Pronuclear Embryo Yield in Canindé and Saanen Goats for DNA Microinjection

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of donor breed on pronuclear‐stage embryo yield to be used for DNA microinjection in a transgenesis goat program. Twelve Canindé and twelve Saanen goats were heat synchronized using a progestagen‐cloprostenol treatment. Forty‐eight hours before the sponge removal, superovulation was induced with a total administration of 4.4 mg/kg bodyweight NIH‐FSH‐P1, given twice daily in decreasing doses over 3 days. In addition, goats received 100 μg of GnRH and they were hand‐mated at 36 and 48 h after progestagen removal. Embryo recovery was performed by oviduct flushing at 72 h after sponge removal. Embryos were microinjected with a DNA construct and noticeable swelling of the nuclei was the criterion for successful microinjection. The total diameter, cytoplasm diameter, zona pellucida thickness and pronuclei diameter were measured for each microinjected embryo. A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of fertilized ova was observed in Canindé (89.9%) than Saanen (36.2%) goats. In addition, Canindé donors produced a higher percentage of pronuclear embryos when compared with Saanen: 72.5% vs 20.6% (p < 0.05), respectively. Successful microinjection was verified in 96.7% and 73.3% of times in Canindé and Saanen embryos, respectively (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed for all morphometric parameters except for cytoplasm diameter. In conclusion, under our study experimental conditions, Canindé were more efficient than Saanen goats concerning the pronuclear embryo yield and manipulation. The use of Canindé goats in transgenesis programs could be increase the interest in their breeding and could be contribute to saving them from extinction.     

Chondrodysplasia of Texel sheep - a new disease of suspected genetic aetiology (abstract)

A chondrodysplasia characterised by dwarfism and varus deformity of the forelimbs has been recognised over four seasons in Texel and Texel-cross lambs on three related properties. Affected lambs appear normal at birth, but by 2 weeks of age have reduced growth rate, shortened neck and legs, varus forelimb deformities and a progressive reluctance to walk. Most die within the first 4 months of life. Some affected lambs have had normal co-twins. Post mortem examination of two severely affected 3-month-old lambs revealed extensive loss of articular cartilage and exposure of subchondral bone on the weight-bearing surfaces of the proximal humeri and femurs. Articular and physeal cartilages were thicker than normal, suggesting delayed or impaired endochondral ossification. Histopathologically, there was disorganisation of chondrocytes in articular and physeal cartilage of all bones examined. In addition, there were multiple foci of chondrolysis, which coalesced in some areas to form large clefts. The chondroid matrix surrounding chondrocytes had an abnormal fibrillar appearance. One lamb that exhibited early signs of the disease died of an unrelated cause at 3 weeks of age, and although there was no erosion of articular cartilage, characteristic microscopic lesions were present in articular and physeal cartilage. Although most of the affected lambs were born on a commercial property with a mix of different sheep breeds, all had Texel genes on both sire and dam sides of the pedigree. The farmer had been purchasing his Texel rams from the same flock for several seasons. Circumstantial evidence favours a genetic aetiology, characterised by either autosomal recessive inheritance or over dominance. Studies on the genetic and biochemical basis of the disease are continuing.     

应用轻型飞机防治马尾松毛虫的试验Ⅰ．喷施四种药剂防治的效果

马尾松毛虫Dendrolimus punctatus Walker是马尾松林重要害虫。林间应用超轻型飞机大面积喷洒溴氰菊酯超低容量喷雾、白僵菌纯孢子油剂、菌药混合液超低容量喷雾以及喷洒白僵菌菌粉,其防治效果分别为96．5%、85．7%、95．6%、86．5%。上述的防治措施可作为单独的措施或综合防控中的配套措施使用,同时应用飞机防治解决了树高、林密、水源缺乏、劳力工资昂贵等条件给防治工作带来的困难,是一种适应林区林业生产整体水平而又快速、高效、经济的防治手段。     

Effect of lipoic acid on redox regulation,digestive and absorptive function in intestine of mice fed high fat diet

AIM:To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of lipoic acid (LA) on redox regulation and digestive function in intestine of C57BL/6 mice fed high fat diet (HFD).METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=8).The control group consumed an ordinary diet.The other two experimental groups were fed with a high fat diet, high fat plus 0.1% LA.After 6 weeks, the activities of digestive enzymes were examined.In order to evaluate the antioxidant status of the mice, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in intestinal homogenate were measured.To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of LA, the gene expression profiles in intestine were examined using the GeneChip microarray system.RESULTS:A depressed antioxidant defense system, accompanied by digestive and absorptive function impairment, was observed in HFD-fed mice.These changes were partially restored in the LA-treated group.DNA microarray analysis of intestine showed that LA ingestion up-regulated the expression of genes related to free-radical scavenger enzymes, digestive enzymes and transporters.CONCLUSION:Treatment with LA improves redox homeostasis and the function of intestine in mice fed HFD.The mechanism may involve preventing oxidative stress by scavenging ROS directly and increasing those of free-radical scavenger enzymes gene expression indirectly.     

Pharmacokinetics of cimetidine in dogs after oral administration of cimetidine tablets

Long-term oral treatment with cimetidine is recommended to reduce vomiting in dogs with chronic gastritis. Despite this, few studies have specifically examined the plasma disposition and pharmacokinetics of cimetidine in dogs, particularly following repeated oral administration. The pharmacokinetics of cimetidine following oral administration as tablets was investigated in healthy dogs. Cimetidine was absorbed rapidly post-treatment ( t _max = 0.5 h). A mean absolute bioavailability of 75% was calculated following a single oral administration of 5 mg cimetidine/kg body weight. After intravenous administration, a plasma half-life of 1.6 h was calculated. Repeated oral administration at the recommended dose rate and regime (5 mg/kg body weight three times daily) for 30 consecutive days did not lead to any accumulation of cimetidine in plasma. Food intake concomitant with oral administration of cimetidine delayed ( t _max = 2.25 h) and decreased the rate and extent of absorption ( AUC ) by about 40%. Cimetidine was well absorbed in fasted dogs. Administration of food decreased the bioavailability of cimetidine by 40%. Cimetidine does not accumulate over time in plasma when administered long term to dogs.     

Change of reactive oxygen species production in co-culture model of rat astrocytes and motor neurons VSC 4.1

AIM: To explore the mutual effect of co-culture of wild-type astrocytes (ASC) and motor neurons VSC4.1 (VSC) on the respective ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). METHODS: The inhibition rates of cell growth in ASC and VSC in co-culture or independent culture was detected after exposed to excitatory stimulus by MTT method. Real-time observation of ROS production by ASC and VSC labeled with Hoechst 33342 was detected by confocal microscopy under the conditions of co-culture or independent culture. RESULTS: Higher concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in ASC alone, while lower concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in VSC only. Real-time observation by confocal microscopy showed that ROS production by VSC under the condition of co-culture, which showed a notable increase at 15 min, was significant less than that in independent culture, which peaked at 5 min and was gradually decreased. ROS production by ASC in co-culture began to increase significantly at 10 min. CONCLUSION: Compared to independent culture, ASC reduces the resting ROS production by co-cultured with VSC, while ASC prolongs the duration of ROS production by VSC after exposed to excitatory stimulus.     

Helminth parasites of freshwater fishes from Cuatro Ciénegas,Coahuila, in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico: inventory and biogeographical implications

As part of an ongoing inventory of the helminth parasites of freshwater fishes in Mexico, 570 individual fish were collected between Apr 2008 and Oct 2011 in 26 localities along the Cuatro Ciénegas region in Coahuila State, northern Mexico. Seventeen species of hosts, mostly corresponding to Nearctic freshwater elements, were studied. A total of 8324 individual worms were collected during this survey, representing 25 species of helminths, of which 9 were digeneans, 3 monogeneans, 3 acanthocephalans, 9 nematodes and 1 cestode. Most of the records in this checklist represent new host or locality records. The information provided in this checklist may be helpful for our understanding of the biodiversity and historical biogeography of this host–parasite system, because in the Cuatro Ciénegas region occur a Nearctic freshwater fish fauna, along with Neotropical and endemic elements, and from a biogeographical point of view, this may represent a transitional area.     

追肥对九丰1号金银花生长和产量的影响

通过安排田间小区试验,研究了春季追施氮、磷、钾肥对九丰1号金银花产量和生长的影响。结果表明,施肥可有效促进金银花生长和产量提升,在适当增施氮肥的基础上施入一定量的磷、钾肥可进一步增加金银花产量。在本研究中,在不涉及金银花品质的前提下,三年生九丰1号金银花春季使用氮、磷、钾总肥量700 kg/hm2,氮磷钾比例为1.00∶0.67∶0.67时,植株生长良好,产量最高。     

基于FLAASH模型的Landsat ETM＋卫星影像大气校正

主要介绍FLAASH大气校正原理及算法,并运用FLAASH大气校正模型对美国旧金山地区ETM＋卫星影像进行大气校正,再对校正前后的影像进行地物光谱曲线分析和NDVI分析评价。研究表明,ETM＋卫星影像经FLAASH大气校正后,较好地消除了大气影响。