Description ofAnaphes lemae n. sp. and notes onPatasson declinata Soyka [Hym., Mymaridae]

The autor describes a new species,Anaphes lemae, reared fromOulema (Lema) spp in France, Yugoslavia, and Poland and shows a misidentification ofPatasson valkenburgica Soyka. He points out the existence ofPatasson declinata Soyka in Poland and the Netherlands.     

Expression profiles and association analysis with growth traits of the MyoG and Myf5 genes in the Jinghai yellow chicken

In order to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MyoG and Myf5 genes with chicken growth traits, PCR-SSCP approach was used to detect the (SNPs). The general linear model was used to analyze gene interaction and genetic effects between different genotypes and growth traits of the Jinghai yellow chicken. For the MyoG gene, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in the Jinghai yellow chicken population. Gene sequencing revealed one mutation (T36C) in the genotype BB in comparison to the genotype AA. For the Myf5 gene, three genotypes (CC, CD and DD) were detected in the Jinghai yellow chicken population. Gene sequencing revealed one mutation (A1313G) in the genotype DD in comparison to the genotype CC. Gene interaction effect has significant influence on 6, 8-week-weight and 300-day-weight. The least square analysis showed that individuals with BB genotype of the MyoG gene had higher bodyweight at 2, 4, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks compared to individuals with AA and AB genotypes. Individuals with CD genotype of the Myf5 gene had higher birth weight than individuals with CC genotype (P < 0.05). The interactive genotype AB*DD performs well at 6, 8 weeks and 300 days bodyweight. The results suggested that SNPs of the MyoG and Myf5 genes had certain effects on growth traits of the Jinghai yellow chicken.     

Notes onPatasson lameerei [Hym.: Mymaridae], an egg parasitoid ofSitona spp. [Col.: Curculionidae] in the mediterranean region

Patasson lameerei Debauche is the most important of three egg parasitoids found onSitona spp. attacking lucerne and annual medics in the North-Western Mediterranean. The mymarids were lacking in eggs extracted from the soil in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The biology and the behaviour of the egg parasitoid are described. In Central Europe, adults ofP. lameerei are recorded from May to September, but in the Montpellier region (Southern France), this species aestivates in the larval stage within the eggs of its hosts during the same period.     

Eight SNPs of the Myf5 gene and diplotypes associated with growth and reproductive traits in Jinghai yellow chicken

The objective of this study was to analyze possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Myf5 gene with chicken growth and reproductive traits. SNPs in Myf5 of the Jinghai yellow chicken were detected by the polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism method and the haplotypes were analyzed. Eight SNPs were identified in the exons of Myf5. Nine haplotypes were established in a group of 379 Jinghai yellow chickens. In terms of growth traits, least square analysis showed that haplotype H1H5 had significant effects on weight at weeks 8 and 12 (P < 0.05). Haplotype H2H6 had significant effects on weight at weeks 12 and 14 (P < 0.05). For reproductive traits, H1H5 had higher body weight for the first egg than H1H4 and H2H4 (P < 0.05), and H1H3 (P < 0.01). H1H3 had a poor performance in average egg weight at 300 days. On the other hand, H1H3 had an advantage in egg number at 300 days. The results showed that SNPs of Myf5 have certain effects on growth and reproductive traits in Jinghai yellow chickens, which can be used in marker-assisted selection to accelerate chicken genetic progress.     

The Opecoelidae (Digenea) of sparid fishes of the western Mediterranean. III. Macvicaria Gibson & Bray, 1982

Macvicaria obovata (Molin) n. comb. is redescribed from Sparus aurata off the Mediterranean coast of France and a neotype is designated. Specimens from Oblada melanura off Israel may belong to the same species. It is mainly characterized by the uterine extension between the ovary and the anterior testis and the lack of a vitelline confluence in the forebody. M. maillardi n. sp. is also described from Sparus aurata off the southern coast of France. Its uterus does not pass between ovary and testes and the vitelline fields are confluent in the forebody. M. crassigula (Linton) n. comb. is redescribed from Diplodus annularis, D. sargus, D. vulgaris, Pagellus erythrinus and Sparus pagrus off Corsica, Calamus bajonado off Bermuda, Spicara smaris, D. annularis off Yugoslavia, D. sargus off Israel, and D. cervinus, Sparodon durbanensis and Cheilodactylus fasciatus in the SW Indian Ocean. It is similar to M. maillardi, but differs in being smaller, having a greater sucker ratio and a larger pharynx. It may well be a species-complex. M. dubia (Stossich) n. comb. is redescribed from Oblada melanura off Corsica and Yugoslavia. It is similar to M. maillardi and M. crassigula, but has a more anteriorly situated genital pore.     

Effects of Nickel Chloride on the Erythrocytes and Erythrocyte Immune Adherence Function in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the immune adherence function of erythrocytes and erythrocyte induced by dietary nickel chloride (NiCl₂) in broilers fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl₂ for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from five broilers in each group at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. Changes of erythrocyte parameters showed that total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) contents, and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly lower (p?p?p?p?+/K⁺-ATPase) and calcium adenosine triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) activities were significantly decreased (p?p?2-treated groups. The results of erythrocyte immune adherence function indicated that erythrocyte C_3b receptor rosette rate (E-C_3bRR) was significantly decreased (p?p?p?p?2 in excess of 300 mg/kg caused anemia and impaired the erythrocytic integrity, erythrocytic ability to transport oxygen, and erythrocyte immune adherence function in broilers. Impairment of the erythrocytes and erythrocyte immune adherence function was one of main effect mechanisms of NiCl₂ on the blood function.     

Aerial dispersal ofScelio fulgidus [Hym.: Scelionidae], parasite of eggs of locusts and grasshoppers [Ort.: Acrididae]

Scelio fulgidus Crawford, a hymenopterous parasite of eggs ofAcrididae, was discovered in samples of the aerial fauna, collected at 100–300 m altitude over grassland at a site in central western New South Wales at 2 sampling periods in October/November 1979. The parasite was recorded throughout the day in conditions of convective uplift suggesting that extensive diurnal dispersal occurred on the prevailing wind at distances varying from 100 to 300 km per day. Take-off at dusk of its major host, the Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera Walker), was observed in one period and direct aerial sampling at 100–300 m altitude subsequently confirmed the presence of this locust in the upper airflow at night. The mean wind vector did not differ greatly between day or night during this sampling period, suggesting that parasite and host were dispersed independently over the same general area by prevailing winds. Aerial dispersal provides a new explanation of the parasitism byScelio of egg beds of immigrant swarms of the plague locust in areas where hosts were previously absent.     

The effect of prey density on the functional and numerical reponses of three species of predatory mites

Functional and numerical responses of the predators:Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot,Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt), andAmblyseius chilenensis (Dosse) [Acarina, Phytoseiidae] were observed at prey (Tetranychus urticae Koch [Acarina, Tetranychidae]) densities up to 300 prey/6.45 cm². Neither functional nor numerical response curves revealed any prey-predator interference effects, i.e.: the dome-shaped response curves (Holling, 1961), did not occur.     

Molecular evidence to reconcile taxonomic instability in mahseer species (Pisces: Cyprinidae) of India

The mahseers are an important group of fishes endemic to Asia with most species considered threatened. Conservation plans to save declining wild populations are hindered by unstable taxonomy, and detailed systematic review could form a solid platform for future management and conservation. D-loop and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA sequences were examined in nine mahseer species of Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor. Pseudogenes amplified in a portion of the species limited the utility of the D-loop region. ABGD analysis, NJ, ML, and MP methods and genetic distance (TrN?+?I?+?G) using COI data revealed concordant species delimiting patterns. The three genera were monophyletic, separated as distinct clades (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.064 to 0.106), and Naziritor was flagged as a separate genus, distinct from Puntius (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.196). Out of seven nominal species known for Tor cogeners from India, only five were recovered with mtDNA data (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.000 to 0.037) and two species could not be distinguished with the molecular data set employed. Tor mosal, synonymized as Tor putitora, was rediscovered as a distinct species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031) based on its type locality. Tor mussulah was confirmed as a separate species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.019 to 0.026). Two valid species, Tor macrolepis and T. mosal mahanadicus, were not distinct from T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.00). The high divergence with mtDNA data failed to validate T. mosal mahanadicus as a subspecies of T. mosal (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031). Morphological outliers discovered within the distribution range of Tor tor (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.022 to 0.025) shared the same lineage with T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.002 to 0.005), indicating a new extended distribution of the Himalayan mahseer T. putitora in the rivers of the Indian central plateau. The findings indicate the need for integrating molecular and morphological tools for taxonomic revision of the Tor and Naziritor genera, so that taxa are precisely defined for accurate in situ and ex situ conservation decisions.     

Cytotaxonomic studies in the genusJasione L. I.Jasione montana L.

Chromosome numbers of 46 samples referable to the speciesJasione montana L. were examined. The material originated from different localities in Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Soviet Union. All the samples were found to be diploid, having 2n=12 chromosomes. The aneuploid number, 2n=14, is shown to be limited to the var.litoralis Fries. Polyploidy has not been observed.     

Dietary Manganese Supplementation Influences the Expression of Transporters Involved in Iron Metabolism in Chickens

To investigate the effects of dietary manganese (Mn) supplementation on iron (Fe) metabolism, a total of 480 50-week-old hens were fed the basal diet (control, 24.35 mg Mn/kg) without Mn supplementation for 6 weeks to reduce Mn storage in the body. Hens were then randomly assigned to one of three treatments, which included the control and control added with 60 or 300 mg Mn/kg diet (M-Mn or H-Mn). Duodenum, heart, liver, and tibia were collected in hens after 12-week feeding period. No significant differences were observed in egg production, feed/egg ratio, shell breaking strength, and shell thickness among different treatments. Compared with control or M-Mn, H-Mn decreased (P?P?P?P?P?>?0.10) Fe concentration in the heart and tibia. In conjunction with reduced Fe retention, DMT1 mRNA expression decreased (P?mRNA level was higher (P?mRNA expression was lower (P?相似文献   

Influence of bovine lactoferrin on the growth of selected probiotic bacteria under aerobic conditions

Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a natural glycoprotein, and it shows broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, reports on the influences of bLf on probiotic bacteria have been mixed. We examined the effects of apo-bLf (between 0.25 and 128 mg/mL) on both aerobic and anaerobic cultures of probiotics. We found that bLf had similar effects on the growth of probiotics under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and that it actively and significantly (at concentrations of >0.25 mg/mL) retarded the growth rate of Bifidobacterium bifidum (ATCC 29521), B. longum (ATCC 15707), B. lactis (BCRC 17394), B. infantis (ATCC 15697), Lactobacillus reuteri (ATCC 23272), L. rhamnosus (ATCC 53103), and L. coryniformis (ATCC 25602) in a dose-dependent manner. Otherwise, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were 128 or >128 mg/mL against B. bifidum, B. longum, B. lactis, L. reuteri, and L. rhamnosus (ATCC 53103). With regard to MICs, bLf showed at least four-fold lower inhibitory effect on probiotics than on pathogens. Intriguingly, bLf (>0.25 mg/mL) significantly enhanced the growth of Rhamnosus (ATCC 7469) and L. acidophilus (BCRC 14065) by approximately 40–200 %, during their late periods of growth. Supernatants produced from aerobic but not anaerobic cultures of L. acidophilus reduced the growth of Escherichia coli by about 20 %. Thus, bLf displayed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of most probiotic strains under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. An antibacterial supernatant prepared from the aerobic cultures may have significant practical use.     

Expression profile of MAGI2 gene as a novel biomarker in combination with major deregulated genes in prostate cancer

Complex molecular changes that occur during prostate cancer (PCa) progression have been described recently. Whole genome sequencing of primary PCa samples has identified recurrent gene deletions and rearrangements in PCa. Specifically, these molecular events disrupt the gene loci of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted-2 (MAGI2). In the present study, we analyzed the expression profile of MAGI2 gene in a cohort of clinical PCa (n = 45) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples (n = 36) as well as three PCa cell lines. We also studied the expression of PCa-related genes, including PTEN, NKX3.1, SPINK1, DD3, AMACR, ERG, and TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in the same samples. The expression of MAGI2 mRNA was significantly down-regulated in PC3, LNCaP and DU-145 PCa cell lines (p = 0.000), and also in clinical tumor samples (Relative expression = 0.307, p = 0.002, [95 % CI 0.002–12.08]). The expression of PTEN, NKX3.1, SPINK1, DD3, and AMACR genes was significantly deregulated in prostate tumor samples (p range 0.000–0.044). A significant correlation was observed between MAGI2 and NKX3.1 expression in tumor samples (p = 0.006). Furthermore, the inclusion of MAGI2 in the gene panel improved the accuracy for discrimination between PCa and BPH samples with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.88 [CI 0.76–0.95] and 0.83 [CI 0.68–0.92], respectively. The data presented here suggest that MAGI2 gene can be considered as a novel component of gene signatures for the detection of PCa.     

Forest and laboratory evaluations of hybridizedApanteles melanoscelus [Hym.: Braconidae], a parasitoid ofPorthetria dispar [Lep.: Lymantriidae]

Hybrids ofApanteles melanoscelus (Ratzeburg) were produced from colonies originating from France, Yugoslavia, and Connecticut. All strains, as well as freshly collected “wild” Connecticut parasitoids of the same species were evaluated in the laboratory for developmental rate, host attack rate, and sex ratios. Development was significantly slower in all the laboratory strains compared to the progeny of forest collected Connecticut females. Progeny production was greater (almost 2X) for the “wild” females and the French-Yugoslavian-Connecticut hybrid than for the laboratory Connecticut strain. The proportion of females collected from the “wild” (Connecticut) strain was higher than that observed in any laboratory strain. A field test was conducted using the triple hybrid in 3 release plots with ca. 6000A. melanoscelus cocoons released per plot in central Connecticut, U.S.A. Weekly collections of gypsy moth larvae showed that the % parasitism was significantly higher in release plots than in the 3 check plots. These results suggest the value of inundative releases ofA. melanoscelus for reduction of sparse gypsy moth populations, but they did not show that hybridization of these strains produced a more effective parasitoid under forest conditions.