Effect of dietary supplementation of inulin and W. cibaria on haemato‐immunological parameters of hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma sp)

The dietary supplementation of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic in hybrid surubins (a Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. fasciatum cross) was evaluated for the effects on their autochthonous intestinal microbiota and on haematological and immunological parameters. A total of 160 fish were divided into four treatment groups with four replicates each. The treatment groups were fed with the following diets for 15 days: control diet without supplementation; 0.5% inulin (prebiotic) supplementation; Weissella cibaria (CPQBA 001‐10 DRM 02) (7.87 ± 0.2 log CFU g^?1) supplementation; or 0.5% inulin and W. cibaria supplementation (symbiotic group). The midgut intestines of the fish with the symbiotic diet supplementation had higher concentrations of lactic acid bacteria (7.07 ± 1.11 log CFU g^?1) and low levels of Vibrio spp (1.90 ± 0.60 log CFU g^?1) and Pseudomonas spp (2.23 ± 1.48 log CFU g^?1). In addition, increased erythrocytes and reduced circulating neutrophils were observed in this group. No differences in blood glucose, serum protein or lysozyme levels were detected between treatment groups. However, a higher concentration of total immunoglobulin was observed in fish fed with the probiotic and symbiotic diets. The addition of 0.5% inulin (prebiotic) thus W. cibaria (probiotic) to the diet of Pseudoplatystoma hybrid surubins reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria and stimulate the beneficial intestinal microbiota and may possibly alter their immune defence system.     

Can fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend be used as fishmeal replacements for Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)?

An experiment was carried out to evaluate fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend (1:1) (FP) as replacement of fishmeal (FM) for Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five isocaloric (19 kJ g^?1) diets were prepared by replacing 0 (FP0), 12 (FP12), 24 (FP24), 36 (FP36) and 48% (FP48) FM protein with FP. Triplicate groups of juveniles (mean weight of 3.9 g) were delivered the test diets for 8 weeks in a flow‐through sea water system. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the growth rates of fish fed FP0, FP12, FP24 and FP36 diets. Growth and nutrient utilization parameters were significantly reduced in fish fed FP48 diet. Although, whole body proximate composition of fish were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments compared to the control; methionine and phenylalanine contents were significantly decreased in FP48 group. Protein retention was also significantly decreased in the similar group of fish. Dietary treatments did not alter most of the plasma metabolites, while some of the health parameters were improved in the replacement groups. Results suggested that FP is a potential candidate for alternative protein ingredient in aquafeed and can replace 36% FM protein in the diet of Japanese flounder.     

FSWM: A hybrid fuzzy-stochastic water-management model for agricultural sustainability under uncertainty

A hybrid fuzzy-stochastic water-management (FSWM) model is developed for agricultural sustainability under uncertainty, based on advancement of a multistage fuzzy-stochastic quadratic programming (MFSQP) approach. In MFSQP, uncertainties presented in terms of fuzziness and randomness can be incorporated within a multilayer scenario tree, such that revised decisions are permitted in each time period based on the realized values of the uncertain events. Moreover, fuzzy quadratic terms are used in the objective function to minimize the variation of satisfaction degrees among the constraints; it allows an increased flexibility in controlling the system risk in the optimization process. Results of the case study indicate that useful solutions for the planning of agricultural water management have been obtained. In the FSWM model, a number of policies for agricultural water supply are conducted. The results obtained can help decision makers to identify desired water-allocation schemes for agricultural sustainability under uncertainty, particularly when limited water resources are available for multiple competing users.     

黄金鲈与伊犁鲈杂交后代在气提泵循环水养殖系统中生长分析

研究通过黄金鲈(Perca flavescens)雌鱼与伊犁鲈(Perca schrenki)雄鱼进行杂交,以期加快鲈鱼的生长速度,推迟其性成熟和提高上市规格.为减少饲养环境条件和人为管理差异造成生长试验误差,研究采用试验鱼同池混养的方法进行生长比较.在气提泵循环水养殖系统中,经690 d的生长比较试验.结果表明:杂交鲈体重增长比黄金鲈快33.91%;杂交鲈的性腺发育被推迟或性腺发育不良;黄金鲈和杂交鲈的成活率分别为87.50%和82.08%,二者在成活率上无显著差异(P=0.29).杂交鲈适宜在高密度循环水养殖条件下生长,杂交优势较为显著,可以取代黄金鲈进行集约化养殖生产.     

Reduced tillage in north-west Europe—A review

The main features of the climate and soils of the main crop production areas of different countries in north-west Europe are outlined, and the main crops grown are summarised. The need for tillage is considered; provided that suitable conditions exist for germination, root growth is most likely to be influenced by mechanical impedance and aeration. Traditional tillage may not always be necessary and may hinder timely sowing of crops. Shallow tillage can facilitate planting a larger area of crops closer to the optimum dates in autumn and in spring, which also saves energy and labour.Research experience with reduced tillage over the last 20–25 years is reviewed. Shallow tillage has been as good as mouldboard ploughing at the traditional depth in most countries on a wide range of soil types, if weed control was satisfactory. Direct drilling has often proved satisfactory in the absence of crop residues for autumn sown crops (wheat, barley, oil-seed rape and beans) where drainage (and therefore soil aeration) was not limiting. Direct drilling has not generally been successful for spring sown crops. Direct drilling is inappropriate for root crops, but strip tillage for sugar beet may become practicable. Some research on soil conditions associated with these experiments is considered.Crop residues are a major constraint to shallow tillage or direct drilling of autumn sown crops. The limitations of reduced tillage due to inadequate weed control, wheel-traffic damage and unsatisfactory drainage are reviewed. The need for occasional deep loosening is also discussed. Where the amount of residues is small, much tillage may be unnecessary, except to relieve compaction by wheels; bed systems or wide-span gantries to avoid wheel damage could become practical developments for some crops.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the CrDAT gene and selection of transgenic periwinkle lines with a high vincristine accumulation

Catharanthus roseus contains vincristine and vinblastine, which are outstanding drugs for cancer. In the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) in C. roseus, deacetylvindoline 4-O-acetyltransferase (DAT) is a key enzyme that catalyses the last reaction of vindoline biosynthesis to form vinblastine and vincristine. In this study, the CrDAT transgene was transferred into the periwinkle by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and generated transgenic periwinkle lines with an increase in vincristine accumulation. The C. roseus DAT gene was introduced into C. roseus plants and it was confirmed that CrDAT was successfully transferred into the genome of periwinkle plants and efficiently translated to synthesise recombinant DAT protein. Four transgenic periwinkle lines in T1 generation, T1-1, T1-3, T1-6, and T1-7, expressed recombinant DAT protein with the total protein content in the range of 2.86 μg.mg^?1 to 5.12 μg.mg^?1. Moreover, the vincristine contents of four transgenic lines increased by 1.63?2.48-fold compared to non-transgenic plants, ranging from 6.91 µg.g^?1 (fresh weight) to 10.53 µg.g^?1 (fresh weight). The T1-1 line had the highest vincristine content. Hence, the overexpression of the recombinant DAT protein can improve the vincristine accumulation of transgenic C. roseus plants.

Abbreviation: CrDAT - Catharanthus roseus Deacetylvindoline-4-O-Acetyl Transferase; D4H - Deacetoxyvindoline 4-hydroxylase; ELISA - Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Monoterpene indole alkaloid; T0, T1 - Generations of transgenic plants; TIAs - Terpenoid indole alkaloids; WT- The wild-type tobacco plants (non transgenic plant); 35S - Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter     

Zu Prekler’s „rationellem Baldwirth“

Ohne Zusammenfassung f. f?chf. Dberforftmeifter. f. bahr. Regierungs- und Forftrath von Mürzburg. f. preuk. Dberforftmeifter aus Breslau. f. f?chf. Dberforftmeifter. f. bahr. Regierungs- und Forftrath von Augsburg. f. bahr. Regierungs- und Forftrath aus Regensburg. Dberj?germeifter von Braunfchweig. f. bahr. Regierungs- und Forftrath aus München. f. f?chf. Dberf?rfter. f. f?chf. Dberforftmeifter. f. f?chf. Dberforftrath. herz. braunfchweig. Forftmeifter von Blanfenburg. Direftor der fürftlich Cfterhazh’fchen Herrfchaft Spoly Parsto. fürftl. fondershauf. Dberfortmeifter. f. bahr. Redierf?rfter don Schmarzenbach. f. preuk. Dberf?rfter. f. f. Forftrath aus Brekburg. f. preuk. Dberf?rfter von Altruppin. f. hann?v. Forftmeifter von Rienburg. Forftmeifter in preuk. Schleften. f. preuk. Dberforftmeifter von Berlin. herz. aftenburg. Dberfortmeifter. f. preuk. Dberf?rfter. f. f?chf. Dberf?rfter. f. ruff. Forftfomiff?r aus Marfchau. f. preuk. Forftinfpeftor. f. f?chf. Forftinfpeftor. grokh. meimar. Forftinfpeftor von Martfuhl. f. mürttb. Dberf?rfter und Brofeffor aus Hohenheim. f. hannov. Forftmeifter aus Hammeln. Dberforftmeifter aus Sotha. herz. altenburg. Dberf?rfter aus Hummelshain. herz. altenburg. Revierf?rfter aus Milchwig. herz. altenburg. geheimer Finanzrath und Dberforftmeifter. herz. altenb. Dberforftmeifter aus Hummelshain. grokh. f?chf. geheimer Dberforftrath aus Qifenach. herz. naffau. Dberforftrath aus Miesbaden. grokh. heff. Dberforftfefret?r aus Darmftadt. f. f?chf. Dberforftmeifter.     

Cover Image,Volume 15, Issue 3

The cover image, by M. E. Gray et al., is based on the Original Article Dual targeting of EGFR and ERBB2 pathways produces a synergistic effect on cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, DOI: 10.1111/vco.12230 .

     

Dietary supplementation with sodium bicarbonate improves calcium absorption and eggshell quality of laying hens during peak production

1. The advantage of supplemental sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on eggshell quality in laying hens changes with age. Besides increasing calcium (Ca) secretion in the eggshell gland, it may improve Ca absorption in the intestine or kidney.

2. Hy-Line Brown layers (n = 384), 25 weeks of age, were allocated to two treatment groups in two experiments, each of which included 4 replicates of 24 hens. Hens were fed a basal diet (control) or the basal diet containing 3 g NaHCO₃ g/kg for 50 or 20 weeks in Experiment 1 or 2, respectively. A 24-h continuous lighting regimen was used to allow hens to consume the dietary supplements during the period of active eggshell formation.

3. In Experiment 1, particularly from 25 to 50 weeks of age, and in Experiment 2, NaHCO₃ supplementation favoured hen-d egg production at the expense of lower egg weight. The increased eggshell thickness should have nothing to do with the additional eggshell formation, because of the unchanged egg mass and daily eggshell calcification.

4. At 35 weeks of age in both experiments, NaHCO₃ supplementation increased duodenal expression of calbindin-d28k (CaBP-D28k) protein, contributing to higher Ca retention and balance.

5. From 50 to 75 weeks of age in Experiment 1, the hens had little response to NaHCO₃ supplementation and showed a negative trend on eggshell thickness and strength.

6. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with 3 g NaHCO₃ g/kg improves Ca absorption and eggshell quality of laying hens during the peak but not late production period, with the introduction of continuous lighting.

     

Growth performance,carcass quality characteristics and colonic microbiota profiles in finishing pigs fed diets with different inclusion levels of rice distillers’ by‐product

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets containing rice distillers’ by‐product (RDP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and gut microbiota of fattening pigs. Twenty‐four crossbred finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), 56.9 ± 3.1 kg initial body weight, were randomly allocated to three groups. For 56 days, pigs were fed one of three diets including RDP0 (control), RDP15 (15% RDP in DM), and RDP30 (30% RDP in DM). With RDP level in diet, average daily gain and backfat thickness linearly increased (p < 0.05), and drip loss tended to increase (p ≤ 0.08). In addition, 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon profiling showed that RDP was associated with modulation of colonic microbiota composition, especially at family and genus levels. Relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae families in colonic digesta increased with inclusion of RDP, while that of Enterobacteriaceae decreased. The proportion of genera unclassified Erysipelotrichaceae, and Butyrivibrio increased as inclusion of RDP. These results indicate that up to 30% inclusion in diet of finishing pigs, RDP can modulate colonic microbiota composition, and induces an improvement of animal growth and fat deposition.