Energy and Carbon Costs of Selected Cow-Calf Systems

Fossil fuel-derived inputs can increase cow-calf production per unit of land or labor but can raise financial and environmental concerns. Eleven US cow-calf systems from nine ecological regions in Iowa, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas were analyzed to determine quantities of energy used and carbon (C) emitted due to fossil fuel use (excluding emissions from soils and biota) and to determine how management and environment influenced those quantities. Total energy and C cost, calculated cow^?1 or ha^?1, were highly correlated (0.99). Energy use cow^?1 and ha^?1 varied greatly across systems, ranging from 3 000 to 12 600 megajoules (MJ) · cow^?1 · yr^?1 and from 260 to 20 800 MJ · ha^?1 · yr^?1. As stocking rate increased, MJ · cow^?1 increased at an increasing rate. Differences in quantity of fertilizer accounted for most variation in energy use. Fertilizer allowed higher stocking rates but reduced energy efficiency of liveweight marketed. Compared to intensive, higher stocking rate systems, rangeland systems based on native or naturalized forages used little or no fertilizer, but used more energy cow^?1 for crude protein (CP) supplementation, fencing, and pickup trucks. Across all systems, energy used to produce winter feed ranged from 0% to 46% of total energy. Northern systems used higher percentages of total energy for winter feed and fed for more days year^?1, but southern systems that included large amounts of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) hay used the most MJ · cow^?1 for winter feed. Systems with high MJ · cow^?1 were vulnerable to shocks in energy prices. Reducing energy use and C emissions from cow-calf operations is possible, especially by reducing fertilizer and hay use, but would likely reduce productivity ha^?1. Forages with high nitrogen use efficiency, locally adapted plants and animals, and replacement of hay with unfertilized dormant forage and CP supplementation could reduce energy use.     

Primary lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma of the third eyelid in a horse

A 5-year-old Draft Horse gelding presented for evaluation of a large, fleshy, ulcerated third eyelid mass OD of 3 weeks duration. Complete ophthalmic examination, ocular ultrasound and skull radiographs revealed a large soft-tissue mass involving the entire third eyelid OD and extending into the ventral right orbit to the level of the globe equator. No other abnormalities were noted on physical or ophthalmic examination. Surgical removal via exenteration was performed 3 months after initial presentation. A lacrimal adenocarcinoma of the third eyelid was diagnosed based on histopathology. Concurrent asymptomatic intra-ductal and intra-acinar Demodex caballi parasites were found in the eyelid sebaceous glands, likely as an incidental finding. No tumor recurrence or metastasis has occurred 12 months after excision. To the author's knowledge, this case is the first reported primary lacrimal adenocarcinoma in a horse. Complete surgical excision was curative.     

Insecticidal potency of novel compounds on multiple insect species of medical and veterinary importance

BACKGROUND: Vector‐borne diseases continue to present significant threats to human, animal and plant health. Mosquitoes, houseflies, sand flies and stable flies are well‐known vectors of several human and animal pathogens. The toxicity of selected semiochemicals with molecular structures indicative of insecticidal activity was determined against these insect species with the aim of developing novel insecticides toxic to multiple insect species. RESULTS: Three semiochemicals, namely beta‐damascone, cyclemone A and melafleur, showed remarkable toxicity to three mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti L., Ae. albopictus (Skuse) and Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, the housefly, Musca domestica L., the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans L., and the sand fly, Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar). The chemicals were equally toxic to several field‐collected permethrin‐tolerant housefly strains. When formulated as 500 mL L^?1 emulsifiable concentrates, the chemicals demonstrated stability and toxicity on filter paper and camouflage military fabrics, with persistence up to 8 days under laboratory conditions. The chemicals were equally effective under field conditions when evaluated on unpainted plywood panels, although a higher dosage was required under field conditions to achieve similar efficacy. CONCLUSION: Laboratory quantification of LC₅₀ values and field efficacy of three semiochemicals as formulated compounds on mosquitoes, houseflies, stable flies and sand flies showed that these semiochemicals could serve as potent insecticides for multiple insect species. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of zein by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI/MS) was used to analyze the protein composition of corn prolamine (zein). Mass spectra were obtained from commercial zein and zein extracted with aqueous 2-propanol and aqueous ethanol from consumer corn meal. For the commercial zein, three major zein fractions with m/z 26.8k, 24.1k, and 23.4k were clearly seen with two minor fractions (m/z 14.5k and 20.4k) also present. As compared with the results from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), these three fractions were identified as alpha-zeins (24.1k and 23.4k combined as Z19; 26.8k as Z22). When extracted with 55% aqueous 2-propanol, three alpha-zein fractions with m/z 26.8k, 24.1k, and 23.4k were predominant. When extracted with ethanol, extraction temperature had an effect on the final products. When extracted with 75% aqueous ethanol at room temperature, alpha-zein and some 17-18k species were observed, whereas at 60 degrees C, a small amount of delta-zein was also present. Comparison of the MALDI/MS results with SDS-PAGE and gene sequence analysis shows that the MALDI/MS method is superior to SDS-PAGE in having higher resolution and mass accuracy.     

Survival of the western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) in an urban California environment

The western pond turtle Emys (formerly Clemmys) marmorata is declining throughout its range, primarily due to loss of habitat via urbanization and conversion to agriculture. Urban waterways present several important challenges to freshwater turtle populations, but they also present an opportunity to maintain declining species in a ubiquitous habitat that has high public visibility. The arboretum waterway on the University of California, Davis campus is an example of an extensively altered urban habitat that supports a relatively large E. marmorata population. Over the last 6 years, we monitored the turtle population inhabiting the arboretum waterway to determine the demographic health of the population, and the challenges and opportunities that urban environments pose for pond turtles. Since 1993, the naturally existing arboretum pond turtle population has declined by approximately 40% and has shown little natural recruitment. During this time, we also introduced 31 headstarted turtles into the arboretum. Headstarting is the process of raising juveniles in captivity until they have outgrown their period of greatest vulnerability to predators, and then releasing them into the wild. Our headstarting results demonstrate that this contentious strategy is a viable option for adding young turtles to the population, although it does not address the causes of decline. Over the course of our study, we encountered nine species of non-native turtles in the waterway, and these appear to be a serious threat to the native species. As more habitat becomes urbanized, it is increasingly important to understand how freshwater turtles, such as E. marmorata, adapt to urban waterways and the impact of non-native turtles on native turtle species. Our strong feeling is that urban waterways can provide habitat for viable populations of freshwater turtles and showcase them to the public, but both the aquatic and terrestrial habitat must be managed according to the biological requirements of individual species.     

Formation of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines and beta-carbolines during the reaction of L-tryptophan with D-glucose

The reaction of L-tryptophan (Trp) with D-glucose under conditions that can occur during food processing and preparation was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC/DAD). Besides the well-established glucose-tryptophan Amadori product (AP), (1R,3S)-1-(D-gluco-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentyl)-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (PHP-THbetaC) was identified as an important product of this reaction. For preparation, PHP-THbetaC was obtained in high yields when Trp and D-glucose were reacted under strongly acidic conditions after heating in methanol. At elevated reaction temperatures (150 degrees C) 1-acetyl-beta-carboline (acetyl-betaC), was detected in significant concentrations. The mixtures were heated under variations of reaction time and temperature, and AP, PHP-THbetaC, and acetyl-betaC were quantified. In the presence of air oxygen or mild, food relevant oxidants, such as L-dehydroascorbic acid, PHP-THbetaC was readily oxidized to a product that was identified as the previously unknown 1-(D-gluco-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentyl)-beta-carboline (PHP-betaC). Formation of PHP-THbetaC and PHP-betaC in foodstuffs would deserve particular interest because multiple physiological activity of THbetaC and betaC derivatives has been shown previously.     

COLOR DOPPLER AND DOPPLER SPECTRAL ANALYSIS IN THE SPINAL CORD OF NORMAL DOGS

Doppler ultrasonography of the spinal cord was performed in 34 normal, anesthetized dogs following hemilaminectomy. This study was part of an investigation to evaluate the efficacy of a 21-aminosteroid compound and high dose methylprednisolone for the treatment of spinal cord trauma. Grey-scale images of the canine spinal cord were similar to those described for the spinal cord of people. Doppler waveforms of intraparenchymal spinal arteries exhibited high end diastolic blood flow velocities, indicating low resistance to flow. Doppler values (mean ± SD) for arteries immediately ventrolateral to the central canal were: Peak Systolic Velocity = 5.78 ± 2.5 cm/sec, Minimum Diastolic Velocity = 3.5 ± 1.62 cm/sec, Mean Velocity = 4.45 ± 1.96 cm/sec, Minimum Diastolic Velocity = 3.5 ± 1.62 cm/sec, Mean Velocity = 4.45 ± 1.96 cm/sec, Systolic/Diastolic ratio = 169 ± 0.19, Pulsatility Index = 0.53 ± 0.09, and Resistance Index = 0.4 ± 0.06.     

THE SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF SOLID PHASE GASTRIC EMPTYING IN NORMAL CATS

The gastric emptying half-time of solid food in normal cats was determined using a scintigraphic technique. ^99mTc-sulfur colloid was applied to dry food. Sequential images were acquired post prandial, and the gastric emptying half-time was determined for several different acquisition and processing parameters. Good correlation was found between different acquisition and processing methods, some of which made use of edge detection applications, while others used different views, or number of views from which the gastric emptying half-time was calculated. The mean ± standard deviation, (range) and median of the gastric emptying half-time determined using the geometric mean of total counts in hand-drawn regions of interest from the lateral and ventral images were 2.47 × 0.71, (1.42–3.61) and 2.37 hours respectably.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE BICIPITAL TENDON REGION: A CASE HISTORY REPORT AND REVIEW OF ANATOMY

The equine shoulder region is difficult to investigate by conventional imaging modalities. Diagnostic ultrasound has proven valuable for investigation of soft tissue injuries of the human shoulder. In a horse with shoulder lameness, the authors employed diagnostic ultrasound to augment the use of conventional radiography. A defect in the subchondral bone layer of the medial humeral tuberosity, with adjacent bony fragments were clearly identified with ultrasound. Ultrasound was used for initial evaluation of the bicipital tendon and bursa. The technique was subsequently used to follow and evaluate the post-operative condition of the proximal cranial humerus, bicipital tendon and bursa in this patient. The bicipital regions of 2 immature and 3 adult normal horses were also examined with to illustrate the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the cranial shoulder region.     

Congenital stationary night blindness in a Thoroughbred and a Paso Fino

This report documents congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) in two non-Appaloosa horse breeds (Thoroughbred and Paso Fino). History of vision impairment since birth, normal ocular structures on ophthalmic examination, and electroretinographic findings were consistent with CSNB. In one horse (Thoroughbred), a 9-year follow-up was carried out. In the Paso Fino, severe vision impairment from birth to approximately 1 year of age in both dim and bright light situations led to humane euthanasia and histopathologic confirmation of the disorder.