Strategic use of crutching and dicyclanil to protect unmulesed sheep against breech strike

Objective To test strategies for the application of dicyclanil and mid-season crutching to maximise protection of unmulesed sheep against breech strike. Procedure Three hundred and eighty unmulesed Merino weaners were randomly allocated to four groups either left untreated or treated by different strategies with 50 g/L dicyclanil. Treatments included breech treatment alone and breech plus body treatment, with two application times, immediately after shearing and 6 weeks after crutching or shearing. To assess protection, larval implants with newly hatched Lucilia cuprina larvae were applied to 10 different sheep from each group at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months after crutching and shearing and assessed for the development of strike at 48 hours. The concentration of dicyclanil was measured in wool samples clipped from the breeches of the test sheep. Results All dicyclanil treatments gave significant reduction in strike in comparison to controls up until 4 months after crutching but protection in the sheep treated immediately after shearing had waned at 5 months. Treating at 6 weeks after crutching provided significant reduction (P < 0.05) in strike for 6 months. Results for strike incidence immediately after shearing and concentration of dicyclanil in the breech wool also suggested improvements in protection by delaying treatment for 6 weeks. Conclusion In most environments it should be possible to protect unmulesed sheep against breech strike with a carefully planned integrated control program incorporating strategically timed crutching, shearing and dicyclanil application. Delaying treatment with dicyclanil to at least 6 weeks after shearing or crutching increased the protection provided in comparison to treatment immediately after shearing.

Emergence and seed persistence of Echinochloa colona, Urochloa panicoides and Hibiscus trionum in the sub-tropical environment of north-eastern Australia.

Better understanding of seed-bank dynamics of Echinochloa colona, Urochloa panicoides and Hibiscus trionum, major crop weeds in sub-tropical Australia, was needed to improve weed control. Emergence patterns and seed persistence were investigated, with viable seeds sown at different depths in large in-ground pots. Seedlings of all species emerged between October and March when mean soil temperatures were 21-23C. However, E. colona emerged as a series of flushes predominantly in the first year, with most seedlings emerging from 0-2 cm. Urochloa panicoides emerged mostly as a single large flush in the first two years, with most seedlings emerging from 5 cm. Hibiscus trionum emerged as a series of flushes over three seasons, initially with majority from 5 cm and then 0-2 cm in the later seasons. Longevity of the grass seed was short, with <5% remaining after burial at 0-2 cm for 24 months. In contrast, 38% of H. trionum seeds remained viable after the same period. Persistence of all species increased significantly with burial depth. These data highlight that management strategies need to be tailored for each species, particularly relating to the need for monitoring, application times for control tactics, impact of tillage, and time needed to reduce the seed-bank to low numbers.

Effects of thermal cycling profiles on the performance of chip-on-flex assembly using anisotropic conductive films

Anisotropic conductive films (ACFs) are widely used in the electronic packaging industries because of their fine pitch potential and the assembly process is simpler compared to the soldering process. However, there are still unsolved issues in the volume productions using ACFs. The main reason is that the effects of many factors on the interconnects are not well understood. This work focuses on the performance of ACF-bonded chip-on-flex assemblies subjected to a range of thermal cycling test conditions. Both experimental and three-dimensional finite element computer modelling methods are used. It has been revealed that greater temperature ranges and longer dwell-times give rise to higher stresses in the ACF interconnects. Higher stresses are concentrated along the edges of the chip-ACF interfaces. In the experiments, the results show that higher temperature ranges and prolonged dwell times increase contact resistance values. Close examination of the microstructures along the bond-line through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicates that cyclic thermal loads disjoint the conductive particles from the bump of the chip and/or pad of the substrate and this is thought to be related to the increase of the contact resistance value and the failure of the ACF joints.

Evaluation of a Water-soluble Bioadhesive Patch for Photodynamic Therapy of Vulval Lesions

An innovative bioadhesive patch intended primarily as a vulval drug delivery system and, specifically, as a means to deliver photosensitisers, or their prodrugs, for photodynamic purposes is described. The patch was formulated with a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride (PMVE/MA) as a bioadhesive matrix and poly(vinyl chloride) as a drug-impervious backing layer. Adhesive strength to neonate porcine skin, as a model substrate, was evaluated using peel and tensile testing measurements. Acceptabilities of non-drug loaded patches were appraised using human volunteers and visual-analogue scoring devices. An optimal formulation, with water uptake and peel strengths appropriate for vulval drug delivery, was cast from a 20% (w/w) PMVE/MA solution and adhered with a strength of approximately 1.7 N cm-2. Patient evaluation demonstrated comfort and firm attachment for up to 4 h in mobile patients. Aminolevulinic acid, a commonly used photosensitiser, was formulated into the candidate formulation and applied to vulval intraepithelial neoplastic lesions. Fluorescence under ultraviolet illumination revealed protoporphyrin synthesis. The patch achieves the extended application times obligatory in topical photodynamic therapy of vulval lesions, thereby contributing to potential methods for the eradication of neoplastic lesions in the lower female reproductive tract.

Microneedle-mediated intradermal delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid: potential for enhanced topical photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy of deep or nodular skin tumours is currently limited by the poor tissue penetration of the porphyrin precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In this study, silicon microneedle arrays were used, for the first time, to enhance skin penetration of ALA in vitro and in vivo. Puncturing excised murine skin with 6x7 arrays of microneedles 270 mum in height, with a diameter of 240 mum at the base and an interspacing of 750 mum led to a significant increase in transdermal delivery of ALA released from a bioadhesive patch containing 19 mg ALA cm(-2). Microneedle puncture enhanced ALA delivery to the upper regions of excised porcine skin but, at mean depths of 1.875 mm, ALA concentrations were similar to control values, possibly reflecting binding of ALA by tissue components. However, and importantly, in vivo experiments using nude mice showed that microneedle puncture could reduce application time and ALA dose required to induce high levels of the photosensitiser protoporphyrin IX in skin. This clearly has implications for clinical practice, as shorter application times would mean improved patient and clinician convenience and also that more patients could be treated in the same session. As ALA is expensive and degrades rapidly via a second order reaction, reducing the required dose is also a notable advantage.

Screening and confirmatory determination of ractopamine residues in calves treated with growth promoting doses of the beta-agonist

Ractopamine (RCT) is a phenethanolamine member of the family of beta-adrenergic agonists (beta-agonists), This class of compounds have become notable for their properties of enhancing the growth rates of farm animal species but are not licensed for use in Europe. An ELISA procedure employing a polyclonal antibody raised in a goat was developed to detect RCT residues in bovine urine samples, The assay had a high sensitivity (calibration curve mid-point of 22 pg per well), allowing the analysis of urine samples without the need for sample clean-up. In addition, an LC-MS-MS confirmatory procedure was developed which was able to act as a confirmatory procedure for the ELISA results. Four calves were orally treated with RCT (0.1 mg kg(-1) body mass for 17 d) and urine samples collected were assayed by both analytical procedures. It was observed that RCT residues were excreted mainly in the form of glucuronides and deconjugation could be achieved using two different sources of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase (Helix pomatia and Escherichia coli), High concentrations of RCT residues were found throughout the medication period (44-473 ng ml(-1); LC-MS-MS data) and remained present for several days following removal of the drug from the diet, RCT residues were no longer detectable 2 weeks after withdrawal, Good agreement (r(2) = 0.73) was achieved between the ELISA and LC-MS-MS results, especially when sample deconjugation was applied to the urine samples for both sets of analyses, The results show that an effective screening and confirmatory system was devised to detect RCT residues in urine samples taken during treatment and close to withdrawal, However, alternative matrices may have to be selected to allow the illegal use of the substance to be detected following prolonged withdrawal times.

Intermittent antegrade cardioplegia: isolated heart preservation with the Asporto heart preservation device

Background—A major problem in procurement of donor hearts is the limited time a donor heart remains viable. After cardiectomy, ischemic hypoxia is the main cause of donor heart degradation. The global myocardial ischemia causes a cascade of oxygen radical formation that cumulates in an elevation in hydrogen ions (decrease in pH), irreversible cellular injury, and potential microvascular changes in perfusion. Objective—To determine the changes of prolonged storage times on donor heart microvasculature and the effects of intermittent antegrade perfusion. Materials and Methods—Using porcine hearts flushed with a Ribosol-based cardioplegic solution, we examined how storage time affects microvascular myocardial perfusion by using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging at a mean (SD) of 6.1 (0.6) hours (n=13) or 15.6 (0.6) hours (n=11) after cardiectomy. Finally, to determine if administration of cardioplegic solution affects pH and microvascular perfusion, isolated hearts (group 1, n=9) given a single antegrade dose, were compared with hearts (group 2, n=8) given intermittent antegrade cardioplegia (150 mL, every 30 min, 150 mL/min) by a heart preservation device. Khuri pH probes in left and right ventricular tissue continuously measured hydrogen ion levels, and perfusion intensity on magnetic resonance images was plotted against time. Results—Myocardial perfusion measured via magnetic resonance imaging at 6.1 hours was significantly greater than at 15.6 hours (67% vs 30%, P= .00008). In group 1 hearts, the mean (SD) for pH at the end of 6 hours decreased to 6.2 (0.2). In group 2, hearts that received intermittent antegrade cardioplegia, pH at the end of 6 hours was higher at 6.7 (0.3) (P=.0005). Magnetic resonance imaging showed no significant differences between the 2 groups in contrast enhancement (group 1, 62%; group 2, 40%) or in the wet/dry weight ratio. Conclusion—Intermittent perfusion maintains a significantly higher myocardial pH than does a conventional single antegrade dose. This difference may translate into an improved quality of donor hearts procured for transplantation, allowing longer distance procurement, tissue matching, improved outcomes for transplant recipients, and ideally a decrease in transplant-related costs.

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 contributes to (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-mediated signaling in platelets

Rationale: Platelets are anuclear cell fragments derived from bone marrow megakaryocytes (MKs) that safeguard vascular integrity but may also cause pathological vessel occlusion. One major pathway of platelet activation is triggered by 2 receptors that signal through an (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), the activating collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI and the C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). Growth factor receptor–bound protein 2 (Grb2) is a ubiquitously expressed adapter molecule involved in signaling processes of numerous receptors in different cell types, but its function in platelets and MKs is unknown. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that Grb2 is a crucial adapter protein in (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling in platelets. Methods and Results: Here, we show that genetic ablation of Grb2 in MKs and platelets did not interfere with MK differentiation or platelet production. However, Grb2-deficiency severely impaired glycoprotein VI–mediated platelet activation because of defective stabilization of the linker of activated T-cell (LAT) signalosome and activation of downstream signaling proteins that resulted in reduced adhesion, aggregation, and coagulant activity on collagen in vitro. Similarly, CLEC-2–mediated signaling was impaired in Grb2-deficient platelets, whereas the cells responded normally to stimulation of G protein–coupled receptors. In vivo, this selective (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling defect resulted in prolonged bleeding times but affected arterial thrombus formation only after concomitant treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, indicating that defective glycoprotein VI signaling in the absence of Grb2 can be compensated through thromboxane A2–induced G protein–coupled receptor signaling pathways. Conclusions: These results reveal an important contribution of Grb2 in (hem)immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling in platelets in hemostasis and thrombosis by stabilizing the LAT signalosome.

Bovine Biofertilizer and Water Regime Effects on Growth and Bulb Quality of Garlic

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Manejo da adubação nitrogenada paraa batata-doce: fontes e parcelamento de aplicação

Com o objetivo de avaliar o rendimento da batata-doce [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.], cultivar Rainha Branca, submetida a fontes e parcelamentos da aplicação de 80 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio, instalou-se um experimento, no período de abril a agosto de 2007, na Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em Areia. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2 x 7, com duas fontes de nitrogênio (uréia e sulfato de amônio) e oito de épocas parcelamentos da aplicação (100% no plantio; 100% aos 30 dias após o plantio (DAP); 100% aos 60 DAP; 50% no plantio e 50% aos 30 DAP; 50% no plantio e 50% aos 60 DAP; 50% aos 30 e 50% aos 60 DAP; 33% no plantio, 33% aos 30 e 33% aos 60 DAP), com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados o peso médio de raízes comerciais, a produção e o número de raízes comerciais por planta e as produtividades total e comercial de raízes de batatadoce. O maior peso médio de raízes comerciais (294 g) foi obtido com o parcelamento do N, como uréia, 50% no plantio e 50% aos 30 DAP. O parcelamento de N 33% no plantio, 33% aos 30 DAP e 33% aos 60 DAP na forma sulfato de amônio foi responsável pela maior produção de raízes comerciais por planta (337 g). Para o número de raízes comercias e as produtividades total e comercial, o N na forma de sulfato de amônio parcelado 33% no plantio, 33% aos 30 DAP e 33% aos 60 DAP proporcionou os maiores valores, 1,50 raízes, 30,5 e 28,4 t ha-1, respectivamente.

Nitrogênio em cobertura, teor de proteína e exportação de nutrientes pelos grãos de painço

Knowledge of the mineral composition of grain and export of nutrients by the proso millet is important to enhance their use and promote more rational fertilizer recommendations. This work aimed to evaluate the protein and nutrients in the grain and export of macronutrient by the proso millet, cv. AL Tibagi, submitted to different doses and times of nitrogen top-dressing application. The experimental design was randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial scheme, constituted by four doses (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha(-1) of N) and two application times (14 and 28 days after emergency) of N fertilizer (urea) in top-dressing with four replications. Nitrogen top-dressing application increased grain yield and N content and protein in grains of proso millet, however, reduced the concentration of K. Nitrogen top-dressing fertilization increased the export of N, P, Ca, Mg and S for the grains of proso millet. Proso millet exported an average of macronutrients in the following order: 28.1 kg ha(-1) N; 3.4 kg ha(-1) P; 2.1 kg ha(-1) Ca; 1.4 kg ha(-1) S, 0.9 kg ha(-1) K and 0.8 kg ha(-1) Mg.

Aplicação foliar de molibdênio, produtividade e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de feijoeiro irrigado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses e épocas de aplicação de molibdênio, por via foliar, na produtividade e qualidade fisiológica de sementes do feijoeiro Pérola irrigado, cultivado em Neossolo Quatizarênico. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pela aplicação de quatro doses de Mo (0, 40, 80 e 160 g ha-1), aplicadas em duas épocas: 15 ou 26 dias após a emergência das plântulas (DAE). A aplicação de Mo via foliar aumentou a produtividade de sementes e a matéria seca da parte aérea de plântulas do feijoeiro irrigado, cultivado em solo arenoso, independentemente da época de aplicação (15 ou 26 DAE). A germinação das sementes do feijoeiro foi aumentada pela aplicação de Mo aos 26 DAE. Na avaliação do vigor das sementes de feijão, pelo teste de primeira contagem, constatou-se efeito negativo da aplicação de Mo via foliar. A aplicação foliar de Mo aumentou a produtividade do feijoeiro e promoveu a obtenção de sementes que originaram plântulas com maior desenvolvimento inicial.

Nitrogênio em cobertura e qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de painço (Panicum miliaceum L.)

O nitrogênio pode influenciar a qualidade das sementes de várias culturas e os seus efeitos variam com as condições ambientais e o estádio de desenvolvimento da planta em que a aplicação é realizada. Porém, pouco se sabe sobre a influência da adubação nitrogenada na qualidade de sementes da cultura do painço (Panicum miliaceum L.). O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura na qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de painço, cv. AL Tibagi, produzidas em condições de campo. As sementes foram produzidas no período de dezembro de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006 e as avaliações laboratoriais realizadas de março a agosto de 2006. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, constituído pela combinação de quatro doses (0, 30, 60 e 120 kg ha-1 de N) e duas épocas de aplicação (14 e 28 dias após a emergência - DAE) do fertilizante nitrogenado (uréia) em cobertura, com quatro repetições. A aplicação de N aumentou o vigor das sementes, expresso pelos testes de envelhecimento acelerado e emergência em campo. A aplicação de nitrogênio aos 28 DAE da cultura do painço proporciona maiores IVE e porcentagem de emergência em campo. A sanidade de sementes de painço não é influenciada pelas doses e épocas de aplicação da adubação nitrogenada.

Doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura na cultura do painço (Panicum miliaceum L.)

A cultura do painço é uma opção interessante tanto para a formação de palha para cobertura do solo como para a produção de grãos, pelo seu rápido crescimento, tolerância à seca e ciclo curto. No entanto, são escassas as informações sobre o manejo da adubação nitrogenada para essa cultura. Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar o efeito de doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura nas características agronômicas e produtividade de grãos do painço. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4x2, constituído pela combinação de quatro doses (0, 30, 60 e 120 kg ha-1 de N) e duas épocas de aplicação (14 e 28 dias após a emergência - DAE) do fertilizante nitrogenado (uréia) em cobertura, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogenada em cobertura promoveu aumento na altura da planta, comprimento da panícula e produtividade de grãos da cultura do painço, independentemente da época de aplicação. O número de grãos por panícula foi incrementado pela adubação nitrogenada apenas com a aplicação que foi realizada aos 14 DAE. A aplicação de N em cobertura, aos 14 dias após a emergência, proporcionou acréscimos nas características agronômicas, até a dose de 120 kg ha-1 (maior dose), acarretando aumento da produtividade de grãos do painço.

Fontes e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio em feijoeiro de inverno sob sistema plantio direto

O aproveitamento do nitrogênio pelo feijoeiro é dependende da fonte, dose e época de aplicação. Com o objetivo de se avaliar o efeito de fontes e épocas de aplicação de N sobre feijoeiro cultivado em sistema plantio direto, desenvolveu-se o presente trabalho, no município de Selvíria (MS), em 2006 e 2007, com os tratamentos dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 3x6, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas fontes de N (ureia, entec e sulfato de amônio) e épocas de aplicação (testemunha - sem N, semeadura, estádio de desenvolvimento V3, estádio de desenvolvimento V4-5, 1/3 semeadura + 2/3 estádio V3 e 1/3 semeadura + 2/3 estádio V4-5). As fontes de N tiveram influência semelhante sobre a produtividade do feijoeiro, afetando apenas o teor de N foliar, em 2006, sendo que a utilização de entec proporcionou concentrações do nutriente, nas folhas, equivalentes às da ureia. A aplicação de todo o N na semeadura afetou a população inicial e final de plantas, em 2006, sendo que o mesmo não foi observado em 2007. As épocas de aplicação não influenciaram na produtividade de grãos da cultura, em ambos os anos de cultivo, porém, em 2006, a adubação nitrogenada incrementou a produtividade em mais de 100%, em média, independentemente da época de aplicação.