Analysis of the Offspring Sex Ratio of Chicken by Using Molecular Sexing

The overall sex ratio of offspring （dead embryos and hatch chicks） from all the fertilized eggs of 140 hens collected for 30 days was studied using duplex PCR of certain fragments of sex chromosomes. Additional 894 dead embryos over a period of 21 days of incubation were also investigated to verify the sex ratio of the dead embryos. The sex of the early dead embryos was identified using this molecular sexing technique. The sex ratio of the hatch chicks and the total offspring of the hens investigated in this experiment did not differ from the expected sex ratio （i.e., 1：1）., However, the number of female dead embryos was significantly more than that of males. The data indicated that the different physiologic function of males and females contributed to female-biased mortality during incubation. It was also found by further analysis that the sex ratios of the offspring of some hens were significantly biased to female or male over the period investigated, which suggested that the sex ratio of offspring might be influenced by the maternal condition to some degrees.     

Subacute chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes and the protective effects of catechin and quercetin

This study examined the effects of chlorpyrifos in the rat erythrocyte antioxidant system and evaluated the ameliorating effects of catechin and quercetin on the oxidative damage induced by chlorpyrifos. Sexually mature male Wistar rats were given chlorpyrifos (5.4 mg/kg, 1/25 of the oral LD₅₀), catechin (20 mg/kg), quercetin (20 mg/kg), catechin plus chlorpyrifos, and quercetin plus chlorpyrifos daily via gavage for four weeks. No statistical differences were found in the catechin-only and quercetin-only groups compared with the control group. By the end of the fourth week, chlorpyrifos alone increased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities compared with the control group in rat erythrocytes. In the catechin-plus-chlorpyrifos and quercetin-plus-chlorpyrifos groups, there were statistically significantly decreased MDA levels and increased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities compared with the chlorpyrifos-only group. Thus, it appears that catechin and quercetin ameliorate chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes in vivo.     

Species of paramphistomes (trematoda) from buffaloes in peshawar region of west Pakistan

Summary Four species of amphistomes were recorded from buffaloes in Peshawar region. The incidence of different species was determined. The significance of amphistomes in causing disease is discussed.

---

Sumario Se registraron cuatro especies de Paramfistomas de bufalos en la región de Peshawar. Se determinó la incidencia de las diferentes especies. Se discute el significado de los amfistomas como causantes de Enfermedates.

---

Résumé 4 espèces d'amphistomes sont signalées chez les buffles de la région de Peshawar. L'incidence de ces différentes espèces est déterminée. L'importance de ces amphistomes sous l'angle de leur pouvoir pathogène est discutée.

     

Methods of staining and visualization of sphingolipid enriched and non-enriched plasma membrane regions of Arabidopsis thaliana with fluorescent dyes and lipid analogues

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Sterols and Sphingolipids form lipid clusters in the plasma membranes of cell types throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. These lipid domains provide a medium for protein signaling complexes at the plasma membrane and are also observed to be principal regions of membrane contact at the inception of infection. We visualized different specific fluorescent lipophilic stains of the both sphingolipid enriched and non-sphingolipid enriched regions in the plasma membranes of live protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana. RESULTS: Lipid staining protocols for several fluorescent lipid analogues in plants are presented. The most emphasis was placed on successful protocols for the single and dual staining of sphingolipid enriched regions and exclusion of sphingolipid enriched regions on the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts. A secondary focus was placed to ensure that these staining protocols presented still maintain cell viability. Furthermore, the protocols were successfully tested with the spectrally sensitive dye Laurdan. CONCLUSION: Almost all existing staining procedures of the plasma membrane with fluorescent lipid analogues are specified for animal cells and tissues. In order to develop lipid staining protocols for plants, procedures were established with critical steps for the plasma membrane staining of Arabidopsis leaf tissue and protoplasts. The success of the plasma membrane staining protocols was additionally verified by measurements of lipid dynamics by the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique and by the observation of new phenomena such as time dependent lipid polarization events in living protoplasts, for which a putative physiological relevance is suggested.     

Effects of Extraction Rates of Wheat Flour on Phyllo (Yufka) Properties at Different Storage Temperatures

Phyllo sheets were produced with flour obtained at different extraction rates (53, 58, or 67%), and stored at 4 and 25°C. Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of fresh and stored phyllo were researched. Fresh phyllo samples from wheat flour at 53% extraction rate were thinner (0.4 mm) and had whiter color (L* = 87.6). Textural properties and overall sensory acceptability of phyllo samples significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) with increased extraction rates and storage times. At the end of four days, toughness and extensibility decreased from 0.88 N and 10.9 mm to 0.65 N and 6.7 mm at 4°C and to 0.45 N and 5.6 mm at 25°C. The 53% extraction rate was more suitable for producing phyllo. The shelf life of phyllo samples for preparing borek was determined four days at 4°C and two days at 25°C according to acid contents and sensory properties.     

Antarctic Thraustochytrids as Sources of Carotenoids and High-Value Fatty Acids

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and carotenoids are needed as human dietary supplements and are essential components in commercial feeds for the production of aquacultured seafood. Microorganisms such as thraustochytrids are potential natural sources of these compounds. This research reports on the lipid and carotenoid production capacity of thraustochytrids that were isolated from coastal waters of Antarctica. Of the 22 isolates, 21 produced lipids containing EPA+DHA, and the amount of these fatty acids exceeded 20% of the total fatty acids in 12 isolates. Ten isolates were shown to produce carotenoids (27.4–63.9 μg/g dry biomass). The isolate RT2316-16, identified as Thraustochytrium sp., was the best producer of biomass (7.2 g/L in five days) rich in carotenoids (63.9 μg/g) and, therefore, became the focus of this investigation. The main carotenoids in RT2316-16 were β-carotene and canthaxanthin. The content of EPA+DHA in the total lipids (34 ± 3% w/w in dry biomass) depended on the stage of growth of RT2316-16. Lipid and carotenoid content of the biomass and its concentration could be enhanced by modifying the composition of the culture medium. The estimated genome size of RT2316-16 was 44 Mb. Of the 5656 genes predicted from the genome, 4559 were annotated. These included genes of most of the enzymes in the elongation and desaturation pathway of synthesis of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Carotenoid precursors in RT2316-16 were synthesized through the mevalonate pathway. A β-carotene synthase gene, with a different domain organization compared to the gene in other thraustochytrids, explained the carotenoid profile of RT2316-16.     

Micropropagation of Vitex negundo L. and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis of Micropropagated Plants

A micropropagation protocol was established for a medicinal plant Vitex negundo. Genetic stability of micropropagated plants was investigated. Multiple shoots were induced from nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.53 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 11.0 μM benzyl aminopurine (BAP) along with additives (ascorbic acid, 283.9 μM; citric acid, 130.1 μM; and arginine, 143.6 μM). Shoots were further multiplied by repeated transfer of the mother explant. The shoots were further multiplied on MS medium + 0.57 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 6.6 μM BAP. The micropropagated shoots were pulse treated with 122.5 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), in liquid MS medium and then transferred to autoclaved soilrite. These rooted ex vitro. Shoots were also rooted in vitro on a half-strength MS medium + 2.45 μM IBA. The survival rate of in vitro rooted plantlets was poor during hardening compared to ex vitro rooted plantlets. About 95% of the ex vitro rooted, hardened plantlets survived in the field. Genetic stability of micropropagated plants was tested by using 25 random amplified polymorphic DNA primers. The cloned plants exhibited no variation in banding pattern in comparison with the mother plant.     

Tuberculosis in dromedary camels slaughtered in Nigeria: a documentation of lesions at postmortem

Tropical Animal Health and Production - In comparison with other livestock, tuberculosis (TB) in camels has not been extensively studied in Nigeria. Camels in the hands of Nigerian pastoralists...