Tree allometry, leaf size and adult tree size in old-growth forests of western Oregon

Relationships between tree height and crown dimensions and trunk diameter were determined for shade-tolerant species of old-growth forests of western Oregon. The study included both understory and overstory species, deciduous and evergreen angiosperms and evergreen conifers. A comparison of adult understory species with sapling overstory species of similar height showed greater crown width and trunk diameter in the former, whether the comparison is made among conifers or deciduous trees. Conifer saplings had wider crowns than deciduous saplings, but the crown widths of the two groups converged with increase in tree height. Conifer saplings had thicker trunks than deciduous saplings of similar crown width, possibly because of selection for resistance to stem bending under snow loads. The results suggest that understory species have morphologies that increase light interception and persistence in the understory, whereas overstory species allocate their biomass for efficient height growth, thereby attaining the high-light environment of the canopy. The greater crown widths and the additional strength requirements imposed by snow loads on conifer saplings result in less height growth per biomass increment in conifer saplings than in deciduous saplings. However, the convergence in crown width of the two groups at heights greater than 20 m, and the proportionately smaller effect of snow loads on large trees, may result in older conifers equalling or surpassing deciduous trees in biomass allocation to height growth.     

Biphasic effect of falcarinol on caco-2 cell proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis

The polyacetylene falcarinol, isolated from carrots, has been shown to be protective against chemically induced colon cancer development in rats, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study CaCo-2 cells were exposed to falcarinol (0.5-100 microM) and the effects on proliferation, DNA damage, and apoptosis investigated. Low-dose falcarinol exposure (0.5-10 microM) decreased expression of the apoptosis indicator caspase-3 concomitantly with decreased basal DNA strand breakage. Cell proliferation was increased (1-10 microM), whereas cellular attachment was unaffected by <10 microM falcarinol. At concentrations above 20 microM falcarinol, proliferation of CaCo-2 cells decreased and the number of cells expressing active caspase-3 increased simultaneously with increased cell detachment. Furthermore, DNA single-strand breakage was significantly increased at concentrations above 10 microM falcarinol. Thus, the effects of falcarinol on CaCo-2 cells appear to be biphasic, inducing pro-proliferative and apoptotic characteristics at low and high concentrations of falcarinol, respectively.     

Differential pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling of robenacoxib and ketoprofen in a feline model of inflammation

Robenacoxib and ketoprofen are acidic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Both are licensed for once daily administration in the cat, despite having short blood half‐lives. This study reports the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling of each drug in a feline model of inflammation. Eight cats were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, three‐period cross‐over study. In each period, sterile inflammation was induced by the injection of carrageenan into a subcutaneously implanted tissue cage, immediately before the subcutaneous injection of robenacoxib (2 mg/kg), ketoprofen (2 mg/kg) or placebo. Blood samples were taken for the determination of drug and serum thromboxane (Tx)B₂ concentrations (measuring COX‐1 activity). Tissue cage exudate samples were obtained for drug and prostaglandin (PG)E₂ concentrations (measuring COX‐2 activity). Individual animal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters for COX‐1 and COX‐2 inhibition were generated by PK/PD modelling. S(+) ketoprofen clearance scaled by bioavailability (CL/F) was 0.114 L/kg/h (elimination half‐life = 1.62 h). For robenacoxib, blood CL/F was 0.684 L/kg/h (elimination half‐life = 1.13 h). Exudate elimination half‐lives were 25.9 and 41.5 h for S(+) ketoprofen and robenacoxib, respectively. Both drugs reduced exudate PGE₂ concentration significantly between 6 and 36 h. Ketoprofen significantly suppressed (>97%) serum TxB₂ between 4 min and 24 h, whereas suppression was mild and transient with robenacoxib. In vivoIC₅₀COX‐1/IC₅₀COX‐2 ratios were 66.9:1 for robenacoxib and 1:107 for S(+) ketoprofen. The carboxylic acid nature of both drugs may contribute to the prolonged COX‐2 inhibition in exudate, despite short half‐lives in blood.     

Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in shelter cats on the island of Newfoundland,Canada

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are retroviruses found within domestic and wild cat populations. These viruses cause severe illnesses that eventually lead to death. Housing cats communally for long periods of time makes shelters at high risk for virus transmission among cats. We tested 548 cats from 5 different sites across the island of Newfoundland for FIV and FeLV. The overall seroprevalence was 2.2% and 6.2% for FIV and FeLV, respectively. Two sites had significantly higher seroprevalence of FeLV infection than the other 3 sites. Analysis of sequences from the FeLV env gene (envelope gene) from 6 positive cats showed that 4 fell within the FeLV subtype-A, while 2 sequences were most closely related to FeLV subtype-B and endogenous feline leukemia virus (en FeLV). Varying seroprevalence and the variation in sequences at different sites demonstrate that some shelters are at greater risk of FeLV infections and recombination can occur at sites of high seroprevalence.     

Differential distribution and response to experimental sexual maturation of two forms of brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the European eel,Anguilla anguilla

Using specific radioimmunoassays for the two GnRH molecular forms present in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, (mGnRH and cGnRH II), we compared their distributions in the pituitary and different parts of the brain of female silver eels, as well as the modifications of their levels in experimentally matured female eels (treated with carp pituitary extract). In control eels, mGnRH levels were higher than cGnRH II levels in the pituitary, olfactory lobes and telencephalon, di- and mesencephalon, while the opposite was found in the posterior part of the brain (met- and myelencephalon). Experimental sexual maturation of the gonads significantly increased mGnRH levels in the pituitary and anterior parts of the brain; such a positive effect was not observed on the low cGnRH II levels, which were, in contrast, reduced. These data indicate that the positive feedback of gonadal hormones on GnRH, that we previously demonstrated, would specifically affect the mGnRH form. The differential distribution and control of mGnRH and cGnRH II suggest that these two forms have different physiological roles in the eel. The large increase in mGnRH during sexual maturation suggests the prime implication of this form in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction.     

A fluoroquinolone resistance protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mimics DNA

Fluoroquinolones are gaining increasing importance in the treatment of tuberculosis. The expression of MfpA, a member of the pentapeptide repeat family of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causes resistance to ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. This protein binds to DNA gyrase and inhibits its activity. Its three-dimensional structure reveals a fold, which we have named the right-handed quadrilateral beta helix, that exhibits size, shape, and electrostatic similarity to B-form DNA. This represents a form of DNA mimicry and explains both its inhibitory effect on DNA gyrase and fluoroquinolone resistance resulting from the protein's expression in vivo.