传染性法氏囊病病毒VP2-4-3 cDNA的分子克隆和序列分析

从法氏囊组织分离IBDV超强毒株HK46并提取基因组RNA。以RNA为模板进行反转录合成cDNA第一链。采用长PCR扩增技术获得VP2－4－3 cDNA全长片段。将PCR产物克隆到pcDNA3.1( )载体，得到重组质粒pPP1。对pPP1插入片段全长序列进行了测序并对其序列进行了分析。结果表明，VP2－4－3 cDNA阅读框架由3039bp组成，可编码1012个氨基酸组成的前体多聚蛋白。经比较得知，HK46超强毒株VP2－4－3氨基酸序列与经典毒株间存在19－28个氨基酸的差异；与Harbin强毒株相差32个氨基酸；而与超强毒株OKYM和UK661分别相差2和6个氨基酸，且它们的VP2序列完全相同。在HK46超强毒株所特有的9个氨基酸中，3个位于VP2可变区，显示超强毒株其抗原性存在着变异。     

鸡生长激素基因内含子4新等位基因的序列分析

试验以粤黄鸡矮脚黄系等不同肉鸡、蛋鸡品种（系）作为试验材料，对新发现的生长激素基因内含子4等位基因的PCR产物作纯化测序，研究多态性产生的机理及碱基变异情况。结果发现cGH内含子4长约1170bp，内含子4的A、B、C、D等位基因长分别为1170bp、1164bp、1168bp，它们之间存在不同程度的碱基差异，而第580碱基的突变（A→G）和第688碱基的突变（A→G）分别产生了MspⅠ酶切位点，是多态性形成的根本原因。“PCR产物双带”的形成是由于cGH基因内含子4其中一条链上第420－470位碱基全部缺失，不同等位基因间存在碱基缺失、插入和替换，测序结果与酶切后电泳结果相吻合。     

An erythromycin derivative produced by targeted gene disruption in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Derivatives of erythromycin with modifications at their C-6 position are generally sought for their increased stability at acid pH, which in turn may confer improved pharmacological properties. A recombinant mutant of the erythromycin-producing bacterium, Saccharopolyspora erythraea, produced an erythromycin derivative, 6-deoxyerythromycin A, that could not be obtained readily by chemical synthesis. This product resulted from targeted disruption of the gene, designated eryF (systematic nomenclature, CYP107), that apparently codes for the cytochrome P450, 6-deoxyerythronolide B (DEB) hydroxylase, which converts DEB to erythronolide B (EB). Enzymes normally acting on EB can process the alternative substrate DEB to form the biologically active erythromycin derivative lacking the C-6 hydroxyl group.     

trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid isomer exhibits stronger oxyradical scavenging capacity than cis-9,trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid isomer

Although studies have been performed to test whether conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) acts as an antioxidant, the results were not conclusive. In addition, the CLA widely used in previous research contains 43% cis-9,trans-11 isomer, 45% trans-10,cis-12 isomer, and 10 other minor isomers. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of cis-9,trans-11- and trans-10, cis-12-CLA isomers using high-purity CLA isomers (>98%) by total oxyradical scavenging capacity assay (Winston, G. W.; Regoli, F.; Dugas, Jr., A. J.; Fong, J. H.; Blanchard, K. A. Free Radical Biol. Med. 1998, 24, 480-493). At all concentrations (2-200 microM), t10, c12-CLA performed as an antioxidant with a 15-min lag phase, which was more effective than c9,t11-CLA and alpha-tocopherol at lower concentrations (2 and 20 microM). On the other hand, c9,t11-CLA possessed weak antioxidant activity at 2 and 20 microM, whereas at 200 microM it acted as a strong pro-oxidant, which suggests that discrepancies of the results of the previous studies on the antioxidant properties of CLA may be due to the balance of the antioxidant properties of t10,c12-CLA and the pro-oxidant properties of c9,t11-CLA in different oxidation conditions.     

Behaviour of price transmissions in vertically coordinated markets: The case of frozen black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)*

Abstract

This study analyses the behaviour of the price transmission process for the leading cultured shrimp species, black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), in both forward and backward directions between Thai and Indonesian shrimp packer markets and the Japan Tokyo wholesale market. The bivariate cointegration approach using the Engle‐Granger two‐stage estimation procedure is applied in this study. The results show that Tokyo wholesale prices appear to have stronger backward influences on the formation of overseas contract prices used by Japanese shrimp importers in the Thai and Indonesian shrimp packer markets. In addition, there is a tendency for the speed of price transmissions in the long term to increase with increasing size class (from 26 to 30–21–25 and 16–20 counts per pound) of black tiger shrimp, regardless of estimation specification in the direction of price transmissions and the shrimp country of origin.     

Simultaneous quantification of eight bioactive components of Houttuynia cordata and related Saururaceae medicinal plants by on-line high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–electrospray mass spectrometry

An on-line high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–diode array detector (DAD)–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) method has been developed to quantify simultaneously eight bioactive chemical components in Houttuynia cordata Thunb and related Saururaceae medicinal plants. Simultaneous separation of these eight compounds was achieved on a C₁₈ analytical column with gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.2% acetic acid (v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min and being detected at 280 nm. These eight compounds were completely separated within 90 min. Good linear regression relationship (r² > 0.9978) within test ranges was shown in all calibration curves. Good repeatabilty for the quantification of these eight compounds in H. cordata was also demonstrated in this method, with intra- and inter-day variations less than 3.0%. The method established was successfully applied to quantify eight bioactive compounds in closely related species of H. cordata, which provides a new basis for quality assessment of H. cordata.     

Effects of contour hedgerows on water and soil conservation,crop productivity and nutrient budget for slope farmland in the Three Gorges Region (TGR) of China

Soil erosion has long been recognized as a major environmental problem in the Three Gorges Region (TGR) where slope farming is commonly practiced but the local topography is hilly. In consideration of the poor socioeconomic position of local farmers, low cost hedgerows had been introduced as a soil conservation measure to the TGR in the late 1980s. A collaborative research programme was initiated by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Chinese Academy of Science, the Huazhong Agricultural University, and the Bureau of Soil and Water Conservation of Zigui County to study the potential of adopting hedgerows in the TGR. Six experimental plots (10 m × 2 m, gradient = 25°) were constructed at Zigui County, Hubei Province to study effects of hedgerows on erosion, nutrient loss and crop productivity. Results indicated that there were significant relationships between rainfall and runoff, and rainfall and soil loss, respectively. Conventional slope farming could not be considered a sustainable agricultural practice because it resulted in severe erosion and low crop yield. Hedgerows per se seemed not to be effective in reducing soil loss and boosting crop productivity, but performances could be greatly improved when they combined with the use of fertilizers. Current farming and fertilization practices, however, generally did not meet N demands of crops. Results and findings of this paper will contribute towards a technical reference for the promotion and adoption of hedgerows in the TGR.     

Laboratory and environmental decay of wood–plastic composite boards: flexural properties

The flexural properties of wood–plastic composite (WPC) deck boards exposed to 9.5 years of environmental decay in Hilo, Hawaii, were compared to samples exposed to moisture and decay fungi for 12 weeks in the laboratory, to establish a correlation between sample flexural properties and calculated void volume. Specimens were tested for flexural strength and modulus, both wet and dry, at 23°C and 52°C. Some specimens degenerated to only 15% of original flexural strength. UV radiation had no impact on flexural properties of field-exposed boards; loss occurred mainly on the side opposite to the sun-exposed surface. The mechanism of the aging process on colonization of WPC by fungi was examined and is consistent with development of slow crack growth in the polyethylene matrix combined with wood decay by fungi. Wood particle decay, moisture, and elevated temperature were the major factors causing composite degradation, indicated by accumulation of voids and a severe decrease in flexural properties. To simulate long-term field impact (including decay) on WPC flexural properties in the laboratory, conditioning of specimens in hot water for an extended period of time is required. Exposure to water (70°C/5 days) was adequate for simulating long-term composite exposure in Hawaii of 4?×?15?×?86 mm³ specimens.