Effects of fish meal replaced by fermented soybean meal on growth performance,intestinal histology and microbiota of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) and soybean meal (SM) on growth performance, intestinal histology and microbiota of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The basal diet contained 350 g/kg FM (CON), and then, FM was replaced with SM and FSM at the ratios of 30% and 60% (SM‐30, SM‐60, FSM‐30 and FSM‐60), respectively. The largemouth bass (4.43 ± 0.13 g) were fed for 8 weeks. The results showed that weight gain of fish fed with FSM‐60 and SM‐60 diets was significantly lower, and feed conversion ratio of SM‐30, SM‐60 and FSM‐60 groups was significantly higher than the CON group (p < .05). The intestinal villus height of SM‐60 group and the villus width of SM‐60 and FSM‐60 group were significantly lower than the CON group (p < .05). The 30% FM replacement by SM and FSM significantly increased the abundance of Cetobacterium and Mycoplasma, respectively (p < .05). In conclusion, FSM could replace 30% FM in diet without negative impacts on the growth performance of largemouth bass, while the SM should be controlled below 30%.     

Characterization and expression of SLO1 potassium channels during spermatogenesis in Eriocheir sinensis

SLO1 potassium channels are pivotal to many aspects of spermatogenic cell. Experiments were conducted to assess physiology and function of SLO1 potassium channels in different developmental stages of spermatogenic cell in Eriocheir sinensis. First, the expression of SLO1 protein was examined via Western blot, RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays. The results showed that the expression of the SLO1 protein was not uniform in the spermatogenic cells of E. sinensis. Second, whole‐cell patch clamp technique was used to record the potassium current of spermatogenic cells and to analyse the electrophysiological characteristics of the potassium channels with the aid of inhibitors. It is proved that the potassium current in E. sinensis germ cells is associated with intracellular Ca²⁺, and the calcium‐activated potassium channel mediated by SLO1 protein is mainly large‐conductance Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ channels (BK_Ca). Based on these researches, the cDNA of SLO1 from testis was cloned and sequenced. The SLO1 protein contained domains bound to calcium ions, and the spatial structure formed by its tetramers constituted potassium channels. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SLO1 was much closer to Scylla paramamosain than other examined species. Finally, iberiotoxin (IbTX) and CdCl₂ were used to inhibit the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by A23187 and to explore the role of SLO1 potassium channels in the AR of E. sinensis. The experimental results showed that SLO1 potassium channels were expressed in E. sinensis spermatogenic cells and played an important role in the AR of crab sperm (SP).     

Successful outcome after surgical correction of large colon atresia in a colt foal

This report describes successful surgical correction and long-term survival of a case of large colon atresia in a 24-h-old Warmblood colt, referred with signs of unrelenting abdominal pain and a suspicion of meconium impaction. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination was indicative of large colon meconium impaction with secondary ileus. Due to deterioration of the foal, surgery was recommended. An atretic segment was found between the left ventral and dorsal large (ascending) colon. A band of fibrous tissue with no identifiable lumen connected the segments. Surgical correction was done by performing a stapled side-to-side anastomosis. Twelve days after surgery, the foal was discharged. Twenty-two months after discharge, the owner reported the foal developing as expected compared with its peers, but had a mild, self-limiting episode of colic at 20 months of age.     

Response of the soil macrofauna abundance and community structure to drought stress under agroforestry system in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

ABSTRACT

Soil macrofauna is vital for soil functions and soil-mediated processes in all ecosystems. However, environmental perturbations, such as drought, that threaten both the abundance and function of soil macrofauna remain mostly unexplored, particularly in an agroforestry system. We investigated the effects of drought on soil macrofauna abundance and vertical distribution under three different planting systems including two intercropping systems, comprising Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) intercropped with soybean (Glycine max) (Z-G) or bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) (Z-C), and one monoculture system, comprising only Z. bungeanum (Z). Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm, and soil macrofauna and chemical properties were analyzed. Soil dryness negatively affected soil macrofauna in all planting systems. Drought reduced the total macrofauna density, biomass, genera richness, and Pielou’s evenness. Additionally, drought significantly decreased density and biomass of Drawida and Eisenia but had no effect on Carabid beetles. Soil macrofauna density was highest in the Z-G intercropping system and higher at 0–10 cm than at other soil depths. These results indicate that intercropping soybean rather than bell pepper increases the abundance and biomass of soil macrofauna, and drought remarkably impacts the response of soil macrofauna to planting systems.     

运用植被指数时序特征对落叶松人工林分类

为探究植被指数时序特征是否有利于落叶松人工林提取,以孟家岗林场为研究试验区域,根据落叶松人工林季相和物候特征,利用Landsat8OLI影像数据提取研究区内5种植被的归一化植被指数(I NDV)、差值植被指数(I DV)、比值植被指数(I RV)、增强型植被指数(I EV),构建相应的植被指数时序特征。采用最大似然和随机森林两种方法对单一时相影像和加入植被指数时序特征的影像进行对比试验。结果表明:影像中加入植被指数时序特征后,最大似然算法的分类总体精度为89.53%,Kappa系数为0.87,比单一时序特征的影像分类精度提高了13.35%;随机森林算法的森林类型分类总体精度为93.22%,Kappa系数为0.92,比单一时序特征的影像分类精度提高了19.8%。因此,加入植被指数时序特征后能得到更高的落叶松人工林提取精度。     

Sorbent Materials Characterization Based on Mechanical or Thermal Pretreated Montmorillonite Modified by Surfactant Loading for Improved Chromium Retention

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The treatment efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus species, immobilized in sodium alginate, was evaluated for removing nitrate from groundwater....     

Management strategies for forage rape (Brassica napus L. cv Goliath): Impact on dry-matter yield,plant reserves,morphology and nutritive value

Limited information is available on the grazing management principles of forage rape (Brassica napus L.), particularly in relation to grazing height and intensity and the impact of these on dry-matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the effect of three defoliation heights (plant height at harvest; DH: 40, 70 and 90 cm; L, M and H DH respectively) and three defoliation intensities (height at which plants were cut; DI: 5, 20 and 35 cm of residual height; H, M and L DI respectively) on forage rape (cv Goliath) yield and nutritive value at two harvests (harvest 1, H1 and harvest 2, H2), and the impact of nitrogen (N) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves on regrowth. Increasing DH from L to H increased estimated total DM yield (H1 plus H2) from 0.5 to 4.6 t DM/ha but DI did not affect yield. Dry-matter yield was optimized at 90 cm DH, but greater nutritive value was achieved by harvesting at lower levels of DH. Despite high in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD; 852–889 g/kg), harvesting at 90 cm DH could not meet the protein requirement of lactating dairy cows and harvesting at lower levels risks nitrate poisoning. Our results indicate the optimum DH may be between 70 and 90 cm DH, and 20 and 35 cm DI, which requires further studies.     

Establishment techniques affect productivity,nutritive value and atmospheric N2 fixation of two sunn hemp cultivars

Nitrogen fertilization is a common practice for sustaining forage production in forage systems in southeastern United States. Warm-season annual legumes may be an alternative forage to warm-season perennial grasses that do not require N fertilization. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is a fast-growing, warm-season annual legume native to India and Pakistan. The objective of this 2-year study was to assess the herbage accumulation (HA), atmospheric N₂ fixation (ANF) and nutritive value of sunn hemp. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of two sunn hemp cultivars (“Crescent Sun” and “Blue Leaf”), three seeding rates (17, 28 and 39 kg seed/ha) and seed inoculation (inoculated or non-inoculated seeds), distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Crescent sun had greater HA (3,218 vs. 1764 kg DM/ha) and ANF (41 vs. 25 kg N/ha). Blue leaf had greater crude protein (CP) (188 vs. 176 g/kg) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations (564 vs. 531 g/kg) than crescent sun. Non-inoculated seed had greater CP than inoculated seed, 188 and 177 g/kg, respectively, and inoculation did not affect HA. Intermediate seeding rate (28 kg/ha) decreased HA (2002 kg DM/ha), while HA from high and low seeding rates (17 and 39 kg/ha, respectively) did not differ (2,863 and 2,615 kg DM/ha respectively). Planting non-inoculated crescent sun at 17 kg/ha seeding rate is a feasible management practice to produce sunn hemp in subtropical regions; however, inoculation should always be recommended for proper establishment.     

In vitro ruminal fermentation parameters and methane production of Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha) in a silvopastoral system associated with levels of protein supplementation

The addition of protein supplementation in a silvopastoral system can contribute to improved forage intake and digestibility. Our objective was to evaluate in vitro ruminal parameters, digestibility and gas production of Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster] in a silvopastoral system and compare this to parameters obtained from diets with protein supplementation. Forage was sampled during the growing season (November to April) in 2016/17 and 2017/18. In vitro incubation treatments consisted of four levels of protein supplement (20% of crude protein; CP) in the diet (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 g/kg of body weight). The neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and indigestible neutral detergent fibre concentrations were highest in the first year. In the second year, CP concentration was 21% greater than in the first year. There was a linear increase for digestion rate, a quadratic effect for lag time and a linear decrease for average digestion time as supplementation levels were increased. The least lag time and digestion time occurred in the second year. There was no supplementation effect on ruminal pH, acetate and butyrate concentrations. Second-year in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was greater than in the first year. Increases in supplementation levels linearly enhanced IVDMD and reduced methane (CH₄) production. The inclusion of a protein supplement contributed to reduced CH₄ and increased volatile fatty acids production; therefore, we recommended the supplement inclusion of >0.28 g/kg of BW for animals grazing in well-managed palisadegrass pastures.