Variability in concentrations of zinc in serum and feed when using zinc oxide as a supplement for the prevention of facial eczema

AIMS: To determine the variability of concentrations of Zn in feed, when used as a supplement to prevent facial eczema, and to determine the variability in concentrations of Zn in serum between cows and herds that are being supplemented with ZnO in feed, using in-shed feeders or on a feed pad.

METHODS: Sixteen commercial dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were enrolled, that were supplementing cows with ZnO in the feed using either an automatic in-shed feeder (ASF) or a feed pad (FP) using a feed-out or mixer wagon. On each farm 10 cows were selected by the farmer, that were assumed to be representative of the age and liveweight of the herd. Four hours after supplement feeding, each cow was weighed and a blood sample collected for measurement of concentrations of Zn in serum. Three samples of feed were collected from each farm for Zn analysis, from the beginning, middle and end of the feed being distributed. Levene’s test for homoscedasticity was used to analyse whether there were differences in variation of individual concentrations of Zn in serum, and in the feed, between the two feeding systems. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between age, feeding method or liveweight and concentrations of Zn in serum, after accounting for the variability between farms.

RESULTS: Of the 163 cows sampled, concentrations of Zn in serum were between 20–35?µmol/L in 75/163 (46 (95% CI=38–54)%) cows; were <20?µmol/L in 71/163 (44 (95% CI=36–52)%) cows, and >35?µmol/L in 17/163 (10 (95% CI=6–16)%) cows. The variation in concentrations of Zn in serum in individual cows differed between farms (p<0.001), and the variability was greater for cows fed using a FP than ASF (p<0.001). There was no difference in the variation of concentrations of Zn in feed between the two feeding methods (p=0.54), but concentrations of Zn in serum were associated with the amount of Zn offered in feed (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICIAL RELEVENCE: There was significant variability between farms in the concentrations of Zn in the serum of cows being supplemented with ZnO in feed. Only 46% of cows sampled had concentrations of Zn between 20–35?µmol/L. Effective management of facial eczema should include monitoring Zn in the feed and in serum to ensure cows are receiving the correct dose they require.     

湿疹纳米乳中丹皮酚包封率的测定

目的 建立湿疹纳米乳中丹皮酚的包封率测定方法,用于评价湿疹纳米乳制备工艺。方法 采用葡聚糖凝胶G-50柱分离湿疹纳米乳中包封的丹皮酚与未包封的丹皮酚。HPLC法测定湿疹纳米乳中丹皮酚的含量,并计算其包封率。结果 纳米乳中丹皮酚的含量在0.4160～41.60 μg/mL浓度范围内线性关系良好,r为0.999 9,加样回收率平均值为98.43%,RSD为2.90%;纳米乳中丹皮酚的包封率值为（92.43±0.44）%,RSD为0.43%（n=6）,葡聚糖凝胶柱分离纳米乳上样回收率为（90.5±0.17）%,RSD为1.84%。结论 葡聚糖凝胶G-50可以将湿疹纳米乳和游离的丹皮酚较好地分开,湿疹纳米乳中丹皮酚的包封率测定方法可作为工艺研究的评价方法。     

Carbendazim,at concentrations used on pasture for facial eczema control,reduces development of Trichostrongylus colubriformis when sprayed onto infected sheep faeces

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether the fungicide, carbendazim, as applied to pastures for controlling facial eczema (FE), would inhibit development of the free-living stages of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

METHODS: Two studies were conducted, using sheep faeces containing eggs of T. colubriformis. In the first, the faeces were either exposed or not to an application of carbendazim sprayed at the recommended rate for FE control. After spraying, dishes containing the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 14 days, and the resulting third-stage infective larvae (L3) extracted by baermannisation and counted. In addition, naturally infested pasture was also sprayed, and the number of L3 present 7 days later was assessed by cutting herbage samples and extracting larvae by soaking in water and baermannisation. In the second, the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 0, 3 or 7 days before being exposed to no, one or two applications of carbendazim. After further incubation for 14, 11 or 7 days, L3 were similarly extracted by baermannisation and counted.

RESULTS: In the first study, there was a 74% reduction in the number of T. colubriformis larvae recovered from faeces exposed to carbendazim compared with faeces not exposed, but there was no reduction in the number of L3 recovered from herbage. In the second study, faeces incubated for 0 or 3 days prior to exposure to a single application of carbendazim yielded 98% or 89% fewer larvae, respectively, than faeces not exposed. Faeces incubated for 7 days prior to exposure yielded similar numbers of larvae to faeces not exposed.

CONCLUSION: Treatment of pastures with carbendazim for FE control is likely to result in reduced development of the larvae of T. colubriformis, and by inference those of other species, where the application coincides with the presence of freshly deposited faeces containing eggs and developing larvae. However, no effect of treatment on L3 was indicated. The significance of this for on-farm nematode parasite control remains to be determined, as does any potential for strategic applications of carbendazim to pasture aimed at reducing numbers of parasite larvae on pasture. The latter should not be contemplated without due consideration of the implications for the development of anthelmintic resistance.     

Observations on calf scours in New Zealand

Extract

Scouring syndromes constitute a major disease group in dairy calves in New Zealand.     

Further Field Experiments on the Use of Coccidiostatic Drugs in Unweaned Lambs

A small tumour was found at the periphery of the lung during routine necropsy of a 13-year-old Romney ewe. The tumour consisted of vacuolated, cuboidal cells which lined alveolar spaces without destroying them. Electron microscopy revealed numerous microvilli on the free surface of the cells and irregularly shaped osmiophilic inclusions within the vacuoles. No viral particles were found and the tumour was diagnosed as a well differentiated Type II pneumocyte adenocarcinoma of unknown aetiology.     

Clinicopathological studies on facial eczema outbreak in sheep in Southwest Turkey

After very hot summer, 22 sheep from 5 different flocks consisting of approximately 150-200 animals each were diagnosed with facial eczema in September 2005, in southwest Turkey. Photophobia, corneal opacity, severe ulcers of the facial skin, especially localized around the eyes and mouth, and 3% mortality were the most prominent clinical symptoms. GGT levels of the animals were very high and varying between 261- 328 U/l. While the activities of ALT and total bilirubin were elevated and AST was normal in affected sheep. Total bilirubin level was higher than normal. Seven of the 22 sheep were euthanatized and necropsy was performed on all of these animals. Severe icterus, hepatomegaly, enlarged gallbladder, congestion of mesenteric vessels were the common necropsy findings. Histopathological changes of the liver included necrosis of the hepatocytes, cholangiohepatitis characterized by mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the portal area and mild to severe fibrosis around bile ducts. A diagnosis of sporidesmin toxicosis was made based on the histopathology of the livers, the elevation in liver enzymes, and the development of cutaneous lesions consistent with photosensitization and high spore counts in the ruminal contents. Surviving sheep were treated with procaine penicillin + dihidrostreptomycin sulfate, multivitamin complexes and flunixin meglumine. Additionally, zinc sulphate was also given at a dose of 6 gr per 100 lt drinking water for 28 days. All treated sheep recovered. Pasture spore counts were between 96,300- 267,500 spores/g grass.     

The impact of seasonal colour change in planting on patients with psychotic disorders using biosensors

The beneficial effect of nature on patients with mental disorders is of particular importance. There has been an increase in mental illnesses in recent years, but research on the design of healing gardens for mental and behavioural disorders remains limited. This paper is part of a wider study that aims to investigate the effect of selected design elements of healing gardens on patients with mental disorders. This study examines the effect of seasonal colour change in plantings in the design of healing gardens on patients suffering from psychotic disorders by using a questionnaire survey and by recording and analysing human behaviour. Images depicting seasonal colour change in different plantings were viewed on a computer monitor by patients. Patients’ behaviour was studied using biosensors for eye-tracking, facial expression analysis and galvanic skin response. The results showed that differences in gender and age between participants did not affect their preferences. However, it appeared to be more difficult to positively affect the emotions of male participants compared to female participants. Seasonal colour change in a tree canopy created positive and intense emotions in the patients. Based on the results, the use of deciduous trees is proposed in the design of healing gardens for patients with psychotic disorders to create seasonal colour change. Further research is necessary to obtain more detailed design recommendations for landscape architects.