Behavioural changes during the parr–smolt transformation in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch: is it better to be cool?

Behavioural changes that occur during the parr–smolt transformation were investigated in juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch. Fish from two populations were examined from the Fraser River catchment in British Columbia, Canada; a short and a long-distance migrating population. Fish showed a significant decrease in condition factor and significant increase in gill Na⁺K⁺-ATPase activity during the spring indicating that they became competent smolts, but no difference between populations. Temperature preference trials were conducted using a shuttlebox system throughout the spring. Mean temperature preference did not differ between the two populations, but preferred temperature decreased with development from 16.5 ± 0.3°C for parr to 15.5 ± 0.4°C for smolts. Mean swimming velocity was also greater in smolts than parr, but there was no difference between the two populations. The preference for warmer water temperature observed for parr in early spring may be advantageous for stimulating smolt development. Preference for slightly cooler temperatures observed for smolts would sustain elevated seawater tolerance during the smolt window by a short time and may ensure successful transition to the marine environment.     

Effects of exogenous cortisol and seawater adaptation on thyroid hormone receptors in the smolt stage of the sockeye salmon,Oncorhynchus nerka

The objective of this investigation was to quantify how thyroid hormone receptors of the sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, respond to salinity changes from freshwater (FW) to seawater (SW) conditions. Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) mRNA and protein expressions levels significantly increased when the fish were transferred from FW to SW, and the plasma T₃ and T₄ levels were significantly highest at 50 % SW and then maintained as control. Moreover, these parameters were significantly lower in the cortisol-injected groups than in the control. Hence, TRs, T₃, and T₄ may play a role in SW adaptation, when the fish migrate from FW to SW environments. We showed a negative correlation between cortisol and thyroid hormone levels, and a significant increase in plasma K⁺ levels in the kidney when the fish were transferred to SW, with levels being significantly lower in the cortisol-injected group. Hence, cortisol appears to be a stress hormone, and the plasma Na⁺ and Cl^- levels significantly increased when the fish were transferred to SW, with levels being significantly lower in the cortisol-injected group. These results indicate that cortisol modulates ion transportation in the plasma.     

Daily endocrine profiles in parr and smolt Atlantic salmon

To elucidate possible mechanisms behind the endocrine control of parr–smolt transformation, the daily plasma profiles in thyroid hormones (TH; free thyroxine (FT₄), total thyroxine (TT₄), and total 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (TT₃)), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol were studied in Atlantic salmon parr and smolts under simulated-natural winter (8 L:16D) and spring (16.5 L:7.5D) photoperiods, respectively. Overall, TT₄, TT₃ and GH levels were higher in smolts than in parr, whereas FT₄ levels fluctuated within the same range in parr and smolts. Significant diurnal changes in plasma TH were present in parr. Both FT₄ and TT₄ levels increased during the photophase and decreased during the scotophase, while TT₃ levels followed an inverse pattern. Growth hormone showed no significant changes in parr. Changes in FT₄, TT₄, GH, and cortisol, but not TT₃, levels, were observed in smolts with peak levels during both the photophase and scotophase for FT₄, TT₄ and GH. Plasma cortisol was not assayed in parr but in smolts the peaks were associated with dusk and dawn. In addition to the general increases in TH, GH and cortisol, the distinct endocrine differences in nighttime levels between parr in the winter and smolts in the spring suggest different interactions between TH, GH, cortisol and melatonin at these different time points. These spring scotophase endocrine profiles may represent synergistic hormone interactions that promote smolt development, similar to the synergistic endocrine interactions shown to accelerate anuran metamorphosis. The variations in these diurnal rhythms between parr and smolts may represent part of the endocrine mechanism for the translation of seasonal information during salmon smoltification.     

Changes in smolt traits of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758) and linkages to parr density and water temperature

Smolt traits (length, age) and timing of smolt migration of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were investigated in the Simojoki River, northern Baltic Sea. The aim was to determine whether they responded to changes in parr length, parr density and temperature from 2000 to 2014. Annual electrofishing surveys and smolt numbers determined parr densities by springtime trapping in the river mouth. During the smolt trapping period captured parr and smolts were aged from scales. Water temperature was measured daily. Mean length decreased from 137 mm (TL) to 129 mm among 2‐year‐old smolts, and from 150 mm to 139 mm among 3‐year‐olds. Median date of the smolt migration was 10 days earlier, from early June to late May during the study period, linked to the rise in air temperature in May at the nearby Kemi‐Tornio airport. However, the median day temperature and the mean daily water temperatures during the second (Q₂) and third (Q₃) migration quartiles did not change. This implied that migration began when a suitable water temperature was reached, independent of the date.     

Bimodal length frequency distribution in 0+aged masu salmon,Oncorhynchus masou,in a natural stream of southern Hokkaido

The frequency distribution of the fork length of 0⁺ aged masu salmon,Oncorhynchus masou, changed from unimodal to bimodal distribution in autumn of the years from 1982 to 1984 in the Mogusa River of southern Hokkaido, Japan. The bimodal distribution consists of two (upper and lower) modal groups. These two groups resulted from a difference in growth rate of 0⁺ aged individuals in autumn. Fish belonging to the upper modal group are assumed to be potential 1⁺ smolts. Whether 0⁺ aged parr transform into smolt or remain as parr in the following spring may be related to the growth rate of fish in the first autumn.     

Effects of age and size on critical swimming speed of juvenile Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis at seasonal temperatures

Changes in the critical swimming speed (U_crit, cm s^?1) with ontogeny of 2·5–12·5 month‐old juvenile anadromous Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinesis were measured in a modified Blazka‐type swimming tunnel. The absolute U_crit increased with length, mass and age; the relative U^′_crit (body lengths, s^?1), however, decreased. Juvenile A. sinesis did not display a parr–smolt transformation at the length or age threshold to tolerate full‐strength seawater.     

Over-expression of a vacuolar Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> antiporter gene improves salt tolerance in an upland rice

To develop a salt-tolerant upland rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L.), OsNHX1, a vacuolar-type Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene from rice was transferred into the genome of an upland rice cultivar (IRAT109), using an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Seven independent transgenic calli lines were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. These 35S::OsNHX1 transgenic plants displayed a little accelerated growth during seedling stage but showed delayed flowering time and a slight growth retardation phenotype during late vegetative stage, suggesting that the OsNHX1 has a novel function in plant development. Northern and western blot analyses showed that the expression levels of OsNHX1 mRNA and protein in the leaves of three independent transgenic plant lines were significantly higher than in the leaves of wild type (WT) plants. T₂ generation plants exhibited increased salt tolerance, showing delayed appearance and development of damage or death caused by salt stress, as well as improved recovery upon removal from this condition. Several physiological traits, such as increased Na⁺ content, and decreased osmotic potential in transgenic plants grown in high saline concentrations, further indicated that the transgenic plants had enhanced salt tolerance. Our results suggest the potential use of these transgenic plants for further agricultural applications in saline soil.     

Lymphocyte subsets and T(h)1/T(h)2 immune responses in patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction: relation to pTNM stage and clinical outcome

Introduction Recent studies have indicated that the cytokines produced by CD4⁺ T helper type 1 (T_h1) and type 2 (T_h2) cells are critically important in antitumour immunity and perhaps clinical outcome. From this perspective, we investigated the immunocompetence of patients with previously untreated cancer of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) in relation to stage of disease and postoperative survival.Methods Blood samples were taken prior to surgery from 32 patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or OGJ. Ten healthy volunteers served as normal controls. T-cell and monocyte subpopulations were determined using flow cytometry. Monocyte as well as T_h1- and T_h2-lymphocyte cytokine levels were assessed in stimulated whole blood cultures.Results Absolute T-cell and monocyte (subset) counts as well as monocyte cytokine levels were similar among patients and controls. Production of T_h1-type cytokines was higher in patients than in controls (IFN-, p=0.01; IL-2, p=0.05), whereas T_h2-type cytokine levels were comparable (IL-4, p=0.5; IL-13, p=0.3). T-cell CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios decreased as pTNM stage worsened (stage I/II vs stage III/IV, p=0.009). Of all measured immunological parameters, only IL-2 production significantly affected both overall survival (p=0.015) and disease-free survival (p=0.0062). High IL-2 levels corresponded with a favourable prognosis.Conclusions Patients awaiting surgery for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction demonstrated a shift in the T_h1/T_h2 balance—in favour of T_h1—compared with healthy volunteers. The ability of T cells to produce IL-2 was related to survival indicating a crucial role of T_h1-type cells in antitumour immunosurveillance.     

Long‐term effects of photoperiod,temperature and their interaction on growth,gill Na+, K+‐ATPase activity,seawater tolerance and plasma growth‐hormone levels in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

This study was undertaken to examine the long‐term effects of photoperiod, temperature and their interaction on growth, gill Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase (NKA) activity, seawater tolerance and plasma growth‐hormone levels in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar pre‐smolts and smolts. The fish (mean ± s.e . initial body mass = 15·9 ± 0·4 g) were reared on two photoperiods (continuous light, LL, and simulated natural photoperiod, LDN, 60° 25′ N) and two temperatures (8·3 and 12·7° C) from June to May of the following year. Mean body mass was affected by photoperiod, temperature and their interactions. Both temperature groups on LL developed peak levels in gill NKA activity from October to November, 4–5 months prior to the natural season for the parr–smolt transformation. Fish at 12° C showed peak levels in NKA activity 4–6 weeks before the fish at 8° C. Fish in all four experimental groups showed maximum NKA activity within a similar size range (113–162 g). The present findings further indicate that smoltification in S. salar is to some extent driven by size, and that S. salar will develop smolt characteristics, e.g. a marked increase in NKA activity, within a similar size range. Faster‐growing S. salar will, thus, reach this size threshold at a relatively younger age.     

Effects of thyromimetric drugs on aldosterone-dependent sodium transport in the toad bladder

Summary Aldosterone increases transepithelial Na⁺ transport in the urinary bladder ofBufo marinus. The response is characterized by 3 distinct phases: 1) a lag period of about 60 min, ii) an initial phase (early response) of about 2 hr during which Na⁺ transport increases rapidly and transepithelial electrical resistance falls, and iii) a late phase (late response) of about 4 to 6 hr during which Na⁺ transport still increases significantly but with very little change in resistance. Triiodothyronine (T₃, 6nm) added either 2 or 18 hr before aldosterone selectively antagonizes the late response. T₃ per se (up to 6nm) has no effect on base-line Na⁺ transport. The antagonist activity of T₃ is only apparent after a latent period of about 6 to 8 hr. It is not rapidly reversible after a 4-hr washout of the hormone. The effects appear to be selective for thyromimetic drugs since reverse T₃ (rT₃) is inactive and isopropyldiiodothyronine (isoT₂) is more active than T₃. The relative activity of these analogs corresponds to their relative affinity for T₃ nuclear binding sites which we have previously described. Our data suggest that T₃ might control the expression of aldosterone by regulating gene expression, e.g. by the induction of specific proteins, which in turn will inhibit the late mineralocorticoid response, without interaction with the early response.     

The Gonadotropic Cell in Parr,Precocious Parr Male and Smolt of the Atlantic Salmon,Salmo salar. An Immunocytological,Light- and Electron Microscopical Study

Lindahl, K. 1980. The gonadotropic cell in parr, precocious parr male and smolt of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. An immunocytological, light- and electron microscopical study. (Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm, Sweden.) — Acta zool. (Stockh.) 61(2): 117–125. Only one GTH cell type was identified in the pars distalis of the parr, smolt and precocious parr male. On a fine structural basis four phases with transitional forms of the GTH cell were recognized. In parr and smolt the GTH cells have numerous secretory granules and their cytology substantiate that they are in a storing phase with a possibly low release rate. On the contrary, in the precocious parr male all phases of the GTH cell are present. The great number of active cells and frequent degranulation and vacuolization indicate a high activity and release level.     

Defective CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript>CD25<Superscript>+</Superscript>regulatory T cell functioning in collagen-induced arthritis: an important factor in pathogenesis,counter-regulated by endogenous IFN-γ

Mice with a deficiency in IFN-γ or IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) are more susceptible to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an experimental autoimmune disease that relies on the use of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Here we report that the heightened susceptibility of IFN-γR knock-out (KO) mice is associated with a functional impairment of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_reg cells. Treatment of wild-type mice with depleting anti-CD25 antibody after CFA-assisted immunisation with collagen type II (CII) significantly accelerated the onset of arthritis and increased the severity of CIA. This is an indication of a role of T_reg cells in the effector phase of CIA. IFN-γR deficiency did not affect the number of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells in the central and peripheral lymphoid tissues. In addition, CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells isolated from naive IFN-γR KO mice had a normal potential to suppress T cell proliferation in vitro. However, after immunisation with CII in CFA, the suppressive activity of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells became significantly more impaired in IFN-γR-deficient mice. Moreover, expression of the mRNA for Foxp3, a highly specific marker for T_reg cells, was lower. We further demonstrated that the effect of endogenous IFN-γ, which accounts for more suppressive activity in wild-type mice, concerns both T_reg cells and accessory cells. Our results demonstrate that the decrease in T_reg cell activity in CIA is counter-regulated by endogenous IFN-γ.     

Prolactin regulation in the coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch

Summary Parr and smolt sea water acclimated coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch were subjected to gradual and direct transfers to fresh water. Plasma osmotic pressure, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ were similar in freshwater (FW) fish and seawater (SW) transferred controls for the 24 h following transfer. In spite of the similarity in osmotic pressure and ion levels, plasma cortisol concentrations were significantly increased immediately following salinity change while both pituitary and plasma prolactin decreased indicating enhanced secretion by the pituitary and clearance from the blood. In vitro experiments showed greater incorporation of tritiated leucine into prolactin (PRL) cells immediately after transfer to FW while prolactin injections into intact fish lowered activity in rostral pars distalis (RPD) cells as measured by the same technique, providing evidence of hormonal feedback. These experiments show that the increased synthesis and release of PRL that occurs in coho following movement into FW is not obviously correlated with plasma osmotic pressure, Na⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ concentrations as has been observed in other species of teleosts.Abbreviations FW freshwater - SW seawater - PRL prolactin - RPD rostral pars distalis     

全麻复合硬膜外麻醉对腹腔镜结肠癌根治术患者麻醉效果及相关指标的影响

目的:探究腹腔镜结肠癌根治术患者采用全麻复合硬膜外麻醉的效果及对相关指标的影响。方法:选取120例于2016年9月到2018年10月期间在我院进行腹腔镜结肠癌根治术的患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组(n=60)和复合组(n=60),对照组采用全麻,复合组采用全麻复合硬膜外麻醉。观察两组患者的麻醉效果;记录两组患者麻醉诱导前(T_0)、气腹前(T_1)、气腹后15 min(T_2)、气腹结束后(T_3)和出室即刻(T_4)的舒张压(DBP)、收缩压(SBP)和心率(HR)的变化;手术前、麻醉复苏前和术后1天的胰岛素抵抗指数(IR)、血糖水平(BS)、肾上腺素(AD)以及血清皮质醇(Cor)水平的变化;麻醉前、麻醉后2 h、术后1天和术后3天的CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+的水平变化。结果:复合组患者的麻醉诱导时间、自主呼吸恢复时间和苏醒时间明显短于对照组,麻醉维持时间明显长于对照组(P0.05)。复合组患者在T_2、T_3、T4时间点的DBP、SBP和HR明显低于对照组(P0.05)。麻醉复苏前和手术后1天,复合组患者的IR、BS、AD、Cor的水平明显低于对照组(P0.05)。麻醉后2 h、术后1天和术后3天的CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:对腹腔镜结肠癌根治手术患者进行全麻符合硬膜外麻醉可以提高麻醉效果,减少对血流动力学的影响,减轻应激反应,减少对患者细胞免疫功能的影响。     

Effects of spironolactone and RU486 on gene expression and cell proliferation after freshwater transfer in the euryhaline killifish

We have explored the possible mechanisms by which mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors regulate the response to freshwater transfer in the gills of the euryhaline killifish Fundulus heteroclitus. Killifish were implanted with RU486 (GR antagonist) or spironolactone (MR antagonist) at doses of 0.1–1.0 mg g⁻¹, and subsequently transferred from 10‰ brackish water to freshwater. Compared to brackish water sham fish, mRNA expression of CFTR and NKCC1 decreased in the gills of sham fish transferred to freshwater, whereas Na⁺,K⁺–ATPase α_1a mRNA expression and α protein abundance, as well as cell proliferation (detected using BrdU) increased. Spironolactone inhibited the normal increase in cell proliferation and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase expression after freshwater transfer. RU486 increased plasma cortisol levels and may have slightly inhibited Na⁺,K⁺–ATPase activity, but did not change α _1a expression. RU486 had no effect on cell proliferation in the non-lamellar region of the gills, but increased proliferation in the lamellar region. Neither antagonist inhibited the suppression of CFTR or NKCC1 expression after freshwater transfer. Glucocorticoid receptor expression was reduced in all sham and antagonist treatments compared to untreated controls, but no other consistent differences were observed. The effects of spironolactone suggest that MR is important for regulating ion transport in killifish gills after freshwater transfer.     

Changes in branchial and intestinal osmoregulatory mechanisms and growth hormone levels during smolting in hatchery-reared and wild brown trout

Evidence of smolting was studied in Danish hatchery-reared brown trout Salmo trutta L. Twenty-four hour seawater (SW) challenge tests (28‰, 10°C) at regular intervals showed that maximal hypo-osmoregulatory ability developed within a 3–4-week period in March and April. The improved ability to regulate plasma osmolality, muscle water content and plasma total [Mg] developed asynchronously, indicating that developmental changes in the gill, the gastrointestinal system and the kidney may not necessarily concur during smolting. Gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity peaked in April at the time of optimal hypo-osmoregulatory ability. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase a -subunit mRNA level in gills was unchanged from January until April, but decreased in May in parallel with a decrease in the activity of the enzyme. In the middle region of the intestine, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity increased in February and remained high until April. In the posterior region of the intestine, the activity was stable from January until April after which it decreased. In vitro fluid transport capacitity, J_v, in the middle intestine fluctuated throughout the spring. In the posterior intestine, J_v was low until late March, when it increased fivefold until early May. Drinking rate in fish transferred to SW for 24 h surged during spring. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in the pyloric caeca was elevated from March until May, and increased in response to SW transfer in June, suggesting a hypo-osmoregulatory function of the pyloric caeca. Plasma GH levels surged in FW trout during spring, concurring with the increase in gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity and SW tolerance, but peaked in May when gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity and SW tolerance were regressing. GH levels were generally low in SW-challenged fish, and there was no consistent effect of 24-h SW exposure on GH levels. In wild anadromous trout, gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity varied seasonally as in hatchery-reared fish, but peaked at higher levels suggesting a more intense smolting in fish living in their natural environment.     

Development of corneal transparency in embryonic chick: influence of exogenous thyroxine and thiouracil on structure, water and electrolyte content.

Thiouracil and thyroxine (T₄) were injected onto the chick chorioallantois at various developmental stages to study their effects on corneal cellularity, dehydration and structure. Corneas were excised 2–9 days after treatment for histological examination and for analyses of water content, sodium concentration [Na⁺] and potassium concentration [K⁺]. Untreated chick corneas showed that water content and [Na⁺] decreased with advancing embryonic age, while [K⁺] increased up to stage 42 and then rapidly declined. Corneas from embryos injected with 10 mg thiouracil at stage 36 had a significantly reduced [K⁺] at stages 40 and 42. Corneas at stages 40, 42 and 45 had a significantly elevated water content when compared with controls. Injection of 15 μg of T₄ prior to stage 36 or at or after stage 40 did not produce significant changes in corneal water and ionic content compared with controls; injection of 15 μg of T₄ during the cell proliferation period of corneal development (stages 36–40) produced a significant increase in [K⁺]. Similar results were obtained in corneas from embryos injected with 1 μg of T₄. Total corneal thickness was increased in thiouracil treated corneas, and decreased in T₄ treated corneas. Epithelial growth was markedly decreased with thiouracil treatment, while T₄ had little effect. It is likely that thiouracil treatment decreases cell division in the cornea, and prevents formation of the epithelial barrier, whereas T₄ accelerates these processes.     

Physiological, Endocrine, and Genetic Bases of Anadromy in the Brook Charr, Salvelinus Fontinalis, of the Laval River (Québec, Canada)

Brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis, often display alternate life history styles in coastal areas. In the Laval River, some brook charr remain freshwater residents, while others undergo seasonal migrations between freshwater and saltwater environments. In the present paper, we examined physiological (electrolyte concentrations, gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, and thyroid hormone levels) as well as genetic differences (neutral genetic markers) between anadromous and river-resident fish from the Laval River. We also examined how artificial rearing conditions affected seasonal variations in the osmoregulatory physiology of a domestic strain derived from wild anadromous fish. Sympatric anadromous and resident forms of brook charr of the Laval River exhibited differences in gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, plasma thyroxine (T₄), and triidothyronine (T₃) concentrations. In domestic anadromous charr, rearing conditions during development had no negative impact on osmoregulatory ability or on gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. These results argued for an important hereditary component of gill Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. However, the spring increase in T₄ was present only in wild fish. Significant differences observed at microsatellite loci further suggested that at least some level of reproductive isolation may have occurred between anadromous and resident charr in the Laval River.