Shearing at the end of summer affects body temperature of free-living Angora goats ( Capra aegagrus) more than does shearing at the end of winter

Angora goats are known to be vulnerable to cold stress, especially after shearing, but their thermoregulatory responses to shearing have not been measured. We recorded activity, and abdominal and subcutaneous temperatures, for 10 days pre-shearing and post-shearing, in 10 Angora goats inhabiting the succulent thicket of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, in both March (late summer) and September (late winter). Within each season, environmental conditions were similar pre-shearing and post-shearing, but September was an average 5°C colder than March. Shearing resulted in a decreased mean (P < 0.0001), minimum (P < 0.0001) and maximum daily abdominal temperature (P < 0.0001). Paradoxically, the decrease in daily mean (P = 0.03) and maximum (P = 0.01) abdominal temperatures, from pre-shearing to post-shearing, was greater in March than in September. Daily amplitude of body temperature rhythm (P < 0.0001) and the maximum rate of abdominal temperature rise (P < 0.0001) increased from pre-shearing to post-shearing, resulting in an earlier diurnal peak in abdominal temperature (P = 0.001) post-shearing. These changes in amplitude, rate of abdominal temperature rise and time of diurnal peak in abdominal temperature suggest that the goats' thermoregulatory system was more labile after shearing. Mean daily subcutaneous temperatures also decreased post-shearing (P < 0.0001), despite our index goat selecting more stable microclimates after shearing in March (P = 0.03). Following shearing, there was an increased difference between abdominal and subcutaneous temperatures (P < 0.0001) at night, suggesting that the goats used peripheral vasoconstriction to limit heat loss. In addition to these temperature changes, mean daily activity increased nearly two-fold after March shearing, but not September shearing. This increased activity after March shearing was likely the result of an increased foraging time, food intake and metabolic rate, as suggested by the increased water influx (P = 0.0008). Thus, Angora goats entered a heat conservation mode after shearing in both March and September. That the transition from the fleeced to the shorn state had greater thermoregulatory consequences in March than in September may provide a mechanistic explanation for Angora goats' vulnerability to cold in summer.     

Analysis of the distribution of marker classes in a genetic linkage map: a case study in Norway spruce (Picea abies karst)

In order to analyze the large-scale structure of the genome of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), a pseudo-testcross genetic linkage map was built using markers of six different types, belonging to the low (amplified fragment length polymorphisms, simple sequence repeats) or high (sequence-specific amplified polymorphisms, inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphisms) copy-number fraction of the genome, and including expressed region-derived markers (expressed sequence tag polymorphisms). Twenty seven and 23 linkage groups of at least four markers were obtained for the female and the male parent maps, respectively. A subset of these linkage groups coalesced into 13 bi-parental linkage groups through markers shared between the two maps. This map was used to investigate the frequency of each marker type over chromosomes and the distribution of marker types relative to each other, using autocorrelation techniques. Our results show that, while the composition of chromosomes is homogeneous, low- and high-copy-number markers tend to occupy separate regions of the linkage groups, and that expressed sequences are preferentially associated with microsatellites and separated from retrotransposons. These results indicate that the spatial structure of Norway spruce chromosomes is not homogeneous. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

Intracellular sorting and basolateral appearance of the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

The polarity of the surface distribution of viral glycoproteins during virus infection has been studied in the Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell line on nitrocellulose filters. Using a surface radioimmunoassay on Madin-Darby canine kidney strain I cells that had been infected with vesicular stomatitis virus or with avian influenza fowl plague virus, we found that the surface G protein was 97% basolateral, whereas the fowl plague virus hemagglutinin was 88% apical. Newly synthesized, pulse-labeled vesicular stomatitis virus appeared first on the basolateral plasma membrane as measured by an immunoprecipitation assay in which the anti-G protein antibody was applied to the monolayer either from the apical or the basolateral side. Labeled G protein could be accumulated inside the cell at a late stage of transport by decreasing the temperature to 20 degrees C during the chase. Reversal to 37 degrees C led to its rapid and synchronous transport to the basolateral surface at an initial rate 61-fold greater than that of transport to the apical side. These results demonstrate that the newly synthesized G protein is transported directly to the basolateral membrane and does not pass over the apical membrane en route. Since a previous study of the surface appearance of influenza virus hemagglutinins showed that the newly synthesized hemagglutinins were inserted directly from an intracellular site into the apical membrane (Matlin, K., and K. Simons, 1984, J. Cell Biol., 99:2131-2139), we conclude that the divergence of the transport pathway for the apical and basolateral viral glycoproteins has to occur intracellularly, i.e., before reaching the cell surface.     

Getting to the core: Internal body temperatures help reveal the ecological function and thermal implications of the lions’ mane

It has been proposed that there is a thermal cost of the mane to male lions, potentially leading to increased body surface temperatures (T_s), increased sperm abnormalities, and to lower food intake during hot summer months. To test whether a mane imposes thermal costs on males, we measured core body temperature (T_b) continuously for approximately 1 year in 18 free‐living lions. There was no difference in the 24‐hr maximum T_b of males (n = 12) and females (n = 6), and males had a 24‐hr mean T_b that was 0.2 ± 0.1°C lower than females after correcting for seasonal effects. Although feeding on a particular day increased 24‐hr mean and 24‐hr maximum T_b, this phenomenon was true of both male and female lions, and females had higher 24‐hr mean and 24‐hr maximum T_b than males, on both days when lions did not feed, and on days when lions did feed. Twenty‐four‐hour T_b was not influenced by mane length or color, and 24‐hr mean T_b was negatively correlated with mane length. These data contradict the suggestion that there exists a thermal cost to male lions in possessing a long dark mane, but do not preclude the possibility that males compensate for a mane with increased heat loss. The increased insulation caused by a mane does not necessarily have to impair heat loss by males, which in hot environments is primarily through respiratory evaporative cooling, nor does in necessarily lead to increased heat gain, as lions are nocturnal and seek shade during the day. The mane may even act as a heat shield by increasing insulation. However, dominant male lions frequent water points more than twice as often as females, raising the possibility that male lions are increasing water uptake to facilitate increased evaporative cooling. The question of whether male lions with manes compensate for a thermal cost to the mane remains unresolved, but male lions with access to water do not have higher T_b than females or males with smaller manes.     

The P2X7 receptor is not essential for development of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, characterised by epidermal hyperplasia (acanthosis) and leukocyte infiltration of the skin. Current therapies are inadequate, highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets. The P2X7 receptor is implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. This study investigated the role of P2X7 in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation. Topically applied IMQ caused twofold greater ear swelling in BALB/c mice compared to C57BL/6 mice, which encode a partial loss-of-function missense mutation in the P2RX7 gene. However, there was no difference in histological skin pathology (acanthosis and leukocyte infiltration) between the two strains. IMQ treatment up-regulated P2X7 expression in skin from both mouse strains. Additionally, IMQ induced ATP release from cultured human keratinocytes, a process independent of cell death. Injection of the P2X7 antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG) but not A-804598 partly reduced ear swelling compared to vehicle-injected control mice. Neither antagonist altered skin pathology. Moreover, no difference in ear swelling or skin pathology was observed between C57BL/6 and P2X7 knock-out (KO) mice. Flow cytometric analysis of IMQ-treated skin from C57BL/6 and P2X7 KO mice demonstrated similar leukocyte infiltration, including neutrophils, macrophages and T cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that P2X7 is not essential for development of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation but does not exclude a role for this receptor in psoriasis development in humans or other mouse models of this disease.     

Vitamin E and selenium treatment of monocrotaline induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Monocrotaline (MCT) is a hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid that is derived from plants; exposure may occur by consumption of contaminated grains, herbal teas and medicines. MCT can cause liver damage. We investigated the antioxidant effects of selenium (Se) and vitamin E against the toxic effects of MCT. Female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: a control group, an MCT group, an MCT + Se group, and an MCT + vitamin E group. Liver tissues were harvested, fixed, processed to paraffin and sections were cut. Anti-von Willebrand factor (vWF) immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed. Serum and liver tissue glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were measured. Histopathological and TUNEL data showed significantly increased liver damage in the MCT group compared to controls. Histopathological and TUNEL staining indicated significant improvements in the MCT + vitamin E and MCT + Se groups compared to the MCT group. MCT significantly reduced the serum GSH level and GPx activity, and liver GPx activity. Biochemical data indicated a significant improvement in serum GSH level in the MCT + vitamin E group compared to the MCT group. We suggest that vitamin E and Se afford limited protection against MCT hepatotoxicity.     

Solving the maximum representation problem to prioritize areas for the conservation of terrestrial mammals at risk in Oaxaca

Oaxaca, located in south‐west México within the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, holds exceptionally high biodiversity for several taxa, including mammals. It has four decreed natural protected areas (NPAs) covering 5% of its total area, but only three of these, covering only 0.2% of the area, are strictly protected as National Parks. The current study develops ecological niche models for 183 terrestrial mammals for use as biodiversity surrogates in a systematic conservation planning exercise. Forty‐five of these species were selected on the basis of their being either endangered or threatened or otherwise listed under the Mexican Red List or because they were endemic to either Oaxaca or to Mexico. The niche models were constructed with a machine‐learning algorithm (GARP, Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐Set Prediction) and refined by restricting each model to sites with suitable vegetation and habitat patches contiguous with known occurrences of the species. If the entire predicted geographical distribution of each of the 45 species listed above is put under protection, the entire state of Oaxaca gets included. Therefore, we imposed different constraints on the maximum area that can be put under protection (5–30% of the area of Oaxaca) and selected nominal conservation area networks based on different percentage representation targets for the species’ modelled distributions based on their conservation status (10–100%). The area selection utilized a rarity‐ and complementarity‐based algorithm (in the ResNet software package). The goal was to have as many as possible of the 45 species at risk meet their specified representation targets in the budgeted area. The methods developed here combine ecological niche modelling and area prioritization algorithms for integrated conservation planning in a protocol that is suitable for other highly biodiverse regions.     

Increased alpha-defensins as a blood marker for schizophrenia susceptibility

Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic illness affecting 1% of the general population. There are no consistent pathological features, and the disorder is defined by a complex symptomatology, which overlaps with other psychiatric illnesses. Diagnosis is based on a clinical interview, relying on the patient meeting criteria according to diagnosis manuals, including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed. and International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Because of the ambiguous symptoms, the diagnostic process can take many months and often years. Rapid and effective treatment has been shown to impact positively on disease progression and outcome, and it is therefore important to identify disease-associated biomarkers allowing early diagnosis. Reliable biomarkers can be used for the development of diagnostic tests and may also help us understand the underlying pathology of this disorder. In the present study, proteins from anti-CD3 stimulated and unstimulated peripheral blood T cell lysates from 15 minimally medicated and unmedicated patients and 15 age-, sex-, race-, and smoking-matched controls were profiled on cation exchange (CM10) chips using SELDI-TOF. Partial least squares discriminate analysis was used to separate patient and control groups according to the expression of 108 detected peaks, and two peaks of 3,374 and 3,450 Da, corresponding to alpha-defensins based on masses and cationic properties, were found to contribute significantly to the separation of patient and control groups. Reduction of T cell lysates with DTT resulted in a 6-Da shift in the mass of these peaks consistent with the presence of three cysteine bonds in the structure, confirming them as alpha-defensins. Quantification of alpha-defensins in T cell lysates from six patients and 18 healthy controls was carried out by ELISA, which also showed that alpha-defensin levels were significantly increased in patient lysates when compared with matched controls (p = 0.0197). Plasma from 21 monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia and eight healthy unaffected twin pairs was also analyzed for the expression of alpha-defensins by ELISA. Notably both affected and unaffected twins were found to have significantly elevated alpha-defensin levels compared with healthy control twin pairs (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0115, respectively). Increased expression of alpha-defensins in unaffected as well as affected discordant monozygotic twins is of particular interest as monozygotic twins share genes and usually environmental upbringing. The unaffected twin therefore represents the biological and environmental risk of developing schizophrenia in the absence of overt symptomatology and therapeutic medication. These findings suggest that alpha-defensins could be an important early indicator of the risk of schizophrenia.