Plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in the dog: The effects of age, breed, gender and endocrine disease

A combined ultracentrifugation and precipitation technique was used to quantify the plasma lipoprotein concentrations of control dogs (n=33) and dogs with diabetes mellitus (n=11), hyper-adrenocorticism (n=14), hypothyroidism (n=10) and obesity (n=20). In addition, the effect of breed type, age and gender on the lipoprotein phenotype was assessed. Breed type and age were found to have no effect upon cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations but the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration was greater in intact females than intact males. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher than those of the control group in dogs with diabetes mellitus (P<0·01), hyper-adrenocorticism (P<0·01) and hypothyroidism (P<0·001). In dogs with diabetes mellitus this was due to increased concentrations of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (P<0·01) and HDL-C (P<0·05). The concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0·05) were significantly increased in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, while in the hypothyroid dogs, VLDL-C (P<0·05), LDL-C (P<0·001) and HDL-C (P<0·05) were significantly higher than the control group. The cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in the obese population were not significantly different from control dogs.     

Photochemistry of halogenated benzene derivatives. Part IX. environmental aquatic phototransformation of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile)

Photochemistry of the herbicide 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile (bromoxynil) (I) was investigated by irradiating at approximately 313 nm. Aqueous phase photoreactions of 0.078–7.800 × 10^?5m solutions of I were carried out at different pH values. Quantum yields for the loss of I in buffered solutions were 0.008 (±0.0004), 0.048 (±0.0024), and 0.044 (±0.0022) at pH 2.6, 7.0, and 11.0, respectively. In neutral and basic conditions, I absorbed more strongly at wavelengths > 290 nm, an environmentally significant region. Phototransformation of I was monitored by HPLC and UV-VIS spectrometry. All photoreactions of I gave rise to the generation of two products, 3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile and 4-hydroxybenzonitrile. The former photoproduct was tentatively identified from its mass spectral data. The photoproducts can be accounted for with a proposed mechanism involving free radicals.     

Distribution of fenvalerate and permethrin residues on cattle hair following variable application rates of impregnated ear tags

Fenvalerate and permethrin residues on hair of groups of cattle that received either two tags per adult animal or one tag for every other adult animal were determined using gas chromatography over a three-month period in 1987 and 1988. Cattle with two tags had consistently higher residues than cattle with one tag. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the first month for residues on the head and in the first two weeks for residues from the body in 1987. Residues on cattle with one tag and without a tag in the same herd were similar (P > 0.05) on each sampling day on all regions. Residues on the hair from the head of cattle with two tags were greater than on the body and rump (P < 0.05) during the first 28 days. Residues found on hair on days 14 and 84 following tag application declined by 80–86% on the head, 73–78% on the body, and 36–86% on the rump. Isomeric compositions of fenvalerate (range 51–61% SR, RS: 39–49% SS, RR) and permethrin (range 61–67% trans: 33–39% cis) were consistent during the study. Rainfall reduced residues on hair.     

Medical management of a corneal stromal abscess in a female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

A 47-yr-old female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) developed a corneal stromal abscess in her right eye. The elephant was trained to open her eye for topical ophthalmic therapy, and was treated six times daily with antibiotics and an antifungal solution for almost 2 mo. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used to control pain, and atropine was applied topically to dilate the pupil and provide additional comfort. Vascularization of the abscess began shortly after initiating therapy, and complete resolution was obtained by 7 wk.     

Morphologic studies of uveoscleral outflow in normotensive and glaucomatous beagles with fluorescein-labeled dextran

Aqueous humor leaves the anterior chamber through 2 pathways: the trabecular meshwork of the iridocorneal angle and the unconventional uveoscleral route. In the latter route, aqueous humor leaves the anterior chamber, passes caudally through the trabecular meshwork and sclerociliary cleft to enter the supraciliary and suprachoroidal spaces. The fluid is absorbed by the choroidal and scleral circulation. Fluorescein-labeled dextran was slowly infused into the posterior chamber of healthy and glaucomatous Beagles for 30 minutes. The eyes were fixed in a mixture of 70% alcohol and formalin, placed in epoxy resin for histologic evaluation, and examined by fluorescent microscopy. Fluorescence was detected in the healthy dogs throughout the uveoscleral pathway. In the glaucomatous dogs, the uveoscleral outflow was decreased or completely absent.     

Perceived risk, displacement and refuging in brown bears: positive impacts of ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a rapidly growing industry with unknown impacts on viewed wildlife that may require novel management action. We examined the impact of viewing activities on the behaviour of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in coastal British Columbia.Domination of the best feeding sites and human avoidance by large male bears has consistently been reported. We, however, saw displacement in time rather than space - during the viewing day large males were less active than at other times, while females with cubs tended to be more active.In each year, females with cubs spent similarly high proportions of their time fishing when people were present. In years with large male activity, less time was spent fishing when people were absent. When freed from the potential threat of large male bears, females with cubs showed no measurable impact of controlled human activity.Human presence at a feeding site impacts the behaviour of brown bears, but not as expected. Temporal avoidance of human activity by large males was observed; indications that they departed upon satiation, before the arrival of morning tours, however, suggests that there was little energetic impact. By displacing large males, viewing activities created a temporal refuge, enhancing feeding opportunities for subordinate age/sex classes. With the strong positive relationships between mean female mass and litter size, this may in turn increase population productivity.     

The nutritional status of asymptomatic HIV-infected Africans: directions for dietary intervention?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relationships between food (nutrient) intakes and biochemical markers of nutritional status of asymptomatic HIV-infected with HIV-uninfected subjects, to gain more information on the appropriate diet for HIV-infected persons at an early stage of infection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based survey. SETTING: North West Province, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixteen asymptomatic HIV-infected and 1550 HIV-uninfected men and women volunteers aged 15 years and older, recruited as 'apparently healthy' subjects from 37 randomly selected sites. OUTCOME MEASURES: Food and nutrient intakes, measured with a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and nutritional status indicated by anthropometric and biochemical variables, measured by a standardised methodology. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV infection in the study population was 11.9%. The anthropometric indices and nutrient intakes of HIV-infected and uninfected subjects did not differ significantly, indicating that these 216 HIV-infected subjects were at an early stage of infection. Of the biochemical nutritional status variables, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, haemoglobin, albumin and triglycerides were significantly lower in infected subjects. They also had higher globulin and liver enzyme levels than uninfected subjects. In infected subjects, serum albumin correlated significantly with serum lipids, serum vitamin A, serum vitamin E, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity and haemoglobin. The significant positive correlations of the liver enzymes with serum lipids, albumin, vitamin A and iron, observed in HIV-uninfected subjects, disappeared in the infected subjects. Polyunsaturated fat intake showed significant positive correlations with the increased liver enzymes in infected subjects. A principal components analysis indicated that, in infected subjects, increased liver enzymes correlated with higher consumption of maize meal and lower consumption of meat and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This survey indicated that asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects who followed a diet rich in animal foods had smaller decreases in serum albumin, haemoglobin and lipid variables, and smaller increases in liver enzymes, than those who consumed a diet based on staple foods. This suggests that animal foods are associated with improved nutritional status in HIV-infected persons. These results should be confirmed with intervention studies before dietary recommendations for asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals can be made.     

At-sea distribution of waved albatrosses and the Galápagos Marine Reserve

Albatross populations worldwide are threatened by incidental takes in longline fishery operations. The recent establishment of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is relevant to the longline bycatch issue, as it prohibits industrial longlining in the vicinity of the major nesting site of waved albatrosses (Phoebastria irrorata). However, the legality of the fishing protections is being challenged, highlighting a need for data on use of the GMR by albatrosses. We used satellite tracking over a total of four breeding seasons to determine the distribution of waved albatrosses inside and outside the GMR, and thereby assess the degree of protection that GMR provisions offer to this species. During the incubation period, breeding adults made commuting trips from the nesting island (Isla Española) to the Peruvian upwelling zone, traveling north, east, and south after leaving the nest. During the brooding period, the distribution contracted markedly, and most satellite fixes were within the GMR. During the rearing period, breeders performed both long trips outside the GMR and short trips within. The southeastern portion of the GMR is used throughout the incubation, brooding, and early rearing periods by breeding waved albatrosses. Indirect information from non-breeding adults indicates that they are likely to use the waters of the GMR extensively.