Does variable rate irrigation decrease nutrient leaching losses from grazed dairy farming?

The irrigation of grazed dairy pastures can be highly profitable, but can lead to the enhanced leaching of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and impairment of freshwater quality. A six‐year study was conducted to determine whether the use of variable rate irrigation (VRI), compared to uniform rate irrigation (URI), could decrease N and P leaching losses from a 143‐ha area under intensively grazed dairy cattle that had been partly hydrologically isolated by the installation of artificial drainage pipes. Median concentrations in drainage of NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N and total N were enriched after passing through the irrigated area under both URI and VRI. However, median concentrations of N species and filterable reactive P and total P in drainage downstream of the irrigated area were much less under three years of VRI than under three years of URI. After accounting for potential differences in flow, annual load estimates of N and P species at the downstream site under VRI were about 80–85% less than that lost under URI. Wider adoption of VRI technology could therefore decrease farm leaching losses and nutrient concentrations in receiving waterbodies compared to areas with widespread URI or flood irrigation.     

The Effects of Isoflavones on Androgens and Glucocorticoids During Puberty on Male Wistar Rats

Isoflavones are the most common phytoestrogens found in human diets. However, it is still not clear whether isoflavones have effects on the reproductive and the endocrine systems under normal dietary intake and overdose. The aim of this study was to determine how the most important isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, affect androgen and glucorticoid levels on male prepuberal rats. A hundred and seventy‐five 30‐day‐old male Wistar rats were dosed orally by stomach tube every day for 35 days, with saline solution, low and high doses of genistein, daidzein and a mixture of both. Serum samples were analysed by an enzyme immunoassay for hormone determinations. In control group, there was a peak of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone levels associated to the onset of puberty, at the third week. However, in low‐dose groups, the same peak was found at the fourth week (p < 0.05), indicating a delay in the onset of puberty in these groups. Moreover, high doses groups serum androgen levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the control group from the first week until fifth week. This fact was supported by a epididymal histological analysis that indicate in low doses there were several content of spermatozoa at fourth week and in high doses there were few content of spermatozoa. Besides, corticosterone levels followed the same pattern of androgens in all groups. We can conclude that oral administration of isoflavones in male rats decreased the secretion of androgens and glucocorticoids causing a delay in the onset of puberty and may cause physiological and developmental problems.     

杂交改良对撒坝猪肌肉品质的影响——肌肉化学成分分析

 选用24kg左右的去势撒坝猪及其约长撒三元杂交猪各7头，根据基因型分成2组, 按活重变化分为3个试验期 （前期20～35kg，中期35～60kg和后期60～90kg），在同一试验期内饲喂同样的日粮进行饲养试验，当活重达90kg进行屠宰试验，研究杂交改良对云南省本地猪种撒坝猪肌肉化学成分的影响。撒坝猪通过杂交改良后，生长速度和瘦肉率显著提高，但其肉品质均有不同程度的下降。杂交后代鲜肉的总氨基酸含量有降低的趋势，但统计学差异不显著（P＞0.05）；撒坝猪鲜肉的赖氨酸含量显著地比杂交猪的高（P＜0.05），在干肉样中，二者的差异不显著（P＞0.05）；然而，撒坝猪的组氨酸含量在鲜样和干样中都显著地比杂交猪的高（P＜0.01）。肌肉中脂肪酸的测定结果显示，撒坝猪肌肉中的油酸（C_18∶1）和亚麻酸（C_18∶3）的含量显著地比杂交猪的高（P＜0.05）；尽管统计学的差异不显著，撒坝猪肌肉中的豆酸蔻（C_14∶1）, 和棕榈油酸（C_16∶1）显示了比杂交猪的高趋势（P＞0.05）；然而，杂交猪肌肉中亚油酸 （C_18∶2）的含量显著地比撒坝猪中的高（P＜0.05）；两个组的棕榈酸（C_16∶0），硬脂酸（C_18∶0） 和花生酸（C_20∶0）含量相同（P＞0.05）。     

Generation of an LFA-1 antagonist by the transfer of the ICAM-1 immunoregulatory epitope to a small molecule

The protein-protein interaction between leukocyte functional antigen-1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is critical to lymphocyte and immune system function. Here, we report on the transfer of the contiguous, nonlinear epitope of ICAM-1, responsible for its association with LFA-1, to a small-molecule framework. These LFA-1 antagonists bound LFA-1, blocked binding of ICAM-1, and inhibited a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with potency significantly greater than that of cyclosporine A. Furthermore, in comparison to an antibody to LFA-1, they exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. These results demonstrate the utility of small-molecule mimics of nonlinear protein epitopes and the protein epitopes themselves as leads in the identification of novel pharmaceutical agents.     

Epidemiology and management of a bovine brucellosis cluster in Northern Ireland

An epidemiological investigation was undertaken of 41 bovine brucellosis outbreaks that occurred within a 10-month period, in a region where eradication measures appeared to be succeeding. The primary outbreak comprised three herds with significant within-herd spread and a high probability of multiple abortions. Direct contact between cattle at pasture was the most likely means of between-herd transmission for most (71%) outbreaks, with an attack rate of 28.1% in herds immediately neighbouring the primary outbreak herds and 11.3% in the next concentric ring of farms. Resolution of the incident was attributed to a rapid response by the veterinary authorities, detailed epidemiological investigations, repeated, prolonged testing of contact herds and employment of parallel testing.