A sequential threshold cure model for genetic analysis of time-to-event data

In analysis of time-to-event data, classical survival models ignore the presence of potential nonsusceptible (cured) individuals, which, if present, will invalidate the inference procedures. Existence of nonsusceptible individuals is particularly relevant under challenge testing with specific pathogens, which is a common procedure in aquaculture breeding schemes. A cure model is a survival model accounting for a fraction of nonsusceptible individuals in the population. This study proposes a mixed cure model for time-to-event data, measured as sequential binary records. In a simulation study survival data were generated through 2 underlying traits: susceptibility and endurance (risk of dying per time-unit), associated with 2 sets of underlying liabilities. Despite considerable phenotypic confounding, the proposed model was largely able to distinguish the 2 traits. Furthermore, if selection is for improved susceptibility rather than endurance, the error of applying a classical survival model was nonnegligible. The difference was most pronounced for scenarios with substantial underlying genetic variation in endurance and when the 2 underlying traits were lowly genetically correlated. In the presence of nonsusceptible individuals, the method provides a novel and more accurate tool for utilization of time-to-event data, and has also been proven successful when applied to zero-inflated longitudinal binary data.     

Anthocyanins from ornamental flowers of red frangipani, Plumeria rubra

Two anthocyanins were isolated from ornamental reddish flowers of Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae) by a combination of chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated mainly by the use of homo- and heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. The anthocyanin cyanidin 3-O-β-(2″-glucopyranosyl-O-β-galactopyranoside) (75%), has previously been isolated only from Cornus suecica (Cornaceae) fruits, while the other (20%) was identified as cyanidin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside. This is the first report of the anthocyanins responsible for the attractive colours of the flowers of red frangipani.     

Influence of dietary menadione nicotinamide bisulphite (vitamin K3) and phylloquinone (vitamin K1) on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) tissue levels,determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The aim of the present study was to investigate the retention of menadione nicotinamide bisulphite (MNB; vitamin K₃) and phylloquinone (vitamin K₁) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Another objective was to find a reliable method for determination of menadione in fish feed, and to include and validate more matrices in the methods for phylloquinone and menaquinones (vitamin K₂). Duplicate tanks of Atlantic salmon (～93 g) were fed four levels (0–1000 mg menadione kg^?1 feed) of MNB for 9 weeks. The concentration of menadione and phylloquinone in the feed and the concentration of phylloquinone and menaquinone‐4 (MK‐4) in the tissues were determined. The analysed concentration of dietary menadione found in feed indicated a substantial loss of MNB during feed production. This assumption was supported by screening 15 commercial fish feed samples which also revealed menadione concentrations far below the recommended level. MNB fed salmon showed only a minor increase in liver MK‐4 concentration, compared to salmon fed phylloquinone which had a considerably higher level of liver phylloquinone, indicating a higher retention of phylloquinone compared to menadione in Atlantic salmon. Due to highly varying stability and bioavailability of the different vitamin K derivatives, vitamin K supplementation in fish feed needs a revision.     

Vitamin K in fish nutrition

Vitamin K belongs to the lipid soluble vitamins, and occurs naturally as phylloquinone (vitamin K₁) and menaquinone (vitamin K₂). In addition, there is a synthetic provitamin, menadione (vitamin K₃), primarily used as a vitamin K source in animal feed. Menadione is unstable during feed processing and storage and the dietary content may reach critically low levels. Recent publications also question the availability of menadione in feed for salmonids. Vitamin K plays vital roles in blood coagulation and bone mineralization in fish, but the suggested minimum requirement varies considerably depending on the vitamin K source used. Vitamin K deficiency is characterized by mortality, anaemia, increased blood clotting time and histopathological changes in liver and gills. However, one should assess both inherent and supplemented forms of vitamin K in feeds for exact determinations, as relevant novel feed ingredients of plant origin may be sufficient to meet the requirement for vitamin K. The current review gives an overview of the biochemical role of vitamin K, and discusses vitamin K requirement in fish in light of updated literature, with special emphasis on salmonids.     

The effect of lactic acid bacteria administration on growth,digestive enzyme activity and gut microbiota in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and beluga (Huso huso) fry

The aims of this study was to assess the effect of two lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus curvatus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, originally isolated from gastrointestinal (GI) tract of beluga (Huso huso) and Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), respectively, on growth, survival and digestive enzyme (amylase, lipase and protease) activities and the population level of LAB in the GI tract. The treatments included 10 different groups; control, separate supplements of L. curvatus and Leu. mesenteroides at three different counts [2 × 10⁹, 5 × 10⁹ and 9 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU) per gram food] and three combinations of the two LAB (2 × 10⁹ + 2 × 10⁹, 5 × 10⁹ + 5 × 10⁹ and 9 × 10⁹ + 9 × 10⁹ CFU per gram food). The bacteria used in this study were added in lyophilized form to chopped Chironomidae. In the beluga study, highest specific growth rate, survival and improved intestinal enzyme activities were noted in the rearing group fed 9 × 10⁹ L. curvatus per gram food. In Persian sturgeon, the inclusion level of 2 × 10⁹ Leu. mesenteroides had similar positive effect. The ability of LAB to colonize the digestive tract seems to involve host specificity, and our bacteriological results are relevant to initiate future probiotic studies in sturgeons and future directions will be discussed.     

Comparison of the Recurrence Rate of Gastric Dilatation with or Without Volvulus in Dogs after Circumcostal Gastropexy Versus Gastrocolopexy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the recurrence rate of acute gastric dilatation with or without volvulus (GDV) after circumcostal gastropexy (CCGP) or gastrocolopexy (GCP) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial with two groups (A and B). ANIMALS: Fifty-four client-owned dogs presented for treatment of GDV. METHODS: Dogs with acute GDV that had not previously had a gastropexy performed were included. The preoperative treatment before gastropexy was standardized. A CCGP was performed on dogs in group A, and a GCP was performed on dogs in group B. Postoperative treatment was standardized, but deviation did occur according to the special needs of particular patients. A minimal follow-up time of 180 days was required for dogs not excluded from the study. The median follow-up time in group A was 700 days; in group B, it was 400 days. The occurrence of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems after surgery were recorded by the owners. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of GDV between the two groups. At the end of the study, the recurrence rate was 9% and 20% in group A and in group B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical techniques are effective in preventing recurrence of GDV.     

Studies on degradation and outflow rate of protein supplements in the rumen of sheep and cattle

The rates of disappearance (p) of protein from fish-meal, meat-and-bone meal, soya-bean meal, cottonseed meal, linseed-meal and groundnut-meal were described when nylon bags were incubated in the rumens of sheep and cattle given either barley or dried grass. The exponential equation p = a + b (1 ? e^?ct),where a, b and c are constants, e is the natural logarithm, and p the amount disappearing in time, t, was used. There was no consistent difference between the degradabilities determined with sheep and cattle. Degradation was finally combined with different outflow rate (k) and the effective degradability (P) was described as the equation $\text{P}\text{=}\text{a + (bc)}\text{(c + k)}$.     

Responses of plasma Epo and kidney and liver Epo mRNA to hemorrhage in perinatal pigs

Despite the fact that pig fetuses in late gestation have extensive erythropoiesis, low blood pO₂ and low hemoglobin concentrations, piglets are born without detectable concentrations of plasma erythropoietin (Epo). In the present study, we have examined the hypothesis that long-term hypoxic stimuli are less efficient than short-term stimuli in stimulating Epo production in perinatal pigs. From fetuses collected by hysterectomy 5 days before term, new-born piglets and piglets 2 and 5 weeks old, blood in amounts corresponding to 2% of body weight was withdrawn from the jugular vein. Twenty-four hours later the animals were killed and their kidney and liver Epo mRNA analysed by a competitive RT-PCR assay. Plasma Epo concentration was estimated by a solid-phase, two-site sequential chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay. We found that in nearly fully developed fetuses and in new-born piglets, the concentration of Epo mRNA did not increase upon bleeding. This is in contrast to earlier findings in sheep. In 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding was associated with a 12–15-fold increase in kidney Epo mRNA. In the 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding evoked increased translation of Epo mRNA into the protein hormone. Also in new-born piglets, increased plasma levels of Epo accompanied bleeding, whereas significant changes in gene Epo expression were not observed.     

Early marine survival and movements of escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. juveniles from a land‐based smolt farm during autumn

The aim of this study was to examine early marine survival and movements of simulated escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. pre‐smolt and smolt from a commercial smolt farm during autumn. One‐third of the pre‐smolt most likely died in the immediate vicinity of the release location, whereas the corresponding mortality for smolts was lower (8.5%) during the 5‐week study period. The surviving pre‐smolt left the farm area after 2–3 days, predominantly along the shore. In contrast, most of the surviving smolts left the farm area during the first day and 54% seemed to move away from the shore and adopt a more pelagic movement pattern than pre‐smolt. The number of surviving fish recorded in the fjord decreased throughout the study period, possibly due to a combination of fish migrating out of the fjord or undetected mortality. Compared with existing knowledge on migration of released farmed smolts during spring, our results indicate less directional and slower movement rates during autumn. Only two of the tagged fish were detected upstream in the rivers following release. A rapid dispersion of escapees indicates that the potential for recapturing escapees is limited unless recapture efforts are initiated immediately after escape. Hence, there is a need for development of technology that detects and prevents escapees to enter the sea.