Contrasting edge and pasture matrix effects on ant diversity from fragmented landscapes across multiple spatial scales

Landscape Ecology - Harmful effects of habitat loss and fragmentation can be detected across multiple spatial scales, yet most studies that aim to characterize these effects take place at a single...     

Advances in the application of neuropeptides in insect control

The development of a new approach for the generation of a novel type of putative insect control agents based on backbone cyclic peptidomimetic antagonists of insect-neuropeptides is reported. The approach, termed the backbone cyclic neuropetide based on autogonist (BBC-NBA) was applied to the insect pyrokinin/pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) family as a model, and led to the discovery of a potent linear lead antagonist and several highly potent, metabolically stable BBC peptidomimetic antagonists, devoid of agonistic activity, which inhibited in vivo PBAN-mediated activities in moths.     

与辣椒抗CMV扭关的数量性状位点（QTL）的鉴定

在辣椒（Capsicum annuum）种内进行抗CMVQTL分析。从感病品种Maor与抗病品种Perennial杂交获得180个F3。在美国和以色列的三个试验中用两个病毒株系接种。大部分RFLP和AFLP标记被用作构建遗传图谱,区间分析被用作QTL检测。有4个QTL与抗CMV显著相关。检测到了两个标记对CMV抗性的双基因互作,没有检测到单基因效用。3个试验中检测到控制表现型变异（cmv11．1）的QTL,其变异最大百分比为16％～33％,该QTL与双基因互作有关。这个QTL与L位点连锁,并证实该QTL与抗TMV有关。在Perennial上早期非常有趣的观察到抗CMV感TMV的现象。来自于不相关的种群的一个高世代的回交育种株系3990,被选择用来分析对CMV的抗性,标记覆盖整个基因组,检测到来自Perennial的基冈渗入。这些基因渗入的区域中包括4个与抗CMV相关的QTL。在两个基因区域的标记被鉴定与抗CMV的QTL相关,同时也与控制果实重量的QTL相关,另外的育种观察也证实对CMV的抗性来源于Perennial和小果型品种。     

与辣椒抗CMV相关的数量性状位点(QTL)的鉴定

在辣椒(Capsicum annuum)种内进行抗CMV QTL分析.从感病品种Maor与抗病品种Perennial杂交获得180个F3.在美国和以色列的三个试验中用两个病毒株系接种.大部分RFLP和AFIP标记被用作构建遗传图谱,区间分析被用作QTL检测.有4个QTL与抗CMV显著相关.检测到了两个标记对CMV抗性的双基因互作,没有检测到单基因效用.3个试验中检测到控制表现型变异(cmy11.1)的QTL,其变异最大百分比为16%～33%,该QTL与双基因互作有关.这个QTL与L位点连锁,并证实该QTL与抗TMV有关.在Perennial上早期非常有趣的观察到抗CMV感TMV的现象.来自于不相关的种群的一个高世代的回交育种株系3990,被选择用来分析对CMV的抗性,标记覆盖整个基因组,检测到来自Perennial的基因渗人.这些基因渗入的区域中包括4个与抗CMV相关的QTL.在两个基因区域的标记被鉴定与抗CMV的QTL相关.同时也与控制果实重量的QTL相关,另外的育种观察也证实对CMV的抗性来源于Perennial和小果型品种.     

Blocking of EGF-dependent cell proliferation by EGF receptor kinase inhibitors

A systematic series of low molecular weight protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors were synthesized; they had progressively increasing affinity over a 2500-fold range toward the substrate site of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase domain. These compounds inhibited EGF receptor kinase activity up to three orders of magnitude more than they inhibited insulin receptor kinase, and they also effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent autophosphorylation of the receptor. The most potent compounds effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent proliferation of A431/clone 15 cells with little or no effect on the EGF-independent proliferation of these cells. The potential use of tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors as antiproliferative agents is demonstrated.     

A gas-liquid chromatographic method for determining imazalil residues in citrus fruit

An electron capture gas-liquid chromatographic method is described for the analysis of the fungicide imazalil,^a 1-(β-allyloxy-2, 4-dichlorophenethyl)imidazole, in citrus fruit. Recoveries were 80–95% from citrus fruit fortified at 0.50–2.0 mg/kg, with a limit of detection of 0.01 mg/kg.     

Reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

PURPOSE: To perform selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in healthy ferrets with the aim of establishing normal physiological reference values for this species. METHOD: A total of 15 healthy, unrelated ferrets were used to test most of the parameters in this investigation. Eight of the 15 ferrets were used for central corneal thickness evaluation. Ages varied from 1.5 to 6 years of age. Selected diagnostic ocular tests were performed including Schirmer tear test, tonometry using an applanation tonometer (Tonopen), central corneal thickness using an ultrasonic pachymeter (Sonomed, Micropach, Model 200P +) and culture of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Staphylococcus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. were isolated from healthy conjunctival and eyelid margins, suggesting they are normal constituents of the conjunctival flora of the ferret. Results for selected ocular diagnostic tests investigated here for the ferret eye were as follows: intraocular pressure: 14.50 +/- 3.27 mmHg; Schirmer tear test: 5.31 +/- 1.32 mm/min; central corneal thickness: 0.337 +/- 0.020 mm. No statistically significant differences between ages or genders were found for any of the results. The reference data for the ocular tests obtained in this investigation will help veterinary ophthalmologists to more accurately diagnose ocular diseases in the ferret. Knowledge of these reference values will be particularly useful to diagnose discrete or unusual pathological changes of the ferret eye.     

Pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate after oral administration of immediate and sustained-release preparations in Beagle dogs

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a drug administered either as an immediate- or sustained-release preparation for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of two different MPH formulations in the dog. Eight dogs were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using a two-part randomised, cross-over experimental design. Each subject received a single dose of 20 mg d,l-MPH as an immediate- (IR) or sustained-release (SR) tablet. Blood was collected at specific times, and the plasma concentrations of d,l-MPH were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography.There were no adverse effects following the oral administration of d,l-MPH in either the IR or SR groups, apart from mild hyperkinesia which was observed in some of the IR group. The plasma concentration data of d,l-MPH were best described by a one-compartment model. There were significant differences in the maximum concentration (C_max), time to C_max (T_max), area under the curve (AUC) and clearance (Cl) between the two formulations. The relative bioavailability of the SR formulation was 30.58 ± 13.73% and, despite low drug plasma concentrations, the SR formulation resulted in uniform plasma concentrations of d,l-MPH. However, the dose rate of the SR formulation used in this study resulted in plasma concentrations that were below effective levels for clinical efficacy, so further studies are required to confirm the suitability of higher dose rates for clinical use.     

Reference values for selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests of the capuchin monkey (Cebus apella)

Purpose To perform selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests in healthy capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) with the aim of establishing normal physiological reference values for this species. Methods A total of 15 healthy, capuchin monkeys were used to test most of the parameters in this investigation. Five of the 15 monkeys were used for the evaluation of normal conjunctival flora. Ages varied from 6 to 20 years of age. Selected diagnostic ocular tests were performed including Schirmer tear test (STT), tonometry using an applanation tonometer (Tonopen^®), central corneal thickness (CCT) using an ultrasonic pachymeter (Sonomed, Micropach^®, Model 200P+) and culture of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora. Results and discussion Results for selected ocular diagnostic tests investigated here for the capuchin monkey eye were as follows: IOP: 18.4 ± 3.8 mmHg; STT: 14.9 ± 5.1 mm/min; CCT: 0.46 ± 0.03 mm. No statistically significant differences between ages or genders were found for any of the results. Streptococcus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. were isolated from healthy conjunctival and eyelid margins, suggesting they are normal constituents of the conjunctival flora of the capuchin monkey. The data obtained in this investigation will help veterinary ophthalmologists and laboratory animal medicine specialists to more accurately diagnose ocular diseases in the capuchin monkey. These ophthalmic reference values will be particularly useful to diagnose discrete or unusual pathological changes of the capuchin monkey eye.