Teratogenic effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine in mice

The subcutaneous injection of a single dose of 5-hydroxytryptamine into pregnant mice produced a large number of fetal abnormalities, mostly of the eyes, limbs, and tail; the skull and central nervous system were also sometimes affected. These effects could result from the action of the drug on placental function and blood supply.     

Nature of "sex-ratio" agent in Drosophila

Several lines of evidence implicate small spirochetes, presumably treponemata, as etiologic agents in the production of the maternally transmitted "sex ratio" condition (SR) in Drosophila nebulosa, in D. willistoni, and in strains of D. melanogaster into which the SR condition has been artificially transferred. The presence of treponemata in the hemolymph of adult females of these species is completely correlated with the production of unisexual progenies and like this condition is dependent on the genotype of the host and of the infectious agent.     

Structure–activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is a severe public health problem for several countries. In order to find effective larvicides to aid control programs, the structure‐activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were evaluated. Additionally, the composition and larvicidal activity of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil was assessed. RESULTS: Four compounds representing 99.05% of S. aromaticum essential oil have been identified. The essential oil was active against Ae. aegypti larvae (LC₅₀ = 62.3 and 77.0 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity of eugenol, the major compound of the essential oil, was further evaluated (LC₅₀ = 93.3 and 71.9 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity and structure‐activity relationships of synthetic derivatives of eugenol were also assessed. The larvicidal activity of the derivatives varied between 62.3 and 1614.9 ppm. Oxidation of eugenol allylic bond to a primary alcohol and removal of the phenolic proton resulted in decreased potency. However, oxidation of the same double bond in 1‐benzoate‐2‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐propen‐1‐yl)‐phenol resulted in increased potency. CONCLUSION: Structural characteristics were identified that may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of phenylpropanoids. The present approach may help future work in the search for larvicidal compounds. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

OSTEORADIONECROSIS AND RADIATION INDUCED BONE TUMORS FOLLOWING ORTHOVOLTAGE RADIATION THERAPY IN DOGS

Osteoradionecrosis and radiation-induced bone tumors are rare complications of radiation therapy. Little information regarding these complications is available in veterinary medicine. We characterized these complications and investigated risk factors in 119 dogs (122 sites) that received definitive orthovoltage radiation therapy to appendicular sites. Long-term survival was expected in all dogs. The complications of interest were osteoradionecrosis and secondary bone tumor, evaluated radiographically, histopathologically, or both. Complication rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method, and Fisher's exact test or chi-square test was used to compare the complication rate. The median survival time was 1405 days, with median follow-up duration of 657 days. There were 10 radiation-induced bone tumors and five radiation-induced fractures, with two dogs developing both, for an overall complication rate of 11%. The latent period ranged from 1.2 to 6.4 years for osteoradionecrosis and from 2.6 to 8.7 years for radiation-induced bone tumor. Complications were significantly higher in the humerus ( P <0.0001), and in dogs younger than 7 years ( P =0.014). Similar assessment of complications in dogs irradiated with megavoltage photons or electrons are needed.     

Settling of insecticide from dip wash mixed with dam water and zinc sulphate and used to control sheep lice (Bovicola ovis)

SUMMARY Insecticidal dipping fluid emulsions, mixed in vitro in dam water containing suspended clay particles and 1% w/v zinc sulphate, were analysed to determine rates of settling of diazinon, cyhalothrin and cypermethrin. Fifteen minutes after mixing, the concentration of the insecticides 5 cm below the surface had declined by 72.5%, 72.8% and 89.4%, respectively. On remixing, the concentration of insecticide in suspension was close to or greater than the initial concentration. In 2 trials, lice were eradicated from sheep showered with dip wash mixed in cloudy dam water to which 1% w/v of zinc sulphate was added. In 12 flock treatments in which 1000 to 2000 sheep were dipped with added zinc sulphate, the concentration of insecticide remained above the minimum lethal for susceptible strains of lice. However, lice were still present 6 months later in 8 of these flocks. When zinc sulphate is added to dip wash, agitation is needed to maintain the insecticide in suspension.     

Tiger,Bengal and Domestic Cat Embryos Produced by Homospecific and Interspecific Zona‐Free Nuclear Transfer

The aim of this study was to evaluate three different cloning strategies in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris) and to use the most efficient to generate wild felid embryos by interspecific cloning (iSCNT) using Bengal (a hybrid formed by the cross of Felis silvestris and Prionailurus bengalensis) and tiger (Panthera tigris) donor cells. In experiment 1, zona‐free (ZP‐free) cloning resulted in higher fusion and expanded blastocyst rates with respect to zona included cloning techniques that involved fusion or injection of the donor cell. In experiment 2, ZP‐free iSCNT and embryo aggregation (2X) were assessed. Division velocity and blastocyst rates were increased by embryo aggregation in the three species. Despite fewer tiger embryos than Bengal and cat embryos reached the blastocyst stage, Tiger 2X group increased the percentage of blastocysts with respect to Tiger 1X group (3.2% vs 12.1%, respectively). Moreover, blastocyst cell number was almost duplicated in aggregated embryos with respect to non‐aggregated ones within Bengal and tiger groups (278.3 ± 61.9 vs 516.8 ± 103.6 for Bengal 1X and Bengal 2X groups, respectively; 41 vs 220 ± 60 for Tiger 1X and Tiger 2X groups, respectively). OCT4 analysis also revealed that tiger blastocysts had higher proportion of OCT4‐positive cells with respect to Bengal blastocysts and cat intracytoplasmic sperm injection blastocysts. In conclusion, ZP‐free cloning has improved the quality of cat embryos with respect to the other cloning techniques evaluated and was successfully applied in iSCNT complemented with embryo aggregation.     

Principles for Sustainable Governance of the Oceans

Pressures being exerted on the ocean ecosystems through overfishing, pollution, and environmental and climate change are increasing. Six core principles are proposed to guide governance and use of ocean resources and to promote sustainability. Examples of governance structures that embody these principles are given.     

The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

Comparison of tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine and tiletamine-zolazepam-ketamine-xylazine anaesthesia in sheep

Summary The anaesthetic effects of intravenous tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg (TK) and tiletamine-zolazepam 6.6 mg/kg-ketamine 6.6 mg/kg-xylazine 0.11 mg/kg (TKX) were evaluated in six wethers. Heart rate, respiration rate, arterial blood pressure, and the electrocardiogram were monitored during anaesthesia. Analgesia was tested by electrical stimulation in the left flank. Atropine (0.03 mg/kg) was given intramuscularly before induction, but after recording of baseline heart rate and respiratory rate. The duration of analgesia was 28.7 ± 6.9 min with TK and 82.8 ± 26.6 min with TKX. Heart rate increased significantly within 5 min after TK or TKX administration. Respiratory rate remained unchanged after TK administration, but increased significantly from 5 to 45 min after TKX administration. Arterial blood pressure decreased significantly at 15 min with TK and 30 min with TKX. Sheep remained recumbent for 201 min with TK and 166 min with TKX. All recovered uneventfully. We conclude that either TK or TKX may be used for anaesthetising sheep.