Effect of saline soil on grain quality of rices differing in salinity tolerance

Four varieties of rice, differing in salinity tolerance and grown in saline soil (electrical conductivity 5–6 dS/m) at Sadhoke, Punjab, Pakistan, had lighter grain and higher Na content than control samples. Grains of three out of the four rices grown on saline soils had higher brown rice protein (higher nutritional value), less translucent grain, lower starch and amylose content, and lower K than their control samples, but these differences were not related to salinity tolerance. Alkali spreading value and gel consistency were not affected by culture in saline soil. Cooked rice Instron hardness increased in saline culture in two higher-protein samples of the four rices. Amylograph peak viscosity was suppressed by saline culture.     

PCR detection ofclavibacter michiganensis subsp.sepedonicus- infected tuber samples in a plate capture assay

The speed and sensitivity of PCR-based assays allow shorter turnaround times for the detection of pathogens for which culture and serological methods are difficult or unavailable. PCR was performed with primer sets Cms50 and Cms72, designed previously by Millset al. (1997) through subtractive hybridization to detectClavibacter michiganensis subspeciessepedonicus (Cms). In bacterial suspensions, fewer than three cells/10 ul reaction were detected after PCR amplicons were hybridized with specific DIG-labeled DNA probes in an enzyme-linked oligonucleosorbent assay (ELOSA). In naturally infected tuber samples representing three cultivars of potato, the diagnostic sensitivity of PCR/ ELOSA was 96%, while the specificity exceeded 99%. PCR/ELOSA detectedCms in infected tuber samples with equal sensitivity regardless of colony morphology, potato cultivar, or primer sets.     

Improvement in myocardial dysfunction in a hypothyroid dog

An 8-year-old, male, Alaskan malamute was evaluated for a 2-week history of lethargy, inappetence, and distended abdomen. The dog was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism, exhibited facial myxedema and had myocardial dysfunction with ascites and pleural effusion. Myocardial function improved and facial myxedema and effusions resolved with levothyroxine supplementation.     

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Mucus Viscosity and Susceptibility of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, to Amoebic Gill Disease

The treatment of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in cultured Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., using mucolytic agents has been previously reported. The agent L‐cysteine ethyl ester reduces salmonid mucus viscosity and potentially increases the flushing of the gill. In the present study, the effects of the mucolytic agent N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) were assessed. Cutaneous mucus from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, and Atlantic salmon was shown to have reduced viscosity when mixed in vitro with 100 or 200 μg/mL NAC. Saltwater‐acclimated rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon were fed an oil‐incorporated, NAC‐medicated diet (8 g NAC/kg diet) for up to 24 d and challenged with inoculation of 300 cells/L Neoparamoeba spp., the etiological agent of AGD. Control fish were fed normal oil‐coated pellets and received no NAC. NAC medication failed to reduce the severity of gill lesions associated with AGD even though the mucus viscosity from medicated fish was less than that of controls. Oral NAC medication does not appear to be an effective method for controlling AGD in salmonids despite reducing cutaneous mucus viscosity.     

The effects of sediment redox potential and stocking density on Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei production performance and white spot syndrome virus resistance

Redox potential represents the intensity of anaerobic condition in the pond sediment, which may affect the dominant microbial transformations of substances, the toxins production, mineral solubility, as well as the water quality in the sediment–water interface inhabited by the shrimp. This study evaluates the effect of sediment redox potential in conjunction with stocking density on shrimp production performance, immune response and resistance against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. A completely randomized two factors experimental design was applied with three different sediment redox potential, i.e. ?65, ?108 and ?06 mV, and two shrimp densities, i.e. low (60 shrimp m^?2) and high (120 shrimp m^?2). Shrimp juveniles with an initial mean body weight of 5.32 ± 0.22 g were maintained in semi‐outdoor fibre tanks (270 L in capacity) for 35 days of experimental periods. At the bottom of each tank, 5‐cm deep soil substrate with different redox potential was added according to the treatments. The survival and biomass production were significantly reduced at ?206 mV sediment redox potential, regardless of stocking density. Highly negative sediment redox potential (?206 mV) and higher stocking density significantly reduced total haemocyte counts and phenoloxydase activity, and shrimp resistance to WSSV infection. We recommend to maintain the redox potential of pond sediment at a level of more than ?206 mV.     

Population characteristics of feral cats admitted to seven trap-neuter-return programs in the United States

Internationally, large populations of feral cats constitute an important and controversial issue due to their impact on cat overpopulation, animal welfare, public health, and the environment, and to disagreement about what are the best methods for their control. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs are an increasingly popular alternative to mass euthanasia. The objective of this study was to determine the population characteristics of feral cats admitted to large-scale TNR programs from geographically diverse locations in the United States. Data from 103,643 feral cats admitted to TNR programs from 1993 to 2004 were evaluated. All groups reported more intact females (53.4%) than intact males (44.3%); only 2.3% of the cats were found to be previously sterilized. Overall, 15.9% of female cats were pregnant at the time of surgery. Pregnancy was highly seasonal and peaked between March and April for all of the groups. The average prenatal litter size was 4.1+/-0.1 fetuses per litter. Cryptorchidism was observed in 1.3% of male cats admitted for sterilization. A total of 0.4% of cats was euthanased because of the presence of debilitating conditions, and 0.4% died during the TNR clinics. Remarkably similar populations of cats with comparable seasonal variability were seen at each program, despite their wide geographical distribution. These results suggest that it is feasible to safely sterilize large numbers of feral cats and that the experiences of existing programs are a consistent source of information upon which to model new TNR programs.     

Understanding the Mechanism of Cross‐Linking Agents (POCl3, STMP,and EPI) Through Swelling Behavior and Pasting Properties of Cross‐Linked Waxy Maize Starches

The effects of cross‐linking waxy maize starch with phosphorous oxychloride (POCl₃), sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), or epichlorohydrin (EPI) on degree of swell and pasting properties were studied. As expected, increased concentration of cross‐linking agent resulted in decreased granule swelling potential, Q (mL/g). The slower acting reagents, STMP (4‐hr reaction time) and EPI (17‐hr reaction time), showed a similar relation between Q value and molar concentration of agent, which was different from the faster‐acting POCl₃ (30‐min reaction time). Brabender viscoamylograph results show decreased peak viscosity with increasing amounts of cross‐link agent due to increased inhibition to swelling. Brabender viscosities (BU) continued to increase after the time interval in which an uncross‐linked sample would dissolve, which may be a sign of flocculation. The magnitude of BU for all of the treatments after 41 min, plotted versus calculated molar concentration of cross‐linking agent, showed a similar trend for all three reagents, indicating that type of reagent plays little effect on the overall pasting behavior of cross‐linked waxy maize. However, when BU was plotted versus Q, starches treated with POCl₃ again separated themselves with much higher viscosities than the collectively grouped EPI‐ and STMP‐treated starches. The combination of the reduced swell and higher viscosity indicates that POCl₃‐treated granules have a more rigid external surface area, with hard crust formed on the outer layers of the granule. This information shows that the mechanism of action of the individual reagents plays a major role in the physicochemical behavior of the starches.