Relationship between terrain use and performance of beef cows grazing foothill rangeland

A study was conducted on foothills rangeland to determine whether grazing patterns differed among cow breeds and to determine whether there was a relationship between individual grazing patterns and performance of beef cows. Hereford (HH), Tarentaise (TT), 3/4 Hereford x 1/4 Tarentaise (3H1T), 1/2 Hereford x 1/2 Tarentaise (HT), and 1/4 Hereford x 3/4 Tarentaise (1H3T) cows were observed during the summers of 1997 (n = 183) and 1998 (n = 159). Locations of individual cows were recorded two to three times per week during 1.5- to 2.5-h periods in the morning by observers on horseback. Statistical models included cow breed, age, and nursing status. Data from each year were analyzed separately. During 1997 and 1998, nonlactating cows were located at greater (P < 0.05) vertical distances from water than lactating cows. In 1998, nonlactating cows used steeper (P < 0.05) slopes than lactating cows. However, nonlactating cows did not travel as far horizontally from water (P < 0.05) as lactating cows in 1997. Younger cows (3 yr) traveled further (P < 0.05) from water both vertically and horizontally than older cows (5+ yr) in 1997, but not during 1998. Tarentaise and 1H3T cows were observed at greater (P < 0.05) vertical distances from water than HH cows during both years of the study. During 1998, TT and 1H3T cows used steeper (P < 0.05) slopes than HH cows. Using residual correlations, there were no consistent relationships between topographic aspects of individual grazing locations and cow weight, height, and body condition score. In 1997, cows with earlier calving dates and correspondingly heavier calf weaning weights used areas that had greater vertical distances to water; however, in 1998 there were no relationships (P > 0.05) of calving date and weaning weight with cow location. During both years, pregnant and nonpregnant cows used terrain similarly (P > 0.05), which suggests that cow reproductive performance was not related to terrain use. Grazing patterns in foothills rangeland varied among cow breeds. Performance of cows that used more rugged topography was similar to cows using gentler terrain.     

Effects of monoamines formed in the cecum of horses on equine digital blood vessels and platelets

OBJECTIVE: To determine in vitro vasoactive potency of monoamines formed in the cecum and found in the systemic circulation of horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Segments of digital blood vessels obtained from 6 healthy mixed-breed horses and ponies euthanatized at an abattoir and platelets isolated from 4 healthy ponies. PROCEDURE: Paired rings of digital artery and vein from the same horse were examined, and isometric tension was recorded. Concentration-response curves for tryptamine (TRP), tyramine (TYR), phenylethylamine (PEA), isoamylamine (IAA), and isobutylamine (IBA) were obtained. Vasoconstrictor mechanisms were investigated for TRP and TYR by the use of antagonists. Washed platelets loaded with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were incubated with monoamines; the amount of radioactivity displaced after 30 minutes was estimated. RESULTS: TRP, TYR, and PEA were potent constrictors of arteries and veins, with TRP and TYR being more potent in veins than arteries. Constrictions induced by TYR were inhibited by benextramine (alpha-antagonist) and nisoxetine (neuronal-uptake blocker), whereas TRP responses were inhibited by ketanserin (5-HT receptor antagonist). All 5 amines displaced 5-HT from platelets with the order of potency being TYR > TRP > PEA > IAA > IBA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amines from the equine cecum cause digital vasoconstriction. The most potent (TRP and TYR) cause selective venoconstriction. Tyrosine activates predominantly alpha-adrenoceptors through the release of neuronal norepinephrine, whereas TRP activates 5-HT receptors. All amines tested released 5-HT from platelets. Amines formed in the cecum and released into the systemic circulation warrant additional investigation as trigger factors for digital ischemia and subsequent laminitis.     

Computational chemistry study of the environmentally important acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of atrazine and related 2-chloro-s-triazines

Many chlorine-containing pesticides, for example 2-chloro-s-triazines, are of great concern both environmentally and toxicologically. As a result, ascertaining or predicting the fate and transport of these compounds in soils and water is of current interest. Transformation pathways for 2-chloro-s-triazines in the environment include dealkylation, dechlorination (hydrolysis), and ring cleavage. This study explored the feasibility of using computational chemistry, specifically the hybrid density functional theory method, B3LYP, to predict hydrolysis trends of atrazine (2-chloro-N4-ethyl-N6-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and related 2-chloro-s-triazines to the corresponding 2-hydroxy-s-triazines. Gas-phase energetics are described on the basis of calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. Calculated free energies of hydrolysis (delta h G298) are nearly the same for simazine (2-chloro-N4,N6-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), atrazine, and propazine (2-chloro-N4,N6-di-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), suggesting that hydrolysis is not significantly affected by the side-chain amine-nitrogen alkyl substituents. High-energy barriers also suggest that the reactions are not likely to be observed in the gas phase. Aqueous solvation effects were examined by means of self-consistent reaction field methods (SCRF). Molecular structures were optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G* level using the Onsager model, and solvation energies were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level using the isodensity surface polarizable continuum model (IPCM). Although the extent of solvent stabilization was greater for cationic species than neutral ones, the full extent of solvation is underestimated, especially for the transition state structures. As a consequence, the calculated hydrolysis barrier for protonated atrazine is exaggerated compared with the experimentally determined one. Overall, the hydrolysis reactions follow a concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) pathway.     

Issues associated with the application to veterinarians of a mailed questionnaire regarding lower respiratory-tract disease in racehorses

This study evaluated a questionnaire investigating the attitudes and behaviours of veterinarians regarding the cause, diagnosis and treatment of lower respiratory-tract disease in racehorses. The questionnaire was sent to all non-student members (648) of the Australian Equine Veterinary Association: two mailings and a single telephone contact (each separated by four weeks). Subsequent phases were only administered to those who had not responded to earlier phases. In total, 467 (72.1%) of the 648 mailed questionnaires were returned. Of these, 354 were usable. The remaining 113 respondents gave various reasons for not completing the questionnaire; the most common (68%) was that horses were not a component of their practice. Those respondents working primarily with horses required fewer phases to return the questionnaire. Although deviating from previously described questionnaire designs, the described protocol provided a reasonable response rate.     

Evaluation of Infection Processes and Resulting Disease Caused by Dendryphion penicillatum and Pleospora papaveracea on Papaver somniferum

ABSTRACT Two pathogenic fungi of opium poppy, Pleospora papaveracea and Dendryphion penicillatum, were isolated from field material in Beltsville, MD. The processes of infection by these two fungi were studied to determine the optimal environmental conditions for infection. Both fungi formed appressoria capable of penetrating directly through the plant epidermal layer. Of the two fungi, P. papaveracea was more aggressive, causing more rapid necrosis. Appressorial formation by P. papaveracea occurred as early as 4 h after application of a conidial suspension to poppy leaves. P. papaveracea formed more appressoria than did D. penicillatum, especially at cool temperatures (7 to 13 degrees C). In greenhouse studies, P. papaveracea caused more damage to opium poppy than did D. penicillatum when applied in 10% unrefined corn oil. In the field, P. papaveracea was more consistent in its effects on opium poppy from a local seed source designated Indian Grocery. P. papaveracea caused higher disease ratings, more stem lesions, and equal or greater yield losses than did D. penicillatum on Indian Grocery. The late-maturing opium poppy variety White Cloud was severely damaged by disease, regardless of formulation or fungal treatment. P. papaveracea was the predominant fungus isolated from poppy seed capsules and the only fungus reisolated from the field the following year. These studies provide a better understanding of the infection process and the differences between these two pathogenic fungi and will be beneficial for the development of the fungi as biological control agents.