Preliminary studies on cryopreservation of snakehead (Channa striata) embryos

This paper reports the findings of the ongoing studies on cryopreservation of the snakehead, Channa striata embryos. The specific objective of this study was to collect data on the sensitivity of C. striata embryo hatching rate to low temperatures at two different developmental stages in the presence of four different cryoprotectants. Embryos at morula and heartbeat stages were selected and incubated in 1 M dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO), 1 M ethylene glycol (EG), 1 M methanol (MeOH) and 0.1 M sucrose solutions at different temperatures for a period of time. Embryos were kept at 24 °C (control), 15 °C, 4 °C and −2 °C for 5 min, 1 h and 3 h. Following these treatments, the embryos were then transferred into a 24 °C water bath until hatch to evaluate the hatching rate. The results showed that there was a significant decrease of hatching rate in both developmental stages following exposure to 4 °C and −2 °C at 1 h and 3 h exposure in each treatment. Heartbeat stage was more tolerant against chilling at −2 °C for 3 h exposure in Me₂SO followed by MeOH, sucrose and EG. Further studies will be conducted to find the best method to preserve embryos for long term storage.     

Quantification methods for Bacillus cereus vegetative cells and spores in the gastrointestinal environment

There is an interest to understand the fate and behaviour of the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus in the gut, a challenging environment with a high bacterial background. We evaluated the current detection methods to select an appropriate strategy for B. cereus monitoring during gastrointestinal experiments. Application of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in a gastrointestinal matrix required careful selection of the qPCR reaction and elaborate optimization of the DNA extraction protocol. Primer competition and depletion problems associated with qPCR reactions targeting general 16S rRNA gene can be avoided by the selection of a target sequence that is unique for and widespread among the target bacteria, such as the toxin gene nheB in the case of pathogenic B. cereus. Enumeration of B. cereus during the ileum phase was impossible by plating due to overgrowth by intestinal bacteria, while a carefully optimized qPCR enabled specific detection and quantification of B. cereus. On the other hand, plating allowed the distinction of viable, injured and dead bacteria and the germination of spores, which was not possible with qPCR. In conclusion, both plating and qPCR were necessary to yield the maximal information regarding the viability and physiology of the B. cereus population in various gastrointestinal compartments.     

民族院校生物工程专业微生物实验教学体系的构建与实践

微生物学实验是当代生命学科中的一门重要专业必修课。针对民族院校的学生特点和我院生物工程专业的培养特色,阐述将微生物学实验教学体系分为基础验证型、提高设计型和综合研究型3个层次,贯彻"以学生自主实验为主,教师指导为辅"的实验课程教学方针,充分发挥学生在实验教学中的主体作用。在规范基本实验操作的基础上,锻炼学生的自学能力,激发创新意识,培养应用能力。     

益肾和络合剂对慢性肾衰竭实验室指标的影响(英文)

目的:探讨壮骨颗粒对骨折部位新生血管增殖的影响。方法:42只新西兰大白兔,行兔左侧桡骨中段做3mm骨缺损,随机分为壮骨颗粒组,伤科接骨片组,生理盐水组,术后1天开始给药,在第4、6、8周进行X线观察,4w、8w行病理组织学检查。结果:X线片评分半定量分析表明,壮骨颗粒组骨折愈合速度明显快于伤科接骨片组,生理盐水组(P<0.05);I型胶原蛋白免疫组化结果显示壮骨颗粒组I型胶原阳性结果明显比伤科接骨片组、生理盐水组强(P<0.05);壮骨颗粒组血管生成明显多于伤科接骨片组、生理盐水组。结论:壮骨颗粒有明显促进骨痂形成和促进新生血管形成作用。     

Understanding the reproductive performance of a dairy cattle herd by using both analytical and systemic approaches: a case study based on a system experiment

Reproductive performance has recently been a growing concern in cattle dairy systems, but few research methodologies are available to address it as a complex problem in a livestock farming system. The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology that combines both systemic and analytical approaches in order to better understand and improve reproductive performance in a cattle dairy system. The first phase of our methodology consists in a systemic approach to build the terms of the problem. It results in formalising a set of potential risk factors relevant for the particular system under consideration. The second phase is based on an analytical approach that involves both analysing the shapes of the individual lactation curves and carrying out logistic regression procedures to study the links between reproductive performance and the previously identified potential risk factors. It makes it possible to formulate hypotheses about the biotechnical phenomena underpinning reproductive performance. The last phase is another systemic approach that aims at suggesting new practices to improve the situation. It pays particular attention to the consistency of those suggestions with the farmer's general objectives. This methodology was applied to a French system experiment based on an organic low-input grazing system. It finally suggested to slightly modify the dates of the breeding period so as to improve reproductive performance. The formulated hypotheses leading to this suggestion involved both the breed (Holstein or Montbéliarde cows), the parity, the year and the calving date with regard to the turnout date as the identified risk factors of impaired performance. Possible use of such a methodology in any commercial farm encountering a biotechnical problem is discussed.     

A small bispecific protein selected for orthogonal affinity purification

A novel protein domain with dual affinity has been created by randomization and selection. The small alkali-stabilized albumin-binding domain (ABD*), used as scaffold to construct the library, has affinity to human serum albumin (HSA) and is constituted of 46 amino acids of which 11 were randomized. To achieve a dual binder, the binding site of the inherent HSA affinity was untouched and the randomization was made on the opposite side of the molecule. Despite its small size and randomization of almost a quarter of its amino acids, a bifunctional molecule, ABDz1, with ability to bind to both HSA and the Z2 domain/protein A was successfully selected using phage display. Moreover, the newly selected variant showed improved affinity for HSA compared to the parental molecule. This novel protein domain has been characterized regarding secondary structure and affinity to the two different ligands. The possibility for affinity purification on two different matrices has been investigated using the two ligands, the HSA matrix and the protein A-based, MabSelect SuRe matrix, and the new protein domain was purified to homogeneity. Furthermore, gene fusions between the new domain and three different target proteins with different characteristics were made. To take advantage of both affinities, a purification strategy referred to as orthogonal affinity purification using two different matrices was created. Successful purification of all three versions was efficiently carried out using this strategy.     

长期施肥对黄淮海平原农田中小型土壤节肢动物的影响

在2008年9月和2009年2月,采用改良干漏斗方法(Modified Tullgren)对黄淮海地区长期定位施肥试验下中小型土壤节肢动物进行调查。试验包括氮磷钾(NPK)、氮磷(NP)、氮钾(NK)、磷钾(PK)、有机肥(OM)、1∶1化学氮肥与有机氮肥(OMNPK)和不施肥(CK)7个处理。结果表明:OM和OMNPK处理有利于提高土壤动物丰富度和多样性;NK处理不利于土壤动物的生存和发展,缺磷影响了土壤动物数量的增长;从优势类群弹尾目和蜱螨目来看,OM和OMNPK处理对弹尾目等节跳科、棘跳科和球角跳科的生长有利,而圆跳科在NPK处理下具有更高的数量;OMNPK处理对蜱螨目中气门亚目有显著的正效应,对前气门亚目和甲螨亚目也有一定的正向作用;氮肥对弹尾目没有表现出正相关关系,但在一定程度上增加了蜱螨目的数量。     

More food,less habitat: how necromass and leaf litter decomposition combine to regulate a litter ant community

1. In brown food webs of the forest floor, necromass (e.g. insect carcasses and frass) falling from the canopy feeds both microbes and ants, with the former decomposing the homes of the latter. In a tropical litter ant community, we added necromass to 1 m² plots, testing if it added as a net food (increasing ant colony growth and recruitment) or destroyer of habitat (by decomposing leaf litter). 2. Maximum, but not mean, colony growth rates were higher on +food plots. However, neither average colony size, nor density was higher on +food plots. In contrast, +food plots saw diminished availability of leaf litter and higher microbial decomposition of cellulose, a main component of the organic substrate that comprises litter habitat. 3. Furthermore, necromass acted as a limiting resource to the ant community only when nest sites were supplemented on +food plots in a second experiment. Many of these +food +nest plots were colonised by the weedy species Wasmannia auropunctata. 4. Combined, these results support the more food–less habitat hypothesis and highlight the importance of embedding studies of litter ant ecology within broader decomposer food web dynamics.