DNA polymorphism in the growth hormone gene and its association with weight in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

ABSTRACT: Variation within the growth hormone gene and its association with growth trait in the olive flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus ) was investigated. Based on Southern blot analysis and using various kinds of restriction endonucleases, it was demonstrated that the growth hormone gene exists as a single copy gene in the olive flounder. Polymorphisms of various lengths were also detected by Southern blot analysis, and by the subsequent digestion of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -amplified growth hormone gene fragment with Sau 3AI restriction enzyme. To study the possible association between variation in the growth hormone and weight, 60 progenies of the hatchery strain of three various sizes (large, medium and small weight) were selected and the entire genetic structure of the growth hormone gene was analysed. A total of 15 different genotypes was observed from the random association of six haplotypes. Significant heterogeneity of the growth hormone gene with haplotype and genotype frequencies was detected among the different-sized groups.     

Oocyte-derived growth factors promote development of antrum-like structures by porcine cumulus granulosa cells in vitro

Oocytes communicate with the surrounding somatic cells during follicular development. We examined the effects of two oocyte-derived growth factors, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), on the development of porcine oocyte–cumulus cell complexes (OCCs) in vitro. We collected OCCs from early antral follicles (1.2–1.5 mm) and prepared oocytectomized cumulus cell complexes (OXCs), which were then cultured in a growth medium supplemented with 0–100 ng/ml GDF9 and/or BMP15 for 7 days. In the medium without GDF9 or BMP15, OCCs developed during culture, and approximately 30% of them formed antrum-like structures. GDF9 promoted OCC development and structure formation in a dose-dependent manner. However, OXCs did not form antrum-like structures without growth factors. GDF9 promoted the development of OXCs, and 50 and 100 ng/ml GDF9 promoted the formation of the structures by 8% and 26%, respectively; however, BMP15 did not promote the formation of these structures. OXCs were then cultured with 100 ng/ml GDF9 and various concentrations of BMP15 to investigate their cooperative effects on the formation of antrum-like structures. BMP15 promoted the formation of antrum-like structures in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, GDF9 derived from oocytes is probably important for the formation of antrum-like structures in porcine OXCs, and BMP15 cooperates with GDF9 to form these structures.     

Putative Diethylcarbamazine-induced Urticaria with Eosinophilic Dermatitis in a Dog

Résumé— Une urtricaire due à la diethylcarbamazine associée à une dermite prurigineuse a été suspectée chez un chien mâle castré croisé Retriever. L'animal présentait des lésions d'urticaire multiples qui avaient tendance à fusionner au niveau des paupières, des lèvres, les conques auriculaires et du prépuce. Les biopsies cutanées ont révélé un infiltrat périvasculaire et périannexiel intense riche en polynucléaires éosinophiles. Parfois les polynuclaires éosinophiles étaient “dégranulés” ou présentaient des formes “en flamme”. La suppression de l'administration de diethylcarbamazine a été suivie d'une disparission rapide de toutes les lésions cutanées. L'hypothèse d'une réaction immune à la diethylcarbamazine est proposée. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J., Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced uticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog. (Probable urticaire et dermite éosinophilique induites par la diethylcarbamazine chez un chien). Resumen— Se describe el caso de un perro macho castrado, cruzado de retriever que presentaba una dermatitis pruritica con urticaria supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina. El perro mostraba multiples habones, principalmente alrededor de los ojos, la boca, los pabellones auriculares y el prepucio. El estudio histológico mostró un infiltrado perivascular y perianexal, con predominancia de eosinófilos. Ocasionalmente los eosinófilos degranulaban formando “figuras en llama”. La retirada de la terapia con dietilcarbamacina fue seguida por una mejoria rápida y espectacular de todas las lesiones cutáneas. Se postula una reacción adversa a la dietilcarbamacina mediada por factores inmunológicos. [Vitale, C. B., Ihrke, P. J. and Gross, T. L. Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced urticaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in a dog (Urticaria con dermatitis eosinofilica supuestamente inducida por dietilcarbamacina en un perro). Zusammenfassung— Es wird über eine vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit Juckreiz bei einem männlich-kastrierten Retrievermischling berichtet. Der Hund wies generalisiert multifokale Striemen auf, die dazu tendierten um Augen, Mund, Ohrmuscheln und Präputium zusammenzulaufen. Die Hautbiopsie zeigte ein starkes perivaskuläres und periadenxales Infiltrat mit vorwiegend eosinophilen Granulozyten. Gelegentlich degranulierten die Eosinophilen zu “Flammenform”. Das Absetzen von Diethylcarbamazin führte zu einer dramatischen und raschen Abheilung aller Hautveranderungen. Es wird eine immunologischvermittelte Arzneimittelreaktion auf Diethylcarbamazin vermutet. [Putative diethylcarbamazine-induced utricaria with eosinophilic dermatitis in dogs (Vermutlich Diethylcarbamazin-verursachte Urtikaria mit eosinophiler Dermatitis beim Hund). Abstract— A suspected diethylcarbamazine-induced urticarial dermatitis with associated pruritus is reported in a castrated male mixed breed retriever. The dog had generalized multifocal wheals that tended to cluster around the eyes, mouth, pinnae, and prepuce. Skin biopsy revealed an intense perivascular and periadnexal infiltrate with eosinophils predominating. On occasion, eosinophils degranulated to form “flame figures”. Withdrawal of diethylcarbamazine resulted in dramatic and rapid resolution of all skin lesions. An immunologically mediated adverse drug reaction to diethylcarbamazine is proposed.     

METABOLISM OF MONURON IN EXCISED LEAVES OF CORN AND BEAN PLANTS*

Summary. The metabolism of monuron in excised leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Black Valentine) and corn (Zea mays L., var. Batam Cross) were studied with carbonyl-¹⁴C-labelled monuron. The metabolic conversions of monuron in both plant species were exponential and followed first order reaction kinetics. The metabolism of monuron can be divided into two major pathways: demethylation and hydroxylation. At a monuron concentration of 16 ppm the hydroxylation was dominant in the bean leaves. As the concentration of monuron was increased the participation of the hydroxylation pathway became less probably due to the inhibition of enzymes involved by monuron. The demethylation pathway was not affected by higher monuron concentration. In the corn leaf, however, sequential demethylation was always the major pathway of monuron transformation and there was no inhibitory effect observed on either pathways as the concentration of monuron increased. The following radioactive metabolites were found in the alcohol extract of bean and com leaves receiving carbonyl-¹⁴C-labelled monuron: N′-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylurea, p-chlorophenylurea, two polypeptide complexes of monuron, one polypeptide complex of N′-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylurea and β-D-glucosides of N-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl) urea, N′-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl) N-methylurea, and N′-(2-hydroxy-4-chlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea. In addition, one minor radioactive peak was found only in the alcohol extract of corn leaves, which yielded four unidentified radioactive metabolites after acid or enzyme hydrolysis with β-glucosidase. Métabolisme du monuron dans des feuilles excisés de maïs et de haricot     

Persistent haematuria in a dog due to a discrete renal haemangioma

Persistent haematuria had been observed for 5 months in a 9-year-old male Collie. Investigation, including intravenous pyleography and selective arteriography, led to the presumptive diagnosis of a discrete left renal mass. The dog made an uneventful recovery after left nephrectomy. Histologically the lesion proved to be a medullary and pelvic haemangioma.     

BROMINE ANALYSIS IN 5-BROMOURACIL-LABELED DNA BY X-RAY FLUORESCENCE

The degree of replacement of thymine by 5-bromouracil in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the thymine-deficient bacterium Escherichia coli B 15 T(-) has been determined by a nondispersive x-ray fluorescence method. A measure of the fraction by weight of bromine in the purified DNA is required for determining the degree of thymine replacement. This fraction is experimentally determined on 35-microg samples of DNA by x-ray spectroanalysis.     

粟瘟病(Piricularia setariae Nishikado)的研究

 粟瘟(Piricularia setariae Nishikado)是关內外、魯西一带谷子上常見的病害,严重时引起苗枯、叶瘟、頸瘟,損失极大。     

VIRTUAL CT OTOSCOPY OF THE MIDDLE EAR AND OSSICLES IN DOGS

Virtual otoscopy enables noninvasive 3D endoluminal imaging of the middle ear through postprocessing of computed tompgraphy (CT) data. A standardized imaging approach for the middle ear was established in six normal dogs in an attempt to optimize the clinical application and student education. High‐resolution CT data were obtained. Virtual otoscopic images of the middle ear cavity and ossicles were generated using commercially available software. The views of the four different directions (the ear canal, tympanic bulla, eustachian tube, and ossicular chain) were made for virtual otoscopy. The promontory, cochlea window, tympanic bulla, septum bulla, and auditory tube were distinguished easily and clearly. One of the ossicles, the malleus, was visualized accurately. However, small structures such as the incus and stapes always could not be seen. The main advantage of virtual otoscopy is not only to provide diagnostic information but also to enhance the quality and efficiency of student education, because it contributes to an understanding of the anatomy of the middle ear. We describe the normal topographical 3Dimages of the middle ear of the dog using virtual otoscopy.     

Effect of placenta feeding to sows on plasma biochemical composition and growth of their piglets

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects on the plasma biochemical composition and growth of piglets of placenta‐fed sows. The experimental animals were a total of 21 sows (L × LW) of third parity, and each sow was suckled by 11 ± 1 piglets. Sows fed without placenta were considered as the control (C), treatment 1 (T1) were placenta‐fed from days 1–7 after farrowing and treatment 2 (T2) were placenta‐fed from day 7 before farrowing to day 7 after farrowing. Glucose of piglets was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 than C and T1 on day 10. Total cholesterol of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on day 4. Fe of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on days 4, 20 and 30. Unsaturated iron‐binding capacity was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 than C on days 4 and 30. Immunoglobulin G of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T1 and T2 than C on days 4 and 10. Daily gain of piglets was higher (P < 0.05) in T1 than C and T2 on day 4 when daily gain was calculated. Total daily gain increased (P < 0.05) by prolongation of placenta feeding period. The results indicate that feeding placenta to sows may improve the plasma biochemical composition and growth of their piglets.