Red Back Research Articles

Canine Parvoviral Enteritis Mortality in Shelter Dogs Receiving Conventional Medical Therapy Compared to Integrative Treatment with the Chinese Herbal Medicine, Zhi Li Tang: A Pilot Study

Canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis is a contagious infection, which particularly affects young dogs, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in the canine population. This study sought to determine whether including the Chinese herbal medicine formula, Zhi Li Tang (ZLT, Red Back Door), in conjunction with conventional therapy can decrease mortality of shelter dogs with CPV enteritis. Nineteen canine subjects from a shelter population diagnosed with CPV enteritis were randomly assigned to a Control Group which received conventional supportive treatment, or an Integrative Treatment Group which received ZLT along with conventional supportive treatment. Study duration was 14 days unless the subject died, or all clinical signs associated with CPV enteritis had resolved. The outcome measurement was a binary response of mortality within the 14-day trial. In the Control Group, there was a 43% (3/7) mortality rate compared to 0% mortality in the Integrative Treatment Group (12/12, all dogs recovered) within the 14-day study period. All subjects that survived in both study groups had resolution of CPV clinical signs by the end of the study. Despite the small sample size in this pilot study, there was a statistically significant (p=0.036) improvement in survival for the dogs receiving Zhi Li Tang in addition to conventional therapy when compared to the dogs receiving conventional therapy only. The results from this study suggest integrating ZLT with conventional treatment of CPV enteritis could reduce mortality from CPV infections in shelter dogs. Further investigation of these findings with larger studies is needed to confirm study results.

The Effect of Latrodectus Venom and its Proteomic Functional Analyses

Only a small number of spiders worldwide have fangs that penetrate human skin. Their venom is strong enough to harm humans. Among them, Latrodectus has 30 species and Sicariidae has more than 140 species worldwide. The bite of Latrodectus also called red back spider contains a neurotoxin that causes a condition called latrodectism. The bite of this type of spider causes a condition called loxoscelism, in which local necrosis of the surrounding skin and extensive breakdown of red blood cells may occur. While there is antivenom for Latrodectus venom, the bite of this spider is similar to a state of anaphylaxis and thus it is not commonly used. In many reports of spider bites, it is unclear whether a spider bite really occurred. Historically, a number of conditions were attributed to spider bites. Although necrosis has been attributed to the bites of a number of spiders, good evidence supports this only for Sicariidae. This review provides an overview of the development of spider venom research, focusing on the structure and function of venom components and analysis techniques.

PHOTO EFFECT AND BIO-AUTOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF INTRACELLULAR ORANGE FLUORESCENT PIGMENT PRODUCED BY Bacillus endophyticus

Present study has focused on the effect of chemical (solvents) and physical (photo) conditions on pigment production and its bioactivity of intracellular orange fluorescent pigment (IOFP) extracted from soil bacterium Bacillus endophyticus. Standardization of pigment and its colour stability was confirmed by using different solvents (70% & 100% ethanol, hexane, heptane, ethyl acetate, acetone, petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and distilled water), photo conditions (Dark, U.V light and White light) on pigment production and its bio-activeness by antibacterial activity using agar cup plate method against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pyogenes and Listeria monocytogenes) and gram-negative (Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Shigella Flexneri and E.coli) human pathogens and purification of pigment by TLC coupled with bio-autographic studies. Acetone is proved to be the best solvent for extraction and the pigment was stable in all solvents without changing its colour except heptane. When compared to control (dark incubation) antibacterial activity of IOFP produced in U.V and W. Light was effective against all tested pathogens with slight differences in their antibacterial activity. TLC bio-autographic studies reveal that the separated pure band shows clear zone of inhibition under red back ground of live cells stating that, the compound is active against human bacterial pathogens. Hence this study concludes that, the production and biological activity of the IOFP was independent of light incubation, and TLC guided bio-autographic approach offers a rapid detection technique that avoids the testing of purified fraction once again.

Body-color plasticity of the English grain aphid in response to light in both laboratory and field conditions

The occurrence of different color patterns in a population of a species can depend on genetic variations or plasticity to environmental conditions. Body color variation is under selection because it is involved in several ecological processes such as camouflage for prey-predator interactions or resistance to environmental variations. Among insects, aphids are known to produce different body-color morphs depending on their biotic and abiotic environments and their bacterial endosymbionts. The English-grain aphid (EGA) Sitobion avenae produces both red and green morphs in cereal fields. Using both field studies on the Canadian prairies (Saskatchewan) and laboratory experiments, we aimed to study the mechanisms that trigger plasticity in body coloration to better understand the ecological role of body coloration and color-change evolved by animals, including aphids. We first analyzed green and red morph EGA distribution on wheat ears in different fields and showed that red aphids were mostly located at the top of the ear and green aphids at the bottom. Then, using DNA sequencing, we showed that red and green morphs did not strongly differ in their bacterial endosymbiont composition and abundances. Finally, using a climate-chamber setup in the laboratory, we highlighted that EGA body-coloration is under light-intensity control and that it is possible to turn aphids from red back to green within a few days, and from green back to red within a couple of weeks (low-to-high and high-to-low light intensities, respectively). Light-intensity-controlled color-change likely results in adaptive plasticity in response to shifts in environmental conditions that can occur over the lifespan of an aphid, and is fully reversible, even at the adult stage.

SELECTION AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FOXES AT CAGE BREEDING

SELECTION AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FOXES AT CAGE BREEDING

DISCOVERY OF A REDBACK MILLISECOND PULSAR CANDIDATE: 3FGL J0212.1+5320

ABSTRACT We present a multiwavelength study of the unidentified Fermi object, 3FGL J0212.1+5320. Within the 95% error ellipse, Chandra detects a bright X-ray source (i.e., erg cm−2 s−1) that has a low-mass optical counterpart ( and K). A clear ellipsoidal modulation is shown in optical/infrared at 20.87 hr. The gamma-ray properties of 3FGL J0212.1+5320 are all consistent with that of a millisecond pulsar (MSP), suggesting that it is a γ-ray redback (RB) MSP binary with a low-mass companion filling ⪆64% of the Roche lobe. If confirmed, it will be an RB binary with one of the longest orbital periods known. Spectroscopic data taken in 2015 from the Lijiang observatory show no evidence of strong emission lines, revealing that the accretion is currently inactive (the rotation-powered pulsar state). This is consistent with the low X-ray luminosities ( erg s−1) and the possible X-ray modulation seen by Chandra and Swift. Considering that the X-ray luminosity and the high X-ray-to-γ-ray flux ratio (8%) are both comparable to those of the two known γ-ray transitional MSPs, we suspect that 3FGL J0212.1+5320 could be a potential target to search for future transition to the accretion active state.

Testosterone activates sexual dimorphism including male-typical carotenoid but not melanin plumage pigmentation in a female bird.

In males it is frequently testosterone (T) that activates the expression of sexually selected morphological and behavioral displays, but the role of T in regulating similar traits in females is less clear. Here, we combine correlational data with results from T and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) manipulations in both sexes to assess the role of T in mediating sexually dimorphic coloration and morphology in the red-backed fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus). We show that: (1) natural variation in female expression of ornamental traits (darkened bills and red back feathers) is positively associated with age and circulating androgen titres, (2) females have the capacity to express most male-typical traits in response to exogenous T, including carotenoid-pigmented body plumage, shorter feathers, darkened bill and enlarged cloacal protuberance, but (3) appear constrained in production of male-typical melanin-pigmented plumage, and (4) low androgen levels during the pre-nuptial molt, probably because of low ovarian capacity for steroid production (or luteinizing hormone sensitivity), prevent females from developing male-like ornamentation. Thus, females appear to retain molecular mechanisms for hormonally regulated male-typical ornamentation, although these are rarely activated because of insufficient production of the hormonal signal.

2011年から2013年の日本におけるセアカゴケグモの分布およ び咬傷の拡大（英文）

2011年から2013年の日本におけるセアカゴケグモの分布およ び咬傷の拡大（英文）

MAINTAINING TABLE GRAPE QUALITY BY APPLYING QUARANTINE TREATMENTS DURING COOLING

‘Red Globe’, ‘Thompson Seedless’ and ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapes were picked directly into ventilated polystyrene boxes and chilled for 6-8 h to approximately 20°C before being fumigated with 52.6 g m-3 ethyl formate + 21.6% carbon dioxide to treat external pests and stages likely to be found in harvested produce: 1st-3rd instar light brown apple moth and red back spiders; long-tailed mealy bug crawlers; adult two spotted spider mites, plague thrips and western flower thrips. Fumigation was applied for 2.5 h at 21°C in a refrigerated shipping container (68 m3) while cooling to 15°C. Cooling was continued to 1 and 2°C for 16 and 18 days, respectively to simulate control of Mediterranean and Queensland fruit flies. The results show that pests in harvested grapes can be killed and optimum fruit quality maintained in the cool chain.

Calibrating abundance indices with population size estimators of red back salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in a New England forest.

Herpetologists and conservation biologists frequently use convenient and cost-effective, but less accurate, abundance indices (e.g., number of individuals collected under artificial cover boards or during natural objects surveys) in lieu of more accurate, but costly and destructive, population size estimators to detect and monitor size, state, and trends of amphibian populations. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach, reliable use of abundance indices requires that they be calibrated with accurate population estimators. Such calibrations, however, are rare. The red back salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is an ecologically useful indicator species of forest dynamics, and accurate calibration of indices of salamander abundance could increase the reliability of abundance indices used in monitoring programs. We calibrated abundance indices derived from surveys of P. cinereus under artificial cover boards or natural objects with a more accurate estimator of their population size in a New England forest. Average densities/m2 and capture probabilities of P. cinereus under natural objects or cover boards in independent, replicate sites at the Harvard Forest (Petersham, Massachusetts, USA) were similar in stands dominated by Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) and deciduous hardwood species (predominantly Quercus rubra [red oak] and Acer rubrum [red maple]). The abundance index based on salamanders surveyed under natural objects was significantly associated with density estimates of P. cinereus derived from depletion (removal) surveys, but underestimated true density by 50%. In contrast, the abundance index based on cover-board surveys overestimated true density by a factor of 8 and the association between the cover-board index and the density estimates was not statistically significant. We conclude that when calibrated and used appropriately, some abundance indices may provide cost-effective and reliable measures of P. cinereus abundance that could be used in conservation assessments and long-term monitoring at Harvard Forest and other northeastern USA forests.

Putting the Red Back in Redfish Lake, 20 Years of Progress Toward Saving the Pacific Northwest's Most Endangered Salmon Population

ABSTRACTIn November 1991, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service listed Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The last known remnants of the Snake River stock return to Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Valley in central Idaho. In the ensuing two decades since the ESA listing, many actions have been taken to conserve the population, including the initiation of a hatchery‐based gene rescue program. The chief aim of this article is to describe the development and implementation of hatchery‐based gene rescue activities, review present‐day release strategies and associated adult returns, and describe a new effort underway to expand program production to more effectively address recolonization and local adaptation objectives. In addition, we describe achievable population triggers to allow the transition from a hatchery‐based effort to a habitat‐based effort that should allow natural population recovery to proceed.

Development and industrial application of ultra-fast cooling technology

A new-generation TMCP(NG-TMCP) with ultra fast cooling(UFC) as core technique was suggested instead of the conventional TMCP in which some problems are to be solved. And the ultra fast cooling technology has been successfully applied to the plate rolling production in Shouqin Metal Materials Co. Ltd. Industrial trials are reported for the production of X70 pipeline steels (about 70000 t) under UFC conditions. Pipeline steels with reasonably good properties have been produced on an industrial scale. UFC can improve the temperature uniformity, the mechanical properties and the plate profile of X70 pipeline steel. The performance features of the trial plates can meet the standard of X70 pipeline steel. Spot test results have shown that the qualification rate of shape control, the performance and charpy impact properties for the trial plates are 95%, 97% and 98%, respectively. The impact values of X70 pipeline steel at UFC mode exceed the standard requirements of X80 pipeline steel. The productivity is enhanced because cutting quantity of head and tail of the plate is reduced. The enhancement of control accuracy of the red back temperatures is favorable for industrial production of X70 pipeline steel. The reduced production of the steel-making has been industrially achieved, since a new composition was designed by reducing the vanadium content to less than 0.045 wt.%.

Sexually Selected Male Plumage Color Is Testosterone Dependent in a Tropical Passerine Bird, the Red-Backed Fairy-Wren (Malurus melanocephalus)

BackgroundSexual signals, such as bright plumage coloration in passerine birds, reflect individual quality, and testosterone (T) may play a critical role in maintaining signal honesty. Manipulations of T during molt have yielded mixed effects on passerine plumage color, in most cases delaying molt or leading to production of drab plumage. However, the majority of these studies have been conducted on species that undergo a post-nuptial molt when T is low; the role of T in species that acquire breeding plumage during a pre-nuptial molt remains largely unexplored.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe experimentally tested the effects of increased T on plumage color in second-year male red-backed fairy-wrens (Malurus melanocephalus), a species in which after-second-year males undergo a pre-nuptial molt into red/black (carotenoid and melanin-based) plumage and second-year males either assume red/black or brown breeding plumage. T treatment stimulated a rapid and early onset pre-nuptial molt and resulted in red/black plumage acquisition, bill darkening, and growth of the sperm storage organ, but had no effect on body condition or corticosterone concentrations. Control males molted later and assumed brown plumage. T treated males produced feathers with similar but not identical reflectance parameters to those of unmanipulated after-second-year red/black males; while reflectance spectra of red back and black crown feathers were similar, black breast feathers differed in UV chroma, hue and brightness, indicating a potentially age and plumage patch-dependent response to T for melanin- vs. carotenoid-pigmentation.Conclusions/SignificanceWe show that testosterone is the primary mechanism functioning during the pre-nuptial molt to regulate intrasexually variable plumage color and breeding phenotype in male red-backed fairy-wrens. Our results suggest that the effects of T on plumage coloration may vary with timing of molt (pre- vs. post-nuptial), and that the role of T in mediating plumage signal production may differ across age classes, plumage patches, and between pigment-types.

Industrial Trial Production of X70 Pipeline Steel under Ultra Fast Cooling Conditions

A successful ultra fast cooling (UFC) technology has been applied to the plate rolling production line in Shouqin Metal Materials Co.Ltd.. Industrial trials are reported for the production of X70 pipeline steels (about 70000 t) under UFC conditions. Pipeline steels with reasonably good properties have been produced on an industrial scale. UFC improves the temperature uniformity, the mechanical properties and the plate profile of X70 pipeline steel. The impact values of X70 pipeline steel at UFC mode exceed the standard requirements of X80 pipeline steel. The productivity is enhanced because cutting quantity of head and tail of the plate is reduced. The enhancement of control accuracy of the red back temperatures is favorable for industrial production of X70 pipeline steel. The reduced production of the steel-making has been industrialized achieved, since a new composition was designed by reducing the vanadium content to less than 0.045wt.%.

Tushonka: Cultivating Soviet Postwar Taste

Tushonka: Cultivating Soviet Postwar Taste

Finding on a chest radiograph: A dangerous complication of subclavian vein cannulation

Cannulation of the subclavian vein has its inherent risks. Post procedure chest radiograph is one of the investigations done to rule out immediate complications. Unless the clinician is aware as to what to look for in the radiograph, some of the dangerous complications can be overlooked. Accidental subclavian artery cannulation is identifi ed immediately by color and jet of the blood. Also the position of the catheter tip has to be confi rmed by obtaining the arterial pressure tracing using a pressure transducer. Non availability of Doppler ultrasound and pressure transducer are limiting factors for immediate confi rmation of proper catheter placement. Also, in patients with severe hypotension and reduced oxygen content of blood, accidental arterial puncture may not show the characteristic bright red pulsatile back fl ow of arterial blood. In these situations radiography can be used as a diagnostic tool to rule out subclavian artery cannulation.

B12 大阪府におけるセアカゴケグモ生息密度と咬症例について(第59回日本衛生動物学会大会特集)

B12 大阪府におけるセアカゴケグモ生息密度と咬症例について(第59回日本衛生動物学会大会特集)

Big Things

Big Things

Algogenic and systemic effects of venom gland extract from the red back widow spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) in mice

Algogenic and systemic effects of venom gland extract from the red back widow spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) in mice

B27 地理情報システムによる大阪府におけるセアカゴケグモの分布解析

B27 地理情報システムによる大阪府におけるセアカゴケグモの分布解析