Influence of milking units and working vacuum level on the mechanical milking of goats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effect of working vacuum levels (35 and 44 kPa) and liners dimensions (mouthpiece lip diameter and overall length, 20–185 and 22–170 mm) on the main milking characteristics of goats. The results highlight that both the working vacuum level and the liner dimension have influenced the milk flow curve parameters. The maximum variations were found for peak flow rate, which increased significantly with liner dimensions of 20–185 mm at a working vacuum level of 44 kPa as well as average milk flow rate and for plateau phase duration. The incorrect adoption of operative parameters and unsuitable milking machine components, might affect the performance of the mechanical milking and negatively affecting animal productions and welfare.     

Porcine circovirus type 2 detection in in vitro produced porcine blastocysts after virus sperm exposure

This study was aimed at assessing the capability of semen experimentally infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) to produce porcine blastocysts PCR positive for PCV2. Embryos were obtained from in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of porcine oocytes or by parthenogenesis. Sperm suspension was exposed to PCV2b and utilized for IVF. PCV2 spiked semen did not reveal any reduction in sperm viability or motility but its ability to produce infected blastocysts was irrelevant as only one out of 15 blastocysts obtained by IVF were PCV2b; however two blastocysts were PCV2a positive. Furthermore, the presence of PCV2 was demonstrated also in embryos obtained by parthenogenesis (one out of 17 was PCV2b and one PCV2a positive). Even if PCV2 firmly attaches to the surface of spermatozoa, experimentally spiked sperm were not effective in infecting oocytes during IVF and in producing PCR positive embryos. The infected blastocysts we obtained derived most probably from infected oocytes recovered at the abattoir.     

Photolysis of quinalphos in ethanolic solution

Photolysis of quinalphos, O,O-diethyl O-(quinoxalin-2-yl) phosphorothioate ( I ), in ethanolic solutions yields two products, O,O-diethyl O-(3-ethoxy-quinoxalin-2-yl) phosphorothioate ( II ) and O,O-diethyl O-(3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-quinoxalin-2-yl) phosphorothioate ( III ). Both products derive from the reaction of photo-excited quinalphos molecule with the solvent. The reactions follow first-order kinetics. A mechanism that accounts for the formation of the above mentioned products is proposed.     

Fungicidal activity of a series of phenyl pyridyl ketoximes and their O-acetyl derivatives

The free oximes and acetyl derivatives of a series of 4-substituted phenyl pyridyl ketones were prepared and tested in vitro and in vivo against fungal plant pathogens of different taxonomic classes. All compounds exhibited an interesting activity against some or all of the test fungi. The best results were given by the acetyl derivatives.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of feline corneal sequestrum: pilot study

Objectives To describe and evaluate the use of equine amniotic membrane trans‐plantation after lamellar keratectomy for the treatment of corneal sequestrum in cats. Methods Six cats (seven eyes) of various breed and ages with corneal sequestra were treated surgically with lamellar keratectomy and amniotic membrane transplantation. All the sequestra and a small piece of the amniotic membranes used for each surgery were submitted for histopathologic examination. Results Five of the seven eyes showed minimal level of scarring in the cornea and good transparency. No recurrences of the sequestra have been noted during the follow‐up period (3–9 months). One eye had necrosis of the amniotic membrane 2 weeks after the surgery. The sequestrum of this eye showed a high level of bacterial contamination on histopathology. Three months later the same cat developed a descemetocele in the area where the necrotic amniotic membrane was rejected. A second eye developed a perforation under the amniotic membrane two weeks after the surgery. The sequestrum of this eye was deep and without vascularization. Conclusion Amniotic membrane transplantation after lamellar keratectomy was a valid procedure for surgical treatment of corneal sequestrum in cats. The procedure resulted in excellent cosmesis and functional vision in five of seven eyes; although case selection is important, particularly to exclude the very deep and non‐vascularized sequestra.     

Ochratoxin a determination in beer by solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: a fast and sensitive method for assessment of noncompliance to legal limits

A solid-phase microextraction-liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (SPME-LC-FD) method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in commercial beer samples was developed for the first time using a 60 microm thick poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fiber. The procedure required a very simple sample pretreatment, an isocratic elution, and provides a selective extraction. All of the factors influencing fiber adsorption (extraction time, temperature, pH, and salt addition) and desorption of the analyte (desorption and injection time and desorption solvent mixture composition) have been investigated. The linear range investigated in beer was 0.03-2 ng/mL; within-day and between-days relative standard deviation in beer were 4.3 and 5.9%, respectively. The limit of quantification in spiked beer was 53 pg mL(-)(1), well below all European regulatory levels.     

Simazine biodegradation in soil: analysis of bacterial community structure by in situ hybridization

Pesticide and nitrate contamination of soil and groundwater from agriculture is an environmental and public health concern worldwide. Simazine, 6-chloro-N2,N4-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, is a triazine herbicide used in agriculture for selective weed control with several types of crops and it is frequently applied to soils receiving N-fertilizers. Degradation experiments were performed in the laboratory to assess whether the biodegradation of simazine in soil may be influenced by the presence of urea. Simazine degradation rates under different experimental conditions (presence/absence of urea, microbiologically active/sterilized soil) were assessed together with the formation, degradation and transformation of its main metabolites in soil. Simazine degradation was affected by the presence of urea, in terms both of a smaller half-life (t(1/2)) and of a higher amount of desethyl-simazine formed. The soil bacterial community was also studied. Microbial abundances were determined by epifluorescence direct counting. Moreover in situ hybridization with rRNA-targeted fluorescent oligonucleotide probes was used to analyze the bacterial community structure. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect specific groups of bacteria such as the alpha,beta,gamma-subdivisions of Proteobacteria, Gram-positive bacteria with a high G + C DNA content, Planctomycetes, Betaproteobacterial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrifying bacteria. The presence of the herbicide and/or urea affected the bacterial community structure, showing that FISH is a valuable tool for determining the response of bacterial populations to different environmental conditions.     

Middle ear cholesteatoma in 11 dogs

Middle ear cholesteatoma is a rare condition in dogs with chronic otitis. Otorrhea, otodinia, and pain on temporomandibular joint palpation are the most common clinical signs. Neurological abnormalities are often detectable. Computed tomography reveals the presence of an expansive and invasive unvascularized lesion involving the tympanic cavity and the bulla, with little or no contrast enhancement after administration of contrast mediu. Video-otoscopy may detect pearly growth or white/yellowish scales in the middle ear cavity. Surgery is the only therapy but is associated with a high risk of recurrence.     

In vitro adherence of two candidate probiotics from Atlantic cod and their interference with the adhesion of two pathogenic bacteria

The potential of two candidate probiotic bacteria (GP21 and GP12), isolated from the gut of Atlantic cod, to adhere to primary cultures of the epithelial cells from the different regions of the intestine and to interfere with the adhesion of two pathogens, Vibrio anguillarum and Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida were investigated. The intestinal isolates showed clear preference in adhering to the cells from the different intestine segments. GP12 adhered strongly to the fore- and mid intestine cells. The adherence of GP21 was most to the cells from the hind intestine followed by those from the mid-segment. The adhesion of V. anguillarum was affected by both GP21 and GP12; GP12 interfered through competition, but a specific mode of action was not observed for GP21. In the case of A. salmonicida, competition was the principal mechanism by which GP21 interfered with their adhesion, while exclusion mechanism was favoured by GP12. In addition, GP21 was more auto-aggregative than GP12, but the latter was more co-aggregative with both the pathogens. The isolates were also capable of lowering lactate dehydrogenase activity compared to that by the pathogen and they reduced the caspase-3 activity in the epithelial cells from the hind intestine, to which the pathogens adhered the most. Thus it could be concluded that the adhesion of the candidate probiotics is segment-specific and their interference with the adhesion of pathogens is dependent on both source of the epithelial cells and the mechanism adopted by the isolates. This information is novel in the case of fish and the manner in which potential probiotic organisms interfere with the pathogen adhesion provides supportive information for disease control.