Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> seeds, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus officinalis</Emphasis> leaves and their combination on growth performance,immune response and rumen metabolism in Dorper lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Nigella sativa L. seeds, Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaves and their combination on rumen metabolism, nutrient intake and digestibility, growth performance, immune response and blood metabolites in Dorper lambs. Twenty-four entire male Dorper lambs (18.68?±?0.6 kg, 4–5 months old) were randomly assigned to a concentrate mixture containing on a dry matter basis either, no supplement (control, T1), 1% R. officinalis leaves (T2), 1% N. sativa seeds (T3) or 1% R. officinalis leaves +1% N. sativa seeds (T4). The lambs had ad libitum access to urea-treated rice straw (UTRS) and were raised for 90 days. Supplemented lambs had greater (P?< 0.05) intake of DM and UTRS than the control lambs. The T4 lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) nutrient digestibility than those fed other treatments. Total and daily weight gain was greater (P?< 0.05) in T2 lambs than those fed other diets. The T3 and T4 lambs had greater (P?< 0.05) ruminal pH than the T1 and T2 lambs. Supplemented lambs had lower (P?<?0.05) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, NH₃-N and C18:0 than the control lambs. The T4 lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, methanogens and total protozoa compared with those fed other diets. Supplemented lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) neutrophils, basophils and serum urea and greater (P?<?0.05) serum IgA and IgG compared with the control lambs. The current results emphasised the variation in the efficacy of medicinal plants in ruminant nutrition.     

Detection of target spot and bacterial spot diseases in tomato using UAV-based and benchtop-based hyperspectral imaging techniques

Early and accurate diagnosis is a critical first step in mitigating losses caused by plant diseases. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to improper management decisions, such as selection of the wrong chemical application that could potentially result in further reduced crop health and yield. In tomato, initial disease symptoms may be similar even if caused by different pathogens, for example early lesions of target spot (TS) caused by the fungus Corynespora cassicola and bacterial spot (BS) caused by Xanthomonas perforans. In this study, hyperspectral imaging (380–1020 nm) was utilized in laboratory and field (collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV) settings to detect both diseases. Tomato leaves were classified into four categories: healthy, asymptomatic, early and late disease development stages. Thirty-five spectral vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated to select an optimum set of indices for disease detection and identification. Two classification methods were utilized: (i) multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP), and (ii) stepwise discriminant analysis (STDA). Best wavebands selection was considered in blue (408–420 nm), red (630–650 nm) and red edge (730–750 nm). The most significant VIs that could distinguish between healthy leaves and diseased leaves were the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) for both diseases, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI850) for BS in all stages, and the triangular vegetation index (TVI), NDVI850 and chlorophyll index green (Chl green) for TS asymptomatic, TS early and TS late disease stage respectively. The MLP classification method had an accuracy of 99%, for both BS and TS, under field (UAV-based) and laboratory conditions.

     

Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host-microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log₁₀ copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long-term study.     

Role of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 during porcine oocyte maturation

Previous our studies have shown that CD44, the principal receptor for hyaluronan, is present on cumulus cells during oocyte maturation. Although hyaluronan-CD44 interaction has been implicated in cumulus expansion and/or oocyte maturation, the full significance of CD44 remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to further investigate the role of CD44 in cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in pigs. We demonstrate here in that CD44 has a key role in oocyte maturation but not in cumulus expansion. Previous studies have reported the physiological significance of cumulus expansion in oocyte maturation. However, our results suggest that cumulus expansion is a necessary condition for oocyte maturation, but that it is not sufficient on its own. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that the CD44 of the in vitro-matured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) had a larger molecular weight and more terminal sialic acid, which has been proven to inhibit the hyaluronan-binding ability of the receptor, than the CD44 of the in vivo-matured COCs, indicating that the hyaluronan-CD44 interactions during in vitro maturation might be insufficient compared with those in vivo. The insufficient interactions of hyaluronan-CD44 during in vitro maturation may cause the inferior capacity of fertilization and development of oocytes matured in vitro.     

Comprehensive transcriptional profiling and functional study of lymphangiogenic growth factor in placentome of early-stage pregnant water buffalo

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and VEGF-D), their receptor (VEGFR3) and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in buffalo placenta during early pregnancy [EP], and to investigate the functional role of lymphangiogenic growth factors in placental lymphangiogenesis. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, their receptor VEGFR3 and LYVE1 showed significant expression in EP1 (29–42 days) and EP2 stages (51–82 days) both in caruncle (maternal part) and cotyledon (foetal part) of the buffalo placenta. Immunoreactivity of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and LYVE1 was observed around the endometrial gland, in lymphatics and trophoblast cells, whereas VEGFR3 mainly localized in lymphatics of the caruncle and cotyledons. Cultured trophoblast cells were treated with VEGF-C/VEGF-D (50, 100 and 150 ng/ml) and combined doses of VEGF-C and VEGF-D (150 ng/ml) each for different time durations (24, 48 and 72 h). The mRNA expression of LYVE1 and PCNA was significantly (p < .001) upregulated with VEGF-C and VEGF-D and combined treatment (@150 ng/ml), as well as significantly downregulating Caspase-3 at 48 and 72 h. Thus, the present study provides evidence that lymphangiogenic factors are expressed in buffalo placental compartments and they may play a significant role in the regulation of placental function in water buffaloes.     

Current status and prospects of farming the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) in Bangladesh

Giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Presently, it is cultured in around 50 000 ha area with total annual production of 23 240 t. Traditional extensive prawn farming has been expanding over the last three decades through the introduction and adoption of improved culture systems, such as culture of prawn‐carps, prawn‐shrimp‐fish and prawn‐fish‐rice as concurrent and rotational systems. Efforts for the development of improved techniques on broodstock management, seed production and rearing and grow‐out of prawn have been made over the last decade. The outcomes are low‐cost feed for broodstock, production of post‐larvae in net cages (hapa), all‐male prawn culture, periphyton based prawn‐tilapia culture, C/N based prawn culture, organic prawn farming, prawn‐mola culture and prawn‐carp‐mola polyculture. Despite the development of culture technologies, a number of challenges for sustainable development of prawn farming need to be overcome to realize the potentials of this promising sector. Good aquaculture practises at all levels and application of measures for quality control and food safety would ensure sustainable development of prawn farming in Bangladesh.     

Toxicity and electrophysiological effects of Spilanthes amella Murr. extracts on Periplaneta americana L.

The potential insecticidal activity of Spilanthes acmella Murr. (Compositae) extracts was assessed in this study. The extracts were shown to be toxic against adults of American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L. The active component in S. acmella extract was isolated and identified as N-isobutyl-2,6,8-decatrienamide (spilanthol). The results from topical application of spilanthol show that it has a high acute toxicity and spilanthol was the most potent compound when compared to three conventional insecticides. The potency was found to be 1.3, 2.6 and 3.8 times more toxic than carbaryl, bioresmethrin and lindane, respectively. Electrophysiological studies indicated immediate hyperexcitation followed by complete inhibition of the cockroach cercal nerve activity.     

Die chemische Zusammensetzung der Panzernashornmilch

The following compounds of milk from Indian-Rhino (Rhinoceros unicorns) were examined: water-, fat-, protein-, potassium-, sodium-, calcium-content. Besides this we analyzed by gas-Liquid chromatography the short-chain and the long-chain fatty-acids.     

Correlations among selected pork quality traits

Establishing relationships among specific quality traits is important if significant progress toward developing improved pork quality is to be realized. As part of a study to examine the individual effects of genes on meat quality traits in pigs, a three-generation resource family was developed. Two Berkshire sires and nine Yorkshire dams were used to produce nine F1 litters. Sixty-five matings were made from the F1 litters to produce four sets of F2 offspring, for a total of 525 F2 animals used in the study. These F2 animals were slaughtered at a commercial facility upon reaching approximately 110 kg. Carcass composition traits, pH measurements, and subjective quality scores were made at 24 h postmortem. Loin samples (n = 525) were collected at 48 h postmortem, and meat quality traits were evaluated. These traits included pH (48 h), Hunter L-values, drip loss, glycolytic potential, ratio of type IIa/IIb myosin heavy chains (IIa/IIb), total lipid, instrumental measures of tenderness using the Star Probe attachment of the Instron, cook loss measurements, and sensory evaluations. Significant phenotypic correlations were found between many carcass, instrumental, and biochemical measurements, and sensory quality traits. Star Probe measurements were significantly correlated with drip loss (0.29), glycolytic potential (0.30), pH (-0.29), total lipid (-0.14), and Hunter L-values (0.28). Drip loss was significantly correlated with glycolytic potential (0.36), pH (-0.28), IIa/IIb (-0.10), and Hunter L-values (0.33). Hunter L-values were also significantly correlated with total lipid (0.33) and IIa/ IIb (-0.11). Sensory tenderness, flavor, and off-flavor scores were significantly correlated with drip loss, pH, and glycolytic potential measurements. Marbling score, total lipid, and drip loss were not significantly correlated with sensory juiciness scores, but cooking loss was. Marbling and total lipid were significantly correlated with firmness scores (0.37 and 0.31, respectively). Taken together, the data in this study suggest that changes in some meat quality traits can affect many other meat quality attributes. The correlations yield information that could aid in directing future studies aimed at understanding the underlying biological mechanisms behind the development of many quality traits.