Interactive effect of ractopamine and dietary fat source on quality characteristics of fresh pork bellies

Crossbred pigs (n = 216) were used to test the interaction, if any, of ractopamine (RAC) and dietary fat source on the characteristics of fresh pork bellies. Pigs were blocked by BW (77.6 +/- 6.5 kg) and allotted randomly to pens (6 pigs/pen). After receiving a common diet devoid of RAC for 2 wk, pens within blocks were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design, with 5% fat (beef tallow vs. soybean oil) and RAC (0 vs. 10 mg/kg). At the conclusion of the 35-d feeding period, pigs were slaughtered at a commercial pork packing plant (average BW of 108.8 +/- 0.6 kg), and fresh bellies were captured during carcass fabrication. Neither RAC (P = 0.362) nor fat source (P = 0.247) affected belly thickness. Subjective (bar-suspension) or objective (compression test) measures of belly firmness were not (P > or = 0.148) affected by the inclusion of RAC in the diet; however, bellies from pigs fed soybean oil (SBO) were softer than those from pigs fed beef tallow (BT), as indicated by perpendicular (P < or = 0.005) and parallel (P < 0.001) suspensions. Moreover, bellies from BT-fed pigs required more (P = 0.096) force to compress 50% of their thickness than bellies from SBO-fed pigs (52.29 vs. 43.51 kg). Color (L*, a*, and b* values) of the belly lean and fat was not (P > or = 0.131) affected by RAC, and lean color was similar (P > or = 0.262) between fat sources; however, belly fat from BT-fed pigs was lighter (P = 0.030) and redder (P = 0.013) in color than belly fat from SBO-fed pigs. Bellies of SBO-fed pigs had greater (P < 0.001) proportions of PUFA and lower (P < 0.001) proportions of SFA and MUFA than belly fat from pigs fed BT. Regardless of the RAC inclusion level, PUFA:SFA and iodine values were lower in belly fat from pigs fed BT than SBO; however, within SBO-fed pigs, PUFA:SFA and iodine values were further increased by feeding RAC (RAC x fat source, P < 0.001). As expected, dietary fat source altered the fatty acid composition of fresh pork bellies, which subsequently impacted fresh belly firmness. Interestingly, including RAC in swine finishing diets exacerbated the effect of feeding SBO on pork fat polyunsaturation.     

Seasonal and photoperiodic regulation of secretion of hormones associated with reproduction in Magang goose ganders

This study examined the reproductive endocrine profile under natural and artificial photoperiods in Magang goose ganders. Group 1 ganders (n=8) served as non-treated controls and were exposed to natural photoperiod throughout the experiment from 13th January to 17th December 2004. Group 2 ganders (n=8) were exposed to 18 h long daily photoperiod for 60 days from 13 January till 15 March 2004 and again to 16 h photoperiod for 75 days till 10th October 2004, and the 11h short photoperiod in the remainder periods of the experiment. In control ganders, plasma LH concentrations were high in normal breeding seasons (August-March) and decreased to low levels in non-breeding season from April to July. Testosterone concentrations changed similarly to that of LH throughout the seasons. Seasonal pattern of PRL concentrations was opposite to those of LH and testosterone, with low values in breeding season and high values in non-breeding season. In artificial photoperiod treated ganders, increasing photoperiod increased PRL and decreased LH and testosterone concentrations, while decreasing photoperiod reversed these changes. There were no seasonal or photoperiod caused changes in plasma T3 concentrations in both control ganders and artificial photoperiod treated ganders. These results demonstrated that in Magang goose ganders that long photoperiod stimulates PRL secretion and decreases LH secretion, which terminates reproductive season in spring and early summer, and short photoperiod stimulates LH secretion and inhibits PRL secretion rendering ganders enter into reproductive season.     

Differences between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows in the inter-relationships between metabolic traits, milk yield and body condition score in the periparturient period

During the early postpartum period dairy cows mobilize fat and muscle to support lactation. This is associated with alterations in blood metabolite and hormone profiles which in turn influence milk yield and fertility. This study developed models to determine how metabolic traits, milk yield and body condition score were inter-related at different times in the periparturient period and to compare these relationships in primiparous (PP, n=188) and multiparous (MP, n=312) cows. Data from four previous studies which included information on blood metabolic parameters, parity, milk yield, body condition score and diet were collated into a single dataset. Coefficients of polynomial equations were calculated for each trait between -1 week pre-calving and week +7 postpartum using residual maximum likelihood modelling. The completed dataset was used in a multiple correlation model to determine how the best fit curves were related to each other over time. PP cows had higher concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and lower beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations throughout, higher leptin concentrations pre-partum and both the peak in non-esterified fatty acids and the nadir in urea concentration occurred earlier after calving. These differences were associated with significantly lower milk production. Leptin concentrations fell at calving and were related to body condition score. Insulin was negatively correlated with yield in MP cows only. In MP cows the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-I and yield switched from negative to positive between weeks +4 and +7. Both beta-hydroxybutyrate and urea were positively related to yield in PP cows. In contrast, in MP cows beta-hydroxybutyrate was negatively correlated with yield and urea was strongly related to body condition score but not yield. These results suggest that there are differences in the control of tissue mobilization between PP and MP cows which may promote nutrient partitioning into growth as well as milk during the first lactation.     

Inheritance, mode of inheritance, and candidate genes for primary hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonden

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is caused by inappropriate secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by autonomously functioning neoplastic or hyperplastic parathyroid "chief" cells. Keeshonden are thought to be over-represented in studies on canine PHPT, but no proof of heritability or mode of inheritance has been published. The canine disease clinically resembles human familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP). HYPOTHESIS: Primary hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonden is genetically transmitted and is caused by a mutation in 1 of 4 genes implicated in human FIHP: MEN1, CASR, HRPT2, or RET. ANIMALS: Pedigrees consisting of 1647 Keeshonden were created including 219 Keeshonden with known PHPT phenotypes (69 positive). DNA samples were obtained from 176 of the 219 Keeshonden (34 positive). METHODS: Heritability and mode of inheritance were determined by segregation analysis. Canine homologs to the human genes were identified. Exons and surrounding intron regions were sequenced and scanned for sense-altering polymorphisms or polymorphisms that segregated with the disease. Messenger RNA from a parathyroid tumor of an affected Keeshond was analyzed for polymorphisms and splice alterations. RESULTS: PHPT follows an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance in Keeshonden with possible age-dependent penetrance. No polymorphisms identified in the genes analyzed were associated with a change in predicted protein or in hypothesized splice sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PHPT is an autosomal dominant, genetically transmitted disease in Keeshonden. Once the mutation locus is identified, genetic testing should quickly decrease the incidence of PHPT in this breed. It is unlikely that mutations in MEN1, CASR, HRPT2, or RET cause PHPT in Keeshonden.     

Synovial fluid analysis and bacterial findings in arthritic joints of juvenile male camel (Camelus dromedarius) calves

Eighteen synovial fluid samples from 11 male dromedarian calves, 9-12 month old, were analysed cytologically and bacteriologically. Calves were lame and all joints were grossly swollen. The mean +/- SD of total nucleated cell count was 7970 +/- 5000 cells/microl (range 2800-20,000 cells/microl). Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes were the predominant cell type. The mean +/- SD of absolute and percentages of each cell type were as follows: PMN leucocytes 5518 +/- 3600 cells/microl and 68 +/- 19%, monocytes/macrophages 1600 +/- 1120 cells/microl and 26 +/- 17%, lymphocytes 830 +/- 140 cells/microl and 8 +/- 7%, and red blood cell 350 +/- 130 cells/microl. The mean +/- SD of total protein concentration was 3.5 +/- 1 g/dl (range 2.5-5 g/dl). The most commonly isolated bacteria were non-haemolytic streptococci spp., followed by Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. No bacterial growth was obtained in eight samples and non-revealed Mycoplasma spp.     

Nutrient addition and disturbance effects on the community composition and assembly in a desert steppe北大核心CSCD

The effects of short-term nutrient additions (NPKμ, 10 g·m- 2) and disturbances on the species diversity, functional traits, soil properties, and community assembly mechanisms of the herbaceous community in the Urat desert steppe were examined. A mixed linear model, principal component analysis, and null model methods were utilized and both disturbance and interaction treatments were found to significantly reduce species richness and β diversity. Short-term nutrient additions significantly reduced soil pH but increased soil electrical conductivity. Six functional traits of the dominant species (i.e. Stipa glareosa, Peganum harmala, Salsola collina, Corispermum mongolicum) and six community-weighted mean significant changes under the disturbance and nutrient addition treatments were identified. The disturbance and nutrient additions promoted the transformation of the dominant species in the community from conservative strategies to acquisitive strategies. The results of the two null models revealed that community assembly under the control tended to be a stochastic process, while the disturbance and interaction treatments tended to be deterministic processes, and that of the nutrient addition treatments tended to be weaker deterministic processes. Plant communities in the desert steppe responded and adapted to the nutrient additions and disturbances through changes in the dominant species and their crucial functional traits. © 2023 Chinese Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.     

Screening of Urfa pepper landraces for resistance to Meloidogyne incognita

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are significant pathogens that affect the yield and fruit quality in pepper cultivars (Capsicum spp.)....     

Tick-borne encephalitis epidemic in Hungary 1951–2021: The story and lessons learned

The authors analysed epidemiological data of the Hungarian tick-borne encephalitis epidemic from the past seven decades. A total of 911 meningitis serosa cases were described from 1930-1950 s by local hospital physicians, indicating that the virus had been present in the country decades before its official identification in 1952. The virus spread freely in the 1950s–1960s, occupying almost all habitats where ticks occurred in large numbers. The increasing number of cases drove authorities to classify this illness as a notifiable disease in 1977 and to organize the first measures to stop the epidemic. Statistical analysis revealed that the large-scale vaccination launched from the 1990s was responsible for the sharp decrease in the number of human cases from 1997. A significant negative correlation was found between the number of vaccine doses sold and human cases 6 years later. The TBEV endemic area covers 16.57% of the territory and 16.65% of the population of the country. In the last 10 years, 186,000 vaccine doses/year in average were enough to keep the incidence of human TBEV infections between 0.45 and 0.06/100,000 persons. A 20-year-long study found evidence for easing clinical signs in TBEV-infected hospitalized patients. Statistics found a sharp decrease in the number of samples sent for TBEV diagnosis after 1989. Male dominance of patients was characteristic of the epidemics since the 1940s, but now analysis of detailed data from the 1981–2021 period (60.5%–87.5%) proved the statistical significance of this dominance. Obviously, the voluntary vaccination programme was the tool which broke the spread of the epidemic. Widespread public awareness of the disease and the tick vector, probable evolutionary spread of less pathogenic virus strains supplemented with the vaccination campaign led to a negligible level of human TBE cases in Hungary in the last years.     

基于斜率比法评定断奶仔猪对不同铜源的相对生物学利用率

本试验旨在研究不同铜源（硫酸铜、碱式氯化铜和柠檬酸铜）和铜添加水平（20和30 mg/kg）对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清铜含量与含铜酶活性以及组织铜含量的影响,探讨断奶仔猪对不同铜源的相对生物学利用率。试验采用3×2双因子随机区组设计,选取平均体重为（8.98±0.48） kg的杜×长×大三元杂交断奶仔猪112头,随机分为7组,每组4个重复,每个重复4头猪。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮（铜含量为7.80 mg/kg）,各试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加20或30 mg/kg硫酸铜、碱式氯化铜或柠檬酸铜（均以铜含量计）。试验预试期3 d,正试期28 d。结果表明：1）试验组与对照组断奶仔猪平均日增重、平均日采食量和料重比均无显著差异（P>0.05）。2）饲粮铜源和铜添加水平对断奶仔猪血清铜含量具有显著影响（P<0.05）,但对血清铜蓝蛋白和铜锌超氧化物歧化酶活性均无显著影响（P>0.05）。3）饲粮铜源和铜添加水平对断奶仔猪肝脏铜含量具有显著影响（P<0.05）,但对心脏、肾脏、胰脏和跖骨铜含量均无显著影响（P>0.05）。4）根据多元线性回归斜率比法计算,以血清铜...     

凝结芽孢杆菌对热应激肉鸡生长性能及肠道消化与吸收功能的影响

本试验旨在研究凝结芽孢杆菌对热应激肉鸡生长性能及肠道消化与吸收功能的影响。选择320只28日龄健康爱拔益加（AA）肉公鸡,随机分为5个组,每组8个重复,每个重复8只。常温对照组（TC组）肉鸡饲养于（22±1）℃的常温环境,饲喂基础饲粮;热应激组（HS组）肉鸡饲养于（34±1）℃的高温环境,饲喂基础饲粮;热应激试验组肉鸡饲养于（34±1）℃的高温环境,分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.2×107(HS-BC0.2组)、1.0×107(HS-BC1.0组)、5.0×107CFU/g(HS-BC5.0组)凝结芽孢杆菌的试验饲粮。试验期14 d。结果表明：与TC组相比,HS组的末重、平均日增重（ADG）、平均日采食量（ADFI）,干物质和粗蛋白质表观代谢率,空肠食糜总淀粉酶和总蛋白酶酶活,空肠绒毛高度、绒毛高度/隐窝深度以及空肠钠/葡萄糖协同转运蛋白1(SGLT1)、基础氨基酸转运载体（r-BAT）、y+L氨基酸转运载体-1(y+LAT1) mRNA表达量均显著降低（P<0.05）,料重比（F/G）显著增加（P<0.05）。与HS组相比,HS-BC1.0和HS-BC5.0组的ADG、粗蛋...