Cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the dentate gyrus of high-fat diet-fed mice are increased after rosiglitazone treatment

In this study, we determined how rosiglitazone (RSG) differentially affected hippocampal neurogenesis in mice fed a low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat). LFD and HFD were given to the mice for 8 weeks. Four weeks after initiating the LFD and HFD feeding, vehicle or RSG was administered orally once a day to both groups of mice. We measured cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus using Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX), respectively, as markers. In addition, we monitored the effects of RSG on the levels of DCX and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal homogenates. At 8 weeks after the LFD feeding, the numbers of Ki67- and DCX-positive cells as well as hippocampal levels of DCX and BDNF were significantly decreased in the RSG-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated animals. In contrast, the numbers of Ki67- and DCX-positive cells along with hippocampal levels of DCX and BDNF in the HFD fed mice were significantly increased in the RSG-treated mice compared to the vehicle-treated group. Our data demonstrate that RSG can modulate the levels of BDNF, which could play a pivotal role in cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus.     

Smad泛素化调节因子2siRNA的筛选及转染原代肾小管上皮细胞条件的优化简

试验旨在优化Smad泛素化调节因子2（Smurf2） siRNA最佳转染条件,筛选最佳siRNA干扰片段,进而实现对Smurf2基因的瞬时沉默,为研究Smurf2基因在马兜铃酸肾病（aristolochic acid nephrohathy,AAN）中的作用奠定基础。本研究通过培养小鼠原代肾小管上皮细胞（renal tubular epithelial cells,RTECs）,并以脂质体Lipofectamine^TM 2000为转染介质,将Smurf2 siRNA转染入RTECs;通过观察绿色荧光的表达量及Real-time PCR反应优化转染条件,转染后Real-time PCR检测mRNA表达抑制率。CCK-8法检测Smurf2 siRNA复合物对RTECs活性的影响;同时,用Real-time PCR和Western blotting检测不同位点Smurf2 siRNA对Smurf2 表达的影响。结果显示,当Lipofectamine ^TM 2000与siRNA比例为1.5 μL∶30 pmol时,转染效率最高,为70%～80%;Smurf2-619 siRNA干扰效果最明显;与正常组相比,转染siRNA组的Smurf2蛋白表达水平显著下降（P<0.05）。最终确定了Smurf2 siRNA最佳转染条件,其中Smurf2-619 siRNA对Smurf2 表达的抑制率最高。     

Analysis of regional variation of height growth and slenderness in populations of six urban tree species using a quantile regression approach

Inventory data of six urban tree species from seven cities across Germany were used to model regional variation of height growth, allometric scaling, and slenderness over a wide range of size and age using a quantile regression approach. Variation within and between species and cities was large. Height did not reach an asymptote but declined at higher ages, presumably because of reduction cuts. Allometric scaling and slenderness varied with wind climate, modulus of elasticity, and coefficient of drag. Our data do not support the use of a threshold value of slenderness in tree risk assessment.     

宝鸡辣椒产业滑坡主因分析与持续发展战略

宝鸡是秦椒的重要发源地和商品生产基地。近年来,在诸多因素影响下,该地区辣椒产业严重滑坡,令人堪忧。为使具有历史地域特色的宝鸡辣椒产业健康发展,在充分调研的基础上客观地剖析了制约宝鸡辣椒产业发展的主要因素,并针对其存在的问题提出了今后宝鸡辣椒产业持续发展的战略性建议。     

感染白斑综合病毒（WSSV）对虾相关免疫因子的研究

129尾中国对虾（Penaeus chinensis)分别捕自未暴发白斑综合症（WSSV病毒所致）虾池、WSSV暴发虾池以及曾暴发WSSV虾池。用斑点杂交和组织病理学方法确定各尾对虾的染毒（WSSV）程度。用96孔酶标板法测量相应个体血淋巴上清液的抗菌活力（Ua)、溶菌活力（UL）、酚氧化酶（PO）活性以及过氧化酶（POD）相对活性；用硝酸纤维膜斑点法测定其碱性磷酸酶（ALP）相对活性；用血凝法测定其凝集效价（HAT）。通过对以上免疫指标进行统计分析，结果表明，WSSV感染与对血淋巴PO活性以及ALP相对活性变化有紧密联系；不同虾池各免疫因子差异显著，发病虾池虾样各免疫指标平均值均低于其他虾池；曾发病虾池的虾样PO活性较强；WSSV与HPV感染无统计学意义上的相关性；未发病虾池与曾发病虾池实验对虾的Ua与UL相关性极显著，发病虾池实验对虾Ua与UL呈负相关；发病虾池对虾PO与ALP活性相关性显著。不同性别中国对虾血淋巴上清液的免疫因子活性没有显著差异。     

An examination of the use of angling data to estimate total returns of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, to two rivers in Newfoundland, Canada

Conservation spawning requirements (limits) for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., have been developed for a number of rivers in Newfoundland. Status of stocks is evaluated against these limits and scientific advice and recommendations on levels of recreational catch provided to resource managers. A critical factor in this process is the determination of total returns. This has been accomplished for 30–40% of the rivers in question over the years through the use of fish counting fences and traps installed in fishways. In Newfoundland, it is not logistically or financially possible to operate fish counting facilities in all of the approximately 200 Atlantic salmon rivers. Thus angling catch data have been used as an alternative means of estimating total returns to rivers without counting facilities. Estimates of total returns were three to four times higher than the actual values for one of the two rivers studied and deviated from the actual by as much as 60% for the other. Management implications of the approach are discussed.     

Analysis of series of variety trials with perennial crops

Field trials with perennial crops give rise to repeated measurements taken on the same plot on several occasions. It is important to account for serial correlation among repeated measurements in such trials. This study illustrates the use of mixed models for this purpose. We consider the analysis of trials conducted at several locations and the combination of trials with different starting years. A key issue in the analysis is the distinction between effects of calendar years, which are associated with external environmental variation, and harvest years, which represent internal yield formation processes of the perennial crop. Two methods of two‐stage analysis are compared with single‐stage analysis. It is shown that results of two‐stage analysis are very similar to those of single‐stage analysis, if serial correlation is properly taken into account. Program code for the MIXED procedure of the SAS system is given in an Appendix S1 for all considered cases.     

橡胶树肌动蛋白解聚因子原核表达及纯化

本研究根据HbADF序列设计引物扩增基因的编码区,并将其插入到原核表达载体pET28a上,成功构建重组质粒pET28a-HbADF。将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)宿主菌,经1 mmol/L IPTG诱导,获得相对分子量为20 ku的融合蛋白。表达蛋白以可溶和包涵体两种形式存在,通过亲和层析方法纯化可溶蛋白并获得HbADF融合蛋白,用抗HIS标签的单抗对纯化蛋白进行了Western blot鉴定。该结果为进一步研究HbADF蛋白特性及功能奠定基础。