Influence of Ovarian Follicle Sizes and Estrous Signs on Pregnancy Following Progesterone-Based Fixed Time Artificial Insemination in Water Buffaloes

The objectives of the present study were to elucidate the importance of follicle sizes and estrous signs during Controlled Internal Drug Release-Synch-human Chorionic Gonadotropin (CIDR-Synch-hCG) protocol for Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) and to evaluate their association with pregnancy in water buffaloes. Data from riverine buffaloes (n = 207) under the CIDR-Synch-hCG protocol were analyzed. Buffaloes were administered with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) with insertion of CIDR on Day 0. Prostaglandin (PGF2α) was given on Day 7 with the removal of CIDR. hCG was given on Day 9, and AI was performed on Day 10. Follicle measurements by ultrasonography were done on Days 0, 7, and 10, and follicle sizes on those days were categorized into I, II, and III. Estrus signs were taken on the day of AI. The pregnancy diagnosis was done on Day 30-35 post-AI. The average size of follicles in Category III is significantly higher than those of Categories I and II, regardless of the Days of the protocol. Pregnancy is significantly (P<0.001) associated with Pre-Ovulatory Follicle (POF) size and uterine tonicity on the Day of AI but not with follicle sizes on Days 0 and 7, nor with mucus discharge discharge (P>0.05). The overall pregnancy rate is 44.44% while performing AI with POF size ≥12.0 mm increased the probability of pregnancy rate to 56.25%. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated a follicle size-based CIDR-Synch-hCG protocol providing new fertility indicators to improve FTAI efficiency in buffaloes with huge application in other livestock species

Synthesis and investigation of antimicrobial activity of some bisbenzimidazole-derived chelating agents

The 1,2-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-1,2-ethanediol (1), 1,4-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol (2), 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane (3), 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thia-propane-dihydrochloride (4), 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane (5), and 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane dihydrochloride (6) chelating ligands are synthesised and characterised by using analytical data and modem spectroscopic methods such as FT-Raman, FT-IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR spectrometers. Their antimicrobial activities are reported by comparing the in vitro activities, with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, piperacillin, ampicillin and cefazolin antibacterial agents against fresh clinical isolates. Antifungal activities are reported on Candida albicans, Candida utilis, Cryptococcus neoformans fungi, and the results are referenced with amphotericin-B, fluconazole and flucytosine antifungal agents. It has been found that all the compounds have broad spectra activity and was either more active or equipotent to those compared antibiotic and antifungal agents. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

Structural characterization and antimicrobial activity of 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane ligand and its Pd(II) and Zn(II) halide complexes

1,3-Bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane(L) forms 5-coordinate square pyramidal and 4-coordinate tetrahedral, monometallic complexes with PdCl2 and ZnX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) respectively. In the palladium complex, the ligand acts as a chelating tridentate, through two of the nitrogen atoms in the imidazole ring and the sulfur atom of the bridging group together with two chloride ions forming a rare five coordinate complex. In the zinc halide complexes, the ligand acts as chelating bidentate, via two of the nitrogen atoms combined with two halide ions giving common tetrahedral complexes. The ligand and its complexes are characterized by analytical data and spectroscopic methods such as FT-aman, FT-IR (mid-IR, far-IR), H-1 and C-13 NMR. Their antimicrobial activities are evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against 10 bacteria, each with multiple, fresh clinical isolates (10-15), and the results are compared with those of ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, ofloxacin, and piperacillin antibacterial agents. The compound's antifungal activities are reported on Candida albicans, Candida utilis, and Cryptococcus neoformans yeasts, each with multiple isolates (10), and the results are referenced with amphotericin-B, fluconazole and flucytosine antifungal agents. In most cases, the compounds show broad-spectrum (Gram(+) and Gram(-)) activities that are either, more active, or equipotent to, the antibiotic and antifungal agents in the comparison tests. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

Assessment of Personal Hygiene, Sanitation, and Operational Practices of a Smoked Fish Production Facility in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

This study evaluated the personal hygiene, sanitation, and operational practices of a smoked fish production facility in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, aiming to enhance food safety standards and promote better worker health within the facility. A survey and face-to-face interview were conducted to gather the needed information. The facility demonstrated strong knowledge of food safety principles, including personal hygiene and sanitation, specifically on the use of protective gear, with 5 level of agreement or strongly agree on the answered statements. However, the study found that the facility’s practices fell short in several areas, including infrequent handwashing among workers, inadequate handwashing stations, inconsistent documentation, insufficient temperature control, and a lack of formal sanitation documentation. The facility also needs to improve its training program to ensure that workers are up-to-date on best practices. The study provided recommendations for improvement, including investing in reliable temperature monitoring systems, conducting regular training sessions for workers on HACCP principles, implementing a system for maintaining detailed records of production and maintenance, encouraging employees to wash their hands frequently during shifts, installing traps and implementing a regular pest control program, and ensuring that all finished products are properly labeled with accurate product information and nutritional content

CHMP1A encodes an essential regulator of BMI1-INK4A in cerebellar development

Charged multivesicular body protein 1A (CHMP1A; also known as chromatin-modifying protein 1A) is a member of the ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport-III) complex but is also suggested to localize to the nuclear matrix and regulate chromatin structure. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutations in human CHMP1A cause reduced cerebellar size (pontocerebellar hypoplasia) and reduced cerebral cortical size (microcephaly). CHMP1A-mutant cells show impaired proliferation, with increased expression of INK4A, a negative regulator of stem cell proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation suggests loss of the normal INK4A repression by BMI in these cells. Morpholino-based knockdown of zebrafish chmp1a resulted in brain defects resembling those seen after bmi1a and bmi1b knockdown, which were partially rescued by INK4A ortholog knockdown, further supporting links between CHMP1A and BMI1-mediated regulation of INK4A. Our results suggest that CHMP1A serves as a critical link between cytoplasmic signals and BMI1-mediated chromatin modifications that regulate proliferation of central nervous system progenitor cells

SLC25A22 is a novel gene for migrating partial seizures in infancy

Objective To identify a genetic cause for migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI). Methods We characterized a consanguineous pedigree with MPSI and obtained DNA from affected and unaffected family members. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism 500K data to identify regions with evidence of linkage. We performed whole exome sequencing and analyzed homozygous variants in regions of linkage to identify a candidate gene and performed functional studies of the candidate gene SLC25A22. Results In a consanguineous pedigree with 2 individuals with MPSI, we identified 2 regions of linkage, chromosome 4p16.1-p16.3 and chromosome 11p15.4-pter. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified 8 novel homozygous variants in genes in these regions. Only 1 variant, SLC25A22 c.G328C, results in a change of a highly conserved amino acid (p.G110R) and was not present in control samples. SLC25A22 encodes a glutamate transporter with strong expression in the developing brain. We show that the specific G110R mutation, located in a transmembrane domain of the protein, disrupts mitochondrial glutamate transport. Interpretation We have shown that MPSI can be inherited and have identified a novel homozygous mutation in SLC25A22 in the affected individuals. Our data strongly suggest that SLC25A22 is responsible for MPSI, a severe condition with few known etiologies. We have demonstrated that a combination of linkage analysis and whole exome sequencing can be used for disease gene discovery. Finally, as SLC25A22 had been implicated in the distinct syndrome of neonatal epilepsy with suppression bursts on electroencephalogram, we have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with SLC25A22. Ann Neurol 2013;74:873-882 © 2013 American Neurological Association

Design of a Printed Yagi Array Antenna with Additional Director Element for Broadband Radar Applications

In this paper, design, simulation, production and measurement of a coplanar broad-band microstrip antenna printed on an alumina ceramic substrate is presented. Antenna may be used as an element in a radar applications operating at X-band (8 GHz-12 GHz). The antenna driven system consists of one more directors because of the requirements of directivity. The reason of using high dielectric substrates the antenna can be printed on very small spaces. Antenna in Package structure's temperatures rising up rapidly in radar applications so the use of ceramic substrates also has the advantage of using the antenna in high temperature conditions. The whole structure achieves a measured 52% frequency bandwidth for voltage standing-wave ratio <= 2 and 8-10 dBi absolute gain. The minimum line widths on the antenna is about 25 mu m so thin film technology is used in the fabrication process importance of the antenna

1,2-Bis-(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2-ethanediol and 1,4-bis-(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol PdCl2 complexes

The 1,2-bis-(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2-ethanediol (EH2) and 1,4-bis-(2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol (TH4) ligands form 4-coordinate mono- and bi-metallic complexes with PdCl2, respectively. In Pd(EH2)Cl-2 the ligand acts as a bidentate through two of the nitrogen atoms. On the other hand, in Pd-2(TH4)Cl-4 the ligand coordinates to two palladium atoms through both bis-benzimidazole nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms of the hydroxy groups, forming two different isomers. The complexes were characterised by analytical data, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and also by i.r., H-1- and C-13-n.m.r. spectra

The prevalance of verocytotoxigenic E-coli O157 : H7 in minced and ground beef sold in Afyon Province, Turkey

During the past decade, an important zoonosis causing serious public health concern has emerged in the form of Escherichia coli O157 infections. E coli O157:H7 has the potential to produce life-threatening illness in humans