Comparison of the fecal microbiota of two monogastric herbivorous and five omnivorous mammals

Fecal microbiota in seven different monogastric animal species, elephant, horse, human, marmoset, mouse, pig and, rat were compared using the same analytical protocol of 16S rRNA metagenome. Fecal microbiota in herbivores showed higher alpha diversity than omnivores except for pigs. Additionally, principal coordinate analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance demonstrated that herbivores and pigs clustered together, whereas other animal species were separately aggregated. In view of butyrate‐ and lactate‐producing bacteria, predominant genera were different depending on animal species. For example, the abundance of Faecalibacterium, a known butyrate producer, was 8.02% ± 3.22% in human while it was less than 1% in other animal species. Additionally, Bifidobacterium was a predominant lactate producer in human and marmoset, while it was rarely detected in other omnivores. The abundance of lactate‐producing bacteria in herbivores was notably lower than omnivores. On the other hand, herbivores as well as pig possess Fibrobacter, a cellulolytic bacterium. This study demonstrated that fecal microbiota in herbivorous animals is similar, sharing some common features such as higher alpha diversity and higher abundance of cellulolytic bacterium. On the other hand, omnivorous animals seem to possess unique fecal microbiota. It is of interest that pigs, although omnivore, have fecal microbiota showing some common features with herbivores.     

Early Development and Putative Primordial Germ Cells Characterization in Dogs

Previously, three distinct populations of putative primordial germ cells (PGCs), namely gonocytes, intermediate cells and pre‐spermatogonia, have been described in the human foetal testis. According to our knowledge, these PGCs have not been studied in any other species. The aim of our study was to identify similar PGC populations in canine embryos. First, we develop a protocol for canine embryo isolation. Following our protocol, 15 canine embryos at 21–25 days of pregnancy were isolated by ovaryhysterectomy surgery. Our data indicate that dramatic changes occur in canine embryo development and PGCs specification between 21 to 25 days of gestation. At that moment, only two PGC populations with distinct morphology can be identified by histological analyses. Cell population 1 presented round nuclei with prominent nucleolus and a high nuclear to cytoplasm ratio, showing gonocyte morphology. Cell population 2 was often localized at the periphery of the testicular cords and presented typical features of PGC. Both germ cell populations were positively immunostained with anti‐human OCT‐4 antibody. However, at day 25, all cells of population 1 reacted positively with OCT‐4, whereas in population 2, fewer cells were positive for this marker. These two PGCs populations present morphological features similar to gonocytes and intermediate cells from human foetal testis. It is expected that a population of pre‐spermatogonia would be observed at later stages of canine foetus development. We also showed that anti‐human OCT‐4 antibody can be useful to identify canine PGC in vivo.     

Canine mammary mixed tumours: immunohistochemical expressions of EGFR and HER‐2

Background Benign mixed tumours (BMTs) are frequently found in the mammary glands of female dogs, but the factors determining malignant transformation in these tumours are unknown. Objective To evaluate the expression of the oncoproteins, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), in 46 carcinomas in BMTs (CBMTs) and to verify their possible association with the malignancy of the tumours. Methods Immunohistochemical expression was analysed in benign and malignant components separately, and then compared with 74 cases of BMTs. Results Among the CBMTs, positivity for HER‐2 was found in the benign histological component of 4.3% (2/46), in the malignant epithelial non‐invasive component of 14.8% (4/27) and in the malignant invasive epithelial component of 13.6% (6/44) of cases. Two of the 24 (8.3%) BMTs were positive for HER‐2. There was no relationship between HER‐2 and the tumour components. There was no significant difference between BMTs and CBMTs. Positivity for EGFR was found in the benign component of 17.4% (8/46) of the CBMTs, in the malignant epithelial non‐invasive component of 40.7% (11/27%) and in the invasive epithelial malignant component of 45.4% (20/44). EGFR positivity was significantly associated with the invasive component of CBMTs. Conclusion EGFR may contribute to malignant epithelial transformation of BMTs. In contrast, HER‐2 overexpression may not be associated with the acquisition of a malignant epithelial phenotype.     

Anti-oxidative and immuno-hematological status of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) during acute toxicity test of endosulfan

Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide widely used in agriculture and hence finds its way into natural water bodies, thus affecting aquatic life. The purpose of this study was to determine LC₅₀ of endosulfan (99%; α:β ratio of 7:3) in Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus and study its effect on anti-oxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase), immuno-hematological profile (RBC, WBC, Hb, serum protein, albumin-A, globulin-G, A/G ratio, phygocytic activity as indicated by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, serum cortisol and serum lipid peroxidation) and neurotransmitter acetylcholine esterase enzyme activity. The LC₅₀ value at 96 h and 95% confidence limit for tilapia (46.78 g) was estimated as 3.6 μg/L. Activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, immuno-hematological profile, blood glucose and neurotransmitter activity was significantly influenced (P < 0.01) in dose dependent manner. This was reflected in the behavior of fish that was altered from normal during acute toxicity.     

Evaluation of the fertilizer values of stored and fresh human urine in experimental mixed culture of fish and prawn

With a view to closing the nutrient loop between sanitation and fish culture, advanced fry of different species of fish (rohu, bata, mrigal, common carp, tilapia, punti) and larvae of freshwater prawn were reared in twelve experimental tanks in a mixed culture system for 120 days using three treatments (fresh urine, stored urine and mix of fresh and stored human urine) and control in triplicate. The total weight for all the species of fish and prawn in the stored urine (420.0 g) was 18 and 27% higher compared to fresh (356.0 g) and mixed urine (332.0 g) treatments, respectively. Likewise, primary productivity of phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacterial load related to phosphate level of water were also highest and lowest in the stored urine (GPP—508 ± 39.87 mg C m^–2 h^–1; heterotrophic bacteria—38.38 cfu × 10³ mL^–1) and control system (GPP—214 ± 38.09 mg C m^–2 h^–1; heterotrophic bacteria—13.53 cfu × 103 mL^–1), respectively. The mean count of E. coli, on the other hand, did not differ between urine fed treatment and control. As a possible mechanism, it is suggested that stored urine upon transfer to aquaculture pond underwent degradation and mineralization that induced the autotrophic and heterotrophic food webs conducive to fish growth.     

Effect of seed mass on emergence and seedling development in Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

We investigated the effect of seed mass on emergence, seedling survival and growth ofPterocarpus marsupium Roxb., a medium to large, commercially valuable and deciduous tree species. Among the three size classes viz. small （10-12 mm）, medium （13-15 mm） and large （16-17 mm）, the maximum proportion, of seed by number （54.12%） and dry weight （51.87%） was recorded, in the medium size seed class. Seed length and seed width were greatest in the large seed class （16.50 mm, 7.33 mm） followed by medium （13.50 mm, 5.60 mm） and small （11.37 ram, 3.66 mm）. Similarly, hundred seed weight （100 sw） varied from a maximum of 12.92 g in the large seed class to intermediate 10.95 g in the medium seed class and minimum of 7.02 g in the small seed class. The large seed size showed maximum emergence and shoot length over the medium and small seed class. After six months of growth, significant variations due to seed size were also observed for the growth and dry weight of P. marsupium seedlings. Seedling vigour, expressed in terms of height, collar diameter, number of leaves and dry biomass, was sig- nificantly affected by seed class. Seedlings that emerged from large seeds showed better growth and produced heavier seedlings as compared to medium and small seeds.     

Nitrogen sources for current-year shoot growth in 50-year-old sessile oak trees: an in situ (15)N labeling approach

We used long-term in situ (15)N labeling of the soil to investigate the contribution of the two main nitrogen (N) sources (N uptake versus N reserves) to sun shoot growth from bud burst to full leaf expansion in 50-year-old sessile oaks. Recovery of (15)N by growing compartments (leaves, twigs and buds) and presence of (15)N in phloem sap were checked weekly. During the first 2 weeks following bud burst, remobilized N contributed ~90% of total N in growing leaves and twigs. Nitrogen uptake from the soil started concomitantly with N remobilization but contributed only slightly to bud burst. However, the fraction of total N due to N uptake increased markedly once bud burst had occurred, reaching 27% in fully expanded leaves and 18% in developed twigs. In phloem sap, the (15)N label appeared a few days after the beginning of labeling and increased until the end of bud burst, and then decreased at full leaf expansion in June. Of all the shoot compartments, leaves attracted most of the absorbed N, which accounted for 68% of new N in shoots, whereas twigs and new buds accounted for only 28 and 3%, respectively. New N allocated to leaves increased from unfolding to full expansion as total N concentration in the leaves decreased. Our results underline the crucial role played by stored N in rapid leaf growth and in the sustained growth of oak trees. Any factors that reduce N storage in autumn may therefore impair spring shoot growth.     

Attitudes of farm consultants in the South Island of New Zealand towards the role of veterinarians in farm businesses

AIMS: To assess the attitude of dairy farm consultants to the role of veterinarians on dairy farms and whether they viewed veterinary advice as impartial, free from commercial bias and central to farm productivity and profitability.

METHODS: A telephone survey was commissioned in September 2014 of 36 full-time farm consultants in the Canterbury and Otago region of New Zealand using a pre-prepared questionnaire to explore their attitudes towards the veterinary profession. Of those approached, 25 completed the survey.

RESULTS: The consultants surveyed agreed or strongly agreed (21/23) that they were the custodians of animal health expenditure on farms, which was seen as an expense to be controlled (19/25 agreed or strongly agreed). This view was held more strongly (9/9 agreed or strongly agreed) by consultants with >5 years’ professional experience, compared to 10/16 consultants with ≤5 years’ experience. Most consultants (24/25) disagreed that they did not respect veterinary advice, but agreed (24/25) that veterinarians almost always had a vested interest in the advice that they gave. The role of veterinarians was seen by respondents to be mainly treatment of sick animals (22/25) and provision of animal health products (24/25), but not in maximising farm profitability (selected by 8/25 respondents). Consultants viewed their own roles as providing advice on the influence of animal health on farm profitability (21/25), nutrition (22/25) and reproduction (20/25). Most respondents (21/25) stated that reducing disease and animal health issues was important, but they (21/25) also identified a reduction in farm animal health expenditure as a measure of success. Only 7/25 consultants felt that they should work in partnership with veterinarians.

CONCLUSIONS: This was a small scale study from one region of New Zealand but it indicates that consultants are ambivalent about the role and value of working more closely with veterinarians, and about the benefit that veterinary intervention may bring to a farm’s profitability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: More successful veterinary involvement on dairy farms will follow from a better understanding of how other rural professionals are involved in the farm’s management and in meeting the individual farmer’s goals and motivations.     

Twentieth-Century Sea Surface Temperature Trends

An analysis of historical sea surface temperatures provides evidence for global warming since 1900, in line with land-based analyses of global temperature trends, and also shows that over the same period, the eastern equatorial Pacific cooled and the zonal sea surface temperature gradient strengthened. Recent theoretical studies have predicted such a pattern as a response of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system to an exogenous heating of the tropical atmosphere. This pattern, however, is not reproduced by the complex ocean-atmosphere circulation models currently used to simulate the climatic response to increased greenhouse gases. Its presence is likely to lessen the mean 20th-century global temperature change in model simulations.     

Seasonal variation in biomass and primary productivity of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) under a mixed tree stand and in an adjacent open area in northern India

Seasonal changes in biomass, net primary productivity and turnover of dry matter of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) under a mixed tree stand and in an adjacent open stand in northern India are presented. Both stands attained peak values of live shoot biomass in September with a higher value under mixed tree stand (665 g m^–2) than in the open stand (522 g m^–2). The net aboveground production was 590 and 527 g m^–2 yr^–1 under mixed tree stand and in the open, respectively. The belowground net primary production was also greater under mixed tree stand (100 g m^–2 yr^–1) than in the open (76 g m^–2 yr^–1). Maximum aboveground and belowground net primary productions in both stands were obtained during the rainy season. The total net primary production for para grass was about 15% higher under mixed tree stand than in the open. The turnover rates of total plant biomass were greatest in the rainy season and the least during the summer season. The system transfer functions showed that the production of para grass on both stands was aboveground-oriented, accounting for 85–87% of annual total net primary production.