Ultrastructural localization of peanut lectin binding to extravascular white blood cells in the bone marrow of embryonic chicks

Summary Labelling by the galactose-specific lectin peanut agglutinin was studied in bone marrow of the embryonic chick at the electron-microscopic level by use of both a gold-conjugated lectin and an indirect, ferritin-conjugated, biotinylated lectin. Cell surface labelling is exclusively restricted to developing and mature heterophilic granulocytes, monocyte/macrophages, mast cells/basophils, all of which appear to develop and reside in the extravascular spaces of the bone marrow. Resident small lymphocytes, which comprise a minor portion of the cell population, are also labelled. Erythroid cells and thrombocytic cells, which develop inside venous sinusoidal vessels, display no labelling. The latter cells, like extravascular leukocytes, contain surface galactosyl residues located in subterminal positions on cell surfaces, since they are labelled by the galactose-specific Ricinus communis agglutinin-I. It is postulated that terminal galactosyl residues might be involved in interactions between the surfaces of extravascular leukocytes and extracellular matrix and/or stromal cell surfaces.     

Polyspermy in birds: sperm numbers and embryo survival

Polyspermy is a major puzzle in reproductive biology. In some taxa, multiple sperm enter the ovum as part of the normal fertilization process, whereas in others, penetration of the ovum by more than one sperm is lethal. In birds, several sperm typically enter the germinal disc, yet only one fuses with the female pronucleus. It is unclear whether supernumerary sperm play an essential role in the avian fertilization process and, if they do, how females regulate the progression of sperm through the oviduct to ensure an appropriate number reach the ovum. Here, we show that when very few sperm penetrate the avian ovum, embryos are unlikely to survive beyond the earliest stages of development. We also show that when the number of inseminated sperm is limited, a greater proportion than expected reach and penetrate the ovum, indicating that females compensate for low sperm numbers in the oviduct. Our results suggest a functional role for supernumerary sperm in the processes of fertilization and early embryogenesis, providing an exciting expansion of our understanding of sperm function in birds.     

Variation in chicken populations may affect the enzymatic activity of lysozyme

The chicken lysozyme gene encodes a hydrolase that has a key role in defence, especially in ovo. This gene was resequenced in global chicken populations [red, grey, Ceylon and green jungle fowl (JF)] and related bird species. Networks, summary statistics and tests of neutrality indicate that although there is extensive variation at the gene, little is present at coding sites, with the exception of one non‐synonymous site. This segregating site and a further fixed non‐synonymous change between red JF and domestic chicken populations are spatially close to the catalytic sites of the enzyme and so might affect its activity.     

Melanism in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is associated with a deletion of Phenylalanine‐256 in the MC1R gene

We have characterized a deletion in the MC1R gene causing the loss of one amino acid (p.Phe256del), which is perfectly associated with melanism in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Co‐segregation of the p.Phe256del with melanism was confirmed in 25 offspring born from a cross of two heterozygote birds; therefore we suggest that this mutation is responsible for the black phenotype. Interestingly, this is the first case of recessive melanism linked to MC1R.     

微卫星技术分析地方鸡种群体的遗传结构

利用微卫星技术和14对引物MCW150、MCW134、MCW145、MCW104、ADL210、MCW88、ADL237、ADL201、ADL289、MCW5、MCW217、MCW29、ADL176、MCW4对7个地方鸡种和1个引进鸡种的群体遗传结构特征进行了分析。根据池DNA所获得的品种间相似指数计算遗传距离。结果表明:AA鸡与其它品种鸡遗传距离最远,白耳鸡次之,其余品种间较近。这些鸡种的遗传结构特征与其地理分布有关,说明微卫星技术作为畜禽遗传结构分析的辅助手段是可行的,也是高效的 。     

Functional and architectural complexity within and between muscles: regional variation and intermuscular force transmission

Over the past 30 years, studies of single muscles have revealed complex patterns of regional variation in muscle architecture, activation, strain and force. In addition, muscles are often functionally integrated with other muscles in parallel or in series. Understanding the extent of this complexity and the interactions between muscles will profoundly influence how we think of muscles in relation to organismal function, and will allow us to address questions regarding the functional benefits (or lack thereof) and dynamics of this complexity under in vivo conditions. This paper has two main objectives. First, we present a cohesive and integrative review of regional variation in function within muscles, and discuss the functional ramifications that can stem from this variation. This involves splitting regional variation into passive and active components. Second, we assess the functional integration of muscles between different limb segments by presenting new data involving in vivo measurements of activation and strain from the medial gastrocnemius, iliotibialis cranialis and iliotibialis lateralis pars preacetabularis of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) during level running on a motorized treadmill. Future research directions for both of these objectives are presented.     

1985-2030年江西泰和县森林植被碳储量的时空动态

根据第6次森林清查小班数据,运用生物量转换因子法和平均生物量法估算了2003年江西省泰和县森林植被的生物量和碳储量,采用空间替代时间的方法,利用Logistic方程拟合了泰和主要森林类型年龄与碳密度的曲线关系,并结合小班轮伐信息,估算了全县1985—2003年的植被生物量和碳储量,分析了期间的时空动态特征,并以2003年为基准年,假定到2020、2030年泰和县森林植被面积保持稳定、且不考虑轮伐期,推算了此情景下2020、2030年泰和县植被碳储量.结果表明：2003年,泰和县森林林分总面积15.74×10⁴ hm²,总生物量6.71 Tg,植被碳储量4.14 Tg C,平均碳密度26.31 t C·hm^{- 2}. 1985、1994、2003、2020、2030年泰和县森林植被碳储量分别为1.06、2.83、4.14、5.65和6.35Tg C,森林植被碳密度的空间分布由东西部向中部递减.人工造林使泰和县林分面积大幅增加,全县森林植被的固碳能力明显增强.     

太和香椿总黄酮的提取及含量测定

设计正交实验对酶解水提法进行优化,以浸提液中总黄酮得率作为考察指标。采用最佳提取方法提取太和产香椿5个品种的总黄酮,比较其含量大小。结果表明酶解水提法的最佳提取条件是料液比1∶40。酶用量15U/g,酶解时间90min,酶解后水提时间120min。红油椿的总黄酮含量最高,黑油椿次之,其次是红椿、青椿,毛椿的总黄酮含量最少。