Liposome-encapsulated oxymorphone prevents hyperalgesia for 7 days in a rat model of neuropathic pain

A delayed‐release formulation of liposome‐encapsulated oxymorphone (LEO) was produced using a novel dehydration–rehydration technique. Preparations were standardized spectrophotometrically against a known concentration of the drug. The purpose of this study was to test the analgesic properties of LEO in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into control (non‐neuropathic) and test (neuropathic) groups. Control and test groups were administered one SC injection of (i) vehicle liposomes (negative control treatment); (ii) liposome‐encapsulated morphine, 2.8 mg kg^?1 (positive control treatment); or (iii) LEO, 1.2 mg kg^?1. All treatments were administered after baseline thermal withdrawal latencies (TWL) were determined (9.2 ± 0.39 seconds (mean ± SEM)). Test groups then underwent sciatic ligation to induce neuropathic pain. TWL were determined in all six groups (n = 8) daily for 1 week. In a separate group of age‐matched rats, blood (0.3 mL from the jugular vein) and urine (1–2 mL via metabolism cages) were collected daily for 7 days after administration of LEO (1.2 mg kg^?1). TWL did not change in the control rats given liposome‐encapsulated sucrose or morphine. There was a small increase (p = 0.04) in TWL in control rats given LEO, likely as a result of the relatively higher dose of oxymorphone compared with morphine based on receptor affinity. TWL in test rats given blank liposomes decreased significantly (p < 0.001) by day 4 (7.1 ± 0.5 seconds), with a maximal decrease by day 7 (5.1 ± 0.36 seconds), indicating development of full hyperalgesia. In contrast, rats given liposome‐encapsulated morphine or oxymorphone had no change in TWL at day 4, indicating that these preparations prevented hyperalgesia after a single injection. This treatment effect persisted through day 7. Serum concentrations of oxymorphone after a single injection of LEO peaked at 4 hours (6.8 ± 0.82 ng mL^?1) and were detectable through day 4 (0.98 ± 0.003 ng mL^?1), while urine concentrations of drug were detectable through day 7. This result suggests that oxymorphone metabolites might have been responsible for the protracted analgesic response. The encapsulation efficiency of oxymorphone using this novel technique was approximately 96%. In conclusion, liposome encapsulation of oxymorphone proved to be an efficient mechanism to provide a delayed‐release formulation of this opioid. This single dose of subcutaneously administered liposome‐encapsulated oxymorphone was effective in preventing hyperalgesia for 7 days in this animal model of neuropathic pain.     

Incidence and distribution of botryosphaeriaceous species in New Zealand vineyards

The aim of this study was to determine the identification, incidence and distribution of botryosphaeriaceous species in New Zealand vineyards. A field study of 43 vineyards across six wine growing regions was conducted. A total of 336 isolates of botryosphaeriaceous species were isolated from 238 diseased grapevine samples. Morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of the ribosomal RNA gene region, partial sequence of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (EF1-α) and the β-tubulin gene identified nine botryosphaeriaceous species: N. parvum, N. luteum, N. australe, N. ribis, D. mutila, D. seriata, B. dothidea, Do. iberica and Do. sarmentorum. These species have been reported in other grape growing regions worldwide. Eighty eight percent of vineyards and 68% of symptomatic vines sampled were positive for botryosphaeriaceous species. Incidence and distribution of the botryosphaeriaceous species populations varied between the North and South Islands with N. parvum being the predominant species. The variability in incidence and distribution of the botryosphaeriaceous species may be influenced by climatic conditions and different sources of inoculum in the regions sampled. The results of this research clearly identified botryosphaeriaceous species as the target pathogens for development of management strategies for grapevine decline in New Zealand.     

Brook trout spawning areas in lakes

Abstract— Nine lakes containing self-sustaining populations of brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) were surveyed to provide quantitative information on the abundance and distribution of redd sites. We measured rates of groundwater flow at redds in four of these lakes, and in one of these lakes we also compared the frequency of site use over four years from spawning observations. The number of redd sites in each lake ranged from 1 to 53 (mean=30) with most found relatively close to shore (∼ 1 m deep). Spawning areas per lake (16.9–829.4 m²) were not related to lake size and were often not continuous areas of littoral zone habitat. Rates of groundwater flow in lakes, averaged across redd sites in each lake, ranged from 20.0 to 107.9 ml. m.⁻² min^−1. The intensive survey of redd site use in one lake demonstrated that only 11% of sites (10 of 92) were used in all four years of observation. The mean rates of groundwater flow at sites used in all four years were significantly greater than at sites used intermittently. Data from this and other studies point to the conservation of subcatchments associated with groundwater discharge areas used by spawning brook trout as a means of maintaining self-sustaining populations.     

Pulmonary function and metabolic physiology of theropod dinosaurs

Ultraviolet light analysis of a fossil of the theropod dinosaur Scipionyx samniticus revealed that the liver subdivided the visceral cavity into distinct anterior pleuropericardial and posterior abdominal regions. In addition, Scipionyx apparently had diaphragmatic musculature and a dorsally attached posterior colon. These features provide evidence that diaphragm-assisted lung ventilation was present in theropods and that these dinosaurs may have used a pattern of exercise physiology unlike that in any group of living tetrapods.     

Detection of occult urinary tract infections in dogs with diabetes mellitus

Dogs with diabetes mellitus may develop occult urinary tract infections. In this study, diabetic dogs with negative and positive bacterial urine cultures were compared. Records from 51 dogs with diabetes mellitus were reviewed at the University of Illinois. No difference was identified between the groups in urine specific gravity, pH, glucose, ketones, protein, red blood cells, white blood cells, or epithelial cells. Dogs with occult urinary tract infection did have an increased incidence of bacteriuria, but this was not a consistent finding. Therefore, the urine on all diabetic dogs should be cultured to accurately identify the presence or absence of bacterial urinary tract infections.