bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Soybean Meal‐Red Blood Cell Coextruded Feed Ingredient in Diets Fed to Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Selden George L. , Brown Paul B. , Ostrowski Anthony C. , Flores Rolando A. , Johnson Lawrence A.
Published: April 2007

Abstract.— Fish meal is one of the predominant sources of crude protein used in practical feeds for most cultured species. However, with overfishing and increasing demand for protein feedstuffs, new competitively priced sources of dietary protein are needed. A coextruded soybean meal‐red blood cell (SBM‐RBC) ingredient was evaluated as a source of crude protein for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The SBM‐RBC ingredient was incorporated at either 0, 21, 42 or 63% of the dietary protein, replacing an isoni‐trogenous amount of fish meal. All diets were fed for 8 wk to triplicate groups of juvenile rainbow trout (average initial weight 49.5 g) stocked into a recirculating system consisting of 48, 114‐L aquaria. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent crude protein digestibility, apparent gross energy digestibility, dress‐out percentage, or fillet protein and fat concentrations in fish fed any of the experimental diets. Based on these data, extruded SBM‐RBC appears to be a suitable ingredient in diets fed to rainbow trout.
Effect of Stocking Density on the Growth and Survival of Spotted Sand Bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus Larvae in a Closed Recirculating System
Authors: Alvarez‐González Carlos A. , Ortiz‐Galindo José L. , Dumas Silvie , Martínez‐Díaz Sergio F. , Hernández‐Ceballos Dora E. , Alamo Tanos Grayeb‐Del , Moreno‐Legorreta Manuel , Penta‐Martínez Renato , Civera‐Cerecedo Roberto
Published: April 2007

Abstract.— The effect on growth and survival of the initial stocking density (50, 100, 150, and 200 larvae/ L) in larval rearing of spotted sand bass was evaluated over 30 d in a closed recirculating system. Larvae were fed with rotifers, copepods, nauplii and adult Artemia, and spotted sand bass yolk‐sac larvae. Water quality was monitored daily. The notochordal or standard length of sampled larvae was measured by image analysis. Specific growth rates at each density were compared by covariance analysis. Survival was estimated from day 15 to the end of the experiment, when a resistance test was used to evaluate the juvenile quality among densities. At the end of the experiment, mean standard length of larvae at lower densities was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than at higher densities. Higher specific growth rates were found at lower densities. Significantly higher survival (P < 0.05) was recorded for the lowest density, but the highest number of harvested fish was obtained with the highest densities (150 and 200 larvae/L). The lowest density also showed the significantly (P < 0.05) higher survival after using a resistance test. We conclude the highest density can be used in larval rearing of spotted sand bass. However, better survival, growth, and seed quality are obtained at the lowest density. To recommend an optimal density for this specie, it is necessary to improve the water quality in the culture system and to make a cost‐benefit study.
Effect of Exposure to Potassium Permanganate on Stress Indicators in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Griffin Billy R. , Davis Kenneth B. , Darwish Ahmed , Straus David L.
Published: April 2007

Juvenile channel catfish Ictulurus punctatus were exposed to 1× (0.44 mg/L), 3× (1.32 mg/L), or 5× (2.19 mg/L) the recommended therapeutic concentrations of waterborne potassium permanganate (KMnO4) for 36 h to determine the toxicity of the chemical. The fish were observed for 14 d after exposure. Gill, liver, and blood samples were collected before exposure, at 12, 24, and 36 h of exposure, and at 48‐h intervals for 14 d thereafter. Analysis of homogenized gill tissue showed a transient increase in manganese content that quickly disappeared once exposure was discontinued. Fish exposed to the 3× and 5× concentrations of KMnO4 experienced 9 and 50.6% mortality, respectively. Plasma cortisol was elevated more than ten‐fold at the 5× concentration. Both plasma chloride and osmolality were significantly reduced at the 3× and 5× concentrations but were unchanged at the 1×. Packed cell volumes (PCV) of whole blood rose significantly in response to 3× and 5× concentrations of KMnO4 Mortality may have been the result of blood electrolyte depletion as indicated by increased PCVs, loss of chloride, and reduced osmolality. All stress indicators measured, except PCV at the 5× concentration, were indistinguishable from unexposed controls within 48 h after exposure was discontinued. At the l× concentration (the concentration most like that employed in a disease treatment) no changes were observed in any stress indicators measured suggesting that KMnO4 may be safely used as a disease therapeutant for channel catfish.
Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Blue Mussel Extract on Growth and Body Composition of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Kikuchi Kotaro , Ueda Aiko , S Haruo , Takeda Shigenobu
Published: April 2007

Dietary inclusion of a water‐soluble fraction of blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was examined as a feeding stimulant for juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. The control diet mainly consisted of fish meal, potato starch, and pollack liver oil. Five, 10, and 20% (weight/weight) of the control diet was exchanged with aqueous extracts of blue mussel meat in experimental groups. Fish of about 10 g in initial body weight were fed each diet to satiation, twice daily, 6 d per wk for 6 wk at 20 C. The final body weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency of fish fed the diets containing blue mussel extracts were significantly higher than those of fish fed the control diet. However, these parameters were not different among experimental groups containing blue mussel extract independent of the inclusion level of extract. A similar trend was shown in protein efficiency ratio as fish fed the control diet had a significantly lower protein efficiency ratio than the other dietary groups. Compared to the control diet, higher plasma protein and lower triglyceride were found in fish fed the diets with the extract, while other blood constituents were relatively similar for the dietary groups tested. On the other hand, whole‐body crude lipid content and lipid retention of fish fed the diets with the extract were generally significantly higher than those of fish fed the control diet. Whole body crude protein was identical regardless of the dietary composition; however, protein retention of fish showed a similar trend to lipid retention.
Acclimation of Litopenaeus vannamei Postlarvae to Low Salinity: Influence of Age, Salinity Endpoint, and Rate of Salinity Reduction
Authors: McGraw W. J. , Davis D. A. , Teichert‐Coddington D. , Rouse D. B.
Published: April 2007

Abstract.— Inland culture of Liropenaeus vannarnei in low salinity well waters is currently conducted on a small scale in a few areas in the U.S. To successfully rear shrimp in low salinity water, postlarvae (PL) must be transferred from high‐salinity larval rearing systems to low‐salinity growout conditions. To determine effective transfer methods, a series of experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the influence of PL age, rate of acclimation, and salinity endpoint on 48 h survival of shrimp. Three age classes of L. vannurnei PL (10, 15, and 20‐d) were acclimated from a salinity of 23 ppt to treatment endpoint salinities of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL10 acclimated to 0, 1, or 2 ppt salinity was significantly lower than survival of PL acclimated to salinities of 4, 8, and 12 ppt. Survival of PL, and PL20 shrimp was only reduced for the 0 ppt salinity treatment, thus indicating a clear effect of age on salinity tolerance. The same age classes of PL were acclimated from 23 ppt to final salinity endpoints of I or 4 ppt at three different rates of salinity reduction: low, 19%/h; medium, 258/h, and high, 478/h. Survival was not significantly influenced by the acclimation rates for any of the three PL age classes. As in the fixed rate experiments, survival of the 10‐d‐old PL was significantly lower for shrimp acclimated to the 1 ppt endpoint compared to the 4 ppt endpoint. Under the reported conditions, age appears to influence PL tolerance to a salinity end‐point. A 10‐d‐old PL can be acclimated to 4 ppt with good survival, whereas 15‐ and 20‐d‐old PL can be acclimated to a salinity of 1 ppt with good survivals.
The Effect of Diet on the Biochemical Composition of Juvenile Artemia: Potential Formulations for Rock Lobster Aquaculture
Authors: Nelson Matthew M. , Mooney Ben D. , Nichols Peter D. , Phleger Charles E , Smith Greg G. , Hart Piers , Ritar Arthur J.
Published: April 2007

The lipid class and fatty acid (FA) composition of juvenile Artemia fed continuously on four diets—the microalga Tetraselmis suecica, a mix of oat bran‐wheat germ‐lecithin (OWL), OwL‐eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and OWL‐EPA‐arachidonic acid (AA)—were examined over a 9‐d experiment in an attempt to approximate the FA profile of phyllosoma larvae of wild southern rock lobster Jasus edwardrii. The main difference in lipid class composition of Artemia fed the four diets was the relative level of polar lipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG). By day 9, the algal‐fed Artemia were highest in PL (95% of total lipid) and lowest in TAG (2%), whereas the remaining diets resulted in Artemia with 16–30% PL and 41–82% TAG. After 2 d, the relative FA composition of all Artemia treatments closely reflected those of the diets, with no marked change after further feeding (to day 9). In terms of the content of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), by day 5 Artemia fed: 1) with the algal diet contained 7 mg/g FA dry mass (0.3% DHA, 6.3% EPA, 3.4% AA of total FA); 2) with the OWL diet contained 3 mg/g (0.3% DHA, 0.9% EPA, 0.7% AA); 3) with the OWL‐EPA diet contained 55 mg/g (6.2% DHA, 11.6% EPA, 1.1% AA); and 4) with the OWL‐EPA‐AA contained 83 mg/g (3.8% DHA, 7.5% EPA, 17.4% AA). The PUFA profiles of Artemia using the OWL‐oil diets were similar to wild rock lobster phyllmmata, although levels of doco‐sahexaenoic acid (DHA) were lower (10% DHA) than in J. edwardsii larvae. On the basis of PUFA composition data alone, the results suggest the suitability of the OWL‐oil mixed diets for consideration for feeding to Artemia used in the culture of southern rock lobster larvae, particularly if the level of DHA can be further enhanced.
Evaluation of Yellow Lupin Lupinus luteus Meal as an Alternative Protein Resource in Diets for Sea‐Cage Reared Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Glencross Brett , Curnow John , Hawkins Wayne , Felsing Malene
Published: April 2007

The performance of sea‐water reared rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fed three isonitrogenous and iso‐energetic diets based on either fishmeal, solvent‐extracted soybean meal or yellow lupin (L luteus cv. Wodjil) kernel meal was evaluated. Over the course of a 10‐wk study, the fastest growing fish were those fed the diet containing 50% yellow lupin kernel meal (YLM), which grew from 83.6 ± 0.7 g to 322.8 ± 3.2 g (mean ± SEM). This was not significantly faster than growth of fish fed the diet based on 50% solvent‐extracted soybean meal (SBM), though it was significantly (P < 0.05) faster than the growth of fish fed the fishmeal based diet (FSM). Growth of fish fed the experimental diets was comparable to growth of fish fed a range of commercial diets as a reference. Survival of fish fed the FSM diet was poorest of all the treatments (47.4%), though this was only significantly poorer than that of fish fed the YLM diet (88.9%). Feed intake was highest by fish fed the YLM diet (5.58 g/d) and lowest for fish fed the FSM diet (336 g/d). Reasons for these differences in feed intake were not clear, though they may be related to different levels of buoyancy and palatability among the diets. Feed conversion rate (FCR) was consistent between treatments at about 1.6:1, though given that this study was a sea‐cage based experiment it is likely that considerable unaccounted feed losses occurred, thereby inflating the feed conversion value. Sensory evaluation of fish fed the three test treatments showed no overall difference in the acceptability of the fish, further supporting that solvent‐extracted soybean meal and yellow lupin kernel meal both have considerable potential to replace fishmeal as a protein resource in diets for rainbow trout.
Effects of Oral Administration of Specific Antibodies to Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Nielsen Michael Engelbrecht , Buchmann Kurt
Published: April 2007

A new product called oralized fish serum concentrate (OFSC) was evaluated for a possible effect against various bacterial pathogens in rainbow trout. The OFSC produced from immune trout sera was found to contain fully functional antibodies and complement component C3. The antibodies detected in the serum concentrate were specific to Vibrio anguillarum (O1 and O2) and Aeromonas salmonicida, which had been used for vaccination of the fish prior to serum collection. The functionality of the specific antibodies in OFSC was not reduced after 6 wk storage at ‐20 C, 5 C, and 20 C. The serum was mixed with commercial trout feed and used for feeding rainbow trout fry (first feed period). After oral delivery of OFSC to rainbow trout for 1 mo, samples of gut content and gut tissue contained functional antibodies. In gutted fish no functional antibodies were found. This suggests that antibodies from OFSC are unable to be transferred across the gut wall in a functional state. Oral administration of OFSC did not increase survival of rainbow trout in an immersion challenge with Vibrio anguillarum.
Influence of Hatchery Protocols on Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Japanese Flounder Juveniles
Authors: Asahida Takashi , Shinotsuka Yumi , Saitoh Unji , Yamashita Yoh , Ida Hitoshi , Hayashizaki Ken‐Ichi
Published: April 2007

The Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is a commercially important fish that is stocked extensively from hatchery rearing programs in Japan. To examine the genetic variability of hatchery‐raised juveniles of the Japanese flounder that are used for stocking into natural waters, we analyzed a portion of the mitochondrial genome. The mtDNA region extending from the 3’half of the cytochrome b gene to the central domain of the control region was PCR amplified and analyzed using 11 restriction endonucleases. We identified 34 polymorphic cleavage sites out of a total of 61 sites, which resulted in 67 different haplotypes in a total of 265 offspring, examined from eight hatchery stocks. Haplotype diversity of offspring at each of the eight hatcheries ranged from 0.49 ± 0.09 (SE) to 0.94 ± 0.03 (SE). Also, we observed 40 polymorphic sites out of a total of 59 sites, which resulted in a total of 50 haplotypes in 60 wild flounder. Haplotype diversity of the wild population was 0.98 ± 0.01 (SE). The use of subcultured fishes as broodstock appears to be one of the most important causes of reduced genetic diversity in hatchery‐raised flounder juvenile. Our results suggest that the use of wild fish for broodstock is an effective way to maintain genetic variability in Japanese flounder offspring.
The Effects of Osmolality, Cryoprotectant and Equilibration Time on Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Sperm Motility
Authors: He Shuyang , Woods L. Curry
Published: April 2007

Four experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of osmolality, cryoprotectant, and equilibration time on striped bass sperm motility. In the first experiment, solutions of NaCI or KCI with osmolalities ranging from 0 to 700 mmol/kg were tested on sperm activation. Over 60% of the sperm were activated by isotonic NaCI and KCI solutions with a treatment osmolality of 350 mmol/kg. Sperm remained motile until osmolality increased to 600 mmol/ kg. In the second and third experiments, Extenders 1, 2 and 3 with osmolalities of 350, 500, and 600 mmol/kg, respectively, were tested. Sperm samples stored in Extender 2 showed significantly higher (P 0.01) sperm motility after 10 min of exposure as well as greater (P < 0.01) post‐thaw motility when compared to samples stored in Extenders 1 and 3. In the fourth experiment, two trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of cryoprotectant and equilibration time. In the first trial, methanol with a concentration of 5% and 10% yielded the highest (P < 0.05) sperm motility prior to freezing at all equilibration times examined. However, 5% DMSO yielded the highest (P < 0.01) post‐thaw motility (38 ± 3.6%). DMSO with concentrations of 10% and 15% resulted in 17 ± 2.3% and 6 ± 1.0% post‐thaw motility, respectively. Both methanol and DMA, at all concentrations tested, resulted in less than 10% post‐thaw motility. In the second trial, four DMSO concentrations with three different equilibration times were examined. We observed a significant (P < 0.001) interaction effect between DMSO concentration and equilibration time. Post‐thaw motility was significantly greater (P < 0.01) with a concentration of 5% DMSO at all equilibration times examined, compared to 1.25, 2.5, and 10% DMSO. An average post‐thaw motility of 40 ± 2.9% was achieved after 10 min equilibration using 5% DMSO.
Effects of Light Intensity and Salinity on Growth, Survival, and Whole‐Body Osmolality of Larval Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma
Authors: Henne James P. , Watanabe Wade O.
Published: April 2007

The southern flounder Paralichthys lethosligma is a high‐valued flatfish found in estuarine and shelf waters of the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Wide temperature and salinity tolerances exhibited by juveniles and adults make it a versatile new candidate for commercial culture, and studies are underway in the southeastern U.S. to develop hatchery methods for this species. The objectives of this study were to establish illumination and salinity conditions that optimize growth and survival of larval southern flounder reared through the yolk‐sac and first feeding stages to 15‐d post‐hatching (15 dph). Early embryos were stocked into black 15‐L tanks under light intensities of 5, 50, 100, and 1,000 Ix and at salinities of 24 and 34 ppt in a 4 ± 2 factorial design. Significant (P 0.05) effects of both light intensity and salinity on growth and survival were obtained, with no interaction between these effects. On 11 dph and 15 dph, growth was generally maximized at the intermediate light intensities (50 and 100 Ix) and minimized at the extremes (5 and 1,000 Ix). By 15 dph, growth was higher at 34 ppt than at 24 ppt. Survival to 15 dph showed trends similar to those of growth. Survival was higher at 100 Ix (avg. = 46%, range = 41–54%) than at 5 Ix (avg. = 11%, range = 6–17%) and higher at 34 ppt (avg. = 43%, range = 3145%) than at 24 ppt (avg. = 17%, range = 8–38%). Whole‐body osmolality (mOsmol/kg) was significantly lower in larvae reared at 24 ppt (avg. = 304, range = 285–325) through 11 dph than in larvae reared at 34 ppt (avg. = 343, range = 296–405). Larvae reared under the extreme light intensity treatments (5 and 1,000 Ix) at 34 ppt appeared to exhibit osmoregulatory stress, particularly on 11 dph, when a marked increase in whole‐body osmolality was observed. The mid‐intensity treatments (50 and 100 Ix) at 34 ppt optimized growth and survival of larval southern flounder in this study; and elicited the most stable osmotic response. These conditions appear to be consistent with those that southern flounder larvae encounter in nature during this early developmental period.
Diel Foraging Behavior of American White PelicansPelecanus erythrorhynchoson Experimental Aquaculture Ponds
Authors: Werner Scott J.
Published: April 2007

Videography and night vision equipment were used to observe the diurnal and nocturnal activities of American white pelicansPelecanus erythrorhynchos(N=6) foraging on three experimental (0.04 ha) channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture ponds in March 2001. Captive pelicans spent most time foraging per hour from 1700 through 2300 h (CST). No foraging was observed from 0700 through 0800 h. Fish captures per hour were greatest from 1700 through 1900 h. On average, captive pelicans (N= 5) consumed 1.0 ± 0.2 kg of catfish per bird per day during the 10‐d foraging trial. This consumption corresponds with an average intake of over 60,000 kJ of energy per bird during the trial. Relative to morning hours, the average number of bill dips per min was greater during afternoon foraging bouts. Fish captures per bill dip, however, did not differ among trial hours. Thus, pelicans were observed to increase foraging effort subsequent to 1500 h and thereby consumed 224 to 532 catfish (average = 313 ± 74 fish;N =4) during the 10‐d foraging trial in ponds stocked with approximately 74,000 catfish/ha.
Food Habits of Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Occupying Baitfish Aquaculture Facilities in Arkansas
Authors: Wooten David E. , Werner Scott J.
Published: April 2007

Lesser scaup Aythya affinis, medium‐sized black and white diving ducks, were collected at Arkansas baitfish farms during November‐December 1999 (N= 33), January‐February 2000 (N= 39), and March‐April 2000 (N = 22) to determine seasonal differences in their diet and their relative impact to baitfish production. The mass of gastrointestinal contents was used to determine the proportion of each diet item relative to all items recovered during stomach analyses. Chironomids were the primary food item recovered. Ten of 94 (10.6%) scaup contained identifiable fish biomass. Fish bones and otoliths were found in an additional 14 scaup (14.9%). All fish remains were identified (via otoliths) as those commonly produced at Arkansas baitfish farms (Cyprinidae). Other diet items (ranked by proportional mass) were vegetative seeds, snails, insects, crayfish, and other aquatic worms (class Oligochaeta). Scaup diets were similar among collection periods, between males and females, and between juvenile and mature ducks. We estimated the economic impact of lesser scaup to baitfish production based upon estimated duration of ducks at farms, the proportion of ducks containing fish, and scaup energetic requirements. Provided estimates of scaup abundance and the cost of bird harassment at a particular farm, economic thresholds (i.e., fish replacement cost as a function of scaup predation) will facilitate cost‐effective decisions regarding bird damage management at Arkansas baitfish aquaculture facilities.
Parental Contributions in a Japanese Flounder Hatchery Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes
Authors: Asahida Takashi , Shinotsuka Yumi , Saitoh Kenji , Tsuzaki Tatsuo , Aritaki Masato , Yamashita Yoh
Published: April 2007

We analyzed a portion of the mitochondrial genome of hatchery Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus to compare the genetic characteristics between maternal parents and their offspring. The maternal parents consisted of 11 subcultured fish (broodstock taken from hatchery‐raised fish) and 41 wild fish. A 1098 base pair region extending from the 3’half of the cytochrome b gene to the central domain of the control region of mtDNA was amplified by PCR and analyzed using 11 restriction endonucleases. We also analyzed the number of copies of tandem repeats in the control region from the sizes of the PCR products. Each female parent had a unique haplotype, but only 31 of them were observed among the 66 offspring examined. From these results, we estimated that about 60% of the maternal parents in the hatchery contributed to the offspring we surveyed. The distribution of the family sizes of the wild fish was Poisson, which is consistent with expectation from a randomly mating population. In contrast, the distribution of family sizes of the subcultured fish deviated from a Poisson distribution. One of the sources of the deviation was that none of the six oldest fishes contributed to offspring production, which is consistent with observation that the spawning peaks later in the spawning season for older fish in flounder hatcheries. Uneven contribution of the female flounders in the hatchery has the potential to reduce substantially the genetic diversity in the offspring. Our results suggest that the misuse of subcultured fish as broodstock is an important cause of reduced genetic diversity in hatchery‐raised flounder juvenile.
Determination of Dose Rate of Florfenicol in Feed for Control of Mortality in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) Infected with Edwardsiella ictaluri, Etiological Agent of Enteric Septicemia
Authors: Gaunt Patricia S. , Endris Richard G. , Khoo Lester , Howard Rebecca , McGinnis Anissa L. , Santucci Timothy D. , Katz Terry
Published: April 2007

–A dose titration study was conducted to determine the appropriate dosage of florfenicol in feed to control mortality in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus associated with enteric septicemia of catfish caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri. Six tanks (20 fish/ tank) were assigned to each of the following treatment: 1) not challenged with E. ictaluri and fed unmedicated feed; 2) challenged with E. ictaluri and fed unmedicated feed; 3) challenged and fed 5‐mg florfenicol/kg body weight (kg bw); 4) challenged and fed 10‐mg florfenicol/kg bw; or 5) challenged and fed 15‐mg florfenicol/kg bw. Treatment was initiated the day after inoculation, and feed was administered by hand at 2.5% body weight for 10 consecutive days. Feeding activity was scored for all groups and was noted to be significantly less than the challenged, unmedicated group. Cumulative mortality in the challenged untreated group was 60%. The mortality in the unchallenged untreated group was 0%, and in die 5‐, 10‐, 15‐mg florfenicol/kg bw group was 2.5%, 0.8%, and 2.5%, respectively. The mortality in each challenged, treated group and the non‐challenged control group was significantly less than the challenged, unmedicated controls (P < 0.0001 for each contrast). There were no pairwise statistically significant contrasts among the florfenicol treated groups and the non‐challenged control group. All 600 fish in the study were necropsied, cultured for bacteria, and examined by gross pathology. No specific lesions that could be associated with the antibiotic were observed. The efficacy of the 10 mg/kg dosage was confirmed in a separate dose confirmation study. In this study, fish in 30 tanks (20 fish/ tank) were infected with E. icraluri by immersion. Two days post‐inoculation, fish in 15 tanks were hand‐fed unmedicated feed, and 15 tanks were hand‐fed medicated feed at a dosage of 10‐mg florfenicol/kg bw at 2.5% body weight for 10 d. Feeding activity was scored and was noted to be significantly less than the challenged, unmedicated group. Cumulative mortality in the florfenicol group (14%) was significantly less than cumulative mortality in the untreated group (87.3%) (P < 0.0001). All 600 fish were submitted for bacterial culture, necropsied. and examined for gross pathology, and once again, no specific lesions that could be associated with the antibiotic were observed. The minimum inhibitory concentration of florfenicol against E. ictaluri in both studies was 0.25 ug/mL. Florfenicol was palatable, safe, and efficacious for control of mortality due to infection by E. ictaluri in catfish.
Effect of hypothermia on recovery from general anaesthesia in the dog
Authors: Pottie RG , Dart CM , Perkins NR , Hodgson DR
Published: March 2007

Objective To discern the effects of anaesthesia protocols and decreasing core body temperature on time to recovery from general anaesthesia.

Materials and methods Healthy adult dogs undergoing desexing surgery were enrolled. More excitable dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine and morphine; calmer dogs were not premedicated. Anaesthesia was induced using halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane delivered by mask, or by intravenous propofol, and maintained in standard fashion using one of the three inhalant agents. Thermostat controlled heat mats were used during surgical preparation and surgery. Oesophageal temperature was recorded throughout surgery. The time from cessation of anaesthetic administration until the dog successfully raised itself to sternal recumbency was considered the time of recovery.

Results Sixty‐nine dogs completed the study, 42 males anaesthetised for 60.4 ± 20.5 min, and 27 females anaesthetised for 85.4 ± 33.2 min. Oesophageal temperature at the end of surgery was 36.8 ± 0.80°C. Oesophageal temperature had a significant effect on recovery time, with lower temperatures contributing to slower recoveries. Premedication significantly lengthened recovery times. The choice of induction or maintenance anaesthetic agent had no effect on recovery time.

Discussion Hypothermia is a common complication of general anaesthesia and surgery. Amongst other deleterious effects, it is associated with slower recovery from anaesthesia, likely due to a number of different mechanisms.
Prediction of Sorbent Performance in a Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler Based on Petrographic Properties
Authors: Rozelle Peter L. , Pisupati Sarma V. , Scaroni Alan W.
Published: March 2007

A method for prediction of sorbent consumption is presented here and has been developed based on plant operating data for a boiler in which several limestone and dolostone products were tested under similar firing conditions. The method considers the characteristic partitioning of calcium and sulfur between the flyash and bottom ash stream for the boiler, the feed particle size distribution of the sorbent, and petrographic properties of the sorbents. The predictions of sorbent usage were compared to plant operating data for five sorbents, of two distinct petrographic types. The plant operating data used featured full load operation. The five sorbents tested were all from Pennsylvania, and each contained greater than 40wt.% CaO. In four of the five cases, the predicted sorbent usage was within 10wt.% of the average full load sorbent usage by the boiler.
Oxygen Separation/Enrichment From Atmospheric Air Using Magnetizing Force
Authors: Asako Yutaka , Suzuki Yohei
Published: March 2007

Oxygen is a paramagnetic gas and it has relatively high magnetic susceptibility. On the contrary, nitrogen is a diamagnetic gas and it has relatively low and negative magnetic susceptibility. This results in countermagnetizing forces acting on these gases. The characteristics of oxygen separation/enrichment from atmospheric air in a capsule and air flow in a parallel-plate duct using a magnetizing force were investigated numerically. The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method was utilized to obtain distribution of oxygen concentration of air under a strong magnetic field gradient. The molecular movement was calculated by taking into account the magnetizing forces on the molecules. The computations were performed for a wide range of pressure and magnetic flux density gradient. Quantitative characteristics of oxygen separation/enrichment from atmospheric air under a strong magnetic field gradient and a parameter which governs this phenomenon are obtained from the simulation results.
Internal Organizational Measurement for Control of Magnetorheological Fluid Properties
Authors: Lloyd John R. , Hayesmichel Miquel O. , Radcliffe Clark J.
Published: March 2007

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids change their physical properties when subjected to a magnetic field. As this change occurs, the specific values of the physical properties are a function of the fluid’s time-varying organization state. This results in a nonlinear, hysteretic, time-varying fluid property response to direct magnetic field excitation. Permeability, resistivity and permittivity changes of MR fluid were investigated and their suitability to indicate the organizational state of the fluid, and thus other transport properties, was determined. High sensitivity of permittivity and resistivity to particle organization and applied field was studied experimentally. The measurable effect of these material properties can be used to implement an MR fluid state sensor.
Daptomycin Nonsusceptibility in
Staphylococcus aureus
with Reduced Vancomycin Susceptibility Is Independent of Alterations in MprF
Authors: Pillai Satish K. , Gold Howard S. , Sakoulas George , Wennersten Christine , Moellering Robert C. , Eliopoulos George M.
Published: April 2007

A previous study documented the presence of mutations in
mprF
that accompanied the loss of daptomycin susceptibility among
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates following exposure to the drug. An association between the development of glycopeptide-intermediate
S. aureus
and daptomycin nonsusceptibility has also been recently described. We report that among three clinical
S. aureus
isolates which developed vancomycin heteroresistance, as well as daptomycin nonsusceptibility despite a lack of exposure to this drug, there were no mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions in MprF.
Reduced Pathology following Infection with TransgenicLeishmania majorExpressing Murine CD40 Ligand
Authors: Field Ann E. , Wagage Sagie , Conrad Sean M. , Mosser David M.
Published: April 2007

Leishmanization is the inoculation of liveLeishmaniainto the host to vaccinate against subsequent infections. This approach has been largely discontinued due to safety concerns. We have previously shown that combining CD40 ligand (CD40L) withLeishmaniaantigen preferentially induces a type 1 immune response and provides some protection to vaccinated mice (G. Chen, P. A. Darrah, and D. M. Mosser, Infect. Immun.69:3255-3263, 2001). In the present study, we developed transgenicL. majororganisms which express and secrete the extracellular portion of CD40L (L. majorCD40LE). We hypothesized that these organisms would be less virulent but more immunogenic than wild-type organisms and therefore be more effective at leishmanization. Transgenic parasites expressing CD40L mRNA and protein were developed. BALB/c mice infected with these parasites developed significantly smaller lesions containing fewer parasites than animals infected with wild-type organisms. Infection of resistant C57BL/6 mice with low doses of transgenic parasites induced a significant amount of protection against subsequent high-dose infection with wild-type organisms. These results demonstrate that transgenic organisms expressing CD40L are less virulent than wild-type organisms while retaining full immunogenicity.
Disruption of Interleukin-27 Signaling Results in Impaired Gamma Interferon Production but Does Not Significantly Affect Immunopathology in Murine Schistosome Infection
Authors: Shainheit Mara G. , Saraceno Rosita , Bazzone Lindsey E. , Rutitzky Laura I. , Stadecker Miguel J.
Published: April 2007

In schistosomiasis mansoni, parasite eggs cause hepatointestinal granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis mediated by CD4 T cells specific for egg antigens. The severity of disease varies extensively in humans and among mouse strains. Marked disease exacerbation induced in typically low-pathology C57BL/6 mice by immunization with schistosome egg antigens (SEA) in complete Freund's adjuvant (SEA/CFA) correlates with elevated production of the proinflammatory cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17), which are regulated by IL-12 and IL-23, respectively. Here we examined the effect on the schistosome infection of a third member of the IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines, IL-27, using SEA/CFA-immunized and unimmunized mice deficient in the IL-27 receptor chain WSX-1 (WSX-1−/−). SEA-stimulated bulk mesenteric lymph node cells or CD4 T cells from 7-week-infected WSX-1−/−mice produced significantly less IFN-γ than did those from C57BL/6 mice, even though there was no difference between these mice in exacerbated hepatic egg-induced granulomatous inflammation or in the levels of IL-17 induced by immunization with SEA/CFA. A fraction of the cells in the granulomas stained positive for IL-27, but there were no significant differences between WSX-1−/−and BL/6 mice, nor were there differences in the number of CD4 T cells and eosinophils. A 24-week chronic infection resulted in markedly reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, in WSX-1−/−mice, but again the magnitude of immunopathology was not significantly different between the two groups. These findings indicate that despite the impaired IFN-γ production, IL-27 signaling has no significant effect on either the magnitude of egg-induced immunopathology or on its closest in vitro correlate, IL-17.
Impact of Zygomycosis on Microbiology Workload: a Survey Study in Spain
Authors: Torres-Narbona Marta , Guinea Jesús , Martínez-Alarcón José , Muñoz Patricia , Gadea Ignacio ,   and Emilio Bouza as a representative of the MYCOMED Zygomycosis Study Group
Published: March 2007

This multicenter, population-based study evaluated the laboratory workload produced by zygomycetes and the number of cases of zygomycosis in Spain during 2005. Less than 8% of the patients who harbored zygomycete isolates had zygomycosis. The incidence of zygomycosis (6 cases) was 0.43 cases/1,000,000 inhabitants and 0.62 cases/100,000 hospital admissions.
A Distinct Group of Hepacivirus/Pestivirus-Like Internal Ribosomal Entry Sites in Members of DiversePicornavirusGenera: Evidence for Modular Exchange of Functional Noncoding RNA Elements by Recombination
Authors: Hellen Christopher U. T. , de Breyne Sylvain
Published: March 2007

The 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of the RNA genomes ofFlaviviridaeof theHepacivirusandPestivirusgenera contain internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs) that are unrelated to the two principal classes of IRESs ofPicornaviridae. The mechanism of translation initiation onhepacivirus/pestivirus (HP) IRESs, which involves factor-independent binding to ribosomal 40S subunits, also differs fundamentally from initiation on these picornavirus IRESs. Ribosomal binding to HP IRESs requires conserved sequences that form a pseudoknot and the adjacent IIId and IIIe domains; analogous elements do not occur in the two principal groups of picornavirus IRESs. Here, comparative sequence analysis was used to identify a subset of picornaviruses from multiple genera that contain 5′ UTR sequences with significant similarities to HP IRESs. They are avian encephalomyelitis virus, duck hepatitis virus 1, duck picornavirus, porcine teschovirus, porcine enterovirus 8, Seneca Valley virus, and simian picornavirus. Their 5′ UTRs are predicted to form several structures, in some of which the peripheral elements differ from the corresponding HP IRES elements but in which the core pseudoknot, domain IIId, and domain IIIe elements are all closely related. These findings suggest that HP-like IRESs have been exchanged between unrelated virus families by recombination and support the hypothesis that RNA viruses consist of modular coding and noncoding elements that can exchange and evolve independently.
Quantum Monte Carlo Simulations of Adulteration Effect on Bond Alternating Spin=1/2 Chain
Authors: Zhang Peng , Xu Zhaoxin , Ying Heping , Dai Jianhui , Crompton Peter
Published: March 2007

The S =1/2 Heisenberg chain with bond alternation and randomness of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) interactions is investigated by quantum Monte Carlo simulations of loop/cluster algorithm. Our results have shown interesting finite temperature magnetic properties of this model. The relevance of our study to former investigation results is discussed.
USE OF CUMULATIVE SUM (CUSUM) TEST FOR DETECTING ABRUPT CHANGES IN THE PROCESS DYNAMICS
Authors: CHETOUANI YAHYA
Published: April 2007

In order to operate a successful plant or process, continuous improvement must be made in the areas of safety, quality and reliability. Central to this continuous improvement is the early or proactive detection of process faults. Even though fault detection algorithms are designed and implemented for quickly detecting incidents, most these algorithms do not have an optimal property in terms of detection delay with respect to false alarm rate. Based on this optimization property, a real-time system for detecting changes in dynamic systems is designed in this paper. This work is motivated by combining two fault detection (FD) methods; a simplified procedure of the incident detection problem is formulated by using the combination of the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) or Page-Hinkley test. It is intended to reveal any drift from the normal behavior of the process. The process behavior under its normal operating conditions is established by a reliable model. In order to obtain this reliable model for the process dynamics, the black-box identification by means of a NARX (Nonlinear Auto-Regressive with eXogenous input) model is chosen in this study. The purpose is to develop and test the fault detection method on a real incident data, to detect the change presence, and pinpoint the moment it occurred. The experimental results demonstrate the robustness of the FD method.
Endogenous Motor Neuron Properties Contribute to a Program-Specific Phase of Activity in the Multifunctional Feeding Central Pattern Generator ofAplysia
Authors: Serrano Geidy E. , Martínez-Rubio Clarissa , Miller Mark W.
Published: March 2007

Multifunctional central pattern generators (CPGs) are circuits of neurons that can generate manifold actions from a single effector system. This study examined a bilateral pair of pharyngeal motor neurons, designated B67, that participate in the multifunctional feeding network of Aplysia californica. Fictive buccal motor programs (BMPs) were elicited with four distinct stimulus paradigms to assess the activity of B67 during ingestive versus egestive patterns. In both classes of programs, B67 fired during the phase of radula protraction and received a potent inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) during fictive radula retraction. When programs were ingestive, the retraction phase IPSP exhibited a depolarizing sag and was followed by a postinhibitory rebound (PIR) that could generate a postretraction phase of impulse activity. When programs were egestive, the depolarizing sag potential and PIR were both diminished or were not present. Examination of the membrane properties of B67 disclosed a cesium-sensitive depolarizing sag, a corresponding Ih-like current, and PIR in its responses to hyperpolarizing pulses. Direct IPSPs originating from the influential CPG retraction phase interneuron B64 were also found to activate the sag potential and PIR of B67. Dopamine, a modulator that can promote ingestive behavior in this system, enhanced the sag potential, Ih-like current, and PIR of B67. Finally, a pharyngeal muscle contraction followed the radula retraction phase of ingestive, but not egestive motor patterns. It is proposed that regulation of the intrinsic properties of this motor neuron can contribute to generating a program-specific phase of motor activity.
Motor Cortical Representation of Position and Velocity During Reaching
Authors: Wang Wei , Chan Sherwin S. , Heldman Dustin A. , Moran Daniel W.
Published: March 2007

This study examines motor cortical representation of hand position and its relationship to the representation of hand velocity during reaching movements. In all, 978 motor cortical neurons were recorded from the proximal arm area of rostral motor cortex. The results demonstrate that position and velocity are simultaneously encoded by single motor cortical neurons in an additive fashion and that the relative weights of the position and velocity signals change dynamically during reaching. The two variables—hand position and hand velocity—are highly correlated in the standard center-out reaching task. A new reaching task (standard reaching) is introduced to minimize these correlations. Likewise, a new decoding method (indirect OLE) was developed to analyze the data by simultaneously decoding both three-dimensional (3D) hand position and 3D hand velocity from correlated neural activity. This method shows that, on average, the reconstructed velocity led the actual hand velocity by 122 ms, whereas the reconstructed position signal led the actual hand position by 81 ms.
NF-kappaB-Dependent Apoptotic Hair Cell Death in the Auditory System
Authors: Nagy Ivana , Caelers Antje , Monge Arianne , Bonabi Sharouz , Huber Alexander M. , Bodmer Daniel
Published: March 2007

Hair cells are the most vulnerable elements in the inner ear and their degeneration is the most common cause of hearing loss. In the last few years progress has been made in uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved in hair cell damage and death. However, little is known about factors important for hair cell survival. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the transcription factor NF-kappaB is required for survival of immature auditory hair cells in vitro. Here we used DNA microarray technology to explore NF-kappaB downstream events in organ of Corti explants of postnatal day-5 Sprague-Dawley rats which were exposed to a cell-permeable NF-kappaB-inhibitory peptide. Gene expression was analyzed using DNA microarray technology. Genes were selected on the basis of comparative analysis, which reliably distinguished the NF-kappaB inhibitor-treated samples from control samples. Interestingly, among the up-regulated genes was the gene coding for the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Moreover, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in organ of Corti explants exposed to the NF-kappaB inhibitor reduced caspase-3 activation. These data link NF-kappaB-dependent hair cell death to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling.
Perceptions of Risk and Prevention of Dementia in the Healthy Elderly
Authors: Yeo L.H. Joyce , Horan Michael A. , Jones Maureen , Pendleton Neil
Published: March 2007

Objectives: (1) To determine the attitudes and perceptions of the elderly with regard to dementia. (2) To correlate these beliefs with demographic variables of age, sex, intelligence scores and social class. Method: A postal questionnaire survey of a sample of 562 subjects of the Manchester University Age and Cognitive Performance longitudinal study group. Results: The response rate was 95%. Most responders (69%) did not worry about dementia, although they were more likely to think about it if they had a family member with dementia (p < 0.005). There is no link between social class, sex, intelligence scores and age with regard to worries and concerns of dementia. The majority of responders (82%) took action to maintain their health but demonstrated poor awareness of risks or protective factors for dementia. Conclusion: The elderly on the whole were not fearful of dementia or of acquiring it. There was poor awareness of risks or protective factors for dementia.
Similar Associations of Parental Prenatal Smoking Suggest Child Blood Pressure Is Not Influenced by Intrauterine Effects
Authors: Brion Marie-Jo A. , Leary Sam D. , Smith George Davey , Ness Andy R.
Published: April 2007

Maternal smoking in pregnancy may be associated with higher offspring blood pressure; however, results of previous studies have been inconsistent and included varying confounder adjustments. We studied the association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and offspring blood pressure at 7 years in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, accounting for important social and environmental confounders and using partner smoking to investigate intrauterine effects. Analysis was carried out in 6509 children with maternal smoking data and 7149 children with partner smoking data. In models adjusting for child age and sex, modest differences in systolic blood pressure were observed between children of mothers who did and did not smoke during pregnancy (β=0.64 mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.20;
P
=0.02). Adjusting for all of the confounders attenuated this difference toward the null (β=0.05 mm Hg; 95% CI: −0.59 to 0.68;
P
=0.9), mostly because of adjustment for breastfeeding, maternal education, and family social class. Associations were similar between maternal and partner smoking with offspring systolic blood pressure (for partner smoking: β=0.62 mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.17 to 1.07;
P
=0.07 minimally adjusted and β=0.26 mm Hg; 95% CI: −0.36 to 0.87;
P
=0.4 fully adjusted), providing further evidence that differences in child blood pressure observed in minimally adjusted models are not because of a biological influence of maternal smoking on the intrauterine environment.