Ultrafast x-ray Thomson scattering of shock-compressed matter

Spectrally resolved scattering of ultrafast K-alpha x-rays has provided experimental validation of the modeling of the compression and heating of shocked matter. The elastic scattering component has characterized the evolution and coalescence of two shocks launched by a nanosecond laser pulse into lithium hydride with an unprecedented temporal resolution of 10 picoseconds. At shock coalescence, we observed rapid heating to temperatures of 25,000 kelvin when the scattering spectra show the collective plasmon oscillations that indicate the transition to the dense metallic plasma state. The plasmon frequency determines the material compression, which is found to be a factor of 3, thereby reaching conditions in the laboratory relevant for studying the physics of planetary formation.     

Alleviating cancer drug toxicity by inhibiting a bacterial enzyme

The dose-limiting side effect of the common colon cancer chemotherapeutic CPT-11 is severe diarrhea caused by symbiotic bacterial β-glucuronidases that reactivate the drug in the gut. We sought to target these enzymes without killing the commensal bacteria essential for human health. Potent bacterial β-glucuronidase inhibitors were identified by high-throughput screening and shown to have no effect on the orthologous mammalian enzyme. Crystal structures established that selectivity was based on a loop unique to bacterial β-glucuronidases. Inhibitors were highly effective against the enzyme target in living aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, but did not kill the bacteria or harm mammalian cells. Finally, oral administration of an inhibitor protected mice from CPT-11-induced toxicity. Thus, drugs may be designed to inhibit undesirable enzyme activities in essential microbial symbiotes to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy.     

Evaluation of nonstarch polysaccharides and oligosaccharide content of different soybean varieties (Glycine max) by near-infrared spectroscopy and proteomics

A total of 832 samples of soybeans were screened by near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy, to identify soybean samples with a lower content of oligosaccharides and nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). Of these, 38 samples were identified on the basis of variation in protein content and agronomic value and submitted to high-resolution NIR spectroscopy. On the basis of the NIR data, 12 samples were further selected for chromatographic characterization of carbohydrate composition (mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides and NSP). Their soluble proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). Using partial least-squares regression (PLSR), it was possible to predict the content of total NSP from the high-resolution NIR spectra, suggesting that NIR is a suitable and rapid nondestructive method to determine carbohydrate composition in soybeans. The 2DE analyses showed varying intensities of several proteins, including the glycinin G1 precursor. PLSR analysis showed a negative correlation between this protein and insoluble NSP and total uronic acid (UA).     

Genotype and virulence of Streptococcus iniae isolated from diseased olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Korea

In the study, we characterized 29 Streptococcus iniae isolates from diseased olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Korea from 2000 to 2005. Biochemical characteristics of 29 isolates using API 20 strep were identical. Through analysis of repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) using BoxA primer and random amplified polymorphic DNA using p14 primer, 29 isolates of S. iniae were divided into two genotypes. The isolates were divided into two clusters by comparison of genetic distance using a sequence of the capsular polysaccharide D gene that was consistent with genotyping by the rep-PCR. The isolates belonging to genotype 1 in rep-PCR analysis showed a high virulence in the flounder, while the isolates belonging to genotype 2 were relatively low in virulence. Therefore, a correlation between the genotype and the virulence of S. iniae isolates has been identified.     

Calcific band keratopathy in an alpaca

A 4‐year‐old female Suri alpaca was presented for evaluation of acute onset weakness, lethargy, and recent development of opacities in both eyes. On ophthalmic examination, bilaterally symmetrical corneal opacities were noted along the interpalpebral fissures with a few corneal blood vessels intermingled. A presumed diagnosis of calcific band keratopathy was made based on location and appearance. The patient was euthanized a short while after diagnosis due to reasons unrelated to the eyes and histologic examination of the corneas revealed subepithelial calcium and vascularization, consistent with calcific band keratopathy. This case report is the first to document this ocular condition in an alpaca.     

Effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar as antibiotic alternatives on growth performance,immune responses and fecal microflora population in fattening pigs

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar as alternatives of antibiotics in the diet of fattening pigs and their influence on growth performance, immune responses and fecal microflora populations. Crossed pigs (n = 144, 79 kg body weight) were divided into 12 heads per pen, four diets and three replications. The basal diet (negative control: NC) was supplemented with 0.3% antibiotics (positive control: PC), 0.3% bamboo charcoal (BC) and 0.3% bamboo vinegar (BV). Average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase and cortisol were lower (P < 0.05), but the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. Counts of coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp. were lower (P < 0.05), while the counts of fecal anaerobic total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were higher (P < 0.05) in PC, BC and BV. A reasonable inclusion of bamboo charcoal or bamboo vinegar as antibiotics in the diet of fattening pigs leads to a better growth performance, immune responses and fecal microflora populations. The results of the present study suggest that bamboo charcoal or bamboo vinegar could be a potential additives in animal production as an alternative to antibiotics.     

Fractionation of Soluble Copper- and Zinc-Binding Proteins From Cattle Liver

The distribution of copper and zinc among soluble proteins in liver from normal slaughter cattle was examined after gel filtration of the proteins. Gopper- and zinc-binding proteins were mainly separated into three fractions. Varying amounts of zinc were eluted in a fourth fraction of molecular weight less than 2,000. A clear relationship was noted between the amount of copper bound to the low molecular weight fraction (m.w. ~ 10,000) and the total liver zinc concentration. The high molecular weight protein fraction (m.w. > 65,000) dominated in liver with zinc concentrations below 40 µg/g wet weight and total copper concentrations from 16 to 240 µg/g, while in liver with zinc concentrations above 40 µg/g and copper concentrations ranging from 20 to 107 µg/g, the low molecular weight metallothionein-like fraction dominated.     

饱和D-最优设计在草地施肥研究中的应用

采用饱和Ｄ－最优设计方法,研究草地施肥与牧草产量的关系,通过测定施肥试难的各项参数,建立不同施肥时期、不同施肥量对牧草产量的函数模型,同时确定了干草原类草地最佳施肥量为３１５－５２５ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２,最佳施肥时期为６月３０日至８月１日。     

Fractionation of Soluble Molybdenum-Binding Proteins from Liver,Kidney, Plasma and Erythrocytes from Sheep Supplemented with Molybdenum

Five ewes were given a daily dose of 1.4 mg Mo/kg body weight as ammonium molybdate for 21 to 55 days. Plasma molybdenum concentrations increased considerably following the dosage, but no systematic changes were seen in the plasma copper concentrations. About 80 % of the molybdenum present in blood was found in plasma. With gel filtration it was shown that practically all of the molybdenum present in plasma and red cell haemolyzates was found in a fraction with molecular weight less than 1,500. Soluble proteins from liver and kidney cortex were separated into one high molecular weight fraction with molecular weight above 200,000 and a non-protein fraction with molecular weight less than 1,500. Significant correlations were found between the amounts of molybdenum present in the high molecular weight fraction and the molybdenum concentrations in liver and kidney.