Corneal epithelial disease.

This article reviews conditions that primarily affect the corneal epithelium as distinct from corneal stromal diseases. Corneal ulceration is discussed elsewhere in this issue. The other corneal conditions include a variety of more subtle epithelial disease,which might colloquially be termed epitheliopathies, as well as uninfected indolent superficial ulcerations, corneal neoplasia, and eosinophilic keratitis. The fungal plaque is an unusual and somewhat chronic form of epithelial infection. Although less common than corneal ulcers, this collection of lesions may present uniquely challenging obstacles to diagnosis and identification of a cure. Newer therapies and surgical strategies are discussed.     

Feeding fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) with either barley straw or pasture silage to non-lactating dairy cows

AIMS: To determine the suitability of diets containing either approximately 85% fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) with barley straw or 65% fodder beet with pasture silage when fed to non-lactating dairy cows, by measuring intakes, digestibility, rumen function including microbial growth, and N excretion.

METHODS: Holstein-Friesian cows fitted with permanent rumen fistulae were fed either 65% fodder beet with pasture silage (Silage; n=8) or 85% fodder beet with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw (Straw; n=8) in an indoor facility over a 9-day period, for measurement of intakes, digestibility, rumen function and urine production. The cows were adapted to the diets over 2 weeks before the indoor measurements. Feed was available for about 6 hours/day, as practiced commercially for wintering non-lactating cows.

RESULTS: Five cows fed the Straw diet had to be removed from the trial because of acute acidosis; four on Day 1 of the measurement period and one on Day 7. One cow allocated to the Silage diet refused to eat fodder beet bulbs and was also removed from the trial. Two cows fed the Silage diet were also treated for acidosis. DM intakes were lower with the Straw than Silage diets (6.4 (SE 0.4) vs. 8.3 (SE 0.5) kg/day) and organic matter (OM) digestibility was lower with the Straw than Silage diets (77 (SE 1) vs. 83 (SE 1) g/100g). The N content of the two diets was 1.14 and 1.75?g/100?g DM and there was a net loss of N by cows fed the Straw diet (?22.7 (SE 7) g/day). Rumen microbial N production was much lower in cows fed the Straw than the Silage diet (6.6 (SE 1.3) vs. 15.8 (SE 0.7) g microbial N/kg digestible OM intake). Concentrations of ammonia in rumen liquid collected on Days 5–6 were below detection limits (<0.1?mmol/L) in 36/48 (75%) samples collected from cows fed the Straw diet and in 27/48 (56%) cows fed the Silage diet. Mean urinary N excretion was lower in cows fed the Straw than the Silage diet (52.0 (SE 5.8) vs. 87.7 (SE 5.9) g/day).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVENCE: An over-wintering diet for dry cows comprising about 65% fodder beet with 35% pasture silage provided adequate nutrition, although there was some risk of acidosis. In contrast, the diet containing about 85% fodder beet with barley straw resulted in lower DM intakes, poor rumen function, negative N balance so that both nutrition and welfare were compromised.     

Fractional extraction of compounds from grape seeds by supercritical fluid extraction and analysis for antimicrobial and agrochemical activities

White grape seeds were subjected to sequential supercritical fluid extraction. By increasing the polarity of the supercritical fluid using methanol as a modifier of CO(2), it was possible to fractionate the extracted compounds. Two fractions were obtained; the first, which was obtained with pure CO(2), contained mainly fatty acids, aliphatic aldehydes, and sterols. The second fraction, obtained with methanol-modified CO(2), had phenolic compounds, mainly catechin, epicatechin, and gallic acid. The fractions were bioassayed. Antimicrobial activities were checked on human pathogens, and a high degree of activity was obtained with the lipophilic fraction. Agrochemical activities on phytopathogenic fungi and activities on the etiolated wheat coleoptile bioassay were also checked. The more polar fraction was active in the latter bioassay.     

Molecular mimicry regulates ABA signaling by SnRK2 kinases and PP2C phosphatases

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an essential hormone for plants to survive environmental stresses. At the center of the ABA signaling network is a subfamily of type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), which form exclusive interactions with ABA receptors and subfamily 2 Snfl-related kinase (SnRK2s). Here, we report a SnRK2-PP2C complex structure, which reveals marked similarity in PP2C recognition by SnRK2 and ABA receptors. In the complex, the kinase activation loop docks into the active site of PP2C, while the conserved ABA-sensing tryptophan of PP2C inserts into the kinase catalytic cleft, thus mimicking receptor-PP2C interactions. These structural results provide a simple mechanism that directly couples ABA binding to SnRK2 kinase activation and highlight a new paradigm of kinase-phosphatase regulation through mutual packing of their catalytic sites.     

A survey of sheep dip usage in Scotland in 1978

A survey of sheep dipping in Scotland in 1978 showed that about 42 tonnes of organophosphorus and 17 tonnes of organochlorine insecticides were used to control ectoparasites. Information is presented about their pattern of use and about the disposal of surplus sheep dip and the empty containers. Six river pollution incidents involving sheep dips in 1978 are recorded. The main geographical areas affected by headfly (Hydrotaea irritans Fall.) and the measures taken against them are noted.     

Posterior lamellar keratoplasty for treatment of deep stromal absesses in nine horses

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the use of posterior lamellar keratoplasty as a surgical treatment for deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses. Animals studied Nine horses of various breeds and ages that presented with corneal stromal abscesses located in the posterior one-third of the cornea. Procedure Retrospective medical record study. RESULTS: Nine horses had deep corneal stromal abscesses that were treated with posterior lamellar keratoplasty. Median patient age was 3 years. Six patients were females and three were geldings. Medical therapy alone had been attempted prior to surgery in all nine animals. Corneal abscess culture and histopathology were performed in 8/9 horses. Cultures were positive for an infectious etiology in 4/8 (50%). Histopathology was positive for an infectious etiology in 5/8 (62.5%). Mean surgical time was 71.0 +/- 18.8 min and the average healing time was 23.7 +/- 5.2 days. Visual outcome was positive in 8/9 cases. Conclusion Posterior lamellar keratoplasty is a promising procedure for treatment of deep corneal stromal abscesses in horses. The procedure resulted in considerable shorter surgery time and healing time than had been observed with full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty. Scar formation with this procedure was not significantly different than with penetrating keratoplasty.     

The Prediction of Parturition Date in Canine Pregnancy

In bitches, the length of gestation is highly variable when measured from the day of mating, thus prediction of parturition may be greatly inaccurate when determined from this point. The ability to precisely predict the duration of pregnancy is of practical importance for managing parturition or planning caesarean section and this review analyses the methods that can be used to accurately forecast the day of parturition. At the time of breeding, determination of the luteinizing hormone surge and the initial rise in progesterone provide reliable information on gestational length of the bitch, but when pregnancy is ascertained, ultrasonography is the most useful tool to predict the delivery day. In fact, by ultrasonographic measurements of the extra-foetal and foetal structures an accurate prediction can be made both in early and late pregnancy.