Comparison of acid-detergent lignin,alkaline-peroxide lignin,and acid-detergent insoluble ash as internal markers for predicting fecal output and digestibility by cattle offered bermudagrass hays of varying nutrient composition

Camelina sativa is an oil seed crop which can be grown on marginal lands. Camelina seed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (>35%) and γ-tocopherol but is also high in erucic acid and glucosinolates. Camelina meal, is the by-product after the oil has been extracted. Camelina meal was fed to 28 d old weaned pigs at 3.7% and 7.4% until age 56 d. The camelina meal supplements in the soy based diets, improved feed efficiency but also significantly increased the liver weights. Gene expression analyses of the livers, using intra-species microarrays, identified increased expression of phase 1 and phase 2 drug metabolism enzymes. The porcine versions of the enzymes were confirmed by real time PCR. Cytochrome 8b1 (CYP8B1), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2), and thiosulfate transferase (TST) were all significantly stimulated. Collectively, these genes implicate the camelina glucosinolate metabolite, methyl-sulfinyldecyl isothiocyanate, as the main xeniobiotic, causing increased hepatic metabolism and increased liver weight.     

Necrotising fasciitis in a bull due to infection with Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 2-year-old Hereford bull was lame for one week before becoming recumbent.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The scrotum and ventral perineal region were cold and blackened caudally. The semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles were firm on palpation. The bull was subject to euthanasia, and necropsy revealed that the skin and S/C tissues of the caudal half of the scrotum were grey and necrotic. The caudal and distal aspects of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles were grey and necrotic to a depth of approximately 15 cm, and these changes appeared to track along fascial planes. The tissue had an offensive smell, and large amounts of flocculent, watery, brown fluid and some gas were present. Histology of affected muscle and S/C tissues revealed coagulative necrosis, with oedema and large numbers of bacteria that were predominantly Gram-positive rods. Adjacent blood vessels contained thrombi while the epidermis overlying the affected areas appeared diffusely necrotic, suggesting infarction. Culture of the fluid yielded a pure growth of Arcanobacterium spp., which was identified as Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, using an API Coryne biochemical test strip.

DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis and myositis due to Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Arcanobacterium haemolyticum has not previously been reported as a cause of necrotising fasciitis in any species. Necrotising fasciitis is probably an under-reported condition in cattle due to its clinical similarity to clostridial disease.     

Influence of Livestock Grazing Strategies on Riparian Response to Wildfire in Northern Nevada

In 1999–2001 wildfires burned 1.13 million ha across northern Nevada, burning through many grazed riparian areas. With increases in wildfire frequency and extent predicted throughout the Great Basin, an understanding of the interactive effects of wildfire, livestock grazing, and natural hydrologic characteristics is critical. A comparison of pre- and postfire stream surveys provided a unique opportunity to statistically assess changes in stream survey attributes at 43 burned and 38 unburned streams. Livestock grazing variables derived from an extensive federal grazing allotment inventory were used to identify interactive effects of grazing strategies, fire, and natural stressors across 81 independent riparian areas. Differences between baseline and “postfire” stream survey attributes were evaluated for significance using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney test for paired data. Binary logistic regression models evaluated the influence of fire, grazing, and hydrologic characteristics on observed stream survey attribute changes. Grazing attributes contributed most significantly to the bankfull width increase and bank stability rating decrease models. The odds of bankfull width degradation (increase in bankfull width) decreased where there had been rest is some recent years compared to continuous grazing. As the number of days grazed during the growing season increased, the odds of bank stability degradation also increased. The occurrence of fire was not significant in any model. Variation in the riparian width model was attributed primarily to hydrologic characteristics, not grazing. For the models in which grazing variables played a role, stream survey attributes were more likely to improve over time when coupled with a history of rotational grazing and limited duration of use during the growing season. This supports long-term riparian functional recovery through application of riparian complementary grazing strategies.     

Weed flora of water rice in the Red River Delta,Vietnam

The occurrence of weeds in water rice was surveyed in the Red River Delta, Vietnam during spring and summer rice-growing seasons in 1995 and 1996. Sixty different weeds from 19 plant families were recorded. The most important plant families as weeds of rice were Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The most important weed however was Rotala indica (Willd.) Koehne (Lythraceae) followed by Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and Cyperus difformis L. A brief comparison of this rice weed flora and those of Australia and California was made.     

Effects of three cold weather event simulations on early life stages of Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

ABSTRACT

To determine the minimum age/size at which Southern Flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, can safely be moved to outdoor rearing facilities in Texas, we examined survival of simulated temperature drops in two distinct life stages: premetamorphic larvae and two size classes of postmetamorphic juveniles (small = 9.8 ± 0.3 mm in TL; large = 19.7 ± 0.6 mm). Temperature was lowered by ?0.33°C/h to 4°C, 7°C, or 10°C, held for 48 h and then raised at +0.33°C/h back to normal rearing temperature. Fish were monitored daily for survival. Larger postmetamorphic flounder had high survival for all temperature treatments (89%–100% survival), whereas both premetamorphic larvae and smaller postmetamorphic juveniles had low survival (<30%) for all temperature treatments.     

Understanding nano-anatomy of healthy and carious human teeth: a prerequisite for nanodentistry

The anatomy of human teeth reflects its usage. Spatially resolved X-ray scattering permits quantitative studies of the characteristic arrangement of the anisotropic calcium phosphate crystallites and the collagen fibers within the hard tissues of the crown. The present study summarizes the distinctive nanometer-sized anatomical features of the tooth hard tissues including their interface taking advantage of spatially resolved synchrotron radiation-based small-angle X-ray scattering. The comparison of slices from eight teeth indicates a long-range organization of tooth nanostructures.     

Stem girdling manipulates leaf sugar concentrations and anthocyanin expression in sugar maple trees during autumn

To better understand the effects of sugar accumulation on red color development of foliage during autumn, we compared carbohydrate concentration, anthocyanin expression and xylem pressure potential of foliage on girdled versus non-girled (control) branches of 12 mature, open-grown sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees. Half of the study trees were known to exhibit mostly yellow foliar coloration and half historically displayed red coloration. Leaves from both girdled and control branches were harvested at peak color expression (i.e., little or no chlorophyll present). Disruption of phloem export by girdling increased foliar sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations regardless of historical tree color patterns. Branch girdling also increased foliar anthocyanin expression from 50.4 to 66.7% in historically red trees and from 11.7 to 54.2% in historically yellow trees, the latter representing about a fivefold increase compared with control branches. Correlation analyses indicated a strong and consistent relationship between foliar red coloration and sugar concentrations, particularly glucose and fructose, in both girdled and control branches. Measures of xylem pressure potentials confirmed that girdling was a phloem-specific treatment and had no effect on water transport to distal leaves. Results indicate that stem girdling increased foliar sugar concentrations and enhanced anthocyanin expression during autumn in sugar maple foliage. Native environmental stresses (e.g., low autumn temperatures) that reduce phloem transport may promote similar physiological outcomes.     

Immotile Short‐Tail Sperm Defect in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) Breed Bulls

This case study reported the presence of short tail sperm defect in the semen of three Nelore breed bulls. The sperm presented 0% of motility in the three animals evaluated and a total of 70%, 61% and 34% of pathologies of the intermediate piece of the tail respectively for animals 1, 2 and 3. It was identified that animals 2 and 3 had high degree of inbreeding, although no relationship was found with animal 1. Animal 2 was the only one that presented inbreeding coefficient (6.25%). His half‐sib (animal 3) and animal 1, from the same herd, had shown no inbreeding, showing that inheritance is not the only determinant factor for its incidence on Nelore males.     

Rodent control and food supplementation increase productivity of endangered San Clemente Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi)

Habitat loss and predation by exotic predators have contributed to the decline of many island populations of birds, including San Clemente Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi). This critically endangered subspecies has been the recipient of an extensive and expensive recovery effort, including a captive breeding and release program. We examined the effects of life-history characteristics, rainfall, and management, particularly food supplementation and rat (Rattus rattus) control, on the breeding productivity of 172 San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike pairs from 2000 to 2006. Annual fecundity and the number of fledglings reaching independence per pair varied with year and were closely correlated with prebreeding (November-March) precipitation levels. Annual fecundity increased as a result of management implemented between April and July each year. Shrike pairs receiving no management during this period produced a mean of 1.9 fledglings. Pairs receiving both food and rat control produced an average of 2.5 more fledglings than pairs receiving no management, while pairs receiving rat control alone produced an average of 1.1 more fledglings than pairs receiving no management during this period. Wild-origin females produced an average of 0.8 more fledglings per pair than captive-origin females, while older males produced an average of 0.9 more fledglings and independent young relative to inexperienced males. The effects of food supplementation and rat control on San Clemente Loggerhead Shrikes were most pronounced during dry years, suggesting such management should be emphasized when prebreeding precipitation levels are below historical averages. These techniques offer an effective means to increase breeding productivity of avian species in immediate threat of extinction.