Determination of growth-stage-specific crop coefficients (Kc) of cotton and wheat

Development of crop coefficient (Kc), the ratio of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), can enhance ETc estimates in relation to specific crop phenological development. This research was conducted to determine growth-stage-specific Kc and crop water use for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) at the Texas AgriLife Research field at Uvalde, TX, USA from 2005 to 2008. Weighing lysimeters were used to measure crop water use and local weather data were used to determine the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Seven lysimeters, weighing about 14 Mg, consisted of undisturbed 1.5 m × 2.0 m × 2.2 m deep soil monoliths. Six lysimeters were located in the center of a 1-ha field beneath a linear-move sprinkler system equipped with low energy precision application (LEPA) and a seventh lysimeter was established to measure reference grass ETo. Crop water requirements, Kc determination, and comparison to existing FAO Kc values were determined over a 2-year period on cotton and a 3-year period on wheat. Seasonal total amounts of crop water use ranged from 689 to 830 mm for cotton and from 483 to 505 mm for wheat. The Kc values determined over the growing seasons varied from 0.2 to 1.5 for cotton and 0.1 to 1.7 for wheat. Some of the values corresponded and some did not correspond to those from FAO-56 and from the Texas High Plains and elsewhere in other states. We assume that the development of regionally based and growth-stage-specific Kc helps in irrigation management and provides precise water applications for this region.     

Schisandrin B protects against solar irradiation-induced oxidative injury in BJ human fibroblasts

The effects of schisandrin B (Sch B) and its analogs on solar irradiation-induced oxidative injury were examined in BJ human fibroblasts. Sch B and schisandrin C (Sch C) increased cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and protected against solar irradiation-induced oxidative injury. The photoprotection was paralleled by decreases in the elastases-type protease activity and matrix-metalloproteinases-1 expression in solar-irradiated fibroblasts. The cytochrome P-450-mediated metabolism of Sch B or Sch C caused ROS production. The results suggest that by virtue of its pro-oxidant action and the subsequent glutathione antioxidant response, Sch B or Sch C may offer the prospect of preventing skin photo-aging.     

Penicillinolide A: A New Anti-Inflammatory Metabolite from the Marine Fungus Penicillium sp. SF-5292

In the course of studies on bioactive metabolites from marine fungi, a new 10-membered lactone, named penicillinolide A (1) was isolated from the organic extract of Penicillium sp. SF-5292 as a potential anti-inflammatory compound. The structure of penicillinolide A (1) was mainly determined by analysis of NMR and MS data and Mosher’s method. Penicillinolide A (1) inhibited the production of NO and PGE₂ due to inhibition of the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Penicillinolide A (1) also reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production, and these anti-inflammatory effects were shown to be correlated with the suppression of the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and NF-κB DNA binding activity. In addition, using inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), a competitive inhibitor of HO activity, it was verified that the inhibitory effects of compound 1 on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and NF-κB DNA binding activity were partially associated with HO-1 expression through Nrf2 nuclear translocation.     

Profile of Steroid Receptors and Increased Aromatase Immunoexpression in Canine Inflammatory Mammary Cancer as a Potential Therapeutic Target

Canine inflammatory mammary cancer (IMC) has been proposed as a model for the study of human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The aims of this study were to compare the immunohistochemical expression of aromatase (Arom) and several hormone receptors [estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR)], in 21 IMC cases vs 19 non‐IMC; and to study the possible effect of letrozole on canine IMC and human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) in vitro using IPC‐366 and SUM‐149 cell lines. Significant elevations of the means of Arom Total Score (TS), ERβ TS and PR TS were found in the IMC group (p = 0.025, p = 0.038 and p = 0.037, respectively). Secondary IMC tumours expressed higher levels of Arom than primary IMC (p = 0.029). Non‐IMC PR‐ tumours contained higher levels of Arom than non‐IMC PR+ tumours (p = 0.007). After the addition of letrozole, the number of IMC and IBC cells dropped drastically. The overexpression of Arom found and the results obtained in vitro further support canine IMC as a model for the study of IBC and future approaches to the treatment of dogs with mammary cancer, and especially IMC, using Arom inhibitors.     

The prevalence of itchmite, Psorergates ovis, among sheep flocks with a history of fleece derangement

An investigation of sheep flocks in the main sheep raising areas of New South Wales showed that the itchmite Psorergates ovis was frequently associated with fleece derangement. In 26 of the 41 flocks examined, P. ovis was the only ectoparasite detected. P. ovis and the sheep body louse Damalinia ovis, were found in 5 flocks. No external parasites were found on sheep examined from the 10 remaining flocks. The type of fleece derangement most frequently recorded was rubbing which in some cases was combined with areas of chewed fleece. Among flocks, there were positive relations between the prevalence of fleece derangement and prevalence of itchmite or scurf and between itchmite count and mean scurf score. Within flocks, itchmite infested sheep or sheep with scurf had higher prevalences of fleece derangement than sheep on which no mites or no scurf were found. Itchmite infested sheep had a higher prevalence of scurf than those with no detectable mite infestation. There were no significant differences in itchmite populations or fleece derangement between untreated flocks and flocks treated with synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates or arsenic and rotenone.     

Oxygen isotopic compositions of asteroidal materials returned from Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission

Meteorite studies suggest that each solar system object has a unique oxygen isotopic composition. Chondrites, the most primitive of meteorites, have been believed to be derived from asteroids, but oxygen isotopic compositions of asteroids themselves have not been established. We measured, using secondary ion mass spectrometry, oxygen isotopic compositions of rock particles from asteroid 25143 Itokawa returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Compositions of the particles are depleted in (16)O relative to terrestrial materials and indicate that Itokawa, an S-type asteroid, is one of the sources of the LL or L group of equilibrated ordinary chondrites. This is a direct oxygen-isotope link between chondrites and their parent asteroid.     

Habitat use and movement patterns of small (age‐0) juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) relative to the Kuroshio

The habitat use of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis; PBF) in nursery waters off the southern coast of Japan was investigated using archival tags over a 3 year study period (2012–2015), and the data were used to examine the free‐ranging habitat preferences of PBF and the relationship between their horizontal movements and the path of the Kuroshio off the Pacific coast of Japan. The path of the Kuroshio fluctuated seasonally, leading to changes in water temperature that strongly influenced the habitat use of small PBF (2–3 months after hatching). Most PBF were present in coastal waters inshore of the path of the current, and their habitat use changed in response to the distance of the current from the coast. The Kuroshio typically flowed along the coast from summer to autumn, and PBF remained in the coastal waters off Kochi Prefecture during this period. In contrast, PBF quickly moved eastward in winter when the current moved away from the coast. Throughout the winter and spring, the area of habitat use extended widely from the eastern end of the southern coast of Japan (the Boso Peninsula) to the offshore Kuroshio‐Oyashio transition region. These findings suggest that the seasonal habitat use and movement behavior of juvenile PBF are influenced by the distance of the Kuroshio axis from the coast, and the ultimate drivers are likely variations in oceanographic conditions and prey availability along the southern coast of Japan.     

Recording uterine motility in the nonanesthetized bitch

Spontaneous and drug-induced uterine motility (UM) was recorded in 5 nonanesthetized bitches for 2 to 4 days. Catheter-tip pressure transducers were surgically implanted in 1 uterine horn, tunneled subcutaneously to exit from the skin over the dorsal lumbar area, and protected by a bandage. On the day after implantation, spontaneous UM was recorded in the awake bitch. Effects of IV prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha (5 micrograms/kg of body weight) and oxytocin (0.05 USP U/kg) and IM PGF2 alpha (25 micrograms/kg) were measured. Estradiol (1 to 25 micrograms/kg) was administered and the study was repeated 24 hours later. In awake bitches, spontaneous UM was 190% greater than UM in anesthetized bitches. Uterine motility was increased by more than 100% after IV PGF2 alpha or oxytocin and by 52% after IM PGF2 alpha. Estradiol abolished spontaneous UM, but did not affect drug-induced responses. Seemingly, spontaneous and drug-induced UM can be documented in the nonanesthetized bitch.     

A comparison of two combinations of xylazine-ketamine administered intramuscularly to alpacas and of reversal with tolazoline

ObjectiveTo evaluate the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of two doses of intramuscular (IM) xylazine/ketamine in alpacas, and to determine if tolazoline would reduce the anesthetic recovery time.Study designProspective randomized crossover study.AnimalsSix castrated male alpacas.MethodsEach alpaca received a low dose (LD) (0.8 mg kg⁻¹ xylazine and 8 mg kg⁻¹ ketamine IM) and high dose (HD) (1.2 mg kg⁻¹ xylazine and 12 mg kg⁻¹ ketamine IM) with a minimum of one week between trials. Time to sedation, duration of lateral recumbency and analgesia, pulse rate, respiratory rate, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure, blood-gases, and the electrocardiogram were monitored and recorded during anesthesia. With each treatment three alpacas were randomly selected to receive tolazoline (2 mg kg⁻¹ IM) after 30 minutes of lateral recumbency.ResultsOnset of sedation, lateral recumbency and analgesia was rapid with both treatments. The HD was able to provide ≥30 minutes of anesthesia in five of six alpacas. The LD provided ≥30 minutes of anesthesia in three of six alpacas. Respiratory depression and hypoxemia occurred with the HD treatment during the first 10 minutes of lateral recumbency: two animals were severely hypoxemic and received nasal oxygen for 5 minutes. Heart rate decreased, but there were no significant changes in arterial blood pressure. Tolazoline significantly shortened the duration of recumbency with the HD.ConclusionsThe HD provided more consistent clinical effects in alpacas than the LD. Intramuscular tolazoline shortened the duration of lateral recumbency in alpacas anesthetized with the HD combination.Clinical relevanceBoth doses of the combination were effective in providing restraint in alpacas and the duration of restraint was dose dependent. Supplemental oxygen should be available if using the HD and IM administration of tolazoline will shorten the recovery time.