Use of GEOCHEM-PC to predict rare earth element (REE) species in nutrient solutions

The interpretation of results of some experiments examining effects of rare earth elements (REE) on plant growth may have been complicated by rare earth phosphate precipitation. Simulations were undertaken using the computer model GEOCHEM-PC to define REE solubility limits and predict REE species in low and high ionic strength nutrient solutions. In low ionic strength solutions containing 5 M P, lanthanum phosphate (LaPO₄) precipitation is predicted to occur at solution pH>4.0, reaching a maximum (>95% of total) at pH 5.5. In high ionic strength solutions (1000 M P) over 95% of the La is predicted to precipitate as phosphate at pH>4.0. The predicted behaviour of cerium (Ce) was closely similar to that for La.At pH 5.5, the concentration of REE species in solution can be increased only after virtually all the P has been precipitated. Consequently, it is important to consider REE-P interactions in nutrient solutions when investigating REE effects on plant growth.     

Seasonal pattern of LH and testosterone secretion in adult male fallow deer, Dama dama

At monthly intervals during the year blood samples were collected every 20 min for 12 h from 4 entire and 2 prepubertally castrated adult fallow deer bucks. In the entire bucks there were seasonal changes in mean concentrations and pulse frequencies of plasma LH. Mean concentrations in late summer and autumn were 3-6 times higher than during other seasons. LH pulse frequency was low (0-1 pulses/12 h) during most of the year and increased only during the 2-month period (January and February) that marked the transition from the non-breeding season to the autumn rut. During this period there was a close temporal relationship between pulses of LH and testosterone. However, during the rutting period (March and April) episodic secretion of testosterone, manifest as surges in plasma concentrations of 4-6 h duration, was not associated with any detectable pulses in LH although mean plasma concentrations of LH remained elevated. During the rut, the surges of plasma testosterone occurred at similar times of the day. Plasma profiles in May indicated very low concentrations of LH and testosterone secretion in the immediate post-rut period. Castrated bucks exhibited highly seasonal patterns of LH secretion, with mean plasma LH concentrations and LH pulse frequency being lowest in November (early summer) and highest in February and March (late summer-early autumn). Mean concentrations and pulse frequency of LH in castrated bucks were higher than for entire bucks at all times of the year.     

Novel class of nuclear genes involved in both mRNA splicing and protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria

Summary We have cloned three distinct nuclear genes, NAM1, NAM7, and NAM8, which alleviate mitochondrial intron mutations of the cytochrome b and COXI (subunit I of cytochrome oxidase) genes when present on multicopy plasmids. These nuclear genes show no sequence homology to each other and are localized on different chromosomes: NAM1 on chromosome IV, NAM7 on chromosome XIII and NAM8 on chromosome VIII. Sequence analysis of the NAM1 gene shows that it encodes a protein of 440 amino acids with a typical presequence that would target the protein to the mitochondrial matrix. Inactivation of the NAM1 gene by gene transplacement leads to a dramatic reduction of the overall synthesis of mitochondrial protein, and a complete absence of the COXI protein which is the result of a specific block in COXI pre-mRNA splicing. The possible mechanisms by which the NAM1 gene product may function are discussed.     

A phylogenetic estimate for golden moles (Mammalia,Afrotheria, Chrysochloridae)

Background  

Golden moles (Chrysochloridae) are small, subterranean, afrotherian mammals from South Africa and neighboring regions. Of the 21 species now recognized, some (e.g., Chrysochloris asiatica, Amblysomus hottentotus) are relatively common, whereas others (e.g., species of Chrysospalax, Cryptochloris, Neamblysomus) are rare and endangered. Here, we use a combined analysis of partial sequences of the nuclear GHR gene and morphological characters to derive a phylogeny of species in the family Chrysochloridae.     

Intrauterine insemination of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) with frozen-thawed semen via laparoscopy

Estrus and ovulation of mature fallow does (n = 155) on two North American farms were synchronized by intravaginal silastic devices containing 0.3 g progesterone (CIDR-type G) for 14 d. Each of 151 does received laparoscopic intrauterine inseminations of either 50 x 10(6) (n = 125) or 25 x 10(6) (n = 26) frozen-thawed spermatozoa, 65 to 68 h after CIDR device withdrawal. Four does received intrauterine inseminations per vaginam of 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa 68 to 69 hours after CIDR device withdrawal. Semen from crossbred Dama dama dama x Dama dama mesopotamica sires was collected in New Zealand by electroejaculation. The overall pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, as assessed by rectal ultrasonography at Day 45, was 67.7%. The pregnancy rates for does receiving laparoscopic inseminations were 58.2% (Texas; 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 79 does); 80.8% (Texas; 25 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 26 does) and 76.1% (New York; 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa; n = 46 does). Three of the four does receiving intrauterine inseminations per vaginam became pregnant to the frozen-thawed semen.     

Role of severe psychopathology in sleep-related experiences: A pilot study.

The construct General Sleep-related Experiences (GSEs, such as elevated dream recall, vivid or bizarre dreams, flying dreams, hypnagogic hallucinations, nightmares, and recurrent dreams) has been previously linked to various forms of psychopathology in nonclinical populations. The aim of this pilot study was to explore this relationship in the context of severe psychopathology. Nineteen outpatients of a mental health clinic were compared to 26 controls on sleep experiences, psychopathology, sleep quality, life stress, and transliminality. Outpatients also reported illness intrusiveness levels. As expected, the outpatient group had elevated GSEs. Within the outpatient group, illness intrusiveness, stress, and transliminality were correlated with GSEs. These findings elucidate the association between GSEs and distress in the context of severe psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of feeding cows in early lactation with soy hulls as partial forage replacement on heat production,retained energy and performance

This study measured the effects of replacing corn silage and vetch hay by soy hulls in total mixed rations (TMRs) fed to 25 pairs of cows through 90 d in milk, on dry matter (DM) intake, in vivo digestibility, milk yield and composition, onset of normal estrous activity, body condition score (BCS), health and the energy balance of lactating cows. The partitioning of metabolizable energy (ME) intake between heat production (HP) and retained energy (RE) in milk and body change of each cow was measured. The two TMRs differed in the content of forage and forage aNDFom [235 g/kg versus 350 g/kg; and 128 g/kg versus 187 g/kg DM, in the experimental (EXP) and control (CON) diets, respectively]. This was reflected by an increase in voluntary DM intake by 7.2% (P=0.02) in the EXP group as compared with the CON. In vivo DM and aNDFom digestibility were 4.9% (P=0.03) and 22.7% higher (P=0.01), respectively, in the EXP group than in the CON. The higher DM intake and digestibility of the EXP TMR were reflected by a concomitant increase of 7.4% in milk yield and 10.8% in RE (P=0.01) of the EXP cows as compared with the CON. The two dietary groups expressed similar somatic cell counts, and metabolic disorders (i.e., ketosis and/or lameness), as well as pedometer activity (steps/h) suggesting similar udder health, behavior and animal welfare. A trend to an earlier return to normal ovarian activity occurred in the EXP cows as reflected by fewer days to 1st ovulation and advanced outset of estrous cycle. Despite the higher RE of the EXP cows, the HP of both groups was maintained at an upper level of 141–136 MJ/cow/d during the 90 d of the experiment.