人脐带间充质干细胞对低氧环境下的肾小管上皮细胞中肝细胞生长因子（HGF）表达的影响

目的：肾脏的急性缺血缺氧性损伤是泌尿外科常见病,以肾小管间质纤维化为主要病理特点,成体干细胞在急性肾脏损伤动物模型中可以促进肾脏结构修复、改善肾脏功能,肝细胞生长因子作为抗纤维化的主要生长因子,在成体干细胞干预的急性肾脏损伤动物模型实验中起重要作用,然而以往的研究对象主要以动物模型为主,成体干细胞对肝细胞生长因子的具体调节机制尚不清。本实验通过体外分离、培养人的脐带间充质干细胞,来干预离体低氧预处理后的大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞,探讨在体外培养条件下人脐带间充质干细胞对低氧预处理大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞肝细胞生长因子表达的影响,为今后研究间充质干细胞治疗肾功能损害提供可靠的理论依据。方法：采用贴壁培养的方法无菌条件下分离、培养、传代人脐带间充质干细胞。细胞融合达90％时更换无血清培养基（serum．fleemedium,SFM）培养24h,收集细胞上清液即为人脐带间充质干细胞条件培养基（conditionmedium,CM）;大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞（tubularepithelialcells,TECs）于低氧环境处理1h后,随机分为对照组与CM干预组,分别培养24h和48h后检测TECs中大鼠肝细胞生长因子（hepatocytegrowthfactor,HGF）的mRNA水平、收集上清液测定大鼠HGF蛋白的含量,同时收集CM干预组中Oh,12h、24h、48h的上清液,测定其中人来源HGF蛋白的含量,并对TECs在CM干预24h和48h后行免疫组化定性人的HGF蛋白的表达。结果：在低氧预处理的培养环境下,CM干预组中,TECs中大鼠来源的HGFmRNA表达水平在24h和48h时明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）;上清液中大鼠HGF蛋白的含量在24h和48h,CM干预组显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）;上清液中人的HGF蛋白的含量随时间进行性增高,免疫组化染色显示在24h和48h大鼠TECs中能检测人的HGF蛋白的表达。结论：在低氧预处理的体外培养环境下,脐带间充质干细胞的条件培养基可以显著的上调大鼠自身的HGF水平,并可诱导大鼠TECs合成和分泌人的HGF蛋白,并为探究脐带间充质干细胞治疗肾功能损害提供可靠的理论依据。     

An individual reproduction model sensitive to milk yield and body condition in Holstein dairy cows

To simulate the consequences of management in dairy herds, the use of individual-based herd models is very useful and has become common. Reproduction is a key driver of milk production and herd dynamics, whose influence has been magnified by the decrease in reproductive performance over the last decades. Moreover, feeding management influences milk yield (MY) and body reserves, which in turn influence reproductive performance. Therefore, our objective was to build an up-to-date animal reproduction model sensitive to both MY and body condition score (BCS). A dynamic and stochastic individual reproduction model was built mainly from data of a single recent long-term experiment. This model covers the whole reproductive process and is composed of a succession of discrete stochastic events, mainly calving, ovulations, conception and embryonic loss. Each reproductive step is sensitive to MY or BCS levels or changes. The model takes into account recent evolutions of reproductive performance, particularly concerning calving-to-first ovulation interval, cyclicity (normal cycle length, prevalence of prolonged luteal phase), oestrus expression and pregnancy (conception, early and late embryonic loss). A sensitivity analysis of the model to MY and BCS at calving was performed. The simulated performance was compared with observed data from the database used to build the model and from the bibliography to validate the model. Despite comprising a whole series of reproductive steps, the model made it possible to simulate realistic global reproduction outputs. It was able to well simulate the overall reproductive performance observed in farms in terms of both success rate (recalving rate) and reproduction delays (calving interval). This model has the purpose to be integrated in herd simulation models to usefully test the impact of management strategies on herd reproductive performance, and thus on calving patterns and culling rates.     

THE MIGRATION PATTERNS OF THE PURPLE SANDPIPER CALIDRIS MARITIMA

Summers, R. W. 1994. The migration patterns of the Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima. Ostrich 65: 167–173.

The Purple Sandpiper breeds largely in the Arctic, and winters (boreal season) on the rocky shores of the north Atlantic, further north than any other sandpiper. As the populations from Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway and Russia differ in wing and bill lengths it is possible to match measurements taken from breeding birds with samples of birds caught in winter. Ringing recoveries, especially from colour marked birds, have also helped to determine migration routes and wintering areas. Four populations move to the nearest ice-free coast. Two populations move south of the nearest ice-free coast, being replaced by larger birds from a more northerly population (“chain migration”). Only the north Canadian population is believed to migrate a long distance, “leap-frogging” other winter populations. These patterns are discussed in relation to theories for the migration patterns of waders.     

Secondary poisoning of stoats (Mustela erminea), feral ferrets (Mustela furo), and feral house cats (Felis catus) by the anticoagulant poison,brodifacoum

Abstract

The extent of darkening of melanin‐based plumages in birds has previously been linked with increasing aggressive encounters between individuals. The North Island robin (Petroica longipes) is a territorial New Zealand endemic passerine that displays delayed plumage maturation (darkening of the plumage with age). Aggressive boundary interactions in the robin are relatively common during the breeding season, when territories are protected and juveniles are dispersing. This study tests the hypothesis of aggression‐mediated plumage darkening in a population of North Island robins by examining if males and older (darker) birds are either (1) involved in a higher number of aggressive interactions, or (2) are more often the aggressor than females and younger birds. When sex and age are accounted for, darker individuals will be either (3) involved in a higher number of interactions or (4) more often the aggressor in encounters with other individuals. Data were collected by scoring the plumage darkness of 32 individuals in the field, and observing (1) interaction behaviours, and (2) age and sex of the birds involved in each interaction. The results show no support for any aggression‐mediated plumage darkness in the robin; males and older birds were not involved in more aggressive interactions, and were not more often the aggressor; and neither the frequency of interactions or the number of aggressive interactions were correlated with a darker plumage. Other more complex mechanisms may explain delayed plumage darkness in the North Island robin.     

不同生态条件下水稻籼粳交后代亚种分化机制

籼粳交育种已成为国内最重要的育种方法之一,明确籼粳亚种分化机制是指导籼粳交育种的关键.本文用InDel(插入/缺失)和ILP(内含子长度多态性)标记,对在辽宁省和广东省种植并用单粒传法、混合法及系谱法构建的籼粳交(七山占/秋光)F₆代群体进行分析.结果表明: 混合法与单粒传法群体无偏分离,粳型判别值(Dj)集中在40%～60%之间;两地系谱法群体总体偏籼(30%～55%),且广东群体(38%)比辽宁(42%)偏籼,两地群体分布呈显著差异.混合法与单粒传法群体中Dj与重要农艺性状基因区域血缘呈显著正相关;而在系谱法中部分正相关被打破,且两地群体籼粳血缘呈规律性分布.表明人工选择是影响籼粳分化的主要因素,并与自然选择协同作用引起群体偏分离现象;群体中一些重要农艺性状的变化与籼粳分化间存在紧密的关系,这可能是影响籼粳交育种在综合亚种优势上未达到预期效果的关键.     

Differential measurement errors in zero-truncated regression models for count data

Measurement errors in covariates may result in biased estimates in regression analysis. Most methods to correct this bias assume nondifferential measurement errors-i.e., that measurement errors are independent of the response variable. However, in regression models for zero-truncated count data, the number of error-prone covariate measurements for a given observational unit can equal its response count, implying a situation of differential measurement errors. To address this challenge, we develop a modified conditional score approach to achieve consistent estimation. The proposed method represents a novel technique, with efficiency gains achieved by augmenting random errors, and performs well in a simulation study. The method is demonstrated in an ecology application.     

Context-dependent sex allocation: constraints on the expression and evolution of maternal effects

Despite decades of research, whether vertebrates can and do adaptively adjust the sex ratio of their offspring is still highly debated. However, this may have resulted from the failure of empirical tests to identify large and predictable fitness returns to females from strategic adjustment. Here, we test the effect of diet quality and maternal condition on facultative sex ratio adjustment in the color polymorphic Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae), a species that exhibits extreme maternal allocation in response to severe and predictable (genetically-determined) fitness costs. On high-quality diets, females produced a relatively equal sex ratio, but over-produced sons in poor dietary conditions. Despite the lack of sexual size dimorphism, nutritionally stressed foster sons were healthier, grew faster, and were more likely to survive than daughters. Although these findings are in line with predictions from sex allocation theory, the extent of adjustment is considerably lower than previously reported for this species. Females therefore have strong facultative control over sex allocation, but the extent of adjustment is likely determined by the relative magnitude of fitness gains and the ability to reliably predict sex-specific benefits from environmental (vs. genetic) variables. These findings may help explain the often inconsistent, weak, or inconclusive empirical evidence for adaptive sex ratio adjustment in vertebrates.     

Post-weaning social isolation induces abnormal forms of aggression in conjunction with increased glucocorticoid and autonomic stress responses

Female reproduction is known to be influenced by food availability and its impact on energetic status. However, emerging evidence suggests that the phytochemical content of food may also be an important factor. Here, we investigated this hypothesis, presenting 20 months of data on fecal progestin (fP) patterns in wild female Phayre's leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei crepusculus). We examined whether (a) the availability of Vitex (a plant known to contain phytochemicals) might be linked to seasonal fP levels, (b) fP levels were associated with female reproductive performance, and (c) reproductive performance might also be linked with energetic status (as measured by physical condition). We collected fecal samples (N = 2077) from 10 adult females to analyze estrogen (fE) and progestin (fP) metabolites, behavioral data from 7 cycling females to determine receptivity, and monthly data on Vitex availability and female physical condition. Seasonally elevated fP levels were found in all females, with higher levels when Vitex leaves and fruits were abundant. During the period of high progestins, females had longer cycle lengths and follicular phases, while receptive periods did not change. Nevertheless, when ovulations occurred, females were more likely to conceive. On the other hand, conceptions were also more likely when physical condition was improving, suggesting that the effects of phytochemicals and energetic status on reproduction may be difficult to separate. Although our results support the predicted effects of Vitex on endocrine and reproductive function, future studies with detailed feeding data and chemical analyses of plants are needed to confirm this finding.     

Copulatory behaviors and body condition predict post-mating female hormone concentrations, fertilization success, and primary sex ratios in Japanese quail

Environmental cues and social interactions are known to influence reproductive physiology and behavior in vertebrates. In female birds, male courtship displays can result in the growth of ovarian follicles, the production of reproductive hormones, and stimulation of oviduct development, all of which have the potential to influence maternal investment. Male Japanese quail follow a typical sequence of copulatory behaviors during a mating interaction and often force copulations with unreceptive females. We hypothesized that female Japanese quail could adjust maternal investment in response to male copulatory behaviors during a single mating interaction. We investigated the relationships between 1) male copulatory behaviors and post-mating concentrations of steroids in the female, 2) female steroid concentrations and fertilization success of inseminations and 3) female steroid concentrations and the offspring sex ratio. We found that male condition and copulatory behaviors predicted female steroid concentrations and maternal investment in eggs laid after a mating trial. The body condition of one or both mates was a significant predictor of the changes in female corticosterone and testosterone concentrations after mating, whereas specific male copulatory behaviors significantly predicted changes in female progesterone concentrations. Male and female body condition, male neck grabs and post-mating concentrations of female corticosterone, progesterone, and testosterone were all significant predictors of egg fertilization rates. Female body condition, male copulation efficiency, and female testosterone concentrations were significant predictors of offspring sex ratios. Our results show that phenotypic and behavioral characteristics of male Japanese quail modulate female steroid concentrations and result in changes in maternal investment.