Synthesis and phloem mobility of acidic derivatives of the fungicide fenpiclonil

A series of derivatives of the phenylpyrrole fungicide fenpiclonil was synthesized in which a carboxyl group was present at various sites of this non-phloem-mobile molecule. Using the Kleier model, all these acidic analogues were predicted to be moderately phloem-mobile, especially the N-substituted derivatives. One of these latter molecules, N-carboxymethyl-3-cyano-4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)pyrrole, exhibited some fungicidal activity on the pathogenic fungus Eutypa lata, and was then tested as a phloem-mobile pesticide in the Ricinus system. The compound was indeed mobile in the sieve tubes and was not degraded to fenpiclonil in the phloem sap under our experimental conditions. Its concentration in the sap was closely correlated to the percentage of the undissociated form of the molecule in the external medium, and was similar under acidic conditions (external pH 4.6-5.0) to that of the herbicide glyphosate.     

Discrimination of Cognacs and other distilled drinks by mid-infrared spectropscopy

Mid-infrared spectroscopy was applied to the analysis and discrimination of Cognacs and other distilled drinks (Armagnacs, whiskies, brandies, bourbons, rums, and counterfeit products). Strong correlations were found between dry extract spectra, polyphenolic dry extract spectra, and the total polyphenol concentration of samples, notably of Cognacs. Principal component analysis applied to spectral data made it possible to emphasize the importance of dry extract data when a distinction is made between Cognacs and Armagnacs, whiskies, bourbons, and rums, and of polyphenol concentration when Cognacs, brandies, and counterfeit products are separated. Ninety-six percent of samples in the test set were correctly assigned to Cognacs and non-Cognacs by partial least-squares discriminant analysis.     

Effect of different hand-milking techniques on milk production and teat treatment in Zebu dairy cattle

The aim of the study was to test three different hand-milking techniques (“pull down”, “thumb in”, and “full hand grip”) and their effects on milk production and teat treatment. This is important since milk production in many tropical areas still rely on hand-milking. The study was carried out at a peri-urban farm in the Bobo-Dioulasso area in Burkina Faso. Twelve indigenous Zebu cows in early lactation were used in the study. The sequences of the treatments (hand-milking techniques) and the milkers were balanced for carry-over effects between successive periods and days, respectively. The sequences were constructed by using special Latin squares. Yield and composition of saleable milk was not affected by milking technique but there were differences between the milkers in milk yield. There was also a significant interaction for saleable milk yield between milker and milking technique. Hemoglobin in milk was measured as an indicator of teat damage. The hemoglobin content was numerically higher in post-milking strip milk samples than in saleable milk. It was concluded that the amount of milk removed depends mainly on the milker and how well the milking technique works for the individual milker. No effect of milking technique was observed on teat treatment.     

The necessity of chromatographic purification prior to radioimmunoassay of diethylstilbestrol in the urine of cattle

Summary

From the results of this study the conclusion can be drawn that radioimmunoassay (RIA) of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in crude urinary extracts may lead to highly unreliable results. Simple paper‐chromatographic purification, prior to radioimmunoassay, eliminates interfering substances responsible for ‘false DES’ values. Such a purification step is mandatory, certainly when the radioimmunoassay is used for statutory control purposes.     

Detection of Neospora caninum in dog organs using real time PCR systems

Neospora caninum is a parasite responsible for paresis in dogs. The dog can harbour enkysted parasites in several organs. The detection of N. caninum was performed using 3 different real time PCR systems all amplifying the NC5 DNA region. One system was based on Sybrgreen, one on Plexor technology and the last on Taqman probe. Comparison of the three methods indicated that the detection limit was 1 equivalent genome on pure DNA but that this detection limit increased in the presence of foreign DNA using the Sybrgreen and Plexor systems. Therefore, the Taqman system was chosen to detect N. caninum in liver and spleen of naturally infected dogs. The overall prevalence was 32.2%. Comparison between PCR results and serological results using IFAT showed that among the 28 PCR positive dogs only 9 were seropositive and that 8 seropositive dogs were PCR negative. Therefore serology can underestimate the real carriage in dogs. However, PCR methods must be improved in terms of sensitivity and inhibition problems.     

Effect of suckling period on calf growth and milk yield of Zebu cows

Eighteen multiparous Zebu cows in their third lactation and their calves were randomly allocated to three suckling periods, up to 3, 4 or 5 months of age of the calf. The cows were individually fed natural hay, cottonseed cake and molasses. At 2 months of age, all calves were separated from their mothers, and were offered cottonseed cake mixed with molasses and Mucuna hay individually. The calves stimulated milk ejection by suckling 30 seconds and suckled the residual milk for 45 minutes after milking. The dry matter intake of cows (3.68, 3.29 and 3.31% of body weight) and calves (2.88, 2.80 and 2.55% of body weight) for suckling up 3, 4 and 5 months of age, respectively, was not significantly affected by treatment and neither was the growth rate of the calves (178, 157 and 149 g/d for 3, 4 or 5 months suckling period, respectively). Cows suckling their calves up to 5 months had significantly higher milk yield and higher amount of saleable milk (1.97, 2.93 and 3.69 kg/cow/d for 3, 4 and 5 months suckling period, respectively). The fat content of the milk decreased with increasing length of the suckling period while the protein content was not affected. In conclusion, a suckling period of 5 months resulted in higher total milk production and higher amount of saleable milk but did not seem to have any effect on calf growth when the calves were supplemented.     

Growth performance,carcass quality characteristics and colonic microbiota profiles in finishing pigs fed diets with different inclusion levels of rice distillers’ by‐product

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing rice distillers’ by‐product (RDP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and gut microbiota of fattening pigs. Twenty‐four crossbred finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), 56.9 ± 3.1 kg initial body weight, were randomly allocated to three groups. For 56 days, pigs were fed one of three diets including RDP0 (control), RDP15 (15% RDP in DM), and RDP30 (30% RDP in DM). With RDP level in diet, average daily gain and backfat thickness linearly increased (p < 0.05), and drip loss tended to increase (p ≤ 0.08). In addition, 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon profiling showed that RDP was associated with modulation of colonic microbiota composition, especially at family and genus levels. Relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae families in colonic digesta increased with inclusion of RDP, while that of Enterobacteriaceae decreased. The proportion of genera unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae, and Butyrivibrio increased as inclusion of RDP. These results indicate that up to 30% inclusion in diet of finishing pigs, RDP can modulate colonic microbiota composition, and induces an improvement of animal growth and fat deposition.     

Phytoavailability of lead altered by two Pelargonium cultivars grown on contrasting lead-spiked soils

Purpose

This study assesses the potential of two contrasted fragrant Pelargonium cultivars to induce pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) changes in the soil solution, Pb speciation, and their subsequent effects on rhizosphere phytoavailable Pb.

Materials and methods

Rooted plantlets were grown in special devices, floating on aerated nutrient solution in PVC tanks. This setup allows roots to be physically separated, through a mesh, from a 3-mm soil matrix layer that can be considered as rhizosphere soil. Two contrasted soils, each spiked with Pb-rich particles, emitted from a battery recycling industry, were used at total burdens of 500 and 1500 mg Pb kg^?1 in addition to a control unspiked soil. Soil solution pH, phytoavailable Pb, DOC, Pb adsorption, precipitation on roots, and Pb phases in soil and plant were investigated.

Results and discussion

Attar of Roses (Attar) cultivar acidified its rhizosphere by 0.4 pH units in both spiked soils. Concolor Lace (Concolor) was unable to change soil solution pH on soil-1 and increased it by 0.7 units on soil 2. Concentrations of Pb in soil solution from Attar plants were always higher than those of Concolor ones. DOC contents of both unspiked soil-1 and soil-2 without plants were not significantly different. In the case of spiked samples, DOC contents in the rhizosphere soil were increased by three and two times for Attar and Concolor, respectively, compared to the unspiked soil without plant. Both cultivars were able to increase DOC contents, independent of soil type and level of contamination. Accumulation of Pb in shoots and roots was higher in Attar as compared to Concolor due to enhanced available Pb as a result of pH and DOC modifications of the rhizosphere soil. Significant amounts of Pb were adsorbed on roots of both cultivars. X-ray elemental analysis of precipitates on roots revealed the association of Pb with P in cylinder-like structures. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that Pb was present, to a major extent in the inorganic form, mainly as PbSO₄ in the soil, whereas it was complexed with organic species within plant tissues. The conversion of Pb into organic species could decrease toxicity, may enhance plant tolerance, and could increase translocation.

Conclusions

Plant-induced changes were responsible for the modification of lead phases within the soil. Immobile forms present in the source leaded particles as well as in the soils were converted into soluble species, ultimately improving the phytoavailable or soil solubilized Pb.