Division of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle intestine with molecular markers is slightly different from the morphological and histological observation

The Chinese soft‐shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a commercially important species in Asian countries. Knowledge of its nutritional requirements and physiology is essential for determining the appropriate content of the feed for this animal. However, the lack of functional characterization of the intestine of this turtle limits the understanding of its absorption and utilization of nutritional materials. To solve this problem, this work utilized anatomical and histological methods to characterize 9 segments sampled along the anterior–posterior axis of the intestine. Furthermore, 9 genes, which have been well documented in the intestine division of mammals and fish, were employed to functionally characterize the 9 sampled segments. Our results suggest that regions covering from the starting site to S3 (position at 29.9% of the total length from the starting of the intestine) are the equivalent of mammalian dedumonen, and those covering S4 (40.2%) and S5 (65.4%), posterior to S8 (92.7%), are the equivalent of the mammalian ileum and the large intestine, respectively. As to the region spaning S6 (81.3%) and S7 (87.3%), its functional equivalent (small intestine or large intestine) may be variable and depends on the functional genes. This molecular characterization in relation to the division of the intestine of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle may contribute to the understanding of the nutritional physiology of the turtle, and promote Chinese soft‐shelled turtle production.     

Plant-N incorporation into microbial amino sugars as affected by inorganic N addition: A microcosm study of N-labeled maize residue decomposition

Carbon (C) and/or nitrogen (N) in plant residues can be assimilated into microbial biomass during the plant residue decomposition before incorporation into SOM in the form of microbial residues. Yet, microbial transformation of plant residue-N into microbial residues and the effects of inorganic N inputs on this process have not been well documented. Here, we undertook a 38-week incubation with a silt loam soil amended with a ¹⁵N-labeled maize (Zea mays L.) residue to determine how the transformation of maize residue-N into soil amino sugars was affected by rates of inorganic N addition. The newly metabolized amino sugars derived from maize residue-N were differentiated and quantified by using an isotope-based gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. We found that greater amounts of maize residue-N were transformed into amino sugars with lower inorganic N addition at the early stages of the plant residue degradation. However, the trend was reversed during later stages of decay as greater percentage of maize residue-N (8.6-9.4%) were enriched in amino sugars in the N_med and N_high soils, as compared with N₀ and N_low (7.5-8.2%). This indicated that higher availability of inorganic N could delay the transformation process of plant-N into microbial residues during the mineralization of plant residues. The dynamic transformations of the plant residue-N into individual amino sugars were compound-specific, with very fast incorporation into bacterial MurA_M-new found during the initial weeks, while the dynamics of maize residue-derived GluN exhibited a delayed response to assimilate plant-N into fungal products. The findings indicated differential contributions of maize residue decomposing microorganisms over time. Moreover, we found no preferential utilization of inorganic N over plant residue-N into amino sugars during the incubation course, but inorganic N inputs altered the rate of plant-N accumulation in microbial-derived organic matters. Our results indicated that higher N availability had a positive impact on the accumulation or stabilization of newly-produced microbial residues in the long term.     

植物形态生物质材料的制备与力学性能

发展绿色环保新材料是当今生物质研究的一项重大任务。本研究分析了一年生黑麦草（Lolium multiflorum）、高羊茅（Festuca arundinacea）和白三叶（Trifolium repens）经自然反复倒置生长,根茎交联成型后用高分子溶液浸泡制备生物质材料的过程以及种子添加量与力学性能之间的关系,初步探索了生物质经不同浓度的高分子溶液处理后,材料的力学性能。其中用浓度为10%的聚乙烯醇处理的生物质力学性能最佳。3种草坪芽苗中,一年生黑麦草制备的生物质材料优于其余两种草坪品种,经浓度为10%聚乙烯醇处理后的生物质力学性能各参数值分别为最大力191.959 N、最大变形23.581 mm、拉伸强度0.512 MPa、伸长率58.95%、弹性模量0.87 MPa,这能为生物材料的开发提供了新的思路。     

Serum concentration of surfactant protein D in horses with lower airway inflammation

Reasons for performing study: Surfactant protein D (SP‐D), mainly synthesised by alveolar type II cells and nonciliated bronchiolar cells, is one important component of innate pulmonary immunity. In man, circulating concentrations of SP‐D are routinely used as biomarkers for pulmonary injury. To date, serum SP‐D levels have only been investigated in horses in an experimental model of bacterial airway infection. Objectives: To compare serum SP‐D concentrations at rest and after exercise in horses with and without inflammatory airway disease (IAD). Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 42 Standardbred racehorses at rest and 60 min after performing a standardised treadmill exercise test. Tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected after exercise. Based on BALF cytology, 22 horses were defined as IAD‐affected and 20 classified as controls. Serum SP‐D concentrations were assessed using a commercially available ELISA kit and statistically compared between groups of horses and sampling times. Results: Serum concentrations of SP‐D in IAD‐affected horses were significantly higher than those of control horses, both at rest and after exercise. Within the IAD‐affected group, no significant correlation was found between serum SP‐D concentrations and BALF cytology. Within each group of horses (IAD and control), no significant influence of exercise was found on serum SP‐D levels. Conclusions: This is the first study determining serum SP‐D concentrations in a noninfectious, naturally occurring form of lower airway inflammation in horses. The results highlight that IAD is associated with a detectable, though moderate, increase of circulating SP‐D levels. Potential relevance: Serum concentration of surfactant protein D could represent a potentially valuable and readily accessible blood biomarker of equine lower airway inflammation.     

湿地匍灯藓（Plagiomnium acutum）对Pb胁迫的生物标志物响应

采用浸没培养实验研究了不同浓度Pb胁迫下湿地匍灯藓(Plagiomnium ac utu)的总叶绿素、丙二醛、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸含量以及抗氧化酶活性等生理生化生物标志物的变化,以探讨Pb胁迫下湿地匍灯藓的受损和耐受机理.结果表明,湿地匍灯藓外表伤害症状与Pb胁迫浓度存在明显的剂量-效应关系;低浓度(20 mg·L-1)Pb胁迫可以显著地促进湿地匍灯藓的总叶绿素含量增加,而中、高浓度(50 ng ·L-1)Pb胁迫则导致总叶绿素含量显著降低.湿地匍灯藓对Pb具有较强的生物富集能力,且藓体Pb的累积量与环境Pb浓度呈显著正相关.湿地匍灯藓体内MDA和游离脯氨酸含量随Pb胁迫浓度的增加表现为显著升高.可溶性糖含量仅在高浓度Pb胁迫下显著升高.可溶性蛋白含量、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均随Pb胁迫浓度的增加而显著下降,其中CAT活性的降幅最大,SOD活性随Pb胁迫浓度的增加逐渐显著增加.在高浓度Pb胁迫下,由于细胞膜脂过氧化和蛋白质变性失活所导致的膜保护体系损伤可能是湿地匍灯藓Pb中毒的主要原因,而渗透调节可能是其缓解Pb毒害的一种主要方式,SOD则在清除Pb胁迫产生的活性氧自由基过程中起重要作用.总叶绿素、丙二醛、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、CAT和SOD可以作为湿地匍灯藓受Pb胁迫的敏感生物标志物.     

金属硫蛋白作为重金属污染生物标志物的研究进展

金属硫蛋白（MT）是一类普遍存在于生物体内的低分子量、富含半胱氨酸、热稳定性、可诱导型非酶蛋白,具有维持生物体内金属含量动态平衡和重金属解毒作用双重机制。大量研究表明,MT可作为重金属污染的生物标志物,用来预测生物体受重金属暴露的状况和重金属污染的压力,且对制定预防性的管理措施、及时监控环境污染皆具有重要的现实意义。本文根据国内外文献资料查阅及综合分析,主要阐述了金属硫蛋白的基本结构、多态性、生理功能及其作为生物标志物在环境污染检测与诊断方面的研究与应用,并展望其今后研究方向。     

斯氏线虫-致病杆菌共生体侵染昆虫的生物标志物

昆虫病原线虫是一类专性侵染和寄生昆虫的病原线虫,是非常重要的生防资源。斯氏线虫属Steinernema和致病杆菌属Xenorhabdus通过形成共生体在侵染昆虫过程中共同完成生活史,其中致病杆菌释放效应物质引发昆虫败血症是其重要机制。该文对斯氏线虫-致病杆菌共生体的侵染策略和在侵染过程中产生的免疫调节因子、释放的毒素蛋白和活性代谢物进行概述,其中,苯乙酰胺作为免疫抑制因子促进自身定殖,脂多糖作为内毒素引起寄主血细胞裂解,Tc毒素蛋白作为外毒素导致寄主中肠上皮细胞溶解,活性代谢产物如xenematides、fabclavine和PAX肽等具有抑菌、诱导细胞凋亡等活性。而斯氏线虫本身也能够产生表皮/分泌蛋白来抑制寄主免疫,与共生菌协同致死寄主。因此,通过对斯氏线虫-致病杆菌共生体产生的致病物质进行汇总分析,为研究昆虫病原线虫致病机制提供理论参考,同时也为新型绿色杀虫剂的开发和应用提供证据支持。     

Evaluation of the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score to predict outcome in dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma

The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) assigns a numerical value (0–2) from pre‐treatment serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and albumin to predict patient outcome. CRP and albumin were evaluated in 77 untreated dogs with lymphoma to determine the relationship of mGPS to clinicopathological parameters and whether it could predict progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in treated dogs. mGPS distribution was significantly associated with clinical stage, substage b, weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances and lethargy at presentation. On univariate analysis, mGPS was significantly associated with OS and PFS, with shorter median survival times for mGPS 2 compared to mGPS 0 and 1 combined. Hypoalbuminaemia significantly reduced OS and PFS, however increased CRP had no effect. Only clinical stage was significantly associated with OS and PFS on both univariate and multivariate analysis. mGPS has potential prognostic value for canine lymphoma , but further studies are needed.     

阿片对小白鼠组织大分子成分的影响研究进展

阿片系统是调节机体生理活动的系统之一。近年来,阿片被认为在控制家畜和其他种类动物生长中起着重要作用。阐述了阿片对小白鼠胚胎以及新生小白鼠组织DNA、RNA和蛋白质的影响。阿片亦能影响成年小白鼠组织大分子成分。虽然阿片是否影响组织功能尚不清楚,但是阿片抑制啮齿动物和人类的免疫功能。