Effect of Particle Size and Moisture Content on Viscosity of Fish Feed

A model was developed for the influence of particle size on the extrusion of a fish feed and the physical characteristics of the extrudates evaluated. The study was conducted using factorial experiments in a fractional replication design for four variables with three levels, and one‐third of the replicates (3⁴ factorial in 27 units) were examined in a laboratory extruder. The torque‐screw speed measurement was used to develop a viscosity model equation that considered different shear rates, product temperature, initial moisture content, and particle size. When particle size decreased, the apparent viscosity became smaller. The barrel pressure was important in producing extrudate with a uniform volume over the range of processing conditions tested because it had a strong correlation with the volumetric expansion. The material with lower moisture and larger particles caused the specific mechanical energy to increase. The viscosity model developed in this study can be applied to the development of large‐scale extrusion models that determine the effect of particle size on the feed material extrudates.     

Science,capacity building and conservation knowledge: The empowerment of the local community for marine conservation in Rapa Nui

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Oxytetracycline as a predisposing condition for chalkbrood in honeybee

Antibiotics, particularly oxytetracycline, have been discussed as a possible predisposing condition in the appearance of chalkbrood in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Nevertheless, the scientific data to support this belief have been insufficient. We have developed a method to study the effects of this antibiotic as a predisposing factor under different circumstances. We conclude that oxytetracycline does not increase the risk of chalkbrood in susceptible worker brood in the short or mid-term.     

Analytical method for assessing potential dermal exposure to captan, using whole body dosimetry, in small vegetable production units in Argentina

An analytical method has been developed that can be used to determine the potential dermal exposure (PDE) of workers to the pesticide captan in small-scale horticultural production units. The methodology is based on the whole body dosimetry technique, using a cotton coverall and cotton gloves as sampling media, with protective clothing worn beneath the cotton media to protect the operator. The quantitative determination of captan was done by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD), with the analytical method validated by measuring limits of detection and quantification, linear ranges, sample recovery and precision. Special emphasis is placed on factors that affected the stability of captan during chromatographic determination. The data generated for potential dermal exposure are presented separately for mixing/loading and application activities. These data are compared with values obtained with visible tracers using a similar field technique. Margin of safety (MOS) values are also calculated for the agricultural procedures studied.     

Luteoprotective Role of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) During Pregnancy in the Mare

The effects of repeated cloprostenol administration were compared in mares impregnated by horses and mares impregnated by donkeys in order to assess the role of eCG on the development of pregnancy‐associated resistance to the luteolytic and abortifacient effects of PGF2α. Eleven mares impregnated by donkey (mule pregnancy) and 9 mares impregnated by horse (horse pregnancy) were used. Six mares with mule pregnancy and four with horse pregnancy were injected with cloprostenol (0.25 mg) when they were between day 65 and day 75 of pregnancy, and the treatment was repeated 48, 72 and 96 h latter. The rest of the mares remained as controls. Concentrations of eCG were 10 times higher (p < 0.001) in mares impregnated by horses than in mares impregnated by donkeys, and they were not affected by cloprostenol treatment. Luteolysis was completed 30 h after the first cloprostenol injection in mule pregnancies, while mares with horse pregnancies required 96 h and three cloprostenol injections to complete luteolysis. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between eCG concentrations at time 0 and the time required for completion of luteolysis (p < 0.001), foetal death (p < 0.01) and foetal expulsion (p < 0.05). It is concluded that high eCG concentrations in mares impregnated by horses protect the corpora lutea of pregnancy against the luteolytic effects of PGF2α. Low eCG concentrations in mares carrying mule foetuses afford them less protection against the luteolytic effect of PGF2α, and this may be a cause of the increased foetal mortality that occurs between days 60 and 90 of pregnancy in these mares.     

The use of electrical stimulation to guide epidural and intrathecal needle advancement at the L5‐L6 intervertebral space in dogs

ObjectiveTo determine the minimal electrical threshold (MET) necessary to elicit appropriate muscle contraction when the tip of an insulated needle is positioned epidurally or intrathecally at the L_5-6 intervertebral space (phase-I) and to determine whether the application of a fixed electrical current during its advancement could indicate needle entry into the intrathecal space (phase-II) in dogs.Study designProspective, blinded study.AnimalsThirteen (phase-I) and seventeen (phase-II) dogs, scheduled for a surgical procedure where L_5-6 intrathecal administration was indicated.MethodsUnder general anesthesia, an insulated needle was first inserted into the L_5-6 epidural space and secondly into the intrathecal space and the MET necessary to obtain a muscular contraction of the pelvic limb or tail at each site was determined (phase-I). Under similar conditions, in dogs of phase-II an insulated needle was inserted through the L_5-6 intervertebral space guided by the use of a fixed electrical current (0.8 mA) until muscular contraction of the pelvic limb or tail was obtained. Intrathecal needle placement was confirmed by either free flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or myelography.ResultsThe current required to elicit a motor response was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) when the tip of the needle was in the intrathecal space (0.48 ± 0.10 mA) than when it was located epidurally (2.56 ± 0.57). The use of a fixed electrical stimulation current of 0.8 mA resulted in correct prediction of intrathecal injection, corroborated by either free flow of CSF (n = 12) or iohexol distribution pattern (n = 5), in 100% of the cases.Conclusion and clinical relevanceNerve stimulation may be employed as a tool to distinguish epidural from intrathecal insulated needle position at the L_5-6 intervertebral space in dogs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using an electrical stimulation test to confirm intrathecal needle position in dogs.     

S‐(+)‐Linalool from Lippia alba: sedative and anesthetic for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

ObjectiveThe present study describes the isolation of linalool from the essential oil of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, and its anesthetic effect in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) in comparison with essential oil. The potentiation of depressant effects of linalool with a benzodiazepine (BDZ) and the involvement of GABAergic system in its antagonism by flumazenil were also evaluated.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsJuvenile silver catfish unknown sex weighing mean 9.24 ± 2.83 g (n = 6 for each experimental group per experiment).MethodsColumn chromatography was used for the isolation of S-(+)-linalool. Fish (n = 6 for each concentration) were transferred to aquaria with linalool (30, 60, and 180 μL L^?1) or EO of L. alba (50, 100, and 300 μL L^?1) to determine the induction time for anesthesia. After induction, the animals were transferred to anesthetic-free aquaria to assess their recovery time. To observe the potentiation, fish were exposed to linalool (30, 60, and 180 μL L^?1) in the presence or absence of BDZ (diazepam 150 μm). In another experiment, fish exposed to linalool (30 and 180 μL L^?1) or BDZ were transferred to an anesthetic-free aquaria containing flumazenil (5 μm) or water to assess recovery time.ResultsLinalool had a similar sedation profile to the essential oil at a proportional concentration in silver catfish. However, the anesthesia profile was different. Potentiation of linalool effect occurred only when tested at low concentration. Fish exposed to BDZ showed faster anesthesia recovery in water with flumazenil, but the same did not occur with linalool.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe use of linalool as a sedative and anesthetic for silver catfish was effective at 30 and 180 μL L^?1, respectively. The mechanism of action seems not to involve the benzodiazepine site of the GABAergic system.     

Induction and survival of hemoglobin-less and erythrocyte-less tadpoles and young bullfrogs

Injection of two 25-microgram-per-gram doses of the hemolytic agent phenylhydrazine reduced the hemoglobin level and the erythrocyte count to less than 1 percent of normal tadpole and young blullfrog blood. These anemic animals survive for weeks with little change in overall metabolism. A slow recovery of hemoglobin levels was observed. The implications of this observation for comparative biochemistry are considered.