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.     

Getting cosy in freshwater: Assumed to be brackish pike are not so brackish after all

Pike (Esox lucius) occupy coastal streams and rivers of the Baltic Sea, where they attain large sizes (>5 kg). These large sizes are perhaps due to the fact that they can tolerate relatively high salinities and can thus forage in the nearby more productive brackish environments. In an attempt to quantify the extent to which pike utilise brackish environments, and to provide some insight into the underlying causes for brackish water migrations, we tagged 30 pike from a western Baltic river with acoustic transmitters and were able to track 21 individuals for 1 year. Based on experienced from local anglers, this population was assumed to be brackish in nature, where individuals underwent freshwater migrations to spawn. Our findings however suggest that the smallest and most active individuals make short exits into brackish waters and do so on rare occasions. Our results further indicate that neither sex nor size is related to activity level. We suggest that these patterns reflect two distinct behaviours—active and passive—and that large pike can be supported by the food availability in the river, without the need to venture into coastal zones, thus defying the conventional view that Baltic pike are all brackish in nature.     

异速对辊式玉米秸秆粉碎还田装置设计与试验

针对玉米秸秆量大、韧性强,导致还田后秸秆粉碎不均匀影响后续整地和播种等问题,该研究提出了一种异速对辊及动态双支撑形式的玉米秸秆粉碎还田方式,并研制了相应的玉米秸秆还田装置,主要由捡拾粉碎单元、对辊滑切支撑单元、支撑板和机壳等组成。在异速动态双支撑条件下,通过对作业过程中玉米秸秆动力学分析和秸秆漏捡面积分析,对捡拾粉碎刀和对辊滑切支撑刀进行设计,建立了影响秸秆粉碎合格率的数学模型。以捡拾粉碎刀转速、L型甩刀折弯角、L型甩刀刃口长度和滑切支撑刀滑切角为因素,秸秆粉碎合格率为试验指标进行Box-Behnken试验。田间试验结果表明:当滑切支撑刀滑切角45°、捡拾粉碎刀转速1 700 r/min、L型甩刀刃口长度45 mm和L型甩刀折弯角40°时,玉米秸秆粉碎合格率为92.58%,与预测值误差5%,满足国家标准要求。该研究提出的秸秆粉碎还田方式和研制的秸秆粉碎装置为玉米秸秆粉碎还田机设计和优化提供新的方案和技术支撑。     

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.