Background Ochratoxin A(OTA),a globally abundant and extremely hazardous pollutant,is a significant source of contamination in aquafeeds and is responsible for severe food pollution.The developmental toxicity of OTA a...Background Ochratoxin A(OTA),a globally abundant and extremely hazardous pollutant,is a significant source of contamination in aquafeeds and is responsible for severe food pollution.The developmental toxicity of OTA and the potential relieving strategy of natural products remain unclear.This study screened the substance curcumin(Cur),which had the best effect in alleviating OTA inhibition of myoblast proliferation,from 96 natural products and investigated its effect and mechanism in reducing OTA myotoxicity in vivo and in vitro.Methods A total of 720 healthy juvenile grass carp,with an initial average body weight of 11.06±0.05 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups:the control group(without OTA and Cur),1.2 mg/kg OTA group,400 mg/kg Cur group,and 1.2 mg/kg OTA+400 mg/kg Cur group.Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates(180 fish)for 60 d.Results Firstly,we cultured,purified,and identified myoblasts using the tissue block culture method.Through preliminary screening and re-screening of 96 substances,we examined cell proliferation-related indicators such as cell viability and ultimately found that Cur had the best effect.Secondly,Cur could alleviate OTA-inhibited myoblast differentiation and myofibrillar development-related proteins(Myo G and MYHC)in vivo and in vitro and improve the growth performance of grass carp.Then,Cur could also promote the expression of OTA-inhibited protein synthesis-related proteins(S6K1 and TOR),which was related to the activation of the AKT/TOR signaling pathway.Finally,Cur could downregulate the expression of OTA-enhanced protein degradation-related genes(murf1,foxo3a,and ub),which was related to the inhibition of the Fox O3a signaling pathway.Conclusions In summary,our data demonstrated the effectiveness of Cur in alleviating OTA myotoxicity in vivo and in vitro.This study confirms the rapidity,feasibility,and effectiveness of establishing a natural product screening method targeting myoblasts to alleviate fungal toxin toxicity.展开更多
Tall clonal grasses commonly display competitive advantages with nitrogen(N)enrichment.However,it is currently unknown whether the height is derived from the vegetative or reproductive module.Moreover,it is unclear wh...Tall clonal grasses commonly display competitive advantages with nitrogen(N)enrichment.However,it is currently unknown whether the height is derived from the vegetative or reproductive module.Moreover,it is unclear whether the height of the vegetative or reproductive system regulates the probability of extinction and colonization,and determines species diversity.In this study,the impacts on clonal grasses were studied in a field experiment employing two frequencies(twice a year vs.monthly)crossing with nine N addition rates in a temperate grassland,China.We found that the N addition decreased species frequency and increased extinction probability,but did not change the species colonization probability.A low frequency of N addition decreased species frequency and colonization probability,but increased extinction probability.Moreover,we found that species reproductive height was the best index to predict the extinction probability of clonal grasses in N-enriched conditions.The low frequency of N addition may overestimate the negative effect from N deposition on clonal grass diversity,suggesting that a higher frequency of N addition is more suitable in assessing the ecological effects of N deposition.Overall,this study illustrates that reproductive height was associated with the clonal species extinction probability under N-enriched environment.展开更多
This study investigated the effect of Israel grass in feed formulation on growth performance of local chicken.The study was conducted from October 2023 until January 2024 in Kampong Chheutel Institute of Technology.Th...This study investigated the effect of Israel grass in feed formulation on growth performance of local chicken.The study was conducted from October 2023 until January 2024 in Kampong Chheutel Institute of Technology.The CRD(Completely Randomized Design)was used with 4 treatments and 4 replications.The local chicks were purchased from local famer at 1 day old and kept in whole pen by feeding commercial feed.At 21 days old the total 320 chicks were allocated into experimental treatments.The 4 feed formulas based on the level of Israel grass added such as 0,5%,7%and 9%,were called T1(control),T2,T3 and T4 respectively.The result showed that body weight gain,feed intake,ADG(Average Daily Gain)and FCR(Feed Conversion Ratio)in all treatments were not significantly different(p>0.05).However,there was strong correlation between living weight with carcass of al treatments,but no difference among carcass percentage of local chicken for all different diet in this study.In conclusion,the Israel grass did not affect growth performance of local chickens and can be used to replace some expensive feed ingredient,such as rice bran.展开更多
The current trend of replacing a percentage of gasoline with ethanol has promoted the development of new processes for its production from lignocellulosic biomass. This work reports the production of ethanol from the ...The current trend of replacing a percentage of gasoline with ethanol has promoted the development of new processes for its production from lignocellulosic biomass. This work reports the production of ethanol from the Camalote grass (Paspalum fasciculatum Willd). The lignocellulosic biomass was subjected to acid hydrolysis at 125C and 15 psi with H2SO4 concentrations at 5%, 10%, and 20%, obtaining an average of reducing sugars (pentoses and hexoses) from the hydrolyzed juice with 12.3%, 10%, and 17% Brix, respectively. The sugars were fermented using yeast of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 30C for 48 hours. Finally, the ethanol was distilled at 78C, and the average yields were obtained through analysis of variance with a 95% confidence level. The values indicate that there is a significant difference (p > 0.05), the Tukey study shows that all the % v/v averages are different from each other. For H2SO4 concentration at 5% (10.33 ± 2), H2SO4 at 10% (9.33 ± 1.8), and H2SO4 at 20% (6.33 ± 2). The acidity analysis for the ethanol obtained from each treatment gave a value of 1.8 mg/L of acetic acid in all cases.展开更多
In the lush forests of Asia,towering bamboos stand tall,defying the folk expectations for grassy plants.These woody giants,some reaching the staggering height of nearly 40 meters,are the world’s largest members of th...In the lush forests of Asia,towering bamboos stand tall,defying the folk expectations for grassy plants.These woody giants,some reaching the staggering height of nearly 40 meters,are the world’s largest members of the grass family.展开更多
Background:Nutrient regulation has been proven to be an effective way to improve the flesh quality in fish.As a necessary nutrient for fish growth,protein accounts for the highest proportion in the fish diet and is ex...Background:Nutrient regulation has been proven to be an effective way to improve the flesh quality in fish.As a necessary nutrient for fish growth,protein accounts for the highest proportion in the fish diet and is expensive.Although our team found that the effect of protein on the muscle hardness of grass carp was probably related to an increased collagen content,the mechanism for this effect has not been deeply explored.Moreover,few studies have explored the protein requirements of sub-adult grass crap(Ctenopharyngodon idella).Therefore,the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth performance,nutritional value,muscle hardness,muscle fiber growth,collagen metabolism and related molecule expression in grass carp were investigated.Methods:A total of 450 healthy grass carp(721.16±1.98 g)were selected and assigned randomly to six experimen-tal groups with three replicates each(n=25/replicate),and were fed six diets with 15.91%,19.39%,22.10%,25.59%,28.53%and 31.42%protein for 60 d.Results:Appropriate levels of dietary protein increased the feed intake,percentage weight gain,specific growth rate,body composition,unsaturated fatty acid content in muscle,partial free amino acid content in muscle,and muscle hardness of grass carp.These protein levels also increased the muscle fiber density,the frequency of new muscle fibers,the contents of collagen and IGF-1,and the enzyme activities of prolyl 4-hydroxylases and lysyloxidase,and decreased the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2.At the molecular level,the optimal dietary protein increased col-lagen type Iα1(Colα1),Colα2,PI3K,Akt,S6K1,La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 6a(LARP6a),TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad4,Smad3,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2,MyoD,Myf5,MyoG and MyHC relative mRNA levels.The levels of the myostatin-1 and myostatin-2 genes were downregulated,and the protein expression levels of p-Smad2,Smad2,Smad4,p-Akt,Akt,LARP6 and Smad3 were increased.Conclusions:The appropriate levels of dietary protein promoted the growth of sub-adult grass carp and improved muscle hardness by promoting the growth of muscle fibers,improving collagen synthesis and depressing collagen degradation.In addition,the dietary protein requirements of sub-adult grass carp were 26.21%and 24.85%according to the quadratic regression analysis of growth performance(SGR)and the muscle hardness(collagen content),respectively.展开更多
Background Mannan oligosaccharides(MOS)are recommended as aquaculture additives owing to their excellent antioxidant properties.In the present study,we examined the effects of dietary MOS on the head kidney and spleen...Background Mannan oligosaccharides(MOS)are recommended as aquaculture additives owing to their excellent antioxidant properties.In the present study,we examined the effects of dietary MOS on the head kidney and spleen of grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella)with Aeromonas hydrophila infection.Methods A total of 540 grass carp were used for the study.They were administered six gradient dosages of the MOS diet(0,200,400,600,800,and 1,000 mg/kg)for 60 d.Subsequently,we performed a 14-day Aeromonas hydrophila challenge experiment.The antioxidant capacity of the head kidney and spleen were examined using spectrophotometry,DNA fragmentation,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting.Results After infection with Aeromonas hydrophila,400-600 mg/kg MOS supplementation decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species,protein carbonyl,and malonaldehyde and increased the levels of anti-superoxide anion,antihydroxyl radical,and glutathione in the head kidney and spleen of grass carp.The activities of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase,manganese superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione S-transferase,glutathione reductase,and glutathione peroxidase were also enhanced by supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS.Furthermore,the expression of most antioxidant enzymes and their corresponding genes increased significantly with supplementation of 200-800 mg/kg MOS.mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 also increased following supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS.In addition,supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS reduced excessive apoptosis by inhibiting the death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway processes.Conclusions Based on the quadratic regression analysis of the above biomarkers(reactive oxygen species,malondialdehyde,and protein carbonyl)of oxidative damage in the head kidney and spleen of on-growing grass carp,the recommended MOS supplementation is 575.21,557.58,531.86,597.35,570.16,and 553.80 mg/kg,respectively.Collectively,MOS supplementation could alleviate oxidative injury in the head kidney and spleen of grass carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila.展开更多
Background Muscle represents a unique and complex system with many components and comprises the major edible part of animals.Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for animals and is known to enhance calcium absorption and ...Background Muscle represents a unique and complex system with many components and comprises the major edible part of animals.Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for animals and is known to enhance calcium absorption and immune response.In recent years,dietary vitamin D supplementation in livestock has received increased attention due to biological responses including improving shear force in mammalian meat.However,the vitamin D acquisition and myofiber development processes in fish differ from those in mammals,and the effect of vitamin D on fish flesh quality is poorly understood.Here,the influence of dietary vitamin D on fillet quality,antioxidant ability,and myofiber development was examined in grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella).Methods A total of 540 healthy grass carp,with an initial average body weight of 257.24±0.63 g,were allotted in 6 experimental groups with 3 replicates each,and respectively fed corresponding diets with 15.2,364.3,782.5,1,167.9,1,573.8,and 1,980.1 IU/kg vitamin D for 70 d.Results Supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D significantly improved nutritional value and sensory quality of fillets,enhancing crude protein,free amino acid,lipid,and collagen contents;maintaining an ideal pH;and reduc-ing lactate content,shear force,and cooking loss relative to respective values in the control(15.2 IU/kg)group.Average myofiber diameter and the frequency of myofibers>50μm in diameter increased under supplementation with 782.5–1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D.Levels of oxidative damage biomarkers decreased,and the expression of antioxi-dant enzymes and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling molecules was upregulated in the 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D treatment compared to respective values in the control group.Furthermore,vitamin D supplementation activated cell differentiation by enhancing the expression of myogenic regulatory factors and myocyte enhancer factors compared to that in the control group.In addition,supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D improved protein deposition associated with protein synthesis molecule(target of rapamycin)signaling and vitamin D receptor paralogs,along with inhibition of protein degradation(forkhead box protein 1)signaling.Conclusions Overall,the results demonstrated that vitamin D strengthened antioxidant ability and myofiber devel-opment,thereby enhancing nutritional value and sensory quality of fish flesh.These findings suggest that dietary vitamin D supplementation is conducive to the production of nutrient-rich,high quality aquaculture products.展开更多
The Cameroonian flora has a very high biodiversity that remains largely unexplored. It contains many grasses that can be used for sports lawns, but are currently underutilized. In order to contribute to the improvemen...The Cameroonian flora has a very high biodiversity that remains largely unexplored. It contains many grasses that can be used for sports lawns, but are currently underutilized. In order to contribute to the improvement of the quality of sports lawns, nine local grass taxa from the agro-ecological zone with bimodal rainfall in Cameroon were evaluated for their potential for sporting use in natural lawns. The method of the Study and Control Group for Varieties and Seeds was used to evaluate the sports lawn characteristics of the taxa. The resistance to trampling and pulling, the density of the lawn, and the aesthetic appearance, which are factors in calculating the sports index, were monitored at two sites, including the experimental space at the University of Yaounde 1 in the Center region and Kagnol 2 in the East region, from January 2017 to January 2020. The monthly lawn characteristic data allowed for the differentiation between the means and the determination of the sports index of the taxa compared to commercialized lawn varieties. The sports index of the evaluated taxa varied: Cynodon dactylon (6.989), Eleusine indica (6.338), Sporobolus natalensis (6.301), Cynodon cf Cynodon dactylon (6.257), Eragrostis tremula (5.939), Sporobolus pyramidalis (5.583), Agrostis rupestris (5.335), Axonopus compressus (4.991), and Digitaria sp. (4.544). These results show that these grass taxa have potential for sporting use in lawn mixtures at different levels of sports disciplines.展开更多
The importance of diaspora identity has grown in recent years as the world becomes more interconnected and diaspora individuals are increasingly involved in matters among different ethnics.The Grass is Singing by Dori...The importance of diaspora identity has grown in recent years as the world becomes more interconnected and diaspora individuals are increasingly involved in matters among different ethnics.The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing is considered one of the most outstanding works of literature after World War II.Interest in ethnic identity has been heightened.The book is recognized as an introspective reflection of the spiritual crisis suffered by diaspora people and societal crises of the time.The thesis will examine the oppression imposed by dominant white group by exploring the transformation of diasporic white individuals’identity.展开更多
The presence of grassland biomes and species cannot be predicted by examining bottom up causes such as precipitation and temperature. Top down causes including herbivory and fire seem to be major controlling aspects w...The presence of grassland biomes and species cannot be predicted by examining bottom up causes such as precipitation and temperature. Top down causes including herbivory and fire seem to be major controlling aspects with other factors secondary. We examined soil depth and competitive ability of two North American C4 grasses in a greenhouse experiment. Changes in dry mass were determined and competitive intensity was calculated for both species. Species were grown separately or together in pots 30, 90, or 180 cm deep. When grown in monoculture, Schizachyrium scoparium total and belowground dry mass increased from the 30 to 90 cm depth, with no further significant increase from 90 to 180 cm. Aboveground dry mass did not increase significantly with depth. Total dry mass of Buchloe dactyloides increased significantly with depth when grown in monoculture. Aboveground dry mass increased from 30 to 90 cm depth but not from 90 to 180 cm. Belowground dry mass of B. dactyloides did not increase significantly with depth. In 180 cm pots, 53% of S. scoparium root dry mass was in the top 30 cm;74% of B. dactyloides root dry mass was in the top 30 cm. Roots of B. dactyloides were not found deeper than 90 cm. Aboveground dry mass of S. scoparium was not different in mixture or monoculture at any depth. Buchloe dactyloides aboveground dry mass in mixture was significantly lower than monoculture at the 30 cm depth, but not at 90 or 180 cm. The greatest competitive intensity was in the shallow soil pots. Soil depth could partially explain mosaics found in C4 grasslands where both species were found together with S. scoparium on deeper soils and B. dactyloides on shallower soils.展开更多
Alfalfa is a high quality forage that is not often utilized in the southeastern United States because of its perceived lack of adaptability to the area. However, the risk of growing alfalfa could be partially mitigate...Alfalfa is a high quality forage that is not often utilized in the southeastern United States because of its perceived lack of adaptability to the area. However, the risk of growing alfalfa could be partially mitigated by its inclusion into an existing bermudagrass system that makes up a large portion of pastures and hay fields in Mississippi. Alfalfa was planted into an existing bermudagrass hay field at a rate of 17, 22, 28 and 39 kg·ha-1 in no-till and minimum till sod preparation and analyzed for three growing seasons. Tillage did not affect any of the variables observed but seeding rate and time affected DM (dry matter) yield, forage nutritive value and plot composition. The increasing alfalfa seeding rate increased alfalfa yield in the plot but this was isolated to only the first year. Dry matter yields decreased over the three years due to the decrease in alfalfa composition, but throughout the growing season DM yields increased after the first year suggesting bermudagrass recolonization within the plot. Forage nutritive value was positively affected with as little as 20% of the plot composed of alfalfa suggesting that even thinning stands by the third year might offer economic advantages.展开更多
The construction of expressway and high-speed rail is at the sacrifice of the soil ecological environment. It brings about much damaged land and bare slope. It is necessary to restore vegetation and rebuild landscape....The construction of expressway and high-speed rail is at the sacrifice of the soil ecological environment. It brings about much damaged land and bare slope. It is necessary to restore vegetation and rebuild landscape. In the design of target plant community and configuration plants,it is required to select as far as possible plants that can blossom and bear fruit or pods. Then seeds of these plants can be harvested,processed and sold,and applied for other projects,so as to develop into a complete forest and grass seed industry chain. This not only reasonably utilizes land resources,but also provides a new approach to the problem of insufficient fine forest seed sources in China. This paper discussed the use of land resources in road side slope and forest and grass seed selection and breeding technology,and elaborated the industrialized development paths for forest and grass seed industries in road side slope. Finally,it arrived at following recommendations.( i) The construction of forest and grass industry economic belt using land resources in road side slope can realize maximum land value. Building a road can help people there get rich,and the type of land and water cultivates its type of forest and grass.( ii) It can make up for the losses incurred from construction of expressway and high-speed rail or destroying forest land,and it can increase farmers' income.( iii) It can increase the supply of domestic seeds,reduce seed import,save foreign exchange,and partly solve the problem of insufficient supply of forest and grass seeds.( iv) It is able to form a complete forest and grass seed industry economic cycle chain,increase employment,and provide new approaches for enriching and benefiting farmers.展开更多
Fire is a natural disturbance occurring every few years in many grasslands ecosystems. However, since European colonization, fire has been highly reduced or even suppressed in Argentinean grasslands, fostering ignitab...Fire is a natural disturbance occurring every few years in many grasslands ecosystems. However, since European colonization, fire has been highly reduced or even suppressed in Argentinean grasslands, fostering ignitable material accumulation. This has led to occasional catastrophic controldemanding fire events, extended for larger areas. The aims of this work are to study vegetation recovery and change after a non-natural fire event in mountain grasslands. The study area is located in the Ventania mountain system, mid-eastern Argentina. We studied vegetation recovery after fire(January 2014) in two different communities: grass-steppes(grasslands) and shrub-steppes(open low shrublands). We measured vegetation cover, species richness and bare ground percentage in burned and unburned areas 1, 4, 8, 11 and 23 months after fire. Vegetation surveys were also performed at the end of the growing season(December) 11 and 23 months after fire. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, ANOVA and multivariate analysis(NMS, PERMANOVA). Both communities increased their vegetation cover at the same rate, without differences between burned and unburned areas after two years. Species richness was higher in shrublands and their recovery was alsofaster than in grasslands. Considering functional composition, besides transient changes during the first year after fire, there were no differences in abundance of different functional vegetation groups two years after fire. At the same time, shrublands showed no differences in species composition, while grasslands had a different species composition in burned and unburned plots. Also, burned grassland showed a higher species richness than unburned grassland. Data shown mountain vegetation in Pampas grassland is adapted to fire, recovering cover and richness rapidly after fire and thus reducing soil erosion risks. Vegetation in mountain Pampas seems to be well adapted to fire, but in grasslands species composition has changed due to fire. Nonetheless, these changes seem to be not permanent since prefire species are still present in the area.展开更多
Four seeding methods, including broadcast sowing, feeding seeds to sheep, putting seed bag on sheep and cattle, and mix-seeding were combined with hoof tillage method to improve the degraded mountain grassland where l...Four seeding methods, including broadcast sowing, feeding seeds to sheep, putting seed bag on sheep and cattle, and mix-seeding were combined with hoof tillage method to improve the degraded mountain grassland where large gradient limited the use of machine. The results showed that the most suitable grassland type for hoof tillage was mountain meadow steppe. The optimum reseeding period was early spring, followed by late autumn ; and Sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) was the most suitable herbage species. The optimum reseeding method was artificial broadcasting in the slope with the gradient 〈 20°, followed by putting seed bag on sheep and cattle. After improvement of hoof tillage, the vegetation coverage increased by 35%, the proportion of high quality herbage increased by 25%, and the fresh yield increased by three to four times.展开更多
基金financially supported by the earmarked fund for CARS(CARS-45)National Natural Science Foundation of China for Outstanding Youth Science Foundation(31922086)+1 种基金the Young Top-Notch Talent Support Programthe 111 project(D17015)。
文摘Background Ochratoxin A(OTA),a globally abundant and extremely hazardous pollutant,is a significant source of contamination in aquafeeds and is responsible for severe food pollution.The developmental toxicity of OTA and the potential relieving strategy of natural products remain unclear.This study screened the substance curcumin(Cur),which had the best effect in alleviating OTA inhibition of myoblast proliferation,from 96 natural products and investigated its effect and mechanism in reducing OTA myotoxicity in vivo and in vitro.Methods A total of 720 healthy juvenile grass carp,with an initial average body weight of 11.06±0.05 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups:the control group(without OTA and Cur),1.2 mg/kg OTA group,400 mg/kg Cur group,and 1.2 mg/kg OTA+400 mg/kg Cur group.Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates(180 fish)for 60 d.Results Firstly,we cultured,purified,and identified myoblasts using the tissue block culture method.Through preliminary screening and re-screening of 96 substances,we examined cell proliferation-related indicators such as cell viability and ultimately found that Cur had the best effect.Secondly,Cur could alleviate OTA-inhibited myoblast differentiation and myofibrillar development-related proteins(Myo G and MYHC)in vivo and in vitro and improve the growth performance of grass carp.Then,Cur could also promote the expression of OTA-inhibited protein synthesis-related proteins(S6K1 and TOR),which was related to the activation of the AKT/TOR signaling pathway.Finally,Cur could downregulate the expression of OTA-enhanced protein degradation-related genes(murf1,foxo3a,and ub),which was related to the inhibition of the Fox O3a signaling pathway.Conclusions In summary,our data demonstrated the effectiveness of Cur in alleviating OTA myotoxicity in vivo and in vitro.This study confirms the rapidity,feasibility,and effectiveness of establishing a natural product screening method targeting myoblasts to alleviate fungal toxin toxicity.
基金supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.32071603 and 32122055)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA26020101)。
文摘Tall clonal grasses commonly display competitive advantages with nitrogen(N)enrichment.However,it is currently unknown whether the height is derived from the vegetative or reproductive module.Moreover,it is unclear whether the height of the vegetative or reproductive system regulates the probability of extinction and colonization,and determines species diversity.In this study,the impacts on clonal grasses were studied in a field experiment employing two frequencies(twice a year vs.monthly)crossing with nine N addition rates in a temperate grassland,China.We found that the N addition decreased species frequency and increased extinction probability,but did not change the species colonization probability.A low frequency of N addition decreased species frequency and colonization probability,but increased extinction probability.Moreover,we found that species reproductive height was the best index to predict the extinction probability of clonal grasses in N-enriched conditions.The low frequency of N addition may overestimate the negative effect from N deposition on clonal grass diversity,suggesting that a higher frequency of N addition is more suitable in assessing the ecological effects of N deposition.Overall,this study illustrates that reproductive height was associated with the clonal species extinction probability under N-enriched environment.
文摘This study investigated the effect of Israel grass in feed formulation on growth performance of local chicken.The study was conducted from October 2023 until January 2024 in Kampong Chheutel Institute of Technology.The CRD(Completely Randomized Design)was used with 4 treatments and 4 replications.The local chicks were purchased from local famer at 1 day old and kept in whole pen by feeding commercial feed.At 21 days old the total 320 chicks were allocated into experimental treatments.The 4 feed formulas based on the level of Israel grass added such as 0,5%,7%and 9%,were called T1(control),T2,T3 and T4 respectively.The result showed that body weight gain,feed intake,ADG(Average Daily Gain)and FCR(Feed Conversion Ratio)in all treatments were not significantly different(p>0.05).However,there was strong correlation between living weight with carcass of al treatments,but no difference among carcass percentage of local chicken for all different diet in this study.In conclusion,the Israel grass did not affect growth performance of local chickens and can be used to replace some expensive feed ingredient,such as rice bran.
文摘The current trend of replacing a percentage of gasoline with ethanol has promoted the development of new processes for its production from lignocellulosic biomass. This work reports the production of ethanol from the Camalote grass (Paspalum fasciculatum Willd). The lignocellulosic biomass was subjected to acid hydrolysis at 125C and 15 psi with H2SO4 concentrations at 5%, 10%, and 20%, obtaining an average of reducing sugars (pentoses and hexoses) from the hydrolyzed juice with 12.3%, 10%, and 17% Brix, respectively. The sugars were fermented using yeast of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 30C for 48 hours. Finally, the ethanol was distilled at 78C, and the average yields were obtained through analysis of variance with a 95% confidence level. The values indicate that there is a significant difference (p > 0.05), the Tukey study shows that all the % v/v averages are different from each other. For H2SO4 concentration at 5% (10.33 ± 2), H2SO4 at 10% (9.33 ± 1.8), and H2SO4 at 20% (6.33 ± 2). The acidity analysis for the ethanol obtained from each treatment gave a value of 1.8 mg/L of acetic acid in all cases.
文摘In the lush forests of Asia,towering bamboos stand tall,defying the folk expectations for grassy plants.These woody giants,some reaching the staggering height of nearly 40 meters,are the world’s largest members of the grass family.
基金supported by National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFD0900400,2019YFD0900200)National Natural Science Foundation of China for Outstanding Youth Science Foundation(31922086)+3 种基金National Nature Science Foundation of China(32172988)the Young Top-Notch Talent Support Program of National Ten-Thousand Talents Program,the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System(CARS-45)Outstanding Talents and Innovative Team of Agricultural Scientific Research(Ministry of Agriculture)Supported by Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2019YFN0036).
文摘Background:Nutrient regulation has been proven to be an effective way to improve the flesh quality in fish.As a necessary nutrient for fish growth,protein accounts for the highest proportion in the fish diet and is expensive.Although our team found that the effect of protein on the muscle hardness of grass carp was probably related to an increased collagen content,the mechanism for this effect has not been deeply explored.Moreover,few studies have explored the protein requirements of sub-adult grass crap(Ctenopharyngodon idella).Therefore,the effects of different dietary protein levels on the growth performance,nutritional value,muscle hardness,muscle fiber growth,collagen metabolism and related molecule expression in grass carp were investigated.Methods:A total of 450 healthy grass carp(721.16±1.98 g)were selected and assigned randomly to six experimen-tal groups with three replicates each(n=25/replicate),and were fed six diets with 15.91%,19.39%,22.10%,25.59%,28.53%and 31.42%protein for 60 d.Results:Appropriate levels of dietary protein increased the feed intake,percentage weight gain,specific growth rate,body composition,unsaturated fatty acid content in muscle,partial free amino acid content in muscle,and muscle hardness of grass carp.These protein levels also increased the muscle fiber density,the frequency of new muscle fibers,the contents of collagen and IGF-1,and the enzyme activities of prolyl 4-hydroxylases and lysyloxidase,and decreased the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2.At the molecular level,the optimal dietary protein increased col-lagen type Iα1(Colα1),Colα2,PI3K,Akt,S6K1,La ribonucleoprotein domain family member 6a(LARP6a),TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad4,Smad3,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2,MyoD,Myf5,MyoG and MyHC relative mRNA levels.The levels of the myostatin-1 and myostatin-2 genes were downregulated,and the protein expression levels of p-Smad2,Smad2,Smad4,p-Akt,Akt,LARP6 and Smad3 were increased.Conclusions:The appropriate levels of dietary protein promoted the growth of sub-adult grass carp and improved muscle hardness by promoting the growth of muscle fibers,improving collagen synthesis and depressing collagen degradation.In addition,the dietary protein requirements of sub-adult grass carp were 26.21%and 24.85%according to the quadratic regression analysis of growth performance(SGR)and the muscle hardness(collagen content),respectively.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2019YFD0900200,2018YFD0900400)Supported by the earmarked fund for CARS(CARS-45)+2 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China for Outstanding Youth Science Foundation(31922086)the Young Top-Notch Talent Support ProgramSichuan Science and Technology Program(2019YFN0036)。
文摘Background Mannan oligosaccharides(MOS)are recommended as aquaculture additives owing to their excellent antioxidant properties.In the present study,we examined the effects of dietary MOS on the head kidney and spleen of grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella)with Aeromonas hydrophila infection.Methods A total of 540 grass carp were used for the study.They were administered six gradient dosages of the MOS diet(0,200,400,600,800,and 1,000 mg/kg)for 60 d.Subsequently,we performed a 14-day Aeromonas hydrophila challenge experiment.The antioxidant capacity of the head kidney and spleen were examined using spectrophotometry,DNA fragmentation,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting.Results After infection with Aeromonas hydrophila,400-600 mg/kg MOS supplementation decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species,protein carbonyl,and malonaldehyde and increased the levels of anti-superoxide anion,antihydroxyl radical,and glutathione in the head kidney and spleen of grass carp.The activities of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase,manganese superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione S-transferase,glutathione reductase,and glutathione peroxidase were also enhanced by supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS.Furthermore,the expression of most antioxidant enzymes and their corresponding genes increased significantly with supplementation of 200-800 mg/kg MOS.mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 also increased following supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS.In addition,supplementation with 400-600 mg/kg MOS reduced excessive apoptosis by inhibiting the death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway processes.Conclusions Based on the quadratic regression analysis of the above biomarkers(reactive oxygen species,malondialdehyde,and protein carbonyl)of oxidative damage in the head kidney and spleen of on-growing grass carp,the recommended MOS supplementation is 575.21,557.58,531.86,597.35,570.16,and 553.80 mg/kg,respectively.Collectively,MOS supplementation could alleviate oxidative injury in the head kidney and spleen of grass carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila.
基金National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFD0900400 and 2019YFD0900200)National Natural Science Foundation of China for Outstanding Youth Science Foundation(31922086)+1 种基金the earmarked fund for CARS(CARS-45)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2019YFN0036).
文摘Background Muscle represents a unique and complex system with many components and comprises the major edible part of animals.Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for animals and is known to enhance calcium absorption and immune response.In recent years,dietary vitamin D supplementation in livestock has received increased attention due to biological responses including improving shear force in mammalian meat.However,the vitamin D acquisition and myofiber development processes in fish differ from those in mammals,and the effect of vitamin D on fish flesh quality is poorly understood.Here,the influence of dietary vitamin D on fillet quality,antioxidant ability,and myofiber development was examined in grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella).Methods A total of 540 healthy grass carp,with an initial average body weight of 257.24±0.63 g,were allotted in 6 experimental groups with 3 replicates each,and respectively fed corresponding diets with 15.2,364.3,782.5,1,167.9,1,573.8,and 1,980.1 IU/kg vitamin D for 70 d.Results Supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D significantly improved nutritional value and sensory quality of fillets,enhancing crude protein,free amino acid,lipid,and collagen contents;maintaining an ideal pH;and reduc-ing lactate content,shear force,and cooking loss relative to respective values in the control(15.2 IU/kg)group.Average myofiber diameter and the frequency of myofibers>50μm in diameter increased under supplementation with 782.5–1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D.Levels of oxidative damage biomarkers decreased,and the expression of antioxi-dant enzymes and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling molecules was upregulated in the 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D treatment compared to respective values in the control group.Furthermore,vitamin D supplementation activated cell differentiation by enhancing the expression of myogenic regulatory factors and myocyte enhancer factors compared to that in the control group.In addition,supplementation with 1,167.9 IU/kg vitamin D improved protein deposition associated with protein synthesis molecule(target of rapamycin)signaling and vitamin D receptor paralogs,along with inhibition of protein degradation(forkhead box protein 1)signaling.Conclusions Overall,the results demonstrated that vitamin D strengthened antioxidant ability and myofiber devel-opment,thereby enhancing nutritional value and sensory quality of fish flesh.These findings suggest that dietary vitamin D supplementation is conducive to the production of nutrient-rich,high quality aquaculture products.
文摘The Cameroonian flora has a very high biodiversity that remains largely unexplored. It contains many grasses that can be used for sports lawns, but are currently underutilized. In order to contribute to the improvement of the quality of sports lawns, nine local grass taxa from the agro-ecological zone with bimodal rainfall in Cameroon were evaluated for their potential for sporting use in natural lawns. The method of the Study and Control Group for Varieties and Seeds was used to evaluate the sports lawn characteristics of the taxa. The resistance to trampling and pulling, the density of the lawn, and the aesthetic appearance, which are factors in calculating the sports index, were monitored at two sites, including the experimental space at the University of Yaounde 1 in the Center region and Kagnol 2 in the East region, from January 2017 to January 2020. The monthly lawn characteristic data allowed for the differentiation between the means and the determination of the sports index of the taxa compared to commercialized lawn varieties. The sports index of the evaluated taxa varied: Cynodon dactylon (6.989), Eleusine indica (6.338), Sporobolus natalensis (6.301), Cynodon cf Cynodon dactylon (6.257), Eragrostis tremula (5.939), Sporobolus pyramidalis (5.583), Agrostis rupestris (5.335), Axonopus compressus (4.991), and Digitaria sp. (4.544). These results show that these grass taxa have potential for sporting use in lawn mixtures at different levels of sports disciplines.
文摘The importance of diaspora identity has grown in recent years as the world becomes more interconnected and diaspora individuals are increasingly involved in matters among different ethnics.The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing is considered one of the most outstanding works of literature after World War II.Interest in ethnic identity has been heightened.The book is recognized as an introspective reflection of the spiritual crisis suffered by diaspora people and societal crises of the time.The thesis will examine the oppression imposed by dominant white group by exploring the transformation of diasporic white individuals’identity.
文摘The presence of grassland biomes and species cannot be predicted by examining bottom up causes such as precipitation and temperature. Top down causes including herbivory and fire seem to be major controlling aspects with other factors secondary. We examined soil depth and competitive ability of two North American C4 grasses in a greenhouse experiment. Changes in dry mass were determined and competitive intensity was calculated for both species. Species were grown separately or together in pots 30, 90, or 180 cm deep. When grown in monoculture, Schizachyrium scoparium total and belowground dry mass increased from the 30 to 90 cm depth, with no further significant increase from 90 to 180 cm. Aboveground dry mass did not increase significantly with depth. Total dry mass of Buchloe dactyloides increased significantly with depth when grown in monoculture. Aboveground dry mass increased from 30 to 90 cm depth but not from 90 to 180 cm. Belowground dry mass of B. dactyloides did not increase significantly with depth. In 180 cm pots, 53% of S. scoparium root dry mass was in the top 30 cm;74% of B. dactyloides root dry mass was in the top 30 cm. Roots of B. dactyloides were not found deeper than 90 cm. Aboveground dry mass of S. scoparium was not different in mixture or monoculture at any depth. Buchloe dactyloides aboveground dry mass in mixture was significantly lower than monoculture at the 30 cm depth, but not at 90 or 180 cm. The greatest competitive intensity was in the shallow soil pots. Soil depth could partially explain mosaics found in C4 grasslands where both species were found together with S. scoparium on deeper soils and B. dactyloides on shallower soils.
文摘Alfalfa is a high quality forage that is not often utilized in the southeastern United States because of its perceived lack of adaptability to the area. However, the risk of growing alfalfa could be partially mitigated by its inclusion into an existing bermudagrass system that makes up a large portion of pastures and hay fields in Mississippi. Alfalfa was planted into an existing bermudagrass hay field at a rate of 17, 22, 28 and 39 kg·ha-1 in no-till and minimum till sod preparation and analyzed for three growing seasons. Tillage did not affect any of the variables observed but seeding rate and time affected DM (dry matter) yield, forage nutritive value and plot composition. The increasing alfalfa seeding rate increased alfalfa yield in the plot but this was isolated to only the first year. Dry matter yields decreased over the three years due to the decrease in alfalfa composition, but throughout the growing season DM yields increased after the first year suggesting bermudagrass recolonization within the plot. Forage nutritive value was positively affected with as little as 20% of the plot composed of alfalfa suggesting that even thinning stands by the third year might offer economic advantages.
基金Supported by National Spark Plan Project(2010GA781004)Science and Technology Planning Project of Shenzhen(GCZX2015051514435234,CXZZ20150527171538718,and CXZZ20140422142833835)
文摘The construction of expressway and high-speed rail is at the sacrifice of the soil ecological environment. It brings about much damaged land and bare slope. It is necessary to restore vegetation and rebuild landscape. In the design of target plant community and configuration plants,it is required to select as far as possible plants that can blossom and bear fruit or pods. Then seeds of these plants can be harvested,processed and sold,and applied for other projects,so as to develop into a complete forest and grass seed industry chain. This not only reasonably utilizes land resources,but also provides a new approach to the problem of insufficient fine forest seed sources in China. This paper discussed the use of land resources in road side slope and forest and grass seed selection and breeding technology,and elaborated the industrialized development paths for forest and grass seed industries in road side slope. Finally,it arrived at following recommendations.( i) The construction of forest and grass industry economic belt using land resources in road side slope can realize maximum land value. Building a road can help people there get rich,and the type of land and water cultivates its type of forest and grass.( ii) It can make up for the losses incurred from construction of expressway and high-speed rail or destroying forest land,and it can increase farmers' income.( iii) It can increase the supply of domestic seeds,reduce seed import,save foreign exchange,and partly solve the problem of insufficient supply of forest and grass seeds.( iv) It is able to form a complete forest and grass seed industry economic cycle chain,increase employment,and provide new approaches for enriching and benefiting farmers.
基金supported by the ANPCyT under grant PICT 2014-0865CONICET and Universidad Nacional del Sur from Argentina
文摘Fire is a natural disturbance occurring every few years in many grasslands ecosystems. However, since European colonization, fire has been highly reduced or even suppressed in Argentinean grasslands, fostering ignitable material accumulation. This has led to occasional catastrophic controldemanding fire events, extended for larger areas. The aims of this work are to study vegetation recovery and change after a non-natural fire event in mountain grasslands. The study area is located in the Ventania mountain system, mid-eastern Argentina. We studied vegetation recovery after fire(January 2014) in two different communities: grass-steppes(grasslands) and shrub-steppes(open low shrublands). We measured vegetation cover, species richness and bare ground percentage in burned and unburned areas 1, 4, 8, 11 and 23 months after fire. Vegetation surveys were also performed at the end of the growing season(December) 11 and 23 months after fire. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, ANOVA and multivariate analysis(NMS, PERMANOVA). Both communities increased their vegetation cover at the same rate, without differences between burned and unburned areas after two years. Species richness was higher in shrublands and their recovery was alsofaster than in grasslands. Considering functional composition, besides transient changes during the first year after fire, there were no differences in abundance of different functional vegetation groups two years after fire. At the same time, shrublands showed no differences in species composition, while grasslands had a different species composition in burned and unburned plots. Also, burned grassland showed a higher species richness than unburned grassland. Data shown mountain vegetation in Pampas grassland is adapted to fire, recovering cover and richness rapidly after fire and thus reducing soil erosion risks. Vegetation in mountain Pampas seems to be well adapted to fire, but in grasslands species composition has changed due to fire. Nonetheless, these changes seem to be not permanent since prefire species are still present in the area.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Research Project of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region"Application of Hoof Tillage Method to Improve Degraded Mountain Grassland"(20113111-1)
文摘Four seeding methods, including broadcast sowing, feeding seeds to sheep, putting seed bag on sheep and cattle, and mix-seeding were combined with hoof tillage method to improve the degraded mountain grassland where large gradient limited the use of machine. The results showed that the most suitable grassland type for hoof tillage was mountain meadow steppe. The optimum reseeding period was early spring, followed by late autumn ; and Sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) was the most suitable herbage species. The optimum reseeding method was artificial broadcasting in the slope with the gradient 〈 20°, followed by putting seed bag on sheep and cattle. After improvement of hoof tillage, the vegetation coverage increased by 35%, the proportion of high quality herbage increased by 25%, and the fresh yield increased by three to four times.