Mating and dispersal behaviour of Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in relation to resistance management for rice transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes

Information on the mating and dispersal behaviour of the rice stem borers Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis is necessary for the design of resistance management strategies for rice varieties genetically engineered with toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We investigated whether S. incertulas and C. suppressalis move from the site of adult eclosion before mating to determine the likelihood that random mating will occur between adults eclosing in fields of Bt rice and refuge fields of non-Bt rice. Observations were made under laboratory, screenhouse and field conditions. Almost all S. incertulas males and females flew out of sight after cuticle expansion and hardening, as did most C. suppressalis. Approximately 15% of C. suppressalis females called and mated within 3?m of the site of eclosion, and approximately 5% of C. suppressalis males mated within 5?m of the site of eclosion. These results suggest that random mating is likely to occur between S. incertulas eclosing in Bt rice fields and nearby refuge fields. Although a small proportion of C. suppressalis did not move far before mating, random mating of moths from Bt and nearby refuge fields is also likely to occur in this species if Bt-resistant moths are rare.     

An analysis of the persistence and potency of film‐coated seed protectant as influenced by various storage parameters

BACKGROUND: An efficient delivery system for seed‐protectant chemicals is needed in light of several disadvantages of conventional seed treatment methods. This study evaluates the efficacy of film‐coat application in maintaining the persistence and potency of imidacloprid on Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. seeds after simultaneous storage under ambient and regulated environment in paper and aluminium packages. RESULTS: High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 0.135 mg kg^?1 of herbage material to be the threshold value beyond which absolute control was obtained, and with film coating the latter was achieved even with half‐dosage seed treatment, irrespective of the storage condition. The technique provided early protection to the crop and also nullified the deleterious effects of ambient storage on the persistence and potency of the pesticide. CONCLUSION: Film coating enabled superior pesticide dosage as well as higher biological efficacy to be achieved. Hence, in addition to being an ecofriendly alternative, the technique would be a more economically viable option for storage of treated seeds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Prosthesis Number and Position on Rima Glottidis Area in Equine Laryngeal Specimens

Objective— To assess the effect of 1 or 2 laryngeal prosthetic sutures on rima glottidis areas in equine laryngeal specimens. Study Design— Experimental, randomized design. Animals— Cadaveric equine larynges (n=16). Methods— Larynges were collected from 10 horses; 2 sutures each were preplaced in the right and left sides of each larynx. A dorsal suture (DS) was placed through the caudal rim of the dorsal midline of the cricoid cartilage, under the cricopharyngeus muscle and through the proximal and rostral aspect of the muscular process. A lateral suture (LS) was placed 1.5 cm lateral to the DS and through the muscular process more distal and caudal to the 1st suture. Larynges were positioned in a customized stand and the rima glottidis photographed after each suture (LS or DS) or suture combination (CS) was tied in random sequence. An additional 6 larynxes were used to determine whether the tension applied to the sutures was repeatable. Sutures were preplaced in both the right and left side of each larynx as described above and each suture and CS was tied and released 3 times in each larynx. Photographs were taken of the rima glottidis after each suture or CS was tied generating 3 replicates for each suture configuration on each side of the 6 larynges. Results— Mean rima glottidis area was not different between DS and LS when tied alone (P=.85); however, mean area after CS (DS+LS) was greater than DS (P<.001) and LS (P<.001) alone. The coefficient of variation for the 6 suture patterns were low (1–7%) and the intraclass correlation coefficient estimates were very high (0.997–0.998) demonstrating excellent repeatability between replicates for each of the 3 suture configurations. Conclusion— Our results suggest that laryngoplasty using 2 prostheses; 1 placed dorsally in the cricoid and through the rostral and proximal muscular process and 1 placed 1.5 cm lateral to the 1st and more caudal and distal in the muscular process results in a greater cross sectional area of the rima glottidis than either suture used alone. Clinical Relevance— Seemingly prosthetic sutures contribute independently to each other in determining the contour of the rima glottidis. Use of 2 prosthetic sutures improves crosssectional area of the rima glottidis compared with each suture alone and may improve surgical outcome in laryngoplasty.     

Evaluation of auditory evoked potentials to predict depth of anaesthesia during fentanyl/fluanisone−midazolam anaesthesia in rats

Objectives To assess a method for monitoring depth of anaesthesia using components of middle latency auditory evoked potential (AEP) waveforms during anaesthesia with fentanyl/fluanisone and midazolam. Study design Prospective observational study. Animals Five female Wistar rats weighing between 210 and 250 g. Methods Implanted electrodes were used to record AEPs in animals receiving five doses of anaesthetic. Recordings were made at 5 minutes post‐injection (deep anaesthesia; no pedal withdrawal response, PWR) and then at 25 minutes (light anaesthesia; strong PWR). Responses showed five characteristic peaks occurring at 11, 14, 23, 42 and 68 ms that were measured for latency of occurrence and peak amplitude. Results Auditory evoked potential peaks P14, N23 and P42 were increased significantly in latency with successive anaesthetic injections [avg. F(1,4) = 12.53, p < 0.001; avg. F(1,4) = 10.6, p < 0.001; avg. F(1,4) = 3.9, p = 0.02, respectively]. Peak N23 showed a significant reduction in latency during the 20 minute recovery period following both the first and second anaesthetic injections (t(3) = 7.52, p = 0.005; t(4) = 5.17, p = 0.007, respectively). Peak P42 occurred significantly earlier 20 minutes following the second anaesthetic injection (t(4) = 4.75, p = 0.009). The mean overall depth of anaesthesia assessed using PWR scores was significantly correlated with the mean latency of peak N23, such that as the strength of PWR increased, N23 occurred significantly earlier (r = ?0.99, p = 0.01). The amplitude difference between peaks N23 and P42 increased after the second and third drug administrations [avg. F(1,4) = 10.65, p = 0.031 and avg. F(1,4) = 11.24, p = 0.028, respectively]. Conclusion The characteristics of these peaks, and in particular latency of peak N23, may provide a useful tool for assessing depth of anaesthesia produced by this, and possibly other anaesthetic agents.     

CHANGES IN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF ADRENAL GLANDS IN DOGS WITH PITUITARY-DEPENDENT HYPERADRENOCORTICISM TREATED WITH TRILOSTANE

Trilostane, a 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, has been used successfully over the last few years for the treatment of canine pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. In a prospective study of 19 dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, the adrenal glands were measured before and at least 6 months after initiation of trilostane therapy. Right adrenal gland length and caudal pole thickness and left adrenal gland caudal pole thickness increased significantly (p < or = 0.05); there was no significant change in left adrenal gland length. Enlargement of adrenal glands during trilostane therapy may occur as a result of suppression of the negative feedback mechanism affecting cortisol production.     

Identification and validation of cold responsive microRNAs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> using high throughput sequencing

Cold stress is one of the major abiotic factors that influence the productivity and geographical distribution of many agriculturally important crops like Hevea brasiliensis. Cultivation of H. brasiliensis in India is being extended to northeastern regions, where low temperature during winter adversely affects its survival, growth, and productivity. Developing cold-tolerant genotypes is a primary requisite to maximize the productivity under such challenging environmental conditions. However, lack of methods for early evaluation of cold tolerance in the newly developed clones and the extensive time required for assessing their tolerance in the field are major constraints for clonal selection. The present study was initiated with an objective to identify and characterize cold stress responsive miRNAs from H. brasiliensis that show stronger association with cold tolerance. Next generation sequencing using Illumina HiSeq method revealed the expression of 21 and 29 conserved miRNA (from clone RRIM 600) families in cold-stressed and control samples, respectively. Forty-two novel miRNAs were identified from this study. Upon differential expression analysis, eight conserved miRNAs were found commonly expressed in both the samples. When expression analyses were performed subsequently with six selected miRNAs in two Hevea clones (viz. RRII 105 and RRIM 600), miR169 showed a strong association with cold tolerance. miRNAs such as miR482 and miR159 also exhibited association with cold tolerance. This study suggests the possibility of employing these miRNAs as markers for cold tolerance after validation in more number of genotypes with varying levels of cold tolerance.     

Effect of Preoperative Erythromycin or Dexamethasone/Vitamin C on Postoperative Abomasal Emptying Rate in Dairy Cows Undergoing Surgical Correction of Abomasal Volvulus

Objective— To determine the effects of preoperative erythromycin or combined dexamethasone/vitamin C treatment on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in cows undergoing surgical correction of abomasal volvulus (AV).
Study Design— Prospective, controlled, clinical study using a convenience sample.
Animals— Lactating Holstein–Friesian cows (n=45) with AV were alternately assigned to 3 groups (n=15): group C: untreated (control); group E: erythromycin (10 mg/kg intramuscularly [IM]); group D: dexamethasone (0.02 mg/kg intravenously [IV]) and vitamin C (10 mg/kg IV).
Methods— Drugs were administered 1 hour before surgical correction of AV. d -xylose solution (50%, 0.5 g/kg body weight) was injected into the abomasal lumen during surgery. Jugular venous blood samples for determination of serum d -xylose concentration were periodically obtained. Time to maximal serum d -xylose concentration (T_max-model) was pharmacokinetically determined.
Results— Abomasal emptying rate was significantly ( P <0.05) faster in group E (T_max-model=182±69 min; mean±SD) than in group C cows (T_max-model=237±64 min). Abomasal emptying rate was similar in group D (T_max-model=196±47 min) and group C. Both treatments improved postoperative milk yield within 1 day after surgery.
Conclusion— Preoperative injection of erythromycin (10 mg/kg IM) is an effective method for ameliorating postoperative abomasal hypomotility in cows with AV.
Clinical Relevance— Parenteral erythromycin can be recommended for preoperative treatment of cows with AV.     

单克隆抗体夹心ELISA试验检测鸡新城疫病毒抗原的研究

从10株抗鸡新城疫病毒(NDV)特异性单克隆抗体(MAbs) 中筛选出2株MAbs—M22和F23,分别用作包被抗体和酶标抗体而建立的MAbs—夹心ELISA试验,对提纯NDV的最小检出量为25ng/ml病毒蛋白.NDV鸡阳性血清对本试验的特异性阻断作用和与其他禽类病毒交叉反应的阴性结果,证明本试验对NDV的特异性。从临床疑为鸡新城疫的724只病鸡的口腔棉试样品中共检出阳性502只,其中200个样品与病毒分离试验结果完全一致,两者均查出阳性鸡176只。     

A nervous syndrome in dogs responding to treatment with thiamine

Abstract

Extract

Sir,—Following letters of Mayhew and Stewart 1969) Mayhew, I. G. and Stewart, J. M. 1969. Nervous syndrome in dogs possibly associated with a thiamine deficiency. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 91–92. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]and Stirling (1969) Stirling, T. 1969. Possible thiamine deficiency in dogs. N.Z. vet. J., 11: 160–160.  [Google Scholar], I feel that the following case report may be of interest.