Intravenous Administration of Azumolene to Reverse Malignant Hyperthermia in Swine

Background: The efficacy of intravenous (IV) administration of azumolene (Az), an analogue 30‐fold more soluble than dantrolene, on pigs susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) is incompletely understood. Objective: To evaluate efficacy of Az on MH crisis in pigs. Animals: Eight normal (MHN) and 7 susceptible to MH (MHS) pigs (Landrace × Large White × Pietran). Methods: Prospective, laboratory trial. Hypermetabolic crisis was observed in MHS pigs, but not in MHN pigs, after a combined administration of inhaled halothane (1.5%) and IV injection of succinylcholine (SCh; 2.5 mg/kg). Susceptibility was confirmed using a caffeine and halothane contracture test. Az was administered 15 minutes after administration of SCh. Results: Respiratory acidosis (pH 7.16 ± 0.02; Pco ₂, 46.2 ± 9.1 mmHg, HCO₃, 22.5 ± 2.3 mmol/L), fever (38.2 ± 1.1°C), cardiac arrhythmias, and muscle contracture were observed in MHS pigs. MHS pigs (n = 5) treated with Az (2 mg/kg IV) survived the crisis with attenuation of signs (pH 7.30 ± 0.10; Pco ₂, 36.3 ± 4.5 mmHg; HCO₃, 22.9 ± 2.3 mmol/L) and recovery of normal muscle tone and cardiac rhythm. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Az represents a possible substitute for dantrolene to reverse MH crisis in susceptible pigs.     

Avian Community Response to Grazing Intensity on Monoculture and Mixed Florida Pastures

Monoculture and mixed pastures in Florida provide habitat for a variety of resident and migratory bird species. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of grazing on vegetation structure and bird species richness and abundance in grazed monoculture and mixed pastures. Study pasture units were subject to four cattle grazing intensities: 0 = nongrazed (control), 15 = low, 20 = medium, or 35 = high animal units (AU) per pasture unit (no cattle, 1.3, 1.0, and 0.6 ha · AU^?1, on monoculture pastures and no cattle, 2.1, 1.6, and 0.9 ha · AU^?1, on mixed pastures). Monoculture pastures displayed a greater decrease in spatial heterogeneity of the vegetative community in the presence of grazing than mixed pastures. An increase in grazing intensity led to declines in total avian species richness and abundance and species richness within short-distance migrant, neotropical migrant, and permanent resident guilds on monoculture pastures. Declines in total species richness and abundance and neotropical migrant guild species richness and abundance were observed on mixed pastures subject to increasing grazing intensity. However, species richness within short-distance migrant and urban guilds and abundance within the grassland guild increased on this pasture type in the presence of grazing. Loss of spatial heterogeneity typically results in a lack of suitable habitat for birds that occupy the extremes of the vegetation structure gradient. This can lead to a loss of species richness and abundance. For the majority of avian guilds, a low grazing intensity of 1.3 ha · AU^?1 and 2.1 ha · AU^?1 on monoculture and mixed pasture, respectively, is recommended to maintain abundance. However, these grazing intensities may result in declines in species richness. Ultimately, if a range of avian species are to be supported on monoculture and mixed pastures, spatial heterogeneity of plant structure and composition must be maintained.     

Development of monoclonal immunoassays for the determination of triazole fungicides in fruit juices

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on monoclonal antibodies for the detection of triazole fungicides have been developed. With this aim, hapten-protein conjugates, containing the common triazole and chlorinated aromatic moieties, were prepared. From mice immunized with these conjugates, several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with the ability to sensitively bind several triazoles with different specificity were obtained. Both analyte- and class-specific ELISAs were developed. The hexaconazole-specific immunoassay can determine this fungicide with a limit of detection of 0.3 mug/L in standard buffer. The so-called triazole-specific immunoassay allowed for the detection of tetraconazole, penconazole, cyproconazole, and myclobutanil, with limits of detection in the 0.1-0.7 mug/L range. These immunoassays were applied to the determination of triazoles in spiked fruit juices. Samples were adequately diluted to minimize the matrix effects. Coefficients of variation were below 30%, and recoveries ranged from 62 to 135%. Therefore, the developed immunoassays can determine triazole fungicides in fruit juices down to the maximum residue limits currently legislated, without any sample treatment other than dilution.     

Quantitative analysis of exudates from soil-living basidiomycetes in pure culture as a response to lead, cadmium and arsenic stress

Six different ectomycorrhizal fungi (Hebeloma velutipes, Piloderma byssinum, Paxillus involutus, Rhizopogon roseolus, Suillus bovinus and Suillus variegatus) and two saprotrophic fungi (Hypholoma fasciculare and Hypholoma capnoides) were exposed to metal stress induced by Pb, Cd and As. After pre-growth in a nutrient solution in Petri dishes, metal exposure was performed either in a nutrient rich solution or in a nutrient poor solution for seven days. The fungi were exposed to two different metal concentrations, low and high (Pb: 10 + 100 μM; Cd: 1 + 10 μM; As: 1 + 10 μM). Exudation of low molecular weight organic compounds (low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA), amino acids and dissolved monosaccharides), as well as dissolved organic carbon was quantified as a potential response to the metal stress. The main LMWOA identified was oxalate. Oxalate exudation increased significantly in response to both low and high Pb and Cd concentrations, as well as low As exposure, relative to nutrient controls. Exposure to As and mixtures of metals (Pb + Cd, Pb + As) did not result in any significant increase in oxalate production compared to controls. The presence of a carbon source (glucose) in this study is likely to have been important for exudation of organic compounds. For the nutrient rich (+1 mM glucose) metal treatments exposure to Pb and Cd mainly increased exudation of oxalate and total amino acids. Production of dissolved monosaccharides, as well as DOC, did not increase significantly in response to metal exposure, irrespective of nutrient conditions. This may be explained by re-absorption of the organic compounds by the mycelium or by the fact that metals had no effect on exudation of these compounds.     

Beyond-brand effect of television food advertisements on food choice in children: the effects of weight status

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of television food advertising on children's food intake, specifically whether childhood obesity is related to a greater susceptibility to food promotion. DESIGN: The study was a within-subject, counterbalanced design. The children were tested on two occasions separated by two weeks. One condition involved the children viewing food advertisements followed by a cartoon, in the other condition the children viewed non-food adverts followed by the same cartoon. Following the cartoon, their food intake and choice was assessed in a standard paradigm. SETTING: The study was conducted in Liverpool, UK. SUBJECTS: Fifty-nine children (32 male, 27 female) aged 9-11 years were recruited from a UK school to participate in the study. Thirty-three children were normal-weight (NW), 15 overweight (OW) and 11 obese (OB). RESULTS: Exposure to food adverts produced substantial and significant increases in energy intake in all children (P < 0.001). The increase in intake was largest in the obese children (P = 0.04). All children increased their consumption of high-fat and/or sweet energy-dense snacks in response to the adverts (P < 0.001). In the food advert condition, total intake and the intake of these specific snack items correlated with the children's modified age- and gender-specific body mass index score. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that obese and overweight children are indeed more responsive to food promotion, which specifically stimulates the intake of energy-dense snacks.     

Distribution of earthworms and influence of soil properties across a successional sand dune ecosystem in NW England

An investigation of earthworms across a sand dune system in NW England examined species distribution and abundance with respect to soil physico-chemical conditions and management. Replicated 0.1 m² quadrats were examined every 50 m along 700 m transects across areas of vegetation succession and samples were then taken every 10 m where earthworms were first encountered. A translocation of Aporrectodea longa assessed the ability of this species to live in soils with a high sand content and laboratory work examined growth, maturation and survival of this species in soils with increasing proportions of sand (0–100%). Nine earthworm species were found on the dunes, but none in yellow dunes where organic matter (OM) content was <1%. Dendrobaena octaedra and Lumbricus rubellus were located 300 m from the strand line in grey dunes with an OM content of 3.9%. Allolobophora chlorotica and Lumbricus castaneus occurred within a wet dune slack at 340 m (OM content 11%). In areas of human disturbance (dune car park), A. longa, Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris were present, and in soil below pine trees L. castaneus and L. rubellus were present in litter. Laboratory growth of A. longa demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) increases in growth (2–2.75 g) with 25 and 50% sand compared with 0, 75 and 100% over 24 weeks and a greater rate of maturation. Initial results show earthworm colonisation to be influenced by dune successional stage. Laboratory findings suggested A. longa could exist in higher sand content areas but experimental design needs development. The translocation was unsuccessful. Future investigations could examine soil properties more closely and undertake monitoring on site throughout the year.     

Environmental risk factors for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats

BackgroundRisk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in cats are derived from a single study dated almost 20 years ago. The relationship between inflammation of oral tissues and OSCC is still unclear.ObjectivesTo investigate previously proposed and novel potential risk factors for OSCC development, including oral inflammatory diseases.AnimalsHundred cats with OSCC, 70 cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (CGS), 63 cats with periodontal disease (PD), and 500 controls.MethodsProspective, observational case‐control study. Cats with OSCC were compared with an age‐matched control sample of client‐owned cats and cats with CGS or PD. Owners of cats completed an anonymous questionnaire including demographic, environmental and lifestyle information.ResultsOn multivariable logistic regression, covariates significantly associated with an increased risk of OSCC were rural environment (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.03‐3.04; P = .04), outdoor access (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.07‐2.63; P = .02), environmental tobacco smoke (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.05‐3; P = .03), and petfood containing chemical additives (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.04‐3.76; P = .04). Risk factors shared with CGS and PD were outdoor access and petfood containing chemical additives, respectively. A history of oral inflammation was reported in 35% of cats with OSCC but did not emerge as a risk factor.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe study proposes novel potential risk factors for OSCC in cats. Although a history of inflammatory oral disease was not significantly more frequent compared with random age‐matched controls, OSCC shared several risk factors with CGS and PD.     

The Thymus of the Guinea Fowl from the Eighteenth Day of Incubation until Maturity

The thymus gland of the guinea fowl appeared as a series of pink, irregular-shaped lobes along the jugular veins. These lobes were 13 in number with seven on the right and six on the left side. The third and sixth lobes on the right side were the largest. The largest lobe measured about 20.0 × 5.0 mm while the smallest measured about 5.0 × 4,0 mm. Histologically, it was encircled by a thin layer of poorly stained connective tissue from which strands penetrated the thymic tissue giving incomplete lobules peripherally as early as day 18 of incubation. Lymphocytes and reticular epithelial cells were the two types of cells occurring at this time. Reticular epithelial cells were observed to be vacuolated especially towards the centre of the gland. Macrophages were observed in the thymus on day 20 of incubation for the first time. The blood vessels had accompanied the interlobular septa into the thymus. By day 21 of incubation, blood vessels had actually penetrated the thymic tissue but most of these vessels were of the capillary size. The cortex also became quite distinct from the medulla. At day 22, vacuolation ceased to appear in the cells at the cortical zone. Macrophages were still less than 10 in the slide. At day 23, most blood vessels were within the medulla and they displayed compressed lumi-na. Mitotic figures became a common site amongst the large lymphocytes and reticular epithelial cells. By day one post-hatch, lobulation of the thymus was still poor and macrophages became difficult to identify. The small and medium lymphocytes had outnumbered the large lymphocytes throughout the thymic tissue except at the most peripheral zone of the cortex. Fine vacuoles had reappeared within the cytoplasm of the reticular epithelial cells in the cortex. By day five, the distribution of blood vessels was almost uniform between the cortex and medulla. At three weeks post-hatch, plasma cells and red blood cells were seen in the stroma of the gland for the first time and most of the red blood cells occurred in the medulla.