Antibacterial activity of Salvia tomentosa essential oil.

The essential oil of Salvia tomentosa aerial parts, consisting of 1,8-cineol (17%), beta-caryophyllene (11%), cyclofenchene (10%) and delta-cadinene (6%), was screened for its antimicrobial activity. The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Effect of cortisol on the metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone by Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos

The effect of cortisol on the in vitro metabolism of [³H]17-hydroxyprogesterone ([³H]17OHP) was studied during embryonic development of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the absence of cortisol, rainbow trout embryos metabolized [³H]17OHP largely to androstenedione (A₄) and androstenetrione (11-KA) with a minor conversion to 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P). In the presence of cortisol, this biosynthesis was inhibited. On the other hand, cortisol had no apparent inhibitory effect on the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP by Arctic charr embryos. In these embryos [³H]17OHP was metabolized mainly to 17,20P with a minor conversion to A₄ and without the formation of 11-KA that was seen in rainbow trout.When incubated in the presence of [³H]cortisol both Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos produced 11ß-hydroxyandrostenedione (11ß-OHA) as the major metabolite, with a minor conversion to an unknown steroid. The catabolism of the cortisol by salmonid embryos may reflect the ability of the embryo to inactivate or detoxify cortisol to protect itself from the adverse effects of this biologically potent steroid hormone The study indicates the existence of species-specific differences in the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP and the inhibitory effect of cortisol on this metabolism.     

Homoploid hybrid speciation in an extreme habitat

According to theory, homoploid hybrid speciation, which is hybrid speciation without a change in chromosome number, is facilitated by adaptation to a novel or extreme habitat. Using molecular and ecological data, we found that the alpine-adapted butterflies in the genus Lycaeides are the product of hybrid speciation. The alpine populations possess a mosaic genome derived from both L. melissa and L. idas and are differentiated from and younger than their putative parental species. As predicted, adaptive traits may allow for persistence in the environmentally extreme alpine habitat and reproductively isolate these populations from their parental species.     

Anal leiomyoma in a Holstein heifer.

A 2-year-old heifer was presented with masses on her anus that were interfering with cervical manipulation during embryo flushing. The masses had broad stalks attached within the anal sphinchter. Recovery was without incident after surgical resection. No recurrence of the masses had occurred 3 months later. Histologic diagnosis was benign leiomyoma.