Comparison of the effects of etomidate and its fluoro analogue, R 8110, on plasma Cortisol, 11β-deoxycortisol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone concentrations in dogs

R 8110, an imidazole derivative, was shown to be clinically superior to etomidate for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in dogs. The present study compared the effects of intravenous (i.v.) R 8110, etomidate and Ringer solution on cortisol biosynthesis by the adrenal gland in seven male labradors. A tetracosactide challenge was carried out 30 min after the i.v. injection of 3 mg/kg of both drugs and after i.v. Ringer solution (1 ml/kg). Etomidate and R 8110 both suppressed the cortisol response to tetracosactide almost completely and increased the plasma 11 beta-deoxycortisol levels more than 20 fold. Maximal 11 beta-deoxycortisol values were reached 120 min after R 8110, and not less than 300 min after etomidate. Plasma 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone concentrations did not differ between placebo and R 8110 treatment, but they decreased after etomidate. These results indicate that the effects of R 8110 on steroid biosynthesis in dogs are less pronounced than those of etomidate and are largely limited to a temporary inhibition of the 11 beta-hydroxylase in the adrenal gland.     

Dorsal Approach to the Caudal Pelvic Canal and Rectum Effect on Normal Dogs

A dorsal surgical approach to the perineal area and rectum was made on 10 healthy, adult dogs. The rectococcygeal muscle was incised and the levator ani and external sphincter muscles were separated to the level of the caudal rectal nerve. All dogs were clinically normal throughout a 3 week postoperative observation period.     

CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN BROADCAST-SEEDED FLOODED TROPICAL RICE

Summary. Several new herbicides were tested for control of weeds in broadcast-seeded flooded tropical rice. Among the new herbicides, S-(2-methyl-l-piperidylcarbonyl-methyl)- O,O -di- n -propyl dithiophosphate (C-19490), S-(2-methyl-l-piperidylcarbonyl-methyl)- O,O -di- n -propyl dithiophosphate combined with 2-(1',2'-dimethylpropylamino)-4-ethylamino-6-methylmercapto- s -triazine [C-19490/C-18898 (C-288)], and N -secondary-butyl-4-tertiary-butyl-2,6-dinitroaniline (A-820) were highly selective in controlling Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass) and other annual weeds under tropical conditions. S-(4-chlorobenzyl)- N,N -diethylthiol carbamate (benthiocarb) and N -(butoxymethyl)-2-chloro-2',6'-diethylacetanilide (butachlor) continued to look promising in our experiments. Only butachlor is widely used in Asia.
Désherbage chimique des cultures tropicales de riz inorndé, seméà la volée     

Some techniques used in clinical investigation of cardiovascular function in the dog

Five methods are described, which have proved to be useful in closed chest experimental and clinical cardiovascular research in small animals.     

Screening of 170 Peruvian plant species for allelopathic activity by using the Sandwich Method

Peru is one of the 20 botanically extremely diverse countries in the world, with >17 000 flowering plants, of which 30% are endemic. So far, no systematic research has been conducted on the screening of the allelopathic plants. In this study, the allelopathic activity of 170 species from 61 families of Peruvian plants that were collected from the three main regions of Peru – the Costa (Pacific coastline), the Sierra (Andean mountains), and the Selva (Amazonian rainforest) – was evaluated. The allelopathic activity was determined by the Sandwich Method, which can evaluate the activity of leaf leachates. The species that were found to be highly inhibitory in this screening, under the criterion of >90% inhibition of the radicle of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings, were Aristeguietia ballii and Diplostephium foliosissimum (Asteraceae) and Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). All of these species are native plants from Peru. This study gives a strong clue regarding the potential of isolating potent allelochemicals from these plants in the future.