Effects of supplemental nanoparticle trivalent chromium on the nutrient utilization,growth performance and serum traits of broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of nanoparticle trivalent chromium on nutrient utilization, growth performance and serum traits of broilers. This study included two trials. In trial 1, 32 three‐week‐old broilers were divided into four groups: the control, chromium chloride (CrCl₃), chromium picolinate (CrPic) and nanoparticle chromium picolinate (NanoCrPic). Chromium was added at a 1200 μg/kg level to evaluate the nutrient and chromium utilization. In trial 2, 160 one‐day‐old broilers were randomly divided into four groups as in trial 1, with four replicates. The results of trial 1 indicated that the chromium utilization is as follows: NanoCrPic > CrPic > CrCl₃ and control groups, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Crude fat utilization in CrCl₃ group was lower than in that the control group (p < 0.05). The results of trial 2 indicated that feed intake of 4–5 weeks showed better result in the CrCl₃ group than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The results of serum traits indicated that the LDL‐cholesterol in the NanoCrPic groups was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The NanoCrpic and CrPic groups showed significantly increased serum chromium concentration when compared with the control and CrCl₃ groups; the triglyceride level in the CrCl₃ group was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). This study concluded that compared with CrPic, NanoCrpic supplementation could increase chromium utilization and lower the serum LDL‐cholesterol of broilers.     

Low Success Rate in Re-Establishing European Perch in Some Highly Acidified Lakes in Southernmost Norway

In order to test whether major reductions in acid inputs had improved water quality sufficiently for fish populations to recover, we stocked wild European perch (Perca fluviatilis) in three highly acidified lakes that had previously supported this species, and in one limed lake. The fish, which were introduced from a local lake (donor lake), generally ranged from 12 to 16 cm in total length, and were stocked at densities of 117–177 fish ha^?1. The untreated lakes were highly acid, with minimum pH values and maximum inorganic aluminium concentrations (Al_i) during the spring of 4.6–4.7 and 118–151 µg L^?1 respectively. In the limed lake, the corresponding values for pH and Al_i ranged between 5.8 and 6.6 and 5 and 19 µg L^?1 respectively. Gill-netting in two subsequent years after the introduction yielded only a few recruits (0+) and one adult in one of the three acidified lakes in one year only. However, stocked perch reproduced successfully in both years in the limed lake. There was a significant linear relationship between the catches (CPUE) of juvenile perch (age 0+) in the different lakes in the autumn and the water quality in May (time of hatching), both in terms of Al_i (r ²=0.934, P<0.05) and pH (r ²=0.939, P<0.05). Our data suggest unsuccessful recruitment in waters of pH <5.1 and Al_i>60 µg L^?1.     

Evaluation of the mayfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ephoron virgo</Emphasis> for European sediment toxicity assessment

Purpose  

The mayfly Ephoron virgo plays a key role in the ecological recovery in large European rivers. The larvae spend their life in the sediment and are therefore exposed to contaminants in various ways. In this study, the use of E. virgo as a test species for whole sediment bioassays was evaluated. The sensitivity was compared with Hexagenia limbata (a North American mayfly recommended for standard sediment testing). Lead (Pb) was used as a model contaminant.     

Genetic variations within Symbiodinium clade C among zooxanthellate corals (Scleractinia) in the temperate zone of Japan

In a recent study most of the temperate-living corals were found to harbor stress-sensitive Symbiodinium clade C, which is common in the tropical zone. In this study, we investigated the genetic variations within Symbiodinium clade C among corals living in temperate waters of Japan (17 genera; 26 species) using rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) to clarify the genetic differences between climatic zones. We also focused on two widespread coral species, Acropora hyacinthus and Pocillopora damicornis, to compare the genetic differences of Symbiodinium clade C between subtropical and temperate regions. We found multiple haplotypes of Symbiodinium ITSs in clade C, which formed nine subclades. Our data indicate that five genera (Acropora, Cyphastrea, Stylocoeniella, Porites, Pocillopora) contained host-specific Symbiodinium, while members of the family Faviidae and others contained several Symbiodinium ITS haplotypes from two or three subclades. A comparative analysis using Acropora and Pocillopora also revealed that the temperate zone coral population formed a single subclade of Symbiodinium clade C that was genetically isolated from those of subtropical populations. In summary, the majority of corals living in temperate waters of Japan, such as faviid corals, have several ITS haplotypes which possibly are utilized as an opportunistic survival strategy under severe environmental conditions, whereas Acropora and Pocillopora at the very least harbor temperate zone-specific Symbiodinium.     

Screening and characterization of sex-specific DNA fragments in the freshwater fish matrinchã, Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

The matrinch? Brycon amazonicus, a commercially important freshwater fish resource, has no heteromorphic sex chromosomes so far described. In the present study, we performed a screening of sex-associated DNA markers in this species, through the use of a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay and a genomic DNA restriction digestion analysis. DNA digestions evidenced no differences between sexes. Sixty-six random primers were used in pooled and individual DNA samples of males and females, and the analysis of the RAPD fingerprints revealed one female sex-associated band. Cloning and sequencing of this band led to the identification of two distinct DNA segments. While one of the isolated fragments showed a significant identity with a described protein gene (phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class W), the other fragment, composed of 535?bp, corresponds to a novel DNA marker. Further experiments were performed with this second DNA fragment in order to verify its sex-specificity. Data on dot blot hybridization, using total DNA of both sexes, confirmed its female-specificity in B. amazonicus. A primer set was designed based on its sequence data and used in PCR with DNA samples of this species, leading to diagnose the animals' sexes with a 100?% overall accuracy through a sequence characterized amplified region approach. No amplification results were found for two other species of the genus-B. orbignyanus and B. lundii. The obtained data can lead to the hypothesis that B. amazonicus may present heteromorphic sex chromosomes that should be in an early phase of differentiation.     

Using a fermented mixture of soybean meal and earthworm meal to replace fish meal in the diet of white shrimp,Penaeus vannamei (Boone)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of a Bacillus subtilis E20‐fermented mixture (FSFEM) containing soybean meal (SBM) and Eisenia fetida earthworm meal (EM) at a ratio of 4:1 to increase the methionine level in order to satisfy the methionine requirement of white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei in a diet with fish meal (FM) completely replaced by mixtures. B. subtilis E20 fermentation improved the mixture's palatability and utilization based on better growth performance in comparison to shrimp fed FSEM (contains fermented SBM and EM at a ratio of 4:1) diets. FSFEM is a good substitute for FM. Maximal replacement levels of FM with FSFEM were 80% in a shrimp diet with 37% of crude protein and 7% of crude lipid based on weight gain and 100% based on feeding efficiency. In addition, shrimp fed experimental diets had no significant differences in survival after being challenged by Vibrio alginolyticus. It is suggested that B. subtilis E20‐FSFEM has the potential to replace FM in cultured shrimp diets.     

Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.     

Linking winter and summer events in a migratory bird by using stable-carbon isotopes

For migratory birds, early arrival and physical condition on the breeding grounds are important determinants of reproductive success and fitness. Differences in arrival times often exceed a month, and later arriving individuals are often in poorer condition. Habitat-specific isotopic signatures indicate that the quality of winter habitats occupied by American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) determines their physical condition and spring departure dates, which in turn result in variable arrival schedules and condition on temperate breeding grounds. These findings link events in tropical winter grounds with those in temperate breeding areas for a migratory songbird and provide evidence that winter habitats may be limiting.     

Effect of sodium fluoroacetate (“compound 1080”) on the soil microflora

A range of New Zealand soils, many contaminated by sodium fluoroacetate (“Compound 1080” or NaFA) were examined for micro-organisms capable of defluorinating this animal poison. Species of Pseudomonas and Fusurium capable of growth on NaFA were isolated whilst many other soil bacteria and fungi exhibited defluorinating activity when grown on an alternative organic C source. It was concluded that NaFA has a short biological half-life in the soils investigated.Some NaFA-contaminated soils also contained species of the algae Chlorella and Chlamydomonas which were unaffected by NaFA but growth of a duck weed, Spirodela oligorrhiza, was inhibited 73% in the presence of 5 μM-NaFA.