Genetic and economic differences between alternative methods of gene conservation (small populations, frozen semen and frozen embryos)

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Developmental and tissue-specific expression of the Q5k gene

Expression of the Q5k gene was examined by northern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the AKR mouse and various cell lines, each of the H-2k haplotype. Our results show that Q5k mRNA is present during the whole postimplantational development of the AKR embryo/fetus (gestation day 6 to 15). In the juvenile mouse (week 2 to 4) transcription of the Q5k gene persisted in all organs examined. In contrast, in the adult animal expression of the Q5k gene was limited to the thymus and uterus of the pregnant mouse. Upon malignant transformation, the amount of Q5k-specific mRNA increased dramatically in thymus and could also be observed in the spleen of thymoma bearing animals. Expression of the Q5k gene was also detectable in several transformed mouse cell lines. Mitogen stimulation or treatment with cytokines induced Q5k expression in primary spleen cell cultures. A possible explanation for the tissue-restricted expression in the adult AKR mouse is discussed

Reciprocal X;1 translocation in a calf

International audienc

Hydrodebridement of wounds: effectiveness in reducing wound bacterial contamination and potential for air bacterial contamination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to assess the level of air contamination with bacteria after surgical hydrodebridement and to determine the effectiveness of hydro surgery on bacterial reduction of a simulated infected wound.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four porcine samples were scored then infected with a broth culture containing a variety of organisms and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The infected samples were then debrided with the hydro surgery tool (Versajet, Smith and Nephew, Largo, Florida, USA). Samples were taken for microbiology, histology and scanning electron microscopy pre-infection, post infection and post debridement. Air bacterial contamination was evaluated before, during and after debridement by using active and passive methods; for active sampling the SAS-Super 90 air sampler was used, for passive sampling settle plates were located at set distances around the clinic room.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no statistically significant reduction in bacterial contamination of the porcine samples post hydrodebridement. Analysis of the passive sampling showed a significant (<it>p </it>< 0.001) increase in microbial counts post hydrodebridement. Levels ranging from 950 colony forming units per meter cubed (CFUs/m³) to 16780 CFUs/m³were observed with active sampling of the air whilst using hydro surgery equipment compared with a basal count of 582 CFUs/m³. During removal of the wound dressing, a significant increase was observed relative to basal counts (<it>p </it>< 0.05). Microbial load of the air samples was still significantly raised 1 hour post-therapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest a significant increase in bacterial air contamination both by active sampling and passive sampling. We believe that action might be taken to mitigate fallout in the settings in which this technique is used.</p

Perfil energético-nitrogenado en caprinos del nordesteargentino según estaciones en dos años con diferente régimen pluvial

Las deficiencias nutricionales generalmente se manifiestan en forma subclínica con alteraciones de algún índice productivo y solo pueden ser detectadas con ayuda del laboratorio. La determinación e interpretación de ciertos pará­metros bioquímicos permiten evaluar el estado metabólico del animal, transformándose en una valiosa herramienta para el diagnóstico poblacional del rodeo. En el nordeste argentino la producción caprina es de tipo familiar y extensiva; la alimentación se basa casi exclusi­vamente en el pastizal natural, arbustales y montes, con gran variabilidad estacional de la calidad y cantidad de la oferta forrajera, supeditada al comportamiento del régimen pluvio­métrico. Como parte de un proyecto mayor, se presenta aquí el comportamiento estacional de algunos indicadores bioquímicos en el ganado caprino de la región, determinados durante dos años consecutivos. El trabajo se llevó a cabo en establecimientos de las localidades de Riachuelo, Paso de la Patria y Empedrado en la Provincia de Corrientes. El muestreo se efectuó en forma estacional sobre un total de 150 animales de todas las categorías, durante dos años con registros pluviométricos muy diferentes: 2008 (950 mm) y 2009 (1.490 mm). Se determinaron parámetros sanguíneos del perfil energético-nitrogenado a través de técni­cas espectrofotométricas de absorción molecular. Todos los parámetros del perfil lipídico se incrementaron durante el verano del año más lluvioso; colesterol HDL y total también lo hi­cieron en la primavera más seca y este último en el invierno más lluvioso. Colesterol LDL se incrementó en invierno del primer año y en otoño del segundo. En invierno y primavera del año más seco los animales cursaron con descensos de proteínas totales y albúminas, respec­tivamente. La hipoglucemia se manifestó en el otoño e invierno más seco y durante el verano de ambos años. Se concluye que la variación estacional registrada en algunos indicadores del perfil energético-proteico podría adjudicarse a cambios en la pastura ocasionados por las grandes diferencias pluviométricas observadas entre ambos años

Expression Profiling of the Wheat Pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici Reveals Genomic Patterns of Transcription and Host-Specific Regulatory Programs

Host specialization by pathogens requires a repertoire of virulence factors as well as fine-tuned regulation of gene expression. The fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici (synonym Mycosphaerella graminicola) is a powerful model system for the discovery of genetic elements that underlie virulence and host specialization. We transcriptionally profiled the early stages of Z. tritici infection of a compatible host (wheat) and a noncompatible host (Brachypodium distachyon). The results revealed infection regulatory programs common to both hosts and genes with striking wheat-specific expression, with many of the latter showing sequence signatures of positive selection along the Z. tritici lineage. Genes specifically regulated during infection of wheat populated two large clusters of coregulated genes that may represent candidate pathogenicity islands. On evolutionarily labile, repeat-rich accessory chromosomes (ACs), we identified hundreds of highly expressed genes with signatures of evolutionary constraint and putative biological function. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that gene duplication events on these ACs were rare and largely preceded the diversification of Zymoseptoria species. Together, our data highlight the likely relevance for fungal growth and virulence of hundreds of Z. tritici genes, deepening the annotation and functional inference of the genes of this model pathogen

Degradación ruminal de materia seca de Morus sp en caprinos en diferentes estaciones del año

El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar la degradabilidad ruminal de la materia seca (MS) de hojas de morera en caprinos. Se procedió a determinar el contenido de MS por secado de las muestras en estufa a 105°C durante 12 h. Para la evaluación de la cinética de degradación de MS se utilizó la técnica de digestión ruminal in situ, en 4 caprinos machoscon fístula ruminal permanente. En cada estación se incubaron muestras de 3 g del forraje en bolsitas de dacrón con una porosidad de 50 μm. Los tiempos de incubación fueron 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 y 72 h; luego de retiradas las bolsitas fueron colocadas en estufa a 60°C durante 48 h y pesadas para cuantificar la MS degradada por diferencia de peso del material desaparecido. Los datos fueron analizados con los programas estadísticos SAS e Infostat. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la fracción soluble se mantuvo constante en otoño y primavera, disminuyendo hacia el verano (p&lt;0,05) y que para la fracción indigerible se registraron aumentos en el verano. La fracción lentamente degradable, la tasa de degradación ruminal y el tiempo de inicio de la degradación, no presentaron variaciones horarias ni estacionales. La degradabilidad potencial de la MS presentó valores altos en las distintas estaciones, mientras que la degradabilidad efectiva -en donde se asumió una tasa de pasaje del 4%- se mantuvo constante. Como conclusión se destaca el alto índice de degradabilidad de MS que presenta esta especie forrajera durante las tres estaciones del año evaluadas y que los compuestos de la pared celular del follaje de morera no impedirían que las bacterias y demás microorganismos celulolíticos de la flora ruminal efectúen una eficiente digestión

Effectiveness of bridge V.A.C. dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Objectives: This is a prospective study of the clinical efficacy of the V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressing for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and methods: Five consecutive patients with diabetic foot ulcers were treated with V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressings and studied over a period of 22&#x2013;48 days. The indications for treatment included diabetic patients with open ray amputation wounds and wounds post-drainage for abscess with exposed deep structures. Clinical outcome was measured in terms of reduction in wound dimensions, presence of wound granulation, microbial clearance, and development of wound complications. Results: Our results showed that with V.A.C. therapy, wound healing occurred in all patients. The number of dressings required ranged from 8 to 10. The baseline average wound size was 23.1 cm2. Wound areas shrunk by 18.4&#x2013;41.7%. All subjects achieved 100% wound bed granulation with an average length of treatment of 33 days. Microbial clearance was achieved in all cases. All wounds healed by secondary intention in one case and four cases required split-thickness skin grafting. Conclusion: The V.A.C. Granufoam Bridge Dressing is effective in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. It promotes reduction of wound area, wound bed granulation, and microbial clearance. By allowing placement of the suction pad outside the foot, it allowed patients to wear protective shoes and to walk non-weight bearing with crutches during V.A.C. therapy