Methodology for adjusting scrotal circumference to 365 or 452 days of age and correlations of scrotal circumference with growth traits in beef bulls

A retrospective analysis was conducted on data collected from 1983 through 1991, where weight and hip height were measured at start of test and every 28 d on 604 bulls completing a 224-d forage-based gain test. Scrotal circumference (SC) was measured at start of test, and at either end of test or end of the weigh period after individual bulls reached 365 d of age. Over 3 yr of this study, SC was additionally measured every 28 d. Bulls were representatives of 5 breed groups: Angus, Santa Gertrudis, Simmental, Continental (predominantly Charolais), and Zebu (predominantly Simbrah). Adjusted 365-d SC and adjusted 452-d SC were calculated by regression analysis and from formulas based on SC growth of individuals to 140 and 224 d on test, respectively. Breed group differences were observed for age of dam, birth weight, hip height, weight per day of age, average daily gain and SC at start of test, 140 d, and end of test (224 d). Scrotal circumference was positively correlated with all growth traits. Scrotal circumference was related to breed group, age, weight, hip height, average daily gain, weight per day of age, age by year, and age-by-breed group (P<0.05), as determined by regression analysis. However, omitting weight, hip height, average daily gain, and weight per day of age from the regression model did not significantly affect R2 value. Scrotal circumference growth was linear to 140 d on test; however, SC growth to 224 d on test was curvilinear. The 365-d SC predicted from the formula and from regression analysis differed for Simmental and Zebu by 0.3 and 0.4 cm, respectively (P<0.05). The 452-d SC differed for Santa Gertrudis and Zebu by 0.5 and 0.6 cm, respectively (P<0.05). Formulas based on SC growth of individuals are reasonably accurate predictors of SC at 365 and 452 d of age, when compared with more complex regression analysis. Basing SC adjustments on individual growth appears to account for variables known to affect yearling SC.

Natal dispersal and genetic structure in a population of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A combination of behavioural observation, DNA fingerprinting, and allozyme analysis were used to examine natal dispersal in a wild rabbit population. Rabbits lived in territorial, warren based social groups. Over a 6-year period, significantly more male than female rabbits moved to a new social group before the start of their first breeding season. This pattern of female philopatry and male dispersal was reflected in the genetic structure of the population. DNA fingerprint band-sharing coefficients were significantly higher for females within the same group than for females between groups, while this was not the case for males. Wright's inbreeding coefficients were calculated from fingerprint band-sharing values and compared to those obtained from allozyme data. There was little correlation between the relative magnitudes of the F-statistics calculated using the two techniques for comparisons between different social groups. In contrast, two alternative methods for calculating FST from DNA fingerprints gave reasonably concordant values although those based on band-sharing were consistently lower than those calculated by an 'allele' frequency approach. A negative FIS value was obtained from allozyme data. Such excess heterozygosity within social groups is expected even under random mating given the social structure and sex-biased dispersal but it is argued that the possibility of behavioural avoidance of inbreeding should not be discounted in this species. Estimates of genetic differentiation obtained from allozyme and DNA fingerprint data agreed closely with reported estimates for the yellow-bellied marmot, a species with a very similar social structure to the European rabbit.

Immunocytochemical detection of extracellular annexin II in cultured human skin keratinocytes and isolation of annexin II isoforms enriched in the extracellular pool

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against trypsinized human skin epidermal cells and selected for their staining of the epidermal cells in a cell periphery pattern. One antibody, CP-1, immunoprecipitated a 36 kDa protein that was identified as annexin II heavy chain by microsequencing of a CNBr-generated peptide fragment from the antigen and by cross-identification with another anti-annexin II antibody. In addition to staining a broad cell periphery band in keratinocytes, CP-1 also detected annexin II outside and in between the top layer cells before cell permeabilization. Double-labeling of annexin II and F-actin revealed a distinct topographical relationship between the two, with intercellular annexin II flanked by the submembranously located actin of the juxta-positioned cells. Annexin II was isolated from cultured keratinocytes via immunoaffinity column chromatography in one step, using the same monoclonal antibody CP-1 and was found to be resolved into multiple isoforms when analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The predominant components of annexin II were basic, with pI of 6.5-8.5, and some of them formed disulfide-linked monomeric multimers under non-reducing conditions. Acidic annexin II isoforms with pI 5.4-5.8 were barely detectable among the total annexin II isolated but were selectively enriched in an extracellular pool created by 0.05% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) dispersion of the cultured cells into single cell suspensions. Furthermore, they can be separated from the rest of annexin II by using a different elution condition. A 46 kDa protein, the identity of which is unclear, co-eluted with the acidic isoforms in the EDTA washes. These acidic isoforms, which co-eluted with the 46 kDa protein, are suspected of corresponding to the extracellular annexin II detected immunocytochemically.

Aberrant proliferation of lumen-forming cells in stratified epithelium of porokeratosis skin

The present investigation was based on the postulate, first proposed by Reed and Leone in 1970, that porokeratosis lesions represent clonal growth of epidermal cells. Comparative studies using immunocytochemical staining, epidermal cell culture, and non-equilibrium pH gradient (NEpHG) gel electrophoresis analysis of the keratins extracted were carried out on five patients with various types of porokeratosis. Positive type IV collagen staining on the stratum corneum was found in lesional skin specimens of all patients, but not in normal controls. A search for connections between type IV collagen in the basement membrane of epidermis and the skin surface disclosed infrequent intra-epidermal streaking of type IV collagen and one positively stained trans-epidermal acrosyringium. Positive intra-epidermal laminin staining in porokeratosis lesions confirmed the trans-epidermal passage of basement-membrane materials. Epidermal cells cultured from lesional skin showed low plating efficiency, and all colonies exhibited intracytoplasmic vacuole formation and excessive top cell shedding. NEpHG gel electrophoresis of keratins extracted showed that lesional profiles not only contained keratins normally present in glabrous skin, but also possibly K9 and some additional proteins. K9 had been immunolocalized to periductal cells in previous studies. Our findings, taken together, strongly suggest that porokeratosis epidermis consists of epithelial cells with lumen-forming ability.

A semi-closed loop computer-assisted insulin infusion system. Hospital use for control of diabetes in patients

Closed loop insulin delivery systems are impractical for widespread hospital use. Thus, a semi-closed loop computer-assisted insulin infusion system (CAIIS) was developed for the intravenous delivery of insulin. In its basal program, insulin delivery is determined by blood glucose measurements at intervals of three hours, while the open-loop meal program delivers 7.5 units over three hours. Control of meal-induced hyperglycaemia was satisfactory in six subjects with diabetes tested over two to four days, as was mean glycaemic control in the four non-obese subjects (7.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/L). To allow for variations in insulin sensitivity, an adjustment incrementing or decrementing the basal insulin delivery rate was applied according to the progressive blood glucose response. Empirical use of this adjustment resulted in good control (mean blood glucose level, 4.1-7.5 mmol/L) in 10 additional subjects with diabetes. This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of a semi-closed loop insulin infusion system.

Effects of female urine on growth and sexual maturation in male rabbits

Urine of adult males or adult females, or distilled water (control), was applied to the oro-nasal grooves of Dutch-belted male rabbits after weaning. The body and testicular weights of males treated with urine of females were significantly less than those of controls between 88 and 125, and 96 and 109 days, respectively. Sperm counts and the pattern of androgen-dependent production of gel-plugs in semen also differed significantly between treatments during the critical maturation period. These suppressant effects of urine of females on male development in rabbits may represent a mechanism by which females may manipulate the reproductive success of neighbouring conspecifics in free-living colonies.

Iron-storage deficiency and iron supplementation in pregnancy

Haematological parameters were determined in 146 pregnant patients seen before 20 weeks' gestation. Eighteen per cent had both reduced serum ferritin and raised serum transferrin values without significant anaemia, suggesting covert iron-storage deficiency. One group then received 120 mg elemental iron daily and the other no iron supplementation. Repeat haematological assessment 20 weeks later indicated that in 48% of patients a significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration occurred if no iron was given. Supplementary iron prevented this decrease from occurring in patients with iron stores, but was insufficient to restore depleted stores or to prevent depletion of iron stores in 34% of patients with adequate stores. It is suggested that patients with depleted iron stores require therapeutic doses of iron, whereas those with adequate stores require little or no iron supplementation.

Diazabenzenes. II. Synthesis, Photolysis and Mass Spectra of Some Tetraalkylpyrazines

2,3,5,6-Tetramethyl-, tetraethyl- and tetraisopropyl-pyrazines were obtained by fusion of ammonium acetate with the appropriate acyloin or reduction of the α,α'-diketone dioxime with zinc dust and alkali. Photolysis of a cyclohexane solution of tetraisopropylpyrazine led inter alia to formation of bicyclohexyl. Photolysis of an aqueous solution of tetramethylpyrazine containing sodium borohydride caused complete reduction of the pyrazine ring to the hexahydro stage. The high-resolution mass spectra of these pyrazines are discussed and explained in the light of deuterium labelling and metastable defocusing information.