Influence of wound shape on wound contraction in horses.

Three sets of paired circular and square full-thickness skin wounds were made on the dorsum of the metacarpus (n = 48) of 8 horses. Each wound was 6.25 cm2 in area. The wounds were treated topically with an ointment, nonadherent dressing, and bandaged with a snug elastic wrap. Wounds were photographed every other day until healing was complete. Wound areas were measured and exponential and linear wound healing models were applied to the wound healing data generated. Wound healing variables measured for each wound were: number of days to healing, maximal size attained, rate of wound contraction (calculated by use of first-order and linear models), final wound size, and percentage of wound that healed by contraction. The exponential model fit the data significantly better than the linear model. The maximal size attained by circular wounds was significantly smaller than the maximal size attained by square wounds. Wound shape did not influence the rate of wound healing. On the basis of our findings, conversion of circular defects to square defects would not speed wound healing.     

Micro-Spatial Variability of Soil Nitrate Following Nitrogen Fertilization and Drip Irrigation

Micro-spatial analysis of nitrate (NO₃), an environmental contaminant partially attributed to nitrogen fertilization, can be useful for estimating its distribution in soils. A study was conducted to determine the micro-spatial distribution of soil NO₃ using kriging and cokriging in a drip-irrigated and nitrogen-fertilized field. One hundred soil samples were collected in a regular grid pattern from a 10 m × 20 m plot, and analyzed for soil NO₃ and pH. The effect of reduced sample size on NO₃ estimation was also evaluated. The pH data indicated the soils were slightly acidic to neutral with log[NO₃] values ranging from 1.66 to 2.95. These parameters were inversely related; which was probably an attribute of soil nitrification process. Sample variograms and cross-variograms suggested that the spatial distribution of pH and log[NO₃] could be described by linear models in the area studied, as indicated by small MSE (mean sum error), and RKV (reduced kriging variance) values close to 1. Contour maps based on kriging and cokriging estimates indicated greater homogeneity of the variables in the south-north direction than the east-west, except for zones of high NO₃ and low pH in the north-central edge and north-east corner of the grid area. Cokriging of log[NO₃] estimation, using pH data, improved MSE, MSSE (mean sum square error), MKV (mean kriging variance), RKV, CEE (correlation between estimated data and error), CEM (correlation between estimated and measured data) by 46, 31, 30, 22, 96, and 98%, respectively, as compared to kriging. Lower cokriging variance for any estimated log[NO₃] value, as compared to the kriging analysis, indicated that cokriging provided more accurate estimates. With reduced sample observations (n) for NO₃ similar conclusions were obtained; and the estimation accuracy was maintained up to n >70. Cokriging analysis with reduced n also curtailed the analytical cost, and facilitated NO₃ estimation by means of pH, which was measured at a cheaper cost.     

Feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products lessens the severity of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves

We have previously reported that supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) ameliorates clinical signs and lung pathology following experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection in preweaned dairy calves. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of SCFP supplementation on the metabolic and endocrine responses, and disease outcome of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves. Twenty-seven, 1- to 2-d-old Holstein-Angus cross calves were enrolled in the study; one SCFP calf was removed from the trial during the pre-challenge phase due to complications from nephritis. Calves were assigned to two treatment groups: control or SCFP-treated, base milk replacer with 1 g/d SCFP (Smartcare, soluble formula) and calf starter top dressed with 5 g/d SCFP (NutriTek, insoluble formula). Calves were infected with BRSV on day 21, followed 6 d later by intratracheal inoculation with Pasteurella multocida (PM). Calves were euthanized on day 10 post-viral infection. Calves receiving SCFP had reduced thoracic ultrasonography scores on day 7 post-viral infection (P = 0.03) and a tendency toward reduced scores on day 10 post-viral infection (P = 0.09). Calves receiving SCFP also had less severe lung pathology scores at necropsy (P = 0.06). No differences between treatments were observed in lung viral loads (P = 0.48) or bacterial lung recovery (P = 0.34); however, there was a distinction in the lung location for PM recovery, with PM isolated more frequently from the cranial lobes in SCFP-treated calves, but more frequently from the caudal lobes of control calves. Calves treated with SCFP tended (P = 0.07) to have higher serum IL-6 concentrations following the coinfection. Calves treated with SCFP had lower concentrations of serum nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid compared with controls following experimental challenge (P = 0.03 and P = 0.08, respectively), suggesting metabolic changes favoring growth and development. There were no differences between groups in gene expression of insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), growth hormone receptor, or haptoglobin in the liver. Results from this study suggest that supplementing with SCFP may moderate the impact of a respiratory viral–bacterial coinfection on preweaned calves through metabolic and immune modifications.     

Influence of mapping resolution on assessments of stream and streamside conditions: lessons from coastal Oregon,USA

• 1. Digital hydrographic data are commonly employed in research, planning, and monitoring for freshwater conservation, but hydrographic datasets differ in spatial resolution and accuracy of spatial representation, possibly leading to inaccurate conclusions or unsuitable policies for streams and streamside areas.
• 2. To examine and illustrate the potential for different hydrographic datasets to influence in‐channel and streamside characterizations, a study area in the US Pacific Northwest was chosen because 1:100 000, 1:24 000, and densified 1:24 000 hydrography are available and widely used in research and management for several species of Pacific salmon and trout at risk. The potential was examined for differences among the digital hydrographic datasets in: (1) spatial extent to influence estimated abundances of fish habitat, streamside buffer conditions, and fish distributions; and (2) spatial position to influence estimated streamside buffer conditions and estimated stream gradient.
• 3. The analysis of spatial extent found the total stream length represented by the 1:100 000 hydrography was approximately one half that of 1:24 000 hydrography and only one fifth that of densified 1:24 000 hydrography. The 1:100 000 and 1:24 000 networks differed significantly for 13 out of 18 fish habitat attributes, and the three hydrographic datasets differed significantly for many characteristics in streamside buffers; fish distributions mapped at 1:24 000 added 6–14% of stream length to 1:100 000 distributions. The analysis of spatial position found few differences between the 1:100 000 and 1:24 000 hydrography in streamside buffer characteristics but significant differences in channel gradient.
• 4. Overall, hydrographic datasets differed only slightly in spatial position but differed in spatial extent to the point of representing different populations of streams. If species inhabiting larger streams (greater mean annual discharge) are of interest, then results derived from studies based on 1:100 000 hydrography should prove useful. However, higher‐resolution hydrography can be critical when designing and implementing strategies to protect fish and other aquatic species at risk in smaller streams.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salmon testes meal as a functional feed additive in fish meal and plant protein‐based diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fry

Fishery processing by‐products are a large resource from which to produce fishmeal and other products for a variety of uses. In this study, testes meal (TM) produced from pink salmon processing by‐product was evaluated as a functional ingredient in aquafeeds. Nile tilapia and rainbow trout fry were fed five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets for 4 and 9 weeks respectively. Two diets were fishmeal‐based (FM) and three were plant protein‐based (PP). Salmon TM was added to the FM and PP diets at 7% to replace 20% of fishmeal protein (FMTM and PPTM respectively). An additional control diet was prepared in which fishmeal was added to the PP diet to supply an equivalent amount of protein as supplied by TM (PPFM). Inclusion of TM in both the FM‐ and PP‐based diets resulted in higher final body weights, although differences were only significant between rainbow trout fed FM or FMTM diets. Similar differences were calculated for other indices of fish performance, e.g. specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention efficiency. Feed intake was significantly higher for fish fed FMTM compared with FM in rainbow trout. For tilapia, final weights were numerically higher, but not significantly different for fish fed diets containing TM compared with non‐TM diets (FM vs. FMTM; PP vs. PPTM). Performance of trout or tilapia fed the PPFM diet did not increase compared with the PP diet. The results indicate that TM addition to both FM and PP diets increased feed intake and also increased metabolic efficiency, demonstrating that TM can be a functional ingredient in aquafeeds.     

Accumulation and composition of total organic carbon in reclaimed coal mine lands

Reclaimed coal mine lands have the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon (C); however, limited information exists for the western USA coalfields. This study was carried out on two chronosequences (BA‐C₃ grasses and DJ‐shrubs) of reclaimed sites at two surface coal mines to determine the effects of vegetation, soil texture, and lignin content on soil total organic carbon (TOC) accumulations. In the BA chronosequence, TOC increased over 26 years at an average rate of 0·52 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the 0–30 cm depth and was significantly correlated with clay content. Comparison between < 1 and 16‐year‐old stockpile soils indicated TOC content did not differ significantly. In the DJ chronosequence, TOC content in the 0–30 cm depth declined from 31·3 Mg ha⁻¹ in 5‐year‐old soils to 23·4 Mg ha⁻¹ in 16‐year‐old soils. The C:N ratios suggested that some (up to 2·0 per cent) of the TOC was potentially derived from coal particles in these reclaimed soils. Soil total N (TN) contents followed a similar trend as TOC with TOC and TN concentrations strongly correlated. Lignin contents in TOC of all reclaimed soils and topsoil stockpiles (TSs) were higher than that of nearby undisturbed soils, indicating the recalcitrant nature of TOC in reclaimed soils and/or possibly the slow recovery of lignin degrading organism. Results indicated that TOC accumulations in DJ were largely controlled by its composition, particular lignin content. In BA sites TOC accumulation was strongly influenced by both clay and lignin contents. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Treatment of recurrent coxofemoral luxation in a calf by use of open reduction and translocation of the greater trochanter.

A 4-day-old bull calf was admitted for treatment of a coxofemoral luxation. Closed reduction of the luxation was successfully performed on 2 occasions, and the limb was placed in an Ehmer sling. On both occasions, however, the luxation recurred. The luxation was reduced a third time with open reduction and caudal and distal relocation of the greater trochanter. Luxation did not recur after this treatment, and the calf grew and developed normally.     

Heat Shock Protein Regulation in Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,is Altered by Dietary Soybean Meal Inclusion and Anti‐Phopholipase A2 Antibody

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) can promote integrity of damaged intestinal epithelial tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a commercially available anti‐phospholipase A₂ antibody on growth, feed efficiency, Hsp expression, and intestinal health of rainbow trout fed diets containing high levels of soybean meal (SBM). Six practical‐type diets (45% protein; 15% fat) were formulated to contain 0, 17.5, or 35% SBM with and without antibody. Each diet was fed to three replicate tanks of fish (20 fish/tank; initial weight 21 g) for 9 wk. RNA was isolated from liver and intestinal tissues (n = 3/tank) to detect alterations in Hsp 27, Hsp 70, and Hsp 90 expression. Fish fed a diet containing 35% SBM had decreased growth and intestinal damage. Hsp 27 and Hsp 90 mRNA was elevated in fish fed 35% SBM. Fish fed 35% SBM with antibody had lower Hsp 90 mRNA expression than fish without antibody. These data indicate that feeding rainbow trout high levels of SBM alters the expression of some Hsps and anti‐phospholipase A₂ antibody supplementation does not normalize growth or prevent distal enteritis in fish fed 35% SBM.