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Experimental Period (experimental + period)
Kinds of Experimental Period Selected AbstractsEffects of paternal cigarette smoking on testicular function, sperm fertilizing capacity, embryonic development, and blastocyst capacity for implantation in ratsANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2004A. Kapawa Summary. We evaluated the effects of paternal smoking on testicular function, sperm fertilizing capacity, embryonic development, and blastocyst capacity for implantation. Rats of group A were exposed to cigarette smoke for 10 weeks. Rats of group B were exposed to the smoke of incense sticks for 10 weeks. Rats of group C served as a control group. Rats of group D were exposed to cigarette smoke for 7 weeks only. Experimental period was 10 weeks in all groups. At the end of the experimental period serum testosterone responses to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation, andro-gen-binding protein activity in testicular cytosols, epididymal sperm motility, and oocyte fertilization rate, oocyte cleavage rate, and blastocyst development rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF) trials were significantly smaller in group A compared with groups B and C. In contrast, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and blastocyst development rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures were not significantly different among groups A, B, C, and D. Both after IVF trials and ICSI techniques, the proportion of the alive offspring to the number of transferred oocytes was significantly smaller in group A than in groups B and C. Cigarette smoke-exposure results in a secretory deficiency of Leydig and Sertoli cells leading to an impaired epididymal sperm maturation process and diminished capacity of spermatozoa to penetrate oocytes. In addition paternal cigarette smoke exposure affects the embryonic ability for implantation. [source] DOES CRIME JUST MOVE AROUND THE CORNER?CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 3 2006A CONTROLLED STUDY OF SPATIAL DISPLACEMENT AND DIFFUSION OF CRIME CONTROL BENEFITS Recent studies point to the potential theoretical and practical benefits of focusing police resources on crime hot spots. However, many scholars have noted that such approaches risk displacing crime or disorder to other places where programs are not in place. Although much attention has been paid to the idea of displacement, methodological problems associated with measuring it have often been overlooked. We try to fill these gaps in measurement and understanding of displacement and the related phenomenon of diffusion of crime control benefits. Our main focus is on immediate spatial displacement or diffusion of crime to areas near the targeted sites of an intervention. Do focused crime prevention efforts at places simply result in a movement of offenders to areas nearby targeted sites,"do they simply move crime around the corner"? Or, conversely, will a crime prevention effort focusing on specific places lead to improvement in areas nearby,what has come to be termed a diffusion of crime control benefits? Our data are drawn from a controlled study of displacement and diffusion in Jersey City, New Jersey. Two sites with substantial street-level crime and disorder were targeted and carefully monitored during an experimental period. Two neighboring areas were selected as "catchment areas" from which to assess immediate spatial displacement or diffusion. Intensive police interventions were applied to each target site but not to the catchment areas. More than 6,000 20-minute social observations were conducted in the target and catchment areas. They were supplemented by interviews and ethnographic field observations. Our findings indicate that, at least for crime markets involving drugs and prostitution, crime does not simply move around the corner. Indeed, this study supports the position that the most likely outcome of such focused crime prevention efforts is a diffusion of crime control benefits to nearby areas. [source] Changes in skeletal muscle size, fibre-type composition and capillary supply after chronic venous occlusion in ratsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2008S. Kawada Abstract Aim:, We have previously shown that surgical occlusion of some veins from skeletal muscle results in muscle hypertrophy without mechanical overloading in the rat. The present study investigated the changes in muscle-fibre composition and capillary supply in hypertrophied muscles after venous occlusion in the rat hindlimb. Methods:, Sixteen male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into two groups: (i) sham operated (sham-operated group; n = 7); (ii) venous occluded for 2 weeks (2-week-occluded group; n = 9). At the end of the experimental period, specimens of the plantaris muscle were dissected from the hindlimbs and subjected to biochemical and histochemical analyses. Results:, Two weeks after the occlusion, both the wet weight of plantaris muscle relative to body weight and absolute muscle weight showed significant increases in the 2-week-occluded group (,15%) when compared with those in the sham-operated group. The concentrations of muscle glycogen and lactate were higher in the 2-week-occluded group, whereas staining intensity of muscle lipid droplets was lower in the 2-week-occluded group than those in the sham-operated group. The percentage of type I muscle fibre decreased, whereas that of type IIb fibre increased in the 2-week-occluded group when compared with the sham-operated group. Although the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-188 mRNA increased, the number of capillaries around the muscle fibres tended to decrease (P = 0.07). Conclusion:, Chronic venous occlusion causes skeletal muscle hypertrophy with fibre-type transition towards faster types and changes in contents of muscle metabolites. [source] Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in response to hypertonic saline loading in ratsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2004R. Wangensteen Abstract Aims:, This study analyses the influence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) blockade with 7-nitroindazole (7NI) on the haemodynamic and renal response to a hypertonic saline load (HSL). We also evaluated the effects of non-specific NOS inhibitor N, -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (l -NAME). Methods:, The following groups were used: controls, rats treated with 7NI at 0.5 or 5 mg kg,1, and rats treated with l -NAME at 0.5 or 5 mg kg,1. A further five groups received an isotonic saline load (ISL). Results:, Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly increased in control rats after HSL. MAP was further increased in both 7NI-treated groups, and the l -NAME groups showed marked dose-related pressor responses. During ISL, MAP was only significantly increased in the group treated with 5 mg kg,1 of l -NAME. The pressure,natriuresis relationship during the experimental period after the HSL was reduced in the 7NI group treated with 5 mg kg,1 and severely attenuated in both l -NAME groups. The increase in plasma sodium was significantly greater after the HSL in both 7NI groups and both l -NAME groups compared with controls. Conclusions:, The present results suggest that nNOS and other NOS isozymes play a counter-regulatory role in the pressor response to HSL. Moreover, the blockade of nNOS with the higher dose of 7NI produces a blunted pressure,natriuresis relationship in response to the HSL. Finally, it is concluded that nNOS participates in the homeostatic cardiovascular and renal response to hypertonic saline loading by attenuating the blood pressure increase and hypernatremia, and facilitating natriuresis. [source] Multi-year tracking of sediment sources in a small agricultural watershed using rare earth elementsEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 14 2006A. Kimoto Abstract Rare earth elements (REEs) have been successfully used as a sediment tracer, but the REE technique has never been used for studying sediment sources for a multi-year period. A nearly four-year field experiment was conducted on a small agricultural watershed near Coshocton, OH, USA, to assess the applicability of the REE technique for a multi-year period and to evaluate the relative contributions of sediment sources in the watershed. Tracer depletion and tracer enrichment ratio (ratio of the tracer concentrations in sediment to the concentrations in the soil in the areas of application) were evaluated to examine the applicability and accuracy of the technique. A minimum of 91 per cent of the mass of the applied elements was still available on any individual morphological element at the end of the experimental period. The tracer enrichment ratio varied from 0·4 to 2·3, and it was not significantly related to time. The relative contributions of six morphological elements within the watershed were evaluated as proportions to total sediment yield. The relative contribution of the lower channel was significantly increased as a function of the amount of sediment yield, while that of the lower backslope was significantly decreased. The relative contribution of the lower channel significantly decreased as a function of cumulative sediment yield, while the contributions of the shoulder and the upper backslope significantly increased. Our results showed that the REE technique can be used to track sediment sources for a relatively long period with two limitations or potential sources of error associated with a selective depletion of tracers and a contamination of downslope areas with tagged sediments from upslope areas. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ontogenetic diet shift in the June sucker Chasmistes liorus (Cypriniformes, Catostomidae) in the early juvenile stageECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 3 2010J. D. Kreitzer Kreitzer JD, Belk MC, Gonzalez DB, Tuckfield RC, Shiozawa DK, Rasmussen JE. Ontogenetic diet shift in the June sucker Chasmistes liorus (Cypriniformes, Catostomidae) in the early juvenile stage. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 433,438. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract,,, Ontogenetic diet shifts are common in fishes and often occur during early life stages. The larval and early juvenile period is critical in the life cycle of the endangered June sucker, Chasmistes liorus (Teleostei: Catostomidae). High larval and juvenile mortality leads to low recruitment to the breeding population and hence a declining natural population. To understand diet composition and dynamics in June sucker at early life stages, diet was quantified and compared to available food items in the natural environment during the early juvenile stage. Rotifers (Brachionus sp.) were the primary diet item at week 10, but by week 12 a small cyclopoid copepod (Microcyclops rubellus) became predominant. Availability of diet items varied little across the experimental period. The increase in size of young suckers may explain this rapid dietary shift, but there are some inconsistencies with the size selection argument. This diet shift represents an important nutritional change that should be considered in development of diets for young June sucker and in assessing suitability of nursery habitats. [source] Impact of Environmental Disturbance on the Stability and Benefits of Individual Status within Dominance HierarchiesETHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Lynne U. Sneddon Changes in environmental conditions affect social interactions and thus may modify an individual's competitive ability within a social group. We subjected three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, housed in groups of four individuals, to environmental perturbations to assess the impact on dominance hierarchy stability. Hierarchy stability decreased during increased turbulence or lowered water levels (,simulated drought') whereas control hierarchies became more stable in a constant environment. The dominant individual either became more aggressive and remained dominant during the environmental manipulation or was usurped by a lower rank member. Only simulated drought affected rates of aggression where levels of aggression were higher after the water level was dropped which may be the result of an increased encounter rate in these conditions. When there were large size differences between the group members, the dominant individual performed the greatest amount of aggression and ate the largest proportion of food and there was little aggressive behaviour from the lower ranks. In groups of similar-sized individuals, aggression was much higher. The benefit of being dominant was to gain weight over the experimental period whereas ranks 2 and 3 lost weight. The lowest rank, 4, actually gained weight over the experimental period. This study suggests that it would benefit an individual to be dominant, highly aggressive and gain weight or be submissive, avoid aggressive interactions and, by sneakily obtaining access to food, also gain weight. Altering environmental conditions has a profound effect on social behaviour in this study. [source] Weight reduction, but not a moderate intake of fish oil, lowers concentrations of inflammatory markers and PAI-1 antigen in obese men during the fasting and postprandial stateEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 11 2004A. Jellema Abstract Background, In obese subjects, chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities, which are reversed by weight loss. Sustained weight loss, however, is difficult to achieve and more insight into dietary approaches on anti-inflammatory responses in obese subjects is needed. In this respect, fish oil deserves attention. Material and methods, Eleven obese men (BMI: 30,35 kg m,2) received daily fish oil (1·35 g n-3 fatty acids) or placebo capsules in random order for 6 weeks. Eight subjects continued with a weight reduction study that lasted 8 weeks. Mean weight loss was 9·4 kg. At the end of each experimental period a postprandial study was performed. Results, Relative to fasting concentrations, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels increased by 75% 2 h and by 118% 4 h after the meal (P < 0·001), when subjects consumed the control capsules. In contrast, C-reactive protein (C-RP) concentrations decreased slightly by 0·7% and 6·6% (P = 0·046), and those of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen by, respectively, 26% and 53% (P < 0·001). Tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,; P = 0·330) and soluble TNF-receptor concentrations (sTNF-R55 and sTNF-R75; P = 0·451 and P = 0·108, respectively) did not change. Changes relative to fasting concentrations were not significantly affected by either fish oil or weight reduction. Absolute IL-6, C-RP, sTNF-R55, sTNF-R75, and PAI-1 antigen concentrations, however, were consistently lower after weight reduction, but not after fish oil consumption. Conclusion, For slightly obese subjects a moderate intake of fish oil does not have the same favourable effects on markers for a low-grade inflammatory state as weight reduction. [source] Diagnostic accuracy of digitized periapical radiographs validated against micro-computed tomography scanning in evaluating orthodontically induced apical root resorptionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2008Alexander Dudic The aim of this study was to validate the use of digitized periapical radiographs in evaluating orthodontically induced apical root resorption against micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning as a criterion standard test. In a standardized experimental protocol, 29 premolars in 16 subjects were tipped buccally for 8 wk. Nineteen contralateral premolars not subjected to orthodontic movement served as controls. Standardized periapical radiographs were taken before and after the experimental period (Rx method). These teeth were extracted and scanned using a micro-CT technique with a 9 ,m resolution. Two calibrated examiners assessed blindly the presence or absence of apical root resorption on digitized radiographs and three-dimensional reconstructions of the scans. Significant differences were detected between the orthodontically moved teeth and controls: 86% of the orthodontically moved teeth and 21% of the control teeth showed apical root resorption when using micro-CT as a validation method. A total of 55% of the experimental teeth and 5% of the control teeth showed resorption when assessed using Rx method. The Rx method showed a specificity of 78% and a sensitivity of 44%, which means that less than half of the cases with root resorption identified using a CT scanner were identified by radiography. Nearly all the orthodontically moved teeth showed apical root resorption. Apical root resorption may be underestimated when evaluated using digitized periapical radiographs. [source] Influence of the mineral content and morphological pattern of artificial root caries lesion on composite resin bond strengthEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2004Anderson T. Hara Dentine substrates with different mineral contents and morphological patterns were created by submitting root slabs to the following treatments: (A) immersion in artificial saliva during the experimental period (control), (B) demineralization for 32 h to induce caries lesion (demineralized group), and (C) demineralization for 32 h followed by remineralization for 8 d (remineralized group). The slabs were longitudinally sectioned, the mineral content was determined by cross-sectional microhardness, and the bond strength of an adhesive system/composite resin was assessed using a microtensile bond strength test. The dentine morphology after the treatments as well as the failure pattern of the debonded specimens was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Statistically significant differences were found in mineral content. Morphological analysis showed marked differences between the patterns of demineralized and remineralized substrates. The bond strength mean value of the control A did not differ from the group B, but was statistically higher than the group C. Since no linear relationship was found between dentine mineral content and bond strength values, it could be suggested that the morphological pattern may be more relevant than the mineral content to explain the bond strength of composite resin to dentine. [source] Leaf fungi of two wild plants in Assiut, EgyptFEDDES REPERTORIUM, Issue 7-8 2004S. K. Hemida Leaves of two wild species of the flora of Egypt: Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait., Asclepiadaceae and Chrozophora plicata (Vahl) A.Juss. ex Spreng., Euphorbiaceae have been studied morphologically and mycologically, in addtion to air borne fungi. Fifty five species and two varieties belonging to 26 genera of phyllosphere and phylloplane fungi were isolated from both plant species on glucose- and cellulose-agar media. Mycological analysis was done monthly over six months (July to December, 2003). Alternariaalternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger were the basic fungal species found on leaf surfaces. Phylloplane of C. plicata caught specifically Chaetomiumglobosum, C.,spirale, Cochliobolus lunatus, Drechslera halodes, Fusarium incarnatum, F. oxysporum, Memnoniella echinata and Papulaspora sepedonioides. The total counts of phyllosphere fungi of C.,plicata were nearly twice as much as those of C.,procera regardless medium's type. Forty species and one variety belonging to 22 genera of air borne fungi were recovered all over the experimental period (six months). Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most frequently isolated species. The presented results revealed that, leaf shape and density (hair density and type) may be the most important factors of the biodiversity of the fungal species on the studied taxa. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Die Blätter zweier Wildarten aus der Flora Ägyptens: Calotropis procera (Ait.) Ait., Asclepiadeceae, und Chrozophora plicata(Vahl) A.Juss. ex Spreng., Euphorbiaceae, wurden in Bezug auf ihre Morphologie und Mykologie untersucht sowie zusätzlich auf ihre "luftgeborenen" Pilze. Auf beiden Arten wurden auf einem Glukose- bzw. Cellulose-Medium insgesamt 55 Arten und zwei Varietäten aus 26 Gattungen phyllosphärer und phylloplaner Pilze nachgewiesen. Die mykologischen Analysen wurden über einen Zeitraum von sechs Monaten (Juli bis Dezember 2003) durchgeführt. Alternariaalternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus und A. niger waren die Basis-Pilzarten, die auf den Blattoberflächen ermittelt wurden. Auf C. plicata waren Chaetomiumglobosum, C. spirale, Cochliobolus lunatus, Drechslera halodes, Fusarium incarnatum, F. oxysporum, Memnoniella echinata und Papulaspora sepedonioides die häufigsten phylloplanen Arten. Ungeachtet des Mediumtyps war die Anzahl phyllosphärischer Pilze auf C. plicata etwa zweimal so hoch wie auf C. procera. Über die gesamte Versuchszeit von sechs Monaten wurden 40 Arten und eine Varietät aus 22 Gattungen "luftgeborener" Pilze beobachtet. Mit Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium und Penicillium fanden sich die am häufigsten isolierten Arten. Aus den erzielten Ergebnissen kann man ableiten, dass Blattform und Haare (Dichte und Typ) die wichtigsten Faktoren für die Biodiversität der untersuchten Pilzarten sind. [source] Physiological responses of cork oak and holm oak to infection by fungal pathogens involved in oak declineFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2009B. T. Linaldeddu Summary The aim of this research was to study the changes in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance values in 3-year-old cork oak and holm oak seedlings growing in natural conditions and inoculated with Apiognomonia quercina, Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Botryosphaeria corticola and Pleurophoma cava. Throughout the 4-month experimental period, the evolution of visual external symptoms and the values of physiological variables were periodically recorded. All pathogens caused stem lesions around the infection point; however, the lesions caused by B. corticola were longer in both oak species. On cork oak seedlings, all pathogens induced a significant and gradual reduction in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance values, whereas other physiological disturbances were induced only by B. corticola infections on holm oak seedlings. [source] ,Defence lignin' and hydroxycinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities in wounded Eucalyptus gunniiFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2003S. Hawkins Summary To learn more about lignin formation in response to wounding in trees, we adopted two complementary approaches: (1) microscopic and histochemical studies of the wound response in 3.5-month-old Eucalyptus gunnii plantlets and (2) biochemical investigations of hydroxycinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities in wounded 6-year-old, field-grown E. gunnii trees. The first approach revealed that a barrier zone was formed in response to wounding in both ground tissues (cortex barrier and pith reaction zone) and vascular tissues. The barrier zone was barely detectable after 24 h but well-developed 7 days after wounding. Microscopic analyses indicated that the barrier zone was formed by the reinforcement of cell walls with ,lignin-like material' in both ground tissues and vascular tissue, and that, in addition, the lumen of certain xylem cells (vessels and fibres) were blocked by the deposition of polymeric phenolic material. Histochemical characterization revealed that the lignin-like material (,defence lignin') deposited in ground tissue cell walls and xylem cell blockages was poor in syringyl (S-type) lignin units and therefore differed from the usual mixed guaiacyl,syringyl (G,S) lignin unit composition of E. gunnii developmental lignin. In contrast, S-type lignin appeared to be deposited in the cell walls of immature developing secondary xylem cells at a stage when the cell walls of comparable cells from unwounded control stems contained lignin poor in syringyl units. The second approach indicated that two different types of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity are induced, and apparently regulated differentially, in response to wounding in E. gunnii trees. Coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity was induced immediately and continued to increase throughout the first 15 days of the 17-day experimental period, while sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity was first detected at 8 days after wounding and continued to increase throughout the experimental period. The biological roles of the two alcohol dehydrogenase activities are discussed in relation to the formation of defence lignin versus developmental lignin in trees. Résumé Afin d'approfondir nos connaissances concernant la formation de lignine en réponse aux blessures chez les arbres, nous avons utilisé deux approches complémentaires: (1) des études microscopiques et histochimiques de la réponse à la blessure chez les plantules d'Eucalyptus gunniiâgées de 3 mois et demi, et (2) des analyses biochimiques des activités alcools hydroxycinnamyliques déshydrogénases chez les arbres âgés de 6 ans blessés au champ. L'utilization de la première approche a révélé qu'une barrière physique se forme en réponse à la blessure aux niveaux des tissus vasculaires, de la moelle, et des tissus externes au phloème. A 24 h après la blessure, cette barrière est peu développée mais elle est bien formée après 7 jours. Les analyses microscopiques et histochimiques ont indiqué que les parois cellulaires au niveau de la barrière sont renforcées par un composé semblable à la lignine (,lignin-like material'). De plus, les lumens de plusieurs cellules xylémiennes (vaisseaux et fibres) sont bouchées par le dépôt d'un composé polymérique de nature phénolique. Les caractérizations histochimiques ont indiqué que le ,lignin-like material' (lignine de défense) déposé dans les parois cellulaires de la moelle et des tissus externes au phloème, et dans les lumens des cellules xylemiennes, contient peu d'unités syringyles (type-S). En conséquence, cette ,lignine de défense' se distingue de la ,lignine de développement' typique d'E. gunnii, qui est composée d'unités guaiacyles (type-G) et d'unités syringyles (type-S). En revanche chez les plantules blessées, des unités syringyles sont déposées dans les parois des cellules immatures du xylème à un stade où les cellules comparables des plantules témoins ne contiennent que très peu d'unités syringyles. La deuxième approche a indiqué que deux activités alcools cinnamyliques déshydrogénases différentes sont induites, et régulées d'une façon différencielle, en réponse à la blessure chez les arbres d'E. gunnii. L'activité alcool coniférylique déshydrogénase est induite rapidement et continue d'augmenter pendant les 15 premiers jours de la période expérimentale de 17 jours, tandis que l'activité alcool sinapylique déshydrogénase est seulement détectée à 8 jours après la blessure et continue d'augmenter le long de la période expérimentale. Les rôles biologiques potentiels de ces deux activités alcools déshydrogénases sont discutés en relation avec la formation de la lignine de défense et avec la lignine de développement chez les arbres. Zusammenfassung Zur Untersuchung der Ligninbildung nach Verletzungen bei Bäumen wurden zwei sich ergänzende Forschungsansätze gewählt: 1. Mikroskopische und histochemische Untersuchungen der Wundreaktion an Jungpflanzen (3,5 Monate alt) von Eucalyptus gunnii und 2. Biochemische Untersuchungen der Hydroxycinnamylalkohol-Dehydrogenase-Aktivität bei verletzten, sechs Jahre alten E. gunnii -Bäumen im Freiland. Der erste Ansatz zeigte, dass eine Barrierezone als Antwort auf die Verletzung sowohl in beiden Grundgeweben (Cortex-Barriere und Reaktionszone im Mark) als auch in den Leitgeweben gebildet wird. Die Barrierezone war 24 Stunden nach der Verletzung gerade erkennbar, nach sieben Tagen war sie gut entwickelt. Die mikroskopische Untersuchung zeigte, dass die Barrierezone durch Verstärkung der Zellwände mit ,,ligninartigem Material,, im Grund- und Leitgewebe gebildet wurde, und dass zusätzlich das Lumen gewisser Xylemzellen (Gefässe und Fasern) durch Ablagerung von polymerem phenolischem Material verschlossen wurde. Die histochemische Analyse ergab, dass das ligninartige Material (,,Abwehrlignin,,), das in den Zellwänden des Grundgewebes und in den Lumina der Xylemzellen abgelagert wurde, geringe Mengen an Syringyl-(S-Typ)-Lignineinheiten enthielt und sich somit von der normalen Guaiacyl-Syringyl(G-S)-Komposition des Lignins von E. gunnii unterschied. Das S-Typ-Lignin wurde offenbar in den Zellwänden sich entwickelnder sekundärer Xylemzellen abgelagert. Diese Einlagerung erfolgte in einem Stadium, in dem die Zellwände der vergleichbaren Zellen in unverletzten Kontrollstämmen Lignin mit geringem Syringylgehalt enthielten. Der zweite Versuchsansatz zeigte, dass als Reaktion auf die Verletzung zwei verschiedene Arten von Cinnamylalkohol-Dehydrogenase-Aktivitäten induziert und offensichtlich unterschiedlich reguliert werden. Die Aktivität der Coniferyl-Alkohol-Dehydrogenase wurde sofort induziert und sie nahm während 15 Tagen der 17tägigen Versuchsperiode stetig zu, während die Aktivität der Sinapyl-Dehydrogenase erstmals 8 Tage nach der Verletzung nachweisbar war und dann während der gesamten Versuchsperiode anstieg. Die biologische Bedeutung der beiden Alkoholdehydrogenase-Aktivitäten werden in Bezug auf die Bildung von Abwehr-Lignin im Vergleich zur normalen Ligninbildung in Bäumen diskutiert. [source] Suppression of ectomycorrhizal development in young Pinus thunbergii trees inoculated with Bursaphelenchus xylophilusFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Ichihara In order to study the changes in ectomycorrhizal development during symptom expression of pine wilt disease, root window observations were conducted concurrent with measurements of leaf water potential as well as photosynthetic and transpiration rates of 5-year-old Pinus thunbergii trees that were inoculated with the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Infected trees were compared with girdled and uninfected control trees. Ectomycorrhizas developed constantly during the experimental period in control trees but did not develop in the girdled trees. Ectomycorrhizal development ceased within 2 weeks in those trees that finally died after PWN infection. In the trees that survived PWN infection, ectomycorrhizal development ceased within 1,4 weeks of inoculation but was resumed thereafter within 3,6 weeks. Ectomycorrhizal development ceased prior to a decrease in both photosynthetic rate and leaf water potential in the inoculated trees. Restriction du développement ectomycorhizien chez de jeunes Pinus thunbergii inoculés par Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Pour étudier les modifications du développement ectomycorhizien durant l'évolution des symptômes de flétrissement des pins, un suivi des racines a été réalisé en parallèle avec des mesures du potentiel hydrique foliaire, de la photosynthèse et de la transpiration chez des Pinus thunbergiiâgés de 5 ans inoculés avec le nématode des pins (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Des arbres infectés ont été comparés à des arbres cernés et des témoins non infectés. Les ectomycorhizes se sont développées de façon constante durant la période d'observation chez les arbres témoins mais non pas chez les arbres cernés. Le développement ectomycorhizien s'était arrêté en 2 semaines chez les arbres qui sont morts de l'infection du PWN. Chez les arbres qui ont survécu à l'infection du PWN, le développement ectomycorhizien avait cessé 1 à 4 semaines après l'inoculation mais avait repris ensuite entre la 3ème et la 6ème semaine. Le développement ectomycorhizien cessait avant la diminution de la photosynthèse et du potentiel hydrique foliaire chez les arbres inoculés. Unterdrückung der Ektomykorrhizabildung in jungen Pinus thunbergii nach Inokulation mit Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Um Veränderungen der Ektomykorrhizabildung während der Symptomausprägung der Kiefernwelke zu untersuchen, wurde diese mit Hilfe von ,Wurzelfenstern' beobachtet. Gleichzeitig wurde das Wasserpotential der Blätter sowie die Photosynthese- und Transpirationsraten fünfjähriger Pinus thunbergii gemessen, die mit dem Erreger der Kiefernwelke (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus inokuliert worden waren. Die infizierten Bäume wurden mit geringelten Bäumen und mit nicht infizierten Kontrollen verglichen. In den Kontrollbäumen entwickelten sich während des gesamten Beobachtungszeitraumes kontinuierlich Ektomykorrhizen, es bildeten sich jedoch keine bei den geringelten Bäumen. Die Ektomykorrhizabildung hörte bei den Bäumen, die nach der PWN-Infektion schliesslich abstarben, innerhalb von zwei Wochen auf. Bei Bäumen, welche die PWN-Infektion überlebten, war die Ektomykorrhizabildung ein bis vier Wochen nach der Inokulation unterbrochen, sie wurde aber nach drei bis sechs Wochen wieder fortgesetzt. Die Bildung der Ektomykorrhiza hörte in den inokulierten Bäumen auf, bevor die Photosyntheserate und das Wasserpotential in den Blättern abnahmen. [source] Seasonal trophic dynamics affect zooplankton community variabilityFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2009BEATRIX E. BEISNER Summary 1. The degree to which communities are variable may be affected by the ecological conditions to which they are exposed and can affect their propensity to form alternative states. We examined the influence of two common ecological factors, predation and seasonal successional stage, on the variability in community composition of herbivorous pond plankton. In a highly replicated, two factor, mesocosm experiment we determined whether beta diversity was affected by seasonal successional stage of the community (two levels), by fish predation (presence/absence) or by their interaction. 2. Several significant changes were found in the composition of the rotifer, cladoceran and copepod assemblages. Most cladoceran abundances showed sharp declines in the presence of fish, while some rotifers, as well as their assemblage species richness, responded favourably to fish. The copepod assemblage was composed of omnivorous and carnivorous species, which added invertebrate predation to the experiment and which intensified as the season progressed. Copepods showed responses to fish predation that depended on seasonal successional stage of the initial community, because of changes in their stage structure and edibility as they grew from nauplii to adults. 3. Community variability was consistently high at the end of each month-long experimental period for both cladoceran and rotifer assemblages, except under two conditions. In the early season treatments, the rotifer assemblages were more consistent (lower beta diversity) in the presence of fish. This was attributed to high population growth rates for rotifers under these ecological conditions because of reduced copepod predation on them through a trophic cascade from fish. Low community variability was also observed in the late season for rotifers when fish were excluded and, as a result, they were exposed to high invertebrate predation from cyclopoid copepods. 4. Results from the early season support theoretical predictions that when community size increases, variability in composition should decline because of an increase in competitive processes over stochastic ones. Late season results suggest that a second mechanism, specialist predation, can also reduce prey community variability. Our study demonstrates that plankton communities may be more predictable under certain trophic web configurations and challenges ecologists to find ways to incorporate such inherent variability into experiments and community theory. [source] Efficiency of combined methotrexate/chloroquine therapy in adjuvant-induced arthritisFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2005M.A.R.C.P. Silva Abstract The present study evaluates the effects of methotrexate (MTX) and chloroquine (CQ), and of combined MTX + CQ treatment, on the inflammatory response and on plasma and liver phosphatase and transaminase activities, employing an adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. Arthritis was induced by the intradermal injection of a suspension of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mineral oil into the plantar surface of the hind paws. Development of the inflammatory response was assessed over a 21-day period. Animal groups received either: (i) MTX, administered i.p., weekly, in 0.15, 1.5, 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg doses; (ii) CQ, given intragastrically, in daily 25 or 50 mg/kg doses; or (iii) MTX + CQ, administered in two combinations (MTX1.5 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg, or MTX6 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental period, the animals were anesthetized and killed, blood and liver samples were collected and prepared for measurement of acid and alkaline phosphatase (AP, ALP), and aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. MTX at 6 and 12 mg/kg reduced the inflammatory response while CQ had no effect. MTX6 mg/kg + CQ50 mg/kg reduced the inflammatory response similar to MTX12 mg/kg, without affecting the bone marrow. Plasma AP and liver ALP activities were very elevated in the arthritic rats. While MTX treatment partially reduced both plasma AP and liver ALP activities at all doses used in the arthritic rats, CQ treatment reduced plasma AP, but increased liver AP activity. MTX + CQ treatment decreased plasma AP and liver ALP activities in the arthritic rats to control values. Plasma and liver AST activities were unaltered in the arthritic rats, and were unaffected by treatment. However, plasma and liver ALT activities were significantly reduced in the arthritic rats. While MTX or CQ treatment did not alter plasma transaminase activity in the arthritic rats, after MTX + CQ treatment, plasma ALT activity returned to normal values. In conclusion, the present data suggest that MTX + CQ treatment provides more effective anti-inflammatory protection against adjuvant-induced arthritis than does MTX alone, reverting the alterations in enzyme activities induced by this inflammatory disease in rats. [source] The effect of sward structure as influenced by ryegrass genotype on bite dimensions and short-term intake rate by dairy cowsGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003P. D. Barrett Abstract The effects of genotypic variation in ryegrasses on sward structure, bite dimensions and intake rate by dairy cows were investigated. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, swards were in a vegetative state whereas, in Experiment 2, they were partly reproductive and were taller with higher herbage mass but lower leaf proportion than in Experiment 1. Applicability of relationships between sward structure and bite characteristics, previously established from artificial or hand-constructed swards, to field conditions were tested. Additional short-term intake rates and/or sward structural characteristics were considered as indicators of potential intake for use in protocols for the evaluation of grass varieties. Four cultivars were studied: AberElan, Twins (diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrasses respectively), Polly, a hybrid ryegrass (perennial × Italian ryegrass) and Multimo (Italian ryegrass), each established in 200-m2 plots in four replicated blocks. Herbage intake rate was determined by short-term liveweight change (taking account of insensible weight loss) using 16 dairy cows allocated to four balanced groups with each plot grazed by one group for a 1-h assessment period. One block was grazed per day, over a 4-d experimental period, with each group grazing each variety in a complete crossover design. Sward characteristics and bite rate were also measured in both experiments. Bite dimensions were subsequently estimated, with bite depth being determined as a function of extended tiller height (ETH) in both experiments. Within both experiments, bite mass and intake rate did not differ significantly between swards of different cultivars despite swards containing Multimo generally having a higher ETH and water-soluble carbohydrate concentration and lower green leaf mass, sward bulk density and neutral-detergent fibre concentration than the other swards. However, bite depth was significantly higher (P < 0·01) in swards containing Multimo swards than in the others and, in Experiment 1, bite depth, as a proportion of ETH, was higher in swards containing Multimo and lower in those containing Twins than in the other two cultivars, whereas there was no difference in Experiment 2. Taking both experiments together, the mean bite depth was 0·5 of ETH with sward bulk density accounting for almost half the variance in the relationship between bite depth and ETH. The bulk density of the bite (bite mass per unit bite volume), measured in Experiment 2, followed a similar pattern to sward bulk density, increasing in the order Multimo, Polly, AberElan and Twins. It is concluded that the relationships between sward characteristics and bite dimensions, derived from artificial swards, are applicable to field swards, although the range in natural ryegrass sward characteristics is usually not as wide as in experiments using artificial swards. Lack of precision in the measurement of short-term intake and in sward-based measurements is likely to preclude their use in the evaluation of grass varieties. [source] Structural heterogeneity and productivity of a tall fescue pasture grazed rotationally by cattle at four stocking densitiesGRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Maria Silvia Cid Abstract The spatial heterogeneity in the structure and the productivity of the vegetation was examined in a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pasture rotationally grazed at four stocking densities in the Pampean region of Argentina. The examined pasture was grazed at the stocking densities of 3.6, 4.6, 5.6 and 6.6 animals ha,1 with a two-paddock 14-day rotational grazing system. Spatial distribution of plant height was examined as well as the percentages of short patch area (heavily utilized patches) or tall patch area (areas ungrazed or lightly defoliated). In addition, biomass, growth rate and relative growth rate were assessed for both short and tall patches. Grazing generated patchiness in vegetation structure and growth at all stocking densities. Increased stocking density caused an increase in the percentage of the short patch area in the paddocks. Short patches had relatively less live biomass than tall ones, but their relative growth rate was 31% higher than that of tall patches (0.021 ± 0.007 vs 0.016 ± 0.005 g DM g DM,1 day,1). The increase in stocking density enlarged the proportion of short patch areas with higher relative growth rate. The relative growth rate (average between short and tall patches) of the two highest stocking densities was 61.7% higher than that of the low stocking density treatments (0.023 ± 0.006 vs 0.014 ± 0.004 g DM g DM,1 day,1). Although the growth rate of the short patches did not exceed the value of the tall patches, the high value of relative growth rate appeared to indicate a higher photosynthetic capacity of the short patches. Moreover, live biomass did not decrease during the experimental period even in the short patch areas showing that, in the particular conditions of our study, overgrazing did not occur at the range of the stocking density examined. [source] Nitrogen balance and seasonal fluctuations in soil nitrogen contents in a corn (Zea mays L)-rye (Secale cereale L) rotation fieldGRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Yuzo Kurokawa Abstract In a corn (Zea mays L)-rye (Secale cereale L) rotation field, the N output (plant uptake) and N input (crop residue and fertilizer applied) were measured for two years in order to evaluate the N balance in a forage production field. The soil was Low-humic Andosol (mesic Typic Hapludand). The disappearance of crop residues on both a dry matter and N basis, and the seasonal fluctuations of total, inorganic, and available soil N content in the field were investigated. The interaction between the nitrogen balance and the soil N contents are discussed. The total plant N uptake of the corn and rye exceeded the sum of the N input of the fertilizer applied and the N from crop residues, so the N balance of the corn-rye rotation had a negative value (two year average: ,8.4 gN m,2). After the gradual disappearance of crop residue on the dry matter basis, rapid disappearance on the N basis was observed. At the same time, the C/N ratio decreased to less than 20. The soil available (38.4,55.3 mg kg,1) and inorganic (21.5,45.2 mg kg,1) N had their lowest values in spring. After they increased in early summer, they decreased in late summer and increased in autumn. The total N (0.5,0.7%) gradually decreased during the experimental period. The results indicated that the soil-available N and inorganic N in the present study were highly dependent on the fertilizer-applied N. The relation among management practices, N input and soil available N contents are discussed. It is suggested that the negative N balance is one of the causes for a decrease in soil total N. [source] A comparative histological evaluation of the biocompatibility of materials used in apical surgeryINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 11 2004C. J. A. Sousa Abstract Aim, To evaluate the biological properties of a variety of materials that could be used in apical surgery. Methodology, The intraosseous implant technique recommended by the FDI (1980) and ADA (1982) was used to test the following materials: zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and Z-100 light-cured composite resin. Thirty guinea-pigs, 10 for each material, divided into experimental periods of 4 and 12 weeks, received one implant on each side of the lower jaw symphysis. The connective tissue response alongside the lateral wall outside the cup served as a negative control for the technique. At the end of the observation periods, the animals were killed and the specimens prepared for routine histological examination to evaluate their biocompatibility. Results, The reaction of the tissue to the materials diminished with time. The ZOE cement was highly toxic during the 4-week experimental period, but this profile changed significantly after 12 weeks, when it showed biocompatible characteristics. MTA and Z-100 showed biocompatibility in this test model at both time periods. Conclusions, MTA and Z-100 composite were biocompatible at 4 and 12 weeks in this experimental model. [source] Leaf Decomposition in a Mountain Stream in the Sultanate of OmanINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Maha Al-Riyami Abstract Decomposition of Juglans regia leaves was studied in fine and coarse mesh bags in a permanent mountain stream in Oman. A rapid initial mass loss, attributed to leaching, was followed by a more gradual decline. Daily exponential decay rates (k) calculated over 32 days were 0.011 (fine mesh litter bags) and 0.014 (coarse mesh litter bags). The difference between bag types was not significant, suggesting limited impact of leaf-shredding invertebrates. Ergosterol levels on leaves from fine mesh bags peaked at 0.3 mg g,1 AFDM after 16 days of stream exposure. During the experimental period, which followed the annual leaf fall, the concentration of aquatic hyphomycete conidia in the stream varied between 82 and 1362 l,1. Based on the morphology of conidia found in the water column or released from leaves, we identified 14 species of aquatic hyphomycetes. Tetracladium apiense was the most common taxon (62.2% of conidia in water column during the field experiment). Three other Tetracladium species contributed another 8%. Plating out leaf particles yielded common epiphytic taxa such as Alternaria sp., Aureobasidium pullulans and Phoma sp. The measured metrics of leaf decay in this desert stream fall within the range of values observed in temperate and tropical streams, with clear evidence for an early leaching phase, and no evidence of a strong impact of leaf shredders. The community of aquatic hyphomycetes appears impoverished. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Individual response of growing pigs to sulphur amino acid intakeJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 1 2008J. Heger Summary Two N balance experiments were conducted to study the individual response of growing pigs to limiting amino acid (AA) intake. Series of fifteen diets with increasing concentration of sulphur amino acids (SAA, Expt 1) or methionine in the presence of excess cystine (Expt 2) were fed sequentially to nine pigs during a 15-day experimental period. The concentration of the AA under test ranged from 50% to 140% of the requirement while other essential AA were given in a 25% excess relative to the limiting AA. N retention was related to the limiting AA intake using rectilinear and curvilinear models. In Expt 1, the quadratic-plateau model fitted the individual data significantly better (p = 0.01) than the linear-plateau model. No difference was found between the two models in Expt. 2, presumably due to the sparing effect of excess cystine on methionine utilization. Exponential, saturation kinetics or four-parameter logistic models fitted to data for all pigs showed that their goodness of fit was similar to those of quadratic-plateau or linear-plateau models. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between individual plateau values for N retention within each experiment while the slopes of the regression lines did not significantly differ either in Expt 1 (p = 0.07) or Expt 2 (p = 0.45). There was a positive correlation between the slope and plateau values of the linear-plateau model in Expt 1 (r = 0.74, p = 0.02) but no significant correlation was found in Expt 2 (r = ,0.48, p = 0.13). Marginal efficiencies of SAA and methionine utilization derived from the linear-plateau model were 0.43 and 0.65 respectively. Based on linear-plateau and quadratic-plateau models, daily requirements of SAA and methionine for a 50 kg pig were estimated to be 13.0 and 5.9 g and 14.3 and 6.1 g respectively. [source] Determination of the selenium requirement in kittens,JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 9-10 2003K. J. Wedekind Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the selenium (Se) requirement in kittens. Thirty-six specific-pathogen-free kittens (9.8 weeks old) were utilized in a randomized complete block design to determine the Se requirement in cats with gender and weight used as blocking criteria. Kittens were fed a low Se (0.02 mg/kg Se) torula yeast-based diet for 5 weeks (pre-test) after which an amino acid-based diet (0.027 mg Se/kg diet) was fed for 8 weeks (experimental period). Six levels of Se (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 mg Se/kg diet) as Na2SeO3 were added to the diet and were used to construct a response curve. Response variables included Se concentrations and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities (GSHpx) in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) as well as plasma total T3 (TT3) and total T4 (TT4). No significant changes in food intake, weight gain or clinical signs of Se deficiency were noted. Estimates of the kitten's Se requirement (i.e. breakpoints) were determined for RBC and plasma GSHpx (0.12 and 0.15 mg Se/kg diet, respectively), but no definitive breakpoint was determined for plasma Se. Plasma TT3 increased linearly, whereas plasma TT4 and the ratio of TT4 : TT3 decreased in a quadratic fashion to dietary Se concentration. The requirement estimate determined in this study (0.15 mg Se/kg) for kittens is in close agreement with other species. As pet foods for cats contain a high proportion of animal protein with a Se bioavailability of 30%, it is recommended that commercial diets for cats contain 0.5 mg Se/kg DM. [source] Energy metabolism in young pigs as affected by establishment of new groups prior to transportJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5-6 2002M. J. W. HEETKAMP Energy metabolism was studied in 9-week-old-pigs as affected by mixing just before transport. In each of three trials, two groups of 20 pigs (two litters of 10) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: control and mixing. Each group was housed in one of two climatic chambers with each subgroup in one of two pens. In each trial, the two litters within the mixing treatment were mixed, just before transport, at the start of a 2-week experimental period. In the control treatment, the social structure of both litters in each trial was not altered. In both treatments, large alterations of energy partitioning from week 1 to week 2, are probably signs of recovering from transportation and/or adaptation to new feeding and housing conditions. Mixing just before transport did not change total energy metabolism but only increased nonactivity-related heat production by 3.1% for the total experimental period. Most likely, long-term performance is also not affected negatively by mixing. Animals seem to be able to change energy expenditure on activity when more energy is required for other physiological processes. This symptom of possible reallocation of energy between different vital live processes (e.g. behavior, protein turn-over) might be one of the first indications of an impaired well-being. [source] The assessment of the frequency of chews during rumination enables an estimation of rumination activity in hay-fed sheepJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2002M. KASKE The objective was to assess rumination behaviour and, more specifically, the intra-individual and inter-individual variation of the frequency of chews during rumination (per min) in five Blackhead sheep fed hay at a level of 100% maintenance (experimental period [EP] I), 50% maintenance (EP II) and ad libitum (EP III). Animals ruminated in EP II less (416 min/day) than in EP I and III (558 and 592 min/day, respectively). Mean inter-individual coefficents of variation (CV) of frequency (defined as number of chews/duration of chewing per cycle) were 12.5%, mean intra-individual CV were 2.5%. The respective CVs for the duration of rumination per day were 8.1 and 9.7%, respectively. The level of intake influenced the frequency of chews significantly. It is concluded that the frequency of chews has to be considered in studies investigating chewing behaviour of ruminants. Under the experimental conditions investigated, number of chews during rumination per day could be estimated by the frequency of chewing with nearly the same precision as by using the duration of rumination per day. [source] Effects of vegetable feed ingredients on bone health in Atlantic salmonJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2010P. G. Fjelldal Summary The aim of the present study was to examine if dietary inclusion of vegetable lipids (VL) and proteins (VP) influenced markers of bone health in Atlantic salmon. Triplicate groups were fed one of four different diets; 100% fish protein (FP) and fish lipids (FL) (FPFL), 80% VP and 35% VL (80VP35VL), 40% VP and 70% VL (40VP70VL), or 80% VP and 70% VL (80VP70VL) for 12 months on-growth in sea water. Fish were analyzed for vertebral bone mineralization (mineral content, as % of bone dry weight), vertebral deformities (radiology), vertebral bone mRNA expression of factors involved in mineralization (bone gla protein, bgp) and growth regulation (igf-I and growth hormone receptor), as well as plasma vitamin D metabolites. The fish grew from 0.35 to 4 kg during the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, significantly lower prevalence of fish with one or more deformed vertebrae was observed in the 80VP70VL group (11%) compared to the other groups (33,43%). There was a significant higher relative expression of igf -I mRNA in vertebral bone of fish fed the 80VP70VL diet compared to control fish (FPFL), while the other genes studied were unaffected. Elevated plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 recorded in the marine feed group is discussed as a predictor for later development of bone deformities. In conclusion, the present study shows that high inclusion levels of vegetable lipids and proteins may have a positive effect on bone health in Atlantic salmon postsmolts. [source] Restricted fish feeding reduces cod otolith opacityJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2008H. Høie Summary The purpose of this work was to examine the effect of reduced feeding and constant temperature on cod otolith opacity. Three groups of juvenile cod were given restricted food rations at different times for 4 months, resulting in depressed somatic growth. Otolith opacity was measured on pictures of the otolith sections. The otolith carbonate deposited during the experimental period was generally opaque compared to the more translucent otolith material deposited prior to and after the experimental period, when the fish were kept in a pond and in sea-cages at higher temperatures. Large variations in otolith opacity were found between individual fish both within groups and between groups. In two of the three groups significantly more translucent otolith material was deposited in response to reduced feeding. Our results show that variations in feeding and hence fish growth resulted in variation in otolith opacity, but the effect was minor compared to that of variations in ambient temperature. The combined influence of these effects, which both act on fish metabolism, are most likely controlling the seasonal opacity changes observed in wild fish. Our results help explain the variations seen in fish at constant temperatures. [source] Selecting for development of fluoroquinolone resistance in a Campylobacter jejuni strain 81116 in chickens using various enrofloxacin treatment protocolsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010K. Stapleton Abstract Aims:, To determine the effect of various enrofloxacin dose regimes on the colonization and selection of resistance in Campylobacter jejuni strain 81116P in experimentally colonized chickens. Methods and Results:, Two experiments were undertaken, in which 14-day-old chickens were colonized with 1 × 107,1 × 109 CFU g,1Camp. jejuni strain 81116P and then treated with enrofloxacin at 12,500 ppm in drinking water for various times. Caecal colonization levels were determined at various time-points after start-of-treatment, and the susceptibility of recovered isolates to ciprofloxacin was monitored. Resistance was indicated by growth on agar containing 4 ,g ml,1 ciprofloxacin, MICs of 16 ,g ml,1 and the Thr86Ile mutation in gyrA. Enrofloxacin at doses of 12,250 ppm reduced Camp. jejuni colonization over the first 48,72 h after start-of-treatment. The degree of reduction in colonization was dose, but not treatment time, dependent. In all cases, maximal colonization was re-established within 4,6 days. Fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms were recoverable within 48 h of start-of-treatment; after a further 24 h all recovered isolates were resistant. In contrast, a dose of 500 ppm enrofloxacin reduced colonization to undetectable levels within 48 h, and the treated birds remained Campylobacter negative throughout the remaining experimental period. By high pressure liquid chromatography, for all doses, the maximum concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the caecal contents were detected at the point of treatment completion. Thereafter, levels declined to undetectable by 7 days post-treatment withdrawal. Conclusions:, In a model using chickens maximally colonized with Camp. jejuni 81116P, treatment with enrofloxacin, at doses of 12,250 ppm in drinking water, enables the selection, and clonal expansion, of fluoroquinolone-resistant organisms. However, this is preventable by treatment with 500 ppm of enrofloxacin. Significance and impact of the study:, Treatment of chickens with enrofloxacin selects for resistance in Camp. jejuni in highly pre-colonized birds. However, a dose of 500 ppm enrofloxacin prevented the selection of resistant campylobacters. [source] Putting density dependence in perspective: nest density, nesting phenology, and biome, all matter to survival of simulated mallard Anas platyrhynchos nestsJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Johan Elmberg Breeding success in ground-nesting birds is primarily determined by nest survival, which may be density-dependent, but the generality of this pattern remains untested. In a replicated crossover experiment conducted on 30 wetlands, survival of simulated mallard nests was related to "biome" (n=14 mediterranean and 16 boreal wetlands), breeding "phenology" (early vs late nests), and "density" (2 vs 8 nests per 225 m shoreline). Local abundances of "waterfowl", "other waterbirds", and "avian predators" were used as covariates. We used an information-theoretic approach and Program MARK to select among competing models. Nest survival was lower in late nests compared with early ones, and it was lower in the mediterranean than in the boreal study region. High-density treatment nests suffered higher depredation rates than low-density nests during days 1,4 of each experimental period. Nest survival was negatively associated with local abundance of "waterfowl" in the boreal but not in the mediterranean biome. Effect estimates from the highest-ranked model showed that nest "density" (d 1,4) had the strongest impact on model fit; i.e. three times that of "biome" and 1.5 times that of "phenology". The latter,s effect, in turn, was twice that of "biome". We argue that our study supports the idea that density-dependent nest predation may be temporally and spatially widespread in waterfowl. We also see an urgent need for research of how waterfowl nesting phenology is matched to that of prey and vegetation. [source] Behavior of dense and porous hydroxyapatite implants and tissue response in rat femoral defectsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002J.C.T. Andrade Abstract Porous and dense hydroxyapatite cylinders (PHA and DHA) were implanted into cavities produced in rat femora and the sites of implantation were examined at different times over a period of 24 weeks by microradiologic and histological techniques. Microradiographs showed the presence of a layer of trabecular bone around the implants, which became more radiopaque and thinner along the experimental time. The microradiologic methodology used was suitable for the evaluation of the interface between hydroxyapatite and newly formed bone in nondecalcified materials. Microscopic observations showed that young bone grew over the surface of both types of implants after 1 and 2 weeks of surgery and that bone also grew inside PHA implants. Progressive bone absorption was observed in both types of implants after the fourth week. A layer of fibrous tissue was formed in the interface between new bone and DHA. Mature bone with haversian systems surrounded DHA implants and filled the pores of PHA implants throughout the experimental period. The pores of PHA implants were smaller than those commonly reported, which should have been a disadvantage, although it was observed that the extra cellular fluid induced disintegration of the ceramic granules, allowing the gradual growth of bone tissue into the spaces among them, without the interposition of fibrous tissue. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 30,36, 2002 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||