Influence of nitrogen fertilization on tropical-grass silage assessed by ensiling process monitoring using chemical and microbial community analyses.

AIMS: Utilization of silage in livestock farming is expected to increase in developing countries in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on the chemical composition of herbage, ensiling process and silage quality, and to contribute to the improvement of tropical-grass silage preparation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Guinea grass grown under two different nitrogen-fertilizer application conditions [1.5 kg N a(-1) (high-N) and 0.5 kg N a(-1) (low-N)] was packed in plastic bags, and its ensiling process was investigated by chemical and microbial-community analyses. Relatively well-preserved silage was obtained from high-N herbage, which accumulated a high nitrate concentration. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that Lactobacillus plantarum dominated throughout the ensiling of high-N herbage and in the early phase of that of low-N herbage. In low-N silages prepared from ammonium sulfate- and urea-fertilized herbage, Lact. plantarum was replaced by clostridia after 40 and 15 days of ensiling, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrate content of herbage is an important factor that influences silage quality, and careful fertilization management can facilitate stable and successful fermentation of tropical-grass silage without any pretreatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The positive effect of nitrate on the ensiling process of tropical-grass was proved by microbial-community analysis.

[Inhaled nitric oxide therapy].

Inhaled nitric oxide (INO) therapy is becoming an indispensable measure in some critically ill patients with pulmonary hypertension. Most importantly, it has been shown that INO significantly reduces the necessity for extracorporeal lung assist in newborns with hypoxemic respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension. A large number of basic and clinical studies are making great steps in delineating its physiology, techniques, side effects, and clinical efficacy. This article reviews the current knowledge of INO therapy including a novel device of nitric oxide production system.

Psychiatric inpatients and chromosome deletions within 22q11.2.

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a congenital disorder characterised by multiple dysmorphisms, cleft palate, cardiac anomalies, and learning disabilities due to a microdeletion of chromosome 22q11.2. Although VCFS is often associated with psychiatric symptoms, its prevalence among psychiatric patients is unknown. A total of 326 patients admitted in September and October 1997 to a Japanese psychiatric hospital were screened for the clinical features of VCFS. Twelve patients with minor facial dysmorphia were identified; chromosomal analysis with fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) was performed in six patients who, further assessment suggested, were most likely to have VCFS. Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion was identified in a 41 year old woman who had symptoms of schizophrenia but no major dysmorphia, such as cardiovascular anomalies and cleft palate. Her behavioural and neuropsychological profiles were similar to those previously reported in VCFS. She was hemizygous for the FISH probe N25 (GDB locus D22S75) and also for probes N72H9 (D22S181), sc11.1a, C443 (D22S941), sc4.1 (D22S134), sc11.1b, N19B3 (D22S264), N122B5 (D22S934), and N77F7 (D22S939). The size of the deletion was about 3 Mb. Our patient had only some features of VCFS including a square nasal root, hypernasal speech, and hypoparathyroidism. She did, however, have the common larger deletion of type A. This finding suggests that psychiatric symptoms in VCFS can occur without major developmental symptoms such as cardiovascular anomalies and cleft palate. Additional patients with schizophrenia may have subtle features of VCFS which are unrecognised on routine medical examinations.

DNA cleavage by benzidine derivatives in weak acidic conditions.

A plasmid DNA was cleaved by aromatic amines in weak acidic conditions at 37 degrees C. The cleavage was not inhibited by 4 hydroxylradical scavengers, EDTA, SOD and catalase. It was strongly influenced by the pH value of the reaction buffer. The decrease of Form I DNA in this reaction obeyed good first-order kinetics.