Calf mortality rate and causes of death under different herd management systems in peri-urban Bamako, Mali

Calf mortality rate and causes of death were studied in peri-urban livestock production systems in Bamako, Mali, for calves born and dying from November 2002 to March 2004. Causes of death for 93 deceased calves were diagnosed from clinical autopsies, reported history of death and parasitic information. Calves originated from traditional, modernized and station management systems. Overall mortality rate was 17% during the first year of life (N = 756 live-births). Mortality rate was significantly lower for traditionally (10%) compared to modernized (19%) or to station managed calves (25%). Total perinatal loss (abortions + stillbirths + perinatal mortality) was 5% (N = 784 gestations). The most important death categories were digestive tract disorders (28%), perinatal mortality (16%) and accidents (14%). Vector-borne and infectious diseases were of low importance. Digestive tract disorders and perinatal mortality were the most important categories of death in modernized management while accidents and starvation were the most important causes of death in traditional management. Digestive tract disorders were more common in modernized than in traditional management (p = 0.02), revealing a serious problem with hygiene in stationary enclosures. With better calf management in regard to hygiene, surveillance and control of milk off-take, overall calf survival may be increased and peri-urban livestock production made more profitable.     

亚洲玉米螟对Cry1Ab蛋白抗性的遗传规律与分子机理

意义与目的亚洲玉米螟[Ostrinia furnaca-lis(Guene)]是长期为害玉米、高粱、谷子、棉花等作物的重要害虫。转BtCry1Ab基因抗虫玉米、棉花等在整个生育期其植株能表达Cry1Ab杀虫蛋白,为玉米螟的防治开辟了新的途径。室内汰选条件下亚洲玉米螟能对Cry1Ab杀虫蛋白产生抗性,这将严重威胁到转基因玉米、棉花等的可持续利用。研究亚洲玉米螟对Cry1Ab蛋白抗性的遗传规律与分子机理,对田间抗性监测、延缓抗性产生及抗性治理具有重要的理论和实际意义。材料与方法采自陕西省田间的亚洲玉米螟自然种群,在室内用无琼脂半人工饲料中加入一定量的…     

Experimental investigation of the mechanical properties and natural frequencies of simply supported Sitka spruce plates

Wood Science and Technology - Wood remains the material of choice for stringed musical instruments. However, as supplies of suitable wood decrease, a need to maximize the use of available timber...     

Assessment of exercise-induced alterations in neutrophil function in horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a standardized exercise test to exhaustion in horses on leukocyte function ex vivo. ANIMALS: 6 Thoroughbred geldings. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were obtained from each horse before exercise; at exhaustion (termed failure); and at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise to evaluate hematologic changes, rate of leukocyte apoptosis, and leukocyte production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) ex vivo. To assess leukocyte function, leukocyte ROS production in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, zymosan, and phorbol myristate acetate was evaluated. Apoptosis was evaluated via assessment of caspase activity in leukocyte lysates. RESULTS: In response to lipopolysaccharide, production of ROS by leukocytes was significantly increased at 2 hours and remained increased (albeit not significantly) at 6 hours after exercise, compared with the preexercise value. In the absence of any stimulus, leukocyte ROS production was significantly increased at 6 and 24 hours after exercise. In contrast, ROS production in response to phorbol myristate acetate was significantly decreased at 6, 24, and 72 hours after exercise. Leukocyte ROS production induced by zymosan or peptidoglycan was not altered by exercise. Leukocytosis was evident for 24 hours after exercise, and neutrophilia was detected during the first 6 hours. A significant increase in the rate of leukocyte apoptosis was detected at failure and 72 hours after exercise. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that strenuous exercise undertaken by horses causes alterations in innate immune system functions, some of which persist for as long as 72 hours after exercise.     

Critically examining the knowledge base required to mechanistically project climate impacts: A case study of Europe's fish and shellfish

An amalgam of empirical data from laboratory and field studies is needed to build robust, theoretical models of climate impacts that can provide science‐based advice for sustainable management of fish and shellfish resources. Using a semi‐systematic literature review, Gap Analysis and multilevel meta‐analysis, we assessed the status of empirical knowledge on the direct effects of climate change on 37 high‐value species targeted by European fisheries and aquaculture sectors operating in marine and freshwater regions. Knowledge on potential climate change‐related drivers (single or combined) on several responses (vital rates) across four categories (exploitation sector, region, life stage, species), was considerably unbalanced as well as biased, including a low number of studies (a) examining the interaction of abiotic factors, (b) offering opportunities to assess local adaptation, (c) targeting lower‐value species. The meta‐analysis revealed that projected warming would increase mean growth rates in fish and mollusks and significantly elevate metabolic rates in fish. Decreased levels of dissolved oxygen depressed rates of growth and metabolism across coherent species groups (e.g., small pelagics, etc.) while expected declines in pH reduced growth in most species groups and increased mortality in bivalves. The meta‐analytical results were influenced by the study design and moderators (e.g., life stage, season). Although meta‐analytic tools have become increasingly popular, when performed on the limited available data, these analyses cannot grasp relevant population effects, even in species with a long history of study. We recommend actions to overcome these shortcomings and improve mechanistic (cause‐and‐effect) projections of climate impacts on fish and shellfish.     

Meningoencephalomyelitis in domestic cats: 3 cases of Pasteurella multocida infection and literature review

Neurologic diseases are common in domestic cats, and infectious agents are suspected to be the primary cause in 30–45% of cases. Among infectious etiologies, those of bacterial origin are only sporadically characterized in the literature, with few of these reports correlating gross and histologic findings with confirmatory bacteriologic identification. Here, we describe bacterial meningitis and meningoencephalomyelitis associated with Pasteurella multocida in 3 domestic cats. Purulent exudate expanding the cerebral meninges was grossly evident in 2 of the cases. In all 3 cases, histologic changes included multifocal suppurative-to-necrosuppurative meningitis and/or meningoencephalomyelitis of variable severity. Intralesional colonies of gram-negative, short rod-shaped to coccobacillary bacteria were evident histologically in only 1 case. P. multocida was confirmed by routine bacteriologic culture in all cases. Based on our cases, we hypothesize that the upper respiratory system serves as the main portal of entry for P. multocida, leading to invasion of the central nervous system and possible systemic hematogenous dissemination. A case series of meningoencephalomyelitis associated with P. multocida infection in cats has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. We also review briefly other causes of meningoencephalomyelitis in cats.     

Characterisation of undigested components throughout the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens fed either a wheat-or maizebased diet

This study was to characterise the undigested nutrients present along the gastrointestinal tract of birds offered common wheat-or maize-based diets,with the goal of optimising utilisation of enzymes to enhance digestive efficiency.Wheat-and maize-based diets were offered to 240 mixed-sex broilers(10 birds/pen;n=12)from 1 to 35 d postehatch.Digestibility of dry matter,starch,crude protein and nonstarch polysaccharides(NSP)were measured in the crop,gizzard,duodenum,jejunum,ileum,caeca and excreta at d 12 and 35 postehatch.Analysis of nutrient levels in the excreta presented that more than 30%of nutrients provided in the feed was wasted,irrespective of wheat or maize diet type.On average,92 g/kg crude protein,92 g/kg insoluble NSP and 14 g/kg oligosaccharides were not utilised by birds at d 12 postehatch.The quantity of water-insoluble NSP in the small intestine at d 12 was lower in birds offered the wheat-based diet compared to those fed the maize-based diet(P<0.05),with the reverse being true for water-soluble NSP(P<0.001).On average,84 g/kg crude protein,79 g/kg insoluble NSP and 9 g/kg oligosaccharides remained in the excreta at 35 d of age.At this time period,accumulation of feed in the gizzard was noted for birds offered both diets,but was more pronounced in those offered the maize-based diet(P<0.001).Birds offered the maize-based diet demonstrated improved utilisation of oligosaccharides compared to those fed the wheat-based diet at both d 12 and 35(P=0.087 and P=0.047,respectively).Protein utilisation in the jejunum and ileum was greater in birds offered the wheat-based diet compared to those fed the maize-based diet(P=0.004 and P<0.001,respectively).Thus,while both diets supported standard growth performance of birds,the degree and flow of nutrient disappearance along the gastrointestinal tract was influenced by cereal type and bird age.     

Toward sustainable harvest strategies for marine fisheries that include recreational fishing

Recreational fishing (RF) is a large yet undervalued component of fisheries globally. While progress has been made in monitoring, assessing, and managing the sector in isolation, integration of RF into the management of multi-sector fisheries has been limited, particularly relative to the commercial sector. This marginalises recreational fishers and reduces the likelihood of achieving the sector's objectives and, more broadly, achieving fisheries sustainability. We examined the nature and extent of RF inclusion in harvest strategies (HSs) for marine fisheries across 15 regions in 11 nations to define the gap in inclusion that has developed between sectors. We focused on high-income nations with a high level of RF governance and used a questionnaire to elicit expert knowledge on HSs due to the paucity of published documents. In total, 339 HSs were considered. We found that RF inclusion in HSs was more similar to the small-scale sector (i.e., artisanal, cultural, or subsistence) than the commercial sector, with explicit operational objectives, data collection, performance indicators, reference points, and management controls lacking in many regions. Where specified, RF objectives focused on sustainability, economic value and catch allocation rather than directly relating to the recreational fishing experience. Conflicts with other sectors included competition with the commercial sector for limited resources, highlighting the importance of equitable resource allocation policies alongside HSs. We propose that RF be explicitly incorporated into HSs to ensure fisheries are ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable, and we recommend that fisheries organisations urgently review HSs for marine fisheries with a recreational component to close the harvest strategy gap among sectors.