Influence of grape-harvesting steps on varietal thiol aromas in Sauvignon blanc wines

The intense tropical fruit aroma of Sauvignon blanc wines has been associated with the varietal thiols 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH), derived from odorless precursors in the grape, and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), arising from 3MH during fermentation. Grapes and juice were sourced from five locations in Marlborough, New Zealand, taking hand-picked grapes and samples at four stages during the mechanical harvesting process and pressing, which were then fermented in replicated 750 mL bottles. With each set of juices, the highest concentrations of Cys-3MH and Glut-3MH were found in the juices pressed to 1 bar, but these juices produced wines with lower 3MH and 3MHA concentrations. With three of the juices, there was an increase in varietal thiol content for wines made from juices that had been machine harvested compared to the hand-picked samples, which matched earlier findings of lower 3MH and 3MHA levels in wines made from hand-picked grapes. Juices that were more oxidized, and which showed a higher absorbance at 420 nm, were found to produce wines with lower 3MH and 3MHA concentrations.     

Resistance of domestic cats to a US sheep scrapie agent by intracerebral route.

Feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) is thought to have resulted from consumption of food contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the latter is believed to result from the consumption of food contaminated with scrapie. However, no direct experimental documentation exists to indicate that the scrapie agent is capable of amplifying in cats, and, therefore, crossing the species barrier. During 1979, 6 cats ranging in age from 3.5 to 18 months were intracerebrally inoculated with sheep scrapie (inoculum G-639-PP) and were observed for an extended period. Inoculated cats did not develop neurologic disease, and microscopic lesions of spongiform encephalopathy were not evident. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques failed to detect the abnormal form of prion protein (PrP(res)). These results indicate that the sheep scrapie agent (G-639-PP) used in this study was not capable of amplifying in cats and therefore was unable to cross the species barrier to produce FSE.     

Resection of the distal/proximal interphalangeal joint and digit amputation in 21 breeding bulls--indications, clinical findings and longterm outcome

Case records of 21 breeding bulls suffering from advanced septic claw disorders and treated with resection of the distal interphalangeal (= DIP) joint (n = 14), resection of the proximal interphalangeal joint (n = 1) and digit amputation (n = 6) were evaluated retrospectively (1992-2005) regarding the following parameters: breed, age, body mass, pre-treatment, localisation of disease, lameness degree, diagnosis, surgical method, outcome, postoperative survival time and return to breeding use. The mean age of the bulls was 3.6+/-1.7 years and the mean body mass 840.7 + 200.8 kg; range: 500-1200 kg), Surgery was carried out to treat the following conditions: white line infection (n = 9), sole ulcers (n = 5) with osteolysis of the distal sesamoid bone, the tuberculum flexorium, infection of the deep digital flexor tendon at insertion and the DIP-joint; osteomyelitis of the distal and middle phalanx with septic arthritis of the DIP-joint following deep penetrating wounds (n = 3); open fracture of the coffin bone with severe osteolysis/osteomyelitis and septic fibrino-purulent arthritis of the DIP-joint (n = 2); purulent arthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint after a penetrating wound (n = 1) and a severe osteolysis/osteomyelitis of the coffin bone originating from a toe ulcer (n = 1). Three bulls were culled within 2-12 weeks after surgery due to postsurgical complications. In three bulls which were treated successfully six years ago, long-term follow-up information could not be obtained. Complete recovery was considered in 15 bulls.They returned to full breeding use three to four months after surgery, with a mean postoperative survival time of 24.1 months:21.2 months after joint resection and 27.2 months after amputation. At the time of this survey three bulls were still alive with 4,7 and 84 months after surgery, respectively. Both surgical methods were successful in breeding bulls, the resection of the distal interphalangeal joint is recommended as first option.     

Traumatic odontoid process synchondrosis fracture with atlantoaxial instability in a calf: clinical presentation and imaging findings

A 6-week-old female Simmental calf was evaluated for acute non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Physical and laboratory examinations revealed no clinically relevant abnormalities. Neurological findings were consistent with acute, progressive and painful cervical myelopathy. Radiographs displayed a fractured odontoid process (dens axis) and vertebral step misalignment at the fracture site. A traumatic origin was suspected. Advanced diagnostic imaging was considered to allow better planning of potential surgical stabilisation and to exclude any additional lesions of the cervical vertebral column. However, during trailer transportation to the advanced diagnostic imaging and surgery site, the calf deteriorated neurologically and was humanely euthanised. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed immediately post-mortem for scientific reasons. The MRI examination reflected the radiographic findings and confirmed severe spinal cord compression at the fracture site. In addition, a T2W-hyperintense signal change within the paravertebral soft tissue dorsal to the fracture site was indicative of a traumatic event. CT identified the fracture site at the synchondrosis between the odontoid process and the body of the axis, and this finding was confirmed by post-mortem examination. Advanced diagnostic imaging and post-mortem examination did not identify any other cervical lesion. In summary, this calf was diagnosed with a traumatic odontoid process synchondrosis fracture, which has not been reported previously in calves but presents a challenging and well-known fracture type in young children. This case report indicates that the odontoid process synchondrosis is a potential predisposed injury site and that traumatic odontoid process synchondrosis fractures should be considered as a potential differential in calves with acute cervical pain and/or signs of a cervical myelopathy.     

The performance of procedures for selecting conservation areas: waterbirds in the UK

In recent years, much attention has been directed to the ways in which the most important areas for inclusion in reserve networks can be identified, and the most effective ways in which existing networks can be expanded. In contrast, rather little attention has been paid to the present and likely future performance of the approaches that have actually been employed. Using Wetland Bird Survey data, the effectiveness of the current Special Protection Area (SPA) network in the UK was assessed by comparing annual counts for 17 species of migratory waterbird on SPAs with the numbers supported by hypothetical site networks selected by five alternative site-selection methods. These analyses suggest that focusing on complementarity between component sites rather than applying criteria to each site individually improved the level of representation for each species, conserved a greater percentage of the national total across the 17 species and was robust over time.     

Numbers of wintering waterbirds in Great Britain, 1994/1995-1998/1999: I. Wildfowl and selected waterbirds

Estimates of the number of waterbirds (principally wildfowl) wintering in Great Britain are presented, based on data from the period 1994/1995-1998/1999. These update the previous estimates for 1987/1988-1991/1992. National estimates are used to derive 1% thresholds for waterbird species which in turn form the basis for the identification of nationally important wetland sites for subsequent conservation and protection. Estimates are also used to assess changes in numbers of those species for which monitoring data are insufficient to calculate annual indices of population change. Data for calculating the estimates come from a variety of sources including the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS, a long-term scheme which counts waterbirds by day at wetlands), goose roost censuses, site-based surveys and published reviews. Generation of the estimates is made difficult by a number of methodological and data quality issues. To account for some of the methodological problems affecting WeBS data, new methods for generating estimates have been used which account for birds missed during the counts in a more comprehensive manner. These result in large increases in the estimated numbers for many of the relevant species, although most are still considered to be underestimates. To assess the biological change in numbers since the last assessment, estimates generated from the same methods used previously are also presented. These indicate that while the majority of species have experienced increases in numbers since the late 1980s there have been some notable declines. There is however scope for improving the accuracy of estimates derived from extensive, volunteer-based monitoring schemes such as WeBS.