Monetary policy and regional economic performance in Mexico: A structural panel VAR approach

The aim of this article is to investigate the dynamic effects of monetary policy shocks on economic activity and aggregate price levels across Mexican states. To do this, a recursive structural panel VAR model is implemented as proposed by Pedroni which allows for regional heterogeneity and structural identifying restrictions of common monetary policy shocks. Empirical evidence suggests a common monetary policy shock to short‐term interest rates induces significant cross‐state variation in prices and output level responses. Additional analysis indicates that structural features, such as the industry mix and the small versus large firm mix, are possible sources of the observed cross‐state variation influenced by interest rates and credit channels. We conclude that the observed differentiated regional impacts are sufficiently important to justify rethinking Mexico's current monetary policy framework in order to explicitly consider a regional view.     

Standing Lateral Thoracotomy in Horses: Indications,Complications, and Outcomes

Objective: To describe the indications for, complications arising from, and outcome of horses that had standing lateral thoracotomy for pleural or pericardial disease. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Horses (n=16). Methods: Medical records (January 1990–December 2008) of sedated standing horses that had lateral thoracotomy were reviewed. Clinical and surgical findings, perioperative and short‐term complications were recorded. Long‐term (>6 months) outcome was determined through telephone conversations with owners and veterinarians. Results: Mean (±SD) horse age was 6.6±5.3 years (range, 1–15 years). Thoracotomy was most commonly for treatment of recurrent or chronic pleural infection (94%). Anaerobic bacteria were frequently isolated from pleural effusion associated with pleuropneumonia (63%). Right lateral intercostal thoracotomy was performed in 13 horses (82%); intercostal muscle myectomy in 5 horses; and rib resection in 1. Perioperative complications were hemipneumothorax (2 horses) and short‐term complications included cellulitis and abscessation of the thoracotomy site (6 horses). Fourteen (88%) horses survived to discharge and 46% of horses that survived returned to their previous level of athletic activity. Conclusions: Lateral thoracotomy is well tolerated by standing sedated horses with minimal perioperative and short‐term complications. Clinical Relevance: Standing lateral thoracotomy should be considered for the treatment of complicated pleuropneumonia in horses.     

Fatty acid and oil variation in seed from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fibre plant native to east-central Africa. The potential for using kenaf seeds as a source of edible oil is often overlooked when considering kenaf as a fibre and feed crop. The aim of this research was to study and compare the fatty acid composition and oil content of eight commercial kenaf varieties from various countries. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid were the predominant fatty acids in all cultivars. Percentages of fatty acids varied greatly among different kenaf varieties. Gregg had the highest percentage of linoleic acid whilst El Salvador had the lowest. El Salvador had the highest percentage of oleic acid and Endora had the highest percentage of palmitic acid. Stearic acid and palmitic acid were positively correlated, as well as stearic and linoleic acid. Increasing stearic and linolenic acid and reducing palmitic acid at the same time therefore might be difficult through conventional breeding. The oil content was 19.84% on average and there was not much difference between the varieties. The relatively high oil content and the unique fatty acid composition, suggested that kenaf seed could be used as a source of edible oil. Kenaf oil can be considered nutritionally healthy because of the relatively high amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Circadian profile and production rate of melatonin in the cow

Five adult pasture-bred French Friesian cows were used to qualify the circadian profile and characterized pulsatility of plasma melatonin, and to estimate melatonin secretion rate, around the summer solstice. Plasma concentrations of melatonin were low (5 pg/ml) during the photophase, began to rise at sunset (light intensity less than 20 lx) and reached a maximum (about 90 pg/ml) in the middle of the scotophase. The mean amplitude of peaks was 48.67 +/- 23.01 pg/ml, their mean duration was 32.30 +/- 21.50 min and the frequency was 1.5 +/- 0.3 peak/hr during the secretory period (537 +/- 42.3 min). The plasma clearance (ClB) was 0.0247 +/- 0.0013 1/kg per min, the steady state volume of distribution (Vss) was 1.404 +/- 0.225 1/kg, the elimination half life (t1/2 beta) was 66.66 +/- 11.30 min, the mean residence time was 51.37 +/- 9.92 min and the mean production rate was 399.9 +/- 57.37 ng/kg per 24 hr. These results support the concept of linearity for melatonin kinetics in cattle and the plasma clearance value suggest a first-pass hepatic effect.     

Increased apoptosis of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in the airways of horses with recurrent airway obstruction

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, also known as equine heaves) is an inflammatory condition similar to human asthma caused by exposure of susceptible horses to poorly ventilated stable environments. The disease is characterized by neutrophilic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion and reversible bronchoconstriction. This inflammatory process is mediated by several factors, including antibodies, cytokines, resident cells of the airway and inflammatory cellular components that arrive in the respiratory tract. An increasing body of evidence has lent support to the concept that a dysregulation of T cell apoptosis may play a central role in the development of airway inflammation and the associated asthma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate early and late apoptosis of CD4 and CD8 T cell subpopulations obtained from the airways of acute RAO-positive animals after exposure to hay/straw. The percentages of CD4 and CD8 T cells and their associated frequencies of apoptosis were quantified using flow cytometry. Hay/straw exposure induced clinical airway obstruction, airway neutrophilia and increased airway mucus production in RAO-positive horses. In addition, allergen exposure increased the percentage of CD4 T cells in RAO-positive horses as well as the frequency of early and late apoptosis in both CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subpopulations. These results suggest that the higher frequency of lymphocyte apoptosis may play a role in disease progression of horses afflicted with RAO and may partially explain the characteristic remission of this pathological condition once the allergen source is removed. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of T cell apoptosis in RAO-affected horses.