Improvement of degraded physical attributes of a saline-sodic soil as influenced by phytoremediation and soil conditioners

This study aimed to evaluate the use of phytoremediation and soil conditioners in the recovery of physical attributes of a saline-sodic Fluvic Neossol in Brazil Northeast. The applied treatments were: Atriplex nummularia L., as phytoremediation plant, due to its ability to extract salts from the soil; organic conditioners, such as bovine and sheep manure; gypsum and polymer, as chemical conditioners. Samples with preserved structure were collected at the time of the experiment installation and 18 months after in the layers 0–10 cm and 10–30 cm. The analyzed attributes were: water dispersed clay, dispersion index, bulk density, penetration resistance, soil porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The use of sheep manure, gypsum and polymer promoted an increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity in the 0–10 cm layer from 4.51 to 16.37 cm day^?1, 11.26 to 23.95 cm day^?1 and 7.24 to 22.77 cm day^?1, respectively. Gypsum increased the macroporosity in the superficial layer by 42.6%. Atriplex and polymer were more efficient at reducing soil penetration resistance. The polymer was more efficient at improving the physical properties. However, it is necessary to consider phytoremediation with Atriplex as a more sustainable alternative that can still be used as complementary fodder in animal feed.     

Economic viability of Phaseolus vulgaris (BRS Estilo) production in irrigated system in a function of application of leaf boron

Foliar fertilization may be a viable strategy to boron supply in irrigated cropping systems with common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), since it prevent B leaching. The aim of this work was to evaluate the economic viability and physiological parameters of the common beans production in irrigated cropping systems using sources and increasing foliar boron doses. A field experiment was carried out using an experimental block design in a factorial scheme 2?×?5?×?3, with two sources of B (boric acid and borax) and five doses: 0 (control), 2, 4, 6 e 8?kg?ha^?1, with three repetitions. Foliar B applications were performed at 40 days after seeds germination, in pre-flowering stage. Physiological process (transpiration, stomatal conductance, CO₂ internal concentration, net photosynthesis, and relative chlorophyll index), B level in leaves and grain yield were measured. These data were used to determine the economic viability of B fertilization in common beans. Both boric acid and borax increased B levels in common beans leaves. Borax affected some physiological process reducing stomatal conductance and increasing net photosynthesis. Using borax, the highest net photosynthesis was observed at a rate of 4?kg?ha^?1, while the boric acid increased net photosynthesis linearly after increasing B doses application. An enhance of 311?kg?ha^?1 in the grain yield was observed using borax related to the control (without B application); however, grain yield decreased linearly after application of increasing B doses, as boric acid. Comparing the economic viability of sources and doses of B, the highest profitability is obtained using borax at a rate of 4?kg?ha^?1, which promoting a differential profit of US$534.44 per hectare compared to common beans cropping without B.     

Long-term effects of good handling practices during the pre-weaning period of crossbred dairy heifer calves

The aim of this study was to determine whether applying good practices of handling during the pre-weaning period have long-term effects on behavioral and physiological indicators, health status, and average daily gain (ADG) of crossbred Bos taurus × Bos indicus heifer calves. During the pre-weaning period, 98 crossbred of Holstein × Gir heifer calves were allotted into three treatments: (1) good practices of handling + brushing (GPB; n?=?25), (2) good practices of handling (GP; n?=?25), and (3) control (n?=?48). Every 2 months, four evaluation periods (EV₁ to EV₄) were conducted to record data. Behavioral indicators comprised time to drive (TD), flight speed (FS), flight distance (FD), and composite reactivity score (CRS). Physiological indicators of acute stress during handling comprised respiratory and heart rates. Health status comprised data regarding occurrence of most common diseases (i.e., pneumonia and anaplasmosis). Collected data were analyzed by using a linear mixed model for repeated measures, Tukey’s test, and chi-squared procedures. Treatment influenced (P?<?0.05) TD, FS, and FD but not CRS (P?=?0.78). From EV₁ to EV₃, the control calves had the lowest TD. The GPB group had lower FS than the control but did not differ from GP. The GPB group had lower FD means than the other two groups in EV₂, EV₃, and EV₄. No differences (P?>?0.05) due to treatment were observed on heart and respiratory rates, ADG, or occurrence of pneumonia and anaplasmosis. It was concluded that adoption of good practices of handling during pre-weaning period may lead to long-term positive effects.     

Do traditional sheep breeders perform conscious selection? An example from a participatory breeding program of Morada Nova sheep

The implementation of sustainable breeding programs requires genetic breeding strategies that are appropriate for the reality production systems. It is also essential that the choice of animal selection criteria be based on breeders’ knowledge and objectives. This work is an ethno-zootechnical study of the Morada Nova sheep breed and its crossbreeds. The goals of this study were to register and analyze indigenous breeders’ knowledge and practices regarding animal selection criteria and to generate technical information to support a participatory breeding program of the breed. This study was conducted in the Morada Nova municipality in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were evaluated using two groups of individuals, purebred Morada Nova sheep breeders (RMN, n = 13) and breeders of Morada Nova crossbreeds (MMN, n = 48). Interview questions were used to identify local selection criteria adopted by each group in the choice of animals for breeding. Data from the interviews were submitted to frequency distribution analysis and the Shapiro-Wilk test to verify their distribution. Later, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the two groups of farmers based on that information, in addition to multivariate statistical analysis and evaluation of Smith salience index. Breeders in the RMN group used selection criteria related to breed standards, such as pelage color. In contrast, breeders of the MMN group used criteria related to productivity, such as body conformation and milk production. Breeders should be engaged in the development of breeding programs, and it is important to consider their preferences and objectives when evaluating breeding animals.     

Meniscal Mineralization in Domestic Cats

Objective: To (1) determine prevalence of radiographically detectable meniscal mineralization in domestic cats and (2) to evaluate the association between meniscal mineralization and degenerative joint disease (DJD). Study Design: Prospective study. Animals: Client‐owned cats (n=100) and 30 feline cadavers. Methods: Randomly selected client‐owned cats were used to determine the prevalence of meniscal mineralization. Stifles from feline cadavers were used to evaluate the relationship between meniscal mineralization (using high‐resolution X‐ray), radiographic DJD, and cartilage damage. Menisci were evaluated histologically. Results: Forty‐six percent of the client‐owned cats had meniscal mineralization detected in 1 or both stifles. Pain scores were not significantly different between stifles with meniscal mineralization and those with no radiographic pathology (P=.38). Thirty‐four of 57 cadaver stifles had meniscal mineralization, which was always located in the cranial horn of the medial meniscus. Percentage mineralization of the menisci was significantly correlated with the cartilage damage score of the medial femoral (r²=0.6; P<.0001) and tibial (r²=0.5; P<.0001) condyles as well as with the total joint cartilage damage (r²=0.36; P<.0001) score and DJD score (r²=0.8; P<.0001). Conclusion: Meniscal mineralization is a common condition in domestic cats and seems to indicate medial compartment DJD. Clinical Relevance: Clinical significance of meniscal mineralization is uncertain. Further work is needed to determine if the meniscal mineralization is a cause, or a consequence of joint degeneration.     

Bupivacaine 0.25% and methylene blue spread with epidural anesthesia in dog

ObjectiveTo evaluate the extent sensory and motor blocks produced by the epidural injection of different volumes of 0.25% bupivacaine (Bu) with methylene blue (MB), in dogs.Study designProspective experimental trial.AnimalsTwenty healthy adult mongrel dogs, weighing 9.9 ± 1.9 kg.MethodsDogs were randomly allocated into one of four groups that received 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 0.8 mL kg^?1 of an epidural solution containing 0.25% Bu and MB. Sensory block was evaluated against time by pinching the tail, hind limb interdigital web, toenail bases and the skin over the vertebral dermatomes. Motor block was assessed by ataxia, hind limb weight-bearing ability and by loss of muscle tone of the tail and pelvic limbs. Data were collected at 2, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes after the end of epidural injection. After the final time point, dogs were euthanatized and laminectomies were conducted to expose the extent of the dural dye staining.ResultsThe volumes 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mL kg^?1 of 0.25% Bu and MB blocked a mean of 5, 14.2, 20.2 and 21 dermatomes, respectively. The extent of the senory block increased up to a volume of 0.6 mL kg^?1. Motor block was longer-lasting and more intense than sensory block. Complete dyeing of the spinal cord with MB was achieved in some dogs at 0.4 mL kg^?1 and all dogs at 0.6 mL kg^?1.ConclusionsThe volume of anesthetic injected into the epidural space plays an important role in the quality of the epidural anesthesia. At 0.25%, bupivacaine provided an efficient sensory block at 0.6 mL kg^?1.Clinical relevanceRelatively high volumes (0.6 mL kg^?1) of 0.25%, BU and MB were needed to produce an effective sensory and motor block caudal to the umbilicus, but all spinal cord segments were reached by MB at this dose.     

Anesthetic management of a white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) undergoing an emergency exploratory celiotomy for colic

ObservationsA 26-year-old male white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), weighing approximately 2000 kg was anesthetized for an exploratory celiotomy. Sedation was achieved with intramuscular butorphanol (0.04 mg kg^?1) and detomidine (0.025 mg kg^?1) and induction of anesthesia with intravenous glyceryl guaiacolate (50 g) and three intravenous boluses of ketamine (200 mg, each); the trachea was then intubated and anesthesia maintained with isoflurane in oxygen using a circle breathing system. Positioning in dorsal recumbency for the surgery and later in sternal recumbency for the recovery represented challenges that added to the prolonged anesthesia time and surgical approach to partially correct an impaction. The rhinoceros recovered uneventfully after 10.4 hours of recumbency.ConclusionsAnesthetic management for an exploratory celiotomy with a midline approach is possible in rhinoceroses, although planning and extensive staff support is necessary to adequately position the patient.     

The essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis, and its constituents α- and β-pinene,potentiate acetylcholine-induced contractions in isolated rat trachea

The effects of the essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis (EOET), especially the effects of its constituents α- and β-pinene, were studied on rat trachea in vitro. In tracheal rings, EOET, α- or β-pinene potentiated the contractions induced by acetylcholine (ACh). Contractions induced by K⁺ (60 mM) were also potentiated by α- and β-pinene, but were reduced by EOET. Our findings show that EOET has myorelaxant effects on rat airways, but potentiates ACh-induced contractions. Monoterpenes α- and β-pinene are involved in its potentiating actions, but are not responsible for its myorelaxant effects. A putative inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme is involved.     

Effect of smoke-water and a smoke-isolated butenolide on the growth and genotoxicity of commercial onion

Smoke-water and a biologically active butenolide compound (3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one) derived from burning plant material, show stimulating effects on a number of agricultural and horticultural crops. In these trials, onion (Allium cepa L.) plants were treated (drenched) with either a 1:500 (v/v) smoke-water solution or a butenolide solution of 10⁻¹⁰ M under greenhouse conditions. Onion plants supplied with smoke-water and butenolide solution exhibited a significantly greater number of leaves, increased leaf length, and a higher fresh and dry leaf weight than untreated plants at 175 days after seed sowing (DASS) (third harvest). In addition, smoke-water and butenolide-treated onion plants exhibited a significantly higher bulb diameter and bulb weight than untreated plants, when these plants were harvested at 175 DASS. Overall, smoke-water was more effective than butenolide and achieved the highest harvest index. Genotoxicity was not detected in the bulbs of onion when they were treated with either smoke-water or butenolide.