Sorghum Pasta and Noodles: Technological and Nutritional Aspects

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Sorghum is a major cereal crop with various agronomic advantages, contains health-promoting compounds and is gluten-free. There is a growing tendency to use...     

Fluorescence of Extracts from Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi) Muscle and Its Correlation with Quality Indices During Chilled Storage

Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) was stored chilled for 8 days. The evolution of fluorescence of the aqueous and organic extracts of muscle during storage at 4°C was studied and correlated with common damage indices; pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, free fatty acids, and the fluorescence intensity of the aqueous phase showed a good correlation with storage time. The excitation-emission matrices of the aqueous extracts were also obtained. A fluorescence landscape that could be attributed to tryptophan decreased with storage time, meanwhile a peak (around 340 and 400 nm for excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively) is developed during chilled storage.     

Genetic association between different criteria to define sexual precocious heifers with growth,carcass, reproductive and feed efficiency indicator traits in Nellore cattle using genomic information

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for different precocious calving criteria and their relationship with reproductive, growth, carcass and feed efficiency in Nellore cattle using the single‐step genomic BLUP. The reproductive traits used were probability of precocious calving (PPC) at 24 (PPC24), 26 (PPC26), 28 (PPC28) and 30 (PPC30) months of age, stayability (STAY) and scrotal circumference at 455 days of age (SC455). Growth traits such as weights at 240 (W240) and 455 (W455) days of age and adult weight (AW) were used. Rib eye area (REA), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), rump fat thickness (RFT) and residual feed intake (RFI) were included in the analyses. The estimation of genetic parameters was performed using a bi‐trait threshold model including genomic information in a single‐step approach. Heritability for PPC traits was moderate to high (0.29–0.56) with highest estimates for PPC24 (0.56) and PPC26 (0.50). Genetic correlation estimates between PPC and STAY weakened as a function of calving age. Correlation with SC455, growth and carcass traits were low (0.25–0.31; ?0.22 to 0.04; ?0.09 to 0.18, respectively), the same occurs with RFI (?0.09 to 0.08), this suggests independence between female sexual precocity and feed efficiency traits. The results of this study encourage the use of PPC traits in Nellore cattle because the selection for such trait would not have a negative impact on reproductive, growth, carcass and feed efficiency indicator traits. Stayability for sexual precocious heifers (PPC24 and PPC26) must be redefined to avoid incorrectly phenotype assignment.     

Occurrence of Equine Coital Exanthema in Mares from an Embryo Transfer Center

Equine coital exanthema (ECE) is an acute, venereal disease caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), characterized by the formation of papules, vesicles, pustules, and ulcers on the vaginal and vestibular mucosa as well as on the skin of the penis, prepuce, and perineal region of mares and stallions. The present work describes an outbreak of ECE characterized by typical lesions around the anus and on the perineal skin, discomfort, and anorectal lymphadenopathy, which occurred in a large number of donor and recipient mares at an embryo transfer center in Argentina. We found that the horses' movement pattern, the environmental conditions, and the management procedures could have favored the introduction and/or reactivation from latency and spread of EHV-3. Although this is the first report of an outbreak of ECE in an embryo transfer facility, it reinforces the need to introduce additional hygienic and preventive measures to avoid EHV-3 spread and future ECE outbreaks.     

Rumen-protected choline administration to transition cows: effects on milk production and vitamin E status

We investigated the influence of rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on milk production, lipid metabolism and vitamin E status in dairy cows receiving a silage-based diet. Twenty-six Italian Holstein multiparous cows were assigned by weight and average production in the previous lactation, to one of two groups: control (no RPC supplementation) and RPC (supplemented with 20 g/day rumen-protected choline chloride). Treatment began 14 days before expected calving and continued for 30 days after parturition. Choline administration significantly increased milk production during the first month of lactation and also the concentration (and total secretion) of choline in milk, but did not affect fat or protein concentrations in milk, or plasma levels of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). However, around parturition, NEFA concentrations in plasma were lower in treated animals than in controls, suggesting improved lipid metabolism as a result of choline supplementation. Choline supplementation also increased alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations, suggesting a novel aspect in dairy cows.     

First report of Cryptosporidium deer-like genotype in Kenyan cattle

The objective of the study was to identify Cryptosporidium genotypes from feces collected from urban and peri-urban dairy cattle in Nairobi, Kenya, in order to determine their zoonotic potential. DNA was extracted from 34 samples that were diagnosed positive by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Two Cryptosporidium isolates examined at the 18S rRNA locus were identified as the deer-like genotype by DNA sequencing. As public health officials are facing the difficult decision whether to allow urban livestock production because of its economic benefits and a livelihood asset to the urban communities, or to ban it for its public health risks, the finding of non-zoonotic genotypes in a smallholder dairy system has significant public health as well as economic implications that merit further investigation.     

A KCNJ10 mutation previously identified in the Russell group of terriers also occurs in Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and in related breeds

Background

Hereditary ataxias with similar phenotypes were reported in the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier. However, segregation analyses showed differing inheritance modes in these breeds. Recently, molecular genetic studies on the Russell group of terriers found independent mutations in KCNJ10 and CAPN1, each associated with a specific clinical subtype of inherited ataxia. The aim of this study was to clarify whether or not Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and dogs of other related breeds harbor either of the same mutations. A sub goal was to update the results of KCNJ10 genotyping in Russell group terriers.

Findings

Three Smooth-Haired Fox Terriers with hereditary ataxia and two Toy Fox Terriers with a similar phenotype were all homozygous for the KCNJ10 mutation. The same mutation was also found in a heterozygous state in clinically unaffected Tenterfield Terriers (n = 5) and, in agreement with previous studies, in Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, and Russell Terriers.

Conclusions

A KCNJ10 mutation, previously associated with an autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia in Jack Russell Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, and Russell Terriers segregates in at least three more breeds descended from British hunting terriers. Ataxic members of two of these breeds, the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier and the Toy Fox Terrier, were homozygous for the mutation, strengthening the likelihood that this genetic defect is indeed the causative mutation for the disease known as “hereditary ataxia” in Fox Terriers and “spinocerebellar ataxia with myokymia, seizures or both” in the Russell group of terriers.     

Microbial Composition before and after Conservation of Grass-Dominated Haylage Harvested Early,Middle, and Late in the Season

Haylage for horses is often harvested in late plant maturity, which could be associated with an increased risk of impaired hygienic quality in the forage and short aerobic storage stability after bale opening, but knowledge in this area is scant. An experiment was conducted in which the microbial composition was analyzed before and after conservation of primary growth haylage harvested early (June), middle (July), and late (August) in the season during 1 year. The counts of yeast, enterobacteria, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in preconserved herbage increased with the advancing harvest time (P ≤ .02). After conservation, the August haylage had increased counts of enterobacteria (log 4.3 colony-forming unit [CFU]/g) and LAB (log 6.5 CFU/g), compared with the June and July haylage (log ≤1.7 CFU/g for enterobacteria and ≤5.7 CFU/g for LAB, P < .001). The yeast counts were the lowest in the June haylage (log 5.0 CFU/g) compared with the July and August haylage (log ≥6.3 CFU/g, P < .001). After conservation, the mold counts were lower in the June haylage and greater in the August haylage (P = .01). In the preconserved herbage, Cladosporium cladosporioides was the most common mold species in June but Fusarium poae was in July, and Mucor fragilis in August. After conservation, Penicillium carneum was the only species found in the June haylage, with M. circinelloides most frequently found in the July haylage and M. hiemalis and M. circinelloides found at similar frequencies in the August haylage. An advanced harvest time resulted in greater counts of enterobacteria, yeast, and LAB and an increased number of mold species in the conserved haylage. The aerobic storage stability of the opened haylage bales measured by temperature was similar among the harvests.     

Starch Digestion in Infants: An Update of Available In Vitro Methods—A Mini Review

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Complementary feeding starts at around six&nbsp;months of age because neither breast milk nor formula assure the proper nutrition of infants. Therefore, along...     

Early development of the shortfin silverside Chirostoma humboldtianum (Valenciennes, 1835) (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)

The shortfin silverside Chirostoma humboldtianum has been considered for culture in Mexico, but success has been limited by a poor knowledge of its early development. First synthesis of the early development of the shortfin silverside is presented to determine conditions suitable for rearing. Brooder maturation was induced through photothermal cycles. C. humboldtianum ova were fertilized in vitro. The eggs were incubated in reconstituted water (160-180 mg/L CaCO₃) at 18 °C and 5 gm of NaCl per litre. During the hatching day, 300 shortfin silversides were stocked and followed up until metamorphosis in order to establish the timing of exogenous feeding, changes in food type, growth and development during critical periods for survival, according to the theory of saltatory ontogeny. Free embryos hatched 12 days after fertilization at 18 °C. First critical point for survival is the beginning of exogenous feeding. Free embryos started mixed feeding on day four of post-hatching (dph), point of no-return was presented towards the end of mixed feeding on 6 dph, larval period began at six (dph) when the anus is opened, and metamorphosis to juvenile was presented at 65 dph with a SL of 19.34 ± 2.28 mm, when scales and fins were well developed. Differences in growth between periods were detected: free embryos growth slower than larvae but mouth size depicted a larger growth rate in the former. Cephalic length and mouth size were negatively related to standard length in embryos and larvae. Mouth size was positively related to cephalic length in free embryos but negative in larvae. Results suggest that during the free embryo phase, growth priorities are directed to the development of apparatuses and systems; whereas, during the larval period, energy is directed to growth in length, mouth size and development of fins, which allows them to increase their swimming velocity, grants them a greater capacity to obtain exogenous food and, in consequence, increases fitness for survival.