玉米F_2群体中偏分离RFLP标记在染色体上的分布及原因分析

研究了利用玉米85个 DNA 限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)标记在玉米自交系7922与5003杂交 F2群体中的分离。结果表明,8.33%的标记显著或极显著地偏离了预期的孟德尔比例而表现偏分离,发现了2个偏分离的染色体热点,即第1染色体上的 umc128-umc107和第3染色体上的 asg24-asg48,其偏分离形成的主要原因是存在配子体选择。     

Radiant solar energy and the function of black homeotherm pigmentation: an hypothesis

White zebra finches exposed to artificial sunlight used an average of 22.9 percent less energy after they were dyed black. The hypothesis that black homeotherm coloration functions primarily to maximize absorption of radiant solar energy is suggested. This hypothesis may explain the dark skin pigmentation of certain human populations.     

Detection of head blight (Fusarium ssp.) in winter wheat by color and multispectral image analyses

The use of camera vision to automatically detect head blight (scab) on wheat ears could provide information about the severity of this dangerous disease and help meet future food traceability requirements. Fusarium spp. is dangerous for both human and animal consumption and the ability to monitor symptom location and severity before the harvested product is further processed or stored could help determine whether the grain is fit for human/animal consumption, for bio-conservation, or is completely unusable.To generate various infection levels, field trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 using wheat varieties with differing levels of susceptibility to the disease; plots were artificially infected with a spore suspension. A color (red, green, and blue) and a multispectral (red, infrared) camera system with real-time image analysis software were developed and compared to detect disease symptoms in the plots.The chlorophyll defect of the infected wheat ears was classified against the image background by setting binarization thresholds. The result was a black and white image. Single pixels or tiny clusters of pixels not belonging to the symptoms were eliminated by setting an area threshold. For both systems, a linear correlation was found between the camera and the visually detected disease levels of the wheat ears in the plots.In the non-infected control plots without disease symptoms, the multispectral system accurately measured “no disease” even though the digital color system detected too much infection (i.e., a false positive). The multispectral system showed a superior calibration capacity. While the color system had to calibrate for each variety, the multispectral system used only one calibration step before starting the measurements.     

Elementary Ca2+ signals through endothelial TRPV4 channels regulate vascular function

Major features of the transcellular signaling mechanism responsible for endothelium-dependent regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone are unresolved. We identified local calcium (Ca(2+)) signals ("sparklets") in the vascular endothelium of resistance arteries that represent Ca(2+) influx through single TRPV4 cation channels. Gating of individual TRPV4 channels within a four-channel cluster was cooperative, with activation of as few as three channels per cell causing maximal dilation through activation of endothelial cell intermediate (IK)- and small (SK)-conductance, Ca(2+)-sensitive potassium (K(+)) channels. Endothelial-dependent muscarinic receptor signaling also acted largely through TRPV4 sparklet-mediated stimulation of IK and SK channels to promote vasodilation. These results support the concept that Ca(2+) influx through single TRPV4 channels is leveraged by the amplifier effect of cooperative channel gating and the high Ca(2+) sensitivity of IK and SK channels to cause vasodilation.     

Serum and Tissue Steroid Hormone Levels in Canine Mammary Tumours: Clinical and Prognostic Implications

Hormonal dependency of canine mammary tumours (CMT) has been studied over the last few decades. However, studies assessing the prognostic and predictive potential of serum and/or tissue steroid hormone levels are still scarce in CMT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report relating serum and tissue levels of steroid hormones and prognosis in dogs. Serum and tumour tissue from 45 female dogs with spontaneous CMT were included in the study. Moreover, serum and normal mammary tissue from 13 healthy female dogs were also included as controls. Steroid hormones were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Overall, levels of steroid hormones in serum and tissue homogenates were significantly different between malignant and benign mammary tumours (p < 0.01), except for progesterone (P4) serum levels that revealed no statistical differences between groups. In malignant tumours, oestrone sulphate (SO4E1), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T) and P4 elevated tissue concentrations were significantly associated with tumour relapse and/or distant metastasis during follow‐up. A significant association was found between elevated tissue SO4E1 (p = 0.003), 17β‐oestradiol (E2) (p = 0.036), DHEA (p = 0.022), A4 (p = 0.001) and P4 (p = 0.013) concentrations and shorter disease‐free survival and overall survival in female dogs with malignant mammary tumours. The high levels of tissue steroids found in cases of poor prognosis open the possibility of additional new therapeutic approaches. Future clinical trials will be needed to clarify the usefulness of targeting steroid hormones in the treatment of this neoplastic disease.     

Solid‐Surface Vitrification and In‐Straw Dilution After Warming of In Vitro‐Produced Bovine Embryos

Three experiments were designed to test a solid‐surface vitrification system for bovine in vitro‐produced embryos and to develop a simple method of in‐straw dilution after warming, which can be potentially used for direct transfer in the field. Experiment 1 evaluated embryo survival rates (i.e. re‐expansion and hatching) after vitrification and warming in three different solutions: VS1 (20% ethylene glycol (EG) + 20% propanediol (PROH) + 0.25 m trehalose (Tr)), VS2 (20% EG + 1M Tr) or VS3 (30% EG + 0.75 m Tr). Re‐expansion and hatching rates were higher (p < 0.05) for embryos vitrified in VS3 (72.2 ± 1.9 and 58.2 ± 0.8) than VS1 (64.4 ± 0.9 and 37.2 ± 2.5) or VS2 (68.5 ± 1.5 and 49.6 ± 1.0; p < 0.05). Experiment 2 was designed to compare two methods of vitrification: glass micropipettes or solid surface, using the VS1 or VS3 solutions. No significant differences were detected between the two methods; but re‐expansion and hatching rates were higher (p < 0.05) with VS3 (73.5 ± 3.1 and 47.1 ± 2.1) than VS1 (63.3 ± 3.3 and 39.7 ± 2.8). In experiment 3, embryos were vitrified by solid surface in VS1 or VS3 solutions and cryoprotectants were diluted in‐straw after warming in a TCM 199, 0.25 m sucrose solution or holding media. Survival rates of embryos vitrified in VS3 did not differ between those exposed to 0.25 m sucrose (74.7 ± 1.3 and 57.2 ± 2.2) or holding (77.3 ± 1.4 and 58.0 ± 2.5) medium after warming; however, survival rates of embryos vitrified in VS1 were higher (p < 0.05) in those exposed to 0.25 m sucrose (67.7 ± 2.3 and 47.0 ± 1.7) than holding medium (54.5 ± 1.0 and 27.7 ± 3.1). In conclusion, solid‐surface vitrification using simplified EG‐based solutions and in‐straw dilution with holding media may be a practical alternative for cryopreservation and direct transfer of in vitro‐produced bovine embryos.