The effects of age, isoflurane and sevoflurane on atracurium in lambs

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of age, sevoflurane and isoflurane on atracurium-induced neuromuscular blockade in 3–16 week-old lambs.Study designProspective randomized experimental trial.AnimalsTwenty-six Scottish blackface ewe-lambs were anaesthetized for spinal surgery when either 3–6 (mean age 4.6 weeks; n = 18) or 12–16 weeks (mean age 13.7 weeks; n = 15) of age; seven animals were anaesthetized at both ages.MethodsAfter intramuscular injection of medetomidine (10 μg kg^?1) anaesthesia was induced in the younger lambs either with isoflurane or sevoflurane in oxygen delivered by mask, and in the older lambs with ketamine (4 mg kg^?1), and midazolam (0.2 mg kg^?1) administered intravenously (IV). In both groups anaesthesia was maintained with fixed end-tidal concentrations of either sevoflurane (2.8%) or isoflurane (1.8%) delivered in oxygen. Before surgery meloxicam (0.6 mg kg^?1), morphine (0.5 mg kg^?1) and ketamine (1 mg kg^?1 followed by 10 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) were administered IV. The lungs were ventilated mechanically to maintain normocapnia. Neuromuscular block was achieved with a loading dose (LD) of atracurium (0.5 mg kg^?1 IV). The peroneal nerve was stimulated (train-of-four every 12 seconds). Evoked responses in the digital extensor muscles were evaluated by palpation and observation. Maintenance doses (MD) of atracurium (0.17 mg kg^?1 IV) were administered when the first twitch (T1) returned. The onset and duration of LD action (T1 absent) and the duration of MD were recorded. Data were analysed using Student's t test, Mann–Whitney U test, repeated–measures anova, Wilcoxon's matched pairs test or Pearson correlation coefficient as relevant (p < 0.05).ResultsOnset of LD action developed significantly (p < 0.05) more rapidly in isoflurane compared with sevoflurane-anaesthetized lambs (55 ± 18 cf. 80 ± 37 seconds). Duration of action of LDs and MDs was longer (p < 0.05) in lambs aged 12–16 than 3–6 weeks (33 ± 5.4 cf. 25 ± 6.4 and 26 ± 4.2 cf. 18 ± 5.5 minutes) but were independent of the anaesthetic used.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe effect of atracurium is age-dependent in lambs being prolonged in older animals. The onset of neuromuscular blockade is more rapid in isoflurane compared with sevoflurane-anaesthetized lambs.     

Weed shoot morphology effects on competitiveness for light in direct-seeded rice

The effects of weed shoot morphology on competitiveness for light in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) have not been well described quantitatively and are difficult to study empirically. A rice:weed model was used to analyse the effects of weed leaf area densities (LAD; m² m^–3), leaf angles (as leaf light extinction coefficients, k _leaf) and maximum heights ( H _m, m) on growth and competition with rice. Weed morphologies were hypothetical but empirically based, as follows: LADs were skewed to the bottom or conical, k _leaf values varied from 0.2 (erectophile) to 0.8 (planophile), and H _m values were 0.5 H _R, 1 H _R and 1.25 H _R, where H _R was rice maximum height. Other parameters were equal to those of rice. Growth and competitiveness were evaluated using mature seed dry weights (g m^–2). Short weeds and weeds with conical LADs were weakly competitive, regardless of other traits. For other weed types, interference with rice was positively related to H _m, LAD skewness and more planophile leaves. All three traits were critical determinants of weed interference but no single morphological trait guaranteed competitiveness. All else being equal, weeds with highly skewed LADs produced the most seed dry weight. Planophile leaves were particularly beneficial for short weeds, giving over five times more seed dry weight than erectophile leaves.     

Examination of the effect of aphid vector population composition on the spatial dynamics of citrus tristeza virus spread by stochastic modeling

ABSTRACT Aphid vector species population composition is known to affect the spatial patterns of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) and the changes in these patterns over time. However, the biological processes that are associated with virus spread have not been well defined. The spatiotemporal dynamics of CTV were examined using data collected from research plots in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, where the brown citrus aphid (BCA), Toxoptera citricida, was the predominant species, and in Florida, where the BCA was absent and the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii, was the predominant vector. Data were analyzed using a spatiotemporal stochastic model for disease spread, and parameter values were evaluated using Markov chain Monte Carlo stochastic integration methods. Where the melon aphid was the dominant species, the model parameter likelihood values supported the hypothesis that the disease was spread through a combination of random background transmission (transmission originating from inoculum sources outside the plot) and a local interaction (transmission from inoculum sources within the plot) operating over short distances. Conversely, when BCA was present, results often suggested a local short-range transmission interaction that was not restricted to nearest-neighbor interactions and that the presence of background infection was not necessary to explain the observations.     

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes of primary tumors in the canine central nervous system

The pathophysiologic similarities of many human and canine cancers support the role of the domestic dog as a model for brain tumor research. Here we report the construction of a custom canine brain-specific cDNA microarray and the analysis of gene expression patterns of several different types of canine brain tumor. The microarray contained 4000 clones from a canine brain specific cDNA library including 2161 clones that matched known genes or expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 25 cancer-related genes. Our study included 16 brain tumors (seven meningiomas, five glial tumors, two ependymomas, and two choroid plexus papillomas) from a variety of different dog breeds. We identified several genes previously found to be differentially expressed in human brain tumors. This suggests that human and canine brain tumors share a common pathogenesis. In addition, we also found differentially expressed genes unique to either meningiomas or the glial tumors. This report represents the first global gene expression analysis of different types of canine brain tumors by cDNA microarrays and might aid in the identification of potential candidate genes involved in tumor formation and progression.     

The galactic habitable zone and the age distribution of complex life in the Milky Way

We modeled the evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy to trace the distribution in space and time of four prerequisites for complex life: the presence of a host star, enough heavy elements to form terrestrial planets, sufficient time for biological evolution, and an environment free of life-extinguishing supernovae. We identified the Galactic habitable zone (GHZ) as an annular region between 7 and 9 kiloparsecs from the Galactic center that widens with time and is composed of stars that formed between 8 and 4 billion years ago. This GHZ yields an age distribution for the complex life that may inhabit our Galaxy. We found that 75% of the stars in the GHZ are older than the Sun.     

Evaluation of closed pericardial patch grafting for management of severe pulmonic stenosis

Closed pericardial patch-grafting has been advocated for the treatment of severe pulmonic stenosis. In this study pre- and postoperative echocardiography was used to determine if the transvalvular pressure gradient was successfully lowered by this surgery and whether it remained lowered long term. The valvulotomy-ventriculectomy wire was passed using a blunt needle in four dogs (Bresnock technique1) and via a soft catheter in five dogs (Shores and Weirich modification). Eight of nine patients survived the perioperative period. These dogs were assessed up to 40 months following surgery for clinical and echocardiographic changes. Five cases showed significant decrease in peak pulmonic pressure gradient immediately after surgery (decreasing by 50-81%, P < 0.05), and six cases showed significant decrease 2 to 40 months postoperatively (decreasing by 31-80%, P < 0.005) when compared to preoperative values. There was no significant change in pulmonic pressure gradient from immediately postoperatively to 2 to 40 months postoperatively (P < 0.48). Six dogs showed clinical improvement postoperatively, however persistent right ventricular hypertrophy was observed in all cases. One dog died with symptoms of congestive heart failure 16 months postoperatively. Closed pericardial patch grafting can improve clinical signs in symptomatic patients, however the surgery has significant risks, long term prognosis for these patients is guarded and recurrence of clinical signs and development of congestive heart failure is possible. Cardiac changes can be monitored with Doppler flow echocardiography. Patients with extremely elevated preoperative pressure gradients may be expected to have poorer outcomes.     

Aspergillus clavatus tremorgenic neurotoxicosis in cattle fed sprouted grains

Beef and dairy cattle from four different herds in southern and central Queensland fed hydroponically-produced sprouted barley or wheat grain heavily infested with Aspergillus clavatus developed posterior ataxia with knuckling of fetlocks, muscular tremors and recumbency, but maintained appetite. A few animals variously had reduced milk production, hyperaesthesia, drooling of saliva, hypermetria of hind limbs or muscle spasms. Degeneration of large neurones was seen in the brain stem and spinal cord grey matter. The syndrome was consistent with A clavatus tremorgenic mycotoxicosis of ruminants. The cases are the earliest known to be associated with this fungus in Australia. They highlight a potential hazard of hydroponic fodder production systems, which appear to favour A clavatus growth on sprouted grain, exacerbated in some cases by equipment malfunctions that increase operating temperatures.     

Bovine lactoferrin binds to insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) has been shown to have IGF independent actions that appear to be mediated by specific IGFBP-3 binding proteins located on cell membranes. We show here using Western ligand blotting, a number of mammary membrane proteins that bind ¹²⁵I-labeled rhIGFBP-3. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the >70 kDa protein was identified from bovine mammary microsomes as bovine lactoferrin (bLf). In addition to being a secretory protein, Lf is tightly associated with cellular membranes. Labeled rhIGFBP-3 was shown to bind to commercially purchased and processed apo- or holo-human or bLf, but not bovine transferrin (bTf). Binding of [¹²⁵I]rhIGFBP-3 to other positively charged proteins was not detected nor was binding to rhIGFBP-5 or other mammary-secreted IGFBPs observed. Reciprocal specific binding of [¹²⁵I]bLf to rhIGFBP-3 was shown, but [¹²⁵I]bTf did not show binding to rhIGFBP-3. While [¹²⁵I]rhIGF-II does not bind to bLf, unlabeled rhIGF-II was shown to compete with [¹²⁵I]bLf for rhIGFBP-3 binding. More detailed analysis by dot blot showed that Lf competes (ED₅₀=3 μg/ml) or displaces (ED₅₀=1 mg/ml) bound [¹²⁵I]rhIGF-II from dot blotted rhIGFBP-3. In vitro studies with a bovine primary mammary epithelial cell culture showed that all-trans-retinoic acid stimulates the appearance of bovine IGFBP-3 and bLf in the conditioned media and that [¹²⁵I]rhIGFBP-3 could be utilized to detect conditioned media bLf. These findings reveal a novel role for bLf, binding to IGFBP-3 and perhaps disassociating IGFBP-3:IGF when in high concentration.