Hyperlipemia and Ketonuria in an Alpaca and a Llama

An alpaca and a llama in late stages of gestation were evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and recumbency. Both camelids had cloudy, white, turbid serum, elevated serum triglyceride (1564, 5658 mg/dL, respectively) and cholesterol (158, 297 mg/dL, respectively) concentrations, and ketonuria. Signs of fetal stress were evident ultrasonographically in the alpaca, and a live cria was delivered by Cesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The alpaca developed severe metabolic acidosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute renal failure secondary to renal lipidosis and died 36 hours after admission despite medical therapy. Histopathology revealed renal and hepatic lipidosis and neutrophilic pancreatitis. The cria died 72 hours after birth. The llama responded to IV electrolyte, dextrose, and regular crystalline insulin therapy. The pregnancy was maintained, and the llama was discharged from the hospital 20 days after admission. Two months after discharge, the llama gave birth to a live, 5 kg cria. Findings of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and ketonuria occurred in these two camelids. Based on this report, camelids appear to be similar to both horses and cattle in their response to severe energy imbalances in late gestation.     

Ecological consequences of variation in standard metabolism and dominance among salmon parr

Abstract – Standard metabolic rate (SMR, closely related to basal and resting metabolism) varies by up to threefold among juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., of similar size at common temperature. Here, consequences of this variation are predicted by combining empirically derived relationships between SMR, specific dynamic action, energy budgets, water velocity, food level in the environment and food availability to fish. The range of velocities across which growth is predicted to occur is inversely related to a fish’s SMR. Growth is positively related to SMR at high but negatively related to it at low‐food levels. The relationship between food level and the range of velocities over which lower SMR fish can grow but higher SMR fish cannot is asymmetrically bi‐phasic and peaked. It is predicted that maternal manipulation of offspring SMR would generate fitness benefits through bet‐hedging against unpredictability in food level and increases in the overall range of velocities that the family of offspring can occupy and thrive in.     

Comparative forcing of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailer’ as a florist's hydrangea

‘Bailer’ (Endless Summer™) is a new, pink- or blue-flowered hydrangea that flowers on new wood continuously throughout the growing season. It is also winter-hardy in northern, temperate climates (USDA Z4). Use of Endless Summer as a florist's potted hydrangea would provide consumers with a dual-use product (flowering potted plant, landscape shrub). The objectives were to determine if Endless Summer could be forced as a florist's hydrangea using two forcing regimes (immediate, standard), two soil pH regimes, and two pinching treatments. ‘Merritt Supreme Pink’ (pink), ‘Blue Danube’ (blue), and Endless Summer (blue, pink) were forced under immediate (no cold treatment, short- and long-day photoperiods) and standard (6 weeks cold, 4 °C to overcome dormancy) conditions. Since commercial liners were not yet available, cuttings of Endless Summer were used in the immediate forcing experiment. Days to visible flower bud, first color, full flower were recorded, as well as height, no. of branches, no. of flowers, and flower size. In the immediate forcing experiment, only Endless Summer produced flowers. Cultivars differed significantly (P < 0.001) for days to visible flower bud, days to first color, days to full flower, and height. The number of flowers and flower size were not significantly different among pink cultivars. In the standard forcing experiment, Endless Summer reached days to visible flower bud, days to first color, and days to full flower significantly earlier than either comparison, although it exhibited weaker stems and less intense flower pigmentation. Pinching (blue pH) had a significant effect on all traits except the days to full flower and flower size, although no pinching treatment was significant for pink pH. Photoperiod was significant only for the days to visible flower bud (pink pH), days to full flower (blue pH), and final height (blue pH). Further research is needed before Endless Summer can be grown as a dual-use florist's potted hydrangea with acceptable quality.     

Effect of the dusk photoperiod change from light to dark on the incubation period of eggs of the spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner)

Spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner), eggs were incubated under different photoperiods to examine the effect of photoperiod on incubation. The eggs from two fish were incubated under five artificial photoperiods: constant dark (D), constant light (L) from 06:00 hours and 6, 10 and 14 h of light from 06:00 hours. The eggs from seven other fish were incubated under a natural photoperiod. Different spawning times (21:00 – 01:00 hours) and different photoperiods combined to give the start of the dusk photoperiod change after 11–23 h of incubation. Constant light or applying the dusk photoperiod change after ≥20 h of incubation appeared to extend the hatching period. The mean hatching period for groups of eggs incubated in darkness or that received the dusk photoperiod change after ≤19 h of incubation (n=8 different groups) was 2 h 15±10 min, which was significantly lower (P<0.05) than the mean hatching period of 4 h±37 min for groups that did not receive the dusk photoperiod change or that received the dusk photoperiod change after ≥20 h of incubation (n=9 groups). However, despite these differences, the majority of the eggs hatched during a 2–3 h period from 17 to 20 h of incubation, and a sigmoid regression (r²=0.9) explained the relationship between percentage hatch and hours of incubation for all photoperiod groups.     

Variability in the composition of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) meals influences their digestible nutrient and energy value when fed to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Over a series of seven separate experiments 76 different lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) meals were assessed for their digestible dry matter, protein, amino acid and energy characteristics when fed to rainbow trout. Two reference diets (a common basal diet and a reference lupin meal) were also included in each experiment. Minimal variance in the digestibility parameters of both reference diets was observed among the experiments ensuring that there was a high degree of robustness in the across-experiment evaluations. Using simple and multiple-regression techniques, principal diet and ingredient composition factors affecting diet and ingredient digestibilities and ingredient digestible values were explored within the dataset. Using simple linear regression, it was shown that nitrogen digestibility of the lupin meals was negatively influenced by ingredient lignin content, but positively affected ingredient protein (N × 6.25) content. The energy digestibility of the lupin meals was positively affected by a range of compositional features including protein, sum of amino acids and negatively affected by carbohydrate content. The digestible nutrient and energy content of the meals reflected the combined effects of both ingredient digestibilities and ingredient composition. The digestible nitrogen content of the lupin meals was positively affected by protein (N × 6.25), sum of amino acids and energy content, but was negatively affected by lignin and carbohydrate content. The digestible sum of amino acids was also positively affected by protein, sum of amino acids, but only negatively affected by carbohydrate content, not lignin content. The digestible energy content of the lupin meals was also positively affected by protein, sum of amino acids and their own energy density, but only negatively affected by carbohydrate content. Multiple linear regression modelling supported that together ingredient protein and lignin content were the strongest predictors of digestible protein value, explaining close to 60% of the variability in this parameter. Discrete reassessment of these relationships using non-linear analysis methods provided a stronger interpretation of the ingredient composition effects. In recognition of this, a functional model including terms for ingredient protein and lignin content on the digestible protein value was defined. This study demonstrates that within one raw material type that not only does significant variability in the digestible value of the raw materials exist, but that it is possible to identify compositional features of that raw material that are intrinsically influencing their own digestible value.     

Chloropicrin Soil Fumigation Reduces <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spongospora subterranea</Emphasis> Soil Inoculum Levels but Does Not Control Powdery Scab Disease on Roots and Tubers of Potato

The effect of chloropicrin fumigation on the soil populations of Spongospora subterranea and the development of powdery scab, formation of root galls and tuber yield was investigated in seven field trials conducted in Minnesota and North Dakota. Sixteen potato cultivars, with different levels of susceptibility to disease on roots and tubers, were planted in plots treated with chloropicrin at rates ranging from zero to 201.8 kg a.i. ha^?1. The amount of S. subterranea DNA in soil was determined using qPCR. Bioassays were conducted to further assess the effect of chloropicrin fumigation on root colonization by S. subterranea in two potato cultivars with contrasting disease susceptibility. In the field, chloropicrin applied at rates between 70.1 to 201.8 kg a.i. ha^?1 significantly decreased S. subterranea initial inoculum in soil but increased the amount of disease observed on roots and tubers of susceptible cultivars. The effect of increasing disease was confirmed in controlled conditions experiments. Although the amount of S. subterranea DNA in roots of bioassay plants increased with increasing chloropicrin rates, it remained similar among potato cultivars. Chloropicrin fumigation significantly increased tuber yield which in cultivars such as Shepody and Umatilla Russet were associated with the amount root galls (r = 0.30; P < 0.03). Results of these studies contradict earlier reports on the use of chloropicrin fumigation for the control of powdery scab. Factors other than inoculum level, such as environmental conditions that affect inoculum efficiency and host susceptibility, may be significant contributors to the development of powdery scab and root gall formation.     

Tomato brown rugose fruit disease: current distribution,knowledge and future prospects

Tomato is the most economically important fruit/vegetable crop grown worldwide. However, viral diseases remain an important factor limiting its productivity, with estimated quantitative and qualitative yield losses in tomato crops often reaching up to 100%. Many viruses infecting tomato have been reported, while new viral diseases have also emerged. The climatic changes the world is experiencing can be a contributing factor to the successful spread of newly emerging viruses, as well as the establishment of disease in areas that were previously either unfavourable or where the disease was absent. Because antiviral products are not available, strategies to mitigate viral diseases rely on genetic resistance/tolerance to infection, control of vectors, improvement in crop hygiene, roguing of infected plants and seed certification. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging viral threat to tomato productivity and is currently spreading into new areas, which is of great concern to the growing global production in the absence of mitigation measures. This review presents the current knowledge about ToBRFV and future prospects for an improved understanding of the virus, which will be needed to support effective control and mitigation of the impact it is likely to cause.     

The value of a craft brewery: On the relationship between craft breweries and property values

Recent literature and public discourse emphasize the role of craft breweries in the revitalization process of economically distressed neighborhoods across the U.S. With this, many are reporting rising property values in areas surrounding craft breweries. This research examines the impacts of craft breweries on both residential and commercial property values in a case study of Charlotte, North Carolina. Estimating a series of hedonic models which incorporate a difference‐in‐difference estimator, we find that craft breweries have a positive impact on residential property values. While many areas in close proximity to a craft brewery appear to have been associated with relatively higher price premiums even before the opening of the brewery, breweries tend to add to this premium, especially in center‐city neighborhoods. We find no significant impacts on commercial property values. These results are informative to policy makers considering revising zoning laws and other regulations in efforts to promote the growth of craft breweries and spur economic development in their local economies.     

The effect of different HUFA enrichment emulsions on the nutritional value of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) fed to larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus).

A feeding study was conducted in the winter 2001 to determine the effects of feeding rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) enriched with various levels of essential fatty acids on the growth and survival of haddock larvae (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Rotifer enrichment treatments were: 1) mixed algae, 2) high DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n-3), 3) high DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5n-3), and 4) DHA, EPA, and AA (arachidonic acid, 20:4n-6). Larvae were fed rotifers enriched with the different treatments from days 1 to 16 post-hatch. From day 17 until 25 all treatment groups were fed rotifers reared on mixed algae and then weaned onto the International Council for Exploration of the SEA (ICES) Standard Reference Weaning diet (http://allserv.rug.ac.t/aquaculture/rend/rend.htm) over a five day period. The experiment was terminated on day 41 post-hatch. The enrichment treatments affected the fatty acid composition of the rotifers and correlated with the accumulation of these fatty acids in the haddock larvae. However, no significant differences in larval growth or survival to 40 days post hatch were detected, suggesting that all treatments provided the minimal essential fatty acid requirements for haddock.