Further research at the Oldowan site of Ain Hanech,North-eastern Algeria

Further investigations were carried out at Ain Hanech, Algeria in 1998 and 1999 to explore its potential for investigating early hominid behavioral patterns and adaptation. Research concentrated on the stratigraphy and dating, identifying new archaeological deposits, and excavating the Ain Hanech and El-Kherba localities. To enhance the chronological control within a biostratigraphic framework, the Ain Boucherit fossil-bearing stratum, yielding a Plio-Pleistocene fauna, is correlated with the regional stratigraphy. In the stratigraphic sequence, the Ain Boucherit stratum, located 13m below the Ain Hanech Oldowan occurrences, is found in Unit Q of the Ain Hanech Formation. Unit Q shows a paleomagnetically reversed polarity, which may be correlated with an age earlier than the Olduvai normal subchron (1.95-1.77Ma). Based on test trenches and stratigraphic analyses, additional Oldowan deposits A, B, and C are identified at Ain Hanech. All three deposits and the El-Kherba site contain Mode I technology artefacts associated with an Early Pleistocene fauna. El-Kherba is stratigraphically equivalent to Ain Hanech. These two archaeological sites are estimated to be dated to about 1.8Ma.     

Mixed function oxidases in kidney and duodenum of camel,guinea pig and rat

The activities of the drug-metabolizing enzymes, aniline 4-hydroxylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase have been measured in vitro in kidneys and duodenum of camels (Camelus dromedarius), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus). In these species, levels of hepatic microsomal parameters namely microsomal protein, cytochrome P(450), cytochrome b(5) and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase have also been determined. In general, camels seemed to have the lowest enzyme activity when compared to rats and guinea pigs. Rats showed the highest activity in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, aniline 4-hydroxylase and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase among these species. However, guinea pigs showed the highest enzyme activity in cytochrome P(450), cytochrome b(5) and benzphetamine N-demethylase.     

A rapid improved method for sexing embryo of water buffalo

The objective of the experiment of this paper is to develop and improve in the sexing method for preimplantation embryos of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction. Embryo sexing has been recognized to control effectively the sex of offspring in the embryo transfer industry. A rapid and simple detection system was established by adding ethidium bromide (EB) or 5μl of CuSO4 (3M) to the product of LAMP reaction. The result of these additions after 2 min was a color change and a precipitate. It could be employed as an alternative method in the detection of the reaction products in place of the time consuming electrophoresis or the turbidity meter. The in vitro produced buffalo embryos were divided into one to eight pieces using a microblade attached to a micromanipulator. The cell number in each piece was counted before sexing. Sexing of DNA samples extracted from one to five biopsies cells was performed by LAMP. After biopsy, the remaining part of the embryos was used to confirm the sex by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifty buffalo embryos were used and the accuracy of sex prediction was 100% when the blastomeres dissociated from a morula exceeds three. In conclusion, the present procedure without turbidity meter and electrophoresis was reliable and applicable for sexing the water buffalo embryos.     

Patterns of folliculogenesis in ducks following the administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH) analogue

The efficacy of synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue in improving the folliculogenesis of ducks has not been established. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of GnRH analogue as luteinizing hormone releasing hormone A₂ (LHRH-A₂) on expression of relevant genes, egg production, changes of hormone levels and an ovarian follicle development in ducks. Five hundred ducks at 220 days old were randomly allotted to five groups, where each bird received daily in food 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 μg LHRH-A₂ for 60 days. In all treated groups, a non-significant increase in the level of GnRH receptor was noticed as compared to the corresponding control. Interestingly, the egg product in the 10 and 15 μg LHRH-A₂ groups was profoundly increased (P < 0.05) if compared to 0 and 5 μg LHRH-A₂ groups or control. A reduction in circulating prolactin (PRL) levels occurs concurrently with an increase in progesterone (P₄) and estradiol (E₂) particularly in 5, 10 and 15 μg LHRH-A₂ groups. Maximal apoptotic percentage for the granulosa cells was obtained in 20 μg LHRH-A₂ group as compared to control or 5, 10 and 15 μg treatment groups. Finally, these data suggest that the oral administration of 10 and 15 μg LHRH-A₂ may induce ovarian cycle and play vital gonadotrope role during the folliculogenesis process in ducks. This study also demonstrated a need to concentrate further research on the potential effect of GnRH during the early period to improve the reproductive performance.     

A multispecies approach reveals hot spots and cold spots of diversity and connectivity in invertebrate species with contrasting dispersal modes

Genetic diversity is crucial for species’ maintenance and persistence, yet is often overlooked in conservation studies. Species diversity is more often reported due to practical constraints, but it is unknown if these measures of diversity are correlated. In marine invertebrates, adults are often sessile or sedentary and populations exchange genes via dispersal of gametes and larvae. Species with a larval period are expected to have more connected populations than those without larval dispersal. We assessed the relationship between measures of species and genetic diversity, and between dispersal ability and connectivity. We compiled data on genetic patterns and life history traits in nine species across five phyla. Sampling sites spanned 600 km in the northwest Mediterranean Sea and focused on a 50‐km area near Marseilles, France. Comparative population genetic approaches yielded three main results. (i) Species without larvae showed higher levels of genetic structure than species with free‐living larvae, but the role of larval type (lecithotrophic or planktotrophic) was negligible. (ii) A narrow area around Marseilles, subject to offshore advection, limited genetic connectivity in most species. (iii) We identified sites with significant positive contributions to overall genetic diversity across all species, corresponding with areas near low human population densities. In contrast, high levels of human activity corresponded with a negative contribution to overall genetic diversity. Genetic diversity within species was positively and significantly linearly related to local species diversity. Our study suggests that local contribution to overall genetic diversity should be taken into account for future conservation strategies.     

Disappearance of dead plant material in a mixed grass prairie

Summary Disappearance of dead plant material was studied in ungrazed mixed grass prairie in Western North Dakota. Disappearance rates varied both within and between years as well as with method used. The highest rates (2.07 to 3.15 g/m²/day) were recorded early in the season and disappearance continued during the winter but at a slower rate (0.99 g/m²/day). Some differences were found in rates of disappearance of dead material of different species during the first two months. Annual decomposition rates ranged from 400 g/m² to 526 g/m². The ash content of dead material showed generally increasing values with advancing decomposition. The turnover time of above-ground biomass appeared to be approximately three years.Financial support was provided by the North Dakota Agriculture Exp. StationThis research work is part of a thesis submitted by the senior author for the degree of M. Sc.     

CARP-1 Functional Mimetics: A Novel Class of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Medulloblastoma Cell Growth

Medulloblastomas (MBs) constitute an aggressive class of intracranial pediatric tumors. Current multimodality treatments for MBs include surgery, ionizing radiation, and chemotherapy. Toxic side effects of therapies coupled with high incidence of recurrence and the metastatic spread warrant development of more effective, less toxic therapies for this disease. CARP-1/CCAR1 is a peri-nuclear phospho-protein that is a co-activator of the cell cycle regulatory anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) E3 ligase. CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFMs) are a novel class of small molecule compounds that interfere with CARP-1 binding with APC/C subunit APC-2, and suppress growth of a variety of cancer cells in part by promoting apoptosis. Here we investigated MB growth inhibitory potential of the CFMs and found that CFM-4 inhibits growth of MB cells in part by inducing CARP-1 expression, promoting PARP cleavage, activating pro-apoptotic stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK) p38 and JNK, and apoptosis. Gene-array-based analysis of the CFM-4-treated Daoy MB cells indicated down-regulation of a number of key cell growth and metastasis-promoting genes including cell motility regulating small GTP binding protein p21Rac1, and extracellular matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-10. Moreover, CFM-4 treatment stimulated expression of a number of molecules such as neurotrophin (NTF)3, and NF-κB signaling inhibitors ABIN1 and 2 proteins. Overexpression of NTF3 resulted in reduced MB cell viability while knock-down of NTF3 interfered with CFM-4-dependent loss of viability. CFMs also attenuated biological properties of the MB cells by blocking their abilities to migrate, form colonies in suspension, and invade through the matrix-coated membranes. Together our data support anti-MB properties of CFM-4, and provide a proof-of-concept basis for further development of CFMs as potential anti-cancer agents for MBs.     

Effects of Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenomation on an experimental murine model of gestation

Scorpion envenoming is less studied in pregnant victims. In this work, the effect of Buthus occitanus tunetanus on parturition in late pregnancy was studied in an animal model. Four groups of six primigravid female rats, each one at the 22nd day of pregnancy, were used. The first two groups had received an intra-peritoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution and left until foetal delivery. Then, the time elapsed until the first pup delivery and that separating the first and latest ones were measured. The other two groups served for the uterine electrophysiological activity exploration. Rats were anaesthetized, artificially ventilated and had received an intraperitoneal injection of 500 microg/kg of Buthus occitanus tunetanus crude venom or a physiological saline solution. Our results showed a significant increase of the latency to foetal delivery, labour time, and uterine contractile activity in envenomed rats compared to controls. Such signs are usually seen in dynamic dystocia. It was concluded that Buthus occitanus tunetanus envenoming might induce a dynamic dystocia, when it occurred in late pregnancy.