Calving and weaning characteristics of Angus-, Gray Brahman-, Gir-, Indu-Brazil-, Nellore-, and Red Brahman-sired F1 calves

Calving and weaning data from crossbred calves sired by five Bos indicus breeds and one Bos taurus breed were evaluated. Data included calving and weaning records of F1 calves out of multiparous Hereford cows and sired by Angus, Gray Brahman, Gir, Indu-Brazil, Nellore, and Red Brahman bulls. At calving, Angus-sired calves had shorter gestations and lower (more desirable) calving ease scores and were smaller than Bos indicus-sired calves. Among the Bos indicus crosses, Gir calves had the shortest gestations, lowest calving ease scores, lightest birth weights (P less than .05), and smallest cannon bone lengths and heart girths. Nellore calves had the longest gestations (P less than .05) and largest heart girths. Calves by Indu-Brazil sires had the highest calving ease scores, highest birth weights (P less than .05), and greatest cannon bone lengths (P less than .05). Gray Brahman- and Red Brahman-sired calves were similar and intermediate for all calving characters. At weaning, Angus-sired calves had gained slightly faster than the Gir crosses and weighed more but were shorter at the hip than Gir crosses. Gir calves gained the least preweaning, weighed the least, and were shortest at weaning of the Bos indicus crosses. The Nellore and Indu-Brazil crosses were intermediate in preweaning gain and weaning weight to the Gir and the Red and Gray Brahman but were tallest at weaning. Gray Brahman and Red Brahman calves gained the most and were heaviest at weaning but were not as tall as the Nellore and Indu-Brazil.     

Phagocytosis of inhaled plutonium oxide-239pu particles by pulmonary macrophages

Pulmonary macrophages and plutonium particles were removed by washing the lungs of rats that had inhaled plutonium oxide-(239)Pu. A significant amount of plutonium was found in multiple washings of the same lung. The removal of toxic particles by washing is of potential therapeutic value. Particles were phagocytized by macrophages during the first 3 hours and retained within these cells for up to 25 days. Nearly all particles in washings were found in macrophages after the second day. The percent of macrophages with engulfed particles increased with increasing amounts of plutonium deposited in the lungs. The ability of pulmonary macrophages to rapidly phagocytize and retain plutonium particles deposited in the lungs has been shown.     

Urogenital diseases and their effect on reproductive performance in high-parity sows

In a Slowakian indoor pig production unit (2423 sows), from June to December 2002 all culled sows with excessive vulval discharge at culling, and with vulval discharge and periparturient disease in their previous history were subjected to retrospective lifetime production analysis. The sows were assigned to nine groups according to parity (parity 1-9). Average total litter size, average live-born litter size, average stillbirth rate, average mummy rate, and average litter weaning weight were evaluated retrospectively for all births. Non-culled sows represented the control animals. The percentage of animals with periparturient disease and vulval discharge in their history differed between parities. Parity 2, 3, and 4 sows had a significantly lower percentage of vulval discharge and periparturient disease in their history than sows of other parities. Compared to parity 1-6 sows, parity 7-9 sows had significantly lower (P < .001) conception rates, farrowing rates, and adjusted farrowing rates. Compared to parity 1-2 and 7-9 sows, parity 3-6 sows had a significantly larger (P < .001) lifetime average total born and live-born litter size. Compared to parity 1-3 and 7-9 sows, parity 4-6 sows had a significantly lower (P < .001) rate of stillbirths over all parities. No differences in mummy rates were detected between the sows of different parities. Compared to parity 1-2 and 7-9 sows, parity 3-6 sows had significantly higher (P < .001) weaning litter weights over all parities. Sows without a history of vulval discharge and periparturient disease had higher (P < .001) production levels in parity 7-9. IMPLICATIONS: The present results indicate that parity markedly influences the production level of sows that have a history of periparturient disease and vulval discharge.     

Mandibular condylectomy in a standing horse for treatment for osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint

An Irish Sport Horse mare presented for evaluation and treatment of inability to masticate effectively with subsequent severe weight loss. A slowly expanding, firm, nonpainful mass was noted at the left temporomandibular joint. Radiographic examination revealed extensive osteoarthritic changes of this joint. Due to the age and debilitated condition of the horse, along with financial constraints on the owner's behalf, the decision was made to perform a mandibular condylectomy as a standing procedure using sedation and local and regional anaesthesia techniques. The mare tolerated the procedure very well and post operatively improved significantly.     

Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase by p21-activated kinase

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are implicated in the cytoskeletal changes induced by the Rho family of guanosine triphosphatases. Cytoskeletal dynamics are primarily modulated by interactions of actin and myosin II that are regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)-mediated phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain (MLC). p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) phosphorylates MLCK, resulting in decreased MLCK activity. MLCK activity and MLC phosphorylation were decreased, and cell spreading was inhibited in baby hamster kidney-21 and HeLa cells expressing constitutively active PAK1. These data indicate that MLCK is a target for PAKs and that PAKs may regulate cytoskeletal dynamics by decreasing MLCK activity and MLC phosphorylation.     

Thermochronometry reveals headward propagation of erosion in an alpine landscape

Glacial erosion of mountain ranges produces spectacular alpine landscapes and, by linking climate with tectonics, influences a broad array of geophysical phenomena. Although the resultant landforms are easily identified, the timing and spatial pattern of topographic adjustment to Pleistocene glaciations remain poorly known. We investigated topographic evolution in the archetypal glacial landscape of Fiordland, New Zealand, using (U-Th)/He thermochronometry. We find that erosion during the past 2 million years removed the entire pre-Pleistocene landscape and fundamentally reshaped the topography. Erosion focused on steep valley segments and propagated from trunk valleys toward the heads of drainage basins, a behavior expected if subglacial erosion rate depends on ice sliding velocity. The Fiordland landscape illustrates complex effects of climate on Earth's surface morphology.