Influence of dietary culture material containing aflatoxin and T<Subscript>2</Subscript> toxin on certain serum biochemical constituents in Japanese quail

Forty newly hatched unsexed Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were fed diets containing 3 ppm aflatoxin (AF) and 4 ppm T₂ toxin either singly and in combination for 35 days. Sera samples were collected from six birds in each group at the end of the trial to study the effect of certain serum biochemical parameters. Highly significant (P < 0.01) differences were observed for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) between control and toxin treated groups. Toxin treated groups did not reveal any significant difference for serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. There was a reduction in the levels of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, ALT and elevation of AST and GGT and variable ALP levels observed in toxin treated groups. Forms part of M.V.Sc. thesis of first author approved by the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai 600 051, India.     

Mechanisms of stick insect locomotion in a gap-crossing paradigm

Locomotion of stick insects climbing over gaps of more than twice their step length has proved to be a useful paradigm to investigate how locomotor behaviour is adapted to external conditions. In this study, swing amplitudes and extreme positions of single steps from gap-crossing sequences have been analysed and compared to corresponding parameters of undisturbed walking. We show that adaptations of the basic mechanisms concern movements of single legs as well as the coordination between the legs. Slowing down of stance velocity, searching movements of legs in protraction and the generation of short steps are crucial prerequisites in the gap-crossing task. The rules of leg coordination described for stick insect walking seem to be modified, and load on the supporting legs is assumed to have a major effect on coordination especially in slow walking. Stepping into the gap with a front leg and antennal contact with the far edge of the gap provide information, as both events influence the following leg movements, whereas antennal non-contact seems not to contain information. Integration of these results into the model of the walking controller can improve our understanding of insect locomotion in highly irregular environments.Abbreviations AEP anterior extreme position - fAEP fictive anterior extreme position - PEP posterior extreme position - TOT treading-on-tarsus     

Regulation by Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor of 2-Deoxyglucose Uptake in Primary Ependymal Cell Cultures

Ependymal cells have been reported to express the facilitative glucose carriers GLUT1, GLUT2, and GLUT4, as well as glucokinase. They are therefore speculated to be part of the cerebral glucose sensing system and may also respond to insulin with alterations in their glucose uptake rate. A cell culture model was employed to study the functional status of ependymal insulin-regulated glucose uptake in vitro. Insulin increased the uptake of the model substrate 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) dependent on the insulin concentration. This was due to a near doubling of the maximal 2-DG uptake rate. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) was at least 10 times more potent than insulin in stimulating the rate of ependymal 2-DG uptake, suggesting that IGF-1, rather than insulin, is the physiological agonist regulating glucose transport in ependymal cells. The predominant glucose transporter in ependymal cell cultures was found to be GLUT1, which is apparently regulated by IGF-1 in ependymal cells.     

Extracting stacking interaction parameters for RNA from the data set of native structures

A crucial step in the determination of the three-dimensional native structures of RNA is the prediction of their secondary structures, which are stable independent of the tertiary fold. Accurate prediction of the secondary structure requires context-dependent estimates of the interaction parameters. We have exploited the growing database of natively folded RNA structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to obtain stacking interaction parameters using a knowledge-based approach. Remarkably, the calculated values of the resulting statistical potentials (SPs) are in excellent agreement with the parameters determined using measurements in small oligonucleotides. We validate the SPs by predicting 74% of the base-pairs in a dataset of structures using the ViennaRNA package. Interestingly, this number is similar to that obtained using the measured thermodynamic parameters. We also tested the efficacy of the SP in predicting secondary structure by using gapless threading, which we advocate as an alternative method for rapidly predicting RNA structures. For RNA molecules with less than 700 nucleotides, about 70% of the native base-pairs are correctly predicted. As a further validation of the SPs we calculated Z-scores, which measure the relative stability of the native state with respect to a manifold of higher free energy states. The computed Z-scores agree with estimates made using calorimetric measurements for a few RNA molecules. Structural analysis was used to rationalize the success and failures of SP and experimentally determined parameters. First, from the near perfect linear relationship between the number of native base-pairs and sequence length, we show that nearly 46% of nucleotides are not in stacks. Second, by analyzing the suboptimal structures that are generated in gapless threading we show that the SPs and experimentally determined parameters are most successful in predicting stacks that end in hairpins. These results show that further improvement in secondary structure prediction requires reliable estimates of interaction parameters for loops, bulges, and stacks that do not end in hairpins.     

Binding parameters of antibodies: pseudo-affinity and other misconceptions

In order to evaluate and compare monoclonal antibodies (Abs), functional affinities are generally determined. While the equations that define affinity relate to monovalent interactions, it has been considered that the binding of Abs to multivalent antigens such as the cell surface could be described by an apparent, or functional affinity. We demonstrate here that this concept is incorrect, since the binding interactions that occur cannot be described in terms of a functional affinity, and the values that are obtained serve only to obscure the true interactions. Bivalent Ab binding must be considered to be an irreversible reaction, in most cases. A correct understanding of Ab binding will be useful in the further development of Abs for therapeutic purposes.     

Gas exchange of Ginkgo biloba leaves at different CO2 concentration levels

One and a half year-old Ginkgo saplings were grown for 2 years in 7 litre pots with medium fertile soil at ambient air CO₂ concentration and at 700 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ in temperature and humidity-controlled cabinets standing in the field. In the middle of the 2nd season of CO₂ enrichment, CO₂ exchange and transpiration in response to CO₂ concentration was measured with a mini-cuvette system. In addition, the same measurements were conducted in the crown of one 60-year-old tree in the field. Number of leaves/tree was enhanced by elevated CO₂ and specific leaf area decreased significantly.CO₂ compensation points were reached at 75–84 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂. Gas exchange of Ginkgo saplings reacted more intensively upon CO₂ than those of the adult Ginkgo. On an average, stomatal conductance decreased by 30% as CO₂ concentration increased from 30 to 1000 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂. Water use efficiency of net photosynthesis was positively correlated with CO₂ concentration levels. Saturation of net photosynthesis and lowest level of stomatal conductance was reached by the leaves of Ginkgo saplings at >1000 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂. Acclimation of leaf net CO₂ assimilation to the elevated CO₂ concentration at growth occurred after 2 years of exposure. Maximum of net CO₂ assimilation was 56% higher at ambient air CO₂ concentration than at 700 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂.     

Tritrophic Interactions of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata subsp unguiculata(L.)], Aphids [Aphis craccivora (Koch)] and Coccinellids [Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fab.)] under eCO2 and eTemp

Experiments were conducted to understand the direct and indirect effects of temperature and elevated CO₂ (eCO₂), on tritrophic interactions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata L.), legume aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and coccinellid predator Menochilus sexmaculatus Fab. Reduction of the leaf nitrogen (6%), amino acid (6%) and protein (7%) of cowpea foliage with increased carbon (13%) and C:N ratio (21%) at eCO₂ over aCO₂ indicated the dilution of biochemical constituents at first trophic level. Shortened development time, DT and increment of reproductive rate, RR at eCO₂ over ambient CO₂(aCO₂)was significant with increase in temperature from 20 to 35?°C. Reduction of the mean degree day, DD requirement of both nymphal (75.79?±?15.163) and adult stages (157.15?±?67.04) at eCO₂ over aCO₂ and same was reflected in the summation DD for both the stages at eCO₂ (232.96?±?80.32)and aCO₂ (247.07?±?64.77) across six temperatures. The ‘r_m’ and ‘R_o’ increased gradually with increase in temperature followed the non-linear trend and reached maximum values at 27?°C with shortened ‘T’ across 20 to 35?°C temperatures at eCO₂ indicating the significant variation of growth and development at the second trophic level. Decreased grub duration (23%) with increased predation capacity (19%) of M. sexmaculatus on A. craccivora at eCO₂ over ambient was noted, indicating the incidence of A. craccivora is likely to be higher with increased predation in the future climate change scenario.     

Genetic parameters for stayability to consecutive calvings in Zebu cattle

Longer-lived cows tend to be more profitable and the stayability trait is a selection criterion correlated to longevity. An alternative to the traditional approach to evaluate stayability is its definition based on consecutive calvings, whose main advantage is the more accurate evaluation of young bulls. However, no study using this alternative approach has been conducted for Zebu breeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare linear random regression models to fit stayability to consecutive calvings of Guzerá, Nelore and Tabapuã cows and to estimate genetic parameters for this trait in the respective breeds. Data up to the eighth calving were used. The models included the fixed effects of age at first calving and year-season of birth of the cow and the random effects of contemporary group, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual. Random regressions were modeled by orthogonal Legendre polynomials of order 1 to 4 (2 to 5 coefficients) for contemporary group, additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Using Deviance Information Criterion as the selection criterion, the model with 4 regression coefficients for each effect was the most adequate for the Nelore and Tabapuã breeds and the model with 5 coefficients is recommended for the Guzerá breed. For Guzerá, heritabilities ranged from 0.05 to 0.08, showing a quadratic trend with a peak between the fourth and sixth calving. For the Nelore and Tabapuã breeds, the estimates ranged from 0.03 to 0.07 and from 0.03 to 0.08, respectively, and increased with increasing calving number. The additive genetic correlations exhibited a similar trend among breeds and were higher for stayability between closer calvings. Even between more distant calvings (second v. eighth), stayability showed a moderate to high genetic correlation, which was 0.77, 0.57 and 0.79 for the Guzerá, Nelore and Tabapuã breeds, respectively. For Guzerá, when the models with 4 or 5 regression coefficients were compared, the rank correlations between predicted breeding values for the intercept were always higher than 0.99, indicating the possibility of practical application of the least parameterized model. In conclusion, the model with 4 random regression coefficients is recommended for the genetic evaluation of stayability to consecutive calvings in Zebu cattle.     

微量元素五项联合红细胞四项检测在小儿缺铁性贫血中的诊断价值

目的:探讨微量元素五项联合红细胞四项检测在小儿缺铁性贫血(IDA)中的诊断价值。方法:选取2013年1月至2016年1月于我院进行治疗的小儿缺铁性贫血(IDA)患儿130例作为缺铁性贫血(IDA)组及同期于我院进行常规体检的健康儿童40例作为对照组。检测和比较其钙、镁、铜、铁、锌、血红蛋白(Hb)、平均红细胞体积(MCV)、平均血红蛋白含量(MCH)、平均血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)水平,并比较微量元素五项、红细胞四项检查以及两者联合对IDA患儿的诊断效能。结果:缺铁性贫血(IDA)组患儿微量元素镁、铁、锌含量以及Hb、MCV、MCH及MCHC水平均明显低于对照组儿童,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组儿童微量元素钙、铜含量比较差异不显著(P0.05)。微量元素五项联合红细胞四项的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值均明显高于微量元素五项和红细胞四项(P0.05)。结论:IDA患儿微量元素镁、铁、锌含量以及Hb、MCV、MCH及MCHC水平较低,微量元素五项联合红细胞四项检测可以提高小儿IDA的检出率。     

Impact assessment of risk parameters of underground coal mining on the environment

Coal is an important energy source but it has a significant negative impact on the environmental processes. This paper analyses the impact, measurement, and input of parameters representing potential environmental polluters in the information system (IS).

The methodology of recording and systematization includes the following parameters: coal deposits; climate parameters; roads; rivers; land and surrounding objects; air polluters; water polluters; and soil polluters. Methods for calculating land deformation, air polluter emissions, and noise impact are also presented.

Based on the number and specificity of analyzed data, the paper provides a concept of the IS and an overview of environmental impact of underground coal mine technological units. The concept was used to present the results of a research conducted at the underground coal mine “Soko” in Serbia.

The results of this research can help many potential users realize their goals. Those goals are preventive by nature, since negative environmental impact can be predicted, which enables the environmental protection experts to take appropriate measures.