Comparison of the microbial communities of alpacas and sheep fed diets with three different ratios of corn stalk to concentrate

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of ruminal microbial communities of alpacas (Lama pacos) and sheep (Ovis aries) fed three diets with varying ratios of roughage (corn stalk) to concentrate, 3:7 (LS), 5:5 (MS) and 7:3 (HS). Six alpacas (one-year-old and weighing 29.5 ± 7.1 kg) and six sheep (one-year-old and weighing 27.9 ± 2.7 kg) were used in this study, in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment. Total protozoa concentration was determined under the microscope; total fungi and methanogens were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and expressed as a percentage of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies; bacterial communities were investigated by targeted 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region) sequencing. The percentage of fungi was significantly higher in alpacas than in sheep under the LS diet, while the concentration of protozoa was significantly lower in alpacas under HS, MS and LS diets. The alpha diversity including Shannon, Chao l and ACE indices of bacterial communities was higher in alpacas than in sheep, under the LS diet. A total of 299 genera belonging to 22 phyla were observed in the forestomach of alpaca and sheep, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominating both animal species. Phyla Armatimonadetes and Fusobacteria, as well as 64 genera, were detected only in alpacas, whereas phyla Acidobacteria and Nitrospira, as well as 44 genera, were found only in sheep. The abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, including Butyrivibrio and Pseudobutyrivibrio, was higher in alpacas than in sheep under all three diets. These differences in the forestomach microbial communities partly explained why alpacas displayed a higher poor-quality roughage digestibility, and a lower methane production. Results also revealed that the adverse effects of high-concentrate diets (70%) were lesser in alpacas than in sheep.     

Corneocyte Counts for Evaluation of Antiseborrheic Shampoos in Dogs

Abstract— An objective method for measuring corneocyte numbers before and after antiseborrheic shampoo therapy was assessed in dogs. Corneocytes were collected from six skin regions on the dorsal trunk of nine colony-raised beagles with clinically normal skin. Forty-eight collection sites were randomly assigned a treatment with one of seven medicated shampoos or water alone; six additional sites served as non-treated controls. Corneocytes were collected immediately before the first treatment, and 14 and 28 days after initiation of therapy with a 0.1% Tween 80 surfactant and a quantitative cup-scrub technique. Pretreatment corneocyte counts were not significantly different among the nine dogs nor among the randomly assigned treatment and control sites (3.55 · 10⁴ cells.cm^-2, SEM 0.17). Corneocyte counts increased in all treatment and control sites from days 0 to 14. Corneocyte counts were similar in the non-treated and water-treated sites from days 14 to 28. Corneocyte counts were not significantly different when the same treatments were compared on days 0, 14 and 28, or when different treatments were compared on the same day. The corneocyte collection technique used in this study proved to be a reliable method for assessing the rate of cell desquamation and cell surface cohesion in dogs.     

复合微生物肥料在无公害蔬菜栽培上的效应初报

施用复合微生物肥料使番茄产量提高 7.3 %～ 11.1% ,可溶性固形物含量提高 0 .9%～ 1.3 % ,硝酸盐含量降低 2 7.2 %～ 3 4 .8% ;苦瓜产量提高 10 .7%～ 16.1% ,硝酸盐含量降低 2 8.7%～ 3 6.1% ;菜薹产量提高 7.2 %～ 15.1% ,硝酸盐含量降低 55.6%～ 61.5%。各处理产品中的硝酸盐含量及有害元素的含量 ,均符合无公害蔬菜产品质量标准要求     

几种脲酶抑制剂对大豆脲酶和绵羊瘤胃微生物脲酶的抑制作用

本文研究了脲酶抑制剂乙酰氧肟酸 (AHA)、邻苯二酚、氢醌 (HQ)和硼砂对大豆脲酶和绵羊瘤胃微生物脲酶的抑制作用。结果表明 ,在浓度为 0 .0 0 0 1,0 .0 0 1,0 .0 1和 0 .1mmol/L时 ,4种脲酶抑制剂对大豆脲酶的抑制率分别为 :AHA为 6 % ,6 .2 % ,9.6 6 %和 2 9.79% ;HQ为 8.4 % ,13.0 3% ,19.79%和 4 4 .75 % ;邻苯二酚为 2 0 .34% ,19.12 % ,83.16 %和 93.78% ;而硼砂为 16 .5 5 % ,17.18% ,18.95 %和 35 .5 0 %。在相同浓度下 ,4种脲酶抑制剂对绵羊瘤胃微生物脲酶的抑制率分别为 :AHA为 9.5 8% ,14 .0 4 % ,4 1.30 %和 72 .73% ;HQ为 12 .2 1% ,39.99% ,6 4 .6 2 %和 78.87% ;邻苯二酚为 6 .0 7% ,9.36 % ,31.2 9%和 5 0 .4 4 % ;而硼砂分别为 4 .97% ,8.6 3% ,2 1.78%和 32 .0 2 %。     

不同轮作序列对旱地胡麻土壤有机碳稳定性的影响

为了探索陇中黄土高原半干旱丘陵沟壑区胡麻轮作序列对土壤碳库的影响,2012-2016年通过4年定位试验,以连作为对照,研究了不同胡麻频率下的轮作序列(F:休闲;PWFW:25%Flax、马铃薯-小麦-胡麻-小麦;WFWP:25%Flax、小麦-胡麻-小麦-马铃薯;FWPF:50%Flax、胡麻-小麦-马铃薯-胡麻;WPFF:50%Flax、小麦-马铃薯-胡麻-胡麻;FFFF:100%Flax、胡麻-胡麻-胡麻-胡麻)对土壤团聚体、总有机碳(TOC)、土壤颗粒有机碳(POC)、土壤微生物碳(MBC)和氮(MBN)的影响。结果表明,休闲、不同轮作序列和低胡麻频率显著增加了030 cm土层<0.25 mm粒级的土壤团聚体含量、TOC和POC含量,而随胡麻频率的增加三者的含量呈下降趋势。其中,25%Flax处理下土壤团聚体含量较播前和休闲处理分别显著增加了2.02%4.04%和9.56%11.73%;土壤有机碳(SOC)较连作显著增加5.95%7.48%。50%Flax处理下胡麻位置对土壤SOC影响显著,且轮作(FWPF)显著高于连作(WPFF)。060 cm土层土壤SOC含量表现为休闲>播前≈25%Flax>50%Flax>100%Flax。与连作相比,轮作显著提高了010 cm土层土壤TOC和POC含量,呈现表层富集现象。土壤POC含量表现为25%Flax≈休闲>50%Flax>100%Flax。此外,轮作换茬显著增加了土壤MBC含量,且随着胡麻频率的增加,030 cm土层土壤MBC含量逐渐降低。与播前、休闲、轮作相比,连作显著降低土壤微生物碳氮比,50%Flax(WPFF)轮作序列和土层深度对土壤有机碳和微生物量的互作效应显著。综合来看,休闲可以显著改善土壤理化性状,25%胡麻频率的轮作序列利于保持土壤团聚体稳定性,增加土壤TOC、SOC和POC含量,而50%Flax轮作序列(WPFF)能够提高土壤微生物量和微生物碳氮比。表明25%胡麻频率的轮作序列均可维持土壤有机碳的稳定性,是旱地胡麻比较理想的轮作序列。     

A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat sealants

AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts (SCC) after calving.

METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test after calving.

RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy (OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40–1.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.     

Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Gas and short‐chain fatty acid production from feeds commonly fed to red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and incubated with rumen inoculum from red deer and sheep

Efficient red deer supplementary feeding depends on estimations of the nutritive value of offered feeds, frequently estimated with the use of equations derived from domestic ruminants. The aim of this study was to compare the 24‐hour in vitro true dry matter degradability (ivTD₂₄), in vitro gas production (GP) kinetic parameters, GP in 24 hr of incubation (GAS₂₄) and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) and microbial biomass (MBS) produced after 24‐hour incubation of feeds in inoculum prepared from sheep and red deer rumen fluid. Eleven feeds, frequently consumed by red deer in Slovenia, which occur either naturally (two fresh grasses, chestnut fruits and common and sessile oak acorns) or are fed as winter supplemental feeds (two grass hays, two grass silages, apple pomace, fresh sugar beetroot), were investigated. The in vitro GP kinetic parameters, GAS₂₄ and ivTD₂₄, did not differ between animal species. Amounts of SCFAs were greater (p < 0.05) when feeds were incubated in sheep inoculum, while molar proportions of acetic and propionic acids did not differ. Molar proportions of butyric acid produced during incubation of high fibre feeds did not differ between animal species, but were higher (p < 0.05) when feeds high in starch or sugar were incubated in red deer inoculum. Greater production of SCFA by sheep rumen microbes suggests better coverage of host animal with energy precursors, while greater production of MBS by red deer rumen microbes suggests better coverage of host animal with protein. Results also suggest that rumens of sheep and red deer are inhabited by different microbial communities, which did not affect the extent of in vitro GP and degradation of feeds used in the present experiment. However, the possibility exists that the divergent nutrient use could be a consequence of different priming by different feeds of the donor animal diets.     

广西5种人工林地土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性分析

为当地珍贵速生树种人工林的发展及合理利用提供理论依据。分析广西5种珍贵树种人工林土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性差异,以相同立地条件下12年生的黑木相思(Acacia melanoxylon)、老排(Mytilaria laosensis)、红椎(Castanopsis hystrix)、黧蒴椎(Castanopsis fissa)和火力楠(Michelia macelurei)人工纯林为研究对象,采用稀释平板涂布法和土壤酶活性测定法,测定和分析该5种人工林地土壤微生物数量及酶活性。结果表明:5种林地的土壤微生物总数和细菌数量大小均为:火力楠黧蒴锥红椎黑木相思米老排。但5种林地的土壤酶活性大小不一,蔗糖酶、脲酶、蛋白酶、酸性磷酸酶活性在5种林地之间的差异极其显著,而过氧化氢酶活性不显著。5种林地中土壤酶活性相对较强的是米老排人工林,较弱的是黑木相思林和火力楠林。土壤酶活性与微生物数量的相关分析表明,土壤中蔗糖酶活性与放线菌数量呈极显著正相关关系,其余相关性没有达到显著水平。