Soil sodicity as a result of periodical drought

Soil sodicity development is a process that depends nonlinearly on both salt concentration and composition of soil water. In particular in hot climates, soil water composition is subject to temporal variation due to dry–wet cycles. To investigate the effect of such cycles on soil salinity and sodicity, a simple root zone model is developed that accounts for annual salt accumulation and leaching periods. Cation exchange is simplified to considering only Ca/Na exchange, using the Gapon exchange equation. The resulting salt and Ca/Na-balances are solved for a series of dry/wet cycles with a standard numerical approach. Due to the nonlinearities in the Gapon equation, the fluctuations of soil salinity that may be induced, e.g. by fluctuating soil water content, affect sodicity development. Even for the case that salinity is in a periodic steady state, where salt concentrations do not increase on the long term, sodicity may still grow as a function of time from year to year. For the longer term, sodicity, as quantified by Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP), approaches a maximum value that depends on drought and inflowing water quality, but not on soil cation exchange capacity. Analytical approaches for the salinity and sodicity developing under such fluctuating regimes appear to be in good agreement with numerical approximations and are very useful for checking numerical results and anticipating changes in practical situations.     

Computed tomographic and radiographic morphometric study of cardiac and coelomic dimensions in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva,Linnaeus, 1758) with varying body condition scores

This study aimed to assess radiographic and tomographic cardiac parameters, including width and length of the heart, and the ratio of heart width to coelom width of blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) with varying body condition scores. Thirty-five captive birds were included in the study and were allocated into one of three groups according to their respective body condition score: lean, ideal and obese. No differences were observed among the groups with regard to radiographic and tomographic measurements. Computed tomography enabled better identification of the structures of the cardiovascular system without interference from the overlying structures of the celomatic cavity observed in radiographic images. However, radiographic examinations should still be considered the standard screening method to identify cardiac alterations, such as increased or reduced organ dimensions. Standardizing the techniques and measurements performed in this study may serve as a basis for further research in the field.     

Signatures of divergent selection for cold tolerance in maize

Divergently selected genotypes can be used for detecting the genomic regions affecting the selected trait (selection signature). Moreover, the genetic distances (GDs) among divergently selected lines can be correlated with the agronomic performances of the crosses among them. Using as source the maize F₂ of B73?×?IABO78, we previously conducted four cycles of divergent recurrent selection and three cycles of divergent selection in inbreeding for cold tolerance at germination. We finally obtained 10 lines selected for low (L) and 10 lines selected for high (H) cold tolerance, which exhibited a notable divergence for both the selected and associated traits. Herein, we investigated the 20 lines and the 28 single diallel crosses among eight random lines (four L and four H); the main objectives were to identify the putative regions controlling the selected and associated traits and to study the relationships between crosses performances and GDs among their parental lines. Allele frequencies at 932 recombination blocks based on 19,220 polymorphic SNPs were obtained for the two lines’ groups; the F _ST calculated across sliding windows indicated 18 regions highly divergent between groups. The increasing alleles for cold tolerance were contributed by both parents, consistently with the transgressive segregations previously found. Several regions associated to DG also affected various agronomic traits. The cross performances showed some relationships with the genetic distances among parental lines for traits affected by dominance, provided that all crosses were considered, while these relationships vanished when only L?×?H crosses were examined.     

Relationship between serum cortisol levels and some physiological parameters following reining training session in horse

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise‐induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.     

Multiplex real-time PCR SYBR Green for detection and typing of group III Clostridium botulinum

Clostridium botulinum type C and type D belonging to the group III organisms, are mainly responsible for animal botulism outbreaks. Clinical signs alone are often insufficient to make a diagnosis of botulism and a laboratory confirmation is required. Laboratory confirmation can be performed by demonstrating the presence of botulinum neurotoxins in serum, gastrointestinal contents, liver, wound of sick or dead animals, or by demonstrating the presence of C. botulinum in gastrointestinal contents, liver, and wound. Demonstration of spores in gastrointestinal contents or tissue of animals with clinical signs indicative of botulism reinforces the clinical diagnosis. With the aim of detecting and typing C. botulinum group III organisms, a multiplex real-time PCR SYBR Green was developed and in-house validated. Selectivity, limit of detection, relative accuracy, relative specificity, relative sensitivity, and repeatability of the method were investigated. The multiplex real-time PCR SYBR green used showed a 100% selectivity, 100% relative accuracy, 100% relative specificity, 100% relative sensitivity and a limit of detection of 277 and 580 DNA copies for C. botulinum type C and C. botulinum type D, respectively. The method reported here represents a suitable tool for laboratory diagnosis of type C and D botulism and for testing a large number of samples collected during the animal botulism surveillance and prevention activities.     

Pasteurized tumoral autograft as a novel procedure for limb sparing in the dog: A clinical report

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of a pasteurized tumoral autograft prepared from the resected primary bone neoplasm for limb sparing in a dog with distal radial osteosarcoma (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: A 9-year-old male Maremma shepherd dog. METHODS: After right distal radial OSA removal, the tumoral autograft was pasteurized. The excised bone segment was placed in a sterile watertight box containing sterile saline solution preheated to 65 degrees C in a water bath. The box was kept immersed in the water bath at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes to kill the tumor cells. The autograft was then fixed in the host with a plate and screws based on standard AO/ASIF technique for carpal arthrodesis. Three doses of cisplatin (70 mg/m(2) intravenously) were administered, 3 weeks apart; the initial dose was administered the day after surgery. RESULTS: The autograft was incorporated in a manner comparable to an allograft, and after 708 days, the metallic implants were removed. A 1-month activity restriction as well as spoon splint to protect the leg from a full loading were used thereafter. Limb function was fair to good, and the dog remains disease free after 56 months. CONCLUSIONS: A pasteurized autograft consisting of the resected primary bone neoplasm is a valid alternative to a cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in dogs with appendicular OSA in terms of feasibility and pattern of healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This procedure can be an alternative method of limb sparing when difficulties are encountered in establishing and maintaining a canine bone allograft bank.     

Antioxidant systems and lymphocyte proliferation in the horse,sheep and dog

To better define the species-specific antioxidant systems and to ascertain the influence of the intracellular redox status on the immune system of different animal species, we determined lymphocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity, plasmatic glutathione levels (GSH) and the effect of H2O2 on the responsiveness of lymphocytes to proliferative stimuli. Among the three species considered, sheep presented the lowest plasmatic GSH and the highest lymphocyte GSHPx activity. On the contrary, dogs showed an inverted pattern (high GSH - low GSHPx). Horses displayed intermediate values for both parameters analysed. The effect of H2O2 on the proliferative capacity of lymphocytes was the same for all three species; the 200 microM dose in particular was strongly inhibiting. Each species, however, showed different rates of inhibition: sheep exhibited the highest sensitivity to the antiproliferative effect of H2O2. Our results confirmed that high H2O2 concentrations (200 microM) are noxious for the cellular functions of all animals; however this effect is mediated by a rigorously species-specific relationship between the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the molecular systems involved in cell proliferation.     

Predicting soil loss in central and south Italy with a single USLE-MM model

Purpose

The USLE-MM estimates event normalized plot soil loss, A_e,N, by an erosivity term given by the runoff coefficient, Q_R, times the single-storm erosion index, EI₃₀, raised to an exponent b₁?>?1. This modeling scheme is based on an expected power relationship, with an exponent greater than one, between event sediment concentration, C_e, and the EI₃₀/P_e (P_e = rainfall depth) term. In this investigation, carried out at the three experimental sites of Bagnara, Masse, and Sparacia, in Italy; the soundness of the USLE-MM scheme was tested.

Materials and methods

A total of 1192 (A_e,N, Q_REI₃₀) data pairs were used to parameterize the model both locally and considering all sites simultaneously. The performances of the fitted models were established by considering all erosive events and also by distinguishing between events of different severity.

Results and discussion

The b₁ exponent varied widely among the three sites (1.05–1.44) but using a common exponent (1.18) for these sites was possible. The A_e,N prediction accuracy increased in the passage from the smallest erosion events (A_e,N?≤?1 Mg ha^?1, median error =?3.35) to the largest ones (A_e,N?>?10 Mg ha^?1, median error =?1.72). The Q_REI₃₀ term was found to be usable to predict both A_e,N and the expected maximum uncertainty of this prediction. Soil erodibility was found to be mainly controlled by the largest erosion events.

Conclusions

Development of a single USLE-MM model appears possible. Sampling other sites is advisable to develop a single USLE-MM model for a general use.

     

Gene expression study of two widely used pig intestinal epithelial cell lines: IPEC-J2 and IPI-2I

The intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) play an important role in the immune system of swine, protecting against infectious and non-infectious environmental insults. The IEC participate in the innate immune response of the intestine through different mechanisms such as barrier function, mucus secretion, antibacterial peptide synthesis and participation in the cytokine/chemokine networks.Most of the current knowledge of intestinal cell functions has come from studies conducted on cell cultures generated from human cancers or from classical animal models. However, because the molecular and cellular elements of the immune system have been selected over evolutionary time in response to the species-specific environment, models of immune function based on mouse and human need to be applied cautiously in pig. Few models of swine small intestine epithelium exist and these are poorly characterised. In the present study we characterised the basal expression of epithelial and immune-related genes of two pig small intestine cell lines, IPEC-J2 and IPI-2I, under different culture conditions. These data represent essential background information for future studies on pig-intestinal pathogen interactions.