Glucocorticoids in the cat

Glucocorticoids are one of the two main classes of hormones, along with mineralocorticoids, which are secreted from the adrenal cortex. Since the discovery of the anti‐inflammatory properties of the natural glucocorticoid hydrocortisone, a large number of artificial glucocorticoids have been synthesized to attempt to increase efficacy and decrease side effects. These drugs are now considered one of the most commonly prescribed agents in veterinary practice. The effect of these drugs has been shown to vary significantly between species. Cats appear to tolerate glucocorticoids well, resulting in these drugs being recommended for a wide variety of conditions; however, there are few studies on the effects of glucocorticoids in cats. In this paper we review some of the available literature on glucocorticoid use in the cat.     

Effects of Postharvest Processing on Texture Profile Analysis of Cooked Rice

The effects of drying conditions, final moisture content, and degree of milling on the texture of cooked rice varieties, as measured by texture profile analysis, were investigated. Instrumentally measured textural properties were not significantly (α = 0.05) affected by drying conditions, with the exception of cohesiveness. Cohesiveness was lower in rice dried at lower temperatures (18°C or ambient) than in that dried at the higher commercial temperatures. Final moisture content and degree of milling significantly (α = 0.05) affected textural property values for adhesiveness, cohesiveness, hardness, and springiness; their effects were interdependent. The effects of deep milling were more pronounced in the rice dried to 15% moisture than that dried to 12%. In general, textural property values for hardness were higher and those for cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness were lower in regular-milled rice dried to 15% moisture than in that dried to 12%. In contrast, hardness values were lower and cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness values were higher in deep-milled rice dried to 15% moisture than in that dried to 12% moisture. Deep milling resulted in rice with lower hardness values and higher cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness values.     

Barriers to adaptation: Insights from Laamu Atoll,Maldives

Although adaptation to climate change is becoming increasingly recognised as an unavoidable priority, barriers are consistently encountered and reported. Identifying, analysing and overcoming these barriers is essential for ensuring that, as climate change worsens, adaptation capacities are not exceeded. Despite current studies providing a useful structuring heuristic to guide inquiry, there is a significant gap related to explanations around barrier occurrence and how to overcome them. In response, this article, based on semi‐structured stakeholder interviews, aims to provide preliminary insights into the type of barriers that exist in Laamu Atoll, the Maldives and explore any interdependencies between them. This study found that a range of resource barriers (i.e. funding, physical and human resources in outer islands and data on vulnerable groups) and social barriers (i.e. political/institutional and organisational constraints and inefficiencies, marginalisation and power differences as well as cognitive elements) were hampering adaptation. In exploring the interdependencies that exist between these barriers, the nature of their occurrence, persistence and entry points for resolution were also identified.     

Mechanisms of powdery mildew resistance of wheat – a review of molecular breeding

Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) results in serious economic loss in wheat production. Exploration of plant resistance to wheat powdery mildew over several decades has led to the discovery of a wealth of resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs). We have provided a comprehensive summary of over 200 powdery mildew genes (permanently and temporarily designated genes) and QTLs reported in common bread wheat. This highlights the diverse and rich resistance sources that exist across all 21 chromosomes. To manage different data for breeders, here we also present a bridged mapping result from previously reported powdery mildew resistance genes and QTLs with the application of a published integrated wheat map. This will provide important insights to empower further breeding of powdery mildew resistant wheat via marker-assisted selection (MAS).     

USE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN DOGS

A prospective study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of portosystemic shunts (PSS) and the accuracy of anatomically locating single congenital PSS in dogs using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). MRA was performed on 10 normal dogs and 23 dogs with PSS. Sensitivity and specificity of MRA to diagnose any shunt among all dogs were 80% and 100%, respectively. Among dogs identified with PSS, sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosis of multiple extrahepatic shunts were 63% and 97%, respectively, and for diagnosis of single congenital shunts were 79% and 100%, respectively. Using MRA, radiologists correctly identified shunts as extrahepatic or intrahepatic in 83% of patients and correctly identified the origin and insertion of the shunts in 57% and 97% of patients, respectively. Use of MRA is specific for diagnosis of PSS and is a sensitive indicator of anatomic location of single congenital portosystemic shunts.     

EVALUATION OF CANINE LUMBOSACRAL STENOSIS USING INTRAVENOUS CONTRAST-ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The objective of this study was to evaluate intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography as a technique for predicting the within-level location(s) of compressive soft tissues in the canine lumbosacral spine. Pre-operative intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the L5-S3 vertebral levels was performed in 12 consecutive large breed dogs with lumbosacral stenosis. The images were evaluated for enhancement of soft tissues by two radiologists who were unaware of the surgical findings. For each within-level location (dorsal canal, ventral canal, right lateral recess, left lateral recess) enhancement was classified as present, absent or equivocal. The results were compared with the results of surgical exploration and histopathology of excised tissues. The positive predictive values of intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography for compressive soft tissues involving the dorsal canal, ventral canal and lateral recesses were 83%, 100%, and 81% respectively. Negative predictive values for compressive soft tissues involving these locations were 29%, 50%, and 40% respectively.     

Information dissemination and communication in stakeholder participation: the Bohol-Cebu water supply project

Development theories in the 1990s embrace a much more people-centred perspective than in previous decades. At the same time, foreign direct investment is increasingly being touted as a new form of development assistance, and transnational corporations as new aid agents. However, the ideology of the free market is incongruous with the people-centredness of contemporary development theory. The result is a polarisation between participatory development and market driven paradigms. This study introduced the models of instrumental and transformative participation and the way they influence information flow and communication. These models are used to examine a project proponent’s and stakeholder’s actions in a privatised development setting, using a Philippine case study. The case study is the Bohol-Cebu water supply project, a project of water capture, treatment, and transmission, linking the islands of Bohol and Cebu. Communication and information dissemination between the project proponent and stakeholders is viewed under the requirements of Philippine legislation for participation in development. The findings from this research suggest that the proponent tended to exclude or only partially include affected stakeholders in the development process. Sources of information were often nongovernmental organisations, the Church, and, in many instances, the media. The proponent’s method of disseminating information was primarily to target the municipal or provincial government level, thus disenfranchising the ‘grass roots’     

Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin

High incidences of pre-weaning mortality continue to limit global sheep production, constituting a major economic and welfare concern. Despite significant advances in genetics, nutrition, and management, the proportion of lamb deaths has remained stable at 15–20% over the past four decades. There is mounting evidence that melatonin can improve outcomes in compromised ovine pregnancies via enhanced uterine bloodflow and neonatal neuroprotection. This review provides an overview of the major risk factors and underlying mechanisms involved in perinatal lamb mortality and discusses the potential of melatonin treatment as a remedial strategy. Supplementing pregnant ewes with melatonin enhances uterine bloodflow and fetal oxygenation, and potentially birthweight and neonatal thermogenic capacity. Melatonin freely crosses the ovine placenta and blood-brain barrier and provides neuroprotection to the fetal lamb during periods of chronic and acute hypoxia throughout gestation, with improved behavioural outcomes in hypoxic neonates. The current literature provides strong evidence that maternal melatonin treatment improves outcomes for lambs which experience compromised in utero development or prolonged parturition, though to date this has not been investigated in livestock production systems. As such there is a clear basis for continued research into the effects of maternal melatonin supplementation during gestation on pre-weaning survival under extensive production conditions.     

Organization and sequence of four flagellin-encoding genes of Edwardsiella ictaluri

Edwardsiella ictaluri , the cause of enteric septicaemia in channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ), is motile by means of peritrichous flagella. We determined the complete flagellin gene sequences and their organization in E. ictaluri by sequencing genomic segments from a λ-ZAP phage genomic library of E. ictaluri . Four flagellin genes ( fliC1, fliC2, fliC3 and fliC4 ) are arranged in tandem within 6 kb in the E. ictaluri genome. Each flagellin-coding sequence is preceded by a σ²⁸ recognition site consensus sequence. The predicted amino acid sequences of all four flagellin proteins (between 36 and 37.5 kDa) are similar in the N-terminal (1–160 aa) and C-terminal (last 74 aa) portions and are divergent in the central portion of the proteins. Proteins encoded by flC1, fliC2 and fliC3 are more similar to each other (88–90% aa identity) than to the protein encoded by fliC4 (76–78% aa identity). basic local alignment search tool analysis of GenBank sequences showed that all flagellin aa sequences are more similar to those of Serratia marcescens (72–74% identity) than to those of Edwardsiella tarda (≤64% identity). Primary determination of E. ictaluri flagellin gene sequences facilitate advanced studies on the role of flagella in host–pathogen interaction.