Aroma compound analysis of Eruca sativa (Brassicaceae) SPME headspace leaf samples using GC,GC-MS,and olfactometry

The aroma compounds of rocket salad (Eruca sativa) SPME headspace samples of fresh leaves were analyzed using GC, GC-MS, and olfactometry. More than 50 constituents of the Eruca headspace could be identified to be essential volatiles, responsible for the characteristic intense green; herbal; nutty and almond-like; Brassicaceae-like (direction of cabbage, broccoli, and mustard); and horseradish-like aroma of these salad leaves. As aroma impact compounds, especially isothiocyanates, and derivatives of butane, hexane, octane, and nonane were identified. 4-Methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate (14.2%), cis-3-hexen-1-ol (11.0%), cis-3-hexenyl butanoate (10.8%), 5-methylthiopentyl isothiocyanate (9.3%), cis-3-hexenyl 2-methylbutanoate (5.4%), and 5-methylthiopentanenitrile (5.0%) were found in concentrations higher than 5.0% (calculated as % peak area of GC analysis using a nonpolar column).     

Mesoscale eddies and survival of late stage Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) larvae

We examined the distribution of sardine larvae relative to environmental conditions with the purpose of identifying and characterizing habitat that encourages high larval growth and survival, based on the 1983–1998 surveys of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). Long-term averages show that sardine 'survivors' (spatially aggregated larvae ≥ 18 days old) were most abundant offshore, whereas sardine egg density, chlorophyll biomass and zooplankton volume were greatest inshore. In contrast, mesoscale eddies, observed in remotely sensed sea surface temperature imagery, were found only in offshore regions. To further examine the link between eddies – which often result in locally elevated chlorophyll and zooplankton – and sardine survival, we compared the distribution of larvae and eddies survey by survey. Sardine survivors were most abundant offshore in only one-quarter of the research surveys, and when they were most abundant offshore they were associated with eddies. This indicates that the offshore eddy habitat produced exceptionally large numbers of survivors, as evidenced by the disproportionate effect on the long-term average.     

Ocular metastasis of a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma in a cat

A 6‐year‐old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a recurrent vaccine‐associated fibrosarcoma. The cat had three excisions of the tumour prior to presentation and was referred for radiation therapy. Ten months following treatment with radiation therapy, the cat was presented again for a cloudy appearance to the eye. An exenteration was performed, and biopsy revealed fibrosarcoma. At the same time, two discrete pulmonary nodules were identified on thoracic radiographs. Two doses of doxorubicin (20 mg/m²) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m²) were administered intravenously 3 weeks apart. Despite treatment, the pulmonary nodule doubled in size. This case represents the first antemortem report of ocular metastasis of a vaccine‐associated sarcoma and supports the highly aggressive nature of these tumours.     

Differential reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to species of Brucella

The reactivity of bovine lymphocytes to 4 species of Brucella was tested in thymidine-uptake assays, using long-term cultured lymphocytes and freshly obtained blood mononuclear cells. Lymphocytes were taken from cows that had been challenge exposed with a virulent strain of B abortus at midgestation. The cows were classified retrospectively as being naturally resistant or susceptible to brucellosis. Lymphocytes taken from these cows had 3 patterns of reactivity with species of Brucella: pattern 1 was defined by reactivity with 4 species (B abortus, B canis, B suis, and B melitensis); pattern 2 was defined by reactivity with all these species, except B melitensis; pattern 3 was defined by reactivity with B abortus and B canis, but not with B suis or B melitensis. There was a statistically significant correlation between susceptibility to brucellosis and expression of lymphocyte cross-reactivity with B suis (P less than 0.01) and with B melitensis (P less than 0.001).     

Genetic diversity and relatedness estimates for captive barramundi (Lates calcarifer,Bloch) broodstock informs efforts to form a base population for selective breeding

Aquaculture of barramundi or Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) is growing in both Australia and Southeast Asia and there is substantial interest to improve production efficiency through selective breeding. The establishment of a large and genetically diverse base population is a prerequisite for a sustainable and long‐term productive breeding program. Before selective breeding programs can begin for Australian barramundi it is important to assess the overall genetic diversity of current captive broodstock populations. To address this question, 407 captive barramundi broodstock from eight separate Australian broodstock populations were genotyped using 16 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers. A Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis indicated that captive Australian broodstock are broadly divided into two genetic stocks. Multivariate analysis between broodstock individuals and pairwise F_ST between broodstock populations also supported the existence of two stocks. Comparisons with data obtained from natural stocks suggested that hatchery individuals were either sourced from the two stocks or represented an admixture between them. Genetic diversity was low within each broodstock population (allelic richness ranged from 2.67 to 3.42 and heterozygosity ranged from 0.453 to 0.537) and relatedness estimates within hatcheries were generally low (average r was equal to 0.141). We recommend sourcing captive individuals according to high levels of neutral genetic diversity and low levels of relatedness for the establishment of a base population. We also make recommendations about including genetically diverse wild individuals.     

How do hedgerows influence soil organic carbon stock in livestock‐grazed pasture?

Hedgerows have the potential to influence ecosystem function in livestock‐grazed pasture. Despite this, they are often ignored when quantifying farmland ecosystem service delivery. In this study, we assess the contribution of hedgerows to the ecosystem function of carbon (C) storage, with a particular emphasis on soil organic carbon (SOC). We measured SOC stock (kg C m^?2), on an equivalent soil mass basis, at 0–0.15 m depth in pasture adjacent to 38 hedgerows (biotic) and 16 stone walls or fences (abiotic controls) across ten farms in the county of Conwy, Wales, UK. Pasture SOC stock (~7 kg C m^?2) was similar adjacent to biotic and abiotic field boundaries, positively associated with soil moisture and negatively with soil bulk density (BD). For biotic boundaries, two further variables were significantly associated with SOC stock, distance from hedgerow (decrease in SOC stock) and slope orientation (upslope SOC stock greater than downslope). For pasture adjacent to hedgerows, a model combining the aforementioned variables (BD, soil moisture, distance from hedgerow, slope orientation) explained 78% of variation in SOC stock. This study demonstrates that whilst hedgerows do have subtle positive effects on SOC stock in adjacent pasture, SOC storage adjacent to field boundaries is influenced more by soil moisture content and BD than field boundary type.     

Comparison of two radiographic techniques for evaluation of hip joint laxity in 10 breeds of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hip joint laxity in 10 breeds of dogs via 2 radiographic techniques. ANIMALS: 500 clinically normal dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. PROCEDURE: Radiographs obtained via routine hip joint evaluations performed in sedated dogs of 10 popular breeds were randomly selected from a database. Measurements of distraction index (DI) and hip-extended index (HEI) on 1 hip joint radiograph randomly chosen from each dog were made. RESULTS: Mean age of dogs was 20.7 months. Mean HEI was 0.17 (range, 0.0 to 0.72) and mean DI was 0.44 (range, 0.07 to 0.96). Borzois had uniformly tight hip joints as judged by use of both methods and were considered the gold standard by which hip joint laxity was judged (all Borzois had DI < or = 0.32). Overall, DI was significantly greater than HEI. Within each breed, mean DI was always greater than mean HEI. Significant differences were detected among breeds for HEI; however, compared with DI, the magnitude of differences among breeds was less. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Distraction radiography detected the greatest range and magnitude of passive hip laxity in the 10 breeds of dogs. The difference in values between breeds known to have high prevalence of canine hip dysplasia and those in Borzois was greater for DI than for HEI. Breeds must be evaluated individually because of inherent differences in hip joint laxity.     

The effect of extended grazing time and supplementary forage on the dry matter intake and foraging behaviour of cattle kept under traditional African grazing systems

An experiment was carried out at Alemaya University in Ethiopia to investigate the effect of night kraaling on the dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain (LWG) and foraging behaviour of Ogaden cattle. Three groups of four animals were given either 7 h access to pasture per day, simulating traditional grazing (TG) practice; extended grazing (EG) access for 11 h per day; or traditional grazing access plus a nocturnal forage supplement (TF). Live weight gain, DMI and foraging behaviour were measured during the late dry season (EP1) and the wet season (EP2). None of the treatments had any significant effect on either DMI or LWG during EP1 or EP2. Extending pasture access time from 7 h to 11 h did not significantly increase the amount time spent grazing, but grazing intensity was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced during the non-common grazing hours. Step rate was significantly lower (p < 0.01) during EP2 than during EP1 and bites per step were significantly higher (p < 0.001) during EP2 than EP1, indicating that animals had to travel a shorter distance before selecting material to eat during the wet season (EP2). Providing supplementary forage (TF) had no significant effect on any measured parameter. In this study neither of the two low-cost methods (EG and TF) of improving access to forage had any beneficial effect on cattle productivity. It is concluded that, under the prevailing conditions, the traditional grazing practices of this part of Ethiopia do provide sufficient pasture access time to achieve daily voluntary food intake.     

Clinical application of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of cranial nerves in horses in comparison with high resolution imaging standards

Although horses are affected by cranial nerve disease, our understanding of these structures' imaging anatomy is limited, and the optimal modality for imaging of each of these nerves is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging appearance of the equine cranial nerves on high‐resolution 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans of a cadaver head, and with these as standards, examine the utility of MRI and CT performed in clinical cases. High‐resolution MRI and CT images were prospectively acquired of the head of a normal Thoroughbred gelding following euthanasia. Ten clinical cases undergoing high‐field MRI under general anaesthesia and 10 clinical cases undergoing CT in the standing horse under sedation were retrospectively evaluated by three reviewers to assess cranial nerve visibility. On high‐resolution, thin‐slice, MRI scans of the normal cadaver head, each of the 12 cranial nerves and their topographic location could be appreciated. On high‐resolution cadaver CT, cranial nerves II, V and VII were clearly visible, but others were less easily identified; osseous structures were clearly visualised. Clinical MRI and CT allowed for variable visualisation of the cranial nerves, dependent on the sequence and the orientation of scan planes. High‐field MRI allowed excellent visualisation of equine cranial nerves, whereas CT allowed for more detailed visualisation of the osseous canals and foramina. In live horses, the ability to identify all 12 nerves is challenging with either MRI or CT; however, high‐field MRI enables better visualisation of the nerve bundles than CT.     

Serum 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and corticosterone concentrations in dogs with nonadrenal neoplasia and dogs with suspected hyperadrenocorticism

OBJECTIVE: To assess serum 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) and corticosterone concentrations in dogs with nonadrenal neoplasia and dogs being screened for hyperadrenocorticism. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 16 clinically normal dogs, 35 dogs with nonadrenal neoplasia, and 127 dogs with suspected hyperadrenocorticism. PROCEDURE: ACTH stimulation tests were performed in all dogs. Baseline serum cortisol and corticosterone concentrations were measured in the healthy dogs; baseline serum cortisol concentration and ACTH-stimulated cortisol, corticosterone, and 17OHP concentrations were measured in all dogs. Endogenous plasma ACTH concentration was also measured before administration of ACTH in dogs with neoplasia. RESULTS: In 35 dogs with neoplasia, 31.4% had high serum 17OHP concentration and 22.9% had high serum corticosterone concentration. Of the 127 dogs with suspected hyperadrenocorticism, 59 (46.5%) had high ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations; of those, 42 of 59 (71.2%) and 32 of 53 (60.4%) had high serum 17OHP and corticosterone concentrations, respectively. Of dogs with serum cortisol concentration within reference range after ACTH administration, 9 of 68 (13.2%) and 7 of 67 (10.4%) had high serum 17OHP and corticosterone concentrations, respectively. In the dogs with neoplasia and dogs suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism, post-ACTH serum hormone concentrations were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum concentrations of 17OHP or corticosterone after administration of ACTH may be high in dogs with nonadrenal neoplasia and no evidence of hyperadrenocorticism. Changes in serum 17OHP or corticosterone concentrations after administration of ACTH are proportionate with changes in cortisol concentration.