Comparison of the Level(s) of DNA Damage Using Comet Assay in Bovine Oocytes Subjected to Selected Vitrification Methods

It was suggested that the cryodamage to oocytes' DNA has been responsible for the compromised developmental competence of cryopreserved oocytes. Vitrification of bovine oocytes affected not only cellular components, but also nuclear material. A significant rate of DNA fragmentation was found in bovine frozen or vitrified oocytes analysed by Comet assay regardless of cryopreservation method. Our method of vitrification using droplet system after gentle pre-equilibration treatment is one of the most effective cryopreservation methods employed for bovine oocytes so far, making it possible to develop 30% blastocyst stage embryos. In this study, the extent of DNA damage in bovine oocytes vitrified using three vitrification methods (droplet system, Open Pulled Straw and traditional vitrification in 0.25 ml insemination straws) was compared using Comet assay. Vitrification in droplet system and Open Pull Straws vitrification did not result in detectable cryoinjuries of DNA of bovine oocytes. On the contrary, DNA fragmentation was found in four of 26 oocytes vitrified in 0.25 ml straws (15.4%, p   ≤ 0.05 in comparison with the other vitrification methods).     

Acid–Base Changes in Canine Neonates Following Normal Birth or Dystocia

There are limited data concerning blood gas parameters in neonatal dogs. Knowledge of the normal physiology may facilitate effective therapeutic intervention and potentially reduce neonatal mortality. This study examined acid–base parameters in pups born at normal parturition (n = 27) compared with those born after obstetrical assistance or caesarean operation (n = 13) and those born following oxytocin (OXY) administration for treatment of uterine inertia (n = 11). Pups were subjected to an objective scoring method of neonatal health adapted from use in humans (the Apgar score) at birth and again at 5 and 60 min after birth. Venous blood samples were collected at 5 and 60 min after birth for evaluation of blood gas parameters. At birth, all pups had low Apgar scores and a mixed acidosis. The base excess was lowest for pups delivered after OXY administration. The Apgar score improved for all pups after 5 min of birth and there was an improvement in carbon dioxide tension, base excess and venous blood pH at 1 h, although in all pups a metabolic acidosis persisted. These data provide an important insight into neonatal physiology and the variability of blood gas parameters in pups born at normal and abnormal parturition and provide the basis for clinical decision making following dystocia.     

Ligation of the caudal mesenteric artery during resection and anastomosis of the colorectal junction for annular adenocarcinoma in two dogs

An 8-year-old terrier cross and a 10-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer presented to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney, for investigation of long-standing tenesmus and dyschezia. Both patients had an annular adenocarcinoma at the colorectal junction. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the affected large intestinal segment was removed by resection and anastomosis. In both dogs, the caudal mesenteric artery was intimately associated with the mass, necessitating its ligation and transection. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of anastomosis breakdown in either case and both animals recovered well from surgery. The dogs were euthanased 8 and 10 months, respectively, after surgery because of clinical signs relating to metastatic disease.     

The anatomical distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of yeast species isolated from healthy dogs

The aim of this work was to identify the predominant yeast species present at different anatomical sites in healthy dogs and to determine their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility using a broth microdilution assay. Samples were collected from the preputial, vaginal, oral and perianal mucosae and the isolates cultured were identified according to their morphological characteristics and biochemical profile. Malassezia pachydermatis was the most commonly isolated yeast, followed by Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodotorula spp.Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the azole derivatives ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole against Candida spp. were 0.03–16 μg/mL, 0.06 to >16 μg/mL and 0.5–64 μg/mL, respectively and Candida isolates were sensitive to caspofungin and amphotericin B. Although all isolates of M. pachydermatis were sensitive to itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and amphotericin B, they were found to be resistant to caspofungin. The study has highlighted that Candida spp., M. pachydermatis, S. cerevisiae and Rhodotorula spp. are part of the normal canine surface microbiota and some of these organisms exhibit in vitro resistance to commonly used antimicrobials.     

Study of the Effect of Saline Solution on the Extraction of the Moringa oleifera Seed’s Active Component for Water Treatment

Several coagulants/flocculants have been studied in order to remove the color and turbidity of raw water, employing natural ones demonstrated advantages in relation to chemicals. Moringa oleifera Lam is a natural polymer that has been gaining prominence in water treatment. It acts as a clarifying agent, providing a cationic protein that destabilizes the particles contained in a liquid medium. The main objective of the present work is to study the efficiency in terms of removing color and turbidity of raw water in order to obtain drinking water. For this purpose, different coagulant solutions were obtained utilizing three solutions of KCl in different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 M) and pure water combined with M. oleifera Lam seed. Each coagulant solution obtained was studied with concentrations ranging from 50 to 600 ppm of Moringa in solution. The pH was varied (4.0, 6.0, and 8.0) with 25% and 50% sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), respectively. The tests were conducted with the “Jar Test Device” and the efficiency of the process was evaluated regarding the reduction of color and turbidity. The best results were found employing the coagulant solutions extracted with 1 M salt solution, pH 8.0, and different concentrations of coagulant solution. It is important to explain that the best results were in various concentration ranges, as the concentration of protein in solution becomes higher, the greater is its power as a coagulant. The lowest content of protein was found in the solution extracted with water, which consequently had the lowest values of color and turbidity removal.     

导管螺旋桨在拖网渔船上的设计与应用

根据目前拖网渔船在节能方面的需要,采用导管螺旋桨以改善渔船的推进性能,并对导管螺旋桨的设计和具体应用的优的缺点作初步的探讨。     

Palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) as a substitute for corn (Zea mays) in diets of Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) as corn (Zea mays) substitutes in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) diets based on zootechnical performance, health, characteristics of the muscle, yield and economic efficiency. The first one was carried out in a recirculation aquaculture system for 75 days wherein tambaquis received diets with 0% (T0), 25% (T25), 50% (T50), 75% (T75) and 100% (T100) of corn replacement by palm kernel meal. The second experiment, conducted in ponds for 184 days, tambaquis were fed T0 and T25 diets (selected because showed greater weight gain without health damage). Final weight and weight gain of tambaquis were impaired by the increasing levels of this ingredient on diets, and the feed conversion ratio was worse. The protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate gradually reduced, while the total number of leucocytes and neutrophils gradually increased. Cholesterol and triglycerides decreased in T75 and T100. Variables analysed in experiment 2 were not affected by treatment, except muscle lipids. Palm kernel meal can replace up to 25% of corn in tambaqui diets since it maintains a balance in economic and zootechnical performance of production.     

The Current State of Solar Modeling

Data from the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) project and other helioseismic experiments provide a test for models of stellar interiors and for the thermodynamic and radiative properties, on which the models depend, of matter under the extreme conditions found in the sun. Current models are in agreement with the helioseismic inferences, which suggests, for example, that the disagreement between the predicted and observed fluxes of neutrinos from the sun is not caused by errors in the models. However, the GONG data reveal subtle errors in the models, such as an excess in sound speed just beneath the convection zone. These discrepancies indicate effects that have so far not been correctly accounted for; for example, it is plausible that the sound-speed differences reflect weak mixing in stellar interiors, of potential importance to the overall evolution of stars and ultimately to estimates of the age of the galaxy based on stellar evolution calculations.