Reactive oxygen species are involved in cell death in wheat roots against powdery mildew

Inoculation of wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) leaves with wheat powdery mildew fungus(Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) induces the cell death in adventitious roots. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) play a key role in respond to biotic stress in plants. To study the involvement of ROS and the degree of cell death in the wheat roots following inoculation, ROS levels and microstructure of root cells were analyzed in two wheat cultivars that are susceptible(Huamai 8) and resistant(Shenmai 8) to powdery mildew fungus. At 18 d after powdery mildew fungus inoculation, only Huamai 8 displayed the leaf lesions, while root cell death occurred in both varieties. Huamai 8 had a high level of ROS accumulation, which is associated with increased root cell degradation, while in Shenmai 8, there was little ROS accumulation correlating with slight root cell degradation. The molecular study about the expression levels of ROS scavenging genes(MnSOD and CAT) in wheat roots showed that these genes expression decreased after the leaves of wheat was inoculated. The difference between Huamai 8 and Shenmai 8 on subcellular localization of H2 O2 and O2–· was corresponded with the different down-regulation of the genes encoding for superoxide dismutase and catalase in two wheat cultivars. These results suggested that ROS were involved in the process by which powdery mildew fungus induced cell death in wheat roots.     

Growth and survival of juvenile red drum,Sciaenops ocellatus,acclimated to freshwater at three different stocking densities in a partial recirculation system

Preliminary technical baseline information for the inland culture of juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in a freshwater fish hatchery is presented. Three initial stocking densities (d₁ = 83, d₂ = 167, and d₃ = 250 fish/m³) were tested in a semirecirculation system for 575 days using a commercially available feed (48.1% protein, 25% lipids, and 0.13% fiber). Initial and final mean fish weight were 7.11 ± 0.02 g and 287.6 ± 27 g. As carrying capacity appeared to have been reached, only data from Days 1–333 were analyzed. One‐way ANOVA analyses indicated that the survival rate of the smaller density (d₁ =40 ± 3.7%) was significantly different from the other two densities (d₃ = 21 ± 1.1% and d₂ = 23 ± 1.0%), which did not differ between them. Absolute growth rate (0.87 ± 0.02 g/day) was not significantly different between densities (F = 0.23. p = .801). Neither was weight significantly different between treatments. There were significant differences in the feed conversion rate (FCR) between densities (F = 8.54; p = .02). FCR for d₁ was significantly lower than for the two other densities, which did not differ from each other. A von Bertalanffy growth model was adjusted (R² = 0.95), and weight–length relationship presented negative allometric values (b = 2.85, R² = 0.98).     

The future of genetic engineering to provide essential dietary nutrients and improve growth performance in aquaculture: Advantages and challenges

Advancements in gene technology in recent years have been driving the aquaculture industry forward. Improvements in growth performance, feed efficiency, and omega‐3 content are goals of the industry that could capitalize on applications of genetic engineering. One of the major challenges in the industry is to reduce the use of fish meal and oil, to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of aquaculture. The recent development of genetically engineered feed ingredients is one potential solution to the looming problem of fish meal and oil dependency. Furthermore, the development of transgenic fish has potential to improve production efficiency and other future desirable characteristics that relate to feed utilization and product quality. New gene technologies are beginning to revolutionize how we produce our food, and in aquaculture, will ultimately reduce pressure on wild fish stocks, help to preserve natural aquatic ecosystems, and improve nutritional profiles of farmed fish for human consumption. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current applications of genetic engineering technology to improve aquaculture through nutrition, including the development and use of transgenic feed ingredients, transgenic fish, and ultimately their impacts on nutrition, product quality, and consumers.     

Secondary Stress Responses in Juvenile Brazilian Flounder,Paralichthys orbignyanus,throughout and after Exposure to Sublethal Levels of Ammonia and Nitrite

This study investigated the secondary stress responses of Paralichthys orbignyanus exposed to ammonia and nitrite and after recovery. Fish were exposed to 0.12, 0.28, and 0.57 mg NH₃‐N/L, or 5.72, 10.43, and 15.27 mg NO₂‐N/L for 10 d followed by the same time length for recovery. Ammonia‐ and nitrite‐free water was used as a control treatment. Blood samples were collected after 1, 5, and 10 d of exposure and after recovery. Fish exposed to ammonia presented lower and higher glucose levels after 10 d of exposure and recovery, respectively. Ammonia induced initial and transient ionic disturbances and metabolic alkalosis. Nitrite exposure caused hyperglycemia, increased plasma K⁺ levels, and respiratory alkalosis, whereas metabolic acidosis was observed after recovery. Increased proportion of monocytes and/or granulocytes and reduced number of lymphocytes were demonstrated in fish exposed to 0.28 mg NH₃‐N/L (Day 1) and 10.43 mg NO₂‐N/L (Day 5) and after recovery in the 0.28 and 0.57 mg NH₃‐N/L treatments. Exposure to ammonia decreased the proportion of granulocytes on Day 5. In conclusion, exposure to concentrations at 0.12 mg NH₃‐N/L and 5.72 mg NO₂‐N/L provoked physiological disorders in Brazilian flounder. Nonetheless, fish exposed to 5.72 mg NO₂‐N/L following a 10‐d recovery period showed complete resumption of homeostasis.     

Replacement of fish oil in plant‐based diets for Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,by stearine fish oil and palm oil

Stearine fish oil (SFO) and palm oil (PO) have emerged as promising alternatives for the replacement of fish oil (FO) in aquafeeds. This study evaluated the replacement of FO with alternative oils in practical diets for Litopenaeus vannamei. In a clear brackish water study (14.1 g/L) utilizing shrimp (0.29 ± 0.02 g, initial weight), FO was replaced by SFO at inclusion ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 (FO:SFO) and PO as 90% of FO. After 55 days, no significant differences (p < 0.05) in final weight, growth, or survival of shrimp were observed. A second trial (8 weeks) in low‐salinity water (2.1 g/L) with shrimp (0.92 ± 0.02 g, initial weight) evaluated diets with 100% FO, 100% SFO, 90% PO, 90% soybean oil (SO), or 90% flaxseed oil (FXO) as a replacement for FO and four commercially produced diets with 2% of FO, SO, PO, or FXO. One treatment received half rations of the commercial FO diet, and one treatment was based entirely on natural productivity. Results show that the fatty acid profiles of the tail muscle conformed to the lipids of the feed, and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) were preserved. Following 8 weeks of culture, there were no significant differences in production performance.     

Mapping the current and future distributions of Onosma species endemic to Iran

Climate change may cause shifts in the natural range of species especially for those that are geographically restricted and/or endemic species. In this study, the spatial distribution of five endemic and threatened species belonging to the genus Onosma (including O. asperrima, O. bisotunensis, O. kotschyi, O. platyphylla, and O. straussii) was investigated under present and future climate change scenarios: RCP2.6 (RCP, representative concentration pathway; optimistic scenario) and RCP8.5 (pessimistic scenario) for the years 2050 and 2080 in Iran. Analysis was conducted using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to provide a basis for the protection and conservation of these species. Seven environmental variables including aspect, depth of soil, silt content, slope, annual precipitation, minimum temperature of the coldest month, and annual temperature range were used as main predictors in this study. The model output for the potential habitat suitability of the studied species showed acceptable performance for all species (i.e., the area under the curve (AUC)>0.800). According to the models generated by MaxEnt, the potential current patterns of the species were consistent with the observed areas of distributions. The projected climate maps under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, respectively) of 2050 and 2080 resulted in reductions and expansions as well as positive range changes for all species in comparison to their current predicted distributions. Among all species, O. bisotunensis showed the most significant and highest increase under the pessimistic scenario of 2050 and 2080. Finally, the results of this study revealed that the studied plant species have shown an acute adaptability to environmental changes. The results can provide useful information to managers to apply appropriate strategies for the management and conservation of these valuable Iranian medicinal and threatened plant species in the future.     

黑沙蒿根系抗拉特性及其与化学成分的关联性

[目的] 探讨根系抗拉特性与主要化学成分含量的关联性，以期充实根系固土力学特性研究以及提供矿区生态恢复和植物保护的理论支持。[方法] 以神东矿区广泛分布的多年生灌木黑沙蒿（Artemisia ordosica）为研究对象，利用TY8000伺服式强力机，研究1~4 mm径级直根段、含侧根分支处根段抗拉材料的力学特性并测定各径级的纤维素、半纤维素和木质素，研究根系材料力学及其与化学成分的关联性。[结果] ①随着根系直径增加，黑沙蒿直根段、含侧根分支处根段抗拉力增加，而抗拉强度和杨氏模量减小，且抗拉力、抗拉强度和杨氏模量都与根系直径呈幂函数关系。②直根段、含侧根分支处根段化学成分含量差异显著（p<0.05），平均化学成分含量为：半纤维素（31.69%，32.18%） > 木质素（28.42%，25.30%） > 纤维素（15.50%，15.35%）。③随着根系直径增加，直根段纤维素含量减小，半纤维素和木质素含量增加，而含侧根分支处根段纤维素含量减小，半纤维素和木质素含量无变化。④直根段抗拉强度、杨氏模量与纤维素极显著正相关（p<0.01），与半纤维素、木质素极显著负相关（p<0.01）。含侧根分支处根段抗拉强度、杨氏模量与纤维素极显著正相关（p<0.01），与半纤维素、木质素无相关性。[结论] 黑沙蒿根系抗拉特性与化学成分表现出一定的相关性，且纤维素是影响灌木根系材料力学特性的主要化学组分。     

热处理对低温胁迫下黄瓜活性氧代谢和膜脂组分的影响

为探讨热处理减轻黄瓜果实低温冷害的作用机理,本试验研究了47℃热水浸泡5 min处理对黄瓜果实在4℃贮藏期间活性氧代谢和膜脂组分的影响。结果表明,47℃热水5 min处理可显著抑制黄瓜果实冷害的发生,贮藏15 d后果实冷害指数较对照(CK)低20.87%。此外,热处理还可抑制黄瓜相对电导率及丙二醛(MDA)含量的上升,提高黄瓜果实超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(DOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性,抑制超氧阴离子($\mathop{{O}}_{2}^{{\mathop{}_{\ ·}^{-}}}$)及过氧化氢(H₂O₂)的产生,同时降低脂氧合酶的活性,保持较低的饱和脂肪酸含量、较高的不饱和脂肪酸含量和膜脂不饱和度。综上,热处理可维持黄瓜果实活性氧代谢的平衡,抑制膜脂的过氧化作用,从而提高黄瓜果实的抗冷性,减轻果实冷害损伤。     

动态高压微射流协同谷氨酰胺转氨酶复合修饰对鱼明胶凝胶特性和结构的影响

为了提高鱼明胶的凝胶特性,本试验采用动态高压微射流(DHPM)协同谷氨酰胺转氨酶(TG)交联(DHPM-TG)技术对鱼明胶进行复合修饰。结果表明,鱼明胶的亮度、特性粘度和胶融温度均随着TG含量的增加而增大,凝胶强度和硬度先增大后减小。与TG修饰技术相比,DHPM-TG复合修饰技术可显著提高鱼明胶的特性粘度、胶融温度、凝胶强度以及胶体的硬度和咀嚼性。此外,环境扫描电镜结果表明,DHPM-TG制备的鱼明胶胶体结构更加致密。综上,DHPM-TG复合修饰显著改善了鱼明胶的凝胶特性,为生产可替代哺乳动物明胶的高品质鱼明胶提供了新的理论依据。