Long-lasting effects of experimental flow intermittency on alpine stream macroinvertebrates (Val Roseg,Switzerland)

Hydrobiologia - Changing weather patterns and receding glaciers are predicted to increase flow intermittency in alpine streams. If aquatic macroinvertebrate communities largely comprise taxa...     

Candidate SNP of CACNA2D1 Gene Associated with Clinical Mastitis and Production Traits in Sahiwal (Bos taurus indicus) and Karan Fries (Bos taurus taurus × Bos taurus indicus)

The present study was conducted to identify polymorphisms in CACNA2D1 gene and their association with clinical mastitis and production traits. Exon 18 and its flanking regions were screened for the presence of SNPs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify association of period of birth, breed, and genotype with mastitis incidence on randomly selected 103 Sahiwal and 102 Karan Fries cattle. PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that g.38819398G?>?A mutation in exon 18 (269?bp amplicon) of CACNA2D1 gene resolved into AA, AG, and GG genotypes in Sahiwal and Karan Fries cattle. Wald chi-square analysis revealed that the period of birth, breed, and genotype were significantly associated with mastitis incidence. GG genotyped cattle were found to be less susceptible to mastitis. Least square analysis revealed that GG and AG genotype animals of G38819398A SNP of CACNA2D1 gene in Sahiwal as well as in Karan Fries cattle were associated with higher average milk yields during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lactations (P?<?0.01). These observations and their differential association with the incidence of mastitis and production traits can be utilized as an aid to selection for simultaneous improvement of both antagonistic traits; however, validation of results on large number of animals is warranted.     

Thermoprotection of preimplantation bovine embryos from heat shock by glutathione and taurine.

To determine if deleterious effects of heat shock on embryos could be reduced in vitro by glutathione or taurine, morulae from superovulated cows were placed in modified Hams-F10 medium supplemented with 50 nM glutathione (GSH), 50 mM taurine or neither. Morulae were incubated for 2 hours at 38.5 degrees C, then at 42.0 degrees C (heat shock) or 38.5 degrees C for 2 hours and followed by incubation at 38.5 degrees C for 20 hours. Neither GSH nor taurine enhanced viability or blastocyst development at 38.5 degrees C. At 42.0 degrees C, however, GSH and taurine increased (P less than 0.02) viability (73%, 41% and 26% live for GSH, taurine and control); GSH increased (P less than 0.05) blastocyst development (55% for GSH vs. 30% for control). In conclusion, partial thermoprotection of bovine embryos from heat shock can be achieved in vitro by administration of GSH. Taurine is only slightly effective.     

Genetic transformation of novel isolates of chicken Lactobacillus bearing probiotic features for expression of heterologous proteins: a tool to develop live oral vaccines

Background  

The use of lactic acid bacteria as vehicles to delivery antigens to immunize animals is a promising issue. When genetically modified, these bacteria can induce a specific local and systemic immune response against selected pathogens. Gastric acid and bile salts tolerance, production of antagonistic substances against pathogenic microorganisms, and adhesive ability to gut epithelium are other important characteristics that make these bacteria useful for oral immunization.     

Life-history and oviposition behaviour of Amitus bennetti, a parasitoid of Bemisia argentifolii

Amitus bennetti Viggiani & Evans (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae) is a recently described parasitoid of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Behaviour and life history of the parasitoid are described. The first nymphal instar of B. argentifolii is preferred by the parasitoid, but the 1st through 4th instar may be parasitised. Females first investigate hosts with their antennae, then walk over the host, and eventually step with their front legs on the leaf and insert their ovipositor inside the host facing away from the host, while the hind legs are still on the host. The time from encounter to oviposition (=latency to oviposition) is shortest on the 1st instar. Oviposition duration (mean=39 s) comprises 50% of the handling time. Development time from egg to adult decreases from 72 days at 15 °C to 42 days at 20 °C to 28 days at 25 °C. We estimate that 400 degree days is required for development, with a development threshold of 10 °C. Adult longevity in the absence of hosts was 29, 26 and 19 days and with hosts present 8, 8 and 5 days at 15, 20 and 25 °C, respectively. Amitus bennetti is proovigenic and oviposits most eggs shortly after adult emergence. During the first day of their adult lives females laid 1, 31 and 49 eggs at 15, 20 and 25 °C, respectively. Compared with other parasitoid species, the development time of A. bennetti is very long, and the implications of this for management of B. argentifolii are discussed.     

Fetuin-A exerts a protective effect against experimentally induced intestinal ischemia/reperfusion by suppressing autophagic cell death

Intestinal tissue is highly susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion injury in many hazardous health conditions. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant glycoprotein fetuin-A showed efficacy in cerebral ischemic injury; however, its protective role against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigated the protective role of fetuin-A supplementation against intestinal structural changes and dysfunction in a rat model of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion. We equally divided 72 male rats into control, sham, ischemia/reperfusion, and fetuin-A-pretreated ischemia/reperfusion (100 mg/kg/day fetuin-A intraperitoneally for three days prior to surgery and a third dose 1 h prior to the experiment) groups. After 2 h of reperfusion, the jejunum was dissected and examined for spontaneous contractility. A jejunal homogenate was used to assess inflammatory and oxidative stress enzymes. Staining of histological sections was carried out with hematoxylin, eosin and Masson’s trichrome stain for evaluation. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect autophagy proteins beclin-1, LC3, and p62. This study found that fetuin-A significantly improved ischemia/reperfusion-induced mucosal injury by reducing the percentage of areas of collagen deposition, increasing the amplitude of spontaneous contraction, decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, and upregulating p62 expression, which was accompanied by beclin-1 and LC3 downregulation. Our findings suggest that fetuin-A treatment can prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced jejunal structural and functional changes by increasing antioxidant activity and regulating autophagy disturbances observed in the ischemia/reperfusion rat model. Furthermore, fetuin-A may provide a protective influence against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion complications.     

Mangiferin Prevents Guinea Pig Tracheal Contraction via Activation of the Nitric Oxide-Cyclic GMP Pathway

Previous studies have described the antispasmodic effect of mangiferin, a natural glucoside xanthone (2-C-β-Dgluco-pyranosyl-1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone) that is present in mango trees and other plants, but its mechanism of action remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the potential contribution of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway to the antispasmodic effect of mangiferin on isolated tracheal rings preparations. The functional effect of mangiferin on allergic and non-allergic contraction of guinea pig tracheal rings was assessed in conventional organ baths. Cultured tracheal rings were exposed to mangiferin or vehicle, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 3 and cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels were quantified using western blotting and enzyme immunoassays, respectively. Mangiferin (0.1–10 µM) inhibited tracheal contractions induced by distinct stimuli, such as allergen, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine or carbachol, in a concentration-dependent manner. Mangiferin also caused marked relaxation of tracheal rings that were precontracted by carbachol, suggesting that it has both anti-contraction and relaxant properties that are prevented by removing the epithelium. The effect of mangiferin was inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 µM), and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1], [2], [4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10 µM), but not the adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ22536) (100 µM). The antispasmodic effect of mangiferin was also sensitive to K⁺ channel blockers, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide and apamin. Furthermore, mangiferin inhibited Ca²⁺-induced contractions in K⁺ (60 mM)-depolarised tracheal rings preparations. In addition, mangiferin increased NOS3 protein levels and cGMP intracellular levels in cultured tracheal rings. Finally, mangiferin-induced increase in cGMP levels was abrogated by co-incubation with either ODQ or L-NAME. These data suggest that the antispasmodic effect of mangiferin is mediated by epithelium-nitric oxide- and cGMP-dependent mechanisms.