Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract of growing bull calves. 5. The amino acid flow into the duodenum

The flow of the individual amino acids (AA) into the duodenum was determined after the feeding of 28 different rations to young bulls supplied with duodenal re-entrant cannulae in the live weight range between 140 and 460 kg. The distribution of AA into AA of bacterial origin and AA from the feed was made by difference calculation between the AA at the duodenum (corrected by the endogenous AA quota) and the AA from the bacteria crude protein, with our own results based on a constant AA composition of the bacteria crude protein; by the regression analysis from relative values according to AAD/app. dig. org. m. = a + b AAF/app. dig. org. m. and by the regression analysis of the absolute values according to AAD = b1 app. dig. org. m. + b2 AAF showed the same results from the regression methods but deviating ones from the difference method. The calculation of the flow of the individual AA into the duodenum from the AA content of the ration and the content of app. dig. org. m. of the ration is possible. The equations derived for this purpose of the individual AA are given.     

Lysine requirement of fattening sows depending on their performance. 2. Relations between energy consumption and live weight increase

105 growing sows in the live weight range were fed with 7 test rations with graduated energy and amino acid levels. The growth intensity was very much influenced by the daily energy consumption. On the basis of regression analysis the following linear relation between daily weight increase (y in g per kg live weight0,75) and the daily energy consumption (x in energetic feed units for pigs per kg live weight0,75) was calculated: y = -13,79 + 0,7037 x (r = 0,84, sb -0,0295). The interpolation with regard to live weight balance resulted in a maintenance requirement of 19,8 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 70 kcal net energy fat for pigs per kg live weight0,75. The methods of assessment chosen showed an increase of the energy requirement per 100 g additional live weight increase per day of a constant amount, independent of the live weight, of 142 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 497 kcal net energy fat for pigs.     

Visualizing signals moving in cells

Cells display a highly complex spatiotemporal organization, required to exert a wide variety of different functions, for example, detection, processing, and propagation of nerve impulses by neurons; contraction and relaxation by muscle cells; movement by leukocytes; and adsorption and secretion of nutrients and metabolites by epithelial cells lining the gut. Successful execution of these complex processes requires highly dynamic information transfer between different regions and compartments within cells. Through the development of fluorescent sensors for intracellular signaling molecules coupled with improved microscopic imaging techniques, it has now become possible to investigate signal propagation in cells with high spatial and temporal resolution.     

Electromyographic activity of the hyoepiglotticus muscle and control of epiglottis position in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the hyoepiglotticus muscle has respiratory-related electromyographic activity and whether electrical stimulation of this muscle changes the position and conformation of the epiglottis, thereby altering dimensions of the aditus laryngis. ANIMAL: 6 Standardbred horses. PROCEDURE: Horses were anesthetized, and a bipolar fine-wire electrode was placed in the hyoepiglotticus muscle of each horse. Endoscopic images of the nasopharynx and larynx were recorded during electrical stimulation of the hyoepiglotticus muscle in standing, unsedated horses. Dorsoventral length and area of the aditus laryngis were measured on images obtained before and during electrical stimulation. Electromyographic activity of the hyoepiglotticus muscle and nasopharyngeal pressures were measured while horses exercised on a treadmill at 50, 75, 90, and 100% of the speed that produced maximum heart rate. RESULTS: Electrical stimulation of the hyoepiglotticus muscle changed the shape of the epiglottis, displaced it ventrally, and significantly increased the dorsoventral length and area of the aditus laryngis. The hyoepiglotticus muscle had inspiratory activity that increased significantly with treadmill speed as a result of an increase in phasic and tonic activity. Expiratory activity of the hyoepiglotticus muscle did not change with treadmill speed in 4 of 6 horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings reported here suggest that contraction of the hyoepiglotticus muscle increases dimensions of the airway in horses by depressing the epiglottis ventrally during intense breathing efforts. The hyoepiglotticus muscle may be an important muscle for dilating the airway in horses, and contraction of the hyoepiglotticus muscle may induce conformational changes in the epiglottis.     

Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract of growing young bulls. 2. Feed protein flow into the duodenum determined with 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker for crude bacterial protein

The experimental ascertainment of the pure feed protein flowing into the duodenum on the basis of the calculation of the difference between the NH3-free crude protein flowing into the duodenum and the bacterial crude protein determined by means of DAPA showed the following results after the testing of 28 different rations at a dry matter intake adequate to the production level: With a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content of the ration between 40 and 90%, the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is 52.5%, and with a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content between 80 and 90% it is 40.6%. The quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum shows a negative correlation to the apparent digestibility of the organic matter (y=231.7 -2.52x +/- 14.5). With a DM-intake adequate to the production level the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is neither influenced by the flow rate (kg digesta/kg DM-intake) nor by the 'dilution rate' (g bacteria-free DMD/kg live weight 0.75/h).     

Introduction and comparison of two methods of assessment of coronary lesions in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

This study investigated and compared quantitative and semi-quantitative coronary lesion evaluation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. A total of 121 immature farmed and 47 sexually mature wild Atlantic salmon were included. Coronary arteries from all fish were morphometrically evaluated using a semi-quantitative method. A subsample of 76 salmon was additionally evaluated using a quantitative method. Another subsample of 71 salmon was used for reliability testing of the semi-quantitative method. Ten cross-sections of coronary arteries located on the ventral surface of the bulbus arteriosus were semi-quantitatively scored with regard to myointimal coronary lesions. Quantitative measurements comprised maximal intimal thickness and area lesion (%) while semi-quantitative measurements comprised maximal intimal thickness and lesion degree (%). Scores for individual fish were expressed as the average of lesion score, denoted as mean range lesion. One person performed all evaluations blindly. Two pathologists tested repeatability of the semi-quantitative lesion score measurements blindly. Both semi-quantitative and quantitative variables increased significantly with increasing lesion score. Semi-quantitative estimation gave significantly higher maximal intimal thickness values than quantitative measurement. Semi-quantitative measurements were found to explain 63.2% of variation in quantitatively measured maximal intimal thickness. Due to lack of agreement, the two methods are not directly comparable and one method cannot replace the other. Repeatability within and between observers with regard to semi-quantitative classification was very good with Kappa values larger than 61.5%. The semi-quantitative method was a valid and reliable method for coronary lesion evaluation in Atlantic salmon.     

Unilateral shunt formation with thoracic aortic dissection in a whippet

A three‐year‐old neutered male whippet was presented with intermittent, exercise‐induced paraparesis. Femoral pulses were bilaterally absent. Neurologic examination was suggestive of a thoracolumbar myelopathy. Blood pressure measurements revealed hypotension in both pelvic limbs, hypertension in the right thoracic limb and it was immeasurable in the left thoracic limb. Echocardiography was within reference limits. A clear vascular pulsation was palpable on the right ventral abdominal wall. Computed tomographic angiography revealed a dissection of the aortic wall between the left subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic trunk with subsequent thrombus formation. A shunt between the right internal thoracic, cranial and caudal epigastric arteries to preserve blood flow to the pelvic limbs was visualized. Necropsy was declined by the owner. This is the first case report describing the formation of a unilateral vascular shunt following a thoracic aortic occlusion, which presented as exercise‐induced paraparesis .     

The first records of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii in the South American continent

This paper presents the first report of the occurrence of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in South America. Several samples were collected during various seasons in 2012 and 2013, and a significant number of individuals were obtained and identified. Based on the data recorded during each sampling campaign, including the locality, temperature, time of year, and number of individuals collected, several conclusions were drawn about the development of this invasion in southern Brazil.