Antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves (Artemisia argyi L.) against Staphylococcus aureus.

In this work, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction obtained from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The extract showed obvious antibacterial activity against S. aureus which the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined to be 3·0 and 6·0 mg ml-1 respectively. The mechanism study suggested that the extract could destroy the integrity of the S. aureus cell walls and increase the permeability of cell membrane in a certain concentration, but it could not kill S. aureus in a short time. Instead, the extract could make bacteria in a state of apoptosis for a long time, interfere with the normal physiological metabolism of bacteria, and eventually make bacteria die, which was confirm by scanning electronic microscope.

Longitudinal investigations of anatomical and morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract in goats from colostrum to postweaning.

The digestive tract development in goat kids around weaning is vital to the establishment of digestion and absorption function, growth, and health of adults. The objective was to explore the effects of age and solid feed on the anatomical and morphological development of the gastrointestinal tract of Laiwu Black goat kids. Forty-eight female Laiwu Black goats at 8 ages (1, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 d; 6 goats per group) were selected and killed for anatomical and morphological analysis. The goats experienced the following 4 diet phases: maternal colostrum (MC; d 1, d 7), maternal milk (MM; d 14, d 28), maternal milk plus solid diet (MMSD; d 42, d 56) and only solid diet (OSD; d 70, d 84). The body and carcass weights were not significantly changed during MC and MM phases but changed during the MMSD phase. The absolute growth of body and carcass weights were higher in the MMSD phase than in MM phase. In addition, the dressing percentage was the highest in the MMSD phase. The body size indices evolved progressively and increased over time. The percentage of internal and external organs to body weight decreased over time, whereas the percentage to complex stomach percentage increased. The rumen and omasum weight experienced synchronous absolute growth over time, especially in the OSD phase. In contrast, the absolute growth of the reticulum and abomasum was the highest in MMSD and MC phases, respectively. After weaning, the goats showed the highest papillae height, lamina propria, muscle layer thickness, and epithelial thickness. The OSD phase showed the highest colonic mucosa thickness, ileal villus height, and ileal muscle layer thickness. The crypt depth was higher in the MMSD phase than in the MM phase. Moreover, the crypt depth and muscle layer thickness of jejunum increased over time. Furthermore, duodenal crypt depth, muscle layer thickness, and epithelial thickness increased in the OSD phase compared with other stages. In conclusion, the histological investigation supports the improvement of the morphological development of the digestive tract and the growth performance in the solid feed phase. It is recommended to add solid food as early as 4 wk old.

Low dietary phosphorus impairs keel bone health and quality in laying hens.

1. Phosphorus (P) is a necessary nutrient for egg production and bone quality in poultry diets. To investigate the effects of low dietary available P (avP) on keel bone, 180 laying hens were fed either a control (C, 0.3% avP) or low phosphorus (LP, 0.15% avP) diet from 20-36 weeks of age (WOA). Each diet was replicated in six cages with 15 birds per cage. Keel samples were collected at 24, 28, 32, and 36 WOA to measure indicators.2. The incidence of keel bone damage in the LP group was higher than C group and increased with age throughout the experiment period. Keel bone length from laying hens in the LP group was shorter than C group (P < 0.05) at 32 and 36 WOA.3. The mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and ratio of RANKL to osteoprotegerin (OPG) were upregulated (P < 0.05), and that of sclerostin and OPG was downregulated (P < 0.05) in the LP group in comparison to hens in the C group. Meanwhile, mRNA expression of the integrin-binding sialoprotein was increased at 24 and 28 WOA (P < 0.05), and decreased at 32 and 38 WOA (P < 0.05) in the LP group.4. Laying hens in LP group had increased trabecular separation and bone surface fraction (P < 0.05), decreased bone volume, bone volume fraction, trabecular number and thickness, and bone mineral density (P < 0.05) at 32 WOA. The LP-fed hens had increased K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Se, Sr and Pb bone concentrations (P < 0.05), and decreased P and TI bone concentrations (P < 0.05) at 36 WOA.5. Feeding hens a P-deficient diet with 0.15% avP and 3.37% Ca during the laying period impaired keel bone quality, which could be related to the osteoporosis.

Antifungal activity of cinnamaldehyde against Fusarium sambucinum involves inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis.

AIMS: In this study, the antifungal effect of cinnamaldehyde against Fusarium sambucinum and its underlying mechanisms were determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration of cinnamaldehyde were 3 and 4 mmol l-1 on spore germination and colony development assays in vitro, respectively. Furthermore, the lesion diameter of potato tubers and tuber slices inoculated with F. sambucinum was reduced by 76·9 and 69% after treatment with 4 mmol l-1 cinnamaldehyde. Cytometric analyses revelled that cinnamaldehyde significantly affected the integrity of cell membrane firstly, then decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and induced the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Meanwhile, high-performance liquid chromatography results indicated that 3 mmol l-1 cinnamaldehyde could reduce the ergosterol content by 67·94%. This effect was accompanied by a down-regulation of ERG11, ERG6 and ERG4 which were involved in ergosterol biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: Theses results suggest that cinnamaldehyde exerts strong antifungal activity against F. sambucinum, probably by affecting the ergosterol biosynthetic processes what leads to the disruption of cell membrane integrity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Cinnamaldehyde is a predominant constituent and key flavour compound of cinnamon essential oil. It has been used as a food additive and flavorant. It is expected to be a novel and safe fungicide for controlling dry rot in potato tubes.

Interactive effects of dietary vitamin K3 and Bacillus subtilis PB6 on the growth performance and tibia quality of broiler chickens with sex separate rearing.

Both vitamin K and probiotics can promote the bone health of poultry and mammals. The present study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects between vitamin K3 (VK3) and Bacillus subtilis PB6 on the growth performance and tibia quality of broiler chickens with sex separate rearing. In a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 720 one-day-old broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were assigned to 12 groups with three levels of dietary VK3 (0, 0.5 and 4.0 mg/kg), with or without probiotic supplementation (500 g/t) and with sex separation (male and female). Each group included 3 replicates with 20 birds per replicate. During day 1 to 21, 0.5 and 4.0 mg/kg of VK3 increased average daily gain (ADG) of all birds and average daily feed intake of male birds (P < 0.05). During day 22 to 42, probiotic supplementation increased the ADG of birds (P < 0.05). Probiotic addition increased the weight, length, diameter and strength of tibia in all birds, and 0.5 and 4.0 mg/kg of VK3 increased the tibial breaking strength of male birds at day 21 (P < 0.05). Vitamin K3 and probiotic synergistically increased tibial breaking strength at day 42 and ash content at day 21 (P < 0.05). Three factors exhibited interactive effects on the chemical composition of tibia at day 42, and female birds fed 4 mg/kg of VK3 and probiotic had the highest contents of ash, calcium and phosphorus (P < 0.05). Bacillus subtilis PB6 increased the serum phosphorus level of male birds at day 21 and serum calcium level of female ones at day 42 (P < 0.05). At day 21, in the probiotic-supplemented birds, serum osteocalcin (OCN) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were increased by 0 and 4.0 mg/kg of VK3, respectively (P < 0.05). Probiotic increased serum OCN and cooperated with VK3 to increase the serum BALP at day 42 (P < 0.05). Vitamin K3 and probiotic synergistically down-regulated the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 and OCN at day 21 (P < 0.05). Vitamin K3 down-regulated the alkaline phosphatase (liver/bone/kidney) expression in male birds at day 21 and 42, but probiotic up-regulated the expression of these genes at day 42 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, VK3 and B. subtilis PB6 promoted the growth performance of broilers during starter and grower phases, respectively. They synergistically improved the physical and chemical traits of tibias, especially in grower phase, by modulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism as well as osteogenic gene expression.

High altitude species, high profits: Can the trade in wild harvested Fritillaria cirrhosa (Liliaceae) be sustained?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don bulbs contain alkaloids and are one of the most intensively exploited alpine Himalayan medicinal species. In terms of proprietary medicines, our study shows that 210 F. cirrhosa products are offered by 46 suppliers, most of which (44) are situated in China and two in Nepal. A widespread commercial use is as one of the main ingredients in cough syrups. A well known example is "Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Herbal Cough & Throat Syrup", which typically contains more F. cirrhosa than any other herbal ingredient in the formulation. The biggest market for F. cirrhosa bulbs is China, where demand exceeds supply of this wild harvested species for use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Cross-border trade from Nepal to China occurs in significant quantities. Bhutan also imports F. cirrhosa bulbs from Nepal. In addition, F. cirrhosa is registered as an active ingredient in traditional herbal medicinal preparations in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. There is also an export trade in F. cirrhosa to Europe. Assessing how much F. cirrhosa is traded is complex, however, due to a "look-alike" challenge, as nine Chinese Fritillaria species are traded in Europe (Fritillaria cirrhosa, F. delavayi, F. hupehensis, F. pallidiflora, F. przewalskii, F. thunbergii, F. unibracteata, F. ussuriensis and F. walujewii). AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aims of this review were to assess the scale of the global trade in F. cirrhosa, and to synthesise studies of the impacts of wild harvest on F. cirrhosa populations and on the extent of emerging cultivation initiatives as an alternative to wild harvest. METHODS: Firstly, we reviewed published information on studies on impacts of wild F. cirrhosa harvest from across the geographic range of this species. Secondly, global trade data for F. cirrhosa were analysed. RESULTS: The principal demand for F. cirrhosa bulbs is in China, where hundreds of different companies produce Fritillaria preparations. Trade data also show that in 2013, China exported over 44 tonnes of F. cirrhosa bulbs to Taiwan and 26.7 tonnes to the Republic of Korea. Extensive commercial use and limited wild stocks result in a high price (2000 - 3800 CNY per kg (around US$ 303 -560 per kg in 2017)) for F. cirrhosa bulbs. Prices of cultivated Fritillaria bulbs are much lower (600-680 CNY per kg in 2017) than wild harvested bulbs. But due to very specific growth requirements of F. cirrhosa, cultivation is not yet able to meet total demand. The consequence is continued exploitation of wild stocks. At the same time, however, an increasing proportion of the demand is met by cultivation of alternative Fritillaria species that are easier to grow than F. cirrhosa. The air-dry mass of F. cirrhosa bulbs varies between 0.0917 and 0.1116 g per bulb. This represents 8960 - 10,900 bulbs/kg or 8.9 - 10.9 million bulbs per tonne. Current demand therefore represents billions of bulbs per year. CONCLUSIONS: Demand for F. cirrhosa bulbs, particularly from China, makes this species one of the most intensively harvested alpine Himalayan medicinal bulbs. Although F. cirrhosa is listed as a Class III protected species in China, billions of these tiny, wild harvested bulbs are sold per year. Due to demand exceeding supply, the price of F. cirrhosa bulbs has increased dramatically. Between 2002 and 2017, for example, the price of wild harvested F. cirrhosa bulbs increased over nine-fold, from the equivalent of US$60 in 2002 to US$560 per kg in 2017. To date, cultivation has been unable to meet the entire market demand for F. cirrhosa bulbs, although other Fritillaria species are successfully cultivated on a larger scale.

Paris in the spring: A review of the trade, conservation and opportunities in the shift from wild harvest to cultivation of Paris polyphylla (Trilliaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: P. polyphylla Smith is used in traditional medicine in China, India and Nepal and is likely to be similarly used through most of its geographic range. China is at the centre of demand for P. polyphylla where it is used as an ingredient in several very successful Chinese medicinal herbal formulations. The Chinese e-commerce platform 'alibaba.com', for example, lists 97 P. polyphylla items offered by 46 Asian suppliers, of which 21 are situated in the Chinese mainland, 12 in Nepal, 7 in India, 2 in Pakistan, and 1 each in Bhutan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam. Products offered include the crude drug (dried whole or cut rhizomes), extracts and formulations containing this herbal drug. AIMS OF THE REVIEW: The aims of this review were to assess the scale of the P. polyphylla trade, reviewing evidence on the impacts of wild harvest on P. polyphylla populations and on the role of cultivation as an alternative to wild harvest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, we reviewed published information on Paris population biology and studies on impacts of wild P. polyphylla harvest from across the geographic range of this species. Secondly, global trade data for P. polyphylla were analysed. Thirdly, we reviewed published information on P. polyphylla cultivation and made field visits to P. polyphylla cultivation areas in Yunnan and Sichuan. RESULTS: Since the 1980s, there has been a 400-fold increase in the market price paid in China for P. polyphylla rhizomes, from 2.7 Chinese Yuan (CNY) per kg in the 1980s to market prices up to 1100 CNY per kg in 2017. Cross-border trade in dried P. polyphylla rhizomes occurs at three different scales. Firstly, an internal, national trade of P. polyphylla rhizomes within countries (such as India, Nepal and China). Secondly, trade in P. polyphylla rhizomes from Nepal (and possibly from Bhutan) to the two range states that have the largest traditional medicine trade in the world: China and India. Thirdly, trade in processed herbal products. In China, for example, P. polyphylla is widely used as an ingredient in several very successful herbal products, including a famous first aid treatment to stop bleeding. Some of these products are exported globally, in addition to entering into regional trade. Trade data in our review shows that c. 800-1050 t of P. polyphylla rhizomes are sold annually, significantly more than recorded in earlier studies. China is the only country where P. polyphylla is cultivated on a significant scale, although small-scale cultivation is taking place in India and Nepal. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the criteria for the inclusion of species in CITES Appendix II (Art. IV 2(a)), there is compelling evidence for adding Paris polyphylla. At the same time, cultivation of P. polyphylla outside of high conservation value habitats needs to be encouraged and supported. One way of doing this may be to develop separate, traceable supply chains for cultivated supplies in order to distinguish them from wild harvested stocks.

[The influencing factors of anemia for pregnant women between 2010-2012 in China].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of anemia and related risk factors for pregnant women in China. Method: Based on Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance 2010-2012, a total of 3 501 pregnant women were investigated from 150 counties of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China, using a multi-stage stratified cluster randomization sampling method. General information of pregnant women, health status, and food intake during the gestation, was collected through a questionnaire investigation. 6 ml fasting venous blood was collected for the determination of hemoglobin concentration. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to investigate the prevalence of anemia and the related influencing factors. Results: The 605 of 3 501 pregnant women had anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 17.2%; and mild anemia accounted for about 61.0% (369/605). Compared with the pregnant women living in the large cities, the OR (95%CI) of those living in the poor rural areas was 1.46 (1.08-1.98). Compared with the pregnant women living in the south area of China, the OR (95%CI) of those living in the north area of China was 1.39 (1.15-1.68); Compared with the pregnant women in the first trimester, the OR (95%CI) of those in the second trimester and the third trimester were 1.79 (1.33-2.43) and 2.11 (1.56-2.85), respectively. The OR (95%CI) of pregnant women who had used folic acid supplementation within the 6 months prior to gestation was 0.76 (0.63-0.93) compared with those who had not used. Conclusion: From 2010 to 2012, the epidemic characteristics of anemia was mild for the pregnant women in China, and pregnant women residential areas, periods of pregnancy and whether to take folic acid were related to anemia.

Effects of dietary threonine and immune stress on growth performance, carcass trait, serum immune parameters, and intestinal muc2 and NF-κb gene expression in Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 days.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary threonine (Thr) levels and immune stress on Pekin ducklings' growth performance, carcass traits, serum immune parameters, and intestinal mucin 2 (MUC2) and nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) gene expressions. A total of 320 Pekin ducklings was randomly assigned to a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each treatment group consisted of 4 replicate pens with 8 ducks per pen. Ducklings were fed 5 graded levels of Thr: 0.49, 0.56, 0.60, 0.65, and 0.76% from hatch to 21 d of age. At 11 d of age, ducks in the stressed groups were challenged with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and ducks in the unstressed groups were injected with normal saline water. The results showed that increasing Thr supplementation from 0.49 to 0.56% in the diet can improve BWG; feed consumption; weight and relative weight of breast and leg; weight of liver, bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and thymus; serum natural immune globulin A (IgA) concentration; and MUC2 gene expression in the ileum of 21-day-old Pekin ducks, significantly (P < 0.05). Immune stress with BSA had a significant effect on 21-day-old Pekin ducklings' BWG, feed consumption, and weight and relative weight of breast and thymus (P < 0.05), but no interaction between BSA and dietary Thr content was noticed in our experiment in 21-day-old Pekin ducks (P < 0.05). Dietary Thr requirements of the unstressed groups and stressed groups based on broken-line model analyses for ducks' BWG were 0.705 and 0.603%, respectively, and for ducks' feed consumption were 0.724 and 0.705%, respectively.

Xanthophylls increased HDLC level and nuclear factor PPARγ, RXRγ and RARα expression in hens and chicks.

This study was designed to investigate effects of xanthophylls on serum lipid profile (triglyceride, TG; cholesterol, CHO; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDLC; and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDLC) and nuclear factor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, PPARγ; PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha, PGC1α; retinoid X receptor gamma, RXRγ; and retinoic acid receptor alpha, RARα) gene expression of breeding hens and chicks. In experiment 1, 432 hens were divided into three groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 (as control group), 20 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. Blood was sampled at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of trial. Liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were sampled at 35 days of trial. Results showed that serum HDLC level of hens was increased after dietary 40 mg/kg xanthophyll addition for 21, 28 and 35 days, while serum TG, CHO and LDLC were not affected. Xanthophyll addition also increased PPARγ expression in jejunum, RXRγ expression in duodenum and jejunum, and RARα expression in liver and duodenum. Experiment 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diet of hens were fed diet containing either 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. Liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were sampled at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after hatching. Blood samples were also collected at 21 days. Results showed that in ovo xanthophylls elevated PPARγ in duodenum and jejunum, and RXRγ and RARα in liver of chicks mainly within 1 week after hatching, while dietary xanthophylls increased serum HDLC level and PPARγ and RXRγ in liver from 2 weeks onwards. In conclusion, our research suggested xanthophylls can regulate serum lipid profile and nuclear factor expression in hens and chicks.

Levothyroxine monotherapy versus levothyroxine and selenium combination therapy in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: New strategies are needed for prevention and treatment of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT). This study aimed to assess whether combination of levothyroxine treatment and selenium (Se) supplementation results in improved therapeutic effects in CLT compared with levothyroxine monotherapy. METHODS: An open-label, randomized controlled study was performed in 60 CLT patients assigned to two groups. Levothyroxine group (LT) patients (n = 24) received levothyroxine alone for 3 months; meanwhile, the combination (LTSS) group (n = 36) was administered levothyroxine with selenium yeast capsule. Blood selenium concentrations, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody levels, and inflammatory cytokine amounts were compared between both groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, similar values were obtained in both groups for all the parameters assessed (p > 0.05). After treatment, significantly increased blood selenium levels (µg/L) [90.05 (80.69, 107.76) vs. 39.64 (29.42, 51.10), p < 0.001] and decreased anti-TPO antibody (23.63 ± 9.31 vs. 32.00 ± 10.41%, p = 0.002), anti-Tg antibody (35.84 ± 15.21 vs. 45.47 ± 14.24%, p = 0.015) and IL-2 amounts (pg/mL) [159.29 (124.54, 189.70) vs. 226.48 (190.74, 266.56), p < 0.001] were observed in the LTSS group compared with the LT group post-treatment; meanwhile, similar IL-10 concentrations [23.14 (21.65, 28.56) pg/mL vs. 24.68 (21.71, 29.67) pg/mL] were obtained in both groups. Subgroup analysis of patients with hypothyroidism showed the same trend observed in the whole population; in patients with normal thyroid function, only Se and IL-2 amounts differed between the two treatment groups. Correlation analysis of of the indexes: in HT patients, the basal serum selenium concentration was positively correlated with TT4 (r = 0.294, p < 0.05), significantly negatively correlated with TSH (r = -0.343, p < 0.01), and had no significant correlation with TT3 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that levothyroxine and selenium combination results in improved therapeutic effects than the levothyroxine monotherapy in preventing CLT progression.

Hemispheric asymmetries in subcortical visual and auditory relay structures in congenital deafness.

Neuroplasticity - the capacity of the brain to change as a response to internal and external pressures - has been studied from a number of different perspectives. Perhaps one of the most powerful models is the study of populations that have been congenitally deprived of a sense. It has been shown that the right Auditory Cortex (AC) of congenitally deaf humans is neuroplastically modified in order to represent visual properties of a stimulus. One unresolved question is how this visual information is routed to the AC of congenitally deaf individuals. Here, we performed volumetric analysis of subcortical auditory and visual brains regions - namely the thalamus (along with three thalamic nuclei: the pulvinar, the lateral geniculate nucleus and the medial geniculate nucleus), and the inferior and superior colliculi - in deaf and hearing participants in order to identify which structures may be responsible for relaying visual information toward the altered AC. Because there is a hemispheric asymmetry in the neuroplastic changes observed in the AC of the congenitally deaf, we reasoned that subcortical structures that also showed a similar asymmetry in their total volume could have been enlisted in the effort of relaying visual information to the neuroplastically altered right AC. We show that for deaf, but not for hearing individuals, the right thalamus, right lateral geniculate nucleus and right inferior colliculus are larger than their left counterparts. These results suggest that these subcortical structures may be responsible for rerouting visual information to the AC in congenital deafness.

Xanthophyll supplementation reduced inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in hens and chicks.

This study investigated effects of xanthophylls (containing 40% lutein and 60% zeaxanthin) on gene expression of inflammatory mediators ( [] and []) and apoptosis ( [] and ) of breeding hens and chicks. In Exp. 1, 432 hens were divided into 3 groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 (as the control group), 20, or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled after 35 d. Results showed that 40 mg/kg of xanthophyll addition decreased in the liver, in the liver and duodenum, and in the liver and jejunum while increasing level in the liver and jejunum. Experiment 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from hens fed 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diets were fed diets containing either 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. The liver, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were sampled at 0, 7, 14, and 21 d after hatching. Results showed that in ovo xanthophylls reduced inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in the liver, duodenum, and jejunum of chicks mainly within 1 wk after hatching, whereas dietary xanthophylls only decreased expression in the liver from 2 wk onward. These results underlined important anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of maternal but not progeny dietary xanthophylls. In conclusion, xanthophylls can suppress inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in different tissues of hens and chicks.

Effects of calcium oxide treatment at varying moisture concentrations on the chemical composition, in situ degradability, in vitro digestibility and gas production kinetics of anaerobically stored corn stover.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum conditions for calcium oxide (CaO) treatment of anaerobically stored corn stover by in situ and in vitro methods. Four ruminally cannulated, non-lactating, non-pregnant Holstein cows were used to determine the in situ effective degradabilities of dry matter (ISDMD), organic matter (ISOMD), neutral detergent fibre (ISNDFD), in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) and gas production in 72 h (GP72h ) of corn stover. A completely randomized design involving a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement was adopted. Ground corn stover was treated with different levels of CaO (3%, 5% and 7% of dry stover) at varying moisture contents (40%, 50% and 60%) and stored under anaerobic conditions for 15 days before analysis. Compared with untreated corn stover, the CaO-treated stover had increased ash and calcium (Ca) contents but decreased aNDF and OM contents. The moisture content, CaO level and their interaction affected (p < 0.01) the content of aNDF, ash and OM, and the ratio of aNDF/OM. The greatest ISDMD, ISOMD and ISNDFD were observed when stover was treated with 7% CaO and 60% moisture, while no differences (p > 0.01) in these in situ degradability parameters were observed between the stover treated with 5% CaO at 60% moisture content and those treated with 7% CaO at 60% moisture content. Corn stover treated with 5% CaO at 50% moisture had the maximum IVOMD and GP72 h among the treatments, and there was no difference (p > 0.01) between 50% and 60% moisture. Results from this study suggested that 5% CaO applied at 60% moisture could be an effective and economical treatment combination.

Effects of lycopene supplementation in both maternal and offspring diets on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks.

This study investigated the effects of different supplementation ways of lycopene during pre-hatch (from the diet of hens) and post-hatch (from the diet of progeny) on production performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks. In total, 360 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control group) or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. From 28 to 34 days after the start of supplementation (30 weeks old), 650 qualified eggs were collected to artificial incubation. In this trial, 2 × 2 factorial designs were used. Male chicks hatched from hens fed with 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. The results showed that, relative to control, in ovo-deposited lycopene significantly increased chick birth body weight, improved liver total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH: GSSG), and significantly declined liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased liver lycopene content during 0-14 days after hatching. On days 14 after hatching, dietary lycopene in diet began to take over gradually. Both supplementation ways of lycopene increased immune organ index, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, villus length and villus/crypt in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Data in this study suggested lycopene supplementation could improve antioxidant capacity and immune function, and regulate lipid metabolism in chicks.

Lycopene reduces the negative effects induced by lipopolysaccharide in breeding hens.

This study assessed the effects of lycopene on the antioxidant capacity, biochemical parameters, and immune organ index of breeding hens following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. The study had a 2 × 2 factorial design. Healthy Xing-hua breeding hens (720) were divided into groups with 6 replicates per group and 30 hens per replicate. Hens were fed on a rice-soya bean basal meal supplemented with different levels of lycopene (0, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg diet). On d 35, two hens from each replicate were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg body weight of either LPS or sterile saline (control group). Blood samples were collected at 0, 6, and 24 h post-injection. At 24 h post-injection, hens were sacrificed and the thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius were removed. The results revealed that LPS significantly decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triidothyronine (T3), reduced glutathione to oxidised glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), thymus and bursal indexes, and increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). Lycopene supplementation significantly increased HDLC, T3, GSH/GSSG, and immune organ index, and decreased total cholesterol, LDLC, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The interaction effects of lycopene and LPS were significant on BUN and T3. Lycopene supplementation affected inflammatory immune response based on increased immune organ index of breeding hens by relieving the LPS-induced stress.

Different combinations of probiotics improve the production performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens.

To evaluate the effects of different combinations of probiotics on performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens, a trial was carried out with 1,800 white feather layer hens of the Lohmann variety. The experiment was conducted by using a completely randomized design with 9 treatments, 4 replicates, and 50 hens in each replicate. Compared with the control group, group F, which added a composition of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius(CB) and Bacillus subtilis to the diets of layer hens, caused highly significant (P < 0.05) increases in egg production, daily egg yield, damaged egg ratio, combined with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in feed conversion and damaged egg ratio. Group G, adding a combination of inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius and sodium butyrate, resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in daily egg yield, feed conversion, damaged egg ratio and Haugh unit. Meanwhile, groups D and H had significantly decreased feed conversion (P < 0.05), and groups B, H, and I had a significantly decreased damaged egg ratio. In serum levels, no significant difference was observed except a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (groups D, E, and G) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (group E and G) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (groups D, E, and G) compared with group A. According to the hemagglutination inhibition test, the antibody titer of antibody against the avian influenza virus was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in most treated groups such as groups B, C, E, G, and I after d 15 fed to layers with probiotics and groups B, C, D, E, F, G, and H after d 45 compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed in the antibody titer against the Newcastle disease virus at d 15, but significantly (P < 0.05) higher at d 45 in groups F and G. These results demonstrate that several combinations of probiotics used in this experiment have a positive impact on the performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens, and the following work will continue to focus on these groups.

Antifungal activity of sodium silicate on Fusarium sulphureum and its effect on dry rot of potato tubers.

The antifungal activity of sodium silicate on Fusarium sulphureum and its inhibitory effect on dry rot of potato tubers were investigated. Sodium silicate strongly inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth. Morphological changes in sodium silicate-treated hyphae such as mycelium sparsity and asymmetry, hyphal swelling, curling, and cupped shape were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural alterations were also observed using transmission electron microscopy, including thickening of the hyphal cell walls, cell distortion, cavity, or electron-dense material in hyphal cells. Daughter hyphae and new daughter hyphae inside of the collapsed hyphal cells were often detected in the cytoplasm of sodium silicate-treated hyphae, although the septa of treated hyphae remained uniform. In vivo testing showed that sodium silicate at 100 and 200 mM effectively controlled dry rot of tubers that were challenged by inoculation with a F. sulphureum spore suspension. These findings suggest that sodium silicate has direct fungitoxic activity against the pathogen.

A comparative study of the metastable equilibrium solubility behavior of high-crystallinity and low-crystallinity carbonated apatites using pH and solution strontium as independent variables.

UNLABELLED: Using solution strontium and pH as independent variables, the metastable equilibrium solubility (MES) behavior of two carbonated apatite (CAP) samples has been examined, a high-crystallinity CAP (properties expected to be similar to dental enamel) and a low-crystallinity CAP (properties expected to be similar to bone mineral). CAP samples were prepared by precipitation/digestion: (CAP A: high-crystallinity, 1.3 wt% CO3, synthesized at 85 degrees C; CAP B: low-crystallinity, 6.4 wt% CO3, synthesized at 50 degrees C). Baseline MES distributions were determined in a series of 0.1 M acetate buffers containing only calcium and phosphate (no strontium) over a broad range of solution conditions. To assess the influence of strontium, MES profiles were determined in a similar fashion with 20, 40, 60, and 80% of the solution calcium being replaced on an equal molar basis by solution strontium. To determine the correct function governing CAP dissolution, ion activity products (IAPs) were calculated from the compositions of buffer solutions based on the hydroxyapatite template (Ca(10-n)Sr(n)(PO4)6(OH)2 (n = 0-10)) and the calcium/hydroxide deficient hydroxyapatite template (Ca(9-n)Sr(n)(HPO4)(PO4)5OH (n = 0-9)). FINDINGS: (a) for CAP A, at high solution strontium/calcium ratios, the MES profiles were essentially superimposable when the solution IAPs were calculated using the stoichiometry of Ca6Sr4(PO4)6(OH)2 and for CAP B by a stoichiometry of Ca7Sr2(HPO4)(PO4)5OH; (b) for CAP A, at low strontium/calcium ratios, the stoichiometry yielding MES data superpositioning was found to be that of hydroxyapatite and for CAP B, that of calcium/hydroxide deficient hydroxyapatite. When other stoichiometries were assumed, good superpositioning of the data was not possible.

Influence of early stages of arbuscular mycorrhiza on uptake of zinc and phosphorus by red clover from a low-phosphorus soil amended with zinc and phosphorus.

In a pot experiment, red clover (Trifolium pratense) was grown in sterilized Zn-amended low available P soil (0, 50 or 400 mg Zn kg(-1)) with or without 100 mg kg(-1) added P and with or without inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus G. mosseae. When the plants were harvested after 40 days, AM colonization of the roots was still at an early stage, with only 14-38% of total root length colonized on average. AM colonization was highest in low-P soil, and was lowest in soil amended with 400 mg Zn kg(-1). Shoot yields were highest in AM plants with added P, but root yields were unaffected by AM inoculation. Shoot and root yields were higher with 100 mg added P kg(-1) soil, but lower with 400 mg Zn kg(-1) than 50 mg Zn kg(-1) or controls unamended with Zn. Shoot and root P concentrations were seldom higher in AM plants, but shoot P offtakes were higher in AM plants with added P. Concentrations of Zn and Cu were much higher in the roots than in the shoots. Shoot and root Zn and shoot Cu were lower, but root Cu was higher, in AM plants. Soil residual pH after plant growth was higher in AM treatments, and residual total Zn was also higher, indicating lower Zn uptake by AM plants. Soil solution pH was higher in AM treatments, and soil solution Zn was lower in the presence of mycorrhiza. The results are discussed in terms of AM protection of the plants against excessive shoot Zn uptake.