Vocalisation sound pattern identification in young broiler chickens

In this study, we describe the monitoring of young broiler chicken vocalisation, with sound recorded and assessed at regular intervals throughout the life of the birds from day 1 to day 38, with a focus on the first week of life. We assess whether there are recognisable, and even predictable, vocalisation patterns based on frequency and sound spectrum analysis, which can be observed in birds at different ages and stages of growth within the relatively short life of the birds in commercial broiler production cycles. The experimental trials were carried out in a farm where the broiler where reared indoor, and audio recording procedures carried out over 38 days. The recordings were made using two microphones connected to a digital recorder, and the sonic data was collected in situations without disturbance of the animals beyond that created by the routine activities of the farmer. Digital files of 1 h duration were cut into short files of 10 min duration, and these sound recordings were analysed and labelled using audio analysis software. Analysis of these short sound files showed that the key vocalisation frequency and patterns changed in relation to increasing age and the weight of the broilers. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation (P<0.001) between the frequency of vocalisation and the age of the birds. Based on the identification of specific frequencies of the sounds emitted, in relation to age and weight, it is proposed that there is potential for audio monitoring and comparison with ‘anticipated’ sound patterns to be used to evaluate the status of farmed broiler chicken.     

Superiority of radiotelemetry over the tail-cuff method in evaluating control and drug-induced data in cardiovascular functions

The aim of the study was to compare an often-used method to measure blood pressure (BP) using a tail-cuff (TC) device, with radiotelemetry (RT) which allows to sample data on heart rate (HR) and BP in freely moving rodents without any restraint in behaviour. Data were collected in male normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Experiments were performed under 12:12 h light–dark conditions (lights on at 07:00 h) with simulated dawn and dusk for 45 min. Experiments were performed at 08:00–10:00 h (rest phase) and at 20:00–22:00 h (activity phase) under control conditions and after treatment with the beta-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol (8 mg/kg). For TC, the Harvard BP Monitoring System (Edenbrigde, England) and for RT radio transmitters (Dataquest IV system, TA11PA-C40, DSI, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA) were used. Rats bearing the TC device were also monitored under RT. The experiments show that TC significantly increased HR and both systolic and diastolic BP in both strains and both at L and D. Metoprolol reduced TC-induced HR but left BP increase uneffected. The study shows that RT is the method of choice to monitor BP and HR in rodents, TC is not suitable.     

SPATIAL FLOWER PARAMETERS AND INSECT SPATIAL VISION

The present article reviews recent and older literature on the spatial parameters that flowers display, as well as on the capacities of anthophilous insects to perceive and use these parameters for optimizing their foraging success. Although co-evolution of plants and pollinators has frequently been discussed with respect to floral colours and insect colour vision, it has rarely been assessed with respect to insect spatial vision and spatial floral cues, such as shape, pattern, size, contrast, symmetry, spatial frequency, contour density and orientation of contours. This review is an attempt to fill this gap. From experimental findings and observations on both flowers and insects, we arrive at the conclusion that all of the spatial and spatio-temporal parameters that flowers offer are relevant to the foraging task and are tuned to the insect's visual capacities and visually guided behaviour. We try, in addition, to indicate that temporal cues are closely related to spatial cues, and must therefore be included when flower–pollinator interactions are examined. We include results that show that colour vision and spatial vision have diverged over the course of evolution, particularly regarding the processing of spatio-temporal information, but that colour vision plays a role in the processing of spatial cues that are independent of temporal parameters. By presenting this review we hope to contribute to closer collaboration among scientists working in the vast fields of botany, ecology, evolution, ethology and sensory physiology.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for young stock survival in beef x dairy crossbred calves

Young stock survival is a trait of crucial importance in cattle breeding as calf mortality leads to economic losses and represents an animal welfare issue. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and sire breeding values for young stock survival in beef x dairy crossbred calves. Two traits were analysed with a univariate animal model: young stock survival between 1 to 30 days and 31 to 200 days after birth. Breed combinations with Belgian Blue sires outperformed all other sire breeds. The lowest survival rates were found for breed combinations with Jersey dams or Blonde d’Aquitaine sires. The results showed low but significant heritabilities (0.045 to 0.075) for both survival traits. Differences in breeding values between sires ranged from −2.5% to 3.5% and from −5.4% to 4.7% survival from 1 to 30 days and 31 to 200 days, respectively. Based on these findings, we concluded that it is feasible to breed for improved young stock survival in beef x dairy crossbred calves. This will hopefully contribute to increasing the survival rate of the calves and reduce economic losses for the farmers.     

Effects of serial anesthesia using ketamine or ketamine/medetomidine on hematology and serum biochemistry values in rhesus macaques (Macaca Mulatta)

Background  This study aimed at determining the cumulative effect of daily anesthesia, using two drug regimens, over hematological and biochemical parameters.
Methods  Blood samples were obtained from rhesus monkeys 20 minutes after intramuscular administration of ketamine or ketamine/medetomidine combination for three consecutive days and results were evaluated to determine their effect on hematological and serum biochemistry values. Statistical significance of drug, day, and interaction of these two variables were evaluated.
Results  Drug effect resulted in a dramatic increase of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase values. Day effect resulted in decreases of RBC, HCT, Hgb, and alkaline phosphatase but an increase of other biochemical parameters evaluated. The drug/day interaction effect was found to be –significant for RBC, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase values.
Conclusion  The results of our study suggest a cumulative effect of serial anesthesia and should be an important consideration when interpreting hematology and serum biochemistry in rhesus macaques.     

Phenolic constituents of the cell walls of monocotyledons

Monocotyledons of 104 species in 52 families were divided into two groups depending on the UV fluorescence behaviour of their cell walls. The unlignified cell walls of the first group, fluoresced blue, which changed to green with increased intensity after treatment with NH₃ due to the presence of bound ferulic acid. The isolated cell walls of members of the first group were shown to contain bound ferulic, p-coumaric and diferulic acids. These acids were absent from cell walls of the second group. The first group contained families of the Commelinidae of Cronquist, the Palmae (part of the Arecidae), and the Philydraceae, Pontederiaceae, and Haemodoraceae (all part of Liliidae). The other families of the latter two subclasses and those of the Alismatidae belonged to the second group.     

Blood types of the native Americans of Oklahoma

Large numbers of Indians from Oklahoma were screened for a variety of red cell antigens. Sufficient numbers of Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws were studied to calculate gene frequencies. These tribes originated in the Southeastern United States and were forcibly moved to Oklahoma. The Creeks and Choctaws have not been studied previously. A small number of Cherokees remained in North Carolina, and their blood types have been reported. The blood types of the Oklahoma Cherokees are quite similar to those observed there but one important difference was discovered. The data previously reported concerning the Eastern Cherokees revealed the absence of the Dia antigen. The present study found that the Oklahoma Cherokees do have the Dia antigen, although in a lower percentage than the other southeastern tribes. The Creeks and Choctaws share a linguistic heritage as well as having similar red cell phenotypes.     

The reaction of leukocytes of sterlet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser ruthenus</Emphasis> to hormone-induced stress

The influence of cortisone on the part of leukocytes in the differential leukocyte count of peripheral blood of sterlet is described. The changes in particular groups of leukocytes are characterized quantitatively. To the hormone, the fish reacted by a decrease in leukocyte count, blastic (juvenile) cells, and eosinophils and an increase in neutrophils and monocytes. It is concluded that the stress hormone suppresses lymphopoiesis by the hormone-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes while, on the contrary, myelopoiesis activates it.     

大鼠脊髓中的α受体在减压反射和失血性休克中的作用

大鼠脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射α激动剂可乐宁1μg,引起血压降低、心率减慢及腹腔神经节后交感神经干放电抑制。应用α阻断剂酚妥拉明阻断脊髓内源性 NE的作用,可部分抑制血压升高时反射性的心率减慢和交感神经放电抑制反应,使压力感受器反射的敏感性降低。在颈动脉放血造成不可逆性失血性休克的动物,脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射酚妥拉明可使动脉血压有一定程度的回升。以上结果表明,由脊髓α受体调制的心血管抑制效应参与减压反射以及失血性休克的发病机制。     

Physiological parameters correlated with Tomato Mosaic Virus inducing defensive response in Datura metel

Programed cell death resembles a real nature active defense in Datura metel against TMV after three days of virus infection. This adaptive plant immune response was quantitatively assessed against Tomato Mosaic Virus infection by the following physiological markers; Chlorophyll-a (mg/g), Chlorophyll-b (mg/g), total protein (mg/g), hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂ (μmol/100 mg), DNA (μg/100 mg), RNA (μg/100 mg), Salicylic acid (μg/g), and Comet Assays. Parameters were assessed for asymptomatic healthy and symptomatic infected detached leaves. The results indicated H₂O₂ and Chlorophyll-a as the most potential parameters. Chlorophyll-a was considered the only significant predictor variant for the H₂O₂ dependent variant with a P value of 0.001 and R-square of 0.900. The plant immune response was measured within three days of virus infection using the cutoff value of H₂O₂ (⩽1.095 μmol/100 mg) and (⩽3.201 units) for the tail moment in the Comet Assay. Their percentage changes were 255.12% and 522.40% respectively which reflects the stress of virus infection in the plant. Moreover, H₂O₂ showed 100% specificity and sensitivity in the symptomatic infected group using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC). All tested parameters in the symptomatic infected group had significant correlations with twenty-five positive and thirty-one negative correlations where the P value was <0.05 and 0.01. Chlorophyll-a parameter had a crucial role of highly significant correlation between total protein and salicylic acid. Contrarily, this correlation with tail moment unit was (r = −0.930, P < 0.01) where the P value was <0.01. The strongest significant negative correlation was between Chlorophyll-a and H₂O₂ at P < 0.01, while moderate negative significant correlation was seen for Chlorophyll-b where the P value < 0.05. The present study discloses the secret of the three days of rapid transient production of activated oxygen species (AOS) that was enough for having potential quantitative physiological parameters for defensive plant response toward the virus.