Riboflavin storage in earthworm chloragocytes and chloragocyte-derived eleocytes and its putative role as chemoattractant for immunocompetent cells

We have shown previously that riboflavin is stored in chloragosomes of chloragocyte-derived earthworm eleocytes what may have an adaptive value for worms vulnerable to soil-derived pathogen invasion. Thus, it is important to determine whether riboflavin stores are also present in earthworm species with low eleocyte counts, especially in the chloragocytes of their chloragogen tissue that surrounds the coelomic site of the intestine, and find out its putative roles in earthworm immunity. Experiments were performed on adult worms from 6 species. Freely floating coelomocytes (consisting of amoebocytes plus species-specific numbers of eleocytes) were extruded by mild electric shock and then chloragocytes from the same anaesthetized worm were mechanically detached into buffer. Both cell suspensions were analyzed by spectrofluorometry for riboflavin content. It turned out that riboflavin is stored in species-specific quantities in all investigated species. Riboflavin storage predominates in free coelomocytes of eleocyte-rich species (Eisenia andrei, Dendrobaena veneta, Allolobophora chlorotica) while in chloragocytes of species with few eleocytes (Lumbricus terrestris, L. rubellus, and Aporrectodea caliginosa). Upon a massive microbial impact, the coelomocytes (both amoebocytes and eleocytes) are involved in the formation of multicellular bodies encapsulating soil-derived pathogens, what is connected with enhanced coelomocyte mobility. Thus the second aim of the present investigation was to check if riboflavin can participate in coelomocyte accumulations. Tests performed in a 48-well chemotaxis chamber revealed that riboflavin behave as chemoattractant for coelomocytes of all investigated earthworm species, which may be one of mechanisms underpinning its immunomodulatory functions.     

Relating genetic variation of ecologically important tree traits to associated organisms in full-sib aspen families

Knowledge on phenological, morphometric, and phytochemical variation of local progenies of European aspen (Populus tremula, L.) is limited. The goal of this study was to characterize variation in growth and ecologically important leaf properties in aspen full-sib families in relation to interacting organisms (mycorrhiza, endophytes, and insects) and to determine whether these interactions were affected by soil application of a systemic fungicide. In local progenies, within-family variation of neutral molecular genetic markers (nuclear microsatellites) was higher than between families. Significant variation in growth, production of phenolic defensive compounds and other phytochemical leaf traits was found between families. Phenolic compounds showed clear negative correlation with generalist herbivores, but did not result in negative trade-off with biomass production. Differences in mycorrhizal colonization were not found among full-sib families and application of a systemic fungicide suppressed neither mycorrhizal colonization nor infestation with insects. However, a strong suppression of endophytes occurred, whose long-term consequences may require attention when fungicides are used in agroforestry plantations.     

Abdominal irradiation as a rescue therapy for feline gastrointestinal lymphoma: a retrospective study of 11 cats (2001-2008)

In this retrospective study medical records of 11 cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma were evaluated to determine the efficacy of radiation therapy when used in a rescue therapy setting. All cats had relapsed or resistant lymphoma. Two fractions of radiation were delivered over 2 days for a total of 800cGy. Acute effects of radiation were not noted, except one cat that had a self-limiting loss of appetite. Response was noted in 10/11 cats. Median survival post-radiation therapy was 214 days and the overall median survival in this study was 355 days. This study suggests that abdominal irradiation for feline gastrointestinal lymphoma was well tolerated and may contribute to a positive clinical response.     

Plasma volume and electrolyte changes following intravenous infusion of hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch versus mannitol in healthy dogs

In a prospective cross-over study, the duration and magnitude of effect on the electrolyte and plasma volume changes of intravenous (IV) hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch (hyperHES) (7.5%/6%) and mannitol (20%) were compared. Eight Beagle dogs received an IV infusion of 4mL/kg hyperHES (group H) and 4mL/kg mannitol 20% (group M) on separate occasions. Urine and blood samples were taken in the first (T(60)) and second (T(120)) hour after infusion. Significant increases in plasma volume at each time point in group H and M were noted when compared to baseline (start of infusion=T(0)) level. There was no significant difference between groups. Both fluids resulted in diuresis, although no significant difference between groups was noted. A significant increase in plasma sodium (Na) was demonstrated in group H between T(0) and T(60) with a significant increase in the Na and chloride (Cl) fractional excretion (FE) between T(0), T(60) and T(120). In group M no changes in plasma electrolyte concentrations were detected, although FE of Na, Cl and K was increased significantly between T(0) and T(60). In conclusion, hyperHES and mannitol appear to have a volume expanding effect lasting at least 120 min. The hypernatraemia induced by hyperHES was minimal compared to previous reports of hypertonic saline use, and no clinical side effects were noted. HyperHES showed comparable effects to mannitol in increasing plasma volume and diuresis and could be considered for these applications.     

Oral administration of tepoxalin in the horse: a PK/PD study

Tepoxalin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties and has been recently introduced into veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile of tepoxalin to assess whether it would be suitable for clinical use in horses. Six female fasting/fed horses were given 10mg/kg tepoxalin orally in a cross-over study. After administration, tepoxalin underwent rapid and extensive hydrolytic conversion to its carboxylic acid metabolite RWJ-20142. In animals that had been fed, the plasma concentrations of tepoxalin were undetectable, whereas in fasting animals they were close to the limit of quantification of the method. No differences between the fasting/fed groups in RWJ-20142 plasma concentrations were shown. Tepoxalin showed a strong and long-lasting ex vivo inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, mainly due to its main metabolite RWJ-20142. Tepoxalin and RWJ-20142 do not seem to possess either COX-2 or 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity in the horse. These features suggest that the drug is a selective COX-1 inhibitor in horses, with no significant anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, its long term use in equine practice could be of concern.     

Macrophakia in three cats

This report describes three cases of bilateral macrophakia in 3-, 5-, and 9-year-old cats, respectively. All cats were presented because of visual deficits. Ophthalmic examination revealed macrophakia (the vitreous was replaced by the lens) and retinal changes (tapetal hyper-reflectivity, attenuation of retinal vessels, and retinal folds) in all cats. In addition, bilateral subconjunctival orbital fat prolapse in one cat and microphthalmos in another cat were present. To confirm the ophthalmologic diagnosis of macrophakia, gross pathology examination in one cat and ultrasound examination in another cat were performed.     

Alternative therapeutic options for medical management of epilepsy in apes

Phenobarbital has been the primary antiepileptic drug used in primates, but the dosage required for seizure control is frequently associated with significant side effects. Newer antiepileptic drugs and adjunctive therapies currently being used in human medicine provide additional options for treatment of nonhuman primates. This report describes different drug regimes used for control of epileptic seizures in apes at the Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.), including the addition of acetazolamide to phenobarbital, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, and the use of extended cycle oral contraceptives to assist seizure control in female apes with catamenial epilepsy.     

Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Temperatur und Licht auf die Fra?leistung von Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur, 1839) (Heteroptera: Miridae) an verschiedenen Wei?e Fliege-Arten

Whiteflies are one of the major pests in greenhouse cultivation. Traditional methods of pest control involve the use of pesticides, which may lead to the emergence of resistive vermin. Therefore and in the context of growing health- and environmental awareness alternative ways of pest control should be considered. One alternative approach is the deployment of natural antagonists to the vermin. An effective use of those organisms within pest control requires studies on their biology, their behaviour and their climatic tolerance. Biology and behaviour of the studied insects are presented in a synopsis of the scientific literature. For this paper laboratory experiments on the predation rate of the beneficial organism M. pygmaeus were conducted on different whitefly species under various conditions of both, temperature and light. The treatment was carried out on eggs and larval stages of the whitefly species T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci with a photoperiod of 9 and 16 h light and under temperatures of 11?C22°C. On infestation by T. vaporariorum a high effectiveness (68,4?C79,7%) of M. pygmaeus is shown under all tested light- and temperature conditions. On infestation of B. tabaci the effectiveness of M. pygmaeus was lower (8,5?C46,1%). For unknown reasons those two species did not reproduce in the rearing. The high predation rate of M. pygmaeus on eggs and larval stages of T. vaporariorum proved that M. pygmaeus can be effectively deployed at low (11?C13°C) and intermediate (18?C22°C) temperatures under both, short day- and long day conditions. Especially at low temperatures and short day conditions M. pygmaeus so far turns out to be a useful supplement or alternative.     

Low reproductive success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is due to high embryonic mortality

We examined the mechanism responsible for low reproductive success in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Playa Grande, Costa Rica: low egg fertilization versus high rates of embryonic death. Leatherbacks at this beach had a high rate of fertility (=93.3%±2.5%, n=819). We incubated 10 eggs from every clutch encountered of 19 females during 3 months of the 1998-1999 nesting season. Fertility rate of some females decreased during the nesting season, but overall was high. Detection of fertility was difficult using standard methods because fertility rates cannot be determined accurately from nests excavated after hatching because of egg decomposition. Removal and incubation of eggs from nests provided a better estimate. Embryonic death, particularly in the beginning of incubation before embryos are visible to the unaided eye, was the cause of low hatching success in this population. Hatching success increased with increasing fertility and differed between females, with some mothers having 71-81% success and others 23-32%. Embryonic death and not low egg fertility drives poor recruitment at Playa Grande. Improved conservation of this species at Playa Grande will require a better understanding of the mechanism behind embryonic death.     

Effect of deamidation on stability for the collagen to gelatin transition

Deamidation of amide residues, Asn and Gln, in collagen occurs during the manufacture of B-type gelatin and could affect the performance of B-type gelatins as it may affect the refolding of triple-helical junctional domains that are formed during gelation. Host-guest peptides of the form acetyl-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)3-Gly-Xaa-Yaa-(Gly-Pro-Hyp)4-Gly-Gly-amide, where the X- and Y-positions of the guest peptide are varied, have been used to examine the effect of changing Asn to Asp and Gln to Glu on triple-helix stability. This paper reports the stability of host-guest peptides containing the guest triplets Gly-Ala-Asn, Gly-Asn-Ala, Gly-Asn-Lys, Gly-Gln-Ala, Gly-Glu-Glu, and Gly-Leu-Glu. In combination with previous data, these now provide 15 pairs of peptides in which the effect of deamidation can be compared. These comparisons show that the deamidation of Asn to Asp, regardless of whether it occurred in either the X- or Y-position, always gave a stabilizing effect; deamidation of Gln in the X-position also led to an increase in stability. In contrast, deamidation of Gln in the Y-position was quite distinct, leading to destabilization. The higher observed frequency of Gln in the Y-position compared with other amides may account for the slight destabilization of collagen following deamidation.