Sacred sites as habitats of culturally important plant species in an Indian megacity

Cultural ecosystem services related to urban green spaces contribute significantly to liveable cities. While previous studies highlight the intersection of cultural ecosystem services with societal values, spiritual or religious values associated with urban nature have received less attention. In India, as in other parts of the world, sacred sites are known for their biological richness, but analyses from urban sacred sites are largely missing. Based on a stratified random sampling approach, we analysed the cultivated and wild plant species assemblages of 69 sacred sites in the megacity of Bengaluru, India, in relation to biological and cultural features, and parameters related to the urban matrix and type of sacred sites (temple vs. katte). Unlike other urban studies, we found a dominance of native species in the cultivated and spontaneous species pools (121 species in total), with Ficus religiosa and Azadirachta indica as most frequently planted species. Culturally relevant species prevailed in the species pool (89%), with overlaps between religious (36%), medicinal (50%) and ornamental (62%) plants; only 11% of species were weeds. Urban matrix parameters (age of development, housing density) and size and type of sacred sites were related to differences in species assemblages. We identified key species for different classes of age and housing density, and for types of sacred sites. Our study demonstrates that urban sacred sites have an important potential in harbouring both native and culturally significant species that can support urban livelihoods in developing countries by a range of cultural and provisioning ecosystem services, including medicinal uses. As such sites are conserved by communities for spiritual or cultural beliefs, local biodiversity can be enhanced, e.g. by adapting management practices through community participation. This would strengthen the important contribution of sacred sites within the green infrastructure of rapidly growing megacities.     

不同周龄大耳白兔血液生理生化指标的测定

为了明确大耳白兔中国兽药监察所封闭群的生物学特性，对其血液生理生化指标进行了测定。选5、10及13周龄的雄兔和雌兔。空腹采血测定红细胞、白细胞等16项血液生理指标和血糖、总蛋白等16项生化指标。10周龄的红细胞数、白细胞数、红细胞压积和平均红细胞血红蛋白含量高于5周龄和13周龄，雌雄间血液生理指标无明显差异，血清丙氨酸转氨酶含量随着周龄的增加而升高，碱性磷酸则随着周龄的增加而下降。与日本大耳白兔相比，主要血液生理指标比较接近，丙氨酸转氨酸、白蛋白、尿素氮、直接胆红素等血液生化指标相近，其他指标有所不同。测定结果表明，该封闭群具有不同于日本大耳白兔（Slc:JW/CSK)的生物学特性。     

T7 RNA多聚酶基因的克隆、序列测定及其在E.coli中的表达

从BL21(DE3)E．coli菌株中以PCR的方法扩增得到了与T7RNA多聚酶(T7RNApolymerase，T7pol)基因大小一致的DNA片断。将PCR产物纯化后直接克隆到pGEM—T载体中，经酶切鉴定和DNA序列分析表明克隆得到了正确的T7pol基因。将T7pol基因亚克隆入pET-28b( )中，构建得到原核表达质粒pET28T7。该质粒的BL21(DE3)pLysS转化菌在IPTG的诱导下可表达约98800的蛋白，这与T7pol的相对分子质量一致。将该质粒转化DH5α、JMl09、HBl01、BL21(DE3)和BL21(DE3)pLysS等5种不同的宿主菌，仅有转化T7pol酶活性受到抑制的宿主菌BL21(DE3)pLysS才能得到转化子，而其余4种T7T7pol酶活性不受抑制的E．coli宿主菌不能得到转化子。pET28T7原核表达质粒这种仅能在T7pol酶活性受到抑制的宿主菌中才能存活的现象说明本试验所克隆的T7pol基因能正确表达出具有RNA转录酶活性的蛋白。     

Development of Immune Response to Experimental Bovine Trichophyton vervucosum Infection

Abstract— Cell mediated and humoral immune responses to experimental Trichophyton verrucosum infection were assessed by sequential cutaneous biopsies, antibody assessments and microscopic monitoring of fungal presence. Histopathologic examination showed the accrual of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in the dermis of infected sites. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections with monoclonal antibody preparations revealed an influx of macrophages, BoCD4+ and B0CD8+ lymphocytes and γδ T cells from the 5th day to the 33rd day of infection. A moderate influx of B cells was observed. Protein G-colloidal gold staining revealed the presence of immunoglobulins in the dermis and superficial epidermal layers. Trichophyton specific serum antibodies appeared between days 33 and 55. Microscopic assessment of infected tissues revealed an increase in T, verrucosum elements (mycelium and ectothrix spores) from days 19 to 55. Fungal elements in infected areas did not decrease until after both humoral and cell mediated elements of the immune response were established. These responses imply a combination of cell mediated and humoral events were associated with T. verrucosum immunity and clearance in the calf. Résumé— Le réponse immunitaire humorale et cellulaire a une infection expérimentale àT. verrucosum a été appréciée par des biospsies cutanées successives, des dosages d'anticorps et la recherche microscopique de champignons. L'examen histopathologique a montré un afflux de lymphocytes et d'autres cellules inflammatoires dane le derme des sites infectés. Les marquages en immunopéroxydase par un anticorps monoclonal de coupes congelées a montré un influx de macrophages, lymphocytes BoCD4+ et BoCD8+ et des cellules T γδ, du 5e au 33e jour de l'infection. Un marquage par une protéine G—or colloidal a révélé d'immunogolglobulines dans le derme et les couches supéerficielles de l'épiderme. Les anticorps spécifiques de Trichophyton sont apparus entre 33 et 55 jours. L'examen microscopique des tissus infectés a révélé une augmentation du nombre d'éléments de T. verrucosum (mycelium et spores ectothrix) du 19e au 55e jours. Les éléments fongiques dans les zones infectées n'ont pas diminué avant que les réponses humorales et cellulaires ne solent établies. Ces résponses impliquent qu'une coopération des réponses humorales et cellulaires étaient associées dans l'immunité et la défense contre T. verrucosum. Zusammenfassung— Die zellvermittelten und humoralen Immunantworten auf die experimentelle Infektion mit T. verrucosum wurden durch eine Serie von Hautbiopsien, Antikörperuntersuchungen und mikroskopischer Untersuchung auf das Vorhandensein von Pilzen ausgewertet. Die histopathologische Untersuchung zeigte eine Ansammlung von Lymphozyten und anderen Entzündungszellen in der Dermis der infizierten Stellen. Die Immunperoxidasefärbung der Gefrierschnitte mit monoklonalen Antikörperzubereitungen zeigte einen Influx von Makrophagen, BoCd4-und BoCD8-Lymphozyten und gamma-delta-T-Zellen vom 5. bis zum 33. Tag der Infektion. Es wurde auch ein mäßiger Influx von B-Zellen beobachtet. Die Protein-G-kolloidale Goldfärbung zeigte die Anwesenheit von Immunglobulinen in der Dermis und den oberflächlichen epidermalen Schichten. Trichophyton-spezifische Serumantikörper traten zwischen Tag 33 und 55 auf. Die mikroskopische Untersuchung infizierter Gewebe zeigte eine Zunahme von T. verrucosum-Bestandteilen (Myzel und exktothrixe Sporen) vom Tag 19 bis 55. Pilzteile in infizierten Bereichen verminderten sich weder, nachdem humorale, noch nachdem zellvermittelte Elemente der Immunantwort auftraten. Diese Reaktionen deuten an, daß eine Kombination von zellvermittelten und humoralen Vorgängen im Zusammenhang mit T. verrucosum-Immumtät und Abheilung beim Kalb vorliegt. Resumen Por medio de biposias cutáneas secuenciales, medida de anticuerpos y exámen microscópico de presencia de hongos, se estudió la respuesta inmunitaria de tipo humoral y celular producida por la infección experimental con T. verrucosum. El exámen histopatológico reveló la presencia de agregación de linfocitos y otras células inflamatorias procedentes de la dermis de los puntos infectados. La tintura por medio de inmunoperoxidasa de las secciones congeladas, con preparaciones monoclonales de anticuerpos, demostró un aflujo de macrófagos BoCD4 + y BoCD8 + linfocitos y linfocitos, Tαδ, desde el quinto hasta el día 33 la infección. También se observó un aflugo moderado de linfocitos B. La tintura aúrica de proteina coloidal G reveló la presencia de inmunoglobulinas en al dermis y capas superficiales de la epidermis. Los anticuerpos específicos para la especie Trichophyton aparecieron entre los días 33 y 55. El exámen microscópico de los tejidos afectados demostró un incremento, de los elementos füngicos T. verrucosum (micelio y esporas exótricas) desde los días 19 al 55. Los elementos fúngicos en áreas infectadas no disminuyeron hasta después del establecimiento de ambos tipos de respuesta inmunitaria, humoral y celular. Estas respuestas implican que la combinación de ciertos fenómenos de inmunidad celular y humoral, están relacionados con la desaparición y la inmunidad de la infección producia por T. verrucosum en el ternero.     

Rapid Screening for Aluminum Tolerance in Cereals by Use of the Chlorophyll Fluorescence Test

The effects of aluminum on the photosynthetic apparatus were examined in cereals grown in nutrient solutions (pH 4.5) at two Al levels (0 and 148 μM). The chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics results confirmed that the soft wheat ‘BHG’ cultivar has the potential for growth on acid soils while triticale cultivars ‘Niovi’ and ‘Dada’ appeared to be relatively tolerant. The percentage decrease in F_v/F_m of the less tolerant cultivars after Al-treatment indicated a decrease in the efficiency of the primary photochemistry of PS II, while the decrease in the ratio F_V/F_osuggested that exposure of the cultivars ‘Dio’ and ‘Appulo E’ to aluminum caused injury to the thylakoid structure. The percentage fluctuations of the ratio F_v/F_mwere shown to correlate very closely with the assessment of injury as evaluated by the relative top fresh weight. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence in vivo could be used to monitor injury caused by “Al-stress”, and thus they may serve as a rapid screening test for Al tolerance.     

Sensitivity,specificity, and predictive values of reagent test strip estimations of blood urea nitrogen

Azostix-reagent-tests(R) strips (Ames, Miles, Inc., Diagnostic Division, Elkhart, IN) were used to measure blood urea nitrogen values in blood samples from 125 dogs and cats at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Results of the tests were compared with standard serum urea nitrogen results. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values were high (86.4, 90.3, and 96.5%, respectively). Positive predictive value was low, 65.5% of the dogs and cats with elevated blood urea nitrogen values were correctly classified as abnormal The test performs well when the prevalence of abnormal values is near 50%.     

Prediction of breeding values for osseous fragments in fetlock and hock joints, deforming arthropathy in hock joints, and pathologic changes in the navicular bones of Hanoverian Warmblood horses

The results of a standardised radiological examination of 5928 Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction were used to predict relative breeding values (RBV) in the 23,662 horses included in the last four generations of the probands' pedigrees. The distribution of the RBV was investigated in the whole four-generation pedigree, in the probands and in those stallions that contributed at least three offspring to the probands. The RBV of the probands' sires were further compared with the officially published performance-based relative breeding values, i.e., total indices dressage (TID) and jumping (TIJ). The sires' level of dressage indices was considerably higher (mean TID=110) than of the jumping indices (mean TIJ=98). Total indices radiographic findings (TIR) were calculated for the sires with varying weighting given to the individual RBV. In each case, this resulted in a mean TIR of 99. Finally, total indices were derived from TIR and TID and/or TIJ in order to develop different selection schemes for all-purpose breeding and for breeding focused on dressage and show jumping. All breeding values under consideration increased by between 1% and 19% when radiographic findings were weighted with between 30% and 60% complementary to the corresponding performance parameters, and when only sires were selected with above average total indices. At the same time, the prevalences of the radiographic findings investigated here were lowered by up to 10% each. When only one radiographic finding was considered at a time, the maximum attainable response to selection was a 16-23% increase in the relative breeding values and a relative decrease in prevalences of radiographic findings of between 31% and 52%. The results of this study indicate that it is possible in horse breeding to consider simultaneously health and performance traits. Medical data should be included in the prediction of breeding values in order to improve the radiological status of today's riding horses.     

Analysis of the distribution and clonality of TCR Vβ T cells in cord blood

AIM:To investigate the distribution and clonality of TCR Vβ subfamily T cells in cord blood. METHODS:The CDR3 of TCR Vβ 24 subfamily genes were amplified in mononuclear cells from 13 cases of cord blood. To observe the usage of TCR Vβ repertoire, the PCR products were further labeled with fluorescent and analyzed by genescan technique for the CDR3 size, to evaluate clonality of the detectable TCR Vβ T cells. Peripheral bloods from 10 cases of normal individuals and T cell line Molt-4 and Jurkat served as controls. RESULTS:Only 38.78%±16.26% of 24 Vβ subfamily T cell were selectively expressed in cord blood, predominantly in Vβ 3, 5, 8, 9 and 13, whereas all 24 Vβ subfamilies could be detected in T cells from peripheral blood of normal individuals. Genescan analysis showed that all PCR products of TCR Vβ subfamilies from cord blood or normal individual peripheral blood displayed multi-peaks. CONCLUSION:Some TCR Vβ subfamily T cells were absent in cord blood. All TCR Vβ subfamily T cells in cord blood displayed polyclonality.