Prevention of organ allograft rejection by a specific Janus kinase 3 inhibitor

Because of its requirement for signaling by multiple cytokines, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) is an excellent target for clinical immunosuppression. We report the development of a specific, orally active inhibitor of JAK3, CP-690,550, that significantly prolonged survival in a murine model of heart transplantation and in cynomolgus monkeys receiving kidney transplants. CP-690,550 treatment was not associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or lymphoproliferative disease. On the basis of these preclinical results, we believe JAK3 blockade by CP-690,550 has potential for therapeutically desirable immunosuppression in human organ transplantation and in other clinical settings.     

Protein and oil composition predictions of single soybeans by transmission Raman spectroscopy

The soybean industry requires rapid, accurate, and precise technologies for the analyses of seed/grain constituents. While the current gold standard for nondestructive quantification of economically and nutritionally important soybean components is near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), emerging technology may provide viable alternatives and lead to next generation instrumentation for grain compositional analysis. In principle, Raman spectroscopy provides the necessary chemical information to generate models for predicting the concentration of soybean constituents. In this communication, we explore the use of transmission Raman spectroscopy (TRS) for nondestructive soybean measurements. We show that TRS uses the light scattering properties of soybeans to effectively homogenize the heterogeneous bulk of a soybean for representative sampling. Working with over 1000 individual intact soybean seeds, we developed a simple partial least-squares model for predicting oil and protein content nondestructively. We find TRS to have a root-mean-standard error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.89% for oil measurements and 0.92% for protein measurements. In both calibration and validation sets, the predicative capabilities of the model were similar to the error in the reference methods.     

Integrative approach for landscape-based graph connectivity analysis: a case study with the common frog (Rana temporaria) in human-dominated landscapes

Graph-based analysis is a promising approach for analyzing the functional and structural connectivity of landscapes. In human-shaped landscapes, species have become vulnerable to land degradation and connectivity loss between habitat patches. Movement across the landscape is a key process for species survival that needs to be further investigated for heterogeneous human-dominated landscapes. The common frog (Rana temporaria) was used as a case study to explore and provide a graph connectivity analysis framework that integrates habitat suitability and dispersal responses to landscape permeability. The main habitat patches influencing habitat availability and connectivity were highlighted by using the software Conefor Sensinode 2.2. One of the main advantages of the presented graph-theoretical approach is its ability to provide a large choice of variables to be used based on the study’s assumptions and knowledge about target species. Based on dispersal simulation modelling in potential suitable habitat corridors, three distinct patterns of nodes connections of differing importance were revealed. These patterns are locally influenced by anthropogenic barriers, landscape permeability, and habitat suitability. And they are affected by different suitability and availability gradients to maximize the best possible settlement by the common frog within a terrestrial habitat continuum. The study determined the key role of landscape-based approaches for identifying the “availability-suitability-connectivity” patterns from a local to regional approach to provide an operational tool for landscape planning.     

Pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine in horses recovering from isoflurane anesthesia

This study determined the pharmacokinetics and compared the clinical effects of xylazine and dexmedetomidine in horses recovering from isoflurane anesthesia. Six healthy horses aged 8.5 ± 3 years and weighing 462 ± 50 kg were anesthetized with isoflurane for 2 hr under standard conditions on two occasions one-week apart. In recovery, horses received 200 μg/kg xylazine or 0.875 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intravenously and were allowed to recover without assistance. These doses were selected because they have been used for postanesthetic sedation in clinical and research studies. Serial venous blood samples were collected for quantification of xylazine and dexmedetomidine, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Two individuals blinded to treatment identity evaluated recovery quality with a visual analog scale. Times to stand were recorded. Results (mean ± SD) were compared using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-ranked test with p < .05 considered significant. Elimination half-lives (62.7 ± 21.8 and 30.1 ± 8 min for xylazine and dexmedetomidine, respectively) and steady-state volumes of distribution (215 ± 123 and 744 ± 403 ml/kg) were significantly different between xylazine and dexmedetomidine, whereas clearances (21.1 ± 17.3 and 48.6 ± 28.1 ml/minute/kg), times to stand (47 ± 24 and 53 ± 12 min) and recovery quality (51 ± 24 and 61 ± 22 mm VAS) were not significantly different. When used for postanesthetic sedation following isoflurane anesthesia in healthy horses, dexmedetomidine displays faster plasma kinetics but is not associated with faster recoveries compared to xylazine.     

Geographical distribution and first molecular detection of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emaravirus,High Plains wheat mosaic virus</Emphasis>, in Argentina

High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV) has recently been assigned to genus Emaravirus and is the causal agent of High Plains disease. In this work the geographical distribution and first molecular detection of HPWMoV in Argentina are reported. The virus was detected in six provinces and nine hosts, including wheat, corn, oat and barley, as well as weeds, which play an important role in the epidemiology of this disease. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of a portion of RNA3 nucleoprotein gene sequence showed that five HPWMoV isolates from different wheat growing regions of Argentina were identical, and suggest a single introduction of HPWMoV to this country, possibly through corn seeds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of HPWMoV in South America. These results highlight the importance of certification of viruses-free cereal seeds and strict controls for material transfer between different countries to prevent the entry not only of new pathogens but also of new variants or strain at sites where the pest has already been detected.     

The Adventures of Dr. Duncan McNab McEachran in Western Canada

Duncan McNab McEachran's early history and involvement in the formation of the Montreal Veterinary College as well as in livestock inspection were reviewed. His contribution to the beginning of the ranching industry in western Canada was explored in detail. In 1881, McEachran helped to establish the Cochrane Ranche, which was the first great ranch to be started in southern Alberta. He was employed as the ranch's resident general manager until 1883, in which year the Waldrond Ranch was established. McEachran was this ranch's president and general manager until approximately 1909. During this time, he came under considerable criticism from both The MacLeod Gazette and The Calgary Herald. As Dr. McEachran maintained his obligations to the ranches while he was directing the veterinary college in Montreal as well as chief inspector of livestock for Canada, it was concluded that this feat alone would rank him as a remarkable historical figure.     

The evolutionary relationship between bere barley and other types of cultivated barley

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - We used genotyping-by-sequencing to investigate the evolutionary history of bere, the oldest barley variety still cultivated in Britain and possibly in all of...     

Broccoli processing wastes as a source of peroxidase

A peroxidase isozyme (BP) was purified to homogeneity from broccoli stems ( Brassica oleraceae var. maraton) discarded from industrial processing wastes. BP specific activity was 1216 ABTS [2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] units/mg, representing 466-fold that of crude extract. BP is a monomeric glycoprotein containing 16% carbohydrates, with a molecular mass of 49 kDa and an isoelectric point close to 4.2. From kinetic data it showed a two-substrate ping-pong mechanism, and the catalytic efficiency measured as the rate-limiting step of free BP regeneration was 3.4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). The ABTS K m value was 0.2 mM, which was about 20 times lower than that reported for acidic commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Assessment of BP secondary structure showed 30% helical character, similar to HRP and cytochrome c peroxidase. BP lost only 25% activity after 10 min of heating at 55 degrees C and pH 6; it was stable in the pH range from 4 to 9 and showed an optimum pH of 4.6 using ABTS as substrate. BP was active on substrates normally involved in lignin biosynthesis, such as caffeic and ferulic acids, and also displayed good catechol oxidation activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Reverse micellar extraction was successfully used as potential large-scale prepurification of broccoli peroxidase, achieving a purification factor of 7, with 60% activity yield. Stems from the broccoli processing industry have a high potential as an alternative for peroxidase purification.     

Physicochemical and Enzyme Characterization of Small and Large Starch Granules Isolated from Two Maize Cultivars

In this study, some morphological, physicochemical, and the initial characterization of the starch granule enzymes of blue and white maizes of small and large granules are described. Starch was isolated from blue and white maizes, and the small and large granules were separated. The efficiency of separation was higher in large granules than small of the blue maize starch. The amylose content was slightly greater (1.3%) in large granules than smaller in both starches studied. No differences in the average gelatinization temperature were found between large and small granules, but the enthalpy of gelatinization value was higher in the small granules. The electrophoretic pattern showed that the granule‐bound starch synthase (GBSSI) had higher expression in large than small granules and that explain the higher amylose content in the former granules. The differences showed in the starch biosynthesis enzymes in small and large granules might explain partially the physicochemical and functional properties of maize.     

ATR-Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy for determination of trans fatty acids in ground cereal products without oil extraction

Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was investigated as a method of analysis for trans fatty acid content of cereal products without the need for prior oil extraction. Spectra were obtained, with an FT-IR spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) device, of ground samples pressed onto the diamond ATR surface, and trans fatty acids were measured by a modification of AOAC Method 996.01. Partial least-squares (PLS) models were developed for the prediction of trans fatty acids in ground samples using several wavenumber selections on the basis of bands related to lipids. The models (n = 79) predicted trans fatty acids in ground samples with standard error of cross-validation (SECV) of 1.10-1.25 (range 0-12.4) % and R2 of 0.85-0.88 and in validation samples (n = 26) with standard error of performance (SEP) of 0.96-1.12 (range 0-12.2) % and r2 of 0.89-0.92, indicating sufficient accuracy for screening. Sample trans fatty acid % was predicted as accurately with the fingerprint region (1500-900 cm(-1)) as with the entire range (4000-650 cm(-1)) indicating, in concert with the regression coefficients, the importance of the isolated trans double bonds at 966 cm(-1) in development of the model. Data is also presented on prediction of trans fatty acids using the spectra of residual oil films on the ATR surface after removing the solid portion of the sample.