山羊TNNT3基因可变剪切及其对骨骼肌细胞分化的作用

【目的】快速骨骼肌肌钙蛋白T(fast skeletal troponin T3,TNNT3)作为肌钙蛋白(troponin, Tn)家族成员,调节横纹肌收缩、参与骨骼肌的生长发育并影响家畜肉质性状。通过获得山羊TNNT3基因的可变剪切体,分析山羊TNNT3基因可变剪切的表达模式及其在肌细胞分化中的作用,深入解析TNNT3基因在山羊骨骼肌生长发育过程中的作用机制。【方法】基于NCBI已公布山羊TNNT3基因(NM₀01314210.1)和牛TNNT3基因(XM₀10821200)mRNA序列,使用软件Primer Premier6.0设计引物,以简州大耳羊胚胎期和出生后7个阶段骨骼肌为试验材料,克隆测序获得山羊TNNT3基因的CDS区可变剪切体,利用软件ORF Finder、EditSeq、DNAMAN、ClustalW和MEGA_X10.1.8等对序列进行生物信息学分析;进一步设计实时荧光定量(real-time PCR,RT-qPCR)及半定量引物,研究TNNT3基因剪切体在7个不同组织(背最长肌...     

European long‐term field experiments: knowledge gained about alternative management practices

Alternative management practices such as no‐tillage compared to conventional tillage are expected to recover or increase soil quality and productivity, even though all of these aspects are rarely studied together. Long‐term field experiments (LTE s) enable analysis of alternative management practices over time. This study investigated a total of 251 European LTE s in which alternative management practices such as crop rotation, catch crops, cover crops/green manure, no‐tillage, non‐inversion tillage and organic fertilization were applied. Response ratios of indicators for soil quality, climate change and productivity between alternative and reference management practices were derived from a total of 260 publications. Both positive and negative effects of alternative management practices on the different indicators were shown and, as expected, no alternative management practice could comply with all objectives simultaneously. Productivity was hampered by non‐inversion tillage, FYM amendments and incorporation of crop residues. SOC contents were increased significantly following organic fertilizers and non‐inversion tillage. GHG emissions were increased by slurry application and incorporation of crop residues. Our study showed that alternative management practices beneficial to one group of indicators (e.g. organic fertilizers for biological soil quality indicators) are not necessarily beneficial to other indicators (e.g. increase of crop yields). We conclude that LTE s are valuable for finding ways forward in protecting European soils as well as finding evidence‐based alternative management practices for the future; however, experiments should focus more on biological soil quality indicators as well as GHG emissions to enable better evaluation of trade‐offs and mutual benefits of management practices.     

A blend of benzoic acid and essential oil compounds as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets

The discussions about the possibility of bacterial resistance resulting from the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in broiler feed. The limitations of international market have forced the exporting countries to search for alternatives to ensure the animal growth without affecting the quality of the final product. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of in-feed CRINA® Poultry Plus (CPP, a mixture of benzoic acid and essential oils) in enhancing broiler growth performance and reducing coccidial lesions, as a non-antibiotic growth promoter. Effect of CPP on litter moisture content was also assessed. The treatments were: NC, a basal diet without growth promoters; PC, a basal diet with 10 ppm of Avilamycin (AVI); CPPD, a basal diet with 300 ppm of CPP from 1 to 42 d; AVI_(1–21d)/CPP_(22–42d), a basal diet with 10 ppm of AVI from 1 to 21 d and 300 ppm of CPP from 22 to 42 d; and AVI + CPP (1–42 d), a basal diet with 10 ppm of AVI and 300 ppm of CPP from 1 to 42 d. The 5 treatments were applied in a completely randomized arrangement and 10 replicate with 31 birds per pen. The diets with CPP increased body weight gain and feed conversion rates in the 1 to 42 d period and European productive efficiency index compared to birds fed with negative control diet (NC). Furthermore, lesion scores induced by E. acervulina were highest in the NC. The results suggest that CRINA® Poultry Plus can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets without losses in productive performance.     

番鸭下丘脑组织的RNA-Seq特征分析

为筛选番鸭下丘脑组织中的基因组信息,本研究以NCBI数据库中已标注的绿头鸭基因组（登录号：BGI_duck_1.0）为参照,利用RNA-Seq技术对番鸭下丘脑组织基因表达水平,以及可变剪切事件、SNPs及InDel进行筛选。结果显示,共鉴定出14 619个基因表达（FPKM ≥ 1）,占筛选出总基因数的72.7%。共有5 034个基因发生了7 528次可变剪切,其中外显子跳跃占92.76%,第一个外显子可变剪切和内含子滞留所占比例最小,共占总数的0.027%。通过RNA-Seq技术,本研究还筛选到646 423个SNP位点和77 712个InDel位点。对SNPs和InDel所在的基因进行功能注释发现,这些基因主要参与分子功能、生物过程和细胞组成过程。通过KEGG通路分析发现,出现SNPs和InDel所在基因主要富集在内分泌调节和神经行为调节的相关通路上,表明下丘脑既可参与内分泌调节,又参与动物的神经行为调节。本研究筛选出的数据不仅丰富了番鸭的遗传信息,而且也建立了番鸭相关基因的SNPs和InDel的数据库,这为番鸭的遗传育种工作及相关功能基因的具体定位提供了可靠依据,同时也为以后番鸭行为的研究提供了一定的参考价值。     

Effect of phenyl,allyl, and methyl isothiocyanate on Cyperus rotundus tubers under LDPE and VIF mulch

Cyperus rotundus (Purple nutsedge) is the most troublesome weed of vegetable crops in the US and a major limitation to the adoption of methyl bromide alternatives due to their ineffectiveness on this weed. Thus, other effective alternatives are needed. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effect of phenyl, allyl, and methyl isothiocyanate (ITC) at two concentrations (1000 and 3000 nmol g⁻¹ in dry soil) on C. rotundus tubers under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulch. ITC treated soil containing C. rotundus tubers was filled in glass jars and covered with LDPE or VIF mulch for 21 days, followed by nutsedge tuber viability evaluations. Efficacy of all three ITCs increased with increase in concentration from 1000 to 3000 nmol g⁻¹. All ITCs significantly reduced tuber viability, tuber dry weight, and shoot emergence, but methyl ITC was most effective followed by allyl ITC followed by phenyl ITC. Mulch type did not affect efficacy of allyl and methyl ITC, but phenyl ITC efficacy against C. rotundus was improved by using VIF mulch over LDPE mulch. Overall, methyl ITC at 3000 nmol g⁻¹ was the most efficacious control option among three ITC tested regardless of mulch type.     

Peel meals as feed ingredients in poultry diets: Chemical composition,dietary recommendations and prospects

The increase demand for poultry products has had direct effect on the supply and price of feed. This has increased research interest into the potential of locally available, less competed and low cost materials as feed ingredients. Several peels from roots/tubers and fruits have been evaluated in poultry diets but recommendations have not been consistent. High fibre, low nutrient density and likely presence of antinutritional factors limit the efficient utilisation of peel meal by poultry. Plant cultivar, age, agronomic practices, method of peel processing, breed and age of poultry all affect the inclusion level of peel meal in poultry diets. The increase interest in breeding crops for low antinutrients, knowledge in processing technologies and availability of several additives such as enzyme products, amino acids and antinutrients binding agents in the feed market could improve the usefulness of peel meal in on‐farm poultry rations. This study reviews the potential of selected root/tuber and fruit peels as feed ingredients for poultry with regards their composition, dietary recommendation and prospects.     

Alterations of Alternative Splicing Patterns of Ser/Arg-Rich （SR） Genes in Response to Hormones and Stresses Treatments in Different Ecotypes of Rice （Oryza sativa）

Ser/Arg-rich (SR) genes encode proteins that play pivotal roles in both constitutive and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. However, not much effort has been made to investigate the alternative splicing of their own pre-mRNA. In this study, we conducted comprehensive analyses of pre-mRNA splicing for 22 SR genes in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) ecotypes indica, japonica and javanica. Using different ecotypes we characterized the variations in expression and splicing patterns of rice SR genes in different tissues and at different developmental stages. In addition, we compared the divergence in expression and splicing patterns of SR genes from seedlings of different rice ecotypes in response to hormones application and environmental stresses. Our results revealed the complexity of alternative splicing of SR genes in rice. The splicing varies in different tissues, in different ecotypes, in response to stresses and hormones. Thus, our study suggested that SR genes were subjected to sophisticated alternative splicing although their encoding proteins were involved in the splicing process.     

Alternative migratory strategies are widespread in subyearling Chinook salmon

Variation in life history traits within and across species is known to reflect adaptations to different environmental drivers through a diversity of mechanisms. Trait variation can also help buffer species and populations against extinction in fluctuating environments and against anthropogenic disturbances. Here, we examine the distribution and drivers of Ocean‐type Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) juvenile migratory life histories. We defined alternative migratory strategies according to whether individuals reared in the stream (natal rearing) or left shortly after hatching to rear elsewhere (non‐natal rearing). We then evaluated the frequency of migratory strategies across 16 populations with time series extending up to 25 years and evaluated the environmental variables that influenced variation in migration strategy. We found bimodal migration patterns and abrupt transitions in migrant sizes across all populations, supporting the widespread nature of alternative migratory strategies. Additionally, we found that the amount of freshwater rearing habitat available to juveniles, relative juvenile density and spring flow patterns significantly influenced the overall migration pattern for populations. Smaller streams and higher conspecific densities generally produced more non‐natal rearing migrants and larger streams and lower conspecific densities producing more natal rearing migrants. Our results shed light on previously unexplored patterns of juvenile migratory strategies and encourage broader consideration for how current conservation actions perform at protecting juvenile migratory diversity.     

ZimFlores: A model to advise co-management of the mafungautsi forest in Zimbabwe

ZimFlores (version 4) is the outcome of a participatory modelling process and seeks to provide a shared factual basis for exploring land-use options for the communal lands surrounding the Mafungautsi forest. The ZimFlores experience underscores the importance of a sharing a common problem and a common location in which all participants have an interest. Participatory modelling has proved an effective way to consolidate a diverse body of knowledge and make it accessible. Results demonstrate the importance of model outputs that are diagnostic, and which offer insights into the issues under consideration. Many people contributed in many ways to help realize ZimFlores. Some of the people who contributed include Elias Ayuk, Ivan Bond, Ephraim Chabayanzara, Muyeye Chambwera, Vijay Datadin, Wil de Jong, Peter Frost, James Gambiza, Jode Garbe, Peter Gondo, Emmanuel Guveya, Chiedza Gwata, John Hansell, Gideon Kamumvuri, Godwin Kowero, Dominic Kwesha, Chris Legg, Tim Lynam, Hilton Madevu, Simba Mandota, Everisto Mapedza, Frank Matose, Gutura Matoso, Chipo Mlambo, John Mudekwe, Maxwell Mukwekwerere, Dorcas Mungwari, Tendayi Mutimukuru, Mkhululi Ngwenya, Richard Nyirenda, Bill Ritchie, Lizwelabo Sibanda, Manasa Sibanda, Fergus Sinclair, Jivas Sithutha, Jasper Taylor, Michael Thomas, Zivanai Tsvuura and Steve Twomlow. We are grateful to the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the European Community for financial support of this project.