PRIORITISING SOIL QUALITY ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE SCREENING OF SITES: THE USE OF PUBLICLY COLLECTED DATA

Emergence of policies dealing with concern over soil degradation and anthropogenic impacts to soil is likely to increase the requirement for assessment of soil quality and identification of soils at risk from degradation. An example is the proposed EU Soil Framework Directive, which features the identification of areas requiring protection from soil degradation. There have been some serious objections to such requirements on the grounds of resource and capital demands. To help to address these concerns, this work proposes a strategic set of indicators based on measured soil quality indicators. These can be used in screening locations to assess the likelihood of degradation and indicate areas for further detailed assessment. This will allow further emphasis to be placed on a smaller number of locations, which could lead to cost and resource efficiencies. Indicators have been used in the past in assessment of soil quality; they are parameters which can be measured and correspond to assessment criteria to measure and help monitor the status and changes. The study reviews the current state of soil quality assessment including methods and indicators that are used to collect data and approaches used to assess data to determine areas subject to soil degradation. Methods and practicalities for data collection and screening are discussed, including the need for further pilot testing and protocol development. Use of public data collection could allow more resource efficient protection of soils, in addition to benefits of public engagement, and raising awareness of the importance of soils and soil biodiversity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Serum Levels of Cardiac Markers NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP in Brachycephalic bitches at Different Gestational Stages

The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of natriuretic peptide precursors (NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP) during pregnancy in brachycephalic bitches. Fifteen healthy multiparous bitches were selected for this prospective study. Serum levels of NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP were measured during anoestrous and at 14, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days (2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th weeks) of pregnancy. Fourteen animals had normal gestations, and one bitch developed single foetus syndrome. The natriuretic peptide levels of this animal were not included in this study; however, it is important to report that its NT‐proANP levels were four times greater than those of normal patients. There was no significant difference (p = 0.072) in NT‐proBNP levels between anoestrous (0.20 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and the different pregnancy weeks (0.27 ± 0.12 ng/ml). There was a positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between NT‐proANP and gestational age, and the levels of this marker increased significantly (p < 0.0001) during the 6th (0.26 ± 0.06 ng/ml), 7th (0.28 ± 0.04 ng/ml) and 8th weeks (0.29 ± 0.05 ng/ml) when compared to anoestrous (0.18 ± 0.02 ng/ml). NT‐proANP serum levels are correlated with gestational development and may be indicative of cardiovascular adaptation in canine brachycephalic pregnancy.     

Bone and lean tissue changes following cranial cruciate ligament transection and stifle stabilization

Following cranial cruciate ligament transection and extracapsular stabilization, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to analyze bone mineral content and lean tissue mass in the surgical and nonsurgical legs (n=14) at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and to evaluate bone mineral content and bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal, mid-, and distal tibia of both the surgical and nonsurgical legs (n=15) at 0, 5, and 10 weeks. There was significant loss of bone mineral content and lean tissue in the surgical leg compared to the nonsurgical leg. Significant loss in bone mineral content and BMD was detected in the tibia of the surgical leg and was most pronounced in the metaphyseal region.     

Correlation between hepatobiliary scintigraphy and surgery or postmortem examination findings in dogs and cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction, partial obstruction, or patency of the biliary system: 18 cases (1995-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of serum biochemical variables and scintigraphic study results for differentiating between dogs and cats with complete extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHO) and those with partial EHO or patent bile ducts. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 17 dogs and 1 cat. PROCEDURE: Animals that underwent hepatobiliary scintigraphy and had either surgical or postmortem confirmation of the degree of bile duct patency were included. Scintigraphic images were evaluated and biliary tracts were classified as patent, partially obstructed but patent, or obstructed. Surgery or postmortem examination was considered the gold standard for diagnosis, and compared with those findings, sensitivity and specificity of scintigraphy were calculated. RESULTS: With absence of radioactivity in the intestinal tract as the diagnostic criterion for EHO, the sensitivity and specificity of scintigraphic diagnosis were both 83% when final images were acquired at 19 to 24 hours, compared with 100% and 33%, respectively, when 180 minutes was used as the cutoff time. Animals with partial biliary obstruction had less intestinal radioactivity that arrived later than that observed in animals with patent biliary tracts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Animals in which intestinal radioactivity has not been observed after the standard 3 to 4 hours should undergo additional scintigraphic imaging. Findings in animals with partial biliary obstruction include delayed arrival of radioactivity and less radioactivity in the intestine. Distinguishing between complete and partial biliary tract obstruction is important because animals with partial obstruction may respond favorably to medical management and should not be given an erroneous diagnosis of complete obstruction.     

Nutraceuticals, aging, and cognitive dysfunction.

Decline in cognitive function that accompanies aging in dogs might have a biological basis, and many of the disorders associated with aging in canines might be preventable through dietary modifications that incorporate specific nutraceuticals. Based on previous research and the results of laboratory and clinical studies, antioxidants might be one class of nutraceutical that benefits aged dogs. Brains of aged dogs accumulate oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, which can lead to dysfunction of neuronal cells. The production of free radicals and lack of increase in compensatory antioxidant enzymes might lead to detrimental modifications to important macromolecules within neurons. Reducing oxidative damage through food ingredients rich in a broad spectrum of antioxidants significantly improves, or slows the decline of, learning and memory in aged dogs; however, determining which compounds, combinations, dosage ranges, when to initiate intervention, and long-term effects constitute critical gaps in knowledge about this subject.     

Functional Activity of Frozen Thawed Chinchilla lanigera Spermatozoa Cryopreserved with Glycerol or Ethylene Glycol

The cryopreservation of spermatozoa constitutes a valuable tool for the captive breeding management of valuable and/or threatened species. Chinchilla lanigera is a species almost extinct in the wild, and the domestic counterpart has one of the most valuable pelts in the world. The objectives of this study were to: (i) compare the functional activity of post‐thawed chinchilla spermatozoa cryopreserved at ?196°C either with glycerol (G) or ethylene glycol (EG) as cryoprotectants (1 m final concentration) and (ii) investigate the effects of incubating the gametes for 4 h in the presence or in the absence of the cryoprotectants; evaluations were performed taking into account motility, viability, response to hypo‐osmotic shock and acrosome integrity of the cells. Parameters reflecting post‐thaw (0 h) sperm functional activity were significantly lower than those of freshly ejaculated gametes. When comparing the cryoprotectant efficiency of G vs EG, neither cryoprotectant agent offered appreciable advantages. After 4 h of incubation, in the presence or absence of the cryoprotectant agent, a rapid and significant decrease was found in all functional parameters and remained at ～ 20–30% motile, viable and viable acrosome intact cells. Viability was significantly lower when the cryoprotectant was removed from the media (possibly due to the centrifugation process). With respect to the maintenance of sperm membrane integrity, only ～ 10% of cells showed membrane resistance to hypo‐osmotic conditions after the 4 h incubation period. These results constitute new insights for cryopreservation protocols and the development of assisted reproductive techniques in this species.