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Efficiency of Estrous Synchronization and Artificial Insemination in Azawak Cows: Interest of the Progesterone Profile. For a few years, the sperm of selected Azawak bull has been used in artificial insemination (AI) on the local bovine races of Niger, to improve the potential of production. Two methods of estrous and ovulation synchronization are compared: vaginal spirals PRID (Progesterone Vaginal Intra Device) and intra muscular injection of GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormon). For this purpose, seven and six Azawak Females were successively used by treatment. AI were carried out twice at 56 h and 68 h for the PRID, and 20 h and 44 h for the GnRH, after stop of the treatment. Heats appearance was controlled by direct observation during the 7 days following the end of the treatment. Blood were carried out for ten females (5 of each batch) three times per day from J9 to J16, then once daily until J27, and finally at twice-weekly intervals during the 5 weeks which followed, in order to establish a profile of plasmatic progesterone by animal. In addition, a pregnant diagnosis was carried out per transrectal palpation, three months after AI. For each of the two treatments, three females expressed estrus, including two before the first AI, and the third later (1 and 5 days respectively for the PRID and GnRH). The increase of plasmatic progesterone rate of these two cows, occurred in the two days after the first AI, with a pregnant on both for the PRID, and two for GnRH. The three whose heats were not noted, were not pregnant in both cases, and had an increase in the plasmatic progesterone rate 3 and 8 days after the first AI respectively for the PRID and GnRH. In conclusion, we did not observe a difference in the answers of two treatments. Moreover, the females without estrus observed, were showed a normal cycle (by the progesterone profile) but with late ovulations that have not allowed fecundation. These results suggest us once more, to make the first IA as of the appearance of heats, and in addition, to inseminate only on heats observed.

Abstract Abundant extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is associated with transposable element (TE) activity. However, how the eccDNA compartment is controlled by epigenetic regulations and what is its impact on the genome is understudied. Here, using long reads, we sequence both the eccDNA compartment and the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana mutant plants affected in DNA methylation and post-transcriptional gene silencing. We detect a high load of TE-derived eccDNA with truncated and chimeric forms. On the genomic side, on top of truncated and full length TE neo-insertions, we detect complex structural variations (SVs) notably at a disease resistance cluster being a natural hotspot of SV. Finally, we serendipitously identify large tandem duplications in hypomethylated plants, suggesting that SVs could have been overlooked in epigenetic mutants. We propose that a high eccDNA load may alter DNA repair pathways leading to genome instability and the accumulation of SVs, at least in plants.

The keystone of ribosome biogenesis is the transcription of 45S rDNA. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains hundreds of 45S rDNA units; however, they are not all transcribed. Notably, 45S rDNA units contain insertions/deletions revealing the existence of heterogeneous rRNA genes and, likely, heterogeneous ribosomes for rRNAs. In order to obtain an overall picture of 45S rDNA diversity sustaining the synthesis of rRNAs and, subsequently, of ribosomes in natura, we took advantage of 320 new occurrences of Arabidopsis thaliana as a metapopulation named At66, sampled from 0 to 1900 m of altitude in the eastern Pyrenees in France. We found that the 45S rDNA copy number is very dynamic in natura and identified new genotypes for both 5′ and 3′ External Transcribed Spacers (ETS). Interestingly, the highest 5′ETS genotype diversity is found in altitude while the highest 3′ETS genotype diversity is found at sea level. Structural analysis of 45S rDNA also shows conservation in natura of specific 5′ETS and 3′ETS sequences/features required to control rDNA expression and the processing of rRNAs. In conclusion, At66 is a worthwhile natural laboratory, and unraveled 45S rDNA diversity represents an interesting starting material to select subsets for rDNA transcription and alter the rRNA composition of ribosomes both intra- and inter-site.

Quantitative plasma viral load (VL) at 1000 copies /mL was recommended as the threshold to confirm antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure by the World Health Organization (WHO). Because of ongoing challenges of using plasma for VL testing in resource-limited settings (RLS), especially for children, this study collected 717 DBS and paired plasma samples from children receiving ART ≥1 year in Mozambique and compared the performance of DBS using Abbott's VL test with a paired plasma sample using Roche's VL test. At a cut-off of 1000 copies/mL, sensitivity of DBS using Abbott DBS VL test was 79.9%, better than 71.0% and 63.9% at 3000 and 5000 copies/mL, respectively. Specificities were 97.6%, 98.8%, 99.3% at 1000, 3000, and 5000 copies/mL, respectively. The Kappa value at 1000 copies/mL, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.87), was higher than 0.73 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.80) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.59, 0.73) at 3000, 5000 copies/mL, respectively, also indicating better agreement. The mean difference between the DBS and plasma VL tests with 95% limits of agreement by Bland-Altman was 0.311 (-0.908, 1.530). Among 73 children with plasma VL between 1000 to 5000 copies/mL, the DBS results were undetectable in 53 at the 1000 copies/mL threshold. While one DBS sample in the Abbott DBS VL test may be an alternative method to confirm ART failure at 1000 copies/mL threshold when a plasma sample is not an option for treatment monitoring, because of sensitivity concerns between 1,000 and 5,000 copies/ml, two DBS samples may be preferred accompanied by careful patient monitoring and repeat testing.

This work was designed to investigate (i) the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibition on endothelial function and (ii) the free radical-induced endothelial dysfunction in equine digital veins (EDVs) and equine digital arteries (EDAs) isolated from healthy horses. EDV and EDA rings were suspended in a 5 ml organ bath containing Krebs solution. After a 60 min equilibration period, EDV and EDA rings were contracted with phenylephrine. Then, cumulative concentration-response curves (CCRCs) to acetylcholine were performed. In both EDVs and EDAs, acetylcholine (1 nM to 10 µM) produced concentration-dependent relaxation. We investigated the influence of SOD inhibition by diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC; 100 µM), a CuZnSOD inhibitor, on EDAs and EDVs relaxant responses to acetylcholine. Acetylcholine -mediated relaxation was impaired by DETC only in EDVs. SOD activity assayed by a xanthine-xanthine oxidase method was higher in EDAs compared with EDVs (P<0.05). CCRCs to acetylcholine established in the presence of pyrogallol (30 µM) or homocysteine (20 µM), two superoxide anions generating systems showed that in both EDVs and EDAs, the acetylcholine-mediated relaxation was significantly impaired by pyrogallol and homocysteine. This impairment was more pronounced in EDVs than in EDAs. Moreover, the pyrogallol-induced impairment of acetylcholine-mediated relaxation was potentiated by DETC to a greater extent in EDVs. We concluded that due to the lower activity of SOD, EDVs are more sensitive to superoxide anions than EDAs. So, any alteration of superoxide anions metabolism is likely to have a more important impact on venous rather than arterial relaxation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In Africa tens of millions of people are HIV+. Prevention alone is not effective, and needs to be coupled with anti-retroviral treatment (HAART). Laboratory tests as CD4+ T cell count are fundamental tools in HIV disease monitoring, but they require costly equipment, reagents and specialised manpower. The goal of this study was to minimise and optimise the reagents needed for a reliable routine CD4+ cell count in a resource-poor setting (Mozambique). Panleucogating protocol (PLG), requires two antibodies only, CD45 and CD4, or three if CD8 is requested for special clinical reasons. PLG was compared with the current protocol used in two Mozambique hospitals, based on FSC/SSC gating and CD3/CD4/CD8 staining. 189 samples from HIV+ patients, included in the Community of Sant'Egidio's DREAM program and on HAART were processed with both protocols. The overall correlation of the lymphocyte subsets measurements was satisfactory, with r2 always >0.96. The Bland-Altman analysis of CD4+ cell count showed a negative bias when CD4+ cells were <15%, due to the imprecise FSC/SSC gating used previously. When CD4+ cells were >15% the negative bias tended to zero, further confirming the better quality of the PLG gating strategy. Two- or three color PLG protocol, in double platform, currently seems the most accurate and affordable method to monitor CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio by flow cytometry in resource-poor medical settings.

Some abortions on horses and dromedaries are chargeable to Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadacea) by breeders from Linguere (Senegal). The aim of the study is to explore the abortifacient properties of Leptadenia hastata on mice. For thus, 25 p. 100 and 50 p. 100 of Leptadenia hastata powder have been incorporated to the ration of pregnant mices. The results obtained showed that reproduction rates are significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in groups fed with 25 p. 100 and 50 p. 100 of Leptadenia hastata than in control group. It has been concluded that Leptadenia hastata causes partial abortion in mice, probably by a toxic effect leading to the death and the resorption of the embryo.

The lyophilisat of Persea gratissima Gaertner almonds was administered in various quantities to eighty four rats divided in three groups of twenty eight. in the first group (negative reference group), each animal was forcefed with 5 ml of distilled water on a daily basis, in the second group (positive reference group), the rats were forcefed with 5 ml of distilled water per day, after they were intoxicated with 0,3 ml of carbon tetrachloride under cutaneous injection, in the third group (experimental animals), each animal after it was intoxicated by the same quantity of carbon tetrachloride, was forcefed on a daily basis with 14mg/100g PV of lyophilisat of avocado almonds diluted with 5 ml of distilled water. The results showed that the lyophilisat of avocado almonds have a anti-icteric activity which is reflected in the stimulation of the liver to conjugate and eliminate bilirubin, as well as hepatoprotective activity characterised by the normalisation of the aminotransferases enzymes (ASAT, ALAT) and the healing of hepatic lesions within 10 days.

Twenty guinea pigs were used to study the effects of Cassia italica leaves and pods extracts on intestinal motricity in vitro. The results obtained showed that the plant stimulate intestinal contractions with dose-dependent relation. Moreover, Cassia italica contractile activity was comparable to the acetylcholine one and was inhibited by atropine. According to these results, Cassia italica purgative activity is supported at least, by it's stimulating effect on intestinal motricity.

Fifty rats weighing average 200 g were used to study choleretic activity of Cassia alata LINN extract. Bile was collected according to acute biliarly fistula technic on animals anesthetized with 1.5g/kg of ethyle carbamate (Urethane ND). After determination of the minimal active dose (15 mg/kg) and lethal dose (100mg/kg) of the extract, rats were allowed in 5 groups of 10 each one: one reference group, one group receiving 15 mg/kg of Hydroxycyclohexenyl-butyrate (Hebecol ND) a synthetic choleretic, and 3 groups receiving respectively 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of Cassia alata extract. According to results obtained, choleretic activity of Cassia alata at 15 mg/kg is better than the Hebucol ND ones. But at elevated doses, the plant tend to inhibit bile secretion.

Hundred white Wistar rats have been used to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of entire seeds and decorticated, fermented seeds of a soudanian plant, Parkia biglobosa. The arterial blood pressure was measured by using bloody method in anesthizied animals. The Pham Huu Chanh method was used to determine type plant's antihypertensive activity. According to the results obtained, in both preparations, adequate doses decrease arterial blood pressure, diastolic more than systolic, but the effect of fermented seeds was more important than the entire seeds. In the two cases, the decrease in blood pressure is greated in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects, and the hypotension induced was well correlated with a bradycardia.

Sixteen Thiès strain rabbits were used to study the effect of the calcium/phosphorus ratio on plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels during pregnancy. Animals were allocated in 2 groups of 8: one receiving a diet with a Ca/P ratio of 1:0 and the other a diet with Ca/P ratio of 2:1. Water was given ad libitum for all rabbits. Results obtained showed that Ca blood level was significantly higher in rabbits receiving the diet with Ca/P ratio of 2:1 before covering and during the first week of pregnancy. During the last 15 d of pregnancy, Ca blood level decreased significantly in the 2 groups of animals. Plasma inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels were not significantly different in the 2 groups of rabbits until the 2nd wk of pregnancy. But at the end of pregnancy, while phosphatemia and magnesemia decreased in rabbits fed a high Ca/P ratio, in the other group these parameters remained unchanged.

Seasonal and gestational variations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) plasma concentrations were evaluated in 12 pregnant and 6 non pregnant adult Sahel Peulh ewes. Blood samples were drawn from all animals at different dates for radio-immunoassay. In this particular breed of sheep, plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels did not present significant variations from the beginning of the cool season (December) until the end of the dry warm season (May). On the contrary, a highly significant rise of hormones (P less than 0.01) was observed at the onset of the humid warm season (June). Moreover, a significant decrease of thyroid hormone plasma levels (P less than or equal to 0.05) greater for thyroxine than triiodothyronine was observed at the end of gestation, particularly in twin pregnancies. At birth, the thyroxine plasma level was higher in single than in twin lambs (139.6 +/- 66.5 vs 110.5 +/- 43.8 ng/ml).