Interrelationship of soil moisture and temperature to sylvatic plague cycle among prairie dogs in the Western United States

Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a flea-borne disease that is endemic in areas throughout the world due to its successful maintenance in a sylvatic cycle, mainly in areas with temperate climates. Burrowing rodents are thought to play a key role in the enzootic maintenance as well as epizootic outbreaks of plague. In the United States, prairie dogs (Cynomys), rodents (Muridae), and ground squirrels (Spermophilus) are susceptible to infection and are parasitized by fleas that transmit plague. In particular, prairie dogs can experience outbreaks that rapidly spread, which can lead to extirpation of colonies. A number of ecological parameters, including climate, are associated with these epizootics. In this study, we asked whether soil parameters, primarily moisture and temperature, are associated with outbreaks of plague in black-tailed prairie dogs and Gunnison's prairie dogs in the Western United States, and at what depth these associations were apparent. We collected publicly available county-level information on the occurrence of population declines or colony extirpation, while historical soil data was collected from SCAN and USCRN stations in counties and states where prairie dogs have been located. The analysis suggests that soil moisture at lower depths correlates with colony die-offs, in addition to temperature near the surface, with key differences within the landscape ecology that impact the occurrence of plague. Overall, the model suggests that the burrow environment may play a significant role in the epizootic spread of disease amongst black-tailed and Gunnison's prairie dogs.     

Blood Typing of Asiatic Black Bear (Ursusthibetanus)

In this study,we aimed to determine whether bear had different blood group systems.Whole blood samples were collected from 40 Asiatic Black bears in Fujian province,China.Tube method was used to detect antibodies in plasma,and antibody isotype was determined with 2-mercaptoethanol.Plasma was further analyzed by mass spectrometry.The plasma from four bears had antibodies,possibly IgM isoform,which could agglutinate RBCs from 30 bears.Blood samples from 10 bears were tested by human blood typing reagents.The results showed that 4 bears had blood type like human type O,while 6 bears had like human type B.Plasma protein had extensive homology to serum albumin-like isoform 1 found in giant panda (Ailuropodamelanoleuca).We suggested that Asiatic Black bear might have at least one blood group system with two blood types.If the sick bear needs blood transfusion,a cross-matching test was necessary.Moreover,giant panda might receive blood from Asiatic Black bear in case of emergency.     

假蒟提取物对感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫鸡血液指标的影响

本试验旨在研究假蒟提取物对感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫鸡血液指标的影响。270只1日龄海南文昌公鸡,随机分为6个组,每组3个重复,每重复15只,T1、T2和T3组为对照组(依次分为不感染不给药组、感染不给药组、感染给药组);T4、T5和T6组为假蒟添加组,分别在基础日粮中添加200、400、600mg/kg假蒟提取物粉剂。15日龄时,每组随机抽取30只鸡,除T1组灌服生理盐水外,其他各组鸡均经口接种柔嫩艾美耳球虫卵囊悬液,分别于接种前1d,接种后3、6、9d清晨采血测定其血液指标。结果表明,与感染球虫不给药的T2组相比,假蒟组(T4、T5、T6)可以显著降低感染球虫鸡粪便中球虫卵囊值(P0.05)。假蒟组在感染球虫后第6天,与T1组比,RBC、HGB、HCT、Ca2+、Na+、Cl-、TP、ALB、GLB、TG、CHOL、T4等指标呈下降趋势;但在感染球虫后第9天,TP、GLB含量均显著高于T1组(P0.05);在感染球虫后第6天,假蒟组与对照组相比,ALT、AST浓度水平均显著降低(P0.05)。结果提示,假蒟提取物能提高感染球虫后鸡机体免疫机能,降低肝脏损伤,降低鸡感染球虫后粪便卵囊值,具有一定的抗球虫效果。     

Effect of micronized pea seeds (Pisum sativum L.) as a substitute of soybean meal on tissue fatty acid composition and quality of broiler chicken meat

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of micronized pea seeds introduced into feed mixes for broilers on the slaughter yield, blood lipid parameters, content of fatty acids in selected tissues, and meat quality. The studies involved 150 1‐day‐old Ross 308 chicks split into three groups (for 42 days). The feed rations differed in terms of the source of proteins: in the control group (C), it was post‐extraction soybean meal (SBM) 100%; in group I, SBM 50% and micronized peas 50%; and in group II, micronized peas only, 100%. Irradiated pea seeds added to the feed ration for chicks reduced the fattening grade of carcasses (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvement of blood lipid indices was recorded. The share of the irradiated pea seeds in feed mixes decreased the share of saturated fatty acids in the muscles and abdominal fat and had a positive effect on the n‐6/n‐3 ratio, hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic ratio, as well as the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (P < 0.05).     

Physiological response of one of South Africa’s premier freshwater sport angling species,the Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus,to catch-and-release angling

The practice of catch-and-release fishing has been widely promoted by angling fraternities as a fisheries manage- ment tool. The aim of this investigation was to determine the physiological response of Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus aeneus, to catch-and-release angling in the Vaal River, South Africa. Fish were collected using standard fly-fishing techniques, anaesthetised in clove oil and blood was drawn from the caudal vein; thereafter the fish were weighed, measured, revived and released. Blood plasma was analysed for concentra- tions of glucose, cortisol and lactate to determine the effects of angling duration, fish size and water tempera- ture. Larger fish were angled for a longer duration compared with smaller fish. Levels of glucose were affected by water temperature (influenced by time of year). Plasma glucose concentrations decreased with greater angling duration. Few individuals (n = 12) showed increased plasma cortisol concentrations. In extended-capture fish (angled for >1 min), lactate concentrations increased significantly above values for rapid-capture fish (angled for >30 s). These data suggest that catch-and-release causes physiological stress to fish, but nonetheless this practice can be a valuable fisheries management tool to ensure the sustainability of fish populations. Other factors beyond the ‘angling’ time are likely to contribute to physiological disruptions in homeostasis and therefore handling and air exposure of angled fish should be included in future catch-and–release angling studies. In addition, the longer-term impact of angling on fish health should also be determined.     

Detection of bacterial contamination and DNA quantification in stored blood units in 2 veterinary hospital blood banks

Blood transfusions in veterinary medicine have become increasingly more common and are now an integral part of lifesaving and advanced treatment in small and large animals. Important risks associated with transfusion of blood products include the transmission of various infectious diseases. Several guidelines suggest what infectious agents to screen for in canine and feline transfusion medicine. However, while the risk of bacterial contamination of blood products during storage and administration has not been documented in veterinary medicine, it has emerged as a cause of morbidity and mortality in human transfusion medicine. Clinical experience shows that the majority of blood component bacterial contaminations are caused by only a few species. Unlike other types of bacteria, psychrotolerant species like Pseudomonas spp. and Serratia spp. can proliferate during the storage of blood units at 4°C from a very low titer at the time of blood collection to a clinically significant level (> 10⁵ CFU/mL) causing clinical sepsis resulting from red blood cell concentrate transfusions in human medicine. The purpose of this report was to describe the detection and quantification procedures applied in 4 cases of bacterial contamination of canine and feline blood units, which suggest the need for further investigations to optimize patients’ safety in veterinary transfusion medicine.