Effects of the Oat Hay Feeding Method and Compound Probiotic Supplementation on the Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Rumen Bacteria Community of Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the oat hay feeding method and compound probiotics (CMP) on the growth, health, serum antioxidant and immune indicators, rumen fermentation, and bacteria community of dairy calves from 3 to 5 months of age. Forty-eight female Holstein calves (80 ± 7 days of age, 93.71 ± 5.33 kg BW) were selected and randomly divided into four groups. A 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted for the experiment, with the factors of the oat hay feeding method (fed as free-choice or 16.7% in the diet) and compound probiotics (CMP) inclusion (0.15% or 0%) in the pelleted starter. The results showed that, compared with giving oat hay as free-choice, feeding a diet of 16.7% oat hay increased the pelleted starter intake at 1-84 d (p < 0.05), with an average daily gain (ADG) at 61-84 d (p = 0.02); adding CMP to the pelleted starter did not significantly affect body weight, and reduced the fecal index (p < 0.05). Feeding 16.7% oat hay increased the concentration of IgA, IgG, and IgM (p < 0.01), while adding CMP increased the catalase (p < 0.01) and decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) in serum. Feeding 16.7% oat hay increased the ruminal concentration of propionic acid (p < 0.05) and isobutyric acid (p = 0.08), and decreased the ruminal pH (p = 0.08), the concentration of acetic acid (p < 0.05), and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid (p < 0.01). Feeding 16.7% oat hay reduced the relative abundance of ruminal Firmicutes, Unidentified-Bacteria, Actinobacteria, Prevotella, NK4A214-group, Olsenella, and Actinobacteriota (p < 0.05); adding CMP increased the relative abundance of ruminal Prevotella, Rikenellaceae-RC9-gut-group, Ruminococcus, NK4A214-group, and Ruminococcus (p < 0.05), and decreased the abundance of Desulfobacterora, Prevotella-7, and Erysipelotricaceae-UCG-002 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding a diet of 16.7% oat hay increased the pelleted starter intake and average daily gain, while slightly reducing the ruminal pH values; adding CMP to the pelleted starter resulted in reduced diarrhea incidence, increased serum antioxidant capacity and immunity, as well as ruminal richness and diversity of microorganisms in dairy calves from 3 to 5 months of age.

Xanthophyll supplementation regulates carotenoid and retinoid metabolism in hens and chicks.

This study investigated the effects of xanthophylls (containing 40% lutein and 60% zeaxanthin; Juyuan Biochemical Co., Ltd., GuangZhou, China) on gene expression associated with carotenoid cleavage enzymes (ß-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase, BCMO1; and ß-carotene 9', 10'-dioxygenase, BCDO2) and retinoid metabolism (lecithin:retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) and STRA6) of breeding hens and chicks. In experiment 1, 432 hens were divided into 3 groups and fed diets supplemented with zero (as the control group), 20, or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled at d 35 of the trial. Results showed that 40 mg/kg xanthophyll supplementation increased BCDO2 mRNA in the liver, duodenum, and jejunum; LRAT mRNA in the jejunum; and STRA6 mRNA in the liver, while it decreased LRAT mRNA in the liver. Experiment 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from a zero or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diet of hens were fed a diet containing either zero or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled at zero, 7, 14, and 21 d after hatching. Results showed that in ovo xanthophyll modulated carotenoid and retinoid metabolism mainly within one wk after hatching. The maternal effects gradually vanished and dietary effects began to work one to 2 wk after hatching. Dietary xanthophyll regulated carotenoid and retinoid metabolism mainly from 2 wk onward. The xanthophyll regulation of carotenoid and retinoid metabolism also revealed strong tissue specificity. In conclusion, xanthophyll supplementation could modulate carotenoid and retinoid metabolism in different tissues of hens and chicks.

Re-emerging of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (lineage 3) and increased pathogenicity after genomic recombination with vaccine variant.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) was first reported in China since late 1995 and several variants were further reported in subsequence years, causing huge economic losses to the Chinese swine industry. To date, three major lineages (lineage 3, 5.1 and 8.7) of Type 2 PRRSV were reported in China based on our global genotyping. The present study provides the epidemiology of the PRRSV in South China based on the isolates collected during 2009-2012, indicating three lineages (lineage 3, 5.1 and 8.7) of Type 2 PRRSV were still circulating in this area. Our phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that lineage 3 re-emerged in 2010 formed a huge cluster with closely related to the 2004 isolates from Hong Kong. Furthermore, the inter-lineage genomic recombination between MLV vaccine strain (lineage 5) and a recently re-emerged lineage 3 virus (QYYZ) has also been found in a farm practicing MLV vaccination. Our in vivo experiment comparing the pathogenicity and clinical presentations among currently isolated viruses indicated that pigs infected with recombinant lineage 3 virus (GM2) showed persistent higher fever compared to pigs infected by its wild counterpart (QYYZ). This study enhanced our understanding on potential importance of the recombination of PRRSV along with their evolution.

[Simultaneous determination of 6 neonicotinoid residues in soil using DLLME-HPLC and UV].

A simple, cheap and rugged method was developed for simultaneous deter mination of 6 neonicotinoid residues in soil, including imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, clothianidin and nitenpyram. The soil sample was produced by dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) after extracted by the mixed solution of acetonitrile and CH2Cl2 (2:1, phi). The analytes were separated by HPLC with Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) and detected by PDA at 260 nm. External standard method was used for quantification. The results showed that good linearity was obtained with correlation coefficients between 0.9982 and 0.9999 in the range of 0.5-200 microg x L(-1). The limits of detection (LODs) were in the range between 0.0005 and 0.003 microg x mL(-1) (S/N = 3). The method was validated with five soil samples spiked at three fortification levels (0.05, 0.1, 1.0 mg x kg(-1)) and recoveries were in the range of 55.3%-95.6% with RSD of 1.4%-7.0%. The effect of clean-up was evaluated by UV spectra and demonstrated that the method established is effective. In conclusion, this method is competent for the simultaneous analysis of 6 neonicotinoid residues in soil.

Supplementation of xanthophylls increased antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation in hens and chicks.

The present study investigated the effects of xanthophyll supplementation on production performance, antioxidant capacity (measured by glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and reduced glutathione:oxidised glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG)) and lipid peroxidation (measured by malondialdehyde (MDA)) in breeding hens and chicks. In Expt 1, 432 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control group), 20 or 40 mg xanthophyll/kg diet. Blood samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 d of the trial. Liver and jejunal mucosa were sampled at 35 d. Both xanthophyll groups improved serum SOD at 21 and 28 d, serum T-AOC at 21 d and liver T-AOC, and serum GSH:GSSG at 21, 28 and 35 d and liver GSH:GSSG. Xanthophylls also decreased serum MDA at 21 d in hens. Expt 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from 0 or 40 mg in ovo xanthophyll/kg diet of hens were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg xanthophyll/kg diet. Liver samples were collected at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d after hatching. Blood samples were also collected at 21 d. In ovo-deposited xanthophylls increased antioxidant capacity and decreased MDA in the liver mainly within 1 week after hatching. Maternal effects gradually vanished during 1-2 weeks after hatching. Dietary xanthophylls increased antioxidant capacity and decreased MDA in the liver and serum mainly from 2 weeks onwards. Data suggested that xanthophyll supplementation enhanced antioxidant capacity and reduced lipid peroxidation in different tissues of hens and chicks.

Complete genome sequence of novel porcine epidemic diarrhea virus strain GD-1 in China.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection, which causes acute diarrhea and dehydration in suckling piglets, has become a serious problem for the swine industry of China in recent years. In this study, a virulent PEDV strain, GD-1, was obtained from fecal samples from suckling piglets that suffered from severe diarrhea in 2011 in Guangdong, China. Here we describe the complete genome sequence of strain GD-1, which may be helpful in further understanding the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of PEDV field isolates in China.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) field strains in south China.

A total of 127 porcine samples were collected from 48 farms in six provinces in south China. The positive rate of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) was 43.0 % (55/127), and the co-infection rate of PEDV and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) was 12.0 % (15/127). The partial S gene and complete M gene were amplified from PEDV-positive strains by RT-PCR, cloned, sequenced and compared with each other, as well as with the reference strains in GenBank. Sequence homology results of the partial S gene and complete M gene showed that all south China field PEDV strains had nucleotide (deduced amino acid) sequence identities of 86.7-98.7 % (83.2-99.3 %) and 96.1-100 % (95.0-100%), respectively, with the foreign reference strains reported in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial S gene showed that all the south China PEDV strains and two Thailand strains (08UB01 and 08RB07) belong to the same group and differ genetically from European strains and early domestic strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete M gene showed that all south China PEDV strains have a close relationship with most of the strains in Korea and Thailand, but differ genetically from the vaccine strain (CV777).

Supplementation of xanthophylls decreased proinflammatory and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in hens and chicks.

The present study investigated the effects of xanthophylls (containing 40 % of lutein and 60 % of zeaxanthin) on proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF)) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4 and IL-10) expression of breeding hens and chicks. In Expt 1, a total of 432 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (as the control group), 20 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls (six replicates per treatment). The liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were sampled at 35 d of the trial. The results showed that both levels of xanthophyll addition decreased IL-1ß mRNA in the liver and jejunum, IL-6 mRNA in the liver, IFN-γ mRNA in the jejunum and LITAF mRNA in the liver compared to the control group. Expt 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diet of hens were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. The liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d after hatching. The results showed that in ovo xanthophylls decreased proinflammatory cytokine expression (IL-1ß, IL-6, IFN-γ and LITAF) in the liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-4 and IL-10) in the liver, jejunum and ileum mainly at 0-7 d after hatching. In ovo effects gradually vanished and dietary effects began to work during 1-2 weeks after hatching. Dietary xanthophylls modulated proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6 and IFN-γ) in the liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the liver and jejunum mainly from 2 weeks onwards. In conclusion, xanthophylls could regulate proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in different tissues of hens and chicks.

[XPS and SEM spectroscopy study of hyperdispersant on atrazine surface].

The authors studied the electronic condition of comb-shaped copolymer of polycarboxylic acid type hyperdispersant adsorbed on the surface of atrazine particles with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thickness of the adsorption was calculated. The results suggested that after adsorbing the dispersant, the peak intensity of N(1s) and Cl(2p) of the interface of atrazine particle decreased sharply, while the absorption of Cl(2s) almost diminished. Meanwhile the peak intensity of C(1s), O (1s) and Na(1s) increased obviously owing to the second emission of C, O, and Na from the dispersant molecule. After adsorption, the dispersant formed a favorable protecting membrane on the surface of atrazine particles whose thickness was about 24 nm. The authors also studied the surface state of the sample with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of which showed that after adsorption, the atrazine particles became smaller and their dispersion was in good order. These changes allowed the atrazine particle to have a stable suspension property. This study provided significant information for the application of environment friendly atrazine suspension concentrate.

[Effects of exogenous dissolved organic matter and temperature on copper forms in red soil].

A simulating incubation test was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous dissolved organic matter (DOM) and incubation temperature on the copper forms in red soil. Comparing with the control, adding different amount of DOM increased the content of soil exchangeable Cu, but decreased the content of soil Fe-Mn bound Cu. With increasing time of incubation, the content of soil exchangeable Cu in all DOM-added treatments had a decreasing trend. By the end of the incubation, treatment 250 mg DOM x L(-1) had the highest contents of soil exchangeable Cu and carbonate bound Cu, while treatment 500 mg DOM x L(-1) had the highest content of soil Fe-Mn bound Cu. In the treatments with DOM addition, the content of soil organic bound Cu increased by 10.67%-23.66%, compared with the control. At incubation temperature 25 degrees C and 45 degrees C, the contents of soil exchangeable Cu and Fe-Mn bound Cu decreased with increasing time of incubation; while at 5 degrees C, an opposite trend was observed. At these three temperatures, the content of soil carbonate bound Cu in treatments with DOM addition increased with incubation time. The content of soil organic bound Cu increased with increasing temperature, but that of soil residual Cu decreased at lower temperature (5 degrees C).

[Determination of soil quality from Chinese apple plant area by NIR spectroscopy].

In the present work, 111 soil samples from 11 different Chinese apple plant areas were used to take the diffuse reflection spectra from 12 500 to 4 000 cm(-1) by FT-NIR. The models of organic substance and pH value of soil samples were built by using partial least square regression (PLSR). The calibration model gave the correlation coefficients of 0.818 and 0.836 for the two values respectively, with the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.377 (%) and 0.251, respectively. In order to improve the robustness and performance of calibration, several spectra preprocessing methods were employed, including standard normalized variate (SNV), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and direct orthogonal signal correction (DOSC). Finally, the performance of DOSC was found to be the best for organic substance and pH value with RMSEP of 0.258 (%) an 0.248, respectively. The results showed that the technology of NIR spectroscopy was useful to nondestructive determination of the organic substance and pH value of soil. These research findings provide theoretic base for fertilization and pomiculture by means of NIR diffuse reflection.

[Feasibility of using NIR spectroscopy to detect melamine in milk].

In the present study, 22 certified milk samples without melamine were collected, then 50 adulterated milk samples with added different content of melamine (0.1-1 500 mg x kg(-1)) were prepared. The near-infrared (NIR) spectra of these milk samples were measured. The possibility of using NIR spectra to detect melamine in milk was studied. Partial least square regression (PLSR) was applied to construct the calibration model between NIR spectra and the content of melamine. The results showed that NIR spectroscopy can not accurately predict the content of melamine because of its poor detection limit. However, the combination of NIR spectra and partial least square-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to differentiate the certified milk samples and the adulterated milk sample. The classification accuracy was 100%. Therefore, NIR spectra could be used to preliminarily detect whether the milk was adulterated with melamine. As a complementary detecting method to the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), NIR spectra could improve the detecting efficiency of milk

Genetic effects of IGF-1 gene on the performance in Landrace x Lantang pig resource population.

A Landrace x Lantang resource population (LL-SCAU) including 216 F2 pigs was founded by F2 design for analysis of IGF-1 gene polymorphism by PCR-RFLP. The least square means of divergent IGF-1 genotypes for the measured traits were estimated with the fixed model. The genetic effects of IGF-1 gene were estimated with a mixed model and the additive and dominant effects of IGF-1 gene were accordingly calculated. The results of the fixed model and the mixed model showed that IGF-1 locus significantly affected average daily gain after weaning. Average daily gain after weaning for AA genotype on IGF-1 locus was 20.58 g (P = 0.0347) higher than for AB. The additive and dominant effects attributed to IGF-1 were 1.78 g and -18.81 g respectively. IGF-1 locus also significantly affected carcass composition. Bone percentages for AA and AB on IGF-1 locus were lower than for BB by 5.22% (P = 0.0008) and 5.19% (P = 0.0007) respectively, and the additive and dominant effects were -2.61% and -2.58% respectively. Amount of carcass lean for AA on IGF-1 locus was less than for AB by 0.45 kg (P = 0.0264), and the additive and dominant effects were 0.16 kg and 0.61 kg respectively. Skin and fat percentage for AA and AB on IGF-1 locus was higher than for BB by 8.81% (P = 0.0206) and 7.64% (P = 0.0431) respectively, and the additive and dominant effects were 4.41% and 3.24% respectively. The genetic analysis of IGF-1 gene showed that IGF-1 locus significantly affected average daily gain after weaning, bone percentage, carcass lean, skin and fat percentage. The estimated additive and dominant effects showed that only the additive effect of IGF-1 locus on skin and fat percentage was much higher than dominant effect, and IGF-1 gene can be used as a major gene for effective selection of these traits.