Salivary luteinizing hormone: An open window to detect oestrous period in buffalo

Silent oestrus is an unsurmountable problem in the management of buffalo reproduction. In addressing this issue, we have earlier reported variation in the levels of urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) through the different phases of oestrous cycle with an extended window during the mid-oestrous phase. Based on this report, the present study is designed to assess the salivary LH levels in buffalo during the different phases of oestrous cycle. Bovine LH ELISA kit was used to determine the level of salivary LH. We observed a notable variation in salivary LH levels during the different phases of oestrous cycle. The maximum LH level, 39.07 mIU/ml, observed during oestrus, which was significantly (p < .05) higher than other consecutive phases. Altogether, the results showed a significant (p < .05) fold variation during oestrus compared with other phases. Therefore, the study convincingly shows that salivary LH has the potential of application in development of a modality for non-invasive oestrous detection in buffalo.     

Histological and histochemical study of the proventriculus (Ventriculus glandularis) of common starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

The histological and histochemical structures of the proventriculus of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were examined using haematoxylin and eosin and special staining, that is periodic acid schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, Orcein and Reticulin. All three cranial, middle and caudal parts of the proventriculus were also studied. The study results showed that the wall of the proventriculus consisted of mucosal, submucosal, muscular and serosal tunics. The mucosal tunic presented folds and sulci on its luminal surface. In the first third of the proventriculus, the tunica mucosa characterized by presence of folds lined by stratified squamous epithelium and presence of simple tubular glands in the lamina propria. In the middle and caudal thirds of the proventriculus, the surface was covered by a columnar epithelium, and the branched tubular glands were extended through the lamina propria. From the base of the branched tubular glands, the deep proventricular glands were observed that were compound tubuloalveolar lobules. The surface epithelium of the tunica mucosa and the cells lining the proventricular glands showed a positive reaction to PAS and Alcian blue stainings. In addition, the epithelial cells of the tubular and branched tubular glands showed Masson's trichrome-positive reaction. The submucosal tunic was thin in the proventricular wall. The tunica muscularis was formed by a thin inner layer of longitudinal smooth muscle fibres and a thick outer layer of circular fibres. The serosa consisted of loose connective tissue, rich in blood vessels and covered by mesothelium.     

Evaluation of vacuum and dynamic cell seeding of polyglycolic acid and chitosan scaffolds for cartilage engineering

OBJECTIVES: To compare combined vacuum and rotation with the spinner flask technique for seeding chondrocytes on chitosan versus polyglycolic acid matrices. SAMPLE POPULATION: Porcine chondrocytes. PROCEDURE: A suspension containing 5 X 10(6) chondrocytes/scaffold was used to evaluate 2 seeding techniques, including a spinner flask and a custom-designed vacuum chamber used for 2 hours prior to transfer to a bioreactor. For each seeding technique, prewetted scaffolds were composed of polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh or macroporous chitosan sponge. Constructs were collected at 48 hours for DNA quantification, measurement of water and gycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Yield of both seeding techniques was similar for each type of scaffold. Percentage of cells contained in the center of PGA constructs was increased with seeding in the bioreactor (43% of total cell number), compared with the spinner flask (18%).The DNA content and cell number per construct were 10 times greater for PGA constructs, compared with chitosan constructs. Chitosan scaffolds seeded in the bioreactor yielded a significantly higher GAG:DNA ratio than did PGA scaffolds. Whereas chondrones formed on chitosan scaffolds, cell distribution was more uniform on PGA scaffolds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The vacuum-bioreactor technique allowed seeded chondrocytes to attach to PGA scaffolds within 48 hours and improved uniformity of cell distribution, compared with the spinner technique. Although formation of extracellular matrix may be stimulated by seeding chitosan scaffolds in the bioreactor, further evaluations of the seeding technique and characteristics of chitosan scaffolds are warranted.     

Growth Profile of Gilthead Bream Reared in Mega Flow Re-circulating Aquaculture System

This study was designed to compare the effect of two exchange rates （ERs; 0.5 m^3 feed/kg and 1.5 m^3 feed/kg） in re-circulating aquaculture systems （RAS） on water quality and fish growth profiles on fish stocks （200 indiv/m^3 of 251.4 g e 20.67 g） of gilthead bream, Sparus aurata. Water quality, fish growth, specific growth rate （SGR） and feed conversion ratio under the two ERs were examined for a period of six months. Inorganic nutrient in RAS, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured daily. Feeding regime effect was also determined on the fish quality and organoleptic characteristics and thus opts to energy optimization of the system. The fish reared under the 1.5 m^3 feed/kg ER demonstrate enhanced growth, the daily SGR and the conversion ratio. Sensory test analysis revealed differences in the organoleptic characteristics between the two experimental fish stocks with considerably high acceptance scores for fish reared at high ER. Nutrient concentrations： ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate were lower in RAS of the highest ER when compared to those reared under the 0.5 m3/kg feed. Results suggest an ER of 1.5 m^3 feed/kg improved both fish quality and growth profile of the gilthead bream.     

Interactive Effect of GA3, N and P Ameliorate Growth,Seed and Fibre Yield by Enhancing Photosynthetic Capacity and Carbonic Anhydrase Activity of Linseed: A Dual Purpose Crop

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important dual-purpose, industrial crop. Its seeds are used for the extraction of oil and stem for fibres. However, the production of linseed is not going parallel with the increasing demand of its products. The present work was carried out with an aim to find out whether exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) with or without graded levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) could improve the performance of three linseed genotypes Parvati, Shekhar and Shubhra together with minimizing the costly fertilizer input and losses. Four combinations of N and P, viz., 0 mg N+0 mg P kg^?1 soil (N₀P₀), N_13.4P_4.46, N_26.8P_8.94 and N_40.2P_13.4 were constituted. Half dose of each combination was applied basally at the time of sowing and remaining half dose was given at 40 d after sowing (DAS) as foliar spray along with 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃. Prior to sowing, the seeds of each linseed genotype were grouped in to two, one group of seeds was soaked in 0 mol L^?1 GA₃ (control) and the other group was soaked in 10^?6 M GA₃ solution, each for 8 hours. Treatments were comprised of (i) 0 mol L^?1 GA₃+N₀P₀ (T₀, control), (ii) 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃ + N₁₃₄P₄₄₆ (T₁), (iii) 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃+N_26.8P_8.94 (T₂) and (iv) 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃+N_40.2P_13.4 (T₃). The crop performance was assessed in terms of growth, physiological and biochemical parameters at 60 and 75 DAS and yield attributes at harvest (175 DAS). The results showed a parallel increase in most of the parameters with increasing levels of N and P. However, application of 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃ in association with N_26.8P_8.94 proved best, it enhanced seed yield, oil yield and fibre yield by 83.3, 97.3 and 78.7%, respectively accompanied with increase in net photosynthetic rate, carbonic anhydrase activity and dry matter accumulation. Among the genotypes tested, Shubhra performed best, while Parvati the least for most of the parameters studied. Thus, combined application of 10^?6 mol L^?1 GA₃ plus N_26.8P_8.94 proved best and can be recommended to exploit the linseed as a dual-purpose crop for good yield of seed and fibre.     

Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle and sheep southeast of Iran

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle and sheep southeast of Iran. A total of 972 ticks were collected from 280 infested cattle and 1,207 ticks were collected from 632 infested sheep during activating seasons of ticks in 2008–2009. The species collected from cattle were Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (50.92%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (25.61%), Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (8.12%), Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (1.85%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (13.47%) while the species collected from sheep were R. sanguineus (36.37%), H. marginatum marginatum (30.65%), H. anatolicum excavatum (19.05%), H. asiaticum asiaticum (10.52%), Hyalomma detritum (3.14%), and Dermacentor marginatus (0.24%). The results show that, H. marginatum marginatum, H. anatolicum excavatum, and R. sanguineus are dominant tick species in the surveyed area.     

Observation of liquid-crystal formation during melting of D-(+)-glucose

Liquid crystals, observed as maltese crosses under cross-polarized light, form in D-(+)-glucose immediately upon melting, at ～416 K, and become an isotropic liquid at ～500 K. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show two overlapping endothermic peaks corresponding to the formation and disappearance of the liquid crystals. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that D-(+)-glucose undergoes thermal decomposition upon melting. Cooling and reheating isotropic samples previously heated to 500 K do not lead to the reappearance of the liquid crystals. The formation of liquid crystals is irreversible. Further study is required to determine which components among the decomposition intermediates or products of D-(+)-glucose are responsible for the formation of liquid crystals and whether they have process or product applications.     

Estimation of yield and dry matter of winter wheat using logistic model under different irrigation water regimes and nitrogen application rates

Complex simulation models need considerable input data that may be unavailable. In this study, based on growing degree days, a simple and empirical logistic model was used to predict top dry matter (DM) and grain yield (GY) of winter wheat in a semiarid area. For calibration and validation of the model, winter wheat cv. Shiraz was cultivated for two growing seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011) under different levels of irrigation water and nitrogen application rates. The coefficients of the logistic model and the harvest index were related to the seasonal amount of applied water (I) plus rainfall (R) and applied nitrogen plus residual soil mineral nitrogen (N + N_r) with good accuracy in 2009–2010. The values of DM were estimated using the developed empirical logistic model during the growing season in 2010–2011. Results also indicated that there was a good agreement between the measured and predicted GY in 2010–2011 with fair accuracy. Therefore, it is concluded that the presented model is appropriate for prediction of DM and GY of winter wheat at the study region.