Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

Soil quality assessments in integrated crop–livestock–forest systems: A review

Integrated crop–livestock–forest is a promising strategy to improve soil quality. It comprises four different integrated farming systems: crop–livestock, crop–forest, forest–livestock and crop–livestock–forest. This work systematically reviewed studies about integrated crop–livestock–forest systems and soil quality. A total of 92 papers were retrieved from the Web of Science—Clarivate Analytics platform, and the following information was analysed: publication year, institution, region of the studied site, type of integrated system, soil type, tillage system, maximum soil depth and the soil quality indicators assessed. Most studies were published in the second half of the 2010s. Brazil is a prominent focus of research about soil quality and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems, with significant contribution from its central and southern regions. The Embrapa was the main publishing institution, present in over one‐third of the studies. Crop–livestock was the most common integrated system, Ferralsols was the most common soil group, and most of the studied soils were clayey. No tillage was the main tillage system. Most studies focused on the topsoil, assessing physical and/or chemical soil quality indicators. More emphasis on biological indicators of soil quality is required, as well as assessments integrating biological, physical and chemical indicators of soil quality. Future works should compare different integrated systems, including assessments deeper in the soil profile, especially in systems with the forest component, and also in sandy and silty soils. Soil quality indicators that have been rarely used should be further tested. Novel indicators should be added to better understand the promotion of soil quality by integrated crop–livestock–forest systems.     

Intracavitary Cisplatin Chemotherapy Experience with Six Dogs

Six dogs with a median age of 7 years (range = 5-14 years) were presented for signs referable to thoracic or abdominal effusion associated with neoplasia of the body cavities. Intracavitary cisplatin was administered at 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for a median of 2.5 treatments (mean = 3, range = 1-6). Three dogs with pleural mesothelioma had complete resolution of effusion for 289, 129, and greater than 306 days without evidence of tumor growth. Resolution of effusion occurred after one treatment in two dogs and after two treatments in one dog. In three dogs with carcinomatosis of unknown origin, complete responses was seen in two dogs after one treatment for 255 and greater than 807 days, respectively. Intracavitary chemotherapy with cisplatin was associated with palliation and control of malignant pleural and/or abdominal effusion in five of six dogs. Toxicity was minimal, and this method of therapy should be further explored in dogs with similar malignancies.     

Validation of a human immunoturbidimetric assay to measure canine albumin in urine and cerebrospinal fluid.

The aim of this study was to validate an automated immunoturbidimetric assay used to quantify human albumin in urine and to accurately measure canine albumin concentrations in both urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The partial homology existing between human and canine albumin limited the accuracy of the human assays in measuring canine albumin without method modifications. Thus, the assay was modified by calibrating the analyzer with calibrators made in the laboratory containing known concentrations of canine albumin. To prepare the set of calibrators, the albumin concentration of pooled sera of healthy dogs was assessed in 5 replicates using the BromocresolGreen assay. Pooled samples were aliquoted and serially diluted to obtain the expected concentrations of albumin (0.5, 1, 5, 13, and 30 mg/dl) for establishing the canine calibration curve. Thereafter, the performance was assessed by analyzing canine urine and CSF The modified assay accurately quantified canine albumin in both specimens, as indicated by the following. Intra- and interassay variability was 0.92% and 2.74%, respectively; recovery was 99.66% and 99.07% in urine and 105.02% in CSF No interference was detected when hemolysate and glucose were added to urine. The test was linear within the verified range (0-225 mg/dl). These results demonstrate that the modified human albumin immunoturbidimetric assay can be a useful tool in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. It is accurate and tends itself to automatization on chemistry analyzers.     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of reactive from malignant mesothelium as a diagnostic aid in canine pericardial disease

Objectives

To develop a provisional immunohistochemistry panel for distinguishing reactive pericardium, atypical mesothelial proliferation and mesothelioma in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Archived pericardial biopsies were subject to haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Samples were scored for intensity and number of cells stained.

Results

Ten biopsies of reactive mesothelium, 17 of atypical mesothelial proliferation, 26 of mesothelioma and five of normal pericardium were identified on the basis of haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokeratin and vimentin were expressed in all biopsies, confirming mesothelial origin. Normal pericardial samples had the lowest scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Mesothelioma and atypical proliferative samples were similar to each other, with higher scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 than the reactive samples. Desmin staining was variable. Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 was the best to distinguish between disease groups.

Clinical Significance

An immunohistochemistry panel of cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 could provide superior information compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining alone in the diagnosis of cases of mesothelial proliferation in canine pericardium, but further validation is warranted.     

Bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotype 1b in water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) from Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Serological studies have characterized the presence of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in water buffalo herds worldwide. However, the...     

Effects of protein-energetic supplementation frequency on growth performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate reduced supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle in rainy season. In experiment 1, evaluating the nutritional parameters, four rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (BW = 410 kg) were used. In experiment 2, evaluating animal performance, 48 Nellore bulls (BW = 358 kg) were used. The treatments were as follows: mineral supplement (MS) alone and MS plus protein-energy supplement provided 3×, 5× and 7×/week. Supplementation frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) intake and digestibility. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) to supplementation compared with MS. The supplementation 5×/week resulted in greater weight gain per hectare (9.24) and higher economic returns during the study period (1.64%) compared to other supplementations. Supplementation 5×/week increased animal performance and positively influenced economic returns.     

Meta‐analysis of the energy and protein requirements of hair sheep raised in the tropical region of Brazil

The objective of this study was to estimate, through mathematical models, energy and protein requirements for maintenance and gain of hair sheep raised in the tropical region of Brazil. To determine the equation parameters, a meta‐analysis of seven independent experiments of nutrient requirements was performed, comprising a total of 243 experimental units (animals), which were conducted under tropical conditions, using hair sheep in growing and finishing phases and endowed of the following quantitative data for each animal: body weight (BW ), empty body weight (EBW ), average daily gain (ADG ), empty body gain (EBG ), heat production (HP ), metabolizable energy intake (MEI ), retained energy (RE ), metabolizable protein intake (MPI ) and body protein content. The regression equations generated were as follows: for Net Energy for maintenance, (NE _m): ; for Net Energy for gain, (NE _g): ; for Metabolizable Protein for maintenance,(MP _m): MPI _(g/day) = 24.8470 (±7.3646) + 560.28 (±99.6582) × EBG _(kg/day); for Net Protein for gain, (NP _g): . The NE _m requirement was 0.246 MJ EBW^?0.75 day^?1. The metabolizable energy for maintenance requirement was 0.391 MJ EBW^?0.75 day^?1. Considering an ADG of 100 g, the NE _g requirement ranged from 0.496 to 1.701 MJ/day for animals with BW ranging from 10 to 40 kg respectively. The efficiencies of use of the metabolizable energy for maintenance and gain were 0.63 and 0.36 respectively. The MP _m requirement was 3.097 g EBW^?0.75 day^?1. Considering an ADG of 100 g, the NP _g requirement ranged from 12.4 to 10.5 g/day for animals with BW ranging from 10 to 40 kg respectively. The total metabolizable energy and protein requirements were lower than those reported by the NRC and AFRC systems. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that nutrient requirements of hair sheep raised in tropical regions differ from wool sheep raised in temperate regions. Therefore, the use of the equations designed in this study is recommended.