Growth Environment Influences Grain Protein Composition and Dough Functional Properties in Three Australian Wheat Cultivars

The objectives of this study were to assess how functional properties of proteins in whole meal wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour vary across different growth environments. Grain from three commercial Australian Hard milling wheat cultivars was analyzed from four growth locations in 2008 and from two of the corresponding cultivars and locations in 2009. The protein content of the grain, soluble and insoluble extractable protein fractions, swelling index of glutenin (SIG), glutenin‐to‐gliadin ratio (Glu:Gli), percent unextractable polymeric protein (%UPP), and dough properties including force at maximum resistance (Rmax) and extensibility were measured. Based on analysis of variance of aggregated data for the cultivars, growth locations, and seasons, growth environment factors made significant contributions to variability in the total grain protein, Glu:Gli ratio, %UPP, SIG, Rmax, and extensibility of the wheat flour. Variability of protein content of the soluble and insoluble extractable protein fractions was mostly owing to genotype.     

Effect of long-term tetracycline exposure (drinking water additive) on antibiotic-resistance of aerobic gram-negative intestinal flora of rats.

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of 2 years of intermittent administration of tetracycline in drinking water on antibiotic resistance in the aerobic gram-negative enterobacteria of rats in a closed colony. The bacterial isolates examined were resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline and streptomycin for intestinal organisms were similar in all of the animals, regardless of whether the animals were sampled while they were given drinking water with added tetracycline or at intervals of 3, 8, and 9 months after the antibiotic was no longer added to the drinking water. Biochemical examination of the isolates from each principal showed that Escherichia coli was the predominant enteric organism. In conjugation experiments, all E coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated transferred tetracycline and streptomycin resistance to an E coli K-12 recipient. Four different strains of rats that had not been treated with tetracycline (controls) were examined for tetracycline resistance. Tetracycline-resistant Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the intestines of these animals. Plasmid-mediated resistance could not be demonstrated. The E coli and P vulgaris isolates from these control animals were susceptible to tetracycline.     

Polydipsia in the dog--symposium. 2. Polydipsia and its relationship to pyometra

Abstract— —A generalised hormonal imbalance in adult bitches produces a hyperplasia of the endo-metrium and would seem to lower its resistance to secondary bacterial invaders. A variety of organisms, including E. coli, invade the endometrium and set up an inflammatory reaction with the formation of pus, i.e. pyometra. The clinical signs of pyometra include a polydipsia which is secondary to excessive fluid loss through the kidney. The histological examination of the kidneys from these cases of pyometra show extensive lesions. The capillary tuft and basement membrane of the glomerulus are thickened by a PAS-positive material. Similar, though less severe changes are seen in the renal tubules. All these lesions are said to be reversible following ovaro-hysterectomy. Some doubts are raised as to the specificity of these kidney changes. Résumé— —Un déséquilibre hormonal généralisé provoque chez la chienne adulte une hyperplasie de l'endomètre et semble réduire la résistance de celui-ci aux agressions bactériennes secondaires. Divers microbes, dont le colibacille, envahissent l'endomètre, pour y provoquer une réaction inflam-rnatoire pyogène, c'est-à-dire la pyométrie. Les manifestations cliniques de la pyométrie comprennent notamment la polydipsie, effet d'une déperdition hydrique excessive par la voie rénale. L'examen histologique du rein permet de constater, dans ces cas de pyométrie, d'importantes lésions rénales. Le floculus capillaire et las basale du glomérule sont épaissis par une substance positive à la coloration hématoxyline-acide périodique-Schiff. Les tubes urinaires présentent des altérations comparables, quoique moins marquées. L'ensemble de ces lésions serait réversibie à la suite de l'hystéro-ovariectomie. La spécificité de ces altérations rénales est douteuse à certains égards. Suivant une certaine hypothèse, la polyurie serait imputable à l'absorption de toxines d'origine utérine. Zusammenfassung— —Eine generalisierte hormonale Unausgeglichenheit bei erwachsenen Hün-dinnen erzeugt eine Hyperplasie des Endometriums und scheint dessen Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen sekundären Bakterienbefall herabzusetzen. Verschiedene Organismen einschliesslich E. coli können das Endometrium befallen und eine Entzündung mit Eiterbildung, d.h. Pyometra, hervorrufen. Zu den klinischen Zeichen von Pyometra gehört eine sekundäre Polydipsie nach übermässigem Flüssigkeitsverlust durch die Nieren. Die histologische Untersuchung der Nieren in diesen Fällen von Pyometra zeigt ausgedehnte Läsionen. Die Kapillarschicht und die Basalmembrane des Glomerulus sind durch ein PAS-positives Material verdickt. Ähnliche, doch weniger schwere Veränderungen sind an den Nierenkanälchen zu beobachten. Nach Ovariohysterectomie sollen alle diese Läsionen reversibel sein. Hinsichtlich der Spezifischkeit dieser Nierenveränderungen sind einiga Zweifel angemeldet worden. Es wurde auf die Möglichkeit hingewiesen, dass die Polyurie auf die Absorption von Toxinen aus dem Uterus zurückzuführen sein kann. It has been suggested that the polyuria is due to the absorption of toxins from the uterus.     

Relative ammonia concentrations, dust concentrations, and presence of Salmoneua species and Escherichia coli inside and outside commercial layer facilities

Three air contaminants that may have serious health consequences to humans and poultry are ammonia, dust, and aerosolized bacteria. This study measured ammonia concentrations, dust concentrations, and the presence or absence of aerosolized Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli inside and outside five commercial layer facilities. The average outside ammonia concentration measurements decreased as the distance from the facility increased from 10 to 40 ft. The measurements at 10 ft from the facilities were consistently higher than the average concentrations inside the facilities. The ammonia measurement trends inside of the facilities were affected by the temperature-dependent ventilation systems. Average dust concentrations inside the five facilities were consistently below 2 mg/m3. Three facilities also experienced average outside dust concentrations at all measured distances below 2 mg/m3. Two facilities had relatively high average dust measurements at 10 ft from ventilation fans (32.12 mg/m3 and 75.18 mg/m3). Escherichia coli and Salmonella were isolated from the air inside all five facilities and outside the facilities up to 40 ft from the ventilation fans. In condusion, dust concentrations may pose the largest risk to human and animal health at 10 ft away from the poultry facilities; risks associated with ammonia inhalation are greatest inside facilities during the coolest months of the year; and aerosolized bacteria are found inside and outside poultry facilities, but further work is needed to quantify the bacteria to further assess the health risk related to this issue.     

Four cats with fungal rhinitis

Fungal rhinitis is uncommon in the cat and cases of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis have been rarely reported. Signs of fungal rhinitis include epistaxis, sneezing, mucopurulent nasal discharge and exophthalmos. Brachycephalic feline breeds seem to be at increased risk for development of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis. Computed tomography (CT) imaging and rhinoscopy are useful in assessing the extent of the disease and in obtaining diagnostic samples. Fungal culture may lead to false negative or positive results and must be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. Serological testing was not useful in two cats tested. The cats in this study were treated with oral itraconazole therapy. When itraconazole therapy was discontinued prematurely, clinical signs recurred. Hepatotoxicosis is a possible sequel to itraconazole therapy.     

The Response of the Bitch to Treatment with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Abstract— —Medroxyprogesterone acetate (M.A.P.) was administered to three groups of bitches as follows:

• 1 Eighty-six bitches received a total of 166 injections of M.A.P. to prevent or suppress oestrus. This procedure was entirely successful in 83 bitches (96.5 per cent) and partially successful or unsuccessful in the remaining 3 bitches. Nine others showed unfortunate sequelae of which three bitches subsequently required an ovaro-hysterectomy, 1 showing a chronic endometritis and 2 showing a gross cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium upon histopathological examination. Methods of reducing the rate of failure are suggested.
• 2 Forty bitches received 5 cm³ M.A.P. (250 mg) to suppress false pregnancy and the results were satisfactory in 31 (86 per cent) of the 36 bitches where a follow-up history was obtained. However, the use of M.A.P. to control this condition is considered to be beyond the financial means of the average client.
• 3 Three “poor risk” cases of pyometra were given 5 cm³ M.A.P. and the initial response was good, but all 3 died subsequently. Two suffered a relapse of pyometra, 1 died of nephritis. This form of therapy demands further investigation.

Two bitches developed signs of diabetes mellitus following the administration of M.A.P. Résumé— —L'Acétate de Medroxyprogesterone (M.A.P.) a ?té administréà 3 groupes de chiennes comme il suit:

• 1 Quatre-vingt six chiennes ont reçu un total de 166 injections de M.A.P., pour prévenir ou supprimer l'oestrus. Ce procédé a eu un réultat parfait dans quatre-vingt trois cas (96.5 pour cent) et un succès partiel or un résultat nul dans les 3 autres cas. Neuf autres chiennes ont montré des séquelles malheureuses et conséquemment 3 chiennes durent subir une ovaro-hystérectomie, une montrant une endomedArite chronique et deux autres, une hyperplasie cystique de l'endomètre, visible à l'oeil nu et vérifiée par examen histologique. Des méthodes pour réduire le nombre d'échecs ont été suggérées.
• 2 Quarante chiennes ont reçu 5 cm³ M.A.P. (250 mgm), pour supprimer une fausse grossesse et les résultats furent satisfaisants dans 31 cas (86 pour cent) de 36 chiennes mises en observation. Cependant, l'utilisation du M.A.P. pour dominer cette situation, est considérée au-delà de possibilités financières d'un client moyen.
• 3 Trois chiennes avec pyométrie, dans un mauvais état général, reçurent 5 cm⁵ de M.A.P., et mêrne que la réaction initiale fut bonne, toutes les 3 décédérent subséquemment. Deux chiennes eurent une rechute de la pyométrie et une décéda à cause d'une néphrite. Cette forme de traitement nécéssite d'autres investigations. Deux cas deéeloppèrent des signes de diabète sucré, suivant l'administration de M.A.P.

Zusammenfassung— —Medroxyprogesteron Acetat (M.A.P.) wurde 3 Gruppen von Huendinnen wie folgt verabreicht:

• 1 86 Huendinnen erhielten im ganzen 166 Injektionen von M.A.P., urn Brunst zu verhindern oder zu unterdruecken. Dieses Verfahren war bie 83 Huendinnen (96.5%) voellig erfolgreich und bie den ucbrigen 3 Huendinnen entweder teilweise erfolgreich oder erfolglos. Neun andere zeigten unerwuenschte Folgen; in 3 Faellen war Ovaro-Hysterektomie erforderlich; davon wurde in einem Fall chronische Endometritis gefunden, und in 2 Faellen stark ausgepraegte zytiscshe Hyperplasie des Endometriums bie histologischer Untersuchung. Methoden zur prozentualen Reduktion der Versager werden vorgeschlagen.
• 1 40 Huendinnen erhielten 5 ml M.A.P. (250 mg), um Pseudo-Schwangerschaft zu unterdruecken. Die Resultate waren bie 31 (86%) von den 36 Huendinnen erfolgreich, wo der weitere Verlauf verfolgt werden konnte. Die Anwendung von M.A.P., um diesen Zustand unter Kontrolle zu halten, is jedoch zu teuer fuer den Durchschnitte-Klienten.
• 1 In 3 Faellen von Pyometrium mit zweifelhafter Prognose wurde 5 ml M.A.P. gegeben. Der Anfangserfolg war gut, aber alle drei starben spaeter. Zwei hatten einen Rueckfall von Pyometrium, ein Tier starb an Nephritis. Diese Behandlungsform bedarf weiterer Untersuchung.

Zwei Faelle entwickelten Symptome von Diabetes mellitus nach der Anwendung von M.A.P.