Vasonatrin peptide attenuates injuries of dopaminergic neurons induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

AIM：To investigate the neuroprotective effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on the injury of dopaminergic neurons induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). METHODS：Cultured dopaminergic neurons from the mouse ventral mesencephalon were exposed to MPP+, and the effects of VNP on the neurotoxicity of MPP+ were eva-luated by cell viability analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Various kinds of agonists and antagonists were used to clarify the mechanism underlying the effects of VNP. RESULTS：MPP+ caused injuries in the dopaminergic neurons. VNP significantly increased the viability, axon number and axon length of the dopaminergic neurons. The MPP+-induced depolymerization of β-tubulin Ⅲ was also attenuated by the treatment with VNP. In addition, VNP significantly increased the intracellular levels of cGMP. These effects of VNP were mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP (a cell-permeable analog of cGMP), whereas inhibited by HS-142-1 ［the antagonist of the particulate guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR)］, or KT-5823 ［a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor］. CONCLUSION：VNP attenuates the neurotoxicity of MPP+ via guanylyl cyclase-coupled NPR/cGMP/PKG pathway, indicating that VNP might be a new effective reagent in the treatment of neural degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease.     

Expression of stem cell factor in mast cells isolated from patients with chronic periapical diseases

AIM:To investigate the expression of stem cell factor (SCF) in tryptase -positive mast cells (MCs) in different types of human periapical diseases for determining the role of SCF and MCs in the pathogenesis of periapical diseases. METHODS:A total 50 cases of specimens were involved in this study, including healthy control (n=20), periapical cyst (n=15) and periapical granuloma (n=15). The tissue material was fixed in 10% formalin for at least 48 h, stained with hematoxylin and eosin for the observation of histopathology, stained with immunohistochemistry for identifying MCs and MCs degranulation, and stained with double immunofluorescence for identification of tryptase-SCF double positive MCs. RESULTS:Compared with healthy control, significantly higher densities of both total and degranulated MCs in human periapical lesions were observed. The densities of both total and degranulated MCs in the periapical cyst were significantly higher than that in the periapical granuloma. The density of tryptase-SCF double positive MCs in the periapical lesions was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls. The density oftryptase-SCF double positive MCs in the periapical cyst was significantly higher than that in periapical granuloma. No significant difference in the density of MCs between immunohistochemistry staining and double immunofluorescence staining was observed. CONCLUSION: The tryptase-SCF double positive MCs play an active role in the pathogenesis of the periapical inflammatory lesions, particularly in the formation of fibrous tissue in periapical cyst. The potential role of the tryptase-SCF double positive MCs relates with the initiation, development, and persistence of the periapical inflammatory process.     

不同薄皮甜瓜品种比较试验

为筛选高品质、高产量、抗病性强的甜瓜（Cucumis melo L.）品种,引进22个薄皮甜瓜品种,通过调查不同品种的田间性状、发病率、各个生育期,测定果实的横径、纵径、硬度、单果质量、含糖量,比较分析不同甜瓜品种间差异。试验结果表明,各品种在果实外观、单果质量、果形指数、糖含量方面均存在一定差异。其中,绿皮类型综合表现良好的品种是L14和L21,口感较好,抗病性较强;白皮类型综合表现良好的品种是L11,口感较好,产量较高;花皮类型综合表现良好的品种是L19,口感较好,抗病性较强,产量较高;筛选的优良品种有待在北京地区进一步试种。     

弥勒蔗区甘蔗宿根矮化病发生分布及病原检测

为明确云南弥勒蔗区甘蔗宿根矮化病（RSD）的分布、发生危害情况,对云南弥勒蔗区RSD的发生和分布进行了调查和田间采样,采用PCR法对田间采集的60个样本进行RSD检测.结果表明：52个样本为阳性,阳性检出率86.67％,确认弥勒蔗区存在RSD;通过系统分析,明确了不同品种、不同植期、不同蔗地RSD发生状况,为弥勒蔗区推广应用温水脱毒健康种苗、有效防控甘蔗宿根矮化病提供了科学依据.     

甜菜霜霉病的防效试验

对3种高效低毒的杀菌剂（72％锰锌·霜脲、50％烯酰·吗啉和69％锰锌·烯酰可湿性粉剂）与常规药剂50％多菌灵及清水处理应用于甜菜霜霉病进行防效试验,3种高效低毒的杀菌剂防治效果达90％以上,可延长甜菜功能叶片生命力,增产15.1％～31.5％,效果明显.     

TRANSTHORACIC LUNG ULTRASOUND IN NORMAL DOGS AND DOGS WITH CARDIOGENIC PULMONARY EDEMA: A PILOT STUDY

Pulmonary edema is the most common complication of left‐sided heart failure in dogs and early detection is important for effective clinical management. In people, pulmonary edema is commonly diagnosed based on transthoracic ultrasonography and detection of B line artifacts (vertical, narrow‐based, well‐defined hyperechoic rays arising from the pleural surface). The purpose of this study was to determine whether B line artifacts could also be useful diagnostic predictors for cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs. Thirty‐one normal dogs and nine dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema were prospectively recruited. For each dog, presence or absence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema was based on physical examination, heartworm testing, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiography. A single observer performed transthoracic ultrasonography in all dogs and recorded video clips and still images for each of four quadrants in each hemithorax. Distribution, sonographic characteristics, and number of B lines per thoracic quadrant were determined and compared between groups. B lines were detected in 31% of normal dogs (mean 0.9 ± 0.3 SD per dog) and 100% of dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (mean 6.2 ± 3.8 SD per dog). Artifacts were more numerous and widely distributed in dogs with congestive heart failure (P < 0.0001). In severe cases, B lines increased in number and became confluent. The locations of B line artifacts appeared consistent with locations of edema on radiographs. Findings from the current study supported the use of thoracic ultrasonography and detection of B lines as techniques for diagnosing cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs.     

Pet Virginia Opossums and Skunks

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) are often kept as pets, although they are both wild animals. The opossum and striped skunk are usually docile and sociable when raised from infancy. Many states and municipalities restrict ownership, and veterinarians should familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations pertaining to these animals. The biology, husbandry, diet, and general disease information is available for both species. Vaccination recommendations are included for skunks.     

不同毒力传染性法氏囊病病毒衣壳蛋白酵母双杂交诱饵载体的构建及鉴定简

传染性法氏囊病病毒（infectious bursal disease virus,IBDV）毒株Gx（超强毒株）、F9（中等毒力毒株）、Gt（弱毒株）遗传背景高度相似,但生物学性状差异显著。为研究不同毒力毒株与宿主细胞相互作用的分子细节,本研究将IBDV Gx、F9、Gt毒株的衣壳蛋白VP2基因克隆入pGBKT7载体,分别构建了诱饵载体pGBGxVP2、pGBF9VP2和pGBGtVP2。经Matchmaker Gold Yeast Two-hybrid System验证,结果显示所构建的3个诱饵载体均无自激活作用,对酵母细胞无毒性作用。本研究为利用酵母双杂交系统深入研究IBDV与宿主相互作用奠定了基础。     

1株广东鸡源新城疫病毒的分离鉴定和毒力基因分析

从广东粤东地区某商品蛋鸡场的发病鸡群中分离到1株病毒（YS株）,经血凝和血凝抑制试验确定为新城疫病毒（NDV）.对该分离株的F蛋白氨基酸序列的分析结果表明,其F0裂解位点的氨基酸序列为1nR-R-Q-K-R-F117,且含有101K和121V,符合典型NDV强毒株的分子特点.遗传分析结果显示分离株属于基因Ⅶd亚型.F和HN基因的氨基酸相似性分析表明,分离株与基因Ⅶ型NDV Chicken/China/Shandong/02/2010株的相似性最高,均达到99％,而与常用疫苗株B1、V4、Clone30、Mukteswar和La Sota的相似性则较低,分别在86.8％～ 90.4％和87.2％～88.3％之间,说明分离株与经典的NDV毒株存在一定的差异.