Bactericidal action of egg yolk phosvitin against Escherichia coliunder thermal stress

Chicken egg yolk phosvitin showed a remarkable antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli under thermal stress at 50 degrees C. E. coli cells (10(6)/mL) completely disappeared in 1 mL of L-broth coexisting with 0.l mg/mL phosvitin when incubated at 50 degrees C for 20 min, whereas a considerable amount of cells (10(5)/mL) survived at the same thermal stress without phosvitin. Blocking of the chelating effect of phosvitin by the addition of Ca(2+) ion displayed a protective effect against the bactericidal activity at 50 degrees C. In addition, the antibacterial activity of phosvitin was dramatically reduced by treatment with alpha-chymotrypsin, although the chelating effect remained. The surface properties, such as interfacial tension and emulsifying properties of phosvitin, which are an index of the affinity with the outer membrane, were greatly reduced by the alpha-chymotrypsin digestion. This indicates that the alpha-chymotrypsin-digested membrane-penetrating hydrophobic domains at the N- and C-terminal regions play an important role in antibacterial activity. These results suggest that a significant part of the bactericidal activity of phosvitin against E. coli resides in the synergistic effect of the high metal-chelating ability and the high surface activity under the influence of thermal stress.     

Improving water use efficiency in rice irrigation through wet-seeding

Since the early-1960's, when modern rice production technologies became available, more than 90% of the total irrigation water developed in south and southeast Asia is used for rice culture. But currently rice culture is highly inefficient in water use. As fresh water availability for agriculuture is becoming increasingly scarce, greater efficiency of water use in rice culture is deemed essential. Past experience indicates that effective implementation of water-efficient irrigation methods in rice farms within public sector irrigation systems is restricted by the difficulty of controlling water deliveries and distribution, and establishing a water charge system based on the actual amount of water used by farmers. Clearly, a rice production method that is inherently less water-requiring, or more water-efficient, would have an advantage over the traditional method in this respect. Recent studies conducted in the Philippines indicate that wet-seeded rice culture is superior to the traditional transplanted rice culture in terms of water efficiency. Other advantages of wet-seeded rice culture include its greater drought tolerance, less labor requirement for crop establishment and weed control, and higher returns from rice farming. This paper presents a comparative study of wet-seeded and transplanted rice cultures focusing on these aspects.     

Effect of exogenous administration of oxytocin on postpartum follicular dynamics,oestrous rate and ovulation in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

Based on different surveys, dairy farmers are concerned about extensive use of exogenous oxytocin in buffaloes, which is being held responsible for reproductive problems including irregular oestrous cycle and delayed ovulation. For these concerns, effects of oxytocin injection on postpartum follicular dynamics, postpartum oestrous interval (PEI), oestrous length, the interval from onset of estrus to ovulation and blood progesterone (P4) were studied in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. For this purpose, 23 animals within 1 week after calving were randomly divided into three groups: without oxytocin (CON; n = 7), 10 i.u. oxytocin (LOW; n = 8), 30 i.u. oxytocin – (HIGH; n = 8) and used to record the PEI for the study period of 154 days. At subsequent estrus, three buffaloes from each group (not served) were selected randomly to monitor two cycles for 6 weeks. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate follicular and corpus luteum (CL) development, and blood sampling was done for progesterone (P4) analysis. These results revealed that postpartum oestrous interval (PEI) decreased significantly in oxytocin-treated groups. The number of small, medium and total follicles on the left ovary was significantly higher in the HIGH group. However, an overall number of small and total follicles on both right and left ovaries was significantly higher in CON and HIGH groups. On the other hand, there was no difference in the number of follicles on the right ovary among all treatment groups. The same was true for the size of pre-ovulatory follicles, CL, P4 concentrations and oestrous cycle length. The intervals from onset of estrus to ovulation and from standing estrus to ovulation were increased considerably in the HIGH group. It is concluded that exogenous oxytocin administration resulted in the shortening of PEI but triggered a delay in ovulation. Moreover, a higher dose of oxytocin could stimulate the growth of small, medium, and total follicles in postpartum Nili-Ravi buffaloes.     

Disposition of cyadox in domesticated cats following oral,intramuscular, and intravenous administration

Cyadox (CYX) is a synthetic antibacterial agent of quinoxaline with much lower toxic effects. A safety criterion of CYX for clinical use was established by studying the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of CYX after oral (PO), intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV) administration. CYX was administered in six domesticated cats (three males and three females) by PO (40 mg/kg.b.w.), IM (10 mg/kg.b.w.), and IV (10 mg/kg.b.w.) routes in a crossover pattern. Highly sensitive liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) method was developed for detection of CYX and its metabolites present in plasma, urine, and feces. The bioavailability of CYX after PO and IM routes was 4.37% and 84.4%. The area under curves (AUC), mean resident time (MRT), and clearance (CL) of CYX and its metabolites revealed that CYX quickly metabolized into its metabolites. The total recovery of CYX and its main metabolites was >60% after each route. PO delivery suggesting first pass effect in cats that might make this route suitable for intestinal infection and IM injection could be better choice for systemic infections. Less ability of glucuronidation did not show any impact on CYX metabolism. The findings of present study provide detailed information for evaluation of CYX.     

新疆典型盐渍区植被覆盖度遥感动态监测——以渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲为例

以新疆典型盐渍区——渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲为研究对象.首先,基于1989,2001,2006年的TM/ETM+遥感数据,以RS为技术手段,借助GIS空间分析方法、植被指数法,根据像元二分原理,采用复合植被指数VBSI估算植被覆盖度,其估算精度达到83.52%;其次,生成渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲植被覆盖度分级图,并对其格局变化进行分析与评价,揭示出渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲植被覆盖的时空变化规律.中高覆盖度、高覆盖度以林地、草地和耕地为主,对保持植被覆盖度起重要作用;林地面积的变化对重心转移起关键作用,而草地、耕地的波动则会影响到重心转移方向;林地、草地和耕地对于保持地区植被覆盖率有重要作用,应在长期土地利用规划中坚持植树造林,保持草地、保护耕地和控制未利用地;最后,利用植被覆盖度图像所提供的各覆盖度级的数量和空间分配状况来评价该绿洲植被覆盖度的动态变化,并进一步分析植被覆盖度变化的原因.基于遥感技术进行渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲植被覆盖度动态变化分析的研究思路和方法能够为该绿洲生态环境保护提供参考依据.     

渭-库河绿洲植棉土壤有机质及盐分之间的相关性分析

[目的]为了实现提高施肥的精度,减少浪费和保护农业资源和环境质量。[方法]在野外取样、GPS定位、样品分析的基础上,获取土壤样品的理化性质等监测数据。在SPSS和GS+的支持下,运用统计分析、相关分析等方法,以渭-库河绿洲植棉土研究对象,分析耕层土壤有机质现状及其与盐分之间的相关特性。[结果]渭-库河绿洲植棉土有机质平均含量为15.81~17.65 g/kg,盐分为3.17~3.42 g/kg;有机质的变异系数介于13.87%~16.19%,盐分的变异系数介于57.10%~61.99%;有机质与盐分离子在各个土层中相关特征不一,其在中层土壤中与Mg2+具有显著性负相关;空间自相关分析表明,有机质的空间结构优于全盐,且二者不论在哪个土层,各自的空间相关性差异不大。[结论]研究区植棉土壤不同土层有机质含量在表层、中层、底层其变异系数依次为16.19%、13.87%、14.28%,表层有机质变异强度最大,底层次之,中层有机质变异最小。盐离子在各个土层变异系数有差异,没有明显特征规律。有机质与HCO3-、Cl-、SO2-4、Ca2+、K++Na+等盐离子在表层、中层均具有不同程度的相关特征,但相关性不明显。在表层、中层、底层土壤中有机质含量依次为8.58%、6.29%、6.09%,具有递减趋势特征;盐分在土壤表层、中层、底层的含量依次为3.32、3.42、3.21 g/k,各土层盐分的含量相差甚小,与土壤层次的相关性不明显。有机质的分维数大小排列为中层底层表层。不同土壤层级中全盐的空间分维数依次是底层表层中层。     

Irradiation and germination effects on phytate,protein and amino acids of soybean

Influence of irradiation (0.05–0.20 kGy) and germination (24–120 hours) in distilled and tap water on phytate, protein and amino acids of soybean, was studied. Phytate values significantly decreased with increasing germination period and irradiation dose (P<0.01). Irradiation independently decreased the original phytate (212.0 mg/100 g) to a range value of 205.0–190.0 mg/100 g depending upon dose level. Germination of unirradiated seeds for 120 hours in distilled and tap water lowered the phytate to 55.0 and 94.9 mg/100 g (74.1 and 55.2% reduction) respectively. Maximum destruction of phytate to levels of 20.5 and 50.9 mg/100 g (90.3 and 76.0% reduction) occurred during germination of 0.20 kGy samples for 120 hours in distilled and tap water respectively. Total protein content significantly increased during germination (P<0.05) and the increase was more in tap than distilled water. Germination for 120 hours of untreated seeds in tap water increased the essential and decreased non-essential amino acids while in the 0.10 kGy sample, increases in both cases were observed.     

Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in germinating rapeseed cultivars

Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in irradiated and unirradiated germinating rapeseed cultivars was studied at ambient room temperature (20–35 °C). Appreciable quantities of ascorbic acid (19.8–24.1 mg/100 g) were detected in the seeds and synthesis of this vitamin increased significantly (three fold) with increasing germination time depending upon rapeseed cultivars (p<0.05). Soaking of seeds in tap water (1:2) for 24 hours resulted in the decrease of the vitamin in each case. Among the radiation treatments (0.05–0.20 kGy), maximum amounts of ascorbic acid were found in 0.10 kGy (342.1 mg/100 g dry weight) and 0.15 kGy (113.8 mg/100 g wet weight) samples after 96 hours of germination. An overall significant linear relation (r=0.96) was observed between vitamin biosynthesis and germination time upto 96 hours in rapeseed.     

短时间人工沙尘覆盖对阿月浑子叶片光合和叶绿素荧光的影响

以无沙尘覆盖为对照,对阿月浑子叶片进行了人工沙尘覆盖处理试验,沙尘覆盖量分别为2,6,9,14,18rag／cra2用LI一6400光合仪测定并分析了叶片光合参数。结果表明,阿月浑子叶片短时间沙尘处理后沙尘覆盖量在2～18mg／cm2时,叶片净光合速率～直呈下降趋势,滞尘量2mg／cm2至18mg／cm。上升时叶片的净光合速率（Pn）下降幅度34％至100％;叶片的胞间C02浓度（Ci）和叶表温度则呈升高趋势,比对照分别增加80％和20％左右;气孔导度随滞尘量的增加呈下降趋势,蒸腾速率的变化趋势与气孔导度类似;沙尘覆盖对叶片的温度也有一定的影响．随着滞尘量的增加,叶片温度也增高。叶片非环式电子传递（ETR）和PSⅡ随滞尘量的增加先升高后逐渐下降趋势。     

DNA Fingerprint Construction and Genetic Diversity Analysis Based on SSR Markers for Upland Cotton in Xinjiang

[Objective] The aim of this study was to construct a DNA fingerprinting database of 120 upland cotton cultivars from Xinjiang and to analyze their genetic diversity based on SSR markers. [Methods] Seventy-eight evenly distributed SSR primer pairs with high polymorphism and good repeatability were successfully screened out from 586 candidates to construct the fingerprinting database. [Result] A total of 392 alleles from 120 varieties were screened using 78 pairs of core primers, 324 of which were polymorphic loci with a polymorphism rate of 82.7%. Seventeen cultivars had specific genotypes determined using 24 primer pairs and 120 upland cotton cultivars could be identified by only 12 primer combinations. Cluster analysis indicated that genetic similarity coefficient for the 120 upland cotton cultivars ranged from 0.50 to 0.96, with an average of 0.73, indicating that upland cotton resources possess high genetic similarity and have an accordingly narrow genetic basis. [Conclusion] The primer combination method is one of the most effective methods for constructing DNA fingerprinting. The 120 upland cotton varieties were divided into three types with the genetic similarity coefficient matrix; these groups were strongly consistent with their pedigrees.