Population structure and effects of inbreeding on milk yield and quality of Murrah buffaloes

To provide data for conservation, selection, and expansion programs of buffalo herds, this study evaluated the history of a population of Murrah buffaloes based on population structure and the effect of inbreeding on accumulated 305-d milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), protein yield (PY), mozzarella production (MProd), and somatic cell score (SCS). The usefulness of including the individual inbreeding coefficient (F) or individual increase in inbreeding coefficient (ΔF) in the model to describe inbreeding depression was evaluated. Pedigree information from 8,054 animals born between 1976 and 2008 and 4,497 lactation records obtained from 12 herds were used. The realized effective population size was 40.10 ± 1.27, and the mean F of the entire population was 2.14%. The ratio between the number of founders and ancestors demonstrated the existence of a bottleneck in the pedigree of this population, which may contribute to a reduction of genetic diversity. The effect of F on MY, FY, PY, MProd, and SCS was −1.005 kg, −0.299 kg, −0.246 kg, −1.201 kg, and −0.002 units, and the effect of ΔF transformed to equivalent F (%) for a mean of 2.57 equivalent generations was −4.287 kg, −0.581 kg, −0.383 kg, −2.001 kg, and −0.007 units, respectively. The inbreeding depression observed may have important economic repercussions for production systems. The ΔF can be considered the better of the two indicators of inbreeding depression due to its properties that prevent underestimation of this effect. A designed mating system to avoid inbreeding may be applied to this population to maintain genetic diversity.     

Studies of the network structure of rubber vulcanizates by a cryoscopic method: 1

The freezing-point depression, ΔT, of swollen dicumene peroxide cured natural rubber in benzene has been measured. The parameter a_H, introduced by Kuhn, which varies inversely as ΔT, should be regarded as an indication of the depression. The anomalous depression is considered to occur due to a non-frozen benzene area formed on the surrounding network chains. From comparison of the scaling law and the experimental results, it was clear that a_H can reflect not only the quantity corresponding to network chain density determined by conventional methods but also the difference in three-dimensional network structure between degraded and undegraded rubber vulcanizates.     

Studies of the network structure of rubber vulcanizates by cryoscopic methods: 2

The freezing point depression, ΔT, of swollen DCP-, TT- and sulphur-cured natural rubber in benzene was observed. The dependence of the parameter, a_H, introduced by Kuhn, was not affected by the type of structure of crosslink sites. It was found from the comparison of the experimental results and scaling law that a_H can reflect not only the difference in three-dimensional structure of network between a degraded and an undegraded rubber vulcanizates but also the difference in degraded network structures between rubber samples with various conditions of degradation.     

基于MT的冀中台陷（京南段）西部Ⅲ级构造单元界限研究

太行山山前断裂是Ⅲ级构造单元太行山隆起与冀中台陷的边界,查明其具体位置对区域的深部热储调查评价具有重要意义。为此,本文在前期区域重力和航磁等物探工作的基础上开展大地电磁勘探工作。通过布设5条大地电磁剖面,实现了对Ⅲ级构造单元界限的详细勘探。通过对4000 m以浅地层进行反演解译,并结合区域重磁勘探成果及地质资料,确定了区域性断裂及其次生断裂的位置、产状、走向等,重新绘制了Ⅲ级构造单元界限。结果显示界限中段向东偏移2 km左右,南段和北段与原界限重合或小有差异。该结果与深地震反射剖面探测结果基本吻合。本文研究成果将对该区域地热勘探工作有一定的指导作用。     

Dietary molasses increases ruminal pH and enhances ruminal biohydrogenation during milk fat depression

Feeding high-concentrate diets has the potential to cause milk fat depression, but several studies have suggested that dietary sugar can increase milk fat yield. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of dietary molasses to prevent milk fat depression in the presence of a 65% concentrate diet. In trial 1, molasses replaced corn grain at 0, 2.5, or 5% of diet dry matter in diets fed to 12 second-lactation Holstein cows (134 ± 37 d in milk) in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Trial 1 demonstrated that replacing up to 5% of dietary dry matter from corn with molasses had positive effects on de novo fatty acid synthesis, increasing the yield of short- and medium-chain fatty acids during diet-induced milk fat depression. Increasing inclusion rate of molasses increased milk fat concentration, but decreased milk yield and milk protein yield. Trial 2 used 7 ruminally cannulated, multiparous, late-lactation Holstein cows (220 ± 18 d in milk) to evaluate effects of dietary molasses on ruminal parameters and milk composition, and also to assess whether increased metabolizable protein supply would alter these responses. Cows were randomly assigned to a dietary treatment sequence in a crossover split plot design with 0 and 5% molasses diets. Dietary treatments were fed for 28 d, with 16 d for diet adaptation, and the final 12 d for 2 abomasal infusion periods in a crossover arrangement. Abomasal infusions of water or AA (5 g of l-Met/d + 15 g of l-Lys-HCl/d + 5 g of l-His-HCl-H₂O/d) were administered 3 times daily for 5 d, with 2 d between infusion periods. Administration of AA had no effect on concentration or yield of any milk components. Addition of molasses increased milk fat concentration (2.71 vs. 2.94 ± 0.21%), but had no effect on yields of milk fat or protein. Dietary molasses decreased total volatile fatty acid concentration (141 vs. 133 ± 4.6 mM), decreased the molar proportion of propionate, and increased the molar proportion of butyrate in ruminal fluid. Molasses also increased ruminal pH (5.73 vs. 5.87 ± 0.06), decreased the yield of trans-10 C18:1, and increased the yield of trans-11 C18:1 in milk fat. These data provide evidence that molasses may promote mammary de novo fatty acid synthesis in cows fed high-energy rations by moderating ruminal pH and altering ruminal fatty acid biohydrogenation pathways.     

Milk fat responses to a change in diet fermentability vary by production level in dairy cattle

The effects of dietary starch fermentability on plasma metabolites and hormones, milk production, and milk fatty acid profile were evaluated in a crossover study. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows (121 +/- 48 d in milk, 41 +/- 9 kg/d 3.5% fat-corrected milk [FCM]; mean +/- SD) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence and were fed a diet intermediate to the treatments during an initial 21-d period. Treatments were dry ground corn grain (DG) and high moisture corn (HM) harvested from the same field. Treatment periods were 14 d, with the final 4 d used for data and sample collection. Diets included corn silage and alfalfa haylage at a 2:1 ratio and were ~26% neutral detergent fiber, 16.5% crude protein, 32% starch, and 3.5% fatty acids. High moisture corn increased plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, and triglyceride concentrations, but treatment had no consistent effect on yield of milk or FCM. High moisture corn increased trans C(18:1) concentrations at an increasing rate as production level decreased across cows, and milk fat depression was evident in cows below approximately 40 kg/d FCM yield. In contrast, production level had little influence on milk trans C(18:1) concentration for DG. Milk trans C(18:1) concentration was negatively correlated with milk fat concentration, as was trans-9 C(18:1), trans-10 C(18:1), and cis-9, trans-11 C(18:2). Concentration of trans-10, cis-12 C(18:2) was not correlated with milk fat concentration. Production level may influence biohydrogenation patterns and trans C(18:1) production because of differences in rumen environment; rumen pH and dilution rate can alter metabolism and populations of rumen microbes. Diets with highly fermentable starch sources and without supplemental dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids can induce milk fat depression in lower-producing cows, likely because of increased production of trans C(18:1) fatty acids.     

How Microbes Affect Depression: Underlying Mechanisms via the Gut–Brain Axis and the Modulating Role of Probiotics

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences the brain functions and psychological state of its host via the gut–brain axis, and gut dysbiosis has been linked to several mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Animal experiments have shown that a depletion of the gut microbiota leads to behavioral changes, and is associated with pathological changes, including abnormal stress response and impaired adult neurogenesis. Short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate are known to contribute to the up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and gut dysbiosis causes decreased levels of BDNF, which could affect neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Increased gut permeability causes an influx of gut microbial components such as lipopolysaccharides, and the resultant systemic inflammation may lead to neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. In light of the fact that gut microbial factors contribute to the initiation and exacerbation of depressive symptoms, this review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in MDD onset, and discusses the therapeutic potential of probiotics, including butyrate-producing bacteria, which can mediate the microbiota–gut–brain axis.     

The Role of Testosterone in the Elderly: What Do We Know?

Testosterone is the most important hormone in male health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreasing testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and illness. Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk and alterations of the glycometabolic profile. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects while maintaining a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal levels of serum testosterone in men, increasing libido and energy level and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as yielding cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, TRT could be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although poor findings are reported in the literature. In addition, different potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The aim of our review is to provide an updated background regarding the pros and cons of TRT, evaluating its role and its clinical applicability in different domains.     

Resolving Apparent Contradictions Concerning the Relationships Among Fear or Anxiety and Aggression During Lactation: Theoretical Comment on D'Anna, Stevenson, and Gammie (2005).

Pregnancy and lactation involve dramatic changes in behavior and physiology necessary for the successful production and sustenance of offspring. This requires numerous processes to emerge and be coordinated in a finely tuned manner. Reduced corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor activity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function are thought to be involved in numerous functions during lactation, such as reducing fear and anxiety, which in turn, is proposed to disinhibit aggressive behaviors. K. L. D'Anna, S. A. Stevenson, and S. C. Gammie (2005) reported that central infusion of urocortin 1 and 3, anxiogenic peptides that bind to CRF receptors, reduce maternal aggression in lactating mice and alter neural c-fos expression. However, the relationship between stress hormones and where they act, emotional state, and aggression during lactation is complicated, and our understanding of how these factors influence each other might benefit from a comprehensive reevaluation of these literatures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High,in Contrast to Low Levels of Acute Stress Induce Depressive-like Behavior by Involving Astrocytic,in Addition to Microglial P2X7 Receptors in the Rodent Hippocampus

Extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) in the brain is suggested to be an etiological factor of major depressive disorder (MDD). It has been assumed that stress-released ATP stimulates P2X7 receptors (Rs) at the microglia, thereby causing neuroinflammation; however, other central nervous system (CNS) cell types such as astrocytes also possess P2X7Rs. In order to elucidate the possible involvement of the MDD-relevant hippocampal astrocytes in the development of a depressive-like state, we used various behavioral tests (tail suspension test [TST], forced swim test [FST], restraint stress, inescapable foot shock, unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS]), as well as fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and patch-clamp electrophysiology in wild-type (WT) and genetically manipulated rodents. The TST and FST resulted in learned helplessness manifested as a prolongation of the immobility time, while inescapable foot shock caused lower sucrose consumption as a sign of anhedonia. We confirmed the participation of P2X7Rs in the development of the depressive-like behaviors in all forms of acute (TST, FST, foot shock) and chronic stress (UCMS) in the rodent models used. Further, pharmacological agonists and antagonists acted in a different manner in rats and mice due to their diverse potencies at the respective receptor orthologs. In hippocampal slices of mice and rats, only foot shock increased the current responses to locally applied dibenzoyl-ATP (Bz-ATP) in CA1 astrocytes; in contrast, TST and restraint depressed these responses. Following stressful stimuli, immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increased co-localization of P2X7Rs with a microglial marker, but no change in co-localization with an astroglial marker. Pharmacological damage to the microglia and astroglia has proven the significance of the microglia for mediating all types of depression-like behavioral reactions, while the astroglia participated only in reactions induced by strong stressors, such as foot shock. Because, in addition to acute stressors, their chronic counterparts induce a depressive-like state in rodents via P2X7R activation, we suggest that our data may have relevance for the etiology of MDD in humans.