Chiral inversion of R(-) fenoprofen and ketoprofen enantiomers in cats

The chiral inversion process is a characteristic metabolic pathway for different aryl-2-propionic acids or profens. Important variations have been observed between these individual compounds as well as between animal species. In this study, R(-) fenoprofen [R(-)FPF] and R(-) ketoprofen [R(-) KTF] were used to investigate their comparative stereoconversion in cats. After intravenous (i.v.) administration of R(-) FPF, the percentage of chiral inversion was 93.20+/-13.70%. A highly significant correlation (r: 0.978) was observed between the clearance of R(-) FPF and the chiral inversion process. After i.v. administration of R(-) KTF, the percentage of inversion was only 36.73+/-2.8%. No correlation between the clearance of R(-) KTF and this process was observed. R(-) FPF was metabolized by the pathways of thioesterification - chiral inversion processes. For R(-) KTF, the competitive metabolic pathways, glucuronidation and hydroxylation may be involved. However, these metabolic steps are saturable or less functional in cats. Moreover, the thioesterification of R(-) KTF in in vitro studies has been shown to be important in carnivores. The lack of correlation between clearance and chiral inversion process of R(-) KTF may be finally explained by deviation of thioesterification to other metabolic pathways of lipids and/or aminoacid conjugation, particulary glicine derivatives.     

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of lasalocid for treatment of experimental cryptosporidiosis

In vitro viability of purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, exposed for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min to 0.27 mg/ml lasalocid suspension was evaluated by inclusion or exclusion of two fluorogenic vital dyes and an excystation technique. Continuously, preventive and curative efficacies at different doses (9, 6.75, 5.625 and 4.5 mg/kg body weight) and regimens of lasalocid against cryptosporidial infection were evaluated on an experimental neonatal mice model. In vitro assays demonstrated a decrease in the oocyst viability related to an increase in exposure time for exposure to the lasalocid suspension. The infection was eradicated when the suspension was administered with a dose of ≥6.75 mg/kg body weight. No apparent toxic effects were observed.     

A Urethrorectal Fistula due to Prostatic Abscess Associated with Urolithiasis in a Dog

An 8-year-old, entire male crossbreed dog had a 2-day history of abdominal pain and straining to urinate and defecate. A diagnosis of urolithiasis with urinary retention, and probable prostatitis was made. The dog was treated with fluids and enrofloxacin. Five days later, ultrasonography of the prostate showed two hypoechoic areas compatible with abscesses. Twelve hours later, the patient started to urinate from the rectum during micturition and urethrorectal fistula was diagnosed. The omentalization of the prostatic abscesses and castration were performed and calculi were removed. The urethrorectal fistula was treated conservatively with an indwelling urinary catheter, a low residue diet and antibiotics. The dog recovered uneventfully without recurrence of the fistula.     

The socioeconomics and management of Santiago de Chile''s public urban forests

Santiago, Chile's semi-arid climate and urbanized environment poses a severe limitation for the establishment and maintenance of urban forests. Municipalities, or comunas, are the main stakeholders in the management of Santiago's public urban forests. A tenable hypothesis would be that as the socioeconomic level of a comuna increases, the better the condition of a comuna's urban forest. Unfortunately, there is little comprehensive information on management, public expenditure, and structure of Santiago's public and private urban forests. To examine this hypothesis, Santiago was divided into socioeconomic strata, then using air photo interpretation and stratified field sampling, urban forest structures were quantified by socioeconomic strata. In addition, interview surveys were used to determine municipal urban forest management and expenditures for different public urban forests based on socioeconomic strata. Urban forests in the high socioeconomic strata had fewer public trees, greater tree cover, tree and leaf area density, and leaf area index than lower socioeconomic strata. The percentage of total municipal budget allocated to public urban forest management was consistent among strata, but the total public urban forest budgets were greater in the high socioeconomic strata. Public urban forest structure is related to the socioeconomic strata of Santiago's different comunas.     

Plant growth,yield, and fruit quality of ‘Fallglo’ and ‘Sunburst’ mandarins on four rootstocks

Vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality of ‘Fallglo’ and ‘Sunburst’ mandarins on ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Orlando’ tangelo, and ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin were evaluated under subtropical climate of Northern São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2000 through 2006 harvest seasons. ‘Fallglo’ mandarin trees had the highest cumulative yield on ‘Rangpur’ lime, and the smallest on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo and ‘Orlando’ tangelo. Plants of this cultivar had the highest yield efficiency on ‘Rangpur’ lime, and the lowest on ‘Orlando’ tangelo. ‘Sunburst’ mandarin trees began to bear fruits later than ‘Fallglo’ mandarin trees, with no differences in yield induced by the rootstocks. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin induced the most vigorous growth in ‘Fallglo’ mandarin as compared to plants on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo. On the other hand, the largest trees of ‘Sunburst’ mandarin were registered on ‘Orlando’ tangelo, and the smallest on ‘Rangpur’ lime. ‘Sunburst’ mandarin had higher alternate bearing than ‘Fallglo’ regardless the rootstock. Fruit weight and juice content were not affected by the rootstock. These two mandarin scion cultivars may be considered adequate alternatives to produce good fruit quality for the fresh fruit market. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘Rangpur lime are suitable rootstocks for ‘Fallglo’ mandarin, whereas all rootstocks evaluated are adequate for ‘Sunburst’ mandarin.     

Evaluation of Feed Attractants in Juvenile Senegalese Sole,Solea senegalensis

The Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, is a flatfish with increasing interest in the European aquaculture. However, one of the main limitations found in this species is related to the scarce attraction to commercial aquafeeds, thus determining low feed intake in fish farms. The aim of this study was to evaluate four ingredients of marine origin (fish meal hydrolysate [FMH], polychaete meal [POM], mussel meal [MUM], and squid meal [SQM]) as potential attractants for juvenile Senegalese sole. Four experimental feeds containing 10% of the potential attractants, plus a control diet without these ingredients, were evaluated. A total of 150 fish were distributed into ten 40‐L tanks (duplicate tanks per feed). A Latin square design was carried out, and hence all the experimental diets were offered to each tank in successive periods of 7 d. Fish were fed twice a day (morning and afternoon), and the feeding behavior of the animals was assessed by direct observations. Behavioral pattern assessed was classified as distant orientation, near orientation, or continuation of intake. The acceptability index for each behavioral phase and experimental feeds used was established for each observation. No behavioral differences could be noticed between the morning and the afternoon feedings. FMH showed the greatest attractant potential than among the ingredients assessed, and consequently this ingredient yielded the higher feed intake rates. On the other hand, POM was not the best attractant for juvenile Senegalese sole.     

Fruit set dependence on carbohydrate availability in citrus trees

We generated source-sink imbalances by defoliation and sucrose supplementation by stem injection, to investigate effects of carbohydrate availability on fruitlet growth and abscission in cv. Okitsu of Satsuma mandarins (Citrus unshiu (Mak.) Marc.). Partial defoliation promoted fruitlet abscission, whereas sucrose supplementation increased citrus fruit set by more than 10%. Moreover, when applied together, sucrose supplementation counteracted the effect of partial defoliation on fruit set. When sucrose was supplied continuously from flowering until harvest, it increased the concentrations of soluble and insoluble sugars in fruits. We conclude that fruit set in citrus is highly dependent on carbohydrate availability.