The assessment of carcass composition of Awassi male lambs by real-time ultrasound at two different live weights.

The accuracy of ultrasonography to measure fat thickness (FT) and longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) traits (area, depth and width) in live Awassi male lambs and predict carcass FT and LM traits was studied. Twenty six Awassi male lambs were randomly divided into light (L) (n=13) and heavy (H) (n=13) finishing lambs. Slaughter weight of lambs in L and H groups were 40 and 45kg, respectively. FT and LM traits, cross-sectional area between the 12th and 13th rib were measured using real-time ultrasound in vivo and on the carcass after slaughter. All ultrasound and carcass measurements were the same except live weight (LW) (P<0.001), cold carcass weight (CCW) (P<0.001) and carcass LM width (P<0.05). Overall, correlation coefficients between ultrasound and carcass FT, LM depth, width and area were 0.79, 0.82 (P<0.001); 0.60, 0.58 (P<0.05); 0.48, -0.17 (P>0.05) and 0.89, 0.87 (P<0.001), respectively, for lambs in L and H groups. The introduction of ultrasound FT and ultrasound LM area as independent variables in addition to LW in the multiple regression equations further improved the variations for carcass FT (84%, 71%), carcass LM area (79%, 79%), CCW (72%, 65%) for lambs in light and heavy groups whereas no improvement was observed for carcass yield. These results indicate that in vivo ultrasound FT and measurement of the LM area in association with LW could be used to estimate carcass FT, carcass LM area and CCW in different LW Awassi lambs.

Metalloporphyrin contrast enhancement of tumors in magnetic resonance imaging. A study of human carcinoma, lymphoma, and fibrosarcoma in mice.

The diagnostic use of Mn(III)TPPS4, a paramagnetic metalloporphyrin, for MR contrast enhancement was examined in human--mouse xenograph models of carcinoma, lymphoma, and sarcoma. Spin-echo images of 15 mice, five mice for each implanted tumor type, were obtained before and at 20 minutes, and 2, 4, and 24 hours following administration of 0.09 mmol/kg of Mn(III)TPPS4. All tumors had a uniform moderate signal intensity on precontrast images. After administration of Mn(III)TPPS4, all tumors demonstrated significant enhancement of signal intensity that persisted to 24 hours. T1 relaxation times were maximally depressed at 2-4 hours and remained low to 24 hours for all three tumors. Kidney signal intensity reached a maximum at 20 minutes and remained significantly above background for 24 hours. The high relaxivity and apparent avidity of Mn(III)TPPS4 for divergent tumor histologies support the potential use of this agent for improved diagnostic specificity of MR imaging for neoplastic masses.

Pyrroxamide, a nonionic nitroxyl spin label contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Mutagenesis and cell survival.

Pyrroxamide [N-(1-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl pyrrolidine-1-oxyl-3-carboxyamide] is a newly tested nonionic monomeric nitroxyl compound with demonstrated effectiveness for MRI contrast enhancement at doses as low as 10(-3) M. Pyrroxamide and its hydroxylamine metabolic derivative were tested in concentrations from 10(-9) to 10(-2) M with a battery of cytotoxic and mutagenic assays using mammalian Chinese hamster ovary cells. Loci-specific mutation induction was examined at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) and the Na+/K+ ATPase loci, both in the presence and absence of a liver microsomal metabolic activating mixture (S-9 mix). Cell survival and induction of sister chromatid exchanges also were studied. All tests yielded negative results indicating that pyrroxamide and and hydroxylamine derivative were both noncytotoxic and nonmutagenic at the doses tested.

Albumin labeled with Gd-DTPA. An intravascular contrast-enhancing agent for magnetic resonance blood pool imaging: preparation and characterization.

A paramagnetic-labeled macromolecule, albumin-(Gd-DTPA), was prepared for use as an intravascular contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. An average of 19 Gd-DTPA chelates were covalently conjugated to human serum albumin through the bifunctional anhydride of DTPA. The albumin-(Gd-DTPA) was characterized with use of high-performance liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, atomic absorption, biuret and Bradford protein tests, and by its effect on proton relaxation (relaxivity). The average molecular weight was 92,000 daltons, indicating the albumin conjugate was predominantly monomeric. The T1 relaxivity of albumin-(Gd-DTPA) was 273 mM-1 sec-1 relative to carrier concentration, which corresponds to a relaxivity of 14.9 mM-1 sec-1 relative to gadolinium concentration. The average conditional stability constant for albumin-bound Gd-DTPA chelate was log K = 20.0. Spin-echo images of rats demonstrated persistent enhancement of vascular tissues and slowly flowing blood. Application of albumin-(Gd-DTPA) may augment the MR assessments of blood volume, tissue perfusion, and flow characteristics.

Magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial infarction using albumin-(Gd-DTPA), a macromolecular blood-volume contrast agent in a rat model.

Magnetic resonance (MR) contrast enhancement of acute myocardial infarction was studied in rats using albumin-(Gd-DTPA), a paramagnetic macromolecule with prolonged intravascular retention after intravenous injection. Histologic examination and distribution measurements of radiolabeled microspheres confirmed induction of regional myocardial infarction after ligation of the left coronary artery. ECG-gated spin-echo images at 2.0 Tesla, employing short, T1-weighted pulse sequence settings, demonstrated time-persistent and significant (P less than .05) enhancement of normal myocardium (66%) and an even greater enhancement of the infarcted area (100%), for as long as 60 minutes after injection of 160 mg/kg albumin-(Gd-DTPA). The contrast difference between normal and infarcted myocardium was increased significantly (P less than .05) after administration of albumin-(Gd-DTPA). The prolonged enhancing effects of albumin-(Gd-DTPA) on MR images are useful for evaluating regional differences in blood volume and capillary integrity between normal and infarcted myocardium.

A specific radioimmunoassay for the measurement of gadoteridol, a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging in biological fluids.

Gadoteridol, a nonionic gadolinium chelate, is currently being evaluated for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the measurement of gadoteridol in biological fluids. The RIA has a range of 0 to 25 micrograms/mL and has the sensitivity to detect 0.05 microgram/mL of gadoteridol. Satisfactory zero binding and sensitivity were obtained after an overnight incubation at 4 degrees C. Separation of the antibody-bound and free radiolabel was achieved with 12.5% polyethylene glycol. A quantitative recovery of the exogenous analyte was obtained at all concentrations of gadoteridol tested. Linearity in both serum and urine was satisfactory. Intraassay coefficients of variation were 6.4 and 2.8% for the low and medium controls, respectively. Interassay coefficients of variation were 5.4, 3.8, and 12.2% for the low, medium, and high controls, respectively. Cross reactivities of the ligand 5 and the calcium salt 6 were 37 and 29%, respectively. Clinical samples from the ascending dosage studies were analyzed by the gadoteridol RIA. The results obtained from the serum specimens demonstrated an excellent linear proportionality between drug concentration in blood and administered dosage of gadoteridol. Cumulative urinary excretion data showed that 94% of the drug was excreted in the urine within 24 h.

Contrast-enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA at 2.0 Tesla.

The contrast enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA in various tissues, including myocardium, liver, brain, skeletal muscle, and subcutis were investigated in vivo at 2.0 Tesla. Employing T1-weighted short pulse sequences (TR = 300 msec, TE = 14 msec) signal intensity of myocardium increased by 88%, brain by 19%, liver by 61%, skeletal muscle by 50%, and subcutis by 52% at 2 min after intravenous injection of 0.2 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA in rats. Signal intensity was highest at 2 min after injection and was relatively decreased at 20 min. Tissue intensities had returned to baseline at 60 min. In a separate experiment, fast (4 sec), repeated spin-echo image acquisitions allowed for assessment of the initial, dynamic distribution pattern of Gd-DTPA between 4 sec and 72 sec after intravenous injection. Tissue signal intensities peaked between eight and 16 seconds after injection and slowly decreased thereafter. This study shows that the contrast-enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA can be effectively assessed using T1-weighted short pulse sequences at 2.0 Tesla.

[Specific and non-specific contrast media for MRI of tumors. Experimental study of human breast carcinoma]. / Produits de contraste non spécifiques et spécifiques pour l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (I.R.M.) des tumeurs. Etude expérimentale d'un carcinome mammaire humain.

MRI has been shown as an adapted non-invasive modality for the detection of tumours in humans. The development of paramagnetic contrast agents could add to the MRI diagnosis. With an experimental model of human breast (MX-1) carcinoma developed in nude mice, two different classes of contrast medium were tested. The first class includes the well-known Gd-DTPA and a new nitroxide compound on going development, representing non specific contrast agents. The specific contrast agents are represented by a metalloporphyrin Mn-TPPS4. Non specific contrast agents can add to the differentiation between well vascularized viable tissue and necrotic areas of tumors. While specific contrast agents may specifically target tumorous tissue.

Fattening performance and feed source preference of native Awassi lambs fed individually in a cafeteria feeding system.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of cafeteria (CF) and conventional (CN) feeding systems on feed intake, feed preferences with respect to voluntary feed source intake, feed conversion rate (FCR) and fattening performance of native Awassi lambs. Sixteen, 3 month old male lambs were used and kept individually for 70 days. Lambs in CF (n = 8) were offered to consume the main ingredients of barley, soybean meal (SBM), sunflower seed meal (SFM) and alfalfa straw, separately, while lambs in CN (n = 8) were fed with a concentrate feed containing 11.34 MJ/kg ME, 17.53% crude protein with the mixture of the same feed sources and alfalfa straw. The initial and final live weights of lambs were similar among groups (P > 0.05). Daily voluntary intake of ash, fat and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) consumptions among groups were quite different during the experiment (P < 0.001). Neither biweekly nor total results of voluntary protein intake between groups were not found statistically significant (P > 0.05). From beginning to the end of the study, the proportional barley intake increased 34 to 43% but reduced for SBM intake from 37 to 23% for the lambs in CF. On the other hand, the SFM intake of lambs did not changed significantly during the experiment and ranged between 2-5%. Lambs in CF did not consume SFM to meet their protein requirement and had 12.5% better total FCR result than the lambs in CN (6.86 and 7.84, respectively) (P > 0.05). The difference of average DWG, total live weight gain, final live weight of lambs in groups were similar (P > 0.05). In conclusion, Awassi lambs in CF can select a diet matching their nutritional requirements from a group of feed sources in response to their growth period when compared to CN system and better FCR result might help to decrease the feed expenses for fattening of native Awassi lambs.

Evaluation of four membrane filter media in anaerobic-MF recovery of faecal coliforms from freshwater in Nigeria.

MacConkey (MC), membrane lauryl sulphate (MIS), membrane faecal coliform amended with rosolic acid (MFC + R) and without the acid (MFC - R) were evaluated in the anaerobic membrane filtration (anaerobic-MF) recovery of faecal coliform populations (FCs), genera and faecal coliform positive (FC-positive) strains isolated from various sources of freshwater, i.e., rivers, rural wells, unchlorinated distributive supplies and hand pumps. Mean counts (x 10(2)/100 ml) of presumptive (typical) FCs varied from 13.69 (MC) to 40.81 (MLS) in river samples, and from 2.0 (MC) to 4.19 (MFC + R) in wells. The proportion of FC-positive, typical FCs ranged from 48.66 (MIS) to 66-67% (MC) in rivers, and from 50 (MC) to 90.22% (MFC + R) in wells. More than 30% of the typical FCs from all sources on each medium was FC-negative. These usually formed small (ca 1.0 mm diam.) colonies on the test agar, and were prevalent in wells. Typical FCs and FC-positive strains were not recovered from piped supplies and hand pumps. In spite of anaerobic incubation, non-faecal coliforms (NFCs) were often higher than the FCs; the FC:NFC ratios for rivers ranged from 1.65 (MC) to 7.65 (MLS) and (MFC + R) but were < 1.0 for wells on each medium. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter species were recovered on all media: approximately 35-64% of the strains confirmed as FCs were E. coli, 20-42% were Kl. pneumoniae. The FC counts on the media were variable, but the overall performance in recovering 'true' FCs was similar; < 70% of strains per medium were FC-positive. None could count E. coli exclusively.

Microbiological quality of bottled water sold in retail outlets in Nigeria.

The microbiological quality of four brands of bottled water sold in retail outlets in Nigeria were assessed by routine methods in 90 samples. Samples of two brands were acidic in the pH range 3.5-5.9. Faecal coliforms and streptococci were not recovered from any sample. Heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) numbered 50-800 cfu/ml in two brands, A and B, and 100-87,000 cfu/ml in C and D. Component colony types among the HPC bacteria in brands C and D produced water-soluble, fluorescent pigments on colony count and other agar media, and occurred in 11 of 16 batches: their numbers varied from 60 to 82,000 cfu/ml. Presumptive antibiotic-resistant proportions of the HPC bacteria were also recovered from brands C and D on agar amended with ampicillin, penicillin or streptomycin. Five isolates from the green pigmented colonies, representing five batches of brands C and D were satisfactorily identified as strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These strains resisted between four and nine of 14 antibiotics tested. Resistance to tetracycline was eliminated in one isolate when it was cured by incubation at 42 degrees C for 100 h, but gel electrophoretic resolution of the DNA did not reveal presence of a plasmid. Strains of Bacillus were the second most commonly isolated bacteria; they were the only colony types in most samples with low HPC counts.

Observations on the anaerobic membrane-filter technique for coliform counts in Nigerian surface waters.

The applicability of the anaerobic membrane filtration method to faecal coliform counts was tested on 88 water samples from the Port Harcourt area of the Rivers State of Nigeria. Seventy-eight streams/rivers and ten untreated distributive sources were analysed. High levels of suspended residues necessitated the filtration of 1-2 ml of the raw and 5-10 ml of diluted samples of the surface waters. Anaerobic incubation, overall, decreased the nonfaecal coliforms (NFCs) and faecal coliforms (FCs) by 69.32% and 48.86% respectively. Percent decrease of mean NFC and FC count in 21 streams sampled at random, was 8.85% and 20.88%, respectively. Results from a stream and a faecally polluted beach of a tidal river sampled periodically were variable. The NFCs and FCs decreases in the stream sample by 5.4% and 7.6% respectively were not significant. For the beach samples, the 9.8% reduction in NFCs was significant (p = 0.01), but the 4.19% increase in FCs was not. Seventy percent of the distributive samples gave zero FC counts. Anaerobic incubation reduced to zero FCs in 2 samples and NFCs in 5 samples. It is concluded that the advantages of anaerobic incubation are not commensurate with the increased expenditure which invariably is incurred in the routine analysis of these waters.

Magnitude of faecal contamination of rural community well waters in Nigeria and its relationship to well and water properties.

The possible relationship between high numbers of fecal coliforms (FCs), fecal streptococci (FS), standard plate count (SPCs) and well characteristics viz: well depth, water column, temperature, pH and non-filterable residue in 25 rural community wells in the Port Harcourt region, Nigeria, was studied. Zonal differences in residue level, well depth and fecal indicator bacteria were observed; these parameters were lowest in an area of high population density (slum) reclaimed from and adjacent to mangrove forests. Although some wells were covered and/or walled to protect them from surface runoff contamination, FCs and FS were recovered from all, except three, in numbers (log10 per 100 mL) ranging respectively from 0.40-3.79 and 0.70-3.44. The FC:FS ratio was less than 1.0 in 8 and greater than 1.0 in 14 samples. Well depth correlated with FCs (p = 0.01; r = 0.5684), FS (p = 0.001; r = 0.6423), pH (p = 0.0001; r = 0.5981); FCs and FS correlated significantly (p = 0.01; r = 0.4948). SPCs did not correlate significantly with FCs, FS and the well and water characteristics. Simultaneous analysis of samples by the Membrane-filtration (MF) and Most Probable Number (MPN) methods recovered mean FC counts in the decreasing sequence: Standard-MPN----Anaerobic----Aerobic MF----Direct-MPN. The underground water table is most probably contaminated via large numbers of soakaway pits and similar conveniences. Downward movement of contaminant from the shallow conveniences into deeper water tables may explain the well depth: indicator bacteria correlation.

Studies on the ecology of aquatic bacteria of the lower Niger Delta: multiple antibiotic resistance among the standard plate count organisms.

The ecology of multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) bacteria in the fresh-waters of the lower Niger Delta was studied in the Port Harcourt area, Rivers State. On the basis of decreasing pollution levels three zones, A, B, C, were recognized. Cell recovery by two viable count media, casein-peptone-starch (CPS) and plate count (PC) agar containing chloramphenicol, tetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin or ampicillin were compared in an initial study. Higher numbers of antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria were recovered on CPS containing tetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin and ampicillin from the faecally-polluted New Calabar River (zone A) than on SPC agar containing similar antibiotics but the reverse was observed for forest stream (zone B) samples. Differences between the two media were also observed at individual sample sites. The proportions of strains of AR bacteria resistant to their primary isolation antibiotic varied from 55% (zone B) to 72% in the least polluted Isiokpo and Elele-Alimini streams (zone C), for ampicillin, and mostly < 50% for the other drugs in each zone. Thirty bacterial strains purified from the prevent colonial types on the count media without antibiotics included mainly species of Bacillus (12) and enterobacteria (18). Between five and 10 strains were resistant to > or = three antibiotics; seven were resistant to all five. The antibiograms of most strains were variable and depended on the method of drug application (discs or incorporation into agar), media and temperature of incubation (25 degrees, 37 degrees or 44.5 degrees C). Twenty-one strains were consistently resistant to ampicillin by the two methods; 10 to 19 were consistent for chloramphenicol, tetracycline and penicillin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Magnetic resonance imaging of local soft tissue inflammation using gadolinium-DTPA.

Chemical inflammation was induced subcutaneously in 10 rats using carrageenan mucopolysaccharide. Dual spin echo (SE) imaging of inflammatory loci was performed employing a 0.35 tesla resistive magnet. In addition, gadolinium-DTPA was administrated intravenously into 5 rats to evaluate the potential benefits of paramagnetic contrast medium for the detection and characterization of inflammatory loci. T2 weighted SE images demonstrated the edematous lesions as zones of high intensity. This was attributed to the increased relaxation times of lesions when compared to the adjacent soft tissue. The inflammation was also delineated on T1 weighted SE images, but only after injection of paramagnetic Gd-DTPA. Carrageenan mucopolysaccharide-induced lesions provide a useful experimental model for in vivo evaluation of soft tissue inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging. No special benefit of paramagnetic contrast enhancement was demonstrated in this model of local edema.

Albumin labeled with Gd-DTPA. An intravascular contrast-enhancing agent for magnetic resonance blood pool and perfusion imaging.

Paramagnetic macromolecules like Gd-DTPA labeled albumin offer certain beneficial features that distinguish them from smaller molecular paramagnetic contrast media, such as Gd-DTPA dimeglumine, which generally distribute in the extracellular fluid space. By joining multiple paramagnets to one large carrier molecule, the molar dose of the agent necessary for image enhancement is reduced, the proton relaxation effectiveness of such macromolecular agents is increased and they may even serve as markers of perfusion and abnormal vascular permeability. The accumulated experimental results with albumin labeled with Gd-DTPA are described.

Comparison of the contrast-enhancing properties of albumin-(Gd-DTPA) and Gd-DTPA at 2.0 T: and experimental study in rats.

Albumin-(gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), albumin-(Gd-DTPA), a macromolecular MR contrast agent designed for intravascular distribution, was compared with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA), an extracellular fluid agent, for imaging characteristics in normal rats at 2.0 T. Albumin-(Gd-DTPA) produced larger-intensity increases in myocardium (125%), liver (114%), and brain (21%), at a dose of 0.062 mmol Gd/kg than did Gd-DTPA at a dose of 0.2 mmol/kg. The duration and pattern of enhancement differed between the two compounds; the enhancement with albumin-(Gd-DTPA) persisted at relatively constant levels from 2 min to 1 hr. The Gd-DTPA tissue enhancement peaked at 2 min and had virtually disappeared at 60 min. Gd-DTPA better enhanced subcutaneous tissues, presumably because of capillary permeability and enhancement of the abundant extracellular fluid space. When albumin-(Gd-DTPA) is used, the strong persistent enhancement of the microvascular compartment is well demonstrated on subtracted images and supports potential application of albumin-(Gd-DTPA) for blood-volume and perfusion-dependent contrast enhancement of myocardium, liver, and brain.