Effects of light-emitting diode light v. fluorescent light on growing performance,activity levels and well-being of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets

More energy-efficient, readily dimmable, long-lasting and more affordable light-emitting diode (LED) lights are increasingly finding applications in poultry production facilities. Despite anecdotal evidence about the benefits of such lighting on bird performance and behavior, concrete research data were lacking. In this study, a commercial poultry-specific LED light (dim-to-blue, controllable correlated color temperature (CCT) from 4500 to 5300 K) and a typical compact fluorescent light (CFL) (soft white, CCT=2700 K) were compared with regards to their effects on growing performance, activity levels, and feather and comb conditions of non-beak-trimmed W-36 pullets during a 14-week rearing period. A total of 1280-day-old pullets in two successive batches, 640 birds each, were used in the study. For each batch, pullets were randomly assigned to four identical litter-floor rooms equipped with perches, two rooms per light regimen, 160 birds per room. Body weight, BW uniformity (BWU), BW gain (BWG) and cumulative mortality rate (CMR) of the pullets were determined every 2 weeks from day-old to 14 weeks of age (WOA). Activity levels of the pullets at 5 to 14 WOA were delineated by movement index. Results revealed that pullets under the LED and CFL lights had comparable BW (1140±5 g v. 1135±5 g, P=0.41), BWU (90.8±1.0% v. 91.9±1.0%, P=0.48) and CMR (1.3±0.6% v. 2.7±0.6%, P=0.18) at 14 WOA despite some varying BWG during the rearing. Circadian activity levels of the pullets were higher under the LED light than under the CFL light, possibly resulting from differences in spectrum and/or perceived light intensity between the two lights. No feather damage or comb wound was apparent in either light regimen at the end of the rearing period. The results contribute to understanding the impact of emerging LED lights on pullets rearing which is a critical component of egg production.     

Characterization of proteolytic enzymes of the midgut and excreta of the biting fly Stomoxys calcitrans

Proteolytic enzymes were characterized in the midgut and the excreta of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans (L) with proteins, synthetic substrates, and inhibitors. Inhibition studies suggested trypsinlike activity in sugar-fed fly midguts, whereas excreta and blood-fed fly guts exhibited other proteases. Trypsinlike activity in midguts removed 20 and 30 h after a blood meal increased from 20% to 50% of the total proteolytic enzymes present. Trypsinlike activity was inhibited with human sera, trypsin-specific inhibitors, and a protein isolated from the stable fly thorax. When human albumin and globulin fractions were incubated with trypsinlike enzymes isolated from the midgut and excreta, the albumin fraction was less inhibitory than the globulin fractions and was readily hydrolyzed by the proteolytic enzymes. These results may indicate that the proteolytic enzymes produce an abortive complex with the globulin fractions of the sera. Such a complex may explain the temporary inhibition of proteolysis by the blood meal. Soybean trypsin inhibitor fed to stable flies caused 50% inhibition in proteolytic activity in the midguts of sugar-fed stable flies and 25% inhibition in the midguts of blood-fed stable flies. Complete inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity was achieved only in vitro. pH profiles of proteolytic enzyme activity isolated from the excreta of blood-fed stable flies indicated that several proteolytic enzymes were excreted.     

皮下免疫治疗联合沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂对中度支气管哮喘缓解期患儿血清Th1/Th2相关细胞因子表达水平的影响

摘要 目的：探讨皮下免疫治疗联合应用沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂治疗中度支气管哮喘缓解期患儿的临床疗效及对Th1/Th2相关细胞因子表达水平的影响。方法：选取南方医科大学佛山市妇幼保健院2020年1月～2020年12月收治的中度支气管哮喘缓解期120例患儿,按随机分组原则分为观察组和对照组各60例。对照组予以沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂（舒利迭）治疗,早上及晚上各吸1次。观察组在对照组的基础上给予皮下免疫治疗,进行12个月疗程的治疗。对比两组患儿支气管哮喘发作次数以及临床控制率、肺功能变化。检测两组患儿血清Th1相关细胞因子[白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、γ干扰素（IFN-γ）]和Th2相关细胞因子[白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）]水平。结果：与治疗前相比,两组患儿治疗6月及治疗12个月后发作次数均显著降低（P＜0.05）,且观察组患儿哮喘发作的次数低于对照组（P＜0.01）;治疗12个月后,观察组患儿的临床控制率显示为90%,显著高于对照组的66.67％（P＜0.05）。治疗6个月后、治疗12个月后,观察组患儿的第1 秒呼气流速（FEV₁）占正常预计值百分比（FEV₁%）及呼气峰流速（PEF）占正常预计值百分比（PEF%）均显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）;而与治疗6个月后相比,两组治疗12个月后上述2项指标均显著升高,且观察组明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）。治疗12个月后,两组患儿血清IL-2、IFN-γ水平均显著升高,且观察组明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）;而两组血清IL-4、IL-6水平均显著下降,且观察组明显低于对照组（P＜0.01）。结论：皮下免疫治疗联合沙美特罗替卡松粉（舒利迭）治疗中度支气管哮喘缓解期患儿的临床疗效确切,患儿支气管哮喘发作次数明显减少,肺功能改善明显,其作用机制可能与调节Th1/Th2相关细胞因子平衡有关。     

Human urine: Epicatechin metabolites and antioxidant activity after cocoa beverage intake

Associations between cocoa consumption in humans, excreted metabolites and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been scarcely investigated. The aims of the study were to investigate the epicatechin (( ? )-Ec) metabolites excreted in urine samples after an intake of 40 g of cocoa powder along with the TAC of these urine samples and the relation between both the analyses. Each of the 21 volunteers received two interventions, one with a polyphenol-rich food (PRF) and one with a polyphenol-free food (PFF) in a randomized cross-over study. Urine samples were taken before and during 24 h at 0–6, 6–12 and 12–24 h periods after test intake. The excreted ( ? )-Ec metabolites and the TAC were determined in urine samples by LC-MS/MS and TEAC assay, respectively. The maximum excretion of ( ? )-Ec metabolites and the maximum TAC value were observed in urine samples excreted between 6 and 12 h after PRF consumption. Significance of TAC increase was found in urine samples excreted during 0–6 and 6–12 h (66.6 and 72.67%, respectively, with respect to the 0 h).     

氮源对阿维菌素合成的影响及基于二氧化碳释放速率的阿维菌素发酵调控

中国是世界上最大的也是唯一的阿维菌素原料生产国,但在工业规模生产中与同类型大环内酯类抗生素相比其产量相对偏低。文中通过研究不同氮源对阿维链霉菌生长、代谢的影响,发现氮源在发酵中后期对菌丝活性、菌丝浓度以及阿维菌素B1a的合成都有较为显著的影响。在100 L生物反应器中,于发酵中后期基于二氧化碳释放速率(CER)控制补入酵母粉,效价达到8697mg/L,与原工艺相比,提高了26.9%。这一结论若在实际工业生产中应用,有望带来实际的经济效益。     

Patterns of host–parasite associations in tropical lice and their passerine hosts in Cameroon

Coevolutionary processes that drive the patterns of host–parasite associations can be deduced through congruence analysis of their phylogenies. Feather lice and their avian hosts have previously been used as typical model systems for congruence analysis; however, such analyses are strongly biased toward nonpasserine hosts in the temperate zone. Further, in the Afrotropical region especially, cospeciation studies of lice and birds are entirely missing. This work supplements knowledge of host–parasite associations in lice using cospeciation analysis of feather lice (genus Myrsidea and the Brueelia complex) and their avian hosts in the tropical rainforests of Cameroon. Our analysis revealed a limited number of cospeciation events in both parasite groups. The parasite–host associations in both louse groups were predominantly shaped by host switching. Despite a general dissimilarity in phylogeny for the parasites and hosts, we found significant congruence in host–parasite distance matrices, mainly driven by associations between Brueelia lice and passerine species of the Waxbill (Estrildidae) family, and Myrsidea lice and their Bulbul (Pycnonotidae) host species. As such, our study supports the importance of complex biotic interactions in tropical environments.     

四黄散外敷对竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀的疗效观察

目的探讨四黄散外敷治疗竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀的临床疗效。方法选择2017年10月~2020年4月我院收治的112例竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将患者分为观察组和对照组,每组56例。对照组采用常规蛇咬伤处理方案,包括清创、引流、注射抗蛇毒血清及对症治疗等。观察组在对照组治疗基础上采用四黄散外敷治疗。观察比较两组患者的有效止痛时间、肿胀开始消退时间、肿胀完全消退时间,并对两组患者治疗7d时的临床疗效进行比较。结果观察组在有效止痛时间、肿胀开始消退时间、肿胀完全消退时间方面均显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。两组治疗后的总体疗效比较,观察组的治愈率为89.3%(50/56),对照组的治愈率为69.6%(39/56),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论四黄散外敷治疗竹叶青蛇咬伤肿胀的疗效确切,能有效减轻患者的疼痛感,促进肿胀消退,减轻炎症反应,值得临床应用。     

蛹虫草菌粉胶囊抑制肺部炎症及缓解肺纤维化的研究

传统中药可治疗肺炎。新型急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）外部囊膜上的S蛋白是决定病毒毒力的关键因素及主要抗原。本研究利用SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白和细菌脂多糖（LPS）诱导的肺炎模型,初步探索了蛹虫草菌粉对肺炎模型的促炎性因子、单核/巨噬细胞和髓源抑制性细胞（MDSCs）以及纤维化的调节作用。研究发现蛹虫草菌粉可降低SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白组和LPS组小鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-6和IL-10的表达,并降低肺组织、肺泡灌洗液和外周血中巨噬细胞的比例,降低外周血和脾脏中MDSC的数量。进一步研究发现,蛹虫草还可降低SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白组和LPS组小鼠肺组织羟基脯氨酸的表达和成纤维细胞的分布,进而减轻小鼠的肺纤维化水平。qRT-PCR实验发现蛹虫草菌粉处理不仅可以降低SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白组小鼠肺组织中TGF-β R1水平,还降低SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白组和LPS组肺组织中smad2的表达。因此认为蛹虫草菌粉可缓解SARS-CoV-2病毒的S蛋白和LPS诱导的肺部炎症和纤维化症状,且纤维化缓解作用可能与TGF-β R1/smad2信号通路相关。     

Independent sources of condition dependency and multiple pathways determine a composite trait: lessons from carotenoid‐based plumage colouration

Many colour ornaments are composite traits consisting of at least four components, which themselves may be more complex, determined by independent evolutionary pathways, and potentially being under different environmental control. To date, little evidence exists that several different components of colour elaboration are condition dependent and no direct evidence exists that different ornamental components are affected by different sources of variation. For example, in carotenoid‐based plumage colouration, one of the best‐known condition‐dependent ornaments, colour elaboration stems from both condition‐dependent pigment concentration and structural components. Some environmental flexibility of these components has been suggested, but specifically which and how they are affected remains unknown. Here, we tested whether multiple colour components may be condition dependent, by using a comprehensive 3 × 2 experimental design, in which we carotenoid supplemented and immune challenged great tit nestlings (Parus major) and quantified effects on different components of colouration. Plumage colouration was affected by an interaction between carotenoid availability and immune challenge. Path analyses showed that carotenoid supplementation increased plumage saturation via feather carotenoid concentration and via mechanisms unrelated to carotenoid deposition, while immune challenge affected feather length, but not carotenoid concentration. Thus, independent condition‐dependent pathways, affected by different sources of variation, determine colour elaboration. This provides opportunities for the evolution of multiple signals within components of ornamental traits. This finding indicates that the selective forces shaping the evolution of different components of a composite trait and the trait's signal content may be more complex than believed so far, and that holistic approaches are required for drawing comprehensive evolutionary conclusions.     

Comparison of Rapid DNA Extraction Methods Applied to PCR Identification of Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma spp.

Abstract

Four different DNA extraction methods were used to extract genomic DNA of the medicinal mushroom Lingzhi from its developing stage materials, such as mycelium, dry fruiting body, or sliced and spore powder or sporoderm‐broken spore powder. The DNA samples were analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis, UV spectrophotometer, and PCR amplification. According to the average yields and purity of DNA, high salt concentrations and low pH methods were the best for DNA extraction. The mycelia and sporoderm‐broken spore powder yielded higher and purer DNA. The method developed could effectively eliminate the influence of the secondary metabolites to DNA extraction. The DNA samples extracted from the developed method could be successfully used for PCR applications.