Physiological but not morphological adjustments along latitudinal gradients in a human commensal species,the Eurasian tree sparrow

Human commensal species take advantage of anthropogenic conditions that are less likely to be challenged by the selective pressures of natural environments. Their morphological and physiological phenotypes can therefore dissociate from habitat characteristics. Understanding how these species adjust their morphological and physiological traits across latitudinal gradients is fundamental to uncovering the eco-physiological strategies underlying coping mechanisms. Here, we studied morphological traits in breeding Eurasian tree sparrows (ETSs; Passer montanus) among low-latitude (Yunnan and Hunan) and middle-latitude (Hebei) localities in China. We then compared body mass; lengths of bill, tarsometatarsus, wing, total body, and tail feather; and baseline and capture stress-induced levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the metabolites including glucose (Glu), total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), total protein, and uric acid (UA). None of the measured morphological parameters varied with latitude except in the Hunan population, which demonstrated longer bills than those in other populations. Stress-induced CORT levels significantly exceeded baseline levels and decreased with increasing latitude, but total integrated CORT levels did not vary with latitude. Capture stress-induced significantly increased Glu levels and decreased TG levels, independent of site. However, the Hunan population had significantly higher baseline CORT, baseline and stress-induced FFA levels, but lower UA levels, which differed from other populations. Our results suggest that rather than morphological adjustments, physiological adjustments are mainly involved in coping mechanisms for middle-latitude adaptation in ETSs. It is worth investigating whether other avian species also exhibit such dissociation from external morphological designs while depending on physiological adjustments.     

Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible and metabolizable energy content of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal and its effects on growth performance of pigs

We conducted three experiments to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (Exp. 1), metabolizable and digestible energy (Exp. 2), and feeding value (Exp. 3) of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal with (DEH) or without (DENH) hulls compared with solvent-extracted soybean meal with hulls removed (SBMNH). Soybeans used to produce DEH were unadulterated prior to extrusion, but those used for DENH were dehulled prior to extrusion. In Exp. 1, six nonlittermate barrows (initially 39 kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design digestion trial. Experimental diets (0.80% total lysine) were cornstarch-based and contained soybean meal from one of the three different sources as the sole source of lysine. Apparent ileal digestibilies of nutrients were similar (P > 0.10) for DEH and DENH. Apparent ileal digestibilies of CP, Lys, Ile, Leu, Arg, Phe, and Val were greater (P < 0.05) for DEH and DENH than for SBMNH. In Exp. 2, six barrows (initially 41 kg) were fed three corn-based diets containing 25% of one of the three soybean meal sources. A fourth diet was fed at the end of the trial containing all ingredients except soybean meal, so that energy values of the soybean meal could be determined by difference. Digestible energy and ME contents were similar (P > 0.10) for DEH and DENH and both had greater (P < 0.05) DE and ME contents than SBMNH. In Exp. 3, pigs (n = 216, initially 10.6 +/- 1.3 kg and 35 +/- 3 d of age) were blocked by weight and allotted to six dietary treatments. Corn-soybean meal-based diets (0.95% digestible lysine and 3.44 kcal/g ME) containing DEH or DENH were compared with similar diets containing SBMNH or solvent-extracted soybean meal with hulls (SBMH). In addition, a diet containing a second expelled soybean meal with hulls (ESBM) was compared with a diet containing SBMH and soy oil. Growth performance of pigs fed diets containing DEH or DENH was not different (P > 0.10) than that of pigs fed corresponding diets containing SMBH or SBMNH. Pigs fed ESBM had lower (P < 0.05) ADG and G/F compared with its corresponding SBMH and soy oil diet. In conclusion, DEH and DENH are more digestible than conventional soybean meal and can be successfully used in swine diets.     

Evaluation of PCR,IEF and ELISA techniques for the detection and identification of potato cyst nematodes from field soil samples in England and Wales

Effective management of potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) requires simple, rapid and accurate identification and quantification of field populations. Soil samples from a survey of 484 fields in potato rotations in England and Wales were used to compare the identification and quantification of PCNs using IEF, PCR, ELISA and bait plant tests. The cyst counts and bait plant test revealed that 64.3% of field samples contained PCNs. Bait plant tests increased the detection rate of PCNs in field samples by 4–6.4%. This means that some infestations are cryptic and would not normally be detected by standard counts. IEF, PCR and ELISA methods distinguished between Globodera rostochiensis and G pallida and were able to register mixed populations; however they were not in full agreement. All methods suggested that G pallida is the dominant species in the field samples tested. The PCR results indicated that 66% of field samples contained pure G pallida, 8% contained pure G rostochiensis and 26% contained mixtures of the two species. Estimates of the relative process times taken per sample in the PCR, IEF and ELISA techniques are given. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluating processing temperature and feeding value of extruded-expelled soybean meal on nursery and finishing pig growth performance

We conducted two experiments comparing the use of extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESoy) to solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets. In Exp. 1, the objective was to determine the optimal processing temperature of EESoy for nursery pig growth performance. Pigs (n = 330, 13.2 +/- 2.3 kg of BW) were fed a control diet containing SBM with added fat or one of five diets containing EESoy extruded at 143.3, 148.9, 154.4, 160.0, or 165.6 degrees C. All diets were formulated on an equal apparent digestible lysine:ME ratio. From d 0 to 20, no differences were observed (P > 0.32) in ADG or ADFI (average of 544 and 924 g/d, respectively). However, gain:feed ratio (G/F) improved (quadratic, P < 0.01, range of 0.56 to 0.60) with increasing processing temperature, with the greatest improvement at 148.9 degrees C. In Exp. 2, the objective was to determine the feeding value of EESoy relative to SBM with or without added fat for growing-finishing pigs in a commercial production facility. A total of 1,200 gilts (initially 24.5 +/- 5.1 kg of BW) was used, with 25 pigs per pen and eight replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial, with two sources of soybean meal (SBM or EESoy) and three levels of added fat. Pigs were phase-fed four diets over the experimental period and added fat (choice white grease) levels were 0, 3.4, and 7% initially, with the added fat levels decreasing in the next three dietary phases. Energy levels were based such that the higher energy in EESoy (with or without added fat) was calculated to be equal to that provided by SBM with added fat. From 24.5 to 61.2 kg, pigs fed EESoy had greater (P < 0.07) G/F than those fed SBM. Increasing added fat in either EESoy- or SBM-based diets increased G/F (linear, P < 0.0003). From 61.2 to 122.5 kg, ADG and G/F were unaffected in pigs fed EESoy and/or increasing added fat (P > 0.10). For the overall growing-finishing period, ADG was unaffected (P > 0.61) by increasing energy density of the diet; however, ADFI decreased (P < 0.05) and G/F increased (P < 0.02, range of 0.37 to 0.40) as energy density increased with either EESoy or added fat. Carcass leanness was not affected by dietary treatment. These results indicate that EESoy should be extruded at 148.9 to 154.4 degrees C, and that increasing dietary energy density by using EESoy and/or added fat improves feed efficiency in finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment.     

烟草线条病毒RT-PCR检测方法

根据已报道的烟草线条病毒外壳蛋白基因序列，设计出一对特异性引物，提取大豆病叶的总RNA，反转录成cDNA，PCR扩增出约400bp大小的产物，产物克隆到pGEM-T Easy载体上，转化大肠杆菌DH 5α，抽提的质粒用Not Ⅰ酶切，出现430bp大小的目标插入片段。经序列测定确认了插入片段的大小为404bp。     

Maturational development of drug-metabolizing enzymes in dogs

A qualitative and quantitative assessment was made of the development of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) in dogs as part of a study of the ability of animal test species to metabolize drugs. The following DME variables were measured in this study: amount of cytochromes P-450 and b5; activity of the NADPH and NADH-dependent reductases associated with each of these cytochromes; activity of cytochrome P-450-mediated enzymes, including aniline and coumarin hydroxylases, aminopyrine N-demethylase, and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase; activity of a uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid glucuronyl transferase with 4-methylumbelliferone as substrate; and glutathione-S-transferase activities, with dinitrochlorobenzene and dichloronitrobenzene as substrates. Most enzyme components had achieved maximal amount or activity by the fifth to eighth week after birth; they tended to decrease after weaning, although the activity of dichloronitrobenzene-glutathione transferase in geriatric dogs (312 to 525 weeks old) was approximately twofold greater than that of 8-week-old pups. There were no gender-related differences in any of the enzyme amounts or activities determined. Individual variation was pronounced even in the homogeneous colony from which these dogs were obtained.     

A Large‐scale,Rapid Public Health Response to Rabies in an Organ Recipient and the Previously Undiagnosed Organ Donor

This article describes and contrasts the public health response to two human rabies cases: one organ recipient diagnosed within days of symptom onset and the transplant donor who was diagnosed 18 months post‐symptom onset. In response to an organ‐transplant‐related rabies case diagnosed in 2013, organ donor and recipient investigations were conducted by multiple public health agencies. Persons with potential exposure to infectious patient materials were assessed for rabies virus exposure. An exposure investigation was conducted to determine the source of the organ donor's infection. Over 100 persons from more than 20 agencies spent over 2700 h conducting contact investigations in healthcare, military and community settings. The 564 persons assessed include 417 healthcare workers [5.8% recommended for post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP)], 96 community contacts (15.6% recommended for PEP), 30 autopsy personnel (50% recommended for PEP), and 21 other persons (4.8% recommended for PEP). Donor contacts represented 188 assessed with 20.2% recommended for PEP, compared with 5.6% of 306 recipient contacts recommended for PEP. Human rabies cases result in substantial use of public health and medical resources, especially when diagnosis is delayed. Although rare, clinicians should consider rabies in cases of encephalitis of unexplained aetiology, particularly for cases that may result in organ donation.     

Sub-arm location of prolamin and EST-SSR loci on chromosome 1H<Superscript>ch</Superscript> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum chilense</Emphasis>

Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schult. is a diploid wild South American barley that contains genes of interest for cereal breeding, many of them located on chromosome 1H^ch. In the current study, two H. chilense-wheat addition lines with deletions in the 1H^ch chromosome were used for sub-arm localization of five prolamin (glutenin and gliadin) loci and 33 EST-SSR marker loci on chromosome 1H^ch. The two sets of markers were distributed across five sub-arm chromosome regions. Three glutenin loci (Glu-H ^ch 2, Glu-H ^ch 3, Glu-H ^ch 4) together with the gliadin locus Gli-H ^ch 1 were located on the distal 20% of the 1H^chS arm, whereas the glutenin locus Glu-H ^ch 1 was on the proximal 88% region of 1H^chL. Among 33 EST-SSR marker loci, 7 (21.2%) were on the 1H^chS arm and, of them, 3 (9.1%) were on the distal 20% end and 4 (12.1%) on the proximal 80% region. The 26 loci (78.8%) on 1H^chL were distributed across three different regions: 18 (78.8%) in the proximal 88%, 3 (9.1%) in the distal 12% and 5 (15.2%) in a region less than 12% from the distal end. The deletions in the 1H^ch chromosome added to the common wheat background were thus shown to be useful for determining the sub-arm location of EST-SSR and prolamin loci. This could facilitate the identification of molecular markers linked to genes of agronomic interest and the isolation of such genes for use in common wheat improvement.     

Polypeptide with broad biological activity: isolation from small intestine

A polypeptide, which has potent and diverse biological action-including systemic vasodilation, hypotension, increased cardiac output, respiratory stimulation, and hyperglycemia-was isolated from the small intestine of the hog. The peptide has 28 amino acid residues and is chemically distinct from the kinins, "substance P," glucagon, and secretin.     

Pulmonary alveolar hypoxia: release of prostaglandins and other humoral mediators

Hypoxic ventilation of isolated perfused cat lungs caused the frequent appearance in pulmonary perfusates of biologically active substances, which included prostaglandins or prostaglandin-like compounds. In anesthetized cats, inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis with infusions of aspirin (more than 50 milligrams per kilogram) reduced the pulmonary vasoconstrictor and bronchoconstrictor responses to hypoxic breathing.