Characterization of platelet and soluble-porcine P-selectin (CD62P)

P-selectin (CD62P), an adhesion molecule expressed on activated endothelial cells and platelets, mediates the initial attachment of leukocytes to the stimulated endothelium upon inflammation and the interaction between leukocytes and platelets. A soluble form of P-selectin is present in the serum of healthy individuals as a circulating protein and high levels have been described in various pathological situations. The aim of this study was to characterize P-selectin on porcine platelets and investigate the soluble form of this protein, which are uncharacterized in several animal species including pigs. A new monoclonal antibody (mAb) (SwPsel.1.9) against porcine P-selectin was produced using a mouse cell line transfected with pig P-selectin cDNA. This mAb together with a previously described mAb (P-sel.KO.2.5), produced in our laboratory, was used to develop an ELISA to quantify porcine P-selectin. No significant levels of soluble-porcine P-selectin were observed in healthy animals. However, the total amount of P-selectin measured in porcine platelets was similar to that found in humans. Increased levels of this circulating protein were detected in the plasma from pigs after allograft implantation. In vitro, P-selectin expression on platelet membrane was rapidly induced by PMA and thrombin, as assessed by flow cytometry. However, these activators did not stimulate the release of soluble P-selectin. Analysis of the proteolytic cleavage of this protein from COS-transfected cells revealed that PMA treatment failed to cause the shedding of membrane-bound P-selectin. These data suggest that porcine P-selectin is a suitable marker for inflammation and that the mechanism involved in the generation of circulating P-selectin is not proteolytic release.     

Evaluation of inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats

OBJECTIVE: To identify inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 19 cats with a history of redirected aggression and 64 cats with no such history. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to identify cats evaluated for problems with redirected aggression (case cats), in which the primary inciting stimulus and alternative target of aggression were clearly identifiable. Data obtained from the records and from follow-up interviews included details about the cats and incidents of redirected aggression. Owners of control cats were interviewed via telephone to obtain similar information on their cats. RESULTS: 22 incidents of redirected aggression were reported for the 19 case cats. In 95% of those incidents, loud noises or interactions with other cats were identified as the inciting stimuli. Case cats most commonly redirected their aggression toward the owner, followed by another cat living in the same household. Compared with control cats, case cats were more likely to have a sound phobia but were less likely to be outdoor cats. In addition, case cats were more likely to be from small households (相似文献   

Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of wild, edible, and medicinal fennel from different Mediterranean countries

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is a typical aromatic plant of the Mediterranean area, long used as a medicinal and spice herb. Fennel is also well-known for its essential oil, which has been extensively studied for many years owing to its commercial importance. In this work, the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the quantitative determination of individual flavonoids and phenolic acids of wild, edible, and medicinal fennel from different Mediterranean countries, have been determined. The antioxidant activity was measured as the free radical (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activities. Wild fennel was found to exhibit a radical scavenging activity, as well as a total phenolic and total flavonoid content, higher than those of both medicinal and edible fennels.     

A melanocortin 1 receptor allele suggests varying pigmentation among Neanderthals

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) regulates pigmentation in humans and other vertebrates. Variants of MC1R with reduced function are associated with pale skin color and red hair in humans of primarily European origin. We amplified and sequenced a fragment of the MC1R gene (mc1r) from two Neanderthal remains. Both specimens have a mutation that was not found in approximately 3700 modern humans analyzed. Functional analyses show that this variant reduces MC1R activity to a level that alters hair and/or skin pigmentation in humans. The impaired activity of this variant suggests that Neanderthals varied in pigmentation levels, potentially on the scale observed in modern humans. Our data suggest that inactive MC1R variants evolved independently in both modern humans and Neanderthals.     

Sustainability of regulated deficit irrigation in a mid-maturing peach cultivar

The level of irrigation restriction to apply in a deficit irrigation (DI) programme for sustainable peach (‘Baby gold 6’) production was investigated. The experiment involved four irrigation treatments over five consecutive seasons (2007–2011). They were full irrigation (control), reducing irrigation by 20 % during the first half of stage III (DI-80 %), withholding irrigation until reaching a light stress level (DI-L) and withholding irrigation until reaching a moderate stress level (DI-M). The withholding of irrigation in both DI-L and DI-M was applied only during stage II and postharvest periods and was based on midday stem water potential thresholds (Ψ _stem). For the DI-L treatment ?1.5 MPa was used in both periods, and for DI-M ?1.8 and ?2.0 MPa were used during stage II and postharvest, respectively. Average Ψ _stem values during DI periods were approximately ?1.4 and ?1.2 MPa for DI-M and DI-L, respectively. The pre-defined thresholds required to trigger irrigation were rarely reached. No significant differences between treatments were found in terms of yield in any experimental year. However, DI-M and to a lesser extent DI-L had lower final fruit fresh mass at harvest related to lower Ψ _stem after three consecutive years of the experiment (during 2010 and 2011). Therefore, in terms of fruit size, DI was not sustainable. Rather than lowering Ψ _stem thresholds, we recommend discontinuing DI after 3-year application.     

Bioguided isolation and identification of the nonvolatile antioxidant compounds from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) waste

A bioguided isolation of an aqueous extract of fennel waste led to the isolation of 12 major phenolic compounds. Liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC/UV/APCI-MS) combined with spectroscopic methods (NMR) was used for compound identification. Radical scavenging activity was tested using three methods: DPPH*, superoxide nitro-blue tetrazolium hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase, and *OH/luminol chemiluminescence. In addition to products described in the literature, eight antioxidant compounds were isolated and identified for the first time in fennel: 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rosmarinic acid, eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. The structures of eriodictyol-7-O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide were completely elucidated by two-dimensional NMR experiments. The isolated compounds exhibited a strong antiradical scavenging activity, which may contribute to the interpretation of the pharmacological effects of fennel.     

Ultrasonographic appearance of the coelomic cavity organs in healthy veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis)

Veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are the most popular chameleons over the world, and consequently, two of the most frequent species presenting to veterinary practices. However, published studies on normal ultrasonographic anatomy for these lizards are currently lacking. The objectives of this prospective anatomic study were to develop an ultrasound protocol for evaluation of the coelomic cavity in these species and describe the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the coelomic organs. Seventeen healthy veiled chameleons and 15 healthy panther chameleons were included. A linear 18 MHz transducer was used. Chameleons were sedated and restrained in right lateral recumbency by an assistant. Longitudinal and transverse images were acquired, and authors recorded qualitative and quantitative ultrasonographic characteristics of the coelomic structures. The kidneys, liver, caudal vena cava, hepatic veins, portal vein, gallbladder, wall of the stomach and intestine, gonads and, when distended, urinary bladder could be visualized during ultrasonography of the coelomic cavity in both species. The spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands could not be identified. Findings from the current study supported the use of ultrasonography for veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) with suspected intracoelomic diseases and provided normal reference information for future studies of these chameleon species.     

Effects of spacing and genetic entry on radial growth and ring density development in Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.)

• Introduction  

The objective of this work was to study how spacing and genetic entry and/or origin group affect radial growth (ring width and cumulative diameter development) and ring density from pith to bark in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and in what sense their annual variability could be explained by the climatic variables. The spacing trial was located in central Finland, with current stand density range of 2,000–4,000 trees per hectare. All the six genetic entries had Kanerva pine (plus tree S1101) as a father tree, whereas the mother tree represented Finnish plus trees from southern, central and northern Finland.     

The nutritional background of the host alters the disease course in a fish-myxosporean system

The aim of the present work was to determine if a practical plant protein-based diet containing vegetable oils (VO) as the major lipid source could alter the disease course when challenged with the myxosporean Enteromyxum leei, a wide-spread parasite in the Mediterranean basin causing heavy economic losses. Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed for 9 months either a fish oil (FO) diet or a blend of VOs at 66% of replacement (66VO diet) were challenged by exposure to parasite-contaminated water effluent. All fish were periodically and non-lethally sampled to obtain biometrical data and to know their infection status. After 102 days of exposure, fish were euthanized and haematological, biometrical, histological, immunological, glutathione and anti-oxidant data were obtained from tissue, blood and serum samples. Anorexia appeared in both exposed groups, but feed intake reduction was higher in 66VO fish. The signs of disease (lower growth, condition factor, specific growth rate, haematocrit) as well as the disease course were worse in fish from 66VO group, with a higher prevalence and intensity of infection, a higher percentage of fish harbouring the parasite in the entire intestinal tract, and a faster establishment of the parasite. Parasite intensity of infection was negatively correlated with growth parameters and haematocrit in both groups, and with complement, lysozyme and hepatic total glutathione in 66VO fish.