Freshening of the Ross Sea during the late 20th century

Ocean measurements in the Ross Sea over the past four decades, one of the longest records near Antarctica, reveal marked decreases in shelf water salinity and the surface salinity within the Ross Gyre. These changes have been accompanied by atmospheric warming on Ross Island, ocean warming at depths of approximately 300 meters north of the continental shelf, a more negative Southern Oscillation Index, and thinning of southeast Pacific ice shelves. The freshening appears to have resulted from a combination of factors, including increased precipitation, reduced sea ice production, and increased melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.     

Naturally occurring auxin transport regulators

The process of polar auxin transport, central to a plant's auxin relations, can be inhibited by a group of synthetic compounds that apparently act by binding to a plasma membrane protein known as the naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) receptor. No endogenous ligand to the NPA receptor, capable of affecting polar auxin transport in plants, has yet been found. It is now shown that a group of flavonoids-including quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol-can specifically compete with [(3)H]NPA for binding to its receptor and can perturb auxin transport in a variety of plant tissues and transport systems in a manner closely paralleling the action of synthetic transport inhibitors. Because the active flavonoids are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and exert their effects at micromolar concentrations approximating likely endogenous levels, they may act as natural auxin transport regulators in plants.     

Sedimentary aggregates in the Peoria Loess of Nebraska, USA

Loess grain size data used to infer transport direction or wind strength are generally derived from vigorously disaggregated samples. However, these data may not adequately represent the effective particle size distribution during loess transport, if the transported dust contained aggregates of fine-grained material. Thin sections of minimally altered C and BC horizons in the late Pleistocene Peoria Loess of Nebraska, USA, indicate the presence of aggregates with diameters of 30–1000 μm. The larger aggregates (>250 μm) are unlikely to have been transported, and are interpreted as the result of soil faunal activity and other pedogenic processes after deposition. Aggregates smaller than 250 μm could have a similar origin, but laser diffraction particle size analysis suggests that many are sedimentary particles. Comparison of minimally and fully dispersed particle size distributions from each sampling site was used to estimate the modal diameter of aggregates. The aggregate modal diameter becomes finer with decreasing loess thickness, representing increasing distance from the source. A similar trend was observed in the modal diameter of fully dispersed particle size distributions, which represents the mode of sand and silt transported as individual grains. We interpret both trends as the result of sorting during transport, supporting the interpretation that many of the aggregates were transported rather than formed in place. Aggregate content appears to increase with distance from the source, explaining a much more rapid downwind increase in clay content than would be expected if clay were transported as particles smaller than 2 μm diameter. Although the Peoria Loess of Nebraska contains sedimentary aggregates, many of the coarse silt and sand grains in this loess were transported as primary particles, were thoroughly exposed to sunlight and are potentially well suited for luminescence dating.     

REGIONAL BINDING INDEX OF THE RADIOLABELED SELECTIVE 5-HT2A ANTAGONIST 123I-5-I-R91150 IN THE NORMAL CANINE BRAIN IMAGED WITH SINGLE PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The pattern of the specific 5-HT2A (5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor) antagonist 123I-5-I-R91150 was measured in 10 healthy dogs without neurologic and behavior abnormalities. Eight cortical regions (left and right fronto-, temporo-, parieto-, and occipitocortical area), one global subcortical region (including the thalamic system) were compared with a reference region lacking receptors; that is, the cerebellum. The 123I labeled radioligand was injected intravenously 100-200 minutes before acquisition. Both transmission and emission data were obtained with a triple head gamma camera equipped with high-resolution fanbeam collimators. The emission data were corrected for scatter and attenuation. To delineate different cerebral regions more accurately, the regions of interest (ROI) defined in a former study on brain perfusion measured with 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) in the same dogs were used. The co-registration of the 99mTc-ECD and the 123I-5-I-R91150, obtained from each dog, was realized with the help of corresponding transmission maps. By normalizing each regional cerebral activity to the activity observed in the cerebellum, the regional radioactivity (binding index) could be relatively quantified. Highest brain uptake was noted in the frontocortical brain areas (right: 1.85, left: 1.89), followed by the temporocortical region (right: 1.58, left: 1.56). Least uptake was noted in the more caudal and middle brain regions [occipito- (right: 1.46, left: 1.41), parietocortical (right: 1.30, left: 1.26), and striatal region (1.19)]. No gender nor age influence was noted in this series. The 123I labeled serotonin-2A receptor ligand seems to have similar cortical binding in the normal canine brain, as shown in humans and other animal species. A frontocortical to occipitocortical (rostrocaudal) binding index gradient was identified within the dog, which has not been seen in imaging studies from humans and other animal species. The significance of these results will need further investigation. This normative data can be used to compare regional brain uptake of the 123I-radioligand to dogs with behavioral disorders related to the serotonergic system, in future studies.     

Comparison of direct and indirect blood pressure measurements in anesthetized dogs.

The precision and accuracy of an indirect oscillometric blood pressure measurement technique (Dinamap 8100) was assessed in 11 anesthetized Beagle dogs weighing 8 to 11.5 kg. Direct blood pressure measurements were made by catheterization of the lingual artery, and simultaneous indirect measurements were determined by placing a cuff over the median artery (midradial area). Blood pressure measurements at 2 different planes of anesthesia (light and deep) were recorded in triplicate. At a light plane of anesthesia, the Dinamap 8100 underestimated diastolic and mean arterial pressure, and at a deep anesthetic plane overestimated systolic pressure. The indirect technique had good repeatability of systolic pressures. Regression analysis for the 2 techniques showed excellent correlation (r = 0.93). The results indicate that the indirect oscillometric blood pressure measurement technique provides a good estimate of systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure in dogs weighing 8-11.5 kg.     

Effect of an estrogen antagonist (tamoxifen) on cloprostenol-induced luteolysis in heifers

Experiments were conducted to determine the role of estrogens on endogenous PGF2 alpha secretion and luteolysis following injection of cloprostenol in heifers. In Exp. 1, eight luteal-phase heifers were used to evaluate tamoxifen (T) as an estrogen antagonist. Heifers received T (35 mg i.v.) or ethanol:saline vehicle (ES) every 4 h for 44 h. All received cloprostenol (500 micrograms i.m.) immediately after the start of T or ES, and received estradiol-17 beta (500 micrograms i.m.) 12 h later. Each ES heifer had a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) within 48 h of estradiol injection, whereas T-treated heifers did not. Estrus was observed in three ES-treated heifers, but not in T-treated heifers. In Exp. 2, 10 heifers received T (35 mg i.v.) or ES every 4 h for 64 h beginning on d 15 postestrus. Cloprostenol (500 micrograms i.m.) was injected 16 h after the start of treatment. Concentrations of LH were similar (P greater than .05) in both groups. In ES heifers, concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) increased; in T-treated heifers, PGFM remained at pre-cloprostenol levels. Luteolysis was induced in all heifers. Progesterone (P4) decreased to less than or equal to 1 ng/ml at similar (P greater than .05) rates in ES-treated and T-treated heifers. Mean concentration of P4 288 h post-cloprostenol was greater (P less than .05) in ES-treated than in T-treated heifers. Three ES-treated heifers, but no T-treated heifers, were in standing estrus. We conclude that T effectively antagonizes estrogen in cattle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ostertagia ostertagi infection in the calf: effects of a trickle challenge on the hormonal control of digestive and metabolic function

Metabolic effects of a trickle challenge with the equivalent of 10,000 infective Ostertagia ostertagi larvae per day were investigated in 12 calves allocated to infected, pair-fed control or ad libitum-fed control groups. Changes in hormone levels reflecting abomasal, pituitary and pancreatic function were monitored using radioimmunoassay techniques previously validated for use in cattle. A range of metabolic profile parameters and blood metabolites was also measured. Feed intake of the infected calves began to decline as blood gastrin and pepsinogen levels reached a peak. The depression in appetite recorded in this group was responsible for significant increases in plasma urea and non-esterified fatty acid levels and associated with an increase in growth hormone/insulin ratio. No significant difference in glucagon levels was recorded between groups. A decline in blood albumin values was also shown in the infected group and associated with a drop in nitrogen digestibility. A significant depression in circulating calcium levels was related to either the hypoalbuminaemia or impaired mineral absorption in the intestine. A decrease in plasma cholesterol values in the infected group was associated with changes in digestive function.     

Porcine malignant hyperthermia susceptibility: halothane-induced increase in cytoplasmic free calcium in lymphocytes

We tested the hypothesis that lymphocytes from swine with susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH) had increased sensitivity to the membrane-perturbing effects of halothane that increase cytoplasmic calcium. Cytoplasmic concentration of ionized calcium in lymphocytes isolated from blood was determined in the presence and absence of halothane for 10 Pietrain x Poland China swine that were susceptible to MH and 20 Yorkshire swine that were resistant to MH. Calcium was determined by dual-emission spectrofluorometry and by measuring the ratio of free to calcium-bound form of the fluorescent calcium dye Indo-1. Mean values for calcium concentrations in lymphocytes from MH-susceptible (MHS) swine were 80% less than control values (40.5 +/- 38.8 and 185.3 +/- 91.6 nmol/L; P less than 0.01). Untreated lymphocytes from MHS swine accumulated calcium at half the rate observed for controls. Exposure to 1 mmol/L halothane resulted in a 3-fold increase of free calcium concentration to 127.9 +/- 81.3 nmol/L in the lymphocytes of MHS swine, but had no significant effect on lymphocytes from control swine (225.0 +/- 91.4; P less than 0.01). Exposure to 2 mmol/L halothane resulted in a 6-fold increase of free calcium concentration to 255.9 +/- 91.4 nmol/L in lymphocytes from MHS swine and a 63% increase in lymphocytes from controls (303.8 +/- 116). The rate of halothane-induced increase in cytosolic calcium was 13 times greater in lymphocytes from MHS swine, compared with controls. These data indicated that the molecular defect that results in halothane-hypersensitivity and is characteristic of muscle of MHS swine also occurs in lymphocytes from MHS swine.     

Safety and efficacy of an oil-adjuvant vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia in buffalo calves: cross-protection between the serotypes B:2,5 and E:2,5.

The safety, efficacy and duration of immunity of an improved oil-adjuvant vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia, containing inactivated cells of Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2,5, were tested in young buffalo calves in Pakistan. For safety testing, five buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly with twice the normal dose, and six weeks later with a normal dose. Except for a transient rise in rectal temperature at six hours after the vaccinations, no systemic reactions were observed. The buffaloes remained in good condition and had a normal appetite. No local reactions were observed at the injection site. For efficacy testing two trials were carried out. In the first, buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly either with two doses two-and-a-half months apart, or with a single dose, or left unvaccinated. They were challenged subcutaneously with virulent P multocida after eight, 13 or 15 months. After challenge at eight months the four buffaloes given two doses and the buffalo given one dose were protected, whereas the control animal developed the typical signs of the disease. After the challenges at 13 and 15 months, the vaccinated animals were still protected whereas the control animals died. In the second trial, buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly either with two doses two months apart, or with a single dose at two months or left unvaccinated. The buffaloes were challenged after eight or 14 months. After challenge at eight months the four control animals died, whereas three of the four buffaloes given a single dose were protected. After challenge at 14 months, the three control animals died, whereas four of the five buffaloes given two doses and both the buffaloes given a single dose were protected. To test for cross-protection against the heterologous serotypes E:2,5 and B:3,4, groups of mice were vaccinated once or left unvaccinated. Four weeks later, the vaccinated and control groups were challenged with a dilution series of the different challenge cultures. The vaccine appeared to induce protection against challenge with different strains of serotypes B:2,5 and E:2,5 but not against strains of serotype B:3,4.