Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:D. R. Davies)

2015-09-15

Nature Publishing Group (NPG)

0028-0836

1476-4687

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

1365-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Using new harvesting and ensiling technologies, it is now possible to ensile kale (Brassica oleracea) successfully. However, there is little information available regarding the optimum time for harvest. The aim of this 2-year study was to compare the yield, fermentation characteristics and feeding value of kale harvested at different stages of growth, and ensiled with and without a bacterial inoculant. During Year 1 the crop was harvested after 15, 18 and 20 weeks of growth. The yield at each harvest was similar, but as the crop matured the crude protein (CP) concentration and buffering capacity decreased significantly, and there was a marked increase in the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration. During Year 2 the crop was harvested at 14 and 17 weeks of growth. Again, the stage of maturity did not affect yield and, on this occasion, the chemical composition of the crop was unaffected by harvest date. However, the WSC and CP concentrations of the crop were lower in Year 2 than in Year 1, possibly as a result of differences in fertilizer regime. Each of the silages produced in Year 2 was offered to six Suffolk cross wether lambs, aged 10 months, to measure voluntary intake, in vivo digestibility and nitrogen retention. Neither harvesting date nor the use of an inoculant affected voluntary intake or nitrogen retention by the lambs. However, in vivo digestibility was higher in the kale silage harvested after 14 weeks of growth and when an inoculant was applied. The results obtained suggest that harvesting kale after 14 weeks of growth can produce highly digestible silage with a high CP concentration. Although delaying harvest until 18 weeks of growth will probably result in a decrease in the CP concentration of the crop, it should also lead to an increase in the WSC concentration of the crop, ensuring a more reliable fermentation.

Electronic Resource

1365-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Cattle slurry (50 m3 ha−1 equivalent to 68 kg N ha−1) was applied to grassland plots 70 d (early application) and 34 d (late application) before ensiling and the retention and survival of slurry and epiphytic micro-organisms on the growing herbage were examined and compared with those on herbage from corresponding fertilizer-treated plots. The populations of lactic acid bacteria, enterococci and enterobacteria on herbage increased dramatically after slurry application. Thereafter, numbers of lactic acid bacteria declined, although they were always higher than on untreated herbage. Number of enterobacteria also declined but were higher on chopped grasses at ensiling [106 colony-forming units (CFU) g−1 fresh matter (FM)] than they were on hand-cut. unchopped herbages at all previous sampling times. Clostridia numbers were lowest on untreated and highest on slurry-treated herbage, particularly after the late application (〉103 CFU g−1 FM). Herbage was harvested 70 d and 34 d after slurry application, chopped and ensiled in laboratory silos. All herbages, irrespective of treatment, had low dry matter (DM) values (ranging from 149 to 170 g kg−1 FM) and fairly low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations (130 g kg−1 DM or less). The initial rate of pH decline up to 4 d was most rapid in slurry-treated herbages, with all pH values falling to 〈 4. 5 by day 4 and remaining there until day 21. However, after 90 days the pH values of all silages had risen to 〉 4. 5. accompanied by a marked decline in lactic acid concentration. Lactic acid-fermenting Clostridia increased in numbers, reaching peak values of 107 CFU g−1 FM by day 21, remaining high until opening, and were probably responsible for increases in butyric acid levels in all silages, with the highest concentrations occurring in those prepared from slurry-treated herbages. The results suggest that, although some faecal lactic acid bacteria may have beneficial effects in the early stages of fermentation, Clostridia from slurry can survive on herbage for extended periods. The results indicate that the potential for growth of Clostridia in silage may be independent of source or size of the initial population even at tow pH, if other conditions are favourable.

Electronic Resource

1365-2303

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Introduction

Electronic Resource

1365-2559

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

In a series of 250 renal biopsies (transplants excluded) the diagnosis of membranous glomerulonephritis was made in 22. This was done on light microscopy in 17, while the addition of immunofluorescence enabled the diagnosis to be made in a further five. Electron microscopy confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. Immunoperoxidase studies emphasized the basement membrane distribution of the deposits of immunoglobulin and the relative sparing of the mesangium. They showed at an ultrastructural level the presence of IgG in the deposits.

Electronic Resource

1365-2494

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Eight multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows in late lactation were used to investigate the potential of using perennial ryegrass with a high concentration of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) to increase the efficiency of milk production. After a pretreatment period on a common pasture, the cows were each given ad libitum access to one of two varieties of zero-grazed grass continuously for 3 weeks. Treatments were: high sugar (HS), an experimental perennial ryegrass variety bred to contain high concentrations of WSC; or control, a standard variety of perennial ryegrass (cv. AberElan) containing typical concentrations of WSC. The two grass varieties were matched in terms of heading date. All animals also received 4 kg day–1 standard dairy concentrate. Grass dry matter (DM) intake was not significantly different between treatments (11·6 vs. 10·7 kg DM day–1; s.e.d. 0·95 for HS and control diets respectively), although DM digestibility was higher on the HS diet (0·71 vs. 0·64 g g–1 DM; s.e.d. 0·23; P 〈 0·01) leading to higher digestible DM intakes for that diet. Milk yield from animals offered the HS diet was higher (15·3 vs. 12·6 kg day–1; s.e.d. 0·87; P 〈 0·05) and, although milk constituent concentrations were unaffected by treatment, milk protein yields were significantly increased on the HS diet. The partitioning of feed N was significantly affected by diet, with more N from the HS diet being used for milk production (0·30 vs. 0·23 g milk N g–1 feed N; s.e.d. 0·012; P 〈 0·01) and less being excreted in urine (0·25 vs. 0·35; s.e.d. 0·020; P 〈 0·01). In a separate experiment, using the same grasses harvested earlier in the season, the fractional rate of DM degradation, measured by in situ and gas production techniques, was higher for the HS grass than for the control. It is concluded that increased digestible DM intakes of the HS grass led to increased milk yields, whereas increased efficiency of utilization of the HS grass in the rumen resulted in the more efficient use of feed N for milk production and reduced N excretion.

Electronic Resource

1749-6632

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Natural Sciences in General

Electronic Resource

1600-0714

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Early identification and prophylactic surgery are essential in preventing development of malignancy in colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Previous studies indicate a 100% cumulative risk of developing colonic polyps in individuals with FAP by the age of 34 yr. However, we have previously reported late-onset and non-penetrance of polyposis in four families. We describe here in detail one of these families with florid oral manifestations detectable on panoramic radiography of the jaws, which were instrumental in the diagnosis of FAP in the index patient and for ascertainment of her family for screening. The pathological adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutation in this family was shown to segregate with dento-osseous changes. Panoramic jaw radiography is a common examination carried out prior to dental or oral surgical procedures. This case illustrates the importance of appropriate investigations, including family history and colonoscopy, even in relatively older patients with radiological findings such as those described here and in members of their families at risk of FAP.

Electronic Resource

1365-3059

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Electronic Resource

1365-2559

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

In a survey of the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in a male homosexual population, liver biopsies were done in 28 asymptomatic patients who had persistently raised aminotransferases. Four patients had active cirrhosis (AC), 13 had chronic active hepatitis (CAH) of various degrees of severity and 11 had either chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or minor changes of the type seen in hepatitis B virus carriers. Core associated antigens and surface antigen, were demonstrated by the PAP immunoperoxidase method in 20 cases. Core and surface antigens tended to be present in the same areas of the biopsy and quantitation showed higher core to surface antigen ratios in CAH than in CPH, the difference being statistically significant. In seven cases no core-associated antigens were demonstrated in the presence of surface antigen: most of these patients had either inactive disease or active cirrhosis. In one carrier neither antigen was demonstrated. Ten patients had two or more biopsies. Four of these had no treatment and the amounts of core and surface positive cells in the liver did not increase. Six were treated with immunosuppressants. This did not alter the degree of either inflammation or fibrosis, but the number of surface and core antigen positive cells in the liver was higher after treatment in almost every case.

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] THERE are many experimental procedures which involve the simultaneous observation of two variables, one of which is dependent upon the other. If the relationship between these variables is linear, then it is possible, by spacing the intervals equally with reference to the independent variable, ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] A sample of Brown and Hammick's material crystallized from pyridine in forms illustrated in the photomicrograph. They belong to the orthorhombic system, and their characteristic consistent face development with dissimilar terminations shows that they are of the crystal class mm. I'ig. 1. The ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] The primary physical factor responsible for initiating the stirring of the atmosphere into its ever changing assembly of the cyclonic waves and anticyclonic systems is the meridional distribution of solar radiation, 5(6), where 0 is the latitude. The response of the atmosphere to a given 5(0) and ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] RADIATION-INDUCED perturbations in proliferating cell populations can be due to the death or premature differentiation of a portion of the cell population, or to retardation of movement of certain phases of the mitotic cycle. The last phenomenon is one that has long been recognized as one of the ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] The muons were generated in the Brookhaven alternating gradient synchroton. A beam, of protons (energy ~ 28 GeV) was brought on to a beryllium target placed in the machine. Negative pions produced in the target between the energies of 79 GeV in the forward direction were bent through the magnet ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] Since drowsiness is commonly reported by subjects of vigilance experiments it is to be expected that this would be reflected in a decrease in heart rate during a vigil, and it is possible that this decline will be related systematically to the decrease in the number of signals detected correctly ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] This communication describes the relative biological efficiency of 650-keV neutrons and 250-kVp X-rays for the induction of somatic mutations in the staminal hair cells of a variety of Tradescantia occidentalis. Details regarding the biological test system and scoring procedures have been described ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] The first X-ray diffraction pictures of an intact immunoglobulin protein have been ...

Electronic Resource

1476-4687

Nature Archives 1869 - 2009

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

[Auszug] MYOGLOBIN is a conjugated protein consisting of a single polypeptide chain of about 153 amino-acid residues associated with an iron-porphyrin complex, the hsem group ; its molecular weight is about 18,000, and the molecule contains some 1,200 atoms (excluding hydrogen). Two years ago a preliminary ...

Electronic Resource

0007-1269

Psychology