Clinical Technique: Digital Radiography in Exotic Pets—Important Practical Differences Compared with Traditional Radiography

The future of radiography will be digital. In exotic pet radiography, where some of the animals have a very low body weight and anatomic structures can be small, detail rendition plays an important feature in image quality. Veterinarians should be familiar with the technical principles, image quality criteria, and radiation exposure issues associated with the various types of digital systems currently available. This article discusses basic principles of digital radiography, technical solutions, and selected parameters characterizing detectors, processing, and monitors. An overview of reported experiences is given, and results from experimental clinical studies are reviewed to evaluate the current options and limitations in applying digital radiography to exotic pet medicine.     

Use of ex vitro composite plants to study the interaction of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with the root parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides

Background

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is an important grain and forage legume grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa primarily by subsistence farmers on poor, drought prone soils. Genetic improvement of the crop is being actively pursued and numerous functional genomics studies are underway aimed at characterizing gene controlling key agronomic characteristics for disease and pest resistances. Unfortunately, similar to other legumes, efficient plant transformation technology is a rate-limiting step in analysis of gene function in cowpea.

Results

Here we describe an optimized protocol for the rapid generation of transformed hairy roots on ex vitro composite plants of cowpea using Agrobacterium rhizogenes. We further demonstrate the applicability of cowpea composite plants to study gene expression involved in the resistance response of the plant roots to attack by the root parasitic weed, Striga gesnerioides. The utility of the new system and critical parameters of the method are described and discussed herein.

Conclusions

Cowpea composite plants offer a rapid alternative to methods requiring stable transformation and whole plant regeneration for studying gene expression in resistance or susceptibility responses to parasitic weeds. Their use can likely be readily adapted to look at the effects of both ectopic gene overexpression as well as gene knockdown of root associated defense responses and to the study of a broader range of root associated physiological and aphysiological processes including root growth and differentiation as well as interactions with other root pests, parasites, and symbionts.     

Protocol: optimised electrophyiological analysis of intact guard cells from Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT: Genetic resources available for Arabidopsis thaliana make this species particularly attractive as a model for molecular genetic studies of guard cell homeostasis, transport and signalling, but this facility is not matched by accessible tools for quantitative analysis of transport in the intact cell. We have developed a reliable set of procedures for voltage clamp analysis of guard cells from Arabidopsis leaves. These procedures greatly simplify electrophysiological recordings, extending the duration of measurements and scope for analysis of the predominant K+ and anion channels to that achieved previously in work with Vicia and tobacco guard cells.     

Soil degradation and mitigation in agricultural lands in the Indian Anthropocene

Current widespread and intensive soil degradation in India has been driven by unprecedented levels of population growth, large-scale industrialization, high-yield agriculture, urban sprawl and the spread of human infrastructure. The damage caused to managed and natural systems by soil degradation threatens livelihoods and local services and leads to national socio-economic disruption. Human-induced soil degradation results from land clearing and deforestation, inappropriate agricultural practices, improper management of industrial effluents and wastes, careless management of forests, surface mining, urban sprawl, and ill-planned commercial and industrial development. Of these, inappropriate agricultural practices, including excessive tillage and use of heavy machinery, over-grazing, excessive and unbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers, poor irrigation and water management techniques, pesticide overuse, inadequate crop residue and/or organic carbon inputs, and poor crop cycle planning, account for nearly 40% (121 Mha) of land degradation across India. Globally, human activities related to agriculture contribute to the transgression of four of the nine Planetary Boundaries proposed by Rockström et al. (2009): Climate Change, Biodiversity Integrity, Land-system Change, and altered Phosphorus and Nitrogen Biogeochemical Flows. This review focuses on how knowledge of soil processes in agriculture has developed in India over the past 10 years, and the potential of soil science to meet the objectives of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger (End hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture), using the context of the four most relevant Planetary Boundaries as a framework. Solutions to mitigate soil degradation and improve soil health in different regions using conservation agricultural approaches have been proposed. Thus, in this review we (1) summarize the outputs of recent innovative research in India that has explored the impacts of soil degradation on four Planetary Boundaries (Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Land-system Change, and altered Biogeochemical Flows of Phosphorus and Nitrogen) and vice-versa; and (2) identify the knowledge gaps that require urgent attention to inform developing soil science research agendas in India, to advise policy makers, and to support those whose livelihoods rely on the land.     

Effect of transdermally administered fentanyl on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of two doses of fentanyl, administered transdermally, on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. ANIMALS: Five healthy, spayed, female cats. METHODS: Each cat was studied thrice with at least 2 weeks between each study. In study 1, the baseline isoflurane MAC was determined in triplicate for each cat. In studies 2 and 3, isoflurane MAC was determined 24 hours after placement of either a 25 or 50 microg hour(-1) fentanyl patch. In each MAC study, cats were instrumented to allow collection of arterial blood and measurement of arterial blood pressure. Twenty-four hours prior to studies 2 and 3, a catheter was placed and secured in the jugular vein and either a 25 or 50 microg hour(-1) fentanyl patch was placed in random order on the left thorax. Blood samples for plasma fentanyl determination were collected prior to patch placement and at regular intervals up to 144 hours. After determination of MAC in studies 2 and 3, naloxone was administered as a bolus dose (0.1 mg kg(-1)) followed by an infusion (1 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) and MAC redetermined. RESULTS: The baseline isoflurane MAC was 1.51 +/- 0.21% (mean +/- SD). Fentanyl (25 and 50 micro g hour(-1)) administered transdermally significantly reduced MAC to 1.25 +/- 0.26 and 1.22 +/- 0.16%, respectively. These MAC reductions were not significantly different from each other. Isoflurane MAC determined during administration of fentanyl 25 micro g hour(-1) and naloxone (1.44 +/- 0.16%) and fentanyl 50 micro g hour(-1) and naloxone (1.51 +/- 0.19%) was not significantly different from baseline MAC (1.51 +/- 0.21%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fentanyl patches are placed to provide long-lasting analgesia. In order to be effective postoperatively, fentanyl patches must be placed prior to surgery. Plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved intraoperatively decrease the need for potent inhalant anesthetics in cats.     

Epidemiologic evaluation of multiple respiratory pathogens in cats in animal shelters

Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) propagates readily within cats in shelters and often results in euthanasia of affected cats. In a case-control evaluation of 573 cats in eight shelters in California in 2001 and 2002, the prevalence of feline calicivirus (FCV) was from 13 to 36%, feline herpesvirus (FHV) was from 3 to 38%, and prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma species was from 2 to 14%. Cats with URI tended to be housed in isolation, dehydrated, and younger than cats without URI, and infected with FHV, Mycoplasma species, FCV, or C felis. Shelters differed in the prevalence of pathogens and many cats appeared positive for infection after about 1 week of sheltering. It is helpful for shelters to understand the risk factors associated with URI in order to evaluate the costs and benefits of treatment and improve their procedures to decrease the incidence of URI within their facilities. Antiherpetics and antimycoplasmal drugs may be beneficial for individual animal care. Results document the utility of comprehensive URI surveillance and herd management for specific pathogens typical in that shelter.     

Brewing by-products: their use as animal feeds.

Brewers grains, a by-product of beer production, are often used as a livestock feed. Because brewers grains provide protein, fiber, and energy, they can be useful in a variety of diets. Protein in brewers grains can meet a significant portion of supplemental protein requirements; in addition, they provide fiber and needed bulk in the diets of ruminants and horses. Brewers grains and other brewers by-products have also been fed to pigs, sheep, and poultry. Currently, the primary market for wet brewers grains is as a dairy cattle feed; however, some may be fed to beef cattle in feedlots. Brewers grains have historically been marketed wet or dry, but wet brewers grains currently make up the majority of the marketed product. Brewers grains provide protein, energy, and fiber in livestock diets, but product variability can influence their utilization and necessitate a testing program to determine nutrient content.     

Genetic analysis and phenotypic associations for drought tolerance in Hordeum spontaneum introgression lines using SSR and SNP markers

Associations between markers and drought related traits were investigated on a set of 57 advanced barley breeding lines, carrying various levels of introgression from Hordeum spontaneum lines 41-1 and 41-5, the best sources of drought tolerance in the ICARDA barley breeding program, using 74 simple sequences repeats (SSR) and 20 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The 57 lines were evaluated for grain yield and drought related traits for three years (2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06) in nine Mediterranean low rainfall environments. A high level of polymorphism was found with SSR markers, and the mean polymorphism information content and gene diversity values were 0.67 and 0.71, respectively. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 11, with an average of 5.8 alleles per marker. Considering all the 57 lines, the linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was significant at a comparison-wise P?<?0.01 level in nearly 9 % of the SSR marker pairs used and a decay of LD was observed to a value of r ²?<?0.2 at a genetic distance of 40?cM. The association analysis revealed a total of 147 significant marker?Ctrait associations for grain yield and drought related traits. A total of 72 (49 %) marker?Ctrait associations showed favorable effects of the exotic germplasm where the H. spontaneum lines contributed to an improvement of the trait under drought stress conditions. The number of significant marker?Ctrait associations per trait were: 12 for growth habit; 2 for growth vigor; 11 for peduncle extrusion; 5 for number of grains per spike; 20 for peduncle length; 16 for days to heading; 20 for plant height; 8 for spike length; 17 for thousand kernel weight; 30 for grain yield; 4 for harvest index and 2 for biological yield. The phenotypic variation explained by individual marker?Ctrait associations ranged from 7.6 % to 36.2 %. The identification of genomic regions associated with grain yield and drought related traits is useful for the genetic improvement of cultivars better adapted to drought stress environments. Thus, the present study is encouraging in identifying significant marker?Ctrait associations through LD based association mapping analysis, which could complement and augment previous quantitative trait loci information for the potential use of Marker Assisted Selection for drought.