The stimulation of testosterone and LH secretion by synthetic GnRH in the male Cape porcupine

The effects of GnRH stimulation on plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in Cape porcupine males were examined by analysing plasma collected before and after an intravenous injection of GnRH. In six mature males and one subadult, which were given an intravenous injection of 0,5 ml saline, levels of plasma testosterone and LH did not increase. Four weeks later an intravenous GnRH challenge (40 μg) caused plasma testosterone to rise three-fold and LH to rise 10-15-fold within 180 min in five of the mature males. Peaks of plasma testosterone and LH occurred 90 and 120 min, respectively, after stimulation, and baseline and peak levels of both hormones were significantly related

Torulaspora delbrueckii Yeast Strains for Small-scale Chenin blanc and Pinotage Vinifications

Nine Torulaspora delbrueckii yeast strains, a commercial T. delbrueckii strain and a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain were used in the production of small‑scale Chenin blanc and Pinotage vinifications. The fermentations were carried out at 15°C and 24°C respectively. Four T. delbrueckii yeasts were used as single inoculants, while the remainder were inoculated sequentially. The commercial S. cerevisiae yeast strains were added at zero, 24 and 48 hours after the T. delbrueckii strain. The wines were evaluated chemically and sensorially and the data was analysed statistically. The results for the white wine vinification trial showed that two T. delbrueckii treatments could produce novel wines, either on their own or as a component of co‑inoculated fermentations. These compared well with, and even exceeded, the quality of wine produced by the S. cerevisiae reference treatment regarding chemical composition and overall sensory quality. One T. delbrueckii strain showed its robustness by being re-isolated from the yeast lees at the end of fermentation. The red wine vinifications were less conclusive, and no distinctive T. delbrueckii “fingerprint” was observed in the chemical and sensory data, neither was a pattern observed regarding the different inoculation times

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African Merino wool IV. Scaliness

A study of the scaliness of South African Merino wool samples showed that the percentage differences in friction between the two directions varied from 3.0 per cent. to 130 per cent. At 70 per cent. relative humidity and 70°F. the mean was 66.0 per cent., the standard deviation 17.6 per cent. and the coefficient of variability 26.6 per cent. No difference in scaliness between different fineness groups within a staple was obtained. Between samples, however, a significant negative correlation of -0.3428 between percentage difference in friction and fibre fineness was obtained. The value obtained for a sample was concluded to be characteristic of the sample, and not of any particular group of fibres used for the determination. The regression coefficient of percentage difference in friction on fibre fineness was -2.30, a significant value, showing that on the average the percentage difference in friction decreases by 2.30 per cent. for every micron increase in the fibre fineness of the sample. The values for coefficient of friction for the different quality numbers of South African Merino wool are given. Wool from rams gave a lower value for scaliness concordant with a coarser wool. The scaliness of the wool grown by three sheep on constant feed decreased with age, though no corresponding changes in fibre fineness occurred.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Lizard epidermal gland secretions II : chemical characterization of the generation gland secretion of the sungazer, Cordylus giganteus

The original publication is available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/np1008366In lizards, the epidermal glands of the femoral and precloacal regions are involved in the production of semiochemicals. In addition to its femoral glands, the giant girdled lizard, or sungazer, Cordylus giganteus, which is endemic to South Africa, has generation glands as an additional potential source of semiochemicals. These epidermal glands are described as glandular scales that overlay the femoral glands and are included in the normal epidermal profile located in the femoral (thigh) and anterior antebrachial (fore-leg) regions of the male sungazer. GC-MS analysis of the generation gland secretions and the trimethylsilyl derivatives of some of the steroidal constituents was employed to identify 59 constituents, including alkenes, carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, amides, nitriles, and steroids. The quantitative differences of the volatile constituents of the fore- and hind-leg generation glands were compared between individuals. This is the first report on the chemical composition of generation glandular material of lizards. © 2011 The American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy.Post-prin

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African merino wool. I. Breaking strength and tensile strength

A series of South African Merino wool samples, representing wools from different parts of the Union, was analysed for breaking strength and tensile strength. The method of determination, using Doehner's instrument, consisted of bundle tests, this giving average values for larger samples and lots. A portion of the analysis is devoted to the breaking strength and tensile strength of fibres within the same staple. It is shown that the average breaking strength of the coarse fibres within the staple is 6.66 (± .504) grammes. That of the fine fibres is 4.38 (± .300) grammes, so that the course fibres are 52 per cent. stronger per fibre than the fine fibres. The practical significance of this is discussed. Breeding aspects are discussed and it is shown that the Merino breeder, in striving for uniformity of fibre fineness, will tend to attain uniformity in fibre length and also in the breaking strength of the fibres. The average tensile strength of the coarse fibres within the staple is 1.32 (± 0·058) and that of the fine fibres is 1·46 (± ·070), (expressed as grammes per square cm. x 10⁶). When fibres within the same staple are considered, there is a significant correlation of · 9508 ( ± · 7938) between fibre diameter and breaking strength and a significant negative correlation of - ·4822 ( ± ·0456) between fibre diameter and tensile strength. The average breaking strength (per fibre) of representative South African Merino wool samples ranges from 1 to 11 grammes with a mean of 5 ·50 grammes. The tensile strength of South African .Merino wool varies from 0 · 6 to 1· 6 ( x 10⁶) grammes per square centimetre with an average of 1· 243 ( x 10⁶) grammes per square centimetre of fibre. The latter figure can also be expressed as 8 tons per square inch or 12 · 4 kilogrammes per square millimeter of fibre. When different samples are considered there is a significant correlation (r = 0 · 896 ± 0 · 0186) between fibre fineness and breaking strength, but an insignificant correlation ( r= -0.1780±0.0911) between fibre fineness and tensile strength. The regression coefficient of the breaking load on fibre fineness is 0 · 445 ( ± · 0208) indicating that, on an average, every increase of 1µ in fibre fineness is associated with an increase of 0 · 445 grammes in the breaking strength.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

HIV/AIDS mortality trends pre and post ART for 1997 - 2012 in South Africa – have we turned the tide?

Background. South Africa (SA) has one of the largest HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world and the most extensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme globally, which was rolled out from 2004. This paper reports the trends in HIV/AIDS mortality pre and post ART rollout in SA. Methods. Vital registration cause-of-death data from Statistics South Africa were adjusted for under-reporting of deaths using demographic methods. Misattributed HIV/AIDS deaths were identified by regressing excess mortality on a lagged indicator HIV antenatal clinic prevalence for causes found to be associated with HIV/AIDS. Background trends in the source-cause mortality rates were estimated from the trend in cause-specific mortality experienced among 75 - 84-year-olds. Mortality rates were calculated using mid-year population estimates and the World Health Organization world standard age-weights. Results. We estimated over 3 189 000 HIV/AIDS deaths for 1997 - 2012. In 1997, 60 336 (14.5%) of deaths were attributed to HIV/AIDS; this number peaked in 2006 at 283 564 (41.9%) and decreased to 153 661 (29.1%) by 2012; female mortality rates peaked in 2005 and those of males in 2006. Men aged 35 years and older had higher mortality rates than did women. While the rates at ages below 65 years in 2012 were lower than those in 2006, rates of those age 65 years and older remained unchanged. Conclusion. The number of HIV/AIDS deaths has almost halved since the ART rollout. Of concern is the high mortality in men 45 years and older and the high mortality of men compared with women in the older ages by 2012; this gap has increased with age. Treatment and prevention programmes should strategise how to target men