Abstract: A collapsible dump bin for storing and displaying a wide variety of products including a top member formed into a substantially planar loop defining an opening therethrough, a plurality of elongated leg members each pivotally attachable to the top member, and a product support platform member having a plurality of mounting points associated with its peripheral edge for removably attaching the product support platform member to the plurality of leg members, the product support platform member, the top member and the plurality of leg members forming a storage area therebetween, the storage area being accessible through the opening defined by the top member. In a preferred embodiment, each of the leg members is also slidably attachable to the top member such that each leg member slides along at least a portion of the periphery of the top member.

Abstract: A porcine adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, is expressed in the fat tissue of pigs. Expression may be altered in over fat pigs, or expression may be in the form of a protein of lesser biological activity relative to that of leaner pigs. The porcine adipocyte polypeptide, DNA and RNA molecules coding therefor, methods for its preparation, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide are disclosed. Methods for determining the susceptibility of a pig to fat deposition are based on measuring the levels of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in a biological fluid or tissue extract or by measuring mRNA encoding the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in cells of the subject. Methods of evaluating an agent related to the deposition of fat in swine comprise contacting the agent with an adipocyte in vitro and measuring the amount of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide or mRNA that is produced by the adipocyte.

Abstract: A porcine adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, is expressed in the fat tissue of pigs. Expression may be altered in over fat pigs, or expression may be in the form of a protein of lesser biological activity relative to that of leaner pigs. The porcine adipocyte polypeptide, DNA and RNA molecules coding therefor, methods for its preparation, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide are disclosed. Methods for determining the susceptibility of a pig to fat deposition are based on measuring the levels of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in a biological fluid or tissue extract or by measuring mRNA encoding the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in cells of the subject. Methods of evaluating an agent related to the deposition of fat in swine comprise contacting the agent with an adipocyte in vitro and measuring the amount of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide or mRNA that is produced by the adipocyte.

Abstract: A method for the induction of tetraploidy in channel catfish by heat-shocking fertilized eggs is described. Fertilized catfish eggs are treated after a preliminary incubation period and prior to first cell division cleavage by immersing the fertilized eggs in water at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. to about 43.degree. C. for a temperature-dependent period of time ranging from about 1 to about 4 minutes. Incubation of the heat-shocked eggs allows maturation to tetraploid catfish fry. Breeding of tetraploid catfish with normal diploids produces rapid growing triploid offspring.