Identification of anti-allergic effect of Clonorchis sinensis-derived protein venom allergen-like proteins (CsVAL)

Previous studies demonstrated that Clonochis sinensis-derived crude antigens suppress development of allergic responses. We investigated the effects of C. sinensis venom allergen-like (CsVAL) proteins on immune-modulating activities in allergic inflammatory response. Using RBL-2H3 rat mast cells, we demonstrated that CsVAL inhibits antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release from immunoglobulin E-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, and this inhibitory activity occurs by suppressing Lyn phosphorylation and intracellular reactive oxygen species production. In addition, CsVAL peptide treatment inhibits activation of protein kinase C-α and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, which are involved in degranulation of immunoglobulin E-sensitized mast cells. Furthermore, immunization with CsVAL suppressed development of skin inflammation by assessing ear thickness and cutaneous infiltration by eosinophils and mast cells in oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity in vivo mouse model. These results suggest that CsVAL is a promising candidate as an effective mast cell inhibitor for allergic and inflammatory diseases.     

Design and selection of trap color for capture of the tea leafhopper,Empoasca vitis,by orthogonal optimization

The tea leafhopper, Empoasca vitis (Göthe) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a major pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae). In this study, the RGB color model was used to describe the colors of sticky traps. The most effective color for attraction of E. vitis was investigated by orthogonal optimization. The selected color was verified in tea gardens and the most effective height for positioning of color sticky traps for capturing tea leafhoppers was investigated. After the determination of the effect of the three color parameters and their interactions by orthogonal optimization, the color gold (RGB: 255, 215, 0) was selected as the most effective color to trap tea leafhoppers. In tea gardens, more leafhoppers were captured using gold sticky traps (RGB: 226, 204, 4) than using commercially available yellow sticky traps. The most effective height of gold sticky traps for trapping leafhoppers was 40–60 cm above the tea canopy. Few lady beetles were captured at this height. We conclude that the orthogonal optimization method is a convenient and efficient method to screen digitally generated colors for attracting and trapping of pests.     

应用于中华鲟的Pop-up标志固定方法

简要介绍了应用于中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)的pop-up标志固定方法,包括预埋体的制作、植入及pop-up标志悬挂等技术,并对其应用效果进行了评价。     

分离自冬虫夏草可培养真菌的多样性研究

冬虫夏草是生长于青藏高原的一种名贵中药材。天然冬虫夏草及其微环境中生活着多种真菌。作者使用常规分离培养方法对冬虫夏草的真菌区系进行研究。从天然冬虫夏草的子座、菌核和菌膜3个部位共分离到572个真菌菌株,并根据形态特征将大部分菌株鉴定到37个不同的属。这些菌株经SSCP(single-strand conformation polymorphism)分析后,再根据nrDNAITS序列的相似性(以97%为阈值)共区分出92种不同的分类单元(operational taxonomic unit,OTU)。其中,属于子囊菌的菌株数及OTU数均比接合菌和担子菌多。从菌膜分离的菌株数及OTU数都明显多于子座和菌核。分离自子座的优势真菌是产黄青霉Penicillium chrysogenum,而分离自菌核和菌膜的优势真菌均为玫红假裸囊菌Pseudogymnoascus roseus。尚未最终鉴定的部分真菌可能为新的真菌物种。     

广东省南昆山伯乐树群落特征及其保护策略

在广东省南昆山自然保护区内调查了中国特有珍稀植物伯乐树种群的分布格局、龄级结构和伴生群落的物种组成.结果表明:该种群的分布范围狭窄且集中;龄级不完整,Ⅱ、Ⅲ级幼树少见,结构呈衰退型;伴生群落呈典型的亚热带植物区系的特点,其组成不稳定、优势种不显著.建议将伯乐树幼树作为就地保护的重点,适当去除周围的罗浮槭、羊角杜鹃和黄樟等速生树种,以创造有光照和水肥条件的生境;对于Ⅳ级以上成株,应注意拟赤杨和华润楠等空间生态位相近树种的数量和密度,适当疏剪枝条,以帮助成株占据较好的空间位;同时再积极引入异龄的伯乐树幼苗,促进种群恢复和发展.     

三种柑橘类果皮提取物对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响

通过分析测定生物量、叶绿素a含量以及叶绿素荧光参数,研究了3种柑橘类果皮甲醇提取液对铜绿微囊藻生长的影响。结果表明,3种提取液都能有效抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长、叶绿素a合成与光合系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）活性,并且抑制效果随着作用浓度增加而增强。3种提取液抑制作用强弱的顺序为：蜜橘〉西柚〉脐橙。当蜜橘皮提取液浓度大于1.10g/L时,抑藻效果显著（P〈0.05）,培养9d后对铜绿微囊藻生长的抑制率达到86.4%,且在实验期间抑制作用没有减弱。当脐橙皮与西柚皮提取液的浓度大于3.31g/L时,抑藻效果显著（P〈0.05）,但培养5d后抑制作用开始减弱。据此推测,3种柑橘类果皮提取液中存在一类或几类物质,能够抑制铜绿微囊藻的叶绿素a合成,降低PSⅡ活性,从而降低其光合作用效率,导致铜绿微囊藻的生长受到抑制。且这类物质能自然降解,随着作用时间的延长,其抑藻效果也逐渐消失。     

中华鲎虫外部形态结构的初步观察

中华鲎虫体由头、躯干和尾3部分组成.头部具1对复眼和1个无节幼体眼,复眼后有1个颈感器.第1触角细小、棒状,第2触角退化.口器由上唇、大颚和2对小颚组成,上唇为头部的突起物,大颚和2对小颚为附肢,第2小颚的皮肤皱褶延长扩大形成头胸甲.雌体躯干部由36个体节组成,雄体39个体节,前30节具附肢,共57对.雌体躯干部后6个体节无附肢,雄体躯干部后9个体节无附肢.尾节分叉,细长多节,具刚毛,左右两根尾鞭的分节不对称.     

Occurrence and fate of fetal lumbar rib induced by Scutellariae radix in rats

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence and fate of fetal lumbar rib induced by Scutellariae radix (SR) in rats. METHODS: Water extracts of SR were orally administered to pregnant rats from day 7 to day 17 of gestation at a dose of 186 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 25 g/kg of starting material, representing a 100‐fold increase over typical human intake level. RESULTS: The incidence of fetal lumbar rib in the SR‐treated group was increased on gestational day 20 and then decreased on postnatal day 50. The weight of fetuses in the SR‐treated group tended to be less than that in the control group. Alkaline phosphatase in SR‐treated dams was increased on gestational day 20, but was decreased on postnatal day 50. There were no significant differences between the vehicle control and SR‐treated groups in maternal body weight, embryological, histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical changes. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that the appearance of lumbar rib induced by SR is a transient fetal variation rather than teratogenicity or maternal toxicity. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:201–206, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.