Effects of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor velagliflozin,a new drug with therapeutic potential to treat diabetes in cats

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are used in the treatment of human diabetics. They increase glucose excretion and correct hyperglycemia. We examined the investigational SGLT2 inhibitor velagliflozin in two groups of six neutered adult obese cats (equal gender distribution). Placebo (Pl) or drug (D; 1 mg/kg) was administered for 35 days. Routine blood examinations, fructosamine, beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucagon, adiponectin, and leptin were measured before and after treatment, also water intake, and urinary electrolytes, glucose, and volume. Indirect calorimetry, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 0.8 g/kg) and insulin tolerance test (IVITT) were conducted. All cats tolerated treatment well. Significant changes with D included a decrease in the respiratory exchange ratio, an increase in cholesterol, a small increase in albumin, and a rise in BHB and NEFA. Glucose clearance was unaltered, although less insulin was secreted during the IVGTT (p = .056) suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. IVITT was unchanged. Treatment did not affect glucagon, leptin, or adiponectin. Water intake, urine output, urinary glucose excretion, and the glucose/creatinine ratio but not urinary electrolytes were significantly higher post‐D. We conclude that velagliflozin is a promising drug, which increases urinary glucose excretion in cats and could thereby be beneficial for the treatment of hyperglycemia.     

Effects of concentrate‐to‐forage ratios and 2‐methylbutyrate supplementation on ruminal fermentation,bacteria abundance and urinary excretion of purine derivatives in Chinese Simmental steers

This study evaluated the effects of dietary concentrate levels and 2‐methylbutyrate (2MB ) supplementation on performance, ruminal fermentation, bacteria abundance, microbial enzyme activity and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD ) in steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers (12 months of age; 389 ± 3.7 kg of body weight) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Moderate‐concentrate (400 g/kg diet [MC ]) or high‐concentrate (600 g/kg diet [HC ]) diets were fed with or without 2MB (0 g/day [2MB ?] or 15.0 g/day [2MB +]). Dry matter intake and average daily gain increased, but feed conversion ratio decreased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Ruminal pH decreased, but total volatile fatty acid increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Molar proportion of acetate and acetate‐to‐propionate ratio decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. Propionate molar proportion and ruminal NH ₃‐N content increased with the HC diet, but decreased with 2MB supplementation. Neutral detergent fibre degradability decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. Crude protein degradability increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Abundance of Ruminococcus albus , Ruminococcus flavefaciens , Fibrobacter succinogenes and Bufyrivibrio fibrisolvens as well as activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, cellobiase, xylanase and pectinase decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. However, abundance of Prevotella ruminicola and Ruminobacter amylophilus as well as activities of α‐amylase and protease increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Total PD excretion also increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. The results suggested that growth performance, ruminal fermentation, CP degradability and total PD excretion increased with increasing dietary concentrate level from 40% to 60% or 2MB supplementation. The observed diet × 2MB interaction indicated that supplementation of 2MB was more efficacious for improving growth performance, ruminal fermentation and total PD excretion with promoted ruminal bacteria abundance and enzyme activity in the MC diet than in the HC diet.     

Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

Disaccharide combinations and the expression of enolase3 and plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase isoform in sturgeon sperm cryopreservation

Acipenser sinensis and Acipenser dabryanus are critically endangered species, so germplasm conservation via cryopreservation of sperm is necessary. Disaccharides can act as membrane‐impermeable cryoprotectants, and enolase3 (ENO3) and plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase isoform (PMCA2) are proteins associated with sperm quality. We considered seven characteristics of sperm quality in cultured brood stock from A. sinensis and A. dabryanus. We tested use of sucrose or trehalose alone and in combination at different concentrations for cryopreservation of A. dabryanus sperm. A low concentration of sucrose plus trehalose (S₁₅T₁₅) was optimal. Mixing of the extender with sucrose, lactose, or trehalose alone or with pairwise mixtures revealed that a mixture of lactose and trehalose (L₁₅T₁₅) gave the best results for both A. sinensis and A. dabryanus. Enolase3 and PMCA2 expression levels were measured in cryopreserved A. sinensis sperm via Western blotting. Relative ENO3 and PMCA2 expression levels were examined, and the relationship between disaccharide composition, sperm quality and protein expression was explored in A. sinensis. The results showed that relative ENO3 and PMCA2 expression levels were the highest at L₁₅T₁₅ in cryopreserved A. sinensis sperm. There were significant positive correlations between ENO3 expression and percentage membrane integrity, and between PMCA2 expression and sperm motility parameters (percentage of motile sperm, curvilinear velocity, straight‐line velocity and average path velocity; p < .05) in cryopreserved A. sinensis sperm. Our results indicate the optimal disaccharide combination and concentrations for cryopreservation of A. sinensis and A. dabryanus sperm and suggest that ENO3 and PMCA2 expression levels could serve as a valuable indicator of sperm quality in A. sinensis.     

南果梨周年干物质与氮磷钾积累动态

【目的】明确南果梨干物质积累特征和氮磷钾养分周年动态积累规律,为南果梨优化施肥量和施肥时期提供依据。【方法】以12年生南果梨树为试材,采用田间采样和树体分解方法,分别于萌芽后10 d(萌芽期)、 30 d(花期)、 65 d(幼果膨大期)、 100 d(果实膨大或新稍停止生长期)、 130 d(果实着色前)、 155 d(果实采收期)、 185 d(采收后)、 210 d(落叶前)8个生育期,选干周和树高一致的3株树,将树体连根从土壤中挖出,分出果实、 叶片、 枝条、 主干、 主根、 侧根、 须根,各器官单独称重,并取200 g左右的鲜样按清水、 洗涤剂、 清水、 1%盐酸、 3次去离子水冲洗、 杀青、 烘干后,电磨粉碎过0.15 mm筛,测定样品中氮、 磷、 钾含量。【结果】1)南果梨周年生育期内,树体干物质当年净积累量为18.4 kg/plant,干物质累积速率出现两次累积高峰,分别是幼果膨大期(0.15 kg/d)和采收期(0.11 kg/d)。2)南果梨树体总氮周年积累量为154.0~301.0 g,新生器官为0~116.2 g,果实膨大期达到最高;多年生器官氮积累量为154.0~194.8 g,落叶前达到最高。3)南果梨树体总磷周年积累量为17.1~37.2 g,果实着色前最高。其中新生器官为13.7 g,果实采收期最高;多年生器官为17.1~24.9 g,果实转色期最高。4)南果梨树体总钾周年积累量为27.9~174 g。新生器官钾为97.3 g,采收期最高;多年生器官钾为27.6~76.6 g,落叶前最高。5)产量大约为17 t/hm2的12年生南果梨从萌芽到落叶前树体当年氮磷钾的单株净累积量分别为146.2、 20.1、 146.1 g,折合1000 kg果实经济产量需吸收氮(N)、 磷(P)、 钾(K)5.4、 0.7、 5.4 kg。【结论】南果梨周年干物质单株积累总量为41.4 kg,当年净积累量为19.7 kg。南果梨干物质积累主要集中在花期到果实膨大期和果实转色到落叶前,分别占47.3% 和47.5%。南果梨从萌芽到落叶前氮、 磷、 钾的单株净累积量分别为146.2、 20.1、 146.1 g,每1000 kg果实经济产量需吸收氮(N)、 磷(P)、 钾(K)5.4、 0.7、 5.4 kg。从开花到果实膨大期和从果实着色到采收后30天对氮吸收分别占总氮累积量的39.0%和49.0%,而磷、 钾的累积从萌芽到开花较快,到果实膨大期磷的累积达67.4%,钾的累积达65.1%,果实膨大期是干物质和氮磷钾积累的关键时期。     

三肽囊素对鸡血浆蛋白组分及IL-2与IL-6含量的影响

144只1日龄黄羽肉鸡随机分为4组,第7日龄时第Ⅰ～Ⅳ组分别注射0、0.005、0.010、0.030mg/kg剂量的三肽囊素,在14、35及56日龄时每组各取一个重复,取血浆,醋酸纤维薄膜电泳检测血浆蛋白各组分的比率,放射免疫法检测血浆IL-2与IL-6的含量.结果显示不同剂量的三肽囊素可提高血浆γ球蛋白水平:对血浆...     

外源氮添加对湿地土壤N_2O排放量的影响

为搞清湿地土壤驱动N2O排放的关键氮源类型,有效减少湿地N2O的排放,本文通过室内控制温湿度,用气相色谱法分析不同外源氮素对湿地N2O排放的影响。结果表明:外加氮源组总是高于对照组N2O排放量(4.4 mg·m-3)。在设定的剂量范围内,单独添加尿素或尿素与硝酸铵1∶1配合时N2O排放量呈现先增后减的单峰分布趋势,峰值分别为10.6 mg·m-3和229.0 mg·m-3;单独添加硝酸铵时N2O排放量(32.6~111.0 mg·m-3)随着氮素添加量增加呈现持续上升趋势。单独添加尿素或硝酸铵、尿素与硝酸铵1∶1配合均促进N2O的排放,但硝酸铵尿素混合添加对N2O排放量的贡献单独添加硝酸铵单独添加尿素。这为预测内蒙古高原区农牧交错带湿地氮素输入可能带来的温室效应和有效减排提供科学依据。     

特优航2号在龙海的产量表现及高产栽培技术

介绍了特优航2号参加福建省区试、生产试验以及在龙海示范种植的表现。调查了特优航2号不同产量水平的产量构成,明确有效穗与产量的相关最密切,对产量直接通径系数最高,对产量贡献率最大;其次为每穗总粒数,有效穗与每穗总粒数对产量的贡献率占4个构成因素总贡献率的86.39%。据此提出特优航2号高产栽培技术。     

水分条件对巴音布鲁克高寒湿地CO_2排放的影响

在新疆天山中部巴音布鲁克天鹅湖高寒湿地,以苔草(Carex tristachya)为主要建群种的样地为研究对象,利用英国PP-systems公司生产的便携式土壤呼吸测定系统(CIRAS-2-SRC)研究了不同地表水分条件对天鹅湖高寒湿地夏季土壤CO2排放的影响。结果表明,1)湿润区的生物量大于干燥区;干燥区土壤CO2排放高于湿润区,干燥区土壤CO2排放日变化曲线为单峰曲线,CO2排放最高点出现在当地14:00-16:00,最高值为1.185 0g CO2·m-2·h-1;湿润区土壤CO2排放日变化曲线为双峰曲线,两个峰值分别出现在12:00和16:00,最高值为1.024 0g CO2·m-2·h-1。2)不同水分条件下生物量中凋落物含量影响土壤CO2排放。土壤温度是CO2排放的主要限制因子,且地表干燥区CO2排放与土壤温度的相关性更显著(P0.01)。土壤湿度与CO2排放相关性不显著(P湿润区=0.997,P干燥区=0.409)。     

7株根瘤菌菌株与热研2号柱花草共生最适磷浓度研究

采用水培的方法,设3个磷水平,7个菌株,通过对株高、茎叶鲜重、茎叶干重、固氮酶活性、茎叶氮含量、茎叶磷含量的测定及综合分析,确定使热研2号柱花草接种不同根瘤菌菌株达到最佳促生性能的磷浓度。结果表明:7个菌株在中磷时鲜重和含氮量最大,低磷不利于鲜重和含氮量的增加;经主因子综合分析,菌株YM11-1、RJS9-2、PN13-3在高磷时对热研2号柱花草有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株LZ3-2、BS1-1、PN13-3在中等磷条件下有最好的固氮促生效果,菌株FS3-1-1在高磷和中磷都有最好的固氮促生效果。