A Proposed Index for Assessment of Row-replacement Intercropping System

A new index has been proposed for assessing an intercropping system where the component crops are in row replacement senes. It determines the Actual Yield Loss or gain (AYL) in respect to a component crop in an intercropping situation Here the sown proportion of the component crops with regard to its sole one is to be considered. This index appears to be more appropriate than other established indices like land equivalent ratio, relative yield loss, etc., particularly when per plant yield is considered. Partial AYLs (which are the two components of this index) can be considered as indicators regarding the competition existing between the component intercrops.     

Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen (UC-II), glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs: pain evaluation by ground force plate

The investigation was conducted on client-owned moderately arthritic dogs with two objectives: (i) to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of type-II collagen (UC-II) alone or in combination with glucosamine hydrochloride (GLU) and chondroitin sulphate (CHO), and (ii) to determine their tolerability and safety. Dogs in four groups (n = 7-10), were treated daily for a period of 150 days with placebo (Group-I), 10 mg active UC-II (Group-II), 2000 mg GLU + 1600 mg CHO (Group-III), and UC-II + GLU + CHO (Group-IV). On a monthly basis, dogs were evaluated for observational pain (overall pain, pain upon limb manipulation, and pain after physical exertion) using different numeric scales. Pain level was also measured objectively using piezoelectric sensor-based GFP for peak vertical force and impulse area. Dogs were also examined every month for physical, hepatic (ALP, ALT and bilirubin) and renal (BUN and creatinine) functions. Based on observations, significant (p < 0.05) reduction in pain was noted in Group-II, III, and IV dogs. Using GFP, significant increases in peak vertical force (N/kg body wt) and impulse area (N s/kg body wt), indicative of a decrease in arthritis associated pain, were observed in Group-II dogs only. None of the dogs in any group showed changes in physical, hepatic or renal functions. In conclusion, based on GFP data, moderately arthritic dogs treated with UC-II (10 mg) showed a marked reduction in arthritic pain with maximum improvement by day 150. UC-II, GLU and CHO operate through different mechanisms of action, and were well tolerated over a period of 150 days.     

Ameliorative Effects of Melatonin against Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Boar Sperm Characteristics and Subsequent In Vitro Embryo Development

Melatonin, the major secretory product of the pineal gland, scavenges a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in vivo and in vitro, indicating that melatonin is a potent function as an antioxidant. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on sperm characteristics (motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondria activity) and also to examine the developmental rates to the blastocysts stage of porcine oocytes fertilized in vitro with semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm ) in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ (250 μm ). The sperm were treated with melatonin in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ for 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at 37°C and then analysed for the sperm characteristics. The porcine embryos were produced by in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) using semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm ) in the presence or absence of H₂O₂ (250 μm ) for 6 h. The semen characteristics, including motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity and mitochondria activity, were higher in the groups that were treated with melatonin in comparison to other groups, irrespective of incubation periods. Malondialdehyde levels in control, melatonin and melatonin + H₂O₂ groups were lower than H₂O₂ only group. A positive correlation was shown among motility, viability, survival rate and membrane integrity, but a negative correlation was observed between LPO and the other evaluation methods. The developmental rates to blastocysts of IVM/IVF porcine oocytes fertilized by semen treated with melatonin were significantly increased compared with any other groups, with the cell number of blastocysts shown to have a similar trend to the developmental rates. These results demonstrate that melatonin can improve the semen characteristics during in vitro storage and support the developmental ability of IVM/IVF embryos in pigs.     

Antioxidative Effects of Astaxanthin against Nitric Oxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Cell Viability and Gene Expression in Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cell and the Developmental Competence of Bovine IVM/IVF Embryos

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) co‐culture on developmental capacity of bovine in vitro oocyte maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) embryos. We examined the effects of astaxanthin against nitric oxide‐induced oxidative stress on cell viability by MTT assay, lipid peroxidation (LPO) by using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction for malondialdehyde (MDA) and the expression of antioxidant genes (CuZnSOD, MnSOD and Catalase) or apoptosis genes (Bcl‐2, Caspase‐3 and Bax) by RT‐PCR in BOEC. We also evaluated the developmental rates of bovine IVM/IVF embryos co‐cultured with BOEC pre‐treated with astaxanthin (500 μm ) in the presence or absence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1000 μm ) for 24 h. Cell viability in BOEC treated with SNP (50–2000 μm ) lowered, while astaxanthin addition (50–500 μm ) increased it in a dose‐dependent manner. Cell viability in astaxanthin plus SNP (1000 μm ) gradually recovered according to the increase in astaxanthin additions (100–500 mm ). The LPO in astaxanthin group (50–500 μM) gradually decreased in a dose dependent manner and among SNP or astaxanthin plus SNP group, SNP alone and astaxanthin (50 μM) plus SNP shown a significant increase than other groups (p < 0.05). Expression of apoptosis or antioxidant genes was detected by RT‐PCR. Bcl‐2 and antioxidant genes were detected in astaxanthin or astaxanthin plus SNP group, and Caspase‐3 and Bax genes were only found in SNP group. When bovine IVM/IVF embryos were cultured for 6–7 days under co‐culture system such as BOEC treated with astaxanthin in the presence or absence of SNP, the developmental ability to blastocysts in 500 μm astaxanthin group was the highest of all groups. These results suggest that astaxanthin has a antioxidative effect on cell viability and LPO of BOEC, and development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos due to the induction of antioxidant genes and suppression of apoptosis genes.     

Tunnel grafting for wound repair in horses: a novel technique in graft production and placement

There are several skin grafting methods described in the human and animal literature. Currently, there are five types of free grafts used in horses: pinch and punch grafts, split and full-thickness sheet or mesh grafts and tunnel grafts. Published methods of tunnel grafting describe the use of alligator forceps. The alligator forceps create a poor tunnel and are excessively traumatic to the granulation bed. This technique utilised a 13G Jamshidi needle that was placed across the granulation bed and created a uniform tunnel. The Jamshidi needle was atraumatic to the granulation bed increasing the opportunity for graft survival. A twin bladed scalpel allowed for the quick creation of uniform width grafts. Removal of the overlying tunnel ‘roof’ took place 5–14 days later to allow graft expansion. This case series included five horses with distal limb wounds and one with a wither injury. Four horses required general anaesthesia for graft placement and three required general anaesthesia for the removal of the tunnel roof. The acceptance of the grafts varied from 70% to 100%. Graft expansion to cover the granulation tissue took 2–5 months. This case series demonstrates that this technique of graft production and placement is an easy method for achieving successful skin grafting. Compared to other graft types, tunnel grafts are more readily accepted. Cosmetic and functional results achieved are better than those with pinch and punch grafts. Tunnel grafting does not require expensive equipment or advanced training, and in some cases can be performed under standing sedation.     

Adoption of leaf color chart for nitrogen use efficiency in rice: Impact assessment of a farmer-participatory experiment in West Bengal,India

Unbalanced and excessive use of N-fertilizers causes environmental pollution, lodging of plants and increased pest pressure, in addition to increased cost to farmers from excessively applied fertilizers and pesticides. N application at the right time and in right amount is critical for healthy plant and environment. Rice leaf color intensity is directly related to leaf chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen status. The concept for the use of leaf color as an indicator to apply N in rice was crystallized during 1990s. The International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute developed a leaf color chart (LCC) that helps guide farmers for real-time nitrogen management in rice farming. The technology is inexpensive, and easily affordable by most resource poor rice farmers. In 2003 we initiated a farmer-participatory research to validate real-time N management in rice by the use of LCC in West Bengal state of India. After 3 years of validation research, a survey was conducted to assess the adoption and impact of LCC. The survey was conducted in both intervention and adjacent control villages and data were collected from 20% farm households selected randomly. In this paper, we report findings of the study on the determinants of adoption of LCC, and its effect on fertilizer and pesticides use.     

Efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in therapy of arthritic dogs

DeParle L. A., Gupta R. C., Canerdy T. D., Goad J. T., D'Altilio M., Bagchi M., Bagchi D. Efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in therapy of arthritic dogs. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.28, 385-390.In large breed dogs, arthritis is very common because of obesity, injury, aging, immune disorder, or genetic predispositions. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in obese-arthritic dogs. Fifteen dogs in three groups received either no UC-II (Group I) or UC-II with 1 mg/day (Group II) or 10 mg/day (Group III) for 90 days. Lameness and pain were measured on a weekly basis for 120 days (90 days treatment plus 30 days post-treatment). Blood samples were assayed for creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (markers of renal injury); and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (evidence of hepatic injury). Dogs receiving 1 mg or 10 mg UC-II/day for 90 days showed significant declines in overall pain and pain during limb manipulation and lameness after physical exertion, with 10 mg showed greater improvement. At either dose of UC-II, no adverse effects were noted and no significant changes were noted in serum chemistry, suggesting that UC-II was well tolerated. In addition, dogs receiving UC-II for 90 days showed increased physical activity level. Following UC-II withdrawal for a period of 30 days, all dogs experienced a relapse of overall pain, exercise-associated lameness, and pain upon limb manipulation. These results suggest that daily treatment of arthritic dogs with UC-II ameliorates signs and symptoms of arthritis, and UC-II is well tolerated as no adverse effects were noted.     

Effects of hCG Stimulation on Hepatic Activities of Cytochromes P4502E1 and P4502A in Pubertal Male Pigs

The effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation on fat skatole concentrations and hepatic activities of cytochromes P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and P4502A (CYP2A) were studied in Landrace and Duroc breeds of entire male pigs. Pigs were divided into four groups: two control groups of each breed, without hCG stimulation (n = 20 for each breed), and two experimental groups of each breed, with hCG stimulation (n = 18 for each breed). Pigs were slaughtered 3 days after hCG stimulation and activities of CYP2E1 and CYP2A were measured in liver homogenate. Activities of both CYP2E1 and CYP2A were lower in hCG‐stimulated pigs than control pigs for both Landrace (p = 0.005 for CYP2E1, p = 0.016 for CYP2A) and Duroc breeds (p = 0.003 for CYP2E1, p = 0.001 for CYP2A), and skatole concentrations in fat were higher in the hCG‐stimulated pigs of both breeds (p < 0.01). For both control and hCG‐stimulated groups, Duroc pigs had lower skatole concentrations than Landrace pigs (p = 0.001 for both groups). The activity of CYP2E1 did not differ significantly between breeds in either the control group or the experimental group (p = 0.233 for control pigs and p = 0.210 for experimental pigs). However, whereas CYP2A activity did not differ significantly between breeds in the control groups (p = 0.181 for CYP2A), in the hCG‐stimulated groups, CYP2A activity was lower in Duroc pigs than in Landrace (p = 0.011). Based on these findings, we conclude that hCG stimulation can suppress hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP2A activities, probably through an increase in the levels of testicular steroids. Between‐breed variations in skatole levels in fat were not related to the activities of CYP2E1 and CYP2A.