In vitro metabolism of EPN and EPNO in susceptible and resistant strains of house flies

EPN is twice as toxic as EPNO to house flies from both the Diazinon-resistant strain and the susceptible strain. EPN and EPNO are also eight times more toxic to the susceptible than the resistant strain. This is due to the ability of the resistant strain to metabolize these compounds to a greater extent. Metabolism by the glutathione S-transferases present in the 100,000g supernatant is more extensive than that by the NADPH-dependent microsomal mixed-function oxidases. The glutathione S-transferases are the major route of metabolism for EPN and appear to be the principal mechanism conferring resistance. EPN was metabolized by the microsomal fraction via oxidative desulfuration to the oxygen analog, EPNO, and by oxidative dearylation to p-nitrophenol. EPNO was metabolized by the same system to p-nitrophenol and desethyl EPNO as well as to an unknown metabolite. The soluble fraction metabolized EPN to p-nitrophenol, S-(p-nitrophenyl)glutathione, O-ethyl phenylphosphonothioic acid, and S-(O-ethyl phenylphosphonothionyl)glutathione. The identification of the latter conjugate demonstrates a new type of metabolite of organophosphorus compounds. EPNO was metabolized by the soluble fraction to p-nitrophenol and S-(p-nitrophenyl)glutathione.     

Spectral interactions of insecticide synergists with microsomal cytochrome P-450 from insecticide-resistant and susceptible house flies

The spectral interactions of 45 insecticide synergists and related compounds with oxidized and reduced cytochrome P-450 from microsomes of insecticide-resistant and -susceptible house flies were investigated. The type III interaction typical of piperonyl butoxide was the most common spectral interaction for the compounds studied. In addition to this, several other varients of the type III interaction were noted. In general these responses with house fly microsomes were similar to those reported for mammals, although some minor species and strain differences were observed. The cytochrome P-450 from susceptible house flies, although reported previously not to exhibit type I difference spectra with many xenobiotics, was found to elicit this spectral response with several methylenedioxyphenyl compounds.     

Metal Mine Tailings and Sludge CO-Deposition in a Tailings Pond

In the Lower Cell of the Heath Steele mine tailings arealocated 50 km north of the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick,Canada, tailings and lime treatment sludge were co-depositedand the effluent occasionally exceeded regulatory dischargelimits for total suspended solids (TSS), especially on verywindy days. A combined field and laboratory investigationwas undertaken during 1998-1999 to identify the cause of thehigh TSS. The methodology included field measurement of windvelocity and sampling of bed tailings, sludge,suspended sediment, and the water cover. The samples werethen subjected to various laboratory examinations using x-raydiffraction, scanning electron microscopy interfacedwith energy dispersion x-ray spectroscopy, critical shearstress measurements, and water chemistry analysis. Thesuspended sediment was found to be composed primarily ofcalcite and metal hydroxides derived from the bed sludge inthe cell. Only a very small amount of tailings (less than5%) was detected in the suspended sediment. The sludge,which covered the tailings in the shallow western section ofthe Lower Cell at depths less than 1 m, was a loose, low-densitymaterial with a low critical shear stress (approximately 0.058 Pa). In shallow water cover (less than 1 m), calculated bed shearstress mobilized by wind-induced waves and return currents exceeded the critical shear on a number of occasions, resultingin resuspension of the sludge and hence high TSS. Although occasional elevated zinc concentrations appeared to follow a similar pattern to high TSS, there was no evidence that thesuspended sludge sediments would release metals into the watercover, due to the high pH of the Lower Cell water cover. Since the tailings did not resuspend significantly, it was clear thatat water cover depth less than 1 m, sludge was eroded instead oftailings, and thus provided a barrier against tailings resuspension. As part of the final closure scheme for the HeathSteele tailings area, sludge and tailings were dredged and relocated from areas where the water cover was < 1 m to deeperwater cover areas to ensure that the effluent met required totalsuspended solids discharge criteria.     

Production of polyclonal antisera against feline immunoglobulin E and its use in an ELISA in cats with experimentally induced asthma

Serum samples from six cats with experimentally induced asthma were used to purify feline IgE using gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The resultant IgE, evaluated for purity by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) and reactivity by Prausnitz-Kustner (PK) testing, was used to develop polyclonal rabbit anti-feline IgE antisera. Using reverse cutaneous anaphylaxis (RCA), the antisera were determined to be specific for feline IgE. The polyclonal rabbit anti-feline IgE antiserum was then validated in an allergen-specific ELISA. Serum samples from an additional five asthmatic cats sensitized with Bermuda grass allergen (BGA) were evaluated prior to sensitization, after parenteral sensitization, and after aerosol sensitization and challenge. A significant increase in serum BGA-specific IgE was noted over time.     

Ultrasonographic and histologic evaluation of medial and middle patellar ligaments in exercised horses following injection with ethanolamine oleate and 2% iodine in almond oil

OBJECTIVE: To describe the ultrasonographic and quantitative histologic effect of injecting 2% iodine in almond oil (IAO) and ethanolamine oleate (EO) in the medial and middle patellar ligaments of horses and to determine whether a difference in response exists between IAO and EO treatment. ANIMALS: 10 healthy horses. PROCEDURE: In 5 horses, the medial and middle patellar ligaments of 1 limb were injected with EO, whereas IAO was injected in the medial and middle patellar ligaments of another 5 horses. Ultrasonographic evaluation was performed on the experimental and control limb before injection of IAO and EO and prior to euthanasia to determine cross-sectional area and evaluate fiber pattern. The patellar ligaments were harvested 2 weeks after injection and examined histologically to evaluate the inflammatory response, fibroplasia, and chondroid metaplasia. RESULTS: Injection of the patellar ligaments with IAO resulted in a greater increase in cross-sectional area on ultrasonography than EO. Both agents caused a decrease in echogenicity of the ligament. Histologically, significantly greater infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibroplasia developed after injection with IAO, compared with EO. Both agents resulted in significantly greater fibroplasia relative to control specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Injection of the medial and middle patellar ligaments with IAO induces more severe inflammation and fibroplasia than EO. Maturation of the inflammatory and fibrous response may contribute to resolution or attenuation of upward fixation of the patella by subsequent stiffening of the ligaments.