Hydrogen peroxide produced by a low‐molecular‐weight compound in milk with high electrical conductivity in dairy cows

In dairy cows, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) produced from a low‐molecular‐weight compound in milk from inflamed quarters was lower than that in milk from un‐inflamed quarters. In milk of delivery grade, characteristics of H₂O₂ production in milk with high electrical conductivity (EC) were examined in this study. Milk samples were collected from a total of 230 cows at 1‐month intervals, and the EC of skimmed milk was determined. Based on the highest and the lowest EC of a cow's quarter milk, the inter‐quarter difference of ≥0.6 mS/cm (mean + t_0.01 SE) was taken as a high EC. Milk with high EC was found in 52 quarters. In cows with milk of high EC, H₂O₂ production in milk with normal EC was higher than that in milk with high EC in the same animal but was lower than that in the control population. In milk with high EC, the decrease of H₂O₂ production correlated with the increase in EC. The production of H₂O₂ decreased in particular when the inter‐quarter difference exceeded 0.8 mS/cm. In milk collected from the same quarter 1 month before, EC changed from normal to high, and H₂O₂ production decreased. In milk from the other three quarters, EC remained normal and H₂O₂ production remained unchanged. We concluded that milk with high EC appeared in low H₂O₂‐producing cows. The results suggest that the degree of decrease in H₂O₂ production reflects the extent of quarter abnormality.     

增补UV-B辐射对高山植物美丽风毛菊光合作用和光合色素的影响

强太阳紫外线-B(UV-B)辐射是青藏高原的主要环境胁迫因子,以高山植物美丽风毛菊(Saussurea superba)为材料,在2008和2009年植物生长盛期的7,8月份,采用选择性过滤膜和UV-B荧光灯管组合的方法研究了净光合速率(P_n)、稳态PSⅡ光化学效率、光合色素和紫外线吸收物质对强UV-B辐射的响应,探讨了典型高山植物的UV-B适应特性。结果表明:增补UV-B辐射能引起P_n和气孔导度(G_s)的增加;随处理时间的延长,第11和16天PSⅡ实际量子效率(Φ_PSⅡ)呈下降趋势,说明UV-B辐射对高山植物叶片光合机构仍具有负作用,PSⅡ光化学效率的降低反映了UV-B辐射效应的积累。增补初期光合色素有增加的趋势,但随处理时间的延长最终呈降低趋势,表明UV-B辐射对光合色素的光破坏是本质的,而基于叶片厚度增加导致的光合色素含量升高是一种表象。增补UV-B处理没有引起紫外线吸收物质含量的变化,表明高山植物叶表皮层丰富的黄酮类物质能有效保护光合机构,受环境UV-B辐射波动的影响较少。综上表明:增补UV-B后叶片G_s的增加以及单位叶片面积光合色素增加有利于P_n的提高,但青藏高原强太阳UV-B辐射对高山植物美丽风毛菊的光合生理过程仍具有潜在的负效应。     

四川省毒害植物——紫茎泽兰调查报告

紫茎泽兰是恶性毒害植物,已传入攀枝花市和凉山州两地１４县３区１市,分布面积３７５１６０ｈｍ２,每年以２０～３０ｋｍ的速度向北向东传播。其繁殖能力和侵占性极强,是农、林、牧业生产的大敌,应采取切实可行的方法,发动群众,人人动手,把防除与开发利用结合起来,开展综合防治。     

Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

In 2008, two deer hunters in Virginia and Connecticut were infected with a unique strain of pseudocowpox virus, a parapoxvirus. To estimate the prevalence of this virus, and in an attempt to define the reservoir, Parapoxvirus surveillance was undertaken between November 2009 and January 2010. 125 samples from four ruminant species (cows, goat, sheep and white‐tailed deer) were collected in Virginia, and nine samples from white‐tailed deer were collected in Connecticut. We found no evidence that the parapoxvirus species that infected the deer hunters is circulating among domesticated ruminants or white‐tailed deer. However, parapoxvirus DNA of a different parapoxvirus species, bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), was detected in 31 samples obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Virginia. Parapoxvirus DNA–positive cattle originated from the same counties indicating probable transmission among animals. Molecular analysis identified BPSV as the parapoxvirus affecting animals. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock, particularly young animals, may be common, and further investigation will inform our knowledge of virus transmission.     

Vegetative Endocarditis in Equids (1994–2006)

Background: Endocarditis is a rare heart condition with variable clinical expressions in equids. Risk factors for this disease are incompletely understood. Objective: Describe risk factors for endocarditis in equids. Animals: One hundred and fifty‐three equids admitted to Liège University, 9 diagnosed with endocarditis and 144 free from endocarditis but admitted to the hospital with a differential diagnosis including this disease. Methods: Retrospective case‐control study. Results: Equids with endocarditis were significantly younger (mean age = 4.84 ± 5.74 years) than control equids (mean age = 10.8 ± 7.73 years) (P= .01). No sex or breed predisposition was observed. Animals with hyperthermia (odds ratio [OR] = 24.4; confidence interval [CI] = 1.40–428), synovial distension (OR = 13.4; CI = 3.00–59.8), lameness (OR = 6.52; CI = 1.63–26.1), hyperglobulinemia (OR = 26.4; CI = 3.03–229), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 11.4; CI = 1.34–96.8), hyperfibrinogenemia (OR = 9.81; CI = 1.16–82.7), or leukocytosis (OR = 7.12; CI = 1.40–36.4) presented a significantly higher risk of having endocarditis than control horses. The presence of two of the clinical signs mentioned above significantly increased the probability of a diagnosis of endocarditis (P≤ .05). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Age is associated with equine endocarditis. The diagnostic value of certain clinical signs and abnormalities in blood parameters in this disease are described.     

Diagnostic accuracy of digital photography and image analysis for the measurement of foot conformation in the horse

Reasons for performing study: Rigorous evaluation of practicable methods for the objective assessment of foot conformation has not been performed. Objectives: To assess the practicability, precision and accuracy of the process of obtaining measurements of horses' feet using photography and image processing software. Methods: Precision study: Lateral photographs of horses' feet were obtained twice by 2 veterinary surgeons (image acquisition ‐ IAc). Photographs were analysed by 2 masked veterinary surgeons on 2 occasions (image analysis ‐ IAn). Measurements were compared within and between operators for self and non‐self acquired photographs. Agreement indices (AIs) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated for the IAn process alone and for the combined IAc + IAn processes. Accuracy study: Measurements obtained from lateral photographs were compared with those obtained from lateromedial radiographs. AIs and 95% LOA were calculated for each measurement. Results: Precision study: Mean intra‐ and interoperator AIs for the IAn process alone were ≥0.90 while those for the combined IAc + IAn processes were ≥0.89 for all measurements. Similar mean AIs and 95% LOA were calculated regardless of image origin. The 95% LOA for hoof angle, heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle for all comparisons were within target values. Accuracy study: Mean AIs were ≥0.89 for all measurements. The 95% LOA for heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle were within target values. Conclusions: Excellent precision was identified within and between operators regardless of image origin. High levels of accuracy were also identified, especially for heel height/toe height% and coronary band angle, indicating that photography and radiography may be used interchangeably. Potential relevance: Acquisition and analysis of photographic images is an appropriate method for the objective measurement of foot conformation, both in clinical and research settings.     

Effects of misty‐fan cooling and supplemental rbST on rumen function and milk production of crossbred Holstein cattle during early,mid and late lactation in a tropical environment

Two groups of five crossbred 87.5% Holstein cattle were housed in normal shade only (NS) as non‐cooled cows and in shaded housing with misty‐fan cooling (MF) as cooled cows. The cows were treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) in early, mid and late lactation with three consecutive injections of rbST in every 14 days. Ambient temperatures and the temperature humidity index in the NS barn were significantly higher than those of the MF barn, whereas relative humidity in MF was higher than that of NS barn. The DMI of cooled cows were higher than those of non‐cooled cows, and cooled cows exhibited more response to rbST treatment. Exogenous rbST significantly increased milk yield throughout lactation. The rbST‐treated cows had higher total ruminal fermentation products as volatile fatty acid and ammonia nitrogen than the non‐rbST treated cows and associated changes were greater in cooled animals in all stages of lactation. Exogenous rbST increased the concentrations of milk urea nitrogen in both groups. These results suggest that the changes in ruminal fermentation with greater production of total VFA and NH₃N in response to rbST in crossbred cows whether under misty‐fan cooling or not, is in part through an increase in feed intake, thereby making more substrate available to the mammary gland for milk synthesis.     

CONTRAST‐ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN 10 DOGS

Computed tomography angiography, sonography, scintigraphy, and portography can be used to evaluate the portal vasculature to evaluate for a portosystemic shunt (PSS). Time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF‐MRA) and contrast‐enhanced MRA (CE‐MRA) are other potentially useful techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate CE‐MRA in 10 dogs suspected of having a PSS. Noncontrast MR images of the abdomen were obtained using a Siemens Symphony MR‐scanner (1.5 T) and a T1‐weighted FLASH‐3D sequence with a very short scan time (about 20 s). After injection of contrast medium, the initial sequence was repeated five times. The sequence with the best contrast medium filling of the portal vasculature was selected subjectively, subtracted from the initial survey image series, and a maximum intensity projection (MIP) of the subtraction data, in multiple views, was created. The cross‐sectional and MIP images were evaluated for abnormal portosystemic vasculature. A single PSS was identified and confirmed at surgery in all dogs. A portocaval shunt was found in five dogs, a portophrenic shunt in three dogs, a portoazygos shunt in one, and a central divisional intrahepatic shunt in one other dog. Based on our results, CE‐MRA is a useful tool for imaging abdominal and portal vasculature and for the diagnosis of a PSS.     

Prevalence and significance of extracellular myelin‐like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid

Background: Myelin‐like material in canine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has been attributed to demyelinating or myelomalacic conditions. In our experience, myelin‐like material is observed frequently, especially in lumbar samples, and in a variety of disease conditions. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if there are associations between the presence of myelin‐like material and CSF collection site, body weight, underlying disease, and patient outcome. Methods: Wright–Giemsa‐stained cytocentrifuged specimens of CSF from the cerebellomedullary cistern (n=51) and lumbar cistern (n=47) of 98 dogs with neurologic disease were evaluated retrospectively for the presence and amount of extracellular myelin‐like material. Results were compared based on collection site, body weight, type of neurologic disease, and outcome. Results: Myelin‐like material was observed in 20/98 (20%) samples and was more frequently observed in lumbar (17/47, 36%) than cerebellomedullary samples (3/51, 6%) (P=.0028). Samples from dogs <10 kg were more likely to contain myelin (14/36, 39%) compared with dogs ≥10 kg (5/60, 8%) (P=.0052). Larger amounts of myelin‐like material were observed in CSF from dogs with intervertebral disk disease compared with other diseases (P=.045). No association was found between myelin‐like material and outcome. Conclusion: The association of extracellular myelin‐like material in canine CSF samples with sampling site and body weight suggests it is more often an artifact of collection technique and anatomy rather than the result of neurologic disease. Myelin‐like material in CSF is not associated with a poorer prognosis.     

Work-related increases in titer of Campylobacter jejuni antibody among workers at a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture,Japan, independent of individual ingestion of edible raw chicken meat

Workers in poultry abattoirs may be frequently exposed to Campylobacter jejuni, which is a leading cause of bacterial food poisoning in Japan. The present study was conducted to measure the titers of IgG and IgA antibodies against C. jejuni among 104 female workers in a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. Information regarding habitual ingestion of raw chicken meat and potential occupational risk factors was collected using a questionnaire. Acid extracts of four C. jejuni strains representing the genotypes most dominant in Miyazaki were used as antigens. The levels of both immunoglobulins measured by ELISA were not correlated with ingestion of edible raw chicken meat, the amount consumed in one sitting, or its frequency. Although age was correlated with antibody levels, the length of employment was not. Furthermore, the IgG and IgA levels in workers at the evisceration step were significantly higher than those at other locations in the plant. To identify the bacterial proteins recognized by the workers’ IgG and IgA antibodies, Western blotting followed by LC/MS was conducted. Flagellin was identified as the common protein recognized in the sera of workers for whom ELISA demonstrated both the highest and lowest antibody levels. We concluded that the titers of IgG and IgA against C. jejuni in workers at the processing plant had been increased by occupational exposure to Campylobacter, regardless of raw chicken meat ingestion.