Megestrol acetate for estrus postponement in the bitch.

Megestrol acetate was given orally to 389 bitches in early proestrus, at a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg (1 mg/lb) per day for 8 days. Estrus was suppressed in 357 (92%) of the bitches. Additionally, 119 bitches in anestrus were given the drug at the rate of 0.55 mg/kg (0.25 mg/lb) per day for 32 days. Estrus was suppressed in 115 (98%) of these bitches. Adverse effects were minimal. Pyometra developed in 3 (0.8%) of the 389 bitches treated in early proestrus. The drug also was given to 19 bitches at the rate of 0.55 mg/kg/day for 32 days, regardless of the stage ofting at the 1st posttreatment estrus and 4 after mating at the 2nd posttreatment estrus. Litter size, success in rearing pups, and sex ratios were not significantly different from these factors in 53 litters from untreated bitches.     

Pheromonal Control of Metamorphosis in the Pacific Sand Dollar, Dendraster excentricus

Competent larvae are induced to undergo metamorphosis by sand from a sand dollar bed or an aqueous extract of the sand. Gel permeation chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography of the extract yielded a 980-dalton peptide that will induce metamorphosis between 10(-6) and 10(-5) molar. Extracts of whole adults and gonads were also able to induce metamorphosis, and adults can condition substrates to induce metamorphosis. Therefore, the initiation of metamorphosis in Dendraster excentricus is controlled by a pheromone released by adult sand dollars.     

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein in the acute phase response of experimental murine Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection

Cellular responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are enhanced by LPS-binding protein (LBP). The present study investigated the acute phase response of LBP during Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice. Mean plasma concentrations of LBP increased two-fold by the seventh day following infection, but decreased to intermediate levels by the 14th day. There were no significant differences in LBP concentrations of infected/antibiotic-treated and infected/untreated mice. At 35 days post-infection, the infected mice were treated with the anti-trypanosomal diminazine aceturate (Berenil^®). LBP levels of the mice then decreased to pre-infection levels within one-week. This demonstrated that LBP is an acute phase protein during murine trypanosomosis. Furthermore, opportunistic secondary bacterial infection during trypanosomosis did not seem to play an important role in the changes in plasma LBP levels. We speculate that the marked concomitant increases in plasma LBP and endotoxin-like activity following murine trypanosome infection might play an important role in the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis.     

Potential attractants for detecting and removing invading Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus)

BACKGROUND: Native to Africa, Gambian giant pouched rats (Gambian rats; Cricetomys gambianus Waterh.) are a threatening invasive species on a Florida island, Grassy Key. Gambian giant pouched rats shifted from a domestic pet to invading species after suspected release from a pet breeder. Because of the large size of Gambian rats (weighing up to 2.8 kg), they pose a serious threat to native species (particularly nesting species) and agricultural crops, especially if Gambian rats invade mainland Florida. Also, Gambian rats pose a threat from disease, as they were implicated in a monkeypox outbreak in the midwestern United States in 2003. The United States Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services has initiated eradication and detection efforts in the Florida Keys, but trapping the sparse population of Gambian rats has proven difficult. RESULTS: Fifteen attractants that could be used in traps for capturing or detecting single or paired Gambian rats were tested. It was found that conspecific scents (i.e. feces and urine) from other Gambian rats were the best treatment for attracting single and paired Gambian rats. Single Gambian rats explored more attractant types than paired Gambian rats. CONCLUSIONS: Effective attractants for use with Gambian rats have been identified, and multiple attractant types should be used to capture or detect the sparse population. It is recommended that mainly urine and feces from Gambian rats be used, but peanut butter, anise, ginger and fatty acid scent could also be useful for attracting the currently small population of Gambian rats on Grassy Key. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the i-STAT Alinity v in a veterinary clinical setting

Many point-of-care (POC) analyzers are available for the measurement of electrolytes and acid-base status in animals. We assessed the precision of the i-STAT Alinity v, a recently introduced POC analyzer, and compared it to 2 commonly used and previously validated POC analyzers (i-STAT 1, Stat Profile pHOx Ultra). Precision was evaluated by performing multiple analyses of whole blood samples from healthy dogs, cats, and horses on multiple i-STAT Alinity v analyzers. For comparison between analyzers, whole blood samples from dogs and cats presented to the emergency room were run concurrently on all 3 POC instruments. Reported values were compared by species (dogs and cats only) using Pearson correlation, and all values from all species were analyzed together for the Bland–Altman analysis. Results suggested that the i-STAT Alinity v precision was very good, with median coefficients of variability <2.5% for all measured parameters (except the anion gap), with variable ranges of coefficients of variation. In addition, good-to-excellent correlation was observed between the i-STAT Alinity v and i-STAT 1, and between the i-STAT Alinity v and Stat Profile pHOx Ultra for all parameters in both cats and dogs, respectively. In this cohort, the i-STAT Alinity v had clinically acceptable bias compared to the currently marketed analyzers and can be used for monitoring measured analytes in cats and dogs, although serial measurements in a single animal should be performed on the same analyzer whenever possible.     

The potential of urban tree plantings to be cost effective in carbon credit markets

Emission trading is considered to be an economically sensitive method for reducing the concentrations of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. There has been debate about the viability of using urban tree plantings in these markets. The main concern is whether or not urban planting projects can be cost effective options for investors. We compared the cost efficiency of four case studies located in Colorado, and used a model sensitivity analysis to determine what variables most influence cost effectiveness. We believe that some urban tree planting projects in specific locations may be cost effective investments. Our modeling results suggest that carbon assimilation rate, which is mainly a function of growing season length, has the largest influence on cost effectiveness, however resource managers can create more effective projects by minimizing costs, planting large-stature trees, and manipulating a host of other variables that affect energy usage.     

Efficacy of two insecticides for protecting loblolly pines (Pinus taeda L.) from subcortical beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae and Cerambycidae)

BACKGROUND: Tests were conducted on two insecticides (carbaryl and bifenthrin) for excluding subcortical beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae and Cerambycidae) from loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda L.). Two trap designs (single‐ and double‐pane windows) and two trapping heights (1.5 and 4 m) were also evaluated for maximizing beetle catches. RESULTS: In July 2009, 15 loblolly pine trees were double girdled and were either left unsprayed or sprayed with carbaryl or bifenthrin. A total of 28 473 bark beetles were caught in window traps, including Ips avulsus Eichoff, I. grandicollis (Eichhoff), I. calligraphus (Germar) and Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier). Both insecticides significantly reduced colonization of the trees by bark and woodboring beetles by 300–400%, with no differences in efficacy observed between the two insecticides. About 59% more I. avulsus were caught in double‐ than in single‐pane window traps, with no differences for any other species. Traps at 4 m caught more I. avulsus and I. grandicollis (290 and 153% respectively), while traps at 1.5 m caught more D. terebrans (215%). CONCLUSIONS: Either bifenthrin or carbaryl can be used to exclude subcortical beetles from loblolly pine trees. Trapping data reflect known vertical partitioning on the bole by these insects. Double‐pane traps were slightly more effective than single‐pane traps in catching subcortical beetles. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry