Observational Learning in Octopus vulgaris

Untrained Octopus vulgaris (observers) were allowed to watch conditioned Octopus(demonstrators) perform the task of selecting one of two objects that were presented simultaneously and differed only in color. After being placed in isolation, the observers, in a similar test, consistently selected the same object as did the demonstrators. This learning by observation occurred irrespective of the object chosen by the demonstrators as the positive choice and was more rapid than the learning that occurred during the conditioning of animals. The task was performed correctly without significant errors and further conditioning for 5 days. These results show that observational learning can occur in invertebrates.     

Apocynin activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR): preliminary studies in vivo

An elevation in angiotensin II (Ang II) levels is a common occurrence in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Infusions of Ang II and a high salt diet increase the activity of NADPH oxidase that stimulates superoxide anion (O⁻²) generation and increases the expression of certain subunits of NADPH oxidase. Apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor with antihypertensive effects, is able to inhibit the release of superoxide anion by inhibiting NADPH oxidase activity and blocking the migration of p47 phox to the mitochondrial membrane. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of apocynin in SHRs and Wistar rats (WKYs) using a micropuncture technique. After microperfusion of both the proximal and distal tubules, we found that SHRs treated with apocynin showed a decrease in the free-flow collection of the proximal tubule (PT), which was not affected in WKYs. Moreover, significant differences were not demonstrated in the distal tubule (DT), probably due a mechanism of compensation that occurs in the loop of Henle. In conclusion, it is possible that the mechanisms of reabsorption in the PT are controlled by the interactions of O⁻² and nitric oxide (NO). These data could suggest a higher activity of NADPH oxidase and increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the PT during hypertension.

     

A Novel Auraptene-Enriched Citrus Peels-Based Blend with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The aim of this study was to establish a convenient process to get auraptene-enriched blends from Citrus limon L. Osbeck (Rutaceae) peels powder with functional...     

Analysis of Biologically Active Oxyprenylated Ferulic Acid Derivatives in Citrus Fruits

4′-Geranyloxyferulic (GOFA) and boropinic acid have been discovered during the last decade as interesting phytochemicals having valuable pharmacological effects as cancer chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-Helicobacter pylori agents. A reverse-phase HPLC-UV/Vis method for the separation and quantification of the title oxyprenylated ferulic acid derivatives in extracts obtained from peels of nine edible Citrus and Fortunella fruits was successfully applied. Concentration values showed a great variation between the different species, being orange (C. sinensis) the fruit richest in GOFA (0.141?±?0.011 mg/g of exocarp fresh weight) and kumquat (Fortunella japonica) the one in which boropinic acid was recorded as the most abundant phytochemical (0.206?±?0.002 mg/g of exocarp fresh weight). Both secondary metabolites were not detected only in three species. The set-up methodology showed limits of quantification (LOQ) values, that were able to selectively quantify both GOFA and boropinic acid. Results described herein depict a potential chemopreventive dietary feeding role for the Rutaceae spp. under investigation.     

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin influences bovine herpesvirus 1 replication through upregulation of SIRT3 and cytoskeletal reorganization

Infection of kidney cells (MDBK) with Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is affected by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which accelerates BoHV-1-induced apoptosis and increases virus replication. Herein, to elucidate the mechanism through TCDD modifies BoHV-1 infection, we analyzed the modulation of a members of Sirtuin proteins family in MDBK cells. We found that mitochondrial SIRT3 was upregulated during infection. This change was accompanied by cytoskeletal rearrangements and cell extensions. All these trends were drastically modified by TCDD. We hypothesize that, taken together, these results might further clarify the processes responsible for the action of TCDD on the BoHV-1 replication, resulting in enhanced virus production.     

Oral and peripheral vestibular signs in a cat with squamous cell carcinoma

A 13-year-old female, spayed cat had oral and vestibular signs resulting from a 3-cm mass extending from the tympanic membrane to the nasopharynx. Radiography revealed a soft-tissue density in the tympanic bulla. Cytologic examination and biopsy confirmed the presence of a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma causes vestibular signs in the cat. In this cat, squamous cell carcinoma, involving the middle and inner ear, resulted in oral and vestibular signs.     

Metabolic and endocrine responses of lambs fed Acremonium coenophialum-infected or noninfected tall fescue hay at equivalent nutrient intake

Ten Hampshire x Western wether lambs (means weight = 30.1 kg) equipped with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were fed either low-Acremonium coenophialum (AC) Kentucky-31 (less than 1% infected) or high-AC G1-307 (greater than 95% infected) varieties of tall-fescue (TF) hay of similar nutrient composition in a completely randomized design. Lambs were housed in metabolism crates at 21 +/- 1 degrees C and fed 552 g DM/d of ground hay at 0800 and 2000. A 10-d adaptation preceded 7 d of sample collection. Levels of water and DM voluntarily consumed by the low-AC group during the adjustment period were held constant for both treatment groups throughout the collection period by intraruminal insertion of unconsumed DM and water. Fixed water intake markedly reduced voluntary water intake but it alleviated previous depressions in voluntary DM intake in lambs fed high-AC. Mean daily respiration and heart rates, rectal temperature and hematocrit were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment. Compared with high-AC, lambs fed low-AC retained a greater (P less than .10) amount of N (1.8 vs 1.1 g/d) and a greater (P less than .10) percentage of their N intake (16.4 vs 9.9%). Abomasal total and bacterial N flow and ruminal digestion of cell wall components were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment. Total tract digestion of DM, NDF and ADF was lower (P less than .01) for high- than for low-AC. Serum prolactin concentration was higher (P less than .10) for lambs fed low- than for those fed high-AC TF, but serum cortisol and thyroxine concentrations were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Control of octopus arm extension by a peripheral motor program

For goal-directed arm movements, the nervous system generates a sequence of motor commands that bring the arm toward the target. Control of the octopus arm is especially complex because the arm can be moved in any direction, with a virtually infinite number of degrees of freedom. Here we show that arm extensions can be evoked mechanically or electrically in arms whose connection with the brain has been severed. These extensions show kinematic features that are almost identical to normal behavior, suggesting that the basic motor program for voluntary movement is embedded within the neural circuitry of the arm itself. Such peripheral motor programs represent considerable simplification in the motor control of this highly redundant appendage.