Modelling the advection and diffusion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the north-east Arctic

Since the late 1980s there has been considerable uncertainty in recruitment levels of the north‐east Arctic stock of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). The abundance of several year classes, originally considered very low at 0–3 yr age, appeared higher than expected at the age of 6+. This may be due to poor targeting of recruitment surveys of the younger year classes. The present work considers the transport and dispersion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut by numerical modelling in order to predict the locations of the initial recruitment grounds. Current fields from a 3D baroclinic hydrodynamic model are fed into a Lagrangian particle‐tracking model developed for the Barents Sea area. The particles are released into the current at the spawning field along the shelf slope from Lofoten to Bear Island (69–75°N). Vertically, the particles can follow a predefined depth‐by‐age curve or be kept at a fixed depth. This model system is used for different years to examine changes in the drift pattern. The results indicate that spawning location, transport depth and inflowing activity to the Barents Sea are important factors influencing the distribution of juveniles.     

Effects of syringe material and temperature and duration of storage on the stability of equine arterial blood gas variables

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the consistency of partial pressures (P) of arterial oxygen (aO(2)), arterial carbon dioxide (aCO(2)) and pH measurements in equine carotid arterial blood samples taken into syringes made from three different materials and stored at room temperature or placed in iced water for measurement at three different times. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study over 19 days. ANIMALS: Four clinically normal Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred-cross horses (three geldings, one mare, mean age 6.25 years, range 5-7 years). METHODS: Identical blood samples were taken on two separate occasions from the carotid arteries of the four horses into syringes made of glass, plastic and polypropylene. PaO(2), PaCO(2) and pH determinations were performed on blood from each syringe type at 10, 60 and 120 minutes post-sampling with samples stored at room temperature (approximately 20 degrees C) or in iced water (approximately 0 degrees C). Data were analysed by anova and a split plot model fitting syringe within horse X pair and time within temperature within syringe. RESULTS: Syringe material, storage temperature and time before analysis all had significant effects on PaO(2) (p < 0.001). PaCO(2) was unaffected by syringe material or storage temperature. However, over 120 minutes, storage duration significantly (p = 0.002) affected values. Temperature of storage and duration prior to analysis both significantly affected pH values (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively), but syringe material did not. Several significant interactions between these variables were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Equine arterial blood gas determination has a different sensitivity to storage conditions compared to other veterinary species. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For accurate equine arterial blood analysis, PaO(2) samples need to be analysed within 10 minutes or taken into glass syringes, stored on ice and analysed at 2 hours post-sampling. PaCO(2) and pH measurements can be performed on samples stored in glass, plastic or polypropylene syringes at room temperature for up to 1 hour post-sampling.     

Antimicrobial therapy of selected diseases in turkeys,laying hens,and minor poultry species in Canada

This paper identifies common poultry diseases requiring antimicrobial therapy, antimicrobials deemed efficacious to treat these diseases, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these commodity-pathogen combinations, and describes current residue issues and minor use minor species (MUMS) guidelines. Veterinarians with turkey/layer expertise and diagnosticians were surveyed to determine the bacterial and protozoal diseases diagnosed in the last 5 years. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale were the 3 most frequently diagnosed pathogens of turkeys. In layers, E. coli-peritonitis, and Clostridium perfringens/Eimeria spp. infections were the most common diagnoses. A literature review identified 32 antimicrobials as efficacious and/or recommended for treating these diseases. Surveillance and monitoring indicate the presence of enteric resistant organisms from some of these avian species (including resistance to antimicrobials of very high importance to human medicine). This paper highlights the need for surveillance of pathogen frequency, antimicrobial use (AMU), and AMR particularly in turkeys.     

Monitoring rhizospheric pH,oxygen, and organic acid dynamics in two short‐time flooded plant species

The rhizosphere of two flooding‐resistant plant species (Arundinella anomala Steud., Alternanthera philoxeroides Mart.) from Three Gorges Reservoir area (China) has been examined for reactions to waterlogging and submergence. Rhizosphere parameters were monitored in natural sediment substrate by means of a dual‐access floodable rhizobox, which allows monitoring of oxygen and pH dynamics noninvasively with planar optodes in high temporal and spatial resolution, as well as simultaneous low‐invasive soil‐solution sampling. Analysis of samples for low‐molecular‐weight organic acids (LMWOA) was done by capillary electrophoresis. Roots could be observed easily in situ during growth and exposure to flooding. The floodable rhizobox is therefore considered a valuable tool for root‐reaction monitoring also under flooding conditions. During waterlogging, both species exuded oxygen into their rhizosphere and showed diurnal rhythms of rhizospheric acidification. The pH of the rhizosphere of growing root tips decreased up to 0.8 units corresponding to higher LMWOA concentrations. These rhythms weakened during flooding, but gained maximum amplitude again rapidly after resurfacing. We conclude that the root system was still fully functioning during and after flooding, and that flooding poses no threat to the physiology of the root system of the study species.     

Nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium effects on biomass yield and flavonoid content of American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer on biomass yield and flavonoid content of American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Each experiment was carried out two times and consisted of six levels of each nutrient. The regressions gave maxima for dry matter, baicalein yield, and chrysin yield at 446, 412, and 351 kg N/ha for N fertilizer, respectively. Dry matter yield exhibited linear response to P application. The yield of scutellarein, baicalin, baicalein, and chrysin increased with addition of P. The regression gave maximum for dry matter at 208 kg K/ha for K fertilizer. A linear response to K fertilization was observed for scutellarein concentration. P application had the greatest effect on the flavonoids analyzed, whereas K had least, which may be attributed in part to the presence of K in the fritted clay medium.     

Study of amine composition of botrytized grape berries

Aliphatic primary and biogenic amines of grape varieties from two vintages were studied. We established that appearance and/or increase of both primary aliphatic and biogenic amines is due to microbiota living in/on grape berries. Aszú, gray rotten grapes infected mainly with Botrytis cinerea, grape berries infected mainly with Penicillium species, and intact grape berries were compared on the basis of amine composition using t-test, analysis of variance, and multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis). The amine composition and amine content of Aszú grapes were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those of intact grapes despite the effect of the vineyards and the vintages. Grape samples coming from the same growing location, intact, Aszú grapes, and grape berries infected mainly with Penicillium species could be separated from each other with multivariate statistical analysis. We distinguished intact, Aszú (noble rotten), and gray rotten berries from each other as well. Evaluating amine values of grape samples independently of the place of origin, the Aszú and green rotten berries could not be differentiated. The varieties and vineyards have affected the amine composition of Aszú grapes, while these effects on intact grapes appeared only slightly.     

Validation of the Italian version of the UNESP–Botucatu unidimensional composite pain scale for the assessment of postoperative pain in cattle

Objective

The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of the UNESP–Botucatu Unidimensional Composite Pain Scale (UCPS-IV) for assessing postoperative pain in cattle.

Identification of simple sequence repeat markers for sweetpotato weevil resistance

The development of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] germplasm with resistance to sweetpotato weevil (SPW) requires an understanding of the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of resistance to optimize crop resistance. The African sweetpotato landrace, ‘New Kawogo’, was reported to be moderately resistant to two species of SPW, Cylas puncticollis and Cylas brunneus. Resistance has been associated with the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids esters (HCAs), but the underlying genetic basis remains unknown. To determine the genetic basis of this resistance, a bi-parental sweetpotato population from a cross between the moderately resistant, white-fleshed ‘New Kawogo’ and the highly susceptible, orange-fleshed North American variety ‘Beauregard’ was evaluated for SPW resistance and genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to identify weevil resistance loci. SPW resistance was measured on the basis of field storage root SPW damage severity and total HCA ester concentrations. Moderate broad sense heritability (H² = 0.49) was observed for weevil resistance in the population. Mean genotype SPW severity scores ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 and 25 progeny exhibited transgressive segregation for SPW resistance. Mean genotype total HCA ester concentrations were significantly different (P < 0.0001). A weak but significant correlation (r = 0.103, P = 0.015) was observed between total HCA ester concentration and SPW severity. A total of five and seven SSR markers were associated with field SPW severity and total HCA ester concentration, respectively. Markers IBS11, IbE5 and IbJ544b showed significant association with both field and HCA-based resistance, representing potential markers for the development of SPW resistant sweetpotato cultivars.     

The use of surgical lasers in exotic and avian practice.

Use of diode laser energy with fiberoptic endoscopic delivery in exotic animal and avian practice offers a minimally invasive method for performing specific surgical procedures. Trauma and blood loss are minimized, but the absorption characteristics of the diode laser wavelengths (805/980 nm) must be considered to avoid potential postoperative complications due to collateral photothermal coagulative necrosis.     

A longitudinal study of bovine coronavirus enteric and respiratory infections in dairy calves in two herds in Ohio

This prospective longitudinal study examined the epidemiology and disease syndrome associated with bovine coronavirus (BCV) infections in a cohort of 8 conventional calves from 0 to 120 days of age, in two dairy herds in Ohio. The periods of respiratory shedding of BCV were determined by direct immunofluorescent (DIF) staining of nasal epithelial cells and ELISA of nasal swab supernatant fluids. The periods of fecal shedding of BCV were determined by ELISA and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). The isotype-specific antibody titers to BCV in serum (at selected intervals between 0 and 120 days of age) and the post-suckling (24 to 48 h after birth) total immunoglobulin levels were examined by ELISA and zinc sulfate turbidity tests, respectively. Of the 8 calves studied, 4 had evidence of BCV respiratory (by DIF or ELISA) or enteric infections (by IEM or ELISA) in association with diarrhea or rhinitis, even though 7 of 8 calves showed increases in one or more serum antibody isotypes to BCV and 6 of 8 calves showed BCV respiratory or enteric antigen shedding by ELISA. Serological antibody titer increases occurred in 3 calves before 30 days of age and in 4 calves after 30 days of age; two of the latter calves had a second rise in serum antibody titers to BCV after the initial rise. A serological antibody titer increase was not observed in one calf. This suggests that BCV infections may be very common in a closed herd and may occur in older calves, although many may be subclinical and some may be recurrent. There were no statistically significant correlations between total serum immunoglobulin levels or BCV antibody isotype titers in serum (24-48 h after birth) and clinical disease or infection by BCV; however, calves with low levels of IgA BCV antibodies in serum (24-48 h after birth) had a significantly greater average number of days with diarrhea than those calves having high levels of IgA BCV-specific antibodies in serum.