Background: The digestive system is responsible for the intake, conversion and absorption of nutrients and the elimination of wastes from the body in order to provide the necessary energy for the continuation of vitality and functions. The aim of this study was to examine the glandular stomach of the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) by histological, histochemical and scanning electron microscopic methods. 
 
Methods: The glandular stomachs of 12 (6 males and 6 females) healthy adult Chinese geese (Anser cygnoides) were used in the study. The tissues taken were subjected to routine histological procedures.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Gross anatomically, it was seen that the Proventriculus was a fusiform or spindle-shaped organ, extending along the median plane between the esophagus and the muscular stomach. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations revealed that the glandular stomach surface of Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) contained many mucosal folds. Parallel grooves and proventricular gland openings were observed between these folds. Histologically, it was observed that the glandular stomach wall of Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) consisted of four layers: tunica mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. The tunica mucosa was observed to have lamina epithelialis, lamina propria and lamina muscularis sublayers. Single layer prismatic cells secreting mucus were found in the lamina epithelialis layer. These cells showed local Alcian Blue (AB) pH:2,5 positive reaction. Lamina muscularis consisted of longitudinal smooth muscle fiber bundles. Compound, branched tubular glands were observed in the submucosal layer. Again, a regional AB positive reaction was observed in the lumen-facing parts of the tubular glands. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) positive reaction was noted in the basal parts of the tubular glands. In Gordon-Sweet (GS) staining method, reticular threads easily distinguished in all areas where connective tissue present.

Gross Anatomical, Histological, Histochemical and Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination of Glandular Stomach of Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoides)

Background: The liver, the main organ in the continuity of energy supply, is the largest gland in the body. The liver, which has functions such as cleansing the body from toxins, synthesizing bile, secreting the synthesized bile and regulating metabolism, acts as an endocrine and exocrine gland. The liver is a complex organ that processes the digested and absorbed substances, stores them for the benefit of other organs or transfers them to the circulatory system, thus creating a transition zone between the digestive system and the circulatory system. The aim of this study is to examine the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) liver Anatomically, Histologically and by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). 
 
Methods: In this study Chinese geese (Anser cygnoides) were procured from a private farm in Aksaray, 6 females and 6 males, were utilized.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Tissue samples were examined under a light microscope with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) staining method. Histologically, it was observed that the liver in Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) did not have the typical lobule structure, consisted of many lobules and the interlobular septum was thin. Hepatocytes were oval and centrally located and merged to form remark cords and these remark cords were separated by sinusoids. Kupffer cells were present. Lymph nodules were intensely observed in the examined tissues. Bile duct, arteria hepatica and vena porta forming the Kiernan&rsquo;s space were found. It was determined that each unit with the vena centralis was similar to the lobule structure. Healthy mitochondrial structures and heterochromatic-appearing hepatocytes and Kupffer cells were observed electron microscopically. The nucleus of the hepatocyte was round and euchromatic, the nuclear membrane was healthy and intact and the nucleolus was centrally located. The cytoplasm contained a very small number of small vacuoles. It was observed that the cytoplasm was homogeneously distributed. Mitochondria were normal in appearance, with regular double membranes and healthy cristae. A very prominent bile duct and a healthy endoplasmic reticulum structure were observed.

Anatomical, Histological and Transmission Electron Microscopic Examination of Liver in Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoides)

This study aimed to reveal the distribution and morphological characteristics of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) at different ages in the bursa of &nbsp;Fabricius (BF) in Chinese Yellow Quail. The distribution and morphological characteristics of VIP of &nbsp;BF in Chinese yellow quails at different ages (0, 1, 3, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 32 and 36 weeks) were observed using the immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin complex method after obtaining the sections and subsequent immunohistochemical staining. Then semi-quantitative analysis of the mean optical density (MOD), integral optical density (IOD) and mean gray value (MGV) for VIP immunoreactivity was performed through Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. VIP was observed at all ages in Chinese yellow quail&rsquo;s BF. It formed a long fusiform, oval or granular type structures with clear outline mainly localized in the submucosa, muscular layer and serosal connective tissue. At 25 weeks of age, the MOD value of VIP-positive cells reached the maximum, and then gradually reduced, while the MGV value was the lowest. We observed the localization and morphological characteristics of VIP in BF of Chinese yellow quail. VIP was mainly localized in the submucosa, muscular layer and serosal connective tissue of BF. Findings of this study may provide further understanding of the function of VIP in BF of Chinese yellow quails.

Immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide in bursa of fabricius of Chinese yellow quail

A habitats comprises a range of environmental features that provide adequate resources for wildlife to survive. Consequently, the criteria of habitat selection by animals, combines a wider spectrum of both environmental and other factors, with major prerequisites being food resources, availability of shelter and suitable conditions for reproduction. The den habitat selection of the Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) was studied in Yuanbaoshan Nature Reserve, Guangxi China. The Vanderloeg and Scavia selectivity index (Ei) indicates that the Chinese bamboo rat shows a preference for all habitat features except for slope, slope position and distance to water (P&gt;0.05). Chi-square goodness of fit test showed that canopy density, shelter from wind, distance between shrubs, shrub density, elevation, southern aspect, human disturbance and food abundance, were the preferred features (P&lt;0.05). With regards to human disturbance, the Chinese bamboo rat preferred places &gt;1000 m away from human habitation. An eastern and southern sloping direction, a 20&deg;^~40&deg; slope and an elevation range of &gt;1800m were more frequently used. The Chinese bamboo rat prefers habitats lying above 1000m in elevation with high shrub density (with shrub separation under 0.1m). Principle component analysis indicates that concealment factors, geographical factors, interference factors, food factors, and water factors affect the den habitat character of the Chinese bamboo rat. Our results support the notion that the habitat preferences of the Chinese bamboo rat are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.

Den habitat selection of the chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) in Northern Guangxi China

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: In recent years, it has been reported that melatonin plays an important role in the development of skin hair follicles in mammals. The down we often use is mainly from the skin feather follicles of geese, but their production is not high. Therefore, the study of skin feather follicles is of great significance. 
 
Methods: The skin feather follicle tissues of goose dorsal skin at three developmental nodes (E14, E18 and E28) were collected; the differential expression and distribution of melatonin receptor genes were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemical methods, respectively. The results showed that melatonin receptor gene was expressed in varying degrees at three time points of goose embryonic skin feather follicle development. The expression sites and Protein expression level of Mel1a and ROR&alpha; were regularly changed by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. 
 
Result: Our research showed that melatonin receptor genes can play an important regulatory role in the development of goose skin feather follicles.</div>

A Study on Melatonin Receptor Genes Expression in Embryonic Goose Skin Feather Follicles

Background: Chinese herbal medicine are rich in nutrients and active ingredients, with advantages such as immune function, antioxidant capacity, stress reduction, tumor inhibition and improved meat quality. The effects of Chinese herbal medicines on the muscle microstructure and meat quality of broiler chickens were investigated by feeding with compound Chinese herbal medicines composed of stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala, licorice, astragalus, hawthorn fruit, poria cocos, isatis root, dried tangerine peel and common yam rhizome. 
 
Methods: The 800, 1-day-old, chickens were allocated to 4 treatments with 5 replicates, each replicate containing 40 birds. Birds were fed diets supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% compound Chinese herbal medicines for a period of 7 weeks ad libitum. At 21 and 42 days old, the birds were slaughtered and the breast and thigh muscles were sampled from 4 birds per replicate to determine meat quality and microstructure of muscle. 
 
Result: The results revealed that 1.0% compound Chinese herbal medicines significantly increased water holding capacity of the thigh muscle and decreased drip loss, cooking loss and water loss rate of 21-day-old broiler chickens. Moreover, 1.0% compound Chinese herbal medicine significantly decreased the muscle fibers diameters of breast and thigh muscle. Microscopic observation showed that 0.5% and 1.0% compound Chinese herbal medicines decreased the fibers diameters of muscle fibers. The results indicated that the addition of 0.5% and 1.0% compound Chinese herbal medicines in the diets could promote muscle growth and improve the meat quality of broiler chickens.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicines on the Muscle Growth and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Endometritis is a frequent postpartum disease of dairy cows and inflicts considerable distress on the animals and costs to the dairy industry. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of Chinese and Western Medicine combination treatments for dairy cow endometritis to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of these infections. This analysis provides new information for veterinary medical research. We used the keywords &lsquo;Chinese and Western Medicine, Traditional and Western Medicine, Chinese herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Medicine, Chinese, Zhong Yi Xue, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Traditional, Endometritis, Metritis and Cow to assess relevant literature sources collected in CNKI, Wanfang, Vepsa, China Patent Information Network, PubMed, Web of Science and other domestic and foreign databases. We utilized Cochrane system instructions to perform a meta-analysis using RevMan 5. 3 and Stata 16.0 software. We identified 13 randomized clinical trials (RCT) involving 847 dairy cows including cows 435 treated with a combination of Chinese and Western Medicine and 412 cows treated with the Western Medicine approach. The effectiveness for the combination therapy was better than that of the control (antibiotic only) where the relative risk was 1.19 with 95% CI (1.12, 1.26) and Z =5.96, P&lt;0.01. We found no significant heterogeneity between these studies (I2=0&lt;50%, P =0.50&lt;0.1) and publication bias was absent as investigated through funnel plots and the Egger regression model (P=0.197&gt;0.05). These results indicated that although the Chinese herbal preparations differed between studies (n=13), when coupled with Western antibiotic treatments the animals recovered faster than did the control Western antibiotic treatments. These randomized control studies indicated that the efficacy of Chinese and Western Medicine on endometritis in dairy cows is greater than that of Western Medicine treatments.

Efficacy of Chinese and Western Medicine on Endometritis in Dairy Cows: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

<div>Background: Proximate analysis of fodder crop helps us to design a balanced ration for the livestock.&nbsp;Oat is major fodder crop in North India during the Rabi season. Chinese cabbage can be a potential fodder crop for increasing the quantity as well as nutrient content of the available fodder during the season. The present study was conducted at NDRI research farm for assessing the yield, economics as well as the proximate analysis content advantage in oats and Chinese cabbage intercropping.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field trial was conducted during rabi season, 2020 at research farm of NDRI, Karnal. It consisted of seven treatments (Oats sole + RDF, Chinese Cabbage sole + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + RDF, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR, Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF + FYM+ PGPR).&nbsp; 
 
Result: LER of intercropping was observed highest in the &ldquo;Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR&rdquo; which was significantly higher than the other treatments. Yield of various quality parameters like crude protein, ether extract, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose for oats and Chinese cabbage solely were obtained in their sole treatment (Sole Oats+ RDF, Sole Chinese cabbage +RDF respectively) but the total yield of CP was recorded highest in the Oats + Chinese Cabbage (1:2) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR&rdquo; and the total yield of remaining quality parameters were reported maximum in the &ldquo;Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR.&rdquo;&nbsp; Gross returns (₹ 72022/ha), net returns (₹ 50593/ha) were again reported maximum in the &ldquo;Oats + Chinese Cabbage (2:1) + 75% RDF+ FYM+ PGPR.&rdquo;&nbsp;</div>

Effect of Nutrient Management on the Land Equivalent Ratio, Yield of Various Quality Parameters, Economics of Oats and Chinese Cabbage in Intercropping

Background: Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) causes black spot disease, which is one of the major diseases limiting the production of vegetable crops, especially Chinese kale in Southeast Asia and Thailand. Previous pathogen management based on synthetic fungicides is expensive, toxic for humans, and harmful to the environment. The current study investigated the efficiency of Talaromyces flavus (Kl&ouml;cker) Stolk and Samson Bodhi001, Talaromyces trachyspermus (Shear) Stolk and Samson Bodhi002, Talaromyces flavus (Kl&ouml;cker) Stolk and Samson Bodhi003, Neosartorya fischeri (Wehmer) Malloch and Cain Bodhi004, and Neosartorya fischeri (Wehmer) Malloch and Cain in controlling Chinese kale black spot disease caused by A. brassicicola under field conditions.

Methods: A. brassicicola and four antagonistic fungus strains were cultured separately on a PDA plate and incubated at room temperature for 14 days. Ten mL of sterile water was poured into a culture plate, and the spores were gently scraped from the mycelium with a sterile loop to obtain a spore suspension and afterward adjusted to a final concentration of 106 spores mL&minus;1.

Result: The results showed that spore suspensions of 106 spores&nbsp;mL&minus;1 of T. flavus Bodhi001, T. trachyspermus Bodhi002, T. flavus Bodhi003, N. fischeri Bodhi004, and N. fischeri effectively controlled black spot disease in field trials and resulted in a significant reduction in black spot incidence compared with the unprotected control. Meanwhile, the spore suspension of T. flavus Bodhi001 revealed the greatest suppression of black spot incidence, causing 10.23% and 42.93% disease reduction, compared with the negative control, indicating promising preventive activity against A. brassicicola. Based on our results, T. favus Bodhi001 is a promising biological control agent (BCA) in controlling A. brassicicola causing Chinese kale black spot disease.

Field Efficacy of Antagonistic Fungi against Black Spot Disease of Chinese Kale

<div>This study was aimed to investigate the morphology, growth, histological structure and development of the spleen of the Chinese yellow quail at different ages(from 0 to 38 weeks). The yellow Quail spleen was spherical, brownish red, located at the right dorsal of the junction of the muscle stomach and glandular stomach. The absolute quality, length and width of the spleen gradually increased with age, reaching a maximum for each of these measurements at the age of 6 weeks and then remainied unchanged between 10 and 26 weeks of age. Finally, these measurements of the spleen were no significant difference at 30 weeks of age compared to at 34 to 38 weeks (P&gt;0.05). Although, these measurements were found to gradually decrease during 30-38 weeks of age, the decrease was not obvious. The basic structure of the spleen included red pulp, white pulp and the edge area. In addition, the average area and diameter of the splenic nodules, the white pulp ellipsoid and the periarterial lymphatic sheath gradually increased, reaching maximum sizes at the age of 26 weeks. It was seen that a sustained developmental period occurred at 0-6 weeks of age and a maturation period occurred at 10-38 weeks during the development of quail spleen.</div>