Serological survey for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in rabbits in Taiwan

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is a microsporidian parasite commonly found in rabbits that can infect humans, causing encephalitozoonosis. Our laboratory recently confirmed the first case of encephalitozoonosis in a rabbit in Taiwan; the prevalence of encephalitozoonosis is not well documented, even when many clinics suspect pet rabbits as being infected. This study surveys the seropositivity of E. cuniculi using carbon immunoassay (CIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serological examination of 171 rabbits using CIA and ELISA showed that 63.2% (108/171) and 67.8% (116/171) were seropositive against E. cuniculi, respectively. Thirteen of the 14 rabbits (92.9%) with neurological symptoms were seropositive. Except for gender, health status and location had a significant effect on E. cuniculi seropositivity (p<0.05). Adult rabbits aged older than 4 months exhibited significantly higher seropositivity for E. cuniculi than young rabbits (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that E. cuniculi is present and widespread among healthy rabbits in Taiwan. Therefore, the fields of veterinary and human medicine in Taiwan should be aware of this zoonotic issue and the resulting public health concern of encephalitozoonosis.     

Data quality of the Cattle Tracing System in Great Britain

The Cattle Tracing System (cts) of Great Britain was examined to investigate the quality of its data in terms of known errors and omissions, and their distribution. The proportions of erroneous or missing data have decreased steadily over time, with a marked improvement in the quality of the data since 2001, when recording became mandatory. There is little variation between regions in the quality of the data, but there are potentially important variations between the types of agricultural premises that cattle move to and from, and in other factors correlated with the type of premises, such as the age of the animals and the number of animal movements associated with the premises.     

High-resolution chromosome sorting and DNA spot-blot analysis assign McArdle's syndrome to chromosome 11

A rapid gene-mapping system uses a high-resolution, dual-laser sorter to identify genes from separate human chromosomes prepared with a new stain combination. This system was used to sort 21 unique chromosome types onto nitrocellulose filter papers. Several labeled gene probes hybridized to the sorted chromosomal DNA types predicted by their previous chromosome assignments. The skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase gene was then mapped to a portion of chromosome 11 by spot blotting normal and translocated chromosomes.     

Kinase Gene Expression and Subcellular Protein Expression Pattern of Protein Kinase C Isoforms in Curcumin-treated Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hep 3B Cells

Curcumin, a yellow component of turmeric or curry powder, has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-carcinogenic effects in vitro, in vivo, and in human clinical trials. One of its molecular targets is protein kinase C (PKC) which has been reported to play essential roles in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and carcinogenesis. In this study, PKC mRNA expression was significantly inhibited in curcumin-treated human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Hep 3B cells identified using a kinase cDNA microarray. Furthermore, curcumin decreased total protein expression of all PKCs in a time-related manner by immunoblotting of whole cell lysates, nuclear, membrane, and cytosolic fractions. In cytosolic fraction, the expression of PKC-α was totally inhibited by curcumin. In contrast, the expression levels of PKC-ζ and -μ were dramatically increased. Increases in expression of PKC-δ and PKC-ζ in the membrane and nucleus, and PKC-ι in the membrane were detected. In summary, the changes in expression and distribution of subcellular PKC isoforms in curcumin-treated Hep 3B cells suggest possible PKC-associated anti-tumor mechanisms of curcumin and provide alternative therapies for human HCC.     

Application and determination of organic polymers

In water and waste treatment, cationic polyelectrolytes can function as either primary coagulant or coagulant aid because they are positively charged. It has been known that most of the colloidal and suspended impurities in natural water have negative surface charges. Cationic polyelectrolyte will neutralize the impurities or pollutants, then agglomerate them into larger masses for rapid solid-water separation by sedimentation, flotation, centrifugation, filtration, or reverse osmosis. Anionic polyelectrolyte are negatively charged and function as coagulants in water and waste treatment. They must be applied along with positively charged coagulants which neutralizes the negative charge on the colloidal and suspended impurities. In a water softening process, where precipitation particles are positively charged, however, anionic polyelectrolytes alone can coagulate. Nonionic organic polymers, however, can only function as coagulant aids which should be introduced at a point shortly after flocculation first occurs. Nonionic polymers will coat the existing floc particles so that when the flocs collide, they will adhere to one another, thus forming larger and heavier masses. This paper initially describes the various applications of organic polymers in the fields of environmental, chemical and biomedical engineering. Subsequently a new technique for the accurate, quantitative determination of polyelectrolytes in the 0.00002 N to 0.005 N concentration range is introduced. The principles, apparatus, reagents, and analytical procedures of the method are presented in detail. The test procedure developed can also measure the net charges of colloidal substances, this can be used for chemical coagulation process control.     

奶牛乳腺上皮细胞不同代数对乳蛋白基因表达的影响

为了研究泌乳期奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(bovine mammary epithelial cells, BMECs)不同代数乳蛋白基因αs1-casein,β-casein,κ-casein的表达;利用real-time PCR方法分别对泌乳期奶牛乳腺组织,以及由乳腺组织分离得到的细胞原代(P0),1代(P1),2代(P2),3代(P3),4代(P4),5代(P5)中的乳蛋白基因表达状况进行检测;结果表明,αs1-casein,β-casein,κ-casein在泌乳期奶牛乳腺上皮细胞原代及传代细胞中有不同程度的表达。其中,原代中的表达量显著高于P1~P5(P<0.05),而P1~P5之间的表达量无显著差异(P>0.05)。并且随着传代次数的增加,基因表达量呈现逐渐下降的趋势。说明P2~P5 BMECs可以作为基础理论问题研究的试验材料而被应用。     

短果杜鹃组培快繁及其种质试管保存培养基的筛选

以短果杜鹃新生嫩芽为外植体,应用均匀设计法筛选其基部直接再生芽苗、生根及其试管苗保存培养基,结果表明,最适合的基部直接再生芽苗诱导培养基为:DR+2-ip 2.75 mg·L-1+IAA0.07 mg·L-1;生根培养基:1/2MS(大量元素)+IAA0.1 mg·L-1+NAA0.05 mg·L-1+Kt0.2mg·L-1;试管苗保存培养基:1/SMS+根皮苷5.0mg·L-1.短果杜鹃组织培养的不同阶段需要不同的培养基,常温条件下,利用"低营养延缓生长"的方法在试管内保存其种质.     

应用均匀设计法优化钻天柳嫩叶柄植株再生体系

应用均匀设计法筛选钻天柳最适合的培养基.结果表明,钻天柳组织培养的不同阶段需要不同的培养基.最适合的嫩叶柄愈伤组织诱导培养基为:MS+KT 2.00mg/L+NAA 0.05mg/L,诱导率为95.5%;嫩叶柄愈伤组织不定芽的分化培养基为:MS+6-BA 3.90mg/L+NAA 0.01mg/L,分化率为98%;生根培养基为:1/2MS+IBA 0.07mg/L,生根率达99%以上.成功建立了钻天柳嫩叶柄再生体系.     

Functional components in soybean cake and their effects on antioxidant activity

The antioxidant activities of four fractions of isoflavones from soybean cake were evaluated and compared with those of ISO-1 and ISO-2 fractions, five isoflavone standards, and mixtures of two or four isoflavone standards, as well as four commercial antioxidants, using DPPH, TEAC, reducing power, metal ion chelating, conjugated diene, and TBARS assays. Both malonylglucoside and glucoside fractions were isolated using preparative chromatography with Diaion HP-20 as adsorbent, whereas acetylglucoside and aglycone fractions were separated with silica gel as adsorbent. The other two fractions, ISO-1 and ISO-2, were soybean cake extracts containing 12 isoflavones for the former and a combination of 4 fractions for the latter. Both acetylglucoside and ISO-1 fractions exhibited the highest efficiency in scavenging DPPH free radicals, whereas all six fractions were effective in inhibiting conjugated diene formation. However, a low reducing power was observed for all six fractions and isoflavone standards. The aglycone fraction and genistein standard showed a pronounced increase of TEAC value and a moderate decrease of TBARs value. For chelating metal ions, both ISO-1 and ISO-2 fractions were the most efficient. Overall, the isoflavone fractions showed a better antioxidant activity than the isoflavone standards, probably caused by the presence of some other functional components such as saponin, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds in soybean cake.     

Radial growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum kanehirae</Emphasis> Hayata displays a larger temperature sensitivity in dominant than codominant trees

Key message

The radial wood growth curves of Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata (an endangered species of subtropical Taiwan) exhibit an S shape. The dominant trees displayed a larger radial growth than the codominant trees, and their growth was more sensitive to air temperature.

Context

Knowledge of wood radial growth is important for evaluating the factors that limit tree growth performance. The relevant experiments have mostly been conducted in cold and temperate ecosystems, but rarely in subtropical ecosystems.

Aims

In this study, we aimed to construct a unified radial growth model for Cinnamomum kanehirae Hayata and to identify its sensitivity to temperature.

Methods

The wood radial increments were quantified for 3 years by either pinning or microcoring. The radial wood growth curves were modelled integratively by semiparametric regression and individually by curve fitting. The effects of tree social class, interannual and environmental factors on radial growth were analysed quantitatively.

Results

A unified S-shaped growth model for C. kanehirae was successfully constructed. By including the social class effect, the model was significantly improved. The maximum radial increment (A) was significantly correlated with the maximum growth rate (μ); both A and μ were significantly higher in dominant than in codominant trees. The time-varying radial growth rate was more sensitive to air temperature in dominant than in codominant trees.

Conclusion

Semiparametric models revealed an S-shaped growth curve of C. kanehirae and confirmed the higher temperature sensitivity of dominant trees compared to codominant trees in humid subtropical areas.