The initial three years of a 10-year reproductive study of elk involved three major phases. A fourth was added because of convenience. Objective 1 was to ascertain pregnancy rates in yearling and mature elk by rectal palpation, associate these rates with subsequent fall cow/calf ratios, and to test concurrently an ultrasonic fetal heart detector. Rectally observed anatomical changes in gravid uteri of cattle were directly applicable to elk. Ultrasonic detections of pregnancies in elk and deer were unsuccessful. Pregnancy rates in the 1969-70 winter of 100 and 0 percent, respectively, for 19 adult and five yearling elk were associated with subsequent pre- and post-season cow/calf ratios of 100/55 and 100/68. Pregnancy rates the next winter of 82 and 17 percent, respectively, for 60 adults and 23 yearlings resulted in pre- and post-season cow/calf ratios of 100/52 and 100/39. Pregnancy rates in the 1971-72 winter were 82 and eight percent, respectively, for 39 adults and 13 yearlings; compilation of data for the first three years of the study precluded inclusion of associated fall and winter cow/calf ratios. Objective 2 was to determine the breeding efficiency of yearling male elk. Pregnancy rates were 86 and 93 percent, respectively, in 14 yearling-bred cows and 15 adult-bred cows in 1971. Rectal palpations revealed eight of 12 conceived in October from yearling breeding and 10 of 14 in September from adult breeding. A peak in yearling breeding was estimated to have occurred between October 11 and October 25, as compared to two peaks in adult breeding estimated near September 5 and September 20, The earliest and latest conceptions were estimated near October 5 and November 21, and September 5 and November 3, respectively, in yearling and adult bred cows. Most wild and captive yearlings polished or began peeling their antlers about October 1. compared to August 15 for captive adults. Data suggested recrudescent testicular tissues had initiated a rise in blood androgen, which coincided with a peak in breeding activity in September and October. lnducement of twin births in Objective 3 was attempted via synchronized superovulations during the September rut in 1970. Progestogen implants were used from 14 to 20 days to synchronize elk in two pre-rut trials and one mid-rut trial. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) suspended in carboxy-methyl-cellulose (CMC), injected (intramuscular) coincident with implant removal was judged superior to pregnant mares serum (PMS) alone or FSH in peanut oil. Injections of FSH in anestrous elk produced a mean of 2.4 follicles and corpora lutea (CL) (2.0 follicles and 1.33 CL), the first week, and PMS produced a mean of 9.67 follicles and CL (8.67 follicles and 1.5 CL) response was low in a pre-rut trial with two levels of FSH in peanut oil. No conceptions apparently occurred in two groups of six cows injected with 15 and 20 milligrams FSH. Nine of 12 adults (including three of four controls) and none of four remaining yearlings were estimated to have conceived between September 30 and October 15 (five to 20 days after the treatment period), Two additional yearlings were superovulated with FSH without synchronization, but did not conceive. Data presented from blood analyses in Objective 4 included mean values for free-ranging mature elk (probability value indicates a significant difference between free-ranging and captive mature elk). The values were: total leucocytes (WBC), 6160/cubic millimeter (cu mm); WBC differential (percent)--neutrophils (44), lymphocytes (48, P < .05), monocytes (1), eosinophils (7), and basophils (0.1, P< .01); erythrocytes, 11 million/cu mm; hemoglobin, 21 grams/100 milliliters (g%), (P< .01); packed cell volume, 53 percent; blood urea nitrogen, 36 Sigma units (P< .01); serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, 91 Units; lactic dehydrogenase, 863 Units; alkaline phosphatase, 2.22 Sigma units (P < .01); total protein, 7.0 g% (P < .01); albumin, 3.8 g% (P < .05); globulin fractions (g%)--alpha1 (A4), alpha2 (.6) beta (.95), and gamma (1.98); glucose, 183 milligrams/100 milliliters (mg%), (P < .05); creatinine, 2.9 mg%; uric acid, 0.39 mg%; cholesterol, 80.5 mg%; total bilirubin, 0.65 mg%; inorganic phosphorous, 3.4 mg%; and calcium ion, 9.2 mg%. Serology for Brucella abortus and Leptos pira pomona was negative. Blood values from five big game species and three species of domestic animals are presented for comparison. Significant differences in sampled elk were noted (P < .01 or < .05) in various tests between sexes, reproductive status, free-ranging and captive at different ages, and serial four-hour samples. A significant difference (P < .10) was noted in progestogen assays for non-pregnant and pregnant elk. Captive elk were positive and free-ranging were negative for Dictyocaulus infestations, Yearling and adult male reproductive tracts were microscopically differentiated. Nutritional conditions of experimental elk were considered excellent when fed a special pelleted formula freechoice with grass hay.

<p>Platelets are the smallest cells in the blood. They are formed in the bone-marrow and are important for the blood coagulation. Platelet tranfusions are given to patients propyhlactically before an operation but also in therapeutical purpose in connection with bleeding. It’s importent that the quality controls of the platelet concentrates are reliable.</p><p>ADVIA®60 (Bayer HealthCare) is a fully automated cell counter which uses impedance principle to count platelets in blood samples. The purpose of the study was to evaluate this new instrument for use in the blood bank of Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala. The instrument was bought to be used for quality control of platelet concentrates. 30 samples from platelet concentrates, from both apheresis and from buffy coats, were analyzed 10 times each on ADVIA®60 and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each sample. CV variated from 0,8 % to 2,9 % which is good considering that according to Bayer HealthCare the CV should be < 5 % for thrombocytes on ADVIA®60. The instrument was newly calibrated when the study was performed. Platelet count can also be performed by immunological or optical principles.</p>

Platelets are the smallest cells in the blood. They are formed in the bone-marrow and are important for the blood coagulation. Platelet tranfusions are given to patients propyhlactically before an operation but also in therapeutical purpose in connection with bleeding. It’s importent that the quality controls of the platelet concentrates are reliable. ADVIA®60 (Bayer HealthCare) is a fully automated cell counter which uses impedance principle to count platelets in blood samples. The purpose of the study was to evaluate this new instrument for use in the blood bank of Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala. The instrument was bought to be used for quality control of platelet concentrates. 30 samples from platelet concentrates, from both apheresis and from buffy coats, were analyzed 10 times each on ADVIA®60 and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each sample. CV variated from 0,8 % to 2,9 % which is good considering that according to Bayer HealthCare the CV should be &lt; 5 % for thrombocytes on ADVIA®60. The instrument was newly calibrated when the study was performed. Platelet count can also be performed by immunological or optical principles.

Glucocorticoids are frequently included in the chemotherapy regimens administered to patients with CLL because they are potent immunosuppressant agents and because they are able to induce apoptosis in CLL cells. Although used from a long time, the molecular mechanisms by which glucocorticoids induce cell death in CLL cells are largely unknown. Interestingly, CLL cells from prognostic groups defined by the mutational load of the IGHV genes and the expression of ZAP70 seem to have different responses to glucocorticoids. The hypothesis in this thesis is that there are genes or proteins that determine the different response to glucocorticoids among the specific prognostic groups of patients with CLL. Sensitivity to dexamethasone was analyzed ex vivo in 50 CLL and compared according to IGHV mutational status and/or ZAP70 expression. The response was further compared by gene expression profiling (GEP) of selected cases. Expression of genes of interest was validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Response to dexamethasone is higher in cases with unmutated IGHV/high ZAP70 expression and the levels of induction of the pro-apoptotic BIM gen correlate with the degree of cell death. The different levels of apoptosis induced by dexamethasone observed in the CLL groups defined by ZAP70 expression translate into different profiles of gene expression. These differences are mainly quantitative; cases with high ZAP70 expression show higher levels of gene induction/repression than cases with low ZAP70 expression. Specific analysis of genes of interest performed in a large series disclosed that baseline mRNA and protein expression levels of FKBP5, the co-chaperone of the glucocorticoid receptor, correlate with the extent of CLL cells apoptosis induced by the treatment with dexamethasone. Baseline FKBP5 levels are higher in samples from patients with high ZAP70 expression. GILZ is differentially induced by dexamethasone in ZAP70 expression groups of CLL, being higher in cases with high ZAP70 expression. Induction of GILZ correlates with induction of BIM and levels of apoptosis. Unmutated IGHV/high ZAP70 CLL cells exhibit better response to dexamethasone treatment, which is accompanied by a differential expression of genes involved in the glucocorticoid-receptor pathway and by an increased induction of genes related to apoptosis. / Los glucocorticoides son frecuentemente incluidos en la quimioterapia administrada a pacientes con leucemia linfática crónica (LLC), pues son potentes inmunosupresores e inducen la apoptosis de las células de LLC. Los mecanismos moleculares por los cuales los glucocorticoides inducen la apoptosis de las células de LLC son en gran parte desconocidos. Las células LLC de grupos pronósticos definidos por el estado mutacional de los genes IGHV y por la expresión de ZAP70 parecen tener diferentes respuestas a los glucocorticoides. La hipótesis de esta tesis es que hay genes o proteínas expresados de forma diferente en los grupos pronósticos de pacientes con LLC que determinan los diferentes niveles de apoptosis inducidos por los glucocorticoides. La sensibilidad al glucocorticoide dexametasona, se determino ex vivo en 50 muestras de pacientes con LLC y se comparo en función del estado mutacional de los genes IGHV y/o de la expresión de ZAP70. También se compararan los perfiles de expresión génica (GEP) de casos seleccionados. Los niveles de expresión de los genes de interés se validaran por QRT-PCR. La respuesta a la dexametasona es superior en los casos de LLC con genes IGHV no mutados/alta expresión de ZAP70. Los niveles de inducción del gen proapoptótico BIM se correlacionan con el grado de muerte celular. Los diferentes niveles de apoptosis inducida por dexametasona en los grupos de LLC definidos por la expresión de ZAP70 se traducen diferentes GEP. Las diferencias entre los GEP de cada grupo fueran principalmente cuantitativas, los casos con alta expresión de ZAP70 muestran niveles más altos de inducción/represión génica que los casos con baja expresión. Se observo que los niveles basales de ARNm y proteína de FKBP5, una cochaperona del receptor de los glucocorticoides, se correlacionan con el grado de apoptosis inducida por la dexametasona y que los niveles de FKBP5 son más elevados en los casos con alta expresión de ZAP70. GILZ induce diferencialmente por la dexametasona, observándose mayores inducciones en los casos con alta expresión de ZAP70. La inducción de GILZ se correlaciona con la inducción de BIM y con la magnitud de la apoptosis.

published_or_final_version / Statistics and Actuarial Science / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Blood is one of the most common and important types of physical evidence present at a crime scene. When liquid blood is acted upon by external physical forces, that blood is often distributed through the air in the form of droplets, with bloodstains and bloodstain patterns deposited on adjacent surfaces. Using the mathematical relationship that exists between the blood droplet and resultant bloodstain’s length and width ratio, the angle at which the blood droplet impacted the receiving surface can be determined. Using this relationship, it becomes possible for Bloodstain Pattern Analysts to determine the three dimensional Region of Origin for the blood source from which the bloodstains under examination have originated. A Bloodstain Pattern Analyst performs angle of impact calculations from bloodstains for the purpose of making a three dimensional determination of blood source Region of Origin. The reliability of that determination is based on an assumption that one of the most important biological properties of blood; the amount of red blood cells or hematocrit value, has no influence over the length to width ratio of a bloodstain. As a consequence the Impact angle = arcsine [width/length] calculation has been assumed accurate regardless of the 'unknown' hematrocrit value. This thesis investigated the effect of the hematocrit value on the angle of impact calculation and thus the ability to determine the three dimensional blood source Region of Origin. Bloodstains were created by releasing a series of 18µL droplets, with ten different hematocrit values, onto a ceramic tile at four different angles. The resultant bloodstain length and width was measured and impact angle calculated. Evaluation of the research data shows that the hematocrit value significantly affects the bloodstains length and width. However, it is apparent that there is close agreement between the known and calculated impact angles irrespective of the hematocrit value.

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:40:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 sousa_adl_dr_jabo.pdf: 988790 bytes, checksum: 16a6c08389c72bdf340f861f5412e6be (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Este experimento foi conduzido em um empreendimento aquícola, tendo como objetivo a utilização de mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) e ß-glucano, na suplementação dietária do lote experimental, com o intuito de acompanhar o desempenho zootécnico e relacioná-lo aos parâmetros hematológicos, alterações morfológicas do intestino e atividade enzimática (protease, lípase e amilase) de 3000 juvenis de tilápias-do-nilo, mantidos em tanques-rede, com peso médio inicial de 24g ± 0,26. Utilizaram-se nove tanques-rede (6,0 m3) constituindo-se de três tratamentos e três repetições: Tratamento 1: ração comercial sem suplementação (controle); Tratamento 2: 0,1% por tonelada de MOS; Tratamento 3: 0,03% por tonelada de beta glucano purificados. A ração continha 36 % de proteína bruta (PB), incorporados no premix MOS e β-glucano purificado (BIORIGIN®). Os exemplares foram alimentados três vezes ao dia de acordo com a sua biomassa, e, mensalmente, os ajustes foram determinados de acordo com as biometrias. Os parâmetros analisados, físicos e químicos da água (temperatura, °C, oxigênio dissolvido, mg L-1, pH e condutividade elétrica, us cm-1); zootécnicos (peso inicial e final - Pti e Ptf, comprimento total inicial e final - Cti e Ctf, relação Pi x Ct,, fator de condição - K, conversão alimentar aparente -CAA, ganho de peso diário - GPD, taxa de crescimento específico - TCE, taxa de eficiência protéica - TEP e sobrevivência – S); hematológicos (hematócrito, hemoglobina, proteína total, contagem diferencial de leucócitos - CDL, contagem de eritrócitos - Er, contagem total de leucócitos - CTL, contagem total de trombócitos - CTT, volume corpuscular médio e concentração -VCM e hemoglobina corpuscular média – CHCM); morfologia da parte anterior do intestino (altura, altura da parede e espessura do epitélio das vilosidades) e atividade enzimática... / This experiment was conducted at an aquicolous enterprise with the objective of evaluating the use of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and ß-glucan as dietary supplements in an experimental lot in order to follow the zootechnical performance, establishing a relationship with the hematological parameters, the morphological alterations of the intestine, and the enzymatic activity (protease, lipase and amylase) of 3000 Nile tilapia juveniles kept in cages, with initial mean weight of 24g ± 0.26. Nine net tanks (6.0 m3) were used, with three treatments and three replications: Treatment 1: commercial feed without supplementation (control); Treatment 2: 0.1% per ton of MOS; Treatment 3: 0.03% per ton of purified beta glucan. The feed contained 36 % of crude protein (CP) incorporated into the premix MOS and purified beta glucan (BIORIGIN®). The fishes were fed three times a day according to their biomass, where the adjustments were determined monthly according to the biometry. The analysed parameters were: physical and chemical parameters of the water (temperature, °C, dissolved oxygen, mg L-1, pH and electrical conductivity, us cm-1); zootechnical (initial and final weight - Wti and Wtf, initial and final total length - Lti and Ltf, relationship Wi x Lt, condition factor - K, apparent feed-conversion - AFC, daily weight gain - DWG, specific growth rate - SGR, protein efficiency ratio - PER and survival rate - S); hematological; (hematocrit, hemoglobin, total protein, leucocyte differential count - LDC, red blood cell count - RBC, total leucocyte count - TLC, total thrombocyte count - TTC, mean corpuscular volume - MCV, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration – MCHC); morphology of the front part of the intestine (height, height of the wall and thickness of the epithelium of the villi) and enzymatic activity (protease, lipase e amylase). The nile tilápia that had received the diet... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)