Are foetal ultrasonographic and maternal blood progesterone measurements near parturition reliable predictors of the time of birth in the domestic cat?

In cats, accuracy of parturition day prediction by ultrasonographic measurement of foetal structures is decreasing towards the end of gestation. Foetal measurements during the last days of pregnancy are scarce. We determined foetal biparietal, abdominal and eye diameter (BPD, AD and ED, respectively) by ultrasonography as well as maternal blood progesterone (P4) within five days of delivery to predict parturition date and calculate accuracy of prediction. Foetal BPD at birth was compared with newborn kitten head diameter (HD). Kitten HD, crown‐rump length (CRL) and body weight were compared by breed and gender. Ultrasonography measurements were carried out on the day of parturition in 14 queens, and on days 62–63 after the first mating and repeated 24–72 hr later in ten other cats. Accuracy of parturition day prediction using BPD and AD was determined based on the equations of Beccaglia et al. (2008) Veterinary Research Communications, 32(Suppl 1), S99 and Garcia Mitacek et al. (2015) Theriogenology, 84, 1131. Progesterone was measured at the time of presentation and repeated 24–72 hr later if parturition did not occur. Data were analysed with linear regression, t test, Mann–Whitney U test, one‐way anova and Kruskal–Wallis test. There was a moderate relationship between BPD, days before birth (DBB) and litter size. AD and DBB had a low agreement, and ED was not associated with DBB. BPD at birth was significantly related to HD. The accuracy of parturition day prediction using BPD and AD was 27–53% and 17–35%, respectively. Kitten HD was associated with body weight, and both were inversely related to litter size. Newborn biometric measurements differed by breed but not by gender. Progesterone decreased towards parturition and reached 3.18 ± 1.68 ng/ml on the day of delivery. In conclusion, close to birth, the combination of foetal ultrasonography and maternal blood P4 rather than each as a sole predictor of parturition is recommended.     

美国农业安全网内容与特点及其对韩国和中国农业政策的启示

美国之所以能发展成为世界超级农业大国与其成熟的农业政策体系有着密不可分的关系。在1933年颁布第一版农业法案后的近90年的历史演变中,美国已经发展了严密可靠的农业安全网,而农业安全网在稳定农产品价格和农业经营及保障农户收入中起到至关重要的作用。本文基于2018年颁布的美国农业法案,分析美国农业安全网之农产品计划、农作物保险计划和灾害援助计划三大主要内容及其特征,探讨不同形态小农国家如何从中借鉴并完善农业政策问题。研究表明,美国农业安全网牢固且具有弹性,具体体现为:对农户的保障范围和力度大;将安全网财政负担设置在可控范围内;农户的权利与义务同行;最大化兼顾国内农业生产环境和WTO国际规则;管辖机构间分工明确、协作紧密等特点。在农产品全球自由贸易加深、气候异常、疫情等因素威胁农产品价格和农户收入稳定的大环境下,中韩两国的农业政策仍有诸多不足,亟须完善。据此,给韩国农业的政策启示是:需制定更加多样灵活的农业补贴政策;扩大农产品支援品种;需形成政策间的协调联动机制;引入强制性财政支出方式。给中国农业政策带来的启示是:推进并完善农业信息化建设;制定长效且不乏弹性的农业政策法规与完善的财政补贴体系;加大财政支持,发展健全的农业保险制度;充分利用现有的WTO规则支持重要农产品生产,并积极筹备下一轮农业谈判为发展中国家的农业发展、粮食安全等议题争取更多权益。     

Comparison between tail and jugular venipuncture techniques for blood sample collection in common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

The most common technique used for collecting blood samples from chameleons, ventral tail caudal venipuncture (Reptile care. An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments, Vol. II, T.F.H. Publication, New Jersey, 1991) sometimes presents undesired effects. Here we compared tail versus jugular vein venipuncture techniques in the common chameleon. In the first experiment, we collected 0.25% of the chameleon's body mass in blood from either tail or jugular sites in size-matched pairs of animals to check for secondary effects. In a second experiment, we measured white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), total plasma protein and uric acid in blood samples collected from both sites in the same individual. We found few secondary effects following the use of either venipuncture site although skin darkening was observed in few specimens when using the ventral tail vein. Blood profiles were similar between samples. The repeatability of measurements was similar in RBC and WBC counts and remarkably low (<0.90). Despite the few differences recorded, we recommend jugular venipunction in chameleons as skin darkening is unlikely, blood volumes are easily obtained and collection time is shorter.     

Identification of Greenhouse Characteristics which Affect the Incidence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary in Pepper Crops in a Mediterranean Climate

The effect of the main construction factors and design features of greenhouses on the incidence of white rot disease, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, was studied in peppers grown under plastic-roofed greenhouses typical of Almería (SE Spain). At the height of the pepper-growing season in the province, fifty greenhouses were repeatedly sampled. Incidence of the disease was measured and the different construction features of the greenhouses were evaluated: types of roof cover, colour and age of the plastic cover, dimensions (ground plan, surface area, average height), estimated ventilation capacity and the presence of netting on the sides of the greenhouses (laterals). Statistical analyses were undertaken to see if the choice of various design options for each factor had any significant influence on the incidence of the disease. To achieve this single factor ANOVA was undertaken. The incidence of this disease was significantly affected (p<0.05) by the following greenhouse characteristics: ground plan, surface area, mean height, colour of the plastic cover, estimated ventilation and use of lateral netting.     

Electroacupuncture at the Zusanli and Baihui acupoints ameliorates type-2 diabetes-induced reductions in proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts in the hippocampal dentate gyrus with increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels

In the current study, we investigated whether electroacupuncture (EA) can inhibit pathological reductions in neurogenesis. Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats at 7 weeks of age were anesthetized with zoletil, and sham-acupuncture or EA at the Zusanli (ST36) and Baihui (GV20) acupoints was administered once a day for 5 weeks. In the ZDF group that received sham-EA (ZDF-Sham group), the blood glucose level was significantly increased together with age as compared to the control littermates [Zucker lean control (ZLC) rat]. In contrast, proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts were significantly decreased in the ZDF-Sham group compared to the ZLC group. Although EA treatment decreased blood glucose levels, this was not statistically significant when compared to blood glucose levels changes in the ZDF-Sham group. However, proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts were significantly increased with EA in ZDF rats as compared to those in the ZDF-Sham group. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were significantly decreased in hippocampal homogenates of ZDF-Sham group compared to those in the ZLC group. The EA treatment significantly increased the BDNF levels compared to those in the ZDF-Sham group, and BDNF levels in this group were similar to those in the ZLC group. These results suggest that EA at ST36 and GV20 can ameliorate the reductions in proliferating cells and differentiated neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus induced by type-2 diabetes without significantly reducing blood glucose levels with increasing BDNF levels.     

Morphological and molecular redescription of the myxozoan Unicapsula pflugfelderiSchubert,Sprague & Reinboth 1975 from two teleost hosts in the Mediterranean. A review of the genus Unicapsula Davis 1924

Elongate plasmodia with myxosporean spores belonging to the genus Unicapsula, Davis, 1924 were found in the skeletal muscle of the striped seabream, Lithognathus mormyrus (L.), a candidate for the mediterranean aquaculture. The only species of Unicapsula described from the Mediterranean is Unicapsula pflugfelderi Schubert et al. 1975, which occurs in the picarel, Spicara smaris (L.). For morphological and molecular comparison of U. pflugfelderi from S. smaris with Unicapsula sp. from L. mormyrus measurements of plasmodia and spores, ultrastructural details and 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were analysed. Whereas plasmodia were 2–3 times larger in S. smaris than in L. mormyrus (length 2.47–0.81 mm; width 0.22–0.09 mm; P = 0.000), spore morphology showed minor differences and both 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were 100% identical identifying the myxozoan as U. pflugfelderi. Scanning electron microscopy of the spores revealed a different shell valve distribution than the one used for the diagnosis of the genus Unicapsula. This resulted in a review of the genus Unicapsula dividing it into two morphological groups of different spore valve arrangement. TEM revealed the presence of a yet undescribed crystalline structure in the sporoplasm of the spores.     

Cluster Membership, Centrality, Structural Holes and Innovation: A study on the Telecommunication Industry in the Republic of Korea

The research focuses on strategic alliances for innovation in the telecommunication industry in the Republic of Korea. The author reviews relevant literature and specifically investigates how cluster membership affects innovative performance. Later, he combines it with an endogenous factor - centrality. The main motivation is to investigate if the existing theories and theories, which are largely based in the Western context, applies in a collectivistic South Korean context.     

Variation of favism-inducing factors (vicine,convicine and L-DOPA) during pod development inVicia faba L.

Changes in the concentrations of vicine, convicine and L-DOPA in two cultivars ofVicia faba L. seeds in different stages of pod development were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The vicine and convincine conent was highest in fresh green cotyledons (moisture content about 80%) and gradually declined until a constant level was reached when seed dry matter percentage was around 40%. A similar pattern of variation in glucoside concentration was observed for the seed coat. The pods contained neither vicine nor convicine but they were particularly rich in L-DOPA. These compounds were not homogeneously distributed in the seeds.     

Caspase Activation,Hydrogen Peroxide Production and Akt Dephosphorylation Occur During Stallion Sperm Senescence

To investigate the mechanisms inducing sperm death after ejaculation, stallion ejaculates were incubated in BWW media during 6 h at 37°C. At the beginning of the incubation period and after 1, 2, 4 and 6 h sperm motility and kinematics (CASA), mitochondrial membrane potential and membrane permeability and integrity were evaluated (flow cytometry). Also, at the same time intervals, active caspase 3, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion (flow cytometry) and Akt phosphorylation (flow cytometry) were evaluated. Major decreases in sperm function occurred after 6 h of incubation, although after 1 h decrease in the percentages of motile and progressive motile sperm occurred. The decrease observed in sperm functionality after 6 h of incubation was accompanied by a significant increase in the production of hydrogen peroxide and the greatest increase in caspase 3 activity. Additionally, the percentage of phosphorylated Akt reached a minimum after 6 h of incubation. These results provide evidences that sperm death during in vitro incubation is largely an apoptotic phenomena, probably stimulated by endogenous production of hydrogen peroxide and the lack of prosurvival factors maintaining Akt in a phosphorylated status. Disclosing molecular mechanisms leading to sperm death may help to develop new strategies for stallion sperm conservation.