A survey of the hygienic quality of beef and pork carcasses in Norway

The bacteriological quality of beef and pig carcasses was assessed at 9 Norwegian abattoirs by sampling 10 carcasses at multiple sites on each of several visits. On beef carcasses the following sites consistently carried higher numbers of bacteria: the Brisket, the Fore-ribs, the Flank groin, and the Round medial. There was no evidence that beef slaughter and dressing in the hanging position was superior to methods where the carcass was lying until the hide puller. On pork carcasses the Cheek, and the Abdomen lateral surface (belly) were most heavily contaminated. The hygienic quality of pork carcasses in abattoirs where singeing was a separate step tended to be better than where a combined singeing and dehairing machine was used.This survey suggests that bacteriological monitoring of slaughter at this level of sampling and visiting is able to detect consistently poor hygienic practices.Where direct comparisons with data from other countries could be made, the present investigation indicates that the bacterial counts on Norwegian beef and pork carcasses are of the same order or better.Key words: abattoir, slaughter, beef, pork, hygiene     

USE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY TO EVALUATE THE INTESTINAL TRACT OF ADULT LLAMAS

In the llama, signs of colic are obscure and may be exhibited as persistent sternal recumbency and anorexia even in the presence of a surgical lesion. Diagnostic methods for evaluation of abdominal disorders are limited. As a result, surgical intervention may be prolonged and increase the risk of mortality and postoperative complications. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of computed tomography to evaluate the llama intestinal tract. Eighteen hours prior to the computed tomography scan, six llamas were given barium sulfate (15%) via an orogastric tube. Following induction of general anesthesia, the llamas were positioned in sternal recumbency, and 10 mm contiguous slices were obtained from the diaphragm to the tuber ischiadicum. Structures that were consistently identified included the first, second, and third compartments (C1, 2, and 3), small intestine, spiral colon, and ascending colon. C1 was easily identified in the cranial aspect of the abdomen due to its large size relative to the other compartments and characteristic saccules. C2 was located cranial, ventral, and to the right of Cl, while C3 was visualized as a tubular structure to the right and ventral to C1 and C2, C3 was traced caudally until it turned dorsally and continued cranially to a dilated ampulla in the right cranial abdomen delineating the entrance to the small intestine. The spiral colon was identified consistently in the left ventral caudal abdomen. Structures that could not be conclusively identified included the cecum and mesenteric lymph nodes. Computed tomography allowed a consistent evaluation of the major intestinal structures associated with colic in the llama. Thus, computed tomography is a potentially valuable noninvasive diagnostic tool to effectively evaluate the abdominal cavity and differentiate medical from surgical lesions in the llama.     

The degradation of the herbicide benzoylprop ethyl on the foliage of cereal seedlings

The breakdown of the herbicide benzoylprop ethyl [SUFFIX, ethyl N-benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-aminopropionate] has been examined in wheat, oat, and barley seedlings after application of ¹⁴C-labeled herbicide to the foliage.Within 15 days of the application the route and rate of the breakdown were similar in the plants of all three species. Some of the herbicide was present in the plants in a complexed form which could be extracted from the plant with organic solvents and converted back into the herbicide on treatment with hot acid. Evidence was obtained for hydrolysis of the herbicide in the plant to give its des-ethyl analog which conjugated with plant sugars. There was some evidence for a small degree of degradation of benzoylprop ethyl by debenzoylation to give products which also conjugated or complexed.There was no evidence for the formation of 3,4-dichloroaniline in the plants.     

Certain features of erythrocytes of normal and glutathione-deficient sheep.

Studies were made of certain characters of erythrocytes of normal and glutathione (GSH)-deficient sheep. The results indicate that erythrocytes of GSH-deficient sheep are no more sensitive to oxidative damage than those of normal sheep.     

Quantification of imidacloprid toxicity to avocado thrips, Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), using a combined bioassay and ELISA approach

A competitive ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) technique was evaluated for quantifying titres of imidacloprid in homogenates of leaf discs sampled from avocado plants treated with systemic applications of imidacloprid 240 g litre(-1) SC (Admire). Matrix effects were evident with undiluted leaf tissue homogenates, but these were effectively eliminated by dilution of homogenates in water. In a field trial conducted in a commercial nursery, there was an excellent correlation between imidacloprid residues within leaves and avocado thrips (Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara) mortality. However, with subsequent sampling over a 2-month period, the relationship between mortality and apparent imidacloprid concentration became less robust, suggesting that the material was being degraded within the plant to non-toxic metabolites. Nevertheless, assessments of thrips mortality on leaves that had been recently treated with imidacloprid established a lower threshold of activity for imidacloprid residues of 6 ng cm(-2) leaf. Limitations on the use of ELISA to quantify the impact of systemic insecticides on pest populations are discussed.     

Forecasting future developments in application technology

Results of a postal survey are presented, investigating perceptions among experts of possible future developments in UK plant-protection activities. The overall response rate to the survey was 70%.     

Spread of bovine syncytial virus in a dairy herd over a two year period

During a two year period the spread of bovine syncytial virus was monitored in a closed herd of 50 to 100 milking cows. Out of a nucleus of 49 nonpregnant and pregnant heifers, six were found to be infected with bovine syncytial virus. Virus was detected only in the progeny of infected cows and not in the progeny of uninfected animals. Nineteen progeny of the bovine syncytial virus infected cows were studied in detail and virus was isolated from only four. Horizontal spread of the virus did not occur.