Dry Body Weight Research Articles

Effect of Yeast Fermented Ethanol Waste on Feed Utilization and Digestion in Dairy Cattle

2 Abstract: The industrial production of ethanol from cassava produces a large amount of waste. The residual nutrients in this by-product are enough to supplement ruminant animal feeding. Therefore, the objective of this study was to study the effect of yeast fermented ethanol waste (FEW) on feed efficiency and dairy cow performance. Twelve lactating Holstein Friesian cows were assigned to four levels of FEW 0, 25, 35 and 45% of DM in total mixed ration (TMR) diet with fresh ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) as the roughage source. Dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight had increased when fed up to 25% of FEW (14.2, 15.4, 11.4 and 7.8 kg/d and 23.7, 6.2, -17.8 and -40.6 kg, respectively; p 0.05) in fat, NDF and ADF digestibility. Milk production was higher in animals fed 0 and 25% FEW of TMR diets compared to 35 and 45% (10.8, 11.1, 9.9 and 8.1 kg/d, respectively; p 0.05). There were no effects on ruminal pH and concentrations of ruminal NH3-N, acetate (C2), propionate (C3), butyrate (C4) and the C2:C3 ratio (p>0.05). Neither were blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen affected (P>0.05). However, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were reduced with increasing levels of FEW (110.9, 100.9, 105.8 and 94.0 mM/l, respectively; p<0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that FEW up to 25% of DM can be used in TMR diets for dairy cow feeding.

Effects of direct-fed Bacillus pumilus 8G-134 on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, feed conversion, and health condition of pre- and postpartum Holstein cows

The usage of direct-fed microbials (DFM) has become common in the dairy industry, but questions regarding choice of strain, mode of action, and efficacy remain prevalent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a DFM (Bacillus pumilus 8G-134) on pre- and postpartum performance and incidence of subclinical ketosis in early lactation. Forty-three multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design; cows in the direct-fed microbial treatment (DFMt, n=21) received 5.0×109 cfu/cow of B. pumilus in 28 g of a maltodextrin carrier, whereas cows in the control treatment (CON, n=22) received 28 g of maltodextrin carrier alone. Treatments were top-dressed on the total mixed ration daily. Treatments were applied from 21 d before expected calving date to 154 d after calving. Cows on treatment DFMt tended to have lower serum haptoglobin concentration than CON cows on d 14. Cows on treatment DFMt had higher IgA concentrations in milk than CON cows during the first week after calving. Cows fed DFMt had higher yields of milk, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk fat, and milk protein during the second week of lactation than CON; however, we found no differences between treatments on milk yield and milk components overall. Cows on DFMt tended to have higher feed conversion and to have lower prevalence of subclinical ketosis (beta-hydroxybutyrate >1.2 mmol/L) on d 5 than cows fed CON. Dry matter intake, body weight, and body condition score were not affected by DFMt supplementation. Milk production efficiencies (calculated based on fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk) were higher by 0.1 kg of milk per kilogram of dry matter intake in cows that received DFMt compared with cows that received CON. In conclusion, cows receiving DFMt tended to have lower incidence of subclinical ketosis than cows receiving CON. Cows fed DFMt tended to have higher feed conversion and evidence for greater immunity than CON. Supplementation with B pumilus 8G-134 may provide benefits for transition cow health and milk production efficiency.

Development of two forensically important blowfly species (Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at four temperatures in India

AbstractThe development of the Oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), and hairy maggot blowfly, C. rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), was studied at four different temperatures (22°C, 25°C, 29°C and 31°C) in order to draw correlations between larval age, body length and body dry weight. The mean larval body length increased steadily from a minimum of 1.4 mm for C. megacephala and 1.8 mm for C. rufifacies to a maximum of 17.4 mm for C. megacephala and 15.9 mm for C. rufifacies at different temperatures. Similarly, the mean dry weight increased steadily from a minimum of 0.0007 g for C. megacephala (second instar) and 0.0008 g for C. rufifacies (second instar) to a maximum of 0.0290 g for C. megacephala and 0.0270 g for C. rufifacies at different temperatures. Entomological evidence is often used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) and both of these species are important from a forensic point of view. Graphs of age of larvae vs. body length and age of larvae vs. dry body weight at different temperatures can be used to estimate the larval age of these two species.

Multivariate indices as estimates of dry body weight for comparative study of body size in Lepidoptera

Comparative studies on the size of adult Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) frequently rely on single linear estimates of body size, namely of forewing length or wingspan. As the shape of the wings of these insects - in fact, of all body parts - differs from one taxon to another, such estimates of body mass may not be adequate for comparisons across a wide taxonomic range. Using the length and width of the forewing, thorax and abdomen, as well as the wing area of 375 species and their correlations with dry body weight, several composite indices were determined that might be used in different circumstances. As the coefficients of determination from the multivariate regression models were rather high (R 2 >0.96), the results are believed to be reliable. A critical re-evaluation of the results indicates that important varia- tions in the regression slopes described here would be expected, if at all, only from species with unusual body shapes. Incidentally, the bivariate relationships are in agreement with former comparative work on Lepidoptera and other terrestrial insects in that the relationship between body weight and single linear measurements follows a slightly negatively allometric trend, implying comparatively lighter bodies at the largest body sizes and relatively heavier ones at the shortest body sizes.

DETECTION OF MALNUTRITION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE HAEMODIALYSIS: A QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS ON 12 PARAMETERS

Protein-energy-malnutrition (PEM) is common in people with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) and correlates strongly with mortality. To this day, there is no gold standard for detecting PEM in patients on MHD. The aim of this study was to evaluate if Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), handgrip strength measurement, mid-upper arm muscle area (MUAMA), triceps skin fold measurement (TSF), serum albumin, normalised protein catabolic rate (nPCR), Kt/V and eKt/V, dry body weight, body mass index (BMI), age and time since start on MHD are relevant for assessing PEM in patients on MHD. The predictive value of the selected parameters on mortality and mortality or weight loss of more than 5% was assessed. Quantitative data analysis of the 12 parameters in the same patients on MHD in autumn 2009 (n = 64) and spring 2011 (n = 40) with paired statistical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Paired data analysis showed significant reduction of dry body weight, BMI and nPCR. Kt/Vtot did not change, eKt/v and hand grip strength measurements were significantly higher in spring 2011. No changes were detected in TSF, serum albumin, NRS-2002 and MUAMA. Serum albumin was shown to be the only predictor of death and of the combined endpoint "death or weight loss of more than 5%". We now screen patients biannually for serum albumin, nPCR, Kt/V, handgrip measurement of the shunt-free arm, dry body weight, age and time since initiation of MHD.

Effects of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Feeding, Size, and Lipid Content on Egg Maturation.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) is synovigenic and must feed as an adult to produce eggs. Egg maturation rates depend on the host plant species provided to the adult female for feeding and are variable for females provided with the same host plant species. Here, the contribution of female size and lipid content to variation in egg maturation rates among females held on the same host plant species was assessed. To assess effects of female size and lipid content on egg maturation, feeding assays followed by measurements of egg load, female size, and lipid content were conducted. To accomplish this, females were field collected and held on cowpea until producing approximately 0, 12, 25, or 50 ml of excreta. After reaching prescribed excreta thresholds, females were dissected to determine egg load, hind tibia length, and head capsule width. Mature eggs were removed from the abdomen and dry weight of eggs and bodies (head, thorax, and abdomen) were obtained. Lipid content of eggs and bodies were determined using a quantitative colorimetric assay. Rates of body weight gain and body lipid gain were rapid with low levels of feeding (12 ml of excreta) but decelerated with additional feeding (>12 ml of excreta). In contrast, low levels of feeding (12 ml of excreta) resulted in little egg production, with rates of egg production accelerating with additional feeding (>12 ml of excreta). Accordingly, egg production was preceded by an increase in body dry weight and body lipid content. In agreement, probability that a female carried eggs increased with body lipid content in the 0-, 12-, and 25-ml feeding treatments. Across treatments, larger females carried more eggs than smaller females. Collectively, results suggest that variation in glassy-winged sharpshooter egg maturation rates partially may be explained by availability of lipid reserves at the start of a feeding bout and female size.

Effects of Condensed Tannin-Rich Pine Bark Diet on Experimentally Infected With Haemonchus Contortus in Meat Goats

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of a novel condensed tannin-rich pine bark (PB) mixture diet on an in vitro gas production, in vivo animal performance, internal parasites, carcass production, and plasma metabolites in meat goats. Fifteen Kiko-cross meat goats (Capra hircus; body weight (BW) = 28.0 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly assigned to two experimental diets (control vs. PB supplementation): 1) control diet (70% grain mixture and 30% wheat straw (WS) and 2) 70% grain mixture with 30% PB. Animals were dewormed on day 10 and animals were artificially inoculated (day 20) with 5,000 infective stage (L3) Haemonchus contortus larvae. Feed intake and performance were monitored for 87 days. Blood samples were taken twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of the experiment. Fecal egg (FEC) was determined approximately every 2 week. At the end of the experimental period, goats were slaughtered, and abomasum parasite load was determined. Abomasal worms were identified and counted. All analyses were conducted using a GLM or MIXED pro - cedure of SAS, but in vitro gas analysis was conducted using non-linear procedure of SAS. Overall, there were no differences (P >0.10) in dry matter intake, body weight, and carcass traits between diets. H.contortus adult worm numbers were lower (P <0.05) for goats that were fed PB diet than for control. On day 84, control goats on control WS diet had greater (P = 0.01) FEC than PB diet group. It was concluded that feeding ground PB as a feed ingredient has the potential to decrease internal parasite infection without detrimental effects.

Comparison of methods to determine methane emissions from dairy cows in farm conditions

Nutritional and animal-selection strategies to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) depend on accurate, cost-effective methods to determine emissions from a large number of animals. The objective of the present study was to compare 2 spot-sampling methods to determine CH4 emissions from dairy cows, using gas quantification equipment installed in concentrate feeders or automatic milking stalls. In the first method (sniffer method), CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations were measured in close proximity to the muzzle of the animal, and average CH4 concentrations or CH4/CO2 ratio was calculated. In the second method (flux method), measurement of CH4 and CO2 concentration was combined with an active airflow inside the feed troughs for capture of emitted gas and measurements of CH4 and CO2 fluxes. A muzzle sensor was used allowing data to be filtered when the muzzle was not near the sampling inlet. In a laboratory study, a model cow head was built that emitted CO2 at a constant rate. It was found that CO2 concentrations using the sniffer method decreased up to 39% when the distance of the muzzle from the sampling inlet increased to 30cm, but no muzzle-position effects were observed for the flux method. The methods were compared in 2 on-farm studies conducted using 32 (experiment 1) or 59 (experiment 2) cows in a switch-back design of 5 (experiment 1) or 4 (experiment 2) periods for replicated comparisons between methods. Between-cow coefficient of variation (CV) in CH4 was smaller for the flux than the sniffer method (experiment 1, CV=11.0 vs. 17.5%, and experiment 2, 17.6 vs. 28.0%). Repeatability of the measurements from both methods were high (0.72–0.88), but the relationship between the sniffer and flux methods was weak (R2=0.09 in both experiments). With the flux method CH4 was found to be correlated to dry matter intake or body weight, but this was not the case with the sniffer method. The CH4/CO2 ratio was more highly correlated between the flux and sniffer methods (R2=0.30), and CV was similar (6.4–8.8%). In experiment 2, cow muzzle position was highly repeatable (0.82) and influenced sniffer and flux method results when not filtered for muzzle position. It was concluded that the flux method provides more reliable estimates of CH4 emissions than the sniffer method. The sniffer method appears to be affected by variable air-mixing conditions created by geometry of feed trough, muzzle movement, and muzzle position.

Temperature and Food-Ration Optimization in the Hatchery Culture of Juveniles of the Pacific GeoduckPanopea generosa

This research examined the individual effects of temperature and ration on growth and survival of juveniles of the Pacific geoduck Panopea generosa Gould, 1850, in two separate experiments. Growth parameters measured included shell length, daily shell increment, individual total body wet weight, specific growth rate, individual total body dry weight, and total body ash-free dry weight (AFDW). Larvae in all treatments were fed a binary microalgal diet of Chaetoceros muelleri and Tisochrysis lutea mixed at a 1:1 ratio by AFDW. The temperature experiment examined the effect of four temperatures (7°C, 11°C, 15°C, and 19°C) using two geoduck cohorts. One cohort was comprised of larger juveniles (mean initial shell length ± SE, 3.22 ± 0.05 mm) and the other included smaller individuals (0.54 ± 0.01 mm) which were cultured for 28 days and 21 days, respectively. Using a separate cohort, the foodration experiment examined the effect of nine rations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, 32.0, 64.0, and 128.0 × 106 equivalent T. lutea cells per individual per day) on four size classes of geoduck juveniles obtained from the same spawning batch (mean initial shell length ± SE, size class 1,2.34 ± 0.04 mm; size class 2, 3.32 ± 0.04 mm; size class 3,4.13 ± 0.04 mm; and size class 4, 4.98 ± 0.04 mm) for 7 days. On the final sampling day, there were significant differences among all four temperatures for all growth parameters except AFDW, with each parameter increasing significantly for each increase in temperature. For AFDW, there were no significant differences between 7°C and 19°C, nor between 11°C and 15°C, with the first set of two temperatures producing juveniles with significantly less AFDW than the latter set. In general, optimal ration levels increased with increasing geoduck size. To optimize growth in shell length, individual total body wet weight, and/or individual total body dry weight, the following rations are recommended for size classes 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively: 4.0 or 8.0, 8.0, 16.0 or 32.0, and 32.0 or 64.0 × 106 equivalent T. lutea cells per individual per day. Refinement of an understanding of optimum juvenile geoduck culture conditions contributes to the general knowledge of the species’ physiology and helps maximize the commercial hatchery production of geoduck seed.

Effects of rumen-protected choline with calcium salts of long chain fatty acids on milk yield and milk composition of middle and late lactation Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on milk production and milk composition of dairy cows. Fifty lactating multiparous Holstein cows >80 days in milk were randomly assigned to one of two treatments groups. Cows were fed with: (1) control diet (CON; n=25), not supplemented with RPC and (2) supplemented diet (RPC; n=25), supplemented with RPC (115g/cow/d). Control and supplemented cows were fed at ad libitum intake twice daily. Body weight and body condition score were measured weekly. Milk production and dry matter intake were recorded daily. Milk samples were collected twice weekly on week 3, 6, and 9 and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, urea nitrogen, somatic cell count, fatty acid (FA) composition, and free choline concentration. Plasma was obtained on week 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 and analyzed for concentrations of free choline and non-esterified fatty acids. Cows remained in the experiment for 9 weeks. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (v9.4). Higher free choline concentration in plasma (P<0.001) confirmed intake and absorption of RPC by supplemented cows. Dry matter intake (23.6 vs. 23.4kg/d), body weight (704 vs. 703kg), and body condition score (2.86 vs. 2.90; 1–5 scale) were not affected (P>0.05) by RPC supplementation (CON vs. RPC, respectively). There was no difference (P>0.05) on milk yield (36.72 and 36.81kg/d, respectively), 3.5% fat corrected milk, or energy corrected milk between supplemented and non-supplemented cows, respectively. Although production parameters were not affected by RPC supplementation, they were significantly affected (P<0.01) by period and lactation stage. While concentration of de novo and mixed (16:0+cis-9 16:1) FA in milk fat were greater in CON cows, preformed FA were greater in RPC (P<0.05) supplemented cows. Concentration of total saturated FA (P<0.001) was higher in CON cows, whereas total monounsaturated FA (cis and trans) and cis polyunsaturated FA concentrations were greater in RPC cows (P<0.05). Yield of polyunsaturated omega-3 FA was greater when RPC was added to the diet. Although milk production was not affected, supplemental RPC either in middle or late lactation resulted in milk fat composition enriched by long chain polyunsaturated FA.

Population distribution, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive parameters in the crab Pinnixa valdiviensis Rathbun, 1907 (Decapoda: Pinnotheridae), a symbiont of the ghost shrimp Callichirus garthi (Retamal, 1975) in the southeastern Pacific

Pinnixa valdiviensis Rathbun, 1907 inhabits burrows of the ghost shrimp Callichirus garthi (Retamal, 1975) in the south-eastern Pacific. We described the host-use pattern and sexual dimorphism of P. valdiviensis to test for monogamy considering that the few other studied species of Pinnixa White inhabit their respective hosts as male-female pairs. Against expectations, P. valdiviensis lived either solitarily, or in small groups of up to four individuals; only a few burrows were inhabited by two crabs (either male-female or female-female pairs). The observations above argue against the notion that P. valdiviensis is monogamous. Furthermore, that a high frequency of solitary females were found brooding embryos and that the population sex ratio was skewed toward females suggests that males might roam among hosts in search of receptive females. We argue in favour of additional long-term (seasonal, >1 year) descriptive and experimental studies to reveal the mating tactics used by both males and females of P. valdiviensis. We also examined individual-level reproductive parameters in the studied species as little is known about reproduction in symbiotic crabs. Fecundity varied between 383 and 1052 eggs crab−1 with a mean ± SD of 774 ± 160 eggs crab−1 and increased significantly with female body size. Embryo volume varied between 0.0169 and 0.0443 with a mean ± SD of 0.0222 ± 0.0063 mm3 and did not vary with female body size. Reproductive output (RO) represented a mean ± SD of 5.74% ± 0.86% of crab body dry weight and increased proportionally with crab body weight. The RO in P. valdiviensis is lower than that reported for other free-living and symbiotic crabs.

Food consumption pattern in the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Fabricius, 1788) (Decapoda, Majoidea) megalopae under laboratory conditions

The food consumption pattern in megalopae of the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Fabricius, 1788) was investigated in the laboratory. Ten megalopae were individually cultured and given an excess of Artemia nauplii each day. All megalopae moulted into first-instar crabs 28-34 days after metamorphosis. The mean total number and total weight of Artemia consumed during the megalopal stage were 1920 individuals and 5.2 mg, respectively. Hence, the food requirement of snow crab megalopae was estimated as ∼190% of the dry body weight of the first-instar crab. Initially, the number of Artemia consumed was nearly constant or decreased only slightly but, later, Artemia consumption decreased with development days. Two-segmented regressions provided good fits to the relationship between the number of days after metamorphosis and the cumulative number of Artemia consumed by individual megalopae. The mean value of the time after metamorphosis of the breakpoint in the rate of food consumption was estimated as 69% of the stage duration, which corresponds to the intermediate of late premoult. Crab sizes (carapace width, wet and dry body weight) were not significantly dependent on the number of Artemia consumed during the entire megalopal period although a positive correlation between these variables was observed. These results provide useful information on the appropriate feeding schedule and management practice for culturing snow crab megalopae and contribute to the understanding of megalopal growth efficiency to the first-instar crab in their natural habitat.

Should we extend the application of more frequent dialysis schedules? A 'yes' and a hopeful 'no'

Observational studies associate long dialysis intervals with an excess risk for mortality and cardiovascular disease hospitalizations. The application alternate day dialysis is an appealing possibility to reduce the cardiovascular burden of long dialysis intervals and a small pilot study demonstrated that this regimen allows safe reduction of dry body weight, BP and left ventricular mass index. However, the actual impact of alternate day hemodialysis and of frequent hemodialysis in general on survival remains unknown. Frequent dialysis schedules may increase the risk of arteriovenous fistula problems and the burden of disease and eventually reduce treatment adherence. Furthermore we cannot safely exclude that more frequent dialysis regimens may be harmful. On the other hand increasing the duration of dialysis and/or frequency of hemodialysis in patients with refractory fluid overload, uncontrolled hypertension, hyperphosphatemia, malnutrition or cardiovascular disease is of unquestionable benefit in these problematic patients.Thus the moderators conclusion to the question being asked is a yes and a hopeful "no". Whenever and wherever possible we should pro-actively apply more frequent dialysis regimens, starting with the alternate day approach, in problematic patients. However, extensive application of frequent hemodialysis schedules is by now unjustified. Evidence that these regimens are beneficial mainly derives from observational studies and the possibility that frequent schedules are harmful cannot be excluded. A clinical trial is needed.

Short communication: Use of single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes and health history to predict future phenotypes for milk production, dry matter intake, body weight, and residual feed intake in dairy cattle

As feed prices have increased, the efficiency of feed utilization in dairy cattle has attracted increasing attention. In this study, we used residual feed intake (RFI) as a measurement of feed efficiency along with its component traits, adjusted milk energy (aMilkE), adjusted dry matter intake (aDMI), and adjusted metabolic body weight (aMBW), where the adjustment was for environmental factors. These traits may also be affected by prior health problems. Therefore, the carryover effects of 3 health traits from the rearing period and 10 health traits from the lactating period (in the same lactation before phenotype measurements) on RFI, aMilkE, aDMI, and aMBW were evaluated. Cows with heavier birth weight and greater body weight at calving of this lactation had significant increases in aMilkE, aDMI, and aMBW. The only trait associated with RFI was the incidence of diarrhea early in the lactation. Mastitis and reproductive problems had negative carryover effects on aMilkE. The aMBW of cows with metabolic disorders early in the lactation was lower than that of unaffected cows. The incidence of respiratory disease during lactating period was associated with greater aMBW and higher aDMI. To examine the contribution of health traits to the accuracy of predicted phenotype, genomic predictions were computed with or without information regarding 13 health trait phenotypes using random forests (RF) and support vector machine algorithms. Adding health trait phenotypes increased prediction accuracies slightly, except for prediction of RFI using RF. In general, the accuracies were greater for support vector machine than RF, especially for RFI. The methods described herein can be used to predict future phenotypes for dairy replacement heifers, thereby facilitating culling decisions that can lead to decreased feed costs during the rearing period. For these decisions, prediction of the animal’s own phenotype is of greater importance than prediction of the genetic superiority or inferiority that will transmit to its offspring.

Exploring associations between anthropometric indices and graft function in patients receiving renal transplant.

The aim of the present study was to identify indicators of malnutrition, as obtained by anthropometric measurements, that might be potential predictors of transplant outcomes. One hundred and three patients receiving a graft from a living or a deceased donor were included in this prospective study. Body mass index (BMI) based on pretransplant dry body weight, triceps skinfold, mid-arm muscle circumference and corrected mid-arm muscle area were measured. Post-transplant data on delayed graft function (DGF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at discharge were collected until patient discharge. Delayed graft function developed in 36.9% of the patients. BMI was the only anthropometric variable associated with a higher likelihood of DGF (odds ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.47) after adjusting for age, gender, donor group, donor age and years of dialysis before transplantation. Obesity was associated with a higher frequency of DGF (83.3% versus 31.1%, P = 0.001) compared to normal weight. GFR at discharge was negatively associated with BMI [β = -0.014 (0.005), P = 0.004], being overweight [β = -0.151 (0.041), P < 0.001] and obesity [β = -0.188 (0.053), P = 0.001], after adjusting for age, gender, donor group, donor age and years of dialysis, but was not associated with indices of muscle reserves. The likelihood of DGF was higher among obese patients, whereas GFR at discharge was negatively associated with being overweight and obesity.

Dwarfism of blue mussels in the low saline Baltic Sea—growth to the lower salinity limit

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 517:181-192 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11011 Dwarfism of blue mussels in the low saline Baltic Sea—growth to the lower salinity limit Hans Ulrik Riisgård1,*, Poul S. Larsen2, Raisa Turja3, Kim Lundgreen1 1Marine Biological Research Centre (University of Southern Denmark), Hindsholmvej 11, 5300 Kerteminde, Denmark 2DTU Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Technical University of Denmark, Building 403, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark 3Finnish Environmental Institute, Marine Research Centre, PO Box 140, 00251 Helsinki, Finland *Corresponding author: hur@biology.sdu.dk ABSTRACT: Mussels within the Baltic Mytilus edulis × M. trossulus hybrid zone have adapted to the low salinities in the Baltic Sea which, however, results in slow-growing dwarfed mussels. To get a better understanding of the nature of dwarfism, we studied the ability of M. trossulus to feed and grow at low salinity (7 psu) compared with its performance at relatively high-salinity (20 psu) in controlled laboratory experiments, supplemented with field (Great Belt) growth experiments with M. trossulus and M. edulis in net-bags. Subsequently, the growth of M. trossulus transplanted in cages to various localities in the northern Baltic Sea was used to evaluate the effect of very low salinities, down to 3.4 psu. The laboratory feeding experiments with M. trossulus at 7 psu showed that the growth in shell length was negligible, whereas the body dry weight nearly doubled during the 15 d experiment, with a weight-specific growth rate of 3.7% d-1. The same parameters measured at 20 psu showed a pronounced growth in both shell length and body dry weight, with a weight-specific growth rate of 2.2% d-1. The growth rates of M. trossulus and M. edulis in suspended net-bags in the Great Belt (22 psu) were similar: 5.6 and 6.8% d-1, respectively. M. trossulus in cage experiments had positive growth rates at locations with salinities above 4.5 psu, up to 2.60% d-1, but negligible increase in the shell length, and at sites with salinities below about 4.5 psu, the somatic growth was negative, around -0.3% d-1, which indicates valve closure and respiratory weight loss. A trend line in a plot of all available growth data for both mussel species as a function of salinity indicates that the growth of mussels is steadily hampered by reduced salinities from 30 psu down to about 10 psu, below which the growth is rapidly reduced to become negative below 4.5 psu. We suggest that reduced ability to produce shell material at extremely low salinity may explain dwarfism of mussels in the Baltic Sea. Reduced bio-calcification at low salinity, however, may impede shell growth, but not somatic growth, and this may at first result in an increased condition index, as seen in the benthic Baltic Sea mussels transferred to cages suspended in the water column. KEY WORDS: Mytilus edulis · Mytilus trossulus · Filtration rate · Specific growth rate · Adaptation · Effect of salinity · Condition index · Bio Energetic Growth (BEG) model Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Riisgård HU, Larsen PS, Turja R, Lundgreen K (2014) Dwarfism of blue mussels in the low saline Baltic Sea—growth to the lower salinity limit. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 517:181-192. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11011 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 517. Online publication date: December 15, 2014 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.

Sport-specific reaction time after dehydration varies between sexes

Methods Ten women and eleven men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five volunteered to participate in the study (27 +/4yr, 78.7 +/14.8 kg, 174.0 +/7.5 cm). Subjects reported to the lab in a fasted and normally hydrated state and completed a two-minute, multi-directional sportspecific reaction time test. Subjects then ran on a treadmill at 80% estimated max HR for 30 minutes, followed by multiple 15 minute sessions in a dry sauna at approximately 150 degrees F. After reaching a 2% (+/0.4%) reduction in dry body weight subjects completed the same procedures as pre-dehydration. Reaction times were separated into quartiles (each quartile being a 30-second interval of the two minutes) and averaged to examine the data within each test. Consent to publish the results was obtained from all participants.

Investigation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of Stahlianthus involucratus rhizome ethanol extract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceStahlianthus involucratus (Zingiberaceae) has long been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, pain, and fever. However, no pharmacological study of this plant has been reported to confirm these activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of Stahlianthus involucratus rhizome ethanol extract (SiE) in animal models. Materials and methodsAnti-inflammatory activity of SiE was investigated in rats using ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema, carrageenan- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced hind paw edema, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation models. Acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice and tail-flick test in rats as well as yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats were used to investigate the antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, respectively. ResultsSiE significantly inhibited EPP-induced ear edema, carrageenan- and AA-induced hind paw edema. Its inhibitory effect in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema seemed to be in a dose-dependent manner. In cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation, SiE showed suppressive effects on granuloma formation but not on body weight gain and dry thymus weight. It could normalize serum alkaline phosphatase activity to nearly normal level. SiE also possessed a significant inhibitory effect, which seemed to be dose-dependent, on acetic acid-induced writhing response, whereas only at the highest dose of SiE could significantly increase test reaction time at all time-points in tail-flick test. However, no antipyretic activity was observed. ConclusionsThese results suggest that SiE possesses anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive, but not antipyretic, activities. This study therefore rationalizes the traditional use of SiE for the treatment of inflammation and pain.

The impact of the peritoneal glucose load index on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

To evaluate the impact of the peritoneal glucose load (PGL) on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This cross-sectional study evaluated stable PD patients using a novel PGL index (PGLI), which was calculated as the net glucose content (g) in the PD solutions administered in the daily PD prescription divided by the dry body weight (kg) assessed by whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy. The relationship between PGLI and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fluid overload (FO), and inflammatory markers was investigated. A total of 43 stable PD patients participated in the study. Significant positive correlations were found between PGLI and HbA1c, FO, plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. HbA1c, FO, plasma hsCRP and plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with PGLI >3 g/kg/day compared with those with PGLI ≤3 g/kg/day. PGLI values >3 g/kg/day may be associated with poor glycaemic control, over hydration and augmented inflammation. PGLI might be a useful tool for the quantitative assessment of the PGL and could be applied when managing PD patients.

Oxya hyla hyla (Orthoptera: Acrididae) as an Alternative Protein Source for Japanese Quail.

Nutrient composition of the grasshoppers Oxya hyla hyla showed that they are a rich nutrient source containing 687.7 g protein/kg of dry body weight. Their antinutrient values fell within nutritionally acceptable values of the poultry bird Coturnix japonica japonica (Japanese quail). The most required essential amino acids and fatty acids were also present in sufficient amount. For feeding trial nine diets were formulated on an equal crude protein (230 g/kg) basis with grasshopper meal, fish meal, and soybean meal. Three sets of diets with grasshopper meal were prepared with 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg, and 150 g/kg grasshopper of total feed. Similarly, other diet sets were prepared with fish meal and also with soybean meal. Results were compared with another group of Japanese quails fed on a reference diet that was considered as control. Two experiments were conducted with a total number of 600, seven-day-old, Japanese quails. In experiment 1 for determination of growth performance, quails were randomly distributed into ten groups of males and ten groups of females containing 30 birds each. In experiment 2 for determination of laying performance, identical ten groups were prepared in ten repetitions (2 females and 1 male in each group) from the six-week-old birds of experiment 1. Birds of diet set GM2 have gained the highest body weight (male 4.04 g/bird/day; female 5.01 g/bird/day) followed by birds of FM3 diet set (male 3.72 g/bird/day; female 4.40 g/bird/day), whereas birds of reference diet have gained 3.05 g/bird/day for male and 3.23 g/bird/day for female. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds fed with GM2 was the lowest (male 3.33; female 2.97) whereas FCR of R group was higher (male 4.37; female 4.65) than grasshopper meal and fish meal based diets. Hen day production percentage was higher (72.2) in GM2 group, followed by FM3 (63.5) group. R group had lower 1st egg weight (9.0 g), weight gain (8.2 g), percentage of hen day production (41.8%), higher feed intake (33.6 g/day/bird), and age at 1st laid egg than the grasshopper meal and fish meal based diets. So growth and laying performance of the birds were significantly better in grasshopper meal and fish meal added diet fed sets than the reference diet fed group; among all the dietary groups 100 g/kg grasshopper meal added diet mostly gave significantly better results followed by 150 g/kg fish meal added diets. It was ascertained that the O. hyla hyla meal had pronounced positive response on the birds. So, the quails could be easily fed 100 g/kg grasshopper meal added diet as it was the most suitable alternative feedstuff compared to the conventional protein source based diets.