Methane Production of Fresh Sainfoin, with or without PEG, and Fresh Alfalfa at Different Stages of Maturity is Similar, but the Fermentation End Products Vary (vol 9, 197, 2019)

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [1]. In Table 2, the production of methane in alfalfa at the start-flowering should be 38 mL/g dOM and not 3 mL/g dOM. Table 2. Effect of the substrate (S) and the stage of maturity 1 (SM) on gas and methane production (CH4), potential gas production (A), rate of gas production (c), in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD), ammonia (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Table The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused

Western Mediterranean precipitation over the last 300 years from instrumental observations

The paper reports the results of the analysis of the 14 longest precipitation instrumental series, covering the last 300 years, that have been recovered in six subareas of the Western Mediterranean basin, i.e., Portugal, Northern and Southern Spain, Southern France, Northern and Southern Italy. This study extends back by one century our knowledge about the instrumental precipitation over theWestern Mediterranean, and by two centuries in some specific subareas. All the time series show repeated swings. No specific trends have been found over the whole period, except in a few cases, but with modest time changes and sometimes having opposite tendency. The same can be said for the most recent decades although with some more marked departures from the average. The correlation between the various Mediterranean subareas is generally not significant, or almost uncorrelated. The Wavelet Spectral Analysis applied to the precipitation identifies only a minor 56-year cycle in autumn, i.e., the same return period that has been found in literature for the Sea Surface Temperature over North Atlantic. A comparison with a gridded dataset reconstruction based on mixed multiproxy and instrumental observations, shows that the grid reconstruction is in good agreement with the observed data for the period after 1900, less for the previous period

Valutazione dell´endothelin axis (ET-1, ETAR, ETBR) come markers prognostici per il carcinoma invasivo della vulva mediante tecnica immunoistochimica su microarray tissutale

Background: Vulvar carcinoma is a rare gynecologic malignancy (incidence rate 3-5% of all female genital tract neoplasias) and mainly affects elderly women. Squamous cell carcinoma represent the vast majority of vulvar carcinomas (90-95%). TNM staging, deep of stromal invasion and presence of lymph node metastasis are the most important prognostic factors. Surgery is the standard treatment for primary vulvar carcinoma, followed by post operative radiotherapy when is neccesary. After primary treatment a high rate of patients develop recurrences, and a routine follow-up is necessary. Purpose: The ET-axis (Endothelin-1 and its receptors ETAR and ETBR) is overexpressed in various human tumors. We analyzed the ET-axis expression in vulva cancer, and its prognostic value. Methods: Samples were obtained from local excision and radical vulvectomy patients. ET-axis expression was investigated immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays of 68 vulva cancer patients. Results: Elevated ET-1 expression of tumour cells is correlated high significantly to early stages pT1-T2 (P=0,004), and presence of metastasis (P=0,04). High staining levels ETBR within tumour tissue was related significantly to tumour progression (P=0,01), relapse-free survival (P=0,019), delayed metastasis (P=0,09 as a trend) and lymph node involvement (P=0,059 as a trend). A significant reduced overall survival could be shown concerning the low stages (pT1-2) (log rank P=0,036) and the patients without radiotherapy (log rank P=0,0539) as well as for the pM1 stage (log rank P= 0,0019). A significant reduced disease free survival could be shown concerning the low stages (pT1-T2) (long rank P=0,0206) with high ETBR expression. A correlation of both receptors was related significantly with tumour progression (P=0,022) and with local recurrence (P=0,005). Conclusions: These results suggest that, in addition to known histological risk factors and TNM classification criteria, measurement of ET-R expression with a simple immunohistochemical analysis might further help in predicting the prognosis of patients with vulva squamous cell carcinoma

Milk fatty acid profiles of beef cows in response to a short feed restriction during lactation.

Abstract M75 The relationship between energy balance and the milk fatty acid (FA) profile is well established in dairy cows but has received little attention in beef cattle. We analyzed the milk fatty acid profile of 16 Parda de Montaña beef cows 2 mo post-calving in response to a 4-d (d) dietary restriction (55% of energy requirements, 6.2 kg dry matter (DM) hay/d), as compared with a previous basal and an 8-d refeeding period (100% of requirements; 7.0 kg DM/d hay + 2.7 kg DM/d concentrate). With d0 as the start of restriction, milk was sampled on days d-2 (basal), d1, d3 (restriction) and d5, d6, d8 (refeeding). Individual FA were identified by gas chromatography, and sums of FA were calculated (saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), cis-MUFA, trans-MUFA, C4-C15 de novo synthesis FA and C16-C24 mobilization FA). These sums and the 4 major FA (C16:0, C18:1–9c, C18:0, C14:0) were analyzed using mixed models, with day as fixed and cow as random effects. All the results presented here were significant at P < 0.001. The milk FA profile responded immediately to changes in the energy balance and/or the diet. On d1 of restriction, the concentrations of SFA decreased, mainly due to a reduction in the de novo synthesis FA and C16. A concomitant increase in MUFA (associated with that of C18:1–9c, predominant in body fat) was observed. These changes, along with the increments in C16-C24 FA, indicate an enhanced fat mobilization from the adipose tissue. During the restriction, C18:0 and trans-MUFA decreased while cis-MUFA and PUFA increased, as a result of both the mobilization and the change in diet composition..

Effects of condensed tannins from sainfoin on the milk fatty acid profile of ewes.

Abstract M136 There is an increased interest in using local fodder legumes to improve the self-sufficiency of feed for livestock. Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is a typical high-quality crop of Mediterranean areas with a medium-high content of condensed tannins (CT), however their effects on milk composition are not well known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of CT from fresh sainfoin on milk production, chemical composition, and fatty acids during 4 wk of lactation. Twenty pairs dam-lamb were individually fed fresh sainfoin ad libitum plus 200 g/d of barley. The distribution of pairs dam-lamb were done according to ewe’s BW (60.7 ± 6.15 kg BW) and BCS (3.3 ± 0.57), lambing date (06/04/2019 ± 0.95) and lamb weight at birth (4.1 ± 0.64 kg BW). Half of the ewes were daily orally dosed 100 g of PEG 4000/200 mL water per ewe as a tannin-binding agent (SF+PEG) and the other half received only water (SF). Once a week, ewes were milked and samples of sainfoin and milk were obtained and analyzed for chemical composition and individual fatty acids (FAs). The total saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), PUFA n-3 and PUFA n-6 were calculated. The sums and the major FA were analyzed using mixed models, with week of lactation as fixed and ewe as random effects using the SAS statistical software (SAS v.9.3)..

Milk fatty acid profiles of beef cows in response to a short feed restriction during lactation.

Abstract M75 The relationship between energy balance and the milk fatty acid (FA) profile is well established in dairy cows but has received little attention in beef cattle. We analyzed the milk fatty acid profile of 16 Parda de Montaña beef cows 2 mo post-calving in response to a 4-d (d) dietary restriction (55% of energy requirements, 6.2 kg dry matter (DM) hay/d), as compared with a previous basal and an 8-d refeeding period (100% of requirements; 7.0 kg DM/d hay + 2.7 kg DM/d concentrate). With d0 as the start of restriction, milk was sampled on days d-2 (basal), d1, d3 (restriction) and d5, d6, d8 (refeeding). Individual FA were identified by gas chromatography, and sums of FA were calculated (saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), cis-MUFA, trans-MUFA, C4-C15 de novo synthesis FA and C16-C24 mobilization FA). These sums and the 4 major FA (C16:0, C18:1–9c, C18:0, C14:0) were analyzed using mixed models, with day as fixed and cow as random effects. All the results presented here were significant at P < 0.001. The milk FA profile responded immediately to changes in the energy balance and/or the diet. On d1 of restriction, the concentrations of SFA decreased, mainly due to a reduction in the de novo synthesis FA and C16. A concomitant increase in MUFA (associated with that of C18:1–9c, predominant in body fat) was observed. These changes, along with the increments in C16-C24 FA, indicate an enhanced fat mobilization from the adipose tissue. During the restriction, C18:0 and trans-MUFA decreased while cis-MUFA and PUFA increased, as a result of both the mobilization and the change in diet composition..

Preliminary evaluation of the climate-induced fatigue in wood: A physical and computational approach

Wood is the organic hygroscopic material for excellence. Due to its extremely easy handling, it has always been used in many applications, especially as building material for artefacts and works of art. However, it is highly climate-susceptible as it swells or shrinks by exchanging moisture with the surrounding environment when natural or artificial microclimatic fluctuations occur. The shrinkage/swelling of wood, if repeated over time, may cause the arising of deformations or damage that may lead to catastrophic failures. For this reason, in this work, a preliminary study about the effect that repeated microclimatic loads have on wooden samples is carried out. To do so, well-established fatigue approaches have been implemented, with few simplifying considerations. The case study is a slice of Scots pine which is assumed to be stored inside Ringebu stave church (Norway). Ringebu indoor microclimate is reconstructed, through a proper transfer function, starting from outdoor temperature data downloaded from web platforms. The reconstructed indoor temperature timeseries cover three periods: far past (1948–1977), recent past (1981–2010) and far future (2071–2100). The results obtained for the three periods made it possible to gain insights about the climate-induced fatigue of wood and to preliminary assess the impact of climate change. It has been observed that successive similar temperature fluctuations can be potentially treated as a block of constant amplitude and constant frequency fatigue-like load. Finally, introducing few simplifying considerations, it has been assessed that the simulated behavior is coherent with the theoretical one coming from exploiting well-established thermo-based methods

The Inclusion of Concentrate with Quebracho Is Advisable in Two Forage-Based Diets of Ewes According to the In Vitro Fermentation Parameters

Simple Summary In dry, mountainous areas, ewes are fed low-quality forages (hay or straw) indoors, although they also graze in high-quality pastures when available. Concentrate supplementation is recommended to cover high nutritional requirements during lactation. Condensed tannins (CT) of quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) can be included in the concentrate to reduce methane (CH4) emissions and ruminal degradation of protein, improving the fermentation’s efficiency. Furthermore, low levels of quebracho can improve some meat and milk quality traits. The effects of the inclusion of concentrate and CT in diets depend on the level of inclusion and the quality of forage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fermentation characteristics of diets in order to identify the most suitable one to be fed to ewes under farming conditions. The diets examined differed in quality of the forage available, comparing hay versus fresh forage diets and forage alone versus 70:30 forage:concentrate with (quebracho) or without CT (control) in each type of forage. The fresh-forage-based diets had lower gas and CH4 production and greater in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD) than the hay-based diets. The inclusion of quebracho concentrate increased the IVOMD in hay-based diets and reduced ammonia content in fresh-forage-based diets. Abstract Ewes receive hay or graze on fresh pastures supplemented with concentrates to fulfil their lactation requirements. Quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) can be added to change the ruminal fermentation. Fermentation parameters of forages alone and 70:30 forage:concentrate diets with control and quebracho concentrate were compared after 24 h of in vitro incubation. Fresh forage diets produced less gas (p < 0.05) and had greater IVOMD (p < 0.001), ammonia (NH3-N) content, valeric acid, branched-chain volatile fatty acid proportions, and lower propionic acid proportion than the hay diets (p < 0.01). In the hay diets, methane production increased with control concentrate (p < 0.01) and tended to decrease with quebacho concentrate (p < 0.10). The inclusion of both concentrates increased the acetic:propionic ratio (p < 0.01), and only the inclusion of quebracho concentrate increased the IVOMD (p < 0.01). In the fresh forage diets, gas and methane production increased with the inclusion of the control concentrate (p < 0.05), but methane production decreased with quebracho concentrate (p < 0.01). The inclusion of quebracho concentrate reduced the NH3-N content and valeric acid proportion (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of quebracho concentrate would be advisable to reduce the CH4 production and NH3-N content in fresh forage diets and to increase the IVOMD in hay diets in comparison with the forages alone

Effects of total replacement of soybean meal and corn on ruminal fermentation, volatile fatty acids, protozoa concentration, and gas production

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of total replacement of soybean meal and corn with triticale and faba bean or field pea on rumen fermentation, protozoa counts, and gas production of lactating ewes. A total of 30 Sicilo-Sarde ewes were randomly allocated into three groups and were fed 1.8 kg drymatter of oat hay plus 500 g of one of three concentrates: the first concentrate (CS) was mainly composed of soybean meal, corn, and barley; the second (TFB) was formed by triticale and faba bean; and the third (TFP) was composed of triticale and field pea. The type of concentrate did not affect ruminal pH or ammonia nitrogen concentration (P > 0.05). The individual concentrations of volatile fatty acids showed a significant interaction between the type of concentrate and sampling time (P 0.05). The cumulative gas production from the in vitro fermentation, the time of incubation, and their interaction was affected by concentrate (P < 0.001). The substitution of soybean meal and corn in the concentrate with faba bean or field peas and triticale might maintain rumen parameters of dairy ewes