Late Pliocene carnivores from Včeláre 2 (Southeastern Slovakia)

Carnivores from the Late Pliocene site of V?eláre 2 are described and their taxonomy is discussed. The carnivore assemblage includes nine specimens of the families Felidae (Homotherium crenatidens), Ursidae (Ursus minimus), and Ailuridae (Parailurus sp.). The scimitar-toothed cat and ursid are common representatives of the Pliocene European fauna, whereas the lesser panda is probably a new species of Parailurus, which differs from both Pliocene species, P. anglicus and P. hungaricus. As a part of a more or less uniform Pliocene carnivore fauna of the Northern Hemisphere, the V?eláre 2 assemblage represents a forest and (or) open grassland environment.     

Climate change affects breeding of reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Between 1970 and 2006 reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus started breeding progressively earlier; both the initiation of breeding (the earliest first egg dates) and peak of breeding (median first egg dates) advanced. Median first egg dates correlated significantly with increasing May–July mean temperatures. However, in contrast to other studies showing the advancement in laying dates, the end of the season did not shift. As a result, the breeding season is now longer increasing re-nesting opportunities. Individuals are able to re-nest 4–5 times, which might have important implications for the species. It was also found that in warmer seasons the population suffered fewer nest losses. Both factors, higher re-nesting potential and a trend toward fewer losses, should lead to increased fitness of individuals in the studied population.     

Anticonvulsant evaluation of aminoalkanol derivatives of 2- and 4-methylxanthone

A series of 17 new aminoalkanol derivatives of 6-methoxy- or 7-chloro-2-methylxanthone as well as 6-methoxy-4-methylxanthone was synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. All compounds were verified in mice after intraperitoneal (ip) administration in maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentetrazole (scMet) induced seizures as well as neurotoxicity assessment. Eleven of the tested substances showed protection against electrically evoked seizures in the majority of the tested mice at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Additionally, one was effective at the dose of 30 mg/kg. Five substances were active at the dose of 300 mg/kg or at the dose of 100 mg/kg in the minority of the tested mice. The most promising compound revealed ED₅₀ value of 47.57 mg/kg in MES (mice, ip, 1 h after administration) and at the same time its TD₅₀ was evaluated as above 400 mg/kg. Those values gave PI (calculated as TD₅₀/ED₅₀) of more than 8.41. Three other synthesized xanthone derivatives also proved to act as anticonvulsants and showed ED₅₀ values in MES test (mice, ip) ranged 80–110 mg/kg. Results were quite encouraging and suggested that in the group of xanthone derivatives new potential anticonvulsants might be found.     

Number and quality of oocytes in relation to age of cattle

An experiment was conducted to characterize the ovarian follicles as well as follicular oocytes in relation to cattle age. Ovaries from 67 heifers aged 18–24 months, 75 cows aged 3–8 years, and 70 cows aged 9–17 years were examined.In heifers 22.66 ± 12.56 (mean ± S.D.) 2–6-mm follicles were observed, from which 10.22 ± 6.17 oocytes were recovered; of these 4.63 ± 3.98 were morphologically normal. Similar values were observed in 3–8-year-old cows, i.e. 23.08 ± 13.95 follicles, 9.88 ± 6.24 oocytes, and 5.24 ± 4.03 normal oocytes. In cows aged >9 years 18.03 ± 10.83 (P < 0.05) follicles, 8.37 ± 5.87 oocytes and 3.89 ± 3.73 normal oocytes were obtained.No relationship was observed between the number of ovarian follicles and the quality of the recovered oocytes.     

Comparison of two methods for recovery of ovarian oocytes from slaughter cattle

When aspiration was used, 80 oocytes were recovered from 185 ovarian follicles, whereas 155 oocytes were recovered by rupturing 154 isolated follicles (P < 0.01).Two oocytes were found in each of three isolated follicles, three oocytes in one follicle and no oocytes in four follicles.Of the oocytes recovered by aspiration, 45% were morphologically normal, whereas 63.2% morphologically normal oocytes were recovered from isolated follicles (P < 0.01).