Effects of Dietary Soy Protein Concentrate on Growth, Digestive Enzymes Activities and Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway Regulation in Juvenile Soft-Shelled Turtle, <i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>

Soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis is important aquatic species in China, and searching for alternatives protein resources to fish meal (FM)-based feeds in feed has become urgent and important for its sustainability development. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, digestive enzymes and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway of juvenile P. sinensis (4.56 ± 0.09 g). SPC was applied to replace FM protein at 0%, 15%, 30% and 60% (designated as T0, T15, T30 and T60, respectively), and each diet was fed to triplicate groups. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and feed utilization except of the turtles fed with T60 diet, of which showed poorer daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. The pepsin/trypsin and Na+-K+ ATP-ase activities decreased dramatically when SPC level increased, and lipase activities in liver and intestinal tract also showed decline tendency. However, amylase activities were unaffected. No significant differences were observed in TOR, S6K1 and 4E-BP1 genes mRNA expression level of TOR signaling pathway among the treatments. However, the relative phosphorylated level of these proteins decreased significantly when SPC level increased. The present study indicated that high SPC substitution level would suppress digestive enzymes and TOR signaling pathway proteins phosphorylated level and eventually result in growth reduction of P. sinensis.

Effects of Brown Fish Meal Replacement with Fermented Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Enzyme Activities of Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

A 120-day feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of brown fish meal (BFM) by fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in diets of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The turtles (initial mean body weight, (115.52 ± 1.05) g) were fed with three experimental diets, in which 0%, 4.72% and 9.44% BFM protein was replaced by 0%, 3% and 6% FSBM, respectively. Results showed that the feeding rate (FR), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) of turtles fed with the diet containing 3% FSBM were not significantly different from the control group (0% FSBM) (P > 0.05). However, FR, SGR and FER of turtles fed with the diet containing 6% FSBM were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the activities of serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamicpyruvic transaminase among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). However, the uric acid concentration in turtles fed with the diet containing 3% or 6% FSBM was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the activities of lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and total superoxide dismutase among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). The results suggested that FSBM could replace 4.72% BFM protein in turtle diets without exerting adverse effects on turtle growth, feed utilization and measured immune parameters.

Physiological responses in vitamin C system during hibernation in juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis

Vitamin C (Vc) is an important antioxidant that helps turtles tolerating stressful environment. This work quantified changes in tissue Vc levels during winter hibernation in the soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis , to reveal the stress response pattern of tissue Vc during hibernation and contribute basic data for turtle culture. We sampled juvenile soft-shelled turtles at pre-hibernation (17.0°C mud temperature;MT), during hibernation (5.8°C MT) and after arousal (20.1°C MT) in the field. The transcript levels of the gene encoding L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO), the key enzyme for Vc synthesis, decreased significantly during hibernation. However, GLO activity did not match the GLO transcription patterns and remained stable during hibernation, and showed temperature-dependent kinetic characteristics. Vitamin C levels in the brain, liver, kidney, and spleen (but not muscle) all decreased significantly during hibernation, but recovered to pre-hibernation levels or even higher levels after arousal. The soft-shelled turtle endured 5 months of hibernation with no significant oxidative damage in most tissues, except in the spleen. Splenic Vc was nearly exhausted during hibernation, accompanied by a significantly elevated malonaldehyde (MDA) level. Although the high level of oxidative damage quickly decreased after arousal, the potential tissue damage in the spleen during hibernation might account for the weakened immune capacity of turtles after hibernation.

Effects of ration level and feeding frequency on digestibility in juvenile soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

The effects of ration level and feeding frequency on digestibility in juvenile soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, were investigated. Four ration levels 1.5%, 2.5%, 4.0% and satiation (6.0% BW/d) were used. Apparent digestibility (AD) of dry matter (DMAD), protein (PAD) and protein real digestibility (PRD) were significantly affected by ration level, but not by feeding frequency when the ration level was similar. However, the feeding frequency affected the AD, DMAD, PAD and PRD signifi-cantly when the turtles were fed to satiation. The relationship between fecal protein content (Y) and protein intake (X) can be expressed as a quadric equation: Y=?0.1742+0.1476X?0.0003X2 (r2=0.876, n=27, F=93.92, P<0.01).

基于循序渐进方式的Python-turtle库教学设计

本文针对turtle绘图一堂课的实践教学,以任务为驱动,全面覆盖turtle知识点,以循序渐进方式将内容综合融入其中,结合线上线下混合式课堂,引导学生找到解决问题的方法,极大地提高了学生的编程兴趣,培养了学生的创新思维。

Effects of acute cold exposure on oxidative balance and total antioxidant capacity in juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

Acute cold exposure may disturb the physiological homeostasis of the body in ectotherms.To date,there has been no information on the effects of cold exposure on homeostasis of reactive oxygen species(ROS)or antioxidant defense response in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis.In this study,P.sinensis juveniles were acclimated at 28℃,transferred to 8℃ as cold exposure for 12 h,then moved back to 28℃ rewarming for 24 h.We measured the ROS level and total antioxidant capacity(TAC)in the brain,liver,kidney and spleen at 2 and 12 h cold exposure,and at the end of the rewarming period.Malonaldehyde(MDA)and carbonyl protein were used as markers of oxidative damage.Turtles being maintained simultaneously at 28℃ were used as the control group.Cold exposure did not disturb the ROS balance in all 4 tissues,while rewarming raised the ROS level in the brain and kidney of P.sinensis.Cold exposure and rewarming decreased the TAC in the brain,liver and spleen but did not change the TAC in the kidney.MDA and carbonyl protein levels did not increase during the treatment,indicating no oxidative damage in all 4 tissues of P.sinensis.Our results indicated that extreme cold exposure did not impact the inner oxidative balance of P.sinensis,but more ROS was produced during rewarming.P.sinensis showed good tolerance to the harsh temperature change through effective protection of its antioxidant defense system to oxidative damage.This study provides basic data on the stress biology of P.sinensis.

Division of Chinese soft-shelled turtle intestine with molecular markers is slightly different from the morphological and histological observation

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle(Pelodiscus sinensis)is a commercially important species in Asian countries.Knowledge of its nutritional requirements and physiology is essential for determining the appropriate content of the feed for this animal.However,the lack of functional characterization of the intestine of this turtle limits the understanding of its absorption and utilization of nutritional materials.To solve this problem,this work utilized anatomical and histological methods to characterize 9 segments sampled along the anterior-posterior axis of the intestine.Furthermore,9 genes,which have been well documented in the intestine division of mammals and fish,were employed to functionally characterize the 9 sampled segments.Our results suggest that regions covering from the starting site to S3(position at 29.9%of the total length from the starting of the intestine)are the equivalent of mammalian dedumonen,and those covering S4(40.2%)and S5(65.4%),posterior to S8(92.7%),are the equivalent of the mammalian ileum and the large intestine,respectively.As to the region spaning S6(81.3%)and S7(87.3%),its functional equivalent(small intestine or large intestine)may be variable and depends on the functional genes.This molecular characterization in relation to the division of the intestine of Chinese soft-shelled turtle may contribute to the understanding of the nutritional physiology of the turtle,and promote Chinese soft-shelled turtle production.

The first record of dermochelyid turtles in the Eocene of Tierra del Fuego:new insights on the evolution of the Weddellian faunas

The Antarctic Paleogene marine fossil record has been the key to reconstructing the evolution of the Weddellian Sea and final dismemberment of Southern Gondwana.In this context,Eocene marine vertebrates from Seymour(Marambio)Island have provided valuable information.We present the first Eocene record of marine reptiles from the southern Atlantic Coast of South America.This corresponds to several postcranial turtle remains represented by a proximal end of the right humerus,three caudal and one thoracic vertebrae,a fragment of the left pubis,and ten ossicles of the dorsal carapace,coming from the Leticia Formation(late-mid Eocene)at Cabo Tiburones,Tierra del Fuego,Argentina.These materials show severalfeatures such as the size and general morphology of the humerus and vertebrae,and the presence of relatively small,irregular,smooth,and unkeeled ossicles,which allow us to assign them to Dermochelyidae indet.Dermochelyids are a cosmopolitan group ofcryptodiran turtles,registered from the late Cretaceous up to the recent,with some physiological-biological peculiarities(e.g.,endothermy and an exclusive jellyfish-based diet)and characterized by the presence of an osseous carapace formed by ossicles.The new finding from the Leticia Formation is an addition to the scarce and extremely fragmentary record of Eocene dermochelyids from the southern seas like those from the La Meseta and Submeseta formations(Antarctica)and the Waihao and Burnside formations(New Zealand).This new information allows us to discuss the presence of these turtles in such high latitudes in the past and its implication in the evolution of the Weddellian fauna.

Medicinal Soft-Shelled Turtle

Ingredients:Whole soft-shelled turtle; Chinese wolf-berry fruit(Lycium Chinese), milk vetch membrane root(Astragalus membranaceus), Chinese angelica andAmerican ginseng--about 25g of

Discovery of virus pathogen from soft-shelled turtle Trionyx sinesis

THE soft-shelled turtle Trionyx sinesis, because of its nutritional and medicinal values,

基于Python语言的Turtle库绘图实例

Python语言语法简洁、清晰、易读。学生在学习Python语言时,学习难度起点低,容易入门。国内许多高校都开设了Python程序设计课程。Python语言的Turtle库设计巧妙,作图模型简单强大。初学者能很快编写出趣味生动的作图程序,极大地提高了学习者的兴趣和积极性。

A Meta-analysis of the spirit turtle eight method Acupuncture Therapy for Insomnia

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the spirit turtle eight method acupuncture therapy in the treatment of insomnia,to better serve the clinic and provide reference ideas for the treatment of insomnia.Methods:Search CNKI,CBM,Wanfang,Weipu,China Clinical Trial Registry databases on the use of the spirit turtle eight method compared with others interventions to treat insomnia.The search period is from the library until August 1,2021,two researchers will conduct independent quality evaluation and effect size extraction on the literature,and use STATA16.0 and Review5.3 to conduct Meta analysis and quality evaluation on the literature.Through screening,a total of 18 eligible documents participated in the meta-analysis,with a total of 1583 cases.Results:①The effective rate of the spirit turtle eight method in the treatment of insomnia is higher than the control group[RR=1.213,95%CI(1.155,1.274),Z=7.71,P<0.01];②The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score is lower than other acupuncture treatments[WMD=-2.33,95%CI(-2.75,-1.91),Z=10.97,P<0.01];③The one-month follow-up PSQI score after the treatment of insomnia by the spirit turtle eight method is lower than the control group[WMD=-3.263,95%CI(-3.446,-3.080),Z=34.96,P<0.01];④No studies have reported serious adverse reactions in the treatment group and control group.Conclusion:Based on the current research,the spirit turtle eight method are better than the control group in the treatment of insomnia,and are suitable for clinical application.However,more high-quality clinical studies are still needed to prove its efficacy.

利用Python语言的Turtle库绘制正多变形

Python语言是目前最接近自然语言的通用编程语言,目前受关注度非常高,国内许多高校都开设了Python程序设计课程。Python语言的Turtle库是一个简单、易用的绘图库,可以用作Python语言学习的入门库。通过选取一些有趣的绘图案例,来增强学生学习语言的兴趣。

Turtle海龟画图之螺旋线

Python语言是目前最接近自然语言的通用编程语言,目前受关注度非常高,国内许多高校都开设了Python程序设计课程。Python语言的Turtle库是一个简单、易用的绘图库,可以用作Python语言学习的入门库。通过选取一些有趣的绘图案例,来增强学生学习Python编程语言的兴趣。

Python语言的Turtle库简介

Python语言语法简洁、清晰、易读。学生在学习Python语言时,学习难度起点低,容易入门,国内许多高校都开设了Python程序设计课程。Python语言的Turtle库设计巧妙,作图模型简单强大。初学者很快能编写出趣味生动的作图程序,极大地提高了学习者的兴趣和积极性。

Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Embryonic Development and Hatchling Traits of Turtles

Deltamethrin is a widespread environmental hormone with endocrine-disrupting properties, but its effect on embryonic development of reptiles is largely unexplored. We investigated the effects of deltamethrin on embryonic development and offspring traits in two turtle species, one with parchment-shelled eggs and the other with rigidshelled eggs. Deltamethrin exposure during egg incubation did not affect hatching success and hatchling body size in either species. However, embryonic exposure to deltamethrin resulted in reduced hatchling locomotor performance in the red-eared slider turtle（Trachemys scripta） with parchment-shelled eggs, but not in the Chinese three-keeled pond turtle（Chinemys reevesii） with rigid-shelled eggs. These results suggest that parchment-shelled eggs are likely more vulnerable to deltamethrin than rigid-shelled eggs.

Captive Breeding of the Four-eyed Turtle(Sacalia quadriocellata)

In 1998,a study on forty-five four-eyed turtles(Sacalia quadriocellata) was initiated to gather preliminary biological data of this species and to investigate the feasibility of its captive reproduction.In the following six years,no courtship behavior was found occurring in males and no oviposition in females.From 2004 to 2007,two successful techniques were applied to initiate reproductive behavior:1) injecting exogenous reproductive hormones; and 2) reducing the stress of living in captivity.As a result of the hormone treatments,courtship behavior and copulation were observed during September and October,2005.However,no courtship displays were seen from the CK males,which were not treated with hormones.Ovulation occurred between December and March,and the correlation was not significant between behavior of ovulation and food intake.Females laid only one clutch of eggs each year,with 2.47 eggs(n=34,range=1–4) at average,and 84 eggs were totally obtained,of which 13 were damaged,52 were infertile and 19 fertile.Of the fertile eggs,nine were hatched with mean incubation period of 105.9 days(n=9,range=89–122 days) at temperature ranging from 24 to 27℃.

Structure and Function of the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Green Turtle(Chelonia mydas) Hatchling

The gastrointestinal tracts of four Chelonia mydas hatchlings were examined at the anatomical, histological and ultrastructural level. Our results show that the gastrointestinal tract（GI） is composed by esophagus, stomach, small intestine（SI） and large intestine（LI）, and histologically of mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa（ME） and serosa. The esophagus is marked by conical papillae lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, whereas the remaining GI by simple columnar epithelium; esophageal diverticulum is absent. The stomach covered with mucous granule cells, contains cardia, fundic regions and pylorus, which are separately characterized by cardiac glands, fundic glands and pyloric glands, and have the thickest submucosa and ME of the GI. The ME of the esophagus mainly consist of one layer of circular smooth muscle whereas the rest of GI of two layers, inner circular muscle and outer longitudinal muscle. The SI is slightly longer than the LI and the GI is approximately 5.11 times of the carapace length. The SI is lined with longitudinal zigzag folds and characterized by absorptive cells with longer and denser microvilli, whereas the LI by transversal folds, goblet cells and lymphoid nodules. Only intestinal glands appear in duodenum. Endocrine cells are observed in all sections of the GI and accounted for the largest proportion in duodenum. The results demonstrate a perfect combination of the structure and function of the GI and reveal that the digestion and absorption primarily occurs in the foregut. C. mydas hatchling may prefer carnivorous diet.

The Effect of the Cyp19a1 Gene Methylation Modification on Temperature-dependent Sex Determination of Reeves' Turtle(Mauremys reevesii)

Temperature-dependent sex determination（TSD） is a type of environmental sex determination in which the sex of the embryos depends on the ambient temperature; however,the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain unknown.Aromatase,encoded by the cyp19a1 gene,which converts androgens into estrogens in animals,was considered to be the key gene for TSD.In this study,the 5＇-flanking region of the cyp19a1 gene in Reeves＇ turtle（Mauremys reevesii） was cloned,and the promoter region was identified using the luciferase reporter assay.Then the eggs of Reeves＇ turtle were incubated at different temperatures（26°C： male-biased temperature; 29°C： non-sex-biased temperature and 32°C： female-biased temperature）.During the thermosensitive period,the adrenal kidney gonad complexes（AKG） were sampled.DNA methylation analysis of the AKG samples showed that the promoter region of the cyp19a1 gene was significantly de-methylated in the female-biased temperature regime（P＆lt;0.01）.Quantitative analysis of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen by q PCR and Elisa assay showed that the expression level of the cyp19a1 gene and estrogen content were both upregulated significantly at the female-biased temperature（P＆lt;0.01）.These results indicated that the de-methylation response of the cyp19a1 gene to incubation temperature,especially at the female-biased temperature,could lead to temperature-specific expression of aromatase and increased estrogen levels,which may further determine gonadal development in Reeves＇ turtle.These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying TSD.