Bovine foetal sex determination—Different DNA extraction and amplification approaches for efficient livestock production

Foetal sex determination using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in mammals is based on the amplification of gender‐specific foetal DNA sequences circulating in maternal blood. The bovine synepitheliochorial placenta does not allow a direct contact between the trophoblast and the maternal blood, resulting in difficult passage of foetal DNA and, consequently, its very small amounts in maternal bloodstream. Circulating cell‐free foetal DNA (ccffDNA) encompasses short nucleotide fragments (300–600 bp) in maternal circulation. The aim of this study was to assess this non‐invasive method in accurate prenatal sexing in early and late gestational periods in comparison with ultrasound diagnostics. As various DNA isolation and amplification methods were tested, their success in obtaining reliable results was evaluated. Two groups were tested, each consisting of 20 pregnant cows. Blood of a bull and a non‐pregnant heifer was the controls. Extraction of foetal DNA was accomplished by three different methods: using tubes with silicone membranes, a single‐tube extraction without silicone membranes and phenol–chloroform extraction. Following each extraction method, foetal DNA was amplified using PCR and real‐time PCR with both bAML and TSPY primers in a separate reaction. Positive results were obtained only after amplification of foetal DNA extracted with a single‐tube extraction kit. In comparison with ultrasound examination results and foetal gender recorded at birth, the sensitivity of the PCR test was 90% in Group I, but the technique failed to detect male foetuses in Group II. The real‐time PCR test sensitivity in Group I was 90% and in Group II 91.6%.     

Endocannabinoids as endometrial inflammatory markers in lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to consider endocannabinoid system as inflammatory markers in bovine endometrium to better understand the role of this system in regulating many of the functions that are related to inflammatory condition. At day 26 post‐partum, fourteen cows were divided into two groups depending on the inflammatory condition: 1‐ subclinical endometritis (n = 7, with purulent or mucopurulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina) and 2‐ healthy (n = 7, No (muco)) purulent discharge. Blood samples were collected at 26 and 30 days relative to calving to determine plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) concentrations; moreover, uterine biopsy was carried out on day 26 post‐partum to measure mRNA abundance of TNF, interleukin‐1B (IL1B), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), endocannabinoid receptor (CNR2), N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N‐acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) by real‐time PCR. Results showed mean plasma concentrations of TNF and LBP were lower in healthy cows compared to subclinical endometritis cows (p < .05). Relative mRNA expression for NAAA and FAAH was decreased (p < .05), and relative mRNA expression for CNR2 and NAPEPLD increased in cows with subclinical endometritis compared to healthy cows. In conclusion, relative mRNA expression of TNF, IL1B and CXCL8 and plasma concentration of LBP increased during inflammatory condition along with decreased endocannabinoids hydrolyzing enzyme (NAAA and FAAH), increased enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoids (NAPEPLD) and relative gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptor; together, these contribute to increased endocannabinoids levels during inflammation. Overall, we provide evidence that endocannabinoid system is altered in endometrium tissue during inflammation through increased mRNA expression of CNR2 and synthesis enzyme and decreased mRNA expression of hydrolyzing enzymes interfere with pro‐cytokine production and signalling, which may interfere with the onset and progression of inflammation.     

The integration and insertion site of GbVe1 gene in the genome of transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

[Objective] The aim of this study was to obtain the flanking sequences of T-DNA in the transgenic cotton containing a GbVe1 over-expression cassette. [Method] The T-DNA insertion copy number in the transgenic GbVe1 cotton was analyzed by southern blot. Flanking sequences of the transgenic lines with putative single T-DNA insertion copy were obtained using high-efficiency Thermal asymmetric interlaced polymerase chain reaction (hiTAIL-PCR). The T-DNA insertion sites were further confirmed by PCR with specific primers. [Result] RB-flanking sequences (119-1 018 bp) and LB-flanking sequences (243-516 bp) were obtained from three transgenic lines with low copy number of T-DNA insertion. The AT content was more than 63% in these flanking sequences. A same single insertion site in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was found in the two transgenic lines 7/100826-152 and 12/100826-393, while two separated insertion sites, one also in the intron of Gohir.-D01G157600.1 and the other in the intergenic region of A12 chromosome, were found in the transgenic line 1/w-ch14. A deletion of 21 bp was found in the insertion site in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1. The T-DNA insertion in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was further confirmed by the specific PCR. [Conclusion] The flanking sequences of T-DNA in the transgenic GbVe1 cotton were obtained and the specific transformation event in the intron of Gohir.D01G157600.1 was further confirmed by PCR.     

禽腺病毒血清4型贵州株全基因序列分析

为了解禽腺病毒血清4型(FAdV-4)地方流行毒株的分子进化情况,基于实验室分离的2株FAdV-4贵州株GZ-BJ株和GZ-QL株,分别对2株FAdV-4毒株进行PCR分段扩增,扩增产物克隆至载体,提取质粒进行PCR和双酶切鉴定后筛选出重组质粒进行测序,将测序结果依次拼接得到病毒的全基因组,获得FAdV-4贵州株的全基因序列,并对其进行序列和遗传进化分析。结果显示,通过PCR分段扩增成功获得了2株FAdV-4贵州株(GZ-BJ株和GZ-QL株)的全基因序列,长度分别为43352、43723 bp,FAdV-4 GZ-BJ株全基因序列长度比FAdV-4 GZ-QL株短371 bp,少6个ORF(22K、putative 9.1 ku、u-exon、ORF17、ORF28、ORF42),二者的氨基酸同源性为57.1%。2株FAdV-4贵州株同国内外不同地区FAdV-4毒株核苷酸同源性在88.7%~100%,与FAdV-4经典毒株ON1比对,2株FAdV-4贵州株和国内FAdV-4分离株均缺失ORF19、ORF27、ORF30。系统进化树分析显示,2株FAdV-4贵州株GZ-BJ株和GZ-QL株仍属于Ⅰ群C种FAdV。研究结果表明,2株贵州株FAdV-4 GZ-BJ株和FAdV-4 GZ-QL株较国内外FAdV-4毒株均存在进化与突变,且FAdV-4 GZ-BJ株变化较大,但尚未改变其血清型,这为探索FAdV-4致病机理的分子机制研究提供依据。     

彭水县烟叶化学成分协调性不同年份间变异分析

为掌握重庆市彭水县烟叶协调性的时间变异特征,对2005—2014年上(B2F)、中(C3F)、下(X2F)部烟叶的协调性指标进行分析。结果表明:在彭水烟区烟叶钾氯比和两糖差变异系数较大,两糖比年度间变异最小,而其他化学成分含量的变异幅度在30%以内。从不同年份部位间变异来看,各化学成分及协调性指标均有逐渐稳定的趋势。从不同部位间对比来看,上部叶各化学成分协调性指标年度间变异总体上大于中、下部叶。     

Some Agronomic Strategies for Organic Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Quinoa is a potential new seed crop for protein feed and human consumption in Europe, with tolerance to a range of abiotic stresses. For this purpose the study was planned to analyse the effect of important agronomic strategies like nitrogen level, N application strategy, row spacing and harvest time on yield and quality of quinoa. The experiments took place in the field of the experimental station of the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. Three levels of organic nitrogen from slurry was used (60, 120 and 180 kg N ha^?1), supplied either all at once at sowing, or split between sowing and beginning of the reproductive phase. The effect of row spacing and harvest time was studied by harvesting seeds at seed maturity, which occurred 2–3 weeks prior to the mechanical harvest by threshing, and a couple of months after. Yield increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with an application up to 180 kg N ha^?1, reaching 2200 kg ha^?1. Increasing N also caused a significantly increased seed weight (up to 3.3 mg) and protein content (up to 17 %). N level did not affect number and amount of weeds. Split application with part of the N applied at bud formation did not have a significant effect on yield. Delayed harvest had a negative influence on seed weight, whereas protein content was stable after harvesting even a month after seed maturity. A late harvest significantly reduced seed germination, being reduced by 50 % after a 2‐month delay. A conclusion from this study is that both yield and protein content of seed can be manipulated by N level and application strategy. Harvest time is important for securing a high seed quality measured as seed germination, seed weight and protein content. A fast germination of quinoa is an important characteristic demonstrating that the crop has good possibilities for being well‐established in the field when free from weeds at the time of sowing. The choice of row spacing is important and depends on weed control method. Weed control strategy should be developed based on modern precision tools.     

土耳其斯坦裂体吸虫23kDa蛋白基因的序列分析及抗原表位预测

为研究土耳其斯坦裂体吸虫23 kDa蛋白的生物学特性,以土耳其斯坦裂体吸虫cDNA为模版,利用PCR对23 kDa基因进行扩增,并将其克隆到T-easy载体后进行序列测定。利用生物信息学对其结构、抗原指数进行分析,并对其抗原表位进行预测。序列分析结果表明,该虫体的23 kDa基因长度为657 bp,A+T含量为57.38%,与曼氏血吸虫、埃及血吸虫和日本血吸虫的23 kDa基因的相似性分别为85.24%、83.71%和81.89%。蛋白二级结构分析表明,23 kDa蛋白经过4次跨膜,主要由6个α-螺旋、3个β-折叠、7个β转角和若干个无规则卷曲构成。抗原表位预测结果表明,该蛋白有3个B细胞抗原表位。综合分析土耳其斯坦裂体吸虫23 kDa蛋白是一种较好的抗原分子,是土耳其斯坦裂体吸虫疫苗的重要候选分子。     

Why viewing nature is more fascinating and restorative than viewing buildings: A closer look at perceived complexity

The present paper addresses the question which visual features trigger people’s often more positive affective responses to natural compared to built scenes. Building on notions about visual complexity and fractal geometry, we propose that perceived complexity of magnified scene parts can predict the greater fascinating and restorative qualities of natural versus built scenes. This prediction was tested in an experiment in which 40 participants viewed and rated 40 images of unspectacular natural and built scenes in their original size, and at 400% and 1600% magnification levels. Results showed that the original, unmagnified natural scenes were viewed longer and rated more restorative than built scenes, and that these differences were statistically mediated by the greater perceived complexity of magnified parts of natural scenes. These findings fit with the idea that fractal-like, recursive complexity is an important visual cue underlying the restorative potential of natural and built environments.     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of PTTG1 Gene in Luchuan Pig

This experiment was aimed to clone PTTG1 gene CDS sequence of Luchuan pig,and was analyzed by bioinformatics methods.A pair of special primers was designed according to predicted sequence of porcine PTTG1 in GenBank.The coding sequence of PTTG1 in Luchuan pig was amplified by RT-PCR,its gene sequence characteristics and protein structure was systemically analyzed by bioinformatics techniques.The results showed that the cloned PTTG1 fragment included a 609 bp CDS (coding 202 amino acids).The sequence multi-aligned results showed that Luchuan pig shared 90.15%,87.85%,87.52%,87.03%,76.03%,74.38%,55.74% and 44.48% of similar nucleotide sequence with that of Bos,Pan troglodytes,Homos,Macaca,Rattus,Mus,Gallus and Danio retio,respectively.The protein structure analysis results showed that the protein attributed hydrophilic protein without signal peptide,localized in cell cytoplasm and had 16 phosphorylation sites.The phylogentic tree of amino acid indicated that PTTG1 was highly conserved in the process of evolution of different species.The cloning and analysis of PTTG1 gene provided an important foundation for further study biological function of porcine PTTG1 during early embryonic development.     

油桐LEC1基因的cDNA克隆与序列分析

为了解LEC1(Leafy Cotyledon 1)基因对油桐油脂合成过程的调控机理,以油桐种仁转录组数据库中基因的部分c DNA序列为基础,采用RT-PCR技术从油桐种子中克隆LEC1基因的全长c DNA,并对其进行序列分析。油桐LEC1基因全长c DNA为1 152 bp,编码区为729 bp(142~870),编码243个氨基酸,5′端非编码区和3′端非编码区分别为141 bp和263 bp。该基因编码蛋白质的相对分子质量为27 025.4 Da,理论等电点为6.97;蛋白二级结构以不规则卷曲和α螺旋为主,是不具有跨膜结构的膜外蛋白。经对比发现,油桐LEC1具有典型的HAP3结构特点,在不保守的N端和C端中间有1个十分保守的结构域,与拟南芥、玉米、麻风树、黄连木等的LEC1氨基酸序列高度同源。