CLAY SOIL STABILISATION USING POWDERED GLASS

This paper assesses the stabilizing effect of powdered glass on clay soil. Broken waste glass was collected and ground into powder form suitable for addition to the clay soil in varying proportions namely 1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% along with 15% cement (base) by weight of the soil sample throughout. Consequently, the moisture content, specific gravity, particle size distribution and Atterberg limits tests were carried out to classify the soil using the ASSHTO classification system. Based on the results, the soil sample obtained corresponded to Group A-6 soils identified as ‘fair to poor’ soil type in terms of use as drainage and subgrade material. This justified stabilisation of the soil. Thereafter, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and direct shear tests were carried out on the soil with and without the addition of the powdered glass. The results showed improvement in the maximum dry density values on addition of the powdered glass and with corresponding gradual increase up to 5% glass powder content after which it started to decrease at 10% and 15% powdered glass content. The highest CBR values of 14.90% and 112.91% were obtained at 5% glass powder content and 5mm penetration for both the unsoaked and soaked treated samples respectively. The maximum cohesion and angle of internal friction values of 17.0 and 15.0 respectively were obtained at 10% glass powder content

Genetic variation amongst four rabbit populations in Nigeria using microsatellite marker

Seven microsatellite markers were used with 100 genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolated from New Zealand White, New Zealand Red, Californian White and Chinchilla rabbit breeds in Nigeria to determine genetic variation amongst the breeds. Power of microsatellite markers i.e. combined exclusion probabilities (CEP) and polymorphism information content (PIC) of markers; were determined to ascertain the informativeness of the markers. Equal number of samples were obtained from each of the rabbit population. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using each marker, isolated DNA, double distilled water and PCR Master Mix. PCR products generated were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on an ABI 3730 DNA Sequencer. DNA bands were scored based on size of ladder with Gene Scan 3.1.2. Bands obtained were designated as alleles and prepared into Excel Worksheet with Microsatellite Analyzer version 4.05 software and allele frequencies were generated. Mean inbreeding coefficient across loci (FIS) was 0.0201 and average genetic differentiation (FST) among breeds was 0.0479. Seventy nine alleles of which 18.98% were rare and 81.02% represent fixed alleles across the rabbit populations were observed. PIC per marker across populations ranged from 0.6800 (SAT 8) to 0.8100 (SOL 28) indicating that the markers were informative (PIC ≥ 0.50). CEP across markers and populations was 0.999999, meaning that the selected microsatellite markers were suitable for parentage verification of these four rabbit breeds. Keywords: Genetic differentiation, informativeness, microsatellite markers, DNA, Electrophoresis, rabbit

A postal survey of hydrosalpinx management prior to IVF in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated concern about the presence of hydrosalpinx and its management in patients undergoing IVF. We evaluated the current management of hydrosalpinx prior to IVF treatment in the UK. METHODS: A total of 117 postal survey, anonymous, sealed questionnaires were sent to all IVF centres in the UK, to determine the policy for the management of hydrosalpinx in infertile women prior to IVF treatment. RESULTS: There were 88 (75%) responders, of which 80 (91%) indicated that they discussed the effect of hydrosalpinx on IVF outcome. Ten (12%) units did not recommend treatment of hydrosalpinx prior to IVF treatment, while 30 (36%), 27 (33%) and 16 (19%) recommended treatment weakly, strongly and very strongly respectively. The treatment options offered by clinicians were laparoscopic salpingectomy (75%), open salpingectomy (45%), salpingostomy (40%), proximal tubal occlusion (34%), transvaginal songraphic (TVS) aspiration during oocyte collection (23%) and TVS aspiration before oocyte collection (10%). The frequency of use varied from one option of treatment to another. Only 28% of the responders had a protocol or guidelines for the management of hydrosalpinx. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be given to patients with hydrosalpinx prior to IVF treatment and patients should be counselled about the negative effect of hydrosalpinx on IVF outcome. There is a wide variation in the management of hydrosalpinx prior to IVF treatment in the UK and many treatment options may be questionable, as they are not yet based on evidence

Four zona pellucida glycoproteins are expressed in the human

BACKGROUND: The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular glycoprotein matrix which surrounds all mammalian oocytes. Recent data have shown the presence of four human zona genes (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZPB). The aim of the study was to determine if all four ZP proteins are expressed and present in the human. METHODS: cDNA derived from human oocytes were used to amplify by PCR the four ZP genes. In addition, isolated native human ZP were heat‐solubilized, trypsin‐digested and subjected to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). RESULTS: All four genes were expressed and the respective proteins present in the human ZP. Moreover, a bioinformatics approach showed that the mouse ZPB gene, although present, is likely to encode a non‐functional protein. CONCLUSIONS: Four ZP genes are expressed in human oocytes (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZPB) and preliminary data show that the four corresponding ZP proteins are present in the human ZP. Therefore, this is a fundamental difference with the mouse model