A Hedonic Analysis of Big Game Hunting Club Dues in Georgia,USA

Hunting lease revenue can be a reliable supplemental income for forest landowners. Although studies have examined factors influencing per acre lease rates, little is known about how various characteristics are capitalized in hunting club dues. The objective of this study was to conduct a hedonic analysis of big game hunting club dues in Georgia, USA using a variety of club-, site-, and location-specific characteristics. To accomplish this objective, multivariate regression analysis was applied to explain variation in hunters’ self-reported big game hunting club dues in 2012. Implicit price was then calculated for each significant covariate. Club size, presence of food plots, and game quality had positive effects on club dues, whereas membership number had a negative effect. These results should be useful for landowners and club lease managers interested in enhancing the marketability of their hunting sites and understanding the effect of management actions.     

Patterns of protein glycosylation in bovine placentomes as a function of gestational age and in retained versus non‐retained placenta

The formation of placenta at the beginning of pregnancy and its separation at parturition require not only deep remodelling of extracellular matrix, which mainly consists of proteins conjugated with sugar moieties, but also the cooperation with cells from both maternal and foetal parts of placenta. The aim of the study was to compare the patterns of selected conjugated proteins with sugar moieties between pregnant and term placenta as well as between released and retained placenta in cows. Placental samples from healthy pregnant cows (3–5 months of pregnancy) were collected at a slaughterhouse (n = 6), and parturient samples were collected during caesarean section at term and retrospectively divided into retained (n = 6) and released (n = 6). The pattern of selected sugar moieties conjugated with proteins was detected by use of lectin blotting with Phaseolus Vulgaris leucoagglutinin, Maackia Amurensis and Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry). The comparison and analysis of obtained band patterns showed differences between their number, molecular weight and abundance related to the intensity of staining. Samples from 3 to 4 months showed similarities, while at the 5th month, clear differences were visible in all 3 lectins, which were used in this study. Samples from retained/released placenta expressed significant differences in PHA‐L and SNA pattern in the foetal part. Obtained results indicate that the development of placenta related to extracellular matrix and accompanying cells from both sides of placenta shows dynamic changes during pregnancy. Moreover, in the case of animals with the retention of foetal membranes the patterns of proteins conjugated with sugar moieties are altered, suggesting that the changes in extracellular matrix metabolism can be involved in the attachment and detachment of the placenta in cows.     

Structural and compositional dynamics of strictly protected woodland communities with silvicultural implications,using Białowieża Forest as an example

? Key message

Long-term strict protection of woodland communities may lead to their compositional simplification and homogenisation.

? Context

In the past, it has often been postulated that structures and processes typical for natural forests should be mimicked by silvicultural activities in the case of managed tree stands.

? Aims

To determine which features and traits of natural woodland communities (alongside typical old-growth attributes) should be imitated in managed forests, as well as which should not (and for what reasons).

? Methods

Tree data from five permanent study plots (of a total area of 15.44 ha) established in 1936 in the core area of the Bia?owie?a National Park (NE Poland) are used to calculate several quantitative indices describing the temporal dynamics (in terms of stand structure and composition) of eight major woodland community types.

? Results

Most structural attributes revealed rather high stability over time. In contrast to these, during the observation period, noticeable changes in the composition of particular Bia?owie?a woodland communities have been taking place, related to declining occurrence and reduced roles characteristic for a large number of tree species.

? Conclusion

In many ways, natural forests can serve as an important model for managed forest stands. However, in certain circumstances, silvicultural treatments counteracting natural developmental trends may appear to be indispensable, especially when more diverse and stable tree species composition (at a given spatial and temporal scale) is indicated or desirable.

     

Proteome changes in renal cortex and medulla induced by dietary supplementation with inulin‐type fructans in growing pigs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation with inulin extract from chicory root and dried chicory root on the protein profile of the renal cortex and medulla of growing pigs. The experiment was carried out on renal cortex and medulla tissue collected from 24 50‐day‐old PIC x Penarlan P76 crossbred piglets (males). Animals were divided into three dietary groups (n = 8) and fed with a control diet, diet supplemented with 2% inulin extract from chicory root and a diet supplemented with 4% dried chicory root. Kidney samples were collected after 40 days of feeding, and renal cortex and medulla proteins were separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis. Protein identification was performed using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The diet supplemented with 2% chicory inulin induced significant expression changes of 20 and 26 protein spots in the renal cortex and medulla respectively. Supplementation with 4% dried chicory root triggered changes in the expression of 44 and 24 proteins in the renal cortex and medulla respectively. Both forms of chicory inulin‐type fructans effectively affected the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism, heat shock proteins and other chaperones, cytoskeletal and cytoskeleton‐related proteins, as well as other proteins. Additionally, changes in transferrin abundance in both experimental groups suggested the significance of chicory fructan supplementation for iron absorption and bioavailability. In conclusion, 2% inulin extract from chicory root and 4% dried chicory root exerted a similar effect on changes in renal protein expression; however, more pronounced alterations were induced by dried chicory root. Nevertheless, further studies are needed for better understanding the mechanism underlying the effect of chicory inulin‐type fructans and their fermentation end products on the kidneys of growing pigs.     

Physiological mechanisms of ovarian follicular growth in pigs--a review

Follicular growth after antrum formation is determined by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Only two ways are possible for recruited follicles, continuing development or atresia. In gilts, intensive ovarian follicular growth begins between 60 and 100 days of age, and fluctuations of the ovarian morphological status last about 20 days; however, at that time there are no really large follicles. Final follicular development is under luteinising hormone (LH) control; this is why the attainment of puberty is related to an increase in serum oestradiol to a level that causes a preovulatory surge of this gonadotropin. The pool of follicles at the beginning of the oestrous cycle is about 30-40, most of which are small (< 3 mm) and growing. Then, the pool of follicles increases to about 80 in the mid-luteal phase but about 50 of them are small and 30 are medium sized (3-6.9 mm). Some of these follicles are in the growing phase, but some are atretic. Between days 7 and 15 of the oestrous cycle the percentage of atretic follicles fluctuates between 12 and 73%. At that time there are no large (> 7 mm) follicles because of the suppressing effect of progesterone. The number of small follicles declines after luteolysis. From the pool of medium follicles, large follicles are selected under the influence of LH, but about 70% of the medium-sized follicles become atretic. Because of the long-lasting selection process there is a significant heterogeneity in the diameter of large follicles in oestrus. However, the number of follicles correlates with the number of corpora lutea after ovulation. Individual follicular development and the relationship between follicles are still poorly known. The use of ultrasonography may give a closer insight into these phenomena.     

Molecular characterization of lentiviruses from goats from Poland based on gag gene sequence analysis

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection in goats is worldwide but with higher prevalence in industrialized countries. While positive serology of CAEV in Polish goats was reported there was no genetic study of this virus. In this study, we described the molecular characterization of lentiviruses isolated from seropositive goats from Poland. We cloned and sequenced a fragment from the gag gene covering part of the coding sequences for the matrix (MA) p17 and for the capsid (CA) p25 proteins. Resulting nucleotide sequences were aligned with those from other ovine/caprine lentivirus isolates. We present data showing that the sequences of most goat lentivirus isolates are closer to the prototypic CAEV-Co isolate, nevertheless from one goat we isolated a virus that is closer to the sheep Maedi Visna virus (MVV) isolate. This might indicate a recent cross-species infection from sheep to goat.     

Effect of feeding various levels of poultry by‐product meal on the blood parameters,filet composition and structure of female tenches (Tinca tinca)

Homogeneous background (age, sex, genetic lineage, culture conditions) was created to clearly demonstrate the impact of the tested dietary treatments. No feeds optimized for the rearing of the tench (Tinca tinca L. 1758) are available. Feeds are formulated to increase the growth rate or eliminate skeletal deformations. With the increasing prices of the basic components, fish meal (FM) and fish oil, poultry by‐product meal (PBM) can be used. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of substitution of FM with PBM on the tench blood parameters, body composition and structure of skeletal muscles. Cage‐reared female tenches (325 ± 18 g) were fed for 86 days with five types of feeds with 0% (control), 25.7%, 48.6%, 71.4% and 100% substitution of FM with PBM. No significant differences between the formulations were reported for weight, total length, fillet weight, visceral, liver, gonado‐somatic, proximate composition and biochemical blood parameters. However, significant differences were found in the fillet profiles of fatty acids—an increase in the PBM content correlated with an increase in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and a decrease in n‐3 PUFA and, generally, n‐6 PUFA. Significant differences were also observed in, for example, the content of intramuscular fatty tissue and the level of organ lipidosis between the control variant (0% PBM) and that with 100% substitution. A sensory assessment indicated a higher gustatory value of the fillets in the case of feeds with 48.6% and 71.4% substitution.     

Rebuilding global fisheries: the World Summit Goal,costs and benefits

Many of the world’s fish stocks are depleted as a result of overexploitation, pollution and habitat loss. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) sets a target for fisheries to maintain or restore stocks to levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2015. We assessed the global stock status and found that 68% were at or above the MSY level in 2008 and that the 2015 target is unlikely to be met. We compiled data for eight indicators to evaluate the sustainability of fisheries and the gap to meet the WSSD target. These indicators show that the overall condition of global fisheries is declining, long‐term benefits are being compromised, and pressures on fisheries are increasing despite fisheries policy and management actions being taken by coastal States. We develop a bio‐economic model to estimate the costs and benefits of restoring overfished stocks. Our results show that the global fishing capacity needs to be cut by 36–43% from the 2008 level, resulting in the loss of employment of 12–15 million fishers and costing US$96–358 billion for buybacks. On the other hand, meeting the WSSD goal will increase annual fishery production by 16.5 million tonnes, annual rent by US$32 billion and improve biodiversity and functioning of marine ecosystems. However, progress towards rebuilding has been hindered by an unwillingness or inability to accept the short‐term socio‐economic consequences associated with rebuilding fisheries. Thus, there is a pressing need for integration of rebuilding plans into national political and economic decision‐making.     

Prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in staphylococci isolated from ready-to-eat meat products

Prevalence of mecA, blaZ, tetO/K/M, ermA/B/C, aph, and vanA/B/C/D genes conferring resistance to oxacillin, penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, and vancomycin was investigated in 65 staphylococcal isolates belonging to twelve species obtained from ready-to-eat porcine, bovine, and chicken products. All coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and S. aureus isolates harbored at least one antibiotic resistance gene. None of the S. aureus possessed more than three genes, while 25% of the CNS isolates harbored at least four genes encoding resistance to clinically used antibiotics. In 15 CNS isolates the mecA gene was detected, while all S. aureus isolates were mecA-negative. We demonstrate that in ready-to-eat food the frequency of CNS harboring multiple antibiotic resistance genes is higher than that of multiple resistant S. aureus, meaning that food can be considered a reservoir of bacteria containing genes potentially contributing to the evolution of antibiotic resistance in staphylococci.