Abundance Of Flora Research Articles

The Effect of Temperature on Intestinal Flora Imbalance Based on Time Series Prediction Model

A series of effects caused by temperature change are the biggest problems faced by biological systems. These irregular environmental characteristics have brought new challenges to people and even animal groups. The immune function of human intestinal flora has a great protective effect on other organs and the body environment. It can help the human body carry out intestinal digestion, food absorption, nutritional metabolism, and so on. Based on the above situation, this paper uses the time series prediction model to study the factors affecting the imbalance of intestinal flora in the process of temperature change. Firstly, biological experiments are carried out with animals to simulate the human environment. Based on the sequence information of historical temperature change parameters, a temperature prediction device based on time series model is proposed. The effects of air factors and carbon dioxide content on the prediction results are evaluated by statistical analysis. Secondly, in order to ensure the accuracy of the experimental data, the neural network algorithm is used to optimize the model, and the white blood cell count is used to analyze the influence of temperature change on the intestinal flora structure of the two organisms. Finally, the experimental results are applied to the human environment to analyze the research results. The results showed that with the irregular change of temperature, the number of intestinal flora and internal colony structure also changed. The richness index in the normal temperature environment is relatively large, which can effectively explain the high richness of intestinal microflora in the experimental population. Further analyze the subjects and distinguish the animals according to sex. The number of Bacteroides in the intestinal flora of male animals was higher than that of female animals, but this phenomenon disappeared immediately after physical ligation. In addition, the intestinal flora abundance of female animals is higher than that of male animals, and the metabolic level is faster.

Study on the Changes of Intestinal Microflora Structure in Long-Term Night Shift Nurses.

Objective To investigate the influence of long-term night shift nurses on the composition. Methods The feces of 30 night shift nurses (test group) and 30 day shift nurses (control group) over 1 year were collected, and double-end sequencing based on bacterial 16S rDNA V3 + V4 and fungal 18S rDNA V3 + V4 was used to determine the differences by OTU clustering, diversity, flora abundance, and differential analysis. The results of 60 samples were sequenced for a total of 3, 052. There were 418 high-quality sequences, each sample produced an average of 50, 874 high-quality sequences. The OTU cluster analysis revealed that the number of OTUs was 365. The number of day-shift shift OTUs was 362. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in the Chao, Ace, Shan'non, and Simpson index between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Differential analysis of gut microflora between 2 groups showed that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of firmicutes in long-term night shift nurses was higher than in day shift nurses. However, the relative abundance of bacteroidetes was lower than that of white shift nurses (all p < 0.05). At the genus level, long-term night shift nurses' Bacteroides, Faecacterium, and Bifidobacterial were lower than that of white shift nurses (p < 0.05). However, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Megomonas was higher than that of white shift nurses (all p < 0.05). Conclusion There are differences between night shift nurses, which lead to a decrease in intestinal probiotic flora and increased conditional pathogenic flora. Nursing managers should improve the intestinal flora change of night shift nurses through reasonable scheduling and dietary regulation.

Physicochemical characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum oligosaccharide and its regulatory effect on intestinal flora in vitro fermentation.

This study explored the structure characteristics of an oligosaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum (GLO) and its regulatory functions on intestinal flora fermentation in vitro. GLO was extracted by ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis, and purified with a dextran gel column. Digestion properties and intestinal flora regulation effects of GLO were investigated by both simulation models. Results showed that GLO was a chain-like homogeneous oligosaccharide, composed of→6)-β-d-Glcp-(1→, →4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→, β-d-Glcp-(1→, α-d-Manp-(1→. Its structure could not be easily degraded by digestion in the mouth, gastric and small intestine. Accordingly, they can be utilized by the intestinal flora in large intestine. By evaluating the gas, short chain fatty acids, pH and flora abundance in vitro fermentation, it indicated that GLO had good regulatory effects on intestinal flora. Accordingly, GLO might be a potential prebiotic applied in functional foods.

Using 16S rDNA Sequencing Technology to Preliminarily Analyze Intestinal Flora in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

ObjectiveWe investigated changes in the intestinal flora of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). MethodsBetween September 2019 and November 2019, stool samples from 14 children with MPP from The Fourth Hospital of Baotou city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, were collected and divided into general treatment (AF) and probiotic (AFY) groups, according to the treatment of “combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus cereus tablets live”. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing was used to identify intestinal flora. ResultsIntestinal flora abundance and diversity in children with MPP were decreased. Both Shannon and Simpson indices were lower in the AF group when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). When compared with healthy controls, the proportion of Enterorhabdus was lower in the AF group, while the proportion of Lachnoclostridium was higher (P < 0.05). The proportion of Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia was lower in the AFY group but Enterococcus, Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia, and Erysipelatoclostridium proportions were higher. The proportion of Escherichia coli–Shigella in the AFY group after treatment was decreased (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe intestinal flora of children with MPP is disturbed, manifested as decreased abundance and diversity, and decreased Bifidobacteria. Our probiotic mixture partly improved intestinal flora disorders.

Gut Microbial Profile in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal tumor with a poor prognosis. The connection between pancreatic cancer and gut microbiota is less reported. Objectives: This study analyzed microbial characteristics in patients with pancreatic cancer from the tropical area of China and explored the potential impact of the characteristic microflora on pancreatic cancer. Methods: Stool samples and blood test indices of participants were collected in Hainan, China. Metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota characteristics. The R corrplot package was used to analyze the correlation between gut microbiota and blood test indices. Results: The microbial community in pancreatic cancer were clustered together and significantly separated from controls. The Simpson index was increased significantly in pancreatic cancer compared to controls. The abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria (Anaerostipes hadrus, Lachnoclostridium phocaeense, and Romboutsia ilealis), Bifidobacteria, and [Eubacterium] eligens were significantly decreased, while Fusobacterium, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus were significantly increased in pancreatic cancer. Prevotella copri may have a vital role in the bacterial interaction network. Pathways connected to metabolism, environment (bacterial secretion system), genetic information (protein export and ribosome), and human diseases (infectious diseases and drug resistance) were increased in the pancreatic cancer group. Butyrate-producing bacteria (butyrate-producing bacterium SS3/4, A. hadrus, R. intestinalis, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and Bifidobacteria were significantly negatively correlated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Conclusions: The gut microbiome was distinct in patients with pancreatic cancer from the tropical area of China. Changes in intestinal flora abundance and metabolic pathways may play an essential role in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer.

Effects of bioelectricity generation processes on methane emission and bacterial community in wetland and carbon fate analysis

Wetlands are an important carbon sink for greenhouse gases (GHGs), and embedding microbial fuel cell (MFC) into constructed wetland (CW) has become a new technology to control methane (CH4) emission. Rhizosphere anode CW–MFC was constructed by selecting rhizome-type wetland plants with strong hypoxia tolerance, which could provide photosynthetic organics as alternative fuel. Compared with non-planted system, CH4 emission flux and power output from the planted CW–MFC increased by approximately 0.48 ± 0.02 mg/(m2·h) and 1.07 W/m3, respectively. The CH4 emission flux of the CW–MFC operated under open-circuit condition was approximately 0.46 ± 0.02 mg/(m2·h) higher than that under closed-circuit condition. The results indicated that plants contributed to the CH4 emission from the CW–MFC, especially under open-circuit mode conditions. The CH4 emission from the CW–MFC was proportional to external resistance, and it increased by 0.67 ± 0.01 mg/(m2·h) when the external resistance was adjusted from 100 to 1000 Ω. High throughput sequencing further showed that there was a competitive relationship between electrogenic bacteria and methanogens. The flora abundance of electrogenic bacteria was high, while methanogens mainly consisted of Methanothrix, Methanobacterium and Methanolinea. The form and content of element C were analysed from solid phase, liquid phase and gas phase. It was found that a large amount of carbon source (TC = 254.70 mg/L) was consumed mostly through microbial migration and conversion, and carbon storage and GHGs emission accounted for 60.38% and 35.80%, respectively. In conclusion, carbon transformation in the CW–MFC can be properly regulated via competition of microorganisms driven by environmental factors, which provides a new direction and idea for the control of CH4 emission from wetlands.Graphical

Epigeic arthropod community changes in response to livestock-caused alpine grassland degradation on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

As one of the most important ecosystems, grassland ecosystems maintain an abundance of flora and fauna, and provide humans with rich resources. The structure and function of most grassland ecosystems around the world have been significantly affected by human activity. The overgrazing of livestock and their feces has caused grassland degradation and flora and fauna losses. However, we know little about the relationship between grassland degradation, livestock feces and the arthropod community. In this study, we conducted surveys of the epigeic arthropod community in alpine grassland of the Zoige wetlands in eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. We used ANOVA, multiple linear regression and model-averaging to explore how grassland degradation and livestock feces affected epigeic arthropods community. We found that together grassland degradation and season differently affected taxonomic richness, abundance and different feeding groups of the epigeic arthropod community. Because of the influence of temperature on the epigeic arthropod, the taxonomic richness and abundance of epigeic arthropod community fluctuated dramatically among seasons. Epigeic arthropod community diversity had a significant positive correlation with plant height of all species and Compositae percentage cover in most levels of degradation. The amount of sheep feces had a significant negative correlation with taxonomic richness and abundance of the epigeic arthropod community, because overgrazing sheep reduces the availability of resources and the suitability of micro-habitats for epigeic arthropods. Our study found that moderate levels of disturbance can increase the richness and abundance of epigeic arthropod community over a short period of time. • Epigeic arthropod community diversity in moderately degraded grassland are lower than that in original grassland. • The reduction of plant height is negatively correlated with the diversity of epigeic arthropod community in alpine grassland. • Overgrazing directly and indirectly reduces epigeic arthropods and their applicable micro-habitat. • Grassland degradation affected arthropod community diversity by altering habitats heterogeneity and resources availability.

The intestinal colonization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AR113 is influenced by its mucins and intestinal environment

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is an important member of the probiotic family and colonization of the host intestinal is essential for its continued probiotic function. The mechanism of L. plantarum intestinal colonization has not been elucidated until now, an important reason being that the colonization process is influenced by a number of factors. In this study, to confirm the influences of adhesion ability and host intestinal environment on L. plantarum intestinal colonization, knockouts of L. plantarum AR113 mucin genes were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, and polyethylene glycol was used to reduce the intestinal flora abundance. The knockout of L. plantarum AR113 mucin genes barely altered the strain’s tolerance to acid and bile salts. Notably, the adhesion number of AR113ΔLp_1431ΔLp_2233ΔLp_2792 to HT-29 cells was reduced from 175 to 114 per 100 cells. Through in vivo colonization experiments, an increase in the fluorescence intensity of AR113 and AR113ΔLp_1431&2233&2792 was detected the day after the mice were fed, while the deletion of Lp_1431, Lp_2233 and Lp_2792 genes reduced the intestinal tract colonization time from 14 to 11 days. Both AR113 and AR113ΔLp_1431ΔLp_2233ΔLp_2792 were reproduced in the intestine by labeling with 5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester. The results showed that the change in fluorescence intensity was closely dependent on the number of adhesions. Finally, compared to the control group, the prolonged intestinal colonization time of AR113ΔLp_1431ΔLp_2233ΔLp_2792 increased mice intestinal flora abundance, with distributions in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon. Collectively, both the intestinal environment and the adhesion ability of L. plantarum AR113 affected intestinal colonization, and the host’s intestinal genetic background may be a key factor in the intestinal colonization of L. plantarum.

Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 relieves chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury in mice via restoring intestinal flora homeostasis

This present study was designed to test the protective role of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains, E680 and ZY08, against alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in C57BL/6 mice. The ALD mouse model was established by exposing the mice to a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet. The two probiotic strains (109 cfu/day) were administered by oral gavage, respectively. Our data showed that L. plantarum ZY08, but not E680, intervention significantly mitigated alcohol-related hepatic steatosis, liver injury, intestinal barrier, and it alleviated plasma endotoxin (LPS) levels, and affected hepatic genes relating to lipid metabolism. Furthermore, Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 effectively restored intestinal flora homeostasis via recovering flora abundance, including Blautia, Oscillibacter, Lachnoclostridium and Intestimonas, and consequently elevated intestinalshort-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content. More importantly, removing intestinal microorganisms through ABX gavage markedly abolished the beneficial aspects of Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08, indicating that the regulative role of Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 contributed to its protective role against ALD. Overall, Lactobacillus plantarum ZY08 is a potential candidate for mitigating alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury.

Bringing the Dead Sea to Life: Art and Nature at the Lowest Place on Earth

Bringing the Dead Sea to Life: Art and Nature at the Lowest Place on Earth

Effect of Cistanche deserticola on Rumen Microbiota and Rumen Function in Grazing Sheep

For a long time, veterinary drugs and chemical additives have been widely used in livestock and poultry breeding to improve production performance. However, problems such as drug residues in food are causing serious concerns. The use of functional plants and their extracts to improve production performance is becoming increasingly popular. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Cistanche deserticola in sheep feed on rumen flora and to analyze the causes to provide a theoretical basis for the future use of Cistanche deserticola as a functional substance to improve sheep production performance. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted using 24 six-month-old sheep males divided into four groups (six animals in each group) which were fed a basic diet composed of alfalfa and tall fescue grass. The C. deserticola feed was provided to sheep at different levels (0, 2, 4, and 6%) as experimental treatments. On the last day (Day 75), ruminal fluid was collected through a rumen tube for evaluating changes in rumen flora. The test results showed that Prevotella_1, Lactobacillus, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were the dominant species at the genus level in all samples. Lactobacillus, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Butyrivibrio_2, and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group differed significantly in relative abundance among the treatment groups. The polysaccharides in C. deserticola was the major factor influencing the alteration in rumen flora abundance, and had the functions of improving rumen fermentation environment and regulating rumen flora structure, etc. Hence, C. deserticola can be used to regulate rumen fermentation in grazing sheep to improve production efficiency.

Effects of Coated Sodium Butyrate and Polysaccharides From Cordyceps cicadae on Intestinal Tissue Morphology and Ileal Microbiome of Squabs.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of coated sodium butyrate (CSB) and polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps cicadae (CCP) on growth performance, intestinal tissue morphology and ileum microbiome in squabs. A total of 420 1-day-old squabs were randomly divided into seven groups with 5 replicates each and 12 squabs per replicate. The squabs were fed basal diet (control group) and basal diet supplemented with different levels of CSB (275, 550, and 1,100 mg/kg, groups CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100) and CCP (27.5, 55, and 110 mg/kg, groups CCP-27.5, CCP-55, and CCP-110), respectively. The experiment was conducted for 28 days. The results revealed that the final BW and average daily gain concentration were higher (P < 0.05) in squabs of CSB-275 and CCP-110 groups than those in the CON group. Comparing with control group, the squabs in the groups CSB-275, CSB-550, and CCP-55 obtained higher villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) of the duodenum and higher VH of the jejunum (P < 0.05). Operational taxonomic units in the groups CSB-550 and CCP-27.5 were also increased (P < 0.05). Regarding the relative abundance of flora, the Actinobacteria abundance in the groups CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-55 were higher than in control group (P < 0.05), and the Aeriscardovia abundance of CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-110 were elevated (P < 0.05). However, the Enterococcus abundance in CSB-275, CSB-550, CSB-1100, and CCP-27.5 decreased (P < 0.05). In summary, results obtained in the present study indicate that CSB and CCP can improve growth performance, intestinal microbial balance and gut health of squabs.

Малі заповідники як ефективний спосіб розширення заповідної мережі Східного Поділля

Research objective. One of the approaches to reduce the level of anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems is to form a network of protected habitats in areas that are intensively used by humans. An attempt was made to determine the abundance of flora and fauna and environmental efficiency in the context of intensive agricultural development in the small Podillya reserve «Ivankivskyi». Methodology. The flora and fauna of the territory on the outskirts of the village Ivanky of Vinnytsia district (Lypovets territorial community) were studied with the help of generally accepted and modified methods. It was conducted to determine the environmental value of the territory, the possibility of functioning within its protected area and at the same time preserving the forms of traditional use by the locals. The birds of the territory as the largest structural component of its fauna are studied in the most detail. The factual material was collected during field research for all the seasons of 2019-2020. Materials of scientific publications, professional literature, oral reports of specialists, etc. were processed. For all species of birds, the nature of the stay on the territory, belonging to different ecological and faunal groups were established: by nesting place and dominant food spectrum.

Metagenomics exploring the effect of recombinant rice based on lotus seed starch-broken rice flour on intestinal flora in rats

High fat diet may cause obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other diseases, and even mortality. The recombinant rice based on mixing lotus seed starch and broken rice flour was used to feed high-fat diet rats, and its effects on body weight and organ index were determined. The changes of intestinal flora in rats were studied by macrogenomic technology, and the effects of lotus seed starch-broken rice flour recombinant rice (LSBR) on intestinal flora in rats were discussed. The results showed that adding enough LSBR could effectively inhibit the weight gain of rats, reduce the liver index from 0.3498 to 0.2836, and the kidney index from 0.0079 to 0.0072. The reduction of intestinal flora abundance and diversity caused by high-fat diet were improved, the relative abundance ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidete was reduced from 11.04 to 2.17, while the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria was increased.

The analysis of morphometric parameters in hydrological modeling using GIS

The analysis of the physical-geographical conditions determines and influences the formation and the regime of the water resources from a hydrographic basin. This paper aims to analyse spatial data based on raster models, more precisely the terrain analysis, later used in hydrological modelling. For the elaboration of the digital model of the terrain, methods of interpolation of certain data are used - the level curves - after which, by running the ArcGIS program will result the structure of the irregular triangulation network (TIN). Next, based on the TIN model, a set of analyses is obtained regarding the morphology of the terrain: the slope map; slope exposure map, etc. The slope is one of the most important factors for controlling surface and intermediate water runoff. The exposure of the slopes depends very much on the direction of the slope of the land. With the help of the analysis of the slope and slope exposure it is possible to: calculate the solar lighting for each location in a region; find all slopes in the southern part of a mountainous region to identify locations where the snowmelt process will start earlier than in other areas, thus avoiding the danger of flooding due to runoff from the slopes and the danger of soil erosion; the value and speed of surface runoff; identify the spread and abundance of flora and fauna, precipitation; identify the productivity classes of the land; find all the north-facing slopes on a mountain as part for the search of the best ski slopes.

Effects of Zn on growth performance, immune enzyme activities, resistance to disease and intestinal flora for juvenile pearl gentian grouper(Epinephelus lanceolatus♂×Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀) under low fishmeal diet

The effects of adding increasing Zn concentrations to fish feed on the growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, disease resistance, and intestinal flora abundance and diversity of hybrid grouper larvae (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀) were determined within an 8-week feeding trial period. Zn of graded levels (0 (T0), 20 (T20), 40 (T40), 60 (T60), 80 (T80), 100 (T100) and 150 (T150) mg Zn/kg diet as zinc sulfate) was added to the basal diet and fed to experimental fish with an initial mean weight of 12.00 g.The fish were challenged by Vibrio harveyi for 7 days. Results showed that the survival rate of the dietary Zn groups was obviously higher than that of T0 (P < 0.05). T0 group had the lowest specific growth rate and weight gain rate. The hepatic superoxide dismutase activity of the dietary Zn groups was significantly higher than the T0 group(P < 0.05). T20 group had the lowest hepatic malondialdehyde content. The abundance of Proteobacteria in the midgut decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes increased with increasing zinc levels. The optimal dietary Zn inclusion level was 44.52 mg/kg diet, based on the polynomial regression analysis model of WGR for juvenile hybrid grouper.

Effect of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Tongluo Method on Intestinal Flora Expression in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Recipe (recipient for invigorating qi, activating blood and resolving phlegm) on ischemic stroke patients and its effect on intestinal flora expression through clinical study of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Recipe, and to explore its possible mechanism and provide clinical basis for its further application. Methods: 60 patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into treatment group (30 cases, combined Chinese traditional and Western medicine) and control group (30 cases, pure Western medicine). Fecal samples were collected at 24 hours and 14 days after the onset of the disease, and 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing was used to observe the status of the faecal samples and the changes of intestinal flora abundance. To compare whether there was a difference between the two groups at 24 hours and 14 days after the onset of the disease. To compare whether there is a difference in microbiological status between the two groups during the same time period. To compare the difference ofTCM syndrome integral between the two groups. Results: Before and after treatment of the patients with cerebral infarction in the two groups, those ranked the top six at the level of intestinal flora are: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes and Cyanophyta. After treatment, the abundance of Bacteroides was up-regulated, while the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria was down-regulated. However, the adjustment range of treatment group with combined Chinese medicine and western medicine was larger and there was significant difference between the two groups (P&lt;0.05). The improvement ofTCM syndrome in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Intestinal flora disturbance may be a potential causative factor of cerebral ischemic diseases. Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Recipe has a certain effect on the abundance of intestinal flora, and the symptom of the patients in the treatment group is improved more obviously. By regulating the intestinal flora, the patients’ internal environment is improved and the constitution is improved, which may be one of the effective mechanisms of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan Recipe.

Weed Flora Dynamics in Maize (Zea mays L.) Field as Influenced by Cover Crop Types and Planting Densities at Jalingo, Northeast, Nigeria

Aim: Competition from weeds is an obstacle to profitable maize production. Knowledge of weed species limiting productivity is essential for sustainable management. A two years field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a leguminous cover crop, akidi (Vigna unquiculata sub-sp sequipedalis) and two non-leguminous cover crops (melon and sweet potato) planted at three densities on weed flora composition and shift in maize at Jalingo, North-eastern Nigeria.&#x0D; Study Design: There were 11 treatments replicated three times in a randomized complete block design.&#x0D; Methodology: Low, moderate and high densities (20,000, 30,000 and 40,000 stands/ha respectively) of Akidi, Melon and Sweet potato (A1, A2, A3, M1, M2, M3, S1, S2, S3) with weeded (C1) and unweeded (C2) checks constituted the treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Weed flora abundance, percentage density, percentage frequency, frequency index and percentage contributions were determined from a 50cm x 50cm quadrat thrown twice per plot at various phases of maize growth.&#x0D; Results: Thirteen weed families made up of 11 broad leaves, one grass and one sedge were identified. The abundance was in the order Broad leaf &gt; Grass &gt; Sedges. The most abundant weed species were: Imperata cylindrica L (3.8), Mucuna utilis (3.0), Oldenlandia herbacea L. (2.6) Sida acuta Burm F, Tridax procumbens L. (2.5 each), Leucas martinicensis, Pennisetum pedicellatum (2.3 each). Commelina benghalensis, Cyperus difformis (3.5), Digitaria horizontalis, Fimbristylis littoralis (2.8 each). The influence of selected cover crops on individual weed percentage the contribution shows: Commelina benghalensis ( C2&lt;C1 &lt; M &lt;S&lt; A), Euphorbia hyssopifolia (C2&lt;M/S &lt; A&lt;C1), Euphorbia heterophylla (M&lt;S&lt;A), Leucasmartinicensis (C1&lt;C2&lt;M&lt;A&lt;S), Mucunautilis (S&lt;M&lt;C1&lt;C2&lt;A) and Sida acuta (M&lt;S&lt;A&lt;C2&lt;C1) while grassy weeds, Imperata cylindrical (A&lt;C2&lt;S&lt;M), Pennisetum pedicellatum (A&lt;C2), Digitaria horizontalis (C1/ C2&lt; A &lt; M &lt;S), Kyllinga squamulata (M/S &lt;C2&lt;A &lt;C1). Commelina spp. increased in status from an accessory (21.2%) to abundance (66.7%) while others increased from rare to accessory (from 0.0 to 20-40%).&#x0D; Conclusion: Akidi was more effective on broad-leaved weeds while melon and sweet potato were more effective on grasses and Commelina benghalensis need to be monitored.

Effects of fine particulate matter on cognitive function and gut microbiota in adult male mice

To study the effects of fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5))exposure to cognitive function and intestinal flora abundance and diversity in adult male mice. The SPF grade male C57 BL/6 J mice with 8 weeks old were randomly divided into control group(NS group), PM_(2.5) exposure group(PM_(2.5) group), probiotic group(VSL#3 group) and PM_(2.5) + VSL#3 group(PMV group), with 8 mice in each group. The PM_(2.5) group and PMV group mice were exposed to PM_(2.5) using animal exposure system equipped with real-time PM_(2.5) concentration, and concentrated 6 times the outdoor PM_(2.5) concentration, 8 h every day, 5 d every week for 4 weeks. The VSL#3 group and PMV group mice were given VSL#3, 0.5 mL, 2×10~9 CFU/mL. After four weeks of exposure, feces from mice were collected for 16 s rRNA high-throughput sequencing, and the cognitive function was evaluated using Morris water maze and object recognition experiments. The escape latency of PM_(2.5) group in four-day training [(54.99±6.77) s, (41.21±9.98) s, (36.27±13.11) s, (30.01±14.80) s] were higher than that of NS group [(32.19±4.59) s, (20.50±6.77) s, (19.93±7.30) s, (16.94±9.91) s], and the difference were statistically significant(P&lt;0.05). The escape latency of PMV group on the first and second day of training [(39.02±6.23) s, (28.83±9.53) s] were lower than that of PM_(2.5) group(P&lt;0.05). The target quadrant residence time of mice in PM_(2.5) group [(18.30± 8.88) s] was lower than that in NS group and PMV group [(30.53±9.10) s, (30.00±10.61) s]. Compared with NS group(6.09±0.40), the shannon index of PM_(2.5) group and PMV group(5.05±0.65 and 5.46±0.52) were significantly reduced(P&lt;0.05). The target quadrant time was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Actinomyces(r=0.576, P&lt;0.05), and the recognition index was positively correlated with the relative abundance of Firmicutes(r=0.612, P&lt;0.05). PM_(2.5) could lead to cognitive dysfunction in mice, which is related to diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora. Probiotic can improve cognitive function.

The effects of aerobic exercise on the intestinal tumors and flora of the ApcMin/+ mouse.

Intestinal tumor is one of the most common tumors that seriously threaten the health of residents all over the world. Studies suggest that the imbalance of intestinal flora is associated with tumorgenesis; meanwhile, long-term regular aerobic exercise can improve the occurrence and development of tumors. However, moderate aerobic exercise affecting the development of intestinal tumors and their related flora has not been explored. Thus, the purpose of our study is to explore the effects of aerobic exercise on intestinal tumor growth and flora changes in ApcMin/+ mice, and try to answer whether there is a correlation between them after exercise intervention. In this study, 18 required ApcMin/+ mice were randomly divided into Model group (n = 6), Exercise group (n = 6), and Aspirin group (positive control, n = 6), while C57BL/6J wild-type mice were used as the blank control group. Each group is given corresponding intervention. Weight monitoring, tumor counts, hematoxylin-eosin staining, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC), fecal sampling and grouping, and bacterial 16S rDNA gene analysis were completed after 12weeks' intervention for each group of mice. As a result, we were able to show significant improvements in mice' body weight changing rates (Exercise group 8.6% higher than Model control group), tumor numbers (Exercise group 4.33 ± 0.94 vs. Model control group 7.33 ± 2.49, Then put the slides into xylenewith tumor inhibition rate 40.93%), tumor pathological staging (Exercise group mainly low-grade tumorous adenomas vs. Model group mainly high-grade adenomas), and TUNEL staining (Exercise group 8.59% higher positive rate of apoptotic cells in tumors than Model group). The 16s rRNA sequencing analysis results showed that aerobic exercise could regulate the abundance of some genus (16/149, P < 0.01), and the number of intestinal tumors correlates with changes in the abundance of some bacteria in the intestinal flora (positive correlation with probiotics abundance and negative correlation with conditioned pathogens). Changes in flora abundance may be one of the reasons for aerobic exercise to reduce the number of intestinal tumors, probably mediated by cell apoptosis. Future studies should focus on the potential mechanism of aerobic exercise in preventing intestinal tumorgenesis, especially the molecular mechanism through intestinal flora. Aerobic exercise has a preventive effect on intestinal tumors in ApcMin/+ mice, and can regulate the abundance of intestinal flora.