Rumen physiology constrains diet niche: linking digestive physiology and food selection across wild ruminant species

We propose a hypothesis for digestive constraints on the browsing and grazing options available to ruminants: that the diet-niche range (maximum and minimum grass intake) of a species is dependent upon its predisposition to stratified rumen contents, based on observations that this characteristic is a critical step towards enhanced fibre digestion and greater fluid throughput. We compare a physiological (heterogeneity of ingesta fluid content) and an anatomical (the intraruminal papillation pattern) measure with dietary evidence for a range of African and temperate species. Both measures are strongly related to the mean percentage of grass in species’ natural diets, as well as to the maximum and minimum levels of grass intake, respectively. The nature of these effects implies a stratification-level threshold, below which a species will not use a grass-based diet, but above which grass consumption can increase exponentially. However, above this threshold, a minimum percentage of grass in the diet is a prerequisite for optimal performance. We argue that this second constraint is crucial, as it depicts how a greater fluid throughput reduces potential for detoxification of plant secondary compounds, and therefore limits the maximum amount of browse a stratifying species will consume

Antiferromagnetic Domains and Superconductivity in UPt3

We explore the response of an unconventional superconductor to spatially inhomogeneous antiferromagnetism (SIAFM). Symmetry allows the superconducting order parameter in the E-representation models for UPt3 to couple directly to the AFM order parameter. The Ginzburg-Landau equations for coupled superconductivity and SIAFM are solved numerically for two possible SIAFM configurations: (I) abutting antiferromagnetic domains of uniform size, and (II) quenched random disorder of `nanodomains' in a uniform AFM background. We discuss the contributions to the free energy, specific heat, and order parameter for these models. Neither model provides a satisfactory account of experiment, but results from the two models differ significantly. Our results demonstrate that the response of an E_{2u} superconductor to SIAFM is strongly dependent on the spatial dependence of AFM order; no conclusion can be drawn regarding the compatibility of E_{2u} superconductivity with UPt3 that is independent of assumptions on the spatial dependence of AFMComment: 12 pages, 13 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

EC85-219 1985 Nebraska Swine Report

This 1985 Nebraska Swine Report was prepared by the staff in Animal Science and cooperating departments for use in the Extension and Teaching programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Authors from the following areas contributed to this publication: Swine Nutrition, swine diseases, pathology, economics, engineering, swine breeding, meats, agronomy, and diagnostic laboratory. It covers the following areas: breeding, disease control, feeding, nutrition, economics, housing and meats

Transfusion in the mechanically ventilated patient

Red blood cell transfusions are a frequent intervention in critically ill patients, including in those who are receiving mechanical ventilation. Both these interventions can impact negatively on lung function with risks of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The interactions between transfusion, mechanical ventilation, TRALI and ARDS are complex and other patient-related (e.g. presence of sepsis or shock, disease severity, and hypervolemia) or blood product-related (e.g. presence of antibodies or biologically active mediators) factors also play a role. We propose several strategies targeted at these factors that may help limit the risks of associated lung injury in critically ill patients being considered for transfusion.SCOPUS: re.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Stable carbon isotope reconstruction of ungulate diet changes through the seasonal cycle

We analysed stable carbon isotope ratios (13C) in faeces of 11 African ungulate species from three South African savanna environments to determine whether this approach is sufficiently sensitive to record short-term seasonal diet changes in browsers (BR), mixed-feeders (IM), and grazers (GR). At monthly intervals, faecal 13C revealed variations in proportions of C3 (browse) to C4 (grass) biomass consumed that were not detected by broader dry versus wet season comparisons, including subtle diet shifts amongst BR and GR. However, trends in faeces were influenced by changes in C3 and C4 plant isotope composition of up to 3‰. Nonetheless, faeces and plants showed strongly similar patterns of variation through the seasonal cycle, so that small diet shifts can be reliably inferred, provided that the variations in plants are controlled for. Faecal 13C of BR may be further influenced by consumption of isotopically different plant parts such as foliage versus fruit and flowers, and GR faeces may reflect differential utilization of grass following different photosynthetic sub-pathways. Future studies will need to incorporate data that capture isotopic variations in herbivore food sources, and if this is achieved, the approach may well become adopted as a routine addition to traditional methods for assessing diet, habitat use, and habitat condition

Significance of diet type and diet quality for ecological diversity of African ungulates

1.We test two nutritional hypotheses for the ecological diversity of ungulates, the browser/grazer (diet type) and diet quality models, among free-ranging herbivores in a South African savanna, the Kruger National Park. Tests are based on assessment of relationships between diet type and diet quality with body mass and hypsodonty, two morphological features that have been associated with both elements. 2.We use stable carbon isotope ratios of faeces to reconstruct diet in terms of proportions of C3 plants (browse) and C4 plants (grass) consumed by different species in different seasons. These data are combined with proxies for diet quality (per cent nitrogen, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin) from faeces to track changes in diet quality. 3.Two statistical approaches are used in model selection, i.e. tests of significant correlations based on linear regression analyses, and an information-theory approach (Akaike’s Information Criterion) providing insight into strength of evidence for models. 4.Results of both methods show that, contrary to many predictions, body mass and diet type are not related, but these data confirm predictions that diet quality decreases with increasing body size, especially during the dry season. Hypsodonty, as expected, varies with diet type, increasing with increased grass intake. 5.These findings support both a diet type and diet quality model, implying some degree of exclusivity. We propose that congruence between models may be achieved through addition of diet quality proxies not included here, because hypsodonty is more likely a reflection of the abrasive properties of consumed foods, i.e. related to food quality, rather than food type. This implies that adaptation to diets of varying quality, through changes in body size and dental features, has been the primary mechanism for diversification in ungulates. 6. Our interpretation contrasts with several recent studies advocating diet type as the primary factor, exemplifying that further reconciliation between the two models is needed. We discuss the implications of this study for future approaches to achieve a more cohesive understanding of the evolutionary outcomes of herbivore nutrition

Antioxidant properties of aqueous and methanol extract from Tinospora crispa and its ability to Attenuate Hydrogen Peroxide-induced stress injury in human umbilical Vein Endothelial cells.

The aimed of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of T. crispa as well as its ability to attenuate the release of oxidant markers in induced oxidation in Human Umbilical Vein Cells (HUVECs). In vitro studies of antioxidant properties of T. crispa showed the DPPH scavenging activity of T. crispa Aqueous (TCAE) and Methanol Extract (TCME) were 82±1.78 and 73±1.01%, respectively. FRAP value of TCAE and TCME were 1.04±0.27 and 1.64±0.06 mmol L-1, respectively. Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) of TCAE and TCME were 205.58±3.5 and 223±10.49 mg QE g-1 sample, respectively while Total Phenolics Content (TPC) of TCAE and TCME were 32.58±0.68 and 41.64±0.97 mg GAE mg-1 sample, respectively. The antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT, SOD and GPx) in HUVECs treated with T. crispa extracts to counter the oxidative effect by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation activity by Malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. The result showed TCAE and TCME at a concentration ranges from 100-600 μg mL-1 significantly increased (p<0.05, 0.01) the level of CAT, SOD and GPx. Results of MDA assay showed significant reduction (p<0.05, 0.01) of MDA level in HUVECs treated with TCAE and TCME. Taken together, the findings suggest that T. crispa extracts can effectively protect HUVECs against oxidative stress by H2O2 which might be of importance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Erratum: Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in people living with HIV in the Netherlands:A nationwide prospective cohort study

Fig 3 panel B contains a mislabeled axis. The label ‘Pre—HIV negative’ should be ‘Post—HIV negative.’ Please see the correct Fig 3 below.</p