Evaluation of a commercial intravaginal thermometer to predict calving in a Hungarian Holstein-Friesian dairy farm

In this study, the utility of a commercial intravaginal thermometer was evaluated as an automated method for the prediction of calving in a total of 257 healthy pregnant Holstein–Friesian female cattle. The accuracy and the sensitivity of predicting calving within 48 hr before calving were also evaluated. The intravaginal temperature changes from 72 hr before and up to calving were significantly (p ≤ .001) affected by parity, season (summer vs. autumn), the time of day (8 a.m. or 8 p.m.) and the 6-hr time intervals (38.19°C: first interval 0 to 6 hr before calving vs. 38.78°C: twelfth interval 66 to 72 hr before calving), while the gender (p = .943), and the weight of the calf (p = .610), twinning (p = .300), gestation length (p = .186), foetal presentation (p = .123), dystocia (p = .197) and retention of foetal membranes (p = .253) did not affect it significantly. The sensitivity of the SMS of expecting calving within 48 hr and the positive predictive value were 62.4% and 75%, respectively, while the sensitivity and the positive predictive value for the SMS of expulsion reached 100%. It can be concluded that the investigated thermometer is not able to predict calving within 48 hr accurately; however, imminent calving can be accurately alerted.     

A natural fungicide for the control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe betae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erysiphe cichoracearum</Emphasis>

This study examines the effects of a vegetable fungicide on sugar beet powdery mildew (Erysiphe betae) and cucumber powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum). The formulations consisting of a dispersion of Brassicaceae meal in vegetable or mineral oils on infected leaves of sugar beet, reared in the greenhouse, and of musk melons cultivated under plastic tunnels, were tested in comparison to each oil taken separately. Both formulations containing Brassicaceae meals, caused 94% of conidia to be distorted while for the untreated group only 2% were distorted. Furthermore, the leaf area infected by E. betae was 56% for untreated plants and 2.7 and 9.9% respectively, for plants treated with meal containing mineral and vegetable oil. Vegetable oil considered separately or with Brassicaceae meals showed no phytotoxicity, while the formulations based on mineral oil showed a significantly lower fresh and dry weight on tomato plants. The low level or absence of phytotoxicity of plants treated with vegetable oil formulations suggests that to improve the efficacy of powdery mildew control, they could be used mixed with sulphur. The efficiency of the vegetable formulations in the powdery mildew control observed during these trials encourages further investigation on other parasitic fungi and foliar pathogens.     

Influence of Sowing and Harvest Time on Fibre Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in the Mediterranean Environment

Triennial field trials were carried out at Viterbo, central Italy, to investigate the influence of the sowing time, nitrogen fertilization and harvest dates of the two fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties Belinka and Ariane. Our results showed that warm and dry weather conditions, prevailing from late spring onwards, caused excessive shortening of the growing cycle of spring crops, with negative consequences for seed and fibre yield and quality. However, autumn sowings gave interesting results. Stem dry weight ranged between 5.6 and 6.7 t ha^?1 for autumn sowings and between 1.9 and 4.1 t ha^?1 for spring sowings. In autumn sowings, plant height and seed yields were also increased. Seed germinability was good even for early harvest dates. Stem dry weight remained constant at harvest dates following yellow‐green ripening, indicating that biomass was no longer allocated to the stems after that phase.     

Adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate in a cat

An adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland with pulmonary, myocardial and renal metastases is described in a 12-year-old, neutered male European cat. Histologically, the tumour was localised in the spongy layer of the prostatic urethra and showed an epithelial alveolar pattern. Considering the anatomic, microscopic and immunohistochemical findings, the tumour was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland. To our knowledge this is the first report of adenocarcinoma of the disseminated prostate gland in a cat.     

Gastric dilatation-volvulus associated with diaphragmatic hernia in three cats: clinical presentation, surgical treatment and presumptive aetiology

Three cats were examined because of acute dyspnoea and sudden abdominal enlargement. In all cats, radiographs revealed gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) and diaphragmatic hernia. Cardiovascular shock and dyspnoea were treated by intravenous fluid-therapy, oxygen administration and relief of diaphragmatic pressure by means of stomach decompression and in one case placing the patient in an inclined position. Gastric decompression was performed by needle gastrocentesis, placement of a rhino-gastric tube, or a combination of these. Diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy was performed in either case; one cat also underwent gastropexy. The immediate postoperative period resolved uneventfully and the cats were doing well at follow-up. Feline GDV is a rare event in which diaphragmatic hernia may be a predisposing factor.     

Assessment of leaching potential of aldicarb and its metabolites using laboratory studies

The metabolites of pesticides can contaminate groundwater and pose a risk to human health when this water is used for drinking. This paper reports the results of a laboratory study on aldicarb and its main metabolites, aldicarb sulfone and aldicarb sulfoxide. Aldicarb and its metabolites showed K_oc values (6–31) which were lower than that of atrazine (55), indicating that they are very mobile in soil. They are less persistent than atrazine (DT₅₀ = 25 days), with DT₅₀ values from less than 1 day and up to 12 days. Aldicarb behaved as a non‐leacher, whereas its metabolites clearly showed the characteristics of leachers. Aged residue leaching experiments showed that aldicarb can occur at high concentrations in the leachate, together with its two metabolites. The leachate composition depends on the incubation time of the parent compound. Aldicarb and its metabolites can form various mixtures in groundwater on the basis of the time elapsing between the application of the insecticide and the first significant rainfall. This study confirms the characteristics of contaminants of aldicarb and especially its metabolites, as reported in the literature. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fruit Branding: Exploring Factors Affecting Adoption of the New Pear Cultivar ‘Angelys’ in Italian Large Retail

‘Angelys’ is a new brand of pear cultivar, produced and marketed under the trademark license model called “Club variety.” The main aim of this article was to evaluate factors triggering a potential interest in Italian large-scale retail regarding the marketing of ‘Angelys’ and how large-scale retailers would exploit it to enhance their market potential. An explorative analysis approach was applied via in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with major Italian large-scale retail fruit purchase managers. The results show that although sensory properties, handling features, and Italian origin are highly appreciated by professional customers, the need to sell at a premium price might limit the interest of retailers for this new variety. Finally, implications and recommendations for academics and operators are discussed.     

Partially defatted black soldier fly larva meal inclusion in piglet diets: effects on the growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profile,gut morphology and histological features

Background: The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of different inclusion levels of a partial y defatted black soldier fly(BSF, Hermetia il ucens L.) larva meal on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, gut morphology and histological features of piglets. A total of 48 newly weaned piglets were individual y weighed(initial body weight(IBW): 6.1 ± 0.16 kg) and randomly al ocated to 3 dietary treatments(4 boxes as replicates/treatment and 4 animals/box). BSF larva meal was included at increasing levels(0% [BSF0], 5% [BSF5] and 10% [BSF10]) in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated for two feeding phases: I(from d 1 to d 23) and I(from d 24 to d 61). The weight gain(WG), average daily gain(ADG), average daily feed intake(ADFI) and feed conversion ratio(FCR) were calculated for each feeding phase and for the whole trial. The haematochemical parameters and nutrient digestibility of the piglets were also evaluated. A total of 3 piglets per box were slaughtered on d 61 and the slaughtered piglets were submitted to morphometric investigations and histopathological examinations.Results: No overal significant differences were observed for growth performance(P 0.05), except for the ADFI of phase I, which showed a linear response to increasing BSF meal levels(P 0.05, maximum for the BSF10 group). Dietary BSF meal inclusion did not significantly influence the blood profile, except as far as monocytes and neutrophils are concerned,and these showed a linear and quadratic response, respectively, to increasing BSF meal levels(P 0.05, maximum for the BSF10 and BSF5 groups, respectively). On the other hand, the nutrient digestibility, gut morphology and histological features were not affected by dietary BSF meal inclusion(P 0.05).Conclusions: The obtained results show that a partial y defatted BSF larva meal can be used as a feed ingredient in diets for weaned piglets without negatively affecting their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, gut morphology or histological features.