Prolyl hydroxylase activity in normal and diseased human liver.

Prolyl hydroxylase activity was determined in liver biopsy samples obtained from 10 patients. The liver prolyl hydroxylase values in patients with active hepatitis distribute into two numerical populations based on the extent of elevation over control. The first of these groups includes those with enzyme levels elevated approximately 2.5-fold over normal. Included in this group are patients with active (but nonagrressive) hepatitis and patients where advanced portal fibrosis is already established. The second group where prolyl hydroxylase is elevated approximately nine-fold is comprised of two patients with advanced clinical symptoms of active alcoholic hepatitis with evidence of aggressive cirrhosis but with only early minimal evidence of existing fibrosis.     

Conformational studies of peptides. The crystal structures of N-acetyl-L-prolinamide and N-acetyl-(S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxamide

The crystal structure of N′-acetyl-L -prolinamide and its isomorphous alalog N′-acetyl-(S)-thiazolidine-4-carboxamide was determined using highly accurate parameters obtained by room- and low-temperature data-collecting systems. Both crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with four molecules per unit cell held together by a hydrogen-bond system that extends in all directions. Both molecules exhibit the following conformational features: the acetyl group is in the trans configuration in respect to the tertiary amide. The primary amide is almost at right angles with respect to the mean plane of the ring and the –NH₂ group is over the ring. The pyrrolidine and thiazolidine rings were found to be rather flexible with C^β puckering in the former and sulfur in the latter.     

Incidence of Aflatoxin in California Almonds

In a survey of California almonds, aflatoxin was found in 14% of 74 samples of unsorted, in-shell almonds as received by the processor in 1972, but it occurred at very low levels (below 20 parts per billion [ppb]) in 90% of the contaminated samples. The overall proportion of individual nuts contaminated was especially low and is estimated with 95% probability to have been in the range of 1 nut/55,300 nuts to 1 nut/14,700 nuts. Aflatoxin contamination is not restricted to any particular section of the almond-growing region of California. Commercial sorting procedures are effective in removing most aflatoxin-contaminated nutmeats, since none of 26 samples of processed, whole nutmeats contained aflatoxin. In contrast, 13 of 27 samples of diced almonds were contaminated, but nine of these 13 samples contained less than 20 ppb. Only one of 25 samples of sliced nutmeats contained aflatoxin (4 ppb). Thus, aflatoxin incidence in almonds varies greatly with the category of finished product. The apparent high incidence in diced nutmeats is probably due mostly to the more uniform distribution of aflatoxin occurring in this product (because of its small particle size) than that occurring in the other products. Sample size requirements for monitoring aflatoxin in almonds are discussed.     

Protein inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase does not account for effect of putrescine on 3T3 cells

Putrescine and other amines are known to rapidly reduce or prevent increases in ornithine decarboxylase activity in a number of systems. We have confirmed reports of a nondialyzable inhibitor of the enzyme in serum-starved H-35 hepatoma cells exposed to serum and putrescine. In contrast, we detected little if any nondialyzable inhibitor in serum-limited Swiss 3T3 cells treated similarly. Also, evidence of a dissociable enzyme-inhibitor complex was found in H-35 cells but not in 3T3 cells. These results suggest that assimilated putrescine can reduce ornithine decarboxylase activity by mechanisms not involving a macromolecular inhibitor.     

Ca2+ transport and permeability in inside-out red cell membrane vesicles after freezing

To evaluate the effects of freezing and thawing on Ca2+ transport and permeability, inside-out red cell membrane vesicles (IORCMV) are examined. Exposure to the cryoprotectant Me2SO as well as different cooling regimes on unprotected and cryoprotected vesicles do not affect the membrane Ca2+ transport. However, freezing and thawing increase the membrane permeability to sucrose.     

American Black Duck Nesting Ecology in North Carolina

North Carolina, USA, is the southernmost extent of the American black duck's (Anas rubripes) breeding range; however, little is known about their nesting ecology in this region. We located and monitored 140 nesting black ducks over 2 years (2017–2018) to quantify preferred nesting habitat and assess nesting productivity within coastal North Carolina. We located nests in brackish marshes (75%) and man-made dredge spoil islands (25%) at a density of 1 nest/22 ha. Black ducks selected high marsh and nested an average of 21.81 m from open water at a mean elevation of 1.36 m. In preferred nesting habitat, visual obstruction readings were 0.50 m with a maximum mean vegetation height of 0.81 m and land cover consisted largely of grasses (84.6%). Apparent nest success rates varied from 31% (2017) to 63% (2018) across years. The majority (72.2%) of variability in nest success was best predicted by nest location (mainland marsh, natural island, or spoil island), vegetation density, maximum vegetation height, and year. Management for breeding black ducks in coastal North Carolina should focus on promoting selected nesting habitat and reducing nest predators. Prescribed burns, used to set back succession on spoil islands and in brackish marshes should be conducted in the winter or in the early growing season not to exceed the twenty-fifth quantile date of black duck nest initiation (2 Apr). © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Case Studies of the Impacts of Cataract Surgery on Crested Penguin Welfare

As nonhuman animals age, geriatric individuals require additional care and veterinary support to ensure their well being. The focus on lifelong care is a relatively newer approach when providing good welfare, and few studies have examined how veterinary care impacts behavior at different ages or how best to accommodate geriatric individuals in zoos. The objectives of this study were to (a) assess both the immediate and long-term (one year later) behavioral impacts of cataract removal for macaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and southern rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) penguins; (b) compare the behavior of penguins following cataract surgery to that of other conspecifics in the same habitat; and (c) monitor the impacts of cataract surgery on swimming behavior using time-depth recorders. Individual responses to cataract removal differed in direction and magnitude, and these mixed results highlight that welfare is experienced and thus measured at the individual level. Positive responses included increased habitat use, increased time spent swimming, and increased rates of affiliative interactions. This study highlights the importance of assessing welfare impacts of veterinary interventions on geriatric individuals.