Whitened kernel surface: A fast and reliable method for assessing Fusarium severity on cereal grains by digital picture analysis

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a cereal disease of major importance responsible for yield losses and mycotoxin contaminations in grains. Here, we introduce a new measurement approach to quantify FHB severity on grains based on the evaluation of the whitened kernel surface (WKS) using digital image analysis. The applicability of WKS was assessed on two bread wheat and one triticale grain sample sets (265 samples). Pearson correlation coefficients between Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK) and WKS range from r = 0.77 to r = 0.81 and from r = 0.61 to r = 0.86 for the correlation between deoxynivalenol (DON) content and WKS. This new scoring method facilitates fast and reliable assessment of the resistance to kernel infection and shows significant correlation with mycotoxin content. WKS can be automated and does not suffer from the “human factor” inherent to visual scorings. As a low‐cost and fast approach, this method appears particularly attractive for breeding and genetic analysis of FHB resistance where typically large numbers of experimental lines need to be evaluated, and for which WKS is suggested as an alternative to visual FDK scorings.     

Domoic acid toxicity in Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus): clinical signs, treatment and survival

Eighty-one Californian sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with signs of domoic acid toxicity stranded along the coast of California in 1998 when there were blooms of the domoic acid-producing alga Pseudonitzschia australis off-shore. In 2000, a further 184 sea lions stranded with similar clinical signs, but the strandings occurred both during detectable algal blooms and after the blooms had subsided. The clinical signs in these 265 Californian sea lions included seizures, ataxia, head weaving, decreased responsiveness to stimuli and scratching behaviour. Affected animals had high haematocrits, and eosinophil counts, and high activities of serum creatine kinase. They were treated supportively by using fluid therapy, diazepam, lorazepam and phenobarbitone. Fifty-five of the 81 sea lions (68 per cent) affected in 1998 and 81 of the 184 (44 per cent) affected in 2000 died despite the treatment. Three of the 23 sea lions which survived in 1998 were tracked with satellite and radiotransmitters; they travelled as far south as San Miguel Island, California, and survived for at least three months. Eleven of the 129 animals which were released stranded within four months of being released.     

Postamputation Orthopedic Surgery in Canine Amputees: Owner Satisfaction and Outcome

Surgical management of postamputation orthopedic disease (PAOD) in canine amputees has rarely been documented, and no reports describing outcome of stifle surgery in canine amputees are available. The objective of this multisite retrospective case series was to describe cases and evaluate satisfaction with and outcome of postamputation orthopedic surgery in canine amputees. Data was obtained through medical records and owner survey responses; data included signalment, amputation cause, diagnosis, surgical treatment, timeframes, and outcome assessment. Outcome was categorized as acceptable or unacceptable, and complications were classified as catastrophic, major, or minor. Eleven thoracic limb amputees and 6 pelvic limb amputees with surgically treated PAOD were identified. Surgically treated PAOD was reported at a median of 9.7 months (range 0.5-110 months) after amputation. All 17 amputees were treated for pelvic limb disease, predominantly for cranial cruciate ligament disease that occurred in 11 of 17 dogs. Major complications following orthopedic surgeries performed in 3 thoracic limb amputees consisted of infection (n?=?2) and uncontrolled pain (n?=?1). No major complications were reported following orthopedic surgeries performed in pelvic limb amputees. Acceptable mid-to-long-term outcome was achieved in 16 of the 17 canine amputees. Surgical treatment of pelvic limb disease did not appear to be associated with a high number of major complications in this case series. These findings suggest that orthopedic surgery, specifically stifle surgery, in canine amputees might be considered a feasible treatment option. Although there are inherent methodological limitations of retrospective studies and owner surveys, our case series provides new information that might help guide surgical treatment decisions in canine amputees suffering from orthopedic disease. Prospective studies using objective outcome measures evaluating surgical management of PAOD are necessary to confirm the provided information.     

Assessment of on-screen measurements, magnification, and calibration in digital radiography

Objective-To compare calibration methods for digital radiography in terms of measurement accuracy and interobserver variability. Design-Prospective study. Sample-Digital radiographic images of a 155-mm-long Steinmann pin. Procedures-Measurement of pin length on digital radiographs was determined with a 25.4-mm-diameter calibration ball and commercially available software program via 3 calibration methods (ie, no calibration, autocalibration, and manual calibration). Digital radiographs of the calibration ball and pin were obtained with each placed at various vertical heights from the table (7 heights) and horizontal distances from the center of the beam (4 distances). Measurements of pin length on digital radiographs were made by 4 observers who were blinded to the orientation of the calibration ball and pin. Results-Pin lengths obtained by each calibration method were significantly different from each other and from the true value. Manual calibration was the most accurate. There was no significant interobserver variability in measurements. There was no significant change in measurements when the calibration ball was moved horizontally, but pin length measurements changed significantly when the ball was moved vertically (away from the table) with an approximate magnification error of 1% per centimeter of distance between the calibration ball and pin. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-For digital radiography, manual calibration is recommended to achieve the most accurate measurements. Ideally, the calibration ball should be placed at the same vertical height as the object to be measured; however, if this cannot be achieved, the magnification error can be expected to be approximately 1% per centimeter of distance.     

Challenging diagnosis--icterus associated with a single perforating duodenal ulcer after long-term nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug administration in a dog

A dog developed icterus, vomiting, and anorexia 2 wk after orthopedic surgery and treatment with meloxicam for approximately 1 y. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a single perforated duodenal ulcer. The most likely cause of the hyperbilirubinemia was intrahepatic cholestasis resulting from peritonitis associated with the perforation.     

Comparison of surgical treatment options for cranial cruciate ligament disease in large-breed dogs with excessive tibial plateau angle

Objective— To identify surgical techniques performed by veterinary surgeons for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in large-breed dogs with excessive tibial plateau angle (eTPA), compare their outcomes, identify risk factors for postoperative complications, and compare outcome and complication rate with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs without eTPA.
Study Design— Multicenter, case–control study.
Animals— eTPA group (TPA≥35°)=58 dogs (78 stifles); control group (TPA≤30°)=58 dogs (72 stifles).
Methods— Control and eTPA group dogs were identified. Medical records, radiographic reviews, and pet-owner interviews were used to identify surgical treatments performed, their complications, and outcome. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, χ² tests, and t-tests were calculated to discern differences between eTPA and control-group dogs.
Results— TPLO was the most common treatment for eTPA. Owner-perceived outcome was superior for eTPA group dogs when TPLO resulted in TPA≤14° compared with those with postoperative TPA>14°. Loss of tibial plateau leveling during convalescence was the most commonly observed major complication; addition of ancillary implants to TPLO significantly reduced its incidence. Postoperative complications were more common in dogs with eTPA than in dogs without eTPA; however, no difference in owner-perceived outcome was identified.
Conclusions— Surgical treatment of dogs with eTPA has a higher complication rate, but comparable outcome to that of dogs without eTPA.
Clinical Relevance— Postoperative TPA≤14° and addition of ancillary implants are recommended when using TPLO to treat dogs with eTPA.     

Water Quality and Microbial Dynamics in Shrimp Ponds Receiving Bagasse-Based Feed

Pond water quality and associated microbial biomass were studied in relation to the type of feed applied during the culture of the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei . The feeds tested included conventional feedlot manure as well as two feeds based on bagasse, a sugarcane waste product. Physical and chemical parameters were studied during a 100 day trial in 200 m² earthen ponds. Both bagasse-based feeds supported a significantly larger microbial community as measured by specific biomass numbers ( P < 0.01), ATP content ( P < 0.001) and amount of the particulate organic matter present on pond bottoms ( P < 0.025). For both bagasse-based treatments, the estimated bacterial cell number in the flocculent layer was 3.11 ± 10¹²/m², compared to the much lower cell number of 7.53 ± 10¹⁰/m² for control ponds. Harvest data suggest that bagasse forms a potential base for feeds when applied to extensive shrimp cultures.     

Use of Bagasse as a Feed Input to Semi-Intensive Shrimp Growout Ponds

Efforts to reduce the cost of growout feeds for aquaculture have traditionally focused on the use of agricultural wastes as direct or indirect nutritional supplements to support semi-intensive production levels. The merits of a low cost, sugar cane bagasse-based feed for semi-intensive production of Penaeus vannarnei were evaluated. Shrimp averaging 0.24 g each were stocked into 200 m² earthen ponds at 20/m² and cultured for a 12 week period. Two bagasse-based feed treatments, a manure-based treatment and a no-feed input control, were compared in replicate ponds. One bagasse treatment (artificial manure) was designed to mimic manure and stimulate autotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The other bagasse treatment (bagasse alone plus inorganics) was designed to stimulate primarily autotrophic growth. Both bagasse treatments produced average growth rates of 0.78 g/wk, which were significantly greater than that of the manure treatment (0.57 g/wk). Lack of difference between the two bagasse treatments suggests that additional supplements used in making artificial manure probably were unnecessary to the nutrition of the shrimp. At harvest, bottom organics in the bagasse-fed ponds were at least twice as great as manure-fed ponds, and may have contributed to the lower survival associated with these treatments.