Anatomical variations in cervical vertebrae in two species of neotropical canids: What is the meaning?

Anatomical variation in wild canids is rarely described. Altered shapes, uni- or bilaterally situated, were observed in ventral laminae of C6 and/or in C7 vertebral body of two fox species: Lycalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thous. The specimens were young adults, collected dead on highways in southern Brazil. Deformities were considered anatomical variations because apparently there was no interference in function. The occurrence of such variations in two related species from the same area can suggest an environmental common cause rather than genetic issues. Future studies may deepen the understanding between cause and effect of these vertebral deformities in wild canids.     

Characterization of different types of broiler bedding including dehydrated grass and their influence on production

The objective is to evaluate different bedding materials, including dehydrated grass, on performance and carcass yield and verify the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of materials. The completely randomized experiment comprised 1,080 chicks in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three levels of dehydrated grass (0%, 25%, and 50%) and two bedding materials (rice husks and shavings). Total microorganism count and physicochemical characteristics, surface temperature of birds, and performance of birds were analyzed up to 42 days of age, when birds were slaughtered, and carcass yield was evaluated. The inclusion of grass showed a higher microbiological count after 1 day, stabilizing with materials after 28 days. The inclusion of 50% of dehydrated grass resulted in a higher surface bed temperature at 42 days. Inclusions above 25% of grass have a lower density and a greater water retention capacity, pH, moisture, and total nitrogen, in addition to a lower FDA in its structure. The highest ammonia emissions occurred with the inclusion of 25% of grass. The inclusion of dehydrated grass did not affect performance and carcass yield, favoring feed conversion at the initial stages. The inclusion of grass can replace up to 25% of shavings without harming physicochemical parameters of materials and birds' performance.     

Intraoperative fluid therapy for video-assisted ovariohysterectomy in dogs

BackgroundIntraoperative fluids are still poorly studied in veterinary medicine. In humans the dosage is associated with significant differences in postoperative outcomes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to verify the influence of three different fluid therapy rates in dogs undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy.MethodsTwenty-four female dogs were distributed into three groups: G5, G10, and G20. Each group was given 5, 10, and 20 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ of Lactate Ringer, respectively. This study evaluated the following parameters: central venous pressure, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, acid-base balance, and serum lactate levels. Additionally, this study evaluated the following urinary variables: urea, creatinine, protein to creatinine ratio, urine output, and urine specific gravity. The dogs were evaluated up to 26 h after the procedure.ResultsAll animals presented respiratory acidosis during the intraoperative period. The G5 group evidenced intraoperative oliguria (0.80 ± 0.38 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹), differing from the G20 group (2.17 ± 0.52 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹) (p = 0.001). Serum lactate was different between groups during extubation (p = 0.036), with higher values being recorded in the G5 group (2.19 ± 1.65 mmol/L). Animals from the G20 group presented more severe hypothermia at the end of the procedure (35.93 ± 0.61°C) (p = 0.032). Only the members of the G20 group presented mean potassium values below the reference for the species. Anion gap values were lower in the G20 group when compared to the G5 and G10 groups (p = 0.017).ConclusionsThe use of lactated Ringer''s solution at the rate of 10 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ seems to be beneficial in the elective laparoscopic procedures over the 5 or 20 mL·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ rates of infusion.     

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 supplementation enhances cumulus expansion,nuclear maturation and progesterone production of in vitro-matured bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes

In vitro embryo production (IVP) efficiency is reduced when compared to in vivo. The basic knowledge of bovine in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) mechanisms provides support to improve in vitro embryo production yields. The present study assessed the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) and their combined action on cumulus cells (CC) expansion, oocyte and CC DNA fragmentation, oocyte nuclear maturation, energetic metabolism and progesterone production in bovine IVM. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were matured in control or supplemented media containing BMP15 (100 ng/ml), FGF16 (10 ng/ml) or BMP15 combined with FGF16; and assessed at 0 and 22 hr of IVM. BMP15 alone or its association with FGF16 enhanced cumulus expansion. BMP15 decreased DNA fragmentation in both CC and oocytes, and improved oocyte nuclear maturation rate. In addition, BMP15 increased CC progesterone production, an effect not previously reported. The present study reinforces previous data pointing to a beneficial influence of BMP15 during IVM, while providing novel evidence that the underlying mechanisms involve increased progesterone production.     

Biased seed rain in forest edges: Evidence from the Brazilian Atlantic forest

In this paper, we test the hypothesis that seed rain in forest edges differs from that in forest interior in terms of seed abundance, species richness, seed size, dispersal mode, and manipulation by vertebrates. The study was carried out in the Coimbra forest (3500 ha), the largest fragment currently found in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil. We assessed seed rain during a 1-year period by using a 1500-m long transect (with 100 sampling units) for each habitat. Seeds were categorized according to size, dispersal mode, and vertebrate manipulation. A total of 76,207 seeds belonging to 146 species were collected during the whole study and in average edge received more seeds and species per unit of area during particular periods of time. However, the analysis of all seeds and species recorded in both habitats during the 1-year period revealed that forest interior received a significant higher percentage of medium, large and very large seeds (21.8%) and species (82.6%) in comparison to edge (13.5% of seeds and 57.5% of species). The contribution of large and very large seed species dispersed by vertebrates was also lower in the edge forest as it represented 13.04% of all vertebrate-dispersed species recorded in this habitat vs. 31.5 % in the forest interior. Finally, seeds handled by vertebrates accounted for 5.9% of all seeds in forest edge, and reached 11% in the forest interior. The biased seed rain documented in the Coimbra forest raises the possibility that the creation of forest edges may alter some attributes of seed rain, particularly its content of large-seeded plants and of those dispersed by vertebrates.     

Application of Soluble Chitosan in vitro and in the Greenhouse to Increase Yield and Seed Quality of Potato Minitubers

The aim of this work was to investigate whether the application of soluble chitosan in potato micropropagation can improve microplant quality in vitro, help acclimatisation ex vitro, and increase yield and seed quality of minitubers. Potato cv. Désirée microplants were treated in vitro with soluble chitosan added to the semisolid tissue culture medium in different concentrations. Microplants were subsequently transferred to the greenhouse and sprayed with chitosan solutions or remained unsprayed. Untreated microplants were also established ex vitro and sprayed with chitosan, or left unsprayed as a control. Morphological and physiological parameters of plant growth were assessed in vitro and ex vitro. Plantlet quality was evaluated using a ranking system. Minitubers derived from greenhouse plantlets were planted in the field in subtropical conditions, and growth and yield parameters evaluated. The chitosan concentration most beneficial to the in vitro growth of microplants varied between years. In treatments with the best in vitro growth, minituber number and yield in the greenhouse was also increased. Foliar chitosan application at the acclimatisation phase stabilised the effect of in vitro treatment on yield parameters. The seed quality of minitubers derived from chitosan treatments in vitro alone and in combination with foliar treatment at acclimatisation was improved, giving rise to field plants with increased tuber numbers and yields. The combination of chitosan in vitro and foliar application during the acclimatisation phase ex vitro had a greater effect on minituber seed quality than the concentration applied in vitro.     

Oxidation of glycerol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and iron in model solutions and wine. Potential effects on wine color

Wine oxidation appears to include the formation of hydroxyl radical (*OH), an exceptionally reactive and thus nonselective compound that might be involved in the production of important aldehydes and ketones. This experiment examined the *OH oxidation of glycerol, a major wine constituent, and thus a likely target of such oxidation, in model wine, generated by hydrogen peroxide and iron catalysis. The oxidation products generated were analyzed as their hydrazones using LC-DAD/MS. Glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone were the main compounds identified, both of which were also observed in naturally aged and *OH-oxidized wines. As anticipated, the presence of ethanol in the model wine did not preclude the formation of these compounds. Additionally, when a young red wine was treated with these oxidation derivatives, a noteworthy increase in color was observed, most likely due to the formation of novel anthocyanin-based structures.     

New insights on glyphosate mode of action in nodular metabolism: Role of shikimate accumulation

The short-term effects of the herbicide glyphosate (1.25-10 mM) on the growth, nitrogen fixation, carbohydrate metabolism, and shikimate pathway were investigated in leaves and nodules of nodulated lupine plants. All glyphosate treatments decreased nitrogenase activity rapidly (24 h) after application, even at the lowest and sublethal dose used (1.25 mM). This early effect on nitrogenase could not be related to either damage to nitrogenase components (I and II) or limitation of carbohydrates supplied by the host plant. In fact, further exposure to increasing glyphosate concentrations (5 mM) and greater time after exposure (5 days) decreased nodule starch content and sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13) activity but increased sucrose content within the nodule. These effects were accompanied by a great inhibition of the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31). There were remarkable and rapid effects on the increase of shikimic and protocatechuic (PCA) acids in nodules and leaves after herbicide application. On the basis of the role of shikimic acid and PCA in the regulation of PEPC, as potent competitive inhibitors, this additional effect provoked by glyphosate on 5-enolpyruvylshikimic-3-phosphate synthase enzyme (EPSPS; EC 2.5.1.19) inhibition would divert most PEP into the shikimate pathway, depriving energy substrates to bacteroids to maintain nitrogen fixation. These findings provide a new explanation for the effectiveness of glyphosate as a herbicide in other plant tissues, for the observed differences in tolerance among species or cultivars, and for the transitory effects on glyphosate-resistant transgenic crops under several environmental conditions.     

Phytophthora genome sequences uncover evolutionary origins and mechanisms of pathogenesis

Draft genome sequences have been determined for the soybean pathogen Phytophthora sojae and the sudden oak death pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. O?mycetes such as these Phytophthora species share the kingdom Stramenopila with photosynthetic algae such as diatoms, and the presence of many Phytophthora genes of probable phototroph origin supports a photosynthetic ancestry for the stramenopiles. Comparison of the two species' genomes reveals a rapid expansion and diversification of many protein families associated with plant infection such as hydrolases, ABC transporters, protein toxins, proteinase inhibitors, and, in particular, a superfamily of 700 proteins with similarity to known o?mycete avirulence genes.