Long-Term and Immediate Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Chronic Lameness in the Horse: A Pilot Study

The effects of whole body vibration (WBV) in horses with chronic lameness were evaluated in an experimental, single subject, repeated measure design. To assess the long-term effect of WBV, eight horses not previously exposed to WBV were subject to WBV, 30 minutes twice daily, five days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine. Lameness was assessed subjectively and objectively 30 days before the start, at the start and 30 and 60 days after the start of the treatment (WBV). The immediate effect of WBV was assessed in four horses accustomed to WBV, by comparing lameness before and within 30 minutes of a single 30-minute WBV session at four different time intervals. Change in lameness was sought using paired t tests on the kinematic data. A P-value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Intraindividual change was sought using a subjective and objective scoring system. No statistically significant change in lameness was seen after 30 or 60 days of WBV, respectively, in the chronically lame horses not previously exposed to WBV. However, a trend toward improvement was observed after the first 30 days of WBV, but this improvement appeared to be lost during the second 30 days of WBV. Although a statistically significant worsening of front limb lameness was seen immediately after a single 30-minute WBV session in the chronically lame horses accustomed to WBV, this result was largely attributed to a very significant worsening of the front limb lameness in one horse within that group.     

Comparative study on dietary protein requirements for juvenile and pre‐adult gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

Two 8‐week growth trials were conducted in indoor recirculation system to evaluate the protein requirements for juvenile (3.70 ± 0.20 g) and pre‐adult (85.2 ± 0.70 g) gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III. Six isoenergetic diets were formulated for each trial using fish meal and casein as protein sources, and protein level was 250–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 200–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2. With the increasing dietary protein, feeding rate (FR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Weight gain (WG) increased first and then reached a plateau in 330–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 (P > 0.05), while decreased after the maximum value in 350 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Productive protein values (PPVs) were lower in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 400–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Increasing dietary protein level increased protein content and decreased lipid content in whole fish body and white muscle (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matters (ADC_d) decreased, while apparent digestibility coefficient of protein (ADC_p) increased in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 250–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Trypsin activity significantly increased in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 (P < 0.05) and was not affected in Trial 2 (P > 0.05). Hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in both trials increased when dietary protein was above 400 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Based on quadratic regression of WG, it was estimated that dietary protein requirement for maximum growth was 414 g kg^?1 (digestible protein of 376 g kg^?1) and 365 g kg^?1 (digestible protein of 324 g kg^?1) for juvenile (3.70 g) and pre‐adult gibel carp (85.2 g).     

Phenotypic indicators for cultured pearl size improvement in the black‐lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera): towards selection for the recipient growth performance

The black‐lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, is the most important farmed species in French Polynesia and the basis of the most valuable export industry. Mass production of black pearls relies on a surgical operation requiring tissue from a donor pearl oyster to be grafted, together with a nucleus made of shell, into the gonad of a recipient oyster. Improving pearl size through family selection remains one of the main challenges for future aquaculture development. This study analyses the relative contribution of donor and recipient oysters to pearl size. To this end, hatchery‐produced donor oysters of two batches, large and small (based on shell height), were used to supply grafts for recipients, which were then monitored individually for their growth performance by recording shell height, width, and thickness, and total live weight (flesh + shells) every 6 months (four biometric measurement times) over 20 months of culture. Pearls issued from the two batches of donors showed no significant differences in nacre weight or thickness. In contrast, recipient oyster shell height and total weight were increasingly positively correlated with these pearl size parameters over the culture period, becoming significant at 8 months post‐grafting. Potential therefore exists to use shell height and oyster weight as phenotypic indicators for selective breeding of recipient oysters with high growth performance to increase pearl size in P. margaritifera.     

Cultivation effects on soil texture and fertility in an arid desert region of northwestern China

In arid desert regions of northwestern China, reclamation and subsequent irrigated cultivation have become effective ways to prevent desertification, expand arable croplands, and develop sustainable agricultural production. Improvement in soil texture and fertility is crucial to high soil quality and stable crop yield. However, knowledge on the long-term effects of the conversion of desert lands into arable croplands is very limited. To address this problem, we conducted this study in an arid desert region of northwestern China to understand the changes in soil physical-chemical properties after 0, 2, 5, 10, 17, and 24 years of cultivation. Our results showed that silt and clay contents at the 17-year-old sites increased 17.5 and 152.3 folds, respectively, compared with that at the 0-year-old sites. The soil aggregate size fraction and its stability exhibited an exponential growth trend with increasing cultivation ages, but no significant change was found for the proportion of soil macroaggregates (>5.00 mm) during the 17 years of cultivation. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content at the 24-year-old sites was 6.86 g/kg and increased 8.8 folds compared with that at the 0-year-old sites. The total (or available) nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents showed significant increasing trends and reached higher values after 17 (or 24) years of cultivation. Changes in soil physical-chemical properties successively experienced slow, rapid, and stable development stages, but some key properties (such as soil aggregate stability and SOC) were still too low to meet the sustainable agricultural production. The results of this long-term study indicated that reasonable agricultural management, such as expanding no-tillage land area, returning straw to the fields, applying organic fertilizer, reducing chemical fertilizer application, and carrying out soil testing for formula fertilization, is urgently needed in arid desert regions.     

基于改进权重湿润指数的东北地区春玉米涝渍灾害评估方法

【目的】研究东北地区春玉米涝渍灾害评估方法,为气候变化背景下东北地区春玉米合理生产和管理提供科学依据。【方法】以权重湿润指数为基础,采用作物需水量代替参考作物蒸散量,构建改进权重湿润指数;运用1986—2015年东北地区春玉米生育期内涝渍灾害事件与改进权重湿润指数耦合方法、基于K-S检验的正态分布显著性检验方法和t-分布区间估计方法等,确定基于改进权重湿润指数的东北地区春玉米不同生育阶段涝渍强度分级阈值;从农田土壤相对湿度与改进权重湿润指数相关性和拟合关系检验,改进权重湿润指数、权重湿润指数评估结果与历史灾情结果一致性检验,以及典型年份涝渍灾变过程动态评估准确性检验3个方面,对改进权重湿润指数评估春玉米涝渍灾害的精度进行验证;分析东北地区春玉米不同生育阶段涝渍强度空间格局,揭示其规律特征。【结果】（1）改进权重湿润指数与不同深度的土壤相对湿度均达到极显著相关（P<0.001）,除玉米快速发育期外,其他生育期内二者相关系数最大值均出现在20 cm深度土壤相对湿度;将不同生育阶段改进权重湿润指数与20 cm深度土壤相对湿度间进行Slogistic曲线拟合,决定系数（R ²）最大值出现在生育中期（0.46）,其后依次是生育后期（0.34）、快速发育期（0.31）和初始生长期（0.21）,均方根误差（RMSE）最小值出现在生育后期（0.49）,其后依次是生育中期（0.51）、初始生长期（0.52）和快速发育期（0.56）,不同生育阶段拟合曲线中90%的20 cm土壤相对湿度所对应的改进权重湿润指数值最小值出现在初始生长期（0.77）,其后依次是快速发育期（1.12）、生育中期（1.21）和生育后期（1.25）。（2）与随机预留的春玉米涝渍灾害事件测试样本中灾情判定结果相比,权重湿润指数评估结果的完全准确率为26.7%,部分准确率为66.7%;改进权重湿润指数评估结果的完全准确率为66.7%,部分准确率为93.3%。（3）以嫩江、白城和沈阳3个代表站点1998年春玉米生育期内涝渍灾害为例,对比降水、权重湿润指数和改进权重湿润指数随时间变化的过程曲线,发现改进权重湿润指数所反映的当年涝渍发生时间和强度等级与灾情资料更为相符,而其大小还可直观表征涝渍强度动态变化。（4）春玉米不同生育阶段各强度等级的涝渍频率差别较大,黑龙江中部、吉林东南部、辽宁东南部为中度及以上涝渍频率的高发区,生育中期是中度及以上涝渍频率高发期。【结论】基于改进权重湿润指数的东北地区春玉米不同生育阶段涝渍强度分级阈值划分方法结果可靠,可表征农田涝渍实际发生状况;相对于权重湿润指数而言,改进权重湿润指数不仅对春玉米涝渍灾害评估准确率更高,而且更适于对涝渍灾变过程的跟踪和动态评估,对于揭示气候变化背景下东北地区春玉米涝渍灾变机制和时空演变规律具有重要意义。     

Effect of feeding different sources of selenium on growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers

ABSTRACT

1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on breast and liver tissue deposition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME), growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers, measured as Se content in liver and breast tissues and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood, when used in 0–35 d broiler chicken diets.

2. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broilers were used in the feeding trial, which comprised two dietary phases, a starter from 0 to 21 d and finisher from 21 to 35 d of age. Four treatments with 10 replications each were used. A control diet (C) was formulated that was sufficient in protein and energy (230 and 215 g/kg of crude protein and 12.67 and 13.11 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, respectively), for both phases, but contained background Se only from the feed ingredients. Diet 2 (IS) was supplemented with 10.35 g/t inorganic, elemental source of Se. Diet 3 (SY) was supplemented with 136.36 g/t selenised yeast, an organic source derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diet 4 (SS) was supplemented with 0.666 g/t sodium selenite, an inorganic source.

3. Birds fed the SY diet consumed less and weighed less than those fed IS or C (P < 0.05; 0–35 d of age), but there was no difference compared to birds fed SS diets. There were no differences in FCR or dietary AME between broilers fed different Se sources. All diets containing supplementary Se increased concentrations in the liver and breast muscle, and for GSH-Px levels in blood compared to birds fed the C diet (P < 0.001). Birds fed SY diets had greater Se levels in liver and breast tissues compared to birds fed any of the other diets (P < 0.001).

4. Diets supplemented with Se had variable effects on broiler growth performances and antioxidant status. Feeding Se from a yeast source has higher transfer into breast tissues. Feeding different sources and levels of Se to birds in a more challenging situation to induce oxidative stress may bring more conclusive results.     

基于AHP-CRITIC复合加权法评价不同发育期苦水玫瑰品质

运用AHP-CRITIC复合加权法评价不同发育期苦水玫瑰的品质。以不同发育期的苦水玫瑰为研究对象,测定总多糖、总黄酮、总多酚含量及抗氧化活性,采用AHP-CRITIC复合加权法综合评价不同发育期苦水玫瑰的品质。结果发现抗氧化IC50、总黄酮、总多酚、总多糖4个指标成分的复合权重分别为0.294 1、0.152 3、0.158 8、0.394 8;幼蕾期、花蕾期、盛开期苦水玫瑰质量综合评分分别为54.362 0、38.451 9、33.801 9,即幼蕾期苦水玫瑰的质量最好,花蕾期次之,盛开期较差。说明通过化学成分和生物活性作用综合评价不同发育期苦水玫瑰的品质,幼蕾期苦水玫瑰品质最好。     

Removal of a metallic foreign body from the tongue of three horses

The objective of this case report is to describe the diagnostic and surgical techniques for removal of a metallic foreign body in the tongue of three adult horses. The three horses were presented for evaluation and treatment of dysphagia and marked hypersalivation of 3–5 days duration. Radiographs of the head revealed the presence of a metallic foreign body in the tongue of each horse. The foreign bodies could be precisely localised under general anaesthesia using palpation and lingual ultrasonography and/or lingual radiography in combination with a forceps as a marker. The foreign bodies were successfully removed using laparoscopic instruments creating minimal soft tissue trauma. The use of long (43 cm) small laparoscopic (5 mm) instruments enabled good visualisation of the surgical field, providing optimal conditions for successful minimally invasive surgical treatment of horses with foreign bodies in the tongue. The three horses made uneventful recoveries and 12 months after surgery were eating normally and could be ridden with a bit as per usual routine. It was concluded that using long laparoscopic instruments in combination with palpation, ultrasonography and/or radiography allowed removal of the foreign body creating minimal soft tissue trauma and allowing optimal conditions for a fast recovery.     

略阳乌鸡体重和产蛋数性状遗传参数估计

【目的】略阳乌鸡是陕西省特有的家禽品种,该品种具有体型大、肉质好、氨基酸含量丰富、对林地散养适应性强的优点,但也存在生长缓慢,产蛋性能差的不足。为此,在系统测定略阳乌鸡生产性能的基础上,开展对体重和产蛋性状遗传参数的估计,阐明遗传效应对上述性状的调控作用及性状间的遗传关系,期望为这些性状的选育奠定理论基础。【方法】对略阳乌鸡蛋用系一世代71个半同胞家系799只公鸡和804只母鸡6、10、14、20周龄和开产日龄体重进行测定,以个体为单位记录从开产到31、35和40周龄产蛋数,以四分位数±1.5倍四分位距为界删除异常值,更正性别记录错误。以性别为固定效应,育种值为随机效应用单变量动物模型估计各性状遗传力,用双变量动物模型估计性状间遗传相关,用逆伽玛分布指定育种值和残差项方差先验分布,用贝叶斯算法执行130 000次迭代,弃去前30 000次迭代结果,以100为间隔抽取1 000个估计值获得方差和协方差后验分布,计算各性状遗传力和性状间遗传相关。用R语言PerformanceAnalytics软件包chart.Correlation命令计算性状间表型相关。【结果】略阳乌鸡6、10、14、20周龄公鸡体重为（0.56±0.07）、（1.07±0.13）、（1.56±0.19）、（1.97±0.21）kg,母鸡体重为（0.47±0.06）、（0.86±0.12）、（1.18±0.16）、（1.48±0.19）kg,开产体重为（1.68±0.23）kg;31、35和40周产蛋数为（31.2±11.5）、（42.5±16.7）和（54.7±20.4）枚。体重遗传力随年龄逐渐减小,分别为0.74、0.76、0.63、0.54和0.52,置信区间在0.25—0.33之间。产蛋数遗传力为0.27、0.25和0.26,置信区间在0.35—0.42之间。10、14、20周龄体重间维持中等偏上（0.52—0.68）的遗传相关性,但6周龄体重（0.21—0.52）和开产体重（0.21—0.46）与各时间点体重遗传相关性较弱。体重间遗传相关系数置信区间在0.13—0.34之间。在3个时间点产蛋数间遗传相关系数趋近于1,置信区间在0.03—0.06之间。体重和产蛋数间遗传相关系数均不显著。在时间维度上,各体重性状间表型相关系数在0.43—0.90之间（P<0.001）,产蛋数性状间表型相关系数在0.79—0.94之间（P<0.001）。6—20周龄体重与产蛋数间维持了弱（0.023—0.15）正相关关系,但开产体重与产蛋数存在弱负相关关系（-0.17—-0.14）。【结论】首次估计了略阳乌鸡品种特异性的遗传参数,发现略阳乌鸡体重性状主要受遗传效应调控,而产蛋数性状受环境影响更大,阐明了早期与晚期性状间、体重与产蛋数间的遗传关系,为早期选种和多性状育种奠定了理论基础。这些结果建议在略阳乌鸡群体中对体重性状表型选择有望取得良好效果,但对产蛋数性状应建立纯系利用杂种优势;体重和产蛋数间不存在负遗传相关关系,可同时对两个性状选育提高。     

黑斑侧褶蛙变态前后身体大小的变化 及对植物血凝素的反应模式

为了解不同发育阶段黑斑侧褶蛙（Pelophylax nigromaculatus）身体大小和对植物血凝素（Phytohemagglutinin-P，PHA-P）溶液的反应，在室温为（25±2）℃条件下，戈斯纳37、38～39、40～41、42～43、44～45和46期蝌蚪被取样，测定了体重、体长、尾长、体全长和重长比，以及注射PHA-P溶液前（0 h）和注射后3，6，9和12 h被注射部位皮肤组织的增厚程度的变化。不同发育阶段蝌蚪的体重无显著差异（P>0.05），体长、尾长和体全长均随发育进程推进而缩短（P<0.05），但重长比在登陆前后明显增大（P<0.05）。登陆前（37～43期）蝌蚪对PHA-P的反应的峰值出现于注射后3 h（P<0.05），登陆后（44～45期和46期）出现于注射后6 h（P<0.05），但不同发育阶段的最大PHA-P反应无明显的组间差异（P>0.05）。黑斑侧褶蛙登陆后尾部萎缩，重长比明显增加，这些特征有利于提高其对陆生环境的适应性，但对PHA-P的反应的峰值被延迟，这可能是造成蝌蚪登陆后存活率低的主要原因之一。