A preliminary trial of the sedation induced by intranasal administration of midazolam alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine and reversal by atipamezole for a short‐term immobilization in pigeons

ObjectiveTo assess the sedative and immobilization effect of intranasal administration (INS) of midazolam (MID) without or with INS dexmedetomidine (DXM), and some physiological changes induced by the drugs. The ability of INS atipamezole to reverse the DXM component was also assessed.Study designProspective ‘blinded’ experimental study.AnimalsIn total, 15 pigeons.MethodsPigeons were sedated by INS MID alone at a dose of 5 mg kg⁻¹ (group MID, n = 6) or in combination with INS DXM at a dose 80 μg kg⁻¹ (group MID-DXM, n = 6). Measurements were made of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f_R) and cloacal temperature (CT). The degree of sedation was assessed at 15 minutes prior to, immediately after, and at intervals until 100 minutes after drug administrations. Following MID-DXM, INS atipamezole (250 μg kg⁻¹) was administered and the same indices measured 5 and 10 minutes later.ResultsMID had no effect on HR and f_R, and although CT decreased, it remained within physiological range. MID-DXM caused significant falls in HR, f_R and CT that persisted until the end of sedation. Atipamezole antagonized sedation and cardiorespiratory side effects of MID-DXM within 10 minutes of application. In addition, for MID compared to MID-DXM, the lowest sedation scores [10 (7–14) and 10.5 (5–14) versus 2 (1–4) and 2 (1–5)] were achieved in the 10th and 20th minute versus the 20th and 30th minute of the sedation, respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMID alone, given INS had minimal side effects on vital functions but caused inadequate immobilization of pigeons for restraint in dorsal recumbency. MID-DXM caused an effective degree of immobilization from 20 to 30 minutes after administration, at which time birds tolerated postural changes without resistance. Atipamezole antagonized both side effects and sedation, but complete recovery had not occurred within 10 minutes after its application.     

Analysis of genetic diversity among Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. isolates from Euro-Asian countries

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The study assessed the genetic variability among Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. isolates originating from six different countries (Turkey,...     

Kurilosides A1, A2, C1, D,E and F—Triterpene Glycosides from the Far Eastern Sea Cucumber Thyonidium (= Duasmodactyla) kurilensis (Levin): Structures with Unusual Non-Holostane Aglycones and Cytotoxicities

Six new monosulfated triterpene tetra-, penta- and hexaosides, namely, the kurilosides A₁ (1), A₂ (2), C₁ (3), D (4), E (5) and F (6), as well as the known earlier kuriloside A (7), having unusual non-holostane aglycones without lactone, have been isolated from the sea cucumber Thyonidium (= Duasmodactyla) kurilensis (Levin) (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida), collected in the Sea of Okhotsk near Onekotan Island from a depth of 100 m. Structures of the glycosides were established by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI mass spectrometry. Kurilosides of the groups A and E contain carbohydrate moieties with a rare architecture (a pentasaccharide branched by C(4) Xyl1), differing from each other in the second monosaccharide residue (quinovose or glucose, correspondingly); kurilosides of the group C are characterized by a unique tetrasaccharide branched by a C(4) Xyl1 sugar chain; and kurilosides of the groups D and F are hexaosides differing from each other in the presence of an O-methyl group in the fourth (terminal) sugar unit. All these glycosides contain a sulfate group at C-6 of the glucose residue attached to C-4 Xyl1 and the non-holostane aglycones have a 9(11) double bond and lack γ-lactone. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–7 against mouse neuroblastoma Neuro 2a, normal epithelial JB-6 cells and erythrocytes were studied. Kuriloside A₁ (1) was the most active compound in the series, demonstrating strong cytotoxicity against the erythrocytes and JB-6 cells and a moderate effect against Neuro 2a cells.     

Biodynamic parameters of micellar diminazene in sheep erythrocytes and blood plasma

In this work, we used a preparation of diminazene, which belongs to the group of aromatic diamidines. This compound acts on the causative agents of blood protozoan diseases produced by both flagellated protozoa (Trypanosoma) and members of the class Piroplasmida (Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon) in various domestic and wild animals, and it is widely used in veterinary medicine. We examined the behavior of water-disperse diminazene (immobilized in Tween 80 micelles) at the cellular and organismal levels. We assessed the interaction of an aqueous and a water-disperse preparation with cells of the reticuloendothelial system. We compared the kinetic parameters of aqueous and water-disperse diminazene in sheep erythrocytes and plasma. The therapeutic properties of these two preparations were also compared. We found that the surface-active substances improved intracellular penetration of the active substance through interaction with the cell membrane. In sheep blood erythrocytes, micellar diminazene accumulated more than its aqueous analog. This form was also more effective therapeutically than the aqueous analog. Our findings demonstrate that use of micellar diminazene allows the injection dose to be reduced by 30%.     

The effects of chronic intermittent noise exposure on broiler chicken performance

Effects of different noise levels (70 or 80 dB) that broilers were exposed to during the entire fattening period and also the effect of the timing of the first exposure to intermittent noise in the course of fattening (day 1 vs. day 7) were monitored. After 7 days of exposure to intermittent noise, experimental chickens already showed a significant decrease in live body weight in comparison with the control group. The difference between the group exposed to intermittent noise at 70 dB and the group exposed to 80 dB levels was not statistically significant, although the mean live body weight of broilers in the latter was lower during the entire fattening period. The chickens exposed to intermittent noise from day 1 of age showed lower mean live weight throughout the fattening period compared to chickens exposed to the same level of intermittent noise only from day 7 of age, although at the end of fattening the difference was statistically significant only in chickens exposed to the higher level of intermittent noise (80 dB).     

Production of growth-promoting substances and high colonization ability of rhizobacteria enhance the nitrogen fixation of soybean when coinoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Understanding the interaction mechanisms between plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), leguminous crops, and rhizobia is necessary to effectively use PGPR in increasing the biological nitrogen fixation of legumes. We determined the coinoculation effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum A1017 and a gusA-marked strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens 2137, P. fluorescens WCS365, Azomonas agilis 125, and Azospirillum lipoferum 137 on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] cv. Enrei grown under axenic conditions. The gusA-marked rhizobacteria effectively colonized the root tips and surfaces near the roots tips with a colonization rate ranging from 7.50 to 8.62 log colony forming units (cfu) gfw^-1. P. fluorescens 2137 had the highest colonization activity on soybean roots whether inoculated alone or coinoculated with B. japonicum A1017. Coinoculation of P. fluorescens 2137 and B. japonicum A1017 increased the colonization of B. japonicum A1017 on soybean roots, nodule number, and acetylene reduction activity (ARA) at 10 and 20 days after inoculation. Moreover, the addition of sterile spent medium of P. fluorescens 2137 increased the growth of B. japonicum A1017 in yeast mannitol broth (YMB), indicating that P. fluorescens 2137 may have released substances that increased the rhizobial population. The results of this study suggest that the enhanced nodulation and ARA of soybean due to the high colonization of P. fluorescens on soybean roots could depend on the production of growth-promoting substances that stimulate the growth of B. japonicum. However, coinoculation with P. fluorescens WCS365 decreased the nodule number and ARA, despite its slight stimulation of the growth of B. japonicum on the roots, indicating that coinoculation effects are strain dependent.     

Ultralow calcium requirements of fungi facilitate use of calcium regulating agents to suppress host calcium-dependent defenses,synergizing infection by a mycoherbicide

Infection by many fungi activates a variety of calcium dependent defenses in the hosts, slowing or suppressing the attacker and limiting the efficacy of mycoherbicides. The calcium requirement for fungal growth is so low that it could only be implied based on fungi containing calcium-dependent signaling enzymes. Analytical grade media contain <2 microM calcium, and the addition of specific chelators does not affect fungal growth. Hydrophobic derivatives of the calcium-specific chelator BAPTA designed to traverse plant cuticles were synthesized in order to chelate calcium internally during fungal attack. Some chelators as well as calcium precipitating oxalate and channel blocker verapamil were applied with a weakly mycoherbicidal Colletotrichum coccodes to cotyledons of compatible Abutilon threophrasti. They suppressed calcium dependent callose biosynthesis in the weed and increased virulence but may have affected other calcium-dependent processes that facilitate virulence. The low calcium requirement of fungi, and their high affinity for calcium, allows the application of calcium-regulating agents as synergists for mycoherbicides where the weed uses calcium-dependent defenses.     

The sensitivity of water extractable soil organic carbon fractions to land use in three soil types

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a high impact on the sustainability of ecosystems, global environmental processes, soil quality and agriculture. Long-term tillage usually leads to SOC depletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of different land uses on water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) fractions and to evaluate the interaction between the WEOC fractions and other soil properties. Using an extraction procedure at 20°C and 80°C, two fractions were obtained: a cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC) and a hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC). The results suggest that there is a significant impact from different land uses on WEOC. A lower relative contribution of WEOC in SOC and a lower concentration of labile WEOC fractions are contained in arable soil compared to forestlands. Chernozem soil was characterized by a lower relative contribution of WEOC to the SOC and thus higher SOC stability in contrast to Solonetz and Vertisol soils. Both CWEOC and HWEOC are highly associated with SOC in the silt and clay fraction (<53 µm) and were slightly associated with SOC in the macroaggregate classes. The WEOC fractions were highly and positively correlated with the SOC and mean weight diameter.