Modified Colostomy Technique for Colonic Atresia in Calves

Objective: To report a modified colostomy technique for permanent fecal diversion in calves with colonic atresia. Study Design: Prospective study. Animals: Calves (n=19) with colonic atresia. Methods: Clinical findings, white blood cell counts, radiologic, ultrasonographic, and intraoperative findings were recorded. Calves were randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=9) had conventional colostomy and group 2 (n=10) had a modified colostomy. Technique efficacy was evaluated by postoperative observation, owner satisfaction, and calf survival. Results: Fifteen (79%) calves were discharged from the hospital; 4 (21%) group 1 calves died within 24 hours after surgery. Two (40%) group 1 calves died 18 and 30 days after surgery and 5 (50%) group 2 calves died 2–60 days after surgery. Eight calves reached slaughter weight (120±10 kg); 5 group 2 calves grew normally but the 3 group 1 calves had lower weight gain. Owners of the calves with conventional colostomy reported that the evacuation of feces was continuous whereas owners of calves with the modified colostomy reported that feces were released through the stoma in intervals. Conclusion: Modification of conventional colostomy by forming an hourglass shaped stoma lessens fecal incontinence but there was no difference in survival rate. Clinical Relevance: Modified colostomy was considered advantageous because of intermittent fecal discharge from the stoma compared with continuous fecal release in conventional colostomy. The modified technique seemingly has a beneficial effect on growth of the calf.     

Optimization of Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Extraction Conditions from Red Seaweed (Laurencia obtuse)

ABSTRACT

Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions including solvent:seaweed ratio (10:1–30:1), extraction temperature (30–50°C), and extraction time (30–60 min) on the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of red seaweed (Laurencia obtuse) extracts. The optimum extraction parameters for maximum phenolic content were as follows: solvent:seaweed ratio, 30:1; extraction temperature, 50°C; and extraction time, 42.8 min. The experiment results showed that the solvent:seaweed ratio was the most significant parameter for the extraction. The optimum extraction conditions for maximum antioxidant activity were as follows: solvent:seaweed ratio, 24.3:1; extraction temperature, 45.3°C; and extraction time, 58 min. Under the above-mentioned conditions, the experimental total phenolic content and antioxidant activity value were 26.23 ± 0.75 mg GAE/g seaweed and 120.89 ± 0.81 TEAC, respectively, of seaweed tested, which are well compatible with the predicted contents.     

Changes in the proximate composition of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) reared in the cages located on the Gulf of Antalya (Turkey's Western Mediterranean coast) during the fattening period

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the proximate composition of bluefin tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ) muscle reared in cages during the fattening period. Samples were taken from tunas at monthly intervals between July and October. Moisture, crude protein, crude fat and crude ash were analysed. The fat and ash contents increased, and the moisture content decreased during the fattening period. There were no significant differences in the protein content during this period. The mean protein concentration was 21% over this period. The highest levels of dry matter (40%), fat (15%) and ash (1.21%) were found in October. Baitfish ( Sardina pilchardus, Sardinella aurita and Alosa fallax nilotica ) were also analysed. There were no differences in the moisture, protein and fat contents between baitfish, but a lower ash content was found in sardine than in the others. The mean moisture, protein, fat and ash contents of baitfish were found to be 68.28%; 19.2%; 8.5%; and 1.4% respectively.     

The fission yeast FANCM ortholog directs non-crossover recombination during meiosis

The formation of healthy gametes depends on programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which are each repaired as a crossover (CO) or non-crossover (NCO) from a homologous template. Although most of these DSBs are repaired without giving COs, little is known about the genetic requirements of NCO-specific recombination. We show that Fml1, the Fanconi anemia complementation group M (FANCM)-ortholog of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, directs the formation of NCOs during meiosis in competition with the Mus81-dependent pro-CO pathway. We also define the Rad51/Dmc1-mediator Swi5-Sfr1 as a major determinant in biasing the recombination process in favor of Mus81, to ensure the appropriate amount of COs to guide meiotic chromosome segregation. The conservation of these proteins from yeast to humans suggests that this interplay may be a general feature of meiotic recombination.     

Interactions of soil predacious mites and citrus nematodes (parasitic and saprophytic), in citrus orchard under different regime of fertilizers. Effect on the population densities and citrus yield

Interaction of soil predacious mites and citrus nematodes (parasitic and saprophytic), in citrus orchard under different regime of fertilizers; Effect on the population densities and citrus yield.During a course of study on the predacious mites and their relationships with citrus nematodes, there were several population interactions, greatly varied according to the regime of fertilizers. In general the presence of organic manure encourage the population of predacious mites to increase, although decreasing the portion of organic manure discourage the populations. There were several positive interactions between both populations and that of predacious mites over exploited the nematode populations in several cases. Yield was almost the same under the different combinations, although the quality as measured by fruit size, weight/fruit, diameter/fruit and total solible solids was better under organic manure regime.     

新疆长绒棉育成品种演变趋势及综合评价

为挖掘新疆长绒棉已育成品种的特异性状及遗传潜力,选用38个2010—2019年育成的长绒棉品种为材料,应用系统聚类和灰色关联度等方法对其产量水平、早熟性情况、农艺性状、品质性状及抗病表现进行分析。结果表明:38个长绒棉育成品种的产量均高于同期对照,皮棉产量为1 778.75 kg/hm²,平均增产达12.39%。生育期平均为136.82 d,霜前花率平均为93.74%。通过灰色关联度分析,7个农艺性状与38个育成品种皮棉产量的关联度由高到低为铃重>衣分>子指>株高>始节位>果枝数>铃数。育成品种纤维长度变幅为36.4~41.4 mm,纤维长度≥37 mm的品种有32个,占育成品种总数的84.21%;断裂比强度变幅为42.8~48.8 cN/tex;马克隆值变幅为3.6~4.5;整齐度指数变幅为87.4%~90.1%。年际间枯萎病病情指数变幅在0.05~10.68,38个品种均为高抗、抗和耐枯萎病类型;属高抗黄萎病(病情指数≤10.0)的品种有17个,约占育成品种的一半。将38份长绒棉品种的7个农艺性状和4个纤维品质性状进行了聚类分析并划分成了4个不同类群。综上,2010—2019年育成品种产量总体趋势表现较为平稳;生育期呈现出逐年缩短的趋势;霜前花率总体表现为逐年升高趋势。通过灰色关联度分析,发现铃重、衣分与皮棉产量的关联度最大,关联系数达到0.79。长绒棉育成品种纤维长度呈现逐年增长趋势;断裂比强度、马克隆值和整齐度指数均无较大突破,但维持在了较高水平。38个育成品种分属高抗、抗或耐枯萎病类别;黄萎病病情指数呈现逐年降低的趋势。通过聚类分析将38个育成品种分成了4类,第Ⅰ类主要属于植株高度较高的品种,第Ⅱ类主要属于衣分较高的品种,第Ⅲ类主要属于铃重较大的品种,第Ⅳ类主要属于植株高度较矮的品种,生产中可根据特定育种目标选择杂交亲本进行改良。     

Pre‐challenge and post‐challenge haemato‐immunological changes in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed argan oil against Lactococcus garvieae

The present study investigated the effects of argan oil, obtained from Argania spinosa, on pre‐ and post‐challenge immuno‐haematological and biochemical responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. For this purpose, the fish were fed diets containing 0, 0.5%, 1% or 2% argan oil for 45 days. Following 45 days of feeding, fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and mortality was recorded for 15 days. During the pre‐challenge period, significantly higher respiratory burst activity, total white blood cell (WBC), serum lysozyme activity and myeloperoxidase activity were determined in the argan oil‐fed groups. The serum glucose and cholesterol levels decreased whilst total protein and albumin did not change in the groups fed with argan oil‐supplemented diets. After challenge with Lactococcus garvieae, the percentage survival (%) was found to be the highest in the 1% and 2% argan oil‐supplemented feeding groups. Also, there was a significant increase in weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio in those fish fed argan oil. The results of this study indicated that after the supplementation of fish diets with argan oil, especially at 1% and 2% concentrations, the immunological, haematological and biochemical values remained similar in both the pre‐ and post‐challenge periods and the immune response against L. garvieae in Nile tilapia was modulated.     

Optimization of Ammonia Removal from Aqueous Solution by Microwave-Assisted Air Stripping

In this study, the optimum conditions for the ammonia removal from aqueous solution by microwave-assisted air stripping have been investigated at pH 11. Ammonia solution with five different initial ammonia concentrations was prepared synthetically. The Taguchi method was applied to optimize the ammonia removal conditions. Initial ammonia concentration, air flow rate, temperature, stirring speed, microwave radiation power, and radiation time were defined as the optimization parameters. Experiments were carried out at five different levels for each operational parameter. The results of the experiments revealed that 1800 ppm of initial ammonia concentration, 7.5 L min^?1 of air flow rate, 60 °C of temperature, 500 rpm of stirring speed, and 500 W of microwave radiation power for 180 min. of microwave radiation time are optimum conditions for complete ammonia removal. In addition to present experimental data, the optimum operational conditions predicted by the balanced characteristics of orthogonal array were confirmed experimentally. Finally, the effect of optimization parameters was discussed in detail.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Can conventional breeding programmes provide onion varieties that are suitable for organic farming in the Netherlands?

Main stream commercial onion breeders do not select varieties for organic farming, but solely for conventional farming. Seed companies consider the organic market too small to justify investments in breeding for this sector. In order to study if their varieties also suit organic farmers’ needs we interviewed four Dutch commercial onion breeders on their breeding programme and selection criteria and compared the outcome with a variety profile composed of the priority traits of Dutch organic farmers. Breeders gave priority to the same storage and bulb quality traits that are demanded by organic farmers, because organic onions are exported to conventional supermarkets that apply the same quality standards to organic and conventional onions. However, organic farmers also need varieties that perform well in the field. Breeders give low priority to field selection. Furthermore, three of the four seed companies only breed hybrids. The cytoplasmic male sterility system used to produce these hybrids does not comply with organic principles. We conclude that at present breeders can provide varieties that meet organic farmers’ demands for storability and quality traits, but they should give higher priority to field selection to also improve required field traits. The latter will only occur, if in future the organic seed market will grow. If the organic sector wants varieties developed according to its own principles, it should either set up its own onion breeding programme or seek alliances with breeding companies that are prepared to harmonize their breeding methodology with the organic principles.     

Effect of germination on the nutritional quality of Pearl millet

Changes in proximate composition, trypsin inhibitor activity, phytic acid, tannins, in vitro protein digestibility and amino acids content of Pearl millet were investigated after germination for 5 days. Germination significantly increased protein content of pearl millet, with a parallel decrease in lipid and carbohydrates. Trypsin inhibitor activity and the phytic acid content showed significant decrease whereas tannin content increased after 5 days germination. In vitro protein digestibility （IVPD） was significantly decreased with germination, suggesting that tannins may be responsible for enzymes inhibition. Amino acid analysis revealed significant increase in essential amino acids and none essential amino acids.