Toxicogenomic analysis of immune system-related genes in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to heavy oil

Heavy oil contamination is one of the most important environmental issues. Toxicities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including immune toxicities, are well characterized, however, the immune toxic effects of heavy oil, as a complex mixture of PAHs, have not been investigated. In the present study, we selected Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) as a model organism, and observed alteration of immune function by the exposure to heavy oil. To analyze the expression profiles of immune system-related genes, we selected 309 cDNAs from our flounder EST library, and spotted them on a glass slide. Using this cDNA array, alteration of gene expression profiles was analyzed in the kidneys of flounders exposed to heavy oil. Six Japanese flounders (mean body weight: 197 g) were acclimated to laboratory conditions at 19–20 °C. Three fish were exposed to heavy oil C (bunker C) at a concentration of 3.8 g/L for 3 days, and the others were kept in seawater without heavy oil and used as the control. After the exposure period, the fish were transferred into control seawater and maintained for 4 days, and then they were dissected and their kidneys were removed. Total RNA was extracted from the kidney samples to use in gene expression analyses. The microarray detected alteration of immune system-related genes in the kidneys of heavy oil-exposed flounders, including down-regulation of immunoglobulin light chain, CD45, major histocompatibility complex class II antigens and macrophage colony-stimulating factor precursor, and up-regulation of interleukin-8 and lysozyme. These results suggest that pathogen resistance may be weakened in heavy oil-exposed fish, causing a subsequent bacterial infection, and then proinflammatory genes may be induced as a defensive response against the infection. Additionally, we found candidate genes for use as biomarkers of heavy oil exposure, such as N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 and heat shock cognate 71 kDa proteins.     

Cloning of the cDNA encoding adenosine 5′-monophosphate deaminase 1 and its mRNA expression in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

AMP deaminase catalyzes the conversion of AMP into IMP and ammonia. In the present study, a full-length cDNA of AMPD1 from skeletal muscle of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was cloned and characterized. The 2 526 bp cDNA contains a 5’-UTR of 78 bp, a 3’-UTR of 237 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2 211 bp, which encodes a protein of 736 amino acids. The predicted protein contains a highly conserved AMP deaminase motif (SLSTDDP) and an ATP-binding site sequence (EPLMEEYAIAAQVFK). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AMPD1 and AMPD3 genes originate from the same branch, but are evolutionarily distant from the AMPD2 gene. RT-PCR showed that the flounder AMPD1 gene was expressed only in skeletal muscle. QRT-PCR analysis revealed a statistically significant 2.54 fold higher level of AMPD1 mRNA in adult muscle (750±40 g) compared with juvenile muscle (7.5±2 g) (P<0.05). HPLC analysis showed that the IMP content in adult muscle (3.35±0.21 mg/g) was also statistically significantly higher than in juvenile muscle (1.08±0.04 mg/g) (P<0.05). There is a direct relationship between the AMPD1 gene expression level and IMP content in the skeletal muscle of juvenile and adult flounders. These results may provide useful information for quality improvement and molecular breeding of aquatic animals.     

广州日本移民族裔经济的形成及其社会空间特征

伴随着改革开放的深入,在华外国人也日益增多。其中部分开始由短期滞在转向长期居留,日本人为典型之一。外国人居留模式的变化,对中国城市经济社会及空间景观带来前所未有的诸多影响,族裔经济的出现即是其中一个主要特征。本文在此背景下,运用实地调查、问卷与半结构化访谈等方法,实证了在广州日本移民族裔经济的形成,探讨了其规模、行业分布、形成过程及运作模式,通过案例剖析揭示了新时期在华日本移民族裔经济的基本特征及其社会经济影响。研究发现,在广州日本族裔经济体系业已形成,并且其仍在发展壮大之中。广州的日本移民对族裔经济依赖度高,族裔经济不仅是其生活的支撑,同时也是保持族裔身份认同的工具。广州日本族裔经济具有自我服务、本地植根的特征,同时族裔经济的发展在空间上也带来族裔景观,如广州的天河北地区即是一例。这些变化给中国的国际化城市建设和移民管理带来了新的课题。     

THE ODYSSEY OF JAPANESE COLONISTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC*

ABSTRACT. In an agreement formalized with the Japanese government in 1956, Generalissimo Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina of the Dominican Republic extended an offer of refuge for Japanese immigrants seeking to improve their fortunes in the late 1950s by taking up residence in Trujillo's vaunted “Paradise of the Caribbean.” The provision of sites ultimately unfavorable for colonization, lack of infrastructure, failure of the Japanese government to address the complaints of the colonists, and political instability within the Dominican Republic led to the abandonment of five of the eight colonies. By 1962 only 276 of the 1,319 original colonists remained; the rest had either returned to Japan or sought refuge in South America. Although the fortunes of these Japanese families fell far short of their expectations, Trujillo could hardly have envisioned the contributions to Dominican society to be made by their descendants. The experiences of this relatively small number of migrants reflect the difficulties encountered when racial and geopolitical concerns take precedence over judicious plans for colonization.     

外源激素对养殖牙鲆血浆睾酮和雌二醇含量的影响研究

雄性牙鲆单独注射促黄体激素释放激素类似物(LHRH-A)(每千克质量的注射量,下同)25μg/kg或人绒毛膜促性腺激素(hCG)1 000 IU/kg,血浆睾酮(T)含量在注射后6 h大幅度降低,12h时达到最低值,以后逐渐回升;LHRH-A与hCG联合注射[LHRH-A(12.5μg/kg)+hCG(500 IU/kg)],注射后6 h血浆T含量剧烈下降,24 h时达到最低点,以后缓慢回升;对照组雄鱼血浆T含量随着采样进行而呈现降低趋势.雌鱼单独LHRH-A后,血浆雌二醇(E₂)水平逐渐下降,24 h时达到最低值,30 h后略有回升;单独注射hCG后,血浆E₂含量缓慢下降,30 h达到最低值;LHRH-A与hCG联合注射,注射后6 h血浆E2含量逐渐下降,24 h时达到最低点,30 h时缓慢回升.对照组雌鱼血浆E₂水平也随着采样的进行而逐渐降低.结果表明:单独或联合注射LHRH-A和hCG降低了雌、雄牙鲆血浆E₂和T含量,与对照组结果相同.     

Whaling and its controversies: Examining the attitudes of Japan's youth

This article presents the results of a survey examining the attitudes of young Japanese people towards whaling and its controversies. Using an online and paper-based questionnaire, 529 useable surveys were completed by Japanese students (between 15 and 26 years old) from May to December 2007. Factorial analysis, correlation and regression models were used to identify relational predictors underlying the attitudes of young Japanese people on whaling issues. An approval of whaling exists amongst the participating students, with two constructs standing out as contributing the most to this affirmation; firstly, an approval of the consumption of whalemeat by Japanese children; and secondly, an acceptance of the pro-whaling rhetoric commonly produced by the Government of Japan (GOJ) and associated media. This research represents an initial exploration into the attitudinal structures of Japanese students on whaling issues, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities that surround the debate.     

饲料中锌对花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼生长、免疫和组织积累的影响

采用单因子实验设计方法,进行饲料中添加锌对花鲈幼鱼生长(增重率、存活率、特定生长率和饲料效率)、免疫反应(血清溶菌酶活性和总补体活性)和组织中锌积累量影响的研究.通过在基础饲料中添加ZnSO4使饲料中锌含量分别达到83.3、95.2、101.6、120.3、159.9mg/kg,对花鲈幼鱼进行为期8周的生长实验,每个水平3个重复,每个养殖单元放养初始体重为(10.0±0.58)g左右的花鲈幼鱼20尾.饲养实验在海水网箱(1.5×1.0×1.0m3)中进行,实验期间水温为26.5-32.5℃,盐度为28-29,溶解氧含量在6mg/L左右.结果表明,各饲料组成活率(95.00%-100.00%)无显著性差异(P>0.05).随着饲料中锌含量从83.3mg/kg增加到101.6mg/kg,花鲈幼鱼的增重率和特定生长率显著升高(P<0.05),而饲料中锌含量达到101.6mg,kg之后,其增重率和特定生长率变化不显著(P>0.05);以增重率和特定生长率为指标,花鲈幼鱼最佳生长性能的饲料锌含量为103.4mg/kg左右.各饲料组肌肉中锌积累量无显著性差异;随着饲料中锌含量从83.3mg/kg增加到101.6mg/kg,花鲈幼鱼肝脏中锌积累量显著增加(P<0.05),而饲料中锌含量达到101.6mg/kg之后,其肝脏中锌积累量变化不显著(P>0.05);花鲈幼鱼获得肝脏中最大锌积累量时饲料中锌最低含量为105.1mg/kg.随着饲料中锌含量从83.3mg/kg增加到101.6mg/kg,花鲈幼鱼血清溶菌酶和总补体活性显著升高(P<0.05),饲料中锌含量达到101.6mg/kg之后,血清溶菌酶和总补体活性变化不显著(P>0.05).综上所述,花鲈幼鱼生长和免疫的锌适宜添加量为105.1mg/kg左右.     

Processes controlling cobalt distribution in two temperate estuaries,Sagami Bay and Wakasa Bay,Japan

Concentrations of cobalt (Co) in surface waters from the Sagami River to northern Sagami Bay and from the Yura River to southwestern Wakasa Bay in Japan were determined in order to investigate the factors governing the distribution of this metal during estuarine mixing. Dissolved (<0.2 μm) and particulate (>0.2 μm) Co showed non-conservative mixing behavior with low or mid-salinity maxima within those two estuarine regions, indicating benthic remobilization and/or sewage input apart from riverine input during the estuarine mixing. These results are supported by a suite of complementary measurements of other parameters, such as manganese, phosphate, and suspended particulate matter concentrations. In addition, the concentration ratio of dissolved Co to total Co (dissolved plus particulate) increased along the salinity gradient, implying the potential for desorption of this metal from suspended particulate matter on estuarine mixing.     

注射外源激素对养殖雄性牙鲆精巢发育的影响

雄性牙鲆在人工养殖条件下,1年可达到性成熟,精巢属于典型的叶型结构。生殖细胞经历了精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞、精子细胞和精子5个发育阶段;精小叶间存在Leydig细胞,小叶内存在Sertoli细胞。牙鲆精子属于原始类型,可明显地区分为头部、中段和尾部,与大多数硬骨鱼类相似;精子头部无顶体,其内含有大小不等的囊泡,尾部具有典型的“9 2”结构。注射外源LHRH-A2或hCG,对牙鲆的精巢发育和排精没有起到促进作用,可能是由于一次注射的外源在血液内很快被清除,或操作胁迫使血浆皮质醇含量升高抑制了下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴的正常功能。建议在进行牙鲆人工催产时,最好采用激素埋植法,在对亲鱼进行操作时,应将其麻醉,增加激素的作用效果。     

日本在中国、印度投资的比较

近年来,中国和印度的崛起成为全球热点。根据2007年世界银行计算,中、印已分别成为世界第四大和第九大经济体。“关注中国和印度”已成为世界性的课题,欧美发达国家跨国公司纷纷在加快进入中国、印度市场的投资步伐。作为同是亚洲近邻的日本跨国公司更是不甘落后,在对华、对印投资的时机、方式和区位选择上既存在许多共性,更多的是寻求不同点和差异性,以期达到规避投资风险,实现投资效益最大化的目的。