麻雀核型研究的新发现

本文对分布于牡丹江地区的麻雀（Passer montanus montanus Linnaeus）（指名亚种）进行了核型、C带和G带研究,发现了麻雀同一亚种内具有4种核型,即2n=78（正常）、2n=77、2n=76和2n=78（异常）。经分析比较认为,4种核型中,2n=78（正常）为基础核型,而其他3种核型是在此基础上由微小染色体发生过罗伯逊易位（Robertsonian translocation）形成的。从而为罗伯逊易位在鸟类核型进化中起重要作用这一推测提供了直接的证据。Abstract: The karyotype .C-band and G-band of the tree sparrow (Passer montanus montanus L.) in Mudanjiang area were studied, and 4 karyotypes were discovered, they are 2n=78 (normal), 2n=77,2n=76 and 2n=78(unusual). By analysis and comparison it can be considered that the 2n=78(normal) is a basic karyotype in the 4 karyotypes, and the others are formed by Robertsonina translocation between microchromosomes on this base, thus providing the inference that the Robertsonian translocation plays an important role in karyotype evolution of birds with direct evidence.     

QTL mapping of economically important traits in Silkworm (Bombyx mori)

The construction of linkage map is both a funda-mental research area and an important aspect of gene analyses in genetics. It provides the guidelines for breeding. A sound linkage map is also necessary for further genetic analysis. In recent years, great and rapid progress has been made in molecular biology, which enables fingerprinting of organisms at the ge-nomic level. Many molecular marker techniques have been well established. Heartening progress has been made in many organisms in the co…     

Nesting season,nest age,and disturbance,but not habitat characteristics,affect nest survival of Chinese grouse

Nest survival is a vital component of breeding success,and affects population dynamics,as the loss of nests is the main cause of reproductive failure in birds.To identify key factors for the conservation of Chinese grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi,we tested the effects of nest concealment,nest age,nesting season,and habitat edge on nest daily survival rate(DSR)of Chinese grouse using 54 nests found at Lianhuashan Nature Reserve,Gansu,China,2009-2012.Moreover,we controlled for the effect of research activity by testing the effect of nest checks on DSR.Overall,mammal predation caused 93%of nest failures.DSR was 0.986±0.0038 in the constant model and the probability of a nest with a full clutch of 6 eggs surviving the entire 40-day nesting period was 0.526±0.090.DSR decreased with nest age and nesting season(from 19 May to 3 July).Mammals instead of avian predators being responsible for most nest failures suggest that nest sites might be selected to avoid visual avian predators,but not olfactory mammalian predators,and the decreasing trend of DSR with nest age and nesting season could attribute to an additive exposure effect.Moreover,nest checks conducted by investigators significantly lowered nest DSR,especially during the late period of nesting season and for older nests.Mammalian predators might locate the nest site by following the investigator's odor.Based on our results,we suggest that the late incubation stage is a particularly vulnerable period for nest survival of Chinese grouse and those researchers should adjust their activities around nests to balance the need of acquiring accurate data and decreasing nest predation risk.     

Zacopride selectively activates the Kir2.1 channel via a PKA signaling pathway in rat cardiomyocytes

We recently reported that zacopride is a selective inward rectifier potassium current (IK1 ) channel agonist, suppressing ventricular arrhythmias without affecting atrial arrhythmias. The present study aimed to investigate the unique pharmacological properties of zacopride. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to study IK1 currents in rat atrial myocytes and Kir2.x currents in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells transfected with inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir)2.1, Kir2.2, Kir2.3, or mutated Kir2.1 (at phosphorylation site S425L). Western immunoblots were performed to estimate the relative protein expression levels of Kir2.x in rat atria and ventricles. Results showed that zacopride did not affect the IK1 and transmembrane potential of atrial myocytes. In HEK293 cells, zacopride increased Kir2.1 homomeric channels by 40.7%±9.7% at 50 mV, but did not affect Kir2.2 and Kir2.3 homomeric channels, and Kir2.1-Kir2.2, Kir2.1-Kir2.3 and Kir2.2-Kir2.3 heteromeric channels. Western immunoblots showed that similar levels of Kir2.3 protein were expressed in rat atria and ventricles, but atrial Kir2.1 protein level was only 25% of that measured in the ventricle. In addition, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 3 receptor was undetectable, whereas 5-HT 4 receptor was weakly expressed in HEK293 cells. The Kir2.1-activating effect of zacopride in these cells was abolished by inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), but not PKC or PKG. Furthermore, zacopride did not activate the mutant Kir2.1 channel in HEK293 cells but selectively activated the Kir2.1 homomeric channel via a PKA-dependent pathway, independent to that of the 5-HT receptor.     

Research Progress of Microbial Diversity in Recent Three Years

The general situation and latest research trends in the research field of microbial diversity were summarized in this article, including the number of articles in different years, in different databases, in and different research objects which the researchers prefer to select. The papers are categorized into different research emphasis and detailed the corresponding research content in recent 3 years. This review provides us insights into the broader framework of microbial diversity in recent years and represents the research emphasis in this field. The purpose of this article is to provide a research basis for scholars to choose research direction and determine their research content.     

Sinoalaria,a name to replace Alaria （Araneae,Theridiosomatidae）

Sinoalaria nom. nov.
= Alaria Zhao ＆ Li, 2012. ZooKeys 255： 7.
Type species. Alaria chengguanensis Zhao ＆ Li, 2012
Etymology. The generic epithet is a combination of Latin Sino （=China） and Latin alaria （=of wings）, referring to the distribution of the genus and the shape of projection of the copulatory ducts. Gender is feminine.     

High-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brainendocrine-immune network through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor and its type-1 receptors

High-altitude hypoxia can induce physiological dysfunction and mountain sickness,but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood.Corticotrophin-releasing factor(CRF) and CRF type-1 receptors(CRFR1) are members of the CRF family and the essential controllers of the physiological activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis and modulators of endocrine and behavioral activity in response to various stressors.We have previously found that high-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of CRF and CRFR1 in the brain and periphery that include activation of the HPA axis in a time-and dose-dependent manner,impaired or improved learning and memory,and anxiety-like behavioral change.Meanwhile,hypoxia induces dysfunctions of the hypothalamo-pituitary-endocrine and immune systems,including suppression of growth and development,as well as inhibition of reproductive,metabolic and immune functions.In contrast,the small mammals that live on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine meadow display low responsiveness to extreme high-altitudehypoxia challenge,suggesting well-acclimatized genes and a physiological strategy that developed during evolution through interactions between the genes and environment.All the findings provide evidence for understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms of hypoxia-induced physiological dysfunction.This review extends these findings.     

Identification of an kB-like motif at the 5' upstream region of human lymphotoxin gene

INTR0DUCTIONLymphotoxin(LT),alsocalledtum0rnecrosisfactord(TNF-P),isalymphokinereleasedbymit0genorantigen-activatedTlymphocytes.Undercircumstancesofvariousneoplastandautoimmunediseases,LTpr0ducti0ncanals0bedetectedre-spectively,contributingtothecytotoxici…     

Effect of environmental stresses and high hydrostatic pressure on the Antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of environmental stresses (temperature, pH, osmotic pressure, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)) on the antibiotic susceptibility of 12 different pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates. Isolates were subjected to growth at (30 ℃and 37 ℃), an osmotic pressure of (1% and 6% NaCl), a media at pH (6.0 and 9.0) and three different HHP treatment (180, 250, 300 MPa). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of tested antibiotics used against unstressed (control), stressed or post-stressed isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. The study found that incubation under increased salt (6%), reduced salt (1%) and increased pH (9.0) conditions were commonly associated with increased antibiotic resistance. Incubation at 30 ℃ temperature, reduced pH (6.0) and HHP treatment were commonly associated with decreased antibiotic resistance. Besides, both ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime kept a constant MIC during almost all stress challenges. Thus our data demonstrate that exposure of V. parahaemolyticus to some stress conditions may contribute on the rapid development of antibiotic resistance in this food borne pathogen.     

The Role of dinB in the Appearing of Antibiotics Resistance in E.coli

The role of dinB gene in the appearing of antibiotics resistance was studied. Plasmid containing multi-copy dinB gene was transfected into E. coli to create an overexpression. The strains carrying multi-copies of dinB gene demonstrate a significant survival advantage over the wild strain. In vitro experiment, the dinB-overexpressed strain evolved resistance within 8 hours, while wild strain could not.In vivo experiment with mice model infected with dinB-overexpressed strain, resistant clones emerged significantly earlier and demonstrated significant higher level of resistance than those infected with the wild control strain. The results showed that dinB gene made a contribution in the appearing of the antibiotics resistance and has a potential as a target for prevention from the appearing of antibiotic resistance.