A simple handling technique for mammalian oocytes and embryos during preparation for transmission electron microscopy

Due to their small size, mammalian oocytes and embryos pose unique problems during preparation for transmission electron microscopy. This paper outlines a method which combines protein embedding with centrifugation to locate the specimens on the face of a Beem capsule mould. This method facilitates both the processing of oocytes with minimal loss and rapid location of the specimens within the block for simultaneous sectioning, staining and examination.     

Trends in registered psychiatric morbidity and forecasting psychotropic drug needs in Bulgarian hospitals

Registered psychiatric morbidity in Bulgaria as a whole and particularly in Plovdiv, the second largest region of the country, was assessed. Three aspects of psychotropic drug usage were analysed, namely, changes in registered psychotropic drugs, the prescribed daily dose (PDD) values for 2 years, and the preferred therapeutic schemes, and drug usage and needs in a psychiatric hospital with 365 beds. This was done by time series analysis for evaluation of psychiatric morbidity and drug consumption data, calculation of PDD for psychotropic medicines, and, based on a modification of the World Health Organization's morbidity method, assessment and prediction of drug use and needs in Plovdiv hospital. The results indicated that the registered morbidity had increased by 4% over the period 1989-93 to 2,427 psychiatric patients per 100,000 people. The increased consumption of especially benzodiazepines and sedative medicines was analyzed. Diazepam was prescribed the most often (91.1%), followed by levomepromazine (86.4%), haloperidol (82.7%), etc. Future drug consumption in Plovdiv hospital is expected to decrease because therapeutic practice in hospitals has been revised and improved on the basis of the World Health Organization's recommendations.     

乙烯氧化制环氧乙烷固定床反应器的模拟及稳定性分析

在筛选出合适的乙烯氧化制环氧乙烷动力学方程的基础上,对工业固定床氧化反应器进行一维和二维模型的模拟计算。考察操作工艺参数对反应器稳定性、转化率影响的敏感性以及N_2和CH_4做致稳气时反应温度和转化率的轴向、径向分布。     

Comparison of the glucose-lowering properties of vanadyl sulfate and bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) following acute and chronic administration

The possibility that progesterone or estradiol may regulate expression of G protein in the rat myometrium during the course of pregnancy has been investigated using 1) immunoblot analysis of Gi2 alpha, Gi3 alpha, and Gq alpha subunits and 2) hybridization blot analysis of subunit mRNA. Eighteen hours after administration, estradiol had significantly increased the levels of both Gi2 alpha subunit and Gi2 alpha mRNA (by 40% and 32%, respectively). In control pregnant rats, we observed similar changes at the end of pregnancy, when myometrial concentrations of estradiol had increased, i.e., a 41% increase in immunoreactive Gi2 alpha subunit that correlated with a parallel 45% increase in mRNA levels. In contrast, levels of immunoreactive Gi3 alpha subunit and mRNA, which decreased with advancing gestation, were not influenced by estradiol or progesterone administration. Progesterone administration resulted 30 h later in a significantly decreased level of Gq alpha immunoreactivity (32%) and Gq alpha mRNA (30%). In control rats, Gq alpha protein and mRNA were also significantly lower at midpregnancy under progesterone dominance vs. term. At this stage, a twofold increase in Gq alpha subunit correlated with a 40% increase in mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that myometrial Gi2 alpha and Gq alpha subunits are physiological targets for estradiol and progesterone, respectively, in vivo. Alterations of these G protein levels are discussed in relation to their mediating effects on adenylyl cyclase activity or the phospholipase C pathway during the course of pregnancy.     

Evaluation of humoral immune responses in cattle grazing endophyte-infected or endophyte-free fescue

Anecdotal reports suggest cattle with fescue toxicosis may not respond to vaccination and thus, experience increased incidence of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) when shipped to feedlots. Fescue toxicosis causes hypoprolactemia in cattle. Hypoprolactemia decreases humoral immune responses in mice. Therefore, a study was conducted to compare the magnitude of primary and secondary humoral immune responses against specific antigens in cattle grazing endophyte-infected or endophyte-free fescue. Angus steers were blocked by weight and allocated into four groups. Two groups grazed endophyte-infected (EI) fescue and the other two groups grazed endophyte-free (EF) fescue. All steers were injected IM on d 0 and 21 with lysozyme without adjuvant and concanavalin. A (Con A) with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in incomplete adjuvant of Freund. Steers were bled on days 0, 21 and 35 post-vaccination. Average daily gains (ADG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, cholesterol concentrations, rectal temperatures, and serum prolactin concentrations were measured to confirm fescue toxicosis in steers grazing EI fescue. Antibodies to Con A and SRBC were determined by ELISA and hemagglutination assay, respectively. The ADG were decreased for the EI group during the first month. Rectal temperature were elevated and serum prolactin concentrations were decreased in the EI group. Cholesterol and ALP concentrations also were decreased in the EI group. Primary and secondary immune responses against Con A tended to be increased and were increased against SRBC in the EI group. Antibodies against lysozyme were not induced in either group. In conclusion, cattle grazing EI fescue mounted similar humoral immune responses to vaccination, despite hypoprolactemia, as cattle grazing EF fescue. Increases in bovine respiratory disease in cattle maintained on EI fescue probably is not associated with lack of humoral immune response to vaccination protocols as a result of fescue toxicosis.