Evaluation of smallholder pig production systems in North Vietnam: Pig production management and pig performances

This study investigated the productive adaptability of pig breeds under different smallholder production conditions in Vietnam, comparing an indigenous with a Vietnamese improved breed. Fieldwork was conducted in four villages with different remoteness in North Vietnam from 2001 to 2002, in 64 households keeping the improved Mong Cai or indigenous Ban as sow breeds and progeny for fattening. Four visits per farm yielded 234 structured interviews. Reproductive performances were derived from 135 litters. Individual weights of pigs (n = 755) were obtained. Data were analysed by regression, linear and generalised linear, especially loglinear models.

Two distinct pig production systems were identified, that differed in remoteness, market access, resource availability, distribution of pig breeds and pig production intensity. Higher performances of 1.4 and 1.5 litters year^− 1, 8.4 and 8.4 piglets weaned litter^− 1, 66.6 and 93.0 kg piglets weaned sow^− 1 year^− 1, and 136 and 177 g day^− 1 ADG were found in two villages near town with semi-intensive production conditions and a high rate of improved Mong Cai sows and MC and LW × MC offspring in the observed population. Lower performances of 1.1 and 1.1 litters year^− 1, 4.6 and 5.5 piglets weaned litter^− 1, 20.5 and 30.9 kg piglets weaned sow^− 1 year^− 1, and 66 and 85 g day^− 1 ADG were observed in parallel to higher incidences of indigenous Ban pigs away from town under extensive conditions. Total live weight offtake per household per year was higher near town and in one village distant to town. MC and LW × MC remained even under demand-driven conditions below the performance potential reported for improved genotypes. Under resource-driven conditions with a saving-oriented production pattern, the higher-yielding but more demanding Mong Cai might not be an efficient production alternative as a further performance reduction can be assumed. A considerable live weight output was observed under resource-driven conditions and with a higher percentage of crossbred LW × Ban offspring in the population, possibly representing a promising production alternative. Factors influencing the performance expression of pigs, and the suitability of different methods for the assessment of performance parameters on-farm are discussed.     

Recommendations for designing and conducting veterinary clinical pathology biologic variation studies

The recent creation of a veterinary clinical pathology biologic variation website has highlighted the need to provide recommendations for future studies of biologic variation in animals in order to help standardize and improve the quality of published information and to facilitate review and selection of publications as standard references. The following recommendations are provided in the format and order commonly found in veterinary publications. A checklist is provided to aid in planning, implementing, and evaluating veterinary studies on biologic variation (Appendix  S1 ). These recommendations provide a valuable resource for clinicians, laboratorians, and researchers interested in conducting studies of biologic variation and in determining the quality of studies of biologic variation in veterinary laboratory testing.     

草地早熟禾新品种特异性、一致性和稳定性测试指南初报

在系统调研国内外文献,广泛收集草地早熟禾种质,连续2年温室幼苗性状评估,连续3年田间性状评价和广泛征求专家意见的基础上,首次编制了我国草地早熟禾特异性、一致性和稳定性(DUS)测试指南。指南在形式与主要内容上,与国际植物新品种保护联盟(UPOV)的草地早熟禾测试指南相协调,包括测试的总体技术要求、性状表、性状解释和技术问卷4部分;在性状与标样品种确定上主要参照了UPOV和日本的测试指南。     

白花和杂花沙打旺品种选育初报(简报)

沙打旺(Astragulusadsurgens)原产于黄河故道地区,该草耐瘠薄、抗干旱、抗风沙,耐寒性强,适应性广,产草量高,草质好,适口性能佳,为牲畜的主要饲草之一[1]。沙打旺种子细小,发芽时间短,出苗迅速,一般2～3天发芽,5～7天出苗,常用作飞播牧草的首选牧草种子,特别是西北干旱地区草场植被的恢复建设。目前我省沙打旺种植面积已达10万hm2,同时沙打旺根系发达,也是水土保持的重要作物。但其生育期长,要求较高的活动积温,所以在某些地区不开花、很少开花结籽、或开花不集中,种子随成熟随脱落,给集中收获带来一定困难。同时种子收获后再割草,叶子全…     

Mechanical performance of a screw-type veterinary suture anchor subjected to single load to failure and cyclic loads

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the mechanical performance of a veterinary bone anchor under static and cyclic loads. STUDY DESIGN: Mechanical testing study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric canine humeri. METHODS: Humeri (6 pairs) were collected from skeletally mature dogs (mean [+/-SD] age, 17.2+/-2.1 months; weight, 20.8+/-1.5 kg). Bone anchors were inserted in the proximal metaphysis using nylon, and were longitudinally extracted. For the opposite humerus, anchors were subjected to longitudinal cyclic load (50% of the load at failure of their pair) for 1200 cycles then longitudinally loaded to failure. Anchors were then installed in a similar and adjacent area of these 2(nd) humeri with nylon and cyclically tested perpendicular to the axis of anchor insertion (100% of the longitudinal holding power of their pair) for 1200 cycles, then perpendicularly loaded to failure. Paired t-tests were used to compare holding power before and after longitudinal cyclic testing. RESULTS: Longitudinal holding power of the screw-type anchor in the proximal humerus was 385+/-30 N. Anchor pullout was the only mode of failure. Anchors in the paired humeri did not fail after 1200 cycles of 50% longitudinal loading, and post-cycle holding strength was not different (335+/-87 N; P=.32). Perpendicularly loaded anchors did not fail after 1200 cycles of 100% of opposite longitudinal holding strength, and had post-cycle perpendicular holding strengths of 514+/-72 N. Suture breakage was the mode of failure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone anchor holding strength is dependent on orientation of suture load. Screw-type bone anchor holding strength was not affected by longitudinal cyclic loading, and holding strengths of approximately 385 N can be expected in metaphyseal bone of large-breed mature dogs. Perpendicularly loaded anchors have higher failure loads, and holding strength of approximately 514 N can be expected in metaphyseal bone of the proximal humerus.     

An in vitro biomechanical comparison of the breaking strength and stiffness of polydioxanone (sizes 2, 7) and polyglactin 910 (sizes 3, 6) in the equine linea alba

OBJECTIVE: To determine failure strength, stiffness, and failure mode of 4 suture materials in equine linea alba. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized complete block design. SAMPLE POPULATION: Linea albas collected from 12 adult horses (mean weight, 475 kg; mean age, 10 years). METHODS: The ventral abdominal fascia, including the linea alba, was collected and bisected along the linea alba into right and left halves. Each half was divided into four, 5-cm sections extending from the umbilicus cranially, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 suture materials: 2 polydioxanone (2 PD), 3 polyglactin 910 (3 PG), 6 polyglactin 910 (6 PG), and 7 polydioxanone (7 PD). A single cycle to failure test was performed on each specimen at a distraction rate of 100 mm/min. Differences in failure strength and stiffness for the materials were evaluated using a mixed linear model with significance set at P<.05. RESULTS: In 94 of 96 test sections, constructs failed by suture failure. There were significant differences in failure strength (P<.0001) and stiffness (P<.001) among the suture/tissue constructs. 7 PD had the highest breaking strength (316.8 N) followed by 6 PG (281.3 N), 3 PG (229.9 N), and 2 PD (193.0 N). Six PG had the largest stiffness (14 N/mm) followed by 3 PG (12.7 N/mm), 7 PD (10.1 N/mm), and 2 PD (7.2 N/mm). Suture breaking strength and stiffness were not affected by linea or fascia thickness, individual horse, half of the linea alba, or abdominal wall position. Eighty-five (90.4%) suture loops failed adjacent the knot. CONCLUSIONS: When tested in single cycle to failure, suture material was more likely to fail than the linea alba. Larger suture materials had higher breaking strengths than smaller suture materials and stiffness was also affected by suture material and size. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Given its high initial breaking strength and its relatively longer in vivo strength retention, 7 PD seems an appropriate choice of suture material for closure of the equine linea alba when maximal short-term failure strength is desired.     

遮阴对大豆幼苗光合和荧光特性的影响

为了探寻不同遮阴条件下大豆幼苗叶片的光合响应机理及寻求适度的遮阴比例,本试验模拟田间玉/豆套作,以强耐阴“南豆12号”和弱耐阴“桂夏3号”2个大豆品种为材料,在不遮阴、半侧遮阴(30%,50%,70%)和全遮阴(50%)5个不同遮阴方式下,测定了不同生育期遮阴和复光后大豆幼苗叶片色素含量、光合速率和叶绿素荧光参数的变化。结果表明,随着遮阴程度增加,大豆幼苗叶片的色素含量和初始荧光强度(F₀)增加,叶绿素a/b值变小;光合速率(P_n)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)呈先升后降趋势,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)则呈先降后升的趋势。遮阴胁迫对2个大豆品种幼苗第四复叶期的影响最为显著。2个品种间比较,“南豆12号”和“桂夏3号”在弱遮阴下都能通过改变色素组分比例、促进光合电子传递等途径提高光能潜力的利用来适应弱光环境。在强遮阴胁迫下,“南豆12号”的PSⅡ反应中心抗胁迫能力更强,“桂夏3号”则不能及时耗散过剩光能,导致光合机构受到破坏。     

In vitro sensitivity of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to antifungal therapeutics

Chytridiomycosis, a skin disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has caused amphibian declines worldwide. Amphibians can be treated by percutaneous application of antimicrobials, but knowledge of in vitro susceptibility is lacking. Using a modified broth microdilution method, we describe the in vitro sensitivity of two Australian isolates of B. dendrobatidis to six antimicrobial agents. Growth inhibition was observed, by measurement of optical density, with all agents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (µg/ml; isolate 1/2) were – voriconazole 0.016/0.008; itraconazole 0.032/0.016; terbinafine 0.063/0.063; fluconazole 0.31/0.31; chloramphenicol 12.5/12.5; amphotericin B 12.5/6.25. Killing effects on zoospores were assessed by observing motility. Amphotericin B and terbinafine killed zoospores within 5 and 30 min depending on concentration, but other antimicrobials were not effective at the highest concentrations tested (100 µg/ml). This knowledge will help in drug selection and treatment optimization. As terbinafine was potent and has rapid effects, study of its pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy is recommended.