Cashew nut shell liquid potentially mitigates methane emission from the feces of Thai native ruminant livestock by modifying fecal microbiota

The methane-mitigating potency of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) was evaluated by investigating gas production from batch cultures using feces from Thai native ruminants that had been incubated for different periods. Feces was obtained from four Thai native cattle and four swamp buffaloes reared under practical feeding conditions at the Kasetsart University farm, Thailand. Fecal slurry from the same farm was also included in the analysis. CNSL addition successfully suppressed the methane production potential of feces from both ruminants by shifting short chain fatty acid profiles towards propionate production. Methane mitigation continued for almost 150 days, although the degree of mitigation was more apparent from Day 0 to Day 30. Bacterial and archaeal community shifts with CNSL addition were observed in feces from both ruminants; specifically, Bacteroides increased, whereas Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae decreased in feces to which CNSL was added. Fecal slurry did not show marked changes in gas production with CNSL addition. The findings showed that the addition of CNSL to the feces of ruminants native to the Southeast Asian region can suppress methane emission. Because CNSL can be easily obtained as a byproduct of the local cashew industry in this region, its on-site application might be ideal.     

Ceramide aminoethylphosphonate from jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas attenuates the toxicity of cyanotoxin microcystin-LR

We have previously established the method for isolation of ceramide aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP) from jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas. In this study, we performed a MTT assay to evaluate the safety of CAEP to the cell lines for the application to health food and supplements. The CAEP did not show any cytotoxicity to various HEK293-transfectant cells. Next, we elucidated the positive function of CAEP to the somatic cells. Recently, we have reported that hepatotoxin microcystin-LR was taken up into the hepatocytes mediated by hepatocellular uptake transporters OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, and the cells were induced cytotoxicity subsequently. Cytotoxicity of microcystin-LR to permanently OATP1B3-expressing HEK293-OATP1B3 cells rather than to HEK293-OATP1B1 cells was preferentially attenuated by CAEP in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the enzyme activity of serine/threonine phosphatase, which was inhibited by microcystin-LR, was recuperated by co-exposure to CAEP. Furthermore, microcystin-LR-induced cellular protein phosphorylation were disrupted by CAEP exposure. These results suggested that CAEP is a promising remedy and/or preventive medicine for liver damage with microcystin-LR.     

Body and intestinal growth of broiler chicks on a commercial starter diet. 2. Development and characteristics of intestinal enzymes

1. Investigations were conducted into the development of intestinal enzyme function in broiler chickens on a commercial starter diet. The differences between intestinal regions and localisation of enzymes on the villus were assessed. 2. The specific activity of maltase, sucrase, aminopeptidase N (APN) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) at all intestinal sites decreased with age. There were also variations between intestinal sites although this variation depended on age. The specific activity of maltase was higher than that of the other enzymes examined, regardless of age and intestinal site. The total activities of the enzymes also increased with age at all intestinal sites. 3. Results of the localisation of enzymes on the crypt: villus axis showed that activity was expressed over a large proportion of the villus. There was an increase in the total villus activity of alpha-glucosidase (AG), APN and AP with age. Activity per unit villus surface area was similar between ages, except for jejunal AP. At hatch enzyme activity was expressed over 44.1, 55.8 and 63.3% of villus height in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, respectively. At 21 d of age, corresponding values were 68.7, 65.6 and 77.2%. The point of peak activity from the crypt: villus junction increased with age. In the jejunum, most enterocytes were capable of secreting active enzymes within 1 h of formation. Cells maintained their secretory capabilities until they were more than 60 h old in the case of AG. 4. Although the specific activities of the enzymes were maximal at hatch, the digestive capacity of older birds may be sustained by an increase in total enzyme activity brought about by increased surface area. The pattern of enzyme activity along the gastrointestional tract (GIT) and crypt: villus axis is similar to that reported for some mammalian species.     

Body and intestinal growth of broiler chicks on a commercial starter diet. 3. Development and characteristics of tryptophan transport

1. A study was conducted to characterise the development of amino acid transport in broiler chicks, using L-tryptophan as a model. The chicks were maintained on a broiler starter diet between hatch and 21 d of age. 2. There was a significant reduction in the rate of uptake of 0.04 mM L-tryptophan with age in both the jejunum and ileum. Uptake was enhanced in the presence of 50 mM sodium chloride to different degrees depending on age and intestinal site. At both intestinal sites, uptake capacity increased with age while there was a reduction in uptake efficiency with age. 3. At a concentration of 25 mM, both sodium chloride and potasium chloride increased uptake by ileal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) of 7-d-old chicks but uptake was reduced when potassium chloride was included at a concentration of 50 mM. In the presence of valinomycin, uptake by jejunal BBMV was stimulated by 25 mM sodium chloride. In the presence of both sodium chloride and potassium chloride and in the absence of valinomycin, uptake was increased by 42.6% but this was reduced to 23.4% when the ionophore was included in the buffer. 4. The Na+-independent uptake of L-tryptophan into jejunal vesicles of 21-d-old chicks was lower in the presence of D-tryptophan than in the presence of 2-aminobicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH). The inclusion of BCH in the incubation medium at low concentrations significantly enhanced the uptake of 0.04 mM L-tryptophan by jejunal BBMV. 5. At similar concentration (0.04 mM) to L-tryptophan, lysine, methionine and alanine in the presence of Na+ also stimulated L-tryptophan uptake. The uptake of L-tryptophan was reduced at a higher concentration, 25 mM, of these amino acids. 6. The study revealed a decline in rate of amino acid uptake and an increase in total uptake capacity with age. Tryptophan uptake was both Na+-independent and dependent, and occurred more in the ileum than in the jejunum. The uptake of L-tryptophan depended on the concentration of other amino acids and other factors in the diet and digesta.     

Transvenous retrograde portography for identification and characterization of portosystemic shunts in dogs

Transvenous retrograde portography for identification and characterization of portosystemic shunts in dogs A method for transvenous retrograde portography (TRP) in dogs suspected to have a portosystemic shunt (PSS) and results in 20 dogs are described. For TRP, dogs were anesthetized and positioned in left lateral recumbency A dual-lumen balloon-tipped catheter was inserted into the right jugular vein and advanced into the azygos vein. The balloon was inflated to occlude the azygos vein, and contrast material was injected during fluoroscopic evaluation. The catheter was then positioned in the caudal vena cava just cranial to the diaphragm. The balloon was again inflated to occlude the vena cava, and contrast material was again injected. Once a shunt was identified, selective catheterization was attempted with a guide wire and angled catheter. A PSS was identified in 18 of the 20 dogs. In 10 of the 18, the shunt vessel could be selectively catheterized, allowing measurement of portal pressures while the shunt was occluded with the balloon. In 1 dog, results of TRP were normal, but subsequent exploratory celiotomy revealed a single extrahepatic PSS, which was surgically attenuated. The other dog in which results of TRP were normal did not have a macroscopic PSS. In dogs suspected to have a PSS, TRP may be a useful adjunctive diagnostic test that is less invasive than operative mesenteric vein portography and allows measurement of portal pressures before and after temporary shunt occlusion.     

On the Introduction of Phytophagous Fishes into Gravity-flow Irrigation Systems in the Sudan

This paper describes gravity-flow type irrigation schemes in the Sudan and the economic and biological problems associated with the build-up of aquatic weeds. Economic problems include loss of production through water loss and biological problems and an increase in the water-associated vectors of the diseases malaria and bilharzia. The case for and possible advantage of the introduction of phytophagous fishes into the canals for aquatic weed control is discussed. Two species are suggested, the exotic Chinese grass carp and the endemic Tilapia zillii. The environmental effects of both are discussed with reference to the possibility of natural spawning in the schemes and escape into natural waters outside the schemes. The potential reduction of water-associated vectors of diseases through removal of aquatic weeds indicates a considerable social and economic advantage to their Introduction. It is concluded that experiments should continue on the introduction of grass carp whilst experiments should begin on the introduction of the alternative T. zillii, the promising potential of which is at present being ignored.     

Intestinal function and reproductive capacity of Tegel pullets in response to exogenous oestrogen.

The effects of varying levels of exogenous oestrogen (E2) (0, 10 or 100 micrograms E2/kg BW) on the development of 18-week old pullets were tested over a 28-day period. The hormone had no significant effects on feed intake, body growth, feed conversion ratio or weight of the oviduct. Similarly, there were no significant effects of the hormone on egg production and egg weight but eggshell thickness and weight of shell per unit area were increased (P < 0.05) at a lower level of administration (10 micrograms E2/kg BW), compared to the control and the highest level of hormone. The morphometry of the jejunal mucosa and some enzymes associated with Ca transport were similar between the three groups. Oestrogen treatment, however, intensely enhanced the expression of calbindin D22K, although this was not quantified.