Extra-large-pore zeolites with two-dimensional channels formed by 14 and 12 rings

Stable zeolites that have larger pore apertures and a three-dimensional pore topology are of interest because they could be used to adsorb larger molecules, particularly for application in oil refining. Several large-pore zeolitic materials with channels formed by openings of more than 12 rings are known, but all of them have a one-dimensional channel system that limits their use in catalysis. We report the synthesis and some characterizations of IM-12, a thermally stable germanium-containing zeolite that contains the first two-dimensional channel system with extra-large pores formed by 14- and 12-ring channels.     

Pregnancy detection in putatively unmated mink (Mustela vison) by serum progesterone level

The aim of this study was to determine whether blood plasma progesterone is a reliable indicator of pregnancy in mink at an early stage of gestation. We also attempted to establish the threshold value of progesterone as a pregnancy indicator. The analysis was carried out at a production farm on 42 standard female mink aged 1 year, which were grouped both according to the observed success of mating ("mated" and "unmated") and the level of blood serum progesterone measured afterwards ("pregnant" and "nonpregnant"). It was next verified whether a particular female had been assigned to the proper group in the first place. An analysis of accuracy of mating success assessment within the group of unmated females revealed that more than one-third of decisions were wrong, since some females that had been considered unmated ultimately whelped. This suggests that mating supervision by farm workers lacks reliability. A progesterone test for verification of such management decisions should limit the risk of err,or. We suggest that progesterone tests could be carried out using the threshold values 1.9 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml in blood sampled on 25 March and 8 April, respectively, although some level of uncertainty should be taken into account.     

Transient interface sharpening in miscible alloys

We observed that diffuse interfaces sharpen rather than broaden in completely miscible ideal binary systems. This is shown in situ during heat treatments at gradually increasing temperatures by scattering of synchrotron radiation in coherent Mo/V multilayers containing initially diffuse interfaces. This effect provides a useful tool for the improvement of interfaces and offers a way to fabricate better x-ray or neutron mirrors, microelectronic devices, or multilayers with giant magnetic resistance.     

Antimicrobial activity of 10-isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate

10-Isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate was found to be a major constituent of Inula helenium and Inula royleana root cultures. The compound showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherischia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.     

Conception rates in farm mink (Neovison vison) in relation to first mating date,age and color variety

The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of the first mating date, age and color variety on the conception rates in farm mink. We analyzed female mink reproductive performance in 492 Sapphire and 463 Standard Black females over 3 or 4 years. The analysis included the number of inefficient matings, the interval between the first inefficient mating and the efficient mating (copulation) and the conception rates. The results show a significant effect of female's age and color variety on the conception rates. The youngest, yearling females of either color needed a higher number of matings per conception, as compared to older, 2‐ and 3‐year‐old females. Black females demonstrated a higher number of inefficient matings (1.066), as compared with Sapphires (0.730). Yearling females were most often mated from 1 to 10 March, and older females from 11 to 20 March. Older females achieved better conception rates than the yearlings. Dates between 11 and 25 March proved to be the optimum for the first mating, since the highest conception rates were observed if the females had mated during this period.     

Determination of saponins in aerial parts of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry

Triterpene saponins from aerial parts of Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong A-17, M. truncatula Gaertn.var. longispina Urb., and M. truncatula Gaertn. var. truncatula were profiled and quantified using reverse-phase liquid chromatography with on-line photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-PDA/ESI/MS/MS). The determination was based on standard curves obtained for the 18 available saponin standards, previously isolated from Jemalong A-17. Aerial parts of all three subspecies contained 17 saponins previously identified and also a substantial amount of astragaloside VIII (3-GlcA-Xyl-Rha soyasapogenol B), not previously reported in M. truncatula. The compositions of saponin mixtures were very similar in the three subspecies with three dominant groups, recognized as zanhic acid, medicagenic acid, and soyasapogenol glycosides. Relative proportions of these three groups were also similar in the three subspecies: var. longispina had 49.5, 48.1, and 2.4%; var. truncatula, 41.5, 53.4, and 5.1%; and Jemalong A-17, 42.1, 56.6, and 1.3% of zanhic acid, medicagenic acid, and soyasapogenol glycosides, respectively. Jemalong A-17 had 30% lower total content of saponins as compared to M. truncatula var. longispina and M. truncatula var. truncatula; in relation to the dry matter, var. longispina contained 0.22%, var. truncatula, 0.22%, and Jemalong A-17, 0.15% dry matter of saponins. If one takes into consideration that this determination was performed on spring-collected samples, it can be concluded that the concentration of saponins in M. truncatula is similar to the concentration in alfalfa (Medicago sativa); the proportions of the three groups of saponins in these species are slightly different from those found in alfalfa, having a higher content of zanhic acid glycosides.     

Testing the immunogenicity of the dermal antigen in Marek's disease virus]

An experiment was performed to study the immunogenicity of the dermal antigen of Marek's disease virus, extracted from the skin of 30-day-old chickens, infected with Marek's disease virus on the first day of life. Three kinds of samples were tested: (1) dermal antigen centrifuged at 10 000 g per 0.5 h, (2) dermal antigen centrifugated at 10 000 g per 0.5 h and 100 000 g per 1 h, (3) dermal antigen treated like sample (2) and partly purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Samples (1) and (2) were inoculated to two-day-old chickens and the vaccination was repeated, using complete Freund's adjuvant, 21 days later. Sample (3) was inoculated to two-day-old chickens with DEAE-dextran. All the three groups were challenged together with the controls (non-vaccinated chickens) on the seventh day after the first vaccination. A reduction of mortality was observed in the chickens vaccinated with and re-vaccinated with sample (1) (23.07%) and in the chickens vaccinated with sample (3) (30.76%). The chickens of the latter group were the last to start dying from Marek's disease--only after the 10th week of life. In the chickens which had been vaccinated and revaccinated with sample (2) the mortality was not reduced. The study is continued, with particular emphasis on the relationship of DEAE-dextran to protection against Marek's disease.     

KIT-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a 22-year-old male chimpanzee (Pan troglodites)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), KIT-positive and KIT signaling driven or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) signaling driven mesenchymal tumors, are poorly known in nonhuman primates. Availability of KIT- and PDGFRA-inhibitor drug imatinib mesylate has greatly raised the interest for these tumors. At necropsy of a 22-year-old male chimpanzee, a round, firm 2-cm intramural tumor was incidentally found in the midbody of the stomach and diagnosed as a GIST. Histologically, the mass was composed of spindle to polygonal epithelioid cells arranged in short to intermediate-length, interlacing streams, bundles, and nodular whorls often separated by hyalinized eosinophilic matrix. The mitotic rate was a maximum 1/50 high-power field. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for KIT and CD34, focally positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and negative for muscle specific actin, desmin, S-100 protein, synaptophysin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Because the majority of human GISTs have gain-of-function KIT or PDGFRA mutations, genomic sequences of KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 and PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 from this chimpanzee GIST were polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced. However, no mutation was identified in the analyzed "mutational hot spots." This study is the first extensive histomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic analysis of a chimpanzee GIST. More cases of nonhuman primate GISTs should be analyzed to discover the clinicopathologic spectrum of GISTs in these species.     

Selenium Status and GSH-Px Activity in Semen and Blood of Boars at Different Ages Used for Artificial Insemination

This study was performed to determine the relationship between selenium (Se) content and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in blood and semen, and semen quality of boars at different age used in an artificial insemination (AI) station. Routine macroscopic and microscopic analyses of semen quality were accompanied by measurement of Se content and GSH-Px activity in blood and semen. The Se concentration in blood plasma, seminal fluid and spermatozoa was measured by fluorometric method, the GSH-Px activity by a method based on NADPH-coupled reaction. A total of 155 ejaculates and 58 blood samples were investigated. The results of this study showed that there was no direct relationship between the Se content and GSH-Px activity in blood plasma and semen, and semen quality of sexual matured boars. The mechanisms controlling Se content and GSH-Px activity in blood and semen seem to be independent. The age of boars as a differentiating factor for Se content and GSH-Px activity in blood and semen is possible. It is concluded that a determination of Se status and/or GSH-Px activity in organism before Se supplementation is indicated.