In the context of global climate change, extreme drought has been proven to pose significant impacts on the structure and function of ecosystems, especially on soil and vegetation characteristics. However, the impact level of extreme drought on ecosystems largely varied due to the ecosystem types. The grassland ecosystem is the largest terrestrial ecosystem in China, undertaking the prominent responsibility of economic and ecological sustainable development in pastoral areas. It is highly vulnerable to changes in precipitation patterns. Therefore, assessing the response of grassland soil and vegetation characteristics to extreme drought is of great significance for understanding the evolution laws of natural ecosystems, as well as preventing and reducing the losses resulting from future extreme climate events in the ecological environment and economic development. This paper reviews the research progress on the response of grassland ecosystems to extreme drought in the aspects of soil moisture, temperature, nutrients, mineralization and microorganisms, as well as vegetation community characteristics, vegetation phenology and functional traits, in hoping to provide references for investigating the selection and adaptation of grassland ecosystems to extreme drought climate under global climate change conditions.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to analyze the research trend and hotspot of heavy metal passivation during organic waste composting process. [Method] The literature published from 2000 to 2022 and indexed by the Web of Science （WoS） core collection database on heavy metal passivation during organic waste composting process were used as the data source. CiteSpace 6.2.R6 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 bibliometric visualization software were employed to assess the number of publications and the corresponding countries （regions）, authors, institutions and keywords, and to clarify the research trend and hotspot in this research field. [Result] From 2000 to 2022, a total of 1 266 papers on heavy metal passivation during organic waste composting process were published, with an overall upward trend in annual publication volume. From 2020 to 2022, 345 papers were published, accounting for 27.25% of the total number of publications. Chinese scholars led the research field in terms of publication volume by countries （regions）, with 301 papers published, accounting for 23.78% of the total number of publications. From the perspective of publication volume and collaborative relationships among the authors, KALAMDHAD Ajay S and ZHANG Zengqiang had the highest number of publications, and both published 23 papers, accounting for 1.82% of the total number of publications. The highest number of collaborative authors were observed between the teams of ZHANG Jiachao and ZENG Guanming, indicating an intimate collaborative relationship. From the perspective of institutional publication volume and collaborative relationships, the Spanish National Research Council ranked the first with 96 papers published, accounting for 7.58% of the total number of publications. The Spanish National Research Council and the Chinese Academy of Sciences were the most active institutions in this research field and had the closest collaboration with the other institutions. The top 6 keywords with high occurrence frequency were heavy metals, sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, organic matter, soil and compost, with occurrence frequencies of 724, 441, 210, 187, 158 and 158, respectively. Among the top 10 keywords with high occurrence frequency, sewage sludge, bioavailability, growth, heavy metals, municipal solid waste and soil had intermediary centrality greater than 0.1, and their intermediary centralities were 0.78, 0.52, 0.42, 0.30, 0.25 and 0.18, respectively. A total of 10 categories of keywords were clustered in this research field, including sewage sludge, organic amendments, organic fraction of municipal solid waste, greenhouse gas, C/N ratio, heavy metals, organic waste, and so on. The keyword zinc had the highest burst strength at 16.57 and received attention from 2004 to 2015. Biochar, food waste, microbial community, transformation and organic amendments were the dominant burst keywords from 2017 to 2022. [Conclusion] This study clarified the research trend and hotspot of heavy metal passivation during organic waste composting process. The impacts of different organic wastes on heavy metal passivation, the form transformation and stability of heavy metals in organic waste composting, and the enrichment and transfer of heavy metals in composting products may be the focus of the future research.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to isolate and identify the Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） strain from fecal samples of lambs with diarrhoea, and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of the isolate. [Method] Four anal swab samples of diarrheic lambs were collected from a sheep farm in Emin County, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and S. aureus strain was selectively isolated with mannitol salt agar （MSA）. The isolate was identified by morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The in vitro susceptibility of the isolate to 11 antimicrobial agents belonging to 9 categories was analyzed by paper diffusion method. The presence of virulence genes of the isolate was detected by PCR assay. A model of abdominal infection in Kunming mice was established to evaluate the pathogenicity of the isolate. [Result] One suspected S. aureus strain was isolated from the four fecal samples of diarrheic lambs. It formed glossy, moderately raised, golden or lemon coloured colonies on MSA. Gram staining and morphological observation revealed that the isolate was Gram-positive and arranged in the form of grape bunches. The 16S rDNA sequence of the isolate was 100% similar to that of a S. aureus isolate of porcineluny origin from Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. Morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis confirmed that the isolate was S. aureus. The isolate was resistant to penicillin, clindamycin, cefotiamine, rifampicin and erythromycin, and was sensitive to gentamicin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, cefoxitin and cotrimoxazole. Out of the 20 virulence genes belonging to 8 classes tested, the presence of sea, seg, sei, eta, clfA and clfB genes was observed. The LD₅₀ of the isolate for Kunming mice was 2.24×10⁸ CFU/mL, with observable pathological changes in the organs of the dead mice. [Conclusion] One S. aureus strain was isolated and identified from the fecal samples of diarrheic lambs in a sheep farm in Emin County, which exhibited a multi-drug resistant phenotype, harbored multiple virulence genes and had certain pathogenicity. The results of this study provide references for the rational use of medication for the diseases caused by S. aureus infection in sheep in this region.

The unreasonable use and abuse of antibiotics in swine farming not only lead to bacterial antimicrobial resistance, but also result in antibiotic residues in animal tissues and animal-originated food, posing a great threat to food safety. Under the background of ′prohibition of antibiotics in feed′ and ′reduction of antibiotics in animal farming′, the screen and development of novel typed feed additives without toxic and side effects have become a hot topic for the relevant researchers. Micro-ecological preparations, especially probiotics, have gradually been considered as the ideal alternative to antibiotic additives due to their green and safe advantages. Probiotics are a type of active microbial feed additives and bring multiple benefits to the host animals mainly through regulating their gut microbial balance. This paper reviews the research progress on the action mechanisms of probiotics and their application in swine production, in hoping to provide references for the scientific utilization of probiotics in swine farming.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to isolate and screen cellulolytic bacteria derived from spent Flammulina velutipes substrate, to assess their biological characteristics and cellulolytic enzyme activities, so as to provide technical supports for the feed utilization of spent mushroom substrate resources. [Method] Spent Flammulina velutipes substrate samples were inoculated using plate dilution coating method. The cellulolytic bacteria were then isolated and cultured on nitrate cellulose sodium medium. The cellulolytic abilities of the isolated strains were preliminarily analyzed using Congo red medium. Candidate strains were selected through 16S rDNA sequencing analysis and biosafety prediction, followed by physiological and biochemical characteristics analysis, growth curve determination at different temperatures, and dynamic analysis of cellulolytic enzyme activities. [Result] A total of 30 independent colonies were isolated after screening culture with nitrate cellulose sodium medium. All of the strains formed clear transparent circles on Congo red medium, and some strains had strong cellulolytic abilities. The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis showed that the 30 isolated strains were identified as belonging to 9 bacterial species, including Pseudomonas koreensis, Advenella mimigardefordensis, Serratia rubidaea, and so on. Taking into account both biosafety prediction and the preliminary cellulolytic abilities screening results, Pseudomonas koreensis （JK-32）, Adrenella mimigardefordensis （JK-52）, Serratia rubidaea （JK-56）, Staphylococcus equiorum （JK-57）, Staphylococcus saprophytics （JK-62） and Serratia marcescens （JK-66） were selected as candidate strains for subsequent experiments. Physiological and biochemical characteristics analysis showed that all of the 6 candidate strains were determined as positive for contact enzyme activity test, and negative for methyl red test and diacetyl test. The growth of JK-62 strain was less affected by temperature, and the growth rate and final bacterial concentration performed better among all the candidate strains. Under the low cultivation temperatures （28-34 ℃）, the growth rate and final bacterial concentration of JK-56 strain were lower than the other candidate strains, while when the cultivation temperature increased to 40 ℃, its growth rate was similar to that of the other candidate strains and the final bacterial concentration was higher. On the 1^st to 7^th days of cultivation, the endoglucanase activity of JK-56 strain was the highest among all the candidate strains. On the 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th days of cultivation, the endoglucanase activity of JK-66 strain was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of the CK. The exoglucanase activity of JK-66 strain was higher among the candidate strains and was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of the CK at different detection time points. On the 2^nd to 4^th days of cultivation, the exoglucanase activity of JK-56 strain was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of the CK. The β-glucosidase activity of JK-66 strain was higher among the candidate strains. On the 3^rd to 7^th days of cultivation, the β-glucosidase activity of JK-56 strain was next to JK-62 and JK-66 strains among the candidate strains. On the 2^nd to 5^th days of cultivation, the filter paper enzyme activity of JK-56 strain was the highest among the candidate strains. On the 5^th day of cultivation, it was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of the CK. During this period, the filter paper enzyme activity of JK-66 strain was also at a high level. [Conclusion] Serratia rubidaea JK-56 and Serratia marcescens JK-66 strains had high overall levels of cellulolytic enzyme activities, and prominent endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities, which could be used in combination with strains exhibiting strong β-glucosidase activity for the development and utilization of spent Flammulina velutipes substrate.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to assess the biological characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum derived from Yichun forest pig and to comprehensively evaluate its application potential in the development of probiotic preparations. [Method] A lactic acid bacterial strain （P1M1） isolated from the feces of the healthy forest pig in Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province, was biochemically identified and then molecularly confirmed by using 16S rDNA PCR amplification and sequencing technology. The curves of growth and acid production of the strain were drawn, and its tolerance to acid （pH values at 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0） and bile salt （concentrations at 0.15% and 0.30%） were evaluated. The sensitivity of the strain to 13 antimicrobial agents and its inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） of porcine origin were examined. Tests were also conducted to assess the free radical scavenging ability, exopolysaccharides yield and safety to mice of the strain. [Result] Based on the biochemical and molecular identification results, P1M1 strain was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum （L. plantarum）. L. Plantarum P1M1 strain had glycolytic ability. Its logarithmic growth phase was 2-10 h of cultivation. After 18 h of cultivation, the pH value of its culture medium stabilized at 3.8-3.9. Its 3 h survival rates at pH values of 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 were （48.97±0.61）%, （64.19±0.94）% and （78.44 ± 1.36）%, respectively, and those at bile salt concentrations of 0.15% and 0.30% were （53.86±1.14）% and （32.87±0.75）%, respectively. It was sensitive to erythromycin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, tobramycin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefoperazone, cefradine and ceftazidime, and had pronounced inhibitory effect on S. aureus of porcine origin. The scavenging rates of its cell-free supernatant against DPPH free radical, hydroxyl radical and ABTS free radical were （91.65±1.44）%, （87.32±0.22）% and （89.79±0.59）%, respectively, all significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of its intact cell suspension. Its exopolysaccharides yield was （796.73±2.43） mg/L. No death or organ damage was observed after continuous gavages of the L. plantarum P1M1 strain to mice for 2 weeks. [Conclusion] Forest pig derived L. plantarum P1M1 strain shows an early entrance into the logarithmic growth phase, has glycolytic characteristics, strong acid producing ability, and tolerance to acid and bile salt. It is sensitive to various antimicrobial agents and capable of inhibiting the growth of S. aureus of porcine origin. Furthermore, it has strong antioxidant capacity and high exopolysaccharides yield, and is safe for mice. Accordingly, it can be used as a candidate strain for the development of probiotic preparations.

Fermented Chinese herbal medicine combines the pharmacological effects of Chinese herbal medicine with the health benefits of probiotics. During the fermentation process, Chinese herbal medicine offers nutrients to microorganisms and promotes their growth, while the enzymes and metabolites produced by microorganisms stimulate the release of effective ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine, reduce the toxicity of derivative preparations, and also synthesize novel active ingredients to enhance the drug efficacy. The fermentation process also decompose the active macromolecules or polymers into small molecules, facilitating transmembrane transport and aiding in the absorption of active substances by the body. In addition, some microorganisms in fermented Chinese herbal medicine inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and work synergistically with Chinese herbal medicine to jointly combat pathogens. Under the background of reducing antibiotics use and replacing antibiotics, fermented Chinese herbal medicine, as a type of green feed additive, has great utilization value and prospects in animal husbandry. This paper summarizes the research progress on the characteristics of fermented Chinese herbal medicine and application in animal production, in hoping to provide references for the further development and utilization of fermented Chinese herbal feed additives.

The use of biological feed as an antibiotic alternative has gained a lot of attention in light of the antibiotic ban in animal feed. Biological feed offers benefits including improving feed quality, enhancing animal production performance, boosting animal immunity and regulating animal gut microbiota, exhibiting an increasing market acceptance. This paper introduced the definition and classification of biological feed, summarized the research progress on the application of biological feed in cattle, sheep and pig production taking fermented feed and bacterium and enzyme synergistic fermented feed as examples, analyzed the problems in the current application of biological feed, and put forward relevant suggestions, in hoping to provide references for the development and application of biological feed.

[Objective] This study was conducted to preliminarily explore the possible regulative mechanisms underlying yellow beef fat of local cattle in Hulun Buir City of Inner Mongolia. [Method] A total of 72 local cattle were selected from Hulun Buir City, and their subcutaneous fat and liver tissues were sampled. The subcutaneous fat samples were subjected to color scoring with a 5-point subjective scoring scheme. Using liver tissues as experimental materials, the penta-primer amplification refractory mutation system （PARMS） was employed to assess the genotype and gene frequency distribution of BCO2 SNPW80X, BCMO1 SNP4, RDHE2 SNP2, ALDH8A1 SNP16 and PPARCG1A SNP12, which were considered as the crucial genes in the signaling pathways involved in the metabolic process of β-carotene. The non-targeted metabolomics analysis of the fat samples were performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （LC-MS） technology to identify the differential metabolites in different colored fat samples, and the differential metabolites were subsequently subjected to metabolic pathway enrichment analysis. [Result] The 72 subcutaneous fat tissue samples were predominantly white colored, with yellow colored ones （scoring 3 or above） accounting for 30.55%. The SNPs in BCO2, BCMO1, RDHE2 and PPARCG1A genes were observed in different samples, while these SNPs had no significant （P>0.05） correlation with fat color. Compared with the white colored fat samples, a total of 235 differential metabolites were identified in the yellow colored fat samples, which were enriched in the signaling pathways such as unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and bile secretion. [Conclusion] Comparing the yellow and white colored fat samples collected from the local cattle in Hulun Buir City, there were multiple differential metabolites involving in the signaling pathways closely related to fat formation, in vivo β-carotene transport and trans-membrane transport of β-carotene. In addition, they also directly or indirectly correlated with the β-carotene metabolism associated genes such as BCO2, BCMO1 and PPARCG1A. Further research may focus on the relevant molecular regulatory mechanisms, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of β-carotene containing feed and the targeted regulation of beef fat color.

Cymbopogon citratus contains a variety of bioactive components such as terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols, flavonoids and polyphenols, exerting the bioactive functions of bacteriostasis, antivirus, immune regulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, regulation of intestinal health and so on. It also has significant improvement effects on the growth performance, antioxidant stress capacity, anti-parasitic ability and product quality of livestock and poultry. This article reviews the nutritional value, bioactive function and application of Cymbopogon citratus in livestock and poultry production, in hoping to provide references for the development and promotion of Cymbopogon citratus.

The long-term and widespread use of antibiotics in the animal husbandry industry has led to serious problems such as drug residues and antibiotic resistance, which seriously threatens the health of animals and even humans. Bacteriophages are viruses that can invade and lyse bacteria, with the advantages of strong specificity, wide presence, and low research and development cost. With the continuous development of science and technology, the research of bacteriophages in the livestock and poultry industry has been deepened, and the use of bacteriophages is progressively gaining recognition as an alternative strategy to antibiotics. Starting from the biological characteristics of bacteriophages, this article elaborates on the research of bacteriophages therapy for bacterial infections in livestock and poultry as well as the development and application of bacteriophages in livestock and poultry breeding, food biological control, etc., in hoping to provide references for the application of bacteriophages in livestock and poultry production.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of adding lactic acid bacteria and sugars on fermentation weight loss, fermentation quality and microbial community structure of wheat straw yellow storage at different compaction densities. [Method] Wheat straw was crushed into proper length and the initial moisture content was adjusted to 60%. After well mixing, it was randomly divide into two equal parts. One part was supplemented with the additives composed of a commercially available microbial agent containing 1×10⁵ CFU/g of Lactobacillus plantarum （5 g/t） and white sugar （10 kg/t）, evenly sprayed with 3% sterile water, and then compacted to prepare yellow storage at the densities of 450, 500 and 550 kg/m³ （additive treatment group）, respectively. The other part was evenly sprayed with 3% sterile water, and then compacted to prepare yellow storage at the densities of 450, 500 and 550 kg/m³ （control group）, respectively. Fermentation weight loss of the yellow storage of the two groups with different compaction densities were measured after fermentation for 1, 3, 6, 15, 35 and 200 d, respectively. At 200 d of fermentation, the yellow storage samples were taken to assess the fermentation quality, microbial quantity and microbial diversity. [Result] From 3 d to 200 d of fermentation, the fermentation weight loss of both groups increased significantly （P<0.05）. At 35 d and 200 d of fermentation, the fermentation weight loss of the additive treatment group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the control group. Compared with the control group, the additive treatment group had significantly （P<0.05） lower pH value, significantly （P<0.05） higher lactic acid content, significantly （P<0.05） reduced ammoniacal nitrogen content, and significantly （P<0.05） elevated acid-base buffering capacity. The number of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts of the additive treatment group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the control group. Lactiplantibacillus and Lentilactobacillus were found as the dominant bacterial genera in both groups, with relative abundance of 22.12%-49.18% and 1.45%-49.91%, respectively, and their total relative abundance exceeded 34.25%. At the compaction density of 450 kg/m³, the relative abundance of Leuconostoc and Enterobacter of the additive treatment group was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that of the control group. At the compaction density of 500 kg/m³, significantly （P<0.05） lower relative abundance of Lentilactobacillus and Leuconostoc as well as significantly （P<0.05） higher relative abundance of Enterobacter, Pantoea, Ralstonia and Weissella were observed in the additive treatment group compared with the control group. At the compaction density of 550 kg/m³, the additive treatment group had significantly （P<0.05） decreased relative abundance of Lentilactobacillus, Enterobacter and Leuconostoc as well as significantly （P<0.05） increased relative abundance of Bacillus and Paenibacillus than the control group. The relative abundance of Lentilactobacillus was negatively correlated with lactic acid content, the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid, and acid-base buffering capacity （P>0.05）, positively correlated with acetic acid content （P>0.05）, significantly （P<0.05） positively correlated with pH value, and significantly （P<0.01） positively correlated with ammoniacal nitrogen content. The relative abundance of Enterococcus and Lactococcus was significantly （P<0.05） negatively correlated with lactic acid content, significantly （P<0.01） negatively correlated with the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid as well as acid-base buffering capacity, and significantly （P<0.01） positively correlated with pH value. The number of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts was significantly （P<0.01） positively correlated with pH value and ammoniacal nitrogen content, and significantly （P<0.01） negatively correlated with the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid. [Conclusion] Increasing compaction density and utilizing microbial additive can reduce the fermentation weight loss and ameliorate the fermentation quality of wheat straw yellow storage.

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the change of functional gene expression of active microorganisms in different fermentation stages of koumiss. [Method] The koumiss samples were collected at the early （12 h）, middle （48 h） and late （96 h） stages of fermentation, and the metatranscriptomic libraries were prepared for high-throughput RNA sequencing. After assembly and functional annotation of the sequencing data, the differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were identified to determine the static enrichment of significant DEGs in GO and KEGG signaling pathways. [Result] The koumiss samples of the early, middle and late stages of fermentation generated 12.17 GB clean reads by metatranscriptomic high-throughput sequencing. Sequence assembly and data analysis demonstrated that the expression of genes involved in metabolic process played a dominant role in the fermentation process of koumiss. The identification and assessment of DEGs exhibited that the number of the down-regulated genes was more than that of the up-regulated genes in pairwise comparison of the koumiss samples collected at the three fermentation stages. GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and middle fermentation stages associated with cellular process, metabolic process, organic ring compound binding, and heterocyclic compound binding. The GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of middle and late fermentation stages included cellular process and cellular macromolecule metabolic process. The GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and late fermentation stages mainly involved cellular process, organic substance metabolic process, nucleoside binding, ribonucleoside binding, and purine nucleotide binding. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis displayed that there was only one signaling pathway （ribosome） in which DEGs between the samples of early and middle fermentation stages significantly enriched. DEGs between the samples of middle and late fermentation stages significantly enriched in the signaling pathways of ether lipid metabolism, aminobenzoate degradation, mRNA surveillance pathway, and steroid biosynthesis. The signaling pathways of steroid biosynthesis, aminobenzoate degradation, mRNA surveillance pathway, ribosome and ethylbenzene degradation were significantly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and late fermentation stages. [Conclusion] The differential expression of functional genes of active microorganisms was involved in the fermentation process and dynamically changed in different fermentation stages of koumiss. The results obtained in this study provide references for in-depth understanding the fermentation mechanism and optimizing the fermentation process of koumiss.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism by which Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pill （HHQG）, a traditional Mongolian medicine, alleviated liver injury in mice through inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration. [Method] A total of 54 male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into control group （n=18）, model group （n=18） and HHQG liver protection group （n=18）. The HHQG liver protection group was intragastrically administered 0.616 5 g/（kg·BW） of HHQG once a day for 7 consecutive days, while the control group and model group were intragastrically administered the same volume of physiological saline once a day. On the 7^th day, 4 hours after the administration, the control group received 0.1 mL/（10 g·BW） of olive oil by intraperitoneal injection, while the model group and HHQG liver protection group received an equal dose of a CCl₄ and olive oil mixture （CCl₄∶olive oil=1∶4, V/V） in the same manner. On the 2^nd, 5^th and 7^th days after modeling, the prepared liver injury model and the alleviating effect of HHQG on liver injury were evaluated by detecting serum aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） activities as well as observing liver tissue pathological changes （HE staining and Masson staining）. The neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage infiltration in liver tissue was observed using immunohistochemical assay. The expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α in liver tissue at both protein and gene levels were assessed using immunohistochemical assay and reverse transcription real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （RT-qPCR）. The effects of HHQG on the expression levels of adhesion molecule genes in liver tissue were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing （RNA-seq） and RT-qPCR. [Result] According to the multiple evaluation indicators, the model group mice exhibited obvious symptoms of liver injury, indicating the successful preparation of CCl₄ induced liver injury model. Compared with the model group, on the 2^nd day after modeling, the serum AST and ALT activities in the HHQG liver protection group were extremely significantly （P<0.01） reduced. HHQG intervention inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration such as neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage in liver injury areas, alleviated collagen fiber deposition and promoted liver tissue repair by cell proliferation. HHQG liver protection group had reduced expression level of TNF-α in the liver injury areas. Compared with the model group, on the 2^nd and 7^th, as well as the 5^th days after modeling, the relative mRNA expression levels of TNF-α gene in the liver tissue of HHQG liver protection group were extremely significantly （P<0.01） and significantly （P<0.05） reduced, respectively. RNA-seq analysis showed that HHQG intervention significantly downregulated the gene groups of adhesion molecules associated with neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage infiltration in liver injury mice. RT-qPCR validation results demonstrated that HHQG liver protection group had extremely significantly （P<0.01） reduced relative mRNA expression levels of VCAM-1 gene in the liver tissue than the model group on the 5^th and 7^th days after modeling. In addition, in comparison to the model group, significantly （P<0.05） and extremely significantly （P<0.01） decreased relative mRNA expression levels of ICAM-1 gene in the liver tissue of the HHQG liver protection group were observed on the 2^nd as well as the 5^th and 7^th days after modeling, respectively. [Conclusion] Through inhibiting the inflammatory cell infiltration dominated by neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage, HHQG downregulated the expressions of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and adhesion molecules in the liver injury areas, and alleviated inflammation after liver injury, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in mice.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of gossypol on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, and renal pathological morphology of male broilers at different growth stages, so as to accumulate basic experimental data for the rational application of cotton seed meal in broiler breeding. [Method] A total of 48 healthy 1-day-old Liangfenghua male broilers from the same batch were selected and randomly allocated to 4 groups according to the principle of similar body weight, including a control group （C）, a low-dose group （L）, a medium-dose group （M）, and a high-dose group （H）. Each group had 4 replicates, with 3 broilers per replicate. The experimental broilers in different groups fed the same basal diet. In addition, the broilers in L, M and H group were orally administered 100, 150 and 200 mg/（kg·BW） gossypol once a day until 20-day-old, for a total of 20 days, respectively, while those in C group were orally given distilled water. During the experiment, the feed intake and weight gain of the broilers in each group were recorded, and the feed to weight gain ratio at different growth stages were calculated. Blood samples were collected at 6, 11, 16 and 21 days of age, and the serum activities of catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） were measured. Kidney tissue samples were collected at 21 days of age, with HE staining sections prepared, and changes in renal histopathology observed. [Result] At 1-15 days of age, the feed to weight gain ratios of L, M and H groups were extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that of C group; at 6-15 days of age, the feed to weight gain ratio of M group was extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that of L group; at 16-20 days of age, the feed to weight gain ratios of L and H groups were extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher than that of C group, while that of M group had negative increase. At 6-21 days of age, the serum activities of CAT and GSH-Px in C group showed upward trends, while those in L, M and H groups all showed downward trends; at 11 days of age, the serum activities of CAT and GSH-Px in L group were significantly （P<0.05） lower than those in C group, while the serum activity of GSH-Px in M and H groups was extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower than that in C group; at 16 and 21 days of age, the serum activities of CAT and GSH-Px in L, M and H groups were all extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower than those in C group; at 21 days of age, the serum activity of GSH-Px in M group was extremely significantly （P<0.01） lower than that in L group. Pathological histology observations showed that the renal glomeruli of the broilers given gossypol by gavage were swollen, the renal capsule space became narrower, and the renal tubules were necrotic.The degree of renal tissue damage was M group>H group>L group. [Conclusion] Starting from 1-day-old, feeding male broilers with doses of 100, 150 and 200 mg/（kg·BW） of gossypol for 20 consecutive days by gavage reduced growth performance, decreased serum antioxidant capacity, and caused kidney damage. With the prolongation of gossypol feeding time, the above affects were the most obvious at the dose of 150 mg/（kg·BW）.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to screen the soybean varieties suitable for silage maize-forage soybean intercropping model in the low plain areas of eastern Hebei Province. [Method] A total of 35 soybean varieties were selected as experimental materials. Each variety was planted in a 35 m²（5 m×7 m）plot, with 10 cm plant spacing and 40 cm row spacing, and planting density of 170 000 plants/hm². The plots were randomly distributed and repeated three times. The time for flowering, pod setting and grain filling stages of all the soybean varieties was recorded and their growth periods （the number of days from sowing to grain filling stage） were calculated. The soybean were harvested at grain filling stage with fresh weight yield measured. Five soybean plants were randomly selected from each plot and variety, with contents of crude protein （CP）, acidic detergent fiber （ADF）, neutral detergent fiber （NDF）, crude ash （Ash） and crude fat （CF） measured after deactivation, drying and crushing. The entropy weight TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation function in SPSSAU software was used to comprehensively evaluate and rank the feeding quality of all the soybean varieties, and a comprehensive analysis chart for the comprehensive evaluation and ranking of the growth period, fresh weight yield and feeding quality of various soybean varieties was created. [Result] Ruidou No.1 had the longest growth period of 100 days. The growth periods of You 6019, Jindou 99 and Andou 109 reached 97 days, and that of Pudou 5110 was 95 days. The growth periods of Zhonghuang 78, Beidou 17, Beidou 30, Fengdou No.3 and Lindou No.10 were the shortest, only 85 days. Suike 23 （40.48 t/hm²）, Suike 9 （38.34 t/hm²） and Hedou 12 （38.06 t/hm²） were the three varieties with the highest fresh weight yield. Sudou 16 （10.29%） had the highest crude ash content, followed by Jindou 99 （9.80%）, Suike 9 （9.76%） and Shengdi No. 1 (9.57%). The crude protein contents of Wandou 37 （29.17%） and Jiakedou No.1 （25.38%） were significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other varieties. The crude fat contents of Andou 109 （6.33%）, Fengdou No.3 （5.93%） and Wandou 15 （4.97%） were significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other varieties. The ADF contents of Fengdou No.3 （24.05%）, Lindou 10 （24.38%） and Wandou 37 （24.46%） were significantly （P<0.05） lower than the other varieties. The NDF contents of Suike 12 （31.52%）, Jindou 99 （32.82%） and Pudou 5110 （33.39%） were significantly （P<0.05） lower than the other varieties. The top five soybean varieties in the comprehensive evaluation of feeding quality were Jindou 99, Pudou 5110, Andou 109, Suike 12 and Wandou 37. The comprehensive analysis chart based on the overall evaluation and ranking of the growth period, fresh weight yield and feeding quality of different soybean varieties showed that four soybean varieties, Ruidou No.1, Andou 109, Pudou 5110 and Jindou 99, performed well in all the three aspects. [Conclusion] Ruidou No.1, Andou 109, Jindou 99 and Pudou 5110 could be used as candidate varieties for silage maize-forage soybean intercropping model in the low plain areas of eastern Hebei Province.

[Objective] The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality grade of fresh dairy milk in different regions of Inner Mongolia, and to compare the milk yield and quality of dairy cows between agricultural and pastoral areas as well as between large-scale farms and scatter-feed households. [Method] In October 2023, a total of 120 batches of fresh milk samples were collected from large-scale farms in Hohhot City, scatter-feed households in Hohhot City, dairy farms in Hulun Buir City, and dairy farms in Xilin Gol League, with 30 batches each. Production record information of the dairy cows was also collected. The milk composition （milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, total solids content, non-fat milk solids content, lactose content）, somatic cell count and total bacterial count of the samples collected from different regions were tested, and the samples were subsequently subjected to the quality grade evaluation according to the Quality Grading of Raw Cow Milk （NY/T 4054-2021）. Statistical methods were used to compare the average individual milk yield and milk quality of dairy cows between agricultural area （Hohhot City） and pastoral area （Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League）, as well as between large-scale farms and scatter-feed households in Hohhot City. [Result] The milk fat percentage and total bacterial count （6.16%, 83.10×10⁴ CFU/mL) of the samples collected from Xilin Gol League were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those collected from Hohhot City （3.96%, 14.05×10⁴ CFU/mL） and Hulun Buir City （4.15%, 38.94×10⁴ CFU/mL）. The milk somatic cell count of the samples collected from Hulun Buir City （399 900 cells/mL） was significantly （P<0.05） higher than those collected from Xilin Gol League （181 800 cells/mL） and Hohhot City （183 500 cells/mL）. According to the Quality Grading of Raw Cow Milk, the milk samples collected from Hohhot City were determined as extra-premium grade, and those collected from Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League were both determined as premium grade. The dairy cows in agricultural area had significantly （P<0.05） higher average individual milk yield and milk lactose content （29.07 kg/d, 5.14%） than those in pastoral area （16.56 kg/d, 4.85%）. The milk fat percentage, somatic cell count and total bacterial count of the samples collected from pastoral area （4.88%, 483 900 cells/mL, 49.52×10⁴ CFU/mL) were significantly （P<0.05） higher than agricultural area （4.05%, 202 000 cells/mL, 13.99×10⁴ CFU/mL）. Significantly （P<0.05） higher average individual milk yield as well as milk non-fat milk solids content and lactose content were observed in the dairy cows in large-scale dairy farms （34.46 kg/d, 9.44%, 5.19%） compared with scatter-feed households （20.71 kg/d, 9.21%, 5.07%） in Hohhot City, while significantly （P<0.05) higher milk somatic cell count was observed in scatter-feed households （232 400 cells/mL） compared with large-scale dairy farms （160 400 cells/mL）. [Conclusion] The quality of fresh dairy milk in Hohhot City was better than that in Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League. Dairy cows in agricultural area had higher milk yield and better milk quality than those in pastoral area. The milk yield and quality of dairy cows in large-scale farms were superior to those in scatter-feed households.

Elymus nutans is one of the most extensively distributed high-quality forage grasses on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. As a prominent grass species used for cultivation and utilization as well as replanting and improvement of degraded grasslands in the alpine region, it has important economic and ecological utilization value, and is essential for artificial grassland establishment and natural grassland vegetation restoration. This paper renders an overall review of the research progress on genetic diversity, seed germination characteristics, agronomic traits, cultivation and utilization, and stress resistance of Elymus nutans, in hoping to provide references for the future research and utilization of Elymus nutans.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to assess the optimal ratio of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate as roughage in preparation of fermented total mixed ration （FTMR） for beef cattle, and to provide technical support for the high-value utilization of by-products such as mushroom bran. [Method] For the preparation of roughage, a total of 7 treatment groups with different mixing ratios of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate were set up. Total mixed ration （TMR） were made from even mixing of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate at the ratios of 8∶2 （T1 group）, 7∶3 （T2 group）, 6∶4 （T3 group）, 5∶5 （T4 group）, 4∶6 （T5 group）, 3∶7 （T6 group） and 2∶8 （T7 group） with addition of beef cattle concentrate supplement at a concentrate-roughage ratio of 4∶6 （fresh weight）. TMR samples from different treatment groups were placed into silage bags, and then compacted, sealed, vacuumized and stored in a dark room to naturally ferment for 60 days to prepare FTMR. The nutritional component and mycotoxin content of the prepared TMR and FTMR samples were measured and statistically compared. Furthermore, the fermentation parameters of FTMR were assessed to determine the optimal ratio of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate. [Result]①As the ratios of corn straw to spent Flammulina velutipes substrate decreased, the DM content of TMR gradually reduced, the CP content gradually increased, the NDF and ADF contents generally elevated, and the EE content fluctuated. ②As the ratios of corn straw to spent Flammulina velutipes substrate decreased, the DM content of FTMR gradually reduced as well. Compared with the corresponding TMR, the FTMR in T4 group had the lowest DM loss rate. The CP content of FTMR in T3 and T4 groups were significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in the other groups. Compared with the corresponding TMR, the CP content of FTMR in T3 and T4 groups increased. No significant （P>0.05） differences in EE content of FTMR among different groups were observed. Compared with the corresponding TMR, the EE content of FTMR decreased in T1-T4 groups, but increased in T5-T7 groups. The NDF content of FTMR in T1-T5 groups were significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T6 and T7 groups, with the lowest NDF content observed in T3 group. Compared with the corresponding TMR, the NDF content of FTMR in T3 and T5 groups decreased. The ADF content of FTMR in T1-T5 groups were significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in T6 and T7 groups. Compared with the corresponding TMR, the ADF content of FTMR in T4 and T5 groups decreased. ③The FTMR samples from all the treatment groups had acidic aroma and good fermentation quality. The pH value of FTMR in T3 group was the lowest, which was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that in the other groups. The pH value of FTMR in T4 group was lower as well. As the ratios of corn straw to spent Flammulina velutipes substrate decreased, the LA content of FTMR showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, with T4 group having the highest content, followed by T3 group, both of which were significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other groups. As the ratios of corn straw to spent Flammulina velutipes substrate decreased, the AA content of FTMR exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, with T5 group having the highest content, followed by T4 and T3 groups. Trace level of PA were detected in FTMR samples from all the treatment groups, and there were no significant differences （P>0.05） among the different groups. Trace level of BA were detected in FTMR in T6 and T7 groups, while the other groups were not detected. The AN/TN ratio of FTMR in T3 group was the lowest. FTMR in T6 and T7 groups had the AN/TN ratio exceeding 10%, while the other groups was less than 10%. The differences in AFB₁, ZEN and OTA contents of TMR and FTMR samples among different groups were not significant （P>0.05）. According to the Feed Hygiene Standard （GB 13078-2017）, the mycotoxin content of the TMR and FTMR samples did not exceed the threshold. ④The main effects analysis showed that the fermentation treatment significantly （P<0.05） reduced the ABF₁ and ZEN contents of TMR, while the treatment of the mixing ratios of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate, as well as the combination effect of fermentation and mixing ratios, had no significant （P>0.05） effects on the ABF₁ and ZEN contents of the TMR and FTMR samples. In addition, the fermentation treatment, the treatment of the mixing ratios of corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate, and the combination effect of fermentation and mixing ratios had no significant （P>0.05） effects on the OTA content of the TMR and FTMR samples. [Conclusion] Based on the comprehensive analysis on nutritional component, mycotoxin content and fermentation quality, the preparation of FTMR with corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate as roughage was an efficient way to preserve and utilize the by-products such as straw and mushroom bran. Corn straw and spent Flammulina velutipes substrate mixed at the ratios of 6∶4 （T3 group） or 5∶5 （T4 group） had the better performance.

Heat stress affects the milking performance of lactating dairy cows through various routes, such as reducing feed intake, altering energy metabolism pattern, activating immune system and causing inflammation, and influencing mammary gland development and function. Alleviating measures against heat stress in dairy farms are usually taken from the aspects of nutrition, management and genetics, while the effect is limited. Understanding the potential mechanisms by which heat stress causes reduction in milk production in lactating dairy cows is crucial for controlling milk production losses resulted from heat stress. This paper reviewed the research progress on the influence mechanisms of heat stress on the milking performance of lactating dairy cows, in hoping to provide references for the scientific formulation of heat stress alleviating measures in dairy cow production.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to screen the important signaling pathways and genes involved in carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） induced intestinal injury in mice and in the treatment process with a traditional Mongolian medicine Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills. [Method] A total of 18 male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks and weighing 20-22 g were randomly divided into three groups, a blank control group （n=6）, a model group （n=6）, and a treatment group （n=6）. The blank control group and model group were gavaged with physiological saline once a day at a dose of 10 mL/（kg·BW） for 7 consecutive days. The treatment group was gavaged with Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills once a day at a dose of 616.5 mg/（kg·BW） for 14 consecutive days. Four hours after the last gavage, the blank control group was intraperitoneally injected with olive oil, while both the model group and treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with CCl₄ and olive oil mixture （CCl₄∶olive oil=1∶4, V/V） at a dose of 10 mL/（kg·BW）. On the second day following the intestinal injury treatment, the duodenal tissues of the mice in the three groups were collected for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Using the obtained sequencing data, the differentially expressed genes were predicted, functionally analyzed, as well as KEGG signaling pathway enriched. The gene groups enriched in the significantly down regulated signaling pathway after the treatment with Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills were screened, and interaction analysis was performed with the target genes of Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills. [Result] ① Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that compared with the blank control group, the model group and the treatment group obtained 1 419 and 2 875 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Compared with the model group, the treatment group obtained 2 288 differentially expressed genes, of which 1 139 were up regulated and 1 149 were down regulated. KEGG signaling pathways enrichment on the differentially expressed genes in the model group found that the activated signaling pathways included osteoclast differentiation, B cells, chemokines, inflammatory bowel disease, JAK-STAT, etc. KEGG signaling pathways enrichment on the differentially expressed genes in the treatment group found that the activated signaling pathways included FOXO, mTOR, longevity regulation, etc, while the inhibited signaling pathways included osteoclast differentiation, cell apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor, B cells, rectal and colorectal carcinoma, etc. ②Four genes with significantly different expression levels, JUN, STAT1, NFKBIA and FOS, were found in the transcriptome data via the gene groups enrichment in the significantly inhibited signaling pathway in the treatment group and interaction analysis between the target genes of Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills. [Conclusion] The main signaling pathways involved in CCl₄ induced intestinal injury in mice and the treatment process of Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills included chemokines, inflammatory bowel disease, JAK-STAT and longevity regulation, and the main genes included JUN, STAT1, NFKBIA and FOS. Our results provided references for clarifying the molecular mechanisms of prevention and treatment of intestinal injury with Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pills.

[Objective] This study was conducted to understand the prevalence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli （E. coli） strains derived from diarrheal lambs in large-scale sheep farms in Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. [Method] A total of 70 anal swabs of diarrheal lambs were sampled from 3 large-scale sheep farms in Hotan Prefecture. Traditional methods such as bacterial isolation and culture, staining and microscopy, biochemical identification, and 16S rDNA PCR amplification and sequencing were used to isolate and identify E. coli strains in the samples. PCR assay was employed for phylogenetic grouping of E. coli strains, as well as detection of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. [Result] Through morphological observation, biochemical identification, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, a total of 38 strains of E. coli were isolated and identified from the 70 anal swabs of diarrheal lambs, with a separation rate of 54.3% （38/70）. Phylogenetic grouping analysis showed that B1 group was the dominant group （68.4%, 26/38） of the isolated strains, followed by A group （26.3%, 10/38） and D group （5.3%, 2/38）, and B2 group was not detected. The results of virulence gene testing showed that 4 out of 8 E. coli virulence genes were detected, and the proportion of fimC gene carrying strains were the highest at 92.1% （35/38）, followed by irp2 gene at 47.4% （18/38）, hlyF gene at 36.8% （14/38）, and fyuA gene at 34.2% （13/38）; the genes of eaeA, ST, LT and Stx1 were not detected. The results of antimicrobial resistance gene testing showed that 6 out of 8 E. coli resistance genes were detected, with the carrying rate of sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 being the highest at 42.1% （16/38）; no aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected. [Conclusion] The E. coli strains from diarrheal lambs in Hotan Prefecture harbor virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli of sheep origin in this region should be monitored.

[Objective] This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the meat quality of different sheep breeds in Inner Mongolia. [Method] A total of 60 confined sheep belonging to 5 breeds, including Sonid sheep （selected from Sonid Right Banner, Xilin Gol League, n=12）, Ujimqin sheep （selected from East Ujimqin Banner, Xilin Gol League, n=12）, Chahar sheep （selected from Xianghuang Banner, Xilin Gol League, n=12）, Inner Mongolia fine wool sheep （selected from Zhenglan Banner, Xilin Gol League, n=12）, and Ordos fine wool sheep （selected from Uxin Banner, Ordos City, n=12） were randomly selected. After slaughter, 200 g longissimus dorsi muscle and 200 g biceps femoris samples eliminating fascia and fat were collected from each sheep, respectively. The physical indicators （color, cooked meat rate, shear force and water loss rate）, the contents of traditional nutritional components （water, fat and protein）, and the compositions and contents of amino acids （7 kinds of essential amino acids and 10 kinds of non-essential amino acids） of longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris samples collected from the 5 sheep breeds were assessed and statistically compared. [Result] The longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris of Ordos fine wool sheep and Sonid sheep had better perfomance in color. There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in cooked meat rates of longissimus dorsi muscle among the 5 sheep breeds. Chahar sheep had the highest cooked meat rate of biceps femoris. The water loss rates of longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris of Ujimqin sheep were significantly （P<0.05） lower than those of the other 4 sheep breeds. The shear force of longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris of Sonid sheep was relatively lower among the 5 sheep breeds. In longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris, the highest water content, the lowest fat content and the highest protein content were observed in Chahar sheep, Ujimqin sheep and Sonid sheep, respectively. Ordos fine wool sheep had the highest total amino acid contents in longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris, had higher contents of 7 kinds of essential amino acids in longissimus dorsi muscle, and had significantly （P<0.05） higher contents of 7 kinds of essential amino acids in biceps femoris than those of the other 4 sheep breeds. The ratios of essential amino acid to total amino acid （EAA/TAA） of longissimus dorsi muscle and biceps femoris of the 5 sheep breeds were all around 40%, and those of essential amino acid to non-essential amino acid （EAA/NEAA） were all above 60%, which met the recommended values for high-quality proteins by FAO/WHO. [Conclusion] Although the 5 sheep breeds in Inner Mongolia had differences in the main meat quality indicators, they were all high-quality protein sources due to the high content and balanced composition of EAA. Ordos fine wool sheep performed better in terms of meat TAA and EAA contents, while Ujimqin sheep had the characteristics of high-protein and low-fat meat.

Plant essential oil is a natural mixture of volatile and aromatic compounds extracted from plants, with biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. At present, research on the application of plant essential oil in chicken production mainly focuses on improving growth performance, anti-oxidant stress and regulating intestinal development. This paper introduced the physicochemical properties and biological activities of plant essential oil, and reviewed the research progress on the application of plant essential oil as feed additives in chicken production, in hoping to provide reference for the development of plant essential oil preparations and their scientific application in chicken production.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the mechanisms underlying the protective role of honeysuckle extract against Newcastle disease virus （NDV） infection in pigeon. [Method] A total of 40 healthy 28-day-old American king pigeons without NDV vaccination were selected and subjected to a 7-day adaptive rearing. At the age of 35 days, the experimental pigeons were randomly assigned into a honeysuckle extract protective （KO） group （n=10） or a virus challenge control （OE） group （n=10）. The pigeons in KO group drank the water containing 1.2% honeysuckle extract for 7 consecutive days, and at the age of 42 days, they were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL NDV Pi/NJ/CH/4416/2016 strain of pigeon origin with HA potency of 5log2 . The pigeons in OE group drank the normal water and were challenged with the same NDV strain at the same dosage at the age of 42 days. Seven days after challenge, 3 pigeons were chosen from both KO and OE groups. The spleen samples were collected for paraffin-embedded tissue section preparation and for total RNA extraction to construct the transcriptome libraries. RNA-Seq was used to identify differentially expressed genes （DEGs） and to perform GO functional enrichment analysis as well as KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Four randomly selected significant DEGs identified by RNA-Seq were verified by using qRT-PCR. [Result] The splenocytes of the pigeons in OE group had abnormally enlarged nuclei and white vacuoles, accompanied by a large number of granulocyte infiltration in splenic tissues, while those of the pigeons in KO group had many white vacuoles and minor granulocyte infiltration alone, and no abnormally enlarged splenocyte nuclei in splenic tissues were observed. A total of 374 DEGs were identified in the spleens of the pigeons in KO group by RNA-Seq, of which 112 were significantly up-regulated and 262 were significantly down-regulated. GO functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that 875 DEGs were enriched in 312 GO entries, of which 149 belonged to biological process, 33 belonged to cellular component, and 130 belonged to molecular function. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that 226 DEGs were enriched in 93 KEGG signaling pathways, including information transmission pathway, metabolic pathway, natural immunity related pathway, and apoptosis pathway. The qRT-PCR validation test showed that the relative mRNA abundance of the 4 randomly selected significant DEGs （LOC110360702, LOC110360688, SFRP5 and CHAD） had the same change trend as the RNA-Seq results. [Conclusion] Honeysuckle extract exerts protective role against NDV infection in pigeon by activating important physiological processes of host such as information transmission, metabolic regulation and immune response. The results obtained in this study provide a scientific basis for further investigation on the molecular mechanism of immune response to NDV infection in pigeon.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry （UHPLC-MS/MS） method for simultaneous detection of 64 drugs in compound feed, and to improve the detection efficiency of illegal additives. [Method] Waters HSS T3 column （2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm） was used for separation. Gradient elution was performed using 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase A and acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase B, respectively, with a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min and sample size of 2 μL. Positive-ion electrospray ionization （ESI） source scanning mode was used for detection, and multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode was used for signal acquisition. The recovery rates of the target drugs obtained with 4 kinds of sample extraction solvents and 2 types of solid-phase extraction column were compared to determine the optimal method of sample pretreatment. Detection of the 64 drugs in 100 batches of compound feed samples of different sources collected in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was carried out with the established UHPLC-MS/MS method. [Result] The compound feed samples were extracted with acetonitrile aqueous solution （acetonitrile∶water=8∶2, V/V） containing 0.2% formic acid after homogenization. Oasis PRiME HLB solid-phase extraction column was used to purify the samples. The recovery rates of most target drugs was above 60%. In the concentration range of 5.0-200.0 μg/L, a good linear relationship of the 64 drugs was observed, and their correlation coefficients （R） were all greater than 0.99. The limit of quantitation of different drugs was 5.0-10.0 μg/kg. The average recovery rates of 3 spiking levels at 5.0, 20.0 and 50.0 μg/kg ranged from 41.00% to 120.49%. The intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviations （RSDs） were 0.54%-15.94% and 1.25%-13.64%, respectively. No target drug was detected in the 100 batches of compound feed samples. [Conclusion] The established UHPLC-MS/MS method has good linear relationship, high recovery rate, good precision, high reproducibility and good operability, and can be used for screening the 64 drugs illegally added in compound feed.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of soybean isoflavones and bile acids on production performance and serum physiological and biochemical indexes of green-shell laying hens. [Method] A total of 72 370-day-old green-shell laying hens were selected and randomly assigned into a control group or an experimental group, with 4 replicates in each group and 9 hens in each replicate. The control group were fed with a corn-soybean meal basal diet, while the experimental group received the same basal diet supplemented with 12.5 mg/kg soybean isoflavones and 60 mg/kg bile acids. The whole feeding experiment was consist of a 7-day preliminary trial and a 105-day formal trial. The feed intake, egg production and egg weight of each laying hen replicate during the experiment were recorded, and the average feed intake, feed to egg ratio and egg production rate were calculated. At the end of the experiment, egg samples were collected to measure egg quality indexes; blood samples were collected to prepare serum, and the serum physiological and biochemical indexes were measured. [Result] Compared with the control group, the average feed intake and egg production rate of the experimental group increased by 11.80% and 10.64%, respectively, with significant （P<0.05） differences. There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the feed to egg ratio, egg shape index, egg weight, relative weight of eggshell, and relative weight of egg yolk between the experimental group and the control group, while there was an increasing trend in egg weight and relative weight of eggshell in the experimental group. The serum content of acetylcholinesterase （AChE） in the experimental group increased by 32.45% compared to that of the control group, with significant （P<0.05） difference. No significant （P>0.05) differences in serum contents of total protein （TP）, albumin （ALb）, glutamic pyruvic transaminase （GPT）, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase （GOT）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, and luteinizing hormone （LH） were observed between the experimental group and the control group, while increasing trends in serum contents of TP, ALb, FSH and LH as well as decreasing trends in those of GPT and GOT were observed in the experimental group. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of 12.5 mg/kg soybean isoflavones and 60 mg/kg bile acids for green-shell laying hens in the middle and late laying period improved the production performance and serum biochemical indexes.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the research status, hotspots and trends of dairy industry development in China by bibliometric and visual analyses, so as to provide data supports for the domestic dairy industry development. [Method] China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） Database was used as the data source to retrieve literature in the field of dairy industry development research in China from 1992 to 2023. The knowledge graphs for the dairy industry development research field was created using the visualization analysis tool CiteSpace. In combination with bibliometric methods, the research status, hotspots and theme evolution in this field were then analyzed. [Result] According to the retrieve criteria, a total of 739 journal articles were included, with the highest annual publication volume in 2002, reaching 60 articles. The top three authors by publication quantity were LIU Yuman （17 articles）, LI Shengli （15 articles） and LIU Fang （15 articles）, and the top three institutions were Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences （19 articles）, Agricultural Information Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences （18 articles） and College of Economics and Management of Northeast Agricultural University （17 articles）. The dairy industry development research filed had formed a relatively tight and mature collaboration network. The institutions such as Agricultural Information Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Science and Technology of China Agricultural University, Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of Animal Science of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences had higher cooperation densities and tighter connections with each other. Dairy industry and dairy industry development were the research hotspots in this field. Keywords such as dairy industry development, milk source base, dairy factory, dairy cattle industry and milk yield emerged earlier, while low-carbon development, regulatory approach and smart farming emerged recently. [Conclusion] The research hotspots on the theme of dairy industry development were dynamically changing, with high collaboration densities among researchers and institutions. There was regional heterogeneity in the distribution of collaboration networks. Low-carbon development and smart farming may be the focus of future research.

Fatty acid binding proteins （FABPs） are widely present in animal tissues and affect cell differentiation by regulating the transport and metabolism of intracellular fatty acid. They also play a crucial role in inflammation regulation and immune metabolism in the body. Unveiling the association between the FABPs gene family and animal phenotype is of great significance for improving the individual economic value of livestock and poultry. This article introduces the main functions of the FABPs gene family members and their distribution in animal tissues and organs, reviews the research progress of representative members of the gene family, H-FABP gene and A-FABP gene, in the field of livestock and poultry breeding, in hoping to provide references for using this gene family to conduct molecular marker assisted breeding and to improve livestock and poultry production traits.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria from camel milk in Hutubi County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and to evaluate their inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus）. [Method] A total of 45 healthy camel milk samples were collected from a camel farm in Hutubi County. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated using MRS medium, and molecular biological identification was carried out using PCR amplification and sequencing targeting 16S rDNA sequence. Point inoculate method, agar spot method and Oxford cup double-layer agar diffusion method were used to screen the lactic acid bacteria with inhibitory effects on S. aureus ATCC 29213. The acid tolerance of the lactic acid bacteria was measured by adjusting pH value of MRS medium to 1-10. The bile salt tolerance of the lactic acid bacteria was assessed by adding 0-0.30% ox bile salt to MRS medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） and subinhibitory concentration （SIC） of cell-free culture supernatant （CFCS） of the lactic acid bacteria against S. aureus ATCC 29213 were determined using micro-broth dilution method. Changes in inhibitory effect of CFCS on S. aureus ATCC 29213 under different pH value conditions and after enzymatic treatments were examined to preliminarily analyze the antibacterial active substances of CFCS. The inhibitory effect of CFCS on wild strains of S. aureus isolated from camel milk and dairy cow with mastitis were evaluated by Oxford cup double-layer agar diffusion method. [Result] A total of 20 lactic acid bacterial strains belonging to 5 species were isolated from the 45 camel milk samples, including Enterococcus faecalis （n=13）, Lacticaseibcillus rhamnsus （n=1）, Limosilactobacillus fermentum （n=3）, Lactobacillus paracasei （n=1） and Weissella confusa （n=2）. After screening with the above mentioned three methods, a strain of Lacticaseibcillus rhamnsus （L. rhamnsus, designated as KC4） exhibiting the strongest antibacterial effect on S. aureus ATCC 29213 was obtained. KC4 strain had good acid and bile salt tolerance, and showed normal growth in MRS medium with pH values adjusting to 4-7 and addition of ox bile salt at concentrations of 0-0.20%. The MIC and SIC of KC4 strain CFCS against S. aureus ATCC 29213 were 62.5 mg/mL and 7.812 5 mg/mL, respectively. Its antibacterial activity was still effective at pH values of 2-5, but reduced extremely significantly （P<0.01） after enzymatic treatments with pepsin, peroxidase, trypsin, peptidase, protease K, catalase and papain. It had good antibacterial effect on wild strains of camel and dairy cow derived S. aureus. [Conclusion] One strain of L. rhamnsus was obtained from the camel milk in Hutubi County, which had strong inhibitory effect on standard strain of S. aureus and wild strains of S. aureus isolated from camel milk and dairy cow with mastitis. It also exhibited high level tolerance to acid and bile salt, and the possible antibacterial active substances included acids, peroxides and proteins. The results obtained in this study provided potential bacterial resources for the development and utilization of lactic acid bacteria derived from camel milk.

Long-acting preparations are medications with long-lasting therapeutic effects, which have the advantages of decreased administration frequencies, reduced dosages and less harmful side effects. Long-acting preparations of traditional Chinese medicine that can continuously release drugs are developed on the basis of conventional traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical technology by combining with the carrier materials through unique preparation procedures. This paper reviewed the research progress on long-acting preparations of traditional Chinese medicine and the application in exterminating ectoparasite, in hoping to provide references for future research and clinical application of anti-ectoparasitic long-acting preparations of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Objective] This study was conducted to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects of Honghua Qinggan 13 Flavor Pill （HHQG）, a traditional Mongolian medicine, by improving liver function via activating hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α （HNF4α）. [Method] A total of 45 C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into control group, CCl₄ injury group and HHQG group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice in HHQG group were given HHQG at a dose level of 0.616 5 g/（kg·BW） by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days, and those in control group and CCl₄ injury group were given an equal volume of sterile distilled water by gavage. Four hours after the last gavage, the mice in control group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mL/（kg · BW） of olive oil, and those in CCl₄ injury group and HHQG group were intraperitoneally injected with the same dose of a CCl₄ and olive oil mixture （CCl₄∶olive oil=1∶4, V/V） for liver injury modeling. Blood and liver tissue samples from mice in each group were collected on the 2^nd, 5^th and 7^th days after modeling. The body weights of the mice were monitored during the experiment period. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and total superoxide dismutase （SOD） were measured. HE staining and Masson staining were used for observing liver histopathological changes. Differential gene enrichment pathways were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing （RNA-seq）. The expression of HNF4α protein in liver tissue was detected using immunohistochemical assay. [Result] Compared with control group, the body weight of CCl₄ injury group significant （P<0.05） or extremely significant （P<0.01 or P<0.001） dropped on the 1^st to 4^th and 6^th to 7^th days after modeling, respectively. In comparison to CCl₄ injury group, the body weight of HHQG group significant （P<0.05） or extremely significant （P<0.01） rose on the 4^th and 6^th to 7^th days after modeling, respectively. On the 2^nd day after modeling, CCl₄ injury group had extremely significantly （P<0.001） increased serum activities of ALT and AST than control group, while significantly （P<0.05） decreased serum activities of ALT and AST were observed in HHQG group compared with CCl₄ injury group. HE staining and Masson staining demonstrated that the liver damages in HHQG group were obviously ameliorated compared with CCl₄ injury group on the 2^nd , 5^th and 7^th days after modeling. KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis showed that the signaling pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, fatty acid degradation and fatty acid metabolism in the liver tissue of HHQG group mice were upregulated, while ribosome, glycerophospholipid metabolism, thyroid cancer and some others were downregulated compared with CCl₄ injury group. In comparison to CCl₄ injury group, the gene groups associated with liver differentiation （such as HNF4α, ATF5 and Cebpb） in the liver tissue of HHQG group were significantly upregulated. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HHQG group had obviously elevated HNF4α expression level in liver tissue than CCl₄ injury group on the 2^nd and 5^th days after modeling. [Conclusion] As a mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects, HHQG ameliorated liver injury in mice by inhibiting liver oxidative damage, promoting liver tissue repair and maintaining liver function via activating HNF4α .

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of pumpkin seed shells on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, immune indexes, and hormone levels of Simmental crossbred cattle at different growth stages. [Method] A total of 40 male Simmental crossbred cattle in good body condition were selected and divided into the following 5 groups based on body weights: experimental group 1 （n=8, around 300 kg）, experimental group 2 （n=8, around 400 kg）, experimental group 3 （n=8, around 500 kg）, experimental group 4 （n=8, around 600 kg） and experimental group 5 （n=8, around 700 kg）. All of the experimental cattle were raised in separate pens. For each group, pumpkin seed shells were supplemented to the basal diet at a ratio of 10%. The experimental period was 90 days comprising a 20-day pre-trial and a 70-day formal trial. The body weight and feed intake of the experimental cattle in each group during the experiment were recorded, and the average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and average feed to weight gain ratio were calculated. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to prepare serum. Serum biochemical parameters, immune indexes and hormone levels were measured. [Result]As the body weights elevated, the daily feed intake of the experimental cattle gradually increased. The average daily feed intake of experimental groups 4 and 5 was significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other groups. The average feed to weight gain ratio in experimental group 1 was the lowest and significantly （P<0.05） lower than the other groups. Compared to experimental groups 1 and 3, the serum contents of total protein （TP） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in experimental group 4 were significantly （P<0.05） higher. Experimental group 2 had significantly （P<0.05） higher serum immunoglobulin M （IgM） content than the other groups. In comparison to experimental groups 3, 4 and 5, experimental group 1 had significantly （P<0.05） higher serum cortisol （COR） level. Experimental group 5 had significantly （P<0.05） higher serum calcitonin （CT） level than the other groups. The C-reactive protein level in experimental groups 4 and 5 was significantly （P<0.05） higher than experimental group 1.[Conclusion]Supplementation of pumpkin seed shells in the basal diet of Simmental crossbred cattle could increase the feed intake and improve protein utilization efficiency, and also had certain effects on enhancing immunity. It can be developed and utilized as a roughage resource.

[Objective] This study was conducted to explore the effects of dietary supplementation of plant essential oils prepared with different processes on growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activity and serum immunoglobulin level of weaned piglets.[Method]A total of 198 heads of 21-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire （DLY） healthy weaned piglets with an average weight of （5.687±0.761） kg were randomly assigned into 3 groups, with 11 replicates in each group and 6 piglets in each replicate. The control group fed a basal diet. The two experimental groups fed the same basal diet in which 300 g/t of a micro-encapsulated and control-released plant essential oil （MECR-PEO） or a mixed plant essential oil （M-PEO） were supplemented, respectively. The feeding experiment lasted for 21 days. The average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed to weight gain ratio of the experimental piglets at 22-28 days, 29-35 days and 36-42 days of age, as well as the diarrhea rate at 22-42 days of age were calculated. On the 21^st day of the feeding experiment, the duodenal chyme was collected, and the activities of intestinal trypsin, amylase and lipase were measured. At the end of the feeding experiment, blood samples were collected with serum prepared. ELISA assay was used to detect the serum levels of IgG, IgM and IgA. [Result] At 22-28 days and 29-35 days of age, the dietary supplementation of the two types of plant essential oils had the trends of increasing the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, as well as reducing the feed to weight gain ratio （P>0.05） compared with the control group. At 36-42 days of age, the piglets received the dietary supplementation of MECR-PEO had significantly （P<0.05） higher average daily weight gain and significantly （P<0.05） lower feed to weight gain ratio than those in the control group; the piglets received the dietary supplementation of M-PEO had higher average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake （P>0.05）, as well as lower feed to weight gain ratio than those in the control group （P>0.05）. At 22-42 days of age, the diarrhea rates of the piglets in both plant essential oil supplementation groups were significantly （P<0.05） reduced compared with the control group. The MECR-PEO supplementation group exhibited a better performance, with a decrease in diarrhea rate of 67.79% compared to the control group. Piglets in the MECR-PEO supplementation group had significantly （P<0.05） higher activities of duodenal trypsin, amylase and lipase in comparison to those in the control group, and had significantly （P<0.05） higher lipase activity in comparison to those in the M-PEO supplementation group. Significantly （P<0.05） higher duodenal trypsin activity was observed in the M-PEO supplementation group compared to the control group. Significantly （P<0.05） elevated serum levels of IgG and IgM in the MECR-PEO supplementation group was found compared with the control group, and significantly （P<0.05） elevated serum IgM level in the M-PEO supplementation group was found compared with the control group. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of MECR-PEO and M-PEO had positive effects on improving growth performance as well as enhancing intestinal digestive enzyme activity and serum immunoglobulin level in weaned piglets. The effects of MECR-PEO were better.

[Objective] This study was conducted to screen the high-yield and good-quality annual forage grass varieties suitable for planting and promoting in the Mu Us Sandy Land. [Method] A total of 12 forage grass varieties such as Juncao, forage sweet sorghum and forage maize were used as experimental materials, and their phenophase, agronomic traits and nutritional qualities were observed and measured. The adaptability of the varieties was comprehensively evaluated through variance analysis, correlation analysis and membership function. [Result] All of the 12 tested varieties exhibited adaptability to the local growth environment, completed vegetative growth phase and harvested forage grass. The fresh yield of Giant Juncao （Cenchrus fungigraminus） was the highest, followed by the forage sweet sorghum cultivar Lyujuren. The performance of the tested varieties in the hay yield was similar to that in the fresh yield. Giant Juncao had the highest crude protein yield, followed by the Juncao cultivar Lyuzhou No.1. Among the primary traits of the 12 introduced forage grass varieties, the plant height was extremely significantly （P<0.01） positively correlated with the fresh and hay yields, and the plant height and hay yield were significantly （P<0.05） negatively correlated with the crude protein content and relative feed value. The varieties with top three scores in membership function analysis from high to low were Giant Juncao, annual Melilotus officinalis, and Sorghum Hybrid Sudangrass cultivar Julang. [Conclusion] Comprehensive evaluation and analysis demonstrated that among the 12 tested forage grass varieties, the adaptability of Giant Juncao, annual Melilotus officinalis and Sorghum Hybrid Sudangrass cultivar Julang was better. The research results provided references for introducing suitable forage grass varieties in the Mu Us Sandy Land.

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of crossbreeding of Australian White sheep as paternal parents and Hulun Buir sheep as maternal parents on reproductive performance and reproductive hormone secretion during gestation period of ewes. [Method] A total of 392 Hulun Buir ewes were selected and randomly assigned into an experimental group or a control group according to the ram breeds. For the ewes in the experimental group （n=139）, Australian White sheep （n=7） were served as the breeding ram, while for those in the control group （n=253） , Hulun Buir sheep （n=13） were served as the breeding ram. After delivery, the reproductive performance indicators such as conception rate, miscarriage rate and twinning rate of the ewes in the two groups, as well as the birth weights of the lambs produced by the ewes in the two groups were statistically compared. Eight ewes were selected from each group, and blood samples were collected at mid-gestation period （60 d gestation）, late-gestation period （90 d gestation） and 10 d before the expected date of lambing, respectively. The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, progesterone （P₄） and estradiol （E₂） were measured with ELISA kits.[Result] The ewes in the experimental group had significantly （P<0.05） lower conception rate and actual delivery rate, significantly （P<0.05） higher miscarriage rate, and extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher twinning rate compared with those in the control group. No significant （P>0.05） difference in lamb survival rate between the experimental group and the control group was observed. There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the lamb birth weight, single-lamb birth weight and twin-lamb birth weight between the experimental group and the control group. At each observed time points during gestation period, the serum levels of FSH, LH, P₄ and E₂ of the experimental group ewes had no significant （P>0.05） differences with those of the control group ewes. For the ewes in the control group, there were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the serum levels of LH, FSH and E₂ among the three observed time points during gestation period, while the serum level of P₄ at 10 d before the expected date of lambing was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that at the mid- and late-gestation period. For the ewes in the experimental group, the serum level of E₂ at the late-gestation period was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that at the mid-gestation period and 10 d before the expected date of lambing; the serum level of E₂ at the mid-gestation period was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that at 10 d before the expected date of lambing; the serum level of P₄ at the late-gestation period and 10 d before the expected date of lambing was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that at the mid-gestation period. [Conclusion] Crossbreeding of Australian White sheep as paternal parents and Hulun Buir sheep significantly elevated the twining rate and thus improved the reproductive efficiency of ewes, indicating that Australian White sheep as paternal parents had heterosis in improving the reproductive performance of Hulun Buir sheep.

[Objective] This study was conducted to monitor the quinolone residues in poultry egg products in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, and to assess the risk of quinolone residues.[Method]A total of 231 batches of poultry egg products were randomly collected from poultry farms, supermarkets and agricultural markets in Bijie City from January to November 2023. A solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method was used to detect the residue levels of 7 quinolones （enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, defloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin and pefloxacin）. The safety of quinolone residues in poultry egg products was evaluated by point assessment in exposure assessment combined with the index of food safety （IFS）.[Result]The 7 quinolones had good linear correlation in the concentration range from 0.005 to 0.1 μg/mL, with correlation coefficients （R²） all greater than 0.990. The recovery rates at 3 spiking levels （2, 6 and 10 μg/kg） ranged from 64.2% to 106.0%, with relative standard deviation （RSD） less than 15% （n=6）. The detection limit and quantification limit of the method were 0.02-0.33 μg/kg and 0.07-1.10 μg/kg, respectively. The used method was proved to be simple and fast, to have high accuracy, good precision and strong selectivity, and met the detection demands of quinolone residues in poultry egg products. Among the 231 batches of poultry egg products sampled, the residues of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was observed in 15 batches, with a detection rate of 6.5% and a residue range of 0.94-15.1 μg/kg. Among these, 3 batches had enrofloxacin residue that exceeded the maximum residue limit （10 μg/kg） specified in the National Food Safety Standard-Maximum Residue Limits for 41 Veterinary Drugs in Foods （GB 31650.1-2022） of China, with a exceeding rate of 1.3%. The average, minimum and maximum values of IFS for quinolone residues in poultry egg products in Bijie City were 5.23×10^-4, 1.39×10^-4 and 8.61×10^-4, respectively, and these values were far less than 1.[Conclusion]The quinolone residues in poultry egg products in Bijie City had minor impacts on human health and the risk was acceptable. Supervision and random inspection should be strengthened.

[Objective] This study aimed to understand the infection status and subgenotype distribution of Blastocystis in Hu sheep in large-scale farms in Hangzhou City, China. [Method] A total of 167 fresh fecal samples of Hu sheep were collected from four large-scale farms in Hangzhou City, and their whole genomic DNA were extracted. PCR assay targeting the small-subunit ribosomal RNA （SSU rRNA） gene was performed using the fecal DNA samples as templates, and the obtained positive amplification products were sequenced. The subgenotypes of Blastocystis were identified through sequence alignment. Phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze their genetic evolutionary relationships. [Result] Among the 167 samples, 18 were positive for Blastocystis, with an infection rate of 10.78% （18/167）. Three farms had the prevalence of Blastocystis, with infection rates of 21.43% （3/14）, 21.21% （14/66） and 2.13% （1/47）, respectively. One farm had no Blastocystis detection. There were extremely significant （P<0.01） differences in the infection rates of Blastocystis among different farms. Seven subgenotypes of Blastocystis were identified, including ST7 （n=1）, ST10 （n=9）, ST21 （n=3）, ST23 （n=1）, ST24 （n=2）, ST26 （n=1） and ST30 （n=1）. ST10 was found as the dominant subgenotype （9/18, 50.00%）. Based on the phylogenetic tree analysis of the SSU rRNA gene of Blastocystis, it was found that six gene subgenotypes were clustered into one large group, with ST10 and ST23 clustering into one subgroup, ST21, ST26 and ST30 clustering into one subgroup, and ST24 clustering into one subgroup as well, while ST7 was clustered into another group. [Conclusion] Blastocystis infection in Hu sheep was common in Hangzhou City, and the subgenotypes of Blastocystis had genetic diversity. The results obtained in this study provided basic data for the investigation of sheep Blastocystis infection status in China.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to understand the prevalence as well as antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene distribution of Escherichia coli in sheep in a slaughterhouse in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Method] A total of 30 samples of lymph node, carcass swabs and feces were collected from the healthy sheep in a slaughterhouse in Aksu Prefecture. Escherichia coli was isolated using selective culture medium, and subsequently molecularly identified using Escherichia coli specific phoA gene. Multilocus sequence typing （MLST） of the isolates was performed by PCR amplification and sequencing. K-B disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolates. The presence of the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of the isolates were detected by PCR assay. The 96-well plate micro-broth method was used to determine the biofilm formation ability of the isolates. [Result] A total of 14 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from the 30 samples, with a separation rate of 46.67%. The 14 isolates belonged to 10 MLST types. High resistance rates to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim （100%）, penicillin （85.71%） and tetracycline （50.00%） were observed among the isolates. Nine isolates （64.29%） expressed multi-drug resistance phenotype. Twelve antimicrobial resistance genes, including bla_TEM （85.71%）, aph （3′） （71.43%）, tetA （64.29%）, sul1 （57.14%） and sul2 （57.14%） were detected in the 14 isolates, and 8 isolates （57.14%） harboured the typeⅠintegron int-Ⅰgene. Ten virulence genes, including fimH （100%）, yijP （92.86%）, mat （92.86%）, sheA （92.86%）, stx1 （35.71%） and ibeB （28.57%） were detected in the 14 isolates. Ten isolates （71.43%） had the ability to form biofilms. [Conclusion] The sheep derived Escherichia coli strains in the slaughterhouse had abundant intraspecific subtypes, increased antimicrobial resistance and the ability to form biofilms. They also carried multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, and thus posed a potential threat to animal food safety.

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the microbial community diversities in pig house environments, to understand the structural differences of bacterial communities in different types of pig house environments, and to identify the potentially pathogenic bacterial genera. [Method] Environmental microbial samples were collected from pregnant sow houses, nursery pig houses and farrowing houses in a large-scale pig farm using air sedimentation method. Three houses were sampled for each type of pig house, with a total of 9 samples. Using Illumina Miseq technology, the high-throughput sequencing was performed targeting on the V3-V4 variant region of bacterial 16S rDNA. The sequencing data were analyzed by QIIME2 software to compare the composition of microbial communities in different types of pig house environments. [Result] At the similarity threshold of 97%, a total of 29 126 OTUs were obtained from the 9 samples, covering 31 phyla, 66 classes, 160 orders, 320 families, 899 genera and 1 831 species of bacteria. The Chao1 index, Shannon index and phylogenetic diversity index of the farrowing houses and nursery pig houses were generally higher than those of the pregnant sow houses. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were the four dominant bacterial groups at the phylum level in the pig house environments. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was the highest in all three types of pig houses, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes varied greatly among different types of pig houses. Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium and Stenotrophomonas were the genera with the highest relative abundance in farrowing houses, pregnant sow houses and nursery pig houses, respectively. There were multiple genera of bacteria with potential pathogenicity to animals, such as Helcococcus, Streptococcus, Legionella and Serratia, in the air of pig houses. [Conclusion] The pig house environments were rich in microbial community diversities. Farrowing houses and nursery pig houses had higher bacterial diversity, evolutionary diversity and abundance than the pregnant sow houses. The potentially pathogenic bacteria found in this study provided references for the selection of disinfection drugs used in pig house environments.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of different remediation measures on the restoration of degraded grassland. [Method] A restoration trial with three measures, including enclosure （TW）, enclosure+supplementary sowing （TB）, and enclosure+supplementary sowing+fertilization （TBS）, was performed on the moderately and severely degraded grasslands in Jarud Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia. Using the peripheral grazing plots as control （CK）, the vegetation height, coverage and above-ground biomass of the degraded grasslands were continuously monitored and compared under different remediation measures from 2016 to 2019. [Result] During the whole monitoring period, the vegetation height, coverage and above-ground biomass of TW, TB and TBS treatments were all significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of CK. In the current year of restoration （2016）, the vegetation height, coverage and above-ground biomass of TB and TBS treatments were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of TW treatment, and the vegetation height and coverage of TBS treatment were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of TB treatment. In 2017, the vegetation height and above-ground biomass of TBS treatment were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of TW and TB treatments, and the vegetation coverage of TB and TBS treatments was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of TW treatment. In 2018, the vegetation above-ground biomass of TB and TBS treatments was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of TW treatment, and the vegetation above-ground biomass of TBS treatment was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of TB treatment. In 2019, the vegetation coverage and above-ground biomass of TB and TBS treatments were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of TW treatment. [Conclusion] The remediation measures of enclosure, enclosure+supplementary sowing, and enclosure+supplementary sowing+fertilization all had good restoration effects on moderately and severely degraded grasslands, with enclosure+supplementary sowing+fertilization having the best restoration effect.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the effects of drought stress at different intensities on the growth and physiological characteristics of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings, and to compare the drought resistance traits of different varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings. [Method] Three varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus, including Qiansuigu, American Grain Amaranth and Grain Amaranth N053 were selected as the experimental materials. Indoor pot experiment and artificial water control experiment were conducted, with 80% of the maximum soil moisture content as the control group （CK）. Mild, moderate and severe drought stress treatments were set up, with the soil moisture content of 60%, 40% and 20% of the maximum soil moisture content, respectively. The growth and physiological indicators of different varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings under different drought stress intensities were measured and statistically compared. The evaluation indicators were screened through principal component analysis, and subsequently the drought resistance of the three varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings was assessed using the membership function comprehensive evaluation method. [Result] The seedling growth indicators （plant height, number of leaves and stem width） of the three Amarunthus hypochondriacus varieties had gradually decreasing trends with the increase of drought stress intensities. Under the moderate and severe drought stress, the plant height, number of leaves and stem width of the three varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings were significantly （P<0.05） lower than those of CK and the mild drought stress. With the increase of drought stress intensities, the three varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings had generally decreased SPAD value, increased malondialdehyde （MDA） content, elevated proline （PRO） content, increased first and then decreased soluble sugar （SS） content, while the soluble protein （SP） content had no obvious change. As the intensities of drought stress increased, the leaf relative conductivity （RC） of American Grain Amaranth seedlings gradually decreased, the leaf RC of Qiansuigu seedlings gradually increased, and the leaf RC of Grain Amaranth N053 first increased and then decreased. The activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and peroxidase （POD） of the three varieties of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings demonstrated an overall trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Under the severe drought stress, the activities of SOD and POD of American Grain Amaranth seedlings were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of Qiansuigu and Grain Amaranth N053 seedlings, and the CAT activity was also higher than that of the other two varieties. Principal component analysis revealed that the contribution rates of the first four principal components were 35.456%, 20.030%, 12.507% and 8.371%, respectively, with a cumulative contribution rate of 76.364%. The indicators with high absolute values of eigenvector in the first four principal components included plant height, number of leaves, stem width, MDA content, CAT activity, POD activity, SOD activity and SS content. These indicators were used as the source of comprehensive evaluation indicators for drought resistance. The membership function comprehensive evaluation showed that the average membership function values of the drought resistance associated indicators for American Grain Amaranth, Qiansuigu and Grain Amaranth N053 seedlings were 0.72, 0.53 and 0.29, respectively. [Conclusion] Through principal component analysis and membership function comprehensive evaluation of the growth and physiological indicators of Amarunthus hypochondriacus seedlings, the drought resistance of the three varieties seedlings from high to low was: American Grain Amaranth > Qiansuigu > Grain Amaranth N053.

As a fundamental link of the modern grassland governance system, digitization of grassland ecological production is crucial for preserving ecological balance, increasing productivity, and fostering the transformation and upgrading of the pastoral economy. Currently, although digital technology is being widely used in monitoring and management of grassland ecological production at all levels, its overall development and implementation is still lagging behind. With a particular focus on the digitization process of grassland ecology and production activity, this paper analyzed the development status, main accomplishments and primary problems in this field at both the national and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region levels. Furthermore, a series of countermeasures on the digital development of grassland ecological production were made from the perspective of national strategy in response to the numerous shortcomings of the current digital construction of grassland ecology, in hoping to lay a strong technological foundation for the realization of the ecological civilization construction goal of ′green mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets′, as well as for the development of new quality productive forces in grassland.

[Objective] This study was conducted to explore the optimal plant spacing and row spacing for seed production of Bothriochloa ischaemum.[Method] Using Bothriochloa ischaemum ′Taihang′ seeds as the experimental materials and a two-factor split zone experiment design, four plant spacing levels （R₁=30 cm, R₂=45 cm, R₃=60 cm, R₄=75 cm） and four row spacing levels （L₁=30 cm, L₂=45 cm, L₃=60 cm, L₄=75 cm） were set up to assess the effects of different plant spacing and row spacing combinations on seed yield and its components of Bothriochloa ischaemum.[Result]Plant spacing and row spacing had extremely significant （P<0.01） interactions on the reproductive branch number, inflorescence length, plant height and shattering rate. The interactions between plant spacing and row spacing had extremely significant （P<0.01） effects on the actual seed yield of Bothriochloa ischaemum. Correlation analysis demonstrated that plant spacing was significantly （P<0.05） positively correlated with the reproductive branch number, spikelet number, theoretical seed yield and actual seed yield, and significantly （P<0.05） negatively correlated with the inflorescence length; the row spacing was significantly （P<0.05） positively correlated with the reproductive branch number, spikelet number, thousand grain weight, theoretical seed yield and actual seed yield, and significantly （P<0.05） negatively correlated with the inflorescence length. Principal component analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the first two principal components was 81.946%. The main traits determining the first common factor were reproductive branch number, spikelet number, inflorescence length, shattering rate, thousand grain weight, theoretical seed yield and actual seed yield. The contribution rate of the second common factor was 20.994%. The comprehensive evaluation of yield indicators revealed that R₃L₃ （60 cm × 60 cm） had the highest score of 5.039.[Conclusion]To achieve the highest seed yield of Bothriochloa ischaemum, the optimal plant spacing and row spacing were 60 cm for both.

Bone is the hard connective tissue in vertebrates, which has the functions of constituting the basic scaffolding of the body, protecting organs, supporting body weight and maintaining locomotion. Skeletal development is mainly accomplished through intramembranous osteogenesis and endochondral ossification, and is a process in which a complex regulatory network of multiple regulatory factors works together to maintain bone health in livestock and poultry. Integrin is a trans-membrane receptor on the cell membrane that mediates cell-matrix interactions. It not only has the role of causing cell adhesion, but is also capable of triggering corresponding responses in the body through bidirectional transmission of intracellular and extracellular signals. Integrin regulates multiple signaling pathways, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway, and plays an important role in maintaining bone health in livestock and poultry. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is mediated by enzyme-linked receptors and is capable of regulating cellular life activities. It can regulate cartilage metabolism homeostasis through inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis, which is of great importance for maintaining bone health. Based on the research progress in the relationships among bone metabolism, integrin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in livestock and poultry both domestically and internationally, this article reviews the effects of integrin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on bone metabolism, and the impacts of integrin on bone metabolism via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, in hoping to provide theoretical bases for exploring the key role of integrin in regulating bone health in livestock and poultry via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

[Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of parity, body condition score and backfat thickness on reproductive performance of sows in late pregnancy. [Method] A total of 654 Dannish sows in late pregnancy （109 d of gestation） were selected from the same production batch, and were grouped according to the parity （1-3 parity groups）, body condition score （1-5 score groups）, and backfat thickness （≤ 10 mm group, 11-15 mm group, 16-20 mm group, 21-25 mm group, and > 25 mm group）. The first parity group, body condition score 3 group, and backfat thickness 16-20 mm group were used as the control groups, and the other groups within the same indexes were used as the experimental groups. The data of body condition score, backfat thickness and parity as well as total number of piglets born, live litter weight, number of live piglets, number of healthy piglets, number of weak piglets, number of mummified fetus, and number of stillborn piglets were all entered and processed by the linear mixed model of IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 statistical software. [Result] With the increased parities of the pregnant sows, the total number of piglets born, live litter weight, number of live piglets, and number of healthy piglets exhibited a significantly （P<0.05） increasing trend. When the backfat thickness of the sows in late pregnancy was in the range of 16-20 mm, the total number of piglets born, number of live piglets, and number of healthy piglets reached the maximum values, while the number of weak piglets and number of stillborn piglets reached the minimum values. When the backfat thickness of the sows in late pregnancy was in the range of 21-25 mm, the number of weak piglets, number of mummified fetus, and number of stillborn piglets were all elevated. When the body condition score of the sows in late pregnancy was 4, the total number of piglets born, number of live piglets, and number of healthy piglets were the highest. [Conclusion] Parity, body condition score and backfat thickness of sows in late pregnancy all have impacts on litter performance and can serve as important references for predicting sow reproductive performance.