The effects of diflubenzuron on the growth of insect cuticle

Cuticle consists of chitin microfibrils embedded in a matrix composed largely of hydrated proteins. The effect of diflubenzuron, an inhibitor of chitin synthetase, on the deposition of both these components is reviewed. The polymerisation reaction is but one step in the pathway leading to chitin microfibrils. Possibly interactions to other steps in the pathway serve to enhance the consequences of the inhibition. Such enhancement could help to explain the abrupt changes in the rate of chitin synthesis that can be observed as diflubenzuron is cleared from epidermal cells. Cuticle proteins differ widely in their ability to form a stable layer when chitin is largely absent. In the most stable regions, diflubenzuron has no effect on the amount or nature of the proteins deposited. In contrast, there are many regions where the deposition of solid cuticle is stopped, presumably because the proteins involved cannot form a coherent layer. Intermediate degrees of stability are found. There is an association between the regions of stability and those of high sclerotisation; though sclerotisation often takes place long after deposition. Even when the protein layer is fairly stable it may not be deposited in a regular manner. This statement is illustrated by electron micrographs of cuticle from the hind tibiae of adult locusts. These micrographs also show that diflubenzuron can affect epidermal cells. In normal cells the plaques are in contact with the newly secreted cuticle; they are still present but this contact is not maintained after treatment with diflubenzuron.     

Residual fumigant effect of 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) in fumigations against queensland fruit fly,Dacus tryoni (froggatt), infestations in mangoes

A residual fumigant effect is demonstrated for fruit held 1 to 3 days within its cardboard carton after fumigation with 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB). This residual fumigant effect reduces significantly the dosage required for a specified level of control when compared with that required for fruit removed from the carton immediately after airing when fumigation is completed. The effect is due to the slow release of gas sorbed during fumigation and to the slow dispersion of this gas from the carton.     

Effect of furosemide on urine specific gravity and osmolality in thoroughbred racehorses

Postrace urine samples from thoroughbred horses were examined to compare osmolality and specific gravity between horses treated with furosemide and those not treated. Samples were assigned to groups in relation to reported medication (furosemide) status, race finish position, and distance of race. Urine osmolality was significantly (P <.05) lower in samples from horses treated with furosemide when compared with untreated horses. Specific gravity determinations are less precise at measuring urine osmolality at lower levels (1.01 g/ml or less). The measurement of osmolality is a superior method for determining the urine solute concentration and facilitating the regulation of furosemide.     

Rheumatoid factor-like IgM in Plasmodium berghei (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida) infections of BALB/c mice

Groups of female BALB/c mice infected by intravenous injection with 50 erythrocytes containing Plasmodium berghei Vincke et Lips, 1948 were sacrificed on days 3 through 12 after infection. Rheumatoid factor-like IgM (RF-IgM) and parasite-specific IgG levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum specimens and in culture medium removed from spleen cell cultures established at sacrifice. All four mouse IgG subisotypes were recognized by RF-IgM molecules induced by Plasmodium berghei infection, and in this regard, the parasite-induced RF-IgM response resembled that induced by lipopolysaccharide polyclonal activation. Plasmodium berghei infection resulted in a biphasic RF-IgM response, with infected animals demonstrating significantly increased levels of RF-IgM early in the infection and significantly decreased levels late in the infection, compared to uninfected control mice. The decreased levels of RF-IgM observed late in infection correlated with increasing parasitaemia levels, and were primarily due to a decrease in RF-IgM specific for mouse IgG2a. Late infection levels of RF-IgM specific for IgGI, IgG2b, and IgG3 were not significantly different from those of control animals.