Clinico-chemical blood parameters in foals in the first two months of life]

Eighteen healthy foals were studied from birth until 2 months of age. Blood samples were obtained at the following times: presuckle, 30 hours, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks of age. Changes in serum P, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Cl, iron, AP, ASAT, ALAT, GGT, GLDH, CK, lipase, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, protein and fibrinogen and in plasma total solids were examined and the values compared to reference values of adult horses. There were characteristic age related changes in several parameters. Single measurements should be interpreted cautiously to allow for individual variations.     

The connections between structure, pharmacokinetics and effects of glucocorticoids

Corticosteroids above all have an influence on the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Inflammatory and immunological reactions are suppressed. The effects are based on the induction of both primary and secondary responses. Examples in catabolic and anabolic reactions are described. The significance of bioavailability is illustrated and hints to discriminate the types of corticosteroids for therapeutic requirement are given.     

Pathological findings in lentivirus infected cats

This report describes the necropsy findings in 3 cats with a natural T-lymphotropic Lentivirus (FTLV) infection. The changes are compared with the "immunodeficiency syndrome" of humans and monkeys. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of the FTLV and the significance of a dual infection with FTLV and Spumavirus is discussed.     

Oceanographic basis of the global surface distribution of Prochlorococcus ecotypes

By using data collected during a continuous circumnavigation of the Southern Hemisphere, we observed clear patterns in the population-genetic structure of Prochlorococcus, the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth, between and within the three Southern Subtropical Gyres. The same mechanisms that were previously invoked to account for the vertical distribution of ecotypes at local scales accounted for the global (horizontal) patterns we observed. Basin-scale and seasonal variations in the structure and strength of vertical stratification provide a basis for understanding large-scale horizontal distribution in genetic and physiological traits of Prochlorococcus, and perhaps of marine microbial communities in general.     

Toxic potential of materials at the nanolevel

Nanomaterials are engineered structures with at least one dimension of 100 nanometers or less. These materials are increasingly being used for commercial purposes such as fillers, opacifiers, catalysts, semiconductors, cosmetics, microelectronics, and drug carriers. Materials in this size range may approach the length scale at which some specific physical or chemical interactions with their environment can occur. As a result, their properties differ substantially from those bulk materials of the same composition, allowing them to perform exceptional feats of conductivity, reactivity, and optical sensitivity. Possible undesirable results of these capabilities are harmful interactions with biological systems and the environment, with the potential to generate toxicity. The establishment of principles and test procedures to ensure safe manufacture and use of nanomaterials in the marketplace is urgently required and achievable.