The Effects of Triiodothyronine on Rat Testis: A Morphometric and Immunohistochemical Study

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T₃) on rat testis both morphometrically and immunohistochemically with determining of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) expression. Adult male Wistar-albino rats used in the study were divided into two groups; control and T₃-treated groups. After T₃ treatment there was observed to be a decrease in testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and the number of sertoli cells, and an increase in the number of leydig cells (P<0.05). Some of the seminiferous tubule lumens of T₃ administrated rats had cellular debris. IGF-I was localized in sertoli cells, late spermatids and leydig cells of all groups. IGF-I immunoreactivity in T₃ treated rats was higher than in controls in all stages of the cycle of rat seminiferous epithelium, but the staining intensity of leydig cells were similar in both groups. In conclusion, the present results suggest that T₃ may modulate the testicular function by affecting IGF-I activity at the gonadal level.     

Hybridization and genetic variation in Danish populations of European crab apple (Malus sylvestris)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic variation in Danish populations of the endangered European crab apple (Malus sylvestris). Special emphasis was given to hybridization between the wild species and its cultivated relative Malus ×domestica. A total of 178 wild individuals from four Danish populations were studied along with a reference sample of 29 old cultivars. The genetic variation within and among samples was studied at ten microsatellite marker loci. Additionally, a morphological analysis was carried out to identify hybrids and test for correspondence between phenotypic and genotypic indices of hybridization. From application of ordination and a model-based cluster analysis to the molecular data, two clusters were identified consisting of wild and cultivated individuals, respectively. This indicates that pronounced admixture between the two species is not present. At the population level, a high correspondence was found between geographic isolation from M. ×domestica and genotypic and morphological indices of hybridization. As expected, isolated populations appeared less affected by hybridization than poorly isolated populations. Isolated “pure” M. sylvestris populations could thus be identified. However, morphological and molecular evidences of hybridization were found to be divergent at the individual level. This is suggestive of some historical introgression into the M. sylvestris gene pool and indicates that relying exclusively on either morphological or molecular characters as diagnostic markers in studies of hybridization between M. ×domestica and M. sylvestris might lead to fallible results. Combined application of genetic and morphological markers is therefore recommended.     

Predisposition for venoconstriction in the equine laminar dermis: implications in equine laminitis.

Equine laminitis is a crippling condition associated with a variety of systemic diseases. Although it is apparent that the prodromal stages of laminitis involve microvascular dysfunction, little is known regarding the physiology of this vasculature. The aim of the present study was to determine the relative responses of equine laminar arteries and veins to the vasoconstrictor agonists phenylephrine (1 nM-10 microM), 5-HT (1 nM-10 microM), PGF2alpha (1 nM-100 microM), and endothelin-1 (1 pM-1 microM). We have determined that laminar veins were more sensitive, with respect to the concentration of agonist required to initiate a contractile response and to achieve EC(50), for all agonists tested. EC50 values, for veins and arteries, respectively, were 84+/-7 vs. 688+/-42 nM for phenylephrine, 35+/-6 vs. 224+/-13 nM for 5-HT, 496+/-43 nM vs. 3.0+/-0.6 microM for PGF2alpha, and 467+/-38 pM vs. 70.6+/-6.4 nM for endothelin-1. Moreover, when expressed as a percentage of the response to a depolarizing stimulus (80 mM potassium), the maximal contractile response of laminar veins exceeded that for the laminar arteries for each agonist. These results indicate that there may be a predisposition for venoconstriction within the vasculature of the equine digit. While this physiological predisposition for venoconstriction may be important in the regulation of blood flow during exercise, it also may help to explain why laminitis can result from a variety of pathological systemic conditions.     

Identification of bikunin as an endogenous inhibitor of dynorphin convertase in human cerebrospinal fluid

Dynorphin-converting enzymes constitute a group of peptidases capable of converting dynorphins to enkephalins. Through the action of these enzymes, the dynorphin-related peptides bind to delta-opioid instead of kappa-opioid receptors, leading to a change in the biological function of the neuropeptides. In this article, we describe the identification of the protein bikunin as an endogenous, competitive inhibitor of a dynorphin-converting enzyme in human cerebrospinal fluid. This protein is present together with its target enzyme in the same body fluids. The K(M) value of the convertase was found to be 9 microm, and the K(i) value of the inhibitor was 1.7 nm. The finding indicates that bikunin may play a significant role as a regulatory mechanism of neuropeptides, where one bioactive peptide is converted to a shorter sequence, which in turn, can affect the action of its longer form.     

The molecular epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus serotypes A and O from 1998 to 2004 in Turkey

Background

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) causes significant economic losses in Turkish livestock. We have analysed the genetic diversity of the 1D sequences, encoding the hypervariable surface protein VP1, of Turkish isolates of serotype A and O collected from 1998 to 2004 in order to obtain epidemiological and immunological information.

Results

The 1D coding region of 33 serotype O and 20 serotype A isolates, obtained from outbreaks of FMD between 1998 and 2004, was sequenced. For serotype A, we confirmed the occurrence of the two subtypes IRN99 and IRN96. These subtypes are most divergent within the region encoding the immuno-dominant GH-loop. Also a close relationship to Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus (FMDV) serotype A isolates obtained from outbreaks in Iraq and Iran were detected and a clustering of isolates collected during the same period of time were found. The analysis of the deduced amino-acid sequences of these subtypes revealed evidence of positive selection in one site and one deletion, both within the GH-loop region. By inferring the ancestral history of the positively selected codon, two potential precursors were found. Furthermore, the structural alignment of IRN99 and IRN96 revealed differences between the tertiary structures of these subtypes. The similarity plot of the serotype O isolates suggested a more homogeneous group than the serotype A isolates. However, phylogenetic analysis revealed two major groups, each further divided in subgroups, of which some only consisted of Turkish isolates. Positively selected sites and structural differences of the Turkish isolates analysed, were not found.

Conclusion

The sequence and structural analysis of the IRN99 strains is indicative of positive selection suggesting an immunological advantage compared to IRN96. However, results of antigenic comparison reported elsewhere do not substantiate such a conclusion. There is evidence that IRN99 was introduced to Turkey, in all probability from Iran. Since, a member of the IRN96 lineage was included as a component of the FMDV vaccine produced since 2000, the outbreaks caused by IRN96 strains in 2004 could be due to incomplete vaccine coverage. The Turkish type O strains, all with a VP1 structure similar to the O1/Manisa/69 vaccine, appear in several sublineages. Whether these sublineages reflect multiple samplings from a limited number of outbreaks, or if they reflect cross-boundary introductions is not clear.     

Feed-borne Outbreak of Salmonella Cubana in Swedish Pig Farms: Risk Factors and Factors Affecting the Restriction Period in Infected Farms

   

In 2003, a feed-borne outbreak of Salmonella Cubana occurred in Sweden as a result of contamination in a feed plant. Salmonella Cubana was detected in 49 out of 77 pig farms having received possibly contaminated feed. In this study, potential risk factors for farms being salmonella positive were examined, and a survival analysis was performed to investigate risk factors affecting the restriction period for salmonella positive farms.     

Determination of beta-amyloid peptide signatures in cerebrospinal fluid using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry

Early pathogenic events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) involve increased production and/or reduced clearance of beta-amyloid (Abeta), especially the 42 amino acid fragment Abeta1-42. The Abeta1-42 peptide is generated through cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein by beta- and gamma-secretase and is catabolised by a variety of proteolytic enzymes such as insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin. Here, we describe a method that employs immunoprecipitation combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to determine the pattern of C-terminally truncated Abeta peptides in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Using antibodies coupled to magnetic beads, we have detected 18 C-terminally and 2 N-terminally truncated Abeta peptides in CSF. By determining the identity and profile of the truncated Abeta peptides, more insight may be gained about differences in the metabolism and structural properties of Abeta in AD. Finally, the Abeta fragment signatures may prove useful as a diagnostic test for AD.     

Embryonic gonadal and sexual organ development in a small viviparous skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus

The majority of research into the timing of gonad differentiation (and sex determination) in reptiles has focused on oviparous species. This is largely because: (1) most reptiles are oviparous; (2) it is easier to manipulate embryonic developmental conditions (e.g., temperature) of eggs than oviductal embryos and (3) modes of sex determination in oviparous taxa were thought to be more diverse since viviparity and environmental sex determination (ESD)/temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) were considered incompatible. However, recent evidence suggests the two may well be compatible biological attributes, opening potential new lines of enquiry into the evolution and maintenance of sex determination. Unfortunately, the baseline information on embryonic development in viviparous species is lacking and information on gonad differentiation and sexual organ development is almost non-existent. Here we present an embryonic morphological development table (10 stages), the sequence of gonad differentiation and sexual organ development for the viviparous spotted snow skink (Niveoscincus ocellatus). Gonad differentiation in this species is similar to other reptilian species. Initially, the gonads are indifferent and both male and female accessory ducts are present. During stage 2, in the middle third of development, differentiation begins as the inner medulla regresses and the cortex thickens signaling ovary development, while the opposite occurs in testis formation. At this point, the Müllerian (female reproductive) duct regresses in males until it is lost (stage 6), while females retain both ducts until after birth. In the later stages of testis development, interstitial tissue forms in the medulla corresponding to maximum development of the hemipenes in males and the corresponding regression in the females.