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.     

中草药免疫活性物质对鱼类肠道菌群群落的影响研究进展

对近年来国内外有关中草药免疫活性物质对鱼类肠道菌群群落结构的影响进行了综述,旨在为开发绿色高效、营养全面的饲料提供科学的理论依据。     

马齿苋水提物对热应激小鼠空肠结构及吸收功能的影响

旨在探讨马齿苋水提物（aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L.）对热应激小鼠空肠结构及吸收功能的影响。将40只昆明种小鼠随机分为4组（n=10）：空白对照组（C）、热应激组（HS）、马齿苋水提物组（AEP）、维生素C组（Vc），HS、AEP和Vc组每天于（40±1）℃环境下处理0.5 h，连续热应激6 d后将小鼠转置于室温下给药治疗。给药7 d后眶窦采血，并采集小鼠空肠；测定小鼠血清中D-木糖、葡萄糖含量；HE染色观察空肠组织病理学变化；qRT-PCR法检测空肠黏膜ZO-1、SGLT1及GLUT2 mRNA的相对转录水平。结果显示，与C组比较，HS组小鼠空肠黏膜绒毛高度极显著降低（P<0.01）；血清中D-木糖的含量极显著降低（P<0.01）；空肠黏膜中ZO-1、SGLT1和GLUT2 mRNA的相对转录水平均极显著降低（P<0.01）；与HS组相比，AEP组小鼠空肠绒毛高度极显著提高（P<0.01）；血清中D-木糖及葡萄糖的含量均显著升高（P<0.01或P<0.05）；空肠黏膜中ZO-1、SGLT1和GLUT2 mRNA的相对转录水平均显著升高（P<0.05或P<0.01）。高温处理可导致小鼠空肠黏膜脱落及吸收功能下降，而在给予马齿苋水提物治疗后可通过提高空肠ZO-1 mRNA表达量修复空肠黏膜结构，通过促进空肠黏膜SGLT1和GLUT2 mRNA的转录量改善吸收功能。马齿苋水提物能在一定程度上修复热应激导致小鼠空肠黏膜结构损伤，改善热应激小鼠肠道的吸收能力。     

Comparison of Salt and Drought‐Stress Effects on Maize Growth and Yield Formation with Regard to Acid Invertase Activity in the Kernels

The long‐term effects of salt stress (11 dS m^?1) and drought stress (35 % WHC) were investigated for two maize genotypes, focusing on the relation between metabolic changes around the time of pollination and the impact on yield determinants at maturity. The relatively salt‐resistant hybrid Pioneer 3906 and the relatively drought‐resistant hybrid Fabregas were compared. The experiments were conducted in large plastic containers in a vegetation hall in two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Plant height and leaf area were significantly reduced under both stress conditions. The transpiration rate was only slightly reduced under drought stress; but under salt stress, a significant reduction occurred 40–53 days after sowing. As a significant increase in sucrose concentrations was observed in the salt‐treated maize kernels 2 days after pollination, the availability of assimilates was not limiting and the plants could afford to save water by reduced stomatal opening. Although under both stress conditions the soluble acid invertase activity was reduced 2 days after pollination, concomitantly, an increase in hexose concentrations was observed. Thus, in these experiments, the delivery of hexoses by acid invertase activity did not limit kernel development. Differences in grain yield at maturity between salt and drought stress were most likely caused by salt‐specific effects (Na⁺ toxicity), Fabregas being more affected than Pioneer 3906.     

拟南芥响应3-羰基己酰基高丝氨酸内酯的膜蛋白质组分析

为了探索植物响应细菌信号N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(AHLs)的分子机制。本文利用二维差异凝胶电泳技术分析了3-羰基己酰基高丝氨酸内酯(3OC6-HSL)处理引起拟南芥膜蛋白质组的变化情况,结果表明3OC6-HSL共诱导53个蛋白点发生显著变化,涉及天然免疫、逆境胁迫响应、碳代谢、能量代谢、光合作用等多种生物学功能,暗示了3OC6-HSL在调控植物生长发育和抗逆性方面发挥着重要作用,可为阐明植物-细菌跨界通讯的分子机制提供更多的功能蛋白质信息。     

水分胁迫下骏枣叶片中保护酶活性的变化

以3年生盆栽骏枣为研究对象,研究了在不同程度的水分胁迫下,骏枣树体中SOD、POD、CAT 3种抗氧化保护酶活性的变化,结果表明,3种酶在植物体内是协同作用,随着干旱天数不断增加,SOD和POD活性的变化规律基本一致,总体表现为前期数值升高后期逐渐降低,而CAT活性变化有波动。说明骏枣体内的这3种酶均能够抵抗干旱,消除自由基对植物的伤害,对植物进行保护。     

Whole-genome identiifcation and expression analysis of K+eflfux antiporter (KEA) and Na+/H+antiporter (NHX) families under abiotic stress in soybean

Sodium toxicity and potassium insufifcient are important factors affecting the growth and development of soybean in saline soil. As the capacity of plants to maintain a high cytosolic, K+/Na+ratio is t...     

Dietary clinoptilolite influences antioxidant capability and oxidative status of broilers

Natural clinoptilolite has been shown to have positive effects as an antioxidant, which means it traps free radicals in its complex structure, inactivating and eliminating them. Synthetic or modified clinoptilolite delays lipid peroxidation with water-soluble peroxyl radicals, and reduces the catalytic production of radicals to protect the organism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite on the antioxidant status of broilers. The antioxidant capability of natural clinoptilolite or modified clinoptilolite is exerted, at least in part, by increasing glutathione content in liver and intestinal mucosa, the superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa. In addition, to enhance broiler performance, there is a reduction of the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa.     

Identification of CIMMYT spring bread wheat germplasm maintaining superior grain yield and quality under heat-stress

Unpredictable temperatures and rainfall associated with climate change are expected to affect wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in various countries. The development of climate-resilient spring wheat cultivars able to maintain grain yield and quality is essential to food security and economic returns. We tested 54 CIMMYT spring bread wheat genotypes, developed and/or released over a span of 50 years, in the field for two years under optimum sowing dates, as well as using two delayed sowing dates to expose crops to medium and severe heat-stress conditions. The grain yield and yield components were severely affected as the heat-stress increased. Two contrasting groups of 10 lines each were identified to determine the effect of heat-stress on bread-making quality. The first set included entries that produced high yields in optimal conditions and maintained higher yields under heat-stress (superior-yielding lines), while the second set included genotypes that did not perform well in the environment with high temperature (inferior-yielding lines). We identified genotypes exhibiting bread-making quality stability, as well as the quality traits that had higher correlation with the loaf volume in the environment without stress and under heat-stress. Of all the quality traits tested, dough extensibility (AlvL) and grain protein content had a significant influence in heat-stress adaptation. Most of the lines from the superior-yielding group were also able to maintain and even improve quality characteristics under heat-stress and therefore, could be used as parents in breeding to develop high-yielding and stable quality wheat varieties.