Impact of an oligosaccharide-based polymer on the metabolic profiles and microbial ecology of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E.coli

Background Our previous study has reported that supplementation of oligosaccharide-based polymer enhances gut health and disease resistance of pigs infected with enterotoxigenic E.coli(ETEC)F18 in a manner similar to carbadox.The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of oligosaccharide-based polymer or antibiotic on the host metabolic profiles and colon microbiota of weaned pigs experimentally infected with ETEC F18.Results Multivariate analysis highlighted the differences in the metabolic profiles of serum and colon digesta which were predominantly found between pigs supplemented with oligosaccharide-based polymer and antibiotic.The relative abundance of metabolic markers of immune responses and nutrient metabolisms,such as amino acids and carbohydrates,were significantly differentiated between the oligosaccharide-based polymer and antibiotic groups(q<0.2 and fold change>2.0).In addition,pigs in antibiotic had a reduced(P<0.05)relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae,whereas had greater(P<0.05)Clostridiaceae and Streptococcaceae in the colon digesta on d 11 post-inoculation(PI)compared with d 5 PI.Conclusions The impact of oligosaccharide-based polymer on the metabolic and microbial profiles of pigs is not fully understood,and further exploration is needed.However,current research suggest that various mechanisms are involved in the enhanced disease resistance and performance in ETEC-challenged pigs by supplementing this polymer.

三七多糖吸湿、保湿性能及体外抗氧化活性

目的从提取过三七总皂苷的工业药渣中提取、分离三七多糖,考察其吸湿、保湿性能及体外抗氧化活性。方法以工业三七药渣为原料,采用水提醇沉法提取三七粗多糖(crude polysaccharide from Panax notoginseng,CPPN),DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow分离纯化CPPN。以甘油和海藻酸钠为对照,测定三七多糖在相对湿度(relative humidity,RH)为43%和81%下的吸湿性能及干燥硅胶环境下的保湿性能。以DPPH自由基、ABTS+自由基和羟基自由基清除试验考察三七多糖体外抗氧化活性。结果CPPN经DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow分离得到一种中性多糖(neutral polysaccharide from Panax notoginseng,NPPN)和三种酸性多糖(acid polysaccharide from Panax notoginseng,APPN),分别命名为NPPN、APPNⅠ、APPNII和APPNⅢ,其得率分别为27.68%、11.89%、15.41%和21.04%。在RH为43%时,吸湿率为甘油>APPNⅢ>海藻酸钠>CPPN>APPNⅡ>APPNⅠ>NPPN;在RH为81%时,吸湿率为甘油>APPNⅢ>海藻酸钠>APPNⅡ>APPNⅠ>CPPN>NPPN;APPNⅢ吸湿性优于海藻酸钠。在干燥硅胶环境中,保湿率为APPNⅢ>海藻酸钠>CPPN>APPNⅡ>甘油>APPNⅠ>NPPN。对DPPH自由基、ABTS+自由基清除率为CPPN>APPNⅠ>APPNⅢ>APPNⅡ>NPPN,对羟基自由基清除率为CPPN>APPNⅢ>APPNⅡ>APPNⅠ>NPPN。结论CPPN及分离得到的各组分多糖均有一定吸湿、保湿性能和体外抗氧化活性,其中APPNⅢ吸湿保湿性能最强,CPPN体外抗氧化活性最强。

Neutrophil extracellular traps mediate the crosstalk between glioma progression and the tumor microenvironment via the HMGB1/RAGE/IL-8 axis

Objective:Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)produced by tumor-infiltrating neutrophils(TINs)are associated with poor prognosis in patients with several types of cancer.However,the mechanisms underlying the involvement of NETs in glioma progression remain largely unknown.This study aimed to elucidate the roles of NETs in biological processes that drive the crosstalk between glioma progression and the tumor microenvironment.Methods:Neutrophil infiltration and NETs formation were investigated in glioma tissue through immunohistochemistry,and their relationships with clinicopathological features and outcomes were statistically evaluated.The effects of NETs on glioma cell progression were studied in a co-culture system.In vivo and in vitro experiments validated the reactive oxygen species activity and cytokine production of TINs,as well as the ERK signaling pathway activation and the metastasis of gliomas.Results:Neutrophil infiltration and NETs formation were induced in high-grade glioma compared with low-grade glioma.NETs induced by TINs were determined to be an oncogenic marker of high-grade gliomas and to be involved in cell proliferation and invasion.NETs overproduction promoted glioma cell proliferation,migration,and invasion.Furthermore,HMGB1 was found to bind to RAGE and activate the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.In addition,NETs stimulated the NF-κB signaling pathway,thus promoting IL-8 secretion in glioblastoma.Subsequently,IL-8 recruited neutrophils which in turn mediated NETs formation via the PI3 K/AKT/ROS axis in TINs.Conclusions:Our results suggest that NETs produced by TINs mediate the crosstalk between glioma progression and the tumor microenvironment by regulating the HMGB1/RAGE/IL-8 axis.Targeting NETs formation or IL-8 secretion may be an effective approach to inhibit glioma progression.

Generalized mixed finite element method for 3D elasticity problems

Without applying any stable element techniques in the mixed methods, two simple generalized mixed element(GME) formulations were derived by combining the minimum potential energy principle and Hellinger–Reissner(H–R) variational principle. The main features of the GME formulations are that the common C0-continuous polynomial shape functions for displacement methods are used to express both displacement and stress variables, and the coefficient matrix of these formulations is not only automatically symmetric but also invertible. Hence, the numerical results of the generalized mixed methods based on the GME formulations are stable. Displacement as well as stress results can be obtained directly from the algebraic system for finite element analysis after introducing stress and displacement boundary conditions simultaneously. Numerical examples show that displacement and stress results retain the same accuracy. The results of the noncompatible generalized mixed method proposed herein are more accurate than those of the standard noncompatible displacement method. The noncompatible generalized mixed element is less sensitive to element geometric distortions.

Optimal search for moving targets with sensing capabilities using multiple UAVs

This paper studies the problem of using multiple unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to search for moving targets with sensing capabilities. When multiple UAVs (multi-UAV) search for a number of moving targets in the mission area, the targets can intermittently obtain the position information of the UAVs from sensing devices, and take appropriate actions to increase the distance between themselves and the UAVs. Aiming at this problem, an environment model is established using the search map, and the updating method of the search map is extended by considering the sensing capabilities of the moving targets. A multi-UAV search path planning optimization model based on the model predictive control (MPC) method is constructed, and a hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm with a crossover operator is designed to solve the model. Simulation results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the cooperative search efficiency and can find more targets per unit time compared with the coverage search method and the random search method.

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis influenced intestinal health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli

Background: There is growing evidence to support the beneficial effects of supplementing direct-fed microbials(DFM) on performance, health status, and immune responses of weaned pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis(DSM 25841) on growth performance, diarrhea, gut permeability and immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic F-18 Escherichia coli(E. coli).Results: The F18 E. coli infection reduced(P < 0.05) growth performance and intestinal villi height, whereas increased(P < 0.05) diarrhea and transcellular and paracellular permeability in the jejunum compared with non-challenged control. Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis linearly enhanced average daily gain of E. coli infected pigs from d 0 to 5 post-inoculation(PI)(P < 0.05) and d 0 to 11 PI(P = 0.058). Supplementation of high dose of Bacillus subtilis reduced(P < 0.05) both transcellular and paracellular permeability on d 5 and d11 PI compared with the E. coli infected pigs fed with control diet. E. coli infection up-regulated(P < 0.05)the m RNA expression of SLC5 A10(soluble carrier family 5 member 10) and MUC2(mucin 2) on d 5 PI, but down-regulated(P < 0.05) expression of SLC5 A10, MUC2, and CLDN1 on d 11 PI in jejunal mucosa when pigs were fed with the control diet. Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis linearly up-regulated(P < 0.05) the m RNA expression of CFTR and ZO1 on d 5 PI and SLC5 A10 and MUC2 on d 11 PI in jejunal mucosa of E. coli infected pigs. In addition, E. coli infection increased(P < 0.05) the m RNA expression of several immune genes(IL1 A, IL1 B, and IL7 on d 5 PI, and IL1 B, IL6, IL7, and TNF on d 11 PI) in the ileal mucosa of weaned pigs. Inclusion of Bacillus subtilis to control diet linearly down-regulated gene expression of IL1 A on d 5 PI(P = 0.07) and IL6 on d 11 PI(P < 0.05) in ileal mucosa of E. coli infected pigs.Conclusions: Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis(DSM 25841) enhanced growth rate and improved gut barrier function of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli.

Supplementation of different fat sources affects growth performance and carcass composition of finishing pigs

Background: There are various fat sources with different energy values and fatty acid compositions that may affect growth performance and carcass composition of grow-finishing pigs. A higher net energy was recently reported in choice white grease compared with soybean oil. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine whether practical responses confirm that difference between choice white grease and soybean oil, and to extend the observations to other fat sources.Results: In Exp. 1, pigs fed fats had lower(P < 0.05) average daily feed intake in phase II and overall period,greater(P < 0.05) gain:feed in phase I, phase II, and overall period than pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed fats tended(P = 0.057) to have thicker backfat depth at the last rib than those fed control. Pigs fed 6% fats had greater(P < 0.01) gain:feed in phase II and overall period than pigs fed 3% fats. During phase I, pigs fed choice white grease grew faster(P < 0.05) than pigs fed soybean oil. In Exp. 2, pigs fed dietary fats(soybean oil, choice white grease, animal-vegetable blend, palm oil, or tallow) had greater(P < 0.01) gain:feed in each phase and overall period, greater(P < 0.01) average daily gain in phase I, but lower(P < 0.01) average daily feed intake in phase II an overall than pigs fed the control diets. The choice white grease also increased(P < 0.05) average daily gain during phase I compared with soybean oil. Pigs fed palm oil had thicker(P < 0.05) backfat depth at the 10 thrib than those fed soybean oil, animal-vegetable blend, or tallow.Conclusions: Inclusion of 6% dietary fat improved feed efficiency of finishing pigs, while different fats produced different practical results that may be consistent with their different energy values. Results from the early stage indicate that dietary fats with relatively more saturated fatty acids may provide greater energy than those with relatively more unsaturated fatty acids for growing pigs.

Dietary Bacillus spp.enhanced growth and disease resistance of weaned pigs by modulating intestinal microbiota and systemic immunity

Background:Previous research has shown that dietary supplementation of Bacillus spp.probiotics exerts beneficial effects on animals’growth.However,limited studies have evaluated the efficacy of Bacillus spp.on weaned pigs and their effects on host gut health and microbiome,and systemic immunity using a disease challenge model.The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two Bacillus spp.strains(Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 and Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539)on growth performance,diarrhea,intestinal health,microbiome,and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC).Results:Pigs in PRO1(Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540)had greater(P<0.05)body weight on d 7 and 14 PI,greater(P<0.05)ADG from d 0 to 7 and d 7 to 14 PI,compared with pigs in CON(Control).Pigs in PRO1 had milder(P<0.05)diarrhea on d 2 and 3 PI compared with pigs in CON.However,no differences were observed in growth performance and diarrhea score between PRO2(Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539)and CON groups.Supplementation of PRO1 decreased(P<0.05)lymphocyte counts on d 7 and 14 PI,compared with CON.Supplementation of PRO1 and PRO2 both reduced(P<0.05)total coliforms in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 21 PI.Pigs in PRO2 had greater(P<0.05)goblet cell number and sulfomucin percentage in duodenal villi and greater(P<0.05)sialomucin percentage in jejunal villi than pigs in CON.Supplementation of PRO1 up-regulated(P<0.05)MUC2 gene expression in jejunal mucosa and reduced(P<0.05)PTGS-2 and IL1B gene expression in ileal mucosa on d 21 PI,compared with CON.Pigs in PRO1 had reduced(P<0.05)relative abundance of families Lachnospiraceae,Peptostreptococcaceae and Pasteurellaceae in the ileum.Conclusions:Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 improved growth performance,alleviated diarrhea severity,enhanced gut health,and reduced systemic inflammation of weaned pigs infected with ETEC F18.Although Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539 was able to alleviate systemic inflammation,it had limited impacts on growth performance and severity of diarrhea of ETEC F18 challenged weaned pigs.

Skeletochronological Study of Age,Longevity and Growth in a Population of Rana nigromaculata(Amphibia:Anura) in Sichuan,China

A skeletochronological study was conducted for the age, longevity and growth of a Rana nigromaculata population in northeastern Sichuan, China. Of 139 specimens, 119(68 males and 51 females) exhibited distinct arrested growth lines in phalanges. Age at first reproduction was found to be two years of age for males and three for females. Maximum longevity was estimated to be at least six years in males and seven years in females. Average age did not differ between males and females. Breeding females were significantly older than breeding males. Females were larger in body size and heavier in body mass than males. Age was not correlated with body size and body mass in males, but a significant correlation was found among age, body size and body mass in females. The growth curve appeared significantly different between the sexes, with a higher growth rate throughout life and a larger asymptotic size in females. Moreover, analysis of the growth model indicated that the population studied was relatively stable.

Asymmetry of Testes in Guenther's Frog,Hylarana guentheri(Anuar:Ranidae)

Testes size in most animals commonly shows directional asymmetry. In birds, the left testis mass is usually larger than the right one, but the reports on the testes asymmetry in anurans are very few. Moller （1994） hypothesized that the right testis serves a compensatory role and increases in size when the left one is defective, and further suggested that testes asymmetry may be a reliable indicator of individual body condition. In this paper, we tested the compensation hypothesis in the Guenther＇s frog, Hylarana guentheri. From 60 sampled males, we found that there was a significant directional asymmetry in testes mass, with the left testis size being significantly correlated with relative testes asymmetry, providing evidence that the right testis had a compensatory function. However, testes mass and asymmetry were not correlated with body condition. Hence, we found no evidence that testes asymmetry in the Guenther＇s frog reflected male condition, and male age was also not related to testes mass or asymmetry.

Multi-scale analysis on species diversity within a 40-ha old-growth temperate forest

In order to better explore the maintenance mechanisms of biodiversity, data collected from a 40-ha undisturbed Pinus forest were applied to the Individual Species-Area Relationship model(ISAR) to determine distribution patterns for species richness. The ecological processes influencing species abundance distribution patterns were assessed by applying the same data set to five models: a LogNormal Model(LNM), a Broken Stick Model(BSM), a Zipf Model(ZM), a Niche Preemption Model(NPM), and a Neutral Model(NM). Each of the five models was used at six different sampling scales(10 m×10 m, 20 m×20 m, 40 m×40 m, 60 m×60 m, 80 m×80 m, and 100 m×100 m). Model outputs showed that:(1) Accumulators and neutral species strongly influenced species diversity, but the relative importance of the two types of species varied across spatial scales.(2) Distribution patterns of species abundance were best explained by the NPM at small scales(10 m-20 m), whereas the NM was the best fit model at large spatial scales.(3) Species richness and abundance distribution patterns appeared to be driven by similar ecological processes. At small scales, the niche theory could be applied to describe species richness and abundance, while at larger scales the neutral theory was more applicable.

Optoelectronic and photocatalytic properties of I–III–VI QDs: Bridging between traditional and emerging new QDs

Due to the quantum size effect and other unique photoelectric properties,quantum dots(QDs)have attracted tremendous interest in nanoscience,leading a lot of milestone works.Meantime,the scope and scientific connotation of QDs are constantly expanding,which demonstrated amazing development vitality.Besides the well-developed Cd-containing Ⅱ-Ⅵ semiconductors,QDs of environmentally friendly Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ(Ⅰ=Cu,Ag;Ⅲ=Ga,In;Ⅵ=S,Se)chalcogenides have been a hot spot in the QDs family,which are different from traditional Ⅱ-Ⅵ QDs in terms of multi-composition,complex defect structure,synthetic chemistry and optical properties,bringing a series of new laws,new phenomena and new challenges.The composition of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ chalcogenides and their solid solutions can be adjusted within a very large range while the anion framework remains stable,giving them excellent capability of photoelectric property manipulation.The important features of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ QDs include wide-range bandgap tuning,large Stokes shift and long photoluminescence(PL)lifetime,which are crucial for biological,optoelectronic and energy applications.This is due to the coexistence of two or more metal cations leading to a large number of intrinsic defects within the crystal lattice also known as deep-donor-acceptor states,besides the commonly observed surface defects in all QDs.However,a profound understanding of their structure and optoelectronic properties remains a huge challenge with many key issues unclear.On one hand,the achievements and experience of traditional QD research are expected to provide vital value for further development of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ QDs.On the other hand,the understanding of the emerging new QDs,such as carbon and other 2D materials,are even more challenging because of the dramatically different composition and structure from Ⅱ-Ⅵ semiconductors.For this,Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ QDs,as a close relative to Ⅱ-Ⅵ QDs but with much more complex composition and structure variation,provide a great opportunity as a gradual bridge to make up the big gap between traditional QDs and emerging new QDs,such as carbon dots.Here,we hope to compare the research progress of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ QDs and Ⅱ-Ⅵ QDs,in an effort to comprehensively understand their structure,synthetic chemistry,optical electronic and photocatalytic properties.We further give insights on the key potential issues of Ⅰ-Ⅲ-Ⅵ QDs from the perspective of bridging between traditional QDs and emerging carbon dots,especially the profound principles behind synthetic chemistry,PL mechanism and optoelectronic applications.

Neutral and accumulator species in determining the spatial structure of tree species at different spatial scales

In 2014,a 40-ha undisturbed plot was established in the Beijing Songshan Nature Reserve.The spatial distribution and spatial associations of five dominant tree species of different height classes were examined using spatial point pattern analysis and the effects of these species on local community diversity assemblages were examined using the ISAR method.The dominant species were characterized by an aggregated distribution at spatial scales of 0–50 m.At smaller spatial scales,trees in larger height classes had significant positive and negative effects on the diversity of the lower height classes.However,at larger spatial scales this effect was diminished.At small scales(0–10 m),accumulator species had positive effects on species diversity,maintained an over-representative proportion of diversity in their proximity,and supported the ecological niche theory.At the larger scale(10–50 m),neutral species were dominant and had positive effects on species diversity,though repeller species,which had negative effects on species diversity,also contributed to diversity.Neutral and accumulator species together determined local species diversity,but the relative importance of the two was closely related to spatial scale.A combination of the ecological niche theory and neutral processes together determines species coexistence and biodiversity of an undisturbed pine forest.

Nutritional value of high fiber co-products from the copra,palm kernel,and rice industries in diets fed to pigs

High fiber co-products from the copra and palm kernel industries are by-products of the production of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. The co-products include copra meal, copra expellers, palm kernel meal, and palm kernel expellers. All 4 ingredients are very high in fiber and the energy value is relatively low when fed to pigs. The protein concentration is between 14 and 22 % and the protein has a low biological value and a very high Arg：Lys ratio. Digestibility of most amino acids is less than in soybean meal but close to that in corn. However, the digestibility of Lys is sometimes low due to Maillard reactions that are initiated due to overheating during drying.Copra and palm kernel ingredients contain 0.5 to 0.6 % P. Most of the P in palm kernel meal and palm kernel expellers is bound to phytate, but in copra products less than one third of the P is bound to phytate. The digestibility of P is, therefore, greater in copra meal and copra expellers than in palm kernel ingredients. Inclusion of copra meal should be less than 15 % in diets fed to weanling pigs and less than 25 % in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Palm kernel meal may be included by 15 % in diets for weanling pigs and 25 % in diets for growing and finishing pigs.Rice bran contains the pericarp and aleurone layers of brown rice that is removed before polished rice is produced.Rice bran contains approximately 25 % neutral detergent fiber and 25 to 30 % starch. Rice bran has a greater concentration of P than most other plant ingredients, but 75 to 90 % of the P is bound in phytate. Inclusion of microbial phytase in the diets is, therefore, necessary if rice bran is used. Rice bran may contain 15 to 24 % fat, but it may also have been defatted in which case the fat concentration is less than 5 %. Concentrations of digestible energy（DE） and metabolizable energy（ME） are slightly less in full fat rice bran than in corn, but defatted rice bran contains less than 75 % of the DE and ME in corn. The concentration of crude protein is 15 to 18 % in rice bran and the protein has a high biological value and most amino acids are well digested by pigs. Inclusion of rice bran in diets fed to pigs has yielded variable results and based on current research it is recommended that inclusion levels are less than 25 to 30 % in diets for growing-finishing pigs, and less than 20 % in diets for weanling pigs.However, there is a need for additional research to determine the inclusion rates that may be used for both full fat and defatted rice bran.

Supplementation of oligosaccharide-based polymer enhanced growth and disease resistance of weaned pigs by modulating intestinal integrity and systemic immunity

Background:There is a great demand for antibiotic alternatives to maintain animal health and productivity.The objective of this experiment was to determine the efficacy of dietary supplementation of a blood group A6 type 1antigen oligosaccharides-based polymer(Coligo)on growth performance,diarrhea severity,intestinal health,and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC),when compared with antibiotics.Results:Pigs in antibiotic carbadox or Coligo treatment groups had greater(P<0.05)body weight on d 5 or d 11post-inoculation(PI)than pigs in the control group,respectively.Supplementation of antibiotics or Coligo enhanced(P<0.05)feed efficiency from d 0 to 5 PI and reduced(P<0.05)frequency of diarrhea throughout the experiment,compared with pigs in the control group.Supplementation of antibiotics reduced(P<0.05)fecalβ-hemolytic coliforms on d 2,5,and 8 PI.Pigs in antibiotics or Coligo groups had reduced(P<0.05)neutrophil counts and serum haptoglobin concentration compared to pigs in the control group on d 2 and 5 PI.Pigs in Coligo had reduced(P<0.05)total coliforms in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 5 and 11 PI,whereas pigs in antibiotics or Coligo groups had reduced(P<0.05)total coliforms in spleen on d 11 PI compared with pigs in the control group.On d 5 PI,pigs in the Coligo group had greater(P<0.05)gene expression of ZO1 in jejunal mucosa,but less(P<0.05)m RNA expression of IL1B,IL6,and TNF in ileal mucosa,in comparison with pigs in the control group.Supplementation of antibiotics enhanced(P<0.05)the gene expression of OCLN in jejunal mucosa but decreased(P<0.05)IL1B and IL6 gene expression in ileal mucosa,compared with the control.On d 11 PI,supplementation of antibiotics or Coligo up-regulated(P<0.05)gene expression of CLDN1 in jejunal mucosa,but Coligo reduced(P<0.05)IL6 gene expression in ileal mucosa compared to pigs in the control group.Conclusions:Supplementation of Coligo improved growth performance,alleviated diarrhea severity,and enhanced gut health in weaned pigs infected with ETEC F18 in a manner similar to in-feed antibiotics.

Trace amounts of antibiotic altered metabolomic and microbial profiles of weaned pigs infected with a pathogenic E.coli

Background:Our previous study has shown that supplementation of trace amounts of antibiotic exacerbated the detrimental effects of enterotoxigenic E.coli(ETEC)infection and delayed the recovery of pigs that may be associated with modified metabolites and metabolic pathways.Therefore,the objective of this study was to explore the impacts of trace levels of antibiotic(carbadox)on host metabolic profiles and colon microbiota of weaned pigs experimentally infected with ETEC F18.Results:The multivariate analysis highlighted a distinct metabolomic profile of serum and colon digesta between trace amounts of antibiotic(TRA;0.5 mg/kg carbadox)and label-recommended dose antibiotic(REC;50 mg/kg carbadox)on d 5 post-inoculation(PI).The relative abundance of metabolomic markers of amino acids,carbohydrates,and purine metabolism were significantly differentiated between the TRA and REC groups(q<0.2).In addition,pigs in REC group had the highest(P<0.05)relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae and tended to have increased(P<0.10)relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae in the colon digesta on d 5 PI.On d 11 PI,pigs in REC had greater(P<0.05)relative abundance of Clostridiaceae compared with other groups,whereas had reduced(P<0.05)relative abundance of Prevotellaceae than pigs in control group.Conclusions:Trace amounts of antibiotic resulted in differential metabolites and metabolic pathways that may be associated with its slow responses against ETEC F18 infection.The altered gut microbiota profiles by labelrecommended dose antibiotic may contribute to the promotion of disease resistance in weaned pigs.

Dietary plant extracts modulate gene expression profiles in alveolar macrophages of pigs experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Background: Our previous study showed that 3 plant extracts enhanced the immune responses and growth efficiency of weaned pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV), which is one of the most economically important disease in swine industry. However, each plant extract differently effected on growth efficiency and immune responses. Therefore, the objective of this study was conducted to characterize the effects and investigate the potential underlying mechanisms of 3 plant extracts on gene expression of alveolar macrophages in weaned pigs experimentally infected with PRRSV.Results: PRRSV infection altered(P < 0.05) the expression of 1,352 genes in pigs fed the control(CON;755 up, 597 down). Compared with the infected CON, feeding capsicum(CAP), garlic botanical(GAR), or turmeric oleoresin(TUR) altered the expression of 46 genes(24 up, 22 down), 134 genes(59 up, 75 down), or 98 genes(55 up, 43 down) in alveolar macrophages of PRRSV-infected pigs, respectively. PRRSV infection up-regulated(P < 0.05) the expression of genes related to cell apoptosis, immune system process, and response to stimulus, but downregulated(P < 0.05) the expression of genes involved in signaling transduction and innate immune response.Compared with the infected CON, feeding TUR or GAR reduced(P < 0.05) the expression of genes associated with antigen processing and presentation, feeding CAP up-regulated(P < 0.05) the expression of genes involved in antigen processing and presentation. Supplementation of CAP, GAR, or TUR also enhanced(P < 0.05) the expression of several genes related to amino acid metabolism, steroid hormone synthesis, or RNA degradation, respectively.Conclusions: The results suggest that 3 plant extracts differently regulated the expression of genes in alveolar macrophages of PRRSV-infected pigs, especially altering genes involved in immunity.

Elevational diversity gradients across seed plant taxonomic levels in the Lancang River Nature Reserve： role of temperature, water and the mid-domain effect

It remains unclear whether the elevational diversity gradients observed in seed plants across different taxonomic levels （family, genus, and species） are driven by the same macro-environmental variables. In this study, seed plant elevational distribution data from the Lancang River Nature Reserve （Yunnan, China） were used to investigate spatial patterns in diversity and their environ- mental correlates, comparing across taxonomic levels. Environmental variables included energy availability, climate seasonality and environmental heterogeneity. All taxonomic levels （family, genus, and species） were found to have strong elevational richness gradients, with the strength of the gradient weakening at higher taxonomic levels. Spatial patterns in richness were explained by a combination of contemporary environmental variables and the mid-domain effect at all taxonomic levels. The independent effects of temperature- and precipitation-related variables were similar in explaining geographical patterns of family, genus and species richness. Energy, seasonality and heterogeneity variables influenced seed plant spatial richness at different taxonomic levels in similar ways.

Escherichia coli challenge and one type of smectite alter intestinal barrier of pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine how an E. coil challenge and dietary clays affect the intestinal barrier of pigs. Two groups of 32 pigs （initial BW： 6.9 ± 1.0 kg） were distributed in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of a randomized complete block design （2 challenge treatments： sham or E. coil, and 4 dietary treatments： control, 0.3% smectite A, 0.3% smectite B and 0.3% zeolite）, with 8 replicates total. Diarrhea score, growth performance, goblet cell size and number, bacterial translocation from intestinal lumen to lymph nodes, intestinal morphology, and relative amounts of sulfo and sialo mucins were measured. The E. coli challenge reduced performance, increased goblet cell size and number in the ileum, increased bacterial translocation from the intestinal lumen to the lymph nodes, and increased ileal crypt depth. One of the clays （smectite A） tended to increase goblet cell size in ileum, which may indicate enhanced protection. In conclusion, E. coli infection degrades intestinal barrier integrity but smectite A may enhance it.

Skeletochronological Study on Age Structure of a Chinese Endemic Frog(Rana omeimontis)

We used skeletochronology to estimate age structure of the Omei Wood Frog, Rana omeimontis, from southwestern China.Average age differed significantly between males and females.Age at sexual maturity in both males and females was 1 year. Longevity was 6 and 7 years for males and females, respectively. Average body size differed significantly between the sexes, with females being larger than males. A non-significant correlation between age and body size was found within each sex in this population. The ANCOVA analysis revealed that females also had larger body size than males when the effect of age was controlled.