Changes in some biochemical indicators of bone turnover after ultraviolet irradiation of dairy cows

The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on some biochemical indicators of bone turnover in dairy cows was determined. The irradiation was performed using a stationary system for two months and comprised a regimen of 10 days irradiation followed by 10 days rest. After ultraviolet irradiation, significant differences in the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001) and bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (P < 0.05) and concentration of osteocalcin (P < 0.01) were demonstrated. The results suggest that supplementary ultraviolet irradiation during winter could be used as a simple but reliable method of preventing the development of generalised metabolic bone disorders in dairy cows.     

Comparison of disease progress curves for yam anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

The incidence and severity of foliar anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , were recorded for seven fields of yams ( Dioscorea alata var. White Lisbon) in Barbados over a complete growing season. A scoring system was developed to estimate severity, placing the emphasis on the earliest, least visible stages of the disease. Disease progress curves were described in terms of the logistic model and the effects of site and leaf age on the parameters as well as on disease at tuber bulking were analysed. Differences between sites indicated that disease was more severe in areas of higher rainfall. In severe epidemics, disease predominated on young leaves. Fungicides applied sufficiently early can delay the onset of disease and slow the rate of disease progress.     

Seasonality of cattle feed sources in Pabna,Bangladesh

Summary Cattle feed sources were studied at village level in Pabna district, Bangladesh. A large quantity of feed was offered. In the monsoon the average amount of DM fed to a mature animal of 210kg was 7·1kg d⁻¹, consisting of about equal amounts of straw, weeds and leaves. In winter animals grazed for an average of 3·7hd⁻¹ and were supplemented with 3·9kgDMd⁻¹ (two-thirds straw). In summer they were offered 5·4kgDMd⁻¹ (one-third straw and two-thirds weeds and leaves) and they grazed for 0·5hd⁻¹. The major limiting constraint on cattle production is the quality of the feed offered, particularly in the monsoon period when animals cannot graze. In future, feed quality will become even more of a problem because grazing lands are gradually disappearing.

---

Resumen Se estudiaron las fuentes de alimentos para el ganado a nivel de villorrio en el distrito de Pabna, Bangladesh. Se ofreció gran cantidad de alimento. En la época de monsones, la cantidad promedio de materia seca (MS) suministrada a un animal maduro de 210kg fue 7·1kgd⁻¹, la que consistió en cantidades iguales de paja, malezas y hojas. En invierno los animales pastorearon un promedio de 3·7hd⁻¹ y fueron suplementados con 3·9kgMSd⁻¹ (dos tercios paja). En verano se ofrecieron 5·4kgMSd⁻¹ (un tercio paja y dos tercios malezas y hojas), pastoreando los animales 0·5hd⁻¹. La mayor limitante encontrada, fue la calidad del alimento ofrecido, particularmente en la época de monsones, cuando los animales no pueden pastorear. En el futuro, la calidad del alimento empeorará, ya que las pasturas están desapareciendo gradualmente.

---

Résumé Les disponibilités alimentaires du bétail ont été étudiées dans le district de Pabna (Bangladesh), au sein d'un village. Une grande quantité de nourriture fut offerte. Lors de la mousson, la quantité moyenne de matière sèche présentée à un adulte de 210kg était de 7,1kg/j, consistant en proportion à peu près équivalente de paille, mauvaises herbes et feuilles. En hiver, les animaux paturaient en moyenne 3,7kg/j et recevaient un supplément de 3,9kg/j de matières sèchs (deux tiers de paille). En été, on leur a distribué 5,4kg/j de matières sèches (un tiers de pailles, deux tiers de mauvaises herbes et de feuilles) et ils paturaient pendant une demi-heure (0,5h/j). Le facteur majeur limitant réside dans la qualité nutritive offerte, particulièrement pendant la mousson, période où les animaux ne peuvent pas paturer. La qualité de l'alimentation risque de devenir encore plus problématique du fait de la disparition progressive des paturages.

     

Physiological and morphological changes in bovine mammary glands following intramammary infusion of recombinant interferon-gamma.

Eleven lactating dairy cows were used to evaluate the response of bovine mammary glands to increasing doses of recombinant bovine interferon (rBoIFN)-gamma. Right front and rear quarters were intramammarily infused with eight different doses (10(2) U to 2 x 10(8) U/quarter) of rBoIFN-gamma; each dose was tested in at least two quarters. Left udder halves served as within animal controls in which quarters were injected with a saline placebo or were not infused at all. Milk secretion samples for compositional analysis were collected from each quarter prior to infusion and at 6, 24, 36 and 48 h following infusion. Animals were slaughtered immediately following the 48 h sampling period and mammary tissue was obtained for morphometric analyses. Milk composition was similar between control quarters and those quarters infused with up to 10(5) U of rBo-IFN-gamma during the entire sampling period. Quarters infused with 10(6) U and 10(7) U of rBoIFN-gamma had higher milk somatic cell counts (SCC) following treatment compared with preinfusion values. Changes in the composition of mammary secretion were most dramatic in quarters infused with greater than or equal to 10(8) U of rBoIFN-gamma as indicated by the significant increase in SCC and milk pH with a concomitant decrease in lactose concentration when compared with pre-infusion values or with control quarters. Morphometric analysis of tissue demonstrated an increase in stroma, a decrease in luminal area, and a marked increase in the number of infiltrating leukocytes in those quarters infused with the higher doses of rBoIFN-gamma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Resident Dendritic Cells in the Epidermis: Langerhans Cells, Merkel Cells and Melanocytes

Résumé— En plus des kératinocytes, l'épiderme contient des cellules résidentes de morphologie dendritique. Ce sont principalement la cellule de Langerhans, la cellule de Merkel et le mélanocyte. Ces cellules ont des fonctions diverses dans le tégument. Le mélanocyte assure la pigmentation cutanée et la protection contre les radiations U.V., et pourrait intervenir également dans la modulation de l'inflammation cutanée. La cellule de Langerhans intervient dans la surveillance immunologique des surfaces corporelles ecternes. La cellule de Merkel a des fonctions neuroendocrines. Cet article donne un aperçu de la structure et de la fonction de ces trois importantes populations cellulaires dans la peau. [Resident dentritic cells in the epidermis: Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and melanocytes (Cellules dentritiques résidentes de l'épiderme: cellules de Langerhans, cellules de Merkel et mélanocytes). Resumen— La epidermis contiene, además de los queratinocitos, células résidentes de morfologia dendria dendritica. Estas son principalmente las células de Langerhans, las células de Merkel y los melanocitos. Estas células tienen varias funciones en el integumento. Los melanocitos se encargan de la pigmentación y protección de la piel contra la radiación ultravioleta y tarrtbién participan en la regulación de la inflamación cutánea. Las células de Langerhans ayudan en la regulación inmunológica en la superficie externa. Las células de Merkel tienen funciones neuroendocrinas. Esta revisión da un repaso general a la estructura y función de tres importantes células de la piel. [Resident dendsuitic cells in the epidermis: Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and Melanocytes (Células résidentes en la epidermis: células de Langerhans, células de Merkel y melanocitos). Abstract— In addition to the keratinocytes, the epidermis contains resident cells of dendritic morphology. These are principally the Langerhans cell, Merkel cell and melanocyte. These cells have a number of different functions in the integument. The melanocyte is responsible for skin pigmentation and protection against UV radiation, and may also play a role in the modulation of cutaneous inflammation. The Langerhans cell aids in the immunological monitoring of the body's external surfaces. The Merkel cell has neuroendocrine functions. This review gives an overview of the structure and function of these three important cells of the skin.     

Serological responses of specific pathogen-free foals to equine herpesvirus-1: primary and secondary infection, and reactivation.

Serum antibody (virus neutralisation, complement fixation, IgM and IgG) responses to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection were measured in six foals which were initially free from EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection and maternally-derived antibodies. Following primary infection, high titres of virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies were detectable against EHV-1, however, corresponding antibody levels against EHV-4 were low or inapparent, although the two viruses share a number of cross-reactive epitopes. In addition, following the primary infection with EHV-1, IgM levels increased before those of IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies, peaked sooner and thereafter declined. Stimulation of IgM levels was observed on secondary infection with EHV-1 given 61 days later. In contrast, IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies following primary infection were more sustained and no increase in their levels was observed on secondary infection. No consistent changes in IgM or IgG levels were seen after administration of dexamethasone to reactivate latent virus.