Clinical haematology of the great bustard (Otis tarda)

The haematological parameters of healthy great bustards (Otis tarda L.) have been determined. The values obtained were red cell count (3.0 x 10(12) +/- 0.2 x 10(12/)1), white cell count (33.0 x 10(9) +/- 2.6 x 10(9)/1), haematocrit value (0.51 +/- 0.01 1/1), haemoglobin (13.0 +/- 0.3 g/dl), mean corpuscular volume (178.7 +/- 12.5 fl), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (25.0 +/- 0.6 g/dl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (42.5 +/- 3.2 pg), differential white cell count: heterophils (22.5 x 10(9) +/- 0.7 x 10(9)/1), lymphocytes (6.0 x 10(9)+/-0.7 x 10(9)/1), eosinophils (2.7 x 10(9) +/- 0.3 x 10(9)/1) and monocytes (1.8 x 10(9)+/-0.2 x 10(9)/1).     

Platelet activating factor increases ciliary activity in the hamster oviduct through epithelial production of prostaglandin E2

We investigated the signal transduction mechanisms associated with an increase in ciliary beat frequency (CBF) produced by platelet activating factor (PAF) in oviductal ciliated cell cultures. In the range of concentrations similar to that produced by preimplantation embryos, PAF increased the CBF in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of PAF and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to the cultures produced a synergic increase of ciliary beating, suggesting that PAF and PGE2 signal transduction pathways may be associated. To demonstrate this hypothesis, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was selectively blocked by a specific inhibitor, NS-398, and the PAF-induced CBF increase was abolished. Moreover, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, AACOCF3, blocks the PAF-induced CBF increase. PGE2 production by oviductal epithelial cells is stimulated by PAF, and WEB-2086, a PAF-receptor blocker, specifically blocks the PAF-induced PGE2 production. Using the fluorescent indicator fura-2, we measured the effect of PAF on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual ciliated cells. PAF induced a transient increase of [Ca2+]i that was blocked by WEB-2086 or by removal of extracellular Ca2+. We propose a mechanism for PAF-mediated signal transduction in the ciliated cells of the oviductal epithelium. Minimal doses of PAF trigger Ca2+ mobilization in tandem with increased PLA2 activity and a COX-2-mediated increase in PGE2. Local PGE2 production by the oviductal mucosa suggests the presence of an autocrine loop controlling ciliary activity.     

Quantitative weight of evidence assessment of higher-tier studies on the toxicity and risks of neonicotinoids in honeybees. 2. Imidacloprid

ABSTRACT

A quantitative weight of evidence (QWoE) methodology was used to assess higher-tier studies on the effects of imidacloprid (IMI) on honeybees. Assessment endpoints were population size and viability of commercially managed bees and quantity of hive products. A colony-level no-observed-adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) of 25 µg IMI/kg syrup, equivalent to an oral no-observed-adverse-effect-dose of 7.3 ng/bee/d for all responses, was measured. The overall weight of evidence indicates that there is minimal risk to honeybees from exposure to IMI from its use as a seed treatment. Exposures via dusts from currently used seed coatings present a de minimis risk to honeybees when the route of exposure is via uptake in plants that are a source of pollen or nectar for honeybees. There were few higher-tier observational (ecoepidemiological) studies conducted with IMI. Considering all lines of evidence, the quality of the studies included in this analysis was variable, but the results of the studies were consistent and point to the same conclusion – that IMI had no adverse effects on viability of the honeybee colony. Thus, the overall conclusion is that IMI, as currently used as a seed treatment and with good agricultural practices, does not present a significant risk to honeybees at the level of the colony.     

Quantitative weight of evidence assessment of higher tier studies on the toxicity and risks of neonicotinoids in honeybees. 3. Clothianidin

ABSTRACT

A quantitative weight of evidence (QWoE) methodology was used to assess higher tier studies on the effects of clothianidin (CTD) on honeybees. Assessment endpoints were population size and viability of commercially managed bees and quantity of hive products. A colony-level no-observed-adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) of 25 µg CTD/kg syrup, equivalent to an oral no-observed-adverse effect-dose (NOAED) of 7.3 ng/bee/d for all responses measured. Based on a NOAEC of 19.7 µg/kg pollen, the NOAED for honeybee larvae was 2.4 ng/bee larva/d. For exposures via dust, a no-observed-adverse effect rate of 4 g CTD/ha was used to assess relevance of exposures via deposition of dust. The overall weight of evidence suggested that there is minimal risk to honeybees from exposure to CTD from its use as a seed treatment. For exposures via dust, dust/seed and dust/foliar applications, there were no exposures greater than the NOAED for CTD in nectar and pollen, indicating a de minimis risk to honeybees when the route of exposure was via uptake in plants. Analysis of effect studies in the field indicated a consistent lack of relevant effects, regardless of the way CTD was applied. For exposures via dust, there were no adverse effects because of these applications and there were no exposures greater than the NOAED for CTD in nectar and pollen. The overall weight of evidence based on many studies indicated no adverse effects on colony viability or survival of the colony. Thus, the overall conclusion is that clothianidin, as currently used in good agricultural practices, does not present a significant risk to honeybees at the level of the colony.     

Gunshot residue on dark materials: a comparison between infrared photography and the use of an alternative light source

The pattern of gunshot residue (GSR) includes important information about muzzle-target distance since a larger GSR distribution diameter indicates a larger shooting distance. GSR may not be visible to the naked eye when, for example, it is located on dark textiles. In such cases, further procedures need to be performed in order to visualize the pattern of GSR. Besides chemical procedures, an alternative light source or infrared photography can be utilized for non-destructive GSR visualization. In the work presented, these two techniques are compared based on shooting experiments using 26 different dark textiles. Within the range of the alternative light source, the use of a 440-nm light in combination with an orange-colored filter led to the best visualization of GSR in the form of fluorescent particles. Infrared photography, on the other hand, visualized GSR as dark particles, whereas—ideally—the dark textile reflected the infrared light and appeared bright. The comparison of both techniques revealed that the GSR distribution visualized by infrared photography was not identical to the GSR distribution visualized with 440-nm illumination in combination with an orange-colored filter. We concluded that infrared photography visualizes the inner powder soot zone, whereas illumination at 440 nm leads to fluorescence of the outer powder soot zone, which can be visualized using an orange-colored filter. Knowledge of this difference in visualization of the two powder soot zones is important for forensic practitioners assessing firing distances. In the literature, however, this difference is not noted as clearly.

     

Proximal radius fractures in children: evaluation of associated elbow fractures

Pediatric Radiology - Additional fractures occur in association with proximal radius fractures, but the extent of these secondary injuries has not been systematically assessed. To ascertain the...