Activating mutations in the catalytic or juxtamembrane domain of c-kit in splenic mast cell tumors of cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate splenic mast cell tumors (MCT) of cats for activating mutations in the proto-oncogene c-kit. SAMPLE POPULATION: 10 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded splenic MCT from cats in the pathology database of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. PROCEDURE: Genomic DNA was isolated from tumor specimens, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was performed for exons 11, 12, and 17. The PCR products were analyzed by use of agarose gel electrophoresis and then directly sequenced. RESULTS: We did not identify mutations in the juxtamembrane domain (encoded by exons 11 and 12) or catalytic domain (encoded by exon 17) of c-kit in any of the splenic MCT specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although mutations in the proto-oncogene c-kit occur frequently in naturally developing MCT in dogs and aggressive mastocytosis in humans, the data reported here documented that dysregulation of Kit function through activating mutations is unlikely in splenic MCT of cats. Therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting Kit signaling (ie, kinase inhibitors such as imatinib [STl571]) may not be of benefit for the treatment of this disease in cats.     

Modification of chilling susceptibility in seedlings of cucumber and zucchini squash by the bioregulator paclobutrazol (PP333)

Application of paclobutrazol at 1, 5 or 10 mg 1^?1 by soil drench inhibited growth and increased chlorophyll content of leaf discs of cucumber and zucchini squash. The treatments also significantly postponed symptoms of chilling injury of seedlings at 5°C. The degree of protection from injury sustained at low temperature increased with increasing duration of the paclobutrazol treatment. Cucumber seedlings were more sensitive to chilling injury and were more responsive to the paclobutrazol treatment than seedlings of zucchini squash.     

Study of visual evaluations for wood flooring applying fuzzy logic

This study was aimed to investigate the visual evaluations of wood flooring. The selected 12 species of wood flooring were simulated by computer and combined with the 6 sets of visual image adjectives to design a questionnaire and survey the visual evaluations of consumers. Triangular fuzzy number of fuzzy theory was employed to obtain the scores of the 12 species of wood flooring in the 6 visual image evaluations. The results showed that the differences between different species of wood flooring in the visual evaluation were less significant in terms of “classical and primitive”, “durable and practical”, and “natural and original”. However, the differences were more significant in terms of “Elegant and Soft”, “close and comfortable”, and “tender and amiable”. Furthermore, six groups with relative overall visual images were induced from the comparison of wood flooring by qualitative classification. For example, the overall visual images of Quercus rubra, Acer saccharum and Quercus alba were similar, and they were more “Elegant and Soft”,“durable and practical”,“close and comfortable”, and “tender and amiable”. The overall visual images of Carya ovata, Pinus rigida and Castanea sativa were similar, and they tended to be “classical and primitive” and “natural and original”.     

Preparation and characterization of water-soluble chitosan produced by Maillard reaction

ABSTRACT:   The objective of this research was to improve the solubility of chitosan by Maillard reaction with 1% chitosan and 2% reducing sugar (glucose or glucosamine) dissolved in 0.2 M acetic acid, which was adjusted to pH 6.0, and incubated at either 50°C or 70°C for 1–7 days. The physicochemical and rheological properties of the chitosan–saccharide derivatives were also investigated. Results indicated that the solubility of modified chitosan derivatives was significantly greater than that of native chitosan. The solubility of chitosan–glucosamine was higher than that of chitosan–glucose, and the chitosan–glucosamine derivative remained soluble at pH 10. The degree of deacetylation of the derivatives decreased with increasing reaction time. Rheological investigation revealed that the apparent viscosity of the water-soluble chitosan derivatives in aqueous solution depended upon system conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and solution temperature. The measured apparent viscosity decreased as all system conditions increased. As calculated by the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy ( E _a ) of the derivatives in aqueous solution generally decreased with increasing the extent of Maillard reaction with respect to the reducing sugars used.     

Analytical models integrated with satellite images for optimized pest management

The global field protection (GFP) was developed to protect and optimize pest management resources integrating satellite images for precise field demarcation with physical models of controlled release devices of pesticides to protect large fields. The GFP was implemented using a graphical user interface to aid the end-user to select location and define an arbitrary perimeter for protection. The system provides coordinates of drop points for the controlled release devices which can be delivered using drone technology, e.g. unmanned air vehicles. In this work, we present the first proof of concept of this technology. A vast number of pest management applications can benefit from this work, including prevention against vector-borne diseases as well as protection of large agriculture fields.     

Particle size reduction effectively enhances the cholesterol-lowering activities of carrot insoluble fiber and cellulose

This study investigated and compared the effects of particle size reduction on the cholesterol-lowering activities of carrot insoluble fiber-rich fraction (IFF) and plant cellulose. Our results demonstrated that micronization treatment effectively pulverized the particle sizes of these insoluble fibers to different microsizes. Feeding the micronized insoluble fibers, particularly the micronized carrot IFF, significantly (p < 0.05) improved their abilities in lowering the concentrations of serum triglyceride (18.6-20.0%), serum total cholesterol (15.5-19.5%), and liver lipids (16.7-20.3%) to different extents by means of enhancing (p < 0.05) the excretion of lipids (124-131%), cholesterol (120-135%), and bile acids (130-141%) in feces. These results suggested that particle size was one of the crucial factors in affecting the characteristics and physiological functions of insoluble fibers. Therefore, particle size reduction by micronization might offer the industry an opportunity to improve the physiological functions of insoluble fibers, particularly the carrot IFF, in health food applications.     

A variant of the HTRA1 gene increases susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world and has a strong genetic predisposition. A locus at human chromosome 10q26 affects the risk of AMD, but the precise gene(s) have not been identified. We genotyped 581 AMD cases and 309 normal controls in a Caucasian cohort in Utah. We demonstrate that a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11200638, in the promoter region of HTRA1 is the most likely causal variant for AMD at 10q26 and is estimated to confer a population attributable risk of 49.3%. The HTRA1 gene encodes a secreted serine protease. Preliminary analysis of lymphocytes and retinal pigment epithelium from four AMD patients revealed that the risk allele was associated with elevated expression levels of HTRA1 mRNA and protein. We also found that drusen in the eyes of AMD patients were strongly immunolabeled with HTRA1 antibody. Together, these findings support a key role for HTRA1 in AMD susceptibility and identify a potential new pathway for AMD pathogenesis.     

Heritability of spotted wilt resistance in a Florida‐EP™ “113”‐derived peanut (Arachis hypogaea) population

Spotted wilt, caused by tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a major disease of peanut (Arachis hypogaea ) in the south‐eastern United States. Cultivar resistance is the most important factor in disease control. However, spotted wilt resistance in current cultivars still carries risk in the absence of other practices when disease is severe. In contrast, a newly developed cultivar, Florida‐EP? “113,” has demonstrated excellent resistance even when spotted wilt is severe. Information on heritability of this resistance can help breeders better utilize it in breeding. F₂‐derived populations from the cross Florida‐EP? “113”/Georgia Valencia were developed and tested in field experiments in Florida from 2012 to 2014. Disease symptoms were evaluated visually, and the frequency of TSWV infection was measured by ImmunoStrip^®. Heritability estimated from ImmunoStrip^® was higher (0.66) compared to visual ratings (0.48). Genetic correlations among evaluation methods (r _A = 0.92–0.99) and environments (r _B = 0.86–0.99) were high. These results indicate that resistance in Florida‐EP? “113” is highly heritable and that selection in a high disease risk environment is feasible without significant erosion of genetic gain.     

Novel α-Amylase Inhibitor Hemi-Pyocyanin Produced by Microbial Conversion of Chitinous Discards

α-Amylase inhibitors (aAIs) have been applied for the efficient management of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to search for potential aAIs produced by microbial fermentation. Among various bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa TUN03 was found to be a potential aAI-producing strain, and shrimp heads powder (SHP) was screened as the most suitable C/N source for fermentation. P. aeruginosa TUN03 exhibited the highest aAIs productivity (3100 U/mL) in the medium containing 1.5% SHP with an initial pH of 7–7.5, and fermentation was performed at 27.5 °C for two days. Further, aAI compounds were investigated for scaled-up production in a 14 L-bioreactor system. The results revealed a high yield (4200 U/mL) in a much shorter fermentation time (12 h) compared to fermentation in flasks. Bioactivity-guided purification resulted in the isolation of one major target compound, identified as hemi-pyocyanin (HPC) via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Its purity was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. HPC demonstrated potent α-amylase inhibitory activity comparable to that of acarbose, a commercial antidiabetic drug. Notably, HPC was determined as a new aAI. The docking study indicated that HPC inhibits α-amylase by binding to amino acid Arg421 at the biding site on enzyme α-amylase with good binding energy (−9.3 kcal/mol) and creating two linkages of H-acceptors.     

绿鳍马面魨年龄和生长的初步研究

1.体长与椎体之间的关系呈正紧密直线相关。其关系式为:L=7.046R 49.590 r=0.938 2.用第一个椎骨的椎体作为观察和测定年轮的材料。年轮在透射光线下界于透明带和不透明带之间。其特征可分为以下三种类型:(1)单带型,(2)双带型,(3)多带型。 3.根据椎体边缘相对生长量的周年测定结果,证实该年轮系一年形成一次,时间为12月份至翌年5、6月份,主要的形成期是4～6月份。 4. 绿鳍马面鲀各龄鱼的平均体长和体重为:Ⅰ龄鱼:119.5毫米,44.5克;Ⅱ龄鱼:159.9毫米,70.9克;Ⅲ龄鱼:194.8毫米,136.9克;Ⅳ龄鱼:215.2毫米,190.8克;Ⅴ龄鱼;229.2毫米,231.3克;Ⅵ龄鱼:245.9毫米,283.5克。 5.体长和体重之间呈指数函数关系。关系式:L=41.324·W~(0.315) 6.从现有的标样观察和分析,绿鳍马面鲀的最高寿命为X龄。年龄组成比较简单,以Ⅲ、Ⅳ龄组占优势,Ⅵ龄以上各组数量极少。