模拟失重对大鼠睾丸组织结构及AR和HSP70表达的影响

采用-30°尾部悬帛模拟失重生理效应,32只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为7 d对照组、14 d对照组、悬吊7 d组和悬吊14 d组4组,运用HE染色和免疫组织化学染色方法,分别观察模拟失重7 d、14 d大鼠睾丸组织的组织病理学变化,同时定置对比观察了对照组、模拟失重组大鼠睾丸组织中AR和HSP70的表达和定位.结果显示,悬吊7 d和14 d的大鼠睾丸组织均出现了明显的组织病理学变化,表现为睾丸曲细精管内生精上皮细胞排列紊乱,出现不同程度的变性、坏死:悬吊14 d的大鼠睾丸的病变比悬吊7 d的更为明显.免疫组化染色结果表明,模拟失重7 d、14 d的大鼠睾丸组织中,AR表达量均极显著降低(P<0.01);而HSP70表达置均极显著升高(P<0.01).在组织间隙和间质渗出物中出现大量eHSP70.研究表明,模拟失重状态对雄性大鼠生殖器官睾丸的组织结构会造成严重的病理损伤,导致睾丸生精上皮不可逆损伤,使睾丸组织分泌表达AR的功能减退,引起HSP70的过量表达和大量释放形成eHSP70,以至造成睾丸实质的严重损伤.     

Spread of cobalt from a cortical epileptic lesion induced by a cobalt-gelatine implant into the frontal cortes of the rat.

The spread of cobalt ions from cobalt induced epileptic foci in rats has been investigated. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and heavy-metal histochemistry reveal cobalt ions spread very widely from the focus. Biochemical and physiological consequences for this model of epilepsy are discussed.     

Development of DNA probes for cytotoxin and enterotoxin genes in enteric bacteria

DNA probes to identify the genes encoding toxins in enteric bacteria have been developed. Use of these probes reduces the number of animals required for toxicity testing, as suspect bacteria can be directly tested for the presence of toxin. We have augmented the gene probes available by developing probes against the Escherichia coli enterotoxin LTII and shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae 1. The LTII gene from E. coli 357900 was identified and characterised and a suitable internal probe was obtained. The LTII gene was found not to be common among enterobacteriae from various geographical locations. Isolates predominately of animal origin from Nigeria and Thailand hybridized with the probe. The shiga toxin gene was isolated from S. dysenteriae 1 by a combination of in vivo and in vitro methods. An internal probe was identified and used against different serogroups of Shigella and E. coli isolates. The probe was found to hybridize with S. dysenteriae 1 isolates and also some S. flexneri and S. sonnei strains. Representatives were tested for toxin production and found to produce toxin at low levels.     

Foods and weights of the Rock Ptarmigan on Amchitka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

We examined the crop contents from 129 Rock Ptarmigan ( Lagopus mutus ) collected between 1967 and1971 on Amchitka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. On a yearly basis two plant species, Empetrum nigrum and Equisetum arvense , made up 87% of the diet. Only in July and August were they less than 90% of the diet, and in those months they constituted 65% of the diet. During the warmer months (May-October) when a variety of plant species were available, the Amchitka ptarmigan fed upon growth forms of plants high in nutritive value (particularly Equisetum strobili ). Its main winter food was the vegetative portions of Empetrum , one of the few abundant evergreen vascular plants on the island.     

Unusual social feeding and soaring by the Common Raven ( Corvus corax )

Common ravens are usually rather shy birds around their nests and avoid nesting too near human activity. We here report the use of overpasses along heavily traveled Interstate Highway 84 in Idaho and Utah for nest placement. Nests are within 6 m of passing vehicles.     

Raptors of the Uinta National Forest, Utah

The past and present use of the Uinta National Forest by birds of prey was determined from historical records and surveys conducted during 1973, 1974, and 1975. Data describing the history, present status, and physical characteristics of each nest site were collected, along with the type and intensivity of human activity within a half - mile radius of the nest. In addition, limited data on fall migration of raptors along the Wasatch Front and the food habits of Golden Eagles are presented. Management guidelines, based on the results of this study, are proposed.     

A new species of Frasera (Gentianaceae) from Uinta Basin, Utah

Frasera ackermanae, sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from the Brush Creek drainage, Uinta Basin in Uintah County, Utah. The short stem, compact inflorescence, and longer calyx lobes separate this species from the similar Frasera pahutensis Reveal.     

Nest site selection by Mountain Plovers ( Charadrius montanus ) in a shrub-steppe habitat

The known Mountain Plover population breeding on the Myton Bench, Duchesne County, Utah, is small, composed roughly of 30 adults and young after each breeding season. Currently, its location is peripheral to the species main range. This shrub-steppe breeding habitat differs from the shortgrass prairie habitat with which this bird is historically associated. Between 1996 and 1998 we made observations at nesting sites located consistently in 2 concentrated areas surrounded by large tracts of similar habitat. Activity may be focused in these specific areas because of breeding-site fidelity; this behavior is common among most shorebirds and has been documented for the Mountain Plover in Colorado. Also, Mountain Plovers are social and tend to choose nest sites near others. Most nests in Utah were located within close proximity of mounds of white-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys leucurus ), and all were situated near roadways or oil well pads. Mountain Plovers were often observed with broods on these bare areas at night. We conclude that Mountain Plovers on the Myton Bench are distributed in clumped breeding colonies within large areas of apparently favorable habitat.