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Incompletely known fish assemblages and species diversity are substantial obstacles in fish conservation, particularly when their aquatic habitats are under threat due to rapid human-induced changes. Fish assemblages and diversity in three tributaries of the upper Irrawaddy River in China (the Dulong, Daying and Ruili rivers) were examined based on field collections and literature resources. The newly compiled fish assemblage recorded 85 species (in 8 orders, 20 families and 51 genera) distributed in the upper Irrawaddy. The fish compositions in the Daying (67 species, 44 genera, 19 families, 7 orders) and Ruili rivers (65 species, 44 genera, 19 families, 8 orders) were more similar to each other and more speciose than that in the Dulong River (14 species, 10 genera, 4 families, 3 orders). Two indices of taxonomic diversity (the average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+), and the variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+)) were used to discriminate four collections spanning a ten-year period. A decrease in taxonomic diversity and an increase in unevenness of the fish assemblages were found in both the Daying River and Ruili rivers, which indicated that the impacts were accumulated gradually during this decade, when dams and the spread of non-native species were major threats. Comparatively speaking, the Dulong River is still in a near-natural state, and thus the fish community has experienced less disturbance. In situ conservation (nature reserves and tributary protection) and ex situ conservation (artificial propagation and release) should be combined and managed to promote fish conservation in the future.

The fruit of Ligustrum lucidum (FLL, Nuzhenzi in Chinese) is an important traditional medicine, and have attracted significant research attention because of their various biological activities. However, there are few research reports available on the use of FLL as a feed additive in livestock nutrition, particularly in layers. This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of the diet of laying hens with FLL on laying performance, egg quality and blood metabolites. A total of 360 72-week-old hens were allocated to three dietary treatments (eight replications of 15 hens/treatment group) and were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with an inclusion level of 0.25% or 0.50% of FLL powder in the final feed, until 78 weeks of age. Hens were housed in a three-tier cage system. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Blood samples and eggs were collected at the end of the experiment. The results showed that dietary supplementation with FLL did not affect egg weight, feed conversion ratio, eggshell thickness, albumen height, egg yolk color, eggshell breaking strength or egg shape index. However, FLL supplementation significantly decreased (P<0.001) mortality, cracked-egg rate and blood serum levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase, and increased (P<0.001) blood serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. No differences in serum levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, calcium, aspartate aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase were observed in hens fed FLL compared with the control group. It can be concluded that FLL, at a supplementation level of 0.25% final feed, can be used as an effective feed additive to improve the performance of laying hens during the late laying period. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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We use optical coherence tomography ( OCT) to acquire microstructure images of Chinese Song Jun glaze to reveal the copper and quartz additives used and, in two typical samples, we show that the amount added is considerable. Focusing on these two additives, including the species, amount and granule (particle) size added in the glaze, the objective of the present study is to explore how they functioned in relation to the Jun glaze's visual characteristics, opalescence and sky-blue colour, attributed to the unique liquid-liquid phase separation that occurs in Jun glaze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethanol extract of Polygonum aviculare L. was investigated for its insecticidal activity against the peach aphid (Myzus persicae), the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), Spodoptera exigua and the Northern armyworm Mythimna separate (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Results showed that the ethanol extract of P. aviculare had a potent toxicity on M. persicae and P. xylostella, moderate activity on M. separate., B. brassicae and S. exigua, where mortality percentages were 95.72, 76.67, 43.82, 34.14 and 33.53%, respectively, after 48h. The extract activity on M. persicae and P. xylostella were concentration-dependent. The LC50 of M. persicae and P. xylostella were 2.81 and 9.44 mg/ml, respectively. The sub-fractions, with varying polar-solvents, were also tested for their activity against P. xylostella and the results showed that petroleum ether extract exhibited the strongest activity with the mortality of 97.95 %, followed by the chloroform extract 70.14%, ethyl acetate extract 11.53% and water-soluble part 0%. The results of the present work indicated a potential activity of P. aviculare as insecticide for the management of M. persicae and P. xylostella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Spinal cord edema contributes to the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spinal cord injury (SCI) and is associated with functional recovery after SCI. Early myelotomy may be a promising surgical intervention for reducing SCI-induced edema. However, it remains unclear whether myelotomy can reduce SCI-induced edema. In addition, aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and aquaporin-9 (AQP9) have important roles in the regulation of water homeostasis. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of myelotomy on AQP4 and AQP9 expression and spinal cord edema in a rat model of moderate SCI.Methods:Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the sham control group (n=22) receiving laminectomy alone; the contusion group (n=44) receiving laminectomy plus contusion; and the myelotomy group (n=44) receiving laminectomy plus contusion followed by myelotomy at 24 h. Functional recovery was estimated by the open-field and inclined plane tests. Spinal cord edema was determined by measuring the water content. The expression of AQP4 and AQP9 was determined by western blot.Results:Compared with the contusion group, myelotomy significantly improved the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores in the open-field test and resulted in a higher mean angle value in the incline plane test. Myelotomy significantly reduced SCI-induced edema at 4 and 6 days after SCI, which was accompanied by downregulation of AQP4 and AQP9 expression.Conclusion:Myelotomy improves locomotor function, reduces edema in rats with SCI and is associated with decreased expression of AQP4 and AQP9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]