Effect of vaccination on fecal cortisol metabolites in cats and dogs

The aim of this study was to apply a cortisol metabolite determination in the faeces of cats and dogs for monitoring disturbances. In this experiment faeces from every spontaneous defecation of 10 cats and 10 dogs (5 of each sex) were collected starting from one day before until two days after the yearly vaccination. Concentrations of 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (cat) and cortisol equivalents (dog) were determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Faecal cortisol metabolites increased and reached peak concentrations (median: 412% in cats and 417% in dogs, respectively above baseline values) in one of the next two samples following the vaccination. This indicated an activation of the adrenocortex, the degree to which the different parts (physical and psychological components) of the whole vaccination procedure contributed to it was not evaluated. From this experiment we conclude that measuring cortisol metabolites in the faeces is a non-invasive method to monitor stressful conditions in cats and dogs and thus is a valuable tool for evaluating animal welfare.     

Standing laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in stallions using cylindrical polypropylene mesh prosthesis

Standing laparoscopic herniorrhaphy was performed in 9 stallions. Appropriate analgesia was achieved by sedation with detomidine and local flank infiltration with mepivacaine. Three portal sites at the paralumbar fossa were used to perform the herniorrhaphy by means of triangulation. A cylindrical polypropylene mesh was inserted and fixated in the inguinal canal. Subsequent adhesion formation resulted in an obliterated inguinal canal within 2 weeks. This minimal invasive technique allowed us to perform a testis sparing herniorrhaphy in the standing horse.     

Response of collembolan assemblages to plant species successional gradient

It has been acknowledged that soil organisms play a significant role in nutrient cycling and thus may affect productivity and competition within plant assemblages with potential effects on vegetation trajectories. However, few studies have considered a single conceptual framework referring to both above–belowground linkages and plant succession. Consequently, we lack knowledge on the effects of plant successional processes on the dynamics of soil biota. Given this dearth of information, our study aimed to describe the dynamics of a major group of soil fauna, namely collembola, during the secondary succession on chalky slopes edging the Seine River. We selected five different plant assemblages as representative of a chronosequence: short grassland, tall grassland, encroached grassland, shrubland and forest. Our results clearly highlighted a strong response of collembolan assemblages to vegetation gradient. The changes in collembolan diversity were due to a high turnover rate in early successional stages and to nestedness in late successional stages. In addition, each collembolan life form had a specific response to vegetal succession. Euedaphic assemblages increased progressively during the succession while epedaphic did not follow a clear pattern. Our results also indicated a link between the dynamics of collembolan assemblages and plant life forms (e.g. trees and graminoids) rather than plant diversity. A focus on life forms, for plants and soil biota, seems to provide a good framework to study linkages between above and belowground biota.     

DRIS-based fertilization efficiency of young hybrid poplar plantations in the boreal region of Canada

In order to maximize early growth and establishment of planted hybrid poplars in the boreal region of Eastern Canada, growth response of four clones to fertilization was tested in two plantations. The first two fertilization treatments were based on Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), a method based on nutrient ratios: DRIS I was based on previously established norms from a study that had been conducted in the same area, and DRIS II was based on DRIS norms developed from hybrid poplars in northern Ontario, Canada. Nutrient status and growth of trees under these 2 treatments were compared to unfertilized trees and to trees under standard (STD) fertilization treatment (40 N–20P–20 K). Leaf nutrient concentrations and DRIS indices showed that fertilization treatments, and especially DRIS I corrected N deficiencies but failed to correct P deficiencies. Fertilization increased volume relative growth rate by 7.51, 4.76 and 13.25 % on average at the agricultural site for DRIS I, DRIS II and STD treatments respectively, compared to no fertilizer application. At the forest site, fertilization treatments based on DRIS indices (DRIS I and DRIS II) increased growth rates (6.67 %) slightly more than the standard treatment (5.80 %). Overall, although DRIS-based fertilization treatments generally increased growth rates, they were often equal to or less efficient than the STD treatment, and may not be as practical as using a standard fertilization recipe.     

A Socio-Economic Analysis of French Public Timber Sales

This socio-economic study aims to better understand the functioning and the evolution of timber sales held by the French public forest service. The auction system is the historical institution which has been used for timber sales in France for centuries. The recent trend to develop supply contracts through private agreements has a major impact on the French timber industry, which is criticized for its lack of competitiveness. It accurately raises questions about the timber price issue. Indeed, the auction system plays an important role in price setting. We refer to the auction theory literature to examine the features of French timber auctions: first-price sealed-bid sequential auctions of heterogeneous standing timber lots. In particular, we note that seller's reserve price is kept secret and that, contrary to the general assumption in auction theory, the seller indubitably lacks information about his own reservation value. Finally, the difficulty of defining a “fair market price” remains a central issue in public timber sales.     

Third degree atrioventricular block and accelerated idioventricular rhythm associated with a heart base chemodectoma in a syncopal Rottweiler

A 7-year-old male intact Rottweiler was presented with a 1-week history of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and multiple syncopal events. The results of the clinical examination and electrocardiography were consistent with a third degree atrioventricular block and an intermittent accelerated idioventricular rhythm. Haematology, serum biochemistry, serology for Borrelia burgdorferi, blood culture, total T4, thoracic radiography and echocardiography did not reveal the cause of the arrhythmia. Response to medical treatment with isoproterenol was poor. Pacemaker placement was declined by the owners and the dog was euthanized at their request. Histopathological examination of the heart revealed a chemodectoma at the base of the heart. There was no neoplastic infiltration of the conduction tissue. Potential mechanisms explaining the association of the arrhythmias and the tumour, such as vagal stimulation and neuroendocrine factors are discussed.     

Genetic dissection of transcriptional regulation in budding yeast

To begin to understand the genetic architecture of natural variation in gene expression, we carried out genetic linkage analysis of genomewide expression patterns in a cross between a laboratory strain and a wild strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Over 1500 genes were differentially expressed between the parent strains. Expression levels of 570 genes were linked to one or more different loci, with most expression levels showing complex inheritance patterns. The loci detected by linkage fell largely into two categories: cis-acting modulators of single genes and trans-acting modulators of many genes. We found eight such trans-acting loci, each affecting the expression of a group of 7 to 94 genes of related function.