Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia annua essential oil

The essential oil of Artemisia annua aerial parts, consisting of camphor (44%), germacrene D (16%), trans-pinocarveol (11%), beta-selinene (9%), beta-caryophyllene (9%) and artemisia ketone (3%), was screened for its antimicrobial activity. The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of tested Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus hirae and both tested fungi. This oil has shown an antioxidant activity equivalent to 18% of the reference compound (alpha-tocopherol).     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 57 CATS WITH PRIMARY PULMONARY NEOPLASIA

Primary pulmonary neoplasia is relatively uncommon in cats and generally has a poor prognosis. In this multicenter, retrospective study of 57 cats with pulmonary neoplasia, the most frequent presenting signs were anorexia/inappetence (39%) and cough (37%). The pulmonary tumors were considered to be incidental findings in 9% cats. In computed tomographic (CT) images, primary pulmonary tumors appeared as a pulmonary mass in 55 (96%) cats and as a disseminated pulmonary lesion without a defined mass in two (4%) cats. Most pulmonary tumors were in the caudal lobes, with 28 (49%) in the right caudal lobe and 17 (30%) in the left caudal lobe. CT features associated with pulmonary tumors included mass in contact with visceral pleura (96%), irregular margins (83%), well‐defined borders (79%), bronchial compression (74%), gas‐containing cavities (63%), foci of mineral attenuation (56%), and bronchial invasion (19%). The mean (range) maximal dimension of the pulmonary masses was 3.5 cm (1.1–11.5 cm). Additional foci of pulmonary disease compatible with metastasis were observed in 53% cats. Pleural fluid was evident in 30% cats and pulmonary thrombosis in 12% cats. The histologic diagnoses were 47 (82%) adenocarcinomas, six (11%) tumors of bronchial origin, three (5%) adenosquamous cell carcinomas, and one (2%) squamous cell carcinoma. In this series, adenocarcinoma was the predominant tumor type, but shared many features with less common tumor types. No associations were identified between tumor type and CT features. Prevalence of suspected intrapulmonary metastasis was higher than in previous radiographic studies of cats with lung tumors.     

Population pharmacokinetics of methadone hydrochloride after a single intramuscular administration in adult Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon nippon)

ObjectiveTo assess the population pharmacokinetics of methadone in deer.Study designProspective non-randomized experimental trial.AnimalsTwelve healthy adult sika deer (nine males and three females).MethodsDeer received intramuscular administration of racemic methadone hydrochloride at 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ or 1 mg kg⁻¹. Plasma methadone and its metabolite 2-Ethylidene-1,5-Dimethyl-3,3-Diphenyl-Pyrolidine (EDDP) concentrations were determined by validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry methods, at times 0, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Population pharmacokinetics analysis was undertaken using a non-linear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM).ResultsA two-compartment linear disposition model best described observed time-concentration profiles of methadone and EDDP. Population parameter estimates of methadone were elimination clearance (17.3 L hour⁻¹), metabolic clearance (34.6 L hour⁻¹), volume of distribution of compartment 1 (216.0 L) and volume of distribution of compartment 2 (384.0 L). Population parameter estimates of EDDP were elimination clearance (121.0 L hour⁻¹), volume of distribution of compartment 3 (1.08 L) and volume of distribution of compartment 4 (499.5 L). The total clearance and total volume of distribution of methadone and EDDP were 51.9 L hour⁻¹, 121.0 L hour ⁻¹, 600.0 L and 500.6 L, respectively. The methadone terminal elimination half-life was 8.19 hours. No adverse effects were observed after methadone administration.Conclusions and Clinical relevanceFollowing intramuscular injection, methadone was characterized by a large total volume of distribution, high systemic clearance and intermediate terminal half-life in sika deer.     

Dynamics of phosphatase activities in a cork oak litter (Quercus suber L.) following sewage sludge application

As part of a study of the processes involved in litter biodegradation following sewage sludge (SS) addition, the variations over 14 months of phosphatase activities in a cork oak litter (Quercus suber L.) were investigated. A field experimental design was carried out using the litter-bag method on both a fertilized plot receiving SS applications (twice ) and a control plot. Acid (APH) and alkaline (BPH) phosphatases were measured, along with several biotic and abiotic variables potentially involved in the regulation of these enzymes. These included moisture, temperature, pH, water-extractable inorganic P (P_W), culturable heterotrophic bacteria and fungi. Sludge addition had significant effects on all the variables measured. Indeed, sludge increased significantly BPH activities, available P_W, microbial densities (i.e. bacteria and fungi) and pH in the fertilized plot. In contrast, APH activities decreased significantly following sludge addition. As a consequence, the BPH/APH ratio increased markedly and immediately in the fertilized plot, but only after the 1st amendment. Following the 1st preconditioning SS amendment, the 2nd fertilization had fewer effects on biological variables, because of summer dryness. The different properties examined varied significantly with incubation time, and most were significantly related to the seasonal patterns of litter moisture in this Mediterranean forest ecosystem. Hence, sewage sludge application modified the intensity of microbial responses to environmental factors, but biological patterns regulating P turn-over were maintained.     

Measuring cultured fish swimming behaviour: first results on rainbow trout using acoustic telemetry in tanks

An experiment was conducted to measure swimming activity of rainbow trout (254.0±33.7 g) held in outdoor tanks under three culture conditions with stocking density used to generate differences: 27 (Culture Density 1, CD1), 80 (CD2) and 136 kg m⁻³ (CD3). Fish were fed dry pellets at 1% of tank biomass from 9h00 to 13h00 with automatic feeders. Using acoustic telemetry, fish positions were monitored every 5 s during 48 h for nine fish (three in each treatment). Swimming behaviour was analysed in terms of trajectories: they varied between (i) holding position (high turning angles), (ii) chaotic trajectories (equal use of all turning angles) and (iii) circular swimming (average turning angle of 60°). Space utilisation differed for each culture condition: CD3 conditions induced a prolonged residence time in the central zone of the tank. Rainbow trout swimming activity patterns and levels differed depending on both day–night alternation and culture conditions. All fish reared at CD1 and one reared at CD2 were day-active. All the other fish showed high activity pattern variability and a higher swimming level was observed under CD3. These results illustrate that monitoring fish swimming activity is feasible even under high densities and provide relevant insights on fish activity which can lead to behavioural welfare indices in relation to constraints imposed by culture conditions.     

Estimation of the area-specific suspended sediment yield from discrete samples in different regions of Belgium

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Suspended sediment transport, which represents the majority of the sediment load, has been studied across very different scales and in a wide variety of regions and...