Growth inhibitor from BSC-1 cells closely related to platelet type beta transforming growth factor

Purified growth inhibitor from BSC-1 cells and type beta transforming growth factor from human platelets are shown to have nearly identical biological activity and to compete for binding to the same cell membrane receptor. These findings suggest that the growth inhibitor and the type beta transforming growth factor are similar molecules. The data also show that the same purified polypeptide can either stimulate or inhibit cell proliferation depending on the experimental conditions.     

A genome scan of a four-way tilapia cross supports the existence of a quantitative trait locus for cold tolerance on linkage group 23

A genome scan, searching for quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the traits cold tolerance and body weight in tilapia, was performed on a cross between a (Oreochromis niloticus×Sarotherodon galilaeus) male and a (O. mossambicus×O. aureus) female. Fifty‐four microsatellites and 23 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations were genotyped and tested for marker–trait associations. Sex‐specific linkage maps were constructed from this data. Twenty‐three point‐wise significant marker–trait associations were found in the genome scan, and putative QTL were subsequently tested in another (On×Sg) × (Om×Oa) family. None of the putative QTL from the first experiment were significant in the second experiment. However, one microsatellite, UNH130, found to be associated to weight in the first experiment, was found to be strongly associated to cold tolerance in the second experiment. Since QTL for cold tolerance and body weight were recently found on the linkage group containing UNH130 (linkage group 23) in another study, this linkage group was investigated more closely using interval mapping. The results provide indications, but not conclusive evidence, of a QTL for cold tolerance on linkage group 23.     

Relativein vitro effectiveness of estradiol-17β, androgens,corticosteroids, progesterone and other pregnene derivatives on germinal vesicle breakdown in oocytes of Indian major carps,Labeo rohita,Cirrhinus mrigala andCatla catla

The relative effectiveness of estradiol-17, androgens, corticosteroids, progesterone and other pregnene derivatives on germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was investigatedin vitro using folliculated oocytes of three carps,Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, andCatla catla. In all three species progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone could induce GVBD but relatively 17,20-dihydroxyprogesterone was consistently found to be the most potent maturation-inducing steroid. Both estradiol-17 and testosterone were ineffective in inducing GVBD. Androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were found to be effective inC. catla at all the concentrations used. Deoxycorticosterone (DOC), hydrocortisone (HC) and cortisone were effective inducer of GVBD inC. catla whereas inL. rohita andC. mrigala only cortisone was found to be effective. All 5-reduced pregnenes were effective in inducing GVBD inL. rohita but inC. catla, only 5-pregnane-17-01-3,20-dione and 5-pregnane-3,17,20-triol and inC. mrigala, 5-pregnane-3-ol-20- one could induce oocyte maturation.     

Effects of urea-treated fibrous diets on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance and haematological parameters of Yankasa rams

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of urea-treated fibrous diets on the intake, nutrient digestibility, performance and haematological parameters of Yankasa rams. A total of 48 Yankasa rams (BW 10.00?±?1.50 kg; 6–8 months old) were allocated into four treatment groups in a completely randomised design (12 rams per treatment). Animals were placed on complete rations of yam peels, maize bran and rice husk treated with 0, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 % urea. The experiment lasted for 18 weeks. Yankasa rams fed with urea-treated diets had higher feed intake (949.88 and 938.04 g/day for U₁₅ and U₂₀, respectively), daily weight gain (227.67 and 181.00 g/day for U₁₅ and U₂₀, respectively) and better feed conversion ratio (4.17 and 5.18 for U₁₅ and U₂₀, respectively). Rams on urea-treated diets had higher haemoglobin and red blood cell contents and higher weight gains, indicating that urea treatment enhanced nutrient supply and utilisation at the tissue level. It was concluded that urea treatment of fibrous farm by-products is a promising feeding strategy especially during the dry season when there is scarcity of high-quality forages. Addition of 1.5 % urea to roughage diets and farm by-products to form a total mixed ration may preclude the search for supplements.     

Bufo marinus intoxication in dogs: 94 cases (1997-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To determine history, clinical and electrocardiographic abnormalities, treatment, and outcome of dogs exposed to toxins produced by the Bufo marinus toad. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 94 dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs examined between July 1997 and July 1998 for which a diagnosis of toad intoxication had been made on the basis of history and physical examination findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Most (66) dogs were treated during the spring and summer. For 54 dogs, exposure to toads had been witnessed. For the remaining 40, toad intoxication was diagnosed on the basis of history and clinical signs. The most common clinical signs were neurologic abnormalities, hyperemic mucous membranes, ptyalism, recumbency or collapse, tachypnea, and vomiting. The oral cavity was lavaged with tap water in all dogs. Fifty-two dogs were hospitalized for treatment. Body weight of dogs hospitalized > 2 hours was significantly less than that of dogs treated as outpatients. The most common electrocardiographic findings were sinus arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, and normal sinus rhythm. Eighty-nine dogs recovered fully, 4 died, and 1 was euthanatized. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In areas in which B marinus toads are endemic, toad intoxication should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with an acute onset of neurologic abnormalities, hyperemic mucous membranes, and ptyalism, especially during the spring and summer months. The prognosis is good for dogs with toad intoxication that receive appropriate treatment.     

Structural development and productivity of replanted mangrove plantations in Kenya

Forest structure and productivity was investigated in a 12-year-old Rhizophora mucronata Lam. plantation at Gazi Bay, Kenya. Sampling was carried out in 22, 10 m × 10 m quadrats laid along belt transects perpendicular to the waterline. Within each quadrat all trees with stem diameter greater than 2.5 cm were identified, position marked and counted. Vegetation measurements included tree height (m), canopy cover (%) and stem diameter measured at 1.3 m above the ground (D₁₃₀); from which were derived basal area (m²/ha); stand density (stems/ha) and biomass (t/ha). Information regarding composition and distribution of juveniles was derived using linear regeneration sampling (LRS). The replanted forest had a stand density of 5132 stems/ha; with a mean canopy height and stem diameter of 8.4 ± 1.1 m (range: 3.0–11.0 m) and 6.2 ± 1.87 cm (range: 2.5–12.4 cm), respectively. The total juvenile density was 4886 saplings per hectare; 78.6% of which constituted the parental canopy. The standing biomass for the 12-year-old R. mucronata plantation was 106.7 ± 24.0 t/ha, giving a biomass accumulation rate of 8.9 t/(ha year).     

Combining ability and heterosis of elite drought-tolerant maize inbred lines evaluated in diverse environments of lowland tropics

Estimates of combining abilities and heterosis of inbred lines are imperative for selection of suitable parents of maize hybrids. This study examined the combining ability of 24 drought-tolerant maize inbred lines, 12 each from International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The lines were allotted into six groups each comprising four lines. The four lines in one group were used as females and crossed to the four lines in another group as males in six different sets using a North Carolina Design II mating scheme to generate 96 hybrids. The hybrids were evaluated together with four checks across six environments in the rainforest and savannah agro-ecologies of Nigeria between 2011 and 2012. The parental inbred lines were also evaluated in separate trial in each location. Significant hybrids × environment interaction was observed for grain yield and other measured traits. GCA effects accounted for 83.3% of the variation for grain yield at Bagauda, 78.1% at Saminaka, and 77.7% at Ikenne. GCA also contributed 91.1 and 80.0% to the variation observed for plant height and ear aspect, respectively, across the environments. Significant SCA × environment interaction detected for grain yield suggests that hybrids were not stable across test environments. Prediction of grain yield in hybrids using midparent values resulted in a R ² value of 0.13. Midparent heterosis for grain yield varied from 80 to 411%, with the top 36 hybrids recording >200%. Four CIMMYT (EXL02, EXL06, EXL04 and EXL16) and three IITA (ADL33, ADL41, and ADL32) inbred lines had positive and significant GCA effects for grain yield across environments. The novel alleles present in the CIMMYT lines will improve the adapted IITA germplasm in a new population for extracting new set of more productive inbred lines for developing adapted high yielding drought-tolerant maize hybrids.     

Urinary catheterisation of female dogs: a comparison between three techniques for catheter placement

The objective of this study was to describe a new technique for urinary catheterisation of female dogs using a novel catheterisation device (NCD) and to compare the time taken to place a catheter using this technique with traditional techniques. A secondary objective was to survey participants on which of the techniques they preferred. Female canine cadavers of varying sizes were utilised and veterinary students who had not previously placed a urinary catheter were enrolled. Each participant performed three catheterisation techniques, Visual with speculum (SPEC), Blind Palpation (BP) and catheterisation with NCD on three sizes of dog. Time required using each technique was compared using Kaplan–Meier plots and mixed models Cox Proportional Hazards regression. Median times to catheterisation were 300 s (IQR 261–417 s) with the SPEC method, 420 s (IQR 253–545 s) with the NCD method and 725 s (574–1032s) with the BP method. Both SPEC and NCD methods were significantly faster compared to the BP method, with Hazard Ratios of 3.66 (95% CI 1.94–6.91, P < 0.001) and 3.57 (95% CI 1.87–6.81, P < 0.001), respectively. Six of nine participants found the NCD the easiest technique, 5/9 of the participants found the palpation technique most difficult and 4/9 found the speculum technique most difficult. BP appears to be the technique of least preference and increased time requirement. The novel urinary catheterisation device may provide a simpler method of visualisation of the urethral papilla and may provide a more sterile way of placing the catheter, although further investigation is needed to confirm this.