Impact of controlled fermentation and steeping of high moisture corn on its nutritional value for pigs

High moisture corn (HMC) can undergo fermentation during storage that may improve its nutritional value for pigs. Stored HMC used in this study contained (n = 4) 75% dry matter (DM), and, on a DM basis, 63.8% starch, 0.5% mono and disaccharides, 9.9% protein, 19 mM acetic acid, 18 mM lactic acid (LA), 1.25 × 10⁷ cfu g^− 1 of LA producing bacteria, 2.88 g kg^− 1 total phosphorus (P), and 1.26 g kg^− 1 soluble P. The soluble P content was higher than in freshly harvested HMC (0.27 g kg^− 1 DM) and indicates P release during storage. Studies were aimed at altering the nutritional value of stored HMC by controlled fermentation or steeping. Changes in LA content were not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of exogenous Lactobacillus and Bacillus bacteria. Steeping of HMC with phytase (Ronozyme) was examined at four inclusion levels (0, 500, 750, 1000 FTU kg^− 1) and at either 21 °C or 37 °C. At 37 °C added phytase released virtually all phytate P within 6 h irrespective of the level (levels increased by 1.44 g P kg^− 1 DM); at 21 °C, the increase was maximized at 1.2 g P kg^− 1 DM after 24 h. The feeding value of HMC for pigs can be altered by steeping with exogenous phytase and does not appear to require microbial inoculants.     

日粮中添加植酸酶和锌对断奶仔猪生产性能及其组织锌浓度的影响

通过三个试验测定日粮中植酸酶、过量的锌及两者共同对哺乳仔猪的影响。在所有的试验中,每个处理组有5～7栏,每栏有6～7头猪,当日粮中添加植酸酶时,则日粮中钙和有效磷的水平降低0.1%,锌是通过氧化锌的形式添加,试验日粮中含锌水平均为127mg/kg,本试验的周期为19～21d。在试验1中,试验采用2×3因子试验设计,两个水平的植酸酶(即0和500植酸酶单位/kg)和三水平过量的锌(即0,1000和2000mg/kg)。仔猪(5.7kg和18日龄)被随机分配采食以上日粮。试验表明,平均日增重(ADG)和平均日采食量(ADFI)随日粮中锌含量的增加而线性增加,第一阶段为(P=0.01～0.06),第二阶段为(P=0.02～0.09),整个试验阶段为(P=0.01～0.02),肉料比(G∶F)也随日粮锌含量的增加而线性增加,但仅限于第一阶段(P=0.01)。当仔猪采食1000或2000mg/kg锌时的同时添加植酸酶可降低第二阶段ADG(锌与植酸酶互作;P=0.10),但对整个试验周期内ADFI没有影响(P=0.27～0.62),并可降低第二阶段G∶F(P=0.01),及整个试验周期内G∶F(P=0.07)。随着日粮锌添加量的增加,血浆中锌含量也随之增加(Zn2,P=0.01),并且不受植酸酶添加的影响(P=0.70)。在试验2中,试验采用2×2因子试验设计,两个水平的植酸酶(即0和500植酸酶单位/kg)和两水平过量的锌(即0和2000mg/kg)。仔猪(5.2kg和18日龄)被随机分配采食以上日粮。试验表明,日粮中锌含量的增加可使第二阶段ADG和肉料比增加(P=0.02～0.09)和整个试验阶段的ADG和G∶F增加(P=0.07～0.08),但对第一阶段ADG和整个试验阶段ADFI的变化没有影响。植酸酶的添加可增加第二阶段ADG(P=0.06)和G∶F(P=0.01)。当仔猪采食2000mg/kgZn和植酸酶时,G∶F值最大(锌与植酸酶互作;P=0.01)。骨(20日龄)中锌和血浆锌(7和20日龄)随着日粮中锌的添加量的增加而增加(P=0.01),但不受植酸酶添加的影响(P=0.51～0.90)。在试验3中,仔猪(5.7kg和19日龄)被随机分配采食添加500植酸酶单位/kg的植酸酶或不添加植酸酶的基础日粮或添加500植酸酶单位/kg的植酸酶或不添加植酸酶且钙和有效磷含量降低0.10%的基础日粮。试验表明,植酸酶的添加对仔猪生产性能没有影响(P=0.21～0.81)。降低钙和有效磷的含量,可降低整个试验周期内ADG,ADFI和G∶F(P=0.02～0.08)。这些试验结果表明,日粮中添加过量的锌可增加ADG及血浆和骨中锌的浓度。日粮中植酸酶对血浆和骨中锌的浓度没有影响。     

Dirlotapide: a review of its properties and role in the management of obesity in dogs

Dirlotapide is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor developed specifically for canine weight reduction. MTP catalyzes the assembly of triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein-B containing lipoproteins to form chylomicrons in the intestinal mucosa and very low-density lipoproteins in the liver. Following oral administration, dirlotapide has in vivo selectivity for intestinal MTP compared with hepatic MTP. In addition to reducing intestinal fat absorption, dirlotapide also reduces food intake in a dose-dependent manner, probably via increased release of peptide YY into the circulation. The decrease in food intake is responsible for the majority of the weight reduction effect. In clinical use, it is recommended to adjust the dose according to the observed weight loss of each individual. The initial dose of 0.05 mg/kg is doubled after 14 days and then adjusted monthly, the maximum permitted daily dose is 1.0 mg/kg, although doses as high as 10 mg/kg have been administered to dogs without severe adverse experience in safety studies. Dirlotapide can be used without necessitating changes to the current feeding or exercise regimens, but it is desirable to monitor the food intake during weight-stabilization to establish revised feeding and exercise routines that will minimize the risk of weight regain post-treatment. The drug offers a novel approach that is applicable in cases where dietary management alone has proved to be unsuccessful.     

Development of a sandwich-dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid

A new sandwich dot-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (sdot-ELISA) was developed using omniserum prepared against different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae as capture antibody and also as second or revealing antibody after its conjugation with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for detection of pneumococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A total of 103 CSF samples of different categories were screened with newly developed dot-ELISA and results were compared with commercially available latex agglutination (LA) kit. The newly developed sdot-ELISA was more sensitive than LA test and can be used as an alternative diagnostic tool in laboratory and in field conditions. An added advantage of this ELISA system was that it did not require antibodies produced in two different animal species.     

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of intravenous hydromorphone in cats

This study describes the pharmacokinetics of intravenous hydromorphone in cats and the simultaneous measurement of antinociceptive pharmacodynamic effects using a thermal threshold testing system. Following establishment of a baseline thermal threshold, six adult cats were administered 0.1 mg/kg of hydromorphone intravenously. Thermal threshold testing and blood collection were conducted simultaneously at predetermined time points. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations were determined by a liquid chromatographic-mass spectral method and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by nonlinear least squares regression analysis. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations declined rapidly over time, and were below the limit of quantification of the assay (LOQ = 1.0 ng/mL) by 360 min. In contrast, thermal thresholds rose from a pretreatment value of 40.9 +/- 0.65 degrees C (mean +/- SEM) to instrument cut-out (55 degrees C) within 15 min and remained significantly elevated from 15-450 min after treatment. Inspection of the data revealed no direct correlation between plasma hydromorphone concentrations and the antinociceptive effect of this drug in cats. These findings support the importance of conducting pharmacokinetic studies in parallel with objective measurements of drug effect.     

Stabilization wedges: solving the climate problem for the next 50 years with current technologies

Humanity already possesses the fundamental scientific, technical, and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problem for the next half-century. A portfolio of technologies now exists to meet the world's energy needs over the next 50 years and limit atmospheric CO2 to a trajectory that avoids a doubling of the preindustrial concentration. Every element in this portfolio has passed beyond the laboratory bench and demonstration project; many are already implemented somewhere at full industrial scale. Although no element is a credible candidate for doing the entire job (or even half the job) by itself, the portfolio as a whole is large enough that not every element has to be used.