The neuroexcitatory,convulsive and lethal effects of lindane analogs on Periplaneta americana (L.)

Lindane analogs, in which one or two chlorine atoms are replaced by various substituents, exhibit convulsive and lethal effects on Periplaneta americana (L.). Some analogs are as active as lindane. These effects are well related to the neuroexcitatory action which produces after-discharges in the central nervous system. Carbamate insecticides have potent convulsive and lethal effects on P. americana, which are also related to after-discharges produced in nerve cords. Convulsion caused by lindane analogs and carbamates is solely attributable to their neuroexcitatory effects on the nervous system, in spite of the difference in their ultimate modes of action.     

Sparing effect of tramadol,lidocaine, dexmedetomidine and their combination on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

BackgroundProblems associated with using inhalational anaesthesia are numerous in veterinary anaesthesia practice. Decreasing the amount of used inhalational anaesthetic agents and minimising of cardiorespiratory disorders are the standard goals of anaesthetists.ObjectiveThis experimental study was carried out to investigate the sparing effect of intravenous tramadol, lidocaine, dexmedetomidine and their combinations on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in healthy Beagle dogs.MethodsThis study was conducted on six beagle dogs. Sevoflurane MAC was determined by the tail clamp method on five separate occasions. The dogs received no treatment (control; CONT), tramadol (TRM: 1.5 mg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 1.3 mg kg^-1 h^-1), lidocaine (LID: 2 mg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 3 mg kg^-1 h^-1), dexmedetomidine (DEX: 2 μg kg^-1 intravenously followed by 2 μg kg^-1 h^-1), and their combination (COMB), respectively. Cardiorespiratory variables were recorded every five minutes and immediately before the application of a noxious stimulus.ResultsThe COMB treatment had the greatest sevoflurane MAC-sparing effect (67.4 ± 13.9%) compared with the other treatments (5.1 ± 25.3, 12.7 ± 14.3, and 40.3 ± 15.1% for TRM, LID, and DEX treatment, respectively). The cardiopulmonary variables remained within the clinically acceptable range following COMB treatment, although the mean arterial pressure was higher and accompanied by bradycardia.ConclusionsTramadol-lidocaine-dexmedetomidine co-infusion produced a remarkable sevoflurane MAC-sparing effect in clinically healthy beagle dogs and could result in the alleviation of cardiorespiratory depression caused by sevoflurane. Cardiorespiratory variables should be monitored carefully to avoid undesirable side effects induced by dexmedetomidine.     

Quadruple or quintuple conversion of hlb, sak, sea (or sep), scn, and chp genes by bacteriophages in non-beta-hemolysin-producing bovine isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

In 13 of 43 non-beta-hemolysin-producing bovine isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, two truncated beta-hemolysin (hlb) genes were demonstrated by PCR and sequencing, and one truncated hlb gene was located beside the integrase (int) gene of phage origin. The staphylokinase (sak) gene was detected in all 13 isolates in which the truncated hlb genes were detected by PCR. Enterotoxin A (sea) and enterotoxin P (sep) genes were also detected in 5 and 2 of the 13 isolates, respectively. Moreover, the scn and chp genes encoding staphylococcal complement inhibitor (SCIN) and chemotaxis inhibitory protein of S. aureus (CHIPS) were detected in 13 and 4 of the 13 isolates, respectively. The bacteriophage induced by mitomycin C treatment was able to lysogenize one beta-hemolysin-producing isolate of S. aureus, and the sak and scn genes were detected from the lysogenized isolate. These results suggest quadruple or quintuple conversion of hlb, sak, sea (or sep), scn, and chp genes by bacteriophages among non-beta-hemolysin-producing bovine isolates of S. aureus.     

Aggregates and gel network structure of globin hydrolysates

A gel with excellent functional properties was prepared successfully using the hydrolysates of globin. In the present study, the structures of intermediate aggregates and gel network were observed directly with an electronic microscope. It was shown clearly that the intermediate aggregates were in a thin rod shape with a length of 130--140 nm, which was in good accordance with the results of the light scattering obtained in a previous study. The diameter of intermediate aggregates was 4--5 nm. Each unit of the intermediate aggregate was composed of beta-chain and peptide beta-1 in a ratio of 1:1. Its molecular weight was 26922 Da, and it had a diameter of 4.1 nm. The thin rod-shaped aggregates were formed with units through the hydrophobic interaction. The length of intermediate aggregate was >30--33 times the diameter. Furthermore, the cross-linked structure formed by peptide alpha-1 and the thin rod-shaped aggregates was also confirmed by the photography of the electronic microscope. These results supported the model proposed in previous papers as proper to depict exactly the formation and structure of the gel network of globin hydrolysates.     

Effects of dietary protein level and cold exposure on tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin in sheep

The effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and cold exposure on tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were studied in sheep. Nine rams were assigned to one of three isoenergetic diets which contained 70, 100, and 140% of CP for maintenance. They were exposed from a thermoneutral environment (20 degrees C) to a cold environment (0 degrees C) for 7 days. A hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp approach was applied for the determination of tissue responsiveness to insulin (the maximal glucose infusion rate, GIRmax) and tissue sensitivity to insulin (the plasma insulin concentration at half maximal glucose infusion rate, ED50). Dietary CP level influenced digestibilities of dry matter and CP (P=0.002 and P=0.001, respectively), and cold exposure decreased (P=0.01) CP digestibility. The GIRmax and ED50 tended to be influenced (P=0.08) by dietary CP level. The GIRmax was enhanced (P=0.0001) during cold exposure. Significant interactions between diet and environment were found for the GIRmax (P=0.04), but not for ED50 (P=0.07). It is concluded that in sheep dietary CP level can modify insulin action in response to cold exposure.     

Differences between carcass grades in some morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements at early and middle stages of fattening in crossbred steers

The differential variables for carcass grades were identified from morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements of young steers at a commercial farm. Thirty‐five Japanese Black × Holstein steers aged 6–10 months were randomly assigned to three pens. The steers had free access to ryegrass hay and a restricted amount of concentrate diet for the first 6 months of trial. They were then given oat straw ad libitum and an additional concentrate diet until slaughter. Behavioral observations (15 categories) were carried out once every 2 weeks for 2 h after feeding. Bodyweight was measured, blood sampled (for seven metabolic hormones and five metabolites), ultrasonic scanning conducted and physical measurements taken (10 parts for each animal) in months 1, 3 and 5 (early fattening stage, EFS) and in months 7, 9 and 11 (middle fattening stage, MFS) of the trial. Temperament scores during these procedures, entry order into restraint stalls, social rank and average daily gain were also assessed. A factor analysis and one‐way anova were used to identify clusters of variables which had different factor scores between carcass grades. As for the carcass yields, a cluster of chest girth and depth, bodyweight, withers and hip height, and rump length (P < 0.01), and a cluster of the frequency of scratching the body with facilities (P < 0.05) were identified as differential variables in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of concentrations of cortisol and epinephrine, and the frequency of eating straw were identified (P < 0.10). As for the carcass quality grade, a cluster of social rank, triglyceride concentration and the frequencies of stand‐chewing cud and eating hay, and a cluster of the frequency of investigating facilities (both P < 0.10) were identified in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of hip height, bodyweight, cannon circumference, chest depth, withers height and chest girth, and a cluster of the frequencies of eating a concentrate diet and stand‐chewing the cud, and social rank (both P < 0.10) were identified. In conclusion, bodyweight, chest girth and depth, withers and hip height were identified as good differential variables for future carcass grades of young steers. Facility enrichment that encourages steers to eat hay in the EFS, and to eat a concentrate diet in and after the MFS would be effective in upgrading carcass grades. High incidence of investigating and scratching the body with facilities and stand‐chewing the cud might lead to lower carcass grades.     

Quantitative structure—activity studies of insect growth regulators. XI. Stimulation and inhibition of N-acetylglucosamine incorporation in a cultured integument system by substituted N-tert-butyl-N,N′-dibenzoylhydrazines

The ability to stimulate N-acetylglucosamine (GluNAc) incorporation in-vitro of a number of N-tert-butyl-N,N′-dibenzoylhydrazines having various substituents on both phenyl rings was measured in cultured integument excised from the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker). The relationship between in-vitro and larvicidal potency was approximately linear. The substituent effects on variations in the potency were similar between in-vitro and larvicidal activities. An inhibitor of oxidative detoxication, piperonyl butoxide, had no synergistic effects on the in-vitro potency. The ability of some dibenzoylhydrazines to inhibit GluNAc incorporation at exposure periods longer than the optimum for stimulation was also measured in a similar cultured integument system. The relationship between the inhibitory and stimulatory potency indices was linear, indicating that the larvicidal activity of dibenzoylhydrazines is closely related to its ability to stimulate as well as to inhibit GluNAc incorporation into the larval cuticle.     

Characterization of Campylobacter lanienae from pig feces

To isolate Campylobacter spp., the feces of healthy cattle, pigs, and broilers were examined between June 1999 and January 2000. Campylobacter lanienae strains were isolated from the feces of healthy pigs, but not from the feces of cattle or broilers. In six C. lanienae isolates, there was only 21-38% DNA-DNA homology to Campylobacter hyointestinalis subsp. lawsonii strain NCTC 12901. Thus, the primary host of C. lanienae is likely to be the pig and C. lanienae appears to be a species distinct from C. hyointestinalis subsp. lawsonii. In addition, an intervening sequence of 226 bp in the 16S rRNA gene was found in four isolates.     

An epidemiological survey of Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid in Akita Prefecture as a model region in Japan

In epidemiological surveys on Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd) in various chrysanthemums cultivated in Akita Prefecture, Japan, in 2002–2005, approximately 20% of cultivars harbored CChMVd, including more symptomatic types than nonsymptomatic. Large-flowered cultivars were less frequently infected than small-flowered and spray types. The number of CChMVd-infected chrysanthemums is increasing, and the disease is found throughout major chrysanthemum-producing districts. Chrysanthemums infected only with CChMVd, in general, had no noticeable symptoms of disease. Most of those dually infected with known viruses and/or viroid also had no symptoms characteristic of chlorotic mottle disease. The lack of noticeable symptoms in major Japanese cultivars may have resulted in the unnoticed spread of the viroid.     

Identification of Petunia hybrida cultivars that diurnally emit floral fragrances

In order to identify genetic resources for breeding fragrant petunias for use as bedding plants, volatile compounds released by day from the flowers of 40 commercial Petunia hybrida cultivars were analyzed using a solid-phase micro-extraction technique coupled with GC–MS. The three cultivars with solid deep-blue flowers that accumulate malvidin in corollas with high tissue pH were found to emit abundant iso-eugenol as the principal floral fragrance. Several other cultivars that emitted considerable amounts of methylbenzoate and/or benzylbenzoate from the flower were also identified. Association between the floral fragrance and the other floral traits such as floral anthocyanin composition and corolla-tissue pH was discussed.