Haematological and oxidative stress responses in Piaractus mesopotamicus under temperature variations in water

In this study, the influence of temperature variation on the blood and oxidative stress parameters of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus juveniles was evaluated. Fish were subjected to gradual changes of temperature, over 5 days, by 24°C until reaching to experimental temperatures 18, 21, 24 (control), 27 and 30°C. There were significant differences (p < .05) in glucose and lactate of blood in both the haematological relationships and oxidative stress parameters. Glucose levels increased at 30°C and decreased at 21°C. Lactate levels were highest at 18°C. While the haematocrit was higher at all altered temperatures, haemoglobin levels decreased at 21°C and increased at 30°C, causing alterations in haematimetric indices. In the liver, glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity was reduced at 18°C while antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP) was highest at 30°C. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased at 18, 21 and 27°C. In the muscle, ACAP decreased at 27 and 30°C and TBARS increased at 30°C. The results indicate that the species shows sensitivity to temperature variations. Accordingly, we conclude that with short‐term temperature variations >3°C, it is possible to induce higher alterations in the observed parameters in pacu juveniles.     

B-mode and M-mode echocardiography of endurance horses raised in São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate cardiac dimensions and indexes of cardiac function in endurance horses using bidimensional- (B-) mode and guided unidimensional- (M-) mode echocardiography. Thirty-five Arabian and crossbred Arabian male and female horses, aged 5 to 18 years old, with an average weight of 415.51 ± 36.76 kg and at least 1 year of endurance training and competition experience, were used. The following values were obtained for B-mode echocardiography in the right parasternal window (see “Materials and Methods” for expanded terms): RVIDd 2.54 ± 0.56 cm; RVIDs 2.08 ± 0.68 cm; IVSd 2.60 ± 0.31 cm; IVSs 3.90 ± 0.44 cm; LVIDd 10.07 ± 0.85 cm; LVIDs 6.65 ± 0.92 cm; LVFWd 2.50 ± 0.30 cm; LVFWs 3.74 ± 0.35 cm; Aod 7.86 ± 0.72 cm; LAs 10.84 ± 0.93 cm; Vd 578.40 ± 108 cm³; Vs 232.68 ± 70.61 cm³; FS% 34.99% ± 8.02%; EF% 60.13% ± 8.29%; E-point 2.25 ± 0.49 cm; and LAs:Aod 1.38 ± 0.16 cm. Using guided M-mode, the following values were obtained: RVIDd 2.04 ± 0.55 cm; RVIDs 1.61 ± 0.71 cm; IVSd 2.68 ± 0.29 cm; IVSs 4.17 ± 0.42 cm; LVIDd 9.72 ± 0.72 cm; LVIDs 5.94 ± 0.96 cm; LVFWd 2.69 ± 0.32 cm; LVFWs 4.23 ± 0.69 cm; Aod 7.21 ± 0.75 cm; Vd 534.24 ± 87.53 cm³; Vs 181.75 ± 67.69 cm³; FS% 39.06% ± 7.66%; EF% 66.38% ± 9.41%; and E-point 1.96 ± 0.58 cm.

Introduction

In equine sports medicine, it is important to evaluate the cardiovascular condition of the athlete. More recently, echocardiography has been used for this purpose.Echocardiography is an invaluable diagnostic aid, since it is non-invasive and easy to perform,[1, 2 and 3] while offering a dynamic and functional evaluation of the heart. [2, 3, 4 and 5].Initially, studies on the M-mode were made, including measurements of normal cardiac dimensions in horses[6 and 7] and foals and for the diagnosis of several cardiac diseases. [1] With the introduction of the B-mode technique in the mid-1980s and its validation, a more detailed anatomic evaluation was possible, [2, 8 and 9] thus allowing the observation of cardiac abnormalities. [10]Though echocardiographic examination could be used to predict the athletic condition of individuals,[11] this is possible only if normal echocardiographic reference values are established. As different breeds have different biotypes and develop different aptitudes, it is necessary to provide enough information for each type of work or breed. Research includes data for the Thoroughbred racehorse [3, 12 and 13] and Standardbred trotter, [14 and 15] which perform essentially anaerobic work.The endurance race is a modality that is growing significantly in Brazil, both in number of participants and in quality and training of the animals. The endurance horse demands a physical conditioning that differs from that required for racehorses, especially owing to the development of aerobic work. In addition, the animals are mainly Arabian or Arabian crossbred, which have a particular biotype. Because of these facts, and the lack of data about the echocardiographic behavior of endurance horses, this study aimed to determine the dimensions and indexes of cardiac function for horses with endurance training using B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiography.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five clinically normal endurance Arabian and Arabian crossbred male and female horses between 5 and 18 years old, with an average weight of 415.51 ± 36.76 kg, were included in the study. All animals had at least 1 year of training and experience in competitions and were kept under similar hygienic, sanitary, and nutritional management. Training consisted of trail rides, alternating walking, trotting, and galloping, from 20 to 40 km per day, 3 to 4 times per week.The echocardiographic examination was performed with a Sonosite model 180 Plus v. 1.9 echocardiograph, using a 2-4–MHz electronic microconvex transducer with a maximal depth of 24 cm.The animals were prepared as previously reported,[4, 16 and 17] the hair being coated with large amounts of acoustic coupling gel. During the examination, the animals were at rest, calm, and physically restrained only by the halter, in a quiet and dark room.The following echocardiographic measurements, in B-mode as well as guided M-mode, were performed: the left atrium internal diameter in systole (LAs), only in B-mode, in the long axis view, dorsal to the annulus[15]; the right ventricle internal diameter, in diastole (RVIDd) and in systole (RVIDs); the interventricular septum thickness, in diastole (IVSd) and in systole (IVSs); the left ventricle internal diameter, in diastole (LVIDd) and in systole (LVIDs); and the left ventricle free wall thickness, in diastole (LVFWd) and in systole (LVFWs), from the left ventricle short axis view at the chordal level; and the aortic root internal diameter (Aod), from the aortic valve short axis view. The B-mode measurements were taken according to Patteson et al, [12] and the M-mode measurements were based on Long et al. [18]Images were obtained from the right hemithorax. The position used for the transducer to obtain the standardized images for B-mode and guided M-mode were determined and used as described in Reef.[4 and 17]The echocardiographic examination began using the B-mode echocardiography, with the establishment of the tomographic planes, evaluating morphology of the cardiac structures and their movement in a global manner.The first image obtained was the right parasternal long axis view, with the observation of the ventricle inlets, atrioventricular valves, and both atria. With the transducer positioned to optimize visualization of the left atrium, usually with a minimal dorsal angulation, the LAs measurement was made, immediately before the opening of the mitral valve (Fig 1).     

甘蔗作为能源作物的优势分析及前景展望

与其他能源作物相比,能源甘蔗在原料供应、乙醇产量、生产成本及加工技术等方面具有明显优势,发展前景广阔。能源乙醇生产有利于蔗糖产业的持续发展,促进农业产业结构调整,稳定和提高农民收入。当前,发展甘蔗燃料乙醇产业应重视解决品种选育、工艺改进、政策扶持等问题。     

Herd-of-origin effect on the post-weaning performance of centrally tested Nellore beef cattle

The objective of a performance test station is to evaluate the performance of potential breeding bulls earlier in order to decrease the generation interval and increase genetic gain as well. This study evaluates the herd-of-origin influence on end-of-test weight (ETW), average daily weight gain during testing (ADG), average daily weight gain during the adjustment period (ADG_adj), rib eye area (REA), marbling (MARB), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), conformation (C), early finishing (EF), muscling (M), navel (N) and temperament (T) scores, and scrotal circumference (SC) of Nellore cattle that underwent a performance test. We evaluated 664 animals that participated in the performance tests conducted at the Center for Performance CRV Lagoa between 2007 and 2012. Components of variance for each trait were estimated by an animal model (model 1), using the restricted maximum likelihood method. An alternative animal model (model 2) included, in addition to the fixed effects present in S1, the non-correlated random effect of herd-year (HY). A significant HY effect was observed on ETW, REA, SFT, ADG_adj, C, and C_w (p?相似文献   

Treating the locoregional lymph nodes with radiation and/or surgery significantly improves outcome in dogs with high‐grade mast cell tumours

High‐grade canine mast cell tumours (HG‐MCT) have a high rate of locoregional relapse. In this study, dogs with HG‐MCT treated with radiation therapy (RT) were retrospectively evaluated to determine the benefit associated with treating the locoregional lymph nodes (LNs). Forty‐two dogs were included. Variables assessed for association with overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) included WHO stage, tumour location and size, LN irradiation (prophylactic, therapeutic or none), LN treatment (yes or no), LN status at RT (metastatic or nonmetastatic) and RT intent (definitive vs palliative). Lower‐stage disease at irradiation was significantly associated with prolonged median PFS (425 vs 125 days for stage 0 vs 1‐4), and OS (615 vs 314 days for stage 0 vs 1‐4). Having any LN treatment and definitive RT were both significantly associated with prolonged OS. In order to evaluate the role of LN irradiation, dogs were divided into subgroups: (a) stage 0 at irradiation with no LN treatment (n = 14), (b) stage 0 at irradiation with prophylactic LN irradiation (n = 6), (c) stage 0 at irradiation but previously stage 2 (n = 5) and (d) stage >0 at irradiation (n = 17). Prophylactic LN irradiation significantly prolonged PFS (>2381 vs 197 days; group B vs A). Interestingly, dogs that were stage 2 and had LN treatment (C) had prolonged OS vs dogs with negative LNs and no LN treatment (A) (1908 vs 284 days; P = .012). This study confirms that prophylactic and therapeutic LN irradiation in dogs with HG‐MCT is beneficial and improves outcome.     

Eignung verschiedener Anbaumedien f??r den erdelosen Subsistenzanbau in Iquitos (Peru) und deren Wirkung auf Wachstum und Qualit?t von Pfl??cksalat (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa L.)

Peruvian nutritional indicators demonstrate, in particular for the underprivileged groups in remote regions, as in Iquitos, a malnutrition caused by the insufficient uptake of vitamins and mineral nutrients. Promoting cultivation and consumption of vegetables shall counteract this situation, but unfavourable tropical conditions complicate local crop growing in Iquitos. Due to transportation by air, in Iquitos imported vegetables are expensive goods and thereby prohibitive for many people. Soilless cultivation techniques represent an opportunity to cultivate high-value crops throughout the year on a regional basis. By the use of simplified methods, this technique also offers the underprivileged population the means to provide themselves with healthy vegetables. In the present study, regional available cultivation media were tested for simplified soilless cultivation in Iquitos. The characteristics of one substrate-less cultivation method based on a nutrient solution and eight different types of substrates, derived from the base substrates rice husks, gravel, sand and composted saw dust were compared. Using the example of Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa L. ??Grand Rapids??, general and physico-chemical characteristics of the nine cultivation media and their influence on crop developing and crop quality were determined. Results show that rice husks also gravel-sand-mix 2:1 and 1:2 are particularly suitable for soilless cultivation of loose leaf lettuce in Iquitos. Using these substrates, lettuce showed the best growth of shoots and roots and the highest yield. The crop quality was high for all tested cultivation media. If high weight and cost of the mineral substrate is not assessed negatively, it could also be used for plant breeding. It is to be assumed that a combination of rice husks and gravel-sand-mix is advantageous, since an optimised substrate weight and an improved water-air balance are to be expected.     

Role of healthy nursery plants in orange yield during eight years of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis epidemics

The production and commercialization of citrus seedlings inspected and produced in protected screenhouses has become mandatory in São Paulo State, Brazil since January 2003. This law was intended to avoid the dispersion of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC), disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa. Our objective was to compare the yield over 8 years of ‘Natal’ sweet orange trees grafted onto Rangpur lime obtained from healthy nursery plants and from plants artificially inoculated with X. fastidiosa. Yield was evaluated in an orchard planted in February 1999 with two treatments: (i) trees from healthy nursery plant, and (ii) trees from plants artificially inoculated with X. fastidiosa. The mean yield was 21% higher in trees from healthy nursery plants, as compared to trees from inoculated nursery plants. This difference represents a gain of approximately 203 boxes of 40.8 kg each, considering a planting density of 550 plants per hectare.     

Determination of the products of surface-induced hydrolysis of organophosphorus pesticides

A procedure which enables the identification of the hydrolysis products of a number of phosphoric and phosphorothioic esters was developed. This procedure, which includes thin-layer chromatography (t.l.c.), gas chromatography and u.v. spectroscopy, has been used to demonstrate that surface hydrolysis on kaolinite is a general property of bioactive phosphoric and phosphorothioic esters. The path of hydrolysis was shown to be the breakage of the P? O A or P? SA bond, where A is the electron attracting moiety of the organic molecule.     

Microscopic Evidence of the Opportunistic Reproductive Strategy and Early Sexual Maturation of the Small‐Sized Characin Knodus moenkhausii (Characidae,Pisces)

We investigated the reproductive biology of Knodus moenkhausii, an abundant small‐sized characin fish with broad occurrence in the Paraná River basin, Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly to determine fecundity, length at first maturity, reproductive period and spawning type. Gonads were macroscopically classified according to their form, size and texture in three different stages (immature, maturing or mature). Histological procedures were conducted to confirm gonadal developmental stages, and it was possible to notice that maturing females actually presented atretic oocytes, and all males that were macroscopically classified as immature, maturing and mature actually presented abundant spermatozoa in their gonads. Because of these discrepancies, a reclassification of gonadal maturations stages was needed after histological analysis, reinforcing its importance to studies on the reproduction of small characins. Reproduction occurred throughout the year though with two peaks. The length of the smallest mature individuals was 13 mm SL for males and 24 mm SL for females. Despite presenting relatively small batch fecundity, some life history traits such as early reproduction, multiple spawning throughout the year, in association with known opportunistic feeding habits, explain the high abundance of this species in locations where it occurs.