Field treatment of search dogs: lessons learned from the World Trade Center disaster

Objective: To provide a synthesis of information learned by the veterinary community during the care and treatment of search and rescue dogs in a large‐scale urban disaster. Summary: Disaster medicine requires several stages. The most important stage is the planning stage. To function effectively and safely in a disaster situation, a disaster response plan and prior training in disaster response are essential. The execution of a disaster plan requires coordination and communication with multiple agencies. Treatment of search and rescue dogs involves front line field care for life‐threatening emergencies, a first aid station or MASH unit in close proximity to the disaster and/or base of operations for stabilization and general medical care, and local full service veterinary hospitals for specialty and extended care. New or Unique information provided: This report is a summary of experiences gained in preparing for and implementing veterinary care in a major disaster. Medical conditions that affected search and rescue dogs and were treated by veterinary disaster responders at the World Trade Center are presented.     

Antibacterial and brine shrimp lethality tests of biflavonoids and derivatives of Rheedia gardneriana

The hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves from Rheedia gardneriana yielded volkensiflavone (1), fukugetin (2), fukugiside (3), GB2a-I-7-O-glucoside (4) and epicatechin (5). Compounds 1-5, and some derivatives of 1 and 2 were evaluated for lethality to brine shrimp larvae and for antibacterial activity.     

Characterization of carotenoid pigments and their biosynthesis in two yellow flowered lines of Sandersonia aurantiaca (Hook)

The basis of the novel cream/yellow flower color found in two Sandersonia aurantiaca lines was examined as part of a project to develop new colors for this cut flower crop in New Zealand. The original color, bright orange, is due to the accumulation of the carotenoid pigments zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. The cream/yellow lines have much lower levels of total carotenoid pigments (17% and 21%) in their tepal tissue compared to the wild type progenitor. Microscopic analysis of epidermal cells showed alteration in the pigment cluster bodies of tepal tissue of the cream/yellow lines compared to the orange wild type. HPLC analysis of the pigments showed that one cream/yellow line (Y-H) produced the same pigment profile as the wild type (zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin). In comparison, the other cream/yellow line (Y-S) produced the carotenoid profile normally found in green vegetative tissue (β-carotene and lutein). Analysis of carotenoid biosynthetic gene expression in Sandersonia indicated that the cream/yellow Y-H line showed expression patterns similar to the wild type, and gene expression in the Y-S line is decreased relative to the wild type and the Y-H line. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Development of microsatellite markers and evaluation of genetic diversity of the Amazonian ornamental fish Pterophyllum scalare

The objective of the present work was to develop species-specific microsatellite markers for P. scalare and to analyze the diversity and genetic structure of a wild population, from the Amazon River, and three commercial stocks (common, marble, and clown morphological variants), from farmers in Vieras-Minas Gerais. Through microsatellite-enriched genetic libraries, 11 microsatellite markers with adequate amplification patterns were characterized. Population genetic analysis identified eight polymorphic loci that generated 66 alleles ranging from two alleles (PSCA1B3) to nine (PSCA2H1). The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.031 to 0.827. High genetic differentiation was observed between the wild population and the stocks, and moderate differentiation between the three stocks. Deviation in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in one locus in the wild population, in five loci in the common morphological variant, in two in the marble, and in two in the clown morphological variant. Bayesian analysis of genetic structure revealed the existence of two clusters, one represented by the natural population and the other by the stocks. The developed microsatellite markers serve as a tool for the analysis of diversity and genetic structure and conservation studies of P. scalare.