Novel field assays and the comparative repellency of BioUD(®) , DEET and permethrin against Amblyomma americanum

Two new field bioassay methods were developed to compare the repellent activity of BioUD^® (containing 7.75% 2‐undecanone), 98.1% DEET and 0.5% permethrin against natural populations of nymphal Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae). In a cloth sheet assay, pieces of material measuring 41 × 58 cm, separately treated with one of the test materials or the appropriate solvent carrier, were placed at random on the ground and baited with dry ice for 1 h. Mean numbers of ticks on repellent‐treated sheets were significantly lower than on control sheets. There was no significant difference in the number of ticks collected between sheets treated with BioUD^® and those treated with DEET. However, significantly fewer ticks were found on sheets treated with BioUD^® or DEET than on permethrin‐treated sheets. In a sock test, over‐the‐calf tube socks were treated with one of the test materials or the appropriate solvent carrier. Human volunteers wore a repellent‐treated and a corresponding carrier‐treated sock on either leg and walked randomly over an area of approximately 4000 m² for 15 min. Significantly fewer ticks were collected from socks treated with BioUD^® or DEET than from socks treated with the carrier and there was no significant difference in repellency between these two agents. No difference in the mean number of ticks collected was found between permethrin‐treated and corresponding carrier‐treated socks. To examine the mechanism of repellency of BioUD^®, a four‐choice olfactometer was used to assess spatial repellency against adult A. americanum. As expected in the absence of a repellent, when all choices were represented by water‐treated filter paper, ticks were equally distributed among the choices. When one choice consisted of BioUD^®‐treated filter paper and the remaining choices of water‐treated paper, the distribution of ticks on the repellent‐treated paper was significantly lower than might be expected to occur by chance, suggesting that repellency is at least partly achieved by an olfactory mechanism.     

Virus–Pesticide interactions in Ixodes persulcatus and Amblyomma hebraeum ticks (Acarina: Ixodidae)

Sublethal doses of the organophosphate Dursban were tested on non-infected and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)-infected nymphs of Amblyomma hebraeum and Ixodes persulcatus. It was shown that contact with this pesticide enhanced the survival of non-infected ticks, whereas TBEV infection reduced survival. This effect of TBEV infection was greater in I. persulcatus than in A. hebraeum ticks. This phenomenon may be the result of a virus-specific action on nymphs, whereby the virus may enhance activity and thus food reserves may deplete faster. Our data emphasize that the acaricidal action on non-infected ticks and those infected by different tick-borne pathogens may be different.     

雄性花蜱Amblyomma cyprium Neumann在云南河口之发现

根据以往文献,花蜱属种类在我国已记载过的共有7种,即Amblyonima formosanum;A.pscudolacve;A.javanense;A.testudinarium;A.vajimai;A.helvolum和A.cyprium。其中绝大部分发现于沿海一带,而由云南采获者只有A.javanense(Nuttall氏等,1926)一种。 1960年10月夏代光同志赠与作者蜱类标本雌雄各2个。这些标本都是同年采自云南河口的水牛Bubalus bubalis(Linné)身上。由于当时手     

Control of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum Through use of the ‘4-poster’ Treatment Device on Deer in Maryland

Deer self-treatment devices (‘4-posters’) were evaluated for their efficacy in reducing populations of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, and lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum. At each of three locations in Maryland, 25 ‘4-posters’ were operated in study areas of approximately 5.18 km². Populations of host-seeking ticks were monitored by flagging of treated areas and similar untreated control areas without ‘4-posters.’ From 1998 to 2002 the percent mortalities achieved were 69, 75.8 and 80 at the three study sites infested with I. scapularis nymphs, and 99.5 and 95.3 for A. americanum nymphs at the two sites where this species occurred. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Presence, genetic variability, and potential significance of “Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii” in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum

We used next generation sequencing to detect the bacterium "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" for the first time in lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) from the eastern United States. 177 individuals and 11 tick pools from seven sites in four states were tested by pyrosequencing with barcoded 16S rRNA gene eubacterial primers targeting variable regions 5-3. Average infection prevalence was 0.15 across all surveyed populations (range 0-0.29) and only the site with the smallest sample size (n?=?5) was negative. Three genotypes differing by 2.6-4.1?% in a 271?bp region of 16S rRNA gene were identified. Two variants co-occurred in sites in North Carolina and New York, but were not observed in the same tick at those sites. The third genotype was found only in Georgia. Phylogenetic analysis of this fragment indicated that the three variants are more closely related to "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" genotypes from other tick species than to each other. This variation suggests that multiple independent introductions occurred in A. americanum which may provide insight into bacterial spread within its ecosystem and parasitism on this tick. Whether the presence of this bacterium affects acquisition or maintenance of other pathogens and symbionts in A. americanum or the survival, biology and evolution of the tick itself is unknown.     

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other amino acids in tissues of the tick,Amblyomma hebraeum (Acari: Ixodidae) throughout the feeding and reproductive periods

We assayed a variety of tick (Amblyomma hebraeum Koch; Acari, Ixodidae) tissues for a number of amino acids throughout the feeding and early reproductive periods. Our HPLC assay could detect as little as 2–5 pmol per sample of the following: GABA, glycine, serine, glutamine, alanine, taurine, glutamate and aspartate. All of these amino acids could be detected in the salivary gland, synganglion (=total CNS in acarines), haemolymph, Gené's organ, seminal receptacle and ovary. GABA reached high levels in the salivary gland of freshly engorged ticks (685 nmol g^-1) and in the synganglion it exceeded 1000 nmol g^-1 throughout most of the feeding cycle and the first week post-engorgement. GABA also reached a peak titre in the haemolymph of 40 nmol ml^-1. Taurine levels peaked at 1065 nmol g^-1 in the salivary gland from large partially fed ticks. Glutamate and aspartate were likewise found in the salivary gland and synganglion at high concentrations. For most of the amino acids there is insufficient information to correlate these titres (and fluctuations of titres) to neuromodulatory functions. It is possible, however, that the high GABA titre in the salivary gland of engorged ticks is correlated with an augmented level of fluid secretion.Deceased: Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E9.     

由人体采到一种花蜱——Amblyomma cyprium Neumann, 1899, 的研究

前言 花蜱又称钝眼蜱或斑蜱,属于蜱螨目(Aca-rina),坚蜱科(Ixodidae),花蜱属(Amblyom-ma)。此属蜱类在我国已记载的共有6种,即Amblyomma formosanum宿主为豚及龟类;A.pseudolaeve宿主为乌蛇及黄领蛇;A.ja-vanensis宿主为穿山甲、巨蜥、(虫丹)蛇、龟类、犬及蝙蝠;A.testudinarium宿主为犀牛、獏、貂、鹿、虎、猪、牛、马;A.yajimai宿主为牛;A.hel-volum宿主为蟒蛇与巨蜥。从以往前人所记载之花蜱多数从野生哺乳类及爬行类动物体上所采获。本文所记载之花蜱Amblyomma cypriumNeumann,1899.曾长期寄生于人体,而此种花蜱在我国尚系首次发现,故作记载。     

Does geographic range affect the attractant–aggregation–attachment pheromone of the tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum?

The tropical bont tick, Amblyomma variegatum, transmits heartwater in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Caribbean. This species has a broad geographic distribution, ranging from Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean through most of sub-Saharan Africa, to several islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Blood fed male A. variegatum secrete an attraction–aggregation–attachment (AAA) pheromone which, combined with CO₂, excites host finding and formation of feeding clusters of these ticks. However, it is not known whether the composition of the pheromone varies throughout A. variegatums geographic range. Extracts of fed male ticks were examined for phenols and volatile organic acids by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine whether differences occur in the pheromone components of populations of this species across the geographic range (Guadeloupe, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Rwanda). No significant difference in the chemical composition of the pheromone in relation to geographic range was found. No significant differences in rates of attachment in response to native versus foreign extracts were found in on-host attachment tests comparing ticks from two countries, Guadeloupe (Caribbean) and Zimbabwe (African). This finding was confirmed in more detailed studies with ticks from Guadeloupe and four African countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe). On-host attachment assays from these countries did not detect consistent differences in response to extracts from different locations.In an olfactometer bioassay, females were not consistently more attracted to extracts from their native locality than from any of the foreign localities.We conclude that despite the widespread distribution of A. variegatum over both hemispheres, no significant differences in pheromone composition or biological responses to male tick pheromone secretions occur.     

Oocyte maturation in the sloth’s giant tick Amblyomma varium (Acari: Ixodidae) in an ecological context

The sloth’s giant tick Amblyomma varium Koch, which is a neotropical species that inhabits tropical rainforests, is the largest tick reported to date. The adult stage of this tick parasitizes mammals from the families Bradypodidae and Magalonychidae (Xenarthra) nearly exclusively. This study aimed to describe morphological and histological features of the reproductive system and the oocyte maturation process of this tick species. The ovary of A. varium is a long single tubular organ that is horseshoe-shaped, winding and arranged in the posterior part of the body. Two oviducts are connected to the ovary on each side; these thicken at certain region forming the uterus (common oviduct), followed by a muscular connecting tube, vagina and genital aperture. A large number of oocytes at different stages of development are attached to the ovary wall by the pedicel, as they reach maturity they are released into the ovary lumen and from there to the genital aperture. These oocytes develop simultaneously and asynchronically along the ovary. Amblyomma varium oocytes were classified into five development stages (i.e., I–V), and specific characteristics were observed; the processes of yolk and chorion deposition begin early in oocytes stage II, and oocytes V exhibit a very thick chorion and eggs of a large size. These characteristics are likely adaptations that enhance the survival and the reproductive success of this extremely host-specific tick, which is limited to a particular environment.     

Monitoring of resistance or susceptibility of adults and larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma cajennense</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) to synthetic acaricides in Goiás,Brazil

Amblyomma cajennense or the Cayenne tick is a three-host ixodid tick species of low parasitic specificity that is the principal vector of Brazilian spotted fever. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the possible development of resistance by adult specimens of A. cajennense to deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide and the principal miticide/acaricide commercially available in the region. The second objective was to monitor the susceptibility and/or resistance of larvae of this species to 12 synthetic acaricide formulations selected from the principal pesticides available in Goiás for the control of ticks. Unfed male and female adult specimens of A. cajennense were collected from leaves of bushes along a nature trail in the municipality of Caldas Novas, Goiás, Brazil. They were submitted to immersion in the highest recommended dose of deltamethrin and subsequently, were placed in contact with filter paper impregnated with the substance. The toxicological effects caused by the insecticide were observed every 6 h over a 36 h period. To obtain larvae, engorged females of A. cajennense were collected from naturally infested horses that had been free of acaricidal residue for at least 45 days, in farms situated in five different municipalities in the state (Caldas Novas, Hidrolandia, Goiás, Terezópolis and Goiania). The larvae were exposed to different concentrations of 12 commercially available acaricidal formulations using the larval packet test (LPT) method. The control groups were treated with distilled water alone. The bioassays were performed in quadruplicate at a temperature of 27°C, relative air humidity >80% and 12 h light/dark cycles. The mean percentage of mortality (M[`(X)] M\bar{X} ) was 72.6% in the adult specimens after 24 h of expsure to the dose of deltamethrin recommended by the manufacturer, characterizing a status of resistance. M[`(X)] M\bar{X} of 82, 89, 89.6 and 90% of the larvae were obtained, respectively, for deltamethrin, cypermethrin + piperonyl butoxide (PBO), amitraz and permethrin, characterizing a status of probable resistance of the larvae to these acaricides. No significant mortality was found in the control groups.     

Amblyomma dissimile Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) attacking Primolius maracana Vieillot (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) in the Amazon region, State of Pará, Brazil

The tick Amblyomma dissimile Koch feeds preferentially on reptiles (Squamata), although amphibians (Anura) also seem to be important hosts. We report an A. dissimile nymph infesting a blue-winged macaw, Primolius maracana, held in captivity in the Mangal das Gar?as Park, State of Pará, Brazil. Environmental observations suggest that free-living iguanas (Iguana iguana), which used to walk on the bird enclosure in the park, were the source of the A. dissimile tick that infested the blue-winged macaw. We provide the second world record of a bird host for A. dissimile, and the first bird record for this species in South America.     

Syntheses and spectroscopic properties of α- and β-phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines

The widely used partial synthesis of phospholipids via deacylation of naturally occurring phospholipids, followed by reacylation with fatty acid anhydrides, is accompanied by phosphoryl migration. The resulting mixture of α- and β-phospholipids was separated by short-column chromatography. Milder acylation procedures in which no phosphoryl migration occurs, were developed. 1,2-Dilinoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was prepared in 50% yield by acylation of sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (GPC) with N-linoleoylimidazole. Detailed NMR and infrared spectra of α- and β-phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and -ethanolamines (PEs) are reported and the differences between isomers discussed.     

Phenotypic plasticity and longevity in plants and animals: cause and effect?

Immobile plants and immobile modular animals outlive unitary animals. This paper discusses competing but not necessarily mutually exclusive theories to explain this extreme longevity, especially from the perspective of phenotypic plasticity. Stem cell immortality, vascular autonomy, and epicormic branching are some important features of the phenotypic plasticity of plants that contribute to their longevity. Monocarpy versus polycarpy can also influence the kind of senescent processes experienced by plants. How density-dependent phenomena affecting the establishment of juveniles in these immobile organisms can influence the evolution of senescence, and consequently longevity, is reviewed and discussed. Whether climate change scenarios will favour long-lived or short-lived organisms, with their attendant levels of plasticity, is also presented.     

Veneers and plywood—their manufacture and use

Two closely related industries that depend, to a major degree, upon domestic sources of red gum, Douglasfir, black walnut, red and white oaks, sugar maple, Sitka spruce, Ponderosa pine and Port Orford cedar; and upon foreign sources of mahogany, rosewood, zebrawood, avodiré, bossé, ebony and other exotic species.     

Dogmatisms and Catechisms — Ethics and Companion Animals

Abstract

The current reconsideration of the place in nature of human beings unfortunately continues to be an acrimonious one. All too often the debate is more akin to a warlike encounter where each side attempts to gain control or the upper hand than a search for points of agreement. Given this context, it is important to entertain views that emanate from different cultural traditions as a way to infuse the debate with new life. Students of Native American culture have consistently pointed out that the essential concepts of life balance and reciprocity represented there may serve as useful points of consideration as we struggle with the appropriate relationships with animals and nature. This article presents a representative Zuni story, told by Governor Robert E. Lewis, that illustrates these notions.     

DCCP and DICP： Construction and Analyses of Databases for Copper- and Iron-Chelating Proteins

Copper and iron play important roles in a variety of biological processes, especially when being chelated with proteins. The proteins involved in the metal binding, transporting and metabolism have aroused much interest. To facilitate the study on this topic, we constructed two databases （DCCP and DICP） containing the known copper- and iron-chelating proteins~ which are freely available from the website http：//sdbi.sdut.edu.cn/en. Users can conveniently search and browse all of the entries in the databases. Based on the two databases, bioinformatic analyses were performed, which provided some novel insights into metalloproteins.     

Biosynthesis of geraniol and nerol and their β-d-glucosides in Perlargonium graveolens and Rosa dilecta

1. 3R-[2-(14)C]Mevalonate was incorporated into geranyl and neryl beta-d-glucosides in petals of Rosa dilecta in up to 10.6% yield, and the terpenoid part was specifically and equivalently labelled in the moieties derived from isopentenyl pyrophosphate and 3,3-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate. A similar labelling pattern, with incorporations of 0.06-0.1% was found for geraniol or nerol formed in leaves of Pelargonium graveolens The former results provide the best available evidence for the mevalonoid route to regular monoterpenes in higher plants. 2. Incorporation studies with 3RS-[2-(14)C,(4R)-4-(3)H(1)]-mevalonate and its (4S)-isomer showed that the pro-4R hydrogen atom of the precursor was retained and the pro-4S hydrogen atom was eliminated in both alcohols and both glucosides. These results suggest that the correlation of retention of the pro-4S hydrogen atom of mevalonate with formation of a cis-substituted double bond, such as has been found in certain higher terpenoids, does not apply to the biosynthesis of monoterpenes. It is proposed that either nerol is derived from isomerization of geraniol or the two alcohols are directly formed by different prenyltransferases. Possible mechanisms for these processes are discussed. 3. The experiments with [(14)C,(3)H]mevalonate also show that in these higher plants, as has been previously found in animal tissue and yeast, the pro-4S hydrogen atom of mevalonate was lost in the conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate into 3,3-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate.     

Zinc and diabetes — clinical links and molecular mechanisms

Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for the function of more than 300 enzymes and it is important for cellular processes like cell division and apoptosis. Hence, the concentration of zinc in the human body is tightly regulated and disturbances of zinc homeostasis have been associated with several diseases including diabetes mellitus, a disease characterized by high blood glucose concentrations as a consequence of decreased secretion or action of insulin. Zinc supplementation of animals and humans has been shown to ameliorate glycemic control in type 1 and 2 diabetes, the two major forms of diabetes mellitus, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have only slowly been elucidated. Zinc seems to exert insulin-like effects by supporting the signal transduction of insulin and by reducing the production of cytokines, which lead to beta-cell death during the inflammatory process in the pancreas in the course of the disease. Furthermore, zinc might play a role in the development of diabetes, since genetic polymorphisms in the gene of zinc transporter 8 and in metallothionein (MT)-encoding genes could be demonstrated to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The fact that antibodies against this zinc transporter have been detected in type 1 diabetic patients offers new diagnostic possibilities. This article reviews the influence of zinc on the diabetic state including the molecular mechanisms, the role of the zinc transporter 8 and MT for diabetes development and the resulting diagnostic and therapeutic options.