Clinical signs and chemical confirmation of 4-aminopyridine poisoning in horses

4-Aminopyridine poisoning in horses was diagnosed. Specific methods, utilizing thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography, were developed for determining the compound in stomach contents and corn bait. The lethal dose was estimated at 2 to 3 mg/kg of body weight.     

The action of decamethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) on the rat

When administered by a variety of routes decamethrin (NRDC 161) produced a clearly defined sequence of symptoms in the rat. These involved, progressively, chewing, salivation, pawing, choreoathetosis, tonic seizures, and death. Although animals showing tonic seizures almost invariably died, the choreoathetotic symptoms were largely reversible. Animals maintained adequate blood-gas values and arterial pressure until choreoathetosis was well advanced. Electroencephalograph records showed generalized spike and wave discharges during choreoathetosis and auditory or somatosensory-evoked spike discharges prior to choreoathetosis. Symptoms were partially antagonized by atropine. It is suggested that decamethrin-induced choreoathetosis may provide a useful model for the study of related human disorders.     

A rapid MTT colorimetric assay to assess the proliferative index of two Indian strains of Theileria annulata

A study was undertaken to compare the proliferative index of macroschizont-infected lymphoblastoid cells of two Indian strains [Izatnagar (IZT) and Parbhani (PBN)] of Theileria annulata by an in vitro MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], colorimetric assay. Culture conditions were standardized to define the optimal cell concentration in 96-well microculture plates to yield nearly 100% living cells for measurement of the metabolized formazan activity. A cell concentration of 1.5x10(5) cells/ml was found to be optimal for effective discrimination of the parasite strains. On the basis of conversion of MTT by the actively proliferating lymphoblastoid cells, the PBN strain of T. annulata stimulated a 2.5-fold increase in formazan activity in comparison to the IZT strain. The in vitro MTT assay was found to be a simple and convenient method for assessing the cell activation rate and growth, obviating the need for radioactive material for the assay. The results of the proliferation assay are discussed in relation to previously documented information on the biological characteristics of this important pathogen of cattle.     

Post-harvest storage effects on guayule latex,rubber, and resin contents and yields

Guayule is a new crop being commercialized for hypoallergenic latex production. Because natural processes that occur in the plant following harvest, notably dehydration, result in rapid loss of latex and immediate processing of guayule shrub for latex on a commercial scale is not feasible, storage conditions that maintain latex concentration and yield need to be established. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different storage conditions on the extractable latex, total rubber, resin, and guayulin A and B contents, and extractable latex, total rubber, and resin yields in harvested guayule shrub. The experiment was established using plants transplanted into the field at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ, USA, on 22 March 2001. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Two germplasm lines (11591 and AZ-2) were used for this experiment. Twenty plants of each line were harvested six times (November 2002, March 2003, July 2003, November 2003, March 2004, and July 2004) from each field plot. Two plants of each line were randomly assigned to each of 10 storage treatment combinations reflecting wet, dry, or wet alternated with dry conditions prior to chipping for latex extraction. Extractable latex content, total rubber content, resin content, and guayulin A and B contents were determined after storage and compared with freshly harvested shrub. Plant biomass, latex yield, rubber yield, and resin yield were also determined and compared with fresh harvested shrub. AZ-2 was significantly lower in latex, rubber, and guayulin A content than 11591, and significantly higher in biomass, latex yield, rubber yield, resin content, resin yield, and guayulin B content. The results from this study show that moist storage of harvested shrub prior to dry chipping allows a higher yield of latex. Storing the shrub under moist conditions may allow more flexible harvesting and processing schedules, by limiting post-harvest latex losses and increasing the time interval between harvesting and processing.     

Indices of soil nitrogen availability for an ecological site classification of British forests

An adequate supply of nitrogen (N) is essential for the successful establishment and sustainable productivity of forest stands. N deficits may necessitate the use of artificial fertilisers. Availability of N in the inorganic forms, and the relative abundance of the NO₃-N and NH₄-N components, influences the species composition of natural forest vegetation. Hence it is essential to use reliable measures of soil N supply that fully reflect its ecological significance. The new Ecological Site Classification (ESC) used in British forestry employs a multi-factorial definition of soil nutrient regime (SNR), including soil N. To develop this, a soil and vegetation study was made at 89 forest sites throughout Great Britain covering the major soil types used for forestry. “Total N” levels were compared with separate pre- and post-incubation measures of the two inorganic N components as potential indices of soil N supply. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the major discriminant chemical variables for the sampled soils were pH, calcium and NO₃-N and that these were also the main variables influencing the species composition of the ground vegetation. Total N and NH₄-N were less effective discriminant variables for these sites. In some infertile soils the levels of NH₄-N or total N may be of greater importance, as NO₃-N is usually in very limited supply. A multivariate gradient of SNR, which incorporates the NO₃-N measures, has been adopted for use within the ESC system. The position of a site on this gradient can be estimated quantitatively from soil type, ground vegetation species composition and humus type. This enables soil N supply and overall SNR to be assessed in a simple but effective way that guides the operational management of British forest soils for sustainable productivity. It will also be possible to use these techniques to monitor the nutritional status of forest sites over time.     

Managing fisheries is managing people: what has been learned?

Understanding the behaviour of fishermen is a key ingredient to successful fisheries management. The aggregate behaviour of fishing fleets can be predicted and managed with appropriate incentives. To determine appropriate incentives, we should look to successes to learn what works and what does not. In different fisheries incentive systems have been found to reduce the race‐for‐fish and make fisheries profitable, to stimulate stock rebuilding, to reduce bycatch, and to provide for reductions in illegal fishing. Yet, success can be evaluated in many dimensions, but is, in fact, rarely done – per cent overfished seems to be the dominant measure of performance. I evaluate the yield lost due to overfishing in several ecosystems and contrast the situation of North Atlantic cod where considerable yield is lost, to fisheries in New Zealand and the west coast of the USA where lost yield due to overfishing is very small. Much more systematic evaluation of the other aspects of fisheries performance is greatly needed. From examples explored in this paper I conclude that prevention of overfishing can be achieved with strong central governments enforcing conservative catch regulations, but economic success appears to require an appropriate incentive structure.     

Biodiversity and ecological assessments of Indian sacred groves

Sacred groves are patches of forests preserved for their spiritual and religious significance.The practice gained relevance with the spread of agriculture that caused large-scale deforestation affecting biodiversity and watersheds.Sacred groves may lose their prominence nowadays,but are still relevant in Indian rural landscapes inhabited by traditional communities.The recent rise of interest in this tradition encouraged scientific study that despite its pan-Indian distribution,focused on India’s northeast,Western Ghats and east coast either for their global/regional importance or unique ecosystems.Most studies focused on flora,mainly angiosperms,and the faunal studies concentrated on vertebrates while lower life forms were grossly neglected.Studies on ecosystem functioning are few although observations are available.Most studies attributed watershed protection values to sacred groves but hardly highlighted hydrological process or water yield in comparison with other land use types.The grove studies require diversification from a stereotyped path and must move towards creating credible scientific foundations for conservation.Documentation should continue in unexplored areas but more work is needed on basic ecological functions and ecosystem dynamics to strengthen planning for scientifically sound sacred grove management.     

Evaluation of the nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans in formulated diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

Nine isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (18.37 kJ g^?1) experimental diets (RLL20–BCFL40) were formulated with either raw or treated (inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria) Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels replacing other ingredients partially from a fish meal based reference diet (RD). Two specific strains of fish intestinal bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (isolated from Cyprinus carpio) and B. circulans (isolated from Oreochromis mossambicus) having extracellular cellulolytic and amylolytic activities, were used to inoculate Leucaena leaf meal for 15 days at 37°C. The crude fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose contents and the antinutritional factors, tannin, phytic acid and mimosine in the leaf meal decreased due to inoculation. However, free amino acids and fatty acids increased in the treated leaf meal. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings fed the experimental diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a RD. Both the inclusion level and type of Leucaena leaf meal in diets significantly affected the growth performance of rohu. Fish fed diets containing inoculated Leucaena leaf meal performed better in comparison with those with the RD. On the basis of growth response, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and apparent net protein utilization, diet formulated with 30%Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with B. circulans resulted in the best performance of rohu fingerlings followed by diet with 40%B. subtilis inoculated Leucaena leaf meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) was better in fish fed diets containing B. circulans inoculated leaf meal. An increasing level of raw Leucaena leaf meal was associated with a decrease in the carcass protein content of rohu fingerlings. The activity of α‐amylase increased with the increasing level of treated leaf meal in diets. Cellulase activity increased with increasing level of inclusion of raw leaf meal, and was comparatively lower in fish fed diets with treated leaf meal. Activities of protease and lipase were higher in fish fed the RD. The results showed that it is possible to incorporate Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with enzyme‐producing fish intestinal bacteria in carp diets up to 40% level of inclusion.