Soil quality assessments in integrated crop–livestock–forest systems: A review

Integrated crop–livestock–forest is a promising strategy to improve soil quality. It comprises four different integrated farming systems: crop–livestock, crop–forest, forest–livestock and crop–livestock–forest. This work systematically reviewed studies about integrated crop–livestock–forest systems and soil quality. A total of 92 papers were retrieved from the Web of Science—Clarivate Analytics platform, and the following information was analysed: publication year, institution, region of the studied site, type of integrated system, soil type, tillage system, maximum soil depth and the soil quality indicators assessed. Most studies were published in the second half of the 2010s. Brazil is a prominent focus of research about soil quality and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems, with significant contribution from its central and southern regions. The Embrapa was the main publishing institution, present in over one‐third of the studies. Crop–livestock was the most common integrated system, Ferralsols was the most common soil group, and most of the studied soils were clayey. No tillage was the main tillage system. Most studies focused on the topsoil, assessing physical and/or chemical soil quality indicators. More emphasis on biological indicators of soil quality is required, as well as assessments integrating biological, physical and chemical indicators of soil quality. Future works should compare different integrated systems, including assessments deeper in the soil profile, especially in systems with the forest component, and also in sandy and silty soils. Soil quality indicators that have been rarely used should be further tested. Novel indicators should be added to better understand the promotion of soil quality by integrated crop–livestock–forest systems.     

基于SRP模型的南雄丹霞梧桐自然保护区生态脆弱性评价

通过建立生态敏感性-生态恢复力-生态压力度（SRP）模型，利用主成分分析法确定指标权重，对南雄丹霞梧桐自然保护区进行生态脆弱性评价。结果表明:1）从生态敏感性角度，研究区高度脆弱和极度脆弱面积分别为756.50 hm²和773.58 hm²，占比之和>50%，主要集中分布于北部和中部，而主要影响要素为土壤侵蚀强度，其次为距水源距离；2）从生态恢复力角度，研究区不脆弱和轻度脆弱面积分别为777.71 hm²和676.73 hm²，占比之和>50%，主要集中分布于西部和西南部，主要影响要素为生物多样性，其次为植被覆盖度；3）从生态压力度角度，研究区不脆弱和轻度脆弱面积分别为551.33 hm²和1 205.12 hm²，占比之和>60%，主要集中分布于西部及东部，而主要影响要素为GDP密度和人口密度；4）研究区整体生态脆弱性较高，中度及以上脆弱性面积之和达到67.72%，主要集中于研究区的中部和北部，其中生态敏感性对生态脆弱性的影响最大，说明研究区整体生态脆弱性较强，应做好生态保护工作。     

Stem cell factor supports migration in canine mesenchymal stem cells

Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) are cells that can be defined as multipotent cells able to differentiate into diverse lineages, under appropriate conditions. These cells have been widely used in regenerative medicine, both in preclinical and clinical settings. Initially discovered in bone marrow, MSC can now be isolated from a wide spectrum of adult and foetal tissues. Studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these cells are based on their ability to arrive to damaged tissues. In this paper we have done a comparative study analyzing proliferation, surface markers and OCT4, SOX9, RUNX2, PPARG genes expression in MSC cells from Bone marrow (BMMSC) and Adipose tissue (ASC). We also analyzed the role of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) on MSC proliferation and on ASCs metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9 secretion. Healthy dogs were used as BMMSC donors, and ASC were collected from omentum during elective ovariohysterectomy surgery. Both cell types were cultured in IMDM medium with or without SCF, 10% Dog Serum (DS), and incubated at 38 °C with 5% CO2. Growth of BMMSCs and ASCs was exponential until 25–30 days. Flow citometry of MSCs revealed positive results for CD90 and negative for CD34, CD45 and MCH-II. Genes were evaluated by RT-PCR and metalloproteinases by zymografy. Our findings indicate morphological and immunological similarities as well as expression of genes from both origins on analyzed cells. Furthermore, SCF did not affect proliferation of MSCs, however it up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in ASCs. These results suggest that metalloproteinases are possibly essential molecules pivoting migration.     

Risk factors associated with feline urolithiasis

Urinary tract diseases are among the main reasons for consultation in veterinary clinics and hospitals. It affects animals of any age, breed and gender. Among the diseases that affect this system, urolithiasis is the second largest cause of clinical signs compatible with feline urinary tract disease. The term urolithiasis refers to the presence of uroliths in any region of the urinary tract, but it is more commonly seen in the bladder and urethra. Uroliths are classified based on the type of mineral present in their composition, therefore, quantitative and qualitative analyzes are important for a better therapeutic approach. The animals may suffer from the disease and be asymptomatic, or show nonspecific clinical signs, making the diagnosis difficult. The disease should not be seen as a single problem, but as a consequence of various disorders. As dietary, metabolic, genetic and infectious causes, as well as factors that potentiate the chance of development of uroliths such as breed, age, sex, age range, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, geographic region and climate. Thus, the knowledge of the factors that influence the formation of uroliths, as well as the understanding of the pathophysiology, are key elements for better alternatives of therapy and prevention. The recognition of these factors helps to identify susceptible populations, minimizing exposure and increasing the protection factors, which facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of patients with urolithiasis. The objective of this paper is to present the main risk factors involved in the formation of urinary lithiasis in felines.     

Network on veterinary medicines initiated by the European Federation For Pharmaceutical Sciences

The European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS) was founded 25 years ago by more than 20 national pharmaceutical societies and faculty members. As a pan‐European organization, it brings together pharmaceutical societies as well as academic, industrial and regulatory scientists engaged in drug research and development, drug regulation and education of professionals working in these fields. EUFEPS represents pharmaceutical sciences in Europe and is recognized as such by both the European Commission and the European Medicines Agency. EUFEPS cooperates with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and other European organizations and maintains global connections with agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. EUFEPS has established specified networks forming the basis of its activities. The creation of a Network on Veterinary Medicines is prompted by the manifold problems resulting from the use of veterinary drugs and its inherent interconnections with human medicine, environmental and public health. A long‐term goal of this initiative was to expand the spectrum of available therapeutics for use in animals, including the development of innovative delivery systems.     

Salinity of nutrient solution influences the shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce grown in floating system

Quality, microbiological and enzymatic characteristics of fresh-cut lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia, ‘Duende’), grown in floating system with three electrical conductivities of nutrient solutions (2.8, 3.8 and 4.8 mS cm^?1), were investigated in order to evaluate the effect of salinity on product shelf-life during cold storage (9 d at 4 °C). Pre-harvest salinity of 3.8 and 4.8 mS cm^?1 improved the properties of fresh-cut lettuce, since CO₂ production was reduced with a subsequent control of the decay process. Fresh-cut processing caused an activation of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase; in all cases the product obtained by salinity treatments was less subject to oxidase activity and browning phenomena during storage. Increased salinity reduced the number of mesophilic bacteria and of moulds and yeasts, assessed by plate counts on different culture media; in contrast, Enterobacteriaceae levels were unaffected by pre-harvest treatments. The research demonstrated that an increase in nutrient solution electrical conductivity, through the use of floating system, affects fresh-cut lettuce characteristics, improving shelf-life of the product.     

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Stunning Methods on the Stress Responses and Meat Quality of the Amazon hybrid surubim,Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum female × Leiarius marmoratus male

Different stunning methods (carbon dioxide [CO₂] and hypothermia) used in industrial fish processing were compared with asphyxia in air, which is used in traditional fishing, to evaluate the effects of these methods on the stress responses and the meat quality of the Amazon hybrid surubim, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum female × Leiarius marmoratus male. After the application, blood and behavioral indicators were evaluated. Following death by gill cutting, the fish were gutted, and analyses of muscle pH, rigor mortis, the exudation of the meat, and coloration were performed. Significantly higher levels of cortisol and glucose were exhibited by the fish subjected to asphyxia than by the fish stunned by either CO₂ or hypothermia. The fish subjected to asphyxia displayed decreasing muscle pH during the first 2 h after death and showed higher rates of rigor mortis after 3 h than the fish that were stunned by the other two methods. The asphyxia is a practice that exposes fish to suffering by causing an increase in stress responses, which affects meat quality. The immersion of fish in water and ice (hypothermia) for 5 min was more effective stunning method than the use of CO₂, resulting in higher loss of sensibility and greater welfare.     

第24届冬奥会举办地空气质量特征及环境因子响应机制

空气质量问题是近些年来广受关注的问题，尤其对国际性盛会冬奥会而言，举办地的空气质量也是其能否举办成功的重要评估标准。为评估冬奥会举办地近6 a空气质量状况及动态变化环境相应机理，该研究收集了2014年以来3个冬奥会场馆所在地（北京延庆、奥体中心和河北张家口）的空气质量数据，分别分析了3个监测点的6个空气质量指标（CO、NO₂、O₃、SO₂、PM_2.5、PM₁₀）的浓度动态，并结合2016年奥体中心的气象数据分析了6个指标环境因子的响应机制，结果表明:1)张家口空气质量相对最佳，PM_2.5达标率均在80%以上，但春季大颗粒物污染仍需治理；2)2014-2019年3个监测点的空气质量有明显改善，尤其张家口SO₂从37.50 μg/m³（2014）降至11.06 μg/m³（2019），但截至2019年奥体中心NO₂仍高于国际标准，气体污染物仍是其治理的重点；3)CO和NO²日变化呈“U型”，O³和SO²为“单峰型”，CO、O₃、SO₂季节变化明显。各空气质量指标的主要影响因子分别为CO-太阳净辐射（R_n）、NO₂-太阳净辐射（R_n）、O₃-空气温度（T_a）、SO₂-空气温度（T_a），其中风速（Ws）与各空气质量指标呈负相关关系；6个指标年最大值（7.6 mg/m³、155.5、186.9、68.4、373.2 μg/m³和465.5 μg/m³）均出现在Ws<1 m/s时；然而，由于各空气质量指标的来源及彼此转换，各空气质量指标之间的相关性强于与环境因子的相关性。