Differential regulation on C5 expression in goose versus mammals by glucose/palmitate provides a potential protection for goose fatty liver

Goose fatty liver is a specific type of nonalcoholic fatty liver that is protected from harmful effects associated with severe steatosis. Our previous findings suggest that suppression of the complement C5 may be relevant, but the mechanism is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we first verified the expression pattern of complement genes (including C5) during goose fatty liver formation and then determined the liver fat content and fatty acid composition by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by selecting the differential metabolites to treat HepG2, goose and mouse primary hepatocytes, aiming to explore the mechanism of C5 and inflammation suppression in goose fatty liver. The data confirmed the suppression of complement genes (including C5) in goose fatty livers. Moreover, fat content was significantly higher in fatty liver versus normal ones, with oleic acid and palmitic acid dominantly accounting for the difference. In line with this, high concentration of palmitate led to down regulation of C5 expression in goose primary hepatocytes whereas upregulation in mouse primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, regulation on C5 expression by fatty liver related factors including high level of palmitic acid may contribute to the protection of goose liver from severe hepatic steatosis.     

Effects of Feeding Frequency on Apparent Energy and Nutrient Digestibility/Availability of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Reared at Optimal and Suboptimal Temperatures

This study examined the effects of feeding frequency (daily versus every other day [EOD]) on nutrient digestibility/availability of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, reared at optimal (30 C) and suboptimal (24 C) temperatures. A 28% protein practical diet was used as the test diet, and chromic oxide was used at 0.75% of the diet as a maker. Twenty channel catfish of a mean weight of 141 g/fish were stocked into 12 flow‐through aquaria (110 L). Fish were fed daily or EOD to apparent satiation for 7 d before fecal samples were collected by the dissection method. Fish fed EOD to apparent satiation consumed more diet on days fed than those fed daily, and fish reared at 30 C consumed more diet than those reared at 24 C. Neither feeding frequency nor water temperature significantly affected apparent digestibility coefficients for energy and protein and apparent availability coefficients for total amino acids. Results show no advantage by feeding EOD over feeding daily on nutrient digestibility and diet utilization efficiency.     

The efficiency of nitrogen in cattle manures when applied to a double‐annual forage cropping system

The use of cattle manure (CM) for fertilization presents challenges for optimizing nitrogen (N) use. Our work aimed to assess N efficiencies, in a 6‐year experiment with three biennial rotations of four crops: oat–sorghum (first year) and ryegrass–maize (second year) in a rainfed humid Mediterranean area of Spain. Fertilization treatments included the following: control (no N), 250 kg mineral N ha^?1 year^?1 (250MN), three CM rates (supplying 170, 250 and 500 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) and four treatments where the two lowest CM rates were complemented with either 80 or 160 kg mineral N ha^?1 year^?1. Treatments were distributed randomly in each of three blocks. Maximum dry‐matter yield (~44–49 t ha^?1 rotation^?1) was achieved in the third rotation, and only the control and the 170CM yielded significantly less. Within the limitations of the EU Nitrate Directive, the N steady state supply of 170CM always requires a complement of mineral N (80 kg N ha^?1) to maximize N agronomic efficiency. The maximum N‐fertilizer replacement value (250CM vs. 250MN) was 0·67, without significant differences between the two treatments in other N‐related efficiency indexes, which indicates that plants took advantage of residual‐N effects. Nitrogen losses by leaching in the 250CM treatment were around 5–7% of the N applied. This reinforces the sustainability of manure recycling in long cropping seasons.     

烯效唑生物学效用研究进展

烯效唑是一种高效低毒的三唑类植物生长延缓剂,兼有良好的杀菌作用。它通过降低贝壳杉烯氧化酶活性,阻碍GA的生物合成从而抑制植物生长。烯效唑使植株体内产生一系列的生理效应,对促进植株矮健、抗倒伏和防衰老等都具有明显效果,尤其是在作物面对逆境(如干旱、高温、低温、盐害、内涝和病害等)的胁迫时,烯效唑能显著增强作物对逆境的抵抗能力,从而达到增产目的。本文对国内外有关烯效唑的作用机理、应用效果及抗逆性表现等方面的研究进展进行综述。     

Silage and total mixed ration hygienic quality on commercial farms: implications for animal production

Implications of silage hygienic quality for animal production were investigated on forty‐five dairy farms in South West England. Samples of grass and maize silages and of total mixed rations (TMR) were obtained together with information on silage technology, herd size and animal production. Samples were analysed for mycotoxins, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and chemical composition. Thirteen mycotoxins were assayed, but none were detected in the samples of grass silage. However, mycotoxins were found in 0·9 of all maize and other silage samples, with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone predominating. There was no relationship between total mycotoxin concentration and mean lactation milk yield per cow. Enterobacteria counts tended to be higher in maize silage than in grass silage and higher still in TMR – a cause for concern. There were no relationships between mould counts and mycotoxin concentrations in silages, implying that mycotoxins may have been produced in the field pre‐ensiling.     

栀子和玉兰花提取物对烤烟主要化学成分及致香物质含量影响

以湘烟5号为材料,通过盆栽试验,探讨不同浓度植物提取物对烤烟主要化学成分及致香物质含量的影响。结果表明,喷施栀子花和玉兰花汁液提取物有利于烟叶原料主要化学成分含量的改善,与对照相比,喷施处理的上部橘黄二级（B2F）和中部橘黄三级（C3F）烟叶还原糖含量分别高15.0%~21.1%和14.3%~17.7%,钾含量分别高5.7%~13.9%和7.4%~14.0%;与对照相比,喷施处理的烟叶的石油醚提取物、类胡萝卜素降解物、降解产物、茄酮、非酶棕色化反应产物、芳香族氨基酸裂解产物、新植二烯和中性致香物质总量,上部橘黄二级（B2F）烟叶分别高10.0%~20.9%、11.2%~20.9%、9.6%~20.2%、9.8%~21.1%、10.8%~22.5%、11.2%~23.0%、14.9%~24.7%和11.9%~22.1%,中部橘黄三级（C3F）烟叶分别高13.5%~24.1%、11.3%~21.0%、11.4%~20.0%、10.8%~18.7%、13.1%~21.2%、10.1%~19.1%、17.5%~27.0%和18.1%~27.6%;烟叶感官质量评价权重得分高于对照。栀子花和玉兰花汁液提取物对烟叶主要化学成分及致香物质含量的作用效果以施用量3.5~5.0g/株的处理最佳。     

A genetic linkage map in southern‐by‐spring oat identifies multiple quantitative trait loci for adaptation and rust resistance

We developed 178 recombinant inbred lines from a southern‐by‐spring oat population designated as “TxH.” These lines were genotyped to generate a high‐quality linkage map that resolved 6,902 markers into 21 linkage groups that matched closely with the latest hexaploid oat consensus map. Three major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date were found in locations that are consistent with known QTLs and candidate genes, and two other QTLs affecting heading date were found in novel locations. Five QTLs affecting plant height were found. Both sets of QTLs are responsible for transgressive segregation observed for these two traits. Four QTLs affecting resistance to crown rust, caused by the pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, were identified. Two of these QTLs are consistent with known clusters of rust resistance genes, while two may represent new locations of novel rust resistance genes. A complete set of SNP sequences suitable for generating markers for molecular selection is provided.     

Whitened kernel surface: A fast and reliable method for assessing Fusarium severity on cereal grains by digital picture analysis

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a cereal disease of major importance responsible for yield losses and mycotoxin contaminations in grains. Here, we introduce a new measurement approach to quantify FHB severity on grains based on the evaluation of the whitened kernel surface (WKS) using digital image analysis. The applicability of WKS was assessed on two bread wheat and one triticale grain sample sets (265 samples). Pearson correlation coefficients between Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK) and WKS range from r = 0.77 to r = 0.81 and from r = 0.61 to r = 0.86 for the correlation between deoxynivalenol (DON) content and WKS. This new scoring method facilitates fast and reliable assessment of the resistance to kernel infection and shows significant correlation with mycotoxin content. WKS can be automated and does not suffer from the “human factor” inherent to visual scorings. As a low‐cost and fast approach, this method appears particularly attractive for breeding and genetic analysis of FHB resistance where typically large numbers of experimental lines need to be evaluated, and for which WKS is suggested as an alternative to visual FDK scorings.     

Effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus

AIM:To investigate the effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus. METHODS:The asthmatic rat model induced by respiratory syncytial virus was established. The experimental rats were divided into normal group, asthma model group, low dose (0.33 mL/kg), middle dose (3.0 mL/kg) and high dose (10 mL/kg) of Kechuanning groups, and PD98059 (3 mg/kg) group. The airway responsiveness of the rats was measured by animal ventilator. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. PAS staining and Masson staining were used to observe goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissues of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the airway responsiveness of the rats in middle dose and high dose of Kechuanning groups was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the injury of lung tissues was significantly decreased, the goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissues was also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in high dose of Kechuanning group was significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Kechuanning may treat asthma by regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 in the lung tissues and improving the airway remodeling symptoms of asthmatic rats induced by virus.     

考虑土壤水平衡的灌区水资源优化配置研究

针对内蒙古河套灌区解放闸灌域地下水埋深较浅且矿化度高及黄河水量逐年减少等因素导致的农业用水严重短缺问题,本研究以解放闸灌域玉米为研究对象,耦合Jensen模型与土壤水平衡模型构建灌区尺度灌溉水资源优化配置模型,对不同的地下水埋深及土壤含水量情景下水资源优化配置方案进行研究,并利用Lingo软件编程求解模型。结果表明:当地下水埋深为2.5m时,引黄水量为3.85×10~8 m~3,可以达到5.55×10~8元的净经济效益;而土壤水含量为0.12～0.16时,净经济效益为[5.41,5.67]×108元。优化结果验证了模型在当地可行,并针对河套灌区解放闸灌域的不同土壤含水量与地下水埋深情景分别提供14种配水方案。