Beta-1C-globulin: metabolism in glomerulonephritis

The metabolism of beta(1C)-globulin labeled with iodine-131 was studied in six normal individuals and in three individuals with glomerulonephritis who exhibited markedly reduced serum concentrations of this protein. Fractional of serum beta(1C)-globulin in glomerulonephritis appears to be chiefly secondary to decreased synthesis.     

Analysis of vinyl chloride by mass fragmentography.

Vinyl chloride is analyzed by mass fragmentography by simultaneously recording its m/e 62 and 64 ions. The minimum quantity necessary for detection is 8.7 X 10(-12) g/10 ml injection. At this level the coefficient of variation is 8.51%.     

Determination of linuron in potatoes using capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A convenient method for the determination of the N-methyl,N-methoxy-phenylurea herbicide (linuron) in potatoes has been developed. The herbicide is extracted from potatoes using a slightly modified Luke multiresidue procedure. The extract is analyzed directly by gas chromatography with cold on-column injection, using an ion trap mass spectrometer in the chemical ionization mode as the detector. Quantitation is performed using p-bromonitrobenzene as the internal standard. The limit of detection is 0.1 ppm. Recoveries of linuron in potatoes averaged 112 +/- 6% at the 0.5 ppm level, and 110 +/- 2% at the 0.2 ppm level. No linuron residues were found in 25 potato samples that were analyzed by this method. Two other N-methyl,N-methoxy-phenylurea herbicides, metobromuron and chlorbromuron, are also sufficiently stable to be determined by this method, but the N,N-dialkyl-phenylurea herbicides neburon, diuron, and monuron are too thermally unstable and degrade in the gas chromatograph.     

Climate change,human impacts,and the resilience of coral reefs

The diversity, frequency, and scale of human impacts on coral reefs are increasing to the extent that reefs are threatened globally. Projected increases in carbon dioxide and temperature over the next 50 years exceed the conditions under which coral reefs have flourished over the past half-million years. However, reefs will change rather than disappear entirely, with some species already showing far greater tolerance to climate change and coral bleaching than others. International integration of management strategies that support reef resilience need to be vigorously implemented, and complemented by strong policy decisions to reduce the rate of global warming.     

Preliminary Trial: Motility Comparisons of a Unique Freezing Technology (UFT) to Liquid Nitrogen Mist Methodology for Cryopreservation of Porcine Spermatozoa

The motility outcomes of boar semen frozen with newly developed freezing techniques using a new unique freezing technology (UFT) compared with traditional liquid nitrogen methodology were investigated with the intent of improving current fertility outcomes using semen. The UFT is an electronically controlled cooling chamber that houses an organic fluid bath that can be maintained at temperatures below 0 degrees C without solidifying to freeze samples. Four ejaculates from four different boars were collected for this trial. Samples were handled consistently during the pre- and post-freeze processing. From each ejaculate, samples were separated into eight cryopreservation treatment groups, six UFT variations and two control liquid nitrogen groups, immediately before freezing, in replicates of two. After the initial cryopreservation was complete, all samples were stored in liquid nitrogen for at least 48 h. Post-thaw motilities and original motility return percentages were assessed on a random, individual-sample basis. After the initial evaluations, samples from two boars were recollected and frozen using the UFT for breeding purposes. Four sows were bred with the UFT frozen semen to confirm fertility capability. When assessing the individual UFT techniques, all of six UFT techniques had improved post-thaw motilities. However, treatments F (micro = 29%, return micro = 37%) and J (micro = 27%, return micro = 34%) showed the highest statistical improvement for post-thaw (p < 0.05) and original motility percent returns (p < 0.05) when compared with either the control cryo-tube (micro = 15%, return micro = 19%) or straw groups (micro = 12%, return micro = 16%). The UFT semen had a 50% conception rate, with an average of seven piglets from the sows that farrowed. Our preliminary data suggest a higher motility return with a slower pre-freeze phase below the freezing point before the acceleration to liquid nitrogen temperatures. The preliminary data suggest that the UFT could be utilized as a potential cryopreservation option for boar semen.     

In vitro Developmental Competence of Adult Sheep Oocytes Treated with Roscovitine

The efficiency of in vitro sheep embryo production is still low compared to that observed in vivo and in other species. In this context, meiotic inhibition strategies emerged as a promising alternative to improve this biotechnology. So, this study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of roscovitine on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes and their subsequent embryo development. For this, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured for 6 h in the presence (Rosco) or absence (Control) of 75 μm roscovitine and, subsequently, in vitro matured (IVM) for 18 h with gonadotropins. At 0 (Immature), 6 and 24 h of culture, the nuclear status of oocytes was evaluated by Hoechst staining. Embryo cleavage and blastocyst formation were recorded 30 h after in vitro fertilization and on day 7 of culture, respectively. Blastocyst quality was evaluated by differential staining. At 6 h, the GV rate in the Rosco treatment (93.8%) was similar to that observed in the Immature oocytes (94.9%) and significantly higher compared to Control (41.3%). After IVM for 18 h, a high and similar proportion of oocytes from Rosco (93.6%) and Control (88.4%) reached the MII stage. In both treatments, approximately 70% of oocytes cleaved and 50% of them developed up to blastocyst. The mean percentage of blastocyst cells, embryoblast, trophoblast and pyknosis did also not differ between Control and Rosco. In conclusion, roscovitine, at the studied experimental conditions, was efficient to reversibly inhibit the meiosis of adult sheep oocytes without detrimental effect on development and quality of the in vitro produced embryos.     

Hybridization probes for the detection and differentiation of two serotypes of porcine rotavirus

A dot hybridization assay was developed to detect and differentiate two serotypes of porcine rotavirus by hybridization of specific probes to rotavirus RNA dotted onto nylon membranes. The assay was conducted using radiolabeled probes prepared from cDNA clones of OSU (serotype 5) and Gottfried (serotype 4) rotavirus gene 9 segments. The probes were prepared by excision of full length cDNA copies of gene 9 inserts from recombinant plasmids followed by nick translation and 32P-dCTP labeling. Rotavirus RNA samples used in the assay were prepared from tissue culture, and intestinal contents from gnotobiotic and conventional pigs. Optimal conditions for hybridization consisted of 52 degrees C, 50% formamide, and 5 x SSC. Hybridization studies with the OSU and Gottfried gene 9 probes have shown them to be specific with only low levels of cross-reactivity with heterologous rotavirus preparations. Sensitivity studies have demonstrated the ability of the probes to detect at least 2 ng of rotavirus RNA. Further development and refinement of this technique may provide a useful tool for the detection and differentiation of porcine rotavirus serotypes.     

Molecular expression and identification of caprine estrogen receptor gene 1 for fertility status in bucks

Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (oestrogen receptor1) responsible for better fertility. ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression and presence of ESR1 gene in fertile and low-fertile male goat breeds. We identified ESR1 gene through various molecular tools. Genotyping was carried out by high resonance melting analysis using Roche Light Cycler 480(LC-480) system and found three different genotypes. Genotypic frequency-AA (blue-0.67), BB(Red-0.2), AB(Green-0.08) with allele frequency A(0.71 and B (0.29). The predominance of this gene in head of epididymis in fertile bucks was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. From the results, we corroborated that the present study provides a useful and effective way to predict male fertility in goat breeds, which in turn increases the percentage of fertility in flock leading to more number of offspring in a kidding season.