Autogenous lamellar corneal grafting in dogs

Lamellar, autogenous, corneal grafts were performed on 9 clinically normal dogs (1 eye in each of 2 dogs and both eyes in each of 7 dogs) and 7 dogs with corneal disease (1 eye in each dog). Nylon, polyglycolic acid, polyglactin 910, and polydioxanone suture materials were used in 8-0 to 10-0 sizes. The eyes of the normal dogs were examined weekly for up to 16 weeks; corneal endothelium was reestablished in all eyes by 6 weeks after surgery. The eyes of the dogs with corneal disease were reexamined periodically for up to 9 months. Twenty-two of 23 (95.7%) grafts were considered successful in that they were translucent, and the dogs were able to see after surgery. The suture materials that caused the least tissue reaction were nylon and polyglactin 910. This procedure is indicated for chronic descemetoceles and other perforating corneal disease. It has the advantage of rapidly resolving severe corneal disease, with a high degree of success.     

Hemolysis in gel test for detection of bovine antibodies to Brucella abortus: comparison of antigens and test modifications

Killed Brucella abortus strain 1119-3 cells were treated with hot phenol/water or dimethyl sulfoxide to extract soluble crude lipopolysaccharide antigen. Antigen preparations were characterized with respect to protein and lipopolysaccharide content and were compared for efficacy in the hemolysis-in-gel test (HIGT) for detecting anti-Brucella antibodies. All antigens were equally effective in sensitizing bovine RBC in the HIGT and in detecting the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies. A slide modification of the HIGT was developed and compared with the plate HIGT. Seemingly, both tests were comparable.     

Long‐term Effects of Pyrethrin and Cyfluthrin,a Type II Synthetic Pyrethroid,Insecticide Applications on Bull Reproductive Parameters

The objectives of this study were to determine effects of cyfluthrin and pyrethrin spray products, used in combination with cyfluthrin topical and ear tag applications, on bull reproductive parameters over 18 weeks. Angus or Angus x Simmental bulls were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) no exposure to pyrethrins/cyfluthrin (CONT; n = 10), (ii) cyfluthrin ear tag and topical applications (ET; n = 10), or (iii) cyfluthrin ear tag, topical, premise spray and pyrethrin fog spray applications (ET+S; n = 8). Bull body weight was measured every 3 week, and body condition score and scrotal circumference were recorded on weeks 0, 9 and 18. Semen and serum were collected every 3 weeks for sperm evaluation and testosterone measurement, respectively. There was a treatment × week interaction (p < 0.01) for sperm with primary defects; bulls in CONT group had a greater (p = 0.01) percentage of sperm with primary defects than bulls treated with insecticides at week 18. Overall and progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, secondary sperm defects and serum testosterone concentrations changed (p < 0.01) over time in all bulls; however, treatment did not affect (p ≥ 0.13) any of these parameters. There were also no treatment effects (p ≥ 0.08) on bull body weight, body condition score or scrotal circumference. The use of pyrethrin‐ and cyfluthrin‐based insecticides, regardless of application, did not negatively affect reproductive parameters in beef bulls when administered over 18 weeks.     

Decomposition of cattle dung on grazed signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) pastures in monoculture or intercropped with tree legumes

Livestock excreta is one of the major nutrient sources in natural grasslands. Understanding how livestock diet and season affects the decomposition dynamics is critical to nutrient cycling models. We hypothesised that livestock diet and season of the year affect dung decomposition. This study evaluated the decomposition and release of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na from faeces of cattle collected in dry and wet seasons. Treatments were signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) in monoculture or mixed with sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.). Excreta samples were incubated in nylon bags for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 d. The single negative exponential mathematical model was adequate (P < 0.0001) to explain the decomposition. The relative rate of dung decomposition (k) was greater for samples that originated from cattle grazed on signalgrass (k = 0.00284 g g^?1 d^?1), followed by sabiá (k = 0.00233 g g^?1 d^?1), and gliricidia (k = 0.00200 g g^?1 d^?1) pastures. The rate of nutrient release showed a time effect for all variables and interaction between time and season for Ca (P = 0.0042) and Mg (P = 0.0013). Faeces collected from cattle grazing/browsing intercropped pastures tended to have lower decomposition rates.     

A cross-sectional survey on wounds in horses in New Zealand

AIM: To determine the frequency and type of skin wounds encountered by New Zealand veterinarians in their equine patients, the duration and estimated costs of treatment as well as the expected outcomes for these wounds.

METHODS: An online survey was sent to all veterinarians registered with the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association. The survey comprised questions on the location and experience of respondents, the number of wound-related cases in relation to the total equine caseload, the type and anatomical location of wounds treated, the frequency, duration and costs of treatments, the outcome of wound treatment and an estimate of the most common causes of death or euthanasia in their equine patients.

RESULTS: The survey response rate was 110/262 (41.9%). The median number of equine cases seen by respondents was 20 (interquartile range (IQR) 6–60) per month; of these, five (IQR 2–10) were wound related. Wounds ranked third after lameness and respiratory disease for the relative frequency with which respondents encountered them. Of 102 respondents 59 (58%) reported that their clients frequently treated wounds incurred by their horse without consulting a veterinarian. Wounds on the distal limb, whether involving only the skin or also deeper structures, were reported by 86/101 (85%) respondents as the most frequently encountered. Wounds in this location also incurred the longest treatment period and were the most prone to develop complications. Finally, wounds ranked second, after colic, as the most common cause of death/euthanasia in the veterinary respondents’ equine patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained via the survey indicate that skin wounds, particularly on the distal limb, are a common occurrence in horses in New Zealand and, when they involve structures underlying the skin, are costly and time-consuming to manage and may lead to decreased performance, retirement or euthanasia. Consequently, we recommend that more effort be devoted to the education of equine veterinarians and owners, and that appropriate research funds be allocated to help improve patient outcomes.     

Short-term effects of tillage practices on soil aggregate fractions in a Chinese Mollisol

Abstract

Soil aggregate-size distribution and soil aggregate stability are used to characterize soil structure. Quantifying the changes of structural stability of soil is an important element in assessing soil and crop management practices. A 5-year tillage experiment consisting of no till (NT), moldboard plow (MP) and ridge tillage (RT), was used to study soil water-stable aggregate size distribution, aggregate stability and aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) at four soil depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) of a clay loam soil in northeast China. Nonlinear fractal dimension (D_m) was used to characterize soil aggregate stability. No tillage led to a significantly greater aggregation for >1 mm aggregate and significant SOC changes in this fraction at 0–5 cm depth. There were significant positive relationships between SOC and >1 mm aggregate, SOC in each aggregate fraction, but there was no relationship between soil aggregate parameters (the proportion of soil aggregates, aggregate-associated SOC and soil stability) and soil bulk density. After 5 years, there was no difference in D_m of soil aggregate size distribution among tillage treatments, which suggested that D_m could not be used as an indicator to assess short-term effects of tillage practices on soil aggregation. In the short term, > 1 mm soil aggregate was a better indicator to characterize the impacts of tillage practices on quality of a Chinese Mollisol, particularly in the near-surface layer of the soil.     

A novel surgical treatment of type 3 congenital elbow luxation in a dog

Congenital luxation of the ulnar and radius is a rare orthopaedic condition in the dog. This case report describes a novel surgical treatment for congenital elbow luxation in a medium-breed dog. A 6-week-old Kelpie presented for left forelimb lameness and deformity. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of unilateral ulnar and radius luxation. The surgical repair involved open reduction followed by fixation with an extraarticular pin and a transarticular external fixator. The outcome of surgery was improved leg function and weight-bearing, however, reluxation of the radial head was diagnosed 7 weeks following surgery. This technique may offer an alternative surgical option to improve clinical signs, as well as insight into improving the management of this condition.     

Seasonal changes in shoot water relations of Picea rubens at two high elevation sites in the Smoky Mountains

Seasonal changes in water relations of current-year shoots of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) were examined in relation to climatic conditions in trees growing at elevations of 1720 and 1935 m on Clingman's Dome, Tennessee, USA, where increment core data have shown that red spruce decline increases with elevation. Relative height growth of trees at 1720 m was 68% greater than in trees at 1935 m. Following two weeks in July with only traces of precipitation, trees at both sites showed decreased saturated osmotic potentials. The magnitude of the reduction was greater in trees at the high elevation site than in trees at the low elevation site. However, during August and September, shoot water relations of trees at both sites were similar. Precipitation patterns and water relations measurements suggested that, at both sites, trees experienced water stress only briefly during the growing season and to a degree that could not account for the lower growth rates of trees at the high elevation site. During the period of cold hardening in October and November, trees at the low elevation site exhibited saturated osmotic potentials that were lower by 0.2 MPa and solute accumulation (osmol kg(dw) (-1)) that was 48% greater than in trees at the high elevation site.     

Non-timber forest products in rural Mali: a study of villager use

Malian Forest Service activities and policies have evolved since the beginning of colonialism under the assumption that forests and their products are the property of the government. Today the importance of involving local people in forest management is recognized. The purpose of this research was to determine the range of non-timber forest products local people use either for direct consumption or for income generation and to identify the trees/shrubs that yield these products in natural forests, fallow lands and crop fields. A gender analysis of the data was also conducted. The data were collected from face-to-face structured interviews using open-ended questions of 92 randomly sampled households in six Malian villages. One-half of the interviews were conducted with women and the other half were with men. The study identified 55 different non-timber forest products produced by 108 plant species. Almost all (99%) of the products identified are used for personal consumption, whereas 68% of the products are also used to generate income. Products such as firewood, leaves for sauces, shea nuts for oil/butter, seeds for condiments and nuts/seeds for soap are the most frequently mentioned products collected by women. Different categories of products like utensils/house materials, animal feed and construction materials (thatch, poles, mats) are the products most frequently collected by men. Ninety percent of the products collected are found in the natural forests; 63% are collected from trees on fallow lands and 51% from scattered trees in crop fields. Forest Service support of villagers using non-timber forest products would create an economic relationship between the forest and the local people. This is essential for the protection of the forest because people will safeguard their interests.