Vitrification of mouse two-cell and blastocyst stage embryos in simplified closed system using either a hemi-straw or a hollow fiber device

Two-cell stage and blastocyst stage mouse embryos were equilibrated in a medium containing 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 8–15 min. Vitrification was performed in a medium containing 0.5 M sucrose and either 15% EG + 15% DMSO, 17.5% EG + 17.5% DMSO, or 20% EG + 20% DMSO for 30 s. They were then placed either on a hemi-straw (HS) or a hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) device and vitrified by cooled air inside a 0.5-ml straw. In two-cell embryos, a 100% survival rate was obtained from all groups except the 20% HS group (P > .05). All vitrified two-cell groups showed similar rates of blastocyst development to that of fresh control group (P > .05), except 17.5% and 20% HFV groups, which were significantly lower than the other groups (P < .05). In the blastocyst embryos, the HFV groups were divided into two subgroups (non-collapsed; HFV-NC and collapsed; HFV-C blastocyst). Re-expansion rate in 15% HFV-NC, 17.5% HFV-NC, and 15% HFV-C groups was reduced (P < .05), whereas the rest were similar to control. In conclusion, we established a simplified, reliable, and closed system for HFV vitrification applying hemi-straw, which does not require skilled practitioners.     

Growth of triploid oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston)

The performance of I and II meiotic triploids and control oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis) reared at Tuticorin Bay was compared to determine if the improvements in the growth of edible oysters were additive to faster growth in triploids. After a grow‐out period of 12 months, both mean whole weights and shell heights were in order I meiotic triploid>II meiotic triploid>control. Mean whole weights and shell height of different oyster lines were all significantly different (P<0.05). On an average, larger morphological traits indicated that growth improvements from triploids were additive, and throughout the study triploid oysters maintained faster growth rate than their diploid siblings. Condition index and adductor muscle diameter of both triploids were higher than those of control.     

纤维亚麻新品种黑亚15号选育报告

黑亚15号是2004年2月通过黑龙江省农作物品种审定委员会审定通过同意注册的纤维亚麻新品种。原茎、长麻、全麻、种子产量分别为5641．7、897．2、1282．3、619．okg／hm2，分别比对照增产9．3％、20．2％、12．2％、11．9％。长麻率20．O％，比对照高2．8个百分点。纤维强度261．ON。属高纤、优质纤维亚麻新品种。     

Reproductive roles predict sexual dimorphism in internal and external morphology of lake whitefish,Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract – The different reproductive roles of the sexes can predict the direction and magnitude of sexual dimorphism of external and internal morphology. Males should have enlarged structures that enhance the acquisition of mating opportunities, whereas females are predicted to have enlarged organs that are associated with the production of eggs. We tested these predictions in male and female lake whitefish, a species in which both sexes have similar overall body size and shape. After controlling for body size, male lake whitefish had significantly longer jaws and pectoral and pelvic fins, larger hearts, and more muscle than females. Sexual dimorphism in relative muscle mass may be one of the most fundamental morphological differences between males and females. Females had relatively heavier livers than males. Because the liver is important for the breakdown of fats and vitellogenesis, selection should favour an enlarged liver in females for the processing of energy and the production of large numbers of eggs.     

Identification by isoelectric focusing of creatine kinase-MM isoforms in the plasma and striated muscle of pigs

Total creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MM isoforms were determined in plasma and longissimus dorsi muscle extracts from normal pigs. Based on their total CK activity, the pigs were divided into two groups. Pigs of group 1 (n=16) had a mean plasma total CK of 298±16 U/L and the distribution of the CK-MM isoforms was 65.7±2.5% CK-MM₃, 18.9±1.6% CK-MM₂ and 15.3±1.5% CK-MM. In group 2 (n=18; 826±75 U/L total CK) four isoforms were observed: 3.1±0.9% CK-MM, 67.9±3.0% CK-MM₃, 21.5±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 7.5±1.3% CK-MM₁. The differences between the two groups of pigs were significant (p<0.001) for CK-MM₁ and the presence of CK-MM. Four CK-MM isoforms were also detected in longissimus dorsi muscle homogenates: 45.6±8.1% CK-MM, 32.6±11.7% CK-MM₃, 16.6±2.3% CK-MM₂ and 5.1±2.8% CK-MM₁. The release of CK-MM isoforms from muscle into plasma seems to be unrelated to the concentration of these isoforms in striated muscle.     

Muscarinic receptor subtypes in equine tracheal smooth muscle

Selective muscarinic receptor antagonists were used to identify muscarinic receptor subtypes in equine trachealis strips. The M₁ receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10^–7 mol/L to 3 × 10^–5 mol/L) and the M₃ receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP, 10^–9 mol/L to 3 × 10^–7 mol/L³) dose dependently inhibited the contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh). Schild plots yielded a pA₂ value for pirenzepine vs ACh of 6.75 ± 0.09, which is consistent with the affinity for M₂ or M₃ receptors, and a pA₂ value for 4-DAMP vs ACh of 8.47 ± 0.09, which is in agreement with the affinity for M₃ receptors. The M₂ receptor antagonist gallamine (10^–5 mol/L and 10^–4 mol/L) did not affect the response of trachealis to exogenous ACh and low-frequency EFS (0.1–2 Hz) but decreased the responses to high-frequency EFS (4–16 Hz). These results suggest that the muscarinic receptors mediating contractions induced by ACh in equine tracheal smooth muscle are of the M₃ subtype. The lack of an increase in the response to EFS following gallamine suggests that functional prejunctional inhibitory M₂ receptors are not present on the cholinergic nerves innervating equine tracheal smooth muscle.     

加热光纤法同步测定土壤水热参数误差分析

土壤水热参数是研究土壤水热传输的基本物理参数。当前热脉冲探针法（HPP）可同步测定土壤水热参数,但该方法仅限于在点尺度下测定。与其具有相同理论基础的加热光纤法（SPHP-DTS）,可将测定尺度增大至田间千米尺度,但其测定精度尚未得到有效验证。为了探知SPHP-DTS法的误差,本研究进行了SPHP-DTS法与HPP法测定土壤水热参数的对比试验。结果表明,以HPP为标准,加热光纤法测定热导率的精度RMSE为0.13 W?m-1?℃-1。SPHP-DTS法测定的热导率显著高于HPP法,主要原因在于加热光纤时产生的温度效应。通过热导率法测定土壤含水率时,在热导率测定误差的影响下,SPHP-DTS法的测定精度明显低于HPP法。SPHP-DTS法测定土壤水热参数的其他误差来源包括光纤与土壤之间多个界面的接触热阻、光纤的温度敏感性、噪音干扰以及温度梯度驱动下的水分迁移。本研究可为SPHP-DTS法提升土壤水热参数测定精度提供理论参考。     

The basic mechanism of increased microvascular permeability

The increased microvascular permeability appears mainly in venule during inflammation, shock, and burns. Endothelial cells play an important role in venule permeability enhancement. There are two kinds of pathway for macromolecule extravasation. One is paracellular pathway and another is transcellular pathway, which are related to the formation of endothelial gap or transcellular openings seperately. The alteration of intercellular related protein, such as occludin, claudin, zona occludens (ZO), junctional adhesion molecule (JAM), VE cadherin, catenin, integrin, etc, and the alteration of endothelial cytoskeleton, such as rearrangement of actin filament, formation of stress fiber and focal adhesion, etc, involve in the pathogenesis of increased microvascular permeability.     

Study on relationship between expression of PKCα in glomeruli and development of nephropathy in diabetic rats

AIM:To observe the dynamic changes of expression of PKCα, TGF-β₁ and α-SMA in glomeruli of diabetic rats induced by the alloxon and to invesitigate their roles in the diabetic nephropathy(DN).METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (group A), diabetic group of one week (group B), diabetic group of one month (group C), diabetic group of two months (group D). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of PKCα, TGF-β₁ and α-SMA in renal tissue of all groups. Blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, creatinine and urine protein were analysed by chemical methods. The morphological changes of renal tissue were checked through microscopy.RESULTS:The expression of PKCα and TGF-β₁ in renal tissue of diabetic groups were increased comparing with those of nomal control group(P<0.05). The mesangial cells expressed α-SMA in two months group. Chronologically the expression of PKCα, TGF-β₁ and α-SMA were positively correlative with each other and the impairment of kidney was also observed.CONCLUSIONS: During the DN process the expression of PKCα increased. PKCα raised GFR and the permeability of glomerular filtration membrane which enhanced urinary albumin excretion. PKCα also increased expression of TGF-β and therefore to induce the expression of α-SMA. The appearance of α-SMA was a marker of the phenotypic transform of renal cells.     

生长肥育猪骨骼肌注射表达pGRF基因质粒的效应研究

将猪的GRF基因表达质粒注射于猪的骨骼肌后,研究其促生长效应与机理。选用始重6.3kg的44头去势长白×太湖仔猪,分6组,采用2×3因子安排的完全随机区组设计,按6～10kg、10～20kg、20～50kg、50～100kg4个阶段饲养。4个饲养阶段的饲粮低蛋白水平分别是20.70%,17.90%,15.03%,13.00%;高蛋白水平分别是23.70%,20.90%,18.02%,16.00%。pGRF基因质粒注射剂量设0mg、0.5mg、1.0mg3个水平,于试验开始与试验猪体重达60kg时共注射基因质粒2次。测定各阶段日增重,饲料消耗量,耗料增重比以及30、70、100kg时血液中GH、GRF、IGF-I的浓度。100kg时屠宰进行胴体品质测定。结果表明:饲粮蛋白水平对各阶段及全期试验猪日增重均有显著影响(P<0.05或P<0.01),对50～100kg阶段与全期日采食量和耗料增重比有显著影响(P<0.05或P<0.01)。注射pGRF基因质粒对各阶段及全期日增重均有显著影响(P<0.05),对6～10kg、10～20kg、50～100kg3阶段及全期日采食量有显著影响(P<0.05),对6～10kg阶段、50～100kg阶段及全期耗料增重比有显著影响(P<0.05)。注射pGRF基因质粒对30kg及70kg体重时猪血液中GRF、GH、IGF-I浓度均有显著影响(P<0.05)。提高饲粮蛋白水平与注射pGRF基因质粒均可明显降低超声波测膘厚及屠宰测膘厚、增大眼肌面积(P<0.05)。