Total Acid Phosphatase Activity Research Articles

Effects of Compound Fertilizer Decrement and Water-Soluble Humic Acid Fertilizer Application on Soil Properties, Bacterial Community Structure, and Shoot Yield in Lei Bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) Plantations in Subtropical China

Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) is an economically viable bamboo species with rich nutrition, a good taste, and a high yield. However, heavy fertilization and covering cultivation are used to produce off-season bamboo shoots, resulting in soil degradation and a decline in site productivity. This study investigated how compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application affects soil properties and shoot yield in Lei bamboo plantations of subtropical China. The soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and shoot yield were examined, the bacterial community structure was determined using the high-throughput sequencing method, and their relationships were evaluated under different fertilization treatments: single compound fertilizer and compound fertilizer decrement with water-soluble humic acid fertilizer applications. Compared with those after single compound fertilizer treatments (CF1, CF2), water-soluble humic acid fertilizer addition (CF2HA1, CF2HA2) increased soil organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (AP), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents, the ratio of SOC to total nitrogen (C/N), and sucrase and acid phosphatase (Acp) activities, and decreased alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) contents. The bacterial community phyla comprised 83.62%–86.16% Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi. Water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application also significantly increased yields by over 30%. AP and MBN were important drivers affecting soil bacterial communities, whereas SOC, MBN, and Chloroflexi affected Lei bamboo shoots. Overall, compound fertilizer decrement and water-soluble humic acid fertilizer application shifted the available soil nutrients, sucrase and Acp activity, bacterial community diversity, and shoot yield. An improved understanding of humic acid and the application of humic acid water-soluble fertilizer are of great significance for soil improvement, ecological restoration, and the sustainable management of bamboo forests in the future.

Suitable natural astaxanthin supplementation with Haematococcus pluvialis improves the physiological function and stress response to air exposure of juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

High mortality during transportation has restricted industrial development of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), especially juveniles, in China. Supplementation with Haematococcus pluvialis has been proved to promote crustacean survival and growth. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of dietary natural astaxanthin derived from H. pluvialis on the growth performance, pigmentation, digestion, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and response to air exposure stress of juvenile red swamp crayfish. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated containing a graded H. pluvialis powder inclusion (0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60%) level. The results indicated that dietary astaxanthin significantly improved the survival rate and weight gain rate of juvenile crayfish (P < 0.05). As dietary astaxanthin levels increased, a* values in the carapace, muscle, and ovaries improved and the carotenoid content significantly increased (P < 0.05). Lipase (LPS), and cellulase (CL) activities in the hepatopancreas and intestines, and α-amylase, and pepsin (PEP) activities in the hepatopancreas, significantly increased and then decreased with increasing dietary astaxanthin levels (P < 0.05). Dietary astaxanthin significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the hemolymph (P < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidant capacity and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph, as well as alkaline phosphatase in the hepatopancreas, followed a similar pattern as the digestive enzymes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary astaxanthin significantly improved succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity in the hepatopancreas and muscle after a 24-h air exposure stress test, while decreasing the MDA and lactic acid content (LD) in muscle (P < 0.05). Based on the quadratic regression analysis of LPS, PEP, CL, T-SOD, ACP and SDH in hepatopancreas, and MDA and LD in muscle, the optimal dietary natural astaxanthin content for juvenile red swamp crayfish ranges from 63.55 to 84.40 mg kg−1.

Effects of Genistein on Lipid Metabolism, Antioxidant Activity, and Immunity of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fed with High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diets.

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of genistein on growth, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of common carp fed with high-carbohydrate or high-fat diets. Five diets were used to feed fish: control diet (5% fat; CO), high-fat diet (11% fat; HF), high-carbohydrate diet (45% carbohydrate; HC), and HF or HC diet with 500 mg/kg genistein (FG or CG). Results showed that final body weight (FW) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly reduced, but the supplementation with genistein resulted in higher values of FW and SGR than the HF or HC group. Both high carbohydrate and high fat belong to high-energy diets, which may promote lipid deposition. Genistein obviously decreased liver triglyceride (TG) content and alleviated hepatic fat vacuolation in the HF and HC groups. The expression of lipid metabolism genes (cpt-1 and atgl) was markedly higher in the FG group than in the HF group. The lipid synthesis-related genes (fas, acc, and pparγ) were elevated in high-energy diets but recovered to the control level or reduced after genistein treatments. With respect to fatty acid transporter genes, fatp increased in the FG group, and cd36 increased in the CG group. Furthermore, the antioxidant and immune indexes, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM) activities, were decreased, while malonate aldehyde (MDA) content, activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were enhanced in the HF and HC groups. The antioxidant and immunity values could be ameliorated by treatment with genistein. Moreover, the transcript levels of antioxidant-related genes (cat, gr, and nrf2) in the liver and anti-inflammatory factors (tgf-β and il-10) and lyz in the head kidney tissue were promoted, although the expression levels of proinflammatory factors (tnf-α and il-6) declined in the genistein supplementation group, which confirmed the antioxidant and immune-enhancing effects of genistein. Therefore, 500 mg/kg genistein could ameliorate the negative effects of high-energy diets on immunity.

Зміни розрахункових індексів біохімічних показників сироватки крові щурів різного віку після заповнення дефекту в метафізі стегнової кістки алогенними кістковими імплантатами, насиченими мезенхімальними стовбуровими клітинами

The purpose of the study was based on the analysis of calculated biochemical parameters of mineralization in the blood serum of laboratory rats to evaluate the course of metabolic processes in bone tissue after filling a defect of critical size in the metaphysis of the femur with allogeneic bone implants saturated with mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and methods. Indicators of mineralization of bone tissue in the blood serum of white rats were studied (the content of total protein, calcium, alkaline and acid phosphatase activity), the ratio of alkaline to acid phosphatase activity, as well as the degree of mineralization, were calculated. Results and discussion. In 3-month-old rats with alloimplants without mesenchymal stem cells on the 90th day, a decrease in the degree of mineralization was observed, which reflects the final stages of bone tissue remodeling by 1.13 times compared to the level of this in animals of a similar age and conditions of filling the defect on the 14th day (р = 0.008) and 1.12 times compared to the data on the 28th day of the experiment (р = 0.008). In 3-month-old rats with alloimplants saturated with mesenchymal stem cells, a decrease in the degree of mineralization on the 90th day was determined compared to that in experimental rats of a similar age and defect filling conditions on the 14th day by 1.13 times (p = 0.008), and compared with the data of the similar group on the 28th day – 1.14 times (p = 0.008), which reflects the delay in the course of the full stage of bone tissue remodeling due to the use of mesenchymal stem cells. The ratio of serum alkaline to acid phosphatase activity in 3-month-old rats with alloimplants saturated with mesenchymal stem cells was 1.32 times lower on the 14th day compared to the data of a group of the same age with alloimplants without mesenchymal stem cells (p = 0.008), and on the 90th day – by 1.12 times (p = 0.008), which also indicates a delay in the early stages of bone tissue mineralization due to the use of mesenchymal stem cells as part of alloimplants. In 12-month-old rats without the use of mesenchymal stem cells, on the 90th day, there was a decrease in the degree of mineralization by 1.10 times, in accordance with the level of this in a group of rats of a similar age and conditions of defect filling on the 14th day (р = 0.008) and by 1.09 times compared to that on the 28th day (p = 0.008), from which we can conclude about a progressive decrease in the activity of the final stages of bone tissue remodeling. The ratio of the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase in 12-month-old rats with alloimplants without mesenchymal stem cells on the 90th day was significantly inferior to that in the corresponding 3-month-old animals by 1.12 times (p = 0.008), which indicates a lower activity of the initial stages of bone tissue mineralization in the late stages of defect healing. This indicator progressively decreased during the experiment. Thus, on the 28th day, it was 1.12 times smaller than on the 14th day, and on the 90th day – by 1.53 times less, in accordance with the data on the 14th day (p = 0.008) and by 1.36 times compared to that on the 28th day (p = 0.008). Conclusion. Treatment of experimental rats with a critical size defect in the femoral metaphysis with alloimplants saturated with mesenchymal stem cells, especially in the early stages, leads to a slowing down of bone tissue remodeling processes

Initial Studies on the Effect of the Rice-Duck-Crayfish Ecological Co-Culture System on Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of Soils: A Field Case Study in Chaohu Lake Basin, Southeast China.

Rice-duck and rice-crayfish co-culture patterns can increase soil productivity and sustainability and reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thereby reducing the resulting negative environmental impacts. However, most studies have focused on the rice-duck and rice-crayfish binary patterns and have ignored integrated systems (three or more), which may have unexpected synergistic effects. To test these effects, a paddy field experiment was carried out in the Chaohu Lake Basin, Hefei city, Southeast China. Four groups, including a rice-duck-crayfish ecological co-culture system (RDC), idle field (CK), single-season rice planting system (SSR), and double-season rice planting system (DSR), were established in this study. The results showed that the RDC improved the soil physical properties, fertility, humus content, and enzyme activity. In the RDC system, the soil total nitrogen content ranged from 8.54% to 28.37% higher than other systems in the 0-10 cm soil layer. Similar increases were found for soil total phosphorus (8.22-30.53%), available nitrogen (6.93-22.72%), organic matter (18.24-41.54%), urease activity (16.67-71.51%), and acid phosphatase activity (23.41-66.20%). Relative to the SSR treatment, the RDC treatment reduced the total losses of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff by 24.30% and 10.29%, respectively. The RDC also did not cause any harm to the soil in terms of heavy metal pollution. Furthermore, the RDC improved the yield and quality of rice, farmer incomes, and eco-environmental profits. In general, the RDC can serve as a valuable method for the management of agricultural nonpoint-source pollution in the Chaohu Lake area and the revitalization of the countryside.

Зміни розрахункових індексів біохімічних показників сироватки крові щурів різного віку після заповнення дефекту в метафізі стегнової кістки алогенними кістковими імплантатами

The purpose of the study was to analyze estimated biochemical parameters of mineralization in the blood serum of laboratory rats, to evaluate the course of metabolic processes in bone tissue after filling the defect in the metaphysis of the femur with allogeneic bone implants. Materials and methods. The work uses a model of creating a transcortical defect in the femur metaphysis of a critical size in white rats. Indicators of mineralization of bone tissue in the blood serum of white rats were studied: the content of total protein, calcium, alkaline and acid phosphatase activity, the ratio of alkaline to acid phosphatase activity, as well as the degree of mineralization, were calculated. Based on the results of a biochemical study of the blood serum of 3- and 12-month-old experimental rats with a critical size defect in the metaphysis of the femur with filling of the defect with bone alloimplants and without filling, it was determined that the introduction of alloimplants into the defect zone of the femoral metaphysis led to an acceleration of the course of mineralization of bone tissue in experimental rats of both age groups. Results and discussion. The introduction of alloimplants into the defect zone of the femoral metaphysis led to an acceleration of bone tissue mineralization in experimental rats of both age groups. Thus, on the 28th day when alloimplants were introduced, the ratio of alkaline and acid phosphatase activity in 3-month-old rats was by 1.26 times higher than the corresponding indicator in experimental animals without defect filling (p=0.008), as well as by 1.34 times – the level indicator on the 14th day. Both in the conditions of using alloimplants to fill the defect, and in the case of an unfilled defect for both age groups, the maximum manifestation of markers of bone tissue formation was recorded on the 28th day of the experiment, and the values of this maximum were higher in the group of animals with alloimplants. If in the case of an unfilled defect on the 90th day there was a sharp decrease in the analyzed indicators, which indicates the actual cessation of the mineralization process, then under the conditions of using alloimplants the decrease was less pronounced, which is a sign of the continuation of these processes. In 3-month-old animals with an unfilled defect, the stages of mineralization processes passed faster and these processes were more developed at the same time. The ratio between the activity of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase in blood serum has proven to be a more informative and sensitive indicator than the degree of mineralization. Conclusion. Treatment of experimental rats with a critical size defect in the metaphysis of the femur with alloimplants leads to the detection of biochemical signs of activation of regenerative processes in them, but this activation quickly decreases in intensity, is insufficient and requires additional strengthening due to certain external influences

Effects of Dietary Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract on Growth, Muscle Composition, Hepatopancreas Histology, Immune Responses and Microcystin-LR Resistance of Juvenile Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of different doses of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) on juvenile red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). A total number of 720 red claw crayfish (initial body weight of 0.24 ± 0.01 g) were randomly assigned to six groups and fed diets containing 0 (Diet 1), 0.5 (Diet 2), 1 (Diet 3), 2 (Diet 4), 4 (Diet 5) and 10 (Diet 6) g dry weight (dw) ELE kg (dw)−1 diets for eight weeks and challenged with microcystin-LR stress. The results indicated that dietary supplementation with 1–2 g dw ELE kg (dw)−1 diet could significantly improve the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of crayfish. Muscle crude protein contents of crayfish fed Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4 were significantly higher than those of the control group. Compared with the control group, dietary ELE could increase total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and phenoloxidase (PO) activities and decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) level of crayfish. Dietary ELE significantly increased the relative expression levels of SOD, thioredoxin 1 (TRX1), GPx, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) and C-type lysozyme (C-LZM) mRNA of crayfish compared with the control group during the feeding experiment. When subjected to MC-LR stress for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of SOD, GPx, Se-GPx, glutathione-s-transferase 1 (GST1), ALF, hemocyanin (HEM), and C-LZM in the hepatopancreas could be improved to varying degrees compared with the Diet 1. Supplementation of 1–2 g dw ELE kg (dw)−1 diet could improve the survival rate (SR) of crayfish under MC-LR stress. These results indicated that dietary ELE (1–2 g dw ELE kg (dw)−1 diet) could improve the growth performance, muscle protein, and non-specific immune response and increase the SR of crayfish under MC-LR stress by regulating the mRNA expression levels of the immune- and antioxidant-related genes.

Effects of Straw Returning on Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Community Diversity under the Rice-Crayfish Integrated System

This study presents an investigation of soil chemical properties and microbial community diversity by Biolog ECO analysis in a seven-year field experiment using winter flooded fallow + no straw returning (W), winter flooded fallow + straw returning (WS), and winter flooded fallow + straw returning + crayfish farming (WSC) at soil depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm. Compared with the WS treatment, the WSC treatment had significantly higher total organic carbon (TOC) content in the 0–10 cm layer as well as greater available nitrogen (AN) and total nitrogen (TN) contents and acid phosphatase and sucrase activities in the 10–20 cm layer, while the pH value, total reducing substances, and Fe2+ content in the 0–20 cm layer were considerably lower. The WSC treatment improved the microbial species abundance in the 10–20 cm layer and the utilization rate of carbon sources in the 0–20 cm layer compared with the WS treatment. The soil microbial species abundance, microbial community diversity, and utilization rate of carbon sources in all of the layers examined were significantly higher in the WSC treatment than in the W treatment. The results indicate that straw returning under the rice-crayfish integrated system improves the contents of TOC, TN, and AN, decreases reducing substances properties, increases acid phosphatase and sucrase activities, and improves microbial community functional diversity, thereby contributing to the improvement of soil quality and the long-term sustainable development of the rice-crayfish integrated system.

Effect of Dietary Ginger Rhizome Powder Addition on Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Bucks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of ginger rhizome powder (GRP) to the rabbit bucks ration on semen quality and semen plasma traits. A total of 28 male New Zealand rabbits (7- month- old), divided into four groups; the first treatment served as a control (Con; 0% ginger); the second, third, and fourth treatments were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% ginger powder in the diet, respectively. The results revealed no change in ejaculate volume, a significant increase in the mass sperm motility, sperm concentration, total sperm output, total motile sperm, live sperm, and Total functional sperm fraction. Dietary ginger reduced the reaction time, semen pH, and the percentage of abnormal sperm. Bucks that received 1.0% or 1.5% dietary ginger had a higher seminal plasma total proteins, albumin, globulin concentrations, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities. Conversely, seminal plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Practically, it can be concluded that ginger is a suitable supplement for improving semen quality and semen plasma in adult male rabbits.

Dietary Supplementation of Crystalline Amino Acid Improves Growth Performance and Health of Yellow Catfish That Reduced by Plant Proteins Replacement of Fishmeal

To evaluate the growth and health of yellow catfish ( 5.50 ± 0.61 g) under the conditions of unbalanced and balanced amino acid composition, an 8-week growth experiment was conducted. Three isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated with a graded level of fishmeal: control group was formulated with 560.00 g/kg fishmeal, and 25%PP group and 25%PP + AA group were formulated with 420.00 g/kg fishmeal (replace 25% of fishmeal with plant protein), and then 25%PP + AA group was supplemented with threonine, glycine, alanine, methionine, isoleucine, histidine, and lysine. Compared with control group, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and survival (SUR) in 25%PP group were significantly the lowest ( p &lt; 0.05 ), but feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher than those in control group ( p &lt; 0.05 ). After supplementation of crystalline amino acid, the WG, SGR, SUR, and FCR in 25%PP + AA group were recovered to the level of control group ( p &gt; 0.05 ). Compared with control group, the activities of trypsin and lipase were significantly increased in 25%PP group and 25%PP + AA group ( p &lt; 0.05 ). Liver impairment was exhibited in 25%PP group, mainly manifested as significantly increased contents of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) ( p &lt; 0.05 ). Supplementation of crystalline amino acids based on a 25%PP diet significantly reduced activities of AST and ALT ( p &lt; 0.05 ). In addition, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities in 25%PP group increased significantly ( p &lt; 0.05 ). Data from 25%PP + AA group showed that crystalline amino acid supplementation ameliorated antioxidant (T-AOC and SOD) and immune (ACP and AKP) ( p &lt; 0.05 ). One of the characteristics of intestinal damage is shortening of villi height, which was significantly reduced in 25%PP group ( p &lt; 0.05 ). In short, unbalanced amino acid intake can impact growth, survival, and physiological status of yellow catfish. Diet supplemented with unbalanced amino acid can cause abnormal accumulation of amino acid content in muscle, resulting in unnecessary consumption of nutrients. Dietary supplementation of crystalline amino acid improves growth performance and health of yellow catfish that reduced by plant proteins replacement of fishmeal.

Microalgae biomass as a renewable biostimulant: meat processing industry effluent treatment, soil health improvement, and plant growth

ABSTRACT Microalgae biomass contributes to effluent bioremediation. It is a concentrated source of nutrients and organic carbon, making it a potential alternative as a soil biostimulant. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the soil application of microalgae biomass produced from the meat processing industry effluent treatment. The biomass was applied dry and as a mixture to demonstrate its potential to increase plant production and soil metabolic functions, analyzed short-term. Doses of 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% biomass were applied in soils from (i) Horizon A: taken at a depth between 0 and 10 cm and; (ii) Horizon B: taken at a depth between 20 and 40 cm. Corn growth (Zea Mays L.), basal soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon, total organic carbon, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and urease enzymatic activity were evaluated in each sample. It is concluded that applying 2% microalgae biomass led to higher basal soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon, and β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase enzymatic activity in both soils. On the other hand, boron may have contributed to urease activity reduction in Soil A. Although 2% biomass led to higher soils characteristics, that dose did not promote higher plant growth. Hence, considering that plant growth must be in line with changes in soil characteristics, the result that provided the higher plant shoot dry matter mass was by applying 0.55% biomass in both soils. Therefore, the application of microalgae biomass produced from a meat processing industry effluent treatment promoted a biologically active soil and boosted plant growth.

Evaluating the effects of agricultural inputs on the soil quality of smallholdings using improved indices

Soil quality on smallholder farms is progressively declining due to inappropriate land management and agricultural inputs. Assessing soil quality at the field scale and evaluating the contributions of agricultural inputs to soil quality is therefore important in the formulation of policies and technologies for improving the land management practices of smallholders. The objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of smallholder agricultural inputs (fertilizer input, agrochemical input, organic fertilization and straw incorporation) on soil quality under three dominant planting patterns (wheat-maize, vegetable and cotton) in Quzhou County on the North China Plain. Six soil indicators (soil organic carbon, available zinc, fungal species richness, carbon pool activity, total chromium content and acid phosphatase activity) were identified as the minimum dataset (MDS). The SQI calculated using nonlinear weighted additive integration (SQI-NLWA) had the best discrimination under different planting patterns. The SQIs in the wheat-maize and vegetable systems were significantly higher than those in the cotton system. The overall spatial pattern of soil quality was related to the distribution of the planting patterns throughout the county. Organic fertilization, fertilizer input and straw incorporation increased the SQI, while agrochemical input decreased the SQI. Our study provides a quantitative tool for assessing soil quality at the field-scale and creatively analyzes the effects of smallholder agricultural inputs on soil quality. Our findings suggest that resource input and allocation determine soil quality and agricultural sustainability in smallholder-dominated agricultural systems.

Effect of Different Ratios of Yinchen and Gancao Decoction on ANIT-Treated Cholestatic Liver Injury in Mice and Its Potential Underlying Mechanism.

Cholestasis is a pathological state that leads to serious liver disease; however, therapeutic options remain limited. Yinchen and Gancao are often used in combination at different ratios in traditional Chinese formulae for the treatment of jaundice and cholestasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of decoctions containing different ratios of Yinchen and Gancao (YGD) on alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-treated intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) in mice, and further explored the underlying mechanism. Treatment with 0:4 and 1:4 YGD significantly reduced plasma total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities; decreased unconjugated and conjugated bile acid levels; and improved hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cells recruitment to hepatic sinusoids. Moreover, the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-C ligand 2 (CCL2), and C-X-C ligand 2 (CXCL2) in the liver were significantly reduced. However, treatment with 4:1 and 4:0 YGD increased plasma TBA, TBIL, AST, ALT, and ALP activities and aggravated liver cell injury and inflammation. Moreover, the mRNA expression of the bile salt export pump (BSEP) in the liver was significantly increased in mice treated with 4:0 YGD. The present study demonstrates that YGD containing a high proportion of Gancao, which inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and reduces the inflammatory response, had protective effects against ANIT-treated IC in mice. However, YGD containing a high proportion of Yinchen aggravated the ANIT-treated IC in mice, which may be related to upregulation of BSEP and boosting bile acid regurgitation from damage cholangiocytes to liver in ANIT-treated IC mice.

Toxicological, histological and biochemical effects of Lepidium sativum seeds extract on Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. is a serious destructive pest of honeybee colonies in the beekeeping industry all over the world. The larvae feed on almost all of the honeybee products and have the ability to completely destroy the bee colony, especially the weakened ones. The toxicity and biochemical effect of garden cress, Lepidium sativum seed methanolic extract as natural product against greater wax moth was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The defatted seeds (250g) of garden cress were refluxed in 500 ml methanol, filtered and then dry in a rotary evaporator. Results revealed that the toxic effect of the garden cress extract against 5th instar larvae of G. mellonella was 1.15%, (LC50) after 24h. which induced more histopathological alterations on cuticle layers, fat bodies and muscle. Moreover, it causes highly significant inhibition in α, β esterase and phenol oxidase activities as well as possesses a significant reduction in protein content. On other hand, it causes an elevation in total lipid content and acid phosphatase activity. Also, apoptotic activity with DNA fragmentation was occurred at concentrations of 3, 2 and 1%. GC-MS analysis illustrated the toxic effect of methanol extract of L. sativum seeds related to a high ratio of phenolic, flavonoid and fatty acids constituents.

Chinese gallnut (Galla chinensis) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus: In vitro activity and the use of medicated bath method to treat infected mud crab Scylla paramamosain

Natural herbs, especially traditional Chinese herbs (TCHs), are gaining attention as alternatives to treat bacterial diseases in aquaculture. In order to assess the possibility of using TCHs to cure bacterial diseases of mud crab Scylla paramamosain, firstly, the antibacterial effects of twelve TCHs were determined using the in vitro antimicrobial and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods on Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the main pathogen of S. paramamosain. The results showed that Galla chinensis displayed the highest antibacterial effect on the pathogen, with an inhibitory plaque diameter > 35 mm, and MIC <0.2 mg∙mL−1. Subsequently, V. parahaemolyticus-infected S. paramamosain was subjected to medicated bath (20 mg∙L−1 G. chinensis) for three days and monitored for seven days (therapeutic group). At the end of the experiment, the crabs in positive control group (V. parahaemolyticus-infected crabs, non-medicated bath) showed the highest mortality (all died 6 days later), with noticeable changes in total bacteria counts (TBC), as well as total haemocyte counts (THC), and phenoloxidase (PO), lysozyme (LSZ), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities compared to the negative control group (saline-injected crabs, non-medicated bath). In the therapeutic group, low cumulative mortality (CM) (25%) was observed. The indices of TBC, THC, and PO improved in the therapeutic group compared to positive control group two days after treatment but returned to normal, with no difference to the negative control group at the end of the experiment. Compared with safety group (saline-injected crabs, medicated bath) and negative control group, 20 mg∙L−1 G. chinensis extract showed no adverse effect on crabs other than causing some decrease in THC, 24 h after immersion. It was therefore concluded that certain TCH are able to inhibit the V. parahaemolyticus, and G. chinensis may be useful in the treatment of crab diseases caused by V. parahaemolyticus.

Toxicological Impacts of Some Compounds on Massylaea vermiculata (O.F. Müller 1774), (Gastropoda: Helicidae) Under Laboratory Conditions.

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Effect of some compounds such as Plant extracts (Techno oil and Berna Star), natural origin compounds (Top-nine, Repcar and Chitosan 5%) and classical chemical pesticides (methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin) were studied against the terrestrial snail &lt;i&gt;Massylaea vertmiculata&lt;/i&gt; using the bait technique. Material and Methods: LC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; of the each tested compound of natural compounds were estimated after 14 days of treatment, while LC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; of pesticide were evaluated after 72 hrs of treatment. The impact of LC&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;of each tested compound on some biochemical parameters, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity were determined 48 hrs post treatment. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The results revealed that the methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin were the most effective compounds against test land snails, followed by Repcar, Top-nine and Techno oil, while Berna Star and Nema Ultra Chem come in the last rank. The pesticide compound methomyl was the most toxic one against the tested terrestrial snail species, while the Chitosan 5% was the least toxic one. The results showed that all tested compounds caused fluctuated effect whether increasing or decreasing on all the studies parameters such as total protein content, ALP and ACP activity as well. However, the Techno oil and the Berna Star caused sever decreasing on total protein content and ACP, followed by Top-nine, Repcar, Chitosan 5% (Nema Ultra Chem) and plant extracts. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The both tested natural compounds and plant extracts recorded satisfying results compared with methomyl and lambda-cyhalothrin effect and that can be used in the pest controlling programs against terrestrial snails to reduce the environmental pollution.

Soil properties sensitive to degradation caused by increasing intensity of conventional tillage

Increased conventional tillage intensity causes soil degradation in agrosystems. In this field experiment, we evaluate the sensitivity of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties under varying soil tillage intensities. The treatments were: TI0 (tillage intensity zero); TI2 (tillage intensity two); TI4 (tillage intensity four); TI6 (tillage intensity six); and TI8 (tillage intensity eight). These treatments corresponded to two tillage seasons (dry and rainy conditions) with four tillage intensities of conventional tillage (ploughing + harrowing) performed monthly. The restorative role of crop growth and rotations in soil properties was not considered in this study, and the interval between soil tillage was short. After the second tillage season, we determined 31 soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Biological properties were more affected by conventional tillage intensity than physical and chemical properties. The most sensitive soil properties to the increasing tillage intensities were aggregate weighted mean diameter (WMD), percentage of aggregates (PA), bulk density (Bd), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (Mac), microporosity (Mic), soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), total microbial activity (FDA), arylsulfatase (Ary), acid phosphatase (Phos), and xylanase activity (Xyl). A minimum data set including WMD, Mac, SOM, and Xyl was suggested. The highest intensity of conventional tillage reduced WMD, Xyl and Mac by 28%, 51%, and 63%, respectively, and increased SOM by 14% relative to the control. This work may guide managers on the best soil properties for monitoring the impacts of soil tillage on soil quality in agricultural areas that routinely use conventional tillage as a management practice.

Identification, structure analysis, and transcript profiling of purple acid phosphatases under Pi deficiency in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and its wild relatives

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs), a family of metallo-phosphoesterase enzymes, are involved in phosphorus nutrition in plants. In this study, we report that the tomato genome encodes 25 PAP members. Physio-biochemical analyses revealed relatively lower total root-associated acid phosphatase activity in the seedlings of Solanum pimpinellifolium than their cultivated tomato seedlings under Pi deficiency. Scrutiny of their transcript abundance shows that most of PAPs are activated, although to varying levels, under Pi deficiency in tomato. Further investigation demonstrates that the magnitude of induction of phosphate starvation inducible root-associated PAP homologs remains lower in the Pi-starved S. pimpinellifolium seedlings, hence, accounting for the lower acid phosphatase activity in this wild relative. Examination of their amino acid sequences revealed significant variation in their substrate-specificity defining residues. Among all members, only SlPAP15 possesses the critical lysine residue (R337) and atypical REKA motif in its C-terminal region. Homology modeling and docking studies revealed that ADP and ATP are preferred substrates of SlPAP15. We also identified other amino acid residues present in the vicinity of the active site, possibly facilitating such physical interactions. Altogether, the results presented here will help in the functional characterization of these genes in the tomato in the future.

Growth performance, immune response, and digestive enzyme activity in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931, fed dietary microbial lysozyme

The present study investigates the effects of the dietary microbial lysozyme (ML) as an immunostimulant, on the growth performance, some immune parameters and digestive enzyme of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. Six hundred shrimps were obtained and randomly allocated into four groups as follows with three replicates. The shrimps were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2 g kg−1 ML for 4 months. The results indicated that dietary supplementation of ML significantly improved final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain rate (ADG), feed conversion rate (FCR), and feed efficiency rate (FER) compared to the control (P ˂ 0.05). However, weight gain specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate were not significantly affected by dietary ML (P ˃ 0.05). Dietary ML had a progressive effects on some immune parameters status including total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), lysozyme (LYZ), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), phenoloxidase (PO) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity as well as differential haemocyte count (DHC) and total haemocyte count (THC), in shrimps treated with the lysozyme than untreated shrimps (P ˂ 0.05). However, feeding with ML had no significant effect on plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (P ˃ 0.05). Furthermore, intestinal digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) in shrimp fed with dietary ML were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) higher than those fed with non-supplemented control basal diet. Thus, the results indicate that oral administration of ML can be recommended for shrimp feed to improve immune response as well digestive enzymes activity modulation.

Short-term changes in chemical and microbial characteristics of paddy soil in response to consecutive addition of organic ameliorants in a rice–rice–vegetable rotation system

ABSTRACT With regard of the problems of soil acidification and soil degradation caused by high intensive planting in south China, a 2-year pot experiment consisting of six harvests under a rice–rice–vegetable rotation cropping system was conducted to assess the effects of NPK+ rice straw (RS) and combined application of RS with peanut bran, biochar, and organic fertilizer on soil chemical and microbial characteristics in paddy soil. The control treatment received chemical fertilizer alone. Results showed that RS and the combination of RS with organic ameliorants, especially NPK+ rice straw + biochar (RSBC) treatment led to the greatest improvement of soil pH, soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and total nitrogen (TN) content, and urease (UE), acid phosphatase (ACP) and catalase (CAT) activities concurrently without yield sacrificing, which inferred that RSBC treatment could be an effective measure to alleviate soil acidification, boost carbon sequestration and nutrients content as well as soil enzyme activities in rice-rice-vegetable rotation system. Besides, Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) content was negatively related to pH, and the available potassium (AK) content was positively related to UE and CAT activity but negatively related to ACP activity. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated the Nmin and AK explained 27.2% and 13.7% of the variation in microbial species, respectively. Therefore, it is believed that soil Nmin and AK content could be the primary factors of soil microbial properties under the rice-rice-vegetable rotation system.