Accuracy of within‐ and among‐family genomic prediction in triticale

Genomic prediction has emerged as a powerful genomic tool to assist breeding of complex traits. In this study, we employed a population of 647 triticale doubled haploid lines derived from four families to assess the potential of this approach for triticale breeding. All lines were phenotyped for grain yield, thousand‐kernel weight, biomass yield, plant height, frost tolerance and Fusarium head blight resistance. The obtained prediction accuracies were moderate to high and consisted to varying degrees of within‐ and among‐family variance, in line with the different degrees of phenotypic differences between family means. The prediction accuracy within individual families also varied with the genetic complexity of the traits and was generally highest based on effect estimation with lines from the respective family, whereas the prediction accuracy decreased with decreasing relatedness among the families. Taken together, our results illustrate the potential of genomic prediction to increase selection gain in triticale breeding, but the composition of the training set is of utmost importance, and consequently, the implementation of this approach in applied breeding programmes is not straightforward.     

The potential of genomic‐assisted breeding to improve Fusarium head blight resistance in winter durum wheat

Durum wheat is the most important tetraploid wheat mainly used for semolina and pasta production, but is notorious for its high susceptibility to Fusarium head blight (FHB). Our objectives were to identify and characterize quantitative trait loci (QTL) in winter durum and to evaluate the potential of genomic approaches for the improvement of FHB resistance. Here, we employed an international panel of 170 winter and 14 spring durum lines, phenotyped for Fusarium culmorum resistance at five environments. Heading date, plant height and mean FHB severity showed significant genotypic variation with high heritabilities and FHB resistance was negatively correlated with both heading date and plant height. The dwarfing gene Rht‐B1 significantly affected FHB resistance and the genome‐wide association scan identified eight additional QTL affecting FHB resistance, explaining between 1% and 14% of the genotypic variation. A genome‐wide prediction approach yielded only a slightly improved predictive ability compared to marker‐assisted selection based on the four strongest QTL. In conclusion, FHB resistance in durum wheat is a highly quantitative trait and in breeding programmes may best be tackled by classical high‐throughput recurrent phenotypic selection that can be assisted by genomic prediction if marker profiles are available.     

Effects of salinity on standard metabolic rate and critical oxygen tension in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The extensively farmed giant freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, can survive salinities up to 26 g L^?1, but the commercially important grow‐out occurs exclusively in freshwater areas. Recent studies suggest the shrimp equally capable of growing in brackish as fresh water and a better understanding of how this species responds to changing salinity could significantly impact freshwater prawn farming in deltas and coastal areas. Here, the effect of salinity (0 and 15 g L^?1) on standard metabolic rate (SMR) and critical oxygen tension (P_crit) was measured in adult M. rosenbergii using intermittent closed respirometry. SMR was 79.8 ± 3.1 and 72.7 ± 2.9 μmol kg^?1 min^?1 in fresh and brackish water, respectively, with no significant difference between the two salinities (P = 0.122). During hypoxia M. rosenbergii maintained oxygen uptake down to a P_crit of 26.3 ± 1.4 mmHg in fresh and 27.2 ± 2.0 mmHg in brackish water (P = 0.682), showing that salinity had no overall effect on oxygen conductance in the animals. These findings are in agreement with recent growth studies and provide further evidence that grow‐out phase could be accomplished in brackish water areas. Thus, the predicted intrusions of brackish water in tropical deltas as a consequence of future global warming may not impact this important production.     

A retrospective study on the use of acepromazine maleate in dogs with seizures

Use of acepromazine (i.e., acetylpromazine) maleate in dogs with a history of seizures is reportedly contraindicated because of the risk of decreasing the seizure threshold in these animals. In this retrospective study, acepromazine was administered for tranquilization to 36 dogs with a prior history of seizures and to decrease seizure activity in 11 dogs. No seizures were seen within 16 hours of acepromazine administration in the 36 dogs that received the drug for tranquilization during hospitalization. After acepromazine administration, seizures abated for 1.5 to 8 hours (n=6) or did not recur (n=2) in eight of 10 dogs that were actively seizing. Excitement-induced seizure frequency was reduced for 2 months in one dog.     

Disposition of deracoxib in cats after oral administration

The pharmacokinetics of deracoxib in seven healthy cats were determined following a single oral (1 mg/kg) dose. Minimal variability among cats was found for all estimated pharmacokinetic variables. Terminal half-life (t(1/2)) was 7.9 hours. The mean maximum concentration (C(max)) was 0.28 microg/mL and was measured 3.64 hours after drug administration. Deracoxib was not detectable in the plasma after 60 hours. The compounded liquid formula was accepted readily, and no adverse effects were observed. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of deracoxib after acute and chronic use in the cat.     

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with sebaceous differentiation in the mandibular salivary gland of a dog

A carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was diagnosed in the left mandibular salivary gland of an 8-year-old female spayed dog. The animal presented with a large nonpainful swelling in the left submandibular region. A computed tomography scan detected an irregularly enhancing soft tissue mass that was closely associated with the left external ear canal and extended to the left wing of the atlas. On surgical exploration, the mass was intimately associated with the left mandibular salivary gland. Both the mass and the adjacent gland were removed, and the diagnosis was determined by histopathology. The tumor was comprised of basaloid and low columnar epithelial cells, many glandular units formed by well-differentiated sebocytes, and multifocal regions of necrosis, mineralization, and hemorrhage. Salivary gland tumors with sebaceous differentiation are very rare in animals, with one previously reported case in a cat.