Immunophenotypic evaluation of working Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherd dogs living in the same environment

Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to compare peripheral blood lymphocyte subset distribution between healthy working police Labrador Retrievers (LRs; n=12) and German Shepherd dogs (GS; n=11) living in the same environment. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in LR than in GS because of the lower percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes in LR. GS showed the highest relative percentage of CD3-/CD21- lymphocytes, whereas LR had the highest percentages of MHC II+ lymphocytes. Because age, sex, environmental and housing conditions, dietary patterns, and training or working routines were similar in both breeds in the study, differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte subset distribution could be attributed to the influence of breed on the immune system.     

Endocrinology of the postpartum period in the Pelibuey ewe

The postpartum (PP) period in the Pelibuey ewe was studied. Laparotomies were performed on 14 ewes in the first year at d 10, 20 and 30 PP, and at d 10 and 20 PP in the second year on 17 ewes. Progesterone concentrations were determined in serum taken daily, from 4 to 7 d after parturition until estrus. Temporal fluctuation of luteinizing hormone (LH) was determined in samples taken at 30-min intervals for 4 h weekly. The mean interval from lambing to first ovulation was longer (P less than .001) in 1980 (59 +/- 4.9 d) than 1979 (26 +/- 3.1 d), the mean interval from lambing to first estrus was also longer (P less than .001) in 1980 (91 +/- 5.6 d) than 1979 (51 +/- 5.5 d). Follicles were present on the ovaries of the majority of the ewes at d 10. The mean diameter of the largest follicles on each ovary was reduced (P less than .025) in ewes in 1980 (6 mm) compared with 1979 (7.7 mm). Corpora lutea (CL) occurred in 67 and 75% of the ewes by d 20 and 30, respectively in 1979; no CL were found by d 20 in 1980. Progesterone profiles suggested that the PP period was composed of a period of anestrus, and a period of cyclic ovarian activity with one, two or three ovulations without behavioral estrus. In some ewes, the first cycle was of shorter duration, and its CL secreted less progesterone (P less than .05) relative to CL of silent and regular estrous cycles. Luteinizing hormone peaks were recorded as early as 6 d PP. When progesterone concentrations were elevated to luteal phase levels, the frequency, but not magnitude, of LH peaks per 4-h bleeding period was reduced (P less than .05) relative to anestrus. It is concluded that there are periods of anestrus and of silent cycles, which precede the first postpartum estrus in Pelibuey ewes.     

Catalytic hydrolysis of diclofop-methyl on Ca-, Na- and K-montmorillonites

The decomposition of the herbicide diclofop-methyl (methyl (RS)-2-(4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy)propionate), on homoionic Ca-, Na- and K-montmorillonite in hydroalcoholic suspension was investigated. The results show that the solvolysis of the pesticide affords two products: diclofop (RS)-2-(4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy)propionic acid) and diclofop-ethyl (ethyl (RS)-2-(4-(22,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy)propionate). The former is always the main product of hydrolysis on the Ca-, Na- and K-clays, whereas the latter, arising from a transesterification reaction, is favoured only by the presence of Ca-and Na-clays. The solvolysis reaction follows the adsorption of the herbicide on the clay, as evidenced by the shift of the IR stretching value of the ester group of the molecule, depending on the polarising power of the saturating ions.     

Photolysis of dimepiperate in aqueous solution

Dimepiperate, S-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl) piperidine-1-carbothioate ( I ) was degraded in aqueous solution by ultraviolet irradiation into piperidine ( II ), α-methylstyrene ( III ), acetophenone ( IV ), and formaldehyde ( V ). The reaction followed first-order kinetics. In sunlight the reaction occurred only in the presence of a sensitiser and afforded the same four photolytic degradation products. In the absence of oxygen the herbicide was converted much more rapidly, but yielded only ( II ) and ( III ) as products. A mechanism which accounts for the formation of the photoproducts is proposed.     

Canine,feline, and equine corneal vascular neoplasia: A retrospective study (2007‐2015)

Corneal vascular neoplasms (hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma) are rare in all species. Reported cases are single case reports in a single species. Archived cases of corneal hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma from dogs, cats, and horses were obtained from the Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin (COPLOW, Madison, WI), tabulated, and examined. This retrospective study describes the breeds, ages, tumor types, and characteristics of vascular neoplasms that appeared to be primarily corneal in location, in feline, canine, and equine patients, with gross and histologic images. There is a discussion of predisposing factors and speculated association with chronic ocular surface disease.     

Should Anacardium humile St. Hil be used as an antiulcer agent? A scientific approach to the traditional knowledge

The crude methanolic extract (ME) obtained from the leaves of Anacardium humile was evaluated orally at doses of 250-500-1000 mg/kg on gastric lesion on ethanol and piroxicam induced gastric lesions in rodents. All the tested doses significantly inhibited gastric lesions by 56 to 100%. These results seems to support the traditional use of this species in the treatment of gastric diseases.     

Effect of undesalted dissolved organic matter from composts on persistence, adsorption, and mobility of cyhalofop herbicide in soils

The effect of undesalted dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted from composts on the degradation, adsorption, and mobility of cyhalofop herbicide in soils was studied. A paddy-field sediment poor in organic matter (OM), an OM-rich forest soil, and DOM from agroindustrial or municipal waste compost were used. DOM increased the cyhalofop-acid but not the cyhalofop-butyl solubility in water. The degradation of cyhalofop-butyl in the sediment was slow, giving cyhalofop-acid as the only metabolite, whereas in forest soil, the process was faster, and three byproducts were detected. Soil pretreatment with DOM did not modify the degradation pattern but only reduced the adsorption of cyhalofop-butyl by soil, whereas it increased the adsorption of cyhalofop-acid. Among the cationic components of DOM solutions, the potassium ion seems to be related to the increased adsorption of the cyhalofop-acid in both OM-poor and OM-rich soils, yielding reversible complexes with the former and favoring hydrophobic interactions with the latter.