White Rabbits Research Articles

A Novel Pale-Yellow Coat Color of Rabbits Generated via MC1R Mutation With CRISPR/Cas9 System.

Coat color is of great importance in animal breed characteristics; it is not only a significant productive trait but also an indispensable economic trait, especially in the rabbit industry. In the present study, the relationship between melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genotypes and coat color phenotypes was observed in five rabbit breeds with popular coat colors that are present in China. These breeds comprised the Lianshan black rabbit (BR), Fujian yellow rabbit (YR), New Zealand white rabbit (WR), Gray Giant rabbit (GR), and Checkered Giant rabbit (CR), which were firstly determined, and the results showed that GR had an E allele; WR, CR, and BR had a 6-bp in-frame deletion (c.281_286del6, ED allele); and YR had a 30-bp deletion (c.304_333del30 E allele). To explore the feasibility of obtaining a novel rabbit coat color through the mutation of MC1R with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, two single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) were designed for the MC1R gene, and the editing efficiency was confirmed by injection of rabbits’ zygotes. Unlike the donor rabbits whose coat color was originally black, two novel pale-yellow-coated rabbits were generated in the founders. A total of six novel MC1R gene deletions were identified in the two founder rabbits, in which the longest deletion was more than 700 bp. The histological hematoxylin-and-eosin (H&E) staining results indicated that eumelanin amounts were absent in hair follicles of MC1R-knockout (KO) rabbits, when compared with that of donor BR. In addition, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of some key downstream genes in the MC1R pathway were all downregulated in MC1R-KO rabbits compared with BR and YR. These results further indicate that loss-of-function MC1R contributed to blocking the synthesis of eumelanin and created a novel pale-yellow coat color in the MC1R-KO rabbits, and gene editing technology may be a useful tool to generate novel phenotypes in rabbit breeding.

In vivo assessment of anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of Syzygium cumini leaves extract in rabbits

BackgroundSyzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. is one of the very popular traditionally used medicinal plants with numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory. However, actions of S. cumini on blood coagulation and other parameters of blood were poorly pharmacologically studied. Therefore, aim of this present investigation is to examine the effects of methanolic extract of S. cumini on blood coagulation and anticoagulation factors in healthy white albino rabbits at different doses.MethodsBlood samples were drawn twice during this study and biochemical assays were performed to determine the effect on different parameters such as coagulation, anticoagulation, hematological, Protein C (PC) and thrombin antithrombin (TAT) complex and platelet aggregation.ResultsThe results showed significant increase in RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets counts up to 1.4 × 103/cm, 2.2 g/dl, 6%, 248.2 × 103/cm respectively. While, thrombin and bleeding time were also prolonged in dose dependent manner which is highly significant (p ≤ 0.005) as compared to control. Similarly, highly significantly increased (p ≤ 0.005) in levels of protein C, thrombin antithrombin complex at dose of 500 mg/kg were observed. Whereas, levels of platelets aggregation and fibrinogen were decreased at high doses.ConclusionThe obtained findings of hematological and coagulation tests concludes possibly S. cumini possess anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects.

Alleviation the negative effects of summer heat stress by adding selenium with vitamin E or AD3E vitamins mixture in drinking water of female rabbits

ABSTRACT Forty five females New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were used in this research. Before mating, the animals were divided into three equal groups. The 1st group was kept without any treatment and served as control group. The 2nd and 3rd groups were supplemented daily 1m/l in drinking water with Se with vitamin E and AD3E vitamins mixture, respectively. The experiment was lasted two months of hot summer season beginning before mating directly and continues during ending at the weaning of kids. Adding Se with vitamin E or AD3E vitamins mixture in drinking water decreased significantly physiological thermoregulatory parameters and improved live body weight and feed intake and decreased significantly daily water intake in comparative with control group. Blood protein and albumin concentrations increased significantly while urea-N and creatinine concentrations decreased significantly by adding two treatments. Cortisol level was lower while T3 and T4 hormonal levels were higher in both two treatment groups compared with control. Reproductive and productive traits improved significantly in heat stressed female rabbits by adding both of Se with vitamin E and AD3E vitamins mixture in drinking water. Two techniques can alleviate the negative effects of heat stress on Female rabbits under hot summer season in Egypt.

LHAASO KM2A distributed long-distance data transmission

The large high-altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) is being built near Daocheng (4410 m a.s.l.) in the Sichuan province of China. Its main instrument is the one-kilometer square extensive air shower array (KM2A) which will comprise nearly 7000 detectors. The system adopts a distributed architecture where each detector has local front-end electronics for signal digitization and transmission. White Rabbit (WR) is the communication protocol used within KM2A to reach the required 1-ns synchronization accuracy between detectors. To provide data transport and synchronization over the same network. We have developed a firmware implementation of the TCP/IP protocol in Verilog hardware description language that can be coupled with a WR intellectual property core. LHAASO KM2A distributed data and clock synchronization network meets the high requirement of the array for reliable data transmission and clock synchronization. The data transmission method based on the TCP/IP protocol suite and WR can be run in Xilinx Spartan6 FPGA with low resource needs, which greatly expand its application field.

Timing and synchronization of the DUNE neutrino detector

The DUNE neutrino experiment far detector has a fiducial mass of 40kt. The O(1 M) readout channels are distributed over the 4 x 10kt modules and need to be synchronized to O(10ns) with a reliable, simple, affordable system. For the majority of channels a simple DC-balanced protocol is used, with clock and synchronization information encoded on the same fibre. The remaining channels use “White Rabbit” (IEEE-1588). Small scale tests show a timing jitter of <100ps. The DUNE timing system has been successfully prototyped at the ProtoDUNE-SP detector at CERN.

Analysis on the meaning of "White rabbits pounding herbs and toads pilling"

The poem "white rabbits pounding herbs and toads pilling" was recorded in Han Yuefu(Folk) poetry, and the corresponding images were also appeared on the pictorial stones of the Han Dynasty. Some scholars held the opinion that the herbs the white rabbits pounded was "toad pills" , and the "pill" was made of toad venom or the other components of toads.By analyzing literature, the images and unearthed objects, this paper concludes that the meaning of "white rabbits pounding herbs and toads pilling" is that white rabbits and toads work together to make the elixir pills.The word "pill" in the poem is a verb rather than a noun.Toads, like white rabbits, are the agent of actions. They are not the raw materials for elixir pills.

Conventional and Molecular Detection of Avipoxviruses from Chickens, Pigeons and Turkeys

In the present study, a total of 90 cutaneous lesions samples were collected from chickens, pigeons, and turkeys farms in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt during summer 2016. These farms suspected to be infected with Avipoxviruses (APVs).Thirty pooled samples were created (10 from chickens, 10 from pigeons and 10 from turkeys). Hyperimmune serum was prepared against standard fowlpox virus in adult white New Zealand rabbits. APV were identified in the collected samples using agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), indirect immunoperoxidase, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on 4b gene of APVs. The results revealed that out of 30 tested samples there were 16 samples (53.3%) tested positive via AGPT including, 6 chicken samples (60%) , 5 pigeon samples (50%) and 5 turkey samples (50%). while using indirect immunoperoxidase, positive results were detected in 23 samples (76.7%) including, 8 chicken samples (80%), 8 pigeon samples (80%) and 7 turkey samples (70%).The 4b gene of APVs was detected using PCR in all tested samples (100%). In conclusion, Indirect immunoperoxidase is superior over AGPT in APVs detection in collected samples from chickens, pigeons and turkeys. PCR could be efficiently used in molecular diagnosis of the virus.

Obsessed with Time? White Rabbit At CERN

To conduct research in fundamental science, big-science research infrastructures develop some of the most sophisticated technologies in existence. As such, mechanisms that can facilitate the transfer and commercialization of these technologies have vast potential to contribute to economic and social welfare. Scientists and engineers at CERN were confronted with the problem of minute data latency that was corrupting scientific measurements in their geographically distributed computing network. In response, they developed White Rabbit (WR) as open source hardware (OSH). In a context of basic research and a deliberate decision to share the R&D process openly with no IP restrictions, WR is now commercialized in diverse economic sectors including finance, telecommunications, energy, Internet of Things (IoT), and air traffic control. We analyze the emergence, development, and exploitation of WR to a) identify the antecedents in which complex R&D-intensive OSH differs from open source software (OSS), b) capture the mechanisms employed by CERN to stimulate firms’ R&D revelation and WR collaborative development, and c) investigate the business model configurations that companies have adopted in the commercial implementation of WR.

A Fully Programmable White-Rabbit Node for the SKA Telescope PPS Distribution System

Distributed data acquisition (DAQ) systems are in charge of converting different analog environment signals into digital values to perform control and monitor tasks. They require a computer network technology to share data between their different elements. One of their main issues is to match data with the specific events under study. A possible solution is to include an event synchronization technology such as Network Time Protocol (NTP), Precise Time Protocol (PTP), or White Rabbit (WR). This contribution proposes a high-performance distributed timing system based on the WR technology. We focus on the square kilometer array (SKA) project as an example of the distributed DAQ system. The SKA project has a strict timing requirements for its operation with a performance below 2 ns. This accuracy is not achievable by current standard synchronization technologies such as NTP or PTP. Under this context, the authors propose the WR zynq embedded node (WR-ZEN) platform as a candidate for the SKA’s pulse per second (PPS) distribution system. It is a new design that integrates the WR technology, thus enabling the subnanosecond accuracy. Finally, the WR-ZEN has been evaluated in different scenarios to demonstrate its timing performance in dynamic environment conditions fulfilling the SKA telescope requirements for PPS distribution.

Safety of sodium hyaluronate eye drop with C12-benzalkonium chloride

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effects of commercially available multi-dose sodium hyaluronate 0.1% (Hyalein®; Santen, Osaka, Japan) containing 0.003% C12-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) on the Corneal epithelium and its degree of safety.Methods: Japanese white male rabbits were divided into four groups. The corneas of each group exposed to one of the following solutions: sodium hyaluronate 0.1%, C12-BAC, C12, 14, 16-BAC Mixture, and Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (as control), respectively. Corneal transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) changes after 60 s of exposure to the above solutions were measured in living rabbits. TER reflects the barrier function of the epithelium. In addition, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the acute effects of the above solutions on the integrity of the corneal epithelium of four groups.Results: There was no significant decrease in the corneal TER after exposure of the cornea to Hyalein® eye drops as compared to HBSS control eyes. Also, BAC mixture solution and C12-BAC did not produce any significant decrease in the corneal TER as compared to HBSS control eyes. All the corneal epithelium exposed to Hyalein®, 0.003% C12-BAC and 0.003% BAC mixture exhibited a regular appearance of the superficial cells with a high density of microvilli.Conclusion: This study confirms that Hyalein® has no acute hazardous effect on corneal epithelium.

Effect of Propolis Preparations on Transepithelial Electrical Potential, Resistance, and Ion Transport in In Vitro Study.

Background Propolis and its ethanol extract show positive germicidal, bacteriostatic, and anti-inflammatory antioxidants and regenerative properties after use on the surface of the skin. Propolis is in common use in production of cosmetics and in folk medicine. The influence of this resinous mixture on ion channels, channels located in skin cells membranes and skin electrical resistance, was not explained. Objective The main aim of the study was the evaluation of electrophysiological skin parameters during mechanical and chemical-mechanical stimulation after use of ethanol extract of propolis and propolis ointment in comparison with iso-osmotic Ringer solution. Methods Skin fragments were taken from white New Zealand rabbits and distributed into three experimental groups which were incubated in ethanol extract of propolis (EEP), propolis ointment, and Ringer solution. Then they were placed in a Ussing chamber to measure electrophysiological parameters values. Results In this study the influence of EEP on changes in value of electrical potential during block of chloride ions transport at the same time was observed. Ethanol propolis extract dissolved in water increases the transepidermal sodium ions transport in contrast to propolis ointment. Conclusion The way of preparation cosmetics, which contain propolis, has effects on transepidermal ions transport in the rabbit's skin. The value of skin electrical resistance is changing with penetration depth of active propolis substances contained in cosmetics.

The Software Defined Networking in KM3NeT

The networking infrastructure of the KM3NeT detector, implemented with both White Rabbit and standard high preformance switches, is presented in its peculiar asymmetric and hybrid layout. It is one of the first usecases for Software Defined Networking in Astroparticle Physics experiments. Thanks to this innovative technology, dangerous network loops are prevented and a complete deterministic control of the handled data flows is obtained.

Comparison Study between Oat Seeds Powder and Simvastatin Drug on some Hormones and Histological Features of Aorta and Liver in Healthy and Ovariectomized White Female New Zealand Rabbits

Comparison Study between Oat Seeds Powder and Simvastatin Drug on some Hormones and Histological Features of Aorta and Liver in Healthy and Ovariectomized White Female New Zealand Rabbits

Incorporation field crop residues in rabbit rations

BackgroundIn Egypt, the area of Berseem was decreased and wheat area increased which lead to high price of rabbit rations. Using non-traditional feed led to decrease the cost of feeding. The main objective of this study is to replace 50% of Berseem hay (BH) of rabbit rations by agriculture by-products such as Mung bean husks (MBH), soybean vein hay (SBVH), or peanut vein hay (PVH).MethodTwenty-four New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged 5–6 weeks (584 ± 25 g) were randomly divided into four equal experimental groups. Feeding trial lasted 70 days.ResultsExcept for organic matter (OM) digestibility, treatments had no effect on all other nutrient digestibilites that includes dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), and nitrogen free extract (NFE) and nutritive values {total digestible nutrient (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP)}. Instead, 50% of BH by the other alternative source of agriculture by-products had no effect on all carcass parameters measured. However, dressing percentages was improved. Treatments had no effect on albumin, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase.ConclusionIt can be instead 50% of hay used in rabbit rations with alternative sources of roughage, such as Mung bean husks, soybean vein hay, or peanut vein hay, without any adverse effect on their performance, digestion, carcass characteristics, and blood constituents.

PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES OF A CHRONOTHERAPEUTIC DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF LORNOXICAM BY LC-MS/MS METHOD

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate differences in pharmacokinetic patterns of immediate release tablet (IR) and compression coated tablet (CCT) of lornoxicam, proposed for the chronotherapeutic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: The dosage forms were administered to two groups of white New Zealand rabbits (n=3), and the plasma drug levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pharmacokinetic parameters like maximum concentration (Cmax), time is taken to reach maximum concentration (Tmax), area under the curve (AUC), elimination half-life (t1/2) and Mean Residence Time (MRT) were determined.Results: In the case of IR tablets, the drug was detected within 15 min after oral administration and a Cmax of 1269.57±4.04 ng/ml were attained at 2±0.15 h. With CCT, the drug was detected only after 5 h and a Cmax of 1279.24±12.76 ng/ml were attained at 8±0.10 h. The CCT showed maximum drug release at the eighth hour in comparison to IR tablet which showed maximum release at the second hour of study.Conclusion: The predominant lag time prior to drug release from CCT is an indication that it is consistent with the requirements of chronopharmaceutical drug delivery. The results suggest that the compression coated tablet is a promising approach for chronotherapeutic management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Effect of Heat Exposure on Percentage of Dead Sperm and Pyriform Cell in Male New Zealand White (NZW) Rabbit

Experiment has been done on the effect of heat exposure on the percentage of dead sperm and pyriform cell in male NZW rabbit. The bucks were exposed to 34°C for 8 hours on either 1 or 5 days. It was found that scrotal temperature (ScT) increased very rapidly during the first hour of exposure by 4°C in group 1 (1x8h). In group 2 (5x8h of exposure) ScT differed significantly between days (P &lt; 0.05). The bigest response was on day 1 (36.6°C) and followed a progressive reduction, day by day, in an apparent acclimation pattern. At different times of exposure, ScT was observed to rise rapidly during the first hour (by 14 percent or 4.4°C). In the 1x8h treatment dead sperm achieved a maximum level of 14.5 ± 4.7 percent in the first week after hotroom treatment. In week 2, the percentage dead sperm started to decline. When rabbits were exposed to 5x8h, this group was more severely affected than the 1x8h. In week 1, the percentage dead sperm in the 5x8h group was 2.1 fold greater than in the 1x8h group (31.0 vs 14.5 percent). Recovery in the 5x8h group took longer than in the 1x8h group, and the percentage dead sperm finally returned to normal levels only after 7 weeks, compared to 5 weeks after 1x8h treatment.Between weeks, the incidence of pyriforms did differ significantly (P &lt; 0.05). In the 1x8h treatment, the percentage pyriforms increased in the first week after hotroom exposure by 3.8 percent. In week 2, the percentage pyriform started to decline and continued to do so gradually until week 6. In the 5x8h treatment, the number of pyriforms was higher than it was in 1x8h treatment. In week 1, for example, the percentage pyriform was 16 percent higher than in 1x8h treatment group. Hence, the mean pyriform cell count was 1.6 times higher in the 5x8h compared to the 1x8h group.

Cochlear hair cell densities in the rabbit

A typical cochleogram was plotted to investigate hair cell densities as a percentage along the whole length of the basilar membrane (BM) of the rabbit, the length of the BM and the width of the organ of Corti. We generated surface preparations of cochlea from adult, healthy New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. The numbers of inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) were counted from images acquired from a digital camera attached to an Olympus light microscope with a scale of 100 μm as a primary unit drawn continuously, and the numbers of IHCs and OHCs were converted to densities at 10% intervals along the length of the cochlea. Meanwhile, the length of the BM and the width of the organ of Corti were calculated. The average length of the cochlea was 14.504 ± 0.403 mm, while the total number of IHCs and the numbers of OHCs in the first, second, and third rows were 1556 ± 13, 1840 ± 47, 1842 ± 46, and 1840 ± 45, respectively, accounting for 21.98%, 26.00%, 26.02%, and 26.00% of the total number of cells, respectively. The densities of each row of OHCs reported in 10% intervals were greater than the densities of the IHCs corresponding to their anatomical locations within the cochlea. The densities of OHCs in each row were distributed uniformly along the BM, while the IHCs densities were not and showed a bimodal distribution with a maximum density at the apex and at 70–80% of the cochlear length from the apex but a lower density in the remaining cochlea. The width of the organ of Corti decreased successively from the apex to the base.

Autogenous Osteochondral Graft Associated with IGF-1 in Induced Articular Cartilage Lesion in Rabbits

Background: Articular cartilage has a limited capacity for regeneration and of the various treatments proposed, none have reached appropriate therapeutic effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate autogenous osteochondral grafts in intact or macerated format, in association with or without insulin-like growth factor type-1 (IGF-1) in the repair of osteochondral defects induced in the femoral trochlear groove of rabbits.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Seventeen healthy White New Zealand rabbits were selected for this study. The rabbits were female, six months old, and had an average body weight of 4.5 kg. All 34 stifle joints were subjected to autogenous osteochondral grafting in the femoral trochlear groove. The joints were divided into four groups designated as intact osteochondral graft with IGF-1 (INT + IGF), intact osteochondral graft with physiological solution (INT + FIS), macerated osteochondral graft with IGF-1 (MAC + IGF), and macerated osteochondral graft with physiological solution (MAC + FIS). Serial evaluations were performed by orthopedic and radiographic examination. After 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, the grafted area was subjected to macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Although no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in relation to clinical, macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical aspects, a tendency of IGF-1 to promote tissue repair was evident. In the radiographic evaluation, the articular surface and the recipient site in both groups with IGF-1 showed significantly more effective filling (P ≤ 0.05). Regardless of the group, collagen type 2 production, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, was found to be appropriate on the grafted articular surface.Discussion: In extensive cartilage lesions, the use of intact osteochondral grafts may be infeasible due to donor site morbidity. An alternative is the use of macerated osteochondral grafts, which cover a larger area and act as a support and cellular source in the repair process. Growth factors have been evaluated in association with grafted tissues to aid tissue repair, and IGF-1 is currently prominent. In the radiographic analysis of the present study, when comparing sites subjected to osteochondral grafting, presence of the whole graft evidenced adequate local filling in all groups. However, graft integration was apparently rapid and effective in the INT + IGF and MAC + IGF groups from the sixth and ninth weeks of the procedure, respectively. In the macroscopic evaluation at the twelfth week, graft integration with the original cartilaginous tissue was more evident, especially in both groups treated with IGF-1. It is likely that the property of IGF-1 to increase chondrogenesis in the cartilage repair of articular lesions in vivo may have contributed to these results in radiographic and macroscopic examinations. Histological examination showed no significant difference between groups in the same period of time; however, it was observed that addition of IGF-1 promoted a more evident tissue reaction and cellular activation, potentiating the process of reabsorption and repair in the grafted tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed similar immunoreactivity for collagen type 2 in all groups as early as the sixth week. However, a small portion of these tissues cannot be considered true hyaline cartilage due to the absence of some typical features. In summary, addition of IGF-1 to the autogenous osteochondral graft seemed to stimulate reabsorption and replacement processes in the grafted tissue. The grafts showed adequate ability to repair articular cartilage, displaying formation of collagen type 2 similar to that in the original tissue.

Compensation of Transient Beam Loading in Ramping Synchrotrons using a Fixed Frequency Processing Clock

Transient beam loading compensation schemes, such as One-Turn-FeedBack (OTFB), require beam synchronous processing (BSP). Swept clocks derived from the RF, and therefore harmonic to the revolution frequency, are widely used in CERN synchrotrons; this simplifies implementation with energy ramping, where the revolution frequency changes. It is however not optimal for state-of-the-art digital hardware that prefers fixed frequency clocks. An alternative to the swept clocking is the use of a deterministic protocol, for example White Rabbit (WR): a fixed reference clock can be extracted from its data stream, while enabling digital distribution of the RF frequency among other data. New algorithms must be developed for BSP using this fixed clock and the digital data transmitted on the WR link. This is the strategy adopted for the SPS Low Level RF (LLRF) upgrade. The paper gives an overview of the technical, technological and historical motivations for such a paradigm evolution. It lists the problems of fixed clock BSP, and presents an innovative solution based on a real-time variable ratio re-sampler for implementing an OTFB with the new fixed clock scheme.

A low cost, high speed, multichannel analog to digital converter board

Abstract We developed a highly configurable digitizer board including 12 complete acquisition channels: the board analog to digital converters (ADC) components can be chosen to tailor the specific application, ranging from 12 bit 65 MHz up to 14 bit 250 MHz. In this application the front-end circuit is dedicated to the Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) of the BDX detector. The control is made by a commercial FPGA module to guarantee the scalability of the system. Having the possibility to choose the ADC and the “size” of the FPGA on the control module the price can be reduced to the minimum for a given application. The board permit the time synchronization using various methods including GPS and White Rabbit. The configurability of the board and the various options implemented permit to use it in a triggerless data acquisition system. Up to 240 channels can be hosted in a single 6U crate.