Association of bovine respiratory disease with clinical status and acute phase proteins in calves

Eighty-four calves with respiratory disease from 18 herds in different parts of Finland were chosen for a study evaluating the capacity of different respiratory pathogens to cause changes in different acute phase protein concentrations, white blood cell (WBC) count and clinical signs. The selected acute phase proteins were fibrinogen, haptoglobin, serum amyloid-A, lipopolysaccharide binding protein and alpha1-acid glycoprotein. From each calf, a paired blood sample was obtained for serological studies of bovine parainfluenza virus-3, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine coronavirus, bovine adenovirus-3 and bovine adenovirus-7. Tracheobronchial lavage was performed to detect bacteria and mycoplasma. Isolation of Pasteurella multocida was associated with increased concentrations of all tested acute phase proteins. For other pathogens, no significant relationships were observed. No association was present between viral or bacterial findings and WBC count.     

Evaluation of the effect of ketoprofen and carprofen on platelet function in dogs studied by PFA-100 point-of-care analyser

The effect of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (carprofen and ketoprofen) on platelet adhesion and aggregation functions was evaluated by the PFA-100 analyser (Dade-Behring, CA, U.S.A.) using its collagen-adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen-epinephrine (EPI) cartridges. The function of platelets was evaluated in 55 healthy dogs, in 7 dogs treated with ketoprofen and in 31 dogs treated with carprofen in a therapeutic dose for minimum 5 days. The therapeutic doses of carprofen had no effect on the closure time of PFA-100 (which is the marker of platelet function) but ketoprofen caused a significant increase when using collagen-EPI stimulation The closure times for both the healthy (control) and the treated dogs using EPI cartridges were often longer than the upper default cut-off point (300 sec) of the device. The PFA-100 analyser with collagen-ADP cartridges could be a useful tool for veterinary applications including the evaluation of platelet aggregation in dogs treated with NSAIDs. The upper cut-off point of PFA-100 might be extended.     

EFFECT OF PREHARVEST SPRAYS OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SUCROSE ON CRACKING AND QUALITY OF ‘BURLAT’ SWEET CHERRY FRUIT

The aim of the study was to examine impact of preharvest sprays of calcium (Ca) and sucrose on splitting and quality of ‘Burlat’ sweet cherry fruit. The study was carried out during 2009–2010 in Poland and Turkey, on mature trees planted at a moderate density on coarse- and medium-textured soils. Sweet cherries were sprayed with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and/or sucrose at a rate of 5 kg of each material per ha, using ca. 1000 L of water. In Poland, sprays of CaCl₂ and/or sucrose were applied 8–14 h before each rain, starting 21 d before harvest, whereas in Turkey the spray treatments were made schematically: 7, 14 and 21 d before harvest. Sprays of water were treated as the control. The results showed that preharvest sprays of CaCl₂ and/or sucrose did not affect yield, mean fruit weight, and fruit acidity. Sprays of CaCl₂ increased fruit Ca status, and simultaneously reduced fruit cracking in an orchard or laboratory test. In the trial performed in Turkey, part of fruit sprayed with CaCl₂ (<5%) had spray deposit on the peel. Sucrose sprays did not affect fruit cracking. In one year of the study in Turkey, sucrose sprays increased soluble solids concentration of fruit; however, part of fruit treated with sucrose (<2%) had spray deposit on the skin.     

Phytotoxic effect of culture filtrate from Fusarium subglutinans the causal agent of fusariose of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr

Two pineapple varieties differing in resistance to fusariose were examined for the phytotoxic effect of Fusarium subglutinans culture filtrate. The cultivars were Perolera (more resistant to pathovars of Fusarium subglutinans) and Smooth Cayenne (more susceptible). The phytotoxic effect of culture filtrate was assessed in tissue culture pineapple plantlets (by electrolyte leakage and placing the culture filtrate on wound leaf segments) and callus (inhibition of growth). Smooth Cayenne proved to be the most sensitive cultivar in each test, whereas Perolera showed resistance to the culture filtrate and its callus grew in the presence of high concentrations of culture filtrate that were completely toxic to Smooth Cayenne. These results show that plants can display cellular resistance to the culture filtrate. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of natural pigment sources on colouration of red zebra cichlid (Maylandia estherae Konings, 1995)

This study was done to assess the effect of the colouration of the red zebra cichlid (Maylandia estherae), using beet root red (Beta vulgaris ruba) and henna (Lawsonia inermis). The fish with an average weight of 1.21 ± 0.69 g was placed in 12 aquariums. Fifteen fish were placed in each aquarium. The fish were fed with diets which were without carotenoid supplement (AK), containing astaxanthin (AA), beet root red (AP) and henna (AI). Except the AK, each group contained 50 mg/kg carotenoid additives. As a result of the experiment, total carotenoid values between groups were not significant (p > .05). The redness (a*) value of groups was significant (p < .05), and the values of brightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) were not significant (p > .05). Samples were kept in the freezer at ?20°C for 120 days to see whether the fish kept their colour. All groups decreased compared with the 50th day. This difference in groups except the AP was significant (p < .05). The FCR, SGR and weight gain% was not significant (p > .05). The survival was 97.28%, and it was the same in all groups. The study concluded that natural carotene sources with lower costs had similar effects with astaxanthin.     

TRANSLATING THE MULTI-ACTOR APPROACH TO RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE USING A WORKSHOP APPROACH FOCUSING ON SPECIES MIXTURES

● Challenges in reconciling multi disciplinarity with clear expressions of single disciplinary concerns. ● Participant involvement was created bridging the gap between academia and practice. ● Collaboration potentials with actor networks to co-produce shared visions were recognized. ● A common language was developed concerning unfounded perceptions of barriers for change. ● The workshop was effective for producing a shared picture of research needs. The EIP-Agri multiactor approach was exemplified during a 3-day workshop with 63 project participants from the EU H2020 funded project “Redesigning European cropping systems based on species MIXtures”. The objective was to share firsthand experience of participatory research among researchers who were mostly not familiar with this approach. Workshop participants were divided into smaller multidisciplinary groups and given the opportunity to interact with representatives from eight actor positions in the value chain of the agrifood cooperative Terrena located in Western France. The four stages of the workshop were: (1) key actor interviews, (2) sharing proposed solutions for overcoming barriers, and (3) developing possible interdisciplinary concepts. Expressions of frustration were recorded serving both as a motivation for group members to become more aware of the scientific concerns and practices of their colleagues, as well as a recognition that some researchers have better skills integrating qualitative approaches than others. Nevertheless, the workshop format was an effective way to gain a common understanding of the pertinent issues that need to be addressed to meet overall multiactor-approach objectives. Working with the actor networks was identified and emphasized as a means to overcome existing barriers between academia and practice in order to coproduce a shared vision of the benefits of species mixture benefits.     

Studies on the effect of temperature and pH on the inactivation of fish viral and bacterial pathogens

Disposal of fish by‐products in the European Community must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 which categorizes animal by‐products according to risk, and specifies methods of disposal of by‐products according to that risk. There is provision under the regulation for composting or ensiling to be used for by‐products from aquatic animals. Biosecurity considerations require knowledge of the parameters of time and temperature, or time and pH, required to inactivate any fish pathogens that may be present. To provide those data, we undertook laboratory studies on the inactivation of a number of fish pathogenic viruses and bacteria at 60 °C, pH 4.0 and pH 12.0 as a preliminary to conducting subsequent trials with the most resistant viruses and bacteria in fish tissues. The most resistant bacterium to 60 °C, pH 4.0 as well as pH 12.0 was Lactococcus garvieae. Its concentration was reduced to the level of sensitivity of the test after 24–48 h exposure to 60 °C, but it survived for at least 7 days at pH 4.0 and 14 days at pH 12.0. The most resistant virus to 60 °C was infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, and to pH 12.0 was infectious salmon anaemia virus. The majority of the viruses tested survived exposure to pH 4.0 for up to 28 days. The results suggest that the process of acid ensiling alone is not an effective method for the inactivation of many viral and bacterial pathogens, and fish by‐products would need further treatment by a method approved under the regulation following ensiling, whereas alkaline or heat treatment are likely to provide an increased degree of biosecurity for on‐farm processing of mortalities.     

Applications of Chitosan in Surgical and Post-Surgical Materials

The continuous advances in surgical procedures require continuous research regarding materials with surgical applications. Biopolymers are widely studied since they usually provide a biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic material. Among them, chitosan is a promising material for the development of formulations and devices with surgical applications due to its intrinsic bacteriostatic, fungistatic, hemostatic, and analgesic properties. A wide range of products has been manufactured with this polymer, including scaffolds, sponges, hydrogels, meshes, membranes, sutures, fibers, and nanoparticles. The growing interest of researchers in the use of chitosan-based materials for tissue regeneration is obvious due to extensive research in the application of chitosan for the regeneration of bone, nervous tissue, cartilage, and soft tissues. Chitosan can serve as a substance for the administration of cell-growth promoters, as well as a support for cellular growth. Another interesting application of chitosan is hemostasis control, with remarkable results in studies comparing the use of chitosan-based dressings with traditional cotton gauzes. In addition, chitosan-based or chitosan-coated surgical materials provide the formulation with antimicrobial activity that has been highly appreciated not only in dressings but also for surgical sutures or meshes.     

Effect of solarization and fumigant applications on soilborne pathogens and root-knot nematodes in greenhouse-grown tomato in Turkey

A study was conducted in two greenhouses with a history of Fusarium crown and root rot (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis-lycopersici, Forl) and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica andM. incognita). During the 2005–06 growing season, the effectiveness of soil disinfestation by solarization in combination with low doses of metham-sodium (500, 750, 1000 and 1250l ha⁻¹) or dazomet (400 g ha⁻¹), was tested against soilborne pathogens and nematodes in an attempt to find a suitable alternative to methyl bromide, which is soon to be phased out. Solarization alone was not effective in the greenhouse with a high incidence ofForl. In the greenhouse with a low level ofForl, all the treatments tested reduced disease incidence, and were therefore considered to be applicable for soil disinfestation. In addition, root-knot nematode density decreased with all the treatments tested in both of the greenhouses.     

Developing new herbicide models from allelochemicals

Plants contain allelochemicals which are their own defence systems and can act as herbicides. Selected examples of guaianolides and heliannuols, which are sesquiterpenes, are discussed in the context of their potential use as natural herbicide templates.