Influence of equalizing the gross composition of milk replacer to that of whole milk on the performance of Holstein calves

This study compared the performance of female Holstein calves fed either whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR) having similar gross composition to WM. Calves (n = 20) were separated from their mothers within 2 h of birth, weighed, moved into individual pens, and fed colostrum (10% of their BW over 2 feedings daily) for the first 3 d. Calves were alternately assigned to either WM (n = 10) or MR (n = 10) and were fed using mobile plastic bottles. At each feeding, diluted MR was prepared in buckets by mixing 0.143 kg of MR powder (as-is basis) in 1 L of lukewarm water. Calves on both treatments were fed (1.8 L/feeding) for 4 times daily for the first 25 d of age. Feeding frequency was reduced to 3 times daily for next 5 d, then to 2 times daily for next 14 d, and then to once daily during the last 5 d of the preweaning period. Feed intake, growth, and health variables were monitored until calves were 70 d of age. Mean daily consumption of WM and MR was similar in both treatment groups (P = 0.74). Initial BW of calves fed either WM or MR was similar (42.1 +/- 3.3 vs. 41.9 +/- 2.9 kg, respectively; P = 0.83). Calves fed WM or MR daily consumed similar amounts of calf starter (1,019 vs. 1,056 g, respectively; P = 0.32), hay (121.5 vs. 126.3 g, respectively; P = 0.30), and water (5.2 vs. 5.0 kg, respectively; P = 0.54). At weaning (d 49) and postweaning (d 70), BW was greater (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Mean DMI from both solid and liquid feeds was not affected by the treatments during the preweaning (P = 0.21) and postweaning (P = 0.16) periods. Body weight gain efficiency during preweaning and overall was improved (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Health (days scoured, rectal temperature, respiratory score, and general appearance score) and serum chemistry variables (glucose, total protein, urea N, nonesterified fatty acids, and creatinine) in calves were not affected (P >or= 0.12 and P >or= 0.12, respectively) by the treatments. Even though gross composition of the MR and WM was similar, growth was greater in calves fed WM. Calves fed WM consumed similar amounts of DM and were heavier than those fed MR, probably because of better bioavailability (digestion and assimilation) of nutrients and availability of some unknown growth factors from WM.     

Evaluation of a competitive ELISA for antibody detection against avian influenza virus

Active serologic surveillance is necessary to control the spread of the avian influenza virus (AIV). In this study, we evaluated a commercially-available cELISA in terms of its ability to detect AIV antibodies in the sera of 3,358 animals from twelve species. cELISA detected antibodies against reference H1- through H15-subtype AIV strains without cross reactivity. Furthermore, the cELISA was able to detect antibodies produced following a challenge of the AIV H9N2 subtype in chickens, or following vaccination of the AIV H9 or H5 subtypes in chickens, ducks and geese. Next, we tested the sensitivity and specificity of the cELISA with sera from twelve different animal species, and compared these results with those obtained by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test, the "gold standard" in AIV sera surveillance, a second commercially-available cELISA (IZS ELISA), or the agar gel precipitation (AGP) test. Compared with the HI test, the sensitivities and specificities of cELISA were 95% and 96% in chicken, 86% and 88% in duck, 97% and 100% in turkey, 100% and 87% in goose, and 91% and 97% in swine, respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of the cELISA in this study were higher than those of IZS ELISA for the duck, turkey, goose, and grey partridge sera samples. The results of AGP test against duck and turkey sera also showed significant correlation with the results of cELISA (R-value >0.9). In terms of flock sensitivity, the cELISA correlated better with the HI test than with commercially-available indirect ELISAs, with 100% flock sensitivity.     

中药大黄的临床应用与药理浅析

介绍近年来国内外对中药大黄的临床应用开发及其药理机制研究概况。研究证实,大黄对胃肠道疾病、急性胰腺炎、慢性肾衰竭、糖尿病肾病以及肝病腑脏疾病具有特效,而且大黄具有泻下作用,对心血管、缺血性大脑损伤有保护作用,对其抗肿瘤、抗衰老的功效研究也方兴未艾。     

Potentiation of porcine circovirus 2-induced postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome by porcine parvovirus is associated with excessive production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

This study investigated the potentiation of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)-induced postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome by porcine parvovirus (PPV) and found it was associated with excessive production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Colostrum-deprived conventional pigs were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 or PPV alone or in combination (PCV2 and PPV). In vitro assay of TNF-alpha, obtained from alveolar macrophages coinfected with PCV2 and PPV, showed a significant increase in TNF-alpha compared to single infection of macrophages with either PCV2 or PPV alone (P < 0.05). All pigs inoculated with PCV2 and PPV developed severe postweaning wasting syndrome, whereas clinical signs (e.g., weight loss) were present but perhaps less severe in either PCV2- or PPV-inoculated pigs. Compared to the pigs inoculated with PCV2 or PPV alone, pigs inoculated dually with PCV2 and PPV showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased levels of TNF-alpha. Levels of TNF-alpha in the sera were reversely correlated with the body weight in pigs experimentally infected with dual inoculation of PCV2 and PPV (r(s) = -0.92, P < 0.001). These data suggest that a potentiation of PPV in PCV2-induced PMWS is associated with the excessive production of TNF-alpha.     

Changes in anthocyanin and isoflavone concentrations in black seed-coated soybean at different planting locations

This study assessed the altitudinal variations in the anthocyanin and isoflavone contents of six black seed coated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars. The black soybean cultivars Heugcheong, Seonheuk, Geomjeong 1, Geomjeong 2, Cheongja 2, and Cheongja 3 were planted at Milyang (12 m above mean sea level — low altitude) and Muju (600 m — high altitude), Korea on 10 June 2005 and 2006. The total anthocyanin and isoflavone contents and individual components were investigated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All black soybean cultivars cultivated in high altitude possessed significantly higher total anthocyanin (p < 0.01) and isoflavone (p < 0.01) contents than those grown in low altitude. For anthocyanin composition, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside contents were significantly higher while delphinidin-3-O-glucoside contents was significantly lower at high altitude. The composition of individual isoflavones, 6″-O-malonyldaidzin, and 6″-O-malonylgenistin contents significantly increased at high altitude.     

Fatty acid composition in each structural part of soybean seed and sprout

Fatty acid composition and C_18:2:C_18:3 of soybean seed and sprout is important for soy-industries to manufacture quality products. Six soybean varieties were analyzed by gas chromatography to determine fatty acid composition and linoleic to linolenic acid ratio (C_18:2:C_18:3) in seed, sprout, and their structural parts. In the case of whole seed and its structural parts, significant variation in fatty acid composition and C_18:2:C_18:3 were observed between varieties except palmitic acid (C_16:0), while all the parameters were significantly different for seed parts. Significant interactions of variety with seed parts were observed for oleic acid (C_18:1), C_18:2 and C_18:2:C_18:3. The highest saturated fatty acid, C_18:1 and polyunsaturated fatty acid were recorded in seed coat, cotyledon, and seed axis, respectively. The lowest C_18:2:C_18:3 was found in seed axis. In the case of sprout study, variety had significant effect on all the parameters observed for whole sprout, cotyledon, root, and except C_18:3 for hypocotyl. Culture days had significant effect on C_16:0, C_18:2 and C_18:3 in whole sprouts, while only on C_18:3 and C_18:2:C_18:3 in cotyledon. For hypocotyl, culture days had significant effect on C_18:1, C_18:2 and C_18:2:C_18:3, however, C_16:0, C_18:1, C_18:3, and C_18:2:C_18:3 were significantly different in root. In sprout, days and variety interacted significantly for C_16:0, C_18:3 and C_18:2:C_18:3, and C_18:1, C_18:2, C_18:3, and C_18:2:C_18:3, respectively for whole, cotyledon, and root. The significantly lowest C_18:2:C_18:3 (1.1) was observed in hypocotyl and root of Hwangkeumkong in 5 days. Knowledge of fatty acid composition and C_18:2:C_18:3 of seed, sprout, and their parts could be applicable for oil and other soy-food industries to make quality products.     

石油降解混合菌剂的筛选及降解条件研究

为了获得石油高效降解混合菌剂及优化的降解条件,从油污土壤、含油废水及原油中经富集驯化分离得到细菌68株、真菌15株,放线菌6株;将所分离的菌株通过初筛、复筛及两两混合拮抗实验,筛选得到Y-4与Y-12及Y-4与Y-37两组石油高效降解混合菌剂,其对石油的降解率均超过60%。同时研究了不同的初始条件对各混合菌剂降解率的影响。结果表明,Y-4与Y-12组合在初始pH 8.0、转速160 r/min、种子液以1:1接种0.5 mL、30~35℃培养7天,Y-4与Y-37组合在初始pH 7.5、转速130~160 r/min、种子液以1:1接种0.5 mL、35℃培养7天,加入的初始原油量越少,基质营养越丰富,其降解率越高。通过实验可知,在适宜的条件下2种混合菌剂的降解率均较高,并且混合菌剂对石油的降解率要高于单菌剂。     

Effects of road transportation on metabolic and immunological responses in Holstein heifers

This study examined the effects of road transportation on metabolic and immunological responses in dairy heifers. Twenty Holstein heifers in early pregnancy were divided into non‐transported (NT; n = 7) and transported (T; n = 13) groups. Blood was collected before transportation (BT), immediately after transportation for 100 km (T1) and 200 km (T2), and 24 h after transportation (AT). The T heifers had higher (P < 0.05) blood cortisol and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations after T1 and T2 than did NT heifers. By contrast, the T heifers had lower (P < 0.05) serum triglyceride concentrations after T1 and T2 than had the NT heifers. The serum cortisol and triglyceride concentrations returned (P > 0.05) to the BT concentrations at 24 h AT in the T heifers. The granulocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and the percentage of monocytes were higher (P < 0.05) after T2 in the T heifers than in the NT heifers, suggesting that transportation stress increased the numbers of innate immune cells. T heifers had higher (P < 0.01) plasma haptoglobin concentrations than NT heifers 24 h AT. In conclusion, transportation increased cortisol secretion and was correlated with increased metabolic responses and up‐regulation of peripheral innate immune cells in dairy heifers.     

Study on Effects of Different Medium Compositions on Growth and Seedling Quality of Two Tomato Varieties Under Greenhouse Conditions

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of different medium compositions on physicochemical properties and the growth of two tomato varieties. Five treatments were applied, combining medium composition with rice husk ash (RHS) and coconut fiber (CF) with the following proportions: 1/3 Peat moss + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T1); 1/3 Vermicompost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T2); 1/3 Cattle manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T3); 1/3 Chicken manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T4); 1/3 Hog manure compost + 1/3 rice husk ash + 1/3 coconut fiber (T5). The results demonstrated that between pH, electrical conductivity (EC) value, and nutrient content in the media, there was a significant difference that led to different concentrations of total macro- and micronutrients in the shoots of both varieties. In addition, the root weight, shoot weight, and root volume were affected by medium composition for two varieties in seedling stage. A mixture of cattle manures composted with RHS and CF under the rate (1:1:1 by volume), respectively, gave the highest value of germination rate, plant height, leaf number, and plant biomass. Medium composition significantly influenced the germination rate and elongation of seedlings, specifically for each tomato variety. Therefore, cattle manure compost as a medium supplement improves seedling quality and growth of the two tomato varieties.     

Evaluation of ground grain versus pre- and post-pellet whole grain additions to poultry diets via a response surface design

1. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of pre- and post-pellet whole grain wheat additions to diets on growth performance, gizzard and pancreas development, nutrient utilisation and starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients in broiler chickens via an equilateral triangle response surface design.

2. The three apical treatments of the equilateral triangle comprised (1A) a standard diet containing 600 g/kg ground wheat, (2B) the same diet containing 600 g/kg pre-pellet whole wheat and (3C) the same diet containing 300 g/kg ground wheat and 300 g/kg post-pellet whole wheat. Seven blends of the three apical diets were located within the triangle to complete the design and a total of 360 male Ross 308 chicks were offered the ten experimental diets from 7 to 28 d post-hatch. Model prediction and response surface plots were generated with R 3.0.3 software.

3. The most efficient FCR of 1.466 was observed in birds offered an almost equal mixture of the pre- and post-pellet whole grain apical dietary treatments, which corresponded to 172 g/kg ground grain, 256 g/kg pre-pellet whole grain, 172 g/kg post-pellet whole grain in a diet containing 600 g/kg wheat.

4. The most efficient energy utilisation (ME:GE ratio of 0.766) was observed in birds offered a blend of the ground grain and pre-pellet whole grain apical dietary treatments which corresponded to a mixture of 384 g/kg pre-pellet whole grain and 216 g/kg ground grain.

5. Pre-pellet whole grain feeding generated the most pronounced responses in increased relative gizzard contents, reduced gizzard pH and increased relative pancreas weights. Consideration is given to the likely differences between pre- and post-pellet whole grain feeding.