The Effects of Copper Sulfate on Liver Histology and Biochemical Parameters of Term Ross Broiler Chicks

Copper is an essential trace element that is extremely toxic to organisms and organs at high doses. We have investigated the histological and biochemical effects of a toxic dose of copper sulfate on the liver of term Ross broiler chicks. Fertilized eggs were divided into three groups: experimental, injected with 50 mcg/0.1 ml copper sulfate in the air chambers on day 1; sham, injected with 0.1 ml saline; and control, no injection. Term chicks were killed and their livers investigated histologically, with hematoxylin–eosin-stained sections examined under light microscopy, and biochemically, for malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Histological examinations showed copper-treated samples with granular degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes and impairment to the cell lining of the remark cords. The samples had a congestive appearance, with blood in the vena centralis and sinusoids, slight connective tissue increase, and lymphocyte infiltration. Control and sham group sections had normal appearances. As oxidative damage parameters, in the copper-treated group, malondialdehyde levels were increased and glutathione levels decreased. In the sham and control groups, there were no significant differences. At this toxic dose, copper sulfate shows oxidative damage according to the histology of term chick liver that are confirmed biochemically by the changes in malondialdehyde and glutathione levels.     

Global introductions of salmon and trout in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus</Emphasis>: 1870–2007

The purpose of this review is to provide a global perspective on Oncorhynchus salmonine introductions and put-and-take fisheries based on modern stocking programs, with special emphasis on freshwater ecosystems. We survey the global introductions of nine selected salmonines of the genus Oncorhynchus: golden trout, cutthroat trout, pink salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, masu/cherry salmon, rainbow trout/steelhead, sockeye salmon/kokanee, and chinook salmon. The information is organized on a geographical basis by continent, and then by species and chronology. Two different objectives and associated definitions of ‘success’ for introductions are distinguished: (a) seed introduction: release of individuals with the purpose of creating a wild-reproducing, self-sustaining population; and (b) put-and-take introduction: release of individuals with the purpose of maintaining some level of wild population abundance, regardless of wild reproduction. We identify four major phenomena regarding global salmonine introductions: (1) general inadequacy of documentation regarding introductions; (2) a fundamental disconnect between management actions and ecological consequences of introductions; (3) the importance of global climate change on success of previous and future introductions; and (4) the significance of aquaculture as a key uncertainty in accidental introductions. We conclude this review with a recognition of the need to terminate ongoing stocking programs for introduced salmonines worldwide.     

Internal lipid synthesis and vesicle growth as a step toward self-reproduction of the minimal cell

One of the major properties of the semi-synthetic minimal cell, as a model for early living cells, is the ability to self-reproduce itself, and the reproduction of the boundary layer or vesicle compartment is part of this process. A minimal bio-molecular mechanism based on the activity of one single enzyme, the FAS-B (Fatty Acid Synthase) Type I enzyme from Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, is encapsulated in 1-palmitoyl-2oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) liposomes to control lipid synthesis. Consequently molecules of palmitic acid released from the FAS catalysis, within the internal lumen, move toward the membrane compartment and become incorporated into the phospholipid bilayer. As a result the vesicle membranes change in lipid composition and liposome growth can be monitored. Here we report the first experiments showing vesicles growth by catalysis of one enzyme only that produces cell boundary from within. This is the prototype of the simplest autopoietic minimal cell.     

Identifying essential genes in bacterial metabolic networks with machine learning methods

Background  

Identifying essential genes in bacteria supports to identify potential drug targets and an understanding of minimal requirements for a synthetic cell. However, experimentally assaying the essentiality of their coding genes is resource intensive and not feasible for all bacterial organisms, in particular if they are infective.     

Trees on networks: resolving statistical patterns of phylogenetic similarities among interacting proteins

Background  

Phylogenies capture the evolutionary ancestry linking extant species. Correlations and similarities among a set of species are mediated by and need to be understood in terms of the phylogenic tree. In a similar way it has been argued that biological networks also induce correlations among sets of interacting genes or their protein products.     

Novel inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis and exocytosis by diethylcarbamazine in the Swarm rat chondrocyte

Pretreatment of cultured chondrosarcoma chondrocytes at 37 degrees C for 15 min with 15 mM diethylcarbamazine (DEC) followed by a 60-min pulse with [35S] sulfate in the presence of DEC resulted in an approximate 40% inhibition of synthesis and a 75% inhibition of secretion of 35S-proteoglycan. The inhibition was dose-related and was not due to a decrease in protein synthesis. Chondrocytes exposed for 75 min to 15 mM DEC, washed, incubated for 17 h in DEC-free medium, and then pulsed with [35S]sulfate showed no inhibition in the rate of synthesis of proteoglycan or in the per cent of radiolabeled proteoglycans exocytosed into the culture medium, indicating full reversibility of the inhibitory effect. When chondrocytes were incubated for 75 min with both 1 mM beta-D-xyloside and 15 mM DEC, secretion of beta-D-xyloside-bound 35S-glycosaminoglycan was inhibited by more than 70% despite an approximate 3-fold increase in intracellular 35S-macromolecules, as compared to cells exposed to beta-D-xyloside alone. Upon removal of DEC, the block in the secretion of beta-D-xyloside-bound 35S-glycosaminoglycans was reversed, although there was a 15-30-min lag in the initiation of exocytosis. Light and electron microscopic examination of chondrocytes after 75 min of incubation with 15 mM DEC revealed large vacuoles, a distended Golgi apparatus, and a distended endoplasmic reticulum which contained electron dense material. Upon removal of DEC, the vacuoles disappeared and distended organelles returned to their normal appearance between 15 and 30 min, coincident with the start of exocytosis of 35S-proteoglycan and beta-D-xyloside-bound 35S-glycosaminoglycan. These biochemical and morphological studies indicate that DEC treatment of chondrosarcoma chondrocytes alters the transport of molecules from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi and the transport of molecules from the Golgi to the cell surface.