Combining a biotin-enrichment protocol and 454GS-FLX titanium pyrosequencing technology, we characterised 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the parasitic wasp, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a cosmopolitan species commonly used in biological control against a wide range of both major lepidopterous pests of stored products and field crops in different parts of the world. Three multiplex PCR sets were optimised and characterised across 46 H. hebetor specimens from two samples collected from millet fields in Niger. Two to 11 alleles were found per locus and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.289 to 0.826. Polymorphism was detected in both samples with a similar level of observed heterozygosity (0.482 vs. 0.502) and number of alleles (4.1 vs. 3.6). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was detected at the same five loci in both samples and five or seven more loci in each sample but was not associated with heterozygote deficiencies. Even though evidence for linkage disequilibrium was found between a few alleles, these new loci segregated independently. The variability of the 22 loci will enable estimates of genetic diversity and structure patterns, as well as gene flow between H. hebetor populations at different spatial scales. Cross-species amplifications were successful among the six Bracon spp. tested and nine loci will be particularly appropriate for population genetic studies in B. brevicornis., Madougou Garba, Anne Loiseau, Laure Benoit, Nathalie Gauthier., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The adult morphology is described and illustrated of Neoplagioporus kajika sp. n. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) found in the Japanese fluvial sculpin Cottus pollux Günther (Osteichthyes: Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) collected in the Naka River at Terase Bridge, Narutake, Nakagawa Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. This new species is characterized by that the body shape is oval, that the intestinal caeca end posteriorly at the middle level of the testicular region, that the ovary is trilobed, and that the vitelline follicles are distributed between the pharyngeal level and usually the posterior end of body and fill up the lateral fields of body. The new species is different from three hitherto known Neoplagioporus species, N. zacconis (Yamaguti, 1934) Shimazu, 1990 (type species), N. ayu (Takahashi, 1928) Shimazu, 1990, and N. elongatus (Goto et Ozaki, 1930) Shimazu, 1990, in a combination of these characteristics. The new species is considered mainly infective to C. pollux in the river.
Plasma corticosterone (CORT) measures are a common procedure to detect stress responses in rodents. However, the procedure is invasive and can influence CORT levels, making it less than ideal for monitoring CORT circadian rhythms. In the current paper, we examined the applicability of a non-invasive fecal CORT metabolite measure to assess the circadian rhythm. We compared fecal CORT metabolite levels to circulating CORT levels, and analyzed change in the fecal circadian rhythm following an acute stressor (i.e. blood sampling by tail veil catheter). Fecal and blood samples were collected from male adolescent rats and analyzed for CORT metabolites and circulating CORT respectively. Fecal samples were collected hourly for 24 h before and after blood draw. On average, peak fecal CORT metabolite values occurred 7-9 h after the plasma CORT peak and time-matched fecal CORT values were well correlated with plasma CORT. As a result of the rapid blood draw, fecal production and CORT levels were altered the next day. These results indicate fecal CORT metabolite measures can be used to assess conditions that disrupt the circadian CORT rhythm, and provide a method to measure long-term changes in CORT production. This can benefit research that requires long-term glucocorticoid assessment (e.g. stress mechanisms underlying health)., P. K. Thanos ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The aim of the present work was to study the effect of 3- mercapto-5H-1,2,4-triazino[5,6-b]indole-5-acetic acid (CMTI), an efficient aldose reductase inhibitor, on sorbitol accumulation in selected organs of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in vivo . In addition, the effect of CMTI on aldose reductase back reaction and on sorbitol dehydrogenase was determined. The model of experimental diabetes in male Wistar rats induced by streptozotocin was used. Experimental diabetes was induced by triple intraperitoneal doses of streptozotocin on three consecutive days. In diabetic rats, significant elevation of sorbitol concentration in the sciatic nerve and eye lenses was recorded. CMTI administered intragastrically (50 mg/kg/day) for five consecutive days significantly inhibited sorbitol accumulation in the sciatic nerve, yet it was without effect in eye lenses of diabetic animals. For aldose reductase back reaction, the substrate affinity of glycerol to aldose reductase was one order lower than that of glyceraldehyde in forward reaction. In addition, the back reaction was much slower, characterized by Vmax value of about 30 times lower than that of the forward reaction. Inhibition of aldose reductase by CMTI was characterized by closely related IC50 values in submicromolar range for both forward and back reactions. No significant inhibition of the second enzyme of the polyol pathway, sorbitol dehydrogenase, by 100 μM CMTI was recorded (I=0.9±2.7 %, n=3). To conclude, the presented results showed the ability of CMTI to affect the polyol pathway in diabetic rats in vivo and represent thus a further step in a complex preclinical evaluation of CMTI as a potential agent for treatment of chronic diabetic complications., M. Soltesova Prnova, J. Ballekova, A. Gajdosikova, A. Gajdosik, M. Stefek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This paper presents idea flow, development and construction of an anthropomorphic hand which is intended to be used mainly in prosthetics. Fundamental results of simulations and optimization of grasp are shown. The prototype has been manufactured and the principal functionality of finger mechanism (drive three axes by one string) has been tested. A new mechanical principle has been developed which is based again on an idea of using less actuators then joints with keeping adaptability and functionality of the mechanism. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The aim of this paper was to demonstrate that it is possible to control the chaos into the Sherman system by linear feedback of own signals. After introducing of the parameter ‘α‘ in the z-equation (α → α + α1 x(t) + α2 y(t) + α3 z(t), we study how the global dynamics can be altered in a desired direction (αn are considered as free parameters). We make a detailed bifurcation investigation of the modified Sherman systems by varying the parameters αn. Finally, we calculate the maximal Lyapunov exponent, where the chaotic motion of modified Sherman system exists. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
In endoprosthesis surgery there are typically a high percentage of implant defects, these can lead to failure of the whole prosthesis. One type of total hip replacement function loss is acetabular cup loosening from the pelvic bone. This article examines manufacture perturbations as one of the possible reasons for this kind of failure. Both dimension and geometry manufacturing perturbations of ceramic head and polyethylen cup were analyzed. We find that perturbations in the variables analysed here affect considered values of contact pressure and frictional moment. Furthermore, contact pressure and frictonal moment are quantities affecting replacement success and durability. From obtained results we can recommend to fit head and cup with a clearance of between 0 mm andd 0.05 mm. We do not recommend using interference type of fit. Roundness perturbation of ceramic head should not exceed 0.025 mm. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
A myxosporean producing actinospores of the tetractinomyxon type in Hydroides norvegicus Gunnerus (Serpulidae) in Denmark was identified as a member of the family Parvicapsulidae based on small-subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences. Myxosporean samples from various Danish and Norwegian marine fishes were examined with primers that detect the novel myxosporean. Sprattus sprattus (Linnaeus) and Clupea harengus Linnaeus (Teleostei, Clupeidae) were found to be infected. The sequences of this parvicapsulid from these hosts were consistently slightly different (0.8% divergence), but both these genotypes were found in H. norvegicus. Disporic trophozoites and minute spores of a novel myxosporean type were observed in the renal tubules of some of the hosts found infected through PCR. The spores appear most similar to those of species of Gadimyxa Køie, Karlsbakk et Nylund, 2007, but are much smaller. The actinospores of the tetractinomyxon type from H. norvegicus have been described previously. In GenBank, the SSU rDNA sequences of Parvicapsulidae gen. sp. show highest identity (82%) with Parvicapsula minibicornis Kent, Whitaker et Dawe, 1997 infecting salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) in fresh water in the western North America. A phylogenetic analysis places P. minibicornis and Parvicapsulidae gen. sp. in a sister clade to the other parvicapsulids (Parvicapsula spp. and Gadimyxa spp.).