Behavioural strategy of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in response to different kinds of boats in the waters of Lampedusa Island (Italy)

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Impact of long-term application of fertilizer, manure and lime under intensive cropping on physical properties and organic carbon content of an Alfisol

Intensive cropping with conventional tillage results in a decline of soil organic carbon (SOC) with consequent deterioration of soil physical properties. Some studies indicate that this decline in SOC can be arrested by way of organic manure application and improved nutrient management practices. This study was conducted to find out the long-term effects of inorganic fertilizer, manure and lime application on organic carbon content and physical properties of an acidic Alfisol (Typic Haplustalf) under an annual soybean-wheat crop rotation. Six treatments namely, control (CON), nitrogen fertilization (NIT), nitrogen and phosphorus (NP), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), NPK plus manure (NPKM) and NPK plus lime (NPKL) from a long-term fertilizer experiment continuing at Ranchi, India, were chosen for this study. Soil samples were collected from the selected treatments after 29 crop cycles and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The results indicated that SOC content in all the treatments decreased from initial levels, but the decrease was considerably less in NPKM (8.7%) and NPKL (10.9%) treatments than that in NIT (28.3%) treatment. The SOC at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth was lowest in NIT and CON. The NPKM, NPKL and NPK treatments up to 30 cm soil depth recorded significantly higher SOC than NIT and CON. Application of balanced fertilizer along with manure (NPKM) or lime (NPKL) improved soil aggregation, soil water retention, microporosity and available water capacity and reduced bulk density of the soil in 0-30 cm depth over CON. In contrast, soil aggregate stability, microporosity and available water capacity were significantly lower in the NIT plots than that in CON. The study thus suggests that soil management practices in acidic Alfisols should include integrated use of mineral fertilizer and organic manure or lime to maintain the organic carbon status and physical environment of soil.     

Grapevine red blotch virus is sporadically present in a germplasm collection in Northern Italy

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Limited information is available on the distribution of grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in grape-growing regions outside North America. In this study,...     

Whole sunflower seeds as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for grazing dairy cows: Effects on metabolic profiles and resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity

Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could modify follicular dynamics and reduce the length of the interval from calving to first ovulation (ICOV) in dairy cows, associated with changes in metabolites (i.e. cholesterol) or hormones (i.e. IGF-I). To test this hypothesis, 48 cows were stratified in two groups (primiparous or multiparous) and within each group were randomly assigned to three treatments to begin at calving: 0 kg (SS0), 0.7 kg (SS0.7) and 1.4 kg (SS1.4) of whole sunflower seeds (WSS) per cow per day. The experimental period lasted for 60 days after calving and the diets, which consisted of direct grazing of improved pastures, whole-plant wheat silage and concentrates, were designed to be isocaloric and isoproteic (1.6 Mcal NEL/kg DM, 16.7% CP). Ovaries were examined by ultrasound three times per week from day 8 postpartum (PP) until first PP ovulation. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected weekly from calving to characterize the metabolic profiles. In treatments SS0.7 and SS1.4, 7/8 and 6/8 primiparous cows ovulated the first follicular wave PP, compared with only 1/8 primiparous cow in treatment SS0, while there were no treatment differences in multiparous cows. The ICOV was 44, 21 and 19 days for the primiparous, and 22, 21 and 25 days for the multiparous cows, in treatments SS0, SS0.7 and SS1.4, respectively. Treatments had no effect on BCS, plasma IGF-I and metabolic profiles except that NEFA and urea were increased by WSS supplementation. Intake of PUFA (WSS up to 1.4 kg/day or 6.7% of the diet) during early lactation reduced the ICOV in primiparous grazing dairy cows in early lactation but not in multiparous cows, and while the precise mechanism for these results is unclear, it was not related to changes in the plasma concentrations of IGF-I or cholesterol.     

Effect of Prepartum Energetic Supplementation on Productive and Reproductive Characteristics, and Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles in Dairy Cows under Grazing Conditions

The effect of cracked corn grain supplementation (3.5 kg/day) during 3 weeks before the expected calving date on milk production and composition, body condition score (BCS), metabolic and hormonal profiles and length of postpartum anoestrus was evaluated in multiparous Holstein dairy cows under grazing conditions (Energy supplemented group, n = 10; Control group, n = 10). Body condition score was weekly recorded during the peripartum period, from days −21 to +35 (parturition = day 0). Non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, urea, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), leptin, thyroxine (T₄) and 3,3'5-triiodothyroinine (T₃) were weekly determined in plasma from days −21 to +35. The reinitiation of ovarian cyclicity was twice weekly determined by ovarian ultrasonography and confirmed by plasma progesterone concentrations. Cows fed energy concentrate prepartum had higher BCS during the prepartum and postpartum and produced more milk. Non-esterified fatty acids plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the energy group, while cholesterol was higher in the control group. Treated cows had higher levels of plasma insulin, IGF-I and leptin pre-calving. IGF-I, leptin and T₄ were diminished during the early postpartum period in both groups. Insulin levels were also diminished in the control group, but levels remained high in the energy-supplemented group. Treated cows ovulated sooner after parturition than controls. We conclude that Energetic supplementation prepartum in cows under grazing conditions increased milk production and reduced the reinitiation of ovarian activity, consistent with a better EB (BCS), higher prepartum levels of IGF-I, leptin and insulin, and higher insulin levels during early postpartum.     

鲫鱼冬瓜皮汤改善肾病综合征患者水肿及肾功能的临床观察

目的 观察鲫鱼冬瓜皮汤辅助治疗肾病综合征水肿期患者对水肿及肾功能的影响。方法 将120例肾病综合征患者随机分为两组各60例,对照组予以常规西药治疗,治疗组除常规西药治疗外,予以鲫鱼冬瓜皮汤,每日2次,隔日1剂,连续14 d为1疗程,共治疗2个疗程。观察两组患者水肿消退时间、腿围、腹围、体质量及血清肌酐（CR）、尿素氮（BUN）、尿酸（UA）水平的变化。结果 治疗组较对照组水肿消退时间明显缩短（P<0.05）;治疗4周后,两组患者的腿围、腹围及体质量较治疗前均明显降低（P<0.05）,且治疗组腹围及体质量下降更明显（P<0.05）;治疗组血清CR、BUN、UA水平较治疗前显著下降（P<0.05）,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 鲫鱼冬瓜皮汤辅助治疗肾病综合征水肿患者可有效改善水肿及肾功能,疗效确切,食用安全,可在临床上进一步推广。     

Effect of heat killed Mycobacterium phlei on body weight gain and management of caecal coccidiosis in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunotherapeutic potential of heat killed Mycobacterium phlei in broiler chicken against experimentally produced Eimeria tenella infection. The selected dose of E. tenella oocyst (5 × 10³ sporulated oocysts per bird) was capable of producing a mild form of caecal coccidiosis as observed by significant difference in body weight gain, clinical findings and caecal lesion score. Heat killed M. phlei was fed orally at 10 mg per bird with sterile PBS vehicle at alternate day for four doses. Our study reveals that per day body weight gain was significantly (p < 0.01) higher for healthy control compared to coccidia infected group. The group fed M. phlei along with coccidial challenge showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weight gain than infected control group. Heat killed M. phlei feeding also found effective to reduce the caecal lesion score significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison to E. tenella infected untreated group. IgA concentrations in serum and bile at 7-day post challenge of coccidial oocyst was also significantly (p < 0.01) higher in M. phlei fed group when compared to coccidia infected and healthy control group. We concluded that use of heat killed M. phlei has a beneficial role as an immunostimulant against caecal coccidiosis in broiler chicken.