Bioassay-guided isolation of an anti-ulcer chromene from Eupatorium aschenbornianum: Role of nitric oxide,prostaglandins and sulfydryls

Eupatorium aschenbornianum is considered useful in the treatment of gastric ulcer. In the current study the validity of this practice was tested by using the experimental model of an ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. The results show that E. aschenbornianum had gastroprotective activity, that the hexane extract had the highest protective activity (85.65 ± 4.76%), and that encecanescin isolated from this extract was the main active gastroprotective agent. The effect elicited by encecanescin was attenuated by N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, N-ethylmaleimide and indomethacin, which suggests that NO, prostaglandins and sulfydryl groups are involved in the mechanisms of gastroprotective action.     

Cervid herpesvirus 2 infection in reindeer: A review

Herpesviruses of the genus Varicellovirus are known to infect and cause disease in a variety of ruminant species, but the impact of cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV2) in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is mostly unknown. Reindeer is a circum-polar species with a total estimated number of more than 5 million animals. Mortality may reach high values, as in northern Norway, especially in calves (37%; 2005–2006), and disease can potentially account for some of this mortality. CvHV2 has been isolated during a natural outbreak of infectious keratoconjunctivitis, indicating an etiologal link. Serological screening has shown that CvHV2 infection is prevalent in Northern Norway and experimental infection studies have demonstrated that viremia, latency and vertical transmission occur for CvHV2. The present review aims at summarizing current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and molecular virology of CvHV2.     

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.     

Finite element modeling for development and optimization of a bone plate for mandibular fracture in dogs

This study aimed to develop a plate to treat fractures of the mandibular body in dogs and to validate the project using finite elements and biomechanical essays. Mandible prototypes were produced with 10 oblique ventrorostral fractures (favorable) and 10 oblique ventrocaudal fractures (unfavorable). Three groups were established for each fracture type. Osteosynthesis with a pure titanium plate of double-arch geometry and blocked monocortical screws of free angulation were used. The mechanical resistance of the prototype with unfavorable fracture was lower than that of the favorable fracture. In both fractures, the deflection increased and the relative stiffness decreased proportionally to the diminishing screw number The finite element analysis validated this plate study, since the maximum tension concentration observed on the plate was lower than the resistance limit tension admitted by the titanium. In conclusion, the double-arch geometry plate fixed with blocked monocortical screws has sufficient resistance to stabilize oblique fractures, without compromising mandibular dental or neurovascular structures.     

The use of mobile devices with multi-tag technologies for an overall contextualized vineyard management

This paper describes a Viticulture Service-Oriented Framework (VSOF) which turns around context elements or tags that are placed in the field and which can be decoded by mobile devices such as mobile phones or PDAs. The tags are used to automatically associate a field location to the relevant database tables or records and also to access contextual information or services. By pointing a mobile device to a tag, the viticulturalist may download data such as climatic data or upload information such as disease and pest incidence in a simple way, without having to provide coordinates or any other references, and without having to return to a central office. This work is part of an effort to implement a large-scale distributed cooperative network in the Douro Demarcated Region in Northeast Portugal, a region in which the effort makes particular sense due to the extremely variable topography and mesoclimates. The possibility of exchanging contextualized information and accessing contextualized services in the field, using well-known devices such as cell phones, may contribute to increase the rate of adoption of information technology in viticulture, and contribute to more efficient and closer-to-the-crops practices.     

Stimulatory effect of thyroid hormones improves larval development and reproductive performance in alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)

Development of alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) larvae was evaluated after exposure of embryos to thyroid hormones (TH) by two different methods of administration. For the first method, alligator gar embryos were placed in a water bath with triiodothyronine (T₃; 1 ppm for 2 h), and control treatment embryos were placed in a water bath without T₃. For the second method, spotted gar adult males and females were injected with different TH during induced spawning: a group was injected with T₃ [20 mg kg^?1 body weight (BW)], a second group with thyroxine (T₄; 20 mg kg^?1 BW), a third group with thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH; 4 IU kg^?1BW) and a control group with dimethyl sulfoxide. Both methods resulted in increases in the concentrations of T₃ and T₄ in embryos of both species. An increase in the alkaline enzymatic activity of TH‐treated larvae was observed as well as an increase in the RNA:DNA, RNA:Dry weight and DNA:Dry weight ratios at hatching. Some positive effects of TH application were: a significant increase in the hatching rate of spotted gar larvae from TH‐injected parents and a higher percentage of successful spawns. Evenness of larval sizes and a higher survival rate were observed in alligator gar larvae. Snout development was accelerated by TH treatment in both species.     

Characterization,specificity and sensibility of produced anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhamdia quelen</Emphasis> vitellogenin in Brazilian fish species

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are widespread used and can interfere on hormone regulation with adverse consequences for both biota and human. Vitellogenin (vtg) is a yolk precursor protein synthesized by the liver in response to estrogen. In order to characterize the vtg of tropical fish Rhamdia quelen and establish a molecular biomarker, adult male individuals were exposed to 17-β-estradiol (E₂) for vtg induction and anti-R. quelen vtg polyclonal antibodies production. Vitellogenic female fish were used as positive control group. E₂-induced vtg was characterized as a glycolipophosphoprotein of high molecular mass with peptide mass fingerprint very similar in E₂-exposed male and vitellogenic female fish. A polyclonal serum containing anti-R. quelen vtg antibodies was produced and showed high specificity and sensibility to detect the vtg of three fish species: R. quelen, Piaractus mesopotamicus and Prochilodus lineatus. Wildlife and laboratory studies reported that EDCs released into the environment may alter the levels of plasma vtg in male fish, making this protein a valuable biomarker of xenoestrogens exposure. Then, we propose the use of anti-R. quelen vtg as a tool for biomonitoring studies and water quality assessment in Brazil and South American countries where the three fish species occur.     

Enriching Artemia nauplii with a high DHA‐containing lipid emulsion: search for an optimal protocol

This study aimed to investigate practical strategies to optimize the use of a high‐docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) lipid emulsion (M70), a product with great potential in live prey enrichments for marine larviculture. Considering its particularly high content in DHA (22:6n‐3), the adequate utilization of the emulsion for Artemia enrichments was evaluated in a series of six experiments. More specifically, the bioencapsulation efficiency of M70 into Artemia nauplii was tested under different experimental conditions of oxygen source, aeration flow, incubation temperature, concentration and dosage, as well as nauplial densities. Our results showed that an optimal utilization of M70 is achieved with incubation temperatures of 28°C, moderate aeration flows and nauplial densities of 300 ind per mL. In addition, the emulsion can be dispensed in the enrichment medium in one single dose of 0.8 g L^?1, with no apparent detrimental effects on its oxidative stability and Artemia nauplii survival during enrichment.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichospilus diatraeae</Emphasis> Cherian &; Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a new parasitoidof <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melanolophia consimilaria</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

First report on the parasitoid Trichospilus diatraeae of the genus in Eulophidae found in the field parasitizing pupae of the eucalyptus defoliating looper Melanolophia consimilaria. This opens new perspectives for the use of this parasitoid in biological control programs against caterpillars of forestry importance.