ABSTRACT Sugarcane (Saccharum L. spp. hybrids) is a globally important crop. While roots contribute to its net primary production, knowledge of sugarcane root growth is incomplete and limited in scope. The objective of this study was to determine cumulative root density (LA), root distribution, effective rooting depth (ERD), and root growth rate for four sugarcane genotypes across three crop cycles (plant cane [PC], first ratoon [FR], and second ratoon [SR]). The experiment was conducted in a rain shelter on four sugarcane genotypes (ROC22, YZ04-241, YZ05-194, and YZ05-51) using minirhizotron tubes to a soil profile depth of 1.08 m. Most roots in were found at 0–0.36 m-depth, and about 85.0% were within a 0–0.72 m depth in PC. In FR and SR, however, > 81.8% of roots were found at 0–0.54 m-depth regardless of genotype. The LA of ROC22 was often significantly higher than that of the other genotypes at depths < 0.54 m regardless of crop cycle. The genotype ROC22 had greater root length and faster root growth rate than YZ05-194 at 0.18–0.36 m in PC and FR, while SR YZ05-194 had slower root growth than the other genotypes at 0–0.18m. Ratooning ability of sugarcane genotypes may be related to these root growth attributes.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of antibiotics, yeast culture (YC), and Lactobacillus culture (LC) on the gut microbiome and metabolites in the serum and caecum of weaning piglets. Twenty-four weaning piglets were divided into four treatment groups: control, antibiotic (1% chlortetracycline), 1.8% yeast culture (YC), and 1.6% Lactobacillus culture groups (LC). Each group had six replicated pens with one pig per pen. Feed and water were available ad libitum. Dietary supplementation with antibiotics, YC and LC increased the abundance of phylum, Firmicutes, and decreased the abundance of phylum, Proteobacteria. Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Megasphaera in YC and LC groups increased, whereas the proportion of Shigella was decreased. Genera Alloprevotella and Lachnospira were biomarkers in the control and antibiotic groups, respectively. Phylum, Bacteroidetes, and genus, Collinsella, were biomarkers in the YC group, and Mitsuokella, Anaerotruncus, Syntrophococcus and Sharpea were biomarkers in the LC group. Dietary supplementation with different probiotics changed the serum and caecum metabolite profiles too. Antibiotic supplementation increased the levels of D-mannose, D-glucose, and hexadecanoic acid in the serum, and the levels of myo-inositol, D-mannose and benzenepropanoic acid in the caecum. LC increased the concentrations of D-mannose, cis-9-hexadecenoic acid and heptadecanoic acid in caecum compared with the control group. YC and LC supplementation in the weaning diet could improve the abundance of beneficial bacteria by changing the concentrations of some metabolites in the serum and caecum. Therefore, dietary supplementation with YC or LC could be used as additives instead of antibiotics in weaning piglets.

The study aimed to evaluate the levels of participation of smallholder farmers in the agro-processing industries of Gauteng Province. The main objective was to determine the implications of participation or lack thereoffor the extension services, using an exploratory mixed sequential design. Four focus group sessions were conducted to account for qualitative data collection, and the survey data was gathered from three regions of Gauteng Province (West Rand, Pretoria, and Germiston). A sample of smallholder farmers (n=78) was purposively selected across the three regions to select participants. The results revealed that factors such as institutional design, condition of participation, and collaboration were critical in influencing these farmers. However, the results also revealed that leadership did not affect either of the levels of participation of these farmers. Therefore, these results suggest that the level ofparticipation in smallholder farming could be improved, should the influential factors be taken into consideration during the development planning of these farmers. It is recommended that strategic plans formulated by the supporting institutions consider these influential factors as the tools for the transformation of the agro-processing industries. These factors could stimulate participation by smallholder farmers in this sector.

The present experiment was designed to determine the efficacy of a commercial source of chitosan (CS) to enhance performance, anti-oxidative function, and immune response in weaned pigs. A total of 60 crossbreed piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), with average live bodyweight of 8.85 ± 1.52 kg, were weaned at 28 ± 2 days and randomly assigned to five treatment groups, which were fed maize-soybean meal diets containing 0 (basal diet, control) and 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg CS. The experiment lasted for two weeks. Body weight was recorded and daily feed intake was calculated. Faecal consistency was monitored for the overall period. After two weeks, blood samples were collected and anti-oxidative and immune parameters were determined. The results showed that CS improved average daily gain and daily gain: daily feed intake during the experiment. Mean faecal score values for the second week were improved by CS, which showed decreased values compared with the control diet. The CS increased the total antioxidant capacity and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the content of reduced glutathione in serum, and decreased the malondialdehyde and cortisol contents of serum. Furthermore, CS increased the levels of serum IL-1β，IL-2 and IgG. These findings suggested that the use of CS improved performance and anti-oxidative function, and regulated the immune response of weaned pigs.

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, it is not understood if inflammatory lymphangiogenesis is a pathological consequence or a productive attempt to resolve the inflammation. This study investigated the effect of lymphangiogenesis on intestinal inflammation by overexpressing a lymphangiogenesis factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), in a mouse model of acute colitis. Forty eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were treated with recombinant adenovirus overexpressing VEGF-C or with recombinant VEGF-C156S protein. Acute colitis was then established by exposing the mice to 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days. Mice were evaluated for disease activity index (DAI), colonic inflammatory changes, colon edema, microvessel density, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), and VEGFR-3mRNA expression in colon tissue. When acute colitis was induced in mice overexpressing VEGF-C, there was a significant increase in colonic epithelial damage, inflammatory edema, microvessel density, and neutrophil infiltration compared to control mice. These mice also exhibited increased lymphatic vessel density (73.0±3.9 vs 38.2±1.9, P<0.001) and lymphatic vessel size (1974.6±104.3 vs 1639.0±91.5, P<0.001) compared to control mice. Additionally, the expression of VEGFR-3 mRNA was significantly upregulated in VEGF-C156S mice compared to DSS-treated mice after induction of colitis (42.0±1.4 vs 3.5±0.4, P<0.001). Stimulation of lymphangiogenesis by VEGF-C during acute colitis promoted inflammatory lymphangiogenesis in the colon and aggravated intestinal inflammation. Inflammatory lymphangiogenesis may have pleiotropic effects at different stages of IBD.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of locally produced Vi vaccine over a time period of longer than one year. METHODS: A double-blinded, randomized field trial was performed in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south-western China, using 30 mg doses of locally produced Vi. Enrolled subjects were 3-50 years of age, although the majority (92%) were school-aged children, who have the highest rate of typhoid fever in this setting. A total of 131 271 people were systematically allocated a single dose of 30 mg of Vi polysaccharide or saline placebo. The study population was followed for 19 months, with passive surveillance conducted in the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health and Anti-epidemic Centre (HAEC). Clinically suspected cases of typhoid fever were confirmed by blood culture, or by serological reaction with O-antigen (Widal tests). FINDINGS: After 19 months, there were 23 culture-confirmed cases of typhoid fever in the placebo group versus 7 cases in the Vi group (Protective efficacy (PE) = 69%; 95% CI = 28%, 87%). Most of the isolates were from school-aged children: 22 cases in the placebo group versus 6 in the Vi group (PE = 72%; 95% CI = 32%, 82%). No serious post-injection reactions were observed. The locally produced Vi polysaccharide vaccine showed levels of protective efficacy similar to those for Vi vaccine produced in industrial countries. CONCLUSION: The slightly higher dose of vaccine did not seem to alter efficacy significantly in China.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la eficacia de la vacuna de Vi producida localmente a lo largo de un periodo superior a un año. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un ensayo sobre el terreno aleatorizado y en doble ciego en la región autónoma (provincia) de Guangxi Zhuang, en el suroeste de China, usando dosis de 30 mg de la vacuna Vi producida localmente. El intervalo de edades de las personas participantes era de 3-50 años, si bien la mayoría de ellas (92%) eran niños en edad escolar, los más afectados por la fiebre tifoidea en ese lugar. Se asignó de forma sistemática a un total de 131 271 personas para que recibieran ya fuera una dosis única de 30 mg de polisacárido Vi o bien un placebo constituido por suero fisiológico. La población estudiada fue objeto de seguimiento durante 19 meses, y la vigilancia pasiva corrió a cargo del Ministerio de Salud y del Centro Regional de Salud y Lucha contra las Epidemias (HAEC). Los casos con manifestaciones clínicas sugestivas de fiebre tifoidea fueron confirmados mediante cultivo sanguíneo o mediante la reacción serológica con el antígeno O (pruebas de Widal). RESULTADOS: Al cabo de 19 meses se habían confirmado mediante cultivo 23 casos de fiebre tifoidea en el grupo placebo, frente a 7 casos en el grupo tratado con la vacuna Vi (eficacia protectora (EP) = 69%; IC95% = 28-87%). La mayoría de los aislados correspondían a niños en edad escolar: 22 casos en el grupo placebo, frente a 6 en el grupo tratado con Vi (EP = 72%; IC95% = 32-82%). No se observó ninguna reacción grave postinyección. La vacuna basada en el polisacárido Vi producida localmente demostró tener una eficacia protectora similar a la de la vacuna Vi producida en los países industrializados. CONCLUSIÓN: El ligero aumento de la dosis de vacuna no parece haber influido de forma significativa en su eficacia en China.

OBJECTIF:Tester l’efficacité du vaccin antityphoïdique polyosidique Vi de production locale sur une période de plus d’un an. MÉTHODS: Un essai de terrain randomisé en double aveugle a été réalisé dans la région autonome (province) de Guanxi Zhuang dans le sud-ouest de la Chine, au moyen de doses de 30 mg de polyoside Vi de production locale. Les sujets recrutés dans l’étude étaient âgés de 3 à 50 ans, mais étaient pour la plupart (92 %) des enfants d’âge scolaire, groupe qui présente le taux le plus élevé de fièvre typhoïde dans cette région. Au total, 131 271 personnes ont reçu systématiquement une dose unique de 30 mg de polyoside Vi ou un placebo (soluté physiologique). La population d’étude a été suivie pendant 19 mois dans le cadre d’une surveillance passive exercée par le Ministère de la Santé et le Centre régional de la santé et de la lutte contre les épidémies (HAEC). Les suspicions cliniques de fièvre typhoïde ont été confirmées par hémoculture ou par réaction sérologique en présence d’antigène O (test de Widal). RÉSULTATS: Au bout de 19 mois, on a dénombré 23 cas de fièvre typhoïde confirmés par culture dans le groupe placebo contre 7 cas dans le groupe Vi (efficacité protectrice (EP) = 69% ; intervalle de confiance à 95% (IC 95 %) : 28-87 %). La plupart des isolements ont été réalisés chez les enfants d’âge scolaire, avec 22 cas dans le groupe placebo contre 6 cas dans le groupe Vi (EP = 72%; IC 95%: 32-82 %). Aucune réaction grave n’a été observée après l’injection. Le vaccin polyosidique Vi de production locale a montré des taux d’efficacité protectrice similaires à ceux des vaccins produits dans les pays industrialisés. CONCLUSION: La dose légèrement plus forte de vaccin n’a pas semblé modifier l’efficacité de fac¸on significative en Chine.