Short communication: Glutamine increases autophagy of liver cells in weaned calves

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of an increased jugular supply of l-Gln on the autophagy of weaned calves. At 35 d of age, 24 Holstein calves (initial body weight of 50±0.5 kg; 35±2 d of age) were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, with each treatment including 5 male calves and 1 female calf. Holstein calves were assigned to treatments of (1) intravenous infusion of 2d of 0.85% NaCl (control group) (2) intravenous infusion of 8 g/d of L-Gln mixed with 2d of 0.85% NaCl solution, (3) intravenous infusion of 16 g/d of L-Gln mixed with 2d of 0.85% NaCl solution, and (4) intravenous infusion of 32 g/d of L-Gln mixed with 2d of 0.85% NaCl. The infusion was administered 2h/d for 7 consecutive days starting on d 1 after weaning. Feed and water were freely available to all calves. All calves were killed on d 7 postweaning to measure the autophagy of liver cells. The level of autophagy in liver cells was improved when the Gln infusion dose increased.

Effect of parenteral administration of glutamine on autophagy of liver cell and immune responses in weaned calves

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of an increased jugular supply of L-Gln on post-weaning growth, immune responses, intestinal morphology and autophagy of weaned calves. At 35 days of age, 24 Holstein calves (initial 50 ± 1.5 kg; 35 ± 2 day of age) were randomly allocated to four treatments, and each treatment included five male and one female calves. Holstein calves were assigned to treatments of (i) i.v. infusion of 2 l of 0.85% NaCl, Control group [C]; (ii) i.v. infusion of 8 g/day of L-Gln mixed with 2 l of 0.85% NaCl solution [L]; (iii) i.v. infusion of 16 g/day of L-Gln mixed with 2 l of 0.85% NaCl solution [M]; and (iv) i.v. infusion of 32 g/day of L-Gln mixed with 2 l of 0.85% NaCl [H]; The infusion was 2 h/day for each of 14 consecutive days starting on day 1 after weaning. Feed and water were freely available to all calves. All calves were killed on the 14th day post-weaning for measurements of autophagy of liver cell and intestinal morphology. Gln has no effect on dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG). Gln infusion increased quadratically the abundance of CD4+, monocyte and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+. The urea N, Gln and Glucose in plasma increased linearly with increasing Gln loads. Gln infusion increased quadratically villus height and crypt depth of intestine. The autophagy level of liver cell was improved with the Gln infusion dose increased.

Effects of reed straw, zeolite, and superphosphate amendments on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from stored duck manure

Stored poultry manure can be a significant source of ammonia (NH) and greenhouse gases (GHGs), including nitrous oxide (NO), methane (CH), and carbon dioxide (CO) emissions. Amendments can be used to modify physiochemical properties of manure, thus having the potential to reduce gas emissions. Here, we lab-tested the single and combined effects of addition of reed straw, zeolite, and superphosphate on gas emissions from stored duck manure. We showed that, over a period of 46 d, cumulative NH emissions were reduced by 61 to 70% with superphosphate additions, whereas cumulative NO emissions were increased by up to 23% compared with the control treatment. Reed straw addition reduced cumulative NH, NO, and CH emissions relative to the control by 12, 27, and 47%, respectively, and zeolite addition reduced cumulative NH and NO emissions by 36 and 20%, respectively. Total GHG emissions (as CO-equivalents) were reduced by up to 27% with the additions of reed straw and/or zeolite. Our results indicate that reed straw or zeolite can be recommended as amendments to reduce GHG emissions from duck manure; however, superphosphate is more effective in reducing NH emissions.

Ancient paddy soils from the Neolithic age in China’s Yangtze River Delta

Identifying prehistoric irrigated rice fields and characterizing the beginning of paddy soil development are important for a better understanding of human development and agricultural history. In 2003, paddy soils and irrigated rice fields buried at a depth of 100-130 cm were excavated at Chuo-dun-shan in the Yangtze River Delta, close to Suzhou, China. The fields of sizes between 1.4 and 16 m(2) were surrounded with ridges that were connected to ditches/ponds via outlets to control the water level within the fields. Many carbonized and partly carbonized rice grains with an age of 3,903 B.C. (measured (14)C age 5,129+/-45 a BP) were recovered. The surface layers of these buried paddy fields showed a high content of soil organic matter and a considerable high density of rice opals. The latter were identified to derive from Oryza spp. Solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed aromatic carbon (C) as the predominant organic C form in the fossil surface layer. This is expected, if the major source represents burnt rice and straw. In summary, our data are in agreement with new evidences indicating that in China, paddy soils and irrigated rice cultivation were initiated and developed more than 6,000 years ago.

Atmospheric sulfur deposition onto different ecosystems over China

The regional acid deposition model system (RegADMS) was applied to simulate the air sulfur deposition onto different landuse types over China, in which the dry deposition velocities of SO2 and sulfate aerosol (SO4(2-) were estimated by use of a big leaf resistance analogy model and the wet scavenging coefficients were parameterized in terms of precipitation rate. Investigations show that the annual total sulfur deposition over mainland China is 7.24mt (1 mt = 10(6) ton) , in which dry deposition and wet deposition accounts for 56 and 44%, respectively. The sulfur deposition onto agriculture land, grass land, and forest land is 1.09, 3.6 and 1.41 mt, respectively, which sums 6.1 mt and accounts for 84% of the total sulfur deposition. The modeled sulfur deposition was in agreement with the measurement conducted at farmland in Yingtan, a typical read soil region in Jiangxi province of China, during the period of November 1998--October 1999. The total sulfur deposition at the Yingtan site is about 10.3 gm(-2) year(-1) of which 83% is dry deposition. The modeling sulfur deposition at the same site is 8.4 g m(-2) year(-1) Furthermore, the comparison between RegADMS and RAINS-ASIA on modeling regional sulfur deposition shows the consistence of the two models. The correlation coefficient between the simulated sulfur deposition at the medium-large cities reaches 0.72.

Stable sulfur isotope ratio indicates long-term changes in sulfur deposition in the Broadbalk experiment since 1845

Archived wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain and straw, and soil samples from the control plot of the Rothamsted Broadbalk Experiment, located in southeastern England and established in 1843, were used to investigate the effects of dramatically changing SO2 pollution inputs on the concentrations and stable isotope ratios (delta34S) of S in the samples. Representative coal samples from UK major coal fields were also determined for delta34S. Concentrations of S showed no clear trends in either grain or straw over the 155 years from 1845 to 1999. However, grain and straw delta34S decreased rapidly from 6 to 7/1000 in 1845 to -2 to -5/1000 in the early 1970s, and since then have increased to 0.5 to 2/1000 in the late 1990s. This pattern mirrored the trend of UK SO2 emissions over the 155 years. Both grain and straw delta34S correlated strongly and negatively with UK SO2 emissions (R2 > 0.89), but the relationships were different for the pre- and post-1970 data sets. Soil delta34S also decreased considerably, from 8.2/1000 in 1865 to 3.7 to 4.5/1000 during 1965-1999. A negative delta34S value was inferred for the anthropogenic S deposited at the experimental site before 1970, and further confirmed by negative delta34S values (-6 to -10/1000) found in the coal samples from southeastern England and southern Wales. Based on the S isotope ratios, we estimated that anthropogenic S contributed 62 to 78% of the S uptake by wheat at the peak of SO2 emissions, and accounted for 28 to 37% of the topsoil S in 1965.

Expression of Hsp70-2 in unilateral cryptorchid testis of rhesus monkey during germ cell apoptosis

We investigated the possible role of Hsp70-2 in germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress in monkey unilateral cryptorchid testis. The study focused on in situ analysis of the testicular cell DNA fragmentation and on the possible relationship between Hsp70-2 expression and germ cell apoptosis. The TUNEL result showed that most of the germ cells were labeled in the cryptorchid testis on d 5 after induction of cryptorchidism; that with most of the apoptotic germ cells depleted, only a few germ cells were labeled on d 10; and that almost no apoptotic signal was observed in the cryptorchid testis on d 15 and thereafter. This indicates that the increasing germ cell degeneration in cryptorchid testis may take the form of apoptosis. Using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Northern blot, we examined the changes of Hsp70-2 expression in the monkey cryptorchid testis. The level of Hsp70-2 mRNA decreased slightly, while the expression of HSP70-2 protein was almost unchanged at the early stage of germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid testis on d 5 and dropped dramatically along with the loss of apoptotic germ cells in the cryptorchid testis on d 10 after operation. It is therefore suggested that Hsp70-2 might not take part in inhibiting the apoptosis of germ cells at the early stage during operation-induced cryptorchid testis, and that Hsp70-2 gene does not belong to the immediate early related gene responsible for germ cell apoptosis induced by heat stress.

[The development of SPA bone densitometry for heel bone]

The design principles of a bone densitometer for heel bone based on SPA are introduced here, which include the principles of mechanical system and control system. The main technical index and advantages of the device have also been discussed in the paper.

Role of Fas/FasL genes in azoospermia or oligozoospermia induced by testosterone undecanoate in rhesus monkey

AIM

To investigate role of apoptosis related genes Fas/FasL in azoospermia or oligozoospermia induced by testosterone undecanoate.

METHODS

TUNEL was used to detect the apoptotic signal of testicular cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to quantitatively or qualitatively analyze the expression of these apoptosis-related proteins.

RESULTS

After injection of testosterone undecanoate, both the apoptotic signal in germ cells and the expression of Fas/FasL in testis increased correlatively in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum level on day 30.

CONCLUSION

Fas system may initiate and regulate the germ cell apoptosis induced by testosterone undecanoate.

[The development of a function-rehabilitation trainer for lower limb joints]

We'd like to introduce to you an exercising trainer for the recovery of functions of lower limb joints. It is beneficial to early-stage rehabilitation of lower limb joints after the operation. The light-weighted, portabl trainer is easy to operate duc to its innovative structure and design. In addition, the speed, angle and time of exercise of this trainer is automatically adjusted to best fit your needs, making it an advanced trainer for recovery purpose.

Copper contamination in paddy soils irrigated with wastewater

Copper (Cu) contamination was investigated in paddy soils where Cu-rich wastewater (12 mg Cu/l) was used for irrigation. The results showed that Cu contamination increased the soil Cu content from 17.0 mg Cu/kg in the non-wastewater irrigated soils (NWIS) to 101.2 mg Cu/kg in the wastewater irrigated soils (WIS), and Cu accumulated mostly in the surface layer (0-10 cm) of the paddy soil. The average Cu contents in brown rice, rice hull and rice straw from NWIS were 1.4, 7.3 and 14.5 mg Cu/kg, while those from WIS were 15.5, 133.2, and 101.4 mg Cu/kg, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that the relationship between the Cu content in the rice straw and the rice hull with the total Cu content of the soil could be described by an exponential function (R2 = 0.921 and 0.831, respectively; P <0.01). Rice plants grown in the WIS showed symptoms of black roots, less effective tiller, etc. Subsequently, the rice yield decreased by 18-25%, compared with that grown in NWIS.

[Cloning of human TRAIL cDNA and its expression in COS-7 cells]

The human TRAIL cDNA was amplified with the total RNA from the human acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 by means of RT-PCR, and was cloned into the pGEM-T vector. The DNA sequence analysis showed that it was consistent with the published sequence. Then, the insert of human TRAIL cDNA was subcloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3. The hybrid plasmid pcDNA3-hTRAIL was transformed into COS-7 cells, and transiently expressed in the COS-7 cells. The activity of the expressed product could induce apoptosis in U937 cell line.

In vitro expansion of a multipotent population of human neural progenitor cells

The isolation and expansion of human neural progenitor cells have important potential clinical applications, because these cells may be used as graft material in cell therapies to regenerate tissue and/or function in patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This paper describes a continuously dividing multipotent population of progenitor cells in the human embryonic forebrain that can be propagated in vitro. These cells can be maintained and expanded using a serum-free defined medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Using these three factors, the cell cultures expand and remain multipotent for at least 1 year in vitro. This period of expansion results in a 10(7)-fold increase of this heterogeneous population of cells. Upon differentiation, they form neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, the three main phenotypes in the CNS. Moreover, GABA-immunoreactive and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons can be identified. These results demonstrate the feasibility of long-term in vitro expansion of human neural progenitor cells. The advantages of such a population of neural precursors for allogeneic transplantation include the ability to provide an expandable, well-characterized, defined cell source which can form specific neuronal or glial subtypes.

Expression of tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 and type-2 in human and rhesus monkey placenta

The distribution of mRNAs and antigens of tissue type (t) and urokinase type (u) plasminogen activators (PA) plus their corresponding inhibitors, type-1 (PAI-1) and type-2 (PAI-2) were studied in human and rhesus monkey placentae by in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry. Specific monkey cRNA and antibodies against human tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were used as probes. The following results were obtained. (1) All the molecules tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 and their mRNAs were identified in the majority of the extravillous cytotrophoblast cells of the decidual layer between Rohr's and Nitabuch's striae and in cytotrophoblast cells of the chorionic plate, basal plate, intercotyledonary septae and cytotrophoblast cells of the chorionic villous tree. (2) Expression of uPA and PAI-2 was noted in villous trophoblast whereas tPA and PAI-1 were mainly concentrated where detachment from maternal tissue occurs. (3) No expression of tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was observed in the basal plate endometrial stromal cells, chorionic plate connective tissue cells, septal endometrial stromal cells or villous core mesenchyme. (4) The distribution of probes observed following in situ hybridisation is generally consistent with the immunofluorescence pattern of the corresponding antigens and no significant interspecies differences were noted. It is possible that both decidual and extravillous trophoblast cells of placentae of human and rhesus monkey are capable of producing tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 to differing extents. Coordinated expression of these genes in the tissue may play an essential role in the maintenance of normal placentation and parturition. The differences in distribution we observed are consistent with the suggestion that coordinated expression of tPA and its inhibitor PAI-1 may play a key role in fibrinolytic activity in the early stages of placentation and separation of placenta from maternal tissue at term. On the other hand, uPA with its inhibitor PAI-2 appears mainly to play a role in degradation of trophoblast cell-associated extracellular matrix, and thus may be of greatest importance during early stages of placentation.

cAMP inhibits linoleic acid-induced growth by antagonizing p27(kip1) depletion, but not interfering with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase or AP-1 activities

To understand the underlying signaling events of polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced growth, we studied the effect of cAMP on early and delayed growth response events induced by linoleic acid in smooth muscle cells (SMC). cAMP significantly inhibited both basal and linoleic acid-induced DNA synthesis. Linoleic acid-induced early growth response events, such as activation of ERKs, induction of expression of c-fos and jun-B and stimulation of AP-1 activity, however, were not affected by cAMP. In contrast, linoleic acid-induced c-jun expression was blocked by cAMP. cAMP alone stimulated ERKs activation, c-fos and jun-B expression and increased AP-1 activity. Linoleic acid induced depletion of p27kip1 and increased CDK2 activity, events required for G1/S transition. In contrast to early growth response events, linoleic acid-induced G1/S transition signals were significantly inhibited by cAMP. These findings suggest that in addition to inducing immediate early growth response events, linoleic acid mimics growth factors in activating cell cycle events that are associated with G1/S transition in SMC and the negative regulation of linoleic acid-induced growth by cAMP is apparently due to its antagonism with linoleic acid-induced p27kip1 depletion and CDK2 activation.

Localization and distribution of tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators and their inhibitors Type 1 and 2 in human and rhesus monkey fetal membranes

Fetal membranes consist of 10 distinct layers including components of amnion, chorion and decidua, the latter being of maternal origin. They form mechanically integrated sheets capable of retaining amniotic fluid and play an essential role in protecting fetal growth and development in the pregnant uterus. The extracellular matrix, substrate for plasminogen activators (PAs), is an important supportive framework of the fetal membranes. Fetal membranes from women with preterm premature rupture of membranes may differ in their protease activity compared with normal membranes. To identify the presence of PAs and their inhibitors (PAI) and their possible role in the process of fetal membrane rupture, this study investigated the distribution and localization of both protein and mRNA for tissue (t) and urokinase (u) PA and their inhibitors type 1 (PAI-1) and type 2 (PAI-2) in amniochorion of human and rhesus monkey using conventional and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the distribution and localization of mRNAs for tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were similar in the fetal membranes of human and rhesus monkey; no obvious species difference was observed. Evidence of tPA mRNA was detected in amniotic epithelium, trophoblast cells and nearly all cells of the decidual layer. Strong expression of uPA mRNA was noted in the decidual cells which increased in intensity as the abscission point was approached. Weak staining in chorion laeve trophoblast was also detected. In situ hybridization experiments showed PAI-1 mRNA to be concentrated mainly in the decidual cells, some of which were interposed into the maternal-facing edge of the chorion laeve. Maximal labelling of the decidua occurred towards the zone of abscission. Weak expression of PAI-1 mRNA was also noted in some cells of the chorion laeve. The distribution of PAI-2 mRNA in amniochorion was also concentrated in the cells of the decidual layer, maximum expression of the mRNA was in the level of abscission. No detectable amount of mRNAs for tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was found in the fibroblast, reticular and spongy layers. Distribution of the proteins of tPA, uPA and PAI-1 in the fetal membranes of these two species was consistent with the distribution of their mRNA. Anti-PAI-2 immunofluorescence was found to be strongly concentrated in the amniotic epithelium, but PAI-2 mRNA was negative in this layer, suggesting that the epithelium-associated PAI-2 is not of epithelial origin. These findings suggest that a local fibrinolysis in fetal membranes generated by precisely balanced expression of PAs and their inhibitors via paracrine or autocrine mechanisms may play an essential role in fetal membrane development, maturation and in membrane rupture. Following an analysis of the distribution and synthesis of activators and inhibitors it was found that they may play a role in abscission during the third stage of labour.

Two-photon absorption and broadband optical limiting with bis-donor stilbenes

Large two-photon absorptivities are reported for symmetrical bis-donor stilbene derivatives with dialkylamino or diphenylamino groups. These molecules exhibit strong optical limiting of nanosecond pulses over a broad spectral range in the visible. Relative to bis(di-n-butylamino)stilbene, bis(diphenylamino)stilbene exhibits a 90-nm red shift of its optical limiting band but only a minimal shift of ~13 nm of its lowest one-photon electronic absorption band. Mixtures of these compounds offer an unprecedented combination of broad optical limiting bandwidth and high linear transparency.