Feeding history and obese-prone genotype increase survival of rats exposed to a challenge of food restriction and wheel running

We hypothesized that obese-prone genotype and history of food restriction confer a survival advantage to genetically obese animals under environmental challenge. Male juvenile JCR:LA-cp rats, obese-prone and lean-prone, were exposed to 1.5 h daily meals and 22.5-h voluntary wheel running, a procedure inducing activity anorexia (AA). One week before the AA challenge, obese-prone rats were freely fed (obese-FF), or pair fed (obese-PF) to lean-prone, free-feeding rats (lean-FF). Animals were removed from protocol at 75% of initial body weight (starvation criterion) or after 14 days (survival criterion). AA challenge induced weight loss in all rats, but percent weight loss was more rapid and sustained in lean-FF rats than in obese-FF or obese-PF animals (P < 0.04). Weight loss was significantly higher in obese-FF rats than obese-PF rats, 62% of which achieved survival criterion and stabilized with zero weight loss. Obese-PF rats survived longer, on average (12.0 ± 1.1 day) than obese-FF (8.2 ± 1.1 day) and lean-FF rats (3.5 ± 0.2 day) (P < 0.02). Wheel running increased linearly in all groups; lean-FF increased more rapidly than obese-FF (P < 0.05); obese-PF increased at an intermediate rate (P < 0.02), and those rats that survived stabilized daily rates of wheel running. Prior food restriction of juvenile obese-prone rats induces a survival benefit beyond genotype, that is related to achievement of homeostasis. This metabolic adaptive process may help explain the development of human obesity in the presence of an unstable food environment which subsequently transitions to an abundant food supply.     

THE USE OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS

The preoperative use of antithyroid drugs is mandatory if surgical treatment of complicated hyperthyroidism is contemplated. Six months to a year may be required for suitable preparation.The long-term use of antithyroid drugs is less effective for the “cure” of hyperthyroidism than is operation or the use of radioactive iodine.Propyl and methyl thiouracil are the antithyroid drugs of choice.Either of these thiouracil derivatives is capable of producing leukopenia.The antithyroid drugs exert no favorable effect on exophthalmos.The antithyroid drugs are suitable for the control of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. The patient probably should not be kept hypothyroid during pregnancy but rather in a state of mild hyperthyroidism.     

Ia-like alloantigens in the chicken: Serologic characterization an ontogeny of cellular expression

Alloantisera raised in highly inbred lines of chickens, 7(2) and 15I(5) , by reciprocal immunization with lymphocytes were shown by immunofluorescence to react with B cells, cells of the monocyte-macrophage series, and an unidentified population of mononuclear cells prevalent in the spleen and bone marrow. Variable immunogenicity of the 'Ia'(2) and 'Ia'(15) alloantigens was observed. The alloantigens detected by these sara could be redistributed on the B-cell surface independently of immunoglobulin determinants or previously recognized antigens encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (B locus), and were more resistant to proteolysis than slgM. Analysis of several inbred lines of chickens revealed an association between expression of these antigens and the B haplotype. Strains of the B(2) haplotype expressed the antigen detected by anti-7 2 and vice versa. These data suggest that the B-cell alloantigens detected are encoded by genes linked to the MHC and may be analogous to la antigens of mice and DR antigens of man. 'Ia' alleles were co dominantly expressed on lymphocytes of F(1) hybrids. During ontogeny 'a'(+) cells were first detected in the bursa at 10 days of incubation , 3 days before 'Ia'(+). IgM(+) cells could be detected. Both 'Ia'(+).IgM(+) and 'Ia'(+).IgM(-) populations of bursal cells increased in parallel until day 18, when plateau levels were reached. Development of 'Ia'(+).IgM(-) cells throughout the body was unaffected by bursectomy at hatching. Cell surface expression of 'Ia' antigens was apparently increased with B-Iymphocyte maturation and was detectable on most, but not all, mature plasma cells.     

Systematics of genus Gnomoniopsis (Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales) based on a three gene phylogeny, host associations and morphology

Species of Gnomoniopsis are leaf- and stem-inhabiting pyrenomycetes that infect plants in Fagaceae, Onagraceae and Rosaceae. Morphology and analyses of DNA sequences from three ribosomal DNA and protein coding regions, namely β-tubulin, translation elongation factor 1α (tef-1α) and the ITS region including ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2, were used to define species in Gnomoniopsis. Secondary structural alignment of the ITS region across four genera in Gnomoniaceae was used to increase the potential number of homologous positions in the ITS alignment. Ascospore isolates were grown from newly collected specimens. Type specimens were compared with these specimens to determine their identity. In this paper a recent concept of Gnomoniopsis is confirmed with phylogenetic resolution of additional species. Four new combinations and one new species are proposed. Nine species are described and illustrated, and a key is provided to the 13 species currently recognized in Gnomoniopsis.     

BMP8B increases brown adipose tissue thermogenesis through both central and peripheral actions

Thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is fundamental to energy balance and is also relevant for humans. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate adipogenesis, and, here, we describe a role for BMP8B in the direct regulation of thermogenesis. BMP8B is induced by nutritional and thermogenic factors in mature BAT, increasing the response to noradrenaline through enhanced p38MAPK/CREB signaling and increased lipase activity. Bmp8b(-/-) mice exhibit impaired thermogenesis and reduced metabolic rate, causing weight gain despite hypophagia. BMP8B is also expressed in the hypothalamus, and Bmp8b(-/-) mice display altered neuropeptide levels and reduced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), indicating an anorexigenic state. Central BMP8B treatment increased sympathetic activation of BAT, dependent on the status of AMPK in key hypothalamic nuclei. Our results indicate that BMP8B is a thermogenic protein that regulates energy balance in partnership with hypothalamic AMPK. BMP8B may offer a mechanism to specifically increase energy dissipation by BAT.     

Eyestalk ablation has little effect on actin and myosin heavy chain gene expression in adult lobster skeletal muscles

The organization of skeletal muscles in decapod crustaceans is significantly altered during molting and development. Prior to molting, the claw muscles atrophy dramatically, facilitating their removal from the base of the claw. During development, lobster claw muscles exhibit fiber switching over several molt cycles. Such processes may be influenced by the secretion of steroid molting hormones, known collectively as ecdysteroids. To assay the effects of these hormones, we used eyestalk ablation to trigger an elevation of circulating ecdysteroids and then quantified myofibrillar mRNA levels with real-time PCR and myofibrillar protein levels by SDS-PAGE. Levels of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin proteins and the mRNA encoding them were largely unaffected by eyestalk ablation, but in muscles from intact animals, myofibrillar gene expression was modestly elevated in premolt and postmolt animals. In contrast, polyubiquitin mRNA was significantly elevated (about 2-fold) in claw muscles from eyestalk-ablated animals with elevated circulating ecdysteroids. Moreover, patterns of MHC and actin gene expression are significantly different among slow and fast claw muscles. Consistent with these patterns, the three muscle types differed in the relative amounts of myosin heavy chain and actin proteins. All three muscles also co-expressed fast and slow myosin isoforms, even in fibers that are generally regarded as exclusively fast or slow. These results are consistent with other recent data demonstrating co-expression of myosin isoforms in lobster muscles.     

Characterization and structural properties of the major biliproteins of Anabaena sp.

Studies are presented of the biliproteins of Anabaena sp. This filamentous cyanobacterium contains three major biliproteins. Whereas two of these, C-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin, are common to all cyanobacteria, the third, phycoerythrocyanin (_max568nm) has hitherto not been described and its distribution among cyanobacteria appears to be limited. Anabaena variabilis and Anabaena sp. 6411 allophycocyanin, C-phycocyanin, and phycoerythrocyanin were purified to homogeneity and characterized with respect to molecular weight, isoelectric point, absorption spectrum and amino acid composition. The and subunits of each of these proteins were also purified to homogeneity and characterized in the same manner. The tetrapyrrole chromophore content was determined for each of the proteins and subunits. The subunit of phycoerythrocyanin carries a novel phycobiliviolin-like chromophore. This chromophore has not previously been detected in cyanobacterial biliproteins, but has been noted as a prosthetic group of a cryptophytan phycocyanin.Sedimentation equilibrium studies show that at pH 7.0, at protein concentrations of 0.2–0.6 mg/ml, allophycocyanin, C-phycocyanin and phycoerythrocyanin, each exists as a trimeric aggregate, ()₃, of molecular weight of approximately 105000. Structural studies of microcrystals of these three biliproteins by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction reveal a common plan for the construction of higher assembly forms. The major building block appears to be the trimer ()₃. It is proposed that this is a dise-like structure about 3.0×12.0 nm. The individual or subunits are roughly spherical, 3 nm in diameter. Allophycocyanin trimers stack to form bundles of rods which form long needles. Both phycocyanin and phycoerythrocyanin form double dises ()₆ which are visible as ring-shaped structures by electron microscopy. The mode of assembly of the biliproteinstructures in the phycobilisome is, as yet, unknown.Abbreviation Used SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Roger Y. Stanier on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Dikaryotic fruiting in Schizophyllum commune Fr.: Morphology of the developing basidiocarp

Summary Sporulating dikaryotic fruit-bodies of Schizophyllum commune (str. 699 A41B41 + str. 845 A51B51) were produced on glucose-asparagine medium and harvested at various stages of development for histological studies. Distinct patterns of cell organization were observed from basidiocarp initials to mature fructifications. Different cell types included basal bulbous cells, cylinders of parallel hyphae in the stipe, loosely knit tramal cells in the lamellae, specialized sub-hymenial cells and basidia. Large encrustations were observed protruding from the hymenium near the lamellar apex. Lateral hairs and crystalline matter were also seen in these genetically defined dikaryotic fruit-bodies which arose on simple medium in the laboratory.     

A Molecular and Fitness Evaluation of Commercially Available versus Locally Collected Blue Lupine Lupinus perennis L. Seeds for Use in Ecosystem Restoration Efforts

Dependence on wild seed sources is often impractical for large‐scale habitat restoration programs. Reliance on commercial seed supplies of unknown provenance and fitness is thereby warranted. Little consideration has been given, however, to how the large volumes of seed required should be sourced. We evaluated commercial and locally collected seed sources for potential use in a New York State‐based, landscape‐scale program for restoring blue lupine Lupinus perennis. Through analysis of microsatellite markers we determined that “native” lupine designations by some commercial suppliers were in fact interspecific hybrids and therefore unreliable; at least two commercial sources, however, were genetically as close to native New York populations as native New York populations were to one other. Common garden experiments revealed that seed source influenced first‐year overwintering survival and subsequent height growth of surviving plants; seed sources more closely related genetically to native New York populations survived better and produced more stems per individual in the field in the area targeted for restoration. We conclude that (1) commercial suppliers often but not always offer reliably characterized seed sources of sufficient genetic similarity to native populations to warrant their use in restoration projects and (2) genetic affinity of potential seed stock to native populations is positively related to its fitness in the environment targeted for restoration.     

Genetic variation and origin of red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens LeConte) introduced to the People's Republic of China

Abstract 1 The red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte, is a recent New World introduction to the People's Republic of China. An outbreak of these beetles has infested over 0.5 million hectares of pine forests. 2 Efforts are underway to suppress this outbreak using biological control measures. However, the wide distribution in the native range of D. valens suggests regional variation of the beetle's biology, predators, and parasitoids. Thus, knowledge of the origin of these beetles can help devise precise and effective control measures. 3 A portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene was sequenced for 218 individuals from 32 populations throughout the native range of D. valens and in China. 4 Haplotype diversity was high. A total of 131 haplotypes were found and Jukes–Cantor corrected nucleotide difference ranged from 0 to 16%. Haplotype diversity ranged from 0.53 to 0.98 and unique haplotypes were found in most populations. 5 Parsimony and statistical parsimony analyses of these haplotypes support the hypothesis that the introduction of D. valens to China was recent and originated from the Pacific North‐west of the U.S.A. 6 In addition, the high haplotype diversity also suggests a large or multiple introductions. However, based on the genetics of the beetle's reproductive behaviour, this diversity may also be explained by a limited number of individuals or introductions.