Distribution and characteristics of the damage of the Syrian woodpecker,Dendrocopos syriacus (HEMP. & EHR.) (Aves: picidae), in polyethylene irrigation pipes in fruit orchards

The Syrian woodpecker,Dendrocopos syriacus (Hemp. & Ehr.), was found to attack black polyethylene pipes of both sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in Israel. Nut crops and deciduous fruits are preferred by the woodpecker, and trees infested by boring insects are favored. Damage to pipes is frequent in plots of avocado, citrus and grapevine bordered by rows of windbreakers, with the pipes near the windbreaker being the most severely attacked. In orchards without windbreakers the distribution of damage seems to be random, or concentrated near trees infected by boring insects, or near other attractive objects (e.g. electric poles).     

Checklist of vertebrate damage to agriculture in Israel,updated for 1993–2001

The checklist of vertebrate pest species responsible for economic damage to agriculture production in Israel, which was first published in 1993, has been updated for 1993–2001. During this period new crop types have been damaged by these pests, and they have been added to the checklist. Four new bird pest species were also added:Carduelis chloris, Anas platyrhinchos, Larus ridibundus andPelecanus onocrotalus. Thus the number of economically significant vertebrate species is now 65 (27 mammalian, 36 avian and two reptilian species). Cases of depredation in forestry and pasture, which were not included in the former list, were also added. The significance of the compiled data in assisting with farm management decision is also discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 29, 2003.     

The effect of water and shampooing on the efficacy of a pyriprole 12.5% topical solution against brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) infestations on dogs

The efficacy of a single treatment with a 12.5% pyriprole spot-on formulation against induced infestations with R. sanguineus ticks and cat fleas (C. felis) as well as its persistence after repeated washing and shampooing was investigated in four separate studies. In a first study on R. sanguineus involving 32 beagle dogs, the efficacy at various time-points during the 30 days that followed treatment assessed 48 h after re-infestation ranged from 100% to 99.3%. No engorged ticks, alive or dead, were found in the treated animals. Shampooing 2 days after treatment and weekly washings did not affect the efficacy. In a second study on R. sanguineus involving 32 beagle dogs, the efficacy at various time-points during the 30 days that followed treatment assessed 48 h after re-infestation ranged from 100% to 96.8%. Single washing 8h after treatment and single shampooing 24 h after treatment had no negative impact on the efficacy of the product. In a third study on C. felis involving 28 beagle dogs, the efficacy at various time-points during the 30 days that followed treatment assessed 48 h after re-infestation was always 100% and weekly washings did not diminish the efficacy. In a last study on C. felis involving 24 beagle dogs, the efficacy at various time-points during the 5 weeks that followed treatment assessed 48 h after re-infestation ranged from 100% to 99.8%, and shampooing 24 h after treatment did not reduce the efficacy. The product was well tolerated by the dogs.     

Colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether decreased diastolic and systolic myocardial velocity gradient between the endocardium and the epicardium exist in the left ventricle of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Myocardial velocity gradient and mean myocardial velocities were measured by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging in the left ventricular free wall of 20 normal cats and 17 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: The peak myocardial velocity gradient (sec(-1)) during the first (E1) (5.71+/-1.75 versus 11.38+/-3.1, P<0.001) and second phase (E2) (3.09+/-1.53 versus 7.02+/-3.1, P=0.005) of early diastole and also the maximum early diastolic myocardial velocity gradient (Emax) (6.12+/-2.1 versus 10.76+/-3.2, P<0.001) were reduced in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared with normal cats. Peak myocardial velocity gradient during early systole (Se) was lower in affected cats than in normal cats (6.26+/-2.08 versus 8.67+/-2.83, P=0.006). Affected cats had a lower peak mean myocardial velocities (mm/s) during the two isovolumic periods (IVRb and IVCb) compared with normal cats (2.97+/-6.76 versus 12.74+/-5.5 and 22.28+/-9.96 versus 38.65+/-10.1, P<0.001, respectively). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cats have decreased myocardial velocity gradient during both diastole and systole and also altered myocardial motion during the two isovolumic periods. Myocardial velocity gradients recorded by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging can discriminate between the healthy and diseased myocardium.     

Salmonella Enteritidis: the egg and I

SUMMARY: The world-wide clinical incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis has increased markedly. The increase is associated with the enhanced ability of the bacterium to systemically colonise layer chickens. Subsequent contamination and consumption of intact shell eggs from colonised layer hens, either directly or in foods containing raw or lightly cooked eggs, causes human disease. Despite investigation, no change in the biology of the bacterium has been correlated with increased colonisation in chickens. To date, no method of control at the production level has proven effective; consumer education is the best means of minimising the public health risk.     

Clinical and Pathological Findings in Testis, Epididymis, Deferens Duct and Prostate following Vasectomy in a Dog

We report the case of a bilateral and multilocular spermatocele and sperm granuloma in a dog that was vasectomized 5 years before. Clinical examination revealed scrotal dermatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Orchiectomy was performed, and gross and histological examination showed testicular degeneration associated with epididymal sperm granuloma. In relation to this case, the literature about long-term effects of vasectomy in dogs has been reviewed. On the basis of these results, a preventive sonogram and physical assessment in prostate and other reproductive structures before vasectomy is recommended.     

Effects of Breed on Follicular Dynamics and Oestradiol Secretion during the Follicular Phase in Sheep

Current study evaluates effects from breed and management background on follicular dynamics and endocrine output during the follicular phase of sheep oestrous cycle. Follicular phases were synchronized with three cloprostenol doses, 10 days apart, in three groups of 10 females of different non-prolific Spanish breeds (Manchega, Rubia del Molar and Negra de Colmenar). Development of all follicles reaching antral diameters >or=2 mm was assessed by daily transrectal ultrasonographies, whereas follicular function was evaluated by measurement of plasma oestradiol concentrations. All the ovulatory follicles were present at induced luteolysis in Manchega sheep, while a 93.7% were detected in Rubia del Molar and Negra de Colmenar ewes. The mean size of these ovulatory follicles was similar between breeds at 0 h, but their growth rates were higher in Manchega ewes, reaching a larger size at oestrous detection than in Negra de Colmenar and Rubia del Molar sheep (p < 0.05). Conversely, the oestradiol levels increased with time in Rubia del Molar and Negra de Colmenar (p < 0.05); whilst remained stable in Manchega females. However, the patterns of follicular turnover were similar between breeds. These results indicate that, though differences in follicular size and size distribution, patterns of follicular turnover in sheep are affected neither by the breed nor by the background of management and selection.     

糖原组学在动物生产系统中的应用——病原菌凝集对宿主基因表达的影响

前言 糖原组学，是研究糖类的结构以及糖的结构如何影响其功能特性，特别是生物学机制的一门学科。糖原组学的研究已经深入到探索单糖和多聚糖与蛋白质和其他细胞组分的交互作用。并进一步阐明它们是如何影响细胞间和细胞-组织间的相互作用。糖类相互作用的重要性可以通过以下几点得到验证：人体中，编码酶的基因中有1％用于糖基化．其中几百个糖基化基因可被识别和注解：遗传与环境、自然和营养是人与动物健康的基本影响因素．其中营养是最主要的环境性因素。