L-dopa: effect on concentrations of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in brains of mice

Large doses of L-dopa given to mice produced marked increases in brain dopamine, no change in norepinephrine, and a remarkable decrease in brain serotonin. This reduction apparently results from a release or displacement, or both, of serotonin from its storage sites.     

The prevention of attachment and the detachment effects of a novel combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene for Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor variabilis on dogs

A novel combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene (CERTIFECT?, Merial Limited, GA, USA) was evaluated for the prevention of attachment of ticks and its ability to cause detachment of ticks. For the two prevention of attachment studies, 20 purpose-bred beagles were allocated each to two equal groups based on pretreatment tick counts (treated and untreated). Each dog was exposed to 50 adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor variabilis weekly starting 24h after treatment. In study 1 infestations with R. sanguineus were discontinued after Day 7 but continued to Day 28 for D. variabilis in both studies. Counts of ticks by species were made 2, 4 and 24h after exposure to ticks. Ticks not attaching to dogs were evaluated for viability. For the evaluation of detachment study, 16 purpose-bred beagles were allocated each to two equal groups based on pretreatment tick counts (treated and untreated). Each dog was infested with 50 unfed R. sanguineus and D. variabilis adults on Day -2. Ticks were thumb counted without removal on all dogs on Day -1, and at 4, 12, and 24h after treatment. Ticks were counted and removed at 48 h after treatment. Dogs treated with the novel combination had significantly (p<0.05) lower total numbers of attached R. sanguineus and D. variabilis than untreated controls at 4h through Day 7. For R. sanguineus, percent reduction of attachment at 24h after infestation through Day 29 ranged from 94.5% to 100%. For D. variabilis, the percent reduction of attachment at 24h through Day 22 was above 98.0%. These studies demonstrate that novel combination can disrupt attachment of R. sanguineus and D. variabilis for up to 28 days following treatment. Of those ticks that are exposed to the treatment, even if they do not attach to the dog and remain in the environment, greater than 90% (p<0.05) die within 24h for 2-3 weeks following treatment. Also, for those dogs infested with ticks at the time of treatment, the novel combination causes significant detachment (p<.05) starting at 12h and reaching 98.9% by 48 h after treatment. This product provides an effective means for controlling ticks infesting dogs and limiting the spread of tick transmitted diseases. Additionally, the mortality of ticks exposed to CERTIFECT will reduce infestation of the dog's environment.     

Comparisons of Uptake and Depuration of 2-Methylisoborneol in Male, Female, Juvenile, and 3MC-induced Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

The occurrence of off-flavors in farm-raised channel catfish is a major burden to the catfish culture industry, causing millions of dollars worth of market-ready fish to be rejected each year. Off-flavors are believed to be the result of exposure and subsequent accumulation of certain volatile microbial metabolites such as 2-methylisoborneol. In this study, the uptake and elimination of [¹⁴C]-2-methylisoborneol equivalents were examined in juvenile and mature channel catfish. The described method is presented as a simple and inexpensive procedure for comparing treatment effects on off-flavor elimination rates. In addition, the effects of the cytochrome P4501A inducing agent 3-methylcholanthrene on 2-methylisoborneol depuration was studied in juvenile fish. Uptake was determined during a 24–h static exposure to waterborne 2-methylisoborneol (7.6 ± 3.7 μg/L). Uptake equilibrium had been established in all groups by 12 h, with total uptake higher in juvenile fish. Depuration rates were not different between untreated groups (t_½ a = 12.r122.4 h; t_½β= 91.3–143.7 h); however, the depuration half-lives for 3-methylcholanthrene treated juveniles were significantly longer than those of controls.     

Natural transmission of Demodex Bovis stiles to dairy calves

Hides from cattle exposed to their infested dams for known periods and from sibling cattle were examined to determine when transmission of Demodex bovis occurred in an experimental dairy herd. Five of the 7 (71.4%) calves exposed to infested dams for 2 days, all 5 calves exposed for 3 days, and 1 calf exposed for 0.5 day became infested. Sibling cattle from 6 dams were examined; each had at least 1 calf that became infested. One dam produced twins, both of which became infested.These observations indicate that calves can acquire mites from an infested dam in 0.5 day and that sibling cattle from an infested dam do not always become infested.     

DOUGLAS-FIR SEEDLING RESPONSE TO A RANGE OF AMMONIUM: NITRATE RATIOS IN AEROPONIC CULTURE

The objective of the experiment was to identify the most favorable nitrogen (N) source ratio of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) for aeroponically-grown Douglas-fir when pH was maintained at pH 4.0. Seedlings were grown in controlled environments with solutions containing 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20 or 100:0 NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^? ratios. Nutrient additions in the aeroponic culture units were controlled by solution conductivity set points. Seedling growth and nutrient allocation was observed for 45 days. Different NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^? ratios resulted in significant differences in the rate of N addition, growth, morphology, and nutrient allocation. Seedlings grown in solutions containing 60 or 80% NO₃ ^? were characterized by a combination of high growth and photosynthetic rates, high and stable internal plant N concentrations, and sufficient levels of other essential nutrients. High proportions of NH₄ ⁺ in solution resulted in low rates of N addition, stunted lateral root growth, and may have been toxic.