数种巴西蝎间的抗原交叉反应

本文分析了生活在马西不同地区七种蝎毒的致死率、抗原交叉反应及诱导抗体生成的能力。通过小白鼠试验，将所检验的蝎分为（ａ）：高毒，包括Ｔｉｔｙｕｓ ｓｔｉｇｍｕｒｕｓ Ｔｈｏｒｅｌｌ，Ｔ，ｂａｈｉｅｎｓｉｓ，Ｔ．ｓｅｒｒｕｌａｔｕｓ Ｌｕｔｚａｎｄ Ｍｅｌｌｏ；（ｂ）：中毒，Ｔ．ｃａｍｂｒｉｄｇｅｉ Ｐｏｃｏｃｋ；（ｃ）：实际无毒，Ｒｈｏｐａｌｕｒｕｓ ａｇａｍｅｍｎｏｎ 和Ｂｒｏｔｈｅａｓ ａｍａ     

Serum 5'nucleotidase activity in rats: a method for automated analysis and criteria for interpretation

A manual kit for determining serum 5'nucleotidase (5'NT, EC 3.1.3.5) activity was adapted for use with rat samples on a large discrete clinical chemistry analyzer. The precision of the method was good (within-run C.V. = 2.14%; between-run C.V. = 5.5%). A comparison of the new automated method with a manual and semi-automated method gave regression statistics of y = 1.18X -3.66 (Sy. x = 4.54), and y = 0.733X + 1.97 (Sy. x = 1.69), respectively. Temperature conversion factors provided by the kit manufacturer for human samples were determined to be inaccurate for converting results from rat samples. Analysis of components contributing to normal variation in rat serum 5'NT activity showed age and sex to be major factors. Increased serum 5'NT activity was observed in female rats when compared to male rats beginning at about 5 to 6 weeks of age. An analysis of variance of serum 5'NT, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT activities observed over a 9-week period in normal rats suggests several advantages for 5'NT as a predictor of biliary lesions in rats.     

Use of vascular access ports in femoral veins of dogs and cats with cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term function of vascular access ports (VAPs) implanted in the femoral vein of dogs and cats undergoing cancer treatment. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 3 dogs and 6 cats treated via chemotherapy or radiation. PROCEDURES: VAPs were surgically implanted in the left femoral vein of 3 dogs and 6 cats over a 1-year period. Injection port location was alternated to either a caudal thoracic or ilial location in each patient. Duration of VAP function, ease of infusion, and ease of aspiration through the VAPs were recorded, and associated complications were assessed at each VAP use. Client satisfaction with VAP placement was evaluated by use of a questionnaire. RESULTS: Primary uses of the VAPs included blood sampling and delivering sedative or chemotherapeutic drugs. Median duration of successful infusion was 147 days (range, 60 to 370 days), and median duration of successful aspiration was 117 days (range, 10 to 271 days). The frequency of signs of VAP-related discomfort was low (7% of patient observations). Clients were satisfied with their decision to use VAPs. Complications included partial (n = 7) or complete (2) VAP occlusion, port migration (1), and presumptive infection (1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that VAP implantation into the femoral vein provides an acceptable means of chronic venous access in dogs and cats undergoing cancer treatment.     

Hagberg falling number and the nutritional value of wheat in broiler chicken diets

1. Three experiments were performed to study the effect of Hagberg falling number in wheat on performance, nutrient digestibility and AMEN in broilers. In two experiments, one hard and one soft wheat variety were used to study the interaction between falling number and hardness of wheat with regard to nutritional value. In these experiments, wheat batches with high falling number when harvested under dry conditions were used in broiler diets. 2. Wheat with reduced falling numbers (high, medium and low) was obtained by controlled germination. In the third experiment, wheat with reduced falling numbers were obtained by delayed harvesting times. 3. In each experiment, a total of 4 cereal batches with different falling numbers from each wheat variety were used to produce corresponding experimental diets with wheat as the major ingredient. Each diet was fed to broiler chickens ad libitum from d 1 to d 17 of age. 4. There was no consistent effect of falling number on performance. Low falling number did not improve feed utilisation or AMEN compared to the original wheat, despite a higher AMEN associated with higher starch digestibility. This phenomenon was not observed after reduction of falling number by delayed harvesting. Apparently, natural reduction of falling number resulted in enhanced degradation of arabinoxylans compared to controlled germination.     

Effects of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol in diesel exhaust particles on the regulation of reproductive function in immature female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

In a previous study, we found that 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC), a component of diesel exhaust particles and also a degradation product of the insecticide fenitrothion, exhibits reproductive toxicity in the adult male Japanese quail. The present study investigated the toxicity of PNMC in the female Japanese quail and its ability to influence reproduction in immature females. The quail (21-day-old) were injected intramuscularly (im) with PNMC at doses 0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg body weight daily for 3 days. There was no significant difference in body growth between the PNMC-administered and control birds. However, the weights of the oviducts were significantly lower in the PNMC-treated birds at all doses. Furthermore, the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol-17 beta were significantly decreased with 1 and 10 mg/kg of PNMC. These findings suggest that PNMC might influence the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis with decreasing in secretion of GnRH, LH and ovarian steroid hormones and subsequently disturb growth of the reproductive organs of immature female quail. This study indicates that PNMC induces reproductive toxicity at the central level and disrupts reproductive function in the immature female quail.     

不同浓度镉水灌溉对土壤及水稻品质的影响

通过桶栽土培水稻试验研究不同浓度(0.04,0.08,0.10,0.12,0.20,0.24mg/L)镉水灌溉对土壤及水稻产量和品质的影响。结果表明,重金属Cd主要累积在5-20cm土层,对水稻的株高有明显的抑制作用,对千粒重也有影响,但对水稻的每穗粒数及单株产量无明显影响。不同浓度镉水灌溉对稻米的外观品质、碾米品质有一定的抑制作用,但均能达绿色大米标准;营养品质则不受影响,6个处理下蛋白质、直链淀粉含量均能达标,且与CK无差异。土壤中的Cd含量随着镉水浓度的增大而增大,稻米中的Cd含量也与镉水浓度成正比。镉水中的大部分Cd残留在土壤中,6个处理下残留量分别为99.3%,73.8%,60.4%,55.5%,37.4%,47.6%,由此可见,镉水浓度越小,土壤对Cd的吸收能力越强,镉水浓度越大,土壤对Cd的吸收能力越弱。当镉水浓度大于0.20mg/L时,精米中的Cd含量达到了限量标准值(0.2mg/kg),说明灌溉水中的重金属Cd的浓度应该控制在0.20mg/L以下。     

Molecular dynamics study on the biophysical interactions of seven green tea catechins with lipid bilayers of cell membranes

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the interactions of bioactive catechins (flavonoids) commonly found in green tea with lipid bilayers, as a model for cell membranes. Previously, multiple experimental studies rationalized catechin's anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, and other beneficial effects in terms of physicochemical molecular interactions with the cell membranes. To contribute toward understanding the molecular role of catechins on the structure of cell membranes, we present simulation results for seven green tea catechins in lipid bilayer systems representative of HepG2 cancer cells. Our simulations show that the seven tea catechins evaluated have a strong affinity for the lipid bilayer via hydrogen bonding to the bilayer surface, with some of the smaller catechins able to penetrate underneath the surface. Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) showed the strongest interaction with the lipid bilayer based on the number of hydrogen bonds formed with lipid headgroups. The simulations also provide insight into the functional characteristics of the catechins that distinguish them as effective compounds to potentially alter the lipid bilayer properties. The results on the hydrogen-bonding effects, described here for the first time, may contribute to a better understanding of proposed multiple molecular mechanisms of the action of catechins in microorganisms, cancer cells, and tissues.     

Interaction between protein, phytate, and microbial phytase. In vitro studies

The interaction between protein and phytate was investigated in vitro using proteins extracted from five common feedstuffs and from casein. The appearance of naturally present soluble protein-phytate complexes in the feedstuffs, the formation of complexes at different pHs, and the degradation of these complexes by pepsin and/or phytase were studied. Complexes of soluble proteins and phytate in the extracts appeared in small amounts only, with the possible exception of rice pollards. Most proteins dissolved almost completely at pH 2, but not after addition of phytate. Phytase prevented precipitation of protein with phytate. Pepsin could release protein from a precipitate, but the rate of release was increased by phytase. Protein was released faster from a protein-phytate complex when phytase was added, but phytase did not hydrolyze protein. Protein was released from the complex and degraded when both pepsin and phytase were added. It appears that protein-phytate complexes are mainly formed at low pH, as occurs in the stomach of animals. Phytase prevented the formation of the complexes and aided in dissolving them at a faster rate. This might positively affect protein digestibility in animals.