AgNO3,GA3和温度对苦瓜纯雌、雄株系性别分化的影响

AgNO3处理可以调节“OHB61-5”苦瓜材料的性别表现。AgNO3对第1雌花节位、雌花数量、雌雄花的比率、两性花数量都有较大影响,随着质量浓度的增高(50～200mg／L),第1雌花发生的节位上升(6．86～16．4个),两性花数量逐渐增多(5．33～15．13个),雌花数量减少(14．3～4．6个),雌雄花比率降低,与对照和低质量浓度10mg／L处理间达极显著水平差异;低质量浓度10mg／l。处理对性别分化的诱导效应与对照差异不显著。外源GA,处理问对“OHB61—5”性别分化的影响差异不显著,GA3(25mg／L)处理与对照问差异达显著水平。温度处理上,2种不同的材料在3性状(雄花数、雌花数、无花节位数)的效应均达极显著差异,但温度水平在3性状的效应对于OHB41-2达到极显著水平差异,而对于OHB61-5没有达到显著差异。     

Inhibitory Effect of N,N-Didesmethylgrossularine-1 on Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

N,N-Didesmethylgrossularine-1 (DDMG-1), a compound with a rare α-carboline structure, was isolated from an Indonesian ascidian Polycarpa aurata as responsible for the observed inhibitory activity against TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. DDMG-1 inhibited the mRNA level of mTNF-α, IκB-α degradation, and binding of NF-κB to the target DNA site in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, DDMG-1 had an inhibitory effect on the production of IL-8, which is produced in CD14⁺-THP-1 cells stimulated by LPS. DDMG-1 is thus a promising drug candidate lead compound for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.     

Seroprevalence of retrovirus in North American captive macropodidae

Laboratory records of serology results from captive macropodidae sampled between 1997 and 2005 were reviewed to assess the seroprevalence of retrovirus exposure. Serum samples from 269 individuals (136 males, 133 females) representing 10 species of macropods housed in 31 North American captive collections were analyzed for retrovirus antibody using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. The prevalence of positive antibody titers comparing male versus female, between species, between age groups, and among animals with identified parentage was examined by nonparametric statistical analyses. Median age of animals at time of sample collection was 36 mo (range 2-201 mo). Total percentage seropositive was 20.4%. Serum antibody was detected in 31 of 47 (66.0%) tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), nine of 24 (37.5%) yellow-footed rock wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus), four of 11 (36.4%) swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), 10 of 80 (12.5%) red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), and one of 54 (1.9%) parma wallaby (Macropus parma). No individuals of western gray kangaroo (n=3) (Macropus fuliginosus), eastern gray kangaroo (n=19) (Macropus giganteus), common wallaroo (n=6) (Macropus robustus), red kangaroo (n=11) (Macropus rufus), or Matschie's tree kangaroo (n=14) (Dendrolagus matschiei) were positive for retrovirus antibody. These results demonstrate that five species of captive macropods have a history of exposure to retrovirus, with the highest percentage seropositive and highest statistical correlation in M. eugenii (pair-wise Fisher's exact test, alpha = 0.05). Additionally, one wild-caught M. eugenii was confirmed seropositive during quarantine period, indicating that retrovirus exposure may exist in wild populations.     

A Double‐blind,Placebo‐controlled,Multicenter, Prospective,Randomized Study of Beraprost Sodium Treatment for Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common progressive and irreversible disease in cats. The efficacy and safety of beraprost sodium (BPS) in cats with CKD have not been evaluated.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPS in the treatment of cats with CKD, as compared to placebo.

Animals

Seventy‐four client‐owned cats with naturally occurring CKD.

Methods

Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter, prospective, randomized trial. The cats received BPS (55 μg/cat) or a placebo PO q12 h for 180 days. The primary endpoint was prospectively defined as a change in the serum creatinine (sCr), serum phosphorus‐to‐calcium ratio or urine specific gravity (USG).

Results

The sCr increased significantly (P = 0.0030) in the placebo group (mean ± SD: 2.8 ± 0.7 to 3.2 ± 1.3 mg/dL) but not in the BPS group (2.4 ± 0.7 to 2.5 ± 0.7 mg/dL). The difference between the groups at day 180 was significant (0.8 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.2 to 1.3 mg/dL, P = 0.0071). The serum phosphorus‐to‐calcium ratio was significantly (P = 0.0037) increased in the placebo group (0.46 ± 0.10 to 0.52 ± 0.21 mg/dL) but not in the BPS group (0.50 ± 0.08 to 0.51 ± 0.11 mg/dL). There was no significant change in the USG in either group. An adverse event judged as being treatment‐related included vomiting that occurred in 1 case in the placebo group. No clinically relevant change was observed in the CBC and other blood chemistry tests.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Beraprost sodium treatment was well tolerated and safe in cats with CKD. BPS inhibited the reduction in renal filtration function as measured by sCr increase.     

Racodium snow blight in Japan

The current knowledge of Racodium snow blight, one of the major snow blight diseases in Japan, is reviewed. This disease was discovered in Aomori Prefecture in 1951. The causal fungus (Racodium therryanum) is distributed in the A_o layer and affects the seedlings and seeds of many conifers. Hence, it is considered one of the inhibitors of the natural regeneration in the forests of Hokkaido. The perspectives for future research on this disease are discussed.     

The effects of growth and disease in serum keratan sulfate concentration in dogs

The purpose of this study is to investigate keratan sulfate (KS) concentration in the serum of puppies and the effects of age, body weight, breed and diseases. Serum samples from six neonatal dogs (4 Beagles, 2 Labrador Retrievers), and from 127 adult dogs with various diseases were collected at a Teaching Animal Hospital. Canine serum KS concentration was measured by inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples from puppies were evaluated for growth-related changes, and samples from patients were evaluated for age, body weight, breed and disease-related changes. Serum KS concentration was high in puppies from birth to 4 months of age. KS values started to decrease from 4 months to 9 months of age, and then gradually reached to the plateau. Though in the small sample, mean KS concentration in a Labrador Retriever was higher than in Beagles during the first 10 months. The values of serum KS showed body weight-related increase within retrievers among teaching hospital population and there was significant increase in body weight-related change. Cartilage metabolism is high in canine immature joint and that activity continues for 5 months, and that higher in Labrador Retrievers rather than in Beagles. There was no effect from other factors, including age, body weight, breed and disease in all patients. Serum KS concentration of Retrievers is higher than Beagles, and that value increased with gain of body weight. We suggest that Retriever have higher cartilage metabolism with growth or ageing.     

Characterization of two putative mechanosensitive channel proteins of Campylobacter jejuni involved in protection against osmotic downshock

Acute hypotonic stress becomes a threat to the survival of bacteria in the environment. Mechanosensitive channels play an essential role in the maintenance of bacterial cell integrity during hypoosmotic shock. A database search suggested that Campylobacter jejuni, a major worldwide cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans, possesses two putative mechanosensitive channels, designated Cjj0263 and Cjj1025, in C. jejuni strain 81-176. Osmotic downshock experiments demonstrated that a mutant lacking Cjj0263 showed a severe defect in survival of hypoosmotic shock, while a mutant lacking Cjj1025 exhibited the same survival capacity as the wild type. We further examined the colonization ability of each mutant using the one-day old chick model. Cjj0263 or Cjj1025 mutants were able to colonize chick ceca at the same level as the wild type, but a Cjj0263 Cjj1025 double mutant revealed significantly reduced ability to colonize chick ceca. To examine whether C. jejuni that have grown in the digestive tract of chicks are protected against acute hypotonic stress, bacteria in ceca were directly exposed to water. The wild type was able to survive acute osmotic downshift, but the Cjj0263 mutant suffered a substantial loss of viability when subjected to a rapid osmotic downshock. Immunoblot analysis suggested that both Cjj0263 and Cjj1025 were glycosylated via the N-linked protein glycosylation pathway, but glycan modification of these proteins was unlikely to have a major effect on their function and stability. Our data suggest that Cjj0263, a mechanosensitive channel, has a pivotal role in protection against hypoosmotic stress experienced during environmental transmission.     

The secretory pattern and source of immunoreactive prolactin in pregnant African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants

The objective of the present study was to define the secretion of prolactin (PRL) in pregnant African and Asian elephants. Levels of immunoreactive (ir-) PRL in serum and placental homogenates were measured by a heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) based on an ovine and human RIA system, and the localization of ir-PRL in the placenta was detected by immunohistochemistry using anti-human PRL. Circulating ir-PRL clearly showed a biphasic pattern during pregnancy in African and Asian elephants. Serum levels of ir-PRL started to increase from the 4 - 6th month of gestation and reached the first peak level around the 11-14th month. A second peak of circulating ir-PRL levels was observed around the 18-20th month of gestation followed by an abrupt decline after parturition. In contrast, in a case of abortion of an African elephant, the second peak of ir-PRL was not observed, and the levels remained low for about four months until parturition. The weight of the fetus delivered at the 17th month of gestation was 23.5 kg, which was quite small compared with normal fetuses in previous reports. Ir-PRL was detected in placental homogenates, and immunolocalization was observed in trophoblasts in both the African and Asian elephants, indicating that the placenta is the source of ir-PRL during pregnancy in elephants. The present results clearly demonstrated that circulating ir-PRL shows a biphasic pattern during normal pregnancy and that the placenta appears to be an important source of circulating ir-PRL during pregnancy in both African and Asian elephants.