Radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) axial and appendicular skeleton

Cockatiels are popular pets. Still, despite medical and surgical relevance, the radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) skeleton, like that of different wild and exotic bird species, has seldom been described. This study set out to describe the radiographic anatomy of the cockatiel skeleton. Twelve adult male and nine adult female specimens were radiographed using a digital X-ray system and different views. The radiographic anatomy of these birds was similar to that of other Psittacidae. However, some particularities inherent to the target species were detected, such as the presence of four flexion zones in the skull (craniofacial, nasal, jugal arch and palatine), complete bony orbit comprising a suborbital arch, 34–38 vertebrae (10 or 11 cervical, 8 or 9 thoracic, 9 or 10 lumbosacral, 5 or 6 caudal vertebrae and a pygostyle comprising 2 fused vertebrae), eight or nine pairs of ribs and a notarium made up of fused T2–T6 vertebrae. Poor radiopacity of the notarium, ribs and respective uncinate processes, and synsacral vertebrae made demarcation of these structures difficult. The appendicular skeleton of the cockatiel was very similar to that of other Psittacidae, and there were no gender-related differences.     

Antifeedant activity of vicolides from Pentanema indicum

Vicolides A–D (0.2–2000 ppm) from Pentanema indicum showed antifeedant activity against Euproctes fraterna and Pericallia ricini V stage larvae.     

Effects of biofloc technology on reproduction and ovarian recrudescence in Nile tilapia

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reproductive cycle, morphological changes of ovary and mobilization of energy reserves in Nile tilapia reared with biofloc technology (BFT). In general, the growth and reproductive performance were highly similar between BFT and Control system (clear water). Difference between the systems was found in the hepatosomatic index (using mixed‐effects models), which suggested that BFT can alter the energy mobilization in the post‐spawning period. The absolute and relative fecundity, fertilization rate, number of larvae produced per female, gonadosomatic index, proportion of oogenesis cells, number of post‐ovulatory and atretic follicles were similar between the two systems. We also did not detect a reduction in the reproductive cycle length in Nile tilapia reared in BFT. Because there was no evidence of the negative effects of BFT on Nile tilapia reproduction, we concluded that BFT might be used for breeder stocking of this species.     

Characterization of the anthracnose resistance gene present in Ouro Negro (Honduras 35) common bean cultivar

Ouro Negro (Honduras 35) is a highly productive Mesoamerican black seeded bean cultivar that possesses a major dominant gene conferring resistance to anthracnose (causal organism Colletotrichum lindemuthianum). In this work the anthracnose resistance gene present in Ouro Negro was characterized by studying allelic relationships to the following previously characterized anthracnose resistance genes (cultivars): Co-1 (MDRK), Co-1 ² (Kaboon), Co-1 ³ (Perry Marrow), Co-2 (Cornell 49-242), Co-3 (Mexico 222), Co-4 (TO), Co-4 ² (SEL 1308), Co-5 (SEL1360), Co-6 (AB 136), and the resistance genes present in PI 207262 and Widusa. In addition, we determined the resistance spectrum of Ouro Negro in relation to 19 pathotypes of C. lindemuthianum. The allelism tests confirmed that the dominant anthracnose resistance gene present in Ouro Negro is positioned at a locus distinct from those with which it was compared. We propose that this new gene be named Co-10. The inoculation of Ouro Negro with the 19 pathotypes of C. lindemuthianum demonstrated that Co-10 confers resistance to pathotypes 23, 64, 67, 73, 81, 83, 87, 89, 95, 102, 117, 119, 343, 453, 1033, 1545 and 1600. The identification of Co-10 is an important contribution to bean breeding programs that are in constant need of new sources of resistance to anthracnose. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor chimeras of rat α7 and Drosophila SAD reveal species-specific agonist binding regions

Species-specific agonist binding regions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) were examined. Imidacloprid and physostigmine (Phy) selectively activated insect nAChR composed of Drosophila second alpha-like subunit (SAD) and chick β2, in contrast to rat α7 nAChR. The Phy-activated currents were α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) sensitive, suggesting activation at the agonist binding loop C. Several SAD-α7 chimeras were constructed, by switching agonist binding regions, and expressed in oocytes. Though none of the chimeras was activated by a range of nicotinic agonists, [¹²⁵I]α-BGT binding revealed homomeric assembly of all chimeric cDNAs. Phy differentially displaced [¹²⁵I]α-BGT from the nAChR chimeras, suggesting that the β subunit is not involved in Phy binding, and that Phy targets the insect agonist binding loop C.     

Reference Values on Serum Biochemical Parameters of Brazilian Donkey (Equus asinus) Breed

Seventeen serum biochemical variables were determined in 40 donkeys of the Brazilian breed (34 females and 6 males) aged from 3 to 19 years. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) (minimum–maximum) values, obtained by automated analysis, were as follows: glucose, 58.35 ± 10.40 (44.00–90.00) mg/dL; cholesterol, 88.41 ± 9.86 (73.58–124.26) mg/dL; serum protein, 6.82 ± 0.40 (6.00–7.52) g/dL; albumin, 3.13 ± 0.21 (2.65–3.69) g/dL; creatinine, 1.80 ± 0.14 (1.51–2.19) mg/dL; urea, 24.25 ± 5.37 (14.12–34.39) mg/dL; lactate, 20.10 ± 4.58 (12.99–33.47) mg/dL; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 295.81 ± 62.79 (173.71–466.07) IU/L; creatine kinase (CK), 158.00 ± 76.94 (51.69–440.33) IU/L; γ-glutamil-transferase (GGT), 45.82 ± 13.34 (26.17–86.38) IU/L; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 576.02 ± 156.32 (213.53–1162.81) IU/L; alkaline phosphatase (AP), 345.36 ± 65.90 (227.25–490.16) IU/L; calcium (Ca), 8.54 ± 0.18 (8.19–8.90) mg/dL; phosphorus (P), 2.76 ± 0.38 (1.99–3.97) mg/dL; chloride (Cl), 106.05 ± 3.20 (99.00–112.00) mEq/L; sodium (Na), 121.50 ± 4.14 (116.00–132.00) mEq/L; and potassium (K), 3.70 ± 0.42 (2.80–4.40) mEq/L. Comparisons of biochemical ranges obtained for the Brazilian donkey breed with reference ranges for other donkey breeds suggested that most values were similar. Biochemical values determined in the present study serve as reference ranges for donkey populations and can be used for health control and diagnosis of diseases.