Using iron metal rods to infer oxygen status in seasonally saturated soils

The oxygen status in soils is fundamental to a number of earth-science processes including biological, physical and chemical interactions. Since oxygen is time consuming and often difficult to measure in soils, this research explores the use of zero-valent iron rods as a means of estimating oxygen content in soils. Zero-valent iron rods (polished nails) were placed in three soil toposequences and the surface coatings formed by oxidation were compared to measured oxygen concentrations taken every three weeks for one year. When water was present in the soils, the oxygen was measured as dissolved oxygen and in drained conditions it was reported as percent. Coatings on iron metal rods inserted in the soil appear to correlate well with specific oxygen ranges. Rods in soils with O₂ concentrations below about 2 mg l^− 1 do not develop bright (7.5YR 4/4 to 5/8) oxide/oxyhydroxide coatings, but instead formed black (10YR 2/1–2) coatings. Rods in soils with O₂ concentrations between about 2% to 5% develop variegated bright (7.5YR 4/4 to 5/8) oxide/oxyhydroxide coatings indicating soil drainage and microsite differences in O₂ concentrations. Rods in soils with O₂ concentrations above about 5% with adequate moisture are almost completely coated with bright (7.5YR 4/4 to 5/8) iron oxide/oxyhydroxides. Mineralogy of oxide/oxyhydroxide coatings could not be established by XRD presumably due to the short-range order crystal structure of the metal oxide/oxyhydroxides. This method provides a simple and inexpensive means to qualitatively estimate the ranges of O₂ status in soils. This research may have implications in hydric soil determination, horticultural and agricultural applications, as well as, remediation techniques.     

Moderate doses of porcine somatotropin do not increase plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or IGF binding protein-3.

The growth rate of the young pig is generally much less than its potential and may be constrained by endocrine status as well as by nutrient intake. The aim of this study was to determine whether porcine somatotropin (pST) could increase growth in the nursing pig. Fourteen sows nursing litters of 6 (n = 7) or 12 (n = 7) piglets were utilized to establish a high and low plane of nutrition for sucking pigs. On Day 4 of lactation, the median two male pigs from each litter were randomly allocated to one of two doses of pST (0 or 60 micrograms/kg/d) until weaning on Day 31. Pigs were bled on Days 4, 13, 22, and 31 of lactation and the plasma was analyzed for insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Pigs were weaned into conventional accommodation and further weighed on Days 63, 91, and 119. Pigs from litters of 6 grew more quickly and weighed 2.2 kg (P = 0.01) and 3.5 kg (P = 0.04) more than pigs from litters of 12 at 31 and 63 d of age, respectively. There was no effect of pST on preweaning growth of sucking pigs (261 vs. 258 g/d, P = 0.68), although growth rate increased in the final 3 d before weaning at 31 d (241 vs. 294 g/d, P = 0.01). IGFBP-3 was greater (1.09 vs. 0.78 micrograms/ml, P < 0.001), whereas IGF-I tended to be greater (206 vs. 176 ng/ml, P = 0.14), in pigs from the small litters. There was no effect of pST on plasma IGF-I (182 vs. 195 ng/ml, P = 0.454) or IGFBP-3 (0.93 vs. 0.94 microgram/ml, P = 0.85) concentrations. Plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were highly correlated with the growth rate of nursing pigs (R = 0.638 and 0.756, respectively). There were no effects of pST (340 vs. 328 ng/ml, P = 0.48) or litter size (336 vs. 333 ng/ml, P = 0.88) on IGF-II. In conclusion, pST had no little or no effect on growth performance or plasma IGF-I, IGF-II, or IGFBP-3 in sucking pigs on either a high or low plane of nutrition.     

Prevalences of various hemoplasma species among cats in the United States with possible hemoplasmosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalences of various hemoplasma species among cats in the United States with possible hemoplasmosis and identify risk factors for and clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with infection with each species. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Animals-310 cats with cytologic evidence of hemoplasmosis (n = 9) or acute or regenerative anemia (309). PROCEDURES: Blood samples were tested by means of a broad-spectrum conventional PCR assay for hemoplasma DNA and by means of 3 separate species-specific real-time PCR assays for DNA from "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" (Mhm), Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), and "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis" (Mtc). RESULTS: Overall prevalences of Mhm, Mhf, and Mtc infection were 23.2% (72/310), 4.8% (15/310), and 6.5% (20/310), respectively. Mixed infections were detected in 20 (6.5%) cats. Cats infected with hemoplasmas were more likely to be male than were uninfected cats. Infection with FeLV or FIV was significantly associated with infection with Mhf. Compared with uninfected cats, cats infected with Mhf had higher reticulocyte counts, nucleated RBC counts, and mean corpuscular volume; cats infected with Mhm had higher mean corpuscular volume; and cats infected with Mtc had higher monocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results supported the suggestion that these 3 hemoplasma species commonly occur among cats in the United States and that pathogenicity of the 3 species varies.     

Use of dried blood smears for detection of feline hemoplasmas using real-time polymerase chain reaction

The objective of the current study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) for feline hemoplasmas when applied to DNA extracted from dried whole-blood smears in comparison to that for DNA extracted from liquid whole blood. Blood samples were collected into ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid tubes from 305 cats with possible or suspected hemoplasmosis, and dried blood smears from each sample were prepared. DNA was extracted from blood smears and a 160-microl aliquot of each liquid blood sample by using a robotic extractor and was subjected to real-time PCR for feline glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (liquid blood), 18S ribosomal RNA (dried blood), and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum", Mycoplasma haemofelis, and "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis" DNA. When using the results for liquid whole blood as the gold standard, the sensitivity of each assay for "Ca. M. haemominutum", M. haemofelis, and "Ca. M. turicensis" was 49 of 66 (74%), 11 of 13 (85%), and 11 of 20 (55%), respectively. The specificity of each assay was 224 of 234 (96%), 287 of 287 (100%), and 280 of 280 (100%), respectively. When possible, liquid blood samples should be submitted for detection of feline hemoplasmas by using real-time PCR. The improved sensitivity of real-time PCR on blood smears for M. haemofelis compared with that of the other hemoplasma species may reflect the higher organism burdens associated with infection with this species.     

Intake of Salt Cedar by Two Different Breeds of Sheep

Salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) readily invades and dominates riparian areas and lake basins throughout the western United States. Traditional control efforts (chemical and mechanical control) are expensive and provide limited long-term control. The salt cedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata) provides a method of biological control through reduction in cover. However, population establishment of leaf beetles in some locations is often difficult because of environmental conditions. In previous research, goats readily consumed salt cedar, offering an alternative method of reducing salt cedar cover. For this study, we determined if sheep would consume salt cedar and consume a similar amount as goats. Twelve Rambouillet and 12 Suffolks lambs were fed salt cedar once daily (Trial 1) and three times daily (Trial 2). Intake of salt cedar by sheep was compared between breeds and with intake of salt cedar by goats (n = 10). Salt cedar was fed once a day in Trial 1 for 30 min over 15 d. Intake was recorded daily for individual animals. In Trial 2, salt cedar was offered three times daily for 13 d with intake recorded. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds of sheep. In addition, sheep consumed more salt cedar than goats except on the last day of the study. When salt cedar was offered three times daily, both breeds of sheep increased intake and gained weight over the 13 d of feeding in Trial 2. By the end of the study, intake appeared to still be increasing. Collectively, these results illustrate that both Rambouillet and Suffolk sheep will consume a similar amount of salt cedar as goats and will provide another species of livestock that can be potentially used to reduce salt cedar cover.     

Expression and localization of angiopoietin family in corpus luteum during different stages of oestrous cycle and modulatory role of angiopoietins on steroidogenesis,angiogenesis and survivability of cultured buffalo luteal cells

The objective of this study was to document the expression and localization of angiopoietin (ANGPT) family members comprising of angiopoietin (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their receptors (Tie1 and Tie2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle, and the modulatory role of ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 alone or in combinations on progesterone (P₄) secretion and mRNA expression of phosphotidylinositide‐3kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3K‐AKT), phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase (PDK), protein kinase B (AKT), Bcl2 associated death promoter (BAD), caspase 3 and von willebrand factor (vWF) in luteal cells obtained from midluteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle in buffalo. Real‐time RT‐PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors whereas, the P₄ secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of ANGPT1 and Tie2 was maximum (p < .05) in mid luteal phase (MLP) of oestrous cycle. The ANGPT2 mRNA and protein expression was maximum (p < .05) in early luteal phase, decreased in MLP and again increased in late luteal phase of oestrous cycle. ANGPT family members were localized in luteal cells and endothelial cells with a stage specific immunoreactivity. P₄ secretion was highest (p < .05) with 100 ng/ml at 72 hr when luteal cells were treated with either protein alone. The mRNA expression of PDK, AKT and vWF was highest (p < .05) and BAD along with caspase 3 were lowest (p < .05) at 100 ng/ml at 72 hr of incubation period, when cultured luteal cells were treated with either protein alone or in combination. To conclude, our study explores the steroidogenic potential of angiopoietins to promote P₄ secretion, luteal cell survival and angiogenesis through an autocrine and paracrine actions in buffalo CL.     

Vitamin D3 supplementation of beef steers increases longissimus tenderness.

The objectives of these experiments were to determine 1) the effectiveness of supplemental vitamin D3 (VITD) on altering plasma and muscle calcium levels, 2) whether VITD supplementation improves Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) values of steaks from feedlot beef steers, and 3) the tenderness response curve of longissimus steaks from steers supplemented with VITD. In Exp. 1, 20 crossbred steers were assigned randomly to one of four treatment diets consisting of either 0, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d. Blood samples were obtained daily during this supplementation period and 5 d thereafter (d 11 to 15). Between d 6 and 13, a linear increase (P < .01) in ionized plasma calcium concentrations was observed in steers supplemented with VITD. Compared to unsupplemented steers, serum calcium concentrations of the steers receiving 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day were increased 8 to 48%. In Exp. 2, longissimus samples from crossbred steers (n = 118) that were supplemented with either 0 or 5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 7 d were obtained and aged for 7, 14, or 21 d. Following the initial 7-d postmortem aging period, VITD supplementation lowered (P < .01) WBS (.58 kg) and increased sensory tenderness rating (.6 units) compared to cuts originating from unsupplemented steers. In Exp. 3, 44 steers were supplemented with either 0 or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d immediately prior to slaughter. Results indicated that plasma and longissimus calcium concentration were higher (P < .05) for steers that received supplemental VITD. Compared with unsupplemented cuts, VITD supplementation improved WBS of cuts aged for either 7 or 14 d (P = .02 and P = .07, respectively). Sensory panelists rated samples from VITD supplemented steers as more tender than their unsupplemented counterparts. Activation of calpain proteases could be responsible for the observed tenderization due to the supplementation of VITD.     

A colorimetric quantification of softened polylactic acid and polyester filament knitted fabrics to ‘Water-spotting’

Water droplets falling onto finished fabrics can create spots which can spoil the appearance of the fabric. This study compares the propensity of softened filament polylactic acid and polyester fabrics to exhibit the adverse affects of ‘water-spotting’, and to identify suitable softeners and methods for their application to minimise and eliminate the problem. The degree of water spotting was greater on softened polylactic acid fabrics than on softened polyester fabrics. Polylactic acid and polyester fabrics with hydrophobic properties did not exhibit any water spotting. Softeners applied by an exhaustion process resulted in a finished fabric which exhibited no water spotting for either dyed polylactic acid or dyed polyester fabrics. The softening active agent was not responsible for the water spotting. The other components in the softener formulation (such as emulsifier, wetting agent), which carries the unfixed dyes with water, were found to be responsible. The water spot halo disappeared after a single machine laundering process.