The effects of nutrition‐induced abnormal food metabolism in the Southern Plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus): comparisons of variations of the Western diet

We investigated the effects of several modifications of the Western diet on a medium‐sized rodent, Neotoma micropus, that lives in the area of the wildland‐urban interface. We conducted a laboratory study of the response of N. micropus to high fat‐high fructose (HFHF), high fat‐high sucrose (HFHS), high fat‐low sugar (HFLSu) and control (low fat‐low sugar) diets. We found a significant increase in hepatic lipid deposition and a significant decrease in podocytes in those animals that consumed the HFHF and HFLSu diets compared to those on the HFHS and control diets. We found no significant differences in Bowman's space or hepatic collagen formation. We predict that N. micropus in the wild, with access to anthropogenic resources, will show similar effects as a result of the consumption of anthropogenic resources.     

NEAR at eros: imaging and spectral results

Eros is a very elongated (34 kilometers by 11 kilometers by 11 kilometers) asteroid, most of the surface of which is saturated with craters smaller than 1 kilometer in diameter. The largest crater is 5.5 kilometers across, but there is a 10-kilometer saddle-like depression with attributes of a large degraded crater. Surface lineations, both grooves and ridges, are prominent on Eros; some probably exploit planes of weakness produced by collisions on Eros and/or its parent body. Ejecta blocks (30 to 100 meters across) are abundant but not uniformly distributed over the surface. Albedo variations are restricted to the inner walls of certain craters and may be related to downslope movement of regolith. On scales of 200 meters to 1 kilometer, Eros is more bland in terms of color variations than Gaspra or Ida. Spectra (800 to 2500 nanometers) are consistent with an ordinary chondrite composition for which the measured mean density of 2.67 +/- 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter implies internal porosities ranging from about 10 to 30 percent.     

Rapid increase in clusters of presynaptic proteins at onset of long-lasting potentiation

A change in the efficiency of synaptic communication between neurons is thought to underlie learning. Consistent with recent studies of such changes, we find that long-lasting potentiation of synaptic transmission between cultured hippocampal neurons is accompanied by an increase in the number of clusters of postsynaptic glutamate receptors containing the subunit GluR1. In addition, potentiation is accompanied by a rapid and long-lasting increase in the number of clusters of the presynaptic protein synaptophysin and the number of sites at which synaptophysin and GluR1 are colocalized. These results suggest that potentiation involves rapid coordinate changes in the distribution of proteins in the presynaptic neuron as well as the postsynaptic neuron.     

Effect of tetrachloronitrobenzene (fusarex) on emergence and yield of potatoes. Part III. — Northeast

Foundation seed potatoes of Katahdin, Kennebec and Pungo varieties were treated with Fusarex dust at three dates during the 1966–67 storage season. In 1967 these treated seed potatoes were planted in uniform tests and compared with untreated and desprouted seed potatoes. Cooperators in Maine, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut planted the seed lots, recorded plant emergence, and obtained yield data. Initial emergence of Fusarex-treated and desprouted seed was delayed when compared with untreated seed except in Pennsylvania where both initial and final emergence of Pungo and Kennebec was improved by Fusarex treatment. Final emergence of January and March Fusarextreated seed of all three varieties was better than that of untreated and desprouted seed in Pennsylvania. At all other locations improvement of plant stand by Fusarex seed treatment was very erratic. The March Fusarex treatments resulted in an average yield equal to the untreated seed. Yield of tubers from chemically treated Katahdin seed was not significantly affected when compared with untreated seed at four of the five locations. November treatment of Kennebec seed with Fusarex adversely affected yields at three of the five locations. In Connecticut all Fusarex seed treatments reduced yields of Kennebec. Pungo seed treated with Fusarex produced yields in most cases that were not statistically higher than that of untreated seed.     

Genetic differentiation among geographically isolated populations of Criollo cattle and their divergence from other Bos taurus breeds

The microsatellites HEL5, HEL9, INRA063, and BM2113 were used to analyze genetic similarities and differences of geographically isolated Criollo cattle herds in Mexico. Criollo cattle from five counties within the state of Chihuahua and one county from the state of Tamaulipas (n = 60) were sampled. The five counties in Chihuahua included Cerocahui (n = 14), Chinipas (n = 10), Guachochi (n = 15), Morelos (n = 30), and Temoris (n = 9). Samples of DNA were amplified by PCR and separated on a 7% polyacrylamide gel. Microsatellite size was established by comparison to M13mp18 DNA ladder and a documented set of four bovine controls. Allele frequencies and genotypic deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were tested using the GENEPOP program. Eleven alleles were generated at HEL5 for the populations sampled (149 to 169 bp). Allele frequencies were greatest for the 163-bp allele in Criollo cattle from Cerocahui, Chinipas, Moralos, and Tamaulipas (0.23 to 0.5). Cattle from Guachochi had an allele frequency of 0.38 for the 151-bp allele, and cattle from Temoris had an allele frequency of 0.25 for the 149- and 167-bp alleles, with no 163-bp allele. Amplification with HEL9 produced 12 alleles (145, 149 to 169 bp) and showed common high-frequency alleles at 149, 157, and 159 bp for animals from all regions. The Chinipas population showed a moderate allele frequency at 145 bp; no other regions contained this allele. For INRA063 there were five alleles with 182 and 184 bp in low frequency. For BM2113 there were 10 alleles in the Criollo cattle (125 to 143 bp), with an equal distribution of frequencies for all alleles. In two regions, Guachochi and Morelos, genotypic frequencies deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Cattle from the Temoris region were genetically most distant from Criollo cattle of the other five regions.     

Drug distribution and stability in extemporaneous preparations of meloxicam and carprofen after dilution and suspension at two storage temperatures

OBJECTIVE: To determine dispersion uniformity and stability of meloxicam and carprofen in extemporaneous preparations stored for 28 days. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Meloxicam and carprofen (commercial formulations) were compounded (day 0) with deionized water (DW), 1% methylcellulose gel (MCG), MCG and simple syrup (SS; 1:1 mixture), or a suspending and flavoring vehicle combination (SFVC; 1:1 mixture) to nominal drug concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/mL and 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. PROCEDURES: Preparations were stored at approximately 4 degrees C (39.2 degrees F) or 22 degrees C (71.6 degrees F). For each preparation, drug concentrations were determined and drug stability was evaluated at intervals during storage; on days 0 and 28, pH values were measured and bacterial cultures were initiated. RESULTS: In meloxicam-DW, meloxicam-MCG (0.25 mg/mL), and meloxicam-MCG (0.5 mg/mL) preparations, drug distribution was uniform (coefficient of variation < 10%); > 90% of the original drug concentration was maintained for 28 days. Despite uniform drug distribution of the carprofen-SFVC preparations, most retained > or = 90% of the original drug concentration for only 21 days. Use of the MCG-SS combination resulted in foamy preparations of unacceptable variability. After 28 days, pH decreased slightly in meloxicam-DW and meloxicam-MCG preparations (0.17 +/- 0.04 and 0.21 +/- 0.04, respectively). Carprofen-SFVC (2.5 mg/mL) and carprofen-MCG-SS (5.0 mg/mL) preparations stored at 22 degrees C for 28 days yielded bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DW, MCG, and the SFVC can be used successfully for extemporaneous preparation of meloxicam and carprofen for administration to small exotic animals. Refrigeration is recommended for preparations of meloxicam-DW and carprofen-SFVC.