Probiotic preparation reduces the faecal water genotoxicity in chickens fed with aflatoxin B1 contaminated fodder

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a probiotic preparation on the genotoxicity of faecal water of broiler chickens fed with a fodder contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) at 1 or 5 mg per kg. Human blood lymphocytes were exposed to chicken’s faecal water samples and DNA damage was measured using the comet assay. Genotoxicity of faecal water did not depend on the AFB₁ concentration in the fodder. The mean DNA damage, measured as the percentage of DNA in the tail of the comets, for chickens fed with fodder with AFB₁ at 1 mg/kg was 16.80 ± 0.66, at 5 mg/kg – 16.73 ± 1.51 and in the controls – 12.79 ± 0.66. The supplementation of fodder with the probiotic preparation decreased the extent of DNA damage to 10.02 ± 0.39 for 1 mg/kg AFB₁ and to 11.89 ± 0.72 for 5 mg/kg.     

The impact of weight loss on circulating cytokines in Beagle dogs

Chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity is characterized by an increased production of pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines that are contributing to insulin resistance and related co-morbidities. Cytokines act in networks and exhibit pleiotropic effects so we investigated the circulating levels of a wide array of cytokines (pro and anti-inflammatory, chemotactic and growth factors) in a canine model of weight loss. The dogs served as their own control in order to study the impact of weight loss independent of potential confounding factors, such as history of excess weight or gender. While low-grade inflammation had been previously investigated in obese dogs by measuring changes in adipokines, acute phase proteins and key pro-inflammatory cytokines, to the best of our knowledge this is the first study to evaluate how weight loss impacts a wide array of circulating cytokines.Eighteen overweight Beagle dogs were recruited (six spayed females and 12 neutered males), and none of them were grossly obese according to the body condition score (BCS). All the dogs reached an ideal weight by the end of the program. Parameters were assessed before (baseline), at mid-point (month 3) and at end-point (month 6). Plasma GM-CSF, IL-2, Il-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, IFNγ, IP-10, TNFα, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), keratinocyte chemokine (KC) were measured with canine multiplex immunoassays. Fat mass was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorption (DEXA).Several cytokines decreased throughout the weight loss program (p < 0.01) and were correlated with the percentage of fat measured by DEXA (p < 0.05): chemotactic (MCP-1), growth factors (GM-CSF, IL-7 and IL-2), and pro-inflammatory (KC and IL-18). We could not show trends for several cytokines, possibly because their level may be lower than the assay sensitivity: anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10), and pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and TNFα).In conclusion, while our findings for several pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines are in accordance with human and rodent studies, we may have identified additional cytokines, such as growth factors, related to obesity-induced low-grade inflammation. Considering the weight loss was enabled by an adjusted diet, the role of this association of cytokines in insulin resistance and related co-morbidities needs to be clarified. Our results could help better understand the cytokine biology in dogs, and as such are relevant for further elucidating the relationship between immune function and metabolism/nutrition.     

Effect of miR-181b on cell proliferation and expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 in HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of miR-181b in the expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 at mRNA and protein levels in the human hepatoma G2 cells (HepG2), and to explore the effect of miR-181b on the regulation of HepG2 cell proliferation. METHODS: The synthetic double-strand complementary DNA based on the sequence of miR-181b was inserted into the vector of miRNASelect^TM pEGP-miR. The microRNA high-expression plasmid was cloned, and the sequences were identified. The miR-181b plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cells with liposomes. The stable cell line was screened by puromycin. The mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and SP1 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to analyze the proliferation of HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The Western blotting results showed that miR-181b inhibited the protein expression of Bcl-2 and SP1. The result of RT-PCR also indicated that the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and SP1 was suppressed. Compared with the control, the growth rate of HepG2 with high expression of miR-181b was significantly decreased.CONCLUSION: miR-181b inhibits the proliferation of HepG2, which may be related to the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and SP1.     

香蕉枯萎病菌myosin-1基因的功能分析及外施dsRNA介导的抗性评估

 香蕉枯萎病是由尖孢镰刀菌古巴专化型(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense,Foc)引起的香蕉毁灭性土传病害,其中 4号生理小种(Foc4)能感染几乎所有的香蕉品系,危害最严重。SMART在线软件分析myosin-1基因具有肌球蛋白马达蛋白(myosin motor domain, MMD),肌动蛋白尾结构TH1(myosin tail)和 Src家族同源结构域SH3(src homology domain 3),与禾谷镰刀菌中氰烯菌酯靶标基因myosin-5具高度的蛋白同源性,相似性高达83%。利用Split-marker基因重组技术获得Foc4的myosin-1基因敲除突变体,Δmyosin-1突变株丧失了对氰烯菌酯的敏感性,菌丝生长缓慢,产孢量减少且孢子畸形,对香蕉致病力严重下降,证实myosin-1是氰烯菌酯在Foc4中的作用靶标基因。外施靶向myosin-1体外转录的dsRNA,能抑制菌丝的生长,降低菌丝活性;菌丝膨胀扭曲分枝增多,出现典型的球状结构,与氰烯菌酯处理后的表型一致。在盆栽活体人工接种实验中,体外施用dsRNA可以明显抑制枯萎病外部症状的发展,推迟发病时间,赋予寄主抗性,结果说明体外施用dsRNA可以作为新型杀菌剂防治香蕉枯萎病。综上,myosin-1基因作为氰烯菌酯在Foc4中的靶标基因具有高度的序列保守,在调控菌丝生长发育,产孢以及致病力等方面发挥重要作用,而外施dsRNA具有防治香蕉枯萎菌的巨大潜力。     

茄子新品种湘杂早红的选育

以南县紫圆茄的自交系92147为母本，陕西汉中紫茄的自交系96267为父本配制成一代杂种湘杂早红。从定植到始收约35d（天），果实紫红色，卵圆形，果肉白色，肉质细嫩，单果质量250g左右。对青枯病和绵疫病的抗性比湘早茄强。每667m^2产量3000—4500kg，适合春栽。     

黑甜糯玉米新品种黑甜糯639的选育

黑甜糯639是以糯玉米自交系HNF为母本,以甜玉米自交系D91为父本配制而成的黑甜糯玉米一代杂种。生育期为91 d(天),株高263 cm,穗位151 cm,雄穗主轴与分枝角度中等,一级分枝18～23个,果穗筒型,籽粒黑紫色,甜糯籽粒比例为1∶3,籽粒可溶性糖含量为12.5%,支链淀粉占总淀粉含量的98.1%,口感佳。高抗丝黑穗病、茎腐病、大斑病,抗穗腐病和矮花叶病,平均每667 m~2鲜穗产量900 kg左右。适宜在山西省鲜食糯玉米主产区种植。     

金雀异黄素对雌性大鼠体内促性腺激素及胰岛素样生长因子表达的影响

本试验旨在研究金雀异黄素(genistein,GEN)对雌性大鼠体内促性腺激素及胰岛素样生长因子表达的影响。选取40只SD雌性大鼠[体重(200±20)g],随机分为5组,分别为阴性对照(NC)组、GEN低(L)、中(M)、高剂量(H)组及阳性对照(PC)组,每组8只,NC组灌胃花生油(其他组灌胃试剂以此为溶剂);L、M、H组分别灌胃15、30、60 mg/(kg BW·d)GEN,PC组灌胃己烯雌酚0.5 mg/(kg BW·d)。试验期30 d。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测血清中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(IGFBP-1)含量;实时定量PCR法检测卵巢IGF-1、IGFBP-1 mRNA表达水平。结果表明:与NC组比较,试验组血清中FSH、LH含量有升高趋势,但差异不显著(P0.05),作用效果与PC组一致;试验组血清IGF-1含量略有降低,但差异不显著(P0.05),PC组显著降低(P0.05);试验组血清IGFBP-1含量显著或极显著升高(P0.05或P0.01),PC组显著升高(P0.05);试验组卵巢组织中IGF-1、IGFBP-1 mRNA表达水平均升高,其中M、H组显著升高(P0.05),与PC组变化一致。由此可见,GEN能够提高雌性大鼠血清FSH、LH含量、降低血清IGF-1含量、提高血清IGFBP-1含量,同时提高卵巢中IG FBP-1、IG F-1 mRNA的表达水平,这些指标协同作用于卵巢,能够促进卵泡的成熟,调节卵巢功能。     

IBV AH1-99分离株N基因的克隆及序列分析

利用RT-PCR技术成功扩增出IBV AH1-99分离株的N基因全长cNDA,将其克隆到pMD18-T载体上。经酶切分析、PCR鉴定及核苷酸序列测定,成功获得该分离株N基因的重组质粒。序列分析结果表明,分离株N基因全长1 230个核苷酸,编码409个氨基酸。同部分IBV参考毒株相比,核苷酸同源性为85.8%~89.9%,氨基酸同源性为86.6%~91.0%,在进化关系树中,AH1-99与国内分离株X、LX4亲缘关系较近。     

青麻叶大白菜新品种秋玉78的选育

秋玉78是由两个青麻叶类型自交不亲和系F115-93和L132配制而成的中熟大白菜一代杂种。生育期75d(天)左右,叶球高桩直筒形,株高58cm,结球紧实,球高52cm,单球质量3.5~4.0kg;株型紧凑直立,叶片浓绿油亮,核桃纹适中,中肋绿色;高抗病毒病、软腐病,抗霜霉病,耐贮性好,商品性好,粗纤维含量少;每667m2净菜产量7300~7800kg,已在天津、河北、内蒙古、山东、山西、云南等地推广种植520hm2。     

Effect of tetrandrine on radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of maximum non-cytotoxic doses of tetrandrine (Tet) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines CNE1 and CNE2.METHODS: The cells were treated with ma-ximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet (for CNE1 cells at 1.5 μmol/L and for CNE2 cells at 1.8 μmol/L), irradiation at 4 Gy, or combination of irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of γ-H2AX, cleaved caspase-3, p-CDC25C, CDK1, p-CDK1, cyclin B1, ERK and p-ERK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The expression of γ-H2AX was increased in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells after combined treatment with irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The percentages of CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells at G₂/M phase in irradiation group were (18.09±0.42)% and (18.48±1.32)%, respectively, which were decreased to (15.88±1.04)% and (13.80±0.82)% in combined treatment group, respectively (P<0.05). Combined treatment enhanced the increase in the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 caused by irradiation. The protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 were increased in a dose-dependent manner by Tet treatment (P<0.05), while the expression of CDK1 showed no difference among different doses of Tet treatments. The protein levels of p-CDC25C, p-CDK1 and CDK1 showed no difference after the treatment with maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The combined treatment with irradiation and the maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet decreased the protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 (P<0.05), increased the expression of cyclin B1, and had no influence on the expression of CDK1 (P<0.05). The combined treatment resulted in an increase in the protein level of p-ERK1 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet enhance the DNA damage and apoptosis in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells caused by irradiation, and the mechanism might be associated with ending of G₂/M arrest via activation of ERK/CDC25C/CDK1/cyclin B1 pathways.