It’s about time: A synthesis of changing phenology in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem

The timing of recurring biological and seasonal environmental events is changing on a global scale relative to temperature and other climate drivers. This study considers the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, a region of high social and ecological importance in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and synthesizes current knowledge of (a) key seasonal processes, patterns, and events; (b) direct evidence for shifts in timing; (c) implications of phenological responses for linked ecological‐human systems; and (d) potential phenology‐focused adaptation strategies and actions. Twenty studies demonstrated shifts in timing of regional marine organisms and seasonal environmental events. The most common response was earlier timing, observed in spring onset, spring and winter hydrology, zooplankton abundance, occurrence of several larval fishes, and diadromous fish migrations. Later timing was documented for fall onset, reproduction and fledging in Atlantic puffins, spring and fall phytoplankton blooms, and occurrence of additional larval fishes. Changes in event duration generally increased and were detected in zooplankton peak abundance, early life history periods of macro‐invertebrates, and lobster fishery landings. Reduced duration was observed in winter–spring ice‐affected stream flows. Two studies projected phenological changes, both finding diapause duration would decrease in zooplankton under future climate scenarios. Phenological responses were species‐specific and varied depending on the environmental driver, spatial, and temporal scales evaluated. Overall, a wide range of baseline phenology and relevant modeling studies exist, yet surprisingly few document long‐term shifts. Results reveal a need for increased emphasis on phenological shifts in the Gulf of Maine and identify opportunities for future research and consideration of phenological changes in adaptation efforts.     

Lunasin and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor concentrations of protein extracts from enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction of soybeans

Lunasin and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) are two soybean peptides to which health-promoting properties have been attributed. Concentrations of these peptides were determined in skim fractions produced by enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP) of extruded full-fat soybean flakes (an alternative to extracting oil from soybeans with hexane) and compared with similar extracts from hexane-defatted soybean meal. Oil and protein were extracted by using countercurrent two-stage EAEP of soybeans at 1:6 solids-to-liquid ratio, 50 °C, pH 9.0, and 120 rpm for 1 h. Protein-rich skim fractions were produced from extruded full-fat soybean flakes using different enzyme strategies in EAEP: 0.5% protease (wt/g extruded flakes) used in both extraction stages; 0.5% protease used only in the second extraction stage; no enzyme used in either extraction stage. Countercurrent two-stage protein extraction of air-desolventized, hexane-defatted soybean flakes was used as a control. Protein extraction yields increased from 66% to 89-96% when using countercurrent two-stage EAEP with extruded full-fat flakes compared to 85% when using countercurrent two-stage protein extraction of air-desolventized, hexane-defatted soybean flakes. Extruding full-fat soybean flakes reduced BBI activity. Enzymatic hydrolysis reduced BBI contents of EAEP skims. Lunasin, however, was more resistant to both enzymatic hydrolysis and heat denaturation. Although using enzymes in both EAEP extraction stages yielded the highest protein and oil extractions, reducing enzyme use to only the second stage preserved much of the BBI and Lunasin.     

Bioavailability of zinc from cooked philippine milled,undermilled, and brown rice,as assessed in rats by using growth,bone zinc,and zinc-65 retention

The nutritional bioavailability of zinc from cooked milled, undermilled, and brown Philippine rice (variety PSB Rc14) was evaluated in rats, comparing results based on weight gain, tibia zinc incorporation (slope ratio analyses), and zinc radiotracer retention. Milling reduced the phytic acid and mineral content of the rice, resulting in zinc concentrations of 16.5, 19.4, and 27.2 microg/g and phytate/zinc molar ratios of 4, 20, and 28 for milled, undermilled, and brown rice, respectively. Measured zinc bioavailability was similar whether using growth, bone zinc, or radioisotope retention as criteria, at approximately 92, 86, and 77% of zinc sulfate, for milled, undermilled, and brown rice, respectively. However, the higher percent bioavailability of the zinc after milling was insufficient to compensate for the lower zinc content. With respect to zinc, the nutritional value was inversely related to milling, providing approximately 15, 17, and 21 microg bioavailable zinc/g rice, respectively, for milled, undermilled and brown rice of this variety.     

Motor Fibers in the Canine Distal Caudal Cutaneous Sural Nerve—Dual Innervation of the Hind Limb Plantar Muscles

The function of the communicating branch of the distal caudal cutaneous sural (DCCS) nerve to the tibial nerve was investigated in 7 adult dogs and was found to contain the motor component of this nerve. This function was studied by direct visualization of the contraction of the hind limb plantar muscles and by direct electrophysiologic recording of motor unit action potentials in these muscles, following stimulation of the DCCS nerve. Contraction of all of the mm. interossei, the mm. lumbricales, the m. adductor digiti quinti and the m. adductor digiti secundi was observed with the stimulation of either the tibial or the DCCS nerves, although there was a qualitative variability in the plantar muscles exhibiting the strongest contraction with stimulation of the latter nerve. This communicating branch was not found in one of the experimental dogs, suggesting some individual variability in the DCCS nerve anatomy and subsequent function. This study conclusively demonstrated that the canine DCCS nerve contains both motor and sensory nerve fibers, which is similar to this nerve in the rat, but anatomically and functionally different to that in the human and the cat.     

Screw fixation of accessory carpal bone fractures in racing Greyhounds: 12 cases (1981-1986)

Fractures of the accessory carpal bone in 12 racing Greyhounds were repaired by use of internal fixation with screws. All dogs had a sprain-avulsion fracture of the distal margin of the articular surface of the accessory carpal bone, where the accessorioulnar ligament inserts (type I). Two dogs had a second avulsion fracture at the proximal margin of the articular surface, where the palmar ulnocarpal ligament inserts (type II), and 2 dogs had a second fracture at the caudal end of the bone at the insertion of the accessoriometacarpal ligaments (type III). Fractures were exposed surgically, using a palmarolateral approach between the fourth and fifth accessoriometacarpal ligaments, and were repaired using 1.5-mm or 2-mm cortical screws. Eight dogs were evaluated radiographically to monitor fracture healing. Union of fractures, with bridging of the fracture gap, usually developed by 5 to 8 weeks after surgery. Follow-up evaluation after surgical repair was possible in 11 dogs; 10 (91%) returned to training or racing, and 5 (45%) of those won 1 or more races.     

Transmission of a Bacillus thuringiensis cry3Aa transgene from diploid to tetraploid potato using 4x-2x hybridization: effect of ploidy increase on transgene expression and implications for TPS hybrid production

The study examined the effect of ploidy elevation through unreduced gametes on transgene expression in potato. Tetraploid transgenic progenies were obtained from one tetraploid potato cultivar crossed with 2n pollen producing diploid clones harbouring an exogenous transgene (cry3Aa). Both single‐ and multiple‐insert diploid transgenic lines that were regenerated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens leaf disc inoculation were used in crosses. A DAS‐ELISA system and no‐choice feeding bioassay enabled characterization of the parental lines as either ‘high’ or low’ expressers of the Cry3Aa protein. High Cry3Aa expression was observed for both single‐insert transgenic diploids and their 4x‐2x progeny. On the contrary, 68% of 4x‐2x progeny derived from a multiple‐insert, diploid transgenic had significantly reduced Cry3Aa expression compared with the parent, with 32% demonstrating nearly complete silencing of the transgene. Multiple copies of a transgene, like homologous native genes, may be susceptible to transgene silencing following polyploidization. Therefore, incorporation of exogenous transgenes into a true potato seed (TPS) production system is feasible if a single‐insert diploid parent is used. Gene‐centromere mapping of the cry3Aa transgene demonstrated that a non‐transgenic refuge might be naturally created in a TPS hybrid system through genetic recombination.     

Serologic examination of aborted ovine and bovine fetal fluids for the diagnosis of border disease, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, and leptospiral infections

Fetal serum from most of 994 bovine and 553 ovine aborted fetuses was tested serologically for antibodies to border disease (BD), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), and bluetongue (BT) viruses, and to Leptospira sp., and the results were compared with the results of isolation procedures, fluorescent antibody tests (FAT), and histologic examinations of the same fetuses. Antibodies to BT virus were not found in any of the 994 bovine and 553 ovine fetuses. Antibody titers to BVD virus were present in 39 of 966 bovine fetuses tested, and BVD virus was detected in 4 of the 39. Four of 74 fetuses in which the BVD virus was detected by FAT or isolation had titers to BVD virus. Microagglutination (MAT) titers to 1 or more of 5 serovars of leptospires were present in 52 of 773 bovine fetal sera tested. Leptospires were not detected by FAT in any bovine fetuses that had leptospiral antibody titers. Leptospires were detected by FAT in 15 aborted calves, and none of these had MAT titers. Antibody titers to BD virus were present in 80 of 486 fetal lamb sera tested, and the virus was detected by FAT or isolation in 3 of the 80 fetuses. Border disease virus was detected in 14 of 486 fetal lambs tested. Twelve of the 14 were tested serologically and 3 had titers to BD virus. Leptospiral antibody titers were present in 27 of 326 ovine fetal sera tested. Leptospires were not detected in any of the 326 ovine fetuses tested by FAT.     

EXCRETORY UROGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BILATERAL ECTOPIC URETERS IN A FOAL

A 7-week-old Appaloosa filly was admitted for persistent urinary incontinence since birth. Vaginal speculum examination revealed urine flowing from an opening in the right vaginal wall. Cystoscopy demonstrated that the ureters did not terminate at the bladder. The endoscope passed easily from the vagina directly into a dilated right ureter. An excretory urogram confirmed the vaginal termination of at least one ureter, based upon extensive filling of the vagina with contrast media in the absence of bladder filling. Bilateral hydroureter and dilated renal pelves were demonstrated both by excretory urography and by ultrasonography. Euthanasia was requested by the owner in lieu of attempted surgical correction. At necropsy, it was confirmed that the right ureter entered the vagina and the left ureter terminated at the urethra. The diagnosis of bilateral ectopic ureter in this foal was suggested by the history and clinical signs, supported by endoscopy and ultrasonography, and confirmed by excretory urography and necropsy. This case establishes the value of diagnostic imaging techniques in the antemortem diagnosis of ectopic ureter.