Mucinous cholangiocarcinoma in a cat

Mucinous cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in a 14-year-old, castrated male, domestic shorthaired cat with marked peritoneal effusion. Cytological confirmation of malignancy by fluid analysis and fine-needle, ultrasound-guided aspiration of the liver was followed by histological examination of tissue samples obtained at surgery and necropsy. No observed response followed chemotherapy with doxorubicin and carboplatin. Electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry helped to further characterize this unusual tumor.     

Non-structural protein 3A for differentiation of foot-and-mouth disease infected and vaccinated animals in Haryana (India)

There are severe international trade restrictions on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affected areas. Because of endemic nature of FMD, India started FMD control programme (FMD-CP) using mass vaccination in selected states including Haryana (year 2003). Although no significant incidence of the disease was reported after launching FMD-CP in the state but in order to participate in international trade of animal and animal products, veterinary authorities have to prove that there is no FMD virus (FMDV) circulation in the animal population, for which it is necessary to differentiate the FMD infected and vaccinated animals. For this purpose, an in-house indirect ELISA utilizing baculovirus-expressed FMDV non-structural protein (NSP) 3A was used to find evidence for virus circulation (prevalence of anti-NSP 3A-specific antibodies) by examining serum samples that were collected either before start of FMD-CP or after completion of third phase (Pre-4th) of vaccination in Haryana (India). A significant reduction (P < 0.01) in prevalence of anti-NSP 3A-specific antibodies (possibly carriers) was observed 2 years after launching FMD-CP in Haryana. However, in cattle the percentage of animals with anti-NSP 3A-specific antibodies was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.01) than buffalo, both before (P < 0.01) and after (P < 0.01) launching FMD-CP in the state. The findings of this study suggest that use of FMDV vaccine in cattle and buffaloes in endemic areas reduces virus circulation (carriers) in the vaccinated herds and that the current 3ANSP-ELISA can be successfully used to monitor the FMDV circulation in endemic areas.     

Ace and ace-like genes of invasive redlegged earth mite: copy number variation,target-site mutations,and their associations with organophosphate insensitivity

Background

Invasive Australian populations of redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker), are evolving increasing organophosphate resistance. In addition to the canonical ace gene, the target gene of organophosphates, the H. destructor genome contains many radiated ace-like genes that vary in copy number and amino acid sequence. In this work, we characterise copy number and target-site mutation variation at the canonical ace and ace-like genes and test for potential associations with organophosphate insensitivity. This was achieved through comparisons of whole-genome pool-seq data from alive and dead mites following organophosphate exposure.

Results

A combination of increased copy number and target-site mutations at the canonical ace was associated with organophosphate insensitivity in H. destructor. Resistant populations were segregating for G119S, A201S, F331Y at the canonical ace. A subset of populations also had copy numbers of canonical ace > 2, which potentially helps overexpress proteins carrying these target-site mutations. Haplotypes possessing different copy numbers and target-site mutations of the canonical ace gene may be under selection across H. destructor populations. We also detected some evidence that increases in copy number of radiated ace-like genes are associated with organophosphate insensitivity, which might suggest potential roles in sequestration or breakdown of organophosphates.

Conclusion

Different combinations of target-site mutations and (or) copy number variation in the canonical ace and ace-like genes may provide non-convergent ways for H. destructor to respond to organophosphate selection. However, these changes may only play a partial role in organophosphate insensitivity, which appears to have a polygenic architecture. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Crop response of drought-tolerant and conventional maize hybrids in a semiarid environment

In the High Plains, corn (Zea mays L.) is an important commodity for livestock feed. However, limited water resources and drought conditions continue to hinder corn production. Drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids could help maintain high yields under water-limited conditions, though consistent response of such hybrids is unverified. In this two-year study, the effects of three irrigation treatments were investigated for a DT and conventional maize hybrid, Pioneer AQUAMax P0876HR and Pioneer 33Y75, respectively. In 2013, the drier of the 2 years, irrigation amounts and crop water use (ET_c) were greater for the conventional hybrid, but grain water use efficiency (WUE) and harvest index were significantly greater for the DT hybrid. In 2014, grain yields and WUE were not significantly different between hybrids. However, irrigation amounts, ET_c and biomass yields were greater for the conventional hybrid. Results from both years indicate that the DT hybrid required less water to maximize grain yield as compared to the conventional hybrid. Producing relatively high yields with reduced amounts of water may provide a means for producers to continue corn production in a semiarid environment with declining water supplies.     

Productivity impacts of the system of rice intensification (SRI): A case study in West Bengal,India

The system of rice intensification (SRI) has generated considerable debate globally, particularly with regard to its potential to raise rice yields. Proponents of SRI have reported that the average rice yield with SRI is double the current average yield and can be increased to the level of three to four times. Opponents say the reported high yields are due to measurement error and that usual information expected in support of these fantastic yields is missing. The number of SRI adopters has increased in India in recent years. We evaluate the impact of adoption of SRI practices on rice yields, the economics of paddy cultivation and labour inputs based on field research conducted in Purulia, West Bengal, India. Paddy yields with SRI were higher than those under conventional paddy cultivation by 32% and net returns were higher by 67%. Labour input was reduced by 8%. SRI adoption enabled farmers consistently to enhance paddy yields, increase returns and save labour; and enhance productivity with respect to the key inputs in terms of paddy output per unit of seed, fertilizer and labour-day. SRI promises to be a significant alternative for not only raising paddy yields, but also for managing paddy based farming in resource-starved regions.     

Welfare and environmental benefits of integrating commercially viable free-range broiler chickens into newly planted woodland: A UK case study

The commercial, welfare and environmental impacts of rearing small colonies of free-range chickens in newly planted woodland at two sites in the UK, during the first 2 years of the enterprise, were investigated. Newly planted rather than established trees were used so that commercially viable species could be planted in a way that would suit the management of the chicken enterprise, and small colonies were used so that farmers wishing to diversify could buy into the system progressively. It was anticipated that marketing a high specification product would provide an immediate income, whilst waiting for the future investment in trees to grow.