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The objective of this investigation was to evaluate whether intravaginal infusion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) around parturition could expedite involution rate of the uterus and improve reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. One hundred pregnant Holstein dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: (1) 1 dose of LAB in wk -2 and -1 and 1 dose of carrier in wk 1 relative to the expected day of parturition (TRT1); (2) 1 dose of LAB in wk -2, -1, and 1 (TRT2); and (3) 1 dose of carrier in wk -2, -1, and 1 (CTR). The LAB treatment was a lyophilized mixture of Lactobacillus sakei FUA3089, Pediococcus acidilactici FUA3138, and Pediococcus acidilactici FUA3140 with a cell count of 108 to 109 cfu/dose. Uterine involution and ovarian activity was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography weekly from d 7 to 49 postpartum. Blood samples were collected from a subset of cows to quantify prostaglandin (PG) F2α metabolite (PGFM), PGE2, and progesterone. Cows treated with LAB had smaller cross-sectional areas of gravid horn and uterine body on d 14 postpartum. Cows in TRT2 resumed ovarian cyclicity earlier, as indicated by increased concentrations of serum progesterone. Cows in TRT1 had fewer days open than those in the CTR (110 vs. 150 d), whereas cows in TRT2 and CTR did not differ in days open. In addition, both TRT1 and TRT2 increased the concentrations of PGFM at calving week, and cows in TRT2 also had greater concentrations of PGE2 on d 14 and d 21 postpartum relative to CTR. Overall, cows treated intravaginally with LAB had smaller gravid horn and uterine body on d 14 postpartum than those in the CTR group. Treatment with LAB also increased concentrations of serum PGFM (3,533 ± 328 pg/mL in TRT1, 4,470 ± 372 pg/mL in TRT2, and 2,000 ± 328 pg/mL in CTR on d 0, respectively), with the TRT1 group having fewer cows that resumed ovarian cyclicity but fewer days open compared with both TRT2 and CTR groups. More research is warranted to better understand the mechanism(s) by which intravaginal LAB expedited uterine involution and affected hormonal profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lablab purpureus is a multipurpose legume with potential as a vegetable, pulse or forage crop for smallholder farming systems of southern Africa. Its use in the region is limited because the long-season forage types available result in unreliable seed set. In the first of three field evaluations conducted in Limpopo province, South Africa, 33 introduced accessions and three local varieties were evaluated. Days to 50% flowering and to maturity ranged from 51 to >150 days after planting (DAP) and from 90 to 197 DAP, respectively. Most accessions produced <5 000 kg ha-1 biomass at 87 DAP. The highest seed yields were between 500 and 600 kg ha-1 produced generally by the earliest flowering lines. The second evaluation repeated these measurements for 24 of the earliest flowering accessions and from these eight were selected for a third evaluation. Five accessions (CPI52552, CPI60795, CPI81364, CQ3620 and Q6990B) were found to be consistently early flowering (range 43 to 70 DAP), high seed yielding (331 to 1 233 kg ha-1) and are recommended for further evaluation. Further work should be in partnership with farmers to test desirable eating qualities and there is need for seed multiplication for future commercial release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striga hermonthica a major biotic constraint to cereal production can be controlled by trap crops. Soybean cultivars vary in ability to stimulate suicidal germination of the weed. An experiment was conducted to select soybean (Glycine max) varieties with the ability to stimulate germination of S. hermonthica seeds. Experiments were conducted with strigol Nijmegen 1® (GR 24), a synthetic stimulant, as a check. In the pot and field experiments, maize (variety WH507) was intercropped with soybeans. Variation occurred among soybean varieties in inducing germination of S. hermonthica. The relative germination induction by soybean varieties ranged from 8% to 66% compared to 70% for synthetic stimulant check. Varieties TGX1448-2E, Tgm 1576, TGX1876-4E and Tgm 1039 had the highest relative germination. Soybean varieties TGX 1831-32E, Tgm944, Tgm 1419 and Namsoy4m had high stimulation but low attachment. Intercropping maize with soybeans in the field led to a low S. hermonthica count and high maize yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to establish 1) the performance of chest X- ray (CXR) in all suspects of tuberculosis (TB), as well as smear-negative TB suspects and 2) to compare the cost-effectiveness of the routine diagnostic pathway using Ziehl- Neelsen (ZN) sputum microscopy followed by CXR if case of negative sputum result (ZN followed by CXR) with an alternative pathway using CXR as a screening tool (CXR followed by ZN). Methods: From TB suspects attending a chest clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, three sputum specimens were examined for ZN and culture (Lowenstein Jensen). Culture was used as gold standard. From each suspect a CXR was made using a four point scoring system: i: no pathology, ii: pathology not consistent for TB, iii: pathology consistent for TB and iv: pathology highly consistent for TB. The combined score i + ii was labeled as "no TB" and the combined score iii + iv was labeled as "TB". Films were re-read by a reference radiologist. HIV test was performed on those who consented. Laboratory and CXR costs were used to compare for cost-effectiveness. Results: Of the 1,389 suspects enrolled, for 998 (72%) data on smear, culture and CXR was complete. 714 films were re- read, showing a 89% agreement (kappa value = 0.75 s.e.0.037) for the combined scores "TB" or "no-TB". The sensitivity/specificity of the CXR score "TB" among smearnegative suspects was 80%/67%. Using chest CXR as a screening tool in all suspects, sensitivity/ specificity of the score "any pathology" was 92%, respectively 63%. The cost per correctly diagnosed case was for the routine process $8.72, compared to $9.27 using CXR as screening tool. When costs of treatment were included, CXR followed by ZN became more cost-effective. Conclusion: The diagnostic pathway ZN followed by CXR was more cost-effective as compared to CXR followed by ZN. When cost of treatment was also considered CXR followed by ZN became more cost-effective. The low specificity of chest X-ray remains a subject of concern. Depending whether CXR was performed on all suspects or on smear-negative suspects only, 22%— 45% of patients labeled as "TB" had a negative culture. The introduction of a well-defined scoring system, clinical conferences and a system of CXR quality control can contribute to improved diagnostic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which determined the effect of cereal/grass and legume cover crop monocultures and mixtures on nitrogen release from decomposing cover crop residues. Materials and methods; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

The article focuses on a report on developments in HIV-testing and treatment among patients with tuberculosis (TB) in Kenya during the period of 2006 to 2009. The report showed that HIV testing among TB patients increased from 60% in 2006 to 88% in 2009, while the prevalence of HIV infection among the TB patients tested declined from 52% to 44%. Recommendations made by the TB/HIV Coordinating Committee established by the Kenya Ministry of Health have included the use of the existing national TB program infrastructure to increase HIV counseling and testing services.

Preconditioned calves have more market value per unit weight than normal-weaned calves. Therefore, development of a low cost foragebased weaning system allows producers to add value to their calf-crop. This study evaluated calf performance in three forage-based weaning systems; early-weaned calves were backgrounded in legume/grass forage plots and supplemented with commercial preconditioning feed (Treatment I) or corn-mix (Treatment II). Control (Treatment III) calves suckled their dams for an additional 45 days. Diets were formulated to provide 2.17 kg TDN/calf/day. Weights were collected on days -30, 0 and 45 of the experiment from 135 and 150 calves in years 1 and 2, respectively. The effects of treatment, sex, age of dam, year and their interactions on calf weight gain were analyzed by analysis of covariance using GLM procedures of SAS. The data are reported as least squares means. Treatment affected (P < 0.05) calf weight gain in a similar fashion in both years. Overall calf weight gains averaged 1.21, 0.94 and 1.05 kg/calf/day, for commercial supplement, corn-mix and controls, respectively. Year by sex of calf interaction was significant (P < 0.005) for calf weight gain. Steer calves gained more (P < 0.0003) weight in year 1 compared to year 2 (54.6 and 46.8kg, respectively). Heifer weight gains did not differ between years (43.2 and 47.1 kg in year 1 and 2, respectively). Cow age also affected (P < 0.005) calf weight gain; calves from 2-year-old cows gained less weight compared to those from cows 3-5 and > 5 years of age (44.2, 48.8 and 50.8 kg, respectively). In year 1, there was a tendency (P = 0.07) for cow age by treatment interaction on steer weight gain; early-weaned steers from 2-year-old cows gained considerably more weight compared to control steers (59.9 and 46.7 kg, respectively). In conclusion, calf weight gain and profit potential can be improved by forage-based weaning systems as long as other inputs such as feed costs and labor are held within reasonable limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a report of the World Health Organization on the prevention of allergy and asthma. Genetic and environmental influences; Early immunological influences; Predictive and early diagnosis; Preventive measures.