Izloženost štakora mononatrijevu l-glutamatu od prenatalne do odrasle dobi: učinci na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteine i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise i zalihu spermija u epididimisu.

This study investigated the effects of exposure of male rats to monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) from prenatal life to adulthood on the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and proteins, serum enzymes, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights. Forty-eight albino rats (40 females and 8 males) were used as starting animals for the study. Being a generational study, the 48 mature albino rats eventually gave birth to the 64 male offspring which were used to conclude the study. Initially, the 40 starting females were randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 10 female rats each, while the 8 males were assigned to the four groups (2 for each) for mating. Females of groups A, B, C and D received 0.0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 2.0 % of MSG respectively in their drinking water. The treatment with MSG for the starting females, which was on a daily basis, started four weeks prior to the introduction of the mating males, and lasted throughout the mating period, pregnancy and delivery, and ended three weeks post-partum. The mating males did not receive MSG as the starting females had access to drinking water containing MSG during the day, and to the mating males during the night. Outside this mating period, the starting females had access to MSG in drinking water for 24 hours daily until 3 weeks post-partum. At the point of weaning (3 weeks post-partum), 64 male offspring (16 each from each of the four groups) were randomly assigned into 16 sub-groups of 4 male offspring each. The 16 male offspring from group A were divided into four sub-groups (A1, A2, A3 and A4), those of B were divided into four sub-groups (B1, B2, B3 and B4), those of C were also divided into four sub-groups (C1, C2, C3 and C4) and those of D were divided into four sub-groups (D1, D2, D3 and D4), all of 4 offspring per sub-group. From that point of weaning, the A1, B1, C1 and D1 sub-groups started receiving 0.0 % of MSG, A2, B2, C2 and D2 sub-groups started receiving 0.5 % of MSG, A3, B3, C3 and D3 sub-groups started receiving 1.0 % of MSG, and A4, B4, C4 and D4 sub-groups started receiving 2.0 % of MSG, all in their drinking water, until adulthood at 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks of age, the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and total protein, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed. Caudal epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights were also determined. The testes were dissected out for histomorphological studies. Results showed that only the sub-groups that were exposed to MSG from weaning age to adulthood (A2, A3 and A4) had mean testosterone levels that were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum cholesterol levels of some of the treated sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control. The mean caudal epididymal sperm reserves, testicular allometric weights, and serum ALT and AST activities of all the treatment sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum total protein levels of groups A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 and D2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the untreated control (A1). Although the mean serum total cholesterol levels of all the treatment sub-groups were lower than that of the untreated control (A1), it was only the values of sub-groups B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 and D4 that showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease. No obvious lesions were observed on the testes of any of the sub-groups. It was concluded that exposure of rats to MSG at the doses used for the study from prenatal life to adulthood led to a significant reduction in serum testosterone and cholesterol levels, mean testicular allometric weights, cauda epididymal sperm reserves, serum activities of ALT and AST, and an increase in serum total protein.Istraženi su učinci mononatrijeva l-glutamata (MNG) na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteina i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise, zalihu spermija u epididimisu kao i alometrijske težine testisa u štakora od prenatalne do odrasle dobi. Istraživanje je započelo odabirom 40 albino štakorica i 8 štakora. S obzirom na to da je riječ o istraživanju učinka na potomcima, od navedenog broja ženki i mužjaka za istraživanje su uzeta 64 muška potomka. Na početku pokusa 40 ženki bilo je nasumce raspoređeno u četiri skupine (A, B, C i D). U svaku skupinu od 10 ženki dodana su i dva mužjaka za parenje. Štakoricama skupine A nije bio primijenjen MNG, onima skupine B bio je primijenjen u koncentraciji 0,5 %, skupini C od 1,0 % i skupini D u koncentraciji od 2,0 % u vodi za piće. Dnevna primjena MNG početnim skupinama ženki započela je četiri tjedna prije uvođenja mužjaka u njihove skupine te je trajala kroz razdoblje parenja, skotnosti i dok su se kotile, a završila je tri tjedna nakon što su se okotile. Mužjacima s kojima su se parile nije bio primijenjen MNG budući da su početne ženke imale pristup pitkoj vodi koja ga je sadržavala samo tijekom dana, a mužjaci tijekom noći. Izvan razdoblja parenja početne ženke imale su pristup pitkoj vodi s MNG tijekom 24 sata sve do trećeg tjedna nakon koćenja. U trenutku zalučenja (tri tjedna nakon koćenja), 64 muška potomka (po 16 iz svake od četiri skupine) bili su nasumce razvrstani u 16 podskupina, po četiri mužjaka u svakoj. Tako je 16 muških potomaka skupine A bilo podijeljeno u 4 podskupine (A1, A2, A3 i A4), skupine B u četiri (B1, B2, B3 i B4), skupine C u četiri (C1, C2, C3 i C4) te one skupine D također u četiri podskupine (D1, D2, D3 i D4) pa su se tako po četiri potomka nalazila u svakoj podskupini. Od trenutka odbijanja od sise podskupine A1, B1, C1 i D1 bile su kontrolne i nisu dobivale MNG. Podskupine A2, B2, C2 i D2 počele su dobivati 0,5 % MNG, podskupine A3, B3, C3 i D3 počele su dobivati 1,0 % MNG, a podskupine A4, B4, C4 i D4 2,0 % MNG u vodi za piće sve do odrasle dobi odnosno do dobi od 16 tjedana. U toj dobi svi su bili pretraženi na razine testosterona, kolesterola i ukupnih proteina u serumu te na aktivnost alanin-aminotransferaze (ALT) i aspartat-aminotransferaze (AST). Također su bile određene rezerve sperme u kaudalnom dijelu epididimisa kao i alometrijske težine testisa. Tkivo testisa bilo je uzeto i za histološku pretragu. Rezultati su pokazali da su samo štakori podskupina koje su bile izložene MNG od trenutka odbijanja od sise do odrasle dobi (A2, A3 i A4) imali srednje razine testosterona značajno manje (P<0,05) nego oni u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Srednje razine kolesterola u nekih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno niže (P<0,05) nego u onih kontrolne skupine. Srednje razine zaliha sperme u epididimisu, alometrijske težine testisa, te aktivnosti ALT i AST u svih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno (P<0,05) niže nego u kontrolne skupine (A1). Srednje razine ukupnih serumskih proteina skupina A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 i D2 bile su značajno (P<0,05) više od onih u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Iako su srednje vrijednosti razina kolesterola u serumu svih pokusnih podskupina bile niže nego u kontrola (A1), samo su vrijednosti u podskupinama B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 i D4 bile značajno smanjene (P<0,05). Oštećenja testisa nisu bila primijećene ni u jednoj podskupini. Zaključuje se da izloženost štakora primijenjenim dozama MNG-a od prenatalne do odrasle dobi dovodi do značajnog smanjenja razina testosterona i kolesterola u serumu, do samnjenja alometrijskih težina testisa, smanjenja zaliha sperme u epididimisu, aktivnosti ALT i AST u serumu te povećanja ukupnih serumskih proteina

Hematološke i biokemijske promjene u serumu nazimica pokusno invadiranih protozoonom Trypanosoma brucei

The aim of this experiment was to study the hematological and serum biochemical changes in domestic cross breed female gilts infected with Trypanosoma brucei parasites. Twelve gilts were purchased from piggeries in Zaria Nigeria and housed in clean, fl y proof pens in two groups of six infected and six controls. The gilts in the infected group were inoculated with approximately 1.8 × 106 Trypanosoma brucei parasites. All the inoculated gilts developed clinical trypanosomosis after a prepatent period of three (3) days. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the mean values of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total white blood cells and differential leukocytes count, serum proteins, aspartate amino transferase, creatine kinase, potassium, inorganic phosphates and calcium between the infected gilts and the controls. The implication of these findings in the pathology of trypanosomosis in this species is discussed.Cilj je bio istražiti hematološke i biokemijske promjene u serumu križanih nazimica invadiranih nametnikom Trypanosoma brucei. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 12 nazimica nabavljenih na svinjogojstvima u Zariji u Nigeriji. Nazimice su bile podijeljene u pokusnu i kontrolnu skupinu te smještene u nastambe potpuno zaštićene od krilatih kukaca. U pokusnoj skupini bile su invadirane s približno 1,8 ×106 parazita Trypanosoma brucei. U svih invadiranih nazimica očitovali su se klinički znakovi tripanosomoze nakon prepatentnog perioda od tri dana. Značajne razlike (P<0,05) bile su primijećene u srednjim vrijednostima hematokrita, leukocita, diferencijalne krvne slike, serumskih proteina, aspartat aminotransferaze, kreatin kinaze, kalija, anorganskih fosfata i kalcija. U radu je raspravljeno značenje tih nalaza u patologiji tripanosomoze u svinja

Triple positivity of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, and HIV and their influence on CD4+ lymphocyte levels in the highly HIV infected population of Abeokuta, Nigeria

Background: Few studies exist on hospital-based seroprevalence of triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV in Nigeria. Objectives: The study aimed at determining the triple positivity of HIV, HBsAg and HCV among HIV-infected individuals in Abeokuta, Nigeria and defining the influence of these triple infections on CD4+ counts of HIV-infected individuals as antiretroviral therapy improves in Nigeria. Methods: Enumeration of CD4+ levels in 183 HIV-infected persons was done with Partec Flow Cytometer. Seropositivity of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody was detected with rapid kits. Results: From the result obtained, significance variance (p&lt;0.05) existed between HIV positive persons and persons who tested positive to HIV/HBV/HCV triple infection before and after the commencement of HAART. Of these infections, 31(16.9%) had HBV/HCV/HIV triple infection, while 152(83.1%) had HIV mono infection only, 56(30.6%) had HBV/HIV dual infection only and 43(23.5%) had HCV/HIV dual infection only. Significant variance (p&lt;0.05) also existed between subjects with CD4 counts of &lt;200 cells/\u3bcl, 200-499 cells/\u3bcl and &gt;500 cells/\u3bcl. Highest seroprevalence of HIV (35.0%) was found in age groups 35-44 years and &gt;65 years had the least (2.7%). Significant variance (p&lt;0.05) also existed in the progression of CD4+ lymphocytes cells between subjects with persistent decrease (32.3%) in CD4+ lymphocytes cells and those with fluctuation in their CD4+ lymphocytes cells (12.9%) after the commencement of ART. Conclusion: The study further confirms that triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV infection is common in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Testing of these triple infections should be a big concern in the best choice and commencement of ART. Also, the study showed that consistent and prolonged use of HAART had a positive impact on the CD4 count of HIV-infected individuals

Izloženost štakora mononatrijevu l-glutamatu od prenatalne do odrasle dobi: učinci na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteine i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise i zalihu spermija u epididimisu.

This study investigated the effects of exposure of male rats to monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) from prenatal life to adulthood on the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and proteins, serum enzymes, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights. Forty-eight albino rats (40 females and 8 males) were used as starting animals for the study. Being a generational study, the 48 mature albino rats eventually gave birth to the 64 male offspring which were used to conclude the study. Initially, the 40 starting females were randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 10 female rats each, while the 8 males were assigned to the four groups (2 for each) for mating. Females of groups A, B, C and D received 0.0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 2.0 % of MSG respectively in their drinking water. The treatment with MSG for the starting females, which was on a daily basis, started four weeks prior to the introduction of the mating males, and lasted throughout the mating period, pregnancy and delivery, and ended three weeks post-partum. The mating males did not receive MSG as the starting females had access to drinking water containing MSG during the day, and to the mating males during the night. Outside this mating period, the starting females had access to MSG in drinking water for 24 hours daily until 3 weeks post-partum. At the point of weaning (3 weeks post-partum), 64 male offspring (16 each from each of the four groups) were randomly assigned into 16 sub-groups of 4 male offspring each. The 16 male offspring from group A were divided into four sub-groups (A1, A2, A3 and A4), those of B were divided into four sub-groups (B1, B2, B3 and B4), those of C were also divided into four sub-groups (C1, C2, C3 and C4) and those of D were divided into four sub-groups (D1, D2, D3 and D4), all of 4 offspring per sub-group. From that point of weaning, the A1, B1, C1 and D1 sub-groups started receiving 0.0 % of MSG, A2, B2, C2 and D2 sub-groups started receiving 0.5 % of MSG, A3, B3, C3 and D3 sub-groups started receiving 1.0 % of MSG, and A4, B4, C4 and D4 sub-groups started receiving 2.0 % of MSG, all in their drinking water, until adulthood at 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks of age, the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and total protein, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed. Caudal epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights were also determined. The testes were dissected out for histomorphological studies. Results showed that only the sub-groups that were exposed to MSG from weaning age to adulthood (A2, A3 and A4) had mean testosterone levels that were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum cholesterol levels of some of the treated sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control. The mean caudal epididymal sperm reserves, testicular allometric weights, and serum ALT and AST activities of all the treatment sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum total protein levels of groups A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 and D2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the untreated control (A1). Although the mean serum total cholesterol levels of all the treatment sub-groups were lower than that of the untreated control (A1), it was only the values of sub-groups B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 and D4 that showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease. No obvious lesions were observed on the testes of any of the sub-groups. It was concluded that exposure of rats to MSG at the doses used for the study from prenatal life to adulthood led to a significant reduction in serum testosterone and cholesterol levels, mean testicular allometric weights, cauda epididymal sperm reserves, serum activities of ALT and AST, and an increase in serum total protein.Istraženi su učinci mononatrijeva l-glutamata (MNG) na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteina i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise, zalihu spermija u epididimisu kao i alometrijske težine testisa u štakora od prenatalne do odrasle dobi. Istraživanje je započelo odabirom 40 albino štakorica i 8 štakora. S obzirom na to da je riječ o istraživanju učinka na potomcima, od navedenog broja ženki i mužjaka za istraživanje su uzeta 64 muška potomka. Na početku pokusa 40 ženki bilo je nasumce raspoređeno u četiri skupine (A, B, C i D). U svaku skupinu od 10 ženki dodana su i dva mužjaka za parenje. Štakoricama skupine A nije bio primijenjen MNG, onima skupine B bio je primijenjen u koncentraciji 0,5 %, skupini C od 1,0 % i skupini D u koncentraciji od 2,0 % u vodi za piće. Dnevna primjena MNG početnim skupinama ženki započela je četiri tjedna prije uvođenja mužjaka u njihove skupine te je trajala kroz razdoblje parenja, skotnosti i dok su se kotile, a završila je tri tjedna nakon što su se okotile. Mužjacima s kojima su se parile nije bio primijenjen MNG budući da su početne ženke imale pristup pitkoj vodi koja ga je sadržavala samo tijekom dana, a mužjaci tijekom noći. Izvan razdoblja parenja početne ženke imale su pristup pitkoj vodi s MNG tijekom 24 sata sve do trećeg tjedna nakon koćenja. U trenutku zalučenja (tri tjedna nakon koćenja), 64 muška potomka (po 16 iz svake od četiri skupine) bili su nasumce razvrstani u 16 podskupina, po četiri mužjaka u svakoj. Tako je 16 muških potomaka skupine A bilo podijeljeno u 4 podskupine (A1, A2, A3 i A4), skupine B u četiri (B1, B2, B3 i B4), skupine C u četiri (C1, C2, C3 i C4) te one skupine D također u četiri podskupine (D1, D2, D3 i D4) pa su se tako po četiri potomka nalazila u svakoj podskupini. Od trenutka odbijanja od sise podskupine A1, B1, C1 i D1 bile su kontrolne i nisu dobivale MNG. Podskupine A2, B2, C2 i D2 počele su dobivati 0,5 % MNG, podskupine A3, B3, C3 i D3 počele su dobivati 1,0 % MNG, a podskupine A4, B4, C4 i D4 2,0 % MNG u vodi za piće sve do odrasle dobi odnosno do dobi od 16 tjedana. U toj dobi svi su bili pretraženi na razine testosterona, kolesterola i ukupnih proteina u serumu te na aktivnost alanin-aminotransferaze (ALT) i aspartat-aminotransferaze (AST). Također su bile određene rezerve sperme u kaudalnom dijelu epididimisa kao i alometrijske težine testisa. Tkivo testisa bilo je uzeto i za histološku pretragu. Rezultati su pokazali da su samo štakori podskupina koje su bile izložene MNG od trenutka odbijanja od sise do odrasle dobi (A2, A3 i A4) imali srednje razine testosterona značajno manje (P<0,05) nego oni u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Srednje razine kolesterola u nekih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno niže (P<0,05) nego u onih kontrolne skupine. Srednje razine zaliha sperme u epididimisu, alometrijske težine testisa, te aktivnosti ALT i AST u svih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno (P<0,05) niže nego u kontrolne skupine (A1). Srednje razine ukupnih serumskih proteina skupina A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 i D2 bile su značajno (P<0,05) više od onih u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Iako su srednje vrijednosti razina kolesterola u serumu svih pokusnih podskupina bile niže nego u kontrola (A1), samo su vrijednosti u podskupinama B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 i D4 bile značajno smanjene (P<0,05). Oštećenja testisa nisu bila primijećene ni u jednoj podskupini. Zaključuje se da izloženost štakora primijenjenim dozama MNG-a od prenatalne do odrasle dobi dovodi do značajnog smanjenja razina testosterona i kolesterola u serumu, do samnjenja alometrijskih težina testisa, smanjenja zaliha sperme u epididimisu, aktivnosti ALT i AST u serumu te povećanja ukupnih serumskih proteina

Co-Operative Additive Effects between HLA Alleles in Control of HIV-1

Background: HLA class I genotype is a major determinant of the outcome of HIV infection, and the impact of certain alleles on HIV disease outcome is well studied. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain HLA class I alleles that are in linkage disequilibrium, such as HLA-A*74 and HLA-B*57, appear to function co-operatively to result in greater immune control of HIV than mediated by either single allele alone. We here investigate the extent to which HLA alleles - irrespective of linkage disequilibrium - function co-operatively. Methodology/Principal Findings: We here refined a computational approach to the analysis of >2000 subjects infected with C-clade HIV first to discern the individual effect of each allele on disease control, and second to identify pairs of alleles that mediate ‘co-operative additive’ effects, either to improve disease suppression or to contribute to immunological failure. We identified six pairs of HLA class I alleles that have a co-operative additive effect in mediating HIV disease control and four hazardous pairs of alleles that, occurring together, are predictive of worse disease outcomes (q<0.05 in each case). We developed a novel ‘sharing score’ to quantify the breadth of CD8+ T cell responses made by pairs of HLA alleles across the HIV proteome, and used this to demonstrate that successful viraemic suppression correlates with breadth of unique CD8+ T cell responses (p = 0.03). Conclusions/Significance: These results identify co-operative effects between HLA Class I alleles in the control of HIV-1 in an extended Southern African cohort, and underline complementarity and breadth of the CD8+ T cell targeting as one potential mechanism for this effect

Nef-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses Contribute to HIV-1 Immune Control

Recent studies in the SIV-macaque model of HIV infection suggest that Nef-specific CD8+ T-cell responses may mediate highly effective immune control of viraemia. In HIV infection Nef recognition dominates in acute infection, but in large cohort studies of chronically infected subjects, breadth of T cell responses to Nef has not been correlated with significant viraemic control. Improved disease outcomes have instead been associated with targeting Gag and, in some cases, Pol. However analyses of the breadth of Nef-specific T cell responses have been confounded by the extreme immunogenicity and multiple epitope overlap within the central regions of Nef, making discrimination of distinct responses impossible via IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays. Thus an alternative approach to assess Nef as an immune target is needed. Here, we show in a cohort of >700 individuals with chronic C-clade infection that >50% of HLA-B-selected polymorphisms within Nef are associated with a predicted fitness cost to the virus, and that HLA-B alleles that successfully drive selection within Nef are those linked with lower viral loads. Furthermore, the specific CD8+ T cell epitopes that are restricted by protective HLA Class I alleles correspond substantially to effective SIV-specific epitopes in Nef. Distinguishing such individual HIV-specific responses within Nef requires specific peptide-MHC I tetramers. Overall, these data suggest that CD8+ T cell targeting of certain specific Nef epitopes contributes to HIV suppression. These data suggest that a re-evaluation of the potential use of Nef in HIV T-cell vaccine candidates would be justified

Effects of monosodium-L-glutamate administration on serum levels of reproductive hormones and cholesterol, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats

This study investigated the effects of administration of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) on serum gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone and total cholesterol (TC), cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR) and testicular histomorphology of adult male albino rats. Eighty-four rats, randomly assigned to 7 groups of 12 rats each, were used for the study. Varying low doses (0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 g/kg body weight) of MSG were administered orally or subcutaneously at 48-h intervals for six weeks. Serum GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and CESR were evaluated on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. Testicular histomorphology was evaluated on day 42. The results showed that the mean serum GnRH, LH and testosterone levels, and the CESR of all the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the untreated control on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. The mean serum TC levels of all the treated groups were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the control group on days 14 and 28. No lesions were observed on sections of the testes. It was concluded that MSG administration for 14, 28 and 42 days led to significantly lower serum levels of GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and significantly lower CESR

Effects of bull exposure and body growth on onset of puberty in Bunaji and Friesian ×\times Bunaji heifers

A total of ninety seven pre-pubertal Bunaji (BJ) and Friesian-Bunaji (FR $\times$ BJ) heifers were allotted randomly to two treatments groups for a period of 15 months. The treatment groups consisted of the followings: Mature Bull Exposure (MBE) and No Bull Exposure (NBE). Heifers were body condition scored and their live weights recorded on 28 days consecutive intervals. A heifer tactile stimulation in bull bio-stimulation. was considered to have attained puberty if she displayed oestrus, had a palpable corpus luteum with an associated P4 concentration $>$ 1ng$\cdot$mL$^{-1}$. The onset of puberty was significantly earlier in MBE heifers (23.1 $\pm$ 0.4 months) than NBE heifers (26.4 $\pm$ 0.4 months). The mean ages at puberty for MBE-BJ, NBE-BJ, MBE-FR $\times$ BJ, NBE-FR $\times$ BJ were 24.3, 27.8, 22.1 and 25.0 months respectively. More MBE heifers (70.8% ) attained puberty between 17 and 24 months of age than NBE heifers (18.3% ) and on the same ages, more FR $\times$ BJ heifers (62.0% ) than BJ heifers (25.5% ). The mean live weight of MBE heifers at puberty (224.4 $\pm$ 4.2 kg) was significantly lower than that of the NBE heifers (255.8 $\pm$ 4.2 kg). The FR $\times$ BJ heifers attained puberty at a significantly higher live weight (270.2 $\pm$ 4.2 kg) than the BJ heifers (228.6 $\pm$ 4.2 kg). The use of a vasectomised bull especially in some elite farms that rely on artificial insemination services may be an effective management tool that can decrease age at puberty. More work is required to determine the relative contribution of visual, auditory, olfactory, pheromonal and tactile stimulation in bull biostimulation.Effets de l'exposition au taureau et de la croissance corporelle sur le début de la puberté des génisses de races Bunaji et Frisonne $\times$ Bunaji. Quatre-vingt-dix-sept génisses pré-pubères de races Bunaji (BJ) et Frisonne-Bunaji (FR $\times$ BJ) ont été réparties en deux lots, un où elles ont été mises en présence d'un taureau (MBE), l'autre sans cette présence (NBE). Elles ont été pesées et suivies pour leur condition corporelle tous les 28 jours pendant 15 mois. Une génisse a été considérée pubère après la manifestation d'un oestrus associé à un corps jaune palpable et une concentration de progestérone $>$ 1 ng$\cdot$mL$^{-1}$. Les génisses du lot MBE ont atteint la puberté significativement plus tôt (23,1 $\pm$ 0,4 mois) que les génisses NBE (26,4 $\pm$ 0,4 mois). Les âges moyens à la puberté des génisses MBE-BJ, NBE-BJ, MBE-FR $\times$ BJ et NBE-FR $\times$ BJ ont été respectivement de 24,3, 27,8, 22,1 et 25,0 mois. Les génisses du lot MBE ont été plus nombreuses à être pubères entre 17 et 24 mois (70,8 % ) que les génisses du lot NBE (18,3 % ) et aux mêmes âges, les génisses FR $\times$ BJ ont été plus nombreuses (62,0 % ) à être pubères que les génisses BJ (25,5 % ). Le poids vif à la puberté des génisses du lot MBE, égal à 224,4 $\times$ 4,2 kg a été significativement plus faible que celui des génisses NBE égal alors à 255,8 $\pm$ 4,2 kg. Les génisses FR $\times$ BJ ont atteint la puberté à un poids (270,2 $\pm$ 4,2 kg) plus élevé que les génisses BJ (228,6 $\pm$ 4,2 kg). L'emploi d'un taureau vasectomisé peut donc être un moyen de diminuer l'âge à la puberté. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour déterminer les contributions relatives des stimulations visuelles, auditives, tactiles ou impliquant les phéromones pour expliquer cet effet

Utilizing quantitative dried blood spot analysis to objectively assess adherence to cardiovascular pharmacotherapy among patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rising in Kenya and non-adherence to cardiovascular pharmacotherapy is a growing global public health issue that leads to treatment failure, an increased risk of cardiac events and poor clinical outcomes. This study assessed adherence to selected cardiovascular therapy medications among CVD patients attending outpatient clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya by determining drug concentration(s) in patient dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Patients who had been taking one or more of the five commonly prescribed CVD medications (amlodipine, atenolol, atorvastatin, losartan, and valsartan) for at least six months were enrolled. Each patient completed a short questionnaire about their medication history and then provided a finger-prick blood spot sample from which drug concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients (62.3% female) participated in the study. The median number of medications used by patients was 2 (IQR 75%-25% is 3-1). Less than half (117; 49.0%) of patients were adherent to their prescribed CVD pharmacotherapy. Binary regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between non-adherence and the number of medications in the treatment regimen (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.583; 95%CI: 0.949-2.639; P-value = 0.039) and that gender was not an independent predictor of medication adherence (OR 1.233; 95%CI: 0.730-2.083; P-value = 0.216). Valuable information about adherence to each medication in the patient’s treatment regimen was obtained using quantitative DBS analysis showing that adherence to CVD medications was not uniform. DBS sampling, due its minimally invasive nature, convenience and ease of transport is a useful alternative matrix to monitor adherence to pharmacotherapies objectively, when combined with hyphenated mass spectrometry analytical techniques. This information can provide physicians with an evidence-based novel approach towards personalization and optimization of CVD pharmacotherapy and implementing interventions in the Kenyan population, thereby improving clinical outcomes