Modification in Body Fat Content and Fatty Acid Profile of Wild Yellow Shortfin Eel,Anguilla australis,through Short‐term Fattening

Wild‐catch eels with low fat content are either not accepted at all or accepted as a lower‐quality and less valuable product in the global eel market. This study was undertaken with the goal of increasing the fat content of yellow shortfin eel, Anguilla australis (104 ± 11 g initial weight), captured in the wild and kept in captivity for a short period, as well as assessing their rate of growth. An 86‐d feeding trial was conducted indoors in a recirculation aquaculture system, at 25.5 ± 1.6 C. Two commercial extruded dry feeds were tested; one formulated for European eel and one not specifically intended for use on eels. Good values of specific growth rate (1.10 and 1.12%/d) and feed conversion ratio (1.01 and 1.10) were achieved with both tested feeds. At the end of the trial, eels achieved 20–22% total fat, starting from wild fish with 7% fat content. Fat quality of the fattened eel was appreciably superior (higher proportion of omega‐3 fatty acids) than the fat of eels captured in the wild. The results of this study are encouraging for the prospect of fattening yellow shortfin eels and obtaining a market‐oriented eel product.     

Online analysis of volatile organic compound emissions from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong.) growing in a range of controlled light and temperature regimes were monitored online with a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) operating at a temporal resolution of approximately 1 min. Isoprene emissions accounted for an average of more than 70% of measured VOCs and up to 3.5% of assimilated carbon. Emission rates (E) for isoprene correlated closely with photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and temperature, showing saturation at a PPF of between 300 and 400 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and a maximum between 35 and 38 degrees C. Under standard conditions of 30 degrees C and 1000 micromol m(-2) s(-1) PPF, the mean isoprene E was 13 microg gdm(-1) h(-1), considerably higher than previously observed in this species. Mean E for acetaldehyde, methanol and monoterpenes at 30 degrees C were 0.37, 0.78 and 2.97 microg gdm(-1) h(-1), respectively. In response to a sudden light to dark transition, isoprene E decreased exponentially by > 98% over about 3 h; however, during the first 7 min, this otherwise steady decay was temporarily but immediately depressed to approximately 40% of the pre-darkness rate, before rallying during the following 7 min to rejoin the general downward trajectory of the exponential decay. The sudden sharp fall in isoprene E was mirrored by a burst in acetaldehyde E. The acetaldehyde E maximum coincided with the isoprene E minimum (7 min post-illumination), and ceased when isoprene emissions resumed their exponential decay. The causes of, and linkages between, these phenomena were investigated.     

Lingual haemangiosarcoma in a crossbred dog

An eight-year-old, male neutered, crossbred dog was presented for investigation of a lingual mass of four months duration. Oral examination revealed a 7 cm × 5 cm soft, fluctuant mass at the caudal aspect of the tongue. Ultrasound examination of the mass demonstrated mixed echogenicity, with cavitations containing hypoechoic and anechoic regions. Lingual haemangiosarcoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination of multiple biopsy samples, with confirmation of the vascular endothelial origin of tumour cells by positive immunolabelling for factor VIII-related antigen.     

Effects of stem girdling on cone yield and endogenous phytohormones and metabolites in developing long shoots of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Stem-girdling treatments were applied in early spring to stimulate cone formation in two genotypes of interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco). After girdling treatments, male cone yield increased significantly in the next growing season. The increase was 14-fold in genotype 9137. In genotype 9550, more than 8,700 male cones were induced from each tree whereas no male cones were found in controls. Female cone yield was zero in controls and low for girdled trees in both genotypes. Multiple phytohormone-related compounds, including gibberellins (GAs), cytokinins, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and their selected metabolites, were analyzed in developing long shoots after girdling treatments by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC?CESI?CMS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Concentrations of GA₄ were slightly higher at week 2 following girdling treatment, whereas at week 8 lower GA₄ concentrations were found in girdled samples. Stem girdling did not affect concentrations of IAA and major cytokinins, such as zeatin riboside and isopentenyl adenosine. Concentrations of ABA differed two-fold between the genotypes. Although girdling treatment did not cause differences in ABA concentrations, it generally resulted in higher concentrations of ABA glucose ester. Concentration increase of 7??-hydroxy ABA by girdling was only found in genotype 9550 at week 8. Girdling caused little change in concentrations of phaseic acid in both genotypes.     

Identification of risk factors for traumatic injury in the general horse population of north-west England, Midlands and north Wales

Reasons for performing study: Traumatic injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the horse and consequently pose a serious threat to horses' wellbeing. To date, there have been no published studies assessing the frequency of injuries in the general horse population of the UK. Objectives: To obtain information regarding husbandry management strategies and injury prevalence in horses aged ≤15 years, with the aim of identifying predisposing risk factors for injury. Methods: A postal questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected sample of horse owners across north‐west England, Midlands and north Wales. Factors associated with injury were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis performed with the binary outcome variable defined as whether or not the horse had sustained an injury within the previous 12 months. Results: A usable questionnaire response rate of 68% (652/953) was achieved. Forty percent of horses had sustained a traumatic injury within the past year, of which 62% occurred in the field and 13% during ridden exercise. Factors identified as being associated with an increased risk of traumatic injury included the following: breed other than cob or pony (P = 0.001), shorter duration of ownership (P = 0.002), being turned out with an increasing number of horses (P = 0.001), being used for competitive (P = 0.001) or Parelli (P = 0.006) purposes. Stabling at all times during the spring (P = 0.005), the use of wood fencing in paddocks (P = 0.05) and being prone to becoming distressed if left alone in a field (P = 0.04) were also found to be associated with an increased risk of injury. Stabling at all times during winter was associated with a decreased risk of injury (P = 0.006). Conclusions and potential relevance: Risk factors for sustaining injuries have been identified in association with management practices. This information may be used to educate owners regarding management of their horse(s) in order to prevent injury.     

Canada and Veterinary Parasitology

A World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology tradition for its conference is to present some highlights of the country hosting the event, and with an emphasis on the history of, and research in, veterinary parasitology. A review of Canada's peoples, physiography, climate, natural resources, agriculture, animal populations, pioneers in veterinary parasitology, research accomplishments by other veterinary parasitologists, centres for research in veterinary parasitology, and major current research had been presented at a World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology Conference in Canada in 1987, and was published. The present paper updates the information on the above topics for the 22 years since this conference was last held in Canada.     

Association between CARD15/NOD2 gene polymorphisms and paratuberculosis infection in cattle

Paratuberculosis represents a major problem in farmed ruminants and at the present is considered a potential zoonosis. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and susceptibility to infection is suspected to have a genetic component. Caspase recruitment domain 15 (CARD15) gene encodes for a cytosolic protein implicated in bacterial recognition during innate immunity. Crohn's disease (CD) is an idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in humans comparable in many features to bovine paratuberculosis involving an abnormal mucosal immune response. The association between mutations in the CARD15 gene and increased risk of Crohn's disease has been described. The objective of this candidate gene case-control study was to characterize the distribution of three polymorphisms in the bovine CARD15 gene and test their association with paratuberculosis infection in cattle. Three previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (E2[-32] intron 1; 2197/C733R and 3020/Q1007L) were screened for the study population (431 adult cows). The statistical analysis resulted in significant differences in allelic frequencies between cases and controls for SNP2197/C733R (P<0.001), indicating a significant association between infection and variant allele. In the analysis of genotypes, a significant association was also found between SNP2197/C733R and infection status (P<0.0001); cows with the heterozygous genotype were 3.35 times more likely to be infected than cows with the reference genotype (P=0.01). Results suggest a role for CARD15 gene in the susceptibility of cattle to paratuberculosis infection. These data contribute to the understanding of paratuberculosis, suggest new similarities with Crohn's disease and provide new information for the control of bovine paratuberculosis.     

A retrospective study of the MRI findings in 18 dogs with stifle injuries

O bjectives : To make an objective assessment of the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal damage and cranial cruciate ligament disease in the canine stifle by comparing magnetic resonance imaging findings with surgical findings.
M ethods : Magnetic resonance images of 18 stifles from 18 dogs which had undergone magnetic resonance imaging for the investigation of stifle disease were reviewed. For every stifle, the menisci and cranial cruciate ligaments were assessed according to predetermined criteria. The magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the reported surgical findings and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated using the surgical findings as the gold standard. Kappa analysis was used as an objective measure of agreement between surgical and magnetic resonance imaging findings. For 11 stifles, meniscal evaluation by three different observers was used to measure interobserver agreement using Kappa analysis.
R esults : Magnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated to be an accurate technique in the detection of meniscal injury (k=0·86), with excellent interobserver agreement (k=0·89 to 1·0). Disruption of cranial cruciate ligament continuity and an increase in ligament intensity were found to be useful criteria in the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
C linical S ignificance : Magnetic resonance imaging offers a non-invasive alternative to exploratory surgery in the evaluation of cranial cruciate ligament and meniscal disease.