Changes in plasma corticosterone concentrations in the water-deprived fowl,Callus domesticus

• 1.1. Immature birds were deprived of water either by removing the source or denying them access.
• 2.2. Birds tended to become hypocorticosteronaemic when the water source was removed and hypercorticosteronaemic when access to the water was denied.
• 3.3. It is concluded that psychological factors are important in determining the response to putative Stressors.

     

Company news

• Daon
• Musicrypt
• EMI Music Canada
• Digital Broadband Networks
• FaceKey Corporation
• Eystar Media Inc (EMI)
• Temasya Wira
• Animated Electronic Industries
• BIO-key International
• Entryport Corporation

     

The influences of individual variations in metabolic rate and tidal conditions on the response to hypoxia in Carcinus maenas (L.)

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption of crabs in normoxic and hypoxic (50% O₂) seawater was measured directly after collection.
• 2.2. The influences of size and lunar cycles were removed by scaling the data.
• 3.3. Strong negative correlations between low individual levels of O₂ consumption and the ability to compensate for hypoxia were apparent in Wicklow (subtidal) crabs.
• 4.4. Compensation for hypoxia was much greater on the flood tide than on the ebb.
• 5.5. Crabs from Roscoff (intertidal) had lower levels of compensation than those from Wicklow.
• 6.6. Size, sex and condition had no apparent effect upon these relationships.
• 7.7. Crabs acclimated to laboratory conditions have not shown this tidal variation in compensation for hypoxia.

     

Company news

Including information on:

• ScanSoft
• SpeechWorks International
• Viisage Technology
• Firstec
• BIO-key International
• HP
• ZN Vision Technologies
• Unisys
• US Government’s
• Communication Intelligence Corporation
• Infinity Technologies

     

Temporal Proteomic Analysis of Pancreatic β-Cells in Response to Lipotoxicity and Glucolipotoxicity

1. Download : Download high-res image (133KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

Highlights

• •Temporal proteome profiling of lipotoxicity and glucolipotoxicity in β-cells
• •Palmitate induced cholesterol metabolism earlier than fatty acid metabolism
• •Setd8 promotes palmitate + glucose-stimulated INS-1 cell proliferation
• •PA induced apoptosis partially via upregulation of Rhob in INS-1 cells

     

Application news

Including information on:

• Martin State Airport
• Bioscrypt
• Saflink
• Office of the Secretary of Defense
• Department of Defense
• Boeing Corporation
• Bell ID, Gemplus
• Siemens
• Foreign Ministry

     

Increased muscle glucose uptake in response to chronic glyburide treatment is not related to changes in glucose transporter (GLUT4) protein

• 1.1. The mechanism of action of glyburide (a sulfonylurea) on muscle has been investigated by measuring glucose uptake and glucose transporter (GLUT4) protein levels after chronic glyburide treatment.
• 2.2. A dietary induced insulin resistant rat model (4 wk of high-fat, high-sucrose feeding) was given glyburide (2mg/kg/day) for 10 days and glucose uptake was measured in a perfused hindquarter preparation.
• 3.3. Protein levels of the GLUT4 glucose transporter were determined by Western analysis.
• 4.4. After 7 days of treatment, rats fed glyburide had lower blood glucose concentrations 2 hr (72 ± 5 vs 103 ± 12 mg/dl) and 24 hr (97 ± 7 vs 123 ± 7 mg/dl) after glyburide administration with no difference in serum insulin levels compared to vehicle treated animals.
• 5.5. Glucose uptake was approx doubled in basal state (0 insulin) in response to glyburide (2.8 + 0.4 vs 1.7 ± 0.2μ mol/g per hr).
• 6.6. Maximal insulin (100 nM) stimulated glucose uptake tended to be higher in the glyburide treated group, but did not reach statistical significance (8.0 ± 0.7 vs 7.0 ± 0.6 μmol/g per hr).
• 7.7. Western analysis revealed no significant effect of glyburide on the GLUT4 protein level in skeletal muscle.
• 8.8. These results suggest that glyburide alters glucose uptake through some mechanism other than alterations in the level of the GLUT4 glucose transporter protein.

     

In brief

• Bioscrypt
• Saflink
• Dell
• Fujitsu Microelectronics America
• Identix
• Viisage
• Acsys Biometrics
• US Government

     

Hemolymph osmo-ionic concentrations in terrestrial crabs following desiccation

• 1.1. The hemolymph osmotic, Na⁺ K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ concentrations were determined for both sexes in crabs from mangrove Ucides cordatus and Goniopsis cruentata and supralittoral Ocypode quadrala after aerial desiccation, for 10 hr.
• 2.2. There was no difference between sexes in the two mangrove crabs, but in O. quadrata the females were the most significantly affected (P < 0.01).
• 3.3. Hemolymph osmotic Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ concentrations increased significantly in desiccated ghost crabs, while K ⁺ concentration was not significantly changed. In the two mangrove crabs, only hemolymph Ca⁺⁺ concentration increased significantly, after desiccation.
• 4.4. The short time desiccation is suggested to be a device to study the steps of osmo-ionic regulation in terrestrial crabs.

     

Reduced muscle protein breakdown in septic rats following treatment with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

• 1.1. The role ofinterleukin-1 (IL-1) in sepsis-induced muscle proteolysis was assessed by treating septic rats with recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (rIL-Ira).
• 2.2. In initial experiments, we tested the effectiveness of IL-Ira in preventing muscle proteolysis induced by administration of IL-1.
• 3.3. When normal rats were treated with rIL-α (three intraperitoneal doses of 100 μ g/kg body weight each over 16 hr), total and myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown rates, measured as release oftyrosine and 3-methylhistidine, respectively, by incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles, were significantly increased.
• 4.4. This metabolic response to IL-α was completely abolished by rIL-Ira, administered as three intraperitoneal doses of 3 mg/kg body weight each over 16hr.
• 5.5. In subsequent experiments, sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); non-septic rats were sham-operated.
• 6.6. Treatment of septic rats over 16hr with a total dose of 25mg/kg body weight of rIL-Ira reduced, but did not normalize, the increased muscle protein breakdown rates seen during sepsis.
• 7.7. When the dose of rIL-Ira was more than doubled and given as a constant infusion at a rate of 4.2 mg/kg body weight/hr for 16 hr, the increased rate of muscle proteolysis in septic rats was normalized.
• 8.8. The present study offers the first direct evidence that IL-1 is involved in the regulation of muscle proteolysis during sepsis.

     

Seasonal changes of lipids and fatty acids in oyster tissues (Crassostrea virginica) and estuarine particulate matter

• 1.1. Lipid concentration in adductor muscle ranged from 2–68, in visceral mass from 5–28, in mantle and gill from 5–20 and in heart from 27.8–79 mg/g wet tissue. Particulate matter lipids varied from 1.0–2.6 mg/1 of estuarine water.
• 2.2. Neutral and polar lipids ranged from 25–38% of the total lipids in the oyster tissue and from 62–75% of the estuarine particulate organic matter.
• 3.3. Seasonal maxima of lipid concentrations varied among oyster tissues. Peak particulate lipids occurred in November.
• 4.4. It is proposed that seasonal variation in oyster lipids was more related to reproductive cycles than to food lipid supply.

     

Laboratory studies on the oxygen consumption of the marine teleost,Lichia amia (Linnaeus, 1758)

• 1.1. The oxygen consumption of the marine teleost, Lichia amia was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions.
• 2.2. The routine oxygen consumption showed a strong circadian rhythm with the fish being mainly active during the light period.
• 3.3. The specific mass exponent (dimension: μg O₂/g/hr) is temperature independent and ranges from 0.27–0.29.
• 4.4. Starving the fish results in a mean decrease in active, routine and standard oxygen consumption of 21%, 24% and 20%, respectively.
• 5.5. Feecling led to an increase in the oxygen consumption of the teleosts, with the mean metabolic rate over the 24 hr that followed, being 58% and 50% higher for fish that had been starved for 162hr and 40 hr, respectively.
• 6.6. Apparent SDA showed some variation and ranged from 6.0 to 35.5%.
• 7.7. The results obtained are generally in agreement with those recorded for other teleosts.

     

Immobilization stress-induced antioxidant defense changes in rat plasma: Effect of treatment with reduced glutathione

• 1.1. We examined immobilization stress-induced antioxidant defense changes in rat plasma and observed the antioxidant effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) administration on these changes.
• 2.2. Immobilization stress induced severe bleeding in the stomach and a significant increase in plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid receives substances (TBARS).
• 3.3. Immobilization stress induced a significant decrease in plasma iron-binding, ironoxidizing protections and radical scavenging activity.
• 4.4. Plasma levels of ascorbic acid, ascorbyl radical and superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged following immobilization stress.
• 5.5. Treatment with GSH showed a significant protective effect on stomach bleeding, on the increase in plasma TEARS, and on the decrease of iron-binding, iron-oxidizing protection and radical scavenging activity in plasma.
• 6.6. These results suggest that immobilization stress induces generation of reactive oxygen species and decreases the endogenous antioxidant defenses, which can be attenuated by extracellular administration of antioxidant GSH.

     

Accumulation,distribution and toxicity of selenium in the adult house fly,Musca domestica

• 1.1. Accumulation and distribution of dietary Se in relation to mortality was investigated in adult house flies.
• 2.2. The midgut preferentially accumulated Se and thereby limited toxicity.
• 3.3. Midgut Se concentrations were from 6- to 107-fold higher than in carcass, and from 15 to 71% of the total Se was associated with midgut.
• 4.4. When dietary levels of Se were raised the midgut saturated at 15 μg Se/g tissue, followed by a rise in carcass levels to greater than 0.5 μg Se/g tissue and increased mortality.
• 5.5. Se levels in lysosomal fractions were from 3- to 50-fold higher than in other subcellular fractions, suggesting that Se is sequestered in lysosomes.
• 6.6. Se added to drinking water was toxic at 4–8 ppm.

     

Induction of autoantibodies against spermatozoa by injection of allogeneic sperm in the Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

• 1.1. The sperm-agglutinating factor (SAF) could be induced in the serum of male Nile tilapias, Oreochromis niloticus, by injection of allogeneic sperm.
• 2.2. Only one class of molecules was demonstrated to be SAF in the serum.
• 3.3. Analysis on purified SAF revealed it to be a tetrameric molecule of IgM with a mol. wt of 760kD.
• 4.4. Cross reaction of the IgM with sperm of other teleost species suggests that sperm-specific surface antigens may be in evolution.

     

Response of rainbow trout to source and level of supplemental dietary methionine

• 1.1. Methionine and total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) requirements of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were investigated by feeding graded isosulfurous levels of l- and dl-methionine, l-cystine, and the free acid and calcium forms of methionine hydroxy analog (MHA).
• 2.2. Added cystine did not promote growth, survival or prevent cataracts.
• 3.3. l-methionine produced fastest growth, followed by dl-methionine, CaMHA and free acid MHA.
• 4.4. Trout fed CaMHA gained 85.7 and 92.3% as much as those fed l-methionine and dl-methionine.
• 5.5. Within each experiment, the level of L-methionine isomer that prevented cataracts was constant (1.86 g/100g protein in experiment (1), 1.45 in experiment (2) and was lower than for maximum growth (2.89 and 2.15 g) regardless of methionine source.

     

Alteration of 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced hypothermia by serotonergic agents in the adult domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)

• 1.1.|5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) induced a dose-dependent hypothermia in adult fowls.
• 2.2.|The hypothermic effect of 5-HTP was potentiated by carbidopa, citalopram, additive with (±), (−) and (+) propanolol and antagonised by methysergide and metitepine.
• 3.3.|Cyproheptadine, xylamidine and ketanserin did not antagonised 5-HTP-induced hypothermia.
• 4.4.|The results suggest that the hypothermic effect of 5-HTP in fowls may be mediated mainly via activation of central 5-HT receptors, probably 5-HT₁ receptors.

     

Blue-Green color and composition of stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) milk

• 1.1. Two hundred ml of milk were obtained from a lactating Stejneger's beaked whale stranded at Ninilchik, Alaska on 21 Oct, 1980.
• 2.2. Total solids (41%) were similar to values reported for sperm and belukha whales, while fat (17%) was half as great and crude protein (17%) was 2–4 times greater than in milk of these species. Lactose was not detected.
• 3.3. Calcium (0.22%) was greater than reported for pigmy sperm whales but less than for blue whales. Phosphorus (0.07%) was less than for any of the above species. Sodium and potassium concentrations were 0.13% and 0.11%, respectively.
• 4.4. Values (μg/g) for other elements analyzed (magnesium, 42; iron, 35; copper, 2.6; zinc, 1.5; manganese, 0.3; selenium, 0.36) have not been reported for whale milk.
• 5.5. Based on SDS-gel electropherograms, this whale milk did not contain a whey protein corresponding to cattle milk α-lactalbumin.
• 6.6. A blue-green pigment in the milk was identified as biliverdin.

     

Effects of hypoxia on resting potential and transmitter release at cercal afferent,giant interneurone synapses in the cockroach,Periplaneta americana L.

• 1.1. Studies of experimentally induced hypoxia were carried out on synapses in the isolated sixth abdominal (A6) ganglion of the cockroach using electrophysiological methods.
• 2.2. During a break of saline superfusion, oxygen tension (PO₂) decreased and depolarization of presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes was observed.
• 3.3. During hypoxia EPSP amplitude initially increased, but decreased after a few minutes.
• 4.4. Changes in the EPSP and membranes potential resulting from hypoxia were reversed when the saline superfusion was restarted.
• 5.5. Changes in the amplitude of both the EPSP and the depolarization induced by microiontophoretic injections of ACh indicated that ACh release initially increased during hypoxia and decreased during recovery from oxygen deprivation.

     

Effects of lysine administration on plasma arginine and on some nitrogenous catabolites in rainbow trout

• 1.1. Rainbow trout were fed either graded levels of lysine (0.8, 1.8 and 3%) at a constant level of arginine (1.4%) or excess arginine (2.4%) at a fixed level of lysine (1.8%).
• 2.2. Increasing the dietary lysine level affected plasma urea, plasma arginine and ammonia excretion.
• 3.3. Trout fed graded levels of lysine received an arginine challenge (U¹⁴C-l-arginine) and it was found that excess dietary lysine led to a decrease in arginine degradation.
• 4.4. Injection of l-lysine induced a decrease in urea excretion, while injection of l-arginine increased both urea and ammonia excretion in control well-fed trout.
• 5.5. These results are discussed in the light of current knowledge on the antagonism between lysine and arginine.