A new Robertsonian translocation in Holstein-Friesian cattle

A new Robertsonian translocation was found in a cow of the Holstein-Friesian breed. GTG-banding allowed us to elucidate the anomaly as a centric fusion between chromosomes 19 and 21. CBG-banding demonstrated that the translocated chromosome was dicentric. Cytogenetic investigation of the relatives of the translocated animal revealed two other carriers.Une nouvelle translocation robertsonienne a été mise en évidence chez une vache de race Holstein. La coloration en bandes GTG nous a permis d’identifier les chromosomes impliqués dans la translocation. Il s’agit des chromosomes 19 et 21. La coloration en bandes CBG montre que le chromosome transloqué est dicentrique. Une analyse cytogénétique des apparentés de l’animal porteur a permis de mettre en évidence aux autres animaux porteurs

A pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 in pigs

International audienc

Burn wound healing effects of the root hydroethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii in mice

Cochlospermum planchonii is a plant traditionally used in Togo to treat burn wounds. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of the root hydroethanolic extract of Cochlospermum planchonii on the skin burn wounds. Burns were induced in ICR mice by applying on the skin of the dorsal region with a metal stick (0.7 cm diameter) preheated at 100 °C for 10 seconds. Four (4) groups of 8 mice were formed, Control Group (I); Group II, III and IV treated respectively with C. planchonii gel 2.5%, 5%, and Brulex® (Zinc oxide 15% cream). The surfaces of the wounds were evaluated daily by the ImageJ software. Biopsies were performed on day six and twelve for hydroxyproline assays and histological examinations. On the 12th day, wound contraction rates were 44.12%, 67.82%, 66.68% and 69.32% respectively for Group I, Group II, Group III and Group IV. Hydroxyproline levels on day 12 were significantly higher in samples of animals treated with C. planchonii 2.5% and 5% (+114,93 ± 1,61 and +120,54 ± 7,22 of augmentation respectively, P<0.01 when compared to the control group). Histological examination confirmed these observations. C. planchonii root hydroethanolic extract could be a potentially natural remedy for burn wound

Tecnología de la elaboración de quesos: experiencias de investigación aplicada y capacitación para estudiantes, técnicos, pequeños productores y la comunidad en general

Con un volumen de unos 11.300 millones de litros anuales, la Argentina es el segundo productor de leche de Latinoamérica, luego de Brasil. Los quesos constituyen el destino industrial más importante de la leche en nuestro país. Con los objetivos de 1) difundir los aspectos más salientes de los procesos de transformación de leche en productos elaborados para el público en general y 2) realizar aportes en la mejora de los procesos de producción de quesos para pequeños productores y técnicos del sector, hemos venido realizando en los últimos años diferentes actividades desde el Laboratorio de Investigación en Productos Agroindustriales (LIPA) de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Así, se organizaron talleres y cursos de capacitación para diferentes grupos: a) alumnos de educación inicial interesados en conocer los fundamentos del proceso de transformación de leche en queso, b) estudiantes de colegios secundarios agropecuarios con interés en profundizar en aspectos de calidad e industrialización de leche, c) estudiantes de la carrera de biotecnología de la UNLP con curiosidad por conocer cómo herramientas de interés desarrolladas biotecnológicamente (cuajo, cultivos iniciadores) son empleadas en la industria, d) pequeños productores y técnicos con interés de mejorar sus productos y servicios. Asimismo, en el laboratorio se llevan adelante investigaciones aplicadas tendientes a determinar la influencia de factores de proceso sobre la calidad y estabilidad de quesos. Algunos de los aspectos analizados incluyen la influencia del nivel de grasa de la leche sobre la calidad sensorial, composición de quesos, la optimización de la obtención de ricota a partir de leche, la influencia de la intensidad de lavado de la masa sobre las propiedades funcionales de queso cremoso. La combinación de investigación aplicada y actividades de capacitación y divulgación resulta una estrategia indispensable para poder transferir los conocimientos disponibles en las instituciones universitarias al medio así como para retroalimentar a la universidad con problemáticas reales y los saberes del sector productivo

The Unknown Risk of Vertical Transmission in Sleeping Sickness—A Literature Review

Children with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) present with a range of generally non-specific symptoms. Late diagnosis is frequent with often tragic outcomes. Trypanosomes can infect the foetus by crossing the placenta. Unequivocal cases of congenital infection that have been reported include newborn babies of infected mothers who were diagnosed with HAT in the first 5 days of life and children of infected mothers who had never entered an endemic country themselves

Restricted Application of Insecticides: A Promising Tsetse Control Technique, but What Do the Farmers Think of It?

Restricted application of insecticides to cattle is a cheap and safe farmer-based method to control tsetse and the diseases they transmit, i.e. human and animal African trypanosomoses. The efficiency of this new control method has been demonstrated earlier but no data is available on its perception and adoption intensity by farmers. We studied these two features in Burkina Faso, where the method has diffused thanks to two development projects. The study allowed identifying three groups of farmers with various adoption intensities, of which one was modern and two traditional. The economic benefit and the farmers' knowledge of the epidemiological system appeared to have a low impact on the early adoption process whereas some modern practices, as well as social factors appeared critical. The quality of technical support provided to the farmers had also a great influence on the adoption rate. The study highlighted individual variations in risk perceptions and benefits, as well as the prominent role of the socio-technical network of cattle farmers. The results of the study are discussed to highlight the factors that should be taken into consideration, to move discoveries from bench to field for an improved control of trypanosomoses vectors