Modifying the response to defoliation during vegetative growth in CERES-Maize

CERES-Maize (Vl. 0) predicted no grain yield when 100% defoliation occurred during vegetative growth. This result conflicted with field observations where 100% defoliation early in the vegetative stage did not materially reduce grain yield. CERES-Maize was modified to realistically predict yields when defoliation greater than 50% occurred during vegetative growth by taking into account stem (stem proper and sheath) photosynthesis and translocation of dry matter from the stem to the developing leaves. With these modifications, predictions from CERES-Maize were in good agreement with field measurements when defoliation occurred both early and later in the vegetative stage. This modified version of CERES-Maize can be the basis of a decision support system for defoliating pests of corn where yields can be evaluated under different management strategies and climate scenarios.     

Characterization of and radioimmunoassay for canine thyroglobulin

Canine thyroglobulin (cTg) has been isolated and purified. It has similar electrophoretic patterns as Tg from other mammalian species. The main fraction had a MW of 660,000, whereas also fractions of a MW of approximately 1,300,000 (dimer) and 330,000 (subunit) were present. The iodine content was 0.8 to 1.0 % (w/w). cTg did not cross-react with antibodies against human Tg to a degree that would allow the use of a radioimmunoassay for human Tg for the determination of cTg in serum or plasma. Therefore a polyclonal antiserum was raised against cTg and a homologous radioimmunoassay was developed, which was sensitive (0.4 μg/l) and specific (cross-reactivity in cTg assay of human Tg, goat Tg, T₄, T₃, and DIT < 0.01 %).

Plasma Tg levels in normal dogs of both sexes and aged 3–15 years amounted to 192 ± 73 μg/l (mean ± SD, n=30). There was no relation between plasma Tg and T₄ levels.     

In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondrial defect model

The uptake and distribution of intramuscularly (IM) administered tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (³H-PSGAG) in serum, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage of eight horses was quantitated, and hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration of the middle carpal joint was evaluated in a pharmacokinetic study. A full-thickness articular cartilage defect, created on the distal articular surface of the left radial carpal bone of each horse served as an osteochondral defect model. ³H-PSGAG (500 mg) was injected IM, between 14 and 35 days after creation of the defects. Scintillation analysis of serum and synovial fluid, collected from both middle carpal joints at specific predetermined times up to 96 hours post-injection, revealed mean ³H-PSGAG concentrations peaked at 2 hours post-injection. ³H-PSGAG was detected in cartilage and subchondral bone 96 hours post-injection in samples from all eight horses. There were no statistically significant differences in ³H-PSGAG concentration of synovial fluid or cartilage between cartilage defect and control (right middle carpal) joints.

HA assay of synovial fluid revealed concentrations significantly increased at 24, 48, and 96 hours post-injection in both joints. The concentration nearly doubled 48 hours post-injection. However, no statistically significant differences were found between synovial concentrations of HA in cartilage defect and control joints.

³H-PSGAG administered IM to horses, was distributed in the blood, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage. HA concentrations in synovial fluid increased after IM administration of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan.     

Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) envenomation in small animals

Objective – To provide a comprehensive review of relevant literature regarding the brown recluse spider (BRS) and to define those criteria that must be satisfied before making a diagnosis of brown recluse envenomation.
Etiology – The complex venom of the BRS contains sphingomyelinase D, which is capable of producing all the clinical signs in the human and some animal models.
Diagnosis – There is no current commercially available test. In humans there are many proposed guidelines to achieve a definitive diagnosis; however, there are no established guidelines for veterinary patients.
Therapy – Currently, no consensus exists for treatment of BRS envenomation other than supportive care, which includes rest, thorough cleaning of the site, ice, compression, and elevation.
Prognosis – Prognosis varies based on severity of clinical signs and response to supportive care.     

季节对山羊反刍行为的影响

对１６只中卫山羊母羊的青草期和枯草期反刍行为进行观察表明，山羊在青草期，每天（２４ｈｒｓ）有１０个反刍周期，反刍持续总时间为３０４．２分，共反刍４２５．３次，每个食丸在口腔中咀嚼４３．０秒，共咀嚼４６．４次，在枯草期上述指标分别为１１个，４２０．０分，４７２．０次，５３．４秒和５９．６次，季节对山羊反刍行为的影响，本质上决定于羊采食牧草的品质和数量，优质牧草（青草期）能够缩短反刍持续总时间（Ｐ〉０     

Biochemical comparison of lectins among three different color strains of the red alga Kappaphycus?alvarezii

The red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii is economically important as an edible species and as a source of carrageenan, and has been extensively cultivated in many tropical countries. For this species, different color strains, which differ from each another in growth rate and carrageenan content, have been reported for decades. In this study, lectins from brown, red, and green strains of K. alvarezii cultivated in Vietnam were isolated and characterized for evaluation of their biochemical properties and contents. The results showed that each color strain contained in common the three lectins, named KAA-1, KAA-2, and KAA-3, which shared the hapten-inhibition profile of hemagglutination, 20 N-terminal amino acid sequence, and equivalent molecular mass within a range of 28,016 ± 1.2 to 28,021 ± 1.8 Da, but differed in their yields, with the highest yield of KAA-2. These properties of the three isolectins were also comparable among the three different color strains. However, the sum of the yields of the three isolectins decreased in the order: red (21.4 mg) to green (15.9 mg) to brown strains (15.1 mg), from 500 g fresh alga. Thus, this algal species can be a good source of useful lectins, irrespective of color strain.