Reduced swimming abilities in fast-growing transgenic common carp Cyprinus carpio associated with their morphological variations

Critical swimming speeds (U-crit) and morphological characters were compared between the F-4 generation of GH-transgenic common carp Cyprinus carpio and the non-transgenic controls. Transgenic fish displayed a mean absolute U-crit value 22.3% lower than the controls. Principal component analysis identified variations in body shape, with transgenic fish having significantly deeper head, longer caudal length of the dorsal region, longer standard length (L-S) and shallower body and caudal region, and shorter caudal length of the ventral region. Swimming speeds were related to the combination of deeper body and caudal region, longer caudal length of the ventral region, shallower head depth, shorter caudal length of dorsal region and L-S. These findings suggest that morphological variations which are poorly suited to produce maximum thrust and minimum drag in GH-transgenic C. carpio may be responsible for their lower swimming abilities in comparison with non-transgenic controls.

Cr~(2+):ZnSe的激光输出和调谐性能

Cr~(2+):ZnSe具有很宽的吸收带和发射带,是中红外波段优秀的可调谐激光材料。从吸收光谱、发射光谱以及角度调谐输出对Cr~(2+):ZnSe晶体的激光输出性能进行了研究。采用真空高温扩散法制备Cr~(2+):ZnSe晶体.获得了高浓度的Cr~(2+)离子掺杂的厚1.7 mm,直径10 mm的薄片ZnSe晶体。使用中心波长2.05μm,最大输出功率8 W的Tm离子掺杂的光纤激光器抽运,使用平凹腔结构搭建谐振腔,获得了最大平均功率1.034 W,中心波长2.367μm,线宽10 nm的连续激光输出。利用角度调谐的方法,对Cr:ZnSe晶体的调谐性能进行了研究,在100 nm范围内获得了调谐输出。

Recent origin of a hominoid-specific splice form of neuropsin, a gene involved in learning and memory

Neuropsin is a secreted-type serine protease involved in learning and memory. The type II splice form of neuropsin is abundantly expressed in the human brain but not in the mouse brain. We sequenced the type II-spliced region of neuropsin gene in humans and representative nonhuman primate species. Our comparative sequence analysis showed that only the hominoid species (humans and apes) have the intact open reading frame of the type II splice form, indicating that the type II neuropsin originated recently in the primate lineage about 18 MYA. Expression analysis using RT-PCR detected abundant expression of the type II form in the frontal lobe of the adult human brain, but no expression was detected in the brains of lesser apes and Old World monkeys, indicating that the type II form of neuropsin only became functional in recent time, and it might contribute to the progressive change of cognitive abilities during primate evolution.

Spatially directed movement and neuronal activity in freely moving monkey

The abilities to plan a series of movements and to navigate within the environment require the functions of the frontal and ventromedial temporal lobes, respectively. Neuropsychological studies posit the existence of egocentric (prefrontal) and allocentri

Neurophysiological recordings in freely moving monkeys

Recordings of neuronal activity in freely moving rats are common in experiments where electrical signals are transmitted using cables. Such techniques are not common in monkeys because their prehensile abilities are thought to preclude such techniques. Ho

Learning large-scale spatial relationships in a maze and effects of MK-801 on retrieval in the rhesus monkey

Monkeys have strong abilities to remember the visual properties of potential food sources for survival in the nature. The present study demonstrated the first observations of rhesus monkeys learning to solve complex spatial mazes in which routes were guid

DOPAMINE D-1 RECEPTOR MECHANISMS IN THE COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG-ADULT AND AGED MONKEYS

Dopamine (DA) D-1 receptor compounds were examined in monkeys for effects on the working memory functions of the prefrontal cortex and on the fine motor abilities of the primary motor cortex. The D-1 antagonist, SCH23390, the partial D-1 agonist, SKF38393, and the full D-1 agonist, dihydrexidine, were characterized in young control monkeys, and in aged monkeys with naturally occurring catecholamine depletion. In addition, SKF38393 was tested in young monkeys experimentally depleted of catecholamines with chronic reserpine treatment. Injections of SCH23390 significantly impaired the memory performance of young control monkeys, but did not impair aged monkeys with presumed catecholamine depletion. Conversely, the partial agonist, SKF38393, improved the depleted monkeys (aged or reserpine-treated) but did not improve young control animals. The full agonist, dihydrexidine, did improve memory performance in young control monkeys, as well as in a subset of aged monkeys. Consistent with D, receptor mechanisms, agonist-induced improvements were blocked by SCH23390. Drug effects on memory performance occurred independently of effects on fine motor performance. These results underscore the importance of DA D-1 mechanisms in cognitive function, and provide functional evidence of DA system degeneration in aged monkeys. Finally, high doses of D-1 agonists impaired memory performance in aged monkeys, suggesting that excessive D-1 stimulation may be deleterious to cognitive function.

Effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid, progesterone and ionophore A23187 on acrosome reaction of tree shrew sperm in vitro: examination of acrosome reaction with an improved fluorescence microscopy

A number of acrosome reaction (AR) initiators have been found to be effective in inducing AR of human, laboratory and domestic animal sperm. Using an improved simple fluorescence microscopy, effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), progesterone and ionophore A23187 on sperm AR of tree shrew, a useful animal model in biomedical research, have been investigated. Spontaneous AR in 4.92-7.53% of viable sperm was observed. Complete AR in 10.31-18.25% of viable tree shrew sperm was obviously induced by 5 mu M and 10 mu M calcium ionophore A23187, 1 mM GABA, and 5 mu M progesterone, and there were no significant differences between their abilities to initiate complete AR. No significant differences of AR percentages between 1- and 2-h treatments with A23187, progesterone and/or GABA were observed. These results suggested that the responses of tree shrew sperm to these AR initiators are similar to that of human and other mammalian sperm. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Dose-dependent effects of the dopamine D1 receptor agonists A77636 or SKF81297 on spatial working memory in aged monkeys

With advancing age, monkeys develop deficits in spatial working memory resembling those induced by lesions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Aged monkeys also exhibit marked loss of dopamine from the PFC, a transmitter known to be important for proper PFC cognitive function. Previous results suggest that D1 agonist treatment can improve spatial working memory abilities in aged monkeys. However, this research was limited by the use of drugs with either partial agonist actions or significant D2 receptor actions. In our study, the selective dopamine D1 receptor full agonists A77636 and SKF81297 were examined in aged monkeys for effects on the working memory functions of the PFC. Both compounds produced a significant, dose-related effect on delayed response performance without evidence of side effects: low doses improved performance although higher doses impaired or had no effect on performance. Both the improvement and impairment in performance were reversed by pretreatment with the D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390. These findings are consistent with previous results demonstrating that there is a narrow range of D1 receptor stimulation for optimal PFC cognitive function, and suggest that very low doses of D1 receptor agonists may have cognitive-enhancing actions in the elderly.

Ultraviolet-B exposure induces photo-oxidative damage and subsequent repair strategies in a desert cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus Gom.

Biological soil crusts are important in reversing desertification. Ultraviolet radiation, however, may be detrimental for the development of soil crusts. The cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus can be a dominant species occurring in desert soil crusts all over the world. To investigate the physico-chemical consequences of ultraviolet-B radiation on M. vaginatus, eight parameters including the contents of chlorophyll a, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and proline, as well as the activities of photosynthesis, superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), peroxiclase (EC 1.11.1.7) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) were determined. As shown by the results of determinations, ultraviolet-B radiation caused decreases both in contents of chlorophyll a and in ratios of variable fluorescence over maximum fluorescence that indicate the growth and photosynthesis of M. vaginatus, besides, increases both in levels of reactive oxygen species and in contents of malondialdehyde and proline, while intensified activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxiclase and catalase reflecting the abilities of enzymatic preventive substances to oxidative stress of the treated cells. Therefore, ultraviolet-B radiation affects the growth of M. vaginatus and leads to oxidative stress in cells. Under ultraviolet-B radiation, the treated cells can improve their antioxidant abilities to alleviate oxidative injury. The change trends of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, peroxiclase and catalase are synchronous. These results suggest that a balance between the antioxidant system and the reactive oxygen species content may be one part of a complex stress response pathway in which multiple environmental factors including ultraviolet-B radiation affect the Survival of M. vaginatus. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Physiological comparison between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. (Cyanobacteria)

In order to gain insight into the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis aeruginosa Katz., physiological characterizations were undertaken in this study. Compared with unicellular Microcystis, colonial Microcystis phenotypes exhibited a higher maximum photosynthetic rate (Pm), a higher maximum electron transfer rate (ETRmax), higher phycocyanin content, and a higher affinity for inorganic carbon (K-0.5 DIC <= 8.4 +/- 0.7 mu M) during the growth period monitored in this study. This suggests that photosynthetic efficiency is a dominant physiological adaptation found in colonial Microcystis, thus promoting bloom sustainment. In addition, the high content of soluble and total carbohydrates in colonial Microcystis suggests that this phenotype may possess a higher ability to tolerate enhanced stress conditions when compared to unicellular (noncolonial) phenotypes. Therefore, high photosynthetic activities and high tolerance abilities may explain the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis in eutrophic lakes.

Rapid growth cost in “all-fish” growth hormone gene transgenic carp: Reduced critical swimming speed

Evidence has accumulated that there is a trade-off between benefits and costs associated with rapid growth. A trade-off between growth rates and critical. swimming speed (U-crit) had been also reported to be common in teleost fish. We hypothesize that growth acceleration in the F-3 generation of "all-fish" growth hormone gene (GH) transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) would reduce the swimming abilities. Growth and swimming performance between transgenic fish and non-transgenic controls were) compared. The results showed that transgenic fish had a mean body weight 1.4-1.9-fold heavier, and a mean specific growth rate (SGR) value 6%-10% higher than the controls. Transgenic fish, however, had a mean absolute U-crit (cm/s) value 22% or mean relative Ucrit (BL/s) value 24% lower than the controls. It suggested that fast-growing "all-fish" GH-transgenic carp were inferior swimmers. It is also supported that there was a trade-off between growth rates and swimming performance, i.e. faster-growing individuals had lower critical swimming speed.

Effect of dietary carbohydrate sources on growth performance and utilization for gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Gunther)

The nutritional function of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides for omnivorous gibel carp and carnivorous Chinese longsnout catfish were investigated and the ability of these two species to utilize carbohydrates was compared. For each species, triplicate groups of fish were assigned to each of five groups of isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets with different carbohydrate sources: glucose, sucrose, dextrin, soluble starch (acid-modified starch) and alpha-cellulose. The carbohydrates were included at 60 g kg(-1) in Chinese longsnout catfish diets and at 200 g kg(-1) in gibel carp diets. A growth trial was carried out in a recirculation system at 27.8 +/- 1.9 degrees C for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish with different food habits showed difference in the utilization of carbohydrate sources. For gibel carp, better specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) were observed in fish fed diets containing soluble starch and cellulose, but for Chinese longsnout catfish, better SGR and FE were observed in fish fed diets containing dextrin and sucrose. Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADC(d)) and apparent digestibility coefficient of energy (ADC(e)) were significantly affected by dietary carbohydrate sources in gibel carp. ADC(d) and ADC(e) significantly decreased as dietary carbohydrate complexity increased in Chinese longsnout catfish except that glucose diet had medium ADC(d) and ADC(e). In both species, no significant difference of apparent digestibility coefficient of protein was observed between different carbohydrate sources. Dietary carbohydrate sources significantly affected body composition, and liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) activities also varied according to dietary carbohydrate complexity. Fish with different food habits showed different abilities to synthesize liver glycogen, and the liver glycogen content in gibel carp was significantly higher than in Chinese longsnout catfish. The influence of carbohydrate source on gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis was also different in the two fish species.

Microcystin-RR-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and alteration of antioxidant systems in tobacco BY-2 cells

Microcystins are cyclic heptapeptide hepatoxins produced by cyanobacteria. It has been shown that microcystins have adverse effects on animals and on plants as well. Previous researches also indicated that microcystins were capable of inducing oxidative damage in animals both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, tobacco BY-2 suspension cell line was applied to examine the effects of microcystin-RR on plant cells. Cell viability and five biochemical parameters including reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxide (GPX) and peroxide dismutase (POD) were investigated when cells were exposed to 50 mg/L microcystin-RR. Results showed that microcystin-RR evoked decline of the cell viability to approximately 80% after treating for 144 h. ROS levels, POD and GPX activities of the treated cells were gradually increased with a time dependent manner. Changes of SOD and CAT activities were also detected in BY-2 cells. After 168 h recovery, ROS contents, POD, GPX and CAT activities returned to normal levels. These results suggest that the microcystin-RR can cause the increase of ROS contents in plant cells and these changes led to oxidant stress, at the same time, the plant cells would improve their antioxidant abilities to combat mirocystin-RR induced oxidative injury. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

镧系氨基酸配合物在生理pH条件下的结构特性及其对DNA的特异性识别

DNA是重要的生物大分子，也是主要的抗癌药物靶分子。小分子与DNA之间的相互作用是以DNA为靶分子的各种物质生物效应的基础，它们之间的特异性结合导致了癌变、突变及细胞的死亡。能够与DNA特异性结合的小分子很多都是临床上广泛应用的抗癌药物。因此，小分子与DNA之间的相互作用不论是对阐述抗癌、抗病毒药物的作用，还是对致癌机理的研究，尤其对抗癌药物的体内筛选都有重要意义。近十年来，开发新型的抗癌药物小分子，使它们具有对DNA序列特异性的识别能力己成为国内外研究的热点。斓系配合物由于具有广泛的光学、磁学和电学等特性使得有可能成为新的DNA特异性识别分子。然而，斓系离子在中性条件下极其容易水解的特性又极大的阻碍了斓系配合物对于DNA的识别性研究。本文在中性条件下合成了铜系氨基酸配合物，并成功的获得了这些配合物的晶体结构，利用这些有确定结构的I系氨基酸配合物与特定的DNA序列相作用，通过多种生物物理方法研究了它们对DNA序列特异性识别。主要的结果如下：1．在近中性条件下，合成了Eu-Val（［Eus_8（L-HVal）_(16)（H_2O）_(32)］Cl_(24)·12.5H_2O），Eu-Asp（［Eu_4（μ3-OH）_4（L-Asp）_2（L-HAsp）_3（H_2O）_7］Cl·11.5H_2O）和Tb-Cys（「Th_2（DL-Cys）_4（H_2O）_8]Cl_2）三种铜系氨基酸配合物，这些配合物的结构由于合成条件（温度，反离子及合成比例）上的差异与已报到的类似配合物的结构具有明显的不同。三种配合物的结构各具特色，从而在与DNA作用时将表现出各自特有的识别性能。2．Eu-Val配合物在与单链DNA作用时，配合物能键合到DNA碱基所在的疏水区，在与富含dC和dT碱基的序列相结合时，发生显著的能量传递，从而极大的增强了配合物中Eu的发射光谱。配合物结合DNA的化学计量比随序列中dC含量的降低而降低。配合物同样能够与处于DNA疏水区的富含dA和dG序列相结合，这种结合不能够产生能量传递，但使得DNA的紫外-可见光谱出现明显的减色和红移现象。此外，这一配合物还能够诱导单链DNApoly（dA）及p01y（rA）产生自身的二级结构，形成双链结构。这为进一步认识斓系离子的生物学效应奠定了基础，斓系氨基酸配合物可以诱导单链poly（dA）及poly（rA）形成自身结构尚无文献报道。3．Eu一AsP配合物能够选择性的稳定非B一构象的Poly（dA）Poly（dT），而使B一构象的印oly（dAdT）］2和［Poly（dGdC）］2变得不稳定。如在1：2比例时，该配合物可使Poly（dA）Polv（dT）的融化温度提高4℃，而使印oly（dAdT）｝2的融化温度降低6℃，［Poly（dGdC）］2则出现了两个转变温度。进一步的圆二色实验结果充分表明Eu一Asp配合物对于富含Poly（dA）Poly（dT）和［Poly（dAdT）］2的双链DNA没有构象上的改变，而对于［Poly（dGdC）］2的双链DNA则产生了显著的构象上的改变，很有可能正是这一改变使得［Poly（dGdC）］2变得极其的不稳定。配合物对［Poly（dGdC）］2的这种不稳定影响随着配合物浓度的逐步升高而越来越明显。变温实验结果清楚的表明，在37℃时，Eu-AsP使[Poly（dGdC）JZ发生了构象转化，并且这种转化是可逆的。4．Tb-Cys配合物与单链（除了poly（dA））和双链DNA都能发生能量传递，从而使得配合物的荧光显著增强。不同的DNA表现出不同的增强效果，表明TbCys配合物对DNA的序列存在选择性，单链要强于双链，富含Poly（dAdG）的序列增强效果最好。单链和双链能量传递的差异表明了配合物能够区分DNA的单链和双链，配合物在与单链作用时结合更强。TbCys配合物在与DNA作用时存在不同的结合位点，而且单链和双链的结合位点明显不同。TbCys配合物能够引起富含dC和dT的单链DNA发生减色效应，而能够引起富含poly（dA）、poly（dAdG）的单链DNA和富含poly（dA）poly（dT）、[Poly（dAdT）］2和［poly（dGdC）］2的双链DNA发生明显的红移。此外，这一配合物同样能够影响双链DNA的稳定性，使得富含poly（dA）Poly（dT）序列变得稳定，而使得富含印oly（dAdT）］2和富含印oly（dGdC）］2的序列变得不稳定。这些结果都表明了配合物对DNA存在选择性。比较不同配合物的差别后能够发现DNA对于不同的配合物同样具有选II择性，这种选择性能够用来区分配合物。一这些钢系氨基酸配合物由于选择了天然的氨基酸作为配体，从而大大的降低了对人体的毒性，进一步表现出的对不同的DNA序列的选择型则使其有望成为新型的抗癌诊疗试剂。