Effect of Steeping Conditions on Wet-Milling Characteristics of Hard Red Winter Wheat

A batch-wise small-scale wet-processing laboratory for whole wheat kernel has been designed and constructed to produce wheat starch and gluten from wheat grains. Hard red winter wheat kernels were steeped in three steeping media: SO₂ solution, lactic acid, and hydrochloric acid. Acid concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%, were used for SO₂ solutions and hydrochloric acid, and 0.1, 0.6, and 3.0% for lactic acid. After 16, 20, and 24 hr of steeping, the wheat was wet-milled. Yields and protein contents of wet-milling fractions were compared. Both high concentration of steeping media and long steeping time increased the starch yield and decreased the protein contents of the starch. However, the steeping time and acid concentration could be reduced from 24 to 20 hr and from 0.5 to 0.3%, respectively, without any statistically significant difference in starch yields or protein contents of the starch. Consistency and color of the starch were affected by both steeping time and acid concentrations of steeping media.     

Experimental model of swine pneumonic pasteurellosis using crude Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin and Pasteurella multocida given endobronchially.

This study was designed to develop and characterize a swine pneumonic pasteurellosis model by concurrent introduction of Pasteurella multocida type A and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae crude cytotoxin. After a series of preliminary experiments, a combination of 4 x 10(9) P. multocida and 4,000 toxic units of A. pleuropneumoniae crude cytotoxin was determined to produce optimal results. A total of 48 pigs were divided into four groups of 12 pigs each. The control group received buffered saline only. Four pigs from each group were randomly selected for necropsy 3, 7 and 14 days postinoculation (PI). Inoculation of pigs with P. multocida and A. pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin (group 1) resulted in moderate to severe pneumonia. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from pneumonic lesions, grossly normal lung, and bronchial lymph nodes of all group 1 pigs throughout the 14 day experimental period. Pathological changes typical of field cases of swine pneumonic pasteurellosis were produced. Pigs inoculated with P. multocida alone (group 2) had pneumonic lesions and P. multocida was reisolated from lungs at three days PI. Pasteurella multocida was not isolated from these pigs at 7 and 14 days PI, except for one pig in which an abscess developed in the thorax. Pulmonary lesions induced by A. pleuropneumoniae crude cytotoxin alone (group 3) were transient and resolved by seven days PI. Group 1 pigs had significantly greater lung lesion volumes than group 2 and 3 pigs at 3, 7 and 14 days PI. Statistical analysis indicated a significant interactive effect of P. multocida and A. pleuropneumoniae cytotoxin on the development of lung lesion volumes at 7 and 14 days PI (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of dietary energy source on in vitro substrate utilization and insulin sensitivity of muscle and adipose tissues of Angus and Wagyu steers

Angus (n = 8; 210 kg of BW) and 7/8 Wagyu (n = 8; 174 kg of BW) steers were used to evaluate the effects of dietary energy source on muscle and adipose tissue metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Steers were assigned to either a grain-based (corn) or hay-based (hay) diet and fed to similar final BW. At slaughter, LM and s.c. and i.m. adipose tissue samples were collected. Portions of the LM and adipose tissues were placed immediately in liquid N for later measurement of glycolytic intermediates. Fresh LM and s.c. and i.m. adipose tissues were incubated with [U-(14)C]glucose to assess glucose metabolism in vitro. All in vitro measures were in the presence of 0 or 500 ng/mL of insulin. Also, s.c. and i.m. adipose tissues were incubated with [1-(14)C]acetate to quantify lipid synthesis in vitro. Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate concentrations were 12.6- and 2.4-fold greater in muscle than in s.c. and i.m. adipose tissues, respectively. Diet did not affect acetate incorporation into fatty acids (P = 0.86). Insulin did not increase conversion of glucose to CO(2), lactate, or total lipid in steers fed hay but caused an increase (per cell) of 97 to 110% in glucose conversion to CO(2), 46 to 54% in glucose conversion to lactate, and 65 to 160% in glucose conversion to total lipid content in adipose tissue from steers fed corn. On a per-cell basis, s.c. adipose tissue had 37% greater glucose oxidation than i.m. adipose (P = 0.04) and 290% greater acetate incorporation into fatty acids than i.m. adipose (P = 0.04). Insulin addition to s.c. adipose tissue from corn-fed steers failed to stimulate glucose incorporation into fatty acids, but exposing i.m. adipose tissue from corn-fed steers to insulin resulted in a 165% increase in glucose incorporation into fatty acids. These results suggest that feeding hay limited both glucose supply and tissue capacity to increase glucose utilization in response to insulin without altering acetate conversion to fatty acids. Because s.c. adipose tissue consistently utilized more acetate and oxidized more glucose than did i.m. adipose, these results suggest that hay-based diets may alter i.m. adipose tissue metabolism with less effect on s.c. adipose tissue.     

Dairy-cattle health in Gyeongnam, Korea.

An animal-health monitoring system in the Gyeongnam area was started in 1997 to develop statistically valid data for use in estimating disease frequencies in dairy cattle, and the associated costs. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe what was done to implement and maintain the system in Gyeongnam; (2) present selected disease frequencies; (3) discuss the epidemiological consideration of what was done and implications for results obtained.Veterinary medical officers (VMOs), comprising professors and graduate students from Gyeongsang National University, faculty of Gyeongnam Livestock Promotion Institute and clinic veterinarians, served as data collectors. After training on current disease and management problems of dairy cattle, interview techniques, sampling methods and data-collection instruments, the VMOs participated in selection of the sample herds and data gathering. Forty (n=40) of 167 dairy herds were selected randomly using a computer-generated list of random numbers and the VMOs visited farms once in a month for 12 months to collect data about management, disease, inventory, production, preventive treatment, financial and other relevant data. Strict data-quality control devices were used. Specific feed-back was developed for the producers and data collectors.The six disorders found most frequently in cows (from the highest to the lowest) were breeding problems, clinical mastitis, birth problems, gastrointestinal problems, metabolic problems and lameness. In young stock, respiratory, multiple system, breeding and gastrointestinal problems were predominant, whereas in calves, gastrointestinal, respiratory and integumental problems predominated.     

Immunoproteomic analyses of outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae grown under iron-restricted conditions

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, a bacterial pathogen of swine and agent of porcine pneumonia, causes a highly infectious disease of economic importance in the pig industry. Commercial vaccines for A. pleuropneumoniae include whole-cell bacterins and second generation subunit vaccines but they only confer partial protective immunity. Our search for new vaccine candidates identified antigens that are expressed during conditions that mimic infection; the outer membrane (OM) proteome of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5b was examined under iron restriction. Quantitative profiling by 2D-DiGE technology revealed that iron restriction induced expression of previously described transferrin binding proteins (TbpA, TbpB) plus four lipoproteins including spermidine/putrescine binding periplasmic protein 1 precursor (PotD2). Immunoproteomic analyses with antisera from na?ve animals and from infected pigs were able to differentiate antigens within the OM proteome that were specifically recognized during A. pleuropneumoniae infection. Immunoblots of iron-restricted profiles detected PotD2, heme-binding protein A (HbpA), and capsule polysaccharide export protein (CpxD) as well as surface antigens TbpA, TbpB, and OmlA. These data identify OM proteins that demonstrate immunogenicity and upregulation under conditions mimicking infection, providing emphasis on lipoproteins as an important class of antigens to exploit for vaccine development for A. pleuropneumoniae.     

Receptor-dependent and independent degradation of insulin by isolated swine adipocytes at 37 C

Insulin binding and degradation were measured at 37 C in isolated swine adipocytes. In preliminary experiments, binding decreased rapidly with increasing incubation time. This was associated with a marked increase in insulin degradation. Insulin binding was suppressed by some lots of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which suggests that some commercial preparations of BSA are contaminated with insulin-like molecules. In adipocyte suspensions, greater than 90% of the insulin degraded was due to a nonreceptor mediated process (i.e., insulin degrading activity present in the media). Despite the presence of insulin degrading activity in the media the cells were metabolically (as judged by lipogenic capacity and lactic dehydrogenase activity) and morphologically (greater than 98% excluded trypan blue) intact indicating that the cells were not leaking during the incubation. In subsequent experiments it was found that the specific step associated with transfer of cells during adipocyte isolation resulted in the release of insulin degrading activity. Implementation of a 30-min preincubation and washing sequence after adipocyte isolation removed the media insulin degrading activity, resulting in a marked reduction (approximately 70%) of insulin degradation by adipocyte suspensions. As a result of this modification, binding of tracer quantities of insulin attained steady-state binding conditions and maintained this for 2 h. These results demonstrate that techniques can be used to minimize nonreceptor mediated insulin degradation in adipocyte suspensions. As a result in vitro studies can be conducted that measure insulin binding and biological action in swine adipocytes at physiological temperatures.     

Stimulation of swine growth by porcine growth hormone

Highly purified porcine growth hormone (pGH; USDA-B1) was administered by im injection (22 micrograms X kg body weight-1 X d-1) to rapidly growing Yorkshire barrows for 30 d. Growth hormone significantly increased growth rate (10%), feed efficiency (4%), cartilage growth and muscle mass. However, pGH did not affect carcass adipose tissue mass. Intramuscular lipid content of the longissimus was increased 50% by pGH administration. Plasma pGH concentration was elevated (7- to 11-fold) for 3 to 5 h post-injection. Chronic administration of pGH depressed pituitary GH content and concentration approximately 45%. No GH antibodies were detected in the plasma of GH-treated swine. Plasma somatomedin-C concentration was increased 55% by GH treatment 3 h post-injection. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were both significantly increased in GH-treated swine, suggesting that the animals had developed a state of insulin resistance. Plasma-free fatty acid concentration tended to be higher in GH-treated animals. Treatment of swine with pGH significantly decreased plasma blood urea nitrogen. Assessment of animal health during the trial and postmortem indicated that pGH administration did not have any adverse effects. In summary, treatment of young, rapidly growing swine with pGH stimulated growth performance without affecting animal health or inducing the production of GH antibodies.     

Detection and characterization of bovine-like coronaviruses from four species of zoo ruminants

Five coronaviruses (CoVs) were detected in diarrheal feces from four zoo ruminant species: one wisent (Bison bonasus), two Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), one sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), and one nyala (Tragelaphus angasii). We sequenced and analyzed the spike (S) and hemagglutinin/esterase (HE) genes of these viruses and compared the nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences with those of other bovine CoV (BcoV) strains. Comparison of the entire deduced aa sequences of the S and HE glycoproteins revealed no specific differences that would account for discrimination between bovine-like CoV strains from zoo ruminants and BcoVs strains. In addition, the 99.9% aa identity among the five CoV strains revealed that the ruminants were infected by the same strain. Phylogenetically, bovine-like CoVs belong to group 2a CoVs, which are related most closely to the BcoV strains recently isolated in Korea. These data suggest that cattle are potential reservoirs for CoVs that are capable of infecting zoo ruminants.     

Dose and release pattern of anabolic implants affects growth of finishing beef steers across days on feed

Four experiments evaluated the effect of implant dose and release pattern on performance and carcass traits of crossbred beef steers. In Exp. 1, steers (4 to 7 pens/treatment; initial BW = 315 kg) were fed an average of 174 d. Treatments were 1) no implant (NI); 2) Revalor-S [120 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 24 mg of estradiol 17β (E(2)); REV-S]; 3) Revalor-IS followed by REV-S (cumulatively 200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); reimplanted at 68 to 74 d; REV-IS/S); and 4) Revalor-XS (200 mg of TBA and 40 mg of E(2); REV-X). Carcass-adjusted final BW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (610, 609, and 598 kg, respectively). Daily DMI did not differ (P > 0.10) among the 3 implants, but carcass-adjusted G:F was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S (0.197 and 0.195 vs. 0.188). Both HCW and LM area were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X and REV-IS/S than for REV-S. Marbling scores were greatest (P < 0.05) for REV-S and least (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S; REV-X was intermediate to NI and REV-IS/S. In Exp. 2, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 391 kg) were fed 131 d, with treatments of REV-S, REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 44 to 47 d), and REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (598 kg), ADG (1.6 kg), DMI (9.4 kg), G:F (0.17), and HCW did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. The percentage of Choice was less (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select greater (P < 0.05) for REV-IS/S than for REV-S and REV-X. In Exp. 3, steers (10 pens/treatment; initial BW = 277 kg) were fed 197 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 90 to 103 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (625 vs. 633 kg) and ADG (1.81 vs. 1.76 kg) were greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X-implanted steers. Daily DMI did not differ, but G:F tended (P < 0.10) to be increased and HCW was greater (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. In Exp. 4, steers (8 pens/treatment; initial BW = 238 kg) were fed 243 d and received either REV-IS/S (reimplanted at 68 to 71 d) or REV-X. Carcass-adjusted final BW (612 kg), ADG (1.54 kg), DMI (7.55), and G:F (0.21) did not differ (P > 0.10) for REV-IS/S and REV-X-implanted steers. Carcass traits did not differ among implants, but the percentage of Choice carcasses was greater (P < 0.05) and percentage of Select was less (P < 0.05) for REV-X than for REV-IS/S. These data indicate that when TBA/E(2) dose is equal, the altered release rate of REV-X can improve performance and quality grade, but these effects depend on duration of the feeding period and timing of initial and terminal implants.