Biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) in studying the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus 1758) juveniles

In this work, we investigated the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus juveniles under different rearing conditions, using biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) and the linear instantaneous growth rate (IGR). Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of starvation, addition of substrate (sand) as rearing support and diet composition on somatic growth and biochemical indices. Results show that biochemical indices of fed juveniles were significantly (P<0.05) higher. Highest RNA/DNA values and protein content were recorded in fed juveniles reared with substrate (P<0.05); conversely, lowest values were recorded in starved ones reared without substrate. In the second experiment, the highest RNA/DNA ratio was recorded in juveniles fed with control algal mixture composed of species commonly used in bivalve nurseries [Isochrysis galbana (clone T-Iso), Chaetoceros calcitrans and Tetraselmis suecica] and lowest in those fed with algal species isolated from Tunisian coasts. This confirms the usefulness of the RNA/DNA ratio and protein content in the clam's nutritional status evaluation. This assay is useful to provide information about the nutritional status and health of the clam in field conditions.     

Histopathological studies on neoplasms in the genital tract of female donkeys in Egypt.

The genital tracts of 165 female donkeys were collected and examined with special concern to neoplasms. Ovarian Neoplasms were found in 12 cases (7.72%). A granulosa cell tumor was found in one case (0.61%). A cavernous haemangioma was found in 11 cases (6.67%). Uterine neoplasms were found in 14 cases (8.84%). Endometrial polyps and fibroleiomyoma were found in one case (0.61%) each. Leiomyoma was found in 2 cases (1.21%). Cavernous haemangioma was found in 10 cases (6.06%), and cervical polyps in 5 cases (3.03%).     

瘤胃乙酸与丙酸摩尔比例的改变对瘤胃发酵及血液指标的影响

通过向瘤胃灌注乙酸：丙酸：丁酸的摩尔比例分别为75：15：10，65：25：10，55：35：10和45：45：10溶液，并在连续灌注的作用下，以期达到最终改变瘤胃液中乙酸：丙酸：丁酸摩尔比例的目的。研究表明：（1）随着灌注液中丙酸浓度的提高，最终瘤胃液中丙酸的比例增加，乙酸的比例逐渐下降，与对照组差异显著（P＜0.05），丁酸的摩尔比例无论与对照组，还是各处理间均无差异；（2）向瘤胃灌注的VFA溶液提供高于维持能量水平30％以上的能量，使瘤胃中总的VFA浓度、VFA产生速率、丙酸的产生速率及VFA的总产量均显著增加（P＜0.01）；但是对基础混合日粮的干物质（DM）、有机物（OM）、中洗纤维（NDF）、酸洗纤维（ADF）、半纤维素（HCF）等养分的消化率不构成显著影响；（3）当灌注溶液中丙酸所占摩尔比例增加到35％，粪氮和尿氮的排出量显著减少（P＜0.05），从而提高日粮氮的沉积能力。进一步研究表明，当灌注液中丙酸的摩尔比例进一步提高至45％时，血糖浓度及胰岛素的浓度才显著增加（P＜0.05）；但胰岛素与胰高血糖素的比值对于不同的处理或对照组，基本保持稳定。     

The genomic sequence of the bovine T cell receptor gamma TRG loci and localization of the TRGC5 cassette

The bovine and ovine TRG genes have previously been shown to be located in two loci, TRG1 and TRG2, in contrast to human and mouse TRG genes that are located in a single locus. The bovine TRG1 and TRG2 loci are located on chromosome 4 at 4q3.1 and 4q1.5-2.2, respectively. The complete genomic organization of the two bovine loci is described: each locus comprises three cassettes, each one includes one or several variable genes (TRGV) and one or several joining genes (TRGJ) preceding a constant (TRGC) gene. The location of the TRGC5 cassette is conclusively described in 5' of the TRG1 locus. Analysis of 17 TRGV belonging to 10 different subgroups, 8 TRGJ and 6 TRGC genes is conducted which comprises the most comprehensive list to date.     

十字花科芸薹属种间杂种营养优势的利用研究

选用4个油菜雄性不育系和三种类型十字花科芸薹属种, 研究了不同杂交组合的亲和性, 杂种一代的营养优势表现和杂种营养优势的生理基础以及品质性状表现. 结果表明: 利用油菜雄性不育系与其它十字花科芸薹属种间杂交可以显著提高种间杂交的亲和性, 并具有细胞质遗传效应. 通过杂交制种可以获得大量的杂种应用于生产. 十字花科     

Analysis on the Disposal of the Industrial Solid Waste in the Three Gorges Region

The second step of water storage for Three Gorges Reservoir will be executed in Jue,2003. Because there is still a large quantity of industrial solid waste(ISW) dumped on the reservoir bottom where should be cleaned before water storage and wastes should be disposed. After a full investigation and analyze, the total amount of ISW in the Chongqing reservoir area is about 1.66 million tons. According the principles of safe, economical and reliable, this paper describes the ISW's treatment. The ordinary ISW which is harmless and non toxic after identification should be treated on-site, the ISW that exceeds the national standards should be removed and be disposed in the landfill, and the hazardous waste should be removed for disposition or storage.     

Yield, yield components and plant architecture in the F3 generation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) derived from a cross between the determinate cultivar ‘Prelude’ and an indeterminate landrace

Growth trials were conducted outdoors in the UK to determine the yield, yield components and plant architectural differences between determinate and indeterminate Phaseolus vulgaris bean plants. F3 lines derived from crosses between ‘Prelude’, a determinate cultivar and ‘V8’, an indeterminate landrace, were grown together with the parents and ‘Carioca’, an indeterminate landrace from Brazil. Data were recorded on flowering date, number of nodes on main stem at flowering, plant height at maturity, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of seeds/plant, 100-seed weight, seed mass/plant, percentages of diseased and healthy seeds/plant. Determinate F3 lines had significantly lower (P < 0.05) seed mass/plant, fewer pods/plant, fewer seeds/pod, fewer seeds/plant, lower harvest index, shorter stems, earlier date of flowering, fewer nodes at flowering and fewer healthy seeds/plant than indeterminate F3 lines. However, determinate genotypes had significantly larger (P < 0.05) pods to accommodate their larger seeds compared with indeterminate lines. A similar situation was found when the yield and yield components of ‘V8’, ‘Prelude’ and ‘Carioca’ were evaluated; the highest seed mass/plant was given by ‘V8’ and the lowest by ‘Prelude’. Furthermore, some indeterminate genotypes with Type IV growth habit yielded significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the high-yielding parent, ‘V8’, indicating a positive influence on seed yield by crossing different genotypes.     

Analyses of Interlayer Stresses and Strain Transfer in Smart Laminated Structures

A new model is proposed to analyze the strain/stress transfer relation between host materials and piezoceramic sensors/actuators under bending and axial stress loading. The finite thickness of the adhesive is taken into account. The physical layers of the piezoceramic, adhesive and structure material are further subdivided into thinner layers as fine as necessary in order to improve the accuracy of stress analysis. In each thin layer the in-plane stresses are assumed to vary linearly across the thickness. By satisfying equilibrium equations, constitutive equations and displacement-strain relations, all components of stress, strain and displacement can be expressed as functions of the in-plane forces and the moments of the thin layers. The differential equations governing the in-plane forces and the moments are obtained. Then, this analytical model is used to predict strain transfer from the structure material to the sensor. It is found, both experimentally and theoretically, that the axial strain of the host material is considerably larger than the strain of the sensor, which is directly related to the output voltage. By introducing the so-called strain transfer factor, a relationship between the output voltage of the sensor and the strain of the measured material is derived. The model is used to predict interlayer stress distributions and strain transfer, which are induced by actuator strain. The result was compared with existing experiments and FEM. There is stress concentration between the actuator and adhesive around the edge of the smart structures, which may cause debonding under high stress loading.     

In vitro culture variation of wheat and rye caused by genes affecting plant growth habit in vivo

Summary The influence of genes affecting the plant growth habit in wheat (Rht8 and Ppd1) and rye (ct1 and ct2) on tissue culture response was studied using immature embryos. Whereas the semi-dwarfing gene Rht8 seems to promote only a minor effect, the day-length sensitive allele ppd1 determined a major increase in callus growth and regeneration ability. With regards to their tissue culture efficiency, the four alleles studied could be ranked as follows: ppd1>Rht8>rht8>Ppd1.In contrast to wheat, the GA insensitive semi-dwarfing genes of rye (ct1 and ct2) appear not to influence in vitro response.