Textural and Rheological Properties of Soy Protein Isolate Tofu-Type Emulsion Gels: Influence of Soybean Variety and Coagulant Type

The contribution of soybean variety and coagulant type to the textural and rheological properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) tofu-type emulsion gels was studied. SPIs from eight soybean varieties were subjected to amino acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis, and results showed that the 11S fraction proteins (r?=?0.833, p?<?0.05) and the ratio of 11S to 7S (r =?0.920, p <?0.01) were positively correlated with the hardness of CaSO₄-induced emulsion gels and glucono-δ-lactone (GDL)-induced gels, with the correlation coefficients of 0.827 (p <?0.05) and 0.893 (p <?0.01), respectively. In the case of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), strong relations between the content of glutamate (r =?0.886, p?<?0.01) and lysine (r =?0.810, p <?0.05) and gel hardness were found. Rheological data demonstrated that CaSO₄-induced emulsion gel was stiffer with high rigidity but gel induced by MTGase performed better elasticity. The findings of this study are of great importance to further understand the gelation mechanisms of different coagulants and provide useful information for the development of SPI-based filled tofu.     

The Effectiveness of Cryoprotectants in Inhibiting Multiple Freeze-Thaw-Induced Functional and Rheological Changes in the Myofibrillar Proteins of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Surimi

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of cryoprotectants (4 % sucrose?+?4 % sorbitol) on functional and rheological changes, including thermal stability, dynamic rheological and emulsifying properties, gel texture profile, gel whiteness, gel water-binding capacity, and gel microstructure, in the myofibrillar proteins (MP) of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) surimi subjected to multiple freeze-thaw cycles (FT, 0, 1, 3 and 5 times). Increased numbers of FT cycles were accompanied by reduced thermal transition temperature (T _max), reduced enthalpy of denaturation (ΔH) (P?<?0.05), and enhanced susceptibility to thermal aggregation. The observation of the gel microstructure indicated that the FT processes produced empty spaces and changed the aggregate gel structure into a coarser-stranded network. The addition of cryoprotectants significantly prevented the reduction of MP thermal stability (P?<?0.05). The protective effect on protein functionality was demonstrated by the cryoprotectant’s efficacy in maintaining the three-dimensional gel network by small-strain oscillatory rheological testing and increasing the emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability of the MP. The FT process caused a decrease (P?<?0.05) in whiteness, water-binding capacity, and texture (hardness, springiness, and gumminess) of the MP gels, which were reduced by the addition of cryoprotectants. Overall, the FT-induced loss of the abovementioned functional and rheological properties was significantly reduced by the presence of cryoprotectants.     

Probiotic Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis fb11</Emphasis> on the Digestive Efficiency and Growth Performance in Juvenile <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chitala chitala</Emphasis> (Hamilton, 1822)

Five isocaloric (430 kcal 100 g^?1), isonitrogenous (40% CP) experimental diets were formulated with different concentrations of Bacillus licheniformis fb11 probionts (isolated from the gut of Chitala chitala) viz. Control (without probionts), 5 × 10⁴ CFU g^?1 (D₁), 5 × 10⁵ CFU g^?1 (D₂), 5 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1 (D₃), 5 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 (D₄), 5 × 10⁸ CFU g^?1 (D₅) to evaluate its efficiency in C. chitala juvenile. The best growth performance, feed utilisation, specific α-amylase, total protease and lipase activity were observed with the diet D₃ (P < 0.05). The lowest Presumptive Pseudomonas Count, Motile Aeromonad Count, Total Coliform Count was observed for D₃ (P < 0.05) on 90th day of trial. Two uppermost values were achieved in case of crude protein for D₃ and D₂ (P > 0.05). The highest lipid content (12.12 ± 0.4 g 100 g^?1) was found for D₅ (P < 0.05). The highest gross energy (18.75 ± 0.21 MJ 100 g^?1) of carcass was recorded for D₃. Thus B. licheniformis fb11 at the concentration 5 × 10⁶ CFU g^?1 as probiotic supplement promoted growth, digestion in C. chitala juvenile significantly by modulating intestinal microflora.     

EDTA-enhanced lead phytoremediation in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hydroponic culture

The aim of the present study was to investigate the capability of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to tolerate and accumulate high amount of lead (Pb) and propose it for soil phytoremediation. To this regard, plants were grown in hydroponics and treated with different Pb concentrations (10 to 160 ??M) and a fixed concentration (500 ??M) EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) for 14 and 28 days (d). Effects on total biomass production, photosynthetic pigments and protein contents as well as the quantities of non protein thiols (NP-SH), glutathione (GSH), phytochelatins (PCs) and activity of glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated. Results revealed that roots (575 ??g g^?1 DW) and shoots (135 ??g g^?1 DW) accumulated Pb after 28 d of exposure, however, addition of EDTA enhanced the Pb accumulation in roots (645 ??g g^?1 DW) and shoots (255 ??g g^?1 DW ). Exposure of Pb (28 d) registered a significant (P?<?0.05) reduction in growth parameters and induction of phytochelatins (P?<?0.05; r?=?0.26) plus some of the important antioxidants (P?<?0.05; r?=?0.42), which were positively correlated to metal accumulation. Sunflower exposed at 40 ??M of Pb for 28 d synthesized higher quantity of PC₂ (18.5 fold) and PC₃ (10.5 fold), as compared to control. However, the results showed that addition of EDTA resulted in low toxicity compared to Pb alone. These data support the capability of H. annuus L. to accumulate and tolerate significant quantity of Pb and its utility for phytoremediation. This is because of the plant has the capacity to combat metal induced oxidative stress via significant synthesis of NP-SH, GSH and high activity of GR, as it would provide sufficient GSH not only for PCs synthesis but also for antioxidant function.     

Property of Fish Gelatin gel as Affected by the Incorporation of Gellan and Calcium Chloride

Properties of fish gelatin (FG) gel as affected by gellan (GL) at different levels (2.5–7.5% FG substitution) in combination with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) at various concentrations (3–9 mM) were studied. Gel strength and hardness of FG/GL mixed gel increased as the levels of GL increased (P < 0.05). Increasing CaCl₂ concentration also resulted in the increases in both gel strength and hardness of mixed gel when GL at the same level was incorporated (P < 0.05). Conversely, the increasing GL and CaCl₂ levels caused a decrease in springiness but an increase in syneresis of mixed gels (P < 0.05). Gelling and melting temperatures were increased in the mixed gel as levels of GL and CaCl₂ increased. L*- and b*-values of mixed gels decreased, whereas ?E*-value increased with increasing GL and CaCl₂ levels (P < 0.05). Microstructure studies revealed that denser structure with smaller voids in gel network was observed in the mixed gel in the presence of CaCl₂ at higher levels. However, mixed gels incorporated with GL above 5%, regardless of CaCl₂ levels, yielded the lower likeness score than FG gel (control) (P < 0.05). The addition of GL at low level (2.5%) with CaCl₂ (up to 6 mM) had no adverse effect on sensory property of mixed gels but could improve gelling property of FG via increasing gel strength and gelling point.     

Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient use efficiency varies with tropical forest types in Xishuangbanna, SW China: a 10-year study

Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient use efficiency in three different tropical forest ecosystems in SW China were studied for 10 years. Annual mean litterfall production in tropical seasonal forest (TSF) (9.47?±?1.65 Mg ha^?1) was similar to that in man-made tropical forest (MTF) (9.23?±?1.29 Mg ha^?1) (P?>?0.05) but both were significantly lower than that in secondary tropical forest (STF) (12.96?±?1.71 Mg ha^?1) (P?<?0.05). The annual variation of litterfall was greater in TSF (17.4%, P?<?0.05) than in MTF (14.0%) or STF (13.2%). The annual mean decomposition rate of litterfall increased followed the order of MTF (2.72)?<?TSF (3.15)?<?STF (3.50) (P?<?0.05), which was not correlated with annual precipitation or annual mean temperature, but was rather related to litter quality. The nutrient use efficiency was found to be element-dependent and to vary significantly among the three forest types (P?<?0.05). These results indicate that litterfall production and decomposition rates in different tropical forest systems are related to plant species composition and are influenced strongly by coexisting species and their life stage (age) but less so by the species richness. Constructing multi-species and multistory man-made tropical forest is an effective way to enhance biological productivity and maintain soil nutrients on degraded tropical land.     

The Effect of Enriched Milk with Selenium and Vitamin E on Growth Rate, Hematology, Some Blood Biochemical Factors, and Immunoglobulins of Newborn Goat Kids

Thirty male and female (n?=?15 for each one) Markhoz newborn goat kids (aged 7?±?3 days) were distributed in a randomized block design in a 2?×?2?+?1 factorial arrangement: two levels of sodium selenite as a source of selenium (0.2 or 0.3 ppm Se), two levels of α-tocopherol acetate as a source of vitamin E (150 or 200 IU Vit E), and one control treatment with six repetitions per treatment (each replicate included three male and three female kids). Animals were fed daily by Se-Vit E-enriched milk (Se-Vit E treatments) or non-enriched milk (control treatment). Growth rate, hematology, and serum biological parameters were measured. The levels of serum albumin (P?<?0.01), serum globulin (P?<?0.05), total serum protein levels (P?<?0.01), erythrocyte counts (RBC) (P?<?0.001), hemoglobin (P?<?0.001), hematocrit (P?<?0.001), leukocyte counts (WBC) (P?<?0.001), IgA (P?<?0.05), IgG (P?<?0.01), and IgM (P?<?0.01) significantly differed among treatments, while no significant differences were observed for calcium, lymphocyte, neutrophil average daily gain and body weight among treatments. Kids feeding by enriched milk with 0.3 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher serum total protein, globulin, RBC, IgA, IgG, and IgM compared to control and those fed by enriched milk to 0.2 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher WBC counts.     

Cellulose Derivatives Enhanced Stability of Alginate-Based Beads Loaded with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> LAB12 against Low pH,High Temperature and Prolonged Storage

The susceptibility of probiotics to low pH and high temperature has limited their use as nutraceuticals. In this study, enhanced protection of probiotics via microencapsulation was achieved. Lactobacillus plantarum LAB12 were immobilised within polymeric matrix comprised of alginate (Alg) with supplementation of cellulose derivatives (methylcellulose (MC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)). L. plantarum LAB12 encapsulated in Alg-HPMC(1.0) and Alg-MC(1.0) elicited improved survivability (91%) in simulated gastric conditions and facilitated maximal release (～100%) in simulated intestinal condition. Alg-HPMC(1.0) and Alg-MC(1.0) significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the viability loss of LAB12 (viability loss <7%) when compared to Alg alone (viability loss <13%) under extreme temperatures (75 and 90 °C). Four-week storage of encapsulated LAB12 at 4 °C yielded viable counts >7 log CFU g^?1. Alg-MC and Alg-HPMC improved the survival of LAB12 against simulated gastric condition (9.24 and 9.55 log CFU g^?1, respectively), temperature up to 90 °C (9.54 and 9.86 log CFU g^?1, respectively) and 4-week of storage at 4 °C (8.61 and 9.23 log CFU g^?1, respectively) with sustained release of probiotic in intestinal condition (>9 log CFU g^?1). These findings strongly suggest the potential of cellulose derivatives supplemented Alg bead as protective micro-transport for probiotic strains. They can be safely incorporated into new functional food or nutraceutical products.     

Effect of metabolic syndrome risk factors and MMP-2 genetic variations on circulating MMP-2 levels in childhood obesity

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 is involved in the development of the adipose tissue, and associated with cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic risk factors (MRFs) and functional polymorphisms in the MMP-2 gene may affect its expression and activity. We investigated whether traditional MRFs and two MMP-2 gene polymorphisms (C^?1306T; rs243865, and C^?735T; rs2285053) affect circulating MMP-2 levels in children and adolescents, and whether MMP-2 polymorphisms and/or haplotype are associated with susceptibility to childhood obesity. We studied 114 healthy controls, 43 obese, and 83 obese with ≥3 MRFs children and adolescents. Genotypes were determined by Taqman allele discrimination assay and real-time PCR. Plasma MMP-2 was measured using zymography. We found positive correlations between MMP-2 concentrations and mean blood pressure in all children and adolescents group (r = 0.132; P < 0.05) and in obese children and adolescents (r = 0.247; P < 0.01). We found that the CC genotype for the C^?1306T polymorphism was more common in subjects with higher MMP-2 concentrations in controls (P = 0.003) and in the obese group (P = 0.013). The CT genotype (OR = 0.40; P < 0.01) and the T allele (OR = 0.48; P < 0.01) for the C^?735T polymorphism were less common in obese children and adolescents than in controls. The haplotypes distribution did not show significant differences between control and obese (P > 0.05). Ours findings show that blood pressure is associated with circulating MMP-2 concentrations, and that the CC genotype for the C^?1306T polymorphism was more common subjects (controls and obese) with higher MMP-2 concentrations, whereas the CT genotype and the T allele for the C^?735T polymorphism are less common in obesity.     

Effects of dietary selenium and vitamin E on immune response and biological blood parameters of broilers reared under thermoneutral or heat stress conditions

A study was conducted using 360 broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg), selenium (Se, 0, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg), or their different combinations on immune response and blood biological parameters of broilers raised under either thermoneutral (TN, 23.9 °C constant) or heat stress (HS, 23.9 to 37 °C cycling) conditions. Humoral immunity was assessed by intravenous injection of 7 % sheep red blood cell (SRBC) followed by evaluation of serum for antibody titers in primary and secondary responses. Heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio also determined as an indicator of stress. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment, birds were bled for determination of some biological parameters. There was a significant reduction in body weight and feed intake, but the feed conversion ratio increased when the birds were exposed to HS (P?<?0.05). Body weight and feed intake were not influenced significantly by dietary vitamin E and Se (P?>?0.05), whereas feed conversion was improved significantly by 125 mg/kg vitamin E (P?<?0.05). The liver and lymphoid organ weights as well as IgM and IgG, antibody titers for primary and secondary antibody responses to SRBC were reduced significantly under HS (P?<?0.05). Heat stress also resulted in a significant increase in H/L ratio (P?<?0.05). Dietary vitamin E resulted in improvement of primary and secondary antibody responses both in TN and HS broilers (P?<?0.05). The HS birds also showed an improved antibody titer in secondary response with high concentration of Se (P?<?0.05). Vitamin E and Se had interactive effects on anti-SRBC titers; however, no consistent differences were found between dietary levels during the study. The H/L ratio decreased by feeding vitamin E at both levels either under HS or TN conditions (P?<?0.05). The serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were increased but serum HDL-cholesterol decreased in HS broilers (P?<?0.05).     

An ethanol extract from the phaeophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Undaria pinnatifida</Emphasis> improves learning and memory impairment and dendritic spine morphology in hippocampal neurons

Learning and memory are closely related to synaptic plasticity in neurons, associated with robust spine density and classical morphological patterns. Here, we investigated the effects of Undaria pinnatifida ethanol extract (UPE) on learning and spatial memory in mice. For behavioral studies, the passive avoidance test and radial-arm maze paradigm were used. With oral administration of UPE at an optimal concentration of 2 mg g^?1 body weight, the latency time in the passive avoidance test was increased significantly (on average, 143 and 116 s on days 1 and 2, respectively; P < 0.01) versus the scopolamine induced memory impairment group (25 and 23 s on days 1 and 2, respectively). The working errors and latency time in the radial-arm maze decreased to 0.6 errors and 56 s (P < 0.05) compared with scopolamine-administered mice (1.0 error and 113 s) on day 2, respectively. Dendritic spine morphology of hippocampal neurons in the UPE-administered group (2 mg g^?1 body weight) was analyzed using Golgi-impregnated tissue sections; the number of dendritic spines increased significantly (1.4-fold, versus control). Numbers of large mushroom and stubby spines also increased (1.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively, versus control). These findings indicate that U. pinnatifida has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders, probably through restoring spine density and morphology, and may thus have beneficial effects in the treatment of neurodegeneration.     

Effect of Chromium Picolinate Supplementation on Growth Performance and Meat Characteristics of Swine

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental chromium (Cr) in the form of chromium picolinate (CrPic) on swine growth performance, meat quality, and protein deposition in skeletal muscle. Forty-eight piglets were divided into three groups randomly, fed with three different dietary levels of Cr (common basal feedstuff supplemented with a dose of 1.61 μg/g or 3.22 μg/g CrPic, which corresponded to 0.2 and 0.4 μg/g Cr). Results indicated that during the growing period (1–35 days), pigs fed with the diet supplemented with CrPic showed no improvement in body mass, average daily gain (ADG), feed consumption, or feed conversion rate (FCR) (P?>?0.05). During the finishing period, a supplementary dose of 0.2 μg Cr/g improved daily weight gain significantly (P?<?0.05), while the situation had no significance with 0.4 μg Cr/g (P?>?0.05) supplemented. For the entire growing-finishing period, body mass increased by 3.86%, ADG rose by 6.08%, and the FCR decreased by 3.30%; levels of total muscular pigment and that in the ribeye areas significantly improved (P?<?0.05) when supplementation with 0.2 μg Cr/g (P?<?0.05) was employed. However, there were no significant changes when supplemented with 0.4 μg Cr/g. While there were no changes in yield of carcass, back fat, water holding capacity, or levels of muscular crude protein and fat (P?>?0.05) in treatment, the ratio of fat-lean and RNA/DNA increased significantly supplemented with 0.2 μg Cr/g (P?<?0.05), but there were no significance with 0.4 μg Cr/g supplementation. In addition, the muscular levels of cholesterol had slightly decreased and the content of DNA in skeletal muscle showed no marked changes with 0.2 or 0.4 μg/g Cr supplementation. In conclusion, the present results suggested that dietary Cr supplementation in the dose of 0.2 μg/g could promote the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and protein deposition.     

Hemato-Immunological Responses and Disease Resistance in Siberian Sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser baerii</Emphasis> Fed on a Supplemented Diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis>

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum on hemato-immunological parameters and resistance against Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii. Fish (14.6 ± 2.3 g) were fed three experimental diets prepared by supplementing a basal diet with L. plantarum at different concentrations [1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ colony-forming units (cfu) g^?1] and a control (non-supplemented basal) diet for 8 weeks. Innate immune responses (immunoglobulin (Ig), alternative complement activity (ACH50) and lysozyme activity) were significantly higher in fish fed the 1 × 10⁸ and 1 × 10⁹ cfu g^?1 L. plantarum diet compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, fish fed on various levels of L. plantarum significantly showed higher red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) and monocyte compared to those of the control group (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding experiment, some fish were challenged with S. iniae to quantify the level of disease resistance. The mortality after S. iniae challenge was decreased in fish fed a probiotic. These results indicated that dietary supplementation of L. plantarum improved immune response and disease resistance of Siberian sturgeon juvenile.     

Effects of extracellular calcium on viability and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in vitro

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have been extensively used for tissue engineering. However, the effect of Ca²⁺ on the viability and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs has yet to be evaluated. To determine the dose-dependent effect of Ca²⁺ on viability and osteogenesis of BMSCs in vitro, BMSCs were cultured in calcium-free DMEM medium supplemented with various concentrations of Ca²⁺ (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mM) from calcium citrate. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, Von Kossa staining, and real-time PCR. Ca²⁺ stimulated BMSCs viability in a dose-dependent manner. At slightly higher concentrations (4 and 5 mM) in the culture, Ca²⁺ significantly inhibited the activity of ALP on days 7 and 14 (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), significantly suppressed collagen synthesis (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and significantly elevated calcium deposition (P < 0.01) and mRNA levels of osteocalcin (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and osteopontin (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Therefore, elevated concentrations of extracellular calcium may promote cell viability and late-stage osteogenic differentiation, but may suppress early-stage osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs.     

Preliminary findings on the influence of FTO rs9939609 and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms on resting energy expenditure,leptin and thyrotropin levels in obese non-morbid premenopausal women

Given that leptin, ghrelin and thyrotropin play a major role in the regulation of resting energy expenditure (REE) and that the FTO rs9939609 and the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms have been proposed to affect energy homeostasis, we hypothesized that both polymorphisms are associated with REE and that these relationships can be mediated by leptin, ghrelin and thyrotropin in obesity. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the relationships between FTO rs9939609 and the MC4R rs17782313 with REE, leptin, ghrelin and thyrotropin levels in obese women. The study comprised 77 obese (body mass index 34.0?±?2.8 kg/m²) women (age 36.7?±?7 years). We measured body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and REE by indirect calorimetry. We analysed fasting leptin, ghrelin and thyrotropin levels and the ratio of leptin to fat mass was calculated. Genotype distributions of the polymorphisms did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg expectations (P values >0.2). Women carrying the A allele of the FTO rs9939609 had lower REE (1,580?±?22 vs. 1,739?±?35 kcal/day, P?<?0.001) and higher leptin to fat mass ratio (1.33?±?0.05 vs. 1.13?±?0.08 ng/ml kg, P?<?0.05) and thyrotropin levels (1.93?±?0.10 vs. 1.53?±?0.16 μU/ml, P?<?0.05) regardless of age and body mass index. We found no significant influence of the MC4R rs17782313 on energy metabolism or biochemical variables. Our findings confirm that the A allele of the FTO rs9939609 is associated with lower REE and increased plasma leptin levels. We also found an association between the FTO rs9939609 and thyrotropin, suggesting the possible influence of FTO in the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis as a potential mechanism of the increased adiposity.     

Myocardial Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE1) content is decreased by exercise training

The effect of exercise training on myocardial Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger-1 (NHE1) protein expression was examined. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into sedentary (S; n?=?8) and exercised (E; n?=?9) groups. Twenty-four hours after the last exercise bout, hearts were weighed and connected to an isolated perfused working heart apparatus for evaluation of cardiac functional performance. Heart weight and heart weight/body weight from E rats was significantly increased by 7.1 and 7.2 % (P?<?0.05), respectively, compared with S hearts. The E hearts displayed 15 % greater cardiac output and 35 % external cardiac work compared with the S group at both low and high workloads (P?<?0.05 for both parameters). Left ventricular tissue from the same hearts was homogenized and NHE1 and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) content determined by Western blotting. E hearts had a 38 % (P?<?0.001) reduction in NHE1 content related to S hearts, and there was no difference in NCX content between groups. Cytochrome c oxidase activity in plantaris increased by 100 % (P?<?0.05) and was assessed as a marker of mitochondria content and to verify training status. Our data indicate that exercise training at an intensity that results in cardiac hypertrophy and improved performance is accompanied by decreased NHE1 content in heart.     

Determination of gentiopicroside contents during somatic embryogenesis in Gentiana straminea Maxim

A protocol for regeneration of Gentiana straminea Maxim recently established in our laboratory, somatic embryogenesis was obtained from its leaf derived calli. The gentiopicroside contents of embryogenic calli, globular-, heart-, torpedo-, and cotyledon-shaped embryoids as well as regenerated plantlets were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Gentiopicroside was detectable in all materials tested. Embryogenic calli showed the lowest gentiopicroside content. The changes of gentiopicroside contents were not significant (P < 0.05) with the development of somatic embryos. The highest gentiopicroside content (30.7 mg g^?1 dry weight) was achieved in regenerated plantlets. The contents of gentiopicroside were not significant (P < 0.05) differences between control plants and embryogenic calli, different stages of somatic embryos and regenerated plantlets. This protocol could be employed for producing gentiopicroside or other medicinal compounds.     

Soil nitrous oxide emissions from a typical semiarid temperate steppe in inner Mongolia: effects of mineral nitrogen fertilizer levels and forms

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions can be significantly affected by the amounts and forms of nitrogen (N) available in soils, but the effect is highly dependent on local climate and soil conditions in specific ecosystem. To improve our understanding of the response of N₂O emissions to different N sources of fertilizer in a typical semiarid temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of high, medium and low N fertilizer levels (HN: 200 kg N?ha^-1y^-1, MN: 100 kg N ha^-1y^-1, and LN: 50 kg N ha^-1y^-1) respectively and N fertilizer forms (CAN: calcium ammonium nitrate, AS: ammonium sulphate and NS: sodium nitrate) on N₂O emissions using static closed chamber method. Our data showed that peak N₂O fluxes induced by N treatments were concentrated in short periods (2 to 3 weeks) after fertilization in summer and in soil thawing periods in early spring; there were similarly low N₂O fluxes from all treatments in the remaining seasons of the year. The three N levels increased annual N₂O emissions significantly (P?<?0.05) in the order of MN > HN > LN compared with the CK (control) treatment in year 1; in year 2, the elevation of annual N₂O emissions was significant (P?<?0.05) by HN and MN treatments but was insignificant by LN treatments (P?>?0.05). The three N forms also had strong effects on N₂O emissions. Significantly (P?<?0.05) higher annual N₂O emissions were observed in the soils of CAN and AS fertilizer treatments than in the soils of NS fertilizer treatments in both measured years, but the difference between CAN and AS was not significant (P?>?0.05). Annual N₂O emission factors (EF) ranged from 0.060 to 0.298% for different N fertilizer treatments in the two observed years, with an overall EF value of 0.125%. The EF values were by far less than the mean default EF proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).     

Effect on supplementation of Spirulina maxima enriched with Cu on production performance, metabolical and physiological parameters in fattening pigs

In this paper, the effect of addition of the biomass of Spirulina maxima enriched with copper (Sm-Cu) to the animal feed is discussed. The biomass was cultivated in the photobioreactor with the capacity of 10 m³. After the biosorption process, the enriched biomass was investigated as the source of valuable nutrients. The feeding experiment was conducted for 87 days. The study was performed in individual rearing pens, with controlled microclimate, feed and water were available semi-ad libitum. Piglets (24) were divided into two groups (control and experimental). The experimental group was fed with addition of the biomass of Sm-Cu instead of inorganic salts. There were no statistically significant differences between the average daily and periodic weight gain, daily and periodic feed collection, as well as feed conversion ratio. There were no statistically significant differences between the amount of N excreted in faeces and urine, when considering the retention of N, both in relation to the consumed N, and relative N digested which was at a similar level. In the experimental group in comparison to the control group, the lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 17.05 % (P?<?0.05) and total cholesterol by 9.43 % (P?<?0.05) were observed. Additionally, the increase of parameter a* of 13 % (P?<?0.05) and the reduction of the natural leakage by 34 % (P?<?0.05) were found.     

Effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecium on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens

To investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum and Enterococcus faecium on the growth performance, lipid metabolism, and cecal microbiota of broilers, 264 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four treatments with six replicates in a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement and fed four diets with two levels of C. butyricum (0 or 1?×?10⁹ cfu/kg) and two levels of E. faecium (0 or 2?×?10⁹ cfu/kg) for 42 days. There was no significant interaction between C. butyricum and E. faecium on the growth performance, lipid metabolism, and cecal microbiota of broilers. However, broilers supplemented with E. faecium had lower (P?=?0.022) serum leptin level at day 21 and higher (P?<?0.001) fatty acid synthase (FAS), malic enzyme (ME), and acetyl–CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA levels in the liver at day 42. Supplementation of C. butyricum improved (P?<?0.05) the average daily feed intake and average daily gain, increased (P?=?0.016) the serum insulin level at 21 days of age, enhanced (P?<?0.05) the content of intramuscular fat, activities of FAS in the liver and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the breast muscle, mRNA expression of FAS, ME, and ACC in the liver and LPL in the breast muscle at 42 days of age, but reduced (P?=?0.030) cecal Bacteroidetes relative abundance at 21 days of age. The results of this study indicate that the increased intramuscular fat content of broilers fed C. butyricum as observed may be the result of enhanced lipogenesis.