Ketoprofen pharmacokinetics of R‐ and S‐isomers in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) after single intravenous and single‐ and multidose intramuscular administration

Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory and analgesic agent that nonselectively inhibits cyclooxygenase, with both COX‐1 and COX‐2 inhibition. Recent studies on COX receptor expression in reptiles suggest that nonselective COX inhibitors may be more appropriate than more selective inhibitors in some reptiles, but few pharmacokinetic studies are available. The goal of this study was to determine single‐ and multidose (three consecutive days) pharmacokinetics of racemic ketoprofen administered intravenously and intramuscularly at 2 mg/kg in healthy juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). The S‐isomer is the predominant isomer in loggerhead sea turtles, similar to most mammals, despite administration of a 50:50 racemic mixture. Multidose ketoprofen administration demonstrated no bioaccumulation; therefore, once‐daily dosing will not require dose adjustment over time. S‐isomer pharmacokinetic parameters determined in this study were C_max of 10.1 μg/ml by IM injection, C₀ of 13.4 μg/ml by IV injection, AUC of 44.7 or 69.4 μg*hr/ml by IM or IV injection, respectively, and T½ of 2.8 or 3.6 hr by IM or IV injection, respectively. Total ketoprofen plasma concentrations were maintained for at least 12 hr above concentrations determined to be effective for rats and humans. A dose of 2 mg/kg either IM or IV every 24 hr is likely appropriate for loggerhead turtles.     

Genetic analysis of sow longevity and sow lifetime reproductive traits using censored data

Sow longevity is a key component for efficient and profitable pig farming; however, approximately 50% of sows are removed annually from a breeding herd. There is no consensus in the scientific literature regarding a definition for sow longevity; however, it has been suggested that it can be measured using several methods such as stayability and economic indicators such as lifetime piglets produced. Sow longevity can be improved by genetic selection; however, it is rarely included in genetic evaluations. One reason is elongated time intervals required to collect complete lifetime data. The effect of genetic parameter estimation software in handling incomplete data (censoring) and possible early indicator traits were evaluated analysing a 30% censored data set (12 725 pedigreed Landrace × Large White sows that included approximately 30% censored data) with DMU6, THRGIBBS1F90 and GIBBS2CEN. Heritability estimates were low for all the traits evaluated. The results show that the binary stayability traits benefited from being analysed with a threshold model compared to analysing with a linear model. Sires were ranked very similarly regardless if the program handled censoring when all available data were included. Accumulated born alive and stayability were good indicators for lifetime born alive traits. Number of piglets born alive within each parity could be used as an early indicator trait for sow longevity.     

Influence of abiotic stress on the GSH/GSSG system of plant cell cultures

Cell suspension cultures of various crop plants have been used for studying salt and drought stress on the GSH/GSSG-system, As already recorded for whole plants, cell cultures of different species vary in their glutathione levels. In general, cell cultures of species with relatively high glutathione content are more tolerant to abiotic stress. A high glutathione content alone is not adequate to prevent cell damage and a decrease in cell growth. E.g. the addition of sulphur to stressed cell cultures slightly enhances the GSH content but does not enhance the adaptation of these cells to stress. Thus, the role of glutathione in the adaptation of cells to stress situations seems to be only one component in a more complex response mechanism.     

Einfluß von N-Lignin auf Wachstum und N-Stoffwechsel von Weizen-Zellsuspensionskulturen

The effects of N-Lignin on growth and N-metabolism in wheat cells in suspension cultures N-Lignin is an organic N-fertilizer which is synthesized from waste liquors of the pulp industry by oxydative ammonisation. Nearly 40% of its N-content is available as ammonium, the rest is linked in organic compounds. Water-soluble fractions of N-Lignin were added to the nutrient solutions of wheat cells in suspension cultures in order to study the effects on growth and N-metabolism. The experiments show that N-Lignin is a suitable nitrogen source for growing wheat cells. The best growth was achieved when 50% of the total nitrogen content of the medium were added as N-Lignin nitrogen. This mixture of N-Lignin and nitrate was even superior to the standard B-5-medium with respect to the final dry weight. However, higher concentrations of N-Lignin inhibited cell growth. The effect of N-Lignin on cell growth is not only influenced by ammonia. If wheat cells were grown on media with ammonium-N as the sole nitrogen source acids of the citrate cycle had to be added to support growth. This was not necessary with N-Lignin. N-Lignin therefore seems to effect the energy metabolism. High amounts of ammonium-N or the reduced N-fractions of N-Lignin respectively resulted in an increase of certain amino acids and especially of the two amides glutamine and asparagine. Furthermore root formation was observed with cells grown in media containing N-Lignin or ammonium-N. The root formation seemed to be correlated with added amounts of reduced nitrogen. Root formation was not observed with cell cultures incubated with N-Lignin solutions which were made free of ammonium-ions with a cation exchanger (Amberlite IR-120) loadad with potassium. This indicates that the differentiation of roots in the normally embryonic cells is due to the ammonium-N content of N-Lignin. A possible correlation between the content of glutamine and asparagine and the formation of roots is discussed.     

Abomasal dilatation and impaction in two Hampshire rams.

Two adult Hampshire rams, unrelated and from separate farms, were examined for the cause of intermittent bloat and, or anorexia which lasted for three to six weeks and caused depression and cachexia. The rumen of each ram was hypermotile and ballottement of the ventral abdomen of each animal revealed an enlarged doughy viscus. Mild prerenal azotaemia, hypokalaemia with metabolic alkalosis, and high rumen chloride concentrations were evident. One ram died during the induction of anaesthesia for an abomasotomy and the other was euthanased after unsuccessful medical therapy. The abomasum of each ram was four to six times larger than that of a normal adult ram and filled with coarse, semi-moist, impacted ingesta. This abnormality was clinically identical to the abomasal emptying syndrome which has been described only in the Suffolk breed.     

Detection of Follicular Apoptosis in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Ovary by Histology and Nick End Labelling Technique

The objective of this experiment was to assess the features and extent of follicular apoptosis in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovary using classical histology and nick end labelling technique. Ovaries (n = 40) procured from the slaughterhouse were used for the study. The sections (5 μm) were used for detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) and classical histology (H&E). Those follicles showing ≥ 5% TUNEL positivity (TUNEL assay) and pyknotic nuclei (histology) in granulosa cells were classified as atretic. Based on histology, the atretic primary and secondary follicles (%) were 93.82 and 95.62 respectively. The histology study reveals that the rates (%) of atresia in <1, 1–3, 3–5 mm and >5 mm were 36.90, 40.50, 62.84 and 74.5 respectively. Further the atretic tertiary follicles (%) were significantly lower than the primary and secondary classes of follicles. TUNEL assay reveals that the atretic rate (%) of tertiary follicles in <1, 1–3, 3–5 and ≥ 5 mm class follicles were 50.88, 53.84, 81.81 and 36.36 respectively. The percentage of atresia in >5 mm diameter follicles were significantly lower in TUNEL than histology. Percentages of granulosa and thecal cells positive for atresia by TUNEL were 30.7 ± 0.53 and 13.82 ± 0.18 respectively per follicle. The initial structural changes in atretic follicles were seen primarily in the granulosa cells. In severely atretic follicles TUNEL positive granulosa cells along with theca cells have to be considered in assessing the rate and extent of atresia.     

Prescribed fire: effects on water quality and forest nutrient cycling

Prescribed fire, a practice applied annually to about 10(6) hectares of forests in the southeastern United States, had limited effects on soils, nutrient cycling, and hydrologic systems of a coastal plain pine forest. Hydrologic fluxes of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and basic cations, from burned pine litter to ground and stream waters, are not likely to have appreciable impacts on water quality in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain.