Production of Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) Embryos by Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Using Domestic Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Oocytes

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of producing wild buffalo embryos by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) through handmade cloning using wild buffalo somatic cells and domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes. Somatic cells derived from the ear skin of wild buffalo were found to express vimentin but not keratin and cytokeratin‐18, indicating that they were of fibroblast origin. The population doubling time of skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with that of skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo. Neither the cleavage (92.6 ± 2.0% vs 92.8 ± 2.0%) nor the blastocyst rate (42.4 ± 2.4% vs 38.7 ± 2.8%) was significantly different between the intraspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from domestic buffalo and interspecies cloned embryos produced using skin fibroblasts from wild buffalo. However, the total cell number (TCN) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower (192.0 ± 25.6 vs 345.7 ± 42.2), and the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (15.1 ± 3.1 vs 8.0 ± 1.4) for interspecies than that for intraspecies cloned embryos. Following vitrification in open‐pulled straws (OPS) and warming, although the cryosurvival rate of both types of cloned embryos, as indicated by their re‐expansion rate, was not significantly different (34.8 ± 1.5% vs 47.8 ± 7.8), the apoptotic index was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for vitrified–warmed interspecies than that for corresponding intraspecies cloned embryos (48.9 ± 7.2 vs 23.9 ± 2.8). The global level of H3K18ac was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies cloned embryos than that in intraspecies cloned embryos. The expression level of HDAC1, DNMT3a and CASPASE3 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, that of P53 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in interspecies than in intraspecies embryos, whereas that of DNMT1 was similar between the two types of embryos. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that wild buffalo embryos can be produced by iSCNT.     

Vacuum Squeezing of Solids: Macroscopic Quantum States Driven by Light Pulses

Femtosecond laser pulses and coherent two-phonon Raman scattering were used to excite KTaO3 into a squeezed state, nearly periodic in time, in which the variance of the atomic displacements dips below the standard quantum limit for half of a cycle. This nonclassical state involves a continuum of transverse acoustic modes that leads to oscillations in the refractive index associated with the frequency of a van Hove singularity in the phonon density of states.     

Low-Temperature Nonoxidative Activation of Methane over H-Galloaluminosilicate (MFI) Zeolite

Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons by its low-temperature activation without forming undesirable carbon oxides is of great scientific and practical importance. Methane can be highly activated, yielding high rates of conversion to higher hydrocarbons and aromatics (10 to 45 percent) at low temperatures (400° to 600°C), by its reaction over H-galloaluminosilicate ZSM-5 type (MFI) zeolite in the presence of alkenes or higher alkanes. The methane activation results from its hydrogen-transfer reaction with alkenes.     

Effect of IAA and GA3 on the Anatomical Characteristics, Straw and Fiber Yield and Quality of Flax

IAA and GA₃ had increased the stem thickness by increasing that of cortex, phloem fibers and xylem. Each had increased straw and fiber yield/plant, but the effect was more pronounced with GA₃ than IAA. The percentage of long fibers, strength and fineness increased significantly with GA₃. The latter two properties decreased with IAA.     

Effect of two species of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers on some metabolic activities, growth, and yield of pea plant

Two cyanobacterial species (Nostoc entophytum and Oscillatoria angustissima) were tested as biofertilizers, substituting the normally used chemical fertilizer, for pea plant. Inoculation of soil with a suspension of each species or a combination of the two species significantly increased the germination percentage and stimulated the other measured growth parameters and photosynthetic pigment fractions of pea. However, the soil inoculation with one cyanobacterial species and the addition of the recommended dose or half the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer were usually more effective and also increased carbohydrate and protein contents of produced pea seeds. However, biofertilization combined with half the recommended dose of the chemical fertilizer was usually more effective than the addition of the full rate of the chemical fertilizer, and this may allow saving 50% of the used chemical fertilizer. The protein profile of the produced seeds showed appearance and disappearance of some protein bands in response to fertilization treatments compared to the control. Blue green algae analyses show that N. entophytum fixed more N, produced more exopolysaccharide, and contained more auxin and cytokinin than O. angustissima, the latter contained more gibberellins. These data may explain their different influences on growth and yield of pea.     

Impact of molybdenum on the copper status of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

AIM: To determine the effect of increasing molybdenum (Mo) intakes on serum and liver copper (Cu) concentrations and growth rates of grazing red deer (Cervus elaphus).

METHODS: Molybdenum- and Cu-amended fertilisers were applied to six 1.1-ha paddocks in a 3 × 2 design. Three levels of Mo were applied on two paddocks at each level in mid April (designated Day 1); levels were: none (control), 0.5 (medium) and 1.0 (high) kg Mo/ha as sodium molybdate. In late May (Day 39), two levels of Cu (none and 3.0 kg Cu/ha, as copper sulphate) were applied to each of the three levels of Mo-treated paddocks. Pasture Mo, Cu and sulphur (S) concentrations were measured at about fortnightly intervals. In late June (Day 74), ten 6-month-old red deer hinds were placed on the six experimental pastures, and serum and liver Cu concentrations were monitored at about monthly intervals for 102 days. The hinds were weighed on four occasions during the trial.

RESULTS: Mean pasture Mo concentrations on Day 56 were 2, 4.6 and 11.3 mg/kg dry matter (DM) for the untreated control, medium and high Mo-treated pastures, respectively. Pasture Cu concentration was 95 mg/kg DM on Day 59, 53 mg/kg DM on Day 90, and 9 mg/kg DM by Day 153. Mean S concentration in pasture was 3.3 (range 3.03–3.45) g/kg DM. Copper application to pasture had no significant effect on serum and liver Cu concentrations in deer so data were pooled within Mo treatment. Mean initial (Day 74) serum Cu concentration was 9.2 µmol/L. In the deer grazing the control Mo pasture, this increased to 10.3 µmol/L on Day 112, before decreasing to 6.4 µmol/L on Day 176. In deer grazing the medium and high Mo-treated pastures, mean serum Cu concentrations were 3.8 and 3.9 µmol/L, respectively, on Day 112, and 2.5 and 3.3 µmol/L, respectively, on Day 176. Mean initial (Day 74) liver Cu concentration was 131 µmol/kg fresh tissue. In the deer grazing the control Mo pasture, this declined to 120 and 52 µmol/kg on Days 112 and Day 176, respectively. In deer grazing the medium and high Motreated pastures, liver Cu concentrations decreased to 55 and 52 µmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively, on Day 112, and 21 and 20 µmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively, on Day 176. Mean serum and liver Cu concentrations were not significantly different between deer grazing the medium and high Mo-treated pastures, and were lower (serum p=0.003, liver p<0.001) in those groups than in deer grazing the untreated control pastures. No clinical signs of Cu deficiency associated with lameness were observed. Deer grazing pastures that had Mo concentrations >10 mg/kg DM had lower (p=0.002) growth rates (100 vs 130 g/day) than those on pastures containing <2.4 mg Mo/kg DM.

CONCLUSION: Increasing pasture Mo concentrations from 2 mg/kg DM to ≥4.6 mg/kg DM significantly reduced serum and liver Cu concentrations in grazing deer. Reduced growth rate was observed at pasture Mo concentrations >10 mg/kg DM.