Animal Health and Welfare – Pig Production

Requirements of the organic pig farming create an opportunity to offer good life for animals. The space requirements give animals the possibility to exhibit species-specific behavior and provide them opportunity for more exercise. Bedding and roughage are important in helping to reduce production stress. The most difficult question in a veterinary point of view is how to manage the animal health care. Vaccinations, antibiotics and anthelmintic can be used in organic production but only in a limited way. A lot can be achieved with good management but there are still situations when the use of medicine is necessary. What is the amount of joint inflammations or liver spots to justify the use of medicine? The question has to be solved case by case. The profitability of the production is a crucial point in an organic farm because a poor economy is a great threat to animal welfare.     

Existence of natural mouse IgG mAbs recognising epitopes shared by malondialdehyde acetaldehyde adducts and Porphyromonas gingivalis

Natural Abs are produced by B lymphocytes in the absence of external Ag stimulation. They recognise self, altered self and foreign Ags, comprising an important first-line defence against invading pathogens and serving as innate recognition receptors for tissue homeostasis. Natural IgG Abs have been found in newborns and uninfected individuals. Yet, their physiological role remains unclear. Previously, no natural IgG Abs to oxidation-specific epitopes have been reported. Here, we show the cloning and characterisation of mouse IgG mAbs against malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA)-modified low-density lipoprotein. Sequence analysis reveals high homology with germline genes, suggesting that they are natural. Further investigation shows that the MAA-specific natural IgG Abs cross-react with the major periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and recognise its principle virulence factors gingipain Kgp and long fimbriae. The study provides evidence that natural IgGs may play an important role in innate immune defence and in regulation of tissue homeostasis by recognising and removing invading pathogens and/or modified self-Ags, thus being involved in the development of periodontitis and atherosclerosis.     

Cyclin A1 Modulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Promotes Hormone-Dependent Growth and Angiogenesis of Breast Cancer

Alterations in cellular pathways related to both endocrine and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) may contribute to breast cancer progression. Inhibition of the elevated levels of these pathways is associated with clinical benefits. However, molecular mechanisms by which endocrine-related pathways and VEGF signalling cooperatively promote breast cancer progression remain poorly understood. In the present study, we show that the A-type cyclin, cyclin A1, known for its important role in the initiation of leukemia and prostate cancer metastasis, is highly expressed in primary breast cancer specimens and metastatic lesions, in contrasting to its barely detectable expression in normal human breast tissues. There is a statistically significant correlation between cyclin A1 and VEGF expression in breast cancer specimens from two patient cohorts (p<0.01). Induction of cyclin A1 overexpression in breast cancer cell line MCF-7 results in an enhanced invasiveness and a concomitant increase in VEGF expression. In addition, there is a formation of protein–protein complexes between cyclin A1 and estrogen receptor ER-α cyclin A1 overexpression increases ER-α expression in MCF-7 and T47D cells. In mouse tumor xenograft models in which mice were implanted with MCF-7 cells that overexpressed cyclin A1 or control vector, cyclin A1 overexpression results in an increase in tumor growth and angiogenesis, which is coincident with an enhanced expression of VEGF, VEGFR1 and ER-α Our findings unravel a novel role for cyclin A1 in growth and progression of breast cancer, and suggest that multiple cellular pathways, including cell cycle regulators, angiogenesis and estrogen receptor signalling, may cooperatively contribute to breast cancer progression.     

Glyphosate translocation from plants to soil – does this constitute a significant proportion of residues in soil?

Thallium is an extremely toxic metal which, due to its similarities to K, is readily taken up by plants grown in Tl-contaminated soils. Thallium is also a precious metal nearly as economically valuable as gold. Thallium is efficiently hyperaccumulated in Iberis intermedia as aqueous Tl(I) with highest concentrations within the vascular network of leaves. In this study we examine the utility of synchrotron X-ray differential absorption-edge computed microtomography (CMT) in determining the distribution and compartmentalization of thallium (Tl) in Iberis intermedia. We found Tl to be distributed in solution throughout the vascular system of I. intermedia. Current laboratory experiments are examining the characteristics and potential recovery of Tl by I. intermedia with the objectives to remediate its toxic risks and to facilitate its reclamation for reuse. However, the recovery and reuse of Tl from I. intermedia by way of phytomining requires knowledge on the speciation, distribution and compartmentalization of thallium. CMT shows great promise for application in a wide variety of metal-related structural issues due to its high 3D resolution and being a non-destructive analysis tool. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma reesei</Emphasis> of three xylanases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetomium thermophilum</Emphasis>: a recombinant thermoxylanase for biobleaching of kraft pulp

Three endoxylanase genes were cloned from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum CBS 730.95. All genes contained the typical consensus sequence of family 11 glycoside hydrolases. Genomic copies of Ct xyn11A, Ct xyn11B, and Ct xyn11C were expressed in the filamentous fungus T. reesei under the control of the strong T. reesei cel7A (cellobiohydrolase 1, cbh1) promoter. The molecular masses of the Ct Xyn11A, Ct Xyn11B, and Ct Xyn11C proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were 27, 23, and 22 kDa, respectively. Ct Xyn11A was produced almost as efficiently as the homologous xylanase II from a corresponding single-copy transformant strain. Ct Xyn11B production level was approximately half of that of Ct Xyn11A. The amount of Ct Xyn11C was remarkably lower. Ct Xyn11A had the highest temperature optimum and stability of the recombinant xylanases and the highest activity at acid-neutral pH (pH 5–7). It was the most suitable for industrial bleaching of kraft pulp at high temperature.     

Involvement of Polyamine Binding Protein D (PotD) of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in Spermidine Uptake and Excretion

The in vivo function of polyamine binding protein D (PotD) in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for the transport of spermidine was investigated using Synechocystis mutant disrupted in potD gene. The growth rate of potD mutant was similar to that of wild-type when grown in BG11 medium. However, the mutant exhibited severely reduced growth compared to the wild-type when BG11 medium was supplemented with 0.5 mM spermidine. The mutant accumulated a higher spermidine level than the wild-type when grown in the medium with or without spermidine. Transport experiments revealed that the mutant had a reduction in both the uptake and the excretion of spermidine. Moreover, [¹⁴C]spermidine-loaded wild-type and mutant cells showed a decrease of [¹⁴C]spermidine excretion when the assay medium contained exogenous spermidine. These data suggest that PotD is involved in both the uptake and the excretion of spermidine in Synechocystis cells.     

Niacin Reverses Migratory Macrophage Foam Cell Arrest Mediated by oxLDL In Vitro

Introduction

Niacin reduces vascular oxidative stress and down regulates inducible nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme mediating proatherosclerotic effects in part by increasing oxidative stress. Here, we evaluate whether Niacin reverses the redox sensitive migratory arrest of macrophages in response to oxidised(ox) LDL uptake.

Material and Methods

Migration of RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line and bone marrow derived macrophages from wildtype and iNOS knockout mice was quantified using a modified Boyden chamber. Unstimulated cells or cells preincubated with oxLDL or non-oxidised (n)LDL were treated with Nicotinic acid or Nicotinamide. Nitric oxide, peroxynitrite and ROS production were assessed using electron paramagnetic resonance (ESR). Additionally, flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis, fokal adhesion kinase (FAK), phalloidin, CD36, F4/80 macrophage marker and iNOS gene expression (PCR) were assessed.

Results

Migration of Nicotinic acid, Nicotinamide treated cells or unstimulated cells did not differ (P>0.05). oxLDL treatment significantly reduced migration vs. unstimulated cells (p<0.05). In contrast, migratory arrest in response to oxLDL treatment was reversed by co-incubation with Nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide. The oxLDL-induced peroxynitrite formation in RAW264.7 cells was abolished by Niacin and glutathion (GSH) oxidation was significantly reduced. However, nitric oxide (NO)- and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by oxLDL were not affected by Niacin treatment of RAW264.7 cells. In addition, Nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide reduced actin polymerization, a marker for migratory arrest.

Discussion

Our data shows that oxLDL induced inhibition of macrophage migration in vitro can be reversed by Niacin. Furthermore, Niacin reduces peroxynitite formation and improves antioxidant GSH.     

Fibroblast growth factor 8b causes progressive stromal and epithelial changes in the epididymis and degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium in the testis of transgenic mice

Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing human fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF8-b) under the probasin promoter (Tg [Pbsn-FGF8] L2-L5Elo; hereafter referred to as FGF8-b-Tg) were shown to produce FGF8-b at high levels in the prostate and epididymis and at lower levels in the testis. The present study examined the effects of FGF8-b expression on the epididymis and testis. In old (age, >6 mo) FGF8-b-Tg mice, epididymides were frequently enlarged, with epithelial and stromal hypercellularity progressing upon aging to epithelial dysplasia and malignant transformation of stroma. In addition, oligospermia, dilatation of the duct, and inflammation were frequently observed in the epididymides. In association with the epididymal changes, some FGF8-b-Tg mice presented a degenerative seminiferous epithelium of the testis. Consistent with this observation, infertile males were found in two FGF8-b-Tg mouse lines. Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemical analysis of smooth muscle actin, laminin, and androgen receptor revealed that changes in the epididymal stroma closely resembled those previously found in the prostates of the FGF8-b-Tg mice. Genes previously found to be upregulated in the prostate of FGF8-b-Tg mice, such as osteopontin (Spp1) connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), apolipoprotein D (Apod), and FGF receptor 1c (Fgfr1-c), were also upregulated in the epididymides, suggesting that similar molecular mechanisms were active in both tissues. However, unlike in the prostate, the changes in the epididymal epithelium of the FGF8-b-Tg mice did not progress into invasive carcinoma. The results suggest that prolonged and enhanced FGF signaling induces dramatic changes in the epididymis and testis that lead to infertility in a portion of the FGF8-b-Tg males.     

Modulation of photosynthetic electron transport in the absence of terminal electron acceptors: Characterization of the rbcL deletion mutant of tobacco

Tobacco rbcL deletion mutant, which lacks the key enzyme Rubisco for photosynthetic carbon assimilation, was characterized with respect to thylakoid functional properties and protein composition. The ΔrbcL plants showed an enhanced capacity for dissipation of light energy by non-photochemical quenching which was accompanied by low photochemical quenching and low overall photosynthetic electron transport rate. Flash-induced fluorescence relaxation and thermoluminescence measurements revealed a slow electron transfer and decreased redox gap between Q_A and Q_B, whereas the donor side function of the Photosystem II (PSII) complex was not affected. The 77 K fluorescence emission spectrum of ΔrbcL plant thylakoids implied a presence of free light harvesting complexes. Mutant plants also had a low amount of photooxidisible P700 and an increased ratio of PSII to Photosystem I (PSI). On the other hand, an elevated level of plastid terminal oxidase and the lack of F₀ ‘dark rise’ in fluorescence measurements suggest an enhanced plastid terminal oxidase-mediated electron flow to O₂ in ΔrbcL thylakoids. Modified electron transfer routes together with flexible dissipation of excitation energy through PSII probably have a crucial role in protection of PSI from irreversible protein damage in the ΔrbcL mutant under growth conditions. This protective capacity was rapidly exceeded in ΔrbcL mutant when the light level was elevated resulting in severe degradation of PSI complexes.     

A large carbon pool and small sink in boreal Holocene lake sediments

Model‐based estimates suggest that lake sediments may be a significant, long‐term sink for organic carbon (C) at regional to global scales. These models have used various approaches to predict sediment storage at broad scales from very limited data sets. Here, we report a large‐scale direct assessment of the standing stock and sedimentation rate of C for a representative set of lakes in Finland. The 122 lakes were selected from the statistically selected Nordic Lake Survey database, they cover the entire country and the water quality represents the average lake water quality in Finland. Unlike all prior estimates, these data use sediment cores that comprise the entire sediment record. The data show that within Finland, aquatic ecosystems contain the second largest areal C stocks (19 kg C m^?2) after peatlands (72 kg C m^?2), and exceed by significant amounts stocks in the forest soil (uppermost 75cm; 7.2 kg C m^?2) and woody biomass (3.4 kg C m^?2). Kauppi et al. (1997). The Finnish estimate extrapolated over the boreal region gives a total C pool in lakes 19–27 Pg C, significantly lower than the previous model‐based estimates.