Molecular cloning of the swine interleukin-23 subunit p19 and of its receptor components interleukin-23Rα and -12Rβ1

Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 play central roles in the regulation of distinct helper T-cell subsets, i.e. Th1 and Th17, respectively. Although IL-12 and IL-23 have been well studied in human and rodent systems, little is known about their significance in other animals, including livestock mammals such as cattle and pigs. In this study, we performed molecular cloning and genetic characterization of a small component of swine IL-23, i.e., IL-23p19; in addition, we identified and performed chromosomal assignment of the genes encoding its receptor (R) subunits IL-23Rα and IL-12Rβ1. These results provide genetic information about both swine IL-23/IL-23R and IL-12/IL-12R systems, which allows for better understanding of IL-12/IL-23 systems involved in pig immunity.     

Fish oil supplementation improved liver phospholipids fatty acid composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male wistar rats

In the present study, we examined the effects of fish oil supplementation in 3 months old male Wistar rats on changes in plasma and liver lipid metabolism and oxidative stress parameters. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals: control group and intervention group, treated for 6 weeks with fish oil capsules containing 45 mg eicosapentanoic acid and 30 mg docosahexanoic acid. After intervention, biochemical parameters in plasma [triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol, urea, creatinine and uric acid], fatty acid (FAs) profile of liver phospholipids and parameters of oxidative stress in liver [activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and paraoxonase (PON1), concentration of nitrites, lipid peroxidation (LPO), free thiol (SH) groups and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) izoenzymes were determined. Treatment with fish oil improved FAs profile of liver phospholipids, increasing n‐3 FAs and decreasing n‐6/n‐3 ratio. Significant decrease in plasma TG and LDL concentration, and increase in the level of HDL and uric acid were found in intervention group at the end of the study. Catalase activity, LPO, and nitrites concentration in liver were significantly decreased, after the supplementation, together with elevated PON1 activity. Applied treatment significantly improved plasma lipid profile, liver FAs composition and parameters of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats.     

A Natural Forest of Commercial Timber Species: Logging or Not Logging

Most tropical forests outside protected areas have been or will be selectively logged because the timber industry is a main income-generating resource for many developing countries. Therefore, understanding the composition of commercial timber species and logging types is key for sustainable forest management in countries like Vietnam as they move toward fulfilling Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) agreements. Seven 1-ha plots were surveyed in the Central Highland of Vietnam, and 18 commercial tree species from these plots, whose timber is widely used by local people for housing and furniture making and timber is easily sold at local markets for high prices, were analyzed. In total, 151 tree species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥?10 cm were recorded. The 18 commercially valuable species assessed in this study accounted for 33.2% of all stems (total of 524 stems ha^?1 for all species), 47.1% of basal area (total of 34.35 m² ha^?1 for all species), and 50.8% of aboveground biomass/AGB (total of 262.68 Mg ha^?1 for all species). Practicing diameter-limit harvesting of all commercially valuable species with DBH of ≥?40 cm, which is widely performed in Vietnam, will reduce the number of stems by 7%, basal area by 31.6%, and AGB by 38.2%. Because such harvesting practices cause severe ecological impacts on the remaining forest, logged forests may require >?40 years to recover the structure status of a pre-logged forest. In addition, the recovery of the 18 commercially valuable species may require a much longer time because they comprised 33.2% of stems. Permission for logging natural forests should be given in Vietnam to sustain lives of local communities, where logging has been prohibited. However, alternative harvesting systems, such as reduced-impact logging systems, should be considered. The systems selected must simultaneously generate economic returns for local people and respect the REDD+ agreements with regard to protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions.     

Enhanced immune responses and effectiveness of refined outer membrane protein vaccines against Vibrio harveyi in orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Vibriosis is a severe infection occurring in many commercially important marine fish species. In this study, vaccines containing Vibrio harveyi recombinant outer membrane protein K (rOmpK), outer membrane protein U (rOmpU) and rOmpK‐OmpU fusion protein in addition to the metabolizable Montanide^TM ISA 763 A VG adjuvant were developed and evaluated in the orange‐spotted grouper. The results indicate that recombinant V. harveyi protein‐based vaccines resulted in a remarkably higher expression of IL‐1β and IL‐8 at 24 hr, and greater antibody production, as early as 2 weeks postimmunization. Notably, enhanced immune responses and significant protective efficacy against V. harveyi infections were observed in the fusion protein vaccine‐injected fishes with relative per cent survival value of 81.8%. Additionally, the rOmpK‐OmpU antisera presented a high bactericidal effect on not only V. harveyi, but also Vibrio parahaermolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus. Our results demonstrated that the fusion protein rOmpK‐OmpU was an effective vaccine candidate that exhibited potentially great versatility for controlling vibrio infections.     

High soil Mn and Al,as well as low leaf P concentration,may explain for low natural rubber productivity on a tropical acid soil in Vietnam

The aim of the current study was to identify major soil and leaf factors accounting for low natural rubber (NR, Hevea brasiliensis) productivity on tropical acid Acrisols in Vietnam. Twenty NR plots were measured with NR productivity, leaf factors (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, and Zn), soil factors (pH, particle size distribution, total C, N, P, K, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Fe, Zn, available P). Cluster analysis showed that NR productivity could be separated into three clusters with low (23.2), medium (38.2), and high (61.3 g tree^?1 harvest^?1) yield. High-yield cluster had higher leaf P concentration and soil pH, while low-yield cluster had higher leaf Mn, soil exchangeable Al, and Mn concentration. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis applied with backward elimination procedure suggested that leaf and soil toxic concentration may be responsible for low NR productivity in the study soil.     

Maximising growth and sawlog production from Acacia hybrid plantations in Vietnam

New Forests - Management options to optimise sawlog production from Acacia hybrid (A. mangium?×?A. auriculiformis) combining thinning and fertiliser treatments were applied at six...     

Incorporation of rice straw mitigates CH4 and N2O emissions in water saving paddy fields of Central Vietnam

This study evaluated the effects of rice straw and water regimes on CH₄ and N₂O emissions from paddy fields for two rice growing seasons (summer 2014 and spring 2015). Water regimes included alternating wet–dry irrigation (AWD) maintained at three levels (–5 cm, – 10 cm and –15 cm) in comparison to continuous flooding irrigation (CF). Rice straw (5 t ha^–1) was incorporated into the top soil (0 – 15 cm), distributed and burned in situ. Results showed that using burned in situ rice straw was found to reduce seasonal cumulative CH₄ emission (24–34% in summer; 18–28% in spring), N₂O emission (21–32% in summer; 22–29% in spring) and lower rice yield (8–9%) than rice straw incorporation into top soil. AWD methods reduced the amount of CH₄ production (22.6–41.5%) and increased N₂O emission (25–26%) without any decrease in rice yield. Rice straw incorporation into the top soil with AWD had higher water productivity (23–37%) than rice straw when burned in situ with CF. The results conclude that AWD and rice straw management can be employed as mitigation strategy for CH₄ and N₂O emissions from paddy fields in Central Vietnam.     

An evaluation of the small-scale sawmilling and timber processing industry in northern Vietnam and the need for planting particular indigenous species

This paper reports findings of surveys into small-scale sawmilling and timber processing in Phu Tho Province and the Tam Dao National Park buffer zone in northern Vietnam. The objective of these surveys was to examine the extent to which small sawmills and timber processors utilise farm-grown timber, so as to explore the prospects for expansion of farm-grown timber markets. The operational scope, supply chain and value chain of the industry are reported. Resource availability and current and future perspectives are discussed. Timber prices were found to vary greatly between species and study areas. Species most in demand by enterprises are Artocarpus heterophyllus, Melia azedarach, Manglietia conifera, Acacia spp., Chukrasia tabularis and Erythrophloeum fordii. Small-scale sawmilling and timber processing activities fit well with rural communities in Vietnam and have potential for further development if current constraints can be overcome. Further tree planting is needed to meet the presently unsatisfied timber demand and to create income and employment. Information from sawmillers and timber processors suggests the types of species that farmers should be considering for their plantings.     

Climate Factors as Important Determinants of Dengue Incidence in Curaçao

Macro‐ and microclimates may have variable impact on dengue incidence in different settings. We estimated the short‐term impact and delayed effects of climate variables on dengue morbidity in Curaçao. Monthly dengue incidence data from 1999 to 2009 were included to estimate the short‐term influences of climate variables by employing wavelet analysis, generalized additive models (GAM) and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) on rainfall, temperature and relative humidity in relation to dengue incidence. Dengue incidence showed a significant irregular 4‐year multi‐annual cycle associated with climate variables. Based on GAM, temperature showed a U‐shape, while humidity and rainfall exhibited a dome‐shaped association, suggesting that deviation from mean temperature increases and deviation from mean humidity and rainfall decreases dengue incidence, respectively. Rainfall was associated with an immediate increase in dengue incidence of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.2–8.1%) after a 10‐mm increase, with a maximum increase of 6.5% (95% CI: 3.2–10.0%) after 1.5 month lag. A 1°C decrease of mean temperature was associated with a RR of 17.4% (95% CI: 11.2–27.0%); the effect was inversed for a 1°C increase of mean temperature (RR= 0.457, 95% CI: 0.278–0.752). Climate variables are important determinants of dengue incidence and provide insight into its short‐term effects. An increase in mean temperature was associated with lower dengue incidence, whereas lower temperatures were associated with higher dengue incidence.     

越南竹产业现状及发展对策

在阐述了越南竹类资源概况及竹产业现状的基础上,总结出越南当前竹产业发展存在的主要问题,并有针对性地提出了如何使越南竹产业走向良性循环轨道的对策。