Phytoplankton composition and spatial distribution of copper and zinc in the Fal Estuary (Cornwall,UK)

In the estuaries near Falmouth (Cornwall, UK) levels of dissolved copper and zinc are high, due to drainage of copper and tin mines. Phytoplankton species composition in the autumn of 1989 deviated in the metal-contaminated Restronguet Creek from that in other estuarine branches,viz. Fal, Tresillian and Percuil. In the riverine part of Restronguet Creek (Carnon River)Euglena mutabilis, known as an acidophilic (pH 3) metal-resistant flagellate, occurred at micromolar Cu and Zn, whereas in the clean riversChlamydomonas sp. andOocystis sp. occurred at nanomolar Cu and Zn. An ordination analysis revealed the following patterns in Cu, Zn and phytoplankton species composition in the poly- and euhaline waters. Seston-bound Zn and dissolved Zn were in equilibrium,Katodinium rotundatum is Zn-tolerant, andSkeletonema costatum occurred in water with high contents of Cu in seston. However, none of the variables in these patterns correlated at a significant level (p>0.05). The results show that algae-metal interactions are complicated, and that statistical correlations foundin situ need experimental verification.Communication no. 542 of the Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research.     

Pollination ofDianthus gratianopolitanus (Caryophyllaceae)

Pollination ofDianthus gratianopolitanus was studied in a population of the Swiss Jura mountains. Pollinators of this plant species are reported here for the first time. The flowers were not only visited by butterflies as postulated in the literature, but also by diurnal hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarum) and by diurnal and nocturnal noctuid moths. — Nectar is sucrose-dominant, the sugar concentration is moderate but the amino acid concentration is high. Nectar characteristics correspond well with the syndrome ofLepidoptera-pollinated flowers. — Field observations and flower characters (colour, range of the calyx length) suggest thatDianthus gratianopolitanus is an intermediate species in the transition of butterfly to moth pollination. — Lack of reproductive success inDianthus gratianopolitanus can not be attributed to lack of suitable pollinators.     

药物组合物封闭式权利要求的解读与侵权判定 ——由最高人民法院（2012)民提字第10号判决案例谈起

从最高人民法院的一个典型案例出发，探讨药物组合物封闭式权利要求保护范围的解读及其专利侵权判定标准，比较其他国家 的相关规定和判例，并对药物组合物封闭式权利要求的专利授权、确权审查、侵权判定以及申请文件撰写技巧提出见解，以供借鉴和参考。     

Rehabilitation of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary residues and linseed: effect on weight gain,carcass characteristics and meat quality

The cull ewes represent an important part of sheep flock. However, this category of animal is often submitted to under nutrition leading to poor BW and skeletal carcasses. Their rehabilitation using a high energy diet can be an alternative to improve their body condition. The objective of this experiment was to study the BW gain and carcass characteristics of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and extruded linseed. For this, 28 ewes above 6 years old and 33±0.5 kg of BW were divided into four groups: CCC was fed 500 g of barley-straw with concentrate, RCC received 300 g of straw and 200 g of RR as basal diet with concentrate; whereas two other groups received the experimental concentrate, containing 10% of linseed, with 500 g of straw for CLC and 300 g of straw plus 200 g of RR for RLC group. At the end of experiment (90 days), all animals were slaughtered. For all ewes, the daily concentrate intake averaged 700 g; the average daily gain was 131 g and the slaughter BW 43.4 kg without significant difference between groups. Neither basal diet nor concentrate type did affect the carcass’ weight, yield and composition. In addition, the organ’s proportions were similar for all groups. The RR intake slightly improved muscle’s protein content (P=0.03) and tended to decrease initial pH (P=0.06) and to increase meat redness (P=0.06), whereas linseed concentrate had no effect on meat color and its chemical composition. The subcutaneous fat color and firmness score relived a good quality trade for carcasses from all diets, in spite of higher yellowness and lower firmness recorded for linseed diet (P<0.05), which were moderately improved by rosemary combination with linseed. To conclude, the Barbarine cull ewes could gain up to 120 g/day in BW. The used diets permitted this BW gain without undesirable effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality. However, the study of meat fatty acid profile and antioxidant status should continue.     

Dietary boron does not affect tooth strength,micro-hardness,and density,but affects tooth mineral composition and alveolar bone mineral density in rabbits fed a high-energy diet

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary boron (B) affects the strength, density and mineral composition of teeth and mineral density of alveolar bone in rabbits with apparent obesity induced by a high-energy diet. Sixty female, 8-month-old, New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned for 7 months into five groups as follows: (1) control 1, fed alfalfa hay only (5.91 MJ/kg and 57.5 mg B/kg); (2) control 2, high energy diet (11.76 MJ and 3.88 mg B/kg); (3) B10, high energy diet + 10 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h; (4) B30, high energy diet + 30 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h; (5) B50, high energy diet + 50 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h. Maxillary incisor teeth of the rabbits were evaluated for compression strength, mineral composition, and micro-hardness. Enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp tissue were examined histologically. Mineral densities of the incisor teeth and surrounding alveolar bone were determined by using micro-CT. When compared to controls, the different boron treatments did not significantly affect compression strength, and micro-hardness of the teeth, although the B content of teeth increased in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to control 1, B50 teeth had decreased phosphorus (P) concentrations. Histological examination revealed that teeth structure (shape and thickness of the enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp) was similar in the B-treated and control rabbits. Micro CT evaluation revealed greater alveolar bone mineral density in B10 and B30 groups than in controls. Alveolar bone density of the B50 group was not different than the controls. Although the B treatments did not affect teeth structure, strength, mineral density and micro-hardness, increasing B intake altered the mineral composition of teeth, and, in moderate amounts, had beneficial effects on surrounding alveolar bone.     

The effect of age and castration on the growth rate,blood lipid profile,liver histology and feed conversion in Green-legged Partridge cockerels and capons

The surgical castration of male chickens induces hormonal changes, which permanently influence metabolic processes in birds. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age and castration on the growth rate, feed conversion, lipid profile and histopathological changes in the livers of cockerels and capons. The experimental materials comprised male chickens of the Green-legged Partridge breed (old traditional Polish chicken breed), raised to 28 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age, 100 birds were castrated. Caponization had a significant effect on the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerols (P<0.05). Fatty degeneration and lymphoid cell infiltration were observed more frequently in the livers of capons than cockerels. Capon carcasses were characterized by increased deposition of abdominal and subcutaneous fat (P<0.05). Total meat weight in the carcasses of cockerels and capons was similar, but the proportions of muscles were different. From 20 weeks of age, the weight of breast muscles was higher, and the weight of leg muscles was lower in capons than in cockerels (P<0.05). Capons were characterized by higher liver weight, higher gizzard weight and lower heart weight than cockerels (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (kg/kg BW) was similar in intact cockerels and capons. The values of carcass quality parameters and feed conversion ratio as well as histopathological changes in the liver indicate that Green-legged Partridge capons should be slaughtered at 20 to 24 weeks of age.     

Biochemical composition of the parasitic amphipod Hyperia galba in relation to age and starvation

Summary Hyperia galba was collected in the waters around Helgoland and in the Weser-Elbe-estuary during autumn. Its mode of life is a temporary but obligatory parasitism. The basal biochemical composition of the adults was analyzed in detail and related to the fresh, dry, and ash-free dry weight as well as sex and body length. Hyperia galba (males/females) consists of 85/86% water; the dry matter contains approximately 64/61% protein, 10/11% lipid, 1.2/1.5% carbohydrate, 10/8% chitin, and 23/23% ash. The analyses of basal elemental composition yielded approximately 38% C, 9% N and 6% H. Under natural conditions, individuals may encounter at least two periods of food shortage during their lives. Therefore, the analyses were carried out on individuals of different developmental stages also under food deprivation. The data are discussed with respect to the special mode of life of the species and compared with those found by other authors in several related crustacean species.Abbreviations AFDW ash-free dry weight - BL body length - DW dry weight - SD standard deviation - WW wet weight     

Predictors of Weight Loss in Adults with Topiramate‐Treated Epilepsy

Objective: We examined predictors of weight loss with topiramate, an anticonvulsant associated with weight loss in adults. Research Methods and Procedures: In this uncontrolled, prospective clinical trial, topiramate was added to existing anticonvulsants in adults (40 to 110 kg) with partial‐onset seizures. Primary measurements were change from baseline weight after 3 months and 1 year in patients completing 1 year of topiramate treatment (N = 38). Physiological and metabolic measures were analyzed for correlation with weight loss during topiramate treatment. Results: In patients who completed 1 year of topiramate treatment, baseline weight was reduced in 82% at 3 months and in 86% at 1 year. Mean body weight was reduced 3.0 kg (3.9% of baseline) at 3 months and 5.9 kg (7.3%) at 1 year. In obese patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²], mean weight loss was 4.2 kg (4.3%) at 3 months and 10.9 kg (11.0%) at 1 year. Weight loss was primarily caused by reduction in body fat mass. For all patients, weight loss at 3 months correlated most strongly with reduced caloric intake (p = 0.02). At 1 year, caloric intake had returned to baseline levels; weight loss correlated most strongly with higher baseline BMI (p = 0.0007). Discussion: Our results suggest that weight loss occurs in most adults treated with topiramate and is sustained for at least 1 year. Reduced caloric intake may account, in part, for weight loss during early treatment. The pattern of weight loss differs according to baseline BMI, with obese patients experiencing greater weight loss during continued therapy.