Indicators of induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in Danish Holstein cows

Background

The prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cows is high with large impact on economy and welfare. Its current field diagnosis is based on point ruminal pH measurements by oral probe or rumenocentesis. These techniques are invasive and inaccurate, and better markers for the diagnosis of SARA are needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate clinical signs of SARA and to investigate the use of blood, faecal and urinary parameters as indicators of SARA. Six lactating, rumen cannulated, Danish Holstein cows were used in a cross-over study with three periods. The first and second periods included two cows on control diet and two cows on nutritional SARA challenge. The third period only included two cows on SARA challenge. Control diet was a conventional total mixed ration [45.5% dry matter (DM), 17.8% crude protein, 43.8% neutral detergent fibre, and 22.5% acid detergent fibre (DM basis)]. SARA challenge was conducted by substituting control diet with grain pellets (50% wheat/barley) over 3 days to reach 40% grain in the diet. Ruminal pH was measured continuously. Blood samples were collected once daily at 7 h after feeding. Samples of faeces and urine were collected at feeding, and at 7 and 12 h after feeding. Blood samples were analysed for pCO2, pO2, pH, electrolytes, lactate, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV), and total plasma protein concentration. Milk composition, ruminal VFA, and pH of faeces and urine were measured.

Results

SARA was associated with decreased (P < 0.05) minimum ruminal, faecal and urinary pH. Daily times and areas of ruminal pH below 5.8, and 5.6 were increased to levels representative for SARA. Significant differences were detected in milk composition and ruminal VFAs. Blood calcium concentration was decreased (P < 0.05), and pCO₂ tended to be increased (P = 0.10). Significant differences were not detected in other parameters.

Conclusions

SARA challenge was associated with changes in faecal and urinary pH, blood calcium concentration and pCO₂. These may be helpful as indicators of SARA. However changes were small, and diurnal variations were present. None of these parameters are able to stand alone as indicators of SARA.     

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal-Like Cells from Diploid and Triploid Human Embryonic Stem Cells Display Different Gene Expression Profiles

Background:hESCs-MSCs open a new insight into future cell therapy applications, due to their unique characteristics, including immunomodulatory features, proliferation, and differentiation. Methods:Herein, hESCs-MSCs were characterized by IF technique with CD105 and FIBRONECTIN as markers and FIBRONECTIN, VIMENTIN, CD10, CD105, and CD14 genes using RT-PCR technique. FACS was performed for CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 markers. Moreover, these fibroblast-like cells, due to multipotent characteristics, differentiated to the osteoblast. Results:MSCs were derived from diploid and triploid hESC lines using sequential 3D and 2D cultures and characterized with the specific markers. IF showed the expression of FIBRONECTIN and CD105 in hESCs-MSCs. Flow cytometry data indicated no significant difference in the expression of MSC markers after 6 and 13 passages. Interestingly, gene expression profiles revealed slight differences between MSCs from diploid and triploid hESCs. The hESCs-MSCs displayed osteogenic differentiation capacity, which was confirmed by Alizarin red staining. Conclusion:Our findings reveal that both diploid and triploid hESC lines are capable of forming MSCs; however, there are some differences in their gene expression profiles. Generation of MSCs from hESCs, as a non-invasive procedure in large scale, will lend itself for the future cell-based therapeutic applications. Key Words: Human embryonic stem cells, Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, Regenerative medicine     

POTATO TUBER YIELD AND QUALITY AS AFFECTED BY RATES AND SOURCES OF POTASSIUM FERTILIZER

Among the major nutrients, potassium (K) not only improves yields but also improves quality parameters. Field experiments were conducted to assess the comparative effect of sources and rates of K fertilizer on potato yield and quality on a sandy loam soil. Graded doses of potassium, i.e., 0, 150 and 225 kg ha^?1 K₂O from sulfate and muriate of potash were applied in triplicate. Recommended dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applied uniformly. Significant increase in tuber yield was observed with 150 kg ha^?1 K₂O from both the sources over control. Increase in tuber yield with 225 kg ha^?1 K₂O was statistically non significant compared to 150 kg ha^?1. The dry matter and specific gravity were more affected with sulfate of potash (SOP) than muriate of potash (MOP). The quality parameters like dry matter, specific gravity, starch contents, vitamin C, chips color and taste were improved with K application.     

Evaluation of assimilate remobilization and yield of wheat cultivars under different irrigation regimes in an arid climate

To investigate the effects of irrigation regimes on assimilate remobilization, water use efficiency (WUE), relative water content (RWC), photosynthesis and yield of five wheat cultivars, a field experiment was conducted at Shiraz University during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block and treatments were arranged as split-plot in three replicates. There were four levels of water regime including well-watered [irrigation based on 100% field capacity (FC)], excess watered (125% FC), mild drought (75% FC) and severe drought (50% FC) stress, and four bread wheat cultivars (Shiraz, Bahar, Pishtaz and Sistan) and a durum wheat (Yavaros). In all cultivars, progressed leaf senescence at 30 days after anthesis (DAA), was associated with a reduction in chlorophyll content. The reduction was more pronounced in Shiraz and Yavaros than Pishtaz and Sistan. With increasing temperature and remobilization of assimilate to grain, net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were decreased significantly at 18 DAA compared with 8 DAA. Sistan and Pishtaz cultivars maintained higher RWC than sensitive cultivars of Shiraz and Yavaros under drought stress. The higher WUE in Pishtaz and Sistan was attributed to the effectiveness of a small amount of water in alleviating severe stress during the sensitive stages of growth. Under mild drought stress, controlled soil drying could enhance remobilization efficiency of assimilates in Pishtaz and Sistan and under severe drought, these cultivars had the highest grain yield compared with the other cultivars. Reduction of assimilates remobilization to the grain and 1000-grain weight, caused lower grain yield in Shiraz under severe drought. Overall, controlled soil drying in Sistan and Pishtaz might result in better mobilization of pre-stored assimilates to the grain in arid areas, where a rapid depletion of water resources is threatening crop production.     

Effect of copper and nitrogen nutrients on diosgenin production in fenugreek

Different amounts of nitrogen (N) and copper (Cu) in the forms of urea and copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) were applied and their effects on diosgenin production and dry matter yield in fenugreek were investigated under farm cultivation conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze diosgenin content. Diosgenin contents were measured in 25, 45 and 65 day-old leaves and in leaves at flowering stage and in fruits. The maximum diosgenin content was obtained in 45 day-old leaves. The results showed that simultaneous addition of Cu and N and the level of supply had significant effects on diosgenin production in leaves, fruits and dry matter yield. Simultaneous use of urea (100 kg ha^?1) and copper sulfate (30 kg ha^?1) increased diosgenin production and dry matter yield in 45 day-old leaves for 7.72 and 1.32 times, respectively, compared to unfertilized control group. But, the use of higher amounts of urea and copper showed a decrease in diosgenin production.     

Effects of dietary administration of Echinacea purpurea on growth indices and biochemical and hematological indices in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) on growth and some hematological and blood biochemical indices of rainbow trout fingerlings. A basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 g EP kg?1 to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish with an initial average weight of approximately 8 g. After 8 weeks of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg?1 showed highest final weight and SGR and fish fed with the control diet indicated the lowest final weight and SGR. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in FCR between the control group and the groups fed with diets of 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg?1. Biochemical parameters such as serum total protein content, albumin content, globulin content, and albumin/globulin ratio in the fish were evaluated. There were significant differences between hematological parameters including RBC, WBC, HB, lymphocyte, and neutrophil percentage in fish fed with dietary nucleotide compared with control treatment (P < 0.05). The results suggest that EP administration at 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg?1 exerted positive effects on growth and biochemical and hematological indices in rainbow trout.     

Effects of accelerated ageing on germination and biochemistry of eight rice cultivars

Rice seed deterioration rate due to aging is correlated with ambient temperature, relative humidity, and moisture. Eight cultivars were analyzed for differences in seed deterioration via accelerated ageing at 45°C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 hr. Khazar and Neda had highest germination percentages when exposed to 120 hr seed ageing. For Lenjan, with increased seed ageing, moisture content increased from 9.8% in the control to 21.7% after the 120 hr treatment. Khazar and Shiroudi had the lowest decrease in shoot length. Root length decreased from 0 hr control to 120 hr treatment, and was lowest in Fajr and Khazar. Minimum electrical conductivity was observed in Neda and Fajr after 120 hr. Lowest increases in lipid peroxidation from control to 120 hr treatment was in Fajr, Khazar, and Neda. Neda and Khazar are the most suitable cultivars to store in the humid, sub-tropics of northern Iran.     

Effect of phase transformation on physical and biological properties of PVA/CaFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposite

The thermal treatment method was employed to achieve higher homogeneity of calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) and Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites. The influences of phase transformation on physical and biological properties of calcined specimens were investigated by various experimental techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), high resolution Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Heat treatment was conducted at temperatures between 723 and 923 K, so that a phase transformation occurred from cubic to orthorhombic spinel structure at 923 K. The chemical analysis of the PVA/CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposite was performed by energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDXA), demonstrated the PVA/CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposites contained the elements of C, Ca, Fe, and O. The formed nanocomposites exhibited ferromagnetic behaviors which were confirmed by using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The calcined specimens were carried out to an antimicrobial or antifungal test.     

Boron doped diamond biosensor for detection of Escherichia coli

o-Nitrophenol, released from o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranose as catalyzed by beta-galactosidase, a tetramer of Escherichia coli, has been exploited for the detection of E. coli contamination in foodstuffs. This reaction was detected using a boron doped diamond electrode poised at +0.93 V, without any surface modification. The enzyme was effectively induced by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalacto-pyranoside with the maximum enzyme activity observed with sodium dodecyl sulfate at 50 degrees C. A biphasic calibration plot was observed: 4 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(5) cells/mL and 2 x 10(5) to 6 x 10(6) cells/mL for the first and second region, respectively. The detection limit was 4 x 10(4) cells/mL with a total analysis time of <1.5 h. Electrode fouling was easily overcome by approximately 40 rapid CV scans, and the method was applicable for detecting E. coli in artificially spiked samples of beef, pork, chicken, milk, and tap water.