Expression of bovine Ecat1 gene in immature and in vitro matured oocytes as well as during early embryonic development

Ecat1 is a maternal effect gene that is exclusively expressed in oocytes and embryonic stem cells, and has an important role in pre-implantation development. This study was designed to investigate the expression of bovine Ecat1 gene in immature and in vitro matured oocytes as well as during early embryonic development, and also Ecat1 protein localization. Samples were obtained from slaughtered animals. RNA extractions were carried out from ovary, immature and in vitro matured oocytes and also different stages of embryonic development (2-, 4-, 8- to 16-cell stages and blastocysts). RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of Ecat1 in ovary, oocytes and embryos. Analysis in FGENESH online tool predicted three exons and one transcription start site (TSS) in Ecat1 gene, and the 3' RACE-PCR result showed that just one splice variant was amplified. By quantitative real-time PCR technique, we showed that Ecat1 transcript increased at 8- to 16-cell-stage embryos and decreased in blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed cytoplasmic localization of Ecat1 protein in bovine oocytes. Results demonstrated bovine Ecat1 expression at protein level and also indicated that Ecat1 has a significant higher embryonic expression at 8- to 16-cell stage. This embryonic expression is probably required for further developmental stages.

The attitudes of team members towards family presence during hospital-based CPR: a study based in the Muslim setting of four Iranian teaching hospitals

BACKGROUND

Contrary to international guidelines recommending family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), allowing family members to be present remains a matter of debate in many countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the opinions of healthcare providers from a Muslim setting concerning family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR).

METHODS

The sample population consisted of CPR responders in four teaching hospitals in Tehran. These centres have no policy regarding the presence of family members during resuscitation. We developed and circulated a questionnaire gathering opinions, and collated their comments.

RESULTS

From 200 respondents, 77% opposed FWR. We found that gender, age, experience, previous exposure to FWR or specialty (except for emergency physicians) did not predict opinion towards family presence during CPR. The most common reasons given for opposition to family presence were fear of psychological trauma to family members, possible interference with patient care/decision-making, and a perceived increase in staff stress.

CONCLUSION

In a largely Muslim community, and contrary to general guidelines, our survey suggested that the majority of CPR responders do not favour the presence of relatives during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Any counter to this opinion would need to be based on educating team members about the possible benefits of relatives being present during resuscitation. Public education surrounding CPR would also be a fundamental element for implementing any formal programme encouraging family-witnessed CPR in hospitals such as ours.

Physiological calf responses to increased chromium supply in summer

The primary objective was to determine pre- and postweaning calf physiological responses to increased Cr supply under high ambient temperatures. In a randomized complete block design, 24 neonate Holstein calves (BW=41.5+/-1.9 kg) were grouped based on sex and randomly assigned to 3 treatments within each group. Treatments included either no supplemental Cr (control), 0.02 mg of supplemental Cr/kg of BW0.75, or 0.04 mg of supplemental Cr/kg of BW0.75. The average temperature-humidity index was 77 during the study. Chromium was provided as a commercial product in whole milk for preweaning calves and in a starter concentrate for postweaning calves. Calves were weaned at 1 kg of daily calf starter intake lasting for 6 consecutive days. A glucose tolerance test was conducted on d 25 postweaning. Treatments had no effects on preweaning dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, average daily gain, and weaning age. Chromium decreased dry matter intake in postweaning calves; however, it did not affect growth and feed conversion ratio. Chromium lowered respiration rate at wk 5 without affecting fecal score and rectal temperature. Preweaning serum cortisol concentrations were altered by a 3-way interaction of Cr dose with calf sex and age. Preweaning serum glucose showed week-dependent increases by Cr. Serum insulin, urea, albumin, total protein, triiodothyronine, and thyroxin concentrations through weaning were not affected. The increasing Cr doses caused quadratic declines in serum thyroxin on d 21 postweaning, whereas blood triiodothyronine declined only with the higher Cr dose. Serum NEFA remained unchanged, but BHBA decreased by Cr in male calves on d 21 postweaning. The glucose tolerance test revealed linear reductions in area under insulin curve between 0 to 90 and 0 to 120 min after glucose infusion, suggesting improvements in peripheral insulin efficiency. Sex-dependent responses to Cr were observed for serum total protein and albumin concentrations at 21 d postweaning. Overall, results indicate that in summer, increased dietary Cr supply can benefit postweaning insulin metabolism, alter preweaning blood cortisol and glucose levels, and reduce respiration rate and may have only minor effects on calf growth.

158. EFFECT OF A59V LOCUS IN THE LEPTIN GENE ON LENGTH OF PREGNANCY IN IRANIAN HOLSTEIN COWS

We investigated effect of A59V polymorphism in the leptin gene on length of pregnancy. Blood was collected from 255 Holstein cattles belonging to four different herd managements in Isfahan province. Genomic DNA extracted from whole blood. Genotypes of A59V locus were identified PCR-RFLP technique. Amplified region is located in exon three of leptin gene. The genomic bovine leptin sequences, which consist of three exons, were obtained from Gene Bank (Accession number U50365). The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the 331 bp DNA fragments from genomic DNA. The PCR reaction contained 100 ng of genomic DNA, 0.3 µM of each primer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 200 µM dNTP, 10mM Tris HCl, 50 mM KCl and 1 U Taq-polymerase in total volume of 20 µL. Sequences of primers that were used in PCR were reported previously by Haegeman et al. (2000). Conditions for PCR were 94°C for 2 min, followed by 35 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 55°C for 1 min, and 72°C for 30 s. Followed by final extension for at for 15 min 72°C. Digestion of PCR product of 331 bp with 5 U of HphI (Fermentas) in 20 µL of reaction volume at 37°c for 8 h and analyzed on 8% no denature polyacrylamyde gel. Allele A in the A59V locus was the allele not digested by restriction enzyme, allele B was the restriction enzyme-digested PCR product. Digestion revealed 3 genotypes, AA (331 bp), AB (331, 311, and 20 bp), and BB (311 and 20 bp). Significances of the genotype effects were estimated by GLM procedure of SAS. This study showed that genotype effect on length of pregnancy were significant (P<0.01). Animals homozygous for allele A had higher length of pregnancy ((P<0.01, AA=279.17±0.47, AB=276.96±0.57, BB=274.8±2.2).

Morphological discrimination between two populations of shemaya, Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae), using a truss network

Discriminación morfológica entre dos poblaciones del alburno del Danubio, Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae), utilizando una red en celosía Recientemente se han criticado diversos métodos de medición de parámetros corporales, que se utilizaban en la identificación de los linajes, debido a la debilidad y los sesgos inherentes a ellos. Como alternativa, cada vez se está usando más un nuevo sistema de medición morfométrica denomiado red en celosía, para la identificación de los linajes. Nosotros hemos estudiado las diferenciaciones morfométricas entre dos poblaciones y en los dos sexos del alburno del Danubio (Chalcalburnus chalcoides) utilizando este tipo de red. Se midieron las distancias entre 15 puntos determinados o nudos de la celosía en 66 especímenes. Se evaluaron las transformaciones del ajuste del tamaño dividiendo las características (distancias entre nudos) por el valor del centroide del espécimen. Se llevaron a cabo análisis de varianza multivariante (AMOVA), análisis de componentes principales y análisis de discriminación para investigar la distinción y los patrones de las variaciones morfológicas entre pobla­ciones y sexos. El AMOVA (test de Wilks) indicaba una diferencia significativa para los vectores medios entre poblaciones (? = 0,136; F = 7,76; P < 0,001) y sexos (? = 0,120; F = 45,32; P < 0,001). El análisis de discriminación clasificó correctamente el 97% y el 89,4% de las muestras en sus grupos originales de población y sexo, respectivamente. Nuestros resultados respaldan el uso de las redes en celosía para es­tudiar la variación morfológica entre poblaciones, ya que proporcionan perspectivas muy interesantes para el estudio de los patrones de diversidad.

Chemical composition and some anti-nutrient content of raw and processed bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) seed for use as feeding stuff in poultry diet

An experiment was conducted to determine chemical composition of raw and treated bitter vetch seed for use in poultry diets. Processing methods were: soaked in water for 12 h, then autoclaved and dried (SA); coarsely ground, soaked in water for 24 h, autoclaved and dried (GSA); coarsely ground, soaked in water for 47 h with exchange of water every 12 h, cooked and dried (GSC); coarsely ground, soaked in solution of 1% acetic acid for 24 h at 60 degrees C and dried (GAA). Raw bitter vetch seed was contained 94.52, 26.56, 0.4, 58.86, 3.38, 5.32, 12.28 and 14.20 percent DM, CP, EE, NFE, Ash, CF, ADF and NDF, respectively. Its GE, AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values were 18.10, 13.15, 14.38, 14.10 and 14.69 MJ/kg, respectively. Results indicated that bitter vetch is a good source of Fe (340 ppm) and Cu (46.7 ppm). It s amino acid profile was suitable and methionine was the first limiting amino acid when compared with broiler and layer chicks requirements. Its canavanine and tannin content were 0.78 and 6.7 mg/kgDM, respectively. Processing methods improved CP and in some cases AMEn. All processing methods especially GSC resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in canavanine and tannin.

Crystal structure of dimethyl (2E)-2-[(tert-butylamino)(1,3-dimethyl- 2,4,6-trioxotetrahydropyrimidin-5(2H)-ylidene)methyl]but-2-enedioate, C17H23N3O7

C17H23N3O7, monoclinic, P121/c1 (no. 14), a = 15.231(3) Å, b = 15.641(3) Å, c = 7.800(2) Å, β = 97.53(3)°, V = 1842.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.040, wRref(F2) = 0.115, T = 193 K.

Adaptation of the cellscan technique for the SCM test in breast cancer

The value of the SCM (Structuredness of Cytoplasmic Matrix) cancer test, a procedure based on the detection of differences in lymphocyte activation in the presence and absence of cancer, has remained controversial, with inconsistent results having been reported among investigators. The Cellscan, a high-precision static cytometer system, has been designed to perform the SCM test; the apparatus facilitates the polarisation measurements and can examine cells which have been separated by simpler procedures than were originally described. In this study, using methods and diagnostic criteria adapted for the Cellscan system in a hospital environment, the SCM test correctly classified over 90% (76/80) of patients with breast cancer and differentiated over 90% (72/73) of individuals without cancer.

Agenesis of the gallbladder found at laparoscopy for cholecystectomy: an unpleasant surprise

Gallbladder agenesis is a rare condition that results from the failure of the cystic bud to develop in the 4th wk of intrauterine life. Agenesis is usually discovered at laparotomy for cholecystectomy since ultrasound examination of a patient with suggestive symptoms not visualizing the gallbladder is compatible with chronic cholecystitis (shrunken gallbladder). The surgeon must prove agenesis by thoroughly examining the most common sites for ectopic gallbladders and by performing intraoperative cholangiograms. For unexplained reasons, most of the patients become asymptomatic after the operation. We present a new case of adult agenesis of the gallbladder in a patient who was taken to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for presumptive cholelithiasis.