The role of humans in the diversification of a threatened island raptor

Background  

Anthropogenic habitat modifications have led to the extinction of many species and have favoured the expansion of others. Nonetheless, the possible role of humans as a diversifying force in vertebrate evolution has rarely been considered, especially for species with long generation times. We examine the influence that humans have had on the colonization and phenotypic and genetic differentiation of an insular population of a long-lived raptor species, the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).     

Immunohistochemical Identification of Met-Enkephalin in Digestive System and Its Effect on Digestive Enzyme Activities of the Scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamys farreri</Emphasis>

The study was designed to determine whether methionine-enkephalin (M-ENK) was present in the digestive system of the scallop Chlamys farreri and investigate the effects of M-ENK on the activity of amylase, protease and lipase in the digestive system of C. farreri. The results indicated that M-ENK-like material was present in the epithelium and connective tissue of labial palps, mouth labia, stomach, intestine, rectum, and hepatopancreas of the scallop C. farreri. Moreover, it was also found that many isolated small cells showing M-ENK-like immunoreactivity were scattered in the epithelial layer of intestine, and many isolated big epithelial cells showing M-ENK-like immunoreactivity were scattered in tubules of hepatopancreas of the scallop. The activity levels of amylase and lipase in crystalline style, hepatopancreas and intestine were enhanced at 1 h after injection of exogenous M-ENK into adductor muscle of the scallops, whereas protease activity levels were significantly suppressed. Our report constitutes the first characterization of M-ENK in the digestive system of scallop C. farreri and investigates the effects of M-ENK on the activities of digestive enzymes of mollusk for the first time. The results suggest an involvement of M-ENK in the functional regulation of the digestive system of C. farreri.     

Electronic properties of neuroleptics: ionization energies of benzodiazepines

Vertical ionization energies (VIEs) of medazepam, nordazepam and their molecular subunits have been calculated using the electron propagator method in the P3/CEP-31G* approximation. Vertical electron affinities (VEAs) have been obtained with a ∆SCF procedure at the DFT-B3LYP/6-31+G* level of theory. Excellent correlations have been achieved between IE_calc and IE_exp, allowing reliable assignment of the ionization processes. Our proposed assignment differs in many instances from that previously reported in the literature. The electronic structure of the frontier Dyson orbitals shows that the IE and EA values of the benzodiazepines can be modulated by substitution at the benzene rings. Hardness values, evaluated as (IE − EA)/2, follow the trend of the experimental singlet transition energies. Medazepam is a less hard (i.e., less stable) compound than nordazepam.     

Comparison Study of Bone Defect Healing Effect of Raw and Processed Pyritum in Rats

To evaluate and compare the effect of raw and processed pyritum on tibial defect healing, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. After tibial defect, animals were produced and grouped: sham and control group were orally administrated with distilled water (1 mL/100 g), while treatment groups were given aqueous extracts of raw and processed pyritum (1.5 g/kg) for successive 42 days. Radiographic examination showed that bone defect healing effect of the treatment groups was obviously superior compared to that of the control group. Bone mineral density of whole tibia was increased significantly after treating with pyritum. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry showed that the contents of Ca, P, and Mg in callus significantly increased in the treatment groups comparing with the control. Moreover, serological analysis showed that the concentration of serum phosphorus of the treatment groups significantly increased compared with that of the control group. By in vitro study, we have evaluated the effects of drug-containing serum of raw and processed pyritum on osteoblasts. It was manifested that both the drug-containing sera of raw and processed pyritum significantly increased the mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I. Protein levels of phosphorylated Smad2/3 also increased. The mRNA levels of osteocalcin and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) type I and II receptors, as well as the protein levels of TGF-β1 in the processed groups, were higher than those in the control. In summary, both raw and processed pyritum-containing sera exhibited positive effects on osteoblasts, which maybe via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Notably, the tibia defect healing effect of pyritum was significantly enhanced after processing.     

Biomedical implications from a morphoelastic continuum model for the simulation of contracture formation in skin grafts that cover excised burns

A continuum hypothesis-based model is developed for the simulation of the (long term) contraction of skin grafts that cover excised burns in order to obtain suggestions regarding the ideal length of splinting therapy and when to start with this therapy such that the therapy is effective optimally. Tissue is modeled as an isotropic, heterogeneous, morphoelastic solid. With respect to the constituents of the tissue, we selected the following constituents as primary model components: fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, collagen molecules, and a generic signaling molecule. Good agreement is demonstrated with respect to the evolution over time of the surface area of unmeshed skin grafts that cover excised burns between outcomes of computer simulations obtained in this study and scar assessment data gathered previously in a clinical study. Based on the simulation results, we suggest that the optimal point in time to start with splinting therapy is directly after placement of the skin graft on its recipient bed. Furthermore, we suggest that it is desirable to continue with splinting therapy until the concentration of the signaling molecules in the grafted area has become negligible such that the formation of contractures can be prevented. We conclude this study with a presentation of some alternative ideas on how to diminish the degree of contracture formation that are not based on a mechanical intervention, and a discussion about how the presented model can be adjusted.     

A linkage group on pig chromosome 4 comprising the loci for blood group L, GBA, ATP1B1 and three microsatellites

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were described for the porcine loci for β-glucosidase (GBA) and the β-polypeptide 1 of the Na⁺, K⁺-transporting ATPase (ATP1B1). Linkage analyses using a three-generation pedigree provided evidence for the assignment of ATP1B1, GBA and two microsatellite loci (S0001 and S0067) to a previously described linkage group comprising the loci for blood group L (EAL) and an anonymous microsatellite (S0097). The linear order of the six markers was determined with confidence by multipoint analyses and the length of the linkage group was estimated at 88 CM. This linkage group was assigned to pig chromosome 4 on the basis of a previous physical localization of the ATP1B1 gene. In situ hybridization data for S0001 presented in this study were consistent with a localization on chromosome 4 and suggested a regional localization to 4pl2-pl3. The present study reveals conflicting data concerning the genetic localization of the K88 loci controlling the expression of the receptors for the E. coli pilus antigens. One group has reported data suggesting a loose linkage between K88 and EAL, now mapped to chromosome 4, whereas two other groups have found linkage between K88 and the transferrin locus (TF), mapped to chromosome 13 by in situ hybridization.     

Alleviation of Liver Dysfunction,Oxidative Stress,and Inflammation Underlines the Protective Effects of Polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae on High Sugar/High Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

This study investigated the protective effects of two polysaccharides (CPA-1 and CPB-2) from Cordyceps cicadae against high fructose/high fat diet (HF/HFD) induced obesity and metabolic disorders in rats. Rats were either fed with normal diet or HF/HFD and treated with CPA-1 and CPB-2 (100 and 300 mg/kg) for 11 weeks. Administration of CPA-1 and CPB-2 significantly and dose dependently reduced body and liver weight, insulin and glucose tolerance, serum insulin and glucose levels. Furthermore, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, liver function enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) were markedly reduced. Additionally, CPA-1 and CPB-2 treatment alleviated hepatic oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation level (MDA) and upregulating glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as ameliorated histological alterations through the reduction of hepatic lipid accumulation. These results suggested that the polysaccharides from C. cicadae showed protective effects against HF/HFD induced metabolic disturbances and may be considered as a dietary supplement for treating obesity.     

Monoacylglycerols Activate TRPV1 – A Link between Phospholipase C and TRPV1

Phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate generates diacylglycerol, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and protons, all of which can regulate TRPV1 activity via different mechanisms. Here we explored the possibility that the diacylglycerol metabolites 2-arachidonoylglycerol and 1-arachidonoylglycerol, and not metabolites of these monoacylglycerols, activate TRPV1 and contribute to this signaling cascade. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol and 1-arachidonoylglycerol activated native TRPV1 on vascular sensory nerve fibers and heterologously expressed TRPV1 in whole cells and inside-out membrane patches. The monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors methylarachidonoyl-fluorophosphonate and JZL184 prevented the metabolism of deuterium-labeled 2-arachidonoylglycerol and deuterium-labeled 1-arachidonoylglycerol in arterial homogenates, and enhanced TRPV1-mediated vasodilator responses to both monoacylglycerols. In mesenteric arteries from TRPV1 knock-out mice, vasodilator responses to 2-arachidonoylglycerol were minor. Bradykinin and adenosine triphosphate, ligands of phospholipase C-coupled membrane receptors, increased the content of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in dorsal root ganglia. In HEK293 cells expressing the phospholipase C-coupled histamine H₁ receptor, exposure to histamine stimulated the formation of 2-AG, and this effect was augmented in the presence of JZL184. These effects were prevented by the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin. Histamine induced large whole cell currents in HEK293 cells co-expressing TRPV1 and the histamine H₁ receptor, and the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine abolished these currents. JZL184 increased the histamine-induced currents and tetrahydrolipstatin prevented this effect. The calcineurin inhibitor ciclosporin and the endogenous “entourage” compound palmitoylethanolamide potentiated the vasodilator response to 2-arachidonoylglycerol, disclosing TRPV1 activation of this monoacylglycerol at nanomolar concentrations. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injection of JZL184 produced TRPV1-dependent antinociception in the mouse formalin test. Our results show that intact 2-arachidonoylglycerol and 1-arachidonoylglycerol are endogenous TRPV1 activators, contributing to phospholipase C-dependent TRPV1 channel activation and TRPV1-mediated antinociceptive signaling in the brain.