IN VITRO EVALUATION OF FELINE LEUKOCYTES RADIOLABELED IN WHOLE BLOOD WITH 99MTC STANNOUS COLLOID

Technetium-99m stannous colloid (^99mTcSnC) has been used to radiolabel human leukocytes to investigate various inflammatory disorders. We investigated the in vitro behavior of feline leukocytes labeled in whole blood with ^99mTcSnC. Heparinized blood samples were collected from healthy cats and divided into control and test aliquots. The latter were labeled with ^99mTcSnC using a standard procedure. Leukocyte viability was determined for each sample using a trypan blue exclusion test. Labeling efficiency was determined for test aliquots. Test aliquots were layered onto Histopaque-1077^® and centrifuged before measurement of radioactivity of the blood components. Leukocytes from radiolabeled and control samples were washed and incubated with opsonized zymosan particles to allow assessment of phagocytic function. Aliquots were taken from radiolabeled feline leukocyte samples at 1, 3, 4, and 7 h postlabelling. After centrifugation of each aliquot, radioactivity of the supernatant and pellet was measured and the labeling retention determined. Leukocyte viability in both radiolabeled and control samples was >98%. The labeling efficiency was 95.2±0.14%. The distribution of radioactivity in feline blood was found to be 3.4±0.18% in plasma, 39.0±0.37% in erythrocytes, and 57.6±0.38% in leukocytes. Labeled feline leukocytes had phagocytic activity of 90.9±0.18% (control 91.3±0.15%). The radiolabeled leukocytes retained 93.4±0.19% of the radioactivity up to 7 h postlabeling. ^99mTcSnC efficiently labeled feline leukocytes with no effect on viability and minimal effect on phagocytic function. The percentage retention of radioactivity by the leukocytes was still high at 7 h postlabeling.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUGAR MAPLE DECLINE AND CORRESPONDING CHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE STEM TISSUE

Wood cores were taken at breast height of mature sugar maple (Acer Saccharum Marsh.) trees of approximately the same age from four sites in Ontario, Canada differing in soil characteristics and general tree health. The soils of two of the sites were acidic (podzols), while the soils of the other two sites were calcareous (brunisols). Selected elemental analyses using Neutron Activation Analysis were conducted on the soils and the xylem wood of the sugar maple trees, and the results were compared relative to tree health. Aluminum in stem xylem was found to be significantly higher in declining trees (mean 7.7 ppm) relative to the healthy trees (mean 4.0) from the acidic sites, where aluminum was freely available in the soil. Soil extractable aluminum was also significantly higher in the soil adjacent to the declining trees (mean 5.10) compared to the healthy trees (mean 3.20). These results show that xylem aluminum contents reflect the increased availability of aluminum in acidifying soils and provide additional evidence that dendrochemistry may be used as a proxy environmental monitoring tool.     

Inhibition of miR397 by STTM technology to increase sweetpotato resistance to SPVD

As a critical food crop, sweetpotato(Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.) is widely planted all over the world, but it is deeply affected by Sweetpotato Virus Disease(SPVD). The present study utilized short tandem target mimic(STTM) technology to effectively up-regulate the expression of laccase(Ib LACs) by successfully inhibiting the expression of mi R397. The upstream genes in the lignin synthesis pathway were widely up-regulated by feedback regulation, including phenylalanine ammonialyase(PAL), 4-coumar...     

Seasonal changes in a deep‐water fish assemblage in response to monsoon‐generated upwelling events

The coastal shelf of the Gulf of Oman experiences periodic upwelling events during the summer months that are driven by the southwest monsoon. It is unclear what role these events play in the spatial and temporal distribution of the region’s fish assemblage. We carried out trials on two different video techniques to characterize the habitat and fish assemblage along the continental shelf margin near Muscat, Oman. Exploratory surveys with a drift stereo‐video revealed three main habitat types: Sand, Reef and Megabenthos. Three areas were chosen for additional sampling using stereo‐BRUVS (‘baited’ remote underwater‐video systems). On two separate occasions (November 2005 and March 2006) replicate stereo‐BRUVS were deployed in each area stratified by the main habitat types. For each teleost and elasmobranch species encountered on the video, an estimate of total body length and the relative abundance (MaxN_i) was made. The stereo‐BRUVS recorded a wide range of demersal and pelagic teleosts including species of conservation interest such as sharks, rays and groupers. The drift stereo‐video recorded significantly fewer species than the stereo‐BRUVS (N = 15 versus N = 43). Species diversity from the stereo‐BRUVS increased by 96% in March 2006 (N = 41) compared to November 2005 (N = 23), a pattern consistent at all three areas. The structure of the overall fish assemblage (using canonical analysis of principal coordinates analysis) was highly variable both in time and space. There was ample evidence of strong habitat associations, particularly with depth and seasonal shifts in abundance and diversity. We argue the upward migration of oxygen‐depleted water into the shallow depths during the late monsoon displaces the demersal fish community along this coast.     

Antioxidative effects of the acetone fraction and vanillic acid from Chenopodium murale on tomato plants

From the active acetone fraction of Chenopodium murale , vanillic acid was isolated and identified, based on ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analyses. Free phenolic compounds inside the active acetone were qualified and quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography analysis, which revealed the presence of seven compounds with an abundance of vanillic and p -hydroxybenzoic acids. The allelopathic potential of the acetone fraction and vanillic acid was evaluated through laboratory bioassays against tomato plants. Our results showed that the allelopathic potential induced by low concentrations of the acetone fraction and vanillic acid stimulated the germination and growth of tomato and had stimulating effects on the activity of some antioxidant enzymes. We observed an enhancement in the activity of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase, as well as the content of soluble protein and phenolic glycoside. Meanwhile, the levels of free phenolic compounds, H₂O₂, and lipid peroxidation decreased. The highest stimulations were recorded at 50 p.p.m. of acetone fraction and 0.5 p.p.m. of vanillic acid. In contrast, the highest concentrations exerted negative effects on all the measured parameters to record the maximum value of inhibition at 400 p.p.m. of acetone fraction and 4 p.p.m. of vanillic acid. These results proved the antioxidative effects of active acetone and vanillic acid at low concentrations and their potent use as a stimulator for tomato germination and growth.     

Capturing the dynamics of systemic Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System (RAAS) peptides heightens the understanding of the effect of benazepril in dogs

Mochel, J. P., Peyrou, M, Fink, M, Strehlau, G, Mohamed, R, Giraudel, J. M., Ploeger, B, Danhof, M. Capturing the dynamics of systemic Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System (RAAS) peptides heightens the understanding of the effect of benazepril in dogs. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  36 , 174–180. In dogs, activation of the Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone System (RAAS) is an important feature of congestive heart failure (CHF). Long‐term increases in angiotensin II (AII) and aldosterone (ALD) lead to the progression of heart failure to its end stage. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are the foremost therapeutic option in the management of CHF. Recent literature has challenged the efficacy of ACEIs, based on modest reduction in urinary aldosterone (UALD) excretion despite marked inhibition of ACE activity. This study was designed to heighten the understanding of the effect of benazepril, a potent ACEI, on the RAAS, using a low‐sodium diet as an experimental model of RAAS activation. Time course profiles of RAAS peptides and related areas under the curve (AUC_{24 hours}) were used for comparison between benazepril and placebo groups. Results indicated substantial changes in the dynamics of these biomarkers. At presumed benazeprilat steady state, significant differences in AUC_{24 hours} of plasma renin activity (+90%), angiotensin I (+43%), and AII (?53%) were found between benazepril and placebo‐treated dogs. ALD decreased by 73% in plasma but only by 5% in urine. In conclusion, despite modest reduction in UALD excretion, benazepril markedly influences RAAS dynamics in dogs.     

印度泰米尔纳德邦马杜赖地区横斑腹小鸮(Athene brama)的食性及猎物谱

我们于2007年至2009年通过食丸分析研究了印度泰米尔纳德邦马杜赖地区横斑腹小鸮(Athene brama)的食性及猎物谱.共分析了食丸4181个,记录了共16种猎物的40278个残余物.每个食丸中的猎物种类为1-31个,平均9.6±3.03个.分析表明,该地区横斑腹小鸮的主要猎物为无脊椎动物(昆虫类占83.0％,蛛...     

苹果属无融合生殖SERK1基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

[目的]为探讨苹果属植物无融合生殖分子机制。[方法]以苹果属平邑甜茶及杂种后代33#为试材,以苹果基因组CDS序列设计引物,通过PCR扩增技术克隆出SERK同源基因的cDNA全长序列,命名为MhSERK1和MhdSERK1(GenBank登录号JQ231273和JQ231272),利用实时定量RTqPCR的方法检测了这两个基因在平邑甜茶和杂种后代各组织和器官中的表达模式。[结果]序列分析显示MhSERK1和MhdSERK1编码区序列全长为1 899 bp和1 881 bp,分别编码632和626个氨基酸,其氨基酸序列与其他植物的SERK1同源基因所编码的氨基酸同源性都在80%以上,特别是与葡萄科龙眼品种同源性最高,高达92.56%,与模式植物拟南芥、烟草等植物的SERK同源基因都具有很高的同源性。实时定量PCR结果表明,在平邑甜茶和杂种后代不同组织、花器官中SERK1基因的表达量存在差异,其中在子房中的表达量最高,在营养生长的组织中表达量很低,在平邑甜茶花蕾期的子房中表达量最高。[结论]推测该基因在平邑甜茶和杂种后代的生殖发育过程中可能发挥重要作用。     

Weeds and weed management in irrigated lentil in northern Sudan

Weeds are a major constraint to increasing production of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in Sudan, Field studies were conducted to determine the yield loss due to weeds, to identify the critical period of weed interference, to evaluate the activity of different herbicide mixtures in controlting weeds and their selectivity for lentil, and to evaluate different methods of weed control for developing an integrated weed management practice. At Rubatab. unrestricted weed growth accounted for up to 84% loss in yield. The critical period of weed control was between 2 and 4 weeks after sowing. However, a weeding regime experiment at Dongola, a cooler location with a longer growing season, indicated that the critical period was between 4 and 6 weeks after sowing. suggesting that the critical period might vary with the environmental conditions. The herbicides imazethapyr (0.05 kg a.i. ha^-1), terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) and prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1), each in a tank mixture with pendimethalin (1.2 kg a.i. ha^-1), were tolerated by lentil, controlled weeds effectively and significantly increased yields at Wad Hamid. Their efficacy in controlling weeds at Rubatab was low, however, because of the presence of Tephrosia apollinea (Del.) DC. and Melilotus indica (L.) All., which tolerated these herbicides. Efficacy was also reduced in heavier soils. One supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing enhanced the performance of these herbicides under such conditions. A tank mixture of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) with either terbutryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) or prometryn (1.0 kg a.i. ha^-1) also provided good weed control and increased yield of lentil at Wad Hamid. Application of a higher dose (1.5 kg a.i. ha^-1) of terbutryn and prometryn caused phytotoxicity. Irrigation before seed-bed preparation reduced grass and broad-leaved weeds by 58% and 40% respectively, and gave a 30% increase in grain yield over no irrigation. Pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen (0.24 kg a.i. ha^-1) and a supplementary hand-weeding at 4 weeks after sowing gave excellent control of weeds and increased lentil yield by 57% over the weedy control. Thus, use of presowing irrigation, pre-emergence herbicide and one hand-weeding form an effective integrated package for controiling weeds in northern Sudan.     

Insights into the divergent evolution of the oceanic squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) from the Indian Ocean

Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis is known for its complex population structure with three major transoceanic forms (viz. middle-sized, dwarf, and giant forms) whose taxonomic status has been disputed for decades. This integrated taxonomic study examines these prevenient morphotypes gathered on cruises in the Indian Ocean to ascertain their status in the evolutionary history of the species. Molecular analyses employing mitochondrial (COI, ND2) and nuclear (H3) markers revealed four genetically distinct and novel lineages of the species in the Indian Ocean, representing three morphotypes from the Arabian Sea and one from the Southern Indian Ocean. The mitochondrial-based phylograms revealed two distinct clades in the species: “dwarf forms + giant form” and “middle-sized forms,” which further branch into geographically structured evolutionary units. Species delimitation analyses recovered five distinct clades, namely, the Arabian Sea giant and dwarf forms, Equatorial, Eastern Typical, and Other Middle-sized forms, representing the consensus molecular operational taxonomic units. H3 being heterozygous could not resolve the phylogeny. Haplotype network and AMOVA analysis of mtDNA genes indicated explicit phylogeographic structuring of haplotypes, whereas these outputs and PCA results were incongruent with the morphological grouping. Phenetic features distinguishing the morphotypes were sometimes plastic and mismatched with the genotypes. The giant form was genetically close to the dwarf forms, contradicting the earlier notion that it descended from the middle-sized form. It may be assumed that the dwarf form evolved following sympatric speciation and adaptation to warm equatorial waters, while the focal features of the Western Arabian Sea guide toward allopatric speciation of the giant form.