Assessment Of Pichia Anomala (Strain K) Efficacy Against Blue Mould Of Apples When Applied Pre- Or Post-Harvest Under Laboratory Conditions And In Orchard Trials

in European Journal of Plant Pathology (2009), 123(1), 37-45

Assessment of plasma profile of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) in sheep with a heterologous (anti-caPAG(55+59)) RIA diagnosing and its potential for pregnancy

in Theriogenology (2006), 66(4), 906-912

The purpose of the present investigation was to generate pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG)-profiles throughout pregnancy in a heterogenous sample of sheep using a radioimmunoassay with a ... [more ▼]

The purpose of the present investigation was to generate pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG)-profiles throughout pregnancy in a heterogenous sample of sheep using a radioimmunoassay with a heterologous antibody (anti-caPAG55,59, #708) and utilize them for the purpose of pregnancy detection. From 2 weeks after the introduction of males into the breeding herd until 4 weeks after parturition, weekly blood samples were collected from 66 pregnant and 25 non-pregnant ewes of various breeds. Between 3 and 5 weeks after conception, plasma PAG levels increased, remained almost stable until week 17, then continued to increase, culminating in a drastic surge during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy. By 4 weeks of gestation, the plasma PAG level exceeded the level typical for non-pregnant ewes by five standard deviations, permitting a reliable pregnancy diagnosis. Plasma PAG levels were higher in twin-bearing ewes than in ewes carrying a single lamb, differences getting more evident as pregnancy proceeded. Neither breed and parity of the mother nor sex and weight of lambs home exerted a significant effect. The heterologous assay system utilizing a caprine antibody proved to deliver results that are more consistent and less depending on various variables than those used in other studies. It may be concluded that, at the present state of development, the assay provides a reliable means of diagnosing pregnancy in sheep from the 4th week after they have been bred onward. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Assessment of postprandial hepatic glycogen synthesis from uridine diphosphoglucose kinetics in obese and lean non-diabetic subjects.

in International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders (2000), 24(10), 1297-302

BACKGROUND: Obese patients are frequently characterized by insulin resistance and decreased insulin-mediated glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle. Whether they also have impaired postprandial hepatic ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Obese patients are frequently characterized by insulin resistance and decreased insulin-mediated glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle. Whether they also have impaired postprandial hepatic glycogen synthesis remains unknown. AIM: To determine whether postprandial hepatic glycogen synthesis is decreased in obese patients compared to lean subjects. METHODS: Lean and obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance were studied over 4h after ingestion of a glucose load. Hepatic uridine diphosphoglucose kinetics were assessed using 13C-galactose infusion, with monitoring of urinary acetaminophen-glucuronide isotopic enrichment to estimate hepatic glycogen kinetics. RESULTS: Estimated net hepatic glycogen synthesis amounted to 18.6 and 22.6% of the ingested load in lean and obese subjects, respectively. CONCLUSION: Postprandial hepatic glycogen metabolism is not impaired in non-diabetic obese subjects. [less ▲]

Assessment of proliferative and colony-forming capacity after successive in vitro divisions of single human CD34+ cells initially isolated in G0.

in Experimental hematology (1998), 26(7), 562-70

Exit of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) from the G0 phase of the cell cycle in response to in vitro cytokine stimulation is a limiting step in successful ex vivo expansion. Simultaneous ... [more ▼]

Exit of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) from the G0 phase of the cell cycle in response to in vitro cytokine stimulation is a limiting step in successful ex vivo expansion. Simultaneous DNA/RNA staining with Hoechst 33342 and pyronin Y was used to separate human bone marrow CD34+ cells residing in G0 (G0CD34+) from those cycling in G1 and S/G2+M. Compared with CD34+ cells isolated in G1, G0CD34+ cells were characterized by a delayed response to cytokine stimulation and were enriched for long-term hematopoietic culture-initiating cells. We next compared the activation kinetics of individually sorted G0CD34+ cells stimulated with stem cell factor (SCF), flt3-ligand (FL), or interleukin-3 (IL-3) as single factors. In a novel clonal proliferation assay, the functional status of cells that had remained quiescent after an initial 7-day period and of those that had completed successive division cycles under each of these three factors was evaluated by assessment of subsequent proliferative capacity and maintenance of colony-forming cell precursor (pre-CFC) activity. All three cytokines were equally able to support the survival of primitive HPCs in the absence of cell division. Cells that did not respond to any cytokine stimulation for 7 days retained higher proliferative and pre-CFC activities than dividing cells. The hematopoietic function of cells that divided in response to SCF, FL, or IL-3 decreased after each division cycle. However, G0CD34+ cells displayed a heterogeneous response pattern to cytokine stimulation whereby SCF appeared to have a superior ability to promote the cycling of cells with high proliferative and pre-CFC activities. These results indicate that HPCs reside in opposing hierarchies of hematopoietic potential and responsiveness to cytokine stimulation. The data also begin to indicate relationships between cellular division in response to different stimuli and maintenance of hematopoietic function. [less ▲]

Assessment of reactive oxygen species production in cultured equine skeletal myoblasts in response to conditions of anoxia followed by reoxygenation with or without exposure to peroxidases.

in American Journal of Veterinary Research (2012), 73(3), 426-434

Objective—To culture equine myoblasts from muscle microbiopsy specimens, examine myoblast production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in conditions of anoxia followed by reoxygenation, and assess the ... [more ▼]

Objective—To culture equine myoblasts from muscle microbiopsy specimens, examine myoblast production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in conditions of anoxia followed by reoxygenation, and assess the effects of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) on ROS production. Animals—5 healthy horses (5 to 15 years old). Procedures—Equine skeletal myoblast cultures were derived from 1 or 2 microbiopsy specimens obtained from a triceps brachii muscle of each horse. Cultured myoblasts were exposed to conditions of anoxia followed by reoxygenation or to conditions of normoxia (control cells). Cell production of ROS in the presence or absence of HRP or MPO was assessed by use of a gas chromatography method, after which cells were treated with a 3,3′-diaminobenzidine chromogen solution to detect peroxidase binding. Results—Equine skeletal myoblasts were successfully cultured from microbiopsy specimens. In response to anoxia and reoxygenation, ROS production of myoblasts increased by 71%, compared with that of control cells. When experiments were performed in the presence of HRP or MPO, ROS production in myoblasts exposed to anoxia and reoxygenation was increased by 228% and 183%, respectively, compared with findings for control cells. Chromogen reaction revealed a close adherence of peroxidases to cells, even after several washes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that equine skeletal myoblast cultures can be generated from muscle microbiopsy specimens. Anoxia-reoxygenation– treated myoblasts produced ROS, and production was enhanced in the presence of peroxidases. This experimental model could be used to study the damaging effect of exercise on muscles in athletic horses. [less ▲]

Assessment of respiratory diseases and therapeutic intervention by the forced oscillation technique in feedlot cattle

in Research in Veterinary Science (1990), 49(3), 319-322

The forced oscillation technique was used to study pulmonary function in bulls during naturally acquired pulmonary-gastrointestinal disease complex known as shipping fever and as it was treated with two ... [more ▼]

The forced oscillation technique was used to study pulmonary function in bulls during naturally acquired pulmonary-gastrointestinal disease complex known as shipping fever and as it was treated with two different antibiotics. Fifteen double-muscled bulls of the Belgian White and Blue breed were investigated. Clinical, serological and pulmonary function values were recorded during and after naturally occurring respiratory disease. Total respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) were measured by the forced oscillation technique. The antibiotic ceftiofur (group A, n = 10) and oxytetracycline (group B, n = 5) were given over three days. A large increase of Rrs at low frequencies with a marked negative frequency dependence, an increase of the resonant frequency, and a decrease of Xrs were recorded in the initial stage of the disease. The parameters returned to normal values seven days later. Clinical evidence of recovery was more marked in group A than in group B. These results show that moderate shipping fever induces acute small and large airway obstruction which responds to appropriate antibiotic therapy. [less ▲]

Assessment of respiratory muscle performance in non cooperative subjects : a preliminary study

in Proceedings of the 7th Comparative Respiratory Society Meeting (1988)

ASSESSMENT OF RETAINED AUSTENITIC PHASE IN INDEFINITE CHILL CAST IRON MICROSTRUCTURE TOWARDS VARIOUS TECHNIQUES

Poster (2007, November 16)

Indefinite Chill Cast Irons also called ICDP when used as rolling mill rolls are high alloyed cast iron alloys belonging to the Fe-Cr-C system. ICDP exhibit improved properties regarding hot oxidation and ... [more ▼]

Indefinite Chill Cast Irons also called ICDP when used as rolling mill rolls are high alloyed cast iron alloys belonging to the Fe-Cr-C system. ICDP exhibit improved properties regarding hot oxidation and wear resistances as their microstructure is a mixture of a martensitic with bulky cementite (M3C) and lamellar graphite fully dispersed into the matrix. Mechanical properties involved depend either on the chemical composition of the alloy or the crystallisation behaviour and the heat treatments performed subsequently in order to lead to the desired microstructure. Thus hardenability of the matrix is of great concern as heat treatments sequence is intended to transform austenite in a more stable structure like martensite or even bainite, depending on Cr content. In fact austenite is known to be unstable during hot working conditions as hot temperature and external stresses could yield transformation of this phase into martensite with major volume distortions and even multiple cracks network on the component involved. To avoid such a hitch in service it is quite necessary to make sure all the austenite is completely transformed into martensite while performing subsequent heat treatments like quenching or tempering on the material obtained after casting process. Various techniques are allowable starting from classical ones (X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Image Analysis, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), Dilatometry) to more exotic one like Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS). From an industrial point of view, it is important to set a fast and reliable method to assess retained austenite presence into ICDP microstructure at the end of any step of the thermomechanical process. The present work is intended to compare different techniques used for retained austenite assessment in ICDP alloys as a first step prior to the calibration of a classical method like dilatometry. This calibration is to be set starting from complex XRD and CEMS spectrometers analyses. Dilatometry seems to overrate retained austenite volume fraction in the as-cast conditions while good agreements are made on the overall batch of techniques when considering heat treated material where retained austenite transformation occurred [less ▲]

Assessment of sea bass swimming activity and preferential space use in sea cages using acoustic telemetry and archival tags

Poster (2007, June)

Swimming activity rhythms and levels as well as space occupation by sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in a sea cage (6.5 x 6.5 x 8 m, ca. 25000 fish of 400 g stocked at 30 kg m-3) were recorded using ... [more ▼]

Swimming activity rhythms and levels as well as space occupation by sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in a sea cage (6.5 x 6.5 x 8 m, ca. 25000 fish of 400 g stocked at 30 kg m-3) were recorded using acoustic telemetry (9 fish, IBDT Sonotronics) and archival tags (11, DSTs STAR ODDI). Acoustic tracking was realized over a 13 days period and successful for 3 individuals (one fix every 2 min on average). For archival tags, only 4 tags were retrieved and 3 had been recording swimming depth and temperature for 9 mo (Nov 05-June 06). Telemetry results showed an even day/night swimming activity levels in November with fish staying in close association with the bottom. Archival tags recordings revealed a preferential distribution in the water column between mid-water and bottom of the net cage in winter, over the whole water column in spring and near the surface zone in early-summer. In addition, on a 24 hrs period basis, sea bass presented a vertical movement rhythm: they swam closer to the surface during the day, specially around feeding events, and near the bottom at night. That vertical movement was pronounced during winter, faded during spring and almost disappeared in summer. [less ▲]

Assessment of stress level in horses (Equus caballus): behavioural and physiological measurements in hospital.

Conference (2008)