Prevalence of antibody to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus in goats in the United States.

Goats from 28 states were tested for antibodies to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus. Of 3,790 goats, 1,175 (31%) tested positive, and of 196 herds tested, 143 (73%) had 1 or more seropositive members. This prevalence, based on serum samples from all goats in the participating herds, was lower than most rates reported in other studies. Such studies were based on fewer samples, incomplete sampling of herds, or smaller geographic base. Prevalence was highest in western Pacific and northern plains regions, increased with age to 3 years, was highest among goats on family-owned farms, and was lowest in the Angora breed. Differences in prevalence was not related to gender or size of herd.     

Metabolic response of horses to a high soluble carbohydrate diet: effects of low-intensity submaximal exercise and sodium bicarbonate supplementation.

Four mares fed a low fiber, high soluble carbohydrate diet were used in a crossover design to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation during daily low-intensity submaximal working conditions. Mares were fed the diet at 1.7 times the maintenance energy requirement for mature horses at work. The horses tolerated the diet well and had no clinical abnormalities. Resting venous blood bicarbonate (HCO3), standard HCO3, and base excess (BE) concentrations significantly (P less than 0.05) increased with NaHCO3 supplementation, but no significant changes in resting venous blood pH or carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) were recorded. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, BE, hemoglobin, and heart rate were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased and plasma lactate concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in the control horses and in the horses given the NaHCO3 supplement during low-intensity submaximal exercise. There were no significant changes in venous blood pH, PCO2, or plasma protein concentration with exercise. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, and BE concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater during submaximal exercise in horses given the NaHCO3 supplement. There were no significant differences in plasma lactate or total protein concentrations, blood pH, PCO2, or hemoglobin concentration between the 2 groups during exercise.     

Effect of hot-fat trimming on factors associated with the subprimal yield of beef carcasses.

Thirty-two crossbred cattle (steers = 17; heifers = 15) exhibiting an ultrasound fat thickness at the 12 to 13th rib region of at least 10 mm were selected from a slaughter shift at a commercial packing plant. After splitting, alternating sides of each carcass were trimmed of 1) subcutaneous fat in excess of 6.4 mm; 2) all kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and 3) all cod or udder fat and fat in the flank region. Both sides of each carcass were fabricated into subprimals (final trim level of 6.4 mm) according to normal industry procedures. Effect of hot-fat trimming, yield grade (3, 4, and 5), and gender on hot-fat trim, fabrication fat trim, major subprimal, and total subprimal yield of untrimmed and trimmed carcasses were determined. Higher numerical yield grade (YG) corresponded with higher (P less than .05) percentages of hot-fat trim. Hot-fat trimming increased (P less than .05) the difference in fabrication fat trim between steers and heifers and between YG 3 and YG 5. Steers and heifers differed (P less than .05) in percentage of major subprimals and total subprimals when processed conventionally, whereas hot-fat trimming eliminated this difference (P less than .05). Untrimmed YG 3 carcasses had 3.1 and 5.0% higher major subprimal yield (P less than .05) than untrimmed YG 4 and YG 5 carcasses, respectively, whereas hot-fat trimming reduced this difference to 2.5% for YG 4 and to 3.7% for YG 5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nonsurgical treatment of cubital subchondral cyst-like lesions in horses: seven cases (1983-1987).

Subchondral cyst-like lesions of the cubital joint were diagnosed in 7 horses at the teaching hospital between 1983 and 1987. Diagnosis of the lesions was made by administration of intra-articular local anesthesia and/or radiographically. Initial treatment for all horses consisted of stall rest for 60 to 90 days. In addition, 2 horses were administered sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly, 1 horse was given injections of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans IM, and 1 horse was given phenylbutazone orally. Follow-up information was compiled 6 weeks to 4 years after initial examination. At the time of follow-up inquiry, 6 horses were sound for intended use and only 1 horse became lame when exercised. A logical approach to choice of surgical or nonsurgical treatment is proposed on the basis of these findings and those reported in the literature.     

Response of an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-resistant biotype of Amaranthus rudis to selected ALS-inhibiting and alternative herbicides

An Amaranthus rudis Saner (common water-hemp) biotype from a field treated for two consecutive years with a mixture of chlorimuron and metribuzin was tested in greenhouse and laboratory studies to assess resistance and cross-resistance to four acetolactale synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. The biotype demonstrated >1920-fold resistance at the whole plant level, and >850-fold resistance at the ALS enzyme to chlorimuron, compared with a susceptible biotype. This chlorimuron-resistant biotype was also cross-resistant to primisuifu-ron, haiosulfuron and imazethapyr. In greenhouse studies, atrazine alone or in combination with ALS-inhibiting herbicides provided excellent control of the resistant biotype of A. rudis . Combinations of dicamba and ALS-inhibitors also provided adequate control. Additionally, premixtures of flumetsulam and metolachlor and of dicamba and atrazine furnished excellent control of this chlorimuron-resistant A. rudis biotype.     

Long-term clinical observations on feline immunodeficiency virus infected asymptomatic carriers.

Eleven feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infected asymptomatic carrier (AC) cats were observed for 2 years for development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Four of the 11 (36.4%) showed progression of the clinical stage. Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy was noted in three cats as the first sign of illness after the AC phase, while the other showed lymphadenopathy with signs of AIDS-related complex. In all four cats the AIDS-related complex stage lasted for 10 months or longer, and two showed progression of the disease into AIDS. The two cats showing AIDS illnesses died within approximately 1 year after they had developed persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of AIDS characterized by the presence of depletion lesions in the lymphoid organs, and of severe infections of an opportunistic nature. The overall mortality of FIV infected AC cats during a 2 year period was two out of 11 (18.2%). These cats showed decreased concanavalin A mitogen response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as the disease progressed.     

Growth activity of bovid herpesvirus 1 in bovine follicular oocytes with cumulus cells.

Bovine follicular oocytes collected from bovine ovaries were exposed to bovid herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). After washings, these oocytes were cultured to mature. As a result BHV-1 could not be removed from the oocytes and could replicate in the oocytes with cumulus cells, but not in the oocytes without the cells. Moreover, the specific fluorescence for BHV-1 was detected in the cumulus cells by a indirect immunofluorescent technique. Therefore these findings suggested BHV-1 could be absorbed in the oocytes but the replication of BHV-1 was done in the cumulus cells.     

The contribution from hyphae, roots and organic carbon constituents to the aggregation of a sandy loam under long-term clover-based and grass pastures

Water-stable macro-aggregate size fractions (>2.0 mm, 1.0–2.0 mm, 0.5–1.0 mm and 0.25–0.5 mm) and non-aggregated soil from a sandy loam under long-term clover-based pasture and from grass pasture were analysed to determine the role of acid- and water-extractable carbohydrate C, total hyphal length, microbial biomass, organic C and total and mycorrhizal root length in stabilization of the aggregates. Aggregates were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the particle-size distribution of the size fractions was also determined. Macro-aggregation increased under grass, relative to clover-based pasture; however, the properties of the aggregate fractions measured did not reflect this difference. Microbial-biomass C, extractable-carbohydrate C, hyphal length, total and mycorrhizal root length and organic C content of the soils were poorly correlated with macro-aggregation. Within the aggregates, the proportion of 250–1000-km sand was smaller and clay, silt and fine sand (20–250 μm) were greater relative to non-aggregated soil, suggesting that the >250-μm sand in the non-aggregated soil limited the stabilization of macro-aggregates. Under SEM, no enmeshment of aggregates by hyphae and roots was apparent. Although 50–160 m hyphae g^?1 soil was found within the aggregates, calculations showed that on average only 5 to 13 lengths of hyphae were associated with each 250-μm cube of soil within the aggregates, and suggested little potential to stabilize the aggregates by enmeshing. On average, all >2.0-mm aggregates contained less than 3.6 mm of roots and less than 50% by weight of <2.0-mm aggregates contained a single length of root. The findings cast doubt about the role of hyphae and fine roots in the stabilization of macro-aggregates through an enmeshing mechanism in sandy soils.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to budgerigar fledgling disease virus major capsid protein VP.

Eleven hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against intact budgerigar fledgling disease (BFD) virions were produced and characterized. These antibodies were selected for their ability to react with BFD virions in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Each of these antibodies was reactive in the immunofluorescent detection of BFD virus-infected cells. These antibodies immunoprecipitated intact virions and specifically recognized the major capsid protein, VP1, of the dissociated virion. The MAbs were found to preferentially recognize native BFD virus capsid protein when compared with denatured virus protein. These MAbs were capable of detecting BFD virus protein in chicken embryonated cell-culture lysates by dot-blot analysis.