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.     

Differential Cl−/Salt Tolerance and NaCl‐Induced Alternations of Tissue and Cellular Ion Fluxes in Glycine max,Glycine soja and their Hybrid Seedlings

The salt‐sensitive Glycine max N23674 cultivar, the salt‐born Glycine soja BB52 population, and their hybrid 4076 strain (F₅) selected for salt tolerance generation by generation were used as the experimental materials in this study. First, the effects of NaCl stress on seed germination, tissue damage, and time‐course ionic absorption and transportation were compared. When qualitatively compared with seed germination appearance in culture dishes, and tissue damages on roots or leaves of seedlings, or quantitatively compared with the relative salt injury rate, the inhibition on N23674 was all the most remarkable. After the exposure of 140 mm NaCl for 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 2 days and 4 days, the content of Cl^? gradually increased in the roots and leaves of seedlings of BB52, 4076 and 23674. Interestingly, the extents of the Cl^? rise in roots of the three experimental soybean materials were BB52 > 4076 > N23674, whereas those in leaves were just on the contrary. Secondly, by using the scanning ion‐selective electrode technique (SIET), fluxes of Na⁺ and Cl^? in roots and protoplasts isolated from roots and leaves were also investigated among the three experimental soybean materials. After 140 mm NaCl stress for 2, 4 and 6 days, and when compared with N23674, slighter net Cl^? influxes were observed in root tissue and protoplasts of roots and leaves of BB52 and 4076 seedlings, especially at the cellular protoplast level. The results indicate that with regard to the ionic effect of NaCl stress, Cl^? was the main determinant salt ion for salt tolerance in G. soja, G. max and their hybrid, and the difference in their Cl^?/salt tolerance is mainly attributed to the capacity of Cl^? restriction to the plant above‐ground parts such as leaves.     

Evaluation of Cold Tolerance in NERICAs Compared with Japanese Standard Rice Varieties at the Reproductive Stage

New Rice for Africa (NERICA) is a general name for interspecific rice varieties derived from a cross between the high‐yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) between locally adapted African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.). Eight NERICAs were evaluated for cold tolerance (CT) at the reproductive stage and compared with their O. sativa parents and three Japanese standard rice varieties over 3 years. Cold tolerance was evaluated based on the filled grain ratio (FGR) after cold water irrigation. The FGR was greatly reduced by cold water irrigation. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 had higher FGR (51.9–57.9 %), while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 had lower FGR (6.2–14.5 %). NERICA 1, 2 and 7 were less affected by cold stress, with a 31 % mean reduction in FGR, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 were greatly affected, with their FGRs being reduced by more than 80 %. NERICA 3 and 4 were moderately affected by cold stress, with about 45 % reduction rate in FGR. FGR significantly influenced the grain weights of the varieties with strong positive correlations (r = 0.83–0.91; P < 0.001), and thus, similar trends in grain weights were observed. Grain weights were reduced by 61.7–96.4 % under cold stress. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 showed significantly better performance than NERICA 3 and 4, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 performed poorly under cold water irrigation. The Japanese varieties Koshihikari (very tolerant) and Ozora (moderately tolerant) were more affected by cold water irrigation than NERICA 1, 2 and 7. On the basis of the mean reduction rate (%) in FGR under cold stress, the varieties were classified as follows: NERICA 1, 2 and 7 as tolerant; NERICA 3 and 4 as moderately tolerant; and NERICA 6, 15 and 16 as susceptible to cold stress. However, NERICA 7 grain yields were lower under cold stress due to both greatly reduced number of panicles per plant and number of spikelets per panicle. Therefore, NERICA 1 and 2 are suitable candidates for production in the highland regions of East Africa and should be promoted for production.     

UCP1基因变异与绵羊生长及胴体性状的关联分析

试验旨在探讨解耦联蛋白1（UCP1）基因核苷酸变异对绵羊生长性状的性别差异和胴体性状的影响，以期能够筛选出可以提升绵羊生长及胴体性状的核苷酸变异，为提高绵羊相关重要经济性状的分子遗传标记提供材料。以9个绵羊品种为研究对象，用PCR-SSCP方法检测不同性别绵羊中UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区变异。利用Minitab 16.0软件中一般线性模型分析内含子5区等位基因与不同性别绵羊生长性状、公羔胴体性状的关联性。结果显示，绵羊UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区共检测到8个核苷酸变异，其中位点c.910 G/A突变导致p.Ala304Thr氨基酸变异。生长性状关联分析结果表明，内含子5区等位基因对绵羊生长性状的影响存在性别特异性，母羔中携带等位基因A₁的群体较缺失群体具有较低的初生重（P<0.05），公羔中携带等位基因C₁的群体较缺失群体具有较高的断尾重（P<0.05），未发现其他等位基因与羔羊的生长性状存在性别特异性。胴体性状关联分析结果表明，携带等位基因A₁的群体具有较低后腿瘦肉量、腰部瘦肉量和较高的肩部瘦肉比例（P<0.05），携带等位基因C₁的群体具有较低的后腿瘦肉比例（P<0.05），其他胴体性状均没有发现与等位基因存在显著相关，基因型分析结果与等位基因分析结果一致。结果提示，UCP1基因对绵羊的生长性状影响具有性别特异性，且携带等位基因A₁的公羔群体具有较低的胴体生产性状，为提高公羔胴体生产性能提供了理论依据。     

两个宁夏枸杞品种的耐渗透胁迫和耐盐特征比较

以宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)中的两个品种扁果枸杞和宁杞0702为材料,对比二者在渗透胁迫、盐处理以及渗透胁迫和盐处理互作条件下的生长特征、叶组织含水量以及各器官Na~+、K~+积累量分析。结果表明,与对照相比,-0.5 MPa渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702的生长均受到抑制,其鲜重分别降低了34%和38%,根长分别降低了32%和17%;与对照相比,50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl使扁果枸杞幼苗的鲜重显著增加了38%(P0.05),干重、株高和根长均不受影响,但宁杞0702幼苗鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了27%、34%、44%和14%(P0.05);渗透胁迫~+盐处理下,扁果枸杞幼苗与对照组差异不显著(P0.05),而宁杞0702幼苗的鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了37%、28%、44%和13%。与对照相比,渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞叶组织含水量维持稳定,而宁杞0702显著降低了12%(P0.05);在盐处理下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702叶组织含水量分别显著增加了25%和18%(P0.05),在渗透胁迫~+盐处理下二者均维持稳定。在扁果枸杞中,鲜重和叶组织含水量与叶、茎中Na~+浓度呈极显著正相关(P0.01),而在宁杞0702中,鲜重仅与叶中的K~+浓度极显著正相关(P0.01),与茎中的Na~+则呈显著负相关(P0.05),叶组织含水量则与各器官中的Na~+、K~+浓度均不相关。与对照相比,扁果枸杞在渗透胁迫和盐处理下ST值分别显著增加了84%和43%(P0.05),而宁杞0702则分别显著降低了63%和47%(P0.05)。上述结果表明,扁果枸杞能通过体内积累适量的Na~+,调控体内Na~+、K~+平衡,改善体内的水分状况,维持其正常的生长,具有盐生植物的特点;宁杞0702则不具备这些特征。     

Phenotypic Changes in Grain Sorghum Over the Last Five Decades

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a drought‐tolerant crop, and its productivity in rain fed environments has increased since the 1950s. This increase is due to changes in agronomic practices and hybrid improvement. The objective of this study was to determine what aspects of grain sorghum morphology, physiology and water use have changed with hybrid improvement and might have contributed to this yield increase. A 2‐year greenhouse experiment was conducted with one hybrid from each of the past five decades. The hybrids were studied in well‐watered and pre‐ and post‐flowering water deficit conditions. Total water use, transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis were measured during the growing period. Biomass and biomass components were measured at harvest. There was no consistent change in the leaf physiological parameters resulting from hybrid advancement. In contrast, total water use increased in rate of 8.5 cm³ kg soil^?1 year^?1 from old to new hybrids in the well‐watered treatments. Root biomass also increased in rate of 0.2 g plant^?1 year^?1. Leaf biomass and panicle length also was greater for the newest compared with the older hybrids. Hybrid advancement was related to increase in panicle length but decrease in peduncle length. Results indicated that hybrid development programmes created hybrids with improved drought avoidance, due to better root density of newly released hybrids, or hybrids with better resource use which ultimately increased yield under rain fed conditions.     

Glycine max and Glycine soja are capable of cold acclimation

Soybean has been considered a cold intolerant species; based largely upon seed germination and soil emergent evaluations. This study reports a distinct acquisition of cold tolerance, in seedlings, following short acclimation periods. Diversity in cold responses was assessed in eight cultivars of Glycine max and six accessions of G. soja. All varieties of soybean significantly increased in freezing tolerance following acclimation. This study indicates soybean seedlings are indeed capable of sensing cold and acquiring cold tolerance. Germination rates after cold imbibition were negatively correlated with maturity group, but positively correlated with cold acclimation potential in G. soja. Seed fatty acid composition was varied between the species, with Glycine soja accessions containing about 2‐times more linolenic acid (18:3) than G. max. Furthermore, high levels of linoleic acid (18:2) in seeds were positively correlated with germination rates following cold imbibition in G. soja only. We suggest that domestication has not impacted the overall ability of soybean to cold acclimate at the seedling stage and that there is little variation within the domesticated species for ability to cold acclimate. Thus, this brief comparative study reduces the enthusiasm for the “wild” species as an additional source of genetic diversity for cold tolerance.     

基于结构洞指数的网络节点重要度评估

运用双阶差分模型探究了并购与新建投资模式下公司避税效应的非对称性，并进一步从事后的视角探究该非对称性是否是影响企业投资模式选择的显著影响因素。研究发现：相比于新建投资，并购增加了收购方会计利润应税所得差异，且实质性地降低了其所得税实际有效税率，这表明不同投资模式下公司避税效应存在理论预期的非对称性。进一步研究发现，改变企业会计利润应税所得差异以及会计利润应税所得操纵程度是影响企业投资模式选择的重要因素。从事后的视角来看，企业很可能为了获取更大程度的公司避税效应而选择并购行为。     

Evaluation on Tolerance of Montmorillonite as a Mycotoxin Adsorbent

In order to study the tolerance dose of Kunming mice to montmorillonite as a mycotoxin adsorbent in diets,the experiment selected 60 healthy male Kunming mice with initial average body weight of (17±0.12)g,randomly divided them into 5 treatments with two replicates per group and 6 mice per replicate.Five experimental diets were added to 0 (control group),0.5%,1%,2% and 5% montmorillonite,respectively.After 30 days,the growth performance,nutrients apparent digestibility,serum biochemical indices and internal organization were tested to determine the tolerance dose of montmorillonite for Kunming mice.The results showed that the ADFI was significantly increased in 0.5% group (P< 0.05),while there were no significant differences in ADFI and ADG between 1% group and control group (P> 0.05),then the ADFI was significantly decreased with the increasing of montmorillonite supplemental level (P< 0.05).The ADG in 2% group had no significant difference when compared with the control group (P> 0.05),while significantly lower than that in 0.5% and 1% groups (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of DM,CP and EE showed no significant effect at any level of montmorillonite (P> 0.05).Serum ALT,AST activities and MDA content were gradually increased with the montmorillonite supplemental level increasing,and that in 1%,2% and 5% groups were significantly higher than that in control group (P< 0.05),but there were no significant differences between 0.5% group and control group (P> 0.05).Tissue sections showed that mice livers were damaged in varying degrees when the montmorillonite supplemental level was 5%.In conclusion,based on a comprehensive consideration of all indexes,it could be seen that the tolerance dose of the tested montmorillonite for Kunming mice was between 0.5% and 2% when mycotoxin contents in diets were in security range.     

Morphological and Physiological Responses of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and Chicory (Cichorium intybus) to Water Stress and Defoliation Frequency

Plants are often subjected to periods of water stress. There are little data examining the effect of water stress on the forage species Plantago lanceolata and Cichorium intybus. In two pot experiments with P. lanceolata and C. intybus, morphological responses under optimum, dry, and very‐dry water treatments with weekly, fortnightly and 3‐weekly defoliation intervals and physiological responses under optimum and very‐dry water treatments were measured. A third experiment compared the rooting depths of P. lanceolata and C. intybus under field conditions. These findings suggest that both P. lanceolata and C. intybus can survive and continue to grow under water stress conditions with the main differences between the two species being attributable to morphological characteristics (root mass, taproot diameter and shoot mass fraction) rather than differences at a physiological level. Overall, the results suggest plantain may be more productive under moderate drought due to its greater shoot mass fraction, whereas chicory may be more productive and persistent under severe drought due to its greater root mass, taproot diameter and root depth under field conditions.