棉花离体不定根系的发生对色素腺体密度和棉酚含量的影响

为探明根系对色素腺体密度和棉酚含量的影响，以离体条件下的无根幼苗、不同生根状态幼苗以及无菌种子苗作为研究对象，对其茎叶色素腺体密度、棉酚含量以及棉酚生物合成关键基因表达量进行分析。结果表明，不同生根状态幼苗中，色素腺体密度和棉酚含量与一定范围内生根数呈显著正相关，随后趋于平稳。荧光定量PCR显示，棉酚生物合成关键基因GhCDN1和GhWRKY1表达量在生根数多的无菌苗中显著增高，而对棉酚合成具有反馈调节作用的 GhCYP706B1表达量呈现相反趋势；无根幼苗茎叶腺体密度和棉酚含量均显著低于有根幼苗，棉酚生物合成关键基因GhCDN1、GhWRKY1和 GhCYP706B1表达量反而高于有根幼苗。有根幼苗中根的棉酚含量显著高于茎和叶，无菌种子苗根系中棉酚生物合成关键基因表达量显著高于茎和叶。说明棉花根系能对棉酚含量产生直接影响，同时影响腺体密度。本研究进一步验证了根系是棉酚主要合成部位，地上部分也存在少量的棉酚合成，只是不能引起棉酚发生显著变化。     

Histology and histochemistry of the major salivary glands in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)

This study aimed to investigate the major salivary glands in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) histologically and histochemically. Five adult males were included in this study. The results showed that anatomically the shape of the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands of the Erinaceus concolor was respectively almost pear, elliptical to pyramidal and oval. Histologically, the parotid gland had serous acini and secretory cells showed negative reaction to alcian blue (AB) (pH = 2.5) and negative response to aldehyde fuchsin (AF), methylene blue (MB) and PAS stains. The submandibular gland was a mixed gland of mucous and serous acini. The mucous acini were strongly positive for PAS, AB, MB and AF. However, serous acini were week for PAS and negative against AB, MB and AF stains. The sublingual gland was purely composed of mucous acini. The mucous acini of the sublingual gland were strongly positives for PAS, AB and MB methods. While their reaction to the AF staining was negative. In conclusion, the histological and histochemical observations of the major salivary glands of the southern white-breasted hedgehog (E. concolor) indicated that these glands shown similarities and some special different histochemical features as compared to other mammalian species.     

Risk factors influencing death prior to discharge in 302 dogs undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of primary adrenal gland tumours

Adrenalectomies for canine adrenal tumours are associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study included assessing the prognostic value of tumour- or surgery-related variables in predicting peri-operative mortality and overall survival in dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for primary adrenal tumours as well as pre-treatment with phenoxybenzamine on survival to discharge with pheochromocytomas specifically. A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was performed across nine institutions. Electronic medical record searches identified 302 dogs which met the inclusion criteria. Data collected included dog-related, tumour-related, treatment-related, surgery-related, and outcome variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression and cox proportional hazards models were used to identify variables associated with death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival. Overall, 87% of dogs survived to discharge with a tumour-related survival time of 3.96 years. Post-operative complications were reported in 25%. Increased surgical time (p = 0.002) and pre-surgical medical treatment other than phenoxybenzamine (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with increased peri-operative mortality while ureteronephrectomy (p = 0.021), post-operative pancreatitis (p = 0.025), and post-operative aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased overall survival. Phenoxybenzamine pretreatment had no effect on peri-operative mortality. Thirty-seven of 45 (82%) dogs with pheochromocytomas not pretreated survived to discharge, and 50 of 59 (85%) dogs with pheochromocytomas pretreated with phenoxybenzamine survived to discharge (p = 0.730). This study provides information on risk factors for death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival that may help guide clinical management and owner expectations. In addition, the study findings challenge the previously reported benefit of phenoxybenzamine for pretreatment of dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas.     

Spontaneous necrotizing sialometaplasia of the submandibular salivary gland in a Beagle dog

A single mass was found on the left submandibular salivary gland at necropsy of a 15-month-old male commercially bred laboratory Beagle dog from a control dose group from a repeat toxicity study. Microscopically, the mass was composed of a well-demarcated area of coagulative necrosis surrounded and separated from the normal salivary gland tissue by a thick fibrovascular capsule. Necrosis was admixed with areas of hemorrhage, fibrin, edema, fibrinoid necrosis of the vascular tunica media, and thrombosis of small and large vessels. Within the necrotic tissue, there was marked ductal hyperplasia, and squamous metaplasia of duct and acinar epithelium. The mass was diagnosed as necrotizing sialometaplasia of the submandibular gland. Hyperplastic ductal elements and squamous metaplasia can be mistaken microscopically with squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, pathologists should be aware of this lesion as to avoid errors in the diagnosis of this benign pathologic condition.     

Salivary cortisol and behavior in therapy dogs during animal-assisted interventions: A pilot study

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have been associated with positive effects on human psychological and physiological health. Although the perception of quality standards in AAIs is high, only few investigations have focused on potential welfare implications for therapy dogs linked to their performance in AAIs. The standardized program “multiprofessional animal-assisted intervention (MTI)” has been carried out in adult mental health care, significantly improving patients' prosocial behaviors. In the present study, we monitored salivary cortisol and behavioral measures in therapy dogs that participated in MTI group therapy sessions in an in-patient substance abuse treatment facility. Work-related activity (lay, sit, stand, walk, and run), behavior (lip licking, yawning, paw lifting, body shake, tail wagging, and panting), response to human action (taking food treats and obeying commands), and salivary cortisol levels were analyzed over the course of 5 subsequent MTI working sessions in experienced therapy dogs (N = 5), aged 5.4 ± 2.8 years (mean ± standard deviation). Salivary cortisol levels decreased from presession to postsession in sessions 1, 2, and 3. However, only in session 4 and 5, postsession cortisol levels were significantly lower than presession levels (P = 0.043). There was no difference between salivary cortisol levels sampled on a nonworking day at home and work-related levels sampled at the therapy site. None of the behavioral parameters varied significantly over the course of the 5 MTI sessions. Both lip licking (P = 0.038) and body shake (P = 0.021) were positively correlated with the decline in cortisol during session 5. The study results suggest that trained dogs are not being stressed by repeated participation in in-patient substance abuse therapy sessions. Further investigation into the effects of animal-assisted therapy on dogs' physiological markers and behavior is warranted.     

Bauhinia candicans stimulation of glucose uptake in isolated gastric glands of normal and diabetic rabbits

A butanol extract of dried leaves of Bahuinia candicans showed, in vitro, a stimulatory effect of glucose uptake in isolated gastric glands of normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The extract (0.001-0.07 mg/mg protein) produced a dose-dependent effect and was similar to the effect of insulin (1-100 nM). These findings suggest that the extract contains compound(s) that efficiently increase glucose transport at the basolateral side of isolated gastric glands.     

Existence of salt glands on leaves of kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth.)

Light microscopic studies have established the existence of salt glands on “Kallar grass”; leaf blades. The salt glands resembled the two‐cell type structure described for some halophytic genera within the Gramineae. The secreted salts crystallized and formed whiskers when the plants were grown under continuously high saline conditions. The salt secretion appears to be selective. The secretion of Na exceeded that of K and considerable quantities of Cl were also extruded, preferentially in concomitance with Na. The significance of growth hormones and Ca in regulating the salt secretion process is discussed.     

四溴联苯醚对菲律宾蛤仔组织解毒代谢基因表达的影响

菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)样本壳高(2.76±0.18)cm,壳长(4.11±0.22)cm;四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)梯度设置为0.25、6.25μg/L,以海水组为对照,取样测定时间为0、1、3、6、10、15和21 d。结果表明:BDE-47对菲律宾蛤仔鳃丝和消化盲囊AhR、CYP4、GST-pi和Pgp mRNA表达影响显著(P<0.05),而对照组无明显变化。在实验时间内,各处理组鳃丝和消化盲囊AhR基因表达呈峰值变化,分别于第6天、第1天时达到最大值和最小值,然后恢复至对照组水平;各处理组组织CYP4和GST-pi基因表达均呈峰值变化,分别于第3天、第1天达到最小值和最大值,其中消化盲囊CYP4基因表达在3 d后保持稳定,且被显著抑制,而组织GST-pi基因表达则在6d后趋于稳定,0.25、6.25μg/L处理组表现为高于和低于对照组水平;各处理组鳃Pgp基因表达在实验时间内呈峰值变化,分别于第1天、第10天达到最大值,均显著高于对照组水平,而0.25、6.25μg/L处理组消化盲囊Pgp基因表达在21d内分别呈逐渐升高和峰值变化,6 d后表现为被诱导和抑制。由此可见,菲律宾蛤仔在BDE-47胁迫下组织解毒代谢基因表达均被显著诱导或抑制,其中GST-pi基因在低浓度处理组被诱导,高浓度组被抑制,表现出明显的时间效应性,可作为BDE-47污染评价的生物效应指标。