Light-dark cycle synchronization of circadian rhythm in blind primates

Background  

Recently, several papers have shown that a small subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and contain a new photopigment called melanopsin, are the photoreceptors involved in light-dark entrainment in rodents. In our primate colony, we found a couple of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) that had developed progressive and spontaneous visual deficiency, most likely because of retinal degeneration of cones and/or rods. In this study, we evaluated the photoresponsiveness of the circadian system of these blind marmosets.     

Spontaneous internal desynchronization of locomotor activity and body temperature rhythms from plasma melatonin rhythm in rats exposed to constant dim light

Background  

Daylight saving time is widely adopted. Little is known about its influence on the daily rest-activity cycles. We decided to explore the effects of transition into daylight saving time on the circadian rhythm of activity.     

Spontaneous internal desynchronization of locomotor activity and body temperature rhythms from plasma melatonin rhythm in rats exposed to constant dim light

Background  

We have recently reported that spontaneous internal desynchronization between the locomotor activity rhythm and the melatonin rhythm may occur in rats (30% of tested animals) when they are maintained in constant dim red light (LL_dim) for 60 days. Previous work has also shown that melatonin plays an important role in the modulation of the circadian rhythms of running wheel activity (R_w) and body temperature (T_b). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect that desynchronization of the melatonin rhythm may have on the coupling and expression of circadian rhythms in R_w and T_b.     

A QTL on mouse chromosome 12 for the genetic variance in free-running circadian period between inbred strains of mice

Background  

Many genes control circadian period in mice. Prior studies suggested a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on proximal mouse chromosome 12 for interstrain differences in circadian period. Since the B6.D2NAhr ^d /J strain has DBA/2 alleles for a portion of proximal chromosome 12 introgressed onto its C57BL/6J background, we hypothesized that these mice would have a shorter circadian period than C57BL/6J mice.     

Intermittent long-wavelength red light increases the period of daily locomotor activity in mice

Background  

We observed that a dim, red light-emitting diode (LED) triggered by activity increased the circadian periods of lab mice compared to constant darkness. It is known that the circadian period of rats increases when vigorous wheel-running triggers full-spectrum lighting; however, spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors in mice suggests little or no response to red light. Thus, we decided to test the following hypotheses: dim red light illumination triggered by activity (LEDfb) increases the circadian period of mice compared to constant dark (DD); covering the LED prevents the effect on period; and DBA2/J mice have a different response to LEDfb than C57BL6/J mice.     

Development of daily rhythmicity in heart rate and locomotor activity in the human fetus

Background  

Very little is known about the perinatal genesis of circadian rhythmicity in the human fetus. Some researchers have found evidence of rhythmicity early on in fetal development, whereas others have observed a slow development of rhythmicity during several years after birth.     

Validation of a microwave radar system for the monitoring of locomotor activity in mice

Background  

The general or spontaneous motor activity of animals is a useful parameter in chronobiology. Modified motion detectors can be used to monitor locomotor activity rhythms. We modified a commercial microwave-based detection device and validated the device by recording circadian and ultradian rhythms.     

Effects of altitude above sea level on the cooking time and nutritional value of common beans

The present study was conducted with the objective to determine the effects of altitude above sea level, on the cooking time and nutritional value of common black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Three 100 g samples of theOstua variety were cooked at 8 individual locations, ranging in altitude from 0 to 2256 meters, in Guatemala, to establish water uptake and cooking time. The cooked samples were separated into cooked beans and cooking broth for chemical analysis. This included moisture, protein, lysine, tannins, total and enzyme susceptible starch, and fiber fractionation. The cooking liquor was analyzed for total solids, moisture, protein, ash and K. A 1200 g sample was cooked for the cooking time established previously, for biological testing of nutritional value,which included Net Protein Ratio (NPR), Protein Effciency Ratio (PER), and protein digestibility. Altitude influenced cooking time which increased from 78 min at 0 m, to 264 min at 2256 m. Final moisture content in the cooked bean was similar at all altitudes and there was a tendency to yield smaller amounts of solids in the cooking broth at higher altitudes. The increase in cooking time was significant. Bean water uptake at all times was significantly slower and smaller at ambient T, as compared to water uptake at boiling T, at all altitudes. Protein and lysine content were not affected by altitude, however, tannin and catechin were lower in cooked samples, as compared to the raw material. Altitude did not affect the content of these substances. Total starch and total sugars were higher in the raw sample, as compared to the cooked samples, but there was no effect of altitude. Enzyme susceptible starch (ESS) was lower in the raw sample as compared to the cooked samples, which contained similar amounts with respect to altitude. No change was observed in fiber fractions of the cooked beans. Likewise, the composition of the cooking broth was very similar between cooking locations. There was a small tendency to a lower protein quality, with respect to altitude, the effect of which was more obvious in the apparent protein digestibility values. Undercooking or overcooking at one location influenced protein quality values. The extended cooking time of beans at high altitudes, has important economic and environmental implications, since significant amounts of wood have to be used.     

The effects of lighting conditions and food restriction paradigms on locomotor activity of common spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: An endogenous circadian clock controls locomotor activity in common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). However, little is known about the effects of constant light (LL) on this activity or about the existence of an additional food entrainable clock. A series of experiments were performed to investigate the effects of LL and DD on tau and activity levels. METHODS: Spiny mice were housed individually and their running wheel activity monitored. One group of mice was exposed to LD, DD and several intensities of LL. Another group was exposed to a restricted feeding (RF) paradigm in light: dark (LD) during one hour before the L to D transition. Significance of rhythmicity was assessed using Lomb-Scargle periodograms. RESULTS: In LD all animals exhibited nocturnal activity rhythms that persisted in DD. When animals were exposed to RF (during L), all of these animals (n = 11) demonstrated significant food anticipatory activity as well as an increase in diurnal activity. This increase in diurnal activity persisted in 4/11 animals during subsequent ad libitum conditions. Under LL conditions, the locomotor rhythms of 2/11 animals appeared to entrain to RF. When animals were exposed to sequentially increasing LL intensities, rhythmicity persisted and, while activity decreased significantly, the free-running period was relatively unaffected. In addition, the period in LL was significantly longer than the period in DD. Exposure to LL also induced long-term changes (after-effects) on period and activity when animals were again exposed to DD. CONCLUSIONS: Overall these studies demonstrate clear and robust circadian rhythms of wheel-running in A. cahirinus. In addition, LL clearly inhibited activity in this species and induced after-effects. The results also confirm the presence of a food entrainable oscillator in this species.     

The effects of lighting conditions and food restriction paradigms on locomotor activity of common spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus

Background

An endogenous circadian clock controls locomotor activity in common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). However, little is known about the effects of constant light (LL) on this activity or about the existence of an additional food entrainable clock. A series of experiments were performed to investigate the effects of LL and DD on tau and activity levels.

Methods

Spiny mice were housed individually and their running wheel activity monitored. One group of mice was exposed to LD, DD and several intensities of LL. Another group was exposed to a restricted feeding (RF) paradigm in light: dark (LD) during one hour before the L to D transition. Significance of rhythmicity was assessed using Lomb-Scargle periodograms.

Results

In LD all animals exhibited nocturnal activity rhythms that persisted in DD. When animals were exposed to RF (during L), all of these animals (n?=?11) demonstrated significant food anticipatory activity as well as an increase in diurnal activity. This increase in diurnal activity persisted in 4/11 animals during subsequent ad libitum conditions. Under LL conditions, the locomotor rhythms of 2/11 animals appeared to entrain to RF. When animals were exposed to sequentially increasing LL intensities, rhythmicity persisted and, while activity decreased significantly, the free-running period was relatively unaffected. In addition, the period in LL was significantly longer than the period in DD. Exposure to LL also induced long-term changes (after-effects) on period and activity when animals were again exposed to DD.

Conclusions

Overall these studies demonstrate clear and robust circadian rhythms of wheel-running in A. cahirinus. In addition, LL clearly inhibited activity in this species and induced after-effects. The results also confirm the presence of a food entrainable oscillator in this species.     

Anti-Aging Effects of R-Phycocyanin from Porphyra haitanensis on HUVEC Cells and Drosophila melanogaster

Aging has become a global public health challenge. Many studies have revealed that the excessive generation of ROS and oxidative stress could be the major causative factors contributing to aging. In this study, R-phycocyanin (R-PC) was isolated from Porphyra haitanensis, and its anti-aging ability was explored by natural aging Drosophila melanogaster and H₂O₂-induced HUVEC cells as the aging model. Results showed that R-PC α and β subunits expressed have antioxidant activity and can inhibit the generation of radicals, exhibiting a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced apoptotic HUVEC cells death. R-PC prevented the H₂O₂-induced HUVEC cell cycle phase arrest by regulating cell cycle-related protein. Furthermore, R-PC prevented the H₂O₂-induced HUVEC cell cycle phase arrest by regulating cell-cycle-related protein expression. In vivo study also indicated that R-PC significantly increased the survival time and alleviated the oxidative stress of Drosophila melanogaster. Moreover, R-PC notably decreased levels of ROS in natural aging flies and inhibited lipid peroxidation by enhancing the expressions of the endogenous stress marker genes (SOD1, SOD2, CAT of Drosophila melanogaster). Taken together, a study on the antioxidation extract from Porphyra haitanensis, such as R-PC, may open a new window for the prevention of anti-aging.     

Effects of valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on improvement of locomotor function in rat spinal cord injury based on epigenetic science

Background: The primary phase of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) starts by a complex local inflammatory reaction such as secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from microglia and injured cells that substantially contribute to exacerbating pathogenic events in secondary phase. Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Acetylation of histones is critical to cellular inflammatory and repair processes. Methods: In this study, rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (laminectomy, untreated, and three VPA-treated groups). For SCI, severe contusion was used. In treated groups, VPA was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily three hours after injury for 7 days. To compare locomotor improvement among experimental groups, behavioral assessments were performed by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale. The expression of neurotrophins was evaluated by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Results: VPA administration increased regional brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA levels. Local inflammation and the expression of the lysosomal marker ED1 by activated macrophages/microglial cells were reduced by VPA and immunoreactivity of acetylated histone and microtubule-associated protein were increased. Conclusion: The results showed a reduction in the development of secondary damage in rat spinal cord trauma with an improvement in the open field test (BBB scale) with rapid recovery.Key Words: Inflammation, Epigenetics, Valproic acid (VPA)     

Effects of natural protease inhibitors on high protease activity flours

Wheat grain damaged by wheat bug (Eurygaster spp.) contains the bug salivary secretion which hydrolyses the gluten needed for the dough quality of breadmaking due to its proteolytic activity. Since the protease inhibitors are widespread throughout the plant kingdom, the possibility of using some plants, especially food and feed legumes to decrease the proteolytic activity of flours milled from bug damaged wheats was investigated. The proteolytic activity was considerably inhibited by pefabloc-SC and EDTA-Na₂, suggesting that bug protease(s) included serine and metallo proteases. Extracts from cones of hops, seeds of grass pea, red kidney bean and sunflower caused reduction in the activity of bug protease(s). Effects of hop extract on electrophoretic, rheological properties of high protease activity flours milled from different bread wheat cultivars damaged by the bug were also studied. The dough development time and stability values of high protease activity flours increased considerably with hop extract at the lowest addition level (10:1, flour to hop extract ratio). The doughs supplemented with the hop extract had higher maximum resistance and lower extensibility values as compared to their controls. These results suggested that hop extract had improving effects on high protease activity flours due to the bug damage.     

Observations on the development rhythm of potato parents in early crop breeding

Summary Early potato varieties are very useful for Spain but early tuberization is even more important than early maturity. Hence in the breeding for early crops carried out by the “Estación de Mejora de la Patata” (Station for Potato Breeding), the choice of potato parents was based on the study of their development rhythms including the vegetative and tuberization rhythms. After an analysis of data on the various stages of potato plant growth and tuber development, varicties exhibiting early tuberization and maturity are indicated as being promising parents.

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Zusammenfassung Die Frühkartoffelzüchtung ist für Spanien sehr interessant. Einerseits ist es für die Zentrale Hochebene (mit ihrem typisch kontinentalen Klima) von Interesse, robuste Sorten mit kurzer Wachstumszeit zu besitzen, die sich zwischen den Sp?tfr?sten des Frühlings und der Dürre des Sommers entwickeln; andererseits sind die frühreifen Sorten auch für die künstlich bew?sserten Felder der Mittelmeerküste, und die “vegas” in Andalusien von groszer Bedeutung, da sie eine sehr frühe Belieferung des inl?ndischen, sowie des ausl?ndischen Marktes erlauben. Von noch gr?sserer Wichtigkeit als die Frühreife der Pflanze selbst, ist die frühe Knollenbildung. Wenn wir die Verh?ltnisse des Zentral-Plateaus beachten, hilft die frühe Knollenbildung bedeutend, die Dürre zu vermeiden und in den Zonen der künstlichen Bew?sserung des Mittelmeergebietes erlaubt sie die Ernte von noch grünen Pflanzen. Dies gibt wieder einen besseren Verdienst. Aus den genannten Gründen wurde in den Arbeiten zur Züchtung auf Frühreife in der “Estación de Mejora de la Patata” die Wahl der Eltern auf den Grundlagen ihres Entwicklungsrythmus getroffen. Das betrifft sowohl den vegetativen Rythmus als auch den der Knollenbildung. Diese Beobachtungen wurden im Tal von Vitoria durchgeführt (520 m über dem Meeresspiegel) wo die “Estación de Mejora de la Patata” eine 75 ha umfassenden Hof besitzt. Vitoria befindet sich in der n?rdlich-zentralen Zone Spaniens, ungef?hr auf dem 43. Grad n?rdlicher Breite, mit einem durchschnittlichen j?hrlichen Niederschlag von 750 bis 800 mm und normalerweise einer Trockenperiode w?hrend des Sommers. Da Sp?tfr?ste im Frühling an der Tagesordnung sind, erfolgt die Pflanzung im Monat Mai. Auf Grund der Daten der vegetativen Entwicklungsphase und der Frühreife der Knollenbildung, zeigen Erstling, Saskia, Bintje. Aller-früheste Gelbe. Oberarnbacher Frühe. Erntedank und Katahdin ihre besondere Verwendungsf?higkeit als Eltern sowohl im Hinblick auf die Frühreife ihrer Entwicklung als auch die der Knollenbildung. Oberarnbacher Frühe und Katahdin zeichnen sich auszerdem durch ihre gute Blüten-und Pollenbildung aus, was sie noch wertvoller macht, da diese Qualit?ten selten in frühen Sorten zu finden sind.

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Resumen Las variedades tempranas de patata son muy interesantes para Espa?a, siendo requerida no solamente maduración temprana, sino también tuberización precoz, que es importante. De aqui que en el trabajo efectuado sobre “breeding” para prococidad por la “Estación de Mejora de la Patata”, la elección de progenitores se ha basado en el estudio de sus ritmos de desarrollo, que comprenden los ritmos vegetativo y de tuberización. Después de analizar los datos sobre fases de desarrollo vegetativo y precocidad de tuberización, las variedades que muestran tuberización y maduración tempranas, se se?alan como progenitores valiosos.

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Résumé Les variétés précoces de la pomme de terre sont très intéressantes pour l'Espagne. D'une part, il est intéressant pour le plateau central (à climat extrême) de posséder des variétés rustiques à cycle de courte durée, pouvant se développer entre les gelées tardives du printemps et la sécheresse de l'été. D'autre part, les variétés précoces sont de haute importance pour les régions irriguées de la c?te méditerranéenne et les plaines fertiles de l'Andalousie, puisqu'elles permettent de mettre de bonne heure la production sur le marché, surtout à l'étranger. Cependant, une tubérisation précose est encore plus importante que la maturité précoce. Sur le plateau central, la précocité de la tubérisation permet d'éviter les effets nuisibles de la séchresse, tandis que dans les régions irriguées que nous venons de nommer, cette précocité de la formation des tubercules permet de récolter quand les plantes sont encore vertes; ce qui donne aussi de meilleurs revenus. Par conséquent, dans les travaux réalisés par la “Estación de Mejora de la Patata” pour augmenter la précocité, le choix des géniteurs a cu pour base l'étude du rythme de leur développement, c'est-à-dire le rythme végétatif et le rythme de tubérisation. Les observations ont été faites dans la plaine de Vitoria (à 520 m d'altitude), où la “Estación de Mejora de la Patata” utilise une ferme de 75 hectares. Vitoria est située dans le centre Nord de l'Espagne, vers 43 de latitude Nord. Les précipitations y atteignent une moyenne annuelle de 750 à 800 mm, mais il y a généralement une période de sécheresse en été. Comme il se produit ordinairement des gelées tardives au printemps, on plante au mois de mai. Selon les données obtenues sur les phases du développement végétatif et la précocité de tubérisation, les variétés Eersteling, Saskia, Bintje, Allerfrüheste Gelbe, Oberarnbacher, Frühe, Erntedank et Katahdin conviennent comme géniteurs, tant par leur précocité de maturité que par celle de leur tubérisation. Les variétés Oberarnbacher Frühe et Katahdin offrent de plus les avantages d'une bonne floraison avec production de pollen, caractères peu courants chez les variétés précoces.

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Paper read to the Section Varieties at the 1st Triennial Conference of the E.A.P.R., Braunschweig-V?lkenrode, Sept. 1960.     

立枯丝核菌毒素对人参PAL活性及细胞膜透性的影响

用不同浓度的立枯丝核菌粗毒素处理一年生人参幼苗,检测24h内人参幼苗叶片内苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性和细胞膜相对透性变化。结果表明:经立枯丝核菌粗毒素处理后人参细胞中PAL的活性呈现先升高后后降低的变化趋势,而细胞膜相对透性的变化则呈现持续上升的趋势。     

盐胁迫对油葵根系活力和幼苗生长的影响

在不同浓度NaCl和 NaHCO3混合盐胁迫下,研究油葵根系活力、根系生长情况以及根系与地上部分的关系,以探索油葵的抗盐性。实验结果表明：随着盐浓度的升高,根系和地上部分的生长显著降低;根系体积均低于对照,根系活跃吸收面积/总吸收面积比值的变化比较小,根系活力呈现先增后降的趋势。     

Effects of hot and cold temperatures on the survival of oospores produced by United States strains ofPhytophthora infestans

Oospores produced from matings between US strains ofPhytophthora infestans were subjected to hot or cold temperatures and then evaluated for viability, based on percent germinationin vitro. Of 35 crosses, 3 produced oospores with sufficient germination for replicated assessments of temperature effects. Germination rates were as high as 26%, but the maximum germination percentage varied among crosses. Two additional crosses, one involving isolates from Mexico also had sufficient germination for assessment of temperature effects. Oospores did not germinate after 2 hr treatments at or above 46C, or after 12 hr treatments at 40C. Temperature treatment at -80C suppressed germination. Temperature had a similar effect on oospore germination from all crosses.     

Effects of Irradiated Sterile Male and Mating Sequence on the Fertility of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

The sterile insect technique has been explored in the laboratory to control populations of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a globally invasive pest. We studied the reproductive behavior of D. suzukii including mating frequency, time between matings, and mating duration among non-irradiated flies. Irradiation doses were tested at 0, 60, 90, 110, 120, 150, and 180 Gy to select the optimal dose for producing sterile males. In addition, we examined the effects of mating sequence on offspring production where females were presented with irradiated males first and then wild males, or the reverse. Female D. suzukii were found to mate twice on average through their lifespan, with 16.53 ± 12.05 d between matings. The first mating duration was 24.64 ± 1.52 min shorter than the second mating. A dose of 90 Gy was suitable where irradiated males lived as long as non-irradiated males, and few eggs hatched from matings. The mating sequence experiment revealed first-male parentage preference. Wild females that mated with a wild male and then irradiated male produced more offspring than females mated with an irradiated and then wild male. Overall, the influence of mating sequence should be taken into consideration when applying the sterile insect technique (SIT) to control D. suzukii populations.