The effect of increasing concentrations of Fusarium toxins in piglet diets on histological parameters of the uterus and vagina

The effects of feeding diets containing 0.01, 0.06, 0.15, 0.22 and 0.42?mg zearalenone and 0.2, 0.8, 1.0, 1.9 and 3.9?mg deoxynivalenol per kg, originating from Fusarium toxin contaminated maize, on the uterus of 50 prepubertal piglets (10 pigs per treatment; BW 32.6?±?5.4?kg; approximately 70 days of age) were investigated. The mean weight of the uteri of animals receiving the most highly contaminated diet was significantly increased at the time of slaughtering. The histological investigation showed no marked differences between the feeding groups. Histometrical parameters of the surface epithelium of the uterus, of the uterine glands and the vaginal epithelium were not altered by the treatment.     

The effect of increasing concentrations of Fusarium toxins in piglet diets on histological parameters of the uterus and vagina

The effects of feeding diets containing 0.01, 0.06, 0.15, 0.22 and 0.42 mg zearalenone and 0.2, 0.8, 1.0, 1.9 and 3.9 mg deoxynivalenol per kg, originating from Fusarium toxin contaminated maize, on the uterus of 50 prepubertal piglets (10 pigs per treatment; BW 32.6+/-5.4 kg; approximately 70 days of age) were investigated. The mean weight of the uteri of animals receiving the most highly contaminated diet was significantly increased at the time of slaughtering. The histological investigation showed no marked differences between the feeding groups. Histometrical parameters of the surface epithelium of the uterus, of the uterine glands and the vaginal epithelium were not altered by the treatment.     

重金属Zn2+胁迫下麦长管蚜的取食行为

为了探索重金属锌长期胁迫对麦长管蚜(Sitobion avenae)取食行为的变化影响,在模拟自然的实验室条件下,用不同浓度Zn~(2+)溶液浇灌土壤,通过土壤-小麦-蚜虫体系连续处理麦长管蚜15代,用EPG(刺探电位技术)对第1、5、10、15代成蚜的取食行为进行了监测。结果表明,第1代和第5代时,200 mg/kg的Zn~(2+)处理后np波和C波的总持续时间和数量显著低于对照,800mg/kg的Zn~(2+)使其显著增加。到第15代,高剂量的Zn~(2+)处理后np波和C波的总持续时间和数量均显著高于对照。涉及分泌唾液的E1波持续时间及涉及被动取食营养的E2波出现次数并未受到低剂量Zn~(2+)的显著影响,但高剂量的Zn~(2+)处理后单独E1波、伴随稳定E2的E1波总持续时间及E2波的数量均显著降低。麦长管蚜的取食行为会受到重金属锌的影响并且会在高剂量Zn~(2+)的胁迫条件下产生积累效应,而低剂量的Zn~(2+)则促进麦长管蚜对小麦的取食行为。针对重金属而言,此效应发生改变的关键浓度为400 mg/kg,蚜虫取食行为发生改变的关键世代为第5代和第10代。     

Snowdrop and wheatgerm lectins and avidin as antimetabolites for the control of sugarcane whitegrubs

Snowdrop and wheatgerm lectins were found to be insecticidal and growth inhibiting dietary proteins for larvae of the sugarcane whitegrub Antitrogus parvulus. At concentrations as low as 0.5 mg of snowdrop lectin per gram of semi-artificial diet, growth was inhibited by 21 days of feeding and significant mortality was apparent by 28 days. Wheatgerm lectin was active at similar concentrations, although expression of the effects was slower. Avidin was found to be a growth inhibiting dietary protein for larvae of Antitrogus consanguineus. At levels as low as 0.01 mg g^-1 of diet, growth was inhibited by 28 days of feeding. Avidin caused no significant mortality after 35 days of feeding. Snowdrop and wheatgerm lectins and avidin are insect growth-inhibiting proteins whose genes potentially could be manipulated into sugarcane and improve host-plant resistance to whitegrubs.     

Optimization of glycerol feeding for clavulanic acid production by Streptomyces clavuligerus with glycerol feeding

Glycerol at 10–20 g l^–1 increased clavulanic acid production by Streptomyces clavuligerus in shake-flask culture. The biosynthesis of clavulanic acid continued for longer by feeding glycerol and production increased to 250 mg l^–1 compared with 115 mg l^–1 without feeding. In fermenter batch culture, degradation of clavulanic acid began after 72 h. With glycerol feeding in fed-batch culture, clavulanic acid production was not only increased further to about 280 mg l^–1 but also remained stable up to 130 h.     

Availability of cadmium and zinc accumulated in the leaves of Thlaspi caerulescens incorporated into soil

When grown on contaminated soil, hyperaccumulator plants contain high concentrations of metals which may return to the soil after senescence. This work was undertaken to assess the availability of Cd and Zn associated to the leaves of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens after incorporation into an uncontaminated soil. A Zn- and Cd- accumulator population of T. caerulescens was grown on a Cd- and Zn- contaminated soil previously labelled with ¹⁰⁹Cd. Leaves (TCL) were harvested, dried, ground and incorporated into the soil at a rate of 2.07 mg Cd kg⁻¹ and 51.9 mg Zn kg⁻¹. Then a pot experiment was conducted for 3 months with rye grass (Lolium perenne) and T. caerulescens. Rye grass was harvested monthly and T. caerulescens at the end of the experiment. Plant biomass was measured, along with the concentration of Cd, Zn and ¹⁰⁹Cd. Results showed that water-extractable metals in TCL were 69% for Zn and 33% for Cd. Addition of TCL to soil, depleted growth of rye grass, and improved that of T. caerulescens. At harvest, concentrations of both metals were increased in plants by TCL. Concentrations of Cd in rye grass increased with the cut number, while that of Zn decreased slightly. Rye grass extracted 1.6% of the total Cd and 0.9% of the total Zn, and T. caerulescens extracted up to 22.4% of the Cd and 7% of the Zn. About 94% of the Cd in rye grass and 86% in T. caerulescens was derived from TCL. In conclusion, metals associated with leaves of the hyperaccumulator T. caerulescens were very mobile after incorporation into the soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An in situ study of rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) physiology: effect of season and mercury contamination

Selected physiological and biochemical variables were examined in rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris, which were collected on five different sampling dates from an area of chronic mercury contamination and a reference site on the South River, Virginia.The onset of spawning represented the most significant seasonal influence in the physiological profile of the fish, with elevations in hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, and plasma glucose. Sex-related differences in plasma calcium, liver glycogen and liver ascorbic acid were also unique to the period. Female rock bass had significantly higher levels of liver glutathione than did males on all but one of the sampling dates, although the cause of this difference is not clear.Rock bass from the mercury contaminated site had an average muscle mercury concentration of 1.37 mg Hg g^–1, and an average liver mercury concentration of 2.86 mg Hg g^–1. These levels were approximately an order of magnitude greater than those found in the tissues of the reference fish which averaged 0.165 and 0.101 mg Hg g^–1 in muscle and liver respectively. In July 1987, mercury concentrations in the liver of both reference and contaminated fish increased significantly, possibly the result of greater uptake of the metal through increased feeding or changes in the mercury level of selected prey items. Rock bass collected from the two sites in July also had significantly different levels of liver glutathione: reference fish exhibited an elevation and contaminated fish a depression. When fish from the two sampling stations received a 96-hr exposure to 150 µg HgCl₂ in the laboratory, both groups exhibited elevated liver mercury and decreased liver glutathione. Mercury levels in the gall bladders of the exposed fish were also elevated, suggesting that glutathione may have been lost through excretion with the metal in the bile.On the whole, physiological differences between the two groups of rock bass were limited, indicating that exposure to the mercury is not having a significant impact on the rock bass from the contaminated area. This is further supported by field examination of the fish and comparison of condition indices from rock bass previously taken from the same two stations.Those factors which significantly altered the physiology of the rock bass were unique to certain times of the year, indicating that the most appropriate sampling approach in future studies is one which examines a number of variables over a range of environmental conditions.     

Stimulation of menthol production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mentha piperita</Emphasis> cell culture

Plant cell culture provides an alternative means for producing secondary metabolites. In this study, experiments were carried out to study the impact of several parameters, independently and in combination, on the stimulation of menthol production in the cell suspension culture of Mentha piperita. Callus was obtained from leaf segments of in vitro grown plantlets on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l⁻¹of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid to initiate cell suspension culture. This culture was maintained in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l⁻¹of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid at 15 d interval and used for further studies. Precursor feeding alone, i.e., menthone, at 35 μM concentration showed slightly improved productivity. γ-Cyclodextrin alone at 60 μM concentration and in combination with menthone feeding at 35 μM increased menthol yield up to 92 and 110 mg l⁻¹ in comparison to 77 mg l⁻¹ of control culture. Synergistic potentiation effect of menthone feeding at 35 μM and γ-cyclodextrin at 60 μM treatment followed by in situ adsorption with RP-8 also showed potential stimulation of menthol production in M. piperita cell culture. Fungal elicitor treatment showed enhanced production level up to 140.8 mg l⁻¹ in comparison to that of control. Further studies were carried out with the establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Ach5) gall-mediated calli, and consequently, cell suspension culture and results showed the significant enhancement of menthol yield up to 278 mg l⁻¹. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The Effects of Food Concentration and Quality on the Feeding Rates of Three Size Classes of the Greenshell<Superscript>TM</Superscript> Mussel, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perna canaliculus</Emphasis>

In order to calibrate carrying capacity models, investigations were conducted into the effects of food concentration and food quality on the feeding rates of small (25–50 mm), medium (60–85 mm) and large (90–115 mm) Greenshell mussels (Perna canaliculus). Experimental diets varying from 3.3 to 6.0 μg l⁻¹ chlorophyll a concentration and 12–25% organic content were fed to mussels housed in individual flow through chambers. Not surprisingly, this study found that the main factor affecting feeding rates is mussel size. Small mussels were observed to maintain a constant filtration rate of approximately 20 mg h⁻¹ irrespective of food concentration or quality, whereas mussels of greater than 60 mm length had more variable filtration rates between 30 and 80 mg h⁻¹. The filtration rates of these large mussels were also observed to increase positively with organic content, and showed no sign of levelling out, even at the highest organic content tested (25%). Highest rejection rates (50–70 mg h⁻¹) were observed when the organic content of the available seston was low, suggesting that P. canaliculus are able to selectively reject organic material, thereby organically enriching their diet. It appears that the organic content of the seston is the primary determinant of the net efficiency with which food is selected from the available seston by the mussel. The present study shows that P. canaliculus of all sizes are capable of adapting their feeding behaviour to compensate for changes in the food supply, which may occur over relatively short time periods, in the culture environment.     

Effect of dimethylglycine and trimethylglycine (Betaine) on the response of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts to experimental Vibrio anguillarum infection

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed on a control diet or experimental diets containing betaine (15 mg g^-1) or dimethylglycine (DMG, I mg g^-1 or 5 mg g^-1). After 10 weeks of feeding, resistance to infection was assessed following inoculation with Vibrio anguillarum. Total blood and differential leucocyte counts were made, and plasma lysozyme and ceruloplasmin were assayed as non-specific humoral factors. The mortality during the bacterial exposure was of the same magnitude in all feeding groups. Betaine or DMG had no effect on the 'basal' levels of plasma total protein, lysozyme or ceruloplasmin, but 3 days postinjection the lysozyme and ceruloplasmin levels were higher in the control group compared with the experimental groups. In both DMG groups, the lymphocyte response took place 1-2 weeks earlier than in the control or betaine supplemented group indicating that DMG has an immunomodulating effect on salmon.     

Fungal biotransformation of p-coumaric acid into caffeic acid by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus: an alternative for producing a strong natural antioxidant

Fungal biotransformation of p-coumaric acid into caffeic acid, potentially a strong antioxidant, was evidenced in Pycnoporus cinnabarinus cultures grown with high feeding of p-coumaric acid. Preliminary experiments showed no toxicity of both p-coumaric and caffeic acids at concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 mg l^–1. Feeding 450 mg p-coumaric acid l^–1 into P. cinnabarinus cultures grown on 20 g l^–1 glucose medium resulted in the production of 257 mg caffeic acid l^–1with a molar yield of 21%.     

Use of lysozyme for treatment of bacterial contamination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> shoot cultures of fruit plants

Summary Use of lysozyme was tested for treatment of bacterial contaminations in in vitro shoot cultures of quince (Cydonia oblonga) ‘BA 29’ and the hybrid (Prunus persica × P. amygdalus) rootstock ‘GF 677’. Shoots which had been contaminated for about 1 yr by Bacillus circulans and Sphingomonas paucimobilis were treated in liquid culture, at pH 4.5, with 9–36 mg ml⁻¹ egg white lysozyme (EWL), and compared to each other and to untreated cultures for their growth, proliferation, and number of bacterial colony-forming units in the tissues. EWL did not negatively affect shoot growth up to 18 mg ml⁻¹; furthermore, the proliferation rates of EWL-treated shoots were sometimes higher than those of controls. In contrast, the concentration of 36 mg ml⁻¹ had some deleterious effect on the regrowth capacity and shoot production of ‘GF 677’ at the first subculture to solid medium after EWL, treatments. EWL had a simple bacteriostatic effect against Sphingomonas paucimobilis; in contrast, it was effective at 18 mg ml⁻¹ in eliminating Bacillus circulans in both ‘BA 29’ and ‘GF 677’ cultures, after optimal treatment duration.     

Two-stage glycerol feeding for enhancement of recombinant hG-CSF production in a fed-batch culture of Pichia pastoris

Recombinant hG-CSF was expressed in Pichia pastoris under the control of the AOX1 promoter. In this study, the glycerol feeding rate was adjusted to achieve the maximum attainable specific growth rate before induction. Using a two-stage glycerol feeding method, the specific growth rate was changed from a maximum value of 0.21 h⁻¹ (at the beginning of feeding) to 0.15 h⁻¹ prior to induction. With this approach, the final dry cell wt and rhG-CSF yield achieved was close to 120 g l⁻¹ and 320 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Our study found that the two-stage feeding method allowed the overall productivity of rhG-CSF to increase 2.9 times that of the conventional fed-batch method.     

The effect of bacterial contamination on the growth and gas evolution ofIn vitro cultured apricot shoots

Summary Shoots of “San Castrese” and “Portici” apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) free of cultivable bacteria, shoots of the same origin exhibiting bacterial contamination after repeated subcultures, and contaminated shoots treated with cefotaxime were compared for gas exchange, proliferation rate, and fresh and dry weight. Cultures of San Castrese contaminated byBacillus circulans andSphingomonas paucimobilis, and of Portici contaminated withStaphylococcus hominis andMicrococcus kristinae, including those treated with cefotaxime, showed comparable shoot weights and lower proliferation rates than healthy cultures. Bacteria, even if not visible until the end of subculture, markedly influenced the gaseous composition of the jar headspace. Healthy cultures clearly showed photosynthetic activity at 60 μM·m⁻²·s⁻¹ photosynthetically active radiation; in contrast, oxygen quickly decreased and carbon dioxide increased in contaminated cultures, including those treated with cefotaxime, in which bacteria became visible in the culture medium only after repeated subcultures.     

Processing of leaf matter by lake-dwelling shredders at low oxygen concentrations

Organic sediments in freshwaters are regularly subject to low concentrations of oxygen. The ability of detritivores to sustain their feeding in such conditions should therefore be of importance for the decomposition process. In the present study, aquaria were used to determine processing rates of five lake-dwelling shredders at three different oxygen concentrations; normoxic (9 mg O₂ l^–1) and two levels of hypoxia (1 and 2 mg O₂ l^–1). Discs of alder leaves (Alnus glutinosa (L.)) were used as food. Four species of caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera Limnephilidae) and the isopod, Asellus aquaticus (L.) were compared in the experiments. Significant differences in processing rates per g animal biomass were found both at normoxia and 2 mg oxygen l^–1. At l mg O₂ l^–1 none of the invertebrates fed on leaf discs. The caddisfly larvae Halesus radiatus (Curtis), being one of the two most efficient shredders at normoxia, did not feed at 2 mg oxygen l^–1. The other species fed at rates 15–50 of that at normoxia. The least efficient shredder at normoxia, A. aquaticus was similar to two of the trichopterans at 2 mg O₂ l^–1. This study shows that the importance of specific shredder species may shift in case of hypoxia. Species-specific traits regarding oxygen sensitivity may also be influential for distribution patterns of shredder species both within and between lakes.     

Fed-batch cultivation ofEscherichia coli YK537 (pAET-8) for production ofphoA promoter-controlled human epidermal growth factor

Secretion of the expressed heterologous proteins can reduce the stress to the host cells and is beneficial to their recovery and purification. In this study, fed-batch cultures ofEscherichia coliYK537 (pAET-8) were conducted in a 5-L fermentor for the secretory production of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) whose expression, was under the control of alkaline phosphatase promoter. The effects of feeding of glucose and complex nitrogen sources on hEGF production were investigated. When the fed-batch culture was conducted in a chemically defined medium, the cell density was 9.68 g/L and the secreted hEGF was 44.7 mg/L in a period of 60 h. When a complex medium was used and glucose was added in pH-stat mode, the secreted hEGF was improved to 345 mg/L. When the culture was fed with glucose at a constant specific rate of 0.25 gg⁻¹h⁻¹, hEGF reached 514 mg/L. The effects of adding a solution containing yeast extract and tryptone were further studied. Different rate of the nitrogen source feeding resulted in different levels of phosphate and acetic acid formation, thus affected hEGF expression. At the optimal feeding rate, hEGF production achieved 686 mg/L.     

Interactions of feeding rates on growth,food conversion and body composition of the freshwater catfish Mystus vittatus (Bloch)

Food intake, growth, conversion efficiency and body composition of the non-air breathing catfish Mystus vittatus (Bloch) were studied in relation to different feeding levels. Fish weighing 817.9 ± 104.00 mg was found to consume a maximum of 156.0 mg live Tubifex worm/g day^-1. Geometrically derived feeding rates of 6.75, 23.00 and 26.00 mg dry food/g live fish day^-1 represent the maintenance, optimum and maximum levels respectively. The SDA increased from 6.75 mg/g day^-1 at maintenance to 13.50 mg/g day^-1 at maximum feeding rate. Starvation brougt about increase in body water content, while there was concomitant decrease in fat and crude protein.     

The life history,production and food habits of Pontoporeia affinis Lindström (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in mesotrophic Lake Erken

The life history and feeding habits of Pontoporeia affinis Lindström were studied in mesotrophic Lake Erken during 1982 to 1983. The greatest densities and biomasses of P. affinis occurred at 12 m (662 ind./m² and 118.2 mg dw/m², respectively) with values decreasing at the shallower and deeper regions. The life cycle of Pontoporeia was one year, with recruitment occurring in April, at which time the majority of the population consisted of individuals <2 mm. Overall the gut content of Pontoporeia was predominantly composed of detritus (97.6%) with algae accounting for 2.3%. Annual production was highest at 12 m (386.2 mg dw/m²) and lowest at 16 m (8.1). The highest production occurred during September, coinciding with the autumn Bacillariophyceae bloom.     

Phytoextraction of Cd and Zn from agricultural soils by Salix ssp. and intercropping of Salix caprea and Arabidopsis halleri

Contamination of agricultural topsoils with Cd above guideline values is of concern in many countries throughout the world. Extraction of metals from contaminated soils using high-biomass, metal-accumulating Salix sp. has been proposed as a low-cost, gentle remediation strategy, but reasonable phytoextraction rates remain to be demonstrated. In an outdoor pot experiment we assessed the phytoextraction potential for Cd and Zn of four willow species (Salix caprea, S. fragilis, S. × smithiana, S. × dasyclados) and intercropping of S. caprea with the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri on three moderately contaminated, agricultural soils. Large concentrations of Cd (250 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (3,300 mg kg⁻¹) were determined in leaves of Salix × smithiana grown on a soil containing 13.4 mg kg⁻¹ Cd and 955 mg kg⁻¹ Zn, resulting in bioaccumulation factors of 27 (Cd) and 3 (Zn). Total removal of up to 20% Cd and 5% Zn after three vegetation periods were shown for Salix × smithiana closely followed by S. caprea, S. fragilis and S. × dasyclados. While total Cd concentrations in soils were reduced by up to 20%, 1 M NH₄NO₃-extractable metal concentrations did not significantly decrease within 3 years. Intercropping of S. caprea and A. halleri partly increased total removal of Zn, but did not enhance total Cd extraction compared to single plantings of S. caprea after two vegetation periods.     

Effects of Fusarium Toxin Contaminated Wheat and of a Detoxifying Agent on Performance of Growing Bulls,on Nutrient Digestibility in Wethers and on the Carry Over of Zearalenone

Experiments were carried out to examine the effects of a Fusarium contaminated wheat (10mg deoxynivalenol and 0.76mg zearalenone, ZON, perkg dry matter) and of a detoxifying agent (Mycofix ®Plus, Biomin GmbH, Herzogenburg, Austria) on the growing performance of bulls, carry-over of ZON and its metabolites into body fluids and tissues, and on nutrient digestibility in wethers. The experiments were designed according to a complete two by two factorial approach which meant that both the uncontaminated control wheat and the Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat were tested both in the absence and presence of Mycofix ®Plus. The growing experiment with bulls (n = 14 per treatment) covered the live weight range between 244kg and 460kg. The respective wheat batches were included in the concentrate portion at 65%. Concentrates were fed according to plan whereas maize silage was offered for ad libitum consumption. Daily dry matter intake and live weight gain [kg per animal and day] were 7.40, 7.52, 7.51 and 7.49 and 1.367, 1.296, 1.380 and 1.307 for bulls fed the unsupplemented control wheat, the supplemented control wheat, the unsupplemented and Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat and the supplemented Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat, respectively. ZON and its metabolites were not detected in edible tissues. The most striking effects of feeding the Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat on carcass characteristics were a reduced dressing percentage, an increased weight of the emptied gastro-intestinal tract and a reduced weight of the testicles. No effect of the detoxifying agent was seen for these parameters whereas heart weight increased independently of Fusarium toxin contamination of the concentrates. Nutrient digestibility of the two wheat batches, unsupplemented or supplemented with Mycofix ®Plus was evaluated according to the difference method using wethers. Presence of Fusarium toxins in wheat did not influence its feeding value. The effects of the addition of the detoxifying agent were mycotoxin unspecific and resulted in an increase in apparent digestibility of crude protein and a decrease in crude fiber digestibility. It is concluded that feeding of Fusarium toxin contaminated wheat did not adversely affect performance of growing bulls (approximately 2.2mg DON and 0.1mg ZON perkg complete ration at a reference dry matter content of 88%) or nutrient digestibility in wethers. The effects of the detoxifying agent Mycofix ®Plus on growing performance and on nutrient digestibility were rather Fusarium toxin unspecific. The slightly negative effects on growing performance needs to be examined further.