Fusing VE-Cadherin to α-Catenin Impairs Fetal Liver Hematopoiesis and Lymph but Not Blood Vessel Formation

We have recently shown that genetic replacement of VE-cadherin by a VE-cadherin–α-catenin fusion construct strongly impairs opening of endothelial cell contacts during leukocyte extravasation and induction of vascular permeability in adult mice. Here we show that this mutation leads to lethality at midgestation on a clean C57BL/6 background. Investigating the reasons for embryonic lethality, we observed a lack of fetal liver hematopoiesis and severe lymphedema but no detectable defects in blood vessel formation and remodeling. As for the hematopoiesis defect, VE-cadherin–α-catenin affected neither the generation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from hemogenic endothelium nor their differentiation into multiple hematopoietic lineages. Instead, HSPCs accumulated in the fetal circulation, suggesting that their entry into the fetal liver was blocked. Edema formation was caused by disturbed lymphatic vessel development. Lymphatic progenitor cells of VE-cadherin–α-catenin-expressing embryos were able to leave the cardinal vein and migrate to the site of the first lymphatic vessel formation, yet subsequently, these cells failed to form large lumenized lymphatic vessels. Thus, stabilizing endothelial cell contacts by a covalent link between VE-cadherin and α-catenin affects recruitment of hematopoietic progenitors into the fetal liver and the development of lymph but not blood vessels.     

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Quantitative trait loci for foliar terpenes in a global eucalypt species

Terpenes are a diverse group of plant secondary metabolites that mediate a plethora of ecological interactions in many plant species. Despite increasing research into the genetic control of important adaptive traits in some plant species, the genetic control of terpenes in forest tree species is still relatively poorly studied. In this study, we use quantitative genetic and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis to investigate the genetic control of foliar terpenes in an ecologically and commercially important eucalypt species, Eucalyptus globulus. We show a moderate to high within-family broad-sense heritability and significant genetic basis to the variation in 14 of the 16 terpenes assayed. This is the first report of QTL for terpenes in this species. Eleven QTL influenced the terpenes overall. One QTL on linkage group 6 affected six of the seven different sesquiterpenes assayed (plus one monoterpene), which, in combination with highly significant correlations between these compounds, argues that their variation is influenced by a QTL with pleiotropic effect early in the biosynthetic pathway. We examine the homology of these QTL to those found in a closely related eucalypt, Eucalyptus nitens, and provide evidence that both common and unique QTL influence terpene levels.     

Estimation of the Use of Antibiotics in the Small Ruminant Industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012

The aim of this study was to estimate the quantity of antibiotics and classes of antibiotics used in the small ruminant industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012. Twelve large veterinary practices, located throughout the Netherlands were selected for this study. All small ruminant farms associated with these practices that had complete records on the quantity of antibiotics prescribed were included. The veterinary practices provided data on all antibiotics prescribed, and the estimated animal used daily dose of antibiotics per year (AUDD/Y) was calculated for each farm. The median AUDD/Y in small ruminant farms was zero in both years (mean 0.60 in 2011, and 0.62 in 2012). The largest quantity of antibiotic use was observed in the professional goat industry (herds of ≥32 goats) with a median AUDD/Y of 1.22 in 2011 and 0.73 in 2012. In the professional sheep industry (flocks of ≥32 sheep), the median AUDD/Y was 0 in 2011 and 0.10 in 2012. In the small scale industry (flocks or herds of <32 sheep or goats), the median AUDD/Y never exceeded 0. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics in the small scale industry and professional sheep farms belonged to the penicillin class. In professional goat farms, antibiotics of the aminoglycoside class were most frequently prescribed. This study provides the first assessment on the quantity of antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry. Given a comparable attitude towards antibiotic use, these results might be valid for small ruminant populations in other north-western European countries as well. The antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry appeared to be low, and is expected to play a minor role in the development of antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, several major zoonotic bacterial pathogens are associated with the small ruminant industry, and it remains important that antibiotics are used in a prudent way.     

Genome Sequence of a Nicotine-Degrading Strain of Arthrobacter

We announce a 4.63-Mb genome assembly of an isolated bacterium that is the first sequenced nicotine-degrading Arthrobacter strain. Nicotine catabolism genes of the nicotine-degrading plasmid pAO1 were predicted, but plasmid function genes were not found. These results will help to better illustrate the molecular mechanism of nicotine degradation by Arthrobacter.     

Modèle physico-chimique de cellule excitable

A simple physico-chemical model of the excitable cell is represented by a peculiar chemically active ion exchange medium. It reveals some properties of natural cells: chemical and electrical irritability, all or none effect, summation of stimuli, electrotonus, refractory periods, periodical oscillations, action potentials, conduction of impulse. This model is based upon oversimplified assumptions, and a further investigation into more details is required.     

Division of Labour among Workers in the Termite,Reticulitermes fukienensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

To investigate division of labour in Reticulitermes fukienensis, worker and larval subgroups were established in laboratory cultures and task performance patterns of different-sized workers and larvae were recorded. Five categories of subgroups were established based on head width differences: small larvae (SL); large larvae (LL); small workers (SW); medium workers (MW); and large workers (LW). Subgroups were compared for their ability to carry out the following tasks: tunnel construction; covered gallery construction; gallery repair; and feeding. Larval subgroups were found to carry out none of the tasks investigated. They did not feed or build covered galleries or underground tunnels. Temporal polyethism occurred among workers of different size groups. Covered foraging galleries were exclusively built and tunnels were predominantly built by older workers (i.e. MW and especially LW). Remarkably, most SW were apparently unable to burrow into the soil, something that all LW did within 3 d and 95% of MW did within 5 d. Surprisingly, LW ate 8.5 and 65.5 times as much food (i.e. filter paper) as MW and SW, respectively, although their average body weights were, respectively, only approximately two and four times that of MW and SW. MW carried out all four tasks that LW performed, although MW were typically less efficient. This contrasts with the hypothesis that different instars of termites should carry out different non-overlapping tasks. Large workers carried out most of all tasks compared with other worker sizes. The only exception was for gallery repair where repair rate by LW did not differ significantly from MW. The predominance of tasks carried out by larger (i.e. older) workers indicates a possible new pattern for division of labour in these lower termites. This contrasts with the pattern of organization of division of labour in the social Hymenoptera.