Mydriatic effect of topically applied rocuronium bromide in tawny owls (Strix aluco): comparison between two protocols

Objective To evaluate the mydriatic efficacy of a neuromuscular blocking agent (rocuronium bromide) applied topically to only one eye of nocturnal birds of prey and to assess for any general and/or local adverse effects due to its use. Animal studied Twelve healthy adult tawny owls (Strix aluco) were randomly divided in two groups. Procedures Six birds (Group 1) received a single dose of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide. The second group of subjects (Group 2) received two doses of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide (total 0.70 mg/eye). In both groups, the curariform agent was instilled topically. Pupil diameter was measured with a pupillary gauge in 10 min intervals for a total of 100 min and then every 20 min for a total of 240 min. The assessment of the pupillary light reflex was performed using a standard light source during pupillary size recording. Results Maximal pupillary diameter was 11.5 ± 0.3 mm for Group 1 and 11.0 ± 0.6 mm for Group 2 and no statistically significant differences were detected among the two groups. The maximal pupillary diameter was achieved at T80 for Group 1, and at T60 for Group 2. A complete fundus examination was possible on all treated eyes of subjects of both groups. The drug did not cause any noticeable adverse effects in any of the examined birds. Conclusion Results of the present study suggest that a single topical administration of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide to the eyes of healthy tawny owls results in sufficient mydriasis to allow for a complete examination of the fundus.     

Evidence of farm-level synergies in mixed-farming systems in the Australian Wheat-Sheep Zone

Synergies are reported for mixed-enterprise farming systems in a benchmarking group in the Wheat-Sheep Zone in New South Wales, Australia. A stochastic input distance function is estimated and a measure of synergies is calculated, based on the second cross partial derivative of output variables in the distance function. Evidence is presented of strong synergies from complementarity between sheep and beef enterprises, sheep and crop enterprises, and beef and crop enterprises.     

Deduced Amino Acid Sequence of an α-Gliadin Gene from Spelt Wheat (Spelta) Includes Sequences Active in Celiac Disease

The complete amino acid sequence of an α-type gliadin from spelt wheat (spelta) has been deduced from the cloned DNA sequence and compared with α-type gliadin sequences from bread wheat. The comparison showed only minor differences in amino acid sequences between the α-type gliadin from bread wheat and the α-type gliadin from spelta. The two sequences had an identity of 98.5%. Larger differences can be found between different α-type gliadin amino acid sequences from common bread wheat. Because all the different classes of gliadins, α, β, γ, and ω, appear to be active in celiac disease, it is reasonably certain that the spelta gliadin is also toxic. We conclude that spelta is not a safe grain for people with celiac disease, contrary to the implications in labeling a bread made from spelta as “an alternative to wheat”. Our conclusions are in accord with spelta and bread wheat being classed taxonomically as subspecies of the same genus and species, Triticum aestivum L.     

Comparison of Various Kinds of Vegetative Indices for Chlorophyll Contents Using Low-Resolution Camera

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Nitrogen management is crucial for high yield potential of crops as well as reducing environmental pollution. However, the heterogeneity of nitrogen...     

Development and distribution of intestinal enzymatic activity in Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (Steindachner, 1868) larvae fed with live prey

We describe the development and distribution of intestinal aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, non-specific esterase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, using enzyme histochemistry techniques, in the spotted sand bass larvae ( Paralabrax maculatofasciatus ) under culture conditions. All digestive enzymes tested showed a positive reaction from first feeding (day 2) and throughout the study period (day 30). At first feeding, the main enzymatic activity was in the mucosa throughout the intestines. Later, enzymatic activity occurred in the liver, kidney and stomach. All enzymatic activities increased from days 15 to 20, remaining constant until the end of the study. This enzymatic activity suggests the onset of maturation of the digestive tract. After day 20, a positive reaction was recorded in the pyloric caeca for all tested enzymatic activities. Our study confirms the digestive and absorptive functions in the intestines in spotted sand bass larvae from first feeding. It also brings new insight to establish an early weaning strategy during cultivation of spotted sand bass larvae.     

Growth performance of weaning red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) fed with Macrocystis pyrifera plantlets and Porphyra columbina compared with a formulated diet

A feeding experiment was carried out to evaluate two natural diets versus a formulated feed on the performance of weaning red abalone Haliotis rufescens . Four treatment diets were then investigated: a formulated diet; plantlets from culture Macrocystis pyrifera, Porphyra columbina from natural beds; and a mixed diet consisting of a blend of fresh P. columbina together with the formulated diet. This study was performed in a shallow aquaculture system with a horizontal water flow. After 90 days, significant differences were observed between treatments. The highest growth was obtained with Porphyra (3.3 mm month⁻¹), followed by the mixed diet (2.6 mm month⁻¹), then Macrocystis (2.1 mm month⁻¹) and lastly the formulated diet (1.4 mm month⁻¹). Moreover, after the diets were tested for stability and remnant nutrients after a 12-h water immersion, a positive trend appeared to be related to the protein/energy (P:E). It is concluded that fronds of P. columbina resulted in the best diet for weaning H. rufescens under horizontal water flow systems, even if apparently the water stability of the formulated diet had a negative impact on abalone performance, particularly due to a poor nutrient retention capacity. Therefore, formulated diets should be improved before being recommended for weaning red abalone.     

Influence of environmental variables on the distribution of Squatina guggenheim (Chondrichthyes, Squatinidae) in the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone

The environmental variables affecting the spatial distribution of Squatina guggenheim Marini, 1936, an important commercial resource, are unknown. Here the influence of temperature, salinity and depth on the distribution of S. guggenheim in the Southwest Atlantic was analyzed. The species–habitat associations were evaluated for the S. guggenheim population as a whole as well as segregated by sex and by size classes (group 1, 23–44 cm; group 2, 45–74 cm; group 3, 75–91 cm L_T). Sampling took place during four bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Argentine–Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ) during spring (October 1997) and fall (March 1997, March–April 1998, May–June 1998). The sharks were captured using an Engel bottom trawl and the hydrographical information was obtained using a CTD. Bottom depth was measured with an echo-sounder. The distribution of the population was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by temperature during spring and fall, while it was affected by salinity only in spring. S. guggenheim showed preference for temperatures ranging from 7.0 to 18.5 °C and salinity values ranging from 33.4 to 33.8. Generally, the distribution of males was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by temperature during both seasons, while females were influenced by temperature only in spring. The distribution of both sexes was affected by salinity in spring but not in fall. The distribution of adults sharks (group 3) was more affected by temperature and salinity than that of juveniles sharks (groups 1 and 2). Depth had no effects on the distribution of adults (males or females); however, juveniles belonging to size-group 2 were associated with depth during both spring and fall. High population catches were associated to thermal fronts during all surveys suggesting that these oceanographic structures play an important role as feeding areas for S. guggenheim. A population strategy of spatial segregation by size was proposed and discussed.     

Chronic plumbism in rabbits: a comparison of three diagnostic tests.

Three groups of rabbits (A, B, and C; 6 rabbits/group) were fed a lead supplement of 25, 50, and 100 mg of Pb/kg of live weight/day for 87 days to compare the efficacies of 3 diagnostic tests--whole blood lead concentration, urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (UALA), and fluorescent erythrocyte test (FET)--and to determine the clinicopathologic changes of experimentally induced lead poisoning in rabbits. All rabbits given lead had whole-blood lead concentrations greater then the maximum value (0.030 mg/dl) for control rabbits (group D), indicating that this measurement is a reliable indicator of lead ingestion. All group A rabbits (fed 25 mg of Pb/kg) and 66% negative UALA test results, with values less than the maximum value (0.12 mg/dl) for group D (control) rabbits. Only group C rabbits (fed 100 mg of Pb/kg) had consistently positive UALA FINDINGS. The test was therefore considered unreliable for detecting daily lead intakes less than 100 mg/kg of live weight of rabbits. All rabbits given lead had erythrocytes which fluoresced red when exposed to light rays with wavelenghts from 320 to 400 nm; fluorescence was not observed in erythrocytes of control rabbits. The FET appears to be a convenient and reliable diagnostic test for lead ingestion. In groups B and C, clinical signs of lead poisoning were mild, nonpersistent anemia characterized by the presence of poikilocytes, hupochromic erythrocytes, target cells, erythroblasts, erythrocytes with punctate basophilic stippling, reduced mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, and relative lymphocytosis, neutropenia, and eosinopenia. One rabbit from the group fed the largest dose displayed partial anorexia.