Aerobic soil metabolism of a new herbicide,LGC-42153

To elucidate the fate of a new sulfonylurea herbicide, LGC-42153 [N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-2-(1-methoxyacetoxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide], in soil, an aerobic soil metabolism study was carried out for 120 days with [(14)C]LGC-42153 applied to a loamy soil. The material balance ranged from 90.7 to 101.5% of applied herbicide. The half-life of [(14)C]LGC-42153 was calculated to be approximately 9.0 days. The degradation products resulted from the cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge. The metabolites identified during the study were N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-2-(1-hydroxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide, 2-(1-hydroxy-2-fluoropropyl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide, and 4,6-dimethoxy-2-aminopyrimidine. No significant volatile products or [(14)C]carbon dioxide was observed during the study. Nonextractable (14)C-residue reached 14.4-30.5% of applied material at 120 days after treatment, and radioactivity was distributed mostly in the humin and fulvic acid fractions.     

Use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs in dogs and cats

SUMMARY: Responses (486) were collated from a survey of 5054 Australian veterinarians on their use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs in dogs and cats. Almost all respondents used glucocorticoids (usually prednisolone) to treat allergic, pruritic dermatoses in dogs, while two-thirds also gave fatty acid supplements and one-half used antihistamines. Almost 60% of respondents initially injected a glucocorticoid (frequently a long-acting preparation) when treating inflammatory skin diseases in dogs. More than 90% of respondents used glucocorticoids to treat immunemediated haemolytic anaemia or thrombocytopenia, and about one-third also gave cytotoxic drugs. Administration of prednisolone on alternate days was generally favoured for long-term enteral steroid therapy. Phenylbutazone was the most preferred treatment for painful or inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders of dogs, but aspirin and pentosan polysulphate were also used widely. Regarding the use of analgesics drugs generally, both narcotic analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used more widely in dogs than in cats, but alpha-2 agonists were used similarly in both species. The most commonly used narcotic analgesics were pethidine and buprenorphine in both species, while the NSAIDs used most often were flunixin and dipyrone in dogs and ketoprofen in cats. More than 80% of respondents generally used analgesic drugs with potentially painful surgical procedures, with doses given usually before anaesthetic recovery. Analgesic use rates varied with the condition, ranging from 94% for patients with acute severe trauma, through 60% for cruciate ligament repair and 29% for perineal herniorrhaphy, to about 5% for ovariohysterectomy and dog castration. The three clinical signs most frequently nominated as indicators of pain in dogs and cats were (in descending order) vocalisation, response to handling or palpating the affected area, and mental depression. Other items mentioned frequently were behavioural changes and immobility (in both species), inappetence/anorexia in cats, and altered respiration in dogs.     

Compartmentalized control of skin immunity by resident commensals

Intestinal commensal bacteria induce protective and regulatory responses that maintain host-microbial mutualism. However, the contribution of tissue-resident commensals to immunity and inflammation at other barrier sites has not been addressed. We found that in mice, the skin microbiota have an autonomous role in controlling the local inflammatory milieu and tuning resident T lymphocyte function. Protective immunity to a cutaneous pathogen was found to be critically dependent on the skin microbiota but not the gut microbiota. Furthermore, skin commensals tuned the function of local T cells in a manner dependent on signaling downstream of the interleukin-1 receptor. These findings underscore the importance of the microbiota as a distinctive feature of tissue compartmentalization, and provide insight into mechanisms of immune system regulation by resident commensal niches in health and disease.     

Cyproconazole impregnation into wood using sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide

Supercritical fluid (SCF) impregnation is a promising preservative treatment method for wood. In order to commercialize the sub- and supercritical CO₂ biocide treatment, better understanding of the fluid phase and its effect on treatment results have to be demonstrated and developed. Preservative treatability under super- and subcritical fluid conditions was evaluated using radiata pine sapwood, and treating characteristics in relation to different fluid phases and treatability were discussed. Various treatment conditions resulted in varying biocide retentions and distributions. Higher pressure conditions enhanced biocide retentions resulting from increasing biocide input in the applied saturation method. Subcritical CO₂ condition produced higher biocide retentions and little retention gradients from face to core. Subcritical CO₂ treatment has a couple of benefits such as investment costs and energy consumption compared with supercritical CO₂.     

An unusual case of concomitant infection with chicken astrovirus and group A avian rotavirus in broilers with a history of severe clinical signs

A molecular study of intestinal samples from 21 broiler flocks with a history of enteritis revealed that 23.8% and 14.3% were positive for chicken astrovirus (CAstV) and avian rotavirus (ARV), respectively. CAstV and group A ARV were simultaneously detected in only one broiler flock. Birds in this group developed the significant intestinal lesions characterized by frothy contents, paleness, and thin intestinal walls. In this report we present an unusual case of runting stunting syndrome (RSS) with a history of high mortality and growth retardation in broiler chickens. We also make the first identification of CAstV and group A ARV in broiler chickens in Korea.     

A Spontaneous Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Submandibular Gland in a Sprague-Dawley Rat

The present report describes a rare case of spontaneous tumor of the salivary gland in a male Sprague-Dawley rat. The clinically confirmed mass rapidly developed in the cervical region between 19 and 21 weeks of age, and the animal was subsequently euthanized. At necropsy, a well-circumscribed nodule approximately 7 × 6 cm in diameter was found at the site of the salivary gland. The cut surface of the nodule was lobulated and soft and had a pinkish tan fish-flesh appearance. One large cyst (approximately 3 × 2 cm in size) containing reddish fluid was also present in the nodule. Histopathologically, the tumor, with a partially lobulated structure, was surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule. The majority of tumor cells formed a diffuse solid sheet structure that mainly consisted of small ovoid or spindle-shaped cells. In the tumor periphery, some cells were arranged in nest-like structures. Small duct-like structures lined with a monolayer of cuboidal epithelial cells resembling an intercalated duct or large polygonal clear cells with a myoepithelial component were also observed. Mitotic figures and necrotic foci were frequently observed in solid areas. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, p63, α-smooth muscle actin and calponin. The cells were negative for calcitonin, synaptophysin and chromogranin A. On the basis of these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma originating from the luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells in the submandibular gland.