Mapping genomic regions for reproductive traits in beef cattle: Inclusion of the X chromosome

Although the second largest chromosome of the genome, the X chromosome is usually excluded from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Considering the presence and importance of genes on this chromosome that are involved in reproduction, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of its inclusion in GWAS on reproductive traits (scrotal circumference [SC], early pregnancy [P16] and age at first calving [AFC]) in a Nelore herd. Genotype data from 3,263 animals with the above-mentioned phenotypes were used. The results showed an increase in the variances explained by the autosomal markers for all traits when the X chromosome was not included. For SC, there was an increase of more than 10% for the windows on chromosomes 2 and 6. For P16, the effect was increased by almost 20% for windows on chromosome 5. The same pattern was found for AFC, with an increase of more than 10% for the most important windows. The results indicate that the noninclusion of the X chromosome can overestimate the effects of autosomes on SC, P16 and AFC not only because of the additive effect of the X chromosome itself but also because of its epistatic effect on autosomal genes.     

对退耕还林工程中种草的探讨

分析种草在退耕还林工程中的重要地位和作用 ,提出退耕种草的草种选择和种植模式 ,并探讨发展草产业的途径和方向     

岩羊和马鹿对人与机动车反应的差异分析

人为干扰会对野生动物种间关系、个体适合度、群落结构和繁殖成功率等产生中长期的影响。因此,研究野生动物反干扰行为对于我们认识该物种对其生境的行为适应和进化机制具有重要意义。2017年11—12月在内蒙古贺兰山国家级自然保护区内通过建立多元逻辑斯蒂回归模型研究了岩羊(Pseudois nayaur)、马鹿(Cervus elaphus)的反干扰策略,本研究共设置33条样线,记录了10种在人为干扰下可能会影响岩羊、马鹿反应行为的变量,经模型分析发现影响岩羊反应行为的变量有5种,影响马鹿反应行为的变量有4种,共同影响因子分别是干扰源、性别、头的朝向和地形特征,而植被类型则只对岩羊产生影响。最后根据逻辑模型得出的数据计算发生比,从而了解各个分类变量与反应行为的关系。     

西部退耕还林还草的序量问题探讨

针对目前退耕还林还革存在的严重盲动性和炒作性,认为西部生态建设要走"种树更要种草,还草先于还林,建立林草一体化产业"的发展模式,并从实现第三步战略目标对西部种草养畜发展畜牧业的要求和西部生态"先天性基因缺损"的规律等方面进行了详尽的论述,提出了退耕还林还革、建立林草一体化产业的对策措施.     

Assessment of stiffness and strength of 4 different implants available for equine fracture treatment: a study on a 20 degrees oblique long-bone fracture model using a bone substitute

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mechanical properties of 4 stabilization methods for equine long-bone fractures: dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF--formerly VetFix). STUDY DESIGN: In vitro mechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Bone substitute material (24 tubes) was cut at 20 degrees to the long axis of the tube to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture. METHODS: Tubes were divided into 4 groups (n=6) and double plated in an orthogonal configuration, with 1 screw of 1 implant being inserted in lag fashion through the "fracture". Thus, the groups were: (1) 2 DCP implants (4.5, broad, 10 holes); (2) 2 LC-DCP implants (5.5, broad, 10 holes); (3) 2 LCP implants (4.5/5.0, broad, 10 holes) and 4 head locking screws/plate; and (4) 2 CRIF (4.5/5.0) and 10 clamps in alternating position left and right of the rod. All constructs were tested in 4-point bending with a quasi-static load until failure. The implant with the interfragmentary screw was always positioned on the tension side of the construct. Force, displacement, and angular displacement at the "fracture" line were determined. Construct stiffness under low and high loads, yield strength, ultimate strength, and maximum angular displacement were determined. RESULTS: None of the implants failed; the strength of the bone substitute was the limiting factor. At low loads, no differences in stiffness were found among groups, but LCP constructs were stiffer than other constructs under high loads (P=.004). Ultimate strength was lowest in the LCP group (P=.01), whereas yield strength was highest for LCP constructs (409 N m, P=.004). CRIF had the lowest yield strength (117 N m, P=.004); no differences in yield strength (250 N m) were found between DCP and LC-DCP constructs. Differences were found for maximum angular displacement at the "fracture" line, between groups: LPC相似文献   

Freshwater snail distribution related to environmental factors in Banco National Park,an urban reserve in the Ivory Coast (West Africa)

Freshwater snails and environmental variables were studied at seven stations along the Banco River (Ivory Coast;West Africa) from March to October 2008. Two species (Physa marmorata (Physidae) and Bulinus forskalii (Planorbidae) were recorded only at one sampling site. This station which received domestic sewage from the neighbouring cities was characterized by the highest conductivity and pH and the lowest values of dissolved oxygen. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that snail densities were probably influenced by conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and canopy cover. Also, snail dynamics showed a seasonal pattern, with peak population densities and recruitment of young generations during rainy periods. This study highlighted the impacts of sewage on snail diversity and distribution in the Banco River. Overall, this paper strengthens the viewpoint that the Banco River management should be implemented to lessen the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecology of the Banco National Park.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病毒VP2蛋白B细胞抗原表位预测

以鸡传染性法氏囊病毒VP2蛋白的基因组序列为基础,采用Garnier-Robson方法、Chou-Fasman方法和Karplus-Schultz方法预测VP2蛋白质的二级结构;用Kyte-Doolittle方案预测蛋白质的亲水性;用Emini方案预测蛋白质的表面可能性;用Jameson-Wolf方案预测氨基酸的抗原性指数。综合分析,预测VP2蛋白的抗原表位。通过以上几种方法预测IBDV病毒VP2蛋白的B细胞表位位于VP2蛋白N端3-10、30-45、77-84、150-157、197-206、211-222、278-288、298-303、315-325、376-381、386-394、403-411、415-425区段。     

牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养模式的构建与实践

为了提高葡萄园资源利用率和综合效益,构建了牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养体系。实践表明,在设施葡萄园推广套种牧草养鹅、鹅粪生产有机肥料、有机肥料种植葡萄和牧草等高效配套技术,取得了良好的经济效益、生态效益和社会效益。实施牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养是江苏沿海地区发展现代农业的一种有效生产模式。     

临界氮浓度稀释模型在牧草种子生产中的应用前景

氮素是影响牧草种子产量的关键因素,氮素对于植株分蘖、干物质生产、花序形成、产量组分动态变化等均具有影响.文章主要从临界氮浓度稀释模型的概念、构建方法、研究现状、应用等方面进行了综述,提出临界氮浓度稀释模型在实际生产中应用时存在的问题,并对其在牧草种子生产中的应用前景进行了展望.     

Muscle reorganisation through local injection of stem cells in the diaphragm of mdx mice

Background

The diaphragm is the major respiratory muscle affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and is responsible for causing 80% of deaths. The use of mechanical forces that act on the body or intermittent pressure on the airways improves the quality of life of patients but does not prevent the progression of respiratory failure. Thus, diseases that require tissue repair, such as DMD, represent a group of pathologies that have great potential for cell therapy. The application of stem cells directly into the diaphragm instead of systemic application can reduce cell migration to other affected areas and increase the chances of muscle reorganisation. The mdx mouse is a suitable animal model for this research because its diaphragmatic phenotype is similar to human DMD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential cell implantation in the diaphragm muscle after the xenotransplantation of stem cells.

Methods

A total of 9 mice, including 3 control BALB/Cmice, 3 5-month-old mdx mice without stem cell injections and 3 mdx mice injected with stem cells, were used. The animals injected with stem cells underwent laparoscopy so that stem cells from GFP-labelled rabbit olfactory epithelium could be locally injected into the diaphragm muscle. After 8 days, all animals were euthanised, and the diaphragm muscle was dissected and subjected to histological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results

Both the fresh diaphragm tissue and immunohistochemical analyses showed immunopositive GFP labelling of some of the cells and immunonegativity of myoblast bundles. In the histological analysis, we observed a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate as well as the presence of a few peripheral nuclei and myoblast bundles.

Conclusion

We were able to implant stem cells into the diaphragm via local injection, which promoted moderate muscle reorganisation. The presence of myoblast bundles cannot be attributed to stem cell incorporation because there was no immunopositive labelling in this structure. It is believed that the formation of the bundles may have been stimulated by cellular signalling mechanisms that have not yet been elucidated.