Effect of lactation on functional and morphological echocardiographic variables in adult dairy cows

ObjectivesTo study the effect of pregnancy and lactation on echocardiographic parameters in Holstein dairy cows.AnimalsNine multiparous high milk producing (HMP) dairy cows (producing more than 40 kg of milk per day in peak production) and 9 low milk producing (LMP) cows (producing less than 30 kg or milk per day in peak production).MethodsEchocardiography was performed twice; one month before calving and two months after calving.ResultsThe heart rate of HMP cows in the early lactation period was significantly higher than in the dry period. In LMP cows, there was a significant increase in left ventricular dimension in the early lactation period as compared to the dry period, and the interventricular septum in systole (IVSs) in the dry period was significantly thicker than early lactation period. In HMP cows, there was an increase in the right ventricular diameter in systole in the early lactation period as compared to the dry period. Left ventricular and aortic dimensions in the dry period of HMP were significantly higher than those of LMP cows. When the data were corrected for body weight, comparison of values of the dry period of HMP and LMP cows showed that left ventricular volume in systole in HMP was significantly higher and that IVSs, left ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction were significantly lower than in LMP cows.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that lactation influences the intracardiac dimensions. The amount of milk production can influence echocardiographic parameters in dairy cows.     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio lorenthii.

The isolation and NMR spectra of otosenine (1) and seneciphylline (2) from Senecio lorenthii are reported.     

孟加拉涝原地区村林居住的宗教社团偏爱的乔木和灌木树种及使用的造林材料研究

2002年1月至6月对孟加拉涝原地区两个不同的宗教部落(印度教和穆斯林教)的传统家园森林进行了探索性研究，包括印度教和穆斯林教社团对树种(乔木和灌木)的偏爱度、类似性、造林材料及来源、植树地点和间距。研究发现Mangifera indica作为乔木树种，Ocimum sanctum作为灌木树种为印度教社团最喜爱的树种；Artocarpus heterophyllus和Lawsonia inermis分别为穆斯林社团最喜爱乔木树种和灌木树种。两中不同宗教社团选择乔木数种的相同性为86．57％，灌木树种为78．48％。两个宗教部落使用种子和苗木作为造林材料最多。乔木树种的造林材料主要来自家园(39％)灌木树种主要来自自然界(40％)。表3参27。     

棕榈在孟加拉乡村传统利用——一种可持续的生物多样性管理手段(英文)

采用多级采样的方法研究了孟加拉国农村耕作区内棕榈树的传统利用模式和当地的管理经验。农民管理棕榈主要为获取树液产品,生产以糖为主的次生品。树液可直接用作饮料,也可加工成糖蜜或酒精饮料。7块不同地块为棕榈提供生长环境,20.40%的棕榈种植在果园内。尽管中等级的农民拥有多数棕榈(33%),但是主要管理棕榈的是没有土地的农民,他们靠棕榈维持生计。这些农民将自己的智慧应用到棕榈管理当中,从种植到开孔取树液再到产品加工。如果能更科学地管理棕榈,加上农民的智慧,棕榈业将会对当地经济发展起到重要作用,也会丰富当地生物多样性。     

The true nature of Ganoderma in Iran: Taxonomy based on ITS and mtSSU rDNA

The genus Ganoderma Karst. has broad‐spectrum usage in biotechnology, medicine and the food industry. The complexity of the morphology within species has led to uncertain identification in the past, but recent advancements in molecular identification methods have provided scientists with the opportunity to better understand the taxonomy of the species. The present study attempts for the first time to elucidate the distinctiveness of the Ganoderma species growing in Iran concerning those elsewhere in the world based on mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. The results disclosed that the G. lucidum Karst. samples collected in Iran are more similar to the European Ganoderma species than to the Asian (Chinese) one used in this study.     

Interaction analysis between slenderness ratio and resin content on mechanical properties of particleboard

The interaction between particle size and resin content is one of the most important structural parameters that can influence the accuracy of predictions about wood-composite properties. We developed three kinds of equation (linear, quadratic, and exponential) for each mechanical property of particleboard based on slenderness ratio and resin content at a constant density (0.7g cm -3 ). Results from SHAZAM software (version 9) suggested that the quadratic function was not significant, but the linear and exponential functions were significant. The interaction between particle size and resin content was analyzed by Maple 9 software. The results indicated that an exponential function can better describe the simultaneous effect of slenderness and resin content than a linear equation. Under constant resin content, particles with higher slenderness ratios increased more in modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) than did particles with lower slenderness ratios. Edge withdrawal resistance (SWRe) values did not increase with increasing slenderness ratio.     

孟加拉无机肥料对几种农林作物生物固氮和种苗生长的影响(英文)

比较了不同浓度无机肥料(尿素和重过磷酸钙)对四种农林作物(楹树、雨豆树、相思树和印度田菁)生物固氮和种苗生长的影响。种子萌发一个月后利用不同浓度肥料(尿素:40kg·hm-2,80kg·hm-2;重过磷酸钙:40kg·hm-2,80kg·hm-2;(尿素 重过磷酸钙)40kg·hm-2和(尿素 重过磷酸钙)80kg·hm-2)处理种苗。结果表明:中等浓度无机肥料促进了种苗的生长,但较高浓度无机肥料也不利于种苗的生长。当施加尿素时根瘤菌的数量大小明显受抑制,但随着增加磷肥(重过磷酸钙)根瘤菌的数量大小增加。本研究有助于农业人员利用无机肥料改善土壤提高农林作物的生物固氮和种苗生长。图2表6参33。     

Ecological and economical significance of homestead forest to the household of the offshore island in Bangladesh

An explanatory survey was conducted to assess the contribution of plant diversity to the ecological and socio-economic condition of the rural household in the offshore island of Bangladesh.Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling.The homestead sizes of the study area were classified into 3 groups viz,large (>0.25 ha),medium (0.05-0.25 ha) and small (<0.05 ha) based on the result obtained from a preliminary survey,and a total of 45 homesteads,15 from each group,were selected randomly for the study.The average annual income from homestead's plant diversity varied from Tk 5730.00 (US$95.5) to Tk 17500.00 (US$291.67).The rural people were mainly dependent on their homegarden for woodfuel and nutritional requirement as forest was unavailable in the island.The rural people here also cultivated the plant species as a safety measure from frequent cyclone.Constraints hindering the development of homestead plantation were identified and suggestions were given such as the adequate supply of seedlings of fast growing native species and conservation of endangered species to meet the demand of the household as well as to keep ecological balance.     

Economics and Employment Generation of Bamboo-Based Enterprises: A Case Study from Eastern Bangladesh

An exploratory survey was carried out to assess economics and employment generation of the trade of bamboo and bamboo-based secondary products in the eastern Bangladesh, to obtain reliable information about their status, socio-economic significance, production and marketing. The study was undertaken over 30 bamboo-based enterprises in a suburban market of eastern Bangladesh, to investigate regional product details, economic profitability and employment opportunities. The sample entrepreneurs, corresponding to about 25% of the bamboo enterprise population were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. About 202 full and part-time workers were employed in the factories, under categories of artisan (who manufactured secondary products). The average number of worker’s in the large, medium and small factories were 9 (artisan 40%), 6.45 (artisan 35%) and 5 (artisan 25%) respectively. The study revealed that there was always a satisfied demand of skilled artisans. Most of the workers were relatively newly employed (not more than 5 years). The daily wage rate varied between 70 and 130 Tk. ($US 1 equals approximately 70 Bangladeshi Taka (Tk.), as at December 2008). Bambusa balcooa was the most utilized species (39.96%) in terms of monetary value. The price of a single B. balcooa culm in the local market was Tk. 160–210. Nine sizes of articles under seven bamboo categories were identified, these being bera (36″ × 120″ and 72″ × 96″), bookshelf (36″ × 24″), chaluni (12″ × 12″), chatai (48″ × 60″ and 36″ × 48″), jhuri, rickshaw hood and tukri. Net average profit per article was the highest for rickshaw hoods (Tk. 400 at the retailer stage). The total expected annual income for an enterprises from all articles types sold was estimated to be Tk. 85,800. Three distinct marketing channels were identified for selling bamboo and value-added secondary products. The study also generated policy implications for effective management of bamboo-based enterprises.     

Towards exploration of plant-based ethno-medicinal knowledge of rural community: basis for biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh

Because lack of data impedes the assessment of the conservation of medicinal plants, ethno-medicinal studies are important to fill this gap. This study considered the traditional use of plants for health care by the rural communities in two forested and non-forested regions of Bangladesh. A total of 230 respondents were interviewed accompanied by field observation and voucher specimen collection. Altogether, 68 species of medicinal plants belonging to 38 families distributing over 58 genera were recorded, of which 22 species were common in both regions. Trees were the most commonly utilized growth form and leaves were the most commonly used plant part. Forests and homesteads were the major sources of medicinal plants in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. High use versatility (Relative Importance >1) was represented by 14 species; Emblica officinale L. and Allium sativum L. were the most versatile species. Forty-one individual ailments were treated with the medicinal plants recorded. The ailment categories ‘respiratory problems’ and ‘sexual problems’ received the highest score from the calculation of informants’ consensus factor (F _ic) in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. The findings could contribute in the pharmaceutical sector by directing further investigation of bio-active compounds in medicinal plants. Secondly, results could inform the clues for conservation strategies of forest resources in that region.