Pharmacokinetics and effects on clinical and physiological parameters following a single bolus dose of propofol in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

The objectives of this study were (a) to establish a population pharmacokinetic model and (b) to investigate the clinical and physiological effects of a single bolus dose of propofol in common marmosets. In Study 1, pharmacokinetic analysis was performed in six marmosets under sevoflurane anaesthesia. 8 mg/kg of propofol was administrated at a rate of 4 mg kg^?1 min^?1. Blood samples were collected 2, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 min after starting propofol administration. Plasma concentration was measured, and population pharmacokinetic modelling was performed. A two‐compartment model was selected as the final model. The population pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: V₁ = 1.14 L, V₂ = 77.6 L, CL₁ = 0.00182 L/min, CL₂ = 0.0461 L/min. In Study 2, clinical and physiological parameters were assessed and recorded every 2 min after 12 mg/kg of propofol was administrated at a rate of 4 mg kg^?1 min^?1. Immobilization was sustained for 5 min following propofol administration without apparent bradycardia. While combination of propofol and sevoflurane caused apnoea in Study 1, apnoea was not observed following single administration of propofol in Study 2. These data provide bases for further investigation on intravenous anaesthesia using propofol in common marmosets.     

Oral administration of L-citrulline changes the concentrations of plasma hormones and biochemical profile in heat-exposed broilers

We examined the effects of oral administration of L-citrulline (L-Cit) on plasma metabolic hormones and biochemical profile in broilers. Food intake, water intake, and body temperature were also analyzed. After dual oral administration (20 mmol/head/administration) of L-Cit, broilers were exposed to a high ambient temperature (HT; 30 ± 1°C) chamber for 120 min. Oral administration of L-Cit reduced (p < .001) rectal temperature in broilers. Food intake was increased (p < .05) by heat stress, but it was reduced (p < .05) by L-Cit. Plasma levels of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine, which initially increased (p < .0001) due to heat stress, were reduced (p < .01) by oral administration of L-Cit. Plasma insulin levels were increased by heat exposure (p < .01) and oral L-Cit (p < .05). Heat stress caused a decline (p < .05) in plasma thyroxine. Plasma lactic acid (p < .05) and non-esterified fatty acids (p < .01) were increased in L-Cit-treated heat-exposed broilers. In conclusion, our results suggest that oral L-Cit can modulate plasma concentrations of major metabolic hormones and reduces food intake in broilers.     

Recreational fishery as a conservation tool for endemic Dolly Varden <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus malma miyabei</Emphasis> in Lake Shikaribetsu,Japan

Recreational angling is a popular leisure activity globally and can be a threat or useful conservation tool depending on the management strategy. Miyabe charr Salvelinus malma miyabei is an endemic fish that inhabits Lake Shikaribetsu, and a management program was established to harmonise recreational fishery and conservation. To examine the suitability of this program, population assessment was conducted with the cooperation of anglers. The population size in 2014 as assessed by tag-and-release angling was estimated to be 105,300 [95% confidence interval (CI) 37,300–178,600], much higher than the reported estimate in 1995. Further, angling mortality was estimated to be quite low. Moreover, no decreasing population trend was detected on analysing 8 years of anglers’ catch data. Consequently, angling has facilitated stock assessments of Miyabe charr under the current program. This case is a good example of recreational angling acting as a conservation tool under appropriate management.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of barbaloin (aloin) in foods

A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of barbaloin (aloin, 10-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-dihydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-9(10H)-anthraceno ne) in foods. Barbaloin is extracted with water from foods containing aloe and the extract is cleaned up on a disposable cartridge by using methanol-water (55 + 45) as eluant. The eluted barbaloin is separated by liquid chromatography on a YMC A-302 column with methanol-water (50 + 50) mobile phase, and detected at 293 nm. Recoveries of barbaloin added to foods at the levels of 0.05 and 0.50 mg/g were 94.4-100%. Assay results for commercial food samples indicated that the present method is applicable to a variety of foods supplemented with aloe.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of benzoheterocyclic analogues of N'-benzoyl-N-(tert-butyl)benzohydrazide: Part 3. Modification of N-tert-butylhydrazine moiety

Nineteen analogues were synthesized by modifying the tert-butylhydrazine moieties of N'-tert-butyl-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-5-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxine-6-carbohydrazide and N'-tert-butyl-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-5-methylchromane-6-carbohydrazide (chromafenozide), and the synthesized analogues were evaluated for their insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura F. While all of the synthesized analogues had insecticidal activity inferior to those of the lead compounds, several of the analogues nonetheless showed high insecticidal activity. Chromafenozide has shown very high selectivity toward lepidopteran species.     

Noninvasive estimation of cardiac systolic function using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography in dogs with experimental mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive estimation of cardiac systolic function using transthoracic continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography in dogs with mitral regurgitation. PROCEDURE: Seven mongrel dogs with experimental mitral regurgitation were used. Left ventriculography and measurement of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were performed under inhalational anaesthesia. A micromanometer-tipped catheter was placed into the left ventricle and transthoracic echocardiography was carried out. The peak rate of left ventricular pressure rise (peak dP/dt) was derived simultaneously by continuous-wave Doppler and manometer measurements. The Doppler-derived dP/dt was compared with the catheter-measured peak dP/dt in the dogs. RESULTS: Classification of the severity of mitral regurgitation in the dogs was as follows: 1+, 2 dogs; 2+, 1 dog; 3+, 2 dogs; 4+, 1 dog; and not examined, 1 dog. We were able to derive dP/dt from the transthoracic continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography in all dogs. Doppler-derived dP/dt had a significant correlation with the catheter-measured peak dP/dt (r = 0.90, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that transthoracic continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography is a feasible method of noninvasive estimation of cardiac systolic function in dogs with experimental mitral regurgitation and may have clinical usefulness in canine patients with spontaneous mitral regurgitation.     

Estimation of the carcass composition from a cross-section of the rib-loin from crossbred Japanese Black × Limousin F2 cattle by computer image analysis

The carcass composition of crossbred Japanese Black × Limousin F2 cattle was examined in order to find an accurate carcass composition equation. The test animals included 17 steers and 17 heifers. The 28 image measurements from the area encircling the vertical line to the thoracic vertebra and the line from the thoracic vertebra between the sixth and seventh rib‐bones were measured by computer image analysis. The relationships between the 29 parameters that added the carcass left side weight of the animal and the carcass composition were suggested. The carcass composition included muscle weight, muscle ratio, fat weight and fat ratio. The carcass composition from steers was estimated by an equation composed of these three or four parameters (R² = 90.80%, 79.30%, 90.75% and 73.70%, respectively). The selected parameters were measured without cutting the thoracic vertebra. The carcass composition from heifers was estimated by an equation composed of two to four parameters (R² = 96.15%, 90.98%, 93.60% and 88.22%, respectively). The parameters for the estimation of the muscle and fat weight, and muscle and fat ratio are very similar. Furthermore, the equations using the parameters could estimate the carcass composition from the Japanese Black × Limousin cattle resource population.     

Metabolism of fenitrothion by organophosphorus-resistant and -susceptible house flies, Musca domestica L

The metabolism of fenitrothion was investigated in highly resistant (Akita-f) and susceptible (SRS) strains of the house fly, Musca domestica L. The Akita-f strain was 3500 times more resistant to fenitrothion than the SRS strain. Fenitrothion, topically applied to the flies, was metabolized in vivo far faster in the Akita-f strain than in the SRS strain. In vitro studies revealed that fenitrothion was metabolized by a cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system and glutathione S-transferases. The former oxidase system metabolized fenitrothion in vitro into fenitrooxon and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol as major metabolites, and into 3-hydroxymethyl-fenitrothion and 3-hydroxymethyl-fenitrooxon as minor metabolites. Glutathione S-transferases metabolized fenitrothion into desmethylfenitrothion. The cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase system and glutathione S-transferases of the resistant Akita-f strain had 1.4 to 2.2 times and 9.7 times, respectively, as great activities as those of the susceptible SRS strain. These results suggest the importance of glutathione S-transferases in fenitrothion resistance in the Akita-f strain.     

Insect glutathione S-transferase: Separation of transferases from fat bodies of American cockroaches active on organophosphorus triesters

Several glutathione S-transferases which catalyze the conjugation of reduced glutathione with organophosphorus triesters were separated from fat bodies of adult female American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.). Two transferases (I, V) were active on diazinon and three transferases (II, III, IV) were active on methyl parathion. The transferase (I) active on the pyrimidinyl moiety of diazinon was distinguishable from the other transferases on the O-methyl portion of methyl parathion, as shown by chromatographic properties, and additionally it was almost inactive or less active on 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene, methyl iodide, p-nitrobenzyl chloride, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Transferase II had high activities with “aryl” and “aralkyl” compounds, transferase III with “epoxide” and “alkene,” and transferase IV with “alkyl,” “aryl,” and “aralkyl” compounds. This indicated that the transferases had overlapping substrate specificities. The molecular weight was 35,000–37,000 for both of the enzymes active on methyl parathion and diazinon. The pH optima with methyl parathion and diazinon were about 8.5 and 6.5, respectively. At a glutathione concentration of 5 mM, Michaelis constants were 0.28 and 0.13 mM for methyl parathion and diazinon, respectively.