High error rates for avian molecular sex identification primer sets applied to molted feathers

ABSTRACT Molted feathers are becoming increasingly important as a source of DNA for identifying the sex of individuals, and accurate methods for molecular sex identification are needed. Three molecular sex identification primer sets have been developed for use in nearly all nonratite birds, but performance of these primer sets has not been evaluated for molted feathers. For two species of birds, the Ring‐necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), we evaluated success and error rates among primer sets using DNA from molted feathers and assessed the percentage of times an incorrect sex would be assigned when analyses are completed in duplicate. Amplification success rates differed among the primer sets for both species, ranging from 67.5% to 89.2% (P= 0.0002 and 0.009), and error rates were high, ranging from 1.9% to 24.2%. Success rates and error rates were not consistent between species and among primer sets. To improve the accuracy of molecular sex identification tests when using molted feathers, we suggest determining acceptable confidence levels in the accuracy of sex assignment, conducting pilot tests to evaluate the performance of different primer sets, and using high‐resolution electrophoresis systems to increase detection of errors.     

Mass spectrometry‐compatible silver staining of histones resolved on acetic acid‐urea‐Triton PAGE

Acetic acid‐Urea‐Triton (AUT) PAGE is commonly used method to separate histone variants and their post‐translationally modified forms. Coomassie staining is the preferred method for protein visualization; however, its sensitivity is less than that of silver staining. Though silver staining of histones in AUT‐PAGE has been reported, the method is time‐consuming, dependent on prior staining by Amido black and has not been reported suitable for mass spectrometry. Here, we propose ‘SDS‐Silver’ method for rapid, sensitive and mass spectrometry‐compatible staining of histones resolved on AUT‐PAGE.     

Use of Galleria mellonella larvae to evaluate the in vivo anti-fungal activity of [Ag2(mal)(phen)3]

Larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella were employed to assess the in vivo antifungal efficacy of ([Ag₂(mal)(phen)₃]), AgNO₃ and 1,10-phenanthroline. Larvae pre-inoculated with these compounds were protected from a subsequent lethal infection by the yeast Candida albicans while larvae inoculated 1 and 4 h post-infection showed significantly increased survival (P < 0.01) compared to control larvae. Administration of these compounds resulted in an increase over 48 h in the density of insect haemocytes (immune cells) but there was no widespread activation of genes for antimicrobial peptides. This work demonstrates that G. mellonella larvae may be employed to ascertain the antifungal efficacy of silver(I) compounds and offers a rapid and effective means of assessing the in vivo activity of inorganic antimicrobial compounds.     

Silver Fused Conducting Fiber Formation of Au–Ag Core-Shell Nanoparticles Mediated by Ascorbic Acid

In this paper, we report the spontaneous formation of fibrous structures consisting of assemblies of Au–Ag core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) from a solution consisting of Au–Ag core-shell NPs and l-ascorbic acid (AA). AA acted both as the reducing agent for the generation of NPs and also as the mediator for the formation of fibers. The process of fiber formation involved three steps—reduction of HAuCl₄ to Au NPs by AA, subsequent formation of Au–Ag core-shell NPs after addition of AgNO₃, and spontaneous formation of fibers from the mixtures in water. It took typically about 30 days to form complete fibers that are of lengths of several hundred micrometers to millimeters, although nanofibers started forming from the first day of solution preparation. The width of each of these fibers was typically about 1–4 μm with length of each segment of fiber bundle, on the order of 40 μm. Formation of fibers was also observed in absence of AgNO₃. These fibers consisted of Au NPs and polymer of AA degradation products and were not electrically conducting. Also, low concentrations of AgNO₃ produced fibers with low electrical conductivity. However, it was observed that increase in the amount of AgNO₃ leads to the formation of fibers that were electrically conducting with conductivity values in the range of metallic conductivity. Spectroscopic and electron microscopic investigations were carried out to establish the formation of fibers. The details of fiber formation mechanism under different conditions and electrical conductivities of the fibers are discussed in the article.     

基于线粒体细胞色素b基因序列的虹雉属鸟类的系统发育关系

通过雉科虹雉属(Lophophorus)、角雉属(Tragopan)、勺鸡属(Pucrasia)和血雉属(Ithaginis)7种鸟类的细胞色素b(cyt b)基因序列比较,构建的虹雉属及其近缘属的分子系统树表明：①3种虹雉构成一个单系群(monophyletic group),虹雉属与角雉属、勺鸡属构成一个单系群;②虹雉属内分为白尾梢虹雉,以及棕尾虹雉和绿尾虹雉两个演化枝。综合分子系统学、地理分布格局和形态学的证据,推测虹雉属鸟类起源于中国的横断山脉,其中繁衍生活在原地的一枝演化为白尾梢虹雉;另一枝则分别进入喜马拉雅山区(西)和中国西南部(东),向西的演化为棕尾虹雉,向东的则为绿尾虹雉。     

纳米银离子对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜结构的影响的分析

目的探讨纳米银离子对细菌生物被膜（biofilm,BF）的空间结构的影响。方法采用摇床法,以纳米银离子含量不同的乙烯-醋酸乙烯酯（Ethylene-Vinyl acetate,EVA）塑料为细菌粘附载体,模拟体内铜绿假单胞菌（P.aeruginosa,PA）BF形成的微环境,建立体外BF模型;将培养3 d的空白标本分别在扫描电子显微镜（scanning electron microscopy,SEM）下及用FITC-ConA染色后荧光显微镜下观察不含纳米银EVA中BF的形成情况;将生长0.5、1、2、3、5 d的BF模型行SYTO9/PI染色,激光共聚焦扫描电镜（confocal laser scanning microscopy,CLSM）下摄取不同层面的图像,然后应用激光共聚焦显微镜TCS SP2自身具有的分析软件及ISA分析软件获得PAO1菌株BF的相关空间结构参数定量化数据。结果 （1）运用SEM及荧光显微镜的方法,在以不含纳米银EVA塑料为细菌粘附载体上培养3 d的标本中均观察到流线状的BF形成。（2）激光共聚焦显微镜TCS SP2自身具有的分析软件定量化分析显示,随着时间的延长,各含纳米银离子材料组PAO1菌株BF的平均厚度都呈先升高后降低的趋势,3天组都达最高值;纳米银离子的含量对BF厚度的影响差异无统计学意义（F=2.11,P＆gt;0.1）,作用时间对BF厚度的影响差异有统计学意义（F=985.81,P0.05）。随着培养时间的延长,各含纳米银离子材料组PAO1菌株BF的AP值、ADD值无明显的变化趋势,同一时间组的含有纳米银离子材料组PAO1菌株BF的AP值都高于空白对照组的AP值;同一时间组的含有纳米银离子材料组PAO1菌株BF的ADD值都低于空白对照组的ADD值。各含纳米银离子材料组PAO1菌株BF的TE值随着时间的延长,都呈先升高后降低的趋势,2天组都为最高值;同一时间组的TE值随着含纳米银离子的增加都呈降低趋势。结论运用摇床法成功建立了体外PAO1菌株BF模型;纳米银离子对PAO1菌株BF空间结构有显著的影响。     

Silver nanoparticulate enhanced aqueous silane/siloxane exterior facade emulsions and their efficacy against algae and cyanobacteria biofouling

Silver nanoparticulate enhanced aqueous silane/siloxane emulsions and their efficacy against biofouling mechanisms are presented within this study. Different concentrations of silver nanoparticulates were added into viscous shear-thinning aqueous treatments and key attributes required for facade remedial applications assessed. Water repellence, biofouling resistance, and aesthetical alteration were studied to assess key treatment attributes. In addition, assessment of the porosity, sorptivity, and treatment depth was used to identify penetration and facade protection efficacy and morphological alteration of the masonry substrate. Results showed that silver nanoparticulate incorporation did not impede treatment penetration, better water repellent attributes were achieved with increased concentration while effectively conserving the morphology and aesthetics of the substrate. It was concluded that the reduced bioreceptivity observed primarily stemmed from the silver nanoparticulates ability to sanitise the surface, and that only small concentrations (<0.5%wt) were required to attain significantly beneficial improvements. Treatments were deemed practically and commercially viable for retrofit and heritage projects.     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with Dalbergia spinosa leaves and their applications in biological and catalytic activities

The phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Dalbergia spinosa leaves (DSL) in aqueous extract was investigated. AgNPs were characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infra red spectrophotometry (FTIR). The results showed that the increase in the initial extract concentration at room temperature increased the mean size and widened the size distribution of the AgNPs, leading to a red shift and broadening the surface plasmon resonance absorption (439 nm). The results showed that the reducing sugars and flavonoids were primarily responsible for the bioreduction of silver ions and that their reductive capability was promoted at 36 °C. TEM analysis showed that the AgNPs were nearly spherical in shape with an average size of 18 ± 4 nm. When evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH, NO, hydrogen peroxide radicals, reducing power and CUPRAC assay methods in addition to anti-inflammatory activity by HBRC method, the silver nanoparticles exhibited considerably enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity at the test doses when compared with that of the standards and the plant extract. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the AgNPs against two Gram-positive bacteria and two Gram-negative bacteria showed moderate antibacterial activity when compared with the standard and the plant extract. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were also effective in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP).