius can result from a traumatic injury to the antebrachium. Because lesions may be an extension of septic arthritis, a thorough examination of the wound area and elbow joint is recommended. Prolonged systemic antimicrobial treatment can result in a successful outcome.     

Changes in the glutathione thiol-disulfide status in wheat grain by foliar sulphur fertilization: consequences for the rheological properties of dough

Storage proteins and glutathione in wheat play an important role in gluten network formation and can be modified by supplementation of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in wheat plants. The glutathione thiol-disulfide status and its relationship to the molecular weight distribution wheat polymeric protein and dough rheological properties have been examined after different foliar S fertilizations (S derived from micronized elemental S and NS, a mixture of N urea and elemental S) applied at the post-anthesis stage. Changes in levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), polymeric protein-glutathione mixed disulfide (PPSSG) were analysed by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, during grain development using the wheat cultivars, Soissons and Trémie. During the grain desiccation phase, S supplementation (i) increased the GSSG/GSH ratio by 23–25% (ii) induced PPSSG accumulation, and (iii) decreased the formation of SDS-unextractable polymeric protein (UPP) and its molecular mass distribution. However, simultaneous N and S supplementation results in: (i) a decrease in PPSSG formation by 20–30% and (ii) an increase of UPP by 7–18% by enhancing both the branching of the aggregated proteins and their molecular weight. The mixograph parameters show that all forms of endogenous glutathione are linked to dough weakening and are negatively correlated with dough mixing tolerance, dough strength and consistency, while UPP is positively correlated with dough strength and consistency. These findings indicate that S nutrition influences dynamics of the glutathione forms in the grain and results in modification the degree of polymerization of storage protein. Thus both the changes in the form of glutathione and protein polymerization influence the rheological properties of dough.