Symptomatology and diagnosis of Borna encephalitis of horses. A case analysis of the last 13 years

In a retrospective study of 38 horses with Borna encephalitis which were clinically and histopathologically examined in the "I. Medizinische Tierklinik" in Munich between 1977 and 1990, the epidemiology, the clinical symptomatic and the diagnostic procedures available are presented. Indirect immunofluorescence showed antibodies in the serum of 12 out of 29 cases (41%) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 17 out of 28 cases (61%). The evaluation of 23 cases in which indirect immunofluorescence of serum and CSF, and also the post mortem virological and histopathological examination of the brain were performed, showed that a diagnosis was made in 61% of the cases before death. In 39% the diagnosis of Borna disease could only be reached post mortem.     

The protective effect of adsorbents against ochratoxin A in swine

Adsorption of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A by activated charcoal, various bentonites (acid, alkaline, neutral), and hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate was tested in vitro as well as in feeding experiments with pigs. In vitro tests showed that the 1% addition of activated charcoal leads to complete adsorption of ochratoxin A from aqueous solutions. This effect was not influenced by pH-values ranging from 3-8. In contrast, adsorption by bentonite and hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate occurred primarily in the acid range (pH 3-4). Dietary addition of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (1%) and acid bentonite (1%, 10%) to ochratoxin A-contaminated feed (1.0 mg/kg) had no effect on the blood or tissue levels of the toxin in pigs. The addition of 1% activated charcoal caused a slight decrease of ochratoxin A in the blood, whereas a tenfold dosage resulted in a 50% to 80% reduction of ochratoxin A levels in both blood and tissue. Reduction of ochratoxin A absorption via the dietary administration of activated charcoal (5%) was confirmed in a 16 week feeding experiment. However, this experiment also showed the serum level of vitamin E to be lower than in the controls receiving adsorbent-free feed.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of orally administered firocoxib, a novel second generation coxib, in horses

The primary objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of firocoxib, a novel second generation coxib, in horses. Horses were administered either a single oral or intravenous dose of firocoxib at 0.1 mg/kg in a two-period crossover study with 12 animals. The dosage was based on previously determined pharmacodynamic parameters. Oral firocoxib was well absorbed with an average bioavailability (absolute) of 79% and a Cmax of 75 ng/mL at 3.9 h. The average elimination half-life was 30 h. Following intravenous administration the average Cmax was 210 ng/mL and the elimination half-life was 34 h. The area under the curve [AUC(0-tlast)] was 1.8 microg.h/mL for the oral dose and 2.3 microg.h/mL for the intravenous dose. Firocoxib was widely distributed with a volume of distribution value of 1.7 L/kg for the intravenous dose. Biotransformation of firocoxib was via dealkylation and glucuronidation to inactive metabolites, namely descyclopropylmethylfirocoxib and its glucuronide conjugate. Urinary excretion was the major route of elimination, and the clearance rate was 37 mL/h/kg.     

The effect of major dwarfing genes on yield potential in spring wheats

Summary A composite convergent cross of 16 spring wheat parents produced a set of unselected progeny lines among which the major dwarfing genes, Rht1, Rht2 and Rht3, were distributed against a common random genetic background. Random subsets of these lines were grown under irrigation and optimal conditions in 4 experiments with replicated bordered plots in southern New South Wales in order to measure the dwarfing gene effect on yield potential. The dwarfing gene composition of each line was determined by test crossing and seedling responsiveness to gibberellic acid.Lodging was negligible in the two experiments in 1982. While present in the two in 1983, it was not strongly associated with yield. Grain yield levels were appropriately high (mean 5.9 t/ha). In all but 1 experiment the Rht1+Rht2 dwarf genotypes gave highest yields while the Rht3 group yielded on average 3% lower, Rht2 9% lower, Rht1 11% lower, and the non-dwarf or tall group yielded 24% lower. These yield differences were positively associated with harvest index, kernels per m² and kernels per spike, but negatively associated with mature plant height. Even within major dwarfing gene classes, grain yield was significantly and negatively associated with height.     

Study of anticancer activities of muscadine grape phenolics in vitro

Muscadine grapes have unique aroma and flavor characteristics. Although a few studies reported high polyphenols content of muscadine grapes, little research has been conducted to evaluate the phenolic compounds bioactivities in any muscadine grape cultivar. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phenolic compounds in muscadine grapes on cancer cell viability and apoptosis. Four cultivars of muscadine (Carlos, Ison, Noble, and Supreme) were assessed in this study. Phenolic compounds were extracted from muscadine skins and further separated into phenolic acids, tannins, flavonols, and anthocyanins using HLB cartridge and LH20 column. Some individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified by HPLC. Anthocyanin fractions were more than 90% pure. The effect of different fractions on the viability and apoptosis of two colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) was evaluated. A 50% inhibition of cancer cell population growth for the two cell lines was observed at concentrations of 1-7 mg/mL for crude extracts. The phenolic acid fractions showed a 50% inhibition at the level of 0.5-3 mg/mL. The greatest inhibitory activity was found in the anthocyanin fraction, with a 50% inhibition at concentrations of approximately 200 microg/mL in HT-29 and 100-300 microg/mL in Caco-2. Anthocyanin fractions also resulted in 2-4 times increase in DNA fragmentation, indicating the induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest that polyphenols from muscadine grapes may have anticancer properties.     

Quantifizierung der wichtigsten Mechanismen zur Säurepufferung carbonatfreier Böden

Quantifying the most important mechanisms of acid buffering in carbonate-free soils From the release of cations from the soil matrix during pH-stat-titrations, characteristic values for assessing buffer rates were derived separately for single elements. Recorded buffer reactions became almost exclusively apparent in the release of Al and Fe, however the contribution of Fe to the total turnover only amounted to 1–3%. The release of each element and of DOC in the course of time was due to the overlapping of two first-order reactions, respectively. In the fast initial reaction all measured elements were released at nearly the same velocity, whereas in the 2nd, slower reaction the rate of Al-release corresponded to that of DOC but was at least seven times higher than that of Fe. Correlations between the maxima of release and soil chemical properties revealed a dominating contribution of organically bound Al (Al_p) to proton buffering. It is assumed that also the amount of Fe released is originating in organic complexes.     

Mikrosymptome des Bor-Mangels an Mentha piperita L.

Microsymptoms of boron deficiency in Mentha piperita L. The influence of boron deficiency on the development of oil glands and glandular hairs and on leaf and stem tissue development was studied. The experiments were carried out with Mentha piperita L. – var. Mitcham – under controlled experimental conditions in solution culture. Boron deficiency resulted in disturbances in the development of the vascular bundles and cambium extension. Excretions of dark substances could also be observed. Oil glands as well as glandular hairs were severely damaged under boron deficiency; the production of the essential oil decreased.