Effects of Atorvastatin on the Hypertension-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Brain

Background: It is well known that the development of brain oxidative stress is one of the most serious complications of arterial hypertension that evokes brain tissue damage. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atorvastatin treatment (20 mg/kg/day), as an antioxidant, to prevent the brain tissue oxidative stress in the hypertensive (HTN) rats. Methods: Experiments were performed in four groups of rats (n = 5 each group): sham, sham-treated, HTN and HTN treated. Rats were made HTN by aortic constriction above the renal arteries. After 30 days, rats were slaughtered under deep anesthesia to remove brain hemispheres. After tissue homogenization, enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as glutathione (GSH) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined by biochemical methods. Results: In HTN rats, arterial blood pressure was increased about 40% and brain enzyme activities of SOD and CAT were significantly decreased compared with sham group. Induction of hypertension significantly decreased GSH content and increased MDA level of brain tissue. Treatment with atorvastatin enhanced the activity of SOD and prevented from GSH decrement during hypertension. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, treatment with atorvastatin might have saved the brain tissue of HTN rats from hypertension-induced oxidative stress. Key Words: Atorvastatin, Aortic coarctation, Oxidative stress, Hypertension     

水稻Wx基因的遗传多态性及其与主要米质指标的相关性分析

利用RM190和484/W2R ACCⅠ标记分析了50个水稻非糯品种的Wx基因的等位性变异。其中,RM190揭示出7种(CT)n纯合变异类型和1种杂合类型,分别为 (CT)20、(CT)19、(CT)18、(CT)17、(CT)14、(CT)11、(CT)10和(CT)11/(CT)18,并以（CT）11和（CT）18两种类型为主;484/W2R ACCⅠ共揭示出2种纯合类型和1 种杂合类型,分别为G/G型、T/T型及G/T型;(CT)11大多为G/G型,(CT)18大多为T/T型,这两个标记可将供试材料划分为10种等位基因变异类型。进一步分析表明,RM190揭示的Wx基因多态性可以解释直链淀粉含量变异的59.3 %;484/W2R ACCⅠ揭示的Wx基因多态性可以分别解释直链淀粉含量及胶稠度变异的56.1%和24.6%;而两标记共同可解释直链淀粉含量变异的72.4%。还对这两个标记在育种实践中的应用前景进行了探讨。     

Genetic Polymorphism of Wx Gene and Its Correlation with Main Grain Quality Characteristics in Rice

The allelic variation of the Wx gene in 50 non-glutinous rice varieties (lines) was analyzed by using the microsatellite marker RM190 [for (CT)n simple sequence repeat (SSR)] and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence(CAPS) marker 484/W2R-ACCⅠ[for G/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)]. Six homozygous (CT)n types, namely (CT)20, (CT)19, (CT)18, (CT)17, (CT)16, (CT)14, (CT)11 and (CT)10, and a heterozygous genotype (CT)11/(CT)18 were detected for RM190, of which (CT)11 and (CT)18 were predominant. Two homozygous Wx genotypes (G/G and T/T) and one heterozygous (G/T) were detected using 484/W2R-ACCⅠ . Most of the materials with a RM190 of (CT)11 were G/G for SNP of 484/W2R-ACC I, while T/T for SNP was predominantly appeared in materials with (CT)18. The materials tested could be grouped into 10 categories using the two markers together. Results indicated that 59.3% variance of amylose content was attributed to the polymorphism of Wx gene revealed by RM190, while 56.1% and 24.6% of the variances in amylose content and gel consistency were respectively to the polymorphism of Wx gene revealed by 484/W2R-ACC I. Furthermore, with both SSR and CAPS markers, 72.4% of the variance in amylose content could be explained. In addition, the application prospects of the two markers in breeding were also discussed.     

5个抗病基因功能标记在234份番茄材料中的检测

番茄是世界上最重要的蔬菜作物之一,病害的发生和蔓延使番茄生产受到严重影响,培育多抗番茄品种是防治病害最为经济和有效的方法。本研究利用功能标记对234份番茄材料进行Cf-9、Mi-1、I-2、Ph-3和Tm-2^a等5个抗病基因的检测,发现其中含Cf-9的番茄材料为136份,含Mi-1的材料为20份,含I-2的材料为124份,含Ph-3的材料38份,含Tm-2^a的材料为24份。234份番茄材料中,不含这5个抗病基因的材料有29份;含1个抗病基因的材料有106份;含2个抗病基因的材料有70份;含3个抗病基因的材料有23份;含4个抗病基因的材料有6份,分别为11CT387-2M、11CHT164-2、11CT150、11CT271、11CT730和11CT774;同时含这5个抗性基因的番茄材料尚未检测到。该研究结果将为进一步开展多个抗病基因的聚合育种提供参考依据。     

Vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of Allium cepa peel hydroalcoholic extract in rat

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of onion (Allium cepa) peel hydroalcoholic extract (OPE) on rat hypertension induced by high-fructose diet and aorta contractility. The OPE was prepared by maceration method using 70% ethanol. The thoracic aorta from male adult rat (Wistar) was dissected and suspended in Krebs-Henseleit solution under 1 g resting tension. Tissue preparation was contracted by KCl (80 mM) or phenylephrine (Phe, 1 microM) and then the extract was applied cumulatively (0.0625-2 mg mL(-1)). Hypertension was induced in negative control and three groups of rats by adding fructose (10% WN/V) in drinking water for 6 weeks but control group received tap water. Hypertensive groups received saline or OPE at 200, 400 and 800 mg kg(-1) daily for last 3 weeks by gavage. Results showed that OPE reduces aorta contractions induced by KCl or Phe in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.001). Removing aorta endothelium did not attenuate the OPE activity. Inhibition of nitric oxide, cGMP and prostaglandin synthesis by L-NAME (100 microM), methylene blue (10 microM) and indomethacin (10 microM), respectively, did not attenuate OPE activity. Atropine abolished ACh-induced relaxation in Phe precontracted aorta but not the OPE-induced relaxation. Although the extract did not change heart rate but after 3 weeks reduced the hypertension induced by fructose (p < 0.001). Present results indicated that OPE reduces aortic contractions possibly via inhibition of calcium influx but without involving NO, cGMP, endothelium and prostaglandins. The OPE hypotensive effect could be due to extract quercetin content, antioxidant activity and inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cells Ca2+ influx.     

干旱灌区固定道耕作对土壤水热效应及春小麦产量的影响

为提高干旱灌区小麦节水生产技术,依托2005年开始的定位试验,以传统耕作（CT）为对照,对固定道平作（ZT）和固定道垄作（PRB）下土壤温度、土壤水分和春小麦产量的变化进行了分析。结果表明,PRB可增加0～80 cm土层土壤水分含量,小麦出苗期至收获期不同土层土壤含水量为PRB>ZT>CT。在小麦播种期至出苗期,PRB土壤升温较慢,拔节期至收获期0～15 cm土层土壤温度变化趋势为PRB>ZT>CT。随着种植年限的增加,PRB保护性耕作对小麦具有明显的增产效应,穗粒数的增加是其增产的主要因素。PRB和ZT处理4年平均水分利用效率分别比对照提高了46.88%和12.96%。PRB处理节水增产效果明显,可作为干旱灌区小麦节水栽培新技术进行推广。     

Comparison between invasive and noninvasive tests in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

In this study, the invasive and noninvasive diagnotic tests were compared to choose the appropriate test for diagnostice of H. pylori infection. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a human pathogen that causes chronic gastritis, has a role in gastric and duodenal ulcer, is involved in gastric carcinogenesis and is regarded as a possible important factor in at least a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia. The diagnosis of H. pylori is an essential element in the management of many common gastrointestinal pathologies. The assessment of each routine invasive and noninvasive test is important. We studied a total of 127 outpatients for the detection of H. pylori infection. The presence of H. pylori infection by invasive tests containing the Rapid Urease Test (RUT), histology (Giemsa staining) and culture in 127 patients. Patients who were positive in culture, or two tests from four tests, invasive and noninvasive, were considered to have H. pylori infection. In noninvasive tests, we evaluated anti-H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA antibodies using commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blot in dyspeptic patients. Eighty five out of the 127 patients were positive for H. pylori. Helicobacter pylori IgG seropositivity and 35 out of the 127 patients were positive for immunoblot. RUT had sensitivity, specifity and accuracy of 96, 80 and 90.5%, respectively; for Elisa these were 85.2, 33 and 70.5%, respectively and for ELISA with immunoblotting they were 65, 45 and 58.8%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that noninvasive tests (ELISA, immunoblotting) have the lowest and RUT with histology have the highest accuracy. These earlier tests can not be used for accurate infection diagnosis.     

Field evaluation of mutant and hybrid lines of mint for resistance to Verticillium wilt and yield

Mint lines that were previously identified with low wilt-severity values in the greenhouse were evaluated for resistance to Verticillium wilt and yield in the field in the presence of naturally occurring inoculum and in plots artificially infested with the soilborne fungus. Severity of Verticillium wilt varied significantly among mint lines and cultivars in the inoculated and non-inoculated sub-plots in two field trials. Verticillium wilt was significantly less severe for mutant lines 87M0109-1, 84M0107-7, and M90-11 than for Black Mitcham in 2002 and 2003. Verticillium wilt was significantly less severe for mutant line M83-14 and for Murray Mitcham than for Black Mitcham in 2003 and 2004. At the completion of the first trial, fresh hay yields of both peppermint hybrids 87M0109-1 and 84M0107-7 and peppermint mutant M90-11 were significantly higher than the standards Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham. Oil yield in the first trial of standard Black Mitcham declined in years 3 and 4, while the decline in oil yield was less dramatic with the other four peppermint lines. In the second trial, hay yields of both B90-9 and M83-14 were comparable to, but not significantly different from Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham. Line 92(B-37 × M0110)-1 yielded significantly less oil than all peppermint lines including both standards Black Mitcham and Redefined Murray Mitcham in six of the seven cuttings in the second trial. Verticillium rating of the lines and cultivars inoculated in trials from a previous greenhouse study were highly correlated with the Verticillium wilt rating of the lines and cultivars the second and third years when inoculated in both field nurseries in this study. Verticillium wilt resistance and yield can be improved in commercial mint cultivars and form a basis for managing the disease.     

水稻Wx复等位基因的鉴定及单片段代换系的建立

 利用微卫星标记“484/485”和“484/W2R”结合AccⅠ酶切对278份来自国内外水稻品种（系）进行了Wx座位复等位基因分析，共检测到15种等位基因，其中(CT)12-G、(CT)15-G、(CT)16-G、(CT)17-G、(CT)18-G、(CT)21-G为新发现的等位基因。以含不同Wx等位基因的20个品种（系）为供体亲本，利用回交和微卫星标记辅助选择相结合的方法，建立了72个以Wx等位基因为 (CT)11-G 的“华粳籼74”为受体的Wx复等位基因单片段代换系。这些单片段代换系共包含12种Wx等位基因，其代换片段长度最短为2.2 cM，最长为77.3 cM，平均为17.4 cM。     

Identification of Multiple Alleles at the Wx Locus and Development of Single Segment Substitution Lines for the Alleles in Rice

Amylose content (AC) is a key determinant of the cooking and processing quality of rice (Oryza sativa). It has been reported that the amylose content is mainly controlled by the Wx locus [1]. By using RFLP analysis, two alleles, largely corresponding to t…     

Potential of Waxy gene microsatellite and single-nucleotide polymorphisms to develop japonica varieties with desired amylose levels in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The Waxy (Wx) gene is responsible for the synthesis of amylose, a key determinant of the cooking and processing qualities of rice. Polymorphisms of CT-microsatellite and G–T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Wx gene and their relationship to amylose content (Ac) were explored using 178 non-waxy rice genotypes. Nine Wx microsatellite alleles, namely (CT)10 and 11, and (CT)14–20 were identified and 11 haplotypes were recognised by different combinations of CT-microsatellite and G–T SNP. Amylose content analysed in a random set of 39 genotypes was correlated with different microsatellite alleles/haplotypes. The highest Ac levels (>30%) correlated with (CT)10 and 16, high (26–30%) with (CT)11, 15 and 20, and intermediate (21–25%) with (CT)14, in all cases with G at the G–T SNP. The CT-classes (CT)17 and 18 (mean Ac value of 21%), could be subdivided into low amylose haplotypes (16–20%) for 17T and 18T and intermediate amylose haplotypes (21–25%) for 17G and 18G. The use of haplotypes proved to discriminate between intermediate and low amylose accessions within the same microsatellite class. Analyses of a segregating population of a cross between low and high Ac parents showed that CT-microsatellite may help to classify breeding lines and identify pollen contamination. We suggest that CT-microsatellite together with G–T SNP may be used as molecular marker by breeders to develop varieties with desired amylose levels.     

Outcomes of percutaneous pinning in treatment of distal radius fractures

Distal radius fractures are among the most common bone fractures all over the world. Close reduction and fixation by percutaneous pinning is a less invasive method comparing with other open surgeries. This study aims at evaluating the functional outcome of this treatment in distal radius fractures. In this prospective study, 50 patients with distal radius fractures underwent percutaneous pinning during a 16 month period in Tabriz Shohada Hospital. Follow-up for 3 months was possible in 48 (96%) patients. Possible complications (such as infection, nonunion, pin loosening and pain), functional outcomes (including range of motion, grip and pinch strengths) and radiological outcome were documented in intervals during follow-up. Forty eight patient, 22 males and 27 females with a mean age of 47.1 +/- 13.7 (19-80) years were enrolled. Local pain, infection and pin loosening were documented in 14.6, 16.7 and 2.1% of cases, respectively. Based on radiological reports, unacceptable palmar tilt, articular step, radial inclination and radial shortening were present in 6.3, 0, 2.1 and 6.3% of cases, respectively three months post-operation. The clinical outcomes according to Cooney's modification of the Green and O'Brien scheme were as excellent, good, fair and poor in 52.1, 31.3, 10.4 and 6.3% of cases, respectively. According to these results, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of distal radius fractures is a rather successful method with minor complications.     

Diagnosis of airway malacia by virtual bronchoscopy

The study was aimed to identify the role of virtual bronchoscopy in detection of airway malacia in children. In a pre-experimental study over 3 years (from Nov. 2003 to Oct. 2006), 35 consecutive patients were presented to Tabriz Children's Hospital with clinical manifestations of airway malacia, examined by the technique of virtual bronchoscopy. Thirty five patients including 23 males and 12 females with the mean age of 3.7 +/- 1.6 months were studied. The presence of airway malacia and its location and severity were determined by virtual bronchoscopy in all studied cases; that revealed: laryngomalacia, bronchomalacia, tracheomalacia, laryngotracheomalacia and laryngobronchomalacia in 42.8, 25.7, 20, 8.6 and 2.9% of patients, respectively. Virtual bronchoscopy is a non-invasive, accurate and rapid imaging technique with an excellent validity for diagnosis of airway malacia and stenosis, therefore it can replace conventional bronchoscopy.     

华南龙眼叶片营养诊断指标的建立

比较4种叶片营养诊断方法在龙眼上应用的优缺点,确定适用于龙眼的营养诊断方法并建立诊断指标,为华南龙眼叶片营养诊断和养分管理提供科学依据.2017—2019年在华南主产区分别采集2次末次梢老熟期和果实膨大期龙眼叶片样本,测定大、中、微量元素含量,记录果实产量,建立产量与叶片养分含量关系函数;利用4种叶片营养诊断方法[临界...     

Bacterial wilt resistance in the progenies of the fusion hybrids between haploid of potato andSolanum commersonii

Bacterial wilt of potatoes, which used to be a widespread disease in tropics and subtropics, has become a threat to potato production in temperate region. The diploid species Solanum commersonii has several desirable characteristics including cold tolerance and resistance to several diseases. Selected somatic hybrids between S. tuberosum dihaploid and bacterial-wilt-resistant S. commersonii clones were cross pollinated with S. tuberosum cultivars for further selection of bacterial wilt resistance. The chromosome numbers of the fusion parents were confirmed as 24, and the three fusion hybrids crossed were all tetraploids. The chromosome number of 11 backcross 1 progenies (BC1) was 48 and that of the other six was close to the tetraploid number. Backcross 2 progenies (BC2) were obtained from only three of the 44 BC1 clones crossed. The S. commersonii parent clone, LZ3.2, was the most resistant to bacterial wilt among wild species clones tested. The first sexual progenies segregated for resistance, with one clone highly susceptible and four clones highly resistant. Three highly resistant BC1 clones, CT02-4, CT08-4, and CT10b-4, were backcrossed to cultivars. Two cross combinations produced mostly susceptible BC2 progenies; however seven clones were resistant or highly resistant for both race 1 and race 3. The highly resistant three clones, CT204-3, CT206-9 and CT206-10, were selected for the further testing as cultivars or breeding materials.     

Cardiac involvement of major thalassemia and evaluation of total serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase-mB isoenzyme and cardiac troponinI in these patients

The goal of this study was the evaluation of specific markers of myocardial injury that includes CK-MB and troponin I in major thalassemic patients. Regular blood transfusion is the main treatment in major thalassemia. One of the most important complications of regular blood transfusion is iron overload that eventually involves many organs like heart and cause myocardial injury. Sixty patients with transfusion-dependent major thalassemia, at the age range of 8 to 15 years in Tabriz Pediatric Medical Center were chosen. Measurement of Hb, Hct and serum ferritin were performed in hospital laboratory, but total serum Creatine Kinase (CK) by photometric and isoenzyme of CK-MB by immunologic DGKC and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were tested by ELISA methods in Shaheed Madani heart center laboratory before blood transfusion. For all patients echocardiography and ECG assessment of cardiac function were done by a pediatric cardiologist and results were statistically analyzed. Forty nine patients (group A) had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF = 50-70%) and 11 patients (group B) had reduced LVEF (20-45%). There was no statistical difference between two groups in average volume of blood transfusion (p = 0.074). Although total CK and CK-MB isoenzyme were higher in group B but there was no statistically meaningful difference between two groups (p = 0.123, p = 0.111). Troponin I also was higher in group B but statistically analysis showed no correlation between cardiac function and troponin I level in these groups (p = 0.827). This study showed that cardiac markers are not helpful for recognition of cardiac involvement in major thalassemia.     

湖南烟溪病圃稻瘟病菌的有性态及微卫星标记的遗传多样性分析

 用2对稻瘟病菌的两性能育菌株（交配型1.1和交配型1.2）测定了来自湖南烟溪病圃上的4年124个稻瘟病菌株的交配型，用微卫星分子标记分析其中105个菌株的遗传多样性及其亲缘关系。 124个菌株中， 28个为交配型1.1, 39个为交配型1.2， 57个不育, 分别占供试菌株的22.58%、31.45%和45.97%；在0.67相似性的基础上，7对微卫星引物扩增出的标记可将105个菌株区分为6个系谱群。     

Validation of Diagnostic Methods for European Foulbrood on Commercial Honey Bee Colonies in the United States

One of the most serious bacterial pathogens of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) is Melissococcus plutonius, the cause of the disease European foulbrood. Because European foulbrood is highly variable, with diverse outcomes at both the individual and colony levels, it is difficult to diagnose through visual inspection alone. Common lab diagnostic techniques include microscopic examination and molecular detection through PCR. In 2009, a lateral flow device was developed and validated for field diagnosis of European foulbrood. At the time, M. plutonius was thought to be genetically homogenous, but we have subsequently learned that this bacterium exists as multiple strains, including some strains that are classified as ‘atypical’ for which the lateral flow device is potentially less effective. These devices are increasingly used in the United States, though they have never been validated using strains from North America. It is essential to validate this device in multiple locations as different strains of M. plutonius circulate in different geographical regions. In this study, we validate the field use of the lateral flow device compared to microscopic examination and qPCR on larval samples from 78 commercial honey bee colonies in the United States with visual signs of infection. In this study, microscopic diagnosis was more sensitive than the lateral flow device (sensitivity = 97.40% and 89.47%, respectively), and we found no false positive results with the lateral flow device. We find high concurrence between the three diagnostic techniques, and all three methods are highly sensitive for diagnosing European foulbrood.     

香蕉果实中杀菌剂的残留、分布与膳食评估

为掌握常用杀菌剂在香蕉中的残留和分布情况以及对消费人群的膳食风险,测定344份香蕉样品中14个杀菌剂残留,分析其在果实中的残留分布,评估其对成人和1～6岁儿童的急性和慢性膳食风险以及现有最大残留限量(maximum residue level,MRL)对消费者的保护水平.结果 表明,56.10％全果样品和25.58％的...