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Amino Acid Level (amino + acid_level)
Selected AbstractsNew restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers for Aspergillus fumigatusFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Camile Pizeta Semighini Abstract In this study, we isolated and tested restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers for Aspergillus fumigatus based on PCR products amplified by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primer R108. Four DNA fragments, Afd, Af5, Af4, and Af4A, were amplified. Fragments Afd and Af5 were 85% and 88% identical at the DNA level to part of the Afut1 retrotransposon from A. fumigatus. Fragment Af4A is a duplication of fragment Af4 and both showed similarity at the amino acid level with endonucleases from other fungal retrotransposons. We used both RAPD with primer R108 and RFLP assays with Afut1, Afd, and Af4A, to determine the genetic relatedness of clinical isolates of A. fumigatus isolated sequentially from four patients colonized with A. fumigatus. The combination of these different methods suggested that the isolates infecting the four patients were not identical. [source] Molecular characterization of a peroxiredoxin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornisINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001N. Tsuji Abstract Antioxidant enzymes in eukaryotes play an important role in protection against the oxygen radicals generated during aerobic metabolism. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlPrx). HlPrx is 939 bp long and contains a 101 bp non-translated sequence at the 5, end and a polyadenylation singnal followed by a poly(A) tail at the 3, end. HlPrx encodes a full-length protein with a predicted molecular mass of 26 kDa that possesses one cysteine residue at amino acid 49 that is conserved among Prx proteins of various species. GenBankÔ analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarity to mammalian and plant Prxs at the amino acid level. A DNA-nicking assay revealed that Escherichia coli,expressed recombinant HlPrx (rHlPrx) inhibited oxidative-nicking of supercoiled plasmid DNA. Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis with mouse antirHlPrx serum showed reaction with a major constituent protein spot in extracts of adult ticks. In addition, immunoblot analysis showed that rHlPrx was immunoreacted with serum from rabbits repeatedly infested with H. longicornis. Localization analysis using mouse antirHlPrx serum revealed that native HlPrx was highly expressed in the salivary gland of the tick. Moreover, Northern blot analysis showed that the level of HlPrx transcripts was increased during blood sucking. The present results indicate that HlPrx may be an important detoxifying enzyme during the normal life span as well as during blood sucking in ticks. [source] CLONING AND EXPRESSION OF SPODOPTERA LITURA UBIQUITIN GENEINSECT SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003LI Zhao-fei Abstract Ubiquitin (UBI) plays a very important role in regulated non-lysosomal ATP dependent protein degradation. In the present work, the coding sequence of Spodoptera litura UBI gene was isolated (GenBank Accession No. AF436066). The length of this ORF is 228bp, encoding a protein with Mr of 8.56 kD and isoelectric point of 6.56. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that S. litura UBI is very similar to the homologous proteins of other eukaryotic species and it has 84% identity with S. litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltMNPV) UBI at amino acid level. RT-PCR analysis showed that S. litura UBI gene is ubiquitously expressed in larva tissues which are susceptible to SpltMNPV infection. By constructing E. coli expression vector, S. litura UBI was highly expressed and the recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA resin column, and currently further study on the function of S. litura UBI in SpltMNPV infection is underway. [source] cDNA cloning of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor of the marsupial Macropus eugenii (tammar wallaby)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 2 2002C. L. Taylor Summary cDNA encoding a marsupial polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) was isolated from Macropus eugenii (tammar wallaby) mammary lymph node primarily by reverse transcriptase coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. This resulted in a 5, truncated clone and, in order to obtain the full-length sequence, genomic walking PCR was utilized. The complete sequence consists of 2696 bp of cDNA and encodes a predicted polypeptide of 732 amino acids. The wallaby sequence is highly conserved in relation to the only other reported marsupial pIgR sequence, that of Trichosurus vulpecula (brushtail possum), having a nucleotide identity of 86.7% and a deduced amino acid identity of 79.9%. The wallaby nucleotide sequence also has a moderate degree of similarity with the pIgR sequences of eutherian mammals, being most similar to that of the rat, with an identity of 63.1%. At the amino acid level, in comparison to eutherian sequences, the wallaby pIgR is most similar to that of humans with an identity of 52.6%. pIgR phylogenetic trees were constructed for tammar wallaby, brushtail possum and several eutherian mammal cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences. In both DNA and protein analyses, the eutherian sequences formed a sister clade to the exclusion of the marsupial sequences, in agreement with the current view of mammalian evolution. [source] RNA binding motif (RBM) proteins: A novel family of apoptosis modulators?JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2005Leslie C. Sutherland Abstract RBM5 is a known modulator of apoptosis, an RNA binding protein, and a putative tumor suppressor. Originally identified as LUCA-15, and subsequently as H37, it was designated "RBM" (for RNA Binding Motif) due to the presence of two RRM (RNA Recognition Motif) domains within the protein coding sequence. Recently, a number of proteins have been attributed with this same RBM designation, based on the presence of one or more RRM consensus sequences. One such protein, RBM3, was also recently found to have apoptotic modulatory capabilities. The high sequence homology at the amino acid level between RBM5, RBM6, and particularly, RBM10 suggests that they, too, may play an important role in regulating apoptosis. It is the intent of this article to ammalgamate the data on the ten originally identified RBM proteins in order to question the existence of a novel family of RNA binding apoptosis regulators. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A study to assess the cross-reactivity of cellulose membrane-bound peptides with detection systems: an analysis at the amino acid levelJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Carsten C. Mahrenholz Abstract The growing demand for binding assays to study protein,protein interaction can be addressed by peptide array-based methods. The SPOT technique is a widespread peptide-array technology, which is able to distinguish semi-quantitatively the binding affinities of peptides to defined protein targets within one array. The quality of an assay system used for probing peptide arrays depends on the well-balanced combination of screening and read-out methods. The former address the steady-state of analyte capture, whereas the latter provide the means to detect captured analyte. In all cases, however, false-positive results can occur when challenging a peptide array with analyte or detecting captured analyte with label conjugates. Little is known about the cross-reactivity of peptides with the detection agents. Here, we describe at the amino acid level the potential of (i) 5-(and 6)-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (5(6)-TAMRA), (ii) fluoresceinisothiocyanate in form of the peptide-bound fluorescein-substituted thiourea derivative (FITC), and (iii) biotin/streptavidin-POD to cross-react with individual amino acids in a peptide sequence. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Biological and Molecular Variability of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in Iran,JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11-12 2008Kaveh Bananej Abstract Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV; family Potyviridae, genus Potyvirus) causes high yield losses to cucurbits in many parts of the world. The virus was detected for the first time in Iran in 1988, but the isolates have not been characterized. To study the genetic and biological diversity among Iranian ZYMV isolates, a set of twelve isolates, obtained during an extensive survey conducted from 2003 to 2006 in the major cucurbit-growing areas, were characterized. An experimental host range study of these isolates (referred as Iran-1 to Iran-12) revealed some variation in their biological properties. The nucleotide sequences of the genomic portion spanning the C-terminal part of NIb and N-terminal part of coat protein (CP) coding region were determined and compared with other available sequences. The identity among Iranian ZYMV isolates at the amino acid level reached 95.6,100%. The Iranian ZYMV isolates did not form a compact cluster in the phylogenetic tree, and the phylogenetic analyses and the estimation of genetic distance indicate that the Iranian ZYMV group consists of several independent introductions that evolved separately. [source] The effect of reduced amino acid level and increasing levels of lupin on growth performance and meat content in organic reared pigsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2009Jan Værum Nørgaard Abstract BACKGROUND: Suitable protein sources for organic pig production are scarce. This project was aimed at studying the effect of a reduced amino acid level and thus crude protein level, and the inclusion of lupin in diets for grower-finisher pigs fed under organic conditions. Two hundred pigs (females:male castrates, 1:1) were fed either 100% or 85% of amino acid recommendations and lupin inclusions levels of 0%, 12.5% or 25% from 30 to 105 kg. RESULTS: Feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by the amino acid level. Carcass meat percentage was 59.2% for females and 57.2% for castrates when fed low amino acid level and 0% lupin, and this was an effect of higher feed intake of castrates compared with females. The inclusion of 25% lupin reduced feed intake and daily gain, lowered feed efficiency and increased slaughter loss and carcass meat percentage. CONCLUSION: It is possible to reduce amino acid levels and thus crude protein levels without adverse effects on animal performance. It is, however, recommended to feed castrates restrictively to avoid low carcass meat percentage. Inclusion of up to 12.5% of lupin can be used in organic diets for pigs without negative effects on animal performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Aromatic hydrocarbon degradation genes from chronically polluted Subantarctic marine sedimentsLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009M.S. Marcos Abstract Aim:, The goal of this study was to identify functional targets to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacterial populations in cold marine ecosystems. Methods and Results:, We designed a degenerate primer set targeting genes encoding the , subunit of PAH-dioxygenases from Gram-positive bacteria. This primer set was used to amplify gene fragments from metagenomic DNA isolated from Subantarctic marine sediments (Ushuaia Bay, Argentina). These gene fragments were cloned and sequenced. We identified 14 distinct groups of genes, most of them showing significant relatedness with dioxygenases from Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Rhodococcus, Mycobacterium, Nocardioides, Terrabacter and Bacillus. The level of identity with these genes, however, was low to moderate (33,62% at the amino acid level). Conclusion:, These results indicate the presence of a high diversity of hitherto unidentified dioxygenase genes in this cold polluted environment. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Subantarctic marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to hydrocarbon pollution, and the development of environmental restoration strategies for these environments is pressing. The information obtained in this work will be the starting point for the design of quantitative molecular tools to analyse the abundance and dynamics of these aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial populations in the marine environment. [source] Protein phosphatase 2A on track for nutrient-induced signalling in yeastMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Piotr Zabrocki Summary Early studies identified two bona fide protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-encoding genes in Saccharo-myces cerevisiae, designated PPH21 and PPH22. In addition, three PP2A-related phosphatases, encoded by PPH3, SIT4 and PPG1, have been identified. All share as much as 86% sequence similarity at the amino acid level. This review will focus primarily on Pph21 and Pph22, but some aspects of Sit4 regulation will also be discussed. Whereas a role for PP2A in yeast morphology and cell cycle has been readily recognized, uncovering its function in yeast signal transduction is a more recent breakthrough. Via their interaction with phosphorylated Tap42, PP2A and Sit4 play a pivotal role in target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling. PPH22 overexpression mimics overactive cAMP,PKA (protein kinase A) signalling and PP2A and Sit4 might represent ceramide signalling targets. The methylation of its catalytic subunit stabilizes the heterotrimeric form of PP2A and might counteract TOR signalling. We will show how these new elements could lead us to understand the role and regulation of PP2A in nutrient-induced signalling in baker's yeast. [source] Comparison of endo-polygalacturonase activities of citrus and non-citrus races of Geotrichum candidum, and cloning and expression of the corresponding genesMOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Masayuki Nakamura summary Geotrichum candidum citrus race, a fungus that causes a sour rot disease in citrus fruits, secretes an endo-polygalacturonase (PG) that may facilitate the disease. There also exists a non-citrus race that is non-pathogenic to citrus fruits. In this research, we found that the PG activity of the citrus race isolates was much higher than that of the non-citrus race isolates in culture medium and inoculated lemon peel, and that there was a significant correlation between the PG activity and pathogenicity. We isolated the two corresponding PG genes, S31pg1 and S63pg1, from citrus race S31 and non-citrus race S63, respectively. S31PG1 and S63PG1 consisted of 368 and 369 amino acids, respectively. The two PG genes showed 68% identity at the amino acid level. In expression studies, S31pg1 transcript was detected in mycelia grown in liquid cultures of citrus race S31 containing either glucose, pectin or lemon peel broth. The transcript was also detected in lemon peel inoculated with the isolate. On the other hand, no transcript of S63pg1 was detected in mycelia grown on any liquid cultures of non-citrus race S63 and lemon peel inoculated with the isolate. These results indicate that PG may play an important role in the development of the sour rot symptom and be involved in the difference of pathogenicity between the two races. [source] Impact of digestible energy levels at three different dietary amino acid levels on growth performance and protein accretion in Atlantic salmonAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010Adel El-Mowafi Abstract Nine experimental feeds were prepared, having two different digestible energy levels (DE, 19.5 and 21.5 MJ kg,1) and three different amino acid levels (90%, 100% and 110%), and formulated with two alternative strategies (protein and fat vary freely or only protein varies freely). The design was not balanced and thus the 110% amino acid profile was only studied at 19.5 MJ kg,1 DE. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with a mean body weight of 449±19 g were distributed in 24 tanks and were fed each of the experimental diets for a period of 90 days. The fish were fed three times daily and uneaten feed was collected. Increasing the dietary DE energy from 19.5 to 21.5 MJ kg,1 and the amino acid level from 90% to 100% of the requirement increased the feed intake and growth performance in Atlantic salmon. Increasing the amino acid level from 90% to 100% had a positive effect on the feed intake, growth and protein accretion. Also, the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor I in muscle tissues pointed to this positive effect when the amino acid level increased. High probabilities were associated with a negative effect on the feed intake of reducing the amino acid level regardless of the DE level. It is recommended that the balanced amino acid level should not be adjusted by the same percentage rate as dietary energy, and possibly should not be reduced at all in order to maintain optimum performance and profitability. [source] Molecular cloning, genomic structure, and genetic mapping of two Rdl -orthologous genes of GABA receptors in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostellaARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2010Guorui Yuan Abstract The Resistance to dieldrin (Rdl) gene encodes a subunit of the insect , -aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor. Cyclodiene resistance in many insects is associated with replacement of a single amino acid (alanine at position 302) with either a serine or a glycine in the Rdl gene. Two Rdl -orthologous genes of GABA receptors (PxGABAR,1 and PxGABAR,2) were cloned and sequenced from a susceptible strain (Roth) of Plutella xylostella. PxGABAR,1 and PxGABAR,2 showed 84% and 77% identity with the Rdl gene of Drosophila melanogaster at an amino acid level, respectively. The coding regions of PxGABAR,1 and PxGABAR,2 both comprise ten exons, with two alternative RNA-splicing forms in exon 3 of both genes. At the orthologous position of alanine-302 in D. melanogaster Rdl, PxGABAR,1 has a conserved alanine at position 282. PxGABAR,2 has a serine instead of an alanine at the equivalent position. With two informative DNA markers, both PxGABAR,1 and PxGABAR,2 were mapped onto the Z chromosome of P. xylostella. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Molecular characterization of VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes identifies an unusual G3P[10] human rotavirus strainJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 1 2009Pattara Khamrin Abstract An unusual strain of human rotavirus G3P[10] (CMH079/05) was detected in a stool sample of a 2-year-old child admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Analysis of the VP7 gene sequence revealed highest identities with unusual human rotavirus G3 strain CMH222 at 98.7% on the nucleotide and 99.6% on the amino acid levels. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 sequence confirmed that the CMH079/05 strain formed a cluster with G3 rotavirus reference strains and showed the closest lineage with the CMH222 strain. Analysis of partial VP4 gene of CMH079/05 revealed highest degree of sequence identities with P[10] rotavirus prototype strain 69M at nucleotide and amino acid levels of 92.9% and 94.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 sequence revealed that CMH079/05 and 69M clustered closely together in a monophyletic branch separated from other rotavirus genotypes. To our knowledge, this is a novel G,P combination of G3 and P[10] genotypes. In addition, analyses of VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes revealed these uncommon genetic characteristics: (i) the VP6 gene differed from the four other known subgroups; (ii) the NSP4 gene was identified as NSP4 genetic group C, an uncommon group in humans; and (iii) the NSP5/6 gene was most closely related with T152, a G12P[9] rotavirus previously isolated in Thailand. The finding of uncommon G3P[10] rotavirus in this pediatric patient provided additional evidence of the genetic diversity of human group A rotaviruses in Chiang Mai, Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 81:176,182, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evidence of intrafamilial transmission of rotavirus in a birth cohort in South IndiaJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2008Indrani Banerjee Abstract Transmission of rotavirus infection was studied in a birth cohort of children based in an urban slum in Vellore and their familial contacts. Contemporaneous samples from index patients and their familial contacts were collected for analysis in three different settings. Firstly, samples were collected from familial contacts during a period of rotavirus infection in children from the cohort. Secondly, on occasions when a family member had rotavirus diarrhea, samples from the cohort child were taken for analysis. Lastly, asymptomatic surveillance samples collected at predetermined time points from both the cohort child and familial contacts were analyzed. From 560 samples collected from family members during symptomatic and asymptomatic rotavirus infections in these children, three rotavirus transmissions were identified, accounting for a secondary attack rate of 0.54%. In four instances of rotavirus diarrhea in a family member, one infection was transmitted to the cohort child. Nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a high degree of similarity in all these pairs ranging between 99% and 100% at both the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid levels, highly suggestive of person-to-person transmission of rotavirus infection. There was complete concordance of rotavirus genotyping between these pairs. No transmission events were noted from 14 asymptomatic rotavirus infections identified during routine surveillance of family members. This study is the first to use phylogenetic analysis to study the intrafamilial spread of rotavirus infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:1858,1863, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Genetic heterogeneity of G and F protein genes from Argentinean human metapneumovirus strainsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2006Monica Galiano Abstract Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a newly identified paramixovirus, associated with respiratory illnesses in all age groups. Two genetic groups of hMPV have been described. The nucleotide sequences of the G and F genes from 11 Argentinean hMPV strains (1998,2003) were determined by RT-PCR and direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hMPV strains clustered into two main genetic lineages, A and B. Strains clustered into A group were split into two sublineages, A1 and A2. All strains belonging to group B clustered with representative strains from sublineage B1. No Argentinean strains belonged to sublineage B2. F sequences showed high percentage identities at nucleotide and amino acid levels. In contrast, G sequences showed high diversity between A and B groups. Most changes observed in the deduced G protein sequence were amino acid substitutions in the extracellular domain, and changes in stop codon usage leading to different lengths in the G proteins. High content of serine and threonine residues were also shown, suggesting that this protein would be highly glycosylated. The potential sites for N- and O-glycosylation seem to have a different conservation pattern between the two main groups. This is the first report on the genetic variability of the G and F protein genes of hMPV strains in South America. Two main genetic groups and at least three subgroups were revealed among Argentinean hMPV strains. The F protein seems to be highly conserved, whereas the G protein showed extensive diversity between groups A and B. J. Med. Virol. 78:631,637, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Regional and Selective Effects of Oestradiol and Progesterone on NMDA and AMPA Receptors in the Rat BrainJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 5 2000We investigated the effect of 10 months ovariectomy and a correction therapy, 2 weeks before the rats were killed, of oestradiol, progesterone or their combination on NMDA and AMPA receptor binding in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, striatum, nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex of the rat brain as well as on amino acid levels in frontal cortex. NMDA and AMPA binding densities were assayed by autoradiography using, respectively, l -[3H]glutamate and [3H]AMPA; amino acid concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatograhy (HPLC) coupled with UV detection. Ovariectomy was without effect on NMDA and AMPA binding density in all brain regions assayed except in the hippocampal CA1 region and dentate gyrus where it decreased NMDA binding density compared to intact rats values. Oestradiol restored and increased NMDA binding density in the CA1 subfield and the dentate gyrus of ovariectomized rats but, by contrast, it decreased binding density in the striatum and in the frontal cortex while having no effect in the CA2/3 subfield of the hippocampus and in the nucleus accumbens. Oestradiol was without effect on AMPA binding density in the hippocampus and the dentate gyrus but it reduced AMPA binding density in the striatum, the frontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens. Progesterone, and oestradiol combined with progesterone, decreased NMDA but not AMPA binding density in the frontal cortex of ovariectomized rats, and they were without effect on these receptors in the other brain regions assayed. Amino acid concentrations in the frontal cortex were unchanged after ovariectomy or steroid treatments. The effect of oestradiol in the hippocampus confirmed in the present study and our novel findings in the frontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens may have functional significance for schizophrenia and neurodegenerative diseases. [source] Complete Genome Sequence of a Slovak Isolate of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV) Provides Further Evidence of a Close Molecular Relationship Among Central European ZYMV Isolates,JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7-8 2006M. Glasa Abstract The complete nucleotide sequence of a Slovak isolate of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV-Kuchyna) was determined. The viral genome contains 9593 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail, and encodes a putative polyprotein of 3080 amino acid residues. All characteristic motifs of potyviral proteins' fundamental viral properties and vector transmission are conserved in the ZYMV-Kuchyna genome. The entire sequence shares identities of 90.4,98.8% and 78,98.8% with 12 sequenced ZYMV isolates at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete capsid protein (CP) sequences of more than 50 geographically different ZYMV isolates has shown that Central European isolates are closely related and form a phylogenetically homogeneous group. [source] The effect of reduced amino acid level and increasing levels of lupin on growth performance and meat content in organic reared pigsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2009Jan Værum Nørgaard Abstract BACKGROUND: Suitable protein sources for organic pig production are scarce. This project was aimed at studying the effect of a reduced amino acid level and thus crude protein level, and the inclusion of lupin in diets for grower-finisher pigs fed under organic conditions. Two hundred pigs (females:male castrates, 1:1) were fed either 100% or 85% of amino acid recommendations and lupin inclusions levels of 0%, 12.5% or 25% from 30 to 105 kg. RESULTS: Feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were not significantly affected by the amino acid level. Carcass meat percentage was 59.2% for females and 57.2% for castrates when fed low amino acid level and 0% lupin, and this was an effect of higher feed intake of castrates compared with females. The inclusion of 25% lupin reduced feed intake and daily gain, lowered feed efficiency and increased slaughter loss and carcass meat percentage. CONCLUSION: It is possible to reduce amino acid levels and thus crude protein levels without adverse effects on animal performance. It is, however, recommended to feed castrates restrictively to avoid low carcass meat percentage. Inclusion of up to 12.5% of lupin can be used in organic diets for pigs without negative effects on animal performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Meat characteristics of Qinghai yak and semi-wild yakANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006Xiao Lin LUO ABSTRACT Six domestic yaks aged 6 years, comprising three culling male and three culling female yaks, from the Qinghai Lake area and three male semi-wild yaks aged 6 months from Datong Yak Farm were used to detect the levels of amino acids, mineral elements, residual heavy metals and pesticides in yak meat. The results showed that there was little difference in amino acid levels for different types of yak by age and sex. The meat of the adult male yak was 7.35 mg/kg higher in calcium (P < 0.05) and 124 mg/kg higher in phosphorus (P < 0.01) than that of the adult female yak. There was an obvious difference in zinc content, and there was also a significant difference for copper and sulfur between adult male and female yaks (P < 0.01). Iron was 8.85 mg/kg higher in semi-wild yaks than in domestic yaks, but there were no differences for other minerals. The levels of residual heavy metals and residual pesticides were well within those allowed by the National Standard of China. Furthermore, the data showed that introducing wild yak's blood did not result in a quality change in the domestic yak meat. Yak meat from Qinghai Plateau has the characteristics of being non-polluted and rich in amino acids in comparison with local yellow cattle meat. [source] Impact of digestible energy levels at three different dietary amino acid levels on growth performance and protein accretion in Atlantic salmonAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010Adel El-Mowafi Abstract Nine experimental feeds were prepared, having two different digestible energy levels (DE, 19.5 and 21.5 MJ kg,1) and three different amino acid levels (90%, 100% and 110%), and formulated with two alternative strategies (protein and fat vary freely or only protein varies freely). The design was not balanced and thus the 110% amino acid profile was only studied at 19.5 MJ kg,1 DE. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with a mean body weight of 449±19 g were distributed in 24 tanks and were fed each of the experimental diets for a period of 90 days. The fish were fed three times daily and uneaten feed was collected. Increasing the dietary DE energy from 19.5 to 21.5 MJ kg,1 and the amino acid level from 90% to 100% of the requirement increased the feed intake and growth performance in Atlantic salmon. Increasing the amino acid level from 90% to 100% had a positive effect on the feed intake, growth and protein accretion. Also, the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor I in muscle tissues pointed to this positive effect when the amino acid level increased. High probabilities were associated with a negative effect on the feed intake of reducing the amino acid level regardless of the DE level. It is recommended that the balanced amino acid level should not be adjusted by the same percentage rate as dietary energy, and possibly should not be reduced at all in order to maintain optimum performance and profitability. [source] Physicochemical responses of Pythium porphyrae (Oomycota), the causative organism of red rot disease in Porphyra to acidificationAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2009Eun Kyoung Hwang Abstract Physicochemical responses to acidification in Pythium porphyrae, the causative organism of red rot disease in Porphyra, were investigated. The acid tolerance of P. porphyrae mycelia under pH 4 (acidic condition) condition increased significantly compared with that of the mycelia under pH 8 (condition equivalent to seawater) condition. Free amino acid levels in the mycelia decreased 1.3,8.8-fold under pH 4 condition. However, some free amino acids such as the d -cysteinolic acid-like component, phosphoethanolamine, glutamic acid, aminoadipic acid and methionine increased 2.6,21.7-fold under the same condition. Proton flux on the mycelia exposed to pH 8 increased significantly compared with the mycelia exposed to pH 4. The patterns of proteins present (examined by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) differed among the pH conditions. These results suggest that P. porphyrae acquires acid tolerance and is able to adapt to the changing pH conditions. This has significant implications for the use of acidic fungicide treatment for prevention of red rot disease on Porphyra farms. [source] A double-blind randomized clinical trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using lamotrigine: effects on CSF glutamate, aspartate, branched-chain amino acid levels and clinical parametersACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2003H. Ryberg Objectives , A study was conducted to examine the effect of lamotrigine (LTG) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Material and methods , Patients were entered in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. None of the patients were treated with riluzole, which was not approved for treatment of ALS in Sweden when the study started. After randomization, each patient was treated with placebo or LTG 300 mg daily, followed by a washout period and a second treatment period. Results , Thirty patients completed the study and were included in the analysis of the primary outcome, which was measured with clinical scales. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glutamate, aspartate, branched-chain amino acids and LTG were also measured. Changes for glutamate, valine and LTG were found during the progression of the disease. The clinical parameters and the levels of CSF amino acids were similar for the two treatment groups. Conclusion , No clinical effect of LTG on ALS progression could be found. [source] | ||||||||||||||||