Effect of chronic sublethal exposure of major heavy metals on filtration rate, sex ratio, and gonad development of a bivalve species.

The chronic toxic effects of major heavy metals including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) on the filtration rate (FR), sex ratio, and gonad development of immature blood clams, Tegillarca granosa, were investigated. The FRs were significantly inhibited by Cu, Pb and Cd, with rates generally decreasing with both increasing metal concentrations and exposure time. EC50 values for FR after 28 days of exposure were 12.9, 12.7 and 14.4 µg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively. Zn exposure had no effect on FR. Sex ratios were significantly altered from controls in favor of an increased proportion of males at metal concentrations of ≥ 14.2, ≥ 86 and ≥ 110 µg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively; and at ≥ 1.68 mg/L for Zn. The gonado-somatic index was significantly reduced in clams at all metal exposures, except for the lowest concentration of Cu (7.1 µg/L).

Genetic evidence for domestic raccoon dog rabies caused by Arctic-like rabies virus in Inner Mongolia, China.

An outbreak of rabies affected domestic raccoon dogs on an animal farm in Inner Mongolia, China in 2007. A study was conducted to characterize the aetiological agent and clarify the origin of the rabies virus. Brain tissues were obtained from five rabid raccoon dogs. Viral nucleoprotein antigen was detected in the brain tissues and five rabies viruses were isolated from these rabid animals. Phylogenetic analysis of the N and G gene sequences showed that these isolates were closely related to Arctic-like rabies viruses isolated from the far-eastern region of Russia and South Korea, but distinct from the rabies viruses that are widely distributed in endemic areas in China. Epidemiological data suggested that the likely source of infection was from one wild raccoon dog that was captured and placed in the same type of pen used for domestic raccoon dogs.

High performance liquid chromatography separation and simultaneous fluorometric detection of trace amount of polyamines in cell culture media.

A highly sensitive and precise method for the determination of the polyamines (including putrescine, spermidine and spermine) in cell culture media is described. The samples were concentrated by C18 column and the polyamines were converted to fluorometric derivatives with DNS-Cl. The polyamine derivatives were then completely separated by HPLC and determined by simultaneous fluorometric detection. The CV of intragroup and intergroup were 2.49%-4.26% and 4.29%-5.16%, respectively. The rate of recovery was 103%-99%. There was trace amount of polyamines detected by this method in the media of F12, 8900, RPMI-1640, DMEM and M199 even without incubation with cells. So this method can be used for detecting the changes of polyamines in a medium before and after incubation with cells. It is helpful for the researches on the regulation of cell proliferation by polyamines.

Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography in bronchogenic carcinoma treated with bronchial artery infusion.

Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) has been used with advantage for control of the results of bronchial artery infusion of drugs for primarily unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma. The IADSA has been performed as road mapping prior to therapy. Drug treatment has been performed with four different regimes, depending on tumour type. Debulking and in some cases complete healing are the results, which are superior to other reported treatments.