The relationship between fetal and maternal selenium concentrations in sheep and goats

In this study, biological samples (slaughterhouse material) were collected from 30 sheep and 36 goats and classified according to gestational stage into either early or late gestation. Samples consisted of allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, fetal liver, fetal kidney, fetal thyroid gland, maternal plasma and liver to determine selenium (Se) concentrations throughout gestation. The Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid, fetal liver and kidney increased significantly (p < 0.01) during late gestation. Concurrently, the Se concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal plasma and liver decreased significantly (p < 0.01) over time. Significant (p < 0.01) positive relationships were recorded between the age of the fetus and Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid (r = 0.57–0.75), fetal liver (r = 0.43–0.59) and kidney (r = 0.80–0.81) in both sheep and goats. A significant (p < 0.05) positive relationships were also recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid and fetal liver (r = 0.35–0.37), the maternal plasma and liver Se concentrations (r = 0.37–0.57) between sheep and goats. A significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation was recorded between the Se concentrations in the allantoic fluid with maternal plasma of sheep (r = −0.41) as well as between the fetal liver and maternal liver Se (r = −0.22 to 0.50) and a negative correlation (r = −0.42 to 0.43) (p < 0.01) between Se concentrations in the fetal liver and amniotic fluid in both sheep and goats, respectively. Se concentration in the fetal liver was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of the kidney and thyroid. In the thyroid gland no morphological differences were noted. Strong fetal–maternal relationships in Se concentration were evident throughout the gestational period and dams seem to sacrifice Se levels in order to maintain that in the fetus. Se concentrations in the amniotic and allantoic fluids could be used as a possible indicator of the Se status of the fetus throughout gestation.     

Genetic trends estimation for body weights of Kermani sheep at different ages using multivariate animal models

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic trends for body weight traits at different ages in Kermani lambs. Data collected from 1993 to 2006 by the Kermani Breeding Station were analyzed. Genetic trends were estimated for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6MW), 9-month weight (9MW) and yearling weight (YW). Maximum number of data was 2654 at birth, but only 1124 at yearling. Different appropriate models for investigation of each trait using multivariate analysis were applied. Variance component were estimated using Simplex procedure and breeding values of animals were predicted with Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) methodology under multi-trait animal models. Genetic trends of studied traits were estimated by regressing mean of breeding values on birth year. Direct genetic trends were positive and significant for BW (p < 0.05) WW, 6MW, 9MW and YW (p < 0.01) and were 2, 125, 91, 81 and 156 g/year, respectively. Also, maternal trend for BW was positive and highly significant (p < 0.01) and was 3 g/year.     

Agro-morphological characterization and assessment of variability,heritability, genetic advance and divergence in bacterial blight resistant rice genotypes

Genetic based knowledge of different growth traits including morphological, physiological and developmental plays fundamental role in the improvement of rice. Genetic divergence allows superior recombinants which are essential in any crop development project. Forty-one rice genotypes including bacterial blight (BB) resistant and susceptible checks were assessed for 13 morphological traits. Among the genotypes, almost all the traits exhibited highly significant variation. The higher extent of genotypic (GCV) as well as phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were noticed for number of tillers hill^− 1, total number of spikelets panicle^− 1, number of filled grains panicle^− 1, and yield hill^− 1. High heritability together with high genetic advance was observed for total number of spikelets panicle^− 1, number of filled grains panicle^− 1, and yield hill^− 1 indicating dominant role of additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Number of filled grains panicle^− 1 exhibited positive correlation with most of the traits. Yield hill^− 1 showed a good number of highly significant positive correlations with number of filled grain panicle^− 1, total number of spikelets panicle^− 1, 1000 grain weight hill^− 1, number of panicle hill^− 1, and panicle length. The UPGMA dendrogram divided all the genotypes in to six major clusters. The PCA showed 13 morphological traits generated about 71% of total variation among all the genotypes under this study. On the basis of 13 morphological traits, genotypes such as IRBB2, IRBB4, IRBB13, IRBB21, and MR263 could be hybridized with genotypes MR84, MR159, MRQ50, MRQ74, PH9 and IR8 in order to develop suitable BB resistant rice genotypes.     

Pod,seed traits and cytotaxonomic studies of some Vicia narbonensis L. accessions (Fabaceae)

This study aimed to characterize eight accessions of Vicia narbonensis L. originated from different Mediterranean countries. The cytology of these species is rarely known despite the fact of its great socio-economical and ecological interest in these arid and semi-arid zones. This work aimed mainly to characterize the karyotype, morphological pod and seed traits of the species. Karyotypes of all accessions were similar to a diploid number of 2n = 2x = 14. All the accessions have submetacentric chromosomes with a secondary constriction attached to the long arm of pair VII close to the centromere. Variation in chromosome size was observed; it ranged from 5.86 μm to 7.62 μm. Indices of karyotype asymmetry were calculated as the total form percentage (TF%) and symmetric indices (Syi) which ranged from 33.75% to 35.42% and from 51.01% to 54.85%, respectively. The predominance of submetacentric chromosomes indicated that the karyotype is symmetrical and can be considered as primitive. However, the analysis of quantitative parameters measured on pods and seeds showed a significant variation between accessions. A relationship between centromeric index and the pod beak length was found. Estimation of phenotypic diversity using the Shannon diversity index (H′) showed that the length, the seed color and the number of seeds per pod are the most polymorphic traits with respectively, H′ = 0.92, 0.80 and 0.83. Cluster analysis of karyological, pod and seed traits showed four groups of accessions. This clustering is partially due to the geographical origin of the studied accessions. The variation in chromosome size, pod and seed traits could offer potentially valuable genetic resources for the improvement of V. narbonensis which is considered as neglected and underutilized crop species (NUCS).     

Parental effects on fertilization and hatching success and development of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) embryos and larvae

The parental effects on fertilization and early life history traits were studied in Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. Sperm from 12 different males were used to fertilize eggs of two females in separate crosses. The fertilization success were generally high, above 80% of developing embryos at 16-cell stage in 20 of 24 crosses with an average of 85.9 ± 17.6% and 87.2 ± 16.5% for female A and female B, respectively. Corresponding hatching success was 74.8 ± 17.7% and 41.6 ± 20.1%, respectively. The relationship between fertilization success and hatching success was positive. The parental influence on hatching was dominated by a strong and significant (p < 0.001) maternal effect; however, the paternal effect was also significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no relationship between fertilization success, hatching success and larvae viability as a high number of larvae developed locked jaws (i.e., were not functional). There was a significant (p < 0.01) difference in yield of functional larvae of female A (43%) and female B (56%), and also between crosses sired by different males. The standard length of offspring of female A (12.4 ± 0.5 mm) and B (12.6 ± 0.6 mm) were significantly (p < 0.001) different, and also significantly influenced by both the female (p < 0.001) and the male (p < 0.001). The present paper provides strong indications that not only the female, but also the male parent influences quantitative features of early development of their offspring.     

Associations of body mass index with cancer incidence among populations,genders, and menopausal status: A systematic review and meta-analysis

In order to further reveal the differences of association between body mass index (BMI) and cancer incidence across populations, genders, and menopausal status, we performed comprehensive meta-analysis with eligible citations. The risk ratio (RR) of incidence at 10 different cancer sites (per 5 kg/m² increase in BMI) were quantified separately by employing generalized least-squares to estimate trends, and combined by meta-analyses. We observed significantly stronger association between increased BMI and breast cancer incidence in the Asia⿿Pacific group (RR 1.18:1.11⿿1.26) than in European⿿Australian (1.05:1.00⿿1.09) and North-American group (1.06:1.03⿿1.08) (meta-regression p < 0.05). No association between increased BMI and pancreatic cancer incidence (0.94:0.71⿿1.24) was shown in the Asia⿿Pacific group (meta-regression p < 0.05), whereas positive associations were found in other two groups. A significantly higher RR in men was found for colorectal cancer in comparison with women (meta-regression p < 0.05). Compared with postmenopausal women, premenopausal women displayed significantly higher RR for ovarian cancer (pre- vs. post- = 1.10 vs. 1.01, meta-regression p < 0.05), but lower RR for breast cancer (pre- vs. post- = 0.99 vs. 1.11, meta-regression p < 0.0001). Our results indicate that overweight or obesity is a strong risk factor of cancer incidence at several cancer sites. Genders, populations, and menopausal status are important factors effecting the association between obesity and cancer incidence for certain cancer types.     

Standardized activities of daily living in presence of sub-acute low-back pain: A pilot study

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate how sub-acute low-back pain (LBP) patients differed with respect to control in movements and muscle activation during standardized tasks representing daily living activities, and explore relationships between cognition and measured motor performance. Linear and nonlinear parameters were computed from kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity recorded for 12 sub-acute patients and 12 healthy matched controls during trunk flexion, sit-to-stand from a chair and lifting a box. Cognitive variables were collected to explore relationships with biomechanical parameters. For trunk flexion, left external abdominal oblique muscle activity level was lower for patients compared with controls (p < 0.05), whereas sample entropy (complexity) was higher (p < 0.05). Normalized mutual information was lower for patients compared with controls for left and right erector spinae (p < 0.05). Level of activity of left external abdominal oblique correlated negatively with cognitive ignoring and positively with catastrophizing (p ? 0.05), and catastrophizing also correlated positively with functional connectivity of abdominal muscles (p < 0.05). Signs of reorganization in muscle activation pointed towards different synergistic actions in trunk muscles in sub-acute LBP patients compared with controls. The interplay with maladaptive cognition suggested that in the subacute stage of LBP, both biomechanical and cognitive factors should be taken into account.     

Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cytokine imbalance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: Correlation with disease activity

AimImbalance of T-helper-cell (TH) subsets (TH1/TH2/TH17) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we evaluated their cytokine secretion profile in SLE patients and their possible association with disease activity.MethodsSixty SLE patients, 24 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, disease activity and serological data were prospectively assessed. Plasma cytokines levels of TH1 (IL-12, IFN-γ), TH2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), TH17 (IL-17, IL-23) and Treg (IL-10 and TGF-β) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).ResultsSLE patients were found to have significantly higher levels of IL-17 (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.01), IL-12 (p < 0.001) and IL-10 (p < 0.05) but comparable levels of IL-23 and IL-4 and slight reduction (but statistically insignificant) of TGF-β levels compared to controls. IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were significantly increased (p < 0.05) with disease activity. The RA group exhibited significantly higher levels of plasma IL-4 (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05), IL-17 (p < 0.001), IL-23 (p < 0.01) and TGF-β (p < 0.5) and lower IFN-γ (p < 0.001) and IL-10 (p < 0.01) than those of healthy subjects.ConclusionOur study showed a distinct profile of cytokine imbalance in SLE patients. Reduction in IFN-γ (TH1) and TGF-β1 (Treg) with the elevation in IL-6 and IL-17 (TH17) could imply skewing of T-cells toward TH17 cells. Breaking TH17/Treg balance in peripheral blood may play an important role in the development of SLE and could be responsible for an increased pro-inflammatory response especially in the active form of the disease.     

The effect of wave exposure on the morphology of Ecklonia radiata

This study examined the consistency of the effect of wave exposure on the morphology of Ecklonia radiata, a small kelp, across a broad geographic range (>1100 km). Fifteen morphological characters were measured on individuals from sites of low (2.5 ± 0.8 S.E.) and high (12.2 ± 2.0 S.E.) wave exposure (Baardseth's index) within six locations in southwestern Australia. With the exception of lateral width (P = 0.0001), none of the morphological characters were consistently statistically different (P > 0.06) between high and low wave exposure and correlations with wave exposure were generally weak (r < 0.60). While 12 of the 15 characters were statistically different (P < 0.008) between sites of different exposure within at least one location, the direction of difference (significant or not) was opposite between some locations for all but one character (lateral width). ANOSIM was not able to separate thalli from high and low exposure when all locations were pooled (Clarke's R = 0.127), but within each location most sites showed better separation (0.126 < Clarke's R < 0.829). Despite the lack of statistical differences, trends suggested that E. radiata responds to exposure by having drag-reducing (small size, narrow laterals and blades, low spinosity) and strength-increasing (relatively large holdfast, thick stipe and thick blades and lamina) morphological traits, as observed for several other kelps in small-scale studies. We conclude that while wave exposure does have an effect on kelp morphology, the effect is not independent of other location-specific processes.     

Housing conditions and breed are associated with emotionality and cognitive abilities in riding school horses

Horses’ emotional reactivity is of a major importance in riding schools where a variety of more or less experienced riders are present. Horses’ learning abilities may also be important for work. Previous studies have shown that different intrinsic or extrinsic factors, such as breed, housing conditions, sire, and work may have an influence, and that different facilities present horses with different characteristics. In this study, we tested the reactions of 184 horses from 22 riding schools, all practicing the same type of work, but differing in particular in terms of housing conditions, to 3 emotionality tests and to one instrumental learning task, in order to (1) try and characterize riding schools, and (2) determine how general management could explain some of the potential differences observed between sites.Multivariate analysis conducted on the whole set of data showed that riding schools could be classified into four categories from those where horses showed low emotionality levels and good learning abilities to those where horses showed high emotionality levels and poor learning abilities. Breed, in accordance to previous studies, had an impact on the time to cross a novel obstacle in hand (“Bridge Test”) (Kruskall–Wallis, H (14, N = 184) = 27.08, p < 0.05) while housing conditions (e.g. box housing) influenced emotionality (emotionality index, MW: p < 0.05), when horses were released in the arena. Box housing was associated with more active locomotion patterns (including trot, canter and passage) (MW: p < 0.005). These results underline the importance for riding schools to take into account both the individual characteristics of the horse, and in particular the breed, and to consider the impact of general management including housing conditions, on horses’ reactivity, and its consequences in terms of human security.     

Dynamics of the microfauna community in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant experiencing sludge bulking

We investigated the dynamics of the microfauna community in activated sludge, with special reference to sludge bulking, in two parallel municipal wastewater treatment systems in Beijing, China over a period of 14 months. Annual cyclic changes in microfauna community structures occurred in both systems. RELATE analysis based on Spearman's Rank correlation indicated that microfauna community structures were highly correlated with the sludge volume index (SVI) (p < 0.001), which indicates sludge settleability. Nutrient conditions of raw sewage (p < 0.01) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) (p < 0.05) were also related to microfauna community structures. Abundances of the species Epistylis plicatilis and Vorticella striata increased significantly with an increase in SVI (p < 0.001) and decrease in water temperature (p < 0.001), suggesting that sludge bulking may have created favorable conditions for the two species, even under unfavorable temperature conditions. Sludge de-flocculation primarily due to the excessive growth of Microthrix parvicella-like filaments could be an important driving force for the microfauna community changes. The release of flocculated non-filamentous bacteria may represent a suitable food source for these species. The two species may be considered as potential bioindicators for sludge bulking.     

Aluminum chloride impacts dentate gyrus structure in male adult albino Wistar rats

To get better insights into the aluminum neurotoxicity, rats were treated with AlCl₃ for increasing doses and periods. Body and brain weights, plasma and brain AlCl₃ levels were assayed. Light microscopy observation of brain was performed. AlCl₃ exposure showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) on body and brain weight with the highest dose at 18 months. Statistical analysis confirms no significant interaction during 6 months (ρ = 0.357; p > 0.05) while, significant correlation was observed during 12 (ρ = 0.836; p < 0.001) and 18 months (ρ = 0.769; p < 0.001) between body and brain weight. Plasma and brain AlCl₃ concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) with dose and period dependent manner. Statistical analysis confirms significant interaction between brain concentrations of AlCl₃ and administrated doses during 6 (ρ = 0.969; p < 0.001), 12 (ρ = 0.971; p < 0.001) and 18 months (ρ = 0.965; p < 0.001). Similar relation was established between plasma AlCl₃ concentration and administrated doses during 6 (ρ = 0.970; p < 0.001), 12 (ρ = 0.971; p < 0.001) and 18 months (ρ = 0.964; p < 0.001). Significant relation was confirmed between plasma and brain AlCl₃ concentration during 6 (ρ = 0.926; p < 0.001), 12 (ρ = 0.983; p < 0.001) and 18 months (ρ = 0.906; p < 0.001). Morphological alterations mainly targeted the subgranular layer with modulation of the dentate gyrus appearance. This study highlights the toxic effect of AlCl₃ on the brain which may affects learning and memory and seems to be different according to dose and duration of exposure.     

Alternative alert system for Ganga river eutrophication using alkaline phosphatase as a level determinant

Short-term variations in phosphorus (P) concentrations must be considered while assessing the long-term changes in trophic status and estimating the P load and export. Furthermore, given the challenges of conventional monitoring of river systems, a sediment-specific biomonitoring tool may be more successful inferring P related human controls. In this study, conducted along a 37 km river channel representing up-and downstream urban control, and through a trajectory from a major point source (Assi drain), we tested the patterns of concordance between alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and soluble reactive-P (SRP) and between AP activity and trophic status in the Ganga River. To validate data comparison, we selected a reference site at Dev Prayag, situated ∼1130 km upstream to the main study stretch. Samples were collected for three consecutive year (March 2013 to February 2016) with respect to atmospheric deposition, surface runoff, point source loading, river water and sediment analysis. For trajectory analysis, samples were collected from 15 locations starting from the drain outlet (zero distance) upto 1.5 km downstream with sampling location 100 m away from the preceding one. We found marked spatial and temporal variations in P concentrations which could be traced by quantifying the AP activity. The AP activity, recorded highest at reference site, declined with increases in P; and at drain mouth it was close to zero reflecting strong influence of P level on alkaline phosphatase activity in the river. We used canonical correlation analysis (CCorA) to test the degrees of concordance and similarity in different variables. Most of the environmental variables and indicators of eutrophy appear largely clustered at one side of the coordinate separating AP activity and dissolved oxygen towards opposite side of the axis. The dynamic fit function relating AP activity with different variables showed significant positive correlation with DO (R² = 0.67; p < 0.001) and negative correlations with BOD (R² = 0.82; p < 0.001), Chl a biomass (R² = 0.52; p < 0.001) and trophic status index (R² = 0.54 (Chl a), 0.96 (DRP); p < 0.001). Furthermore, the enzyme activity did not show significant negative correlation with heavy metals in sediment. Because anthropogenic activities continue to enhance P loads; AP is inhibited directly by P availability; and eutrophy feedbacks sediment P release, our observations on P-AP activity relationship provide a valuable alternative means for detecting P related controls on water quality, trophic status and biogeochemical feedbacks in human impacted rivers.     

Relationships among udder characteristics,milk yield and,non-yield traits in Frizarta dairy sheep

In the present study the relationships between five body structural and nine udder morphological traits with milk yield and non-yield traits, i.e. milk contents, somatic cell count and body weight in n = 171 Frizarta ewes were investigated. Positive correlations of moderate to high magnitude were observed among body measurements ranging from 0.25 (body length-chest width) to 0.61 (chest width-chest girth). High correlations were observed between udder width and udder circumference (r = 0.69) as well as between udder circumference at base and middle (r = 0.62). Udder height was found to be positively correlated with cistern depth (r = 0.32), udder width (r = 0.40) and udder circumference (r = 0.42) as well as with teat measurements (0.19 and 0.25 with teat length and teat circumference, respectively). Cistern depth was positively and highly correlated with teat angle (r = 0.64). The correlation between teat length and circumference was also high (r = 0.57). Teat angle was found to be negatively correlated with teat measurements (r = −0.39 and −0.23 for teat length and teat circumference, respectively). Principal components analysis revealed four components that jointly explained 67% of the variance of all the body and the udder morphological traits. The first principal component interpreted as the body dimensions was found to be associated with body weight of ewes. The second component interpreted as global and rear measurements of the udder was significant for milk yield traits. The third and fourth principal components were interpreted as the udder type and teat dimensions, respectively. Ewes’ body weight could be adequately predicted by chest girth, body length, chest width and withers height. Test day milk yields were found to be associated with udder circumference and udder width as well as with udder height and teat length. None of the udder measurements and/or teat characteristics was found to be correlated with milk content(s) and/or somatic cell count. New statistical techniques can be successfully implemented in investigation of relationships between various traits in dairy sheep.     

Comparison and relationship of thyroid hormones,IL-6, IL-10 and albumin as mortality predictors in case-mix critically ill patients

ObjectiveTo compare the ability of thyroid hormones, IL-6, IL-10, and albumin to predict mortality, and to assess their relationship in case-mix acute critically ill patients.MethodsAPACHE II scores and serum thyroid hormones (FT3, FT4, and TSH), IL-6, IL-10, and albumin were obtained at EICU admission for 79 cases of mix acute critically ill patients without previous history of thyroid disease. Patients were followed for 28 days with patient’s death as the primary outcome. All mean values were compared, correlations assessed with Pearson’ test, and mortality prediction assessed by multivariate logistic regression and ROC.ResultsNon survivors were older, with higher APACHE II score (p = 0.000), IL-6 (p < 0.05), IL-10 (p = 0.000) levels, and lower albumin (p = 0.000) levels compared to survivors at 28 days. IL-6 and IL-10 had significant negative correlation with albumin (p = 0.001) and FT3 (p ⩽ 0.05) respectively, while low albumin had a direct correlation with FT3 (p < 0.05). In the mortality prediction assessment, IL-10, albumin and APACHE II were independent morality predictors and showed to have a good (0.70–0.79) AUC-ROC (p < 0.05). Despite that the entire cohort showed low FT3 serum levels (p = 0.000), there was not statistical difference between survivors and non-survivors; neither showed any significance as mortality predictor.ConclusionsIL-6 and IL-10 are correlated with Low FT3 and hypoalbuminemia. Thyroid hormones assessed at EICU admission did not have any predictive value in our study. And finally, high levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in conjunction with albumin could improve our ability to evaluate disease’s severity and predict mortality in the critically ill patients. When use in combination with APACHE II scores, our model showed improved mortality prediction.     

Analysis of genetic variation in selected stocks of hatchery flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus,using AFLP markers

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed in order to evaluate genetic characteristics of one common population and two selective hatchery populations of flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. A group of 60 genotypes belonging to three populations was screened using 10 different AFLP primer combinations. A total of 491 loci were produced in the three studied populations. The loci of 65.78%, 61.47% and 60.92% were polymorphic over all the genotypes tested in common, susceptible and resistant populations, respectively. The number of polymorphic loci detected by single primer combination ranged from 21 to 43. The average heterozygosity of common, susceptible and resistant populations was 0.1656, 0.1609 and 0.1586, respectively, which showed no significant difference. Compared with the common population, the two selective hatchery populations, susceptible and resistant, showed significant genetic differences including a smaller (P < 0.05) number of total loci, a smaller (P < 0.05) number of total polymorphic loci and a smaller (P < 0.05) percentage of low frequency (0–0.2) polymorphic loci. AFLP banding pattern was transformed into binary data and matrices were processed with POPGENE and TFPGA software. Similarity relationships were described graphically by a dendrogram, which clustered the three populations. The AFLP fingerprinting technique was confirmed to be a reproducible and sensitive tool for the study of population genetics of flounder. The present study confirmed that it was important to detect the genetic variability of the selective hatchery populations for the conservation of natural flounder resources.     

Calibrating acoustic acceleration transmitters for estimating energy use by wild adult Pacific salmon

This study is the first to calibrate acceleration transmitters with energy expenditure using a vertebrate model species. We quantified the relationship between acoustic accelerometer output and oxygen consumption across a range of swim speeds and water temperatures for Harrison River adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). First, we verified that acceleration transmitters with a sampling frequency of 10 Hz could be used as a proxy for movement in sockeye salmon. Using a mixed effects model, we determined that tailbeat frequency and acceleration were positively correlated (p < 0.0001), independent of tag ID. Acceleration (p < 0.0001) was positively related to swim speed while fork length (p = 0.051) was negatively related to swim speed. Oxygen consumption and accelerometer output (p < 0.0001) had a positive linear relationship and were temperature dependent (p < 0.0001). There were no differences in swim performance (F_2,12 = 1.023, p = 0.820) or oxygen consumption (F_1,12 = 0.054, p = 0.332) between tagged and untagged individuals. Five tagged fish were released into the Fraser River estuary and manually tracked. Of the five fish, three were successfully tracked for 1 h. The above relationships were used to determine that the average swim speed was 1.25 ± 0.03 body lengths s^? 1 and cost of transport was 3.39 ± 0.17 mg O₂ kg^? 1 min^? 1, averaged across the three detected fish. Acceleration transmitters can be effectively used to remotely evaluate fine-scale behavior and estimate energy consumption of adult Pacific salmon throughout their homeward spawning migration.     

Molecular analysis of the bacterial community in digestive tract of rabbit

This work aimed to study the stability over time of the bacterial community in cæcum and fæces of the rabbit (diversity index and structure) without experimental disturbance and to evaluate its relationships with environmental parameters. Soft and hard fæces of 14 rabbits were sampled for 5 weeks while cæcal content was sampled on the 3rd week (by surgery) and the 5th week (at slaughter). Bacterial communities were assessed by studying CE-SSCP profiles of 16S rRNA genes fragments. Redox potential, pH, NH3-N concentration and volatile fatty acid concentrations were measured in the cæcum. Data showed that bacterial communities of soft and hard fæces barely differed from that of the cæcum (ANOSIM-R < 0.25; p < 0.05). Without disturbance, the bacterial communities of fæces were stable over time (ANOSIM-R < 0.25; p < 0.001). However, the bacterial communities of cæcum and fæces were affected by the surgery (ANOSIM-R = 0.22–0.33; p < 0.001). The cæcal content was an acidic (pH = 6.03 ± 0.33) and an anaerobic environment (redox potential = ?160 ± 43 mV). Only the redox potential was correlated with the diversity index of the bacterial community of the cæcum (R² = 0.35; p < 0.05) and no environmental parameters were correlated to its structure.     

Hair cortisol determination in sows in two consecutive reproductive cycles

Hair analysis has been proposed as a minimally invasive technique capable of furnishing information regarding the stress response during medium- and long-term periods. Bristle samples were collected from the rump region of sows at three key physiological phases (before delivery – BD; weaning time – WT; pregnancy diagnosis – PD) during consecutive reproductive cycles in order to test swine hair as a reliable matrix of cortisol evaluation. Cortisol was extracted from the bristles and assayed using radioimmunoassay. The highest mean hair cortisol concentrations were demonstrated (p < 0.001) at the PD time points (20.1 ± .95 and 16.29 ± 2.15 pg/mg). Moreover, cortisol was significantly higher (p < 0.001) at BD2 (10.48 ± 0.96 pg/mg) as compared to BD1 (5.17 ± 0.51 pg/mg) and WT1 (6.01 ± 0.47 pg/mg). The various physiological phases had a significant effect on cortisol concentration (p < 0.00001) with a higher cortisol concentration found during late pregnancy and lactation than in early-mid pregnancy. This could be due not only to the physiological hormonal status, but also to the different housing conditions (single crates vs. group housing). The season of the year was also observed to have an effect (p < 0.005), with the lowest cortisol concentration recorded during the hot season.