Anatomical characterization of hoof growth pattern in six Iranian sheep breeds and its possible implication for trimming recommendations

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to compare hoof anatomy, hoof growth pattern, and hoof weight-bearing surface of six different Iranian sheep breeds to...     

Altitude effects on technology and productivity of small bovine farms (milk meat) in Veracruz (Gulf of Mexico)

The dual-purpose bovine system represents 98.4% of the bovine livestock of Veracruz, the main cattle-producing state of Mexico. This system supplies calves to meat companies, a sector in which Veracruz has been the national leader in the last decade. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of the altitudinal zonation of farms on livestock technology and productivity in a microbasin of the Gulf of Mexico where small farms predominate. Structured interviews were applied to producers located in three altitudinal zones (at average altitudes of 50, 140, and 450 m, respectively, for lower, middle, and upper zones). Sample size was 135 farms having similar land surface (within a range of 15–22 ha). The results indicated multiple differences among farms located in the three zones. Farms in the middle and lower zones presented higher productive indicators than those in the upper zone. Differences in herd structure and management resulted in important differences in productivity, income, and profits in milk and calf production. We concluded from this study that altitudinal zonation in Veracruz had a clear effect on the differentiation of small farms, which are representative of dual-purpose cattle. The upper zone performs cattle activity under conditions with greater disadvantages in the analyzed region.     

TGF-β信号通路在鱼类性别决定与分化中的作用

脊椎动物性别分化和性腺发育的分子机制保守,但不同类群的最上游的性别决定基因却大不相同,尤其是鱼类,其性别决定基因表现出明显的多样性。性别决定包括环境性别决定和遗传性别决定,环境性别决定主要受温度、光照、激素和pH等的影响,而遗传性别决定一般由位于性染色体上的性别决定基因决定。转化生长因子-β(transforming growth factorβ, TGF-β)信号通路参与介导了多种生物学过程,近年来很多研究表明,鱼类有多个性别决定基因都是TGF-β信号通路的成员,且该信号通路对于鱼类的性别分化也有重要的作用。本文总结了鱼类已报道的性别决定基因或候选基因,详细综述了TGF-β信号通路在鱼类性别决定与分化中的各种功能,并探讨了该信号通路参与鱼类性别决定的可能机制,这对认识TGF-β信号通路在鱼类性别决定、分化中的作用和性控育种有重要意义。     

基于不同分析方法研究磷酸根在矿物表面吸附机制的进展

磷素是植物生长必需的营养元素,也是联系生态系统中生物与非生物作用的关键元素。对磷酸根在矿物表面吸附反应机制的深入认识,有助于了解其在陆地和水环境中的形态、迁移、转化和生物有效性。本文主要综述了磷酸根在常见(土壤)矿物表面吸附机制的研究进展。各种分析技术或方法,如OH–释放量分析、Zeta电位分析(电泳迁移率测试)、等温滴定量热法、原子力显微镜、X射线光电子能谱、红外光谱、核磁共振波谱、X射线吸收光谱、表面络合模型、量子化学计算等,均以不同方式揭示磷酸根在不同矿物体系的吸附机制。磷酸根在矿物(尤其是铁、铝氧化物)表面的吸附通常伴随着水基和羟基的交换。一般认为磷酸根在矿物表面主要形成双齿双核、单齿单核内圈络合物,且受pH的影响较大。pH以及磷酸根在矿物表面的吸附密度影响内圈络合物的质子化状态。在低pH、高磷浓度、较高反应温度、较长吸附时间,以及弱晶质矿物吸附等条件下矿物表面吸附的磷可在矿物表面转化形成含磷的表面沉淀,造成矿物溶解转化以及磷生物有效性的进一步降低。最后展望了磷酸盐在矿物-水界面吸附有关的研究热点和方向。     

脑部特异表达rtTA调控元件转基因小鼠的构建

为获得一种可调控基因表达系统,避免传统转基因在胚胎发育早期表达的毒性作用或致死作用以及基因过度表达而造成难于分析的复杂多表型,应用分子生物学方法将四环素反式激活子rtTA克隆到仅在脑部能被激活的钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶CaM kinase Ⅱα亚基启动子之后,将其通过显微注射方法注入FVB小鼠受精卵雄原核中获得四环素调控系统中反应组分的转基因工具鼠.经PCR及Southern检测,最终得到3只阳性小鼠(1公2母),表达检测结果显示,其中仅2只(1公1母)后代检测到rtTA表达产物.结果表明已成功构建四环素调控系统中的转基因工具鼠,为今后研究其他脑部基因功能提供便利.     

不同贮存温度和时间对蜂王浆中游离氨基酸的影响

将新鲜蜂王浆分别贮藏在不同时间和温度下,对比分析游离氨基酸的含量及组成。结果测得蜂王浆中含有21种游离氨基酸,以脯氨酸含量最高。在室温下贮藏时,苏氨酸变化最大;-20℃时,丝氨酸变化最大;甲硫氨酸和组氨酸在-20℃下较稳定,含量几乎不变,在室温下15d内分别下降12．5％和17．4％,30d后分别下降37．5％和40．0％。由此我们可以推测甲硫氨酸和组氨酸在一定程度上可以代表蜂王浆的新鲜度。     

Electrophysiological Recordings from Embryonic Mouse Motoneurons Cultured on Electrospun Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) and Polypyrrole-Coated PLA Scaffolds

Background:Biomaterials used as cell growth stimulants should be able to provide adequate cell adhesion with no alteration in cell function. In this work, we developed a 3D model of mouse spinal cord motoneurons on scaffolds composed of electrospun PLA fibers and plasma-polymerized PPy-coated PLA fibers. Methods:The functionality of the cultured motoneurons was assessed by evaluating both the electrophysiological response (i.e., the whole-cell Na⁺ and K⁺ currents and the firing of action potentials) and also the expression of the VAChaT by immunostaining techniques. While the expression of the VAChaT was confirmed on motoneurons cultured on the fibrous scaffolds, the electrophysiological responses indicated Na⁺ and K⁺ currents with lower amplitude and slower action potentials when compared to the response recorded from spinal cord motoneurons cultured on Poly-DL-Ornithine/Laminin- and plasma-polymerized PPy-coated coverslips.Results:From a morphological viewpoint, motoneurons cultured on PLA and PPy-coated PLA scaffolds did not show the development of dendritic and/or axonal processes, which were satisfactorily observed in the bidimensional cultures.Conclusion:We hypothesize that the apparently limited development of dendritic and/or axonal processes could produce a deleterious effect on the electrophysiological response of the cells, which might be due to the limited growth surface available in the fibrous scaffolds and/or to an undesired effect of the purification process.Key Words: Electrophysiology, Pyrrol, Scaffolds     

农村老龄化下风险偏好、人际关系与农户化学品施用行为分析

基于441份农户的微观调查样本,从各类化肥使用量、农药使用量及其购买成本方面考察了农村劳动力老龄化对化学品投入的影响,并从老年劳动力的体力状况、控制感、技能需求、风险态度和人际关系等途径探究其影响机制,进一步考察农村老年劳动力个体特征对化学品投入产生的异质性影响。结果表明,农村劳动力老龄化会显著减少对复合肥的使用量以及化肥的购买成本。当控制了体力和技能需求等变量后,老龄化对化学品投入依旧有显著的负向影响,表明以往研究推测的体力和技术采纳是老龄化影响务农的途径,不能全面揭示其影响机制。进一步研究发现,农村劳动力老龄化会影响农户的人际关系以及风险偏好对务农投入的边际效应。结论表明,中国建设生态宜居的美丽乡村政策对国家粮食安全战略具有促进作用。     

气候变化对藏药独一味适生区分布格局的影响

本研究通过实地调查,运用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型和环境气候数据模拟未来气候变化对青藏高原地区藏药独一味(Lamiophlomis rotata(Benth.)Kudo)适生区空间分布格局的影响,探索其适生区变迁规律.通过ArcGIS和SPSS对模拟结果分析显示,当前气候条件下独一味最适宜生长地区主要分布于青藏高原地区...     

膜孔灌灌施条件下硝态氮迁移分布规律研究

利用自行研制的膜孔点源入渗装置,测试膜孔灌灌施条件下硝态氮的迁移和分布规律。结果表明:在肥液连续入渗过程中,硝态氮浓度锋运移与水分湿润锋是一致的;随着距离膜孔中心距离的增加,NO3-N含量减小,在湿润锋位置处土壤NO3-N含量急剧减小到本底值;进入再分布过程后,土壤水分运移速度减慢,整个湿润土体内的含水量分布更加均匀;再分布1~7天内,硝态氮含量略有下降,再分布10天后,硝态氮反硝化作用增强,径向处的反硝化作用弱于垂向处,硝态氮含量明显降低。