Pharmacologic effects and detection methods of methylated analogs of fentanyl in horses

Pharmacologic effects of alpha-methylfentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl, analogs of fentanyl, were investigated in mares. The ability of an 125I-labeled fentanyl radioimmunoassay (125I-RIA) to detect these methylated fentanyl analogs in individual and pooled urine samples from horses was evaluated. Also, the ability of 7 fentanyl antibodies to react with fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives (sufentanil, alfentanil, and carfentanil) was investigated. Mares were studied in a locomotor test to determine the amount of stimulation methylated fentanyl analogs might induce. Two mares each were given alpha-methylfentanyl at 1, 2, 4, 8, or 13 micrograms/kg of body weight, IV, or 3-methylfentanyl at 0.4, 0.7, or 1 microgram/kg IV. The cross-reactivity of sufentanil, alfentanil, carfentanil, alpha-methylfentanyl, and 3-methylfentanyl with 7 fentanyl antibodies was studied, using the 125I-RIA. All fentanyl analogs, with the exception of alfentanil, cross-reacted well with a C1 antibody raised to fentanyl. Less satisfactory cross-reactivity was determined with 6 other antibodies raised to fentanyl derivatives. When the C1 antibody was combined with an iodinated analog to fentanyl, good detectability of alpha-methylfentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl, in terms of fentanyl equivalents, was obtained from urine samples of dosed mares. The ability of the 125I-RIA to detect methylated fentanyl analogs in forensic urine samples pooled in groups of up to 20 samples was evaluated. When these methylated analogs were administered to mares in doses that induced measurable locomotor stimulation, the analog's presence was readily detected in individual or pooled samples.     

Variation in water relations of black spruce stock types planted in Ontario

Upland, intermediate and lowland sites in northeastern Ontario were planted between May 28 and June 8 with three types of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) nursery stock: (1) spring-lifted, 1.5 + 1.5 bareroot plants (BR); (2) 24-week-old, winter-sown, container stock (CWS); and (3) spring-sown, overwintered, container stock (CO). At the beginning of the growing season, the BR stock had the lowest xylem pressure potentials (Psi(x)), stomatal conductances (g(wv)), and net photosynthetic (P(n)) rates. By the end of the growing season, the BR stock still had lower g(wv)s than the container stock types, but had higher shoot Psi(x) values. In August, the turgor loss points for the BR, CO and CWS stock types were -2.8, -1.93 and -1.6 MPa, respectively, while the minimum observed shoot Psi(x) values were -1.4, -1.7 and -1.9 MPa, respectively. The BR stock produced the greatest dry weight of new shoots and unsuberized roots. No new shoots were produced by the CWS stock, but they produced a greater dry weight of unsuberized roots than the CO stock. As a percent of the dry weight of suberized roots, the greatest production of unsuberized roots was by the CWS stock, the least by the BR trees.     

The intensity of resistance by mature Merino ewes against Haemonchus contortus and Tichostrongylus colubriformis in single-species and combined-species infection

Three-year-old, non-lactating and non-pregnant Merino ewes, raised on pasture under a program of strategic treatment with anthelmintic and found to be extremely resistant to "trickle" infection with Haemonchus contortus, were given single-dose infections with either H. contortus or Trichostrongylus colubriformis or both species together. The purpose was to ascertain the intensity of protective immunity against the 2 parasites in sheep with immunity acquired from a presumably slight exposure to infection. To provide a criterion, some infected ewes were immunosuppressed with corticosteroid, dexamethasone. Untreated ewes were extremely resistant to challenge infection with either 15,000 or 150,000 H. contortus or 15,000 T. colubriformis. Surprisingly, when mixed infection was given, egg counts for H. contortus were significantly elevated compared with infection by that species alone. Antibody to antigens from infective larval and adult H. contortus was measured in serum by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) during the course of infection. Serum titres against larval antigens were significantly depressed when infections with either H. contortus or T. colubriformis were permitted by immunosuppression with dexamethasone, whereas those against adult antigen were depressed when infection with T. colubriformis was permitted.     

Parainfluenza-3 virus exposure of beef heifers prior to natural breeding.

Ninety-six Hereford heifers (approximately 7 months of age) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups and housed 1.6 km apart (with 2 replications in time, 1 year apart). At 15 months of age, 1 group/replicate was inoculated with parainfluenza-3 virus, and the other group was given virus-free spent culture medium. Twenty-four hours later, 2 virgin bulls (2 years old) were placed with each group (24 cows) for natural breeding. Viral inoculation caused a twofold increase in parainfluenza-3 titer and a 0.3 C body temperature increase. There was no effect recognized from the virus on natural breeding efficiency.     

Characterization of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly in spring wheat landrace accessions from targeted geographic regions of the world

Plant landraces have long been recognized as potential gene pools for biotic and abiotic stress-related genes. This research used spring wheat landrace accessions to identify new sources of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly (WSS) (Cephus cinctus Norton), an important insect pest of wheat in the northern Great Plains of North America. Screening efforts targeted 1409 accessions from six geographical areas of the world where other species of grain sawflies are endemic or where a high frequency of accessions possesses the resistance characteristic of solid stems. Resistance was observed in approximately 14% of accessions. Half of the lines displayed both antixenosis and antibiosis types of resistance. Among the resistant accessions, 41% had solid or semi-solid stems. Molecular genetic screening for haplotypes at the solid stem QTL, Qss.msub.3BL, showed that 15% of lines shared the haplotype derived from ‘S-615’, the original donor of the solid stem trait to North American germplasm. Other haplotypes associated with solid stems were also observed. Haplotype diversity was greater in the center of origin of wheat. Evaluation of a representative set of resistant landrace accessions in replicated field trials at four locations over a three year period identified accessions with potential genes for reduced WSS infestation, increased WSS mortality, and increased indirect defense via parasitoids. Exploitation of distinct types of plant defense will expand the genetic diversity for WSS resistance currently present in elite breeding lines.     

Microbial degradation of several acetamide,acylanilide, carbamate,toluidine and urea pesticides

Soil enrichment was used to isolate soil microorganisms capable of degrading isopropyl carbanilate (propham), 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide (propanil), 3′-chloro-2-methyl-p-valerotoluidide (solan), and methyl 3,4-dichlorocarbanilate (swep) in a muck and a silty clay loam. Degradation of the pesticides in enrichment solutions, and by pure cultures of effective microbial isolates was demonstrated by the production of the corresponding aniline, chloride ion liberation and disappearance of the parent compound. Degradation products were identified by gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography.Organisms isolated include Pseudomonas striata Chester, Achromobacter sp., Aspergillus ustus (Bain) Thorn and Church, A. versicolor (Vuill. Tirabaschi), Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht, F. solani (Martius) Appel and Wollenweber, Penicillium chrysogenum Thorn, P. janthinellum Biourge, P. rugulosum Thorn and Trichoderma viride Pers. Each organism demonstrated a unique substrate specificity and was capable of degrading other aniline-based pesticides of the acetamide, acylanilide, carbamate, toluidine and urea classes.     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of phenanthridinotriazines: A structure–activity relationship study

A series of analogous tetracyclic 1, 12b-dihydro-4H-1,2,4-triazino[4,3-f] phenanthridines and 4H,12bH-1,2,5-oxadiazino[5,6-f]phenanthridines was prepared and tested for control of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici (the causal agent of powdery mildew in wheat). Several analogs showed exceptional activity at doses as low as 6.25 mg litre^?1 with substituted analogs VII, X , and XIV being the most potent. Singly substituted tetrahydrotriazinyl or oxadiazenyl rings with lipophilic aromatic components appeared to be the key requirements for optimal powdery mildew control. Substitution of the heterocyclic ring with multiple groups attenuated activity.