Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of p-cymene in mice

We attempted to identify the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of the monoterpene p-cymene. Firstly, behavioural screening was carried out to verify the influence of p-cymene [25, 50, and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)] on the central nervous system (CNS) activity. The antinociceptive activity of p-cymene was evaluated by the acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin, and hot-plate test, respectively. The leukocyte migration induced by injection of carrageenan was used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. p-Cymene showed depressant activity on CNS after 4 h of treatment and also a possible action on the autonomous nervous system (ANS), mainly at the dose of 100 mg/kg (i.p.). It was found that p-cymene (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the writhing responses induced by acetic acid. p-Cymene also decreased the licking time in the first and second phase, respectively, of the formalin test. The results of the hot-plate test showed that all doses of p-cymene increased significantly the latency time of the response to the thermal stimulus in both licking and jumping parameters. In addition, there was a significantly (p < 0.05) decreased leukocyte migration at all doses of p-cymene. The experimental data demonstrate that p-cymene possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.     

On the after‐use and restoration of abandoned extracted peatlands in the Baltic countries

In the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), mires directly affected by peat extraction cover almost 90,000 ha. Of these, over 26,200 ha have already been extracted and are abandoned. The main aim of this article is to give an overview of the extent of extracted peatlands in the Baltics, the legislative background around the land‐use options, and the directions of after‐use of peatlands since the middle of the 20th century. We also critically review results from restoration of abandoned extracted peatlands and assess whether they are on a trajectory toward reinitiation of paludification and functioning mire ecosystems. Almost all currently existing abandoned extracted peatlands in the Baltics were abandoned during and shortly after the Soviet period (1940–1991) without any restoration measures. The rest of the extracted areas were mostly afforested, converted into agricultural lands, berry plantations, or water bodies. The after‐use was mostly experimental, lacking systematic, proper assessment of outcome, cost and benefits, and side effects. The data are scarce but it could be estimated that only <10% (Estonia and Lithuania) and <20% (Latvia) of the total area of abandoned extracted peatlands were used for some purposes after peat extraction. Recently, several trials aimed at restoring the mire vegetation and ecosystem functions have been started in abandoned extracted peatlands in all three countries. In the coming years, the restoration of extracted peatlands in the Baltics will start on much bigger areas within different projects and initiatives cofinanced by the European Union.     

Acoustic structure of vocalization and stapedius muscle activity during vocal development in chickens (Gallus gallus)

The link between stapedius muscle activity and acoustic structure of vocalization was analysed in cocks of age 20–30 to 90–100 days old. The results show that stapedius muscle activation depends on the acoustic structure of vocalization and changes during vocal development. This dependence was observed in spontaneous calls and in vocalizations elicited by stimulating the mesencephalic calling area. In 30-day-old cocks stapedius muscle EMG response is never associated with vocalizations with an acoustic energy content which is always distributed at frequencies higher than 2000 Hz. The coupling between vocalization and stapedius muscle activity begins later, when birds produce vocalizations with acoustic energy shifted towards lower frequencies. Overall, stapedius muscle activity is related to a bird's production of high amplitude low frequencies. These results support the hypothesis that the primary role of the stapedius muscle during normal vocal development is to dampen the amplitude of low frequency energy that reaches the cochlea during vocalization.     

Terpenoids and More Polar Compounds from the Male Cones of Wollemia nobilis

The analysis of metabolites contained in the male cones of Wollemia nobilis was investigated for the first time in this study. Several diterpenoids of chemosystematic relevance were recognized for the first time from the genus and/or from the Araucariaceae family, namely isocupressic acid ( 1 ), acetyl‐isocupressic acid ( 2 ), methyl (E )‐communate ( 3 ) and sandaracopimaric acid ( 4 ). All these terpenoids are also endowed with interesting biological activities and may play a primary role in the self defence toward herbivores. The presence of a new norlabdane (norlabda‐8(16)‐12‐dien‐14,17‐diol) trivially named as wollemol ( 5 ) was also recognized. Norditerpenes are scarcely distributed in Plant Kingdom and in particular in Gymnosperms and this aspect was discussed. The structure of 5 was determined by extensive NMR analysis employing mono‐ and bidimensional experiments. The 7‐4?‐dimethoxyagathisflavone ( 6 ), a biflavonoid already recognized in Araucariaceae and W. nobilis , was also isolated from male cones together with shikimic acid ( 7 ), a biogenetic precursor of polyphenolic compounds, besides carbohydrates such as glucose ( 8 ) and saccharose ( 9 ), and arginine ( 10 ) a quite common amino acid.     

Monitoring of the saproxylic beetle Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with freshly cut log piles

Quantitative information on population size, structure and dynamics are urgently needed for assessing species extinction risk and developing monitoring measures, especially for beetles belonging to the threatened guild of saproxylic organisms. Here freshly cut log piles (FCLP) were tested for the monitoring of the longhorn beetle Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Novel mathematical models based on presence–absence or count data were compared with the most commonly used capture–recapture methods to investigate if less invasive and easier approaches may be suitable for large-scale monitoring of this species and other large saproxylic beetles. The use of FCLP as bait was reliable to detect the presence and abundance of M. asper, and capture events were not influenced by the phenomena of trap-happiness or trap-shyness. In order to obtain accurate presence–absence estimates of M. asper at a reasonable cost piles of at least 0.25 m³ are suggested. Models which take into account the abundance of the species without marking individuals were the best compromise between costs and accuracy of estimation. Therefore, a reliable assessment of the population size of M. asper, can be based on count data without marking individuals. Because FCLP attract adults of M. asper and other saproxylic beetles, they could act also as potential ecological traps if chipped and/or removed after the sampling season. Therefore, if FCLP are used in monitoring as a part of conservation programmes, the piles should be left until completely decayed.     

Effective genetic vaccination with a widely shared endogenous retroviral tumor antigen requires CD40 stimulation during tumor rejection phase

Endogenous retrovirus (ERV) products are recognized by T lymphocytes in mice and humans. As these Ags are preferentially expressed by neoplastic tissues, they might represent an ideal target for active immunization by genetic vaccination. However, i.m. inoculation of plasmid DNA encoding mouse gp70 or p15E, two products of the env gene of an endogenous murine leukemia virus, elicited a weak Ag-specific T lymphocyte response and resulted in partial protection from challenge with mouse tumors possessing these Ags. Depletion experiments showed that CD8(+), but not CD4(+), T lymphocytes were crucial for the antitumor activity of the vaccines. Systemic administration of agonistic anti-CD40 mAb increased the therapeutic potential of genetic vaccination, but only when given during the tumor rejection phase and not at the time of immunization. This effect correlated with a dramatic increase in the number of ERV-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Adjuvant activity of CD40 agonists thus seems to be relevant to enhance the CD8(+) T cell-dependent response in tumor-bearing hosts, suggesting that sustaining tumor-specific T lymphocyte survival in subjects undergoing vaccination might be a key event in the successful vaccination with weak tumor Ags.