Reducing crude protein variability and maximizing savings when formulating corn-soybean meal-based feeds

Crude protein in corn and soybean meal have been documented to vary, and such inherent variability can result in under- or over-feeding of CP when feeds are formulated, leading to reduced bird growth, added input costs, and increased environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 grain-handling techniques and 2 feed formulation methods (linear vs. stochastic programming) to reduce CP variability in finished feeds and determine resulting costs or savings. The 2 grain-handling techniques were placing all the random batches of each delivered ingredient in to (1) a single bin (1-bin method) or (2) segregating above- and below-average samples into 2 bins (2-bin method). A fast way of estimating the composition of the ingredients is now available (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy). Microsoft Excel workbooks were constructed to solve broiler starter feed formulation problems. Formulating feeds by linear and stochastic models based on the 2-bin method reduced CP variability by at least 50% compared with the 1-bin method. Formula cost was reduced by ˜20 cents per ton (averages of August 2012 United States ingredient prices) when the 2-bin method was used with the linear model. Formulating feed with a margin of safety increased formula cost by $3.40 per ton. Stochastic feed formulation increased formula cost to meet the specified CP level in feed at any probability of success, and formula cost was reduced substantially with the 2-bin method (up to $6.47 per ton). The magnitude of savings and reduced feed variability suggested that, regardless of the costs associated with building extra bins, the 2-bin method can be economically efficient in the long run. Therefore, it could be possible to split the batches of feed ingredients at a feed mill into above- or below-average bins before feed formulation to reduce CP variability and to maximize savings.     

基于S基因序列分析新型猪流行性腹泻病毒的遗传演化

最近，笔者实验室在青藏高原地区发现两种新亚型藏猪源猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV），为进一步调查新型PEDV是否在四川腹泻猪群中存在或流行，对实验室2018-2019年保存的116份猪腹泻粪便或肠组织样本进行PEDV的检测及其纤突蛋白基因（spike）分子特征研究。结果表明：腹泻样本的PEDV检出率为42.2%（49/116，95% CI=33.1%~51.8%），并获得了13条完整的S基因序列，全长为4 149~4 170 bp，序列相似性为94.2%~99.9%，其中SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019的S基因与藏猪源新G1亚群PEDV的序列相似性高达97.0%~98.6%。遗传演化研究结果表明13株PEDV S基因划分为G1和G2大群，其中SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019位于藏猪源新G1亚群；SWUN-19-CH-SCZY-2018、SWUN-4-CH-SCXC-2018、SWUN-1-CH-SCNJ-2019和SWUN-3CH-CH-SCZG-2019位于G2亚群中一个独立的分支，且与藏猪源新G2亚群毒株有着较近的亲缘关系。为了进一步研究13株PEDV的演化过程，以贝叶斯进化分析软件包（BEAST）进行分歧时间估算，结果表明SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019的分歧时间约为2012.3年，早于藏猪源新G1亚群其余毒株的最早分歧时间（2015.7年）；SWUN-4-CH-SCXC-2018、SWUN-19-CH-SCZY-2018和SWUN-3CH-CH-SCZG-2019的分歧时间约为2014.2年，早于G2亚群的藏猪源毒株2014.7年，所有藏猪源PEDV的分歧时间均晚于四川毒株。本研究在四川地区首次发现了藏猪源PEDV，并且从毒株的分歧时间推断青藏高原的藏猪源PEDV来源于四川，为新型PEDV分子遗传进化的监测提供了依据。     

马链球菌兽疫亚种烯醇化酶对小鼠肺泡巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响

旨在研究马链球菌兽疫亚种（Streptococcus equi ssp.zooepidemicus，SEZ）烯醇化酶（enolase，Eno）对小鼠肺泡巨噬细胞（RAW264.7）吞噬能力的影响。通过构建原核表达质粒获得重组烯醇化酶（rEno），采用台盼蓝活细胞计数法，判定在不同处理浓度和时间下rEno蛋白对RAW264.7细胞的细胞毒性。将rEno蛋白与RAW264.7细胞共孵育后，用SEZ作用于细胞并检测细胞吞菌数量，判断RAW264.7细胞对SEZ的吞噬活性。进一步通过活细胞稳定同位素标记技术（SILAC）和蛋白质谱分析技术（LC-MS/MS），筛选到RAW264.7细胞中可能与SEZ Eno存在相互作用的候选蛋白。结果发现，10 μg·mL^-1 rEno蛋白处理对RAW264.7细胞有明显的细胞毒性，且10 μg·mL^-1 rEno蛋白处理RAW264.7细胞2和4 h可显著抑制其对SEZ的吞噬作用（P<0.01、P<0.05）。初步筛选到RAW264.7细胞中动力蛋白激活蛋白亚单位蛋白（dynactin subunit protein 2，Dctn）、整合素α-M蛋白（integrin alpha-M）等17种可能与Eno发生互作的蛋白。本研究获得了rEno重组表达蛋白，发现rEno可减少RAW264.7细胞对SEZ的吞噬，互作蛋白的初步筛选也为进一步揭示Eno在SEZ抗吞噬中的作用机制奠定了基础。     

Outbreak of anaplasmosis associated with novel genetic variants of Anaplasma marginale in a dairy cattle

During early lactation, dairy cows may present a transient immunosuppressive state and develop anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale. In this study, clinical anaplasmosis in dairy cattle in the Thrace region of Turkey was investigated with respect to within-herd prevalence, vertical transmission, and genetic diversity. In March and September 2015, thirty lactating cows showed primary clinical signs of anaplasmosis, including fever, anaemia, decreased milk yield, anorexia, and laboured breathing. Symptoms disappeared in most cows after administration of long-acting oxytetracycline, but nine of them (30%) died. Following diagnosis based on clinical signs, microscopy and molecular findings, blood samples were collected from apparently healthy lactating cows (n = 184), pregnant heifers (n = 39) and newborn calves (n = 24). DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed for the presence of major surface proteins (MSPs) of A. marginale, followed by sequencing to assess diversity of isolates. Microscopic examination of erythrocytes revealed A. marginale inclusion bodies in symptomatic cows. Examination of thin blood smears showed 3.8% of the lactating, clinically asymptomatic, cows to be infected with A. marginale, while nPCR detected 31.0% positive. A. marginale infection was not detected in pregnant heifers by either method. Congenital infection was found in one calf by nPCR. This is the first report of transplacental transmission of A. marginale in Turkey. The MSP4 sequence analyses showed high genetic diversity among the isolates, presenting 97.6-99.6% homology at the amino acid level. The sequences of MSP1a amplicons revealed genetic diversity providing three new tandem repeats.     

Agronomic performance of an IR64 introgression line with large leaves derived from New Plant Type rice in aerobic culture

Aerobic culture is a promising water-saving technology in irrigated rice ecosystems, but the vulnerability of plants to fluctuations in soil moisture constrains leaf expansion and yield. The objective of this study was to examine whether an aboveground architecture with large leaves and reduced tillering is associated with vigorous leaf growth in aerobic rice culture. In a series of field experiments, we evaluated the agronomic performance of an IR64 introgression line, YTH323 (IR84640-11-27-1-9-3-2-4-2-2-2-B), with fewer tillers and larger leaves than IR64, derived from New Plant Type rice, under various water and nitrogen conditions. In flooded culture, YTH323 yielded the same as IR64 and 38% more than IR65564-44-51 (a New Plant Type rice) (9.0 vs. 6.6 t ha⁻¹). In aerobic culture, in contrast, it yielded 81% more than IR64 in slightly dry soils (5.1 vs. 2.8 t ha⁻¹). YTH323 had a higher leaf area index than IR64 and IR65564-44-51 under slightly dry soil conditions and under a range of nitrogen conditions. The higher and more stable yield of YTH323 in aerobic culture was attributable to greater early vigor, high specific leaf area, a high ratio of leaf weight to total biomass, and larger leaves, along with the characteristics of high-yield cultivars such as high responsiveness to fertilizers and good grain filling. We conclude that genetic modification of the aboveground architecture of IR64, a typical tropical lowland rice cultivar, to reduce tiller and leaf number improves adaptation to aerobic culture.     

Controlling sprouting in potato tubers using ultraviolet-C irradiance

Legislation limiting the use of chlorpropham (CIPC), the major potato sprout suppressant, has led to a need for new technologies to extend storage life of tubers. Ultra violet C (UV-C) has been used postharvest to reduce disease incidence on many crops, yet its use and efficacy as a sprout suppressant has not been investigated. The aim of this project was to identify the optimum dose and treatment timing of UV-C treatment on potato tubers as an alternative method of sprout suppression to reduce the dependence on chemical sprout suppressants. Up to six potato cultivars over two seasons were treated with varying doses of UV-C ranging from 0 to 30 kJ m⁻² either at harvest or at first indication of dormancy break. The tubers were stored at 9 °C and sprout growth and incidence assessed. Treatment with moderate UV-C doses (5–20 kJ m⁻²) suppressed sprout length and sprout incidence in a range of cultivars. Periderm DNA damage and programmed cell death were not detected in response to any of the UV-C doses. The inactive ABA metabolite, ABA-GE, increased in response to 10 or 20 kJ m⁻² within 72 h of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed a negative relationship between ABA metabolites and sprout growth/incidence during storage. This study found that UV-C reduced sprout growth in potato with no deleterious effects on tuber quality. This suggests potential for further development as an alternative or supplement to conventional sprout suppressant technologies.     

Transgenic expression of a sorghum gene (SbLRR2) encoding a simple extracellular leucine-rich protein enhances resistance against necrotrophic pathogens in Arabidopsis

Plant leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain-containing proteins are known to play important roles in signaling transduction and defense responses. In sorghum, SbLRR2 is pathogen-inducible gene encoding a simple extracellular LRR protein. Here, we demonstrated an earlier and stronger expression of SbLRR2 in a sorghum resistant genotype in comparison to a susceptible genotype following inoculation with the anthracnose pathogen (Colletotrichum sublineolum). In addition, SbLRR2 expression was found to be induced strongly by methyl-jasmonate treatment. Functional analysis was performed in SbLRR2 over-expression (OE) Arabidopsis plants, which showed enhanced resistance against the necrotrophic pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola. In addition, the OE lines were found to have elevated expression of several jasmonate acid (JA)-associated genes and higher endogenous JA contents. Hence, the SbLRR2-mediated defense responses in transgenic Arabidopsis are likely to be dependent on JA-signaling through increased JA production. On the other hand, the OE lines remained susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato like the wild type plants. Consistently, there was no up-regulation of salicylic acid (SA) defense marker gene expression or SA levels in the OE lines. Our results suggested that SbLRR2 is potentially useful for enhancing resistance against necrotrophic pathogens in transgenic dicot crops.     

新式墙面绿化在广州和深圳的应用研究

新式墙面绿化对日益缩减的城市绿化环境至关重要,通过实地调查广州和深圳30个新式墙面绿化场所,分析其种植形式、植物种类、植物配置与景观效果,总结出深圳和广州新式墙面绿化的植物应用现状和景观效果,并讨论其发展前景。     

Effects of germination and kilning on the phenolic compounds and nutritional properties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) are nutritious pseudocereals that originate from the Andean region. The aim of this research was to study the effect of germination and the subsequent kilning on the phenolic compounds and proximate composition in selected Peruvian varieties of quinoa (“Chullpi”) and kiwicha (“Oscar Blanco”). The germination process was carried out for 24, 48 and 72 h at 22 °C, and the kilning was performed with samples germinated for 72 h by drying the seeds at 90 °C for 5 min. Both processes increased the protein content of the samples. However, lipid content was reduced during germination. On the other hand, germination and kilning clearly increased the concentration of total phenolic compounds in both quinoa and kiwicha. Germination for 72 h either with or without kilning process resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total content of phenolics compared to untreated materials, which was especially due to coumaric acid and a kaempferol tri-glycoside in quinoa and caffeoylquinic acid in kiwicha. Based on the results, germination and kilning may improve the nutritional quality of the Andean grains, encouraging the usage of the processed grains as ingredients in functional products for people with special gluten-free or vegetarian diets.     

不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同饲粮粗蛋白质水平下黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋清品质及血清蛋白质代谢指标的影响。采用单因素随机试验设计,选用252只产蛋率相近的33周龄罗曼白蛋鸡,随机分为3组,每组7个重复,每重复12只鸡。各组分别饲喂标准回肠可消化氨基酸(SIDAA)平衡模式下配制的不同粗蛋白质水平(16.50%、14.85%、13.20%)的玉米-豆粕-黑水虻蛋白饲粮,各组黑水虻蛋白与豆粕提供等量的粗蛋白质。预试期2周,正试期12周。结果表明:1)与16.50%组相比,14.85组%和13.20%组的产蛋率和平均日采食量无显著影响(P>0.05),平均蛋重显著降低(P<0.05),料蛋比显著升高(P<0.05);13.20%组的产蛋量显著降低(P<0.05),14.85%组的产蛋量无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)与16.50%组相比,14.85%组的平均蛋重、蛋清重、浓蛋白重、蛋白高度、哈氏单位和蛋清比例均无显著差异(P>0.05);13.20%组的平均蛋重、浓蛋白重、蛋白高度显著降低(P<0.05),蛋清重和哈氏单位呈下降趋势(P=0.0513和P=0.0673)。3)各组血清谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性及总蛋白、白蛋白、尿酸含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。16.50%和13.20%饲粮粗蛋白质水平对蛋鸡输卵管膨大部分泌功能有轻微不良影响。由此可见,在SIDAA模式下,以黑水虻蛋白替代豆粕并使饲粮粗蛋白质水平降低至14.85%时对鸡蛋蛋清品质无不良影响。