A comparison of the use of different swab materials for optimal diagnosis of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Routine gill swabbing is a non-destructive sampling method used for the downstream qPCR detection and quantitation of the pathogen Neoparamoeba perurans, a causative agent of amoebic gill disease (AGD). Three commercially available swabs were compared aiming their application for timelier AGD diagnosis (Calgiswab^® (calcium alginate fibre-tipped), Isohelix^® DNA buccal and cotton wool-tipped). Calcium alginate is soluble in most sodium salts, which potentially allows the total recovery of biological material, hence a better extraction of target organisms’ DNA. Thus, this study consisted of (a) an in vitro assessment involving spiking of the swabs with known amounts of amoebae and additional assessment of retrieval efficiency of amoebae from agar plates; (b) in vivo testing by swabbing of gill arches (second, third and fourth) of AGD-infected fish. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments identified an enhanced amoeba retrieval with Calgiswab® and Isohelix® swabs in comparison with cotton swabs. Additionally, the third and fourth gill arches presented significantly higher amoebic loads compared to the second gill arch. Results suggest that limiting routine gill swabbing to one or two arches, instead of all, could likely lead to reduced stress-related effects incurred by handling and sampling and a timelier diagnosis of AGD.     

Progress in relationship between epithelial sodium channel and related respiratory diseases

Epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is an ion channel widely distributed in various tissues and organs of human. It is composed of 3 homologous subunits and allows the flow of sodium ion across epithelial cells, maintain?ing water-salt balance in the cells. Recent studies show that abnormal expression or dysfunction of ENaC in the respiratory system affects water-salt balance, fluid transportation and cell mobility, and causes abnormal changes of the airway surface liquid level and impaired clearance. ENaC is closely related to the development of respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This article reviews the progress in ENaC structure, function and roles in related respiratory diseases in order to provide a reference for the treatment of the diseases.     

Polymerisation of gluten proteins in developing wheat grain as affected by desiccation

The breadmaking quality of wheat is affected by the composition of gluten proteins and the polymerisation of subunits that are synthesised and accumulated in developing wheat grain. The biological mechanisms and time course of these events during grain development are documented, but not widely confirmed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitor the accumulation of gluten protein subunits and the size distribution of protein aggregates during grain development. The effect of desiccation on the polymerisation of gluten proteins and the functional properties of gluten were also studied. The results showed that the size of glutenin polymers remained consistently low until yellow ripeness (YR), while it increased during grain desiccation after YR. Hence, this polymerisation process was presumed to be initiated by desiccation. A similar polymerisation event was also observed when premature grains were dried artificially. The composition of gluten proteins, the ratios of glutenin to gliadin and high molecular weight-glutenin subunits to low molecular weight-glutenin subunits, in premature grain after artificial desiccation showed close association with the size of glutenin polymers in artificially dried grain. Functional properties of gluten in these samples were also associated with polymer size after artificial desiccation.     

桃蚜电压门控钠离子通道基因cDNA克隆及其生物信息学分析

克隆获得桃蚜电压门控钠离子通道基因cDNA序列，明确钠离子通道的典型特征，为研究桃蚜抗性分子机理奠定基础。采用实验技术主要有RT-PCR和PCR，克隆桃蚜钠离子通道基因cDNA序列，利用相关软件对其序列进行生物信息学分析。克隆得到两段cDNA序列MpNa_v-1（NCBI登录号：MN124170）和MpNa_v-2（NCBI登录号：MN176136）。MpNa_v-1长度为2945 bp，包括2877 bp的完整开放阅读框，共编码958个氨基酸；MpNa_v-2长度为3546 bp，包括3486 bp的完整开放阅读框，共编码1161个氨基酸。MpNa_v-1和MpNa_v-2共同组成桃蚜的钠离子通道α亚基，MpNa_v-1包含同源结构域Ⅰ和同源结构域Ⅱ，MpNa_v-2包含同源结构域Ⅲ和同源结构域Ⅳ。同源比对发现，桃蚜与豌豆蚜和高粱蚜钠离子通道基因相似度分别高达97.67%和97.65%，所克隆序列包含昆虫钠离子通道α亚基典型特征，具有MFM模块，并含有蚜虫类钠通道特有模块DENS。成功地克隆桃蚜钠离子通道基因，为阐明其对拟除虫菊酯类药剂产生靶标抗性的分子机制奠定基础。     

抗菌药联用对海藻希瓦菌的体外抗菌效果

为评价硫酸庆大霉素和头孢噻肟钠对水产致病性海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外联合抗菌效果,以6种渔用抗菌药作为对照,比较测定硫酸庆大霉素、头孢噻肟钠对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外抗菌作用,在此基础上进一步采用试管二倍稀释法测定分析硫酸庆大霉素和头孢噻肟钠在不同复配比例下对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外联合抑菌作用,并通过时间-杀菌曲线法测定其体外联合杀菌效果。试验结果显示,硫酸庆大霉素和头孢噻肟钠对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的最小抑菌质量浓度为80 mg/L和160 mg/L,抗菌活性明显优于甲砜霉素、多西环素、噁喹酸、磺胺间甲氧嘧啶钠、磺胺甲噁唑、盐酸恩诺沙星等渔用抗菌药。硫酸庆大霉素和头孢噻肟钠在复配比例8∶2和7∶3时,对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外联合抑菌效果表现为协同作用,对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的最小抑菌质量浓度达40 mg/L。此外,时间-杀菌曲线表明,40 mg/L硫酸庆大霉素和80 mg/L头孢噻肟钠对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外联合杀菌作用表现为协同效果。本研究结果证实,硫酸庆大霉素和头孢噻肟钠联用有利于提升对海藻希瓦菌SFH3的体外抗菌效果,可为研发水产致病性海藻希瓦菌的潜在控制药物提供理论参考。     

体外法研究硝酸钠调控水牛瘤胃甲烷生成对脂肪酸生物氢化途径的影响

本试验旨在研究硝酸钠调控水牛瘤胃甲烷生成对脂肪酸生物氢化途径的影响。选取3头体重约为（650±50）kg、安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的水牛作为瘤胃液供体动物，通过体外批次培养，设计发酵底物的精粗比为40：60，试验设4个组，每组5个重复，每组各添加0.25 mg/mL的α-亚麻酸，硝酸钠添加水平分别为0（对照）、1、2、3 mg/mL。分别培养3、6、9、12、24 h时测定产气量和甲烷产量，在培养24 h结束后测定体外发酵参数和脂肪酸含量。结果表明：①添加硝酸钠显著降低了瘤胃培养液24 h的总产气量、甲烷（CH₄）含量和甲烷/总产气量的比例（P<0.05），添加1、2和3 mg/mL硝酸钠后瘤胃液甲烷含量分别降低了89.62%、91.20%、91.75%。②添加硝酸钠组瘤胃培养液的pH和氨态氮（NH₃-N）含量显著高于对照组（P<0.05），添加1 mg/mL硝酸钠组微生物蛋白（MCP）含量也显著高于对照组（P<0.05），其他组别差异不显著（P>0.05）；添加硝酸钠组瘤胃液乙酸浓度差异不显著（P>0.05），但丙酸、丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸和异戊酸浓度显著低于对照组（P<0.05），乙酸/丙酸显著高于对照组（P<0.05），添加3 mg/mL硝酸钠组瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）含量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。③添加1 mg/mL硝酸钠组瘤胃液C18：2 cis-9，trans-11、C18：2 trans-10，cis-12、C20：1、不饱和脂肪酸（UFA）含量及UFA/SFA显著高于其他组（P<0.05）；添加硝酸钠组瘤胃液C18：2n6c、C18：1n9t、C20：5n3（EPA）和C22：6n3（DHA）的含量均高于对照组，且1 mg/mL硝酸钠组含量最高，但差异不显著（P>0.05）；添加1 mg/mL硝酸钠组瘤胃液C18：3n3、C18：2n6c和C18：1n9c含量均高于对照组，差异不显著（P>0.05）。由此可见，体外添加硝酸钠显著降低了瘤胃液总产气量和甲烷含量，pH和NH₃-N含量显著升高，TVFA含量降低，通过显著减少丙酸含量而升高乙酸/丙酸；添加1 mg/mL硝酸钠可显著提高瘤胃液共轭亚油酸（CLA）和UFA含量，且在抑制甲烷产生的同时能够降低不饱和脂肪酸的生物氢化程度。     

Vigour/tolerance trade‐off in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) response to salinity stress is linked to leaf elemental composition

Developing more stress‐tolerant crops will require greater knowledge of the physiological basis of stress tolerance. Here, we explore how biomass declines in response to salinity relate to leaf traits across 20 genotypes of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Plant growth, leaf physiological traits and leaf elemental composition were assessed after 21 days of salinity treatments (0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 mM NaCl) in a greenhouse study. There was a trade‐off in performance such that vigorous genotypes, those with higher biomass at 0 mM NaCl, had both a larger absolute decrease and proportional decrease in biomass due to increased salinity. More vigorous genotypes at control were less tolerant to salinity. Contrary to expectation, genotypes with a low increase in leaf Na and decrease in K:Na were not better at maintaining biomass with increasing salinity. Rather, genotypes with a greater reduction in leaf S and K content were better at maintaining biomass at increased salinity. While we found an overall trade‐off between sunflower vigour and salt tolerance, some genotypes were more tolerant than expected. Further analysis of the traits and mechanisms underlying this trade‐off may allow us to breed these into high‐vigour genotypes in order to increase their salt tolerance.     

Sodium alginate supplementation modulates gut microbiota,health parameters,growth performance and growth‐related gene expression in Malaysian Mahseer Tor tambroides

This study investigated the effects of sodium alginate supplementation on gut microbiota composition, health parameters, growth performances and growth‐related gene expression of Malaysian mahseer. Five test diets were formulated by supplementing 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% sodium alginate. Triplicate groups of juvenile Tor tambroides (2.19 ± 0.05 g) were stocked in 15 aquaria (20 individuals per aquarium) and fed at 3.0% body weight per day for 60 days. PCoA and UPGMA analysis showed that gut bacterial community were more convergence in higher sodium alginate‐supplemented diets. The percentage of Porphyromonadaceae, Bacteroides, Plesiomonas and Shewanella were substantially higher and Aeromonas, Entomoplasmatales and Prevotellaceae were drastically lower in higher sodium alginate (0.2%–0.8%) diets. Sodium alginate supplementation (≥0.2%) significantly improved the haematocrit value and respiratory burst activity of T. tambroides. Growth performances and feed utilization were significantly higher in 0.2%–0.4% sodium alginate‐supplemented diets. The increased growth rate of T. tambroides was governed by both hyperplastic and hypertrophic muscle growth. Real‐time PCR data demonstrated that most of the growth‐related genes were significantly upregulated in 0.2%–0.4% sodium alginate‐supplemented diet. Finally, it can be concluded that sodium alginate should be supplemented at 2 g/kg in practical fish feed formulation.     

Dietary supplementation with low molecular weight sodium alginate improves growth,haematology, immune reactions and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Clarias gariepinus

A few studies have illustrated the effects of sodium salt derived from alginic acid on different fish species. However, little is known about the effect of sodium alginate on catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Therefore, this study was performed to assess the use of low molecular weight sodium alginate ( LMWSA) in C. gariepinus. A total of 180 apparently healthy C. gariepinus with a mean body weight of 45 g were randomly divided into three equal groups (D1, D2 and D3). D1 the control group received a control diet, while D2 and D3 received 1% and 3% LMWSA, respectively, for 8 weeks. A challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila was performed on 15 randomly selected catfish for 15 days. At the end of the experiment, catfish in D3 that received a diet of 3% LMWSA showed significant increases in the final body weight, weight gain and thermal‐unit growth coefficient compared with those in D2 and D1. There was a significant decrease in the erythrogram in D1 after the 4‐day pathogen challenge. A leucogram revealed leucocytosis, heterophilia and lymphocytosis in catfish in D2 and D3 compared with those in D1. After the 4‐day challenge, the following changes took place: lysozyme, nitric oxide, phagocytic activity and the respiratory burst were significantly elevated in catfish that received LMWSA and were more pronounced in D3 than in D1. The mortalities of catfish have been stopped after pathogen challenge from 8‐day in D1 and D2 where at 6‐day in D3. Thus, administration of 1% and 3% LMWSA enhances the growth, immune response and resistance of C. gariepinus against A. hydrophila.     

复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯对棉花化肥吸收率的影响

【目的】研究复硝酚钠(CSN)与胺鲜酯(DA-6)2种植物生长调节剂,分别和化肥复配施用对棉花化肥吸收率的影响。【方法】通过复硝酚硝与胺鲜酯分别和化肥复配施用,采集棉花2叶期、4叶期、6叶期各20株,测定棉株鲜重,干重,以及全氮、全磷和全钾含量,计算棉花3个时期的干物质比、氮吸收率、磷吸收率、钾吸收率,与CK相比较,分析复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯对棉花肥料吸收率的影响。【结果】复硝酚钠和化肥复配施肥后,棉花对肥料的吸收率在2叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了10.76%、0.87%和10.4%。4叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了18.5%、2.34%和24.86%。6叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了31.14%、5.33%和35.56%;胺鲜酯和化肥复配施肥后棉花对肥料的吸收率在2叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了8.31%、0.85%和9.25%。4叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了11.51%、1.48%和15.66%。6叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了27.11%、4.49%和30.31%。【结论】复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯与化肥复配施用,对棉花化肥吸收率有明显的促进作用。