The SRI (system of rice intensification) water management evaluation by SWAPP (SWAT–APEX Program) modeling in an agricultural watershed of South Korea

Paddy and Water Environment - In this study, a potential system for achieving rice intensification (SRI) water management in an agricultural watershed of South Korea was evaluated using the...     

Segmental aplasia of the uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis in a cat

A nine-month-old domestic short haired cat was admitted with the history of acute vomiting, depression and shivering. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed minimum enlargement of the right uterine horn filled with anechoic fluid. On excretory urography, functionally and anatomically normal, enlarged left kidney was found, but right kidney was absent. It was preliminary diagnosed as hydrometra with right renal agenesis. Aiming at the correction of hydrometra, we performed ovariohysterectomy. During spaying, we found a missing segment of distal part of the right uterine horn and absence of ipsilateral kidney and ureter. Compressed uterine structure and segmental aplasia of right uterine horn were found in histopathological investigation. Taken together, it was diagnosed as a segmental aplasia of uterine horn with ipsilateral renal agenesis.     

Molecular analysis of endogenous avian leukosis/sarcoma virus genomes in Korean chicken embryos

Since the status of endogenous avian leucosis/sarcoma virus (ALSV) infections in Korean broiler chickens is unclear, this study examined embryonated eggs obtained from broiler farms and Korean native chicken breeds in Korea using PCR with the primer sets specific for endogenous ALSVs. The PCR assays detected the genomes of EAV, ev, ev/J and ART-CH belonging to the endogenous ALSV from all embryos tested. Phylogenetically, the Korean EAV genomes were more closely related to the prototype EAV-0 than to the other prototype, E51. The Korean ART-CH elements clustered together but were distinct from the prototype ART-CH clones, 5 and 14. Although there was comparatively little divergence in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Korean ev and ev/J genomes compared with the other known ev and ev/J genomes, the Korean genomes had phylogenetically distinct branches. From these results, endogenous genomes are quite prevalent in Korean broiler chickens. In addition, the endogenous genomes circulating in Korean broiler chickens are genetically different from the other known endogenous genomes. These results are expected to provide useful information for the control and establishment of a surveillance system for endogenous ALSVs in Korea.     

Changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper of adult and aged dogs

Astrocytes perform neuron-supportive tasks, repair and scarring process in the central nervous system. In this study, we observed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrocytes, immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper (CA1-3 region) of adult (2-3 years of age) and aged (10-12 years of age) dogs. In the adult group, GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes were distributed in all layers of the dentate gyrus and CA1-3 region, except in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1-3 region. In the aged group, GFAP immunoreactivity decreased markedly in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. However, GFAP immunoreactivity in the CA1-3 region increased in all layers, and the cytoplasm of GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes was hypertrophied. GFAP protein levels in the aged dentate gyrus decreased; however, GFAP levels in the CA1-3 region increased. These results suggest that the morphology of astrocytes and GFAP protein levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1 region are changed, respectively, with age.     

Reduced immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of the seizure sensitive gerbil

We compared the immunoreactivity and numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive neurons and neuropil in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus between the seizure sensitive (SS) and seizure resistant (SR) gerbils. The distributional pattern of TH immunoreactivity was similar in both groups: TH immunoreactivity was seen mainly in magnocellular neurons of the PVN. However, total TH immunoreactivity in the neurons and neuropil in the SS gerbils was significantly lower than that in the SR gerbils. In addition, the number of TH immunoreactive neurons in the SS gerbils was also much lower than those in the SR gerbils. These results indicate that SS gerbils have a low TH immunoreactivity in the hypothalamic PVN compared with that in SR gerbils.     

Soundscapes reveal disturbance impacts: biophonic response to wildfire in the Sonoran Desert Sky Islands

Context

While remote sensing imagery is effective for quantifying land cover changes across large areas, its utility for directly assessing the response of animals to disturbance is limited. Soundscapes approaches—the recording and analysis of sounds in a landscape—could address this shortcoming.

Objectives

In 2011, a massive wildfire named “the Horseshoe 2 Burn” occurred in the Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, USA. We evaluated the impact of this wildfire on acoustic activity of animal communities.

Methods

In 2013, soundscape recordings were collected over 9 months in 12 burned and 12 non-burned sites in four ecological systems. The seasonal and diel biological acoustic activity were described using the “Bioacoustic Index”, a detailed aural analysis of sound sources, and a new tool called “Sonic Timelapse Builder” (STLB).

Results

Seasonal biophony phenology showed a diurnal peak in June and a nocturnal peak in October in all ecological systems. On June mornings, acoustic activity was lower at burned than at non-burned sites in three of four ecological systems, due to a decreased abundance of cicadas directly impacted by the death of trees. Aural analyses revealed that 55% of recordings from non-burned sites contained insect sounds compared to 18% from burned sites. On October nights, orthopteran activity was more prevalent at some burned sites, possibly due to post-fire emergence of herbaceous.

Conclusions

Soundscape approaches can help address long-term conservation issues involving the responses of animal communities to wildfire. Acoustic methods can serve as a valuable complement to remote sensing for disturbance-based landscape management.

     

Use of an intravenous sclerosing foam (3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate) for treatment of orbital varix in a dog

A 6‐month‐old intact male Standard Dachshund was referred for evaluation of a soft tissue swelling above the right eye. Examination of the right eye revealed mild lateral deviation of the globe, normal vision, and a dorsonasal soft tissue swelling. Examination of the posterior segment was normal. Dual‐phase computed tomography angiography was consistent with an orbital varix of the angularis oculi and right dorsal external ophthalmic veins with no evidence of arterial involvement. Treatment involved fluoroscopically guided coil embolization of the venous outflow with nine platinum microcoils, followed by sclerotherapy of the varix using 1.5 mL of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam. Moderate‐to‐marked swelling was noted at the treatment site in the weeks following therapy, which gradually resolved. At final reexamination 3 months post‐therapy, complete sclerosis and resolution of the orbital varix were documented. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case involving the use of a sclerotic agent for successful treatment of a venous malformation in a dog.     

Effects of illite supplementation on in vitro and in vivo rumen fermentation,microbial population and methane emission of Hanwoo steers fed high concentrate diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding supplemental illite to Hanwoo steers on methane (CH₄) emission and rumen fermentation parameters. An in vitro ruminal fermentation technique was conducted using a commercial concentrate as substrate and illite was added at different concentrations as treatments: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% illite. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were different (P < 0.05) at 24 h of incubation where the highest total VFA was observed at 1.0% of illite. Conversely, lowest CH₄ production (P < 0.01) was found at 1.0% of illite. In the in vivo experiment, two diets were provided, without illite and with addition of 1% illite. An automated head chamber (GreenFeed) system was used to measure enteric CH₄ production. Cattle received illite supplemented feed increased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations in the rumen compared with those fed control. Feeding illite numerically decreased CH₄ production (g/day) and yield (g/kg dry matter intake). Rumen microbial population analysis indicated that the population of total bacteria, protozoa and methanogens were lower (P < 0.05) for illite compared with the control. Accordingly, overall results suggested that feeding a diet supplemented with 1% illite can have positive effects on feed fermentation in the rumen and enteric CH₄ mitigation in beef cattle.     

Effects of Putative Growth or Health‐Enhancing Dietary Additives on Juvenile Olive Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus,Performance

The effect on growth and body composition of various dietary additives with putative growth or health‐enhancing properties were determined in juvenile olive flounder (25 g initial weight). Nine experimental diets were prepared to contain one of the following additives: control (Con) with no additive, Opuntia ficus‐indica ver. saboten (OF), propolis (PP), lactic acid bacteria (LA), γ‐poly‐glutamic acid (PG), onion extract (OE), organic sulfur (OS), Biostone® (BS), and fig extract (FE). Fishmeal, dehulled soybean meal, and corn gluten were used as the protein source of the experimental diets. Wheat flour and soybean oil were used as the carbohydrate and lipid sources, respectively. Dietary additives were included in each experimental diet at 1% at the expense of wheat flour except for the FE (aqueous), which was substituted at 1% of the amount of water added to the diet. Fish were hand‐fed to satiation twice a day for 6 d/wk for 6 wk. Weight gain of fish fed the OE diet was higher than that of fish fed with the PP diet. Chemical composition of fish was not different among the experimental diets. OE was the most effective dietary additive to improve performance of olive flounder among additives used in this study.