Zinc oxide plays an important role in the current industry due to its special characteristics such as anti-corrosion, anti-bacteria, low electron conductivity and excellent heat resistance. The synthesis of Zno NPs by the sol-gel method has recently gained widespread use to synthesize and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles. Sol-gel method is the simplest method and has the ability to control the particle size and morphology through systematic monitoring of reaction parameters. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel method using Zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH 3COO) 2.2H 2O) as a precursor and ethanol (CH 2COOH) were used as a solvent, Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and distilled water were used as a medium. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by using XRD, EDX, FESEM, and nano-particles analyser. The result of EDX characterization shows that the ZnO nanoparticles have good purity with (Zinc content of- 55.38% and; Oxygen content of- 44.62%). XRD result spectrum displays mainly oxygen and zinc peaks, which indicate the crystallinity in nature as exhibited. FESEM micrographs show that synthesized ZnO have a rod-like structure. The obtained ZnO nanoparticles are homogenous and consistent in size which corresponds to the XRD result that exhibits good crystalline. ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method in the nano size range between 81.28 nm to 84.98 nm.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a good carrier for immobilised enzymes and drugs. In this experiment, unidirectional nanopore dehydration (UND) was used to dehydrate a regenerated SF solution containing urease in one step to prepare a urease-immobilised SF membrane (UI-SFM). UI-SFM has high mechanical strength and a secondary structure dominated by the Silk I structure. The results indicated that the immobilization of urease in UI-SFM exhibited superior enzyme recovery and stability. In order to further improve the activity recovery rate and stability of the UI-SFM, a more stable immobilised urease membrane (UI-SFMs) was obtained by stretching the above UI-SFM; another urease-immobilised cross-linked SFM (UI-SFMc) was also obtained by adding a cross-linking agent−polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) before UND. The thermal and storage stability of the two enzyme membranes were significantly improved, and their enzyme activity recovery rates reached more than 90%. After the enzymatic reactions were repeated ten times, the activity recovery rates of the two UI-SFMs and UI-SFMc were maintained at 92% and 88%. These results indicate that PEGDE addition prior to UND or post-stretching treatment for UI-SFM can make the immobilised urease activity in the SFM more stable, which opens up new applications of UND technology in urease immobilisation.

Phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) regression is widely used to detect evolutionary correlations. In contrast to the equal treatment of analyzed traits in conventional correlation methods such as Pearson and Spearman’s rank tests, we must designate one trait as the independent variable and the other as the dependent variable. However, in our PGLS regression analyses (using Pagel’s λ model) of both empirical and simulated datasets, switching independent and dependent variables yielded many conflicting results. A serious problem with PGLS regression that has not been noticed before is that selecting an inappropriate trait as the dependent variable will often result in an error. To assess correlations in simulated data, we established a gold standard by analyzing changes in traits along phylogenetic branches. Next, we tested seven potential criteria for dependent variable selection: log-likelihood, Akaike information criterion, R2, p-value, Pagel’s λ, Blomberg et al.’s K, and the estimated λ in Pagel’s λ model. We determined that the last three criteria performed equally well in selecting the dependent variable and were superior to the other four. For practicality, we suggest using the trait with a higher λ or K value as the dependent variable in future PGLS regressions. In analyzing the evolutionary relationship between two traits, we should designate the trait with a stronger phylogenetic signal as the dependent variable even if it could logically assume the cause in the relationship.

A document by Alexander E. Moskalensky. Click on the document to view its contents.

Animal dietary choices help understand a species’ feeding niche and are particularly relevant in conservation management. In this study, we aimed to gather knowledge on food niche and the foraging ecology of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Specifically, the objectives were to identify food composition, the seasonal variation in food choice and feeding technique. Through focal animal sampling, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary was found to feed on 30 plant species belonging to 18 families. The most utilized plant family was Fabaceae, with eight species, followed by Moraceae (four species) and Anacardiaceae (two species). The feeding species included 22 trees, four climbers, one liana, one paraphyte, one shrub and one succulent species. The maximum duration of feeding was observed on Bauhinia racemosa (19.79%), followed by Tamarindus indica (14.08%) and Nothopegia beddomei (9.89%). The squirrel’s choice of diet was primarily affected by the availability of food tree species and food items rather than the season and non-tree species also have been reported from the diet of Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Even though the Grizzled Giant Squirrel shows plasticity in the food niche, the availability of mature trees and plants appears important for its conservation in the fragmented riparian forest in the Western Ghats, southern India.

1. The fixation index, FIS has been a staple measure to detect selection or departures from random mating in populations. However, current Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) cannot easily estimate Fis, in multi-locus gene families, which contain multiple loci having similar or identical arrays of variant sequences of ≥1 kilobase, which differ at multiple positions. In these families, high-quality short-read NGS data typically identify variants, but not the genomic location, which is required to calculate Fis (based on locus-specific observed and expected heterozygosity). Thus, to assess assortative mating, or selection on heterozygotes, from NGS of multi-locus gene families, we need a method that does not require knowledge of which variants are allelic at which locus in the genome. 2. We developed such a method. Like Fis, our novel measure, 1His, is based on the principle that positive assortative mating, or selection against heterozygotes, reduces within-individual variability relative to the population. 3. We demonstrate high accuracy of 1His on a wide-range of simulated scenarios, and two datasets from natural populations of penguins and dolphins. 4. 1His is important because multi-locus gene families are often involved in assortative mating, or selection on heterozygotes. 1His is particularly useful for multi-locus gene families such as toll-like receptors, the major-histocompatibility-complex in animals, homeobox genes in fungi and self-incompatibility genes in plants.

IntroductionIdiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) or granulomatous lobular mastitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the breast in women (1). This disease commonly occurs shortly after a women’s last pregnancy with a history of childbirth and breastfeeding that increases, especially in developing countries (2, 3). Despite the reports of this disease, which show an increase in its prevalence in recent years, the cause of its etiopathogenesis remains little known and diversified (3). An autoimmune or hypersensitivity reaction is the most common hypothesis regarding the etiology of the disease. However, trauma to the epithelium of the mammary ducts and extravasation of milk or duct secretions to the connective tissue, hyperprolactinemia, oral contraceptives, or bacterial origin have been considered (3, 4).IGM usually presents with a unilateral or bilateral progressive painful breast lump. Patients with chronic IGM can develop fistulae, sterile abscesses, and nipple inversion (5). Bilateral IGMs have a higher relapse rate and more excellent resistance to medical therapies than unilateral IGMs (6). Histological evaluation applies to definite diagnosis while imaging methods differential diagnosis for breast cancer (3) because abscesses can lead to being mistaken for breast cancer (7). Therefore, after causes must be considered, including breast cancer, autoimmune breast disease, and infection, the final diagnosis of IGM is often made (4, 7).Although the most appropriate treatment protocol has not yet been identified, some studies recommend surgical removal, while others suggest medical treatment such as antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs (3). The results of our literature review about information and case report IGM are summarized and exhibited in Table 1.This study describes a patient who presented with a breast lesion diagnosed as IGM, and two months after treatment with prednisolone, she was infected by Brucella.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the familial risk of placental abruption using a large population database. Design: Retrospective familial aggregation study of placental abruption utilizing a case-control design. Population: The Utah Population Database is a genealogic database of over 11 million individuals, which contains medical and demographic information linked to official records dating back to the 1900s. Methods: Cases of placental abruption and controls were ascertained from birth certificates, death certificates, and inpatient medical records. Controls were matched 3:1 to cases based on age, parity, and number of relatives in the database. Familial risk of placental abruption was estimated using generalized linear mixed-effect regression and conditional logistic regression. Main outcome measures: Unadjusted and adjusted odds of placental abruption between first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. Results: Of 1,168,378 pregnancies analyzed in the Utah Population Database, 32,823 cases (2.8%) of placental abruption were identified. First-degree relatives inherit an adjusted odds of placental abruption estimated at 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12 – 1.23) when a family member has had at least one placental abruption, and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.17 – 1.63) with two or more placental abruptions. The estimated effect is lower for second- and third-degree relatives. After controlling for clinical risk factors, individuals inherit an adjusted odds of placental abruption estimated at 1.16 (95% CI: 1.03 – 1.31, p=0.014) with a first-degree family history of placental abruption. The estimates for second- and third-degree relatives using this method are not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings represent an argument for the inheritance of genetic factors which predispose the occurrence of placental abruption.

Ravines represent an extreme form of land degradation. Soil and moisture saving techniques (SMSTs) have been identified as effective strategies for improving the fertility of degraded lands. Three SMSTs viz., intercrop of cow pea and castor on bench terrace (SCCBT) ii) bench terrace (SBT) iii) staggered trenches on natural slope (SSTS) and iv) sapota on natural slope (Control) were imposed to observe their impact on Sapota yield and quality, runoff, soil loss, and soil properties under rain-fed conditions during 2018-20. SMSTs have significantly affected plant growth, yield and quality and soil loss-runoff in degraded ravines. The highest tree height was observed in SBT on par with SCCBT and SSTS, and lowest in SS. Similar trend was observed in case canopy spread, canopy volume and collar diameter. Among the treatments, SCCBT recorded highest yield (38.3 kg tree -1) followed by SBT, SST and lowest in SS (16.8 kg tree -1). Pulp weight (55.55 g) and vitamin C (14.69 mg) was recorded higher in SCCBT and lowest in SS. SCCBT treatment reduced runoff by 44% and it was highest in SS. Despite this SCCBT exhibited significant higher soil loss. Terracing and trenches exhibited remarkable effect on EC, SOC, available major nutrients (NPK) compared to control. SCCBT and SBT treatments significantly had higher soil moisture (%) compare to control. Hence, the cultivation of sapota after implementing terracing and staggered trenches on natural slopes proves to be a viable approach for effectively utilizing degraded ravines while promoting productivity.

Arid and semi-arid vegetation is characterized by plant patches of different sizes, and plant cover is determined by patch size (PS) and number of patches (NP). However, it is still unclear how PS and NP contribute to the restoration of degraded grasslands through grazing exclusion (GE). Transect lines were sampled in six alpine steppe communities in Tibet in 2017 and 2018. Both PS and NP were assessed and compared between inside and outside grazing exclosures. Our results showed that grazing exclosures increased the mean size but decreased the total number of plant patches. This pattern of change was common to other species and could not be attributed to a shift in community composition. The results suggest that the recovery of the degraded alpine steppe is being driven by PS at the expense of NP. By promoting the expansion of the larger patches while excluding the smaller ones, GE led to an aggregating pattern with a higher proportion of bare ground, potentially reducing primary productivity.

Background Podcasts have become a popular digital forum for discussing scientific information with peers, as well as with the non-scientific community, often referred to as ‘edutainment’. It is unclear how science-based podcasts can support the veterinary industry through, for example, supporting good husbandry practices. Objectives To understand the influence of ‘edutainment’ on equine owners’ husbandry decisions Study Design The sample population was listeners of the Conversations in Equine Science (CES) podcast recruited to complete an online survey via a link promoted by the CES hosts. The survey contained Likert-like questions assessing how listeners rated the importance of different forms of evidence when making husbandry decisions and questions relating to husbandry changes made. Methods A mixed methods approach was used to analyse the data. The Likert package for R was used to explore importance ratings. Free text questions were analysed via a content analysis with a constructionist epistemological position. Results The experience of veterinarians and scientific evidence was considered the most important forms of evidence that owners used when making decisions about their horse’s management (93% agreed and 91% agreed they were important respectively). Additionally, 74% of respondents had made a change to the management or training principles prompted by an episode of CES, suggesting edutainment can be a prompt to management change. Of these, the majority (55%) had done so based on a joint discussion of the podcast and their own reading of the evidence. Main Limitations This was an opportunistic sample of those already invested in the edutainment format, and may not represent those owners with no interest in scientific evidence. Conclusions Podcasts are an easy-access, low-cost medium to convey research and current trends in the equine/equitation science genre. They may be a valuable tool for the veterinary industry to employ to support horse welfare.

A document by Aykut Aytulun. Click on the document to view its contents.

Subcapsular renal transplant hematoma mimicking acute tubular necrosis

Left segmental hypoplasia of liver with concomitant gallbladder agenesis

Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, can influence gene regulation and affect phenotypic variation, raising the possibility that they contribute to ecological adaptation. To being to address this issue requires high-resolution sequencing studies of natural populations to pinpoint epigenetic regions of potential ecological and evolutionary significance. However, such studies are still relatively uncommon, especially in insects, and are mainly restricted to a few model organisms. Here, we characterize patterns of DNA methylation for natural populations of Timema cristinae adapted to two host plant species (i.e., ecotypes). By integrating results from sequencing of whole transcriptomes, genomes, and methylomes, we investigate whether environmental, host, and genetic differences of these stick insects are associated with methylation levels of cytosine nucleotides in CpG context. We report an overall genome-wide methylation level for T. cristinae of ~14%, being enriched in gene bodies and impoverished in repetitive elements. Genome-wide DNA methylation variation was strongly positively correlated with genetic distance (relatedness), but also exhibited significant host-plant effects. Using methylome-environment association analysis, we pinpointed specific genomic regions that are differentially methylated between ecotypes, with these regions being enriched for genes with functions in membrane processes. The observed association between methylation variation with genetic relatedness and the ecologically-important variable of host plant suggest a potential role for epigenetic modification in T. cristinae adaptation. To substantiate such adaptive significance, future studies could test if methylation has a heritable component and the extent to which it responds to experimental manipulation in field and laboratory studies.

Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) are often used to project species distributions within alien ranges and in future climatic scenarios. However, ENMs depend on species-environment equilibrium, which may be absent for actively expanding species. We present a novel framework to estimate whether species have reached environmental equilibrium in their native and alien ranges. The method is based on the estimation of niche breadth with the accumulation of species occurrences. An asymptote will indicate exhaustive knowledge of the realised niches. Possible outcomes of the framework include: (1) There is enough data to quantify the native and alien realised niches, allowing us to calculate niche expansion between the native and alien ranges, also indicating that ENMs can be reliably projected to new environmental conditions. (2) The data in the native range is not adequate but an asymptote is reached in the alien realised niche, indicating low confidence in our ability to evaluate niche expansion in the alien range but high confidence in model projections to new environmental conditions within the alien range. (3) There is enough data to quantify the realised native niche, but not enough knowledge about the alien realised niche, hindering the reliability of projections beyond sampled conditions. (4) Both the native and alien ranges do not reach an asymptote, and thus few robust conclusions about the species’ niche or future projections can be made. We demonstrate the CNA framework for 26 species of mammals, amphibians, and birds. Our framework can be used to detect species’ environmental equilibrium in both the native and alien ranges, to quantify changes in the realised niche during the invasion processes, and to estimate the likely accuracy of model projections to new environmental conditions.

Understanding the geographic linkages among populations across the annual cycle is an essential component for understanding the ecology and evolution of migratory species and for facilitating their effective conservation. While genetic markers have been widely applied to describe migratory connections, the rapid development of new sequencing methods, such as low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS), provides new opportunities for improved estimates of migratory connectivity. Here, we use lcWGS to identify fine-scale population structure in a widespread songbird, the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), and accurately assign individuals to genetically distinct breeding populations. Assignment of individuals from the nonbreeding range reveals population-specific patterns of varying migratory connectivity. By combining migratory connectivity results with demographic analysis of population abundance and trends, we consider full annual cycle conservation strategies for preserving numbers of individuals and genetic diversity. Notably, we highlight the importance of the Northern Temperate-Greater Antilles migratory population as containing the largest proportion of individuals in the species. Finally, we highlight valuable considerations for other population assignment studies aimed at using lcWGS. Our results have broad implications for improving our understanding of the ecology and evolution of migratory species through conservation genomics approaches.

Background: Equine temperament is important for equestrian activities, and behavioural traits are important selection criteria to assess if retired thoroughbred racehorses are suitable for equestrian sports or leisure riding. Scientific indicators to assist the selection of suitable retired thoroughbred horses for sport or leisure have not been previously established. Objectives: 1) to develop a procedure to assess retired thoroughbreds for their suitability for equestrian sports or leisure purposes, 2) to identify selection criteria prediciting which horses will respond positively to transition training and best suited to equestrian sports. Study design: Before-after study. Methods: Behavioural reactivity data and cardiac autonomic responses to a startle test (comprising of a plastic bag applied to the neck area) were collected from twelve retired thoroughbred racehorses, before and after transition training for equestrian sports. The twelve horses were divided into two groups, the Vigilant Group (V) and the Adaptive Group (A), based on behavioural scores assigned based on the startle test before the transition training. Results: At the test before the training, the behavioural scores and peak heart rates of the Vigilant group horses were significantly higher than those in the Adaptive group. After the training, the Adaptive group horses were assigned lower behavioural scores and demonstrated lower peak heart rates, although neither of these changes were statistically significant. The Adaptive group and the females of both groups showed significant differences in the mean rMSSD, with an increased value after training compared to before the training. The results demonstrated that the 3-month transition training was effective in reducing the horses’ responsiveness to the startle test, in both groups. Main limitations: Small number of animals was the limitation. Conclusions: We suggest that thoroughbreds retired from racing may be scientifically selected for behavioural traits suitable for equestrian sports, using peak heart rate and behavioural score parameters.

Background: Alpha tocopherol is one of the non-enzymatic lipophilic antioxidants. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic analog that possesses similar modes of actions in protecting the cryopreserved sperms. Objectives: This study hypothesized that a certain concentration of any antioxidant is suitable for improving the post-thaw semen quality of stallions. Study Design: Case control study. Methods: To determine this concentration, a synthetic antioxidant similar to vitamin E in potency and scavenging oxidative stress power in concentrations of 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mM/ml were added to semen extender. The post-thaw sperm progressive motility at 0, 1h, 2h, 3h, the sperm viability index, the plasma membrane integrity tested by the hypo-osmotic selling test (HOST), the acrosome integrity, non-fragmented DNA, % of DNA in the comet head, % of DNA in the comet tail, comet tail length, and comet tail moment were compared. Results: According to our hypothesis, 1.0 mM BHT was the most suitable concentration that preserved the highest (P<0.0001) post-thaw sperm progressive motility at 0.0, 1h, 2h, 3h., the highest viability index (P<0.0001), plasma membrane and acrosome integrities (P<0.0001), non-fragmented DNA (P<0.001), and % of DNA in the comet head (P<0.001), the lowest DNA % in the comet tail (P<0.001) and comet tail moment (P<0.0001), and the shortest (P<0.0001) comet tail length. Main limitations: Collection of semen for research from registered Arabian Horse was the main obstacle for conducting this research. In conclusion, the concentrations of BHT around 1.0 mM/ml (0.5, 2.0mM/ml) proved better post-thaw semen characteristics, but BHT in concentrations >2.0mM/ml indicated the worst of all concentration which kept the lowest semen quality than non-supplemented control.

DR CATHAL O’CONNOR ORCID 0000-0001-7084-5293DR JUAN TRUJILLO ORCID 0000-0001-6369-6218PROF MICHELLE MURPHY ORCID 0000-0003-2431-076X

Increased urbanization and technological advancement in recent years has resulted in increased discharge of heavy metals in the environment which has become a major menace all over the world. Due to their inert nature, metals can build up in the environment and have a negative impact on the living biota present. Bacteria play a crucial role in determining the environmental fate of metals by altering their structure and dispersal. Their contribution to the transformation and elimination of toxic metals is crucial. Despite the various roles played by bacteria in processing and detoxifying heavy metals in the environment, they are also vulnerable to metal toxicity. Heavy metals can cause adverse effects on bacterial cells depending on their bio-availability and the absorbed dose. This review discussed some of the various ways that heavy metals exert their toxic effects on bacteria cells and the likely factors that can aid their toxic effects to bacteria cells.

A document by Kamaldeep Sadh. Click on the document to view its contents.

The morphological and structural differences of different types of chlamydospore of Duddingtonia flagrans, a nematophagous fungus, were studied under light microscope and electron microscope to provide reference for the biological control of parasitic nematodiasis. In this study, D. flagrans isolate F088 dormant chlamydospore and non-dormant chlamydospore were selected as the research objects. The structural differences of these spores were observed by optical microscopy through lactol cotton blue, Trypan blue and MTT staining. FUN-1, DAPI and CFW staining were used to observe the metabolic activity, cell wall and nucleus differences of the two types of spores under fluorescence microscope. Ultrastructure of the two kinds of spores was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Since lacto phenol cotton blue, trypan blue staining cannot distinguish dormant spores from dead spores, MTT assay was performed. Fluorescence microscopy observation showed that the cytoplasmic metabolic activity of non-dormant spores was stronger than that of dormant spores. The nucleus of dormant spores was bright blue, and their fluorescence was stronger than that of non-dormant spores. The cell wall of non-dormant spores produced stronger yellow-green fluorescence than that of dormant spores. Ultrastructural observation showed that there were globular protuberances on the surface of the two types of spores, but with no significant difference between them. The inner wall of dormant spore possesses a thick zona pellucida with high electron density which was significantly thicker than that of non-dormant spores, and their cytoplasm is also changed. In this study, the microstructure characteristics of dormant and non-dormant chlamydospores of D. flagrans fungi were preliminarily clarified, suggesting that the state of cell wall and intracellular materials were changed after spores entered to dormancy.

We ask if drought generates a shift towards lower wood fractions occupied by xylem parenchyma cells or higher wood densities, both changes which might reduce the volume over which limited nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are distributed and so concentrate the osmotic power of any available sugars within a smaller space. Using one-year-old Pinus ponderosa and Thuja plicata seedlings, we measured photosynthesis, growth, stem water potential (Ψ stem), and wood NSC (sugar and starch) six times over ten weeks of drought and once after a five-week recovery period. Within each sampling day, five measurements separated by 6-hour intervals captured the diurnal dynamics of Ψ stem and wood NSC. Measurements of ray parenchyma fraction (RPF) and wood density at the experiment’s end demonstrated that P. ponderosa acclimated to drought by significantly decreasing RPF from a control average of 5.4 % to a drought-treated average of 4.2 %, while the RPF of T. plicata was much lower to start, declining insignificantly from 2.0 % to 1.8%. Wood density differences were not significant between drought treatments, but were significant between species. The anatomical changes observed in droughted P. ponderosa would mean that the sugar concentrations required to balance xylem tensions were not exceeded until approximately -2.0 MPa.