四种柱花草种子萌发中参与氮代谢的酶活性变化

研究了4种柱花草种子萌发过程中参与氮代谢的蛋白酶、肽酶和硝酸还原酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,蛋白酶的活性随着柱花草种子萌发的深入而不断上升,在种子即将露白胚根突破种皮的时候蛋白酶活性达到最大值。此后,随着胚芽的生长蛋白酶活性逐渐降低,其中热研2号柱花草的蛋白酶活性高于其他3种;肽酶活性的变化总体呈上升趋势;硝酸还原酶呈S型变化。了解柱花草种子萌发期各种酶活性的变化规律,为深入研究柱花草种子萌发时贮藏物质的动员和代谢机理提供数据。     

Biology,impact, and management of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. is one of the most problematic weeds across the world. It is an annual C₄ summer grass, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, emerged as a serious and persistent threat in 35 cropping systems in more than 60 countries. E. colona is reported as an important associated weed species in transplanted and direct-seeded rice. Diverse ecotypes, high seed production, short seed dormancy, rapid growth, competitive potential, allelopathic interaction, and resistance against several herbicides makes it a more adaptable and persistent challenge in various agro-ecosystems. Development of resistance to recommended or higher doses of numerous herbicides, including ametryn, atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, clefoxidym, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, glyphosate, metribuzin, propanil, and triazine, is a serious concern for the farming and scientific community. Crop infestation with resistant E. colona biotypes may ultimately increase the weed control cost. Unfortunately, investigations on seed dormancy release, genetic diversity, allelopathic interference, and competitive ability of this weed are inadequate in accomplishing its appropriate control in different environments. Therefore, a comprehensive review is presented here to gather the existing information, to pin point key findings, and to highlight the research gaps in the biology, interference, and management of E. colona. Different management options have been discussed in relation with eco-biology of this noxious weed. The potential research endeavours have also been highlighted in order to provide an insight of its existing scenario and to facilitate the future management strategies.     

Affecting Lipid Metabolism Salivary MicroRNAs Expressions in Arabian Racehorses Before and After the Race

The active roles of microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in gene regulation have made miRNAs a key point for the scientific world in the study of physiological processes. Although saliva includes the largest number of miRNAs, there is no miRNA study in saliva on horses has been found. Our study is the first study on miRNAs isolation from saliva in horses. In the present study, saliva was studied in Arabian racehorses to better understand the molecular mechanisms of expression levels that are effective in lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes during the race. Identification of lipid metabolism of miRNAs and their target genes is an opportunity to provide information about biomarkers in Arabian racehorses on energy supply for race performance. Arabian racehorses have low glycogen content and high triglyceride storage capability, thanks to the high amount of oxidative type I fiber in their muscle tissue. Therefore, Arabian racehorses can provide higher levels of energy using more fat. The aim of this study is to determine the prerace and postrace expression levels of eight miRNAs in saliva that are known to affect lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses. The expression level of eca-miR-33a was found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Target genes of eca-miR-33a have been copredicted as ABCA1, CROT, ABHD2, and SATB2, with three validated databases and other analysis tools. In conclusion, these findings revealed that both eca-miR-33a and its target genes could be potential core genes that play important roles in lipid metabolism in Arabian racehorses to provide energy during the race.     

Puerarin improved growth performance and postmortem meat quality by regulating lipid metabolism of cattle under hot environment

This study aims to evaluate the effect of puerarin on performance, meat quality, and serum indexes of beef cattle under hot environment. Thirty-two bulls were divided into four groups and fed diet supplemented with puerarin at 0, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg. Results showed that heat stress was employed for 54 out of 60 days, 400 mg/kg group declined serum cortisol (COR) contents, all treatments increased the contents of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total superoxide dismutase activity; in addition, glutathione peroxidase activity of 200 mg/kg group were enhanced, only 800 mg/kg group enhanced immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol contents compared with the control (p < .05). Moreover, 400-mg/kg puerarin increased serum growth hormone levels compared with 200 mg/kg group but declined COR concentrations compared with 200 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups (p < .05). More importantly, average daily gain and daily matter intake, and intramuscular fat contents of 400 mg/kg group were enhanced, but the shear force of beef in 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups were declined compared with the control (p < .05). These findings indicated that supplemental with puerarin enhanced immune and antioxidant, and 400 mg/kg of puerarin improved performance and meat quality by normalizing levels of stress hormones and increasing intramuscular fat deposition of beef cattle under hot environment.     

烟草氨基酸代谢及其调控机制

综述了植物氨同化以及烟草中苯丙氨酸代谢、脯氨酸代谢、美拉德反应及其与烟叶风味和品质关系的研究进展,并分析了环境因素对烟草氨基酸代谢的影响,为深入研究氨基酸对烟叶品质和风味影响的机制奠定了基础。     

鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖大鼠体重、脂肪沉积及脂质代谢影响。随机选取雄性大鼠108只,体重220~240 g,适应性饲养3 d。分为对照组(Ⅰ组)、高脂组(Ⅱ组)和高脂模型组;高脂模型组造模成功后,将其按体重随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复4只;各组在基础饲粮中分别添加0(Ⅲ组)、0.01%(Ⅳ组)、0.05%(Ⅴ组)、0.1%(Ⅵ组)、0.2%(Ⅶ组)、0.4%(Ⅷ组)、0.8%(Ⅸ组)的果胶酶。试验期8周。结果表明:1)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效抑制肥胖模型大鼠体重的增长,降低Lee’s指数,控制体型发育。2)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠机体脂肪沉积量。3)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够有效地对肥胖模型大鼠由于摄入高脂饲粮引起的脂肪肝进行干预,使其恢复到正常水平。4)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、游离脂肪酸含量,提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量。5)鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶能够降低肥胖模型大鼠谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性,提高血清脂蛋白酯酶和肝酯酶活性。由此可见,鹅源草酸青霉产果胶酶对肥胖模型大鼠脂肪沉积和脂质代谢具有显著干预修复作用,降脂效果明显。     

The Alleviating Effect of Elevated CO2 on Heat Stress Susceptibility of Two Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

This study analysed the alleviating effect of elevated CO₂ on stress‐induced decreases in photosynthesis and changes in carbohydrate metabolism in two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different origin. The plants were grown in ambient (400 μl l^?1) and elevated (800 μl l^?1) CO₂ with a day/night temperature of 15/10 °C. At the growth stages of tillering, booting and anthesis, the plants were subjected to heat stress of 40 °C for three continuous days. Photosynthetic parameters, maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and contents of pigments and carbohydrates in leaves were analysed before and during the stress treatments as well as after 1 day of recovery. Heat stress reduced P_N and F_v/F_m in both wheat cultivars, but plants grown in elevated CO₂ maintained higher P_N and F_v/F_m in comparison with plants grown in ambient CO₂. Heat stress reduced leaf chlorophyll contents and increased leaf sucrose contents in both cultivars grown at ambient and elevated CO₂. The content of hexoses in the leaves increased mainly in the tolerant cultivar in response to the combination of elevated CO₂ and heat stress. The results show that heat stress tolerance in wheat is related to cultivar origin, the phenological stage of the plants and can be alleviated by elevated CO₂. This confirms the complex interrelation between environmental factors and genotypic traits that influence crop performance under various climatic stresses.     

Cotton Research Center,Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Jinan 250100, China

During the long process of evolution, plants have adapted to their environments through the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (SM) using the acetate-malonate pathway, mevalonic acids pathway, or shikimic acid pathway, leading to resistance to different pests. As a major cash crop, cotton can produce many secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity, and show self-defense mechanisms under biotic stress conditions. These characteristics of cotton ensure reduced pest incidence and maintenance of ecological balance. This paper discusses the types of SMs, their synthesis, and insect resistance of cotton secondary metabolites in relation to their defense function. We propose possible pest-control strategies using secondary metabolites in cotton.     

Effect of feed restriction on dairy cow milk production: a review

In the dairy cow, negative energy balance affects milk yield and composition as well as animal health. Studying the effects of negative energy balance on dairy cow milk production is thus essential. Feed restriction (FR) experiments attempting to reproduce negative energy balance by reducing the quantity or quality of the diet were conducted in order to better describe the animal physiology changes. The study of FR is also of interest since with climate change issues, cows may be increasingly faced with periods of drought leading to a shortage of forages. The aim of this article is to review the effects of FR during lactation in dairy cows to obtain a better understanding of metabolism changes and how it affects mammary gland activity and milk production and composition. A total of 41 papers studying FR in lactating cows were used to investigate physiological changes induced by these protocols. FR protocols affect the entire animal metabolism as indicated by changes in blood metabolites such as a decrease in glucose concentration and an increase in non-esterified fatty acid or β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations; hormonal regulations such as a decrease in insulin and insulin-like growth factor I or an increase in growth hormone concentrations. These variations indicated a mobilization of body reserve in most studies. FR also affects mammary gland activity through changes in gene expression and could affect mammary cell turnover through cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and exfoliation of mammary epithelial cells into milk. Because of modifications of the mammary gland and general metabolism, FR decreases milk production and can affect milk composition with decreased lactose and protein concentrations and increased fat concentration. These effects, however, can vary widely depending on the type of restriction, its duration and intensity, or the stage of lactation in which it takes place. Finally, to avoid yield loss and metabolic disorders, it is important to identify reliable biomarkers to monitor energy balance.