Interaction of neuropeptide Y receptors (NPY1, NPY2 and NPY5) with somatostatin on somatostatin-induced feeding behaviour in neonatal chicken

1. The present study was conducted to investigate whether brain somatostatin increases feed intake in neonatal chickens. The mediating role of neuropeptide Y receptors on feed intake induced by somatostatin was investigated.

2. In this study, seven experiments were designed, each with four treatment groups (n = 44 in each experiment). In Experiment 1, chicks received control solution and 0.5, 1 and 2 nmol of somatostatin through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. In experiments 2, 3 and 4, chickens were ICV injected with control solution and 1.25, 2.5 and 5 μg of B5063 (NPY₁ receptor antagonist), SF22 (NPY₂ receptor antagonist) and SML0891 (NPY₅ receptor antagonist), respectively. In experiment 5, 6 and 7 chickens received ICV injection of B5063, SF22, SML0891, with a co-injection of + somatostatin, control solution and somatostatin. The cumulative feed intake was measured until 120 min post injection.

3. Somatostatin significantly increased feed intake in FD3 chicks. Both B5063 and SML0891 dose-dependently decreased feed intake compared with the control group, while SF22 led to a dose-dependent increase in feed intake. In addition, the hyperphagic effect of somatostatin significantly decreased with co-injection of B560 plus somatostatin (p < 0.05), but SF22 and SML0891 had no effect on feed intake induced by somatostatin in chicks (p > 0.05).

4. Based on the results of this study, it is likely that somatostatin increased feed intake and NPY₁ receptor acts as a mediator in hyperphagic effect of somatostatin in neonatal chicks.     

Molecular characteristics and temperature tolerance function of the transient receptor potential in the native Bemisia tabaci AsiaII3 cryptic species

Insects are poikilothermic animals, and temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting their spread and distribution. For example, differences in thermal tolerance may underlie the significant differences in geographical distributions between the native AsiaII3 and invasive MED (Mediterranean) cryptic Bemisia tabaci species in China. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are key components of the insect temperature perception system and act as molecular thermometers since they can be activated by specific changes in temperature. In this study, we cloned and characterized the AsiaII3 BtTRP gene and revealed its functions in the response to thermal stress. The full-length cDNA of BtTRP was 3821 bp, with a 3501-bp open reading frame encoding a 132.05-kDa protein. Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of AsiaII3 BtTRP and MED TRP revealed five amino acid differences. In situ hybridization indicated that BtTRP might be widely expressed throughout the AsiaII3 adult body. BtTRP mRNA expression reached the highest levels after exposure to mild thermal stimuli (12 and 35°C), showing that BtTRP expression can be induced by temperature stress. Furthermore, the thermal tolerance of AsiaII3 after BtTRP dsRNA feeding was significantly lower than that of the control. Taken together, the present study highlights the importance of TRP channels for B. tabaci thermal resistance, and allows us to infer that the differences in amino acids between AsiaII3 and MED might cause the differences in thermal tolerance of these two cryptic species. This study provides a new direction for investigating geographic distribution differences between invasive and native insects.     

性激素受体在子午岭黑山羊隐睾及正常睾丸中的分布比较

旨在研究性激素受体[雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR）、雌激素受体（estrogen receptor,ER）]在子午岭黑山羊正常睾丸与隐睾组织中的分布与隐睾症的关系,应用免疫组织化学及免疫荧光技术方法结合形态计量学统计软件,比较了正常睾丸与隐睾的组织化学特点。特殊染色结果显示：与正常组相比,隐睾组间质组织疏松,管腔面积明显减小,糖原含量明显减少,胶原纤维及网状纤维含量增多。免疫组化及免疫荧光结果显示：1） AR在正常睾丸组Leydig细胞呈高密度强阳性表达,在各级生精细胞呈中等强度阳性表达,隐睾组中Leydig细胞及各级生精细胞表达明显减弱,且在精原细胞偶见表达;2） ER在正常睾丸Leydig细胞呈高密度强阳性表达,管周肌样细胞呈中等强度阳性表达,Sertoli细胞偶见表达,各级生精细胞无表达;3） ER在隐睾Leydig细胞、初级精母细胞、精原细胞和Sertoli细胞中均呈中等强度阳性表达;4）统计结果显示,隐睾组AR的平均光密度较正常组显著降低（P<0.05）,而ER的平均光密度则显著高于正常组（P<0.01）,且隐睾组AR与ER表达量比值基本接近1：1。子午岭黑山羊隐睾组织胶原纤维和网状纤维分布较正常睾丸多,生精小管基膜主要成分以中性糖蛋白为主,酸性糖蛋白含量明显降低影响精子的正常形成;隐睾组织精原细胞及Sertoli细胞ER与AR表达失常尤为明显,可为哺乳动物隐睾的相关研究提供一定参考。     

G蛋白偶联受体50在牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟过程中的表达与亚细胞定位研究

试验旨在研究G蛋白偶联受体50（G protein-coupled receptor 50,GPR50）在牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟过程中的表达与定位规律,为进一步解析卵母细胞成熟的分子机制及理解牦牛繁殖的特异性提供依据。通过牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟培养,利用免疫荧光染色监测不同时间点（0~24 h）纺锤丝形态和核相的变化,确定牦牛卵母细胞减数分裂4个时期,包括生发泡期（germinal vesicle,GV）、生发泡破裂期（germinal vesicle break down,GVBD）、第一次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅰ,MⅠ）与第二次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅱ,MⅡ）的时间点。在此基础上,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测GPR50基因在牦牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的动态表达量,免疫荧光染色检测GPR50蛋白在卵母细胞成熟过程中的的亚细胞动态定位情况。结果表明,牦牛卵母细胞体外成熟0 h时90%处于GV期,6 h时94%处于GVBD期,16 h时92%细胞处于MⅠ期,24 h时94%处于MⅡ期。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,GPR50基因在牦牛卵母细胞GV期即有表达,并在GVBD、MⅠ、MⅡ期成熟过程中逐渐升高,在MⅡ期达到顶峰,且极显著高于GV与GVBD期（P<0.01）。GPR50蛋白在牦牛卵母细胞GV期时集中在膜上表达,并随着成熟进程的发展在细胞质和细胞膜均大量表达,在MⅡ期高亮度弥散表达。以上结果表明,GPR50基因参与牦牛卵母细胞减数分裂过程并发挥重要作用,为研究GPR50在牦牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的作用及机制提供了依据。     

Climatic significance of glacier retreat and rockglaciers re-assessed in the light of cosmogenic dating and weathering rind thickness in Clarée valley (Briançonnais,French Alps)

Recent advances in geochronology provide opportunities to identify the glacial and periglacial sequences in mountain area. In this paper, we focus on the Upper Durance catchment (Southern French Alps), in the Clarée valley, where no absolute chronological benchmark was defined. Glacial remnants and periglacial features were investigated, integrated within a chronological scenario thanks to relative (weathering rind thickness) and absolute (CRE technique) dates. We find evidence of the existence of a Late-Glacial valley glacier, that has never been reported before. Then the upper valleys became ice-free during a period corresponding to the Early-Holocene Climate Optimum, whereas two sequences of cirque glaciation are identified during the second half of the Holocene. We also show evidence of three main generations of rockglaciers, which also mainly developed during the second half of the Holocene, probably at the end of the Subboreal period. The location and the altitudes of rockglaciers are strongly dependent on the geomorphic setting (especially the location of the sediment sources), hence complicating their palaeo-climatic interpretations.     

Risk Factors and Outcomes in Cats with Acquired Myasthenia Gravis (2001–2012)

Background

Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) in cats most commonly causes generalized weakness without megaesophagus and is more often associated with a cranial mediastinal mass, compared to dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To extend the clinical findings described in the report of 2000 on MG in cats (J Am Vet Med Assoc 215:55–57).

Animals

Two hundred and thirty‐five cats with MG.

Methods

Retrospective case study to evaluate the long‐term outcome and incidence of spontaneous remission in myasthenic cats. Information including signalment, clinical presentation, presence of and type of cranial mediastinal mass, treatment including surgical versus medical, survival time, and outcome including spontaneous remissions was collected and analyzed in cats diagnosed at the Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory, University of California San Diego by detection of acetylcholine receptor antibody titers >0.3 nmol/L by immunoprecipitation radioimmunosassay.

Results

Acquired MG in cats is associated with a euthanasia rate of 58%. Abyssinian and Somali cats had an increased incidence of MG compared to mixed breed cats or cats of other breeds. A cranial mediastinal mass, most commonly thymoma, was observed in 52% of the cats, which is higher than in the previous report. Spontaneous remission is not a characteristic of MG in cats.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Myasthenia gravis in cats is a chronic disease associated with a high incidence of a cranial mediastinal mass. Spontaneous remission is not common and clinicians should warn owners of the necessity for long‐term treatment. The clinical outcome with a cranial mediastinal mass did not differ between surgical or medical treatment.     

Phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins in three ovine muscles during postmortem ageing

This study aimed to examine changes in phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins from longissimus lumborum, semitendinosus, and psoas major muscles during postmortem ageing for 5 d. These sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins were separated using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and stained with phosphorous and protein specific stains. Myofibril fragmentation index, pH, the content of lactic acid and the relative activity of μ-calpain in three ovine muscles were measured. These results showed that the relative phosphorylation level of sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins of psoas major muscle were lower compared with longissimus lumborum and semitendinosus muscles (P<0.05). The pH of psoas major muscle was the lowest at 0.5 h postmortem, and the highest after 12 h postmortem (P<0.05). In addition, the relative activity of μ-calpain was higher within 5 d postmortem and myofibril fragmentation index was higher after 1 d postmortem in psoas major muscle than those of longissimus lumborum and semitendinosus muscles (P<0.05). The sarcoplasmic protein phosphorylation may regulate the rate of pH decline to influence the μ-calpain activity and then proteolysis of proteins consequently. This study gives a new perspective of the mechanism of postmortem meat tenderization.