Study on the GABA gated channels in the neurosecretory cells of MTXO in the eyestalks of Eriocheir sinensis

The responses to rapid application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the GABA receptor characteristics of MTXO neurosecretory cells in the eyestalks of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were examined by whole-cell patch clamp. Under current clamp mode, the depolarization and hyperpolarization were evoked from the three types of neurosecretory cells in response to the GABA (0.1 mmol/L) depending on the Nernst Cl- potential. Under voltage clamp mode, the inward Cl- channel currents (I-GABA) were resolved from all three types of neurosecretory cells in response to GABA (0.01similar to5 mmol/L). The GABA currents were activated within 1 200 ms and peaked within 800 ms. No obviously desensitization was observed during GABA application. The dose-response curve showed usual S-shape, with a just-discernible effect at 0.01 mmol/L and near-saturation at 0.5 mmol/L. The GABA currents had reversal potentials that followed Nernst Cl- potentials when [Cl-] was varied. The pharmacological results revealed that the GABA receptor of the crab neurosecretory cells was sensitive to the Cl- channel blockers picrotoxin and niflumic acid (0.5 mmol/L), insensitive to GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABA(C) receptor agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA 1 mmol/L) and trans-4-aminocrotonic (TACA 1 mmol/L).

Interactions between the bloom-forming dinoflagellates Prorocentrum donghaiense and Alexandrium tamarense in laboratory cultures

Interactions between Prorocentrum donghaiense and Alexandrium tamarens, two bloom-forming dinoflagellates, were investigated using bi-algal cultures. All R donghaiense died, but A. tamarense was hardly affected by the end of the experiment when the initial cell density was set at 1.0 X 10(4) cells mL(-1) for P. donghaiense and 0.28 x 10(4) cells mL(-1) for A. tamarense. However, significant growth suppression occurred in either species when the initial cell density of P donghaiense increased to I. 0 X 105 Cells mL(-1) in the bi-algal culture, but no out-competement was observed. The simultaneous assay on the culture filtrates showed that P donghaiense filtrate prepared at a lower initial density (1.0 X 10(4) cells mL(-1)) stimulated growth of the co-cultured A. tanzarense (0.28 x 10(4) cells mL(-1)), but filtrate at a higher initial density (1.0 x 10(5) cells mL(-1)) depressed its growth. The filtrate of A. tamarense at a density of 0.28 x 10(4) cells mL(-1) killed all R donghaiense at a lower density (1.0 x 10(4) cells mL(-1)), but only exhibited an inhibitory effect on it at a higher density (1.0 x 10(5) cells mL(-1)). It is likely that these two species of microalgae interfere with each other mainly by releasing allelochemical substance(s) into the culture medium, and a direct cell-to-cell contact was not necessary for their mutual interaction. The allelopathic test further proved that A. tamarense could affect the growth of co-cultured P. donghaiense by producing allelochemical(s); moreover, A. tamarense culture filtrate at the stationary growth phase (SP) had a strongly inhibitory effect on P donghaiense compared to that at the exponential phase (EP). Results also demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship between the microalgal initial cell density and the degree of the allelopathic effect. The growth of R donghaiense and A. tamarense in the bi-algal cultures was simulated using a mathematical model to quantify the interaction. The estimated parameters from the model showed that the inhibition exerted by A. tamarense on P. donghaiense was about 17 and 8 times stronger than the inhibition P. donghaiense exerted on A. tamarense, when the initial cell density was set at 1.0 X 10(4) and 1.0 X 10(5) cells mL(-1) for P donghaiense, respectively. and 0.28 x 10(4) cells mL(-1) for A. tamarense in the bi-algal cultures. A. tamarense seems to have a survival strategy that is superior to that of P. donghaiense in bi-algal cultures under controlled laboratory conditions. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Superovulatory response to a low dose single-daily treatment of rhFSH dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone in rhesus monkeys

To simplify the procedure for superovulation in the rhesus monkey, this study was designed using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution as a solvent for gonadotropins. Thirty-five cycling females (aged 5-8 years old) were divided into six groups during the b

Relationship between load/unload response ratio and damage variable and its application

The physics-based parameter: load/unload response ratio (LURR) was proposed to measure the proximity of a strong earthquake, which achieved good results in earthquake prediction. As LURR can be used to describe the damage degree of the focal media qualitatively, there must be a relationship between LURR and damage variable (D) which describes damaged materials quantitatively in damage mechanics. Hence, based on damage mechanics and LURR theory, taking Weibull distribution as the probability distribution function, the relationship between LURR and D is set up and analyzed. This relationship directs LURR applied in damage analysis of materials quantitatively from being qualitative earlier, which not only provides the LURR method with a more solid basis in physics, but may also give a new approach to the damage evaluation of big scale structures and prediction of engineering catastrophic failure. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relationship between load/unload response ratio and damage variable and its application

The physics-based parameter: load/unload response ratio (LURR) was proposed to measure the proximity of a strong earthquake, which achieved good results in earthquake prediction. As LURR can be used to describe the damage degree of the focal media qualitatively, there must be a relationship between LURR and damage variable (D) which describes damaged materials quantitatively in damage mechanics. Hence, based on damage mechanics and LURR theory, taking Weibull distribution as the probability distribution function, the relationship between LURR and D is set up and analyzed. This relationship directs LURR applied in damage analysis of materials quantitatively from being qualitative earlier, which not only provides the LURR method with a more solid basis in physics, but may also give a new approach to the damage evaluation of big scale structures and prediction of engineering catastrophic failure. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Induction of cytogenetic adaptive response in spermatogonia and spermatocytes by pre-exposure of mouse testis to low-dose C-12(6+) ions

To investigate the effects of pre-exposure of mouse testis to low-dose C-12(6+) ions on cytogenetics of spermatogonia and spermatocytes induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation. the testes of outbred Kun-Ming strain mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of C-12(6+) ions as the pre-exposure dose, and then irradiated with 2 Gy as challenging dose at 4 h after per-exposure. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARPs) activity and PARP-1 protein expression were respectively measured by using the enzymatic and Western blot assays at 4 h after irradiation; chromosomal aberrations in spermatogonia and spermatocytes were analyzed by the air-drying method at 8 h after irradiation. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and significant reductions of PARP activity and PARP-1 expression level in the mouse testes irradiated with 2 Gy of C-12(6+) ions. However, pre-exposure of mouse testes to a low dose of C-12(6+) ions significantly increased PARPs activity and PARP-1 expression and alleviated the harmful effects induced by a subsequent high-dose irradiation. PARP activity inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) treatment blocked the effects of PARP-1 on cytogenetic adaptive response induced by low-dose C-12(6+) ion irradiation. The data suggest that pre-exposure of testes to a low dose of heavy ions can induce cytogenetic adaptive response to subsequent high-dose irradiation. The increase of PARP-1 protein induced by the low-dose ionizing irradiation may be involved in the mechanism of these observations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adaptive hormetic response of pre-exposure of mouse brain with low-dose C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray on growth hormone (GH) and body weight induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation

The brain of the Kun-Ming strain mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray as the pre-exposure dose, and were then irradiated with 2 Gy of 12C6+ ion or Co-60 gamma-ray as challenging irradiation dose at 4 h after per-exposure. Body weight and serum growth hormone (GH) concentration were measured at 35th day after irradiation. The results showed that irradiation of mouse brain with 2 Gy of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray significantly diminished mouse body weight and level of serum GH. The relative biological effectiveness values of a 2 Gy dose of C-12(6+) ion calculated with respect to Co-60 gamma-ray were 1.47 and 1.34 for body weight and serum GH concentration, respectively. Pre-exposure with a low-dose (0.05 Gy) of C-12(6+) ion or Co-60 gamma-ray significantly alleviated reductions of mouse body weight and level of serum GH induced by a subsequent high-dose (2 Gy) irradiation. The data suggested that low-dose ionizing irradiation can induce adaptive hormetic responses to the harmful effects of pituitary by subsequent high-dose exposure.