Localization profiles of natriuretic peptides in hearts of pre-hibernating and hibernating Anatolian ground squirrels (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus)

The Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) is a typical example of true mammalian hibernators. In order to adapt to extreme external and internal environments during hibernation, they lower their body temperatures, heart rates and oxygen consumption; however, pathological events such as ischemia and ventricular fibrillation do not occur in their cardiovascular systems. During the hibernation, maintenance of cardiac function is very important for survival of ground squirrels. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are key factors in the regulation of cardiovascular hemostasis. Since NPs’ role on the protection of heart during hibernation are less clear, the aim of this study was to investigate dynamic changes in NPs content in the cardiac chambers and to reveal the possible role of NPs on establishing cardiac function in ground squirrel during hibernation using immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical results indicate that cardiac NP expressions in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes were different from each other and were sex-independent. ANP and BNP were expressed in a chamber-dependent manner in female and male squirrel hearts. Furthermore, cardiac NPs expression levels in hibernation period were lower than those at the pre-hibernation period. During prehibernation period, ANP, BNP and CNP were expressed in the white and beige adipocytes of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT); while during hibernation period, the brown adipocytes of EAT were positive for BNP and CNP. These data suggest that the hibernation-dependent reduction in levels of NPs, particularly ANP, in cardiac chambers and EAT may be associated with low heart rate and oxygen consumption during hibernation. However, further studies are needed to better delineate the roles of NPs during the hibernation.

     

Production and characterization of films from cotton stalk xylan

Composite film production based on cotton stalk xylan was studied, and the mechanical and physical properties of the films formed were investigated. Xylan and lignin were separated from cellulose by alkali extraction and, then, lignin was removed using ethanol washing. Self-supporting continuous films could not be produced using pure cotton stalk xylan. However, film formation was achieved using 8-14% (w/w) xylan without complete removal of lignin during xylan isolation. Keeping about 1% lignin in xylan (w/w) was determined to be sufficient for film formation. Films were produced by casting the film-forming solutions, followed by solvent evaporation in a temperature (20 degrees C) and relative humidity (40%) controlled environment. The elastic modulus and hypothetical coating strength of the films obtained by using 8% xylan were significantly different from the ones containing 10-14% xylan. The water vapor transfer rates (WVTR) decreased with increasing xylan concentration, which made the films thicker. The glycerol addition as an additional plasticizer resulting in more stretchable films having higher WVTR and lower water solubility values. As a result, film production was successfully achieved from xylan, which was extracted from an agricultural waste (cotton stalk), and the film-forming effect of lignin on pure xylan has been demonstrated.     

Intravenous tramadol: effects, nociceptive properties, and pharmacokinetics in horses

ObjectiveTo determine the optimal dose, serum concentrations and analgesic effects of intravenous (IV) tramadol in the horse.Study designTwo-phase blinded, randomized, prospective crossover trial.AnimalsSeven horses (median age 22.5 years and mean weight 565 kg).MethodsHorses were treated every 20 minutes with incremental doses of tramadol HCl (0.1–1.6 mg kg^?1) or with saline. Heart rate, respiratory rate, step frequency, head height, and sweating, trembling, borborygmus and head nodding scores were recorded before and up to 6 hours after treatment. In a second study, hoof withdrawal and skin twitch reflex latencies (HWRL and STRL) to a thermal stimulus were determined 5 and 30 minutes, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after bolus IV tramadol (2.0 mg kg^?1) or vehicle. Blood samples were taken to determine pharmacokinetics.ResultsCompared to saline, tramadol caused no change in heart rate, step frequency or sweating score. Respiratory rate, head height, and head nodding and trembling scores were transiently but significantly increased and borborygmus score was decreased by high doses of tramadol. Following cumulative IV administration of 3.1 mg kg^?1 and bolus IV administration of 2 mg kg^?1, the elimination half-life of tramadol was 1.91 ± 0.33 and 2.1 ± 0.9 hours, respectively. Baseline HWRL and STRL were 4.16 ± 1.0 and 3.06 ± 0.99 seconds, respectively, and were not significantly prolonged by tramadol.Conclusion and clinical relevanceIV tramadol at cumulative doses of up to 3.1 mg kg^?1 produced minimal transient side effects but 2.0 mg kg^?1 did not provide analgesia, as determined by response to a thermal nociceptive stimulus.     

Apparent ELISA detection times for albuterol after administration with the torpex equine inhaler device

Single doses of one, three, and six actuations (120 micro g albuterol/actuation) and multiple daily doses (six actuations per dose four times daily) for 5 days of aerosol albuterol sulfate were sequentially administered to each of six horses using an equine inhaler device (Torpex, 3M Animal Care Products, St. Paul, MN [corrected] and Boehringer Ingleheim Vetmedica, Inc., St. Joseph, MO [corrected]). A 2-week washout period was allowed between each dose. ELISA testing revealed no evidence of albuterol in urine at 24 hours after any single-dose administration. Results indicated that 48 hours or longer should be allowed for albuterol to be cleared from urine after single doses. When given at the maximum recommended rate of six actuations per dose four times a day for 5 days, urine samples tested by ELISA showed no evidence of albuterol at 48 hours after the final dose. Testing of nasal swabs by ELISA demonstrated the presence of albuterol for 8 hours after each single dose, and some horses might have detectable levels of albuterol in nasal swabs for several days following administration of multiple doses. As a guideline for withdrawal time, 72 hours or longer should be allowed after administration of aerosol albuterol sulfate to horses before participation in equestrian competitions that are regulated for detection of certain performance-enhancing substances. However, these recommendations were based on a small sample of horses and the specific ELISA test used and interpreted as described. Factors specific to individual horses may influence these detection times.     

Yield and quality response of drip irrigated broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) under different irrigation regimes, nitrogen applications and cultivation periods

The experiment aimed at evaluating the yield and quality response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) to applied irrigation water and nitrogen by drip irrigation method during the spring and autumn cultivation periods of 2007. Irrigation water was applied based on a ratio of Class A pan evaporation (k_cp = 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25) with 7 days interval. Also, the effect of four nitrogen levels (0 kg ha⁻¹, 150 kg ha⁻¹, 200 kg ha⁻¹ and 250 kg ha⁻¹) was compared with each treatment. The seasonal evapotranspiration in the treatments varied from 233 mm to 328 mm during the spring period and from 276 mm to 344 mm during the autumn period. The highest broccoli yield was obtained in the spring period as 11.02 t ha⁻¹ and in the autumn period as 4.55 t ha⁻¹. In general, there were statistical differences along nitrogen does with respect to yield and yield components while there were no statistically significant differences in the yield and yield components among irrigation regimes. Both yield and yield parameters in the spring period were found to be higher than that of the autumn period due to the low temperature and high rainy days in autumn. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) ranged from 3.78 kg m⁻³ to 14.61 kg m⁻³ during the spring period and from 1.89 kg m⁻³ to 5.93 kg m⁻³ during the autumn period. On the other hand, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) changed as 37.32-73.13% and 13.08-22.46% for spring and autumn season, respectively.     

Studies on differential response of wheat cultivars to boron toxicity

Experiments were carried out to study the differential responses of different wheat cultivars to boron toxicity in field, greenhouse and growth chamber conditions. In field trials carried out at two locations, both of which are known to contain toxic amounts of water-extractable B, significant correlations were obtained between toxicity symptoms and grain yields. The only durum cultivar included in this group of experiments (Kunduru 1149) was the most sensitive of the 21 cultivars trialed. The most tolerant cultivars were of local origin. Genotype-environment interaction was considerably large. Twenty-nine bread wheat and three durum wheat cultivars were compared in a greenhouse experiment with and without the application of 40 mg L^-1 B. Again, the durums were the most sensitive cultivars. The most tolerant cultivars were either selections from local populations or had at least one parent of local origin. The detrimental effect of B on root dry matter production was much higher than on shoot dry matter (45 and 26%, respectively), but genotypical variation was greater in shoot growth retardation. While this implies the possible role of reduced translocation, high concentrations of B in the shoots of tolerant cultivars (though lower than in the sensitive cultivars) indicated the existence of other contributing mechanisms, such as tissue tolerance. Also, greater genotypical variation in older leaves showed that reduced uptake might be more important than reduced translocation in some cases. Due to the lack of correlation between results from the field and the controlled-environment studies, it was concluded that screenings should be undertaken in both situations as a means of verification. Another conclusion drawn was that symptom scoring for B tolerance was more reliable than measuring plant B concentrations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Residues of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water Sources of Istanbul

The concentrations of 9 chlorinated pesticides in the water sources and tap waters of Istanbul, Turkey, were determined by gas chromatographic methods following the enrichment through adsorption and elution techniques. The observed organochlorine pesticides were α- and γ-HCH and aldrin which had been banned from use. The contents of α- and γ-HCH in raw waters were in the range of 0.34–1.7 ppb and not detected-0.077 ppb, respectively. Aldrin was observed at the concentration of 0.03 ppb in some samples. The residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in drinking water supplies of Istanbul were found significantly under the maximum permissible levels of standards. The effectiveness of potable water treatment processes and the importance of maintenance and back- washing of sand filters in pesticide removal were observed. Improper and delayed back-washings of filters caused an increase in the pesticide residues in the distributed water. In older water distribution lines, higher concentrations of some organochlorines were also observed.     

Important invasive species and its pest status in Turkey: Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a pest of many annual and perennial agricultural products. The species is native to...     

Dynamics of mast cells in lymph node following antigenic stimulation

Dynamics of mast cells in rat cervical lymph nodes were examined using conventional histological techniques after injection of Salmonella paratyphi B-H antigen. There was no significant change in the number of mast cells at sixth hour and on the first day of stimulation compared with the controls. The number of mast cells was increased in all lymph node compartments on the second day of stimulation, which continued in the following 3 days. On the eighth day of stimulation, although the mast cell number decreased in the subcapsular area, it was still high in the paracortical area and medullary sinuses of the lymph nodes. On the second day of stimulation, the mast cell number was apparently increased in the subcapsular area than those of the other compartments. In the following days of stimulation, the highest number of mast cells was seen in the medullary sinuses. The highest paracortical mast cell number was determined on the third day of stimulation and some mast cells were observed near the high endothelial venules (HEVs). The changes of mast cell number among the lymph node compartments after antigenic stimulation support the hypothesis that the migration of mast cells occurred. This migration pattern indicates that mast cells enter the lymph node via afferent lymphatics and migrate to the lymph node compartments following antigenic stimulation.