Influence of morphometric parameters on the size of collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint of equines

The physiological measurements of collateral ligaments of distal interphalangeal joint (CL-DIPJ) differ in the literature. The factors that influence these differences are not well described. The aims of this study are to compare CL-DIPJ sizes in equines with different withers height, as well as to correlate body weight and hoof size to the size of these ligaments. In total, 52 horses were used in the study. They were divided into two groups according to wither height: Group 1 (G1) - 21 animals with up to 147 cm - and group 2 (G2) - 21 animals with greater than 148 cm. CL-DIPJ was ultrasonographically measured in order to find the mean of dorso-palmar (DPD) and latero-medial (LMD) diameters and the cross-sectional area (CSA). Hoof width and length were measured, and the results were used to calculate the hoof surface area. Withers height and body weight were also measured. Groups were statistically compared by Student's t test and Pearson's correlation application to each group. Groups were different in body size, HS and CL-DIPJ size when p < .05, except for the LMD of the medial collateral ligament of left thoracic limb. Withers height and body weight did not show significant correlations to CL-DIPJ size in G1, but they had little influence on the size of CL-DIPJ on G2. No correlation between the hoof size and the CL-DIPJ was noted in any of the two groups. In conclusion, the CL-DIPJ were larger in taller horses and their sizes were correlated to their height and weight, but they were not correlated to hoof size.     

Does Biofloc Improve the Energy Distribution and Final Muscle Quality of Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1883)?

In a 45‐d experiment, Litopenaeus vannamei was cultured in two treatments, biofloc technology or clear water recirculating aquaculture system, to evaluate the effect on growth and survival, energy balance, and texture of the marketable product. The experimental design consisted of 40 plastic tanks of 54 L (20 tanks per treatment), with a density of 140 organisms/m³ in each culture system. The final body weight, daily growth coefficient, and survival were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in biofloc technology (12.40 g, 5.0%g/d, and 87.1%, respectively) than in the clear water system (7.0 g, 1.4%g/d, and 74.2%). The retained energy and energy content of exuviae were significantly higher for shrimp in the biofloc technology (448.5 ± 36.4 and 22.4 ± 1.8 J/shrimp/d, respectively) than in clear water (246.3 ± 40.9 and 12.3 ± 2.0 J/shrimp/d, respectively). Routine metabolism was significantly higher for the clear water treatment (411.4 ± 123.8 J/shrimp/d). Shear force was higher in the biofloc technology, indicating greater muscle firmness; this matched the gel electrophoresis patterns of the proteins extracted from the muscle tissues. This suggests that biofloc technology could be used not only to improve growth and survival in L. vannamei but also to enhance the final product quality and acceptability in the market.     

Molecular typing and anti-microbial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus from equine bacterial endometritis

The anti-microbial susceptibility and genetic diversity of 65 strains of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (Sez) isolated from mares presenting clinical signs of endometritis was determined by disk agar diffusion and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods, respectively. Overall, Sez isolates were susceptible to beta-lactams, enrofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin. These anti-microbials could be recommended as empiric anti-microbial therapy in cases of endometritis caused by Sez. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis typing revealed a great genetic diversity (56 different PFGE macrorestriction profiles) and a low level of genetic relatedness amongst the isolates.     

Evidence of the concurrent circulation of H1N2, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in densely populated pig areas in Spain

This paper reports on a serological and virological survey for swine influenza virus (SIV) in densely populated pig areas in Spain. The survey was undertaken to examine whether the H1N2 SIV subtype circulates in pigs in these areas, as in other European regions. Six hundred sow sera from 100 unvaccinated breeding herds across Northern and Eastern Spain were examined using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests against H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2 SIV subtypes. Additionally, 225 lung samples from pigs with respiratory problems were examined for the presence of SIV by virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and by a commercial membrane immunoassay. The virus isolates were further identified by HI and RT-PCR followed by partial cDNA sequencing. The HI test on sera revealed the presence of antibodies against at least one of the SIV subtypes in 83% of the herds and in 76.3% of the animals studied. Of the 600 sow sera tested, 109 (18.2%), 60 (10%) and 41 (6.8%) had SIV antibodies to subtype H1N2 alone, H3N2 alone and H1N1 alone, respectively. Twelve H3N2 viruses, 9 H1N1 viruses and 1 H1N2 virus were isolated from the lungs of pigs with respiratory problems. The analysis of a 436 nucleotide sequence of the neuraminidase gene from the H1N2 strain isolated further confirmed its identity. Demonstrably, swine influenza is still endemic in the studied swine population and a new subtype, the H1N2, may be becoming established and involved in clinical outbreaks of the disease in Spain.