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Showing papers on "Animal mortality published in 2007"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown in marine wildlife satellite tracking that the reasons behind transmitter signal loss can often be identified and the importance of transmitted diagnostic data that reveal the status of a tag is highlighted.

148 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that this myxozoan transmitted from bryozoans was the main cause of the observed mortality in salmon fry in 2006 and that T. bryosalmonae is the most likely explanation for this decline.
Abstract: Extensive mortality in Atlantic salmon fry was reported in the River Aelva from 2002 to 2004. Dead fish were collected in late summer 2006, and live fish were sampled by electrofishing in September the same year. At autopsy and in histological sections, the fish kidneys were found to be pale and considerably enlarged. Proliferative lesions with characteristic PKX cells were seen in a majority of the fish. DNA from kidney samples of diseased fish was subjected to PCR and sequencing, and the amplified sequences matched those of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae. We concluded that this myxozoan transmitted from bryozoans was the main cause of the observed mortality in salmon fry in 2006. Results from quantitative electrofishing in 2005 and 2006, combined with the observed fry mortality from 2002 to 2004, show that the smolt production in the river is severely reduced and that T. bryosalmonae is the most likely explanation for this decline. The present study is the first to report a considerable negative population effect in wild Atlantic salmon due to proliferative kidney disease (PKD). It also represents the northernmost PKD outbreak in wild fish. The river is regulated for hydroelectric power purposes, causing reduced water flow and elevated summer temperatures, and the present PKD outbreak may serve as an example of increased disease vulnerability of northern fish populations in a warmer climate.

89 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
15 Dec 2007-Toxicon
TL;DR: Biological, immunological, structural and antigenic differences and evidence for structural differences among the recombinant toxins was strengthened by circular dichroism spectra, which suggested that the toxins were folded, and not aggregated or denatured proteins.

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is reported here that MW01-5-188WH is effective to ameliorate the severity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced EAE and treatments that suppress the activation of microglia and astrocytes should be pursued in future research for their potential as avenues for the treatment of MS.

56 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The temporally and spatially specific alterations in the expressions ofFGFR-3, FGFR-4, and FGF-7 in the mice exposed to hyperoxia may contribute to aberrant lung development.
Abstract: In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that exposure of newborn mice to sublethal hyperoxia would alter lung development and expressions of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs)-3 and FGFR-4. Newborn FVB mice were exposed to 85% O2 or maintained in room air for up to 14 d. No animal mortality was observed, and body weight gains were not affected by hyperoxia. At postnatal d 7 and 14 (P7, P14), lungs of mice exposed to 85% O2 showed fewer alveolar secondary crests and larger alveoli or terminal air spaces than did mice in room air. In pups kept in room air, lung levels of FGFR-3 and FGFR-4 mRNA were greater at P3 than at P1, but similar increases were not observed in hyperoxic mice. Immunoreactivity of FGFR-3 and FGFR-4 was lower in lungs of hyperoxic mice than in controls at P14. In pups kept in room air, lung fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7 mRNA levels were greater at P14 than at P1, but similar changes were not observed in hyperoxic mice. The temporally and spatially specific alterations in the expressions of FGFR-3, FGFR-4, and FGF-7 in the mice exposed to hyperoxia may contribute to aberrant lung development.

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
15 Dec 2007-Toxicon
TL;DR: Investigation of the impact of metabolic activation on CYN-induced DNA damage revealed that CYN is not clastogenic in CHO-K1 cells irrespective of S9 fraction-induced metabolic activation, however, CYN significantly decreases the frequencies of mitotic indices and decreases proliferation irrespective of metabolicactivation system.

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Elevated CO2 has the potential to alter silver birch leaf litter quality, but the possible O3 effects on phenolic compounds and litter-mediated CO2 and O3 effect on detritivores are more difficult to validate.
Abstract: Two field-growing silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) clones (clone 4 and 80) were exposed to elevated CO2 and O3 for three growing seasons (1999–2001). The phenolic compounds of naturally abscised leaf litter were analyzed in order to determine the possible CO2- and O3-induced changes in the litter quality. The potential litter-mediated CO2 and O3 effects on litter-feeding soil macrofauna (detritivore) performance were assessed in microcosm experiments, i.e., the relative growth rates (RGR) of Lumbricus terrestris and Porcellio scaber, the relative consumption rates (RCR) of P. scaber, and mortality of the test animals were measured. The leaf litter grown under elevated CO2 had increased concentrations (weight per mass unit) and contents (weight per leaf) of phenolic acids, flavonol glycosides, condensed tannins and total measured phenolics. Elevated O3 increased the concentrations of 3,4’-dihydroxypropiophenone 3-β-d-glucoside (DHPPG) and flavonoid aglycones but only under ambient CO2. However, elevated O3 effects on the content of some low-molecular-weight phenolic (LMWP) compounds (i.e. phenolic acids, DHPPG, flavonoid aglycones) and total LMWP changed over time emphasizing the importance of conducting long-term (>3 years) exposure studies. In general, RGR of young L. terrestris was affected by the litter quality changes induced by elevated CO2 and O3, as the animal growth rates were reduced when they were fed with CO2- and O3-exposed leaf litter of clone 80 in Experiment 1. P. scaber RCR or RGR responses to CO2- and O3-induced changes in litter quality were more variable and inconsistent, and neither were there any litter-mediated CO2 and O3 effects on animal mortality in these microcosm experiments. In conclusion, elevated CO2 has the potential to alter silver birch leaf litter quality, but the possible O3 effects on phenolic compounds and litter-mediated CO2 and O3 effects on detritivores are more difficult to validate.

43 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Dehua Cao1, Bingya Yang1, Lijuan Hou1, Jun Xu1, Renhao Xue1, Liping Sun1, Chen Zhou1, Zhili Liu1 
TL;DR: The data suggest that the reduction of ischemia-induced AA liberation and accumulation by Et-DHA pretreatment may be attributable to protection against the decline of Na,K-ATPase activity, postischemic cerebral edema and brain damage and animal mortality.
Abstract: Recently, we reported that dietary ethyl docosahexaenoate (Et-DHA) intake decreases the level of membrane arachidonic acid (AA), which reduces the generation of AA metabolites in ischemic gerbil brain. As an extended study, we further investigated the influence of the chronic administration of Et-DHA on free AA levels after ischemia. In addition, Na,K-ATPase activity, cation content, cerebral edema and brain damage were also evaluated. Weanling male gerbils were orally pretreated with either Et-DHA (200 mg/kg) or vehicle, once a day for 10 weeks, and subjected to transient forebrain ischemia by bilateral common carotid occlusion for 30 min. Time-course analyses revealed that pretreatment with Et-DHA, compared with pretreatment with the vehicle, significantly decreased the brain's free AA levels during ischemia (5, 15 and 30 min) and after reperfusion (5, 10, 15 and 30 min), and attenuated the decline of Na,K-ATPase activity at examined time points. Pretreatment with Et-DHA significantly prevented an increase in Na + concentration and a decrease in K + concentration after 24 h of reperfusion, which resulted in lower cerebral water content. Reduced brain infarct volume and low animal mortality were also observed in Et-DHA-treated animals. These data suggest that the reduction of ischemia-induced AA liberation and accumulation by Et-DHA pretreatment may be attributable to (a) protection against the decline of Na,K-ATPase activity, (b) postischemic cerebral edema and brain damage and (c) animal mortality.

19 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and palpebral edema were improved by supplementation with 0.05% EC-12, but not by the low dose levels.
Abstract: Porcine edema disease (ED) is caused by Shiga toxin 2e-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). ED has become frequent in pig farms, and the use of antimicrobials has resulted in the development of antimicrobial-resistant STEC. Accordingly, the use of materials other than antimicrobials is requested for the prevention of ED. Oral administration of a heat-killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) to weaning pigs was previously demonstrated to decrease animal mortality in a STEC-contaminated farm at 0.05% (w/w) dose level. In this study, pigs experimentally infected with STEC were used as a model for ED to evaluate the low dose level of EC-12 to prevent ED. Fifteen 21-day-old pigs were divided into 5 groups: STEC challenge with the basal diet, STEC challenge with EC-12 supplemented at 0.005, 0.01, or 0.05% (w/w) to the basal diet, and no STEC challenge with the basal diet. The challenge was carried out when the animals were 25, 26, and 27 days old using STEC contained in capsules resistant against gastric digestion. All pigs were euthanized at 32 days of age. The daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and palpebral edema were improved by supplementation with 0.05% EC-12, but not by the low dose levels. Accordingly, 0.05% level of supplementation was needed for EC-12 to improve clinical symptoms in weaning piglets infected by STEC.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The schistosomicidal activities of seven 2-(alkylamino)-1-phenyl-1-ethanethiosulfuric acids (1a-g) were determined in female Swiss mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni, finding all the compounds were found to be active and a high animal mortality being observed with 1e.
Abstract: The schistosomicidal activities of seven 2-(alkylamino)-1-phenyl-1-ethanethiosulfuric acids (1a-g) (R=propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, sec-butyl, cyclohexyl, respectively) were determined in female Swiss mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The compounds were administered in a single oral dose of 800 mg/kg to groups of 15 mice infected with 50 cercariae each. All the compounds were found to be active, a high animal mortality being observed with 1e. These compounds have a high specificity against female worms (64-100% reduction vs. 33-61% reduction in male worms). The test was repeated, a 400-mg/kg sub-dose of 1f also being tested, and similar results were observed. A 94% reduction in the number of female worms was observed when compound 1c was administered in a single 800-mg/kg dose to animals infected with 80 cercariae. Finally, the test was repeated with single 800 mg/kg oral doses of compounds 1e (highly purified) and 1f and a 400-mg/kg sub-dose of 1c. The toxicity of 1e was confirmed, while the animals that received 1c and 1f presented reductions in the worm loads corresponding to 45.9% (male worms) and 84.8% (female worms) for 1c and 50.4% (male worms) and 94.2% (female worms) for 1f.

16 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
07 Nov 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, approximately 250kg of swine carcasses were composted in each of nine 2m X 2m weighable composting test units using three different envelope materials: corn silage, ground cornstalks, and ground oat straw.
Abstract: Composting livestock carcasses is a viable method for on-site treatment and disposal. Properly estimated carcass biodegradability is valuable for designing and controlling animal mortality composting systems. However, it is still difficult to assess the biodegradability inside composts. In this study, approximately 250kg of swine carcasses were composted in each of nine 2m X 2m weighable composting test units using three different envelope materials: corn silage, ground cornstalks, and ground oat straw. Total weight of compost material was measured monthly to observe the carcass decomposition trend with composting time. The most significant weight loss occurred during the first 6 weeks of composting. Biodegradability of the swine carcasses was estimated by comparing the mass of carcass remains after 16 weeks composting with the total carcass weight placed in the pile during the time of construction. Based on these results the influence of envelope material type on the biodegradability of swine carcasses was evaluated. The carcass decomposition within silage test units was only 66% of the initial carcass mass, while carcasses in cornstalk and oat straw test units decomposed 86% and 79% respectively.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A concept of 2 thresholds, a critical condition factor (attained by a temperature-induced energy deficiency), and a condition-dependent critical infection intensity, which determine winter mortality of YOY, is suggested.
Abstract: The composition and development of the parasite community of overwintering young-of-the-year (YOY) roach (Rutilus rutilus) was studied in outdoor artificial ponds. Cumulative mortality of the roach from November until May was about 20%. The prevalences of the epizoic ciliates Trichodina sp. and Apiosoma sp., and of the monogeneans Dactylogyrus suecicus, Dactylogyrus nanus, and Gyrodactylus sp. in general tended to peak in the beginning of April at a water temperature of about 8 C. However, mean parasite intensity remained constant over this interval. Prevalence of metacercariae of the digeneans Diplostomum cf. spathaceum and Tylodelphys clavata remained constant with values around 60% and 10%, respectively. Larvae of the nematode Philometra obturans and the cestode Ligula intestinalis and females of the copepod Neoergasilus japonicus were found sporadically. A concept of 2 thresholds, a critical condition factor (attained by a temperature-induced energy deficiency), and a condition-dependent critical infection intensity, which determine winter mortality of YOY, is suggested.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The objective of the current study was to determine the seasonal pattern of infection with nematode larvae naturally available on pasture of indigenous Greek dairy goats reared under extensive husbandry conditions throughout the year.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Experimental data confirm the involvement of mitochondrial enzyme complex I dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the disease and showed the possibility of by-passing this site of the respiratory chain with Extralife.
Abstract: Oral administration of flavonoid-containing preparation Extralife (daily dose 40 mg/kg) to animals with modeled Parkinson’s syndrome considerably improved their survival and the main diagnostic and nosological parameters characterizing the state of locomotor functions. The preparation decreased animal mortality, rigidity, disturbances in dynamic muscular work and coordination of movements, and reduced oligokinesia. Experimental data confirm the involvement of mitochondrial enzyme complex I dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the disease and showed the possibility of by-passing this site of the respiratory chain with Extralife.

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the authors made a quantitative estimate on the extent of loss to the nation because of diseases, but it could be reckoned that nearly Rs 50 billion is lost due to diseases accounting for almost 10 per cent of the value of the entire livestock sector in 1991 (Chawla et al., 2004).
Abstract: Livestock is an important source of livelihood for farmers in India. As per the latest livestock census, India possessed 185 million cattle, 98 million buffaloes, 124 million goats and 61 million sheep (Government of India, 2003) and produced 97 million tonnes of milk, 2.3 million tonnes of meat and 44.9 million kg of wool in 2004-05 (Government of India, 2006). The livestock functions as a source of regular income, movable asset of high liquidity and a cushion on which the farmers can fall upon at times of climatic vagaries like drought when the crop sector fails. They are also a source of draught power for farm operations and energy for household purpose. Since livestock is distributed more equitably than land, they help in reducing the rural income inequality. The contribution of livestock sector in Indian agricultural economy is on increase that it accounted for 13.8 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) in 1980-81 and increased to nearly 25 per cent in 2004-05 (Government of India, 2006). However, livestock production in India faces major threat in the form of diseases, which affect the production by increased animal mortality, loss of milk and meat, loss due to reproductive failures and general debility. Livestock in India are affected by almost all diseases known to mankind and Government spends a lion’s share of the public funds available to the livestock sector on curative veterinary care. However, no quantitative estimates has been made on the extent of loss to the nation because of diseases, but it could be reckoned that nearly Rs 50 billion is lost due to diseases accounting for almost 10 per cent of the value of the entire livestock sector in 1991 (Chawla et al., 2004). Noticeable success in alleviating some diseases like rinderpest has been achieved due to the concerted

Proceedings ArticleDOI
07 Nov 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used gas characterization for monitoring of the composting process and found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors produced during composting of three carcass cover materials (corn stalks, oat straw and corn silage) were qualitatively studied at a laboratory scale set up.
Abstract: Composting is an alternative method of animal mortality disposal suitable for on-farm emergency containment of infectious diseases. Mortality composting can produce a complex variety of gases and some of them are known to be odorous. To date, relatively little is known about the makeup and temporal trends of organic gases and odors produced and emitted during composting processes. In this research, utilizing gas characterization for monitoring of the composting process was investigated. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors produced during composting of three carcass cover materials (corn stalks, oat straw and corn silage) were qualitatively studied at a laboratory scale set-up. Headspace samples were analyzed with multidimensional gas chromatography - mass spectrometry – olfactometry (MDGC-MS-O). Headspaces of decaying plant materials were tested using 85 µm Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) SPME fiber. Aerobic and anaerobic conditions representing extremes of composting conditions were simulated to determine if composition of the gaseous byproducts can be used to evaluate aeration effectiveness. Volatile fatty acids (acetic, propanoic, isobutyic, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, hexanoic and heptanoic) were found as indicators of anaerobic decomposition of corn stalks and oat straw. The chemical makeup of gas and odor emissions was observed to decrease with compost age and was different for aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Chemical makeup and temporal trends in specific VOCs can be useful in non-invasive and indirect determination of the aeration status and completion of the composting process inside the biosecurity containment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Experiments of LPS-induced excessive cytokine production in Balb/c mice suggest that TNF-I± and IL-6 may play distinct protective roles in septic shock.
Abstract: Septicemia is frequently associated with serious complications and high mortality despite recent advances in treatment with antibacterial agents Infectious organisms or their soluble products initiate septic shock through a complex cytokine cascade Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced excessive production of inflammatory cytokines is regarded as a model of septic shock Experiments of LPS-induced excessive cytokine production were conducted in Balb/c mice for the investigation of the therapeutic potential of anti-TNF-I± and anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody treatments LPS injection resulted in mortality with significant serum levels of TNF-I±, IL-6, and IL-1I² Anti-IL-6 treatment significantly reduced animal mortality and inhibited serum levels of IL-6 Anti-TNF-I± treatment did not affect serum IL-6 levels even though it significantly enhanced animal survival and inhibited TNF-I± production Moreover, anti-IL-6 treatment modestly reduced serum TNF-α level in comparison with control antibody treated group These data suggest that TNF-I± and IL-6 may play distinct protective roles in septic shock

Journal Article
TL;DR: The results showed that the mortality of inoculated mice range from 30% to 100% depending on trypanosoma evansi strains, with the average death time of 7.5 days to 25 days.
Abstract: To study the virulence of different Chinese trypanosoma evansi strains,groups of healthy mice were inoculated with trypanosoma evansi AHB,GDB_1,GDB_2,GDH,GXM,HBM,HNC,JSB_1,JSB_2,XJCA,YNB and ZJB strains,respectively. The virulence of each strain was determined by animal mortality and average death time.The results showed that the mortality of inoculated mice range from 30% to 100% depending on trypanosoma evansi strains,with the average death time of 7.5 days to 25 days.The virulence of the 12 strains ranked from strong to weak is AHBYNBGDB_2XJCAHBMHNCJSB_1GXMGDB_1GDHJSB_2ZJB.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results show that the effects of MNNG on the immunostimulated animals display significant quantitative augmentation with respect to non-immunized controls, and this augmentation consists in higher animal mortality, extension of the dedifferentiating stump tissue and concomitant retardation of limb restoration, and increase in the incidence of abnormal regenerates.
Abstract: The reciprocal relation between the high regenerative ability of various animal species and the low incidence of haphazard or experimentally induced malignant tumours in these animal species is well documented. Equally well documented is the repeated observation that the decline in regenerative potential coincides with an increase in the incidence of cancers, a fact which, on an evolutionary scale, parallels with the development of a sophisticated immune system. The combination of the above observations led to the hypothesis that at least parts of an immune reaction might promote tumour development, and indeed, many experiments specifically designed to answer this question support this prediction. However, this "immunostimulation theory of tumour development" is neither explained in a satisfactory fashion nor universally adopted. The aim of the present investigation was to approach this issue by exploiting the dual, spectacular ability of urodele amphibians to regenerate a lot of organs and to make a stand to carcinogenesis. To this end, urodele amphibians of the species Triturus cristatus were immunologically challenged by intra-abdominal injections of sheep serum, they had then both their hind limbs amputated, and crystals of MNNG (N-Methyl-N"-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) were implanted into the stumps. The results show that the effects of MNNG on the immunostimulated animals display significant quantitative augmentation with respect to non-immunized controls. This augmentation consists in higher animal mortality, extension of the dedifferentiating stump tissue and concomitant retardation of limb restoration, and increase in the incidence of abnormal regenerates.

01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this article, a study on six major highways of Lithuania in January-March 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 was carried out, where animal movement activity was documented following the footprints left on the snow.
Abstract: The research on wild hoofed animal vehicle collision was carried out on six major highways of Lithuania in January–March 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. In the highway environment, animal movement activity was documented following the footprints left on the snow. One-time account of hoofed animals was executed and the number of single animals of particular species crossing the highway at day and night in its separate sections was determined. The number of hoofed animals moving across different sections of highways differs significantly. The obtained findings are presented for the sections of a highway where the highest crossing activity was observed, i. e. in places potentially dangerous for local vehicle collision with wild animals. The highest activity of animals was determined on the Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda highway (A1) at the 259 th –264 th km, with 7–10 animals per day/km. Roe deers cross the highway most often (up to 68%), wild boars are more rare (25%), red deer comprise 4% and elks up to 3%. The abundance of hoofed animals and movement intensity in winter depend on the size of forest massif (area), specific ecological conditions, on the habitat and other peculiarities of nature. In small grooves the possibility of vehicle and wild hoofed animal collision is less possible than in large massifs of forests. No statistical data have been published in Lithuania on the number of vehicle collision with wild animals, its seasonal dynamics, etc. Technical, biotechnical, traffic directing and other measures are suggested for reducing wild hoofed animal mortality rate and for decreasing the number of road accidents.