Health Factors Associated with Microchip Insertion in Horses

The objectives of this study were to characterize the inflammatory response after microchip insertion, evaluate pain response and swelling at the microchip insertion site, and measure migration of the microchips. Eighteen mature Quarter Horse mares were separated by expected parturition dates and then assigned randomly to treatment groups. The microchip group (n = 7) had microchips inserted using a sterile needle and syringe; the sham group (n = 7) had a needle inserted but no microchip; and the control group (n = 4) had no insertion. The inflammatory response was measured over a 2-week period by measuring dermal temperature, response to pressure, and swelling at the insertion site and plasma serum amyloid A (SAA). For the migration component of the study, radiographs of the seven microchipped horses were taken over 6 months after insertion. These radiographs allowed measurement between a select vertebral point and the microchip. The microchip and sham insertion did not cause a detectable increase in temperature. Algometer readings, used to quantify pressure necessary to induce a pain threshold response, indicated that microchip insertion area was more sensitive than sham insertion at 2 hours, day 1, and day 3 post insertion. Visible swelling began 2 hours postinsertion and resolved by day 3. SAA concentrations were affected by day following insertion, but not by treatment group. Increases in SAA concentration could not be matched with local insertion reactions. Migration was not detected in any of the horses during the 6 months within a 0.7-cm margin of error.     

Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟过程中对BCL-2、BAX的mRNA表达的影响

为了探讨Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞体外成熟过程中与BCL-2、BAX的相关性及Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞成熟过程中可能的作用机理,试验在绵羊卵母细胞成熟液中添加500 ng/mL Ghrelin,采用实时荧光定量PCR分别在0,8,16,24小时时检测卵母细胞BCL-2、BAX的表达量。结果表明:试验组添加Ghrelin后8,16小时时卵母细胞BCL-2 mRNA相对表达量显著升高(P<0.05),但成熟后16,24小时时较8小时时有下降趋势;下降到24小时时,其表达量与0小时时没有显著变化(P>0.05);8,16小时时试验组与对照组比较差异显著(P<0.05),0,24小时时差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验组添加Ghrelin后8,16,24小时卵母细胞BAX mRNA相对表达量较0小时时下降,且差异显著(P<0.05),但成熟后16,24小时时与8小时时比较有上升趋势;在8,16小时时试验组较对照组BAX mRNA相对表达量均有所下降,且差异有显著性(P<0.05),而在0,24小时时差异不显著(P>0.05)。说明Ghrelin在绵羊卵母细胞成熟过程中与BCL-2和BAX的表达存在相关性,推测Ghrelin在卵母细胞成熟过程中存在积极调控作用。     

Vitamin K requirement and reproduction in bromadiolone-resistant Norway rats

BACKGROUND: Nucleotide polymorphisms in the VKORC1 gene can be linked to anticoagulant rodenticide resistance in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout). This provides a fitness advantage to rats exposed to anticoagulant actives, but may also cause fitness costs. The vitamin K requirement and reproductive parameters of bromadiolone‐resistant rats (Westphalian resistant strain; VKOR variant Tyr139Cys) and bromadiolone‐susceptible Norway rats were compared. RESULTS: At vitamin K deficiency, blood clotting times increased in all homozygous resistant males within 8 days and in 80% of homozygous resistant females within 15 days. There was little effect on blood clotting in heterozygous males and no effect in heterozygous females and VKOR wild‐type individuals. Litter size was about 20% higher in sensitive pairs compared with resistant pairs. Testes growth, male gonad weight, sperm motility and testis cell concentration were unaffected by the mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The VKOR variant Tyr139Cys causes considerable physiological cost in Norway rats in terms of vitamin K requirement and reproduction. This may affect the distribution and spread of resistant individuals in the wild. Decreased litter size of resistant parents seems to be due to lowered female reproductive performance, as there was no significant effect of the mutation on any aspects of male reproduction considered, but this requires further study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

阿勒泰地区疣枝桦育苗技术

疣枝桦是阿勒泰地区广泛分布的乡土树种,文章简要介绍了疣枝桦在阿勒泰地区的分布、生物学特性以及播种繁殖过程,其中包括采种、种子处理、播种前的整地、播种、苗期管理等。文章阐述了疣枝桦育苗技术措施,在生产实践中具有较强的可操作性。     

Sequential measurements of the tibial plateau angle in large-breed, growing dogs

OBJECTIVES: To determine the earliest age that canine tibial plateau angles (TPAs) can be reliably measured and determine whether TPAs change during long bone growth. ANIMALS: 10 Labrador Retrievers and 20 Labrador Retriever-hound crossbreeds. PROCEDURE: Stifle joints were radiographed every 2 months from 8 weeks of age to radiographic closure of the tibial physes. Four examiners radiographically evaluated TPA, physeal closure status (ie, complete or incomplete) of the proximal and distal tibial physis, and whether anatomic TPA measurement landmarks were sufficiently visible (LSV) or insufficiently visible (LIV) for accurate measuring. Linear regression analysis was performed to detect change in TPAs over time. Mean ages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined for dogs with radiographs classified as LIV and LSV. RESULTS: TPAs did not change from 90 days of age to physeal closure. Mean age for dogs with radiographs classified as LIV was 70.2 days (95% CI, 68.12 to 72.28 days), with no dog with LIV radiographs over 81 days of age. Mean age for dogs with radiographs classified as LSV was 85.5 days (CI, 76.73 to 94.27 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPAs in Labrador Retrievers and Labrador Retriever-hound crossbreeds can be measured accurately after 90 days of age, and earlier attempts to measure result in falsely low TPA measurements. Measuring TPAs in growing dogs may allow earlier detection of premature physeal closures. As more is learned about the role of theTPA in cranial cruciate ligament injury, early treatment may be possible for growing dogs with cruciate ligament injuries and excessive tibial slope.     

Role of Cl- in regulatory volume decrease of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM:To clarify the role of Cl^- in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE-2Z).METHODS:Analysis of living cell images was used to detect the volume changes following exposure to hypotonic solution. Iron replacement and block of iron channels were also applied in the present study. RESULTS:Extracelluar hypotonic treatment made the cells swell and induced RVD. The RVD was correlated positively to the swelling in the range of 160-230 mOsmol/L. Substitution of gluconate for Cl^- in perfusing solutions markedly increased RVD. Depletion of cellular Cl^- abolished, and chloride channel blockers inhibited RVD. CONCLUSION:Cl^- is the key iron to establish the RVD in CNE-2Z cells. Activation of Cl^- channels and Cl^- efflux are the major mechanisms of RVD.     

Considering landscape connectivity and gene flow in the Anthropocene using complementary landscape genetics and habitat modelling approaches

Landscape Ecology - A comprehensive understanding of how rapidly changing environments affect species gene flow is critical for mitigating future biodiversity losses. While recent methodological...     

土霉素药渣栽培杏鲍菇可行性研究

以杏鲍菇为试材,在玉米芯中添加不同比例的土霉素药渣作为栽培杏鲍菇的辅料,对土霉素药渣栽培杏鲍菇的可行性进行研究和分析。结果表明:土霉素药渣含有木质素15.58%、纤维素39.62%、蛋白质50.02%及灰分13.15%;玉米芯中随着土霉素药渣添加比例的增加,呈现菌丝生长速率加快、满瓶天数减少的趋势,且添加适宜比例的土霉素药渣,可显著提高杏鲍菇鲜菇产量和生物学效率,其中83%玉米芯添加15%土霉素药渣的处理较优;杏鲍菇对土霉素的降解率可达到99.9%,4个添加土霉素药渣处理的杏鲍菇子实体均未检测到土霉素残留。     

Temperature-dependent lipid levels and components in polar and temperate eelpout (Zoarcidae)

Total lipid content, lipid classes and fatty acid composition were analysed in tissues from two eelpout species fed on the same diet, the Antarctic Pachycara brachycephalum and the temperate Zoarces viviparus, with the aim of determining the role of lipids in fishes from different thermal habitats. The lipid content increased with decreasing temperature in the liver of both species, suggesting enhanced lipid storage under cold conditions. In P. brachycephalum, lipid composition in the liver and muscle was strongly dominated by triacylglycerols between 0 and 6°C. In contrast, in the temperate species, lipid class composition changed with changes in the temperature. When acclimatized to 4 and 6°C Z. viviparus not only displayed a shift to lipid anabolism and pronounced lipid storage, as indicated by high triacylglycerol levels, but also a shift to patterns of cold adaptation, as reflected by an increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the lipid extract. Unsaturated fatty acids were also abundant in the Antarctic eelpout, but when compared to Z. viviparus at the same temperatures, the latter had significantly higher ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid levels, whereas the Antarctic eelpout showed significantly higher ratios of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid levels. High δ-¹⁵N values of the Antarctic eelpout reflect the high trophic level of this scavenger in the Weddell Sea food web. Stable carbon values suggest that lipid-enriched prey forms a major part of its diet. The strategy to accumulate storage lipids in the cold is interpreted to be adaptive behaviour at colder temperatures and during periods of irregular, pulsed food supply.     

The use of spatial management tools in rights‐based groundfish fisheries

The role of spatial management, including marine protected areas, in achieving fisheries outcomes alongside conservation goals is debated. In fisheries that fail to meet fishing mortality targets, closed areas are sometimes implemented to reduce fishing mortality. However, fisheries with stronger management, including rights‐based approaches that can address overcapacity and overfishing problems, often employ spatial management as well. Here, we compare the objectives, design, and performance of spatial management in nine temperate demersal fisheries in North America, Oceania, Europe, and Africa that employ rights‐based systems. Common objectives of spatial management included protecting habitat, juveniles, and spawners and reducing discards. Recovering age structure and creating scientific reference sites were less common objectives, despite being widely cited benefits of spatial management. Some fisheries adopted single closures to achieve single objectives, whereas others adopted diverse networks to achieve multiple objectives. Importantly, many spatial protections are implemented primarily through industry initiatives. Environmental change compromised the efficacy of spatial management in some cases, suggesting the need to design spatial management systems that are robust to changing ocean conditions. Fisheries with diverse and extensive spatial management systems have generally healthier fish stocks. Whether this implies that spatial management contributed substantially to fishery performance is unclear due to an absence of large‐scale, long‐term studies aimed at discerning different drivers of success. Although these targeted monitoring studies of closed areas are limited, such studies are necessary to help resolve the ongoing debate and to enable more purposeful design of spatial management for fisheries and conservation.