Evaluation of alfaxalone and midazolam with or without flumazenil reversal in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus)

ObjectivesTo evaluate alfaxalone–midazolam anesthesia in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and the effect of flumazenil administration on recovery time and quality.Study designRandomized, blinded, crossover and controlled, experimental trial.AnimalsA total of 10 male Egyptian fruit bats.MethodsBats were anesthetized with alfaxalone (15 mg kg^?1) and midazolam (2 mg kg^?1) administered subcutaneously. During anesthesia, vital signs, muscle tone and reflexes were monitored every 10 minutes. Flumazenil (0.3 mg kg^?1) or saline at an equal volume was administered subcutaneously 60 minutes after anesthetic administration. Time to induction, time to first movement and recovery time (flying) were measured. Quality of induction, anesthesia and recovery were assessed on a 1–3 scale (1, poor; 2, good; 3, excellent).ResultsTime to induction was 4.2 ± 1.9 minutes (mean ± standard deviation), with median quality score of 2 (range, 1–3). Anesthesia quality score was 3 (1–3). During anesthesia, heart rate and respiratory frequency decreased significantly and penis relaxation, indicating muscle tone, increased significantly. Administration of flumazenil significantly reduced mean recovery time compared with saline (10 ± 5 versus 45 ± 17 minutes, respectively), and significantly improved the quality of recovery [2.5 (2–3) versus 1 (1–2), respectively].Conclusions and clinical relevanceAlfaxalone–midazolam anesthesia resulted in good induction, muscle relaxation and sufficient anesthesia to perform routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for approximately 40 minutes. Reversal of midazolam with flumazenil is recommended, resulting in quicker and better recovery.     

Host immune system gene targeting by a viral miRNA

Virally encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been discovered in herpesviruses. However, their biological roles are mostly unknown. We developed an algorithm for the prediction of miRNA targets and applied it to human cytomegalovirus miRNAs, resulting in the identification of the major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain B (MICB) gene as a top candidate target of hcmv-miR-UL112. MICB is a stress-induced ligand of the natural killer (NK) cell activating receptor NKG2D and is critical for the NK cell killing of virus-infected cells and tumor cells. We show that hcmv-miR-UL112 specifically down-regulates MICB expression during viral infection, leading to decreased binding of NKG2D and reduced killing by NK cells. Our results reveal a miRNA-based immunoevasion mechanism that appears to be exploited by human cytomegalovirus.     

Shaping of elastic sheets by prescription of non-Euclidean metrics

The connection between a surface's metric and its Gaussian curvature (Gauss theorem) provides the base for a shaping principle of locally growing or shrinking elastic sheets. We constructed thin gel sheets that undergo laterally nonuniform shrinkage. This differential shrinkage prescribes non-Euclidean metrics on the sheets. To minimize their elastic energy, the free sheets form three-dimensional structures that follow the imposed metric. We show how both large-scale buckling and multiscale wrinkling structures appeared, depending on the nature of possible embeddings of the prescribed metrics. We further suggest guidelines for how to generate each type of feature.     

Stable Incorporation of Co2+ into Ferrite Structure at Ambient Temperature: Effect of Operational Parameters

Removal of heavy metals (HM) from industrial wastewater is of primary environmental importance. The seeded ambient temperature ferrite process, in which heavy metals are removed from solution by their incorporation into a magnetite structure, is an attractive alternative for both complete metals separation and generation of stable magnetic sludge. Despite its potential, the effects of various operational parameters on the composition and stability of the final product are not fully understood to-date. The current paper addresses the combined effect of selected operational parameters on Co²⁺ incorporation efficiency. Co²⁺, which is used in many industries (e.g., plating, alloys manufacturing, catalytic converters, and paint pigments) and hence may pose a significant environment risk, was shown previously to be incorporated successfully into ferrite structures. Co²⁺-bearing ferrites were synthesized from Fe(II) solutions at ambient temperature (20 and 30°C), applying slow oxidation, pH 10.5, 20 g (as Fe) l^?1 ferrite seed, and different Fe²⁺ to Co²⁺ influent ratios. Pure magnetite was used as an initial seed, which was gradually exchanged, as the reaction proceeded, by the Co²⁺-bearing ferrite generated within the reactor (until full exchange at steady state). Under all conditions investigated >99% of the Co²⁺ was removed from solution (yielding Co²⁺ levels below 20 μg/l in the effluent) while the generated precipitates were composed predominately of magnetite/ferrite (based on XRD analysis). Favorable results in terms of Co²⁺ incorporation efficiency and sludge stability were obtained when the following operational conditions were applied: 1:10 Co²⁺:Fe²⁺ molar influent ratio, 30°C, 1,500 mgFe²⁺ l^?1 metal intermediate concentration, and 16 h aging period (pH 10.5).     

Genotype-by-environment effects on the performance of recombinant inbred lines of Virginia-type peanut

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is known to be sensitive to genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) effects. While previous studies have reported strong GEI effects on peanut yield, most of those studies involved a relatively small number of unrelated genotypes. We examined the extent of GEI effects in elite Virginia-type peanut using a large population of recombinant inbreed lines (RILs). Two-hundred-sixty-six F₇ RILs derived from different cultivars were grown in three environments. Net pod yield (NPY) was evaluated along with 11 other traits. ANOVA revealed that genotype and environment affected all of the examined traits, except for the triplet trait. The substantial influence of the environment was also demonstrated in a genetic-parameter analysis, in which the phenotypic variation coefficients were almost double those for genotypic variation. Still, relatively high heritability and genetic gain values were found for pod weight and NPY. Since NPY is the main target for selection, it was analyzed further. Path analysis showed that NPY is most directly influenced by pod weight and the shelling ratio. A significant GEI effect on NPY was identified using an AMMI model that described 42.7% of the total variation. This GEI component was subjected to a principal components analysis, which confirmed that the variability due to the different environments was greater than the variability that could be attributed to the different genotypes. Yet, several lines had stable yields across environments. These results demonstrate the importance of multi-location phenotyping for QTL analyses and crop improvement in peanut.     

Constitutive expression of feedback-insensitive cystathionine γ-synthase increases methionine levels in soybean leaves and seeds

Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.) is a major crop that provides plant-origin protein and oil for humans and livestock.Although the soybean vegetative tissues and seeds provide a major source of high-quality protein,they suffer from low concentration of an essential sulfur-containing amino acid,methionine,which significantly limits their nutritional quality.The level of methionine is mainly controlled by the first unique enzyme of methionine synthesis,cystathione γ-synthase(CGS).Aiming to elevate methionine level in vegetative tissues and seeds,we constitutively over-expressed a feedback-insensitive Arabidopsis CGS(At D-CGS) in soybean cultivars,Zigongdongdou(ZD) and Jilinxiaoli 1(JX).The levels of soluble methionine increased remarkably in leaves of transgenic soybeans compared to wild-type plants(6.6-and 7.3-fold in two transgenic ZD lines,and 3.7-fold in one transgenic JX line).Furthermore,the total methionine contents were significantly increased in seeds of the transgenic ZD lines(1.5-to 4.8-fold increase) and the transgenic JX lines(1.3-to 2.3-fold increase) than in the wild type.The protein contents of the transgenic soybean seeds were significantly elevated compared to the wild type,suggesting that the scarcity of methionine in soybeans may limit protein accumulation in soybean seeds.The increased protein content did not alter the profile of major storage proteins in the seeds.Generally,this study provides a promising strategy to increase the levels of methionine and protein in soybean through the breeding programs.     

Changes in Distribution of Isoflavones and β‐Glucosidase Activity During Soy Bread Proofing and Baking

Bread made partially with soy may represent a viable alternative for increasing soy consumption in populations consuming Western diets. The potential health‐promoting activity of soy isoflavones may depend on their abundance and chemical form. The objective of this study was to characterize the changes in isoflavone distribution and β‐glucosidase activity during the soy breadmaking process. Soy bread ingredients were combined and mixed to form a dough that was subsequently proofed at 48°C for 1–4 hr and baked at 165°C for 50 min to produce breads. The isoflavone composition and β‐glucosidase activity in bread ingredients, doughs, and breads were monitored. Soy ingredients and wheat flour (not bread yeast) were the major contributors of the β‐glucosidase activity in bread. No degradation of isoflavones was observed during breadmaking but the isoflavone distribution was largely altered. Proofing and baking have important but different roles in changing the isoflavone distribution. Proofing converted isoflavone β‐glucosides to aglycones by highly specific β‐glucosidase activity. Thermal treatment during baking significantly decreased the isoflavone malonylglucosides and increased isoflavone β‐glucosides. Enzyme activity during proofing and the balance between formation and deconjugation of isoflavones during baking determine the isoflavone content and composition in the final product.