Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus in domestic livestock in Turkey

This, partly retrospective study, was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a new Orthobunyavirus first reported in Germany in late 2011, in domestic ruminants from the Middle Black Sea, West, and Southeast regions of Turkey. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to screen serum samples collected from slaughterhouse animals between 2006 and 2013. The overall seroprevalence was 335/1,362 (24.5 %) with 325/816 (39.8 %), 5/307 (1.6 %), 3/109 (2.8 %), and 2/130 (1.5 %) recorded in cattle, sheep, goats, and Anatolian water buffalo, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to SBV in Turkish ruminants; it indicates that cattle are more susceptible to infection than sheep, goats, or buffalo and that exposure of domestic ruminants to SBV in Turkey may have occurred up to 5 years prior to the first recorded outbreak of the disease in 2011.     

Distribution of Prosaposin mRNA in the Central Nervous System of the Pigeon (Columba livia)

Bioassay and immunohistochemical studies have detected the presence of prosaposin in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. Here, first time, we have determined the partial cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin and mapped the distribution of its mRNA in the pigeon CNS. The predicted amino acid sequence of pigeon prosaposin showed 93 and 60% identity to chicken and human prosaposin, respectively. In situ hybridization, autoradiograms showed that the prosaposin mRNA expression was found in the olfactory bulb, prepiriform cortex, Wulst, mesopallium, nidopallium, hippocampal formation, thalamus, tuberis nucleus, pre‐tectal nucleus, nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis, nucleus isthmi, pars parvocellularis and magnocellularis, Edinger–Westphal nucleus, optic tectum, cerebellar cortex and nuclei, vestibular nuclei and gray matter of the spinal cord. These results suggest that the cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin is comparable to other vertebrates, and the general distribution pattern of prosaposin mRNA resembles those are found in mammals.     

A review of oxalate poisoning in domestic animals: tolerance and performance aspects

Published data on oxalate poisoning in domestic animals are reviewed, with a focus on tolerance and performance. Oxalic acid is one of a number of anti‐nutrients found in forage. It can bind with dietary calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg) to form insoluble Ca or Mg oxalate, which then may lead to low serum Ca or Mg levels as well as to renal failure because of precipitation of these salts in the kidneys. Dietary oxalate plays an important role in the formation of Ca oxalate, and a high dietary intake of Ca may decrease oxalate absorption and its subsequent urinary excretion. Oxalate‐rich plants can be supplemented with other plants as forage for domestic animals, which may help to reduce the overall intake of oxalate‐rich plants. Non‐ruminants appear to be more sensitive to oxalate than ruminants because in the latter, rumen bacteria help to degrade oxalate. If ruminants are slowly exposed to a diet high in oxalate, the population of oxalate‐degrading bacteria in the rumen increases sufficiently to prevent oxalate poisoning. However, if large quantities of oxalate‐rich plants are eaten, the rumen is overwhelmed and unable to metabolize the oxalate and oxalate‐poisoning results. Based on published data, we consider that <2.0% soluble oxalate would be an appropriate level to avoid oxalate poisoning in ruminants, although blood Ca level may decrease. In the case of non‐ruminants, <0.5% soluble oxalate may be acceptable. However, these proposed safe levels of soluble oxalate should be regarded as preliminary. Further studies, especially long‐term studies, are needed to validate and improve the recommended safe levels in animals. This review will encourage further research on the relationships between dietary oxalate, other dietary factors and renal failure in domestic animals.     

Prospects of Marine Sterols against Pathobiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: Pharmacological Insights and Technological Advances

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder characterized by a progressive decline in memory and cognition, mostly affecting the elderly. Numerous functional bioactives have been reported in marine organisms, and anti-Alzheimer’s agents derived from marine resources have gained attention as a promising approach to treat AD pathogenesis. Marine sterols have been investigated for several health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-aging, and anti-Alzheimer’s activities, owing to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Marine sterols interact with various proteins and enzymes participating via diverse cellular systems such as apoptosis, the antioxidant defense system, immune response, and cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we briefly overview the potential of marine sterols against the pathology of AD and provide an insight into their pharmacological mechanisms. We also highlight technological advances that may lead to the potential application of marine sterols in the prevention and therapy of AD.     

Potential use of exogenous lipases for DATEM replacement to modify the rheological and thermal properties of wheat flour dough

The effect of two lipases and DATEM at different concentrations on the rheological and thermal properties of white and whole wheat flour doughs was determined by farinograph, extensograph, texture analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry. Lipases provided similar or better results than that of DATEM on decreasing softening degree and stickiness, and increasing stability, maximum resistance to extension and hardness. Extensibility and energy did not change with lipases, but decreased with DATEM. Lipases and DATEM slightly modified the transition temperatures and enthalpies of ice-melting and starch gelatinization, but significantly increased the moisture and unfrozen water contents, and decreased the solid concentration in unfrozen water. The greatest effect of lipases was observed on decreasing the peak temperature and increasing the enthalpy of amylose–lipid complex dissociation. The changes in the rheological and thermal properties were almost independent of the concentration levels tested, and were mostly reduced when whole wheat flour was used. The improvement in the dough properties by lipases is possibly related to the in situ formation of surface active compounds from endogenous flour lipids. Presumably, these compounds are already located in the right positions in dough, where they might have higher interaction potentials than DATEM with the dough components.     

In vitro dephytinization and bioavailability of essential minerals in several wheat varieties

Twelve wheat varieties were studied for their phytic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, copper and phosphorus contents, which respectively ranged between 114–166, 25.1–53.5, 3.41–5.55, 0.71–3.00, 0.65–1.32 and 298–314 mg/100 g. The molar ratios as Ca:Phy, Phy:Fe, Phy:Zn, Phy:Cu were found to be 0.14–0.29, 1.96–3.86, 5.11–20.5 and 13.0–23.9, respectively. Significant dephytinization, ranging between 35.3 and 69.3% in different varieties, was achieved on exogenous enzymatic treatment. Enzymatic dephytinization in the in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in significant increase in the bioavailability of essential minerals. The increase in bioavailability of calcium, iron, zinc and copper on exogenous enzymatic dephytinization ranged between, respectively (x-folds): 1.30–1.96, 1.11–1.52, 1.22–1.78 and 1.11–1.73.     

Effects of dietary lipid levels on growth, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen and carbon balances in shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.)

Shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.) is regarded as a promising new candidate for Mediterranean mariculture but specifically formulated feeds are not yet available due to knowledge gaps in its basic nutritional requirements. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary lipid levels on growth and feed utilization in shi drum (72.6 g average weight). Four isonitrogenic diets differing in dietary lipid levels between 10 and 19% (named 10L, 13L, 16L, and 19L, respectively) were fed to triplicate groups of fish for 8 weeks. Growth was not affected by treatment whereas feed efficiency was significantly deteriorated in fish fed diets containing lipid higher than 13%. Whole body dry matter and lipid contents were significantly higher in fish fed 19L compared with fish fed the 10L, while whole body protein, ash, and total carbon (C) were statistically unaffected by the dietary treatment. A significant increase in feed, lipid, energy, nitrogen (N), and carbon (C) intake was recorded in fish fed 16L and 19L when compared with 10L. Carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio was significantly higher in fish fed 19L than 10L. Moreover, the N and C losses significantly increased in fish fed 19L compared with 10L and 13L. It was concluded that high dietary lipid did neither had any protein-sparing effect nor other positive result, and diets for shi drum are not recommended to contain more than 13% lipid.     

江苏省水稻品种抗稻瘟病基因型的鉴定与分析

通过离体接种的方法,用已知抗瘟基因型反应的22个稻瘟菌株,对江苏省67个水稻品种进行了抗瘟基因型鉴定和分析.结果表明:67个水稻品种可能携带1个或多个抗瘟基因,其中携带抗瘟基因Piz5、Pizt、Pi1、Pi9、Piz、Pi5、Pi3和Pii的水稻品种对22个稻瘟病菌菌株的抗性频率均大于50％.携带Pita2和Pi9这2个基因的水稻品种特占A和携带Pi9基因的水稻品种辐优136对所有稻瘟病菌菌株表现免疫,pita2和Pi9这2个基因,尤其是Pi9基因对于水稻抗瘟性极为重要,推测特占A和辐优136是较好的抗瘟育种材料;含有Pia基因的水稻品种,如徐稻41926、徐稻40993等品种抗病性差,极易丧失抗病性.建议生产中推广种植携带Pi9基因的水稻品种,减小携带Pia基因的水稻品种的种植面积.     

Phosphorus balance and risk assessment in the rice–canola cropping system under different drainage strategies

This research was conducted to quantify total phosphorus (TP) losses in poorly drained-consolidated paddy fields equipped with different surface and shallow subsurface drainage systems including drain depth of 0.9 m and drain spacing of 30 m (D_0.9L₃₀), drain depth of 0.65 m and drain spacing of 30 m (D_0.65L₃₀), drain depth of 0.65 m and drain spacing of 15 m (D_0.65L₁₅), drain spacing of 15 m and drain depths of 0.65 and 0.9 m as alternate depths (Bilevel). Typical surface drainage system of consolidated paddy fields was also considered as conventional practice of the study area (control). The subsurface drained fields were under year-round crop production of rice-canola, while the surface drained fields experienced only rice cropping once a year. During three rice-canola-rice growing seasons, TP losses through drainage and leaching in the D_0.9L₃₀, Bilevel, D_0.65L₃₀, D_0.65L₁₅ and control treatments were respectively, 1.12, 0.98, 1.44, 1.53 and 24.48 kg ha^?1, equivalent to about 3.9%, 3.4%, 5.1%, 5.3% and 85.7% of applied triple superphosphate fertilizer. In the rice growing seasons, TP losses through surface runoff were higher than those through subsurface drainage effluents. Shallow subsurface drainage systems were promising for the study area compared surface drainage as phosphorus risks were reduced by 79%, 77%, 64% and 57% through D_0.9L₃₀, Bilevel, D_0.65L₃₀ and D_0.65L₁₅, respectively. These results demonstrated that, by providing suitable condition for winter cropping, subsurface drainage systems can diminish concerns related to phosphorus losses from poorly drained paddy fields in the north of Iran.