The prevalence and identity of Sarcocystis cysts in cattle in Belgium

Muscle tissue from the oesophagus, diaphragm and heart of 100 cattle slaughtered in Belgium was examined for Sarcocystis infection by microscopic examination of tissue and artificial digestion. Intact sarcocysts or cystozoietes were recovered from 97% of the cattle examined. There was a difference in sensitivity between the method (digestion or histology) used and the muscle processed. The digestion of the oesophagus muscle resulted in the highest number of positive animals whereas the heart muscles contained most cysts during histological examination. Thin-walled cysts were recovered from all positive animals especially in the heart and they were indistinguishable from those of S. cruzi. Thick-walled cysts were recovered from 56% of animals but these could not be identified as S. hirsuta and/or S. hominis on morphological grounds. A correlation between pathological changes and the infection grade could not be proved.     

Quantitative Aspects of Thyroid Scintigraphy With Pertechnetate (99mTcO4) in Cats

Thyroidal ^99mTcO₄(pertechnetate) uptake percentages were determined in unanesthetized euthyroid (n = 13) and hyperthyroid (n = 18) cats. Maximal uptakes were observed 60 minutes after IV injection of the radionuclide and ranged from 0.3 to 3.9% of the dose in euthyroid cats (median 2.23%) and from 5.2% to 23.9% of the dose in hyperthyroid cats (median 14.8%) ( P < .05). There were no overlaps in pertechnetate uptake percentages during any of the intervals evaluated. It is concluded that the optimal time for visualization of the thyroid by ^99mTcO₄-scanning is 60 minutes after IV injection of the radionuclide. Calculation of the percentage uptake is of additional diagnostic value.     

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin on metabolic rate in growing pigs

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on metabolic rate were studied in two trials with 24 crossbred barrows (Yorkshire x Landrace) in each. The barrows weighed about 80 kg (SE within trials 2.2 kg) at the start of the measurements and in each trial 12 pigs received 4 mg of rpST and 12 received a placebo. The diet contained 2.57 Mcal NE/kg and 20% CP (about 1% lysine). Animals were fed approximately 2.8 times maintenance (280 kcal ME.kg-.75.d-1). Heat production (gaseous exchange of CO2 and O2) and activity were measured continuously. Heat production associated with activity was calculated from the regression of heat production on activity. Animals treated with rpST exceeded controls in rate of gain by 252 g/d (P less than .001) and in metabolic rate by 14.5 kcal.kg-.75.d-1 (P less than .01). The rpST treatment increased rectal (+ .2 degrees C) and surface (+ .8 degrees C) temperatures. Activity-related heat production in treated pigs was increased, but this was only partly related to the increase in metabolic rate with rpST. The daily patterns of total and activity-related heat production were similar between pigs in both experimental treatments.     

Farming systems development: Synthesizing indigenous and scientific knowledge systems

Agricultural development strategies to date were chiefly based on Western technological solutions, with mixed success rates. Farming Systems Research (FSR) was advanced as a way to increase the use of indigenous knowledge of farming to make new technologies more adaptable and appropriate to farming conditions. FSR has enabled researchers to focus attention on people and their knowledge by increasing people's participation in problem identification and new technology validation. In practice, though, FSR continues to be a top-down approach: technologies continue to be developed (in most cases) in the exogenous, Western knowledge system. Little has been done to develop indigenous technology generating and diffusing capacities already present in the rural areas. In this paper, a model adapted from Bell (1979) will be advanced that is based on cooperation and collaboration between the exogenous and indigenous knowledge systems leading to a synthesis of the two. The underlying principle of the model is that the ultimate solution for rural development is not the dumping of more scientists upon rural people (of whatever discipline) to make exogenously-generated technologies more adaptable and in-line with people's problems, but to strengthen, empower, and legitimize indigenous capacities for identifying problems and developing solutions for these problems. The “empowerment” of the indigenous knowledge/technology system (however difficult that may be politically) so that it has equal footing with Western knowledge may well be the most important step in a strategy of enabling the people in the developing countries themselves to alleviate their poverty.     

BSE in the Netherlands: an update

Up to 2006, there have been 82 cases of BSE in cattle born in the Netherlands. This article reviews the current situation regarding BSE in the Netherlands and summarizes the clinical symptoms of the disease. Data from the Netherlands show that a passive surveillance system, by which farmers and veterinarians have to report suspect clinical cases, has a low sensitivity. The epidemiology of, and risk factors for, BSE are discussed. All the Dutch cases of BSE can be attributed to cross-contamination of feed with meat-and-bone meal. On the basis of information about the epidemic and the cases reported to date, it is anticipated that the number of cases of BSE will continue to decline in the Netherlands and Europe. The European Commission has presented a road map that describes how the European BSE policy can be changed in the short and long term if the current favourable trend in BSE cases continues. It is time for a new phase in the management of BSE but with continued protection of the public's health and eradication of BSE.