Animal mortality

About: Animal mortality is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 526 publications have been published within this topic receiving 14887 citations.

Caracteres foliares de especies de Baccharis (Compositae) tóxicas para el ganado, de la cuenca del arroyo Sauce corto (Partido de Coronel Suarez, provincia de Buenos Aires)

Abstract: The Genus Baccharis, as represented in certain communities of the Frovince of Buenos Aires, shows five species a done variety, all higWy toxic for cattle. Tberefore, an approach to the systematics of these taxa through non·conventional morphological characters, such as leaf epidermis, was considered to be' pertinent if diagnoses on causes of animal mortality \Vere to be performed by means of feces ami stornach contents. Accordingly, this approach has led to formlllate cell types based on contollr, size and length/width ratios of ieaf (epidermic) cells, plus hairs and stomata. The five species couJd thus be correctly identified, whereas the variety was only determined to its Ilearest specific level.

Potential of Small Culverts as Wildlife Passages on Forest Roads

Abstract: Roads and traffic can cause animal mortality. Specifically, roads serve as barriers by impeding animal movement, resulting in demographic and genetic consequences. Drainage structures, such as culverts, can provide linkages between habitat patches. However, the potential of small culverts with diameters of <60 cm (e.g., wildlife passages that facilitate movement on forest roads) are relatively unknown. In this study, we used trail cameras to monitor the use of 14 small culverts, by mammals, along forest roads on Mt. Graham, home of the critically endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis), in southeastern Arizona, USA. From 2011 to 2013, we only recorded 20 completed road crossings through culverts. More than half of culvert uses were by striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), followed by the rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) and the bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Mt. Graham red squirrel was the only species that was common along the roads, but never crossed the roads. Culverts with higher usages were characterized by shorter culvert lengths and absence of accumulated soil inside the culverts. Our study shows that small-dimension drainage systems may provide alternative pathways for wildlife crossing roads, especially for slow moving and ground dwelling species. However, the potential of small culverts assisting wildlife crossings can only be maximized when culverts are accessible year-round.

Composting Animal Mortality Removed From Roads: A Pilot Study of Rotary Drum and Forced Aeration Compost Vessels

Abstract: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) removes an estimated 55,000 deer carcasses from its roadways each year at a cost of more than $4 million per year. Many VDOT maintenance facilities have a need for viable, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective carcass management strategies. Disposal challenges include a decreasing availability of conventional disposal methods, such as landfills, and a lack of viable burial areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two in-vessel composting systems to determine the utility of each as a carcass management option for VDOT. The systems were a rotary drum system and a forced aeration bin system (forced air system). Pilot projects were conducted to determine the utility of each system based on two factors: (1) whether the generated compost met a set of established composting criteria, including regulatory standards; and (2) whether the system performed well from an operational standpoint. A rotary drum system was installed at a VDOT maintenance facility and monitored for 163 days. The generated compost met the established pathogen destruction criteria but was inconsistent with regard to meeting the temperature and moisture criteria. The operational performance of the system was also inconsistent. The problems encountered may be preventable in future installations, but the system requires further evaluation to determine its utility as a means of animal mortality management for VDOT. It is recommended that VDOT install a smaller rotary drum system at a selected maintenance facility and evaluate its performance when the lessons learned described in this study are applied. A forced air system was installed at another VDOT maintenance facility and monitored for 274 days. The generated compost met all established compost criteria (i.e., temperature, compost maturity, and pathogen destruction), and the system performed well from an operational standpoint. This system is a useful means of animal mortality management for VDOT. It is recommended that VDOT install several additional forced air system units at maintenance areas interested in this method of composting. When the savings in disposal fees and travel costs from composting mortalities in a compost vessel rather than disposing of them at a facility are taken into account, the initial investment in a compost vessel would be offset in less than 5 years for maintenance facilities with particularly long drives to a disposal facility (25 to 40 miles). This study will be followed by an in-depth study to evaluate the economics and logistics of in-vessel composting to complete the feasibility analysis of this method of animal mortality management for VDOT. A composting guidance document will also be prepared to support the implementation of animal mortality composting at VDOT maintenance facilities.

Dysfunction of ionic channels in cardiomyocyte sarcolemma and cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: The arrhythmic effects of Na+ and Ca2+ intracellular imbalance were examined on rats with aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmias. Under conditions of Na(+)-dependent arrhythmogenesis, blockade of Ca(2+)-channels with verapamil aggravated cardiac rhythm disturbances. Correction of ionic imbalance by intravenous injection of calcium preparations in aconitine-induced arrhythmia promoted recovery of stable sinus rhythm and decreased animal mortality. Intracellular imbalance of Na+ and Ca2+ ions can underlie the arrhythmogenic effects of antiarrhythmic drugs.

Paradoxical Anticonvulsant Effect of Cefepime in the Pentylenetetrazole Model of Seizures in Rats.

Abstract: Many β-lactam antibiotics, including cephalosporins, may cause neurotoxic and proconvulsant effects. The main molecular mechanism of such effects is considered to be γ-aminobutyric acid type a (GABAa) receptor blockade, leading to the suppression of GABAergic inhibition and subsequent overexcitation. We found that cefepime (CFP), a cephalosporin, has a pronounced antiepileptic effect in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model by decreasing the duration and severity of the seizure and animal mortality. This effect was specific to the PTZ model. In line with findings of previous studies, CFP exhibited a proconvulsant effect in other models, including the maximal electroshock model and 4-aminopyridine model of epileptiform activity, in vitro. To determine the antiepileptic mechanism of CFP in the PTZ model, we used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. We demonstrated that CFP or PTZ decreased the amplitude of GABAa receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents. PTZ also decreased the current decay time constant and temporal summation of synaptic responses. In contrast, CFP slightly increased the decay time constant and did not affect summation. When applied together, CFP prevented alterations to the summation of responses by PTZ, strongly reducing the effects of PTZ on repetitive inhibitory synaptic transmission. The latter may explain the antiepileptic effect of CFP in the PTZ model.