A glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor produced in a novel protein production system (AVI-014) in healthy subjects: a first-in human, single dose, controlled study

Background  

AVI-014 is an egg white-derived, recombinant, human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). This healthy volunteer study is the first human investigation of AVI-014.     

Differentiation of slow and fast muscles in chickens

1. The development of the characteristic histochemical appearance of the slow anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) and fast posterior latissimus dorsi (PLD) was studied in chickens during embryonic development as well as during regeneration of minced muscle. 2. During embryonic development the activity of the oxidative enzyme succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) is higher in the slow ALD muscle already at 16 days of incubation. At this time the fast PLD has a higher activity of the glycolytic enzyme, phosphorylase. Although the histochemical appearance of the two types of muscle is already different at 16 days, their contractile speeds are still similar. No difference in myosin ATP-ase was found in the two muscles in young embryos but in 20-day old embryos the two muscles became distinctly different when stained for this enzyme. 3. When PLD muscles in hatched chickens redeveloped during regeneration in place of ALD the histochemical characteristics of the regenerated muscle resembled ALD, and when ALD regenerated in place of PLD it resembled PLD. 4. It is concluded that the histochemical characteristics of slow and fast muscles become determined during early development, even before any difference in contractile properties can be detected and that they are determined by the nerve.     

Effect of sudden change in potassium concentration on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penaeus latisulcatus</Emphasis> Kishinouye survival,osmolality and health in inland saline water cultures

The aim of the project was to determine the effects of sudden change in potassium concentration in inland saline water on the survival, osmolality and condition indices of western Australian King Prawn—Penaeus latisulcatus Kishinouye. Australia has large volumes of inland saline water that could be used for aquaculture but is often deficient in K⁺. Western king prawn is a candidate species for culture in inland saline water. Such waters require K⁺ fortification for prawn survival and growth. Trials were conducted in tanks to determine the effect of sudden change in K⁺ concentration in inland saline water samples on the survival, osmolality and condition indices of western king prawns. Prawns in tanks were acclimated to inland saline water procured from Wannamal—an inland location in Western Australia. After 3 days of acclimation, prawns were subjected to sudden increase in medium K⁺ concentration over 1 h, ranging from 80% to 100% of the marine water K⁺ concentration by adding potassium chloride. Identical inland saline water was added to the control tanks over the same time period. Survival, ingestion rate and osmoregulatory capacity (OC) were then recorded over 19 days. At the conclusion of the trial, survival ranged from 71% to 78% in the potassium-enriched tanks whereas 100% mortality was observed in the control tanks by day 11. Ingestion rate of prawns was significantly higher in the experimental tanks than in the control. Osmoregulatory capacity of potassium-enriched prawns was significantly lower post- than pre-ionic change and significantly higher at the conclusion of the trial than both pre- and post-ionic change. There was no significant difference in OC between water types at any time period. These results indicate that prawns can tolerate sudden increase in K⁺ content in inland saline water and the higher K⁺ concentration increases survival and OC, but other measures indicate the prawns were experiencing stressful conditions. Guest Editors: J. John & B. Timms Salt Lake Research: Biodiversity and Conservation—Selected Papers from the 9th Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research     

The metabolic integrity of Fasciola hepatica during in vitro maintenance

Levels of metabolic intermediates and end products in F. hepatica after 24 and 48 h in Hédon-Fleig salt solution with added glucose were compared with levels obtained immediately on removal from the host. Glycogen levels dropped initially, probably due to the expulsion of eggs; thereafter they remained constant. Internal glucose concentrations increased as the parasites equilibrated with the medium. Other changes in internal pool sizes were consistent with regulation to the in vitro conditions. ATP levels increased; ATP/ADP ratios were maintained. Comparisons of mass action ratios and equilibrium constants suggest that hexokinase, pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase are regulatory. Output of excretory products approached linearity; from the calculated regressions the proportions of lactate, acetate and propionate were 1: 2: 4. The implications for metabolic regulation in F. hepatica are briefly discussed, and it is concluded that, for at least 48 h in vitro, energy metabolism is not adversely affected.     

Cassava about‐FACE: Greater than expected yield stimulation of cassava (Manihot esculenta) by future CO2 levels

Globally, cassava is the second most important root crop after potatoes and the fifth most important crop overall in terms of human caloric intake. In addition to its growing global importance for feed, fuel, and starch, cassava has long been vital to food security in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Climate change is expected to have its most severe impact on crops in food insecure regions, yet little is known about how cassava productivity will respond to climate change. The most important driver of climate change is globally increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]). However, the potential for cassava to enhance food security in an elevated [CO₂] world is uncertain as greenhouse and open top chamber (OTC) study reports are ambiguous. Studies have yielded misleading results in the past regarding the effect of elevated [CO₂] on crop productivity, particularly in cases where pots restricted sink growth. To resolve these conflicting results, we compare the response of cassava to growth at ambient (ca. 385 ppm) and elevated [CO₂] (585 ppm) under field conditions and fully open air [CO₂] elevation. After three and half months of growth at elevated [CO₂], above ground biomass was 30% greater and cassava root tuber dry mass increased over 100% (fresh weight increased 89%). High photosynthetic rates and photosynthetic stimulation by elevated [CO₂], larger canopies, and a large sink capacity all contributed to cassava's growth and yield stimulation. Cassava exhibited photosynthetic acclimation via decreased Rubisco capacity early in the season prior to root tuber initiation when sink capacity was smaller. Importantly, and in contrast to a greenhouse study, we found no evidence of increased leaf N or total cyanide concentration in elevated [CO₂]. All of our results are consistent with theoretical expectations; however, the magnitude of the yield increase reported here surpasses all other C₃ crops and thus exceeds expectations.