Insecticidal activity of the pyrethrins and related compounds X 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl 2,2-dimethyicyclopropanecarboxylates with ethylenic substituents at position 3 on the cyclopropane ring

The insecticidal activities against houseflies (Musca domestica L.) and mustard beetles (Phaedon cochleariae Fab.) of the chrysanthemate bioresmethrin, and of 31 related 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylates with alkenyl, alkadienyl or alkoxycarbonylalkenyl substituents at position 3 of the cyclopropane ring are compared to determine the relative influence of the isobutenyl sidechain (as in chrysanthemates) and of the other side chains. Several substituents, in particular (E)- or (Z)-butadienyl or -pentadienyl, give considerably greater activity than isobutenyl but alkoxycarbonyl compounds are less potent.     

Insecticidal activity of the pyrethrins and related compounds V. toxicity of the methylbenzyl chrysanthemates to houseflies (Musca domestica) and mustard beetles (Phaedon cochleariae)

The insecticidal activities to houseflies and to mustard beetles of the 19 methylbenzyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemates were measured to establish the patterns of substitution that produce the greatest toxicities to these insects. The two species of insect differ in their responses to the various compounds in the series. The most active compounds to houseflies and mustard beetles are, respectively, 2,4,6-and 2,3,6-trimethylbenzyl (±)-cis-trans-chrysanthemates.     

The pyrethrins and related compounds. Part XXVI. Analogues of fenvalerate from acyclic-substituted 3-methylbutyric and related acids

3-Methylbutyric and 3-methylbut-3-enoic acids were prepared and esterified with pyrethroidal alcohols. The insecticidal activities of 46 esters, analogues of fenvalerate in which non-aryl substituents replaced the 4-chlorophenyl group, were determined to establish the structural requirements for activity in this part of the molecule.     

Fruit quality in ‘Cripp's Pink’ apple,especially colour,as affected by preharvest sprays of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and ethephon

‘Cripp's Pink’ apple grown in Western Australia often develops poor colour at commercial harvest resulting in economic losses. To determine if fruit colour could be improved without advancing ripening, ‘Cripp's Pink’ apple fruit on trees were sprayed with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) alone, ethephon alone, or AVG followed by ethephon. The experiments were conducted at two different locations in Western Australia in 2002 and 2003. Fruit sprayed with AVG alone had retarded colour development at harvest. However, ethephon applied after AVG enhanced percent red blush, anthocyanin concentration and reduced chlorophyll concentration in the fruit skin in both locations. These fruit had similar colour to those treated with ethephon alone. Internal ethylene concentration and fruit firmness were unaffected by the different treatments in 2002. However, in 2003 AVG with or without ethephon reduced internal ethylene concentration and maintained firmness compared to ethephon alone. In conclusion, AVG treatment alone delayed colour development and ripening of ‘Cripp's Pink’, while AVG application 5 weeks before harvest followed by an ethephon application 2 weeks later enhanced red colour at commercial harvest. This is, therefore, an effective tool for improving colour of ‘Cripp's Pink’ apples at commercial harvest without adversely affecting other fruit quality attributes.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) in four calves

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA), or Bland-White-Garland syndrome, is a rare congenital malformation described in children and adults. In this condition, the left coronary artery, which normally originates from the left coronary sinus in the aorta, instead originates from the pulmonary trunk, which results in retrograde flow of blood away from the myocardium into the lower-pressure pulmonary artery. Myocardial hypoxic-ischemic injury results in cardiac dysfunction, failure, and eventually in patient death if not surgically repaired. This report describes gross and microscopic findings in 4 beef calves with ALCAPA. All the calves had a history of being found dead with few or no premonitory signs, 2 shortly after sudden strenuous exercise. Gross necropsy lesions suggestive of heart failure included cardiomegaly with atrial and ventricular dilation and/or ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatomegaly. Dissection of each heart revealed the origin of the left coronary artery arising in the pulmonary trunk above the anterior cusp of the pulmonic valve. No degeneration; mineralization; and fiber loss, with replacement by fibrous connective tissue, predominantly in the left ventricular papillary muscle and the interventricular septum. Changes observed in the liver and lungs, including hepatomegaly, sinusoidal congestion, centrilobular fibrosis, and pulmonary congestion, edema, and intra-alveolar pigment-laden macrophages were consistent with heart failure.     

Detection of hypoglycin A in the seeds of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and box elder (A. negundo) in New Zealand; the toxin associated with cases of equine atypical myopathy

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: During April and May 2014 four horses aged between 5 months and 9 years, located in the Canterbury, Marlborough and Southland regions, presented with a variety of clinical signs including recumbency, stiffness, lethargy, dehydration, depression, and myoglobinuria suggestive of acute muscle damage. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia and two recovered. In all cases seeds of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) or box elder (A. negundo) were present in the area where the horse had been grazing.

LABORATORY INVESTIGATION: The samaras (seeds) of some Acer spp. may contain hypoglycin A, that has been associated with cases of atypical myopathy in Europe and North America. To determine if hypoglycin A is present in the samaras of Acer spp. in New Zealand, samples were collected from trees throughout the country that were associated with historical and/or current cases of atypical myopathy, and analysed for hypoglycin A. Serum samples from the four cases and four unaffected horses were analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A, profiles of acylcarnitines (the definitive diagnosis for atypical myopathy) and activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase.Markedly elevated serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, and increased concentrations of selected acylcarnitines were found in the case horses. Hypoglycin A was detected in the serum of those horses but not in the healthy controls. Hypoglycin A was detected in 10/15 samples of samaras from sycamore maple and box elder from throughout New Zealand.

DIAGNOSIS: Cases of atypical myopathy were diagnosed on properties where samaras containing hypoglycin A were also found.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sycamore and box elder trees in New Zealand are a source of hypoglycin A associated with the development of atypical myopathy. If pastured horses present with clinical and biochemical signs of severe muscle damage then the environment should be checked for the presence of these trees. Horses should be prevented from grazing samaras from Acer spp. in the autumn.     

Vesicles Cytoplasmic Injection: An Efficient Technique to Produce Porcine Transgene‐Expressing Embryos

The use of vesicles co‐incubated with plasmids showed to improve the efficiency of cytoplasmic injection of transgenes in cattle. Here, this technique was tested as a simplified alternative for transgenes delivery in porcine zygotes. To this aim, cytoplasmic injection of the plasmid alone was compared to the injection with plasmids co‐incubated with vesicles both in diploid parthenogenic and IVF zygotes. The plasmid pcx‐egfp was injected circular (CP) at 3, 30 and 300 ng/μl and linear (LP) at 30 ng/μl. The experimental groups using parthenogenetic zygotes were as follows: CP naked at 3 ng/μl (N = 105), 30 ng/μl (N = 95) and 300 ng/μl (N = 65); Sham (N = 105); control not injected (N = 223); LP naked at 30 ng/μl (N = 78); LP vesicles (N = 115) and Sham vesicles (N = 59). For IVF zygotes: LP naked (N = 44) LP vesicles (N = 94), Sham (N = 59) and control (N = 79). Cleavage, blastocyst and GFP+ rates were analysed by Fisher's test (p < 0.05). The parthenogenic CP naked group showed lower cleavage respect to control (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of plasmids to allow development to blastocyst stage was 30 ng/μl. There were no differences in DNA fragmentation between groups. The parthenogenic LP naked group resulted in high GFP rates (46%) and also allowed the production of GFP blastocysts (33%). The cytoplasmic injection with LP vesicles into parthenogenic zygotes allowed 100% GFP blastocysts. Injected IVF showed higher cleavage rates than control (p < 0.05). In IVF zygotes, only the use of vesicles produced GFP blastocysts. The use of vesicles co‐incubated with plasmids improves the transgene expression efficiency for cytoplasmic injection in porcine zygotes and constitutes a simple technique for easy delivery of plasmids.     

Influence of Gonadotrophin‐Induced First Oestrus on Gilt Fertility

The aim of this study was to determine the association between the oestrous response of pre‐pubertal gilts to gonadotrophin injection or boar exposure and their subsequent farrowing rate and litter size. At 154 days of age, randomly selected pre‐pubertal gilts received an intramuscular injection of 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin plus 200 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (PG600^®; Merck Animal Health; n = 181). From the remaining pool of animals not treated with hormones, the first gilts showing signs of oestrus were selected to act as controls (n = 201). Boar exposure began at 155 days of age for both groups, and gilts were bred at a weight of approximately 130 kg. Comparisons were made between PG600^®‐treated gilts exhibiting oestrus or not within 7 days post‐injection (early and late responders, respectively) and control gilts exhibiting oestrus or not within 30 days after beginning of boar exposure (select and non‐select control gilts, respectively). By 162 days, oestrus was detected in 67.5% of PG600^®‐treated gilts compared with 5.7% of control gilts (p < 0.0001). The proportion of animals observed in oestrus at least three times before breeding was greater for select control gilts compared with early and late responder PG600^®‐treated gilts (p ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences in farrowing rate and litter size between the four treatment groups. These data indicate that PG600^® is an effective tool to induce an earlier oestrus in gilts, that subsequent farrowing rate and born alive litter size compare favourably to that of select gilts and that gilts failing to respond promptly to hormonal stimulation do not exhibit compromised fertility.     

Off-Resonance Conduction Through Atomic Wires

The electrical resistance of wires consisting of either a single xenon atom or two xenon atoms in series was measured and calculated on the basis of an atom-jellium model. Both the measurement and the calculation yielded a resistance of 10(5) ohms for the single-xenon atom system and 10(7) ohms for the two-xenon atom system. These resistances greatly exceeded the 12,900-ohm resistance of an ideal one-dimensional conduction channel because conduction through the xenon atoms occurs through the tail of the xenon 6s resonance, which lies far above the Fermi level. This conduction process in an atom-sized system can now be understood in terms of the electronic states of individual atoms.