Ecotonal changes and altered tree spatial patterns in lower mixed-conifer forests, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.

This research analyzes patch development and determines tree spatial patterns along the lower mixed-conifer ecotone on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (U.S.A.). Patterns of patch development were interpreted from spatial analyses, based on tree age and size, and past records of disturbance and climate. Five plots in the ecotone between mixed conifer forests and monospecific stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were studied for patterns of patch development. The methods used include: (1) size-structure analyses, to compare species patch development; (2) dendrochronological dating of tree establishment; (3) tree ring master chronology, to determine periods of suppressed growth, compared to a Palmer Drought Severity Index; and (4) spatial analyses by species composition, size and age, with univariate and bivariate analyses of spatial association and spatial autocorrelation. We found an increased density of shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species namely clusters of pole-sized white fir, and fewer large ponderosa pine. This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Upregulation of neurokinin A levels by nerve growth factor in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig

AIM: To explore the regulatory mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) on neurokinin A in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig. METHODS: Radioimmunoassay was used to determine the alteration of neurokinin A levels in the lower respiratory tract and visceral sensory afferent sites while NGF was absent (inhalation of NGF antibody through nasal cavity) in the asthmatic guinea pig. RESULTS: The contents of neurokinin A in the trachea, bronchus, lung, C₇-T₅ spinal ganglia and the correspondent spinal dorsal horn, nodose ganglia and solitary nucleus area in the experimental asthmatic guinea pig with the absent of NGF in the respiratory tract were much lower than those in the asthmatic and control groups (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: NGF upregulated the contents of neurokinin A in the lower respiratory tract and visceral sensory sites of the experimental asthmatic guinea pig, and both might be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.     

三江白猪线粒体DNA-RFLP的分析

采用22种限制性内切酶分析了三江白猪线粒体DNA的多态性。结果表明：在60头个体中检出30种限制性态型．归结为7种基因单倍型；其间的差异来自少数限制性位点的突变。单倍型间平均遗传距离为0．35%，群体遗传多态程度为0．044％。三江白猪遗传多样性非常贫乏，说明三江白猪与地方种猪起源于一个共同祖先，在品种形成早期受到创立者效应的制约。     

瘦肉型猪(PIC344)精液碱性磷酸酶的分离纯化及部分性质研究

用正丁醇抽提、硫酸铵分级沉淀、DEAE SepharoseFF和SephacrylS 200柱层系,从瘦肉型猪(PIC344)精液中提取出碱性磷酸酶。纯化倍数11 46,比活为81 23U/mg蛋白。提取液经PAGE和SDS PAGE检测,呈现一条带。该酶相对分子质量为90 12KD,亚基分子质量为48 41KD,该酶为两个相同亚基组成。等电点为8 19,最适pH值9 5,最适温度为40℃,以磷酸苯二钠为底物测得Km值为3 98×10-4mol/L。经分析,Cu2 、Cd2 为酶的抑制剂,Ni2 、Ca2 、Mg2 为该酶的激活剂。选用CuSO4、Cd(NO3)2作酶的抑制类型判断,结果表明,CuSO4为非竞争性抑制,抑制常数为1 32×10-3mol/L,Cd(NO3)2为竞争性抑制,抑制常数为3 33×10-4mol/L。     

猪原始生殖嵴细胞(PGCs)建系因素的研究

从五指山猪(WSZP)近交系第8～13代培育群中，先后选用21头5～10月龄青年母猪，分别于授精后25～30d采集胎儿106个，进行原始生殖嵴(PGCs)细胞分离、培养等建系技术研究。以DMEM F10(1:1)为基础培养液，按添加或不添加生长因子，将培养液分为A、B、C3种，并以STO细胞作饲养层，在38℃、5.0％CO2和湿润的气相中进行培养建系。结果获得胚胎生殖嵴细胞(EG)细胞系6个细胞株，其中1个EG细胞株传至11代、2个传至5代、1个传至4代、2个传至3代冻存。并进行了AKP染色、体外分化、冷冻-解冻复苏和嵌合体制作等鉴定研究。研究发现：不同胚龄对EG细胞建系具有一定影响，不同培养液对EG细胞建系效果不同，STO细胞饲养层的质量是建株、传代、冷冻-解冻复苏的关键因素之一。EG细胞系的初步建立，为今后筛选进入种系的EG细胞系、实施体外基因操作提供了可能。     

多拉菌素在猪体内的药代动力学

对多拉菌素在猪体内进行为期45d的药代动力学研究。长白×杜洛克杂交猪10头,临床健康,驱净寄生虫,体重36～50kg,以300μg/kg体重剂量分别通过静脉和肌肉注射给药。动物给药后在不同时间内分点经颈静脉采血。血浆样品用乙腈沉淀处理,上清液过C18富集柱,用甲醇提取多拉菌素并进行衍生化反应,以反向HPLC测定猪血清中的药物浓度。药代动力学参数用计算机程序MCPKP进行处理。结果表明,动物经静脉和肌肉注射给药后,血浆药物浓度分别可测至30d和25d,2种途径的药物浓度时间曲线均符合二室开放模型。主要药代动力学参数为:静脉注射T1/2α(1.092±0.66)d,T1/2β(6.11±2.73)d,AUC(274.19±119.89)μg/(L·d);肌肉注射T1/2α(0.056±0.022)d,T1/2β(3.20±1.34)d,AUC(223.51±65.20)μg/(L·d),CMAX(28.99±10.69)μg/L,Tp(1.24±0.87)d。多拉菌素肌肉注射的生物利用度为81.5%。结果显示多拉菌素在猪体内具有吸收分布较迅速、体内分布容积大、消除缓慢和生物利用度相对较高的特点,提示多拉菌素在猪体内作用的长效性主要由该化合物的自身特性所决定,而与给药途径和使用的溶剂关系不大,研究结果对指导临床正确用药具有重要意义。     

以催乳素受体基因作为撒坝猪部分生产性能候选基因的研究

此文运用PCR-RFLP技术检测催乳素受体(PRLR)基因在撒坝猪群体中的多态性分布,并采用最小二乘分析模型初步统计分析基因多态性与部分生产性能的相关性。结果表明,PRLR基因等位基因B及其基因型BB在群体中占优势,频率分别为0.6594和0.4438;PRLR基因在群体中处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态;头胎繁殖性状有利等位基因B对生长性状无不利影响。     

微卫星与金华猪生长性状关系的研究

采用微卫星标记多重扩增结合荧光标记检测技术,对152头金华猪种群的30个微卫星位点的不同基因型与生长发育性状的关系进行了初步分析和显著性检测。结果显示SW 2476、SW 0215、SW 24等3个微卫星位点不同基因型间的出生重差异显著;SW 902、S0143、SW 0215、S0228、SW 24等5个微卫星位点不同基因型间的60日龄重差异显著;S0178、S0218、S0255、S0155、SW 951等5个微卫星位点不同基因型的4月龄重差异显著;而S0217微卫星位点的不同基因型的6月龄重差异显著。     

The effect of maternal obesity on fatty acid transporter expression and lipid metabolism in the full‐term placenta of lean breed swine

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of back‐fat thickness (BF), at mating of sows, on the maternal and newborn circulating lipids, expression of placental fatty acids (FA) transporters and lipid accumulation in placenta. Full‐term placentas were obtained by vaginal delivery from BFI (9–14 mm; n = 37), BFII (15–19 mm; n = 43) and BFIII (20–27 mm; n = 38) sows according to BF at mating, and frozen placental sections were analysed for fat accumulation. Blood samples were collected from the sows of day 105 pregnancy and from cord blood at delivery. mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated with real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting. Our results demonstrated that BFII females had significantly increased litter weight and placental efficiency, decreased maternal triglyceride (TG) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels, decreased maternal IL‐6, TNFα and leptin levels compared to BFIII females (p < .05). BFIII sows were associated with significantly decreased newborn TG levels, increased newborn glucose, IL‐6 and TNFα levels compared to BFI or BFII sows (p < .05). BFI and BFII females had significantly decreased placental TG, NEFA and cholesterol (CHOL) contents compared to BFIII females (p < .05). Moreover, decreased CD36, FATP1, FABP4, and FABP1 mRNA and protein and FATP4 protein expression, and increased LPL activity were also observed in BFIII group compared with BFII group (p < .05). PPARγ mRNA and protein and lipogenic genes such as SREBP‐1c, ACSL1, ACCα, FAS and SCD mRNA expression were downregulated or upregulated, respectively, in the placentas of BFIII sows compared to BFI or BFII sows (p < .05). Overall, this study demonstrated that there is no advantage, in terms of litter live size, litter weight and placental FA transport and metabolism, in performing the mating of sows with BF>19 mm.