Abstract A retrospective serosurvey of multi-host feline and canine viruses among carnivore species in southern Africa (n = 1018) identified widespread pathogen exposure even in remote protected areas. In contrast to morality experienced in East African predators, canine distemper virus (CDV) infection among African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Botswana was not associated with identifiable change in pup survivorship or disease related mortality of adults. A disease outbreak of unknown aetiology occurred in the same population over 4 weeks in 1996. Outbreak boundaries coincided with ecotones, not the spatial distribution of contiguous packs, highlighting the potential importance of landscape heterogeneities in these processes. Direct management of pathogens in domestic animal reservoirs is complicated by the apparent complexity of pathogen maintenance and transmission in these large systems. Conservation effort should be focused at securing large metapopulations able to compensate for expected episodic generalist pathogen invasion and attention directed to addressing underlying causes of population depression such as habitat loss and wildlife conflict.

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No description available.

Wild rice is recognized as a whole grain by U.S. FDA and it is rich in polyphenol compounds. This study aimed to investigate the potential cardiovascular benefits of wild rice in LDLr-KO mice. Seventy-two male and female mice were randomly assigned to 3 different diet groups, control diet (a), white diet (b), and wild diet (c) for 24 weeks. Dietary cholesterol 0.06 % (w/w) was added in all diets, and digestible carbohydrate source was replaced with: (a) commercial carbohydrate source (sucrose and corn starch); (b) white rice; (c) wild rice. Incorporation of wild rice in the diet distinctly increases total phenolic content of the diet. Plasma total cholesterol, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol levels declined significantly in wild diet group. The hypocholesterolemic properties of wild rice were mainly attributed to the increased excretion of fecal cholesterol. Our data suggest that substituting refined grains with wild rice may potentially lower cardiovascular risks.

Atherosclerosis is the primary underlying pathology of CVD. Dietary treatment may be considered as one of the initial steps in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Replacing refined carbohydrate source of a cholesterol- enriched diet with antioxidant rich whole grain and inclusion of phytonutrition in the diet such as wild rice and phytosterols may reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The wild rice (Zizania palustris L.), an annual plant native to aquatic areas of the northern America, receives much attention by researchers because of its potent nutritional and phytochemical contents. Furthermore, another dietary component with cardiovascular benefits is the inclusion of plant sterols in our daily diet. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiatherogenic activity of wild rice in combination with phytosterols in LDL-r-KO mice. Male LDL-r-KO mice were divided into 4 groups receiving one of the following experimental diets for 20 weeks: 1. Atherogenic diet, 2.Wild rice (as the main source of dietary carbohydrates) diet, 3. 2% Phytosterols-enriched diet and 4. Diet containing both wild rice and 2 % phytosterols. Blood samples were collected through jugular vein during study, and at sacrifice through cardiac puncture; the heart and fecal materials were collected and used for biochemical and histological examinations. The supplementation of wild rice in combination with phytosterols to an atherogenic diet for up to 20 weeks significantly reduced the total plasma concentrations of cholesterol (TC) in LDLr-KO mice. However, there was no significant difference in triglyceride (TG) in wild rice in combination with phytosterols after 20 week exposure of diet. Further, wild rice in combination with phytosterols resulted in increased fecal excretion of cholesterol. Also, there was reduction in the development of atherosclerotic lesion in the group of mice supplemented with wild rice in combination with 2% phytosterols (w/w). Our data support that combination of plant sterols and wild rice does not have additive effect in lowering cardiovascular risk.

Wild rice is recognized as a whole grain by U.S. FDA and it is rich in polyphenol compounds. This study aimed to investigate the potential cardiovascular benefits of wild rice in LDLr-KO mice. Seventy-two male and female mice were randomly assigned to 3 different diet groups, control diet (a), white diet (b), and wild diet (c) for 24 weeks. Dietary cholesterol 0.06 % (w/w) was added in all diets, and digestible carbohydrate source was replaced with: (a) commercial carbohydrate source (sucrose and corn starch); (b) white rice; (c) wild rice. Incorporation of wild rice in the diet distinctly increases total phenolic content of the diet. Plasma total cholesterol, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol levels declined significantly in wild diet group. The hypocholesterolemic properties of wild rice were mainly attributed to the increased excretion of fecal cholesterol. Our data suggest that substituting refined grains with wild rice may potentially lower cardiovascular risks.

No description available.

Thesis (MSc (Production Animal Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-42). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "August 2008" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-30). Also available online.