Inhibition of hirame rhabdovirus growth by RNA aptamers

RNA aptamers are artificial nucleic acids that specifically bind to a wide variety of targets. They are an effective tool for pharmaceutical research and development of antiviral agents. Here, we describe four Hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV)‐RNA aptamers (H1, H2, H3 and H4) that we obtained from an in vitro process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The HIRRV‐RNA aptamers specifically bind to HIRRV. Hirame natural embryo (HINAE) cells treated with virus and the RNA aptamer showed a decrease in appearance of cytopathic effect when compared with control (treated only with virus). Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was transformed with genes for the RNA aptamers, and the aptamers were detected in the culture medium, indicating that they were secreted from the cells. Thus, the recombinant R. sulfidophilum might be a powerful tool for the prevention of HIRRV in aquaculture.     

Molecular typing of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from fish

The genetic variability among Streptococcus agalactiae isolates recovered from fish was characterized using single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the intergenic spacer region (ISR), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting. A total of 46 S. agalactiae cultures isolated from different fish species and geographic origins as well as related reference strains were included in the study. ISR-SSCP divided the S. agalactiae isolates analysed into five distinct genotypes. Genotype 1 grouped all Kuwait isolates while genotype 4 clustered the majority of non-Kuwait isolates (USA, Brazil and Honduras). AFLP analysis offered a higher resolution level by dividing the isolates into 13 different genotypes. Two different AFLP profiles were identified within the Kuwait isolates. When data from both ISR-SSCP and AFLP were combined through a multidimensional analysis (MDS), a good correlation between geographical origin and genotypes was observed. Both AFLP and ISR-SSCP revealed genetic differences between S. agalactiae isolates from fish. While AFLP offered a higher resolution, ISR-SSCP also provided valid information being a simpler and faster method.     

Can fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend be used as fishmeal replacements for Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)?

An experiment was carried out to evaluate fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend (1:1) (FP) as replacement of fishmeal (FM) for Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five isocaloric (19 kJ g^?1) diets were prepared by replacing 0 (FP0), 12 (FP12), 24 (FP24), 36 (FP36) and 48% (FP48) FM protein with FP. Triplicate groups of juveniles (mean weight of 3.9 g) were delivered the test diets for 8 weeks in a flow‐through sea water system. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the growth rates of fish fed FP0, FP12, FP24 and FP36 diets. Growth and nutrient utilization parameters were significantly reduced in fish fed FP48 diet. Although, whole body proximate composition of fish were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments compared to the control; methionine and phenylalanine contents were significantly decreased in FP48 group. Protein retention was also significantly decreased in the similar group of fish. Dietary treatments did not alter most of the plasma metabolites, while some of the health parameters were improved in the replacement groups. Results suggested that FP is a potential candidate for alternative protein ingredient in aquafeed and can replace 36% FM protein in the diet of Japanese flounder.     

Changes in thyroid hormone levels in eggs and larvae and in iodide uptake by eggs of coho and chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutsch andO. tschawytscha

Developmental profiles of thyroxin (T₄), triiodothyronine (T₃) and radioactive iodide uptake were established for eggs and T₄ and T₃ profiles were established for larvae (whole-body, yolk-only and body-only) of coho and chinook salmon. T₄ and T₃ were consistently present in all samples. In eggs, hormone levels remained fairly constant in all cohorst for at least the first three weeks of incubation, but then fluctuated in both directions in some sample groups. Large increases in T₄ (from 9 ng/g to 245 ng/g) were seen in 1985 chinook eggs 28 days after fertilization. Radioactive iodide uptake (which was used as a possible indicator of thyroxinogenesis) increased at least 10-fold in both 1986 coho and chinook eggs from 23–30 days after fertilization. T₄ (62 ng/g) and T₃ (393 ng/g) were found in the bodies of 28-day-old 1986 chinook embryos. In whole larvae, hormone levels varied depending upon the cohort studied. In general, initial body-only concentrations of both T₄ and T₃ decreased as body weight increased, but before yolksac resorption was completed, both thyroid hormone content and concentration increased (except for chinook T₃). T₄ and T₃ content in larval yolk stayed constant as yolksac size decreased, resulting in increased thyroid hormone concentration in the yolksac. All of these data suggest that the initial source of thyroid hormones in coho and chinook salmon eggs is maternal, but that by approximately 3–4 weeks after fertilization, the developing embryos begin to produce their own thyroid hormones. After hatching, increases in tissue T₄ and T₃ concentration coupled with constant T₄ and T₃ content in diminishing yolksacs suggest that larvae also produce their own thyroid hormones; yolksac content then may reflect both the original maternal hormones and the larva-producted hormones.     

灌溉水矿化度及盐分带入量对小麦相对产量影响的统计分析

在搜集、统计大量咸水灌溉试验资料的基础上,选取咸水充分灌溉条件下矿化度和小麦产量的完整对应数据103组,统计分析了灌溉水矿化度及单位面积盐分带入量对小麦相对产量的影响,结果表明,随着灌溉水矿化度的增加,小麦相对产量呈线性递减趋势,当矿化度大于1.0 g/L时,灌溉水矿化度每增加1 g/L,小麦减产约5.6%;与矿化度类似,随着单位面积盐分带入量的增加,小麦的相对产量也线性降低,盐分带入量每增加1000 kg/hm2,小麦的产量将减少约2%。进一步的检验结果显示,应用灌溉水矿化度及单位面积盐分带入量均可较为可靠地估算小麦的相对产量,估算相对误差基本可控制在16%以内。     

Family by environment interactions in shell size of 43-day old silver-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima), five families reared under different nursery conditions

To understand the influence the environment and associated genotype by environment interactions will exert on future silver-lip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) selective breeding programs, this study assessed the relative performance in four shell growth traits of spat from five full-sib families, when spat were communally reared at different salinities (29, 34 and 40 ppt), food availability (high, medium and low), food quality (high, medium and low), and in a hatchery vs. ocean environment for 43 days.Rearing environment was found to influence growth expression, with significant differences evident when oysters were grown at different salinities in the ocean instead of hatchery, or when fed algae of differing nutritional quality. As indicated by MANOVA, family comparative growth performances were also altered when the environment changed, with significant environment by family interactions apparent in the food quality, food availability and hatchery vs. ocean rearing treatments. Changes in salinity, however, did not affect relevant family performances.These results indicate that growth and relative family performance in P. maxima may change dependent on local environmental conditions and that genotype by environment effects may need to be considered in breeding programs for this species.     

杀青方式对机采绿茶理化品质的影响

为了提高茶树机采绿茶杀青品质,以机采鲜叶为原料,比较微波、汽热、电热滚筒和电磁滚筒耦合热风4种杀青方式所制机采绿茶的感官品质、茶叶内含成分、色泽和香气。结果显示：电磁滚筒耦合热风杀青所制绿茶的感官得分（89分）最高,所制干茶的色相值（a/b）相对更绿（p<0.01）,酚氨比较低（p<0.05）,非酯型儿茶素、酯型儿茶素和儿茶素总量也相对较低（p<0.01）;电磁滚筒杀青所制绿茶的栗香型成分含量较高,如藏红花醛、癸醛、β-环柠檬醛、庚醛和3,7-二甲基-2,6-二辛烯醛等高级醛类,香叶基丙酮、β-紫罗酮和1-戊烯-3-酮,反式-2-辛烯醇、芳樟醇、反式-橙花叔醇等,以及二甲硫、2-甲基呋喃和1-乙基吡咯等杂环化合物,说明电磁滚筒耦合热风杀青集成了不同工艺特点,所制机采绿茶滋味鲜爽,栗香明显,该工艺有利于提高机采绿茶品质,对实际生产具有指导作用。     

基因枪转化的bar基因表达盒在水稻中的重组结构

应用Southern杂交和引物组合PCR技术研究了基因枪转化的bar基因表达盒（包括启动子、编码区和终止子）在水稻（Oryza sativa L.）中的重组结构。bar基因表达盒的多个拷贝通过重组连接形成1～3个转基因串联子,彼此邻近整合在受体基因组内一个较大的染色体区域,不同转基因串联子之间由水稻基因组DNA间隔,形成转基因簇。bar基因表达盒形成转基因串联子时,存在头接头、头接尾、尾接尾3种连接方式,通常伴随着bar基因片段的截短。     

2001～2012 年国审玉米品种数量及骨干自交系的应用分析

搜集和整理2001～2012年国审普通玉米杂交种及其双亲来源,研究每年国审玉米品种数量的变化趋势,对选育的杂交种在2个以上的亲本自交系进行统计,并分析这些自交系的来源。结果发现,普通玉米杂交种2006年审定的数量最多,2003年其次,2007年以后普通玉米杂交种的审定数量在10～20个。在对2001～2012年间国审玉米杂交种亲本来源的分析发现,共有39个亲本自交系组配2个及其以上杂交种,组配杂交种比较多的自交系依次为吉853>丹598>lx9801>昌7-2>京2416>丹340。     

道路和居民点对锡林郭勒草地风蚀参数的影响

土壤风蚀是锡林郭勒草地主要的生态环境问题之一,区域内道路和居民点对草地风蚀有重要影响而尚未受到足够的关注与研究。将遥感影像目视解译提取的道路和居民点信息,与表征土壤性质、地表植被覆盖等方面的8个风蚀参数进行空间叠加,采用掩膜处理等GIS方法分析各参数的空间变化特征,以探究道路和居民点对风蚀地表参数的影响。结果表明:距道路和居民点越近,植被覆盖率、高度均减小,表层土壤砂粒含量增加,土壤容重变大;居民点对风蚀参数影响的最大距离为2 000 m,道路为400 m;在影响距离内,植被覆盖各参数变化幅度大于土壤性质各参数,居民点对风蚀参数的影响大于道路;道路和居民点明显增加了周边区域的风蚀危险性,因此进行风蚀评价与估算时,应在相关指标体系与模型中考虑道路和居民点这两个影响因子。该研究可以为草原风蚀机理研究、风蚀治理提供科学参考。