Identification of RSVP14 and RSVP20 components by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western-blotting.

We have already shown that RSVP14 and RSVP20, two ram seminal plasma (SP) proteins postulated to be involved in sperm capacitation and gamete interaction can protect spermatozoa against cold-shock. In this study, we use two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for the analysis of SP proteins of Rasa Aragonesa rams, using enhanced protein solubilization in the presence of tributyl phosphine (TBP) and a polyacrylamide linear gradient gel with a narrow pH range (4-7). The image analysis of the 2D map detected 195 protein spots, with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 4.5 to 6.6, and molecular weight (M(r)) from 11.7 to 90.4. Staining of 2D gels with Pro-Q Emerald 300 Glycoprotein Stain revealed that most significant proteins in ram SP are glycosylated. The removing of protein N-linked oligosaccharides improved the gel resolution. 2D-PAGE analysis of the whole fraction 6 (F6) separated from ram SP by exclusion chromatography showed six main protein spots, four (a, b, c, d) in the 14 kDa and two (e, f) in the 20 kDa region. Western-blot analyses indicated that the anti-P14 antibody recognized four spots on the SP map, 4, 5, 6 and 7, that matched with spots a, b, c, d of F6 map. The anti-P20 antibody recognized spots 13 and 14 of SP map that corresponded to spots e, f of F6 map. The deduced sequences by de novo sequencing evidenced that protein spots 7 and 13 have significant similarities to BSP family, while protein spots 4 and 14 did not appear to be homologous with any reported protein in the current mammalian Proteinbank databases.     

Effect of Chemical or Electrical Activation of Bovine Oocytes on Blastocyst Development and Quality

Activation of in vitro‐matured (IVM) oocytes is essential for successful embryo production following nuclear transfer (NT) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study was designed to compare the rates of blastocyst production and embryo quality (as measured by numbers of viable cells) following parthenogenetic activation with electrical pulse or the use of two different calcium ionophores, A23187 (CA) or ionomycin (IO), with or without the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA). IVM oocytes with a first polar body were randomly allocated to five treatment groups: CA (5 μm CA, 5 min; n = 88), CA + BSA (5 μm CA, 5 min; BSA, 5 min; n = 90), IO (5 μm IO, 5 min; n = 91), IO + BSA (5 μm IO, 5 min; BSA, 5 min; n = 86) and EL (two pulses of 1.5 kV/cm, 20 μs; n = 120). Blastocyst rates were higher (p < 0.05) for CA (54.4%), IO (51.4%) and EL (54.5%) than for IO + BSA (18.3%). Treatment CA + BSA (39.8%) did not differ from the others. There was no difference (p > 0.05) among treatments in total number of cells. However, the percentage of viable cells was reduced in CA (49.9%), CA + BSA (45.8%), IO (64.9%), IO + BSA (50.9%) compared with EL (82.7%). In summary, the addition of BSA to the IO treatment had an adverse effect on blastocyst production rates. Although there was no difference between electrical stimulation and chemical activation on blastocyst production rates, electrical activation resulted in blastocysts with a higher percentage of viable cells.     

Effect of polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation on the performance of indigenous Pedi goats fed different levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> leaf meal and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ad libitum</Emphasis> Buffalo grass hay

In a first of two experiments, twenty yearling male Pedi goats weighing 21.3 ± 0.5 kg live weight were used in a 37-day study in a 2 (levels of PEG 4000) × 2 (levels of Acacia) Factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomised Design to determine the effect of the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g polyethylene glycol 4000 on diet intake and digestibility, and growth rate of Pedi goats fed ad libitum Buffalo grass hay. Acacia nilotica leaf meal contained high amounts of total phenolics (2.04 % DM) and low amounts of condensed tannins; both extracted (0.37 % DM) and unextracted (1.83 % DM). Supplementation with PEG 4000 increased (P < 0.05) crude protein intake as the level of Acacia nilotica leaf meal increased from 80 to 120 g. Similarly, treatment with PEG 4000 improved (P < 0.05) DM, OM and CP digestibilities when compared to 80 g Acacia nilotica leaf meal. Supplementation with PEG 4000 resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in blood urea concentrations. Polyethylene glycol 4000 has the potential to improve the feeding value of A. nilotica leaf meal and can, therefore, be used in the feeding systems for ruminant animals. The second experiment determined the effect of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation on in vitro digestibility of the diets similar to the actual ratios of the first experiment. Level of A. nilotica leaf meal supplementation plus 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation improved (P < 0.05) in vitro DM, OM and CP digestibilities where 120 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. Similarly, 23 g PEG 4000 supplementation also improved (P < 0.05) in vitro CP digestibility where 80 g A. nilotica leaf meal was supplemented. In vivo DM and OM digestibilities were best predicted from in vitro DM and OM digestibilities while in vivo CP was explained by in vitro OM and CP digestibilities. It is, therefore, concluded that in vitro DM and OM digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo DM and OM digestibilities while OM and CP digestibilities have good capacity to predict in vivo CP digestibility.     

A modified ab externo approach for suture fixation of an intraocular lens implant in the dog

The goals of canine cataract and lens instability surgery should be to ensure a small incision, minimal tissue trauma, shortened surgical time, maintenance of the anterior chamber, and restoration of emmetropia through the use of a stable intraocular lens specifically designed for the canine eye. While this is usually the case with routine phacoemulsification and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation, it is often not the case with lens instability, lens luxation or large posterior capsular ruptures. In such cases the incisions are often larger, surgical time and tissue trauma are excessive, and the patient is often left aphakic. The goal of this paper is to present a modified ab externo technique designed to allow removal of the lens and placement of a ciliary sulcus sutured IOL through a small incision, with minimal trauma and shortened surgical time. Use of this technique may allow more canine patients to be emmetropic postoperatively. In addition, the ease of this procedure may encourage earlier removal of an unstable lens and decrease the risk of secondary glaucoma and retinal detachment that occur in association with lens luxation.     

Bilateral thyroarytenoid cartilage lateralization and vocal fold excision with mucosoplasty for treatment of idiopathic laryngeal paralysis: 67 dogs (1998-2005)

Objective— To evaluate combined bilateral thyroarytenoid cartilage lateralization, vocal fold excision, and mucosoplasty technique (BTAL) through ventral median laryngotomy for treatment of laryngeal paralysis in dogs.
Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Dogs (n=67) with laryngeal paralysis.
Methods— Medical records were reviewed for dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis that had BTAL between January 1998 and March 2005. Retrieved data included signalment, history, physical and laryngoscopic examination findings, clinicopathologic tests, and results of recheck examination findings.
Results— BTAL was performed by a single surgeon. Short-term (<6 months) follow-up information was available for 67 dogs and long-term (>12 months) for 40 dogs. Major postoperative complications were surgical failures (13; 7 short term, 6 long term) and aspiration pneumonia (1). Mean recurrence of clinical signs was at 19 weeks (range, 2–30 weeks). Minor complications occurred in 22 (33%) dogs including occasional coughing or gagging, stridorous breathing during exercise, panting, noisy or heavy breathing, and aspiration pneumonia (3 dogs) that did not require hospitalization. All owners reported an improved quality of life and had no regrets with surgical outcome.
Conclusions— BTAL is seemingly an effective procedure for treatment of laryngeal paralysis.
Clinical Relevance— BTAL is associated with a low incidence of aspiration pneumonia; however, there is substantial risk of recurrence of clinical signs associated with narrowing of the glottis. Consequently, unilateral arytenoid lateralization currently represents the accepted approach to the treatment of laryngeal paralysis.     

A monolithic photovoltaic-photoelectrochemical device for hydrogen production via water splitting

Direct water electrolysis was achieved with a novel, integrated, monolithic photoelectrochemical-photovoltaic design. This photoelectrochemical cell, which is voltage biased with an integrated photovoltaic device, splits water directly upon illumination; light is the only energy input. The hydrogen production efficiency of this system, based on the short-circuit current and the lower heating value of hydrogen, is 12.4 percent.     

Climate and vegetation history of the midcontinent from 75 to 25 ka: A speleothem record from crevice cave, missouri, USA

Four Missouri stalagmites yield consistent overlapping records of oxygen and carbon isotopic changes and provide a climate and vegetation history with submillennial resolution from 75 to 25 thousand years ago (ka). The thorium-230-dated records reveal that between 75 and 55 ka, the midcontinental climate oscillated on millennial time scales between cold and warm, and vegetation alternated among forest, savanna, and prairie. Temperatures were highest and prairie vegetation peaked between 59 and 55 ka. Climate cooled and forest replaced grassland at 55 ka, when global ice sheets began to build during the early part of Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3.     

A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from africa and the evolution of spinosaurids

Fossils discovered in Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) rocks in the Tenere Desert of central Niger provide new information about spinosaurids, a peculiar group of piscivorous theropod dinosaurs. The remains, which represent a new genus and species, reveal the extreme elongation and transverse compression of the spinosaurid snout. The postcranial bones include blade-shaped vertebral spines that form a low sail over the hips. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the enlarged thumb claw and robust forelimb evolved during the Jurassic, before the elongated snout and other fish-eating adaptations in the skull. The close phylogenetic relationship between the new African spinosaurid and Baryonyx from Europe provides evidence of dispersal across the Tethys seaway during the Early Cretaceous.