Detour behavior changes associated with prenatal morphine exposure in 11-day-old chicks

The central nervous system exhibits remarkable plasticity in early life. Prenatal morphine exposure may induce adverse behavioral effects on the neonate and the developing offspring. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prenatal morphine exposure (daily from embryonic days 12-16, 20 mg/kg) on 11-day-old chicks using two forms of spatial paradigms: one trial detour behavior task in which animals must bypass an obstacle to reach the desired goal without any training and detour learning task which required several trials of training to reach the detour criterion. The results showed that, on the condition that chicks could successfully detour in the first trial, morphine exposed chicks exhibited longer detour latency to finish the task, coupled by a preference for turning right versus turning left. In contrast, no significant difference in learning and memory was found in detour learning task between morphine exposed chicks and saline chicks. These findings suggest specific behavioral changes associated with prenatal exposure to opioids during mid to late gestation, also raise attention to the possible health hazard from pregnancy drug use in everyday life. (C) 2010 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of various extenders and permeating cryoprotectants on cryopreservation of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) spermatozoa

The cryoprotective effects of 11 different extenders, TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, TCG, TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LM, on sperm cryopreservation of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) have been compared with glycerol as cryoprotectant. Sperm motility, plasma membrane, and acrosomal integrity were examined to evaluate frozen-thawed sperm function. The results showed that TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG exhibited the best and similar protective efficiencies for cynomolgus monkey sperm cryopreservation in terms of sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity (P > .05). The acrosomal integrity for spermatozoa cryopreserved in TCG was statistically lower than that of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, and G-DM (P < .05) but was significantly higher than that of TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LM (P < .05). The postthaw sperm motility for 5 other extenders (TEST, TSM, Test-M, Test-H, and LIVI) did not exceed 30%, and the 3 sperm parameters evaluated for them were significantly lower than that of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG (P < .05). On the basis of these findings, 5 commonly used permeating cryoprotectants, glycerol, ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetamide and propylene glycol have further been tested for their effectiveness on sperm cryopreservation in extenders of TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG. The results showed that the sperm cryoprotective efficiencies of glycerol and ethylene glycol were similar and best among 5 permeating cryoprotectant treatments (P > .05). Dimethyl sulfoxide or acetamide resulted in average cryoprotection for cynomolgus monkey spermatozoa: poorer than glycerol or ethylene glycol but better than that of propylene glycol (P < .05). In addition, the action of permeating cryoprotectant appeared to be independent of extenders. The results in the present study demonstrate that 1) TTE, DM, mDM, LG-DM, G-DM, and TCG are excellent extenders and suitable for cynomolgus monkey sperm cryopreservation; 2) the mechanism of action of permeating cryoprotectants are not affected by extender composition; 3) ethylene glycol has a similar cryoprotective efficacy to glycerol that makes it a successful cryoprotectant for sperm cryopreservation in cynomolgus monkeys.

广西云南鳅属鱼类一新种记述

2003年5月,在广西壮族自治区都安县高岭乡红水河水系采集到一批条鳅标本.经鉴定,为云南鳅属(Yunnanilius)一未经发表的新种.新种长须云南鳅(Yunnanilus longibarbatus sp. nov.) 属于黑斑云南鳅种组(Yunnanilus nigromaculatus group),并与黑斑云南鳅[Y.nigromaculatus (Regan)]、钝吻云南鳅(Y.obtusirostris Yang)、长背云南鳅(Y.longidorsalis Li, Tao et Lu)和巴江云南鳅(Y.bajingensis Li)等4种最为相似.长背云南鳅背鳍分枝鳍条11根,颌须短,仅达眼中部,背鳍起点距吻端较距尾鳍基为近,可与包括本种在内的其余4种相区别(背鳍分枝鳍条8-9根,颌须达到或超过眼后缘,背鳍起点距吻端较距尾鳍基为远).本种和钝吻云南鳅上颌中央无齿状突、下颌中央无缺刻,可与黑斑云南鳅和巴江云南鳅相区别.本种在鳍条数、上下颌、背鳍起点的位置、尾鳍形状、鳞片、头部侧线管孔、体侧纵纹等方面与钝吻云南鳅最为相似,但本种可藉多个特征与后者相区别:颌须伸过眼后缘至鳃盖后缘的中点至鳃盖后缘,是已知云南鳅中须最长的;背鳍不分枝鳍条下1/3处具一不显著黑色斑点 (vs. 无斑);体侧纵纹,其宽窄于眼径,较大个体背鳍之前的纵纹被虫状纹取代 (vs. 体侧纵纹始终存在,其宽约等于眼径);头背具斑点 (vs. 无斑);尾柄较细长,体长/尾柄长=5.3-6.1 (vs. 7.4-9.0,尾柄长/尾柄高=1.3-1.8 vs. 0.8-1.1).

HSF2 mRNA 在热应激和大剂量11酸睾酮诱导恒河猴生精细胞凋亡中的表达变化

为了探讨 HSF2 mRNA 在热应激和超生理剂量睾酮诱导恒河猴生精细胞凋亡中的表达变化, 作者建立了手术诱导单侧隐睾和注射大剂量11酸睾酮(TU)恒河猴动物模型, 应用3′末端标记分析(TUNEL)和原位杂交方法, 检测睾丸细胞的凋亡信号和 HSF2的表达变化. TUNEL 结果显示热应激和超生理剂量睾酮能够诱导生精细胞出现凋亡信号, 它分别于处理后第5天和第30天达到最强, 表明热应激和睾酮干扰精子发生可能是通过生精细胞凋亡的方式来实现的. HSF2 mRNA 水平在生精细胞凋亡早期(凋亡信号达到最强以前)略有降低, 而在凋亡高峰期之后其表达急剧下降. Hsf2基因与作者以前研究的 Hsp70-2基因的表达具有时间上的相关性, 表明 HSF2蛋白可能调控 Hsp70-2基因的表达, 而且 HSF2可能通过多种方式影响精子的发生以及抑制生精细胞的凋亡。

P16蛋白和生精细胞凋亡对热压和11酸睾酮诱导的恒河猴无精子症和少精子症中的作用

探讨了P16蛋白和生精细胞凋亡在热压和11酸睾酮诱导恒河猴无精子症和少精子症中作用间的关系。3^末端标记分析(TUNEL)结果显示热应激和超生理剂量睾酮能够诱导生精细胞出现凋亡信号,它分别于处理后d5和d30达到最强。免疫组化结果显示,热压或TU主要诱导精原细胞和其它生精细胞以及Sertoli细胞P16的表达。P16蛋白的表达在生精细胞凋亡晚期,即隐睾手术d10或注射TUd60后迅速升高并维持高表达,该蛋白在生精细胞凋亡晚期可能通过抑制精原细胞的有丝分裂,扰乱正常的精子发生。

Gene mapping of a new coat mutation in mouse

Gene mapping of a mouse coat mutation has been investigated. First, 100 10-bp random primers were used to amplify DNA, but the mutation could not be located by this method because there were no correlation between the amplified products and coat phenotypes. Second, by using Idh1, Car2, Mup1, Pgb1, Hbb, Es10, Es1, Mod1, Gdc1, Ce2, Es3 as genetic markers, linkage test crosses (two-point test) consisting of intercrossing uncovered BALB/c mice (homozygotes) to CBA/N and C57BL/6 mice with normal hair and backcrossing the heterozygotes of the F1 to the uncovered BALB/c mice were made. It was soon evident that the mutation was linked to Es3 on chromosome 11. Furthermore, three-point test was made by using Es3 and D11Mit8 (a microsatellite DNA) as genetic markers. The result showed that the mutation was linked to Es3 with the percentage recombination of (7.89 +/- 2.19)%, and linked to D11Mit8 with the percentage recombination of (26.38 +/- 3.57)%. The percentage recombination between Es3 and D11Mit8 was (32.90 +/- 3.81)%. The mutation was named Uncovered, with the symbol Uncv. According to the recombinations, the loci order was D11Mit8-26.30 +/- 3.57- Uncv-7.89 +/- 2.19-Es3. From the location on the chromosome, it was concluded that the mutation was a new mutation which affected the skin and hair structure of mouse. The Uncv has entered MGD (Mouse Genome Database).

Characterization of a new bradykinin-potentiating peptide (TmF) from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus

A novel bradykinin-potentiating peptide (BPP), designated as TmF, has been purified to homogeneity from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus by 70% cold methanol extraction, Sephadex G-15 gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The amino acid sequence of TmF was determined to be pGlu-Gly-Arg-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Pro-Ile-Pro-Pro (pGlu denotes pyroglutamic acid), which shared high homology with other BPPs. The molecular mass of TmF was 1.1107 kD as determinated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which was in accordance with the calculated value of 1.1106 kD. The potentiating "unit" of TmF to bradykinin-induced (BK-induced) contraction on the guinea-pig ileum in vitro was (1.13 +/- 0.3) unit (mg/L), and TmF (5.0 x 10(-4) mg/kg) increased the pressure-lowering-effect of bradykinin (5.0 x 10(-5) mg/kg) with approximate descent value of (14 +/- 2) mmHg. In addition, TmF inhibited the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin 11, 2 x 10(-3) mg of TmF caused 50% inhibition (IC50) of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) hydrolyzing activity to bradykinin.

Molecular epidemiology of the heterosexual HIV-1 transmission in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China suggests origin from the local IDU epidemic

Molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among injecting drug users (IDUs) (n = 11) and heterosexuals (n = 15) in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. HIV-1 genotypes were determined based on the nucleotide sequences of 2.6-kb gag-RT region. The distribution of genotypes among IDUs was as follows: CRF07_BC (5/11) and CRF08_BC (5/11); subtype B' (1/11). Similarly, a majority of Kunming heterosexuals (14/15) were infected with CRF07_BC (4/15), CRF08_BC (6/15), or subtype B' (4/15), known to predominate among IDUs in China. This contrasts with trends in the coastal regions of China and surrounding southeastern Asian countries, where CRF01_AE predominates among heterosexuals. The heterosexual HIV-1 epidemic in Kunming thus appears to derive from the local IDU epidemic. Of note, subtype B' was the most prevalent strain among heterosexuals before 1997, while CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC became predominant in 2002, indicating a transition of HIV-1 genotype distribution between the early and the more recent samples from Kunming heterosexuals.

异育银鲫对鱼粉等11种饲料中磷的利用率

于1988年,以三氧化二铬间接指示法,在水温22±2℃条件下,测定了平均体重为55±5g/尾的异育银鲫对鱼粉、肉骨粉、芝麻饼、虾粉、骨粉、菜籽饼、玉米粉、脱氟磷酸氢钙、磷酸二氢钙、磷酸氢钙、磷酸钙的表观消化吸收率。结果表明:异育银鲫对第一、第二、第三磷酸钙的消化吸收率是不同的,分别为81％,65％和32％,此顺序与其溶解性由大到小的顺序一致;在所测试的八种商品饲料中,对骨粉、虾粉和菜籽饼中磷的表观消化吸收率较高,分别为65％,68％和65％;对鱼粉、芝麻饼、肉骨粉三种原料中磷的表观消化吸收率较低,分别是1

Redescription of Balantidium polyvacuolum Li 1963 (Class: Litostomatea) inhabiting the intestines of Xenocyprinae fishes in Hubei, China

Redescription of Balantidium polyvacuolum Li 1963, collected from the hindgut of Xenocypris davidi and Xenocypris argentea, from Niushan Lake Fishery (30A degrees 19' N, 114A degrees 31' E) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in April and June 2007 is presented in this paper to complete Li's description at both light and scanning electronic microscopic levels. The unique body shape of B. polyvacuolum-highly arched dorsal side and flattened ventral surface-as well as its remarkable concave platelet present in the centroventral were well described and compared with other close Balantidium species. Besides, two types of vestibulum shape are observed in our present work, which may suggest the existence of two subspecies or genotype species of these balantidia.

Molecular Characterization and Functional Commonality of Nucleophosmin/Nucleoplasmin in Two Cyprinid Fish

Nucleophosmin/nucleoplasmin has been studied mostly in mammals and amphibians. To clarify the characteristics and function of nucleophosmin/nucleoplasmin in teleost fish, we cloned a full-length cDNA sequence from two cyprinid fish, Carassius auratus gibelio and Carassius auratus. Molecular characterization and multiple sequence alignments suggested that they are the homologs of nucleophosmin. RT-PCR and Western blot detected a specific expression in gonads, and immunofluorescence localization revealed their distribution in oogenic and spermatogenic cells. Furthermore, a sperm decondensation function was demonstrated by immunodepletion and in vitro sperm decondensation experiments. The data suggest that the cloned nucleophosmin should share expressional and functional characterization with nucleoplasmin and therefore provide novel evidence for a functional commonality of nucleophosmin and nucleoplasmin in fish.

Discovery of a male-biased mutant family and identification of a male-specific SCAR marker in gynogenetic gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio

Gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio) is a uniquely gynogenetic species with a minor ratio of males in natural habitats, but its male origin and sex determination mechanisms have been unknown. In this study, a male-biased mutant family was discovered from the gynogenetic gibel carp, and a male-specific SCAR marker was identified from the mutant family. Normal spermatogenesis was observed in the male testes by immuno. fluorescence histochemistry. Nearly identical AFLP profiles were observed between males and females, but a male-specific 86 bp AFLP fragment was screened by sex-pool bulked segregant analysis and individual screening. Based on the male-specific AFLP fragment, a total of 579 bp sequences were cloned by genome walking. Subsequently, a male-specific SCAR marker was designed, and the male-specific DNA fragment was confirmed to be steadily transmitted to the next generation and consistently detected only in males. (C) 2009 National Natural Science Foundation of China and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science in China Press. All rights reserved.