Serum thyroxine concentrations in clinically healthy pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Background: Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are often presented as patients in veterinary practice. Nevertheless, only limited information is available about endocrine diseases or thyroxine reference values for the species. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine serum thyroxine concentrations in a well‐defined population of clinically healthy pet guinea pigs. Methods: Between October 2007 and July 2008, serum samples were collected from 40 clinically healthy guinea pigs of different sexes, ages, and breeds that were presented to our clinic for a general health check or for castration. Pregnant females were excluded from the study. Thyroxine concentration was measured using a chemiluminescence test (Immulite 2000 Canine Total T4). Results: Thyroxine concentrations ranged from 14.2 to 66.9 nmol/L (1.1–5.2 μg/dL) with a median value of 27.0 nmol/L (2.1 μg/dL). Females (n=16) had significantly (P=.039; Mann–Whitney U‐test) lower thyroxine values than castrated males (n=8), whereas no differences were found between females and intact males (n=16) or between intact and castrated males. No significant correlation was found between thyroxine concentration and age. Conclusion: This is the first report of serum thyroxine reference values for a well‐defined population of healthy pet guinea pigs as measured by a chemiluminescence assay. The results were higher than those previously reported for this species and emphasize the importance of using appropriate reference intervals for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.     

Turf-banked terrace treads and risers, turf exfoliation and possible relationships with advancing treeline

Fine-scale geomorphic/pedogenic processes at alpine treeline may facilitate the initial stages of conifer invasion of alpine tundra. Turf-banked terraces and turf exfoliation associated with solifluction may provide both the topographic protection and the seedbed necessary for conifer establishment above treeline. The morphometry, stoniness and surface penetrability of turf-banked terraces were recorded. Whereas differences among sites exist due to topographic constraints, differences in soil penetrability depend on turf exfoliation. Exfoliated turf risers are significantly more penetrable than non-exfoliated solifluction risers and adjacent treads. These penetrable microsites provide favorable conditions for seed germination. The process of turf exfoliation may play a role in conifer advance into tundra during climatic change.     

金霉素和代谢物差向金霉素在肉鸡肌肉和肝脏中的残留分布

为了研究金霉素(CTC)、差向金霉素(ECTC)在肉鸡肌肉、肝脏中的残留分布情况,样品经提取液提取后过Oasis HLB SPE小柱净化,采用电喷雾正离子模式(ESI+)和多反应监测模式(MRM),用高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪检测;试验组鸡按体重以50 mg/(kg·d)剂量内服CTC,连续5 d,每天给药1次。结果表明:该方法测定肉鸡肌肉和肝脏中CTC检测限和定量限分别为5.0、10.0μg/kg。ECTC检测限和定量限分别为20.0、30.0μg/kg。CTC和ECTC在肉鸡肌肉中平均回收率分别在73.0%~95.20%和81.80%~101.60%,相对标准偏差(RSD)分别在8.85%~12.18%和2.05%~9.29%;在肉鸡肝脏中平均回收率分别在67.06%~90.80%和78.64%~106.98%,RSD分别在2.90%~8.88%和4.72%~9.48%;肉鸡肌肉和肝脏中CTC、代谢物ECTC的残留量分别在给药后第1、5 d时达到最高。肉鸡肝脏中ECTC的残留量约占总残留量的1/2。停药后CTC及其代谢物ECTC代谢缓慢,在停药第6 d时,仍能检测到CTC及其代谢物ECTC,但其残留量均低于最高残留限量(MRLs)。从保障食品安全方面考虑,建议我国将CTC和ECTC均作为金霉素的残留标示物进行监测。     

Artificial induction of maturation and fertilization in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica

Repeated injections of salmon pituitary extract (20 mg per fish per week) induced vitellogenesis in feminized, cultivated Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica). Oocytes were attained at the migratory nucleus stage after 11 or 12 injections. Addition of 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) into the incubation medium induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in the oocytes at the migratory nucleus stage. An injection of DHP (2 µg g^-1 BW), given 24h after an injection of salmon pituitary extract (20 mg fish^-1), succeeded in inducing maturation and ovulation in females which contained occytes at the migratory nucleus stage. Most fish ovulated 15–18h following the DHP injection. Eggs that were ovulated within 15h after the DHP injection showed high fertility and hatchability, but eggs ovulated 18 or 21h after the DHP injection, showed considerably lower fertility and hatchability. A delay between ovulation and stripping of the eggs rapidly decreased both the fertility and hatchability within 6–9h after ovulation, indicating that artificial fertilization must be carried out immediately after ovulation. Repeated injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at a concentration of 1 IU g^-1 BW week^-1 induced spermatogenesis, spermiation, and the acquisition of potential for sperm motility in cultivated males. Most males spermiated after the fifth or sixth injection of hCG, and the milt weight gradually increased and remained constant (1–2 g) from the 11th to 31th injection. Sperm motility peaked 24h after each weekly injection, and decreased from the 3^rd day after the injection. Potassium ions are an essential constituent for the maintenance of motility in the eel spermatozoa. Artificial seminal plasma containing 15.2 mM KCl is applicable as a milt diluent. Using these techniques developed for female and male eels, we have succeeded in obtaining many fertilized eggs from cultivated eels.     

Determination of apparent digestibility coefficient in fish by stable carbon isotopes

Estimation of the apparent digestibility coefficient ADC(%) of C₃ and C₄ plants in experimental diets for fingerlings of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Cuvier, 1818) was calculated by applying chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) external marker methodology and by a proposed mathematical expression based on the isotopic composition (δ¹³C). A total of 240 tambaqui fingerlings each weighing ±48.2 g and measuring ±9.8 cm were maintained in eight 500‐L aquariums specially designed for faeces collection. The ADC(%) of the C₃ and C₄ diets did not differ significantly between the two methods, producing results of 75.6%; 76.2% and 74.4%; 72.8%, respectively. The ADC(%) results obtained by isotopic method presented less variation than by chromic oxide. The proposed mathematical expression for calculating the ADC(%) based on δ¹³C values offers an alternative methodology, which can reduce errors and diminish the effort required to collect biological material. However, it is important to note that this method is limited to analysis of diets or food items with distinct isotopic signals.     

猪轮状病毒Vp4全基因与乳酸菌非抗性表达载体的重组及在大肠杆菌中的表达

以猪A组轮状病毒mRNA为模板，应用优化的反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）技术，扩增了2331 bp的Vp4全长基因，通过T-A克隆技术，将PCR产物克隆至克隆载体pGEM-T中，构建质粒pGEM-T-Vp4。以SalⅠ和KpnⅠ双酶切pGEM—T—Vp4．和以胸苷酸合成酶基因（thymidylate synthase，thyA）为选择压力的非抗生素抗性的穿梭表达载体pW425t，并将纯化的Vp4基因亚克隆至表达载体pW425t中，构建出可以在乳酸菌与大肠杆菌之间穿梭表达的原核表达重组质粒pW425t-Vp4。将pW425t-Vp4转化至thyA基因缺陷型的大肠杆菌感受态E．coli X13中，通过生长功能弥补筛选阳性克隆，SDS-PAGE分析，可见约87.67Ku融合蛋白。Western blot分析表明，该蛋白具有与轮状病毒多克隆抗体的反应原性，研究结果为pW425t-Vp4在乳酸菌受体菌株中表达提供科学依据。     

Expression and mechanisms of hsa_circ_087631 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To explore the expression and mechanisms of circular RNA hsa_circ_087631 in the patients with primary biliary cholangitis （PBC）. METHODS RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_087631 in PBC patients and healthy controls. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was constructed and transfected into human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat cells, and then the expression levels of hsa_circ_087631, Bcl-6 mRNA and interleukin-21 （IL-21） mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the interactions between hsa_circ_087631 and hsa-miR-346. RESULTS The expression of hsa_circ_087631 in the PBC patients was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was successfully constructed. The expression of hsa-miR-346 was significantly increased after the hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector was transfected into the Jurkat cells, while the expression levels of hsa_circ_0087631, Bcl-6 mRNA and IL-21 mRNA were significantly decreased. After wild-type or mutant hsa_circ_087631 vector and hsa-miR-346 mimics were transfected into 293T cells, the results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that hsa-miR-346 significantly decreased the luciferase activity of wild-type hsa_circ_087631 （P<0.01）, but the regulation did not change significantly after mutation of the predicted binding site. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood hsa_circ_087631 level is elevated in the PBC patients. The hsa_circ_087631/hsa-miR-346/Bcl-6 signaling may take effect in human T cells. Hsa-miR-346 significantly reduces the expression of hsa_circ_087631, but it may not be regulated by predicted binding sites.     

松浦镜鲤与德国镜鲤选育系（F4）的可量性状、鳞片数比较

对松浦镜鲤（SP）和德国镜鲤选育系（F4）（DJ）的可量性状及体表鳞片数进行比较,SP与DJ的可量性状与体表鳞被存在差异。SP的体长／体高（2．44±0．15）、头长／眼间距（2．24±0．08）明显小于DJ,体长／头长（3．86±0.20）、头长／吻长（2．99±0．23）明显大于DJ,SP体表的鳞片数明显少于DJ。结果表明,从DJ到SP遗传选育过程中,体型和鳞片的变化已达到了选育目的。     

半滑舌鳎Cs-UBE2D4基因的克隆、表达模式及启动子活性

泛素-蛋白酶体系统作为重要的蛋白质修饰途径,参与多个生物学过程,其中泛素结合酶E2作为关键酶可以决定泛素化对靶蛋白的影响。为了探究泛素结合酶E2在半滑舌鳎雌性性腺发育中的作用,本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎Cs-UBE2D4基因的开放阅读框ORF,检测了该基因在不同组织和不同发育阶段性腺中的表达模式;构建了其启动子报告基因载体(pGL3-Cs-UBE2D4)并进行了启动子活性分析。Cs-UBE2D4开放阅读框为360 bp,编码119个氨基酸,含有保守的泛素结合酶E2结构域。荧光定量PCR结果显示,Cs-UBE2D4在雌鱼的各组织中广泛表达,其中在卵巢和肝脏中表达量较高,而在雄鱼中几乎检测不到表达;在卵巢各发育阶段中,该基因的表达量从90日龄开始上调,6月龄达到峰值,之后开始下调,在1.5龄时表达量最低,在3龄时表达量有所回升,其中6月龄表达量为90日龄表达量的1.97倍。双荧光素酶活性检测结果显示,Cs-UBE2D4启动子具有较强的转录活性。本实验将为进一步开展Cs-UBE2D4基因对半滑舌鳎卵巢发育和性别调控相关机制的研究提供理论依据。