Size and lipolytic capacity of bovine adipocytes from subcutaneous and internal adipose tissue

Adipose tissue samples were taken from five dairy cows in early lactation. Various external and internal sites were chosen, and after isolation of the adipocytes, their size and lipolytic capacity were measured. It was found that cells from all the sites showed high lipolytic activity, although there was a four-fold difference between cells from perirenal fat and those from omental fat, which showed the highest activity. It was not possible to detect any relationship between diameter and lipolytic capacity of the adipocytes.     

A method for measuring anthocyanins after removing carotenes in purple colored carrots

A method used for anthocyanin measurement in cranberry resulted in a problem of interference by carotene in purple carrot extracts. We developed a method suitable for a purple color carrot breeding program. The new method includes a three step process: (1) extraction of anthocyanins using a small amount of acidified ethanol (95% ethanol in 1.5 N HCl); (2) removal of carotenoids present in the extract; and (3) measurement of total anthocyanins with a spectrophotometer. The purple colored carrots analyzed contained around 38–98 mg anthocyanin per 100 g fresh weight. The new method can be efficiently used in a breeding program for the development of purple colored carrots for nutritional benefits and a source of a natural pigment.     

Wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay combinations in steam-flaked corn finishing cattle diets

One finishing trial and one digestibility trial were used to evaluate wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and alfalfa hay (AH) combinations in steam-flaked corn (SFC) finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 631 crossbred heifers (initial BW = 284 +/- 7.9 kg) were fed SFC-based diets containing combinations of WCGF (25, 35, or 45% of diet DM) and AH (2 or 6% of dietary DM) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. No interactions existed between WCGF and AH for heifer performance. Increasing dietary WCGF linearly decreased gain efficiency (P < 0.01), dietary NEg concentration (P < 0.05), and 12th-rib fat thickness (P = 0.10). Cattle fed 35% WCGF had the lowest occurrence of abscessed livers, resulting in a quadratic response (P < 0.05) as dietary WCGF increased. In Exp. 2, 12 ruminally cannulated Jersey steers (585 kg) were fed SFC-based diets containing combinations of WCGF (25 or 45% of diet DM) and AH (0, 2, or 6% of diet DM) in an incomplete Latin square design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Starch intake was lower (P < 0.05), but NDF intake was greater (P < 0.05) as AH and WCGF increased in the diet. Ruminal pH was increased by AH (linear, P < 0.05) and tended (P < 0.07) to increase with WCGF. Feeding 2% AH led to the greatest ruminal NH3 but the lowest total VFA and propionate (quadratic, P < 0.05). Addition of AH to diets containing 25% WCGF increased acetate to a greater extent than addition to diets containing 45% WCGF (AH x WCGF interaction, P < 0.05). Feeding 45% WCGF tended to increase passage rate (P = 0.17) and decrease (P < 0.05) total tract OM digestibility but increase (P < 0.05) in situ degradation of DM from AH and WCGF. Interactions between AH and WCGF existed (P < 0.05) for ruminal fluid volume (quadratic effect of AH x WCGF level), in situ SFC degradation (linear effect of AH x WCGF level), and in situ rate of WCGF DM disappearance (quadratic effect of AH x WCGF level). We conclude that AH levels may be decreased when WCGF is added to SFC diets as 25% or more of the dietary DM.     

不同间伐强度对营建落叶松—红松复层林的短期影响

间伐均能够在短期内显著提高落叶松-红松复层林的上层落叶松胸径增长量,并且能够在第2年显著提高落叶松 红松复层林的下层红松高生长量.间伐能够提高林下灌木层的多样性指数和均匀度指数,且间伐强度越大指数越高.而间伐虽然提高了草本层的多样性指数和均匀度指数,但随着间伐强度的增大而减小.总体而言,50％间伐强度更加有利于落叶松—...     

Horner's syndrome following intrathoracic tube placement

Two dogs developed unilateral Horner's syndrome attributable to the placement of a thoracic drainage tube. Signs resolved following removal of the chest drains.