[Progress in the Interactions of Ozone Pollution and Other Environmental Stress on Urban Forests in China].

Ground-level ozone pollution(O3) and climate change have become key global problems threatening the environment and sustainable development of urban forests. At present, various studies have assessed the O3 impacts on trees; however, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the complex ecological effects caused by multiple factors on the natural urban environment. In this paper, the interactions between O3 and carbon dioxide(CO2), drought, nitrogen deposition, and warming, as well as the effects of the physiology, biochemistry, and growth of urban trees in China were reviewed. Elevated CO2 could alleviate the negative effects of elevated O3 on the photosynthetic metabolism, antioxidant system, and growth of trees. There is a complex interaction between O3 and drought, which may synergistically aggravate, alleviate, or have no effect on trees. However, there was no correlation between O3 and N deposition, only a significant interaction between elevated temperatures and O3, which slowed down the adverse effects of O3 on tree growth and photosynthesis. Finally, suggestions are put forward to manage and sustainable develop urban forests in China under future climate change and air pollution.

[Emission Characteristics of Biogenic Volatile Compounds (BVOCs) from Common Greening Tree Species in Northern China and Their Correlations with Photosynthetic Parameters].

In order to understand the emission characteristics of common greening trees in Beijing and analyze their correlations with photosynthetic parameters, including the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (ci), and transpiration rate (Tr), we collected samples of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) using a dynamic sampling technique from 14 species of deciduous trees. The results showed that there were significant differences in isoprene and total BVOC emissions between family or genus levels (P<0.01). With the exception of Lonicera maackii Maxim and Ulmus pumila L., all species were found to emit isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, of which, species from the Salicaceae (e.g., Populus deltoides cv. '55/56'× P.deltoides cv. 'Imperial', P. euramericana cv. '74/76', Populus simonii Carr, and Salix babylonica) and Legume (Sophora japonica, Robinia pseudoacacia, and S. japonica Linn. var. japonica f. pendula Hort) families were the higher isoprene emitters, with emission rates that ranged from (30.1±4.3) µg·(g·h)-1 to (91.8±10.0) µg·(g·h)-1. Plants from the Oleaceae (e.g., Fraxinus chinensis Roxb and Syringa oblata Lindl), Begonia (Malus prunifolia), Sapindaceae (Koelrenteria paniculate), and Aceraceae (Acer truncatum Bunge) families mainly emitted monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Among them, Fraxinus chinensis Roxb and Acer truncatum Bunge were the highest emitters with emission rates of (10.6±4.8) µg·(g·h)-1 and (11.8±6.4) µg·(g·h)-1, respectively. Ocimene and ß-pinene were the two main monoterpenes emitted from greening tree species. No significant correlations were found between the emission of BVOCs and Pn or gs, while the emission rate of isoprene (r=0.681; P<0.01) and the total BVOC (r=0.698; P<0.01) from the Salicaceae family increased with increasing Tr. Moreover, leguminous plants showed a significant positive correlation between the total BVOC emission rate and ci (P=0.04). This study provides a scientific reference for the selection and configuration of urban greenery, and a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism of BVOC emissions.

[Safety evaluation of allelochemical derivative pyrone on different millet varieties]. / åŒ–æ„Ÿç‰©è´¨è¡ç”Ÿç‰©å¡å–ƒé ®å¯¹ä¸åŒè°·å­å“ç§çš„å®‰å ¨æ€§è¯„ä»·.

The development of new herbicides based on allelochemicals is a potential strategy of weed control in arable field. Pyrone, a novel derivative of tricin, has significant inhibitory effects on weeds. Its safety for crops, especially for millet that are sensitive to commercial herbicides, is still poorly understood. In this study, germination test and pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the safety of pyrone on 20 millet varieties, compared with 2,4-D. The results showed that, except that Jinfen109 was sensitive to high concentration 2,4-D, both pyrone and 2,4-D had no effect on the germination rates of other varieties. Results of the pot experiment showed that pyrone treatment significantly increased the chlorophyll content of millet by 9.0%-67.9%, which was the greatest for Jigu 42. Pyrone treatment did not affect maximal photochemical efficiency, potential photochemical activity, actual photochemical efficiency, and non-photochemical quenching coefficient. On the contrary, 2,4-D significantly inhibited the fluorescence parameters of millet varieties. Pyrone treatment increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in leaves of Dunza16, Jigu 39, Jigu 41 and Jingu 28, with the magnitude of enhancement being higher than 2,4-D. The results indicated that the allelochemical derivative pyrone is highly safe to the growth of millet seedlings and has the potential to be a new herbicide to millet field.

[Allelopathic effects of water extracts from different parts of foxtail millet straw on three kinds of weeds]. / 谷子秸秆不同部位水浸液对3种杂草的化感作用.

We examined the allelopathic effect of extracts from different parts of foxtail millet straw with different concentrations (undiluted water extracts, 10-fold, 50-fold, and 100-fold dilution) on three different kinds of malignant weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, and Setaria viridis) by water extract. In this experiment, we measured biological indicators for seed germination period and potted seedling physiological parameters. The results showed that water extract of foxtail millet leaves and stems had significant allelopathic effects on the three species of weeds, with the effects of different concentrations being different. Undiluted water extract inhibited the growth, while dilution (10-fold, 50-fold, 100-fold dilution) promoted the growth. Under the treatment of undiluted water extract of leaf and stem, the germination rate of three weeds decreased 63.9%, 37.3% and 41.7%, respectively, while root length was only 27.8%, 37.8% and 18.4% of the control. The bud length was only 34.5%, 27.7% and 17.6% of the control. The net photosynthetic rate accounted for 66.6%, 89.9% and 88.2% of the control. The transpiration rate accounted for 69.0%, 87.5% and 56.1% of the control, while the synthesis allelopathic index of the three weeds were -0.699, -0.716 and -0.795 by undiluted water extract, respectively. Results implied strong allelopathic inhibition. The allelopathy promoting effect of dilution increased first and then decreased with the increases of dilution folds. Among which, 50-fold dilution had the strongest promoting effect with the germination rate, root length and bud length of the three weeds being significantly different from those of the control, with the synthesis allelopathic index being 0.261, 0.217, and 0.165, respectively. A large number of associated weeds grow in foxtail millet field which is related to the leaching of allelopathic substances in straw.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and immunomodulatory effects of yeast hydrolysates for hepatocytes of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

An in-vitro study was carried out to examine the effects of yeast hydrolysate (YH) on antioxidant capacity and innate immunity of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) hepatocytes. Fish primary hepatocytes were seeded at a density of 3 × 105 cells mL-1 in 6-well tissue culture plates and treated with two different media including: 1) DMEM/F12 medium (control), and 2) YH medium [DMEM/F12 + 0.1 g L-1 YH]. After incubation for 24 h, the culture medium and primary hepatocytes were collected for subsequent analyses. The results showed no significant (P > 0.05) effect of YH on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and urea nitrogen (UN) concentration in the conditioned medium. However, significantly (P < 0.05) higher ALT and AST activities were found in YH treated hepatocytes compared to control. Moreover, YH supplementation led to significant enhancement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), alternative complement pathway (ACH50) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the conditioned medium. Furthermore, YH application upregulated the expression of SOD, CAT and NOX2 genes and downregulated mRNA levels of Keap1, Nrf2 and Bach1 in hepatocytes. Also, markedly higher lysozyme activity and albumin concentration were found in the conditioned medium of YH group compared to the control. Additionally, expression of immune-related genes such as antimicrobial peptides 1 (Leap 1) and Leap 2 were significantly upregulated by YH application. Down-regulated expression of NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2), Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and BTB and CNC homolog 1 (Bach1) were observed in YH treated hepatocytes. To conclude, YH supplementation improved antioxidant capacity and innate immunity of blunt snout bream hepatocytes.

Humic acid improves the physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of millet seedlings under drought stress.

We aimed to determine whether humic acid (HA) can alleviate the injury of millet caused by drought and its potential mechanism. Millet seeds (Jingu 21 and Zhangza 10) were soaked in different concentrations of HA (0, 50, 10, 200, and 300 mg L-1) for 12 h. The physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of millet seedlings, including growth parameters, osmotic regulators, antioxidase activity, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and P700 parameters, were determined before and after drought stress. HA significantly promoted the growth of millet seedlings under drought stress. Pretreatment with 100 mg L-1 or 200 mg L-1 HA significantly increased free proline, soluble protein, and activity of the antioxidant enzyme system (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) in both Zhangza 10 and Jingu 21. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species ([Formula: see text] and H2O2) was reduced in HA treatments compared with that of the control (P < .05). Moreover, HA (100 mg L-1) significantly increased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, effective quantum yield of photosystem II, relative photosynthetic electron transfer rate of photosystem II, and photochemical quenching. HA also reduced intercellular CO2 concentration and non-photochemical quenching. Furthermore, 200 mg L-1 HA significantly increased the maximum P700, effective quantum yield of photosystem I, and relative photosynthetic electron transfer rate of photosystem I in Zhangza 10 and decreased non-photochemical energy dissipation in Jingu 21 and Zhangza 10 under drought stress. HA promoted the growth of millet seedlings under drought stress by promoting the osmotic adjustment ability and antioxidant capacity of seedlings and increased photosynthesis.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and immunomodulatory effects of cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate and its derivative peptides for hepatocytes of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

Two in vitro trials were conducted to identify a peptide with antioxidant activity and immunoenhancement from cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate (CPH) for fish. Primary hepatocytes of Megalobrama amblycephala were treated with CPH. In experiment 1, CPH significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD), catalase (CAT), and lysozyme activities, as well as up-regulated SOD, CAT, antimicrobial peptides 1 (Leap 1) and Leap 2 mRNA levels (p < 0.05). However, CPH significantly down-regulated the expression of NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2), Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and BTB and CNC homolog 1 (Bach1) mRNA (p < 0.05) in fish hepatocytes. Experiment 2 showed that the molecular mass of CPH was distributed mainly in the 700-1024 Da range. Peptide 1 (P1) and P2 significantly decreased GOT and GPT activities in conditioned medium (p < 0.05); however, P4 and P6 did not affect GOT and GPT activities (p > 0.05). Furthermore, P4 significantly increased hepatocyte GOT, GPT, t-SOD, CAT levels and lysozyme activities (p < 0.05), up-regulated SOD, CAT, Leap1 and Leap2 mRNA expression levels, and down-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and NOX2 mRNA (p < 0.05) in fish hepatocytes. The above results indicated that CPH and P4 enhanced hepatocyte metabolism, as well as improved antioxidant capacities and innate immunity of blunt snout bream hepatocytes.

[Inventory and Characteristics of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) for 12 Deciduous Fruit Trees].

To better understand the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in suburbs, we selected 12 typical deciduous fruit trees and conducted field sampling and laboratory analysis of BVOCs using a dynamic sampling technique. To our knowledge, details of BVOC emissions for nine of the selected fruit tree species are reported here for the first time. Emissions of BVOCs from fruit trees contained nine kinds of compounds, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, and aldehydes, of which hydrocarbons accounted for up to 39.0%. All fruit trees were found to emit isoprene and monoterpenes (six species also emitted sesquiterpenes), of which three species were high emitters and nine species, such as Catalpa, were medium emitters. The emission rates of total BVOCs (including isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes) from different fruit trees ranged from (2.6±0.1) µg·(g·h)-1 to (14±0.8) µg·(g·h)-1. Analyses of BVOCs from different families and plant forms indicated that isoprene emission rates were significantly higher from woody fruit trees[(4.2±1.4) µg·(g·h)-1] than from vine fruit trees[(0.6±0.2) µg·(g·h)-1, P=0.03], whereas there was no significant difference between family or genus. This suggests that the emission level of BVOCs from fruit trees cannot be classified by family and genera. In contrast to coniferous plants, ß-myrcene, D-limonene, and γ-terpinene-associated with floral or resinous aromas-were the main monoterpenes of fruit trees. The emission rate of ß-myrcene was highest, accounting for 59.3% of the total monoterpene emissions. In addition, fruit trees may emit eight other fragrant VOCs listed as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), e.g., fluorene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene. This study expands the field of BVOCs research and provides basic data for enriching the BVOCs database, as well as for evaluating the environmental effects of BVOCs.

Effects of partial replacement of fish meal by yeast hydrolysate on antioxidant capability, intestinal morphology, and inflammation-related gene expression of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian).

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fish meal (FM) replacement by yeast hydrolysate (YH) on liver antioxidant capability, intestinal morphology, and inflammation-related genes of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). A total of 600 fish (average initial weight 19.44 ± 0.06 g) were randomly selected and divided into five groups. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets replacing FM by YH 0% (YH0), 1% (YH1), 3% (YH3), 5% (YH5), and 7% (YH7) were formulated. Each diet was tested in four replicates for 10 weeks. The results have shown that, compared to the control group (YH0), liver total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione (GSH) activities of fish fed YH1 and YH3 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration significantly increased as supplementation levels of YH increased from 1 to 7% (P < 0.05). Moreover, intestinal microvillus length of juvenile Jian carp fed YH diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). In proximal intestine, the relative expression levels of inflammation-related genes (ALP, IL-1ß, and TNF-α) in YH7 were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). However, in midintestine, the expression levels of these genes in YH3 were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that dietary replacement of FM by 3%YH could improve antioxidant capability and intestinal microvillus morphology, as well as enhance the non-specific immunity of juvenile Jian carp.

High-fat diet induces aberrant hepatic lipid secretion in blunt snout bream by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated IRE1/XBP1 pathway.

This study was conducted to understand the effect of high-fat diet challenge on lipid transport and endoplasmic reticulum stress in blunt snout bream. Ninety fish (average weight: 41.84 ±â€¯0.07 g) were randomly fed a control diet (6% fat) or a high-fat diet (11% fat) for 9 weeks. The growth performance and feed utilization efficiency were evaluated at the end of the trial. The liver samples of both groups were harvested for molecular analysis and histological evaluation. Compared to the Control group, the high-fat diet group showed no effects on either growth performance or energy intake in blunt snout bream. However, high-fat diet resulted in a massive accumulation of lipid and pathological structural alternations, and disrupted expression of lipid transport-related genes and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the liver of the fish. In vitro, after exposure of the isolated primary hepatocytes from blunt snout bream to oleic acid, the cells showed increased intracellular TG accumulation, decreased VLDL secretion, which was attributed to altered expression levels of lipid transport-related genes through the activated IRE1/XBP1 signaling. The oleic acid-induced detrimental effects were alleviated by co-incubating the cells with an IER1 inhibitor, 4µ8c. In conclusion, high-fat diet could lead to aberrant lipid secretion by activating the ER stress-associated IRE1/XBP1 pathway. Inhibiting the activity of IRE1 represents a promising target to rescue the side-effects of high-fat diet on the liver function of blunt snout bream.

High-fat-diet-induced inflammation depresses the appetite of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) through the transcriptional regulation of leptin/mammalian target of rapamycin.

The aim of this article was to investigate the mechanism of appetite suppression induced by high-fat diets (HFD) in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Fish (average initial weight 40·0 (sem 0·35) g) were fed diets with two fat levels (6 and 11 %) with four replicates. HFD feeding for 30 d could significantly increase the weight gain rate, but feeding for 60 d cannot. Food intake of M. amblycephala began to decline significantly in fish fed the HFD for 48 d. HFD feeding for 60 d significantly reduced the expression of neuropeptide Y and elevated the expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), actions both in favour of suppression of appetite. The activation of fatty acid sensing was partly responsible for the weakened appetite. In addition, inflammatory factors induced by the HFD may be involved in the regulation of appetite by increasing the secretion of leptin and then activating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2·0 mg/kg of fish weight) was administered to induce inflammation, and sampling was performed after 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 48 h of LPS injection. Within 6-24 h of LPS injection, the food intake and appetite of M. amblycephala decreased significantly, whereas the mRNA expression of leptin and mTOR increased significantly. Our results indicate that inflammatory cytokines may be the cause of appetite suppression in M. amblycephala fed a HFD.

Fishmeal replacement by rice protein concentrate with xylooligosaccharides supplement benefits the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune responses against Aeromonas hydrophila in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala).

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fishmeal (FM) replacement by rice protein concentrate (RPC) with a xylooligosaccharides supplement on the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response against Aeromonas hydrophila in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Fish (46.85 ±â€¯0.34 g) were randomly assigned to one of 6 diets, namely the control diet (containing FM), the RPC diet (FM replaced by RPC) and RPC diet supplemented with 0.5, 1.5, 2.3 and 3% XOS respectively, for 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila for 96 h with the blood and liver sample obtained at 48 and 96 h respectively. The results showed that the final weight, weight gain and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed RPC diet were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of the control group, whereas the opposite was true for FCR. However, the supplement of 1.5% XOS remarkably (P < 0.05) improved these parameters compared to the control diet. Plasma total iron binding capacity of fish fed the RPC diet showed little difference (P > 0.05) with that of the control group, but it enhanced significantly (P < 0.05) with the supplement of 1.5% XOS compared to the control group. After bacterial infection, plasma lysozyme (LYM), complement 3, complement 4, myeloperoxidase (MPO), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as immunoglobulin M, levels all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the maximum value is attained at 48 h, then they decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with further increasing time at 96 h. Similar results were also observed in liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Regarding dietary treatment, these parameters of fish fed RPC diet showed little difference (P > 0.05) with those fed the control diet but were significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) when RPC diet was supplemented with 1.5-2.3% XOS, except for hepatic (MDA) content which showed an opposite trend compared to the control group. After 96 h of challenge, the relative percentage survival (RPS) of fish fed XOS was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of fish offered the control and RPC diet. In addition, significant (P < 0.05) interactions between dietary XOS and sampling time were also observed in plasma LYM, MPO, ACP, and hepatic SOD, CAT, GPX, MDA, as well as RPS. In conclusion, this study indicated that dietary supplementation of 1.5%XOS could significantly improve the growth performance, antioxidant capability, innate immunity and A. hydrophila resistance of blunt snout bream fed diets with FM replaced by RPC.

[Effects of Elevated Ozone on Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) Emission: A Review].

With the global increase of tropospheric ozone (O3) and complex interactions between biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emissions and tropospheric O3 concentrations, this review summarizes current research progress and future research prospects in terms of the effects of elevated O3 on BVOCs emissions. The main progress included impacts of BVOCs categories, plant functional types, O3 sensitivity of plants, the O3 stress level on the response of BVOCs emissions to single O3 stress, and the combined effects of elevated O3 and temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), drought, and nitrogen (N) deposition. Results indicated that most published results reported no change in BVOCs emissions in response to increasing O3 concentration. Specifically, decreasing effects of O3 on BVOCs emissions were more obvious in studies on isoprene and deciduous species, whereas studies on monoterpenes and evergreen plant species showed more results with an increasing trend as well as acute O3 exposure experiments. There was an increased tendency of monoterpene emissions to the combined effects of O3 and temperature or N deposition. However, the combined effects of O3 and CO2 decreased isoprene emissions. Given that studies on the effects of O3 on BVOCs emissions remain scarce, more complete experiments are needed that consider differences between short-term and long-term or individual-level and ecosystem-level. Furthermore, future research should strengthen the multi-factor interactive studies, particularly on O3 and other global change components and biotic and abiotic stresses, to assess BVOCs emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in response to O3 pollution both currently and in the future, which will provide valuable theoretical support to air pollution control.

Spraying Brassinolide improves Sigma Broad tolerance in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) through modulation of antioxidant activity and photosynthetic capacity.

To explore the role of Brassinolide (BR) in improving the tolerance of Sigma Broad in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), effects of 0.1 mg/L of BR foliar application 24 h before 3.37 g/ha of Sigma Broad treatment at five-leaf stage of foxtail millet on growth parameters, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll, net photosynthetic rate (P N), chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 parameters were studied 7 and 15 d after herbicide treatment, respectively. Results showed that Sigma Broad significantly decreased plant height, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll content, P N, PS II effective quantum yield (Y (II)), PS II electron transport rate (ETR (II)), photochemical quantum yield of PSI(Y (I)) and PS I electron transport rate ETR (I), but significantly increased MDA. Compared to herbicide treatment, BR dramatically increased plant height, activities of SOD, Y (II), ETR (II), Y (I) and ETR (I). This study showed BR pretreatment could improve the tolerance of Sigma Broad in foxtail millet through improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes, keeping electron transport smooth, and enhancing actual photochemical efficiency of PS II and PSI.

Effects of partial replacement of fish meal by yeast hydrolysate on complement system and stress resistance in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian).

A 10-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary fish meal replacement by yeast hydrolysate (YH) on growth performance, complement system and stress resistance of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (initial average weight 19.44 ± 0.06 g). In the study, there were five groups: one control group was fed with a basal diet (YH0), and four treatment groups were fed with dietary fish meal replaced by 1% YH (YH1), 3% (YH3), 5% (YH5) and 7% (YH7), respectively. Each group had four replicates. At the end of feeding trial, twelve fish from each group (three fish per replicate) were randomly selected for assessing the growth and immunity. Meanwhile, 20 fish per replicate were injected by Aeromonas hydrophila. The results showed that (1) Replacement levels of YH significantly affected the growth of the fish with the highest values of weight gain (WG) occurred in fish fed YH3 diet. However, no significant difference in feed conversion ratios (FCR) was observed among all groups. (2) Pre-stressed plasma lysozyme activity, total protein and albumin contents and complement component 3 (C3) and complement component 4 (C4) levels of fish fed YH3 diet were significantly higher than those of fish fed YH0 diet. However, post-stressed immune parameters of fish in all groups were significantly lower. (3) There was a trend that the expression levels of the complement-related genes (c1r/s-A, c4-1, c3-H1, c5-1, fb/c2-A, mbl-2 and masp) initially increased and then decreased except mbl-2 and masp, with the maximum values observed in fish fed YH3 diet. Before stress, the expression levels of the inflammation-related genes (alp, il-1ß and tnf-α) in the hepatopancreas and spleen of fish fed YH1 diet and YH7 diet were significant higher than that of fish fed YH0 diet. After stress, no significant difference in the expression levels of those genes was observed among all groups. These results indicated that FM replacement by YH could improve growth performance, enhance innate immunity, and activate complement via the alternative complement pathway (ACP) and the classical complement pathway (CCP).

Increasing Selenium and Yellow Pigment Concentrations in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) Grain with Foliar Application of Selenite.

Although addition of selenium (Se) is known to increase Se in crops, it is unclear whether exogenous Se is linked to nutritional and functional components in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.). In this study, we examined the potential of increasing Se and yellow pigment (YP) in foxtail millet grain by foliar application of Se. Field experiments were conducted during the growing season of foxtail millet in 2013 and 2014 to assess the effects of foliar spray of sodium selenite (10-210 g Se ha(-1)) on the yield, Se uptake and accumulation, total YP, and microminerals in the grain. Average grain yields with Se application were 5.60 and 4.53 t ha(-1) in the 2 years, showing no significant differences from the unfertilized control. However, grain Se concentration increased linearly with Se application rate, by 8.92 and 6.09 µg kg(-1) in the 2 years with application of 1 g Se ha(-1) (maximum grain recovery rates of Se fertilizer, 52 and 28 %). Likewise, total grain YP concentration markedly increased by 0.038 and 0.031 mg kg(-1) in the 2 years with application of 1 g Se ha(-1). Grain Mn, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations were not significantly affected by Se application. This study indicated that foliar application of Se effectively and reliably increased the concentrations of Se and YP in foxtail millet grain without affecting the yield or mineral micronutrient concentrations. Thus, foliar-applied selenite has a significant potential to increase the concentrations of selenium and YP (putative lutein (Shen, J Cereal Sci 61:86-93, 2015; Abdel-Aal, Cereal Chem 79:455-457, 2002; Abdel-Aal, J Agric Food Chem 55:787-794, 2007)) of foxtail millet and, thus, the health benefits of this crop.

[Influence of ozone on snap bean under ambient air in two sites of northern China].

Tropospheric ozone (O3) has been assumed the most phytotoxic air pollutant and the snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is known to be an ozone-sensitive species. Two genotypes (R123, ozone-tolerance, S156, ozone-sensitivity) of snap bean were explored in three places. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the snap bean was influenced under the current ambient ozone concentration. The findings indicated that the leaves of bean grown at Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences and ChangPing showed visible ozone symptoms under the ambient ozone concentration, and the averaged ozone injury proportion in S156 was 23.5% higher than R123 during the entire growth season. The ozone damage to the snap bean depends on the plant growing stages. The injury symptoms appeared just after flowering, increased from the stages of flowering to pod formation, and reached the maximum at the stages of pod maturation. The ratio of S156/R123 in pod yield was 0.48, and 0.24 and 0.73 in the RCEES, ChangPing and Harbin, respectively. The ratio close to 1 was assumed that the plant growth is not affected by ozone, and the lower ratio is, the more damage caused by ozone. Obviously, the current ambient ozone concentration of Beijing area has significantly caused the yield loss of snap bean.

[Reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the surgical skill, treatment effect and indications for reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture. METHODS: From March 1999 to April 2007, 33 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture combined nerve injury were treated by reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft including 30 males and 3 females with an average age of 41 years ranging from 21 to 66. The fracture involved 3 cases in T11, 9 in T12, 16 in L1, 3 in L2 and 2 in L3. There were 12 cases with flexion fracture, 8 with extension fracture, and 13 with burst fracture. Five cases performed emergency operation and in the others the time from injury to operation was 5 to 12 days. GSS fixation was applied in 25 cases and AF in 8. The volume of vertebral canal, the stability of the spine, the height of vertebrae, and the nerve function were observed before and after operation. RESULTS: These 33 patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years (means 25 months). The height of anterior column of the involved vertebrae changed from 58% to 96%, the cobb angle return from average of 26 degree to 2 degree, the volume of vertebral canal extended from 43% to 92%, respectively, when compared between preoperatively and postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of vertebral lamina with skull titanium plate and autograft which is a simple and safe treatment for thoracolumbar vertebrae fracture can increase the stability of spine and avoid second canal stenosis.