Fin damage and growth parameters relative to stocking density and feeding method in intensively cultured European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.)

We evaluated the relationship of stocking density to survival, growth performance and fin condition of European perch Perca fluviatilis with hand feeding and self-feeders. Hand-fed perch (body weight 19.1 ± 5.1 g and total length 107 ± 9 mm) were reared at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 fish/L. Self-feeding perch (body weight 25.4 ± 3.9 g and total length 128 ± 7 mm) were reared at stocking densities of 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4 fish/L. Pond-reared perch served as a comparison group for fin damage assessment. We found no differences in survival rate among stocking densities with either feeding method. Hand-fed fish displayed the highest weight gain and SGR at stocking density of 0.5 fish/L. The self-feeding fish showed a non-linear association of weight gain with stocking density with the highest growth at 1.0 fish/L. Fin length was noticeably greater in pond-reared fish compared with RAS-reared fish regardless of feeding method. In both experiments, fin length relative to standard length showed a negative relationship with stocking density, with pectoral fins showing the greatest effect. Fin condition deteriorated with increasing stocking density, and growth was highest at 0.5 and 1.0 fish/L in hand-fed and self-feeding fish, respectively.     

Biosafety, antioxidant status, and metabolites in urine after consumption of dried cranberry juice in healthy women: a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial

This study assessed the effect of an 8 week consumption of dried cranberry juice (DCJ) on 65 healthy young women. Basic biochemical and hematological parameters, antioxidant status, presence of metabolites in urine, and urine ex vivo antiadherence activity were determined throughout the trial. A 400 mg amount of DCJ/day had no influence on any parameter tested. A 1200 mg amount of DCJ/day resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products. This specific protective effect against oxidative damage of proteins is described here for the first time. Urine samples had an inhibitory effect on the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains, but no increase in urine acidity was noted. Hippuric acid, isomers of salicyluric and dihydroxybenzoic acids, and quercetin glucuronide were identified as the main metabolites. In conclusion, cranberry fruits are effective not only in the prevention of urinary tract infection but also for the prevention of oxidative stress.     

Regional intravenous gentamicin administration for treatment of postoperative tarso-metatarsal infection in a dog--a case report

The regional intravenous antibiotic administration has been used to achieve high local concentrations of antibiotics into the extremities. The goal of this case report was to describe a known, but not often used technique of local administration of antibiotics for treatment of acute soft tissue, joint or bone infection in a dog, which suffered from chronic renal failure. In a seven years old Great Dane tarso-metatarsal arthrodesis was performed and three days after surgery infection was obvious. Gentamicin-sensitive E. co i was found by antibiogram. A tourniquet was tightened on the affected limb and gentamicin was administered in a dosage of 0,5 mg/kg every twelve hours via an intravenous catheter placed in the saphenous vein. The therapy lasted for ten days and wound healing was progressive. Regional intravenous gentamicin administration was very effective in treating distal extremity infection.     

Testing chemical repellency in cockroaches (Blattodea) based on feces dispersion

A new method of evaluating repellency of chemicals toBlattella germanica is described. The method is based on recording the number of feces leaved in areas of a glass arena treated and untreated with an insecticide. The increased accumulation of feces indicates an area where adults spend more time over 24 hours testing period.With 2 figures and 1 table     

Efficacy of selected pesticides against synanthropic mites under laboratory assay

BACKGROUND: The efficacies of organophosphate pesticides, single‐compound versus multicompound pyrethroid formulations and relatively novel unclassified insecticides/acaricides were compared to find the lowest dosage and highest efficacy for the control of Dermatophagoides farina (Hughes), D. pteronyssinus (Trouessart) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Formulated active ingredients (AIs) were diluted in water and applied onto filter paper in experimental chambers with ten unsexed adult mites in six replicates. Mite mortality was checked after 24 h. The security index (SI) was calculated for all of the AIs by dividing the recommended rate by the LD₉₀ determined for each species. RESULTS: The tested organophosphates had high LD₉₀ and low SI values. The single‐compound pyrethroids were ineffective (deltamethrin and beta‐cyfluthrin) or had high LD₉₀ and low SI values (cyphenothrin, permethrin, pyrethrum and bifenthrin). The multicompound miticides had low LD₉₀ and high SI values which increased from deltamethrin/S‐bioallethrin to permethrin/S‐bioallethrin/piperonyl butoxide to permethrin/pyriproxyfen/benzyl benzoate. Abamectin, pyridaben, propargite and flufenoxuron were highly active against Dermatophagoides spp. Neem (Acarosan duo) was highly active against all mite species tested. CONCLUSION: The available formulations of multicompound pyrethroids (permethrin/S‐bioallethrin/piperonyl butoxide, permethrin/pyriproxyfen/benzyl benzoate), benzyl benzoate, neem and some field acaricides are effective in suppression of synanthropic mites in laboratory assays. Their LD₉₀ are lower than those of traditionally used organophosphates or single‐compound pyrethroid formulations. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Feline high-rise syndrome: 119 cases (1998-2001)

High-rise syndrome was diagnosed in 119 cats over a 4-year period. 59.6% of cats were younger than one year, and the average height of the fall was four stories. High-rise syndrome was more frequent during the warmer period of the year. 96.5% of the presented cats, survived after the fall. 46.2% of cats had fractured limbs; 38.5% of fractures were of the forelimb, 61.5% of the hindlimb. The tibia was fractured most often (36.4%), followed by the femur (23.6%). 78.6% of femoral fractures were distal. The mean age of patients with femoral fractures was 9.1 months, and with tibial fractures 29.2 months. Thoracic trauma was diagnosed in 33.6% of cats. Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 20% of cats, and pulmonary contusions in 13.4%. Falls from the seventh or higher stories, are associated with more severe injuries and with a higher incidence of thoracic trauma.