Hemorrhagic syndrome-like disease in calves with bovine viral diarrhea and mucosal disease complex

BACKGROUND: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection is one of the causes of hemorrhagic diathesis in cattle but there have been limited field studies about that condition. HYPOTHESIS: To identify the cause of hemorrhagic diathesis in calves and describe its clinical findings. ANIMALS: Five calves from a farm with 150 dairy cows. METHODS: Clinical examination of the calves was performed. After blood samples were obtained from 2 calves, whole blood, sera, and leukocyte samples were used for hematologic and hemostatic examinations, neutralization tests, virus isolation, and viral genome sequencing. RESULTS: The calves had moderate pyrexia, dullness, serous or mucous nasal discharge, and petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on mucosal surfaces. Severe thrombocytopenia and anemia were identified on hematologic examinations. All calves died within 10 days of the onset of clinical signs. Virologic examinations identified BVDV as the causative agent of the disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This paper identifies a hemorrhagic syndrome-like disease in calves with bovine viral diarrhea and mucosal disease complex in Turkey.     

Effect of cutting,phosphorus and potassium fertilization on guar plant (Cyamoposis tetragonoloba) in newly reclaimed soil in Egypt

A two year experiment was carried out in newly reclaimed soils (sandy soils) to investigate the effect of cutting and phosphorus and potassium fertilization on the growth, yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content of guar plant. The results revealed that different cutting treatments significantly decreased the plant weight, seed yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content. Phosphorus fertilization up to 350 kg super-phosphate (15% P₂O₅)/feddan significantly increased plant weight, seed yield, seed mucilage content and seed protein content. Fertilization with 150 kg potassium sulfate (48% K₂O)/feddan was quite capable to meet guar plant potassium demands in this kind of soil. Without cutting plants, fertilization with 350 kg superphosphate and 150 kg potassium sulfate/feddan resulted in the highest seed yield, seed muculage content and seed protein content.     

Naturally occurring infections of cattle with Theileria lestoquardi and sheep with Theileria annulata in the Sudan

Theileria annulata is endemic in northern Sudan, hindering all efforts at upgrading cattle for milk production. T. lestoquardi clinical cases occur throughout the year and causes annual outbreaks that result in substantial losses in sheep. In the northern Sudan both cattle and small ruminants are frequently raised together and/or share common grazing grounds at river banks. In an attempt to evaluate field cross infectivity of Theileria lestoquardi and T. annulata in cattle and sheep respectively, a PCR analysis was carried out on samples collected from closely reared sheep and cattle using both T. annulata and T. lestoquardi specific primers. A total of 19 sheep out of 51 (37.3%) were positive for T. lestoquardi while four sheep (7.8%) showed T. annulata specific amplicons. A total of 38 out of 52 (73.1%) surveyed cattle were PCR positive for T. annulata and only two (3.8%) showed T. lestoquardi specific bands. These findings indicate complex epidemiology of both infections in areas where both parasites are transmitted by the same vector and call for further investigations of this phenomenon.     

在LabVIEW中调用Virsual C++的方法

在介绍虚拟仪器及其开发环境LabVIEW的特点基础上,分析并实现了将LabVIEW与C语言接口的高级技术CIN节点的方法,实践证明这是一种增强LabVIEW整体功能的很好的途径。     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease: 69 cases (1997-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in dogs with intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) and develop a classification scheme for IVDD in dogs based on MRI findings. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 69 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs admitted because of thoracolumbar IVDD in which MRI of T9 through L7 had been performed were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 759 intervertebral disk spaces were examined. Of these, 342 (45.1%) were classified as having a normal MRI appearance; the remaining 417 (54.9%) had various types of IVDD. Disk degeneration was identified in 276 disk spaces in 56 dogs, bulging of the intervertebral disk was identified in 37 disk spaces in 24 dogs, disk protrusion was identified in 54 disk spaces in 32 dogs, and disk extrusion was identified in 50 disk spaces in 48 dogs. Cartilage endplate changes were identified in 35 vertebrae in 17 dogs, and increased signal intensity of the spinal cord was identified in 21 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Four types of IVDD (disk degeneration, bulging of the intervertebral disk, disk protrusion, and disk extrusion) were identified on the basis of MRI findings in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD. We recommend that a standardized nomenclature be adopted for the various types of thoracolumbar IVDD in dogs.     

Antibacterial Bilayered Skin Patches Made of HPMA and Quaternary Poly(4-vinyl pyridine)

This study aimed to produce poly(4-vinyl pyridine) and hydroxypropyl methacrylamide (HPMA)-based bilayer wound dressings materials enhancing healing mechanism for the wounds which have self-healing problem and high infection risk. These materials were designed to protect wound from secondary traumas caused microorganism invasion and do not have toxic substance release problem. Synthesis of quaternary poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (poly(Q4-VP)) which is the antibacterial layer of wound dressing material was carried out in two stages. At first stage, poly(4-vinyl pyridine) polymer was synthesized from 4-vinyl pyridine monomer by free radical polymerization. Then, poly(Q4-VP) was synthesized from poly(4-VP) by alkylation reaction with 6-bromocaproic acid. Resulted polymer was structurally characterized by FT-IR. The macroporous spongy structure, as the lower layer of wound dressing material, was prepared by cryogelation of HPMA. Then, the antibacterial polymer was electrospun onto the cryogel structure and bilayered material was obtained. Cryogel structure, fiber morphology and layer integration was examined by SEM. In order to enhance wound healing process, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was loaded to cryogel layer and release was followed by spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties of the materials were examined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. According to the results, bilayered, antibacterial and antifungal against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, temporary wound dressings which can stimulate wound healing and have high swelling capacity were obtained successfully.     

Thiamine status of feedlot cattle fed a high-concentrate diet

As thiamine status of ruminants is adversely affected by rumen acidity, this study investigated whether or not thiamine deficiency occurs in feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet. Fifty 1- to 2-year-old feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet (75% barley) for at least 3 mo (high concentrate diet group) and 15 healthy feedlot cattle of similar ages (control group) that were fed a low concentrate diet (30% barley) were used. Rumen fluid samples were obtained by rumenocentesis and their pH was determined with a portable pH meter. Blood samples taken from all animals from a jugular vein were used to determine erythrocyte transketolase enzyme activity, and hence thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect. Odor and mean pH values of ruminal fluid samples from the high concentrate diet and control group were acidic (pH 5.3) and aromatic (pH 6.1), respectively. The mean TPP effect % in the high concentrate diet group (47.2 ± 3.2) was significantly higher than in the control group (19.53 ± 2.5) (P < 0.001). The study provides evidence of a TPP effect in feedlot cattle fed a high concentrate diet.