Defining desired genetic gains for rainbow trout breeding objective using analytic hierarchy process

Distributing animals from a single breeding program to a global market may not satisfy all producers, as they may differ in market objectives and farming environments. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to estimate preferences, which can be aggregated to consensus preference values using weighted goal programming (WGP). The aim of this study was to use an AHP-WGP based approach to derive desired genetic gains for rainbow trout breeding and to study whether breeding trait preferences vary depending on commercial products and farming environments. Two questionnaires were sent out. Questionnaire-A (Q-A) was distributed to 178 farmers from 5 continents and used to collect information on commercial products and farming environments. In this questionnaire, farmers were asked to rank the 6 most important traits for genetic improvement from a list of 13 traits. Questionnaire B (Q-B) was sent to all farmers who responded to Q-A (53 in total). For Q-B, preferences of the 6 traits were obtained using pairwise comparison. Preference intensity was given to quantify (in % of a trait mean; G%) the degree to which 1 trait is preferred over the other. Individual preferences, social preferences, and consensus preferences (Con-P) were estimated using AHP and WGP. Desired gains were constructed by multiplying Con-P by G%. The analysis revealed that the 6 most important traits were thermal growth coefficient (TGC), survival (Surv), feed conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (CF), fillet percentage (FIL%), and late maturation (LMat). Ranking of traits based on average Con-P values were Surv (0.271), FCR (0.246), TGC (0.246), LMat (0.090), FIL% (0.081), and CF (0.067). Corresponding desired genetic gains (in % of trait mean) were 1.63, 1.87, 1.67, 1.29, 0.06, and 0.33%, respectively. The results from Con-P values show that trait preferences may vary for different types of commercial production or farming environments. This study demonstrated that combination of AHP and WGP can be used to derive desired gains for a breeding program and to quantify differences due to variations market demand or production environment.     

Products resulting from cleavage of the interglobular domain of aggrecan in samples of synovial fluid collected from dogs with early- and late-stage osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate interglobular domain (IGD) cleavage of aggrecan in dogs with naturally developing osteoarthritis (OA). SAMPLE POPULATION: Samples of synovial fluid (SF) obtained from 3 cubital (elbow) joints and 3 stifle joints of 4 clinically normal dogs, 24 elbow joints of 12 dogs with early-stage OA, 8 stifle joints of 5 dogs with early-stage OA, and 10 stifle joints of 9 dogs with late-stage OA. PROCEDURE: Fractions of SF were assayed for total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and also subjected to Western blot analysis by use of monoclonal antibodies against neoepitopes generated by cleavage of the IGD of the aggrecan protein core by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP; BC-14) and aggrecanase (BC-3). RESULTS: Total GAG content of SF from joints of clinically normal dogs did not differ from that of dogs with early-stage OA. The GAG content of SF from joints of dogs with late-stage OA was significantly lower, compared with GAG content for other SF samples. Aggrecanase-generated fragments were detected in SF from all groups but not in all samples. Matrix metalloproteinase-generated fragments were not detected in any SF samples. In early-stage OA, high-molecular-weight aggrecanase-generated aggrecan catabolites were evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: GAG content of SF obtained from dogs with late-stage OA is significantly decreased, suggesting proteoglycan depletion of cartilage. Aggrecanases, but not MMPs, are the major proteolytic enzymes responsible for IGD cleavage of aggrecan in canine joints. Analyses of SF samples to detect aggrecanase-generated catabolites may provide an early biomarker for discriminating early- and late-stage OA in dogs.     

Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi: 163 cases (1984-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 163 client-owned cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging was obtained. RESULTS: The number of cats in which ureterolithiasis was diagnosed each year increased progressively during the study period. Clinical signs tended to be non-specific and included inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, and weight loss. A combination of survey radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed ureteral calculi in 66 of 73 (90%) cats in which the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery or necropsy. Ultrasonography revealed that ureteral calculi were causing ureteral obstruction in 143 of 155 (92%) cats. One hundred thirty-four of 162 (83%) cats had azotemia, 84 of 156 (54%) had hyperphosphatemia, and 22 of 152 (14%) had hypercalcemia. Urinary tract infection was documented in 10 of 119 (8%). Fifty-eight of 76 (76%) cats with unilateral ureterolithiasis had azotemia and 33 (43%) had hyperphosphatemia, indicating impairment of renal function in the contralateral kidney or prerenal azotemia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the contralateral kidney in cats with unilateral ureteral calculi suggested that preexisting renal parenchymal disease was common in cats with ureterolithiasis. Ninety-one of 93 (98%) ureteral calculi contained calcium oxalate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that abdominal imaging should be performed in all cats with chronic nonspecific signs or with acute or chronic renal failure to rule out ureterolithiasis. Preexisting renal disease may be common in cats with ureteral calculi.     

Management and outcome of cats with ureteral calculi: 153 cases (1984-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome of medical and surgical treatment in cats with ureteral calculi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 153 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed. Owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up information. RESULTS: All cats were initially treated medically before a decision was made to perform surgery. Medical treatment included parenteral administration of fluids and diuretics to promote urine production and passage of the ureteral calculus and supportive treatment for renal failure. Ureteral calculi in the proximal portion of the ureter were typically removed by ureterotomy, whereas ureteral calculi in the distal portion of the ureter were more likely to be removed by partial ureterectomy and ureteroneocystostomy. Ureterotomy could be performed without placement of a nephrostomy tube for postoperative urine diversion. Postoperative complication rate and perioperative mortality rate were 31% and 18%, respectively. The most common postoperative complications were urine leakage and persistent ureteral obstruction after surgery. Chronic renal failure was common at the time of diagnosis and continued after treatment, with serum creatinine concentration remaining greater than the upper reference limit in approximately half the cats. Twelve-month survival rates after medical and surgical treatment were 66% and 91%, respectively, with a number of cats dying of causes related to urinary tract disorders, including ureteral calculus recurrence and worsening of chronic renal failure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that medical and surgical management of ureteral calculi in cats are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treatment can stabilize renal function, although many surviving cats will continue to have impaired renal function.     

Surgical management of adrenal gland tumors with and without associated tumor thrombi in dogs: 40 cases (1994-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To compare pathologic findings and results of adrenalectomy for adrenal gland tumors in dogs with and without vena caval tumor thrombi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 40 dogs with adrenal gland tumors. PROCEDURE: Medical records were examined. An exact logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between tumor type or right-sided versus left-sided tumor involvement and development of caval tumor thrombi and associations between tumor thrombi, tumor type, or right- versus left-sided location and perioperative complications and mortality rate. Survival was compared between dogs with and without tumor thrombi. RESULTS: Caval thrombi were detected in 25% of dogs, including 3 of 28 (11%) dogs with an adrenocortical tumor and 6 of 11 dogs with a pheochromocytoma. A caval tumor thrombus was detected in 6 of 17 right-sided and 4 of 20 left-sided tumors. Sensitivity and specificity of abdominal ultrasonography for detection of caval thrombi were 80 and 90%, respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications developed in 15 and 51% of dogs, respectively. The mortality rate was 22%. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity and mortality rates between dogs with and without tumor thrombi. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caval thrombi associated with adrenal gland tumors are amenable to adrenalectomy and thrombectomy without significantly increased perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, assuming the surgeon is experienced in appropriate techniques.     

Hypoglycemia and irreversible neurologic complications in a cat with insulinoma

A 14-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for weakness, lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, and seizures. On physical examination, the cat appeared disoriented and had an inconsistent menace response. An insulinoma was diagnosed on the basis of normal serum insulin activity in conjunction with profound hypoglycemia and histologic examination (with immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A and insulin) of a pancreatic mass that was removed surgically. Blood glucose concentration was within reference limits after surgery. However, neurologic abnormalities persisted, and the cat was euthanatized. Chronic hypoglycemia, associated with insulinomas, can cause irreversible neuronal changes in cats; therefore, rapid diagnosis and treatment of hypoglycemic conditions are of critical importance.     

An evaluation of combined immunosuppression with MNA 715 and microemulsified cyclosporine on renal allograft rejection in mismatched mongrel dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a combination of MNA 715 and microemulsifed cyclosporine for the prevention of renal allograft rejection in mismatched mongrel dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, experimental study. ANIMALS: Fourteen female mismatched mongrel dogs. METHODS: Heterotopic renal transplantation and bilateral nephrectomy were performed in each dog. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive either MNA 715 and cyclosporine (n = 8) or cyclosporine alone (n = 6). Dogs were killed at 100 days after transplantation or when plasma creatinine exceeded 7 mg/dL. RESULTS: In the cyclosporine and MNA 715 group: 4 dogs survived to 100 days with normal plasma creatinine concentrations; 2 dogs with intestinal intussusceptions were killed at 5 and 8 days, 1 dog with a wound infection and sepsis was killed at 14 days, and 1 dog with a serum creatinine concentration >7 mg/dL was killed at 51 days postoperatively. In the cyclosporine-alone group: 3 dogs with acute rejection were killed at 6 to 9 days and 3 dogs survived to 100 days. In dogs treated with cyclosporine and MNA 715, survival to histologically confirmed acute rejection was significantly longer (P =.044) and the degree of mononuclear cell infiltration was significantly reduced (P =.040), compared with dogs treated with cyclosporine alone. CONCLUSIONS: MNA 715 combined with cyclosporine prolonged allograft survival and reduced the severity of histologic rejection in a clinically relevant renal transplant model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An immunosuppressive regimen consisting of MNA715 and microemulsified cyclosporine may be effective in preventing allograft rejection in canine renal transplant patients.     

Outcome of laryngeal web resection with mucosal apposition for treatment of airway obstruction in dogs: 15 cases (1992--2006)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term clinical outcome in dogs with upper airway obstruction treated with laryngeal web resection and mucosal apposition. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 15 client-owned dogs with laryngeal web formation. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs with laryngeal webs treated with a single procedure of web resection with mucosal apposition by use of a ventral laryngotomy were reviewed. Signalment, history, clinical signs, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and hospitalization time were recorded. Owners were interviewed 6 months to 6 years after surgery. RESULTS: Most dogs had a history of oral ventriculocordectomy. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 3 months to 3 years. The most common clinical sign reported was exercise intolerance. Postoperative complications were observed in 4 dogs. Follow-up information was available in 10 dogs, and clinical outcome was classified as excellent in 7 and good in 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A single surgical procedure of web resection with mucosal apposition for the treatment of laryngeal web formation in dogs resulted in low morbidity and was associated with a good to excellent outcome.     

Contributing understanding of mitigation options for phosphorus and sediment to a review of the efficacy of contemporary agricultural stewardship measures

Experiences from the Mitigation Options for Phosphorus and Sediment (MOPS) projects, which aim to determine the effectiveness of measures to reduce pollutant loading from agricultural land to surface waters, have been used to contribute to the findings of a recent paper (Kay et al., 2009, Agricultural Systems, 99, 67-75), which reviewed the efficacy of contemporary agricultural stewardship measures for ameliorating the water pollution problems of key concern to the UK water industry. MOPS1 is a recently completed 3-year research project on three different soil types in the UK, which focused on mitigation options for winter cereals. MOPS1 demonstrated that tramlines can be the major pathway for sediment and nutrient transfer from arable hillslopes, and that although minimum tillage, crop residue incorporation, contour cultivation, and beetle banks also have potential to be cost-effective mitigation options, tramline management is the one of the most promising treatments for mitigating diffuse pollution losses, as it was able to reduce sediment and nutrient losses by 72-99% in four out of five site years trialled. Using information from the MOPS projects, this paper builds on the findings of Kay et al. to provide an updated picture of the evidence available and the immediate needs for research in this area.     

Assessing the conservation status of mangroves in Rakhine,Myanmar

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