Livelihood change,farming, and managing flood risk in the Lerma Valley,Mexico

In face of rising flood losses globally, the approach of “living with floods,” rather than relying on structural measures for flood control and prevention, is acquiring greater resonance in diverse socioeconomic contexts. In the Lerma Valley in the state of Mexico, rapid industrialization, population growth, and the declining value of agricultural products are driving livelihood and land use change, exposing increasing numbers of people to flooding. However, data collected in two case studies of farm communities affected by flooding in 2003 illustrate that the concept of flood as agricultural “hazard” has been relatively recently constructed through public intervention in river management and disaster compensation. While farming still represents subsistence value to rural households, increasingly rural communities are relying on non-farm income and alternative livelihood strategies. In this context, defining flooding in rural areas as a private hazard for which individuals are entitled to public protection may be counterproductive. A different approach, in which farmers’ long acceptance of periodic flooding is combined with valuing agricultural land for ecoservices, may enable a more sustainable future for the region’s population.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection in purebred cats in Germany: prevalence of clinical signs and the role of co-infection with other enteroparasites

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection and associated clinical signs in purebred cats in Germany, to investigate the role of co-infection, and identify determinants of infection. Faecal specimens accompanied by epidemiological questionnaires were scored and collected from 230 purebred cats. Faeces were examined for trichomonads and other enteroparasites. The prevalence of T foetus was 15.7% among cats and 18.5% among catteries. An abnormal faecal score and history of diarrhoea were observed in 64% and 61% of T foetus-positive cats, respectively, and correlated significantly with infection. Co-infection, observed in 36% of T foetus-infected cats, was not associated with diarrhoea. Norwegian Forest cats were infected significantly more often than other breeds. No association was found with any environmental factors. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of symptomatic T foetus infections in purebred cats in Germany. Co-infection with other enteroparasites did not worsen clinical signs of trichomonosis.     

Intergeneric relationships in the Australian Vitaceae: new evidence from cpDNA analysis

Taxa related to important agricultural species are likely to contain a considerable amount of potentially valuable genetic diversity. Nevertheless, before breeding programs or gene discovery projects can be initiated it is important to understand the phylogenetic relationships between the species involved. A component of a major gene discovery project in grapes at the Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics (Southern Cross University, Australia) is directed at the discovery of novel genes in native Vitaceae. As a result a study was conducted in order to assess the phylogenetic relationships between V. vinifera and the native members of the three major Australian genera: Cayratia, Cissus and Tetrastigma. CpDNA sequence analysis (from the trnL intron) adequately resolved intergeneric relationship between the majority of the species studied and provided some useful new information on the phylogenetic relationships within the Vitaceae. This preliminary project identified two species, C. hypoglauca and C. sterculiifolia, as being closely related to V. vinifera and worthy of further in-depth investigation.     

Tylosin detection in animal feed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with enzymatic hydrolysis of the tylosin urea adduct

When the use of tylosin as a feed additive was forbidden by Council Regulation 2821/98, the necessity of a chemical confirmation method for the monitoring of the ban was created. Recently a method was developed for the detection of tylosin in animal feed by means of LC-MS/MS. During the validation high deviating values for the decision limit, detection capability, and repeatability for tylosin in cattle feed were observed, and the presence of urea and the formation of a tylosin urea adduct (TUA) were suggested as possible explanations. In this study two hydrolysis approaches for the TUA adduct were compared, namely, a chemical hydrolysis and an enzymatic hydrolysis with urease. The latter yielded a more complete hydrolysis of urea and was used for further validation. The recovery increased by approximately 15-25% depending on the amount of urea present in the feed (0.5-2%). The decision limit and detection capability were hardly influenced by the enzymatic hydrolysis.     

Estimation of quantitative oxidation and fat retention from carbohydrate,protein and fat in growing pigs

Die Oxidation von Nährstoffen und Retention von Kohlenhydraten, Protein und Fett hei wachsenden Schweinen Die Oxidation von Nährstoffen sowie deren Beitrag zur Fettretention wurde an Hand von 185 individuellen Bilanzstudien mit wachsenden Schweinen (40–100 kg Lebendgewicht) beurteilt. Der Respirationskoeffizient ohne Berücksichtigung des Proteins (RQnp) lag entweder unter oder über 1. Die beschriebene Methode basierend auf Gasaustausch sowie Kohlenstoff-Stickstoffbilanz zur Berechnung der Oxidation von Nährstoffen und Lipogenese ist in beiden Fällen gültig (RQnp > 1 und RQnp < 1). Bei einer den Wachstumsbedarf deckenden Energiezufuhr (ME ≥ 1,2 MJ/kg^0.75) ist die Oxidation von Nährstoffen im Bezug auf die Proteinretention abhängig von der Menge und Qualität des verdauten Proteins. Weiterhin besteht eine Abhängigkeit von der Menge an verdaulichen Kohlenhydraten. Die Versorgung mit Fett spielt dagegen keine Rolle. Die Oxidation von Kohlenhydraten trägt mit 85%, die von Protein mit 15% zur anfallenden Wärmeenergie bei. Eine Fettoxidation findet auch bei hohem Fettgehalt der Nahrung nicht statt. Die Lipogenese aus Kohlenhydraten stellt die Hauptquelle für die Körperfettretention dar. Da keine Fettoxidation stattfindet, wird das gesamte Nahrungsfett im Körper reteniert. Bei einer für das Wachstum zu geringen Energiezufuhr werden Nahrungsfett und Körperfett oxidiert. Um Protein für die Retention zu erhalten, ist die Oxidation von Protein vermindert. Selbst bei Mobilisierung von Körperfett und Oxidation von Nahrungsfett wird ein Teil der Kohlenhydrate und des Proteins für die Lipogenese vermutlich zum Aufbau von Strukturfett verwendet.     

Response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol: 38 cases (1996-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 38 cats with lymphoma. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on age, sex, breed, FeLV and FIV infection status, anatomic form, clinical stage, and survival time was obtained. Immunophenotyping was not performed. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of the cats was 10.9 +/- 4.4 years. Overall median survival time was 210 days (interquartile range, 90 to 657 days), and overall duration of first remission was 156 days (interquartile range, 87 to 316 days). Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first remission or survival time. Eighteen of the 38 (47%) cats had complete remission, 14 (37%) had partial remission, and 6 (16%) had no response. Duration of first remission was significantly longer for cats with complete remission (654 days) than for cats with partial remission (114 days). Median survival time for cats with complete remission (654 days) was significantly longer than median survival time for cats with partial remission (122 days) and for cats with no response (11 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that a high percentage of cats with lymphoma will respond to treatment with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first response or survival time, but initial response to treatment was.     

Marked induction of IL-6, haptoglobin and IFNgamma following experimental BRSV infection in young calves

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) has been identified worldwide as an important pathogen associated with acute respiratory disease in calves. An infection model has been developed reflecting accurately the clinical course and the development of pathological signs during a natural BRSV-infection. In the experiments described in the present study, calves were infected at 13-21 weeks of age and reinfected 14 weeks later. Blood samples from the entire infection period were analysed for acute phase protein (haptoglobin) by ELISA and for expression (mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells) of the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) by quantitative real-time reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IFNgamma, interleukin-6 and haptoglobin were markedly induced together with development of clinical signs in response to the first infection with BRSV. The IFNgamma response was biphasic, with an early peak at day 1-3 post infection (p.i.) and a later increase between day 5 and 8 p.i. Reinfection also resulted in an induction of IFNgamma, but without induction of clinical signs, IL-6 and haptoglobin. These results indicate that early mediators connected with the innate responses are induced on a first encounter with the pathogen, but not on a second encounter (reinfection) where the adaptive immune system may act as the first line defence.     

An oral choristoma in a foal resembling hairy polyp in humans

A neonatal foal was presented with a 6.5-cm pedunculated mass arising from the upper deciduous incisors. The distal end was soft and covered by haired skin, whereas the proximal end was firm, covered with mucosal epithelium, and at the point of transection contained a fully developed tooth. Microscopically, the mass was covered by epidermis and mucosal epithelium and the remaining portion of the mass consisted of mature collagen, nonneoplastic fat and smooth muscle, and a single tooth within a bony socket. The mass is consistent with an oral choristoma and has features similar to those described for hairy polyp in humans.