A Zoletil-Rompun mixture as an alternative to the use of opioids for immobilization of feral red deer

Sixty chemical immobilizations of red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) have been carried out during an etho-ecological study from August 1994 to December 1996 in a 35 ha pen in the district of Nitra (Slovac Republic). Our objective was to determine the efficacy and standard dosages of Zoletil and Rompun for the immobilization of adult red deer in feral conditions as an alternative to the use of the highly toxic opioids. We therefore compared an Immobilon-Rompun combination (ImRo) with a 1:1 mixture of Zoletil and Rompun (ZoRo) as an injectable solution. Use of both combinations led to the immobilization of >92% of deer with an injection volume <3 ml. Mean (SD) dose to achieve immobilization was 35 (14) microg/kg ethorphine + 0.14 (0.056) mg/kg acepromazine + 0.36 (0.14) mg/kg xylazine compared to 1.2 (0.8) mg/kg tiletamine + 1.2 (0.8) mg/kg zolazepam + 2.3 (1.6) mg/kg xylazine. This corresponds to a volume of 1.8 (0.7) ml/100 kg body mass (BM) for ImRo (range = 1.0 to 4.6) and to 2.3 (1.6) ml/100 kg BM for ZoRo (range = 0.7 to 4.0), respectively. Heart rate, respiratory rate and oxyhaemoglobin saturation values did not differ significantly between the two groups during immobilization. Three deer (5%) died during immobilization, but fatalities could not be directly associated with the drug effect. Mean (SD) time from darting to complete immobilization was 5.5 (4.2) min for ImRo and 7.5 (6.1) min for ZoRo, respectively. Differences were not statistically significant. Anesthesia with both combinations of immobilizing agents could be reversed within 2 min using sarmazenile-yohimbine for ZoRo and diprenorphine-yohimbine for ImXy immobilizations, respectively. We conclude that the 1:1 combination of Zoletil and xylazine is a valuable alternative to the use of opioids for the immobilization of adult red deer including feral adult animals.     

Temperature-dependent functional expression of a plant K(+) channel in mammalian cells

The Arabidopsis thaliana potassium channel KAT1 was expressed and characterized in Chinese hamster ovary cells. KAT1-GFP fusion protein was successfully targeted to the plasma membrane and electrophysiological analysis revealed functional expression of KAT1 only in cells cultured at 30 degrees C. The main biophysical characteristics of KAT1 are similar to those described for the channel expressed in other systems. CHO cells represent an advantageous expression system and may be the system of choice to study the expression, assembly, function, and regulation of plant potassium channels in general.     

Corticotropin-releasing hormone activates protein kinase C in an isoenzyme-specific manner

Protein kinase C (PKC) has recently emerged as mediator of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) effects. Aim of the present study was to study the effects of CRH on each PKC isoenzyme. As a model we have used the PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cell line, expressing the CRH type 1 receptor (CRHR1). Our data were as follows: (a) CRH-induced rapid phosphorylation of conventional PKCalpha and PKCbeta, accompanied by parallel increase of their concentration within nucleus. (b) CRH suppressed the phosphorylation of novel PKCdelta and PKCtheta;, which remained in the cytosol. (c) CRH-induced transient phosphorylation of atypical PKClambda and had no effect on PKCmu. (d) The effect of CRH on each PKC isoenzyme was blocked by a CRHR1 antagonist. (e) Blockade of conventional PKC phosphorylation inhibited CRH-induced calcium ion mobilization from intracellular stores as well as the CRH-induced apoptosis and Fas ligand production. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CRH via its CRHR1 receptor differentially regulates PKC-isoenzyme phosphorylation, an apparently physiologically relevant effect since blockade of conventional PKC phosphorylation abolished the biological effect of CRH.     

Structural changes and lateral redistribution of photosystem II during donor side photoinhibition of thylakoids

The structural and topological stability of thylakoid components under photoinhibitory conditions (4,500 microE.m-2.s-1 white light) was studied on Mn depleted thylakoids isolated from spinach leaves. After various exposures to photoinhibitory light, the chlorophyll-protein complexes of both photosystems I and II were separated by sucrose gradient centrifugation and analysed by Western blotting, using a set of polyclonals raised against various apoproteins of the photosynthetic apparatus. A series of events occurring during donor side photoinhibition are described for photosystem II, including: (a) lowering of the oligomerization state of the photosystem II core; (b) cleavage of 32-kD protein D1 at specific sites; (c) dissociation of chlorophyll-protein CP43 from the photosystem II core; and (d) migration of damaged photosystem II components from the grana to the stroma lamellae. A tentative scheme for the succession of these events is illustrated. Some effects of photoinhibition on photosystem I are also reported involving dissociation of antenna chlorophyll-proteins LHCI from the photosystem I reaction center.     

Purification of structurally intact grana from plants thylakoids membranes

Thylakoid membranes in higher plant chloroplasts are composed by two distinct domains: stacked grana and stroma lamellae. We developed a procedure for biochemical isolation of grana membranes using mild detergent to maintain membrane structure. Pigment and polypeptide analyses of membrane preparation showed the preparations were indeed enriched in grana membranes. The method was shown to be effective in four different plant species, although with small changes in detergent concentration. Electron microscopy analyses also showed that the preparation consisted of large membrane patches with roughly round shape and diameter comparable with grana membranes in vivo. Furthermore, protein complexes distribution was shown to be maintained with respect to freeze fracture studies, demonstrating that the protocol was successful in isolating membranes close to their in vivo state.     

Immune responses to Mycoplasma conjunctivae in alpine ibex, alpine chamois, and domestic sheep in Switzerland

The humoral immune response of three alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra), two alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) and three domestic sheep naturally affected with infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), and four ibex and two sheep experimentally infected with Mycoplasma conjunctivae was analysed. In addition, the local immune response to M. conjunctivae was analysed using conjunctival washes from chamois and sheep. Immunoblot analysis of sera using whole cell antigens of M. conjunctivae revealed the major immunogenic proteins which had molecular masses of 175, 83, 68, 60, 50, 42, 36, and 33 kDa. Major antigens were found at 83, 68, 60, and 42 kDa in both sera and conjunctival washes from naturally infected animals of all three Caprinae species. In experimentally infected animals, antibodies to the 68 and 60 kDa antigens were dominant. Naturally infected animals showed much stronger immune reactions than those experimentally infected, and specific antibodies appeared 2 to 4 wk after experimental infection. To evaluate possible cross-reactions, whole cell antigen of M. conjunctivae was analysed by immunoblot against hyperimmune sera of closely related Mycoplasma spp. Antibodies to the 175, 73, 68, 60, and 33 kDa antigens appeared to be specific to M. conjunctivae. Cross-reactions mainly with 83, 50, and 42 kDa antigens were detected, in particular with M. ovipneumoniae and M. bovoculi hyperimmune sera, but also with antisera against M. capricolum capricolum and M. putrefaciens.     

Local Knowledge on the Uses,Habitat, and Change in Abundance of Multipurpose <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimusops</Emphasis> Species in Benin

Multipurpose NTFP species typically experience higher harvest demand because of their multiple uses, which, when combined with unsustainable land use practices, may threaten population viability. We assessed local knowledge on the uses, habitat, and population status of Mimusops andongensis and Mimusops kummel, both multipurpose NTFP species in Benin, to promote their valorization and conservation and thus sustain local knowledge on their uses for domestication issues. One hundred households were randomly selected for structured interviews for M. andongensis and 500 for M. kummel. The relationship between age, sex, and ethnic groups and the species uses was assessed using comparison and correspondence analyses. Nearly all organs of the species were used. Both species were mainly exploited for medicinal purposes but also in construction and as firewood. We found similarities in some uses of the species organs, although the species occur in different ecological zones and are used by different ethnic groups. This result should be considered for the valorization of the species. Most informants reported that populations of M. andongensis were decreasing, although some felt that they were increasing, whereas less than one-third said that M. kummel was decreasing. There were strong relationships between gender, age, and ethnic affiliation of the users and the exploited organs of both species. Potential uses exist based on both the past and current uses of the species and in comparison to other countries where they are exploited. Local ethnoecological knowledge and practices will help to valorize and conserve the species. However, further research on the species’ seed germination and propagation ability are also necessary.     

Impacts of harvesting intensity on tree taxonomic diversity,structural diversity,population structure,and stability in a West African mangrove forest

Wetlands Ecology and Management - Understanding the impacts of wood harvesting intensity on the diversity and structure of ecosystems such as mangroves is essential for defining actions for their...     

Adiponectin induces TNF-alpha and IL-6 in macrophages and promotes tolerance to itself and other pro-inflammatory stimuli

Adiponectin exerts anti-inflammatory effects via macrophages, suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we provide experimental evidence that the "anti-inflammatory" effect of adiponectin may be due to an induction of macrophage tolerance: globular adiponectin (gAd) is a powerful inducer of TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion in primary human peripheral macrophages, in the THP-1 human macrophage cell line, and in primary mouse peritoneal macrophages. Pre-exposure of macrophages to 10 microg/ml gAd rendered them tolerant to further gAd exposure or to other pro-inflammatory stimuli such as TLR3 ligand polyI:C and TLR4 ligand LPS, while pre-exposure to 1 microg/ml of and re-exposure to 10 microg/ml gAd unmasked its pro-inflammatory properties. GAd induced NF-kappaB activation and tolerance to further gAd or LPS exposure. Our data suggest that adiponectin constant presence in the circulation in high levels (in lean subjects) renders macrophages resistant to pro-inflammatory stimuli, including its own.     

Bringing antivenoms to Sub-Saharan Africa

To reduce unacceptably high death rates from snakebite envenomation, sub-Saharan Africa must adopt not only a new generation of multivalent biotech antivenoms, but also an infrastructure to deliver them.