Synergistic interactions between phenylamide fungicides and respiration inhibitors in controlling phenylamide-resistant populations ofPhytophthora infestans on potato tuber disks

The efficacy of mixtures of respiration inhibitors and phenylamide fungicides (oxadixyl and metalaxyl) in controlling late blight was investigated using potato tuber disks. Results showed that uncoupling agents(e.g. DNP), inhibitors of ATP formation(e.g. oligomycin), ionophores(e.g, valinomycin) and inhibitors that block specific carriers in the electron transport chain(e.g. rotenone, antimycin A) increased significantly the control efficacy of both metalaxyl and oxadixyl towards populations ofPhytophthora infestons when applied to tuber slices pretreated with sublethal doses of both fungicides. When applied alone at the same doses, respiration inhibitors did not inhibit the development of the late blight fungus. Increased control efficacy of mixtures was not noted against phenylamide-sensitive populations of the fungus.     

Comments on the method to test side effects of pesticides on the predatory mitePhytoseiulus persimilis Ath.-Hen

A paper published byKniehase & Zoebelein (1990) describes a new laboratory method to test the side effects of pesticides on the predatory mitePhytoseiulus persimilis and criticizes the laboratory test developed by the International Working Group pesticides and beneficial organisms of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS). The present publication discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both methods, responds to the criticism and mention the overall concept of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group including semifield and field test methods.In einer Arbeit vonKniehase undZoebelein (1990) wird ein neues Laborverfahren zur Prüfung der Nebenwirkung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf die RaubmilbePhytoseiulus persimilis beschrieben. Die genannten Autoren äußern sich kritisch über das seither von der Arbeitsgruppe Pflanzenschutzmittel und Nutzorganismen der International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS) praktizierte Verfahren. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die Vor- und Nachteile der beiden Prüfmethoden diskutiert. Einer Reaktion auf die Kritik folgt eine kurze Beschreibung der gesamten Konzeption der genannten Arbeitsgruppe, die auf einer Kombination aus Labor-, Halbfreiland- und Feldprüfverfahren beruht.     

Estimation of the costs of mastitis, using National Animal Health Monitoring System and milk somatic cell count data

Data collected by the National Animal Health Monitoring System in Ohio for a 12-month period during 1986 and 1987 were used to determine the relative magnitude of costs associated with mastitis in the following categories: milk production loss, veterinary services, drugs, producer labor, and "other" factors. The cost of milk loss associated with mastitis that was reported by producers cooperating in the National Animal Health Monitoring System program was compared with estimates based on bulk tank somatic cell counts and individual cow milk somatic cell counts. Using producer-reported estimates, milk loss accounted for about one third of the total cost associated with mastitis. When estimates of milk loss were replaced by estimates based on bulk tank somatic cell counts, milk loss accounted for over 80% of the total cost of mastitis. Estimates of the cost of milk loss based on studies relating milk yield to somatic cell counts differed considerably. Consequently, it was unclear how to best estimate the relative magnitude of the milk loss component of mastitis costs.     

Retained fetal membranes in the mare: A retrospective study

A retrospective study of 3456 deliveries was conducted from the records of four Standardbred broodmare farms where mares were bred by artificial insemination and maintained under close veterinary supervision. Retained fetal membranes (RFM) were observed in 10.6% of the deliveries. Retained fetal membranes occurred more frequently (p < 0.05) after dystocia and in mares which had RFM the previous year. Retained fetal membranes after normal foaling had no significant effect on the reproductive performance (pregnancy rate, pregnancy loss rate, or foaling rate), nor on the general health of the mares, regardless of the duration of RFM (3 to 144 hours). Postfoaling laminitis was not observed. Oxytocin therapy of mares with RFM starting at two hours postpartum significantly reduced the incidence of RFM ≥ 8 hours. Mares with RFM which had received intrauterine antimicrobials between foaling and first breeding had a foaling rate similar to mares with RFM which had not received intrauterine therapy.     

A study of periodontal disease in sheep over a twelve month period

Sheep affected by broken mouth periodontal disease (P.D.) were examined over a twelve month period for different clinical parameters. It is suggested that P.D. in sheep is an episodic phenomenon similar to human P.D., and that only a few animals with signs of P.D. may undergo clinically significant destruction over a yearly period. No single parameter could reliably predict future deterioration in other parameters.     

Observations on the use of feeding space in a commercial broiler chicken house

1. Observations were made on the use of food pans and food trays by commercially grown broiler chickens.

2. Birds fed by going inside the feeders on top of the food or from standing around the outside of the feeders. The feeding times of birds inside feeders were significantly longer than those of birds outside. Different reasons to account for this are proposed for the 2 types of feeder.

3. The total number of birds able to feed together from a tray or pan changed as the birds grew. With trays this change in the number of birds was a steady decline. With pans the change was non‐linear and reflected a changing ratio of birds eating in to birds eating out. This ratio was influenced by pan design features and by competition for feeding space.

4. The data suggest that a linear measure of feeding space, as used in research trials and Codes of Practice for Welfare, does not adequately describe birds’ access to and use of feeding space. Implications for both research and the commercial industry are discussed.     

The detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in bovine faeces by isolation and the comparison of isolation with the examination of stained smears by light microscopy

The detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis organisms in bovine faeces by isolation was compared with that by the microscopical examination of Ziehl-Neelsen stained faecal smears for the presence of clumps of acid-fast M. paratuberculosis organisms. Faeces were obtained from cattle naturally or experimentally infected with M. paratuberculosis as well as from uninfected cattle. Microscopical examination was an unreliable method for the detection of M. paratuberculosis organisms, since the organisms were only detected in 99 (=55.9%) of 177 culturally positive faecal samples. 1111 addition, clumps of acid-fast organisms indistinguishable from M. paratuberculosis were also observed iin three of 18 samples from cattle free from Johne's disease and in 18 of 37 culturally negative samples from paratuberculous cattle. When M. paratuberculosis organisms were added to faeces from an uninfected cow, results showed that isolation attempts should be positive when 15 or more M. paratuberculosis organisms per gram of faeces are present.     

实验性流行性腹泻仔猪小肠粘膜上皮细胞及肠系膜淋巴结的超微结构

给8头生后3d的哺乳仔猪经口感染猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)“吉”毒株,于感染后18、30、45和96h各扑杀2头,以透射电镜和扫描电镜观察了小肠粘膜上皮细胞及肠系膜淋巴结的超微结构。结果表明,小肠上皮细胞的病变因感染时间不同而有明显差异。上皮细胞的脱落和残留上皮细胞超微结构的破坏,以感染后30h最严重,病毒在这些上皮细胞内的增殖最显著。感染后45h,见有大量新生上皮细胞修补损伤的肠绒毛。感染后96h,小肠绒毛短缩、粗大乃至发生融合。实验仔猪肠系膜淋巴结内巨噬细胞和淋巴细胞的超微结构均遭到破坏,在巨噬细胞内见有PED冠状病毒粒子。     

Platelet activating factor as a mediator of equine cell locomotion

Equine polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) leucocytes were separated on Percoll gradients and used to study the chemoattractant properties of the polar ether-linked phospholipid, platelet activating factor (PAF). Six concentrations of PAF ranging from 1 ng/ml to 100 g/ml were studied in each of two in vitro assay systems, the agarose microdroplet and a microfilter technique. Very significant (p<0.01) increases in the movement of both PMN and MN cells were obtained with most concentrations of PAF. In two instances there was no apparent concentration-response relationship, although the action of PAF was approximately bell-shaped in two others. The possible significance of these findings for equine inflammatory conditions is discussed.