Dorsal Frontal Fractures of the First Phalanx in the Horse

Dorsal frontal fractures of the first phalanx in nine horses are described. All fractures were in hindlimbs, and two horses were affected bilaterally. Of the eleven fractures, seven were incomplete and nondisplaced, one was complete and nondisplaced, and three were complete and displaced. Two horses with complete displaced fractures had their fractures repaired with lag screw fixation combined with open reduction, and the other seven horses were treated nonsurgically.
All horses were sound on the injured limb within 3 to 6 months of the injury. Lag screw fixation was recommended for horses with complete, displaced dorsal frontal fractures in order to reduce the articular defect and help prevent secondary joint changes. Nonsurgical therapy in the form of stall rest with a heavy support wrap resulted in bony healing of the fracture in 4 to 6 months.
Follow-up was obtained on all nine horses: two were retired for breeding; five performed equal to or better than their previous level of racing performance; one was performing successfully as a combined training horse; and one returned to a lower level of performance due to an unrelated forelimb lameness.     

Effects of body condition score (BCS) on steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzyme activity in various mare tissues during winter anoestrus

The objective of this study was to determine the activity of steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzymes in horses with varying BCSs. The BCSs of twenty non‐pregnant, anoestrous mares were determined prior to euthanasia, and tissue samples were collected from the liver, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary and endometrium. Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A) and uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities were determined using luminogenic substrates. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to test the effect of BCS on enzyme activity and differences between tissues. Activity of CYP1A in adrenals was increased (p ≤ .05) in BCS 5 versus BCSs 4 and 6. Activity of CYP1A in the liver was increased (p = .05) in BCS 4 versus BCSs 5 and 6. Activity of CYP1A was 100‐fold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the adrenal, ovary and kidney. Activity of CYP2C was 100‐fold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the adrenal, ovary and endometrium. Activity of CYP3A was only detectable in the liver. Activity of UGT in the kidney was decreased (p = .02) in BCS 4 versus BCSs 5 and 6. Activity of UGT was threefold greater (p < .0001) in the liver than in the kidney, whereas activity of UGT was ninefold greater (p < .0001) in the kidney than in the ovary and endometrium. In general, BCS did not alter the activity of steroid‐ and eicosanoid‐metabolizing enzymes in horses. However, tissue differences in these enzymes indicated abundant hepatic metabolism in horses, which is similar to other livestock species.     

Morphology of the distal tip of the upper mandible of the ostrich ( Struthio camelus ) embryo during hatching

1. The morphology of the distal part of the upper mandible in ostrich embryos was investigated using scanning electron microscopy just prior to and during hatching. 2. Although a keel-like structure on the tip of the upper mandible superficially resembles an egg tooth it appears to play no role during hatching. 3. The distal tip of the upper mandible is covered by an amorphous layer, the right side of which disappears during the hatching process. This layer acts to protect the beak during the rubbing process which creates a hole in the inner shell membrane during hatching.     

Efficacy of zeta-cypermethrin as pour-on or spray formulations for the control of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) in cattle

Objective To determine the efficacy of zeta-cypermethrin in controlling buffalo fly ( Haematobia irritans exigua ).
Design Five field trials in northern and central Queensland.
Procedure Zeta-cypermethrin pour-on at 2.5 mg/kg, spray at 62.5 ppm, deltamethrin pour-on and pour-on vehicle were applied to groups of 20 cattle. Buffalo fly counts were conducted three times before treatment and 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after treatment.
Results In central Queensland where synthetic pyrethroid resistance in buffalo fly populations was rare, 2.5 mg/kg of zeta-cypermethrin pour-on gave good control of buffalo fly for 4 weeks and was better than a deltamethrin product. A zeta-cypermethrin spray used at 62.5 ppm gave 14 days control. In far-north Queensland where resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and heavy rain was common, the maximum period of efficacy of zeta-cypermethrin pour-on was reduced to 2 weeks.
Conclusion In areas where there is low resistance to synthetic pyrethroids among buffalo flies, zeta-cypermethrin pour-on can be expected to give good control for 4 weeks.     

Carcase and meat quality in ducks killed with either gas mixtures or an electric current under commercial processing conditions

1. The feasibility of killing 7-week old Peking ducks with gas mixtures and their effects on carcase and meat quality were evaluated and compared with killing in electrical waterbath under commercial conditions. 2. The prevalence of carcase appearance defects and broken bones in the carcases and haemorrhaging, pH, colour, cooking loss and texture of breast muscles were determined. 3. Ducks can be killed within 3 min by exposure to either 90% argon in air or a mixture of 30% carbon dioxide and 60% argon in air. 4. Gas or controlled-atmosphere killing of ducks, whilst they are still in their transport containers, would eliminate some of the welfare concerns associated with the conventional electrical waterbath stunning systems, without adversely affecting carcase and meat quality.     

Changes in the translocation and distribution of 2, 4, 5-T in blackberry (Rubus procerus P. J. Muell.) with time

The distribution of 2.4,5-T in Rubus procerus P. J. Muell. was measured 24 h and 7 days after application to the leaves at 60% of the normal concentration used in the field. There was no significant difference in the amount translocated at these times. At 24 h after treatment there was a very large concentration gradient across the crown but 6 days later the concentration gradient was much smaller. It was concluded that, at the rate used, the amount of 2,4,5-T translocated to the roots was insufficient to prevent regeneration from the root system.     

Foliar penetration and translocation of 2,4,5-T in blackberry (Rubus procerus P.J. Muell.)

Factors affecting the foliar penetration of 2,4,5-T and the translocation of this herbicide in blackberry (Rubus procerus P.J. Muell). are described. Foliar penetration studies showed that from 38% to 59% of the applied herbicide penetrated into leaves picked respectively in summer and autumn. Leaf uptake of 2,4,5-T was found to be temperature independent in young leaves (Q₁₀, = 1·3) and temperature dependent in older leaves (Q₁₀= 3·5). Some evidence is presented which suggests that this may be caused by the wax content of the cuticle. The herbicide translocated well into the root system of small plants, but probably in sublethal amounts. Penetration foliaire et migration du 2,4,5-T chez la mûre (Rubus procerus P. J. Muell.) L'auteur décrit les facteurs affectant la pénétration du 2,4,5-T et la migration de cet herbicide chez la mûre (Rubus procerus P.J. Muell.). Les recherches sur la pénétration foliaire ont montré que 38%à 59% de l'herbicide appliqué pénétrait dans les feuilles récoltées respectivement enete et en automne. II a été constaté que l'absorption foliaire du 2,4,5-T est indépendante de la température chez les jeunes feuilles (Q₁₀= 1,3) et dépendanle de la température dans les feuilles plus ãgées (Q₁₀= 3,5). Certains faits sont présentés qui suggérent que ce phénoméne peut être cause par la teneur en cire de la cuticule. l'herbicide migre aisément dans le systéme radiculaire des petites plantes, mais probable-ment en quantités sublétales. Blatlpenetration und Translokation von 2,4,5-T in der Brombeere (Rubus procerus P.J. Muell.) Es werden Faktoren beschrieben, die die Blattpenetration von 2,4,5-T und die Translokation dieses Herbizids in der Brombeere (Ruhus procerus P.J. Muell.) beeinflussen. Untersuchungen zur Blattpenetration ergaben, dass 38 bis 59% der angewandten Herbizidmenge in Blätter eindrangen die im Sommer bzw. im Herbst gepflückt wurden. Die Aufnahme von 2,4,5-T über das Blatt war bei jungen Blättern unabhängig von der Temperatur (Q₁₀= 1.3); bei älteren Blättern war sie temperaturabhängig (Q₁₀= 3.5). Es werden einige Befunde dargestellt, die darauf hinweisen, dass dies durch den Wachsgehalt der Kutikula verursacht sein könnte. Das Herbizid wurde gut in das Wurzelsystem kleiner Pflanzen transloziert, wahrscheinlich aber in sublethalen Mengen.     

Cell Cycle Stage Analysis of Rabbit Foetal Fibroblasts and Cumulus Cells

Synchronization of the cell cycle stages in G0/G1 phase is one of the key factors determining the success of nuclear transplantation. Serum deprivation, contact inhibition and chemical inhibitors are widely used methods for this purpose. In this study, cell cycle stages of foetal fibroblasts and cumulus cells were determined using flow cytometry [fluorescence-activated cell scan (FACS)]. Foetal fibroblasts (in vitro cultured for 72-120 h) and fresh cumulus cells were analysed in Experiment 1. Fifty to 55% proliferating fibroblasts remained in G0/G1 phase compared with 78% in confluent culture (p <0.05). In contrast to foetal fibroblasts, fresh cumulus cells maintained 90% of the population in the G0/G1 stage. When serum was retrieved from the proliferating fibroblasts from day 1 to day 5 (Experiment 2), proportions of G0/G1 cells increased from the initial ratio of 53 to 87% at day 4 of starvation, which was significantly higher than the non-starved proliferating cells (p <0.05). In Experiment 3, fibroblasts were treated with aphidicolin (0.1 microg/ml, 6 h), demicolcine (0.5 microg/ml, 10 h), or a combination of these two chemicals to synchronize the cell cycle stages. Surprisingly, no differences or significantly lower in the proportions of G0/G1)phase cells were detected (25-50%) compared with the uncontrolled growing cells (53%). These results suggested that fresh cumulus cells rest their cell cycle in G0/G1 stage. Serum deprivation became effective in the first 24 h and reached the highest proportions during days 4-5 after deprivation. Chemical synchronization of the cell cycle stage of rabbit foetal fibroblasts to G0/G1 phase appeared less effective compared to serum deprivation.     

Kinetically controlled release of uranium from soils

Although trade element uptake on and release from solid phases are fundamental controls on the migration of the elements in the environment, the controls are incompletely understood. The extraction of uranium from two soils, both of which have been labelled naturally with uranium, was therefore studied using a cation resin exchange technique. One soil was a peat from the Needle's Eye natural analogue site, Scotland, and the other was a calcareous brown earth from Derbyshire, England. The effects of different exchanging cations, solution pH and the presence of complexing anions (Cl^?, CO₃^2?, SO₄^2?) in solution on uranium extraction were assessed. The extraction could be described by a simple, first-order kinetic model with up to three rate constants being identifiable in individual experiments. In both soils no single reaction pathway appeared to dominate, and extraction was slow, with rate constants of 10^?3?10^?4 h^?1 in acid conditions and around 10^?6 h^?1 in neutral conditions. Half-times for uranium release in the experiments were in the range 30–60 days in acid and around 10 years in neutral conditions; in the field they are therefore expected to be several years at both sites. Incorporation of kinetic factors into a simple one-dimensional migration model illustrates that their overall effect is to retard migration. Ideally, therefore, reaction rates should be taken into account in predictive modelling of element transport.     

Detection of the mycoplasma-like organism associated with lethal yellowing disease of palms in Florida by polymerase chain reaction

DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used specifically to detect the mycoplasma-like organism (MLO) associated with lethal yellowing disease of palms in Florida. For PCR, a pair of oligonucleotide primers was synthesized according to partial sequences of a cloned 1·3 kbp fragment of lethal yellowing MLO-specific genomic DNA isolated from a diseased windmill palm ( Trachycarpus fortunei ). A DNA product of about 1 kbp was specifically amplified by PCR in reaction mixtures containing template DNA derived from either heart, inflorescence or leaf tissues of lethal yellowing-affected palms. PCR performed for 35 cycles with as little as 5 pg of DNA template, in some instances, was sufficient consistently to amplify the same lethal yellowing MLO DNA product from hearts of 11 species comprising 30 symptomatic palms. Similar reliable and reproducible detection of the lethal yellowing MLO in palm inflorescence spikelets was also achieved after 35 cycles of PCR. When template DNA for PCR was derived from tissues of the the most immature emerging leaf, a 40-cycle reaction was sufficient for consistent foliar detection of the pathogen in all coconut palms including palms with earliest visible symptoms of disease.