Animal Drinking Research Articles

Acamprosate: An Alcoholism Treatment That May Not Be What We Thought

Acamprosate: An Alcoholism Treatment That May Not Be What We Thought

Hypothalamo‐pituitary axis dysfunction in animals that exhibit a maladaptive response to a traumatic stressor

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often co‐exists with substance use disorders including alcohol abuse. Our lab utilizes predator odor exposure, an established model of traumatic stress, allowing rats to be divided into groups based on persistent avoidance an odor‐paired chamber, a phenotype similar to humans with PTSD. Preliminary studies in our lab show that avoider rats consume significantly more alcohol than non‐avoider rats and unstressed controls. Dysregulation in hypothalamo‐pituitary axis (HPA) function occurs in both PTSD patients and alcohol‐dependent individuals. We hypothesize that HPA dysregulation following exposure to a traumatic stressor contributes to increases in alcohol consumption in avoider rats. The purpose of this study was to examine HPA activity in avoider and non‐avoider rats following a traumatic stress. Male Wistar rats (300g) underwent a place conditioning procedure to assess avoidance of the odor‐paired chamber. Fifty percent of the rats exhibited avoidance of the odor‐paired chamber. Non‐avoider rats show an increase adrenocorticotropin releasing hormone (ACTH) post‐odor exposure compared to unstressed controls (769±133 vs. 1204±379pg/ml). ACTH levels are attenuated in avoider rats compared to non‐avoider (1204±379 vs. 879±85pg/ml; p=NS). Whether this contributes to the excessive drinking in avoider animals is unknown and the focus of current studies. This work was supported by NIH grant AA018400 (NWG).

Impact of agriculture activities on a coastal aquifer in Tunisia and options for a better water management

The quality of a coastal aquifer (Korba, Tunisia) in a semi-arid agricultural region was studied by the collection and analysis of groundwater samples for their main chemical and biological parameters in relation to the SEQ evaluation system for groundwater quality. Results indicate important anthropogenic deterioration. Most of the samples were unsuitable for drinking-water production; animal drinking and irrigation with these waters will require caution. The high contamination is mainly due to the local intensive agriculture. Based on the objectives-oriented project planning method, regulatory and socio-economic instruments were extensively developed to encourage sustainable agriculture through a participatory exercise.

Alcohol in excess: CRF1 receptors in the rat and mouse VTA and DRN

Manipulation of the stress neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), specifically central antagonism of the type 1 receptors (CRF-R1), effectively reduces alcoholic-like ethanol drinking in rodents. Escalated consumption is largely controlled by neurocircuitry that is important for reward and affect, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the dorsal raphé nucleus (DRN). The current studies investigated the role of CRF-R1 within the VTA and DRN and their relation to escalated ethanol drinking in two species. An additional goal was to explore whether high alcohol-drinking individuals would be more affected by CRF-R1 antagonism than low alcohol-drinking individuals. With a two-bottle choice drinking procedure, adult male C57BL/6J mice and Long-Evans rats were given 24-h access to 20 % ethanol and water on an intermittent schedule. Rats and mice were implanted with cannulae targeting the VTA or DRN. Doses of the CRF-R1 antagonist CP-154,526 (butyl-[2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]ethylamine)) were microinfused to modulate drinking of ethanol and water over the course of 24 h. In both mice and rats, intra-VTA CP-154,526 selectively decreased ethanol intake, while identical doses (0.3 and 0.6 μg) infused intra-DRN reduced both ethanol and water drinking. Long-Evans rats displayed a range of individual differences for ethanol preference, and CP-154,526 suppressed ethanol drinking in the high-preferring animals regardless of brain site manipulation. The current findings confirm previous studies that blockade of CRF-R1 efficaciously reduces escalated drinking while also suggesting that the effects of intermittent access on alcohol consumption may require CRF interaction with dopamine in the VTA.

The α1‐Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist, Doxazosin, Reduces Alcohol Drinking in Alcohol‐Preferring (P) Rats

Evidence supports a role for the noradrenergic system in alcohol drinking in animals and humans. Our previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of prazosin, an α1-adrenergic antagonist, in decreasing alcohol drinking in rat models of alcohol dependence. Prazosin has also been shown to decrease alcohol drinking in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent men. Clinically, the use of prazosin is limited by the requirement for multiple daily administrations, whereas doxazosin, a structurally similar α1-adrenergic antagonist, requires only once-daily dosing. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that doxazosin, like prazosin, would decrease alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference (P line). Adult male P rats were given 2h/d scheduled access to a 2-bottle choice (15% v/v alcohol vs. water) session 5d/wk (M-F), with food and water available ad libitum 24h/d. Rats were injected with doxazosin (0 to 10mg/kg, IP) 40minutes prior to initiation of the alcohol access session in 3 trials (of 3, 5, and 5 consecutive days) each separated by 5 to 8weeks. The third trial included 1day without alcohol access (for locomotor testing), and 1day of a single hour of alcohol access (for plasma alcohol determination). Doxazosin significantly reduced alcohol intake in all 3 trials. The 5mg/kg dose consistently reduced alcohol intake, increased water drinking, did not affect locomotor activity, and resulted in lower plasma alcohol concentrations, suggesting that the doxazosin-induced reduction in alcohol drinking was not dependent on a motor impairment or an alteration in alcohol clearance. Doxazosin decreases voluntary alcohol consumption by male alcohol-preferring (P) rats, supporting a role for the noradrenergic system in alcohol drinking in P rats and suggesting that doxazosin could potentially be an effective once-daily pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment of alcohol use disorders.

The negative effects of alcohol hangover on high-anxiety phenotype rats are influenced by the glutamate receptors of the dorsal midbrain

Alcoholism is a chronic disorder characterized by the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome following the abrupt cessation of alcohol intake that includes symptoms of physical and emotional disturbances, anxiety being the most prevalent symptom. In humans, it was shown that anxiety may increase the probability of relapse. In laboratory animals, however, the use of anxiety to predict alcohol preference has remained difficult. Excitatory amino acids as glutamate have been implicated in alcohol hangover and may be responsible for the seizures and anxiety observed during withdrawal. The dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) is a midbrain region critical for the modulation/expression of anxiety- and fear-related behaviors and the propagation of seizures induced by alcohol withdrawal, the glutamate neurotransmission being one of the most affected. The present study was designed to evaluate whether low- (LA) and high-anxiety rats (HA), tested during the alcohol hangover phase, in which anxiety is the most prevalent symptom, are more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of alcohol when tested in a voluntary alcohol drinking procedure. Additionally, we were interested in investigating the main effects of reducing the excitatory tonus of the dorsal midbrain, after the blockade of the ionotropic glutamate receptors into the DPAG, on the voluntary alcohol intake of HA and LA motivated rats that were made previously experienced with the free operant response of alcohol drinking. For this purpose, we used local infusions of the N-metil D-Aspartato (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-kainate receptors antagonist DL-2-Amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid – DL-AP7 (10nmol/0.2μl) and l-glutamic acid diethyl ester – GDEE (160nmol/0.2μl), respectively. Alcohol intoxication was produced by 10 daily bolus intraperitonial (IP) injections of alcohol (2.0g/kg). Peak-blood alcohol levels were determined by gas-chromatography analysis in order to assess blood-alcohol content. Unconditioned and conditioned anxiety-like behavior was assessed by the use of the fear-potentiated startle procedure (FPS). Data collected showed that anxiety and alcohol drinking in HA animals are positively correlated in animals that were made previously familiarized with the anxiolytic effects of alcohol. In addition, anxiety-like behavior induced during alcohol hangover seems to be an effect of changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission into DPAG possibly involving AMPA/kainate and NMDA receptors, among others.

Evidence that vasopressin V1b receptors mediate the transition to excessive drinking in ethanol‐dependent rats

Alcoholism is a devastating condition that represents a progression from initial alcohol use to dependence. Although most individuals are capable of consuming alcohol in a limited fashion, the development of alcohol dependence in a subset of individuals is often associated with negative emotional states (including anxiety and depression). Since the alleviation of this negative motivational state via excessive alcohol consumption often becomes a central goal of alcoholics, the transition from initial use to dependence is postulated to be associated with a transition from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms. Vasopressin is a neuropeptide known to potentiate the effects of CRF on the HPA axis, and emerging evidence also suggests a role for centrally located vasopressin acting on V(1b) receptors in the regulation of stress- and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. The present study determined state-dependent alterations in vasopressin/V(1b) R signaling in an animal model of ethanol dependence. The V(1b) R antagonist SSR149415 dose-dependently reduced excessive levels of ethanol self-administration observed in dependent animals without affecting the limited levels of ethanol drinking in non-dependent animals. Ethanol self-administration reduced V(1b) receptor levels in the basolateral amygdala of non-dependent animals, a neuroadaptation that could theoretically facilitate the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol. In contrast, V(1b) R levels were seemingly restored in ethanol-dependent rats, a switch that may in part underlie a transition from positive to negative reinforcement mechanisms with dependence. Together, our data suggest a key role for vasopressin/V(1b) R signaling in the transition to ethanol dependence.

The influence of aquatic predators on mosquito abundance in animal drinking troughs in New Zealand

The occurrence and abundance of mosquito populations may be associated with the abundance of predators. We examined the relationship between aquatic predators and populations of mosquitoes in animal water troughs in Waikanae, New Zealand. We also investigated the effects of water volume and environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, wind speed, humidity, and pressure) in order to further understand factors influencing mosquito and predator populations. Logistic regression indicated that the presence or absence of mosquitoes was primarily affected by three factors: predator abundance, week of observation, and water volume. Pearson's correlation indicated that the presence of predators had a positive correlation with water volume (r² = 0.176, p< 0.05). Otherwise, the presence of mosquito larvae in water troughs was negatively correlated with water volume (r² =-0.159, p=0.022) and wind speed (r² =0.142, p=0.041). We established a translocation experiment in which predators or mosquitoes were moved between troughs in order to examine the prey survival rate after exposure to Anisops wakefieldi predators. The survival rate of mosquitoes was not significantly different, between 0-0.1%, irrespective of the number of predators translocated (1-9) or the initial mosquito density (20-70 larvae). Our results suggested that A. wakefieldi predators may have the potential to be a promising biological control tool for the control of mosquito populations by altering mosquito population dynamics.

Motivation for Alcohol Becomes Resistant to Quinine Adulteration After 3 to 4 Months of Intermittent Alcohol Self‐Administration

Continued consumption of alcohol despite deleterious consequences is a hallmark of alcoholism and represents a critical challenge to therapeutic intervention. Previous rat studies showed that enduring alcohol self-administration despite pairing alcohol with normally aversive stimuli was only observed after very long-term intake (>8 months). Aversion-resistant alcohol intake has been previously interpreted to indicate pathological or compulsive motivation to consume alcohol. However, given the time required to model compulsive alcohol seeking in previous studies, there is considerable interest in developing more efficient and quantitative rodent models of aversion-resistant alcohol self-administration. Outbred Wistar rats underwent 3 to 4 months or approximately 1.5 months of intermittent, home-cage, two-bottle access (IAA) to 20% alcohol (v/v) or water. Then, after brief operant training, the effect of the bitter-tasting quinine (0.1 g/l) on the motivation to seek alcohol was quantified via progressive ratio (PR). Motivation for quinine-adulterated 2% sucrose under PR was assayed in a separate cohort of 3 to 4 months IAA rats. The effects of quinine on home-cage alcohol consumption in IAA rats and rats with continuous access to alcohol were also examined. Finally, a dose-response for quinine taste preference in IAA and continuous-access animals was determined. Motivation for alcohol after 3 to 4 months IAA, measured using an operant PR procedure, was not altered by adulteration of alcohol with 0.1 g/l quinine. In contrast, after 3 to 4 months of IAA, motivation for sucrose under PR was significantly reduced by adulteration of sucrose with 0.1 g/l quinine. In addition, motivation for alcohol after only approximately 1.5 months IAA was significantly reduced by adulteration of alcohol with 0.1 g/l quinine. Furthermore, home-cage alcohol intake by IAA rats was insensitive to quinine at concentrations (0.01, 0.03 g/l) that significantly reduced alcohol drinking in animals with continuous access to alcohol. Finally, no changes in quinine taste preference after 3 to 4 months IAA or continuous access to alcohol were observed. We have developed a novel and technically simple hybrid operant/IAA model in which quinine-resistant motivation for alcohol is evident after an experimentally tractable period of time (3 to 4 months vs. 8 months). Quinine dramatically reduced sucrose and water intake by IAA rats, indicating that continued responding for alcohol in IAA rats despite adulteration with the normally aversive quinine might reflect maladaptive or compulsive motivation for alcohol. This model could facilitate identification of novel therapeutic interventions for pathological alcohol seeking in humans.

Livestock Water Use and Productivity in the Nile Basin

Livestock are the major consumers of water but also sustain millions of pastoralist and farming families. In regions where water is a scarce commodity, such as the Nile basin, there is a need for strategies to improve livestock water productivity (LWP). This study seeks to contribute to this need through a better understanding of livestock water use and productivity within the Nile basin and how this varies across the basin. We developed a spatial framework combining dynamic models of digestion in ruminants, crop water requirements (CWRs), and animal drinking water requirements to estimate spatial distribution of livestock water requirements in different livestock production systems (LPSs). We compared this with livestock production and water availability estimates within the basin. The results show that in most areas LWP is less than 0.1 USD/m3, with only few areas showing a LWP of 0.5 USD/m3 and higher. This is largely related to very low livestock meat and milk production on one hand and very variable, but, in general, low feed water productivity (fWP). Total water need for feed production was estimated to be roughly 94 billion m3, which amounts to approximately 5% of the total annual rainfall (68 billion m3 or 3.6% of total annual rainfall when excluding water for residues). Differences in LWP between systems and regions are large, suggesting considerable scope for improvements. We discuss the main factors influencing observed patterns of LWP and livestock water use and how this information can be used for developing strategies for increasing the water productivity of agricultural systems at the basin level.

Análise da Distribuição Espacial de Parâmetros de Qualidade das Águas Subterrâneas para Irrigação no Semi-árido do Estado de Sergipe

The semi-arid region in Sergipe State is characterized by intensive extraction of groundwater from public and privates wells. This water is used for domestic supply, animal drinking and irrigation. The lack of organized data in terms of water volumes and water quality has contributed to water resources degradation and the stagnation of local economic activities, for instance, irrigated crops, restricted to small family areas. Preventive actions are necessary to use groundwater for irrigation. This is related to physical and chemical water characteristics that may have an impact on soil, crops, irrigation systems and local water resources. This study aimed to describe groundwater quality spatial distribution in the semi-arid region of Sergipe State using data from 252 deep wells and to analyze potential risks of groundwater use for crop irrigation using GIS. Generally the results showed regular quality of measured variables of water extracted from deep wells with high concentrations of salts, mainly in the center-northwest area of the State. These quality variables showed that about 75% of the water samples present some kind of restriction for use in crop irrigation

The genetics of alcoholism

Heritability estimates for alcoholism range from 50% to 60%, pointing out the importance of genetic and environmental factors in its etiology. This review highlights recent advances in translational work investigating genetic influences on alcoholism. We focus on genetic research involving corticotropin-releasing factor, glutamatergic, and opioidergic systems. Variation in the CRF1 receptor gene has been shown to moderate stress-induced alcohol drinking (gene-environment interaction) in animals, and this finding was recently extended to humans. Also, the hyperglutamatergic state, first observed during withdrawal from chronic alcohol exposure in animal models, is associated with aversive and dysphoric states in alcoholics. Pharmacogenetic studies of naltrexone efficacy are in the clinical stages, and recent studies confirmed a differential response dependent on the mu-opioid receptor genotype. Such advances will be essential for the effective treatment of alcoholism in the future.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in surface water: A health risk for humans and animals

The objective of the present study was to determine the degree of contamination by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in a river basin in a livestock farming area in Galicia (NW, Spain). Water samples (50 l) were collected at 22 points in the main basin (including 5 recreational areas), and at the source and mouth of the 3 most important rivers and at the mouth of a smaller, secondary river. Faecal samples were collected from dairy cattle selected at random from 18 herds farmed in the area. A total of 139 neonatal calves, 480 heifers and 697 cows were sampled. The prevalence, intensity of infection and the risk associated with the spread of infection by both enteropathogens were determined. Water and faecal samples were collected in spring, summer, autumn and winter of 2007. The species and genotypes of these parasites present in the water samples were identified. In both water and faecal samples, more parasitic stages were collected in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. In spring, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 33 (9.4%) cows from 13 (72.2%) herds, and G. duodenalis cysts were detected in 56 (16.0%) cows from 15 farms (83.3%); the intensity of infection ranged from 5 to 7895 G. duodenalis cysts per gram of faeces. Infective stages of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were also detected in respectively 26 (89.6%) and 27 (93.1%) water samples, in spring. The mean concentrations of parasites ranged from 2 to 1200 Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts per litre and from 2 to 400 G. duodenalis cysts per litre. Cryptosporidium parvum, C. andersoni, C. hominis and assemblages A-I, A-II, E of G. duodenalis were detected. The presence of both protozoans must be monitored in cattle, in sources of water used for recreational purposes and in artificial waterways used by farmers (water channels, animal drinking water and drainage systems).

Water quality parameters in the major rivers of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

This study examined the physical and chemical properties of waters of the major rivers in Kainji Lake National Park for a period of twenty four months. The implications on the public health and aquatic organisms were also determined. The major rivers include; Oli, Manyera, Nuwanzurugi, and Poto. River Oli was sampled at the hippo pools at Kilometers 8 and 12 and two animal drinking points. Other rivers were sampled at two animal drinking points. Standard methods were used to monitor the physical and chemical parameters. Physical parameters that were considered include; temperature, colour, total suspended solid and turbidity. The chemical parameters include hardness, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), iron, manganese, calcium, chloride, nitrate, pH, phosphate, ammonium and electrical conductivity. Seasonal variation appeared to have influence on the physical and chemical parameters. Statistical analysis shows that there were significant differences between sampling points and locations mean values for the different physical and chemical parameters examined. The presence of hippopotamus affected some parameters such as BOD, DO, COD, pH and turbidity significantly. The BOD and COD were strongly, significantly correlated and positively correlated (r = 0.757, P≤0.05). The ammonium and nitrite contents are not significantly correlated but positively and weakly correlated (P<0.05, r = 0.141) between the dry seasons and wet seasons mean values. Key words : Water quality, Oli River, River Nuwanzurugi, River Manyera, River Poto.

Can high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection under all conditions be regarded as a sufficiently conclusive confirmatory method for B-group substances?

Commission Decision 2002/657/EC requires confirmatory analysis of B-group compounds when detected at levels above the permitted limit. In contrast to banned substances, for B-group substances, the use of mass spectrometric techniques is not obligatory and several techniques including liquid chromatography (LC)-ultraviolet light (UV) on two different LC columns and (single-column) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescence (Flu) are considered to deliver sufficient evidence for the identification of the detected substance. The analysis of sodium salicylate in animal drinking water collected at poultry farms is presented here as an example to show that even in a simple matrix such as animal drinking water, fluorescence detection in some cases may provide inadequate specificity. Of 50 samples analysed by LC-Flu, 18 tested positive for sodium salicylate. However, only in one sample was the presence of the analyte confirmed with mass spectrometric detection; the others were blank. Consequently, the LC-Flu results obtained were false-non-compliant for sodium salicylate. A second case concerning the analysis of avermectins in milk by HLPC-Flu is briefly described. For a number of samples analysed in the framework of a proficiency test, false non-compliant results for emamectin were reported due to a background interference sometimes present that practically co-eluted with the analyte. The observed retention time difference (1%) was well below the criterion (2.5%) specified in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Considering the impact of positive findings on individual farmers as well as on trade, product image and food safety perception by the consumer, it is concluded that also for B-group substances false-non-compliant results should be avoided whenever possible. This is especially important when the results are treated as and are expected to have the same repercussions as in the case of banned A-group substances. In these circumstances, only results obtained by mass spectrometry should be considered for confirmatory purposes.

Wildlife Use of Water Catchments in Southwestern Arizona

Construction of water developments has been used as a wildlife-habitat improvement technique in desert environments since the 1940s. Use of water developments by wildlife has been described in anecdotal observations, through water-hole counts, and with triggered still-cameras, but few studies have directly quantified wildlife use. We used video surveillance equipment to document wildlife use of 3 water catchments located in the Sonoran Desert, southwestern Arizona, USA, from June 2000 to November 2003. For each visitation, we recorded time of day, season of use, and activities engaged in, and we correlated visits with temperature and relative humidity. We logged 37,989 observation hours and documented 34 species using the water catchments. Most of the species recorded visited water catchments year-round with use peaking during June and July. The number of visits by nongame species (i.e., bats, raptors, mammalian predators, and rodents) exceeded the number of visits by game species (mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus], doves [Zenaida spp.], and Gambel's quail [Callipepla gambelii]). Visitation frequency for turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), owls, diurnal raptors, mule deer, coyotes (Canis latrans), and other mammalian predators increased with temperature. Most visits culminated in the animal drinking water. Other activities recorded were bathing, consumption of plant material and carrion, and intraspecies and interspecies interactions. We recorded 8 predation attempts: 4 by avian predators and 4 by bobcats (Lynx rufus). Although we documented that a number of species frequented water catchments, our observations do not prove need. However, we believe our observations do provide support for constructing water catchments that can accommodate a wide diversity of species.

Investigating the post-chemiluminescence behavior of phenothiazine medications in the luminol–potassium ferricyanide system: molecular imprinting–post-chemiluminescence method for the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride

A new post-chemiluminescence (PCL) phenomenon was observed when phenothiazine medications were injected into the reaction mixture after the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of luminol and potassium ferricyanide had finished. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on studies of the kinetic characteristics of the CL, CL spectra, fluorescence spectra, and on other experiments. The feasibility of determining various phenothiazine medications by utilizing these PCL reactions was examined. A molecular imprinting-post-chemiluminescence (MI-PCL) method was established for the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride using a chlorpromazine hydrochloride-imprinted polymer (MIP) as the recognition material. The method displayed high selectivity and high sensitivity. The linear range of the method was 1.0 x 10(-8) approximately 1.0 x 10(-6), with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.9985. The detection limit was 3 x 10(-9) g/ml chlorpromazine hydrochloride, and the relative standard deviation for a 1.0 x 10(-7) g/ml chlorpromazine hydrochloride solution was 4.0% (n = 11). The method has been applied to the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride in urine and animal drinking water with satisfactory results.

The epidemiology of aplastic anemia in Thailand

Aplastic anemia has been linked to environmental exposures, from chemicals and medical drugs to infectious agents. The disease occurs more frequently in Asia than in the West, with incidence rates 2- to 3-fold higher. We report updated results of an epidemiologic study conducted in Thailand from 1989 to 2002, in which 541 patients and 2261 controls were enrolled. Exposures were determined by in-person interview. We observed significantly elevated relative risk estimates for benzene (3.5) and other solvents (2.0) and for sulfonamides (5.6), thiazides (3.8), and mebendazole (3.0). Chloramphenicol use was infrequent, and no significant association was observed. Agricultural pesticides were implicated in Khonkaen (northeastern Thailand). There were significant associations with organophosphates (2.1), DDT (6.7), and carbamates (7.4). We found significant risks for farmers exposed to ducks and geese (3.7) and a borderline association with animal fertilizer (2.1). There was a significant association in Khonkaen with drinking other than bottled or distilled water (2.8). Nonmedical needle exposure was associated in Bangkok and Khonkaen combined (3.8). Most striking was the large etiologic fraction in a rural region accounted for by animal exposures and drinking of water from sources such as wells, rural taps, and rainwater, consistent with an infectious etiology for many cases of aplastic anemia in Thailand.

Effect of social isolation on ethanol consumption and substance P/neurokinin expression in Wistar rats

Environmental factors, such as adverse life experiences and family/peer influences have a substantial influence on the development of disorders related to alcohol use. In animals, maternal or peer separation/isolation has been used as an environmental intervention that has been shown to alter neurodevelopment and influence drinking behaviors in rodents and primates. In this study, the effects of adult peer isolation on subsequent ethanol intake were investigated in Wistar rats. Because central tachykinin levels have been reported to differ between rats selected for enhanced ethanol preference, neuropeptide [neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP)] concentrations were also estimated. Lower levels of ethanol intake, in a two-bottle free-choice model, were observed on the first day of forced ethanol drinking in the single-housed animals. However, overall ethanol consumption was unaffected by peer isolation. Peer isolation significantly lowered SP and NKA levels in the hypothalamus, but this effect was not related to ethanol consumption or body weight. These data indicate that endogenous SP and neurokinin levels are reduced by isolation housing, but this was not associated with alterations in drinking levels using a two-bottle choice procedure.

Geology and Hydrogeology of The Area Confined Between Jabal Atshan and Wadi Qassab, South of Mosul

The area of this work is bounded by Jabal Atshan to the north and wadi Qassab to the south. The study is concentrated on the structure, stratigraphy, aqifers and aquicludes of the Fat`ha Formation from a data collected by many boreholes in the area. Six of these boreholes were periodically measured for groundwater level fluctuations as well as measurements of some hydraulic properties of the upper unconfined aquifer in two boreholes. Some of the physical properties of water such as pH, Ec, BOD5 , COD were performed for the period 15/12/2001-15/5/2002. The study revealed that there were four ground water levels representing four aquifers of different depths. Various water qualities in various boreholes were recorded depending on depths and rock types forming the aquifers. In the best cases, these waters must not used for drinking, but for irrigation to certain crops and animal drinking.