Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with swine hepatitis E virus

To determine the effect of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection on pregnant gilts, their fetuses, and offspring, 12 gilts were intravenously inoculated with swine HEV. Six gilts, who were not inoculated, served as controls. All inoculated gilts became actively infected and shed HEV in feces, but vertical transmission was not detected in the fetuses. There was no evidence of clinical disease in the gilts or their offspring. Mild multifocal lymphohistiocytic hepatitis was observed in 4 of 12 inoculated gilts. There was no significant effect of swine HEV on fetal size, fetal viability, or offspring birth weight or weight gain. The offspring acquired anti-HEV colostral antibodies but remained seronegative after the antibodies waned by 71 days of age. Swine HEV infection induced subclinical hepatitis in pregnant gilts, but had no effect on the gilts' reproductive performance, or the fetuses or offspring. Fulminant hepatitis associated with HEV infection was not reproduced in gilts.     

Estrus and ovulation synchronization in Merino meat sheep. 2. Fertility outcome after estrus and ovulation synchronization with Cloprostenol "Jenapharm" and Gonovet "Berlin-Chemie" and term-oriented artificial insemination]

49 of 102 sheep of one production herd, which had returned to oestrus once or twice within the 1985 breeding season, were treated twice in a nine-day interval with the PGF2 alpha analogue Cloprostenol "Jenapharm". 53 animals received an additional dose of 10 micrograms of Gonavet "Berlin-Chemie". A lambing rate of merely 15% was achieved by subsequent term-oriented artificial insemination. 31 sheep still in oestrus one day after term-oriented artificial insemination were served, bringing the lambing rate from synchronisation of oestrus and ovulation to 26% and the lambing result to 154%. Serving of the remaining sheep in 2 subsequent oestric cycles, on balance, yielded lambing rates and results of the remaining sheep in 2 subsequent oestric cycles, on balance, yielded lambing rates and results which were higher with significance than those recorded from untreated sheep in the same herd.     

Correct equations for comparing models in diallel analysis

SUMMARY: Correct equations are given to express the parameter estimates of four models for complete diallels as a function of the parameter estimates in the model of Eisen et al. (1983). In recent literature these equations have been partly incorrect. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Korrekte Gleichungen für den Vergleich von Modellen in der Diallelanalyse Für die Darstellung der Parametersch?tzwerte von vier Modellen für vollst?ndige Diallele als Funktion der Parametersch?tzwerte des Modells von Eisen et al. (1983), die in der Literatur teilweise fehlerhaft erfolgte, werden korrekte Formeln angegeben.     

Breeding objectives for beef cattle used in different production systems: 2. Model application to production systems with the Charolais breed

A general bio-economic model for beef cattle production was used to define breeding objectives for Charolais cattle to be utilized in a variety of linked production systems. Economic weights were calculated for 16 traits (some with both direct and maternal components) in three production systems (pure-breeding and terminal crossing with beef or dairy cows) and two marketing strategies (sale or fattening of weaned surplus calves). Economic weights for the total breeding objective were calculated as weighted averages, where weights were numbers of cows expected to be mated with Charolais bulls in each production system and marketing strategy. Results suggest that the direct component of calving performance and cow longevity were of primary economic importance in all systems. Conception rate of cows and weaning weight reached about 50% of the standardized economic weight of calving performance in purebred systems with sale of weaned calves, whereas in purebred systems with fattening the economic importance of the direct component of cow conception rate, losses at calving, mature weight of cows, weaning weight, and fattening traits were of equal importance (each approximately about 20% that of calving performance). In terminal crossing systems, weaning weight was important when calves were sold at weaning, and fattening traits were important for systems selling fattened animals. The bio-economic model performed well under the conditions of this demonstration and could easily be customized for other applications.     

Integrated Pest Management in Cocoa Agroforests in Southern Cameroon: Constraints and Overview

Imports of pesticides have long been subsidised for use in the cocoa agroforests of the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon. With the liberalisation of the cocoa and pesticides sectors and the devaluation of the local currency (CFA franc), farmers are facing fluctuations in the price paid for cocoa and the high cost of farm inputs. Without the support of the extension services, they themselves have developed traditional integrated control methods based on the use of plant extracts mixed with conventional pesticides. From a survey of 300 cocoa farmers, the study assesses the farmers' command of these methods, the pests controlled, the problems encountered and the institutional constraints in the definition and dissemination of integrated control methods. The study concludes with recommendations for research and development towards the better definition and dissemination of integrated control methods. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ecotonal changes and altered tree spatial patterns in lower mixed-conifer forests, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.

This research analyzes patch development and determines tree spatial patterns along the lower mixed-conifer ecotone on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (U.S.A.). Patterns of patch development were interpreted from spatial analyses, based on tree age and size, and past records of disturbance and climate. Five plots in the ecotone between mixed conifer forests and monospecific stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were studied for patterns of patch development. The methods used include: (1) size-structure analyses, to compare species patch development; (2) dendrochronological dating of tree establishment; (3) tree ring master chronology, to determine periods of suppressed growth, compared to a Palmer Drought Severity Index; and (4) spatial analyses by species composition, size and age, with univariate and bivariate analyses of spatial association and spatial autocorrelation. We found an increased density of shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species namely clusters of pole-sized white fir, and fewer large ponderosa pine. This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Validity of goniometric joint measurements in cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare and validate goniometric joint measurements obtained from nonsedated and sedated cats with measurements from radiographic evaluation. ANIMALS: 20 adult cats with no evidence of joint disease. PROCEDURES: Measurements of flexion and extension of the carpus, elbow, shoulder, tarsus, stifle, and hip joints and of carpal and tarsal joints during varus and valgus angulation were made by a single investigator before and after sedation of cats. Measurements were made by use of a goniometer with a masked dial. Joint angle measurements were compared between nonsedated and sedated cats and also with measurements from radiographs made while cats were sedated. Each series of measurements was repeated 4 times. To evaluate repeatability, Cronbach alpha values were calculated for repeated measure results of goniometric joint measurements of nonsedated and sedated cats. An intraclass correlation was calculated to determine reliability among the 3 measurement types (ie, measurements from nonsedated and sedated cats and on radiographic evaluation). RESULTS: Joint measurements did not differ significantly by measurement type, when comparing radiographic measurements with goniometric measurements in sedated and nonsedated cats. Cronbach alpha values were > 0.99 for goniometric joint measurements within individual nonsedated and sedated cats and also for comparison of mean measurements obtained from sedated cats versus nonsedated cats versus radiographs. An intraclass correlation of 0.999 revealed high reliability among measurement types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that goniometric joint measurements in nonsedated and sedated cats are repeatable and valid.     

Bacteraemia in 66 cats and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates (1995-2004)

Bacterial blood culture results of 292 privately owned cats presented to the Clinic for Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich with signs of sepsis were evaluated retrospectively. Of the blood cultures, 23% were positive. In 88%, a single bacterial species was isolated. Of all bacterial isolates, 45% were Gram-positive, 43% were Gram-negative, and 12% were obligate anaerobes. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae, obligate anaerobic species, Staphylococcus species and Streptococcus species. Of the cats with positive blood cultures, 32% were pretreated with antibiotics. Of all bacterial isolates, 77% were susceptible to enrofloxacin, 69% to chloramphenicol, 67% to gentamicin, and 64% to amoxycillin clavulanic acid. Only enrofloxacin reached an in vitro efficacy of more than 70% against Gram-positive and more than 74% against Gram-negative bacteria.