Primary production of the biosphere: integrating terrestrial and oceanic components

Integrating conceptually similar models of the growth of marine and terrestrial primary producers yielded an estimated global net primary production (NPP) of 104.9 petagrams of carbon per year, with roughly equal contributions from land and oceans. Approaches based on satellite indices of absorbed solar radiation indicate marked heterogeneity in NPP for both land and oceans, reflecting the influence of physical and ecological processes. The spatial and temporal distributions of ocean NPP are consistent with primary limitation by light, nutrients, and temperature. On land, water limitation imposes additional constraints. On land and ocean, progressive changes in NPP can result in altered carbon storage, although contrasts in mechanisms of carbon storage and rates of organic matter turnover result in a range of relations between carbon storage and changes in NPP.     

Platelet Function Defect in a 5-Day-Old Simmental Calf

A 5-day-old Simmental Heifer was evaluated for excessive bleeding from the skin following horse fly bites. A coagulation profile and platelet numbers were normal. In vitro platelet function, measured by whole blood aggregometry, was found to be abnormal when compared with age-matched controls. Therefore, this defect in hemostasis was attributed to a qualitative defect in platelet function.     

Rapid screening of ascorbic acid, glycoalkaloids, and phenolics in potato using high-performance liquid chromatography

Evaluation of phenolic metabolism in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) would be facilitated by faster analytical methods. A high-throughput HPLC method was developed for the qualitative and quantitative determination in potato of numerous phenolic compounds, the sum of the glycoalkaloids chaconine and solanine, plus ascorbic acid. Following a fast extraction, HPLC run times of 12 min were achieved with the use of a monolithic RP C18 column. UV and MS analyses were used to characterize the phenolic complement in extracts from two white-fleshed varieties. Over 30 compounds were identified, some of which are thought to possess either nutritional value or are involved in plant disease resistance. This method is expected to be useful for germplasm mining and for varietal development programs in which large numbers of lines are generated.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from neonatal foal samples submitted to a New Zealand veterinary pathology laboratory (2004 to 2013)

AIMS: To describe antimicrobial susceptibility, and identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in bacteria isolated from New Zealand foals.

METHODS: A database search was performed of submissions to a veterinary pathology laboratory between April 2004 and December 2013 for bacterial culture of samples from foals <3 weeks of age. Culture and susceptibility results were compiled with demographic information. Susceptibility results were as defined for the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test based on Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was defined as non-susceptibility to ≥3 of a panel of antimicrobials (ceftiofur, enrofloxaxin, gentamicin, penicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfonamide); penicillin susceptibility was not included for Gram-negative isolates.

RESULTS: Submissions from 102 foals were examined, and 127 bacterial isolates were cultured from 64 (63%) foals. Of the 127 isolates, 32 (25%) were Streptococcus spp., 30 (24%) were Staphylococcus spp., 12 (10%) were Enterococcus spp. and 26 (21%) were Escherichia coli. Of 83 Gram-positive isolates, 57 (69%) were susceptible to penicillin. Over all isolates, 92/126 (73%) were susceptible to gentamicin and 117/126 (93%) to enrofloxacin; 62/82 (76%) of Gram-positive, and 22/42 (52%) of Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to ceftiofur; 53/81 (65%) of Gram-positive, and 23/44 (52%) of Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to tetracycline; 59/82 (72%) of Gram-positive, and 23/44 (43%) of Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfonamide. Of 126 isolates, 33 (26%) had MDR; >1 isolate with MDR was cultured from 24/64 (38%) foals, and ≥2 isolates with MDR were recovered from 8/64 (13%) foals.

CONCLUSIONS: Multi-drug resistance, including resistance to commonly used antimicrobials, was found in bacterial isolates from foals in New Zealand.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study are of concern from a treatment perspective as they indicate a potential for antimicrobial treatment failure. For future surveillance of AMR and the creation of national guidelines, it is important to record more data on samples submitted for bacterial culture.