Tibial plateau symmetry and the effect of osteophytosis on tibial plateau angle measurements

A novel technique was developed to estimate the caudal medial tibial plateau landmark in the face of osteophytosis to improve accuracy in tibial plateau angle measurements. Using this technique, tibial plateau angles were evaluated in 31 normal dogs before and 8 months after right cranial cruciate ligament transection. There was no significant difference in mean tibial plateau angle before or after induction of osteophytosis. Additionally, it was determined that 90% of dogs had a difference of =2 degrees between right and left tibial plateau angles, which was considered symmetrical.     

Landscape,Soil, and Plant Analysis of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Invasion in the Piedmont Region,SC

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), an exotic invasive plant, is native to Southeast Asia. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of Japanese stiltgrass as well as soil and landscape characteristics that correlate with invasion of Japanese stiltgrass around Lake Issaqueena in the upper Piedmont of South Carolina. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) were used to determine the spatial pattern of invasion with respect to the aspect, slope, canopy cover, soils, and distance to roads and trails. Japanese stiltgrass was distributed on both sides of Lake Issaqueena in Pacolet and Madison soil map units (Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) on the average slopes of 21%, but it was particularly common on the eastern shore of the lake in low-lying wet and shaded areas (mean canopy cover 51%). In addition, invasion by Japanese stiltgrass was correlated with the proximity to roads and trails. Plant tissue analysis revealed many differences in the distribution of macronutrients, macrominerals, and micronutrients in the leaves, stems, and roots of Japanese stiltgrass, although those differences were not always statistically significant. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) were the highest in leaves while zinc (Zn) concentrations were the highest in stems and concentrations of magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and sodium (Na) tended to be higher in roots. Carbon (C), sulfur (S), and potassium (K) concentrations were generally higher in above-ground tissues versus roots. Soil chemical analysis revealed no statistical differences between control and invaded plots. Our findings suggest that watershed areas surrounding lakes may be particularly susceptible to the invasion of Japanese stiltgrass due to their microclimates, low-lying wet pathways for seed distribution and recreational uses.     

Prevalence of lesions and body condition scores among female swine at slaughter

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of foot lesions, dermatitis, shoulder lesions, mammary gland abnormalities, and visceral lesions, and body condition scores among culled female swine at slaughter. DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: Culled gilts and sows killed during a 1-week period at a Midwest slaughterhouse. PROCEDURE: Carcasses were examined, and lesions were recorded. Body condition was scored on the basis of standard criteria. RESULTS: 58.9% (1,029/1,747) of the carcasses had foot lesions, 67.3% (1,178/1,751) had dermatitis, and 4.6% (80/1,751) had shoulder lesions. Body condition score was significantly associated with detection of dermatitis and shoulder lesions. Mean +/- SE number of teats (n = 1,432 carcasses) was 13.86 +/- 0.02. Mean numbers of normal-appearing teats in the left and right mammary chains were 6.57 +/- 0.02 and 6.58 +/- 0.02, respectively. Feet from 48% (688/1,433) of the carcasses were condemned. Visceral lesions were found in 48.8% (624/1,278) of the carcasses; of the carcasses with lesions, 412 (66%) had liver spots, and 268 (42.9%) had pneumonia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Lesions that potentially could have adversely affected production were found in a large percentage of culled gilts and sows at slaughter. Knowledge of lesions commonly found at slaughter may help direct changes in herd health programs.     

Identification of novel QTL for resistance to crown rot in the doubled haploid wheat population 'W21MMT70' × 'Mendos'

Crown rot (causal agent Fusarium pseudograminearum) is a fungal disease of major significance to wheat cultivation in Australia. A doubled haploid wheat population was produced from a cross between line ‘W21MMT70’, which displays partial seedling and adult plant (field) resistance to crown rot, and ‘Mendos’, which is moderately susceptible in seedling tests but partially resistant in field trials. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) based on seedling trial data did not reveal markers for crown rot resistance. A framework map was produced consisting of 128 microsatellite markers, four phenotypic markers, and one sequence tagged site marker. To this map 331 previously screened AFLP markers were then added. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified with composite interval mapping across all of the three seedling trials conducted. These QTL are located on chromosomes 2B, 2D and 5D. The 2D and 5D QTL are inherited from the line ‘W21MMT70’, whereas the 2B QTL is inherited from ‘Mendos’. These loci are different from those associated with crown rot resistance in other wheat populations that have been examined, and may represent an opportunity for pyramiding QTL to provide more durable resistance to crown rot.     

Molecular Analysis of Local Potato Cultivars from Tenerife Island Using Microsatellite Markers

We have used 19 SSR markers to fingerprint 41 local potato cultivars from 10 locations of Tenerife Island. These varieties represent relicts of the early introductions originating from South America and have been characterised previously morphologically and ecophysiologically. The SSR primers generated a varying degree of polymorphisms. A total of 67 alleles were observed, 12 of them were present in all cultivars. Several accession and group specific alleles were detected. Similarity coefficients were computed from the molecular data and cluster analyses were performed. Generally, cultivar groups with identical or related common names showed the same SSR patterns or clustered closely together. According to the molecular patterns misleading or confounded names were evident for four accessions. The dendrogram clusters were generally in good agreement with previous classifications of the accessions as Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena, S. tuberosum subsp. tuberosum and Solanum chaucha genotypes. However in four cases the molecular patterns showed discrepancies with previous species assignments suggesting the need for a more detailed and comparative study of these accessions.     

Overbank Sedimentation in the Delaware River Valley during the Last 6000 Years

A thick sequence of floodplain sediments has accumulated in the Delaware River Valley by the process of overbank deposition. Textures in the sediments indicate that the sequence contains no point-bar deposits and is unbroken by periods of erosion. Fourteen radiocarbon dates show that deposition began at least 6000 years ago and has continued to the present. Because the Delaware River shifts its position laterally at a very slow rate, overbank deposition becomes dominant in the construction of its floodplain.     

Averaged evoked responses in vigilance and discrimination: a reassessment

With the use of monopolar recordings for averaged evoked responses, detected signals in a vigilance task are associated with a late positive component which is absent for undetected signals as well as nonsignals. Bipolar recordings obscure the late positive component associated with detected signals. The data suggest that the late positive component represents cerebral processes associated with evaluation of unpredictable changes in stimulation.