Habitat use of globally threatened juvenile Chinese horseshoe crab,Tachypleus tridentatus under the influence of simulated intertidal oyster culture structures in Hong Kong

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Optimization of Cu(II) Extraction from Aqueous Solutions by Soybean-Oil-Based Organic Solvent Using Response Surface Methodology

This study aimed to optimize two process variables, namely extractant concentration, i.e., di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid concentration ([D2EHPA]) and equilibrium pH (pH_eq), in Cu(II) extraction from aqueous solutions with a soybean-oil-based organic solvent using response surface methodology by maximizing the percentage extraction (%E). A central composite design was applied, and a regression model for %E was developed. Adequacy of the model was examined, and it was found to be statistically significant. The optimum conditions were determined as follows: [D2EHPA] of 84.71?mM and pH_eq of 4.46, which resulted in 99.78% of %E. The experimental value of %E (98.17%) obtained is found to agree satisfactorily with that (99.78%) predicted from the model.     

An integrated genomic analysis of human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of brain cancer. To identify the genetic alterations in GBMs, we sequenced 20,661 protein coding genes, determined the presence of amplifications and deletions using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, and performed gene expression analyses using next-generation sequencing technologies in 22 human tumor samples. This comprehensive analysis led to the discovery of a variety of genes that were not known to be altered in GBMs. Most notably, we found recurrent mutations in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in 12% of GBM patients. Mutations in IDH1 occurred in a large fraction of young patients and in most patients with secondary GBMs and were associated with an increase in overall survival. These studies demonstrate the value of unbiased genomic analyses in the characterization of human brain cancer and identify a potentially useful genetic alteration for the classification and targeted therapy of GBMs.     

Effects of Inulin Supplementation in Low‐ or High‐Fat Diets on Reproductive Performance of Sows and Antioxidant Defence Capacity in Sows and Offspring

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of inulin supplementation in low‐ or high‐fat diets on both the reproductive performance of sow and the antioxidant defence capacity in sows and offspring. Sixty Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to four treatments with low‐fat diet (L), low‐fat diet containing 1.5% inulin (LI), high‐fat diet (H) and high‐fat diet containing 1.5% inulin (HI). Inulin‐rich diets lowered the within‐litter birth weight coefficient of variation (CV, p = 0.05) of piglets, increased the proportion of piglets weighing 1.0–1.5 kg at farrowing (p < 0.01), reduced the loss of body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BF) during lactation (p < 0.05) and decreased the duration of farrowing as well as improved sow constipation (p < 0.05). Sows fed fat‐rich diets gained more BW during gestation (p < 0.01), farrowed a greater number of total (+1.65 pigs, p < 0.05) and alive (+1.52 pigs p < 0.05) piglets and had a heavier (+2.06 kg, p < 0.05) litter weight at birth as well as a decreased weaning‐to‐oestrous interval (WEI, p < 0.01) compared with sows fed low‐fat diets. However, it is worth noting that the H diet significantly decreased the serum activities of superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and increased the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in sows and piglets (p < 0.05). In contrast, HI diet enhanced the activities of T‐SOD and GSH‐Px and decreased the serum MDA concentrations (p < 0.05) in sows and piglets. In summary, the fat‐rich diets fed to sows during gestation had beneficial effects on reproductive performance, but aggravated the oxidative stress in sow and piglets. Inulin‐rich diets fed to sow during gestation had beneficial effects on within‐litter uniformity of piglet birthweight and enhanced the antioxidant defence capacity of sows and piglets.     

Stabilisation with dorsal and ventral fixation of a traumatic cervical instability in a dog

This case study reports the outcome of dorsal and ventral stabilisation of a traumatic cervical instability in a dog. A 2-year-old, male Pointer was admitted following a motor vehicle accident. Clinical examination revealed non-ambulatory tetraparesis, severe neck pain and upper motor neuron changes in all limbs. Deep pain response was present. Subluxation of C2/3 and fractures of the dorsal spinous process and lamina of C2 were observed on radiographs. Ventral stabilisation was performed with screws and bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate). For dorsal fixation of the fractures, screws and cerclage wire were used. The dog stood up independently after 1 month, was able to walk 1.5 months postoperatively and had recovered completely at 1 year following surgery. We conclude that combined stabilisation techniques are effective for this type of cervical fracture in which the dorsal, middle and ventral structures of the vertebra are severely disrupted.     

Swallowtail butterflies show positive edge responses predicted by resource use

Context

The prevalence of edges is increasing due to anthropogenic landscape change. Edge responses can vary considerably between and within species. Understanding species’ responses to edges, and the causes of variation in such responses is central to managing biodiversity in contemporary landscapes.

Objective

A resource distribution model predicts that species that require complementary resources in different land cover types will be most abundant at edges, displaying a positive edge response. Eastern tiger (Papilio glaucus) and spicebush (P. troilus) swallowtail butterflies use forest plant species for oviposition sites but open-habitat plants for nectar. They are excellent models for testing the positive edge response and exploring sources of variability in edge responses, such as species-specific traits or temporal effects.

Methods

In southwestern Ontario, we examined both the abundance and flight orientation of these species in relation to forest/meadow edges and at different times of day. We used a transect method similar to the Pollard walk and a catch and release method, respectively.

Results

The distribution and flight behaviour of these butterfly species were overall consistent with a positive edge response. Both species were most abundant at the edge and oriented their flight towards the edge from the forest and meadow. However, P. glaucus demonstrated a much stronger positive edge response, while P. troilus showed temporal variation in its response.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the ability of the resource distribution model to predict species edge responses and movement behaviours, but also indicate that species-specific traits and time of sampling can influence such responses.

     

Comparison of different frozen natural foods on survival and growth of juvenile Chinese horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (Leach, 1819): implications on laboratory culture

The Chinese horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (Leach, 1819) is facing a dramatic population decline in Asia. Evaluating their survival and growth under laboratory conditions is essential to optimize their indoor culture system, particularly for future re‐stocking trials in the wild. In this study, three types of frozen natural foods (brine shrimp Artemia salina, opossum shrimp Mysis relicta and chironomus larva Chironomous plumosus) were offered to juvenile Chinese horseshoe crabs T. tridentatus for 100 days in the laboratory. While feed efficiency ratio in C. plumosus treatment was significantly higher than that in A. salina and M. relicta treatments, survival rate, final body weight, thermal‐unit growth coefficient and feeding rate of T. tridentatus fed with A. salina were significantly higher than those in other diet treatments. Results showed that A. salina is a more suitable food diet than M. relicta and C. plumosus for juvenile T. tridentatus under laboratory culture conditions.