Effect of Recombinant Canine Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor on Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Counts in Normal Cats

Recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rcC-CSF) was administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 5 μg/kg/day to five healthy, young adult cats for 42 days. Mean neutrophil counts ± standard deviation increased significantly ( P > 0.001) from 10,966/μL ± 2324 to 30,688/μL ± 5296 within 24 hours after administration of the first dosage of rcG-CSF. Mean neutrophil counts reached 52,978/μL ±11,207 on day 6, representing a second significant increase ( P > 0.01) over the previous 5 days. Mean neutrophil counts continued to increase, reaching 66,994/μL ± 12,419 on day 14, then remaining within a range of 66,994 to 87,839/μL throughout the remainder of the study. The maximum mean neutrophil count was 87,839/μL ± 8,695 on day 42. Neutrophil counts remained high until the administration of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was discontinued 42 days after initiation of therapy. Once the rcG-CSF administration was discontinued, neutrophil counts returned to pretreatment values within 5 days. There were no significant changes in numbers of any of the other cell lines. There was no clinically significant toxicosis associated with the administration of rcGCSF.     

Inbreeding Effects on Hatchery and Growout Performance of Pacific White Shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei

In animal breeding programs, selection coupled with a narrow genetic base can cause high levels of inbreeding to occur rapidly (in one or two generations). Although the effects of inbreeding have been studied extensively in terrestrial animals and to a lesser extent in aquaculture species, little is known about the effects of inbreeding on penaeid shrimp. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of inbreeding on hatchery and growout performance of the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. The experiment was conducted over 2 yr, and data from two successive generations (G₂ and G₃) of inbred (sibling–sibling mating) and outbred families were analyzed. There were 11 inbred and 12 outbred families in G₂ and 9 inbred and 10 outbred families in G₃. Inbreeding coefficients (F) for outbred and inbred families were 0.00 and 0.25, respectively, for G₂ and 0.00 and 0.375, respectively, for G₃. Growth rates for outbreds and inbreds were similar in both G₂ and G₃. Hatch rate for inbred families was 33.1% lower than for outbred families in G₂ and 47.1% lower in G₃. Inbreeding depression (IBD) (relative change in phenotype per 0.1 increase in F) ± 95% CI for hatch rate was ?12.3 ± 10.1%. Hatchery survival for inbred families was 31.4% lower than for outbred families in G₂ and 38.8% lower in G₃. IBD for hatchery survival was ?11.0 ± 5.7%. Growout survival was 1.9% lower for inbred families than for outbred families in G₂ and 19.6% lower in G₃. IBD for growout survival was ?3.8 ± 2.9%. There was also a significant linear relationship between IBD estimates for survival traits and mean outbred survival. At high outbred survival, IBD was low (e.g., growout survival in G₂), but IBD appeared to become more severe when outbred survival was lower. This suggests that stress (related to environment and/or life stage) may worsen IBD for survival traits. Results also indicate that moderate to high levels of inbreeding (>10%) should be avoided in commercial shrimp hatcheries because the cumulative effect of IBD on hatch rate and hatchery survival will significantly reduce postlarvae production. Thus, IBD can be significant enough to justify the use of inbreeding as a germplasm protection strategy (under certain scenarios) for genetic improvement programs.     

The unseen transboundary commons that matter for Cambodia's inland fisheries: Changing sediment flows in the Mekong hydrological flood pulse

This paper focuses on the ‘the unseen transboundary commons’ of residues, nutrients and mobile matter associated with the annual flood pulse that support Cambodia's inland fisheries. We develop the idea of biophysical geopolitics concentrating on political‐socio‐natures rather than the purely biophysical. In the context of multiple mega‐projects in the Basin, we argue the flood pulse has become increasingly compromised, which is an urgent socio‐ecological security issue facing the Mekong region. Scores of livelihoods are dependent on the hydrological flood pulse via the reproduction of the inland fisheries, and a diversity of wetlands resources. Our paper builds on cross‐comparative research focusing on a geo‐strategic mouth of the Tonle Sap (Chhnok Tru) and a transborder area along the Mekong main‐stream (Stung Treng, Cambodia – Champasak, Laos area). By viewing biophysical matter as becoming trans‐border geopolitical matter, we wish to emphasise the critical socio‐ecological character of the hydrological flood pulse, and the urgency of cumulative spatial and temporal changes affecting diverse wetlands communities. Loss of wild capture fisheries and the more unpredictable flows of the Mekong are signs of an emergent and dangerous era of increasing environmental insecurity.     

Relationships among seed quality characteristics in a collection of western wheatgrass germplasms

Although western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.)] is an important perennial grass species for agriculture and conservation management in central and western North America, its lack of adequate seed production and seedling vigor limits its effectiveness. To address the weaknesses a study was conducted to assess rhizome spread, seed production, seed weight, germination percentage, and emergence rate of seed produced from 48 western wheatgrass cultivars and germplasm accessions at a field site near Nephi, UT, USA during 2007 and 2008. The western wheatgrass cultivars had approximately two times higher seed production than the germplasm accessions during both 2007 and 2008 and also had higher seed weight in 2007 and emergence rate in 2008. The germplasm accessions had higher seed weight in 2008. For the remaining traits there were no differences among the different germplasm sources. Based on principle component analysis a subset of cultivars and germplasm accessions with high seed production and emergence rate were identified that could be used to produce improved cultivars and germplasms. There was little evidence of strong relationship between geographic, genetic, and phenotypic distances among the various lines examined. Additionally, based on genetic marker data, a subset of lines was grouped into three populations. Based on these results, selection among lines could occur to maximize agricultural performance regardless of site of origin, or within population selection could be practiced to meet conservation goals of minimizing hybridization among populations.     

Protothecosis in a dog

A case of a disseminated algal infection is reported in a young rough-coated collie dog with progressive neurologic deficits, blindness, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. Prototheca zopfii organisms were cultured from feces, urine, and blood. At necropsy, granulomas containing typical organisms were identified within the proximal colon, heart, kidneys, and eyes.     

Effects of Artificial Substrate and Stocking Density on the Nursery Production of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Nursery production may be enhanced by the addition of artificial substrate to increase the surface area upon which shrimp graze and to serve as refuge. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the artificial substrate, AquaMats^TM, on the performance of postlarval Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei stocked at three densities. Eighteen 230-L tanks were stocked with 10-d postlarvae (mean weight < 0.01 g). Six treatments were evaluated and consisted of shrimp stocked at three densities (778 shrimp/m², 1,167 shrimp/ m², and 1,556 shrimp/m²) with and without access to artificial substrate. Shrimp in all treatments received a commercial diet ad libitum . After 6 wk, shrimp were harvested from each nursery tank, counted, and batch weighed. Mean final weight, survival, production, feed conversion ratio, and water quality parameters were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. There were highly significant ( P < 0.001) density and substrate effects on final weight, but there was no significant interaction effect. Final weight was 26.0, 17.4, and 34.5% greater in treatments with substrate than without substrate when stocked at 778, 1,167, and 1,556 shrimp/m², respectively. There was no significant density, substrate, or interaction effect on survival or water quality. Mean survival was ± 89.1% for all treatments. Increased shrimp growth in the presence of added substrate was likely due to the availability of attached particulate organic matter on the AquaMats^TM that served as an additional food source. Results from this study indicate that artificial substrate can be used to mitigate the potential negative effects of high stocking density on growth of L. vannamei in nursery systems.     

Evaluation of a one-hour saline diuresis protocol for administration of cisplatin to dogs.

A study was undertaken to determine the toxic effects of cisplatin, an antineoplastic agent, when administered immediately after a 1-hour saline diuresis. Four treatments with cisplatin (70 mg/m2 of body surface, q 3 wk) were administered IV to 6 healthy dogs over a 20-minute period after 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution was administered IV for 1 hour at a volume of 132 ml (kg)0.75. Each dog vomited at least once within 8 hours after each treatment was administered. Clinical status, body weight, and food consumption were normal throughout the 12-week study for 5 of the 6 dogs. The sixth dog developed acute renal failure and became acutely blind and deaf within 3 days after the fourth treatment with cisplatin. Serum electrolyte, creatinine, and urea nitrogen values remained within established normal limits in all dogs immediately prior to each treatment, and in 5 of 6 dogs evaluated 3 weeks after the final treatment. The serum creatinine value (3.3 mg/dl) obtained from the Beagle euthanatized 2 weeks after the fourth treatment was above established normal values. Despite normalcy for all but 1 of the creatinine values, serum creatinine concentration obtained 3 weeks after the final treatment with cisplatin was significantly (P = 0.0001) higher than pretreatment values. When compared with data from all other evaluation periods, significant decreases in glomerular filtration rate, as determined by exogenous (P less than or equal to 0.0001) and endogenous (P less than or equal to 0.0001) creatinine clearance testing, were identified 3 weeks after the fourth treatment with cisplatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)