Intracranial arteries of New Zealand rabbits; identification,three-dimensional modelling,and morphometry by computed tomography angiography

The aim of the study was to determine identification, three-dimensional modelling, and morphometry of intracranial arteries in New Zealand Rabbit by using computed tomography angiography. A total of 20 adult New Zealand Rabbits from both sexes were used in the study. General anaesthesia procedure was followed before computed tomography angiography imaging. Rabbits were placed in a prone position for imaging. Computed tomography angiography imaging was performed by injecting contrast agent into vena auricularis marginalis of rabbits. Morphometric measurements of the specified points were taken by MIMICS program using the computed tomography angiography images acquired. Three-dimensional intracranial artery model was prepared from the two-dimensional images on the same program. Measurements were statistically compared in terms of sex and side. It was observed in the study that arteria basilaris was generated by bilateral arteria vertebralis at the basal level of medulla oblongata. In the study, a statistically significant difference was determined only in diameter values of arteria cerebri caudalis dextra et sinistra in both female and male rabbits. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was determined with respect to the side. Consequently, we think that the data of the present study will contribute to further studies on cerebrovascular pathology, clinicians or researchers.     

Mesh-like vascular changes in copper deficiency-induced rat cardiomyopathy

The pathological effects of copper deficiency (COD) are well known. However, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy resulting from COD remains unclear. In this study, aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of COD-induced cardiomyopathy by examining the morphology of the cardiovascular system in copper-deficient rats using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Changes detected in the myocardium and interstitium were consistent with those reported for COD. Morphological changes included mesh-like changes in the capillary endothelial cells that appear to be a novel finding in COD-induced cardiomyopathy. These changes are hypothesized to result from abnormal vascular remodeling following damage to the basement membrane and due to the mechanical effects of myocardial contractions. Although cardiomyopathy may be associated with microcirculatory disorders arising from these lesions, further investigations are necessary to demonstrate a causal relationship between the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy and the contribution of these lesions to disease progression.     

甘肃多儿国家级自然保护区维管植物区系分析

基于野外实地考察、植物标本的采集与鉴定以及结合文献研究的方法,分析了多儿保护区维管植物区系的物种组成和分布区类型。结果表明,该区维管植物共115科469属1323种,包括蕨类植物14科25属61种,裸子植物4科8属25种,被子植物97科436属1237种。多儿保护区维管植物区系优势现象明显,≥20种的优势科共879种,占该区维管植物总种数的66.44%;小属和单种属成分比例较大,占该区维管植物总属数的95.31%,总种数的75.51%。科级水平上,热带科（30.43%）稍多于温带科（26.96%）;属级水平上,温带科（72.49%）明显高于热带科（13.01%）;种级水平上,中国特有种有545种,其中538种与周边省份所共有,体现了该区系明显的过渡性和交汇性。该保护区维管植物区系地理成分复杂多样,属的分布有15个分布型和5个变型,温带地理成分占绝对优势,尤其以北温带分布为主。该区珍稀濒危野生植物较多,被列入保护名录有37种;一些古老、孑遗植物在该保护区具有良好的原始类群分布。本研究进一步完善了多儿保护区维管植物区系特征,为以后了解该保护区生物多样性提供可靠依据。     

整秆式甘蔗收获机内物流排杂高速摄影分析

为了研究整秆式甘蔗收获机内物流排杂运动机理,研制了甘蔗收获机内物流排杂试验台,并利用高速摄像机拍摄了甘蔗与蔗叶在物流通道内的运动全过程,并对图像进行分析。结果表明,甘蔗在物流运动过程中发生弹跳、扭转和弯曲变形,在剥叶运动过程中发生断尾,并且通过排杂装置将蔗叶与甘蔗分离后排出。通过建立甘蔗收获机内各部件元件与甘蔗、蔗叶的简化力学模型,结合甘蔗和蔗叶的力学特性分析了甘蔗和蔗叶在物流通道内的运动机理。甘蔗在物流运动中主要受到的作用力为各部件对甘蔗的轴向力、垂直于甘蔗运动方向的切向力和摩擦力。     

基于HYDRUS-2D的地下滴灌下水分运移数值模拟研究

利用HYDRUS-2D软件模拟了地下滴灌条件下滴头周围黏壤土的土壤水分动态,并与田间观测进行对比;通过分析不同滴头流量对试验地土壤湿润模式的影响,明确了最佳灌水技术参数。结果表明,HYDRUS-2D软件模拟结果与观测值一致,体积含水率均方根误差为1.2%~4.5%,湿润范围均方根误差变化范围为2.1~3.87cm。     

Analysis on Differential Expression Genes in Porcine Aortic Vascular Endothelial Cells Induced by Apolipoprotein C Ⅲ

The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression genes induced by ApoCⅢ,and study the function of ApoCⅢ.Porcine aortic vascular endothelial cells were successfully isolated using enzyme digestion,and then screened the differential expression genes induced by ApoCⅢ using the Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology.The results showed 647 differential expression genes,including 390 up-regulated genes and 257 down-regulated genes.The qRT-PCR results verified that the gene expression results from Solexa sequencing data were reliable.GO and Pathway analysis showed that the function of differential expression genes were related to immune response,cell apoptosis and death.These findings suggested that ApoCⅢ affected the physiological function of porcine aortic endothelial cells by the molecular pathways of inflammation,cell adhesion and apoptosis,which provided a theoretical basis for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis caused by ApoCⅢ.     

Habitat use and home range of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) on farmlands in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) are an abundant mesopredator on farmlands (croplands and rangelands) across South Africa. Given their adaptability in a changing anthropogenic landscape, knowledge of spatial movements can provide important ecological information on the species. We captured, collared and monitored five black-backed jackals in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal to determine their home range and habitat use in farmlands. The 95% fixed kernel (95% FK) home range sizes were large, showing a marked seasonal variation in movement. One adult male dispersed 150?km over two seasons (winter and spring) and thereafter settled into a home range that it maintained. Transient home ranges of males and juveniles were larger than resident home ranges. The mean resident home ranges (95% FK) across seasons for adult males, adult female and juvenile males were 11.4 ± 4.3 km², 5.6 ± 0.36?km² and 2.15 ± 0.45?km², respectively. The mean transient home ranges (95% FK) of all the seasons for adult and juvenile males were 1 181.93 ± 575.81 km² and 104.27 ± 35.64?km², respectively. Adult jackal preferred croplands in spring, summer and autumn but avoided croplands in winter. Variable habitat use and large home ranges in our study confirmed the species’ ability to adapt to agricultural areas.