The interaction of genes and environment on percent of juniper in the diet of goats divergently selected for high or low juniper consumption.

Diet selection and preference by grazing animals are determined by genetic and environmental factors that interact and affect their efficacy for managing vegetation as targeted grazers and developing animals adapted to local grazing environments. The effect of the rearing environments on the consumption of juniper (Juniperus spp.) by goats that for 15 years were divergently selected for high (J+) or low (J-) percent juniper in their diet was investigated. To test the effect of rearing environment, at the end of the breeding season, pregnant does from both selection lines were grazed on either juniper-infested (JIR) or juniper-free (JFR) rangelands until their kids were weaned at about 75 days of age. Fecal samples were analyzed with fecal near-IR spectroscopy to determine the percent juniper in the diet. Fecal samples were collected from does on JIR when their offspring were 30 days of age and at weaning. Then, does that raised kids in both rearing environments grazed a common JIR pasture for a 28-day adaptation period before collecting fecal samples. After weaning, kids from both rearing environments grazed JIR for 22 days before collecting fecal samples. The J+ does always consumed more (P < 0.001) juniper than J- does, demonstrating different maternal role models for kids reared in the JIR environment. There was no effect of rearing environment (P = 0.488) or rearing environment × selection line interaction (P = 0.096) when J- and J+ does grazed a common JIR pasture. The percentage of juniper in J- kid diets (7%) was the same regardless of the rearing environment. However, the rearing environment did affect the percentage of juniper in the diet of J+ kids, resulting in a gene-environment interaction (P = 0.022). The percentage of juniper in the diet of J+ kids reared in JFR (16%) and JIR (24%) were about two and three times higher than J- kids, respectively, indicating that genetics and the rearing environment contributed about equally to the increase in the percentage of juniper in the J+ kid diets. Regardless of the rearing environment, the J+ kids had a higher percentage of juniper in their diets than J- kids (P < 0.001). Compared to males, female kids had a higher percentage of juniper in their diets (12 vs 17%, respectively; P = 0.002). The ability to select animals with specific dietary preferences holds promise for targeted grazing strategies to restore degraded rangelands, with potential applications in conservation and ecosystem management.

Unique type of angiosperm pollen from the family annonaceae.

The primitive antgiosperm family Annonaceae possesses a remarkable type of pollen that appears unique in its size (diameter up to 350 micrometers), lack of exine over nearly 50 percent of the grain surface at maturity, and proximalipolar aperture. This unique pollent is further distinguished by being in polyads which are compartmentalized individually within septate stamens.

Primitively columellaless pollen: a new concept in the evolutionary morphology of angiosperms.

Comparative study of pollen of the ranalean complex has revealed a remarkable, hitherto unrecognized characteristic of primitive angiosperm pollen, namely, its complete lack of columellae. Pollen with such exine has been desnated atectate anid taxa in the Magnoliaceae. Degenzeriaceae, Eupomatiaceae, Annonraceae, and possibly Himantandraceae and Nymphaeaceae have pollen which is considered to be primitively columellaless.

Winteraceous pollen in the lower cretaceous of Israel: early evidence of a magnolialean angiosperm family.

Pollen of the primitive angiosperm family Winteraceae has been discovered in the Aptian-Albian of Israel, extending the fossil record of this phylogenetically important family of flowering plants from the uppermost Upper Cretaceous back some 40 million years to the upper Lower Cretaceous. This appears to represent the earliest known record of a magnolialean angiosperm family and is convincing evidence for the existence in the Early Cretaceous of an extant family of angiosperms.

Protein scaffolds, lipid domains and substrate recognition in protein kinase C function: implications for rational drug design.

Protein kinase C (PKC) represents a family of lipid-regulated protein kinases with ubiquitous expression throughout the animal kingdom. High fidelity in PKC phosphorylation of intended target substrates is crucial for normal cell and tissue function. Therefore, it is likely that multiple interdependent factors contribute to determining substrate specificity in vivo, including divalent cation binding, substrate recognition motifs, local lipid heterogeneity and protein scaffolds. This review provides an overview of targeting mechanisms for the three subclasses of PKC isoforms, conventional, novel and atypical, with an emphasis on how they bind to substrates, lipids/lipid microdomains and multifunctional protein scaffolds. The diversity of interactions between PKC isoforms and their immediate environment is extensive, suggesting that systems biology approaches including proteomics and network modeling may be important strategies for rational drug design in the future.

Effects of feeding ground redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii) to gestating ewes on pre- and postpartum performance, serum metabolites and hormones, milk fatty acid composition, and progeny preweaning performance.

The objective of this research was to evaluate effects of replacing sorghum × Sudangrass hay with ground juniper in gestating ewe supplements on pre- and postpartum growth performance, serum metabolites and hormonal concentrations, milk fatty acid composition, and progeny preweaning performance. In a completely randomized design, commercial Rambouillet ewes (age = 3 to 5 yr; initial BW = 65.2 ± 1.6 kg) on a base diet of long-stem sorghum × Sudangrass hay were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary supplements in which ground juniper replaced 0% (CNTL), 33% (18JUN), 66% (36JUN), or 100% (54JUN) of the ground sorghum × Sudangrass hay in a pelleted supplement with ground juniper from d 38 ± 4 of gestation to 2 d postpartum. Treatment DM diet intake overall (g/kg BW) in ewes receiving no juniper was similar ( ≥ 0.38) to that of those receiving increasing concentrations of juniper. Changes in ewe BW and BCS were similar ( ≥ 0.24) in ewes throughout gestation. All serum metabolites and hormones were within normal clinical ranges; however, serum IGF-1 decreased linearly ( = 0.003), alanine increased (linear; = 0.003), and serum Na decreased (linear; = 0.049) as the percentage of juniper increased in the diet. Ewe milk fatty acid composition was similar ( > 0.05) for the majority of fatty acids across treatment groups, with the exception of arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) being greater ( < 0.02) in 54JUN vs. CNTL ewe milk. Lamb birth weights were similar ( = 0.13), whereas lamb ADG tended to differ (quadratic; = 0.06) from d 0 to 14, with 18JUN being the least. At weaning, BW tended ( = 0.09) to linearly decrease in lambs born to ewes consuming greater concentrations of juniper but were not different ( = 0.26) between CNTL and 18JUN, 36JUN, and 54JUN. Results indicated that feeding increasing levels of ground juniper in supplements did not negatively alter ewe performance or serum metabolites and hormones measured pre- and postpartum. Lamb birth weight and preweaning performance appeared unaffected by maternal consumption of ground juniper containing supplements. Results also provide novel information regarding the effects of plant secondary compound consumption throughout pregnancy on ewe and progeny performance and health.

Tension transients initiated by photogeneration of MgADP in skinned skeletal muscle fibers.

Addition of MgADP to skinned skeletal muscle fibers causes a rise in Ca(2+)-activated isometric tension. Mechanisms underlying this tension increase have been investigated by rapid photogeneration of ADP within skinned single fibers of rabbit psoas muscle. Photolysis of caged ADP (P2-1(2-nitrophenyl)ethyladenosine 5'-diphosphate) resulted in an exponential increase in isometric tension with an apparent rate constant, kADP, of 9.6 +/- 0.3 s-1 (mean +/- SE, n = 28) and an amplitude, PADP, of 4.9 +/- 0.3% Po under standard conditions (0.5 mM photoreleased MgADP, 4 mM MgATP, pH 7.0, pCa 4.5, 0.18 M ionic strength, 15 degrees C). PADP depended upon the concentration of photoreleased MgADP as well as the concentration of MgATP. A plot of 1/PADP vs. 1/[MgADP] at three MgATP concentrations was consistent with competition between MgADP and MgATP for the same site on the crossbridge. The rate of the transient, kADP, also depended upon the concentration of MgADP and MgATP. At both 4 and 1 mM MgATP, kADP was not significantly different after photorelease of 0.1-0.5 mM MgADP, but was reduced by 28-40% when 3.5 mM MgADP was added before photorelease of 0.5 mM MgADP. kADP was accelerated by about twofold when MgATP was varied from 0.5 to 8 mM MgATP. These effects of MgATP and MgADP were not readily accounted for by population of high force-producing states resulting from reversal of the ADP dissociation process. Rather, the results suggest that competition between MgADP and MgATP for crossbridges at the end of the cycle slows detachment leading to accumulation of force-generating crossbridges. Elevation of steady-state Pi concentration from 0.5 to 30 mM caused acceleration of kADP from 10.2 +/- 0.5 to 27.8 +/- 1.8 s-1, indicating that the tension rise involved crossbridge flux through the Pi dissociation step of the cycle.

Impaired calcium release in cerebellar Purkinje neurons maintained in culture.

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons demonstrate a form of synaptic plasticity that, in acutely prepared brain slices, has been shown to require calcium release from the intracellular calcium stores through inositol trisphosphate (InsP(3)) receptors. Similar studies performed in cultured Purkinje cells, however, find little evidence for the involvement of InsP(3) receptors. To address this discrepancy, the properties of InsP(3)- and caffeine-evoked calcium release in cultured Purkinje cells were directly examined. Photorelease of InsP(3) (up to 100 microM) from its photolabile caged analogue produced no change in calcium levels in 70% of cultured Purkinje cells. In the few cells where a calcium increase was detected, the response was very small and slow to peak. In contrast, the same concentration of InsP(3) resulted in large and rapidly rising calcium responses in all acutely dissociated Purkinje cells tested. Similar to InsP(3), caffeine also had little effect on calcium levels in cultured Purkinje cells, yet evoked large calcium transients in all acutely dissociated Purkinje cells tested. The results demonstrate that calcium release from intracellular calcium stores is severely impaired in Purkinje cells when they are maintained in culture. Our findings suggest that cultured Purkinje cells are an unfaithful experimental model for the study of the role of calcium release in the induction of cerebellar long term depression.

Reassessment of theophylline toxicity. Serum concentrations, clinical course, and treatment.

It has been reported in the medical literature that in cases of theophylline toxicity a relationship exists between the serum theophylline concentration and the severity of symptoms. We reviewed the records of 20 inpatients receiving long-term theophylline therapy who had serum theophylline concentrations of at least 20 mg/L (111 mumol/L) or who had symptoms of theophylline toxicity. No relationship between the serum concentrations and the severity of toxic effect was seen. Metabolic abnormalities similar to those previously reported in intentional acute intoxication were noted. Cardiac arrhythmias were seen in approximately half of the patients, hypotension in only one. No patient in whom a conservative form of therapy was initiated at diagnosis went on to develop additional toxic effects. It is our finding that severe toxic reactions to theophylline can occur over a wide range of serum concentrations. Conservative treatment measures, specifically drug discontinuation and interference with additional oral absorption by activated charcoal, should be instituted unless life-threatening symptoms are present, when more aggressive therapy (such as charcoal hemoperfusion) is warranted.

Effects of Juniperus species and stage of maturity on nutritional, in vitro digestibility, and plant secondary compound characteristics.

Rising feed costs and recurring feed shortages necessitate the investigation into alternative and underutilized feed resources. Nutritional characteristics of species are either unknown or limited to leaves and ground material from small stems. Therefore, the objective was to quantify nutritional characteristics, 48-h true IVDMD (tIVDMD), microbial gas production, and secondary compound characteristics of entire woody plant material of 4 species-, , , and -at immature and mature stages of growth. Immature plants had greater CP concentrations and lower NDF concentrations ( < 0.001) than mature plants regardless of species. Mature plants also had greater ( < 0.001) concentrations of ADF compared with immature plants with the exception of . In general, immature , , and had greater ( < 0.02) tIVDMD and total 48-h and asymptotic gas production than mature plants. Immature and plants were more digested (tIVDMD; < 0.001) than immature and , but tIVDMD did not differ in mature plant material across species. Condensed tannins (CT) were greater ( < 0.001) in immature and than mature plants; differences in CT concentrations among immature species were also detected ( < 0.04). Volatile oil yields were similar across maturity and species with 1 exception: immature yielded more ( < 0.02) volatile oil than mature material. Volatile oil composition across species varied and contained a range of 65 to 70 terpene compounds. The dominant terpenes across species were generally greater ( < 0.05) in immature vs. mature plant material with the exception of . Labdane acids were negligible in , , and and greater in ( < 0.001). Ground material from mature juniper species, although inferior in nutritional quality compared with immature plants, is comparable to traditional low-quality roughage ingredients. Given that has been successfully fed in lamb feedlot diets, the similarities of , and suggest that all three species have potential to be effective roughage ingredients.

Conversion of an inactive cardiac dihydropyridine receptor II-III loop segment into forms that activate skeletal ryanodine receptors.

A 25 amino acid segment (Glu666-Pro691) of the II-III loop of the alpha1 subunit of the skeletal dihydropyridine receptor, but not the corresponding cardiac segment (Asp788-Pro814), activates skeletal ryanodine receptors. To identify the structural domains responsible for activation of skeletal ryanodine receptors, we systematically replaced amino acids of the cardiac II-III loop with their skeletal counterparts. A cluster of five basic residues of the skeletal II-III loop (681RKRRK685) was indispensable for activation of skeletal ryanodine receptors. In the cardiac segment, a negatively charged residue (Glu804) appears to diminish the electrostatic potential created by this basic cluster. In addition, Glu800 in the group of negatively charged residues 798EEEEE802 of the cardiac II-III loop may serve to prevent the binding of the activation domain.

Primary structure and synthesis of Imperatoxin A (IpTx(a)), a peptide activator of Ca2+ release channels/ryanodine receptors.

We present the complete amino acid sequence of Imperatoxin A (IpTx(a)), a 33-amino-acid peptide from the venom of the scorpion P. imperator which activates Ca2+ release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyR) of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The amino acid sequence of IpTx(a) shows no homology to any scorpion toxin so far described, but shares some homology to the amino acid sequence of Tx2-9 and agelenin, two spider toxins that target neuronal P-type Ca2+ channels. We also describe the total synthesis of IpTx(a) and demonstrate that it efficiently activates RyRs with potency and affinity identical to those of native IpTx(a). The use of synthetic IpTx(a) should help in the identification of the structural motifs of RyR critical for channel gating.

Biologically active peptides caged on tyrosine.

We have demonstrated the feasibility of preparing caged peptides by derivatizing a single amino acid side chain in peptides up to 20 amino acids long. Two peptides are illustrated whose activities are reduced by nearly 2 orders of magnitude using this caging approach. The specific strategy described here of derivatizing tyrosine side chains with a charged caging moiety should be generally applicable in the preparation of caged peptides that have a critical tyrosine residue (e.g., LSM1) or that have critical hydrophobic patches (e.g., RS-20). Other amino acid side chains are also accessible via this caging strategy. Derivatives of threonine, serine, lysine, cysteine, glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, and asparagine can be prepared and site specifically inserted into peptides in an analogous manner. The caged peptides synthesized and purified by the methods described here are compatible with biological samples, including living cells, and have been used to demonstrate the central importance of calmodulin, MLCK, and, by inference, myosin II in ameboid locomotion in polarized eosinophil cells. Photoactivation of peptides within cells should provide a wealth of new information in future investigations by allowing specific protein activities to be knocked out in an acute and spatially defined way.

Hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, their receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptor-2, and the cells of the cornea.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether messenger RNA coding for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), HGF receptor (MET), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), KGF receptor, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-2 were produced in primary cultures of human corneal epithelial, stromal fibroblast, and endothelial cells, as well as ex vivo corneal epithelium, endothelial cells transfected with the SV40 large T antigen, and control embryonic lung fibroblasts. The effects of exogenous HGF and KGF, compared to epidermal growth factor, on the proliferation of first passage corneal cells were also examined. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify complementary DNA for each modulator from each cell type. Hot blotting was used to demonstrate the specificity of amplification products. Proliferation of first passage corneal epithelial, stromal fibroblast, and endothelial cells in response to varying concentrations of HGF, KGF, and epidermal growth factor was measured. RESULTS: Specific amplification products for messenger RNA coding for each modulator were detected in each corneal cell type, although very low levels of HGF and KGF messenger RNA appeared to be present in corneal epithelial cells relative to stromal fibroblasts and corneal endothelial cells. Amplification products that may have been derived from alternative transcripts were detected for several of the modulators. HGF and KGF stimulated proliferation in a dose-response manner in first passage corneal epithelial and endothelial cells, but not stromal fibroblast cells. CONCLUSIONS: Human corneal epithelial, stromal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells produce messenger RNA coding for HGF and KGF, although low levels appear to be present in the epithelial cells. All three major cell types of the cornea produce messenger RNA coding for HGF receptor, KGF receptor, and FGF receptor-2. The proliferation of human corneal epithelial and endothelial cells, but not stromal fibroblasts, was stimulated by exogenous HGF and KGF. HGF and KGF likely have intracrine, autocrine, and/or paracrine functions in the cornea. Exogenous HGF and KGF may be useful in corneal preservation and for regulating corneal wound healing.

Methods for the detection of haemagglutinins in Aeromonas.

When grown in specified conditions and tested by a rocked-tile method, 40 of 41 isolates of two species of Aeromonas formed simultaneously at least two haemagglutinins among which were: (i) a mannose-sensitive haemagglutinins with strongest activity for guinea-pig or fowl red cells, formed by all of 31 isolates of A. hydrophila and 9 of 10 isolates of A. punctata ss. caviae; (ii) a haemagglutinin, sensitive to L-fucose or D-mannose, that reacted with human red cells and which was formed by all 41 isolates; and (iii) a mannose-resistant 'tanned red cell' haemagglutinin formed by 29 isolates of A. hydrophila and one isolate of A. punctata ss. caviae. Results emphasise that for the fullest possible identification of haemagglutinins produced by Aeromonas spp., strains should be cultured in a variety of conditions and tested with a wide range of red-cell species.

Differential efficacy of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of sports injuries.

Twenty-eight patients presenting with sports injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 200 mg sulindac twice daily or 400 mg ibuprofen 3-times daily. Pain symptoms (day and night ratings) and observer assessment of pain on movement, swelling and tenderness were recorded pre-treatment and after 3 and 7 days of therapy. One patient in the sulindac group was excluded from the study because initial symptoms were mild. Response, in terms of decrease in scores, was better in those receiving sulindac than in those given ibuprofen at both 3 and 7 days for the parameters of pain during the day (p less than 0.05 at 7 days) and pain on movement (p less than 0.05 at 3 days). Patient assessment of treatment at 3 and 7 days was significantly better in the sulindac group than in the ibuprofen group (p less than 0.025). The only reported side-effect was gastro-intestinal upset in a patient in the ibuprofen group. The results suggest that sulindac is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for the symptoms associated with sprain and strain injuries.

Visual development in the blepharophimosis syndrome.

One hundred and one cases of the blepharophimosis syndrome presenting over a decade are reviewed with particular attention to the factors influencing their visual development. Three distinct clinical patterns emerge--severe bilateral ptosis, moderate bilateral ptosis, and asymmetric ptosis--and their differing incidence of amblyopia and strabismus is discussed. The risk of amblyopia is much higher than previously believed (56.4% in our series) and preventive management is discussed.

Feeding behavior of grazing ruminants experiencing stress.

The mechanisms underlying diet selection of ruminants are less studied than those for monogastrics. However, recent studies have shown that these mechanisms may be more similar in ruminants and monogastrics than previously believed. Food aversion learning is observed in both monogastrics and ruminants, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis appears to be involved in avoidance learning. Using leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), an introduced weed whose expansion has costly ecological and economic implications in western North America, as a model for underconsumed plant species, we hypothesized that sheep experience increased cortisol levels when they first consume leafy spurge and that this may be related to their reluctance to graze it. We also hypothesized that preexposure to leafy spurge would attenuate the development of a spurge-based aversion. Correspondingly, we hypothesized that preexposed sheep would not experience increased blood cortisol levels with leafy spurge gavage during an aversion trial. None of our hypotheses were disproved by the experiments. Our results lend support to the hypothesis that stress is required for the development of conditioned taste aversions and extend it to ruminants. We suggest that activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is integral to food aversion learning in ruminants.

Cooperative state-federal turkey ornithosis task force, Texas, 1974.

Ornithosis was suggested by a routine analysis of tissue specimens from Texas turkey flocks submitted to the Texas A&M University Poultry Disease Laboratory at Gonzales on April 30, 1974, and of subsequent specimens from four additional flocks. Subsequently, illness in humans at turkey processing plants in Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri, implicating turkeys from Texas, was confirmed as ornithosis in July 1974; and, associated with this outbreak, ornithosis was suspected as the cause of the death of one human. Action was taken by state and federal poultry disease control and inspection officials, public health agencies, and the turkey industry in Texas.

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus after face lift: a study of incidence and prophylaxis.

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus are known risks of surgery. However, the incidence of these conditions in face lift is unknown. In this study, the incidence of deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus after face lift is studied and factors associated with thromboembolic complications are evaluated. One-third of the active members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery were randomly selected. Participating surgeons completed a one-page survey providing information on face-lift procedures during a 12-month study period. A response rate of 80 percent was achieved, with 273 of the 342 surgeons responding to the survey. A total of 9937 face-lift procedures were reported in the 1-year study period. There were 35 patients with deep venous thrombosis (0.35 percent), 14 patients with pulmonary embolus (0.14 percent), and 1 patient death in the series. Although 43.5 percent of patients underwent face lift under general anesthesia, 83.7 percent of deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus events occurred with general anesthesia. For prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus, 19.7 percent of the surgeons used intermittent compression devices, 19.6 percent used thromboembolic disease hose or Ace wraps, and 60.7 percent used no prophylaxis. Of patients developing deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus, 4.1 percent were treated prophylactically with intermittent compression devices, 36.7 percent with thromboembolic disease hose/Ace wraps, and 59.2 percent with no prophylaxis. It was found that deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus after face lift is a measurable complication experienced by one of nine surgeons surveyed. Deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus is more likely to occur when the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The majority of plastic surgeons surveyed used no prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis when performing face-lift procedures. Intermittent compression devices were associated with significantly fewer thromboembolic complications, whereas Ace wrap/thromboembolic disease hose afforded no protection against deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus when used alone. In conclusion, aesthetic surgeons should consider adopting intermittent compression devices when performing face lift under general anesthesia.