Molecular characterisation of Theileria equi and risk factors associated with the occurrence of theileriosis in horses of Punjab (Pakistan)

Theileria equi (T. equi) is an obligate intra- and extra-erythrocytic parasite that causes equine theileriosis (ET) in equids. Equine theileriosis is considered a notifiable disease of global significance, a major constraint to the international movement of horses, and endemic in many countries. This disease may be difficult to diagnose, as it can produce variable and nonspecific clinical signs. A cross-sectional study was designed for the molecular characterisation of T. equi and to investigate the associated risk factors of ET accompanied by its consequences on haematological and sero-biochemical parameters. A convenience sampling of 500 blood samples were collected from ET suspect horses from January to December 2017. PCR was performed on all blood samples targeting the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi followed by sequencing; 9% animals tested positive with confirmed sequences. The isolates of this study showed high homology with Cuban, Russian and Brazilian isolates of T. equi (accession numbers KY111762.2 , MG551915.1 and KY952237.1 , respectively). Based on multivariate analysis, the principal risk factors consisted of absence of dogs on the premises and presence of tick infestation. The haemato-biochemical parameters showed a decrease in granulocytes and erythrocytes, and an increase in lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean platelet volume, glucose, phosphorus and aspartate aminotransferase in positive horses. This is the first study which identified ET in Punjab (Pakistan) using molecular techniques and risk factors together with the haemato-biochemical variations in horses.     

酸与碱处理对海带多糖提取及其抗氧化活性的影响

本试验采用柠檬酸提取法和碱提取法从海带中提取多糖组分,以总抗氧化能力和羟自由基（·OH）为衡量抗氧化活性指标,比较这两种提取方法得到海带粗多糖产率和抗氧化活性。试验结果表明：柠檬酸提取法和碱提取法的提取率分别为15.92%和6.05%,所提取的海带粗多糖具有良好的抗氧化活性,且柠檬酸提取法抗氧化活性更高。 [关键词] 柠檬酸提取法|碱提取法|海带多糖|抗氧化活性     

三种荒漠植物叶绿素荧光参数日变化特征

利用Photosynq MultiseQ多功能植物测量仪测定塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地3种主要防护林植物头状沙拐枣、多枝柽柳和梭梭的叶绿素荧光参数日变化,探讨其与环境因子的关系,以揭示3种植物对极端环境的适应策略,为沙漠公路防护林的管护提供理论依据。结果表明：1）3种土壤都呈碱性;0~30 cm土层中的电导率（EC）远高于30 cm以下的土层。1 m内梭梭土层中的含水量高于多枝柽柳高于头状沙拐枣。2）3种植物的光合有效辐射（PAR）、叶片温度和线性电子传递（LEF）及植物周围的大气温度日变化均先升后降,且都在14：00达到最高;而大气湿度、实际光化学效率Y_（II）日变化均呈‘V’型。3）PAR基本上与3种植物的LEF、非光化学淬灭系数（NPQ）、调节性能量耗散量子产量Y_（NPQ）、非调节性能量耗散量子产量Y_（NO）呈显著正相关,与实际光化学效率Y_（II）呈显著负相关;3种植物的Y_（II）与Y_（NPQ）、Y_（NO） 均呈极显著负相关。3种植物的LEF、Y_（II）、Y_（NPQ）的日均值差异不显著,但梭梭与多枝柽柳的NPQ和Y_（NO）日均值差异显著。4）在3种植物的叶绿素荧光参数中,梭梭和头状沙拐枣的LEF、NPQ和Y_（II）要高于多枝柽柳;而多枝柽柳的Y_（NO）要显著高于头状沙拐枣和梭梭。因此,高温和高光均对3种植物造成了不同程度的影响,通过主成分分析表明,3种植物的抗逆性强弱顺序分别为梭梭>头状沙拐枣>多枝柽柳。     

外源海藻糖对NaHCO3胁迫下甘草幼苗生长调节及总黄酮含量的影响

本研究以甘草无菌苗为试验材料,采用植物组织培养的方法,分析50 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃ 胁迫下外源海藻糖对甘草幼苗生长量、叶绿素含量、渗透调节物质含量、抗氧化保护酶活性和总黄酮含量的影响。结果表明： 50 mmol·L^-1 NaHCO₃ 胁迫显著降低了甘草幼苗的生长量、叶绿体色素含量、K⁺ 浓度、抗氧化保护酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性和总黄酮含量,显著提高了丙二醛、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量以及Na⁺浓度;施加15 mmol·L^-1 海藻糖可显著提高甘草幼苗的生长量,提高叶绿素含量、K⁺ 浓度和总黄酮含量,降低丙二酸含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量和Na⁺ 浓度,并且提高抗氧化保护酶活性。因此,NaHCO₃胁迫下施加外源海藻糖对甘草幼苗生长具有良好的调节作用,可以增强甘草的抗碱能力,促进甘草幼苗生长。本研究为外源海藻糖提高甘草耐碱性和揭示其调控机制提供理论依据。     

返青期休牧对退化高寒草地植被特征及优势种光合生理的影响

为探讨返青期休牧对退化高寒草地植被特征及优势种光合生理的影响,本研究在祁连山区选择已实施返青期休牧6年的高寒草甸开展了植被特征及优势种光合生理相关指标的调查研究。结果表明：返青期休牧6年后,高寒草甸的植被盖度、地上生物量、地下生物量和土壤含水量较未休牧区分别增加了38.44%,985.00%,209.56%和62.62%,其优势禾草垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）株高、叶片净光合速率、光化学量子效率、呼吸速率、叶面积、相对叶绿素含量和叶片氮含量分别提高了965.77%,139.86%,4.92%,269.37%,254.13%,197.02%和96.24%（P<0.05）,其地上地下生物量与除叶温和光化学猝灭系数外的指标显著相关,叶片净光合速率与除叶温外的指标显著相关。因此,返青期休牧可显著增强高寒草地优势禾草的光合作用和呼吸作用,促进植物生长及退化草地的恢复。本研究为推广实施返青期休牧这一措施来恢复退化高寒草地植被提供了理论基础。     

杂交构树叶多酚提取工艺优化及其抗氧化活性研究

为建立和优化杂交构树叶多酚的提取工艺,本试验采用超声波辅助提取的方法,以构树叶多酚得率为考察指标,通过单因素试验研究液料比、乙醇浓度、超声时间、超声温度4个因素对构树叶多酚得率的影响;在单因素试验的基础上,借助响应面法设计4因素3水平的试验方案,对构树叶多酚提取的工艺参数进行优化,建立回归模型并进行响应面分析,最终确定最佳的提取工艺参数,并进行3次平行验证;以维生素C为对照,通过测定构树叶多酚对DPPH和ABTS自由基的清除率,评价构树叶多酚的体外抗氧化活性。结果显示：4个因素对构树叶多酚得率的影响顺序依次为：乙醇浓度（B） > 液料比（A） > 超声温度（D） > 超声时间（C）,响应面分析结果显示：两两因素之间存在交互作用,但交互作用不显著（P>0.05）;在液料比为70：1、乙醇浓度为60%、超声时间为50 min、超声温度50 ℃的条件下,构树叶多酚的得率最大,为13.62 mg/g,与响应面法的预测值接近;体外抗氧化试验结果表明,构树叶多酚可以清除DPPH和ABTS自由基,并且在高浓度情况下可以达到与维生素C相当的水平。综上,试验建立的构树叶多酚提取工艺准确、可行,同时证明构树叶多酚具有良好的抗氧化活性;该结果可为构树叶多酚的生物活性研究以及构树叶的药用价值开发提供参考。     

Effect of Se and VE Supplement on Semen Quality,Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Heat Shock Protein Expression of Goat in High Temperature Season

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of selenium and vitamin E supplement on semen quality, antioxidant enzyme activities and heat shock protein expression of goat in Hainan high temperature season.16 adult Hainan Black goat with good health and approximate weight were randomly divided into 4 groups, fed with basal diet(control group), basal diet+0.5 mg/kg Se(Se group), basal diet+100 mg/kg VE(VE group), and basal diet+0.5 mg/kg Se+100 mg/kg VE(Se+VE group), respectively.The experimental period was 93 d.Semen samples were collected in the last week of the experiment on two consecutive days.The semen quality, antioxidant enzyme activities and heat shock protein expression were analyzed.The results showed that compared with control group, the ejaculate volume was not significantly affected by Se or VE supplement(P>0.05).Sperm density and sperm motility were increased significantly by Se and VE supplement(P<0.05), and the abnormal rate was decreased extremely significantly(P<0.01).The goats fed with Se and VE also had higher activities of GSH-Px(P<0.01), SOD(P<0.05), CAT(P<0.05) and T-AOC(P<0.01), and lower MDA concentration in seminal plasma(P<0.05).The relative expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA in supplement groups were decreased extremely significantly(P<0.01).However, there were some certain differences between the Se and VE supplement groups on semen quality and heat shock protein expression.In conclusion, the supplementation of Se and VE could help to improve goat semen quality by increasing the sperm density, sperm motility, the antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing the abnormal rate in hot season of Hainan.Finally, Se and VE supplement had good effects on relieving the environment heat stress.     

Effects of Supplemental Complex Water Soluble Vitamin on Production Performance,Blood Biochemical Parameters and Oxidation Resistance of Dairy Cows

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of supplemental complex water soluble vitamins on production performance, blood biochemical parameters and oxidative resistance of dairy cows in spring and summer.The experiment was designed by 2×2 factorial randomized blocks design.Eighty healthy dairy cows with similar parity and body weight were randomly divided to four groups, with 7 days of adaptation and 70 d experimental phase.The dairy cows in group Ⅲ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in spring.The dairy cows in group Ⅱ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in summer.The results showed that the ADFI and daily milk yield of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin in spring were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The ADFI of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin was significantly higher in summer (P<0.05) and daily milk yield were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The butterfat rate was extremely significantly increased and SCC was extremely significantly decreased in spring and summer (P<0.01);Supplementation of water soluble vitamin was also significantly increased LYM (P<0.05).In summer, T-AOC, T-SOD were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), and TP, CK, LDH, TP, HDL and ALB were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01) by water soluble vitamin supplementation than that of control group.In conclusion, complex water soluble vitamins could increase the production performance and non-specific immune function, improve the oxidative resistance and relieved the heat stress of the dairy cows.     

Relationship between serum cortisol levels and some physiological parameters following reining training session in horse

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise‐induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.     

Effects of dietary L-threonine levels on antioxidant capacity,digestive enzyme activities,and antibody production of Xinyang green-shell laying hens

Xinyang green-shell laying hens (n = 720), 32 wk of age were allocated to 5 dietary treatments groups, each of which included 6 replicates of 24 hens. The control group was given a basal corn-peanut-soybean meal diet containing 0.47% L-threonine (L-Thr). L-Thr levels of the experimental groups were 0.57, 0.67, 0.77, and 0.87%, respectively. The trial lasted 10 wk. Serum concentrations of total superoxide dismutases (T-SOD) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) were maximized at 0.67% L-Thr group. The 0.57% L-Thr group had the highest serum total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), while the 0.67% L-Thr group had the lowest serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Hens fed 0.67% L-Thr of the diet resulted in the highest SOD and T-AOC levels in the liver. The activity of amylase and lipase in the jejunum was maximized at 0.77% L-Thr level. Hens fed 0.77% L-Thr in the diet resulted in the highest IgM and IgG levels in the jejunum. In conclusion, we suggest that a L-Thr level above 0.67% may have had an antioxidant capacity and positive effect on digestive enzyme activities and antibody production in the jejunum of Xinyang green-shell laying hens.