6个品种马DRD4基因克隆与序列比较分析

从6个品种马的血液中提取基因组DNA,根据GenBank中已发表的人、鼠、雪貂的DRD4 cDNA基因保守区序列,设计3对特异性引物,另1对由文献所得,对6个品种马的DRD4基因分4段进行PCR扩增,经电泳检测,分别呈4条特异条带,将其分别克隆入pMD19-T载体中,进行序列测定并拼接序列,得到包括所有内含子的DRD4基因序列。分析结果表明,马DRD4基因含有4个外显子和3个内含子,所得序列与人、鼠和狗同源区比对,发现其同源性都达到了75%以上。对6个品种马DRD4基因序列比较发现,不同品种马之间,第1内含子和第3外显子存在一定的变异,包括转换、颠换、插入/缺失和VNTR。     

Development of room-temperature curing aqueous emulsion-type acrylic adhesive II: effect of monomer composition on the final adhesive strength

In a series of studies, development of a new aqueous emulsion-type adhesive for use with wood or paper, which does not release formaldehyde or volatile organic solvents, was attempted. For the purpose of increasing both initial and final adhesive strengths, we selected a system consisting of acrylic monomers copolymerized with functional monomers such as diacetone acrylamide and some cross-linking agents such as dihydrazide or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). It was found that dihydrazide cross-linker was effective for both the initial and final adhesive strengths, suggesting contribution of hydrazone bonds to the bonding strengths. Cross-linking with pMDI might be slow and was not important in the initial bonding. However, its cross-linking effect might develop gradually, because the adhesive showed good final strengths using pMDI as a cross-linker.     

Preparation and crosslinking of oligoesterified woods based on phthalic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate

Summary Oligoesterification reaction of wood with phthalic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was investigated. The reaction proceeded smoothly at 90°C. The products obtained consisted of acetone-insoluble and soluble parts. The insoluble parts were novel oligoesterified woods with oligoester chains having methacrylate double bonds. The soluble parts were viscous liquids consisting mainly of free oligoesters not linked with the wood matrix, and contained small amounts of GMA and oligoesterified wood components which were dissolved out. The products (the oligoesterified wood-containing mixtures), when subjected to hotpressing, gave plasticized crosslinked wood boards whose surfaces are smooth, glossy, and plasticlike. In this case, plasticization of wood components and thermal polymerization of the methacrylate double bonds in the oligoester chains occurred simultaneously even in the absence of radical initiator. The soluble parts worked as a plasticizer for the wood components. The crosslinked wood boards exhibited outstanding properties in tensile strength (ca. 700 kg/cm²), flexural strength (ca. 900–1030 kg/cm²), and Rockwell hardness (ca. 120).     

Above- and belowground biomass and primary productivity of a Larix gmelinii stand near Tura, central Siberia

We assessed above- and belowground biomass and net primary production (NPP) of a mature Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. forest (240-280 years old) established on permafrost soils in central Siberia. Specifically, we investigated annual carbon budgets in roots in relation to root system development and availability of soil resources. Total stand biomass estimated by allometry was about 39 Mg per ha. Root biomass (17 Mg per ha) comprised about 43% of total biomass. Coarse root (>/= 5 mm in diameter) biomass was about twice that of fine roots (< 5 mm). The aboveground biomass/root biomass ratio (T/R) of the larch stand was about unity, which is much less than that of other boreal and subalpine conifer forests. The proportion of fine roots in total root biomass (35%) was relatively high compared with other cold-climate evergreen conifer forests. Total NPP, defined as the sum of annual biomass increment of woody parts and needle biomass, was estimated to be 1.8 Mg per ha per year. Allocation of total NPP to needle production was 56%. The proportion of total NPP in belowground production (27%) was less than for evergreen taiga forests. However, belowground NPP was probably under-estimated because root mortality was excluded. We conclude that L. gmelinii trees invested annual carbon gains largely into needle production or roots, or both, at the expense of growth of aboveground woody parts. This carbon allocation pattern, which resulted in the construction of exploitative root networks, appeared to be a positive growth response to the nutrient-poor permafrost soil of central Siberia.     

Effectiveness of field-exposed attract-and-kill devices against the adults of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): a study on duration,form and storage

BACKGROUND

The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman is an insect pest native to Japan that has spread into North America, the Azores and, recently, into continental Europe. Here, we present a study assessing the effectiveness of a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN), assembled in semiochemical-baited attract-and-kill devices (A&Ks) as a low environmental impact means to control P. japonica in the field. We compared the attractiveness of three different forms of A&Ks that were left outdoors throughout the summer, and the residence time of P. japonica landing on them. Moreover, we performed a preliminary study testing the effectiveness of new LLINs after storage. Collected data also allowed us to investigate the beetles' diel flight patterns in relation to meteorological conditions.

RESULTS

Killing effectiveness of the field-exposed A&Ks declined steadily over the flight season (from 100% to 37.5%) associated with a decrease in residues of α-cypermethrin, the active ingredient in the LLINs. The different A&K forms (pyramidal, octahedral and ellipsoidal) attracted similar numbers of beetles. Individual beetles' residence time ranged from 75 to 95 s and differed slightly between A&K forms. Effectiveness of LLINs decreased by ≈30% after 1 year storage. Based on numbers landing on A&Ks, the beetles' flight activity peaked about 14:30 h and was inversely correlated with relative humidity.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that semiochemical-baited A&Ks are effective for controlling P. japonica in the field. Because of active ingredient decay, the LLINs should be replaced after 30–40 days of field exposure to ensure that the A&Ks remain fully functional. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib [STI571] induces regression of xenografted canine mast cell tumors in SCID mice

Canine mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common cutaneous tumors in the dog. They have a wide range of behaviour, which can make these tumors challenging to treat. Recently, mutations in c-kit proto-oncogene have been identified in several canine MCTs. Imatinib is the first member of a new class of agents that act by inhibiting particular tyrosin kinase enzymes, including KIT which is a product of the c-kit. In this study the efficacy of imatinib to reduce or abolish canine MCT [CMC-1] using xenografted MCT in severe combined immunodeficient [SCID] mice was evaluated. Imatinib was administered at doses of 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg once a day for one week. The antitumor responses in SCID mice with CMC-1 xenografts following treatment with imatinib were observed. Significant tumor regression occurred with 100 mg/kg on days 7, 10, 14 and 21, and 200 mg/kg on all days. Our results indicate that imatinib is effective against canine mast cell tumor in mouse xenograft models. Canine MCTs might be a potential target for imatinib therapy.     

Tuberculosis as a zoonosis from a veterinary perspective

Tuberculosis is an important disease among many zoonoses, because both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, which are the major causes of tuberculosis, are highly pathogenic, infect many animal species and thus are likely to be the source of infection in humans. In particular, monkeys are highly susceptible to these bacteria and are important spreaders. Recently, two outbreaks of M. tuberculosis occurred in four different kinds of monkeys and humans were also infected with the disease in Japan. In zoos, tuberculosis was reported not only in monkeys, but also in several different kinds of animals, including elephants. Pets such as dogs and cats are believed to be generally less susceptible to M. tuberculosis, but in this article we introduce a case of infection from man to dog by close contact. Japan is one of the few countries that have been able to control M. bovis infection. In other countries, however, cases of bovine tuberculosis and human M. bovis infection have been reported, and thus further attention is still required in the future.     

Immunomodulatory effects of organochlorine mixtures upon in vitro exposure of peripheral blood leukocytes differ between free-ranging and captive southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris)

Organochlorines (OCs), notably polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Contaminant-induced immunosuppression by OCs has been implicated as a co-factor in the deaths of thousands of marine mammals in infectious disease epizootics over the last two decades, and limited studies support the hypothesis that PCBs are immunomodulatory. This study represented a unique opportunity to assess the potential differences in susceptibility to OCs between captive and free-ranging sea otters originating from the same genetic population. In vitro immune assays were utilized to evaluate both innate (phagocytosis and respiratory burst) and acquired (mitogen-induced B and T lymphocyte proliferation) immune functions. Individual PCBs (138, 153, 169 and 180) as well as TCDD and all 26 possible combinations were tested. Mixtures were tested as they represent 'real life' exposure. Our results suggest that (1) different immune functions were sensitive to different OC mixtures in both magnitude and direction (enhancement/suppression) and (2) differences in sensitivities upon in vitro exposure to OCs occurred between free-ranging and captive otters. Differences in susceptibility could be explained by the acute stress of capture, the chronic stress of captivity or nutritional differences. Understanding differences in toxicity to different populations of sea otters will have important implications for risk assessment as well as conservation and management strategies.