Bioactive cembranoids from the soft coral Sinularia crassa

Eight new cembranoids, crassarines A-H (1-8) were isolated from the Formosan soft coral Sinularia crassa. Compounds 1-3 represent the rare cembranoids with a 1,12-oxa-bridged tetrahydrofuran ring, while 4 and 5 are the firstly discovered 1,11-oxa-bridged tetrahydropyranocembranoids. The absolute configuration of 6 was determined using the Mosher's method. Compounds 6 and 8 were found to significantly inhibit the expression of both pro-inflammatory iNOS and COX-2 proteins at 10 μM, respectively, while compounds 4-8 were found to be non-cytotoxic toward the selected human liver cancer cells.     

Efficacy of gamma irradiation for protection against postharvest insect damage and microbial contamination of adlay

This study examines the protective effects of gamma irradiation against postharvest insect damage and microbial contamination and its effect on the nutritive value of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.). Adlay was treated with doses of 0–20 kGy gamma irradiation and subsequently stored at ambient temperature. The number of insects, microbial quality and chemical properties of irradiated and non-irradiated adlay were evaluated immediately after treatment and after 6 months of storage. Before irradiation, total aerobic microbial counts ranged from 5.6 × 10² to 1.4 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ and the mean total number of insects was 3.2 ± 2.1 per 100 g of polished kernel. Two kilograys was the lowest dose that provided 100% insect control. A radiation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans RC1, was found in 2 of 10 adlay samples. Four kilograys was a sufficient dose for Enterobacteriaceae inactivation, and 6 kGy was a sufficient dose for yeast and fungi inactivation. Twenty and 8 kGy sufficed for the inactivation of all mesophilic microbes in samples with and without D. radiodurans, separately. Moreover the moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude fat, crude protein and riboflavin content all remained constant. However, 8 kGy irradiation reduced vitamin B1 concentration by 24.2%, but did not measurably reduce the amount of amino acids, except methionine and cysteine. Fatty acid contents did not alter after 8 kGy irradiation, but changes were observed after the 6 months of storage. These changes caused by irradiation were no greater than those caused by the 6-month storage. Irradiation up to 8 kGy did not markedly increase the acid value, but did increase the peroxide value to 13% of the initial value right after irradiation. However, significant changes in acid value and peroxide value were noted after 6 months of storage both in non-irradiated and post-irradiated storage samples. Additionally, 8 kGy irradiation did not significantly change the adlay appearance. The improvement in the hygiene of this vital food source compensates for the small loss of some nutritional constituents. Hence 8 kGy of gamma irradiation can be used in cold decontamination of adlay to prolong shelf-life, to improve postharvest quality, and to reduce the risk of food-borne disease.     

农业机械化工程研究生创新能力的研究

研究生教育作为我国教育结构中的高层次的教育,有责任而且有义务为国家培养高水平、高素质,且具备高层次创新能力的人才,教育体系应加强创新教育,逐步提高研究生的创新能力.在了解了农业机械化工程学科现状与进展后,提出了农业机械化工程学科研究生创新能力培养的建议:进行创新性学习,提高创新意识和创新思维;学校改进教学课程体系;多参...     

Efficacy of avermectin B1 given orally against equine intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria

Three groups of horses and ponies (N = 13, 13 and 12) were treated with ivermectin paste (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), avermectin B1 solution (0.2 mg/kg p.o.), or fenbendazole suspension (10 mg/kg via nasogastric tube). The avermectin B1 was a 1% solution in a propylene glycolglycerol formal base. Faecal strongyle egg counts were performed before, and 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 d, after treatment. Full-thickness skin biopsies from the neck, pectoral and umbilical regions were examined for Onchocera microfilaria before treatment, and again 14 and 70 d later. Ivermectin therapy produced a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28, 42 and 56 d after treatment. Avermectin B1 therapy resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decreases in mean strongyle egg counts 14, 28 and 42 d after treatment. All horses given ivermectin or avermectin B1 had zero strongyle egg counts 14 and 28 d after treatment. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease strongyle egg counts. Both ivermectin and avermectin B1 resulted in zero microfilaria counts in all horses 14 d after treatment. On day 70 the percentage decrease in microfilaria counts were 100% and 99.6% respectively. Fenbendazole failed to significantly decrease microfilaria counts. The oral administration of this formulation of avermectin B1 appeared to be highly efficacious against intestinal strongyles and Onchocera microfilaria. The duration of anti-strongyle activity was, however, significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that of ivermectin paste.     

模糊数学在草原害虫药剂防治效果评判中的应用研究

草原害虫药剂防治受多种环境因子的影响,以单一的害虫死亡率所反映的试验结果在实际应用中多受限制。本文以牧草害虫——白茨粗角萤叶甲为防治对象,以植被、害虫、天敌、成本四大方面的影响效应选取8项评判指标,采用综合评判、加权海明距离等模糊数学方法,对5种农药12项处理的防治效果进行评判。结果表明,采用2.5％敌杀死,5毫升/亩;40％双效菊酯,5毫升/亩;20％杀灭菊酯,10毫升/亩进行超低容量喷雾,具有较好的综合效果。     

四川武隆山区马铃薯晚疫病流行规律及品种抗病力的观察

武隆山区,位于四川盆地东南边缘,与贵州接壤。马铃薯晚疫病历年的流行在这一山区的不同海拔高度上有显著的差异(表1)。同一地区历年中心病株出现的迟早和流行速度是气候条件、特别是降雨和相对湿度所决定的。通常在高山地区,中心病株出现较迟。这首先与马铃薯出苗期和发育速度有关(表2)。马铃薯生育期与中心病株出现日期的关系也从同一地区的不同品种中表现出来(表3)。我们几年来在地势、土壤、海拔高度等条件大致相同的情况下对不同马铃薯品种进行观察的结果发现田间抗病力有显著差异,抗病力强的品种     

Effect of oestrous synchrony between embryo donors and recipients,embryo quality and state on the pregnancy rate in beef cattle

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oestrous synchrony between donors and recipients and the embryo quality on the pregnancy rate in beef cow recipients. The experiment was performed over two years at an embryo transfer (ET ) centre in Southern Brazil. Ninety Aberdeen Angus cows were subjected to superovulation (SOV ) protocols, resulting in the recovery of 1,048 transferable embryos. Eleven groups were formed with intervals of 6 hr, from ?30 to +30 hr, with respect to recipient versus donor oestrous detection. Evaluation of embryo quality was according to the IETS guidelines. The overall pregnancy rate was 52%. Effects related to donor and recipient oestrous synchronization on pregnancy rate were observed (p  =  .01), ranging from 36% to 50%. The embryo quality rate affected the pregnancy rate, where Grade I resulted in 57% and Grade III in 43% of pregnancy (p  <  .001). The embryonic state (frozen or fresh) showed no (p  >  .05) effect on pregnancy rate: 53% for fresh embryos and 44% for frozen embryos. The odds ratio for explanatory variables causing pregnancy indicated that Grade III embryos had 31% less chance of conception compared to Grade I. Thus, oestrous synchrony between donor and recipient, considering ±30 hr apart, can affect the pregnancy rate along with embryo quality.     

Therapeutic potential of amniotic fluid stem cells to treat bilateral ovarian dystrophy in dairy cows in a subtropical region

Amniotic fluid is a rich source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) have become a new source of stem cells; they have low immunogenicity and are easily harvested. For this reason, they may be useful in clinical tissue engineering. Moreover, AFSCs have anti‐inflammatory properties and can repair tissues. This study evaluated the utility of AFSC injection to treat bilateral ovarian dystrophy in Holstein‐Friesian cows. Bovine AFSCs (BAFSCs) were collected at slaughter from Holstein‐Friesian cows during the third or fourth month of pregnancy and cultured in vitro. The BAFSCs began to show a fibroblast‐like morphology. They were positive for β‐integrin, CD44, CD73, CD106 and Oct4 and negative for CD34 and CD45. After induction, the cells differentiated into mesodermal lineages. Bilateral ovarian dystrophy was confirmed by ultrasonography in 16 lactating cows. The subsequent experiment lasted 15 weeks. Serum was collected weekly to analyse progesterone concentrations, and weekly ultrasonography recorded ovarian changes. Each cow was equipped with an automatic heat detection system to facilitate oestrus observation and breeding records. The progesterone concentration of two cows in the treatment group (25%) significantly increased during weeks 10–15. On ultrasonography, the treatment group demonstrated mature follicles after BAFSCs injection, and foetuses were visualized approximately 40 days after artificial insemination (AI). Oestrus rates in the control and treatment groups were 0% (0/8) and 50% (4/8), respectively; pregnancy rates were 0% (0/8) and 25% (2/8), respectively. Calves were successfully delivered in both cases of pregnancy. These results show that BAFSCs can alleviate bovine ovarian dystrophy and restore fertility.     

Acceleration of post‐mortem changes in Tsaiya duck (Anas platyrhynchos) breast muscle by lactic acid marination

1. The effect of lactic acid marination at 5°C on post mortem changes in breast muscle pectoralis major of spent layer Tsaiya duck was studied.

2. Myofibrils were prepared from 0.1 M and 0.2 M lactic acid marinated muscle and control (non‐marinated samples) sampled at 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 d post mortem.

3. Changes in myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), myofibrillar proteins and Z‐line structure were examined.

4. Marination of duck breast muscle in lactic acid at 5°C enhanced fragmentation of myofibrils and degradation of myofibrillar proteins and Z‐line structure as compared to control samples.

5. In summary, lactic acid marination at 5°C can accelerate the post mortem degradation of myofibrils in Tsaiya duck breast muscle.