Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

Cross-link in fibrin polymerized by factor 13: epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine

(epsilon)-((gamma)-Glutamyl)lysine has been isolated from enzymatic hydrolyzates of cross-linked human fibrin. This compound was not detected in "non-cross-linked" fibrin prepared with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which inhibits factor XIII; intermediate amounts were observed when the fibrin was prepared with glycine ethyl ester, which inhibits factor XIII competitively. These and ancillary experiments furnish conclusive evidence that epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-links form in human fibrin during polymerization catalyzed by factor XIII.     

Comparison of concentrated-flow detachment equations for low shear stress

Several equations exist to describe the relationship between concentrated-flow detachment and shear stress (τ). However, the advantages and disadvantages of these equations for specific circumstances remain unclear. This study examines the performance of linear and power equations with and without a critical shear stress (τ_c) term for concentrated-flow detachment at low shear stress. Equations were fit to data collected from experiments on five midwestern US soils using flume experimental data at low shear stress levels. Field experimental data were also available for these soils. The linear equation was simple to use and parameter values were easily estimated with linear regression. However, significant lack of fit was found when the linear equation was applied to data collected from low to medium shear stress levels. The value of soil erodibility (K) for a soil varied by a factor of 3 and critical shear stress (τ_c) varied by a factor of 2.5. The linear equation prediction underestimated detachment (D) by 25% at high shear stress and overestimated detachment by 30% at low shear stress. In contrast, the power equations gave more stable erodibility parameters because these equations reduced the systematic nature of the observation residuals found with the linear equation. Correlation between rill detachment D and τ was generally lower with the linear compared to the power equations for conditions tested. For higher shear stresses and longer slopes, the linear equation may be acceptable where field experiments show a linear trend. It is suggested that τ_c only be used when it has a value significantly different from zero.     

Response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol: 38 cases (1996-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine response rates and survival times for cats with lymphoma treated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 38 cats with lymphoma. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on age, sex, breed, FeLV and FIV infection status, anatomic form, clinical stage, and survival time was obtained. Immunophenotyping was not performed. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of the cats was 10.9 +/- 4.4 years. Overall median survival time was 210 days (interquartile range, 90 to 657 days), and overall duration of first remission was 156 days (interquartile range, 87 to 316 days). Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first remission or survival time. Eighteen of the 38 (47%) cats had complete remission, 14 (37%) had partial remission, and 6 (16%) had no response. Duration of first remission was significantly longer for cats with complete remission (654 days) than for cats with partial remission (114 days). Median survival time for cats with complete remission (654 days) was significantly longer than median survival time for cats with partial remission (122 days) and for cats with no response (11 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that a high percentage of cats with lymphoma will respond to treatment with the University of Wisconsin-Madison chemotherapy protocol. Age, sex, anatomic form, and clinical stage were not significantly associated with duration of first response or survival time, but initial response to treatment was.     

Ethmoidal hematoma in nine horses

Ethmoidal hematoma was diagnosed in 9 horses by results of physical examination, endoscopy, radiography, and histologic examination of tissues. The horses had stertorous breathing (n = 4) or intermittently sanguineous nasal discharge (n = 7). All horses underwent sinusotomy and extirpation of the lesion. At reexamination 15 to 104 months after surgery (mean, 61 months), 3 horses had recurrence of ethmoidal hematoma, and 1 horse had ethmoidal hematoma involving the contralateral ethmoturbinates. One of the horses with recurrence of ethmoidal hematoma also developed a contralateral lesion; both lesions recurred and additional surgeries were performed.     

Serratia spp infection in 21 horses

Twenty-three isolations of Serratia spp were made from 21 horses at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between Jan 1, 1979 and July 1, 1983. Three Serratia spp were involved in single-organism and mixed infections of various tissues. Eight horses of this group died. All horses that died had massive, mixed, gram-negative infection. The other 13 responded to treatment, including systemic antibiotic therapy. Most of these horses were stressed and under antibiotic therapy prior to the time of culture. Possible nosocomial infection, variable antibiotic sensitivity, and a trend toward decreased antibiotic sensitivity after antibiotic administration were noted.     

Atmospheric carbon tetrachloride: another man-made pollutant

On the basis of an analysis of historic worldwide emissions and removal mechanisms for carbon tetrachloride, a possible precursor for stratospheric ozone destruction, it has been demonstrated that the present atmospheric loading and distribution of carbon tetrachloride is primarily attributable to man-made emissions and no natural sources need be invoked to explain its presence in the atmosphere.