Significant Reduction In Population Research Articles

Field evaluation of selected botanicals and commercial synthetic insecticides against Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) populations and predators in onion field plots

The effectiveness of three botanical insecticides (neem, datura and bitter apple), and three new chemistry synthetic insecticides (acephate, spirotetramat and spinetoram) against onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) was evaluated in experimental field plots at university of Sargodha, Pakistan. The influence of these botanical and chemical insecticides on natural predators and crop yield was simultaneously investigated. All the botanicals and chemical insecticides tested caused significant reductions (45–70%) in thrips populations; the botanicals gave more than 60% control of thrips, while among chemical insecticides, acephate was found to be the most effective followed by spirotetramat and spinetoram, respectively, and these insecticides gave better control than the botanicals. The adverse effects of the botanicals on predator populations were negligible compared to the chemical insecticides. All chemical treatments resulted in a significantly higher yield compared to the untreated control. The botanicals and chemical insecticides became less effective by 7 days after treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that treatment with botanical or chemical insecticides should be repeated weekly consecutively at least three times to keep thrips populations below economic injury levels until crop maturity.

Management of Seed Mycoflora of Mesta (<i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>) by Seed Washing, Garlic Extract and Knowin

Mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is one of the important fibre crops having worldwide acceptance. The crop was found to susceptible to a number of seed and seedling disease causal pathogens; most of them were seed-borne in nature. Germination of seeds and seed-borne fungi were recorded using standard blotter method which varied significantly among different treatments ranged from 84% to 97.33%. The highest (97.33%) germination was found in case seed washed with water and then treated with garlic extract (1 : 1) and washing of seeds with water followed by treating with Knowin 50 WP. Nine different fungi were detected in samples of mesta seeds in using standard blotter method. The fungi were Macrophomina phaseolina, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum corchori, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium spp., Aspergillus favus, A. niger, Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. The finding of the study revealed that seed washing with water followed by seed treatment with garlic extract (1 : 1) or Knowin 50 WP (0.2%) resulted significant reduction of seed-borne fungal population and enhancing seeding vigor.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.18424 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 1 - 7, 2013

Antimicrobial behavior of Cu-bearing Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

The antimicrobial behavior of Cu-bearing Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) was investigated for the first time against the Gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus to evaluate their potential applications in healthcare settings. Despite their lack of bacteria-killing effect under a relatively severe experimental setting of dynamic immersion, the biocidal potency of the two Zr-based BMGs was demonstrated via a moist contact assay. There was a significant reduction in viable bacterial populations after 4h of contact on the Zr-based BMGs, which was evidenced by the pronounced reduction in viable bacterial populations. To understand the mechanism of cell death, a direct relationship was established between the killing efficiency and the ability of the substrate to release Cu ions. Findings in this study will direct the future design of antimicrobial BMGs with enhanced killing efficacy.

Direct and residual effect of herbicides on weed dynamics and productivity of soybean (Glycine max) -wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment aimed to evaluate the bio-efficacy of new low dose herbicides applied in soybean and their residual effect on succeeding wheat was conducted during 2007-08 and 2008-09 at New Delhi. Results revealed that in soybean, post-emergence application of imazethapyr (100 g/ha) was more effective against Trianthema portulacastrum, Commelina benghalensis, Digitaria sanguinalis and Dactyloctenium aegyptium but pendimethalin (1500 g/ha) against Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Digitaria sanguinalis and Trianthema portulacastrum. Chlorimuron-ethyl provided effective control of broad-leaved weeds but failed to control grasses and sedges. Application of imazethapyr (100 g/ha) increased the seed yield of soybean by 66.49% over weedy check. Herbicidal application significantly suppressed the microbial population at 30 DAS which recovered at the harvest of soybean. The residual effect of chlorimuron-ethyl (6-12 g/ha) and imazethapyr (50-100 g/ha) applied in soybean resulted in significant reduction in population of all major weeds except Avena ludoviciana in wheat grown in rotation. No injury to wheat plant was observed due to residues of chlorimuron-ethyl (6-12 g/ha) and imazethapyr (50-100 g/ha) and other herbicides applied in soybean.

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Abexinostat Induces Cancer Stem Cells Differentiation in Breast Cancer with Low Xist Expression

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are the tumorigenic cell population that has been shown to sustain tumor growth and to resist conventional therapies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) as anti-CSC therapies. We evaluated the effect of the HDACi compound abexinostat on CSCs from 16 breast cancer cell lines (BCL) using ALDEFLUOR assay and tumorsphere formation. We performed gene expression profiling to identify biomarkers predicting drug response to abexinostat. Then, we used patient-derived xenograft (PDX) to confirm, in vivo, abexinostat treatment effect on breast CSCs according to the identified biomarkers. We identified two drug-response profiles to abexinostat in BCLs. Abexinostat induced CSC differentiation in low-dose sensitive BCLs, whereas it did not have any effect on the CSC population from high-dose sensitive BCLs. Using gene expression profiling, we identified the long noncoding RNA Xist (X-inactive specific transcript) as a biomarker predicting BCL response to HDACi. We validated that low Xist expression predicts drug response in PDXs associated with a significant reduction of the breast CSC population. Our study opens promising perspectives for the use of HDACi as a differentiation therapy targeting the breast CSCs and identified a biomarker to select patients with breast cancer susceptible to responding to this treatment.

Eremophila glabra reduces methane production and methanogen populations when fermented in a Rusitec

Eremophila glabra Juss. (Scrophulariaceae), a native Australian shrub, has been demonstrated to have low methanogenic potential in a batch in vitro fermentation system. The present study aimed to test longer-term effects of E. glabra on rumen fermentation characteristics, particularly methane production and the methanogen population, when included as a component of a fermentation substrate in an in vitro continuous culture system (Rusitec). E. glabra was included at 150, 250, 400 g/kg DM (EG15, EG25, and EG40) with an oaten chaff and lupin-based substrate (control). Overall, the experiment lasted 33 days, with 12 days of acclimatization, followed by two periods during which fermentation characteristics (total gas, methane and VFA productions, dry matter disappearance, pH) were measured. The number of copies of genes specifically associated with total bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria (16S rRNA gene) and total ruminal methanogenic archaeal organisms (the methyl coenzyme M reductase A gene (mcrA)) was also measured during this time using quantitative real-time PCR. Total gas production, methane and volatile fatty acid concentrations were significantly reduced with addition of E. glabra. At the end of the experiment, the overall methane reduction was 32% and 45% for EG15 and EG25 respectively, compared to the control, and the reduction was in a dose-dependent manner. Total bacterial numbers did not change, but the total methanogen population decreased by up to 42.1% (EG40) when compared to the control substrate. The Fibrobacter succinogenes population was reduced at all levels of E. glabra, while Ruminococcus albus was reduced only by EG40. Our results indicate that replacing a portion of a fibrous substrate with E. glabra maintained a significant reduction in methane production and methanogen populations over three weeks in vitro, with some minor inhibition on overall fermentation at the lower inclusion levels.

Definition of the Variables Affecting Efficacy of Immunodepletion Ex Vivo of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Grafts by Alemtuzumab (Campath in the Bag)

The immunodepleting effects of alemtuzumab on peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) grafts for stem cell transplantation need to be better defined. The optimal graft cell concentration, antibody dose, need for complement, and whether alemtuzumab is infused with the graft during transplantation remain unclear. PBPC from 6 normal allogeneic stem cell donors harvested by apheresis were first quantitated and the cellular content defined by flow cytometry. Mononuclear cells were then incubated with incremental concentrations of alemtuzumab (.00001, .0001, .001, and .01 mg/mL) for 30 minutes at 20°C or in cell dose responses with 1, 5, and 10 × 106 mononuclear cells/mL added to a fixed dose of .001 mg/mL of alemtuzumab with or without a source of complement. Cells were enumerated and analyzed by flow cytometry before and after exposure to alemtuzumab. To determine the presence of unbound anti-CD52, the supernatant of the cell dose responses were tested using the ELISA assay. Selected CD34+ lineage-negative cells were incubated with antibody at the same working concentrations and conditions and cultured in granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit assay. The colony numbers were compared with control cultures devoid of the antibody. Incremental concentrations of alemtuzumab led to a significant (2 log) reduction in CD3, CD4, and CD8 populations, which plateaued at .001 mg/mL. Addition of complement led to a further significant reduction in the CD4 and CD8 cells. The maximum CD4 (3 log) and CD8 (2 log) cell death was obtained at 10 × 106 cells/mL. Analysis of supernatants for soluble alemtuzumab by ELISA showed a significant reduction in the free antibody concentration when the cell number was increased from 1 to 10 × 106 cells/mL implying utilization/binding of the antibody by target cells. Incremental concentrations of alemtuzumab did not affect the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units. Alemtuzumab depletes all cells expressing the CD52 antigen and has higher activity on CD3, CD8, and particularly on CD4 cells, which are depleted in excess of 2 logs. From this study, we were able to derive that the optimal cell kill in the graft without detectable free alemtuzumab in the supernatant can be achieved with 1 mg of antibody per 100 mL containing 10 × 109 cells and active complement (AB serum).

Erratum to: Effect of Broodlac Treatment with Insecticides on Population Reduction of Predators and Parasitoids of Lac Insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr)

Laboratory evaluation was carried out to assess the efficacy of eight insecticides namely indoxacarb, fipronil, spinosad, ethofenprox, endosulfan, bifenthrin, lambdacyhalothrin and carbosulfan on two most prevalent lac insect parasitoids (Tachardiaephagus tachardiae and Eupelmus tachardiae) and two key predators (Eublemma amabilis and Pseudohypatopa pulverea) of lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) by dipping of broodlac (seed material) in insecticidal solution. Broodlac dipping in insecticidal solution of indoxacarb (0.007 and 0.014 %), fipronil (0.005 %), spinosad (0.005 %), ethofenprox (0.02 %), and endosulfan (0.05 %) for 10 and 15 min caused significant reduction in the population of parasitoids and predators over control without showing any adverse effect on emergence and survival of lac insect. The reduction in emergence of E. amabilis and P. pulverea varied from 20.90 to 98.51 % and 66.67 to 93.33 %, respectively with the dipping of broodlac for 10 min and 83.58–100 % and 93–100 %, respectively with the dipping of broodlac for 15 min. Per cent reduction to the tune of 50.80–91.13 and 5.06–96.73 was recorded with respect of E. tachardiae and T. tachardiae, respectively with dipping of broodlac for 10 min and 77.60–100 and 29.95–98.62, respectively with the dipping of broodlac for 15 min in insecticidal solutions. These insecticides at the recommended concentrations can be safely and effectively used for improvement of broodlac quality in terms of reduced population of parasitoids and predators harbouring in the broodlac prior to inoculation on new trees without any harmful effect on lac insect. Bifenthrin (0.002 %), lambdacyhalothrin (0.005 %) and carbosulfan (0.01 %) though causes significant reduction in population of parasitoids and predators but survival of lac insect was also adversely affected hence cannot be recommended for treatment of broodlac. Furthermore, in view of ban imposed on the use of endosulfan it cannot be recommended. Therefore, selective insecticides namely indoxacarb, fipronil, spinosad and ethofenprox can be safely and effectively used for the treatment of broodlac.

Chest X‐ray screening for lung cancer: Overdiagnosis, endpoints, and randomized population trials

Publication of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) generated excitement by concluding that CT screening reduces lung cancer mortality when compared to chest X-ray (CXR) screening. In contrast, CXR screening has long been considered to be ineffective. This is because randomized population trials (RPTs) have failed to demonstrate significant mortality reductions in populations randomized to CXR screening. While these studies demonstrate that CXR screening is associated with significant survival advantages, these advantages have been widely interpreted as spurious, due to the inference that CXR screening leads to substantial lung cancer overdiagnosis. Indeed, the reality of the overdiagnosis hypothesis is the only alternative to the conclusion that CXR screening was effective in these trials and that survival more accurately reflected the benefit of CXR screening than mortality. Mortality comparisons would be biased if randomization fails to create comparison groups with an equal probability of mortality from the target cancer. The objective of this manuscript is to review existing RPTs on CXR screening for lung cancer, and to analyze which endpoint most accurately reflects screening efficacy. We conclude that the evidence supports that CXR screening is superior to no screening, and the magnitude of overdiagnosis is minimal in the context of CXR screening.

VIRAL DISEASES OF WHEAT AND THEIR MAIN CARRIER IN THE CONDITIONS OF LOWER VOLGA

Of numerous diseases of agricultural plants, the viral and mycoplasmal diseases cause the biggest losses. The most widespread wheat viral diseases in lower Volga are the Russian winter wheat mosaic, mosaic of awnless brome, barley yellow dwarf and wheat pale green dwarf, the last one caused by a my-coplasma infection. The large majority of phytopathogenic viruses are distributed by insect vectors, which, as a rule, are virus-specific and often provide not only the transfer of virus particles but also their long-time keeping, multiplication and virulence rising. The presented investigations in 2010-2011 suggested that high amount of leafhoppers, their virus-carrying, and also favorable weather conditions are basic factors for the spreading of viral infection on wheat plants. The dynamics of leafhoppers number was investigated on two winter wheat varieties and two spring ones, the degree of development of complex viral diseases on culture was studied. It was shown that in 2011 significant reduction of carrier population (as compared with 2010) resulted in decrease of preva-lence of viral infection both on spring and winter wheat. Both on spring and winter wheat the first symptoms of infection can be already observed at tillering. At the earing phase the majority of infected plants does not form the ear or are lost entirely. Keywords: wheat, virus diseases, insect vector.

Effect of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Diet on Patient Outcomes

To report a case of left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and bilateral pulmonary embolisms in a patient who initiated the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) diet 2 weeks prior to presentation. A 64-year-old white female presented with leg swelling and shortness of breath. Lower extremity ultrasound revealed left leg DVT, and a computed tomography angiogram revealed bilateral pulmonary embolisms. A complete history and physical examination were unremarkable for any risk factors for acute thrombosis, with the exception of the initiation of the HCG diet approximately 2 weeks prior to presentation; the patient was taking 20 sublingual drops of HCG twice daily. Results of her hypercoagulable workup were negative. Upon admission, therapy was started with enoxaparin 120 mg subcutaneously twice daily and warfarin 5 mg orally once daily. According to the Naranjo probability scale, initiation of the HCG diet was a probable cause of our patient's adverse effects. The HCG diet has very few efficacy studies and no significant safety studies associated with its use. Six relevant studies were identified for assessment of efficacy, and only 1 was associated with a significant weight reduction in the HCG diet study population. All of these studies evaluated the use of the HCG diet via injections of the hormone and significant calorie restriction, which is known as the Simeons method. Currently marketed HCG products include sublingual drops, lozenges, and pellets, but none of these methods has an evidence-based efficacy and safety standard. As popularity of the HCG diet continues to increase, so do the potential adverse events associated with the management of weight loss via an unproven strategy. Patient safety information regarding this dieting strategy should be recognized by medical professionals.

Effect of ultrasound on different quality parameters of apple juice

Fresh apple juice treated with ultrasound (for 0, 30, 60 and 90min, at 20°C, 25kHz frequency) was evaluated for different physico-chemical, Hunter color values, cloud value, antioxidant capacity, scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and microbial characteristics. No significant effect of sonication was observed on pH, total soluble solids (°Brix) and titratable acidity of apple juice. Sonication significantly improved ascorbic acid, cloud value, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and differences in Hunter color values. Moreover, significant reduction in microbial population was observed. Findings of the present study suggested that sonication treatment could improve the quality of apple juice. It may successfully be employed for the processing of apple juice with improved quality and safety from consumer’s health point of view.

Experimental evaluation of Candonocypris novaezelandiae (Crustacea: Ostracoda) in the biocontrol of Schistosomiasis mansoni transmission

ObjectiveTo test Candonocypris novaezelandiae (Baird) (C. novaezelandiae), sub-class Ostracoda, obtained from the Nile, Egypt for its predatory activity on snail, Biomphalaria alexandrina (B. alexandrina), intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) and on the free-living larval stages of this parasite (miracidia and cercariae). MethodsThe predatory activity of C. novaezelandiae was determined on B. alexandrina snail (several densities of eggs, newly hatched and juveniles). This activity was also determined on S. mansoni miracidia and cercariae using different volumes of water and different numbers of larvae. C. novaezelandiae was also tested for its effect on infection of snails and on the cercarial production. ResultsC. novaezelandiae was found to feed on the eggs, newly hatched and juvenile snails, but with significant reduction in the consumption in the presence of other diet like the blue green algae (Nostoc muscorum). This ostracod also showed considerable predatory activity on the free-living larval stages of S. mansoni which was affected by certain environmental factors such as volume of water, density of C. novaezelandiae and number of larvae of the parasite. ConclusionsThe presence of this ostracod in the aquatic habitat led to significant reduction of snail population, infection rate of snails with schistosme miracidia as well as of cercarial production from the infected snails. This may suggest that introducing C. novaezelandiae into the habitat at schistosome risky sites could suppress the transmission of the disease.

Cinnamon Oil Nanoemulsion Formulation by Ultrasonic Emulsification: Investigation of Its Bactericidal Activity

Cinnamon oil (extracted from Cinnamomum zeylanicum) nanoemulsion was formulated using Tween 80 and water by ultrasonic emulsification. Process of nanoemulsion formulation was optimized for parameters such as surfactant concentration, oil-surfactant mixing ratio and emulsification time. Surfactant concentration was found to be inversely related to droplet size and directly related to stability. Increase in emulsification time resulted in decrease in droplet diameter. Stable cinnamon oil formulation (CF3) having droplet diameter of 65 nm was formulated after sonication for 30 min. Formulated nanoemulsion was evaluated for bactericidal efficacy against Bacillus cereus. Time and concentration dependent killing of B. cereus cells was observed upon treatment with nanoemulsion. Even at a higher dilution of CF3, significant reduction in bacterial population was observed. Alteration in membrane permeability of interacted samples was suggested by quantifying the release of UV absorbing materials. Bacterial staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide supported kinetics of killing data and also substantiated the above findings of alteration in membrane permeability. FTIR illustrated disappearance of peak corresponding phosphate vibration at 1078 cm(-1) and 536 cm(-1), and peak associated with vibration of acyl chains of lipid at 2852 cm(-1) was shifted to 2854 cm(-1) which suggested deformation of membrane phospholipids in nanoemulsion treated cells. SEM observations demonstrated membrane distortion leading to cell lysis. These results propose the potential use of cinnamon oil nanoemulsion for preservation of minimally processed food.

Surge of Dengue Virus Infection and Chikungunya Fever in Bali in 2010: The Burden of Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases in a Tourist Destination

Labor flow and travelers are important factors contributing to the spread of Dengue virus infection and chikungunya fever. Bali Province of Indonesia, a popular resort and tourist destination, has these factors and suffers from mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Using area study approach, a series of fieldwork was conducted in Bali to obtain up-to-date primary disease data, to learn more about public health measures, and to interview health officers, hotel personnel, and other resource persons. The national data including information on two other provinces were obtained for comparison. The health ministry reported 5,810 and 11,697 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Bali in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Moreover, two densely populated tourist areas and one district have shown a particularly high incidence and sharp increases in 2010. Cases of chikungunya fever reported in Bali more than doubled in 2010 from the previous year. Our findings suggest that Bali can benefit from a significant reduction in vector populations and dissemination of disease preventive knowledge among both local residents and foreign visitors. This will require a concerted and trans-border approach, which may prove difficult in the province.

COCCIDIAN AND NEMATODE INFECTIONS INFLUENCE PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODY TO MYXOMA AND RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUSES IN EUROPEAN RABBITS

The interaction among several parasites in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is crucial to host fitness and to the epidemiology of myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease. These diseases have caused significant reductions in rabbit populations on the Iberian Peninsula. Most studies have focused on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these viruses individually, and little is known about interactions between these viruses and other parasites. Taking advantage of an experimental restocking program in Spain, the effects of coccidian and nematode infections on the probability of having detectable antibody to myxoma and rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses were tested in European wild rabbits. For 14 mo, we monitored rabbit abundance and parasite loads (coccidia and nematodes) in three reintroduced rabbit populations. While coccidian and nematode loads explained seasonal antibody prevalences to myxoma virus, the pattern was less clear for rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Contrary to expectations, prevalence of antibody to myxoma virus was inversely proportional to coccidian load, while nematode load seemed to play a minor role. These results have implications for viral disease epidemiology and for disease management intended to increase rabbit populations in areas where they are important for ecosystem conservation.

Effect of kosher salt application on microbial profiles of poultry carcasses

The effect of conventionally applied kosher salt on the microbiological profile of posteviscerated chicken carcasses obtained from a local commercial processing facility was evaluated. The broiler carcasses were divided into treatments 1 through 8. Standard sampling methods were used to evaluate Salmonella prevalence, aerobic plate counts, coliforms, generic Escherichia coli, and psychrotroph counts. Results indicate significant reductions in microbial populations in all the salted groups compared with controls. Significant reductions (1.45, 2.31, 2.81, and 1.48 log cfu/mL of rinse) were obtained for aerobic plate count (APC), coliforms, generic E. coli, and psychrotroph counts, respectively, on prechill salt-treated carcasses compared with controls. Salt-treated carcasses sampled after chilling had lower microbial populations compared with control chilled samples with significant reductions in coliforms and generic E. coli (1.25 and 1.77 log, respectively). Salt-treated samples had lower counts on APC and psychrotrophs after 10 d of refrigerated storage compared with controls. Finally, drip loss of salt-treated carcasses was lower after 24 h compared with nontreated controls. Based on the results, it can be concluded that salting process is an effective contributor to microbial reductions during processing that needs further investigation as a possible intervention in commercial poultry processing settings.

Phenolic Composition, Fermentation Profile, Protozoa Population and Methane Production from Sheanut (Butryospermum Parkii) Byproducts In vitro.

Sheanut cake (SNC), expeller (SNE) and solvent extractions (SNSE) samples were evaluated to determine their suitability in animal feeding. The CP content was highest in SNSE (16.2%) followed by SNE (14.7%) and SNC (11.6%). However, metabolizable energy (ME, MJ/kg) was maximum in SNC (8.2) followed by SNE (7.9) and SNSE (7.0). The tannin phenol content was about 7.0 per cent and mostly in the form of hydrolyzable tannin (HT), whereas condensed tannin (CT) was less than one per cent. The in vitro gas production profiles indicated similar y max (maximum potential of gas production) among the 3 by-products. However, the rate of degradation (k) was maximum in SNC followed by SNE and SNSE. The t1/2 (time taken for reaching half asymptote) was lowest in SNC (14.4 h) followed by SNE (18.7 h) and SNSE (21.9 h). The increment in the in vitro gas volume (ml/200 mg DM) with PEG (polyethylene glycol)-6000 (as a tannin binder) addition was 12.0 in SNC, 9.6 in SNE and 11.0 in SNSE, respectively. The highest ratio of CH4 (ml) reduction per ml of the total gas, an indicator of the potential of tannin, was recorded in SNE (0.482) followed by SNC (0.301) and SNSE (0.261). There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in entodinia population and total protozoa population. Differential protozoa counts revealed that Entodinia populations increased to a greater extent than Holotricha when PEG was added. This is the first report on the antimethanogenic property of sheanut byproducts. It could be concluded that all the three forms of SN byproducts are medium source of protein and energy for ruminants. There is a great potential for SN by-products to be incorporated in ruminant feeding not only as a source of energy and protein, but also to protect the protein from rumen degradation and suppress enteric methanogenesis.

Implications of cytochrome 450 isoenzymes, aryl-esterase and oxonase activity in the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase of Chirostoma jordani treated with phosphorothionate pesticides

Organophosphate pesticides must be metabolized by cytochrome-P450 isoenzymes such CYP 2C19 as CYP 3A4 to induce neurotoxicity, but damage apparently depends on the activity of aryl esterases of the oxonase type that are involved in detoxication of these compounds. However, information on this subject is not available in fish. Chirostoma jordani has sustained significant population reductions, probably due to changes in land-use as well as pesticide impact; nevertheless, no specific studies demonstrating this are available. This study shows for the first time that the activity of cytochrome-P450 isoenzymes (CYP 2B6, CYP 2C19, CYP 3A4) in C. jordani is involved in diazinon and chlorpyrifos bioactivation. However, higher toxicity of chlorpyrifos cannot be explained solely because its bioactivation. Differences in toxicity between both pesticides are due to the activity of aryl esterases and oxonases that are responsible for oxon detoxication. Both hepatic enzymes metabolize diazoxon more efficiently than chlorpyrifos oxon. At lethal concentrations, detoxication is particularly important since mortality was lower with diazinon (LC50=1.5μg/L) than with chlorpyrifos (LC50=0.17μg/L). At sublethal levels, maximum acetylcholinesterase inhibition took place at 4h in both brain and muscle and was of lower magnitude in diazinon-treated fish. This is due to the higher affinity of both aryl esterases for diazoxon, which allows higher detoxication rates and therefore greater recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity.

SU-E-T-271: Irradiating a Single Hippocampus in a Small Rodent Using VMAT- RapidArc SRS: Preliminary Data.

To develop and optimize the procedures for the precise irradiation of the hippocampal region in a rodent with minimum radiation dose to the remainder of the brain. For this purpose, VMAT-RapidArc SRS was used to irradiate one hippocampus of athymic nude (ATN) rats. Prescribed dose was verified through TLD measurements and spared brain region(s) were confirmed through immunohistochemical analysis postmortem. Seven ATN rats, 10-12 weeks old underwent human-like radiation treatment planning followed by SRS. MRI and CT axial images of 0.8 mm thickness of the rat's skull were acquired and transferred to ECLIPSE treatment planning software where brain, right and left hippocampi were contoured. A VMAT-RapidArc plan consisting of two 3600 axial arcs and two 1200 vertex arcs irradiated the left hippocampus only to a dose of 10 Gy. Treatment was delivered using a 6 MV photon beam from a Trilogy Linac equipped with OBI. TLD measurements were performed prior to treatment using a custom made phantom that simulated the rat's brain and body. Orthogonal x-ray images taken with the OBI and co-registered to DRR images were used to adjust the rat's treatment position. One month post- irradiation, rats were sacrificed and brain dissection was performed to verify the radiation effects in the targeted and non-targeted regions. Percent differences between calculated and measured dose were ∼12% which was expected due to the small field sizes (<2cm) used. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a significant reduction in cell population in the ipsilateral hippocampus while cell populations comparable to those in a non-irradiated subject were observed in the contralateral hippocampal region. Present results demonstrate that precise irradiation of small volumes within a rat's brain can be achieved with human-like image-guided VMAT-RapidArc treatment. Postmortem analysis of the rat brain provides evidence of high-precision targeted radiation damage and dose sparing.