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Animal Groups (animal + groups)
Selected AbstractsEfficiency 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] Evolutionary origins of the purinergic signalling systemACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009G. Burnstock Abstract Purines appear to be the most primitive and widespread chemical messengers in the animal and plant kingdoms. The evidence for purinergic signalling in plants, invertebrates and lower vertebrates is reviewed. Much is based on pharmacological studies, but important recent studies have utilized the techniques of molecular biology and receptors have been cloned and characterized in primitive invertebrates, including the social amoeba Dictyostelium and the platyhelminth Schistosoma, as well as the green algae Ostreococcus, which resemble P2X receptors identified in mammals. This suggests that contrary to earlier speculations, P2X ion channel receptors appeared early in evolution, while G protein-coupled P1 and P2Y receptors were introduced either at the same time or perhaps even later. The absence of gene coding for P2X receptors in some animal groups [e.g. in some insects, roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) and the plant Arabidopsis] in contrast to the potent pharmacological actions of nucleotides in the same species, suggests that novel receptors are still to be discovered. [source] Human and pig SRY 5, flanking sequences can direct reporter transgene expression to the genital ridge and to migrating neural crest cellsDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2006Alexandre Boyer Abstract Mechanisms for sex determination vary greatly between animal groups, and include chromosome dosage and haploid,diploid mechanisms as seen in insects, temperature and environmental cues as seen in fish and reptiles, and gene-based mechanisms as seen in birds and mammals. In eutherian mammals, sex determination is genetic, and SRY is the Y chromosome located gene representing the dominant testes determining factor. How SRY took over this function from ancestral mechanisms is not known, nor is it known what those ancestral mechanisms were. What is known is that SRY is haploid and thus poorly protected from mutations, and consequently is poorly conserved between mammalian species. To functionally compare SRY promoter sequences, we have generated transgenic mice with fluorescent reporter genes under the control of various lengths of human and pig SRY 5, flanking sequences. Human SRY 5, flanking sequences (5 Kb) supported reporter transgene expression within the genital ridge of male embryos at the time of sex determination and also supported expression within migrating truncal neural crest cells of both male and female embryos. The 4.6 Kb of pig SRY 5, flanking sequences supported reporter transgene expression within the male genital ridge but not within the neural crest; however, 2.6 Kb and 1.6 Kb of pig SRY 5, flanking sequences retained male genital ridge expression and now supported extensive expression within cells of the neural crest in embryos of both sexes. When 2 Kb of mouse SRY 5, flanking sequences (,3 to ,1 Kb) were placed in front of the 1.6 Kb of pig SRY 5, flanking sequences and this transgene was introduced into mice, reporter transgene expression within the male genital ridge was retained but neural crest expression was lost. These observations suggest that SRY 5, flanking sequences from at least two mammalian species contain elements that can support transgene expression within cells of the migrating neural crest and that additional SRY 5, flanking sequences can extinguish this expression. Developmental Dynamics 235:623,632, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Macroecology of a host-parasite relationshipECOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2000Caryn C. Vaughn The larvae of freshwater mussels are obligate ectoparasites on fishes while adults are sedentary and benthic. Dispersal of mussels is dependent on the movement of fish hosts, a regional process, but growth and reproduction should be governed by local processes. Thus, mussel assemblage attributes should be predictable from the regional distribution and abundance of fishes. At a broad spatial scale in the Red River drainage, USA, mussel species richness and fish species richness were positively associated; maximum mussel richness was limited by fish richness, but was variable beneath that constraint. Measured environmental variables and the associated local fish assemblages each significantly accounted for the regional variation in mussel assemblages. Furthermore, mussel assemblages showed strong spatial autocorrelation. Variation partitioning revealed that pure fish effects accounted for 15.4% of the variation in mussel assemblages; pure spatial and environmental effects accounted for 16.1% and 7.8%, respectively. Shared variation among fish, space and environmental variables totaled 40%. Of this shared variation, 36.8% was associated with the fish matrix. Thus, the variation in mussel assemblages that was associated with the distribution and abundance of fishes was substantial (> 50%), indicating that fish community structure is an important determinant of mussel community structure. Although animals commonly disperse plants and, thus, influence the structure of plant communities, our results show a strong macroecological association between two disparate animal groups with one strongly affecting the assemblage structure of the other. [source] Metacommunity patterns of highly diverse stream midges: gradients, chequerboards, and nestedness, or is there only randomness?ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Jani Heino Abstract., 1.,Several non-random patterns in the distribution of species have been observed, including Clementsian gradients, Gleasonian gradients, nestedness, chequerboards, and evenly spaced gradients. Few studies have examined these patterns simultaneously, although they have often been studied in isolation and contrasted with random distribution of species across sites. 2.,This study examined whether assemblages of chironomid midges exhibit any of the idealised distribution patterns as opposed to random distribution of species across sites within the metacommunity context in a boreal drainage system. Analyses were based on stream surveys conducted during three consecutive years. Analytical approaches included ordinations, cluster analysis, null models, and associated randomisation methods. 3.,Midge assemblages did not conform to Clementsian gradients, which was evidenced by the absence of clearly definable assemblage types with numerous species exclusive to each assemblage type. Rather, there were signs of continuous Gleasonian variability of assemblage composition, as well as significant nested subset patterns of species distribution. 4.,Midge assemblages showed only weak relationships with any of the measured environmental variables, and even these weak environmental relationships varied among years. 5.,Midge assemblages did not appear to be structured by competition. This finding was somewhat problematic, however, because the two indices measuring co-occurrence provided rather different signs of distribution patterns. This was probably a consequence of how they actually measure co-occurrence. 6.,Although midge assemblages did not show a perfect match with any of the idealised distribution patterns, they nevertheless showed a resemblance to the empirical patterns found previously for several plant and animal groups. [source] Mapping immune response profiles: The emerging scenario from helminth immunologyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Alvaro Díaz Abstract Metazoan parasites of mammals (helminths) belong to highly divergent animal groups and yet induce a stereotypical host response: Th2-type immunity. It has long been debated whether this response benefits the host or the parasite. We review the current literature and suggest that Th2 immunity is an evolutionarily appropriate response to metazoan invaders both in terms of controlling parasites and repairing the damage they inflict. However, successful parasites induce regulatory responses, which become superimposed with, and control, Th2 responses. Beyond helminth infection, this superimposition of response profiles may be the norm: both Th1 and Th2 responses coexist with regulatory responses or, on the contrary, with the inflammatory Th17 responses. Thus, typical responses to helminth infections may differ from Th2-dominated allergic reactions in featuring not only a stronger regulatory component but also a weaker Th17 component. The similarity of immune response profiles to phylogenetically distinct helminths probably arises from mammalian evolution having hard-wired diverse worm molecules, plus tissue-damage signals, to the beneficial Th2 response, and from the convergent evolution of different helminths to elicit regulatory responses. We speculate that initiation of both Th2 and regulatory responses involves combinatorial signaling, whereby TLR-mediated signals are modulated by signals from other innate receptors, including lectins. [source] Biodiversity and ecosystem function in soilFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A. H. FITTER Summary 1Soils are one of the last great frontiers for biodiversity research and are home to an extraordinary range of microbial and animal groups. Biological activities in soils drive many of the key ecosystem processes that govern the global system, especially in the cycling of elements such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. 2We cannot currently make firm statements about the scale of biodiversity in soils, or about the roles played by soil organisms in the transformations of organic materials that underlie those cycles. The recent UK Soil Biodiversity Programme (SBP) has brought a unique concentration of researchers to bear on a single soil in Scotland, and has generated a large amount of data concerning biodiversity, carbon flux and resilience in the soil ecosystem. 3One of the key discoveries of the SBP was the extreme diversity of small organisms: researchers in the programme identified over 100 species of bacteria, 350 protozoa, 140 nematodes and 24 distinct types of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Statistical analysis of these results suggests a much greater ,hidden diversity'. In contrast, there was no unusual richness in other organisms, such as higher fungi, mites, collembola and annelids. 4Stable-isotope (13C) technology was used to measure carbon fluxes and map the path of carbon through the food web. A novel finding was the rapidity with which carbon moves through the soil biota, revealing an extraordinarily dynamic soil ecosystem. 5The combination of taxonomic diversity and rapid carbon flux makes the soil ecosystem highly resistant to perturbation through either changing soil structure or removing selected groups of organisms. [source] Neurobehavioral abnormalities in the dysbindin-1 mutant, sandy, on a C57BL/6J genetic backgroundGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2009M. M. Cox Sandy mice have a deletion mutation in the gene encoding dysbindin-1, Dtnbp1, with consequent reduction of the protein in heterozygotes and its loss in homozygotes. The sandy mouse thus serves as an animal model of dysbindin-1 function. As this protein is concentrated in synaptic tissue and affects transmitter release, it may affect neuronal processes that mediate behavior. To investigate the neurobehavioral effects of the Dtnbp1 mutation, we studied littermate sandy and wild-type controls on a C57BL/6J genetic background. The three animal groups were indistinguishable in their external physical characteristics, sensorimotor skills and indices of anxiety-like behaviors. In the open field, however, homozygous animals were hyperactive and appeared to show less habituation to the initially novel environment. In the Morris water maze, homozygous animals displayed clear deficits in spatial learning and memory with marginal deficits in visual association learning. Apart from the last mentioned deficits, these abnormalities are consistent with hippocampal dysfunction and in some cases with elevated dopaminergic transmission via D2 dopamine receptors. As similar deficits in spatial learning and memory have been found in schizophrenia, where decreased dysbindin-1 has been found in the hippocampus, the sandy mouse may also model certain aspects of cognition and behavior relevant to schizophrenia. [source] A survey of current dental problems and treatments of zoo animalsINTERNATIONAL ZOO YEARBOOK, Issue 1 2008S. E. GLATT Although communication among zoos and aquariums about animal dental practices is increasing among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions, little printed information is available about the general dental practices and dental problems commonly encountered. In order to encourage communication and collaboration among practicing institutions, we surveyed AZA-sanctioned zoos and aquariums to determine trends in zoo dentistry. Results are presented from 53 participating institutions, discussing the most common problems encountered (malocclusions, dental fractures and periodontal disease) across specific animal groups, and a range of personnel participating in dental procedures (licensed veterinarians, dentists, veterinary technicians). Our results provide a foundation of common dental practices, encouraging additional research-oriented studies and collaboration between zoos and aquariums in the field of animal dentistry. [source] Are urban bird communities influenced by the bird diversity of adjacent landscapes?JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Philippe Clergeau Summary 1The species diversity of adjacent landscapes influences the conservation or restoration of several animal groups in urban areas, but the effect on birds is unclear. To address this question, we compared bird species richness (BSR) and community composition between periurban (area surrounding the town) and urban (suburban and centre areas) landscapes across three spatial scales. 2At a large biogeographical scale (temperate and boreal climatic zone), relationships between the BSR of urban areas and their surrounding landscapes were examined in a meta-analysis of 18 published studies. In general, BSR was negatively correlated with latitude and urbanization. The BSR of suburban and centre landscapes correlated positively with the BSR of periurban landscapes. However, latitudinal effects were also involved, as BSR in urban and periurban landscapes declined as town latitude increased. Similarity indices were low (50%) between periurban and centre bird communities. 3At a regional scale, we assessed winter bird data from several towns within three regions of temperate and boreal countries (western France, northern Finland and eastern Canada). The type of periurban landscape, number of inhabitants and town diameter did not affect BSR. BSR was similar between the cities of a given biogeographical area. Bird communities were more similar between similar habitat types of different cities than between different habitats of the same city. 4At a local scale, we tested the influence of proximity to the periurban landscape on BSR in parks of western French towns of different size. Neither BSR nor community similarity changed in relation to the distance of the park from the periurban landscape. 5Guild composition according to diet and feeding habitat did not vary between urban and periurban locations at regional or local scales. 6We conclude that, at regional and local scales, urban bird communities are independent of the bird diversity of adjacent landscapes, and that local features are more important than surrounding landscapes in determining BSR. Whatever the biodiversity quality of the periurban landscape, site-specific actions such as shrub and tree planting, water restoration and increasing vegetation diversity can change bird diversity in towns and improve the quality of human,wildlife contacts. [source] On the general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeographyJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2009Simone Fattorini Abstract Aim, To investigate the biological meaning of equations used to apply the general dynamic model (GDM) of oceanic island biogeography proposed by R. J. Whittaker, K. A. Triantis and R. J. Ladle. Location, Analyses are presented for 17 animal groups living on the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the central Mediterranean, near Sicily. Methods, In addition to the mathematical implementation of the GDM proposed by Whittaker, Triantis and Ladle, and termed here logATT2 (, where S is species number or any other diversity metric, t is island age, A is island area, and a, b, c and d are fitted parameters), a new implementation based on the Arrhenius equation of the species,area relationship (SAR) is investigated. The new model (termed powerATT2) is: . For logATT2 and powerATT2 models, equations were developed to calculate (1) the expected number of species at equilibrium (i.e. when the island has reached maturity) per unit area (Seq), and (2) the time required to obtain this value (teq). Whereas the intercept in the Gleason model (S = C + z log A) or the coefficient of the Arrhenius power model (S = CAz) of the SAR can be considered measures of the expected number of species per unit area, this is not the case for the parameter a of the ATT2 models. However, values of Seq can be used for this purpose. The index of ,colonization ability' (CAB), calculated as the ratio , may provide a measure of the mean number of species added per unit area per unit time. Results, Both ATT2 models fitted most of the data well, but the powerATT2 model was in most cases superior. Equilibrial values of species richness (Seq) varied from c. 3 species km,2 (reptiles) to 100 species km,2 (mites). The fitted curves for the powerATT2 model showed large variations in d, from 0.03 to 3. However, most groups had values of d around 0.2,0.4, as commonly observed for the z -values of SARs modelled by a power function. Equilibration times ranged from about 170,000 years to 400,000 years. Mites and springtails had very high values of CAB, thus adding many more species per unit area per unit time than others. Reptiles and phytophagous scarabs showed very low values, being the groups that added fewest species per unit area per unit time. Main conclusions, Values of equilibrial species richness per unit area are influenced by species biology (e.g. body size and ecological specialization). Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that higher immigration rates should increase the z -values of the Arrhenius model. Thus, in the same archipelago, groups with larger z -values should be characterized by higher dispersal ability. Results obtained here for the parameter d conform to this prediction. [source] Nitric Oxide Plays a Crucial Role in the Development/Progression of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in the Choline-Deficient, l-Amino Acid-Defined Diet-Fed Rat ModelALCOHOLISM, Issue 2010Koji Fujita Background:, The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is still unclear. Recently, the 2-hit hypothesis was proposed, in which nitric oxide production, representing oxidative stress, was proposed as a very important candidate for the second hit. Methods:, The total study period was 10 weeks. A total of 20 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was administered the Choline-Deficient, l-Amino Acid-Defined diet to produce a NASH model, and Group 2 as control received the Choline-Sufficient, l-Amino Acid-defined diet. The blood and tissue concentrations of nitrate + nitrite were measured using the Griess reagent and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins and mRNA was determined by Western blotting. Results:, In regard to nitric oxide (NO) and NO metabolites, there were significant differences in the blood (especially portal venous blood) as well as tissue (liver and visceral fat) concentrations between the 2 animal groups; the amounts of NO metabolites in the tissues were much higher in the NASH models. The level of nitrotyrosine was much markedly higher in the NASH models than in the controls. In regard to the tissue expression of iNOS a significant difference between the 2 groups was found in the visceral fat, especially in the mesenterium. Conclusions:, Based on these results, we hypothesize that the iNOS expression and NO levels in the visceral fat increase, with increased diffusion of NO and its metabolites into the liver, resulting in increased nitrotyrosine formation in the liver; this, in turn, induces inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in the liver, which are one of the characteristic features of NASH. [source] Influence of Age at Drinking Onset on Long-Term Ethanol Self-Administration With Deprivation and Stress PhasesALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2005Sören Siegmund Background: Onset of alcohol use during adolescence has potentially long-lasting consequences, e.g., prospective alcohol dependence. To obtain new insight into the effects of early chronic ethanol consumption, we compared the drinking behavior of two adult male Wistar rat groups: one that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence (adolescent group) and the other that initiated their drinking during adulthood (adult group) in a model of long-term alcohol self-administration. We investigated the magnitude of the effects of deprivation and stress on alcohol intake and the influence of these events on the alcohol drinking behavior across time. Methods: Heterogeneous Wistar rats aged 31 days (adolescents) and 71 days (adults) were given ad libitum access to water, as well as 5% and 20% ethanol solutions during an observation period of 30 wk. A deprivation phase of 14 days was instituted after eight wk of access to alcohol. After 16 and 26 wk of alcohol access, all animals were subjected for three consecutive days to forced swimming and electric foot shocks, respectively. Results: At the onset of drinking, adolescent animals consumed less alcohol and showed lower preference than adults. The deprivation phase was followed by increased intake of highly concentrated ethanol solution without appreciable differences between age groups. Repeated swim stress produced a slight increase in ethanol consumption in both animal groups; however, alcohol intake was not significantly different between groups, whereas the foot shock stress-induced increase in alcohol intake was significantly higher in the animal group that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence. After swim stress, the drinking behavior of the adolescent group resembled that of the adult group. In particular, the adolescent group increased their preference for 20% ethanol solution for the remainder of the experiment. Conclusions: Age of voluntary alcohol drinking onset does not appear to be a strong predictor for prospective alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking behavior under the present experimental conditions. However, male Wistar rats that initiated alcohol consumption during adolescence seem to be more susceptible to acute stressor-specific effects in terms of alcohol consumption. [source] A minimalist barcode can identify a specimen whose DNA is degradedMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 4 2006MEHRDAD HAJIBABAEI Abstract A DNA barcode based on 650 bp of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I is proving to be highly functional in species identification for various animal groups. However, DNA degradation complicates the recovery of a full-length barcode from many museum specimens. Here we explore the use of shorter barcode sequences for identification of such specimens. We recovered short sequences , i.e. ,100 bp , with a single PCR pass from more than 90% of the specimens in assemblages of moth and wasp museum specimens from which full barcode recovery was only 50%, and the latter were usually less than 8 years old. Short barcodes were effective in identifying specimens, confirming their utility in circumstances where full barcodes are too expensive to obtain and the identification comparisons are within a confined taxonomic group. [source] Antiulcerogenic activity of crude ethanol extract and some fractions obtained from aerial parts of Artemisia annua L.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2001Patrícia Corręa Dias Abstract The resulting enriched sesquiterpene lactone fraction and the crude ethanol extract of Artemisia annua L. aerial parts, showed antiulcerogenic activity when administered orally, on the indomethacin induced ulcer in rats. The sesquiterpene lactone fraction yielded three different polarity fractions on column chromatography as follows: non-polar, medium polarity and polar fraction, When submitted to the same indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats they resulted in different levels of inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index. The participation of nitric oxide was evaluated on an ethanol-induced ulcer model which had a previous administration of L -NAME, a NO-synthase inhibitor. Under these conditions, the medium polarity fraction maintained the antiulcerogenic activity, suggesting that nitric oxide could not be involved in the antiulcerogenic activity. When the animal groups were treated with N-ethylmaleimide, an alkylator of sulphhydryl groups, using the same experimental model, the medium polarity fraction maintained its antiulcerogenic activity, suggesting that the pharmacological mechanism is not related to non-protein sulphydryl compounds. On the ethanol-induced ulcer with previous indomethacin treatment, the medium polarity fraction lost its antiulcerogenic activity indicating that the active compounds of Artemisia annua L. increase the prostaglandin levels in the gastric mucosa. This hypothesis was reinforced by an increase of adherent mucus production by the gastric mucosa, produced by the medium polarity fraction on the hypothermic restraint stress induced ulcer model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparative Biochemistry of Eumelanogenesis and the Protective Roles of Phenoloxidase and Melanin in InsectsPIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Manickam Sugumaran The phenolic biopolymer eumelanin is an important skin pigment found throughout the animal kingdom. The enzyme, tyrosinase, initiates melanogenesis in mammals. The biogenesis is assisted by a number of mammalian protein factors including dopachrome tautomerase and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylate oxidase. Invertebrates, such as insects, employ phenoloxidase and dopachrome (decarboxylating) isomerase for melanin biosynthesis. Recently generated molecular biological and biochemical data indicate that tyrosinase and phenoloxidase are distinctly different enzymes in spite of possessing both monophenol monooxygenase activity as well as o -diphenoloxidase activity. Similarly, insect dopachrome isomerase also differs significantly from its mammalian counterpart in several of its properties including the nature of the enzymatic reaction. In addition, there are considerable differences in the eumelanogenic pathways of these two animal groups that include the utility of substrates, use of dihydroxyindoles and the nature of eumelanin pigment. Thus, the biochemistry and molecular biology of melanogenesis in mammals and insects are significantly different. The advantages of generating different eumelanin pigments and intermediates by the insects are discussed. [source] Proteomic investigation of the effects of weight loss in the gastrocnemius muscle of wild and NZW rabbits via 2D-electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF MSANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2010A. M. Almeida Summary The study of changes within the key agents regulating metabolism during genetic upgrading because of selection can contribute to an improved understanding of genomic and physiological relationships. This may lead to increased efficiencies in animal production. These changes, regarding energy and protein metabolic saving mechanisms, can be highlighted during food restriction periods. In this study, a 20% weight reduction was induced in two rabbit breeds: New Zealand white, a selected meat producer (Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus), and Iberian wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus), with the aim of determining differential protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle within control (ad libitum) and restricted diet experimental animal groups, using techniques of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprinting. Results show that l -lactate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase, , enolase and , enolase, fructose bisphosphate aldolase A and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which are enzymes involved in energy metabolism, are differentially expressed in restricted diet experimental animal groups. These enzymes are available to be further tested as relevant biomarkers of weight loss and putative objects of manipulation as a selection tool towards increasing tolerance to weight loss. Similar reasoning could be applied to 2D gel electrophoresis spots corresponding to the important structural proteins tropomyosin , chain and troponin I. Finally, a spot identified as mitochondrial import stimulation factor seems of special interest as a marker of undernutrition, and it may be the object of further studies aiming to better understand its physiological role. [source] GSM modulated radiofrequency radiation does not affect 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion of ratsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 8 2003József Bakos Abstract In this study, the effect of exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency radiation upon the urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6SM) excretion of adult male Wistar rats was studied. Seventy-two rats were used in six independent experiments, three of which were done with 900 MHz and the other three with 1800 MHz. The exposures were performed in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic mode (GTEM) cell. The power densities of radiation were 100 and 20 ,W/cm2 at 900 and 1800 MHz frequency, respectively. The carrier frequency was modulated with 218 Hz, as in the GSM signal. The animals were exposed for 2 h between 8:00 AM and noon daily during the 14 day exposure period. The urine of rats was collected from 12:00 AM to 8:00 AM, collecting from exposed and control animal groups on alternate days. The urinary 6SM concentration was measured by 125I radioimmunoassay and was referred to creatinine. The combined results of three experiments done with the same frequency were statistically analyzed. Statistically significant changes in the 6SM excretion of exposed rats (n,=,18) compared to control group (n,=,18) were not found either at 900 or 1800 MHz. Bioelectromagnetics 24:531,534, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||