Resistance to Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in beans

Resistance in beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L., to the melon thrips Thrips palmi Karny was studied under field conditions at two sites in Colombia. Genotypes were rated for resistance on the basis of visual damage scores, bean production ratings (a visual estimate of pod and seed set), and grain yields. Of 1,138 genotypes tested, only 60 (5.3%) were rated as resistant. Repeated testing allowed us to identify potential sources of resistance in five germplasm accessions (G 02402, G 02852, G 03177, G 03569, and G 04055), one commercial variety ('Brunca'), six elite breeding lines (A 216, DOR 714, EMP 486, FEB 115, FEB 161, and FEB 162), 41 recombinant inbred lines derived from the BAT 881 x G 21212 cross, and seven recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between DOR 364 and BAT 477. Resistance was not associated with maturity, growth habit, pubescence, and seed color or seed size. In general, correlations between visual damage scores and bean production ratings and between damage scores and yield were high and significant meaning that selection on damage rating is useful to identify genotypes that may have tolerance as a mechanism of resistance. The continuous distribution of damage scores of 139 recombinant inbred lines suggested that the inheritance of resistance to the melon thrips might be quantitative. Overall, resistance levels in beans can be considered as moderate, because none of the genotypes tested received damage scores of <3 on a 1-9 scale and none was ever rated as highly resistant in terms of bean production ratings.     

华东热湿地区四种植物群落类型对降温效应的影响研究

中国城市化进程不断推进,城市热岛效应的强度和负面影响越来越大,因此研究绿地植物群落类型对城市降温效应的影响具有重要意义。在实地调研的基础上,采用多元统计和拟合函数模型等方法,利用叶面积指数、三维绿量等因子分析4种植物群落类型的降温效应,以揭示绿地植物群落类型对降温效应影响的内在机制。夏季,4种植物群落类型对降温效应影响趋势分布排序为：乔木—灌木—草坪群落>群植小乔木群落> 乔木—草坪群落>乔木—硬质铺装群落;其中乔木—草坪群落与乔木—硬质铺装群落的降温效应较为接近。将反映植物群落特征的因子导入拟合数学方程模型,从而形成对降温效应作用较好的群落结构。研究结果和研究创新之处在于研究结果阐述了绿地植物群落类型对降温效应影响的内在作用机制。     

Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in eels by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The plasma kinetics of ciprofloxacin (CF) were investigated in the eels after administration by oral gavage and bath treatment. Plasma concentrations of CF were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The mean concentration time data after oral gavage of a single dose (10.0 mg/kg CF) and after bath treatment by exposure (10 microg/ml CF) to medicated water for 48 h were both best fitted by a one-compartment model. After oral gavage in eels, the half-time of absorption (T1/2Ka) was 0.10 h, the half-time of elimination (T1/2Ke) was 51.87 h, and the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 0.4552 microg/ml at Tmax 0.88 h. After bath treatment, the (T1/2Ka) was 0.02 h, the (T1/2Ke) was 15.46 h, and the Cmax was 0.1175 microg/mL at Tmax 0.22 h.     

Different approaches to labelling parasitoids using strontium

Labelling parasitoids with trace elements is a potentially powerful technique for studying dispersal and trophic interactions in these usually small insects. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of different methods for trace element labelling of the hymenopteran parasitoid Cotesia glomerata. We concentrated on Sr as a marker and in some relevant aspects also compared its labelling efficiency to that of Rb, which is the trace element commonly used to label insects. Laboratory-reared wasps had a mean background level of 0.43±0.26 (SD) g g^–1 for strontium (Sr) and 0.51±0.25 (SD) g g^–1 for rubidium (Rb), which was much lower than that for seven other common trace elements (i.e. B, Mg, Al, Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn). Cotesia glomerata could be effectively labelled with Sr by: (1) feeding adults on sucrose solution spiked with Sr; (2) rearing larvae from Pieris brassicae fed the cabbage plant (Brassica oleracea) soil-drenched with aqueous Sr; or (3) feeding adults on extrafloral nectar from a plant (Vicia faba) soil-drenched with aqueous Sr. Although Sr content in labelled wasps varied with the concentration and the method applied, it did not decline significantly with age. Labelled wasps could be unequivocally distinguished from unlabelled counterparts even 16 days after they were denied access to the Sr-enriched food sources. Labelling with Sr did not seem to have any negative effect on the parasitoid fitness. Thus, Sr is an ideal internal marker to label C. glomerata and other hymenopteran parasitoids for investigations of bi- and tri-trophic interactions.     

The Mouse Round-window Approach for Ototoxic Agent Delivery: A Rapid and Reliable Technique for Inducing Cochlear Cell Degeneration

Investigators have utilized a wide array of animal models and investigative techniques to study the mammalian auditory system. Much of the basic research involving the cochlea and its associated neural pathways entails exposure of model cochleae to a variety of ototoxic agents. This allows investigators to study the effects of targeted damage to cochlear structures, and in some cases, the self-repair or regeneration of those structures. Various techniques exist for delivery of ototoxic agents to the cochlea. When selecting a particular technique, investigators must consider a number of factors, including the induction of inadvertent systemic toxicity, the amount of cochlear damage produced by the surgical procedure itself, the type of lesion desired, animal survivability, and reproducibility/reliability of results. Currently established techniques include parenteral injection, intra-peritoneal injection, trans-tympanic injection, endolymphatic sac injection, and cochleostomy with perilymphatic perfusion. Each of these methods has been successfully utilized and is well described in the literature; yet, each has various shortcomings. Here, we present a technique for topical application of ototoxic agents directly to the round window niche. This technique is non-invasive to inner ear structures, produces rapid onset of reliably targeted lesions, avoids systemic toxicity, and allows for an intra-animal control (the contra-lateral ear). Results stemming from this approach have helped deeper understanding of auditory pathophysiology, cochlear cell degeneration, and regenerative capacity in response to an acute injury. Future investigations may use this method to conduct interventional studies involving gene therapy and stem cell transplantation to combat hearing loss.     

Correlation of Epididymal Protease Inhibitor and Fibronectin in Human Semen

Objective

Epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) was located on the surface of spermatozoa and modulates the liquefaction of human semen. Here, we identify the correlative protein partner of Eppin to explore the molecular mechanism of liquefaction of human semen.

Methods

(1) Human seminal vesicle proteins were transferred on the membrane by Western blotting and separated by 2-D electrophoresis and incubated in recombinant Eppin. The correlative protein was identified by Mass Spectrometry (MS) (2). Western blotting was used to determine the relation of rEppin and rFibronectin(Fn); (3) Co-localization in spermatozoa were detected using immunofluorescence; (4) Correalation of Eppin and Fn was proved by co-immunoprecipitation.

Results

Fn was identified as the binding partner of recombinant Eppin by MS. Recombinant of Eppin was made and demonstrated that the Eppin fragment binds the fn 607-1265 fragment. The Eppin-Fn complex presents on the sperm tail and particularly in the midpiece region of human ejaculated spermatozoa. Immunoprecipitation indicated that Eppin in the spermatozoa lysates was complexed with Fn.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that Eppin and Fn bind to each other in human semen and on human ejaculated spermatozoa. Eppin-Fn complex may involve in semen coagulation, liquefaction and the survival and preparation of spermatozoa for fertility in the female reproductive tract.     

Environment�CKHV�Ccarp�Chuman linkage as a model for environmental diseases

To predict outbreaks of infectious disease and to prevent epidemics, it is essential not only to conduct pathological studies but also to understand the interactions between the environment, pathogen, host and humans that cause and spread infectious diseases. Outbreaks of mass mortality in carp caused by Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), formerly known as koi herpesvirus (KHV), disease have occurred worldwide since the late 1990s. We proposed an environment?CKHV?Ccarp?Chuman linkage as a conceptual model for ??environmental diseases?? and specify research subjects that might be necessary to construct and shape this linkage.     

用细胞培养的流行性乙型脑炎病毒抗原做ELISA检测特异的IgG抗体

用C6/36细胞增殖流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)病毒制备抗原,用ELISA法检测乙脑IgG抗体,可获得满意结果。用此法检测了河南,海南地区不同年龄人群的253份血清标本,阳性检出率为55.6％(141/253)。与血凝抑制法(HI)相比较,HI的阳性率仅37.1％(93/253)。两种方法的抗体滴度呈正相关r=0.88。用ELISA检测,乙脑抗体与登革病毒抗原有一定交叉,但滴度平均有16倍差异。本方法重复性良好,具有特异、敏感、简便的特点。可用于乙脑的诊断、流行病学调查和疫苗效果的考核。