β-carotene attenuates weaning-induced apoptosis via inhibition of PERK-CHOP and IRE1-JNK/p38 MAPK signalling pathways in piglet jejunum

Weaning may cause oxidative injury, immune response impairment, apoptosis and other injuries in piglets. Oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) can elicit inflammatory responses, and persistent oxidative and ERS also may lead to apoptotic cascades, which is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. β-carotene, a natural carotenoid, has potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. However, the effect of β-carotene on apoptosis in weaned piglets and the detailed molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we found that β-carotene decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in piglet serum. β-carotene could inhibit the mRNA levels of caspase-3 significantly, but had no significant inhibitory effect of the mRNA levels of caspase-9 and caspase-12 in the piglet jejunum. In addition, β-carotene decreased the activation of GRP78, CHOP, and JNK/p38 MAPK and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Furthermore, β-carotene had a significant influence on the activation of ERS and apoptosis-related signals in TG-induced IPEC-J2. In the present study, β-carotene pre-treatment attenuated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and prevented TG-induced increases in the level of PERK-CHOP and IRE1-JNK/p38 MAPK pathway activation in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, these findings indicate that β-carotene may protect weaning-induced apoptosis through inhibiting ERS.     

Role of integrons in the proliferation of multiple drug resistance in selected bacteria occurring in poultry production

ABSTRACT

• 1. The increase in microbial resistance, and in particular multiple drug resistance (MDR), is an increasing threat to public health. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics and antibacterial chemotherapeutics in the poultry industry, especially in concentrations too low to cause inhibition, and the occurrence of residues in feed and in the environment play a significant role in the development of resistance among zoonotic food-borne microorganisms.

• 2. Determining the presence and transmission methods of resistance in bacteria is crucial for tracking and preventing antibiotic resistance. Horizontal transfer of genetic elements responsible for drug resistance is considered to be the main mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance.

• 3. Of the many well-known genetic elements responsible for horizontal gene transfer, integrons are among the most important factors contributing to multiple drug resistance. The mechanism of bacterial drug resistance acquisition through integrons is one of the essential elements of MDR prevention in animal production.

     

Xylanase and xylo- oligosaccharide prebiotic improve the growth performance and concentration of potentially prebiotic oligosaccharides in the ileum of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing broiler diets with xylanase or xylo- oligosaccharide (XOS) on growth performance, the concentration of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) hydrolysis products in the ileum and concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the caeca of broiler chickens.

2. In total, 500 male Ross 308 broilers were used in this 29-day (d) study. The treatments were organised into a 2 × 2 plus 1 factorial arrangement consisting of two additives (xylanase or XOS) at two levels (low or high) plus a control treatment with no additives. This gave five treatments with 100 birds in each treatment group. The diets were slightly deficient in protein by 20 g/kg and energy by 1 MJ/kg.

3. On d 14 and 28, two birds per pen were euthanised, the caeca content collected and analysed for short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. On d 29, six birds per pen were euthanised and ileal digesta were collected and analysed for the concentration of NSP fractions.

4. On d 14, caecal acetic acid, iso-butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, n-valeric acid and total SCFA concentrations were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) when diets were supplemented with XOS compared with xylanase.

5. Ileal concentration of arabinose, galactose and glucuronic acid (GlucA2) were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the insoluble NSP fraction when diets were supplemented with a high level of xylanase, compared with the control treatment. Ileal concentration of fructose was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the water soluble NSP when a high level of xylanase or low level of XOS were included in the diet compared with the control.

6. It was concluded that xylanase and XOS had similar effects on NSP concentration and SCFA in the caeca, although there was little effect on performance. This observation demonstrated further benefits of xylanase supplementation in wheat-based broiler diets beyond digesta viscosity reduction and the release of extra nutrients.     

园林植物春季最佳观赏期调查研究

目前,由于缺乏准确的园林植物最佳观赏期的资料,导致优秀的规划设计方案难以落到实处,园林景点建成之后景观效果大打折扣。针对以上问题,作者采用实地调查观测的方法对园林植物春季最佳观赏期和最佳观赏顺序进行了研究。记录整理典型地点园林植物的最佳观赏期和最佳观赏顺序,为园林规划设计、植物配置和养护管理提供科学的参考依据。     

湖南粮食生产区域布局优化战略

在综合分析资源禀赋、技术条件、市场区位、生产规模、产业基础及布局指向等方面因素，兼顾相对集中连片原则，结合粮食生产现状、市场前景与产业发展趋势的基础上，提出了将湖南划分为“一区一圈两带”的粮食生产区域布局优化战略。对“一区一圈两带”4个片区的粮食生产特征进行了总结，并提出了各片区的功能定位和主攻方向。     

草果AtNCED基因克隆、表达和植物表达载体构建

9-顺式环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶(9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, NCED)是ABA生物合成的限速酶。诸多研究表明NCED基因表达量的变化与ABA含量显著相关,在种子休眠过程中发挥重要作用。为探究草果AtNCED基因的序列特征和功能,本研究以草果(Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie)种子转录组为基础,采用RT-PCR技术克隆了一个AtNCED基因。该基因全长2 372 bp,包含一个1 830 bp的开放阅读框(open reading frame, ORF),编码610个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,AtNCED基因编码的蛋白在N-末端包含典型的叶绿体转运肽序列,在催化结构域含有4个高度保守的组氨酸残基。AtNCED蛋白与芭蕉科马来西亚蕉同源性较高,与其他单子叶植物处在同一进化分支。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,AtNCED基因表达量随着层积时间的增加逐渐下降,该基因可能正向调控种子休眠,在草果种子休眠诱导与维持中发挥重要作用。进一步地,利用同源重组方法,成功构建了pBI121-AtNCED过表达载体,并转化至农杆菌EHA105。该研究结果为弄清ABA激素信号在种子休眠中的调控作用提供了帮助。     

国内外奶牛疫病预警监测技术发展现状

为了解国内外奶牛疫病预警技术及其应用现状，归纳了奶牛疾病的预警要求，分析了国内外8种疫病预警技术的发展现状及其在奶牛养殖中存在的局限性。一是兽医巡检预警技术：该技术较为成熟，但不能满足大规模养殖牛场迅速、高效预警的需求。二是奶样体细胞数测定技术：可初步诊断隐性乳腺炎，但需要额外细菌培养和检测确诊。三是奶牛群体改良测定技术：以监测生产性能为主，仅可预警奶牛乳腺炎及酮病。四是计步器及发情、反刍项圈预警技术：同时具备发情与反刍监测功能，但仅适用于牛群的发情与反刍监测。五是大数据挖掘技术：在数据库基础上，利用各种模型或算法预测传染病的发生和发展，但预警效率受限。六是智能化体温连续远程监测及预警技术：可预警口蹄疫等重大传染病，但无法完全替代临床诊断，不能监测病原微生物。七是基于AI和群体热成像的奶牛行为分析技术：可以监视记录奶牛行为与温度特征，锁定病畜，但对发病初期无异常行为的牛只无效。八是生物气溶胶激光光谱测量技术：通过检测病原微生物种类和浓度，达到预警疫病的目的，目前主要用于军方监测人类重大疫病。未来的奶牛疫病预警技术需要进一步相互结合、取长补短，充分利用大数据、物联网等新兴技术进行奶牛重大疫病预警诊断。本文为预警监测技术的本地化发展提供了参考。