Germplasm Variability and Environmental Effects on Stem Cellulose and Lignin Concentrations in Alfalfa*

Stem cellulose and lignin concentrations are major determining factors of alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa L.) forage quality. Only limited information is available on the genetic variability and the influence of environmental effects on these two stem-quality traits. Our objectives were to: evaluate the variability for stem cellulose and lignin concentrations in modern alfalfa germplasms across several harvests; observe the environmental stability of these two quality traits in 32 alfalfa clones selected high or low for either stem cellulose or lignin concentration; and examine the relationships between these two stem-quality traits and leaf and stem crude protein (CP). Fifty alfalfa entries (cultivars and experimental populations) were established May 1993, and sampled for stem acid-detergent lignin (ADL), stem acid-detergent cellulose (ADC), and stem CP on Sep 1993, June and Aug 1994. Clones were vegetatively propagated from individual plants selected for extremes in stem ADL and ADC and transplanted into blocks at two locations in May 1994 and sampled for quality analysis in September 1994. For all samples, leaves were hand-separated from stems and stem ADL, ADC, CP and leaf CP concentration were determined using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Entry differences for stem ADL and ADC were detected only at the June 1994 harvest date in the cultivar study. Spearman's ranked correlations over years in the clonal study demonstrated greater environmental stability for stem ADC (r = 0.70, P ≥ 0.01) than for stem ADL (r = 0.54, P # 0.05). Environmental effects had an impact on both traits, but stem ADC showed greater potential for improving forage quality. Simple correlations showed that decreasing stem ADL or ADC would have minimal effect on leaf CP and may increase stem CP.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on selected hematologic parameters of the turkey

The effect of three daily cyclophosphamide (CY) injections (doses of 0-100 mg/kg.day) on selected hematologic parameters in 7-to-8-week-old female Nicholas turkeys was examined. CY induced significant leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and heteropenia 24 to 72 hours after the initial injection; time depended on cell type and dose of CY. Significant linear correlation between increasing CY dose and increasing severity of circulating cell depression occurred. CY had no significant effect on circulating numbers of monocytes, packed cell volume, or plasma protein. Changes in basophils and eosinophils could not be identified because of their low numbers.     

Investigating landscape phase transitions in Mediterranean rangelands by recurrence analysis

Context

Socio-ecological landscapes typically characterized by non-linear dynamics in space and time are difficult to be analyzed using standard quantitative methods, due to multiple processes interacting on different spatial and temporal scales. This poses a challenge to the identification of appropriate approaches for analyzing time series that can evaluate system properties of landscape dynamics in the face of disturbances, such as uncontrolled fires.

Objective

The purpose is the application of non-linear methods such as recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) to landscape ecology. The examples concern the time series of burnt and unburnt Mediterranean rangelands, to highlight potential and limits of RQA.

Methods

We used RQA together with joint recurrence analysis (JRA) to compare the evolutionary behavior of different land uses.

Results

Time series of forests and grasslands in rangelands present both periodic and chaotic components with a rather similar behavior after the fire and clear transitions from less to more regular/predictable dynamics/succession. Results highlight the impacts of fire, the recovery capacity of land covers to pre-burnt levels, and the decay of synchronization towards the previous regime associated with vegetation secondary succession consistent with early successional species.

Conclusions

RQA and JRA with their set of indices (recurrence rate: RR, laminarity: LAM, determinism: DET, and divergence: DIV) can represent new sensitive measures that may monitor the adaptive capacity and the resilience of landscapes. However, future applications are needed to standardize the analysis by strengthening the accuracy of this approach in describing the ongoing transformations of natural and man-managed landscapes.

     

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.     

The use of a shotgun for the emergency slaughter or euthanasia of large mature pigs

The isolated heads of a Friesian bull and three large, Large White pigs were shot from various aspects with a 12-gauge shotgun using both a single 28 g solid lead projectile and buckshot, the latter consisting of nine individual lead pellets with a combined mass of 28 g. The sites of impact to the skull included the conventional frontal region, an occipital site and immediately behind the ear. A live mature Large White sow was shot with buckshot in the depression just caudal to the right ear, resulting in immediate insensibility and death. The damage caused to the isolated heads indicated that similar effects could be expected if the heads had been part of intact living animals. It is suggested that buckshot (nine lead pellets with a combined mass of 28 g) fired from a 12-gauge shotgun may be suitable for the emergency slaughter or euthanasia of a wide variety of domestic livestock and other species of animal.     

Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma – Sézary syndrome in a Boxer

A 7‐year‐old male Boxer with a 3.5‐year history of atopy and food hypersensitivity was presented with multiple poorly circumscribed nodules and maculae of the skin and tongue, and jaundiced mucosal membranes. Cytologic and histopathologic examination of the skin lesions revealed cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma. Cells were CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ in flow cytometry. The CBC showed a moderate leukocytosis with 16% atypical lymphocytes with irregularly cleaved nuclei. Flow cytometric phenotyping of peripheral blood showed an elevated proportion of the CD8⁺ T‐lymphocyte subpopulation, indicating a malignant population of T‐cell origin, and the electropherogram of the PCR antigen receptor rearrangement produced a monoclonal peak for TCRγ. Liver enzyme activities were markedly increased and abdominal ultrasound examination showed increased echogenicity of the liver and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Fine‐needle aspirates of the liver confirmed infiltration with lymphocytes exhibiting the same morphology as the cells detected in skin and peripheral blood. Treatment was induced with L‐asparaginase, lomustine, and prednisone. Partial clinical remission of the skin and tongue lesions was achieved within 10 days, and hematologic abnormalities resolved. Despite further treatment with L‐asparaginase and lomustine, the dog relapsed within one month and was euthanized. Presence of malignant lymphocytes in skin, peripheral blood, and liver indicate a rare variant of leukemic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, equivalent of Sézary syndrome in a dog. This case report describes the use of flow cytometry as a complementary tool for lymphocyte characterization of skin lesions for the first time.     

The shelf‐life of uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses stored at 10°C and 4°C

1. Uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses were processed together and stored in groups of 10 at 10°C and 4°C; a further 10 eviscerated carcasses were wrapped in “polythene” bags and stored at 4°C.

2. The bacteriological condition of the uneviscerated and eviscerated carcasses prior to storage was very similar.

3. At 10 °C the eviscerated carcasses developed a slight “off” odour in 3 to 4 d (average 3.5 d) whilst the first signs of greening in the uneviscerated carcasses occurred in 4 to 6 d (average 5 d).

4. At 4 °C wrapped eviscerated carcasses developed slight “off” odour in 5 to 6 d (average 5.6 d) whilst the unwrapped eviscerated carcasses varied considerably in their shelf‐life from 5 to 11 d (average 7.9 d). After 18 d the uneviscerated carcasses were still quite acceptable and no bacteria were found in the breast muscle (i.e. < 150/g).

5. Bacteriological examinations made of the skin of the three groups of chickens stored at 4 °C confirmed the differences obtained in shelf‐life; Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the predominant spoilage organisms in each case.     

Focal ulcerative dermatitis ("breast buttons") in marketed turkeys

Features of focal ulcerative dermatitis ("breast buttons"), a skin disease occurring most commonly in male turkeys, are described. Single or, less commonly, multiple ulcers 16 to greater than 900 mm2 in size were located in the unfeathered breast skin over the anterior keel. Ulcer margins were raised, and the center was filled with a firmly adherent, hard scab. Microscopically, there was a sharp demarcation between the ulcer and adjacent hyperplastic epithelium. Vasculitis, necrosis of dermal vessels, mild to moderate heterophil infiltration, and fibrosis were found in the dermis. The characteristic granulomatous response to exudate seen in avian species was absent. Although bacterial colonies, foreign debris, and (rarely) fungi were found on the lesion surface, they were absent deep in the ulcer, suggesting they are not its cause. The lesion had no clinical effect on the turkey but was frequently trimmed at processing, resulting in downgrading and economic loss. There is no correlation between the size of "breast buttons" and occurrence of "breast blisters," an inflammation of the sternal bursa.