Serum and urine biochemistry of Central Asian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldi)

This study was conducted in order to determine plasma and urine biochemical analytes in clinically healthy Central Asian tortoises. Fifteen apparently healthy adult tortoises from both sexes weighted 1,050.6?±?81.4 g (935–1,155 g) were studied. Blood samples were collected from dorsal coccygeal veins into tubes containing EDTA. Plasma and urine concentrations of glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, bilirubin, and ammonia were determined using standard methods. The results of plasma biochemistry indicated that the concentrations of total protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, bilirubin, and ammonia were 3.96?±?0.15 g/l, 73.49?±?16.06, 249.26?±?20.2, 87.87?±?20.65, 1.87?±?0.09, 155.86?±?35.71, 0.69?±?0.15, 11.92?±?1.49, 10.99?±?0.51, 0.67?±?0.07, and 0 mg/dl, respectively. Those of urine samples were 0.715?±?0.67 g/l, 0, 0, 0, 9.97?±?1.91, 262.65?±?35.97, 9.52?±?0.96, 6.16?±?0.795, 0, 1.39?±?0.15, and 0 mg/dl, respectively. Some biochemical analytes were significantly different in this species in comparison with the other studied tortoises, suggesting that the species-specific normal values should be taken into account for health evaluation and/or diagnosis of diseases and abnormalities in tortoises. Considering the nitrogenous excretory analytes, we concluded that Central Asian tortoise could be considered as strict ureotelic reptiles.     

Selected biochemical values of yearling African blue neck ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Iran

Ten 12-month-old male clinically healthy young blue neck breed ostriches (Struthio camelus) from Zabol district of Sistan, Baluchestan province, Iran were blood sampled in plain tubes for harvesting serum. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. The following results were obtained: total protein, 35.3?±?2 g/l; albumin, 16.4?±?1.53 g/l; globulin, 18.9?±?0.8 g/l; total cholesterol, 1.67?±?0.11 mmol/l; LDL cholesterol, 0.68?±?0.07 mmol/l; HDL cholesterol, 0.67?±?0.02 mmol/l; triglyceride, 0.70?±?0.1 mmol/l; uric acid, 302.15?±?20.81 μmol/l; calcium, 2.27?±?0.15 mmol/l; inorganic phosphorus, 1.81?±?0.13 mmol/l; AST, 246.3?±?22.4 IU/l; ALT, 8.4?±?0.52 IU/l; and GGT activity, 26.9?±?2.97 IU/l. Correlations between measured parameters were also determined. Blood biochemical values determined in this study can be considered as reference data for disease diagnosis in yearling African blue neck ostriches (S. camelus) in Iran.     

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov., a parasite of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes and the mosquito Culex pipiens from Egypt

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov. are described from the tissues of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes, and from the vector Culex pipiens. The parasite described in the present study is firstly recorded as Haemogregarina seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) in the same host. After demonstration of the sporogonous development in the mosquito vector (C. pipiens) which showed all characteristics of the genus Hepatozoon (large oocysts containing many sporocysts producing numerous sporozoites), the parasite should be transferred into the genus Hepatozoon. The infected erythrocytes measured 20?±?0.95?×?7.3?±?0.85 μm; while uninfected cells measured 13.3?±?1.04?×?7.5?±?0.16 μm. Hypertrophy and faintly stained cytoplasm are mostly occurred in infected erythrocytes. Blood stages of the parasite were found exclusively in the erythrocytes in two forms: (1) small trophozoites (10.0?±?0.52?×?3.0?±?0.4 μm) and (2) long (mature) sausage-shaped (16.5?±?1.5?×?3.5?±?0.4 μm). Merogony occurred in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries of lung, liver, and spleen. Mature meronts was 27.6?±?0.7?×?17.5?±?0.5 μm in diameter and contained 20–35 merozoites (averaged in 26). These merozoites measured 16.5?±?1.5?×?3.5?±?0.4 μm. Syzygy and gamogony occurred in the mosquito myxocoel till the 5th day post-infection (p.i.) while sporogony took place after 15 days p.i. On the third day p.i., a large spherical macrogamete of 29.0?±?0.8?×?20.5?±?0.6 μm containing a distinct nucleus in association with a single microgamete were observed. The microgamete was pyriform measured 8?±?02 μm in length. It had a prominent nucleus and a long flagellum of at least 20.4?±?1.3 μm in length. Fertilization occurred on the 3rd to the 4th days p.i. and the formed zygote developed into an oocyst in which repeated mitotic divisions with centripetal invaginations occurred producing sporoblasts. After sporulation, each sporoblast termed as sporocyst, and contained 18 banana-shaped sporozoites measured 14.0?±?1.6?×?3.2?±?0.6 μm. Experimental transmission was successful by intraperitoneal inoculation of the infective stages (sporozoites) to uninfected vipers and led to the appearance of blood stages after 5–6 weeks.     

Activity of essential oil of Lippia triplinervis Gardner (Verbenaceae) on Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The objective of this work was to characterize and investigate the acaricidal activity of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Lippia triplinervis at different concentrations on unengorged larvae and engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus. The essential oil yielded 2.21 % (w/w to dry matter) and was composed mainly of carvacrol (31.9 %), thymol (30.6 %), and p-cymene (12.3 %). Two tests were performed to assess the acaricidal activity: the modified larval packet test, with concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 mg/mL and the female immersion test, with concentrations of 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0, and 50.0 mg/mL. There were ten repetitions for each concentration, and for each test, a control group was formed in which the ticks were treated with Tween 80 (20 mg/mL). The experimental groups were kept in a climate-controlled chamber (27?±?1 °C and RH >80 %). The mortality of the larvae was above 95 % in all the groups tested and reached 100 % as of the 5.0 mg/mL concentration, while the control group exhibited 0 % mortality. In the female immersion test, there was a significant decline (p?<?0.05) in the egg mass weight, egg production index, and hatching percentage starting at the concentration of 30.0, 40.0, and 20.0 mg/mL, respectively, and the control percentage at the concentrations of 40.0 and 50.0 mg/mL were above 90 and 95 %. The L. triplinervis oil as thus an alternative source of the monoterpenes thymol, carvacrol, and p-cymene, and its toxicity on R. microplus larvae and females makes it promising possibility for control of this tick.     

18S rRNA gene sequencing identifies a novel species of Henneguya parasitizing the gills of the channel catfish (Ictaluridae)

In the southeastern USA, the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus is a host to at least eight different species of myxozoan parasites belonging to the genus Henneguya, four of which have been characterized molecularly using sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. However, only two of these have confirmed life cycles that involve the oligochaete Dero digitata as the definitive host. During a health screening of farm-raised channel catfish, several fish presented with deformed primary lamellae. Lamellae harbored large, nodular, white pseudocysts 1.25 mm in diameter, and upon rupturing, these pseudocysts released Henneguya myxospores, with a typical lanceolate-shaped spore body, measuring 17.1?±?1.0 μm (mean?±?SD; range?=?15.0–19.3 μm) in length and 4.8?±?0.4 μm (3.7–5.6 μm) in width. Pyriform-shaped polar capsules were 5.8?±?0.3 μm in length (5.1–6.4 μm) and 1.7?±?0.1 μm (1.4–1.9 μm) in width. The two caudal processes were 40.0?±?5.1 μm in length (29.5–50.0 μm) with a spore length of 57.2?±?4.7 (46.8–66.8 μm). The contiguous SSU rRNA gene sequence obtained from myxospores of five excised cysts did not match any Henneguya sp. in GenBank. The greatest sequence homology (91 % over 1,900 bp) was with Henneguya pellis, associated with blister-like lesions on the skin of blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus. Based on the unique combination of pseudocyst and myxospore morphology, tissue location, host, and SSU rRNA gene sequence data, we report this isolate to be a previously unreported species, Henneguya bulbosus sp. nov.     

Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant potentials of Cussonia arborea in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study was to evaluate the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of the methanolic stem bark extract of Cussonia arborea in alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. C. arborea extract was well tolerated by the rats at the highest dose of 3,200 mg/kg. The extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight significantly (p?<?0.05) reduced the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats from 16.9?±?4.7 to 5.1?±?1.8 (72.4?±?2.9 % reduction) 6 h post-extract administration. Upon screening of the four fractions obtained after chromatographic techniques, fraction 2 showed the highest anti-hyperglycaemic activity (75.2?±?2.1 % reduction). Further phytochemical studies on fraction 2 revealed that it contains mainly saponin. Fraction 2 showed concentration-dependent antioxidant scavenging activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrynyl phenyl hydrazyl photometric assay. The optimum percentage antioxidant activity was 55 % at the concentration of 400 μg/ml. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (1.6 μm) of the fraction at 400 μg/ml was statistically comparable to that of 2 μm ascobic acid (reference standard).). It was concluded that the anti-hyperglycaemic property of the extract is attributable to fraction 2. The anti-hyperglycaemic activities of C. arborea could also be attributed to its antioxidant potentials.     

Comparative efficacy of two anesthetic agents in the Sobaity sea bream,Sparidentex hasta (Valenciennes 1830)

It is known that responses to the same anesthetic can vary considerably among different fish species. In this investigation, the efficacy of two anesthetic agents (clove powder and 2-phenoxyethanol) was compared in Sobaity sea bream, Sparidentex hasta (Valenciennes 1830). Induction and recovery times for S. hasta anesthetized with anesthetic agents were dose-dependent (P?<?0.05). The onset of individual phases of anesthesia and recovery times depended significantly on the concentration of the anesthetic used (P?<?0.05). An inverse exponential relationship was observed between concentrations of anesthetic and induction time, whereas exponential relationships were observed between concentrations and recovery times for both anesthetic agents evaluated. The lowest effective concentrations based on the efficacy criteria of complete anesthetic induction within 180 s and recovery within 300 s were determined to be 100 mg?L^?1 (induction time 1.92?±?0.10 min and recovery time 2.48?±?0.17 min) for clove powder and 200 μL?L^?1 (induction time 2.55?±?0.14 min and recovery time 5.66?±?0.62 min) for 2-phenoxyethanol. Clove powder was proven to be more effective, and the latter appears to meet many of the criteria of an ideal anesthetic for this fish species.     

Morphology and 18S rDNA sequencing identifies Henneguya visibilis n. sp., a parasite of Leporinus obtusidens from Mogi Guaçu River, Brazil

During a survey of myxozoan parasites of freshwater fish from the Mogi Guaçu River in São Paulo State, Brazil, plasmodia of Henneguya visibilis n. sp. were found on the fins of Leporinus obtusidens (Characiformes: Anostomidae). The plasmodia, which were observed on five out of eight (62.5 %) L. obtusidens examined, were 400–1,000 μm long. Mature spores were elongated with a spore body 10.8?±?0.6 μm long and 3.9?±?0.2 μm wide, a caudal process 18?±?1.2 μm long, and a total spore length of 26.8?±?1.1 μm. Polar capsules were elongated 4.9?±?0.3 μm long and 1.4?±?0.1 μm wide. Histological examination indicated that the plasmodia developed in the connective tissue, and no inflammatory infiltrate was observed at the infection site. Ultrastructural analysis showed a plasmodium wall with a single membrane and several pinocytotic canals. Sporogenesis occurred from the periphery to the center of the plasmodia. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence using maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony methods showed H. visibilis n. sp. positioned in a sub-clade composed of Henneguya/Myxobolus parasites of several freshwater fish families.     

Henneguya nagelii n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) in Cyphocharax nagelii (Steindachner, 1881) (Teleostei: Characiformes: Curimatidae) from the Peixe’s River, São Paulo State, Brazil

A new species of Myxosporea, Henneguya nagelii n. sp., is described parasitizing the gills of Cyphocharax nagelii collected from Peixe’s River, São Paulo State, Brazil. Among the fish examined, 16.7 % had gills parasitized by myxosporeans. The plasmodia were white, round, or oval and measured 150–250 μm. The mature spores were fusiform and had smooth wall. The spores measurements were the following: total length, 34.5?±?4.2 (26.4–39.9)?μm; body length, 12.0?±?0.5 (11.2–11.9)?μm; body width, 4.9?±?0.3 (4.4–5.5)?μm; and caudal process length, 22.4?±?4.0 (14.7–27.3)?μm. The polar capsules were elongated and of unequal size, with lengths of 4.9?±?0.4 (4.0–5.9)?μm and 5.2?±?0.4 (4.6–6.0)?μm for the longest and shortest axes, respectively. Capsule width was 1.8?±?0.2 (1.5–2.2)?μm. Each capsule contained a polar filament with six to eight turns. There was no mucous envelope or iodinophilous vacuole. Morphometric differences between this parasite and other species of the genus Henneguya indicated that the parasite observed in C. nagelii is a new species. This is the first species of Myxosporea described in Peixe’s River.     

Improved antifilarial activity of ivermectin in chitosan–alginate nanoparticles against human lymphatic filarial parasite, Brugia malayi

The current antifilarial treatments are not up to the mark partly due to deep location of filarial parasites in the human lymphatic system. We report here on the improvement in the antifilarial activity of ivermectin (IVM) using chitosan–alginate nanoparticles prepared by modified complex coacervation method. The nanoparticles were spherical having 155 nm size and 4.56 and 75.67 % loading and entrapment efficiency respectively for IVM. The delivery system maintained the sustained release and significantly augmented the microfilaricidal (MIF) activity at a single low dose (200 μg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) in contrast to much higher dose of free ivermectin (400 μg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) against human lymphatic filariid, Brugia malayi in rodent host, Mastomys coucha. To substantiate increase in MIF activity, pharmacokinetics study was designed on Wistar rats which revealed a greater peak plasma concentration (45.3?±?1.79 ng/ml), area under the concentration curve (298?±?38.7 ng d/ml) and extended mean residence time (23.4?±?8.56 days)of IVM in chitosan–alginate nanoparticles. Administration of 25 mg/kg of diethylcarbamazine following nanoparticle therapy significantly improved the MIF and macrofilaricidal action of encapsulated drug and was considered superior in this study.     

A study on the antioxidant defense system of psoriasis patients in the ethnic population of Kashmir-India

The study was designed to evaluate the role of antioxidant defense system in the etiology of psoriasis, a chronic skin disorder of complex etiology and pathology. Hospital-based case–control study was carried out in major referral hospital in Kashmir, North India. Cases (N?=?40) were composed of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and controls (N?=?20) were healthy volunteers. Study included estimation in plasma of both patients and controls of glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total antioxidant potential (AOP) as indices of antioxidant defense system and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxidation (LP), an indicator of oxidative stress. The GSH levels, SOD activity, AOP, and malondialdehyde levels in plasma of psoriasis patients were 2.58?±?0.22 μM/l, 5.24?±?0.69 U/ml, 0.020?±?.011?nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.88?±?0.20 nmol/ml and were 4.76?±?0.52 μM/l, 4.14?±?0.56U/ml, 0.042?±?0.018 nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.53?±?0.16 nmol/ml in healthy voluntary controls, respectively. A significant decrease in GSH levels (p?<?0.005) and AOP (p?<?0.005) and significant increase in SOD activity (p?<?0.01) MDA levels (p?<?0.005) as an indicator of LP was observed.     

Kudoa azevedoi n. sp. (Myxozoa, Multivalvulida) from the oocytes of the Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus (Perciformes, Carangidae) in Tunisian coasts

A new species Kudoa azevedoi sp. n. (Myxozoa, Multivalvulida) is described in Trachurus trachurus Linnaeus, 1758 (Carangidae) from fishing harbors in Tunisian coasts using spore morphology and SSU rDNA sequence data. The parasite occurs only in ovaries within oocytes of mature and immature specimens. Spores are quadrate in shape in apical view with rounded edges, having four shell valves and four symmetrical polar capsules. They are of small sizes and measure 3.5?±?0.41 (3–4.2)?×?4.5?±?0.44 (4–5.2) length by width. The polar capsules are pyriform in shape measuring 1.5?±?0.22 (1.5–2)?×?0.75?±?0.14 (0.5–1)?μm. Infected oocytes are hypertrophied, whitish colored, and filled with mature spores. Plasmodia are tubular and ramified from the inner membrane toward the center of the oocyte. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences shows the highest similarity (96 %) with the ovary parasite Kudoa ovivora. Some morphological details and spore dimensions support the creation of a new species in the genus Kudoa. Mean prevalence among examined females is of about 55.5 %. It varies between localities and length of fish. The present myxosporea is the second Kudoa species reported in fish ovaries.     

Selected biochemical parameters in plasma of blood and semen of Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus

The investigation of blood and seminal plasma biochemical parameters is essential for fish stock conservation and development of artificial propagation methods via extender improvement. In this research, comparison of blood and seminal plasma compounds and their relationship in Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, were studied. Seminal plasma contained 59.53?±?2.56 mEq/l sodium (Na⁺), 4.72?±?0.31 mEq/l potassium (K⁺), 1.45?±?0.075 mEq/l chloride (Cl^?), 9.1?±?1.42 mEq/l calcium (Ca²⁺), 0.7?±?0.072 mEq/l magnesium (Mg²⁺), 0.11?±?0.021 g/dl total protein, 6.67?±?1.04 mg/dl cholesterol, 15.2?±?0.65 mg/dl triacylglycerol, and 18.22?±?4.16 mg/dl glucose. Also, blood biochemical values were determined (mean?±?SEM) for Na⁺ (123.2?±?1.31 mEq/l), K⁺ (2.77?±?0.088 mEq/l), Cl^? (97.18?±?1.23 mEq/l), Ca²⁺ (6.67?±?0.24 mEq/l), Mg²⁺ (1.29?±?0.074 mEq/l), glucose (198.49?±?18.03 mg/dl), triacylglycerol (214.22?±?13.38 mg/dl), total protein (3.62?±?0.23 g/dl), and cholesterol (127.11?±?6.94 mg/dl). The mean blood and seminal osmolality values were 244.62?±?3.66 and 86.9?±?4.22 mOsm/kg, respectively. Results of the comparison between biochemical parameters of seminal and blood plasma indicated that the concentrations of all parameters of blood plasma were significantly (P?++ and Na⁺ of the seminal plasma (P?P?相似文献   

Effect of ozonide OZ418 against Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice

The in vitro and in vivo efficacies of ozonide carboxylic acid OZ418 against Schistosoma japonicum were investigated. For in vitro experiments, juvenile (14-day-old) and adult schistosomes were collected from mice infected with 80–100?S. japonicum cercariae for 14 and 35 days post-infection and the worms were maintained in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640 supplemented by 10 % calf serum. Against 35-day-old adult S. japonicum, OZ418 resulted in weakened worm motor activity, injury to the worm body, emergence of vacuoles along the worm surface, and death. A similar outcome was seen in 14-day-old juvenile S. japonicum exposed to OZ418. Ineffective concentrations (1, 5, and 10 μg/mL) of OZ418 also interacted with hemin to significantly increase the killing effect against adult schistosomes. The LC₅₀ value of OZ418 against juvenile (14-day-old) and adult schistosomes were identical—16.2 μg/mL, whereas the corresponding LC₉₅ values were 30.7 and 22.7 μg/mL, respectively. Treatment of adult and juvenile (14-day-old) S. japonicum-infected mice with single 200–400-mg/kg oral doses of OZ418 produced total worm burden reductions of 68.5–84.1 and 37.5–50.9 %, respectively. Further study showed that in mice infected with various stages of schistosomes and treated with a single oral OZ418 400 mg/kg, poor efficacy was seen in the 3-h-old juvenile worm group, while 14-day-old and 21-day-old juvenile worm groups exhibited less efficacy with total worm burden reductions of 42.6–52.4 %. On the other hand, similar and higher total worm burden reductions (64.2–76.0 %) were seen in the 7-day-old juvenile worm group and 28-day-old as well as 35-day-old adult worm groups. Furthermore, the mean worm burden reductions of the 7-day-old juvenile worm group and 35-day-old adult worm group were statistically significantly higher than that of the 14-day-old or 21-day-old juvenile worm group (P?S. japonicum.     

Correlation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration results by Etest and broth microdilution methods with population analysis profile: lack of Etest overestimation of the MIC

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (V-MICs) are sometimes reported to be higher according to Etest versus broth microdilution (BMD). These observations are often interpreted as an Etest overestimation of the actual MIC. We measured V-MIC of 484 MRSA blood isolates using Etest, BMD, and a modified BMD (M-BMD) with incremental dilutions parallel to the Etest scale, correlated the results with population analysis profile–area under the curve (PAP-AUC). All MIC tests were done in parallel. The mean V-MIC was comparable (1.83?±?0.44 [Etest], 1.88?±?0.67 [BMD] and 1.75?±?0.57 mg/L [M-BMD]; p?=?0.9 [ANOVA]). The V-MICs/PAP-AUC correlation coefficient was 0.555 (Etest), 0.513 (BMD), and 0.586 (M-BMD). Etest MICs were equal (44.2 %), one dilution higher (21.9 %), two dilutions higher (2.5 %), one dilution lower (29.8 %), and two dilutions lower (1.6 %) than BMD MICs and were equal (61.5 %), one dilution higher (28.3 %), two dilutions higher (0.4 %), one dilution lower (9.5 %), and two dilutions lower (0.2 %) than M-BMD MICs. The mean PAP-AUC for Etest vs M-BMD among isolates with similar Etest/M-BMD MIC values was 0.25?±?0.15 vs 0.35?±?0.13 (p?=?0.8), 0.46?±?0.16 vs 0.50?±?0.17 (p?=?0.8), 0.64?±?0.19 vs 0.67?±?0.21 (p?=?0.9), and 0.90?±?0.31 vs 0.88?±?0.25 (p?=?1.0) for isolates with V-MIC of ≤1, 1.5, 2, and ≥3 mg/L respectively. These results suggest that Etest might not overestimate V-MIC in comparison to M-BMD or BMD; Etest and M-BMD tests depict comparable PAP-AUC and have a higher correlation with PAP-AUC than the conventional BMD, probably because of the more detailed results. Etest may be more suitable than conventional BMD for MIC outcome assessment because of the more detailed MICs.     

Chemical composition and acaricidal activity of essential oil from Lippia sidoides on larvae of Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) and larvae and engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The aim of this work was to identify the compounds and to investigate the acaricidal activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Lippia sidoides on Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nitens. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In total, 15 compounds comprising 99.97 % of the total peak area were identified. The main constituent of the essential oil was thymol (67.60 %). The acaricidal activity was assessed by the modified larval packet test, with oil concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 μl/ml, and by the female immersion test with concentrations of 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, and 80.0 μl/ml. The mortality of the R. microplus and D. nitens larvae was greater than 95 % starting at concentrations of 10.0 and 20.0 μl/ml, respectively. In the test with the engorged females, the L. sidoides essential oil starting at a concentration of 40.0 μl/ml caused a significant reduction (p?<?0.05) in the values of the egg mass weight and egg production index. The viability of the eggs was affected in all the treated groups, with significantly lower hatching rates (p?<?0.05) in relation to the control group. The control percentages at concentrations of 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0 μl/ml were 54, 57, and 72 %, and reached 100 % at the highest two concentrations (60.0 and 80.0 μl/ml). Therefore, it can be concluded that the essential oil from the leaves of L. sidoides has acaricidal activity on R. microplus and D. nitens.     

Haematological reference ranges of cultured Clarias gariepinus in the Lower Benue River Basin,Nigeria

Blood samples were collected from 170 cultured African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to establish haematological baseline values of this important tropical pisciculture fish species in the Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The total red blood cell count and the total white blood cell count were obtained by haemocytometry, while the packed cell volume and haemoglobin were obtained by microhaematocrit and cyanomethmoglobin methods, respectively. The results obtained varied between gender and age and were as follows: total red blood cell count, 1.72?±?0.34?×?10⁶/mm³ in juveniles and 4.50?±?0.57?×?10⁶/mm³ in adults; total white blood cell count, 15.50?±?1.1510³/mm³in juvenile and 16.41?±?1.21?×?10³/mm³in adults; packed cell volume, 30.08?±?7.78 % in juveniles and 39.59?±?3.93 % in adults; haemoglobin, 9.43?±?3.45 g/dl in juveniles and 10.99?±?3.29 g/dl in the adults; mean corpuscular volume, 173.75?±?41.93 fl in juveniles and 87.01?±?14.37 fl in adults; mean corpuscular haemoglobin, 51.11?±?13.10 pg in the juveniles and 26.81?±?8.61 pg in the adults, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values obtained are 32.61?±?10.42 g/dl in the juveniles and 33.80?±?10.0 g/dl in the adults.     

Sublethal effects of atrazine and glyphosate on life history traits of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Although exposure of mosquito larvae to agricultural chemicals such as herbicides is common and widespread, our understanding of how these chemicals affect mosquito ecology and behavior is limited. This study investigated how an environmentally relevant concentration of two herbicides, atrazine and glyphosate, affects mosquito life history traits. One hundred and fifty (150) first instar Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) or Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) larvae were reared in 1.6 L of live oak leaf (Quercus virginiana) infusion in the presence (5 mg/L) or absence (0 mg/L) of atrazine or glyphosate. The containers were monitored daily to determine the emergence rates, sex ratio, male and female emergence times, and female body size. Emergence rates of A. aegypti from atrazine treatment were significantly higher relative to either glyphosate or control treatments (A. aegypti: atrazine?=?93?±?6 % (±95 % CI), glyphosate?=?82?±?5 %, control?=?78?±?5 %), while emergence rates of A. albopictus in atrazine treatments were significantly higher than in glyphosate treatments but not in controls (A. albopictus: atrazine?=?84?±?5 %, glyphosate?=?76?±?4 %, control?=?78?±?4 %). For both mosquito species, a sex ratio distortion with male bias was observed in control and glyphosate treatments, but not in atrazine treatments (A. aegypti: atrazine?=?0.90?±?0.17 (±SE), glyphosate?=?1.63?±?0.21, control?=?1.69?±?0.26; A. albopictus: atrazine?=?1.09?±?0.08, glyphosate?=?1.88?±?0.12, control?=?1.37?±?0.11). Emergence times for both sexes of the two mosquito species were significantly longer in atrazine treatments compared to glyphosate or control treatments (A. aegypti: females: atrazine?=?11.20?±?0.50 (days?±?95 % CI), glyphosate?=?9.71?±?0.23, control?=?9.87?±?0.21; males: atrazine?=?9.46?±?0.27, glyphosate?=?8.80?±?0.25, control?=?8.85?±?0.24; A. albopictus: females: atrazine?=?17.40?±?1.70, glyphosate?=?12.4?±?0.40, control?=?12.5?±?0.30; males: atrazine?=?12.96?±?0.41, glyphosate?=?10.48?±?0.24, control?=?10.64?±?0.37). For A. albopictus but not A. aegypti, adult females from atrazine treatment had significantly longer wing lengths compared to those from glyphosate or control treatments (A. albopictus: atrazine?=?3.06?±?0.07 (mm?±?95 % CI), glyphosate?=?2.80?±?0.07, control?=?2.83?±?0.06). These results demonstrate the potential for atrazine, a widely used herbicide, to influence epidemiologically relevant life history traits of mosquitoes.     

Decreased Proinflammatory Cytokines Production in Children with Complicated Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion after Intrapleural Fibrinolytic Treatment

Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IFT) provides clinical benefit in the treatment of complicated pleural parapneumonic effusion (CPE). Whether IFT influences the proinflammatory cytokines production and fibrinlytic activity is currently unclear. Therefore, we collected pleural effusion samples from CPE patients with IFT (study group) and patients without IFT (control group). A membrane human inflammatory cytokines array kit was used to compare the difference of targeted cytokine production between these two groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used for quantitative analysis of targeted cytokines and fibrinolytic enzymes. The results showed there were no significant differences between the study (n = 16) and control (n = 14) groups in patients’ demographic data. After fibrinolytic therapy, the patients in the study group had significant lower plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) level (732.36?±?254.09 ng/mL vs 1,509.36?±?1,340.11 ng/mL, p?<?0.05) and higher urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) level (75.56?±?41.70 ng/mL vs 6.87?±?5.07 ng/mL, p?<?0.05) than they did before treatment. Moreover, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) (1,560.03?±?403.49 pg/mL vs 3,686.45?±?1,263.83 pg/mL, p?<?0.05) and inflammatory chemokine, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES), (293.58?±?212.93 pg/mL vs 749.27?±?53.79 pg/mL, p?<?0.05), were also significantly lower in the study group after fibrinolytic therapy, but not in the control group. In conclusion, intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment with urokinase could enhance fibrinolytic activity and decrease TIMP-2 and RANTES production.     

Drug concentrations in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated with norvancomycin after craniotomy

Intracranial infection by gram-positive cocci is commonly found after craniotomy. Norvancomycin was independently developed in China, and had demonstrated therapeutic capability against gram-positive infection. This study investigated the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations in patients that received intravenous injection of norvancomycin after craniotomy. Patients with an indwelling catheter in the operational area/ventricle after craniotomy were administered norvancomycin by two approaches: (1) The conventional group consisted of 14 cases that were infused with 0.8 g norvancomycin for 1 h, every 12 h; (2) The continuous administration group consisted of 14 cases that were infused with 0.8 g norvancomycin for 1 h, and then another 0.4 g for 11 h with extended infusion, followed by continuous infusion of 0.4 g norvancomycin for 12 h. Samples of serum and CSF were collected at different time-points to measure norvancomycin levels after administration. In the conventional and continuous administration groups, the peak serum concentrations of norvancomycin were 55.52?±?26.04 and 59.22?±?41.88 mg/L, respectively, while those at 24 h were 8.21?±?6.04 and 8.01?±?4.17 mg/L, respectively. Meanwhile, peak CSF concentrations were 16.31?±?11.15 and 8.82?±?8.91 mg/L, respectively, while those at 24 h were 6.12?±?2.34 and 6.24?±?4.38 mg/L, respectively. This preliminary study showed that for the early administration of standard doses of norvancomycin post-neurosurgery, the CSF concentration in both the conventional and continuous administration groups reached or exceeded the 90 % minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀, 2 mg/L) of target bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).