Dear Editor,I am Dr.Tian Tian,from the Department of Ophthalmology,Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,Shanghai,China.I write to present a rare case report of a delayed diag...Dear Editor,I am Dr.Tian Tian,from the Department of Ophthalmology,Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,Shanghai,China.I write to present a rare case report of a delayed diagnosis of unsuspected retinoblastoma（RB）in an in vitro fertilisation（IVF）infant with retinopathy of prematurity.展开更多
Phosphorus(P)is an essential nutrient for maize production,but in temperate areas the P uptake during early growing stages can be limited due to low soil temperature,even though the soil was tested high in P.The objec...Phosphorus(P)is an essential nutrient for maize production,but in temperate areas the P uptake during early growing stages can be limited due to low soil temperature,even though the soil was tested high in P.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen and phosphorous(NP)starter fertilisation during early growth stages and its carryover until maize harvest,in mineral-fertilised or manured systems.A field experiment was carried out in north-west Italy during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons.The trial compared sub-surface placement of NP(diammonium phosphate)or N alone(ammonium nitrate)in bands close to the maize seed furrows,in differing long-term(LT)fertilisation managements:two doses of urea(Min-L and Min-H),two doses of bovine slurry(Slu-L and Slu-H)or two doses of farmyard manure(Fym-L and Fym-H).The two rates,low(L)and high(H),corresponded to 170 and250 kg N ha^(-1)year^(-1) respectively.Compared to N fertilisation,NP starter fertilisation improved early maize growth assessed by leaf area index(LAI)and shoot dry weight(SDW)in all systems.The effects differed between the two years(2019:LAI+63%,SDW+67%;2020:LAI+36%,SDW+38%),as 2019was cool during the first growth.Higher LAI and SDW values were confirmed at crop flowering in the mineral-fertilised systems only.As shoot growth was enhanced by NP starter fertilisation,anthesis occurred 1 day earlier in all systems.However,a response to NP starter fertilisation at harvest was recorded in mineral-fertilised systems only(+1.3 and+3.2 t ha^(-1) in Min-L and Min-H,respectively).The uptake of P,used as a true indicator of soil nutrient availability,increased with increasing soil Olsen P until 39 mg kg^(-1).These results suggest that soil test thresholds should be revised for points above which P fertilisation should be suspended.展开更多
Infertility is considered to be a growing problem worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, at least 20%-50% of couples of reproductive age experience a fertility problem and 30% are diagnosed with infertility. This study exp...Infertility is considered to be a growing problem worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, at least 20%-50% of couples of reproductive age experience a fertility problem and 30% are diagnosed with infertility. This study explores the experiences of women in South Africa who are involuntary childless and explores their psychological and emotional experiences of In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET). Utilising a qualitative methodology, a diverse group of 21 married women diagnosed with infertility and who had undergone at least two cycles of IVF-ET were recruited. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the study indicated that the women perceived themselves as not conforming to a dominant belief system and as a result felt compelled to explore all the medical options available. They reported emotional turmoil characterised by primary binary emotions of anxiety-excitement and nervousness-optimistic. These emotions were experienced throughout the five stages of the IVF-ET treatment cycles. A synopsis of the psychological and emotional responses to the IVF-ET treatment is discussed. The findings of this study suggest the need for the incorporation of a mandatory psychosocial intervention as part of infertility management. Greater attention to the psychological and emotional repercussions of infertility treatment could lead to a more personalised client-approach which, in turn, would prepare infertile women and couples for the emotional demands of the treatment.展开更多
Excess nitrogen(N) fertiliser use in agriculture is associated with water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.While practices and programs to reduce N fertiliser application continue to be developed,inefficient fer...Excess nitrogen(N) fertiliser use in agriculture is associated with water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.While practices and programs to reduce N fertiliser application continue to be developed,inefficient fertiliser use persists.Practices that reduce mineral N fertiliser application are needed in a sustainable agricultural ecosystem to control leaching and gaseous losses for environmental management.This study evaluated whether fully or partially replacing mineral N fertiliser with zoo compost(Perth Zoo) could be a good mitigation strategy to reduce mineral N fertiliser application without affecting wheat yield and nutrition.To achieve this,a glasshouse experiment was conducted to assess the complementary effect of zoo compost and mineral N fertiliser on wheat yield and nutrition in a sandy soil of southwestern Australia.Additionally,a chlorophyll meter was used to determine whether there was a correlation between chlorophyll content and soil mineral N content,grain N uptake,and grain protein content at the tillering(42 d after sowing(DAS)) and heading(63 DAS) growth stages.The standard practice for N application for this soil type in this area,100 kg ha^(-1),was used with a soil bulk density of 1.3 g cm^(-3) to calculate the amount of mineral N(urea,46% N) and Perth Zoo compost(ZC)(0.69% N) for each treatment.Treatments comprised a control(no nutrients added,T1),mineral N only(100 kg N ha^(-1),T2),ZC only(100 kg N ha^(-1),T7),and combinations of mineral N and ZC at different rates(mineral N at 100 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 25 kg N ha^(-1)(T3),mineral N at 75 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 25 kg N ha^(-1)(T4),mineral N at 75 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 50 kg N ha^(-1)(T5),and mineral N at 50 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 50 kg N ha^(-1)(T6)).The T6 treatment significantly increased grain yield(by 26%) relative to the T2 treatment.However,the T7 treatment did not affect grain yield when compared to the T2 treatment.All treatments with mineral N and ZC in combination significantly improved the 1 000-grain weight compared to the T2 treatment.Chlorophyll content was better correlated with soil mineral N content(r = 0.61),grain N uptake(r = 0.62),and grain protein content(r = 0.80) at heading(63 DAS) than at tillering(42 DAS).While ZC alone could not serve as an alternative to mineral N fertiliser,its complementary use could reduce the mineral N fertiliser requirement by up to 50% for wheat without compromising grain yield,which needs to be verified in the field.Chlorophyll content could be used to predict soil mineral N at the heading stage,and further studies are warranted to verify its accuracy in the field.Overall,the application of ZC as part of integrated nutrient management improved crop yield with reduced N fertiliser application.展开更多
In May 2024,the UK revised fertlit law to permit HIV-positive individuals with an undetectable viral load to donate gametes,sparking global controversy.This bold legislative move aims to challenge existing stigmas and...In May 2024,the UK revised fertlit law to permit HIV-positive individuals with an undetectable viral load to donate gametes,sparking global controversy.This bold legislative move aims to challenge existing stigmas and enhance reproductive rights.However,it also raises critical questions regarding long-term psychosocial health impacts on offspring and the necessity of comprehensive informed consent.The amendmenthighlights the need for clear legal frameworks addressing liability and compensation mechanisms,ensuring protection for all parties involved while promoting reproductive justice.Furthermore,the potential for'reproductive tourism'due to jurisdictional disparities necessitates cross-border mutual understandings and guidelines.Ensuring confidentiality and privacy in the context of HIV status disclosure poses additional challenges,requiring strict safeguards against breaches.Consequently,despite this reform being a commendable step towards destigmatising HIN,robust measures are essential for managing associated risks,safeguarding reproductive autonomy and fostering public trust.展开更多
Objectives:To identify,examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation(IVF)outcomes.Methods:Eight electronic databases,including Pub Med,EMBASE,Co...Objectives:To identify,examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation(IVF)outcomes.Methods:Eight electronic databases,including Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Database of Systematic Review,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Database,Chinese Biomedical Database and VIP Database,were searched,supplemented by manual searches.Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening,data extraction,and methodological quality assessments.A narrative description was provided to show the general information and specific characteristics of the included studies.A bubble plot was used to visually display the overall effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.Results:Eighty-two studies were identified,including 64 primary studies and 18 systematic reviews.Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,electric acupuncture and manual acupuncture were applied in most studies and compared with no acupuncture,sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture control groups.Sixty-three(98.4%)primary studies reported clinical pregnancy rate,and positive effects of acupuncture were found in 34 studies(54.0%).Live birth rate was reported in only 18(28.1%)primary studies,of which 10(55.6%)showed positive results.In addition,only 8 and 2 systematic reviews showed that acupuncture could increase clinical pregnancy events and live birth events,respectively.However,none of these reviews was of high methodological quality.Conclusions:Available evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy could improve clinical pregnancy rates.However,whether acupuncture could increase live birth events was difficult to determine based on the few studies that have reported this outcome indicator.Furthermore,the methodological quality of most systematic reviews was assessed as critically low or low.Studies with a rigorous design and standardized implementation should be performed to refine the available evidence.展开更多
Achieving a sustainable cropping system requires the efficient use of resources,particularly nitrogen(N).Nitrogen fertiliser is applied in most irrigated cotton fields to maximise yield potential,but plant fertiliser ...Achieving a sustainable cropping system requires the efficient use of resources,particularly nitrogen(N).Nitrogen fertiliser is applied in most irrigated cotton fields to maximise yield potential,but plant fertiliser recovery can be low.Identifying the crucial pathways of fertiliser remobilisation internally within cotton plants will lead to greater awareness of the plants’ability to match the N demands of the developing fruiting matter.This study investigated the fate of N fertiliser when applied to cotton at various dates,with the goal to improve N fertiliser recovery in a modern transgenic cotton cultivar.15N-labelled urea(10 atom%)was applied at multiple times and harvested at four key cotton growth stages(first square,early bolls,cut-out and maturity).Remobilised N was determined as the difference in the proportion of N fertiliser in individual plant components against the fertiliser utilised by the whole plant.The application of fertiliser N at first square resulted in 23%greater fertiliser N recovery at plant maturity compared to fertiliser N applied 100%pre-plant(P<0.001).The improvement was in-part due to higher N derived from the fertiliser(Ndff%)in the cotton seed(3%).Conversely,the Ndff%was higher in the stem(4%)and petioles(1%)when the fertiliser was applied pre-plant.In total,73%of plant N was remobilised to another plant organ,predominantly the seed(67%).Applying N fertiliser post-planting improved N recovery and lint yield compared to applying all fertiliser pre-plant.展开更多
How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hund...How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hundreds:bio-genic fertiliser.Visitors,including farmers,researchers and government o"cials,were intrigued by its promise.展开更多
The combined application of mineral fertilizer and biochar significantly improves the passivation of heavy metal-contaminated soil,surpassing the effects of individual application.This study has reinforced the validat...The combined application of mineral fertilizer and biochar significantly improves the passivation of heavy metal-contaminated soil,surpassing the effects of individual application.This study has reinforced the validation of their passivation competence as soil remediation agents by examining the multifaceted role of potassium-silicon-calcium mineral fertilizer combined with rice husk-based biochar generated at different pyrolysis temperatures.The soil leaching column experiment,conducted based on the adsorption experiments,has facilitated our scrutiny of the passivation impacts of cadmium(Cd)and lead(Pb)when introducing different proportions of mineral fertilizers and biochar into the soil.These results indicate that biochar’s adsorption efficiency for Cd and Pb is significantly improved at escalated pyrolytic temperature conditions in a single solution.The biochar generated at 700℃(C700)renders adsorption effectiveness of approximately 84.24%for Cd and 99.74%for Pb.Biochar conspicuously registers superior adsorption efficiency towards Pb relative to Cd.The mineral fertilizer,which achieves an adsorption efficiency of 97.76%for Cd,is identified as the main adsorbent for Cd,although its competence is slightly lower compared to C700 for Pb adsorption.Within a complex solution,biochar and mineral fertilizer show reduced Cd and Pb adsorption levels compared to single solutions.There is a keen competition for adsorption surfaces witnessed between Cd and Pb,with Pb’s distribution coefficient(Kd)notably outpacing that of Cd.The isothermal adsorption analyses depict that the mineral fertilizer follows the Langmuir model for Cd adsorption,while C700 conveys the Freundlich model for Pb adsorption.The soil leaching column experiment’s results signify that the composite passivation agents significantly outperform the individual passivation agents in efficiency.The combined application of biochar and mineral fertilizer minimizes the cumulative leaching of Cd and Pb,with the optimal soil remedy proportion for heavy metal contamination being 7∶3.In practical application,mindful consideration should be accorded to the deployment ratios of different passivation agents.展开更多
Potassium(K)is the most abundant cation in the vast majority of plants.It is required in large quantities which,in an agronomic context,typically necessitates application of K in the form of potash or other K fertilis...Potassium(K)is the most abundant cation in the vast majority of plants.It is required in large quantities which,in an agronomic context,typically necessitates application of K in the form of potash or other K fertilisers.Recently,the price of K fertiliser has risen dramatically,a situation that is paralleled by increasing K deficiency of soils around the globe.A potential solution to this problem is to reduce crop K fertiliser dependency by replacing it with sodium(Na)fertiliser which carries a much smaller price tag.In this paper we discuss the physiological roles of K and Na and the implications of Na fertilisation for crop cultivation and soil management.By using greenhouse growth assays we show distinct growth promotion after Na fertilisation in wheat,tomato,oilseed and sorghum.Our results also show that up to 60%of tissue K can be substituted by Na without growth penalty.Based on these data,simple economic models suggest that(part)replacement of K fertiliser with Na fertiliser leads to considerable savings.展开更多
In the recent past,much nanotechnology research has been done in an effort to increase agricultural productivity.The Green Revolution led to the careless use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers,which reduced soil ...In the recent past,much nanotechnology research has been done in an effort to increase agricultural productivity.The Green Revolution led to the careless use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers,which reduced soil biodiversity and led to the development of disease and insect resistance.This article highlights the worldwide development and status of precision agriculture.Precision agriculture utilizes technologies and principles to manage spatial and temporal variability in agricultural production to improve crop performance and environmental quality.In precision agriculture(PA),information technology(IT)is used to make sure that crops and soil receive exactly what they require for optimal productivity and health.Precision farming includes the use of hardware i.e.,a global positioning system(GPS)and geographic information system(GIS),different software of GIS,and traditional knowledge of agriculture management practices.The benefits of precision agriculture can be seen in both the economic and environmental aspects of agricultural production.Only nanoparticles or nanochips can transport materials to plants in a nanoparticle-mediated manner and create sophisticated biosensors for precision farming.Conventional fertilizers,insecticides,and herbicides can be nano encapsulated to provide exact doses to plants through a gradual,continuous release of nutrients and agrochemicals.The main topics included in this article are the variability of natural resources,variability management;administrative districts;the impact of precision farming technologies on farm profitability and the environment;innovations in sensors,controls,and remote sensing,information management;trends in global application and acceptance of precision farming technologies;potential and possibilities of technology along with challenges in agricultural modernization.Modern equipment and procedures based on nanotechnology have the ability to solve many of the issues in conventional agriculture and might transform this industry.There are many challenges in the implementation of smart agriculture equipment and approaches in thefield as this technique uses both hardware and software.The cost of labour for managing IoT devices and the cost-of-service registration are included in the system operational cost.Additionally,there are operating costs related to the use of energy,maintenance,and communication between IoT devices,gateways,and cloud servers.In this review,nanotechnology is explored as a potential tool in precision agriculture,as well as the advantages of nanoparticles in agriculture,such as the use of fertilizers.By using precision agriculture,the food production chain can be monitored and quality and quantity can be managed effectively.展开更多
In order to reduce the waste of resources and environmental pollution caused by excessive application of chemical fertilizers, improve the utilization rate of fertilizers, and promote the large-scale and high-quality ...In order to reduce the waste of resources and environmental pollution caused by excessive application of chemical fertilizers, improve the utilization rate of fertilizers, and promote the large-scale and high-quality development of the Chinese rose industry. In this experiment, corn stover biochar, phosphoric acid modified biochar and organic fertilizer were used as test materials, and the effects of mixed application of modified biochar and organic fertilizer on the growth and development of Chinese rose as well as soil physicochemical properties were investigated by using the method of pot planting test. The results showed that modified biochar with organic fertilizer had the most significant effect on the enhancement of soil pH, organic matter content and soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. After 120 d of planting, modified biochar with organic fertilizer had the most significant effect on the enhancement of plant height and crown width of Chinese rose;both organic fertilizer and modified biochar with organic fertilizer significantly increased the chlorophyll content of Chinese rose. The number of flowers and the number of branches were the highest in the modified biochar with organic fertilizer treatment. In conclusion, the application of modified biochar with organic fertilizer can better improve the soil pH, and increase the soil organic matter content and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to change the biological traits of Chinese rose. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the resource utilization of agricultural wastes and guarantee the sustainable development of the cut flower industry.展开更多
During mammalian fertilisation, the zona pellucida （ZP） matrix surrounding the oocyte is responsible for the binding of the spermatozoa to the oocyte and induction of the acrosome reaction （AR） in the ZP-bound spe...During mammalian fertilisation, the zona pellucida （ZP） matrix surrounding the oocyte is responsible for the binding of the spermatozoa to the oocyte and induction of the acrosome reaction （AR） in the ZP-bound spermatozoon. The AR is crucial for the penetration of the ZP matrix by spermatozoa. The ZP matrix in mice is composed of three glycoproteins designated ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3, whereas in humans, it is composed of four （ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4）. ZP3 acts as the putative primary sperm receptor and is responsible for AR induction in mice, whereas in humans （in addition to ZP3）, ZP1 and ZP4 also induce the AR. The ability of ZP3 to induce the AR resides in its C-terminal fragment. O-linked glycans are critical for the murine ZP3-mediated AR. However, N-linked glycans of human ZP1, ZP3 and ZP4 have important roles in the induction of the AR. Studies with pharmacological inhibitors showed that the ZP3-induced AR involves the activation of the Gi-coupled receptor pathway, whereas ZP1- and ZP4-mediated ARs are independent of this pathway. The ZP3-induced AR involves the activation of T-type voltage-operated calcium channels （VOCCs）, whereas ZP1- and ZP4-induced ARs involve both T- and L-type VOCCs. To conclude, in mice, ZP3 is primarily responsible for the binding of capacitated spermatozoa to the ZP matrix and induction of the AR, whereas in humans （in addition to ZP3）, ZP1 and ZP4 also participate in these stages of fertilisation.展开更多
Background:Sperm quality evaluation is the logical first step in increasing field fertility.Spermatozoa contain cytoplasmic organelles and biomolecules known as sperm-intrinsic factors,which play key roles in sperm ma...Background:Sperm quality evaluation is the logical first step in increasing field fertility.Spermatozoa contain cytoplasmic organelles and biomolecules known as sperm-intrinsic factors,which play key roles in sperm maturation,sperm-oocyte fusion,and embryo development.In particular,sperm membrane proteins[e.g.,arginine vasopressin receptor 2,beta-actin,prohibitin,and heat shock protein family D member 1(HSPD1)]and RNA could be used as functional indicators of male fertility.We sought to clarify the effects of differential mRNA expression of selected genes on several fertilisation parameters,including sperm motility,motion kinematics,capacitation,and litter size,in a porcine model.Results:Our results demonstrated that HSPD1 expression was significantly correlated with male fertility,as measured by the litter size of inseminated sows.The expression of HSPD1 mRNA was linked to sperm motility and other motion kinematic characteristics.Furthermore,HSPD1 had a 66.7%overall accuracy in detecting male fertility,and the high-litter size group which was selected with the HSPD1 marker had a 1.34 greater litter size than the lowlitter size group.Conclusions:Our findings indicate that HSPD1 might be a helpful biomarker for superior boar selection for artificial insemination,which could boost field fertility.展开更多
Aim: To evaluate the effects of acute and chronic doses of methoxy acetic acid (MAA) on in vitro fertilisation byhamster sperm and to correlate the data with the testicular damage. Methods: Adult male hamsters were ga...Aim: To evaluate the effects of acute and chronic doses of methoxy acetic acid (MAA) on in vitro fertilisation byhamster sperm and to correlate the data with the testicular damage. Methods: Adult male hamsters were gavagedwith 3 single doses (0, 80, 160 and 650 mg/kg) and 3 chronic doses (0, 8, 32 and 64 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks) ofMAA in distilled water. After treatment hamsters were killed at weekly intervals and spermatozoa recovered from thedistal cauda epididymides were used to assess the fertilising capacity in vitro. The testes were processed for histologicalexamination. Results; Acute doses showed a significant reduction in sperm fertilising ability from week 3 and 4 af-ter treatment and with the chronic doses, the effects were more extensive and persistent. The results were in correpon-dence with the testicular damages observed. Conclusion: It is evident that both acute and chronic doses of MAAcan impair the sperm function by damaging one or more cell populations in the testis.(Asian J Androl 2001 Sep; 3: 209- 216)展开更多
Reproduction technologies(RTs)can provide for the reliable reproduction of amphibians,as well as perpetuation of species genetic variation with the use of biobanks.In 1982,in anticipation of the biodiversity conservat...Reproduction technologies(RTs)can provide for the reliable reproduction of amphibians,as well as perpetuation of species genetic variation with the use of biobanks.In 1982,in anticipation of the biodiversity conservation crisis,major Russian institutions collaborated in a dynamic program to develop and implement RTs for the sustainable management of amphibian biodiversity.An initial primary focus was the captive breeding of threatened Russian endemic anuran and caudate species,using RTs that varied from environmental manipulation to the use of exogenous gonadotropic hormones to stimulate reproduction.These species were mostly from Palearctic or cool mountain regions,but also included a wide range of species from warm regions.Other early achievements included the successful cryopreservation of anuran spermatozoa and anuran diploid pluripotent cell nuclei,in order to store both the matrilineal and patrilineal genomes in biobanks,with their subsequent development to the blastula stage after implantation into enucleated oocytes.After the turn of the 21st Century,in support of the priorities of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan(2007),we developed RTs for the refrigerated storage of testicular or urinary spermatozoa for days to weeks at 4℃,the cryopreservation of urinary spermatozoa using anovel cryoprotectant,the in vitro fertilisation of hormonally induced oocytes either fresh or after refrigerated ex situ or in situ storage,and the artificial insemination of salamanders with fresh spermatozoa.In this article,we describe previously unpublished techniques and techniques from obscure Russian sources.展开更多
Many songbirds produce song-flights;however,the function,vocal and motor characteristics,as well as the diel and seasonal variation of song-flight in songbirds remain not well understood.Here,we studied two types of s...Many songbirds produce song-flights;however,the function,vocal and motor characteristics,as well as the diel and seasonal variation of song-flight in songbirds remain not well understood.Here,we studied two types of song-flight in male Black-headed Buntings(Emberiza melanocephala),the Moth—a standard,i.e.,perch song produced during a horizontal flight,and the Towering—a specifically structured song produced during a complex ascending and descending flight.While perch song,used during Moth flight,has already been described,here we provide the first description and sonogram representation of the more elaborate and less stereotyped Towering song.While males started to perform Moth song-flights as soon as they arrived at the breeding site,Towering did not start before the female arrival.Males usually delivered spontaneous Moth song-flights before chasing rivals or undertaking aerial fights,suggesting Moth is directed towards conspecific males and serves as a threat display.Furthermore,playback of conspecific perch songs triggered males to approach the loudspeaker with Moth song-flights.The Towering started after females arrived at the breeding site,suggesting the Towering is directed towards conspecific females.We detected a seasonal difference in the peak Towering rate between forenoon and afternoon,suggesting that Towerings performed at different times of the day have different functions.Forenoon Towerings were strongly positively related to the number of fertile females at the breeding site,while afternoon Towerings peaked very early in the breeding season and coincided with the number of females at the breeding site before the onset of nest-building.These results provide evidence that birds can direct different types of song-flight towards different receivers and suggest the possibility that time of the day determines the context of the display,namely to attract social mates or solicit copulation.Further work is needed to account for the effect of between male variability in song-flight rate,as well as in height/steepness of flight or song quality.展开更多
The dynamics of biomass accumulation during the growing period, the yield of leafy stalks and tubers, and the nutrient concentration and nutrient uptake of the yield were investigated for two Jerusalem artichoke varie...The dynamics of biomass accumulation during the growing period, the yield of leafy stalks and tubers, and the nutrient concentration and nutrient uptake of the yield were investigated for two Jerusalem artichoke varieties (Tápiói Korai and Tápiói Sima) in a field experiment involving mineral fertilisation. Considerable differences were observed between the dynamics of leafy stalk and tuber development in Tápiói Korai which has a short vegetation period and Tápiói Sima where the vegetation period is long. The maximum dry matter ratio between the tuber yield and the leafy stalk yield was 1:1 for Tápiói Korai and 1:4.5 for Tápiói Sima. During the period when the maximum aboveground biomass developed in Tápiói Korai, 100 kg.ha-1 N and P fertiliser resulted in the highest leafy stalk yield (38.34 t.ha-1), while for Tápiói Sima, which developed a much greater leafy stalk mass, the highest aboveground biomass yield (78-80 t.ha-1) was given in response to 200 kg.ha-1 N supplemented by P and K fertiliser. Both artichoke varieties produced the great-est tuber yield at a N rate of 200 kg.ha-1, supplemented with P and K fertiliser. The nutrient concentration in the leafy stalks was highest on the 85th day of the vegetation period, prior to intensive dry matter accumulation in the leafy stalks and before tuber formation began. In both varieties the maximum nutrient uptake was recorded on the 155th day. Great differences were observed between the varieties in terms of specific nutrient uptake. For a tuber yield of 10 t, together with the corresponding leafy stalk yield, the specific nutrient uptake of the Tápiói Korai variety amounted to 48 kg N, 10 kg P, 83 kg K, 30 kg Ca and 10 kg Mg, while for Tápiói Sima these figures were 162 kg N, 30 kg P, 300 kg K, 84 kg Ca and 45 kg Mg.展开更多
Lazzaro Spallanzani(1729-1799)was a father of modern biology,with peculiar traits such as a multidisciplinary approach and penchant for scientific dissemination.Spallanzani consistently contributed to modern reproduct...Lazzaro Spallanzani(1729-1799)was a father of modern biology,with peculiar traits such as a multidisciplinary approach and penchant for scientific dissemination.Spallanzani consistently contributed to modern reproductive medicine by implementing experimental methods for the first historically successful artificial insemination.Nevertheless,he participated in discoveries pertaining to blood circulation,digestion,and respiration.Widely known in Europe in the eighteenth century,his fame prolonged to the following century,not exclusively through scientific acknowledgments,but even in literature.Nowadays,the figure of Spallanzani experience a kind of neglect and it would appear essential to maintain his work in the light of the history of medicine.展开更多
A high crop yield with the minimum possible cost to the environment is generally desirable.However,the complicated relationships among crop production,nitrogen(N) use efficiency and environmental impacts must be clear...A high crop yield with the minimum possible cost to the environment is generally desirable.However,the complicated relationships among crop production,nitrogen(N) use efficiency and environmental impacts must be clearly assessed.We conducted a series of on-farm N application rate experiments to establish the linkage between crop yield and N_2 O emissions in the Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China.We also examined crop yield,partial factor productivity of applied N(PFPN) and reactive N(Nr) losses through a survey of 1 529 and 1 497 smallholder farms that grow wheat and maize,respectively,in the region.The optimum N rates were 175 and 214 kg ha^(-1) for winter wheat and summer maize,respectively,thereby achieving the yields of 6 799 and 7 518 kg ha^(-1),correspondingly,with low N_2 O emissions based on on-farm N rate experiments.Among the smallholder farms,the average N application rates were 215 and 294 kg ha^(-1) season^(-1),thus producing 6 490 and 6 220 kg ha^(-1) of wheat and maize,respectively.The corresponding PFPN values for the two crops were 36.8 and 21.2 kg N kg^(-1),and the total N_2 O emissions were 1.50 and 3.88 kg ha^(-1),respectively.High N balance,large Nr losses and elevated N_2 O emissions could be explained by the overdoses of N application and low grain yields under the current farming practice.The crop yields,N application rates,PFPN and total N_2 O for wheat and maize were 18 and 24% higher,42 and 37% less,75 and 116% higher,and 42 and 47% less,correspondingly,in the high-yield and high-PFPN group than in the average smallholder farms.In conclusion,closing the PFPN gap between the current average and the value for the high-yield and high-PFPN group would increase crop production and reduce Nr losses or the total N_2 O emissions for the investigated cropping system in Northwest China.展开更多
文摘Dear Editor,I am Dr.Tian Tian,from the Department of Ophthalmology,Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,Shanghai,China.I write to present a rare case report of a delayed diagnosis of unsuspected retinoblastoma（RB）in an in vitro fertilisation（IVF）infant with retinopathy of prematurity.
基金the financial support of the Regione Piemonte(Italy)。
文摘Phosphorus(P)is an essential nutrient for maize production,but in temperate areas the P uptake during early growing stages can be limited due to low soil temperature,even though the soil was tested high in P.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen and phosphorous(NP)starter fertilisation during early growth stages and its carryover until maize harvest,in mineral-fertilised or manured systems.A field experiment was carried out in north-west Italy during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons.The trial compared sub-surface placement of NP(diammonium phosphate)or N alone(ammonium nitrate)in bands close to the maize seed furrows,in differing long-term(LT)fertilisation managements:two doses of urea(Min-L and Min-H),two doses of bovine slurry(Slu-L and Slu-H)or two doses of farmyard manure(Fym-L and Fym-H).The two rates,low(L)and high(H),corresponded to 170 and250 kg N ha^(-1)year^(-1) respectively.Compared to N fertilisation,NP starter fertilisation improved early maize growth assessed by leaf area index(LAI)and shoot dry weight(SDW)in all systems.The effects differed between the two years(2019:LAI+63%,SDW+67%;2020:LAI+36%,SDW+38%),as 2019was cool during the first growth.Higher LAI and SDW values were confirmed at crop flowering in the mineral-fertilised systems only.As shoot growth was enhanced by NP starter fertilisation,anthesis occurred 1 day earlier in all systems.However,a response to NP starter fertilisation at harvest was recorded in mineral-fertilised systems only(+1.3 and+3.2 t ha^(-1) in Min-L and Min-H,respectively).The uptake of P,used as a true indicator of soil nutrient availability,increased with increasing soil Olsen P until 39 mg kg^(-1).These results suggest that soil test thresholds should be revised for points above which P fertilisation should be suspended.
文摘Infertility is considered to be a growing problem worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, at least 20%-50% of couples of reproductive age experience a fertility problem and 30% are diagnosed with infertility. This study explores the experiences of women in South Africa who are involuntary childless and explores their psychological and emotional experiences of In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET). Utilising a qualitative methodology, a diverse group of 21 married women diagnosed with infertility and who had undergone at least two cycles of IVF-ET were recruited. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the study indicated that the women perceived themselves as not conforming to a dominant belief system and as a result felt compelled to explore all the medical options available. They reported emotional turmoil characterised by primary binary emotions of anxiety-excitement and nervousness-optimistic. These emotions were experienced throughout the five stages of the IVF-ET treatment cycles. A synopsis of the psychological and emotional responses to the IVF-ET treatment is discussed. The findings of this study suggest the need for the incorporation of a mandatory psychosocial intervention as part of infertility management. Greater attention to the psychological and emotional repercussions of infertility treatment could lead to a more personalised client-approach which, in turn, would prepare infertile women and couples for the emotional demands of the treatment.
基金M. S. A. Khan thanks the Australian Government for providing postgraduate degree scholarship under its Australia Awards ProgramThe Sir Eric Smart Family contributed funds for this research through the Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western AustraliaThe salaries of S. N. Jenkins and I. S. Waite were partially supported by RnD4Profit-14-1-022-Waste to Revenue: Novel Fertilisers and Feeds, Australian Pork Limited, and Australian Government (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources) as part of the Rural Research and Development (R&D) for Profit Program。
文摘Excess nitrogen(N) fertiliser use in agriculture is associated with water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.While practices and programs to reduce N fertiliser application continue to be developed,inefficient fertiliser use persists.Practices that reduce mineral N fertiliser application are needed in a sustainable agricultural ecosystem to control leaching and gaseous losses for environmental management.This study evaluated whether fully or partially replacing mineral N fertiliser with zoo compost(Perth Zoo) could be a good mitigation strategy to reduce mineral N fertiliser application without affecting wheat yield and nutrition.To achieve this,a glasshouse experiment was conducted to assess the complementary effect of zoo compost and mineral N fertiliser on wheat yield and nutrition in a sandy soil of southwestern Australia.Additionally,a chlorophyll meter was used to determine whether there was a correlation between chlorophyll content and soil mineral N content,grain N uptake,and grain protein content at the tillering(42 d after sowing(DAS)) and heading(63 DAS) growth stages.The standard practice for N application for this soil type in this area,100 kg ha^(-1),was used with a soil bulk density of 1.3 g cm^(-3) to calculate the amount of mineral N(urea,46% N) and Perth Zoo compost(ZC)(0.69% N) for each treatment.Treatments comprised a control(no nutrients added,T1),mineral N only(100 kg N ha^(-1),T2),ZC only(100 kg N ha^(-1),T7),and combinations of mineral N and ZC at different rates(mineral N at 100 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 25 kg N ha^(-1)(T3),mineral N at 75 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 25 kg N ha^(-1)(T4),mineral N at 75 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 50 kg N ha^(-1)(T5),and mineral N at 50 kg N ha^(-1)+ ZC at 50 kg N ha^(-1)(T6)).The T6 treatment significantly increased grain yield(by 26%) relative to the T2 treatment.However,the T7 treatment did not affect grain yield when compared to the T2 treatment.All treatments with mineral N and ZC in combination significantly improved the 1 000-grain weight compared to the T2 treatment.Chlorophyll content was better correlated with soil mineral N content(r = 0.61),grain N uptake(r = 0.62),and grain protein content(r = 0.80) at heading(63 DAS) than at tillering(42 DAS).While ZC alone could not serve as an alternative to mineral N fertiliser,its complementary use could reduce the mineral N fertiliser requirement by up to 50% for wheat without compromising grain yield,which needs to be verified in the field.Chlorophyll content could be used to predict soil mineral N at the heading stage,and further studies are warranted to verify its accuracy in the field.Overall,the application of ZC as part of integrated nutrient management improved crop yield with reduced N fertiliser application.
文摘In May 2024,the UK revised fertlit law to permit HIV-positive individuals with an undetectable viral load to donate gametes,sparking global controversy.This bold legislative move aims to challenge existing stigmas and enhance reproductive rights.However,it also raises critical questions regarding long-term psychosocial health impacts on offspring and the necessity of comprehensive informed consent.The amendmenthighlights the need for clear legal frameworks addressing liability and compensation mechanisms,ensuring protection for all parties involved while promoting reproductive justice.Furthermore,the potential for'reproductive tourism'due to jurisdictional disparities necessitates cross-border mutual understandings and guidelines.Ensuring confidentiality and privacy in the context of HIV status disclosure poses additional challenges,requiring strict safeguards against breaches.Consequently,despite this reform being a commendable step towards destigmatising HIN,robust measures are essential for managing associated risks,safeguarding reproductive autonomy and fostering public trust.
基金Supported by Innovation Fund of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(No.CI2021A03503)"The Belt and Road"TCM Cooperation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(No.GH201901)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(No.ZZ13-024-9)。
文摘Objectives:To identify,examine and summarize the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for in vitro fertilisation(IVF)outcomes.Methods:Eight electronic databases,including Pub Med,EMBASE,Cochrane Database of Systematic Review,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Database,Chinese Biomedical Database and VIP Database,were searched,supplemented by manual searches.Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening,data extraction,and methodological quality assessments.A narrative description was provided to show the general information and specific characteristics of the included studies.A bubble plot was used to visually display the overall effects of acupuncture on IVF outcomes.Results:Eighty-two studies were identified,including 64 primary studies and 18 systematic reviews.Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,electric acupuncture and manual acupuncture were applied in most studies and compared with no acupuncture,sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture control groups.Sixty-three(98.4%)primary studies reported clinical pregnancy rate,and positive effects of acupuncture were found in 34 studies(54.0%).Live birth rate was reported in only 18(28.1%)primary studies,of which 10(55.6%)showed positive results.In addition,only 8 and 2 systematic reviews showed that acupuncture could increase clinical pregnancy events and live birth events,respectively.However,none of these reviews was of high methodological quality.Conclusions:Available evidence suggests that acupuncture therapy could improve clinical pregnancy rates.However,whether acupuncture could increase live birth events was difficult to determine based on the few studies that have reported this outcome indicator.Furthermore,the methodological quality of most systematic reviews was assessed as critically low or low.Studies with a rigorous design and standardized implementation should be performed to refine the available evidence.
基金funded by the Australian Government,Department of Agriculture,Fisheries and Forestry,and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation through the More Profit from Nitrogen project.
文摘Achieving a sustainable cropping system requires the efficient use of resources,particularly nitrogen(N).Nitrogen fertiliser is applied in most irrigated cotton fields to maximise yield potential,but plant fertiliser recovery can be low.Identifying the crucial pathways of fertiliser remobilisation internally within cotton plants will lead to greater awareness of the plants’ability to match the N demands of the developing fruiting matter.This study investigated the fate of N fertiliser when applied to cotton at various dates,with the goal to improve N fertiliser recovery in a modern transgenic cotton cultivar.15N-labelled urea(10 atom%)was applied at multiple times and harvested at four key cotton growth stages(first square,early bolls,cut-out and maturity).Remobilised N was determined as the difference in the proportion of N fertiliser in individual plant components against the fertiliser utilised by the whole plant.The application of fertiliser N at first square resulted in 23%greater fertiliser N recovery at plant maturity compared to fertiliser N applied 100%pre-plant(P<0.001).The improvement was in-part due to higher N derived from the fertiliser(Ndff%)in the cotton seed(3%).Conversely,the Ndff%was higher in the stem(4%)and petioles(1%)when the fertiliser was applied pre-plant.In total,73%of plant N was remobilised to another plant organ,predominantly the seed(67%).Applying N fertiliser post-planting improved N recovery and lint yield compared to applying all fertiliser pre-plant.
文摘How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hundreds:bio-genic fertiliser.Visitors,including farmers,researchers and government o"cials,were intrigued by its promise.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(22NSFSC0191,22NSFSC3990)。
文摘The combined application of mineral fertilizer and biochar significantly improves the passivation of heavy metal-contaminated soil,surpassing the effects of individual application.This study has reinforced the validation of their passivation competence as soil remediation agents by examining the multifaceted role of potassium-silicon-calcium mineral fertilizer combined with rice husk-based biochar generated at different pyrolysis temperatures.The soil leaching column experiment,conducted based on the adsorption experiments,has facilitated our scrutiny of the passivation impacts of cadmium(Cd)and lead(Pb)when introducing different proportions of mineral fertilizers and biochar into the soil.These results indicate that biochar’s adsorption efficiency for Cd and Pb is significantly improved at escalated pyrolytic temperature conditions in a single solution.The biochar generated at 700℃(C700)renders adsorption effectiveness of approximately 84.24%for Cd and 99.74%for Pb.Biochar conspicuously registers superior adsorption efficiency towards Pb relative to Cd.The mineral fertilizer,which achieves an adsorption efficiency of 97.76%for Cd,is identified as the main adsorbent for Cd,although its competence is slightly lower compared to C700 for Pb adsorption.Within a complex solution,biochar and mineral fertilizer show reduced Cd and Pb adsorption levels compared to single solutions.There is a keen competition for adsorption surfaces witnessed between Cd and Pb,with Pb’s distribution coefficient(Kd)notably outpacing that of Cd.The isothermal adsorption analyses depict that the mineral fertilizer follows the Langmuir model for Cd adsorption,while C700 conveys the Freundlich model for Pb adsorption.The soil leaching column experiment’s results signify that the composite passivation agents significantly outperform the individual passivation agents in efficiency.The combined application of biochar and mineral fertilizer minimizes the cumulative leaching of Cd and Pb,with the optimal soil remedy proportion for heavy metal contamination being 7∶3.In practical application,mindful consideration should be accorded to the deployment ratios of different passivation agents.
文摘Potassium(K)is the most abundant cation in the vast majority of plants.It is required in large quantities which,in an agronomic context,typically necessitates application of K in the form of potash or other K fertilisers.Recently,the price of K fertiliser has risen dramatically,a situation that is paralleled by increasing K deficiency of soils around the globe.A potential solution to this problem is to reduce crop K fertiliser dependency by replacing it with sodium(Na)fertiliser which carries a much smaller price tag.In this paper we discuss the physiological roles of K and Na and the implications of Na fertilisation for crop cultivation and soil management.By using greenhouse growth assays we show distinct growth promotion after Na fertilisation in wheat,tomato,oilseed and sorghum.Our results also show that up to 60%of tissue K can be substituted by Na without growth penalty.Based on these data,simple economic models suggest that(part)replacement of K fertiliser with Na fertiliser leads to considerable savings.
文摘In the recent past,much nanotechnology research has been done in an effort to increase agricultural productivity.The Green Revolution led to the careless use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers,which reduced soil biodiversity and led to the development of disease and insect resistance.This article highlights the worldwide development and status of precision agriculture.Precision agriculture utilizes technologies and principles to manage spatial and temporal variability in agricultural production to improve crop performance and environmental quality.In precision agriculture(PA),information technology(IT)is used to make sure that crops and soil receive exactly what they require for optimal productivity and health.Precision farming includes the use of hardware i.e.,a global positioning system(GPS)and geographic information system(GIS),different software of GIS,and traditional knowledge of agriculture management practices.The benefits of precision agriculture can be seen in both the economic and environmental aspects of agricultural production.Only nanoparticles or nanochips can transport materials to plants in a nanoparticle-mediated manner and create sophisticated biosensors for precision farming.Conventional fertilizers,insecticides,and herbicides can be nano encapsulated to provide exact doses to plants through a gradual,continuous release of nutrients and agrochemicals.The main topics included in this article are the variability of natural resources,variability management;administrative districts;the impact of precision farming technologies on farm profitability and the environment;innovations in sensors,controls,and remote sensing,information management;trends in global application and acceptance of precision farming technologies;potential and possibilities of technology along with challenges in agricultural modernization.Modern equipment and procedures based on nanotechnology have the ability to solve many of the issues in conventional agriculture and might transform this industry.There are many challenges in the implementation of smart agriculture equipment and approaches in thefield as this technique uses both hardware and software.The cost of labour for managing IoT devices and the cost-of-service registration are included in the system operational cost.Additionally,there are operating costs related to the use of energy,maintenance,and communication between IoT devices,gateways,and cloud servers.In this review,nanotechnology is explored as a potential tool in precision agriculture,as well as the advantages of nanoparticles in agriculture,such as the use of fertilizers.By using precision agriculture,the food production chain can be monitored and quality and quantity can be managed effectively.
文摘In order to reduce the waste of resources and environmental pollution caused by excessive application of chemical fertilizers, improve the utilization rate of fertilizers, and promote the large-scale and high-quality development of the Chinese rose industry. In this experiment, corn stover biochar, phosphoric acid modified biochar and organic fertilizer were used as test materials, and the effects of mixed application of modified biochar and organic fertilizer on the growth and development of Chinese rose as well as soil physicochemical properties were investigated by using the method of pot planting test. The results showed that modified biochar with organic fertilizer had the most significant effect on the enhancement of soil pH, organic matter content and soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. After 120 d of planting, modified biochar with organic fertilizer had the most significant effect on the enhancement of plant height and crown width of Chinese rose;both organic fertilizer and modified biochar with organic fertilizer significantly increased the chlorophyll content of Chinese rose. The number of flowers and the number of branches were the highest in the modified biochar with organic fertilizer treatment. In conclusion, the application of modified biochar with organic fertilizer can better improve the soil pH, and increase the soil organic matter content and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to change the biological traits of Chinese rose. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the reduction of chemical fertilizers and the resource utilization of agricultural wastes and guarantee the sustainable development of the cut flower industry.
文摘During mammalian fertilisation, the zona pellucida （ZP） matrix surrounding the oocyte is responsible for the binding of the spermatozoa to the oocyte and induction of the acrosome reaction （AR） in the ZP-bound spermatozoon. The AR is crucial for the penetration of the ZP matrix by spermatozoa. The ZP matrix in mice is composed of three glycoproteins designated ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3, whereas in humans, it is composed of four （ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4）. ZP3 acts as the putative primary sperm receptor and is responsible for AR induction in mice, whereas in humans （in addition to ZP3）, ZP1 and ZP4 also induce the AR. The ability of ZP3 to induce the AR resides in its C-terminal fragment. O-linked glycans are critical for the murine ZP3-mediated AR. However, N-linked glycans of human ZP1, ZP3 and ZP4 have important roles in the induction of the AR. Studies with pharmacological inhibitors showed that the ZP3-induced AR involves the activation of the Gi-coupled receptor pathway, whereas ZP1- and ZP4-mediated ARs are independent of this pathway. The ZP3-induced AR involves the activation of T-type voltage-operated calcium channels （VOCCs）, whereas ZP1- and ZP4-induced ARs involve both T- and L-type VOCCs. To conclude, in mice, ZP3 is primarily responsible for the binding of capacitated spermatozoa to the ZP matrix and induction of the AR, whereas in humans （in addition to ZP3）, ZP1 and ZP4 also participate in these stages of fertilisation.
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF),funded by the Ministry of Education(NRF-2018R1A6A1A03025159).
文摘Background:Sperm quality evaluation is the logical first step in increasing field fertility.Spermatozoa contain cytoplasmic organelles and biomolecules known as sperm-intrinsic factors,which play key roles in sperm maturation,sperm-oocyte fusion,and embryo development.In particular,sperm membrane proteins[e.g.,arginine vasopressin receptor 2,beta-actin,prohibitin,and heat shock protein family D member 1(HSPD1)]and RNA could be used as functional indicators of male fertility.We sought to clarify the effects of differential mRNA expression of selected genes on several fertilisation parameters,including sperm motility,motion kinematics,capacitation,and litter size,in a porcine model.Results:Our results demonstrated that HSPD1 expression was significantly correlated with male fertility,as measured by the litter size of inseminated sows.The expression of HSPD1 mRNA was linked to sperm motility and other motion kinematic characteristics.Furthermore,HSPD1 had a 66.7%overall accuracy in detecting male fertility,and the high-litter size group which was selected with the HSPD1 marker had a 1.34 greater litter size than the lowlitter size group.Conclusions:Our findings indicate that HSPD1 might be a helpful biomarker for superior boar selection for artificial insemination,which could boost field fertility.
文摘Aim: To evaluate the effects of acute and chronic doses of methoxy acetic acid (MAA) on in vitro fertilisation byhamster sperm and to correlate the data with the testicular damage. Methods: Adult male hamsters were gavagedwith 3 single doses (0, 80, 160 and 650 mg/kg) and 3 chronic doses (0, 8, 32 and 64 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks) ofMAA in distilled water. After treatment hamsters were killed at weekly intervals and spermatozoa recovered from thedistal cauda epididymides were used to assess the fertilising capacity in vitro. The testes were processed for histologicalexamination. Results; Acute doses showed a significant reduction in sperm fertilising ability from week 3 and 4 af-ter treatment and with the chronic doses, the effects were more extensive and persistent. The results were in correpon-dence with the testicular damages observed. Conclusion: It is evident that both acute and chronic doses of MAAcan impair the sperm function by damaging one or more cell populations in the testis.(Asian J Androl 2001 Sep; 3: 209- 216)
基金performed within the framework of State projects 122041100276-0 and 075-01027-2200。
文摘Reproduction technologies(RTs)can provide for the reliable reproduction of amphibians,as well as perpetuation of species genetic variation with the use of biobanks.In 1982,in anticipation of the biodiversity conservation crisis,major Russian institutions collaborated in a dynamic program to develop and implement RTs for the sustainable management of amphibian biodiversity.An initial primary focus was the captive breeding of threatened Russian endemic anuran and caudate species,using RTs that varied from environmental manipulation to the use of exogenous gonadotropic hormones to stimulate reproduction.These species were mostly from Palearctic or cool mountain regions,but also included a wide range of species from warm regions.Other early achievements included the successful cryopreservation of anuran spermatozoa and anuran diploid pluripotent cell nuclei,in order to store both the matrilineal and patrilineal genomes in biobanks,with their subsequent development to the blastula stage after implantation into enucleated oocytes.After the turn of the 21st Century,in support of the priorities of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan(2007),we developed RTs for the refrigerated storage of testicular or urinary spermatozoa for days to weeks at 4℃,the cryopreservation of urinary spermatozoa using anovel cryoprotectant,the in vitro fertilisation of hormonally induced oocytes either fresh or after refrigerated ex situ or in situ storage,and the artificial insemination of salamanders with fresh spermatozoa.In this article,we describe previously unpublished techniques and techniques from obscure Russian sources.
文摘Many songbirds produce song-flights;however,the function,vocal and motor characteristics,as well as the diel and seasonal variation of song-flight in songbirds remain not well understood.Here,we studied two types of song-flight in male Black-headed Buntings(Emberiza melanocephala),the Moth—a standard,i.e.,perch song produced during a horizontal flight,and the Towering—a specifically structured song produced during a complex ascending and descending flight.While perch song,used during Moth flight,has already been described,here we provide the first description and sonogram representation of the more elaborate and less stereotyped Towering song.While males started to perform Moth song-flights as soon as they arrived at the breeding site,Towering did not start before the female arrival.Males usually delivered spontaneous Moth song-flights before chasing rivals or undertaking aerial fights,suggesting Moth is directed towards conspecific males and serves as a threat display.Furthermore,playback of conspecific perch songs triggered males to approach the loudspeaker with Moth song-flights.The Towering started after females arrived at the breeding site,suggesting the Towering is directed towards conspecific females.We detected a seasonal difference in the peak Towering rate between forenoon and afternoon,suggesting that Towerings performed at different times of the day have different functions.Forenoon Towerings were strongly positively related to the number of fertile females at the breeding site,while afternoon Towerings peaked very early in the breeding season and coincided with the number of females at the breeding site before the onset of nest-building.These results provide evidence that birds can direct different types of song-flight towards different receivers and suggest the possibility that time of the day determines the context of the display,namely to attract social mates or solicit copulation.Further work is needed to account for the effect of between male variability in song-flight rate,as well as in height/steepness of flight or song quality.
文摘The dynamics of biomass accumulation during the growing period, the yield of leafy stalks and tubers, and the nutrient concentration and nutrient uptake of the yield were investigated for two Jerusalem artichoke varieties (Tápiói Korai and Tápiói Sima) in a field experiment involving mineral fertilisation. Considerable differences were observed between the dynamics of leafy stalk and tuber development in Tápiói Korai which has a short vegetation period and Tápiói Sima where the vegetation period is long. The maximum dry matter ratio between the tuber yield and the leafy stalk yield was 1:1 for Tápiói Korai and 1:4.5 for Tápiói Sima. During the period when the maximum aboveground biomass developed in Tápiói Korai, 100 kg.ha-1 N and P fertiliser resulted in the highest leafy stalk yield (38.34 t.ha-1), while for Tápiói Sima, which developed a much greater leafy stalk mass, the highest aboveground biomass yield (78-80 t.ha-1) was given in response to 200 kg.ha-1 N supplemented by P and K fertiliser. Both artichoke varieties produced the great-est tuber yield at a N rate of 200 kg.ha-1, supplemented with P and K fertiliser. The nutrient concentration in the leafy stalks was highest on the 85th day of the vegetation period, prior to intensive dry matter accumulation in the leafy stalks and before tuber formation began. In both varieties the maximum nutrient uptake was recorded on the 155th day. Great differences were observed between the varieties in terms of specific nutrient uptake. For a tuber yield of 10 t, together with the corresponding leafy stalk yield, the specific nutrient uptake of the Tápiói Korai variety amounted to 48 kg N, 10 kg P, 83 kg K, 30 kg Ca and 10 kg Mg, while for Tápiói Sima these figures were 162 kg N, 30 kg P, 300 kg K, 84 kg Ca and 45 kg Mg.
文摘Lazzaro Spallanzani(1729-1799)was a father of modern biology,with peculiar traits such as a multidisciplinary approach and penchant for scientific dissemination.Spallanzani consistently contributed to modern reproductive medicine by implementing experimental methods for the first historically successful artificial insemination.Nevertheless,he participated in discoveries pertaining to blood circulation,digestion,and respiration.Widely known in Europe in the eighteenth century,his fame prolonged to the following century,not exclusively through scientific acknowledgments,but even in literature.Nowadays,the figure of Spallanzani experience a kind of neglect and it would appear essential to maintain his work in the light of the history of medicine.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0800105)
文摘A high crop yield with the minimum possible cost to the environment is generally desirable.However,the complicated relationships among crop production,nitrogen(N) use efficiency and environmental impacts must be clearly assessed.We conducted a series of on-farm N application rate experiments to establish the linkage between crop yield and N_2 O emissions in the Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China.We also examined crop yield,partial factor productivity of applied N(PFPN) and reactive N(Nr) losses through a survey of 1 529 and 1 497 smallholder farms that grow wheat and maize,respectively,in the region.The optimum N rates were 175 and 214 kg ha^(-1) for winter wheat and summer maize,respectively,thereby achieving the yields of 6 799 and 7 518 kg ha^(-1),correspondingly,with low N_2 O emissions based on on-farm N rate experiments.Among the smallholder farms,the average N application rates were 215 and 294 kg ha^(-1) season^(-1),thus producing 6 490 and 6 220 kg ha^(-1) of wheat and maize,respectively.The corresponding PFPN values for the two crops were 36.8 and 21.2 kg N kg^(-1),and the total N_2 O emissions were 1.50 and 3.88 kg ha^(-1),respectively.High N balance,large Nr losses and elevated N_2 O emissions could be explained by the overdoses of N application and low grain yields under the current farming practice.The crop yields,N application rates,PFPN and total N_2 O for wheat and maize were 18 and 24% higher,42 and 37% less,75 and 116% higher,and 42 and 47% less,correspondingly,in the high-yield and high-PFPN group than in the average smallholder farms.In conclusion,closing the PFPN gap between the current average and the value for the high-yield and high-PFPN group would increase crop production and reduce Nr losses or the total N_2 O emissions for the investigated cropping system in Northwest China.
