Identification of Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH) Gene Polymorphism Using PCR-RFLP Method in Buffalo Bulls

Growth Hormone (GH) is a single polypeptide chain synthesised and secreted from anterior pituitary gland by somatroph cells. The product of GH gene hastens metabolism and promotes the growth of many organs and tissues especially bone, muscle and visceral organs. It also regulates growth, mammary gland development and lactation. Polymorphism in this gene is associated with increase in growth and development of many tissues in the body. Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) using the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique. Design: Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 10 bulls, consisting of Murrah – Swamp crossbred and pure Swamp buffalo bulls. A The 446 segment of the bGH gene was amplified. The DNA amplicons were detected in 2% agarose gel following 45 minutes of electrophoresis. They were thereafter digesting with AluI endonuclease restriction enzyme, and the digested DNA were detected in 2% agarose gel following electrophoresis for about 45minutes in all samples Results: Similar bands of approximately 300 and 146-bp each, with no variation, were detected in 2% agarose gel following electrophoresis in all the animals tested. Conclusion: Based on the Alu1 digestion result, all samples produced the same allele of the gene, with no polymorphism detected.

Cryotop no desenvolvimento de oócitos bovinos imaturos vitrificados / Cryotop and development of vitrified immature bovine oocytes

The effectiveness of different cryodevices (open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EMG), and Cryotop was evaluated for vitrification of immature bovine oocytes. Polar body, metaphase II stage (MII), survivability, and subsequent developmental rates were determined. Only oocytes with four or five layers of cumulus cells were used. Oocytes were equilibrated in two vitrification solutions - 1: 10 percent DMSO + 10 percent ethylene glycol (EG) for 30-45sec and 2: 20 percent DMSO + 20 percent EG +0.5M sucrose for 25sec -, mounted on one of the cryodevices and directly plunged into liquid nitrogen for 10 days. Immature vitrified oocytes using Cryotop showed the highest rates of polar body extrusion (PB) and nuclear maturity (MII); 41 and 58 percent respectively. Vitrified oocytes using OPS and EMG showed 26 and 32 percent; and 35 and 46 percent of PB and MII rates, respectively. The highest survivability resulted from Cryotop and EMG groups and no significant difference was found between them. Vitrified oocytes using Cryotop had the highest cleavage and blastocyst rates. All of the mean rates for vitrified immature oocytes were significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05). The results of this study showed the superiority of Cryotop device for vitrification of immature bovine oocytes.

Avaliou-se a eficácia de diferentes dispositivos de congelamento (envasamento em palhetas (EP), microscopia eletrônica de grade (MEG) e Cryotop) para vitrificação de ovócitos imaturos de bovinos. Para tal, foram determinados o corpo polar, a metáfase II (MII), a viabilidade e as subsequentes taxas de desenvolvimento. Foram utilizados somente ovócitos com quatro ou cinco camadas de células do cumulus. Os ovócitos foram equilibrados em duas soluções de vitrificação - 1: DMSO (10 por cento) + etilenoglicol (EG; 10 por cento) por 30 a 45 segundos e 2: DMSO (20 por cento) + EG (20 por cento) + sacarose (0,5M) por 25 segundos -, transferidos para os dispositivos de congelamento e mantidos, por 10 dias, em nitrogênio líquido. Imediatamente após serem retirados do nitrogênio, os ovócitos foram removidos dos dispositivos e processados para maturação, fertilização e cultivo in vitro. Os ovócitos vitrificados com o Cryotop apresentaram as maiores taxas de extrusão do corpo polar (CP) e de maturidade nuclear (MII), 41 e 58 por cento, respectivamente. Para os ovócitos vitrificados com EP e MEG, as taxas de CP e as de MII foram, respectivamente, de 26 e 32 por cento e de 35 e 46 por cento. As taxas de viabilidade não diferiram entre os grupos Cryotop e EMG. Os ovócitos vitrificados com Cryotop apresentaram as maiores taxas de clivagem e de blastocisto. Para todas as variáveis estudadas, as taxas para os ovócitos vitrificados foram significativamente menores do que as do grupo-controle (P<0,05). Os resultados deste estudo mostraram a superioridade do dispositivo Cryotop para vitrificação de ovócitos imaturos de bovinos.

Brain MRI and CT findings in sickle cell disease patients from Western Saudi Arabia

To report the clinical and imaging findings in patients living in the Western Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where the Benin b-globin gene haplotype is prevalent. Our study population consists of 36 sickle cell disease patients [17 males, 19 females; age range, 1.6-35.6 years; mean age, 19.4 years] with suspected cerebrovascular complications. Major clinical presentations were as follows: stroke symptoms or history of stroke in 13 [36%] patients, severe headache in 16 [44.4%], and seizures in 9 [25%]. All patients underwent brain CT, or MRI study, or both, including diffusion imaging and magnetic resonance angiography. We conducted the study between August 2001 and June 2004 at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Based on MRI, or CT, or both, we found cortical infarction in 30.6% [11/36] of patients. The frontoparietal temporal region was the most commonly involved part and occurred in 4 patients. We diagnosed small vessel disease in 38.9% [14/36] of patients, and involvement was bilateral in 9 patients. Small vessel disease involved deep white mater more than basal ganglia, and the caudate nucleus was the most commonly involved site in basal ganglia. We detected cerebral atrophy in 52.8% [19/36] of patients. An unusual finding was an epidural hematoma associated with skull bone infarctions and scalp edema that we successfully managed conservatively. We observed a widening of the diploic space of the skull in 10 patients. We saw adenoid hypertrophy in a significant number of patients [72% [26 of 36]]. Sickle cell disease cerebrovascular complications are of major concern to the physician. Cerebral atrophy is the most common imaging finding followed by small vessel disease and then by cortical infarction. There was an increased incidence of adenoid hypertrophy

Intestinal capillariasis in Egypt epidemiologigal background

Forty-four cases of intestinal capillariasis were diagnosed; 37 females and 7 males with ages ranged from 10 to 65 years, however most of them were between 20-40 years. Twenty-six cases were from the northern part of Upper Egypt, particularly Beni-Swif and Menia governorates. The patients were presented with borborygmi, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight, lower limb edema and electrolyte imbalance for durations ranging from one month to two years. The morbidity and mortality of the disease in Egyptian cases were described. Some patients gave history of eating raw whole fish, while others gave history of eating raw parts of fish or half-cooked fish. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture and confirmed stool analysis. The differential diagnosis was discussed and the cost paid by patients to reach the correct diagnosis was estimated

MR imaging of cerebral venous infarctions and thrombosis

Thrombosis of the cerebral veins although uncommon represents a life threatening complication of different diseases. To improve survival and reduce debilitating complications, early recognition and institution of appropriate therapy are essential. Currently, this entity is more commonly seen idiopathically: [a] in association with pregnancy, puerperium or use of oral contraceptives in adult women, or [b] in patients with systemic tumors. Arteriography and radionuclide techniques are invasive and require puncture of a vessel, injection of a pharmaceutical substance, and the use of ionizing radiation. The less invasive CT scan may indicate the presence of dural sinus, occlusion however CT signs may be subtle and easily overlooked. This study was performed on 16 cases with an established diagnosis of cerebral venous infarction and thrombosis; all of them had an MRI study, 8 cases had CT scan without contrast enhancement; and 2 cases had angiography. We found that MRI is a superior modality in diagnosing dural sinus thrombosis; either by observing signal changes in T1WI or T2WI; or by directly visualizing the thrombus after Gad-DTPA injection or using MR angiography techniques. In addition MR may disclose the possible cause of thrombosis e.g. mastoiditis; and characterize venous infarction occurring secondary to thrombosis