Genetic parameters for tissue and fatty acid composition of backfat, perirenal fat and longissimus muscle in Large White and Landrace pigs

Genetic parameters pertaining to the same chemical characteristics of three porcine tissues, that is backfat (BF), perirenal fat (PF) and longissimus muscle (LM), were estimated in centrally tested Large White and Landrace pigs. Animals were fed ad libitum. They were slaughtered at an average BW of 99.6 kg, and samples of BF (both inner and outer layers) and LM were removed at the 13th to 14th rib level of the carcass on the day after slaughter. The data set included 2483 animals recorded for average daily gain (ADG; 35 to 100 kg), estimated carcass lean percentage (LEAN) and lean tissue growth rate (LTGR). Among these animals, around 950 pigs were recorded for lipid content (L%) and water content (W%) of BF and LM and for fatty acid composition (FAC) of BF, whereas FAC of LM was measured on 297 pigs and L%, W%, and FAC of PF on around 210 pigs. Heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations (ra) were estimated using REML-animal model methodology. Estimates of h2 for L%, W% and FAC of BF, PF and LM were of moderate-to-high magnitude: for example 0.47 ± 0.09 for L% of LM, 0.59 ± 0.11 for W% of BF, 0.45 ± 0.08 for the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P/S) of BF, 0.61 ± 0.15 and 0.29 ± 0.10 for the coefficient of unsaturation of lipids (UNSAT, average number of double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids) of PF and LM, respectively. Genetic correlations of L% with P/S or UNSAT were strongly negative (from -0.4 to -0.9) in BF and LM, but not in PF. The 'between-tissue' genetic correlations for homologous compositional traits were far from being unity (e.g. ra = 0.57 ± 0.05 'between' BF and PF for UNSAT). Genetic relationships between ADG and tissue compositional traits were globally weak. By contrast, genetic correlations were moderate-to-high between carcass leanness and tissue compositional traits, especially those of fat depots: for example -0.66 ± 0.14 between LEAN and L% of BF, 0.50 ± 0.07 between LEAN and UNSAT of PF, -0.44 ± 0.08 between LEAN and L% of LM, and 0.27 ± 0.03 between LEAN and UNSAT of LM. On the basis of the parameter estimates found here, breeding for higher LTGR is expected to increase the ratio of water to lipids and the unsaturation degree of lipids in subcutaneous BF and, to a lesser extent, in PF. Tissue composition and FAC of LM would be less affected.     

Deuterium oxide dilution accurately predicts water intake in sheep and goats

The aim of this study was to test whether the deuterium oxide dilution technique accurately predicts water intake in sheep and goats. Two other issues were also studied: (i) a comparison of water intake in sheep and goats and (ii) an assessment of whether observations of drinking behaviour can accurately measure the water intake. In this study, eight dry Boer goats and eight dry German Black Head Mutton ewes were kept under controlled stable conditions. Animals had access to hay and water ad libitum. Diurnal drinking behaviour was recorded by video. Individual daily water intake was measured and estimated for 2 weeks by re-weighing water buckets and from water kinetics using the deuterium oxide dilution technique, respectively. In addition, dry matter intakes were directly measured and were significantly higher in sheep than in goats. The average daily water consumption by drinking differed significantly between the two species, with higher intakes in sheep than in goats. Total body water expressed as a percentage of body mass did not differ between species. Measurement methods of total water intake (TWI) using deuterium oxide dilution and re-weighing water buckets did not differ significantly in both species (P = 0.926). Results obtained for measured and estimated TWI confirm that the isotope dilution technique gives reliable results for estimates of water intake in sheep and goats. The higher amount of water intake in sheep was also reflected by their drinking behaviour. Sheep spent approximately 0.3% per 24-h drinking, while Boer goats spent only 0.1%. However, measured and estimated TWIs were only moderately correlated to the daily time spent drinking. The lower water intake found in Boer goats confirms a superior water management capacity compared with Black Head Mutton sheep even under temperate conditions.     

A comparison of canopy evapotranspiration for maize and two perennial grasses identified as potential bioenergy crops

In the Midwestern US, perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs) are considered one of the most promising vegetation types to be used as a cellulosic feedstock for renewable energy production. The potential widespread use of biomass crops for renewable energy production has sparked numerous environmental concerns, including the impacts of land‐use change on the hydrologic cycle. We predicted that total seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) would be higher for PRGs relative to maize resulting from higher leaf area and a prolonged growing season. We further predicted that, compared with maize, higher aboveground biomass associated with PRGs would offset the higher ET and increase water‐use efficiency (WUE) in the context of biomass harvests for liquid biofuel production. To test these predictions, ET was estimated during the 2007 growing season for replicated plots of Miscanthus×giganteus (miscanthus), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), and Zea mays (maize) using a residual energy balance approach. The combination of a 25% higher mean latent heat flux (λET) and a longer growing season resulted in miscanthus having ca. 55% higher cumulative ET over the growing season compared with maize. Cumulative ET for switchgrass was also higher than maize despite similar seasonal‐mean λET. Based on total harvested aboveground biomass, WUE was ca. 50% higher for maize relative to miscanthus; however, when WUE calculated from only maize grain biomass was compared with WUE calculated from miscanthus harvested aboveground biomass, this difference disappeared. Although WUE between maize and miscanthus differed postsenescence, there were no differences in incremental WUE throughout the growing season. Despite initial predictions, aboveground biomass for switchgrass was less than maize; thus WUE was substantially lower for switchgrass than for either maize scenario. These results indicate that changes in ET due to large‐scale implementation of PRGs in the Midwestern US would likely influence local and regional hydrologic cycles differently than traditional row crops.     

Presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Drinking Water Samples in the North of Portugal

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are 2 protozoan parasites responsible for waterborne diseases outbreaks worldwide. In order to assess the prevalence of these protozoans in drinking water samples in the northern part of Portugal and the risk of human infection, we have established a long term program aiming at pinpointing the sources of surface water, drinking water, and environmental contamination, working with the water-supply industry. Total 43 sources of drinking water samples were selected, and a total of 167 samples were analyzed using the Method 1623. Sensitivity assays regarding the genetic characterization by PCR and sequencing of the genes, 18S SSU rRNA, for Cryptosporidium spp. and β,-giardin for G. duodenalis were set in the laboratory. According to the defined criteria, molecular analysis was performed over 4 samples. Environmental stages of the protozoa were detected in 25.7% (43 out of 167) of the water samples, 8.4% (14 out of 167) with cysts of Giardia, 10.2% (17 out of 167) with oocysts of Cryptosporidium and 7.2% (12 out of 167) for both species. The mean concentrations were 0.1-12.7 oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. per 10 L and 0.1-108.3 cysts of Giardia duodenalis per 10 L. Our results suggest that the efficiency in drinking water plants must be ameliorated in their efficiency in reducing the levels of contamination. We suggest the implementation of systematic monitoring programs for both protozoa. To authors'' knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the concentration of environmental stages of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water samples in the northern part of Portugal.     

A Survey of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Water Supplies during a 10-Year Period (2000-2009) in Seoul

This study has been conducted to estimate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies in the Metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea, for 10 years from 2000 to 2009. Water samples were collected quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River and its largest stream and 6 conventional Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) serving drinking water for 10 million people of Seoul. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 22.5% of intake water samples and arithmetic mean was 0.65 oocysts/10 L (range 0-22 oocysts/10 L). Although the annual mean of oocyst number was as low as 0.04-1.90 oocysts/10 L, 3 peaks in 2004 and 2007 were observed and the pollution level was a little higher in winter. The lowest density was observed at Paldang intake and the pollution level increased at Kuui and Jayang intakes. At the end of the largest stream, oocysts were found in 70% of collected samples (mean 5.71 oocysts/10 L) and it seemed that its joining the Han River resulted in the increase at Kuui intake and downstream. Oocyst removal by physical process exceeded 2.0-2.3 log and then all finished water samples collected at 6 WTPs were negative for Cryptosporidium in each 100 L sample for 10 years. These results suggested that domestic wastewater from the urban region could be a source of Cryptosporidium pollution and separating sewage systems adjacent to the intakes could be meaningful for some intakes having weakness related to parasitological water quality.     

Assessing effects of flow alteration on macroinvertebrate assemblages in Australian dryland rivers

1. Possible impacts of water‐resource development on assemblages of freshwater macroinvertebrates were investigated in the upper Darling River and some of its tributaries in north‐western New South Wales (Australia), an arid and semi‐arid region of low relief where alteration of river flows has intensified through expansion of irrigated agriculture. 2. Study sites were grouped into four hydrological regimes resulting from impoundment, flow regulation, water abstraction and natural variation, namely (i) intermittent flow with relatively little hydrological alteration from water‐resource development, (ii) intermittent flow with substantial alteration, (iii) near‐perennial flow with substantial alteration but unimpounded and (iv) near‐perennial flow with substantial alteration plus impoundment by weirs that stabilise water levels. 3. Macroinvertebrates were sampled with three methods (a quantitative cylinder sampler, handnet sampling and baited traps) in three periods with differing hydrology (recessional low flow in June 2003, high flow in March 2004 and increasing flow after drought in December 2004). 4. Taxonomic richness, assemblage composition and catch per unit effort of the crayfish Cherax destructor differed significantly among the site groups, but total macroinvertebrate density and the AUSRIVAS O/E (Australian River Assessment System observed‐over‐expected) index did not. The principal spatial differences were between the intermittent and near‐perennial rivers, and apparent effects of water‐resource development and impoundment were more subtle. Temporal differences in richness, abundance and composition were substantial and appeared to be related mainly to variations in discharge and temperature. 5. Current macroinvertebrate‐based methods for assessing the ‘condition’ or ‘health’ of Australian dryland rivers are inadequate. Such assessments might be improved with (i) reference data that take adequate account of antecedent hydrological conditions, (ii) consideration of long‐term taxonomic richness as well as richness on individual sampling occasions, (iii) evaluation of invertebrate population sizes, (iv) analysis of assemblage data by trait composition and (v) adoption of the genus as the default level of taxonomic resolution.     

兴奋性氨基酸受体的激活介导冷水应激诱导的tau蛋白磷酸化

为探讨兴奋性神经传递系统是否参与冷水应激引起的tau蛋白磷酸化,将小鼠于4℃冷水应激5min.采用免疫印迹和免疫组织化学方法分析应激后脑内c-fos和磷酸化tau蛋白的表达情况;运用HPLC检测冷水应激后小鼠脑内兴奋性或抑制性神经递质的变化;同时分析兴奋性氨基酸受体和L-型钙通道拮抗剂预处理后冷水应激小鼠脑内磷酸化tau蛋白的水平.冷水应激后1h,海马内磷酸化tau蛋白的水平显著升高,同时伴c-fos的染色增加.HPLC检测显示,兴奋性和抑制性神经递质呈现急剧上升而后又下降的趋势.冷水应激后15min,天冬氨酸和甘氨酸水平显著升高,1h后天冬氨酸、谷氨酸、牛磺酸和γ-氨基丁酸显著下降.NMDA受体拮抗剂MK-801(5mg/kg)和AMPA受体拮抗剂DNQX(0.5,5mg/kg)可显著抑制冷水应激引起的磷酸化tau蛋白水平的升高,代谢性谷氨酸受体拮抗剂MAP-4不影响tau蛋白的磷酸化,另外,L-型钙通道阻断剂尼莫地平可抑制冷水应激引起的磷酸化tau蛋白水平的升高.这些结果表明,冷水应激可影响兴奋性神经传递系统,通过离子型兴奋性氨基酸受体和异常神经激活来调节tau蛋白的磷酸化.兴奋性神经传递系统的激活在冷水...     

Life Cycle Assessment of Water Supply Plans in Mediterranean Spain

Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to compare the current water supply planning in Mediterranean Spain, the so‐called AGUA Programme, with its predecessor, the Ebro river water transfer (ERWT). Whereas the ERWT was based on a single interbasin transfer, the AGUA Programme excludes new transfers and focuses instead on different types of resources, including seawater and brackish water desalination and wastewater reuse, among others. The study includes not only water supply but the whole anthropic cycle of water, from water abstraction to wastewater treatment. In addition to standard LCA impact categories, a specific impact category focusing on freshwater resources is included, which takes into account freshwater scarcity in the affected water catchments. In most impact categories the AGUA Programme obtains similar or even lower impact scores than ERWT. Concerning impacts on freshwater resources, the AGUA Programme obtains an impact score 49% lower than the ERWT. Although the current water planning appears to perform better in many impact categories than its predecessor, this study shows that water supply in Spanish Mediterranean regions is substantially increasing its energy intensity and that Mediterranean basins suffer a very high level of water stress due to increasing demand and limited resources.     

Evaluation of the usefulness of a new direct immunofluorescence assay (ScanVIT‐Legionella™) for monitoring hospital water systems contaminated with Legionella spp.

Aims: To compare the efficiency of the ScanVIT‐Legionella^? test (Vermicon, Munich, Germany) vs a conventional culture method for the quantification of Legionella spp. in hospital water samples in daily hospital practice. Methods and Results: The detection of Legionella spp. takes place on a cultivated filter brought into contact with dye‐marked gene probes. The results are analysed under fluorescence microscopy. Bacteria that light up green belong to the genus Legionella; those that light up both green and red belong to the species Legionella pneumophila. Our results showed that the ScanVIT test has a sensitivity of 90%; agreement between the two methods was 82%. In the 48 samples that tested positive with both methods, the Legionella concentration detected by the culture method was consistently higher. A statistically significant difference between the results obtained with the two test methods emerged at the Wilcoxon test (P < 0·001). Conclusion: The ScanVIT test may be recommended for investigating the presence of Legionella by qualitative testing. Significance and Impact of the Study: Given the simplicity of colony identification by fluorescence, the ScanVIT test can be used in laboratories where staffs are not experienced in identifying typical colonies of Legionella.     

Y‐chromosomal variation confirms independent domestications of swamp and river buffalo

Y‐chromosomal variation in the water buffalo was analysed by sequencing of DBY, ZFY and SRY gene segments. A clear separation of the paternal lineages of the river and swamp types parallels the differences between their maternal lineages and nuclear DNA. Sequence divergence was found to be comparable to the divergence of taurine cattle and zebu, and this divergence predated domestication, confirming that river and swamp buffalo originated from different wild populations. Within a sample of 23 Thai swamp buffaloes, we identified four haplotypes with different geographical distributions, two of which were shared by Thai wild buffaloes.