Study of intracellular ion composition of yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> biomass

The ionic composition of the of the intracellular content of the alcohol yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae R. 1039 biomass was studied for confirmation of their use perspectiveness as a mediator to enable the management the mineral content of food in the manufacture of food and feed additives. The ionic composition of the obtained extracts were identified using the method of capillary electrophoresis. It is found that the quantitative ion content in the cell extracts depends on the concentration of the nutrient medium. When the yeast S. cerevisiae R. 1039 was cultivated on the medium with the soluble solids concentration of 30%, the intracellular ion content in the extracts was 1.3 times higher than when the yeast was cultivated on 12% wort by increasing the concentration of chlorides, sulfates, formates, potassium ions, and calcium. The yield of the yeast S. cerevisiae R. 1039 biomass increased 1.6 times per unit of volume of the medium with increase of the soluble solids concentrations from 12% to 30%.     

Potential distribution of two Ambrosia species in China under projected climate change

The invasion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Ambrosia trifida from their native range to occupy large areas in China has raised considerable concern. Using the maximum entropy (Maxent) method, we developed models for each Ambrosia species, based on occurrence records from both native ranges (North America) and their invaded ranges (e.g. northern and south‐western Europe) to predict the availability and distribution of suitable habitats for these two species in China. For each species, we also assessed potential shifts in habitat suitability for the year 2050, using three general circulation models (GCMs) and two emission scenarios. Elevation and average mean precipitation in October contributed most to model development for both species. Potential distribution projections under future climatic change scenarios suggested an averaged percentage of suitable area (2.21%) and habitat gain (1.49%) in A. artemisiifolia distribution, with further expansion to environmentally favourable locations in south‐east coastal regions, northern Taiwan and the Beijing–Tianjin–Tangshan area in northern China. Future predicted percentage of suitable area for A. trifida was 0.03% with a very limited suitable habitat gain of <1% although this species had the potential to continue to spread in northern China. Our findings suggest that management priorities should be focused on A. artemisiifolia, whilst effective control strategies for A. trifida may be optimised by concentrating efforts on those relatively fewer regions of China where the species is currently abundant.     

Assessment of salt tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops</Emphasis> L. from the VIR collection

The effect of high NaCl concentrations on accumulation of biomass and change in content of sodium and potassium ions in 17 accessions of nine species of Aegilops L. is studied. Three salt-tolerant accessions (Ae. tauschii k-677 and 674 and Ae. cylindrica k-676) containing the D genome and having a high K/Na ratio are identified.     

Evaluation of upper respiratory tract function during strenuous exercise in racehorses

Forty-six racehorses with a history of poor performance underwent endoscopic evaluation of laryngeal and pharyngeal function while exercising on a high-speed treadmill. This evaluation allowed the definitive diagnosis of intermittent or continual upper respiratory tract obstruction as a cause of poor performance, as well as the documentation of the dynamic functional anatomy of the obstruction. Ten of the horses (22%) were determined to have a functional abnormality of the upper respiratory tract. These abnormalities included epiglottic entrapment (1 horse), persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate during exercise (4 horses), and left laryngeal hemiplegia (5 horses). Thirty-two horses were observed to have signs of left laryngeal hemiparesis (asynchronous arytenoid movement) at rest that did not impair full laryngeal abduction during strenuous exercise.     

Molecular cloning and expression of kidney‐type glutaminase from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and its up‐regulation by glutamine in primary culture enterocyte

Glutaminase (GLS) is the key enzyme of glutamine (Gln) metabolism and utilization. In this study, a cDNA encoding GLS protein was identified from common carp Cyprinus carpio intestine. The open reading frame of GLS cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 595 amino acids, which shows a high similarity with its zebrafish Danio rerio counterpart. Bioinformatic analysis showed the protein belongs to kidney‐type GLS. The putative protein has glutaminase domain and ankyrin repeats domain, which are highly conserved among vertebrate orthologues. Real‐time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the abundance of GLS mRNA was the highest in the white muscle, followed by the brain, eyeball and pituitary. Glutaminase was ubiquitously expressed in all intestinal segments of common carp. The activity of GLS did not distribute uniformly along the entire length of the intestine. In primary culture enterocyte, and the expression of GLS mRNA is up‐regulated quickly and effectively by Gln.     

The Efficacy of Mechanical Abrasion and Talc Slurry as Methods of Pleurodesis in Normal Dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of mechanical abrasion and talc slurry as methods for pleurodesis in normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten normal beagle dogs. METHODS: Group I dogs had mechanical abrasion (MA) of the pulmonary and costal pleurae performed in one hemithorax with a dry gauze sponge with a median sternotomy approach. Group II dogs had 100 mL of a 1 g talc slurry (TS) administered into one hemithorax through a tube thoracostomy. Administration of the TS was visualized by using video thoracoscopy. All dogs were evaluated at 2, 10, 20, and 30 days postoperatively by means of thoracic radiography and ultrasonographic thoracic wall measurement. The dogs were euthanatized 30 days postoperatively and a gross necropsy was performed. Hemithoraces were assigned a pleurodesis score (0-4) and an obliteration grade (0-6). Tissues were collected for histopathologic examination of pulmonary pleura, costal pleura, and pleural adhesions. Pulmonary and costal pleurae were graded for the degree of fibrosis (0-4). RESULTS: Obliteration grade and costal pleural fibrosis score were significantly higher for the treated sides in the MA dogs compared with the TS dogs. MA Dogs: Mechanical abrasion dogs had pleurodesis, obliteration, and pleural fibrosis scores that were greater on the treated side than the untreated side, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Only two MA dogs had firm adhesion of the pulmonary pleura to the costal pleura in portions of the cranial and middle lung lobes in the treated hemithorax. Thoracic wall surface area covered with adhesions was 15% and 21% in each of these two dogs. The median pulmonary pleural fibrosis score of all MA dogs for the treated hemithorax was 3 compared to 0 on the untreated side. TS Dogs: There was no statistical difference for pleurodesis scores and obliteration grades between the treated and untreated sides. No dogs showed evidence of pulmonary to costal pleural adhesions. Histopathology showed talc crossover into the untreated side in all five dogs. Median pulmonary fibrosis score of the treated hemithorax was 1 compared with 0 on the untreated side. CONCLUSIONS: Neither method of pleurodesis produced sufficient pleural adhesions to obliterate the pleural space. It is possible that the degree of pulmonary pleural fibrosis present in MA dogs may be sufficient to limit air leakage from pulmonary blebs and bullae resulting in successful treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.