The effect of metritis and subclinical hypocalcemia on uterine involution in dairy cows evaluated by sonomicrometry

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of metritis and subclinical hypocalcemia on reduction of uterine size in dairy cows using ultrasonography and sonomicrometry. Four piezoelectric crystals were implanted via laparotomy into the myometrium of the pregnant uterine horn of 12 pluriparous Holstein Friesian cows 3 weeks before the calculated calving date. Sonometric measurements were conducted daily from 2 days before parturition (= Day 0) until Day 14 after calving and then every other day until Day 28. Distances between adjacent crystals were expressed in relation to reference values obtained before calving. The diameter of the formerly pregnant uterine horn was measured using transrectal B-Mode sonography starting on Day 10. Cows were retrospectively divided into the following groups: cows without metritis (M–; n = 7), cows with metritis (M+; n = 5), cows with normocalcemia (SH–; Ca > 2.0 mmol/l on Days 1 to 3; n = 5) and cows with subclinical hypocalcemia (SH+; Ca < 2.0 mmol/l in at least one sample between Days 1 and 3; n = 7). Metritis did not affect (P > 0.05) sonometric measurements, but the diameter of the formerly pregnant horn was larger (P ≤ 0.05) between Days 15 and 21 in M+ cows than in M‒ cows. Reduction in uterine length in hypocalcemic cows was delayed (P ≤ 0.05) between Days 8 and 21 compared with normocalcemic cows, but the uterine horn diameter was not related to calcium status. In conclusion, both diseases affected reduction of uterine size until Day 28. Cows with metritis had a larger uterine diameter, possibly attributable to accumulation of lochia, and cows with subclinical hypocalcemia had delayed reduction of uterine length, presumably related to reduction of myometrial contractility.     

Adhesive penetration in beech wood: experiments

A study with synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) of PUR, PVAc, and UF adhesive bond lines in beech wood, bonded under various growth ring angles, is presented. The bond line morphologies and the adhesive penetration into the wood structure were evaluated after determining the hardening characteristics of the adhesives. Distinct bond line imperfections were found for the different adhesive systems. To describe the adhesive distribution inside the bond line, the saturation of the pore space instead of the commonly used maximum penetration depth seems to be adequate.     

Hybrid seed set in wheat is a complex trait but can be improved indirectly by selection for male floral traits

Efficient hybrid wheat breeding requires the redesign of the wheat floral architecure to enhance cross-pollination. Several studies evaluated the phenotypic variation and the genetic architecture of male floral traits, but their contribution to the most important trait, hybrid seed set on the female parent, has not yet been considered. To bridge this gap, we employed 31 male lines and evaluated the hybrid seed set on two female tester lines in crossing blocks. Hybrid seed set showed large genetic variance and high heritability, which demonstrates the potential for the improvement of this trait. However, the assessment of hybrid seed set is difficult as secondary traits like plant height and especially flowering time, as well as the environment largely influence the hybrid seed set. Nevertheless, a moderately high correlation between visual anther extrusion and hybrid seed set opens up the possibility to use visual anther extrusion as an indirect trait for preliminary male screenings. Further research evaluating traits influencing female receptivity coupled with genomics-assisted approaches are highly recommended to develop an improved selection portfolio for maximizing hybrid seed set.     

Mcl-1 is essential for germinal center formation and B cell memory

Lymphocyte survival during immune responses is controlled by the relative expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules, regulating the magnitude, quality, and duration of the response. We investigated the consequences of deleting genes encoding the anti-apoptotic molecules Mcl1 and Bcl2l1 (Bcl-x(L)) from B cells using an inducible system synchronized with expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (Aicda) after immunization. This revealed Mcl1 and not Bcl2l1 to be indispensable for the formation and persistence of germinal centers (GCs). Limiting Mcl1 expression reduced the magnitude of the GC response with an equivalent, but not greater, effect on memory B cell formation and no effect on persistence. Our results identify Mcl1 as the main anti-apoptotic regulator of activated B cell survival and suggest distinct mechanisms controlling survival of GC and memory B cells.     

Detection of catecholamines and metanephrines by radio-immunoassay in canine plasma

This study investigated the applicability of two human radio-immunoassays (RIA) to detect epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), and their O-methylated metabolites metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN) in canine plasma. The analysis yielded a positive correlation between metabolites and their respective parent compounds: EPI and MN (r = 0.63), NE and NMN (r = 0.47), as well as between parent compounds, EPI and NE (r = 0.48), and between metabolites MN and NMN (r = 0.71). Moreover, EPI (r = 0.99) and NE (r = 0.77) concentrations determined by RIA did correlate positively with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, there was limited agreement between both methods. It was concluded that complete validation tests for accuracy, precision and agreement are needed before this RIA can be applied to quantify catecholamines, metanephrine, and normetanephrine in canine plasma. The assay may prove to be a potential alternative to HPLC or tandem mass spectrometry in the work-up of pheochromocytoma and the detection of overall sympathetic activity in dogs.