Dairy Effluent-Saturated Biochar's Short-Term Effects on Vigna unguiculata and Cynodon dactylon Performance and Soil Properties

We compared the effects of wood-, manure-, and blend-derived biochar (BC) saturated/unsaturated with dairy effluents on Vigna unguiculata and Cynodon dactylon performance and soil characteristics in a greenhouse pot study. Plant samples were assayed for herbage and root dry weight and N and C percentages. Soil samples were assayed for nutrients, pH, and conductivity. Variance analysis, Tukey's tests, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analysis were performed. The performance of C. dactylon was not affected. V. unguiculata's herbage and root production responded negatively to manure BC and 2% of any BC, respectively, which is mainly explained by the conductivity and soil P increase, respectively. When V. unguiculata was grown, BC inclusion decreased NO3-N and increased the soil P content. When C. dactylon was grown, only P was altered (increased) when manure or the blend BC were applied. The soil total C increased as the BC loading rate increased. The application of high BC rates was detrimental for V. unguiculata, but showed a neutral effect for C. dactylon. To improve dairy waste recycling, saturated 1% blend BC and saturated 2% blend or manure BC could be applied to V. unguiculata and C. dactylon, respectively, with no short-term negative impacts. Only wood BC avoided soil P build-up. BC application increased the soil total C, showing potential for C sequestration.

Biochar and Dairy Manure Amendment Effects on Cynodon dactylon Performance and Soil Properties

Studies have determined the separate effects of biochar (BC) and manure application on forage species and soil, but few examined the effects of BCs made from different feedstock applied along with dairy manure. We compared the effect of wood- and manure-derived feedstock BC as well as dairy manure amendment application on Cynodon dactylon performance and soil properties in sandy loam and clay loam soils in a greenhouse pot study. Plant samples were assayed for herbage and root dry weight as well as herbage and root N and C percent and yield. Soil samples were assayed for macronutrients, micronutrients, metals, pH and conductivity. Data analyses involved variance analysis and Tukey's tests using R in RStudio (the IDE). In general, C. dactylon yields or mineral content were not affected by either manure or BC. However, an increase in the total herbage dry weight (30%) and in herbage N% (55%) was observed for clay loam and sandy loam soil, respectively, due to manure amendment application. There were no alterations in clay loam NO3-N and P due to any treatment; however, in sandy loam, these nutrients were not altered only when wood BC was applied. In sandy loam soil, NO3-N and P increased when manure BC along with dairy manure and when manure BC alone were applied, respectively. Thus, wood BC application should be considered to avoid these nutrient buildups when dairy manure is used as a soil amendment. This research shows a neutral (BC) or positive (dairy manure amendment) impact on C. dactylon performance. BC incorporation increases soil total C, showing potential for C sequestration. Long-term field trials could corroborate plant performance and soil parameters.

Short communication: Screening stable flies and house flies as potential vectors of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle

Digital dermatitis is a bacterial infection that causes lesions above the heel bulbs on cattle hooves, and several bacterial species from the genus Treponema are suspected to be causative agents of this polymicrobial condition. Transmission of the bacteria to healthy cows is understudied, particularly with regard to potential insect vectors. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine if flies captured from a dairy farm known to have digital dermatitis are contaminated with Treponema bacteria. The DNA-based assays did not detect any Treponema phagedenis from stable flies and house flies collected at a dairy experiencing an outbreak of digital dermatitis. Other potential means of bacterial transmission are discussed.

Quantitative assessment of Naegleria fowleri and Escherichia coli concentrations within a Texas reservoir

Previous presence/absence studies have indicated a correlation between the presence of the pathogenic amoeba Naegleria fowleri and the presence of bacteria, such as the fecal indicator Escherichia coli, in environmental surface waters. The objective of this study was to use quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methodologies to measure N. fowleri and E. coli concentrations within a Texas reservoir in late summer, and to determine if concentrations of N. fowleri and E. coli were statistically correlated. N. fowleri was detected in water samples from 67% of the reservoir sites tested, with concentrations ranging up to an estimated 26 CE (cell equivalents)/100 mL. E. coli was detected in water samples from 60% of the reservoir sites tested, with concentrations ranging up to 427 CE/100 mL. In this study, E. coli concentrations were not indicative of N. fowleri concentrations.

Coincident light and clock regulation of pseudoresponse regulator protein 37 (PRR37) controls photoperiodic flowering in sorghum

Optimal flowering time is critical to the success of modern agriculture. Sorghum is a short-day tropical species that exhibits substantial photoperiod sensitivity and delayed flowering in long days. Genotypes with reduced photoperiod sensitivity enabled sorghum's utilization as a grain crop in temperate zones worldwide. In the present study, Ma(1), the major repressor of sorghum flowering in long days, was identified as the pseudoresponse regulator protein 37 (PRR37) through positional cloning and analysis of SbPRR37 alleles that modulate flowering time in grain and energy sorghum. Several allelic variants of SbPRR37 were identified in early flowering grain sorghum germplasm that contain unique loss-of-function mutations. We show that in long days SbPRR37 activates expression of the floral inhibitor CONSTANS and represses expression of the floral activators Early Heading Date 1, FLOWERING LOCUS T, Zea mays CENTRORADIALIS 8, and floral induction. Expression of SbPRR37 is light dependent and regulated by the circadian clock, with peaks of RNA abundance in the morning and evening in long days. In short days, the evening-phase expression of SbPRR37 does not occur due to darkness, allowing sorghum to flower in this photoperiod. This study provides insight into an external coincidence mechanism of photoperiodic regulation of flowering time mediated by PRR37 in the short-day grass sorghum and identifies important alleles of SbPRR37 that are critical for the utilization of this tropical grass in temperate zone grain and bioenergy production.

Phosphate transporter expression in Holstein cows

Phosphorus nutrition in cattle is increasingly becoming an important topic because excess dietary P is excreted in manure and can be washed into surface water, causing increased algal growth and eutrophication. However, little is known about the mechanism or regulation of P absorption in dairy cattle. Phosphorus transporters have been characterized in other species and homologous genes have been found to be expressed in bovine cell cultures. However, no other information is available regarding the active transport of phosphate in the digestive tract of cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the patterns of expression of a known phosphate transporter, NaPi-IIb, in 4 sections of the small intestine of Holstein cows. Ribonucleic acid was isolated from the duodenal, proximal jejunal, distal jejunal, and ileal mucosa of 20 Holstein cows. Relative amounts of NaPi-IIb mRNA expression were determined using real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Expression of NaPi-IIb was highest in the 2 distal sections and almost absent in the proximal sections. Expression did not differ between the 2 proximal sections or the 2 distal sections. These data suggest that a Na+-dependent secondary active P transport system is not responsible for P absorption in the proximal portion of the bovine small intestine, whereas it does contribute to the P absorbed in the distal sections of the bovine small intestine.

Black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae reduce Escherichia coli in dairy manure

Escherichia coli labeled with a green fluorescent protein was inoculated into sterile dairy manure at 7.0 log cfu/g. Approximately 125 black soldier fly larvae were placed in manure inoculated and homogenized with E. coli. Manure inoculated with E. coli but without black soldier fly larvae served as the control. For the first experiment, larvae were introduced into 50, 75, 100, or 125 g sterilized dairy manure inoculated and homogenized with E. coli and stored 72 h at 27 degrees C. Black soldier fly larvae significantly reduced E. coli counts in all treatments. However, varying the amount of manure provided the black soldier fly larvae significantly affected their weight gain and their ability to reduce E. coli populations present. For the second experiment, larvae were introduced into 50 g manure inoculated with E. coli and stored for 72 h at 23, 27, 31, or 35 degrees C. Minimal bacterial growth was recorded in the control held at 35 degrees C and was excluded from the analysis. Black soldier fly larvae significantly reduced E. coli counts in manure held at remaining temperatures. Accordingly, temperature significantly influenced the ability of black soldier fly larvae to develop and reduce E. coli counts with greatest suppression occurring at 27 degrees C.

Transcriptional profiling of sorghum induced by methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid reveals cooperative regulation and novel gene responses

We have conducted a large-scale study of gene expression in the C4 monocot sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) L. Moench cv BTx623 in response to the signaling compounds salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and the ethylene precursor aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid. Expression profiles were generated from seedling root and shoot tissue at 3 and 27 h, using a microarray containing 12,982 nonredundant elements. Data from 102 slides and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR data on mRNA abundance from 171 genes were collected and analyzed and are here made publicly available. Numerous gene clusters were identified in which expression was correlated with particular signaling compound and tissue combinations. Many genes previously implicated in defense responded to the treatments, including numerous pathogenesis-related genes and most members of the phenylpropanoid pathway, and several other genes that may represent novel activities or pathways. Genes of the octadecanoic acid pathway of jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis were induced by SA as well as by MeJA. The resulting hypothesis that increased SA could lead to increased endogenous JA production was confirmed by measurement of JA content. Comparison of responses to SA, MeJA, and combined SA+MeJA revealed patterns of one-way and mutual antagonisms, as well as synergistic effects on regulation of some genes. These experiments thus help further define the transcriptional results of cross talk between the SA and JA pathways and suggest that a subset of genes coregulated by SA and JA may comprise a uniquely evolved sector of plant signaling responsive cascades.

Thiamin status, diuretic medications, and the management of congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of thiamin deficiency in patients with congestive heart failure who are treated with diuretics that inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (loop diuretic therapy).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional investigation of thiamin status of consecutive patients with congestive heart failure being treated with loop diuretic therapy.

SETTING

Cardiology clinic of a midwestern tertiary-care medical center.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-eight patients were recruited (mean age +/- standard deviation = 55 +/- 14 years). Validation of methodology was conducted with nine age-matched control subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Thiamin status was assessed biochemically by in vitro erythrocyte transketolase activity assay. Assessment of dietary intake of thiamin was accomplished with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were used to evaluate relationships between thiamin status and variables of interest.

RESULTS

Biochemical evidence of thiamin deficiency was found in 8 of 38 (21%) patients. Evidence of risk for dietary thiamin inadequacy was found in 10 of 38 patients (25%). Seven of the 8 patients with biochemical evidence of thiamin deficiency met study criteria for dietary adequacy, although quantified data suggested that only 4 of the patients achieved two thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Biochemical evidence of thiamin deficiency tended to be more common among patients with poor left ventricular ejection fractions (P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

Thiamin deficiency may occur in a substantial proportion of patients with congestive heart failure, and dietary inadequacy may contribute to increased risk.

Postcesarean delivery epidural patient-controlled analgesia. Fentanyl or sufentanil?

BACKGROUND

The highly lipid-soluble opioids, fentanyl and sufentanil, frequently are used in combination with local anesthetic agents and/or epinephrine to provide postoperative epidural analgesia. The authors compared the incidence of side effects and patient satisfaction during prolonged epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) infusions of these opioids in combination with bupivacaine and epinephrine.

METHODS

Using a double-blind study design, 250 patients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were, on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit, randomized into two epidural PCA infusion groups: group I (n = 125) received fentanyl 2 micrograms/ml with bupivacaine 0.01% and epinephrine 0.5 micrograms/ml and group II (n = 125) received sufentanil 0.8 micrograms/ml with bupivacaine 0.01% and epinephrine 0.5 microgram/ml. The initial infusion rate was 16 ml/h with self-administered 3-ml boluses every 15 min by PCA as desired. At intervals after discontinuation of the infusion, plasma samples were obtained to determine opioid concentrations.

RESULTS

The median overall satisfaction scores were 9.0 for group I and 10.0 for group II (difference not significant). Pain relief was satisfactory and comparable in both groups, and all patients could ambulate easily. The total number of times PCA requests were made was greater (P < 0.05, by Wilcoxon rank-sum test) for group I than for group II (106.7 +/- 312 vs. 70.8 +/- 138). There were no differences between the groups with respect to incidence of pruritus, sedation, and nausea; however, vomiting occurred more frequently with sufentanil than with fentanyl (12% vs. 4.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). At approximately 1-2 h after discontinuation of the infusion, 1 patient receiving fentanyl and 42 patients receiving sufentanil complained of lightheadedness and dizziness (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Epidural PCA in both groups had no serious side effects and achieved a high level of patient satisfaction. Those receiving sufentanil made fewer PCA requests but had a significantly greater incidence of vomiting during the infusion and dizziness after the termination of the infusion. Epidural sufentanil offered no advantages over epidural fentanyl.

Computer support of pharmaceutical services for ambulatory patients

A prototype computerized pharmaceutical services support system (CPSSS) is described. CPSSS maintains records on approximately 40,000 patients; 1,300 outpatient prescriptions are dispensed per day. Using Univac hardware and software developed inhouse, CPSSS provides an online drug therapy profile. The prescription label, including auxiliary information, storage and stability guidelines as well as the traditional information, is automatically generated. Prior to medication dispensing, all information is verified by a pharmacist after the computer searches the patient medication profile for 5,400 potential drug-drug, 1,500 drug-disease state, over 100 drug-allergy and 200 drug-laboratory test interactions as well as identifying duplicate pharmacological therapy. Retrospectively, the patient population is described as to sex, age and number of diagnoses. The number of prescriptions per physician also is reported. Twenty drugs represent one-half of the total prescriptions, with 32% of patients taking diuretics and 30% taking tranquilizers. All new prescriptions were prospectively reviewed. Approximately 2% had potential interactions or pharmacological duplication of therapy problems. Approximately 30% of all new prescriptions duplicated exactly an active prescription on file. When a pharmacist initiated physician contact as a result of CPSSS and profile review, physicians changed therapy approximately 73% of the time when informed of duplicate therapy, 27% of the time when informed of potential drug-disease state interactions and 32% of the time when informed of potential drug-drug interactions.