Niobium/Uranium Evidence for Early Formation of the Continental Crust

Niobium/uranium ratios in greenstone-belt basalts and gabbros indicate that parts of the Late Archean mantle beneath Western Australia underwent a level of melt extraction, resulting in formation of the continental crust, comparable to that seen in the present mantle. The implication is either that (i) the amount of continental crust that formed before 2.7 x 10(9) years ago was much greater than generally thought or (ii) crustal growth occurred by severe depletion of small volumes of the mantle rather than by moderate depletion of a large volume of mantle.     

Treatment and resolution of zilpaterol hydrochloride toxicity in a Quarter Horse gelding

Zilpaterol hydrochloride is a β‐2 agonist utilised as a repartitioning agent in cattle. In recent years, it has also been used illicitly among human athletes and body builders, and administered to racehorses. While there are numerous anecdotal reports of the effects of zilpaterol in horses, this is the first documented clinical case of equine zilpaterol toxicity. The horse presented with marked tachycardia, profuse sweating and generalised muscle fasciculations. Ultimately, treatment was initiated with propranolol and the horse made a complete recovery.     

Field comparison and crop production modeling of sweet corn and silage maize (Zea mays L.) with treated urban wastewater and freshwater

In Australia, interest in wastewater reuse has grown. While wastewater can potentially offer a nutrient advantage over conventional irrigation, crop yield increases may be offset by effects of high salinity. Effects of wastewater irrigation on crop production and soil health were investigated in two ways: a field experiment addressing short-term effects and modeling longer-term impacts. The field experiment was established at the Shepparton Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shepparton, Victoria, to compare effects of wastewater irrigation to conventional irrigation. Silage maize and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) were grown over the summer of 2012–2013 under the following flood irrigation treatments: wastewater and freshwater with and without fertilizer. Both harvests produced yields and qualities comparable to commercial farm standards, and no significant differences were found between water types. Maize production with long-term wastewater irrigation at various salinities was modeled, and no significant yield losses were observed after 50 years of simulated irrigation. Topsoil electroconductivity doubled after the field trial and simulation results predicted significant soil salt accumulation by factor of 2. Mean wastewater sodium absorption ratio of 4.52 and electroconductivity of 1.52 dS/m indicate potential for sodicity-related soil problems for long-term irrigation. Management of soil health may be necessary.     

A Non‐Reciprocal Autosomal Translocation 64,XX,t(4;10)(q21;p15) in an Arabian Mare with Repeated Early Embryonic Loss

Balanced autosomal translocations are a known cause for repeated early embryonic loss (REEL) in horses. In most cases, carriers of such translocations are phenotypically normal, but the chromosomal aberration negatively affects gametogenesis giving rise to both genetically balanced and unbalanced gametes. The latter, if involved in fertilization, result in REEL, whereas gametes with the balanced form of translocation will pass the defect into next generation. Therefore, in order to reduce the incidence of REEL, identification of translocation carriers is critical. Here, we report about a phenotypically normal 3‐year‐old Arabian mare that had repeated resorption of conceptuses prior to day 45 of gestation and was diagnosed with REEL. Conventional and molecular cytogenetic analyses revealed that the mare had normal chromosome number 64,XX but carried a non‐mosaic and non‐reciprocal autosomal translocation t(4;10)(q21;p15). This is a novel translocation described in horses with REEL and the first such report in Arabians. Previous cases of REEL due to autosomal translocations have exclusively involved Thoroughbreds. The findings underscore the importance of routine cytogenetic screening of breeding animals.