The release and uptake of metals from potential biofilm inhibition products during spiny lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi,H. Milne Edwards 1851) culture

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are strong inhibitors of bacterial biofilms in aqueous solutions, but are known toxins of crustaceans. A new metal application method; cold‐sprayed metal embedment, known to modulate metal release, was tested for its applications in crustacean larval culture systems. Cold‐spray technology allows metal particles to bond to plastics, while modulating metal ion release and biocide activity to the substrate boundary. In this study, Eastern spiny lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi) larvae (phyllosoma) were cultured in the presence of cold‐sprayed Zn and Cu metal surfaces. Metal loss was monitored gravimetrically on embedded surfaces, assessment of water ion concentrations and analysis of phyllosoma body content were undertaken. Phyllosoma moulting, deformity and mortality patterns were monitored. Cold‐sprayed Zn‐ and Cu‐embedded surfaces were depleted with losses of 0.69% and 31.2% noted respectively. Culture water concentrations of these metals were elevated and accumulation by phyllosoma occurred. Water Zn concentrations of 18.5 μg L^?1 were associated with chronic eyestalk moult deformities; the first report of Zn causing a non‐lethal moult deformity in crustacean larvae. The Cu surface lost a third of its metal mass with a water concentration of 40 μg L^?1 causing acute toxicity and localization of composite granules in the midgut gland. Cu associated mortality was noted by Day 2 of culture with a LD 50 experienced by Day 9. Future work on the use of bioactive metals in aquaculture systems will focus on a range of different metal alloys, and improved modulation of ion release mechanisms through increased particle embedment depth and separation.     

3-甲基-4-硝基酚对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的研究

目的探讨3-甲基-4-硝基酚(PNMC)对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用。方法 20只小鼠随机分成阴性对照组和PNMC组(分0.9、9和90mg/kg·bw组),经口灌胃染毒30天,观察睾丸和精子的形态变化。结果染毒组小鼠各剂量睾丸生精细胞发生坏死,曲细精管腔内出现细胞团,精子细胞分化异常,形成均质红染颗粒,睾丸曲细精管生精上皮/直径比值在90mg/kg组明显高于对照组;染毒组小鼠精子畸形率明显高于对照组(P<0.05),并且随着染毒浓度的增加,畸形率有增加的趋势。结论 3-甲基-4-硝基酚不仅可以引起生精细胞坏死和抑制精子形成,还可以诱导精子畸变,从而对生殖系统造成损伤。     

利用iTRAQ蛋白质组技术筛选与鸡喙畸形相关的候选蛋白

【目的】中国地方鸡种如北京油鸡、清远麻鸡存在喙畸形现象,表现为上下喙咬合不全,呈交叉状。严重影响鸡饮水和采食,从而影响个体发育和生产性能的发挥,造成一定经济损失。笔者根据喙畸形个体的系谱记录,发现喙畸形的形成受到遗传因素的影响,但具体机制尚不明确。蛋白是行使各种生物学功能的最终形式之一,喙畸形个体的发生可能是由于核心蛋白或者相关调控蛋白代谢异常造成的。利用同位素标记相对和绝对定量（isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation,iTRAQ）技术以及生物信息学分析方法,筛选鸡畸形喙与正常喙中差异表达的蛋白,作为喙畸形相关的重要候选蛋白,为进一步研究北京油鸡喙畸形的遗传机制奠定基础。【方法】挑选3只120日龄喙畸形的公鸡作为试验组,编号为W1、W2、W3,同时,挑选与试验组个体为同胞关系（全同胞或半同胞）的喙正常公鸡作为对照组,编号为Z1、Z2、Z3。将喙畸形与其同胞正常个体作为一个比对组,iTRAQ试验具体包含3个比对组,即W1 vs Z1,W2 vs Z2,W3 vs Z3。屠宰个体后,剔除喙组织周围肌肉和筋膜,分离得到喙上颌骨和下颌骨,提取总蛋白样品,应用6个 iTRAQ标签标记各蛋白样品,经过色谱层析预分离,联合液相串联质谱分析,采用Mascot 2.3.02软件对蛋白进行鉴定和定量分析。试验组（W）与其同胞对照组(Z)样本比较（W1 vs Z1,W2 vs Z2,W3 vs Z3）,选择肽段数≥2,表达差异值＞1.2（上调）或＜0.83（下调）,且P＜0.05的蛋白作为差异表达蛋白。【结果】利用iTRAQ技术一共在喙组织中鉴定到3 372个蛋白,鉴定到的特异性肽段有12 769个。其中原鸡蛋白1 869个,分子质量主要分布在10-100 kD之间。3个比对组共鉴定出159个表达量有显著差异的蛋白质,其中包含70个表达上调的蛋白,89个表达下调的蛋白。统计各比对组蛋白表达差异值发现,表达量差异较大的上调蛋白质有LPL、MLC-2、CO9A1、MATN3、HSP90B1等,表达量差异较大的下调蛋白质有MBP、RLA1、PRVM、HAPLN1等。结合已经报道的这些蛋白的生物学功能,其中CO9A1、MATN3、HAPLN1与软骨合成和软骨骨化相关,CO9A1是带状软骨纤维的组成物质,MATN家族是非胶原性细胞外基质蛋白家族,HAPLN1是软骨细胞外基质的重要组成成分;PRVM是细胞内钙离子结合蛋白,参与调控Ca2+离子信号通路;LPL是多功能酶,主要在脂质代谢和转运过程中起作用,参与调控PPAR信号通路。初步筛选出CO9A1、MATN3、HAPLN1、PRVM、LPL作为与鸡喙畸形相关的候选蛋白。【结论】差异表达蛋白的发现为鸡喙畸形形态的发生提供蛋白质水平上的理论依据。     

Triploid Induction in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua L.) by the Use of Different Pressure Levels

Different levels of pressure were investigated to see if it was possible to induce triploidy at a lower pressure than previously used (600 bar) for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Newly fertilized eggs were exposed to different levels of pressure: 400, 500, and 600 bar, and one control group (no pressure). Induction of triploidy occurred at each pressure level used in this experiment. Mean weight and length at the termination of the trial period was significantly lower, in the 400 bar group, compared to the other treatment groups. Microsatellite loci analysis revealed over 90% triploid outcome in each experimental group. Lower incidence of deformities was seen in the 400 bar group compared to the 500 and 600 bar groups. Overall this study demonstrated successful triploid induction at both low (400 bar) and medium (500 bar) pressures.     

Effects of Reduced Carbonate Saturation State on Early Development in the Common Edible Sea Urchin Lytechinus variegatus: Implications for Land-Based Aquaculture

Land-based aquaculture facilities often utilize additional bicarbonate sources such as commercial sea salts that are designed to boost alkalinity in order to buffer seawater against reductions in pH. Despite these preventative measures, many facilities are likely to face occasional reductions in pH and corresponding reductions in carbonate saturation states due to the accumulation of metabolic waste products. We investigated the impact of reduced carbonate saturation states (Ω_Ca, Ω_Ar) on embryonic developmental rates, larval developmental rates, and echinoplutei skeletal morphometrics in the common edible sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus under high alkalinity conditions. Commercial artificial seawater was bubbled with a mixture of air and CO₂ gas to reduce the carbonate saturation state. Rates of embryonic and larval development were significantly delayed in both the low and extreme low carbonate saturation state groups relative to the control at a given time. Although symmetry of overall skeletal body lengths was not affected, allometric relationships were significantly different between treatment groups. Larvae reared under ambient conditions had significantly greater postoral arm and overall body lengths relative to body lengths than larvae grown under extreme low carbonate saturation state conditions, indicating that extreme changes in the carbonate system affected not only developmental rates but also larval skeletal shape. Reduced rates of embryonic development and delayed and altered larval skeletal growth are likely to negatively impact larval culturing of L. variegatus in land-based, intensive culture situations where calcite and aragonite saturation states are lowered by the accumulation of metabolic waste products.     

金鳟骨骼系统解剖观察

采用常规煮沸剥离方法对金鳟骨骼系统的组成进行观察,得到了金鳟的完整骨骼标本和单个骨骼标本。结果表明：金鳟由353块骨骼组成,其中主轴骨骼277块,附肢骨骼76块。筛骨区发达,其中围眶骨6对,各围眶骨中皆有感觉管穿过。牙齿在口咽腔中分布很广,捕食能力强。金鳟的躯干部由150块骨骼组成,体型侧扁,背鳍基部短,在背鳍之后还有1个小脂鳍。附肢骨骼中无坚硬的鳍棘出现。附肢骨骼中的腰带,构造非常简单,仅为1块三角形骨板,起到承重的功能。     

Stability of landscape trees in engineered and conventional urban soil mixes

Urban trees are frequently exposed to unsuitable soil conditions that can hamper root system development, potentially affecting both tree health and stability. Engineered soil designs have been developed to increase soil volume for trees planted in confined spaces, and past research has shown that these designs improve growing conditions. However, tree stability in these engineered soils has received limited attention from researchers. In this study, we evaluated the stability of two tree species of contrasting soil quality tolerance (Prunus serrulata and Ulmus parvifolia) after 3 years growth in two skeletal soil mixes, in a suspended pavement design (uncompacted soil), and in a conventionally prepared soil pit. Tree stability was evaluated by measuring trunk resistance to a lateral deflecting force applied with a rope winch system under both ambient and near-saturated soil conditions. Although heavily irrigating the experimental soils had no effect on tree stability, species-specific responses to soil mixes were observed. P. serrulata grown in the gravel-based skeletal soil showed greater trunk deflection resistance than trees grown in the other soil treatments, yet the stability of U. parvifolia was unaffected by soil type. These species-specific responses were consistent with earlier observations of root development in which P. serrulata grew up to 60 times greater root length in gravel-based skeletal soil whereas U. parvifolia root growth was similar in all soil treatments. This research provides evidence that certain tree species planted in conventional tree pits may be more prone to uprooting due to poor root development and that root anchorage might be improved for these species by utilizing a skeletal soil mix.     

A single screw technique compared to a two screw and wire technique as a temporary transphyseal bridge for correction of fetlock varus deformities

A single screw technique is described as a temporary transphyseal bridge for the treatment of fetlock varus angular limb deformity in foals. This has been compared to tension band wiring with regards to rate of correction, cosmetic result and incidence of complications. The single screw was found to be an effective technique resulting in more rapid improvement of deviations in foals aged up to 5 months. Complications were minimal following both techniques and the final cosmetic result was better following single screw surgery.