Developmental changes in amniotic and allantoic fluid insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II concentrations of avian embryos

In the literature, IGFs in the developing embryo are usually determined by blood serum concentrations. For this study, IGF-I/-II was quantified in the amniotic and allantoic fluids of fertile commercial broiler chicken (Gallus domesticus) (n=222), Pekin duck (Anas platyrhyncha) (n=250), and turkey (Meleagridis gallopavo) eggs (n= 200) during incubation. Amniotic and allantoic fluids were collected from embryos starting at 6 days of incubation for chickens and 8 days of incubation for ducks and turkeys. IGF concentrations within the fluids were determined by radioimmunoassay. Chicken amniotic IGF-I concentration at stage 29 of development was significantly higher (P< or =0.05) than the duck or turkey. At stage 36 of development the concentration of IGF-II in the amniotic fluid was 2.8 times greater in the chicken versus the duck (P< or =0.05) and 2 times greater than in the turkey (P< or =0.05). Within species, chicken IGF-I concentration in the amniotic fluid had a cubic trend (P< or =0.001), duck IGF-I increased linearly (P< or =0.001), and turkey concentrations declined quadratically (P< or =0.001) throughout development. In all species, the IGF-II concentration was higher than the IGF-I concentration in the amniotic and allantoic fluids.     

Induced apoptosis in the prevention of colorectal cancer by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Epidemiological, clinical and animal studies indicate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to be chemopreventive for colorectal cancer. The best established target for NSAIDs are the two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Recent investigations using human colorectal tumor cell lines have focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms potentially underlying the chemopreventive effect of NSAIDs. These studies have used traditional NSAIDs and their metabolites which either do not inhibit COX, are non-selective for the COX isoforms or selectively inhibit COX-1 over COX-2, and recently developed NSAIDs that are highly selective for COX-2. In vitro, apoptosis is the dominant anti-proliferative effect of each of these classes of NSAID and sensitivity to NSAID-induced apoptosis increases with the malignant potential of the tumor cells. Limited in vivo evidence backs up these findings. Cell cycle arrest also contributes to the in vitro growth inhibitory effect of traditional NSAIDs. The induction of apoptosis by NSAIDs may result from the inhibition of the COX isoforms but other as yet undefined paths to NSAID-induced apoptosis clearly exist. A member of each class of NSAID is under trial as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer.     

Modulation of beta-amyloid metabolism by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in neuronal cell cultures

Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral deposits of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides, which are surrounded by neuroinflammatory cells. Epidemiological studies have shown that prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduces the risk of developing AD. In addition, biological data indicate that certain NSAIDs specifically lower Abeta42 levels in cultures of peripheral cells independently of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and reduce cerebral Abeta levels in AD transgenic mice. Whether other NSAIDs, including COX-selective compounds, modulate Abeta levels in neuronal cells remains unexploited. Here, we investigated the effects of compounds from every chemical class of NSAIDs on Abeta40 and Abeta42 secretion using both Neuro-2a cells and rat primary cortical neurons. Among non-selective NSAIDs, flurbiprofen and sulindac sulfide concentration-dependently reduced the secretion not only of Abeta42 but also of Abeta40. Surprisingly, both COX-2 (celecoxib; sc-125) or COX-1 (sc-560) selective compounds significantly increased Abeta42 secretion, and either did not alter (sc-560; sc-125) or reduced (celecoxib) Abeta40 levels. The levels of betaAPP C-terminal fragments and Notch cleavage were not altered by any of the NSAIDs, indicating that gamma-secretase activity was not overall changed by these drugs. The present findings show that only a few non-selective NSAIDs possess Abeta-lowering properties and therefore have a profile potentially relevant to their clinical use in AD.     

Correlates of lifetime reproductive success in three species of European ducks

Number of breeding attempts is a strong correlate of lifetime reproductive success (LRS) in birds, but the relative importance of potentially interacting factors affecting LRS has rarely been fully evaluated. We considered simultaneously five main factors hypothesized to influence LRS (age at first breeding, nesting date, number of breeding attempts, female traits, brood parasitism) by analyzing with path analysis 22-year data sets for 1,279 individually marked females and their offspring in tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), common pochard (A. ferina) and northern shoveler (Anas clypeata). We recaptured marked offspring as breeding adults (n=496 females) and obtained more complete estimates of LRS by incorporating information about banded ducklings of both sexes shot by hunters 12 months after banding (n=138). In tufted ducks and especially pochard (both diving duck species), late-hatched females tended to delay nesting until 2-years old. Most females (tufted duck, 74%; pochard, 71%; shoveler, 59%) apparently produced no breeding-age offspring. Number of breeding attempts (i.e., longevity) was the strongest correlate of LRS in all species, after controlling effects of age at first breeding, relative nest initiation date, wing length and body mass. Percentage of females producing recruits increased gradually with number of breeding attempts for all three species. Also, as expected, females nesting early in the breeding season had higher LRS than late-nesting individuals. In shoveler, female-specific characteristics of relatively longer wings and heavier late incubation body mass had positive effects on LRS, the latter feature being more common in 2-year-old nesters. In diving ducks, no relationships were detected between LRS and female-specific traits like wing length or body mass, and nor did acceptance of parasitic eggs have any deleterious impact on fitness estimates. Overall, number of fledged ducklings and LRS were related in tufted duck, weakly associated in pochard and unrelated in shoveler, implying that fledging success is not always a reliable measure of LRS.     

Threat spots and environmental determinants of red-listed plant,butterfly and bird species in boreal agricultural environments

The aims of this study were (1) to examine the geographic distribution of red-listed species of agricultural environments and identify their national threat spots (areas with high diversity of threatened species) in Finland and (2) to determine the main environmental variables related to the richness and occurrence patterns of red-listed species. Atlas data of 21 plant, 17 butterfly and 11 bird species recorded using 10 km grid squares were employed in the study. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were constructed separately for species richness and occurrence of individual species of the three species groups using climate and land cover predictor variables. The predictive accuracy of models, as measured using correlation between the observed and predicted values and AUC statistics, was generally good. Temperature-related variables were the most important determinants of species richness and occurrence of all three taxa. In addition, land cover variables had a strong effect on the distribution of species. Plants and butterflies were positively related to the cover of grasslands and birds to small-scale agricultural mosaic as well as to arable land. Spatial coincidence of threat spots of plants, butterflies and birds was limited, which emphasizes the importance of considering the potentially contrasting environmental requirements of different taxa in conservation planning. Further, it is obvious that the maintenance of various non-crop habitats and heterogeneous agricultural landscapes has an essential role in the preservation of red-listed species of boreal rural environments.     

The role of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced small intestinal injury

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been implemented in clinical settings for a long time for their anti-inflammatory effects. With the number of NSAID users increasing, gastroenterological physicians and researchers have worked hard to prevent and treat NSAID-induced gastric mucosal injury, an effort that has for the large part being successful. However, the struggle against NSAID-induced mucosal damage has taken on a new urgency due to the discovery of NSAID-induced small intestinal mucosal injury. Although the main mechanism by which NSAIDs induce small intestinal mucosal injury has been thought to depend on the inhibitory effect of NSAIDs on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, recent studies have revealed the importance of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which occurs independently of COX-inhibition. ROS production is an especially important factor in the increase of small intestinal epithelial cell permeability, an early stage in the process of small intestinal mucosal injury. By clarifying the precise mechanism, together with its clinical features using novel endoscopy, effective strategies for preventing NSAID-induced small intestinal damage, especially targeting mitochondria-derived ROS production, may be developed.     

Simultaneous analysis of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with normal solid-phase extraction

A practical and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method using normal solid-phase extraction has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of twelve non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in human urine. A urine specimen mixed with acetate buffer pH 5.0 was purified by solid-phase extraction on a Sep-Pak Silica cartridge. The analyte was chromatographed by a reversed-phase Inertsil ODS-2 column using a phosphate buffer-acetonitrile at pH 5.0 as the mobile phase, and the effluent from the column was monitored at 230 or 320 nm. Absolute recoveries were greater than 73% for all of the twelve NSAIDs. The present method enabled simple manipulation and isocratic HPLC with UV analysis as well as high sensivity of 0.005 μg/ml for naproxen, and 0.05 μg/ml for sulindac, piroxicam, loxoprofen, ketoprofen, felbinac, fenbufen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, ibuprofen and mefanamic acid as the quantitation limit in human urine using indomethacin as an internal standard.     

Modulations in the intestinal disaccharide hydrolases and membrane dynamics: Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs aspirin and nimesulide

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of two commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin and nimesulide on the biochemical composition and membrane dynamics of rat intestine. Female Wistar rats were divided into three different groups viz: Group I (Control), Group II (aspirin-treated, 50 mg/kg body weight) and Group III (nimesulide-treated, 10 mg/kg body weight). After 28 days, biochemical estimations in both drug treated groups showed an increase in sucrase, lactase, maltase and alkaline phosphatase as compared to the control. Alterations in the intestinal membrane dynamics by fluidity studies and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy also showed considerable changes. The alterations in the histoarchitecture of the intestine were also seen, which correlated well with the changes in structure and composition of the intestine. The use of NSAIDs like aspirin and nimesulide may cause the gastrointestinal side effects due to initial changes in the enzyme activities and membrane dynamics.     

Effect of melatonin on norepinephrine,epinephrine, and corticosterone contents in the adrenal gland of three avian species

Summary A single melatonin injection was administered intraperitoneally to three avian species in two doses (250 and 500 g · 100 g body wt^–1). Norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and corticosterone (C) contents of the adrenal gland were measured spectrofluorometrically 0.5, 2, and 24 h after injection. The results showed that melatonin at the lower dose caused a decrease of NE content in bulbul (42%), babbler (52%), and pigeon (39%), while at the higher dose it resulted in a decrease of NE only in bulbul (51%) 0.5 h after treatment. Melatonin at the lower dose also caused a decrease of NE in bulbul (45%) and babbler (53%) 2 and 24 h, respectively, after treatment, while at the higher dose it resulted in an increase of NE in bulbul (82%) and a decrease of NE in babbler (44%) 24 h after injection.Both low and high doses of melatonin resulted in a decrease of E content in bulbul (32–43%), babbler (34–43%), and pigeon (44–56%) 0.5 h after treatment, and a 34–46% decrease of E in bulbul and a 32–33% decrease of E in babbler 2 h after treatment. A 57% decrease of E was evident in pigeon with the lower dose of melatonin 2 h after injection. Melatonin at the higher dose caused a 67% increase of E in babbler and a 41% decrease of E in pigeon 24 h after administration. Melatonin at the lower dose resulted in an increase of C content in bulbul (70%), babbler (132%), and pigeon (69%) 0.5 h after treatment. A 60% increase of C was evident in pigeon following the lower dose of melatonin 24 h after injection. Melatonin at the higher dose resulted in an increase of C in the bulbul of 72% and 86% at 0.5 and 24 h, respectively, after treatment. The results indicate that melatonin produces significant changes of NE, E, and C contents in three avian species. The lower dose appears to be more effective in changing NE and C content.Abbreviations C corticosterone - CA catecholamine - DBH dopamine -hydroxylase - E epinephrine - NE norepinephrine     

Comparative analysis of rDNA location in five Neotropical gomphocerine grasshopper species

We report here, for the first time, the chromosome complement, number and location of the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) revealed by silver staining (AgNO₃) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in five Neotropical gomphocerine species: Rhammatocerus brasiliensis, R. brunneri, R. palustris, R. pictus and Amblytropidia sp. The objective of this study was to summarize available data and propose a model of chromosome evolution in Neotropical gomphocerines. All five species studied showed chromosome numbers consisting of 2n = 23,X0 in males and 2n = 24,XX in females. Amblytropidia sp. was the only species showing a bivalent (M₈) with megameric behavior during meiosis. The rDNA sites were restricted to autosomal pairs, i.e. the pericentromeric region of the S₉ chromosome, the consensus NOR location in all five species. R. brasiliensis was the only species showing additional NORs on M₄ and M₆ pairs which, likewise the S₉ NOR, were active in all cells analyzed. Comparison of these results with those reported previously in Palearctic gomphocerine species suggests higher resemblance of Neotropical species with the Old World species also possessing 23/24 chromosomes. Evolutionary mechanisms responsible for the observed interspecific variation in NOR location in this group are discussed.     

Comparative biosynthesis of quinolizidine alkaloids from dl-lysine in five species of Leguminosae

Five species of the leguminosae produced radioactive lupine alkaloids after feeding with dl-lysine-[2-¹⁴C]. Saturated alkaloids and compounds with a pyridone ring were radioactive. The specific radioactivity of the isolated compounds provides evidence that conversion of lysine into the saturated alkaloids, and by further oxidation to compounds both with a pyridone ring and without a d ring.     

The importance of temporal dynamics of edge effect in reedbed design: a 12-year study on five bird species

Although edge effect is a key topic of conservation biology, we have no data on the temporal dynamics of it. I investigated the distribution of five passerine bird species across reedbed (Phragmites australis) edges during large-scale construction work in the Kis-Balaton marshland, Hungary. The construction provided an experimental approach to study the effects of large timescale changes within a shorter period, because neither the locality nor the vegetation type changed. The water level was increased in the study area, which homogenised the internal structure of reedbed by declining the scattered small willow bushes (Salix) and the grass/sedge layer. The sedge (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) and reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) preferred edges. The sedge warbler, however, declined after inundation, while the reed warbler did not respond. Savis warbler (Locustella luscinioides) sharply declined during the study with changing edge effect. The number of great reed warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) increased during the study, mainly in the reedbed interior, where the stands became patchy with open water. Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) avoided interiors, and declined over the study. Therefore, there were significant changes in the distribution of reedbed birds across the edge, although the location of edges and the basic habitat, reedbed, did not change. The results highlight the need to incorporate edge effect as a dynamic process in wetland planning.     

Comparative developmental anatomy of the root in three species of Cladopus (Podostemaceae)

Root meristem structure and root branching in three species of Cladopus were investigated from developmental and anatomical perspectives. Cladopus fukiensis has a compressed bell-shaped meristem at the apex of a compressed subcylindrical root, while C. javanicus and perhaps C. nymanii, with a ribbon-like root, have a half lozenge-shaped ( subset as seen from above) meristem composed of an apical meristem of cubic cells and a marginal meristem of rectangular cells. The dorsiventrality of the meristem results in root dorsiventrality, and a marginal meristem contributes to the broadening of the root. Comparisons of meristem structure and root morphology suggest that the ribbon-like root of, e.g. C. javanicus, evolved towards the foliose root of Hydrobryum, sister to the genus Cladopus, by loss of an indeterminate apical meristem. The lateral root of C. javanicus initiates within the meristem of a parent root. The dorsal dermal layer and inner cells of the lateral-root meristem appear endogenously under the dermal layer of the parent root, while the ventral layer is derived exogenously from a ventral dermal layer continuous with the parent-root meristem. This mosaic pattern of exogenous and endogenous root formation differs from the truly exogenous formation seen in Hydrobryum and Zeylanidium. The dorsiventral mosaic origin of the root meristem may account for root cap asymmetry.     

Comparative host reaction to Angiostrongylus malaysiensis (Nematoda) in three species of snails

Infection with Angiostrongylus malaysiensis was studied by means of tissue squash preparations and histological sections in three species of Malaysian aquatic snails: Lymnaea rubiginosa, Physastra sumatrana, and Melanoides tuberculata. Development to the third stage occurred normally in L. rubiginosa. The biphasic tissue reaction in this snail was similar to that described in Biomphalaria glabrata infected with A. cantonensis. However, the final architecture of the granuloma differed in the two hosts with the cells in the L. rubiginosa granuloma often appearing more vacuolated and less flattened. Nematode development in P. sumatrana was abnormal, with larvae beyond the early first stage occurring in only 21% of infected snails. The highly variable cellular reactions against larvae in P. sumatrana, even within the same snail, probably reflect the differing degrees of maturation attained by individual larvae. Except in one case, no infection of M. tuberculata occurred, presumably as a result of its impenetrable epithelia.     

Effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the acyl-CoA synthetase activity toward medium-chain,long-chain and polyunsaturated fatty acids in mitochondria of mouse liver and brain

Effect of eleven non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the acyl-CoA synthetase activities toward octanoic, palmitic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids was evaluated in mouse liver and brain mitochondria. The drugs tested were aspirin, salicylic acid, diflunisal, mefenamic acid, indomethacin, etodolac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, loxoprofen, flurbiprofen. In mouse liver mitochondria, diflunisal and mefenamic acid exhibited the inhibitory activities not only for octanoic acid (IC₅₀?=?78.7 and 64.7 µM) and but also for palmitic acid (IC₅₀?=?236.5 and 284.4 µM), respectively. Aspirin was an inhibitor for the activation of octanoic acid only (IC₅₀?=?411.0 µM). In the brain, mefenamic acid and diflunisal inhibited strongly palmitoyl-CoA formation (IC₅₀?=?57.3 and 114.0 µM), respectively. The activation of docosahexaenoic acid in brain was sensitive to inhibition by diflunisal and mefenamic acid compared with liver.     

Comparative limnology,species diversity and biomass relationship of zooplankton and phytoplankton in five freshwater lakes in Kenya

Comparative studies on the limnology, species diversity and standing stock biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton in five freshwater lakes, Naivasha and Oloidien, Ruiru, Masinga and Nairobi reservoirs, were undertaken. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and temperature were also measured. Thermocyclops oblongatus (Copepoda) was dominant in all the lakes. Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Diaphanosoma excisum (Cladocera) dominated in lakes Naivasha and Oloiden, whereas in Ruiru, Masinga and Nairobi reservoirs, Brachionus angularis and Hexarthra mira (Rotifera) were the dominant zooplankters. Phytoplankton biomass as chlorophyll a was lowest in Ruiru dam 5.64 ± 4.0 µg l^-1 and highest in the eutrophic Nairobi dam 71.5 ± 12.02 µg l^-1. The endorheic lakes Naivasha and Oloidien showed medium values of 24.5 ± 4.0 µg l^-1.     

Comparative analysis of microsatellite variability in five macaw species (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae): Application for conservation

Cross-amplification was tested and variability in microsatellite primers (designed for Neotropical parrots) compared, in five macaw species, viz., three endangered blue macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii [extinct in the wild], Anodorhynchus leari [endangered] and Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus [vulnerable]), and two unthreatened red macaws (Ara chloropterus and Ara macao). Among the primers tested, 84.6% successfully amplified products in C. spixii, 83.3% in A. leari, 76.4% in A. hyacinthinus, 78.6% in A. chloropterus and 71.4% in A. macao. The mean expected heterozygosity estimated for each species, and based on loci analyzed in all the five, ranged from 0.33 (A. hyacinthinus) to 0.85 (A. macao). As expected, the results revealed lower levels of genetic variability in threatened macaw species than in unthreatened. The low combined probability of genetic identity and the moderate to high potential for paternity exclusion, indicate the utility of the microsatellite loci set selected for each macaw species in kinship and population studies, thus constituting an aid in planning in-situ and ex-situ conservation.     

Catalytic and immunochemical properties of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A in three avian species treated with β-naphthoflavone or isosafrole

Induction of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) can be used as a biomarker of exposure to planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). Our objective was to characterize the induction of CYP1A activity and protein in three avian species following in vivo treatment with β-naphthoflavone (BNF) and/or isosafrole. Alkoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (alk-ROD) activities of hepatic microsomes from Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) (HGs), Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) (DCCs) and chickens (Gallus domesticus) were measured using ethoxy-, methoxy-, pentoxy- and benzyloxy-resorufin, in the presence and absence of the inhibitors ellipticine or furafylline. Immunoreactivity of microsomal proteins with antibodies to several CYP1A proteins was investigated. CYP1A protein and alk-ROD activities of HGs and DCCs, but not chickens, were induced by isosafrole. Ellipticine was a potent and non-selective inhibitor of alk-ROD activity in all three species, while furafylline inhibition of alk-ROD activities varied among species and treatments. In all three species, BNF induced a protein immunoreactive with monoclonal antibody to CYP1A1 from the marine fish Stenotomus chrysops (scup), but a CYP1A2-like protein was not detected in avian microsomes probed with polyclonal antibodies to mouse CYP1A2. Variations in responses among avian species indicate that CYP1A proteins and substrate specificities should be characterized for each species used in PHAH biomonitoring programs.     

Comparative phenological and water potential patterns of three Calligonum species in the eastern great Erg of Tunisia

Calligonum azel, C. comosum and C. arich (Polygonaceae) are three dominant and economically important species widely distributed in active sand dunes in the southern desert of Tunisia, which differ in growth form and may co-occur under the same climatic constraints. The aims of this work were to compare their phenological and water potential patterns, as well as branch, flower and fruit production during three years at monthly intervals. Predawn (Ψ_pd) and midday (Ψ_md) water potentials followed similar trends with a few exceptions. For all species, Ψ_md reached values more negative than −2.5 MPa during the hot and dry summer, with extremes in July. Ψ_pd differed between the species, and C. comosum attained the most negative values (−1.71 MPa). Seasonal differences in Ψ_pd were less pronounced for Calligonum species established in dunes as compared to C. comosum from interdunes. Spatial and temporal variations in soil water content provoked changes in water potentials of these species. Diurnal amplitudes resulting from the difference between Ψ_md and Ψ_pd were more pronounced during the dry season compared to the wet months. The phenological pattern of the three species showed a similar sequence of phenophases with growth activity occurring mostly between spring and summer. We found a species-dependent response to summer drought, as C. comosum ended all phenophases in June, while C. azel and C. arich extended their vegetative growth into the summer period of low precipitation. Water availability for the plants was better on the dune slopes. Differences were statistically significant among species, concerning green branch production and numbers of initially formed flowers and mature fruits. Our data suggest that changes in the studied parameters may depend on the rooting depth of the species.     

Comparative study on the behavioral response to starvation in three species of antlion larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

To clarify how pit-building antlion larvae behave during prolonged periods of low resource abundance, pit relocation rate, giving-up time, and respiration rate under starvation conditions were examined, using three species of antlion larvae. Most larvae ofMyrmeleon bore never relocated their pits before they starved to death, while larvae ofHagenomyia micans relocated more often thanMyrmeleon formicarius (average number of pit relocations 0.04 forM. bore, 0.19 forM. formicarius, and 0.62/individual/10 days forH. micans). The relative respiration rate, a ratio of respiration rate at starvation to that at satiation, was lower inM. bore andM. formicarius than in H. micans. Thus, there was an inversely proportional relationship between the pit relocation rate and the decrease in respiration rate under starvation conditions in the three species of antlion larvae.