不同时间睡眠干扰所致小鼠的类抑郁样行为

目的研究不同时间睡眠干扰后所致的小鼠类抑郁样行为学表现。方法使用滚筒睡眠干扰仪对小鼠进行不同时间(5、10、15 d)睡眠干扰后,分别对各组动物进行自主活动测试实验、强迫游泳实验和悬尾实验。结果干扰5 d组与对照组比,自主活动总路程、平均速度、运动总时间减少(P<0.05),干扰10 d组与对照组比,自主活动总路程、平均速度、运动总时间减少(P<0.05)。干扰5 d后,小鼠强迫游泳、悬尾实验中各指标与对照组比无差异,干扰10 d组小鼠的游泳不动时间[(143.92±9.48)s]和悬尾不动时间[(127.89±6.33)s]均较对照组小鼠游泳不动时间[(128.50±6.63)s]和悬尾不动时间[(102.64±9.57)s]长(P<0.05),干扰15 d组小鼠的游泳不动时间[(143.08±8.13)s]和悬尾不动时间[(119.10±10.43)s]均较对照组小鼠游泳不动时间[(113.00±7.28)s]和悬尾不动时间[(89.55±9.07)s]长(P<0.05)。干扰5 d组、10 d组、15 d组与对照组比,体重均降低(P<0.05)。结论滚筒法睡眠干扰10、15 d可引起小鼠的类抑郁样行为学表现。     

卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态(英文)

目的:建立卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态模型,并且探讨其可能的神经化学机制。方法:将小鼠分为假手术组,卵巢摘除组,己烯雌酚治疗组和氟西汀治疗组。动物行卵巢摘除术后开始给药,术后两周进行强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验以考察其抑郁样状态,并利用高效液相结合电化学检测测定下丘脑及海马中去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)以及五羟色胺(5-HT)的含量。结果:在强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验中,卵巢摘除小鼠较假手术组小鼠不动时间显著延长。神经递质测定显示,卵巢摘除小鼠下丘脑中NE与DA的含量显著降低,海马中NE与5-HT的含量显著降低。给予己烯雌酚或氟西汀治疗对抗了卵巢摘除所诱导的抑郁样状态,并且缓解了神经递质水平的下降。结论:双侧卵巢摘除诱发的小鼠抑郁样状态可以模拟妇女更年期抑郁的某些症状。本研究对于探讨卵巢激素撤除诱发抑郁状态的神经生化机制可能具有重要的意义。     

DS-1226对慢性睡眠干扰所致小鼠抑郁行为的改善作用

目的研究人参皂苷水解产物DS-1226对慢性睡眠干扰小鼠的抗抑郁作用,为抗抑郁药物的研发提供科学依据。方法将72只雄性ICR小鼠分为空白对照组、模型组、阳性对照组(盐酸帕罗西汀,10 mg/kg)、DS-1226低剂量组(20 mg/kg)、中剂量组(40 mg/kg)、高剂量组(80 mg/kg)。除空白组外,其他组小鼠先进行3 d的滚筒适应,然后连续进行14 d睡眠干扰。采用体重监测、自主活动实验、悬尾实验、强迫游泳实验等实验方法,评价DS-1226的抗抑郁作用。结果连续进行14 d睡眠干扰后,与空白对照组相比,模型组体重显著下降,悬尾和强迫游泳不动时间显著增长。与模型组相比,DS-1226中剂量组显著逆转睡眠干扰所致的体重下降,其他各给药组均未能显著逆转睡眠干扰所致的体重下降;阳性药组的悬尾不动时间极显著减少,强迫游泳不动时间有减少趋势;DS-1226中剂量悬尾不动时间显著减少,强迫游泳不动时间有明显减少趋势;DS-1226高剂量组悬尾和强迫游泳不动时间均显著减少。结论 DS-1226具有改善慢性睡眠干扰小鼠抑郁样行为的作用。     

布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳小鼠海马炎症因子表达改善抑郁样行为

目的:探讨布洛芬辅助治疗对氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马炎症因子表达及抑郁样行为的影响。方法:采用慢性不可预见性温和刺激制备抑郁模型,通过糖水偏爱试验、强迫游泳试验以及新奇环境抑制摄食试验等筛查氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠,将该小鼠随机分为2组,一组继续氟西汀治疗,另一组给予布洛芬辅助治疗,2周后评价2组小鼠抑郁样行为的变化及海马白细胞介素1β(Interleukin 1β,IL-1β)、前列腺素E2(Prostaglandin E2,PGE2)的表达情况。结果:大约20-30%的抑郁小鼠氟西汀治疗效果不佳,其海马IL-1β、PGE2水平明显高于对照组以及氟西汀治疗有效小鼠(P0.05)。布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马IL-1β、PGE2水平,小鼠的糖水消耗及糖耗比值均较单纯氟西汀治疗组明显提高(P0.05);小鼠强迫游泳的不动时间明显缩短(P0.05)。并且在新奇环境中的摄食行为增强,摄食潜伏期缩短(P0.05)。结论:布洛芬对氟西汀治疗效果不佳(难治性)抑郁小鼠具有辅助抗抑郁治疗作用,能够下调炎症因子表达,改善其抑郁样行为。     

卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态（英文）

目的：建立卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态模型,并且探讨其可能的神经化学机制。方法：将小鼠分为假手术组,卵巢摘除组,己烯雌酚治疗组和氟西汀治疗组。动物行卵巢摘除术后开始给药,术后两周进行强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验以考察其抑郁样状态,并利用高效液相结合电化学检测测定下丘脑及海马中去甲肾上腺素（NE）、多巴胺（DA）以及五羟色胺（5-HT）的含量。结果：在强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验中,卵巢摘除小鼠较假手术组小鼠不动时间显著延长。神经递质测定显示,卵巢摘除小鼠下丘脑中NE与DA的含量显著降低,海马中NE与5-HT的含量显著降低。给予己烯雌酚或氟西汀治疗对抗了卵巢摘除所诱导的抑郁样状态,并且缓解了神经递质水平的下降。结论：双侧卵巢摘除诱发的小鼠抑郁样状态可以模拟妇女更年期抑郁的某些症状。本研究对于探讨卵巢激素撤除诱发抑郁状态的神经生化机制可能具有重要的意义。     

重复经颅磁刺激联合低剂量氟西汀对CUMS抑郁小鼠的影响*

目的:探讨重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)联合低剂量氟西汀对慢性不可预知轻度压力(CUMS)抑郁小鼠的影响及其交互作用。方法:取42只雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常对照组(Control,7只)和抑郁症模型组(Model,35只),Model组小鼠给予限制塑料管内、鼠笼倾斜、不筑巢、拥挤环境、明暗颠倒、白噪声等6种刺激,每种刺激随机且不同时出现2次,共刺激4周建立CUMS模型。随后35只Model组鼠随机分为CUMS组(8只)、氟西汀组(Fluoxetine,9只)、rTMS组(9只)和rTMS+Fluoxetine组(9只)。Fluoxetine组给予腹腔注射氟西汀5 mg/(kg·d),rTMS组给予10 Hz频率刺激,rTMS+Fluoxetine组给予腹腔注射氟西汀5 mg/(kg·d)和10 Hz频率刺激,Control和CUMS模型组给予相同体积生理盐水腹腔注射和伪刺激,各组均连续干预4周,随后进行行为学实验,最后运用析因设计方差分析方法分析Fluoxetine与rTMS的交互作用。结果:与Control组比,CUMS组小鼠强迫游泳实验中不动时间显著升高(P＜0.05),蔗糖实验中糖喜好程度、旷场实验中心运动次数和体重变化率均显著下降(P＜0.05)。与CUMS组比,rTMS组、Fluoxetine组和rTMS+Fluoxetine组抑郁症小鼠强迫游泳实验中不动时间显著降低(P＜0.01)、蔗糖实验中糖喜好程度和旷场实验中心运动次数显著升高(P＜0.05),其中rTMS+Fluoxetine组联合应用效果更显著(P＜0.05),但体重变化率仅rTMS+Fluoxetine组有变化(P＜0.05)。结论:重复经颅磁刺激和/或氟西汀均能不同程度的改善CUMS小鼠抑郁状态,其中联合应用的干预作用优于单独使用氟西汀或rTMS的效果,且有交互作用。     

对香豆酸对慢性束缚应激诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的作用*

目的: 探索对香豆酸(p-CA)对慢性束缚应激(CRS)诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的作用。方法: 实验分两批进行,第一批小鼠随机分成对照组(Control),慢性束缚应激组(CRS)和慢性束缚应激+p-CA组(CRS+p-CA),每组8只,其中慢性束缚应激小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚21 d,而对照组小鼠留在笼中不被打扰。第22日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),注射后1 h进行自发活动测试(LMA),注射后4 h进行强迫游泳测试(FST),注射后24 h进行悬尾测试。第二批小鼠随机分成慢性束缚应激组(CRS) ,慢性束缚应激+ANA-12(原肌球蛋白激酶B拮抗剂)组(CRS+ANA-12)和慢性束缚应激+p-CA组(CRS+ p-CA)慢性束缚应激+p-CA +ANA-12组(CRS+ p-CA +ANA-12),每组8只,4组小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚21 d。第22日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),ANA-12(0.5 mg/kg)在p-CA注射前30 min给药。注射后1 h进行自发活动测试(LMA),注射后2 h进行强迫游泳测试(FST),注射后24 h进行悬尾测试。结果: ①在实验一中,与Control组相比,CRS组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性增多(P＜0.05);而与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠不动时间显著性减少(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。②在实验二中,与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性减少(P＜0.05);而与CRS+ p-CA组相比,CRS+ p-CA +ANA-12组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性增多(P＜0.05)。结论: P-CA改善慢性束缚应激诱导小鼠抑郁样行为,TrkB受体可能介导了此作用。     

二甲双胍对慢性应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响

目的:观察二甲双胍对慢性不可预测性温和应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组(n=10):对照组(CON组)、二甲双胍组(MET组)、模型组(CUMS组)、模型+二甲双胍组(CUMS+MET组),采用慢性不可预测性温和应激(CUMS)方法,用3周时间建立大鼠抑郁模型。造模完成后,两个二甲双胍组腹腔注射二甲双胍(100mg/kg),对照组和模型组注射等量的生理盐水,每天1次,连续2周。之后检测大鼠体重增长变化、糖水嗜好、强迫游泳和悬尾不动实验、旷场实验等大鼠行为学的改变,采用尼氏染色观察大鼠海马形态结构变化。结果:与对照组比较,CUMS组大鼠体重增长明显减慢(P<0.05),糖水偏爱率明显降低(P<0.05),强迫游泳和悬尾不动实验中不动时间明显延长(P<0.05),旷场实验中自发活动明显减少(P<0.05),大鼠海马的形态结构有所变化,证实CUMS抑郁模型建立成功。与CUMS组比较,二甲双胍处理后对大鼠的体重无明显影响,但能明显改善CUMS抑郁模型大鼠的糖水摄入、不动时间和自发活动(P<0.05),并能修复CUMS大鼠海马的异常形态结构变化。结论:二甲双胍对CUMS诱导的大鼠抑郁行为具有明显的改善作用,为临床糖尿病并发抑郁症的患者提供新的治疗手段。     

金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用

为了探讨金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用,将BALB/c小鼠分为6组,即正常组、模型组、阳性药组(帕罗西汀),金钗石斛低(50 mg/kg)、中(100 mg/kg)、高(200 mg/kg)剂量组,灌胃给药两周后,除正常组外,其他组给予慢性不可预见性应激造模35天。造模结束后,通过糖水偏爱、新奇抑制摄食、强迫游泳实验和悬尾实验检测其行为学改变,采用LC-MS/MS测定各组小鼠应激后海马及皮层单胺类神经递质包括多巴胺(dopamine,DA)和5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)的含量改变。结果显示,与正常组相比,模型组小鼠糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组可显著逆转模型小鼠出现的糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01),其作用与阳性药帕罗西汀相当;与正常组相比,模型组小鼠新奇抑制摄食潜伏期延长(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组均可显著缩短新奇抑制摄食潜伏期(P0.01);与正常组相比,模型组小鼠悬尾的不动时间明显延长(P0.01),与模型组比较,帕罗西汀及200 mg/kg金钗石斛均可缩短悬尾的不动时间(P0.05);与正常组相比,模型小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间无明显延长,各给药组的不动时间也未见明显改变(P0.05)。与正常组相比,模型组小鼠皮层和海马中的DA和5-HT含量明显减少(P0.05);帕罗西汀能使模型小鼠海马和皮层DA、海马5-HT含量明显增加(P0.05);金钗石斛低、高剂量组皮层DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05),金钗石斛中、高剂量组海马DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05);金钗石斛高剂量组皮层和海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.05),但金钗石斛中剂量组仅海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.01)。以上结果提示,慢性不可预见应激可导致小鼠的类抑郁样行为出现,而金钗石斛提取物能有效改善慢性不可预见应激模型动物的抑郁样行为学表现,并提高小鼠脑内的DA和5-HT水平。     

氟西汀对阿尔茨海默病神经细胞模型保护作用分子机制的研究分析

本研究初步探讨氟西汀(fluoxetine)对阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)神经细胞模型小鼠神经纤维瘤细胞,野生型N2A/WT细胞和β-淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβ-protein,Aβ)过表达型N2A/APP695swe细胞的保护作用及可能机制。CCK-8法进行氟西汀对APP695细胞抑制率的测定,以半数抑制率(IC50)的氟西汀浓度作为后续实验的药物浓度。后分为WT组、APP695+氟西汀组、APP695组,三组细胞分别培养48 h后,进行细胞原位凋亡染色。最后以Western测定Aβ和BDNF的表达量。实验结果测得半数抑制率(IC50)的氟西汀浓度10-7mol/L。细胞凋亡染色结果显示APP695组凋亡的细胞明显多于其他两组(p0.01),与APP695+氟西汀组相比凋亡细胞增加(p0.05),而WT组与APP695+氟西汀组凋亡细胞无显著性差异(p0.05)。Western结果显示APP695组Aβ表达多于其他两组(p0.05)而BDNF表达明显少于其他两组(p0.01),与APP695+氟西汀组相比Aβ表达增加(p0.05)但BDNF表达减少(p0.05),而WT组与氟西汀组相比Aβ和BDNF的表达量均无显著性差异(p0.05)。本研究结果提示氟西汀可以通过抑制APP695过表达Aβ,从而减少有毒Aβ对BDNF的影响,增加BDNF的表达量,对神经细胞起保护作用,为氟西汀治疗AD提供新的思路。     

Ammonia removal from freshwater using nitrifying bacteria enriched from a seawater aquaculture pond

Intensively cultured fish stock when fed protein-rich feeds typically excrete high concentrations of total ammoniacal-nitrogen (TAN) into the water column which can have adverse effects on productivity, and upon the environment when aquaculture water is discharged. An immobilized culture of nitrifying bacteria isolated from prawn pond water and known to effectively remove TAN from saline water was tested for its ability to remove TAN from freshwater. The culture was readily adaptable to non-saline conditions and maintained TAN at less than 0.25 mg l^–1, even with a daily addition of 3.2 to 4.2 mg TAN l^–1 per d. The use of the immobilized culture of nitrifying bacteria represents an innovative and economical in situ treatment technology for removal of TAN in both saline and freshwater.     

A novel three-stage seaweed (Ulva lactuca) biofilter design for integrated mariculture

Seaweed biofilters have proven their usefulness in the treatment of fishpond effluents. However, their performance poses a dilemma: TAN (Total Ammonia N) uptake rate – and with it seaweed yield and protein content – is inversely proportional to TAN uptake efficiency. The ideal for a seaweed biofilter performance would be a high uptake rate together with high uptake efficiency. The novel three-stage seaweed biofilter design described here has solved this dilemma. The design used the finding that the performance of seaweed ponds depended on the flux of TAN through them, and that therefore effluents with reduced TAN concentration could provide the seaweed with a high TAN flux if the water flow increased proportionally. Effluents from a seabream fishpond were passed through a series of three successively smaller (25, 12.5 and 6.25 m², respectively) air-agitated Ulva lactuca ponds. The diminished inflow TAN concentrations to the second and third ponds of the biofilter system were compensated for by the increased water exchange rates, inversely proportional to their sizes. The biofilter performance was evaluated under several TAN loads. TAN was efficiently removed (85–90%), at a high areal rate (up to 2.9 g N m^-2 d^-1) while producing high protein U. lactuca (up to 44% dw) in all three stages, although with mediocre yields (up to 189 g fresh m^-2 d^-1). Performance of each seaweed biofilter pond correlated not with TAN concentration, but with areal TAN loads. The novel three-stage design provides significant functional and economic improvements in seaweed biofiltration of intensive fishpond water.     

Genetic Adaptation to Elevated Carbon Dioxide Atmospheres by Pseudomonas-Like Bacteria Isolated from Rock Cod (Sebastes spp.)

The microorganisms on rock cod fillets stored in a modified atmosphere (MA; 80% CO₂-20% air) at 4°C for 21 days were isolated. Only Lactobacillus sp. (71 to 87%) and tan-colored Pseudomonas sp.-like isolates (TAN isolates) were found. The TAN isolates grew more slowly in MA than in air at 8°C. When TAN isolates were grown in air at 8°C and then transferred to MA at 8°C, there was an initial decline in viable counts for 10 to 30 h followed by exponential growth. During this exponential growth phase in MA, the growth rates of the TAN isolates from MA-stored fish were significantly greater than those of the TAN isolates from fresh fish. When a TAN isolate from fresh fish was grown under MA for 21 days, it then grew as rapidly under MA as isolates from MA-stored fish. These results suggest that the TAN isolates genetically adapt to high levels of CO₂.     

穿膜肽TAT和R9的生物学效应的体内体外研究

本文比较了两种常用穿膜肽TAT和R9的体外穿膜效率、对细胞影响以及小鼠活体内不同器官的穿膜效率。非特异性穿膜肽TAT和R9分别为11个氨基酸和9个氨基酸的短肽,能够有效地穿过细胞膜进入细胞。本研究纯化制备出融合蛋白TAT-EGFP及R9-EGFP多肽,用相同浓度的活性TAT-EGFP和R9-EGFP处理肺癌细胞,观察比较二者的穿膜活性及效率;设置不同浓度梯度检测两种穿膜肽是否对细胞产生影响;通过小鼠腹腔注射TAT-EGFP和R9-EGFP活性肽段,研究二者在活体能够穿膜到达的靶位置,并比较分析二者穿膜的效果器官分布。结果显示制备获得的两种融合蛋白TAT-EGFP和R9-EGFP均能有效穿过实现穿膜功能,两种穿膜肽对乳腺癌细胞影响较小。活体试验证明两种穿膜肽在心、肝、脾、肺、肾器官均有分布,R9主要富集在小鼠的肾和肝脏中,TAT在6种被研究的器官都有富集,两种细胞穿膜肽都能透过血脑屏障到达脑部。相对来说,TAT在小鼠活体中的穿膜效果更好,荧光富集多,R9整体穿膜效果较弱。本研究分析比较了两种穿膜肽的细胞安全性浓度和活体的穿膜能力,为TAT和R9两种穿膜肽在后续试验中的合理有效的选择和使用,提供了基础数据和指导性依据。     

The polymethoxylated flavone,Tangeretin improves cognitive memory in rats experiencing a single episode of prolonged post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related psychiatric/mental condition. Tangeretin (TAN), a major polymethoxylated flavone of citrus plants, exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. However, whether TAN leads to cognitive improvement in PTSD patients remains unclear. In the present study, we explored whether TAN improved cognitive impairment induced in rats by single prolonged stress (SPS episode mimicking PTSD induction) and determined whether TAN reversed reductions in dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with TAN for 14 consecutive days after the SPS, which had induced cognitive deficits evident in the object recognition task and the Morris water maze test; the impairments were improved by TAN (100?mg/kg). TAN rescued the neurochemical abnormalities and the SPS-induced decreases in DA and 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and amygdala. These effects may be attributable in part to induction of hippocampal genes encoding tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase-1. Our results support the idea that rats with PTSD exhibit changes in DAergic and serotonergic transmission and in memory impairment. Thus, TAN mediated reversal of memory-related behavioral dysfunction associated with traumatic stress may be a useful therapeutic intervention in PTSD patients.     

Tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) develop pro-tumorigenic properties during tumor progression

The role and characteristics of tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) in cancer are poorly defined. We have recently shown that TAN can have anti-tumorigenic (N1) or pro-tumorigenic (N2) functions. An interesting unanswered question is how the phenotype of TAN is influenced by the ongoing evolvement of tumor microenvironment. We therefore studied the phenotype and effects of TAN at different time points during tumor progression. We used two models of murine tumor cancer cell lines—Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and AB12 (mesothelioma). Neutrophils were studied at early and late stages and compared to each other and to neutrophils from bone marrow/periphery of naïve mice. Although there was no difference in the number of neutrophils entering the tumor, we found that at early stages of tumor development, neutrophils were almost exclusively at the periphery of the tumor. Only at later stages, neutrophils were also found scattered among the tumor cells. We further found that TAN from early tumors are more cytotoxic toward tumor cells and produce higher levels of TNF-α, NO and H₂O₂. In established tumors, these functions are down-regulated and TAN acquire a more pro-tumorigenic phenotype. In line with this phenotype, only depletion of neutrophils at later stages of tumor development inhibited tumor growth, possibly due to their central location in the tumor. Our work adds another important layer to the understanding of neutrophils in cancer by further characterizing the changes in TAN during time. Additional research on the functional role of TAN and differences between subsets of TAN is currently underway.     

Muscle adenine nucleotide metabolism during and in recovery from maximal exercise in humans.

The relationship between changes in the muscle total adenine nucleotide pool (TAN = ATP + ADP + AMP) and IMP during and after 30 s of sprint cycling was examined. Skeletal muscle samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of seven untrained men (23. 9 +/- 2.3 yr, 74.4 +/- 3.6 kg, and 55.0 +/- 2.9 ml. kg(-1). min(-1) peak oxygen consumption) before and immediately after exercise and after 5 and 10 min of passive recovery. The exercise-induced increase in muscle IMP was linearly related to the decrease in muscle TAN (r = -0.97, P < 0.01), and the slope of this relationship (-0.83) was not different from 1.0 (P > 0.05), indicating a 1:1 stoichiometric relationship. This interpretation must be treated cautiously, because all subjects displayed a greater decrease in TAN compared with the increase in IMP content, and the TAN + IMP + inosine + hypoxanthine content was lower (P < 0.05) immediately after exercise compared with during rest. During the first 5 min of recovery, the increase in TAN was not correlated with the decrease in IMP (r = -0.18, P > 0.05). In all subjects, the magnitude of TAN increase was higher than the magnitude of IMP decrease over this recovery period. In contrast, the increase in TAN was correlated with the decrease in IMP throughout the second 5 min of recovery (r = -0.80, P < 0.05), and it was a 1:1 stoichiometric relationship (slope = -1.12). These data indicate that a small proportion of the TAN pool was temporarily lost from the muscle purine stores during sprinting but was rapidly recovered after exercise.     

Heterotrophic bacterial production on solid fish waste: TAN and nitrate as nitrogen source under practical RAS conditions

The drumfilter effluent from a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) can be used as substrate for heterotrophic bacteria production. This biomass can be re-used as aquatic feed. RAS effluents are rich in nitrate and low in total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). This might result in 20% lower bacteria yields, because nitrate conversion into bacteria is less energy efficient than TAN conversion. In this study the influence of TAN concentrations (1, 12, 98, 193, 257mgTAN/l) and stable nitrate-N concentrations (174+/-29mg/l) on bacteria yields and nitrogen conversions was investigated in a RAS under practical conditions. The effluent slurry was supplemented with 1.7gC/l sodium acetate, due to carbon deficiency, and was converted continuously in a suspended bacteria growth reactor (hydraulic retention time 6h). TAN utilization did not result in significantly different observed yields than nitrate (0.24-0.32gVSS/gC, p=0.763). However, TAN was preferred compared to nitrate and was converted to nearly 100%, independently of TAN concentrations. TAN and nitrate conversions rates were differing significantly for increasing TAN levels (p<0.000 and p=0.012), and were negatively correlated. It seems, therefore, equally possible to supply the nitrogenous substrate for bacteria conversion as nitrate and not as TAN. The bacteria reactor can, as a result, be integrated into an existing RAS as end of pipe treatment.     

Interactive effect of ammonia and crowding stress on ion-regulation and expression of immune-related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

The present study was to investigate the interactive effect of ammonia and crowding stress on ion-regulation and expression of immune-related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). The fish were exposed to four total ammonia nitrogen (0, 5, 20, 40 mg/L TAN) and two stocking density. After 96 h of exposure, blood, gill, and liver samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters and mRNA levels of immune-related genes. The results showed that co-exposure to high TAN (20 and 40 mg/L) and high density significantly increased plasma sodium (Na⁺), gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and mRNA levels. Following individual and combined exposure to high TAN and high density, the heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), HSP 90, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) genes expression were obviously higher than their control. Conversely, the lysozyme (LZM) and hepcidin mRNA levels were down-regulated in liver of fish exposed to high TAN alone and combination of high TAN-density. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase (GST) mRNA levels significantly increased in treatments with individual high TAN and high density, but decreased in high TAN-density co-exposed fish. Overall, ion homeostasis and immune status were adversely influenced in high exposed turbot under high density.     

Virulence of Leucobacter chromiireducens subsp. solipictus to Caenorhabditis elegans: characterization of a novel host-pathogen interaction

We describe the pathogenic interaction between a newly described gram-positive bacterium, Leucobacter chromiireducens subsp. solipictus strain TAN 31504, and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. TAN 31504 pathogenesis on C. elegans is exerted primarily through infection of the adult nematode uterus. TAN 31504 enters the uterus through the external vulval opening, and the ensuing uterine infection is strongly correlated with a significant reduction in host life span. Young worms can feed and develop on TAN 31504, but not preferably over the standard food source. C. elegans worms reared on TAN 31504 as the sole food source develop into thin adults with little intestinal fat stores, produce few progeny, and subsequently cannot persist on the pathogenic food source. Within 12 h of exposure, adult worms challenged with TAN 31504 alter the expression of a number of C. elegans innate immunity-related genes, including nlp-29, which encodes a neuropeptide-like protein. C. elegans worms exposed briefly to TAN 31504 develop lethal uterine infections analogous to worms exposed continuously to pathogen, suggesting that mere contact with the pathogen is sufficient for the host to become infected. TAN 31504 produces a robust biofilm, and this behavior is speculated to play a role in the virulence exerted on the nematode host. The interaction between TAN 31504 and C. elegans provides a convenient opportunity to study bacterial virulence on nematode tissues other than the intestine and may allow for the discovery of host innate immunity elicited specifically in response to vulva-uterus infection.