Circulating levels and in vitro production of two maturation-inducing hormones in teleost: 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, in a daily spawning wrasse, Pseudolabrus japonicus

The female bambooleaf wrasse, Pseudolabrus japonicus, spawns daily during the spawning season, and exhibits a diurnal rhythm of ovarian development. In the present study, we have investigated: (1) circulating levels of 17a, 20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen- 17,20-P) and 17,20,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) in females sampled at different times of the day during spawning season in captivity, and (2) in vitro production of 17,20-P and 20-S by follicle-enclosed oocytes at seven different develo tal stages. In addition, we developed a microtiter plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 17,20-P. Serum levels of 17,20-P and 20-S showed similar diurnal changes; substantial increases in these levels occurred around the time of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). In vitro experiments showed that massive production of 17,20-P and 20-S occurred in follicles collected just before or during GVBD. Further, acute decreases in 17,20-P and 20-S production were found in the ovarian follicles just prior to ovulation, suggesting inactivation of the maturation-inducing hormone (MIH). These results, taken together with our previous data on the occurrence of GVBD in vitro, suggest a role for both 17,20-P and 20b-S as MIHs in the bambooleaf wrasse.     

油菜素内酯对低温胁迫下冬小麦 wrab17基因表达的影响

为了探索油菜素内酯（BR）对低温胁迫下 wrab17基因表达模式的影响,以寒地冬小麦品种东农冬麦1号（Dn1）为试验材料,利用qRT-PCR技术克隆得到 wrab17基因的cDNA序列,利用生物信息学方法分析该序列的特征,采用qRT-PCR技术检测低温（5 ℃、0 ℃、-10 ℃、-25 ℃）胁迫下该基因在冬小麦叶片和分蘖节中的表达情况以及BR对 wrab17基因表达量的影响。结果表明, wrab17基因的编码区序列长度为735 bp,包含500 bp的完整开放阅读框,可编码167个氨基酸,属于稳定蛋白质,该蛋白质无跨膜区和信号肽。qRT-PCR分析表明,低温胁迫下对照组和BR处理组的Dn1叶片和分蘖节中, wrab17基因的相对表达量分别在-10 ℃和-25 ℃时最高,且BR处理组 wrab17基因的相对表达量均高于对照组,推测BR可通过提高 wrab17基因的表达量来增强冬小麦的抗寒能力。     

Effects of steroid hormones on immunoglobulin M (IgM) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The immunosuppressive effects of steroid hormones were evaluated as the response against implanted steroid hormones, cortisol (F), testosterone (T), estradiol-17 (E2), and 11- ketotestosterone (11-KT), in juvenile rainbow trout. In long term experiments (5 weeks), fish were given a single intraperitoneal implant of F or T. A clear suppressive effect of plasma IgM levels with F and T was not necessarily obtained, although mucus IgM levels were reduced corresponding to the elevated plasma steroid hormone levels. In short term experiments (1 week), intraperitoneal implantation of T, 11-KT and E2 suppressed plasma and mucus IgM levels, although the effects were not dose-dependent. When administered through diet, F and T caused a suppression of plasma IgM levels; F administration at both high and low dosages caused a significant decrease in plasma IgM levels, while only a high dose of T caused the suppression. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones, as well as F, have immunosuppressive functions in rainbow trout.     

Relationship between Th17 cells infiltrated in lungs and pulmonary vascular reconstruction under hypobarric hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) mRNA and interleukin-17(IL-17) protein in the lung tissue under hypobaric hypoxia, and the relationship between Th17 cells and hypoxic pulmonary vascular reconstruction. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice(n=50) were randomly divided into control group and 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypobaric hypoxia groups. The mice in hypobaric hypoxia groups were housed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(simulated altitude of 6 000 m) for 3 d, 7 d, 14 d or 28 d. The mice in control group were housed in normal pressure and oxygen environment. The hemodynamic data were recorded by cardiac catheterization. The hypertrophy of right ventricle was evaluated by the ratio of weight of the right ventricle to the weight of the left ventricle plus interventri-cular septum, and the right ventricular weight over body weight. The spleen was collected and the proportions of the Th17(CD4⁺IL-17⁺RORγt⁺) cells were detected by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 and the change of IL-17 in the lung tissue were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the spleen and lung tissues was measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mouse right ventricular systolic pressure, the hypertrophy index of right ventricle and the serum IL-17 level were significantly elevated in hypoxia groups, which was consistent with the results of flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the lung tissue was also significantly increased in 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. The expression of IL-17 in the lung tissue was significantly increased in 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia promotes differentiation of Th0 cells to Th17 cells in the spleen. The Th17 cells infiltrated in the lung tissue under hypobarric hypoxia are involved in pulmonary vascular reconstruction.     

Role of 17-AAG in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of HCT-15 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of 17-AAG on apoptosis and cell cycle of HCT-15 cells and to clarify the related mechanisms. METHODS: MTT method was employed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of 17-AAG with Aifferent time and different doses on the proliferation of HCT-15 cells. The cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC/propidiumiodide and measured by flow cytometry. The expression of STAT3, cyclin D1, Cyt C, caspase 9 and caspase 3 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with 17-AAG at concentration of 1.25~20 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h significantly inhibited the activity of HCT-15 cells at both time-and concentration-dependent manners. Treatment with 17-AAG at concentrations of 0.425, 0.85 and 1.7 mg/L for 48 h significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of HCT-15 cells. The exposure of 17-AAG at concentrations of 0.425, 0.85 and 1.7 mg/L for 48 h to the HCT-15 cells significantly down-regulated the expression of STAT3 and cyclin D1 at mRNA and protein levels, but up-regulated Cyt C, caspase 9 and caspase 3 mRNA and protein in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: 17-AAG inhibits the cell activity, induces apoptosis and G₁ arrest by down-regulating the expression of cyclin D1, and promoting the mitochondria apoptosis through STAT3 pathway.     

Little effect of forest age on oribatid mites on the bark of trees

This study investigates the effect of forest age (20-, 50-, 160-year-old, and primeval forest) on oribatid mite communities on the bark of oak trees in the National Park Pusza Białowieża in eastern Poland. We hypothesized that oribatid mite diversity on bark peaks at forests of intermediate age and that the number of parthenogenetic species of oribatid mites is highest in young stands. In contrast to these hypotheses, the diversity, density, number of juveniles, community structure and the mode of reproduction of oribatid mite species were not significantly affected by forest age. None of the oribatid mite species occurred exclusively on trees of a specific age. The results suggest that oribatid mite communities on the bark of trees are minimally affected by tree harvesting regimes. In contrast to oribatid mites in soil, communities on bark appear to be less sensitive to disturbances.     

子莲新品种——“建选17号”亲本分子鉴定

建选17号系红花建莲/寸三莲65//太空莲2号复合杂交选育而成的子莲新品种。利用RAPD和ISSR两种分子标记技术,对4个莲子基因型的亲缘关系进行鉴定。结果显示,莲子亲本之间具有丰富的遗传背景;在所检测到的多态性位点中,建选17号与红花建莲相同的有14个,占25.93%;与寸三莲65相同的有11个,占20.37%;与太空莲2号相同的有32个,占59.26%。但是ISSR检测到1个位点(ISSR-L8-950bp)为建选17号所特有。建选17号97.44%的遗传信息分别来自不同的亲本基因型,并发生了部分遗传变异;与太空莲2号、寸三莲65、红花建莲的遗传距离分别为0.1467、0.5792、0.6646。从而从DNA水平证实了建选17号确系3个亲本的复合杂交后代。     

关中奶山羊精液中四种激素水平的季节性变化

应用放射免疫分析法(RIA)测定了关中奶山羊公羊(n=11)全年精液中睾酮(T)、17β-雌二醇(17β-E_2)、孕酮(p_4)和皮质醇(F)水平。T水平在8～11月份平均为9.35ng/ml,12～7月份平均为2.13ng/ml(p<0.001)。17β-E_2浓度在6,10月份极显著地高于其他月份(p<0.01);P_4含量在4～8月份极显著地高于9～8月份(P<0.01);F浓度在8～12月份平均为11.04ng/ml,1～7月份平均为8.12ng/ml(p<0.001)。     

ADAMTS17 mutation associated with primary lens luxation is widespread among breeds

Primary lens luxation (PLL) is a well-recognized, painful and potentially blinding inherited ocular condition in dogs. We screened PLL-affected dogs of 30 different breeds, to identify those which carried a previously described c.1473+1 G>A mutation in ADAMTS17 that is associated with PLL in Miniature Bull terriers, Lancashire Heelers, and Jack Russell terriers. This ADAMTS17 mutation was identified in PLL-affected dogs from 14 additional breeds. PLL-affected dogs from some breeds (most notably the Shar pei and the Brittany spaniel) did not carry the G1473+1A ADAMTS17 mutation, indicating they must suffer from a genetically distinct form of the condition. We also estimated the frequency of this ADAMTS17 mutation in some of the breeds. Our findings indicate the mutation segregates in a large number of different breeds of dog, many of which are terriers or breeds with terrier co-ancestry, but some of which have more diverse origins. Our results also indicate that the mutation is present at high frequency within most of the breeds in which it segregates. In the miniature bull terrier breed estimates of mutation frequency ranged from 0.27 to 0.39, corresponding to 7.3-15.2% PLL-affected dogs in this breed. We also identified an increased risk of PLL associated with heterozygosity at ADAMTS17, suggesting that carriers carry a low risk of developing PLL.     

不同浓度雌二醇对猪卵母细胞体外成熟和孤雌激活胚胎的影响

为了探讨雌二醇（17β-estrodiol,E2）对猪卵母细胞体外成熟及孤雌激活后胚胎早期发育的影响,在卵母细胞体外成熟培养基中添加不同浓度雌二醇,研究卵裂率和囊胚率的变化。以未添加雌二醇的基础液为对照组,比较分析各组卵母细胞核成熟效率、孤雌激活后胚胎的卵裂率、囊胚发育率。结果表明,成熟液中添加1μg／mL雌二醇（E2）对猪卵母细胞的体外成熟具有明显的促进作用,而添加100μg／mL雌二醇（E2）对猪卵母细胞体外成熟具有明显的抑制作用。