SPIKE and D-PIKE: innovative experiences that engage students early and position them to succeed in food-supply veterinary medicine

Recent trends in urbanization of the population, increased need for bio-security on large farms, and more food-animal or mixed-animal practitioners approaching retirement age are forcing a renewed focus on recruiting and training veterinary students with an interest in production-animal medicine. The increasing number of veterinary students coming from urban backgrounds has led to a need to expose these students to standard animal-production practices and to interest them in a career involving food animals. This article describes one such program developed at Iowa State University, in which 14 students obtained hands-on experience in all aspects of swine and dairy production across a wide sampling of herd size, housing style, bio-security levels, and production phases. The participating students, ranging from senior undergraduates to third-year veterinary students, gained valuable insight not only into daily farming practices but also the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality veterinary care to these clients. The first year of this program has yielded positive feedback from all participants, including the veterinary practices, private producers, corporate sponsors, and students. Current applicants cite positive comments from past participants as motivating their interest in the program. This program has the potential to expand as an opportunity to educate selected students in the field of food-supply veterinary medicine and to help fill the anticipated void in this area.     

Understanding fishing and conservation of the Pacific seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) in Sinaloa,Mexico, through local ecological knowledge

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Activity,molecular mass and hydrolysis on baker's yeast protein of extracellular proteases from the putative probiotic bacteria Microbacterium sp. strain 8L and Exiguobacterium mexicanum strain 8N

The bacteria Microbacterium sp. 8L and Exiguobacterium mexicanum 8N are known to improve the culture of Artemia franciscana using baker's yeast as food. Using spectrophotometry, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), substrate‐SDS‐PAGE and pH‐stat in vitro‐digestibility assays, the activity, molecular mass and hydrolysis on baker's yeast protein of proteases from extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the strains 8L and 8N along with the pathogenic strains Microbacterium sp. 8R and Vibrio parahaemolyticus 588 CECT (Vp) were studied. The EPSs of 8L and 8R showed one activity band, on which the serine inhibitor phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) had no effect. The EPSs of 8N showed four bands; two were unaffected by PMSF, whereas one was affected, and the other was partially affected. The EPSs of Vp showed two bands, one partially inhibited by PMSF. No inhibitory effects from 1‐chloro‐3‐tosylamido‐7‐amino‐2‐heptanone (trypsin inhibitor) were observed in the protease bands of the studied bacteria. The EPSs of 8L and 8N showed a similar degree of hydrolysis (pH‐stat). The EPSs of 8L had the lowest Dice index of similarity of yeast protein profiles at 1 h of reaction. We conclude that the strain 8L could benefit A. franciscana by providing bacterial proteases for digestion of baker's yeast.     

A model of meta-population dynamics for North Sea and West of Scotland cod—The dynamic consequences of natal fidelity

It is clear from a variety of data that cod (Gadus morhua) in the North Sea do not constitute a homogeneous population that will rapidly redistribute in response to local variability in exploitation. Hence, local exploitation has the potential to deplete local populations, perhaps to the extent that depensation occurs and recovery is impossible without recolonisation from other areas, with consequent loss of genetic diversity. The oceanographic, biological and behavioural processes which maintain the spatial population structures are only partly understood, and one of the key unknown factors is the extent to which cod exhibit homing migrations to natal spawning areas. Here, we describe a model comprising 10 interlinked demes of cod in European waters, each representing groups of fish with a common natal origin. The spawning locations of fish in each deme are governed by a variety of rules concerning oceanographic dispersal, migration behaviour and straying. We describe numerical experiments with the model and comparisons with observations, which lead us to conclude that active homing is probably not necessary to explain some of the population structures of European cod. Separation of some sub-populations is possible through distance and oceanographic processes affecting the dispersal of eggs and larvae. However, other evidence suggests that homing may be a necessary behaviour to explain the structure of other sub-populations. The consequences for fisheries management of taking into account spatial population structuring are complicated. For example, recovery or recolonisation strategies require consideration not only of mortality rates in the target area for restoration, but also in the source areas for the recruits which may be far removed depending on the oceanography. The model has an inbuilt capability to address issues concerning the effects of climate change, including temperature change, on spatial patterns of recruitment, development and population structure in cod.     

In vitro polyploidization of Mecardonia tenella, a native plant from South America

Mecardonia tenella is an herbaceous plant widely distributed in the temperate region of South America. Both plant architecture and flower size are characteristics that can be improved to become a viable new ornamental plant. Chromosome doubling by the use of agents such as colchicine is an available methodology to this end. Nodal segments from in vitro grown plants of M. tenella were submerged in the following doses of colchicine in 1% (v/v) dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) solution (%, v/v): 0.0, 0.001 and 0.01 (24 and 48 h). The DNA content of the regenerated plants was measured by flow cytometer. A total of 68 tetraploid plants were detected out of 126 colchicine treated plants. The flowers and leaves of the tetraploid plants were bigger compared to those from the wild diploid type (control). Under field conditions, the selected tetraploid plants showed a more compact shape than the control plants.     

Comparison of three monoclonal antibodies for use in immunohistochemical detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy protease-resistant prion protein.

Confirmatory diagnosis of prion diseases in humans and animals relies on the histopathological examination and immunodetection of the protease-resistant isoform of prion protein (PrPres). The generation of novel PrP-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has greatly improved diagnostic methodology and basic research on prion diseases as well. In this study, the performance of 3 different PrP-specific MAbs in recognizing brain PrPres deposits from cows affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was compared by using a standard immunohistochemical technique under different pretreatment conditions. All antibodies showed similar reactivity after denaturing treatment. However, greater differences were found among them after proteinase K treatment, even in the absence of a denaturing step. In fact, 1 MAb (2A11) was able to react with PrPres deposits in the absence of a denaturing step, yielding the strongest signal and confirming the usefulness of MAb 2A11 in immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of BSE.     

DILATED CORONARY SINUS IN A DOG WITH PERSISTENT LEFT CRANIAL VENA CAVA

This paper describes the electrocardiographic, echocardiographic (two-dimensional, M-mode, contrast and Doppler) and non-selective angiocardiographic features in a 3 year old female Beagle with dilated coronary sinus due to persistent left cranial vena cava. Negative P waves in leads III and aVR and a positive P wave in lead aVL were seen. Echocardiographically, a hipoechoic circular structure was seen between the left atrium and the pericardium in the area where the coronary sinus is located. A velocity pattern with two peaks was obtained, one systolic with velocity = 0.44 ± 0.05 m/sec and the other diastolic with velocity = 0.27 ± 0.01 m/sec. By M-mode echocardiography, at level of the aorta and the left atrium, a linear structure was identified between the left atrium and the pericardium; this structure was characterized by phasic movements of the anterior wall during the cardiac cycle. Following a left cephalic vein injection of saline, bubbles were seen within the coronary sinus; when saline was injected into the right cephalic vein, bubbles were also seen within the coronary sinus and right atrium and ventricle. Non-selective angiocardiography confirmed a dilated coronary sinus with persistent left cranial vena cava. The right cranial vena cava was absent. The dog was clinically normal and the unusual vessel was an incidental finding.     

Agroforestry systems in the highlands of the Tehuacán Valley,Mexico: indigenous cultures and biodiversity conservation

In this study we analysed: (1) the biodiversity conservation capacity of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) in temperate highlands of the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley, Central Mexico, (2) human cultural motives and actions for conserving such diversity and (3) problems endangering that capacity. We evaluated the richness and diversity of perennial plant species maintained in AFS through vegetation sampling of 14 agricultural plots and compared their composition with that of natural forests (14 plots of 500 m² each). We examined the situations among communities of Náhuatl, Ixcatec and Cuicatec people, documenting through interviews the management practices of plant species and the whole system, reasons why people maintain vegetation cover within AFS, and factors influencing changes in decisions favouring agriculture intensification. In the AFS studied we recorded a total of 79 species of trees and shrubs, 86 % of them being native species and representing 43 % of all species of trees and shrubs recorded in the sampling of the natural forests the AFS derive from. People leave standing on average a total of 40 individual trees and shrubs per agricultural plot. Reasons for leave plant species standing were more frequently associated with their use as fruit trees, firewood, shade, beauty, respect to nature and other environmental benefits. Water availability for irrigation, land tenure, and dependence on agriculture and forest for peasant's subsistence were main decision factors influencing AFS variation in their composition. AFS in temperate zones are important reservoirs of biodiversity and biocultural heritage and should be keystones for conservation policies in the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley.