Comparative studies on testis, epididymis and serum hormone concentrations in foxes, and hybrids during the pre-breeding period.

Silver fox and blue fox belong to different genera, and the hybrid males are reproductively sterile. In the present study, there was a comparison of testicular and epididymal morphology and serum hormone concentrations among silver foxes, blue foxes, and the hybrids during the pre-breeding period, using 20 male silver foxes, 20 male blue foxes, 15 male HSBs (silver fox male × blue fox female hybrids) and 15 male HBSs (blue fox male × silver fox female hybrids), respectively. Hybrids had a smaller diameter of seminiferous tubules than pure-species males, and testes of hybrid males did not differ in mean size and relative weight from pure-species males. There were many Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in silver foxes and blue foxes, while numbers of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were less with no secondary spermatocytes in the hybrids. Furthermore, mean serum testosterone and estradiol concentrations in the hybrids were less, and FSH, LH, and PRL were greater than that in silver foxes and blue foxes (P < 0.05), suggesting that lesser concentrations of testosterone and estradiol and greater concentrations of FSH, LH and prolactin can inhibit the completion of spermatogenesis during the pre-breeding period. The results indicate that fox hybrid sterility may result from failures at the early stages of spermatogenesis.

Effect of superheated-steam roasting on physicochemical properties of peanut (Arachis hypogea) oil.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important source of protein and lipid globally. The effect of superheated-steam roasting on quality of peanut oil was evaluated based on physicochemical quality parameters. Three roasting temperatures (150, 200, and 250 °C) were used for different periods of roasting time and the obtained results were compared with those of conventional roasting. At 250 °C, superheated-steam roasted peanuts yielded more oil (26.84%) than conventionally roasted peanuts (24.85%). Compared with conventional roasting, superheated-steam roasting resulted in lower oil color, peroxide, p-anisidine, free fatty acid, conjugated diene and triene, and acid values and higher viscosity and iodine values in the roasted peanut oil. These values were significantly different from each other (p < 0.05). The fatty acids in roasted peanut oils were affected by roasting temperature and time for both the roasting modes. The superheated steam technique can be used to roast peanuts while maintaining their favorable characteristics.

Comparative studies on testicular and epididymal morphology, and serum hormone concentrations in foxes and the hybrids during the breeding season.

The silver fox and the blue fox belong to different genera, and the hybrid males are fully or partially sterile. In the present study, the objective was to evaluate the causes of hybrid male sterility, and therefore analyze the differences in testicular, and epididymal morphology and serum hormone concentrations among silver foxes, blue foxes, and the hybrids during the breeding season. Samples were collected from 20 male silver foxes, 20 male blue foxes, 15 male HSBs (silver fox female × blue fox male hybrids) and 14 male HBSs (blue fox male × silver fox female hybrids), respectively. Seminal evaluation showed large numbers of sperm present in the semen of blue foxes and silver foxes, but no sperm present in the hybrids. Mean testicular volume and the diameter of seminiferous tubules in silver foxes and blue foxes were greater than in the hybrids; and there were many Sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells, and sperm in silver foxes and blue foxes, while spermatogenic cells decreased with no sperm in the hybrids. Mean serum LH and prolactin concentrations in silver foxes and blue foxes were less and testosterone was greater than in the hybrids (P<0.05). The results indicate that germ cell meioses in the hybrids were arrested at the prophase stage of meiosis, and that lesser concentrations of testosterone and greater concentrations of LH and prolactin can inhibit the completion of spermatogenesis.

Stimulation of megakaryocyte and platelet production by a single dose of recombinant human thrombopoietin in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in patients with cancer. It is associated with an increased risk for clinically important bleeding episodes, which increases the demand for platelet transfusion. OBJECTIVE: To assess hematopoietic response to and clinical tolerance of recombinant human thrombopoietin, a recently cloned novel cytokine. DESIGN: Phase I and II clinical cohort study. SETTING: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. PATIENTS: 12 patients with sarcoma who had high risk for severe chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. INTERVENTION: A single intravenous dose of thrombopoietin (0.3 to 2.4 micrograms/kg of body weight) 3 weeks before chemotherapy. MEASUREMENTS: Peripheral blood and bone marrow evaluation before and after thrombopoietin administration. RESULTS: A single dose of thrombopoietin was associated with an increase in platelet counts (mean increase from baseline, 61% to 213%; P = 0.002) in a dose-related manner. This increase began by day 4 in most patients and peaked on a median of day 12. This sustained response was associated with a prolonged serum thrombopoietin half life (20 to 30 hours). The platelets appeared morphologically normal and showed normal aggregation in response to various agonists. Platelet response was accompanied by a dose-related increase in bone marrow megakaryocytes (as much as 4-fold); the expansion of the bone marrow progenitors of myeloid, erythroid, multipotential, and megakaryocytic lineages; and the marked mobilization of progenitors (maximum, 5.7-fold to 10-fold) of multiple cell lineages in the peripheral blood. Treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombopoietin, administered as a single dose, is a potent stimulus for prolonged platelet production in humans. It merits further evaluation for the prevention and treatment of thrombocytopenia.

Efficient in situ electroporation of mammalian cells grown on microporous membranes.

Electroporation is a common technique for the introduction of DNA molecules into living cells. The method is currently limited by the necessity of applying the electrical discharge to cells in suspension. Adherent cells must therefore be removed from their substratum, which can induce unwanted physiological effects. We report here a new procedure for in situ electroporation of cells grown on microporous membranes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester (PE). We demonstrate that this method of in situ electroporation employs only readily available materials and standard electroporation devices without any modifications, is as efficient as conventional electroporation of cells in suspension, and is applicable to a wide range of cell types. Efficient electroporation can be achieved under conditions of minimal cell killing, and can be performed with quiescent cells as well as with confluent epithelial sheets. The method is a useful extension of electroporation technology, and will allow the application of electroporation to a wider spectrum of biological systems.

New chromogens of the ferroin type-VIII Some di- and trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazines, 3-substituted-9H-indeno[1,2-e]-1,2,4-triazin-9-ones, and di- and trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazolines.

Thirty-six new ferroin compounds have been investigated as possible chelation regents for the calorimetric detection and determination of trace amounts of iron(II), copper(I), and cobalt(II). Spectral data, solution conditions favourable for chelate formation, and other data are reported. The results reveal that incorporation of triazoline heterocycles in ferroin chromophore groupings generally leads to poor chromogenic properties, except with respect to cobalt. Triazine groups, however, can give rise to superior properties. The most sensitive iron(II) chromogen of the ferroin type found to date and a promising new cobalt chromogen are described.