C3 Ratio Research Articles

Effects of heat stress and rumen-protected fat supplementation on growth performance, rumen characteristics, and blood parameters in growing Korean cattle steers.

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate whether hot temperature and rumen-protected fat (RPF) supplementation affect growth performance, rumen characteristics, and serum metabolites in growing stage of Korean cattle steers.MethodsTwenty Korean cattle steers (230.4±4.09 kg of body weight [BW], 10.7±0.09 months of age) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 0.8% RPF supplementation group (n = 10). Steers were fed 1.5% BW of a concentrate diet and 4 kg of tall fescue hay for 16 weeks (July 10 to August 6 [P1], August 7 to September 3 [P2], September 4 to October 1 [P3], October 2 to 30 [P4], of 2015).ResultsThe mean temperature-humidity index (THI) was higher (p<0.001) in P1 (76.8), P2 (76.3), and P3 (75.9) than in P4 (50.9). The mean THI of P1–3 were within the alert heat stress (HS) category range according to previously reported categories for feedlot cattle, and the mean THI of P4 was under the thermo-neutral range. Neither month nor RPF supplementation affected (p>0.05) average daily gain and gain to feed ratio. Month and RPF supplementation affected concentrations of glucose, albumin, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL); those of albumin and glucose tended to decrease (p<0.10), but HDL concentration increased (p<0.01) by RPF supplementation. Neither month nor RPF affected (p>0.05) ruminal pH, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acid concentrations, whereas the C2:C3 ratio was affected (p<0.05) by month.ConclusionKorean cattle may not have been significantly affected by alert HS during the growing stage. Growth performance was higher during hotter months, although some changes in blood metabolites were observed. The RPF supplementation affected some blood lipids and carbohydrate metabolites but did not affect growth performance.

The torg ratio of C3-C7 in African Americans and European Americans: A skeletal study.

The ratio between the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal and the sagittal diameter of the vertebral body, known as the "Torg ratio", is often used to test for spinal canal narrowing. Here, we investigate this ratio in a large population, consisting of two ethnicities, both sexes and three age groups. Measurements were taken on the dry cervical verterbrae (C3-C7) of 277 individuals using a digital apparatus allowing for the recording of 3D coordinates of a set of landmarks on the vertebral body. Vertebral body and vertebral foramen lengths were compared across the different subgroups. Vertebral body and vertebral foramen lengths differ significantly between males and females and between African Americans and European Americans. With age, the vertebral body length increases while the foramen length does not undergo significant changes. These anatomical differences are reflected in differences in the Torg ratio calculated for the different subgroups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a hard cutoff on the Torg ratio used to define a pathological narrowing of the cervical spine should be adapted to the population the patients come from. Clin. Anat. 32: 84-89, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of banana flower powder on rumen fermentation, synthesis of microbial protein and nutrient digestibility in swamp buffaloes

Replacement of chemical compounds by dietary sources as rumen enhancers have been of great interest and concern by researchers. Four, rumen-fistulated swamp buffalo bulls with average liveweight of 365 ± 15.0 kg were randomly assigned to treatments, to investigate the impact of banana flower powder (BAFLOP) as a rumen modifier on pH, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and volatile fatty acids. All buffaloes were allotted according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Dietary supplementation treatments were as follows: 2 g concentrate/kg bodyweight (BW; T1), 15 g concentrate/kg BW (T2), 15 g concentrate/kg BW plus BAFLOP 300 g/head.day (T3) and 15 g concentrate/kg BW plus BAFLOP 600 g/head.day (T4). Untreated rice straw was fed ad libitum. The findings showed that total feed intake was increased in buffaloes fed a diet supplemented with concentrate at 2 g/kg BW, while rice straw intake was reduced. Nutrient digestibility was increased by BAFLOP supplementation at both levels (T3 and T4; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Ruminal pH dropped (5.9) in buffaloes fed with concentrate at 15 g/kg BW, while buffaloes with BAFLOP supplementation could maintain ruminal pH when fed with high-concentrate diet. Ruminal ammonia-nitrogen increased in the buffaloes fed concentrate at 15 g/kg BW, especially with BAFLOP supplementation. Feeding high-concentrate diet increased the concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids and propionic acid (C3), while the concentration of acetic acid and the acetic acid:C3 ratio and methane production were subsequently reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was increased by the BAFLOP feeding (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the present study, using BAFLOP as a dietary rumen enhancer at 300–600 g/head.day resulted in an increased rumen pH, C3 concentration, nutrient digestibility and microbial protein synthesis, while mitigating ruminal methane production. Higher nutrient digestibility and lower ruminal methane production, more dietary energy and production efficiency are expected.

Modification of Cassava Root Starch Phosphorylation Enhances Starch Functional Properties.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a root crop used as a foodstuff and as a starch source in industry. Starch functional properties are influenced by many structural features including the relative amounts of the two glucan polymers amylopectin and amylose, the branched structure of amylopectin, starch granule size and the presence of covalent modifications. Starch phosphorylation, where phosphates are linked either to the C3 or C6 carbon atoms of amylopectin glucosyl residues, is a naturally occurring modification known to be important for starch remobilization. The degree of phosphorylation has been altered in several crops using biotechnological approaches to change expression of the starch-phosphorylating enzyme GLUCAN WATER DIKINASE (GWD). Interestingly, this frequently alters other structural features of starch beside its phosphate content. Here, we aimed to alter starch phosphorylation in cassava storage roots either by manipulating the expression of the starch phosphorylating or dephosphorylating enzymes. Therefore, we generated transgenic plants in which either the wild-type potato GWD (StGWD) or a redox-insensitive version of it were overexpressed. Further plants were created in which we used RNAi to silence each of the endogenous phosphoglucan phosphatase genes STARCH EXCESS 4 (MeSEX4) and LIKE SEX4 2 (MeLSF), previously discovered by analyzing leaf starch metabolism in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Overexpressing the potato GWD gene (StGWD), which specifically phosphorylates the C6 position, increased the total starch-bound phosphate content at both the C6 and the C3 positions. Silencing endogenous LSF2 gene (MeLSF2), which specifically dephosphorylates the C3 position, increased the ratio of C3:C6 phosphorylation, showing that its function is conserved in storage tissues. In both cases, other structural features of starch (amylopectin structure, amylose content and starch granule size) were unaltered. This allowed us to directly relate the physicochemical properties of the starch to its phosphate content or phosphorylation pattern. Starch swelling power and paste clarity were specifically influenced by total phosphate content. However, phosphate position did not significantly influence starch functional properties. In conclusion, biotechnological manipulation of starch phosphorylation can specifically alter certain cassava storage root starch properties, potentially increasing its value in food and non-food industries.

Forces acting on codon bias in malaria parasites

Malaria parasite genomes have a range of codon biases, with Plasmodium falciparum one of the most AT-biased genomes known. We examined the make up of synonymous coding sites and stop codons in the core genomes of representative malaria parasites, showing first that local DNA context influences codon bias similarly across P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. berghei, with suppression of CpG dinucleotides and enhancement of CpC dinucleotides, both within and aross codons. Intense asexual phase gene expression in P. falciparum and P. berghei is associated with increased A3:G3 bias but reduced T3:C3 bias at 2-fold sites, consistent with adaptation of codons to tRNA pools and avoidance of wobble tRNA interactions that potentially slow down translation. In highly expressed genes, the A3:G3 ratio can exceed 30-fold while the T3:C3 ratio can be less than 1, according to the encoded amino acid and subsequent base. Lysine codons (AAA/G) show distinctive behaviour with substantially reduced A3:G3 bias in highly expressed genes, perhaps because of selection against frameshifting when the AAA codon is followed by another adenine. Intense expression is also associated with a strong bias towards TAA stop codons (found in 94% and 89% of highly expressed P. falciparum and P. berghei genes respectively) and a proportional rise in the TAAA stop ‘tetranucleotide’. The presence of these expression-linked effects in the relatively AT-rich malaria parasite species adds weight to the suggestion that AT-richness in the Plasmodium genus might be a fitness adaptation. Potential explanations for the relative lack of codon bias in P. vivax include the distinct features of its lifecycle and its effective population size over evolutionary time.

Effects of Different Ration Scenarios on Fecal-Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Awassi Ewes

This study investigated the effect of diets with different ratios of C4:C3 plant materials on CH4, CO2, and N2O emissions from manure produced by Awassi ewes. The trial compared the production of greenhouse gases from manures produced by sheep fed diets with low C4:C3 ratios (Group A–0.95:1) to those fed high C4:C3 plant ratios (Groups B–1:1; C–1.5:1; D–2:1). The trial was a randomized design with four groups and each group contained four sheep (total 16). The main feedstuffs were alfalfa and maize based combinations with similar nutrient contents. The body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the sheep were affected by C4:C3 ratio. They increased in the higher C4 plant-consuming groups, despite similar feed consumption. Manure components were not affected by the feed ratio, except for N, pH, and Neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Total diet digestibility of N increased cubically when maize silage was included (Groups B and D). The use of C3 plants as forage or grain sources led to increased manure and manure gas production (P = 0.04 and linear effect: 0.03). Regardless of the C4:C3 ratio, alfalfa increased N2O emissions from manures because more manure was produced by groups A and C. The temperature, humidity and mold of the manures were the main causes of the rise in the amount of manure based CO2 in the alfalfa and maize based groups.

Serum C3/C4 ratio is a novel predictor of renal prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy: a retrospective study.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune disease associated with complement activation. It is unclear whether the ratio of serum C3 and C4 concentrations (C3/C4 ratio) can predict renal outcomes in IgAN patients. A total of 1503 patients diagnosed with IgAN via renal biopsy were recorded in this study. Poor renal outcomes were defined as > 50% decrease in the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during follow-up. In total, 712 patients meeting the exclusion/inclusion criteria were selected, and the mean follow-up period was 40.6 (12.34) months. Patients with decreased C3/C4 ratios displayed significantly more severe clinical characteristics and renal pathological features and a higher proportion of poor renal outcomes and ESRD. The optimal multivariate Cox regression models identified the C3/C4 ratio (hazard ratio (HR) 0.63, 95% CI 0.5-0.9), serum uric acid (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.2-2.2), serum creatinine (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6), systolic blood pressure (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and T score (relative to T0, T1: HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.1-3.7, T2: HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.6-5.9) as strong predictors of poor renal outcomes. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with low C3/C4 ratios benefited from glucocorticoids or other immunosuppressive agents (hazard ratio 0.30 and 0.18, 95% CI 0.13-0.72 and 0.07-0.46, respectively). Serum C3/C4 ratios may be an independent novel predictor of renal outcomes in IgAN patients. Decreased C3/C4 ratios suggest poor renal outcomes and the potential to benefit from aggressive immunosuppressive therapies.

Effects of replacing dietary maize grains with increasing levels of sugar beet pulp on rumen fermentation constituents and performance of growing buffalo calves

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing cracked maize with increasing levels of sugar beet pulp (SBP) on nutrients digestibility, blood biochemical and rumen fermentation constituents and animal performance of growing Egyptian buffalo calves. Forty male Egyptian buffalo calves (237.2±24.46kg of initial body weight, IBW) were allocated into a completely randomized design and stratified to one of four experimental diets. The basal diet was isonitrogenous (40:60 forage: concentrate) and was formulated to contain 60% of dietary DM cracked maize replaced by ascending levels of SBP (0, 333, 667, and 1000g/kg respectively). The study lasted for a period of 143days from which 21days for adaptation while the remaining 122days were used for data collection. Increasing the level of SBP resulted in a quadratic increase (P=0.017) in the average daily gain (ADG) with a linear tendency of increase (P=0.064) in dietary dry matter intake. A quadratic decrease of feed conversion ratio (FCR, P=0.005) was observed with the ascending levels of SBP. In addition, the daily intake of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber assayed with heat stable α-amylase and corrected for ash (aNDFom), acid detergent fiber corrected for ash (ADFom) were quadratically (P<0.01) improved upon increasing the dietary SBP level while the daily intake and digestibility of ether extract were declined linearly (P<0.01). Replacing SBP for maize resulted in linear increase (P<0.01) in OM, aNDFom, cellulose and hemicellulose digestibility coefficients. Ruminal pH, total short chain fatty acids, proportions of acetate (C2) and butyrate were increased linearly (P<0.05). In contrast, the proportions of propionate (C3) and isobutyrate were decreased linearly (P<0.05) upon increasing the levels of SBP. In addition, the C2:C3 ratio and total protozoa were linearly (P<0.01) increased while the ruminal NH3-N concentration was quadratically (P=0.046) increased as SBP replaced maize in the diet. Furthermore, upon increasing the dietary SBP levels, the blood urea-N, cortisol and thyroxin (T4) concentrations were quadratically elevated (P<0.01). Conversely, linear decreases in creatinine, (P=0.027) and cholesterol (P=0.001) concentrations were found. In addition, blood insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration increased linearly (P=0.006) as SBP level increased. Feeding cost based on BW gain was linearly reduced (P=0.043) by 25%, causing the overall profits ($/head/d) to be quadratically (P<0.01) increased. Overall, the obtained results indicate that replacing maize grains with up to 667g SBP/kg diet resulted in a highest profit by 21%, enhanced ruminal fermentation, nutrients digestibility and ADG and reduced FCR. Therefore, this study could be economically feasible for use in fattening diets of growing Egyptian buffalo calves without impairing animal performance or health.

Climate conditions and relative abundance of C3 and C4 vegetation during the past 40 ka inferred from lake sediments in Wudalianchi, northeast China

Paleoclimate and paleovegetation changes over the last 40 cal ka were recorded by multiple variables in a sediment core from Qingshi, Wudalianchi City, northeast China. The history of vegetation types inferred from n-C27/n-C31 and average chain length of n-alkanes indicates the paleovegetation went through several distinct stages, consistent with pollen records from the study area. Compound-specific carbon isotope composition was also determined for C27, C29 and C31 n-alkanes in the Qingshi core sediments. The relative abundance of C3 and C4 plants was calculated using a binary model and indicates that C3 plants were the dominant input during the last glacial and Holocene. There were, however, shifts in the ratio of C3 to C4 vegetation abundance that correspond to changes in climate conditions. Generally, the long-term trend towards greater C4 plant abundance from the last glacial to Holocene correlated with an increase in pCO2, higher temperature, greater precipitation and more growing season precipitation. Our results suggest that temperature and seasonality of precipitation played a strong role in altering the relative abundance of C3 and C4 plants in the study area. These results provide information for predicting future vegetation changes in response to on-going global warming.

Controls on Methane Occurrences in Aquifers Overlying the Eagle Ford Shale Play, South Texas.

Assessing natural vs. anthropogenic sources of methane in drinking water aquifers is a critical issue in areas of shale oil and gas production. The objective of this study was to determine controls on methane occurrences in aquifers in the Eagle Ford Shale play footprint. A total of 110 water wells were tested for dissolved light alkanes, isotopes of methane, and major ions, mostly in the eastern section of the play. Multiple aquifers were sampled with approximately 47 samples from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer (250-1200 m depth range) and Queen City-Sparta Aquifer (150-900 m depth range) and 63 samples from other shallow aquifers but mostly from the Catahoula Formation (depth <150 m). Besides three shallow wells with unambiguously microbial methane, only deeper wells show significant dissolved methane (22 samples >1 mg/L, 10 samples >10 mg/L). No dissolved methane samples exhibit thermogenic characteristics that would link them unequivocally to oil and gas sourced from the Eagle Ford Shale. In particular, the well water samples contain very little or no ethane and propane (C1/C2+C3 molar ratio >453), unlike what would be expected in an oil province, but they also display relatively heavier δ13 Cmethane (>-55‰) and δDmethane (>-180‰). Samples from the deeper Carrizo and Queen City aquifers are consistent with microbial methane sourced from syndepositional organic matter mixed with thermogenic methane input, most likely originating from deeper oil reservoirs and migrating through fault zones. Active oxidation of methane pushes δ13 Cmethane and δDmethane toward heavier values, whereas the thermogenic gas component is enriched with methane owing to a long migration path resulting in a higher C1/C2+C3 ratio than in the local reservoirs.

Methane Occurrences in Aquifers Overlying the Barnett Shale Play with a Focus on Parker County, Texas.

Clusters of elevated methane concentrations in aquifers overlying the Barnett Shale play have been the focus of recent national attention as they relate to impacts of hydraulic fracturing. The objective of this study was to assess the spatial extent of high dissolved methane previously observed on the western edge of the play (Parker County) and to evaluate its most likely source. A total of 509 well water samples from 12 counties (14,500 km2 ) were analyzed for methane, major ions, and carbon isotopes. Most samples were collected from the regional Trinity Aquifer and show only low levels of dissolved methane (85% of 457 unique locations <0.1 mg/L). Methane, when present is primarily thermogenic (δ13 C 10th and 90th percentiles of -57.54 and -39.00‰ and C1/C2+C3 ratio 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of 5, 15, and 42). High methane concentrations (>20 mg/L) are limited to a few spatial clusters. The Parker County cluster area includes historical vertical oil and gas wells producing from relatively shallow formations and recent horizontal wells producing from the Barnett Shale (depth of ∼1500 m). Lack of correlation with distance to Barnett Shale horizontal wells, with distance to conventional wells, and with well density suggests a natural origin of the dissolved methane. Known commercial very shallow gas accumulations (<200 m in places) and historical instances of water wells reaching gas pockets point to the underlying Strawn Group of Paleozoic age as the main natural source of the dissolved gas.

地区因素对内蒙古羊肉营养品质及同位素丰度δ&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C, δ&lt;sup&gt;15&lt;/sup&gt;N影响的研究

选择内蒙古东部和西部肉羊55只，对其进行营养品质及同位素丰度δ13C，δ15N的测定。结果显示，东部羊肉的水分含量显著高于西部(p < 0.05)，而西部羊肉脂肪含量显著高于东部(p < 0.05)。东部地区羊肉中的δ15N值显著高于内蒙古西部(p < 0.05)。东部羊肉的天冬氨酸和谷氨酸的含量显著高于西部(p < 0.05)。试验表明，内蒙古东部羊肉具有高水分含量、低脂肪含量的特点，与西部羊肉相比，具有更强的肉鲜风味。因此，根据羊肉中C和N同位素丰度，可以对羊肉的产地进行有效溯源，且饲料中C3和C4植物的混合比例不同，会影响肉中稳定性C的丰度值；同时，利用δ15N值能够区分牧区和农区的羊肉样品。 The 55 mutton sheep have been chosen from the east and west area of Inner Mongolia, and the nutritional quality and isotope abundance of δ13C, δ15N were analyzed. The result showed that the moisture content from eastern muttons was significantly higher than that of western (p < 0.05). However, the fat content from western muttons was higher than that of eastern (p < 0.05). The δ15N value from eastern muttons was higher than that of western (p < 0.05). Meanwhile the content of aspartic acid and glutamic acid of eastern muttons was higher than that of western (p < 0.05). The present study indicated that the eastern mutton had characteristics of high moisture and low fat, and the flavor was stronger than the western one. In addition, the producing origin of mutton could be effectively traced via isotope abundance of C and N, and the different ratio of C3 and C4 plants in feed could influence the content of stable C in mutton. The value of δ15N could also be applied for distinguishing muttons came from pastoral area and agricultural area.

Formation and Properties of Vesicles from Cyclic Amphiphilic PS-PEO Block Copolymers.

Linear polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene (PS-PEO-PS) block copolymers and corresponding cyclized PS-PEO counterparts with three different PS molecular weights were synthesized and self-assembled to investigate the effects arising from the topology. Linear PS5-PEO45-PS5 (L1) and cyclic PS10-PEO45 (C1) formed micelles. As previously reported for poly(n-butyl acrylate) and PEO block copolymers, the micelles from C1 showed more than 30 °C higher phase transition temperature (cloud point, Tc) than those from L1. Linear PS10-PEO45-PS10 (L2) and cyclic PS20-PEO45 (C2) resulted in the formation of a structure called large compound micelles. Self-assembly of linear PS40-PEO48-PS40 (L3) and cyclic PS86-PEO48 (C3) lead to the formation of vesicles. The vesicles were characterized by TEM, DLS, and SLS. Remarkably, the vesicles from L3 (Tc = 69, 59, and 48 °C in the presence of 1, 5, and 10 wt % of NaCl, respectively) were found to be somewhat more thermally stable than those from C3 (Tc = 62, 52, and 43 °C in the presence of 1, 5, and 10 wt % of NaCl, respectively). This trend of the thermal stability was counterintuitively opposed to the case of the micelles. Moreover, Tc of the vesicles was controlled by the ratio of L3 and C3.

Supplementation of Flemingia macrophylla and cassava foliage as a rumen enhancer on fermentation efficiency and estimated methane production in dairy steers.

Four rumen-fistulated dairy steers, 3years old with 180 ± 15kg body weight (BW), were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate on the effect of Flemingia macrophylla hay meal (FMH) and cassava hay meal (CH) supplementation on rumen fermentation efficiency and estimated methane production. The treatments were as follows: T1 = non-supplement, T2 = CH supplementation at 150g/head/day, T3 = FMH supplementation at 150g/head/day, and T4 = CH + FMH supplementation at 75 and 75g/head/day. All steers were fed rice straw ad libitum and concentrate was offered at 0.5% of BW. Results revealed that supplementation of CH and/or FMH did not affect on feed intake (P > 0.05) while digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were increased especially in steers receiving FMH and CH+FMH (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH, temperature, and blood urea nitrogen were similar among treatments while ammonia nitrogen was increased in all supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, propionic acid (C3) was increased while acetic acid (C2), C2:C3 ratio, and estimated methane production were decreased by dietary treatments. Protozoa and fungi population were not affected by dietary supplement while viable bacteria count increased in steers receiving FMH. Supplementation of FMH and/or FMH+CH increased microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial nitrogen supply. This study concluded FMH (150g/head/day) and/or CH+FMH (75 and 75g/head/day) supplementation could be used as a rumen enhancer for increasing nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency, and microbial protein synthesis while decreasing estimated methane production without adverse effect on voluntary feed intake of dairy steers fed rice straw.

Enhanced formation of α-olefins by the pulse process between Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and N2 purging

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has offered an alternative way to convert coal and biomass into chemicals such as α-olefins via syngas comprised of H2 and CO. A pulse process switching between Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and N2 purging was carried out when the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis became stable in the fixed bed reactor. The activity and selectivity over Fe-Co catalyst for α-olefins in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction were measured under the normal conditions of 2.0 MPa, 497 K, 2000 h−1 and H2/CO volume ratio of 2.0. It was found that the olefin to paraffin ratio of C3 for Fe-Co catalyst purged at 517 K and 0.2 MPa was almost nine times higher than that of the fresh one without purging under the same reaction conditions, and the CH4 selectivity and CO conversion decreased after purging. Two possible reasons were proposed to explain these phenomena. Moreover, a batch experiment by the pulse process in fixed bed reactor was performed. Notably, a high olefins yield was obtained via the pulse process during the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Mechanochemical Influence on the Stereoselectivity of Halide Metathesis: Synthesis of Group 15 Tris(allyl) Complexes

The stereochemical outcomes of reactions conducted in solution and those under mechanochemical conditions need not be the same; this is a well-established observation in organic synthesis, but few examples are known in organometallic systems. Halide metathesis is now shown to be a type of mechanochemical reaction that can produce different ratios of stereoisomers depending on whether the reagents are dissolved or ball-milled. Trihalides of As (X = I), Sb (X = Cl), and Bi (X = Cl) react with K[A′] (A′ = 1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3) (As, Sb) or [AlA′3] (Bi) to generate the tris(allyl) complexes [EA′3]. All three complexes are found in two diastereomeric forms of C1 (R,S,S) and C3 (R,R,R) symmetry, and mechanochemical synthesis increases the C1:C3 ratio relative to that produced in hexanes solution (up to 3.3× in the case of [AsA′3]). The stereoselectivity of the metathesis in the solid state can be correlated with the asymmetric environment found in the group 15 trihalides; mechanochemical induction provides a new too...

Improving ruminal degradability and energetic values of bamboo shoot shell using chemical treatments.

This study evaluated effects of different treatments on nutritive value of bamboo shoot shell (BSS). Five treatments were sun-drying (control), ammoniation (5%/dry matter (DM) urea), Ca(OH)2 (4%/DM calcium hydroxide), NaOH (4%/DM sodium hydroxide), and AHP (4%/DM sodium hydroxide plus 1%/DM hydrogen peroxide). The results showed that chemical composition of BSS was greatly changed by chemicals (P < 0.01) except acid-detergent lignin. All chemical treatments significantly reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content except AHP (P < 0.01), and obviously increased acid detergent fiber (ADF) content (P < 0.01) except ammoniation. The predicted organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy for lactation of BSS were greatly increased by chemical treatments (P < 0.01), the highest for ammoniation, followed by Ca(OH)2 , NaOH and AHP. Ammoniation had higher (P = 0.03) ammonia-N concentration than the other four treatments. There were significant differences among all treatments on total volatile fatty acids (P = 0.03), propionate (P = 0.01), butyrate concentration (P < 0.01) and C2 /C3 ratio (P = 0.02). Chemical treatments greatly improved effective degradability (ED) of DM (P < 0.01) and ED of NDF (P = 0.06) and ADF (P = 0.07) numerically. Ammoniation got a higher ED of crude protein than control. In conclusion, all chemical treatments greatly improved nutritive value of BSS with highest value obtained from ammoniation, followed by strong alkalization, alkaline hydrogen peroxide and modest alkalization.

Rare Genetic Variants Associated With Development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Rare variants in the complement genes CFH, CFI, C9, and C3 have been found to be highly associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, the effect on clinical characteristics and familial segregation by these variants is lacking. To determine the contribution of rare CFH Arg1210Cys, CFI Gly119Arg, C9 Pro167Ser, and C3 Lys155Gln variants in the development of AMD in 22 multiplex families and to describe clinical differences in carriers vs noncarriers in these families and a large case-control cohort. This retrospective case-control study included 114 affected and 60 unaffected members of 22 multiplex families with AMD as well as 1589 unrelated patients with AMD and 1386 unrelated control individuals enrolled in the European Genetic Database (EUGENDA). Patients were recruited from March 29, 2006, to April 26, 2013, and data were collected from April 20, 2012, to May 7, 2014. All participants underwent an extensive ophthalmic examination and completed a questionnaire. Venous blood samples were obtained from all participants for genetic analysis, including whole-exome sequencing and measurements of complement activation. Data were analyzed from September 23, 2014, to November 4, 2015. Differences between carriers and noncarriers of rare variants in age at onset of symptoms, the family history of AMD, complement activation levels (C3d:C3 ratio), the presence of reticular pseudodrusen, and AMD phenotype. Among the 114 affected and 60 unaffected members of 22 multiplex families with AMD and the 1598 unrelated patients with AMD and 1386 controls in the EUGENDA cohort who underwent analysis, the presence of the CFI Gly119Arg, C9 Pro167Ser, or C3 Lys155Gln variant was confirmed in 18 individuals in 5 families but did not completely segregate with the disease. In the case-control cohort, the 91 affected carriers of these variants were younger at symptom onset (mean [SD] age, 67.4 [8.5] vs 71.3 [8.9] years; P = .01) and more often reported a positive family history (35 of 79 [44.3%] vs 367 of 1201 [30.6%]; P = .008) compared with the 1498 noncarriers. Patients with advanced atrophic AMD carried these rare variants more frequently than patients with neovascular AMD (11 of 93 [11.8%] vs 40 of 835 [4.8%]; P = .04). Previously reported rare variants do not completely segregate within families with AMD. However, patients carrying these rare variants differ clinically from noncarriers by an earlier age at symptom onset, higher prevalence of a positive family history, and AMD phenotype. These results suggest that genetic tests for AMD might be designed to detect common and rare genetic variants, especially in families, because rare variants contribute to the age at onset and progression of the disease.

Carbon isotopic ratios of modern C3–C4 plants from the Gangetic Plain, India and its implications to paleovegetational reconstruction

For the first time, carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of plants and occluded carbon in phytoliths were analyzed from three locations of the middle (26.5°N, 80.3°E) and lower (22.3°N, 87.3°E and 22.9°N, 88.5°E) Gangetic Plain, India. The bulk δ13C values of C3 plants range from −32.6 to −19.2‰ with an average of −29.6±1.9‰ (n=76, 1σ) and for C4 plants values range from −16.6 to −10.4‰, averaging at −12.7±1.4‰ (n=45, 1σ). The measured average δ13C value of C3 plants is lower than globally reported dataset. Comparison of average δ13C values of C3 plants with mean annual precipitation (MAP) of the three locations show that lowering in δ13C value with increase in MAP. However, for C4 plants, increase in MAP resulted in higher δ13C values. These observations are similar with the earlier findings that the δ13C values in C3 plants are controlled by stomatal conductance and for C4 plants leakiness of carbon from bundle sheath cell played important role. The average δ13C value of C3 plants from the modern Gangetic Plain is lower compared to the observed δ13C value (~−26‰) of bulk soil organic matter (SOM) derived from contemporary C3 plants in the lower and middle Siwalik (ancestral Gangeitc plain). The enriched value in Siwalik SOM likely indicates contribution from C4 plants. This implies early appearance (at 11Ma) of C4 plants compared to previously reported timing. The δ13C values of occluded carbon in C3-derived phytoliths range from −33.9 to −24.5‰ with an average of −29.0±2.6‰ (n=26, 1σ) and that for C4-derived phytoliths range from −30.7 to −21.4‰, averaging at −26.1±2.6‰ (n=12, 1σ). Organic carbon (OC) concentrations in C3-phytoliths vary from 0.1 to 6.1%, averaging at 1.1±1.3% (n=26, 1σ) and in C4-phytoliths 0.1 to 3.8% with an average value of 1.1±1.4% (n=12, 1σ). Being protected from degradation, selective plantation with high OC in phytoliths will enhance terrestrial carbon sequestration.

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.