Isoflavonoids isolated from Cuban propolis

Chemical investigation of a red-type Cuban propolis sample has led to the isolation of 11 isoflavonoids (2 isoflavones, 3 isoflavans, and 6 pterocarpans), together with gallic acid, isoliquiritigenin, and (-)-liquiritigenin. Structural determination, including the absolute stereochemistry, was accomplished by spectroscopic analysis, particularly CD and 2D NMR techniques. The fragmentation behavior of pterocarpans was studied by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using an ion-trap analyzer, and a generalized fragmentation pathway, useful in the identification and structural characterization of pterocarpans, is proposed. Isoflavonoids are reported for the first time from propolis samples.     

Can Non-fumigant Nematicides Be an Alternative to Fumigation on Carrot Fields?

ABSTRACT

Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) cause enormous yield reductions in vegetable crops. While nematicides are the most effective method for controlling RKN in carrot (Dacatus carota), the efficacy of non-fumigant nematicides, compared to fumigants, is still not fully understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1,3-dichloropropene, a fumigant nematicide, and fluensulfone, a non-fumigant nematicide, on RKN control and yield of fresh market and processing carrot. Field experiments were conducted in a commercial farm in Lenox, GA. A randomized complete block design (r = 4) was used in a factorial arrangement of 3 nematicide treatments and 2 carrot cultivars. Nematicide treatments were the application of 1,3-dichloropropene, fluensulfone, and untreated control. Carrot cultivars were Baltimore (fresh marketing) and Belgrado (processing). In general, RKN population was low early season, averaging 0.8 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil. RKN populations increased with crop development and there were significant differences among nematicide treatments. At harvest, RKN populations were lower for fluensulfone (1.1 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil) and 1,3-dichloropropene (3.2 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil) compared to Control (26.4 RKN 100 cm^?3 of soil); however, fluensulfone (91,278 kg ha^?1) had higher yield than 1,3-dichloropropene (64,154 kg ha^?1) and Control (61,908 kg ha^?1). Carrot cultivars were similar for RKN population and yield. Overall, the non-fumigant nematicide was more beneficial for carrot production than the fumigant nematicide.     

1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene treatment of seed potatoes affects tuber size distribution

1,4-DMN is a relatively new sprout inhibitor for use on maincrop and seed potatoes. Despite its registration as a “dormancy enhancer” for seed, relatively little is known about its effects on plant establishment and productivity. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 1,4-DMN on the productivity of seed potatoes. ‘Umatilla Russet’ (UR), ‘Ranger Russet’ (RR), and ‘Russet Burbank’ (RB) seed tubers were stored at 4, 7, and 9 C over three seasons to create 80-, 554- and 642-degree-day seed, and 1,4-DMN was applied to maintain dormancy several times during each season. 1,4-DMN residue levels at the end of storage were lower in seed aged at higher temperatures. Multiple applications of 1,4-DMN at higher-than-label rates were necessary to effectively inhibit sprouting of seed of all cultivars stored above 4 C. In field trials, depending on cultivar and year, 1,4-DMN either delayed plant emergence slightly or had no effect. 1,4-DMN increased stem numbers from RB and UR seed, but not from RR seed. 1,4-DMN reduced total tuber yields by 3.2 to 5.6 t ha^?1 (5% to 9%), and U.S. No. 1 tuber yields by 4.8 to 7.8 t ha^?1 (8% to 15%) in all cultivars, regardless of seed tuber age. 1,4-DMN also reduced the average tuber weight for all three cultivars and shifted the size distribution from larger (> 284 g) to smaller tubers. 1,4-DMN reduced the respective yields of > 397-g, 340-to 397-g, and 284-to 340-g tubers by 43%, 19%, and 18% for RR seed, 31%, 14%, and 11% for RB seed, and 40%, 47%, and 27% for UR seed. Conversely, depending on cultivar, yields of smaller tubers (≤170 g) were 11% to 38% higher from 1,4-DMN-treated seed. The shift in tuber size distribution for RR was accompanied by a 1,4-DMN-induced increase in tuber number per plant and per hectare. However, no such effects on tuber set occurred in RB and UR. Moreover, in most cases, the 1,4-DMN effects on yield and tuber size distribution were independent of seed age. Since the 1,4-DMN-induced shifts in tuber size distribution were greater than the reductions in total and U.S. No. 1 yields, 1,4-DMN may be a suitable treatment to reduce average tuber size and increase yield and uniformity of specific size classes of tubers to more closely match market requirements.     

The effect of phosphorus fertilization on the chemical quality of Katahdin potatoes

The influence of phosphorus fertilization on the content of ascorbic acid, lipids, total nitrogen, protein, and non-protein nitrogen of Katahdin potatoes was investigated. Phosphorus in the form of mono ammonium phosphate was applied at rates of 0, 56, 112, and 168 Kg/ha (0, 50, 100, and 150 lb/acre). Ascorbic acid, total nitrogen, protein and non-protein nitrogen content were significantly increased (p<.01) and the phospholipid content was significantly reduced (p<.01) by phosphorus application.     

Comparison between manual and automated total nucleated cell counts using the ADVIA 120 for pleural and peritoneal fluid samples from dogs,cats, horses,and alpacas

Background: Analysis of body fluids includes an estimate of total nucleated cell count (TNCC). Automated methods may enhance the accuracy and timeliness of TNCC results. Objective: The purpose of this report was to assess the ability of the ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer to accurately count nucleated cells in pleural and peritoneal fluids from animals, compared with manual counts. Methods: Pleural and peritoneal fluids submitted in EDTA tubes to our laboratory over a 17‐month period were used in the study. TNCC/μL was determined by a manual method, using a hemocytometer, and by an automated method, using the ADVIA 120. Correlation of results was determined by Passing‐Bablok regression, Bland–Altman plots, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Samples from dogs (n=36), cats (n=36), horses (n=59), and alpacas (n=11) were analyzed. High correlation in TNCC between methods was found for peritoneal fluid (n=93, r=.959), pleural fluid (n=49, r=.966), and all fluids combined (n=142, r=.960) (P<.001). Variation between methods was greater in samples with TNCCs<1000/μL (r=.62, P<.001). The ADVIA systematically overestimated the number of cells in all fluid samples by 95 cells/μL (confidence interval=19.2–190.5/μL). Conclusion: The ADVIA 120 reliably determines TNCC in pleural and peritoneal effusions and can be recommended for routine veterinary laboratory analysis.     

Extrapituitary and Pituitary Pathological Findings in Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: A Retrospective Study

The objective of this study was to describe the histopathologic changes observed in extrapituitary organs as well as the pituitary glands of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Adrenal gland, thyroid gland, liver, lung, kidney, heart, and pituitary gland from 32 horses with clinical and histologic evidence of PPID and 20 control horses were reviewed histologically. Ten of the control horses were aged animals (≥15 years), allowing those changes attributed to age to be identified. In addition to previously reported changes in adrenal gland and liver, an association was established between PPID and several extrapituitary histopathologic changes, namely bronchiolitis, proliferative glomerulopathy, and myocardial lipofuscinosis and fibrosis. The potential biologic significance of these changes is discussed and, although the retrospective design of the current study precludes establishment of causal relationships between the observed extrapituitary changes and PPID, these findings suggest that further investigations are warranted.     

Characteristics and outcomes in surgical management of severe acute pancreatitis: 37 dogs (2001–2007)

Objective – Describe clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with canine patients undergoing surgical intervention for treatment of acute pancreatitis.
Design – Retrospective outcome study from 2001 to 2007.
Animals – Thirty-seven dogs.
Interventions – None.
Measurements and Main Results – The following data were collected for dogs who underwent surgical intervention in the course of treatment for severe acute pancreatitis: preoperative clinicopathologic and physical data, ultrasonographic findings, surgical procedure detail, histopathologic findings, and transfusion requirements. The survival rate was 80.8% in dogs with extrahepatic biliary obstruction, 64.3% in dogs undergoing necrosectomy, and 40.6% with pancreatic abscess. Overall survival was 63.6%. Surgical complications included intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage in 12 dogs, postoperative development of diabetes mellitus in 3 dogs, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in 1 dog, and bacterial peritonitis in 2 dogs.
Conclusion – Surgical intervention and aggressive postoperative care may be pursued in select dogs with severe acute pancreatitis. In dogs with extrahepatic biliary obstruction secondary to acute pancreatitis, surgical intervention may be associated with a good prognosis whereas dogs with pancreatic abscess formation may have a more guarded prognosis.     

Problem Solving in Reptile Practice

Problem-oriented reptile medicine is an explicit, definable process focused on the identification and resolution of a patient's problems. This approach includes gathering case information, clearly defining the problems, making plans to address each problem, and following up with the case over time. Case information and published literature serve as evidence to support clinical decisions and pathophysiological rationale. This article describes the problem-solving process used to diagnose and treat a green iguana (Iguana iguana) that presents with ovostasis.     

A preliminary study on the suitability of Cervidil to induce cervical dilation for artificial insemination in ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Cervidil^®, a prostaglandin E₂ (PgE₂)-releasing vaginal insert used for induction of cervical ripening and labour in women, to enhance the ease of transcervical artificial insemination (TCAI) in anestrous ewes (June). It was hypothesized that the use of Cervidil^® prior to AI would cause dilation of the cervix, and thus alleviate the difficulty associated with traversing the cervix for semen deposition in sheep. Cervidil^® was inserted 12 h before insemination in six Rideau-Arcott ewes; six ewes served as untreated controls.Semen was deposited into the uterus of all six treated ewes but TCAI was possible only in four of the six control ewes. It can be concluded that Cervidil^® facilitated transcervical semen deposition in anestrous ewes. The treatment with Cervidil^® has the promise of a technique to improve transcervical AI and to enable non-invasive embryo transfer procedures in sheep.