Use of additives to capture nitrogen in ammoniated wheat straw: Intake, ruminal parameters, digestibility and nitrogen utilization in buffaloes

This study examined the influence of urea treated wheat straw (UTWS) ensiled with additives on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal characteristics and N utilization in Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (Babulus bubalis) fed ad libitum. Wheat straw was treated on large scale with 4% urea at a 50% moisture level. The UTWS was ensiled with 6% CSL, 6% acidified molasses, 2% acetic acid and 2% formic acid on DM basis in four different cemented trench silos for 15 days. Four diets each having 50% dry matter (DM) from UTWS ensiled with acetic acid (AD), formic acid (FD), acidified molasses (MD) or corn steep liquor (CD) and 50% DM from concentrate mixture were fed to ruminally cannulated bulls in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Ruminal total VFA, acetate, cellulolytic ruminal bacterial count, DM and NDF degradability were significantly higher with MD and CD diets compared with AD and FD diets. Intake of different feed fractions was higher in bulls fed MD and CD diets. Total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients was similar across all treatments. Nitrogen retention was higher in bulls fed MD and CD diets than those fed AD and FD diets. Ensiling UTWS with fermentable carbohydrates sources having low pH compared to organic acids increased the N fixation in the matrix of cell wall fiber thus slowing its release at ruminal level that probably enhanced the N synchronization with carbon skeleton (fiber fermentation) and this consequently improved the N utilization.     

Temporal dynamics of nutrient and carbohydrate distribution during crop cycles of Rosa spp. ‘Kardinal’ in response to light availability

Rose plants that are flush harvested exhibit episodic growth patterns. During these crop cycles little biomass accumulation occurs immediately following harvest; and as new shoots emerge a period of rapid shoot growth and biomass accumulation occurs. The temporal changes in whole-plant nutrient and carbohydrate distribution during these crop cycles and the role of storage in new shoot growth are not well documented. The objective of this project was to quantify N, P, K, and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) distribution in roots, base stems, base leaves, and new shoots during crop cycles in response to light availability. Plants were grown in solution culture under high or low light (mean daily light integral 45.3 or 13.1 mol m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively) during 30–35 day crop cycles. Every five days destructive sampling was used to determine biomass and N, P, K, and TNC concentration of rose plant compartments. N and TNC accumulated in base plant compartments during the first ten days of the crop cycles. N, P, K, and TNC in base plant compartments declined during days 10–25 during a crop cycle concurrent with the rapid growth of flower shoots. N, P, and K storage in base plant parts represents 27, 22, and 24% of the potential N, P, and K required by flower shoots under high light; and 19, 21, and 22% of requirements under low light. TNC storage in base plant parts represents 4–10% of the final biomass of flower shoots. Mobilization of N, P, K, and TNC stored from base plant parts appears to be important during the stage of rapid flower shoot growth when absorption by roots or photosynthesis by shoots was insufficient to meet flower shoot demands. Plant carbohydrate status was improved under high light conditions; storage of N and TNC declined under low light.     

基于生长度日和降水量的韩国饲用玉米产量预测模型构建

本研究基于韩国不同地区的气象数据和饲用全株玉米(Zea mays)产量的历史记录数据,利用一般线性模型进行了饲用全株玉米的干物质产量预测模型的构建。作物产量等相关数据采集自韩国农业协同组合中央会饲料作物研究课题报告,气象数据采集自韩国国家气象厅网站。经过4个步骤的数据整理,最终用于模型构建的数据集包含了22年间(1988-2011年)的775个数据点。以干物质产量为因变量,通过逐步回归分析,两个气象变量被选定为构建产量预测模型的最适气象变量。进一步,通过一般线性模型,构建了包含两个选定的气象变量和以虚拟变量形式考虑进模型的栽培地域变量的韩国饲用全株玉米产量预测模型:DMY=11.298SHAGDD-3.651SHP+1 089.870+Location。其中,DMY为饲用全株玉米的干物质产量,SHAGDD为播种到收获累积生长度日,SHP为播种到收获累积降水量。通过残差分析和10折交叉验证对所构建的模型进行了检验。根据此产量预测模型,可以发现作物生长期间的温度和降水量对饲用全株玉米的干物质产量有着显著的影响。因此,确定合理的播种和收获时间以使作物获得充分的生长对确保合理的作物产量有着重要意义。此外,基于韩国夏季降水相对集中的气象条件,选择拥有较好排水性的土地和较强耐涝性的作物品种,也是确保饲用全株玉米产量的重要因素。     

Effects of hybrid and bacterial inoculation on fermentation quality and fatty acid profile of barley silage

This study estimated the effects of hybrid and bacterial inoculant on fermentation quality and fatty acid profile of barley silages. Yuyeon (Silkless) and Youngyang (Silking) barley hybrids were harvested at 24.9 and 27.1% dry matter, respectively, and chopped to 10 cm lengths. Each hybrid was treated with or without an inoculant (2 × 10⁴ colony‐forming units/g of Lactobacillus plantarum). A total of 48 silos were prepared in an experiment with a 2 × 2 (hybrid × inoculant) treatment arrangement with four replications and three ensiling durations (2, 7 and 100 days). After 100 days of ensiling, Yuyeon silage had higher (P < 0.05) in vitro dry matter digestibility and C18:3n‐3 than Youngyang silage. Youngyang silage had higher (P < 0.05) acetic acid and C18:2n‐6 than Yuyeon silage. Inoculation reduced the C18:3n‐3 concentration of both hybrids and increased (P < 0.05) the C18:2n‐6 of Youngyang. However, fermentation quality was not improved by the inoculant. These results indicate that Yuyeon hybrid might have better potential benefits on animal performances due to its smooth awn and silkless nature, and higher in vitro dry matter digestibility. Its higher C18:3n‐3 would be better for improving fatty acid profile of meat or milk than Youngyang hybrid.     

Zoonotic origin and transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the UAE

Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in 2012, there have been a number of clusters of human‐to‐human transmission. These cases of human‐to‐human transmission involve close contact and have occurred primarily in healthcare settings, and they are suspected to result from repeated zoonotic introductions. In this study, we sequenced whole MERS‐CoV genomes directly from respiratory samples collected from 23 confirmed MERS cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These samples included cases from three nosocomial and three household clusters. The sequences were analysed for changes and relatedness with regard to the collected epidemiological data and other available MERS‐CoV genomic data. Sequence analysis supports the epidemiological data within the clusters, and further, suggests that these clusters emerged independently. To understand how and when these clusters emerged, respiratory samples were taken from dromedary camels, a known host of MERS‐CoV, in the same geographic regions as the human clusters. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus genomes from six virus‐positive animals were sequenced, and these genomes were nearly identical to those found in human patients from corresponding regions. These data demonstrate a genetic link for each of these clusters to a camel and support the hypothesis that human MERS‐CoV diversity results from multiple zoonotic introductions.     

Effect of matrigel on the osteogenic potential of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSCs) are a promising source of cells for bone tissue engineering. Matrigel is a basement membrane extract containing multiple extracellular components. This mixture may promote the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and provide a more appropriate microenvironment for transplanted cells. Here, we investigated the effect of Matrigel on the osteogenic potential of Ad-MSCs. Canine Ad-MSCs were cultured in 2D and 3D matrices and implanted into subcutaneous pouches of dogs either with or without Matrigel. Culture mineralization, cell adhesion efficiency, cell proliferation, osteoid matrix production and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activities were quantified and compared. Ad-MSCs grown in 2D cultures with Matrigel showed higher levels of calcium deposition and ALP activity than those grown in the absence of Matrigel under osteogenic conditions. In 3D cultures, the cells cultivated with Matrigel showed greater attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation than those grown without Matrigel. In vivo, Ad-MSCs implanted with Matrigel showed higher osteogenic potential than those without Matrigel. In conclusion, these data suggest that the use of Matrigel can increase the osteogenic potential of canine Ad-MSCs.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of phthalimide based alkali-clearable azo disperse dyes

The synthesis of a series of phthalimide based azo disperse dyes and their spectral properties were investigated. The azo dyes containing phthalimide and N-methyl phthalimide structure in diazo component were synthesized in order to compare their spectral properties. The synthesized dyes developed the color of yellow to violet and the N-substitution of the phthalimide gave a bathochromic effect on the color change. Most of the synthesized dyes exhibit negative solvatochromism so that the absorption band of dyes moves toward shorter wavelengths as the polarity of the solvent increases. In the case of halochromic effect, the bathochromic shift decreased steadily with the general electron donating capacity of the substituents in the coupling component, and became negative especially when more powerful electron donating groups are present in the coupling components ring.     

Seminoma with hyperesterogenemia in a Yorkshire Terrier

A male 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier dog with unilateral cryptorchism was presented for investigation of reduced appetite and multifocal alopecia. Abdominal sonography and radiography demonstrated abnormal enlargement of left testicle in abdominal cavity. Both of the retroperitoneal cryptorchid testicle and the other contralateral testicle were removed surgically. The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in blood collected from the jugular vein and the two spermatic veins were evaluated and the results revealed high estradiol concentration. The retroperitoneal cryptorchid testicle was enlarged, firm, bulging sphere mass. The cut surface revealed homogeneous white color and lobulation by septa. The contralateral testicle in scrotum showed atrophic testicle and enlarged epididymis. Histopathologically, the retroperitoneal cryptorchid testicle was diagnosed as seminoma. We thought that hyperesterogenemia and alopecia in this case was probably related with his seminoma, although high correlations between Sertoli cell tumor and alopecia have been reported. To our knowledge, this report may be a rare case of seminoma with hyperesterogenemia and alopecia.