Effect of the timing of first cleavage on in vitro developmental potential of nuclear-transferred bovine oocytes receiving cumulus and fibroblast cells

The aim of the present study was to examine whether cumulus and fibroblast cell nuclear-transferred oocytes, which have high and low potential to develop into normal calves, respectively, are different in terms of in their patterns of timing of first cleavage and in their relationships between timing of first cleavage and in vitro developmental potential. The timing of first cleavage was similar in both types of nuclear-transferred and in vitro fertilized oocytes. More than 86% of the oocytes cleaved within 24 h after activation or in vitro fertilization; these oocytes contributed to more than 98% of the total number of blastocysts in all three groups. The potential of oocytes that cleaved at different intervals to develop into blastocysts differed among the groups. The developmental potential of the cumulus cell nuclear-transferred oocytes and in vitro fertilized oocytes decreased with the increase in time required for cleavage. Fibroblast cell nuclear-transferred oocytes that cleaved at 20 h, an intermediate cleaving time, had higher potential to develop into blastocysts. The results of the present study suggest that the type of donor nucleus used for nuclear transfer affects the timing of first cleavage.     

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in horses: the effect of aging, sex, delivery and inflammations on its concentration.

The serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in horses was measured by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) using rabbit anti-equine CRP serum to evaluate the significance of CRP as an acute-phase reactive protein. In serum samples of clinically normal newborn thoroughbred foals before being given colostrum, serum CRP was not detectable (less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml). The serum CRP concentration was found to increase quickly and reach a peak level of approximately 14.1 micrograms/ml in 12-month-old horses. Then, it decreased gradually to reach a low value of 5.4 micrograms/ml in the 4-year-old. In horses over 5-year-old, serum CRP concentration was stable at values of 7 to 8 micrograms/ml. In mares during the peri-natal period, serum CRP concentration decreased at 2 months before delivery, showed moderate changes just before and after delivery, and then increased to relatively high level by 2 months after delivery. The concentration of serum CRP was found to be increased at 24 hours after experimentally inflammatory stimuli in adult horses, and reached peak values of 3 to 6 times as high as the base line values at 3 to 5 days. Serum CRP concentration returned to base line values by 2 to 3 weeks after treatments. It is clear from these data that CRP is one of the acute-phase reactive proteins in horses.     

Effect of intravenous infusion of isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution on acidemic calves with diarrhea

The effect of 1.35% isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution (ISB) administered intravenously on acid-base equilibrium was examined in 18 acidemic Japanese black beef calves with spontaneous diarrhea. The infusion volumes of ISB were decided based on the first half volumes of base needed. In 72.2% (13/18) of calves, improvement of acidemia was detected. There was good correlation (r=0.693, p<0.01) between infused volume of ISB and changes in base excess (y=1.097x + 4.762). Infusion volumes of ISB were 7.5, 10.2, 12.9 and 15.7 ml/kg, respectively, enough to correcting the first half of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mEq/l of base deficit in acidemic calves. Our finding suggested that ISB could be used to correct metabolic acidosis without altering electrolyte concentrations in calves.     

Comparative effectiveness of two alkylammonium compounds as wood preservatives

This study describes a laboratory evaluation of the efficacy of two alkylammonium compounds [didecyldimethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC)] when applied via vacuum impregnation or superficial treatment. Treated wood specimens were tested for their termite and microbial resistance under controlled laboratory conditions. The higher chemical retentions were needed to suppress the feeding by Coptotermes formosanus ≦3% mass loss in the multichoice test than in the no-choice test. The DBF and DDAC retention levels necessary to meet the performance requirement ≦3% mass loss after 12-week fungal exposure varied with wood species. The retention level of 3 kg/m³ for DBF and DDAC was generally high to keep the nondurable wood species free of decay. Although there was no difference between DBF and DDAC in the efficacy against decay and termite attack, the former slightly outperformed the latter as an antimold and antisapstain agent.     

Nod2 mutation in Crohn's disease potentiates NF-kappaB activity and IL-1beta processing

Variants of NOD2, an intracellular sensor of bacteria-derived muramyl dipeptide (MDP), increase susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). These variants are thought to be defective in activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and antibacterial defenses, but CD clinical specimens display elevated NF-kappaB activity. To illuminate the pathophysiological function of NOD2, we introduced such a variant to the mouse Nod2 locus. Mutant mice exhibited elevated NF-kappaB activation in response to MDP and more efficient processing and secretion of the cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). These effects are linked to increased susceptibility to bacterial-induced intestinal inflammation and identify NOD2 as a positive regulator of NF-kappaB activation and IL-1beta secretion.     

湖羊蛋白酶遗传型结构及系统地位的研究

用“中心产区典型群随机抽样”的方法，对湖羊品种进行遗传检测，在所检测的12个位点中的11个（Alb,Tf,Alp,Lap,Ary-Es,Hb-β，X-p,CA,Cat,Ly和Le)具有多态性，仅Po位点为单态，多态座位比例为91．7％，在27个等位基因中，只有Po^R,Tf^A,Hb-β^A,CA^F和Fe^L的估计可靠程度分别为0.5222,0.7458,0.5222,0.6212,0.8990和0.9070外余21个等位基因估计可靠程度均在0．9545以上。说明“中心产区典型群随机抽样”在特定遗传背景下是一种有效的抽样方法。湖羊的平均杂合度比国内其他绵羊种群偏低，而与国外其他群体相比，平均纯合度偏低。引用国内外14个绵羊群体的相同资料，根据血液酶和其他蛋白质变异的10个基因座位共计33个等位基因的频率，进行系统聚类分析，表明湖羊与蒙古羊亲缘关系较近。     

A simple in vitro test tube method for estimating the bioavailability of phosphorus in feed ingredients for swine

A simplified in vitro test tube (TT) method was developed to estimate the percentage of available P in feed ingredients for swine. The entire digestion procedure with the TT method consists of three consecutive enzymatic digestions carried out in a 50-mL conical test tube: (1) Pre-digestion with endo-xylanase and beta-glucanase for 1 h, (2) peptic digestion for 2 h, and (3) pancreatic digestion for 2 or 4 h. The TT method is simpler and much easier to perform compared to the dialysis tubing (DT) method, because dialysis tubing is not used. Reducing sample size from 1.0 to 0.25 g for the TT method improved results. In conclusion, the accuracy and validity of the TT method is equal to that of our more complicated DT method (r = 0.97, P < 0.001), designed to mimic the digestive system of swine, for estimating the availability of P in plant-origin feed ingredients.