Canine transmissible venereal tumour: a review

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious venereal tumour of dogs, commonly observed in dogs that are in close contact with one another, or in stray and wild dogs that exhibit unrestrained sexual activity. CTVT represents a unique, naturally transmissible, contagious tumour, where the mutated tumour cell itself is the causative agent and perpetuates as a parasitic allograft in the host. Clinical history, signalment and cytological features are often obvious for establishing a diagnosis though biopsy and histological examination may be needed in atypical cases. Most cases are curable with three intravenous injections of vincristine sulphate at weekly intervals. The role of stray and wild dogs makes the disease difficult to control and necessitates sustained animal birth control in stray dogs along with prompt therapy of the affected dogs. This review captures the manifold developments in different areas embracing this fascinating tumour, including its biology, diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives.     

Computed tomography of the lungs of Indian pythons (Python molurus)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) for detection of pneumonia in snakes. ANIMALS: 8 clinically normal Indian pythons (Python molurus) and 5 pythons with evidence of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Preliminary examinations (clinical examination, conventional radiography, and microbiologic examination of a transtracheal wash sample) were performed. The lungs of each snake were then examined by use of CT performed in accordance with a standardized protocol. Structures of the lungs were assessed, and thickness and attenuation of the parenchyma were determined. RESULTS: It was possible to assess lung parenchyma in all pythons. Mean +/- SD attenuation in healthy pythons was -744.4 +/- 47.1 Hounsfield units. Significant differences were not evident between the right and left lungs or among measurement areas within a lung. In all Indian pythons with clinical signs of dyspnea and microbiologic detection of pathogens, hyperattenuation of the alveolar tissue was evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results revealed the benefit of CT for use in the diagnosis of pneumonia in snakes. A standardized protocol and reference values were established as a basis for CT assessment of the lungs of snakes.     

Blood, Bull Terriers and Babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs

This study reports on the epidemiology of Babesia gibsoni in American Pit Bull Terriers living in a region of western Victoria in southern Australia. Both American Pit Bull Terriers (n = 100) and other dog breeds (n = 51) were screened for B gibsoni using immunofluorescent antibody testing (IFAT) and/or polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A questionnaire was also completed by each dog owner, ascertaining the husbandry and habits of the dogs sampled. Fourteen dogs were positive for B gibsoni using IFAT and/or PCR-RFLP and all were American Pit Bull Terriers. Dogs that were male and/or had been bitten by or were biters of other American Pit Bull Terriers were more likely to be B gibsoni positive, thus suggesting that blood-to-blood transmission contributes to the spread of this disease between dogs.     

Importance of prudent antibiotic use on dairy farms in South Carolina: a pilot project on farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices

Inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals contributes to decreased antimicrobial susceptibility in bacteria of medical importance. Resistant bacteria being transferred from animals to humans are causing public health concern. In-person interviews were conducted with 20 dairy farmers in rural counties of South Carolina to determine farmers' knowledge and attitudes about prudent antibiotic use among livestock. Four focus groups (n = 22) were also conducted to ascertain farmers' specific information needs about proper antibiotic use. Survey results showed that participants (100%) typically determined a need for antibiotic treatment using symptom assessment and reported following some form of operating procedures regarding administration of antibiotics. Few farmers (32%) had actual written antibiotic protocols. Preferred information sources about antibiotics were veterinarians (100%) and other dairy farmers (50%). Most farmers (86%) were not concerned that overuse of antibiotics in animals could result in antibiotic resistance among farm workers. Qualitative analysis of focus groups revealed significant barriers to following proper antibiotic procedures including limited finances and lack of time. The need for bilingual educational resources for Hispanic/Latino dairy workers was expressed. Desired formats for educational materials were posters, flowcharts, videos, and seminars. Education of South Carolina dairy farmers by veterinarians and public health professionals on the appropriate use of antibiotics in dairy cattle is needed to ensure antibiotic effectiveness in both animals and humans.     

Control of irrigation amounts using velocity and position of wetting front

A new approach for the estimation and control of the quantity of water applied in an irrigation is presented in which irrigation is stopped when the wetting front reaches a critical depth, Z _L. An expression for calculating the critical depth Z _L was developed. A major parameter in this expression is the velocity of advance of the wetting front, V, which was shown to be directly related to the application rate, IR, and inversely related to the initial soil water content, _i. A depth probe (patent pending) was designed, constructed and tested for the purpose of monitoring the position of the wetting front during infiltration and redistribution and for computing the value of V. Equations developed for relating the velocity of advance of the wetting front to _i as well as for estimating the value of the critical depth Z _L were successfully tested under conditions of uniform distribution of the initial soil water content. An iterative learning process which utilizes the real time output from the depth probe during each irrigation and is therefore capable of handling realistic field conditions where nonuniformity is the rule is presented. The acquired information is used to estimate a critical depth of the wetting front, Z _L, for a planned final wetted depth, Z _F, during each irrigation. This process is incorporated in the depth probe and is used to stop irrigation and thus control the quantity of water applied.     

Experiences derived from the Carabid Beetle Laboratory Test

The Carabid Beetle Laboratory Test using Poecilus cupreus (L.) was developed for the assessment of effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods and is now available as an official guideline published by the BBA and the IOBC for the registration of pesticides. In this contribution some of the experiences in performing the test are summarized. In total, 126 compounds (mainly herbicides) were tested in 190 test runs (including water controls). In this acute laboratory test, the three parameters mortality, behaviour and feeding rate are investigated. Due to experiences with other ecotoxicological tests a one-way Analysis of Variance or ANOVA, followed by a Bonferroni Test, was used for the statistical evaluation of the feeding rates. The results presented here show that a statistical evaluation of the feeding data is possible and that this parameter is useful for the assessment of side-effects of chemicals for these predatory arthropods. In testing the reference substance pyrazophos (formulation: ‘Afugan’ 294 g litre⁻¹ EC) the mortality varied considerably. It is proposed that at a given value (30%) for effects on the mortality and the feeding rate, a test substance should be tested in a semi-field or field situation.     

Ecological and Industrial Implications of Dynamic Seaweed-Associated Microbiota Interactions

Seaweeds are broadly distributed and represent an important source of secondary metabolites (e.g., halogenated compounds, polyphenols) eliciting various pharmacological activities and playing a relevant ecological role in the anti-epibiosis. Importantly, host (as known as basibiont such as algae)–microbe (as known as epibiont such as bacteria) interaction (as known as halobiont) is a driving force for coevolution in the marine environment. Nevertheless, halobionts may be fundamental (harmless) or detrimental (harmful) to the functioning of the host. In addition to biotic factors, abiotic factors (e.g., pH, salinity, temperature, nutrients) regulate halobionts. Spatiotemporal and functional exploration of such dynamic interactions appear crucial. Indeed, environmental stress in a constantly changing ocean may disturb complex mutualistic relations, through mechanisms involving host chemical defense strategies (e.g., secretion of secondary metabolites and antifouling chemicals by quorum sensing). It is worth mentioning that many of bioactive compounds, such as terpenoids, previously attributed to macroalgae are in fact produced or metabolized by their associated microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites). Eventually, recent metagenomics analyses suggest that microbes may have acquired seaweed associated genes because of increased seaweed in diets. This article retrospectively reviews pertinent studies on the spatiotemporal and functional seaweed-associated microbiota interactions which can lead to the production of bioactive compounds with high antifouling, theranostic, and biotechnological potential.     

Geostatistical and fuzzy clustering approach for delineation of site-specific management zones and yield-limiting factors in irrigated hot arid environment of India

Precision Agriculture - Delineation of management zones (MZs) are needed to manage fields in order to maximize economic return, minimize environmental impact, and improve soil and crop management....     

Effect of dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio on activities of hepatic enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

This study investigated the influence of different dietary protein/carbohydrate ratios on activities of enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism as well as on growth performance and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreo- chromis niloticus). Fish were fed semi-synthetic diets differing in their protein/carbohydrate ratio. The diets were formulated to be isolipidic and isoenergetic (on the basis of metabolizable energy). Fish were reared individually. After a prefeeding phase, tilapia were randomly assigned to three groups and were fed the experimental diets at a relatively low level. The study lasted 9 weeks. Proximate composition, gross energy content, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) in the liver of fish were determined. While the mean growth rate and feed conversion efficiency did not differ significantly among the feeding groups, the body composition showed significant differences. The dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio had no significant effect on the protein and energy gain, but the lipid gain was significantly higher in tilapia fed the low-protein diet. The activities of ASAT and ALAT per gram of liver and per gram of soluble protein were significantly increased in fish fed the high-protein diet. There was a significant positive correlation between the activities of ASAT and ALAT. The activities of both enzymes in the liver were significantly higher in fish with a higher protein gain. Measuring the activities of enzymes involved in the amino acid metabolism can provide more information about the metabolic utilized dietary protein.     

Pectin purified from pomelo (Citrus maxima) peel as a natural hatching agent for fish embryos

Pectin is a biodegradable polysaccharide, and it has been recently applied as a gene delivery, drug delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering agent. In this study, pectin was extracted from pomelo (Citrus maxima) peel and characterized. The extraction recovery of pectin form pomelo peel was 14.5%, and it had 72.56% degree of esterification, 1,245.56 equivalent weight, 7.82% methoxyl and 68.27% anhydrouronic acid contents. Use of pomelo pectin as a hatching enhancing agent for fish embryos and its effect on hatching enzyme 1 (ZHE1) was investigated. The pectin‐exposed zebrafish embryos (100 µg/ml) showed significantly (p < .05) higher hatching rate (96.6%) compared with untreated (control) embryos (66.6%) at 60 hpf. The mRNA expression of ZHE1 was also significantly (p < .05) elevated up to 55.6‐fold in pectin‐exposed embryos at 24 hpf. In situ hybridization results revealed remarkably strong expression of ZHE1 in pectin‐exposed embryos compared with the control group. In addition, considerably larger size of the hatching gland was observed in pectin‐exposed larvae than that of the unexposed larvae group. These results clearly indicate that pectin isolated from pomelo peel has an ability to enhance the hatching process of zebrafish embryos via upregulation of ZHE1.