Influence of prey species and stages on predatory efficiency and development of two phytoseiid mites

The effect of prey species and the different stages of prey on the predatory efficiency and biology of the phytoseiid mites,Amblyseius gossipi Elbadry andTyphlodromus mangiferus sp. n. was studied. It was found that feeding either predator onTetranychus cucurbitacearum (Sayed) promoted faster development and a higher rate of oviposition than rearing on the twospotted spider mite,T. urticae (Koch). Different stages of both prey species also produced different responses in the biological activities of these predaceous mites.

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Résumé On a étudié l'effet de l'espèce de la proie et de ses différents stades sur l'efficacité et la biologie des acariens phytoseiides,Amblyseius gossipi Elbadry etTyphlodromus mangiferus sp. n. Il a été constaté que l'alimentation des 2 prédateurs avecTetranychus cucurbitacearus (Sayed) assure un dévelopment plus rapide et une fécondité plus élevée que leur élevage surT. urticae (Koch). Les différents stades de ces 2 proies produisent des réponses différentes dans les activités biologiques des 2 acariens prédateurs.

     

The potential value of silage in detoxifying aflatoxin B1

Serial concentrations of aflatoxin B₁ ranging from 200 to 1500 p.p.b. in 2% lactic acid solution (which is the aimed concentration of lactic acid in fresh silage) were assayed for detoxification. Thin-layer chromatography analysis, revealed a complete transformation of 1 000 p.p.b. of aflatoxin B₁ to a new fluorescing compount corresponding to aflatoxin B_2a which is referred to as hydroxydihydro-aflatoxin B₁ toxicity test on chickens confirmed Ciegler's findings (4). The results confirm that the chemical changes taken place in the silo can detoxify aflatoxin B₁ to aflatoxin B_2a.     

Histomorphology of cervical and uterine epithelia of crab-eating macaque, Macaca fasciularis.

Cytological characteristics and pattern of distribution of different cell types in the epithelia of cervix and uterus of crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cyclic and amenorrhea were studied. The cervix uteri and uterus exhibit remarkable structural differenes in the ciliated, secretory, and ciliated-secretory cells. Since the number of ciliated-sexretory cells in the uterus is higher than in the cervix. It is believed that they form an additional source for the secretion of uterine fluid during the menstrual cylce. Both ciliated and secretory cells undergo degeneration; extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation associated with pycnosis and disorganization of the nuclei encountered.     

First record of Renibacterium salmoninarum in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD), caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum, is a widespread problem with major implications for salmonid fish species. The mechanisms by which the bacterium has reached high levels of infection previously unrecorded in the Laurentian Great Lakes are presently unknown. Research involving reservoirs and mechanisms of R. salmoninarum transmission in fish is lacking because of the ecologic complexity of heterogeneous habitats and the lack of adequate funding. Herein, we report on the isolation of R. salmoninarum from the kidneys of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). The bacterium was cultured from kidneys of 16% and 4% of lampreys collected from two locations within the Lake Ontario watershed in 2003 and 2004, respectively. The identity of bacterial colonies was verified with the nested polymerase chain reaction and quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.     

Automated assays for superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity

Automated assays for catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase are presented. The assay for catalase is based on the peroxidatic activity of the enzyme. The glutathione peroxidase and reductase assays measure the consumption of NADPH following the reduction of t-butyl hydroperoxide and oxidized glutathione, respectively. The assay for superoxide dismutase is based on the reduction of cytochrome c. All assays utilize the Cobas FARA clinical automated analyzer and provide considerable time savings over the manual assays.     

The role of chick Ebf genes in the mediolateral patterning of the somites

This study was conducted to check whether the three chick Early B‐cell Factor (Ebf) genes, particularly cEbf1, would be targets for Shh and Bmp signals during somites mediolateral (ML) patterning. Tissue manipulations and gain and loss of function experiments for Shh and Bmp4 were performed and the results revealed that cEbf1 expression was initiated in the cranial presomitic mesoderm by low dose of Bmp4 from the lateral mesoderm and maintained in the ventromedial part of the epithelial somite and the medial sclerotome by Shh from the notochord; while cEbf2/3 expression was induced and maintained by Bmp4 and inhibited by high dose of Shh. To determine whether Ebf1 plays a role in somite patterning, transfection of a dominant‐negative construct was carried out; this showed suppression of cPax1 expression in the medial sclerotome and upregulation and medial expansion of cEbf3 and cPax3 expression in sclerotome and dermomyotome, respectively, suggesting that Ebf1 is important for ML patterning. Thus, it is possible that low doses of Bmp4 set up Ebf1 expression which, together with Shh from the notochord, leads to establishment of the medial sclerotome and suppression of lateral identities. These data also conclude that Bmp4 is required in both the medial and lateral domain of the somitic mesoderm to keep the ML identity of the sclerotome through maintenance of cEbf gene expression. These striking findings are novel and give a new insight on the role of Bmp4 on mediolateral patterning of somites.     

Association of the myosin heavy chain 9 gene single nucleotide polymorphism with inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundTo date, the cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a mystery. A balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis maintains intestinal tissue homeostasis. Dissociation-induced myosin-actin contraction results in stem cell apoptosis. This study aiming to evaluate the influence of the myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on inflammatory bowel disease.Subjectsand methods: The study carried on eighty patients with IBD and seventy controls. All participants subjected to history taking, thorough physical examination, colonoscopy and laboratory investigations. Genotyping performed for rs4821480 and rs3752462 by SNP assay real-time PCR methods.ResultsOn analyzing rs3752462 CT and TT genotypes were significantly more frequent in IBD patients as compared to controls with 4.6 fold increase in the risk of IBD. While on analyzing rs4821480, The TG and GG genotypes have significant increased distribution among the IBD patients as compared to the controls with 5.3 fold increase in the risk of IBD and higher prevalence of GG genotype in patients with low hemoglobin level and higher BMI.ConclusionThe rs3752462 T allele and rs4821480 G allele of MYH9 are associated with more susceptibility to IBD.     

Modeling,simulations, and optimization of smooth muscle cell tissue engineering for the production of vascular grafts

The paper presents a transient, continuum, two-phase model of the tissue engineering in fibrous scaffolds, including transport equations for the flowing culture medium, nutrient and cell concentration with transverse and in-plane diffusion and cell migration, a novel feature of local in-plane transport across a phenomenological pore and innovative layer-by-layer cell filling approach. The model is successfully validated for the smooth muscle cell tissue engineering of a vascular graft using crosslinked, electrospun gelatin fiber scaffolds for both static and dynamic cell culture, the latter in a dynamic bioreactor with a rotating shaft on which the tubular scaffold is attached. Parametric studies evaluate the impact of the scaffold microstructure, cell dynamics, oxygen transport, and static or dynamic conditions on the rate and extent of cell proliferation and depth of oxygen accessibility. An optimized scaffold of 75% dry porosity is proposed that can be tissue engineered into a viable and still fully oxygenated graft of the tunica media of the coronary artery within 2 days in the dynamic bioreactor. Such scaffold also matches the mechanical properties of the tunica media of the human coronary artery and the suture retention strength of a saphenous vein, often used as a coronary artery graft.     

The rapid detection and differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members from cattle and water buffaloes in the delta area of Egypt,using a combination of real-time and conventional PCR

Molecular Biology Reports - Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has the potential to cause infections in animals and human beings. The combination of real-time PCR targeting atpE or lpqT and...