CALABAZA CHIHUA (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber), ALTERNATIVA PARA ALIMENTACIÓN ANIMAL EN EL TRÓPICO

Creole squash, known in Maya language as X-top and currently as chihua (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber), is a very important crop in the state of Campeche, México. In 2014, the value of the seed production was 6 % of the total agricultural production in the state, only after maize (Zea mays L.) in grain, soy (Glycine max), and sugar cane (Saccharum spp.); however, the rest of the fruit (pulp and skin) is discarded or left in the plot. Because it is not used as food for humans, and its use for animals has not been reported, there are no data regarding the composition of the chihua pulp, despite there being yields of 1 t ha-1 of dry matter from the fruit. Studies with other Cucurbita spp. species point out that it improves the palatability of the diet and increases the quality of cow milk. In addition, it has the potential of being stored in a silo and can substitute part of the fodder from the portion of squash ensilage without affecting the weight gain in buffalo. It has also been used successfully as a source of pigments in diets for laying birds because of its high carotene content. Therefore, the objective of this revision was to evaluate the chihua residue potential for animal food in the state of Campeche, and to suggest some alternatives for its use.La calabaza criolla, conocida en lengua Maya como X-top y actualmente como chihua (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber), es un cultivo muy importante en el estado de Campeche, México. En 2014, el valor de la producción de semilla fue de 6% del valor de producción agrícola total del estado, sólo después del maíz (Zea mays L.) en grano, soya (Glycine max) y caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.), sin embargo, el resto del fruto (pulpa y cáscara) se desecha o deja en la parcela. Debido a que no se utiliza como alimento para humanos y no se ha reportado sobre su uso en animales, no existen datos sobre la composición de la pulpa de chihua, a pesar de tener rendimientos de 1 t ha-1 de materia seca de fruto. Estudios con otras especies de Cucurbita spp., mencionan que mejora la palatabilidad de la dieta e incrementa la calidad de la leche de vaca. Además, tiene el potencial de ensilarse y puede sustituir parte de forraje de la ración por ensilado de calabaza sin afectar la ganancia de peso de búfalos. También se ha utilizado exitosamente como fuente de pigmentos en dietas para aves ponedoras por su elevado contenido de carotenos. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de esta revisión fue evaluar el potencial del residuo de la chihua para alimentación animal en el estado de Campeche y plantear algunas alternativas para su uso

EVALUACIÓN IN VITRO DEL POTENCIAL ANTIMETANOGÉNICO DE FOLLAJES TROPICALES COMO ESTRATEGIA DE ALIMENTACIÓN PARA RUMIANTES

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the foliage of Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Piscidia piscipula (Fabaceae) and Guazuma ulmifolia (Malvaceae) at 30% inclusion on gas production, methane production and dry matter digestibility in vitro. Design/methodology/approach: The foliage of Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Piscidia piscipula and Guazuma ulmifolia, as well as Cynodon plectostachyus (Poaceae) in a foliage / grass ratio of 30:70 was evaluated. The chemical composition of the mixtures and the grass was determined. Dry matter digestibility and gas production were determined in vitro at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h of incubation. Methane concentration was determined with NaOH. Results: The mixture with 30% of Leucaena leucochepala has the highest crude protein content (14%), while that of Piscidia piscipula has the lowest (11%). There were no differences in gas production at different times, nor in the production of methane; however, the incorporation of Guazuma ulmifolia and Piscidia piscipula did negatively affect the dry matter digestibility, decreasing it by around 9% (P <0.05). Limitations on study/implications:The 30% combination of Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Piscidia piscipula and Guazuma ulmifolia, with Cynodon plectostachyus did not decrease methane production in vitro. Findings/conclusions: The dry matter digestibility was negatively affected when foliage of Piscidia piscipula and Guazuma ulmifolia was included; nevertheless, it is necessary to confirm the results obtained by conducting in vivo studies and evaluating the changes in the ruminal microbiota.Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del follaje de Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Piscidia piscipula (Fabaceae) y Guazuma ulmifolia (Malvaceae) al 30% de inclusión sobre la producción de gas, producción de metano y digestibilidad de la materia seca in vitro. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se determinó la composición química de las mezclas y del pasto Cynodon plectostachyus (Poaceae). La digestibilidad de la materia seca y producción de gas se determinaron in vitro a las 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 20 y 24 h de incubación. La concentración de metano se determinó con NaOH. Resultados: La mezcla con 30% de Leucaena leucochepala posee el contenido de PC más elevado, mientras que la de Piscidia piscipula el más bajo. No hubo diferencias en la producción de gas a los diferentes tiempos, ni tampoco en la producción de metano; sin embargo, la incorporación de Guazuma ulmifolia y Piscidia piscipula sí afectó negativamente la digestibilidad de la materia seca, disminuyéndola en alrededor de 9% (P<0.05). Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: La combinación al 30% de Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbeck, Piscidia piscipula y Guazuma ulmifolia, con Cynodon plectostachyus no disminuyó la producción de metano in vitro. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Se afectó negativamente la digestibilidad de la materia seca cuando se incluyó follaje de Piscidia piscipula y Guazuma ulmifolia; no obstante, se requieren confirmar los resultados obtenidos realizando estudios in vivo y evaluando los cambios en la microbiota ruminal

TÉCNICA DE PRODUCCIÓN DE GAS in vitro PARA ESTIMAR LA PRODUCCIÓN DE METANO

Since the mid-twentieth century, in vitro gas production is a highly used technique to evaluate the effect of feedstuff, diets and additives on ruminal fermentation. More recently, this technique has also been used to estimate the production of methane (CH4), product of ruminal fermentation, either by gas chromatography, with a portable gas analyzer, or with a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Any of them is useful to predict the methanogenic potential of the substrates or additives used in ruminant diets; however, each has its peculiarities that must be taken into account when deciding how to estimate the production of CH4 with the in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT).La producción de gas in vitro es una técnica altamente utilizada para evaluar el efecto de alimentos, dietas y aditivos en la fermentación ruminal desde mediados del siglo XX. Más recientemente, esta técnica también se ha utilizado para estimar la producción de metano (CH4), producto de la fermentación ruminal, ya sea por cromatografía de gases, con un analizador de gases portátil o con una solución de hidróxido de sodio (NaOH). Cualquiera de ellas es útil para predecir el potencial metanogénico de los sustratos o aditivos utilizados en la alimentación de rumiantes; no obstante, cada una tiene sus peculiaridades que es necesario tomar en cuenta al momento de decidir cómo estimar la producción de CH4 con la técnica de producción de gas in vitro (TPGIV)

Problemas productivos y reproductivos por deficiencias minerales en bovinos de algunas regiones tropicales de México

Los minerales son considerados nutrientes esenciales para el organismo. En las zonas tropicales de México, se presenta una problemática de calidad de los forrajes, su contenido de proteína y aporte de minerales son bajos. Las condiciones climáticas influyen en el contenido de minerales en el suelo, plantas y en los animales. Se reportan bajos contenidos de Ca, P, Zn, Se, I y Cu, en la relación suelo-planta-animal. La presencia de algunas enfermedades carenciales se refleja con baja producción de leche y carne, hay efectos negativos en la fertilidad, abortos, baja calidad de semen, retención de placenta, partos distócicos, entre otros. Es importante suplementar los minerales carenciales en el ganado, con el propósito de mejorar la eficiencia productiva. Se debe evitar el exceso de minerales para prevenir efectos contaminantes al ambient

Cuajilote (Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem.): A Potential Fruit for Ruminant Feed

Objective: carry out a bibliographic review on the investigations carried out with cuajilote fruits (Parmentiera aculeata) for sheep feeding. Design/methodology/approach: a search was carried out in all the permitted information sources (popular articles, conference proceedings, books, etc.) Results: Parmentiera aculeata (chote), usually used to obtain shade, living fences, wood or firewood. However, they can also serve as fodder. Both the foliage and the fruits can have very good nutritional characteristics, it is also a fruit available in the dry season, these fruits are eagerly consumed by cattle that graze freely. However, it is unknown what is the nutritional value and ruminal availability of the dry matter of this fruit in different stages of maturity, to which medicinal properties are also attributed. Limitations on study/implications: the studies that were found were of tests carried out in vitro using this fruit as a defaunant of protozoa in bovine ruminal liquid, therefore, there is little in vivo research on the use of chote in an integral diet for animal feeding and its inclusion maximum tolerant by ruminants. Findings/conclusions: the chote fruit shows great potential for use in animal feed, due to the nutritional and medicinal benefits attributed to it. In addition to the availability of the fruits throughout the year, more specifically, in the dry season, which is when production costs are increased by feeding.Objective: to review previous researches about the use of the fruits of the cuajilote tree (Parmentiera aculeata) as ovine feed. Design/Methodology/Approach: this research was conducted, using all the available sources: science articles, conference reports, and books. Results: P. aculeata (cuajilote) is generally used to provide shade, and as live fence, wood or firewood. However, it can also be used as forage. Both the foliage and the fruit have excellent nutritional qualities; additionally, the fruits are available during the dry season and free grazing cattle avidly eat them. Nevertheless, the nutritional value and the ruminal availability of this fruit’s dry matter—during various ripeness stages— are unknown; it is also said to have medicinal properties. Study Limitations and Implications: the cuajilote fruit was used in in vitro tests to remove protozoa from the ruminal fluid of bovines (defanuation); therefore, there are few in vitro researches about the use of cuajilote in a wholemeal diet as animal feed and about its maximum inclusion tolerance in ruminants. Findings/Conclusions: as a result of its nutritional and medicinal benefits, the cuajilote fruit shows great potential as livestock feed. Additionally, it is available all year round, particularly during the dry season, when production expenses increase as a result of the lack of other food sources

Controls of picophytoplankton abundance and composition in a highly dynamic marine system, the Northern Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean)

The Alboran Sea is a highly dynamic basin which exhibits a high spatio-temporal variability of hydrographic structures (e.g. fronts, gyres, coastal upwellings). This work compares the abundance and composition of picophytoplankton observed across the northern Alboran Sea among eleven cruises between 2008 and 2012 using flow cytometry. We evaluate the seasonal and longitudinal variability of picophytoplankton on the basis of the circulation regimes at a regional scale and explore the presence of cyanobacteria ecotypes in the basin. The maximal abundances obtained for Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes (12.7 × 104, 13.9 × 104 and 8.6 × 104 cells mL− 1 respectively) were consistent with those reported for other adjacent marine areas. Seasonal changes in the abundance of the three picophytoplankton groups were highly significant although they did not match the patterns described for other coastal waters. Higher abundances of Prochlorococcus were obtained in autumn-winter while Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes exhibited a different seasonal abundance pattern depending on the sector (e.g. Synechococcus showed higher abundance in summer in the west sector and during winter in the eastern study area). Additionally, conspicuous longitudinal gradients were observed for Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus, with Prochlorococcus decreasing from west to east and Synechococcus following the opposite pattern. The analysis of environmental variables (i.e. temperature, salinity and inorganic nutrients) and cell abundances indicates that Prochlorococcus preferred high salinity and nitrate to phosphate ratio. On the contrary, temperature did not seem to play a role in Prochlorococcus distribution as it was numerically important during the whole seasonal cycle. Variability in Synechococcus abundance could not be explained by changes in any environmental variable suggesting that different ecotypes were sampled during the surveys. In particular, our data would indicate the presence of at least two ecotypes of Synechococcus: a summer ecotype widely distributed in the whole Alboran Sea and a winter ecotype adapted to lower temperature and higher nutrient concentration whose growth is favoured in the eastern sector.Versión del editor2,444

Interaction between Coastal and Oceanic Ecosystems of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean through Predator-Prey Relationship Studies

The Western and Central Pacific Ocean sustains the highest tuna production in the world. This province is also characterized by many islands and a complex bathymetry that induces specific current circulation patterns with the potential to create a high degree of interaction between coastal and oceanic ecosystems. Based on a large dataset of oceanic predator stomach contents, our study used generalized linear models to explore the coastal-oceanic system interaction by analyzing predator-prey relationship. We show that reef organisms are a frequent prey of oceanic predators. Predator species such as albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) frequently consume reef prey with higher probability of consumption closer to land and in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. For surface-caught-predators consuming reef prey, this prey type represents about one third of the diet of predators smaller than 50 cm. The proportion decreases with increasing fish size. For predators caught at depth and consuming reef prey, the proportion varies with predator species but generally represents less than 10%. The annual consumption of reef prey by the yellowfin tuna population was estimated at 0.8±0.40CV million tonnes or 2.17×1012±0.40CV individuals. This represents 6.1%±0.17CV in weight of their diet. Our analyses identify some of the patterns of coastal-oceanic ecosystem interactions at a large scale and provides an estimate of annual consumption of reef prey by oceanic predators

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

Nanoparticle sterilization methods for biomedical applications in animals

Objective: To review different sterilization methods and their application to micro and nanoparticles. Approach: Sterilization is used to obtain a product free of microorganisms that might alter its preparation, storage, and administration route without changing its physicochemical characteristics. This review explores different sterilization methods, their advantages and disadvantages at the micro and nanoparticle levelObjective: To review different nanoparticle sterilization methods for their use in biomedical applications in animals. Approach: Sterilization is used to obtain a microorganism-free product without altering its physicochemical characteristics during its preparation, storage, or administration route. This review explores different sterilization methods and their advantages and disadvantages on the nanoparticle level. Study limitations/implications: Nanoparticles are used in animal production, including their parenteral administration. Therefore, establishing the characteristics of different technologies applied to sterilize nanoparticles is essential to ensure the delivery of sterile products preventing health risks. Conclusions: The use of nanotechnology in livestock production offers several advantages for animal nutrition, reproduction, and health, among other things. When nanoparticles must be sterilized, choosing the most suitable method is essential. This depends on the amount of product and its compound type because each technique has specific requirements that must be taken into account to be ready for potential changes in the structure and availability of the final product