Beach Litter Sourcing in the Bristol Channel and Wales,U.K.

Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis werecarried out on beach litter found primarily along theBristol Channel, U.K., together with beaches located aroundthe Principality of Wales. Both techniques indicated threebeach survey sites as outliers, with distinctive beachlitter profiles. PCA distinguished between riverine, sewagerelated, fishing and shipping sourced items, but did notproduce a coherent grouping for beach user litter. This wasattributed to a difference in modes of transport. Beachesfrom mid and north Wales, which had small litter amounts,were not differentiated from the central grouping. Thewestern edge of the Channel was more heavily influenced byshipping and fishing inputs than was the eastern portion.Cluster analysis showed a discrete group of beaches locatedmainly on the southern side of the Bristol Channel.     

The geologically recent giant impact basins at Vesta's south pole

Dawn's global mapping of Vesta reveals that its observed south polar depression is composed of two overlapping giant impact features. These large basins provide exceptional windows into impact processes at planetary scales. The youngest, Rheasilvia, is 500 kilometers wide and 19 kilometers deep and finds its nearest morphologic analog among large basins on low-gravity icy satellites. Extensive ejecta deposits occur, but impact melt volume is low, exposing an unusual spiral fracture pattern that is likely related to faulting during uplift and convergence of the basin floor. Rheasilvia obliterated half of another 400-kilometer-wide impact basin, Veneneia. Both basins are unexpectedly young, roughly 1 to 2 billion years, and their formation substantially reset Vestan geology and excavated sufficient volumes of older compositionally heterogeneous crustal material to have created the Vestoids and howardite-eucrite-diogenite meteorites.     

Extraction, processing, and storage effects on curcuminoids and oleoresin yields from Curcuma longa L. grown in Jamaica

Aromatic diarylheptanoid compounds from Curcuma longa Linn grown in Jamaica were quantified by UV-vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses. The oleoresin yields from ethanolic extracts were quantified and evaluated with regard to the effects of the type of postharvesting process and the type of extraction method conducted on the plant material. Fresh samples that were hot solvent extracted provided the highest oleoresin yields of 15.7% +/- 0.4 ( n = 3), and the lowest oleoresin yields of 7.8% +/- 0.2 ( n = 3) were from the dried milled samples that were cold solvent extracted. Data from the ASTA spectrophotometer assay confirmed that dried samples contained the highest curcuminoid content of 55.5% +/- 2.2 ( n = 6) at the fifth month of storage, and the fresh samples showed a curcuminoid content of 47.1% +/- 6.4 ( n = 6) at the third month of storage. A modified HPLC analysis was used to quantify curcumin content. Data from the HPLC analysis confirmed that the dried treated, hot extracted, room temperature stored samples had the highest curcumin content of 24.3%. A novel high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method provided a chemical fingerprint of the C. longa with the use of a commercial curcumin standard.     

Using estradiol and progesterone concentrations to assess individual variability in the reproductive cyclicity of captive female little skates, Leucoraja erinacea, from the western Gulf of Maine

In the current study, plasma steroid hormones were used to assess the individual variability of Leucoraja erinacea over the course of 12 months, in hopes of further defining its reproductive cycle. No statistical differences in hormone concentrations were observed between the isolated and non-isolated female skates. Monthly E₂ concentrations ranged from 1,430 pg ml^?1 in August to 3,940 pg ml^?1 in March, indicating the presence of mature ovarian follicles and supporting the conclusions from previous studies that L. erinacea is capable of reproducing year-round. Concentrations of E₂ were significantly elevated or depressed during some months (February, March, June, July, August, and September) of the year, suggesting that reproductive activity may vary over the annual cycle. Even though monthly P₄ concentrations were highly variable, ranging from 82 pg ml^?1 in November to 816 pg ml^?1 in September, no significant reproductive peaks were observed. In addition, a persistently large variation in E₂ and P₄ concentrations, indicative of reproductive asynchrony within (mean CV 62 % and CV 69 %, respectively) and between (mean range CV 78 and 125 %, respectively) individual skates, was observed throughout the study. Collectively, the continually high E₂ concentrations and variability in both hormones observed in the current study are indicative of an oviparous species that reproduces actively throughout the year. However, the weekly sampling frequency revealed that plasma E₂ concentrations, not P₄, were more useful to assess reproductive status in asynchronous continuously breeding oviparous elasmobranchs.     

Biology and pathology of interactions between fungi and invertebrates.

Having started this review with Di Bassi's work on a fungus destroying the French silkworm industry 160 years ago, the article finishes with a fungus being rendered more pathogenic through genetic engineering to kill an invertebrate. Yet, even while using a fungus as a biological weapon, one needs to be careful not to gun down innocent civilian targets alongside the enemy! It may be argued that this article will have little or no immediate clinical significance for the veterinarian involved in exotic species. And yet it is hoped that it will have provided an interesting and informative (not to say exotic!) introduction to the important area of mycotic disease in exotic species.     

Comparison of three radiographic methods for diagnosis of hip dysplasia in eight-month-old dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of the extended-hip radiographic (EHR) score, the distraction index (DI), and the dorsolateral subluxation (DLS) score for identifying hip dysplasia in dogs at 8 months of age. DESIGN: Cohort study ANIMALS: 129 Labrador Retrievers, Greyhounds, and Labrador Retriever-Greyhound crossbreds. PROCEDURE: Radiography was performed when dogs were 8 months of age. Dogs were euthanatized at 8 to 36 months of age; hip dysplasia was diagnosed at the time of necropsy on the basis of results of a gross examination of the articular cartilage of the hip joints for signs of osteoarthritis. RESULTS: The EHR score, DI, and DLS score at 8 months of age were all significantly correlated with degree of cartilage degeneration at necropsy. Sensitivity and specificity of using EHR score at 8 months of age to diagnose hip dysplasia (scores > 3 were considered abnormal) were 38 and 96%, respectively; sensitivity and specificity of using DI (values > 0.7 were considered abnormal) were 50 and 89%; and sensitivity and specificity of using DLS score (scores < 55% were considered abnormal) were 83 and 84%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that specificities of the 3 methods for diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs at 8 months of age were similar. However, the DLS score had higher sensitivity, indicating that there were fewer false-negative results.     

Density-Dependent Growth and Survival of Penaeus setiferus and Penaeus vannamei in a Semi-Closed Recirculating System

Abstract.— Two growth trials utilizing Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus setiferus were conducted at densities of 28.4, 56.8, 85.2, 113.6, 170.4, 227.3 and 284.1/ m² in an indoor recirculating system. There was an inverse linear relationship between stocking density and growth among both species. The relationship between final weight and stocking density is described by the following linear equation: P. setiferus , Y =−0.00619X ± 4.46, adj. r²= 0.8572;. P. vannamei, Y =−0.00717X ± 7.39, adj. r²= 0.6230. Although the responses in terms of growth depressions were similar, P. setiferus growth was lower than that of P. vannamei . There was an inverse relationship between stocking density and survival for P. setiferus . Survival of P. vannamei was highly variable but was negatively correlated with density. Based on the results of the present study, P. setiferus has a similar tolerance of high density as that of P. vannamei and hence may be suitable for intensive culture systems. However, depressed growth rates of P. setiferus , which do not appear to be due to effects of water quality or density, must be solved if growth rates similar to P. vannamei are to be realized.     

Radical Lateral Body-Wall Resection for Fibrosarcoma With Reconstruction Using Polypropylene Mesh and a Caudal Superficial Epigastric Axial Pattern Flap: A Prospective Clinical Study of the Technique and Results in 6 Cats

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a technique for radical resection of the lateral body wall for treatment of fibrosarcoma with reconstruction using polypropylene mesh and a caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Six client-owned cats with fibrosarcoma. METHODS: Six cats with histologically confirmed fibrosarcoma of the lateral body wall were staged using radiography and/or computer tomography scanning. Preoperative radiotherapy was used in 3 cats. All cats had the lateral abdominal wall resected and reconstructed with polypropylene mesh. A caudal superficial epigastric flap was mobilized and rotated to close the skin deficit. The animals were evaluated after surgery for wound complications, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. Outcome was assessed by patient examination and client consultation. RESULTS: Minor dehiscence of the skin flaps occurred in 2 cats, and 1 other cat was successfully resuscitated from respiratory and cardiac arrest after surgery. All tissue specimens were tumor-free at the surgical margins. Follow-up times ranged from 12 to 21 months, with a mean time of 17.2 months. None of the cats had evidence of local tumor recurrence or metastasis; outcome was judged good to excellent in all cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Radical lateral body-wall resection and reconstruction is an effective technique for achieving local tumor control with acceptable patient morbidity. Further studies are needed to assess whether the technique will result in improved tumor-free intervals and survival times.