Effects of protein-energetic supplementation frequency on growth performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate reduced supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle in rainy season. In experiment 1, evaluating the nutritional parameters, four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (BW = 410 kg) were used. In experiment 2, evaluating animal performance, 48 Nellore bulls (BW = 358 kg) were used. The treatments were as follows: mineral supplement (MS) alone and MS plus protein-energy supplement provided 3×, 5× and 7×/week. Supplementation frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) intake and digestibility. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) to supplementation compared with MS. The supplementation 5×/week resulted in greater weight gain per hectare (9.24) and higher economic returns during the study period (1.64%) compared to other supplementations. Supplementation 5×/week increased animal performance and positively influenced economic returns.     

Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest^® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.     

Cranial osteological development and abnormalities in northern palm ruff,Seriolella violacea (Guichenot, 1848), larvae and juveniles

Seriolella violacea, a new species to be potentially farmed in Chile and Peru, has shown cranial malformations during farming that could adversely affect its commercial development. This study seeks to generate early knowledge of the osteological development and type of cranial abnormalities that this species presents under culture conditions. Larvae from wild caught broodstock were reared from 1 to 60 days post hatching (DPH) (4.8 ± 0.1 mm TL and 11.8 ± 1.0 mm TL respectively). Larvae samples were collected throughout the experimental trial for recording cranial osteological development and abnormalities in cartilage and bone. At 5.7 ± 0.1 mm TL, coraco‐scapular, sclerotic, ethmoid plate and quadrate cartilages were present. At 8.0 ± 0.6 mm TL, early ossification was observed in the jaw, premaxilla and maxilla. At 11.8 ± 1.0 mm TL, the branchiostegal rays, jaw, maxilla and opercular complex were ossified. The first cartilaginous structures observed were the Meckel's cartilage, the branchial arches and the suspensory ligament. The first cranial malformations were detected at 5.7 ± 0.1 mm TL, coinciding with mouth opening. The most frequent malformations were a curvature of the lower jaw (23.1%), abnormal separation between branchial arches and the Meckel's cartilage (19.4%) and bulging jaws (15.7%).     

Host Specialization not Detected Among Isolates of the EC-1 Lineage of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> Attacking Wild and Cultivated Potatoes in Peru

To determine whether populations of Phytophthora infestans attacking wild and cultivated potatoes in the highlands of Peru are specialized on their hosts of origin, we characterized isolates using several neutral markers, metalaxyl resistance and for aggressiveness in a detached leaf assay. One hundred and fifty-three isolates were collected from the northern and central highlands of Peru from different potato cultivars (both modern and native cultivars) and from different species of wild, tuber-bearing potatoes. All the isolates analyzed belonged to one of four clonal lineages that had been described previously in Peru: EC-1, US-1, PE-3 and PE-7. The EC-1 lineage (n = 133) was dominant and present in similar frequencies on wild and cultivated potatoes. PE-3 (n = 14) was found primarily on cultivated potatoes, with only one isolate coming from a wild host. US-1 (n = 2) and PE-7 (n = 4) were rare; all but one (PE-7) occurred on wild potatoes. Isolates from the EC-1 lineage from modern cultivars were compared in three separate detached leaf inoculation assays with EC-1 isolates from the wild potato species S. sogarandinum, S. bill-hookerii or S. huancabambense, respectively. No significant interactions between isolate type (from wild or cultivated potato) and host type (wild or cultivated) were measured for any assay. It appears that the pathogen genotypes in the EC-1 lineage indiscriminately attack both wild and cultivated tuber-bearing solanaceous hosts in Peru, and breeders should be able to select for resistance using the common EC-1 lineage.     

华南及菲律宾稻白叶枯病病原菌株致病性比较研究

 用国际鉴别寄主及中国鉴别寄主分别在华南及菲律宾两地,同时多次重复研究、比较、分析两地的稻白叶枯病病原菌株的致病力。用人工剪接法测定明确了中国及菲律宾的病情分级调查记载标准呈显著相关,均能反映华南与菲律宾的病情调查实际结果。对4个菲律宾和5个华南菌群而言,"金南风"及"脱脱普"全感,而"早生爱国3号"和"爪哇14号"则全抗。"黄玉"对华南菌群Ⅰ及Ⅱ抵抗,但对Ⅲ及Ⅳ群与4个菲律宾菌群则全感。"IR8"及"Cas209"对5个华南菌群全感,而"DV85"则全抗。"IR20"及"IR1545-339"抗华南菌群Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ及Ⅳ,但感染Ⅴ群。"TN1"及"金刚30"等品种全部感染华南及菲律宾菌群。"IR26"抗华南菌群Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和菲律宾菌群Ⅰ,但感染华南菌群Ⅴ和菲律宾菌群Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ。试验结果指出:华南菌群Ⅲ、Ⅳ的,致病力与菲律宾菌群Ⅰ相仿,而华南菌群Ⅴ则与菲律宾菌群Ⅳ相类似。此外,还研究比较分析了华南菌株与东南亚菲律宾、泰国和印度尼西亚诸国菌株间的致病力的异同情况。     

Tropical Tree Growth and Longevity: Validation of Growth Simulation,a Bootstrapping Model

ABSTRACT

Growth Simulation, an analytical modeling technique, has been increasingly used in ecological studies and practical forestry applications where dendrochronology is not applicable. The technique uses randomly sampled diameter increments from tagged trees over a known time interval to assemble a statistical sample of lifetime growth trajectories. We carried out a validation of Growth Simulation using a temperate species in order to compare indirect model outputs with direct tree ring analysis. Rings were measured on sample disks cut from 55 pine branches ranging in age from 8–36 years. Assessments included lifetime growth rates, growth rate with respect to diameter and age, periodic annual increment (PAI), cross-referencing of rings by date, and autocorrelation of growth over successive periods. Tree ring analysis and Growth Simulation showed close correspondence for all parameters tested (maximum, median, and minimum growth rates; longevity estimates). Growth Simulation is found to be a robust and informative technique for studies of tropical tree growth, and is especially useful where analysis of tree rings is not feasible or when bootstrapping analysis of ring data is of interest.     

Gross Anatomy of the Brachial Plexus in the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Ten forelimbs of five Myrmecophaga tridactyla were examined to study the anatomy of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexuses of the M. tridactyla observed in the present study were formed by the ventral rami of the last four cervical spinal nerves, C5 through C8, and the first thoracic spinal nerve, T1. These primary roots joined to form two trunks: a cranial trunk comprising ventral rami from C5‐C7 and a caudal trunk receiving ventral rami from C8‐T1. The nerves originated from these trunks and their most constant arrangement were as follows: suprascapular (C5‐C7), subscapular (C5‐C7), cranial pectoral (C5‐C8), caudal pectoral (C8‐T1), axillary (C5‐C7), musculocutaneous (C5‐C7), radial (C5‐T1), median (C5‐T1), ulnar (C5‐T1), thoracodorsal (C5‐C8), lateral thoracic (C7‐T1) and long thoracic (C6‐C7). In general, the brachial plexus in the M. tridactyla is similar to the plexuses in mammals, but the number of rami contributing to the formation of each nerve in the M. tridactyla was found to be larger than those of most mammals. This feature may be related to the very distinctive anatomical specializations of the forelimb of the anteaters.     

Genetic differentiation among Atlantic island populations of the brown spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus (Decapoda: Palinuridae)

1. Declines in Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 populations along their wide distribution in the Atlantic Ocean have spurred efforts to improve their fisheries management and conservation. In this study, the genetic structure of these populations is reported for the first time.
2. In a survey of 18 species‐specific polymorphic microsatellite markers, 152 individuals were genotyped from five Atlantic oceanic islands, covering most of the insular distribution range of the species. The analyses revealed that P. echinatus is genetically partitioned into two stocks in the Atlantic Ocean. A highly significant genetic structure was observed between north‐east and south‐west Atlantic populations based on fixation index, discriminant analysis of principal components, and structure and barrier analysis.
3. We suggest that the Equatorial Circulation System represents a biophysical barrier that effectively limits migration among Atlantic subtropical gyre systems, as has been described for other species. Other physical and ecological barriers, such as the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge itself, the distance between the eastern and western sides of the Atlantic (Mid‐Atlantic Barrier) and water mass differences, as well as other biological aspects, may also influence larval dispersal and modulate the insular distribution of this species.
4. The results show the existence of two distinct genetic stocks of P. echinatus and have implications for fisheries management in the Atlantic Ocean, including their independent management according to their individual status. The Cabo Verde and the Canarian populations (north‐east Atlantic) showed the lowest level of genetic variability in comparison with the south‐western populations. A combination of factors that have occurred or are occurring in the Canary Islands, such as overfishing and volcanic eruptions, is likely to explain the reduced abundance of this lobster species in the area.

     

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor as a cause of chronic cardiac insufficiency in cattle

Chronic cardiac insufficiency was associated with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a cow. An eight-year-old cow developed a progressive condition (over a period of three months) characterized by an enhanced abdominal volume, reluctance to move, a positive jugular pulse, watery diarrhea and death. At necropsy, moderate subcutaneous edema and an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern were observed. A 23x20x11 cm firm, grayish-white mass adhered to and infiltrated the right atrium. Multiple firm, yellowish-white nodules of 0.5 to 12 cm in diameter were diffusely scattered in the epicardium and parietal pericardium. Histologically, the tumor was poorly circumscribed with foci of infiltration of the myocardium. The neoplastic cells had two major histologic patterns, Antoni types A and B. Within occasional foci, pleomorphic cells with an epithelioid appearance were present in addition to multinucleated cells with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasmic globules. Foci of cartilaginous and granular differentiations were interspersed among the neoplastic cells. Multiple vessels presented wall hyalinization and tumoral embolus. Large necrotic foci with mineralization and cholesterol clefts were also observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for S100 protein, vimentin and neuron-specific enolase labeling.