Changes in hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs fed betaine

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on carcass characteristics, hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (Seghers × Seghers × Duroc) weighing about 55 kg were divided into two groups, each with three replicates of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) per replicate, and fed corn–soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0 and 0.125% betaine for 42 days. At trial termination, two pigs (one barrow and one gilt) weighing about 90 kg were selected from each replicate and slaughtered for analyses. The results showed that betaine increased carcass lean percentage and longissimus muscle area by 5.19% (P < 0.01) and 17.85% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased carcass fat percentage and average backfat thickness by 13.07% (P < 0.01) and 10.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and insulin levels in pigs fed betaine were elevated by 45.61% (P < 0.01), 55.50% (P < 0.01), 57.95% (P < 0.01), 51.80% (P < 0.01) and 42.34% (P < 0.05), respectively. Fatty acid synthase activity in the 10th rib subcutaneous adipose tissue was decreased by 24.35% (P < 0.05) with betaine supplementation, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum free fatty acids concentration in betaine-fed pigs was 25.75% higher compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that betaine could induce changes in hormones and growth factor in finishing pigs, and therefore could inhibit fat synthesis through reducing lipogenic enzymes activities and promote fat degradation by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity, with a resultant decrease in adipose tissue mass and improvement in carcass characteristics.     

Cytochrome P-based resistance mechanism and pyrethroid resistance in the field Anopheles albimanus resistance management trial

The relative rates of cytochrome P⁴⁵⁰ selection in southern Mexican Anopheles albimanus populations were investigated during a 3 years indoor residual house spraying intervention with a pyrethroid (PYR) or DDT, a mosaic of organophosphate (OP)-PYR, and the annual rotation of OP-PYR-carbamate (CARB). This insecticide resistance mechanism, initially evenly spread in the mosquito population, correlated with PYR resistance during the second treated year, when cytochrome P⁴⁵⁰ contents increased in most villages of the PYR, rotation and mosaic schemes. However, by the third year, mean cytochrome P⁴⁵⁰ contents declined to susceptible levels in mosquitoes of the rotation and one mosaic group but not in the PYR-treated villages. In DDT-treated villages, a continuous decrement of cytochrome P⁴⁵⁰ levels occurred since the first treatment year, and susceptible levels were observed at the end of the intervention. Most correlations of cytochrome P⁴⁵⁰ levels and PYR resistance were lost during the third year, indicating that another mechanism evolved in resistant mosquito populations.     

Integrated management approaches for pink bollworm in the southwestern United States

The pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is the key pest in cotton (Gossypium spp.) production areas in the southwestern United States and in many other cotton-producing areas of the world. The high costs of chemical control, continuing economic losses, secondary pest problems and environmental considerations suggest the need for ecologically oriented PBW management strategies. Extensive research has resulted in a broad array of monitoring, biological control, cultural, behavioural, genetic and host plant resistance methods that can serve as a base for the formulation of integrated PBW management systems. The life history characteristics of the PBW, in particular the high mobility of adults, indicate the need for combinations of selected integrated pest management (IPM) components implemented over large geographical areas. The areas involved present a wide range of PBW population densities, differences in cotton production methods and social and environmental considerations. The best option is tailor-made systems for targeted management areas with the selection of IPM components based on the PBW population density, crop production methods and economic feasibility. The unlikelihood of eradication indicates the need for long-term monitoring and programme maintenance following successful area-wide management. The success of area-wide PBW management is highly dependent on participation in the planning, site selection, implementation and assessment phases of the programme by all segments of the agricultural community. A highly effective extension--education communication programme is an essential component. Local uncoordinated efforts have not reduced the economic status of this pest in any area where it is an established pest. The potential long-term benefits of PBW population suppression on an area-wide basis appear to justify area-wide efforts in terms of reduced costs, more effective control, less environmental contamination and other peripheral problems associated with conventional control approaches.     

“龙江清酒”的加工与营销策略

为研制并开发地产新饮品，以黑龙江地产稻米为原料，采取制酒的工艺流程，研制香气独特的龙江清酒。提出了龙江清酒的加工工艺及技术要点，并策划了该产品的营销策略。加工工艺关键是筛选优良的酒曲霉菌和特定酵母菌、优化制曲工艺和发酵工艺条件等；营销关键是打品牌、强宣传、重营销。     

杨树低产林成因及对策——以宿州市踊桥区祁县镇为例

通过设立固定标准地对杨树的中幼林龄期和近熟林龄期生长情况进行调查分析，了解踊桥区祁县镇不同立地条件下杨树长势，判断林分立地条件对生长量影响的关键因子，并进行了标准地土壤剖面结构、理化性质和土壤养分含量对比，结论如下：影响杨树生长的关键因素是林地土层厚度，分析了杨树低产林形成原因是：土壤层浅、瘠薄、空隙度小、质地粘重。并提出相应对策：杨树低产林改造；加强中幼林抚育、进行土壤改良；发展林下经济改善土壤结构理化性质；营造复层林、间接改良土壤，提高林地综合利用率。     

大庆市粗饲料供应与利用的对策分析

通过调查和研究，分析了大庆市粗饲料的生产和供应能力，确定了影响大庆市粗饲料供应与利用的主要影响因素。在此基础上，提出了大庆市粗饲料供应和利用的对策和建议。     

国际旅游岛背景下海南休闲农业发展探讨

通过分析国际旅游岛的建设背景，认为海南大力发展热带休闲农业，可以打造海南生态休闲旅游的新品牌、构筑海南旅游发展的新亮点。并结合海南休闲农业发展的实际情况，就如何进一步发展海南休闲农业提出对策和建议。     

老年农民工人力资源开发研究

开发老年农民工人力资源不仅是老年农民工自我发展的需要,也是社会发展的必须。老年农民工与青年农民工可以优势互补,发挥老年农民工的余热既可消化农村剩余劳动力,又可促进城市化进程。     

国内甜菜产区主要害虫种类及防治技术研究动态

综述了甜菜主要害虫种类及防治技术等方面的研究进展，并对甜菜主要害虫种类的防治策略做了进一步探讨。     

基于SWOT分析的腾冲县核桃产业发展对策研究

采用SWOT分析法,分析腾冲县核桃产业发展情况,优势为:土壤、气候适宜,产业发展基础好,旅游人流量大;劣势为:品种莨莠不齐,科技支撑水平低,资源投入不足,深加工水平低等;机会为:市场前景广阔,政策支持等;威胁为:市场竞争激烈,替代产品威胁。藉此从SO战略、WO战略、ST战略和WT战略4个方面提出核桃产业发展对策。