Effects of baicalin on glial fibrillary acidic protein and nuclear factor-κB expression in juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion

AIM: To study the effects of baicalin (BC) on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression and neuronal apoptosis in juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion (SC). METHODS: One hundred and ninety five juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal saline pretreatment group (NS group), SC group and SC with BC pretreatment group (BC group). Each of these 3 groups would be subdivided into 5 subgroups sacrificed at 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after SC. The rat SC model was prepared by lithium-pilocarpine chemical method. The protein expression of GFAP and NF-κB was detected by the method of immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of GFAP was detected by RT-PCR. The neuronal apoptosis was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Compared with NS group, the GFAP positive cells was increased in SC group (P<0.05). Compared with SC group, the expression of GFAP was significantly reduced in BC group (P<0.05). Compared with NS group, the NF-κB positive cells was increased in SC group (P<0.05). Compared with SC group, the expression of NF-κB was significantly reduced in BC group. RT-PCR showed that the expression trend of GFAP mRNA was similar to that of the protein. Compared with NS group, the TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus CA1 area in SC group increased significantly 12 h after SC (P<0.01), and reached a peak at 48 h. After the intervention with BC, the TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly between 12~48 h after SC (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the number of TUNEL positive cells remained significantly greater than that in NS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of GFAP and NF-κB in the hippocampus increased after SC in rats. Baicalin decreases the expression of GFAP and NF-κB in hippocampus of rats with pilocarpine-induced seizures, and reduces the number of neuronal apoptosis, suggesting that baicalin may protect against the brain damage caused by status convulsion.     

茶树小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2的克隆与表达分析

[目的]进一步了解茶树小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2在逆境胁迫条件下的分子生物学功能.[方法]利用RT-PCR技术从茶树‘迎霜’中克隆得到CsHSP1 7.2基因,运用生物信息学软件分析其核苷酸和编码蛋白,通过Real-timePCR分析其表达模式.[结果]该基因开放阅读框长度为453 bp,编码150个氨基酸,蛋白质相对分子质量为17.2×10a,理论等电点5.56;无信号肽位点,属于非分泌型蛋白;被定位于细胞质中.系统发育树分析表明,茶树CsHSP1 7.2与水稻(GenBank登录号:P27777)和花生(ABC41131)的进化关系较近,属于小分子量热激蛋白基因家族第Ⅰ亚族.qRT-PCR分析发现,茶树CsHSP17.2属于组成型基因;高温(38℃)处理1h能显著提高CsHSP17.2 mRNA的相对表达量(P＜0.05);干旱(100 g·L-1 PEG 6000)、高盐(200 mmol· L-1 NaCl)和外源脱落酸(200 mg· L-1 ABA)处理条件下,该基因的转录水平均出现不同程度的上调.[结论]克隆得到茶树‘迎霜’小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2,其在花中表达量最高,且响应高温、干旱、高盐和外源脱落酸胁迫.     

物理农业工程技术在南药发展中的应用现状

近年来，物理农业在我国北方地区受到重视，并在一些农业产业投入和运用，其技术价值和优点在生产过程已显示出来。随着物理农业工程技术在国际与国内市场的不断完善和发展，有可能成为我国第四代农业发展方向。以云南为例，分析当前南药发展现状，充分论述利用当地气候资源、地理优势及物理农业工程技术优势发展云南南药的必要性。并预测在发展过程中将要面临的各种困难，最后提出运用物理农业工程技术发展南药产业的建议。     

饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平对亚东鲑亲鱼生长性能、消化酶活性和血清指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平对亚东鲑亲鱼生长性能、性腺指数、消化酶活性和血清指标的影响。试验采用5×2两因素随机设计,设5个蛋白质水平(36%、39%、42%、45%、48%)和2个脂肪水平(9%、18%),共配制10种实用试验饲料。每种试验饲料投喂3个重复,每个重复19尾鱼。初重为(462.53±45.40)g亚东鲑在室内水族箱中流水饲养,饲养周期为77 d。结果表明:同一脂肪水平下,随饲料蛋白质水平的升高,增重率有所升高,而饲料系数逐渐降低,至蛋白质水平为48%时又有所升高。饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平对雌性亲鱼性腺指数无显著影响(P0.05),雄性亲鱼性腺指数随蛋白质水平的升高而降低,但至蛋白质水平为48%时又有所回升。同一脂肪水平下,随着饲料蛋白质水平的升高,胃、肠道和幽门盲囊的脂肪酶活性逐渐增加,蛋白质水平为48%时显著高于蛋白质水平为36%时(P0.05);而胃、肠道和幽门盲囊的蛋白酶活性虽有所增加,但各组间无显著差异(P0.05)。同一蛋白质水平下,18%脂肪水平组胃、肠道和幽门盲囊的蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性均略高于9%脂肪水平组。同一脂肪水平下,血清氨含量随饲料蛋白质水平的升高而逐渐增加。饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平对血清超氧化物歧化酶、溶菌酶活性以及葡萄糖、甘油三酯、总蛋白、白蛋白和丙二醛含量均未产生显著影响(P0.05)。由此得出,亚东鲑亲鱼对饲料蛋白质(36%~48%)和脂肪(9%~18%)水平有一定的适应性反应;以增重率为指标进行折线模型分析,得出饲料脂肪水平为9%和18%时,亚东鲑亲鱼对蛋白质需要量分别为43.11%和45.69%。     

Reducing crude protein variability and maximizing savings when formulating corn-soybean meal-based feeds

Crude protein in corn and soybean meal have been documented to vary, and such inherent variability can result in under- or over-feeding of CP when feeds are formulated, leading to reduced bird growth, added input costs, and increased environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 grain-handling techniques and 2 feed formulation methods (linear vs. stochastic programming) to reduce CP variability in finished feeds and determine resulting costs or savings. The 2 grain-handling techniques were placing all the random batches of each delivered ingredient in to (1) a single bin (1-bin method) or (2) segregating above- and below-average samples into 2 bins (2-bin method). A fast way of estimating the composition of the ingredients is now available (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy). Microsoft Excel workbooks were constructed to solve broiler starter feed formulation problems. Formulating feeds by linear and stochastic models based on the 2-bin method reduced CP variability by at least 50% compared with the 1-bin method. Formula cost was reduced by ˜20 cents per ton (averages of August 2012 United States ingredient prices) when the 2-bin method was used with the linear model. Formulating feed with a margin of safety increased formula cost by $3.40 per ton. Stochastic feed formulation increased formula cost to meet the specified CP level in feed at any probability of success, and formula cost was reduced substantially with the 2-bin method (up to $6.47 per ton). The magnitude of savings and reduced feed variability suggested that, regardless of the costs associated with building extra bins, the 2-bin method can be economically efficient in the long run. Therefore, it could be possible to split the batches of feed ingredients at a feed mill into above- or below-average bins before feed formulation to reduce CP variability and to maximize savings.     

基于S基因序列分析新型猪流行性腹泻病毒的遗传演化

最近，笔者实验室在青藏高原地区发现两种新亚型藏猪源猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV），为进一步调查新型PEDV是否在四川腹泻猪群中存在或流行，对实验室2018-2019年保存的116份猪腹泻粪便或肠组织样本进行PEDV的检测及其纤突蛋白基因（spike）分子特征研究。结果表明：腹泻样本的PEDV检出率为42.2%（49/116，95% CI=33.1%~51.8%），并获得了13条完整的S基因序列，全长为4 149~4 170 bp，序列相似性为94.2%~99.9%，其中SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019的S基因与藏猪源新G1亚群PEDV的序列相似性高达97.0%~98.6%。遗传演化研究结果表明13株PEDV S基因划分为G1和G2大群，其中SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019位于藏猪源新G1亚群；SWUN-19-CH-SCZY-2018、SWUN-4-CH-SCXC-2018、SWUN-1-CH-SCNJ-2019和SWUN-3CH-CH-SCZG-2019位于G2亚群中一个独立的分支，且与藏猪源新G2亚群毒株有着较近的亲缘关系。为了进一步研究13株PEDV的演化过程，以贝叶斯进化分析软件包（BEAST）进行分歧时间估算，结果表明SWUN-H3-CH-SCYA-2019的分歧时间约为2012.3年，早于藏猪源新G1亚群其余毒株的最早分歧时间（2015.7年）；SWUN-4-CH-SCXC-2018、SWUN-19-CH-SCZY-2018和SWUN-3CH-CH-SCZG-2019的分歧时间约为2014.2年，早于G2亚群的藏猪源毒株2014.7年，所有藏猪源PEDV的分歧时间均晚于四川毒株。本研究在四川地区首次发现了藏猪源PEDV，并且从毒株的分歧时间推断青藏高原的藏猪源PEDV来源于四川，为新型PEDV分子遗传进化的监测提供了依据。     

马链球菌兽疫亚种烯醇化酶对小鼠肺泡巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响

旨在研究马链球菌兽疫亚种（Streptococcus equi ssp.zooepidemicus，SEZ）烯醇化酶（enolase，Eno）对小鼠肺泡巨噬细胞（RAW264.7）吞噬能力的影响。通过构建原核表达质粒获得重组烯醇化酶（rEno），采用台盼蓝活细胞计数法，判定在不同处理浓度和时间下rEno蛋白对RAW264.7细胞的细胞毒性。将rEno蛋白与RAW264.7细胞共孵育后，用SEZ作用于细胞并检测细胞吞菌数量，判断RAW264.7细胞对SEZ的吞噬活性。进一步通过活细胞稳定同位素标记技术（SILAC）和蛋白质谱分析技术（LC-MS/MS），筛选到RAW264.7细胞中可能与SEZ Eno存在相互作用的候选蛋白。结果发现，10 μg·mL^-1 rEno蛋白处理对RAW264.7细胞有明显的细胞毒性，且10 μg·mL^-1 rEno蛋白处理RAW264.7细胞2和4 h可显著抑制其对SEZ的吞噬作用（P<0.01、P<0.05）。初步筛选到RAW264.7细胞中动力蛋白激活蛋白亚单位蛋白（dynactin subunit protein 2，Dctn）、整合素α-M蛋白（integrin alpha-M）等17种可能与Eno发生互作的蛋白。本研究获得了rEno重组表达蛋白，发现rEno可减少RAW264.7细胞对SEZ的吞噬，互作蛋白的初步筛选也为进一步揭示Eno在SEZ抗吞噬中的作用机制奠定了基础。     

Outbreak of anaplasmosis associated with novel genetic variants of Anaplasma marginale in a dairy cattle

During early lactation, dairy cows may present a transient immunosuppressive state and develop anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale. In this study, clinical anaplasmosis in dairy cattle in the Thrace region of Turkey was investigated with respect to within-herd prevalence, vertical transmission, and genetic diversity. In March and September 2015, thirty lactating cows showed primary clinical signs of anaplasmosis, including fever, anaemia, decreased milk yield, anorexia, and laboured breathing. Symptoms disappeared in most cows after administration of long-acting oxytetracycline, but nine of them (30%) died. Following diagnosis based on clinical signs, microscopy and molecular findings, blood samples were collected from apparently healthy lactating cows (n = 184), pregnant heifers (n = 39) and newborn calves (n = 24). DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed for the presence of major surface proteins (MSPs) of A. marginale, followed by sequencing to assess diversity of isolates. Microscopic examination of erythrocytes revealed A. marginale inclusion bodies in symptomatic cows. Examination of thin blood smears showed 3.8% of the lactating, clinically asymptomatic, cows to be infected with A. marginale, while nPCR detected 31.0% positive. A. marginale infection was not detected in pregnant heifers by either method. Congenital infection was found in one calf by nPCR. This is the first report of transplacental transmission of A. marginale in Turkey. The MSP4 sequence analyses showed high genetic diversity among the isolates, presenting 97.6-99.6% homology at the amino acid level. The sequences of MSP1a amplicons revealed genetic diversity providing three new tandem repeats.     

Transgenic expression of a sorghum gene (SbLRR2) encoding a simple extracellular leucine-rich protein enhances resistance against necrotrophic pathogens in Arabidopsis

Plant leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain-containing proteins are known to play important roles in signaling transduction and defense responses. In sorghum, SbLRR2 is pathogen-inducible gene encoding a simple extracellular LRR protein. Here, we demonstrated an earlier and stronger expression of SbLRR2 in a sorghum resistant genotype in comparison to a susceptible genotype following inoculation with the anthracnose pathogen (Colletotrichum sublineolum). In addition, SbLRR2 expression was found to be induced strongly by methyl-jasmonate treatment. Functional analysis was performed in SbLRR2 over-expression (OE) Arabidopsis plants, which showed enhanced resistance against the necrotrophic pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola. In addition, the OE lines were found to have elevated expression of several jasmonate acid (JA)-associated genes and higher endogenous JA contents. Hence, the SbLRR2-mediated defense responses in transgenic Arabidopsis are likely to be dependent on JA-signaling through increased JA production. On the other hand, the OE lines remained susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato like the wild type plants. Consistently, there was no up-regulation of salicylic acid (SA) defense marker gene expression or SA levels in the OE lines. Our results suggested that SbLRR2 is potentially useful for enhancing resistance against necrotrophic pathogens in transgenic dicot crops.