Effects of Addition of Tissue‐Type Plasminogen Activator in In Vitro Fertilization Medium on Bovine Embryo Development and Quality

Plasminogen activators/Plasmin system plays pivotal role in regulating reproductive functions of mammals. Here, we examined the effects of modification of in vitro fertilization medium (IVF medium) with the addition of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), on bovine embryo development and quality, assessed by quantification of expression of various genes related to metabolism, oxidation, implantation and apoptosis. In addition, plasminogen activator activity (PAA) and plasminogen activator inhibition (PAI) were measured in the spent media. After conventional IVM, 2016 cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were divided into four groups with modified composition of the IVF medium containing t‐PA and/or its inhibitor epsilon‐aminocaproic acid (control, t‐PA, t‐PA+ε‐ACA, ε‐ACA). Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8 days in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium; gene expression studies were carried out on morulae and blastocysts. t‐PA alone significantly suppressed cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, but this effect was neutralized by the addition of ε‐ACA. PAA in the treated group was significantly reduced by ε‐ACA, but without total elimination. Significant differences were detected in the expression of genes related to apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest (BAX, BCL2L1, KAT2B) between embryos produced in t‐PA‐modified media and controls, giving an overall notion that the inferior developmental competence of treated embryos may be attributed to apoptotic phenomena induced by t‐PA. In conclusion, it appears that excessive t‐PA content in the IVF media, suppresses blastocyst formation rate, possibly due to induction of apoptotic phenomena.     

湖南省麦迪卡药石农业应用效果综述

湖南省麦迪卡药石(MEDCAL STONE)资源丰富,质量优良,具有富硅、富钾、富微量元素和离子轻稀土的特点,具有很强的吸附性能,可溶出多种有益矿物质,增加水中氧的含量,调节水的pH值,生物活性强,对防治疾病具有重要作用。经过近20 a的研究,农业上应用在作物施肥、药膳食疗等方面,均有极好的社会、经济效益。同时,产地水土、森林、人文资源特好,生态景观优美,不但是天然的无公害农业基地,也是发展休闲农业、旅游农业的"风水宝地"。     

The theropod ancestry of birds: new evidence from the late cretaceous of madagascar

A partial skeleton of a primitive bird, Rahona ostromi, gen. et sp. nov., has been discovered from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. This specimen, although exhibiting avian features such as a reversed hallux and ulnar papillae, retains characteristics that indicate a theropod ancestry, including a pubic foot and hyposphene-hypantra vertebral articulations. Rahona has a robust, hyperextendible second digit on the hind foot that terminates in a sicklelike claw, a unique characteristic of the theropod groups Troodontidae and Dromaeosauridae. A phylogenetic analysis places Rahona with Archaeopteryx, making Rahona one of the most primitive birds yet discovered.     

Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) fossils discovered in the Kem Kem region of Morocco include large predatory dinosaurs that inhabited Africa as it drifted into geographic isolation. One, represented by a skull approximately 1.6 meters in length, is an advanced allosauroid referable to the African genus Carcharodontosaurus. Another, represented by a partial skeleton with slender proportions, is a new basal coelurosaur closely resembling the Egyptian genus Bahariasaurus. Comparisons with Cretaceous theropods from other continents reveal a previously unrecognized global radiation of carcharodontosaurid predators. Substantial geographic differentiation of dinosaurian faunas in response to continental drift appears to have arisen abruptly at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous.     

Biotechnology in the marine sciences

Genetic engineering applied to the production of fish, molluscs, algae, algal products, and crustaceans in natural environments and hatchery systems is still at the rudimentary stage. Cloning systems for producing commercially important chemicals, pharmacologically active compounds, and metamorphosis-stimulating substances present in marine organisms are being sought. Attempts are being made to develop useful drugs from the sea, including antineoplastic, antibiotic, growth-promoting (or -inhibiting), analgesic, and antispasmodic agents. Immediate commercial applications can be expected from engineered systems involving polysaccharide and specialty chemical production, with marine microorganisms as the source of genetic material.     

不同栽培模式及施氮量对半旱地冬小麦氮素累积及分配的影响

【目的】研究不同栽培模式和施氮量对半旱地栽培条件下冬小麦-夏玉米轮作体系中冬小麦地上部氮素累积、分配及利用效率的影响。【方法】在陕西关中地区进行了田间试验,以常规栽培为对照,比较了补灌、覆草和垄沟等栽培模式及0,120,240 kg/hm2施氮水平,对冬小麦连续2年(2004和2005年)不同生长期各部位氮素累积量的影响。【结果】在补灌模式下,2004和2005年成熟期冬小麦叶片和茎秆的氮素累积量较其他模式低,氮素分配率也较低,而籽粒的氮素分配率较高;施用氮肥显著增加了各生长时期冬小麦叶片、茎秆、颖壳和穗轴以及籽粒的氮素累积量,当氮肥施用量由120增加到240 kg/hm2时,除籽粒外,成熟期冬小麦叶片、茎秆、颖壳和穗轴的氮素残留量均随之明显增加。与不同栽培模式相比,施用氮肥对冬小麦不同器官中氮素分配的影响较小。随着氮肥施用量的增加,氮肥利用效率、氮肥农学效率和氮肥生理效率均呈降低趋势。在不同栽培模式中,连续2年补灌栽培模式下冬小麦的氮肥利用效率、氮肥农学效率以及氮肥生理效率均较高,而其他栽培模式下这3个指标年际间的变化较大。【结论】施用氮肥可显著增加冬小麦各生长时期不同器官的氮素累积量,但对氮素在不同器官中分配比例的影响较小;与施用氮肥相比,不同栽培模式对冬小麦氮素的累积、分布无明显影响;冬季补灌有利于提高冬小麦的氮素效率。