Clovis age Western Stemmed projectile points and human coprolites at the Paisley Caves

The Paisley Caves in Oregon record the oldest directly dated human remains (DNA) in the Western Hemisphere. More than 100 high-precision radiocarbon dates show that deposits containing artifacts and coprolites ranging in age from 12,450 to 2295 (14)C years ago are well stratified. Western Stemmed projectile points were recovered in deposits dated to 11,070 to 11,340 (14)C years ago, a time contemporaneous with or preceding the Clovis technology. There is no evidence of diagnostic Clovis technology at the site. These two distinct technologies were parallel developments, not the product of a unilinear technological evolution. "Blind testing" analysis of coprolites by an independent laboratory confirms the presence of human DNA in specimens of pre-Clovis age. The colonization of the Americas involved multiple technologically divergent, and possibly genetically divergent, founding groups.     

Detergents modify proteinase K resistance of PrP Sc in different transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs)

Prion diseases are diagnosed by the detection of their proteinase K-resistant prion protein fragment (PrP(Sc)). Various biochemical protocols use different detergents for the tissue preparation. We found that the resistance of PrP(Sc) against proteinase K may vary strongly with the detergent used. In our study, we investigated the influence of the most commonly used detergents on eight different TSE agents derived from different species and distinct prion disease forms. For a high throughput we used a membrane adsorption assay to detect small amounts of prion aggregates, as well as Western blotting. Tissue lysates were prepared using DOC, SLS, SDS or Triton X-100 in different concentrations and these were digested with various amounts of proteinase K. Detergents are able to enhance or diminish the detectability of PrP(Sc) after proteinase K digestion. Depending on the kind of detergent, its concentration - but also on the host species that developed the TSE and the disease form or prion type - the detectability of PrP(Sc) can be very different. The results obtained here may be helpful during the development or improvement of a PrP(Sc) detection method and they point towards a detergent effect that can be additionally used for decontamination purposes. A plausible explanation for the detergent effects described in this article could be an interaction with the lipids associated with PrP(Sc) that may stabilize the aggregates.     

Sub-lethal levels of carvacrol reduce Salmonella Typhimurium motility and invasion of porcine epithelial cells

The European ban on the use of antibiotic growth promotors has increased the search for new alternatives to prevent pig intestinal microbial diseases and to stimulate growth. The addition of essential oils or components thereof, such as carvacrol, to pig feed is a promising alternative. In this report we determined the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of carvacrol on Salmonella Typhimurium. At concentrations where growth of Salmonella was not inhibited, carvacrol completely inhibited motility of the bacterium. This loss of motility was not due to the loss of the flagellum or to ATP shortage upon carvacrol treatment. Adhesion of Salmonella to IPEC-J2, porcine intestinal epithelial cells, was not affected by carvacrol but invasion was significantly reduced. In addition, the epithelial gene expression of porcine β-defensin 2, an innate immune response to Salmonella infection, was reduced when Salmonella was exposed to carvacrol. This indicates that invasion but not adhesion of Salmonella triggers the porcine β-defensin 2 expression of porcine epithelial cells.     

Effect of detomidine on visceral and somatic nociception and duodenal motility in conscious adult horses

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of detomidine on visceral and somatic nociception, heart and respiratory rates, sedation, and duodenal motility and to correlate these effects with serum detomidine concentrations.Study designNonrandomized, experimental trial.AnimalsFive adult horses, each with a permanent gastric cannula weighing 534 ± 46 kg.MethodsVisceral nociception was evaluated by colorectal (CRD) and duodenal distension (DD). The duodenal balloon was used to assess motility. Somatic nociception was assessed via thermal threshold (TT). Nose–to–ground (NTG) height was used as a measure of sedation. Serum was collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. Detomidine (10 or 20 μg kg^?1) was administered intravenously. Data were analyzed by means of a three–factor anova with fixed factors of treatment and time and random factor of horse. When a significant time × treatment interaction was detected, differences were compared with a simple t–test or Bonferroni t–test. Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsDetomidine produced a significant, dose–dependent decrease in NTG height, heart rate, and skin temperature and a significant, nondose–dependent decrease in respiratory rate. Colorectal distension threshold was significantly increased with 10 μg kg^?1 for 15 minutes and for at least 165 minutes with 20 μg kg^?1. Duodenal distension threshold was significantly increased at 15 minutes for the 20 μg kg^?1 dose. A significant change in TT was not observed at either dose. A marked, immediate decrease in amplitude of duodenal contractions followed detomidine administration at both doses for 50 minutes.Conclusions and clinical relevanceDetomidine caused a longer period of visceral anti–nociception as determined by CRD but a shorter period of anti–nociception as determined by DD than has been previously reported. The lack of somatic anti–nociception as determined by TT testing may be related to the marked decrease in skin temperature, likely caused by peripheral vasoconstriction and the low temperature cut–off of the testing device.     

Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) can affect distribution pattern of inorganic N in soil

Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) are synthetic compounds that are used as gasoline additives in order to reduce emissions from vehicles. In the present study, effects of these compounds were investigated on the dynamics of inorganic N in soil. Therefore, soil samples with different water contents were contaminated with ETBE and TAME, respectively. It could be shown that in the presence of TAME and ETBE, NH₄⁺–N accumulated; moreover, ETBE addition to soil resulted in increased NO₂⁻–N concentrations. These results indicated for the first time that ETBE and TAME can affect nitrification in soil. Thus, their impact on soil ecology should be investigated more intensively.     

Mydriatic effect of topically applied rocuronium bromide in tawny owls (Strix aluco): comparison between two protocols

Objective To evaluate the mydriatic efficacy of a neuromuscular blocking agent (rocuronium bromide) applied topically to only one eye of nocturnal birds of prey and to assess for any general and/or local adverse effects due to its use. Animal studied Twelve healthy adult tawny owls (Strix aluco) were randomly divided in two groups. Procedures Six birds (Group 1) received a single dose of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide. The second group of subjects (Group 2) received two doses of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide (total 0.70 mg/eye). In both groups, the curariform agent was instilled topically. Pupil diameter was measured with a pupillary gauge in 10 min intervals for a total of 100 min and then every 20 min for a total of 240 min. The assessment of the pupillary light reflex was performed using a standard light source during pupillary size recording. Results Maximal pupillary diameter was 11.5 ± 0.3 mm for Group 1 and 11.0 ± 0.6 mm for Group 2 and no statistically significant differences were detected among the two groups. The maximal pupillary diameter was achieved at T80 for Group 1, and at T60 for Group 2. A complete fundus examination was possible on all treated eyes of subjects of both groups. The drug did not cause any noticeable adverse effects in any of the examined birds. Conclusion Results of the present study suggest that a single topical administration of 0.35 mg of rocuronium bromide to the eyes of healthy tawny owls results in sufficient mydriasis to allow for a complete examination of the fundus.     

Effect of levothyroxine administration on hemostatic analytes in Doberman Pinschers with von Willebrand disease

Levothyroxine administration has been suggested to be an effective treatment for canine von Willebrand disease (vWd), but evidence supporting this treatment is lacking. Effects of levothyroxine administration were evaluated in 8 euthyroid Doberman Pinschers with plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) concentrations < 15%, characteristic of type 1 vWd. Levothyroxine (0.04 mg/kg PO q12h) and placebo were administered for 30 days in a 2-period, 2-treatment, double-blinded, crossover design with a 30-day washout period between treatments. Buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), plasma vWf concentration (vWf: Ag), vWf collagen binding activity (vWf:CBA), factor VIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C), and serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured on days 0, 2, and 30 of each treatment period. The 8 dogs (1 male, 7 females) had markedly low plasma vWf:Ag (mean, 8.9%; reference range, 70-180%) and vWf:CBA (mean, 11.1%; reference range, >70%). Response to placebo versus levothyroxine treatment was not significantly different between groups at day 0, 2, or 30 for BMBT, vWf:Ag, vWf:CBA, and FVIII:C. Serum T4, fT4, and T3 concentrations were significantly higher and serum TSH significantly lower in the levothyroxine-treated group than in the placebo group at days 2 and 30. Administration of levothyroxine at 0.04 mg/kg caused laboratory evidence of hyperthyroidism but did not affect plasma FVIII:C and vWf:Ag concentrations or vWf-dependent collagen binding and BMBT. The results of this study failed to identify a direct action of levothyroxine supplementation on plasma vWf concentration or activity in euthyroid Doberman Pinschers with vWd.