Utilization of biochar impregnated with anaerobically digested slurry as slow‐release fertilizer

We examined the possibility of an environment‐friendly slow‐release fertilizer (SRF) made of biochar impregnated by anaerobically digested slurry. The biochar materials were produced from three types of feedstocks (orange peel, residual wood, water‐treatment sludge) at different temperatures of 300°C, 500°C, and 700°C via pyrolysis. The release behaviors of the water‐soluble K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ were similar for all impregnated biochars and the commercial SRF used. The water‐retention capacity was greatly improved by mixing the biochar‐SRF with the soil. The yield of lettuce was lower for the biochar‐SRF applications of 3.7 to 34.2 t ha^–1 than for the commercial SRF application of 51.4 t ha^–1. This might be due to excessive increase of soil pH for the biochar‐SRF application. Based on these results, the authors concluded that the biochar impregnated with nutrients could become an effective slow‐release K⁺ fertilizer.     

Phenotypic characterization and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of Pasteurella multocida isolated from Korean pigs

Pasteurella multocida causes various respiratory disease symptoms in pigs, including atrophic rhinitis and pneumonia. In the present study, 69 strains of P. multocida were isolated from 443 pigs with respiratory clinical symptoms at 182 farms located throughout South Korea from 2009 to 2010. A multiplex capsular PCR typing assay revealed that 69 strains of P. multocida isolated in this study had the biosynthetic locus of the capsules of either serogroup A (47 strains, 68.1%) or serogroup D (22 strains, 31.9%). The 22 strains positive for serogroup D-specific primers were divided into four clusters and the 47 strains positive for serogroup A-specific primers were divided into 12 clusters according to the results of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. P. multocida strains in the present study were susceptible to most of the antimicrobial agents used. An analysis of antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene pattern combined with RAPD indicated that a certain P. multocida strain appeared to be genetically identical, implying the persistence of the strain within a single farm.     

STRAIN ELASTOGRAPHY USING DOBUTAMINE‐INDUCED CAROTID ARTERY PULSATION IN CANINE THYROID GLAND

Thyroid disease is common in dogs and conventional ultrasonography is a standard diagnostic test for diagnosis and treatment planning. Strain elastography can provide additional information about tissue stiffness noninvasively after applying external or internal compression. However, natural carotid artery pulsations in the canine thyroid gland are too weak to maintain sufficient internal compression force. The objective of the present study was to describe the feasibility of strain elastography for evaluating the canine thyroid gland and the repeatability of dobutamine‐induced carotid artery pulsation as an internal compression method. In seven healthy Beagle dogs, strain on each thyroid lobe was induced by external compression using the ultrasound probe and internal compression using carotid artery pulsation after dobutamine infusion. The thyroid appeared homogeneously green and the subcutaneous fat superficial to the thyroid lobe appeared blue. Strain values and strain ratios did not differ among dogs or between the left and right lobes. Interobserver repeatability was excellent for both compression methods. Intraobserver repeatability of the strain ratio measured using the carotid artery pulsation method (intraclass coefficient correlation = 0.933) was higher than that measured using the external compression method (0.760). Mean strain values of thyroid lobes for the external compression method (142.93 ± 6.67) differed from the internal method (147.31 ± 8.24; P < 0.05). Strain ratios between the two methods did not differ. Strain elastography was feasible for estimating thyroid stiffness in dogs. Carotid artery pulsation induced by dobutamine infusion can be used for canine thyroid strain elastography with excellent repeatability.     

Effect of dopamine on excretory urographic image quality and the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in dogs

The effect of low dose dopamine on the excretory urographic image quality and contrast media-induced nephropathy in normal dogs (experiment 1) and the dogs with decreased renal function (experiment 2) were assessed. In experiment 2, decreased renal function was induced by gentamicin overdose. In each experiment, animals were divided into 3 groups. In group 1, only contrast medium (iohexol) was administered. In group 2, contrast medium plus intravenous fluid (0.9% saline) were administered. And in group 3, contrast medium plus intravenous fluid and low dose dopamine were administered. Investigated parameters included intrarenal resistive index (RI), serum BUN and creatinine concentrations, contrast medium elimination time and radiographic image quality. In experiment 1, RI of group I increased at 80 min after contrast medium administration (p<0.05), but RI of group 3 decreased at 48 and 72 hr (p<0.05). Serum BUN concentration of group 1 was higher than that of group 2 and 3 (p<0.05); in radiographic examination, contrast medium elimination time decreased in group 2 and 3, but image quality of group 2 was inferior to that of group 3. In experiment 2, image quality of group 3 only provided adequate visualization of renal structures. The formula of contrast medium plus low dose dopamine was found to provide good nephrogram and pyelogram image quality without supplemental contrast medium, and to protect renal tubules from prolonged exposure to concentrated contrast medium.     

Pax-7 immunoreactivity in the post-natal chicken central nervous system

In this immunocytochemical study on the constitutive expression of Pax-7 protein in the postnatal chicken brain, Pax-7 showed region and cell type specific expression. In the optic tectum, only cells in grey matter showed positive immunoreactivities (IRs), whereas those in the white matters did not show any IRs. In thalamic nuclei and several pontine nuclei, we also localized Pax-7 positive IRs. On the contrary, in the cerebellum, Pax-7 was mainly localized within the Bergmann glia, whereas Purkinje cells did not show any IRs. In double immunolabelling studies, most of the Pax-7 IRs did not originate from neuroglial cells such as oligodendrocytes, microglia or astrocytes, but from neurons, with the exception of Bergmann glia in the cerebellum. The presence of Pax-7 IRs in the adult chicken brain could suggest that Pax-7 might play a role in maintaining normal physiological function in some postnatal chicken brain cells.     

Parameter estimates for direct and maternal genetic effects on yearling, eighteen-month, and slaughter weights of Korean native cattle

Data collected by the National Livestock Research Institute of the Rural Development Administration of Korea were used to estimate genetic parameters for yearling (YWT, n = 5,848), 18-mo (W18, n = 4,585), and slaughter (SWT, n = 2,279) weights for Korean Native cattle. Nine animal models were used to obtain REML estimates of genetic parameters: DP-2 included genetic, uncorrelated dam, and residual random effects; DQ-2 included genetic, sire x region x year-season interaction, and residual random effects; DPQ-2 was based on DQ-2 but included both interaction and dam effects; DMP-2 was based on DP-2 but with dam effect partitioned to include maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects; and DMPQ-2 was based on DMP-2 but also included sire interaction effects. Those five models included two fixed factors: region x year-season and age of dam x sex effects. Models DP-3, DQ-3, DPQ-3, and DMPQ-3 were based on DP-2, DQ-2, DPQ-2, and DMPQ-2 but included as a third fixed factor whether or not identification of the sire was known. Estimates of heritability with DMPQ-3 for YWT, with DPQ-3 for W18 and SWT when analyzed with single-trait analyses were .14, .11, and .17, respectively, and were nearly the same with bivariate analyses. Estimate of maternal heritability for YWT from single-trait analysis was .04, with estimates for other traits near zero. For bivariate analyses, the estimate for YWT was .01. With single trait analysis, estimate of the direct-maternal genetic correlation for YWT was negative (-.81). Estimates of direct genetic correlations between YWT and W18, YWT and SWT, and W18 and SWT were .99, 1.00, and .97, respectively. Estimates of environmental correlations varied from .60 to .81; the largest was between W18 and SWT. Including a fixed factor for whether sire identification was missing or not missing reduced the estimate of heritability for slaughter weight. The results suggest that the sire x region x year-season interaction is important for yearling weight and may be needed in a model for slaughter weight. Maternal effects may be of slight importance for yearling weight but of no importance for W18 and SWT. Models for national cattle evaluations for Korean Native cattle for YWT should be considered that include maternal genetic and permanent environmental as well as sire x region x year-season interaction effects, but those effects seem not to be needed for models for W18 and SWT. Not much reranking of sires occurred when ranked was based on the different models for W18 and SWT.     

Sequence analyses of feline B7 costimulatory molecules

Using RT-PCR amplifications with mRNA from mitogen-stimulated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells, cDNA of feline B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) were cloned. The cDNA were sequenced and putative translated protein sequences compared with known counterpart sequences. Hydrophilicity patterns of the feline CD80 and CD86 which were only 26.8% identical at the amino acid sequence were very distinct from each other, but similar to the putative human CD80 and CD86 proteins, respectively. The feline CD80 gene encoded a protein of 292 amino acids and the CD86 gene encoded a protein of 329 amino acids. Amino-terminal signal sequences, extracellular Ig V- and Ig C-like domains, transmembrane domains, and carboxyl cytoplasmic domains were identified in both molecules. Although the most conserved domain among the CD80 sequences was the Ig C-like domain, the most conserved domain among the CD86 sequences was the Ig V-like domain. Among the known sequences, the bovine CD80 and the porcine CD86 sequences available for comparisons were identified as most closely related to the feline CD80 (63.3%) and CD86 (67.5%), respectively. The mouse molecules were the least identical (43.6 and 43.6%, respectively) with the feline CD80 and CD86 proteins. The human CD80 and CD86 molecules were 56.3 and 57.0% identical with the feline molecules.     

Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in porcine intestinal tissues with proliferative enteropathy

Detection method of Lawsonia intracellularis was studied in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded intestinal tissues from 5 naturally infected pigs by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody against outer membrane protein of L. intracellularis. Warthin-Starry silver stain revealed clusters of argyrophilic, slightly curved rod-shaped organisms in the apical cytoplasm of enterocytes. Immunohistochemical staining with a L. intracellularis-specific monoclonal antibody confirmed the presence of the organism in the apical cytoplasm of hyperplastic enterocytes. The presence of L. intracellularis in the ileum of pig with proliferative enteropathy was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) further on the basis of amplification of 319 base pair products specific for porcine L. intracellularis chromosomal DNA. Immunohistochemistry and PCR may be a complementary method to confirm the diagnosis of L. intracellularis infection in pigs.     

Effects of chilled drinking water on the performance of lactating sows and their litters during high ambient temperatures under farm conditions

Heat stress has detrimental effects on lactating sows and their litters, including decreased feed intake and milk production in sows and decreased weight gain in their offspring. It also increases respiration rate, rectal temperature, and weaning to estrus interval in sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chilled water (CW) on the performance of lactating sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures for 21 days. Ninety multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; parity range: 2 to 5) and their litters (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) were divided into 3 blocks (30 each). Sows and their litters within each block were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (n = 10 each). Each group was provided with drinking water at 10, 15, or 22 °C (control) under farm conditions where ambient temperature above 25 °C was consistent during the experimental period. Sows on CW (both 10 and 15 °C) consumed more feed and water than did control (P < 0.01) and higher estimated milk production compared with control (P < 0.01), but had lower rectal temperature and respiration rate compared with control (P < 0.01). Mean weaning weight (P < 0.01) and average daily gain (P < 0.01) of litters in CW groups were higher than those in control group. There were no differences in the measured variables, with the exception of the respiration rates, between the two CW treatment groups. These results suggest that CW may improve the performance of sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures and the 15 °C water, from an energy viewpoint, may be more effective.