m‐carboxycinnamic acid bishydroxamide improves developmental competence,reduces apoptosis and alters epigenetic status and gene expression pattern in cloned buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos

Incomplete or aberrant reprogramming of nuclear genome is one of the major problems in somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this study, we studied the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor m‐carboxycinnamic acid bishydroxamide (CBHA) on in vitro development of buffalo embryos produced by Hand‐made cloning. Cloned embryos were treated with CBHA (0, 5, 10, 20 or 50 μM) for 10 hr from the start of reconstruction till activation. At 10 μM, but not at other concentrations examined, CBHA increased (p < .05) the blastocyst rate (63.77 ± 3.97% vs 48.63 ± 3.55%) and reduced (p < .05) the apoptotic index of the cloned blastocysts (8.91 ± 1.94 vs 4.36 ± 1.08) compared to untreated controls, to levels similar to those in IVF blastocysts (4.78 ± 0.74). CBHA treatment, at all the concentrations examined, increased (p < .05) the global level of H3K9ac in cloned blastocysts than in untreated controls to that observed in IVF blastocysts. Treatment with CBHA (10 μM) decreased (p < .05) the global level of H3K27me3 in cloned blastocysts than in untreated controls but it was still higher (p < .05) than in IVF blastocysts. CBHA (10 μM) treatment increased (p < .05) the relative expression level of pluripotency‐related genes OCT‐4 and NANOG, and anti‐apoptotic gene BCL‐XL, and decreased (p < .05) that of pro‐apoptotic gene BAX than in untreated controls but did not affect the relative expression level of apoptosis‐related genes p53 and CASPASE3 and epigenetics‐related genes DNMT1, DNMT3a and HDAC1. These results suggest that treatment of cloned embryos with 10 μM CBHA improves the blastocyst rate, reduces the level of apoptosis and alters the epigenetic status and gene expression pattern.     

Historical and Modern Disturbance Regimes,Stand Structures,and Landscape Dynamics in Piñon–Juniper Vegetation of the Western United States

Piñon–juniper is a major vegetation type in western North America. Effective management of these ecosystems has been hindered by inadequate understanding of 1) the variability in ecosystem structure and ecological processes that exists among the diverse combinations of piñons, junipers, and associated shrubs, herbs, and soil organisms; 2) the prehistoric and historic disturbance regimes; and 3) the mechanisms driving changes in vegetation structure and composition during the past 150 yr. This article summarizes what we know (and don't know) about three fundamentally different kinds of piñon–juniper vegetation. Persistent woodlands are found where local soils, climate, and disturbance regimes are favorable for piñon, juniper, or a mix of both; fires have always been infrequent in these woodlands. Piñon–juniper savannas are found where local soils and climate are suitable for both trees and grasses; it is logical that low-severity fires may have maintained low tree densities before disruption of fire regimes following Euro-American settlement, but information is insufficient to support any confident statements about historical disturbance regimes in these savannas. Wooded shrublands are found where local soils and climate support a shrub community, but trees can increase during moist climatic conditions and periods without disturbance and decrease during droughts and following disturbance. Dramatic increases in tree density have occurred in portions of all three types of piñon–juniper vegetation, although equally dramatic mortality events have also occurred in some areas. The potential mechanisms driving increases in tree density—such as recovery from past disturbance, natural range expansion, livestock grazing, fire exclusion, climatic variability, and CO₂ fertilization—generally have not received enough empirical or experimental investigation to predict which is most important in any given location. The intent of this synthesis is 1) to provide a source of information for managers and policy makers; and 2) to stimulate researchers to address the most important unanswered questions.     

不同来源亚有限型大豆品种适应性的比较研究

采用地理纬度相似地区选育的、具有代表性的中、美大豆品种,在不同种植密度,施肥水平和种植地区条件下对大豆品种的适应性进行了比较研究.结果表明：在不同种植密度条件下美国俄亥俄州立大学选育的品种综合表现较好,都有较高的产量表现,对种植密度有较好的适应性;而辽宁省选育的品种大多产量较低,受种植密度影响较大,种植密度适应性较差.在磷酸二铵做种肥的条件下,美国俄亥俄州立大学选育的品种表现较好,对肥料的利用率较高;辽宁省选育的品种中,辽豆12号对施肥的反应较好,其它品种相对产量较低,肥力适应范围狭窄.美国俄亥俄州立大学选育的品种在不同地区种植平均产量均显著高于辽宁省选育的品种,两国品种对地区的适应性表现趋势一致,都是鞍山＞沈阳＞大连.     

中国辽宁省与美国近纬度地区新育成大豆品种的株型与产量的比较研究

试验采用中国辽宁省与美国地理纬度相近、结荚习性相同的中国和美国大豆品种各4个,在相同种植条件下对株型性状进行了比较研究,探讨了大豆高产的株型特征.结果表明:美国大豆品种的节间较短、株高较矮,分枝数较多.美国大豆品种的叶片性状比较好,下部叶片为卵圆形,由下向上叶片逐节变长,中上部叶片较细小.美国大豆品种的荚数显著多于中国大豆品种,而百粒重却显著低于中国品种.在荚粒分布上,美国品种植株上层荚粒所占比例较小,下层荚粒所占比例较大,在同等种植条件下,美国大豆品种的产量显著高于中国品种.     

Calcium-induced contraction of the rhizoplast of a quadriflagellate green alga

The rhizoplast of Platymonas subcordiformis is a contractile organelle. Cyclic contraction and extension are induced by incubating the organism in solutions containing calcium and adenosine triphosphate. Rhizoplast contraction is functionally linked to flagellar activity.     

Survey of veterinary extension in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To assess veterinary extension in the United States as perceived by veterinary extension personnel. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Extension veterinarians in the United States. PROCEDURE: 2 surveys were designed and mailed to extension veterinarians listed by the USDA and the American Association of Extension Veterinarians. RESULTS: 34 states had > or = 1 extension veterinarian. The majority (> 60%) of extension veterinarians did not commit time to resident education and were not involved in research activities. Paradoxically, 23% of responding extension veterinarians did not report extension work. Programs for food animal producers, horse owners, and companion animal owners were provided by 100, 63, and 37% of states, respectively. Continuing education (CE) programs were provided for food animal veterinarians, equine veterinarians, and companion animal veterinarians by 96, 63, and 52% of states, respectively. Challenges facing veterinary extension included limited recognition of veterinary extension activities by universities, lack of university personnel to support CE programs, and decreased support for companion animal extension programs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Extension veterinarians need to identify and clearly articulate the mission of veterinary extension, develop more collaborative programs across regions, and continue to serve as catalysts to bring diverse constituents together. Extension veterinarians must distinguish their mission not solely as information transfer, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways outside of extension, but as a coherent and consistent program of education and policy developed on a national level and distributed locally.     

Using Visible and Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry to Study Starch,Protein, and Temperature Effects on Bread Staling

Starch, protein, and temperature effects on bread staling were investigated using visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Bread staling was mainly due to amylopectin retrogradation. NIRS measured amylopectin retrogradation accurately in different batches. Three important wavelengths, 970 nm, 1,155 nm, and 1,395 nm, were associated with amylopectin retrogradation. NIRS followed moisture and starch structure changes when amylopectin retrograded. The amylose‐lipid complex changed little from one day after baking. The capability of NIRS to measure changes in the retrograded amylose‐lipid complex was limited. Two important wavelengths, 550 nm and 1,465 nm, were key for NIRS to successfully classify the starch‐starch (SS) and starch‐protein (SP) bread based on different colors and protein contents in SS and SP. Low temperature dramatically accelerated the amylopectin retrogradation process. Protein retarded bread staling, but not as much as temperature. The starch and protein interaction was less important than the starch retrogradation. Protein hindered the bread staling process mainly by diluting starch and retarding starch retrogradation.     

Molecular Weight Distribution of Proteins in Hard Red Spring Wheat: Relationship to Quality Parameters and Intrasample Uniformity

Molecular weight distribution (MWD) of proteins extracted from hard red spring wheat was analyzed by size‐exclusion HPLC to investigate associations with wheat and breadmaking quality characteristics. Certain protein fractions were related to associations between wheat and breadmaking parameters, specifically when effect of quantitative variation of protein on those parameters was statistically eliminated by partial correlation analysis. SDS‐unextractable high molecular weight polymeric proteins had positive partial correlations with percent vitreous kernel content and breadmaking parameters, including mix time and bread loaf volume. SDS‐extractable protein fractions that were eluted before the primary gliadin peak had positive partial correlations with kernel hardness and water absorption parameters. The proportion of main gliadin fractions in total protein had a negative partial correlation with bread loaf volume and positive correlations with kernel hardness and water absorption parameters. Intrasample uniformity in protein MWD and kernel characteristics was estimated from three kernel subsamples that were separated according to single kernel protein content within individual wheat samples by a single‐kernel near‐infrared sorter. Wheat subsamples were significantly different in protein MWD. Intrasample uniformity in protein MWD did not differ greatly among wheat samples.     

Antisperm antibodies in repeat‐breeding cows: Frequency,detection and validation of threshold levels employing sperm immobilization,sperm agglutination and immunoperoxidase assay

Antisperm antibodies have been found in repeat‐breeding(RB) cows, and those causing agglutination and/or immobilization of sperm are considered to be closely related to unexplained infertility. However, a standard protocol for identifying antisperm antibodies (ASA) in cattle is not validated. Therefore, an investigation was undertaken to evaluate sperm immobilization (SIT), sperm agglutination (SAT) and immunoperoxidase (IPT)assays for detection of ASA in serum and their respective threshold levels for confirmation. Animals (heifers, normally breeding, repeat‐breeding and pregnant animals) that were free from IBR, brucellosis and uterine infections (screened by clinical examination) were included in the study. Sperm agglutinating, sperm immobilizing and antisperm antibodies evaluated by respective assay were significantly higher (p < .05) in RB cows compared to other groups. The SIT assay was able to identify 61% of RB caused by ASA, more than those employing SAT and IPT. Furthermore, a dilution rate of 1:5 and 1:80 (confirms 59.0 and 57.0% RB+ve)were sufficient to diagnose ASA by SAT and IPT, respectively. Results indicate the presence of __12.6% clumped spermatozoa and __ 2.6%(cut‐off value) peroxidase‐positive spermatozoa at 1:5 and 1:80 dilutions diagnosed with SAT and IPT, respectively, may be considered as repeaters arising out of ASA. Furthermore, study also showed the presence of lower incidence of ASA positivity in other groups of animals (heifer<normal breeder<pregnant animals) compared to repeaters. Study results show that although IPT is more specific and accurate but SAT and SIT are comparatively simple and cost‐effective assays suitable for detecting ASA under field conditions and thus can be recommended for screening of repeaters.