Determination of the dynamics of respiratory diseases using thoracic ultrasonographic examination in preweaned dairy calves.

This study aimed to explore the dynamics of lung consolidation in preweaned calves and the association between ultrasonographic findings and prognosis (defined as the time until first consolidation occurrence during the preweaning period) and average daily gain. Two dairy herds were visited weekly for 9 weeks. The preweaned dairy heifers were: examined for bovine respiratory disease using thoracic ultrasonography and the calf respiratory scoring criteria, weighed, and had blood samples checked for passive immunity transfer status. A total of 57 preweaned dairy calves were examined. Prevalence of lung consolidation increased from the first week of age (12.5%) and peaked (90%) by 10 weeks of age. In a subgroup of 25 calves monitored from birth, lung consolidation appeared as soon as a few hours after birth (1 cm consolidation depth) and by the 17th day of age (3 cm consolidation depth). Lung consolidation can be detected early by routine thoracic ultrasonography in preweaned dairy calves and is therefore valuable for use in farms with a high risk of pneumonia in preweaned calves.

Détermination de la dynamique des maladies respiratoires par examen échographique thoracique chez des veaux laitiers pré-sevrés. L'étude visait à explorer la dynamique de la consolidation pulmonaire par ultrasons chez les veaux pré-sevrés et l'association entre les résultats de l'échographie et le pronostic (défini comme le délai avant la première consolidation pendant la période de pré-sevrage) et le gain quotidien moyen. Deux troupeaux laitiers ont été visités chaque semaine pendant neuf semaines, toutes les génisses pré-sevrées ont été examinées par échographie thoracique. Les scores cliniques respiratoires à des veaux, et des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés pour vérifier leur statut de transfert d'immunité passive. Un total de 57 veaux laitiers pré-sevrés ont été examinés. La prévalence de la consolidation pulmonaire a augmenté dès la première semaine d'âge (12,5 %) jusqu'à son maximum (90 %) à l'âge de 10 semaines. Dans un sous-groupe de 25 veaux suivis depuis la naissance, la consolidation pulmonaire est apparue quelques heures après la naissance (consolidation DEPTH 1 cm) et au 17ème jour (consolidation DEPTH 3 cm). Une détection précoce des lésions pulmonaires peut être réalisée par échographie thoracique systématique ce qui démontre une application potentielle dans les fermes au risque élevé de pneumonie pré-sevrage.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Detection and Identification of the Keto-Hydroperoxide (HOOCH2OCHO) and Other Intermediates during Low-Temperature Oxidation of Dimethyl Ether.

In this paper we report the detection and identification of the keto-hydroperoxide (hydroperoxymethyl formate, HPMF, HOOCH2OCHO) and other partially oxidized intermediate species arising from the low-temperature (540 K) oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME). These observations were made possible by coupling a jet-stirred reactor with molecular-beam sampling capabilities, operated near atmospheric pressure, to a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer that employs single-photon ionization via tunable synchrotron-generated vacuum-ultraviolet radiation. On the basis of experimentally observed ionization thresholds and fragmentation appearance energies, interpreted with the aid of ab initio calculations, we have identified HPMF and its conceivable decomposition products HC(O)O(O)CH (formic acid anhydride), HC(O)OOH (performic acid), and HOC(O)OH (carbonic acid). Other intermediates that were detected and identified include HC(O)OCH3 (methyl formate), cycl-CH2-O-CH2-O- (1,3-dioxetane), CH3OOH (methyl hydroperoxide), HC(O)OH (formic acid), and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). We show that the theoretical characterization of multiple conformeric structures of some intermediates is required when interpreting the experimentally observed ionization thresholds, and a simple method is presented for estimating the importance of multiple conformers at the estimated temperature (∼100 K) of the present molecular beam. We also discuss possible formation pathways of the detected species: for example, supported by potential energy surface calculations, we show that performic acid may be a minor channel of the O2 + CH2OCH2OOH reaction, resulting from the decomposition of the HOOCH2OCHOOH intermediate, which predominantly leads to the HPMF.

Fourteen morphotypes of Entodinium ovumrajae (Ophryoscolecidae, Entodiniomorphida) found in the Dromedary camel of Egypt.

During a survey of the ciliate protozoal composition of the stomach contents of nine dromedary camels of Egypt, fourteen morphotypes of Entodinium ovumrajae, which has been considered as a species peculiar to camels, were found in six camels. Except for five morphotypes including one originally described as an independent species and its forms, these were newly detected. These morphotypes, divided into three groups, can be identified mainly by the morphology of their ectoplasmic processes. Each camel had on average, about five morphotypes of this species.