Treatment with an aromatase inhibitor induces complete sex change in the protogynous honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra)

To study the mechanism of protogynous sex change in honeycomb grouper, the wild fish of both sexes and transitionals were collected for one year, and changes in gonadal structures and serum levels of sex hormones in each individual were examined. The onset of sex change was associated with low serum estradiol - 17β (E2) levels. In order to clarify whether E2 deprivation causes sex change, maturing females were implanted with the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (Fadrozole, AI). AI caused complete sex change from female to functional males in two and half months. The present results suggest that E2 is an important endogenous factor which regulates protogynous sex change in the honeycomb grouper.     

Animal health monitoring and surveillance in Switzerland

Switzerland has traditionally used a passive disease reporting system for all notifiable diseases. This type of system is not suitable for the documentation of very low prevalences (freedom from disease), sub-clinical cases and non-notifiable diseases. In order to meet the high international standards for animal health surveillance and to fulfil the general need for sound animal health data, Switzerland has evaluated the feasibility of modern monitoring and surveillance concepts. In general, the principle of active surveillance has been acquired and is now being applied whenever possible. In this paper, several examples of Swiss surveillance systems are presented and discussed. They include systematic testing of random population samples, carcase screening at abattoirs and sentinel herd monitoring.     

A Suitable Site for in situ (On-farm) Management of Plant Diversity in Traditional Agroecosystems of Western Himalaya in Uttaranchal State: A Case Study

There is a growing realisation world over that the introduction of modern agriculture has to be supplemented with measures to conserve biodiversity in situ if yield gains are to be stabilized. Hence, there is a growing interest from agricultural development specialists and conservation biologists for understanding the socioeconomic factors determining the conservation of biodiversity in situ. The present study was conducted with the objective of understanding the in situ (on-farm) conservation of agrobiodiversity in traditional agroecosystems taking the Urgam valley in north-western Himalaya of India, as a case study. An inventory was made of traditional crops and wild economic species for subsistence, and the structure of forest resource base, traditional knowledge related to resource management and use. Institutional and scientific challenges for in situ (on-farm) management of crop diversity were studied and are discussed in this paper. Complementarity of in situ (on-farm) conservation with ex situ conservation together with crop improvement in such marginal areas are suggested.     

Retention and extractability of phenol,cresol, and dichlorophenol exposed to two surface soils in the presence of horseradish peroxidase enzyme

The retention of phenol, o-cresol, 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), and their peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization products was evaluated on two surface soils. The extractability of the parent solutes and their polymerization products was also investigated. (14)C-Labeled radioisotopes were used to quantify the contaminant retained on soil as water-extractable, methanol-extractable, humic/fulvic (HA/FA) acid-bound, and soil/humin bound. Between 2 and 20% of the solute retained on soil after a 7-day contact period remained bound to the HA/FA and soil/humin components in unamended soils; in the presence of peroxidase this amount was as high as 40-75%. The alkali-extractable HA/FA component contained the largest fraction of radioactivity in peroxidase-amended soils. Whereas the soil organic matter content was the predominant factor controlling the extent of sorption of the parent phenols, the clay content and particle surface area appeared to contribute to the retention of the polymerization products. High molecular weight oligomers produced during peroxidase-mediated polymerization of phenols associate strongly with soil components and are likely incorporated into the soil organic matter via oxidative coupling reactions.     

Comparative Earth History and Late Permian Mass Extinction

The repeated association during the late Neoproterozoic Era of large carbon-isotopic excursions, continental glaciation, and stratigraphically anomalous carbonate precipitation provides a framework for interpreting the reprise of these conditions on the Late Permian Earth. A paleoceanographic model that was developed to explain these stratigraphically linked phenomena suggests that the overturn of anoxic deep oceans during the Late Permian introduced high concentrations of carbon dioxide into surficial environments. The predicted physiological and climatic consequences for marine and terrestrial organisms are in good accord with the observed timing and selectivity of Late Permian mass extinction.     

The Kinetics of Spinning-Disc Atomizers Applied to Seed Treatment Machinery1

Spinning disc-atomizers are widely used in seed-dressing machines. They not only give an initial velocity to the droplet but deliver air as well, consequently the droplet enters a moving medium. Computer analysis shows the influence of this mutual motion in the case of linear, parabolic and hyperbolic air velocity decrease. The moving air exerts a significant effect on the ideal encounter zone of liquid and seed. This effect should be taken into consideration in designing the dressing chamber of seed treatment machinery.     

Chronic vascular catheterisation of the koala and the rabbit

SUMMARY: Vascular access ports were surgically placed, first in rabbits maintained under laboratory conditions, and then in koalas maintained in a wildlife park. The ports remained patent for 9 months in rabbits and for up to 13 months in the koalas and were removed successfully. They allowed collection of blood samples without assistance or disturbance in koalas, and without stress as reflected by plasma cortisol concentration. The use of retention rings on the cannula tubing is recommended.     

Three cases of a presumptive atypical myopathy in New Zealand horses

CASE HISTORY: Three weanling Thoroughbred fillies were presented during autumn with depression, muscle rigidity and, in one case, colic symptoms and cardiovascular shock.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: All fillies had abnormal physical examinations that included elevated heart rates and respiratory rates coupled with muscle rigidity through the back and rump. Biochemistry revealed markedly elevated creatinine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase which indicated a myopathy.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: All three horses were diagnosed with presumptive equine atypical myopathy. The horses received supportive therapy as per the literature available at the time regarding this condition; two responded to supportive therapy and survived, and one was euthanased due to a rapid deterioration in clinical status.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Following post mortem of one case, histology of the trapezius muscle demonstrated an acute, severe myofibre degeneration.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Atypical myopathy and a very similar disorder termed seasonal pasture myopathy in North America are potentially fatal, pasture-related syndromes that have been described in Europe and America but have not been previously described in New Zealand. This report describes three presumptive cases of this unique syndrome in New Zealand for the first time; it outlines the characteristics of the condition; and includes recently published information regarding diagnosis and treatment.