HSPC117 deficiency in cloned embryos causes placental abnormality and fetal death

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been successfully used in many species to produce live cloned offspring, albeit with low efficiency. The low frequency of successful development has usually been ascribed to incomplete or inappropriate reprogramming of the transferred nuclear genome. Elucidating the genetic differences between normal fertilized and cloned embryos is key to understand the low efficiency of SCNT. Here, we show that expression of HSPC117, which encodes a hypothetical protein of unknown function, was absent or very low in cloned mouse blastocysts. To investigate the role of HSPC117 in embryo development, we knocked-down this gene in normal fertilized embryos using RNA interference. We assessed the post-implantation survival of HSPC117 knock-down embryos at 3 stages: E9 (prior to placenta formation); E12 (after the placenta was fully functional) and E19 (post-natal). Our results show that, although siRNA-treated in vivo fertilized/produced (IVP) embryos could develop to the blastocyst stage and implanted without any difference from control embryos, the knock-down embryos showed substantial fetal death, accompanied by placental blood clotting, at E12. Furthermore, comparison of HSPC117 expression in placentas of nuclear transfer (NT), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and IVP embryos confirmed that HSPC117 deficiency correlates well with failures in embryo development: all NT embryos with a fetus, as well as IVP and ICSI embryos, had normal placental HSPC117 expression while those NT embryos showing reduced or no expression of HSPC117 failed to form a fetus. In conclusion, we show that HSPC117 is an important gene for post-implantation development of embryos, and that HSPC117 deficiency leads to fetal abnormalities after implantation, especially following placental formation. We suggest that defects in HSPC117 expression may be an important contributing factor to loss of cloned NT embryos in vivo. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Phenotype and Function of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells from Chinese Rhesus Macaques

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in linking the innate immunity and acquired immunity in responses to pathogen. Non-human primates such as Chinese Rhesus Macaque (CRM) are the favorable models for preclinical study of potential therapeutic drugs,

Anti-human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Constituents of the Bark of Poncirus trifoliata

A total of 36 compounds (1-36) were obtained from the stem bark of Poncirus trifoliata including three new prenylated flavonoids, (-)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-[(3 '',4 ''-cis-dihydroxy-3 '',4 ''-dihydro)-2 '',2 ''-dimethylpyrano]-flavone (1), (-)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-[(3 ''-hydroxy-4 ''-one)-2 '',2 ''-dimethylpyrano]-flavone (2), and (-)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-[(cis-3 ''-hydroxy-4 ''-ethoxy-3 '',4 ''-dihydro)-2 '',2 ''-dimethylpyrano]-flavone (3). The new structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-20 were evaluated for their anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) activity, in which 2 showed significant anti-HIV-1 activity with high therapeutic index (T1) of 143.65.

动物模型在HIV-1杀微生物剂有效性和安全性评价中的应用

HIV/AIDS的流行趋势没有减弱的迹象,人们迫切需要新的预防HIV传播的手段。杀微生物剂旨在通过局部用药于阴道或直肠,从而阻止HIV的传播。鉴于目前有大量的杀微生物剂候选物,亟待能够有效评价其有效性及安全性的动物模型。通过比较非灵长类小型动物模型与非人灵长类动物模型在评价HIV杀微生物剂的有效性及安全性上的重要作用,该文总结了评价杀微生物剂有效性及安全性的动物模型的优缺点,同时指出了杀微生物剂研究与发展的方向和建议,希望能够对杀微生物剂的研发有所帮助。

A study on the effect of Zataria multiflora Bioss essential oil and Nisin on the growth of Lactococcus garvieae in the rainbow trout fillet (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The ever-increasing population of the world and the growing need for animal protein has doubled the modern man’s demand for food. Additionally, the improvement in the general public health, and the worsening of environmental/ecological pollution have prompted today’s world to look for ways to procure healthy food. And one such attempt is the use of natural preservatives to decrease the bacterial load in foodstuffs, in other words, to increase their durability. This study evaluates the effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Bioss (EO 0, 0.005, 0.015, 0.045, 0.135, 0.405%) and Nisin (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 μg/ml) and storage time (9 days) on the growth of Lactococcus garvieae Ir-170A(856bp) alone, and their combination in a food model system (fillets of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Additionally, the growth of a sample of this bacteria in laboratory conditions was studied. The results of this study showed that different concentrations of Nisin had a significant impact (p<0.05) on Lactococcus garvieae. With the value of t in 0.75 μg/ml, the effectiveness rose to 65.77%; the biggest effect on Lactococcus garvieae. And the effect at 4 0C exceeded 80C. The study has also demonstrated that all concentrations of Zataria multiflora Bioss were effective against Lactococcus garvieae. However, with the value of t at 0.405%, the effectiveness was 71.91%. This value had the biggest effect on Lactococcus garvieae. At 4 0C, the effect surpassed the one at 80C. The synergistic effects of the EO and Nisin showed that with the value of t at 0.405% EO and 0.75 μg/ml Nisin was 14.62% had the greatest effect on Lactococcus garvieae. In this study, multi-factorial effects for different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Bioss (EO 0, 0.005, 0.015, 0.0025%), three different concentrations of 122 Nisin (0, 0.25,0.75 μg/ml) and two different levels of PH (5.5 , 7) at two incubation temperatures (15,37) on logp% of Lactococcus garvieae during 43 days in BHI broth were evaluated. Most of the effects on Lactococcus garvieae occurred in PH 5.5 and at a temperature of 150C.

The Effects of Visual Object Size in The Depth Perception in KM Mouse

Whether mice perceive the depth of space dependent on the visual size of object targets was explored when visual cues such as perspective and partial occlusion in space were excluded. A mouse was placed on a platform the height of which is adjustable. The platform located inside a box in which all other walls were dark exception its bottom through that light was projected as a sole visual cue. The visual object cue was composed of 4x4 grids to allow a mouse estimating the distance of the platform relative to the grids. Three sizes of grids reduced in a proportion of 2/3 and seven distances with an equal interval between the platform and the grids at the bottom were applied in the experiments. The duration of a mouse staying on the platform at each height was recorded when the different sizes of the grids were presented randomly to test whether the Judgment of the mouse for the depth of the platform from the bottom was affected by the size information of the visual target. The results from all conditions of three object sizes show that time of mice staying on the platform became longer with the increase in height. In distance of 20 similar to 30 cm, the mice did not use the size information of a target to judge the depth, while mainly used the information of binocular disparity. In distance less than 20 cm or more than 30 cm, however, especially in much higher distance 50 cm, 60 cm and 70 cm, the mice were able to use the size information to do so in order to compensate the lack of binocular disparity information from both eyes. Because the mice have only 1/3 of the visual field that is binocular. This behavioral paradigm established in the current study is a useful model and can be applied to the experiments using transgenic mouse as an animal model to investigate the relationships between behaviors and gene functions.

The study of ecological condition on productivity of Tajan River estuary in Mazandaran Province Caspian Sea

This project was done during a one-year period (2006-2007) with the aim of assessing and evaluating the susceptible and vulnerable habitat of Tajan River estuarine region as well as identifying its ecological features. This region consists of Tajan estuarine region as one of the sub-basins of the Caspian Sea basin which covers a surface of 2km2. In this assessment, 6 riverine estuarine and marine stations were chosen in which non-biotic parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and nutrients, and biotic parameters such as variation, density, plankton, primary production by chlorophyll-a. Benthos variation density, silt and the organic materials of the sediments were sampled and measured monthly. The amount of chlorophyll-a concentration and primary production showed a lot of seasonal changes at these stations which ranged from0.3 to 96 mg/m3. The results from the primary productions indicated that the eastern station of the estuary had high concentrations of chlorophyll-a during all seasons (96mg/m3). The most important and dominant planktonic groups in this region included Bacillariophyta from plankton and copepoda from zooplankton. The most important Benthos communities consisted of Driessena polymorpha.Cerastoderma lamarki in estuarine region,Chironomus plumosus in riverine region and Hypaniola sp. In marine region. Assessing the annual variation in these three riverine, estuarine and marine regions, phytoplankton with 3.1, Zooplankton with 2.7 and Benthos with 1.9 Showed the most density in the estuarine region. Assessing the annual density, phytoplanktonic (6118967 no . in m3) and zooplanktonic (7272 no . in m3) communities showed the most density in the marine region. Assessing the statistical tests showed that the estuarine and riverine regions had a significant difference in planktonic density (p<0.005) compared with the marine region. Moreover, The zeoplanktonic density in the marine region had a significant difference (p<0.005) with estuarine and riverine regions. Tooki test and one-way variance Analysis showed that in assessing the planktonic groups (p<0.005) and Benthos (p<0.005), there was a significant difference in variation index between river with estuary, and estuary with the sea. The amount of the total annual live biomass of the Benthos resource in Tajan river estuarine region was estimated 757.66 g/m2.

Effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil and nisin on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in light salted silver carp fillet (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

There is an increasing demand in developing newer and safer methods in preserving food products.Among which herbal additives seem to attract evermore attention recently.the major advantage of herbal additives is due to their favorable aroma besides their antimicrobial effects and less expensive than chemical additives. Zataria multiflora Boiss is a native Iranian herb which is used vastly as a food preserver essential oils and also medical usage. Metabolites of harmless bacteria, such as Nisin are also known to be safe preservatives that have antimicrobial activity. However to establish the usefulness of natural antimicrobial preservatives, they must be evaluated alone and in combination with other preservation factors to determine whether there are synergistic effects in rigid media . In this study were evaluated the effects of different concentrations of Zataria multiflora (EO 0, 0.005, 0.015, 0.045, 0.135, 0.405 ,0.810 %) and Nisin(0, 0.15, 0.25, 0.75 μg/ml) and Storage time (up to 21 days) on growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 in a food model system(light salted fish of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The results on growth of S. aureus were evaluated using SPSS 15.0 statistical software (SPSS 15.0 for windows, SPSS Inc.) and analyzed the logarithm of total count of the bacteria by Tukey Test. Results were considered statistically significant when P≤0.05. The growth of Staphylococcus aureus was affected significantly(P<0.05) by EO and Nisin and also combinations of EO and Nisin. Samples treated with 0.135, 0.405 and 0.810% of thyme essential oil showed a significant decrease on the growth of the bacteria compared with an treated samples(P<0.05). No significant difference was seen on the growth of S.aureus in samples treated with lower concentrations of Z.multiflora(below 0.045%) and untreated group(P>0.05). The most inhibitory effects were seen in samples treated with 0.405% and 0.810% of thyme essential oil until 9 and 12 days after storage,respectively. Also there was significant inhibtory effect(P<0.05) in different concentration of nisin on the organism compared with an treated samples. The synergism effects of the Eo and nisin on the growth rate of the bacteria was significant (P<0.05) compared with untreated samples and samples treated with the Eo or nisin, only. Synergismic effects was observed at concentration of 0.405 and 0.810% of Z. multiflora essential oil with 0.25 μg/ml Nisin, respectively until 15 days after storage. As expected it is preferred to apply the least possible amounts of additives in food preserving that not only are effective and safe but are economically justifiable.

绵羊卵母细胞体外核成熟抑制及其对胚胎发育潜力的影响

自绵羊卵巢分离卵丘-卵母细胞复合物进行体外培养,培养基中分别加入或不加入抑制剂次黄嘌呤+dbcAMP或IBMX+dbcAMP。培养6h后各组取部分卵母细胞固定染色检查卵母细胞核成熟情况;将其余的卵母细胞分别移入无抑制剂的成熟培养基中继续培养18h后,再次检查各组卵母细胞核成熟情况,并进行体外受精和胚胎培养。结果表明:次黄嘌呤+dbcAMP或IBMX+dbcAM都分别能使60%以上的绵羊卵母细胞抑制在GV期。这种抑制是可逆性的,去除抑制剂后卵母细胞能恢复减数分裂,并加快由GVBD到MⅡ的成熟过程。各处理组受精率、卵裂率和囊胚发育率与对照组相比无显著性差异,表明卵母细胞的胚胎发育潜力没有受损。上述物质对卵母细胞成熟的可逆性抑制可用于研究卵母细胞成熟及其胚胎发育潜力的调节机制。

抑郁症首次发病患者静息态脑功能局部一致性的研究

下载PDF阅读器目的 利用功能磁共振(fMRI)和局部一致性(regional homogeneity,ReHo)探讨抑郁症首次发病(以下简称首发)患者在静息态脑功能是否存在异常及异常部位.方法 对34例符合美国精神疾病诊断与统计手册第4版诊断标准的首发抑郁症患者(抑郁症组)和34名性别、年龄、文化程度匹配的健康志愿者(对照组)进行静息态fMRI扫描.结果 抑郁症组静息态脑血氧水平依赖信号的ReHo高于对照组的脑区有左侧额叶眶回、顶下小叶、颞上回,右侧额内侧回、顶下小叶、小脑后叶;低于对照组的脑区有左颞下回、右颞上同和胼胝体、双侧后扣带回(P＜0.005,K≥10).结论首发抑郁症患者在静息态存在多个腩区功能活动的异常,并可能和抑郁症的病理机制有关.

发光甲虫与生物荧光

生物荧光是活体生物自身可以发光的有趣生命现象.具有这一现象的生物存在于生物四界中,但目前关于这一现象的研究报道主要来自于昆虫,尤其是以萤火虫为代表的发光甲虫的研究.文章对发光甲虫的分类地位、生物荧光发生的原理、发光器官的类型、闪光的"开关"机制、生物荧光的生物学意义及其相关行为学研究进展等进行了详细介绍.此外,还简要提及了荧光生物及其荧光酶的应用.这对了解及探讨生物荧光现象、加强对中国的发光甲虫及其它发光生物的研究及保护利用具有一定的借鉴作用.

La reproducción de la merluza en el Mar Argentino (Merlucciidae, Meluccius merluccius hubbsi) : 2. La reproducción de la merluza y su relación con otros aspectos biológicos de la especie

The paper deals with the spawning cycle of the hake, Merluccius merluccius hubbsi in the fishing area of the Argentine fleet, SW Atlantic (35°- 46° L. S.: 53°- 63° L.W.; 30-160 fathoms depth). It was made on the basis of the weekly sampling of the commercial catch in the period January 1965 - March 1968. The results have been compared with those of the exploratory surveys made by the United Nations Fisheries Development Program (República Argentina - FAO). The histological study, which was made with 741 specimens, was most intensive in females than in males. The results have been compared with the sexual stage determinations of both sexes in the total samples during the period before mentioned. The conclusions are: 1. The analysis of the ovocytes frequency distributions showed a period of resting or slow recuperation (April - August) with a mode of 120 ~k and one of rapid transformation (October - December) from 120 μ tíll 830 ~k. After December it appears again the mode of 120 ~k which indicated the reserve stock. 2. The maturity factor shows in both sexes a period of low values , 0,52 to 2% (April - September) and, another with higher values (October - March). In the first period the values are concentrated, while in the second one a large dispersion is observed produced by the rapidity of the growth process of the gonads. It is more evident between November and December. 3. The liver weight variations, compared with the degree of ingestion and the values of the maturity factor, in time, demonstrated that: a) after two periods of abundant ingestion (March - April and October- November) there are two increases of the liver index; b) the increase of the Iiver index has a direct relation to the maturity factor; c) at the end of the summer season, when the values of the maturity factor decrease, those of the liver index are still high. This demonstrates that the hake does not arrive exhausted at the end of the spawning season and that a rapid recuperation for a new spawning by part of the stock is possible. 4. Females predominate in the samples during most of the year. In the period October - December, when sexual activation occurs, as it is demonstrated by the high values of the maturity factor, proportions are nearly 1 :1, and males at times are more numerous than females. 5. The analisys of the advaneed maturity stages, in relation to total length shows that in the hake, Iike in other fishes, the largest ones mature first. This applies for both sexes. 6. The study of the maturity factor values and the sexual stages of the samples allows the recognition of two spawning periods, the main one in summer (October - March) and another in winter (June - July). 7. Part of the summer spawners, with a rapid recuperation, should be able to spawn again in winter. This indicates that the hake population, acording to our samples, has two different possibilities of spawning. 8. After analysis of the frequency percentages composition of mature specimens it is concluded that during the summer season, when hake is fished in shallow waters and in a wide area (38°– 43° L.S.) the fleet is fishing on the spawning stocks. Some winter spawners specimens have been found at 37°- 38° L.S. and in waters of more than 100 fathoms depth. 9. A new maturity scale of seven stages is proposed, instead of the one of six stages now in use. The new added stage corresponds to the postspawners during its resting period.

沉淀剂YNB99—1在肝素钠精制中的应用

在pH 3．0时，去除85和95～105 USP u／mg粗品肝素钠的杂蛋白分别使用 0．05％和0．03％的YNB 99一l。120 USP u／mg以上的粗品在pH中性下直接使用0．05％ 的YNB 99—1即可。在氧化精制中，加入0．005％的YNB 99—1可使HzOz用量减少至 1．5％，氧化时间缩短至12 h。精品效价170 USP u／mg以上，产品收率90％以上。

五步蛇蛇毒磷脂酶A_(2)的纯化及部分性质

从五步蛇蛇毒中纯化一种均一的酸性磷脂酶A_(2)。SDS-PAGE测得分子量为15.8KD, 按氨基酸残基计算其分子量为14.352KD, IEF-PAGE测得等电点为5.32。氨基酸组分分析表明磷脂酶A_(2)分子由128个氨基酸残基组成, 富含Asp和Glu, 不含中性糖。PLA_(2)酶活性 的最适温度为45℃, 最适pH为8.5左右, 没有抗胰蛋白酶的活性, 具有一定的热稳定性。K~(+)、Ca~(++)和Na~(+)离子激活, 而Ca~(++)、Sn~(++)、Cu~(++)、Li~(++)、Hg~(++)、Zn~(++)、Fe~(++)和Co~(++)离子可抑制或完全丧失酶活力。图5表2参 10