Development of a double-antibody sandwich ELISA for sensitive detection of Yersinia pestis

We developed a biotin–streptavidin-based sandwich ELISA for the sensitive and specific detection of Yersinia pestis. In this assay, the F1 capsular protein and Y. pestis were captured by anti-F1 mouse monoclonal antibody followed by detection with biotinylated-anti-F1 rabbit polyclonal antibody and HRP-conjugated streptavidin. The developed F1 ELISA could detect not only the F1 protein up to 29 and 17 pg/ml but also Y. pestis up to 177.8 and 129.2 CFU/ml in PBS buffer and human serum, respectively. In addition, the F1 ELISA did not show any cross-reactivity with various proteins and bacterial strains.     

Reproduction and development of two angel sharks, Squatina squatina and S. oculata (Pisces: Squatinidae), off Tunisian coasts: semi-delayed vitellogenesis, lack of egg capsules, and lecithotrophy

Distribution, sexual maturity, fecundity, genital asymmetry, cyclic vitellogenesis and gestation are described in the angel sharks Squatina squatina (L., 1758) and S. oculata Bonaparte, I840 from Tunisian waters. With embryonic nutrition being purely lecithotrophic, lack of egg capsules, block of oocyte growth at the beginning of gestation, and inability to ovulate soon after parturition, Squatinidae can be compared to Torpedinidae and to Centroscymnus (Squalidae), except that their vitellogenesis starts again at mid-gestation. This new, special feature has been termed 'semi-delayed vitellogenesis' with regard to the delayed vitellogenesis of Torpedinidae and Centroscymnus .     

Personalized Medical Treatment of Patients With Acromegaly: A Review

Acromegaly is associated with significant morbidity and mortality if it is not appropriately treated. In addition to insulin-like growth factor 1 and growth hormone normalization as well as tumor shrinkage, the treatment goals include relieving symptoms, managing complications, and improving patients’ quality of life. Surgical resection is a first-line treatment option for most patients, with few being pretreated preoperatively with medications. Somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs), injectable and, more recently, oral capsules, have been the cornerstone of first-line medical therapy for persistent disease. However, several factors, including sparsely granulated adenomas, absent or low somatostatin receptor status, T2-hyperintensity imaging, young age, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein mutations, can predict first-generation SRL resistance. Patients with these characteristics may be better candidates for the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant, or in cases of large tumors, the second-generation SRL pasireotide. Combination therapy should be further pursued in patients who remain biochemically uncontrolled or have a high remnant tumor after monotherapy. An efficacious and cost-effective pegvisomant dose-sparing effect of SRLs when used in combination has been demonstrated. With such a wide array of medical treatment options, it is becoming increasingly important to tailor treatment to patients’ unique characteristics and preferences, with a goal of personalizing management to achieve high-quality outcomes.     

Bound forms of alkaloids in Papaver somniferum and P. Bracteatum

The polysaccharide fraction of the pericarp and seed of Papaver somniferum were shown to contain bound forms of morphine which were derived from radioactive morphine fed to living plants. Bound forms of codeine, thebaine and some unidentified alkaloid-like compounds were also detected in the pericarp and bound thebaine occurred in the pericarp of Papaver bracteatum. The complexity and molecular weight of the bound alkaloids seemed to increase during ripening, and it is suggested that these substances represent transitional forms in the metabolism and transiocation of morphine from latex to seed.     

Egg capsules of the dusky catshark Bythaelurus canescens (Carcharhiniformes,Scyliorhinidae) from the south‐eastern Pacific Ocean

The external morphology of the egg capsule of Bythaelurus canescens and its fixation to the substratum are described. Bythaelurus canescens egg capsules are typically vase‐shaped, dorso‐ventrally flattened, pale yellow in colour when fresh and covered by 12–15 longitudinal ridges. The anterior border of the capsule is straight, whereas the posterior border is semicircular. Two horns bearing long, coiled tendrils arise from the anterior and posterior ends of the capsule. The presence of longitudinal ridges and long coiled tendrils at both anterior and posterior ends of the capsule readily distinguish these egg capsules from those of other chondrichthyans occurring in the south‐east Pacific Ocean.     

Alkaline phosphatase activity at unusual sites of human foetal kidney

Summary Frozen sections of human foetal kidneys were treated by the lead citrate method in order to demonstrate alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Unexpectedly, ALP activity was observed over the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule, in addition to usual localization in proximal tubules and blood vessels. The enzyme was confined to the membrane of microvilli belonging to tall columnar cells. Normally, in the mature nephron, these high cells are absent from the parietal layer that is instead entirely composed of squamous epithelium.ALP activity was also revealed at another unusual site in the kidney medulla. A collar of mesenchymal cells encapsulating groups of tubules and calyces gave an intense enzymatic reaction. The activity was present over the membrane of long cytoplasmic processes. The cytoplasm showed a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, an indication of a high rate of protein synthesis. The nearby presence of numerous collagenous fibrils is concordant with this assumption. Moreover, these ALP-positive cells might represent an intermediary stage through which cells have to pass before differentiating.     

Effect of feeding Rumen-protected capsule containing niacin,K2SO4, vitamin C,and gamma-aminobutyric acid on heat stress and performance of dairy cows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental rumen-protected capsule (RPC) on animal performance, serological indicators, and serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) of lactating Holstein cows under heat stress (HS). During summer months, 30 healthy multiparous lactating Holstein cows with a parity number of 3.1 ± 0.44, 70 ± 15 d in milk, an average body weight of 622 ± 62 kg, and an average milk yield of 32.28 ± 0.96 kg/d, were used. The cows were randomly allocated to two groups: a control group and an RPC-supplemented group (0.13373 kg K₂SO₄, 0.02488 kg vitamin C, 0.021148 kg niacin, and 0.044784 kg gamma-aminobutyric acid per cow). During the 42-d experiment, ambient air temperature and relative humidity inside and outside the barn were recorded hourly every day for the determination of temperature-humidity index (THI). Milk and blood samples were collected every week, and body weight and body condition scoring were measured on day 0. Based on the THI values, the animals had moderate HS. On day 42, the RPC group had lower HSP70, adrenocorticotropic hormone (P = 0.0001), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.0338), and IL-6 (P = 0.0724) levels than the control group, with no significant differences in creatine kinase, glucocorticoid, or IL-2 levels. Milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and dry matter intake were higher in RPC than in the control group (P = 0.0196). There were no significant differences in milk fat or daily protein levels between the two groups; however, daily protein and milk fat levels were higher in the RPC group than in the control group (P = 0.0114 and P = 0.0665, respectively). Somatic cell counts were no different between the two groups. In conclusion, RPC may alleviate HS and improve dairy cow performance.     

谷丙甘氨酸胶囊治疗前列腺增生32例临床疗效观察

目的 :观察治疗前列腺疾病药物谷丙甘氨酸胶囊 (安尿通胶囊 )的临床疗效。方法 :32例前列腺增生患者 ,口服谷丙甘氨酸胶囊 ,每次 82 0mg ,tid ,一个疗程后观察排尿症状进行疗效判定。结果 :32例患者经谷丙甘氨酸胶囊治疗一个疗程后 ,显效 9例 ,有效 14例 ,无效 9例 ,总有效率 72 %。 32例患者用药期间均未发生不良反应。结论 :谷丙甘氨酸胶囊是安全有效的治疗前列腺增生的药物。