Physical Parameters and Risk Factors Associated with the Elimination of Arabian and Crossed Arabian Endurance Horses during a 120-km Endurance Race

Endurance racing is one long-distance event among the equine sporting activities associated with severe injuries and metabolic derangements that impede the health status of horses participating in the event. Therefore, this study evaluated the physical parameters and risk factors associated with the elimination of Arabian and crossed Arabian endurance horses during a 120-km race. Fifty-three Arabian and crossed Arabian endurance horses aged 6 to 15 years old participated in an endurance race of 120 km. All the horses were examined and found fit according to Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) regulations. After the endurance race 14 Arabian endurance horses completed the race successfully while 31 Arabian and crossed Arabian were eliminated. Their speed and heart rates were significantly higher (P < .0001). There were significant differences in skin recoil (P < .0395), color of mucous membrane (P < .0189), intestinal motility (P < .0124), and capillary refill time (P < .0082). There also were significant differences in age (P < .0018), breed (P < .0119), and equine establishments (P < .0205) among the eliminated horses and the Arabian and crossed Arabian endurance horses that successfully completed the race. In conclusion, the physical parameters and risk factors were significantly associated with the elimination of Arabian and crossed Arabian endurance horses. Therefore, close monitoring of the physical parameters and risk factors are essential in order to improve the performance of Arabian and crossed Arabian horses, and further studies are required on other associated parameters.     

Postseismic viscoelastic rebound

The sudden appearance of a dislocation, representing an earthquake, in an elastic layer (the lithosphere) overriding a viscoelastic half space (the asthenosphere) is followed by time-dependent surface deformation, which is very similar to in situ postseismic deformation. The spectacular postseismic deformation following the large Nankaido earthquake of 1946 yields for the asthenosphere a viscosity of 5 x 10(19) poise and a 50 percent relaxation of the shear modulus. Large thrust type earthquakes may provide, in the future, a new method for exploring the rheology of the earth's upper mantle.     

吐鲁番市固沙林生态效益的初步调查研究

对新疆吐鲁番市万亩人工固沙林的观测表明,风速降低39％～68％,粗糙度提高13.8～27.3cm,沙的吹失减少98.2％～99.2％,空气相对湿度增加9.46％,绝对温度增加1.61hPa,饱和差减少2.03hPa,日蒸发减少9.9mm,固定了流沙,改善了小气候,保护了附近的村庄和农田,生态效益显著。     

Melatonin and CIDR improved the follicular and luteal haemodynamics,uterine and ovarian arteries vascular perfusion,ovarian hormones and nitric oxide in cyclic cows

This study hypothesizes that melatonin with exogenous progesterone (CIDR) can improve follicular, luteal, ovarian and uterine haemodynamic of heat-stressed cows. Holstein cows (N = 12) studied for two spontaneous oestrous cycles during winter then divided equally during summer into the CIDR group received CIDR for 7 days and the melatonin group (Mel) received three injections of melatonin (75 mg/head) at the CIDR insertion, removal and ovulation days. Blood samples were collected to assay oestradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and nitric oxide (NO). On day 0 (Ovulation), Mel had more small follicles (p < .05), higher ipsilateral and contralateral ovarian arteries (Ov.A.) peak systolic velocity (PSV), higher ipsilateral uterine artery (Ut.A.) PSV (p = .031) and blood flow volume (BFV), also Mel elevated contralateral Ut.A. PSV and BFV (p < .0001) but lowered contra Ut.A. pulsatility index (PI, p < .0001), E2 (p < .01) and NO (p < .0001). Mel increased the corpus luteum diameter (CL, p < .001), coloured area (p < .007) and P4 (p < .0001) on day 5 and reduced them (p < .05; p < .01) on Day 14. On day 10, Mel obtained CL diameter (p < .03) and coloured area (p < .002) of spontaneous that was higher than CIDR and decreased P4 (p < .003). Mel increased CL diameter, area and coloured area and decreased them thereafter. Mel increased the ipsilateral ovarian and uterine arteries PSV and BFV before ovulation and until day 8. Mel increased P4 and decreased NO until days 6 and 14. In conclusion, the improvement in follicular, luteal, ovarian and uterine haemodynamic and the decrease of NO production proved our hypothesis Melatonin doses higher than 75 mg/head is recommended to improve the heat-stressed cow's fertility.     

Bovine brucellosis – a comprehensive review

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great animal welfare and economic implications worldwide known since ancient times. The emergence of brucellosis in new areas as well as transmission of brucellosis from wild and domestic animals is of great significance in terms of new epidemiological dimensions. Brucellosis poses a major public health threat by the consumption of non-pasteurized milk and milk products produced by unhygienic dairy farms in endemic areas. Regular and meticulous surveillance is essentially required to determine the true picture of brucellosis especially in areas with continuous high prevalence. Additionally, international migration of humans, animals and trade of animal products has created a challenge for disease spread and diagnosis in non-endemic areas. Isolation and identification remain the gold standard test, which requires expertise. The advancement in diagnostic strategies coupled with screening of newly introduced animals is warranted to control the disease. Of note, the diagnostic value of miRNAs for appropriate detection of B. abortus infection has been shown. The most widely used vaccine strains to protect against Brucella infection and related abortions in cattle are strain 19 and RB51. Moreover, it is very important to note that no vaccine, which is highly protective, safe and effective is available either for bovines or human beings. Research results encourage the use of bacteriophage lysates in treatment of bovine brucellosis. One Health approach can aid in control of this disease, both in animals and man.     

The role of performance assessment in real time system management

This paper discusses paddy irrigation development in Malaysia in relation to real-time systems management and the role of performance assessment in such a system. The Muda Irrigation Scheme real-time management system is given as an illustration. This system has shown that, with performance assessment, managers are more prepared and able to respond quickly to issues faced in the day to day systems operations. In this system, demand-supply matching can be made faster and with improved utilisation of effective rainfall and uncontrolled flows. Opportunities for saving uncontrolled flows in the paddy fields can be identified in time. With dryseeding method, the system has been successful in sustaining production in severe water shortage situations. Into the 90s and beyond, no major infrastructure investments in irrigation systems are expected. Irrigation managers must be committed towards excellence in performance. This can be achieved through improved real-time performance assessment. Some aspects of performance assessment that could be improved are in its roles in meeting cropping intensity targets, accurate demand-supply matching, meeting water savings target and in alerting managers to potential crisis situations. Carefully designed and installed, performance assessment can also improve organisational and staff management.     

Molecular confirmation of candidate Hsp70 gene associated with heat tolerance in BC3F2 advanced backcross lines and their phenotypic resemblance with recurrent chilli Kulai

ABSTRACT

Domestic production of chilli in Malaysia is insufficient which accounted for 52% self-sufficiency level. Poor performance of local varieties under high temperatures above 42°C is one of the major factors affecting chilli production. This study was conducted with the objective of introgress heat-tolerant gene (Hsps) from AVPP0702 donor into Kulai using marker-assisted backcrossing. A total of 68 SSR markers, including Hsp linked markers that showed polymorphism between the parents were used to assess the generation of backcrossing; BC1F1, BC2F1, BC3F1 and BC3F2 and the average RPG percentage of the recurrent parent was found to be 81, 90, 95 and 97%, respectively. The pattern of Hsp expression in the backcross generations was similar to the donor parent (upregulated with more than 4-fold increase). Twelve improved heat tolerant chilli lines were developed. Most of the morphological and agronomical traits were recovered in the selected improved heat-tolerant genotypes from Kulai such as plant height, number of days to 50% flowering, number of fruits, fruit length and total fruit yield per plant. Improved high-yielding heat-tolerant chilli lines showed tolerance to high temperature as well as did not express any negative effect on agronomic traits in comparison with Kulai variety.     

Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation and up-regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor in HepG2 cells by tropical plant extracts

Twelve edible plant extracts rich in polyphenols were screened for their potential to inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro and to modulate LDL receptor (LDLr) activity in cultured HepG2 cells. The antioxidant activity (inhibition of LDL oxidation) was determined by measuring the formation of conjugated dienes (lag time) and thiobarbituric acid reagent substances (TBARS). Betel leaf (94%), cashew shoot (63%), Japanese mint (52%), semambu leaf (50%), palm frond (41%), sweet potato shoot, chilli fruit, papaya shoot, roselle calyx, and maman showed significantly increased lag time (>55 min, P < 0.05) and inhibition of TBARS formation (P < 0.05) compared to control. LDLr was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) by Japanese mint (67%), semambu (51%), cashew (50%), and noni (49%). Except for noni and betel leaf, most plant extracts studied demonstrated a positive association between antioxidant activity and the ability to up-regulate LDL receptor. Findings suggest that reported protective actions of plant polyphenols on lipoprotein metabolism might be exerted at different biochemical mechanisms.