A study of proliferative activity, angiogenesis and nuclear grading in renal cell carcinoma.

To evaluate the role of proliferative marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and microvessel density (MVD) as prognostic markers in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to see their relationship with the clinical stage and nuclear grades, we studied 30 cases of RCC for nuclear grading (Fuhrman's nuclear grade), MVD (using anti CD-34 antibody), and PCNA labeling index (using anti-PCNA antibody) over a period of 2.5 years. Staging was assessed by peroperative and radiologic findings. The area of highest MVD within the tumor was selected for microvessel count (MVC) per high-power field (0.1885 mm 2 area). PCNA labeling index was determined by counting percentage of positively stained tumor cell nuclei. PCNA labeling index above 60% was taken as high PCNA index and up to 60% was considered low. There was significant positive correlation between PCNA labeling index with both nuclear grade and clinical stage using Spearman's correlation coefficient. No association was noted between MVC with PCNA, nuclear grade, and clinical stages. Evaluation of proliferative status of RCC is a useful adjunct as a prognostic parameter as it is seen to correlate well with both clinical stage and nuclear grade. In our study, MVD was not seen to correlate with either of these.

Ovulation in Black Bengal nanny goats.

Normally cycling primiparous Black Bengal nannies were studied by laparotomy at 8-h intervals between 24 and 48 h after the onset of oestrus. The ovulation rate was 4.00 and ovulation occurred between 32 and 48 h after the onset of oestrus. The activity in the two ovaries was equal.

Resting heat production in Bos indicus and their F1 crosses with exotic breeds at a thermoneutral environment.

Resting heat production, 18 h post-feeding, was studied in Hariana cattle (Bos indicus; Zebu) and in their F1 crosses with Jersey, Brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian, at 18.5 degrees ambient temperature in a psychometric chamber at different ages. There was no significant change in the resting heat production on a per kg body-weight (W) 0.75 per 24 h basis from 16-19 to 37-40 months of age in any of the genetic groups. The daily resting heat production, however, increased with increases in body-weight and age. The resting heat production in all three F1 crosses was higher than that in Hariana cattle. Among the crosses, the resting heat production was highest in the Holstein Friesian X Hariana and lowest in the Jersey X Hariana. Metabolizable energy (ME) intake per 24 h was significantly different between genetic groups and in different age groups. However, ME intake per kg W 0.75 was not significantly different between genetic groups.

Xenogenous fertilization of goat ova in the rabbit oviduct.

Eggs from superovulated goats were surgically placed in the oviducts of pseudopregnant rabbits previously inseminated with goat semen. Out of 81 eggs, 30 (37%) exhibited two pronuclei or two blastomeres when recovered 24-36 h later. Transplantation of these embryos into foster nanny goats resulted in the birth of kids.

Association between berry characters and Solasodine content of solanum khasianum.

Correlation between number, grren weight, dry weight and solasodine percent of berry of the treated and control plant progenies in second generation raised from X-rayed (5 KR, 7.5 KR, 10 KR, 12.5 KR and 15 KR), EMS-treated (0.5%, 0.75% and 1% solution in PO (4)-buffer) and untreated dry seeds of Solanum khasianum Clarke revealed that only the numbers of large and small berries had significant correlation with solasodine percent. Correlation between induced variations (CV%) in these characters indicated that selection on berry characters through M (1) and M (2) generations was effective. Dispersion (due to mutagenesis) in the three berry characters have created the base for progressive selection for high solasodine yielders.

Changes in blood histamine and bradykininogen levels during different periods of the oestrous cycle in goats.

Blood histamine and plasma bradykininogen levels were estimated in eighteen normally cyclic goats at different periods of the oestrous cycle. The histamine level increased significantly (P smaller than 0.05) on Day 18 of the oestrous cycle. The bradykininogen level decreased significantly (P smaller than 0.05) towards the end of oestrus.

Survival of rabbit embryos after rapid freezing and thawing.

Frozen storage of rabbit embryos at the 16-cell stage in 2.0 M dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was achieved by a 2-step procedure. After storage for 10 days at -196 degrees C they were revived by rapidly thawing at 500 degrees C/min. On transfer of these embryos to pseudopregnant foster mothers, 50% survived to term. The difference in in vivo survival between frozen-thawed and frozen-thawed-cultured embryos was not significant.