Differentiating between the supply of N to wheat from above and belowground residues of preceding crops of pea and canola

Belowground N comprises an important component of total residue N, but the N from this pool is often not included in studies that use ¹⁵N approaches to trace residue-derived N in succeeding crops. The objective of this greenhouse study was to differentiate between N supplied from aboveground and belowground crop residues, including rhizodeposits, of pea and canola to wheat using ¹⁵N labeling. A cross ¹⁵N-labeling approach was used in which wheat was grown on ¹⁵N-labeled belowground residues and non-labeled aboveground residues and vice versa. On average, the amount of N in wheat derived from belowground residues was almost twice the amount from aboveground residues. The higher input of both aboveground and belowground residue biomass and hence residue N from canola compared to pea tended to increase the residue-derived N in wheat from canola (6.4 %) relative to pea (4.7 %). However, differences in the percent recovery of ¹⁵N based on the amount of residue-¹⁵N initially applied revealed that a higher proportion of belowground residue N from pea (13.4 %) was recovered in wheat compared to the corresponding aboveground residue N from pea (8.8 %), and both belowground and aboveground residue N from canola (6.5 and 7.3 %, respectively). The total supply of N to wheat from preceding pea and canola crops was relatively low, likely due to wide C/N ratios. This study demonstrates the importance of belowground residue N to the supply of N to succeeding crops as well as differences between species.     

Outdoor fecal deposition by free-roaming cats and attitudes of cat owners and nonowners toward stray pets, wildlife, and water pollution

OBJECTIVE: To estimate cat population size, management, and outside fecal deposition and evaluate attitudes of cat owners and nonowners to stray animal control, water pollution, and wildlife protection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 294 adult residents of Cayucos, Los Osos, and Morro Bay, Calif. PROCEDURES: Telephone survey. RESULTS: The region's cat population was estimated at 7,284 owned and 2,046 feral cats, and 38% of surveyed households owned a mean of 1.9 cats/household. Forty-four percent of cats defecated outside >75% of the time. Annual fecal deposition (wet weight) by owned cats in the 3 communities was estimated to be 77.6 tonnes (76.4 tons). Cat owners were more likely to oppose cat licensing and impounding stray cats and support trap-neuter-return for stray cats and less likely to be concerned about water pollution, than were noncat owners. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feral cats represented a sizeable proportion (22%) of the free roaming cats in this area and could be contributing 30.0 tonnes (29.5 tons) of feces to the environment per year. However, feral cats are not the principal source of fecal loading because owned cats defecating outdoors contribute an estimated 77.6 tonnes (76.4 tons) or 72% of the annual outdoor fecal deposition.     

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae antibodies in serum of cats with and without clinical signs of central nervous system disease

Bartonella henselae is occasionally associated with neurological dysfunction in people and some experimentally infected cats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether B henselae seroprevalence or titer magnitude varies among cats with neurological disease, cats with non-neurological diseases, and healthy cats while controlling for age and flea exposure. There was no difference in B henselae seroprevalence rates between cats with seizures and cats with other neurological diseases. Cats with non-neurological disease and healthy cats were more likely than cats with neurological disease to be seropositive. While the median B henselae antibody titer was greater in cats with seizures than in cats with other neurological disease, the median B henselae antibody titer was also greater in healthy cats than cats with seizures. The results suggest that titer magnitude cannot be used alone to document clinical disease associated with B henselae infection and that presence of B henselae antibodies in serum of cats with neurological disease does not prove the clinical signs are related to B henselae.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species, haemoplasma species, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neorickettsia risticii DNA in the blood of cats and their fleas in the United States

Ctenocephalides felis were killed and collected from 92 cats in Alabama, Maryland, and Texas. The fleas and blood from the corresponding cat were digested and assessed in polymerase chain reaction assays that amplify DNA of Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neorickettsia risticii, Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus M haemominutum' and Bartonella species. DNA consistent with B henselae, B clarridgeiae, M haemofelis, or 'Candidatus M haemominutum' was commonly amplified from cats (60.9%) and their fleas (65.2%). Results of this study support the recommendation to maintain flea control on cats in endemic areas.     

Three-year duration of immunity in cats following vaccination against feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus

Forty-two seronegative cats received an initial vaccination at 8 weeks of age and a booster vaccination at 12 weeks. All cats were kept in strict isolation for 3 years after the second vaccination and then were challenged with feline calicivirus (FCV) or sequentially challenged with feline rhinotracheitis virus (FRV) followed by feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). For each viral challenge, a separate group of 10 age-matched, nonvaccinated control cats was also challenged. Vaccinated cats showed a statistically significant reduction in virulent FRV-associated clinical signs (P = .015), 100% protection against oral ulcerations associated with FCV infection (P < .001), and 100% protection against disease associated with virulent FPV challenge (P < .005). These results demonstrated that the vaccine provided protection against virulent FRV, FCV, and FPV challenge in cats 8 weeks of age or older for a minimum of 3 years following second vaccination.     

Cultivating citizenship,equity, and social inclusion? Putting civic agriculture into practice through urban farming

Civic agriculture is an approach to agriculture and food production that—in contrast with the industrial food system—is embedded in local environmental, social, and economic contexts. Alongside proliferation of the alternative food projects that characterize civic agriculture, growing literature critiques how their implementation runs counter to the ideal of civic agriculture. This study assesses the relevance of three such critiques to urban farming, aiming to understand how different farming models balance civic and economic exchange, prioritize food justice, and create socially inclusive spaces. Using a case study approach that incorporated interviews, participant observation, and document review, I compare two urban farms in Baltimore, Maryland—a “community farm” that emphasizes community engagement, and a “commercial farm” that focuses on job creation. Findings reveal the community farm prioritizes civic participation and food access for low-income residents, and strives to create socially inclusive space. However, the farmers’ “outsider” status challenges community engagement efforts. The commercial farm focuses on financial sustainability rather than participatory processes or food equity, reflecting the use of food production as a means toward community development rather than propagation of a food citizenry. Both farms meet authentic needs that contribute to neighborhood improvement, though findings suggest a lack of interest by residents in obtaining urban farm food, raising concerns about its appeal and accessibility to diverse consumers. Though not equally participatory, equitable, or social inclusive, both farms exemplify projects physically and philosophically rooted in the local social context, necessary characteristics for promoting civic engagement with the food system.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Santalum</Emphasis> molecular biology: molecular markers for genetic diversity,phylogenetics and taxonomy,and genetic transformation

Species of the Santalum genus are well known for their fragrant hardwood, which has great value in medicinal, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Sandalwood oil is derived from the heartwood of Santalum sp. and contains α-, β- and epi-β-santalols, which are responsible for its pleasant fragrance. Oil content can vary from species to species. Pressure on natural populations due to habitat loss, legal and illegal harvesting and disease is increasing. This paper highlights the development of molecular markers for the refinement of phylogenetic studies, identification of various Santalum and adulterant species, assessment of genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, clonality and management units within species, and for marker-assisted breeding. The identification of quantitative trait loci for sandal spike disease and for other traits such as specific rare secondary metabolites in the essential oil and related to its fragrance, would also benefit from molecular advances. RNA sequence analyses have already identified changes in gene expression and metabolic pathways in developing Santalum album L. haustoria.     

Effect of leukoreduction on inflammation in critically ill dogs receiving red blood cell transfusions: A randomized blinded controlled clinical trial

BackgroundPrestorage leukoreduction of red blood cell (RBC) bags prevents accumulation of pro‐inflammatory mediators and experimentally attenuates post‐transfusion inflammation in healthy dogs. However, the effect of leukoreduction on post‐transfusion inflammation in critically ill dogs is unclear.HypothesisDogs transfused with leukoreduced (LR) RBC will have lower concentrations of leukocytes, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) within 24 hours of post‐transfusion compared to dogs transfused with nonleukoreduced (NLR) RBC.AnimalsSixty‐one RBC‐transfused dogs (LR = 34, NLR = 27).MethodsRandomized, blinded, controlled preliminary clinical trial. Blood bag processing was randomized to create identically appearing LR and NLR bags. Group allocation occurred with transfusion of the oldest compatible RBC bag. Blood samples were collected pretransfusion and at 8 and 24 hours post‐transfusion for leukocyte count, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, and CRP. Data were analyzed on an intention‐to‐treat basis using linear mixed effects models. Significance was set at P < .05.ResultsNo significant differences were found between groups in concentrations of leukocytes (P = .93), IL‐6 (P = .99), IL‐8 (P = .75), MCP‐1 (P = .69), or CRP (P = .18) over time. Eleven LR dogs (32%) and 4 NLR dogs (15%) were euthanized in the hospital (P = .14). No natural deaths occurred.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceNo differences in inflammation biomarker concentrations were detected over time between dogs transfused with LR or NLR RBC, but heterogeneity likely hampered the ability to detect a difference with this sample size. The novel randomization and enrollment protocol was successfully implemented across 2 participating institutions and will be easily scaled up for a future multicenter clinical trial.