A Simulative Study on Effects of Climate Warming on Nutrient Contents and In Vitro Digestibility of Herbage Grown in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The increasing trend of air temperature along with the climate warming has been accepted gradually by scientists and by the general public. Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a unique geographic unit due to high_altitude climate, is one of the most susceptible regions to climate warming. Its ecosystem is very fragile and sensitive to climate change. In order to get a better understanding of the impacts of climate warming on the nutrient contents of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau, a simulative study was implemented at Daban Moutain by using temperature differences resulted from sites selected at different altitudes and nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility were determined for assessing the quality of the grown herbage. There were significant downtrends in crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents of herbage along with the increase of temperature. It had a positive correlation between temperature and content of acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) in herbage. In vitro digestibility of herbage decreased along with the increase of temperature. The results of this study indicated that climate warming significantly influence nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility of herbage grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau. It is suggested that the future climate warming especially the gradual rise of the night temperature could cause negative effect on herbage quality grown in Qinghai_Xizang Plateau by decreasing CP, EE, and NFE contents and increasing some indigestible ingredients such as crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ADF, and ADL. This, consequently, decreases the ruminant assimilation ability.

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE VEGETATIVE CELLS OF NOSTOC FLAGELLIFORME PREPARED WITH HIGH PRESSURE FREEZING AND FREEZE SUBSTITUTION TECHNIQUE

The ultrastructure of the vegetative cells of Nostoc flagelliforme Born. et Flah. was investigated with high pressure freezing and freeze substitution technique and compared with the results obtained by using conventional preparation methods. During the processes of chemical fixation, dehydration and embedding, the cell structures might be more artificially modified than that obtained from high pressure freezing and freeze substitution. With the present method, the sheath of N. flagelliforme could be well penetrated and no extra big space could exist between the cell and the sheath. The cell protoplasm rarely shrinked. Some fine structures of cell inclusions and unit membranes became visualized. Many bacteria were harbored in the sheath. In addition, the presence of big vacuoles in the cell of N. flagelliforme as well as the presence of bacteria in the sheath shown in the present preparation for cyanobacteria has not been described so far in the literature.

Nutritive Equilibrium in Rice Plant Populations for High Yield

The effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium application level, seed rate and transplanting density on the growth and development of rice plants were studied to find out nutrient status in high-yielding rice plants and to increase grain yield by adequate fertilization. There was an equilibrium relationship among nutrient elements for high-yielding rice plant populations. The equilibrium index of nutrient amount, content and distribution in high-yielding rice plants should be generally greater than-2 but less than 2. The optimum nutritive proportion of nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium assimilated by the plants was about 10: 2: 9 at the ripening stage. But the content and the proportion varied with the growth stages. Therefore, the nutrient in rice plant populations should be in a dynamic equilibrium, so as to achieve high yield.

Nutrient Limiting Factors in Acidic Vegetable Soils

Nutrient limiting factors in acidic soils from vegetable fields of the Chongqing suburbs of China were assessed by employing the systematic approach developed by Agro Services International (ASI) including soil testing, nutrient adsorption study, and pot and field experiments to verify the results of soil testing, with a conventional soil test (CST) used for comparison. The ASI method found the moderately acidic soil (W01) to be N and P deficient; the strongly acidic soil (W04) to be N, K and S deficient; and the slightly acidic soil (W09) to be N, K, S, Cu, Mn, and Zn deficient. The CST method showed that W01 had P, B and Cu deficiencies; W04 had N, P and S deficiencies; and W09 had N, P, S, B, Cu, and Zn deficiencies. There were differences between the two methods. Among the two indicator plants selected, the response of sorghum on the three representative acidic soils was more closely related to the ASI results than that of sweet pepper.

Nutritional and Metabolic Consequences of Feeding High-Fiber Diets to Swine： A Review

At present, substantial amounts of low-cost, fibrous co-products are incorporated into pig diets to reduce the cost of raising swine. However, diets that are rich in fiber are of low nutritive value because pigs cannot degrade dietary fiber. In addition, high-fiber diets have been associated with reduced nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, recent reports are often contradictory and the negative effects of high-fiber diets are influenced by the fiber source, type, and inclusion level. In addition, the effects of dietary fiber on pig growth and physiological responses are often confounded by the many analytical methods that are used to measure dietary fiber and its components. Several strategies have been employed to ameliorate the negative effects associated with the ingestion of high-fiber diets in pigs and to improve the nutritive value of such diets. Exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes are widely used to improve nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, the results of research reports have not been consistent and there is a need to elucidate the mode of action of exogenous enzymes on the metabolic and physiological responses in pigs that are fed high-fiber diets. On the other hand, dietary fiber is increasingly used as a means of promoting pig gut health and gestating sow welfare. In this review, dietary fiber and its effects on pig nutrition, gut physiology, and sow welfare are discussed. In addition, areas that need further research are suggested to gain more insight into dietary fiber and into the use of exogenous enzymes to improve the utilization of high-fiber diets by oils.

Time for the world to move beyond the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a proven feeding tube,just as the nasogastric tube is proven to be able to deliver enteral nutrition.For long-term use,both patient and caregiver want neither.What is desired is the LOOPPEG? 3G tube,more secure than the PEG,and less risky to change than the nasogastric tube.Future clinical research should focus on this high-comfort low-risk tube.

Annual and Monthly Variations in Litter Macronutrients of Three Subalpine Forests in Western China

Macronutrients （N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S） in litter of three primarily spruce （Picea purpurea Masters） （SF）, fir （Abies faxoniana Rehder ＆ E. H. Wilson） （FF）, and birch （Betula platyphylla Sukaczev） （BF） subalpine forests in western China were measured to understand the monthly variations in litter nutrient concentrations and annual and monthly nutrient returns via litteffall. Nutrient concentration in litter showed the rank order of Ca 〉 N 〉 Mg 〉 K 〉 S 〉 P. Monthly variations in nutrient concentrations were greater in leaf litter （LL） than other litter components. The highest and lowest concentrations of N, P, K, and S in LL were found in the growing season and the nongrowing season, respectively, but Ca and Mg were the opposite. Nutrient returns via litterfall showed a marked monthly pattern with a major peak in October and one or two small peaks in February and/or May, varying with the element and stand type, but no marked monthly variations in nutrient returns via woody litter, reproductive litter, except in May for the BF, and moss litter. Not only litter production but also nutrient concentration controlled the annual nutrient return and the monthly nutrient return pattern. The monthly patterns of the nutrient concentration and return were of ecological importance for nutrient cycling and plant growth in the subalpine forest ecosystems.

Iron Regulation of Wetland Vegetation Performance Through Synchronous Effects on Phosphorus Acquisition Efficiency

Iron-rich groundwater flowing into wetlands is a worldwide environmental pollution phenomenon that is closely associated with the stability of wetland ecosystems. Combined with high phosphorus(P) loading from agricultural runoff, the prediction of the evolution of wetland vegetation affected by compound contamination is particularly urgent. We tested the effects of anaerobic iron-rich groundwater discharge in a freshwater marsh by simulating the effect of three levels of eutrophic water on native plants(Glyceria spiculosa(Fr. Schmidt.) Rosh.). The management of wetland vegetation with 1–20 mg/L Fe input is an efficient method to promote the growth of plants, which showed an optimum response under a 0.10 mg/L P surface water environment. Iron-rich groundwater strongly affects the changes in ecological niches of some wetland plant species and the dominant species. In addition, when the P concentration in a natural body of water is too high, the governance effect of eutrophication might not be as expected. Under iron-rich groundwater conditions, the δ^(13)C values of organs were more depleted, which can partially explain the differences in δ^(13)C in the soil profile. Conversely, the carbon isotope composition of soil organic carbon is indicative of past changes in vegetation. The results of our experiments confirm that iron-rich groundwater discharge has the potential to affect vegetation composition through toxicity modification in eutrophic environments.

Effects of Accelerated Soil Erosion on Soil Nutrient Loss After Deforestation on the Loess Plateau

Soil erosion and nutrient losses on newly-deforested lands in the Ziwuling Region on the Loess Plateau of China were monitored to quantitatively evaluate the effects of accelerated soil erosion, caused by deforestation, on organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus losses. Eight natural runoff plots were established on the loessial hill slopes representing different erosion patterns of dominant erosion processes including sheet, rill and shallow gully (similar to ephemeral gully). Sediment samples were collected after each erosive rainfall event. Results showed that soil nutrients losses increased with an increase of erosion intensity. Linear relations between the losses of organic matter, total N, NH4-N, and available P and erosion intensity were found. Nutrient content per unit amount of eroded sediment decreased from the sheet to the shallow gully erosion zones, whereas total nutrient loss increased. Compared with topsoil, nutrients in eroded sediment were enriched, especially available P and NH4-N. The intensity of soil nutrient losses was also closely related to soil erosion intensity and pattern with the most severe soil erosion and nutrient loss occurring in the shallow gully channels on loessial hill slopes. These research findings will help to improve the understanding of the relation between accelerated erosion process after deforestation and soil quality degradation and to design better eco-environmental rehabilitation schemes for the Loess Plateau.

Soil Nutrient Distribution in Two Typical Paddy Terrace Wetlands Along an Elevation Gradient During the Fallow Period

Soil nutrient concentrations in the top soils from two paddy terraces were determined in order to investigate spatial distributions of soil nutrients along the elevations on the Yunnan plateau of China during the fallow period.Results showed that soil nutrients in both terraces were higher than the reference concentrations except for SOC,TN,TP and Fe.Soil macronutrients didn't show significant differences in both terraces except for Mg and Ca,so did soil micronutrients except for Mn.Spatial distribution patterns of soil nutrients along the increasing elevations were different in both terraces.However,soil nutrients in both terraces were generally not significantly influenced by the elevations and soil pH values.The findings of this study can contribute to soil fertility management and ecological protection of Hani terraces.

Planting Performance of Pennisetum purpureum Schumab cv.Purple in the Southern Region of China

[Objective] The present experiment was conducted to investigate the yield,adaptability and quality characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum Schumach cv. Purple to provide reference for the certification and development of new varieties.[Method] With P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple as experimental material, the variety comparison tests were conducted in Nanning, Lingyun, and Tiandeng in Guangxi from 2007 to 2009, and variety regional trials were conducted in Danzhou of Hainan, Fuzhou of Fujian and Zhanjiang of Guangdong from 2011 to 2013. Its comprehensive characters of plant height, hay yield, stem-leaf ratio and nutritional components were determined, and were compared with those of P. purpureum × P.americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin. [Result] The average height of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 706.54 cm, which was5.92% and 8.44% lower than that of P. purpureum × P. americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin, respectively. The average hay yield of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 32.74 t/ha in Nanning, Lingyun, and Tiandeng of Guangxi from 2007 to 2009, and 22.41 t/ha in Danzhou of Hainan, Fuzhou of Fujian and Zhanjiang of Guangdong from 2011 to 2013. Although its hay yield was lower than two control varieties, the difference was not significant（P 0.05）.The stem-leaf ratio of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 0.98：1. Moreover,the analysis on the nutritional components of dry matter showed that compared with P. purpureum × P. americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv.Guiminvin, the crude fiber of P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple was decreased by4.76% and 2.78%, respectively; the neutral detergent fiber decreased by 5.07% and2.22%, respectively; the acid detergent fiber was decreased by 2.54% and 1.99%,respectively; the crude fat was increased by 64.29% and 43.75%, respectively; the calcium content was increased by 28.00% and 33.33%, respectively; the phosphorus content was increased by 9.68% and 22.73%, respectively; the total content of amino acid was increased by 43.23% and 68.41%, respectively; the anthocyanin content of leaf was increased by 400.00% and 216.90%, respectively（P 0.05）.[Conclusion] P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple is a new high-quality forage variety with wide adaptability, high yield, rich nutrient and good palatability, which is appropriate for comprehensive exploitation and application in the southern region of China.

Use of Sorghum Crops for in Situ Phytoremediation of Polluted Soils

There has been carried out a comparative research, which allow us to determine the quantities and the central points of accumulation ofPb, Cu, Zn and Cd in the vegetative and reproductive organs of the four sorghum varieties （technical sorghtan, sugar sorghum, sudan grass and grain sorghnm）, as well as to ascertain the possibilities for their growth in soils contaminated with heavy metals and their application for phytoremediation purposes. The experimental plots were situated at different distances （0.1 and 15.0 kin） from the source of pollution-the Non-Ferrous Metal Works near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. On reaching commercial ripeness, the crops were gathered and the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd in their different parts-roots, stems, leaves and gains-were determined through dry mineralization. To determine the heavy metal content in the samples, ICP was used. A clearly distinguished trend exists which describes the accumulation of heavy metals within the vegetative and reproductive organs of the studied crops. Sudan grass and technical sorghum accumulated larger heavy metal quantities compared to sugar sorghum and grain sorghum, as the majority of the heavy metals was retained by the roots and a very small amount was translocated to epigeous parts. The depots for accumulation were in the following order： roots 〉 leaves 〉 stems 〉 grains. The studied crops can be related to metal-tolerant crops and can be cultivated on softs which are of low, medium or high contamination with lead, zinc and cadmium, as they do not exhibit a tendency of accumulating these elements in grains at levels above the maximum permissible concentrations for fodder. The selective accumulation of Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd in the roots and the possibility to remove the root-remains makes technical sorghum, sugar sorghum and Sudan grass extremely suitable for phytoremediation purposes. The possible use of grains for animal food guarantees the economic expedience upon the selection of these crops.

Two new species of Sellaphora(Bacillariophyta) from a deep oligotrophic plateau lake,Lake Fuxian in subtropical China

We describe two new species of Sellaphora from Lake Fuxian, Ytmnan Plateau, China. Based on both light and scanning electron microscopy, these species are described as S. yunnanensis sp. nov. and S. sinensis sp. nov. The primary features of S. yunnanens＆ are： elliptical to linear-elliptical valves with broadly rounded ends, straight filiform raphe, almost straight central endings and small, slightly expanding central pores, small central area, symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical central nodule. The primary features of S. sinensis are： elliptical valves, obtusely rounded ends, similar raphe and axial area, transapically less expanded central area, larger, elliptical central nodule. We compare these species to those of a similar shape and morphology.

Obesity promotes oxidative stress and exacerbates blood-brain barrier disruption after high-intensity exercise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity and high-intensity acute exercise on oxidant-antioxidant status,neurotrophic factor expression, and blood-brain barrier(BBB) disruption.Methods: Twenty-four healthy, untrained men(12 non-obese(mean 14.9% body fat) and 12 obese subjects(mean 29.8% body fat)) performed20 min of continuous submaximal aerobic exercise at 85% maximal oxygen consumption. Blood sampling was performed to examine the oxidant-antioxidant status(reactive oxygen species(ROS) and superoxide dismutase(SOD)), neurotrophic factors(brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and nerve growth factor(NGF)), and BBB disruption(S100β and neuron-specific enolase) before and after acute exercise.Results: The obese group showed significantly higher pre-exercise serum ROS levels and significantly lower pre-exercise serum SOD levels than the non-obese group(p < 0.05). Serum ROS, SOD, BDNF, NGF, and S100β levels were significantly increased post-exercise compared with pre-exercise levels in both the non-obese and the obese groups(p < 0.05). The obese group showed significantly higher serum ROS, BDNF, NGF,and S100β levels post-exercise compared to the non-obese group(p < 0.05).Conclusion: Our study suggests that episodic vigorous exercise can increase oxidative stress and blood neurotrophic factor levels and induce disruption of the BBB. Moreover, high levels of neurotrophic factor in the blood after exercise in the obese group may be due to BBB disruption,and it is assumed that oxidative stress was the main cause of this BBB disruption.

Nutrient uptake by mulberry and Chinese prickly ash associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Understanding how nutrient absorption processes in plants are related to arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)association is critical for predicting the effects of AM symbiosis on elemental cycling for plants. Both mulberry(Morus alba) and Chinese prickly ash(Zanthoxylum bungeanum) are AM-associated plants, widely distributed in southwest China. It was hypothesized that if the nutrient absorption processes were efficiently associated with AM symbiosis in both mulberry and Chinese prickly ash, foliar nutrient concentrations—especially calcium(Ca)—would be primarily determined by the soil conditions in different regions. To investigate this, AM colonization levels of soils, nutrient levels in soils and leaves, and δ^(13)C values of leaves were analyzed for mulberry and Chinese prickly ash.In this study, spore density in soils with low p H was higher than that in soils with high p H. The average concentrations of sugar delivered to roots in both mulberry and Chinese prickly ash in soil with relatively low p H and soil extractable cations were higher than those in other areas.The values of foliar δ^(13)C in both mulberry and Chinese prickly ash in low soil-pH and soil extractable cations were lower than those in contrast areas, indicating that water availability was impacted by soil characteristics. The efficiency in AM-mediated processes might play an important role in translocation between soil nutrients and plant tissue.The results suggest uptake and translocation of nutrients,especially Ca, in AM-associated plants may be affected by an efficiency of AM-mediated processes. Since Sr does not appear to be similarly affected, expressing Ca and other nutrient concentrations relative to Sr could be used to evaluate whether the uptake and translocation of Ca and other nutrients are affected by AM-mediated processes.

The Consumption Preferences of Milk and Dairy Products of Undergraduate Students

Human has different stages in their life as from babyhood to adult. The healthy and balanced diet preferences of people play an important role in each human life parts. Especially milk and dairy products are necessary for human health because of their nutrition value and body functions. One of the parts of people life is university life. Starting university is a turning point in terms of eating habits, since food choices responsibility of university students increases in this period. According to the researches, increasing availability of fast foods, changes in living arrangements, life experiences, expectations, preferences and beliefs related with food selections are most common reasons regarding dietary choices in this young adults group. University students had drinking milk habits in primary school but most of them lose their habits during university life. The students＇ first preferences were cheese and then yogurt and finally milk. A very little part of university students consume milk and dairy products regularly. The consumption habits and milk and dairy product catering of university students were examined. The consumption preferences of milk and dairy products of the students in different Universities are reviewed in this review.

Classification of plant functional types based on the nutrition traits： a case study on alpine meadow community in the Zoigê Plateau

The ecological concept of Plant Functional Types（PFTs）, which refers to the assemblage of plants with certain functional traits, has been introduced for the study of plant responses to the environment change and human disturbance. Taking the alpine meadow community in the Zoigê Plateau as a study case, this paper classified PFTs in terms of plant nutrition traits. The sequential results are as follows.（1） The main herbages in the Zoigê Plateau included 16 species in 5 families. Among the five families, Cyperaceae vegetation accounted for 81.37%of herbage area in total, while the remaining 4families occupied less than 20%. As for the species,Kobresia setchwanensis Hand.-Maizz. was dominant,accounting for 48.74% of the total area; while the remaining 51.26% was comprised of Polygonum viviparum L., Anaphalis fiavescens Hand.-Mazz.,Stipa aliena Keng and other species.（2） By using the Principal Component Analysis（PCA）, the assessment of herbages nutrition was carried out based on the comprehensive multi-index evaluation model.Polygonum viviparum L. had the highest nutritional value score（1.43）, and Stipa aliena Keng had the lowest（-1.40）. Nutritional value of herbage species had a significantly positive correlation with altitude（P＆lt;0.01） in the Zoigê Plateau.（3） Based on the nutritional values, herbages in the Zoigê Plateau could be grouped into 3 nutrition PFTs（high, medium and low） by using the Natural Breaks（Jenks） method.

Performance and Ruminal Characteristics of Beef Cattle Fed Four Different Hybrids Sorghum Silages

This study was conducted to evaluate the intake, total and partial digestibility of nutrient, ruminal pH and ammonia concentration, microbial protein synthesis and performance in crossbred Holstein × Zebu cattle fed four different hybrids sorghum silages （1F305, XBF60329, BRS610, Volumax）. In Experiment 1, four rumen and abomasum fistulated steers, 400 ± 80 kg, distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin Square, were used. In Experiment 2, 28 crossbred Holstein × Zebu steers, 350 ± 50 kg, distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments and seven replicates, were used. In Experiment 1, it was observed that nutrient intake, as well as total, ruminal and intestinal digestibility of nutrient, were not affected （P 〉 0.05） by diets, except for total apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber （NDFap）, which was lower for the BRS610 hybrid. There was lower NDFap ingestion in animals that received a diet containing silage from the BRS610 hybrid, however, the lowest intake non-fibrous carbohydrates （NFC） was observed for the diet containing silage from the Volumax hybrid. In Experiment 2, nutrient intake were not affected by the diets （P 〉 0.05）, whereas, NDFap intake was lesser for hybrid BRS610. It was found that daily weight gain and feed conversion were not affected by different silages diets. Therefore, it may be concluded that the diets used were nutritionally equivalent, as they promoted similar animal performance without affecting ruminal parameters.