Apparent lack of efficacy of toltrazuril against Eimeria species affecting brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) at a captive rearing facility

AIM: To assess the efficacy of toltrazuril against the Eimeria spp. affecting brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli).

METHODS: Droppings were collected from three brown kiwi, aged <6 months old, at a captive rearing facility in the North Island of New Zealand, between 22 February and 20 April 2017, on 14 sampling dates. Only droppings (n=30) that were excreted between 03:00 and 07:00, as determined using video surveillance, were included for analysis, reflecting the peak time for shedding of coccidial oocysts for brown kiwi. Oocysts were quantified in each sample and Eimeria species identified on the basis of oocyst morphology. All samples were collected between 2 and 10 days after the birds had been treated with 25?mg/kg toltrazuril.

RESULTS: Eimeria spp. oocysts were identified in 28/30 individual samples and on 14/14 sampling dates. Oocyst counts varied from 0 to 328,080 oocysts per gram (opg), and at least one oocyst count >10,000 opg was measured on 12/14 sampling dates. Three species of Eimeria were observed, with Eimeria apteryxii and E. kiwii most commonly encountered, whereas only one sample contained E. paraurii.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the three birds monitored at this research site, there was a high abundance of E. apteryxii and E. kiwii oocysts in droppings despite recent administration of toltrazuril. These results suggest that the populations of Eimeria spp. affecting brown kiwi at this location appear to possess an ability to survive exposure to toltrazuril. Toltrazuril is widely used at captive rearing facilities to limit the effects of coccidiosis in juvenile kiwi. If a lack of efficacy is confirmed, it will be necessary to investigate alternative treatment regimens alongside broader environmental management strategies.     

不同灌溉方式对制种玉米产量及水分利用效率的影响

通过田间试验,研究了畦灌、常规沟灌、隔沟交替灌3种灌溉方式对制种玉米产量及水分利用效率的影响,结果表明,不同灌溉方式下,制种玉米产量为8.73~10.87 t/hm~2,耗水量为349.7~625.0 mm,WUE为1.40~3.01kg/m~3。隔沟交替灌溉方式耗水量最低,畦灌方式最高,常规沟灌居中。相同灌溉定额条件下,隔沟交替灌制种玉米产量较常规沟灌增减幅度在-2.43%~10.24%。常规沟灌方式若能保证作物需水关键期的灌溉,适度减少灌水不会造成制种玉米减产。产量构成要素结果表明,行粒数、出籽率、穗长、穗粗、秃尖长、千粒重产量构成要素对产量的累积贡献率达85.54%。在甘肃河西地区,制种玉米全生育期灌水8次(苗期1次,拔节期2次,抽穗期1次,灌浆期2次,乳熟期2次),灌溉定额2 250 m~3/hm~2的隔沟交替灌溉方式(T6处理)能稳定提高产量和水分利用效率。     

Earth-Based Radio Tracking of the Galileo Probe for Jupiter Wind Estimation

Although the Galileo probe was designed to communicate only to the orbiter, the probe radio signal was detected at two Earth-based radio observatories where the signal was a billion times weaker. The measured signal frequency was used to derive a vertical profile of the jovian zonal wind speed. Due to the mission geometry, the Earth-based wind estimates are less sensitive to descent trajectory errors than estimates based on probe-orbiter Doppler measurements. The two estimates of wind profiles agree qualitatively; both show high wind speeds at all depths sampled.     

如何做好新形势下种子行业财务统计汇总工作

种子行业财务统计工作是现代种业管理中一项十分重要的基础性工作，通过对财务统计数据的收集、汇总和分析，对于全面了解和掌握当前种子行业的发展状况，及时发现和纠正存在的主要问题，并为国家及各级政府部门制定种子产业发展规划提供重要依据。过去种子行业统计工作是建立在计划经济体制下，主要是针对国有种子公司进行的。随着种子市场的放开和种子企业改制的深入，国有种子企业逐渐与行政事业单位脱钩，成为自主经营、自负盈亏的经济实体。这些体制上的变化，不仅给种子管理工作带来了新的内容和问题，而且也给种子行业财务统计工作增加了新的难度和深度。如何适应新的体制，认真做好财务统计工作，并通过这项工作的开展，为企业经营者在宏观上提供及时准确的信息，是种子行业财务统计工作新的研究课题。近年来，围绕这一课题，我们从加强对种子企业的组织领导和监督管理人手，在统计方法、统计手段、业务指导和业务培训等方面都进行了大胆的改革和尝试，卓有成效地开展了新形势下的财务统计工作，取得了明显的成效和收获。     

Allergen-specific IgG and IgA in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a model of experimental feline asthma

Allergic asthma, a Th2 cell driven response to inhaled allergens, has classically been thought of as predominantly mediated by IgE antibodies. To investigate the role of other immunoglobulin classes (e.g., IgG and IgA) in the immunopathogenesis of allergic asthma, levels of these allergen-specific immunoglobulins were measured in serum and mucosal fluids. Bermuda grass allergen (BGA)-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were developed and optimized in an experimental model of BGA-induced feline asthma. Levels of BGA-specific IgG and IgA significantly increased over time in serum and BALF after allergen sensitization. Additionally, these elevated levels of BGA-specific IgG and IgA were seen in conjunction with the development of an asthmatic phenotype indicated by positive intradermal skin tests, enhanced airways hyperreactivity, and increased eosinophil percentages in the BALF.     

Concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes in urine and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of cats with experimentally induced asthma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in cysteinyl leukotriene (LT) concentrations in urine and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in cats with experimentally induced asthma. ANIMALS: 19 cats with experimentally induced asthma and 5 control cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were sensitized to Bermuda grass or house dust mite allergen, and phenotypic features of asthma were confirmed with intradermal skin testing, evaluation of BALF eosinophil percentages, and pulmonary function testing. A competitive ELISA kit for LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 was used for quantitative analysis of LTs. Urinary creatinine concentrations and BALF total protein (TP) concentrations were measured, and urinary LT-to-creatinine ratios and BALF LT-to-TP ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Mean urinary LT-to-creatinine ratios did not differ significantly between control cats and allergen-sensitized cats before or after sensitization and challenge exposure with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or allergen, respectively. In BALF the mean LT-to-TP ratio of control cats did not differ significantly before or after sensitization and challenge exposure with saline. Asthmatic cats had BALF LT-to-TP ratios that were significantly lower than control cats at all time points, whereas ratios for asthmatic cats did not differ significantly among the various time points. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although LTs were readily detectable in urine, no significant increases in urinary LT concentrations were detected after challenge in allergen-sensitized cats. Spot testing of urinary LT concentrations appears to have no clinical benefit for use in monitoring the inflammatory asthmatic state in cats. The possibility that cysteinyl LTs bind effectively to their target receptors in BALF and, thus, decrease free LT concentrations deserves further study.     

CD4+ and CD8+ T- lymphocytopenia in a filly with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Decreased proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood likely contributed to susceptibility to Pneumocystis carinii in a foal. Cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage was required for identification of the pathogen and serial flow-cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes documented transient low expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Although immunodeficiency is uncommon, it must be included in the differential diagnosis for patients suffering from chronic or opportunistic infections and may provide an indication for immunostimulant therapy.     

Modelled female sale options demonstrate improved profitability in northern beef herds

Objective To examine the impact of improving the average value of cows sold, the risk of decreasing the number weaned, and total sales on the profitability of northern Australian cattle breeding properties. Design Gather, model and interpret breeder herd performances and production parameters on properties from six beef‐producing regions in northern Australia. Procedure Production parameters, prices, costs and herd structure were entered into a herd simulation model for six northern Australian breeding properties that spay females to enhance their marketing options. After the data were validated by management, alternative management strategies were modelled using current market prices and most likely herd outcomes. Results The model predicted a close relationship between the average sale value of cows, the total herd sales and the gross margin/adult equivalent. Keeping breeders out of the herd to fatten generally improves their sale value, and this can be cost‐effective, despite the lower number of progeny produced and the subsequent reduction in total herd sales. Furthermore, if the price of culled cows exceeds the price of culled heifers, provided there are sufficient replacement pregnant heifers available to maintain the breeder herd nucleus, substantial gains in profitability can be obtained by decreasing the age at which cows are culled from the herd. Conclusion Generalised recommendations on improving reproductive performance are not necessarily the most cost‐effective strategy to improve breeder herd profitability. Judicious use of simulation models is essential to help develop the best turnoff strategies for females and to improve station profitability.