Quantitative analysis of animal model lens anatomy: accommodative range is related to fiber structure and organization

Purpose The results of a recent study on accommodation in humans and baboons has revealed that lens fiber structure and organization are key components of the mechanism of accommodation. Dynamic focusing involves the controlled displacement and replacement, or realignment, of cortical fiber-ends at sutures as the mechanism of accommodation at the fiber level. This emended explanation of the mechanism of accommodation raises the following question: as the structure of crystalline lenses are only similar, not identical between species, is accommodative amplitude related to differences in the structure and organization of fibers between species? To address this question, we have quantitatively examined the structure and organization of fibers in a number of the more commonly used animal models (mice, cattle, frogs, rabbits and chickens) for lens research. Materials and methods Lenses (a minimum of 12–18 lenses/species) from mice, cattle, frogs and rabbits were used for this study. Prior to fixation for structural analysis, measurements of the gross shape of the lenses (equatorial diameter, anterior and posterior minor radii [anterior + posterior minor radius = polar axis]) were taken directly through a stereo surgical dissecting microscope equipped with an ocular reticle. Lenses were then prepared for and examined by light (LM), transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scale computer-assisted drawings (CADs) of lenses and lens fibers were then constructed from quantitative data as described above and from quantitative data contained in micrographs. Results The differences in fiber structure and organization that effect accommodative range arise early in development and are continued throughout lifelong lens growth. In umbilical suture lenses (avian) secondary fibers develop with almost completely tapered anterior ends (85–90% reduction of their measures of width and thickness at the equator). By comparison, in lenses with line sutures (e.g. frogs and rabbits) secondary fibers develop with just a 50–60% reduction in anterior fiber taper. In lenses with Y sutures (mice and cattle), fiber width taper is only 25–40%. However, in all cases, while the taper of the posterior end width of fibers is just slightly less (approx. 15–20%) than that of anterior ends, posterior end thickness is only reduced by one half that of anterior thickness. Conclusions In humans, the mechanism of accommodation at the fiber level involves the controlled realignment of very flattened and flared, rather than tapered fiber-ends at sutures. In this manner, the simultaneous increase in lens thickness and surface curvature in the accommodated state is the result of fiber-ends being overlapped along multiple (9–12) suture branches covering the majority of the anterior and posterior surfaces. The results of this animal study strongly suggest that accommodative range is directly related to quantitative differences in fiber structure and organization in the different suture types. The very broad accommodative range in birds is made possible, at least in part, by the almost complete tapering of fiber-ends at umbilical sutures. In contrast, the essentially negligible accommodative range of animals that have line- and Y-suture lenses is at least partially the result of the fact that these lenses have fibers with very little end taper. Thus, the blunt ends of fibers in line- and Y-suture lenses precludes any significant overlap of end segments to effect accommodation.     

Association between lipoxygenase and peroxidase activity and systemic protection of cucumber plants against Podosphaera xanthii induced by Oudemansiella canarii extracts

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - This study was done to determine the relationship between the changes in lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POX) activity and the protection of cucumber...     

Effect of cereal type and exogenous enzyme supplementation in pig diets on odour and ammonia emissions

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between cereal type (wheat vs. barley) and exogenous enzyme supplementation (with or without) on odour concentration and ammonia emissions in grower–finisher pigs. The enzyme supplement used contained Endo-1, 3 (4)-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and Endo-1, 4-β-xylanase (E.C 3.2.1.8). The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of digestible energy and lysine. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) wheat-based diet, (2) wheat-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement, (3) barley-based diet and (4) barley-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement. The diets were offered to the pigs for 4 weeks and this was repeated 4 times (n = 4). Odour and ammonia emissions were measured on days 9, 11, 14, 16, 21 and 23 of each experimental period. Odour samples were collected in 20-litre Nalophan bags and analysed for odour concentration using an ECOMA Yes/No Olfactometer. Ammonia concentrations were measured using Dräger tubes. There was a cereal × enzyme interaction in odour emission rates (P < 0.05) and in ammonia emissions (P < 0.01). The addition of an enzyme supplement increased odour emissions and had no effect on ammonia emissions in the barley-based diet. The enzyme supplementation had no effect on odour but decreased ammonia emissions in the wheat based diet.     

Impact of controlled fermentation and steeping of high moisture corn on its nutritional value for pigs

High moisture corn (HMC) can undergo fermentation during storage that may improve its nutritional value for pigs. Stored HMC used in this study contained (n = 4) 75% dry matter (DM), and, on a DM basis, 63.8% starch, 0.5% mono and disaccharides, 9.9% protein, 19 mM acetic acid, 18 mM lactic acid (LA), 1.25 × 10⁷ cfu g^− 1 of LA producing bacteria, 2.88 g kg^− 1 total phosphorus (P), and 1.26 g kg^− 1 soluble P. The soluble P content was higher than in freshly harvested HMC (0.27 g kg^− 1 DM) and indicates P release during storage. Studies were aimed at altering the nutritional value of stored HMC by controlled fermentation or steeping. Changes in LA content were not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of exogenous Lactobacillus and Bacillus bacteria. Steeping of HMC with phytase (Ronozyme) was examined at four inclusion levels (0, 500, 750, 1000 FTU kg^− 1) and at either 21 °C or 37 °C. At 37 °C added phytase released virtually all phytate P within 6 h irrespective of the level (levels increased by 1.44 g P kg^− 1 DM); at 21 °C, the increase was maximized at 1.2 g P kg^− 1 DM after 24 h. The feeding value of HMC for pigs can be altered by steeping with exogenous phytase and does not appear to require microbial inoculants.     

Breeding for resistance: breeding for Plum pox virus resistant plums (Prunus domestica L.) in Germany

In German plum breeding programmes new varieties tolerant to Plum pox virus (PPV) were initially obtained by selecting hybrids originating from crossings between tolerant old varieties while, later on, sharka tolerant varieties bred in Čačak, Serbia were used as crossing partners. Varieties released from these programmes replaced the sensitive ones in all sharka infected regions in Germany. While all the new tolerant varieties can be infected by the virus, PPV symptoms on the fruits are acceptable. However, environmental factors can weaken the plant, causing them to suffer more from PPV infections and to display worse symptoms on fruits, as did occur during some recent very dry and warm years. A breeding programme at the University of Hohenheim is tackling this problem with genotypes that show a hypersensitive response after infection. These genotypes are completely field resistant to PPV, remaining virus free in the field since they cannot be infected via aphid transmission. They are able to isolate the virus after infection. The first hypersensitive variety was 'Jojo'. Many seedlings originating from crossings with at least one hypersensitive parent are under evaluation. Since the inheritance of the trait 'hypersensitivity against PPV' is very good, combining hypersensitivity with excellent fruit quality and good cropping capacity will be possible soon. In 2005, a breeding programme for hypersensitive Prunus genotypes began at the Technical University of Munich.