Physiological but not morphological adjustments along latitudinal gradients in a human commensal species,the Eurasian tree sparrow

Human commensal species take advantage of anthropogenic conditions that are less likely to be challenged by the selective pressures of natural environments. Their morphological and physiological phenotypes can therefore dissociate from habitat characteristics. Understanding how these species adjust their morphological and physiological traits across latitudinal gradients is fundamental to uncovering the eco-physiological strategies underlying coping mechanisms. Here, we studied morphological traits in breeding Eurasian tree sparrows (ETSs; Passer montanus) among low-latitude (Yunnan and Hunan) and middle-latitude (Hebei) localities in China. We then compared body mass; lengths of bill, tarsometatarsus, wing, total body, and tail feather; and baseline and capture stress-induced levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the metabolites including glucose (Glu), total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), total protein, and uric acid (UA). None of the measured morphological parameters varied with latitude except in the Hunan population, which demonstrated longer bills than those in other populations. Stress-induced CORT levels significantly exceeded baseline levels and decreased with increasing latitude, but total integrated CORT levels did not vary with latitude. Capture stress-induced significantly increased Glu levels and decreased TG levels, independent of site. However, the Hunan population had significantly higher baseline CORT, baseline and stress-induced FFA levels, but lower UA levels, which differed from other populations. Our results suggest that rather than morphological adjustments, physiological adjustments are mainly involved in coping mechanisms for middle-latitude adaptation in ETSs. It is worth investigating whether other avian species also exhibit such dissociation from external morphological designs while depending on physiological adjustments.     

怀孕期高原鼢鼠生物学特征与环境因子的关系分析

选择甘肃天祝县高原鼢鼠(Mospalax baileyi)2个地理位置不同的栖息地为研究区,以高原鼢鼠体重、胎数、妊娠率和种群密度作为其生物学特征指标,以2011~2013年归一化植被指数(NDVI)、年均降水量和年均温度为环境因子,分析二者的相关关系。结果表明:2个研究区域NDVI存在显著性差异(P0.05);除了2011年和2013年雌性体重存在差异外,2个区域高原鼢鼠体重、妊娠率、平均胎数和种群密度均无显著性差异(P0.05);雌雄个体重和平均胎数与NDVI呈负相关关系,妊娠率和种群密度与NDVI呈正相关关系;雄性个体重、胎数和种群密度与年均温呈负相关关系,雌性个体重和妊娠率与年均温呈正相关关系;雄性个体重、妊娠率、胎数和种群密度与年均降水量呈正相关关系,雌性个体重与年均降水量呈负相关关系,但高原鼢鼠各生物学指标与环境因子相关性均不显著(P0.05)。说明,高原鼢鼠体重、妊娠率、胎数和种群密度的变化与栖息地环境因子没有直接关系,生物学特征受环境因子的影响较小。     

高铜对大鼠肾细胞炎性因子和细胞增殖的影响

旨在探讨铜中毒对大鼠肾组织炎性因子的表达和细胞增殖功能的影响。本研究选用32只20日龄健康大鼠随机分为4组,每组8只,其中,对照组日粮的铜（Cu）浓度为15 mg·kg^-1;高铜Ⅰ组日粮Cu浓度为30 mg·kg^-1;高铜Ⅱ组日粮Cu浓度为60 mg·kg^-1;高铜Ⅲ组日粮Cu浓度为120 mg· kg^-1。连续饲喂6个月,检测肾组织Ki-67、PCNA、IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6、IL-18、NF-κB、TNF-α的mRNA及其蛋白的表达。随着日粮中铜含量增高,肾组织中Ki-67、PCNA mRNA及其蛋白表达量显著降低（P<0.05）。炎性因子IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6、IL-18、NF-κB、TNF-α mRNA的表达水平显著升高（P<0.05）,IL-1β蛋白的表达水平呈剂量依赖性上升,IL-6和IL-18蛋白表达水平先上升,后下降。结果表明,日粮铜含量高于30 mg·kg^-1时,将不同程度地抑制大鼠肾组织的细胞增殖,促进炎性因子的表达,造成炎性损伤。     

Virulence, cytotoxic and inflammatory activities of Vibrio anguillarum and Aeromonas salmonicida isolated from cultivated salmonid fish in Sweden

Extracellular products in culture filtrates of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. achromogenes and Vibrio anguillarum isolated from infected fish have been shown to possess skin inflammatory factor. The extracellular products from Vibrio anguillarum were cytotoxic in HeLa and CHO cells. In addition to the skin lesions, the culture filtrates of V. anguillarum caused necrotic reaction on the rabbit skin. Five of 6 strains of V. anguillarum were lethal to mice after intraperitoneal administration of 3×10⁷ CFU. Only 1 strain of 5 A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes produced extracellular products which elicited cytotoxic effects in the CHO cells. None of the A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes strains were lethal to mice. The cytotoxins were inactivated when heated at 65°C for 30 min. The results indicate that the thermolabile exotoxins are non-enterotoxic since they failed to stimulate fluid accumulation in the rabbit ileal loop and did not cause elongation of the CHO cells. The rounding off of CHO cells, as well as of HeLa cells indicate that the exotoxins may play an important role in fish diseases.     

Survival of hypoxic human mesenchymal stem cells is enhanced by a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has emerged as a potential new treatment for myocardial infarction. However, the poor viability of MSCs after transplantation critically limits the efficacy of this new strategy. The expression of microRNA-210 (miR-210) is induced by hypoxia and is important for cell survival under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia increases the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) protein and miR-210 in human MSCs (hMSCs). miR-210 positively regulates HIF-1α activity. Furthermore, miR-210 expression is also induced by hypoxia through the regulation of HIF-1α. To investigate the effect of miR-210 on hMSC survival under hypoxic conditions, survival rates along with signaling related to cell survival were evaluated in hMSCs over-expressing miR-210 or ones that lacked HIF-1α expression. Elevated miR-210 expression increased survival rates along with Akt and ERK activity in hMSCs with hypoxia. These data demonstrated that a positive feedback loop involving miR-210 and HIF-1α was important for MSC survival under hypoxic conditions.     

Experimental studies on the impact of an increased dose of anionic salts on the metabolism of dairy cows

Summary

This study was initiated to investigate the influence of a daily dose of anionic salts (AS) above the valid upper limit at present on metabolism of dairy cows. Eleven non‐pregnant and non‐lactating Holstein‐Friesian crossbred cows with a permanent rumen cannula were used in a study with a controlled feeding design. The initial daily dose was 2500 meq/day, which resulted in a Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD) of ‐211 meq/kg dry matter. Every seven days, the daily dose was raised by 500 meq. If a cow stopped eating, the application of AS was stopped and these cows were monitored over the next seven days. On day 30 another batch of hay, having the same DCAD but higher concentrations of minerals and energy, was fed. Blood and urine samples were taken to monitor acid‐base balance and calcium concentrations. Acid‐base balance was strongly influenced by AS. Blood pH dropped steadily and reached values around 7.23. Urine pH dropped quickly below 6 and remained at that level regardless of the increased dosage of AS. Net acid base excretion (NABE) fell continuously with the increase of the dosage of AS and reached values below ‐200 mmol/l. Calcium concentrations in the serum were nearly stable, but those in urine increased sharply and remained on an elevated level with increasing doses of AS. A few days before the individual cow's refusal of feed intake, calcium excretion in urine decreased. The majority of cows stopped eating while consuming a diet containing 3500 to 4000 meq AS except two animals who consumed up to 6000 meq/day AS but they received the better hay in the second half of the treatment period. In this time pH in blood increased slowly. NABE remained stable on a low level at ‐100 mmol/l. The results showed that with an increasing amount of AS fed the risk of clinical acidosis increased. The decreasing urine concentrations of calcium indicate a breakdown of the compensation capability of the single cow. Besides the dose of AS fed, the quality of the feed stuff might be another factor concerning the tolerance of cows against AS.     

粪臭素在家畜养殖中的危害

粪臭素是L-色氨酸的细菌降解产物，是引起反刍动物急性肺水肿和肺气肿(ABPE)的主要物质，同时也是产生猪肉异臭味的主要物质，严重危害家畜养殖。本文综述了粪臭素的理化性质及合成途径、在家畜中的作用机理、影响粪臭素的因素及降低家畜体内粪臭素的方法等内容。     

In vitro effect of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha on canine neutrophil apoptosis

Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes: PMNs) are essential for the host defense against various infections and are often injurious to the host, causing inflammatory diseases where tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is suggested to play an important role. Since an effect of TNF-alpha on canine PMN apoptosis has not been studied, canine PMNs were stimulated with recombinant human (rh)TNF-alpha in the present study to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha on canine PMN apoptosis. PMN apoptosis and function to produce ROS were assessed by flow cytometry. Delayed apoptosis was observed in the PMNs treated with rhTNF-alpha at 100 ng/ml, accompanied by retention of capability to produce ROS. However, PMN apoptosis was accelerated by rhTNF-alpha combined with cycloheximide. Therefore, it is indicated that TNF-alpha is able to activate anti- and pro-apoptotic pathways in PMNs and that the inhibition of PMN apoptosis by TNF-alpha requires protein synthesis in the PMNs.