Synthesis and insect antifeedant activity of precocene derivatives with lactone moiety

Starting from precocenes I and II, four of their derivatives with a lactone moiety were obtained. The compounds have been assessed as antifeedants against several diverse insect species including the storage pests the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum Duv., larvae and adults), the granary weevil beetle (Sitophilus granarius L., adults), and the khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Ev., larvae) and against the herbivorous pest insects Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, adults and larvae) and aphids (Myzus persicae Sulz.). Precocenes, especially precocene II, showed a very strong antifeedant effect against all storage pests and aphids. The introduction of a lactone moiety caused a decrease in antifeedant activity against these species. Both precocenes were moderately active against L. decemlineata adults. The best antifeedants to this species were precocene derivatives, especially iodolactones. The introduction of iodine into a molecule had a great effect on the antifeedant activity of those compounds.     

Effects of carprofen on renal function during medetomidine-propofol-isoflurane anesthesia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of carprofen on indices of renal function and results of serum bio-chemical analyses and effects on cardiovascular variables during medetomidine-propofol-isoflurane anesthesia in dogs. ANIMALS: 8 healthy male Beagles. PROCEDURES: A randomized crossover study was conducted with treatments including saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.08 mL/kg) and carprofen (4 mg/kg) administered IV. Saline solution or carprofen was administered 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia and immediately before administration of medetomidine (20 microg/kg, IM). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with inspired isoflurane in oxygen. Blood gas concentrations and ventilation were measured. Cardiovascular variables were continuously monitored via pulse contour cardiac output (CO) measurement. Renal function was assessed via glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal blood flow (RBF), scintigraphy, serum biochemical analyses, urinalysis, and continuous CO measurements. Hematologic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Values did not differ significantly between the carprofen and saline solution groups. For both treatments, sedation and anesthesia caused changes in results of serum biochemical and hematologic analyses; a transient, significant increase in urine alkaline phosphatase activity; and blood flow diversion to the kidneys. The GFR increased significantly in both groups despite decreased CO, mean arterial pressure, and absolute RBF variables during anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen administered IV before anesthesia did not cause detectable, significant adverse effects on renal function during medetomidine-propofol-isoflurane anesthesia in healthy Beagles.     

Prognostic implications of the degree of shunt narrowing and of the portal vein diameter in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts

OBJECTIVE : To determine prognostic evaluation and correlation of the degree of narrowing and the diameter of the portal vein in dogs with a congenital portosystemic shunt (CPS). STUDY DESIGN : Longitudinal prospective study. ANIMALS : Ninety-seven dogs with CPS. METHODS : Shunt diameter was recorded before and after silk ligation to calculate degree of closure. Portal vein diameter was measured in 74 dogs. Short-term (30 days) and long-term (>1 year) outcome were evaluated. Dogs with clinical signs after 1 year were re-examined to assess the degree of portosystemic shunting and compared with matched operated dogs without clinical signs. Correlations between clinical outcome, degree of closure, and portal vein diameter were statistically analyzed. RESULTS : Short-term and long-term mortality were 27% and 2.9% respectively. Clinical recurrence occurred in 10% of dogs. The degree of closure was significantly associated with mortality, but not with clinical recurrence. A significant correlation was found between degree of closure and the diameter of the cranial part of the portal vein. Portal vein diameter was only significantly associated with mortality in extrahepatic CPS. Subclinical portosystemic shunting was confirmed in 3 of 10 dogs. CONCLUSION : The degree of shunt closure depended on portal development. Long-term outcome did not depend on the degree of closure or portal development at the time of surgery. This suggested that factors such as hepatic and portal regeneration after surgery may be important. CLINICAL RELEVANCE : Determination of factors that predict the outcome after surgical treatment of CPS in dogs is important to gain insight in treatment selection or new therapeutic options.     

喀斯特石山区高效特色生态农业模式探讨——以广西壮族自治区凤山县为例

凤山县在喀斯特石山区实施地头水柜、沼气池和小流域综合治理等生态农业基础设施建设 ,积极引进新品种 ,开发石山区特有的动植物种质资源 ,开创高效特色生态农业可持续发展模式。     

Pre‐pubertal growth,muscle and fat accumulation in male and female sheep—Relationships with metabolic hormone concentrations,timing of puberty and reproductive outcomes

Metabolic homeostasis is aligned with changes in growth and body composition, through processes mediated by circulating metabolites and metabolic hormones, and is eventually linked to reproductive success. In the present study with sheep, we determined the relationships among phenotypic and genotypic rates of growth, muscle and fat accumulation, and the circulating concentrations of metabolic and tested for relationships with the timing of puberty and subsequent reproductive outcomes. We used 64 females and 62 males with known phenotypic values for depth of eye muscle (EMD) and fat (FAT) and known Australian Sheep Breeding Values at post‐weaning age for live weight (PWT), depth of eye muscle (PEMD) and depth of fat (PFAT). Blood plasma sampled every 20 min for 8 hr via was assayed for growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), insulin, leptin, ghrelin, follistatin, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA). In males, PWT was positively related to the concentrations of GH, follistatin and glucose, whereas FAT and PFAT were positively related to IGF‐I concentrations (p < .01). Testosterone concentration was negatively related to muscle variables (p < .001) and to PFAT (p < .05). In females, the only significant relationship detected was the positive link between EMD and insulin concentrations (p < .05). Reproductive variables were only measured in females. Live weight at first oestrus was related positively to insulin concentration and negatively to GH concentration (p < .05). No other relationships with reproductive variables were significant. The relationships that were detected suggest subtle differences between the sexes in the way their metabolic homeostasis responds to changes in the rates of growth, and muscle and fat accumulation, perhaps due to interference by testosterone in the males.     

Evaluation of Serum and Seminal Plasma Markers in the Diagnosis of Canine Prostatic Disorders

Serum and seminal plasma concentrations or activities of acid phosphatase (AP), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and canine prostate specific esterase (CPSE) were measured in normal dogs, dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), dogs with bacterial prostatitis, and dogs with prostatic carcinoma to determine if these assays would be of value in differentiating dogs with prostatic carcinoma from normal dogs, and dogs with other prostatic disorders. In addition, tissue sections of prostatic adenocarcinomas were stained with antiprostatic AP, anti-CPSE, and anti-PSA antibodies to determine if these would be suitable immunohistochemical markers of prostatic carcinoma. Prostate-specific antigen was not detected in canine serum or seminal plasma. Serum and seminal AP activities did not differ significantly between normal dogs and those with prostatic diseases, or among dogs with different prostatic disorders. Serum CPSE activities were significantly higher in dogs with BPH than in normal dogs. Mean serum CPSE activities in dogs with BPH, bacterial prostatitis, and prostatic carcinoma were not significantly different from each other. Slight to moderate immunohistochemical staining of canine prostatic adenocarcinomas was noted for prostatic AP and PSA; most tumors did not stain for CPSE. These results show that proteins of prostatic origin appear in the serum of dogs as a result of prostatic pathology, especially BPH. Canine prostatic adenocarcinoma does not appear to be associated with significant increases in CPSE or AP activities, possibly because of down-regulation of these enzymes by prostatic carcinoma cells. It is also possible that failure to detect significant differences resulted from limited statistical power for some groups and pairwise analyses because of the small number of dogs evaluated.     

Agriculture,population, environment and balanced regional development: A modelling project in Poland

This paper considers a regional agricultural development programme, assuming intensive water systems and irrigation constructions and a build-up of agricultural production. In order to analyse possible future developments and policies, a number of mathematical computerised models were created. These models are briefly characterised, together with their joint functioning as a system of models for multi-aspect regional planning, balancing the various values—economic, social and environmental—involved in any socio-economic development related to agriculture. In particular, a detailed regional agricultural model is presented, along with its mode of operation and an example of the results. The interrelationship of basic development-triggered values and objectives is illustrated by means of these results.