Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in calves with respect to the acute-phase response

Our objective was to develop a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation model in calves to evaluate the acute-phase response with respect to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, fever development and sickness behaviour. Fourteen 4-week-old male Holstein Friesian calves were included and randomly assigned to a negative control group (n = 3) and an LPS-challenged group (n = 11). The latter received an intravenous bolus injection of 0.5 μg of LPS/kg body weight. Blood collection and clinical scoring were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 28, 32, 48, 54 and 72 h post LPS administration (p.a.). In the LPS group, the following clinical signs were observed successively: tachypnoea (on average 18 min p.a.), decubitus (29 min p.a.), general depression (1.75 h p.a.), fever (5 h p.a.) and tachycardia (5 h p.a.). Subsequent to the recovery from respiratory distress, general depression was prominent, which deteriorated when fever increased. One animal did not survive LPS administration, whereas the other animals recovered on average within 6.1 h p.a. Moreover, the challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with peaking levels at 1, 3.5, 24 and 18 h p.a., respectively. The present LPS model was practical and reproducible, caused obvious clinical signs related to endotoxemia and a marked change in the studied inflammatory mediators, making it a suitable model to study the immunomodulatory properties of drugs in future research.     

Genetic variants of the unsaturated fatty acid receptor GPR120 relating to obesity in dogs

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 120 is an unsaturated fatty acid receptor, which is associated with various physiological functions. It is reported that the genetic variant of GPR120, p.Arg270His, is detected more in obese people, and this genetic variation functionally relates to obesity in humans. Obesity is a common nutritional disorder also in dogs, but the genetic factors have not ever been identified in dogs. In this study, we investigated the molecular structure of canine GPR120 and searched for candidate genetic variants which may relate to obesity in dogs. Canine GPR120 was highly homologous to those of other species, and seven transmembrane domains and two N-glycosylation sites were conserved. GPR120 mRNA was expressed in lung, jejunum, ileum, colon, hypothalamus, hippocampus, spinal cord, bone marrow, dermis and white adipose tissues in dogs, as those in mice and humans. Genetic variants of GPR120 were explored in client-owned 141 dogs, resulting in that 5 synonymous and 4 non-synonymous variants were found. The variant c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) was found in 40 dogs, and the gene frequency was significantly higher in dogs with higher body condition scores, i.e. 0.320 in BCS4–5 dogs, 0.175 in BCS3 dogs and 0.000 in BCS2 dogs. We conclude that c.595C>A (p.Pro199Thr) is a candidate variant relating to obesity, which may be helpful for nutritional management of dogs.     

Alteration of somatostatin receptor 2 expression in canine mammary gland tumor

Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is a negative regulator of cell proliferation in human breast cancer. Since there is little information about SSTR2 in canine mammary gland tumor (MGT), we clarified its distribution and expression level in normal mammary gland, benign MGT and malignant MGT. SSTR2 expression determined by immunohistochemical staining was observed in the cytoplasm of luminal epithelial cells. The intensity was negatively correlated with malignancy: normal tissues and some of the benign tumors had the highest levels, while the malignant tumors had little or no SSTR2 expression. As for the Western blotting, SSTR2 protein level in benign tumors was significantly lower than the normal mammary gland. On the other hand, SSTR2 protein levels in two of three malignant tumors were higher than the other groups. These results suggest that SSTR2 expression alters according to the malignancy of canine MGT.     

黄土丘陵区白羊草与达乌里胡枝子混播草地土壤呼吸日变化特征

土壤呼吸是反映土壤质量和肥力性状的重要指标,阐明禾―豆混播草地土壤呼吸作用的变化规律及其影响因素,可以为准确评估混播草地的环境效应及响应提供依据。在2011和2012年6月份,采用动态密闭气室分析法,比较了白羊草(Bothriochloa ischaemum)与达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica)不同比例间作混播草地总土壤呼吸速率的日变化特征、混播植物贡献率以及温度敏感性等。结果表明,不同混播比例草地的总土壤呼吸速率日变化为单峰型曲线,峰值出现在12:00~14:00。总土壤呼吸速率日均值高低顺序为单播白羊草白羊草和达乌里胡枝子间作单播达乌里胡枝子。不同间作比例草地的总土壤呼吸速率与白昼气温相关显著(P0.05),而与5、10和15 cm土层白昼土壤温度关系不明显;单播条件下,白羊草草丛的土壤呼吸对温度的敏感性高于达乌里胡枝子;各草地土壤呼吸Q10值的变化范围为1.48~2.61,以单播白羊草最高,单播达乌里胡枝子和两者间作混播草地间无显著差异(P0.05)。     

Genetic characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus strains in Beijing,China and innate immune responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in persistently infected dairy cattle

To acquire epidemiological data on the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and identify cattle persistently infected (PI) with this virus, 4,327 samples from Holstein dairy cows were screened over a four-year period in Beijing, China. Eighteen BVD viruses were isolated, 12 from PI cattle. Based on genetic analysis of their 5''-untranslated region (5''-UTR), the 18 isolates were assigned to subgenotype BVDV-1m, 1a, 1d, 1q, and 1b. To investigate the innate immune responses in the peripheral-blood mononuclear cells of PI cattle, the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors, interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-β, myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1 (MX1), and interferon stimulatory gene 15 (ISG15) was assessed by qPCR. When compared with healthy cattle, the expression of TLR-7, IFN-α, and IFN-β mRNA was downregulated, but the expression of MX1 and ISG-15 mRNA was upregulated in PI cattle. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that the expression of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) and IRF-7 was lower in PI cattle than in healthy cattle. Thus, BVDV-1m and 1a are the predominant subgenotypes in the Beijing region, and the strains are highly divergent. Our findings also suggest that the TLR-7/IRF-7 signaling pathway plays a role in evasion of host restriction by BVDV.     

Effect of lactoferrin on murine embryo development created from lipopolysaccharide-treated sperm

The effect of lactoferrin (LF) on embryo development was investigated by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse sperm. For the development rate of the 2-cell stage embryo, the embryo derived from LPS- and LF-treated sperm showed similar survival rate to the control embryo. On day 12 after the embryo transfer into the recipient, the frequent abnormality was observed in the embryo derived from LPS-treated sperm, and the abnormality was tended to be inhibited in the embryo derived from LPS- and LF-treated sperm. These results imply that LF treatment on sperm contaminated with bacteria may facilitate the embryo development, which contribute to the improvement of infertility.     

关于加强长江渔文化保护与传承的思考

长江渔文化是长江文化的主要源头之一,而长江文化又是中华文化的重要源文化之一。面对长江十年禁渔,长江渔文化的保护与传承刻不容缓。对此,有助于推进长江十年禁渔,有助于长江文化的传承创新,有助于推进文化强国建设,有助于生态文明建设,有助于长江经济带乡村振兴,有助于丰富中华文化内涵。本文选取上海市崇明区为案例,采用问卷调查及实地访谈等形式,对长江渔文化保护与传承的影响因素进行分析,对收集来的数据以统计分析软件进行描述性统计分析,发现主要问题为：地方管理与治理能力比较薄弱;急功近利开发影响保护与传承;普通民众保护与传承意识淡薄。对此,建议完善长江渔文化保护与传承法治与机制;加强对长江渔文化遗产及其传承人保护;加强长江渔文化的宣传应用与活态传承;加强长江渔文化资源的创新转化与开发等,为长江渔文化的保护与传承提供助益。     

青海高寒山区种植密度对青麦10号春小麦群体性状及产量的影响*

目的：经过1-2年的试验,掌握春小麦新品种青麦10号在青海春麦主产区适宜的种植密度。方法：利用方差分析和相关分析获得种植密度对青麦10号的产量及产量构成因素影响的关系。结论：种植密度对青麦10号各农艺性状的影响差异显著,综合各群体性状指标,中密度处理可获得较好产量,本研究为青麦10号的推广提供理论依据。