Weaning of the wedge sole <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicologoglossa cuneata</Emphasis> (Moreau): influence of initial size on survival and growth

The weaning phase can be decisive in fish-culture viability. In this work, the relationship between the initial size and weaning success has been studied in wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata). For each age (30, 50, and 70 days after hatching, DAH), two to three sizes were selected, and all were put on the same feeding schedule for 20 days. Each batch (three replicates) was sampled at 1, 10, and 20 days. Specific growth rate (SGR) and survival were compared at the end of the co-feeding period, after 10 days on dry feed only. The best results for survival and growth were found with the smallest larvae, and vice versa. The SGRs and survival rates recorded during the co-feeding period were higher (0.8–15.6 day⁻¹ and 68.3–97.8%) than those from the dry-food phase (0.9–4.7 day⁻¹ and 56.3–66.7%). Successful weaning (survival = 65% and SGR = 9.3 day⁻¹) is possible with 30 DAH larvae (7.6–8.1 mm and 3.9–4.6 mg). In conclusion, the most effective weaning would be possible at 30 DAH, implying significant Artemia savings (25–50%).     

Nutritional muscular dystrophy in a four-day-old Connemara foal

This report describes a four-day-old, full-term Connemara colt, presented for the evaluation of a progressive inability to rise unassisted. A diagnosis of nutritional muscular dystrophy was made based on muscular weakness, elevated muscle enzymes and low vitamin E, selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity. The foal was treated with intramuscular vitamin E-selenium and made a full recovery.     

Unilateral scrotal pyocele in ram caused by Staphylococcus capitis

A massive unilateral scrotal pyocele caused by Staphylococcus capitis in a 6‐year‐old ram is reported. Ultrasound examination of the right hemiscrotum showed an irregular hyperechoic mass in an anechoic fluid. A dense exudate was collected from the scrotum for microbiological analysis. Grossly, there was an extensive greenish purulent exudate and a completely atrophied right testis. Coagulase‐negative S. capitis was isolated in pure culture. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of genital infection by S. capitis in rams. This microorganism should be included in the differential diagnosis of ovine genital infections.     

Evidence that active transmission of porcine cysticercosis occurs in Venezuela

There is a paucity of quantitative data on the status of porcine cysticercosis in Venezuela, information which is essential for understanding the level of disease transmission. This study was, therefore, conducted in a typical small rural community in Yaracuy State, Venezuela, where previous cases of human Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis had been reported and where the free-ranging pig management practices and the lack of rudimentary sanitary facilities indicated an obvious risk for transmission of the disease. Serum samples from 52 village pigs were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for anti-cysticercal antibodies (Ab-ELISA), using T. solium cyst fluid as the antigen and the HP10, monoclonal antibody-based, antigen trapping ELISA for parasite antigen (HP10 Ag-ELISA). Significantly, a high proportion of the animals (65.4% for the Ab-ELISA and 42.3% for the HP10 Ag-ELISA) were sero-positive. Five of the pigs, which were selected on that basis of positive tongue palpation, were killed for autopsy, and large numbers of viable cysticerci were found in the carcases. This unequivocal documentation of porcine cysticercosis in Venezuelan pigs presents clear evidence that T. solium is actively transmitted in Venezuela. Further detailed studies and implementation of appropriate control measures are therefore indicated.     

Effect of the diet on lipid composition and liver histology of short snout seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus

Little is known about the nutritional requirements of ornamental fish and the effects which they may have on fish histology. Because of this, 45 young, captive‐bred seahorses (1.37 g ± 0.51) were randomly divided and put into fifteen, 35‐L, glass aquariums. Three experimental diets were tested in triplicate: live enriched Artemia (LEA); frozen enriched Artemia (FEA); and commercial Mysis (M). seahorses were fed twice daily, 6 days a week for 102 days throughout the experiment. The body weight and length of the seahorses were measured every 20 days, and at the end of the experiment, fish liver samples were taken for histological studies. Biochemical analyses of the diets and the seahorses fed on the experimental diets were recorded, and the differences in the total lipid content in each of the three diets were also observed, each reflecting their respective liver lipid content. seahorses fed with LEA treatment showed lipid vacuoles in the hepatocytes with nuclei displaced to the periphery. Similar results were also observed in FEA fed seahorses, but to a lesser extent. In contrast, the M fed seahorses were characterized by having livers with lower size hepatocytes and centrally located nuclei.     

Preparation of Chitosan Nanocompositeswith a Macroporous Structure by Unidirectional Freezing and Subsequent Freeze-Drying

Chitosan is the N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, a naturally abundant mucopolysaccharide that consists of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucose through a β (1→4) linkage and is found in nature as the supporting material of crustaceans, insects, etc. Chitosan has been strongly recommended as a suitable functional material because of its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and adsorption properties. Boosting all these excellent properties to obtain unprecedented performances requires the core competences of materials chemists to design and develop novel processing strategies that ultimately allow tailoring the structure and/or the composition of the resulting chitosan-based materials. For instance, the preparation of macroporous materials is challenging in catalysis, biocatalysis and biomedicine, because the resulting materials will offer a desirable combination of high internal reactive surface area and straightforward molecular transport through broad “highways” leading to such a surface. Moreover, chitosan-based composites made of two or more distinct components will produce structural or functional properties not present in materials composed of one single component. Our group has been working lately on cryogenic processes based on the unidirectional freezing of water slurries and/or hydrogels, the subsequent freeze-drying of which produce macroporous materials with a well-patterned structure. We have applied this process to different gels and colloidal suspensions of inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials. In this review, we will describe the application of the process to chitosan solutions and gels typically containing a second component (e.g., metal and ceramic nanoparticles, or carbon nanotubes) for the formation of chitosan nanocomposites with a macroporous structure. We will also discuss the role played by this tailored composition and structure in the ultimate performance of these materials.     

Temporo-mandibular joint condylectomy and its effect over occlusion in cats: cadaveric study

Objective : To determine the effect of unilateral condylectomy on dental occlusion in cats. Methods : Twelve feline cadaver heads were randomly submitted to either a right or left unilateral condylectomy of the temporo‐mandibular joint. The distance between the mandibular and maxillary canine tooth was measured before (B0) and after the unilateral condylectomy (P0). A right or left latero‐‐lateral standardised force (4 N) was applied to the mandibular mentus area before and after the surgical procedure. These measurements were analysed with a linear model for repeated measures. Results : The comparative analysis between pre‐ and postsurgical values indicated no significant variation in teeth displacement following condylectomy between B0 and P0 measurements. Statistically significant differences were detected after either left or right condylectomy with respect to all measurements after application of the standardised forces. Occlusion changes are significant when comparing bites before and after surgery. Clinical Significance : Unilateral condylectomy causes a significant increase in latero‐lateral amplitude of jaw movement which might clinically affect feline dental occlusion. Clinical studies are required to determine the effect of unilateral condylectomies on mastication and dental occlusion in feline patients.