M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic reference values for male New Zealand white rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To determine M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic reference values in healthy New Zealand white rabbits. ANIMALS: 52 healthy male rabbits. PROCEDURES: The rabbits were anesthetized and M-mode measurements of the left ventricle, left atrium, and aorta and Doppler measurements of pulmonary and aortic outflow and mitral inflow were recorded. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD heart rate during echocardiographic examination was 155 +/- 29 beats/min. Mean +/- SD measurements in diastole and systole for the interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular internal diameter, and left ventricular free wall thickness were 2.03 +/- 0.37 mm and 3.05 +/- 0.45 mm; 14.37 +/- 1.49 mm and 10.25 +/- 1.22 mm; and 2.16 +/- 0.25 and 3.48 +/- 0.55 mm, respectively. Mean +/- SD left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio was 1.17 +/- 0.14, and mean +/- SD mitral valve E-point-to-septal separation interval was 1.71 +/- 0.29 mm. Mean +/- SD for fractional shortening and ejection fraction were 30.13 +/- 2.98% and 61.29 +/- 4.66%, respectively. Mean +/- SD maximal aortic and pulmonary artery outflow velocities were 0.85 +/- 0.11 m/s and 0.59 +/- 0.10 m/s, respectively, and the peak E-to-peak A wave velocity ratio of the mitral valve was 2.19 +/- 0.46. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results provide echocardiographic reference values for young adult male New Zealand white rabbits anesthetized with ketamine and medetomidine. Values obtained from unanesthetized rabbits, rabbits sedated with other agents, or rabbits of different size may differ from those reported here.     

Economical and financial analysis of lamb finishing fed with diets formulated according to the NRC (1985) and the NRC (2007)

This study compares both versions of the nutritional requirement system determined by the National Research Council (NRC) version 1985 (NRC85) and NRC version 2007 (NRC07), for finishing lambs in feedlots. Nineteen crossbred lambs were divided in four groups representing four experimental treatments: one diet according to NRC85 and three diets according to NRC07. The diets recommended by NRC07 considers crude protein intake relative to ruminal undegradable protein at 20, 40, and 60 % levels (NRC07/20, NRC07/40, and NRC07/60). Diets were composed of Brazilian semi-arid native grass silage, soybean meal, corn, annatto byproduct, and limestone. Purchases and sales of lambs were done according to average market prices in Brazil. The economic indicators considered pointed that all treatments were viable but NRC07/20 and NRC07/60 were more profitable with similar net present values (NPVs) and internal return rates (IRRs). NRC07/20 was the best option showing an IRR of 17.20 % and a payback period (PP) of 5.07 considering a fixed annual interest rate of 6 %. Sensitivity analysis considering a 10 % raise in variable costs showed negative NPVs, IRRs inferior to the opportunity cost rates adopted and PPs that exceeded the planning horizon of 7 years for both NRC85 and NRC07/40.     

Genotype by environment interaction for disease resistance and other important agronomic traits supporting the indication of common bean cultivars

The present work aimed to study the genotype by environment interaction for nine important agronomic traits as a support for the indication of common bean cultivars for the Southern region of Brazil, identifying cultivars that possess high adaptability/stability. We carried out 25 field trials, in the rainy and dry sowing seasons, at different locals in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, from 2008 to 2010. The trials included 17 cultivars. Data were obtained for agronomic traits and subjected to variance analyses, and to adaptability and stability analyses according to the Nunes method. The genotype by environment interaction is important for different agronomic traits. There is genetic variation among cultivars and it was identified a different number of superior cultivars for each trait. Considering the means and adaptability and stability scores, 88% of the cultivars were superior for rust, 53% for anthracnose, 41% for grain yield, plant architecture and cycle, 30% for fusarium wilt and lodging, and 18% for angular leaf spot and common bacterial blight. For some of these traits, like angular leaf spot, common bacterial blight, fusarium wilt and lodging, it is necessary to intensify the efforts to provide more cultivars with high resistance or tolerance level, adaptability and stability. BRS Esplendor, a black-seeded cultivar, CNFC 10431 and BRS Sublime, both carioca-seeded cultivars, presented superiority for six of nine traits, being indicated to be used in the Southern region of Brazil. Other cultivars presented advantages for fewer traits and must be used in environments which these traits present greater importance.     

Cytologic features of a feline inductive odontogenic tumor

The feline inductive odontogenic tumor (FIOT) is a rare entity among oral tumors in cats, the cytologic features of which are not well characterized but may prove useful. A fine‐needle aspiration biopsy was performed on the right mandible between the permanent canine (404) and permanent fourth premolar (408) of an 8‐month‐old female mongrel cat. Cytologic smears showed epithelial cells and occasional spindle cells with extracellular homogenous acidophilic material in a hematic background. The initial diagnosis of benign tumor was confirmed by histopathologic examination of the biopsy specimen. This report describes the cytologic findings in a case of FIOT.     

Gut microbiota and gut morphology of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles are not affected by chromic oxide as digestibility marker

The present work aimed to evaluate whether the use of chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) as dietary inert marker in fish digestibility studies interferes with gut microbial community modulation and gut morphology. To assess the effects of Cr₂O₃ under potential diverse microbiota populations, dietary Cr₂O₃ was tested using challenging plant feedstuffs (PF)‐based diets supplemented or not with prebiotics, as prebiotics are expected to modify gut microbiota populations. For that purpose, three diets were formulated to include circa 20:80 fish meal and PF as protein sources, without (CTR) or with prebiotic supplementation (10 g/kg XOS or GOS). These diets did not include Cr₂O₃ (?Cr₂O₃ diets). Three similar additional diets were formulated to include 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ (+Cr₂O₃ diets). Cr₂O₃ effects on gut microbiota were assessed for the first time in the allochthonous (digesta) and autochthonous (mucosa) community by a culture‐independent molecular approach, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). No differences in gut bacterial profiles (number of operational taxonomic units, microbiota richness, diversity and similarity indices) were observed between dietary treatments. No significant alterations in submucosa layer structure, enterocytes and eosinophilic granular cells structure, goblet cells and leucocytes quantity were detected in the distal intestine among diets. In conclusion, data indicate that dietary inclusion of 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ does not interfere with gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) gut microbiota and gut morphology, suggesting that a dietary incorporation level of 5 g/kg Cr₂O₃ can safely be used as inert marker in digestibility studies.     

Ingestive behavior of supplemented Nellore heifers grazing palisadegrass pastures managed with different sward heights

Three sward heights (15, 25 and 35 cm) and three supplement types (energy, energy‐protein, and a mineral mix supplement) were evaluated in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement distributed in a completely randomized design to study changes in forage search patterns in Nellore heifers in a continuous grazing system. Pasture data were collected using two replicates (paddocks) per treatment over four periods during the rainy season. The behavior assessments were made in the first and fourth grazing seasons. It was hypothesized that supplements and pasture management would modify ingestive behavior, considering that animals would require less time grazing if they had energy requirements met through higher digestibility of better managed paddocks, or use of supplements high in energy. Total and green forage masses along with green : dead material ratio were greater in treatments managed with higher sward heights. Sward managed with 35 cm height resulted in lower leaf : stem ratio compared with 15 cm sward height treatments. The animals on the 15 cm pastures spent more time grazing overall and during each meal, but there were no differences observed in meal numbers in comparison to 35 cm treatments. Heifers fed protein and/or energy supplements spent less time grazing in the early afternoon, but overall grazing time was the same for all animals.     

Degradability of natural and synthetic chelating agents applied to a lead-contaminated soil

Purpose

Studying the rate of chelant degradation is important to select environmental friendly compounds to assist phytoextraction. The objective of the present study was to evaluate degradation rate of complexes formed between synthetic or organic chelants and Pb aiming to increase the efficiency of phytoextraction while reducing adverse effects resulting from the Pb leaching.

Materials and methods

The following six chelating agents were tested: citric acid P.A., commercial citric acid, glutamic acid P.A., monosodium glutamate, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), besides a control treatment (no addition of chelating agent); they were applied at a concentration of 10 mmol dm^?3 in pots containing 1 dm³ of Pb-contaminated soil.

Results and discussion

The results of this study showed that commercial citric acid adequately solubilized Pb to levels suitable for plant uptake and showed relatively rapid biodegradation in soil. Therefore, this commercial product may be a highly promising alternative for phytoextraction studies in the field. EDTA and NTA demonstrated high Pb solubilization ability but degraded comparatively slowly; therefore, they are not recommended for use in phytoextraction due to environmental risks regarding metal leaching.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that commercial citric acid adequately solubilized Pb to levels suitable for plant uptake and showed relatively rapid biodegradation in soil, which is associated with a low risk of groundwater contamination. Therefore, this environmental friendly and low-cost product may be a highly promising alternative for inducing Pb phytoextraction.

     

Cardiopulmonary and isoflurane‐sparing effects of epidural or intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine in cats undergoing surgery with epidural lidocaine

ObjectiveTo compare the cardiorespiratory, anesthetic-sparing effects and quality of anesthetic recovery after epidural and constant rate intravenous (IV) infusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in cats given a low dose of epidural lidocaine under propofol-isoflurane anesthesia and submitted to elective ovariohysterectomy.Study designRandomized, blinded clinical trial.AnimalsTwenty-one adult female cats (mean body weight: 3.1 ± 0.4 kg).MethodsCats received DEX (4 μg kg^?1, IM). Fifteen minutes later, anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Cats were divided into three groups. In GI cats received epidural lidocaine (1 mg kg^?1, n = 7), in GII cats were given epidural lidocaine (1 mg kg^?1) + DEX (4 μg kg^?1, n = 7), and in GIII cats were given epidural lidocaine (1 mg kg^?1) + IV constant rate infusion (CRI) of DEX (0.25 μg kg^?1 minute^?1, n = 7). Variables evaluated included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R), systemic arterial pressures, rectal temperature (RT), end-tidal CO₂, end-tidal isoflurane concentration (e′ISO), arterial blood gases, and muscle tone. Anesthetic recovery was compared among groups by evaluation of times to recovery, HR, f_R, RT, and degree of analgesia. A paired t-test was used to evaluate pre-medication variables and blood gases within groups. anova was used to compare parametric data, whereas Friedman test was used to compare muscle relaxation.ResultsEpidural and CRI of DEX reduced HR during anesthesia maintenance. Mean ± SD e′ISO ranged from 0.86 ± 0.28% to 1.91 ± 0.63% in GI, from 0.70 ± 0.12% to 0.97 ± 0.20% in GII, and from 0.69 ± 0.12% to 1.17 ± 0.25% in GIII. Cats in GII and GIII had longer recovery periods than in GI.Conclusions and clinical relevanceEpidural and CRI of DEX significantly decreased isoflurane consumption and resulted in recovery of better quality and longer duration, despite bradycardia, without changes in systemic blood pressure.     

Characterization of plum procyanidins by thiolytic depolymerization

The phenolic compounds of 'Green Gage' (GG) plums ( Prunus domestica L.), "Rainha Claudia Verde", from a 'protected designation of origin' (PDO), in Portugal, were quantified in both flesh and skin tissues of plums collected in two different orchards (GG-V and GG-C). Analyzes of phenolic compounds were also performed on another GG European plum obtained in France (GG-F) and two other French plums, 'Mirabelle' (M) and 'Golden Japan' (GJ). Thiolysis was used for the first time in the analysis of plum phenolic compounds. This methodology showed that the flesh and skin contain a large proportion of flavan-3-ols, which account, respectively, for 92 and 85% in GJ, 61 and 44% in GG-V, 62 and 48% in GG-C, 54 and 27% in M, and 45 and 37% in GG-F. Terminal units of procyanidins observed in plums are mainly (+)-catechin (54-77% of all terminal units in flesh and 57-81% in skin). The GJ plums showed a phenolic composition different from all of the others, with a lower content of chlorogenic acid isomers and the presence of A-type procyanidins as dimers and terminal residues of polymerized forms. The average degree of polymerization (DPn) of plum procyanidins was higher in the flesh (5-9 units) than in the skin (4-6 units). Procyanidin B7 was observed in the flesh of all GG plums and in the skin of the Portuguese ones. Principal component analysis of the phenolic composition of the flesh and skin of these plums obtained after thiolysis allowed their distinction according to the variety and origin, opening the possibility of the use of phenolic composition for variety/origin identification.