液力变矩器导轮流场数值模拟与试验

利用CFD分析软件对W305型液力变矩器的内部流场进行了仿真计算。采用混合平面理论处理旋转速度不同的各叶轮之间的相互作用。基于仿真计算结果,重点分析了导轮内流场的速度和压力分布情况,并将导轮内流场计算结果与试验结果进行了对比分析,结果表明流场计算结果具有较高的精度。     

基于LF-NMR及MRI 的2种速生材干燥过程中水分分布状态研究

为了解太阳能干燥过程中速生材内部水分状态及迁移规律,采用低场核磁共振及核磁共振成像检测桉、杨木干燥过程中水分分布、含量变化及迁移过程,借助扫描电镜在微观层面进行分析。结果表明：核磁共振信号强度与称重法所测含水率相关性系数高达0.99以上,因此低场核磁共振可准确测定木材中的水分含量;桉木和杨木饱水试样的核磁共振信号中均存在3种峰,桉木弛豫时间分别为1.32、32.75、403.70 ms,杨木为2.66、32.75、352.12 ms,对应着结合水及两种状态的自由水;随着干燥进行,不同状态水分的横向弛豫时间逐渐减小,木材对水分的束缚增加。当桉木含水率为27.28%,杨木含水率为35.71%左右时,水分散失转为以结合水为主。通过核磁共振成像中氢质子密度的不同可对水分含量进行区分,进而可观测干燥过程中木材内部水分移动状态。因此,通过低场核磁共振及核磁共振成像可研究速生材干燥过程中的内部水分状态及分布。     

Low levels of haptoglobin and putative amino acid sequence in Taiwanese Lanyu miniature pigs

Porcine haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein. Its plasma level increases significantly during inflammation and infection. One of the main functions of Hp is to bind free hemoglobin (Hb) and inhibit its oxidative activity. In the present report, we studied the Hp phenotype of Taiwanese Lanyu miniature pigs (TLY minipigs; n=43) and found their Hp structure to be a homodimer (beta-alpha-alpha-beta) similar to human Hp 1-1. Interestingly, Western blot and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis showed that 25% of the TLY minipigs possessed low or no plasma Hp level (<0.05 mg/ml). The Hp cDNA of these TLY minipigs was then cloned, and the translated amino acid sequence was analyzed. No sequences were found to be deficient; they showed a 99.7% identity with domestic pigs (NP_999165). The mean overall Hp level of the TLY minipigs (0.21 +/- 0.25 mg/ml; n=43) determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was markedly lower than that of domestic pigs (0.78 +/- 0.45 mg/ml; p<0.001), while 25% of the TLY minipigs had an Hp level that was extremely low (<0.05 mg/ml). In addition, the initial recovery rate (first 40 min) in the circulation of infused fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Hb was significantly higher in the TLY minipigs with extremely low Hp levels than those with high levels. This data suggests that the low concentration of Hp-Hb complex is responsible for the higher recovery rate of Hb in the circulation. TLY minipigs have been used as an experimental model for cardiovascular diseases; whether they can be used as a model for inflammatory diseases, with Hp as a marker, remains a topic of interest. However, since the Hp level varies significantly among individual TLY minipigs, it is necessary to prescreen the Hp levels of the animals to minimize variation in the experimental baseline. The present study may provide a reference value for future use of the TLY minipig as an animal model for inflammation-associated diseases.     

Hookworm dermatitis due to Uncinaria stenocephala in a dog from Saskatchewan

Uncinaria stenocephala hookworm dermatitis (uncinariosis) was diagnosed on fecal examination and macerated skin biopsy in a 1.5-year-old greyhound dog from Saskatchewan. This is the first reported case in Canada. Treatment with moxidectin cleared gastrointestinal and dermal infections.     

Interpopulation and intrapopulation maternal lineage genetics of the Lanyu pig (Sus scrofa) by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous breed from the Lanyu Islet, which is southeast of Taiwan. Two herds of Lanyu pigs were introduced from the Lanyu Islet into Taiwan in 1975 and 1980. The current population of conserved Lanyu pigs consists of only 44 animals with unknown genetic lineage. The Lanyu pig possesses a distinct maternal genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pigs. The present study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationship among conserved Lanyu, Asian, and European type pigs based on the cytochrome b coding gene, to ascertain the maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the conserved Lanyu pigs, and to address whether genetic introgression from exotic or Formosan wild pigs had occurred in the conserved Lanyu pigs. Entire mitochondrial genomes of both types of Lanyu pig comprised 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Only 2 haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and cytochrome b were identified in the conserved Lanyu pig herds. When maximum likelihood trees were constructed, the Type I Lanyu mitochondrial genes formed a unique clade with a large pairwise distance of both cytochrome b and the control region from Asian and European type breeds, Formosan wild pigs, and exotic breeds. Significant loss of genetic diversity of mtDNA within the conserved Lanyu pigs was demonstrated by low haplotype and nucleotide diversities, supported by Fu and Li's D* neutrality test (1.44055; P < 0.05). The mtDNA control region sequences of extant pigs in the Lanyu Islet, however, showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and clustered with exotic pigs. These results indicate no maternal lineage mtD-NA gene introgression from Formosan wild pigs and introduced exotic pigs to conserved Type I Lanyu pigs, and a severe loss of heterozygosity of mtDNA in conserved Lanyu pigs. The remaining extant pigs on the Lanyu Islet have been introgressed with exotic breeds. Strategies for future conservation of native Lanyu pigs are now even more urgent and important.     

Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle

Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA-Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.     

Immune and bone properties of chicks consuming corn contaminated with a Fusarium that induces dyschondroplasia

A study was conducted to contrast the dyschondroplasia-inducing capability of several species of Fusarium with that of the natural fungi found in poultry diets and litter. Day-old broiler chicks were fed pure corn cultures of specific fungal isolates for 3 weeks. Humoral immunity to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), body weight, valgus and varus leg deformities, incidence of dyschondroplasia, and mechanical properties of the tibiotarsi were examined. F. equiseti #15 was the only fungal isolate to induce dyschondroplasia to any significant degree, which confirmed previous work in Minnesota. This isolate also suppressed growth rate and humoral immunity, although dyschondroplasia sometimes did occur without associated immunosuppression and growth depression. Bone strength of the tibiotarsal diaphysis was normal, and gross lesions of valgus and varus leg deformities did not appear to be related to the incidence of dyschondroplasia in the 3-week-old chicks.     

Adaptability of various models of the water production function for rice in Jilin Province,China

The existing irrigation schedule of most rice-growing areas in Jilin Province is not in full compliance with the Water Requirements Law of the rice; these discrepancies affect the yield of rice to some extent. Thus, research on rice water regulations and selection of an appropriate water production function model (WPFM) is very important. In this study, according to the water demand characteristics of rice, we used drought treatments separately during the tillering, jointing booting, flowering, and milky stages. Evapotranspiration and yield data were obtained using a test pit experiment and production measurements in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Five commonly used WPFMs (the Jensen, Blank, Minhas, Stewart, and Singh model) were selected for this study, and the water sensitivity index of each model was calculated based on the evapotranspiration, yield, and the model equations. The Jensen model was found to be the most suitable WPFM for this region; furthermore, a mathematical relationship between the water sensitivity index and days after rice planting was established. These results have important theoretical and practical implications for guidelines regarding rice irrigation in Jilin Province.     

Genetic differences in oestrous signs and oestrogen metabolism‐related genes between Chinese Mi and European Landrace‐Large White pigs

Oestrous signs affect timely mating and reproductive efficiency in swine breeding herds. To study the genetic difference of oestrous signs between Chinese and European pigs, 100 Landrace‐Large White (LLW) cross gilts and 50 Chinese Mi gilts were assessed for oestrous signs and the concentrations of serum estradiol‐17β and progesterone were determined. The genotype of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 oestrogen metabolism and function‐related genes was determined by Sequenom iPLEX platform. Compared with LLW gilts, Mi gilts had longer time of standing reflex (p < .001), higher scores of vulva reddening (p = .001) and greater serum estradiol‐17β concentration (p < .01). Gilts with greater serum estradiol‐17β concentrations also had greater (p < .05) scores for oestrous signs. Genetic polymorphisms of nine genes in oestrogen metabolism pathways had significant differences (p < .05) between LLW and Mi gilts. There were three and six haploblocks of SNPs in LLW and Mi, respectively. Compared with LLW, the distribution of haplotypes was more centralized in Mi pigs. Genetic polymorphisms of oestrogen metabolism‐related genes have considerable differences between Chinese Mi and European LLW pigs. Because of the important roles of oestrogen during the oestrus, some genes of oestrogen metabolism pathway could be considered as candidate genes for oestrous signs.     

Recombinant equine growth hormone administration: effects on synovial fluid biomarkers and cartilage metabolism in horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Recombinant equine growth hormone (reGH) has recently been evaluated for effects on body condition and wound healing. It has the potential to influence articular cartilage via stimulation of IGF-1. OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of administration on synovial joint metabolism. METHODS: Six mature horses were given 20 microg/kg bwt reGH daily for 8 weeks by i.m. injection. Three control horses were injected with sterile water. Serum and synovial fluid samples were collected at 6, 8, 11 and 16 weeks for GH and IGF-1 assays. Articular cartilage harvested at week 16 was evaluated by Western analysis using monoclonal antibodies BC-13, BC-4, 8-A-4 and CH-3. RESULTS: Concentrations of IGF-1 in serum and synovial fluid were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) at 6 and 8 weeks in the reGH group. Glycosaminoglycan concentrations in synovial fluid were significantly less than controls at these time points, suggesting that reGH may modulate proteoglycan metabolism in articular cartilage. In the reGH group, there were not any alterations in synovial fluid content of 3B3(-) epitope or aggrecan metabolite, or in aggrecan or link protein catabolites retained within cartilage, that might be expected with development of osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Intramuscular administration of reGH may be a more efficient means of delivery of IGF-1 to joints for cartilage resurfacing initiatives. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: We found no alterations in cartilage metabolism indicative of development of osteoarthritis.