Elevation change of the southern greenland ice sheet

Seasat and Geosat satellite altimeter measurements for the Greenland ice sheet (south of 72 degreesN latitude) show that surface elevations above 2000 meters increased at an average rate of only 1. 5 +/- 0.5 centimeters per year from 1978 to 1988. In contrast, elevation changes varied regionally from -15 to +18 centimeters per year, seasonally by +/-15 centimeters, and interannually by +/-8 centimeters. The average growth rate is too small to determine if the Greenland ice sheet is undergoing a long-term change due to a warmer polar climate.     

低O 2和高CO 2对草莓采后酯类生物合成的作用模式

草莓(Fragria ananassa Duck.cv.Chandler)果实于采收当天分别放在:①空气;②0.25%O_2;③21%O_2+50%CO_2;④0.25%O_2+50%CO_2(用 N_2平衡)四种流动气体条件(5℃)下1～7d,以研究气调贮藏对草莓的挥发性物质和发酵性酶活性的影响。在三种气调贮藏条件下,果肉中乙醛、乙醇、乙酸乙酯、丁酸乙酯的浓度较空气处理明显增加而乙酸异丙酯和乙酸丁酯的含量下降。气调贮藏处理增加了丙酮酸脱羧酶(PDC)和乙醇脱氢酶(ADH)的活性但略微减少了醇酰基转移酶(即酯化酶,AAT)的活性。低 O_2、高 CO_2条件下草莓中乙醇的大量累积加速了乙酸乙酯的生物合成。由于 AAT 活性的降低及过量的乙醇与其他醇类化合物对相同羧基化合物的竞争作用导致其他乙酸酯类产物的减少。     

Practices and opinions of New Zealand beef cattle farmers towards bovine viral diarrhoea control in relation to real and perceived herd serological status

ABSTRACT

Aims: To investigate the seroprevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus among 75 beef herds and seroconversion in cattle during early pregnancy, and to determine the practices and opinions of farmers towards BVD control and their association with real and perceived herd serological status.

Methods: Blood samples were collected before mating in 75 beef herds across New Zealand from 15 unvaccinated heifers that had delivered their first calf that season. Serum samples were tested for BVD antibodies using ELISA individually, and after pooling samples for each farm. Animals that were antibody-negative were retested at either pregnancy diagnosis or weaning. Farmers were asked to complete a detailed survey about herd demographics, BVD testing and vaccination practices, and opinions towards national BVD control.

Results: Based on the pooled serum antibody ELISA results, there were 28/75 (37%) negative herds, 15/75 (20%) suspect herds, and 32/75 (43%) positive herds. Of 1,117 animals sampled 729 (65.3%) tested negative for BVD virus antibodies; when retested, 47/589 (8.0%) animals from 13/55 (24%) herds had seroconverted. Among 71 famers providing survey responses 11 (15%) believed their herd was infected with BVD, 24 (34%) were unsure and 36 (51%) did not think their herd was infected. Only 19/71 (18%) farmers had performed any BVD testing within the past 5 years and 50/70 (71%) had not vaccinated any cattle for BVD. Support for national BVD eradication programme was strong in 51/71 (56%) respondents, but the biggest challenge to BVD control was considered to be famer compliance. Compared to farmers who did not think their herd was infected, more farmers who thought BVD was present in their herds had previously tested for BVD, would consider testing all replacement calves, and would support establishing a national BVD database; fewer would consider purchasing BVD tested or vaccinated cattle only.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Only 15% of the beef farmers in this study believed their herds were infected with BVD virus and few of them had undertaken BVD screening. Nevertheless many were supportive of implementing a national BVD control programme. It is likely that the lack of farmer awareness around BVD and the failure of farmers to recognise the potential impacts in their herds are hindering progress in controlling the disease in New Zealand. There are opportunities for New Zealand veterinarians to be more proactive in helping beef farmers explore BVD management options.     

Effects of meiotic inhibitors and gonadotrophins on porcine oocytes in vitro maturation,fertilization and development

This study evaluated the effect of three reversible meiotic inhibitors (MINs) and their interaction with gonadotrophins (Gns) on the meiotic maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes. In experiment 1, the oocytes were matured for 22 hr in the presence or absence of dbcAMP (1 mM), cycloheximide (7 μM) or cilostamide (20 μM) with or without Gns, and for an additional 22 hr in the absence of MINs and Gns. At 22 hr of maturation, regardless of the presence of Gns, a higher proportion (p < .001) of oocytes cultured in the presence of MINs were effectively arrested at the germinal vesicle stage compared with the oocytes cultured without MINs. At 44 hr of maturation, the proportion of oocytes that reached MII was higher (p < .05) in groups with Gns compared with groups without Gns. In experiment 2, oocytes that were matured as in experiment 1 were inseminated and cultured for 7 days to evaluate fertilization parameters and blastocyst formation. Only oocytes from the dbcAMP + Gns group had higher (p < .05) efficiency of fertilization compared with the other treatment groups. The presence of dbcAMP during maturation also increased (p < .05) blastocyst formation and efficiency of blastocyst formation in both the presence and absence of Gns. These results indicate that the interaction of Gns with the tested MINs improved meiotic progression. In addition, regardless of supplementation with Gns, the presence of dbcAMP during the first maturation period increased and even doubled the capacity of oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage.     

Animal handling as an integrated component of animal and veterinary science programs at the University of Queensland.

Students in animal science and veterinary science at the University of Queensland (UQ) have similar introductory courses in animal handling in year 1 of their degree programs. Veterinary students take animal-handling instruction in farm and companion animals, whereas animal science students are instructed in handling farm animals, horses, and rodents. Veterinary students are introduced to rodents, and animal science students to dogs and cats, in subsequent years of the curriculum. Both cohorts receive additional training, with clinical emphasis for veterinary students in years 3, 4, and 5 of their five-year curriculum. The introductory course is well received by students; both student cohorts appreciate the opportunity provided and the effort that goes into the animal-handling classes. Undergraduates realize that acquiring animal-handling skills will increase their proficiency in their subsequent careers; veterinary graduates recognize that their handling prowess will give their clients confidence in their abilities. Most clients cannot judge the competence of a veterinarian's diagnosis or treatment but will judge their ability based on their handling skills. Ongoing practice allows students to become competent in animal handling.     

The absence of neuromas in beaks of adult hens after conservative trimming at hatch

Objective To determine the effects of the amount of beak removed and cauterisation time on neuroma formation in hens.
Design A pathology study with controls.
Animals Twenty domestic fowl were beak-trimmed. Three non-beak-trimmed domestic fowl were used as controls.
Procedure Beaks of two age groups with two levels of beak removal and either 2 s or 4 s cauterisation, were investigated macroscopically and microscopically for deformities.
Results Scattered trauma-associated neuromas were present in the beaks of pullets 10 weeks after moderate trimming at hatch. Neuromas were not present in beaks of adult hens that had been similarly trimmed. Sensory corpuscles were present 10 and 70 weeks after moderate trimming, though fewer in number than in intact control hens. In contrast, trauma-associated neuromas persisted in beaks of 70-week-old hens that had been severely trimmed at hatch. A range of deformities that were absent in moderately trimmed hens, were observed in hens with severely trimmed beaks. Receptors were not seen in severely trimmed beaks.
Conclusion Beak-trimming at hatch induces the formation of neuromas, regardless of the amount of tissue removed. There is a critical amount of beak tissue that can be removed, beyond which trauma-associated neuromas will not resolve, but will persist in mature hens.     

The method of application and short term results of tympanostomy tubes for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media in three Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs

Primary secretory otitis media is an uncommon disease affecting predominantly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs. Current treatment recommendations include repeated manual removal of the mucoid effusion from the tympanic cavity through a myringotomy incision and topical or systemic corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tympanostomy tubes to provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media in three dogs. Tympanostomy tubes were placed within a myringotomy incision in the pars tensa with the aid of an operating microscope. Clinical signs resolved rapidly in all cases following the procedure and all cases were asymptomatic at the time of follow-up, 8, 6 and 4 months later. Results of this study indicate that tympanostomy tubes provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage and may be an acceptable alternative to repeated myringotomy for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media.     

Low glyphosate rates do not affect Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck seedlings

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is used to control weeds in citrus orchards, and accidental spraying or wind drift onto the seedlings may cause growth arrest owing to metabolism disturbance. Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of non‐lethal rates (0, 180, 360 and 720 g AI ha^?1) of glyphosate on four‐month‐old ‘Cravo’ lime, Citrus limonia (L.) Osbeck, seedlings. Photosynthesis and the concentrations of shikimic acid, total free amino acids and phenolic acids were evaluated. RESULTS: Only transitory effects were observed in the contents of shikimate and total free amino acids. No visual effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that glyphosate at non‐lethal rates, which is very usual when accidental spraying or wind drift occurs in citrus orchard, did not cause severe metabolic damage in ‘Cravo’ lime seedlings. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development and trial of a bovine herpesvirus 1 - thymidine kinase deletion virus as a vaccine

SUMMARY An Australian bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) isolate with a defined (427 base pair) deletion in the protein coding region of the thymidine kinase gene was obtained by standard marker rescue procedures. After selection in the presence of the nucleotide analogue 5iodo-deoxy-uridine the virus was analysed by hybridisation with three differential oligonucleotide probes, restriction endonuclease profile studies and DNA sequence analysis. The virus elicited an immune response in recipient animals after either intramuscular or intravenous administration and produced no significant deleterious side-effects when administered at a dose sufficient to stimulate the host immune response. The safety and immunogenicity of the recombinant BHV1 virus 39B1 were similar to those reported for other registered BHV1 vaccines and the virus would appear to be suitable for the production of a vaccine seed lot and more exhaustive field trials as a prelude to commercial vaccine production and registration.     

Influence of age on the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of feed ingredients for broiler chickens

The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in 8 feed ingredients was determined using 14-, 28- and 42-d-old male broiler chickens. The ingredients included three cereals (wheat, sorghum and maize), one cereal by-product (mill run), three oilseed meals (canola, cottonseed and soybean meals) and one animal protein meal (meat and bone meal). Dietary crude protein in the assay diets was supplied solely by the test ingredient. All diets contained 20 g/kg acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker, and each diet was offered ad libitum in mash form to 5 replicate pens from 11 to 14 d, 25 to 28 d and 39 to 42 d post-hatching. There were 12, 6 and 6 birds per pen for the 14, 28 and 42 d samplings, respectively. The results suggest that the age of broilers significantly influenced the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids. The effects, however, varied among amino acids and ingredients. In wheat, the digestibility of most amino acids was higher in 14- than in 28- and 42-d-old broilers. In maize, the digestibility coefficients of amino acids were higher at 28 and 42 d than at 14 d. The digestibility coefficients in maize and wheat at 28 and 42 d were similar. The digestibility of amino acids in sorghum at 42 d was higher than those at 28 d, but similar to those at 14 d except for histidine, lysine, serine and glycine, which were significantly higher at 42 d. Digestibility of amino acids in sorghum was similar between 14 and 28 d except for isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and alanine. The digestibility of amino acids in mill run at 42 d was significantly higher than those at 14 and 28 d. There were no differences in digestibility between 14 and 28 d. In general, the digestibility of amino acids in canola meal, soybean meal and, meat and bone meal was higher at 28 and 42 d compared to those at 14 d, and similar between 28 and 42 d of age. In cottonseed meal, age had no effect on the digestibility coefficient of amino acids, except for lysine and arginine, which increased with age. Analysis of the combined results for the 8 feed ingredients showed that, in general, the digestibility coefficients of amino acids increased with advancing age of broiler chickens.