Detection of genetically modified canola using multiplex PCR coupled with oligonucleotide microarray hybridization

A rapid method was developed for concurrent screening of transgenic elements in GM canola. This method utilizes a single multiplex PCR coupled with an oligonucleotide DNA array capable of simultaneously detecting the 12 approved GM canola lines in Canada. The assay includes construct-specific elements for identification of approved lines, common elements (e.g., CaMV 35S promoter, Agrobacterium tumefaciens nos terminator, or nptII gene) for screening of approved or unapproved lines, a canola-specific endogenous gene, and endogenous genes from heterologous crops to serve as additional controls. Oligonucleotide probes were validated individually for functionality and specificity by amplification of specific transgene sequences from appropriate GM canola lines corresponding to each probe sequence, and hybridization of amplicons to the array. Each target sequence hybridized to its corresponding oligonucleotide probe and no significant cross-hybridization was observed. The limit of detection was examined for the GM lines GT73, T45, and MS8/RF3, and was determined to be 0.1%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, respectively, well within the European food and feed labeling threshold level of 0.9% for approved GM product. Practically, the method was demonstrated to be effective for the detection of GM canola in several types of animal feed, as well as in commercial canola meal.     

The Impact of Solar Variability on Climate

A general circulation model that simulated changes in solar irradiance and stratospheric ozone was used to investigate the response of the atmosphere to the 11-year solar activity cycle. At solar maximum, a warming of the summer stratosphere was found to strengthen easterly winds, which penetrated into the equatorial upper troposphere, causing poleward shifts in the positions of the subtropical westerly jets, broadening of the tropical Hadley circulations, and poleward shifts of the storm tracks. These effects are similar to, although generally smaller in magnitude than, those observed in nature. A simulation in which only solar irradiance was changed showed a much weaker response.     

Bacterial septicaemia in prerecruit edible crabs,Cancer pagurus L.

Juvenile edible crabs, Cancer pagurus L., were surveyed from Mumbles Head and Oxwich Bay in South Wales, UK, and the number of heterotrophic bacteria and vibrios in the hemolymph was determined. The percentage of crabs with hemolymph containing bacteria was variable over the survey with higher numbers of animals affected in summer than in winter. Post‐moult crabs contained significantly higher numbers of heterotrophic bacteria in the hemolymph than pre‐ and intermoult animals. Crabs with cuticular damage to the gills also had significantly higher numbers of bacteria in the hemolymph. Crabs were found to have a high prevalence of infection by the dinoflagellate, Hematodinium. Such animals had significantly fewer bacteria in the blood in comparison with Hematodinium‐free animals. Of the 463 crabs surveyed, only 3 individuals had hemolymph containing 2000 + CFU mL^?1. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, two of these crabs contained a Vibrio pectenicida‐like isolate, while the other had a mixed assemblage of vibrios. Although 59% of the crabs surveyed had culturable bacteria in the hemolymph, the majority only had small numbers (<2000 CFU mL^?1), suggesting that such infections may be of limited importance to the sustainability of the crab fishery in this region.     

Estimating the ecological,economic and social impacts of ocean acidification and warming on UK fisheries

Assessments of the combined ecological impacts of ocean acidification and warming (OAW) and their social and economic consequences can help develop adaptive and responsive management strategies in the most sensitive regions. Here, available observational and experimental data, theoretical, and modelling approaches are combined to project and quantify potential effects of OAW on the future fisheries catches and resulting revenues and employment in the UK under different CO₂ emission scenarios. Across all scenarios, based on the limited available experimental results considered, the bivalve species investigated were more affected by OAW than the fish species considered, compared with ocean warming alone. Projected standing stock biomasses decrease between 10 and 60%. These impacts translate into an overall fish and shellfish catch decrease of between 10 and 30% by 2020 across all areas except for the Scotland >10 m fleet. This latter fleet shows average positive impacts until 2050, declining afterwards. The main driver of the projected decreases is temperature rise (0.5–3.3 °C), which exacerbate the impact of decreases in primary production (10–30%) in UK fishing waters. The inclusion of the effect of ocean acidification on the carbon uptake of primary producers had very little impact on the projections of potential fish and shellfish catches (<1%). The <10 m fleet is likely to be the most impacted by‐catch decreases in the short term (2020–50), whereas the effects will be experienced more strongly by the >10 m fleet by the end of the century in all countries. Overall, losses in revenue are estimated to range between 1 and 21% in the short term (2020–50) with England and Scotland being the most negatively impacted in absolute terms, and Wales and North Ireland in relative terms. Losses in total employment (fisheries and associated industries) may reach approximately 3–20% during 2020–50 with the >10 m fleet and associated industries bearing the majority of the losses.     

Size,growth, temperature and the natural mortality of marine fish

The natural mortality of exploited fish populations is often assumed to be a species‐specific constant independent of body size. This assumption has important implications for size‐based fish population models and for predicting the outcome of size‐dependent fisheries management measures such as mesh‐size regulations. To test the assumption, we critically review the empirical estimates of the natural mortality, M (year^?1), of marine and brackish water fish stocks and model them as a function of von Bertalanffy growth parameters, L (cm) and K (year^?1), temperature (Kelvin) and length, L (cm). Using the Arrhenius equation to describe the relationship between M and temperature, we find M to be significantly related to length, L and K, but not to temperature (R² = 0.62, P < 0.0001, n = 168). Temperature and K are significantly correlated and when K is removed from the model the temperature term becomes significant, but the resulting model explains less of the total variance (R² = 0.42, P < 0.0001, n = 168). The relationships between M, L, L, K and temperature are shown to be in general accordance with previous theoretical and empirical investigations. We conclude that natural mortality is significantly related to length and growth characteristics and recommend to use the empirical formula: ln(M) = 0.55 ? 1.61ln(L) + 1.44ln(L) + ln(K), for estimating the natural mortality of marine and brackish water fish.     

Dacryocystomaxillorhinostomy for chronic dacryocystitis in a dog

A 10-year-old female spayed Vizsla had intermittent mucoid ocular discharge from the right eye for 7 years. History, clinical findings, imaging studies, and culture and histopathology results confirmed chronic dacryocystitis with granuloma. A dacryocystomaxillorhinostomy was performed to preserve the functional portions of the nasolacrimal system remaining in this patient, as well as to promote healing of the lacrimal sac granuloma and secondary infection. Complete resolution of the clinical abnormalities was achieved, and the dog remains healthy 3 years postoperatively.     

Long‐Term‐Release GnRH Agonists Postpone Puberty in Domestic Cats

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of deslorelin acetate implants on domestic queen puberty postponement. Thirty, 114.4 ± 12.7 days old, 1.5 ± 0.1 kg prepubertal crossbred female cats were included in this study. The animals were kept under a positive photoperiod and randomly assigned to deslorelin acetate 4.7 mg SC implants (n = 15) or to a non‐treated control group (n = 15). The queens were followed up daily and weighed weekly until puberty. Vaginal cytology was also carried out three times a week. Puberty was diagnosed by the presence of the typical oestrous behaviour and vaginal cytology findings. At puberty, ovariectomy was performed and the gonads grossly described. Age (281.2 ± 21.6 vs 177.8 ± 10.8; p < 0.01) but not weight (2.6 ± 0.1 vs 2.5 ± 0.1; p > 0.1) at puberty differed between the deslorelin and control groups, respectively. One deslorelin‐treated female showed an oestrous response and another showed clinical signs of pyometra after the implants. Deslorelin‐treated ovaries appeared small, while control gonads were normal. It was concluded that long‐term‐release deslorelin, administered at approximately 50% adult body weight, postponed feline puberty without altering growing rate.     

Effect of calcium phosphates and zinc in salt-mineral mixtures on ad libitum salt-mix intake and on zinc and selenium status of sheep

In two separate experiments, 72 crossbred ewes were fed hay, haylage (50% dry matter) and corn diets with ad libitum salt-mineral mixtures (SMM; Exp. 1) or salt (Exp. 2). Calcium phosphates (Ca X P) and(or) zinc (Zn) were added in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement to salt + trace minerals for ewes 7 mo prepartum through lactation in Exp. 1 and to salt only for ewes 3 mo prepartum through lactation in Exp. 2. The diets fed were estimated to contain 23 and 28 mg Zn/kg dry diet (ppm), respectively, and .08 and .05 ppm Se. Large variations (up to fivefold) were found in SMM intake per month between replicates and from month-to-month within treatment; thus, monthly variations of up to sevenfold occurred in Zn and Se intakes of supplemented groups. There were no significant treatment effects on SMM intake. Small but significant Zn treatment effects were detected for plasma and wool Zn of ewes and lambs, but all values were in the normal range. There was no significant treatment effect on plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. In Exp. 2, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with a Se-supplemented control group but only rare occurrences of subclinical muscular dystrophy were found. There was no significant treatment effect on GSH-Px activity, whole blood Se in ewes and lambs or plasma creatine phosphokinase activity in lambs. These results indicate large animal and seasonal variability in SMM intake and no significant treatment effects of Ca X P on SMM intake or on Zn and Se status. Zinc addition to SMM had no effect on Se status.