Efficacy of postemergence herbicides tankmixes in aryloxyphenoxypropionate-resistant grain sorghum

The development of aryloxyphenoxypropionate (APP)-resistant grain sorghum could provide additional opportunities for postemergence herbicide grass control in grain sorghum. Field experiments were conducted in Texas (Bushland, and Yoakum), Kansas (Dodge City, Garden City, Hays, Manhattan, Colby, Ottawa, and Tribune), and South Dakota (Highmore) to evaluate the efficacy of quizalofop tank mixes in APP-resistant grain sorghum. Quizalofop was applied alone or in combination with dicamba, 2,4-D, prosulfuron, 2,4-D + metsulfuron methyl, or halosulfuron methyl + dicamba. Herbicides were applied when sorghum was 12–50 cm in height. Overall weed control was greater when quizalofop was applied with other herbicides than when applied alone. At 2 and 4 weeks after treatment (WAT), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), and green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.] control were greater than 90% when quizalofop was applied alone or in combination with dicamba, halosulfuron methyl + dicamba, or prosulfuron. Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.), puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.), and tumble pigweed (Amaranthus albus L.) control were greater than 90% in all treatments except when quizalofop was applied alone. Herbicide treatments, except those that included 2,4-D, caused slight to no sorghum injury. Grain sorghum yield was greater for all herbicide treatments compared to the weedy check. This research showed that application of quizalofop in combination with broadleaf weed herbicides provided excellent weed control in sorghum.     

Energy Metabolism and Leptin: Effects on Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproduction in the Gilt and Sow

It is well established that reproductive function is metabolically gated. However, the mechanisms whereby energy stores and metabolic cues influence appetite, energy homeostasis and fertility are yet to be completely understood. Adipose tissue is no longer considered as only a depot to store excess energy. Recent findings have identified numerous genes, several neurotrophic factors, interleukins, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5, ciliary neurotrophic factor and neuropeptide Y (NPY) as being expressed by adipose tissue during pubertal development. These studies demonstrated for the first time the expression of several major adipokines or cytokines in pig adipose tissue which may influence local and central metabolism and growth. Leptin appears to be the primary metabolic signal and is part of the adipose tissue-hypothalamic regulatory loop in the control of appetite, energy homeostasis and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Leptin's actions on appetite regulation are mediated by inhibition of hypothalamic NPY and stimulation of proopiomelanocortin. Its effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/LH secretion are mediated by NPY and kisspeptin. Thus, leptin appears to be an important link between metabolic status, the neuroendocrine axis and subsequent fertility in the gilt and sow.     

Antimicrobial delivery by intrasynovial catheterisation with systemic administration for equine synovial trauma and sepsis

Objective To present the technique for intra-articular catheter placement and report the clinical outcomes of 38 cases of equine synovial trauma and/or infection treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered via an intrasynovial catheter (ISC). Design Retrospective study. Procedure Medical records of 38 horses treated for synovial trauma and sepsis with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained via clinical re-evaluation or telephone contact with the owners. Results The majority of horses (84%) received amikacin and Timentin® four times daily. In addition, synovial lavage through the ISC was carried out in 27 horses (71%). Only radiological evidence of osteolysis had a significant negative impact on both lameness at the time of hospital discharge and the long-term outcome. In total, 92% of horses treated with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC had clinical resolution of infection. Catheter obstruction occurred in three cases, necessitating replacement or removal, and two synovial fistulae developed at sites of open drainage. The majority of horses treated had a favourable outcome, with 86% being at least pasture sound and 43% returned to riding. Conclusion Septic synovial structures treated with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC had a good prognosis for survival and 43% returned to riding, which is consistent with the results of other studies. The use of a simple ISC should be considered when broad-spectrum intrasynovial antimicrobial administration and lavage of a septic synovial structure are indicated.     

Use of a modified open patch-graft technique and valvulectomy for correction of severe pulmonic stenosis in dogs: eight consecutive cases

SUMMARY A modified open patch-graft technique was used to correct congenital pulmonic stenosis in 8 dogs. Pulmonary valve dysplasia was moderate to severe in all cases, based upon clinical and echocardiographic criteria, and 3 dogs were in right-sided congestive heart failure at the time of surgery. Seven of the 8 dogs survived the surgery. One surviving dog displayed cerebral cortical dysfunction, the remaining 6 had no detectable neurological sequelae. Right ventricular failure was alleviated in all 7 surviving dogs, but right ventricular dilatation persisted post-operatively. Pulmonary valvulectomy and open patch-grafting provides an effective means of alleviating signs of congestive heart failure caused by pulmonary valve dysplasia, even In the presence of severe infundibular hypertrophy and dynamic outflow obstruction.     

Diamagnetic Solar-Wind Cavity Discovered behind Moon

Preliminary Ames-magnetometer data from Explorer 35, the lunar orbiter, show no evidence of a lunar bow shock. However, an increase of the magnetic field by about 1.5 gamma (over the interplanetary value) is evident on Moon's dark side, as well as dips in field strength at the limbs. Interpretation of these spatial variations in the field as deriving from plasma diamagnetism is consistent with a plasma void on the dark side, and steady-state (B = 0) magnetic transparency of Moon.     

A stereological method for estimating the feto-maternal exchange surface area in the bovine placentome at 135 days gestation

The feto-maternal relationships within the bovine placentome at 135 days gestation were investigated using unbiased stereology. This provides an estimate of the feto-maternal interface without physically separating these. The functional surface area, the volume of the fetal and maternal components, volumetric tissue shrinkage due to processing, and the feto-maternal surface amplification factor were estimated and quantified in standard units. In this healthy bovine pregnancy there were 105 placentomes with a total volume of 900 ml.The volumetric tissue shrinkage was 24% and the maternal: fetal tissue ratio overall was 0.92. The total feto-maternal exchange surface area was 18.5 m² with a surface amplification factor of 108.1. Analysis of the coefficient of error from counting different numbers of points within the reference area suggested that 50% and 75% fewer points could be counted to achieve the result obtained by counting approximately 6000 points used in this study.     

Coevolved crypts and exocrine glands support mutualistic bacteria in fungus-growing ants

Attine ants engage in a quadripartite symbiosis with fungi they cultivate for food, specialized garden parasites, and parasite-inhibiting bacteria. Molecular phylogenetic evidence supports an ancient host-pathogen association between the ant-cultivar mutualism and the garden parasite. Here we show that ants rear the antibiotic-producing bacteria in elaborate cuticular crypts, supported by unique exocrine glands, and that these structures have been highly modified across the ants' evolutionary history. This specialized structural evolution, together with the absence of these bacteria and modifications in other ant genera that do not grow fungus, indicate that the bacteria have an ancient and coevolved association with the ants, their fungal cultivar, and the garden parasite.