Potentiation of malathion by other insecticides against Musca domestica

Twenty-seven insecticides, including organochlorine, organophosphorus compounds and carbamates were tried for potentiation of the toxic effect of malathion. Carbaryl, diazinon, fenthion, gamma-BHC, parathion and tetrachlorvinphos potentiated the action of malathion. Fourteen insecticides gave additive effects while seven proved antagonistic. Insecticides which showed potentiation, were further tested by mixing with malathion in the ratios of 1:9, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3 and 9:1. All the five combinations in the six mixtures gave potentiating effects. Maximum potentiation of 17.6 times was observed in 1:9 combination of malathion and gamma-BHC. The proportions in which the insecticides were mixed had a pronounced effect on the toxic effect of malathion.     

Influence of phosphine on hatching of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae)

The hatching and mortality response of 0- to 48-h-old eggs of field strains of the stored-product insects Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Lasioderma serricorne (F) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L) following phosphine fumigation for 24, 48 or 120 h at 27 (+/- 2) degrees C was investigated. Hatching was delayed and reduced in the first few days in a phosphine-resistant strain of C ferrugineus that was treated with 2.0-7.0 mg litre(-1) doses for 48 h (5-80% mortality) and with 1.0-2.0 mg litre(-1) for 120 h (44-84% mortality). In both the exposures there were significant increases in hatching on later days when compared with the corresponding controls. Developmental delay was, however, not evident in susceptible strains of C ferrugineus, L serricorne and O surinamensis that were exposed to phosphine for 24 h.     

Enhanced efficacy of recombinant Brucella abortus RB51 vaccines against B. melitensis infection in mice

Brucella abortus strain RB51 is an attenuated rough strain, currently being used as the official live vaccine for bovine brucellosis in the USA and several other countries. In strain RB51, the wboA gene, encoding a glycosyltransferase required for the O-side chain synthesis, is disrupted by an IS711 element. Recently, we have demonstrated that strain RB51WboA, RB51 complemented with a functional wboA gene, remains rough but expresses low quantities of O-side chain in the cytoplasm. Mice vaccinated with strain RB51WboA develop greatly enhanced resistance against challenge with B. abortus virulent strain 2308. We have also demonstrated that overexpression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) in strain RB51 (RB51SOD) significantly increases its vaccine efficacy against strain 2308 challenge. In this study, we constructed a new recombinant strain, RB51SOD/WboA, that over expresses SOD with simultaneous expression of O-side chain in the cytoplasm. We tested the vaccine potential of strains RB51SOD, RB51WboA, RB51SOD/WboA against challenge with virulent Brucella melitensis 16M and B. abortus 2308 in mice. In comparison with strain RB51, strain RB51SOD induced better protection against strain 2308, but not strain 16M, challenge. Similar to strain RB51WboA, vaccination with strain RB51SOD/WboA resulted in complete protection of the mice from infection with strain 2308. When challenged with strain 16M, mice vaccinated with either strain RB51WboA or strain RB51SOD/WboA were significantly better protected than those vaccinated with strain RB51 or RB51SOD. These results suggest that strains RB51WboA and RB51SOD/WboA are good vaccine candidates for inducing enhanced protection against B. melitensis infection.     

Fatal intraoperative pulmonary fat embolism during cemented total hip arthroplasty in a dog

A 3-year-old, German shepherd dog died suddenly during cemented total hip arthroplasty. Gross necropsy findings included severe pulmonary edema and congestion as well as congestion of the liver and kidneys. Acute pulmonary embolism was suspected as the cause of death. Microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained, formalin-fixed, and oil red O-stained frozen tissue sections confirmed the presence of large numbers of fat globules in blood vessels in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Fat embolism during total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical complication in humans, but it is uncommon in veterinary cases and is rarely a cause of death.     

Regulation of B cell tolerance by the lupus susceptibility gene Ly108

The susceptibility locus for the autoimmune disease lupus on murine chromosome 1, Sle1z/Sle1bz, and the orthologous human locus are associated with production of autoantibody to chromatin. We report that the presence of Sle1z/Sle1bz impairs B cell anergy, receptor revision, and deletion. Members of the SLAM costimulatory molecule family constitute prime candidates for Sle1bz, among which the Ly108.1 isoform of the Ly108 gene was most highly expressed in immature B cells from lupus-prone B6.Sle1z mice. The normal Ly108.2 allele, but not the lupus-associated Ly108.1 allele, was found to sensitize immature B cells to deletion and RAG reexpression. As a potential regulator of tolerance checkpoints, Ly108 may censor self-reactive B cells, hence safeguarding against autoimmunity.     

Effect of dihydrodillapiole on pyrethroid resistance associated esterase inhibition in an Indian population of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

Resistance in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) has been attributed to enhanced detoxification of insecticides by increased levels of esterases, oxidases and/or glutathione S-transferases. Enzyme inhibiting insecticide synergists can be employed to counter increased levels of such enzymes in S. litura. Dihydrodillapiole induced synergism of pyrethroid toxicity was examined in the laboratory-reared third instar larval population of S. litura collected in Delhi (susceptible), and Guntur (resistant) region of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Guntur population was found to be 7.04 and 10.19 times resistant to cypermethrin and lambdacyhalothrin, respectively. The activity of cypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin and profenophos against susceptible and resistance populations of S. litura, was gradually increased when used along with a plant-derived insecticide synergist dihydrodillapiole. The α-naphthyl acetate hydrolysable esterase activity in Delhi population was less as compared to the Guntur population. Resistance associated esterases in Delhi population were inhibited by pre-treatment with dihydrodillapiole. The esterase level in insect was instantly reduced initially, sustained for about 3 h and equilibrated at 4 h post treatment. The esterase activity of Guntur population was increased to 1.28 μmoles/mg/min at 2 h post treatment and subsequently reduced to lower than 0.70 μmoles at 4-12 h post treatment. The variation in esterase activity is suggestive of its homeostatic regulation in test populations. Dihydrodillapiole thus caused significant reduction of resistance in S. litura to cypermethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and profenophos.     

Behavioral, morphological deformities and biomarkers of oxidative damage as indicators of sublethal cypermethrin intoxication on the tadpoles of D. melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

Concerns have been raised that the amphibian larval stages are particularly at risk and may be vulnerable to adverse effects of pesticides. The present study reports acute toxicity of cypermethrin at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h through static renewal bioassay test for Duttaphrynus melanostictus. The LC₅₀ values were 5.15, 4.55, 3.95, and 3.34 μg/L for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h respectively. At sublethal concentration (0.33 μg/L) behavioral, morphological and biochemical changes were studied. The behavioral and morphological anomalies observed in the present study are typical signs of cyano pyrethroid poisoning. Significant changes were observed in total, soluble, and structural proteins. The depletion of all the protein fractions observed in this investigation led to progressive protein oxidation and catabolism of proteins. Decreased protein level has resulted in a marked elevation of free amino acid levels at all time intervals. The induction of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase activities and elevation in the levels of hydrogen peroxide, reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde eventually lead to oxidative damage of biomolecules, showing that the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are involved in the toxicity induced by cypermethrin. Indicating increased susceptibility of tadpoles. Thus, an exposure to cypermethrin at sublethal concentration had catastrophic effect on tadpoles of D. melanostictus.     

Documentation and determination of consensus about phytotherapeutic veterinary practices among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh,India

Purpose  

The aim of the present investigation was to document the phytotherapeutic knowledge and veterinary healthcare management practices among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India and to determine the consensus of such practices, in order to evaluate the potential for new veterinary drugs of herbal origin.