Effects of Inorganic and Organic Selenium Supplementation on Blood and Milk Selenium Concentration in Dairy Cows

Selenium is an important trace element in the nutrition of dairy cows because it prevents oxidative damages of tissue and in that way protects the animals from the incidence of various disorders. Addition of various levels of selenium in food leads to its increase in the milk what is important for postnatal calves development in which in the first weeks of life the milk is the only source of selenium. Into the food for dairy cows the inorganic selenium is added in the forms of – sodium selenite or sodium selenate (SS) or organic selenium – seleniium-enriched yeast (SY). Numerous studies have shown that organic selenium (SY) added into food for dairy cows provides better bioavailability than inorganic selenium (SS), hence the content of selenium in blood and milk of cows fed organic form of selenium is higher than in the inorganic selenium. The opinions about the effect of organic selenium on the activity of seleno-enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) have not been reconciled yet. Adding selenium into food for dairy cows has no effect on the quantity of produced milk nor on the milk composition (proteins, fats and lactose). Selenium reduces the number of somatic cells in milk and in that way prevents the occurrence of the disease of mammary gland

Influence of Keeping and Milking of Cows on the Hygienic Quality of Milk

The quality and quantity of milk is significantly influenced by housing conditions, care and feeding of dairy animals. Hygienic correct milk can be obtained if the cows or other dairy cattle are kept in hygienic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of housing conditions and milking of cows on the microbiological and chemical quality of milk. We examined six samples of bulk tank milk cows from 6 different farms from the Municipality of Podgorica, where cow milking is done by machines. Chemical parameters of milk - fat, protein, lactose, free fat dry matter and somatic cells were investigated on the device Combi-Foss (Foss Electric, Denmark), and the total number of bacteria on the appliance BactoScan. All obtained data were processed using modern variation statistics. Statistical parameters: mean value, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, are calculated. In order to assess the hygienic conditions of keeping and milking of cows at these farms a certain building, microclimate and hygienic parameters were studied - by modified method of Hristov and Reljić (2009). Based on the established state, each test parameter is rated from 0 to 5 points. Average value of the fat content in bulk tank milk was 3.39 % - ranged from 2.92 % to 3.94 %, protein content 3.13% - ranged from 2.78 % to 3.65 %, lactose 4.27% - ranged from 4.14 % to 4.47%, the fat free dry substance 8.13 % - ranged from 7.75 % to 8.77 %. The value of the number of somatic cells in bulk tank milk at the first farm was 52000/mL, second 85000/mL, third 63000/mL, fourth 1920000/mL, fifth 1373000/mL and sixth 200000/mL. The total bacteria count in the bulk tank milk at the first farm amounted to 5000/mL, second 41000/mL, third 124000/mL, fourth 1002000/mL, fifth 467000/mL and sixth 31000/mL. Physical, microclimate and hygienic parameters of dairy cows housing are rated with good rating on farms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and on the farm 5 with a sufficient rating. The fourth and fifth farms did not use disinfection of teats after milking and disinfection of milking machines. The fourth and fifth farm had significantly higher number of somatic cells in bulk tank milk. The fifth farm had significantly higher total number of bacteria/mL in bulk tank milk - compared to the number that is permitted under applicable regulations. This can be linked with inadequate building, microclimate and hygiene of cows and failing disinfection of the udder and milking machine after milking

Critical temperature oscillations in magnetically coupled superconducting mesoscopic loops

We study the magnetic interaction between two superconducting concentric mesoscopic Al loops, close to the superconducting/normal phase transition. The phase boundary is measured resistively for the two-loop structure as well as for a reference single loop. In both systems Little-Parks oscillations, periodic in field are observed in the critical temperature Tc versus applied magnetic field H. In the Fourier spectrum of the Tc(H) oscillations, a weak 'low frequency' response shows up, which can be attributed to the inner loop supercurrent magnetic coupling to the flux of the outer loop. The amplitude of this effect can be tuned by varying the applied transport current.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

The Effect of Supplementation on Selenium and Zinc Content in Blood and Milk of Dairy Cows

Milk is an important source of microelements for calves during the suckling period as well as in human nutrition. Concentration of trace elements in blood and their secretion via milk can significantly change depending on food intake and composition. Proper control of selenium and zinc content in blood and in milk can improve the status of these microelements, so that the occurrence of deficiency or excessive quantity due to their increased intake can be prevented. This paper presents the results of the study on the concentration of selenium and zinc in the blood and milk of diary cows whose rations have been supplemented by organic forms of selenium (0.2 mg/kg DM) and zinc (40 mg/kg DM) during the last ten days of dry period and early lactation. Supplemented cows in trial groups A and B achieved significatly higher concentrations of these microelements in blood (Se 186.70±8.50 µg/L vs. 118.80±7.05 µg/L), blood serum (Zn 1204.70±109.5 µg/L vs. 1095.40±130.2 µg/L) and milk (Se 57.30±8.05 vs. 21.30±4.60 µg/L; Zn 2893.90±120.15 µg/L vs. 1952.10±130.50 µg/L) on 60th day postpartum compared to non-supplemented control

Feed Quantity Effect on Carp Juveniles’ Plasma Protein and Immunoglobulin Levels

Plasma protein and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in fish can be influenced by stress reaction, caused by some nutritional factors. This paper shows effects of different feed quantity on total protein and total Ig levels in blood of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) juveniles exposed to chronic stress conditions. The study was carried out in a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) during 96 days. Carps (initial weight 6.43±0.02 g) were distributed into four groups in three replicate tanks, 40 fish per tank. The groups were formed according to the feed quantity applied: 2, 3, 4 and 5% of commercial extruded mixture in relation to the ichthyomass (i.e. groups I, II, III and IV respectively). According to the results, the mean values of total plasma proteins and Ig were highest in group IV and the lowest in group II (p<0.05). Total protein levels were influenced by feed quantity (p<0.05), and sampling time (p<0.001). Total Ig levels were influenced by duration of the experiment i.e. sampling time (p<0.001). In all groups the mean values of plasma proteins after two month of the experiment was increased (p<0.01), and the mean values of Ig in less fed groups I and II (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Total plasma proteins and Ig were not significantly affected by water quality parameters only in the group fed 2% of feed (group I). Significant positive correlation between total proteins and Ig was determined in each experimental group (p<0.01). In terms of reducing stress and ensuring welfare in carp juveniles, applied feed amount should match to the length of fish growing in the fish tanks, stocking density and capacity of the system for efficient water purification

Multidisciplinary Approach in the Implementation of ATL Methods in Teaching of Animal Sciences I. Presentation of Scenarios

One of the problems Serbian HE faces is summing up of knowledge thaught in different courses and its application in real life by professional decision making. In order to give an example of possibilities of interactive teaching methodology and contribute to the transformation of students from knowledge recipients to knowledge co-constructors, a set of scenarios for a multidisciplinary approach in teaching/learning is presented. The set consists of 4 scenarios for knowledge refreshment followed by a final workshop – a debate similar to the real life situation. A multidisciplinary approach to the topic of aquaculture development, water and fish quality in aquaculture is presented in this case. By participating interactive classes and a debate, 4 year students in animal sciences work in groups to exercise solving problems, to make professional decision, and develop other professional and generic skills. This paper presents the result of the process of development o scenarios for such exercise and results of the exercise will be presented in another paper (Part 2)

The rhomboids: a nearly ubiquitous family of intramembrane serine proteases that probably evolved by multiple ancient horizontal gene transfers

BACKGROUND: The rhomboid family of polytopic membrane proteins shows a level of evolutionary conservation unique among membrane proteins. They are present in nearly all the sequenced genomes of archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes, with the exception of several species with small genomes. On the basis of experimental studies with the developmental regulator rhomboid from Drosophila and the AarA protein from the bacterium Providencia stuartii, the rhomboids are thought to be intramembrane serine proteases whose signaling function is conserved in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. RESULTS: Phylogenetic tree analysis carried out using several independent methods for tree constructions and the corresponding statistical tests suggests that, despite its broad distribution in all three superkingdoms, the rhomboid family was not present in the last universal common ancestor of extant life forms. Instead, we propose that rhomboids evolved in bacteria and have been acquired by archaea and eukaryotes through several independent horizontal gene transfers. In eukaryotes, two distinct, ancient acquisitions apparently gave rise to the two major subfamilies, typified by rhomboid and PARL (presenilins-associated rhomboid-like protein), respectively. Subsequent evolution of the rhomboid family in eukaryotes proceeded by multiple duplications and functional diversification through the addition of extra transmembrane helices and other domains in different orientations relative to the conserved core that harbors the protease activity. CONCLUSIONS: Although the near-universal presence of the rhomboid family in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes appears to suggest that this protein is part of the heritage of the last universal common ancestor, phylogenetic tree analysis indicates a likely bacterial origin with subsequent dissemination by horizontal gene transfer. This emphasizes the importance of explicit phylogenetic analysis for the reconstruction of ancestral life forms. A hypothetical scenario for the origin of intracellular membrane proteases from membrane transporters is proposed

Hybrid approach to analysis of beta-sheet structures based on signal processing and statistical consideration

A number of biotechnology applications are based on protein design. For this design, the relationship between a proteins primary structure and its conformation is of vital importance. A beta-sheet is a common feature of a proteins two-dimensional structure; therefore, elucidating the principles governing beta-sheet structure and its stability is critical for understanding the protein-folding process. In the three-dimensional representation of protein molecules, C(alpha) carbon coordinates (carbon atom immediately adjacent to the carboxylate group) have often been employed instead of the complete set of coordinates for the corresponding residues. Using the C(alpha) carbon coordinates, we showed that particular amino acids are not randomly distributed within a beta-sheet structure. On the basis of a new statistical approach for the analysis of a spatial distribution of amino acids in a protein, presented by their physico-chemical parameters, the electron-ion interaction potential (EIIP) and hydrophobicity, are described here. The relationship between amino acid positions inside the beta-sheet and the EIIP and hydrophobicity parameters was established. The correlation between amino acid propensities related to the beta-sheet was examined using multiple cross-spectra analysis. We also applied the continuous wavelet transform for the analysis of selected beta-sheet structures using the EIIP and hydrophobicity parameters. The findings provide new insight into conformational propensities of amino acids for the adaption of beta-sheet structures

QuizMap: Open social student modeling and adaptive navigation support with TreeMaps

In this paper, we present a novel approach to integrate social adaptive navigation support for self-assessment questions with an open student model using QuizMap, a TreeMap-based interface. By exposing student model in contrast to student peers and the whole class, QuizMap attempts to provide social guidance and increase student performance. The paper explains the nature of the QuizMap approach and its implementation in the context of self-assessment questions for Java programming. It also presents the design of a semester-long classroom study that we ran to evaluate QuizMap and reports the evaluation results. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Acute retroperitoneal bleeding due to inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm: Case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA), although uncommon, are increasingly being detected. We describe a case of spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a ruptured IMA aneurysm associated with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac trunk, successfully treated with surgery.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 65-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock. Abdominal CT scan showed an aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery with retroperitoneal hematoma. In addition, an obstructive disease of the superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis was observed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Upon emergency laparotomy a ruptured inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm was detected. The aneurysm was excised and the artery reconstructed by end-to-end anastomosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report discusses the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and case management of inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms.</p