Herbicidal indolizine-5,8-diones: photosystem I redox mediators

6,7-Disubstituted indolizine-5,8-diones showed activity as herbicides, giving rapid desiccation symptomology in whole-plant tests and bleaching in leaf-disc assays. In isolated chloroplasts, such compounds initiated rapid uptake of oxygen in Photosystem I. A redox mediator mode of action was further supported by electrochemical studies. Several compounds described had low photostability, high volatility, hydrolytic instability or reactivity with glutathione. The detrimental effects that these factors may have had on expression of herbicidal activity are discussed.     

A study of the heterogeneity of isolates of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae from sheep in New Zealand.

To investigate the heterogeneity of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, sixty isolates from three sheep on each of twenty farms were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and SDS-PAGE. All were found to be different except for three isolates obtained from one farm. The protein and REA patterns of individual isolates were both highly reproducible and remained unchanged following long term passage (approximately 400 generations) in vitro. No plasmids were detected in the twelve strains which were examined and when two isolates were co-cultured in vitro, no genetic interchange, as judged by changes in REA patterns were detected. Since the heterogeneity of M. ovipneumoniae when examined by SDS-PAGE is too great to allow groups to be recognised, it could be advantageous for this purpose if only surface proteins were compared. As a preliminary step to this end we have identified several surface proteins of M. ovipneumoniae and found that some are common to all strains, one surface protein was shared by five of the eight strains examined and another was unique to one strain. This approach has the potential to allow the recognition of grouping of M. ovipneumoniae isolates.     

Comparison of the Bain system and Uniflow universal anaesthetic breathing systems in spontaneously breathing young pigs

OBJECTIVE: To compare minimum fresh gas flow (V(min)) requirements and respiratory resistance in the Uniflow and Bain anaesthetic breathing systems used in the Mapleson D mode. Animals Seven pigs, aged 8-12 weeks, anaesthetized for ophthalmic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane delivered in oxygen using a (Mapleson D) Bain breathing system. The V(min) that prevented re-breathing was found, and peak inspiratory (PIP) and peak expiratory (PEP) pressures measured. The fresh gas flow (V(f)) was then increased to V(min) + 50%, then V(min) + 100%, and respiratory pressures re-measured. A heat and moisture exchanger (HME) was inserted at the endotracheal tube and the procedure repeated. The breathing system was then exchanged for a Uniflow and the protocol repeated. After final disconnection from the breathing system, the animals' peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, tidal, and minute volumes (Vm) were measured over five respiratory cycles. RESULTS: The V(min) (L minute(-1); mL kg(-1) minute(-1)) required to prevent rebreathing in the Uniflow system [8.1(mean) +/-1.7 (SD); 332 +/- 94] was significantly greater than the Bain system (6.5 +/- 1.1; 256 +/- 64). At V(min), PEP with the Uniflow (3.5 +/- 0.1 cm H(2)O) was significantly higher than the Bain system (2 +/- 0.7 cm H(2)O), but PIP values did not differ (Uniflow -0.6 +/- 2.1 cm H(2)O; Bain system -0.2 +/- 0.6 cm H(2)O). With both systems, PEP increased significantly (p < 0.001) with each increase in V(f): Uniflow system 4.2 +/- 0.4 (V(min) + 50%) and 5.5 +/- 0.5 cm H(2)O (V(min) + 100%); Bain system 2.8 +/- 0.7 (V(min) + 50%) and 3.5 +/- 0.7 cm H(2)O (V(min) + 100%). Insertion of the HME did not alter pressures. The mean tidal volume was 6.4 +/- 1.6 mL kg(-1); mean Vm was 184.9 +/- 69.8 mL kg(-1) and mean respiratory rate was 28 +/- 5 breaths minute(-1). In one pig breathing with the Uniflow system PEP rose sharply; respiratory and heart rates increased, and ventricular dysrhythmias occurred. When the system was changed and V(f) reduced, physiological variables became normal. CONCLUSION: The study discredited the hypothesis that the two breathing systems behave similarly. Values for V(min) and PEP were higher with the Uniflow system. Increasing V(f) increased PEP with both systems. Insertion of an HME did not affect respiratory pressures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Uniflow used in Mapleson D mode is not suitable for anaesthesia in young spontaneously breathing pigs.     

Cardiopulmonary side-effects and pharmacokinetics of an emulsion of propofol (Disoprivan) in comparison to propofol solved in polysorbate 80 in goats

The aim of this study was to determine whether any pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic differences exist in goats between propofol in its currently licensed form (Disoprivan) and a new 1% solution of propofol (NSP) containing polysorbate 80. Nine goats received, on two different occasions in a randomized double-blinded order, 4 mg/kg propofol intravenously (i.v.; Disoprivan or NSP). To detect differences in cardiopulmonary effects and pharmacokinetics, the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data was used. In the NSP group the duration of initial apnoea was significantly longer, and 6 and 12 min after drug application PaO2 levels were significantly lower than in the Disoprivan group. Mean cardiovascular parameters did not differ significantly between the groups but in the NSP group in six goats marked changes in blood pressure occurred: systolic arterial pressures fell to a minimum of 40-60 mmHg within the first 10 min. This was followed by a marked increase in blood pressure, with maxima exceeding 300 mmHg. In the NSP group the half-life of propofol was significantly longer, the clearance rate was smaller and the areas under the drug concentration-time curves were larger than in the Disoprivan group. The cardiopulmonary side-effects of NSP suggest that propofol dissolved in polysorbate 80 is not a suitable alternative to the current formulation of propofol.